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 Discordian Era is a dystopia ruled by the whims of its tyrant master. Caughlin Mare, resigned to a life of research in captivity underground, only wants to make life more bearable for the ponies above. When the sole surviving rebel group, the Order of Order, comes calling, an opportunity unlike any other is offered. Yet, there is more to the group than meets the eye, and she finds herself flung into an entirely new world: of advanced magic and technology, of adventure, of manipulation, of hope and betrayal - of what it means to love and hate.

An origins story featuring Derpy, Discord, and magitech, among other things. Accurate, or will strive to be, up until Season 3. Edited, fleshed out, and generally touched up to be cooler by one-fifth since its EqD feature.

When the past rears its head and ancient enemy arises, Princess Celestia must send her most faithful student, Twilight Sparkle, to a long and dangerous journey. Together with her friends, Twilight Sparkle must travel to the forgotten lands beyond Equestria’s borders, in order to save her homeland.

One thousand years full of schemes, tragedies and betrayals are unraveled as six ponies dive into the history of Equestria and their whole world, determined to defeat the shadow of the past.

Featured 3.7.14, 6.19.14, 7.2.14, 7.8.14
See below summary for additional information

"Make a wish."

Rainbow Dash is presented with an opportunity to gain the skill she needs to join her idols, the Wonderbolts. However, the opportunity seems false, and she learns to accept it as such. But does that mean the wish was a lie? If not, then just whose wish is actually granted?

"You cannot hope to defeat me, dear Princess. Your Harmony lies broken!"

Note: This story began in July 2011, between Seasons One and Two. Show continuity has been considered, but due to constraints, the following canon is entirely ignored:
•Discord's reformation
•Twilight's ascension and coronation
•The wildlife of the Everfree Forest
•The relinquishment of the Elements of Harmony, the Tree of Harmony, and anything regarding the finale of Season Four
•All background characters that do not directly affect the plot (such as Shining Armor, Princess Cadence, Trixie, Snips, Snails, etc.)

Author: Leoshi. Co-Author: Cyros Lugoth. Featured on EQD, Star-5.

Additional tags: Adventure, Drama, Action, Dark, Thriller, Suspense, Struggle, Serious, A/U, Everypony, Rainbow Dash, Twilight Sparkle, Luna, Spitfire, OC

In an Equestria where Discord never was, and the Pony Princesses never came to power, a young Twilight Sparkle loses her family in a crowd during the Summer Sun Celebration. Little does she know that her very existence is about to set a series of events into motion that will take her far beyond the borders of Equestria itself—and change the fates of both her nation and her life, forever.

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?

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My eternal gratitude to my editor, LordOfTheWrongs, without whom Night's Favoured Child would not be the story it is today.

Now with added TVtropes!

On secret assignment from Princess Celestia herself, Twilight investigates a powerful magical artifact for clues to the mystery of Luna's transformation in the evil Nightmare Moon. Incautious use of the artifact sends Twilight hurtling back in time. Can Twilight discover what caused Luna's transformation? And will she ever make it home again?

Kickass cover art used with permission from Bitz.
http://allthebitz.tumblr.com/

Octavia is a high-class pony. Fine alcohol is her wont, and uncouthness her intense chagrin. Such is her surprise to find herself lumbered with an insufferable oaf of a DJ pony. However, sometimes these situations work themselves into a satisfactory ultimatum all the same.

Rainbow Dash attends her hometown's Millennial Summer Sun Celebration, where she meets a peculiar pink pony. When a strange portal appears during the testing of Twilight Sparkle's latest invention, and pulls their new companion inside, the two friends give chase and embark on the most important adventure in all of history.

Equestria Daily | TVTropes

There are few things more potent than being told “You can't.” For some, it's the most destructive thing you could ever say, and could drive them to give up everything they've worked for; for others, it serves to inspire their ultimate effort in order to prove them wrong, even if they're hopelessly outmatched and seem to have no hope in Hades at meeting their challenge. This is the crossroad Twilight faced when she was told, “You can't beat me no way, no how,” inspiring her to train until she felt ready to face someone who could knock her out in one punch. As she gives her all to preparing for her bout in Las Pegasus, the one thought running through her mind is “Her hits make apples fall from trees! How in Equestria can I beat that!?”