There's a saying in Equestria that "Keeping the harmony doesn't come cheap." Many owe the saying to the countless ponies—and the Elements of Harmony themselves, no less—who have sacrificed so much to keep a lasting peace in Equestria against all threats.

Twilight just didn't anticipate a more literal component of this... or rather, a monetary one. On the bright side, she now knows to never trust her friends with money again.

For the past several weeks, Twilight and Starlight have been working on a secret project that they refuse to elaborate on with their friends. Only that it might change how they view the universe.

When the girls, and even the princesses, finally get to see what exactly the two have been working on, it's not what they expected. But what they hear on it will leave its mark on them.

Across the universe, a world is dying. And Twilight and her friends will hear its message.

Sunset Shimmer always saw herself as the hero of her own story, her pride would settle for nothing less. Such views were challenged after spurning the controlling, demanding influence of her mentor, and finding herself an outcast. But never one to take life's hits without hitting back, she finds her way back to Canterlot Castle and via the relics hidden there, to a galaxy so much larger then she first thought.

Beyond the mirror portal, the colony ship Star Strider and its fleet has proudly wondered the galaxy for aeons, spreading Earth's many children among the stars and life to the barren worlds surrounding them. Planning on taking advantage of her new home, hitchhiking aboard the alien star ship far from Equestria, Sunset sets in motion plans to bringing technological and magical revolution to Equestria, intent on sating her lust for recognition and forwarding her uncertain path to alicorn ascension.

However it seems fate would derail her plans for the second time when she returns to Equestria, only to find it empty and pillaged. It is evident Earthlings are not the only creatures exploring the galaxy, and there are others that covet Equestria's bounty of magic with uncompassionate fever.

But Sunset is no pony who would see her ambitions crumble beneath poor circumstances, and knows that any calamity just another opportunity in disguise. Her victory will not come come through conquest, but with some good old fashioned heroics. After all, she has an unwitting rival to catch up to when it come to saving the world.

After her long journey to become Princess of all Equestria, Twilight expected a fairytale ending... just not quite like this. She wakes up the day after her coronation in a strange new world with a new identity... and this is just the start.

Expect to see a few familiar faces from the show in the fic too... just not as you know them. You'll see what I mean.

The time has come for the funeral of Twilight Sparkle.

Princess Cadance is grateful she doesn't have to attend alone.

Featured from June 15th to June 17th, peaking at #1. Thanks, everypony!

The world ended.

That, at least, is what it sounded like. Screaming, howling, and then deathly silence.

A month later, Cheerilee and Scootaloo emerge from their shelter in search of food. As they search among the dead bodies of their friends, only one question comes to mind:

Where are the unicorns?

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Written for the Quills and Sofas Cheerilee contest.

Featured on May 18th, 2021!

Twilight, apathetic after so many years since her friends' passings, prepares a spell so she can see them again.

No knowledge of TRON is necessary to enjoy the story.

Ten years after Celestia disappeared with no warning nor trace, Twilight Sparkle receives a message from the lost princess calling for help. When Twilight and Rainbow speed to Canterlot, Dash is accidentally transported to a strange world – but in her race to escape the System, she faces an enemy she never expected.

Cover art by Maxiima and RBDash47

Spanish translation by Spaniard Kiwi

"Harmonia per gratiam scriptor, we choose twilight sparkle" Intoned all the Immortals of the world.

The heartbreaking tale of Twilight Sparkle, omnes electi as the Avatar of Harmony.

**All these warning tags are implied, except violence**

Part 1 of the Shadow Trilogy

As Twilight Sparkle enters her third year amongst her friends in Ponyville, she finds herself plagued with strange dreams of an unknown power whispering dark secrets to her. The voices speak of Power, of the strength to protect what she holds most dear, of the great knowledge she could attain, such that no force could ever threaten her lands, or her friends, ever again.

Though she shrinks from this voice, the lure of greater knowledge, of magical power far beyond what she currently knows is enticing and alluring to her, eating away at her resolve even as the lack of rest begins to wear her physical defenses down.

What is this voice, and what does it plan for the most faithful student in Equestria?

Note: Events diverge from canon following the events of "Games Ponies Play"

Part 2 - The Twilight Fall
Part 3 - The Twilight War
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