As a descendant of the greatest conjurer of the pre-classical era, Star Swirl wishes to live up to her namesake's reputation and their shared cutie mark. But how can she emulate a powerful unicorn when she is an earth pony? Taking the advice of her psychologist, she heads off to Ponyville to try and find out. (Image property of Cybertoaster) (Now the first in a series)

Princess Cadence tries to legally change her name to "Princess Cadance." Footnotes ensue. Part of the "Cadance of Cloudsdale" cycle, and a crossover with Ghost of Heraclitus's Civil Service stories. Familiarity with neither is required.

Click the <♪♬♪> links for musical accompaniment!

Octavia Philharmonica was one of the most skilled classically-trained cellists of her generation. She could book entire concert halls chock full of mares and stallions from across the land to hear the somber anthems of her instrument of choice: the cello.

After the complete disaster that was the 1000th Annual Grand Galloping Gala, she found herself banned from doing that which was her life's only calling. Alone and with nopony to turn to, she finds unexpected companionship in the current patron of the Apple Family, a certain red stallion by the name of Big Macintosh.

Mad props to Scootareader for having the patience to pre-read this as I wrote it as well. In my previous fics, I had never used pre-readers. Yeah, I know. Nooooot smart.

Vectors used in the cover art were created by Scrimpeh and Esipode. Background by BronyB34r.

Octavia works had to achieve her dream, but eventually realises the price.
As soon as I heard this song, I could picture it so clearly in my head I just had to write it down.
It's a new format for me, purely using the lyrics and dialogue between characters, but I think it works. All credit for the song goes to Lectro Dub and The Living Tombstone and anyone else affiliated with it. And if you haven't heard it, you really should go listen.
[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VfyeltLH5-E]

It's been ten years since Rainbow Dash's father disappeared in a wild, fierce thunderstorm. When the same strange storm hits Ponyville, Rainbow Dash does as much as she can to try and stop it from happening again.

But magic has a strange habit of making things reappear, opening old wounds that could change Rainbow Dash's life forever.

Octavia is a high-class pony. Fine alcohol is her wont, and uncouthness her intense chagrin. Such is her surprise to find herself lumbered with an insufferable oaf of a DJ pony. However, sometimes these situations work themselves into a satisfactory ultimatum all the same.

A day in the life, and a glimpse into the mind, of Ponyville's favorite mail carrier and single mom. But if she had the choice of any one day for everyone to read about, it probably wouldn't be this one...

My unicorn parents called me a worthless mud pony. They pushed me every day to overcome my lowly status. When I woke up one morning with my cutie mark, I thought they would love me. I couldn’t have been farther from the truth.

It was not destiny or enjoyment that led me to discover the cello and composing. My parents made that decision, deciding before I was born I would continue their family legacy of famous musicians.

They did not realize what that decision would cost them.

Special Thanks and Links:

Cover Art: Dreampaw. The inspiration for the story.
Dramatic reading of Act I-III by Malao567. June 2013
Reading with music by ObabScribbler. June 2014
Song: Hooks and Strings by Reverb Brony. May 2014

Style inspired by H.P. Lovecraft
TypeWriterError: Editor & Rating Board
Gage of Grandiloquence: Editor
The11thWonder: Pre-reader
Nharctic: Pre-reader
Breath of Plagues: My Pinch Editor.
ArgonMatrix: Bad Grammar Exterminator
Daemon of Decay: Advice, also inspired me to write fan fiction. Blame him!

Twilight Sparkle's friends have lived long and happy lives. Now their time is coming to an end, but Rainbow Dash, at least, will not go gently. Twilight has the power to save her friend's life. Is it worth violating the natural order?

"The things that pull at your heart—the memorial in the prologue, the wedding in Chapter 1, the births and deaths and relationships to come—are not the point of the story: they are the stakes, and the story is at its heart about a decision that must be made."
—horizon

What if being an alicorn was considered being disabled? Or... is being an alicorn... treason?