(Takes place circa Season 2.)

Winter has always been something of a slow season for Fluttershy, and now that she and Pinkie Pie are dating, those idle hours just seem that much duller in comparison. When the energetic earth pony pops in — down her chimney, no less — and suggests they go spread some Hearth's Warming cheer together, she's up for tagging along… even if all the attention they're accumulating is a little nerve-wracking. Still, with the party pony's glowing enthusiasm leading the way, they're all set to paint the town red and green, no matter how many decorations, cookies, and flagrant violations of the laws of physics it takes!

Along the way, however, Fluttershy can't help but ponder a few things. Above all else? All the ways in which her marefriend so easily pulls off the impossible.

Written for snappleu for Jinglemas 2023!
Cover Art: Happy New Year by Polkin

It's been about a month since Spike went through his molt, and both he and Twilight are still getting used to his newly sprouted wings. Needless to say, the development has brought on quite a few changes; some deliberate, others... not so much.

Of course, with new circumstances come new opportunities. Spike's wings let him fly, obviously, but there's one thing in particular he'd like to learn to do with them. And the lesson starts with one simple question for Twilight:

"Could you teach me how to give a wing-hug?"

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Inspired by Heir-of-Rick
Proofread by Falkenlied and Rego
Cover Art: Fireworks by dSana

As the sun sets on another day in the magical land of Equestria, an era sets along with it. One of the last remaining participants of a bygone age rests idly, bracing themselves to face whatever lies beyond this mortal coil.

Twilight Sparkle is no stranger to death. As an alicorn, one of the immortal rulers and protectors of Equestria, she's seen many dear friends come and go over the countless years. But through it all, there was one confidant she could always find solace in: Spike, her faithful dragon assistant and adoptive little brother.

Alas, not even dragons, long-lived as they are, can endure forever. Now, with mere hours remaining before Spike leaves this world for the next, the time has come for Twilight to bid farewell to the first and last of her very best friends.

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Inspired and preread by The Red Parade
Edited by Lord Regulus (A.K.A. Rego)
Cover Art: FiM S9E09 "Sweet and Smoky"

"Excuse me while I go and feel wistful in a corner." –Astrarian

Flashes of everyday (and, in some cases, not-so-everyday) life in Ponyville, Equestria, and the lands beyond...

(A depository for TheAncientPolitzanian's shorter works. Mainly consists of submissions to the Flashfic group, random snippets too insubstantial for standalone publishing, and deleted scenes from other stories.)

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Cover art by Clone26

This story is a sequel to Familial Words

In the aftermath of the final round of the Sibling Supreme Competition, Spike has finally found his place in Twilight's family. He now can say, without even the faintest shadow of a doubt, that he is Twilight and Shining Armor's little brother.

Technically, this also means that Twilight Velvet and Night Light are his parents.

And so, as soon as the opportunity presents itself, Twilight and Spike decide to hop aboard the next train to Canterlot and give their parents a visit...

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Based on an idea by OmniFox
Special Thanks to "Spooky"
Dedicated to dSana, A.K.A. Stainless Key
Cover taken from S4E01 "Twilight's Kingdom, Part 1"

While walking through Hope Hollow, Applejack (literally) bumps into an earth pony stallion who looks suspiciously similar to her older brother, Big Mac.

Bewilderedness and random banter ensues.

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Edited by Tranquil Serenity
Special Thanks to "Spooky"
Cover taken from My Little Pony: Rainbow Roadtrip
This story is an entry into the Ponies of Hope Hollow Contest, hosted by Forgetful

On one particular morning, Applejack wakes up and quickly discovers that something very strange has happened to her. What could have caused it?

...Meanwhile, Twilight is somehow even more confused than Applejack is.

(Badly) Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Special Thanks to "Spooky"
This story is a last-minute entry into the First FimFiction Feghoot Festival organized by Super Trampoline.

Gallus's childhood wasn't a very happy one, to say the least. With no family to speak of and nogriffon willing to take him in, he was constantly locked in a struggle against his own hunger. Fortunately for the young griffon, doing the odd job or two was enough for him to afford the food sold at the marketplace.

Unfortunately, there were days where that wasn't an option. This is one such day.

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Special Thanks to "Spooky"
Cover taken from S8E15 "The Hearth's Warming Club"

After years of back and forward between Twilight Sparkle and her brother Shining Armor, the final round of the Sibling Supreme Competiton has ended, and the true winner has been decided.

And in the end, that honor went to neither of them. Rather, it went to none other than Spike, the young dragon finally gaining recognition as the little brother Shining and Twilight have always had.

A few hours later, Twilight and Spike take the time to ponder how the day's events have changed their perception of the past, and how this new revelation will affect their future.

...Also, Starlight is there.

Written by TheAncientPolitzanian
Special Thanks to "Spooky"
Cover taken from S9E04 "Twilight's Seven" (It gets a thumbs up from me!)

"Familial Words" is wholeheartedly dedicated to the art and comics penned by dSana, A.K.A. Stainless Key (Thanks for the memories!)

There are many lands through the mirror; strange ones where all manner of things are possible, even one where the righteous are instead wicked and the only hope fell to the villainous. A world put out of sorts when the Good King Sombra absorbed the evil of the Two Sisters.

The Overlord, Thorax, has come to set the world back into its dark path, and only the recently turned Sisters stand in his way... but they'll need help. Light once came through that mirror. Surely light can be brought forth again, to quell this rising evil before it is too late.

Prologue through Chapter 26:
Written by Disappointment-Incarnate
To be proofread by TheAncientPolitzanian

Cover courtesy of the amazing Mr Tech.

(This story involves the mirror universe that appeared in the IDW comics.)