Chapters Morning light poured into the cracks in the canopy from up above. The forest remained eerily quiet. Not a single bird sang, nor did any other wildlife scurry about. The morning was slightly cold with chilling dew covering the semi frosted grass and leaves. All seemed too still for even a single soul to be in the area. Suddenly, a teal earth pony flanked by a white unicorn and a gray pegasus slipped out of the underbrush stealthily. They were all battered but hardened. Weeks of conflict having worn their spirits thin and testing their resolve. They had more practical and lighter versions of the armor issued to the guard. It was silent and a dull gray shown through the smeared mud and paint that covered their plates. The armor itself had been damaged from extensive recent use. They moved as silently as an assassin stalking their prey. They were close to their target now. Their sole chance to end this conflict before it gets much worse.
The situation deteriorated rapidly after the changeling hive was reformed. A small band of dissenters chose to defect from the hive and wage war against the ponies that had shattered their culture. These ponies struck deep into the woods to find the commander Pharynx. Their mission was to capture or eliminate the threat facing Equestria’s outlying townships. They were sent after various small towns were raised to make a statement. The newly reformed changelings threw away weapons and swore a path of pacifism to an extreme and thus only supplied Equestrian forces information and supplies with the promise that the conflict would be ended quickly with as little violence as possible. That seemed unlikely now.
Suddenly, the ponies burst forth into a small clearing. There were several small structures that matched the information given by Thorax yet, there was not a single changeling in sight. The pegasus took to the air while the unicorn and earth pony fanned out to scan the scene. Without warning half a dozen furious green bolts of magic rained from multiple sides. The unicorn raised a shield and deflected a few while the earth pony rolled and dodged all but a single bolt.
The pegasus landed with a thud. His injuries were severe enough to incapacitate him. With the small group shaken and hurt the changelings jumped from the trees surrounding their foes swiftly. They wasted no time rushing for a finishing blow causing the unicorn to release a devastating burst of raw chaotic energy. While unfocused and untamed, the burst of magic poured over the area and knocked out half of the changelings, but left the unicorn at the end of his strength.
Exhausted he readied himself for another spell, only for it to sputter and die. Another changeling charged and struck him in the side knocking him down. With two foes down the remaining changelings turned to the last of the warriors sent to defeat them. The lone earth pony knew that at this point she was outmatched. ---
To be potentially be continued. just not here. The speed write will remain raw.
Author's Note
Prompt: Bug days of summer
I was 40 minutes late to this hour long speed write. I still tried and put out this one right here. Hope you enjoy it and find inspiration.
Didn't place but, did not expect too since i did not finish. This shows how I never quit even if things seem impossible and neither should you.
The Wild Mustang (CW: Alcohol)
Content warning: Alcohol abuse in story below.
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I look around the room in a haze. I can't really remember where I am. It's dark and multi-colored lights flash back and forth. Suddenly, my senses come pouring back in after I wobble violently.
"Duuuuude! You okaeeeey? I… I… I think those last drinks really did a number on youu."
My eyes struggle to focus on this mystery pony for a moment. His mane was disheveled and his electric blue color was tainted by some unknown fluid. His coat was relatively unstained considering he was white as snow though, his fur still stuck out at odd angles all over.
"Heeey!" He slaps my cheek lightly. I note the booming music in the background. Was that always playing? "Are you still in there brooo?" He practically spits at me with his last words.
Suddenly I realize that he is none other than my best friend Spark Feather. I struggle to grasp at any real thoughts as to where we are. Things still feel fuzzy .
"Where are we?" I say slowly and cautiously. Bit by bit my memory seems to be coming together. My mouth is still numb from tonight's events.
"Finally…" he gave me a deadpan look before almost bursting into laughter. After he calms down, he continues "The Wild Mustaaang bro… havvin the night of our liiiives…" He dramatically throws both forelegs onto the bar and lays over. Just as I think he is unconscious he pops up and waves at the bartender.
We must have had a tab set up already because the bartender simply nods and grabs two drinks from a fridge. He rolls them across his wings and flings them gently to the bar. One slides to each of us perfectly leaving me dumbfounded at such a display of skill.
We both open our drinks and throw back the next round. Darkness slowly encroaches on my vision as my thoughts begin to crumble once more…
Author's Note
The prompt of: Sins
Placed 3rd
Wrote this on the first thought i had. hope you enjoy.
Remember, drink safely and responsibly and, Not like these characters.
WHAM
The tall pristine gold framed door to Celestia's court swung a little revealing a sizable indent in the wall. The court itself was filled with nobles and various law ponies from all around that were discussing various issues. All that came grinding to a halt suddenly as everyone stared at the offending party. The perfect walls and glorious multi-colored marble floor gave a deceptively peaceful air to the throne itself. An air that was cut by the sheer intensity of the sudden situation.
The offender, A pure stallion with a mane that flowed as perfectly as the ocean itself. One who held his horn high as he thought himself highly above all. He glared intensely at Celestia with eyes that burned with fury.
"I want to discuss my place in your most recent tax bill!" he announced, ignoring the increasingly annoyed court. The guards gripping their weapons and eyeing Celestia for her decision.
"There is NOTHING to discuss. You, like all ponies, shall be paying an equal tax. You, Prince Blueblood, will now gracefully remove yourself from my court." Celestia's stare was intense as she finished. She looked tense and shook lightly in her throne. Her mane flowed much more slowly than usual and an intense magical pressure filled the room.
Prince Blueblood scoffed before ignoring his warning, "I wish to put forth a motion to your highness . You see I am not part of the rabble. My family has done great things for this nation and you. I believe your tax on Blueblood estate is in error. If you rectify it I just might forget this happened…" He finished waving his mane as if to woo the annoyed before him.
Celestia's fur turned just the slightest shade of pink and a single vein popped right above her eye. The temperature in the room increased rapidly and there was a scurry as suddenly as most ponies decided to leave. "I asked nicely. Now I am TELLING you." Her hoof slammed against her. The delicate material shifting under the abuse. "Leave now or face the consequences."
Blueblood continued his advance and revealed his written proposal. "But you se…"
A blaze of magical flame erupted out into the room. The air itself almost seemed to boil. It engulfed Blueblood and in an instant he was gone.
A guard coughed.
Celestia cocked her head "Don't worry. He'll live."
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"AAAAAARRRGGGGGG" The mirror fell to the floor and shattered into a million pieces. Blueblood could not believe it. He was teleported and the infernal flames of damnation burned every hair off his gorgeous body. At least he was pretty… until now...
Author's Note
Prompt: Don't poke the bear
Well i had a good idea going here. Execution was bad. Either way it still goes onto the bookshelf raw. Not every day has to be a win. Today, i learned something instead. That in itself is a win. Hope you enjoy!
The light streamed elegantly onto the hot summer sands. The sound of water flowing softly fills the air along with the gentle smell of tangy ocean air. The sun sat right above the beach glaring onto the water giving it wildly varied yet sporadically fluctuating colors. The weather was calm but oppressively warm making the water extra inviting on this fine day.
Wildlife and ponies skittered across the wet sand. A few would tread to the dry parts only to realize the horrors of sizzling hot sand and scurry back to the safety of the embracing sea. Its waters provide a cooling respite to all the current visitors and inhabitants.
A wooden stand with a roof of tree fonds sat at the middle of the beach for those who brave the burning sands. It offers a large selection of drinks served in simple stylistic glasses or coconut halves depending on the drinks. A large mixture of ponies crowd the stand and chatter excitedly about their amazing day while enjoying a rejuvenating drink.
The stand mixer was a masterful pegasus with a soft blue coat with matt gray mane that has a black streak. He juggles several mix drinks at once cleverly using his wings in ways one would not think possible. At any given moment the pegasus would shift his wings and allow drinks in closed cups to roll from one wing to another causing it to tumble and mix well while also taking the next order. Once a cup had nearly fallen he would jerk the wing sharply tossing the drink to the opposite wing. He would catch it gracefully and slide it across the bar with a confident smile.
Across the sand in the water is a small party of ponies. They bounce a ball between each other playfully while splashing as much as they can. Periodically one of the ponies will dive to see the deep expansive underworld in the sea. Just under the water was a massive coral reef with colors of all sorts. The reef bustled with wildlife at nearly every visible place. The fish swam by flashing the vibrant hues of blues, yellows, and oranges. The water itself almost pulsed with energy causing various plants in the reef to flutter about.
As the day went on the sun began to set. The general activity of the day slows as the energy in everypony begins to falter. Colder air offered by dusk causing wildlife to retreat slowly back to the sea and ponies to rush to the still warm dry sand. The wooden stand now vacant and everypony packed up and leaving before nightfall. The beach sits peacefully quiet with the soft beating of water pushing and pulling gently on the slowly chilling sands.
Author's Note
Prompt: ~~Naked~~ on the beach (i ignored the naked part to keep it PG friendly plus ponies are always naked anyway).
Description: So this was my first speed write. I got nervous about doing scenery and characters because there just was not enough time (about 15 minutes) to properly think out any kind of plot. Even a short one. I decided to bank hard on a scene building short that immerses the reader in the environment that I pictured in my head. All in all, I think it turned out well.
Ended up placing first in this small panic competition. Wow lol. Thanks all.
link to the reddit for the contest: https://www.reddit.com/r/QuillsAndSofas/comments/icewtd/panic_rob_draws_blood/
Feel free to read the stories of my fellow contestants. They all did a great job.
The sun glistened through the springtime leaves and a gentle aroma flowed through the air. The grass was warm and soft beneath Fluttershy's hooves. Chirping came from all around and the forest itself seemed to breathe with life. Today was a perfect day to spend with Twilight.
Perfect in every sense except one.
A single stick lay on the dirt path. It lay perfectly across the path and disrupted Fluttershy's pace. She stopped suddenly trying to think of how to continue on the path without leaving it.
Twilight looked at Fluttershy expectantly. "Is everything alright? Do you need help Fluttershy?"
Fluttershy processed the question and her situation. Her current goal was to walk this path. The path, however, was disrupted by this lone stick. Fluttershy had never done this before and had no previous data to work with. She could not possibly deviate from the path nor, could she continue while it is blocked.
"No… I cannot figure out how to continue on this path. It is flawed!" Fluttershy motioned toward the offending stick.
Twilight scribbled furiously on a notepad before she walked to the stick. "Fluttershy, Observe and learn!" she exclaimed as she simply stepped over the stick.
Fluttershy was awestruck at this revelation. Going over an obstacle on a path still counts as being on the path! She instantly walked past the stick gracefully with her newfound logic.
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Fluttershy and Twilight approached Friendship Castle. Its glorious walls glistened in the sun and sent a rainbow of colors in every direction. Every minute detail seemed to capture its own piece of light. Fluttershy marveled at this until finally they reached the front door.
Twilight motioned for Fluttershy to continue "Go ahead. Show me how much you have learned."
Fluttershy looked at the door in thought. She recalled how to get past obstacles while staying on her path. She scanned the crystal walls slowly looking up until finally she spotted her salvation. A window sat far above the door open. She instantly flew right into the window.
Clopping reverberated in the halls and soon Twilight appears with a notable red mark on her face. Her hair was slightly out of place.
"What was that…" she deadpanned.
"I avoided the obstacle and stayed on the path." Fluttershy responded enthusiastically.
After a few more notes Twilight lit her horn and a soft click could be heard. Fluttershy sank slightly but remained frozen in her pose.
Author's Note
Prompt: Robots with bonus points for Flutters as a main character.
This was fun. It came from a panic inspired by Flutterbot in our server. I wrote this story of the early flutterbot with an advanced self teaching AI. Just one teensy tiny little problem. *Her* interpretation skills are not the best.