This page is for My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic general fanfic recommendations, i.e. those that don't fall into any other category like shipping or crossover. Please make sure you're putting your rec on the correct page. The template for adding your own recs, as well as general information about fanfic recs, can be found here.
Return to the show's main fanfic recommendation page at My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic.
For fanworks pages you can also see the Friendship Is Magic Fanon Index.
For fanfics based on previous generations or series of the franchise, go to My Little Pony fanfic recs.
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Fics with their own pages
Racer and the Geek by Kalash93
- Recommended by: Molotov
- Status: On hiatus
- Synopsis: Sunny Breeze is living a quiet life in Ponyville until one night, Rainbow Dash suddenly appears at his door! What does she want? What's really going on here? What are her true motives? All may not be as it seems, especially Sunny himself. There's a lot more going on in Rainbow's head than Give Geeks a Chance, and Sunny himself is far from ordinary. Things snowball quickly. The journey will not be easy, but it will be worthy every moment. It can be read here.
- Comments: Yeah, I know, another OC x main character shipfic. However, this one actually features Hidden Depths and showcases character development in the OC and in the canon character. It also done a fair amount of fascinating world building, as usual for the author. Endorsed by Brony 2983, the author of To Love A Goddess.
Rainbooms and Royalty by Trinary
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Alternate Universe: Instead of Twilight Sparkle, Princess Celestia made Rainbow Dash her personal student instead! Follow her through the events of the 1,000th Summer Sun Celebration. A reimagining of "Friendship is Magic".
- Comments: On the surface, a really bizarre premise, but Trinary not only pulls it off, but does it exceptionally well. The prose is well-written, but what really sells it is the fantastic characterizations. Despite the altered setting, the ponies are perfectly in character, and the events and interactions are completely faithful and realistic to the show. Warning: there is some shipping, but very mild, and its a one-sided adolescent crush kind of thing (which ends up being hilarious). Can be found here as well as here, under the pen name Rowanoak23.
Rainbow Factory by Aurora Dawn
- Recommended by Valikdu, lordnaseby
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Scootaloo is ready to take her flight exam. She's going to end up discovering how the rainbows are made in Cloudsdale. Warning: grimdark as fuck. Contains scenes of violence and gore. Reader beware.
- Recommended by: Molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: My life in Hollow Shades wasn't too bad, but I wanted to start a new life somewhere else, so one day I packed my things and moved to a town called Ponyville. A place where I could start a new life, make some friends and get a job. What I never expected was to find the mare of my dreams...
- Comments: Better than it sounds. The author is a friend of Kalash 93, who also served as his chief editor. Mythology gags abound.
Rites of Ascension by CvBrony
- Recommended by Madd The Sane, Paras, and IMpish.
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Sixteen years after arriving in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle is excited to have invented a brand-new kind of spell, but it will come with consequences she can’t possibly anticipate. Meanwhile, threats in shadows around the world conspire to overthrow the Solar Throne. With her world turned upside down, she will have to come to terms with the role that fate has dealt her while straining to keep Celestia in power.
- Comment: Unlike a lot of Twilight Alicorn fics, her change is gradual in this one.
Romance and the Fate of Equestria by Supa Supa Bad Truly Mad Moves
- Recommended by Pixargirl
- Status: Dead; last updated July 2019
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle has learned much about the magic of friendship, but what about love? In the aftermath of "A Canterlot Wedding", she begins her studies on romantic love. Life goes on in Ponyville, with Gilda coming to town with a business proposition, the Cutie Mark Crusaders embarking on a major new project, and Fluttershy starting up a romantic relationship of her very own.
- Comments: A very fun and well-written story that's something of an AU as this was written before season three and four. The Characters are very much in character and with well-written dialogue with a little bit of cussing and a few sexual implications throughout, though sex is not the focus nor is it prominent. It’s in epic length, well over 200,000 words and two years in the making, with still more to come and like the show, it features both slice-of-life everyday activities and big heroic confrontations.
- Additionally ships that are included are Fluttermac, Spike/Sweetie Belle, Twilight/OC, Lyra/Bon Bon, Twilight/Joe, Pinkie/Fancypants, Rainbow/Derpy, Celestia/Discord, Chrysalis/OC, and many more.
School Daze by Paleo Prints
- Recommended by tokyooranges, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After her students release the spirit of Discord on an official field trip, Cheerilee finds herself out of a job. With no opportunities in Ponyville, the schoolmare takes a job offer in the inner city area of Canterlot's old mining town. Can even she overcome the insanities of her colleagues and apathy of her students in time to pass her next annual review? And who is the mysterious backwards-talking filly following Cheerilee around? Luna's School for Disadvantaged Youngsters will never be the same!
- Recommended by Scootyloo, Madd The Sane
- Status: Discontinued
- Synopsis: Scootaloo doesn't exactly have the run of the mill mother. How will she ever explain to her friends that her mom is the crown princess of Equestria?
- Review here
The Secret Life of Rarity by Brony Writer
- Recommended by lordnaseby, Clato Lawa
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The story details Rarity's life as a serial killer, a life which stemmed back to a self-defense killing in her foalhood. While at first, she relishes in her murders (mostly of weaker series antagonists) eventually she becomes a Woobie Destroyerof Worlds when she begins to hate herself for what she does and what effect is has on her family and friend but by then it is such an addiction for her that she can't stop herself.
- WARNING this story is very violent and details each end every murder. However, the author stresses that it is a character study rather than only focusing on the gore and "isn't Cupcakes with Rarity". It's more tragedy than grimdark as less than half of the chapters contain violent murders. Still, if gore involving ponies isn't your thing DO NOT READ THIS STORY.
- Now has two completed sequels, The Public Life of Sweetie Belle and Broken Blossom.
Slice of Velvet and Pear by David Silver
- Recommended by mkmlp
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: In another timeline, Twilight Velvet decides to take her young daughter, Twilight Sparkle, with her on an outing to Ponyville to sample the local cuisine. Where they meet Pear Butter and her young daughter, Applejack, and hit it off. With both the mares and their children becoming life long friends. Causing a butterfly effect that leads to Twilight learning the magic of friendship early and moving to Ponyville on her own accord, Moondancer taking her place as Princess Celestia's apprentice and Spike's primary care giver, Pear Butter surviving into the events of the series proper, and Spike never developing a crush on Rarity and befriending Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon, among other changes.
- Pairings: Twilight/Moondancer, Spike/Diamond Tiara
- Comments: The characters are well written and the changes to the universe keep things different, while still sticking true to the story of the original series.
Spring Is Dumb by Hoof Biting Action Overload
- Recommended by Titanium Dragon
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Rainbow Dash knows one thing for sure, she is definitely not a barbarous, uncivilized dolt who doesn't know polite conversation from a hippopotamus's rear end. And also that she's definitely not the one who's wrong. Rarity is wrong. Rainbow Dash is absolutely, totally, a hundred percent sure of it.But then why did Rainbow just buy a wagon load of apology bouquets?
Stallions On Strike by Aegis Shield
- Recommended by Mister Beeg
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Big Macintosh goes on strike when he sees he's the one doing all the heavy lifting and harder work at Sweet Apple Acres while his sisters frolic. His idea catches fire throughout Ponyville, and soon every stallion is up in arms!
- Review here
Story of the Blanks by Donitz
- Recommended by Cronosonic, S Noble Jr, lordnaseby
- Synopsis: Story of the Blanks is a short fan-game created in Adobe Flash. The game is constrained to use genuine NES graphics and graphical limitations (down to the very 8 sprites per line limitation). Most if not all the music in the game was created by various people using FamiTracker (a NES/Famicom tracker).
- The basic story: Applebloom, one afternoon, runs into Twilight, who is heading into the Everfree Forest to deliver something to Zecora. Once they get there, Zecora warns them to leave the forest as soon as possible, as something will happen that night that they should not stay to witness. As they leave, they encounter a road block that Twilight attempts to remove, but while doing so, Applebloom sees another filly head deeper into the forest, and follows her...
- Review here
Sunny Skies All Day Long by PhantomFox
- Recommended by Ktarra Moon, S Noble Jr, Andyroid, Eric W, Hereward, Mike Rosoft
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Princess Celestia tires of constantly being surrounded by decorum, deference, and formality, and decides to take a day off from being Princess. But visiting Ponyville incognito is harder than she expects. Will she be able to fit in and make friends without blowing her cover? [1]
- Followed by My Faithful Student
Sunshine and Fire by BornIn1142
- Recommended by Eegah, Poptard, Eric W, Madd The Sane, Mister Tulip
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: An attempt to banish Celestia to another dimension also catches Twilight, Spike, and Luna. Now they're all stuck in another version of Equestria where Celestia became the evil Daymare Sun, and holds the world in eternal daytime, and Twilight's counterpart is her right-hand mare. Twilight believes the only hope for this world is to find the counterparts of her friends and reassemble the Elements of Harmony, while Celestia and Luna make their own plans.
Tangled Up In Blues by TheDescendantofKehAn
- Recommended by TheWalkingAnomaly, Korodzik
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The background stallion Blues is given a background of his own: a story composed of the disappointment and heartache that flows through his saxophone, and the joy, friendship and love (and not just romance) that gave him and his music their character.
The Sweetie Chronicles: Fragments by Wanderer D
- Recommended by Eegah, ViperhawkZ, MisterTulip
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: After Sweetie Belle is nearly killed in a Trixie-related mishap, she asks Twilight to teach her magic. Unfortunately, something goes wrong in one of their lessons and Twilight disappears, leaving Sweetie Belle to travel through the worlds of various AU fanfics to find her.
A Taste of the Good Life by Eakin
- Recommended by Clato Lawa
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Main Course is a successful chef and restaurant owner. Or he was, anyway, until a fire tore up his life's work and left him adrift. When he visits his sister in the rural backwater town of Ponyville, he discovers an abandoned building that's perfect for a quick fix-up so he can flip it for a profit. But the building comes with an unforeseen tenant, and when he lets her stick around he discovers that maybe, just maybe, there's something out there more important than wealth and fame.
This Platinum Crown by Cap'n Chryssalid
- Recommended by Ack Sed
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Epic sequel to The Best Night Ever. Prince Blueblood's announcement of his courting of Rarity has thrust her deep into the affairs of the royal unicorn court and its feuding families. Blueblood has several duel-happy potential suitors who have been notified of this non-noble upstart. Rarity must learn a lot, very quickly.
Trails And Trials by Mazzyrazzy
- Recommended by Aonaselk RavenFaith
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Ditzy/Derpy is a slightly uncoordinated pony with a friendless background, but for all her life she has tried to keep up a cheerful disposition. However, the days pass by as she becomes increasingly disheartened by her lack of friends - but as fate would have it, she inadvertently meets Twilight Sparkle, a pony who studies friendship for a living and gladly offers to teach Ditzy all she has learned. Eventually, the two ponies forge an incredibly deep bond, and Ditzy experiences first-hand what it means to care for a true friend.
- Review here
Trip Of A Lifetime by Tailslover 13
- Recommended by RLYoshi
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Josh Schwartz is a normal human with a normal life. He has his computer, his TV, his pet cat, his love of sports, the works. Naturally, he doesn't approve or enjoy girly things that are obviously made for girls. However, when a mysterious and unexplainable series of events takes place, he finds himself in Equestria, a world with no humans and only ponies...well, mostly ponies. How will this sarcastic human boy adapt to this new world? And how will its residents take to their new visitor?
Twilight's Dollhouse by Kaiden
- Recommended by Abcron Nopeba
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The newly coronated Princess Twilight suffers an abrupt tragedy. Having lost two loved ones, she begins to question her own mortality, and that of her friends: AJ, Dash, Rarity, Pinkie, Fluttershy. And they are just the beginning. Twilight will live for thousands of years, so every pony she cares about, every pony she will ever care about, will die. She can barely handle the pain of one funeral, let alone the thought of hundreds of them. Twilight finds a clever way to ensure all of her friends never die. They can’t all be ageless alicorns, but they can all move into Twilight’s Dollhouse. Then they can be best friends forever.
Twilight's List by kits
- Recommended by Titanium Dragon
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle prides herself on following and sticking to her plans, but she isn't as organized as everypony thinks. Her master list, the plan for her life, has an item that she has never been able to check off; and the time has come to fix that. How hard can it be? All she needs to do is go on a date and get a kiss.
Under the Northern Lights by sieurin
- Recommended by Madd The Sane
- Status: Dormant; last updated October 2017
- Synopsis: A diplomatic crisis arises between Equestria and the small, poor kingdom of Tarandroland, ancestral home of the reindeer. Celestia and Luna agree that it is time Luna takes a more active hand in foreign relations again, and Luna brings Twilight with her as someone she actually trusts and can talk to.
Vee For Vendetta by Melon Hunter
- Recommended by Lance Omikron
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: The unstoppable force of Canterlot bureaucracy meets the immovable object of small-town stubbornness. Hapless civil servant Veggie Vee is about to find that ideas never die... and neither does Ponyville's sweet tooth.
The Vinyl Scratch Tapes by Corey W. Williams
- Recommended by Calnos, S Noble Jr, Mark Lungo
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After the invention of radio, DJ-P0n 3 (aka Vinyl Scratch) holds the first Equestrian talk show with her co-host Octavia. Octavia quickly finds out her superior is slightly eccentric, leading their broadcast to be constantly derailed, yet somehow remain popular. These episodes were recorded for historical significance and transcribed. These are the Vinyl Scratch Tapes.
- Review here
What Have You Done by cloudedguardian
- Recommended by redandready45
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Words and actions can sometimes hurt more than we know, sowing betrayal and hatred where friendship and innocence lies. A single thoughtless action can be a tipping point, one fallen domino setting off hundreds. Look back, and answer me. What have you done? Completed, with a sequel promised by the author.
- Comments: It is an Accusation Fic written about A Canterlot Wedding. But while most have the characters being called out by Twilight, in this fic, the events are altered, and the characters realize their mistake through the consequences of their actions. It is a powerful tale on how thoughtless mistakes can have long-reaching effects most of us don't realize.
- A sequel "Even As..." as been published by the author, and can be viewed here. Tropes for that story go on the same page as "What Have You Done."
What Rainbows Are Made Of by Silver Fox, translated by LinesPrower
- Recommended by Lopiny, Mike Rosoft
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Several days after having a terrible nightmare, Scootaloo takes her final exam at the Cloudsdale Flight Academy, and with the help of Rainbow Dash gains insight into the nature of her own character as well as knowledge of the deepest secrets of the Rainbow Factory.
- Comments: Much like The Light in the Darkness did for Cupcakes (Sergeant Sprinkles), this fic can be considered as an antidote for Rainbow Factory.
When a Pony Calls written by Seven Fates
- Recommended by {nobodyimportant57}
- Status: Complete
- "Synopsis": Soren, a currently unemployed young man and in the closet brony, wakes up on the morning of his family reunion, looking foreword to spending time with his family. As he's browsing through his computer, he stumbles on a mysterious message from someone claiming to be the pony Lyra Heartstrings and is making an offer: she wants to swap bodies. Still not believing her, he decides humor Lyra and agrees. Then his computer explodes and knocks him across the room, leaving him dazed until his parents run up stairs and bring him out of his daze. There, he realizes two thing: 1.he is still in his room 2.He is in Lyra's body. Things all go down hill from there.
- Comments: This story is a very touching piece that starts out as a lighthearted comedy, that is steadily hit by Cerebus Syndrome, and morphs into heart wrenching thriller full of emotions that borders on nightmare fuel, while still being both heartwarming and humorous.
- Warning: Sexual content and some physiological horror.
White Box by Chromosome
- Recommended by Chargin Chuck, Completely Different
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: My name is Canvas. I remember because I wrote it in the corner of the white box. It takes twelve steps to get from the cot to the wall. And the lights hurt my eyes.
3 ReviewsWhy Am I Crying? by Rated Ponystar
- Recommended by Artican
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: When Diamond Tiara suddenly dies in a tragic accident, The Cutie Mark Crusaders must come to terms with her death. But how does one feel when suddenly your tormentor is gone?
- Comments: This is a very thoughtful and well-written series exploring how the Crusaders sort through their thoughts and feelings regarding Diamond Tiara and her death. The author delves deep into the trio's individual reactions, showing the many ways people deal with the death of another.
Within And Without by Cloudy Skies.
- Recommended by Streamof Consciousness
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Princess Luna approaches the Mane Six with some interesting questions: "Did you ever stop to wonder what became of Trixie, Gilda and Blueblood after your encounters? What did these episodes truly mean to you? What role will they yet play in the lives of the Elements of Harmony? Last, are these questions as relevant as the journey towards the answers? Who will benefit from seeking these answers - you, them, or I?"
- Shipping: Rainbow Dash and Pinkie Pie, Twilight and Luna.
Without a Hive by Phoenix_Dragon
- Recommended by NiGHTS
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: When a training expedition ends in complete disaster, a young changeling finds himself separated from the hive, and he has to seek shelter in a pony orphanage. As he grows, he finds himself divided between genuine affection for his equine friends and the need to deceive them to survive.
- Comments: A beautiful and very poignant story, a true emotional rollercoaster. Set in the same continuity as the also excellent (but more light-hearted) Fragments. Each one's ending is a bit of a spoiler for the other's, so read in any order you want.
The World is Filled with Monsters by Cold in Gardez
- Recommended by Theriocephalus
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Vermillion, an earth pony serving in the Equestrian army in Equestria's distant past, is sent alongside his unit to relieve a distress call from a frontier farming town. After the town is overrun by giant spiders and the unit forced to retreat, he finds himself with a job offer from Princess Luna: darkness is gathering out in the wild, and Equestria needs to do be proactive in protecting itself before it finds itself overwhelmed. As Vermillion and his companions grapple with a growing tide of horrors, he finds himself grappling with questions of self-worth, the nature of leadership, and the slow realization that not all monsters lurk in the woods...
- Comments: An excellent story. The monsters are well-developed and memorable, the main character's struggling with his self-doubt while needing to be a leader for his friends is provides an interesting emotional conflict, and the story also presents a fascinating portrayal of a Luna already well on the way to becoming Nightmare Moon. Note that there's an OC x OC romance that comes up later on in the story, but it's also well-written and works well with the rest of the story's themes.
A World Without Rainbows by UberPhoenix
- Recommended by K 9 Thefirst 1, Jayrad, Emptybee
- Status: Acts I and II Complete, Act III Dead
- Synopsis: What if Rainbow Dash failed her Sonic Rainboom at the end of "Cutie Mark Chronicles"? Twilight awakes in a strange land where everything is a bit... different, and the world is shrouded in eternal night.
The Worst Bakers In Equestria by Bob from Bottles
- Recommended by Miar, S Noble Jr, Peteman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Comprised of seven stories:
- The first four cover Luna, Ditzy Doo (aka Derpy Hooves), Rainbow Dash, Trixie, and their inability to bake anything, as they prepare for the eponymous competition.
- The next two cover the preliminaries and the big contest itself.
- In the last story, inspired by the competition, the Cutie Mark Crusaders try their hand at bad baking.
Would It Matter If I Was by GaPJaxie
- Recommended by Drake Clawfang
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: In the aftermath of the Canterlot Wedding and the changeling invasion, Fluttershy asks Twilight a question: what if she was secretly a changeling?
The Writing on the Wall by Horse Voice.
- Recommended by Notriddle
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Daring Do explores the most ancient tomb known to ponykind. Then the curse on its wall is translated.
- Review here
- Recommended by: tvlegend
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: A pony, a Dragon, a Changeling, a Griffon, a Yak and a Hippogriff. In times gone by, it would have been unthinkable for such a collection to be considered close. But now, thanks to the opening of Princess Twilight’s School of Friendship, these six children have come to know one another, and see each other as friends. These are the stories of their time together.
- Comments: A very nice slice of life story about the Young Six. Sandbar goes through a very tragic arc involving his old friend from his foalhood.
The Youngest Alicorn by High Soprano
- Recommended by: MLP Creative 101
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Lily Note is the youngest known alicorn in Equestria. She is now also the youngest Princess. Her adoptive mother and aunt also seriously need to calm down. She is not starting to freak out. Nope!
- Comments: A pleasant surprise, as the main character (an alicorn) is not a Mary Sue!
Zenith by The Descendant
- Recommended by Korodzik
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Princess Twilight Sparkle and Spike discover a mysterious artifact—and Twilight ends up placed under a terrible killing curse, and the only way to keep it from slaying her is to put her into a magical coma. And, with that, Spike's entire world falls apart. How will this terrible ordeal affect him, who is just a little kid? And is there any way he can save Twilight from the curse so that she can wake up? And why is Princess Celestia refusing to help him in any way?
Fics without pages
Racist Barn by Ponydora Prancypants
by Ponydora Prancypants- Recommended by Clato Lawa, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The Unity Day party at Sweet Apple Acres goes awry after surprising accusations are leveled at Applejack, on account of some difficult-to-discern lyrics.
- Comment: Inspired by a Memetic Mutation from Apple Family Reunion, this is a well-written comedy of errors with an especially hilarious payoff.
Raiders of the Cutie Mark by DJLowrider
- Recommended by RLYoshi, Mad Cormorant
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: When the Cutie Mark Crusaders find a book telling of an ancient artifact with the power to grant one's heart's desire, it leads them on their biggest adventure ever - and quite possibly their last!
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Determined to try everything, the Cutie Mark Crusaders hop aboard a rail car and set off down the rails for adventure.
Rain without Rainbows by Leoshi
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "Make a wish." Rainbow Dash is granted an opportunity which seems false. But does that mean the wish was imagined? And whose wish is actually granted? "You cannot hope to beat me, dear Princess. Your Harmony lies broken!"
- Comments: A wonderfully written fic. The author's descriptions and prose is just beautiful. The characters are excellently written and well within character. Also featured on Equestria Daily. Now, also at FIMFiction.net.
Rainbow Dash's Awesome Nightmare Night Haunted House Choose Your Own Adventure Adventure by TheDriderPony
- Recommended by KaisertheGreat
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: It's Nightmare Night in Ponyville (and presumably everywhere else as well) and Starlight and Trixie have teamed up to host a haunted house attraction. Spooks and frights and guaranteed in this one-of-a-kind experience orchestrated by two mares who, between them, barely make up a single functioning member of society. What could go wrong in this pandormare's box of horror designed by a former villainous megalomaniac with boundary issues and a compatriot whose worldview is heavily tinted by a lens of narcissism? Take on the role of Rainbow Dash, fearless seeker of frights, in this branching CYOA experience. Explore different paths to victory, collect items, solve puzzles, and try to find all the hidden endings!
Rainbow Dash, zombie hunter! Sorta. by Skyeheart
- Recommended by Rock Raider
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: An alternate ending to 28 Pranks Later. When cornered in the barn by "cookie zombies", Rainbow Dash doesn't stick around long enough for them to reveal it was all a prank. Rainbow Dash decides that she has to do something about the cookie zombie problem.
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: When a freak reading accident causes Twilight to be admitted to the Ponyville hospital, Rainbow Dash is right by her side. Compelled by a sense of duty and repayment, she takes it upon herself to cheer up her friend.
- Comments: This story is one long Heartwarming Moment, with a good dose of funny as well. Rainbow Dash loyally repaying Twilight Sparkle for helping her learn the wonder of reading really fits her character. Also featured on Equestria Daily.
The Real Story by Nimaru
- Recommended by Liangnui
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: This is... my explanation of what REALLY happened. I mean, 1000 years before episode one, they had light and cities. Why wouldn't there have been plenty of ponies out in the dark? And why banish her for 1000 years? Doesn't that seem extreme? So many people say Celestia is a "troll" for this when in reality there was no other way. More than anything, I am doing this comic series to defend Celestia who is probably the greatest pony who has ever lived in Equestria and it breaks my heart the way people treat her sometimes. Now it's time to find out the REAL story behind the legend of the elements of harmony (I just hope I can do it justice with my current level of skill!)
Rebuilding by JD Mc Gregor
- Recommended by Roboguy
- Status: Incomplete
- Synopsis: Trixie saw it first, and then so did Twilight: Starlight has a problem, and it all leads back to her childhood. Something inside still haunts her and keeps her from truly fitting in. But when Trixie arrives one morning to mooch a free breakfast and propose a silly plan, Twilight never expected it to send her beloved student running from the room in tears. The only way to deal with this will be for Starlight to confront her childhood fears, but this time, she'll have Trixie by her side. Still, all the planning and checklists in the world can't prepare Twilight for where this will lead them. In the end, all of their lives will be changed.
- Comments: A really excellently-written fic that delves into why Twilight, Starlight, and Trixie all act the way they do, both around each other and by themselves. But more than that, it's adorable in a...sad kind of way, but in a heartwarming kind of way, too. Plenty of Tearjerker revelations and Heartwarming moments, but it's worth a read. Sadly incomplete as of this writing.
- Recommended by: Molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Celestia and Luna share a quiet spring morning together. Hilarity Ensues.
- Comments: It's sorta a followup to Last One Standing. You don't need one to understand the other, although you're robbing yourself of a great experience if you don't.
- Review here
- Recommended by: Molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Two lovers find time for each other to reaffirm their love. Better than it sounds.
- Comments: If erotica could be an art form, then this would be a stellar example. The whole thing is thoroughly heartwarming and heavily atmospheric. It's a short piece, too, but it packs so much emotional content into its length. Must read!
Remember the Good Days? by Carmine
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Synopsis: Sometimes things happen that no one can control. When this happens to Equestria, Twilight and her friends sit alone on top of a hill on the outskirts of the burning city behind them, talking about the good times they've shared as friends, dwelling deeper into their friendship. With only so little time, only so few words can be mustered by the group except when they remember the good days.
- Warning: You may need a box of tissues afterwards. This is a Tear Jerker.
The Return of Princess Nightmare Moon by Aegis Shield
- Recommended by autobot
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: All of Equestria is united in celebration for the return of their beloved Princess Nightmare Moon. But when Celestia and everypony else recieve her she's skeletally starved, filthy, and very nearly dead. It's up to everypony to do their part to help the dark alicorn, or Equestria may only have one Princess after all. 1,000 years is a long time to be alone on the moon. Alternate Universe, there never was a Luna
- Comments: A very unique take on the return of Nightmare Moon.
Rise of the Dark Age by Broadway Sweetie Belle (Broadway Sweetie Belle)
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: Cancelled
- Synopsis: My lord. For two thousands years you've waited, you've watched this world change in the depths of your prison; waiting for the day that you would returned to consume it. And now the world is at a crippled state. The eldest Alicorn sister rules over the land, unaware that her 'golden age' is what has kept this world off balance, and keeping your resurrection alive. But the one who had imprisoned you has sent forth the child of your first victims, to restore the world in its rightful path. But what can the Draconequus do, when the harmony he created turns against him? Concord is the spirit of order and balance. In a time when Equestria was ruled under chaos. Concord did a great deed for the ponies of the land. But in his ignorance and prideful state, he had unbalanced the world that he himself was sworn to protect. After a thousand years, Concord travels back to Equestria, determined to make things right again. However, it my be much more difficult than anticipated. If betraying friends, and destroying lives is what it'll take to balance the world, can he truly do it? Or will he embrace the dark side he never knew he had?
- Alternate Synopsis: Many stories tell of a world that is in need of a hero. But what if the world needed a villain? Concord, the spirit of order and balance, must do the difficult job of becoming that villain.
- Pairing(s): Celestia/OC onesided. (not a romance fic, but has some romantic elements)
- Tags:Shipping
The Road to Ponyville by Glue Factory
- Recommended by Andyroid
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: It’s one misadventure after another for Pinkie Pie and Rarity as they hoof it home. They'll throw down with angry locals, empty stomachs, tourist traps, and the largest confection this side of Equestria. It's not just a question of can make it home. Can they do it together?
- Comments: A hilarious little fic that picks up where "The Last Roundup" left off, with Rarity and Pinkie Pie lost in the middle of the desert trying to make their way back to Ponyville, and which pays homage to classic comedy duo films, like Crosby and Hope's Road movies.
Rocks fall; Everypony dies. by ToXikyogHurt
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The Cutie Mark Crusaders attempt some crusading when the Mane 6 leave on holiday. With about the level of success you're probably expecting. Don't worry, no character death takes place at all.
- Recommended by LanceOmikron
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Working as a waiter at Canterlot's various social gatherings is a nice job. Especially since you began chatting with the cello player of the usual quartet, Octavia. You've gotten to know a lot about her, but one night there seems to be something on her mind. You offer her a drink to ease her nerves and you bring your glasses together in cheers. Next thing you know, you wake up in a strange hotel room in a town you've never been to next to a certain gray mare.
A Route Obscure and Lonely by Japanese Teeth
- Recommended by Ruise
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: On the eve of the Summer Sun Celebration, Spike discovers all of Ponyville has been trapped in a deep sleep by an unknown enemy. What's more, even he himself is falling victim to the spell. Fortunately, the Princess of the Night is wide awake, even when she sleeps.
- Comments: A very good Spike-focused fic featuring some cool dream settings and a plot with twists and turns that leave the reader wanting to know more.
- Recommended by KaisertheGreat
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The Cutie Mark Crusaders, feeling no longer welcome in Ponyville after being exposed as Gabby Gums, decide that the only thing left for them is to run away from home. How will their friends, and family react when they realize what's happened? And what will happen with Diamond Tiara?
- Comments: A Fix Fic where the Cutie Mark Crusaders runaway from Ponyville instead of apologizing for their role as Gabby Gums. For anyone who disliked how the Crusaders were treated, everypony has a Jerkass Realization for how they treated the Crusaders and get called out as hypocrites by Granny Smith, Twilight Sparkle and Mayor Mare.
Running From Myself by torrentialCAM
- Recommended by Shadowwing09
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: While Twilight, Rarity, and Fluttershy are at dinner together at a fancy resturaunt, they have an encounter with two mares that use to be Twilight's schoolmates at Celestia's School For Gifted Unicorns. Surprised and disturbed by Twilight's hostile reaction to them, Rarity delves into Twilight's past to find that the cheerful bookworm has more emotional pain in her past then one might think
- Comment: A rather emotional trip for the reader that explores the very strong possibility that Twilight was bullied as a filly, this story reveals the pain of Twilight's past and shows her struggling with her issues in the present, with hope for the future. Bully victims will easily relate to Twilight here and find comfort in the role Twilight's friends play. As an added stroke, the author handles the punishment of the bullies very well with a good moral lesson to boot.
The Running of Lyra by Lurks-no-More
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The autumn is coming, and our favorite bipedal unicorn, Lyra, is preparing for the big event of the season - the Running of the Leaves! But how is Bon-Bon going to take it? And can Lyra's body take the bipedal cross-country race? Only one way to find out!
Scootaloo in Cloudsdale by Tamar
- Recommended by Mike Rosoft
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After realising that Scootaloo has never been to Cloudsdale, Rainbow takes the filly to the citadel of the pegasi, much to Scootaloo's excitement.
- Comments: Day in the life/friendshipping
Scootaloo's Parents by Carmine
- Recommended by Salnax1
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Every week, in secrecy, Scootaloo goes to her parent's house. She's afraid of other ponies finding out because her parents are rather... strange. But maybe things aren't as they seem, as her parents are about to tell her something that can turn her entire world upside down...
- Comments: A hilarious oneshot.
The Screwball Trilogy (The Turning of the Screwball, Screwball Mio Amore and Screwball Over), by Warren Hutch
- Recommended by GG Crono
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Button Stitch is an excessively regular mare with excessively regular habits, but something strange has begun to happen to her in the wake of Discord's rampage.
- Comments: These stories are a very interesting, funny, and occasionally adorable take on the very peculiar background pony popularly known as Screwball.
Secret Tub Fun Series by Lawnpygmy
- Recommended by PDL, Hyunthesosarian, Dracobolt, S Noble Jr
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Several short stories about each of the characters bathing.
Seeing the Pattern by Aegis Shield
- Recommended by Kytseo, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Every night when Pinkie Pie goes to bed, Pinkamina rises. Using the cryptic powers of the Pinkie Sense, she deciphers the clues and goes out to prevent the deaths of others. Meanwhile, the Stallion Lickity Split is developing feelings for Pinkie's darker half, and the Royal Sisters do NOT like Pinkamina messing with fate.
- Comments: A pretty good twist on the idea of Pinkie having a Shadow Archetype Split Personality in Pinkamena, making her an Antihero instead of a psychopath. It's overall a pretty good story with a really good overall Screw Destiny message in it. It presently has a sequel.
- Recommended by omegaman, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "Her parents hadn’t come close to telling us what had happened. As I read her newest letter I couldn't believe what she was telling me. This kid hadn’t 'had an accident'… this kid, damn, this kid had been buckin' broken... she’d been broken…"
- Comments: It is fantastic enough to merit its own entry on this page. Be warned, a bit of a Tear Jerker. Also featured at Equestria Daily.
Side Stories are Never Successful by A Pony Farce
- Recommended by regresal
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A side story to Suited for Success that focuses on Spike and his connections in Canterlot.
Simply Rarity by Somber
- Recommended by Ansva, ptah1888, Kaiserin Kai, Omicronus
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: An argument between her friends has brought to question Rarity's generosity. Can a unicorn who's had everything and nothing truly be generous?
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: With a magic exam coming up, Twilight has been staying up way too late and stressing herself too much. As a result, she starts casting spells in her sleep, causing all sorts of chaos. Spike, tired of being turned into random items and worried about his friend, tries to do something to help. Unfortunately, his attempts to help Twilight may end up causing more harm than ... good.
Shade of a Crystal Empire by igotastewgoing
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: On hiatus
- Synopsis: When Twilight Sparkle's magic goes haywire, the ponies are drawn back to the Crystal Empire, only to meet with a terrible, dark force. A tremendous sacrifice sends them on a journey through time to save not only their friend, but all of Equestria.
- Pairing(s): None.
- Tags: None.
- Recommended by: Molotov
- Status: Complete
- ''Synopsis: War has broken out between zebras and ponies. A young pony soldier is standing guard at her post with a comrade when she is confronted with an impossible choice concerning a captured zebra fighter.
- Comments: This story is DARK! It's one of the most frank, unflinching, war stories in the fandom. This is an awesome example of War Is Hell with a shocking Tear Jerker ending. Given who the author is, it should come as no surprise that the characterization and world building are excellent.
- Review here
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: An ancient, storied evil arrives in Equestria, and joins Fluttershy's menagerie, as a baby dragon.
Will the Mane 6 Discover it in time?
Will they recognize the evil when they see it? Or can it avoid the temptation to succumb to his previous nature?
Will a brave knight challenge this evil with courage and the power of friendship? Helping him face the terror of the memories of his death?\\ Crossover, but that would give it away. One Chapter one-shot. - Pairing(s): None.
- Tags: Crossover
The Silver Standard by Patchwork Poltergeist
- Recommended by Ruise
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Once upon a time, Silver Spoon's life made sense. She had the right friends, the right house, and the right school for a young lady coming up in the world. Once upon a time, Silver Spoon lived amongst proud towers in a vibrant, bustling city that never slept. Now she lives in Ponyville. Not so terrible once one gets used to it. Silver's learned to appreciate some ponies, harbor grudges for others, and tolerate the rest. But sometimes, she wonders if one pony in particular is as popular as she thought.
The Six Deeds of Harmony by Defoloce
- Recommended by Gentlemens Dame 883
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "A lovestruck knight in Equestria's early days, unconvinced of his own worthiness, decides that he must prove himself to the mare he loves. With Princess Cadence as his guide, he is put on a quest by the Crown to go forth and right wrongs and ease sorrows associated with latent Chaos, all while learning of the Elements of Harmony from the ponies' companion races."
- Comments: Written almost entirely in iambic pentameter. Yes really.
- Recommended by NiGHTS, Omicronus
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Cheerilee has devoted her life to teaching. A life based on a lie. And she is tired of lying. At last she will face the taboos that surround ponies' cutie marks.
- Comments: A bittersweet but very cute story. Also contains an unusually sympathetic take on Diamond Tiara.
Snowcatcher's Birthday by Rainbow 169
- Recommended by Fire Chick 12012
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: It's Snowcatcher's birthday, and Pinkie Pie and Dewdrop Dazzle are planning a surprise party for her! Trouble arises when Cherry Berry and Lyra plot to pull a prank on Snowcatcher at the party, due to a grudge Cherry Berry has held against Snowcatcher. Will the party be ruined, or will the power of friendship and reconciliation save the day?
- Comments: It's a very cute, short, four chapter piece about reconciliation, the evils of bigotry, jumping to conclusions, and stereotyping, all presented in a fun, upbeat, uplifting way without coming off as pretentious or ham handed. A little cheesy at times, but it's very cute and well written. Plenty of Heartwarming Moments and Funny Moments abound, along with a great message. I highly recommend it!
- Recommended by Chargin Chuck
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Rainbow Dash and Spike compete for a job at Quills and Sofas, in order to get a free sofa.
Solitary Locust by the parasprite
- Recommended by Darth Revan FTW
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: After the changelings' failed invasion of Canterlot, Twilight tries to soothe some of Ponyville's rampant paranoia by casting a spell to prove there are no imposters hiding in the town. But her spell leaves her in an alien body, facing a mob of angry ponies who just don't believe her when she says she is Twilight Sparkle.
Or, at least, she was Twilight Sparkle.
The Sound of Thunder by The SOT Collab Group
- Recommended by Tropers/Jackxter
- Status: Vanished from the internet. Please post a link if found.
- Synopsis: One thousand years after her banishment, Princess Luna returns to a flooded world - with her sister nowhere to be found. Yet with the help of the Equestrian Remnant's valiant airship, the Nocturnal Thunder, and an alternate Mane Six, she may soon find answers at the edge of this strange, oceanic realm...
- Comments: A charming epic in the make whose lead author, Silent Bob, is the same responsible for The Nightmare Before Nighmare Night.
Spanner in the Works by RK_Striker_JK_5
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Trapped in stone, Discord recruits former enemies of the Mane Six to free him, but Trixie takes it upon herself to stop the God of Chaos and his band from within.
A Spark Forgotten by Novablitzer
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: When a fire breaks out in Everfree forest by unknown means, it's up to Zecora to warn Ponyville. But when she finds out that the Elements of Harmony that everypony tends to rely on are gone on vacation, can she rally the citizens of Ponyville to help put the fire out before the monsters of the forest overrun the city? Or will Ponyville become the next home of the Everfree monsters?
Sparkle's Law by AestheticB
- Recommended by SlayerMan118, Emptybee, Ghingahn
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: It is the day of the Summer Sun Celebration, and Princess Celestia is coming to Ponyville. Twilight Sparkle is overseeing preparations yet again, and has meticulously planned every last detail to ensure that everything is perfect for her mentor’s arrival. Nothing is going to wrong.
Except when the big day comes, Twilight has gotten four hours of sleep and Fluttershy is nowhere to be found. Pinkie Pie sets off after her with nothing but a dark coat and the voice of a chain-smoking stallion, and the Apples and the Carrots are at each other’s throats while Rainbow Dash is attempting to fill in for Fluttershy.
As her plans collapse around her and Ponyville descends into chaos, Twilight Sparkle must focus on obtaining the one thing that can make everything better: the all-powerful, awe-inspiring magic of caffeine.
Spike's Family Journey by frenettek314
- Recommended by KaisertheGreat
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: It's been days since the greedy manipulator Sludge was revealed to have lied about being Spike's Father. Spike, originally excited to have had an actual dragon as a parental figure, now fears he will never have a family outside of Twilight to call his own.
However, despite Spike's hesitations, Twilight insists that he goes on a mission to tell each of their close friends what happened in regards to Sludge's scheme and form a bond with them. Spike has his doubts though as he fears the others aren't family and will reject him. Nevertheless, he sets out on a very personal mission.
How will each pony react to finding out that the baby dragon was taken advantage of as an excuse for room and board? Will they be able to help Spike and show that they love him? Will Spike discover that there's more to a family than he originally thought?
Spike's Nameless Brother by Cold Spike
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A strange creature has wandered into town and ends up on Applejack's farm. AJ is not pleased but so many unanswered questions about him cause her to be curious. The dragon seems to have no family but the residents of Ponyville soon discover a link between the creature and the towns librarian.
- Recommended by Naal 2
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Spike has had it. It's not his fault the library is a shambles. In fact, he tried his very best to save it.
Starlight Glimmer Overreacts to Everything by Yukito
- Recommended by: Peteman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Starlight Glimmer is TRYING to be a good friend, but she just has this awful tendency to overreact at just about anything.
Like trying to rule over an entire village of brainwashed ponies because a friend moved away.
Statistics by xTSGx
- Recommended by Mooncalf, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A terse recounting of the thousand-year period between Luna's corruption and eventual return, in the form of relevant statistics. Thoroughly drives home Celestia's anguish, regret and suffering over what she was forced to do, and what she did to amend. Expect tears when reading.
Straight Answers by Rebonack
- Recommended by Nyperold
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Pinkie Pie has been acting super-extra Pinkie-like the last few days and it's really starting to bug Rainbow Dash. After Pinkie shows up in Rainbow's house while she's brushing her teeth Rainbow decides that enough is enough. Rainbow presses Pinkie for a straight answer until she gets one. And boy does she get one.
The Stranger And Her Friend by TheUrbanMoose
- Recommended by Madd The Sane
- Status: On hiatus
- Synopsis: Princess Celestia is a living legend, but much of her life is shrouded in mystery. Records have long since been lost to the decay of time, and the tale of her triumph over Discord has become a fable. The Princess's memory of the event has long since faded... or has it?
Before she was the Princess of the Sun, she was merely a stranger.
Stuck In The Middle With You by Vargras
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Sequel to Hiatus (above). Spurred on by her sister, Luna decides to open a summer camp dedicated to the arts and sciences in an attempt to become further involved with the daily lives of Equestria's citizens, hopefully improving her reputation in the process. The campers that sign up prove to be more than what the Princess of the Night was expecting, however. 'Camp Counselor' certainly wasn't supposed to be part of the royal duties.
- Recommended by Clato Lawa
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle takes a moment from her studies at the School for Gifted Unicorns to get a late lunch. Finding herself in a strange part of the school grounds, an apple tree and its odd fruit tempts her appetite. Immediately after eating it, Twilight starts sneezing periodically, each time triggering various random effects that hinder her efforts to get back to her room unnoticed.
- Comments: While not especially original, this well-written one-shot is funny while it lasts and portrays Twilight, Spike and Celestia quite accurately.
Sugarcoated by Dubs Rewatcher
- Recommended by psychobionty
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Bon-Bon is having trouble coming up with new candy flavors, something much more serious than it sounds like, and bringing a great deal of trouble both to her and her friend Lyra. Light-hearted.
The Sun Never Sets by Jetfire
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A snapshot of a strange Equestria, far in the future.
- Comments: Incredibly well-written, a story by the author of It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door. Simultaneously chilling and tragic.
Sunset by Ciroton
- Recommended by oathkeeper85
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Some things in this world happen by chance. Others do not. Twilight Sparkle is about to learn a disturbing truth that will turn her world upside down.
- Comments: While not the best written, the premise of the story is great and plausible and lead to a really great sequel by the name of For Want of a Dawn
- Review here
Suri Polomare Takes Credit For Everything
- Recommended by Eagal
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Suri Polomare, disheartened by her failures in Manehattan, steals a time machine from Doctor Whooves and travels through time, taking credit for the lightbulb, the printing press and the universe.
- Comments: Exactly what it says. It's a short but outrageous and hilarious story that still manages to have Suri lose at the end. Gold star.
- Review here
Sweet Apple Capers by The RPGenius
- Recommended by Poptard, S Noble Jr, Andyroid
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Pinkie Pie wants some apple strudel, and by Celestia, she's gonna get it!
Tales by George Pollock, Jr
- Recommended by Foomin Blue
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The retired royal librarian of Equestria looks back on the interesting times of her life.
Tales of the Battle Foals by Sirdubya
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Equestria as a whole is a place that doesn't really like fighting, and violence in general. This sucks for those few ponies whose special talents revolve around fighting. One of them, a young foal named Fire Fight, runs from his home to rescue foals like him, whose talents alienate them from the rest of Equestria. The foals he rescues join him, from the mysterious Shadow Shroud to the vigilante Turf War, and several others. As they travel, they discover more about who they really are, and the bonds that serve to strengthen them.
- Review here
- Recommended by On The Hill.
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Discord has been defeated, and all is well again. So why isn't Fluttershy as happy as her friends?
A Terrible Secret by Sword_Of_Squirrels
- Recommended by Jayrad, TokoWH
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Rainbow Dash has an embarrassing secret that's just waiting to come out. And for once it has nothing to do with shipping.
There's a Gamer in All of Us by Konseiga
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Luna is a hardcore gamer, and it piques Celestia's curiosity. She's skeptical at first, but Celestia is willing to learn about Luna's favorite pastime.
The Road Goes on Forever (And the Party Never Ends) by AugieDog
- Recommended by Mike Rosoft
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A day in the life of Princess Twilight Sparkle. "Twilight's life has changed a bit over the years. She used to worry about it, but more often these days, she finds herself celebrating it."
The Things We Leave Behind by The Swimmin Brony
- Recommended by megarockman, Madd The Sane
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Sometimes, bad things happen to good ponies. A year following a tragic incident, Twilight Sparkle returns to Ponyville to visit what she has been missing - her town, her memories, and most importantly, her friends. But will everything be as she remembers it?
The Thousand-Year Sunrise by Manning Blake
- Recommended by Amgeo Unsane, Emptybee
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Fan comic. Not long after the events of Hearth's Warming Eve, retired Royal Wizard Star Swirl the Bearded sets off to explore the newly-discovered land of Equestria. He doesn't get far before he finds, sleeping in the undergrowth, two little alicorns named Luna and Celestia.
- Comments: Barely started, but shows a lot of potential.
There Will Never Be a Last Laugh by Pascoite
- Recommended by: Anxious Kiwi
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Pinkie Pie has always served admirably as the Element of Laughter, and it's time for the princesses to show their appreciation. In fact, they have a special assignment for her, something they've never tried. It will be the best surprise she ever had.
- Pairing(s): None.
- Tags: None.
Three Hundred And Fifty by Void Chicken
- Recommended by Nights
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Desperately trying to save Sweetie Belle's life, Twilight builds a time machine to take them 350 years in the future. But she finds too late that this trip may be one-way only.
Through Another's Eyes by Festus
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: On the show, we only get to see what happens through the Mane Cast's perspective. However, what about the background and secondary characters? Don't they get their shine in the spotlight as well? Well, now they do! Watch (or read) as scenes from the hit TV show is played in a whole different perspective as they are seen, through another's eyes.
The Trial of Cozy Glow by Latecomer
- Recommended by: mkmlp
- Status: Dormant; last updated January 2019
- Synopsis: In Equestria, wrongdoing is generally punished proportionately. Misbehaving foals are scolded or grounded or spanked. Enemies of ponykind are destroyed or turned to stone or imprisoned forever in Tartarus. In neither case is any formal process of law involved. But Cozy Glow, as a filly of fourteen who has committed high treason, along with many other serious offences, is a special case that crosses the lines - her fate will be decided in court. The charges are piled up pretty high, too - at least she has a decent lawyer?
- Comments: This story does a great job of delving into the mind of a child that is a witty and ruthless master of manipulation, but still a child at the end of the day, without making her entirely sympathetic or entirely unsympathetic.
The Hair by DrakeyC
- Recommended by: KaisertheGreat
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Rarity finds a grey hair
'nuff said.
The Oath by Coronet the Lesser
- Recommended by: KaisertheGreat
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After countless years, Queen Chrysalis is freed from her stony prison to a much changed future. Confronted by an old foe who proposes a deal guaranteeing her a new life, Chrysalis faces an impossible choice:
Her freedom or her pride.
- Comments: This one shot delves into more of Chrysalis's personality as she is offered a choice by Twilight Sparkle.
- To Try for the Sun by Rune Soldier Dan
- Recommended by Apocrypha
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Celestia: a filly of twelve. A cynical, hungry pauper, with a young sister to protect and feed. But the food has run out. Winter has gripped the land for too long, and now the pair face starvation. The cynic in Celestia knows she can't move the sun. But the child in her wonders... and so she tries.
- Comments: A well-written, emotional one-shot that explores Celestia and Luna's origins. It does a fantastic job building a harsh world and sisters who are markedly different, but still familiar, in their childhoods.
- Recommended by Mooncalf, Emptybee, Mike Rosoft, war877
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A single changeling is blamed for the failed invasion of Canterlot, and literally kicked out of the hive. Fortunately he lands near a pony settlement, ripe for feeding. Unfortunately, it's Ponyville. Now what's a lost and alone changeling, too starved to change his appearance and forced to rely on an old cloak for disguise, supposed to do to survive in a town where the dreaded Elements of Harmony walk the streets?
- Followed by My Little Changeling: Friendship is Weird and Traveler's Exile.
Time Traveling Kids of the Mane Six! by Shrapnelleader
- Recommended by James1
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Nearly thirty years in the future, the Mane Six have married and settled down to raise families of their own. When Andromeda, Twilight's daughter, rediscovers a familiar time-traveling spell, she makes it her mission to fix what was once unfixable. The spell goes wrong and she and the other sons and daughters of the Mane Six find themselves in the past (before the events of Twilight's alicorn coronation). Separated after the jump, they must all find each other in time before they are discovered, or else they risk changing history and even erasing their own existence..
- Comments: It should be noted that the author has stated his desire that the story remain shipping neutral, so even though the story involves the children of the mane six their fathers will in no way be named or physically described. Also the author has a fim fiction page were he has put up rewrites of the first six chapters and has stated his intention to put the entire story on that site.
Time Waits For No Mare by crimsonwatchtower
- Recommended by: Emptybee
- Status: Cancelled
- Synopsis: A magical accident transports Applejack to a strange version of Ponyville; one where earth ponies are oppressed and she's a wanted fugitive. AJ has to figure out how to survive a world that's both strange and familiar while searching for a way home.
- Tags: Adventure, Dark, Romance
- Recommended by: Molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: What do you get when you combine a musical uncle and a curious colt? You get this brief, happy tale about music, memory, family, and self-discovery at the cusp of adolescence.
- Short, sweet, and heartwarming in so many ways, with just a touch of comedy and world building. This touching piece reads like something from a memoir. As is often the case, there are subtle links to the author's other stories, if you can find them.
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Scootaloo has always been a filly with big dreams, but can they all come true? At the very least, she can always follow in the hoofsteps of her hero, right?
- Comments: A fantastic story. A Tear Jerker, but still optimistic, the fic really captures the ponies' characterizations and fleshes out Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo's relationship. Inspired an author-endorsed follow-up/side-story Shine by The Descendant, which is also just as fantastic. Also featured at Equestria Daily.
To Forgive is Equine by Lowrider
- Recommended by Godzillawolf
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle has come down with Horn Pox, a common illness among unicorns. However, while relatively harmless to children who normally recover and become immune, it's potentially fatal to older ones who have never had it before and Twilight's life is put in serious jeopardy. As Rainbow Dash rushes to find a herb that grows nearby which can cure her, she encounters an old enemy of the Mane Cast, the Great and Powerful Trixie. However, upon hearing of Twilight's plight, the showboating unicorn quickly offers her hep. Why does Trixie want to help? Why does she seem to know so much about the illness now threatening Twilight's life? And does she too carry an unusual connection to the group no one is aware of?
To Love A Goddess by Brony 2983
- Recommended by: molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: My name is Artemis, I was sworn in as Princess Celestia's personal guard quite some time ago. I've watched her for so many years and silently stood by her side during all the recent ups and downs of her reign. Now I'm going to tell her how I feel. I know it would never work, we're just too different. But sometimes, there are things in a stallion's life he just has to do, and things he has to get off his chest. What happens tonight will be anypony's guess, but one thing is for certain... it will be a night to remember.
- Comments: One of the very few stories to get a perfect review score from Kalash93. It is incredible.
- Review here
To Make A Spark by Chris
- Recommended by: Jade Nekotenshi
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Crushed in spirit by the weight of centuries, Princess Celestia has not been seen to smile in living memory. One little pegasus named Mi Amore Cadenza hopes to change this...
- Comments: A little different from the canon explanation, but I like this one better.
- Review here
Today, Tomorrow and Forever by Chopper's Top Hat
- Recomended by JamesCorck, Salnax, Pichu
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Derpy Hooves is taking a day off from Mail Service to celebrate her daughter's birthday. The only problem is, her birthday is in four months. Why would Derpy celebrate her daughter's birthday so early?
- Warning: Sad.
Transdimensional Zoology by AbsoluteAnonymous
- Recommended by Nightelf37, Madd The Sane
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The glamorous unicorn Opalescence is haunted by bizarre recurring dreams of a world in which she and her friends are all animals. But as vivid as these dreams are, surely they're just dreams, right? There couldn't actually be a parallel universe somewhere where they're little more than pets ... right?
Trenches by John 117
- Recommended by molotov
- Status: Complete
- ''Synopsis: "As i sit in my trench hole, I think to my wife, family, and friends; those who've I've lost and will never see again."
- Comments: Exactly What It Says on the Tin. The fic is a sentimental piece about a soldier in an alternate universe Equestria going through something like World War One. It's a strong short piece; it'll only take a minute to read.
The Trespasser by Sergeant Sprinkles
- Recommended by Pacce
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Shortly after "Griffon the Brush-Off" Big Macintosh finds an irate Gilda stealing apples from the orchard and he shows her how they deal with apple thieves.
Trixcord by R.T. Stephens
- Recommended by Peteman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Years after the humiliation she suffered in Ponyville, Trixie has managed to scrape her way back to the top, even so far as managing to land a performance at the Grand Galloping Gala replaying the victory of the Elements' victory over Discord (their similar color scheme to those obnoxious hecklers and that upstaging brat is almost certainly just a coincidence). However, while she's studying Discord's statue, Discord enacts an escape plan by making Trixie go critical and uses the excess magic to break himself free. Though successful and knocking out Trixie in the process, it takes everything he's got and almost passes out from exhaustion. Desperate to avoid being re-imprisoned by a no doubt alerted Celestia, he possesses the unconscious Trixie. Unfortunately for him, he's pretty much out of power and is stuck connected to Trixie, something he tries to remedy by empowering her and siphoning off her excess magic. Celestia knows something is going on, and has her followed by the Elements of Harmony, something Discord quickly discovers and take whatever fun at their expense he can. Trixie for her part has no idea about the machinations going on around her, and is instead enjoying a resurgence in success, but familiar faces and unwanted memories start sticking their noses in where they are not welcome.
Trixie: Behind The Curtain by ItsFromPeople
- Recommended by Mooncalf
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Trixie returns to Ponyville with a brand new performance, a retelling of Nightmare Moon's defeat by the Elements of Harmony. However, it's not very accurate. Is Trixie attempting to humiliate them, or does she have something else in mind?
- Comments: Starts out very humorous as it becomes clear Trixie has only a cursory understanding of the protagonists' roles, with Rarity as a magic-winged weatherpony who destroys clouds with focused sunlight and Fluttershy as a loud, belligerent monster slayer who makes dragons explode by staring at them. Turns adventurous as the challenges they face in the forest becomes significantly more epic. Ends heartwarmingly as both the reader and the protagonists realizes that Trixie genuinely intended to honor them, and managed to capture the essence of the whole thing.
Trixie vs. Equestria by PaulAsaran
- Recommended by Mooncalf
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After finally hitting rock bottom and losing her last important possession, Trixie is issued a challenge by Princess Luna. Now, Trixie finds herself caught up in a fight against Luna's six ex-lovers for the right to claim the princess for her own, and she cannot afford to lose, even though she never agreed to this to begin with. What is Luna really up to? How does Celestia play into this? And why does Twilight Sparkle urge Trixie to win, when she's one of the challengers?
- Comments: Despite what the title may imply, this story only shares a few similarities with Scott Pilgrim. It is also considerably less lighthearted and set in a very dark alternate version of Equestria, so you have been warned. That said, it is action-packed and highly recommended. Contains Trixie/Luna shipping.
Twilight Discovers Literary Analysis by Amit
- Recommended by Pichu
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight reads a book about literature and, analysing her world, decides that everything she does is planned by someone other than her. She does not take it very well. Rated Everyone for adult humour.
- Comments: It's meta. Very meta.
- Recomended by Leapingriver, Cadrpear
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight has just wrapped up synthesizing a chemical in her laboratory, but starts to have an interesting day when she accidentally doses herself with it.
Twilight Sky over Canterlot by Foxxy
- Recommended by nifboy, SuddenFrost, Andyroid, ptah1888, Mad Cormorant
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: An introspective piece centered on Twilight and her interactions with Celestia, Luna, and Trixie; Twilight Sparkle returns to Canterlot at Celestia's bequest and revisits some old memories. If you treat everyone extra nice, you'll find you can get out of any situation you find yourself in.
Twilight's Answering Machine by dayland
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Twilight gets an answering machine. Hilarity ensues. Based on Marzipan's Answering Machine. Currently ongoing.
Twilight's Best Friend by Blueshift
- Recommended by PDL
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: One dark and stormy night, Twilight Sparkle is visited by a strange pony. But this pony knows a lot about Twilight Sparkle; in fact, she might just be Twilight's number one fan. And that couldn't be a bad thing, right?
Twilight's Life by DuskShadowTheArkane
- Recommended by Darth Revan FTW
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle. A name known to everpony in all of Equestria. She's saved Equestria multiple times now, and with her and her friends being the Elements of Harmony, as well as being Princess Celestia's "Most Faithful Student", she enjoys a great life. But what was before that? Follow her on her journey through foalhood, and her times as Celestia's Student.
TwitterPonies multiple authors
- Recommended by Zarpaulus
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: A massive ongoing Twitter based Play-by-Post roleplay with over a hundred accounts.
Two and Two and Two by Mayclore
- Recommended by Nightelf37. Omicronus
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight and friends learn that prolonged exposure to the power of Pinkie Pie can cause some rather interesting side effects.
Umbreka by (Armanico Vita)
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Fluttershy now lives a lonely life, traveling East, away from Equestria. It wasn't too long ago that a thin layer of powdery snow blanketed the ground. Now it was nothing more than nourishment for the blossoming flowers sprouting up in its place. All she has keeping her company are the soothing thoughts of her old friends and the few keepsakes she could smuggle out of Ponyville. For guidance, she looks forward towards the sunrises laid out before her; the sunsets are there to remind her of shady memories and the cold embracement of night. She is far from her home in Ponyville now and the creatures here aren't as friendly as those she knew back home. It seems as if her one her one specialty, the sole thing she's retained has turned against her. Life may be hard without the guidance of her friends, but just as life will, she must continue on until she finds what she set out for. [This story was inspired by Austraeoh by Imploding Colon. It contains a few scenes of gore, but they are not frequent and don't represent Umbreka as a whole, read on with discretion.]
- Pairing(s): None
- Tags: N/A
An Understanding Heart by Alaborn
- Recommended by Sgamer82
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Another year has passed, and the Cutie Mark Crusaders are still without their cutie marks. Now well past the time when they should have discovered their special talents, it’s time for them to receive the only kind of assistance that can help a cutie mark appear, the understanding heart of another. The counselor who once helped Cheerilee when she got her cutie mark will certainly have his hooves full today!
- Comments: The author has several good Cutie Mark Crusader fics, but this one in particular has an interesting premise in the idea of a counselor who specializes in helping ponies with their cutie marks both before (as in helping discover their true talents) and after (deciphering what the more abstract cutie marks can mean).
- Recommended by Clato Lawa
- Status: On hiatus
- Synopsis: Twilight tests out a spell from a book written by Starswirl the Bearded, with no information as to its effects. It ends up sending her to an Alternate Universe, where she learns from Alternate!Spike that it was a highly unstable Universe Hopping Spell that Alternate!Twilight decided against testing a month earlier. Twilight now has no clear way to get back, but she can access any universe that she's already jumped to.
Eventually, after making 63 of these jumps, Twilight comes face to face with Dusk Shine - and promptly gets stranded for several months, thanks to Prince Solaris overreacting to what he thinks is a potentially dangerous intruder. - Note: Recent chapters are shipping Twilight/Elusive, but it isn't enough of a focus for the Shipping page yet.
Unlikely Allies by ThunderTempest
- Recommended by Mooncalf
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle and Trixie get into an argument about everything. They also go on an adventure, fight monsters and save Equestria, but, you know, that's just a side point.
- Comments: A thoroughly refreshing take on the rivalry between Twilight Sparkle and the Great and Powerful Trixie. Vitriolic Best Buds saving the world while constantly laying into each other.
The Untrotted Path by Inspired Rarity
- Recommended by Jimbodeek
- Status: Ongoing
- Synopsis: Sunset Shimmer had everything. Personal protégé of the Sun Princess herself, top marks in the School for Gifted Unicorns, and the honor of being dubbed the greatest arcanist since Starswirl the Bearded.
Until she threw it all away.
In the last moments before leaving Equestria forever, her destiny is snatched away right before her eyes. Once upon a time the story of the lives of herself, Twilight Sparkle, and the path of Equestrian History went one way, a story that we all know well. But in every stand of woods there is a path untrotted, one with a different story and new experiences.
- Commments: A unique look into an alternate timeline where Sunset Shimmer never left Equestria and the impact her presence has on the main show and its cast.
Upheaval: Breaking Point and the sequels, Upheaval: Reckoning, Upheaval: Journeys, and Upheaval: Legacy (as well as several side stories) by Visiden-Visidane
- Recommended by Naal2
- Status: complete (Upheaval: Breaking Point); complete (Upheaval: Reckoning); ongoing (Upheaval: Journeys); ongoing (Upheaval: Legacy)
- Synopsis for Breaking Point : Equestria is a land of magic and harmony, a peaceful realm ruled by immortal, benevolent monarchs. But at what cost is this possible? A fateful encounter leads Twilight Sparkle to find out exactly how.
- Synopsis for Reckoning : Sequel to Breaking Point. The war rages on in Equestria as the Heartland (the Equestria from the show) is drawn in.
- Recommended by Meat Wisdom
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After Chrysalis failed to conquer Equestria, she was shamefully stripped of her title of "Queen of the Changelings". Their people now leaderless, the Changeling race now finds itself in a unique situation. In the struggle for power, one Changeling seizes the attention of his people. Can he overcome his nature, and the nature of his people, to lead them into a better future?
- Comments: This story does a great job of expanding on the Changeling race, giving them a nation, capital city, and political system. It also focuses on showing them as perfectly normal, with Chrysalis being a tyrant in their eyes and her army just a rogue faction of the Changeling military. Of course, not all Changelings are good either, such as certain members of the Council (one of whom is the Big Bad) and a few hired assassins.
- As for the protagonist and titular visionary, Aurus, the story also does a top notch job of making him likable. Now at first he may come off as a Gary Stu (people love him, he gets crazy powerful, and he's an excellent strategist), but somehow the author manages to prevent him from truly being one (giving him flaws helps, his friends are just as responsible for his success as he himself is, and when he begins to truly get powerful, the energy he absorbs not only almost kills him, but he has to spend six months constantly training to harness it), and simply just has him be a badass. He even gets shipped with Applejack for good measure, giving her some much needed character development. Be sure to give this one a go. It gets pretty epic.
Vengeance of Dawn and the sequel Comes the Sunset by Scipio Smith
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: Complete (Vengeance of Dawn) Cancelled (Comes the Sunset)
- Synopsis for Vengeance of Dawn: Twilight grew up and found her destiny, but there is one pony who feels embittered that it should have been her destiny, her glory. Breaking Dawn, Celestia's former student, is convinced that she is the true Element of Magic and has been robbed of her honours, her fame and most importantly of the love of Princess Celestia without which Dawn is nothing.
- Synopsis for Comes the Sunset: Sunset Shimmer has returned, having travelled between worlds and crossed the dark spaces between dimensions to emerge changed, both more and less than a pony. Driven by a dream of impending doom, she sets out to unite the races of the world, heedless of the destruction that she would bring upon the world in the name of saving it. With the support of the proud zebras of Grevyia she launches an assault upon Equestria that will bring down the princesses and shake the peaceful land to its foundations. Using the power of the ancient Labyrinth Box, she imprisons the four mages who alone can threaten her: Twilight Sparkle, Breaking Dawn, Trixie and Chrysalis the Changeling. Now these former foes must work together to recover their true identities and escape the terrors of their enchanted prison.
- Pairing(s): None.
- Tags: Dark Fic (Comes the Sunset only)
The Voice of Reason by Pascoite
- Recommended by Nyperold
- Status: Complete
- Synposis: Everypony is her own worst critic, but few take it to the extreme that Derpy does. Still, where friendship and magic abound, a helping hoof is never far away, if only she'll reach out and take it.
- Comments: If you have a friend like this or are like this, you will recognize the mind of Derpy as it constantly snipes at her.
Walk Where There Is No Path" by theOwtcast
- Recommended by jjs42
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Thorax leaves the changelings to try to find friends. Canon is modified.
- Recommended by SanaNaryon
- Crossover with: Loose crossover with Terry Pratchet's Discworld, specifically the City Watch books. Not required to read them.
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: There's a crime wave gripping the sleepy town of Apple-Morepone, and nopony on the City Watch seems to care. Corporal "Rainbow" M. Dash naps through her patrols, her partner Dobby is an infamous kleptomaniac, Captain Rhymes is a drunkard, and the entire Watch is a group of burnt-out misfits.
- Comments: A hilarious story enjoyable wether you've read Discworld or not. Jumps way out of canon, yet humorously ties it back again by the end.
Welcome To The Brothel by Kalash93
- Recommended by: molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A young stallion seeks solace from his troubles in the bed of a mare.
- Comments: Contains some erotic content, but it's much less graphic than your usual clop. Considering that it's by Kalash93, the same guy responsible for Last One Standing, Reflections, Racer And The Geek, A Pleasant Surprise, Blissful Dream, and Shell Shock. it contains an excellent character study in a rather short space. Must read!
- Review here
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: How would things be different if Twilight had never made it to Ponyville? Twilight Sparkle finds out just how different things could be when she is forced to travel to her own past while chasing down a mystery; a plot to erase Princess Twilight Sparkle from history.
- Pairing(s): None.
- Tags: None.
What's Eating Rainbow Dash? by Somber
- Recommended by Tropers/45xxx, omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: (from Equestria Daily) Mare Do Well has come and gone and Rainbow Dash has learned her lesson. Letter written, problem solved... right? Only lessons sometimes teach us more than we intend, as Twilight Sparkle learns.
- Comments: This is essential reading after watching "The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well", as it goes deep into detail why humiliating Rainbow like that was a bad idea. It even reveals an interesting fact: This was all Twilight's idea, and that a good amount of the ponies involved felt that this was wrong.
When Harmony Was Forged by HoovesLikeJagger
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Somepony had to create the Elements of Harmony. In the dark days of Discord's rule, Celestia called upon Vulcan, a minotaur blacksmith of legendary renown, to put harmony on his forge and hammer out a weapon with which she could defeat Discord. After Discord had been defeated, Celestia discovers he has also created a set of elements that oppose the Elements of Harmony. Vulcan ... is branded a traitor and is doomed to be imprisoned far, far away from Equestria. He has only one final request: to explain to the Princess why he created what he calls the True Elements of Harmony.
- Recommended by Dellanotte, Ghingahn
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "Deep in Gryphona, frozen land of the griffins, a mysterious pony searches for the friend who has been running from her for a hundred years. What do you do, however, when the friend you once knew is not the same as he used to be? What do you do if he is now a danger to innocents? What should you do when it is all your fault?"
- Comments: An Outside POV Oneshot that only gets darker the longer you think about it, and the longer it goes on the more you want to deny what's happening. Every time Twilight decided that she totally knew what she was doing with that one spell? Yeah. This happens.
Where Loyalties Lie by LoyalLiar
- Recommended by omegaman
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: "Equestria's Guard: the Bravest and the Best. Do you have what it takes?" So the advertisements say. When Rainbow Dash saves the life of Princess Luna, however, she quickly comes to learn that there's a lot more to the guard than what everypony knows. As she faces down threats to her friends, her Princesses, and her country, Rainbow will have to decide exactly who she is loyal to.
- Comments: This fic is fantastic. The canon characters remain true to their portrayals in the show, the author's created characters are interesting, well-developed, and engaging. The story is engrossing. And Loyal Liar has somehow done the impossible: quality chapters delivered on a timely schedule of considerable size (each chapter is around 12000 words usually). If you have a few hours free, go on a reading binge. You won't be disappointed.
Where the World Ends by hlissner
- Recommended by Augusto D
- Status: Dead (NOTE: the link leads to the FF.net version, which is only one chapter and hasn't been updated since 2011; the rest of the story has vanished from the internet.)
- Synopsis: Fable, a snarky little mare, has a penchant for finding trouble. When she finds a secret too big to keep, the truth will force her on a journey across a world she was convinced was gone, and with only one word to guide her way: Equestria.
- Comments: This fanfic also has its own wiki, which expands A LOT the canon, adding new races, places, history and ideas of how magic works. Link
- Recommended by: Naal 2
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle casts a spell in a foreign language, unfortunately, things don't go well and she ends stuck up in the White Void; an empty and endless white space, accompanied with Rainbow Dash.
- Pairing(s): None.
- Tags: Dark Fic
Who We Are by kits
- Recommended by immblueversion, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A letter from Celestia interrupts one of Pinkie's parties with disturbing news. Now friendships will be pushed to the limit as Twilight struggles to uncover which of her friends is not who, or even what, she appears to be.
- Comments: A very gripping fic that presents what would happen when Twilight learns that one of her friends is a changeling spy. It delves into not only how Twilight and the other four ponies cope with knowing one of their friends has been lying to them for as long as they've known each other, but also the changeling's fears of being cornered by the ponies she allowed herself to become friends with, all without giving away her identity. Be warned that it does feature shipping between Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash.
Why Does Applejack Cry? by Brony_Fife
- Recommended by superpooper
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Apple Bloom asks Granny Smith a question that's been bugging her for ages.
- Comments: Beautifully-written, tragic, and charged with emotion.
Why Didn't Ah Stay at Th' Farm? by FanNotANerd
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: A... minor accident at Sweet Apple Acres sends Big Macintosh to Ponyville in the middle of applebuck season. At first, things seem fine. But then some of the mares begin acting a little... oddly. Then very oddly. Turns out every other stallion skipped town for a very good reason.
Wild, Sweet & Cool by Kwakerjak
- Recommended by omegaman, Emptybee
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: After reading a book by Spitfire's personal trainer, Rainbow Dash decides that the best way to get closer to her ultimate goal of joining the Wonderbolts is to add strength training to her practices by having one of her friends ride her. However, when she decides that Twilight Sparkle is just the mare for the job, the pegasus gets a bit more than she bargained for.
- Comments: This story is really well-written. The author absolutely nails Rainbow Dash and Twilight Sparkle's characterizations, and depicts their relationship skillfully. Note, this is not a shipping fic. The relationships in the fic are completely platonic, not withstanding some Not What It Looks Like moments. Also featured on Equestria Daily.
- Recommended by omegaman, thenacho
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: Little Rainbow Dash is loyal to one pony and one pony only: herself. It's a simple system, and it gets her through the days. But that all changes one stormy summer afternoon at flight camp, when another pegasus blunders into her life—a pegasus with whom she shares nothing in common.
- Recommended by SanaNaryon
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: Rainbow Dash gains leadership of the Wonderbolts. She quickly discovers that whoever coined the term 'the joys of command' must have possessed a twisted sense of humor. Scootaloo arrives with a familiar, cocky attitude, not helping matters.
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The speaking of rhymes. Zecora has never spoken without rhyme, but... what happens when she can't rhyme?
Would it Matter? by primalcorn1
- Recommended by Shadowwing09
- Status: Dead
- Synopsis: A near death experience for Twilight has her questioning her place in life, and her worth to those she cares for. Unable to stand the nagging doubts that her friends don't truly love her, Twilight seeks out each of her friends for questioning to discover the truth, however painful it may be
- Comment: Full of the kind of sweet fluff you'd expect from the show itself, this fic really hits close to home for anyone with self esteem issues. Rather then a generic "of course we love you!" from the rest of the Mane Six, the author takes the time to really deliver a different message with the same meaning from each personality.
- Update: Rather unfortunately, the author has pulled all of his work off of his profile. Primalcorn1 feels that stories about ponies does not mesh with his reason of being a writer. FiMFetch.net has saved his works, so you can now read this and other works that Primalcorn1 wrote.
The Woeful, Sad Sorrow of King Sombra by Fiddlebottoms
- Recommended by Korodzik
- Status: Completed
- Synopsis: A light-hearted, comedy one-shot. After defeating King Sombra and saving the Crystal Empire, Twilight is getting some well-deserved rest, only for the unicorn tyrant to return—into her bathroom. He warns her that being a Savior of the Crystal Empire is not a good thing at all if you value your sanity... as he himself discovered when he was their savior ages ago.
- Review here
A Year to the Day by DJLowrider
- Recommended by Nightelf37
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: It has been exactly one year since the defeat of Nightmare Moon and the return of Princess Luna. As preparations get underway for the Summer Sun Celebration once again, Luna is called upon to fulfill a promise she made to the very ponies who saved her from the Nightmare.
- Recommended by: Sayer 09 ; molotov
- Status: Complete
- Synopsis: The Changeling hive needs the upcoming invasion of Canterlot to succeed. The preperations will soon be complete. All they need is intelligence to give them a way in. You are the one tasked with collecting it from an unlucky pony by any means necessary. This will not be over quicky. Neither of you will enjoy this.
- Comments: A great piece of fiction. The torture feels very realistic and is amazingly well written. Prepare to squirm.
A Warhorse In Equestria by Revenant Reaper
- Recommended by: ultimomant
- Status: On hiatus; last updated September 2017
- Synopsis: Midnight is an ordinary horse from 14th century Earth who serves a knight and inherited her master's heroic nature. When she is killed in battle, Death decides to give her a second chance and sends her to Equestria, right when the Mane Six were on their journey to stop Nightmare Moon. But can a mare who knows nothing but conflict adapt to a land ruled by peaceful pastel-coloured ponies, or will it prove too much?
