Ponies All Day-Writing Challenge

by ThunderTempest

Rating: everyone
Tags: Main 6, Original Character, My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, Other, Slice of Life
Length: 21795

The end result of a writing challenge, in which I wrote 48 TMP prompts in a single 24 hour period.

This is the result of a self-imposed writing challenge.

In my ongoing quest to improve my writing ability, or prove my insanity, the challenge was to write 48 stories from TMP prompts in a single 24 hour period, just to see if it could be done.
It ran from midnight to midnight.
Aside from choosing a list of prompts beforehand, there was no preplanning.

Here is what resulted from this experiment. Not sure how good these are going to be.

Published 2013-07-16 01:10:02 UTC
Last updated 2013-07-16 01:10:02 UTC

00:00-00:30 "The Night After"

Despite the reputation it had of being a rather problem town, There weren’t that many bars in Ponyville. Ponies there preffered other solutions to their problems, only resorting to alcohol in times of pure and simple desperation. The two biggest purveyors of alcohol in the town were Berry Punch’s winery, who offered free tastings every Saturday, and the Drunken Horseshoe, just off Mane Street in Ponyville itself. While the Drunken Horseshoe didn’t do a roaring trade, rare was the evening when you couldn’t find a pony in there, sipping a mug of some kind, and Frosty Glass, the owner and bartender, was always behind the counter.

“So yeah, then I go for my cloud-spinner, and I’m all out of balance, and somepony’s left tufts of cloud all over the place. One bit smacks into my face, and the cloud goes spinning towards the Princess, and I can just feel my dreams die there. After all, what kind of pegasus who can’t even keep a cloud under control would be accepted into the Wonderbolts?” Of course, being the bartender, Frosty often got regaled with the drunken stories of what was wrong with their lives, whether he wanted to hear them or not. Fortunately, Rainbow Dash, besides being a semi-frequent customer, always had pretty interesting stories.

“So, what happened after that, D?”
Rainbow took another long pull on her hard cider, and gave a small burp after it went down.
“‘Scuse me. Well, after that,” Rainbow’s speech was beginning to slur by this point in the evening, “Rarity is flying higher and higher, you know, so she can shine the reflection from those...those...stupid wings stupid Twilight gave her onto the stadium, and I’m climbing up after her, getting as much height as I can for the Rainboom. Then, next thing I knows, she’s screaming and falling down.”

“What happened, D?” asked Frosty, carefully prying Rainbow’s empty stein away from her hooves, and reluctantly passing her a new one. He may have to cut the mare off soon. This was her fifth stein of the night, and her speech was noticeably slurred, and she seemed to be making bedroom eyes at a nearby stool.

“Whaddya think happened, Frosty? I dived after her. Had to shave her. Don’t leave friendsh hangin’.”

“And I’m guessin’ you pulled off the Rainboom?”

“Yeah. How’d ya know?” slurred Rainbow. Frosty pointed at Rainbow’s crown, where the Best Young Flier crown still rested.

“Oh yeah,” said Rainbow, and took another swig of her stein. “shtoopid Twi. Shtoopid Rarity. You know what? I think I’m gonna go to shleep now.” And just like that, Rainbow fell face fowards, landing on a pillow that Frosty had slipped under the mare’s head just in time. This always happened whenever Rainbow got drunk. She’d just suddenly fall asleep, quick as you can be. Frosty took a look around the bar. All the other patrons had long since cleared out. Sighing, he began cleaning up the bar, working around the snoring form of Rainbow Dash. Once that was done, he gave another look at the sleeping mare. Though he often presented a rough-and-tumble image to Ponyville, he did have a soft spot, and couldn’t just leave Rainbow to sleep down here on a bar stool. Sighing, he pulled Rainbow off her stool, and over to one of the booths, where he laid the mare down on the seat. She could sleep her drunkenness off there. And with that, Frosty closed the bar for the night. [TIME]

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #10: “Red Solo Cup”
Two ponies go to a bar; one gets extremely drunk.

00:30-01:00 "Never Assume"

Scootaloo sighed as she made her way through Ponyville, weaving her scooter through the foot traffic. Getting her cutie mark had not been the experience that she had thought it would be. It had almost been by accident, one errant day at the library, and bam, cutie mark. And her cutie mark was not cool or awesome like her imagination almost demanded it be. She arrived at her destination, the Golden Oaks Library, and knocked three times on the door, looking for all the world like she would rather be anywhere else. Twilight Sparkle opened the door, and smiled brightly once she saw it was Scootaloo.

“Come in, Scootaloo. I’ll just be a moment. Make yourself comfortable,” said the alicorn Princess, as she vanished into the depths of the library. Scootaloo planted herself down in the kitchen, forehooves crossed, and a miniature storm cloud brewing over her head. IN a few minutes, Twilight returned, her wings folded up at her sides, and a pair of books floating behind her. Scootaloo sighed.

“Now, Scootaloo, do you know what you’re going to be doing as my student?” Twilight seemed to be overly giddy about the fact that she now had a student.

“Probably spending all day in here, reading lame books and doing your shelving. I don’t want to be a librarian!” the young pegasus grumbled. Twilight raised an eyebrow.

“Who said anything about you being a librarian, Scootaloo?” This startled Scootaloo, who had simply assumed that because Twilight had offered to take her on and teach her, that she would end up being a librarian.

“But, my cutie mark...,” began Scootaloo.

“Is an open book, yes,” replied Twilight, “but that doesn’t mean you’re going to be a librarian. Remember, the cutie mark defines the pony, but the pony also defines the cutie mark. You’ve been looking at this only on a surface level. Tell me, Scootaloo, what is the Decimal System?”

“I dunno,” replied Scootaloo, wondering where Twilight was going with it.

“What’s the difference between a dictionary, a thesaurus and an encylopedia?”

“Don’t know.”

“Perfect. You see, Scootaloo, if your ‘destiny’ was to be a librarian, you’d know those things already. Books aren’t just for librarians. Everypony uses books, even Rainbow Dash.”

“So...what do you think my cutie mark means, Twilight?” Twilight smiled.

“Knowledge,” said Twilight, and just as Scootaloo was about to speak up, the Princess continued, “Accounting. Cooking. Farming. Husbandry. History. Maths. And I could go on forever, but I think you get the idea. Your cutie mark is a book, Scootaloo, but more importantly, it’s an empty book. You may not admit it, but you enjoy learning. An empty book can be filled with whatever its writer wants it to be.” Scootaloo gazed at the Princess, now understanding why Rainbow Dash called her the ‘Egghead for Eggheads’, but inwardly, she agreed with Twilight’s assessment.

“I’m not here to teach you about being a librarian, Scootaloo, though you’ll probably pick some of it up. I’m here to teach you about any subject you want me to teach you about. However,” contimued Twilgiht, “I think I have an idea about what you would like to learn.” And Twilight placed the two books she’d been magically carrying in front of Scootaloo.

“A Beginner’s Guide to Aerodynamics” and “Everything you wanted to know about Flight but were afraid to ask.”[TIME]

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #14: “Free Trade”
One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders becomes an apprentice for one of the Mane Six after their Cutie Mark appears.

01:30-02:00 "Finding The Magic"

The first time that Thunder Tempest reached out and felt the magic of Equestria respond to his rhythm and melody was in a run-down music shop in Manehatten. He’d been stationed out there to help deal with a particularly vicious storm, and after it had been taken care of, he’d been wandering the city, having been given a week off to recuperate after a lightning strike to one of his wings. There hadn’t been any major damage, but he just needed time for the muscles to loosen up again so he could fly.

The store’s sign had been faded to the point of unreadability, but the single brass eighth note mounted over the door made the shop’s purpose very clear. He had wandered in, just to take a look around, but felt himself gravitating towards the instruments. More specifically, the basses. He picked up a few, tried them out, and liked the deep, rich sound they could give off.

He’d been playing one for about ten minutes when it happened. It had started with green sparks surrounding his hooves at first. Each spark felt empowering to the pegasus, and he felt as if he could run for days on end, or buck clouds almost eternally. Then, the green magic began to gather and pool behind the strings of the instrument, just above the magical pickups. As he hit the final note of the little song he’d been improvising on, the magic released itself. Of course, Thunder did not yet have the control or the potency he would acquire with time and practice, but the resulting blast was still rather impressive for somepony who discovered this by accident.

The green magic tore itself from behind the strings, arcing out in a beam as wide as his hoof, and punching a hole in the wall that he could have shoved half his leg through. And just like that, the second part of his cutie mark, the bass headstock topping the lightning bolt, made perfect sense to the pegasus for the first time in his life. Closer inspection revealed that the bass, a Ponywick Fortress, had the exact same headstock as was displayed so proudly on his flank. Grinning, he picked the bass back up, and took it over to the counter.

“I’ll take this one. And...sorry about the hole in the wall.”

The following weeks, though hectic as the heavy weather expert was shuttled all over Equestria, dealing with problem storms everywhere, he still found time to practice, rediscovering what had happened back in the music shop, and how to control it. It took years, but he finally was getting good, able to call upon the magic at will. That was when the Fillydelphia League of Associated Combat Musicians contacted him. Once he accepted their offer, the real work began. As Thunder quickly discovered, most combat musicians were earth ponies, or Unicorns, as twisting what Thunder now knew to be the innate magic of Equestria itself was taxing enough that it near enough neutralised any and all natural magic within a pony. For pegasi, that meant flight and cloud walking.

But still, he pushed on, and the first time he faced down somepony using his skills as a combat musician and won was perhaps the greatest feeling in the world for the pegasus, as it was fulfilling both parts of his cutie mark. His desire to protect ponies from things like rouge storms, as represented by the lightning bolt, and his innate ties to the music and magic of Equestria shown by the bass headstock.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #106: “Every Time’s Just Like the First”
There are three prompt options today. Feel free to incorporate one, two, or all three into your submission. The options are:
(A) “The first date.”
(B) “The first kiss.”
(C) “The first time.”

02:00-02:30 "Introduction"

The Everfree Forest is the oldest forest in Equestria, eclipsing everything around it by several thousand years. It almost predates the Canterhorn itself. It was there at the beginning of time, before even the ponies of Equestria, and it will likely be there at the end of time, long after the ponies have been and gone. The innate magic of Equestria, mixed with the Chaos magic of Discord and a pinch of Tartaric magic ensures that the Everfree puts off a constant aura of despair and hopelessness to all who enter its borders.

And yet, there is a strange beauty to the Everfree. It’s a self-contained ecosystem, completely independant of the rest of Equestria. The twisted and warped trees, which grow much faster and to much older ages than anywhere else in Equestria, have long been sourced for magical implements. The creatures that choose to make their home in the Everfree live longer natural lives, have more potent venom, and in the case of the few packs of Timberwolves that make their home in there, can reform almost an infinite number of times. Everything in the forest is oversaturated with magic to a degree that most ponies would find ridiculous.

These phenomena are not contained solely within the Everfree, either. Ponyville, situated as it is on the edge of the magically saturated forest, is not immune to the effects of the forest’s all-permeating natural magic. Ponies who live here have a higher average lifespan than everywhere else but Canterlot, and that’s only because Canterlot is set upon the Canterhorn, the most magical mountain in all of Equestria, and the centre of a frankly terrifying number of leylines. Ponies who choose to make their home in Ponyville also experience a disturbingly high rate of mental instability, though whether they’re insane because they live next to the forest, or they live next to the forest because they’re insane is still up for debate.

For the past century and a half, using careful measurements and records, it can be shown that the Everfree Forest is not shrinking. Indeed, the magic that sustains the forest should have run out long before now, but with each passing year, it is only growing stronger. Whether this is because something is fuelling it, or it’s the simple nature of the Chaos Magic mixed in to the Forest itself is as yet unknown, but it is clear that the Everfree is slowly expanding. Estimations show that within the next thousand years, the Everfree will have quadrupled in size, and that the magic at it’s centre will be so intense that it will be quite literally impossible for anypony to enter it without risking severe magical oversaturation. Culling the forest back is not an option, as the trees simply grow back too fast for it to make a difference. Warding the forest could potentially hold back its growth, but it is likely that any wards placed will be compensated for by the innate magic of the forest within 50 to 100 years, and are thus a transient solution at best.

Thus, Equestria will not die by apocalypse. The Everfree will consume us first.
An Extract from the introduction to ‘Everfree Apocalypse’, by Princess T. Sparkle.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #135: “The Beginning and the End”
It all started with the Everfree Forest.

03:00-03:30 "The Inspiration"

Twilight Sparkle and her friends walked through the streets of Fillydelphia. There were here by request of the Princess herself, seeing as the last time they were all together for a Summer Sun Celebration, it had lead to an epic adventure through the Everfree Forest, to the Castle of the Royal Pony Sisters and the rediscovery of the Elements of Harmony and their subsequent use on Nightmare Moon. This year, however, Celestia had assured them that no ancient prophecies were about to be fulfilled, no dastardly plots to take over the world were going to be enacted, that yes, it was just going to be a normal Summer Sun Celebration. And so, the six friends found themselves in Fillydelphia, looking for a way to pass the time until the sun was scheduled to rise.

“Huh,” said Twilight, as she stared at a poster for a play, “The Mare in the Moon, a play by the Fillydelphian Theatre Society. Written and Directed by Trixie Lulamoon.”

“Trixie? As in the Great and Powerful?” asked Rainbow Dash, moving over to join Twilight at the poster, as the rest of their friends followed.

“Say what you will of Trixie, but she is a skilled writer and director!”

“Yaah!” Rainbow Dash shot up into the air at Trixie’s proclamation. Twilight turned to face the other unicorn.

“Trixie,” said Twilight.

“Sparkle,” replied Trixie, giving the Princess’s personal student a horn dip of respect, before continuing, “Trixie understands that you may be sceptical of her abilities. Trixie’s travelling roadshow is largely meant for young foals and the average pony, not ridiculously nerdy and overpowered unicorns.”

“Thanks?” said Twilight, uncertain how to react to the backhanded compliment.

“To that end,” proclaimed Trixie, rearing up on her hind legs, “Trixie will offer you and your backwater town friends tickets to Trixie’s show! Trixie is very interested in what you think of it!”

“Give us a minute to discuss it, ok?” Twilight turned to face the other five, “Do you think we should give it a chance?”

“I say why not, dear. We have nothing to lose but time.”

“Oh, um, whatever you girls think is fine by me.”

“Shows are fun!”

“Shoot, may as well. T’aint like ah was plannin’ on anythin’ else.”

“Yeah, ok.”

“We’ll see your show, Trixie,” said Twilight, turning to face the showmare. With a flourish, Trixie produced six tickets from her pointed hat, and levitated them over to the group of mares.

“On the house. Trixie hopes you enjoy!” and with that, Trixie reared up, and as her front hooves hit the ground, a plume of smoke concealed her, and when it cleared, she was gone.

****

The six mares exited the theatre some hours later, and were confronted by Trixie waiting for them at the entrance to the theatre.

“Well?”

“Alright, Trixie. I’ll admit it. You’re a great writer.”

“Trixie is pleased you think so, Sparkle. Trixie hopes you enjoyed her little tribute to you and your country town friends. Don’t read into it.” And with her peice said, vanished once again.

“Come on, girls, we’d best be getting to the town hall. It’s nearly sunrise,” said Twilight, still coming to grips with the new image of Trixie as a professional in her own feild, and her unexpected charity.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #362: “The Longest Day of the 1001st Year” (Theme Week, Day Four)
One year after they met, the mane six attend another Summer Sun Celebration.

03:30-04:00 "Little Reminders"

Daring Do, the popular adventure series by Ink Blot, was fictional, but that wasn’t to say that the character Daring Do didn’t exist. The pony whom Ink Blot had based Daring off was actually named Daring Do, and she was a professor of history at Manehatten University, and roommates with Ink Blot. Full credit for this was always given in the preface of the book. But the real life Daring Do was almost nothing like her fictional counterpart. She certainly didn’t go on adventures or recover lost artifacts.

Daring Do, history professor and nearsighted to all Tartarus, stumbled into her house, and dropped her saddlebag full of test papers by the door. She took a moment to brush a few leaves off her brown coat, and then the pegasus moved into the kitchen, where a pile of sticky notes in Ink Blot’s horrific script greeted her.

“Daring-Ink Blot here.
New book out. [badly drawn smiley face]
Don’t forget to pick it up, and I’ll sign it for you!
You’re a wonderful inspiration! I don’t think I can ever thank you enough.
Ink Blot.”

Daring sighed, and peeled off the note and stuck it to the fridge. The next note was also from Ink Blot, but it was much simpler.

“Don’t drink the milk. It’s gone off.”

Rolling her eyes behind her glasses, Daring pulled the jug of milk out of the fridge, and poured the foul-smelling contents down the sink, before rinsing it out more fully. The next few notes were just various reminders about Ink Blot’s signing times and appearances, as well as a standing invitation for Daring to join her, to sign some books, maybe give a speech about how ‘real history isn’t like how Ink Blot portrays it’, that it wasn’t all action, adventure and dungeons. Daring had never taken her friend up on her offer. Sighing, the pegasus professor retrieved her saddlebags, and headed to her office, to commence a long night of marking her student’s end of semester exams.

The professor’s office at home was rather simple. A bookcase of reference books, a couch and a desk with a lamp were all she needed. More sticky notes, this time in Daring’s own elegant writing, adorned a board beside her desk.
‘Don’t forget, exams due back by the 18th.’
‘Chancellor’s dinner next month-not attending.’
‘Remember, final year students NOT allowed to conduct independant research without supervision-remind faculty of this at next meeting. Do not want a repeat of the Garden Incident.’

Daring fell asleep at her desk that night, and was still there when Ink Blot got back from her late night signing. The unicorn author smiled at her friend, and wrote her a new sticky note, before hauling the pegasus over to the couch in the office, put there for this exact reason.
“Daring-Don’t fall asleep at your desk, silly. Ink Blot.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #198: “What Not To Dare”
Daring Do’s Daring Don’ts!

04:00-04:30 "Permanent Fixture"

Smart Cookie did her best to live up to her name. She was a nice, grounded pony, who kept her head on straight in the toughest of situations. She may have been a bit stubborn, but most ponies who knew her found it a pleasant quality. These qualities were exactly what most Earth Pony Chancellors looked for in an assistant. Smart Cookie didn’t like being called a secretary, as that implied she was only there for helping with menial tasks, and Smart Cookie was often called upon by previous Chancellors she had worked with to give her opinion on negotiations, or legislation. It was a proud moment for Smart Cookie whenever the Chancellors acted upon and considered her advice, as she knew that ultimately, her opinion mattered little.

“And this is the break room, and oh hey, Smart Cookie is in here.” That voice was the recently evicted Chancellor, Chancellor Iron Hoof, who contrary to his name was actually rather laid-back.

“Smart Cookie’s been here long enough that she’s practically part of the furniture. She’s a very able assistant, and I’m sure she’ll help you get settled quickly enough. Well, that concludes our tour. I’ll leave you here, Chancellor.” For the life of her, Smart Cookie could not remember the name of the newest Earth Pony Chancellor. But as the newest Chancellor, and the fourth to date that she’d served as an assistant for, literally bounced into the room, Smart Cookie could only smile, and groan internally. This was probably not going to end well. Smart Cookie tried not judge by appearances, given that she was built more like a stallion than a mare, and hardly looked like the intellectual type, but this was almost too much.

“Hi!” squeaked the Chancellor, who was a rather diminuitive pink Earth stallion, “I’m Puddinghead! Well, Chancellor Puddinghead now, I guess.”

“I’m Smart Cookie, Chancellor. I’ll be happy to help you in anyway you need,” said Smart Cookie, extending a hoof in greeting.

“Great!” said Puddinghead, as he vigorously shook the mare’s hoof, “First things first, where’s the coffee?”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #113: “Nice Work If You Can Get It”
Tell the story of how Smart Cookie became Chancellor Puddinghead’s secretary.

04:30-05:00 "House Rules"

Six ponies gathered around the table in the dimly lit room, shadows obscuring the features of those involved.

“Are we all prepared?” began one.

“We are. I’ve got the paper and the books,” said another.

“Are you sure we won’t be disturbed here? I don’t want to have to run back to the shop in the middle of this,” said a third.

“Quite sure, dear. My sister is away with her friends on a sleepover tonight, so she will not be bursting in on us, and I’ve locked the door. We should be completely distraction free for a good six hours.”

“Great, let’s get started. And what’s with all this mystery, anyway? We all know each other, so why are we sitting in the dark?” There was a pause.

“Oh dear, it seems the fireflies have gotten out. Give me a moment.” A few seconds passed, and the room was lit up, and Rarity walked back to the table.

“There,” she said, “Much better.”

“I’ll say,” replied Bon Bon, “I hate trying to read in the dark. Especially when Whooves there has really bad mouthwriting.”
“Hey!” shot back the brown earth pony, adjusting his tie, “My mouth writing is not that bad.”

“I dunno, I think it’s pretty bad,” said Cloudchaser, flapping her wings a couple of times, loosening the stress from them.

“Cloudchaser, what did I tell you about wings inside the Boutique?” asked Rarity, slipping her glasses on, as she levitated a bundle of paper, followed by a bunch of quills and inkpots, onto the table.

“I was just getting stress out! I was not going to start flying, honest!”

“I’ll take your word for it, dear. Now, we have two new members today. Big Mac...”

“Eeyup.”

“...and Ditzy Doo,” said Rarity, “Now, a few house rules for our new guests. Ditzy, No flying in the boutique. If you start feeling restless, you can go outside, and we’ll wait for you to come back. We’re all here for the same reason, so everyone be nice, mmkay? Ditzy, Big Mac, if you two are ever unsure of anything, do not hesitate to ask. This is just a casual session. And finally, like always, I will remind everypony that the DM’s word is final, and to have fun.”

“Righto!” said Whooves, clopping his two front hooves together, “I’m DM for this session, so if everyone has prepared their Adventurer sheets, we’ll get started...”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #82: “Decision 1002”
The campaign begins.

05:00-05:30 "It's An Old Tradition!"

Rainbow glanced over at Twilight Sparkle as she finished talking to that ‘alternate dimension’ or whatever it was, and upon Twilight’s command, bucked the nearest crystal to her. Within seconds, the entire array destabilised, and collapsed in on itself. Once this process had completed itself, the two ponies commenced the long process of cleaning up all the bits and peices of crystal that had scattered over the floor. As they were working, Rainbow Dash suddenly started giggling, dropping her broom.

“What’s so funny, Rainbow?”

“Your middle name is Amethyst?” said Rainbow, desperately trying to keep from breaking out into full blown laughter, “Seriously, amethyst?”

“What’s so funny about it?”

“It’s like, the biggest cop out, ever, that’s what. You may as well be named Twilight Purple Sparkle.” It was at this point that Rainbow could no longer hold her laughter back, and collapsed on the floor.

“How do you even know what amethyst is, Rainbow?”

“Duh, it’s in Daring Do and the Griffon’s Goblet,” said the pegasus, squeezing out the words between gasps of laughter.

“Oh,” said Twilight, before continuing, “But I will have you know that having part of your name referencing a gemstone is a common trait among unicorns!”

“Yeah, but it’s like your parents didn’t even try. They just looked at your coat, saw it was purple, and said ‘Let’s make her name a reference to her coat colour.’ Even Rarity’s is more imaginative than yours, and let me tell you, hers is pretty bad.” Rainbow couldn’t help it, and went back to rolling on the floor.

“And I suppose your middle name is any better, Rainbow?”

“It is, actually,” gasped the pegasus, “It’s...”

“20% cooler than anything else?” Twilight Sparkle rolled her eyes, as Rainbow managed to stand up again.

“I was actually going to say that my middle name is Tornado,” shot back the pegasus.

“Rainbow Tornado Dash. Huh. Ok, you got me, that is actually better,” said Twilight, gathering up a pile of crystal shards, and dumping them in a bucket, as Rainbow picked her broom back up, and kept sweeping up the crystal shards, still giggling intermittently.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #315: “What’s In A Name?”
Twilight Sparkle’s middle name.

05:30-06:00 "Just A Plain Barista"

Java Joy was a rather plain unicorn. With a white coat, golden mane kept swept back in something approaching a faux-hawk, he was nothing out of the ordinary, in visual terms. His cutie mark, a pair of coffee beans, adorned his flank proudly. He ran a small coffee plantation on the edge of Fillydelphia, and owned a shop in Fillydelphia proper. Nothing special about him, but his one claim to fame was that he could make the best pot of coffee in Fillydelphia, a sentiment which was resoundingly echoed by any who visited his store. Sure, maybe he couldn’t compete with the global giant that was Lunabucks in sheer volume, but he still made a decent living.

His first customer of the morning was always, and would likely always be, Tight Ship, who showed up as he was literally opening the doors to Java’s Coffee House. The fellow unicorn, a brown coated mare, with a grey and white mane, was an avid coffee lover, and always ordered the same thing: three spoons of beans, rough grind, full thermos of boiling water and one teaspoon of sugar. No milk. Stir vigorously, drink slow. Sometimes, she would be accompanied by one of her co-workers. Broken Record, the earth pony, never ordered anything, seemingly content to sit and wait for his boss, while Thunder Tempest, the pegasus of the group occasionally ordered a flat white with four teaspoons of sugar.

After Tight Ship’s morning visit would come a bit of a dead period, then the morning rush would begin about half an hour later. Java Joy had never needed an assistant, remembering everypony’s orders perfectly as he ground, mixed, poured and served with the grace that only long years in retail can give a pony. Java always insisted on grinding the beans right there in front of the customer, Luna dammed if they had to wait two extra minutes. He was all about quality. If they wanted pre-ground horseapples, he maintained, they could go to Lunabucks.

The morning rush would finish just after nine o’clock, and then it would be more or less steady business for the rest of the day, as business ponies dropped in for their lunchtime pick-me-ups. Occasionally, depending on how her day had gone, he’d see Tight Ship again about midday for a refill, and the midday weather patrol rush, as all the pegasi who’d been on the early morning shift would come off work, looking for something to keep them awake long enough to get home. Sometime around four, there would be another small rush, as tradesponies would all be finishing for the day, and would come in for something to get them home. Then, at around six, the last closing rush, as once more the afternoon weather patrol was let off, and the few pegasi rostered on night duty clocked on, all seeking coffee to either get them back home, or through the night.

Java Joy may have been just a normal unicorn, but he knew that the service he provided to everypony was nearly indispensable to them. And he was happy with this, and always went to sleep with a smile on his face.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #247: “A Friend You Haven’t Met”
Write a story featuring one (or more) of the following original characters. Everything but the name is up to you, including race, gender, appearance, cutie mark, and personality. Feel free to include any other original or canon characters alongside them.
OC #1: Wishing Star
OC #2: Java Joy
OC #3: Rock Solid

06:00-06:30 "And I Must Scream"

I looked out over the land I once ruled. This really shouldn’t have come as a surprise, I suppose. I was always going to be the last to go. I was the first to appear. Celestia, dear Celestia was always going to go back to her roots eventually. Those thousand years alone, raising both Sun and Moon only hastened her return. Little Twilight Sparkle, so eager, said she’ll come back. How much of that was her convincing herself of it, I don’t know. Probably most of it. Celestia, typical Celestia, leaving without a single goodbye, just leaving the duties to the next one in line, leaving her chess peices where they landed, no longer able to make them dance to her tune. I’ve always thought Celestia was rather cunning.

And Luna, oh my. So tempestuous, so variable. There was a reason Luna was my favourite Princess, you know. She knew how to have fun, and that delightful mood cycle of hers meant I barely had to push her the first time, before she learned to reign in her emotions. She held on for so long, Luna. Tried to do her sister’s legacy justice, I think. Even with her sister gone, she’s still in her shadow. It’s almost tragic. But she had to give in, let Little Twilight and Cadence raise the sun, while she remained with the moon. I think Luna once tried to explain it to me, but I got bored and floated off. I do that sometimes. And then came Luna’s time to return from whence she came. No, no Nightmare event this time, and I didn’t even have to push. We just woke up one morning, and there was Luna, lowering the moon, and dissolving into mist. At least she said goodbye. No, that’s not a tear.

Cadence, Cadance, Cadence. You know how they say a stranger is just a friend you haven’t met yet? No? Neither do I. I didn’t really know the pretty pink princess, but every time I look at her, I get the urge to throw her and shout “Let’s fly to the Castle!” Probably why we never hung out. Still, I almost admired her, running her own little empire in the north, and helping Twilight with Equestria down here. Almost. When it was time for her to leave, she just dissolved into that crystal heart she holds so dear. Twilight, I think, locked herself in her room for a week, and wouldn’t have remembered to raise the sun or moon had I not done it. And not even a bit of chaos. Well, ok, maybe a bit.

Twilight. Sigh. Aside from Fluttershy, she was the one I grew closest to. I don’t think she ever fully trusted me, but she tolerated me, which is more than someponies have done. That’s something, I think. She wasn’t like Celly, or Luna. Not immortal. Just ascended. All I had to do was snap my paw, cancel the change I’d made long ago, and then her spirit left Equestria.

I am Discord, one-time ruler of Equestria, and I am alone. This...feeling...scares me. Is this what you ponies call grief? Loneliness? I’d give anything to see them again, even stupid little pink pretty princess Cadance.
*snap*

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #289: “Goodbye To Me”
All alone, at the end of the world.

07:00-07:30 "Dream Psychiatry"

As Guardian of the Night, Princess of the Moon, Guider of Selene and about a dozen other titles, Princess Luna was blessed with the power to visit ponies dreams. Though ‘blessed’ may not have been the word she would have used at that exact moment.

“Augh! My eyes! Why is it that we cannot bring physical objects with us, because we would dearly like to remove that image from our minds forever.” Luna glanced around as she floated in the space between dreams, trying desperately to forget what she had seen.

“Perhaps another’s dream will prove a welcome distraction from that which I wish to forget.” Luna dived through the ether, her wings pushing her along, faster than the speed of thought. She passed several dream bubbles, each of which looked entirely unsuited for her next visit.

“Ah. Perhaps this one,” said the Princess, singling out a dream bubble, and diving hornfirst into it.

As the usual temporary disorientation set in whenever Luna entered a new dream, she took stock of the dream’s environment. She was in an apartment, perhaps in Canterlot’s middle districts. Yes, definitely Canterlot, as a look out the window confirmed. As Luna’s hearing came in, she could hear...arguing? Moving closer to the two ponies in question, the Princess had to wonder which one was the dreamer. One was a white-coated unicorn, with a two-tone blue mane, and the other was a grey earth pony that Luna briefly remembered seeing around the upper districts a few times. Luna watched as the unicorn left the apartment, slamming the door behind her, leaving the earth pony to trot over to the couch, and collapse onto it. Just as the mare looked like she was about to burst into tears, Luna made her presence known.
“Who-who’s there?” called the mare, her voice sounding like it was about to crack already

“Fear not, my little pony. ‘Tis only me.”

“Princess Luna! But how?”

“Among my many duties, my little pony, is checking up on our subjects to make sure they are mentally well. Our Sister handles the physically well. Now, What is your name, and how may I help?”

“I am Octavia, your majesty, and well, here’s the situation in a nutshell...”

****

Luna and Octavia sat together on the couch.

“I understand, Octavia. You and this Vinyl Scratch are two very different personalities. When two ponies such as this are kept in close proximity to one another, it is only natural that arguments will rise, and tempers flare. From what you have described, you two also know each other’s emotional weak points. This presents a rather tempting way to end arguments, would you not agree?”

“Yes, your majesty. I have been...tempted to use some of Vinyl’s, but have so far refrained from it, and I know she hasn’t used any of mine. But it’s a safe bet that she has been similarly attracted.”

“Perhaps, what you two need is a few days apart. No talking to each other, do not even see one another. Let your tempers cool, and you can discuss the issues rationally” [TIME]

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #196: “Perchance to Dream”
Luna visits a dream.

07:30-08:00 "That One Day"

Rainbow Dash hated the day after Winter Wrap Up. She hated it with a passion. It was also a safe bet that most of the weather team felt the same way. Well, except maybe Ditzy Doo. Rainbow wasn’t sure that Ditzy could ever hate anything. But it was a safe bet to say that it wasn’t her favourite thing ever, though.

The reason that practically every pegasus in Ponyville, Fluttershy included, hated the day after Winter Wrap Up wasn’t the oncoming storm of requests for ‘more sunshine’, ‘Less sunshine’ or any other farmer wanting to make the slightest adjustment to the weather for fear their crops might not grow. It was the fog.

Fog, for earth ponies and unicorns, was merely a mild distraction, and an occasional inconvenience at worst. Fog for pegasi was like trying to swim through peat, and that was at best. Their natural instincts and magic told them it was a cloud, so their bodies treated it as such. And the morning after Winter Wrap Up always had a big thick layer of fog over the town. As such, no pegasi ever ventured outside their homes on the day after Winter Wrap Up until the sun had warmed the air enough for the fog to dissapate. Worse was the fact that despite repeated explanations from Rainbow, Fluttershy, and the entire weather team at some point or another, nopony in town ever seemed to remember this, and were complaining to the mayor that because of the weather team’s laziness, their crops might be damaged. At least Applejack had wised up pretty quick when Rainbow explained it to her, and managed to put two and two together for all the other years, wondering why she’d never seen a single pegasus in the morning of that day. Usually, the fog stopped pretty quick into spring, but that first day and the first week, to a lesser extent, were abhorred by every pegasus in Ponyville, so they usually just gave up and stayed inside all day for the first day of Spring, and let the weather handle itself. This was also why, after Twilight’s ascension into an Alicorn, and telling Rainbow that she’d still be in Ponyville for Winter Wrap Up that year, Rainbow had just grinned, and instantly decided that she wasn’t going to tell Twilight about the fog problem. She had also quickly clued the rest of the weather team and Fluttershy in on the plan. Not surprisingly, they had all agreed.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #308: “Spring Is Here” (Theme Week, Day Three)
How ponies spend the day after Winter Wrap Up.

08:00-08:30 "Honest Advice is Hard to Find"

Trixie Lulamoon trudged up the dirt path, her usual star-studded cape attached around her shoulders, but her hat wedged into her saddlebags. She glanced up, through eyes half-lidded with exhaustion. She did not want to be here, but if all the accounts were true, these were the ponies that could help her. She saw the approaching iron archway, the words decorating it clearly spelling out who owned the farm. The farmhouse was also clearly visible, but Trixie didn’t need to go that far.

“What in tarnation are you doin’ back here? Didn’t cha learn your lesson from Twi already?” Applejack turned away from Trixie, preparing to gallop to the town when she heard two words that stopped her in her tracks.

“I’m sorry.”

“Beggin’ yer pardon, but I think mah ears have gone all funny on me. Could y’all repeat that, please?” Applejack turned around, and there was Trixie, practically lying on the ground.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry for abusing you. For criticising your family, your product.”

“Hokay. What the heck brought this on?”

“Trix-I need your help. Well, not so much help as advice.”

Applejack stared at the showpony lying on the ground.

“Shoot, I guess I just got a darn too big heart. Get yer flank up, Trixie. Come on in, and we’ll see about that advice.”

***

Trixie sat nervously in the Apple family kitchen, watching as Applejack moved around, fetching bits of this and that.
“Well, you gonna spill, Trixie, or am ah gonna have ta drag it outta ya?”

“Right,” said Trixie, “You see, the thing is, since my duel with Twilight I’ve been unable to get work anywhere. Even my travelling roadshow, which normally does decently well, is getting laughed out of every town I visit.”

“Well, some o’ that’s yer own fault.”

Trixie nodded, “I know. I want to fix that. The Great and Powerful Trixie started as a simple stage persona-something to inspire the young fillies and colts in the audience.”

“Ah know what a stage persona is, Trixie.”

“Right. Sorry. Anyway, it just started becoming natural to act like that all the time, and well, you saw what I was like.”

“Ah did. So where are ya goin’ with this?”

“I want your opinion on how I should present myself.”

Applejack blinked. “Okay, that’s not what I was expectin’. Wouldn’t Rarity, or Rainbow Dash be better than me ta give you advice like that?”

Trixie shook her head, “I need an honest opinion. Don’t worry about offending me. Your friends might be better experienced with false personas but that also means they’re biased.”

“Honest, huh? Ah can do that.” Applejack thought for a few moments, “Ah get why y’all need yer stage self, it’s not that different from when ah compete in a rodeo. But what y’all need to do is drop the ‘I can do anythin’ you can do’ bit. It rubs ponies the wrong way. Hard. Nopony likes bein’ shown up at their special talent, includin’ you, I bet.”[TIME]

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #85: “I’ve Got a Theory”
Someone goes to seek advice from an unexpected source.

08:30-09:00 "To The Mods"

Dear TMP Mods,

You guys probably aren’t going to read this. But hey, I figured I’d write this anyway. You know me as ThunderTempest, a recent and semi-regular submitter. In the few weeks I’ve been writing your prompts, the practice had been invaluable to me, as has all your feedback, positive or otherwise. I strive for excellence in my writing ability, even if it is just a hobby to me, and prompt by prompt, you guys are helping me get there.

You also may be interested to know that I wrote this as part of a self-imposed challenge. A challenge to write 48 of the TMP prompts in a single 24 hour span, in my ongoing quest to both improve my writing ability, and to write a story for every single prompt, and prove that there is someone out there who has done it.

I may not always agree with your collective tendencies to try and get me to ship ponies in my stories, and so I continue to look for ways to creatively subvert whatever you post. (Take it as a compliment. You’re making me work my brain-muscles.) I was going to do something meta here, like have Pinkie Pie pop up and complain about you shipping her with practically everypony, but then I decided that I should attempt to write something serious.

So here’s to you, TMP mods, wherever in the world you are. You dastardly, brilliant writers. Thank you for making me think. Thank you for making me get creative, and for posting my meagre submissions to your tumblr, no matter how bad they are. Thank you for the feedback, positive and negative. Thank you.

Looking foward to the next year of prompts, and trying to make you read one of my stories and utter a single, flat “what” in response. Or at the very least, collapse laughing.

Regards, ThunderTempest.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #192: “Letter to the Editor” (Pony Pen Pals Theme Week, Day Six)
Dear TMP Mod(s) …

09:00-09:30 "We All Have Our Routines"

Each one of the Elements of Harmony had a different routine for their annual spring clean.

Rarity was a typical hoarder. She never threw anything away if she could help it, as one simply never knew when she’d be inspired by an old design, or a decriept peice of fabric lying at exactly the right angle, with the sun striking it just so...No, what Rarity did was less of a ‘clean’ and more of a ‘reoganize’. And in an industry that changed as fast as hers did, it was either keep up or fall behind, and Rarity prided herself on not only keeping up, but occasionally being the bleeding edge. Even though her friends and most of her clientele in Ponyville would barely appreciate it.

Twilight Sparkle was about as rigourous with her spring clean as she was with the rest of her life: ridiculously so. Every book got taken off the shelf, stacked neatly, individually brushed and then neatly restacked while she and Spike wiped down the shelves, dried them off, and then reshelved the books, before then finally moving on to cleaning out their living area. Spike, being a dragon, and after the events that had lead to his greed growth, made sure to throw away a few things every year, even if he didn’t really want to. It was a matter of principle for the young drake. Twilight, on the other hoof, never wanted to throw away anything, especially if it was a book, but eventually relented. This had naturally lead to the phrase ‘This is MY book!’ becoming something of an in-joke anywhere near the library, or Twilight for that matter.

Fluttershy’s spring clean was as chaotic as it was effective, as she recruited all of her animal friends to help her out, and for an entire day, anypony walking by the cottage would hear Fluttershy singing along with her bird chorus as they dusted, cleaned and worked.

Rainbow Dash was exceptionally lazy. This should come as no surprise to anypony, but the sheer fact that she lived in a cloud house meant that she never actually had to clean. The only thing she did for spring cleaning was to clean out Tank the Tortoise’s tank, clear away old pizza boxes, and carefully and methodically polish the medals and trophies she’d won for various competitions over the years.

Spring Cleaning down on the Apple family orchard wasn’t just a single day affair-it took a whole week. Applejack and Big Mac would spend days combing the orchard, searching for broken fences, busted equipment, and anything else that needed fixing, while Apple Bloom would be cleaning out the barn closest to the house, getting rid of any rotten haybales, oiling and cleaning tools and Granny Smith would be starting on the kitchen. It was only by the third or fourth day that the Apples would actually get to cleaning out the homestead, and standard procedure was for each Apple to handle his or her own room, with the whole family contributing to the living and dining areas.

Pinkie Pie didn’t spring clean. Everything just lodged itself in her mane or tail.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #311: “No Mare Can Hear You Clean” (Theme Week, Day Six)
Spring Cleaning.

09:30-10:00 "The Rainbow Dash School of Flight"

Twilight Sparkle was a rational mare. She liked lists, order and procedures to things. And while Pinkie Pie did her absolute best to accustom Twilight to the idea of random, unpredictable events, Twilight still tended to get on her soap box when talking about science. As such, when Rainbow Dash offered to teach Twilight how to fly following her ascension, Twilight did the first thing that came to mind: read a book. When they met the following morning, however,

“Jump off your balcony. Let your instincts take over. Don’t think-that one’s important,” Rainbow Dash had told her.

This, of course, terrified Twilight to no end.

“What do you mean, ‘Don’t Think”? Of course I’m going to think about it! I have to make sure my wings are flapping, that I’m not going to hit the ground, that nothing is coming at me from anywhere...”

As Twilight continued her paranoia-driven rant, Rainbow casually walked over to Twilight, grabbed Twilight’s tail with her teeth, and flung her off the edge of the balcony. Twilight disappeared below the edge, and Rainbow mentally counted to three. As she hit ‘three’ Twilight rose back above the edge of the balcony, her wings working perfectly, and Twilight giving Rainbow a stern glare.

“Rainbow Dash, what in Equestria did you do that for? I wasn’t expecting you to do that, and you could have seriously hurt somepony below!”

“Hey, Twilight? Look down,” Said Rainbow, a grin spreading across her face.

“Huh?” Twilight looked down, and discovered that she was hovering about three feet from the edge of the balcony.

“See? Don’t think about it,” snickered Rainbow, as Twilight went into panic mode, “Your body knows what to do. Princess Celestia told me that from now on, whenever you’re falling, you’ll act like a pegasus, because you getting your wings also gave you all those cool little instincts that the rest of us have. Best part is, you don’t have to think about it. Just don’t...”

Of course, that was when Twilight tried to override her instincts and move. Her wings immediately got out of synch, and she vanished back below the balcony. Rainbow winced from her position on the balcony as she heard Twilight land heavily below, before leaning over the edge and calling down.

“Lesson One, Twilight! Crashing 101!”

“I hate you, Rainbow Dash,” Twilight called back, her face still planted on the ground.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #270: “I Believe I Can Fly!”
Twilight Sparkle’s flying lessons.

10:00-10:30 "Here We Go Again"

Vinyl Scratch gulped as she stared at the massive double doors that lead to the grand central concert hall of the Canterlot Conseratory. It had been years since she was here. She had thought it would be years more before she finally had to come back. Make no mistake, Vinyl knew she would eventually have to. She may have been a DJ, and her passion may have lain with electronica, but music of all kinds sent a thrill and a chill through her very body and soul. Gently, oh so gently, she pushed open the door, and entered the hall proper. She could hear some poor student practicing on a violin on the main stage, and briefly paused to listen as she neared the stage itself.

“You’re slow on the arpeggio,” said Vinyl, when the musician stopped for a moment, “It’s supposed to be faster than that. Do you mind?” the student, a young earth pony, shook her head, and hoofed her violin over to Vinyl, who placed it against her neck, memories flooding back.

“I’m kinda rusty, but I think it’s supposed to go about this fast.” Vinyl played a part of the same song the student had been practicing earlier, at about 20 beats per minute faster.
“It’s one of the most difficult things about that piece, that arpeggio. Keep practicing it slow, and gradually speed it up, ‘K?”

The young mare nodded, and took her violin back from Vinyl.

“Not even back for ten minutes, Miss Scratch, and you’re already correcting my star pupil,” said a rolling bass voice from side stage, and a large pony made himself visible. Vinyl gulped. This was Bass Tenor, the best music instructor in the Conservatory, and the pony who Vinyl needed to see.

“Though I must admit, I was wondering when she would pick up on her mistake. And it is good to see that filthy noise you call music hasn’t completely ruined your ear.”

Vinyl’s coat bristled, and her teeth bared, as they always did when somepony insulted her music. A hoof pawed restlessly at the ground, and her horn lowered.

Bass Tenor actually looked nervous for a second at Vinyl’s aggressive reaction, and the earth pony student scampered off stage, hiding behind one of the thick velvet curtains. Then Bass Tenor laughed, a rolling, booming sound that echoed around the empty theatre.

“It’s good you haven’t lost that backbone, Miss Scratch. Now, I assume that you’re here because you do actually want to finish your course? Not run off again?”

“Make no mistake, Tenor,” Vinyl jabbed a hoof into the larger pony’s chest “Insult my choice in music again, and you’ll wake up tied to the flagpole. Being a DJ is the first and foremost thing I want to do, but somepony convinced me to actually come back and do my last year. So, Let’s get started, shall we?”[TIME]

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #80: “Back in Session”
Somepony returns to learn.

10:30-11:00 "The Power of Music"

The first Pony to reportedly harness the power of Music as magic in Equestria has long since been lost to time. The few facts we know about this pony are thus: it was a mare, a travelling bard. She wandered up and down Equestria, bringing music and joy into the lives of every pony she met. But Equestria was not as peaceful then as it is now, but the bard was quick of wit, and silver of tongue, and talked and wheedled her way out of many a troubling situation. But one day, she was faced with a foe that she could not talk her escape from. What this foe was is unknown to us, but what happened between the two is clear enough. As the foe charged, the bard picked up her instrument, and prayed to the goddesses of the Sun, and the Moon, and the Earth to grant her the strength to defeat this foe. The Sun and the Moon remained silent, as they always have, but the Earth answered her call. As the mare played, magic poured into her instrument. The faster she played, the more magic it pulled in. As the bard struck the final note of her song, the magic released and in a display of power on a scale which the world has seen few of since, obliterated the bard’s enemy.

After realised that she had survived the encounter, the bard hurried away from the area, and dedicated herself to understanding what had happened. She came to the eventual conclusion that music is magic, and magic can be music. This is perhaps one of the most important discoveries of the period, as it first introduces the idea that magic is everywhere, in everything, even in something as abstract and inconcrete as music, and that with the right tools, and mind set, a skilled enough pony can convert freely between the two. The Unknown Bard, as we now call her, chronicled her efforts to train this new force in her journals, the contents of which are now, at least in part, copied into every magical textbook currently in print. This book exists as a guide to your journey in the hoofsteps of the Unknown Bard, and the free conversion of music to magic. Not everypony is capable of following this path, but the sheer fact that you are reading this means you are willing to try. It was the Unknown Bard who formed the first League of Combat Musicians, a group of individuals who shared her talent and desires. If you wish to follow in their hoofsteps, read on.

While this book contains many exercises and tips, do not treat it like a recipe to be followed exactly. This book, like the magic and music of life, is flexible. Start in the middle, if you so wish. Chop and change movements. Tailor the lessons within to your own style and instrument. There are 12 possible keys over an octave. Within that key, there are eight notes per major and minor scale. There are infinite possibilities for your path. Find your key and scale. There is no right or wrong answer.

Chapter 1, The Prelude-‘An Introduction to Combat Musicianship’, Unknown Author.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #174: “Pioneer”
The first.

11:30-12:00 "Family is What You Make It"

Twilight Sparkle sat in the spa bath at Ponyville Day Spa, and Rarity sat relaxing opposite her.

“Oh, this was just what I needed. Thank you, dear Twilight. Words cannot express exactly how good this feels.”

“Well, I’m glad you like it. It certainly sounded like you needed it after your trip to Canterlot. You never did explain why you went up there, anyway.”

“Didn’t I? I could have sworn I told you.”

“No, you didn’t,” said Twilight, “If you want to share, go ahead, but only if you want to.”

Rarity giggled, “Twilight, you’re as bad as Fluttershy is at disguising your interest. Honestly, I don’t mind. So, you recall that I told you last week over lunch that I found my father getting drunk in the Drunken Horseshoe?”

“Yes, I remember.”

“Well, before I managed to pull him home, he...said some things.”

“Oh no! Not hurtful things, I hope.”

“Well,” said Rarity, putting a hoof to her chin, “That depends on what you define as ‘hurtful’. But most of it was just drunken rambling, but there were one or two things that piqued my interest. So I decided to go up to Canterlot and do a little snooping around. Turns out, both myself and Sweetie Belle are adopted,” Rarity finished with a little shrug.

Twilight’s brain temporarily stopped.

“And you’re...Okay with that?” she asked.

“Why wouldn’t I be?” asked Rarity in return, “My father may not have sired me, my mother may not have carried me, but they are still my parents, embarrassing as they are. Still, I did manage to discover my actual birth parents. Not that it helps me any, but it is always nice to know these things.”

“Oh,” said Twilight, “I guess that’s a very calm way of looking at it.”

Rarity sighed, “My birth parents are Dawn Shimmer and Twinkle Toes, Twilight.”
Twilight blinked, “How?”

“Dear, it was written all over your face. Have you never wondered why you never win a single hand of poker on game night?”

Twilight sank below the surface of the pool, causing Rarity to break into a small fit of the giggles.

“Hey,” Twilight began once she surfaced again, “Is Dawn Shimmer a stallion? Blue coat, slivery mane, three sparkles for a cutie mark?”

“I do believe he is. Why?”

“He’s my cousin.”

“Well,” said Rarity, “In that case, I will not tell you where Sweetie Belle came from.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #77: “All in the Family”
Two of the Mane Six have just learned that they’re related.

12:00-12:30 "The Last, and then the First"

Shining Armor stared vacantly down the aisle, dressed up in his formal dress uniform, barely noticing Twilight adjust his breast sash.

“Hey, BBBFF, You aren’t still controlled by the changeling queen, are you?”

“Shut up, Twily.”

“Because I can check, you know. Princess Celestia lent me a book on how to detect mind control. I’m dying to test it out.”

“Later, maybe,” said Shining, a grin spreading over his face, “Now quiet. Here comes your new sister in law.”

That shut Twilight up, as Fluttershy’s songbird choir started the main refrain for the wedding, and the towering doors were magicked open seamlessly. Three little fillies skipped down the aisle, spreading flower petals with each bounce, and then there she was. It was like the rest of the world ceased to exist for Shining Armor. He watched her gently trot down the red carpet, all elegance and grace, exactly like a Princess should. As she stopped besides her bridesmaids, compromised of Twily’s Ponyville friends, Shining could feel his heart pounding against his ribcage. He only barely registered Princess Celestia beginning the ceremonies, and had to force himself to widen his focus once more.

They made their vows, and then came the fateful moment.

“Shining Armor, you may kiss the bride.”

This was it. One step. The last step. Shining turned from Celestia to face his wife in all but deed now. His heart hammered out a staccato beat against his chest, he could hear the blood rushing through his ears, feel each breath that he took.
‘I guess this Knight gets his happy ending, after all,’ he thought to himself, and then he lifted his front hoof, and took one step towards Cadence, and kissed her with all his being.

The journey here was now complete. Shining opened his eyes, though he didn’t remember closing them, and took one step back from Cadence. The first step of another 1 000 mile journey, though they’d be facing this one together.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #295: “Your Princess Isn’t in Another Castle”
Every journey of a thousand miles ends with one last, final step.

This is the sappiest thing I have ever written. EVER.

12:30-13:00 "To Save My Friends..."

Fluttershy stood trembling in front of the great dragon. She remembered what Twilight had told her, this was the Mother Of All Dragonkin, the oldest and biggest dragon alive. She needed to be strong, for her friends’ sake. They were depending on her.

“Young pony,” said the Great Mother, “I do not have all day. Speak your desire, and I shall see if I can grant it.”

“Oh, um. Sorry. It’s just you’re so verybigwithgiantclawsandteethandeep!”

The dragon chuckled, and blew a casual stream of smoke out the side of her mouth.

“Of all the ponies to send, they send the one terrified to death of dragons, yes? My, this is hilarious. I have not had such entertainment since last I woke, 1400 years ago. Speak your desire, pony.”

“Um, well, your dragon...ness. It’s for my friends. They were stung by something, and now they’re not recovering. Their coats and manes are shedding, and I don’t know what to do...”

“Peace, young pony.” Rumbled the dragon, holding up a claw to stall Fluttershy’s rambling, “I know what ails your soul-kin. They were stung by the Ironwasp, a foul and loathsome little bug, which even affects the mighty drakes. We find them intolerable.”

“Is there a cure?” said Fluttershy, looking up at the dragon’s eye.

“There is. But you ponies have not the stomach to get it yourselves, and few have the will to sacrifice enough for a dragon to part with theirs. How many soul-kin do you have that are infected by the Ironwasp sting, young pony?”

“Five, your dragon-ness.”

The great dragon grumbled, and slowly stood up, revealing the bulk of its horde sitting underneath. One long talon rummaged through the pile for a moment, before returning with a bottle, the size of Fluttershy’s wing. A red liquid sloshed about inside.

“Ironwasp cure. Feed your soul-kin this. One mouthful each. No more.”

“I understand,” said Fluttershy.

“No. You do not. You must first take the cure into your mouth, then pass it into theirs. Only this will cure your soul-kin.”

“Thank you, your dragon-ness,” Said Fluttershy, reaching for the bottle, but the dragon pulled it back.

“There is still the matter of my payment, young pony. This is worth much to me. If you want it, you must offer something equal in value. And there is only one thing I will accept.” The great dragon bared her teeth in a wicked smile.

“Your soul.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #33: “Theme Week, Day Two”
“What is the wish that you will pay for with your soul?”

13:00-13:30 "A Touch of Advice"

Spitfire grumbled as she flew alongside Princess Cadence. She didn’t mean to be grumpy, certainly not at visting royalty, but she hadn’t been in the best of moods all this week. The Wonderbolt Academy had let out only a few days ago, and she was still reviewing the Lightning Dust incident.

Rainbow Dash had annoying been right about the other pegasus. There was a fine line between pushing limits, and just being stupid. Spitfire would know, she’d crossed that particular line more than once in her days as a rookie. The Dizz-o-tron, the accident during the capture the flag exercise could be written off as Lightning Dust just pushing her limits, or not knowing where her partner’s lay, but the obstacle course, and of course, the tornado in the cloud bucking exercise were crossing the line. Spitfire had taken Lightning Dust aside after tearing her Lead Pony badge off, and had attempted to explain what Dash had made her remember. The Wonderbolts were the best fliers in Equestria, yes. Nopony ever got there by cruising, and yes, they’d all done something stupid and beyond dangerous in their days as rookies. The lesson was that the ones who learned from that experience were the ones who became Wonderbolts. The ones who didn’t, like Lightning Dust was acting like, ended up taking a permanent dirt nap.

“Captain Spitfire?”

“Yes, Your Highness?” replied the Wonderbolt, shaking her head from the memories.

“You looked lost for a moment there. I was just asking if you were alright.”

“It’s...fine, Your Highness. I apologise if my demeanour has reflected negatively on your opinion of us.”

“Bit for your thoughts, Captain?”

Spitfire weighed up the potential consequences of sharing potentially classified information with the Princess of the Crystal Empire.

“Just some issues with potential Wonderbolt recruits, is all. It won’t affect me anymore, ma’am.”

“I see.” The two flew on in silence for a few more miles.

“Captain Spitfire, if I may?” said Cadence, and at Spitfire’s nod, she continued on, “This recruit issue-is it a physical one, or a mental one?”

“Mental, your Highness.”

“Somepony too reckless?” Spitfire turned to look at the Princess.

“I spent time in Cloudsdale in my youth, Captain. I know what young, ambitious pegasi are like. All speed, no direction.”

Spitfire had to suppress a chuckle at the useage of the common pegasus phrase for hotheads.

“In my experience, Captain, the best way to deal with hotheads is to tell them what they’re doing wrong, then let them crash. They’ll either learn, or they won’t. You just have to pick up the ones that learn.”

Spitfire smiled under her flight suit.

“Thanks for the advice, Princess.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #225: “Branching Out”
The prompt: Two characters go on a journey.
Special rule: At least one of the characters must be a canon character whom you have never written before.

14:00-14:30 "Last Week On The Job"

One week. That was all she had left. Then she could finally nap, and do all the awesome things that she never could before. Rainbow Dash could hardly wait. One week, and then her compulsory three years’ weather service was up. Unfortunately, it didn’t look like an easy week ahead. Monday had an all day shower schedule, and that meant a long day of careful monitoring cloud cover and getting wet. Rainbow briefly wondered if she could trade with Raindrops for that day. No, best just to get it over with. Tuesday at least looked better-nothing but fine skies, minimal cloud cover. Exactly the kind of day Rainbow Dash liked-minimal work, maximum nap and practice time. But yeesh, Wednesday was looking horrible. Winter prep Thunderstorm. Ouch. That was going to be a ten hour day, easy. Thursday wasn’t much better-stormy morning, clearing steadily in the afternoon. Friday, Saturday and Sunday all had medium cloud cover slated, so more days of a lot of waiting and careful bucking. And none of this was even beginning to take into account whatever the stupid Everfree would do, because that forest was the bane of her, and every other weather pony’s life around here.

The week passed too slowly for Rainbow. She could feel time inching its way foward as she sat under the constant drizzle of Monday’s shower. Tuesday she more or less napped away. At least the Everfree was behaving itself.

Wednesday and Thursday progressed at a crawl as Rainbow set up and bucked clouds as the foreman called them out. Friday and Saturday were not nearly as bad as she feared, as they’d been downgraded from medium cloud cover to light medium, which meant less time monitoring, more time napping, and that was just fine by her. Sunday, compared with the rest of the week, almost seemed to blur past. One minute, she was clocking on, the next, she was putting her last timesheet in the inbox of her boss’s office, and giving him a last verbal jab.

That was it. She was free! No more bucking clouds, monitoring rainfall or constructing storms. Now she could nap and work on her routine for the Wonderbolts all she wanted.

A week later, she was bored. A week after that, she walked back into her boss’s office and stated that she wanted a job. He made her assistant weather captain and told her to make the weather plans for the next month. Six months later, she took the position of weather captain when her boss retired, and Ponyville celebrated its most efficient weather schedule ever. The others, especially the new kids, were amazed that their weather captain was bucking clouds right alongside them. Dash could never quite bring herself to admit that the reason she made it so she was on weather duty nearly every day was because she liked bucking clouds.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #75: “Seven More Days”
X only has one week left before retirement.

14:30-15:00 "Lost In Translation"

“This bites,” groaned Rainbow Dash to herself, “have I mentioned how much this bites? Because it does.”

The pegasus was sitting on a cloud over a remote mountain cave, because according to Twilight, who was suddenly an expert on ancient prophecies all of a sudden, there was going to be some kind of catastrophic event here in the next few hours. She had almost dozed off four times, and this cloud was really comfy.

“Nope. Rainbow, you promised Twilight that you would keep watch over this place until something happened or the time ran out. I’ve still got...four hours. Dammit Twilight. You owe me for this.”

Just then, something began happening in the field below her, and Rainbow glanced down. The plants below her had begun to glow blue, lighting the whole field in front of the cave with a gentle glow. As Dash watched, the long grass around the field began swaying, and large Mountain Cats, giant cat-like creatures made of stone and shale, began emerging from the rocks and boulders. Sure now that Twilight hadn’t sent her on a wild goose chase, Rainbow leaned over the edge of the cloud so as to get a better look at what was happening below.

As Rainbow watched from her comfy, comfy perch on high, the Mountain Cats formed a semi-circle around the cave she was stationed over. The blue glow intensified, and a rumble sounded from within the cave. Eventually, a massive mountain cat emerged from it, and stood at the centre of the circle, and roared. And then, the alpha leapt towards the nearest Mountain Cat, and...

Rainbow Dash abandoned her position, a transparent rainbow marking her path away from the Mountain Cats, who were too busy to notice. She was going to go and find Twilight, and demand that she retranslate that old book correctly this time, and then she was going to go and find a cold lake. Wait, scratch that. She was finding a lake first, and then berating Twilight. And then maybe go back to the lake again.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #253: “As Predicted Long Ago”
‘Ancient prophecies can be really, really stupid sometimes.’

15:00-15:30 "Mornings In Ponyville"

Twilight Sparkle’s home was Ponyville. Once and forever. She may have lived and existed in Canterlot, Fillydelphia, The Crystal Palace and even under the sea for a time, but she always returned to Ponyville. –Histories of the Amethyst Princess, by Spike the Dragon.

To Twilight Sparkle, there was nothing better than waking up late on a Ponyville morning, opening her window and inhaling the gentle scent of earth, apples and burnt sugar, while Pinkie Pie’s terrified screams echoed from Sugarcube corner. The party pony would get over the fact she’d synthesised life from flour, eggs, sugar, sugar and more sugar the moment she remembered she could eat it.
Three.
Two.
One. Silence fell. Yep. Right on schedule.

“Mornin’ Twilight!”

“Morning, Applejack! Off to the stand?”

“Eeyup. You plannin’ on joinin’ the peasants today?”

“You know what, I think I will.” The exchange was a constant running joke between the alicorn and whichever of her friends happened to be closest that morning, as a result of the immediate aftermath of Twilight’s coronation, and the Canterlot Nobles had expected the new Princess to stay in Canterlot, not down with ‘those peasants in Ponyville’. Twilight had not taken the suggestion well.

After a quick breakfast, Twilight made sure that the library door was unlocked, and stepped out onto the streets of Ponyville. She almost broke into song, but Rainbow Dash had taken to keeping a cloud around, just in case. As usual, her formal regalia had been left in the locked chest underneath her bed-not that anypony but her could actually lift the things, thanks to some very clever magical charms, but it never hurt to be safe. She trotted past Sugarcube corner, where judging by the noises still emerging from within, Pinkie Pie was doing delicious, delicious battle with her monster creation. Twilight took a mental guess at what it was made from this time-marzipan, or marshmellow. Probably marshmellow. There wasn’t enough property damage for marzipan.

Twilight may not have always wanted to go to Ponyville, but now? You could barely tear the mare away from the place for much longer than it took for her to complete her duties. And given how ridiculously efficient Twilight was, this was never very long.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #34: “Theme Week, Day Three”
“I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I needed to be.” ~ Douglas Adams, The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul

15:30-16:00 "Only Missing The Chocolate Sauce"

It was a normal day in Ponyville. The sun was shining, Rainbow Dash was sleeping on a cloud somewhere, and Pinkie Pie was making her forty eighth attempt at baking the ‘Cake to end All Cakes’, a personal ongoing project of hers. It would be a lot further along if she didn’t keep putting the cake batter in the glitter cannon of her ‘Welcome Wagon’. The Cakes had already grabbed the twins, and had vacated Sugarcube Corner the moment they heard the warning signs. Namely, Pinkie was singing the Song.

“A few eggs, some flour...” muttered Pinkie, as she mixed, and tasted, then mixed some more.

“And now, the sugar. More sugar!” a whole bag of sugar went into the budding mix.

“And Now, I will attempt to give this creation life!” proclaimed Pinkie, having somehow acquired a lab coat and a pair of safety goggles, and with that, she poured a jar of liquid rainbow into the mix, and ducked behind the counter.

After a few minutes of nothing happening, a single pink hoof crept up over the counter, and felt around until it found the wooden spoon, and then banged that around until it found the bowl full of cake mix. The spoon touched the surface, and began to stir.

Three revolutions in, and the bowl exploded. Pinkie poked her head over the edge of the counter, and saw that once again, the liquid rainbow had somehow actually given life to her attempted creation. Pinkie screamed as the monstrosity moved towards her, gurgling and glugging. It also appeared to be now made of marshmallow. As Pinkie dodged under the clumsy swings of her soft, pillowy creation, she remembered what she usually did in these situations-Ate her way out. It should be noted that this is actually Pinkie Pie’s solution to everything (that, or party). Pinkie stopped screaming, and turned to fully face the marshmallow monster.

“Who wants dessert?” And with that, Pinkie leapt foward, mouth open, hooves outstretched.

“Note to self:” said Pinkie Pie, between chews of the giant marshmallow creature, “Need more baking puns. Also maybe stop pouring liquid Rainbow into baking mixtures.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #133: “Doctor Feelgood”
Doctor Pinkamena Diane Pie!

16:00-16:30 "Preventing Burn Out"

“Look, Twi, ah appreciate what y’all are tryin’ to do, but ah do not need a vacation!” said Applejack, as her hind legs smacked against another tree, causing a shower of apples to fall neatly into the buckets below.

“Applejack, be honest, when was the last time you did something for you? If you don’t want to come with me to Fillydelphia, that’s fine, but please, at least take a week off. Let Big Mac handle the bucking for a week,” said Twilight, floating the spare ticket back into her saddlebags.

“Aww, shoot. Ya got me there, sugarcube. Fine. No buckin’ for a week.”

“Big Mac?” called Twilight, “Don’t let Applejack do any work on the farm until this time next week.”

“Eeyup.”

“Consarn it, Twi! Y’all gone and turned mah own brother ‘gainst me.”

Applejack watched as Twilight cantered off to the train station.

“You two planned this, didn’t cha, Mac?”

“Eeyup.”

“You gonna let me sleep here, or am ah gonna haveta go into town?”

“Eenope.”

“Which one?”

“Nnope.”

“Darnit, Mac!”

***

Applejack trudged into town, head down, grumbling about ‘stupid unicorns meddlin’ in things and good-fer-nothin’ brothers’

“My, Applejack! Something’s got you all in a tizz today, dear? Care to share?” Rarity waved Applejack over from the outdoor cafe where she was having lunch.

“Yeah. You could say that, Rares. Turns out Twilight and mah brother, Big Mac conspired to get me to take a week off the farm. Said to go and do somethin’ for me.”

“Hmmm. You know, I do actually recall seeing a poster for a nearby rodeo. Not that I’m interested in such things, of course. But maybe a little competition may help de stress you. You have been working dreadfully hard the last few months. You could use a breather.”

“Heh. Yeah, I think y’all might be onto something. You recall where this rodeo was?”

***

It was a week later, and a neck full of blue ribbons that Applejack returned to Sweet Apple Acres.

“Yeah, okay.” Were her first words to a grinning Big Macintosh. “Doin’ nothin’ for a week every now and again’s better than burnin’ out. Hadn’t even realised how close I was ‘till y’all made me.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #252: “Hardly Working”
Ponies take the week off.

17:00-17:30 "Good Tradesponies are Hard To Find"

Apple Bloom sighed as she stared at the rapidly deteriorating ceiling. Then, picking up a nearby broom, she gave it a short sharp poke with the handle, and was rewarded with the handle going straight through the wood.

“Yep,” said the handymare, “Y’all got termites.”

“Can you do anything at all?” said Bon Bon. Apple Bloom gave the ceiling another poke.

“Depends on how far they’ve spread. If it’s only a couple o’ boards, I can replace that easy enough. If they’ve got through the entire floor, it’s gonna take some time,” said Apple Bloom, poking another plank, and was rewarded with a solid thunk.

“Is there any way to get an idea on how far they’ve got?” asked Lyra from the counter nearby.

“Yep. I’m doin’ it now. It’s called ‘Listen for the thunk’.” A few more taps later, and Apple Bloom had the area of the infestation roughly mapped out.

“Ok. Looks like it ain’t too bad. You may have caught it early. Still, mah professional recommendation is that you get an exterminator in here pronto. I’ll replace the busted boards so yer light won’t fall out, at least,” Apple Bloom fished around in her tool belt, and pulled out a card, and passed it to Bon Bon with a nod, “That there is the stallion who treats our barns every year. He does good work at a fair price, and he’ll come on short notice. Mention my name, he’ll prolly come round straight away. I’ll go and get some timber and mah tools to replace yer ceiling.”

While Bon Bon dashed off to the address on the card, Apple Bloom set up her ladder, and set about prying the chewed out boards out of the ceiling, as well as carefully removing the hanging light fixture.

“Little help, Lyra?” grunted Apple Bloom.

“Oh, sorry.” A yellow magic glow surrounded the light, and supported it while Apple Bloom guided it down, and set it behind the counter of Bon Bon’s confectionary shop. Then Apple Bloom was back up the ladder, and looking in the ceiling cavity.
“Yeah, Looks like you guys caught the infestation early. I’ll just put these new boards up for ya."

“You’re a lifesaver, Apple Bloom.”

Apple Bloom dragged herself back to the homestead on Sweet Apple Acres, the job at Bon Bon’s having been her last for the day. Putting the new boards up had been slightly harder than anticipated, but she’d managed in the end. So tired was the youngest Apple, that she completely missed the giant ‘Happy Birthday Apple Bloom!’ banner hanging from the living room entrance, instead just walking straight up to bed.
“Didn’t she want my Party?”

“Ah’m sure if she were in any fit state to party, she woulda’, Pinkie. We’ll just leave all the decorations up, put the cake in the fridge, and have it tomorrow.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #298: “Birthday Blues”
Sometimes, duty calls, even on your birthday.

17:30-18:00 "Promotional Product"

The black bound tome lay on the bench between the two ponies. It had arrived in the mail, addressed to both of them. And since neither one could ever remember ordering such an item anywhere, it just sat there, waiting for one of them to put hoof or magic to cover, and open it.

“Flip you for it,” said Vinyl Scratch, pulling out a single bit coin.

“Sun.” Replied Octavia, and Vinyl’s magic flicked the coin up into the air. Four eyes watched as the coin tumbled and landed on the table, coming down Moon side up.

“Dammit,” muttered Vinyl, placing the bit back in her bag, and then grasping the cover of the black book with her magic.
“If this turns out to be a Tartaric cursed demon book, I’m eating your brains first.”

“Charming, Vinyl. Absolutely charming.”

Vinyl flicked the cover open, and held up the book in front of her, as if reading it.

“Huuuugh...neeed brains,” moaned Vinyl, dropping the book, her eyes completely wall-eyed and her tongue lolling out. As Vinyl began to slowly climb over the table, Octavia gave Vinyl’s horn a sharp flick, and Vinyl fell backwards onto the floor.

“Ow! Tavi!”

“Behave. What was actually in the book?”

“Nothing.” To prove her point, Vinyl levitated the book up to Octavia’s eye level. The pages were blank. Octavia grabbed the book with her hooves, and began flicking through it. Vinyl was right. All the pages were blank.

“Very Odd. Who’d send us a blank book?”

“I dunno. I get some weird stuff thrown at me during gigs, but never anything like this, and certainly not mailed to me. Where’s the packaging?”

Vinyl retrieved the packaging from the trash, and was inspecting it for anything that might tell either of them what it was.

“Oh, here we go. To Miss Scratch and Miss Octavia, curtesy of the Liner Paper Company. This is our newest magic aural bound notebook, blah blah blah, we hope you find a use for it.”

“So...you can summon it by saying a key word?”

“Looks like. Lemme try. Keyword is...integrate.” And just like that, the note book vanished from Octavia’s hooves and reappeared in Vinyl’s.

“Ok, that’s kinda cool.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #167: “The Tome”
The Black Book.

18:00-18:30 "The Inception"

Trixie Lulamoon stared at the cape and hat hanging from the pony’s forelegs.

“You want me to wear that. To perform at a foal’s birthday party. You are insane, Quick.”

“C’mon Trixie. It’s all part of the act. I promised her a magician’s act. You know some sleight of hoof, right?”

“Some,” replied Trixie, shifting her weight from side to side, and avoiding looking at anything in particular. ‘Some’ was an understatement. Trixie had been taught the fine art of sleight of hoof by her grandfather, and given half the chance, could con you out of your last two bits. She could also stack a deck of cards like nopony’s buisness, all without resorting to her magic, which wasn’t too shabby either.

“Look, Trixie, if you do this, I swear to Luna I will pay your train ticket to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns.”

Trixie glanced at her friend’s pleading face, and sighed.

“Fine. I’ll wear the cape and the hat.”

“Great. Put them on, and remember, you aren’t Trixie, you’re the Great and Powerful Trixie! Act appropriately.”

Trixie fastened the cape around her neck, making sure it flowed nicely.

“So what is it you want me to do, exactly? A few card tricks, pull a bit from her ear?”

“Yeah. Just, you know, make it look like magic.”

“Great,” moaned Trixie, putting the hat on, “I can’t believe I’m doing this. I’ve been reduced to tricks for foals.”

***

“The Great and Powerful Trixie is here, little one!” crowed Trixie, as she faded into reality via an illusion spell. “She has come all the way from the mythical realms above the very Canterhorn to demonstrate true magic to you!”

***

“Seriously, Trixie, I could barely tell that was you out there. When did you learn to have a stage presence like that?”

“About five minutes before you told your foal I was here,” said Trixie, pulling off the hat, her other hoof working the clasp of the cape, hoofing both back to her friend.

“Well, you’re a serious natural. Consider showbiz while you’re off deciphering the deep secrets of magic. You know, I might almost miss you. You owe me a hug.”

“Fine, just one.” The two mares embraced briefly.

Trixie turned to leave.

“Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?” Trixie turned back to find her friend holding her bit pouch.

“I don’t know, are you?” shot back Trixie, pulling out a much heavier purse, a hoof ring and a small diamond.

“I hate you so much, Trixie. Good luck.”

“You too, Quick.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #103: “Nothing Suits Them Like a Suit”
Suit up.

Hey look, Trixie Backstory!

18:30-19:00 "Not Nearly As Easy As It Looks"

Twilight Sparkle fumbled around, attempting to light her horn, but it wasn’t any use.

“Would you please stop making so much noise, Sparkle? Trixie is trying to concentrate.”

“And how, exactly, is you concentrating going to get us out of here? You were the one who insisted on me coming with you, so what exactly am I supposed to do here?” Twilight stalked towards where she thought Trixie was, when suddenly, the other unicorn yelled out for her to stop.

“Take two steps backwards, Sparkle.”

Twilight did.

“Now take two steps forwards.” Confused, Twilight complied. A few seconds later, Trixie was scrabbling at the floor behind Twilight.

“Trixie, would you mind explaining this?”

“There’s a false panel here. Your hoofsteps sound different when going over it.”

“You can hear that?”

Trixie was silent for a while. When she spoke, it was so softly that Twilight had to strain to hear it.

“Trixie was not always just a travelling performer. Trixie used to work as an...acquirer of rare objects. Trixie is not entirely proud of this fact.” There was a click, and the stone panel in the floor slid back, and Trixie shoved her hooves in.

“Ugh. This thing is filled with bugs. Hang on...there is a lever here. Pulling it. Stay alert.” A click resounded throughout the pitch black chamber.

“Well, that can’t be good.” Said Twilight. It wasn’t. Darts began to fly through the air, but Twilight put up a shield, letting the darts impact harmlessly against it.

“Ah-ha! Round lever, four hoof grips. Get over here, Sparkle. Keep that shield up, and help me pull this up. Follow my hooves down.” Twilight did as Trixie said, and eventually found her hoof grips.

“Ready?”

“Lift!” said Trixie, and the two mares pulled the column up until it locked into place. There was a rumble, and one of the walls of the chamber dropped to reveal a passage out into daylight.

“You coming, Sparkle?” said Trixie, as she walked down the corridor towards daylight.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #316: “Sensory Deprivation Prompting”
Two or more characters must accomplish a task while in a pitch-black environment with zero visibility.

19:00-19:30 "This is Magic"

In trying to answer the nature of magic in Equestria, we must first, obviously, consider the question, ‘What is magic?’. By the definition in Hard Fact’s dictionary, magic is: an unknowable, pearmating force, used to affect the enforcement of the user’s will upon reality. This is a good starting point. However, as my own studies have shown, Friendship is also Magic, and as a pegasus explained to me in Fillydelphia, Music can also be Magic. But most ponies commonly associate magic with the unicorn and their natural, active ability to manipulate things as if with another limb.

This is the unicorn’s most basic ability, psychokinesis. Manifesting this is dependent upon a certain thaumic flux passing through the unicorn’s horn, leading to the shimmering glow surrounding it. The stronger the glow, the more flux is passing through. Thus, we can here after assume that there is a natural ‘magic’ or thaumic flux feild surrounding Equestria at all times. The famed scholar Starswirl the Bearded also proposed such an idea in the pre-classical period. We shall call this natural field as ‘Base’ magic, for it is the most basic kind of magic available to us.

Friendship as Magic is a rather abstract concept, even by magic standards. The magic of Friendship is felt by everypony, yet can only ever be harnessed to its true and full potential by the artifacts known as the ‘Elements of Harmony’. Since their rediscovery, countless scholars have theorised that in its pure and untempered form, Friendship as a source of magic may well over power any and all power sources, and speaking from personal experience, I can say that this is likely not far off the truth. Everytime myself and my friends have used the elements, we have been literally overloaded with magical power, to the point of near magical burnout, and yet, it never seems too harm us.

Music as Magic is an unusual case in the exotic means of creating magic, as it is only able to be harnessed by a select few, who undergo rigorous training to enable them to wield it as effectively as they do. Primarily, it manifests as solid concussive blasts, matching the pony’s natural aura. It is also the only one to have been witnessed to have a perfect 1-to-1 conversion ratio in either direction.

Thus, the answer to the question ‘what is magic?’ quickly begins to get complicated. However, I have narrowed it down to this: magic is anything that provides enough energy for the user to force reality to bend to their will temporarily. Of course, I have only considered normal, Equestrian magic here. There are other kinds, but they are far less widespread, though at times, infinitely more powerful.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #42: “Life, the Universe, and Everything”
Prompt A: What is the answer?
Prompt B: What is the question?

19:30-20:00 "Missing Checkout Time"

“I see you found your way here just fine.”

“Yes. How do you like the Hotel Equestria?”

“It’s great. We get served champagne and hay burgers every day. And don’t you just love the clothes they give you.”

“Hah. Nice to see you haven’t lost your sense of humour.”

“I also see that you kept that cloak and hat I sent you.”

“Of course I did, Quick. You were the one who got me into show business.”

“...by the way, how is she?”

“She’s...good. Married. Nice colt.”

“You visit often?”

“No.”

“You should. She asks me about you whenever she writes, or comes to visit. You were her Idol, you know.”

“I know. That’s why I’m staying away. Don’t want her to pick up my bad habits.”

“Since when did you become responsible?”

“Since you got caught.”

“Fair point. Hey, Trixie?”

“Yes, Quick?”

“could you...could you tell her I love her?”

“...Yeah.”

***

Trixie stared down at the peaceful homestead below, watching a handsome colt work in the turnip fields. Sighing, she walked down into the valley, and knocked on the door.

“Hello?”

“Vapour Trail?” asked Trixie. Getting a confirming nod, Trixie continued on, “I’m Trixie, a friend of your mother’s.”

“Trixie? The Great and Powerful? Oh wow, I’d never thought I’d see you again! I followed your career all through the papers and just kept hoping you’d come out here one day!”

“Vapour. Your mother wanted me to pass on a message. She...she says that she loves you, but that She won’t get out of the Hotel Equestria any time soon. I’d...expect an official letter soon.” The pegasus paused in her frantic rummaging.

“How was she, the last time you saw her?”

“Well. Thin, but healthy. How long that will last, I don’t know.” Trixie shifted her weight.

“Do you think she’s...”

“I don’t know.” Whispered Trixie, “But it definitely sounded like it. I’m so sorry.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #105: “Such a Lovely Place”
Welcome to the Hotel Equestria.

Look, more Trixie backstory!

20:30-21:00 "Watching From the Back"

Rarity watched from the back row of the fashion show, as Fluttershy whimpered and creeped out onto the runway. The poor dear was positively terrified, anypony could see that, and yet with a single nod from Photo Finish, her lackeys began stomping and nodding in approval, and the rest of the crowd quickly joined in. Rarity had to admit, seeing Fluttershy like this...one of her best friends that she herself had pushed into the spotlight unwillingly, It hurt. But yet, Rarity did not move from her spot near the back, did not speak up, and when Fluttershy wasn’t looking, slipped out the door.

Rarity looked on in envy as Fluttershy’s image became plastered over magazines, raving about Photo Finish’s latest discovery. That should have been her. But no, she mustn’t be jealous. She would get her turn in the spotlight, sooner or later. Why couldn’t the paparazzi follow her? At least then some of the pressure would be taken off poor Fluttershy.

Rarity and Fluttershy relaxed in the spa after the entire fiasco had been dealt with.

“I’m terribly sorry about pushing you into the spotlight like that, Fluttershy. I just wanted so badly to be known, even if peripherally. But perhaps a more measured approach this time.”

“Oh, it’s ok. I forgive you, Rarity.”

“Yes, dear, I know you do. I just hope I can forgive myself for hurting you like that. Oh, it will eat away at me for the rest of my days.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #92: “That Day Is Done”
“There was applause when she stepped up.
I wished that I could interrupt.
I made no sign. I made no sound.
I know I must stay underground.”

I don't like how this turned out.

21:00-21:30 "When In Doubt, Chaos"

Dear Princess Celestia. That was always a good start. Except it was all wrong. She was a princess now, too. How was she supposed to address her? Celestia? But that felt even more wrong. Maybe she could come back to the greeting, and work on the actual lesson.

Today, I learned that Pinkie Pie clones are just as unstable as their creator. No, too obvious, and not enough friendship. How about, ‘Today, I learned that all things go bang if you apply enough energy’. No, she was supposed to be learning about friendship, not explosions, and she really doubted that the Princess. ‘Pinkie Pie can create amorphous life forms from nothing but eggs, flour, sugar and liquid Rainbow?” No, that wouldn’t do either, and besides, she’d known that for years. She was also pretty sure that liquid rainbow was a controlled substance, and she didn’t want to get Pinkie in trouble. Or at least, more trouble than she could eat her way out of. ‘Today I learned not to write for twenty four hours straight?’ No, she’d done that before. And still, not enough friendship. Ah-ha! She had it! The perfect lesson. Today, I learned that no matter how strange or wierd the day gets, Your friends will be the ones right beside you, laughing alongside you, and will bail you out of jail if necessary. Perfect. Now, just to work it into a letter. Why did this have to be so hard now! It was so much easier in her first year in Ponyville.

‘that was because you were a social recluse to whom even the slightest revelation about friendship was new information’, her mind whispered back. Twilight sighed, and collapsed over her desk.

“I’m not even sure I can summarize the day’s events into a letter. I don’t even remember past the second giant cookie dough dragon. Well, at least I know what Pinkie Pie’s brain is like all the time,” Twilight muttered to herself. It had been a weird day. Even by Twilight’s rapidly adjusting weirdness scale. Before Ponyville, a weird day was when she only read four books instead of five. Now, for a day to be classed as ‘weird’ it would need to involve at least one construct made entirely out of baking dough. Or maybe Discord. But today had gone off the end of the Twilight Weird-O-Meter and into ‘absurd’ territory. Twilight decided to abandon the letter, in favour of easier pursuits.

“I’ll write it tomorrow, when the little pink ducks stop flying around my head.”

‘Wait a minute...,’ she thought.

“Discord!” Twilight was out of bed and at her desk in under a second.

‘Dear Princess Celestia,
I think everything that may or may not have happened today is Discords’ fault, because I currently have a miniature family of pink ducks circling my horn.
Your faithful student, Twilight Sparkle.’ Twilight snapped the scroll together, and bolted down the stairs, yelling as she did so.

“Spiike!”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #148: “The Well Runs Dry”
She has no idea whatsoever how to write—or what to write—for this friendship report.

21:30-22:00 "In Which There Is Yelling"

“Hey! Hey! OI, Featherbrain!”

Rainbow Dash turned around to face the earth pony yelling at her.

“Yeah, whadda want?” she called, floating up to head height, “Look, if it’s about the weather schedule, I’ll be revising it on Monday, so keep your farming details to yourself and just tell me what ya want.”

“Wait, you ain’t her. Sorry. My bad. And, uh, sorry I called you featherbrain.”

“Who were you looking for, buddy?” called Rainbow, as the earth pony beat a hasty retreat.

“You...ain’t mad?” stuttered the earth pony.

“Kinda annoyed, yeah. Mad? Nah. So come on, who’s this mare you were looking for?”

“Well, she’s a pegasus, about your height and your kinda colour too. Maybe a bit taller. Green and blue striped mane. I only saw you from the back, and I couldn’t see your tail, so that’s why I think I got you mixed up.”

Rainbow thought for a minute, remembering back to see if anypony like that had come through the town recently.

“Nope, Can’t say I’ve seen anypony like this mare you’re describing. But tell ya what, I’ll keep an eye out, and if i see her, should I tell her you’re looking for her?”

“That’d be great! Her name’s Pinfeather. If you see her, tell her Diggy was looking for her. She’ll know where to go from there.

“Sure, buddy,” said Rainbow, floating off in search of her new afternoon cloud to nap on. Two minutes later, just as Rainbow was about to fully drift off, a blue bolt crashed into her from behind.

“Screw you, changeling! If you’re going to impersonate me, at least get it right!” roared a female voice, cocking a hoof back, and Rainbow caught sight of a green and blue striped mane flaring in the wind.

“Pinfeather?” the pegasus stopped her punch dead, and let Rainbow Dash flare her own wings.

“How did you know my name?” asked the pegasus.

“Met a guy earlier who was lookin’ for ya. Said his name was Diggy.”

“Oh, great! You are brilliant. Sorry I hit you. Me and Digs have been hunting this band of changelings who kidnapped a friend of ours. They keep impersonating us.”

“It’s no problem. I’ve fought those things before. Not cool.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #285: “Who Are You?”
A case of mistaken identity.

22:00-22:30 "Gabby Gums Redux"

Twilight Sparkle: Princess or Phony?

Twilight Sparkle, long time resident of Golden Oaks Library and magic enthusiast, recently managed to not only cast an incomplete spell without the proper safety precautions, but the after effects of the spell had profound consequences for the mare’s five friends, switching their cutie marks and memories around.

She was spotted several times running around the town, attempting to fix the disastrous results of the miscast and incomplete spell. While all the ponies involved were eventually set right once more, thanks to the efforts of Twilight, it is what happened afterwards that draws this reporter’s concern.

After fixing the spell, Twilight was somehow made into an alicorn like Princess Celestia and Princess Luna, and Princess Celestia soon appeared afterwards, declaring that Twilight was now a Princess herself. But is this really what the Ponies of equestrian need? A princess who would put her own subjects at risk, just to test a spell, without their consent or any warning of any kind? Has Twilight Sparkle somehow ascended herself into an alicorn, rather than Princess celestia Doing it? Did she dig up a purple pegasus, and attach the wings to her back? Nopony knows, and nopony ever gets into Twilight’s secret lab basement to find out.

But whatever the case may be on how she got her wings, the ponies of equestria have to wonder if we are ready for another princess so soon. Although Princess Luna is slowly gaining popularity thanks to her involvement in Nightmare Nights around the country, are we ready for three Princesses, and will Twilight let the power get to her? We can only hope that Twilight proves more responsible than some of her past actions here in Ponyville had displayed.

Signing off, Gabby Gums.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #47: “Only in Equestria”
Write a Gabby Gums article.

22:30-23:00 "Everything For A Price"

Thunder Tempest strode along the back streets of Fillydelphia’s reeking seaweed district. Like most who lived in the city, he had acquired a taste for the rubbery underwater plant, though the stench of it being cut, cleaned and packed was not one he savoured. A large parcel rested on his back, bouncing gently with every step. Water splashed onto his blue coat with each step, and is green eyes cut from side to side as he made lefts and rights at almost random intervals, and finally came across what he was looking for. It was a small shop, set slightly recessed in the wall, with two japoneighs lanterns decorating the front. The sign simply read ‘The Emporium’, and Thunder Tempest pushed open the door, and walked inside.

“Welcome to the Emporium, my flighty friend, what can I do for you today?” said the shopkeeper, emerging from the shadows, his mane poking out from his hat in a braid down the side of his neck.

“I heard you sell glyphstones. Good ones.”

“I sell many things here, my winge’d friend, for those who have the coin to buy them.”
With a single smooth motion, Thunder pulled the case from his back, and flicked it open.

“A fine instrument to be sure, but are you buying, or selling?”

“I need glyphstones for it. The ones in here are wearing down.”

The shopkeeper frowned for a moment before replying, “Yes, I do believe we have some. Let me go and get them.”

“They need to be fresh! None of this half used stuff you sell to the amateurs!” The shopkeeper made a noise of assent, and returned with a medium sized square box, which he opened to reveal a collection of smoothed river stones, each engraved with different runes, each designed to achieve a specific magical effect when magic was run through them.

“Is there any particular ones you wanted?”

“Amplify, Reflect, Power and Cut,” stated Thunder, clearly knowing exactly what he needed, “plus I need two blanks.”

“These are powerful stones. I cannot simply sell them to anypony, you know.” Thunder rolled his eyes, and touched a hoof to the bass, and a spark of green witchfire leapt off the bridge and vanished two feet in the air, causing the shopkeeper’s eyebrows to raise.

“I can do that with a touch on run-down glyphs, shopkeep. Imagine what I could do if I actually played. I know what I’m dealing with. Just give me what I asked for.”

“Very well. If you cut your own tail off, no refunds.”

“Gotcha” said Thunder, dumping a bag of bits onto the counter, and the shopkeeper packed up the stones that the pegasus requested into a small carry bag.

Thunder, however, picked up the bag of stones, and carefully tipped the stones out onto a nearby table, and began inspecting them.

“Alright, they’re good.”

“Everything here is good, as long as you have the coin, my friend. I’ll see you later.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #214: “The Bizarre Bazaar”
We sell absolutely EVERYTHING!

23:30-00:00 "Illusions of Grandeur"

Cold Martini sat up against the bar in Barhaydos, soaking up the sun as she waited for the right moment to approach her target, a rather shapely mare, with a fantastic rainbow dye job who could get her close to the Crime boss that was interfering in the region. She had everything she needed to succeed. Her charming personality, check. Her good looks, check. And if she and the mare with the rainbow hair just so happened to go back to a hotel room together, well, all the better. She’d at least get some fun before heading back to Canterlot.

Cold Martini danced gracefully with the rainbow-maned mare, taking the lead, dipping her as the two used each other as a counter balance.

“I don’t think I got your name, sweetie.” Breathed the rainbow mare.

“It’s Cold Martini. But you may call me sweetie anytime,” purred the agent of the Equestrian Crown. Cold Martini sighed, and then spoke again.

“Stop, Twilight.” The scene dissolved before Rarity’s eyes, and she was back in the Ponyville Library. She wasn’t Cold Martini, and she wasn’t dancing with a rainbow maned mare.

“Did I do anything wrong, Rarity?” asked the alicorn.

“No, you did everything perfectly, far better than I could have done it on my own,” said Rarity, giving a little sigh.

“There’s a but in that, I know it.”

“Yes. But...I still knew it was a fantasy.”

“I’m sorry, Rarity, but I don’t think I can make it any more realistic without frying parts of your brain. And quite honestly, the only other thing that I can immediately think of that could do something like this is well into Dark Magic territory, and I am not touching that unless my life depends on it.”

“I understand, my dear. Still, it was a rather pleasant diversion, to be able to live out one’s fantasies for a few hours. But, I must be getting back to the boutique. Dresses to finish and all.”

“See you, Rarity.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #168: “Spyfall”
International Mare of Mystery!

13:30-14:00 "Some Ponies Learn Things Early"

“And yeah, that’s how ah found out all about the birds an’ the bees. Applejack even took me ‘round to Fluttershy’s so ah could learn a few tips for if she needed me to help out ‘round the farm,” explained Apple Bloom as she walked to school with Scootaloo and Sweetie Belle.

“Eew,” moaned Scootaloo, and the sentiment was mimicked a few seconds later by Sweetie Belle.

“What? ‘tain’t that bad, honest,” said the youngest Apple, “Shore, it’s a little creepy, but ya do kinda git used to it. ‘Sides, like Applejack said, we’ll be learnin’ about it in school sooner or later.”

“But it’s cooties!” gagged Sweetie Belle

“No it ain’t.”

“Is too!”

“Ain’t cooties.”

The argument continued between the two fillies all the way to the school house, even up until they took their desks.

“All right, fillies and colts, settle down. Now, as most of you are beginning to reach the age where you start changing,” said Cheerilee, “I thought that now might be a good time to introduce you all to the facts about reproduction.”

Apple Bloom shot a victory smirk at Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo.

“Apple Bloom? Since you seem so intent on not paying attention, you can come up here and explain to us what you know about the birds and the bees,” said Cheerilee. With another grin directed at Sweetie Belle, Apple Bloom trotted gleefully up to the front of the class and proceeded to give a twenty minute, technical description of reproduction for not only ponies, but cows, rabbits and fruitbats.

“Apple Bloom?”

“Yes, Miss Cheerilee?” Apple Bloom looked the picture of innocence.

“How did you know all of that?”

“Learned it months ago from Applejack, when ah helped deliver Bessie’s new calf.”

“I...see. You may sit down now.”

“Thanks, Miss Cheerilee!”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #194: “The Facts of Life”
Sitting down to have The Talk.

01:00-01:30 "It's Never Expected"

“Hey, have you seen Rainbow Dash?” asked Twilight Sparkle, as she passed Fluttershy in the market that morning, “I’ve got some questions about flight from her lesson yesterday.”

“Oh, um, I don’t think you should go looking for her right now. You know, if that’s alright.”

“Oh, come on, Fluttershy? Please? It’s just a few teeny tiny little questions.”

“I really don’t think she wants to be disturbed now.”

“Pleease?” whined Twilight, grasping at Fluttershy’s hooves, and the rest of the market place was treated to the sight of the Princess lying on the ground as FLuttershy began backing away.

“I’m sorry Twilight, but Rainbow asked me to make sure that she’s not disturbed. I can show you where she is, but you have to promise to not bother her.”

“Oh, thank you thank you thank you, Fluttershy!” Twilight bounced around, and Fluttershy began to lead the Princess away from Ponyville. They eventually arrived at the Ponyville clock tower, where Twilight could make out the form of Rainbow Dash, precariously balanced atop the very tip of the tower on one front hoof, with her other three hooves splayed out in all directions.

“What in Equestria is she doing?”

“She’s, um, meditating,” whimpered Fluttershy, “And practicing her balance. She might also be working on her novel too.” As the pegasus and the alicorn watched, Rainbow carefully changed from balancing on her front left hoof to her front right hoof, and adopted a new, equally unstable position.

“When did Rainbow Dash, of all ponies, start meditating? And why is she doing it like that?”

“She’s doing it like that because, um, she needs to be doing something else at the same time for her mind to concentrate. I think she started doing it shortly after she followed me down to Ponyville.”

Twilight couldn’t take it. Her mind couldn’t comprehend the idea of Rainbow Dash, the most restless and potentially egotistic pegasus she’d ever met, doing something that required perfect inner peace and harmony. She decided to fly up, and get a closer look, but was interrupted by Fluttershy tackling her out of the sky, and pulling her down into a perfect germaneigh suplex.

“Please don’t disturb her. You know, if that’s ok.” Twilight would have voiced the question of where the heck Fluttershy had picked up Equuish Wrestling, but her mouth was full of dirt.

Up upon her perch, Rainbow Dash cracked one eye open, and grinned as she watched Fluttershy take Twilight down. She closed her eye again, took a deep breath, and returned to her meditation.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #28: “Twilight Sparkle Teaches Scuba Diving”
One of the Mane Six or Spike reveals a skill nopony expected them to have.

02:30-03:00 "She Regrets Nothing"

Pinkie Pie blinked, and wiped the nervous sweat away from her eyes. She gritted her teeth, and sat as still as she could. It was just sitting there, taunting her, she knew it. Like some big, mean bully, except it couldn’t speak. It was all Dashie’s fault, Pinkie knew. It had started with a casual sleepover at Twilight’s (They’d finally gotten her to put away the sleepover guide), and it was the almost customary game of Truth or Dare, when Dashie had dared Pinkie to do the most unimaginable of unimaginable things: make a dozen cupcakes, and she wasn’t allowed to eat a single one. Dashie hadn’t even allowed her to lick the spoon! Or the bowl, for that matter.

The thing was, though, that Dashie’s dare wouldn’t be over until all of the cupcakes had been eaten by ponies not Pinkie Pie. She wasn’t sure when Dashie had roped the other girls into this evil, diabolical scheme of denying Pinkie her absolute favourite, bestest food group ever, but they were all sitting around, acting like nothing was wrong as the single cupcake sat on the nearly empty plate, in the exact center.

‘It’s OK, Pinkie,’ she thought to herself, ‘You can do this. Just ignore the cupcake. Ignore the cupcake. Ignore. The. Cupcake. The delicious, delicious cupcake. One of the girls will eat it, and then you can get revenge on Dashie.’ Pinkie imagined how it would look. Dashie would scarf down the whole thing in two or three bites, tops. Icing would go everywhere, and then Dashie would have to lick around her mouth to get rid of all of it. Fluttershy would need convincing to eat it, but she’d do it ever so nicely, taking slow bites, savouring the flavour. Rarity would do it as if it were one of those little appetizers she got whenever she went to Canterlot, and Pinkie never understood the appeal of those, because really, how were they supposed to fill you up? Applejack would eat it like Rainbow, just a bit slower, be a bit less messy. Not nearly as much fun. Pinkie liked cleaning icing from around her mouth, it was like getting a second, smaller cupcake. Twilight would be perfectly methodical about it, and would probably cut the cupcake up to bite-sized peices so no mess went on her books. Totally not fun, and cupcakes were the funnest food ever! They were supposed to be messy, and delicious, and sweet and why could she taste cupcake?

Oh.

Oh no.

Well, at least she had cupcake. She might not be able to get revenge on Dashie tonight, but cupcakes were almost as good.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #155: “So Sweet and Tasty”
Don’t eat the cupcakes.

06:30-07:00 "Trixie Never Doubts!"

Trixie is nervous. No, scratch that. Trixie is never nervous. Trixie is the Great and Powerful Trixie. She will wow these ponies out of their seats. But what if Trixie is not Great or Powerful enough? Ridiculous! Ha ha ha! See? Trixie Laughs at the sentiment. Trixie is the most Great and Powerful unicorn in all of Equestria. She does not fail, she does not fear!

Oh Celestia, Trixie is scared. Trixie is not the Great and Powerful, she is the Scared and Feeble Trixie. Trixie has been talking to the other auditionees. All of them so far have been rejected. Said that the auditioners were looking for ‘something special’. No. No. Trixie is Great and Powerful. Think great and powerful thoughts. Great and Powerful Thoughts. Great and Powerful Trixie now needs to use the fillies’ room. Because Great and Powerful Trixie is nervous.

Trixie is Trixie. Trixie will go out there and do what Trixie does best-show these ponies a good time. Deep breaths. Calm. Trixie is Calm. Remember; Visualise, Concentrate, Release. Trixie is Great and Powerful. Trixie is Calm, collected and will knock the cutie marks off these stupid auditioner ponies.

Here I go.

****

Trixie strode confidently onto the large stage at the Manehatten Theatre, where three older stallions stared at her from the seats.

“Your name?”

“The Great and Powerful Trixie!” trilled the blue mare, enhancing her introduction by spelling out her name with a few magically-conjured fireworks.

“Your actual name, please.”

“Trixie Lulamoon.” Trixie gulped, as the judges made notes on their clipboards.

“Very well, Trixie. Whenever you’re ready, go ahead.”

Trixie closed her eyes for a brief moment, took a deep breath in, let it out slowly, and then proceeded to give what she thought was the greatest performance of her life.

Silence reigned over the theatre as Trixie finished her trick by apparently rotating her body in three different directions at once, and landing perfectly on her hooves.

“Oh, and the card you picked at the beginning, dear stallion. It was the eight of spades.”

Trixie stood there, waiting for the judges approval, or dismissal.

“Trixie Lulamoon, stage name, the Great and Powerful Trixie.”

“Yes, peon?”

“...Can we hire you for three months?” asked the judge, “You have exactly the kind of stage presence and flair our theatre is looking for. We would be honoured to have you perform on a weekly schedule for the Manehatten Theatre company.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #52: “The Show’s About to Start”
The Prompt: Trixie becomes great and powerful.
Special rule: Twilight Sparkle cannot appear or be alluded to.

11:00-11:30 "Nay, I Am But An Author"

This is a story about a pony. The pony’s name is Twinkle Dawnshimmer. Twinkle Dawnshimmer is a unicorn.

Twinkle Dawnshimmer had just moved into Ponyville, and was looking for her new house, when she accidentally bumped into a certain lavender unicorn, knocking them both to the ground.

“Oh, I’m terribly sorry,” cried Twinkle, extending a hoof to the lavender unicorn, “are you alright?”

“Yes, I’m fine, thank you,” replied the other unicorn, “I’m Twilight Sparkle, and you are?”

“Oh, I’m Twinkle Dawnshimmer. You know, I think I remember you from somewhere. Did you go to Celestia’s School for Gifted Unicorns?”

“As a matter of fact, I did! I was Celestia’s personal student.” Twilight couldn’t help but preen a little. It was considered a big honour to be taught by the princess herself. It meant that you were something beyond even extraordinary.

“Wow! I was the smartest filly in my class, got top scores on everything. I’ve even read some of Starswirl the Bearded’s ancient texts. Did you know, he was the father of the amniomorphic spell, and about 200 others?”

“Oh I know, I even dressed up as him for Nightmare Night last year!” said Twilight, “Hey, if you’re not busy, why don’t you come back to the library with me and we can study together! I’ve never had a study buddy before.”

“Oh my gosh, neither have I!” said Twinkle Dawnshimmer the two hugged and simultaneously cried out ‘S.B.F.F. Study Buddy Friends Forever!’

As the two...

****

ThunderTempest stared at the screen. He blinked. Then he blinked again, and re read what he’d written for the tenth time. Slowly, he pulled his glasses off, and cleaned them with his t-shirt, and replaced them on the bridge of his nose.

“I just started to write a cliché Mary Sue fic. There’s something very, very wrong with me,” he said, his voice never wavering from its flat, technical tone.

“This is not the greatest story in the world. It’s not even a tribute to it. There’s now only one thing I can do to purge this from the world.” Spinning around in his chair, ThunderTempest picked up his bass guitar, a Warwick Fortress in chromed black from it’s stand, and plugged it into his amplifier.

The gentle buzz of vibrating strings, amplified tenfold permeated the air, and ThunderTempest made sure it was in tune.

“I’mma firin mah bass cannon!” [TIME]

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #353: “Tribute”
This is not The Greatest Fanfic in the World, no, this is just a tribute.

16:30-17:00 "It's the Best Way To Know Someone"

Celestia delicately placed her piece into its new position, and levelled a perfectly even stare at her opponent. This move was a little tricky to counter correctly, but if they pulled it off, then maybe Celestia would have finally found a worthy opponent.

“I find you can tell a lot about a pony by the way they play chess,” said Celestia, “How they think, how they react to unexpected difficulties.”

Her opponent made a thoughtful noise, then repositioned a knight. Celestia raised a single, delicate eyebrow. Not the most conventional counter, but not completely ineffective. Several of her more powerful peices were in danger now.

“For instance, Twilight Sparkle, my old student, liked to memorize specific strategies, but had trouble adapting if something outside her game plan happened. All it would take to throw her off would be one pawn moved at exactly the right time. Her friend Pinkie Pie, though,” Celestia paused in her commentary to move a bishop to threaten her opponent’s queen.

“It was impossible to throw Pinkie off balance, but she lacked any real strategy, moving peices at random. It was like she rolled a die to decide which piece she moved each turn. Rarity was a challenge.”

Celestia’s opponent nudged a pawn forward one space.

“Rarity reminded me of myself. The plan of Twilight Sparkle, and the improvisation of Pinkie Pie. She could adapt, overcome a situation, but like Twilight, still has some trouble when something completely unexpected happens, though mind you, with Rarity, it had to happen several times in quick succession for her to be truly off balance. She’s likely the most practiced of Twilight’s friends.”

Celestia used a knight to remove a rook from the board, and was repaid as her opponent’s queen replaced her knight.
“Rainbow Dash and Applejack were so similar it was almost funny. Neither gave much thought to strategy, nor planning, instead charging for the king directly from the first move.”

Celestia moved a bishop into strike range of her opponent’s king, and immediately regretted it, as the rook that replaced it immediately locked off half the board to her own king. They exchanged the next few moves in silence, as both put their full concentration towards the game. Eventually, the game reached a stalemate, and Celestia stood up, and graciously dipped her horn in respect to a game well played.

For a reply, Gummy just blinked.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #158: “Game On”
It’s not if you win or lose … it’s how you play the game.

20:00-20:30 "The Final Journey"

The mists were thick here. But that mattered little to those who cannot see them. Princess Luna sat, and waited. It would not be long now. Everypony was allowed their last goodbyes.

And there she was, bouncing along, not even realising that she’d crossed the border. The younger princess stood, and uttered but a single word.

“Stop.”

The pink pony froze in mid-bounce, suspended in the air, only able to turn her head.

“Princess Luna? Is this just a dream, then?” Princess Luna tried to ignore the spark of hope that the thought brought to the cheerful pony’s eyes, and sorely regretted that it was her duty to crush it.

“This is no dream, I am afraid, Pinkamena Diane Pie. This is as real as it gets.”

“Oh. But...where’s the grim reaper, the pony with the scythe?”

“You mean this?” Princess Luna’s form withered away practically instantly, leaving behind only an animated skeleton. A wave of one hoof whisked a large scythe into existence. And then, just as quickly, the skeleton refleshed itself, and Princess Luna was standing once more before Pinkie Pie.

“That was created for a prank, to scare naughty foals. It was never a collector of the dead. There has always, and only been me.”

“But...why you?”

Luna smiled. “Walk with me, Pinkie. The realm of dreams and the realm of death are so very, very close together. Close enough that they often overlap. You have heard tales of ponies seeing dead relatives in dreams, conversing with them. This is not a trick of the mind. It is because in their search of the realm of Dreams, they have instead found the realm of the dead, giving them one last chance to say goodbye. The moon, Selene, is sometimes referred to as the Guardian of the Dead, and as its living avatar, I am charged with taking souls on the journey from the living and onto the Eternal Feilds.”

“Is that why we’re walking towards the moon?”

“Indeed,” said Princess Luna, and the two continued on in silence for a while. They finally stopped, and Luna turned to face Pinkie, and said, “You have lived a good life, Pinkamena Diane Pie. I commend your spirit to the Eternal Fields.”

Princess Luna stretched out a metal shod hoof, barely brushing Pinkie’s chest, but the instant it touched, Pinkie began to fade, quickly vanishing into the ether. Luna turned back, and alone, began the walk back to the border, to await the next unfortunate soul. She would likely not have to wait long.

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #313: “Chooser of the Slain”
The guide between life and death.

23:00-23:30 "The Aftermath"

It was like a dream come true, as Rainbow Dash stood in the waiting area, waiting for her number to be called so she could go out there and show the Wonderbolts her stuff. After everything, Nightmare Moon, Discord, Sombra, Twilight’s ascension, the Royal Wedding, and her stint at Wonderbolt Academy, she was ready. She could do a Sonic Rainboom on command, and her trick repertoire was expanding every day. She was ready. She was calm.

“Rainbow Dash, you’re up,” said one of the coaches, offering a hoof bump as Rainbow passed him, “go knock ‘em dead, kiddo.”

“You know it. I’m coming out with one of those flight suits.” And as the gate to the cloud stadium opened, Rainbow shot forwards, carving a near solid wall of rainbow behind her. Stage one, the Pinball. This was one of Rainbow’s more recent additions to her routine. Using whatever was around her, she had to bounce around, often pulling complete 180’s, without busting a single cloud, but still giving the impression that she’d hit it.

Down in the arena, Rainbow was having the time of her life. She’d finished with the Pinball for now, and was moving onto stage 2, when she could have sworn she heard Pinkie Pie’s voice call out to her. Looking around, she saw that Pinkie was in the stands. Huh. That was wierd, she always thought that Wonderbolt Auditions were closed to the public. Still, she’d take the cheering section.

“Daashiee!”

“Daashiee!”

“Dashie!”

Rainbow awoke with a start, jerking upright and slamming her head into Pinkie’s, who didn’t seem fazed by it in the least. Dammit, it was just a dream.

“Yeah, what is it Pinkie?”

“Look, I know you guys are kinda tired, but could you and your teammates leave Sugarcube Corner? We have to open soon.”

“Yeah, sure Pinks, wait...Teammates?” Rainbow Dash looked around her, and indeed, sprawled on the floor was most of the active roster of the Wonderbolts, still in their flight suits, and Rainbow was in one as well.

“I joined the Wonderbolts, and I don’t remember it! Arrgh! This is the last time I drink Applejack’s hard cider before a party.”

Author's Note

Written for Prompt #68: Guest Week Day Two (“The Best Prompt EVER!”)
Rainbow Dash (that’s me) finally gets accepted into The Wonderbolts! Eeeeeeeee!!!