My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic/Fanfic Recs/General

Go back to the show's main fanfic recommendation page here.

Have Their Own Page
Ah Ain't Got no Ack-cent! by Conner Cogwork
 * Recommended by Andyroid, Pinkie P, S Noble Jr, Ardashir, Blue Chameleon, Kaiserin Kai
 * Synopsis: When Rarity is called upon to do a line of outfits for a big agricultural convention, she convinces Applejack to come along as a consultant and help give ideas on designs that would appeal to farmers. But when Rarity repays her with a little makeover, Applejack lets slip her days of living in Manehattan and trying to be sophisticated, which gives Rarity ideas...

Antipodes by PK
 * Recommended by S Noble Jr
 * Synopsis: Set in the far future after Celestia and Luna mysteriously vanished and the sun and moon froze in the sky, Antipodes is the the story of two ponies thrust out into the harsh new world on an adventure to uncover what happened to the world so long ago.

The Best Night Ever by Capn Chryssalid
 * Recommended by Peteman, Sgt Frog 1, Canonier, Slight Of Hand, Kaiserin Kai, Volosa
 * Synopsis: Prince Blueblood is thankful that if nothing else, the Grand Galloping Gala is finally over and that he can put the worst night ever behind him. Unfortunately, fate has other plans in mind when he wakes up in the morning to find out that the Grand Galloping Gala is that night. And every the night until he can figure out how to truly make it the Best Night Ever for all involved.
 * Note: The plot is lifted wholesale from Groundhog Day, but does well to give it the Friendship Is Magic spin on things.
 * Now complete at five chapters.

Bittersweet by Nukeiffum
 * Recommended by Guitarskills, That 897 Guy
 * Synopsis: Follows the aftermath of Pinkie Pie dying from diabetes.
 * Comments: Amazingly written, but will leave you feeling empty. For anyone looking for a sad but well written story, look no further.

Broken Spirit by Cryssy-miu
 * Recommended by Some Random Mook
 * Synopsis: After a spell gone wrong by Twilight nearly kills a recently-escaped Discord, Fluttershy takes it upon herself to save the spirit, despite all he's done. Will her compassion stir something in the spirit's indifferent heart, or will he always be the enemy she knew?
 * Comments: A heartwarming, sometimes sad AU, with an excellently written Discord. Also has an interesting take on his history with Celestia and Luna.

CRISIS: Equestria by Ganon FLCL, assisted by The Living Couch, Bee Are, and Devnator
 * Recommended by The Nerf Guy
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle and her friends find themselves in another universe, and their very being there threatens to tear their own world apart. They must find their way home, with the help of some new-found friends. But their quest is not without its obstacles, and this new world is ready to test their courage and their strength to their fullest...
 * Comments: Very well written, has a great plot, and has that feel you get when traveling into the unknown.

Cupcakes by Sergeant Sprinkles
 * Recommended by Salnax 1, Keelzbunny
 * Synopsis: One day, Rainbow Dash visits Pinkie Pie at Sugarcube Corner. After eating one of Pinkie's cupcakes though, she gets more than she bargained for. Warning, grimdark as fuck. Contains scenes of explicit violence and gore, children and weak-stomached adults need not enter. The story is of interest as one of the most notorious shockfics in the fandom however.

The Elements of Gaming by Ryden and Xephfyre
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Synopsis: Equestria's tech heads have created an Xbox 360, and Princess Celestia has tasked the mane cast to beta test it (starting with a session of Halo: Reach).

End of Ponies by short skirts and explosions
 * Recommended by Metroid Mewtwo, Ezn
 * Synopsis: A horrible Cataclysm has turned all of Equestria into a Wasteland of barren ash and twilight desolation. The Sun and the Moon have been destroyed. Everypony has died--including Princesses Luna and Celestia. But one pony miraculously survives; she is a lone wanderer, the last of her kind, surrounded by menacing creatures that hate her. She navigates the Wastes in an airship and scavenges off the blighted landscape to keep herself alive.

Then one day she meets an old companion who grants her a gift, the chance to go back in time to the warm and sunny days of Ponyville, where her dead friends live in happiness. How far will the last pony venture into these joyous days of Equestria, even if she fully knows that there is no way to change the horrible fate of everypony she loves?

Eternal by device heretic
 * Recommended by Abstract Indigo, Qaianna, Celeloriel, Ombranox
 * Synopsis: Many years after sending her beloved protege to Ponyville, unease sits heavily on the heart of Equestria's Sun Princess, as her relationship with Twilight Sparkle seems to have cooled despite all they've accomplished together. On the advice of her sister, Celestia sets out to investigate and resolve the lost connection with her most faithful student.

Rainbow Factory by Aurora Dawn
 * Recommended by Valikdu
 * Synopsis: Scootaloo is ready to take her flight exam. She's going to end up discovering how the rainbows are made in Cloudsdale. Warning, also grimdark as fuck. Contains scenes of violence and gore. Reader beware.

The Empty Room by Wanderer D
 * Recommended by Forkinyoureye, Kaiserin Kai
 * Synopsis: Luna feels something weird when walking through Canterlot and finally, with Celestia's help, manages to discover what it is. But what does it mean?

Equestria: Total War by emkajii
 * Recommended by Commando Dude, Lance Omikron
 * Synopsis: War comes to Equestria: with despair, with starvation, with suffering and with sacrifice. And the ponies must learn how to keep true to their values while surviving not just the rigors of battle, but the desolation of total war.
 * Comments: Dark, but not grim, does an excellent job at balancing despair and hope. Illustrates well the effect war has on the ponies of a peaceful country, who have never experienced hardship.

Frigid Winds and Burning Hearts by Grey Prophet
 * Recommended by Hellrider
 * Synposis: A heated confrontation with Celestia over her portrayal as Nightmare Moon and her sister's authoritarianism leads Luna to search for answers about the past, unwittingly tangling Twilight and her friends into a cosmic struggle between order and liberty.

Harpflank and Sweets by Arcainum
 * Recommended by Bugsydor
 * Sysopsis: Lyra and Bon Bon defend the bustling metropolis of Metropony City from Luna and her villainous henchpony Trixie's army of robots using only their wits, friendship and arsenal of heavy weaponry. Can they keep Metropony safe for yet another week? Find out in this exciting episode of...HARPFLANK AND SWEETS.

Hiatus by Vargras
 * Recommended by Eegah
 * Synopsis: After being cured of Nightmare Moon's influence, Luna learns that the experience has left her very weakened, and she'll have to remain in Canterlot for a year. As if that wasn't bad enough, she starts having dreams that suggest Nightmare Moon is far from gone. An exploration of what Luna was up to in the time before we saw her again, as well as the great sisterly relationship between her and Celestia.''

It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door by Jetfire
 * Recommended by Andyroid, Pinkie P, S Noble Jr, Ardashir, omegaman
 * Synposis: A magical accident leaves Twilight Sparkle stricken with a potentially-fatal disease, and the only hope of curing her in time lies well beyond Equestria's borders. Rainbow Dash, Applejack, and Rarity must journey over mountains and plains to save their friend, facing the elements, the unknown, and their own self-doubts along the way.

It Takes a Village by determamfidd
 * Recommended by Bugsydor, Enistoja
 * Synopsis: Spike only wants things to stay the same. Time, however, has other ideas. He's going to need a lot of help... A story about the problems of growing up, facing fear and learning to accept those who are different.
 * Ships happen, but only in the epilogue.

The Legend of Mare Do Well by JD2K
 * Recommended by RL Yoshi
 * Synopsis: Who knows what disaster is about to strike Ponyville and its innocent citizens? Who strikes fear in the heart of evildoers who bring harm to the quaint quirky town? The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well knows... When Pinkie Pie decides to remain the sole Mare-Do-Well, her choice ends up having both positive and negative repercussions for herself and for her town. An ongoing series about her challenges in keeping both her regular life as well as her hero alter ego.

The Light in the Darkness by zaptiftun
 * Recommended by Whitebeardyamamoto, Godzillawolf, Pinkie P
 * Type: One-shot.
 * Author's Description: Rainbow Dash returns from an evening in Cloudsdale to find Pinkie Pie in a dreadful state after a terrible nightmare. The pegasus tries her best to comfort her friend; will it be enough?
 * Synopsis: An AU of the infamous Cupcakes, where the events were a terrible nightmare that nearly broke Pinkie Pie. Thankfully, her friends are there for her no matter what.

Memories of Days Long Past by Nukeiffum
 * recommended by Kalasu
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle discovers a spell that allows her and her friends to relive the lives of their ancestors. What starts off as an educational experience, however, quickly turns into a terrible tale that imparts to them many truths of the time before Celestia's reign, as well as what it exactly means to bear the Elements of Harmony.

The Lunaverse by RainbowDoubleDash Substories: Boast Busted and Longest Night, Longest Day
 * Recommended by Gentlemens Dame 883
 * Synopsis: In an Alternate Universe where Luna locked away the evil Celestia and her apprentice Trixie leads its alternate Mane Six - Carrot Top, Cheerilee, Derpy/Ditzy, Lyra, Raindrops - the events of Boast Busters play out differently. The in-progress prequel Longest Night, Longest Day covers the alternate Mare in the Moon and Elements of Harmony.

Nine Knackered Souls
 * Recommended by Poptard
 * Synopsis: MLP:FiM and RvB crossover. Post RvB Revelation and Season 1 of FiM. After a freak accident involving teleporters sends them to Equestria, the Red and Blue teams must join forces with the the keepers of the Elements of Harmony to find a way back home and defeat an old nemesis. Rated T for swearing and violence that comes with Red Vs/Blue.
 * Note: While it may be prone to grammar errors and lack of breaks (at first), it's a pretty decent story that can be appreciated by both Red vs. Blue fans and Friendship is Magic fans. Or at least the former and fans of both. Is AU as it does not consider Red vs. Blue's Season 9 since

On A Cross And Arrow by Conner Cogwork
 * Recommended by Toko WH, Pinkie P, Andyroid, Miar
 * Synopsis: Twilight and her five friends are transported during a botched spell, across dimensions to... Ponyville, Equestria? But not the same one that they knew. Sitting on a bench is Harpsy and Babar. The Doctoress avoids apples from an aspiring Applebuck. And in a library across town, six stallions join their forces as they try to decipher the appearance of filly look-alikes of themselves around Ponyville!

Our First Steps by Mrakoplaz
 * Recommended by A Bit Of Weather
 * Synopsis: In a secluded desert on the frontiers of Equestria, an eccentric genius works to bring the stars within reach of everypony; But can smiths and metalworkers who never made anything more difficult than ploughs or golden trinkets really make the dream a reality? Or has inspiration arrived a hundred years too early?

Past Sins by Pen Stroke and Batty Gloom
 * Recommended by Bugsydor, Alexlayer, S Noble Jr, Ardashir, Chibi-Kibou, Valsion
 * Synopsis: After the Children of Nightmare's ritual to summon Nightmare Moon is interrupted, Twilight Sparkle discovers a frightened black alicorn filly in the Everfree Forest. Is this filly who was born in the botched ritual Nightmare Moon reborn, or is she simply a doppelganger with a soul and mind of her own?

Perquisition by Diexna
 * Recommended by Glory Blaze
 * Synopsis: In an unknown new world filled with mysterious and unexplored dangerous ruins, the story follows Sketch and Kickbolt, two explorers, as they slowly but surely uncover the history explaining what happened in this world. And more importantly, why the pony folk suddenly was brought to it just a little over a century ago.

Ponies Make War by Aesthetic B
 * Recommended by Tokyooranges, Awe Striker
 * Synopsis: In a single night, the royal pony sisters are overthrown by an evil they believed they had long since defeated. The new royal family is as cruel as they are powerful, and under their reign ponykind suffers. But how can ponykind rise against the gods themselves? It is up to the Elements of Harmony, under the leadership of Princess Luna, to restore order. First, however, they must face the most dangerous and terrifying opponent they have ever known: their onetime leader and now bitter rival, Twilight Sparkle. Facing impossible odds, the remaining Elements cannot lose hope, for this war calls for more than soldiers, but friends...

The Pony POV Series by alexwarlorn
 * Recomended by Godzillawolf, Eric W, Hikarti Flutist, 7grayjay7, Crimson Glass and Enistoja.
 * Synopsis: A series of tales detailing the adventures of the Mane Cast during and after their corruption by Discord. Discord has been beaten, but the psychological scars will take a long time to heal...
 * There is also an audio adaptation in the works looking for voice actors.

The Pony Psychology Series by SaddlesoapOpera
 * Recommended by Zarpaulus, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: One by one, the mane cast all go crazy trying to live up to their Elements. Starting with Fluttershy: Origins, then Pinkie Pie: Schism, Rainbow Dash: Dependence, Applejack: Exposure, Rarity: Loss, and finally Twilight Sparkle: Spellbound.

Princess Celestia Hates Tea
 * Recommended by Poptard
 * Synopsis: Seriously, a lot.
 * Comments: Don't let the description fool you. In 2 short chapters, an unprecedented amount of hilarity is extracted from the simple premise of Celestia not liking tea. If you need something to lighten up your mood after reading to many grimdark fanfics, look no further.

Progress by Andrew Joshua Talon
 * Recommended by Jack Inqu, Jayrad, Pinkie P, S Noble Jr, Ardashir, Andyroid, El Magio, Miar, Kaiserin Kai
 * Synopsis: "A thousand years is quite the generation gap, so Princess Luna decides she has to get with the times. However, this isn't quite as easy as she thinks it will be..."

Story of the Blanks by Donitz
 * Recommended by Cronosonic, S Noble Jr
 * 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...

Tangled Up in Blues by TheDescendantofKehAn
 * Recommended by The Walking Anomaly, Korodzik
 * 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.

Trip of a Lifetime by Tailslover13
 * Recommended by RL Yoshi
 * 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?

The Vinyl Scratch Tapes by Corey W. Williams
 * Recommended by Calnos, Pinkie P, S Noble Jr, Mark Lungo
 * Synopsis: "After the invention of radio, DJ-P0n3 (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."

A World Without Rainbows by Uber Phoenix
 * Recommended by K 9 Thefirst 1, Jayrad
 * 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.

Within and Without by Cloudy Skies.
 * Recommended by Streamof Consciousness
 * 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,

Solitary Locust by the parasprite
 * Recommended by Goo Monster
 * Synopsis: After the royal wedding there is a concern throughout Equestria of changeling infiltration. Twilight preforms a presentation for Ponyville to help them know how to handle the changeling threat. In the conclusion of the presentation, she preforms a very difficult spell (difficult for ponies anyways) that reverts disguised changelings to their true form, to calm the locals by showing them that there are no changelings among them. Then something went horribly wrong (or maybe Gone Horribly Right). Twilight is left in the alien body of the enemy in front of everyone. Panic ensues and now the town is on a changeling hunt. Twilight now has to figure out what went wrong and more importantly, how to put her life back together. But her first and foremost goal is to simply survive in one piece (and that means evading capture).

Don't Have Their Own Page
After the Gala by AleximusPrime
 * Recommended by Godzillawolf
 * Synopsis: After the horrible night at the Grand Galloping Gala, the group console and comfort one another with Princess Celestia's help. Good friends can make even the worst of times happy.

All Good Things, Bonds Of Eternity, and Ashes To Ashes by Wheller. (If you have a better title, please input it in place of this one.)
 * Recommended by Mugen Kagemaru
 * Synopsis: When a new pony stumbles into the town of Ponyville early one morning, it sets off a chain of events best described as another entry in the eternal struggle between Order and Chaos. Oh, and the Doctor shows up in some of the parts of All Good Things. Go figure.

All of a Fluttershy by ImpossibleNumbers
 * Recommended by Blue Chameleon
 * Synopsis: When Applejack discovers that a thief has been stealing her prized apples, she looks for help in capturing the culprit. Fluttershy is eager to step in, but she's been acting very oddly of late...
 * Comments: It has a nice Original Flavour and plenty of laughs, with some great interactions between Fluttershy and Applejack, and a gripping finale. The chase scene at the beginning is particularly good fun to read.

Ancient Blunders by MetalGearSamus
 * Recommended by Metroid Mewtwo
 * Synopsis: On a bright day filled with birds and blue skies, an insane cult attempts to give Discord renewed freedom and a third chance at eternal chaos. But when the spell is interrupted by Luna, something unexpected is created. Now, an little brown earth filly named Dyx finds himself living under the care of Pinkie Pie, only to be mildly disturbed by memories and emotions from his past. Is the foal Discord reborn or is he simply a doppelganger with a soul and mind of his own? (Both) Can Pinkie Pie protect Dyx from those refuse to see past his yellow eyes and awesome magickaishfullness? (Yes.) Or will Dyx be forced to inherit the mistakes that may not even be his and once more become the greatest evil Equestria has ever known? Again? (Maybe. *sniff* Maybe.)
 * Comments: In case it wasn't obvious, this is a parody of the popular pony-fanfic "Past Sins".

Scootaloo's Parents by Carmine
 * Recommended by Salnax 1
 * 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.

[http://www.equestriadaily.com/2011/06/story-and-then-then-she-exploded-twice.html And Then... Then She Exploded!... TWICE!!!] by Cogs, Mimezinga
 * Recommended by Cronosonic, Pinkie P
 * Synopsis: After another fiction where Rainbow Dash gets killed, she decides to take the whole thing in her hooves and show how it's done. Hilarity Ensues.

Arcadia by Obscurica
 * Recommended by Eegah
 * Synopsis: An adaptation of the first two episodes into a hard science fiction setting, as the crew of a generational spaceship learns the horrible truth behind one of their old legends in the thousandth year of their voyage.

Background Pony by short skirts and explosions
 * Recommended by Ezn
 * Synopsis: (from the story page) "My name is Lyra Heartstrings, and you will not remember me. You won't even remember this conversation. Just like with everypony else I've ever met, everything I do or say will be forgotten. Every letter I've written will appear blank; every piece of evidence I've left behind will end up missing. I'm stuck here in Ponyville because of the same curse that has made me so forgettable. Still, that doesn't stop me from doing the one thing that I love: making music. If my melodies find their way into your heart, then there is still hope for me. If I can't prove that I exist, I can at least prove that my love for each and every one of you exists. Please, listen to my story, my symphony, for it is me."

The Ballad of Mecha Pinkie Pie by Flamingo1986
 * Recommended by Calnos
 * Synopsis: Flamingo1986 (Zachary Rich) presents his ongoing storybook "My Little Pony: The Ballad of Mecha Pinkie Pie", where Pinkie Pie creates the ultimate party machine and the world of Equestria is changed forever.

The Ballad of Sir Spike de Draco by Zay-el
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Synopsis: Faithful knight of Celestia, Sir Spike de Draco leaves Canterlot with his young shieldmaiden Twilight Sparkle to embark upon a journey of stolen pony hearts, spontanious beard-sprouting, dozens of broken teeth and the smiting of evil left and right.
 * Comments: A nice affectionate send-up towards old Beowulf-like legends with overpowered heroes that fight for booze, babes, and glory, this fanfic is basically what happens if you take the manly Spike from his fantasies in A Dog and Pony Show and makes him the main character (with Twilight as the assistant). A hilariously manly story, you're sure to become as manly as Saxton Hale when you start reading it.

The Bar
 * Recommended by Shaded Spriter
 * Synopsis: Side Characters getting drunk together in a bar.

The Best Night Ever Extended Edition by Stainless Steel Fox
 * Recommended by Pinkie P
 * Synopsis: "I want to see something good happen. After all, we're supposed to like these ponies. And what better opportunity is there than the Grand Galloping Gala? Does anyone else feel that our heroes got a rather raw deal? Princess Celestia telling them it's all okay went some way towards restoring the balance, but I don't think it went anyway near far enough. Here's my non-canon, but heartfelt extension to the story. With added Luna."

The Birds and the Bees by theworstwriter
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: Where DO foals come from? The Cutie Mark Crusaders don't know, but they intend to find out!

The Contest by Cold in Gardez
 * Recommended by Salnax1
 * Synopsis: "It's called 'Shh'," said Fluttershy. "It's a game about who can be quiet the longest. Sound fun? I'm the world champion." Fluttershy is not a pony who makes things up. She really is the world champion of "Shh," or The Quiet Game. And now it's time for her to defend her crown, with Twilight Sparkle and Rarity along for the ride.

Blueblood Series by Geldon
 * Recommended by Peteman, Andyroid
 * Currently up to three stories. Note that the second and third contain spoilers for the first, as well as shipping.
 * Blueblood Returns Synopsis:  Prince Blueblood comes to Rarity to apologize for his deplorable behaviour and asks for a second chance. While Rarity is ecstatic, her friends (especially Spike) think he's up to no good.
 * Blueblood's Redemption Synopsis:  Exposed for the arrogant jerk that he is and stripped of just about every privilege afforded to his station, Blueblood reflects back on his cloistered life and thinks about what might have been. With nothing left to lose and realizing that he has lived his entire life in a gilded cage, he clumsily attempts to adopt a new identity and run away. With him are his two duty-bound guard ponies, who try to show the prince the ropes of life outside his pampered upbringing and keep him safe, but are concerned that he has completely lost his mind, and soon they run into a certain Great and Powerful magician who is looking for a handsome assistant...
 * The Blueblood Conspiracy Synopsis:  Blueblood and Trixie are living in the castle together, but they're not exactly getting along, and it's got the staff on edge. Princess Celestia summons Twilight Sparkle and her friends to Canterlot to help teach the two to overcome their pride and vanity and learn to live in harmony. But the complex machinations required to covertly teach Blueblood and Trixie the value of kindness, laughter, generosity, honesty, and loyalty mean things (and ponies) quickly get crazy.

Bubbles, author unknown.
 * Recommended by Keeyla, Salnax 1, Pichu, The Otaku Ninja, S Noble Jr
 * Synopsis: The story of how Derpy got her bubbles cutie mark.

Cake Story by Blueshift
 * Recommended by Firerush
 * Synopsis: Is Mr Cake literally a cake? Pinkie Pie seems to think so – but will her investigations really reveal that Mr Cake is made solely from delicious margarine, sugar and flour, or is something else afoot? One thing is certain – the Cakes are hiding something from her, and Pinkie will expose the truth no matter the cost!

A Candle to the Sun by Moabite
 * Recommended by: Pichu, S Noble Jr
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle struggles to find a meaningful gift for Princess Celestia

Carnations and Forget-Me-Nots by PashaPup
 * Recommended by: Mad Cormorant
 * Synopsis: A fan comic going into greater detail about how Pinkie got her cutie mark. Slightly AU. Tear-jerking and heartwarming at the same time.

Carousel by Vanner.
 * Recommended by The Walking Anomaly, Kaiserin Kai
 * Synopsis: I'll use the author's own: "When Fluttershy asked Rarity where she learned to sew, she learns that remembering where you came from isn't always easy."

Celestia's Teeth by Abalidoth
 * Recommended by Andyroid, S Noble Jr
 * Synopsis: Celestia makes sure to surround herself with the most competent staff in all of Equestria, but when they go too far in her service, she takes things into her own hooves.

The Centerpeice Of My Collection/The Collection of My Centerpeice by Geldon Millenia later, Spike, learning that his time is coming, begs a favor of Celestia: to pass on in the company of a friend whose time has also come...
 * Recommended by Rich Reeders
 * Synopses: Spike, centuries after the passing of his friends tells the tale of a very special statue he has of a unicorn named Rarity.

The Circle of Friends by Kiyyik
 * Recommended by G 1 Andy P, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Long after the events of the series, Twilight, now having taken over from Celestia; reminisces on friends past, Tear Jerker.

COPS: Equestria by whysoserious1985
 * Recommended by Spider Fan14
 * Synopsis: Follow the various police departments of Equestria, from Ponyville to Canterlot, on their recorded patrols.
 * Mature themes follow, and chapters 4 and 7 are kicks to the guts in terms of emotion.

Creature of the Night by Tanner
 * Recommended by Zarpaulus
 * Synopsis: The day after an adventure in the Ursa Major's cave Rarity starts feeling, different. The sun is painful, she can't eat anything, Opalescence is meaner than usual, and she hungers for the blood of other ponies.

Crystalline by Bristle Brushes
 * Recommended by Lopiny
 * Synopsis: Spike and Rarity have had rather successful lives, despite their relatively uncommon interspecies relationship. They have been together for quite some time, and have a happy, loving marriage. And marriage, as we all know, often gives rise to children. Neither a pony, nor a dragon, their daughter Crystal is having a rather difficult time making sense of herself. Ponyville's general contempt of her is	 not helping. Realizing this, Crystal begins to have doubts about her own identity, her existence. When she returns home to the Boutique one day, having just been involved in a nasty fight, Crystal and Rarity have a heart to heart about what makes somepony...well...somepony.

Cupcake's Day Out by Rexx Ivan
 * Reccommended by Dewman
 * Synopsis: The pony Cupcake enjoys the day visiting Pinky Pie, Rarity, and Rainbow Dash, before heading to her home in the complex run by Ms. Fizz.

A Dark Sky by MetalHooves
 * Recommended by Dialga X
 * Synopsis: A group of terrorists known as the Shadowbolts are confronted with old grudges, past loves, and even their own morals as they set out to destroy the Wonderbolts and anypony who gets in their way

Dash's Secret by Hopefox
 * Recommended by Spiri Tsunami
 * Synopsis: When Rainbow Dash's parents come to Ponyville, her friends learn that she might not be the pony they thought she was. Will Dash's secret drive her friends away from her, and will her parents still accept her?
 * Comments: Saying why this fanfiction is so amazing would involve spoiling the secret, which is unfortunate because this fic is oozing with real-world relevance and I recommend it to anyone dealing with this issue regardless of whether or not they're a MLP:FiM fan.

Dashes, Dots and Pegasus Spots by Nightwings81
 * Recommended by PDL, omegaman
 * Synopsis: When Rainbow Dash catches a bad case of pegapox, she cannot fly back to her cloud home and finds herself staying with Rarity and Sweetie Belle. Twilight is searching for a cure, but can the pegasus survive her well meaning nurses long enough to use it?

Betrothed and Betrayed by Nightwings81
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * Synopsis: When a neighboring country to Equestria, Saddellia, begins to encroach upon its borders and ponynapping Equestrians to serve as slaves, Princess Celestia entrusts the bearers of the Elements of Harmony to broker a peace treaty with its king. Along the way, Rainbow Dash ends up rescuing the Saddellian prince, who quickly becomes smitten with her. Hoping that this would lead to more favorable negotiations, the rest of the Mane 6 cultivate the prince's infatuation, which may lead to unforeseen consequences...
 * Comments: Still being written, this story has so far proved itself to be awesome. The ponies are in character, the OCs genuinely interesting and developed, and the plot engaging. This is written by the same author of Dashes, Dots and Pegasus Spots, so if you enjoyed that fic, you will undoubtably enjoy this one.

Derpy Goes Crazy by Pacce.
 * Recommended by Shaded Spriter
 * Synopsis: Derpy Hooves gets angry and goes on a killing spree.

"Derpy Goes to the Doctor" by BlueCorpse.
 * Recommended by Horticulturist
 * Synopsis: Part of a series; in this installment, Derpy Hooves goes to the doctor and her origin is revealed.
 * Warning: sad.

Dinky Doesn't Go to School by RagingSemi
 * Recommended by Gaspalov, Moabite, Shaded Spriter, Pichu
 * Synopsis: Derpy Hooves has a daughter, a young unicorn named Dinky, who doesn't have an easy life at school because of her mother and starts hating Derpy for constantly shaming her, until one day she discovers her mom's motivations and learns a very important lesson...

Dinky Doo's Father Revealed by Roy G. Biv
 * Recommended by Zarpaulus, Jayrad
 * Synopsis: Ditzy Doo's daughter Dinky asks about her father and learns how her parents met at a "special" pony's school.

Ditzy Doo and the Blustery Day by uSea
 * Recommended by Ossley
 * Synopsis: Ditzy Doo tells her daughter a story about a windy day she experienced in Ponyville. The story is based on the Winnie the Pooh series by A. A. Milne, and contains numerous shout outs to them. It even has illustrations done in the style of E. H. Shepard (the original illustrator of Winnie-the-pooh).

Don't Let the Sun Catch You Crying by l0x0r
 * Recommended by Turbo J
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle had noticed that the letters from Princess Celestia have changed in tone recently. She travels to Canterlot to find out why, and discovers a sympathetic Princess Luna.

Draconic Troubles by Davesknd
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: Twilight and Spike are sent a message from Princess Celestia, stating that a dragon will be staying in Ponyville. Spike has to go into hiding, Twilight has to organize the arrival and the others have to cope with the usual insanity. Oh... and the crusaders are doing their thing. Do I smell doom?

Endless Gifts by Jenova II
 * Recommended by UnderlordZ
 * Synopsis: One of the Cutie Mark Crusaders gets her Mark. Will jealousy break up the Crusaders forever?

Equestria Daily Speedfic Challenge: Rainbow Dash Can't Cook by 145 different authors
 * Recommended by Robotech_Master
 * Synopsis: When Friendship is Magic fan site Equestria Daily announced a speedfic writing challenge, in which writers had two hours to complete a short story based on an arbitrarily-assigned theme (in this case, that Rainbow Dash needs to cook something but turns out to be a Lethal Chef), administrator Cereal Velocity never expected to be deluged with 145 entries. ("You ponies are full of words," said the dazed admin.)

Equestria Noir-A Neo-Noire Tale by Garnot
 * Recommended by Weeg The Ninji
 * Synopsis: Ten years have passed since Celestia and Luna mysteriously vanished from the face of the planet, leaving their nation to slowly fall apart. Now, crime, corruption and a faceless evil threaten to destroy the slowly recovering nation. In the middle of this chaos stands Bogart Maltese, an equine and member of the Regulators - an enclave dedicated to fighting crime, corruption and villainy - who is on a quest to find and punish the ones responsible for his partner's murder. Along the way, he will meet another soul, who just like him, longs to understand her own tragic past. To find the answers they both seek, the two will have to travel to hell and back. What they discover may change the face of Equestria forever. Trust no one and fear the dark places of the world.

Equestrian Revolution
 * Recommended by Salnax1
 * Synopsis: A glorious rebellion against the tyrannical Celestia has unforeseen circumstances.

Escape from Castle Midnight by Blue Eyes Shining Dragon
 * Recommended by Slimey Jenkins
 * Synopsis: The old G1 TV special "Escape from Castle Midnight" made to fit the "Friendship is Magic" universe

Evergreen Entertainment by NTSTS
 * Recommended by Kchishol, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Pinkie Pie proposes a "We're Sorry" party to make it up to Zecora for how they treated her. When she and her friends finally meet the entertainment whom Pinkie hired sight unseen; they find they are giving their new friend a more playfully thrilling apologetic experience then anyone ever dreamed. (PG-13)

Eversleep by EvenMotion
 * Recommended by Failcopter Wes
 * Synopsis: Celestia unexpectedly enters a state of Death like hibernation, and the resultant power vacuum between the naive Luna and a new Council leads to civil war. Not a happy tale but well written nonetheless.

Extremely Terrible and Horrifying Stories by RatherHomely
 * Recommended by Redhead 64
 * Synopsis: A Deconstructive Parody with No Fourth Wall where an author, inspired by Cupcakes' notoriety, tries to make a similarly gory story... and fails miserably

Fair Feather Friend by Bobcat
 * Recommended by The Goddamn Ratbatman
 * Synopsis: Deeply desiring a pet, Rainbow Dash adopts and tames a falcon, who she names Baron Awesome . Hilarity Ensues, and heartstrings are tugged as pegasus and bird adjust to one another.

Fire and Rain by Vimbert the Unimpressive
 * Recommended by Ziddy
 * Synopsis: An amateur therapist deals with a stranger in town while trying to get over a few problems of his own.

The First Winter Wrap-Up by Chopper's Top Hat
 * Recommended by SuddenFrost, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Why can't unicorns use magic during Winter Wrap-Up? Applejack knows the answer, and with it comes the surprising truth about the origin of Ponyville, and the worst year in Equestria's history.

The Flight of the Alicorn by Ponydora Prancypants
 * Recommended by Lance Omikron
 * Synopsis: Rarity's exploits in "Sweet and Elite" set in motion a chain of events that will find the unicorn dressmaker taking part in the greatest airship race in the world, the Alicorn's Cup. Excitement will give way to terror, as Rarity soon finds herself the victim of a plot against Equestria, and shipwrecked far from home with her least favorite stallion, the boorish Prince Blueblood. Rarity will learn of treachery in Canterlot and abroad, and will have search for something of substance beneath the prince's obnoxious veneer as she struggles to not only save herself, but her entire nation.

The Fluttershy Effect by SuperStingray
 * Recommended by Jayrad
 * Synopsis: A time travel mishap changes everything. Now Twilight has to fix it.

Forgiveness by Dark Side of the World
 * Recommended by Jayrad
 * Synopsis: The story of Luna's transformation to Nightmare Moon, her life after coming back, and everything in between as she longs for forgiveness.

A Friend For Derpy Hooves by Jim Dimitri
 * Recommended by Dag 1984
 * Synopsis: "Derpy Hooves" is the nickname given to the strange, awkward mare who lives on the edges of Ponyville. What will happen when Princess Celestia sends her a guardian to help socialize her? Becomes femmeslash towards the end.

Friendship Is Forever by Fabrosi
 * Recommended by Robotech_Master
 * Synopsis: When something goes terribly wrong at the Grand Galloping Gala in Canterlot, Twilight Sparkle and friends are thrust into an adventure like they have never experienced before.

Friendship is Surreal by WarhunterT71
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Synopsis: A Hero of Another Story fic that is designed to play out like the adventures of the mane 6, this chronicles the hypothetical adventures of Octavia, Derpy Hooves, Dr. Whooves, Lyra, DJ PON-3, and Bon Bon (takes place after the gala). Also, the link on the DA version to the version on fanfiction.net has part 2.

Gilda's Horrific Torture, author unknown
 * Recommended by The Pocket
 * Synopsis: Written on the heels of "Cupcakes", this short story tells how one of Gilda's victims gets revenge... with a little help from a friend. To say more would be to spoil it. (Note: The prequel has spoilers; read it second!)

The Girl by RoyGBiv-MLP
 * Recommended by Retsof Noraa
 * Synopsis: Twilight becomes friends with the unlikeliest of people, and inspires her to make one of the greatest decisions of her life.

Growing Pains by Peroth
 * Recommended by Primedawg 9170
 * Synopis: It seemed like a simple problem, at first, but as dangerous foreigners begin to hunt for Twilight, and ancient godlike entities begin to stir as she and her friends search for a solution, a tiny growth-spurt in her horn suddenly doesn't seem so simple. Warning: GRIMDARK at times.

Growing Up by a High-Tech Burrito.
 * Recommended by Kentucky Troper 1990, True Zero
 * Synopsis : As an older Spike prepares to leave Ponyville, he reflects on all the good times he's had, says goodbye to his friends, and remembers the friends who aren't there anymore. Brings your tissues. This is a sad one. Deals with death.

Half the Day Is Night by AugieDog
 * Recommended by Born In 1142, Robotech_Master, Jayrad, King Twelve Sixteen, S Noble Jr,Draco Dei
 * Synopsis: "Romance, palace intrigue, and swashbuckling adventure await our six heroines (and Spike, too) when Princess Luna summons the Elements of Harmony to Canterlot."

Harmony's WrathBy hahatimeforponies
 * Reccommended by Tokyooranges
 * Synopsis When Twilight and her friends are snowed into the library, they discover a book she doesn't recognize. It turns out, the story they find within hits much closer to home than they had expected.

Happy Birthday, Fizzypop! by Its The Whiny Guys
 * Recommended by Spark Moon, Corey W Williams
 * Synopsis: It's Fizzypop's birthday! She's worked so hard on her party, and she just can't wait for all of her friends to show up and celebrate it with her!

Heart Of Gold, Feathers Of Steel by Nicknack
 * Recommended by Cantrop, Poptard
 * Synopsis: Gilda has been ostracized from her family for many years now, and her life has reached a stale, meaningless doldrum. The only thing she still remembers being happy about is her friend from Flight Camp. When Rainbow Dash invites her to visit, she is overjoyed. But things do not go entirely as planned...
 * Its sequel, Summer Days and Evening Flames, has its own page now.

In Her Majesty's Royal Service by Sagebrush
 * Recommended by Born In 1142, S Noble Jr, Sahgo
 * Synopsis: "Who are those courageous and stoic ponies that put their lives on the line in service of the princesses? Follow the tale of Storm Stunner, a new recruit to Equestria's Royal Guard."

Junior Speedsters Forever by Pacce
 * Recommended by Suntzu
 * Synopsis: The tale of how Rainbow Dash and Gilda originally became friends, and a look at the events following Gilda's episode.

Legion of Gloom by John Perry
 * Recommended by Count Dorku
 * Synopsis: A team of old enemies (and Pinkie's disturbing guests from Party of One) team up to attack the Mane Six. Has two sequels on the same page, involving Doctor Whooves, talking rocks, self-insertion, self-deprecation, pony memes, and massive, gaping holes in the fourth wall.

Enter the League of Fanons by John Perry
 * Recommended by Nightelf37
 * Synopsis: Sequel to "Legion of Gloom". The Legion of Gloom has returned, this time aligning themselves with a new, shadowy villain as they prepare to use the power of the Elements of Harmony against the Mane Six. But our heroes find aid in six mysterious ponies who seem to have all the answers… These ponies are Doctor Whooves, Derpy Hooves, Lyra, Bon Bon, DJ Pon3, and Octavia.

Between a Rock and a Hard Place by John Perry
 * Recommended by Nightelf37
 * Synopsis: Sequel to "Enter The League of Fanons" and the final installment of the not-so-epic series. The League of Fanons discover that everypony has been taken over by crazed fanon versions of themselves! As the League struggles to restore normalcy to Equestria, the Legion of Gloom works from the shadows to enact their revenge on our heroes. Will Equestria fall to the madness? And what role does Tom play in all of this?

Let Me Play Among the Stars by l0x0r
 * Recommended by G 17
 * Synopsis: The Events covering how Luna got her cutie mark to her Start of Darkness.

Life in a Slower Lane by JuyUnseen
 * Recommended by Firerush
 * ''Synopsis;;: After being brutally rejected by Rainbow Dash once again, Scootaloo is left distraught. that is until a kinder pegasus comes into her life and shows her some compassion.

The Light Never Goes Out by BrianBlessedPony
 * Recommended by Underlord Z
 * Synopsis: Equestria prepares to celebrate a great event, but for six certain ponies, this event means much more to them.

Madmax Comics (also here)
 * Recommended by robertmck
 * Synopsis: A series of gag comics drawn by "Madmax". Think of it as a Pony version of Potter Puppet Pals.

Memories of Those Friends Who've Gone Before Us by WTFHIW
 * Recommended by Fifthman, Ack Sed, Pinkie P, S Noble Jr]
 * Synopsis: Two months after coming to live in Ponyville, Twilight runs across an odd traveling bookseller, and through her contact with him, gains insight into the nature of her own character as well as knowledge of Ponyville's previous librarian.

Midnight Run by Midnight Shadow
 * Recommended by Robotech_Master
 * Synopsis: Twilight is approached by Applejack with a strange request - to join her that night for a run, but all is not as it seems. Why is Applejack so nervous? What could this be about?

The Monster Mash by FredMSloniker
 * Recommended by Count Dorku, Kerrah
 * Synopsis: Six individual vignettes (out-of-continuity with each other), each about a member of the mane cast having an encounter with the supernatural. The chapters contain Lycanthrope!Fluttershy, Vampire!Rarity, Kaiju!Dash, Ghost!Pinkie, Alien Hunter!Applejack, and Cosmic Horror Investigator!Twilight. Warning: some are darker than others.

Moonbeam by Laurence Brown
 * Recommended by g17
 * Synopsis: Having trouble making friends, Princess Luna decides that using some magic might be just the thing to help her out. Things don't go as planned, however, when the spell she casts gives her some unexpected results!

Moonspire Run by TitanRising
 * Recommended by Pykrete, Canonier, Captain Hoers
 * Synopsis: Dash biffs a practice session and explodes at her friends and Scootaloo. While venting it off, she gets challenged to a race by none other than Spitfire of the Wonderbolts -- a race through one of the most perilous locales in Equestria. Extreme acts of awesome ensue.

The Moonstone Cup by Cyanide
 * Recommended by Decay
 * Synopsis: Twilight is invited to Canterlot to compete with some of the greatest magicians in the world for the Moonstone Cup, a prestigious award for the most powerful and skillful magicians, unicorn and otherwise. Can she win? What sort of competition will she face?

My Funny Sister by Pascoite
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Synopsis: When Scootaloo wonders why Rainbow Dash has been avoiding her, Dash decides to tell a story from her youth, about friendship gained, and friendship changed, in order to explain why seeing Scootaloo has been making her sad.
 * Comments: It's a really good sad fic about friendships that persist despite painful events in peoples' lives. The ending just shows just how much Rainbow Dash and  truly care for each other like sisters.

My Little Parcel by CupcakesNom
 * Recommended by Andyroid, S Noble Jr
 * Synopsis: Following the girls' latest adventure, Rainbow Dash discovers that a somewhat embarrassing souvenir of hers has gone missing, and tries as discreetly as possible to track it down. Naturally, Hilarity Ensues.

My Sweetie by Big Mackintosh
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Synopsis: After being adopted by Derpy, Sparkler can't help but feel unloved and unspecial in her new home, but Derpy is determined to show her just how special she really is.

Newsworthy by Medicshy
 * Recommended by Eegah
 * Synopsis: Tabloid reporter Ink Well arrives in Ponyville to do a story about the chaos at the Grand Galloping Gala. But when he learns about the damaging effects his magazine's stories have had on the Mane Six, he has a change of heart and tries to get corrections printed. And this draws everyone into a conspiracy bigger than anything they could suspect...

Night's Favored Child by Municipal Engines
 * recommended by Dalek629
 * Synopsis: For almost a thousand years, the immortal Nightmare Moon has reigned over Equestria as Empress. To the average pony, Nightmare Moon is an overarching enigma whose rule is absolute and whose wrath is terrible. But to Twilight Sparkle, who as an orphan has never known her parents, the Empress is something else entirely. When the young unicorn is brought under the royal wing as an apprentice, she learns a great deal more about the supposed tyrant than she ever knew. But as Twilight is introduced to life with her new mentor, she is thrust into a world of political intrigue, conspiracies and secrets. Secrets that were never meant to be revealed. As allies and enemies plot against the very peace of the nation, will Twilight fall prey to the perils of her new position? Or will she prosper and find in Nightmare Moon the mother she never had?

Nightmares Don't Last Forever. by BB
 * Recommended by g17
 * Synopsis: The Elements of Harmony are defeated and Nightmare Moon stands on Equestria's throne as their new Queen. Is Equestria doomed to suffer through night time eternal or will they be... perfectly fine? Twilight finds her new job as slave or "personal assistant" to her new ruler to be a bit maddening. But is this evil sarcastic queen really as bad as she originally believed? And just how many others are diabolical enough to cash in on the change in staff? Can Nightmare truly run a peaceful Equestria? Only one way to find out.

Nightmare State of Mind by Jetfire
 * Recommended by Ardashir
 * Synopsis: Welcome you poor, you flawed, you hopeless -- welcome to the Queendom of Nocturne!

The Night That Never Ended by Brony Cray
 * Recommended by Flaera
 * Synopsis: What if Nightmare Moon had won? When a teleportation spell goes awry, Twilight Sparkle and Rainbow Dash are transported to a realm of eternal night, ruled by the cold, iron hoof of Nightmare Moon.

No Hard Feelings by SeptimusMagistos
 * Recommended by Redhead 64, omegaman
 * Synopsis: A follow-up to the controversial episode "The Mysterious Mare-Do-Well", in which Rainbow Dash gets a surprise party originally intended for Mare-Do-Well's reveal..

Of Steam Gears And Wings by Raven's Dagger
 * Recommended by Zarpaulus
 * Synopsis: Ten years after a massive war, Equestria has changed. The Empire now rules over all, giving peace and prosperity to those that deserve it, but some are against this new rulership. The CMC, a small, raggedy group of smugglers working for the Apple family, are caught red-hoofed by an Imperial patrol. As the friends fight for their lives, they learn about themselves, each other, and the world they now reside in. Meanwhile, in Canterlot, Emperor Blueblood has amassed a massive fleet and is preparing to smash what is left of the rebellion under the oppressive hoof of his Empire.
 * Notes: Original Steampunk fic with airships.

The Old Stories by Thanqol
 * Recommended by Redikalus, S Noble Jr
 * Synopsis: There are stories which define us. Stories that inspire us. And there are stories that damn us.

The P3 Project series by Bookish Delight
 * Recommended by FoominBlue, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: The Pony Permutation Project, or P3 for short, explores the relationships between the main cast, one pair at a time.

A Perfectly Ordinary Day in Ponyville by The Equestrian Gentlecolt
 * Recommended by Eegah
 * Synopsis: A parody fic: Twilight wanders through what has become a typical day for her...at least as far as fanfics are concerned. She blithely strolls through an absolute Cliché Storm, utterly unfazed by any of it at this point.

Perils of the Past/Elements of Discord by Somber
 * Recommended by Thelovelypenguin, ptah1888
 * Synopsis: "A thousand years ago Princess Celestia sealed away Nightmare Moon using the Elements of Harmony. Now the Cutie Mark Crusaders will awaken a threat imprisoned for all that time, and all of Equestria will learn which is greater: The Elements of Harmony or the Elements of Discord."

Pinkamina by Sithicus
 * Recommended by Mugen Kagemaru
 * Synopsis: Pinkie came home from the Gala depressed and forlorn, so who could hope to comfort her after the worst disaster of all disastrous parties? Pinkamina Diane Pie, that's who.

Pinkie Pie: The Opener of Ways by Trashcanman
 * Recommended by Foomin Blue
 * Synopsis: Pinkie Pie saves Twilight and Applejack, but at what cost? Will they ever be able to look at her the same way again?

The Ponies Discover /co/ by Slywit
 * Recommended by King Sonn Dee Doo, Pinkie P, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Exactly What It Says on the Tin, the ponies discover /co/, and end up being a bit upset/affected by what they see. To make matters worse, they have to go on a diplomatic mission, which quickly turns into the camping trip from hell, whilst they struggle with people's perceptions of them, and everything going wrong.

Ponies Play D&D by Lucres
 * Recommended by Captainhook, Jayrad
 * Synopsis: What happens when a bunch of ponies get together to play Dungeons and Dragons? Comedy, that's what!

Pony Grab Bag by Weaver
 * Recommended by Ruff 1298
 * Synopsis: A series of unusual, occasionally perverse, things happen to the Mane Cast.

A Precious Rainbow and The Cupcake Killer by milesprower06, with Ace2401 as a collaborator on The Cupcake Killer. Also, The Journal of the Cupcake Killer, by Ace2401 with milesprower06 providing support.
 * Recommended by Epesi and amimizunofan22
 * Synopsis:
 * A Precious Rainbow is an alternate ending and spinoff to the infamous Cupcakes, in which Applejack interrupts Pinkie Pie in time to save Rainbow Dash's life, but not her wings. With the help of her friends, Rainbow Dash must begin the difficult process of physical and emotional recovery, adapt to life on the ground, and repair her shattered sense of self. (If you couldn't stomach Cupcakes, not to worry; it's not necessary to read that one first to understand this.)
 * The Cupcake Killer follows and expands on Precious Rainbow, as Rainbow Dash experiences guilt for the lives lost to Pinkie Pie's madness, and tries to come to terms with it.
 * The Journal of the Cupcake Killer initially has Luna secretly presenting Rainbow Dash with Pinkie Pie's journal and then dives into the journal itself, which chronicles Pinkie's descent into madness. While not straight-up horror and not as extensively gory as Cupcakes, there are definitely some torture scenes, and if you take on (canon) Pinkie's perspective, it can be a chilling read. Grimdark, but an intriguing perspective.

Pretty in Pink by David Reinold
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: Everypony tries to cope as the laughter is torn from their lives...
 * Warning: Massive Tear Jerker.

Prince Charming by Baldwin
 * Recommended by Deranged Genius
 * Synopsis: After the disaster of meeting Prince Blueblood, Rarity is done looking for the special pony to be her prince. So she decides to put her sewing skills to good use and make the perfect one of her own design.
 * Warning:Gore and Grimdark.

Princess Textlestia by SoundofRainfall
 * Recommended by Mugen Kagemaru
 * Synopsis: At the suggestion of one of her guards, Princess Celestia gets a cell phone to make contacting her easier. Needless to say, access to text messaging also leads to the phone being used for other things...

Purloined Pony by Chris
 * Recommended by Mega Tank
 * Synopsis: A Choose Your Own Adventure starring Carrot Top. When Apple Bloom goes missing at the hands of a band of mischievous creatures, it's up to you to try and save her, along with the help of the other members of Ponyville if you so choose. Plenty of choices to make and 18 varying endings.

A Quick Buck by Mak
 * Recommended by Quackor The Fowl
 * Synopsis: "When Rainbow Dash is given the chance to impress one of her idols, she finds herself in the middle of a money problem. Can she count on her friends to help her make it in the big leagues? Will her friends still be able to count on her once she gets there?

Raiders of the Cutie Mark by DJLowrider
 * Recommended by RL Yoshi, Mad Cormorant
 * 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!

The Real Story by Nimaru
 * Recommended by Liangnui
 * Synopsis: In the words of the artist: "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!)"

School Daze by Paleo Prints
 * Recommended by Tokyooranges
 * 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!


 * The Screwball Trilogy (The Turning of the Screwball, Screwball Mio Amore and Screwball Over), by Warren Hutch
 * Reccomended by GG Crono
 * 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
 * Synopsis: Several short stories about each of the characters bathing. Really Better Than It Sounds.

Side Stories are Never Successful by A Pony Farce
 * Recommended by regresal
 * 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
 * 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?

Sofa, So Good by GW Fan
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: Rainbow Dash and Spike compete for a job at Quills and Sofas, in order to get a free sofa.

Sparkle's Law by AestheticB
 * Recommended by Slayer Man 118
 * 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.

Sugarcoated by Dubs Rewatcher
 * Recommended by psychobionty
 * 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.

Sunny Skies All Day Long by PhantomFox
 * Recommended by Ktarra Moon, S Noble Jr, Andyroid
 * 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?

Sunshine and Fire by Born In 1142
 * Recommended by Eegah, Poptard
 * 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.

Sweet Apple Capers by The RPGenius
 * Recommended by Poptard, S Noble Jr, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Pinkie Pie wants some apple strudel, and by Celestia, she's gonna get it!

The Sweetie Chronicles: Fragments by Wanderer D
 * Recommended by Eegah, Viperhawk Z
 * Synopsis: After Sweetie Bell is nearly killed in a Trixie-related mishap, she asks Twilight to teach her magic. But something goes wrong in one of their lessons and Twilight disappears, and now Sweetie Bell has to travel through the worlds of various AU fanfics to find her.

Tales by George Pollock, Jr
 * Recommended by Foomin Blue
 * Synopsis: The retired royal librarian of Equestria looks back on the interesting times of her life.

Tears For the Devil
 * Recommended by On The Hill.
 * 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
 * Synopsis: Rainbow Dash has an embarrassing secret that's just waiting to come out. And for once it has nothing to do with shipping.

To Forgive is Equine by Lowrider
 * Recommended by Godzillawolf
 * 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?

Today, Tomorrow and Forever by Chopper's Top Hat
 * Recomended by James Corck, Salnax, Pichu
 * 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.

The Trespasser by Sergeant Sprinkles
 * Recommended by Pacce
 * 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
 * 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 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.

Naked Singularity
 * Redommended by yahooeny
 * Synopsis:Twilight Sparkle is a gifted student and scholar. When she attempts to harness her creative side by writing a science-themed sensual romance novel, however, things rapidly get out of hoof. Can her friends stage an intervention before she humiliates herself (and them) at a prestigious literature recital?
 * Comments: One of the best examples of cringe-humor I've ever seen. If only the human body can somehow produce tears of joy and pain at the same time, for this story would totally make it rain up in here. Also featured in Equestria Daily.

Twilight's Answering Machine by dayland
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: Twilight gets an answering machine. Hilarity Ensues.

Twilight Sky over Canterlot by Foxxy
 * Recommended by nifboy, SuddenFrost, Pinkie P, Andyroid, ptah1888, Mad Cormorant
 * 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 Best Friend by Blueshift
 * Recommended by PDL
 * 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?

TwitterPonies multiple authors
 * Recommended by Zarpaulus
 * Synopsis: A massive ongoing Twitter based Play By Post roleplay with over a hundred accounts.

What Rainbows are made of by Lines Prower
 * Recommended by Lopiny
 * 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, this fic can be considered as an antidote for Rainbow Factory.

What's Eating Rainbow Dash? by Somber
 * Recommended by 45xxx, omegaman
 * 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.

White Box by Chromosome
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * 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.

The Worst Bakers in Equestria by Bob from Bottles
 * Recommended by Miar, S Noble Jr, Peteman
 * 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.

The Colour You Bleed by Kegisak
 * Recommended by REV 6 Pilot
 * Synopsis: "Caught in the middle of a struggle between Equestria and a neighboring country, Blueblood finds himself alone in unfriendly territory. Through trials and hardships he slowly begins to change into the prince that his country needs."
 * Comments: You've probably seen a lot of fics of Blueblood getting a Humiliation Conga that makes him see the error of his ways. But this is in a whole new level. With an interesting expansion of the Equestrian world, beautiful plot advancement, and more character development than you can shake a stick at (particularly on Blueblood's part), I consider this a must-read and won't say anything else so as to keep it unspoiled.
 * Be warned, it's pretty dark.
 * Status: Complete.

Equestria! by Jabberspike
 * Recommended by Dialga X
 * Synopsis: The events of My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic were all just the delusions of an insane young woman who has been in an institution for the past few years. Now Tara believes she has conquered these fantasies, but has she really?

Moonrise by Black Rose Raven
 * Recommended by Ungulateman, edranis
 * Synopsis: Luna, Princess of the Night, comes back after Nightmare Night in Ponyville to share her excitement with her only friend in Canterlot... and soon after begins a chain of events that will either redeem her or destroy her.
 * Pairings: Luna / OC, Applejack / Male!Rainbow Dash
 * Comments: The first part of an ongoing 350,000 word (to date) epic starring Luna, one of the best OCs in the fandom, an extremely AU Mane Six and general world, as well as plenty of dry humour, romance and action. Be warned - it's dark in Moonrise, grimdark in Lunar Lights, and yet moreso in Starlit Knights (which the author promises will become even more dark in coming arcs).
 * Lunar Lights and Starlit Knights are the continuation of this story, the latter still ongoing. Six Broken Ponies is recommended as a prequel for explaining the AU Mane Six and

Circus Days by The Dragon Warlock
 * Recommended by Rubyrose
 * Synopsis: Spike has been feeling lonely lately. Everyday he watches Twilight go off and have fun with her friends while he does the same thing: clean, and do chores. His luck seems to change though when he and Twilight find a flyer for a circus. With Twilight's friends, Spike goes to the circus with them. At the circus, Spike meets and befriends the circus performers and show him true love and friendship. Tired of being left out or not being loved by the others, Spike decides to leave Twilight and the others for his new friends. Will they get the baby dragon back?

Callsign MANE VI: Twilight by Col. StaR After a new mission takes an unexpected turn for the worst, an unforeseen evil threatens to plunge the world into darkness. Against uncertain odds, Twilight must unite MANE VI and fight to restore Project Harmony, while realizing her place in this world along the way.
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37, Mad Cormorant
 * Synopsis: MANE VI: Maneuver, Assess, Neutralize, Execute. Unit Six.
 * Despite their unique personalities, this motley squad of citizens and soldiers has proven themselves time and time again. They are the world's unseen special forces, doing their part for a vast, covert network, run by the enigmatic Cell. They have been dormant for a year, but they're about to meet someone new: Cell's personal protege, Twilight.
 * Notes: An experiment in FiM reinterpretation.
 * Contains humanized, militarized characters in an alternate universe, set on a near-future Earth. Rated Teen for scenes of combat, violence, and potential swearing.

Mythbuckers by AuroraDawn
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Are pegasus wings really fragile? Do unicorn spells really fail catastrophically? And just how explosive is chocolate milk, anyways? Join Applejack, Rainbow Dash and the rest of the MLP crew as they not only tell the myths, but put them to the test!
 * Notes: Pony parody of Myth Busters. If you're a user in FIMFiction.Net, you can make more suggestions for 'myths' to bust.

The Day They Came by AdamThePony
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: "December 21, 2012. This date has for long been synonymous with an oncoming apocalypse to which mankind itself and all of God's creatures will return to where they all came from to live in peace. What actually happened was an event almost nobody saw coming. In this journal, I aim to tell the story on what happened that day, and what happened since that day. Be forewarned, however, that not everything that is written in this log was peaceful."

Remember the Good Days? by Carmine
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Twilight's Answering Machine by dayland
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Twilight gets an answering machine. Hilarity Ensues. Based on Marzipan's Answering Machine. Currently ongoing.

Mothers by KnightMysterio
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: It's almost Mother's Day. Scootaloo comes to Rainbow Dash with a startling question, but then backs off, feeling ashamed she asked it. Rainbow Dash, taken off-guard by the question, starts to question both herself, how she feels about Scootaloo, and about her past...

The Mane Attraction by Conner Cogwork
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Carrot Top lets her hair grow out a bit, and styles it accordingly. No big deal usually, right? Unless somehow, the result makes any pony who gazes at it, become relentlessly enamored with it and the pony it's attached to! Carrot now must find a way to shave her locks before she's smothered to death with affection from every pony in Ponyville!

A Year to the Day by DJLowrider
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Octavia's Power Hour by Terse
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: For what is ostensibly the most terrifying time in her entire life, Octavia forgets how to play her beloved cello. Shenanigans ensue, and Lyra reluctantly helps to pick up the pieces, with the help of our favorite DJ, Vinyl Scratch!

Stuck In The Middle With You by Vargras
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Ponytics by Pickle
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: After receiving a letter about Democracy from Twilight, Princess Celestia decides that she needs to destroy this idea before a revolt starts up.

Two and Two and Two by Mayclore
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Twilight and friends learn that prolonged exposure to the power of Pinkie Pie can cause some rather interesting side effects.

There's a Gamer in All of Us by Konseiga
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Rocks fall; Everypony dies. by ToXikyogHurt
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Rail Riders by Vanner
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Determined to try everything, the Cutie Mark Crusaders hop aboard a rail car and set off down the rails for adventure.

A Spark Forgotten by Novablitzer
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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?

Mother May I? by Moabite
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Derpy explains her medical condition to her daughter Dinky.

Why Didn't Ah Stay at Th' Farm? by FanNotANerd
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Dear Idiot by The Descendant
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Whilst enjoying the company of Twilight Sparkle and her friends in the doughnut shop, immediately following the events of The Best Night Ever, a disappointed Princess Celestia send a letter off to Prince Blueblood explaining the implications of his failure of the "Rarity Test", among other things...

Derpy Hooves: The Muffin Queen by Dublio
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Carrot Top is baking some muffins but she needs some last minute ingredients so she can finish the final touches on her muffins. Since she doesn't want to leave Derpy Hooves alone, she recruits the help of Lyra and Bon-Bon to keep her at Bay. Will they be able to prevent Derpy from eating the muffins? Or will Derpy have the last laugh?

Flim and Flam Try It Again by The Snazzy Hat
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: The so-called 'World Famous' Flim Flam Brothers, after being defeated by Applejack and her friends, decide that they just weren't cut out for the cider making business. So, in the small town of Horseton, they discover a mysterious new mineral that could revolutionise all of Equestria! Trouble is, there are also a lot of people in the town who will do whatever it takes to make sure they get it first.

''Forever Faithful by Konseiga [ [reviews:Forever Faithful]]
 * Recommended by Pichu
 * Synopsis: In a freak accident from the Cloudsdale weather control team, Twilight is struck down by an errant lightning bolt. But the veil of death is relatively thin...

Princess by Kosh [ [reviews:Princess]]
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * Synopsis: Rainbow Dash is just awful at cooking, but the only thing worse than her cooking is the memories it conjures up.
 * Comments: Part of the Equestria Daily Speedfic Challenge on how Rainbow Dash can't cook. An incredibly well-written story. Also, be warned, unlike many of the other entries in this challenge, it is also very sad. As one commentator put it: "Wow. I'm not usually much for sad pony stories, but that was really, really well done. It's hard to believe it's the product of just two hours' work! EDITING: - (but read it anyway, it's seriously well-done)"

Maiden Flight by Cold in Gardez [ [reviews:Maiden Flight]]
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * Synopsis: The ever-humble Rainbow Dash has selflessly agreed to give Scootaloo a wing-up on Flight School with a few lessons. Twilight Sparkle, however, has her doubts...
 * Comments: Heartwarming, at times hilarious. All the ponies remain well within character. An excellent read. By the same author who wrote "Naked Singularity" (above).

Discord's Return by Triple-A-Battery
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Discord breaks free of his stone prison, and decides to show the Mane 6 (and Princess Celestia) just what his prison was like...

Friendship is Magic: Discord Did It  by Silverviper2134
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: It's been a year since Discord's been returned to his stone prison. However, some of his magic was able to seep out. With nothing better to do, he sends out six bits of magic to six certain ponies…and before they know it, they're pregnant! (Not a good summary. Please fix up.)

Alicorn by Aldea Donder
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * Synopsis: Rainbow Dash usually had her head in the clouds, but she always thought she knew up from down. When an incredible revelation sends her life into a tailspin, she finds herself at the mercy of emotions she never thought she had, faced with hard questions and impossible choices. What is the importance of family? Of bloodlines? Of sacrifice? What does it truly mean to be alicorn?
 * Comments: A sequel to Fairy-Slayer's MLP:FiM - Mommy Nearest, this fic, and its author, are just fantastic. The characterizations of the ponies remain incredibly true to the show, and the OCs are well-crafted. The plot is interesting and gripping. The writing takes the cake, it is quite simply amazing. Aldea Donder took a weird, "out there" concept like Rainbow Dash being Celestia's daughter and makes it work. This fic is arguably better than the fic that inspired it, which itself is fairly good.

Fluttershy's Bad "Hare" Day. by Pegasus Rescue Brigade
 * Recomended by Clam15
 * Synopsis:After an unfortunate incident involving Rainbow Dash and herbal tea, Fluttershy wakes up one morning to discover that she has turned into a rabbit! With her friends unaware of her plight, Fluttershy must turn to Angel bunny to guide her on her quest to restore her original form. In the process, she is given the oppurtunity to experience everyday life in Ponyville from a whole ... new perspective, and discovers that there is much more to her friends' pets than she ever expected.
 * Comments: This is just great. The interactions, the conflict, the story. Okay, the story isn't much new, but it give's it that originality that we've come to know so much. And by the interactions between Angel and Fluttershy shows that, once and for all, despite outwardly apperances, he really does care for the filly that's raised him as her own. Throw in some hilarity ensuing and you've got yourself a real dandy (in a good way.) Plus, Angel speaking in a Brooklyn accent. Need I say more?

Faded Rainbow by Trinary
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * Synopsis: After Rainbow Dash's rump meets lightning one time too many, she feels like her reputation in town is ruined as ponies start laughing at her misfortune. Her self-esteem in tatters and her loyalty waning, its up to her friends to help her.
 * Comments: An interesting story about Rainbow Dash's psychology, and the Inferiority Superiority Complex that lies at the heart of her bravado. While sad at times, the story is also heartwarming in that it shows the lengths to which the Mane Cast will go to support one of their number when they're in the dumps.

Wingmares by CouchCrusader
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * 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.

Tiny Wings by DeadParrot222
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * 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.

Shine by The Descendant
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * 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: An authorized side story of the above, 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.

Dear Idiot  by The Descendant
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Whilst enjoying the company of Twilight Sparkle and her friends in the doughnut shop immediately following the events of "The Best Night Ever", a disappointed Princess Celestia send a letter off to Prince Blueblood explaining the implications of his failure of the "Rarity Test", among other things...

Why Didn't Ah Stay at Th' Farm?  by FanNotANerd
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

The Running of Lyra  by Lurks-no-More
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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!

Ponies Visit McDonald's  by The Equestrian Gentlecolt
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Improbably often, ponies arrive on Earth in a fairly private place, with one or two witnesses at most. This time, they came out in the middle of a crowded McDonald's.

The Adventures of the Elementals  by AutoKnight01 Once found, Twilight, Fluttershy, Applejack, Rarity, Rainbow Dash, and Pinkie Pie must learn to use the Elements of Harmony and combine them with the forces of the six Elements of Nature. Join up with Twilight and her gang along with Typhoon, Terra, Agua, Gem, Pyro, and Cryo as they work together to try and save Equestria from an evil force thought to be gone, and learn a friendship lesson none of them ever thought imaginable.
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Twilight's library is chock full of books. And her life along with all of her friends are about to be turned upside down. When she stumbles across a secret area in her library she never knew existed, she finds an old book along with a letter hidden in the pages. Now Twilight and her friends set out on a journey to find six more ponies who come from the country that neighbors Equestria from the East.	 Alamante. The land of elements and a place where everypony has a unique gift over one of the six elements of nature. Wind, fire, ice, plasma, water, and earth.

Luna, There's a Sentient Race Inside Your Mane  by boardgamebrony
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: A fellow pony notices that Princess Luna may have a serious problem: there is a small, sentient race inside her mane and they have been living there for quite some time. Luna must decide what to do about this.

Through Another's Eyes  by Festus
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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.

Transdimensional Zoology  by AbsoluteAnonymous
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * 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?

Journey to my Imagination  by DeiStar
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 * Synopsis: Being a creator is more than writing and drawing, you create your own world, where you pour your love and heart into it. In a stormy night, after a strange event in her office, Lauren Faust gets teleported into the magical land of Equestria. The land... that she created. What will she do now? How will she return to the reality from her own imagination? Will she even be willing to leave?

Reading Rainbow by Corejo
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * 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.

Rain without Rainbows by Leoshi
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * 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.

Mother's Day by TailsFox88
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * Synopsis: Everypony you meet makes an impression in your life, either good or bad. Sometimes the impression is very minor, but other times it lasts long after it's ended. Rainbow Dash knows this all too well, and has spent most of her life trying to forget about somepony who hurt her when she was young. But as she's about to learn, you can't run from your past forever, and sometimes even the bad experiences may help change you for the better. A look into what made Rainbow Dash the mare she is today, and an indirect sequel to That Warm Feeling. (Though, you don't have to have read it first to read this one.)
 * Comments: A well-written, heartwarming, tearjerking story with fantastic characterizations and character motivations. Thoroughly recommend.

Wild, Sweet & Cool by Kwakerjak
 * Recommended by omegaman
 * 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.

Anarchy In The Equestrian Nation by SirAlexanderLoams
 * Recommended by Badass Longcoat Parade
 * Synopsis: A punk rocker stallion named Union Jack transfers from a school for criminals to Ponyville High School for a second chance at life after attempting to burn down the city he lived in.
 * Comments: The language is rather dry, but the characters are relatable and really feel like high school students trying to make it through all right. It's a good slice of life story, but the romances are a little rushed. Overall it's a pretty good story. I liked it, but YMMV.