This story is a sequel to To Be A Mule

Every year, across Equestria, donkeys gather for the Festival of Lights, to dance, to sing.

And to remember.

An entry for the World-Building Alliance June writing prompt.

Roslindis is a griffon who doesn't like to fly. In fact she's never flown for her entire 26 years of life. She's quite happy with this fact.

Her mother? Not so much.

She smiles at him every time she comes to visit the stately home where he works as a gardener, but Dilly Daliér has never spoken to her.

Nor will he ever.

Because he's a mule and she's a unicorn, and those are the rules.

Written as an entry for the WBA April Writing Contest

Reading by ObabScribbler and co

Shortly after the start of her maiden voyage the Equestrian Deep Space Explorer Red Shetland, commanded by Twilight Sparkle and Princess Luna, disappeared after reporting a reactor problem.

Three million years later, following her release from a stasis pod, Luna wanders the deserted corridors of the ship and tries to understand what went wrong. Along with the Ship's AI, a creature that evolved from the ship's cat, a hyperactive service robot and the resurrected holographic personality of Prince Blueblood, Luna must stave off boredom, keep the ship in order and find a way to return home.

Assuming she even has a home left to return to.

But first, she needs a drink.

Before her descent into madness and her rebellion as Nightmare Moon, Luna lived entire lifetimes as a mortal and traveller amongst the ponies of Equestria.

Restored to her true self, Luna knows she must return to her cyclic life to remain whole. As preparation she chooses to reacquaint herself with the lives of her subjects in this modern age, and in the guise of Sable Moonshine, unicorn scholar and distant friend of Twilight Sparkle, she travels to Ponyville to spend time with Twilight's companions. Despite the 'exciting' month of astronomical observation and scientific research planned by Twilight, Luna nevertheless finds time to work a day at Sweet Apple Acres. And then another.

And another.

Applejack, meanwhile, is pleasantly surprised by Sable's dedication and enthusiasm for hard work. She's less pleasantly surprised by Sable's enthusiasm for Applejack.

Scraps, ideas, deleted scenes, stuff I might work on, or won't work on, or might throw out to others if they're interested.

Twilight Sparkle presents a collection of interviews, letters, essays, poetry and prose compiled over several years of her relationship with the human Bellerophon and his "herd", covering subjects as broad as Equestrian social taboos, comparisons of earth and Equestrian mythology, romance and the occasional recipe. Compiled by Twilight Sparkle, with foreword by Her Royal Highness, Princess Celestia.

(This is a bit of an experiment based on the worldbuilding concepts presented in AnonAuthor's Xenophilia [[NSFW] - caveat lector!], which intrigued me enough to want to take a closer look. It's likely you'll be very confused by this unless you read at least some of Xenophilia. Updates will appear as and when an idea pops into my head for a thing to add. And fair warning, some of this might come across very dry and dusty. Thank you academia! And thank you AnonAuthor for letting me have a go, and both AnonAuthor and AnonponyDASHIE for all the collab work they're doing. I'll make up for the dust by tossing in the odd piece of art now and then.)

Book one of the De Raptura Chronicles

Ditzy "Derpy" Doo, once a humble mail mare, was elevated to godhood in a last, desperate act by Celestia moments before she and the entire royal family disappeared. Now the newly crowned Princess De Raptura must contend with the machinations of a court completely alien to her, reconcile with her daughter, make peace with Twilight Sparkle and learn how to control the sun.

And she's fairly sure she still has a package to deliver.

The story continues in To See The Light

Also available on Google Docs!

"This story differentiates itself from other 'bad things happen to Equestria' stories with its smart character work and realistic, powerful emotion. We need more stories like this." -Pre-reader who likes sky pirates

Short description borrowed stolen from FanOfMostEverything.

Rarity has disappeared. Not just stepped out or gone away on short notice, but completely disappeared, leaving her work unfinished, her friends mystified and, for some reason, her hair all over the ground outside the Carousel Boutique. Without a clue to her whereabouts, faced with rumours of a dragon stalking the town and troubled by a mysterious work of magic, Rarity's friends face up to the possibility that they may never see her again.

And then they find her...

NOTE: On hiatus until I can find a way out of a huge plot hole I just noticed. Sorry folks.