It is the morning of a bright summer day and a griffon is cooking breakfast in his quaint house out in the woods. Outside, he can hear the sweet singing of the small birds and the sounds of the forests as well as the faint humming of a griffoness waiting in the living room. But for him the loudest sound that day, among all, is the thumping of his own heart beating against his chest...

Yes, this has two endings. Takes place in the Equestria at War universe but prior knowledge isn't really required.

Some hair-brained scheme by VOPS has seen a group of foreign reporters being invited to Vesalipolis for interviews with the Changelingian general staff, in an attempt to mend some of the PR fallout from the Olenian War. Coral Ridge, a journalist from Aris, has been paired off with Grand Admiral Lysander of the Kriegsmarine for an interview. This can only go well.

A fun little non-serious story, written with the help of the amazing Eltirion! Please go check him out for more stories set in the Equestria at War alt. universe, or just MLP in general.

Helmi Lehtisaari was one one lucky deer. Born to a family of wealthy fur traders, she was blessed with her own personal corporate fiefdom in the bitter permafrost of the city of Feslott near the Changeling border. She had all the reason in the world to live her life in luxury and peace among her brethren in a city where dawn and dusk melted together.

But underneath it all, she yearned for a blistering noon sun. A place both warmer in heat and hearts than the bone-chilling cold of her home.

Then one day, she ventured forth to fulfil her glimmering dream; fighting both family and her nation, making new friends and maybe escape a continent burning in its own flame.

Her journey would take months, but for Helmi, it all felt like one long day.

Her personal solstice.

This is an entry for the Equestria at War 2023 Writing Contest. Image: https://derpibooru.org/images/3131110?q=deer

The Imperial Reich has fallen.

And with it, so has most of Griffonia into a chaotic collection of border disputes, revolutions and petty kings that all wish to commit the same mistakes the Grovers made.

Only a lone griffon, exiled a long way from home, can ever hope to bring true change to Griffonkind.

And maybe carve a new empire along the way...

Takes place in the Equestria at War mod for the game Hearts of Iron 4. Knowledge of said source is recommended albeit not necessary.