It's true that the Pillars saved Equestria from many dangerous threats back in their day. And going off of just a select few examples, it seems their routine was always the same: Find a foe, combat it, and banish it to another realm. But Meadowbrook will be the first to tell you that was not always how things panned out. She recalls one particular threat that she approached in a different way; a way that Starswirl didn't approve of at the time. But given what happened to Stygian, perhaps her method was superior after all...

This story is a sequel to Reformation Buddies

After the Friendship Games, a cold war of academic ideologies has sparked at Crystal Prep Academy. While Dean Cadence pushes for a new student exchange program and a more friendly environment, Principal Cinch is instituting stricter rules and more drastic measures to keep her students in line. There are even rumors of a No Magic rule being enforced, though the details are sketchy. With so many mixed signals being thrown around, no one really knows what's in store for the prestigious institution.

Over at Canterlot High, meanwhile, the Sirens have their own problem. Sunset Shimmer's research has shown that music isn't the only way to tap into the magic of friendship. It comes out when those that wield it are true to themselves. Only problem is none of the Sirens know what that means. This is especially disheartening for Adagio Dazzle, who hasn't even regained her powers at all.

After hearing about Dean Cadence's student-exchange program, Sunset decides that she can help the Sirens and the Shadowbolts in one fell swoop by signing them all up for the program. For one week, she and the Sirens will be attending Crystal Prep, discovering their true selves while unraveling Principal Cinch's draconian schemes. Sounds simple, right?

Well, now add Discord into the mix, along with a dash of distrust from Adagio and just a pinch of the Shadowbolts not exactly being a united force. Yeah, Sunset really has her work cut out for her.

Takes place before Legend of Everfree.

Special thanks to Bookish Delight for inspiration and help with conceptualization.

Cover art provided by the amazingly talented GemiNiah.

This story is a sequel to Trial by Kinship

Every year, Princess Celestia hosts a special Inter-Species Conference to recognize the creatures who aren't strictly equine. And with the political climate of many nations seeing a massive paradigm shift, this year will be most important. Not only will new alliances with Yakyakistan and the Neko Shogunate be recognized, but the reemergence of Griffonstone has given rise to a new ambassador from the Griffon Kingdom in the form of the town's savior, Gilda. But no one is more nervous than the newly-appointed Dragon Lord, Ember. After all, never in the entire history of Equestria has a dragon ever attended the Inter-Species Conference. She has to make the best impression possible, even though diplomacy is not a dragon thing.

However, that turns out to be rather difficult when a dark dragon wielding mysterious magic crashes the party and outright defies Ember's rule. But how could this be? The Bloodstone Scepter should grant a dragon absolute authority over all dragonkind. The only dragons who are able to resist its power are the elusive Dragon Magi clan, and they aren't violent at all. Well, one is, but she's still learning the ropes. Luckily, she's attending the conference as well, and she's got Ember's back.

Not allowing this insult to stand, Ember vows to get to the bottom of this mystery along with a group of noble vigilantes from the Mild West. Meanwhile, Celestia, Gilda, and Little Strongheart band together to protect the posse from a pair of dragon poachers who haven't quite learned their lesson. This will either be the dawn of a new era for dragons, or the shortest reign of a Dragon Lord ever recorded. Hopefully, the hidden secrets of the Dragon Magi will prevent the latter.

Part III of the Ballad of Needles.

Rainbow "Danger Professionalism Crash" Dash is starting to get used to her new life in the Wonderbolts; embarrassing callsign and all. But as the days go by, one thing seems to bother her. And that thing is one of her new teammates, Surprise. Or as the team sometimes likes to call her, Slowpoke.

But you wouldn't know that just be looking at her. In her time cleaning the barracks, Rainbow Dash would never think of Surprise as a slowpoke. If anything, she's insane, quirky, and actually a more subdued version of a certain pink pony from back home. So what gives? Why is Surprise called Slowpoke? For Rainbow Dash, the truth is certainly going to be, surprising.

...

Okay, I'll hit myself for that one. *smeck*

My mini-epilogue to the episode Newbie Dash.

Time travel is a curious thing. Starlight Glimmer tried to alter the past, but Twilight Sparkle and Spike were able to stop her. Because they stopped her and the past wasn't altered, there's no record of Starlight's actions to be found in any historical archive. It's as if the whole thing didn't even happen.

But not all ponies look at time from a linear perspective of cause and effect. Take Minuette, for instance. She wasn't part of Twilight's epic quest, but because of her special talent, she saw it all. All of the timelines starting and stopping; all of the heartbreaking futures; everything. She even knows what would've happened had Twilight failed to stop Starlight in the end (spoiler alert: it's not pretty).

With all the trauma affecting her at once, Minuette is not her normal, cheery self. Thankfully, she has a close friend who knows a thing or two about freaking out over such things.

This story is a sequel to Reformation Buddies

The Friendship Games are tomorrow, and Sonata Dusk couldn't be more excited. However, the same cannot be said for Adagio Dazzle. Even after all these months, she still feels bitter about the Battle of the Bands. What's more, her fellow Sirens have befriended the Rainbooms, and she feels as though they don't respect her anymore. While nothing could be farther from the truth, proving it might be a bit tricky.

Luckily, Discord just happens to be in the area, and he's willing to help the Sirens out. The only question is, are the girls going to like it?

Considering that Discord is reaching into his old playbook for this one, probably not.

Cover art provided by the amazingly talented Stellar Night22.

Lightning Dust has been in a bit of a rut ever since getting kicked out of the Wonderbolt Academy. Day after day, she's been sticking to a strict exercise regimen under the guidance of Cloudsdale's premier personal trainer, Haymaker. Her hope is that she'll unlock her true potential and show Haymaker how awesome she is, thus prompting him to use his connections to get her back into the Wonderbolts. No matter how many times Haymaker tells her it's impossible, Lightning simply refuses to listen.

Then one fateful night, Lightning Dust's training is interrupted by the appearance of her greatest idol, Wind Rider. It turns out he too has difficulty accepting reality, and he has his own, more nefarious schemes to get himself back in the game. Haymaker sees this as his last chance to save Lightning Dust from walking Wind Rider's path. And if that means rubbing salt in a few wounds and shattering a few dreams, then so be it.

Cover art provided by the amazingly talented Cyrano.

The Pies are actually very sweet ponies once you get to know them, and Limestone Pie is no exception. Unfortunately, the Apples didn't have a chance to really get to know Limestone. So as the early Hearth's Warming party winds down, she decides to rectify that by showing Applejack her less-abrasive side.

My mini-epilogue to the episode Hearthbreakers.

K-COLT Radio is proud to announce a special broadcast for tonight, presented by none other than our own Princess Celestia. We are coming to you live from the sleepy little commune known only as Our Town. A resident of this town, who has elected to remain anonymous, will be sharing her story live on this channel. It is an eye-opening tale that will hopefully spread awareness to ponies about this rare yet significant plight affecting many citizens of Equestria.

Warning: This speech will address sensitive subjects in a candid manner. Listener's discretion is strongly advised.

Audio reproduction by SonicRPika

With the bugbear finally vanquished, Bon-Bon is ready to put the past behind her and never speak about Canterlot's anti-monster agency ever again. However, the same cannot be said for her former colleague, Special Agent Fleur de Lis. After reading a story in the paper about mysterious disappearances taking place in the snowy mountains of Coltlat, she starts spreading the news to the other former agents. She firmly believes that this anomaly is connected to the agency's last mission before it was disbanded, and she wants to investigate in order to finish what they started.

After some unintentional emotional coercion, Bon-Bon agrees to help Fleur. This prompts Lyra to tag along for the ride, as she is reluctant to leave Bon-Bon's side. Minuette also joins in both out of obligation to her friends and to the agency, and she manages to convince a befuddled Moondancer to lend a helping hoof as well. With the motley crew suiting up and preparing for a dangerous excursion, it's starting to feel like old times.

Well, maybe it feels too much like old times. For once Bon-Bon starts treading over familiar ground, she begins to experience flashbacks from that last disaster of a mission. A mission involving ancient demons, an alleged rogue agent, and an inter-species conflict which brought the entire agency to its knees...

Rated Teen for disturbing imagery, intense action, sensitive subject matter, some strong language, and minor sensuality.

Cover art provided by the amazingly talented enti0.