From waking up to burnt toast, to being accused of cheating on the biggest test of the year, Sweetie Belle's day goes from bad to worse. When Rarity pushes her over the edge, Sweetie finds that she just can't take it. The pain, the sorrow, the disappointment... But when she finds an ancient magic in the Everfree Forest, she's faced with a choice. She can either go on feeling everything, or she can never feel anything ever again. Anything would be better than the pain she feels now... right?

We are Ponies Protecting Ponies, a secret organization founded by Princess Celestia for the good of all of Equestria's citizens. Whether it's running protection, disaster prevention, or a terrorist threat, one of our agents is on hoof. We do what we must to give our friends and family their peace of mind. We blend into the background, just like any other pony. Watching. Protecting.

Under order from Princess Celestia herself, our agents have been assigned to the protection of a unicorn named Twilight Sparkle with specific instructions that the espionage tactics we're known for stay in play; Sparkle can't know a thing. She hasn't been a hard VIP to secure thus far; most of her time is spent either at Princess Celestia's side, or in the Canterlot library. Hopefully a brief visit to the nearby town of Ponyville doesn't bring her safety into question.

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Our six heroes decide to settle down for the night with a few bottles of their choice beverage and a few hands of poker.

The night was going so well until Rarity decided to wager her virginity.

Now she's desperate to get it back.

(Formerly known as Rarity Loses Her Virginity in a Poker Game. The author's artistic integrity was long gone by the time of writing this.)

Special thanks to Blue_Paladin42.

Tirek has, undoubtably, thoroughly, completely, won.

He has all six former bearers of the Elements tied to his (formerly Celestia's) throne.

He has the other three alicorns trapped in Tartarus.

He's absorbed every scrap of magic from every pony in Equestria.

And nopony will ever get a cutie mark, ever again.

Three certain fillies are going to do something about that. And if they can somehow rescue their sisters in the process, all the better...

For another take on the same idea, see Crusade at Midnight Castle by Carabas; or, for a story that takes the idea in a completely different direction, see Der Unter-gang by Monokeras.

Set 10 years after the brief escape of Tirek, Discord knows one last ploy is all that will be allowed him. Unleashing a villain long since defeated and forgotten, Discord sets in motion a series of events that'll either end with his victory... or his final curtain call. Since when was friendship supposed to last forever?

This story is a sequel to From The Gates

Taking place three months after the events of From the Gates, the Elements of Harmony and the former homunculi were enjoying their new lives and what has been laid in front of them. But after a large accident at the Grand Galloping Gala, all sorts of chaos will unfold. Will the Elements succeed a third time with the help of the homunculi, and will Greed finally know the meaning of Generosity? Stay tuned for more!

Future chapters edited/proofread by Pixel brony and Dawn Flower.

My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic is copyright of Hasbro
Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood is copyright of Hiromu Arakawa/ Hiroshi Onogi/ Square Enix

After a long day, Octavia goes home and pours herself a stiff drink.

This story is a sequel to Sleepless

Looking for forgiveness is hard, especially when you can't forgive yourself; Diamond Tiara knows about it well. After spending ten years in an asylum, she comes back to Ponyville to deal with her past. She doesn't expect to find an old friend there... And she certainly doesn't expect that her friend also has to deal with the consequences of her actions.

Pre-read by Bootsy Slickmane.

Click here for sequels reading order, TVTropes page and other info.

Russian translation by repitter
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Dinky Doo asks her mother a question.

Derpy Hooves finally reveals a truth.

Story collaboration with Rootbeer Dew, who helped to write up the ending.

Picture by some guy on Deviantart. Doomcakes, I think it was? XD

Popular Section! 5th July, 2014, Saturday! Thank you everyone!

UPDATE - There is a sequel to this story! To read the sequel, look up TheMyth, and his story 'Where Is The Love?'. This is the official sequel that I gave him permission to write up. Thank you everypony for your views and support! You guys and gals helped to make this a special story!

Link to the sequel! Where Is My Love?

[Warning: Spoilers in the comments]
The world around Roseluck is slipping away piece by piece. Color drains away, fear creeps in, and an empty town hides a secret she is afraid to face.

When all that remains are memories of family, friends, and fleeting moments, a friend tries to help her hold onto them before they fade away.

Before she fades away.

Cover art by secret-pony used with permission.

This story wouldn't be where it is today without the help of Minds Eye. Editor, pre-reader, idea wall, friend.

I also had a ton of help and encouragement from these fine folks acting as pre-readers and/or editors:
Between Lines, Evilhumour, Smaug the Golden, CogWing,Cerulean Voice, Adda le Blue, SirTruffles, wYvern, Syeekoh