Time moves eternal. Those who were young become old, those who are children, become parents and in the fullness of time, parents of parents.

It's Grampa Neb's birthday and all the family will be there. For Twilight Sparkle, it's a chance to put things in perspective.

The steady march of decades had changed Equestria, and they had changed Twilight Sparkle. There were new marvels in the world and, yes, the absence of others long treasured.

Now, something was coming up in her busy schedule, something Twilight Sparkle had dreamed of since her youngest years. Behind her wry smile was a budding excitement and the heady wonderment of childhood, the likes of which her retainers might never have imagined her capable.

Twilight Sparkle smiled, she didn't need to show any different, because she knew: for all of it, she was not so changed after all.

Digging a hole wasn't the easiest of jobs, nor was it all that challenging or all too exciting, but it was rewarding in its own way. All the more so because once dug, Pinkie Pie could put her sister in said hole. And then fill it in, over her sister.

And she couldn't have asked for nicer weather for any of it!

At the heart of the enemy's stronghold! Surrounded by the enemy host! Outnumbered by hundreds to one!
Negotiatons breakdown! Diplomacy fails!
War!
War is declared!

Come at me, breezie.

With a fire in front and stars way above, with cider so crisp and a feeling of love.
Time to enjoy, with good company
where sweet nothing happens
and happens
so nicely.

Spike was the strangest of dragons, living his charmed life so far removed from his heritage. Knowing so much. How to be a good friend. How to be a hero.

How to have fun.

But actually being a dragon? Not so much. Barely at all, really.

Ember didn't know what to make of her friendship with the little drake, but she did know two things. Spike needed a teacher, a proper dragon teacher, to show him the way.

And second, that this was going to be fun.

There's an angel and a demon on your shoulders, contesting for the decisions you make.

This is well understood.

What is less commonly known is that the angel and the demon are only as sane as you are.

Prompt provided by the pedigreeEnigmatic Otaku

Noone ain't never called you Pedigree before, I wager.

Since trading a library tree for a much larger crystal castle, Twilight Sparkle and Spike don't see each other quite as much as they used. One quiet day in a string of quiet days, the young alicorn decides to visit her even younger companion.

The war pressed ever northwards, and Luna lead as the tip of that spear. Before her lay the abandoned town, Snow Vale. A safe pass through the mountains. A staging ground to strike at the Empire's very heart.

Sombra's beaten and broken slave-soldiers were retreating into the town. An oncoming blizzard darkened the horizon and within, icy demons fed to bloating by the war bay and howl. Luna narrowed her eyes. It would come too late. She would rout the enemy. She would take Snow Vale. She would claim the pass for their armies.

Half a league. Half a league. Half a league forwards.

Luna regarded her soldiers. Bright eyed, hot-breathed, ready. She smiled and gave the order.

They charged.

Twilight Sparkle and Celestia are seeing one another.

They both want it - happiness, to share in their moments, trials and tribulations, all of it, no matter the changes that come.

Now they just have to tell the parents. It should be simple enough.

But a lot of things are simple at first.

My extra special, somewhat belated thanks go to friends Tired Old Man and Vylon for much editing, and additional thanks to Tired Old Man for penning the wonderful title description above. You guys are great, you really are.