A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be...

"I think everything is perfectly set today? Yeah. Everything is good. Just gotta get those flowers."

Flowers hold very special meanings in the world of Equestria. Yes, they're food, but they're also symbolic gifts. They have their general meanings, but some flowers hold very special ones for certain people.
For Rainbow Dash, she buys blue bells every year for a special somepony. Someone she knew since birth.

~ This is a side story to Luna Plays...

It has been months since Princess Luna has discovered video games, and it has been months since she found somepony worthy enough to challenge her; to meet her skills equally in virtual combat. But alas, she has beaten thousands of millions of players around the world, and not one of them came even close to her score. Shooters: she would take them down like a firing squad. Platforming: she already jumped her way to victory in ten seconds flat. Puzzles: outsmarted those poor gamers. Casual: too easy. Role-Playing Games: she's the highest level.

To Luna, multiplayer in video gaming was getting a tad bit boring, and she was desperately looking for somepony that could match her prowess. So you can imagine the joy of adrenaline she received when she met Button's mom online.
Author's Notes
~ Editors: OmniBrony and ultra1437
~ TLATopHat was the one who drew the cover art. I just asked him for permission to use it. Make sure to follow him on Deviant Art and/or Tumblr if you have those.
- His Deviant Art page.
- His Tumblr page
- His Ask Pony Tumblrs: Ask Razzleberry Pie, Sketchbook Twilight, Equestria Declassified, and Ask Majesty!
~ Rated Teen for Strong Language.

In Equestria's not-distant-enough future, while the rest of the kingdom recovers from the ravages of war, the city of Manehattan has become a cesspool of crime and corruption. While Mayor Orange works tirelessly to reclaim the city from the gangs and syndicates, the crimelord known only as the Shadow King controls the criminal underworld.

When even the most honest citizens are forced to resort to crime in order to survive, can there be any hope for Manehattan's future? Orphaned teenagers Pound and Pumpkin Cake doubt it, no matter what their guardians try to tell them.

This may change, however, when a beautiful and mysterious unicorn warrior emerges to face the Shadow King's army of thugs, monsters and mutants. With a shining crystal blade to pierce through the darkness, and a seemingly limitless supply of talents (and costumes), the Warrior of Love, Sweetie Honey, may yet shine a light upon Manehattan's future.

(Cover image by Tofutiles)

Since the invasion of Canterlot, an event that terrified most ponies, Scootaloo has harboured a secret desire to become a Changeling and join their ranks. When she confides in Babs Seed, she receives a shock that she was not expecting.

It's the start of summer and the kids have to do a History Project.The Cutie Mark Crusaders have sights set on getting cutie marks for history but they have another way for researching as Sweetie Belle "accidentally" takes the Crusaders through time.

Rainbow Dash a racer from the small rural town of Ponyville moves to Dockview for the racing challenge of her life time. She's going to be the very best racer the world has ever seen and become the most wanted.
On the other hoof
Applejack and her family just moved to Dockview after their crop burned down do to some racer stunt. Angry the whole family join the DVSPD (Dockview Speeder Police Department) to stop all the racers who ruin other people's lives.

(image by pedro992)

After a crusading adventure ends up not going to well Babs tries to search for a way to get back to her normal self.

There is a legend the buffalo tell of a mystical clan of dragons that practice magic far out in the desert. These Dragon Magi, as they're called, are said to be very wise, and they are willing to help anyone in need of guidance. No one has actually seen these dragons, but the story makes for an interesting bit of folklore.

To a group of young ponies, however, it's more than just folklore. It's the answer to their biggest problem.

While staying with Braeburn in the frontier town of Appleloosa, the Cutie Mark Crusaders become privy to this tale thanks to a chance encounter with Chief Thunderhooves. Seeing this as a new opportunity to (hopefully) get their Cutie Marks, they pack up their wagon and go riding off into the desert in search of the Dragon Magi. Unfortunately, they forgot to tell Braeburn. Oops!

Wild with panic, Braeburn ropes Little Strongheart into his quest to rescue the fillies. However, chasing a pegasus-propelled wagon on hoof is usually ill-advised. Luckily, a pair of salesponies who just rolled into town are willing to offer a mode of transport for a, modest fee. But much like the Crusaders, these salesponies have no idea what they're getting into. For the desert is a dangerous place, and it's not just due to the threat of sunstroke (although that doesn't help).

Saddle up, y'all. It's gonna be a wild ride for all involved.

Part I of the Ballad of Needles.