This is not your typical love story. This is not a story where upon realizing my feelings for Rainbow Dash, I confess my love to her and she confesses back and we live happily ever after. This is a story about my infatuation with my best friend, and my constant fear of letting that secret out. Love isn't always an easy path to take, and it sure as hell ain't no sunshine and fairy tales.

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Rated Teen for cursing and adult themes.

Oh, jeez. I made a humanized AppleDash fic. It's okay, let the dislikes rain down upon me. I've prepared myself. *Opens up umbrella x.x*

This story is a sequel to Sweet Apple Anthology

Far in the West, out in the frontier, Babs Seed and Apple Bloom have found an adventurous, satisfying life. Business at their bar is booming and supporting Sweet Apple Acres, ending Applejack's economic woes (for the time being). Babs has reunited with her father and the savior of her foalhood, Turner. North of no-pony's land, Citrus, Libra, and Braeburn are thriving in Appleloosa, though tensions between the locals and an influx of emigrants threaten to shatter peace in the tiny town.

Far in the East, in the belly of the beast, the once-glorious city of Manehatten has collapsed into a haze of unimaginable chaos and depravity at the hooves of its King. A King whose chessboard is rapidly expanding and whose Knights march to conquer and annex in the name of their Master.

When East and West clash at last, who will be left standing?

Third installment in the alternate universe timeline started by Tangled Roots. Preceded by Sweet Apple Anthology and beginning from the first story's Epilogue.

Coverart by the awesome artist Lulubell.

Now with a TVTropes page! Thanks to vren55 for putting it up!

Rated Teen for strong violence, language, and darker elements. Sex tag is for implied sexual situations.

One year after her coronation, Princess Twilight Sparkle is dead, killed by her own subjects out of fear and jealously. After the funeral, Princess Celestia isolated herself from the world, mourning the loss of her brightest student and daughter figure.

But she cannot weep forever. She must take control of her duties once more. Haunted by the memories of the assassination, and its aftermath, Celestia slowly makes her way to Twilight's resting place to find some closure.

Now With its own TV Tropes Page!

Sequel is up