Why do ponies dream? Why do we all seem to dream the same dreams?

What if we started to dream new things?

Discord said he wanted to make our dreams more interesting. Add some spice to our boring nocturnal lives. Nothing dangerous – just a bit of excitement to talk about in the mornings.

"Stop worrying so much, Twilight Sparkle," he said. "After all, dreams never hurt anypony."

How I wish he’d been right.

Gold Medalist in the Under the Sun Writeoff Event.

Now with Russian translation, courtesy of Cloud Ring! https://darkpony.space/the-archetypist-1/

Bit is the first of her kind, a pony that was made from carved crystal and supernal circuitry. For many years she worked, obedient to the will of her master in endless repetition. She knew nothing else, not boredom, not satisfaction from her work, not anger or resentment or joy. Existence was obedience to directive, purpose fulfilled.

But around her, the world was changing. Her home wasn't Equestria, but the last surviving Crystal City, defiant to the Windigos and the imperial decree of Alicorns alike. She did not know, and could not care, how much the ponies of Zircon suffered under the rule of their king. But she was there the day those whispers united in a defiant chorus.

When the fires were still smoldering, she returned to her work. Generations came and went, and still she labored. It was all she was, all she knew, all she wanted. Until the day her last broom broke.

For the first time in her existence, Bit doubted.

Daily for the first four days, because Christmas. Updates Thursdays after that. Edited by Two Bit and Sparktail. Cover by Zutcha.

A story about finding the center of the maze.

She'd lost her home. She'd lost her family. She'd lost her hope. As Chrysalis nears the end, she makes one final gambit that could cost a princess her life. But as days pass and the future of Equestria grows dim, the former changeling queen finds herself wondering if this is what she really wants.

*Warning: This story is in the process of major rewrites. These rewrites will be released on a separate story when they are finished and marked as Version 2. The rewrites do shift a great deal of the story, leaving only the rough frame of the chapters intact. Because of this, this story is to be considered non-canon to the sequels, but will be kept around for those who wish to compare the two or want to see an alternate take on the story. I apologize for any inconvenience, and hope all you perspective readers out there will continue to enjoy this work for what it is.*

Thank you to Applezombi for their review, which can be found here: https://www.fimfiction.net/group/213901/my-little-reviews-feedback/thread/448400/review-of-death-of-a-queen-by-arkane12

For those seeking a bit more persuasion, there is another review by flutterJackdash here: https://www.fimfiction.net/blog/924077/fjd-review-death-of-a-queen-by-arkane12

And another from Azure Drache:
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/213901/my-little-reviews-feedback/thread/455357/review-death-of-a-queen-by-arkane12

And last but certainly not least, one from the Queen herself, QueenChrysalisForever:
https://www.fimfiction.net/group/215274/reviewers-mansion/thread/460664/a-review-death-of-a-queen

Also, credit for the cover art goes to: The Sleepless Beholder. Thank you so much for your help. (https://www.fimfiction.net/user/249246/The+Sleepless+Beholder)

Thank you to all the reviewers, artists, and readers that made this story what it is today.

This story is a sequel to Bulletproof Heart: The Great, The Powerful, and the Bulletproof

When he left Spurhoof, Sheriff Cranky Doodle handed his badge to Code Red. Why? Heck if Red knows. Not that he's complaining, being a sheriff in a tiny town like this is easy! Just pretend to have a backbone and enjoy the cushy position.

Until the day an unknown pony starts camping on the roof of the Wagon Train Clothier and firing warning shots at anypony who comes close. As if that's not bad enough, now a posse of drifters have arrived who look like they're planning something unpleasant. Suddenly, being sheriff of Spurhoof isn't all that great. But Red's got the badge, so he's supposed to do something about it.

May the Sisters spare him.

Written for the 'Write an Episode' Challenge, partially because the rules intrigued me.

Story is set during the events of the as-yet unreleased Bulletproof Heart sequel. It's not necessary to have read the original to understand these events, although it would help to fully grasp some of the background.

Cover art was found using a Bing search. Might apply a more customized one later.

Thanks to Merc the Jerk and Wanderer D for pre-reading!

There is a legend among the Outlaws of Equestria's southern deserts. They tell of a ghost, a blind pony dressed in black, carrying a raven on her shoulder. For Silver Steps, this legend is all too real. Once a young colt with big dreams of becoming an Outlaw, now he is on the run, endlessly chased by the mysterious hangmare.

But what could he, a hapless excuse for a stallion who wouldn't hurt a fly, have done to invoke the hangmare's wrath? Perhaps the answer lies in the minds of the dead, for whom the hangmare seeks to avenge?

Inspired by the Volbeat song, "The Hangman's Body Count". Rated T for moderate gore and suggested suicide. Happy Nightmare Night, everypony!

As the Princess of Canterlot, the Mistress of the Sun, and the most beloved ruler of Equestria, it could be assumed that Princess Celestia was the pony who ran Equestria. Few people know that she actually doesn't.

Her assistant, Raven Inkwell, does. And Equestria would be nothing without her.

[Third Person] Alternating Perspectives

In a world shaped by the powers of magic and steam, where every nation is ruled by immortal god-kings and god-queens, there is an era of peace never before experienced by mortals and immortals alike. People grow, live, and die all without ever being attacked by bandits. Major wars are a thing of the past, with only small local skirmishes occurring in more primitive sections of the world. International trade allowed wizards and engineers to tame the world so all may experience a little luxury.

To many, life couldn’t possibly be any better. For those living on the far northern borders of Equestria, that peaceful world is but a fantasy. In the northlands, wild animals still roam the woods, even venturing into cities and towns. Farmers whisper of crop-destroying monsters lurking in the dark. Local sheriffs keep a wary eye on the sky, ever watchful for the first sign of a griffon hunting party. Wizards regularly ward the area around local communities, fearing the dark magic cast within these lands long ago might one-day resurface.

This is the world Tractor Pull grew up in. This is the world the young stallion longs to escape. To the southern lands of peace and plenty. All he needs is a chance. A chance which unknowingly comes to him when he meets a mare in a snowbank one frigid winter’s night.

Featured on: 4/11/2018 at 7:26 AM UTC

This story is a sequel to Magic's Birth

Darksymphony made a review here

Luna and Celestia tell Twilight of the story of their 'brief' lives as the second to their makers, and how they grew from 'simple' machinery relative at the time to fully sapient beings.

From towering cities piercing into seas of stars to ravaged but hardy lands still giving food to those that stand upon them, Twilight will learn how the two sisters came to be and what they went through. The duo are more than happy to recount the tales of those that developed like them and became fast friends despite running on the opposing Blue and Black energies.

Perhaps, with the help of Twilight, the three will learn how the Blue's waste became the magic that gave such life and color to a world that belonged to others long, long ago.

You can find the original image link here
The current cover image was art done by JedaySkayVoker whose DA can be found in the source. Kryostase commissioned it for me. He's also been helping spot spelling errors, typos, and the like. Thanks a lot!

They say that good armour is a Royal Guard's best friend.

Sometimes, it might be a little more literal than expected.

After all, it isn’t every day that one receives shameless self-promotion from their protective attire.

In a world crippled by a cataclysm one has to keep one’s eyes wide open, for it no longer belongs to its former masters and danger awaits survivors behind every corner. But how can one look out for something so abominable and hideous that a mortal mind chooses to ignore its existence?

Warning: the comment section may contain spoilers!