ToTZ vs. The Hiatus

And you ask "whaaat? He can't put his story on hiatus after so long without an update!" Basically, my reasons for putting it on hiatus are the same reasons I have not been able to update. As the school year draws to a close, there is more work, and more events I must attend to. I have to focus now on preparing for college and getting scholarships for next year, looking for jobs, etc. I also have about 20 fics in my read-later box I've been meaning to get around to. Like I said before, I'm more a writer than a reader.
Now, to distract you from how ticked you are at me, I am going to answer the question "What has ToTZ been reading?" Here is not one, but TWO reviews for awesome, long, heart-poundingly cliff-hangery fics that are also on hiatus.

The Stranger and Her Friend by TheUrbanMoose.
"Princess Celestia is a living legend, but much of her life is shrouded in mystery. Records have long since been lost to the decay of time, and the tale of her triumph over Discord has become a fable. The Princess's memory of the event has long since faded... or has it?
Her faithful student lending an eager ear, Celestia recounts the true story of a war-torn Equestria, the struggle against Discord, and the early years of her own life.
Before she was the Princess of the Sun, she was merely a stranger.
(Featured on Equestria Daily!)"
The plot of this story is based around Celestia telling Twilight a series of stories from the war with Discord, as she experienced them. Now there have been a lot of fics trying to tell how the Royal Canterlot sisters got the elements and defeated D the first time, but what I love about this is that it sticks to the theme of it being a thousand year old story told by the witness. Sometimes they take breaks mid-story for Twi to do independant research, and sometimes Tia remembers things that she keeps secret from her favorite student. It's basically everything I loved (and still love) about the Metru Nui saga in Bionicle. Most of the Bionicle plot, in fact, is a story being told to the matoran. It's why the Chronicler is such a big deal.
But I'm getting off-topic. Another reason I like this story is that it makes Celestia more human - er, pony. In the show, she's been around for a thousand years, and her plans and motives and person are always mysterious and aloof. Here, we get to see her in her youth, with all the flaws and personality that make FiM popular. After all, funny and relate-able characters, and the Mane 6 in particular, are why I fell in love with the show. You've got epic fight scenes and world-building, a lot of soul-searching for Tia when looking for the elements, and the OCs here (which there are a lot, seeing as this whole thing takes place before almost anyone in FiM is even born) are very well constructed. If you're a fan of middle-age role-playing, then this fic is a good match for you.
I will warn you, this Adventure Fic is rated teen for detailed explanation of chaotic war-related injuries, and Discord back then was kind of a sadistic murderer, and no Luna in this (yet), but this fic is still well worth the read.
Next:

The Powers of Harmony by CyborgSamurai
"The storm is breaking on the Horizon.
It's been two months since the battle against Nightmare Moon. Luna is recovering, Celestia is busy turning the government back into a diarchy, and the Mane Six have returned to their lives. All seems well, but when Celestia discovers that half of the power of the Elements of Hamony have been transferred to each of the Bearers, she decides to send thirteen mysterious members of the Royal Guard to monitor them as they manifest and develop their new abilities.
The sins of a forgotten war still linger, and an ancient evil lurks in the shadows, just waiting for the right time to strike. The Mane Six suddenly find themselves once again at the heart of a conspiracy to bring about Eternal Night, and only by awakening their powers and realizing their full potential can they do anything to stop it. Friends both old and new will help them along the way, and an unseen force will guide them as it seeks to right a wrong made thousands of years ago. The Bearer's journeys will take them outside the borders of Equestria and into the world beyond, and when they return, they'll have the power and experience necessary to save the world and bring about balance in all things."
I don't even know what to say here. This story kept me up at night if I didn't read the next chapter to find out what happens. It starts out slow, basically setting the groundwork for the crazy intricate plot later on. Again, lots of world building, with creatures, locations, and characters (surprise, surprise. Notice a theme among my favorite stories?) Rated teen for more graphic violence, but high quality none-the-less. I don't want to spoil too much, but this fic does look at some unique concepts for the way Equestria functions, and even draws from other fics such as the fabulous The Three Sisters by Wanderer D. (Whoa. A third fic recommendation? How'd that get there?) Anyhow, this author also apparently has a medical condition that makes it hard or painful to write and type, so belting out not just 306k words, but QUALITY WORDS, not a single of which is wasted, is extremely impressive and speaks to dedication. This thing is good. Read it.
And don't kill me for slacking off. Please?