"The pieces are set, and the dice are in play. But does every pony have the heart for this day?"

Nearly two hundred years have passed since Rarity Belle merged with the Crystal Heart and took the throne of the Crystal Empire. Since then, through her care, determination, and vision, the Empire has flourished like never before. Now Empress Rarity stands as not a ruler of a providence, but the monarch of a rising superpower.

Today though, is the Empress' Birthday, and Lady Merry Sapphire, seneschal to the Empress, is determined to make this the best birthday Rarity has ever had. Little does she know that not everypony shares her enthusiasm for today...

Notes:
This is an official prequel to the Princess Twilight Sparkle's Birthday stories, created by Autumnschild. This story will develop and expand much of the world we made, but taking place 250 years before PTS500 and its sequel, PTS505. Due to its time gap and status as a prequel, you do not need to read the stories created by Autumnschild, and I have done my best to help that. However, knowing what happened in them will help you be a bit more aware of what is going on, and I encourage you to go read them for they are very enjoyable.

We now have our own group! Come check out the Birthdayverse!

Credit goes to Autumnschild for the proofreading for this story.
Razalon The Lizardman is credited for the grammatical overhaul.

Great thanks goes to these two, for this story would not be as good without them.

Twilight Sparkle is seen as a hero to all the ponies of Equestria. She not only stopped Nightmare Moon, but she also aided in sealing Discord and helped in preventing a changeling invasion. She however doesn't see herself as a hero, for all of her achievement she had to depend on the powers of others. Just once she would like to know that she can protect her friends herself, and not be the one that always needs saving.

During the first day of her one year leave to return to Canterlot, a strange meeting with Princess Luna opens the door to a great mystery, and a chance to gain the strength she desires. There's only one catch. This strength she can only attain with the help of Princess Luna, who also requires her help in protecting Equestria.

Twilight just has one question. Why does Luna keep calling her "Master"?

“You know Prince Blueblood?”
“Is he as handsome as he looks?”
“Did you kiss him?”
“Did you-”
“Enough! All of you! Back away from me!” Rarity said as she waved her hoofs at them angrily. Each mare muttered to themselves and began to giggle. Rarity blushed hot out of embarrassment.
“You probably don’t like him because he’s a stallion. Like mares much?”
“I do not!”
Rarity has to deal with her mixed feelings for mares and prove that those ponies are wrong. So after her invite to Canterlot, she has to date Prince Blueblood to see if he's changed. But Twilight has deep feelings for Rarity, and watches the white unicorn's every move.
It was so hard to find an Alicorn Twilight and Rarity picture. So head up is better than nothing.

The Nightmare has returned, using Rarity as her new vessel. Twilight steps up boldly to save her, but is soon lost to the darkness. What evils lie in wait for these two now? What horrors await the innocent in their path? Can they take over Equestria?

Not likely, seeing as it's still Twilight and Rarity, and despite the new looks, it's the same old ponies. A new romance between the pair does little to aid their conquest. Heck, it would take complete incompetence on the guards part and easily scared ponies to see these two in any real position of... power...

We're all doomed!

This story is a sequel to Inner Demons

Play this song first!

Equestria's Darkest Hour was only the beginning... The end of days are fast approaching...

Twilight faced her darkness and made peace with it. Now she can face who she is, and not a moment too soon. The greatest battle in Equestrian history is about to begin, and she'll need to understand just how deep the darkness in her heart goes in order to face the threats to come. However, in preparation for the worst event in Equestrian history, she'll have to protect a mare that may be the key to everyone's destruction. Even worse, she has to deal with an old enemy/former friend that's intent on saving the world her way, which means killing the life that Twilight wishes to protect. But can a demon truly do an angel's job, or is Twilight simply deluding herself?

"Can I atone for my sins...?"

For years Diamond Tiara has been contending with dark feelings, night terrors, and blackouts she can't explain. When Apple Bloom, the love of her life, was here, she could handle it. Now that Apple Bloom is gone though, Diamond Tiara's sanity is slipping, and she's becoming something horrible. Good news, she's beginning to understand what she is now. Bad news, she hates it, because the more she learns, the less likely it seems she can be saved.

"Wh-what am I?! Apple Bloom, help me!"

She is the Guardian of Equestria, sworn to defend the golden land of Terra from any and all threats. Vale's life was saved by a Unicorn who's heart was more pure than even her own, but now she has to carry on her life and continue her own mission. That should be simple, except for three things standing in her way. Midnight has once again chosen to stand against her, the lover of the one who saved her won't leave her alone, and strange foreign emotions plague her, hindering her mission. All she knows is that something in her heart is saying this isn't right.

"What's holding me back...?"

These three, and others surrounding them, will play an integral part in the events over the next month. As for what their places on the board are, unfortunately that's not entirely up to them.

Note: if you haven't read the other stories yet, STOP NOW and read the following:
Inner Demons
Inner Demons: 10 Years and Inner Demons: Fragments of Truth (these can be read in any order, but only after Inner Demons)

Cover Art by my friend The Spectralist!

Inner Demons II added to the TV Tropes page?! WHAT?! Go here to read it!

Twilight Sparkle, A bearer of the element of magic, had a very powerful magic since she was young. However that powerful magic actually drained her life and there was no cure for it. The only way to prevent herself from dying. She had to be put to sleep. While her time is running out, how will she tell her friends? Will she leave something behind for them?

This story is a sequel to Solar Child: Burden of the Crown

Bright Night, Prism Dash, Glimmer Sparkle, and Nympha Lulamoom are all daughters of some of the most powerful alicorns in existence. Now in their twenties, they are happily fulfilling their roles of learning the ways of the crown to one day take over for the Princesses. However, what will happen when a dark secret of their past resurfaces and not only threatens them, but effects their views of their regal mothers.

And what will happen when these demons free themselves upon the world?

Sequel to: Solar Child
Solar Child: Burden of the Crown

Bored, lonely and tired of doing the old same routine Cheerilee hopes for a special somepony to bring spice into her life. Grading papers, answering questions and teaching the young minds of Ponyville has swamped her social life, blocking her hopes of finding Mr. Right! But when all hope is lost to find that special guy, she receives a love letter and all of the troubles that comes with it.

Twilight has been thrust into a prominent role in equestrian society; a role for which she is woefully unprepared. With her coronation only three weeks away, she must prepare herself to meet the expectations of a nation. Thankfully, her friends are on hoof to provide her with their unwavering support on the run up to this momentous occasion.

However is their help what Twilight really needs? She wants to be a good princess, but is she willing to reinvent her entire personality to do so? Can anypony truly understand what she's going through?

Twilight sparkle, Princess Celestias most faithful student is summoned to the castle and is asked to come alone to talk with the Princess about something that could be the most important lesson that she could teach her, what does twilight think it is and why is Princess Luna presant when she arrives?