Chrysalis' scheme has borne fruit. United by bribes and promises, the leaders of each nation have come with her to deliver an ultimatum: surrender Equestria, or face hopeless war with their combined armies.

So why does Celestia look to Chrysalis with a gentle, mourning gaze? And why is Chrysalis afraid?

This story is a sequel to How's This For A Stinging Sensation?

Princess Celestia encounters a cockroach after making her breakfast. Naturally, she handles the situation like most ponies would.

Reading by Wolf newman.

Reading by LazerPewPew.

Reading by Lead Bread.

Reading by TheCaptainSand - Scarlett Blade.

Cover art also courtesy of Wolf newman.

Spike now harnesses the bloodstone scepter making him the ruler of all dragon kind. Of course he hands it off as part of an important lesson on friendship, right? Naw. He immediately goes mad with power.

The stories of Sunset Shimmer and Nightmare Moon have a lot in common. Sunset and Luna, though, have never even heard of each other. Luna's past is behind her, but Sunset still has one last apology to make. Will she find the courage to face the one she wronged? Or will she just keep hitting on Luna?

My entry for the Sunset Shipping Contest
Cover by the inimitable Rawrienstein
Special thanks to Gara and Arkadarp for proofreading!

This story is a sequel to Sunset Shimmer is MAD about EVERYTHING

The mysterious Table of Harmony has called on Starlight Glimmer to solve a friendship problem at Canterlot Castle, but wait! A second cutie mark belonging to a magically inclined alicorn has appeared, and unfortunately for Twilight, it’s not hers.

Can Sunset Shimmer help Starlight Glimmer untangle this mysterious problem in Canterlot, or will her own personal past prove more a hindrance than anything?

Spoilers for 'A Royal Problem'

Sunset vector by Sunsetmajka626.
Starlight vector by Cloudyskie.

Sunset Shimmer's life has been on the up and up. She turned from her past, made new friends, and is now passing the magic of friendship to others, including this world's Twilight Sparkle.

Which is why, of course, this is all just a mistake. Things got a little out of hand, but it's over now. So now they can just move past this. Why, it'll be a funny story to tell in a few months.

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Special thanks to the following:

SoloBrony, for being who he is.

CarcinoGeneticist, for his charitable contribution cleaning up the grammar.

Nadnerb who along with Solobrony convinced me to work toward publishing this stuff, even when I didn't want to.

And Skeeter the Lurker, Tourquillian, Nyerguds, and Prane for arguing in the Gdoc about what worked and what didn't.

The catalyst for, but not part of, The Shelf Cleaning Intiative

Now has a spiritual sister story in So You've Just Seduced Your Best Friend. For more details on that, check here.

Aria Blaze is history's most prolific composer. Writing music constantly for upwards of a thousand years will earn you that title. Now, after a defeat which robbed the three sirens of a magic they've known their entire lives, she relies more than ever on her passion to carry her through an uncertain time. Whatever form fate thrusts upon her, she will never stop making music, and that's all that matters...or it would be, if she could get one roommate to stop pestering her, and the other to stop a downward spiral of self-destruction.

She really, really is.

And Twilight has to deal with it.

This story is a sequel to Long Road to Friendship

It is a new year for Sunset Shimmer; a fresh chance at real happiness with her five best friends and her girlfriend. But Sunset is constantly troubled by her uncertain future, and haunted by the consequences of her past.

For her battle against Princess Twilight has drawn forth ancient forces with eyes on the last bastion of magic: Canterlot City.

As darkness closes in, Sunset must find her light and guide her friends to defend their world against old rivals and legends best left forgotten, all while dealing with their ever-looming futures.

But when graduation comes, what will Sunset Shimmer do? For she is still a stranger in this world, with or without her friends, and the road before her guarantees nothing.

Of course, with the universe conspiring against her, it'll be a miracle if she even makes it that far...

Story plot edited by HenryAnthonyCourtler
Pre-read by DrakeyC
Wonderful cover art designed by HanasakiYunarin!
Text added by Amber Spark!
The page of Spectacular Tropes!
Presenting the French translation!

Princess Twilight Sparkle is a teacher, a ruler, and the occasional savior of Equestria, and she loves it. Her jobs can be rewarding and fulfilling, but they can also be a bit exhausting. Hearing her friend is feeling a little worn out from all the responsibilities she has, Sunset Shimmer offers Twilight a holiday together across the portal in the human world. No evil magic, no intramural sports, and no one else. Just the two of them spending the entire day together.

Original art by Uotapo
Cover text generously added by Novel Idea

First story in the Rays of SunLight series.