On the eve of Applejack's one hundred and eighty-second birthday, an old friend drops by uninvited to pick her brain about what happens when a pony dies.

I have lived my entire life among the ice at the top of the world with my pod. I knew little of the world outside of the ways of We of the Sea, and as a filly, that suited me just fine. But one day, the steel whales came, and on their backs, they carried creatures not unlike myself, yet wholly different. For while I swam in the sea, they walked on the land and flew through the air. Yet they reminded me of my kind, so curious, so tragic, and so infinitely precious. Where they did not understand, they sought to learn with a foolish stubbornness. Where they wandered far from home, they extended their hooves in friendship.

Where they waged their wars, they fought with a violent savagery that was frightening to me.

As I held a dear friend close, the breath fleeing from his body, I only wanted to know one thing.

Why?

Cover art and inspiration by JhonnyRebel. Pre-reading provided by djthomp.

Featured on Equestria Daily!
And an awesome reading by Illya Leonov!
Another awesome reading by Scribbler!

Russian translation of this story can be found here, courtesy of NovemberDragon!

A predator chases his prey heartlessly. Yet prey can be predators too. Does one predator owe mercy to another?

This is dark. It's pure vent fic, if rather indirect; my real frustrations have nothing to do with wanting to kill and eat people! Still, read at your own risk.

Posted without editing or input from anybody, because I'm sure anyone I asked would probably have told me this was a bad idea.

When passions flare and new relationships begin at the Grand Galloping Gala, it can be difficult to sort things out through the warmth and glow of young, budding love. Princess Twilight Sparkle and Captain Spitfire know full well such things are supposed to have a certain progression, but they're not going to let that stop them from enjoying each other's company as much as they can.

Prereading/Editing help by Cryosite, Jondor, Melon Hunter, Meridian Prime, and Timaeus.
Artwork by FlutterThrash.

Luna and Celestia are not like you and I, or at least that is what we tell ourselves. They do not talk to those such as us, who are mere mortals who quickly pass on by them. At least, that's what we tell ourselves. Until one day, my Lady spoke to me.

I will never forget that night. Even though I want to forget it.

Edited by the ever lovely MaskedFerret.

In a miscommunication gone awry, Starlight Glimmer has killed Twilight Sparkle with a fork.

Luckily for Twilight, Starlight's already acquired a resumé in doing the impossible.

She's totally got this.

Coverart created by Lord Destrustor!

Spike was the strangest of dragons, living his charmed life so far removed from his heritage. Knowing so much. How to be a good friend. How to be a hero.

How to have fun.

But actually being a dragon? Not so much. Barely at all, really.

Ember didn't know what to make of her friendship with the little drake, but she did know two things. Spike needed a teacher, a proper dragon teacher, to show him the way.

And second, that this was going to be fun.

Years ago, Daring Do discovered an ancient city, forgotten in one of the farthest reaches of Equestria, and within it a mysterious lock that could not be opened by a single pony alone. Frustrated and eventually defeated she was forced to abandon her find, willing time to absolve her of her failure.

Not too long ago, she met a pony named Rainbow Dash. A pony who helped her.

Now old memories are rekindled when Daring learns that a longtime rival has uncovered the city's location. Forced into action, she sets off on a race against time to beat her competitor, and finally learn the secrets it undoubtedly holds. But this time, she'll succeed where she failed all those years ago. This time, she'll have help.

A young Sunset Shimmer, spending her first Hearth’s Warming in Canterlot as Princess Celestia’s personal student, comes to the terrible realization that there’s not going to be any snow for the holiday.

She decides to do something about it.

*****
A Hearth's Warming gift for DrakeyC.

Cover art courtesy of the wonderfully skilled RyuRedwings, used with permission.

Editing thanks to the incomparable and brilliant Pascoite.

Russian translation, courtesy of ya-RInA!

Now available in Spanish, courtesy of SPANIARD KIWI.

Starlight returns from the marketplace to come across two sworn foes calmly sharing tea, much to her confusion.

Much to her confusion.