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

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

These have their own page
Assumptions
 * Recommended by Poptard
 * Synopsis: Not all assumptions are malicious, but even the most innocent rumours can be unpleasant, if they actually affect ponies' lives. Rainbow Dash knows this all too well as she tries to confront the stallion of her dreams. A bitter-sweet kind of hilarity ensues when she meets another pony with similar problems.

The Ballad of Twilight Sparkle by Gravekeeper
 * Recommended by Andyroid, Pinkie P
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle is summoned to settle a legal matter involving The Great and Powerful Trixie... What in Equestria did she do now?
 * Pairings: Twilight Sparkle/Trixie, with a bit of Applejack/Rainbow Dash for good measure

The Games We Play by AbsoluteAnonymous
 * Recommended by 7grayjay7
 * Pairings: Hugely spoilerific:
 * Synopsis: Somepony has showed up in the Mare-Do-Well costume, and appears to be very interested in Rainbow Dash. The awkward part? Dash is pretty sure it's one of her friends but has no idea which one. And as soon as it looks like somepony is the ideal candidate, the roulette wheel o' clues gets another spin.

Of Mares and Magic by GanonFLCL
 * Recommended by Redhead 64, Metroidmewtwo
 * Synopsis: Trixie, ashamed at being upstaged by Twilight Sparkle, seeks to regain respect in the eyes of the only person who matters - herself. But she may soon learn that she cares about the opinion of someone else...
 * Pairings: Trixie/Twilight (also contains Dash/Pinkie, Fluttershy/Derpy, Lyra/Bonbon, and Vinyl/Octavia, but those aren't important to the plot).

The Party Never Ended by Buttersc0tchSundae
 * Recommended by Pinkie P, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Pinkie Pie's unrequited love for Rainbow Dash reaches crisis point as she fears the party in her heart has at long last come to an end.
 * Pairings: Pinkie Pie/Rainbow Dash, a little bit of Lyra/Bon Bon, Twilight/Mac, Mac/Caramel

Windfall by Warren Hutch
 * Recommended by Andyroid
 * Synopsis: This story involves a time skip of about 5–7 years after Season One. Twilight and her friends have remained close despite life taking them in different directions, and they come running when it comes time for Fluttershy and Big Macintosh to have their first foal.
 * Now has a sequel called Earth and Sky, set a further 3 years down the timeline. Pinkie has a pegasus filly with another on the way, but the stress of keeping even one flying foal safe is taking its toll on her. Twilight, however, thinks she can engineer a solution, and enlists Rarity, Sweetie Belle, and Apple Bloom to help bring her designs to fruition.
 * Pairings: At the outset, Fluttershy/Big Macintosh are married and Pinkie Pie/Caramel are engaged. Subplots in the sequel for AJ/Soarin' and Apple Bloom/Pipsqueak.

Other fics
Allegrezza by "CoffeeGrunt"
 * Recommended by: Preda.
 * Pairing: Octavia/Vinyl Scratch
 * Synopsis: Octavia, Canterlot's foremost musician, finds herself in a less-that-dignified night club looking for a drink after her usual place alters its schedule. After her love of whiskey gets the better of her, a certain white unicorn DJ takes her home for the night.
 * Along with The Vinyl Scratch Tapes, this massive fic is the biggest thing written about Vinyl and Octavia, both in terms of size and popularity. Having multiple pieces of fan-art and fan-music dedicated to it, it's one of the brony community's finer achievements. If you're going to read anything from this list, read this one.

Apples N' Wrenches by "The Write Bros."
 * Recommended by: Kentucky Troper 1990
 * Pairing: Applejack/Male OC
 * Synopsis: Sweet Apple Acres has a small problem, and only the town repair shop has the means to fix it. However the Apple family gets a lot more than what they asked for when an old friend of Applejack returns to lend a helping hoof.

The Apple Spectrum by Arby Works
 * Recommended by Dash Rainboom 13
 * Pairings: Rainbow Dash and Applejack
 * Synopsis: A story of competition, friendship, rivalry and love. Rainbow Dash is thrown into the Market Harvest; a farming competition in which she aids Applejack and the Sweet Apple Acres team. Sacrificing some of her own time, Rainbow Dash does her best to support her friend in her time of need as a living model for the Sweet Apple Acres advertisement campaign: The Apple Spectrum!

Bechdel's Law by Aurora
 * Recommended by Albertosaurus
 * Pairings: So far Twilight/, with Applejack's and Rarity's stories yet to come.
 * Synopsis: Set during the tail end of "Look Before You Sleep". Twilight is determined to conduct her slumber party by the book and that includes talking about their love lives. Includes explicit content, but don't expect Porn Without Plot.

Black & White by Melionos
 * Recommended by Calnos
 * Pairing: Lyra/Octavia.
 * Synopsis: Shortly after her lyre is desecrated by magically altered parasprites, an irritated Lyra receives a package from a pony she hasn't heard from in years. And if the contents are anything to judge by, that pony misses her very much...

Butterflies and Apple Pies by Adrian Brony
 * Recommended by Exarian
 * Synopsis: "Applejack has always derived her strength from her family, and Fluttershy has long derived hers from Applejack. Everypony involved learns a little bit about friendship and romance when the two mares fall for each other."
 * Pairings: Fluttershy/Applejack

Catching Rainbows by Phoe
 * Recommended by Oleetar
 * Synopsis: "A night spent whiled away in awkward pleasures has two pegasus ponies struggling to understand what they want to come of it."
 * Pairings: Fluttershy/Rainbow Dash

Childhood Toys by Chatelier
 * Reccomended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: "Something little can end up meaning so much to a pony, just as one little moment can lead to a whole new situation. Big Macintosh and Twilight Sparkle realize that, all thanks to a little doll. "
 * Pairings: Twilight/Big Mac

Cinnamon and Sugar by Northland Pony
 * Recommended by Kona Kona Fan
 * Pairings: Soarin'/Rainbow Dash
 * Synopsis: Soarin' starts training Rainbow Dash for team flying while he's in Ponyville.

The Combinatorics Project by Ringcaat
 * Recommended by Meneth
 * Pairings: Every possible Mane 6 pairing.
 * Synopsis: Six ponies. Fifteen combinations. Five alternate universes. Let's get this ship sailing!

Claro De Luna by James Corck
 * Recommend by Pichu
 * Pairing: Octavia/Luna
 * Synopsis: Princess Luna experiences love at first sight during a concert in Canterlot, as she is struck by the talent and beauty of the main cellist, Octavia. How does love endure when you can't age and your loved one can?
 * Warning: A Lime scene, and a few mentions of sexuality, but it's nothing much and is all in the second part.

Composure By Varanus
 * Recommended by Commando Dude
 * Pairing: Twilight Sparkle/Celestia
 * Synopsis: We all wear a mask called composure, beneath which hides a heart that twists with guilt and hidden feelings. Regal as she is, Princess Celestia is no exception. What might be revealed should circumstances cause this mask to slip - or break?

Crystal Dreams By Rainbow Leaves
 * Recommended by Lukas Aricona
 * Pairing: Rainbow Dash/Spitfire/Soarin (not love triangle scenario)
 * Synopsis: How can one little crystal cause Rainbow Dash so many problems?
 * Comments: This is a well written story, however, the actual shipping only begins to appear near the end, and is completely involved in the sequels.

Dance 'Til We're High by Present Perfect
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Pairings:
 * Synopsis: It's five years since she first met them, and most of Twilight Sparkle's friends have found love, leaving her feeling left out and unwanted. The Winter's Eve Ball promises a magical night of mystique and romantic wonder, but will Twilight's romantic notions get the best of her? (Based on the song by the Fireman.)

Do You Really Want To Know by Friendly Uncle.
 * Recommended by Qaianna
 * Pairing: Incidental, and spoilerific, but Les Yay. And NOT Twilight/Celestia.
 * Synopsis: 'Princess Celestia always loves to hear from Twilight Sparkle, but this time she's shared just a bit too much. The problem is, Twilight doesn't know what the hay she's talking about.' (Synopsis and link are to fanfiction.net posting.)

Forbidden Love by DarkVoxis
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Pairings: SpikeBloom,
 * Synopsis: Spike and Applebloom are bored out of their skulls with their daily routines (Spike cleaning up after Twilight and Applejack forcing Applebloom to stay at home with big Macintosh babysitting her for her own safety). Having enough of it, each decide to make a break for it and, of course, bump into each other. One not-date later, they each develop feelings for each other (then a part of Spike's past comes haunting him).

Get Along Home by no space
 * Recommended by Skarmory The PG
 * Pairing: Ditzy Doo /Big Macintosh
 * Synopsis: Ditzy Doo is a simple mail mare who often has trouble expressing herself, and she has long given up on the possibility of relationships beyond the few she has already forged. But with some help from her friend, she may be able to overcome those doubts.

How Every Shipfic Would Actually Happen by TheOnly
 * Recommended by Albertosaurus
 * Pairings: All of them.
 * Synopsis: A series of short, amusing spoofs of popular pairings.

In the Rain by Ebon Mane
 * Recommended by Toko WH
 * Pairing: Rainbow Dash/Twilight
 * Synopsis: 'Rainbow Dash crashes into an impromptu sleepover at Twilight Sparkle's library, but why is the unicorn acting so strangely?'

It's Always Sunny in Fillydelphia by Bobcat
 * Recommended by Poptard
 * Synopsis: When Applejack goes with Rainbow Dash on a trip to Fillydelphia, she learns that life doesn't always go according to plan... and that can lead to something better.
 * Pairings: Applejack/Soarin
 * Sequel: Semper Fidelis

Just Friends by Lonewolf.007
 * Recommended by Arby Works
 * Pairings: Rainbow Dash/Applejack
 * Synopsis: Applejack could only reminisce about everything they could have been. Until the fateful day when Rainbow Dash returns. But there are a million questions to ask. And only one Pegasus can answer them.

Kindness's Reward by
 * Recommended by Pichu
 * Pairings: Fluttershy/Trixie
 * Synopsis: Fluttershy is asked by Zecora to investigate some of her potion ingredients being stolen, in case it was an animal. What they find is that it was a pony named Trixie, near dead from starvation by getting lost in the Everfree Forest. What follows are the events of Fluttershy nursing her back to health, a look in the mirror regarding her behavior, and yes, shipping.

Like Fine Wine by SleeplessBrony
 * Recommended by Ospero
 * Pairings: Rarity/Spike, with a passing reference to.
 * Synopsis: Set several decades after the series. Rarity is a successful designer - and quite alone. Until the rather unexpected return of an old friend.
 * Comments: Warning, this is a clopfic, and a very explicit one at that. But anyone looking for Porn Without Plot should go elsewhere - the fic is by the same author as Romance Reports.

The Melting Pot by Katalus Talrius
 * Recommended by Yahooeny, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: "Ponyville would be so boring without your favorite six ponies (and Spike) there to spice things up, right? WRONG. It's like taking the blueberries out of a muffin; you've still got a delicious muffin, now it's just a different flavor."
 * Pairings: Lyra and Bon-Bon, Derpy/Ditzy and Dr. Whooves, Caramel and Cloudkicker, Big Macintosh and Lotus Petal, there's probably some more I've forgotten.

Merely a Mare. by Ebon Mane.
 * Recommended by Antiguo.
 * Pairing: Applejack/Luna, Twilight Sparkle/Celestia
 * Synopsis: Luna has returned to Equestria, but she is as cold and distant as the moon that held her captive. Celestia broods on her throne, regretting mistakes made and prices paid. Twilight Sparkle contemplates betrayal, and as her faith drains away, bitterness takes its place. And in the darkness, a relic of an ancient tragedy watches, his life consumed by greivances that he can neither remember nor forget. Betrayed and betrayers all, four ponies in need of a redemption that only one seeks. Will Honesty be enough to save them? Can one hoof, extended in trust and forgiveness, mend four wounded hearts?

The Most Powerful Magic by FicFicPonyFic
 * Recommended by Chargin Chuck
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle finds that a certain Pink Pony has suddenly gone off her rocker. What could be the reason, and why?
 * Pairings: Pinkie/Twilight

My First Party by ScyStorm
 * Recommended by Firerush
 * Synopsis: Pinkie Pie is haunted by feelings of self-hatred, stemming from the day she left her family to be on her own. Never wanting to see her best friend in a crazed state of distress again, Rainbow Dash resolves to reconnect her with her estranged family and bring an end to the personal demons once and for all.
 * Pairings: Pinkie/Rainbow Dash

My Little Pony: Alcohol is Magic and My Little Pony: Life is Magic by Pennman28
 * Recommended by Wiseman 288
 * Synopsis:
 * Alcohol is Magic Pennman's first official story. Twilight Sparkle and the Mane Cast are whisked away to a night club by Pinkie Pie leading to major shenanigans later in the night and the following morning.
 * Life is Magic The sequel to Alcohol is Magic. Follows the mane cast in dealing with the events from the first story and other adventures that arise.

My Little Time Lord by Victorian Hellsly
 * Recommended by Rytex
 * Pairing: Ditzy Doo/Derpy Hooves and Doctor Whoof/Whooves
 * Synopsis: The Doctor enters Equestria as a pony, but with him come the Daleks and Cybermen. The battles are long and hard, but even after they are defeated, Ditzy, the Doctor, and all of Equestria will never be the same.

My Time Among Clothes Hangers by Kegisak
 * Recommended by Weird Kev 27
 *  Pairings:
 * Synopsis: After being dumped by the latest in a long line of bad marefirends, Pokey is beginning to wonder if he'll ever find the right mare for him. He never once thought that he wasn't looking for a mare after all.

The Night Fluttershy Exploded by Buttersc0tchSundae
 * Recommended by SuddenFrost, Pinkie P
 * Synopsis: When Twilight tells Fluttershy about moonflowers, the rarest of all flowers in Equestria, the Pegasus pony goes on a perilous journey to find them. But when she also encounters Luna, the mysterious Princess of the Moon, she discovers that some things are worth conquering your fears for.
 * Pairings: Fluttershy/Luna

Off the Edge Of The Map by Daetrin
 * Recommended by Solarn
 * Synopsis: When Rainbow Dash's newest trick backfires spectacularly, she and Fluttershy find themselves stranded in the middle of nowhere. Together, they'll have to survive and find their way back to Equestria and Ponyville...no matter how far the journey.
 * Pairings: Slight Fluttershy/Rainbow Dash

Once Bitten, Twice Shy by Wynneception
 * Recommended by ABNDT
 * Synopsis: What happens when you take two socially awkward ponies, add the nerves of being in love for the first time, send them out on a date together, then throw in their meddling friends for good measure? You get this story, that's what.
 * Pairings: Twilight Sparkle/Fluttershy

Out in the Cold by Esper Derek
 * Recommended by Turbo J, Alexlayer, Andyroid
 * Synopsis: Struggling to survive after her hasty retreat from Ponyville, Trixie must return and confront those who humiliated her, all while battling her inner demons and attractions. A series of 4 stories.
 * Pairings: Trixie/Twilight

Pacing of My Heart by Bookman230
 * Recommended by Fawfulster
 * Synopsis: Applejack loves Rainbow Dash, but does she love her back? What if everyone finds out? A series of 4 stories.
 * Pairings: Applejack/Rainbow Dash

A Pimp Named Spikeback by Stay Outta My Shed
 * Recommended by Nexus
 * Pairings: Big Macintosh/Cheerilee
 * Synopsis: When Big Mac is chronically depressed over his relationship problems with Cheerilee, he is offered relationship advice from Spike, who has somehow started a thriving pimping business in the course of a few weeks, and now insists on being addressed as A Pimp Named Spikeback.

Pink Ladies and Sour Apples by Harp-s-ong (has a second part)
 * Recommended by Gannetwhale
 * Pairing: Big Mac/Male OC
 * Synopsis: Applejack and Big Macintosh need some help at the farm, and hire some ponies from Fillydelphia to help. One particular pony causes Big Mac a lot of emotional turmoil and self-denial...

The Prince and the Workhorse by "Fellstorm."
 * Recommended by: Ilsemmr
 * Pairing: Big Mac / Twilight Sparkle, Pinkie Pie / Male OC
 * Synopsis: When Princess Celestia bans Blueblood from frolicking within the Canterlot city limits, he strikes out for Ponyville, determined to prove to the world that he's his own stallion and get out from under his aunt's long shadow. Meanwhile, Big Macintosh pines for Twilight Sparkle, but knows she'd never be interested in a simple country pony. With the help of some stolen zebra magic, the two stallions switch bodies, triggering a chain of events that will turn life in Ponyville upside-down.

The Princess Pony Bride by 25 Or 6 To 4.
 * Recommended by linuslion
 * Pairing: Fluttershy/Big Macintosh
 * Synopsis: Goliath the cranky minotaur (an OC from another fic by the same author) is crankier than ever having lost his power and his TV, but when the Cutie Mark Crusaders pester him for something to do, he conjures up a story worthy of the ages. I guess.

Purpose by Zompony
 * Recommended by Berry Bubble
 * Pairing: very light Twilight/Pinkie
 * Synopsis: Even though it's late at night, Twilight Sparkle is wide awake and immersed in her... Let's call it work. That is, until a certain earth pony shows up, with a big problem on her hooves.

Rarity's Rodeo by Somber
 * Recommended by Skarmory The PG
 * Pairing: Rarity/Applejack
 * Synopsis: Remember when Rarity and Applejack made some dares about competing in the next rodeo? It's come up, but why are they sticking with it?

The Running Of Lyra by Lurks-no-More
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 *  Pairings: Lyra/Bon Bon
 * 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!

Shipping and Handling by Pegasus Rescue Brigade
 * Recommended by Kytseo
 * Pairings: As of Chapter 5, Spike/Rarity (kinda), Lyra/Bon-Bon, Applejack/Carrot Top (kinda), Fluttershy/Rainbow Dash, Pinkie/Watt (male OC), Sir Lintsalot and Madame le Fleur, and Ditzy Doo/Breeze (male OC), with more to come.
 * /Trixie in Chapter 10
 * Synopsis: Derpy Hooves (addressed as Ditzy Doo) has been fired from her mailmare job recently and found a new job while searching the want ads. This new job, at a company called Equestria Speedy Shipping Services, involves shipping, but not the shipping she thought. Now a matchmaker, Derpy has to play Shipper on Deck (subtly) for each of her assignments, with the first being from Spike directed towards (of course) Rarity.

Shipping Goggles by AbsoluteAnonymous
 * Recommended by Player_2
 * Pairing: Rainbow Dash/Pinkie
 * Synopsis:: Maybe that glance lasted just a little too long, or maybe a certain conversation could be interpreted as innuendo. Whatever it is, sometimes we see only what we want to see, and sometimes our fantasies get the best of us. Rarity is no exception.
 * Comments: An extremely silly spoof of the way shipping tends to be handled within the fandom. And yes, the title refers to THOSE Shipping Goggles.

Social Standards by RadaVonVon
 * Recommended by Emma Woodhouse 18
 * Synopsis: Braeburn Apple has always been raised in a conservative household, as a member of the Apple family. Throughout his life, he's been taught what's 'wrong' and what's 'right', who he was allowed to love, and who he wasn't. Above all, he was told what to be, and how to be it. When he meets a certain blue Pegasus stallion buying pies at Sweet Apple Acres while he just so happens to be staying there, he discovers feelings he never knew he had. Unfortunately, they happen to be the same ones he was always taught to suppress. Can Soarin convince him that it's not wrong to be in love, and that, sometimes, in order to be happy, you need to break out of your comfort zone?
 * Pairings: Braeburn/Soarin

Spark by Avery Strange
 * Recommended by Ray10k
 * Synopsis: Twilight Sparkle is called back to Canterlot, to help Celestia take care of Luna who has gotten ill since her return from the moon. Soon it turns out there is a lot more going on than meets the eye, and many old secrets of Equestria come to light...
 * Pairings: Luna/Twilight

Star Gazing by Konseiga
 * Recommended by Pichu
 * Pairings: Twilight x Luna
 * Synopsis: Twilight finds herself enthralled by Princess Luna and everything she represents. As Celestia's pride and joy, Twilight struggles to repress these feelings. But an old and well-known evil surfaces again at the worst time. Can Twilight fight off the spectres of the past?
 * Warning: It has grimdark elements, especially later on.

The Things We Need by Pacce
 * Recommended by Pichu
 * Pairing: Lyra/Bon-Bon
 * Synopsis: Lyra's having a tough time and is comforted by her wife, Bon-Bon. Just so you know, they kiss.

Trixie's New Big Red Life by Captain-Brony
 * Recommended by Nightelf 37
 *  Pairings: Trixie/Big Macintosh
 * Synopsis: After the Ursa Minor incident, Trixie's life has been going downhill. And just as she thinks she's hit rock bottom she meets a rather large red earth pony who offers her a place to stay.

Truth By Shawnay631
 * Recommended by Grimman007
 * Pairing: Vinyl Scratch/Octavia
 * Synopsis: Vinyl Scratch unexpectedly meets and falls for the perfect mare in Octavia. The problem is, Octavia likes colts. With an overbearing ex on her hooves, can Vinyl find the will to fight for Octavia's heart or will she fall victim to her own mind?.

A Twilight and Trixie story by Andrew Joshua Talon, of Progress fame
 * Recommended by Pichu
 * Synopsis: "Another "Trixie decides to make amends with Twilight and moves in to become her student" story... Or is it? ...Nope, not really."
 * Pairings: Twilight and Trixie

Two's Company, Three's a Crowd by Lithe Kamitatsy
 * Recommended by Dynamic Dragon
 * Synopsis: "Everyone's favorite musical pairing is back in another fanfic! Octavia and Vinyl are now room-mates, and are like any other couple...but how will they react when they discover there's another about to show up?"
 * Pairings: Vinyl/Octavia, Twilight/Trixie, Bonbon/Lyra

Unintentionally Yours by Justice Snake
 * Recommended by regresal
 *  Pairings: Spike/Applejack
 * Synopsis: Spike narrowly avoids an incident with Applejack, but not without consequences. Also, something dark festers in Canterlot that will change his life forever.

Until you met her by John Bon Pony
 * Recommended by Salnax 1
 * Pairings: Male OC/Rainbow Dash
 * Synopsis: "Until you met her, the skies seemed like they were a million miles away. Until you met her, you almost always kept your wings tucked flat against your sides, never bothering to even so much as flap them. Until you met her, you didn't even know how to fly. But all of that changed, when you met her."

Yours Truly by Thanqol Decadion
 * Recommended by Sylocat
 * Pairings: Twilight/Applejack; Fluttershy/Rainbow Dash; Spike/Rarity
 * Synopsis: "Told in scrapbook story format, this epic-length romance takes the form of a series of letters written by the main characters over the years following the show. It's got a lot of humor, a lot of heart, and more than a few Tear Jerker moments."