Who knew curiosity was a crime?

"A company can spend thousands of dollars on a single method of protection to a network or network service, but to hackers it doesn't even cost a penny."
-Kevin Mitnick

Times are dark in the land of Skyrim. A grievous civil war tears throughout the land, splitting brothers and sisters apart. And, as an ancient prophecy foretold, giant fire spitting monsters have returned, killing all in their path of destruction. There is only one who can put a stop to both of these conflicts. The Dragonborn, a being born to mortals, but with the blood of the dragons.

If only the Dragonborn weren't afraid of her own shadow.

Featured! 06-09-18

If you see a link, that's where I placed an appropriate music track. Simply right-click and hit 'Open in new tab.' This is a very music-centered story, where tracks are placed to aid in the storytelling. Here is my intended main theme of the story.

Special thanks to my wonderful editor, The Planyx!

Sphinxes. Creatures from ancient Anugypt, shrouded in mystery, myth, and superstition.

When an archaeology caravan passes through Ponyville carrying the find of the century--four mummified sphinxes--an ancient Anugyptian curse awakens and regenerates the Sphinx Queen Neferkitti and her retainers.

Now, four mysterious creatures from another place and time are on the loose...and mildly annoying the citizens of Ponyville.

(Cover art by zimvader42, used with permission.)

Trixie has returned to the only life she hasn't failed at, rock farming. When her old rival comes to help her make amends, she's thrust into an adventure she doesn't want to be on, but it may be what she needs to reclaim her confidence as the Great and Powerful Trixie she once was.

This story is a sequel to The Unchosen One

Trixie has wings and a horn, but she isn't a princess yet. With Equestria's political situation fragile following the events of Tirek's attack and subsequent defeat, she has to hide her status from everypony. At the same time she has to learn how to control these new powers and try to earn the respect she desires.

Of course this would all be easier if there wasn't someone working against her from the shadows.

You don't need to read The Unchosen One before you read this, but since this is a direct sequel it would be good so you know how and why Trixie got those wings. It would also be good to have seen the ending of season 4. If you haven't yet, don't read the bit above where I mention Tirek. Don't read that last sentence either.

The Accursed Alicorn Amulet. An item of great power, capable of giving any pony wearing it the power reserved only for alicorns. The power of a god among mortals. All of that, only at one price; your sanity.

Not an easy decision, isn't it? Sure, a mind is something precious and all that, but the temptation of having such a power can be too much for certain ponies. It was too much for Trixie, and she fell for it. It's a good thing that Twilight Sparkle managed to save her from a life of insanity.

But, what would happen if Trixie's sanity wasn't the only price to pay? What else could the Amulet take from Trixie?

Co-written with nightwalker

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Chapter 1's Live Reading

This story is a side story to Crystal's Wishes

On the surface, Velvet Step seems like a pretty straightforward mare. She is in the Canterlot Ballet, the dutiful daughter of Sunbeam and Pepper Ridge, and the very best of friends with Crystal Wishes, her fillyhood friend and current roommate.

However, Velvet has another side to her, one that not even Crystal knows about, and she is keen on keeping it that way.

Stoner Twilight pays Donut Joe's shop a visit when she gets an extreme case of the munchies.

Contains Twilight Sparkle, high on magic weed, indulging on copious amounts of donuts and rapidly gaining weight as a result.

The Summer Sun Celebration is tomorrow and you've got work to do, but the heat is unbearable. Slipping off to Ponyville's pond to cool down never sounded so good. What could possibly go wrong?

Warning: slightly random concept.

Sweetie Belle is eager to start casting actual spells.

A little too eager.

After things go awry and Sweetie Belle's body goes through some... changes, Twilight steps up to aid in her recovery and teach her to see the bright side of the situation.

After all, turning yourself into a balloon isn't easy. That takes talent... and effort. Whether you'd want to is another matter entirely.

Additional tags: balloon, Twilight mentoring, post-spell rehabilitation, Scootaloo not being the elephant in the room, Sweetie Belle's parents showing up when they are needed, and a notable lack of Rarity. Really, you can note the lack. Also implied cruelty to bullies, which the author does not recommend, condone, or preach in any way, shape or form, and he wouldn't be warning people about it if he could have nice things.

Written for the Balloon Ponies January Contest.