Drone 319, Queen Chrysalis's top spy in Ponyville, finds himself hovering over Ciderfest tied to a balloon. Why? He doesn't know. When asked what he's doing, he says the first thing that comes to mind to keep his cover.

"I'm a Zeppelin."

Picture art https://derpibooru.org/301934

[Featured 11/11-17/2016 ]

(Now with audio reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqaOKuSnH1I&feature=youtu.be)

What is the cost of freedom?

It is not free, as many would like to think. It isn't guaranteed by words on paper, or by ideas formed in the minds of great thinkers. It's paid for at a cost; a dear cost.

Three little fillies are about to get a lesson in the true price that is to be paid to remain free.

Rainbow Dash was the Iron Wing. She was a war hero, the Slayer of Shadows, the Liberator of the Crystal Empire, the Wrath of Celestia. And depending on who you ask, she still is.

But the war is over. There's little need for a pony like her in peacetime. So she keeps telling herself that she needs to adjust, that she needs to find a new role to fill in the world that she saved. But Equestria seems content to let her remain what she has become, even though they have no need of a warrior.

"This isn't how it's supposed to be", is something she keeps telling herself. But every time she says it, the only thing she can reply is, "so what should it be?"

One whole year after the close of the war, and Rainbow Dash still doesn't have the answer.

Art by NCMares.

Humans aren't nearly as robust as ponies. Simple gestures such as hugs, pats on the back, and hoof bumps are all well and fine when it's another pony on the receiving end. With a creature a fraction of their mass, ponies often forget how fragile others can be.

A man reflects on his fragility during a routine checkup, and realizes that he might not be the only one affected by simple actions one might take for granted.

An audio reading has been done by the illustrious Illya Leonov.

Apple Bloom asks Applejack a question she had long been dreading.

Losing someone can be hard. But it can sometimes be even harder when you never really got to know that person in the first place.

As everyone around her mourns this tragedy , Princess Cadance upholds her role as ruler of the Crystal Empire in the only way she knows how: with dignity and grace. In carrying out her royal duties, she knows she has to put aside her own feelings of grief, and act as any princess would.

No one would ever know that, deep inside, she's completely falling apart...

Hear the LIVE narration by Pencil and Priest here!

WARNING:
Contains miscarriage, brief scenes of violence, mentions of blood, and adult non-sexual themes. This is a story about losing an unborn child. Please be aware of that before you read.

This is not a normal anonpencil story. Does not contain Anon. Does not contain jokes.

During the first war with Tirek, Princess Celestia sends her sister Princess Luna a very short letter. Although the letter could easily fit onto a single page, Celestia uses two.

Sometimes the medium speaks louder than the message.

Written for The Writeoff Association's "Princess Not Included*" contest.

Nice clothes? Check. Bouquet? Check. Prettiest little nurse girlfriend of all time? Double check!

All that needs to happen now is for this big romantic surprise date plan to go off without a hitch. She'll be swept off her feet by dinner at a fancy restaurant, feel as special as she deserves to, and know that she is loved beyond a shadow of a doubt. It'll truly be a special night.
Well, assuming nothing goes wrong, but why would it?
No, of course not! Everything is definitely going to go perfectly according to plan.

Amazing art by Ezoisum, who you should go check out. Will take down if requested.

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

Twilight confronts the Tree of Harmony about the way it never sends her on Friendship Missions. The Tree explains itself. Kind of.

The original version of this story got 4th place in the Writeoff Association's 56th contest, "*Princess Not Included."