The Cutie Mark Crusaders have always lived in the now, getting what they think needs to be done as a soon as possible, executing their plans just so they can move on to the next one right away, not thinking about the consequences till they’re right there in their faces. But when an attempt to earn their cutie marks goes too far, Sweetie Belle and her friends must face a horrible reality that sends their world into darkness and fear. How will the truth be uncovered and what will be sacrificed to undo this nightmare?

Apple Bloom and Sweetie Belle preen Scootaloo after she gets her wings in a bit of a mess. (Rated T for a moderately sensual description of preening. The characters are slightly aged up, but not adult ponies yet.)

Cover image by newlunaticrepublic. This story was written for ScratchnTavi's preeny-weeny contest-wontest. (That's the official name of the contest, by the way.)

Featured Box, 11 Mar 2015!
I won third prize in a beauty contest!

The Cutie Mark Crusaders try a new (well, historically old) profession in an attempt to get their cutie marks. Rarity finds out, and is mortified.

Obviously, this takes place before they got their cutie marks. This story was conceived and written by me in about two hours; 1-3 AM

11/22-11/24/15; Popular Stories list....I'm as bewildered as you are.

Sweetie Belle feels depressed. Not only does she have yet to get her cutie mark, but she can hardly do any magic! Yet her sister Rarity has a plan to help her with a little help of a certain newly minted Princess. Can Twilight Sparkle teach her magic or will it end in disaster?

Sweetie Belle is on vacation with her family in Fillydelphia, when she spies a lonely old shop window with a mysterious toy within its depths. A doll fashioned in her image. It's been a long time since some pony has dared open these doors, but determined to uncover its secrets, she braves the unknown to venture within...

Special thanks to Rogueunicorn, DudeGuyOne, Dihydrogen Oxide, Alcatraz, AClosetBrony, Discord Kantus and Gadgetphile for the job of Editing/Pre-Reading and general advice.

Now with 100% Less errors, courtesy of Nekonyancer. AND... A brand new scarier ending.

Chinese Translation by MLM: Here

Review by PresentPerfect: Here
Available in Print: Here
Audio Drama by GutiuSerenade: Here
Dramatic Reading done by Plagen Shiki: Here

Scootaloo decides that dancing in a fiery inferno is an excellent idea. Sweetie Belle thinks that it's a horrible idea, but she's dragged along anyway.

A collaboration with PikaBlue, with some (un)helpful input from scootaloo96. Or maybe it was helpful. I forget.

After yet another failure to get their cutie marks, the Cutie Mark Crusaders return to their clubhouse in low spirits and no ideas to test out
But after an incident involving a song with a mysterious magic to it, Sweetie Belle finds fate thrust upon her that no one expected.

Note: This has no correlation with the novel by Rosalyn McMillan which I have not, and probably will not read.
And yes, the cover is drawn by me.

Sweetie Belle is stuck in a time loop and the princesses have convinced her to take them with her.

Chaos ensues.

Side story to A little loopy. Reading it is not required but it does help.
For searches: Sollace

Sickness does not need to mean isolation. As two ponies come to her in a time of need, Sweetie Belle comes to understand that. Some lighthearted d'aww of Sweetie and a hospital visit.

Inspired by the cover art.
Christ, didn't expect ever to say that sentence.