The land of Equestria has been turned into a desert wasteland. And it's all Twilight Sparkle's fault! Dubbed the Cursed One by all ponykind, Twilight must now live in hiding to keep herself alive. Even her once close pony friends have abandoned her. The only one by her side is her number one assistant, Spike, who has becomes a gun wielding badass bounty hunter to keep her safe.

This story has no connection with what I call my TwiMacVerse. I've actually had this idea for a while. This also doesn't use anything from Season 3 as it has just started.

WARNING: This story contains some violence and strong language. Viewer discretion is advised.

Also I'm aware that this image of Spike won't match the description of him in the story. It was the coolest pic of him I could find at the time. If someone wants to draw him in a more cowboy style, go for it and send me a link and I just might make it the new cover pic. ^_^

Cover art by John Joesco

It is the summer of 2020. The popular TV show "My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic" has finished its eighth, and what appears to be final, season. In the wake of increasingly violent attacks by an extremist Internet-based terrorist group, the founders of the popular pony site, Equestria Daily, decide enough is enough. Bronies from all over the world have gathered in a small, abandoned industrial park in the run-down outskirts of Chicago to find the culmination of their dreams: Equestria. Through the wonders of science, they flee Earth for a land of magic, mystery and secrets. They will be weighed, they will be measured... will they be found wanting or will their dreams come true?

Story Idea inspired by a chapter in Shipping and Handling by PegasusRescueBrigade.

Cover image is a composite of the original Stargate movie poster and 'Canterlot At Night' by Cosmicunicorn, Source

The Sequel: Magical Wizard Brony Detectives

Luna and Pipsqueak have known each other since that Nightmare Night, but finally they are going or a grand adventure together! A trek across Equestria to find the legendary Nessie! Along the way, they will encounter strange creatures of old, and find the truth behind what happened to Luna's friend.

While they are gone, a prank war is brewing in the castle. Private Blitzen and Sergeant Feather Fury are tasked with a special mission: Prank the Sun Princess and do NOT get caught!

Two stories for the price of one. There are a few sad scenes, enough to warrant a slight warning, but I am mainly focusing on the Adventure in Story One, and Comedy in Story Two.

Note: Story Two is not necessary to read, as it mainly involves OCs, but does give a bit of side story on what happened while the Princess of the Night was away!

When the Changelings attack Canterlot on the night of Twilight Sparkle's wedding, the Queen and her minions bring about pain and tragedy that leaves the young unicorn heartbroken--and uncertain about entering a new chapter in her life when the former has ended so abruptly.

Everypony knows what happened to Princess Celestia, the bride and groom and the Elements of Harmony on that fateful day, but that can hardly be considered satisfying to those who are curious. Where were the rest of the guards? What was the Queen's army doing before the attack? And why in Equestria did Luna not help during the battle? All this and more shall be revealed!

Twilight Sparkle is dying. The pony body was never meant to handle her level of magic and now even the smallest spell causes her body to degrade. The only cure is to stop all magic use and hope that her body slowly heals itself, but things are rarely that simple. Celestia has fallen ill and her only hope lies in Yggdrasil, hidden deep in the Crystal Desert.

When Pinkie Pie ignores Zecora's warnings about the proper preparation of chuckleberries, she ends up locked in a battle with Sugarcube Corner's kitchen. Not just IN the kitchen. WITH the kitchen. Only Pinkie could be in a situation this ridiculous.

Spike has been rejected by Rarity after helping her for a very important client and a fashion show. He disappears shortly afterwards, leaving Rarity, Twilight Sparkle, and the rest of the gang saddened by his absence.

It has been three years since that incident, and the girls have gotten past the sadness, but still get together to remember the purple dragon every year. On this day, a new pony comes to Ponyville, and although he knows nothing of what his life was like, helps the group have more fun and fills part of the hole left in their hearts from Spike.

Idea for the fashion show goes to LordPlagus777's story Heart of Scales.

When Princess Twilight Sparkle returns from the world of humans, she brings back the stolen crown—but she brings back something else as well. Now a seasoned reporter from Canterlot must convince the princesses to let him enter the human world so he can answer the question everypony is asking: what manner of creature is the father of Twilight's foal?

This story is a sequel to Sweet Apple Anthology

Far in the West, out in the frontier, Babs Seed and Apple Bloom have found an adventurous, satisfying life. Business at their bar is booming and supporting Sweet Apple Acres, ending Applejack's economic woes (for the time being). Babs has reunited with her father and the savior of her foalhood, Turner. North of no-pony's land, Citrus, Libra, and Braeburn are thriving in Appleloosa, though tensions between the locals and an influx of emigrants threaten to shatter peace in the tiny town.

Far in the East, in the belly of the beast, the once-glorious city of Manehatten has collapsed into a haze of unimaginable chaos and depravity at the hooves of its King. A King whose chessboard is rapidly expanding and whose Knights march to conquer and annex in the name of their Master.

When East and West clash at last, who will be left standing?

Third installment in the alternate universe timeline started by Tangled Roots. Preceded by Sweet Apple Anthology and beginning from the first story's Epilogue.

Coverart by the awesome artist Lulubell.

Now with a TVTropes page! Thanks to vren55 for putting it up!

Rated Teen for strong violence, language, and darker elements. Sex tag is for implied sexual situations.