Zipp could just ask what her sister wants for Hearth's Warming, but where's the fun in that?

Written for Lulamoon-Crystal for Jinglemas 2024

Equestria is a peaceful land of love and friendship ruled by a benevolent mother Goddess, but that comes at a cost.

I am the Blade of Celestia, cold and unfeeling as steel, ready to slip between the ribs of those who threaten the Pax Equus.

"We have diverse curious Clocks; And other like Motions of Return....
We have also House of Deceits of the Senses, where we represent all manner of Feats of Juggling, False Apparitions, Impostures, and Illusions...
Those are (my sonne) the Riches of Salomon's House

-Francis Bacon, The New Atlantis, ed. Rawley, pp. 41-42

"Here shall be found a house like none other on the face of the Earth"
-Jorge Luis Borges, The House of Asterion

You know, when I finally mustered up the courage to off myself, I expected nothingness. Maybe an eternity burning in hell if I was unfortunate. I didn't expect to end up in a world of pastel ponies who are too nice for their own good...

A story of healing, growth, and family.

Time marches forward and heroes fade into myth, and what was once considered fact becomes the subject of tall tales and bedtime stories. Thus goes The Cycle. But ancient gods, old rivalries, and strange magicks don't stop existing just because the world forgot about them....

Or: Shining Armor is taken on as the student of the Goddess of Storms. This proves to be much more than he bargained for.

It's true, Celestia has a lot on her plate: the stewardship of Canterlot High School has recently fallen into her lap; her dear younger sister has recently started a job at the very same high school; and the details of her romantic life are... best left unsaid. Any sane individual wouldn't want to add a child to that mix, but those adorable bright blue eyes were irresistible.