Celestia and Luna gaze at their old family portrait from long ago. Two smiling young fillies sitting beside their beautiful mother were painted upon the canvas with oil paints that have miraculously survived the onslaught of time. But part of the painting is torn, and for good reason. It was that portion of the painting that had their father on it.

They cannot stand to look at their father for even a second.

But he is coming once again for his yearly visit, much to their eternal dismay, to spend time with them, and to apologize for being what he is. Will they finally forgive him after so long, or will they only continue to distance themselves from him?

Celestia has always watched over her little sister. When she has to banish her sister to the moon, she works to right some wrongs in Equestria so that her sister will be happier upon return.

However, the biggest change Celestia made has gone completely unnoticed by Luna since her return. Celestia calls Luna into her study to bring Luna's attention to one of the biggest changes of Luna's life.

(Note: romance tag NOT for princest.)

EDIT 3/26/14: In the popular stories box! Thank you all very much! This is my first really popular story, and I couldn't be more grateful for all the positive feedback!
EDIT 3/26/14 (again): Featured! Oh my GOD. This is just too awesome. I'm going to have a celebratory bowl of Lucky Charms and wonder how I came to earn the support of you lovely people.

In an alternate timeline, Twilight Sparkle never became an alicorn princess. Instead, Star-Swirl the Bearded's spell and the Elements of Harmony brought about the end of her life. Two months later, her friends and loved ones are still in mourning from her passing. But just because Twilight's dead it doesn't mean her friends don't see her anymore...

They came to Earth in peace, all but looking for salvation. The world greeted them with open arms. The... Ponies... Were all nice and cheerful. Until... They wanted to take over the world, saying it is unfit for humanity. They attacked. They killed. They... Made humans into ponies. Humans fought back, but crumbled soon after. Except one. He fought with Queen Solar and Heaven King; Celestia and Luna's Mother and Father. He lost and was sealed in ice for two thousand years. Now he's back, and his trigger-finger is itchy for war.

BETA: Chaotic Pony

Cover Image: HeimoBauss

A different take on alicorn ascension. Sixteen years after arriving in Ponyville, Twilight Sparkle is excited to have invented a brand-new kind of spell, but it will come with consequences she cannot possibly anticipate. Meanwhile, threats in shadows around the world conspire to overthrow the Solar Throne. With her world turned upside down, she will have to come to terms with the role that fate has dealt her while straining to keep Celestia in power.

Now with a TVTropes page! Please show it some love! Also check out the official side stories, Designing Intrigue, and Love and Barriers! (With even more in my stories page!)

(Please Note: This story was started before any season three information was available. All episodes in season three and later are non-canon for this story, which also means there's no Crystal Empire in this one. In addition, the promotional map released close to the beginning of season three was also not available and is not compatible with this story. While the OC tag is active because there are OCs in the story, they're really just supporting characters. The focus is on Twilight.)

Also be sure to check out the Rites of Ascension Expanded Universe Group! We're working to develop the resources needed for other authors to try their hand at writing stories set in the Rites Universe!

The Book Two cover art was created by the amazing Silfoe! The original cover art can still be found at Violet Squiggle's deviantArt page.

Author's Notes, including proofreader's credits, can be found here!

"This is 100% Approved by Twilight's Library!"

A little piece of fluff about how two friends started dating, thanks to an ill-timed slip of the tongue.

Cover Image © the impeccable Equestria-Prevails
Made for The Batpony Writeoff on EQD
Update: Second Place! Congrats to Ponydora Prancypants for getting First!

No marriage is without its challenges, especially not that of Spike and Rarity. Despite the fairy tale-like circumstances surrounding their courtship (Beauty and the Beast is a popular reference made at dinner parties), their relationship is far from perfect: indeed, the combination of her overwhelmingly large dress orders and his frequent extended trips across Equestria as Celestia's personal envoy makes it seem as though neither one of them has any time for their significant other. Yet there is one key factor, one constant variable in their lives that will always be there to remind them of how much they love and care for one another, no matter what issues they face.

Thank Celestia they have Claire.

Featured 3-27-14!
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My third foray into the Kilalaverse. Don't know what I'm talking about? Click here to find out!
Pre-read by the Lady herself, Ms. Kilala.
Spike, Rarity, and MLP: FiM in general © Hasbro/Lauren Faust
Crystal Clarity © kilala97 of DA

Winter rain. Always fun. Especially if you're stuck out in it dripping wet with no umbrella. For a mare like Rarity, who hates to get even a smidgen of dirt or slush or water on her hooves, this is quickly turning out to be one of the worst days ever.

Unless, of course, Twilight Sparkle invites her to come inside, and to stay the night if she so chooses.

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A little RariTwi oneshot I wrote because I felt like it.
Rated Teen for some intimate moments between Twi and Rarity.

Like every fresh young couple, shiny and new, Spike and Rarity's maiden voyage into the depths of romantic intimasea is met with rough tides. Naturally, it's all Twilight's fault.

Octavia loves cellos—that’s a fact. Octavia loves hot nights—that’s also a fact.

Vinyl has the best idea ever for Hearts and Hooves Day.

Edited by Aragon, Abcron, and Pearple Prose.

Audio Reading by CaptainBron3y