The North is Frozen for a reason. You don't go there unless you really need to. The ponies keep to their sparkling cities, the griffons have their own business in the mountains, and other nations have no business even being near. It's not an enviable proposition, to live on the border between the ever expanding Equestria, the reclusive Griffon Empire, and whatever roams the wailing tundra.

It's a good place to hide. And a good place to look. You may have lost limb, life, and honor, but you won't lose direction if you follow well enough. As long as the contract holds.

---

Part of a prequel one-shot series to a much bigger fic, currently in the works. Draws heavily from certain materials, but does not act as a cross-over.

Same series as VIS_016.evi, Vermillion, Nick and Penny and Styx Enterprises.

Marked Alternate Universe because of how different the Griffons are between this story and the show. The rest in the series aren't marked because this detail doesn't concern them.

King Sombra wages his war. Equestria resists. Masterduke developed the techniques with which Celestia combats the enemy's mind control. He travels to the front.

Sombraverse AU

In honour of Stanku, whose work inspired me not only to write here but to keep writing.

It's time for... Those classes in school, and Sprinkle is taking them. Now she wants to know something... Something important.

And so she goes and asks her two mothers a very important question...

Trust is a funny thing. For Fluttershy it is rarely given, if ever at all, though there are some things she simply cannot bear to admit beyond herself. But then, Discord has never asked anypony's permission to take what he wants, has he? Even if it's a secret. So he watches as she copes with her addiction with increasingly brutality even towards those she once so fervently fought for, and waits for just the right moment to expose her.

But not because he wants to, mind you.

Originally written for the Equestria Daily Writing Training Grounds.

When Helicity's research on weather is torn apart by a professor, Featherprop decides to set up a surprise for her birthday. With the help of some Wonderbolts, a few bits of cloud, and a stack of pies, he wants to give her a chance to try the ideas she believes in.

When he springs the surprise, she takes a chance, but will the results be worth the risk? There's danger in storms, and even ponies who know what they're doing get caught unawares sometimes.

Yes yes, I know, there's OCs, but she's still cute, at least! Anyway, you should all read this story and then go wish Helicity (@helicityponi, Helicity here) a happy birthday, 'cause I wrote it for her. There's a little bit of romance, but nothing beyond some kissing. Come on, everyone's seen kissing, right?

If anyone sees typos or other errors, please point 'em out- I went past my deadline on this and I'm ashamed to say I didn't edit as closely as I'd like to.

All Fluttershy wants to do is help animals. Even when it might prove dangerous to her, she sacrifices herself for the well-being of her critters.

Being in the Apple Family comes with its struggles. Living in Ponyville requires a lot of patience. But having to live with both? May the Princesses help that poor pony.

This is a simple story of sacrifice, shyness, wise old grannies, rodents of unusual intelligence, apples, magic, and a whole lot of love.

In a shocking turn of events, what should have been a calm week in Ponyville descends into mayhem when Twilight accidentally unearths the Old Ponyville Time Capsule. While Twilight tries to focus and rectify her mistake quietly, Trixie and Starlight investigate an old mystery from years prior. Meanwhile, the rest of the mane five undertake a secret project of their own.

I think I was created to play music.
I think this because there is a gramophone on my back.
I think it is supposed to play music.
It does not.

This was inspired by a prompt generated by a story idea generator i’ve been working on. The prompt in question was “Write a gothic species swap story about Sweetie Belle with themes of autonomy and tragedy. For an optional challenge, try incorporating music.” I don’t think I stuck particularly well at all to the prompt, but the idea was moreso to inspire rather than create constraints.
Consider this an alternate take on a sweetiebot story with a splash of raritwi.

Cover Art by JulieKarbon

Big Mac is a wise stallion. Growing up in a house full of mares he had learned that secret language that mares use. Though as good as he is, Rainbow Dash is not like any other mare out there; can he figure out her issue? Hot chocolate and snuggles always seem to help. Join Big Mac as he tries to get to the root of his fillyfriend's problem, or die trying.

Thank you to Arbarano for all the edits!

This is for CategoricalGrant's snuggle contest. I hope I do well, but it was a good challenge to help shake off the rust that has been covering my fingers.

Art belongs to the very talented ArtistCoolPony

Featured 12/1/17

Winner of the CategoricalGrant's snuggle contest.

Rarity explains to Sweetie Belle what the Cutie Mark Crusaders saw when they walked in on her and Applejack.

It was totally innocent. Really!

There is now a Spanish translation of this story, courtesy of Spaniard Kiwi