Pony magic works in funny ways. Unicorns all have magic they can control. Earth ponies and pegasi have innate magic that connects them to the earth and the sky. And then there are more unusual cases. Pinkie Pie's supernatural senses, for example. And then there's Braeburn, who seems to have a rather unusual effect on other stallions...

When a blizzard descended upon the Crystal Empire, everypony felt their fear of the unknown return. Twilight and her friends were instantly on the next train, and found the Crystal Empire almost as if it had never been saved in the first place. Fortunately, the crystal ponies were standing strong against the onslaught, and their city was not in danger.

That did not mean Twilight was not in her own danger, as she walked the short distance to the protected part of the capital.

Princess Luna has been freed from the influence of the Nightmare thanks to the Elements of Harmony, and she is now on her way to reintegrate with the society. However, when she realizes the weight of crimes she has committed as Nightmare Moon, she decides to create an equally nightmarish servant to ensure she will not fail her subjects ever again.

Come closer here—my heart, my host.
Come closer. Hear my heart, my host,

Is only staid with presence close.
Were love a potion, ample dose.

My night-ful bride, I need your boon.
My baleful bride, I need you soon:

For what’s eclipsed by half a moon?

[Cover art by by tractareSolidum
Now featured in the Royal Canterlot Library!]

Yo, the name's Vinyl Scratch, and all told, I've got it pretty good.

I do what I love, I love what I do, and what I do is make music that gets ponies pumped. I mean, you've probably seen me around. Truth be told I'm kind of everywhere—from Canterlot to Manehatten—doing fashion shows, clubs, weddings, and at least two royal shindigs post-changeling invasion. Funny thing about that though...

Special thanks to Dreams of Ponies, The Masked Ferret, and Skeeter the Lurker for their editing and support.

When you've lived as long as Granny Smith, you've got a right to be set in your ways.

Pear Butter's not gonna accept that.

(Winner winner chicken dinner of Scribblefest 2018's Flutteryshuttery award. Edited by some guy with fabulous pants.)

Before Twilight and her friends saved the Crystal Empire, its ruler had to watch it die. Long before she meets Shining Armor and Twilight, Cadence walks through her home for the last time.

[An idea I had based on Breaking Out to Avoid Being Broken In, written by Justice3442 (story and author are clickable).]

It's breakfast time for Twilight Sparkle, and she finds an unexpected guest at the table.

Some might think that a pony without much to say doesn't have a lot going on in their minds. Those ponies would be wrong. In fact, it's usually the quiet ones that think the most.

Marble Pie thinks a lot. Most of the time, she thinks about rocks, and how scary everything else is.

Big MacIntosh thinks a lot. Most of the time, he thinks about apples, and how complicated everything else is.

Now, throughout the good times and the bad times of Hearth's Warming, they think about each other.

(My interpretation of Vdrake77's Idol Hooves during the Canterlot wedding)

*Edits for the first two chapters kindly provided by Airy Words!

Idol Hooves is the only changeling in the entire Equestrian Guard, and has been proudly serving for over a decade (while disguised). His enlistment buddy and friend, Shining Armor, the current Captain of the Guard, is finally taking the next step to officially becoming Princess Cadence' s personal guard, 24/7.

With most guards being reassigned to the wedding, Idol (by Luna's demand) is given the temporary assignment to be Princess Luna's personal gaurd due to a shortage in the Night Gaurds numbers.

Now, after another all-nighter looking for potential threats and with Idol's persistence, Luna finally agrees and turns in for the day. With Idol Hooves being the sole guard watching Luna's door, a promise was made that could ruin Eqauestria.

Princess Luna will get her well deserved rest, and nothing short of Princess Celestia herself will wake the deathly tired princess.