Opaline Arcana has sowed dissent and anger across Equestria. With the nation divided, Princess Twilight Sparkle and her friends are struggling to contain the ambitious alicorn. If something isn't done soon, Twilight will have no choice but to store Equestria's magic into the Unity Crystals, putting all of ponykind at risk.

Before that, though, Twilight has an idea. There's a prisoner locked away in Tartarus that was forgotten by history. He might be just what they need to stop Opaline. However, letting him loose could spell disaster for Equestria.

It's a risk she has to take.

Misty didn't know why she was so scared that night. Yet, she hoped that Opaline would comfort her and help her calm down. And there's no better way to comfort a little filly than telling a bedtime story.

With only one minion to her name, Opaline finds herself in a bind when Misty falls ill. Cooking, cleaning, and infiltrating Maretime Bay for medicine become the least of Opaline's problems as she contemplates exactly what Misty means to her – or rather, as she tries to not contemplate it.

Self-doubt is unbecoming for a perfect alicorn, after all.

Russian translation: https://ponyfiction.org/story/17571/

This story is a sequel to Stoking the Flames

Following her defeat, Opaline Arcana was consumed by her Together Tree. She knows not how long she was in there, but finally, everything has gone cold. For a fire alicorn, this can mean only one thing:

She has died.

And someone is waiting for her on the other side.

Food for thought: if Equestria cut just 2% of its annual friendship budget it could afford to construct a colossal obsidian sphere in Ponyville. On top of the obvious economic benefits, it would be visible throughout all of central-north-ish Equestria and emanate an ominous hum!

The Unity Crystals had been acting oddly for a few days, piquing Sunny and her group’s interest. The artifacts' power was unknown, holding untold secrets of the ancient world within them, but what it bestows upon them is beyond any of their wildest imagination. With endless questions, and an absolute need for more information, the ponies begin a journey to find some kind of an answer.

Leading them to the forgotten ends of Equestria, the path to their goal sends them through the ancient world where the foundations of friendship itself were laid. Though the answers they search for may be better off unanswered.

Sunny knew of the ancient world, the Elements of Harmony, and the six ponies that saved Equestria time and time again. She'd learned how the Element bearers' stories started, and how they ended, all except one - Twilight Sparkle. She always dreamed about learning more of her hero, but never would have imagined how she and her friends would soon become entwined in her tale.

Time can do many things, and for the idol of friendship, it can be her undoing.

This story was started and heavily planned when only Chapter 2 of Make Your Mark was available.

Full Resolution Cover Art Here

Thanks to Enigmatic Otaku and Gonderlane for helping edit the story!

Story cover art by: SyrupyyyArt

Misty is a nervous pony. With all the abuse she takes from Opaline, it's no surprise that she's about to pee herself every other minute. What is a little hench-pony with an overactive bladder supposed to do?

Sad/Dark/Drama tags added because Opaline is a horrible pony.

Trigger warnings: Bedwetting / urge incontinence and Misty's abusive home life

Cover image is Derpibooru #2958157.

In the Celestial Sea, about ten miles from the shores of Equestria, there lies a small, uninhabited island. On this island, two mysterious mares have a quiet discussion over a game of chess.

Opaline has declared herself the greatest Fire Alicorn in Equestria.

The actual greatest Fire Alicorn in Equestria would like to disagree.

Featured 2/22/2024 - 2/25/2024!

Misty decides to visit an old friend on Winter Wishday.

Part of Serina's Hearth's Warming Eve Collection for 2023.

Spoiler Warning: This story contains spoilers for Chapter 6 of Make Your Mark.