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    Chapters

    • Chapter 18: Apus Cover
      by Starscribe — How could Star learn the secrets of Stygian’s Gate without making it obvious that she was here to get all of them hanged?It was going to be an awkward conversation when she finally met back up with Ginny, and had to admit that she was right. Ponies could be incredibly stupid about their relationships. She’d never imagined she would wield a power like that over somepony, let alone actually use it. But how could she say no when the opportunity was given to her so plainly? Certainly it had nothing to do…
    • Chapter 17: Indis Cover
      by Starscribe — This is so stupid I’m going to get caught I can’t believe I’m doing this why am I so stupid. Jamie crept through the shelter, shoulders stooped low and eyes alert. Of course she knew that any moment her little escape could end in failure—at this point, she expected it. But considering the death that likely waited for her if she actually carried out the AI’s plan, she had to try.Every emergency shelter has exactly the same layout. All I have to do is get to the top floor, then activate the…
    • Chapter 16: Crux Cover
      by Starscribe — Jamie stared back at her reflection, confused and horrified by what she saw. It was strange: she knew on an intellectual level that if she’d woken this way the first time, she would’ve just assumed it was the way she ought to be, and never questioned it. But now that she had a month in this bizarre horse-body, alterations to it felt just as much like violations as involuntary mods would’ve been to her human shape.That I’ll probably never get back either. Of course Epsilon had promised that when the…
    • Chapter 15: Ara Cover
      by Starscribe — Regent Twilight Sparkle walked through her laboratory, attentive to the sound of pacing hooves behind her. General Pike stomped along with iron-toed boots, clicking against the tile. Behind him were the light footsteps of the Prelate.Prelate Crimson Shine moved delicately, robes dragging along the tile behind her. I probably should’ve told her not to bother with the costume.Whatever, Twilight could send clerks down here to sterilize it later. This was too urgent to wait. “Forgive my curiosity,…
    • Chapter 14: Equuius Cover
      by Starscribe — For the second time in her life, Jamie woke overwhelmed by a body that didn’t make sense. At first there was the familiar vain efforts of her brain, reaching out to reassert whatever passed for normal. She was a pony now, she needed to remember. Of course that was the only thing going on.There was the hospital bed, the straps to prevent her from falling off after her recent surgery. Her hands were turned into stumps, her organs were all shifted and her bones were different. Her face was stretched, her…
    • Chapter 13: Vela Cover
      by Starscribe — Star wasn’t sure what she’d been expecting from the headquarters of the resistance. As they shut the door behind them, she discovered to her disappointment that this certainly wasn’t the headquarters of anything. There weren’t even chairs in here with the other construction supplies. It was just a storage room, with a single magical light as its only true amenity.Star glared at the discolored purple crystal, feeling a little sympathetic soreness from her horn. She’d been casting light spells for…
    • Chapter 12: Lyra Cover
      by Starscribe — Ginny’s plan was every bit as awful as Star had imagined. At least the Commissar had been there quickly to put an end to the degeneracy and get them both in chains. The public trial was like stepping sideways into another reality, where Harmony hadn’t mattered to her and she’d cared about nothing but her own happiness. Only her horrified parents were missing to make the miserable affair complete.She’d been right in her guess of punishment too—Commissar Golden Shine chose the pillory, where her…
    • Chapter 11: Pyxis Cover
      by Starscribe — Hollow Shades was nothing like Concord. When they first arrived, Star thought they’d gotten lost and wandered into some ancient ruin instead. But then she saw the movement from down below, and she realized with horror that they’d finally arrived. If there was going to be a rebellion hiding anywhere in the world, it would be here. These creatures even seemed to be hiding from the sun, let alone the princess and Harmony’s will.“We’ll have to find a place in the Kindness district,” Ginny squeaked,…
    • Chapter 10: Musca Cover
      by Starscribe — Jamie settled onto the bed of her strange new quarters, closing her eyes and letting the silence enfold her like a blanket. The skylight in the center of her room had gone dark now with the coming of night, but she didn’t yet feel tired.Jamie had survived the end of the world. True, she’d paid with her humanity to pass through the door into summer—but considering the alternatives, she’d take that trade. Now the Empire’s toast, along with anything that ever mattered to me. It’s a fresh start…
    • Chapter 9: Sculptor Cover
      by Starscribe — Jamie slowed as they finally reached the city, trying to process something that resembled nowhere she’d ever imagined. Hollow Shades was built into a narrow mountain valley, a vast circular city divided into thirds around a central market. It looked as though space had started running out for new homes a few centuries back, and so the ponies had started stacking things onto one another, leading to narrow streets that were just barely large enough for two people, weaving between shops and gardens and…
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