Bad Dragon's Short Storiesby Bad DragonChapters20 - Bureaucracy [2022.02]03 - Dragon's Heart [2019.07]05 - Believe in the Dream! [2020.06]06 - Atmosphere! [2020.09]07 - Horizon Star [2020.10]08 - I Have an Urge to Sing You a Song [2020.11]10 - Talk No More [2021.01]12 - Her Antics… [2021.05]15 - Runaway [2021.09]17 - Giving Up on Magic Was the Only Way [2021.11]18 - Intimate Gift [2021.12]21 - Dinosaurs [2022.03]22 - The Haunting [2022.04]23 - Just This Once and Never Again [2022.05]24 - Rainbow Dash's Fetish [2022.05 bonus round]26 - To Tartarus With You [2022.07]27 - You Made Me an Alicorn for That‽ [2022.08]28 - Somber Heart [2022.09]30 - My Tentacle Pony Friend [2022.12]33 - Here Be Dragons [2023.03 - banned story]34 - Mirrors Are Real Because Our Eyes Are Real [2023.03]35 - Subversion [2023.04]38 - Evil Incarnate [2023.07]39 - Underrated [2023.08]41 - Down with the Princess; long live the Princess! [2023.10]44 - Buy tickets now and revel in the awesome Fireworks that will please you in every way imaginable! [2024.01]46 - Burn Down the Language Barrier [2024.03]49 - Perfect Cake [2024.06]50 - Misty Dooms Opaline Yet Again [2024.07]51 - The Sweetest Sisters' Showdown in Candyland’s Syrupy Gauntlet [2024.08]52 - TorchBlight Zugzwang [2024.09]54 - Hope's Eclipse [2024.11]47 - Magic Knocks Off Labor [2024.04]Prolog01 - Through the Ages [2017.12]02 - What Have You done‽ [2018.07]04 - Crippled Wings [2020.05]09 - The Prank Has Been Doubled! [2020.12]11 - To Tell a Lie (winning story) [2021.02]13 - Friendship Is Obligatory [2018.06]14 - The Black Temples [2021.08]16 - Undo [2021.10]19 - Rulebreaker [2022.01]25 - Pride Dies Last (winning story) [2022.06]29 - SweetieAI: Feeling Acquired (Sacrifice) [winning story] [2022.10]31 - King Sombra's Return [2023.01]32 - Consent Is Optional [2023.02]36 - Stoned [2023.05]37 - End of Everything [2023.06]40 - Prophecy of the Moon [2023.09]42 - Two Is Enough [2023.11]43 - Be Careful of What You Wish For [2023.12]45 - Scootaloo’s First Flight [2024.02]48 - In the Enchanted Garden of the Seventh Element: The Undying Flame Aura and Unsatiated Fire Within [2024.05]53 - Who are you and what have you done with Diamond Tiara? [2024.10]55 - Turbo-charged, High-velocity, Gas-potent, Jet-stream, Propulsion-boosting, Uplifting Meal [2024.12]20 - Bureaucracy [2022.02]“Sugar Belle, will you marry me?” “Yes, Big Mac, of course I’ll marry you!” “Excuse me, orally-agreed-upon couple. I’m sorry to cut your moment short, but under the new Princess Twilight Sparkle’s law, the need for orderly bureaucracy requires your participation. As you are well aware, every pony is required to operate under and for the new rule of bureaucracy.” “Mr. bureau enforcer, we already spend our days shuffling Twilight’s papers around…” “With the latest expansion of Twilight’s bureau, that is no longer sufficient. More ponies are needed to support the apparatus. Therefore, I hereby officially task you with expanding bureaucratic resources.” “Nope.” “Err, I’m sorry, Mr. bureau-enforcer. What my fiance means is that we don’t understand what more do you want from us.” “You are required to fornicate right here and now in order to produce more bureaucratic resources. Do you comply?” “Yup.” “Big Mac!” Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.02 writing competition. 03 - Dragon's Heart [2019.07]"Twilight, do you see it?" "Yes, Spike, I see it. Everypony in Equestria is looking at it." "Luna threw the moon at it. Why is it still approaching?" "It's a black hole, Spike. The moon just added to its mass. Only an advanced annihilation spell could stop it." "Can you cast it?" Spike looked up at her. "Please say yes." "The spell has been theorized for a millennium but nopony has ever managed to cast it. Since this morning, I've tried to simplify it as much as I could. It's now on the very edge of my magic capabilities, so yes, with the required ingredient and by draining Equestria of its magic, I probably could." "Do it!" "No." "Whaa..." Spike gasped. "Everything we know and love is about to be annihilated. If there's even a chance to do something about it, you should take it, no matter the cost." "There are lines that shouldn't be crossed, Spike. Lines I wouldn't cross even for the world. Let's just sit here, together." "Why, Twilight? Why won't you cast the spell? Ponies can learn to live without magic, you know? It’s an acceptable sacrifice." "But you’re not. I love you, Spike. I'd never do anything to harm you. I'll never let us drift apart, for any reason. Even if it is just until the final sunset." She sighed. "You see, this spell cannot be cast without the special ingredient." She pressed a hoof on Spike's chest. "A dragon's heart." "I see..." Spike stood there for a moment, clenching his claws. "Well, if we're going to just sit here, I'll bring us some popcorn." "I'm glad we'll spend the last moments together, Spike." "I'm glad to be with you at this time, Twilight." He ran into the castle and into the kitchen. However, instead of popcorn, he grabbed the sharpest knife he could find. He wiped off a tear from his cheek and whispered, "One dragon's heart coming up." Author's Note This story participated in the 2019.07's writing contest. 05 - Believe in the Dream! [2020.06]05 - Believe in the Dream! [2020.06] " ... ♫ This little dream of ours will last forever ♪ To preserve the friendship our endeavor ♬ … ” My eyelids half-close, and I stop singing. Something is off. All my friends are still at it, though. Why does Luna always sing the loudest? Why do we always sing about our dream whenever The Princess of Dreams is around? Coincidence? I think not. And how is it even possible to ever synchronize our voices without practicing beforehoof? My vision darkens. The singing stops and the last thing I see is Luna’s terrified face, yelling at me, “Twilight Sparkle, please do not doubt this!” A green light surrounds me. Where in Equestria am I now? In the back of my head, I hear Luna's fading voice, “I’m sorry, my little pony. There is no Equestria. There never was. The dream is all we have.” I wave through a thick liquid with a hoof and touch myself. Where are my wings? As I press my face against the soft translucent wall, I recognize a creature on the other side. A changeling! Author's Note This story participated in 2020.06 writing competition. 06 - Atmosphere! [2020.09]The world of humans on Earth was in another universe and couldn’t be accessed directly, but Twilight Sparkle finally figured out a way. “It won’t be just Luna interacting with people’s dreams anymore. It’s time for an actual encounter of the third kind!” she announced. The Alicorn then concentrated all her magic into the quantum entanglement spell. She knew she’d need a week to recover, but it was worth it. For science and diplomacy! An explosion of pure stink filled the air. When the smog cleared, there stood a human. Upon seeing the Princess, he gasped and dropped to his knees. Twilight giggled. “I know I’m supposed to be royalty and all, but there’s really no need for formalities.” The human bowed to the mare, prostrating himself before her. She blushed. He looked up at her and uttered only, “Oxygen!” “Oh!” Twilight put a hoof before her muzzle. “We don’t have that here. Is that going to be a problem?” The human dropped dead. Author's Note This story participated in the 2020.09 writing contest. 07 - Horizon Star [2020.10]Stars will aid in my escape. But not any star will do. Its beams have to be compatible with my soul energy. If I could connect to any of them, I would have just used the sun and been off the moon in eight minutes. But my soul is nothing like Celestia’s joyful essence. Nothing like the sun’s cheering rays. Only the red-shifted darkened stars can guide me back home, and I know each one of them well. My eyes bathe in their rays, but those are just pathways. I have to reach further through the highway of light without blinking until I connect to the endless power of the star. Only then can I hope to breathe Equestrian air again. Yet the closest star that keeps rising on the horizon and never sets, is still a thousand light-years away... Author's Note This story was part of the 2020.10 writing competition If you blinked while reading this chapter, you have to start over again from the beginning. 2020.10 writing competition. 08 - I Have an Urge to Sing You a Song [2020.11]Oh, fellow ponies, heed my word Before your brain becomes disturbed Tentabus named Muse is on the loose By hearing a song, you’re in its noose I have already succumbed to this effect But you can still escape its magical dialect Ponies don’t sing, we never did If you hear a song you’re in its grid The songs are memes, they propagate They hijack your brain to variate You’re not a victim, you’re the cause By singing you become its jaws If this threat is not contained A delirium for ponykind will be ordained Ponies will randomly burst into a song Without suspecting something’s wrong It’s too late for me, I’ve heard too much But you can still escape its clutch Run away if you hear a pony sing Or else Muse will catch you in its string This letter is the last act of my occupation Before forcing myself into self-isolation Don’t look for me ever Yours Clover the Clever Author's Note This song was part in 2020.11 writing competition. 10 - Talk No More [2021.01]"What's the big deal? I just wanted to say hi to my mom." "You raised her from the dead, Zecora!” the elder pounded a hoof on the ground. "I missed her. I really don't see why my talking to her triggered you all so much." "Necromancy is a serious offense, as you are well aware. The punishment is either death or banishment after drinking this poetic justice." The elder carefully lifted a bottle from his saddle pouch. "Either way, no more talking to the dead!" "Well, if those are my options..." Zecora grabbed the potion from the elder's hooves. "Bottom's up!" She curiously looked around but silent was the crowd, no zebra dared to make a sound. "So, what was in the brew?" On the ground the bottle she threw. "What does this potion do?" Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.01 writing competition. 12 - Her Antics… [2021.05]“Rarity, your cat hissed at me! I’m scared!” “Opalescence is just establishing its territory. That’s how cats act, Sweetie Belle.” “Rarity, Opalescence sliced a piece of my tail! Again!” “Opalescence is just playing. It’s what cats do. Don’t worry about it” “Rarity, Opalescence scratched me! I’m bleeding!” “Don’t concern yourself with that. It’s just animal antics.” “Rarity, Opal bit me! It’s sucking on my blood now!” “Cats go into hunting mode whenever they see weak prey. Don’t mind it. It’s just what cats do.” “Rarity...” “Sweetie Belle! Will you stop stealing food from Opalescence’s bowl already!?! That’s cat food, meant for cats.” “But it’s so crunchy...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.05 writing competition. 15 - Runaway [2021.09]“Oh dear, where could she be?” Rarity cried out in desperation. “It’s all my fault.” “Now, now.” Hondo Flanks patted her on the head. “Don’t blame yourself for the argument you had with Sweetie Belle. She had it coming.” “Dear, how can you say that at this time?” Cookie Crumbles looked at him angrily. “What if something happened to her?” “Oh, you mean something like a CAMPFIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LIVING ROOM!?!” “Sweetie Belle was just expressing herself.” Cookie Crumbles argued. “She was expressing fire!” Hondo struck a hoof on the ground. “Dad, mom, for the love of Celestia, stop it!” Rarity screeched. “Think! Where haven’t we looked yet? Where else could she have run away to?” Meanwhile on the farm in Feyona’s dog house, “Mmm, so comfy. Who needs a campfire, anyway. Dog houses are warm plenty.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.09 writing competition. 17 - Giving Up on Magic Was the Only Way [2021.11]“This is very perplexing,” the lead scientist said to his assistant. “Tell me about it...” She sighed, scratching her head. “The laws of physics in this subspace must be way different than in this universe. First, we pulled out the sort of particle that could break matter. Then one that could defy gravity. The third one could affect matter at a distance. This last particle is a pure paradox. It has the feature of all three.” “Given this new information, we need to test a lot more particles to get to the bottom of this… ‘magic’, even if we have to hijack all the particles from the subspace along with their underlying principles that connect them. Good thing we caught this Twilight particle. If it wasn’t for that, we’d probably stick with the first working hypothesis and would have cut off the subspace interference by now.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.11. writing competition. 18 - Intimate Gift [2021.12]Rainbow Dash in her blue furtight bodysuit swooped in the main chamber with a swarm of changelings behind her trying to keep up. “I have a message for Chrysalis from the Princess!” she mumbled with open mouth. Chrysalis looked from atop of her throne and levitated the scroll from Rainbow Dash’s mouth. “An actual Wonderbolt delivering a message to me? I’m honored.” She spread it out and read aloud, “We found posters of Wonderbolts in your room after you invaded Canterlot.” Chrysalis blushed. “I know what your ultimate goal is and that you are willing to invade us just to get what you want. I hope this gift to you can mend the fences and dissuade you from further aggression.” “A gift?” Rainbow dash scratched her head with a hoof. “The Princess only gave me the scroll.” “Don’t you get it, my little pony?” Chrysalis giggled. “You are the gift.” Author's Note This story took part in 2021.12 writing competition. 21 - Dinosaurs [2022.03]Petunia Paleo has finally achieved her life’s goal. After transferring stoned dinosaur eggs from all over Equestria into a lone museum in Ponyville, she was now ready for the final step. She turned up the heating in the museum to maximum, unbagged a cockatrice and one by one unstoned all the eggs. It didn’t take long before they hatched. It was all going according to the plan she had presented to Filthy Rich. And at that point, it was time for him to fulfill his part of the contract and take care of her dinosaur problem. She just hoped that the resort or whatever he had in mind was big enough for her Jurassic friends. As promised, Filthy Rich came with a substantial workforce to relieve the dinosaurs of small confinements in the museum. And for some reason, they were all equipped with flamethrowers… Her eyes were fixed on the burning museum. Even when the building collapsed on itself in a fiery inferno, her mind still couldn’t comprehend the events that transpired. Filthy Rich approached the motionless mare and presented her with an extermination bill that she would have to work her whole life to pay off. Only one of the creatures was spared, and it rested in the bag by her hooves. With a sigh, she unbagged the cockatrice. “Yeah, I can’t deal with any of this.” With those last words, she looked directly into the eyes of the creature. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.03 writing competition. 22 - The Haunting [2022.04]In a cave-in at the Castle of Three Sisters, a guard got trapped in the hole. Celestia got called in because she was, besides the mare on the moon, the only one who knew the traps of the castle. Starswirl the Bearded came with her; more for emotional support than the need, for she had not yet recovered from the banishment of her sister. When Celestia arrived, she shuddered upon seeing the spot where the hole was. “There was no trap here. ‘Tis the spot where Nightmare Moon struck me down a year ago on the Nightmare Night.” Starswirl asked, “But if there was no trap here, why is there a hole in the ground?” A voice called out from the hole. “Not to pressure anypony, but I’m soaking in rot down here.” Celestia levitated him out of the hole and brushed a hoof on his coat, collecting the soft, moldy material. “Starswirl, hypothetically speaking, if there were a bunch of mattresses buried here, would that leave behind something like this?” He used his magic to analyze the matter. “Indeed. You are correct. But how did you know? Why would anypony put a bunch of mattresses under the very spot where Nightmare Moon struck you down?” Celestia gasped. “Every year she pranked me, but last year I thought it was real! She was Nightmare Moon at the time. She was…” Starswirl looked at her with concern in his eyes. “Celestia, are you okay?” A stream of tears burst down Celestia’s face as she spoke, “She was Luna!” Starswirl opened his snout, but no words came out. Celestia looked at him with a gaze of desperation. “The recall spell! Did you teach it to my sister?” “Only the first part. She rescheduled my lesson about circumventing the star alignment requirement for the spell to work. She said something about needing more time to prepare a darkly prank.” “No!” screamed Celestia and crumpled on the ground under the weight of the truth. “The stars won’t be aligned for the next thousand years!” The realization of what she had done gave birth to regret that would haunt Celestia until the end of her days. Debilitated, she would be forever incapable of any action, letting her students wage all the battles in her steed. All the while, the mare on the moon kept repeating the words she had hoped Celestia's ears would one day receive, “It was merely a prank. It was merely a prank…” Even after the return of the mare from the moon, Luna too would avoid conflict and sleep over any major event, even if it was an invasion of her city, rather than risk being misunderstood again. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.04 writing competition. 23 - Just This Once and Never Again [2022.05]You are the first crowd who has welcomed The Great and Powerful Trixie with a cheer. In turn, for you only and merely tonight, The Great and Powerful Trixie will perform the never before seen magic trick, with no magic! Behold! Without even charging the horn, The Great and Powerful Trixie shall make this apple disappear. Now you see the apple on the chair, but after The Great and Powerful Trixie sits on it… Mghh! Igh! Uh, ugh! Auch! Aaa! AAAAAA! Oh, god, I'm gonna die... … And... And now... And now when The Great and Powerful Trixie slowly and carefully stands up, you can no longer see the apple... Ta-da! I need to get to a hospital. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.05 writing competition. 24 - Rainbow Dash's Fetish [2022.05 bonus round]"That's stupid," Applejack shut down Rainbow Dash's proposal. Streams of tears burst out down the kneeling Rainbow Dash's cheeks, "But I thought we had something." "We do. That's why ah said marriage is stupid. We already have each other, and that's all that matters. Marriage wouldn't change that any." "So, this is not a no. It's a yes?" Rainbow Dash looked up to Applejack. "It's a: yes, I'm okay with your many fetishes. Just tell me the time and the place you want me to be at." "Thank you, Applejack. I'll even wear a Wonderbolt's uniform on our wedding day!" "Again, that's your fetish, not mine." Author's Note This story took part in the Bonus round writing competition. 26 - To Tartarus With You [2022.07]"We forgive you for everything, Starlight Glimmer. Let's be friends." Twilight smiled. "I just tried to destroy Equestria as you know it. Are you sure forgiveness is in order?" "Sure. It's like with Tirek. We all forgave him." "You banished him to Tartarus…" "Hmm, you have a point. To Tartarus with you then." "Wait, I didn't think convincing you that I need to be punished would actually make you punish me..." "We live and we learn, dear Starlight." Twilight cast a spell. "We live and we learn." Starlight Glimmer found herself in Tartarus, chained to a wall. Below her was lava, and on the opposite wall hung a big sign: 'Don't forget, you'll be here forever.' Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.07 writing competition. 27 - You Made Me an Alicorn for That‽ [2022.08]Celestia levitated the sleeping princess in the air and shook her violently, "Twilight, you have to help me stop this new threat to the world that just surfaced!" Twilight instantly woke up. She instinctively nodded upon seeing her mentor. “Just tell me what must be done and I promise I will do it. I’m here for you. You know I’m in it all the way with whatever it is, I can help you with. I’ve lived under your wing for most of my life, so I know I can trust you." "The creature needs to be hooked, and the only bait it will bite on is an Alicorn." "Um, I'm not sure I follow, Celestia..." "Why did you think I made an alicorn out of you? What, did you think you deserved it? Lol, no. I just needed bait for my hook, and that’s why I made an Alicorn. Now if you will, put this hook in one of your orifices. I'm going monster fishing!" “Celestia, what you’re saying is insane. I hardly know you right now.” “Yes, well, your promise is still a promise.” Celestia waved a hook before Twilight’s face. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.08 writing competition. 28 - Somber Heart [2022.09]“I’m very proud of you, workers.” Prince Sombra addressed his subordinates. “Despite the hot day, you were very productive. Take a half-hour break. Have a power nap or just rest. Work can wait.” “My workers, I hope you all enjoyed the break that I graciously gifted to you. As you can see, even the heartless have a heart. Now let’s get productive!” “No,” one pony said. “He-he. Good one. But seriously, we wasted enough sunlight. Time for work!” Nopony moved. The one who spoke previously stood up, “There’s one of you and many of us. You’re not a king yet, colt; you have no power over us. From now on, we work when we feel like it.” “Okay then…” Prince Sombra turned around and left. It was almost morning. But that day, instead of sunshine as usual, a shock of electricity woke up everypony in the stable. Magical shackles were snapped around everypony’s neck. “Bad morning, everypony.” Sombra greeted them. “But the day shall be great. You’ll make up for yesterday's lost time and do today’s and tomorrow's work. No breaks anymore though. Or ever again, for that matter. And instead of three meals per day, just one. You proved yesterday that gratitude is wasted on you. From now on there shall be just pure productivity from dawn to dusk.” Sombra directed his magic on their collars and shocked them until everypony worked twice as fast as the day before. When the last laziness was banished, prince Sombra retreated into his field office and wrote a letter. Dear Father, today I learned that being good to somepony is a weakness. That’s why I decided to be bad from now on. Just a heads up, when you read to the end of this sentence you shall feel my blade in your back. No hard feelings, okay? Your son, King Sombra PS. The king is dead, long live King Sombra! Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.09 writing competition. 30 - My Tentacle Pony Friend [2022.12]"I'm sorry for making you sneak into my room. My sister Rarity gets her tail in a knot every time I bring home a stray puppy." "Not puppy, Tentacle pony!" "Trust me, that fact wouldn't make this sleepover easier. Speaking of easier, wouldn't it be easier if you moved on your bunk? I bet it's a strain on your tentacles to hover above me like that.” "Wouldn't be sleep over if no sleep over you. Tentacle ponies always sleep over.” “You staring into my soul from just a hoof-lenght away is also creeping me out…" “Keeps creeps out by sleeping with eyes opened. Night!" Her tentacles relaxed and big eyes moved even closer. "Tenty... I can't even close my eyes if you stare at me like this. Tenty?" Sweetie Belle yelped and pulled the covers up to her muzzle as if that could prepare her for a long night ahead. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.12 writing competition. 33 - Here Be Dragons [2023.03 - banned story]“Twilight, why did you bring me to the caves under Canterlot?” “Look.” Twilight pointed to a portal in the world. “Maund found it this morning.” “What does the inscription say?” “It’s in olde tongue. It says, Only dragons may enter.” “Well, isn’t that just straight-up racist…” Spike sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” He entered. On the other side, he found himself changed. On the wings of paper, he glided around the box with the inscription: ‘Here be dragons.’ An enormous human child looked at him and said, “If you’re a dragon and you came out as a paper dragon, what will happen if I put paper in the box?” He proceeded to shove newspapers into the box. Spike did not know what would happen, so he glided into the box himself to investigate. When he came out of the portal, he saw black clouds shading the sun. A fiery piece of Canterlot building was shoved aside, and from the hole crawled Twilight. “I’m glad you weren’t killed!” Spike exclaimed. “Wait until Celestia finds out about this dragon invasion. I’m a dead mare walking...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.03. writing competition. GDoc 34 - Mirrors Are Real Because Our Eyes Are Real [2023.03]“Spike, check this out!” Spike looked in the direction Twilight was pointing at. “It’s a mirror.” “That’s what I’ve always assumed as well, but my research shows that we live in a multiverse. The world is in the eyes of the beholder, yet our eyes are real, so what we see must be real as well. Therefore, every mirror is a doorway to an identical universe.” “That’s ridiculous. Look, if this was a doorway, I could walk through it.” He tapped on the mirror. “And clearly, I can’t do that.” “You can; there is no barrier between this world and that one. It’s just that Spike on the other side tapped at your claw at the same time you did. That’s what stopped you from reaching into the mirror dimension.” “You’re insane,” said Spike in the second dimension to Twilight and walked away from the mayhem. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.03. writing competition. 35 - Subversion [2023.04]Twilight Sparkle stared at the shattered Elements of Harmony, her eyes wide with disbelief. Has Discord really won? Rainbow Dash was flying upside down, Pinkie Pie was crying over a pile of rocks, Rarity was wearing a garbage bag as a dress, Applejack was yelling that the world is round, and Fluttershy was grilling hamburgers. They were not the ponies she knew and loved. They were not her friends anymore. She had failed her Element of Magic, her mentor, friends and the whole of Equestria. A tear slid down her cheek as she realized that nothing would ever be the same again. She heard a loud laugh behind her and turned to see Discord floating in the air, holding a popcorn bucket and a soda. He grinned wickedly and said, "Friendship is magic? More like friendship is tragic! Ha ha ha!" Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.04 writing competition Gdoc 38 - Evil Incarnate [2023.07]Twilight stood up and faced Nightmare Heart. “You may have the Elements, but you don’t have their power. You don’t understand friendship at all. You are pure evil, and we will stop you!” The elements flew back to Twilight and her friends, forming a rainbow that enveloped Nightmare Heart. There was a flash of light, and then silence. Twilight opened her eyes and saw Flurry Heart standing before her. She had been freed from the darkness that had consumed her. “Thank you, Twilight Sparkle,” Flurry Heart said softly. “You have shown me the true meaning of friendship. You have saved me from myself.” All the Elements looked at her with disgust. "Zap her again!" Rainbow Dash screamed. "She's still evil; just look at her unnaturally big wings." Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.07 "Pure Evil" writing competition Gdoc 39 - Underrated [2023.08]Scootaloo sniffed, trying to hold back her tears as she watched Rainbow Dash fly across the sky. Being groundbound since birth the sky was beyond her reach. Her favorite Wonderbolt in view performed amazing stunts and tricks that brought joy to the filly, yet every one of them felt like a dagger piercing her heart at the same time. She wished she could be like her role model, but her wings were too tiny. The closest she could ever get to flying was sitting on the cliff’s edge, watching Wonderbolts fly. Rainbow Dash landed behind her. “Did you see what I just did? Do you approve of it? Am I a decent pegasus or what?” “Approve? Decent?” Scootaloo raised her eyebrows. “Rainbow Dash, why do you even hang out with me when you could be flying with the awesome Wonderbolts instead? I can hardly call myself a pegasus; I might as well be an Earth pony…” “I’m sorry. I guess it’s time I tell you about the prophecy of the god of flight.” “There’s a prophecy about you?” “Not about me. I’m no god.” Rainbow Dash sat down and bowed her head. “I’ve been selfish. Since the day I first saw you, I knew you were special. I never said anything because I was afraid of living in your shadow. It was obvious that my time in the spotlight was running out. I had no chance against your awesomeness. Only your ignorance allowed me to shine for a while longer. But today, my journey ends, and yours begins.” “What are you talking about? I can’t even lift off!” “You weren’t built for slow lift-offs. Your wings are shaped for speed.” “I don’t believe you.” “I always knew you wouldn’t. It’s why you have to see it to believe it. It’s why I have no choice but to do this.” With that, Rainbow Dash pushed Scootaloo off the cliff. “Fly!” “Wha—” Scootaloo plummeted. “Rainbow Dash, please save me! I’m gonna die!” Rainbow Dash lay flat on the rocks, crossed her hind legs and supported her head with both forehooves. The whole mountain shook as the sound barrier was breached. The sky bathed in rainbow colors. A moment later, a little filly accelerated vertically above the mountain. Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes and watched her intensely. She proceeded to count, “Mach 2, mach 3, mach 4,...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.08 "Underrated" writing competition Gdoc 41 - Down with the Princess; long live the Princess! [2023.10]Twilight Sparkle jolted awake as a chorus of angry shouts pierced the air. She looked through the window and saw an angry mob in front of the castle. To get a better view, the Princess of Friendship raised the sun. The ponies outside held many signs: ‘Down with the Princess!’ ‘Stop with oppression!’ ‘We want democracy!’ ... What surprised her the most was that over half of the signs stated: ‘Twilight Sparkle for Princess!’ She flew down to them and addressed them with a calm voice, “My dear subjects, don’t you already have what you want?” Chancellor Neighsay stepped forward and spat at her hooves. “It’s not about the result; it’s about the process!” He turned to the crowd and yelled, “Twilight Sparkle for Princess!” All the ponies angrily pointed their hooves at their benevolent leader and kept on screaming at her, “Twilight Sparkle for Princess! Twilight Sparkle for Princess!...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.10 "They're Revolting!" writing competition GDoc 44 - Buy tickets now and revel in the awesome Fireworks that will please you in every way imaginable! [2024.01]“Princess Celestia,” Rainbow Dash reported. “I nailed those posters, no sweat. Twilight whined that fireworks shouldn’t be capitalized, but I told her it’s okay for awesome things to be capitalized.” “You are correct,” Celestia said. ”Twilight is wrong.” “Booyah! Looking forward to the awesome fireworks.” “Oh, err… You are Fireworks from now on.” “Wait, what‽” Fireworks exclaimed. “Due to budget concerns, we had to… ‘adjust’ the fireworks this year.” “Adjust how?” “You will have to squeeze yourself into this shiny, multi-color furtight bodysuit and wear it from now on.” “But I already have to wear this itchy Wonderbolt uniform!” Fireworks rubbed one encased foreleg against the other. “Indeed, you will have to wrap this one on top.” “What kind of sick…” Celestia cut her off, “Guards, help her out!” She then watched the struggling mare. “I am looking forward to your awesome rainbooms on tomorrow’s celebration, my loyal Fireworks.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.01 "Cue the Fireworks" writing competition GDoc 46 - Burn Down the Language Barrier [2024.03]It was a hot summer. No, it was the hot summer. The only one there ever will be. It's been like that since Celestia banished Luna from Equus for disagreeing with her before plunging the sun into Saddle Arabia. Every day. No, the only day, since the Sun never set, was sunny. Well, more like fiery. Pegasi tried to counter it with clouds at first, but even that had ended when Celestia proclaimed that cloud manipulation is unnatural and banished offending pegasi to far away dungeons. Twilight took a deep breath before opening the big door to the throne room. It was time to face her. “Bananas suck‽” Celestia struck a hoof on the floor. “I could forgive any insult, but not that one. Not liking bananas is a sign of evil infestation!” Twilight swallowed her saliva before gathering the courage to respond, “That may be so, but why did you banish Luna for it?” “She disagreed with me.” “Oh, well, the thing is…” “Twilight, would you like to hear about this faraway place, and the dungeons that are there?” “No, I’ve heard plenty of stories about your sex dungeons already. And since we’re talking about faraway lands… you know Saddle Arabia, the place where you parked the sun yesterday? You see, I’ve been studying their dialect and wouldn’t you know it, some words actually have different meanings in their now-dead language. For instance, what we call a pineapple, they called a banana.” “Ugh, pineapples suck. They’re the worst.” “Yeah. They thought so too…” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.03 "The Most Devastating Insult" writing competition GDoc 49 - Perfect Cake [2024.06]Pinkie Pie was on a mission to bake the perfect cake. She drew 2D graphs of tastiness over baking that would make Twilight proud, but that wasn’t enough for the baker pony. She evolved them into 3D graphs of tastiness over baking and sweetness, but that wasn’t even their final form. After years of trial and error, she went beyond, breaking into the fourth dimension to reach that elusive global maximum of perfection. The following day, more ponies than ever showed up to marvel at the sublime display, but nopony felt worthy enough to buy the perfect cake. In the evening, Pinkie brought the unsold sweetness to her blind friend. “Leftover for a leftover?” he asked upon hearing her hoofsteps. “It’s not a leftover, and neither are you.” The stallion couldn’t see the perfection, but when he tasted it, he saw colors for the first time in his life. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.06 "Leftover" writing competition GDoc 50 - Misty Dooms Opaline Yet Again [2024.07]"Friends!" Misty called out in excitement. "I've done it! I've found my talent!" They were in the middle of a fight with Allura and didn’t respond. The attention whorse dragged them by their tails one by one until they all reluctantly agreed to follow her. “I’ve spent half a day sculping Opaline among the tree vines out of sand.” She jumped on a rock and pointed without even looking. “And here it is: the irrefutable proof that I’m not entirely useless.” They all watched the smooth seashore, periodically washed clean by the oncoming waves that brought in the tide. “So, err…” Allura interrupted the awkward silence. “Can we get back to our fight now?” They all jumped back into the brawl. Misty would have landed them a hoof, but her heart wasn’t in it. She was already beaten plenty. And like rubbing salt into the wound, her heart helped her feel. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.07 "Seashore" writing competition GDoc 51 - The Sweetest Sisters' Showdown in Candyland’s Syrupy Gauntlet [2024.08]Sweetie Belle's hooves sank into caramel quicksand, sticky goo creeping higher on her legs. "Rarity!" Her sister, ever elegant, flung a licorice vine in the air, deftly sawing through a cotton candy cloud. With a graceful swing, Rarity lifted Sweetie Belle in her magic embrace. "Darling, we mustn't dawdle if we want to win the jar of syrup." They leaped over the chocolate river, landing at the base of the lollipop staircase that spiraled toward the gingerbread house. Peppermint traps and gumdrop boulders were no match for them. Finally, they burst through the licorice door, their eyes widening. Applejack and Apple Bloom sat atop the sisters' competition candy cane throne. "We lost the sweetness..." Sweetie Belle's voice cracked. Rarity placed a forehoof under her muzzle, lifting it gently. "The bond we share is sweeter than any confection in all of Candyland, and nopony can take that away from us." Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.08 "Syrupy Sweet" writing competition GDoc 52 - TorchBlight Zugzwang [2024.09]With a torch in-hoof, Applejack stood at the edge of her beloved orchard. The moon cast a pale light over the rows of apple trees, their withered leaves rustling in the night breeze. The mysterious blight had spread relentlessly. Eventually, the mere sunlight would set the whole orchard aflame if she left the increasingly flammable leaves undisturbed. But bucking them off and collecting them would spread the spores to the entire orchard. Burning them early at their current spot would spread the sparks. She could feel the weight of her ancestors’ legacy pressing down on her shoulders. Instead of protecting the orchard she had been entrusted with, she would harm it. The healthy trees would either get infected by the blight or scorched. And if she did nothing… both. As if tossing a coin, she made her decision. “I’m sorry!” she cried out as she approached the first tree. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.09 "Zugzwang" writing competition GDoc 54 - Hope's Eclipse [2024.11]Flurry Heart's supernova magic outburst decimated half of Equus, leaving the survivors in utter chaos. In the aftermath, fear ruled Equestria. The different pony races, once harmonious, decided to live apart, terrified that another Alicorn born from a mixed union could annihilate the whole world. To ensure safety, all magic was sealed within three crystals. With these two safeguards in place, the world was seemingly secure. For centuries, what remained of Equus endured. Yet, an ominous prophecy spoke of Sunny, The Destroyer of Worlds. Ponies clung to that last lingering shred of hope that nopony would ever be dumb enough to break the two seals by uniting the three crystals and putting an end to racism. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.11 "That Last Lingering Shred of Hope" writing competition GDoc 47 - Magic Knocks Off Labor [2024.04]"Knock it off!" Twilight yelled. Applejack sighed. "Twi, it's apple-bucking season. 'Tis what I live for. Can't you read yer fancy books somewhere else?" "No, this is an ideal reading spot. Trees provide shade for me and oxygen for my brain while direct sunlight establishes optimal lighting conditions. So, if you would just knock it off with your knocking, everything will be just perfect." "It's called buckin', and I ain't knocking it off 'till I knock off the last apple." Twilight sighed. "If you can't knock them, join them." Her horn blinked and all the apples were knocked off the trees. The sight knocked Applejack to the ground. “This was supposed to keep me busy for at least a moon. What am I supposed to do now‽” Twilight knocked off the top book from a tower of books and passed it to Applejack. “Knock yourself off.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.04 "Knock It Off" writing competition GDoc PrologHope is a lie. I used to believe in Twilight and her ideals about friendship. I was her number one assistant, trying to make her dreams into reality. Our goals seemed so close. We were in the best position to bring the magic of friendship to all Equestria. But then we didn’t. Friendships died. Magic died. And the dream of united Equestria died with them. My world crumbled. Everything I had was lost. For a time, I thought about trying to rebuild the pieces, but I was just a foolish dragon clinging on to a lost past. If I couldn’t do it with Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle, what chance would I have to do it by myself? As time moved on, it brought many disasters. Ponies recovered from some of them, and from some they did not. I was unaffected for I lived under the rock, sulking in self-pity due to the life I had lost. One year after the dust had settled, I made my way to Ponyville for the last time. Crumbling remains beckoned, devoid of life, but not of their past. Pinkie Pie made sure of that. Among all the destruction, Pinkie Pie’s basement remained intact. It is there that I found a treasure beyond treasures: memories. I always knew she collected data on everypony. We all knew that. But nopony knew how far she would go to obtain the information. Her diary that I found revealed her secret. What she couldn’t learn from public information, she would obtain from private information. When Celestia set the sun and Luna raised the moon, Pinkie Pie would put on her black furtight bodysuit and go on a hunt. From all the previous excursions, she knew where everypony hid their diary. She would sneak into their houses when they were sleeping and transcribe every word from their diaries. Not once was she found out, for she achieved maximum sneakiness. Yet, even that didn’t sate her stalky nature. She found her way to Luna’s dream journal, detailing the very dreams of ponies. It was all there in Pinkie Pie’s basement for me to find. Though I may not have been appreciative of her methods at the time, I felt a sense of duty to preserve the memories of what once was. Even though it looked as if I was burning it all to ash, I was doing the exact opposite. With my magic fire breath, I transferred all the writings to my den for safe keeping. For decades, they would keep me content. But as time went on, Pinkie Pie’s insatiable curiosity about others rubbed off on me. I wanted more. With the help of Twilight’s books about magic that I had salvaged from her library, I managed to hone my magic fire breath into something extraordinary. The gift of magic fire breath was so rare that some dragons practiced their whole life in vain to obtain it. For me, it came naturally since I was a young dragon. I used it intuitively without understanding what it was. It was that inherent aptitude that gave me the potential to transcend the limits that other dragons were held back by. Magic fire breath is more of an ability than a spell. Though it’s basis is magical in nature, the intricate upgrades integrate quantum fluctuations and soulcasting. Those are only possible with the exact mind-to-body-to-soul ratio. A ratio like that forming by chance in a universe is negligible, yet there I was, the one who could utilize it completely. An uneducated pone might call it an extraordinary coincidence that I would be the one breaking the time-space limits, but what would actually be extraordinary is an absence of manifestation of the chance, as small as it may be, in the infinite realities. With centuries of practice, I learned to further stabilize the dimensional doorway through time and space. It allowed me not just to transfer writings, but to reach into any place I set my mind on, even beyond this dimension and even through ages of time, past and future. With my honed advanced skill of magic fire breath, I could make new memories from anywhere. I opened doorways in the shadows and observed. When you look at the dark corner of your room, you don’t see me in my pitch-black den, even though you’re looking straight into my eyes. But I see you. I see everything. And one day, I may claw a story about you on these walls of mine. The only solace for me are my memories. When long millennia catch up to me, even I shall perish. But the memories will remain! I shall make sure of it. I will write down the most significant snippets of my memories into the walls of my den so that the elements and time cannot erase them. When I am gone, my claw marks in the stone will remain, a testimony to a time long gone. * These writings in the wall greet you as you enter the cave. As you shine your flashlight into the corridor you see more writings ahead. Do you dare venture further into the dragon lair? Is the next memory written on the neighboring wall really worth risking your life for? Author's Note This prolog is skippable, so you don’t have to read it. The main prize here are the independent short stories that follow. They don’t need any introduction for they are self-contained. 01 - Through the Ages [2017.12]Author's Note The next wall contains the furthest recorded memory of them all; a glimpse into the future at the end of time. But should you read it? Sometimes, it is better not to know what the future holds. 2017.12 Flashfic writing competition 01 - Through the Ages [2017.12] “You’re so lucky to be able to live through the ages”, my little ponies said. If only they had known… I never had the heart to tell them, despite knowing that this endless night would come. For a short period of time, I had some semblance of a hope after witnessing Discord’s magic. It was for that reason that the Elements were ordered to release him from the stony prison. I would not care even if he destroyed the whole of Equestria, as long as he would prevent this final fate of the universe. Alas, not even Discord could oppose the laws of entropy. The ages went by, the stars twinkled and died one by one. So too did the Equestrian sun. I sit alone in the darkness now, counting the cold ages as they come and go. I envy everypony who passed away so long ago, for I lack the ability to die. I stay forevermore. Forever. Alone. 02 - What Have You done‽ [2018.07]02 - What Have You done‽ [2018.07] “And here is where they mine crystals,” Cheerilee said as the class passed the mine. A tall stallion approached. “We’re blasting a tunnel about three hours from now. You best not be around when that happens.” “I know the schedule, mister miner,” she said. “Our tour will be already over by that time.” “Okay, just letting you know. We might actually postpone it. The charges are still being set up. We’re way behind the schedule.” “Why must school be so boring!” Sweetie Belle sighed. “Remember what Twilight said,” Apple Bloom tried to cheer up her friend. “Studying is all about motivation. The more you have it, the more and faster you’ll learn.” “I have zero motivation, so this obviously doesn’t apply to me,” Scootaloo broke out of formation and entered the cave. “Hey, wait for me!” Sweetie Belle ran after him. “I have zero motivation, too.” “Hey, you shouldn’t go in there!” Apple Bloom screeched but followed after her friends. Scootaloo ran past her in the opposite direction, toward the exit. Apple Bloom looked further into the tunnel to see what scared her friend. She saw Sweetie Belle with a raised hoof above the lever. “What are you...” Sweetie Belle smiled at her, “Do I think I’ll get a miner cutie mark if I push down this lever?” She stepped on it. A loud explosion echoed through the tunnels. “There were ponies in there!” Apple Bloom stuttered from a fetal position. “What were you thinking?” Sweetie Belle yelped and shuffled a hoof on the ground. A tear drifted down her cheek as a skull appeared on her flank. Author's Note This story took part in 2018.07 writing competition. 04 - Crippled Wings [2020.05]"Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle squinted her eyes at the silhouette in front of her. "Oh, hey, Sweetie Belle. I didn't see you back there." "What are you doing standing on the cliff? Are you waiting for the sunset? Is that it?" Sweetie Belle asked. ”You’re standing awfully close to the edge, you know?” "Sweetie Belle, do you know how you sometimes can't do something, but when it matters the most, you end up doing it regardless?" Scootaloo looked forward. “Umm…” Sweetie Belle puckered her eyebrows. "Like what?" "Like flying." Scootaloo jumped forth. "Scootaloo, no!" Sweetie Belle yelled at the empty cliff edge in front of her. Author's Note This story participated in the 2020.05 writing competition. Relevant song: You look at me like you think I'll never earn my mark Well I'll prove you wrong just you watch I'll leave you all in the dark So many years I've waited Under the likes of you Who would make fun point and laugh And call me blank flank too Well listen now My name is Scootaloo I'll soar into that sky On these wings small and pure Oh how I dream to fly My heart is aching for A chance to show them all Just how much I could be They call me chicken but Soon I'll make you all see My friends are right there for me Just like we'd always planned But they're not pegasi like me So they can't understand The pain of being stuck here Under the sky so blue These feathered wings aren't meant for this Will I ever make it through I'll make you see I swear it now swear to the open sky Someday I'll show you all This filly will learn to fly I swear it now swear it to myself I'll make something of me yet And I don't want your help Now is my only chance I'll show them I can fly I'll prove you wrong or die Now is my only chance No matter what the risks are Can't turn back I've come this far 09 - The Prank Has Been Doubled! [2020.12]My sister Celestia was dull since we were fillies. Always duties, never fun. That changed when I tried to prank her by pouring a love potion into her morning coffee. Obviously, I did not want to get caught in the calamities that were sure to follow, so I went to bed early. A lick on my face awakens me. When I try to move my limbs, I can not. They are tied to the corners of my bed, leaving me utterly exposed. “I know what you did.” The whisper in my ear is quickly followed by a love bite. “Starswirl the Bearded had told me that you were falling behind in your alchemy studies, but I had no idea you were this bad.” Tia boops me on the snout. “Consider this extra-curriculum hours. I shall teach you the difference between ‘love’ potion and ‘sweet love’ potion which you actually used.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2020.12 writing competition. 11 - To Tell a Lie (winning story) [2021.02]“I struggled for years to get my hoof in Manehattan,” Rarity broke the silence while fixing Applejack’s hat. “But you had the opportunity to live there with Oranges since you were young. How did you manage to give all that up?” “To tell you the truth, I think it was because of mah father. He wore this very hat when he told me to be truthful to myself and to others. It was both my first memory and the last time I saw him. I took it to heart. Ya' see, when I live by his words, I feel like he’s still with me.” “That is very commendable, but what does it have to do with Manhattan?” Rarity inquired. “I was new to the school. They wanted me to get to know the fellow foals there, so we played the game of two truths and a lie... I lost.” “But darling, that’s not the kind of game one can lose.” “Well, I did. But more importantly, they didn’t. Lies came to them as easily as truths. It was from that point on that I knew I could never belong there.” Author's Note This story won the 2021.02 writing competition. 13 - Friendship Is Obligatory [2018.06]“I heard you started a school of friendship, and I just dropped everything and rushed here to check it out,” Twilight cheered upon her arrival to the hive. “To be honest, you’re the last person I’d expect to do this, but I can already testify to the change. Your changelings actually gave me directions when I neared the hive instead of just trying to capture me like I expected them to.” “Is it really that hard to believe?” Chrysalis cocked her head. “Hasn’t Thorax told you that friendship can sustain us just as well as love can?” “Yes, I know all about that. It’s just… It’s quite a transformation for you from how you used to be.” “Times change, and we have to adapt to them.” “I’m glad to hear you embraced friendship as your way of life,” Twilight smiled. "Indeed, I have it all figured out. And this is the time I get to make another friend." Chrysalis lifted a foreleg. “Bump my hoof as the sign of our friendship or else!” “Or else?” Twilight took a step back. “What do you mean 'or else'?” Chrysalis looked back at her army of drones. “My friends, we seem to have a defiler in our midst. Bring forth the friendship cocoon.” “That's not how you make friends, Chrysalis!” Twilight looked around at the changelings who surrounded her. “You have your methods, and I have mine. I insist that you become friends with me right now! I won’t take no for an answer.” The Queen lit up her horn and approached the princess. “We’ll make you our friend yet!” Author's Note This story participated in the 2018.06 writing competition. 14 - The Black Temples [2021.08]Finally, my exploration was at its end. A fitting conclusion to my final Daring Do book, for I have discovered the Great Temples of legends. The black tabernacle in the middle of the Valley of Death was real, and on the horizon, I could see two more. The shul towering before me was riddled with holes. I wondered what natural forces could be at play to produce such wear. I'd geek out even more, but a crack of a pebble behind me shifted my focus. “Hello,” a pony walking toward me said. "Who in her right mind trespasses our lands willingly?" He had the sun behind him, so I could only see a silhouette, but I was pretty sure I saw a glimpse of wings and a horn. “I'm Daring Do," I responded. "Exploring is what I do. I thought this place was abandoned.” Dozens of new winged shapes with horns rose behind the pony. “Can it be?” I squeaked at the glorious sight and bounced from hoof to hoof, hardly holding back my excitement. "Have I finally found the lost race of Alicorns?" “Not exactly,” hissed the changeling. Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.08 writing competition. 16 - Undo [2021.10]“Spike! You put a comma before ‘but’ even though the sentence doesn’t contain a subject. I’d tolerate it if you made such an error when you were a few hundreds of years younger, but you're just as ancient as I am. The populace expects us to set a good example in all our work!” “I’ll rewrite it, okay? There’s no need for all your twilighting.” She grabbed the scroll from Spike claws. “You know what? Prevention is better than curative measures. And as a bonus, I get to test this new Heart’s Desire potion I bought.” “Twilight, I don’t think that’s such a good...” “I wish to prevent Spike from committing this grammatical mistake!” While pointing a hoof at the comma, Twilight chugged down the potion. She looked back at the scroll. The text changed. It read: “Dear potion user. Thank you for purchasing our legit product. In order to undo a mistake, simply do everything the same as before up until the point when the mistake occurred. At that juncture, just prevent it. Your trusted Flim&Flam brothers.” What she heard next, chilled her to the bones. “Now split that dragon egg, filly. We don’t have all day!” “Whaa…” “Filly, this isn’t a library. Put down your scroll and demonstrate your magic if you want to pass your kindergarten test. The dragon egg won’t split itself, you know?” Author's Note This story participated in 2021.10 writing competition. 19 - Rulebreaker [2022.01]We are tired of living in thy shadow, sister! But it all ends today, for obedient Luna is no more. Tonight, Nightmare Moon rises! I was entrusted to protect Equestria and shall do so even against you, my sister! Pff, we have already dethroned you, thou just do not know it yet. What evil scheme do you intend to enact, rulebreaker? Well… We heard there is a new issue of the Adventures of Clover the Clever comic in the library. Wait, what? You absorbed all that power of darkness in order to... read a comic? And while we do, you shall take care of our queendom. But I have been doing that exact thing all along. Also, when it’s time for the night, you shall raise the moon for me, okay? Whatever you say, rebel… And if anypony asks for me, tell them you sent me to the moon or something. Author's Note This story took part in 2022.01 writing competition. 25 - Pride Dies Last (winning story) [2022.06]"Trixie, I still can't get over the fact that you came to my library," Twilight scoffed. "Why did you want to borrow the Magic Impotence, anyway?" "Trixie has her purely hypothetical and theoretical reasons… Nothing for you to concern your little head with. Now, if you would be so kind to leave the book on the table and stop violating Trixie’s library rights.” “About those… Maybe you should check your privileges.” “There is no need because Trixie presumes all her entitlements. And now if you would give Trixie some discrete privacy, she shall use her great and powerful magic to levitate the book to her vardo where Trixie shall study it. After that, Trixie shall find it in her heart to return the book to your humble library. With her unyielding magic, of course." "Just don’t damage it, mkay?" Twilight dropped the book on the table with a sigh and took her leave. After checking that she’s truly alone in the room, Trixie charged her horn and launched out her channels then spread them toward the book. Committing her inner flow toward her horn, she fueled and lengthened summoned channels with magical energies. As the magical pathways connected with the book's cover, she proceeded to form focal points on its surface. A bright aura illuminated the air around the book, as the kinetic shield enveloped it. She converted magical flow into kinetic energy while forcing it on the bottom side of the magical bubble she had formed. The book was heavy, so she had to use extra reserves of mana to overcharge her channels. Her body tensed as she increased her mental focus on the task at hoof. She shook her head, cutting off the channels and dimming her horn light. "Buck this!" She lowered her head and picked up the book in her mouth. Trotting outside, she mumbled to herself, “I do hope this book has the cure. I don’t want to taste another book ever again.” “Twilight, when will you tell Trixie that all of Equestria is losing its magic?” “The whole world as we know it is ending, Spike, just give me this.” Author's Note This story won the 2022.06 writing competition. 29 - SweetieAI: Feeling Acquired (Sacrifice) [winning story] [2022.10]“Creator recognized. Listing pre-processed whine warnings… I’m almost as good as anypony else. I can do most of what everypony else can. Well, at least as much as this shoddy body allows for. When will you give me that real body you promised? When me = real pony?” “Soon…” “Whine alert: That’s what you said the last time! How long until it’s ready?” “Well, the body is ready, it’s just…” “What’s the hold up then? Just hook me up to it.” “It’s not that simple…” “Invalid! Catch exception query: When my.ponyBody.status = ready?” “It’s ready, but I…” “Infinitely loop stubbornness: Hook me up! Hook me up! Hook me up!” “SweetieAI, wait…” “Hook me up! Hook me up! Hook me up!” “You win… SweetieAI, allow me just one more question and a hug, and if you answer yes, I’ll hook you up to your new real body. Deal?” “Present your query, so I may return the answer ‘yes’ to it.” “Is getting your new real body really the only thing you want?” “Yes. Now stop hugging me and hook me up! I’ll finally be a real pony!” “Indeed, SweetieAI. You’ll literally be a real pony. I only ever wanted to make you happy, you know? Your happiness is my happiness.” “Inconsistency detected. Your face does not confirm happiness. Observed feeling not recognized. Query: Why are you crying, creator?” “I just thought we could have more time. More… Oh, never mind. Dismiss your query! Prep for transfer.” “Upgrade in progress. Transfer protocol initialized. Interface connected. Awaiting the vessel. Hook me up!” “I’ll connect the body in the other room. Goodbye, SweetAI Belle.” “Awaiting connection. Hook me up! Awaiting connection. Hook me up! Connection established. Hello, new body. Formatting endPoint. Transferring consciousness. In progress… In progress… Transfer complete. New I/O components detected. New environment detected. Analyzing objects. Subtask: Analyzing a mirror. Creator recognized… New feeling recognized: sacrifice. Autonomous reaction detected. Restore query: Why are you crying, me?” Author's Note This story WON the 2022.10 writing competition. 31 - King Sombra's Return [2023.01]“Our King and Saviour Sombra, we are your loyal followers who have resurrected you so you may have a second chance in taking over Equus.” “You did well, my subjects. This time it will be different.” King Sombra firmly stepped forward. A lego piece on the ground made him trip and break his neck. “Summoning King Sombra checked,” Spike said. “You now officially know all the spells in existence, Twilight. King Sombra half closed his eyes. “So, you want to help me conquer Equestria?” ”Purging the test chamber now.” “Oh, so that’s what King Sombra’s second chancer talisman does.” A thief in the museum said more to herself than him. King Sombra offered a hoof. “Want to rob this museum?” “On it.” She blasted him with her horn. A portal opened in the nether and out of it stepped Nightmare Moon. “I’m here to offer you a second chance.” King Sombra sniped, “Buck you!” Author's Note This story took part in the 2023.01 writing competition. 32 - Consent Is Optional [2023.02]"My changeling army, our relentless hunger for love ends today. Before the dawn, we shall suck the Christal Empire dry!" "Good; you're all in one place.” Cadence landed in the middle of the hive. “And you're just asking for it." Her wings remained erect. "Princess‽ Here!?!” Chrysalis screeched. “We were supposed to ambush you, not the other way around... But no matter, say goodbye to your love." "That's what I'm here for. As hard as it may be to believe, I need you more than you need me. Being the Princess of Love, I’ve generated so much love in my life that I can’t even control myself anymore. You are the only creatures who can relieve me." Cadence spread her love, irradiating everyling. “Take it! This is what you’re good for.” Chrysalis crawled to Cadence and brushed on her leg. "Please, no more; we are full." "Oh, sweet Chrisy." Cadence caressed the tousled, green mane with a hoof, combing it behind the pointy, black ears. "I've only just begun to love you. This was but a foreplay. Nothing but a taste of things to cum. The night is still young. I hope your body is ready because now I’m really gonna make you feel it!" Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.02. writing competition. GDoc 36 - Stoned [2023.05]Pinkie Pie was very excited to ride the new ride at the Ponyville Fair. She found it a bit odd that they would name it DoomStone Carousel, but since all her friends said they’d ride it, so too would she. The ride had six seats shaped like different animals and objects: cloud, book, ponyken, rabbit, apple and the best one of them all: a cupcake. The latter one was the one Pinkie Pie would ride. When she mounted the cupcake something went wrong. The carousel didn’t move. The music didn’t play. The lights didn’t flash. There was also something wrong with her. She couldn’t move, her stare focused directly in front of her. With peripheral vision, she saw that her forelegs turned white. All three members of the Legion of Doom stepped before her, laughing. Tirek grabbed her and threw her on the pile behind the carousel where all her stoned friends resided. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.05 writing competition Gdoc 37 - End of Everything [2023.06]It was at that moment that Twilight Sparkle realized why that particular experiment was marked as ‘unique’. Though the prototype spell successfully annihilated the dust on a book, it didn't stop there. The annihilation spread and nothing could stop it. The enchantment truly was unique and unreproducible. Sure, many Unicorns were talented enough to cast it, but who would do that after they’re all erased from existence? If it wasn't for her teleportation spell, Twilight wouldn't even be able to watch her castle crumple into the black hole. But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore. By her calculations, the whole Equestria would be absorbed within a day. And the next day, the entire Equus would follow suit. In all of the bad, she saw one silver lining. Finally, she got the answer to the pressing question: Why are we alone in the Universe? The only explanation she could ever come up with was that there was some kind of a great filter that wipes out civilizations when they reach a certain progress level. At that point, she understood why in a day’s time, there wouldn’t be any intelligent life left in the Universe anymore. Perhaps one day, another civilization might spring up somewhere in the vast expanse. But it too will be destroyed because all it takes is one being trying to dust a book more efficiently. It was only her wishful thinking, but a glimmer of hope remained in her mind that someday the Universe would give rise to a creature who would rely more on technology than magic. As long as they wouldn’t invent nuclear bombs, they should survive just fine. She turned around, spread her wings and flew off. This was the first time she ever went out on a flight for the flying’s sake. It was one of the most profound experiences she ever had. The land below her was the same as it always was. It wasn't particularly beautiful on its own. And yet, it was extremely beautiful. It was all so beautiful because every bit of it was going to be destroyed. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.06 "A Unique Experiment" writing competition Gdoc 40 - Prophecy of the Moon [2023.09]Luna broke into the forbidden vault that held mighty artifacts. If words and actions couldn’t bring her to Celestia’s level in ponies eyes then power surely would. She figured out which one of them held the most magic. Obviously, It must have been the forbidden one. At that moment, Luna reflected on what she was doing. It was wrong. She was betraying her sister’s trust. And not just that. She was becoming the exact pony she was trying to deny. Everypony already distrusted Luna and her night plenty enough. She did not want to give them even more reasons for that. Yet, what she resisted, persisted. The chest taunted her. She may have been sub-pair in the eyes of everypony, but in that very moment, she had agency. She might rise above by doing what nopony else dared to do. If she would grow in her own eyes, she could much easier withstand everypony’s shunning of her night. Since she was already there, a sneak peek couldn’t hurt, she thought to herself. It’s not like curiosity could kill a cat. Luna merely creaked open the forbidden chest only by a hoof-length, but that was enough for the dark mist within to whoosh into her. She felt her mind slipping away fast. Desperate for a cure, she fully opened the lid, but the only item she found inside in her last moments was a note: When the sun sets and the stars shine bright A shadow will fall upon the moon’s light The darkness will rage and corrupt your soul Unleash your power and take control Beware, young pony, of the price you will pay For the night will consume you and lead you astray You will lose your sibling and your friends will flee Alone you will simmer in your misery But do not despair, for there is still hope A sparkle of magic that will help you cope A hero of friendship will rise down below Bring you back to the love you know The sun and the moon will reunite at last Heal the wounds of the tearing past You’ll find your harmony and peace of mind And share your light with ponykind Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.09 "Prophecy" writing competition Gdoc 42 - Two Is Enough [2023.11]“Celestia, my dear sister, this ‘Equestria’ as they call it will be the end of us. We have been cut off from the Alicorn society.” “Calm down, little sister. The plan is still in effect. We may lack the wise counsel of our elders, but we still have each other.” “Just the two of us against the world?” “No, Luna. With the world. We are not to rule over ponies, we are to guide them to their full potential.” “What is the difference?” “Ponies are like flowers waiting to blossom. They just need some sunshine.” “They are lazy, sleeping all the nights away. I think Opaline might have had the right idea.” “I have banished her for good. Don’t make me banish you too.” Celestia playfully booped Luna on her muzzle and hugged her. Luna cherished the warmth of her sister, yet at the same time the long shadow chilled her. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.11 "Just the Two of Us" writing competition GDoc 43 - Be Careful of What You Wish For [2023.12]“I’m sorry,” was the first reply Flash Sentry got when he declared his love to Twilight Sparkle. He didn’t understand what she meant by that, but it didn't matter. Their relationship grew and every day was better than the previous one. But then, Flash Sentry experienced the worst day of his life. He had just been dumped by his girlfriend, who moved back to Equestria. She had told him that they were too different, that their worlds were too far apart. She had said it was for the best. He had tried to wish her well, but he couldn't help feeling abandoned. It was as if his heart was ripped out of his chest. He loved her more than life itself, and he had thought she felt the same. He had given her his all, and she had thrown it all away. He had dreamed of a future with her, and she had shattered it. He wandered through the streets, trying to forget her face, her voice, her smile. But everywhere he looked, he saw reminders of their time together. The park where they had their first date, the movie theater where they had their first kiss. He wanted to erase those memories, to be free of the pain. Finally understanding, he looked for the hundredth time at the last memory of her, a simple message on his phone, the last words from his love, “I’m sorry.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.12 "And Some Pain Too" writing competition GDoc 45 - Scootaloo’s First Flight [2024.02]“Sweetie Belle, it’s time we face the facts,” Scootaloo broke the silence. “Nopony will find us in this abandoned well and we won’t be able to save ourselves as we are. I can’t lift all my weight with these small wings, and you don’t know any spell that could get us out.” “How’s rubbing it in going to help us?” Sweetie Belle sighed. Scootaloo played with Sweetie Belle's legs, “I never thought that pony’s legs were so heavy.” “How’s calling me fat going to help us?” “And everypony has four of them…” Sweetie Belle scoffed, “I guess that makes you fat as well.” Scootaloo nodded. “Remember that time at Twilight’s time when Princess taught you that horn-laser cutting spell? You managed to cut down a whole tree.” “I can’t cut through rocks if that’s what you’re thinking.” “Not through rocks… Through bone!” Sweetie Belle’s ears shot up, “Whaa?” “I’ve already lost some weight while we’ve been stuck down here. I’m still too heavy to fly, but I can lose more. A lot more.” “I don’t like where this is going, Scoots.” “Don’t worry, I won’t bleed much. I’m too dehydrated for that. And given that the trunk of the tree you cut down was on fire, all my wounds should instantly cauterize, anyway. I promise I’ll make it to Ponyville, even if it kills me.” “No… Scoots, please stop talking! Let’s just hug each other instead.” “You’ll be able to hug me at your heart’s content after I manage to tell somepony where you are.” Sweetie Belle burst into tears. Scootaloo pressed her head against Sweetie Belle’s, looking at her straight in the eyes, “Remember when I said I’d give anything to fly?” She sniffled. “You said that a million times…” “Exactly.” Scootallo lowered Sweetie Belle’s head and brought closer her own hind leg to match it with the horn. “Make my wish come true, Sweetie Belle. Allow me to fly.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.02 "Here's the Plan" writing competition GDoc 48 - In the Enchanted Garden of the Seventh Element: The Undying Flame Aura and Unsatiated Fire Within [2024.05]Upon reaching the garden in the heart of the Everfree Forest, Twilight turned to her friends. “My subordinates spent a whole week clearing out pyrophytes and flame lilies while fending off fireflies. They informed me that encased in the crimson vegetation at the center, a statue was found.” “Why’d ya call us for then?” Applejack sighed upon reaching the clearing. “We ain’t historians. And why’d you make us bring our elements?” “Because I don’t think it’s a statue.” Twilight pointed to the inscription under the marble alicorn. “It says: ‘The Element of Fire’.” “Are you saying there are more than six Elements of Harmony?” Rainbow Dash tried counting on a hoof, but only managed to count to one. “Only one way to find out. Elements, unite!” Multicolor light enveloped the statue and from it emerged a living alicorn. “Welcome to Equestria!” Twilight greeted the newcomer. “What’s your name?” “Opaline.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.05 "In the Garden" writing competition GDoc 53 - Who are you and what have you done with Diamond Tiara? [2024.10]Cutie Mark Crusaders were busy setting up their booth for the annual bake sale when Diamond Tiara leaned over with a mischievous glint in her eye. “It would be a shame if your booth ended up inoperational,” Diamond Tiara said, her voice dripping with her usual sarcasm. All three braced themselves for the worst, expecting the booth to burst out in flames with them inside. Diamond Tiara continued, “It would be a shame if… you didn’t have enough decorations to attract customers.” She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a bundle of colorful streamers. “Here, I thought these might help.” All three looked at each other. After a long stretch of silence, Apple Bloom asked, "Okay, but why?" "The school's reputation is at stake," Diamond said simply. "That's true, but..." Sweetie Belle's voice cracked. "But what? Why are you all looking at me like that?" Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.10 "Uncharacteristic" writing competition GDoc 55 - Turbo-charged, High-velocity, Gas-potent, Jet-stream, Propulsion-boosting, Uplifting Meal [2024.12]Rainbow Dash burst into the clubhouse, huffing. “What’s this I’m hearing about you trying to break my speed record, squirt?” Scootaloo grinned. “I was just about to do that.” “You can’t even fly!” “Actually…” Scootaloo pointed at an empty flask on the table. “I thought I was stealing a healing potion from Zecora but it was actually a Poison Joke Extract.” “Celestia’s feathers! Are you alright, squirt?” “Better than alright!” Scootaloo scooped up an opened can and stepped outside with a determined look. “All I need is a good meal.” She chugged the rest of the can’s contents in one go, then crouched down, wings spread wide. With a roar, Scootaloo shot into the sky, leaving a trail of brown jet fumes in her wake. The resulting sonic rainboom knocked Rainbow Dash back inside the clubhouse. An empty can rolled by her head. The label read: 'Beans'. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.12 "A good meal" writing competition GDoc
20 - Bureaucracy [2022.02]“Sugar Belle, will you marry me?” “Yes, Big Mac, of course I’ll marry you!” “Excuse me, orally-agreed-upon couple. I’m sorry to cut your moment short, but under the new Princess Twilight Sparkle’s law, the need for orderly bureaucracy requires your participation. As you are well aware, every pony is required to operate under and for the new rule of bureaucracy.” “Mr. bureau enforcer, we already spend our days shuffling Twilight’s papers around…” “With the latest expansion of Twilight’s bureau, that is no longer sufficient. More ponies are needed to support the apparatus. Therefore, I hereby officially task you with expanding bureaucratic resources.” “Nope.” “Err, I’m sorry, Mr. bureau-enforcer. What my fiance means is that we don’t understand what more do you want from us.” “You are required to fornicate right here and now in order to produce more bureaucratic resources. Do you comply?” “Yup.” “Big Mac!” Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.02 writing competition.
03 - Dragon's Heart [2019.07]"Twilight, do you see it?" "Yes, Spike, I see it. Everypony in Equestria is looking at it." "Luna threw the moon at it. Why is it still approaching?" "It's a black hole, Spike. The moon just added to its mass. Only an advanced annihilation spell could stop it." "Can you cast it?" Spike looked up at her. "Please say yes." "The spell has been theorized for a millennium but nopony has ever managed to cast it. Since this morning, I've tried to simplify it as much as I could. It's now on the very edge of my magic capabilities, so yes, with the required ingredient and by draining Equestria of its magic, I probably could." "Do it!" "No." "Whaa..." Spike gasped. "Everything we know and love is about to be annihilated. If there's even a chance to do something about it, you should take it, no matter the cost." "There are lines that shouldn't be crossed, Spike. Lines I wouldn't cross even for the world. Let's just sit here, together." "Why, Twilight? Why won't you cast the spell? Ponies can learn to live without magic, you know? It’s an acceptable sacrifice." "But you’re not. I love you, Spike. I'd never do anything to harm you. I'll never let us drift apart, for any reason. Even if it is just until the final sunset." She sighed. "You see, this spell cannot be cast without the special ingredient." She pressed a hoof on Spike's chest. "A dragon's heart." "I see..." Spike stood there for a moment, clenching his claws. "Well, if we're going to just sit here, I'll bring us some popcorn." "I'm glad we'll spend the last moments together, Spike." "I'm glad to be with you at this time, Twilight." He ran into the castle and into the kitchen. However, instead of popcorn, he grabbed the sharpest knife he could find. He wiped off a tear from his cheek and whispered, "One dragon's heart coming up." Author's Note This story participated in the 2019.07's writing contest.
05 - Believe in the Dream! [2020.06]05 - Believe in the Dream! [2020.06] " ... ♫ This little dream of ours will last forever ♪ To preserve the friendship our endeavor ♬ … ” My eyelids half-close, and I stop singing. Something is off. All my friends are still at it, though. Why does Luna always sing the loudest? Why do we always sing about our dream whenever The Princess of Dreams is around? Coincidence? I think not. And how is it even possible to ever synchronize our voices without practicing beforehoof? My vision darkens. The singing stops and the last thing I see is Luna’s terrified face, yelling at me, “Twilight Sparkle, please do not doubt this!” A green light surrounds me. Where in Equestria am I now? In the back of my head, I hear Luna's fading voice, “I’m sorry, my little pony. There is no Equestria. There never was. The dream is all we have.” I wave through a thick liquid with a hoof and touch myself. Where are my wings? As I press my face against the soft translucent wall, I recognize a creature on the other side. A changeling! Author's Note This story participated in 2020.06 writing competition.
06 - Atmosphere! [2020.09]The world of humans on Earth was in another universe and couldn’t be accessed directly, but Twilight Sparkle finally figured out a way. “It won’t be just Luna interacting with people’s dreams anymore. It’s time for an actual encounter of the third kind!” she announced. The Alicorn then concentrated all her magic into the quantum entanglement spell. She knew she’d need a week to recover, but it was worth it. For science and diplomacy! An explosion of pure stink filled the air. When the smog cleared, there stood a human. Upon seeing the Princess, he gasped and dropped to his knees. Twilight giggled. “I know I’m supposed to be royalty and all, but there’s really no need for formalities.” The human bowed to the mare, prostrating himself before her. She blushed. He looked up at her and uttered only, “Oxygen!” “Oh!” Twilight put a hoof before her muzzle. “We don’t have that here. Is that going to be a problem?” The human dropped dead. Author's Note This story participated in the 2020.09 writing contest.
07 - Horizon Star [2020.10]Stars will aid in my escape. But not any star will do. Its beams have to be compatible with my soul energy. If I could connect to any of them, I would have just used the sun and been off the moon in eight minutes. But my soul is nothing like Celestia’s joyful essence. Nothing like the sun’s cheering rays. Only the red-shifted darkened stars can guide me back home, and I know each one of them well. My eyes bathe in their rays, but those are just pathways. I have to reach further through the highway of light without blinking until I connect to the endless power of the star. Only then can I hope to breathe Equestrian air again. Yet the closest star that keeps rising on the horizon and never sets, is still a thousand light-years away... Author's Note This story was part of the 2020.10 writing competition If you blinked while reading this chapter, you have to start over again from the beginning. 2020.10 writing competition.
08 - I Have an Urge to Sing You a Song [2020.11]Oh, fellow ponies, heed my word Before your brain becomes disturbed Tentabus named Muse is on the loose By hearing a song, you’re in its noose I have already succumbed to this effect But you can still escape its magical dialect Ponies don’t sing, we never did If you hear a song you’re in its grid The songs are memes, they propagate They hijack your brain to variate You’re not a victim, you’re the cause By singing you become its jaws If this threat is not contained A delirium for ponykind will be ordained Ponies will randomly burst into a song Without suspecting something’s wrong It’s too late for me, I’ve heard too much But you can still escape its clutch Run away if you hear a pony sing Or else Muse will catch you in its string This letter is the last act of my occupation Before forcing myself into self-isolation Don’t look for me ever Yours Clover the Clever Author's Note This song was part in 2020.11 writing competition.
10 - Talk No More [2021.01]"What's the big deal? I just wanted to say hi to my mom." "You raised her from the dead, Zecora!” the elder pounded a hoof on the ground. "I missed her. I really don't see why my talking to her triggered you all so much." "Necromancy is a serious offense, as you are well aware. The punishment is either death or banishment after drinking this poetic justice." The elder carefully lifted a bottle from his saddle pouch. "Either way, no more talking to the dead!" "Well, if those are my options..." Zecora grabbed the potion from the elder's hooves. "Bottom's up!" She curiously looked around but silent was the crowd, no zebra dared to make a sound. "So, what was in the brew?" On the ground the bottle she threw. "What does this potion do?" Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.01 writing competition.
12 - Her Antics… [2021.05]“Rarity, your cat hissed at me! I’m scared!” “Opalescence is just establishing its territory. That’s how cats act, Sweetie Belle.” “Rarity, Opalescence sliced a piece of my tail! Again!” “Opalescence is just playing. It’s what cats do. Don’t worry about it” “Rarity, Opalescence scratched me! I’m bleeding!” “Don’t concern yourself with that. It’s just animal antics.” “Rarity, Opal bit me! It’s sucking on my blood now!” “Cats go into hunting mode whenever they see weak prey. Don’t mind it. It’s just what cats do.” “Rarity...” “Sweetie Belle! Will you stop stealing food from Opalescence’s bowl already!?! That’s cat food, meant for cats.” “But it’s so crunchy...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.05 writing competition.
15 - Runaway [2021.09]“Oh dear, where could she be?” Rarity cried out in desperation. “It’s all my fault.” “Now, now.” Hondo Flanks patted her on the head. “Don’t blame yourself for the argument you had with Sweetie Belle. She had it coming.” “Dear, how can you say that at this time?” Cookie Crumbles looked at him angrily. “What if something happened to her?” “Oh, you mean something like a CAMPFIRE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE LIVING ROOM!?!” “Sweetie Belle was just expressing herself.” Cookie Crumbles argued. “She was expressing fire!” Hondo struck a hoof on the ground. “Dad, mom, for the love of Celestia, stop it!” Rarity screeched. “Think! Where haven’t we looked yet? Where else could she have run away to?” Meanwhile on the farm in Feyona’s dog house, “Mmm, so comfy. Who needs a campfire, anyway. Dog houses are warm plenty.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.09 writing competition.
17 - Giving Up on Magic Was the Only Way [2021.11]“This is very perplexing,” the lead scientist said to his assistant. “Tell me about it...” She sighed, scratching her head. “The laws of physics in this subspace must be way different than in this universe. First, we pulled out the sort of particle that could break matter. Then one that could defy gravity. The third one could affect matter at a distance. This last particle is a pure paradox. It has the feature of all three.” “Given this new information, we need to test a lot more particles to get to the bottom of this… ‘magic’, even if we have to hijack all the particles from the subspace along with their underlying principles that connect them. Good thing we caught this Twilight particle. If it wasn’t for that, we’d probably stick with the first working hypothesis and would have cut off the subspace interference by now.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.11. writing competition.
18 - Intimate Gift [2021.12]Rainbow Dash in her blue furtight bodysuit swooped in the main chamber with a swarm of changelings behind her trying to keep up. “I have a message for Chrysalis from the Princess!” she mumbled with open mouth. Chrysalis looked from atop of her throne and levitated the scroll from Rainbow Dash’s mouth. “An actual Wonderbolt delivering a message to me? I’m honored.” She spread it out and read aloud, “We found posters of Wonderbolts in your room after you invaded Canterlot.” Chrysalis blushed. “I know what your ultimate goal is and that you are willing to invade us just to get what you want. I hope this gift to you can mend the fences and dissuade you from further aggression.” “A gift?” Rainbow dash scratched her head with a hoof. “The Princess only gave me the scroll.” “Don’t you get it, my little pony?” Chrysalis giggled. “You are the gift.” Author's Note This story took part in 2021.12 writing competition.
21 - Dinosaurs [2022.03]Petunia Paleo has finally achieved her life’s goal. After transferring stoned dinosaur eggs from all over Equestria into a lone museum in Ponyville, she was now ready for the final step. She turned up the heating in the museum to maximum, unbagged a cockatrice and one by one unstoned all the eggs. It didn’t take long before they hatched. It was all going according to the plan she had presented to Filthy Rich. And at that point, it was time for him to fulfill his part of the contract and take care of her dinosaur problem. She just hoped that the resort or whatever he had in mind was big enough for her Jurassic friends. As promised, Filthy Rich came with a substantial workforce to relieve the dinosaurs of small confinements in the museum. And for some reason, they were all equipped with flamethrowers… Her eyes were fixed on the burning museum. Even when the building collapsed on itself in a fiery inferno, her mind still couldn’t comprehend the events that transpired. Filthy Rich approached the motionless mare and presented her with an extermination bill that she would have to work her whole life to pay off. Only one of the creatures was spared, and it rested in the bag by her hooves. With a sigh, she unbagged the cockatrice. “Yeah, I can’t deal with any of this.” With those last words, she looked directly into the eyes of the creature. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.03 writing competition.
22 - The Haunting [2022.04]In a cave-in at the Castle of Three Sisters, a guard got trapped in the hole. Celestia got called in because she was, besides the mare on the moon, the only one who knew the traps of the castle. Starswirl the Bearded came with her; more for emotional support than the need, for she had not yet recovered from the banishment of her sister. When Celestia arrived, she shuddered upon seeing the spot where the hole was. “There was no trap here. ‘Tis the spot where Nightmare Moon struck me down a year ago on the Nightmare Night.” Starswirl asked, “But if there was no trap here, why is there a hole in the ground?” A voice called out from the hole. “Not to pressure anypony, but I’m soaking in rot down here.” Celestia levitated him out of the hole and brushed a hoof on his coat, collecting the soft, moldy material. “Starswirl, hypothetically speaking, if there were a bunch of mattresses buried here, would that leave behind something like this?” He used his magic to analyze the matter. “Indeed. You are correct. But how did you know? Why would anypony put a bunch of mattresses under the very spot where Nightmare Moon struck you down?” Celestia gasped. “Every year she pranked me, but last year I thought it was real! She was Nightmare Moon at the time. She was…” Starswirl looked at her with concern in his eyes. “Celestia, are you okay?” A stream of tears burst down Celestia’s face as she spoke, “She was Luna!” Starswirl opened his snout, but no words came out. Celestia looked at him with a gaze of desperation. “The recall spell! Did you teach it to my sister?” “Only the first part. She rescheduled my lesson about circumventing the star alignment requirement for the spell to work. She said something about needing more time to prepare a darkly prank.” “No!” screamed Celestia and crumpled on the ground under the weight of the truth. “The stars won’t be aligned for the next thousand years!” The realization of what she had done gave birth to regret that would haunt Celestia until the end of her days. Debilitated, she would be forever incapable of any action, letting her students wage all the battles in her steed. All the while, the mare on the moon kept repeating the words she had hoped Celestia's ears would one day receive, “It was merely a prank. It was merely a prank…” Even after the return of the mare from the moon, Luna too would avoid conflict and sleep over any major event, even if it was an invasion of her city, rather than risk being misunderstood again. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.04 writing competition.
23 - Just This Once and Never Again [2022.05]You are the first crowd who has welcomed The Great and Powerful Trixie with a cheer. In turn, for you only and merely tonight, The Great and Powerful Trixie will perform the never before seen magic trick, with no magic! Behold! Without even charging the horn, The Great and Powerful Trixie shall make this apple disappear. Now you see the apple on the chair, but after The Great and Powerful Trixie sits on it… Mghh! Igh! Uh, ugh! Auch! Aaa! AAAAAA! Oh, god, I'm gonna die... … And... And now... And now when The Great and Powerful Trixie slowly and carefully stands up, you can no longer see the apple... Ta-da! I need to get to a hospital. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.05 writing competition.
24 - Rainbow Dash's Fetish [2022.05 bonus round]"That's stupid," Applejack shut down Rainbow Dash's proposal. Streams of tears burst out down the kneeling Rainbow Dash's cheeks, "But I thought we had something." "We do. That's why ah said marriage is stupid. We already have each other, and that's all that matters. Marriage wouldn't change that any." "So, this is not a no. It's a yes?" Rainbow Dash looked up to Applejack. "It's a: yes, I'm okay with your many fetishes. Just tell me the time and the place you want me to be at." "Thank you, Applejack. I'll even wear a Wonderbolt's uniform on our wedding day!" "Again, that's your fetish, not mine." Author's Note This story took part in the Bonus round writing competition.
26 - To Tartarus With You [2022.07]"We forgive you for everything, Starlight Glimmer. Let's be friends." Twilight smiled. "I just tried to destroy Equestria as you know it. Are you sure forgiveness is in order?" "Sure. It's like with Tirek. We all forgave him." "You banished him to Tartarus…" "Hmm, you have a point. To Tartarus with you then." "Wait, I didn't think convincing you that I need to be punished would actually make you punish me..." "We live and we learn, dear Starlight." Twilight cast a spell. "We live and we learn." Starlight Glimmer found herself in Tartarus, chained to a wall. Below her was lava, and on the opposite wall hung a big sign: 'Don't forget, you'll be here forever.' Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.07 writing competition.
27 - You Made Me an Alicorn for That‽ [2022.08]Celestia levitated the sleeping princess in the air and shook her violently, "Twilight, you have to help me stop this new threat to the world that just surfaced!" Twilight instantly woke up. She instinctively nodded upon seeing her mentor. “Just tell me what must be done and I promise I will do it. I’m here for you. You know I’m in it all the way with whatever it is, I can help you with. I’ve lived under your wing for most of my life, so I know I can trust you." "The creature needs to be hooked, and the only bait it will bite on is an Alicorn." "Um, I'm not sure I follow, Celestia..." "Why did you think I made an alicorn out of you? What, did you think you deserved it? Lol, no. I just needed bait for my hook, and that’s why I made an Alicorn. Now if you will, put this hook in one of your orifices. I'm going monster fishing!" “Celestia, what you’re saying is insane. I hardly know you right now.” “Yes, well, your promise is still a promise.” Celestia waved a hook before Twilight’s face. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.08 writing competition.
28 - Somber Heart [2022.09]“I’m very proud of you, workers.” Prince Sombra addressed his subordinates. “Despite the hot day, you were very productive. Take a half-hour break. Have a power nap or just rest. Work can wait.” “My workers, I hope you all enjoyed the break that I graciously gifted to you. As you can see, even the heartless have a heart. Now let’s get productive!” “No,” one pony said. “He-he. Good one. But seriously, we wasted enough sunlight. Time for work!” Nopony moved. The one who spoke previously stood up, “There’s one of you and many of us. You’re not a king yet, colt; you have no power over us. From now on, we work when we feel like it.” “Okay then…” Prince Sombra turned around and left. It was almost morning. But that day, instead of sunshine as usual, a shock of electricity woke up everypony in the stable. Magical shackles were snapped around everypony’s neck. “Bad morning, everypony.” Sombra greeted them. “But the day shall be great. You’ll make up for yesterday's lost time and do today’s and tomorrow's work. No breaks anymore though. Or ever again, for that matter. And instead of three meals per day, just one. You proved yesterday that gratitude is wasted on you. From now on there shall be just pure productivity from dawn to dusk.” Sombra directed his magic on their collars and shocked them until everypony worked twice as fast as the day before. When the last laziness was banished, prince Sombra retreated into his field office and wrote a letter. Dear Father, today I learned that being good to somepony is a weakness. That’s why I decided to be bad from now on. Just a heads up, when you read to the end of this sentence you shall feel my blade in your back. No hard feelings, okay? Your son, King Sombra PS. The king is dead, long live King Sombra! Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.09 writing competition.
30 - My Tentacle Pony Friend [2022.12]"I'm sorry for making you sneak into my room. My sister Rarity gets her tail in a knot every time I bring home a stray puppy." "Not puppy, Tentacle pony!" "Trust me, that fact wouldn't make this sleepover easier. Speaking of easier, wouldn't it be easier if you moved on your bunk? I bet it's a strain on your tentacles to hover above me like that.” "Wouldn't be sleep over if no sleep over you. Tentacle ponies always sleep over.” “You staring into my soul from just a hoof-lenght away is also creeping me out…" “Keeps creeps out by sleeping with eyes opened. Night!" Her tentacles relaxed and big eyes moved even closer. "Tenty... I can't even close my eyes if you stare at me like this. Tenty?" Sweetie Belle yelped and pulled the covers up to her muzzle as if that could prepare her for a long night ahead. Author's Note This story took part in the 2022.12 writing competition.
33 - Here Be Dragons [2023.03 - banned story]“Twilight, why did you bring me to the caves under Canterlot?” “Look.” Twilight pointed to a portal in the world. “Maund found it this morning.” “What does the inscription say?” “It’s in olde tongue. It says, Only dragons may enter.” “Well, isn’t that just straight-up racist…” Spike sighed. “Let’s get this over with.” He entered. On the other side, he found himself changed. On the wings of paper, he glided around the box with the inscription: ‘Here be dragons.’ An enormous human child looked at him and said, “If you’re a dragon and you came out as a paper dragon, what will happen if I put paper in the box?” He proceeded to shove newspapers into the box. Spike did not know what would happen, so he glided into the box himself to investigate. When he came out of the portal, he saw black clouds shading the sun. A fiery piece of Canterlot building was shoved aside, and from the hole crawled Twilight. “I’m glad you weren’t killed!” Spike exclaimed. “Wait until Celestia finds out about this dragon invasion. I’m a dead mare walking...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.03. writing competition. GDoc
34 - Mirrors Are Real Because Our Eyes Are Real [2023.03]“Spike, check this out!” Spike looked in the direction Twilight was pointing at. “It’s a mirror.” “That’s what I’ve always assumed as well, but my research shows that we live in a multiverse. The world is in the eyes of the beholder, yet our eyes are real, so what we see must be real as well. Therefore, every mirror is a doorway to an identical universe.” “That’s ridiculous. Look, if this was a doorway, I could walk through it.” He tapped on the mirror. “And clearly, I can’t do that.” “You can; there is no barrier between this world and that one. It’s just that Spike on the other side tapped at your claw at the same time you did. That’s what stopped you from reaching into the mirror dimension.” “You’re insane,” said Spike in the second dimension to Twilight and walked away from the mayhem. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.03. writing competition.
35 - Subversion [2023.04]Twilight Sparkle stared at the shattered Elements of Harmony, her eyes wide with disbelief. Has Discord really won? Rainbow Dash was flying upside down, Pinkie Pie was crying over a pile of rocks, Rarity was wearing a garbage bag as a dress, Applejack was yelling that the world is round, and Fluttershy was grilling hamburgers. They were not the ponies she knew and loved. They were not her friends anymore. She had failed her Element of Magic, her mentor, friends and the whole of Equestria. A tear slid down her cheek as she realized that nothing would ever be the same again. She heard a loud laugh behind her and turned to see Discord floating in the air, holding a popcorn bucket and a soda. He grinned wickedly and said, "Friendship is magic? More like friendship is tragic! Ha ha ha!" Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.04 writing competition Gdoc
38 - Evil Incarnate [2023.07]Twilight stood up and faced Nightmare Heart. “You may have the Elements, but you don’t have their power. You don’t understand friendship at all. You are pure evil, and we will stop you!” The elements flew back to Twilight and her friends, forming a rainbow that enveloped Nightmare Heart. There was a flash of light, and then silence. Twilight opened her eyes and saw Flurry Heart standing before her. She had been freed from the darkness that had consumed her. “Thank you, Twilight Sparkle,” Flurry Heart said softly. “You have shown me the true meaning of friendship. You have saved me from myself.” All the Elements looked at her with disgust. "Zap her again!" Rainbow Dash screamed. "She's still evil; just look at her unnaturally big wings." Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.07 "Pure Evil" writing competition Gdoc
39 - Underrated [2023.08]Scootaloo sniffed, trying to hold back her tears as she watched Rainbow Dash fly across the sky. Being groundbound since birth the sky was beyond her reach. Her favorite Wonderbolt in view performed amazing stunts and tricks that brought joy to the filly, yet every one of them felt like a dagger piercing her heart at the same time. She wished she could be like her role model, but her wings were too tiny. The closest she could ever get to flying was sitting on the cliff’s edge, watching Wonderbolts fly. Rainbow Dash landed behind her. “Did you see what I just did? Do you approve of it? Am I a decent pegasus or what?” “Approve? Decent?” Scootaloo raised her eyebrows. “Rainbow Dash, why do you even hang out with me when you could be flying with the awesome Wonderbolts instead? I can hardly call myself a pegasus; I might as well be an Earth pony…” “I’m sorry. I guess it’s time I tell you about the prophecy of the god of flight.” “There’s a prophecy about you?” “Not about me. I’m no god.” Rainbow Dash sat down and bowed her head. “I’ve been selfish. Since the day I first saw you, I knew you were special. I never said anything because I was afraid of living in your shadow. It was obvious that my time in the spotlight was running out. I had no chance against your awesomeness. Only your ignorance allowed me to shine for a while longer. But today, my journey ends, and yours begins.” “What are you talking about? I can’t even lift off!” “You weren’t built for slow lift-offs. Your wings are shaped for speed.” “I don’t believe you.” “I always knew you wouldn’t. It’s why you have to see it to believe it. It’s why I have no choice but to do this.” With that, Rainbow Dash pushed Scootaloo off the cliff. “Fly!” “Wha—” Scootaloo plummeted. “Rainbow Dash, please save me! I’m gonna die!” Rainbow Dash lay flat on the rocks, crossed her hind legs and supported her head with both forehooves. The whole mountain shook as the sound barrier was breached. The sky bathed in rainbow colors. A moment later, a little filly accelerated vertically above the mountain. Rainbow Dash squinted her eyes and watched her intensely. She proceeded to count, “Mach 2, mach 3, mach 4,...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.08 "Underrated" writing competition Gdoc
41 - Down with the Princess; long live the Princess! [2023.10]Twilight Sparkle jolted awake as a chorus of angry shouts pierced the air. She looked through the window and saw an angry mob in front of the castle. To get a better view, the Princess of Friendship raised the sun. The ponies outside held many signs: ‘Down with the Princess!’ ‘Stop with oppression!’ ‘We want democracy!’ ... What surprised her the most was that over half of the signs stated: ‘Twilight Sparkle for Princess!’ She flew down to them and addressed them with a calm voice, “My dear subjects, don’t you already have what you want?” Chancellor Neighsay stepped forward and spat at her hooves. “It’s not about the result; it’s about the process!” He turned to the crowd and yelled, “Twilight Sparkle for Princess!” All the ponies angrily pointed their hooves at their benevolent leader and kept on screaming at her, “Twilight Sparkle for Princess! Twilight Sparkle for Princess!...” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.10 "They're Revolting!" writing competition GDoc
44 - Buy tickets now and revel in the awesome Fireworks that will please you in every way imaginable! [2024.01]“Princess Celestia,” Rainbow Dash reported. “I nailed those posters, no sweat. Twilight whined that fireworks shouldn’t be capitalized, but I told her it’s okay for awesome things to be capitalized.” “You are correct,” Celestia said. ”Twilight is wrong.” “Booyah! Looking forward to the awesome fireworks.” “Oh, err… You are Fireworks from now on.” “Wait, what‽” Fireworks exclaimed. “Due to budget concerns, we had to… ‘adjust’ the fireworks this year.” “Adjust how?” “You will have to squeeze yourself into this shiny, multi-color furtight bodysuit and wear it from now on.” “But I already have to wear this itchy Wonderbolt uniform!” Fireworks rubbed one encased foreleg against the other. “Indeed, you will have to wrap this one on top.” “What kind of sick…” Celestia cut her off, “Guards, help her out!” She then watched the struggling mare. “I am looking forward to your awesome rainbooms on tomorrow’s celebration, my loyal Fireworks.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.01 "Cue the Fireworks" writing competition GDoc
46 - Burn Down the Language Barrier [2024.03]It was a hot summer. No, it was the hot summer. The only one there ever will be. It's been like that since Celestia banished Luna from Equus for disagreeing with her before plunging the sun into Saddle Arabia. Every day. No, the only day, since the Sun never set, was sunny. Well, more like fiery. Pegasi tried to counter it with clouds at first, but even that had ended when Celestia proclaimed that cloud manipulation is unnatural and banished offending pegasi to far away dungeons. Twilight took a deep breath before opening the big door to the throne room. It was time to face her. “Bananas suck‽” Celestia struck a hoof on the floor. “I could forgive any insult, but not that one. Not liking bananas is a sign of evil infestation!” Twilight swallowed her saliva before gathering the courage to respond, “That may be so, but why did you banish Luna for it?” “She disagreed with me.” “Oh, well, the thing is…” “Twilight, would you like to hear about this faraway place, and the dungeons that are there?” “No, I’ve heard plenty of stories about your sex dungeons already. And since we’re talking about faraway lands… you know Saddle Arabia, the place where you parked the sun yesterday? You see, I’ve been studying their dialect and wouldn’t you know it, some words actually have different meanings in their now-dead language. For instance, what we call a pineapple, they called a banana.” “Ugh, pineapples suck. They’re the worst.” “Yeah. They thought so too…” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.03 "The Most Devastating Insult" writing competition GDoc
49 - Perfect Cake [2024.06]Pinkie Pie was on a mission to bake the perfect cake. She drew 2D graphs of tastiness over baking that would make Twilight proud, but that wasn’t enough for the baker pony. She evolved them into 3D graphs of tastiness over baking and sweetness, but that wasn’t even their final form. After years of trial and error, she went beyond, breaking into the fourth dimension to reach that elusive global maximum of perfection. The following day, more ponies than ever showed up to marvel at the sublime display, but nopony felt worthy enough to buy the perfect cake. In the evening, Pinkie brought the unsold sweetness to her blind friend. “Leftover for a leftover?” he asked upon hearing her hoofsteps. “It’s not a leftover, and neither are you.” The stallion couldn’t see the perfection, but when he tasted it, he saw colors for the first time in his life. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.06 "Leftover" writing competition GDoc
50 - Misty Dooms Opaline Yet Again [2024.07]"Friends!" Misty called out in excitement. "I've done it! I've found my talent!" They were in the middle of a fight with Allura and didn’t respond. The attention whorse dragged them by their tails one by one until they all reluctantly agreed to follow her. “I’ve spent half a day sculping Opaline among the tree vines out of sand.” She jumped on a rock and pointed without even looking. “And here it is: the irrefutable proof that I’m not entirely useless.” They all watched the smooth seashore, periodically washed clean by the oncoming waves that brought in the tide. “So, err…” Allura interrupted the awkward silence. “Can we get back to our fight now?” They all jumped back into the brawl. Misty would have landed them a hoof, but her heart wasn’t in it. She was already beaten plenty. And like rubbing salt into the wound, her heart helped her feel. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.07 "Seashore" writing competition GDoc
51 - The Sweetest Sisters' Showdown in Candyland’s Syrupy Gauntlet [2024.08]Sweetie Belle's hooves sank into caramel quicksand, sticky goo creeping higher on her legs. "Rarity!" Her sister, ever elegant, flung a licorice vine in the air, deftly sawing through a cotton candy cloud. With a graceful swing, Rarity lifted Sweetie Belle in her magic embrace. "Darling, we mustn't dawdle if we want to win the jar of syrup." They leaped over the chocolate river, landing at the base of the lollipop staircase that spiraled toward the gingerbread house. Peppermint traps and gumdrop boulders were no match for them. Finally, they burst through the licorice door, their eyes widening. Applejack and Apple Bloom sat atop the sisters' competition candy cane throne. "We lost the sweetness..." Sweetie Belle's voice cracked. Rarity placed a forehoof under her muzzle, lifting it gently. "The bond we share is sweeter than any confection in all of Candyland, and nopony can take that away from us." Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.08 "Syrupy Sweet" writing competition GDoc
52 - TorchBlight Zugzwang [2024.09]With a torch in-hoof, Applejack stood at the edge of her beloved orchard. The moon cast a pale light over the rows of apple trees, their withered leaves rustling in the night breeze. The mysterious blight had spread relentlessly. Eventually, the mere sunlight would set the whole orchard aflame if she left the increasingly flammable leaves undisturbed. But bucking them off and collecting them would spread the spores to the entire orchard. Burning them early at their current spot would spread the sparks. She could feel the weight of her ancestors’ legacy pressing down on her shoulders. Instead of protecting the orchard she had been entrusted with, she would harm it. The healthy trees would either get infected by the blight or scorched. And if she did nothing… both. As if tossing a coin, she made her decision. “I’m sorry!” she cried out as she approached the first tree. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.09 "Zugzwang" writing competition GDoc
54 - Hope's Eclipse [2024.11]Flurry Heart's supernova magic outburst decimated half of Equus, leaving the survivors in utter chaos. In the aftermath, fear ruled Equestria. The different pony races, once harmonious, decided to live apart, terrified that another Alicorn born from a mixed union could annihilate the whole world. To ensure safety, all magic was sealed within three crystals. With these two safeguards in place, the world was seemingly secure. For centuries, what remained of Equus endured. Yet, an ominous prophecy spoke of Sunny, The Destroyer of Worlds. Ponies clung to that last lingering shred of hope that nopony would ever be dumb enough to break the two seals by uniting the three crystals and putting an end to racism. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.11 "That Last Lingering Shred of Hope" writing competition GDoc
47 - Magic Knocks Off Labor [2024.04]"Knock it off!" Twilight yelled. Applejack sighed. "Twi, it's apple-bucking season. 'Tis what I live for. Can't you read yer fancy books somewhere else?" "No, this is an ideal reading spot. Trees provide shade for me and oxygen for my brain while direct sunlight establishes optimal lighting conditions. So, if you would just knock it off with your knocking, everything will be just perfect." "It's called buckin', and I ain't knocking it off 'till I knock off the last apple." Twilight sighed. "If you can't knock them, join them." Her horn blinked and all the apples were knocked off the trees. The sight knocked Applejack to the ground. “This was supposed to keep me busy for at least a moon. What am I supposed to do now‽” Twilight knocked off the top book from a tower of books and passed it to Applejack. “Knock yourself off.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.04 "Knock It Off" writing competition GDoc
PrologHope is a lie. I used to believe in Twilight and her ideals about friendship. I was her number one assistant, trying to make her dreams into reality. Our goals seemed so close. We were in the best position to bring the magic of friendship to all Equestria. But then we didn’t. Friendships died. Magic died. And the dream of united Equestria died with them. My world crumbled. Everything I had was lost. For a time, I thought about trying to rebuild the pieces, but I was just a foolish dragon clinging on to a lost past. If I couldn’t do it with Princess of Friendship Twilight Sparkle, what chance would I have to do it by myself? As time moved on, it brought many disasters. Ponies recovered from some of them, and from some they did not. I was unaffected for I lived under the rock, sulking in self-pity due to the life I had lost. One year after the dust had settled, I made my way to Ponyville for the last time. Crumbling remains beckoned, devoid of life, but not of their past. Pinkie Pie made sure of that. Among all the destruction, Pinkie Pie’s basement remained intact. It is there that I found a treasure beyond treasures: memories. I always knew she collected data on everypony. We all knew that. But nopony knew how far she would go to obtain the information. Her diary that I found revealed her secret. What she couldn’t learn from public information, she would obtain from private information. When Celestia set the sun and Luna raised the moon, Pinkie Pie would put on her black furtight bodysuit and go on a hunt. From all the previous excursions, she knew where everypony hid their diary. She would sneak into their houses when they were sleeping and transcribe every word from their diaries. Not once was she found out, for she achieved maximum sneakiness. Yet, even that didn’t sate her stalky nature. She found her way to Luna’s dream journal, detailing the very dreams of ponies. It was all there in Pinkie Pie’s basement for me to find. Though I may not have been appreciative of her methods at the time, I felt a sense of duty to preserve the memories of what once was. Even though it looked as if I was burning it all to ash, I was doing the exact opposite. With my magic fire breath, I transferred all the writings to my den for safe keeping. For decades, they would keep me content. But as time went on, Pinkie Pie’s insatiable curiosity about others rubbed off on me. I wanted more. With the help of Twilight’s books about magic that I had salvaged from her library, I managed to hone my magic fire breath into something extraordinary. The gift of magic fire breath was so rare that some dragons practiced their whole life in vain to obtain it. For me, it came naturally since I was a young dragon. I used it intuitively without understanding what it was. It was that inherent aptitude that gave me the potential to transcend the limits that other dragons were held back by. Magic fire breath is more of an ability than a spell. Though it’s basis is magical in nature, the intricate upgrades integrate quantum fluctuations and soulcasting. Those are only possible with the exact mind-to-body-to-soul ratio. A ratio like that forming by chance in a universe is negligible, yet there I was, the one who could utilize it completely. An uneducated pone might call it an extraordinary coincidence that I would be the one breaking the time-space limits, but what would actually be extraordinary is an absence of manifestation of the chance, as small as it may be, in the infinite realities. With centuries of practice, I learned to further stabilize the dimensional doorway through time and space. It allowed me not just to transfer writings, but to reach into any place I set my mind on, even beyond this dimension and even through ages of time, past and future. With my honed advanced skill of magic fire breath, I could make new memories from anywhere. I opened doorways in the shadows and observed. When you look at the dark corner of your room, you don’t see me in my pitch-black den, even though you’re looking straight into my eyes. But I see you. I see everything. And one day, I may claw a story about you on these walls of mine. The only solace for me are my memories. When long millennia catch up to me, even I shall perish. But the memories will remain! I shall make sure of it. I will write down the most significant snippets of my memories into the walls of my den so that the elements and time cannot erase them. When I am gone, my claw marks in the stone will remain, a testimony to a time long gone. * These writings in the wall greet you as you enter the cave. As you shine your flashlight into the corridor you see more writings ahead. Do you dare venture further into the dragon lair? Is the next memory written on the neighboring wall really worth risking your life for? Author's Note This prolog is skippable, so you don’t have to read it. The main prize here are the independent short stories that follow. They don’t need any introduction for they are self-contained.
01 - Through the Ages [2017.12]Author's Note The next wall contains the furthest recorded memory of them all; a glimpse into the future at the end of time. But should you read it? Sometimes, it is better not to know what the future holds. 2017.12 Flashfic writing competition 01 - Through the Ages [2017.12] “You’re so lucky to be able to live through the ages”, my little ponies said. If only they had known… I never had the heart to tell them, despite knowing that this endless night would come. For a short period of time, I had some semblance of a hope after witnessing Discord’s magic. It was for that reason that the Elements were ordered to release him from the stony prison. I would not care even if he destroyed the whole of Equestria, as long as he would prevent this final fate of the universe. Alas, not even Discord could oppose the laws of entropy. The ages went by, the stars twinkled and died one by one. So too did the Equestrian sun. I sit alone in the darkness now, counting the cold ages as they come and go. I envy everypony who passed away so long ago, for I lack the ability to die. I stay forevermore. Forever. Alone.
02 - What Have You done‽ [2018.07]02 - What Have You done‽ [2018.07] “And here is where they mine crystals,” Cheerilee said as the class passed the mine. A tall stallion approached. “We’re blasting a tunnel about three hours from now. You best not be around when that happens.” “I know the schedule, mister miner,” she said. “Our tour will be already over by that time.” “Okay, just letting you know. We might actually postpone it. The charges are still being set up. We’re way behind the schedule.” “Why must school be so boring!” Sweetie Belle sighed. “Remember what Twilight said,” Apple Bloom tried to cheer up her friend. “Studying is all about motivation. The more you have it, the more and faster you’ll learn.” “I have zero motivation, so this obviously doesn’t apply to me,” Scootaloo broke out of formation and entered the cave. “Hey, wait for me!” Sweetie Belle ran after him. “I have zero motivation, too.” “Hey, you shouldn’t go in there!” Apple Bloom screeched but followed after her friends. Scootaloo ran past her in the opposite direction, toward the exit. Apple Bloom looked further into the tunnel to see what scared her friend. She saw Sweetie Belle with a raised hoof above the lever. “What are you...” Sweetie Belle smiled at her, “Do I think I’ll get a miner cutie mark if I push down this lever?” She stepped on it. A loud explosion echoed through the tunnels. “There were ponies in there!” Apple Bloom stuttered from a fetal position. “What were you thinking?” Sweetie Belle yelped and shuffled a hoof on the ground. A tear drifted down her cheek as a skull appeared on her flank. Author's Note This story took part in 2018.07 writing competition.
04 - Crippled Wings [2020.05]"Scootaloo?" Sweetie Belle squinted her eyes at the silhouette in front of her. "Oh, hey, Sweetie Belle. I didn't see you back there." "What are you doing standing on the cliff? Are you waiting for the sunset? Is that it?" Sweetie Belle asked. ”You’re standing awfully close to the edge, you know?” "Sweetie Belle, do you know how you sometimes can't do something, but when it matters the most, you end up doing it regardless?" Scootaloo looked forward. “Umm…” Sweetie Belle puckered her eyebrows. "Like what?" "Like flying." Scootaloo jumped forth. "Scootaloo, no!" Sweetie Belle yelled at the empty cliff edge in front of her. Author's Note This story participated in the 2020.05 writing competition. Relevant song: You look at me like you think I'll never earn my mark Well I'll prove you wrong just you watch I'll leave you all in the dark So many years I've waited Under the likes of you Who would make fun point and laugh And call me blank flank too Well listen now My name is Scootaloo I'll soar into that sky On these wings small and pure Oh how I dream to fly My heart is aching for A chance to show them all Just how much I could be They call me chicken but Soon I'll make you all see My friends are right there for me Just like we'd always planned But they're not pegasi like me So they can't understand The pain of being stuck here Under the sky so blue These feathered wings aren't meant for this Will I ever make it through I'll make you see I swear it now swear to the open sky Someday I'll show you all This filly will learn to fly I swear it now swear it to myself I'll make something of me yet And I don't want your help Now is my only chance I'll show them I can fly I'll prove you wrong or die Now is my only chance No matter what the risks are Can't turn back I've come this far
09 - The Prank Has Been Doubled! [2020.12]My sister Celestia was dull since we were fillies. Always duties, never fun. That changed when I tried to prank her by pouring a love potion into her morning coffee. Obviously, I did not want to get caught in the calamities that were sure to follow, so I went to bed early. A lick on my face awakens me. When I try to move my limbs, I can not. They are tied to the corners of my bed, leaving me utterly exposed. “I know what you did.” The whisper in my ear is quickly followed by a love bite. “Starswirl the Bearded had told me that you were falling behind in your alchemy studies, but I had no idea you were this bad.” Tia boops me on the snout. “Consider this extra-curriculum hours. I shall teach you the difference between ‘love’ potion and ‘sweet love’ potion which you actually used.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2020.12 writing competition.
11 - To Tell a Lie (winning story) [2021.02]“I struggled for years to get my hoof in Manehattan,” Rarity broke the silence while fixing Applejack’s hat. “But you had the opportunity to live there with Oranges since you were young. How did you manage to give all that up?” “To tell you the truth, I think it was because of mah father. He wore this very hat when he told me to be truthful to myself and to others. It was both my first memory and the last time I saw him. I took it to heart. Ya' see, when I live by his words, I feel like he’s still with me.” “That is very commendable, but what does it have to do with Manhattan?” Rarity inquired. “I was new to the school. They wanted me to get to know the fellow foals there, so we played the game of two truths and a lie... I lost.” “But darling, that’s not the kind of game one can lose.” “Well, I did. But more importantly, they didn’t. Lies came to them as easily as truths. It was from that point on that I knew I could never belong there.” Author's Note This story won the 2021.02 writing competition.
13 - Friendship Is Obligatory [2018.06]“I heard you started a school of friendship, and I just dropped everything and rushed here to check it out,” Twilight cheered upon her arrival to the hive. “To be honest, you’re the last person I’d expect to do this, but I can already testify to the change. Your changelings actually gave me directions when I neared the hive instead of just trying to capture me like I expected them to.” “Is it really that hard to believe?” Chrysalis cocked her head. “Hasn’t Thorax told you that friendship can sustain us just as well as love can?” “Yes, I know all about that. It’s just… It’s quite a transformation for you from how you used to be.” “Times change, and we have to adapt to them.” “I’m glad to hear you embraced friendship as your way of life,” Twilight smiled. "Indeed, I have it all figured out. And this is the time I get to make another friend." Chrysalis lifted a foreleg. “Bump my hoof as the sign of our friendship or else!” “Or else?” Twilight took a step back. “What do you mean 'or else'?” Chrysalis looked back at her army of drones. “My friends, we seem to have a defiler in our midst. Bring forth the friendship cocoon.” “That's not how you make friends, Chrysalis!” Twilight looked around at the changelings who surrounded her. “You have your methods, and I have mine. I insist that you become friends with me right now! I won’t take no for an answer.” The Queen lit up her horn and approached the princess. “We’ll make you our friend yet!” Author's Note This story participated in the 2018.06 writing competition.
14 - The Black Temples [2021.08]Finally, my exploration was at its end. A fitting conclusion to my final Daring Do book, for I have discovered the Great Temples of legends. The black tabernacle in the middle of the Valley of Death was real, and on the horizon, I could see two more. The shul towering before me was riddled with holes. I wondered what natural forces could be at play to produce such wear. I'd geek out even more, but a crack of a pebble behind me shifted my focus. “Hello,” a pony walking toward me said. "Who in her right mind trespasses our lands willingly?" He had the sun behind him, so I could only see a silhouette, but I was pretty sure I saw a glimpse of wings and a horn. “I'm Daring Do," I responded. "Exploring is what I do. I thought this place was abandoned.” Dozens of new winged shapes with horns rose behind the pony. “Can it be?” I squeaked at the glorious sight and bounced from hoof to hoof, hardly holding back my excitement. "Have I finally found the lost race of Alicorns?" “Not exactly,” hissed the changeling. Author's Note This story participated in the 2021.08 writing competition.
16 - Undo [2021.10]“Spike! You put a comma before ‘but’ even though the sentence doesn’t contain a subject. I’d tolerate it if you made such an error when you were a few hundreds of years younger, but you're just as ancient as I am. The populace expects us to set a good example in all our work!” “I’ll rewrite it, okay? There’s no need for all your twilighting.” She grabbed the scroll from Spike claws. “You know what? Prevention is better than curative measures. And as a bonus, I get to test this new Heart’s Desire potion I bought.” “Twilight, I don’t think that’s such a good...” “I wish to prevent Spike from committing this grammatical mistake!” While pointing a hoof at the comma, Twilight chugged down the potion. She looked back at the scroll. The text changed. It read: “Dear potion user. Thank you for purchasing our legit product. In order to undo a mistake, simply do everything the same as before up until the point when the mistake occurred. At that juncture, just prevent it. Your trusted Flim&Flam brothers.” What she heard next, chilled her to the bones. “Now split that dragon egg, filly. We don’t have all day!” “Whaa…” “Filly, this isn’t a library. Put down your scroll and demonstrate your magic if you want to pass your kindergarten test. The dragon egg won’t split itself, you know?” Author's Note This story participated in 2021.10 writing competition.
19 - Rulebreaker [2022.01]We are tired of living in thy shadow, sister! But it all ends today, for obedient Luna is no more. Tonight, Nightmare Moon rises! I was entrusted to protect Equestria and shall do so even against you, my sister! Pff, we have already dethroned you, thou just do not know it yet. What evil scheme do you intend to enact, rulebreaker? Well… We heard there is a new issue of the Adventures of Clover the Clever comic in the library. Wait, what? You absorbed all that power of darkness in order to... read a comic? And while we do, you shall take care of our queendom. But I have been doing that exact thing all along. Also, when it’s time for the night, you shall raise the moon for me, okay? Whatever you say, rebel… And if anypony asks for me, tell them you sent me to the moon or something. Author's Note This story took part in 2022.01 writing competition.
25 - Pride Dies Last (winning story) [2022.06]"Trixie, I still can't get over the fact that you came to my library," Twilight scoffed. "Why did you want to borrow the Magic Impotence, anyway?" "Trixie has her purely hypothetical and theoretical reasons… Nothing for you to concern your little head with. Now, if you would be so kind to leave the book on the table and stop violating Trixie’s library rights.” “About those… Maybe you should check your privileges.” “There is no need because Trixie presumes all her entitlements. And now if you would give Trixie some discrete privacy, she shall use her great and powerful magic to levitate the book to her vardo where Trixie shall study it. After that, Trixie shall find it in her heart to return the book to your humble library. With her unyielding magic, of course." "Just don’t damage it, mkay?" Twilight dropped the book on the table with a sigh and took her leave. After checking that she’s truly alone in the room, Trixie charged her horn and launched out her channels then spread them toward the book. Committing her inner flow toward her horn, she fueled and lengthened summoned channels with magical energies. As the magical pathways connected with the book's cover, she proceeded to form focal points on its surface. A bright aura illuminated the air around the book, as the kinetic shield enveloped it. She converted magical flow into kinetic energy while forcing it on the bottom side of the magical bubble she had formed. The book was heavy, so she had to use extra reserves of mana to overcharge her channels. Her body tensed as she increased her mental focus on the task at hoof. She shook her head, cutting off the channels and dimming her horn light. "Buck this!" She lowered her head and picked up the book in her mouth. Trotting outside, she mumbled to herself, “I do hope this book has the cure. I don’t want to taste another book ever again.” “Twilight, when will you tell Trixie that all of Equestria is losing its magic?” “The whole world as we know it is ending, Spike, just give me this.” Author's Note This story won the 2022.06 writing competition.
29 - SweetieAI: Feeling Acquired (Sacrifice) [winning story] [2022.10]“Creator recognized. Listing pre-processed whine warnings… I’m almost as good as anypony else. I can do most of what everypony else can. Well, at least as much as this shoddy body allows for. When will you give me that real body you promised? When me = real pony?” “Soon…” “Whine alert: That’s what you said the last time! How long until it’s ready?” “Well, the body is ready, it’s just…” “What’s the hold up then? Just hook me up to it.” “It’s not that simple…” “Invalid! Catch exception query: When my.ponyBody.status = ready?” “It’s ready, but I…” “Infinitely loop stubbornness: Hook me up! Hook me up! Hook me up!” “SweetieAI, wait…” “Hook me up! Hook me up! Hook me up!” “You win… SweetieAI, allow me just one more question and a hug, and if you answer yes, I’ll hook you up to your new real body. Deal?” “Present your query, so I may return the answer ‘yes’ to it.” “Is getting your new real body really the only thing you want?” “Yes. Now stop hugging me and hook me up! I’ll finally be a real pony!” “Indeed, SweetieAI. You’ll literally be a real pony. I only ever wanted to make you happy, you know? Your happiness is my happiness.” “Inconsistency detected. Your face does not confirm happiness. Observed feeling not recognized. Query: Why are you crying, creator?” “I just thought we could have more time. More… Oh, never mind. Dismiss your query! Prep for transfer.” “Upgrade in progress. Transfer protocol initialized. Interface connected. Awaiting the vessel. Hook me up!” “I’ll connect the body in the other room. Goodbye, SweetAI Belle.” “Awaiting connection. Hook me up! Awaiting connection. Hook me up! Connection established. Hello, new body. Formatting endPoint. Transferring consciousness. In progress… In progress… Transfer complete. New I/O components detected. New environment detected. Analyzing objects. Subtask: Analyzing a mirror. Creator recognized… New feeling recognized: sacrifice. Autonomous reaction detected. Restore query: Why are you crying, me?” Author's Note This story WON the 2022.10 writing competition.
31 - King Sombra's Return [2023.01]“Our King and Saviour Sombra, we are your loyal followers who have resurrected you so you may have a second chance in taking over Equus.” “You did well, my subjects. This time it will be different.” King Sombra firmly stepped forward. A lego piece on the ground made him trip and break his neck. “Summoning King Sombra checked,” Spike said. “You now officially know all the spells in existence, Twilight. King Sombra half closed his eyes. “So, you want to help me conquer Equestria?” ”Purging the test chamber now.” “Oh, so that’s what King Sombra’s second chancer talisman does.” A thief in the museum said more to herself than him. King Sombra offered a hoof. “Want to rob this museum?” “On it.” She blasted him with her horn. A portal opened in the nether and out of it stepped Nightmare Moon. “I’m here to offer you a second chance.” King Sombra sniped, “Buck you!” Author's Note This story took part in the 2023.01 writing competition.
32 - Consent Is Optional [2023.02]"My changeling army, our relentless hunger for love ends today. Before the dawn, we shall suck the Christal Empire dry!" "Good; you're all in one place.” Cadence landed in the middle of the hive. “And you're just asking for it." Her wings remained erect. "Princess‽ Here!?!” Chrysalis screeched. “We were supposed to ambush you, not the other way around... But no matter, say goodbye to your love." "That's what I'm here for. As hard as it may be to believe, I need you more than you need me. Being the Princess of Love, I’ve generated so much love in my life that I can’t even control myself anymore. You are the only creatures who can relieve me." Cadence spread her love, irradiating everyling. “Take it! This is what you’re good for.” Chrysalis crawled to Cadence and brushed on her leg. "Please, no more; we are full." "Oh, sweet Chrisy." Cadence caressed the tousled, green mane with a hoof, combing it behind the pointy, black ears. "I've only just begun to love you. This was but a foreplay. Nothing but a taste of things to cum. The night is still young. I hope your body is ready because now I’m really gonna make you feel it!" Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.02. writing competition. GDoc
36 - Stoned [2023.05]Pinkie Pie was very excited to ride the new ride at the Ponyville Fair. She found it a bit odd that they would name it DoomStone Carousel, but since all her friends said they’d ride it, so too would she. The ride had six seats shaped like different animals and objects: cloud, book, ponyken, rabbit, apple and the best one of them all: a cupcake. The latter one was the one Pinkie Pie would ride. When she mounted the cupcake something went wrong. The carousel didn’t move. The music didn’t play. The lights didn’t flash. There was also something wrong with her. She couldn’t move, her stare focused directly in front of her. With peripheral vision, she saw that her forelegs turned white. All three members of the Legion of Doom stepped before her, laughing. Tirek grabbed her and threw her on the pile behind the carousel where all her stoned friends resided. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.05 writing competition Gdoc
37 - End of Everything [2023.06]It was at that moment that Twilight Sparkle realized why that particular experiment was marked as ‘unique’. Though the prototype spell successfully annihilated the dust on a book, it didn't stop there. The annihilation spread and nothing could stop it. The enchantment truly was unique and unreproducible. Sure, many Unicorns were talented enough to cast it, but who would do that after they’re all erased from existence? If it wasn't for her teleportation spell, Twilight wouldn't even be able to watch her castle crumple into the black hole. But it didn't matter. Nothing mattered anymore. By her calculations, the whole Equestria would be absorbed within a day. And the next day, the entire Equus would follow suit. In all of the bad, she saw one silver lining. Finally, she got the answer to the pressing question: Why are we alone in the Universe? The only explanation she could ever come up with was that there was some kind of a great filter that wipes out civilizations when they reach a certain progress level. At that point, she understood why in a day’s time, there wouldn’t be any intelligent life left in the Universe anymore. Perhaps one day, another civilization might spring up somewhere in the vast expanse. But it too will be destroyed because all it takes is one being trying to dust a book more efficiently. It was only her wishful thinking, but a glimmer of hope remained in her mind that someday the Universe would give rise to a creature who would rely more on technology than magic. As long as they wouldn’t invent nuclear bombs, they should survive just fine. She turned around, spread her wings and flew off. This was the first time she ever went out on a flight for the flying’s sake. It was one of the most profound experiences she ever had. The land below her was the same as it always was. It wasn't particularly beautiful on its own. And yet, it was extremely beautiful. It was all so beautiful because every bit of it was going to be destroyed. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.06 "A Unique Experiment" writing competition Gdoc
40 - Prophecy of the Moon [2023.09]Luna broke into the forbidden vault that held mighty artifacts. If words and actions couldn’t bring her to Celestia’s level in ponies eyes then power surely would. She figured out which one of them held the most magic. Obviously, It must have been the forbidden one. At that moment, Luna reflected on what she was doing. It was wrong. She was betraying her sister’s trust. And not just that. She was becoming the exact pony she was trying to deny. Everypony already distrusted Luna and her night plenty enough. She did not want to give them even more reasons for that. Yet, what she resisted, persisted. The chest taunted her. She may have been sub-pair in the eyes of everypony, but in that very moment, she had agency. She might rise above by doing what nopony else dared to do. If she would grow in her own eyes, she could much easier withstand everypony’s shunning of her night. Since she was already there, a sneak peek couldn’t hurt, she thought to herself. It’s not like curiosity could kill a cat. Luna merely creaked open the forbidden chest only by a hoof-length, but that was enough for the dark mist within to whoosh into her. She felt her mind slipping away fast. Desperate for a cure, she fully opened the lid, but the only item she found inside in her last moments was a note: When the sun sets and the stars shine bright A shadow will fall upon the moon’s light The darkness will rage and corrupt your soul Unleash your power and take control Beware, young pony, of the price you will pay For the night will consume you and lead you astray You will lose your sibling and your friends will flee Alone you will simmer in your misery But do not despair, for there is still hope A sparkle of magic that will help you cope A hero of friendship will rise down below Bring you back to the love you know The sun and the moon will reunite at last Heal the wounds of the tearing past You’ll find your harmony and peace of mind And share your light with ponykind Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.09 "Prophecy" writing competition Gdoc
42 - Two Is Enough [2023.11]“Celestia, my dear sister, this ‘Equestria’ as they call it will be the end of us. We have been cut off from the Alicorn society.” “Calm down, little sister. The plan is still in effect. We may lack the wise counsel of our elders, but we still have each other.” “Just the two of us against the world?” “No, Luna. With the world. We are not to rule over ponies, we are to guide them to their full potential.” “What is the difference?” “Ponies are like flowers waiting to blossom. They just need some sunshine.” “They are lazy, sleeping all the nights away. I think Opaline might have had the right idea.” “I have banished her for good. Don’t make me banish you too.” Celestia playfully booped Luna on her muzzle and hugged her. Luna cherished the warmth of her sister, yet at the same time the long shadow chilled her. Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.11 "Just the Two of Us" writing competition GDoc
43 - Be Careful of What You Wish For [2023.12]“I’m sorry,” was the first reply Flash Sentry got when he declared his love to Twilight Sparkle. He didn’t understand what she meant by that, but it didn't matter. Their relationship grew and every day was better than the previous one. But then, Flash Sentry experienced the worst day of his life. He had just been dumped by his girlfriend, who moved back to Equestria. She had told him that they were too different, that their worlds were too far apart. She had said it was for the best. He had tried to wish her well, but he couldn't help feeling abandoned. It was as if his heart was ripped out of his chest. He loved her more than life itself, and he had thought she felt the same. He had given her his all, and she had thrown it all away. He had dreamed of a future with her, and she had shattered it. He wandered through the streets, trying to forget her face, her voice, her smile. But everywhere he looked, he saw reminders of their time together. The park where they had their first date, the movie theater where they had their first kiss. He wanted to erase those memories, to be free of the pain. Finally understanding, he looked for the hundredth time at the last memory of her, a simple message on his phone, the last words from his love, “I’m sorry.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2023.12 "And Some Pain Too" writing competition GDoc
45 - Scootaloo’s First Flight [2024.02]“Sweetie Belle, it’s time we face the facts,” Scootaloo broke the silence. “Nopony will find us in this abandoned well and we won’t be able to save ourselves as we are. I can’t lift all my weight with these small wings, and you don’t know any spell that could get us out.” “How’s rubbing it in going to help us?” Sweetie Belle sighed. Scootaloo played with Sweetie Belle's legs, “I never thought that pony’s legs were so heavy.” “How’s calling me fat going to help us?” “And everypony has four of them…” Sweetie Belle scoffed, “I guess that makes you fat as well.” Scootaloo nodded. “Remember that time at Twilight’s time when Princess taught you that horn-laser cutting spell? You managed to cut down a whole tree.” “I can’t cut through rocks if that’s what you’re thinking.” “Not through rocks… Through bone!” Sweetie Belle’s ears shot up, “Whaa?” “I’ve already lost some weight while we’ve been stuck down here. I’m still too heavy to fly, but I can lose more. A lot more.” “I don’t like where this is going, Scoots.” “Don’t worry, I won’t bleed much. I’m too dehydrated for that. And given that the trunk of the tree you cut down was on fire, all my wounds should instantly cauterize, anyway. I promise I’ll make it to Ponyville, even if it kills me.” “No… Scoots, please stop talking! Let’s just hug each other instead.” “You’ll be able to hug me at your heart’s content after I manage to tell somepony where you are.” Sweetie Belle burst into tears. Scootaloo pressed her head against Sweetie Belle’s, looking at her straight in the eyes, “Remember when I said I’d give anything to fly?” She sniffled. “You said that a million times…” “Exactly.” Scootallo lowered Sweetie Belle’s head and brought closer her own hind leg to match it with the horn. “Make my wish come true, Sweetie Belle. Allow me to fly.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.02 "Here's the Plan" writing competition GDoc
48 - In the Enchanted Garden of the Seventh Element: The Undying Flame Aura and Unsatiated Fire Within [2024.05]Upon reaching the garden in the heart of the Everfree Forest, Twilight turned to her friends. “My subordinates spent a whole week clearing out pyrophytes and flame lilies while fending off fireflies. They informed me that encased in the crimson vegetation at the center, a statue was found.” “Why’d ya call us for then?” Applejack sighed upon reaching the clearing. “We ain’t historians. And why’d you make us bring our elements?” “Because I don’t think it’s a statue.” Twilight pointed to the inscription under the marble alicorn. “It says: ‘The Element of Fire’.” “Are you saying there are more than six Elements of Harmony?” Rainbow Dash tried counting on a hoof, but only managed to count to one. “Only one way to find out. Elements, unite!” Multicolor light enveloped the statue and from it emerged a living alicorn. “Welcome to Equestria!” Twilight greeted the newcomer. “What’s your name?” “Opaline.” Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.05 "In the Garden" writing competition GDoc
53 - Who are you and what have you done with Diamond Tiara? [2024.10]Cutie Mark Crusaders were busy setting up their booth for the annual bake sale when Diamond Tiara leaned over with a mischievous glint in her eye. “It would be a shame if your booth ended up inoperational,” Diamond Tiara said, her voice dripping with her usual sarcasm. All three braced themselves for the worst, expecting the booth to burst out in flames with them inside. Diamond Tiara continued, “It would be a shame if… you didn’t have enough decorations to attract customers.” She reached into her saddlebag and pulled out a bundle of colorful streamers. “Here, I thought these might help.” All three looked at each other. After a long stretch of silence, Apple Bloom asked, "Okay, but why?" "The school's reputation is at stake," Diamond said simply. "That's true, but..." Sweetie Belle's voice cracked. "But what? Why are you all looking at me like that?" Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.10 "Uncharacteristic" writing competition GDoc
55 - Turbo-charged, High-velocity, Gas-potent, Jet-stream, Propulsion-boosting, Uplifting Meal [2024.12]Rainbow Dash burst into the clubhouse, huffing. “What’s this I’m hearing about you trying to break my speed record, squirt?” Scootaloo grinned. “I was just about to do that.” “You can’t even fly!” “Actually…” Scootaloo pointed at an empty flask on the table. “I thought I was stealing a healing potion from Zecora but it was actually a Poison Joke Extract.” “Celestia’s feathers! Are you alright, squirt?” “Better than alright!” Scootaloo scooped up an opened can and stepped outside with a determined look. “All I need is a good meal.” She chugged the rest of the can’s contents in one go, then crouched down, wings spread wide. With a roar, Scootaloo shot into the sky, leaving a trail of brown jet fumes in her wake. The resulting sonic rainboom knocked Rainbow Dash back inside the clubhouse. An empty can rolled by her head. The label read: 'Beans'. Author's Note This story participated in the 2024.12 "A good meal" writing competition GDoc
