The ship nuzzled up to the Manehattan docks as if felt particularly fond of them. A cheer went up from its decks, and the cheer was echoed on the shore.
Appearances could be deceiving. In its day, the ‘Jolly Galloper’ had been most unwelcome at the Manehattan seaport, for its habit of disgorging pirates to rob the place. But the ‘Galloper’ had belonged to Kabochaebi… and for years now, its visits to ports all over Equestria had been peaceful and benevolent. Continue reading
They entered Chowa in a sort of triumphial procession: not through anything they’d done, at least that day, but simply because ponies lined the streets from the outskirts of the city all the way to the amphitheater where they’d set up and play. The ponies stood in Neighponnese politeness, not blocking the way, not even cheering—but staring, rapt, as if they were already planning to tell their grandfoals ‘that was the day I watched Octavia and DJ Pon-3 perform for all of Neighpon’.
Big Macintosh’s ears were laid back as he pulled the cart, but apart from that he was not perturbed. He’d had mares stare at him that way before. Anyhoof, it was the cargo of the cart he pulled which bore the brunt of the attention. Continue reading
Kichona scuffed at the grass with a hoof. “Come out of there, right now!”
“Nooo!” came the reply.
“What ever is the matter?” she begged. Continue reading
The skies over Neighpon were crystal blue, almost too perfect to be real. Colorful pegasi in pointy costumes zipped across the sky: patrolling, but not finding monsters, weird or otherwise.
When they passed over a certain valley, their ears turned, and they soared as if finding thermals over the small natural amphitheater.
They pirouetted, in pairs or alone, keeping still and quiet in their meditative flight, so they could listen. Continue reading
At the edge of the clearing, near the outskirts of town, a lovely grey mare with green eyes and sandy mane and tail walked out into the sunlight.
She blinked, her ears quirking back in surprise. Not at an unexpected sound… but an unexpected absence of sound.
She glanced back. Continue reading
Kirin did not freak out, as a rule. Kirin… considered. Kirin took a long view, and did not jump to conclusions if they could help it.
Kirin, confronting the mystery of the empty boat and the mysterious tracks in the sand, undertook to consider this as well… and did so, patiently.
And sometimes, unbeknownst to ponies, Kirin politely argued, abandoning their elaborate courtly diction, over the management of their charges and the extent of their responsibilities to their little ponies of all sorts. Continue reading
“Slow down, honey,” pleaded Flight Lightning. “Start over. What happened?”
Scootaloo took a big breath. “It’s Dad! It’s Braeburn! He’s gone!” Continue reading
Octavia shuddered, baring her teeth in sensual bliss.
She also quivered. And trembled, and wiggled… because Octavia was a generous mare, and wished her pleasure to be shared. Continue reading
You’d have to be crazy to try and smuggle a changeling child into Ponyville in broad daylight. Or, you’d have to be daring. You’d have to notice all of Ponyville was turning out for a Ponyville funeral, complete with celebration of life afterwards. You’d have to risk somepony noticing when you didn’t show up for the ceremony, and you’d have to make a break for it when all Ponyville was distracted, all in hopes of getting your changeling child safely into your secret lair, unseen.
Only Secret Agent Sweetie Drops was that daring.
Unfortunately, it also looked like Secret Agent Sweetie Drops had been crazy to try it. Continue reading
“Maybe if I can peek for just one moment?” said Hina fretfully. “Surely I can do these things! I must try again.” Continue reading
“Oh, no!” squealed Rainbow Dash, panicking. “They got her too! Princess Twilight!” Continue reading
“What’s so dang funny, Rainbow Dash?” Continue reading
“R—Rainbow! Stop, wait!”
Dash’s wings thrashed fiercely as she screeched to a halt, in mid-air. “WHAT?” Continue reading
Two little ponies danced. Continue reading
Trixie Lulamoon’s head hung low. Blood dripped from her nose, and her eyes crossed a little, but she forced them straight and gritted her teeth, willing her magical ward to hold for another few seconds as the maddened townsponies charged it. Continue reading
Rainbow Dash blasted across the sky, a deafening prismatic boom following in her wake. Continue reading