What is a mediocre villain to do these days? How in Equestria do you compete with the likes of Chaos gods and love-stealing shapeshifters? Ever since those Bearer brats found the Elements of Harmony and Princess Celestia's long-lost and kind-of-evil-but-not-really-in-the-end sister returned, nopony bats an eye at the small potatoes any more.

Small Potatoes himself just cannot take being relegated to the side lines any longer! He has one, glorious plan in the works, one that might finally see it - his name, that is - go down in history. He's going to do the one thing that villains all over Equestria have been failing to do since that fateful Summer Sun Celebration to stop the Guardians of Harmony once and for all.

He's going to hire somepony else to do the job for him.

[This story contains scenes about death, attempted murder, some blood and an injury described in light-moderate detail (and with a humourous bent, I'm hoping.)]

A popularity poll in a magazine sparks a contest of virtues between Equestria's four princesses. Celestia, Luna, Cadance, and Twilight all come together to compete and determine who is truly deserving of the title "best princess."

Preread, Edited, and Reviewed By
Illustrious Q, El Oso

Written for the Mid-Summer Follow Appreciation Lottery Winner - Black Hoof

The magic is gone.
No matter how hard Sunset Shimmer tries, she can’t figure out where it disappeared to ever since Twilight Sparkle had come to their school. The portal remains, her last chance to study the magic of the human dimension, but its allure of adventure and the place she once called home is tempting her away from her friends.
Twilight feels like an outsider in Canterlot High. She doesn’t belong, everyone stares at her for what she did, and darkness still lurks in her dreams. Now her dreams are changing. A voice whispers riddles in a forgotten tongue, seven talismans shine, holding seven monstrous figures at bay, and she gets the most curious feeling that she’s barely begun falling down the rabbit hole.

Rainbow Dash has only had one dream: To be the fastest, most technical flyer in Equestria.

The Best Young Flyers competition did not satisfy her. Being granted the grand finale at the Royal Wedding was not enough. Not even being the first pegasus to perform the Sonic Rainboom multiple times could convince her that she was one of the top speedsters in the world. She strove, she pushed, she made every attempt to demolish the next obstacle before her, all for one purpose.

Joining the Wonderbolts.

In an attempt to get herself noticed, Rainbow Dash puts it all on the line and enters the world of professional Sky Racing. The goal? To win the most prestigious series the sport has ever seen: The Pegasus Grand Prix. But in order to do so, she'll need a good crew... and what better crew can she think of than her friends?

Friendship has solved everything so far... but can it win in the big time?

Edited by Spabble~!

Note: Both the prologue and first chapter have seen edits. Please re-read them for their new, shinier versions!

A Blacksmith with a past shrouded in mystery has lived in Ponyville for almost three weeks. At first he din't want much else than to work his craft, until he met a certain Apple farmer. What will happen when the two worlds collide?

Hey, every-pony I' taking a new direction with this fic. Hopefully it comes out right.