Eileen's Exhilarating Collection of Extremely Short Fictionby EileenSaysHiChaptersAugust 2022: “I Hardly Know Her”October 2022: "The Feeling's New to Me"November 2022: "skintight bodysuit" (AWARD WINNER)February 2023: "Love, Ambushed By" (hon mensh)March 2023: “Multiversal Mayhem”April 2023: “And Nothing Was the Same”July 2023: “Pure Evil”November 2023: "Just the Two of Us"February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (secondary entry)April 2022: "The Haunting"June 2022: "Pride"June 2022: "Pride" (secondary entry)July 2022: "I Didn't Think the Leopards Would Eat MY Face!"September 2022: "Even the Heartless Have a Heart"Non-Contest Entry, January 2023Non-Contest Entry Part 2, January 2023January 2023: "Second Chances"Non-Contest Entry, April 2023May 2023: "carousel" (AWARD WINNER)August 2023: "Underrated"September 2023: "The Prophecy" (AWARD WINNER)February 2024: “Here’s the Plan”March 2024: "The Most Devastating Insult"May 2024: "In the Garden"July 2024: "Seashore" (AWARD WINNER)September 2024: "Zugzwang"December 2024: "A Good Meal" (hon mensh)January 2025: "Low Resolution"May 2022: "Just This Once"May 2022 (Bonus Round): AppleDashDecember 2021: "It's a Gift!"January 2022: "Break the Rules!"February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (Hon Mensh)March 2022: "Myth and Legend" (AWARD WINNER)December 2023: “And Some Pain Too” (AWARD WINNER)April 2024, "Knock It Off"June 2024: "Leftover"October 2024: "Uncharacteristic" (AWARD WINNER)August 2022: “I Hardly Know Her”Author's Note Set in the same AU as my story What My Destiny is Telling Me; this was written first, as a test of the concept. August 2022: “I Hardly Know Her” Strange Girl There was a distant rumble of thunder as the rain came down in heavy droplets outside the Crumbles-Flanks residence. Standing inside the doorway, Rarity could see that the orange-haired girl on the porch had been absolutely soaked by it, and was shivering as she looked up at her. Rarity had seen her before, around school. The new girl, though her attendance had been irregular at best. It was a minor miracle Rarity remembered her. Yet here she was. “I just—” the girl stammered. “I can’t stay where I was anymore, and no one will take my bits… I’ve been stuck here two moons and I barely know what I am.” She shuddered, eyes trailing downward. “I don't know what to do, I… need help.” Little of that made any sense, but Rarity mainly fixated on how pained the word help had felt. “Of course, Sunset.” She stepped back. “Come inside.” October 2022: "The Feeling's New to Me"Author's Note My first wholly-FiM flashfic! Enjoy! October 2022: "The Feeling's New to Me" Pulling Luna was gone. Celestia was staring up at the moon, still high in the sky even as the mare who had raised it had disappeared off the face of Equestria. All that was left the dark visage of the Nightmare, burned onto the lunar surface for everypony to see. And now it was time to return the daylight. Heart aching, she reached out with her magic and grasped. She soon found the moon had a very different feel from the sun she knew. There was no warmth, no radiance to be found here. Just a cold, dead weight that pained her as she pulled it back below the horizon. Was this what she felt, every time she moved it? Celestia wondered. Or is it the Nightmare, wrathfully robbing the lunar body of its soul, the way it did to her? She knew she’d have a long time to speculate. November 2022: "skintight bodysuit" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the November 2022 Flashfic 150 competition! November 2022: "skintight bodysuit" (AWARD WINNER) The Writing Prompt “Hold up. ShortStories wants ya to write about what now?” “S-s-skintight bodysuits,” Fluttershy sputtered. “Ah see.” Applejack replied with a tilt of her head, before leaning in to get a closer look at the prompt on Fluttershy’s laptop. “Ain’t that a little, well, odd, for a writin’ prompt?” “Well, I guess they wanted to shake things up, maybe? But I don’t know…” “Ah mean, ya don’t have to write anything if you don’t want to, Flutters.” “Oh I know, but I wouldn’t want them to think I’m ignoring them. It’s just… how would I write about skintight bodysuits?” “Well… what about those supersuits from the movie set?” “I think we’re still under an NDA there.” “Oh, right.” They both stared silently for a minute. “Well, ah ain’t gonna lie… this one’s got me stumped.” “That’s okay, AJ. Thanks for trying.” “Anytime, Flutters. Best of luck.” February 2023: "Love, Ambushed By" (hon mensh)Author's Note Received hon mensh (runner-up) distinction in this month's contest! Also, huzzah! G5 is finally allowed! February 2023: "Love, Ambushed By" (hon mensh) A Romantic Surprise “—And I mean I don’t want Sunny to expect it when I ask her out, but I don’t want her to be so caught off guard that she doesn’t know what to do, you know?” Izzy sighed. “I just really hope this plan works.” Looking over from the controls of the Marestream, Zipp flashed Izzy a smile. “Just try not to overthink things. You’re special to Sunny, y’know? She’ll know what you’re trying to say, even if it doesn’t feel like it’s coming out right.” “You’re right, I just gotta… trust in myself!” Izzy breathed. “So she’ll know that I was just trying to protect the big surprise when I hit her in the head and stuffed her in a sack, right?” Zipp blinked, then looked at the large, wobbling bag in the backseat area. “Huh. I waswondering what that was for…” March 2023: “Multiversal Mayhem”It's The Lack of Thought That Counts Ponyville burned. Pegasi scrambled to gather sufficient rainpower to douse the thick fires billowing from cottages, while unicorns banded together to combine their respective magical strengths in a desperate effort to prevent further destruction. But no matter; the massive, black-spotted yellow monster had descended upon the town, belching flame as it flew in erratic arcs around the remnants of the village. From the balcony of the crystal castle that now served as one of Ponyville’s few remaining standing structures (albeit now bearing a gaping hole from which the beast had emerged), Twilight Sparkle was glaring daggers at a shrinking Sunset Shimmer. “Okay, so maybe I didn’t fully consider how an interdimensional portal that turns dragons into dogs would react to me bringing a gecko the other direction…” Sunset winced as the sound of more screams echoed in the distance. “Really,” came Twilight’s reply. April 2023: “And Nothing Was the Same”Focus Issues “—and oh my hoofness, I thought the first flavor I tried was the best food I’d ever tasted, but the double fudge chocolate kind was even better! Seriously, why don’t we ever get this stuff? Forget anything else, you should send me into Maretime Bay just for this. I’ll even use my own money! Not that I have much besides the allowance, but still! Anyway, the ponycorn. I think I’ve tried six flavors now, but what makes this kind really stand out is—" “Misty!” “…Yes, Opaline?” “Ever since you found this ridiculous ponycorn, you can’t focus anymore. I asked you to report on your effort to secure dragonfire, not your latest snack venture!” “Ohhhhh, what do you think ponycorn made with dragonfire would be like? Eh, it’d probably come to life or something, not what I want. Anyway, the double fudge chocolate ponycorn—” July 2023: “Pure Evil”Author's Note The greenhouse here is intended to be the same as that seen in this EqG short. July 2023: “Pure Evil” Evil and The Garden of Good Principal Celestia stared, disbelieving, as she looked upon the ashen remains of what had once been a thriving greenhouse. The fire crew, mercifully, had arrived in time to save the building. But everything inside was gone. Every azalea, every marigold, every cactus, the hobby she’d spent years cultivating – there was nothing left. Her refuge, incinerated. She tensed, her body radiating fury. She’d known there was always some risk associated with asking students to help tend the plants while she was away. But arson? And from a student still in CHS’s junior high section, too? That face, that sweet little doll-like face of hers, hiding pure evil… Celestia clenched her teeth so hard she could feel them start to strain as she turned and stormed off. Cozy Glow was going to pay dearly for this. November 2023: "Just the Two of Us"Post-Reconciliation Side by side, they sat. The cowgirl glanced at the athlete, before casting her eyes down once more. “Ah just don’t get it, Dash.” “Get what?” The voice was earnest, which made it painful. “How… how we just weren’t friends, for months. Over somethin’ so dang stupid.” She looked over again, witnessing the athlete’s nonchalant shrug. “Eh. We’re kids, right? Everyone always says we’re supposed to do stupid things.” The cowgirl exhaled. “Ah guess. But Ah should be better than that. Like mah folks would’ve wanted.” Concern in her eyes, the athlete scooted closer. “Applejack… look, maybe we needed a reminder from some magical pony princess, but, I mean, we are friends. I mean, I wouldn’t want to fight some crazy magic demon with just anyone, would I?” “Ah reckon that’s true…” The cowgirl smiled. The athlete smiled back. “Your parents would think you’re awesome, AJ.” The two friends hugged. February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (secondary entry)Author's Note This was my initial entry for the February contest; I removed it from competition in favor of "Welcome to My World" since only one entry is allowed. February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (secondary entry) Let's Just Keep This Quiet Officer Glim Thistlebrush had gotten unsettlingly used to these sorts of calls out of Canterlot High School over the past year. A "sudden wall collapse" during the Fall Formal, some sort of "light show incident" at the Battle of the Bands… and now there were reports of chaos at the Friendship Games. And each time, Principal Celestia, rumored to have scandal-fearing royal relations, had reached into her deep pockets to keep the paperwork clean. Glim walked onto the campus. The iconic Wondercolt statue was in ruins, but everything seemed physically sound otherwise. No one seriously injured. The students had mostly left, barring a few stragglers. Should be fairly easy to write up as a mere competition-related prank gone wrong -- with the right enticement, anyway. He found Celestia. "Evenin', Lest." Celestia sighed. "Evening, Glimmy. Noise complaint?" He nodded. "Noise complaint." April 2022: "The Haunting"Author's Note Because I won the March contest, I got to pick the theme for April, which meant I was ineligible to compete. In addition, as a special prize for the fifth anniversary of Flashfic 150, I also got to judge the April contest! Thanks to Loganberry for that special honor! I submitted this entry out of competition after the deadline, since I was ineligible to compete in my own contest. It's part of my "Conversations-verse" continuity, inspired by a scene described in my story "Shaking Off Bad Memories". April 2022: "The Haunting" Childhood Remembrances “…Wally?” “Go away, Mom.” “Sweetheart, you’ve been up here crying all night. Can… can we please just talk?” “There’s nothing to talk about.” “Wallflower.” “…” “How can I help you if I don’t know what’s hurting you?” “You can’t help me!” “Why not?!” “…” “Honey, please, just say something! I’m trying my best to reconnect—” “That’s just it, Mom. We shouldn’t have to reconnect. We weren’t apart. We did all kinds of things together, fun things, good things… you just don’t remember them. And it’s my fault.” “You keep saying stuff like this, and it doesn’t make any sense. Why wouldn’t I remember?” “…I wish I could make you understand. But if you did, you’d never look at me the same.” “Wally… of course I’d understand. What could be so terrible?” Wallflower Blush inspected a shattered piece of rock in her hand. “You have no idea…” June 2022: "Pride"Author's Note Set in the EqG-verse. June 2022: "Pride" You Can Live a Nightmare If You Never Dream “Why that name, though?” Sunburst asks. “It feels meaningful.” “How so?” “…It’s the way I think about it. The way I’ve been living… it felt stable. Controlled. Just living the life I’m supposed to live, like every other boy.” Sunburst waits expectantly. “But when I try to imagine where that life will lead me, it’s horrible. I don’t want it. I’ve known that for a while, but… changing that life means giving up control. I don’t like giving up control.” He nods. “Now, though… I’m done clinging to this. I know how it ends if I keep trying to manipulate everything in my life to be what it's supposed to be. The way I see it… I’m not fixating on what’s in front of me anymore. I’m finally looking up, at the stars in the sky.” Sunburst smiles, holding out a hand. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Starlight Glimmer.” June 2022: "Pride" (secondary entry)Author's Note Not an official contest entry, but I wanted to do stories based on both meanings of "Pride." June 2022: "Pride" (secondary entry) The Queen of Canterlot High Sunset Shimmer couldn’t help but smirk as she coyly extended a foot to her right, sending Rarity plummeting onto the hard hallway floor. She guffawed as the fashionista nursed a bump on her forehead, stumbling back to her feet and limping away. This pathetic world… Sunset had entered this place without even knowing so much as how to use her new body, and yet she’d had these humans groveling at her feet in mere months. Utter child’s play. And now her plan was already in motion. The portal had opened that morning. Her scouting expedition had been a success. The Element of Magic was there, waiting for her on the other side. By nightfall it’d be hers. Those buffoonish guards would never stop her. And then… I conquered a whole alien species with no effort, no powers, Sunset mused, grinning darkly. What chance does Celestia have? July 2022: "I Didn't Think the Leopards Would Eat MY Face!"Midnight Sparkle I did this. It was the first thought that entered Twilight Sparkle’s head when she finally retook control of her mind. It was also the next several thoughts. I did this. She was floating inside a blinding white void, facing a girl with brilliant golden wings, who was stretching out her hand in an offer of friendship. Let me show you there's another way, she’d said. What good was that hand to a monster like her? Twilight could feel her own wings, mild jolts of pain shooting through her as they tensed. Dark magic radiated from her body. Tears welled as the weight of what she’d become sank in deep. I wanted magic. I wanted to understand. Now look at me. She’d gotten everything she’d sought. And the bill had been her soul. Finally, she reached out and took the girl’s hand. It was all she had left. September 2022: "Even the Heartless Have a Heart"But For Her, It Was Tuesday “This wasn’t the plan,” Aria groaned. “We can spare a few moments,” Adagio growled in reply. “I don’t see why you should encourage her. How can we get any closer to restoring our power acting like this?” Aria paused. “Perhaps I’ve let you play leader too long—” Suddenly, there was a hand gripping her chin. “Oh, little Aria wants to be in charge, does she? Little Aria’s got a plan, does she?” The hand squeezed, and she squirmed. “Maybe little Aria should remember her place.” The hand released, and Aria stumbled back, scowling. From behind, Adagio heard a door open as someone skipped towards them. “Mmmmm, this place has the best fish tacos! Thanks for stopping here!” With no one looking, Adagio let herself indulge in a soft smile for the briefest of moments. “Of course, Sonata. We should get to enjoy the little things sometimes.” Non-Contest Entry, January 2023Author's Note Because I won the November contest, I got to choose the prompt for the December 2022 contest and was ineligible to compete. So instead, here's a bonus story that defies length restrictions! Non-Contest Entry, January 2023 Worthwhile “Twilight, don’t forget me—” “Twilight?” Wallflower’s voice brought her back to reality. “Huh? Oh, sorry. Lost in thought.” “Guessing those thoughts weren’t about anything science-y.” Twilight swallowed. “Well, technically—” “Everything’s science, got it.” Wallflower sighed. “Look, if you don’t want to be here, you don’t have to be. I wouldn’t be comfortable with me either.” Twilight opened her mouth, but no words came out. The dark memory returned. Sunset, get up, please—don’t leave, don’t forget, I’m only just remembering you and yet I know you mean everything to me, please Sunset, please remember me, I’m sorry I left you, I’m sorry I failed you, Sunset I love you don’t go— She forced it down. That was a week ago. Sunset was back, and so was everything they had. It was stupid to dwell on that. She gently placed a hand on Wallflower’s back. “You’re right. But I’m not leaving. It might take time, but… I believe in you, Wallflower. Second chances mean everything. Mean the world.” Another memory surfaced. I’ve tried apologizing, over and over again, but she asks me not to say them. She just wants me here, next to her, and she can’t stop talking about how happy she is that I’m here, that we’re together, that everything is right— She smiled warmly as Wallflower looked up at her. “Without my second chance,” Twilight mused, sitting in a courtyard once dominated by gaping rifts in reality, “I wouldn’t have had anything worth losing at all.” Non-Contest Entry Part 2, January 2023Author's Note A direct continuation of the previous entry. Non-Contest Entry Part 2, January 2023 Worthwhile, Part 2 "Do people ever look at you," Wallflower mused, "and see the monster?" "Not really, no," Twilight replied, wincing. "Do you ever wish they would?" Twilight blinked. "What?" "No one knows the truth about what happened, except you and your friends. No one knows what I did." Wallflower sighed. "There's a part of me that wishes they all knew. That they would look at me, and hate me." "Wallflower..." "I know. It's a terrible way to think about myself." "No, I get it." Wallflower startled. "You do?" Twilight nodded. "I hated myself, after Midnight. I couldn't believe people weren't scared of me, or angry at me. I know Cinch pushed me to do it... but I'm the reason it was possible. And knowing that, I felt like I wanted to be judged." Wallflower nodded back. "I guess we have another reason to thank Sunset." "Hmm?" "She depleted the school's hate reserves." Wallflower giggled. "They didn't have anything left for us." Twilight processed the remark, then found herself giggling too. They looked at each other, and fell into quiet, mildly ashamed laughter. After some time, Twilight took a breath. "It does pass, you know. Not quite... permanently. But enough that there's a day when you know that that's not you. Not anymore, and never again." "I hope so." January 2023: "Second Chances"Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.Non-Contest Entry, April 2023Author's Note I arguably ought to call this a March entry, as that's when I wrote it, but since I'm publishing it in April, I'll list it as such. This was a bit of sample brainstorming writing inspired by a Discord conversation about Friendship Games. The idea would eventually evolve into my story Milkshakes, Marionettes, and Midnight, which I highly encourage you to check out. This initial writing, however, is different enough that I decided to publish it in this anthology. EMilkshakes, Marionettes, and Midnight Equestria Girls Drama Slice of Life Two weeks after Twilight Sparkle walked away from Crystal Prep, her brother invites her for sugary drinks and a necessary chat. Shining Armor Sci-Twi EileenSaysHi · 4k words · 100 8 · 1.5k views Non-Contest Entry, April 2023 Sunset gently rested a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "Can I ask a question about... um..." "Yes?" "About Midnight." "Oh." Twilight turned to face her. "Yeah, um, it's okay. I'm okay." Sunset nodded. "I just wanted to ask why, if you think you know... why Midnight didn't try to really go after the Shadowbolts, or Cinch. Why it was just this unfocused attack, when there were people who had hurt you so much right there... though I guess we'd hurt you too." Twilight shuddered. "Please don't say that. You had every right to say what you said to me." "It was still hurtful--" "Please." Sunset obeyed, withdrawing her hand, and Twilight looked away again. "But... I mean, Midnight came from me. She was my... id, I'd say. On overdrive. And as much as I felt, well, scared and helpless at Crystal Prep, I never once fantasized about getting revenge. I just wanted to get out. It was why Everton was so important to me... no more principal, no more bullies. Just my own independent study." She looked back and met Sunset's eyes. "Friends weren't really on my mind back then. Not when, well..." "When any other school could have been Crystal Prep all over again." Twilight nodded. "Exactly. So my deepest fantasy wasn't to exact horrible revenge on all my bullies. It was just to have that freedom, that lack of worry, to work on the things I wanted to work on, which, back then, was studying all this new magic I was detecting." She swallowed. "Not the way I did it during the games, obviously, I never meant..." "I get what you mean." Sunset placed her right hand atop Twilight's left. "But when you feed that fantasy into that... twisted, ethicless, corrupted, overpowered shell..." Twilight was sniffling, and Sunset could see her eyes start to water. She wrapped her right arm around her back and pulled her close, reaching over with her left and softly stroking her hair as Twilight lay her head onto Sunset's right shoulder. "I've got you." She listened as Twilight's rapid breathing began to slow down. "Thank you," she whispered. "I know I said I was okay, and I am, but..." "I know the feeling," Sunset replied. "Too well." May 2023: "carousel" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the May 2023 Flashfic 150 competition! May 2023: "carousel" (AWARD WINNER) Twilight Sparkle vs. The Mobile Morbid Equine Corpse Display “Okay, I know it seems bad—” “Oh, it’s not ‘bad’. It’s sick.” “Look, Twi, it weirded me out too, at first. But—” “Sunset, how is it not still weirding you out? If I, as Crown Princess, were to commission an attraction where ponies sat on effigies of humans stabbed completely through with giant poles, all of Equestria would rightfully be disturbed!” “But ponies here aren’t like us! They’re like Applejack’s horse, they’re not sentient beings!” “Oh, my mistake, it’s simply animal cruelty being celebrated here.” “It’s not— ugh, look, the pole is just there to control how it moves and for people to hold! It’s simulating the idea of riding a horse.” Silent against the jaunty music emanating from the carousel, Sunset watched the Princess's face as she processed the idea. The eyes on said face narrowed considerably. “…That’s disgusting. I thought this was supposed to be for children.” August 2023: "Underrated"Rotten Tomatoes “Ughhhh…” “Now, Rainbow Dash…” “Ohhhhh…” “Ah know yer not one to put much stock in reviews.” “Gahhhh…” “Ah remember yer whole big tirade about how all them literary eggheads were wrong about Daring Do and the Realm of the Azure Skeletons…” “Applejack, my stomach—” “And ah remember when ya tore Zesty Gourmand a new one fer callin’ daisy sandwiches ‘unsophisticated’ too.” “I really need a minute…” “And ah ain’t sayin’ it’s wrong to have different opinions from critics—” “Hurp!” “—but the thing is—” “Oh gosh, finally, there’s one! Outta my way!” In a bright prismatic flash, Rainbow Dash zipped off to the nearest lavatory, wherein the sounds of an unpleasant bout of retching could instantly be heard. Applejack, staring ahead, sighed and finished her sentence. “Ya just can’t use that same logic with food safety inspector grades, Dash.” September 2023: "The Prophecy" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the September 2023 Flashfic 150 competition! September 2023: "The Prophecy" (AWARD WINNER) Internal Resources Sunset Shimmer, Royal Apprentice to Princess Celestia, wasn’t like other ponies. Of course, she could say that about a lot of things. But what made her certain she was special, beyond merely her position, was a little guiding voice. A prophet. Sunset Shimmer had a prophet in her head. The others wouldn’t have understood how this could be. Even the Princess would’ve been baffled. After all, if one of them tried to test it with some insipid question, like what will the Gifted School chefs serve next week, she wouldn’t have had an answer. So Sunset didn’t talk about the prophet. But prophets didn’t deal in such silly, needless knowledge. Prophets focused on what was important. That was how Sunset knew she had a great prophet in her head. Because it had told her what really mattered. Where her destiny lay. She looked over at the Royal Throne, and grinned. February 2024: “Here’s the Plan”The Powerfullest of Plans “And just what is the plan? Well, Trixie will tell you what the plan is! It is intricate! It is cunning. It is a plan that will blow your tiny mind! For, as you can plainly see, the Great and Powerful Trixie does not settle for merely any meagre, simple plan. A plan must be well-considered! A plan must be foolproof! And thus Trixie did not conceive of her grand plan lightly, for that would be a fool’s errand. A good plan, after all, is much like one of Trixie’s magic tricks, which, Trixie might add, you can see later this week at the main stage in Appleloosa, where Trixie will be debuting her latest and greatest—" Twilight let out an agonized groan. “Trixie, while you were blathering on and on, I came up with a real plan. Let’s go.” The magician smirked. “And thus Trixie’s true plan is accomplished.” March 2024: "The Most Devastating Insult"Agony Makeup smeared, eyeliner ruined, Rarity didn’t so much get onto her bed as fall on it, outstretched arms landing just short of where Opal was sleeping. The rudely awoken cat lazily yawned as Rarity gradually lifted her head up, their eyes meeting. “Oh, Opalescence, dear, today has been the most dreadful day,” Rarity moaned. "Things began as merely annoying, but soon progressed to displeasing, and then infuriating. Just an all-around disaster! It was horrid, pure and simply horrid… I’m lucky I have you to understand and listen.” Weakly smiling, Rarity inched forward and laid her hand on Opal’s white fur to stroke it. As soon as she did so, the cat stood, took a quick stretch, and then tromped directly off the bed and out of the room. Arm awkwardly hanging in mid-air, Rarity rested her crestfallen face back down into the covers. “Or not,” she sighed, voice muffled. May 2024: "In the Garden"Author's Note In case you forgot, this is Señor Huevos. May 2024: "In the Garden" Life Passes You By The glimpse had lasted mere moments, yet it had changed everything. Had Señor Huevos been able to close his eyes — he couldn’t, and he wasn’t aware of the concept — he still would have seen it. The other world, the world of so much more. It was still lacking in a third dimension, the kind only his own body and sombrero seemed to occupy. Yet it was far beyond what he'd ever known; vibrant, astonishing, colorful, full of life. Full of activity. Full of beings. A garden of infinite possibility. And yet he’d run. And when he'd thought to return, it was gone. Señor Huevos stared at the landscape around him, where the shapes now seemed all wrong, the sky a blank space, the trees lifeless. For the first time, he grasped how empty the world around him truly was. All he could do to fill it was scream. July 2024: "Seashore" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the July 2024 Flashfic 150 competition! July 2024: "Seashore" (AWARD WINNER) She Sells Seashells “Mother?” Cookie Crumbles was laying back in her beach chair, where she’d been watching her little Sweetie Belle pushing clumps of sand together into misshapen mounds. Slowly, she rolled onto her side to find her other daughter awaiting her attention. “Yes, Rarity?” Grinning, the eight-year-old held out her cupped hands, revealing a rather astonishing number of small seashells – cockles, conic structures, and others she couldn’t recognize. “I’m going to make necklaces!” “I see.” “Oh, don’t worry,” Rarity chirped. “I washed them off in the ocean before bringing them here.” Cookie winced. “Just, um…” She reached over and picked up a toy bucket Sweetie wasn’t using. “Put them in here, please.” Rarity nodded, and the shells dropped into the bucket with a clatter. “They’re going to be wonderful,” she mused. “I’m sure they will, dear.” After a moment, Rarity’s expression changed. “What do you think people will pay for them?” September 2024: "Zugzwang"Author's Note To quote Loganberry's summary in describing the prompt, "being in zugzwang [a chess term] means being in a position where making any (legal) move will make that player's position worse." September 2024: "Zugzwang" Get That Dragon Misty’s eyes were trained closely on Sparky. Carefully, obsessively watching his every move. There he was, everything she needed, the final step to getting her mark, right there, waiting for her. Only she wasn’t the only one watching him. Hitch was there too, playing with him, laughing riotously as the dragon — Misty tried hard not to think his son — giggled at his antics. Losing Sparky would rip him to pieces. It’d crush all of them. They’d never forgive her. Ever. The one hope she had of ever feeling like she had a normal life, extinguished. But if she didn’t go through with it, she’d get a very different kind of crushing from a vengeful fire alicorn. There was only so much stalling she could do. She kept watching. Because watching meant not doing. And not doing was a few moments more of pretending she wasn’t doomed. December 2024: "A Good Meal" (hon mensh)Author's Note Received hon mensh (runner-up) distinction in this month's contest. December 2024: "A Good Meal" (hon mensh) Getting Granular It wasn’t the only breakfast Sunset ever ate. She’d long ago diversified her palate; it had been a necessity in a body whose taste buds rarely desired the same thing twice. But oatmeal was a comfort food. It hadn’t always been, but it was now. Growing up, Sunset had always preferred hay over oats. Much of Canterlot considered it a plebian taste more suited to Dodge Junction than the capital, but most of Canterlot never liked her either. When she’d traded one Canterlot for another, though, she was horrorstruck to find her digestive system rejected hay – fries, burgers, and raw alike. And thus, as the sun rose, Sunset grabbed her box, shook out the oats, poured the milk, sprinkled the cinnamon, and indulged. It was a simple indulgence. Most of her friends wouldn’t think of it as one at all. But what the hay. It was for her. January 2025: "Low Resolution"Author's Note (Set prior to the A New Generation movie.) January 2025: "Low Resolution" Generation Alfalfa “Come onnnn! Ughhh!” It was bitterly funny, in a way. If the lie her mom pressed her and Zipp into play-acting were true, Pipp might have been able to fly high enough to evade this stupid half-day castle ClipTrot ban. “Dropped signal again?! NO! The Pippsqueaks need me!” As it was, the junior princess was left to rely on a rather questionable VPN she’d found, one whose connectivity issues were… glaring. “Alright, one more time, let’s go, yes yes please please no! No-no-no-” It wasn’t that Pipp was an addict. Certainly not. She’d made her therapist tell her otherwise several times. Why didn’t her mom get it? ClipTrot was an outreach program. A way to educate her subjects, to boost their morale, to— “Am I online? Yes! Hello Pippsqueaks! It’s been a scary few hours, but— nooooo!” She wondered where this fell regarding Zephyr Heights’ laws against torture. May 2022: "Just This Once"Hide & Go Cheat “For heck’s sake, Rainbow Dash,” Applejack exclaimed. “Of course it’s cheatin’ for you to use your power geode when we’re playin’ hide and seek!” “Well, no one told me!” Rainbow replied, indignant. “I can’t just guess what the rules are!” Sunset groaned. “None of us have super-speed. How was I possibly supposed to catch you when you can zip between hiding spots?!” “I don’t know, aren’t you and Twilight the smart ones?” Twilight lit up. “Actually, I’ve been working on a few devices that could theoretically—” Sunset facepalmed and held up a silencing finger. “Not. Helping!” “Maybe we could let her have this one game?” Fluttershy piped in. “Errrrrrghh… fine,” Sunset growled. “Sweet!” Rainbow fist-pumped, only for Applejack to catch her arm. “Don’t try it again, though, or I might have to use my gem.” Applejack bore down tightly. “Point taken,” Rainbow squeaked as she winced. May 2022 (Bonus Round): AppleDashAuthor's Note Slightly modified from the original after being dubbed "brain bleach-worthy" by Loganberry. May 2022 (Bonus Round): AppleDash William Tell No-verture “This really don’t seem like a good idea.” “C’mon AJ, you were totally awesome with that bow at the Friendship Games! And this is practically in your name!” “My name’s Applejack, so I’m good at shootin’ apples off people’s heads? What in the heck kinda logic is that?” “I trust you!” “It don’t really matter if you trust me, what matters is if I trust me! You ain’t a target, Rainbow Dash; if I miss, that’d be bad.” “Awww, you used to be fun. You know I can see in slow-motion, right? I’ll just zip away if it looks like you’re gonna miss!” “Why do you even want me to do this, Rainbow Dash?” “Cause it’s totally awesome and I really want to feel it when the arrow penetrates—” Rainbow stopped when she saw Applejack’s eyes widen. “I mean… cause it’s cool.” “Dash, no.” December 2021: "It's a Gift!"Don't Make Twilight Sparkle's Bestie Angry, Santa Claus "Oh, and in case you even thought we were anywhere near done yet..." Santa sighed. He was deep into the fifth consecutive hour of a stupendous tirade from dimensional immigrant Sunset Shimmer, who had snuck into his workshop, broken his security elves' resolve with some sort of empathy power, hijacked the reindeer and flown directly into his penthouse. All while wearing the lightest of winter jackets in the arctic -- it seems hot-blooded rage was enough to stave off hypothermia. "...And you made her cry! On Christmas! I know she nearly broke the universe once, but-" "Oh, for heaven's sake, Miss Shimmer, I agree with you! Miss Sparkle was indeed on my nice list! But there are regulations to consider; even I can't go casually dispensing samples of uranium-238!" January 2022: "Break the Rules!"Author's Note For this entry, writers were encouraged to break some "rules" of writing, as long as they didn't break the actual site rules. Hence the emojis. January 2022: "Break the Rules!" Mirror, Mirror, Off the Wall “Pinkie!” Twilight dashed toward the balloon-marked mare, who looked at her with a befuddled expression. “Thank goodness I found you! I’ve lost the portal to the human realm!” “Oh, uh…” “Pinkie?” “Well… Cheese Sandwich came by and said he needed something he could use in a funhouse he made for a big party, and… I may have told him about the dimensional mirror thingy and let him borrow it for a day.” “You did WHAT?” Sunset looked up from her precalculus exam to the sound of consternation outside. She peered through the window and saw a mass of confused people gathered around the former Wondercolts statue, many panicking, most on all fours and one singing and dancing with an accordion. Then she watched two more stumble out of the statue base, then another three. “Oh, horseapples…” February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (Hon Mensh)Author's Note Received hon mensh (honorable mention) recognition for the February Flashfic 150 contest. February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (Hon Mensh) Welcome to My World Sunset didn’t even bother backing up from the P.O. box before tearing open the envelope, an expression of overwhelming glee spreading across her face. She’d gone to the DMV two weeks earlier to fill out the forms and get her photo taken for her learner’s permit, and she’d had a paper copy since then. But that flimsy black-and-white scrap was nothing compared to what she was now holding. There it was. Her first-ever official photo ID as a human. It wasn’t the most flattering picture, but who cares? It was proof that Principal Celestia’s efforts to help her obtain a birth certificate had paid off. After years of legal limbo, Sunset Shimmer could show, without a doubt, that she belonged in this world. She couldn’t wait for her friends to see it. March 2022: "Myth and Legend" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the March 2022 Flashfic 150 competition! Also won (in a tie) the MOFA (Mockingbirb's Opinionated Flashfic Award) contest. March 2022: "Myth and Legend" (AWARD WINNER) Video Games are Too Realistic These Days "I’m just not sure how well I’ll do with this… video game, you said?" Twilight remarked. "I'm still no good with my hands and fingers." "You'll get the hang of it, Princess," Sunset replied, grabbing a controller. "You’re gonna love Tirek's Revenge!" Twilight gawked. "It's called what?!" "Y'know, Tirek! From those old Equestrian bedtime stories. But here, he's this awesome villain you get to take down-" "Sunset… did Celestia never tell you? Tirek is real." "Huh?" "I’ve fought him. He nearly destroyed Equestria. He's locked up in Tartarus as we speak! How did you think he was just a legend?" "Well… how many ancient doomsday villains did Celestia tell you about before they became an imminent crisis?" Sunset asked quizzically. Twilight thought for a moment. "Touché." "So… you still want to play?" After a moment, Twilight seized a controller. "I'm gonna kick his flank into the dirt." December 2023: “And Some Pain Too” (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the December 2023 Flashfic 250 competition! (For one time only, the word count was extended by 100.) December 2023: “And Some Pain Too” (AWARD WINNER) Mean and Green No one had noticed Wallflower Blush on the bleachers during the Tri-Cross Relay. No one had noticed her leaving, either. In fairness, they had good reason to be distracted; massive, hostile plants with giant flytrap-esque jaws had suddenly emerged onto the field, in what seemed to be adding an extra level of unnecessary peril to an already alarmingly dangerous event. Wallflower wasn’t particularly concerned for their safety, though — or her own, for that matter. She needed to study. It didn’t take a genius to guess that this was some form of magic that Sunset Shimmer and her cronies had unleashed, but that didn’t mean a new species of plant wasn’t worth investigating. She approached one of the smaller manifestations, its length about half her height, which flailed as it reached vainly for the track that was too far away. If she could just get a sample… She’d have to be careful, especially with the glowing swirly midair hole that thing was stretching out from. But she could handle it, she was sure. And once she had it contained, she could replant it, study it, place it in the garden… it’d certainly make an interesting addition, and one never knew when they might need a handy carnivorous— The plant suddenly snapped backwards, clamping its jaws around her right leg. The distant peal of dirtbikes drowned out her scream. Still bleeding as she limped toward the nurse’s office, Wallflower wondered if she’d end up becoming a were-plant. That damned Shimmer. April 2024, "Knock It Off"Hello Darkness, and My New Friend “Sunset?” At the sound of Pinkie’s whisper, Sunset blinked in the darkness. It was just the two of them, separated only by sleeping bags; their first solo sleepover. But not, Sunset knew, the first time Pinkie had witnessed this. “Are you okay? You were crying.” “It… wasn’t real. Just a bad dream.” “Was everyone still being mean to you?” “Don’t worry about it,” Sunset said as she rolled over, away from Pinkie. That didn’t deter her. “But I want to worry about it. I’m your friend, silly!” Pinkie had always been affectionate, but that had increased significantly since the Battle of the Bands. In moments, Sunset felt herself being hugged tight. “I just don’t want you to keep being hard on yourself.” Sunset sighed. “I’ll try not to be.” “Okey-dokey!” A deep breath. “AND LEAVE SUNSET ALONE, YOU DREAM-MEANIES!” Slightly deafened, but comforted nonetheless, Sunset slowly settled back into slumber. June 2024: "Leftover"Last Daughter of Equestria “It’s strange.” “What is?” “Everything.” Sunset was staring at her outstretched hand, watching her digits reflexively curl and uncurl. She’d had them for years, long enough to write, type, play guitar, and more. Long enough to see them effortlessly as hers. But ever since the day they’d closed the portal forever, those fingers had felt as wrong as when she’d first reached this world. “I never thought being human would feel weird again,” Sunset mumbled. Beside her, Twilight reached out her own hand, interlocking fingers with Sunset. “It’s strange for me too. Without magic.” “Yeah but… you’re from here. I… I’m still just… I know I chose this, but—” She broke down, and Twilight hugged her tight. “I’m the only one… the only thing left of Equestria here…” She buried her hornless head into Twilight’s shoulder, as her soul leaked out of her alien body in wet globs. October 2024: "Uncharacteristic" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the October 2024 Flashfic 150 competition! October 2024: "Uncharacteristic" (AWARD WINNER) In The Foreground Lepidoptera shifted in bed. She was uncertain, fearful. Was this how Lyra would have tossed and turned? Had she snored? Was she a cuddler? There were so many complications she’d never accounted for, never thought— “Lyra?” Internally panicking, Lepidoptera flipped to face Bon Bon. “Yeah?” “Just snuggle me for a bit, will you?” “Oh, um, of course!” She drew in, and Bon Bon took it from there, her warm body pulling close as her forelimbs wrapped around Lepidoptera’s disguised body. “You’re cold, Lyra.” “Sorry.” “Don’t be.” She yawned. “Good night…” As an infiltrator, Lepidoptera had played the part of Lyra Heartstrings so often — even in front of Bon Bon — that she’d believed she’d known the pony better than anyone. Days after assuming the late unicorn’s life, the changeling knew that wasn’t true. But there was one thing she knew with certainty. Bonnie needed her. “Good night,” Lepidoptera whispered.
August 2022: “I Hardly Know Her”Author's Note Set in the same AU as my story What My Destiny is Telling Me; this was written first, as a test of the concept. August 2022: “I Hardly Know Her” Strange Girl There was a distant rumble of thunder as the rain came down in heavy droplets outside the Crumbles-Flanks residence. Standing inside the doorway, Rarity could see that the orange-haired girl on the porch had been absolutely soaked by it, and was shivering as she looked up at her. Rarity had seen her before, around school. The new girl, though her attendance had been irregular at best. It was a minor miracle Rarity remembered her. Yet here she was. “I just—” the girl stammered. “I can’t stay where I was anymore, and no one will take my bits… I’ve been stuck here two moons and I barely know what I am.” She shuddered, eyes trailing downward. “I don't know what to do, I… need help.” Little of that made any sense, but Rarity mainly fixated on how pained the word help had felt. “Of course, Sunset.” She stepped back. “Come inside.”
October 2022: "The Feeling's New to Me"Author's Note My first wholly-FiM flashfic! Enjoy! October 2022: "The Feeling's New to Me" Pulling Luna was gone. Celestia was staring up at the moon, still high in the sky even as the mare who had raised it had disappeared off the face of Equestria. All that was left the dark visage of the Nightmare, burned onto the lunar surface for everypony to see. And now it was time to return the daylight. Heart aching, she reached out with her magic and grasped. She soon found the moon had a very different feel from the sun she knew. There was no warmth, no radiance to be found here. Just a cold, dead weight that pained her as she pulled it back below the horizon. Was this what she felt, every time she moved it? Celestia wondered. Or is it the Nightmare, wrathfully robbing the lunar body of its soul, the way it did to her? She knew she’d have a long time to speculate.
November 2022: "skintight bodysuit" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the November 2022 Flashfic 150 competition! November 2022: "skintight bodysuit" (AWARD WINNER) The Writing Prompt “Hold up. ShortStories wants ya to write about what now?” “S-s-skintight bodysuits,” Fluttershy sputtered. “Ah see.” Applejack replied with a tilt of her head, before leaning in to get a closer look at the prompt on Fluttershy’s laptop. “Ain’t that a little, well, odd, for a writin’ prompt?” “Well, I guess they wanted to shake things up, maybe? But I don’t know…” “Ah mean, ya don’t have to write anything if you don’t want to, Flutters.” “Oh I know, but I wouldn’t want them to think I’m ignoring them. It’s just… how would I write about skintight bodysuits?” “Well… what about those supersuits from the movie set?” “I think we’re still under an NDA there.” “Oh, right.” They both stared silently for a minute. “Well, ah ain’t gonna lie… this one’s got me stumped.” “That’s okay, AJ. Thanks for trying.” “Anytime, Flutters. Best of luck.”
February 2023: "Love, Ambushed By" (hon mensh)Author's Note Received hon mensh (runner-up) distinction in this month's contest! Also, huzzah! G5 is finally allowed! February 2023: "Love, Ambushed By" (hon mensh) A Romantic Surprise “—And I mean I don’t want Sunny to expect it when I ask her out, but I don’t want her to be so caught off guard that she doesn’t know what to do, you know?” Izzy sighed. “I just really hope this plan works.” Looking over from the controls of the Marestream, Zipp flashed Izzy a smile. “Just try not to overthink things. You’re special to Sunny, y’know? She’ll know what you’re trying to say, even if it doesn’t feel like it’s coming out right.” “You’re right, I just gotta… trust in myself!” Izzy breathed. “So she’ll know that I was just trying to protect the big surprise when I hit her in the head and stuffed her in a sack, right?” Zipp blinked, then looked at the large, wobbling bag in the backseat area. “Huh. I waswondering what that was for…”
March 2023: “Multiversal Mayhem”It's The Lack of Thought That Counts Ponyville burned. Pegasi scrambled to gather sufficient rainpower to douse the thick fires billowing from cottages, while unicorns banded together to combine their respective magical strengths in a desperate effort to prevent further destruction. But no matter; the massive, black-spotted yellow monster had descended upon the town, belching flame as it flew in erratic arcs around the remnants of the village. From the balcony of the crystal castle that now served as one of Ponyville’s few remaining standing structures (albeit now bearing a gaping hole from which the beast had emerged), Twilight Sparkle was glaring daggers at a shrinking Sunset Shimmer. “Okay, so maybe I didn’t fully consider how an interdimensional portal that turns dragons into dogs would react to me bringing a gecko the other direction…” Sunset winced as the sound of more screams echoed in the distance. “Really,” came Twilight’s reply.
April 2023: “And Nothing Was the Same”Focus Issues “—and oh my hoofness, I thought the first flavor I tried was the best food I’d ever tasted, but the double fudge chocolate kind was even better! Seriously, why don’t we ever get this stuff? Forget anything else, you should send me into Maretime Bay just for this. I’ll even use my own money! Not that I have much besides the allowance, but still! Anyway, the ponycorn. I think I’ve tried six flavors now, but what makes this kind really stand out is—" “Misty!” “…Yes, Opaline?” “Ever since you found this ridiculous ponycorn, you can’t focus anymore. I asked you to report on your effort to secure dragonfire, not your latest snack venture!” “Ohhhhh, what do you think ponycorn made with dragonfire would be like? Eh, it’d probably come to life or something, not what I want. Anyway, the double fudge chocolate ponycorn—”
July 2023: “Pure Evil”Author's Note The greenhouse here is intended to be the same as that seen in this EqG short. July 2023: “Pure Evil” Evil and The Garden of Good Principal Celestia stared, disbelieving, as she looked upon the ashen remains of what had once been a thriving greenhouse. The fire crew, mercifully, had arrived in time to save the building. But everything inside was gone. Every azalea, every marigold, every cactus, the hobby she’d spent years cultivating – there was nothing left. Her refuge, incinerated. She tensed, her body radiating fury. She’d known there was always some risk associated with asking students to help tend the plants while she was away. But arson? And from a student still in CHS’s junior high section, too? That face, that sweet little doll-like face of hers, hiding pure evil… Celestia clenched her teeth so hard she could feel them start to strain as she turned and stormed off. Cozy Glow was going to pay dearly for this.
November 2023: "Just the Two of Us"Post-Reconciliation Side by side, they sat. The cowgirl glanced at the athlete, before casting her eyes down once more. “Ah just don’t get it, Dash.” “Get what?” The voice was earnest, which made it painful. “How… how we just weren’t friends, for months. Over somethin’ so dang stupid.” She looked over again, witnessing the athlete’s nonchalant shrug. “Eh. We’re kids, right? Everyone always says we’re supposed to do stupid things.” The cowgirl exhaled. “Ah guess. But Ah should be better than that. Like mah folks would’ve wanted.” Concern in her eyes, the athlete scooted closer. “Applejack… look, maybe we needed a reminder from some magical pony princess, but, I mean, we are friends. I mean, I wouldn’t want to fight some crazy magic demon with just anyone, would I?” “Ah reckon that’s true…” The cowgirl smiled. The athlete smiled back. “Your parents would think you’re awesome, AJ.” The two friends hugged.
February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (secondary entry)Author's Note This was my initial entry for the February contest; I removed it from competition in favor of "Welcome to My World" since only one entry is allowed. February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (secondary entry) Let's Just Keep This Quiet Officer Glim Thistlebrush had gotten unsettlingly used to these sorts of calls out of Canterlot High School over the past year. A "sudden wall collapse" during the Fall Formal, some sort of "light show incident" at the Battle of the Bands… and now there were reports of chaos at the Friendship Games. And each time, Principal Celestia, rumored to have scandal-fearing royal relations, had reached into her deep pockets to keep the paperwork clean. Glim walked onto the campus. The iconic Wondercolt statue was in ruins, but everything seemed physically sound otherwise. No one seriously injured. The students had mostly left, barring a few stragglers. Should be fairly easy to write up as a mere competition-related prank gone wrong -- with the right enticement, anyway. He found Celestia. "Evenin', Lest." Celestia sighed. "Evening, Glimmy. Noise complaint?" He nodded. "Noise complaint."
April 2022: "The Haunting"Author's Note Because I won the March contest, I got to pick the theme for April, which meant I was ineligible to compete. In addition, as a special prize for the fifth anniversary of Flashfic 150, I also got to judge the April contest! Thanks to Loganberry for that special honor! I submitted this entry out of competition after the deadline, since I was ineligible to compete in my own contest. It's part of my "Conversations-verse" continuity, inspired by a scene described in my story "Shaking Off Bad Memories". April 2022: "The Haunting" Childhood Remembrances “…Wally?” “Go away, Mom.” “Sweetheart, you’ve been up here crying all night. Can… can we please just talk?” “There’s nothing to talk about.” “Wallflower.” “…” “How can I help you if I don’t know what’s hurting you?” “You can’t help me!” “Why not?!” “…” “Honey, please, just say something! I’m trying my best to reconnect—” “That’s just it, Mom. We shouldn’t have to reconnect. We weren’t apart. We did all kinds of things together, fun things, good things… you just don’t remember them. And it’s my fault.” “You keep saying stuff like this, and it doesn’t make any sense. Why wouldn’t I remember?” “…I wish I could make you understand. But if you did, you’d never look at me the same.” “Wally… of course I’d understand. What could be so terrible?” Wallflower Blush inspected a shattered piece of rock in her hand. “You have no idea…”
June 2022: "Pride"Author's Note Set in the EqG-verse. June 2022: "Pride" You Can Live a Nightmare If You Never Dream “Why that name, though?” Sunburst asks. “It feels meaningful.” “How so?” “…It’s the way I think about it. The way I’ve been living… it felt stable. Controlled. Just living the life I’m supposed to live, like every other boy.” Sunburst waits expectantly. “But when I try to imagine where that life will lead me, it’s horrible. I don’t want it. I’ve known that for a while, but… changing that life means giving up control. I don’t like giving up control.” He nods. “Now, though… I’m done clinging to this. I know how it ends if I keep trying to manipulate everything in my life to be what it's supposed to be. The way I see it… I’m not fixating on what’s in front of me anymore. I’m finally looking up, at the stars in the sky.” Sunburst smiles, holding out a hand. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Starlight Glimmer.”
June 2022: "Pride" (secondary entry)Author's Note Not an official contest entry, but I wanted to do stories based on both meanings of "Pride." June 2022: "Pride" (secondary entry) The Queen of Canterlot High Sunset Shimmer couldn’t help but smirk as she coyly extended a foot to her right, sending Rarity plummeting onto the hard hallway floor. She guffawed as the fashionista nursed a bump on her forehead, stumbling back to her feet and limping away. This pathetic world… Sunset had entered this place without even knowing so much as how to use her new body, and yet she’d had these humans groveling at her feet in mere months. Utter child’s play. And now her plan was already in motion. The portal had opened that morning. Her scouting expedition had been a success. The Element of Magic was there, waiting for her on the other side. By nightfall it’d be hers. Those buffoonish guards would never stop her. And then… I conquered a whole alien species with no effort, no powers, Sunset mused, grinning darkly. What chance does Celestia have?
July 2022: "I Didn't Think the Leopards Would Eat MY Face!"Midnight Sparkle I did this. It was the first thought that entered Twilight Sparkle’s head when she finally retook control of her mind. It was also the next several thoughts. I did this. She was floating inside a blinding white void, facing a girl with brilliant golden wings, who was stretching out her hand in an offer of friendship. Let me show you there's another way, she’d said. What good was that hand to a monster like her? Twilight could feel her own wings, mild jolts of pain shooting through her as they tensed. Dark magic radiated from her body. Tears welled as the weight of what she’d become sank in deep. I wanted magic. I wanted to understand. Now look at me. She’d gotten everything she’d sought. And the bill had been her soul. Finally, she reached out and took the girl’s hand. It was all she had left.
September 2022: "Even the Heartless Have a Heart"But For Her, It Was Tuesday “This wasn’t the plan,” Aria groaned. “We can spare a few moments,” Adagio growled in reply. “I don’t see why you should encourage her. How can we get any closer to restoring our power acting like this?” Aria paused. “Perhaps I’ve let you play leader too long—” Suddenly, there was a hand gripping her chin. “Oh, little Aria wants to be in charge, does she? Little Aria’s got a plan, does she?” The hand squeezed, and she squirmed. “Maybe little Aria should remember her place.” The hand released, and Aria stumbled back, scowling. From behind, Adagio heard a door open as someone skipped towards them. “Mmmmm, this place has the best fish tacos! Thanks for stopping here!” With no one looking, Adagio let herself indulge in a soft smile for the briefest of moments. “Of course, Sonata. We should get to enjoy the little things sometimes.”
Non-Contest Entry, January 2023Author's Note Because I won the November contest, I got to choose the prompt for the December 2022 contest and was ineligible to compete. So instead, here's a bonus story that defies length restrictions! Non-Contest Entry, January 2023 Worthwhile “Twilight, don’t forget me—” “Twilight?” Wallflower’s voice brought her back to reality. “Huh? Oh, sorry. Lost in thought.” “Guessing those thoughts weren’t about anything science-y.” Twilight swallowed. “Well, technically—” “Everything’s science, got it.” Wallflower sighed. “Look, if you don’t want to be here, you don’t have to be. I wouldn’t be comfortable with me either.” Twilight opened her mouth, but no words came out. The dark memory returned. Sunset, get up, please—don’t leave, don’t forget, I’m only just remembering you and yet I know you mean everything to me, please Sunset, please remember me, I’m sorry I left you, I’m sorry I failed you, Sunset I love you don’t go— She forced it down. That was a week ago. Sunset was back, and so was everything they had. It was stupid to dwell on that. She gently placed a hand on Wallflower’s back. “You’re right. But I’m not leaving. It might take time, but… I believe in you, Wallflower. Second chances mean everything. Mean the world.” Another memory surfaced. I’ve tried apologizing, over and over again, but she asks me not to say them. She just wants me here, next to her, and she can’t stop talking about how happy she is that I’m here, that we’re together, that everything is right— She smiled warmly as Wallflower looked up at her. “Without my second chance,” Twilight mused, sitting in a courtyard once dominated by gaping rifts in reality, “I wouldn’t have had anything worth losing at all.”
Non-Contest Entry Part 2, January 2023Author's Note A direct continuation of the previous entry. Non-Contest Entry Part 2, January 2023 Worthwhile, Part 2 "Do people ever look at you," Wallflower mused, "and see the monster?" "Not really, no," Twilight replied, wincing. "Do you ever wish they would?" Twilight blinked. "What?" "No one knows the truth about what happened, except you and your friends. No one knows what I did." Wallflower sighed. "There's a part of me that wishes they all knew. That they would look at me, and hate me." "Wallflower..." "I know. It's a terrible way to think about myself." "No, I get it." Wallflower startled. "You do?" Twilight nodded. "I hated myself, after Midnight. I couldn't believe people weren't scared of me, or angry at me. I know Cinch pushed me to do it... but I'm the reason it was possible. And knowing that, I felt like I wanted to be judged." Wallflower nodded back. "I guess we have another reason to thank Sunset." "Hmm?" "She depleted the school's hate reserves." Wallflower giggled. "They didn't have anything left for us." Twilight processed the remark, then found herself giggling too. They looked at each other, and fell into quiet, mildly ashamed laughter. After some time, Twilight took a breath. "It does pass, you know. Not quite... permanently. But enough that there's a day when you know that that's not you. Not anymore, and never again." "I hope so."
January 2023: "Second Chances"Something has gone wrong. We don't seem to have an archived copy of that chapter.
Non-Contest Entry, April 2023Author's Note I arguably ought to call this a March entry, as that's when I wrote it, but since I'm publishing it in April, I'll list it as such. This was a bit of sample brainstorming writing inspired by a Discord conversation about Friendship Games. The idea would eventually evolve into my story Milkshakes, Marionettes, and Midnight, which I highly encourage you to check out. This initial writing, however, is different enough that I decided to publish it in this anthology. EMilkshakes, Marionettes, and Midnight Equestria Girls Drama Slice of Life Two weeks after Twilight Sparkle walked away from Crystal Prep, her brother invites her for sugary drinks and a necessary chat. Shining Armor Sci-Twi EileenSaysHi · 4k words · 100 8 · 1.5k views Non-Contest Entry, April 2023 Sunset gently rested a hand on Twilight's shoulder. "Can I ask a question about... um..." "Yes?" "About Midnight." "Oh." Twilight turned to face her. "Yeah, um, it's okay. I'm okay." Sunset nodded. "I just wanted to ask why, if you think you know... why Midnight didn't try to really go after the Shadowbolts, or Cinch. Why it was just this unfocused attack, when there were people who had hurt you so much right there... though I guess we'd hurt you too." Twilight shuddered. "Please don't say that. You had every right to say what you said to me." "It was still hurtful--" "Please." Sunset obeyed, withdrawing her hand, and Twilight looked away again. "But... I mean, Midnight came from me. She was my... id, I'd say. On overdrive. And as much as I felt, well, scared and helpless at Crystal Prep, I never once fantasized about getting revenge. I just wanted to get out. It was why Everton was so important to me... no more principal, no more bullies. Just my own independent study." She looked back and met Sunset's eyes. "Friends weren't really on my mind back then. Not when, well..." "When any other school could have been Crystal Prep all over again." Twilight nodded. "Exactly. So my deepest fantasy wasn't to exact horrible revenge on all my bullies. It was just to have that freedom, that lack of worry, to work on the things I wanted to work on, which, back then, was studying all this new magic I was detecting." She swallowed. "Not the way I did it during the games, obviously, I never meant..." "I get what you mean." Sunset placed her right hand atop Twilight's left. "But when you feed that fantasy into that... twisted, ethicless, corrupted, overpowered shell..." Twilight was sniffling, and Sunset could see her eyes start to water. She wrapped her right arm around her back and pulled her close, reaching over with her left and softly stroking her hair as Twilight lay her head onto Sunset's right shoulder. "I've got you." She listened as Twilight's rapid breathing began to slow down. "Thank you," she whispered. "I know I said I was okay, and I am, but..." "I know the feeling," Sunset replied. "Too well."
May 2023: "carousel" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the May 2023 Flashfic 150 competition! May 2023: "carousel" (AWARD WINNER) Twilight Sparkle vs. The Mobile Morbid Equine Corpse Display “Okay, I know it seems bad—” “Oh, it’s not ‘bad’. It’s sick.” “Look, Twi, it weirded me out too, at first. But—” “Sunset, how is it not still weirding you out? If I, as Crown Princess, were to commission an attraction where ponies sat on effigies of humans stabbed completely through with giant poles, all of Equestria would rightfully be disturbed!” “But ponies here aren’t like us! They’re like Applejack’s horse, they’re not sentient beings!” “Oh, my mistake, it’s simply animal cruelty being celebrated here.” “It’s not— ugh, look, the pole is just there to control how it moves and for people to hold! It’s simulating the idea of riding a horse.” Silent against the jaunty music emanating from the carousel, Sunset watched the Princess's face as she processed the idea. The eyes on said face narrowed considerably. “…That’s disgusting. I thought this was supposed to be for children.”
August 2023: "Underrated"Rotten Tomatoes “Ughhhh…” “Now, Rainbow Dash…” “Ohhhhh…” “Ah know yer not one to put much stock in reviews.” “Gahhhh…” “Ah remember yer whole big tirade about how all them literary eggheads were wrong about Daring Do and the Realm of the Azure Skeletons…” “Applejack, my stomach—” “And ah remember when ya tore Zesty Gourmand a new one fer callin’ daisy sandwiches ‘unsophisticated’ too.” “I really need a minute…” “And ah ain’t sayin’ it’s wrong to have different opinions from critics—” “Hurp!” “—but the thing is—” “Oh gosh, finally, there’s one! Outta my way!” In a bright prismatic flash, Rainbow Dash zipped off to the nearest lavatory, wherein the sounds of an unpleasant bout of retching could instantly be heard. Applejack, staring ahead, sighed and finished her sentence. “Ya just can’t use that same logic with food safety inspector grades, Dash.”
September 2023: "The Prophecy" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the September 2023 Flashfic 150 competition! September 2023: "The Prophecy" (AWARD WINNER) Internal Resources Sunset Shimmer, Royal Apprentice to Princess Celestia, wasn’t like other ponies. Of course, she could say that about a lot of things. But what made her certain she was special, beyond merely her position, was a little guiding voice. A prophet. Sunset Shimmer had a prophet in her head. The others wouldn’t have understood how this could be. Even the Princess would’ve been baffled. After all, if one of them tried to test it with some insipid question, like what will the Gifted School chefs serve next week, she wouldn’t have had an answer. So Sunset didn’t talk about the prophet. But prophets didn’t deal in such silly, needless knowledge. Prophets focused on what was important. That was how Sunset knew she had a great prophet in her head. Because it had told her what really mattered. Where her destiny lay. She looked over at the Royal Throne, and grinned.
February 2024: “Here’s the Plan”The Powerfullest of Plans “And just what is the plan? Well, Trixie will tell you what the plan is! It is intricate! It is cunning. It is a plan that will blow your tiny mind! For, as you can plainly see, the Great and Powerful Trixie does not settle for merely any meagre, simple plan. A plan must be well-considered! A plan must be foolproof! And thus Trixie did not conceive of her grand plan lightly, for that would be a fool’s errand. A good plan, after all, is much like one of Trixie’s magic tricks, which, Trixie might add, you can see later this week at the main stage in Appleloosa, where Trixie will be debuting her latest and greatest—" Twilight let out an agonized groan. “Trixie, while you were blathering on and on, I came up with a real plan. Let’s go.” The magician smirked. “And thus Trixie’s true plan is accomplished.”
March 2024: "The Most Devastating Insult"Agony Makeup smeared, eyeliner ruined, Rarity didn’t so much get onto her bed as fall on it, outstretched arms landing just short of where Opal was sleeping. The rudely awoken cat lazily yawned as Rarity gradually lifted her head up, their eyes meeting. “Oh, Opalescence, dear, today has been the most dreadful day,” Rarity moaned. "Things began as merely annoying, but soon progressed to displeasing, and then infuriating. Just an all-around disaster! It was horrid, pure and simply horrid… I’m lucky I have you to understand and listen.” Weakly smiling, Rarity inched forward and laid her hand on Opal’s white fur to stroke it. As soon as she did so, the cat stood, took a quick stretch, and then tromped directly off the bed and out of the room. Arm awkwardly hanging in mid-air, Rarity rested her crestfallen face back down into the covers. “Or not,” she sighed, voice muffled.
May 2024: "In the Garden"Author's Note In case you forgot, this is Señor Huevos. May 2024: "In the Garden" Life Passes You By The glimpse had lasted mere moments, yet it had changed everything. Had Señor Huevos been able to close his eyes — he couldn’t, and he wasn’t aware of the concept — he still would have seen it. The other world, the world of so much more. It was still lacking in a third dimension, the kind only his own body and sombrero seemed to occupy. Yet it was far beyond what he'd ever known; vibrant, astonishing, colorful, full of life. Full of activity. Full of beings. A garden of infinite possibility. And yet he’d run. And when he'd thought to return, it was gone. Señor Huevos stared at the landscape around him, where the shapes now seemed all wrong, the sky a blank space, the trees lifeless. For the first time, he grasped how empty the world around him truly was. All he could do to fill it was scream.
July 2024: "Seashore" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the July 2024 Flashfic 150 competition! July 2024: "Seashore" (AWARD WINNER) She Sells Seashells “Mother?” Cookie Crumbles was laying back in her beach chair, where she’d been watching her little Sweetie Belle pushing clumps of sand together into misshapen mounds. Slowly, she rolled onto her side to find her other daughter awaiting her attention. “Yes, Rarity?” Grinning, the eight-year-old held out her cupped hands, revealing a rather astonishing number of small seashells – cockles, conic structures, and others she couldn’t recognize. “I’m going to make necklaces!” “I see.” “Oh, don’t worry,” Rarity chirped. “I washed them off in the ocean before bringing them here.” Cookie winced. “Just, um…” She reached over and picked up a toy bucket Sweetie wasn’t using. “Put them in here, please.” Rarity nodded, and the shells dropped into the bucket with a clatter. “They’re going to be wonderful,” she mused. “I’m sure they will, dear.” After a moment, Rarity’s expression changed. “What do you think people will pay for them?”
September 2024: "Zugzwang"Author's Note To quote Loganberry's summary in describing the prompt, "being in zugzwang [a chess term] means being in a position where making any (legal) move will make that player's position worse." September 2024: "Zugzwang" Get That Dragon Misty’s eyes were trained closely on Sparky. Carefully, obsessively watching his every move. There he was, everything she needed, the final step to getting her mark, right there, waiting for her. Only she wasn’t the only one watching him. Hitch was there too, playing with him, laughing riotously as the dragon — Misty tried hard not to think his son — giggled at his antics. Losing Sparky would rip him to pieces. It’d crush all of them. They’d never forgive her. Ever. The one hope she had of ever feeling like she had a normal life, extinguished. But if she didn’t go through with it, she’d get a very different kind of crushing from a vengeful fire alicorn. There was only so much stalling she could do. She kept watching. Because watching meant not doing. And not doing was a few moments more of pretending she wasn’t doomed.
December 2024: "A Good Meal" (hon mensh)Author's Note Received hon mensh (runner-up) distinction in this month's contest. December 2024: "A Good Meal" (hon mensh) Getting Granular It wasn’t the only breakfast Sunset ever ate. She’d long ago diversified her palate; it had been a necessity in a body whose taste buds rarely desired the same thing twice. But oatmeal was a comfort food. It hadn’t always been, but it was now. Growing up, Sunset had always preferred hay over oats. Much of Canterlot considered it a plebian taste more suited to Dodge Junction than the capital, but most of Canterlot never liked her either. When she’d traded one Canterlot for another, though, she was horrorstruck to find her digestive system rejected hay – fries, burgers, and raw alike. And thus, as the sun rose, Sunset grabbed her box, shook out the oats, poured the milk, sprinkled the cinnamon, and indulged. It was a simple indulgence. Most of her friends wouldn’t think of it as one at all. But what the hay. It was for her.
January 2025: "Low Resolution"Author's Note (Set prior to the A New Generation movie.) January 2025: "Low Resolution" Generation Alfalfa “Come onnnn! Ughhh!” It was bitterly funny, in a way. If the lie her mom pressed her and Zipp into play-acting were true, Pipp might have been able to fly high enough to evade this stupid half-day castle ClipTrot ban. “Dropped signal again?! NO! The Pippsqueaks need me!” As it was, the junior princess was left to rely on a rather questionable VPN she’d found, one whose connectivity issues were… glaring. “Alright, one more time, let’s go, yes yes please please no! No-no-no-” It wasn’t that Pipp was an addict. Certainly not. She’d made her therapist tell her otherwise several times. Why didn’t her mom get it? ClipTrot was an outreach program. A way to educate her subjects, to boost their morale, to— “Am I online? Yes! Hello Pippsqueaks! It’s been a scary few hours, but— nooooo!” She wondered where this fell regarding Zephyr Heights’ laws against torture.
May 2022: "Just This Once"Hide & Go Cheat “For heck’s sake, Rainbow Dash,” Applejack exclaimed. “Of course it’s cheatin’ for you to use your power geode when we’re playin’ hide and seek!” “Well, no one told me!” Rainbow replied, indignant. “I can’t just guess what the rules are!” Sunset groaned. “None of us have super-speed. How was I possibly supposed to catch you when you can zip between hiding spots?!” “I don’t know, aren’t you and Twilight the smart ones?” Twilight lit up. “Actually, I’ve been working on a few devices that could theoretically—” Sunset facepalmed and held up a silencing finger. “Not. Helping!” “Maybe we could let her have this one game?” Fluttershy piped in. “Errrrrrghh… fine,” Sunset growled. “Sweet!” Rainbow fist-pumped, only for Applejack to catch her arm. “Don’t try it again, though, or I might have to use my gem.” Applejack bore down tightly. “Point taken,” Rainbow squeaked as she winced.
May 2022 (Bonus Round): AppleDashAuthor's Note Slightly modified from the original after being dubbed "brain bleach-worthy" by Loganberry. May 2022 (Bonus Round): AppleDash William Tell No-verture “This really don’t seem like a good idea.” “C’mon AJ, you were totally awesome with that bow at the Friendship Games! And this is practically in your name!” “My name’s Applejack, so I’m good at shootin’ apples off people’s heads? What in the heck kinda logic is that?” “I trust you!” “It don’t really matter if you trust me, what matters is if I trust me! You ain’t a target, Rainbow Dash; if I miss, that’d be bad.” “Awww, you used to be fun. You know I can see in slow-motion, right? I’ll just zip away if it looks like you’re gonna miss!” “Why do you even want me to do this, Rainbow Dash?” “Cause it’s totally awesome and I really want to feel it when the arrow penetrates—” Rainbow stopped when she saw Applejack’s eyes widen. “I mean… cause it’s cool.” “Dash, no.”
December 2021: "It's a Gift!"Don't Make Twilight Sparkle's Bestie Angry, Santa Claus "Oh, and in case you even thought we were anywhere near done yet..." Santa sighed. He was deep into the fifth consecutive hour of a stupendous tirade from dimensional immigrant Sunset Shimmer, who had snuck into his workshop, broken his security elves' resolve with some sort of empathy power, hijacked the reindeer and flown directly into his penthouse. All while wearing the lightest of winter jackets in the arctic -- it seems hot-blooded rage was enough to stave off hypothermia. "...And you made her cry! On Christmas! I know she nearly broke the universe once, but-" "Oh, for heaven's sake, Miss Shimmer, I agree with you! Miss Sparkle was indeed on my nice list! But there are regulations to consider; even I can't go casually dispensing samples of uranium-238!"
January 2022: "Break the Rules!"Author's Note For this entry, writers were encouraged to break some "rules" of writing, as long as they didn't break the actual site rules. Hence the emojis. January 2022: "Break the Rules!" Mirror, Mirror, Off the Wall “Pinkie!” Twilight dashed toward the balloon-marked mare, who looked at her with a befuddled expression. “Thank goodness I found you! I’ve lost the portal to the human realm!” “Oh, uh…” “Pinkie?” “Well… Cheese Sandwich came by and said he needed something he could use in a funhouse he made for a big party, and… I may have told him about the dimensional mirror thingy and let him borrow it for a day.” “You did WHAT?” Sunset looked up from her precalculus exam to the sound of consternation outside. She peered through the window and saw a mass of confused people gathered around the former Wondercolts statue, many panicking, most on all fours and one singing and dancing with an accordion. Then she watched two more stumble out of the statue base, then another three. “Oh, horseapples…”
February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (Hon Mensh)Author's Note Received hon mensh (honorable mention) recognition for the February Flashfic 150 contest. February 2022: "Bureaucracy" (Hon Mensh) Welcome to My World Sunset didn’t even bother backing up from the P.O. box before tearing open the envelope, an expression of overwhelming glee spreading across her face. She’d gone to the DMV two weeks earlier to fill out the forms and get her photo taken for her learner’s permit, and she’d had a paper copy since then. But that flimsy black-and-white scrap was nothing compared to what she was now holding. There it was. Her first-ever official photo ID as a human. It wasn’t the most flattering picture, but who cares? It was proof that Principal Celestia’s efforts to help her obtain a birth certificate had paid off. After years of legal limbo, Sunset Shimmer could show, without a doubt, that she belonged in this world. She couldn’t wait for her friends to see it.
March 2022: "Myth and Legend" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the March 2022 Flashfic 150 competition! Also won (in a tie) the MOFA (Mockingbirb's Opinionated Flashfic Award) contest. March 2022: "Myth and Legend" (AWARD WINNER) Video Games are Too Realistic These Days "I’m just not sure how well I’ll do with this… video game, you said?" Twilight remarked. "I'm still no good with my hands and fingers." "You'll get the hang of it, Princess," Sunset replied, grabbing a controller. "You’re gonna love Tirek's Revenge!" Twilight gawked. "It's called what?!" "Y'know, Tirek! From those old Equestrian bedtime stories. But here, he's this awesome villain you get to take down-" "Sunset… did Celestia never tell you? Tirek is real." "Huh?" "I’ve fought him. He nearly destroyed Equestria. He's locked up in Tartarus as we speak! How did you think he was just a legend?" "Well… how many ancient doomsday villains did Celestia tell you about before they became an imminent crisis?" Sunset asked quizzically. Twilight thought for a moment. "Touché." "So… you still want to play?" After a moment, Twilight seized a controller. "I'm gonna kick his flank into the dirt."
December 2023: “And Some Pain Too” (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the December 2023 Flashfic 250 competition! (For one time only, the word count was extended by 100.) December 2023: “And Some Pain Too” (AWARD WINNER) Mean and Green No one had noticed Wallflower Blush on the bleachers during the Tri-Cross Relay. No one had noticed her leaving, either. In fairness, they had good reason to be distracted; massive, hostile plants with giant flytrap-esque jaws had suddenly emerged onto the field, in what seemed to be adding an extra level of unnecessary peril to an already alarmingly dangerous event. Wallflower wasn’t particularly concerned for their safety, though — or her own, for that matter. She needed to study. It didn’t take a genius to guess that this was some form of magic that Sunset Shimmer and her cronies had unleashed, but that didn’t mean a new species of plant wasn’t worth investigating. She approached one of the smaller manifestations, its length about half her height, which flailed as it reached vainly for the track that was too far away. If she could just get a sample… She’d have to be careful, especially with the glowing swirly midair hole that thing was stretching out from. But she could handle it, she was sure. And once she had it contained, she could replant it, study it, place it in the garden… it’d certainly make an interesting addition, and one never knew when they might need a handy carnivorous— The plant suddenly snapped backwards, clamping its jaws around her right leg. The distant peal of dirtbikes drowned out her scream. Still bleeding as she limped toward the nurse’s office, Wallflower wondered if she’d end up becoming a were-plant. That damned Shimmer.
April 2024, "Knock It Off"Hello Darkness, and My New Friend “Sunset?” At the sound of Pinkie’s whisper, Sunset blinked in the darkness. It was just the two of them, separated only by sleeping bags; their first solo sleepover. But not, Sunset knew, the first time Pinkie had witnessed this. “Are you okay? You were crying.” “It… wasn’t real. Just a bad dream.” “Was everyone still being mean to you?” “Don’t worry about it,” Sunset said as she rolled over, away from Pinkie. That didn’t deter her. “But I want to worry about it. I’m your friend, silly!” Pinkie had always been affectionate, but that had increased significantly since the Battle of the Bands. In moments, Sunset felt herself being hugged tight. “I just don’t want you to keep being hard on yourself.” Sunset sighed. “I’ll try not to be.” “Okey-dokey!” A deep breath. “AND LEAVE SUNSET ALONE, YOU DREAM-MEANIES!” Slightly deafened, but comforted nonetheless, Sunset slowly settled back into slumber.
June 2024: "Leftover"Last Daughter of Equestria “It’s strange.” “What is?” “Everything.” Sunset was staring at her outstretched hand, watching her digits reflexively curl and uncurl. She’d had them for years, long enough to write, type, play guitar, and more. Long enough to see them effortlessly as hers. But ever since the day they’d closed the portal forever, those fingers had felt as wrong as when she’d first reached this world. “I never thought being human would feel weird again,” Sunset mumbled. Beside her, Twilight reached out her own hand, interlocking fingers with Sunset. “It’s strange for me too. Without magic.” “Yeah but… you’re from here. I… I’m still just… I know I chose this, but—” She broke down, and Twilight hugged her tight. “I’m the only one… the only thing left of Equestria here…” She buried her hornless head into Twilight’s shoulder, as her soul leaked out of her alien body in wet globs.
October 2024: "Uncharacteristic" (AWARD WINNER)Author's Note Winner of the October 2024 Flashfic 150 competition! October 2024: "Uncharacteristic" (AWARD WINNER) In The Foreground Lepidoptera shifted in bed. She was uncertain, fearful. Was this how Lyra would have tossed and turned? Had she snored? Was she a cuddler? There were so many complications she’d never accounted for, never thought— “Lyra?” Internally panicking, Lepidoptera flipped to face Bon Bon. “Yeah?” “Just snuggle me for a bit, will you?” “Oh, um, of course!” She drew in, and Bon Bon took it from there, her warm body pulling close as her forelimbs wrapped around Lepidoptera’s disguised body. “You’re cold, Lyra.” “Sorry.” “Don’t be.” She yawned. “Good night…” As an infiltrator, Lepidoptera had played the part of Lyra Heartstrings so often — even in front of Bon Bon — that she’d believed she’d known the pony better than anyone. Days after assuming the late unicorn’s life, the changeling knew that wasn’t true. But there was one thing she knew with certainty. Bonnie needed her. “Good night,” Lepidoptera whispered.
