The stupidly-named holiday side story to The Iron Horse: Everything's Better With Robots!

Robot pony Turing Test learns about Hearth's Warming and decides to get a gift for Twilight and Spike to show her gratitude for all they've done for her, but she wants to do something special. No gift cards, socks, or box of sugar plums will do for this robot! To find the ultimate gift for her first Hearth's Warming, she'll go to the ends of Equestria!

Ever since Sombra's defeat, the Crystal Empire has revered "the Great and Honorable Spike the Brave and Glorious" as a hero and a savior. When he (and guests) are invited to the first Crystal Ball in over a millennium, Twilight expects to hear that endearingly overblown title all night.

She's half-right.

A refined entry in the November 2014 Writeoff Competition. Prompt: "Title Drop." Takes place between Seasons 4 and 5.

When a colt named "Bad Dude" storms into Celestia's personal study and declares himself as her latest arch enemy, the Princess can't help but nearly gush from the sight. As perhaps the cutest villain Celestia has ever encountered, she hurriedly calls for Luna to meet him as well.

But is there more to "Bad Dude" than his cute exterior would suggest?

No. No there is not.

Now with a youtube reading! HERE!

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At last, the second season of your favorite wind mage's adventures in Equestria is here!

Just as Vaati has fully settled down into his new life in Equestria, the unthinkable happens; Ganon appears and declares his intent to conquer. Now, with the Princesses forced into hiding, the Elements of Harmony scattered all across the land, and races all around Equestria suffering under Ganon's harsh rule, it is now up to Vaati, Twilight, and their friends to join forces with unexpected allies, recover the Elements, and take the fight to Ganon. And all the while, an even greater evil plots from the shadows, enacting a scheme centuries in the making that shall soon encompass two worlds that do not yet know the connection they share...

And as the adventure gets underway, one by one, the Mane Six begin to have nightmares...

Meanwhile, the Cutie Mark Crusaders must combat the darkest depths of madness and twisted illusions if they want to save Scootaloo from falling victim to the evil power that weaves the strings of all their fates...

Rated T for action violence, minor language, mildly suggestive themes, and some scary/disturbing images.

This story is a sequel to Deserts and Dragons

Twilight Sparkle has given Spike the week off, and the timing couldn't be more perfect. He and Big Macintosh have just been invited out to Appleoosa to take part in a sacred buffalo tradition known as the Dragon Dance Festival. True, Spike hasn't had the best track record interacting with other dragons, but he simply can't say no to a week full of pampering, respect, and all the topaz he can eat.

Alas, poor Spike can't seem to get a break; not even on his vacation. A band of nefarious dragon poachers crash the party and make off with some of the more prestigious guests. Bound by his Noble Dragon Code, Spike coerces himself into mounting a rescue along with the Apple Family. But they won't be going it alone. A ragtag gang of semi-virtuous dragon bandits want in on the action, as they've been tracking these poachers for a while now. What's more, Little Strongheart was hoping that Spike could educate these ne'er-do-wells about how to be proper, noble dragons. It doesn't help that their leader is a cute young female about Spike's age, nor does the fact that she already has another guy fawning over her.

So, to recap. Spike must help kin that he doesn't identify with and show them how to be noble like he is, all while taking care not to create a love triangle in the process. Um, yeah. No pressure or anything.

Part II of the Ballad of Needles.

There is a legend the buffalo tell of a mystical clan of dragons that practice magic far out in the desert. These Dragon Magi, as they're called, are said to be very wise, and they are willing to help anyone in need of guidance. No one has actually seen these dragons, but the story makes for an interesting bit of folklore.

To a group of young ponies, however, it's more than just folklore. It's the answer to their biggest problem.

While staying with Braeburn in the frontier town of Appleloosa, the Cutie Mark Crusaders become privy to this tale thanks to a chance encounter with Chief Thunderhooves. Seeing this as a new opportunity to (hopefully) get their Cutie Marks, they pack up their wagon and go riding off into the desert in search of the Dragon Magi. Unfortunately, they forgot to tell Braeburn. Oops!

Wild with panic, Braeburn ropes Little Strongheart into his quest to rescue the fillies. However, chasing a pegasus-propelled wagon on hoof is usually ill-advised. Luckily, a pair of salesponies who just rolled into town are willing to offer a mode of transport for a, modest fee. But much like the Crusaders, these salesponies have no idea what they're getting into. For the desert is a dangerous place, and it's not just due to the threat of sunstroke (although that doesn't help).

Saddle up, y'all. It's gonna be a wild ride for all involved.

Part I of the Ballad of Needles.

Sunset Shimmer has never needed anyone or anything - she had her magic, she had her ambition, and she had intellect. Others just stood in her way or held her down. So what do you do when your plans for world domination fall through?

Now she's about to discover that the only thing harder than hitting rock bottom is climbing your way out of that crater. Good thing she has some new friends to help her along, but its tough to seek forgiveness from others when you can't forgive yourself...

Special thanks to KiltedKey (Chapters 1/2) and SolidFire for their editing work.

Pinkie should really start reading signs more often. Anti-Earth Pony meetings are no joke.

An uncertain Luna must again take up the responsibility of dispelling nightmares, but what if those dreams feature herself as Nightmare Moon? Would she be up to the task of confronting her past as well? Or is there more to a particular foal's nightmare than meets the eye?

A damaged robot pony, unlike anything ever seen in pre-industrial Equestria, is found in the orchard. Before it collapses, it says only two words: "Twilight Sparkle..."

Twilight fixes the mechanical mare and gives her a new directive: "Make friends." Now a robot must learn what it takes to be a good friend and, while she's at it, what it means to live...

Featured on Equestria Daily (11/22/15) and The Goodfic Bin! (3/20/16)!
Featuring illustrations by Colby Green (Illustration Gallery found HERE.)
Editors: GaPJaxie,The Knight Templar, GenerousGhibli, E3gner, and Reese.
Technical Consultants: Artichoke Lust and JFalk.

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