Donut Joe keeps his store open on Hearth’s Warming Eve. And why not? He doesn’t have anywhere else to be, and neither do the tired, bitter ponies who find their way inside.

But the Eve is young, and strange things lie ahead. Who knows what might happen on a night like tonight?

(Inspired by the song "Old City Bar," by Trans-Siberian Orchestra)

Reviewed by TheifofZ here.

This story is a sequel to The Brightest and the Best

Professor Crystal Clear, Chairpony of the Board of Examiners at Princess Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns has always taken pride in running a fair set of admissions tests to accurately assess all candidates and select those most deserving of a place at the elite academy. Together with her colleagues, she has upheld the highest standards of academic excellence, and managed the school examinations with the utmost professionalism.

Then there came the day they met Twilight Sparkle.

Applejack, the dependable and honest operator of Sweet Apple Acres, finds herself overwhelmed with chores after Big Mac and Sugar Belle get married. Sure, she can ask her friends for help, but that is only a temporary solution, so the farmer starts to look to the classified section of the local paper to hire some day laborers and get caught up.

But Help Wanted takes an interesting turn when Applejack finds an advertisement for mail order husbands, and both Rarity and Rainbow Dash are keen to assist with their friend's pitiful love life...

Editors:
Georg
Sipioc

Cover art by Sipioc

To the north, Queen Chrysalis' empire grows strong with conquest, industry, and fearsome new weapons.

To the south, Equestria sleeps.

But not Miss Harshwhinny. She is not a soldier, owns no factories, did not even know what a tank was before seeing a picture. She can learn, though, and she can see what is coming. And as the day of invasion draws near, she races against time to build for Equestria a weapon with a fighting chance.

(An Equestria at War fic.)

Now with a dramatic reading by Skijaramaz!

Sonata Dusk: A bimbo, an airhead, a moron, a fool, a girl without even two brain cells to rub together to generate thought... right?

...Right?

Being the pinnacle culinary achievement for rising bakers, the Annual Canterlot Bake-Off is one of the largest events of its kind. Ponies Equestria-wide come to show off their crafts, eager to prove the supremacy of their art. To many, it is the first step on the road to greatness.

For Cupcake, it is an unending thorn in her side. Every year she has entered, and every year she has lost to lesser chefs simply because they smile and display emotion.

But she'll keep fighting.

You're just an ordinary guy, living an ordinary life. But your life changes one miserable Monday, when you arrive home to find an unexpected visitor in your house: specifically, you discover Twilight Sparkle in your bed.

Things go downhill fast.

And she's just your first visitor.

Tags and contributing authors will be added as needed. A couple new chapters will be added daily until the well runs dry. Continuity is overrated, so don't complain about it. It's a thematic collab, not a big budget Hollywood movie where there are never any continuity errors.
Do you want to join? Click here!

An ongoing collection of stories and poems too short for standalone FIMFic publication. NOT a scraps file — there are some contest winners in here! Contents, newest first:

The Pony Door [Crossover] – A cult leader, in their pursuit of secret truths, makes a startling discovery about the goddess(es) they are chasing. (8/2021)
Retirees [Drama] – Celestia and Luna have a plan for their post-princess days. Fifth place, "Through A Mirror Brightly" Writeoff! (3/2019)
The Shipper Is: IN [Random] [Romance] – Discord takes advantage of Cadance's metaromantic powers.
The Illusion Of Choice, Or Vice Versa [Drama] – A prodigious filly struggles with the burden of high expectations. Finalist, "Illusion of Choice" Writeoff! (10/2015)
Moon Bright [Slice of Life] – Two isolated farmers try to figure out how to react to Princess Luna's return. Third place, "The Morning After" Writeoff! (12/2016)
We Only Live Twice [Slice of Life] – When Bon Bon walked into her own funeral, that didn't shock us nearly so much as Lyra walking in alongside her. Tenth place, "It's Your Funeral" Writeoff (3/2016)
Charlotte's Goop [AU] [Crossover] [Comedy] – A changeling queen is leaving messages on Applejack's barn about her farm animals.
F=MC^2 [Alternate Universe] – The great and terrible road to the Manehattan Project.
Through The Fire And Flames [Random] [Comedy] [Equestria Girls] – Blue Oyster has a fever, and the only cure is a brainless minific.
The Slow Fall of an Unfamiliar Star [Sad] [Romance] [Human] – Sunset watches a sunset, alone with her memories. Eighth place, "Just Over The Horizon" writeoff (10/2014)
Eponalepsis [Slice of Life] [Far Future] – The immortals gather at Celestia's end, and debate forgiveness. 22nd place, "Famous Last Words" writeoff. "Highly Recommended" by Present Perfect! (8/2014)
Why I Left [Human] – A chance encounter at a failed pony convention. Eighth place, "Long Way Home" writeoff (6/2014)
Torn, Discarded Pages From An Old Notebook [Romance] [Adventure] – A young Twilight Sparkle writes about the adventures of a pony who is completely made up and imaginary. First place winner in the Twilight Sparkle's Secret Shipfic Folder badfic contest! "Highly Recommended" by Present Perfect! (6/2014)
You, Ms. Harshwhinny, And A Pair Of Cougars Go On A Double Date [Random] – what
Night Mare's Party [Filk] – Luna's transformation vs. Oingo Boingo.
Alicornication [Filk] – Twilight Sparkle's ascension vs. the Red Hot Chili Peppers.
On Alicorn Fiction [Slice of Life] – Twilight has found plenty of nonfiction for her collection of Celestia's writings, but she's having a hard time finding any novels.
Deleted Scenes [Comedy] – Celestia introduces Luna to movies.
War Averted [Alternate Universe] – Cadence solves a problem.
From The Stars [Adventure] [Poem] – When a star falls upon ancient Equestria, a filly journeys to save what remains of her tribe.
Breaking The News [Comedy] – Ponyville prepares for disaster. (Published in the Everfree NW 2013 conbook!)

Vice-Principal Luna is flung into Equestria. Her arrival was less than ideal, but perhaps her search back home could be easier than expected? Maybe. Maybe not.

But after running into a familiar face and a new friend in an unfamiliar land of magic, strange creatures, and even stranger things, some issues remain the same.

Contest entry for the Season 10 Bingo Writing Contest!

Cover art by tetrapony!

Miss Harshwhinny is presented with a dilemma from which there appears to be no ethical escape. Starlight Glimmer is very good at stretching the definition of “ethical.”

A love letter to the writing of Aragon. No creatures were harmed in the writing of this fic.