Peace and quiet, two things Hitch craves on a daily basis. This week, though, is a great opportunity to grasp some as Sprout is on a well-needed (almost REQUIRED) week's vacation.

But not even a relaxing week will stop the odd deputy from annoying the mess outta the sheriff, which he ultimately does with a rather...unusual request.

It’s Hearth’s Warming season. Ponies of all kinds are excited for this holiday. Unicorn, Pegasi, Earth Ponies and all creatures alike.

All except one.

Sprout Cloverleaf just can’t seem to get into the Hearth’s Warming mood. It’s not that he hates this yearly holiday, he just isn’t as excited, or even interested. Nothing to make him truly feel happy.

That is…until he spots a little filly in a store who desperately wants to buy a dress for her Mom.

This Christmas themed fanfic is based on both the Christmas song Christmas Shoes by Newsong and the 2002 film of the same name, starring Rob Lowe.

06-12-2024: I changed the counter pony to a stallion to make it make sense for the cover photo that was made for me by MLPandMiraculousFanatic, who was recommended to me by ponydog127. Make sure to check them out. And thank you both for doing this for me.

Hitch needs help to keep the town free of litter after hundreds of new ponies move to Maretime Bay. He recruits some crows to help, causing disturbing nightmares, before the feathered vigilantes begin attacking the town.

As the swarm grows he is cut off from help, and the nightmares worsen. Hitch must figure out a way to stop the murder of crows from engulfing the town before it's too late.

Editor: n3k1dsk1llz
Pre-reader: Refro
Great Advice: AuroraDawn, HiddenMaster
Want more Gen 5 Horror by great authors? Check this blog.

The pony tribes have just reunited, and Pipp has accepted the job of teaching the unicorns and pegasi about the wonders of the internet. They're excited to see what this technology can do for them, and she's excited to be something more than another pretty face on social media. Nothing could shake her enthusiasm now.

Written for the 2023 Thousand Words Contest, in the "Comedy" catergory.

Sunny’s birthday was coming and she was going to have a sleepover with her friends! But fate had other plans as what happened next was sure to change her life, for a very long time.

NOTICE! This story is a randomized Choose Your Own Adventure story! The first chapter explains how to play on a simplified d20 system!

--

All Sprout wanted to do was learn about chess. A leather book embossed with a rook on it's cover in gold leaf caught the ex-sherrif's eye. No title to it, strangely enough. While the lack of a title should have been a red flag, Sprout's curiosity and naivete cause him to read it anyway.

Cozy Glow? What did somepony named Cozy Glow have to do with chess?

Sprout was about to find out...

---
This story was originally written for the Cozy Glow contest, but missed the deadline due to busy IRL circumstances. I hope you enjoy regardless.
Featured 10/3/23 - 10/4/23 - Thank you for the support!

NOTICE! This story is a Randomized Choose Your Own Adventure story! The first chapter explains how to play on a simplified d20 system!

Sprout is known by many as comic relief, and he tends to come about as clumsy and a bit lacking in knowledge, but behind all the clumsiness and stupidity, there is a much more darker side to him. As his relationships with those around him as well as his experiences all build up inside him like bricks in a wall, it seems as though he pushes society away and begins to go... a bit mental. Once the wall is completed, will his friends and enemies be able to tear it down, or will he be forever encaged and remain in isolation?

This story is meant to be a fusion fic of MLP: A New Generation and Pink Floyd's 1979 rock opera: The Wall.

As Maretime Bay, and all of Equestria, begins to reunify and bring more open minds to other races, Sprout decides to try and get closer to the one mare who helped make it all happen.

Author's Note: Please go and thank Ranger Dust, whose comment planted this idea in my head.

And also allow me to say I'm sorry... But not really.

While everypony who's anypony likes Winter Wishday, Sprout does not. He cares not for it in the slightest, and isn't afraid to voice his displeasure of it regardless of whether or not he's asked.

However, Sprout's friends in Sunny and Hitch become worried about Sprout's dislike of the holiday, and decide they need to try to at least get him to see it from a different point of view.

Then, that night, Sprout receives some unexpected visitors as he is made to confront his past, present and future in regards to Winter Wishday. And by the time it's over, he just might come to learn something new about others, or maybe even himself.

(Based on this fan comic.)

With all the changes ongoing in Maretime Bay, Sprout decides to run away before he can be "brought to justice". But even though he does just that, he has no destination in mind.

Alone with his thoughts, Sprout is suddenly approached by a mysterious force that offers to be his friend. And this "friend" quickly convinces Sprout that his former friends can no longer be trusted, convincing Sprout to turn on them.

Imagine the shock of Sunny and the gang when Sprout suddenly morphs into a threat that Equestria hasn't seen in ages: The Pony of Shadows! And amidst the uncertainty of having to fight such an evil to save a friend, the five ponies receive help from the most unlikely of faces.