AU. Based on the first season. Twilight and Celestia begin to drift apart due to a misunderstanding. Will Luna speak up and repair the breach, or will she remain silent to keep her new friend, Twilight, all to herself? What other challenges will face everypony involved because of this new relationship?

It's a simple little love story. Unfortunately, love's not simple.

In the far reaches of Canterlot Castle, high above in the towers lived the archmage. Everypony knew her, yet few had met her.

Twilight Sparkle sighed, having teleported away another noble seeking favors before reaching the top of the stairs for the second time today. They never learned. As the archmage, she already dealt with political squabbles far too often without inviting them into her home. Aside from personal favors for Celestia, she did what was required of her position and then returned to seclusion and research.

The nobility grumbled that no archmage should be a commoner, and Twilight’s disrespect toward them proved it. Each and every time they were forced to bow to her, they hated what they saw: the position, the status, the deference.

Was she not powerful? Was she not great?

Twilight, now reading through dusty scrolls and long forgotten tales, wrote in her notes — notes gathering dust of their own. A brief thought flashed through her mind.

Am I not powerful? Am I not great?

And then Twilight picked up The Tale of the Royal Pony Sisters.

Defunct side stories told in Across the Boundary. They can still provide a little context, but when in doubt, the main story here is canon.

Cover art provided by Lafiir

This follows the events described in the Cutie Mark Chronicles, with one small change: The Sonic Rainboom doesn't happen like it was supposed to. Six destinies fail to start. But when one door closes, another one opens.

Cover Art by Inspired_Light

This is supposed to be close to Canon, but since history is altered and the characters don't experience many of the events that make them who they are in the show I'm listing this as alternate universe (does that make sense?)
For the same reason I'm listing the OC tag, even though the OCs are the mane 6 living different lives.

Nopony dies, nopony suffers permanent psychological scarring, and no irrational whirlwind romances happen.
If I have inadvertently included somepony's OC I apologize.

Warning: contents may contain Existentialism. The facility used also handles peanut based products and wheat gluten.

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 Harmony 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.

The Powers of Harmony TV Tropes Page (SPOILERS)
The Powers of Harmony Art

Thanks to Wildy71090 for the cover pic.

It's strange how a single change can create a massive difference in somepony's life.

Somewhere in a different world, Twilight Sparkle is thrust into an unforeseen destiny with the most unlikely (and possibly unstable) group of friends to fight the forces of darkness and bring the magic of friendship back to Equestria.

That's if they don't kill each other first.

Inspired by Lets Do This’ “Not Exactly Friends” series

Cover art done by Kids-In-The-Corner

Check out the rest of the series here:

Part 2: Pony Tails

We already know that there exists an alternative universe where the Elements of Harmony bearers are stallions. And we already know that in that universe rule 63 is in full effect.

But whoever said rule 63 is the only way to create a stallion mane six? What if show canon stallions took up the roles of the mane six?

Well you're about to find out.

After learning from his sister Twilight Sparkle about the potential return of Nightmare Moon Shining Armor tries to warn Princess Celestia.

Not long afterward the youngest member of the royal guard learns he will be traveling to Ponyville to oversee security for the upcoming Summer Sun Celebration, and while he's there he is to make some friends. A task that Shining Armor doesn't think is that important. That soon changes.

Follow the adventures of Shining Armor and his friends, from facing down evils like Nightmare Moon and Discord, to simply learning more about the magic of friendship. And watch as they grow closer together in the process.

(Arcs
The Return of Nightmare Moon (Chapters 1-12): Shining Armor travels to the town of Ponyville, concerned about the possibility of the return of Nightmare Moon. When his fears turn out to be correct, he enlists the unlikely help of five stallions on a perlious quest to find The Elements of Harmony and save Equestria from eternal night.
Life In Ponyville (Chapters 13-26): While preparing for The Grand Galloping Gala, Shining Armor and his friends spend more time getting to know each other, and learn valueable lessons about the magic of friendship. And in the process, they are drawn closer together.
The Battle With Discord (Chapters 27-38): Shining Armor and his friends are pitted against the wicked master of chaos, Discord, and his mind games. As friendships break down and Shining faces his darkest hour, it will take an unlikely pony to save him.
Aftermath (Chapters 39-46): Discord may have been defeated, but the mental scars left from his encounter will take time to heal. While Shining Armor recovers from a serious mental breakdown, he must also contend with changes in the lives of his friends.
Royal Wedding (Chapters 47-55): The anticipated wedding of Shining Armor and Cadence is ready to begin. But when an unknown threat is made against Canterlot and supsicion falls on Cadence, it's up to Shining Armor's sister, Twilight, to find out what's going on.
Empire And Fears (Chapters 56-64): With the return of the long lost Crystal Empire, comes a new threat to the safety of Equestria, the evil King Sombra. Shining Armor must find a way to save his new kingdom from falling into the greedy hooves of its former ruler, while also overcoming his own self doubts in the wake of what happened at his wedding.
Prince Shining (Chapter 65-77): Completing a spell left unfinished by the great Starswirl The Bearded, Shining Armor ascends into alicornhood and becomes Equestria's first alicorn prince. But when Princesses Celestia and Luna go missing before The Summer Sun Celebration, Shining Armor finds himself delving into the past in search of answers to the crisis.
Quest For The Keys (Chapters 78-95): With the Elements of Harmony now returned to their original resting place, a new puzzle has presented itself to Shining and his friends in the form of a mysterious chest. Though answers seem to be non-existent, Shining Armor and the stallions will soon find their greatest attributes tested, as Equestria faces its greatest threat yet.
The Village With No Cutie Marks (Chapters 96-107): A table map in Shining Armor's new castle, leads him and his friends to a village at the edge of Equestria. There, they discover that the village leader, Starlight Glimmer, posses a dark secret.
Map Missions and Changes (Chapters 108-121): Although Starlight remains at large, the table map opts to send Shining Armor and his friends on missions all over Equestria to spread friendship. But as Shining adjusts to new developments in his life, an unseen threat plots revenge.
A Flurry of a Crystalling (Chapters 122-131): Cadence has given birth to a baby alicorn, and Shining Armor has gained a new student in the form of Starlight Glimmer. But as Starlight struggles to reconnect with an old friend, the new baby's powers threaten to bury the Crystal Empire in a blizzard of snow.
Shining and Starlight's Studies (Chapters 132-138): Despite the recent changes in his life, Shining is still the inexperienced teacher of former baddy, Starlight Glimmer, and must do his best to help her learn the magic of friendship. In the meantime, new developments in the lives of Shining's friends and new allies, will ensure there's never a dull moment for the gang.
Changeling Crisis (Chapters 139-150): Starlight must confront her inner fears and doubts, when she is unexpectedly thrust into the role of leader in Shining Armor's absence. And with Queen Chrysalis and her changelings on the loose, an unexpected team must mount a rescue effort in the heart of the Changeling kingdom.
New Lease on Life (Chapters 151-169): With Starlight no longer a student of Shining Armor's, and Flurry Heart demanding more attention, life is changing drastically for the prince. But lurking around the corner, is another great adventure that will be unlike any other for Shining and his friends.
School of Friendship (Chapters 170-180): An expanding table map in Ponyville gives Twilight the idea to open her very own "School of Friendship" for creatures all over the world. But while Shining is thrust into the role of a diplomat, an old foe decides to abduct some of the students.
Bonds Beyond Equestria (Chapters 180-196): Twilight's school is up and running, and six particular students are developing and expanding their friendship. However, as Shining copes with yet more changes to his life, a mysterious newcomer at the school secretly begins to set their own plans into motion.
The Fading Magic (Chapters 187-196): When magic in Equestria starts to disappear, suspicion falls on Tirek and Shining sets off to Tartarus to confront the centaur only to end up trapped! Meanwhile, Twilight and the others are distracted by the return of Chancellor Neighsay while the real culprit hides under their noses.
Royal Retirement Woes (Chapters 197-208): Celestia and Luna announce their decision to step down from the throne and give the reigns to Shining Armor and his friends. While he mulls over this life changing offer, Shining is unaware that a long forgotten threat has brought back other threats, including a resurrected King Sombra!
What Lies Beyond (Chapters 209-230): Times are changing in Equestria as the retirement of the royal sisters looms overhead. While Shining Armor and his friends cope with changes in their life, they are unaware of a threat that is growing and gathering allies!
Final Battle (Chapters 218-230): On Shining Armor's coronation day Grogar unleashes his Legion of Doom on Equestria, throwing everything into chaos. Shining and his friends will have to rely on every connection and every alliance to stand a chance!
(Cover art by TheCrystalKing.)