It's Hearth's Warming Eve and Twilight's household is abuzz with activity. Some of this is activity that the little filly is familiar with, but so far, there are some things that take place behind closed doors that she has no idea about. Not simply the wrapping of presents, of course, but things she can't imagine a reason to hide.

Well, this year, on her seventh Hearth's Warming, she's not going to stand for it any longer. She's going to find out what the grownups are doing in the kitchen all this time. She's going to learn how it all works and hopefully, in the future, she's going to be able to help, in addition to how she helps prepare for the holiday already.

However, through the course of discovery and fulfilling her obligations, Twilight is going to encounter a question. A question that any child would be terrified to ask, but too curious not to.

***

Written for SabreTheRedMane for Jinglemas 2023

This story is a sequel to The Crystal Caves of Confuzzlation (Iota Force Issue #6)

Fear.

Icy Flight has encountered a number of dangers in her time with the young super-team Iota Force, many of which she rightly found intimidating. However, after a near-drowning, nothing has filled her with so much stomach-twisting, muscle-melting horror as deep water. Despite all her attempts to work past her phobia and her friends' assurances she's stronger than it, she simply can't see past her absolute terror.

So when somepony sends a torrential deluge directly at Ponyville, using weather equipment in a way previously thought impossible as a clear and credible attempt to flood and destroy the town, Icy finds her fear thrust forcefully into her face. Fortunately, it seems that Ponyville is a lot more ready to deal with a crisis than they seem, and a small (no pun intended) group from Iota Force is being sent into the Everfree to deal with the enemy. So, she can trust that things will sorted out soon enough - no need for her to have to put herself in danger, right?

Sadly, no matter how much she wishes she could, Icy simply cannot bring herself to sit back and do nothing. So, with only a couple of friends for company, she must venture deep into the wild, malignant forest and face down an enemy seemingly capable of predicting every raindrop, all without any backup or contact from Ponyville.

No matter what happens, whether the town is saved or destroyed, whether the team wins or loses, whether their opponent gets away, gets captured or takes victory, one thing is undeniably certain:

Icy Flight is having a very, very bad day.

This is the seventh story in the Iota Force series. Reading the previous stories would be helpful and will help give some things context, but hopefully the story will stand on its own. However, just to be safe, a summary of the series' premise, characters and previous stories can be found here.

Cover Art by Mix-Up (Link to his Deviantart page).

It's the night after the end of the school year, so it should be a time of celebration for the Rainbooms. However, thanks to an unpleasant encounter and a questionable bet, Sunset finds herself in a street race. If she loses, she'll be obliged to go on a date with the slimy creep she's racing. She needs to win, but with her weathered old bike, that seems unlikely.

So then, why does Twilight, her girlfriend, seem so happy about all this?

A story about clubbing, street racing and sexuality from an author who knows absolutely nothing about any of those things. Embrace the cringe!

A story for Bicyclette's SciSet Contest, posted unwillingly to support and fill out the contest rather than due to any hope of winning. Please check out the other, better entries.

The National Dessert competition: one of the biggest events of the Equestrian culinary world and a mecca for both practitioners and enthusiasts of the sugary arts, drawing gourmets of all sorts not just for the chance to see some of the greatest chefs on the planet and their creations, but for the many vendors and stalls ready to satiate the appetites that will inevitably be excited.

In particular, this year, aspiring confectioner Twist and professional overeater Truffle Shuffle are in attendance, looking to enjoy their day and date together. After all, for a couple like that, could there be a more perfect or romantic setting?

Of course, little do they know the day will have far more in store for them than that: awkwardness, anxiety, a touch of soul-searching and no small amount of fear. However, on the other side, there may be something far greater than could ever have been hoped for. But even with her coltfriend's help, will the ever-timorous Twist be able to get there? She'll just have to see.

Oh, also, someone's trying to kill one of the contestants, but that's probably not relevant to anything.

This story is in continuity with the Iota Force series, taking place after the upcoming seventh story, but absolutely no knowledge of that or any other entry in the series should be necessary for this story.

An entry in the May Pairing Contest 2023... using a pairing that is absolutely rare enough to qualify and has been officially allowed by the group, despite being explicitly canon.

As the years have passed, Discord has grown more comfortable and adapted to the world of mortal beings. He's learned a good deal of how they work, fumbled his way into knowing how to talk to them, he's even got himself more than one real friend - imagine that! As such, this year, he finally feels ready to host a gathering within his personal realm of chaos. And what better time for it than Hearth's Warming?

Everything is suited to them - Gravity is going down, Cause is making sure to precede Effect and all the necessary means of sustaining life - snacks, drinks, oxygen - are in plentiful supply. And yet, somehow, his guests seem a little uncomfortable.

Naturally, as host, it's his duty to get to the bottom of why.

Written for rpglover for Jinglemas 2022. I really hope they like it.

Spitfire - Captain, lead flyer and idiot-wrangler of the Wonderbolts - has a reputation. Whether she's whipping her wingmates into shape, keeping her trainees in line or sometimes-intentionally scaring little kids, it's hard for many to imagine her not either shouting or being ready to shout at a moment's notice.

That's not to say ponies disapprove. Even ignoring the many times the job or the crowd demand that sort of display, it's not unreasonable to assume she must be under a lot of stress, so few will begrudge her a bit of a raised voice. Still, regardless of the reasons, this does mean that, to most, she is a very scary mare.

It is therefore good, on multiple levels, that no one knows about her secret meetings with one of the most easily scared ponies in Equestria or about what truly happens within her cottage.

An entry in Bicyclette's Crackship Contest that... I'm not at all satisfied with and basically shamed myself into writing. Here's hoping I didn't screw it up too badly.

When Rarity is given a task or project, she will invariably put every ounce of her attention and effort into it, whether infinitesimally minor or world-altering. As such, when hired to decorate and organize the annual Hearth's Warming ball in Canterlot, she makes sure she is on top of things at all times.

It therefore comes as little surprise when Princess Celestia drops in to check up on how things are going and should, ideally, not be cause for concern. And yet, Rarity can't help but worry about exactly what Celestia knows, what she's heard and whether she knows exactly how on top of things Rarity is. The Princess has a talent for surprising ponies, after all, and a surprise from royalty can be most powerful.

Then again, it's just possible that Rarity isn't the only one in for a surprise.

Written for Equimorto for Jinglemas 2021!

I hope they enjoy it. For more information about Jinglemas, checkout our group!

This story is a sequel to A Sheet in the Wind (Iota Force Issue #5)

There is an ancient Pegasopolitan saying. Literally translated, it reads, "Those who seek trouble often find it. Those who prepare for trouble are often found by it. Those who do both always meet it." However, this is somewhat longwinded in modern Equestrian, so a more concise version of the saying is used in the modern day:

"Where heroes go, trouble follows."

Thus, it is sadly unsurprising that, on a week-long field trip (AKA vacation) to the Crystal Empire, Iota Force, Ponyville's young super hero team, encounter a mystery that demands their attention... and that in doing so, some of them get dropped into the middle of danger.

Now, trapped and isolated, Icy Flight, Archer and Truffle Shuffle must escape from the depths of the Caves of Sombra, fight their way through a gauntlet of traps and illusions and, somehow, stop the young pony responsible from reaching her goal and escaping.

Cut off from their town, their friends and even the rest of the team, can they survive and get through when they're all alone?

Well, maybe not quite totally alone...

This is the sixth story in the Iota Force series. Reading the previous stories would be helpful and will help give some things context, but hopefully the story will stand on its own. However, just to be safe, a summary of the series' premise, characters and previous stories can be found here.

Edited by Raven618

Cover Art by Mix-Up (Link to his Deviantart page).

It's been an eventful few years for the now-adult couple of Apple Bloom and Diamond Tiara. Not only have they developed into something far more than friends, but also into a pair of fine young mares. At least, Apple Bloom thinks so and she hopes everypony else agrees, including Diamond.

Now, a month or so after the two have moved in together, it's Hearth's Warming and time for their many far-off friends to return to Ponyville and see how things are, both for the home and the mares living in it.

Tonight is when Scootaloo, the first such guest, arrives and can discover the first and re-acquaint herself with the second. Will she be able to handle it?

Almost certainly, but without any mimed gagging, eye-rolling or mild terror? That's something Apple Bloom's not so sure about.

CONTENT WARNING: Contains 60% fluff, 50% banter, 20% jokes and -30% plot.

Teen rating for a few dirty jokes, nothing more.

This was written for Nyronus as a part of Jinglemas 2020! I hope they enjoy it. For more information about Jinglemas, checkout our group!

This story is a sequel to Skitter, Scurry and Screech (Iota Force Issue #4)

In Equestria, there are more potential Special Talents a pony can have than there are stars in the sky, and each one can have as many uses as the bearer can imagine. Even the most innocuous mark can acheive wonders if the pony who wears it wishes to.

As such, when a pony comes onto the scene in Canterlot, performing daring robberies using powerful items and autnomous minions they've folded out of paper, it is... a little unusual, to say the least, but far from unbelievable.

The pony in question being a young colt, that's a bit more notable.

Still, such things are exactly what Iota Force, Ponyville's Colt and Filly crimefighters, were made for. So, the team is heading for Canterlot, ready to take on these origami opponents and, Icy Flight hopes, take in the sights.

Of course, both those things may prove difficult when facing the folded forces of the Paper Prince. When your enemy can literally make himself a small army, it may be near impossible to overcome such a multitude of minions.

Or, at least, that's how it seems on paper.

This is the fifth story in the Iota Force series. Reading the previous stories would be helpful and will help give some things context, but hopefully the story will stand on its own. However, just to be safe, a summary of the series' premise, characters and previous stories can be found here.

Edited by Raven618

Cover Art and Interior Art by Mix-Up (Link to his Deviantart page).