Sometimes something that we have at all times, something we consider mundane, can have amazing power. Twilight Sparkle discovers this.

Twilight Sparkle has been betrayed by Celestia, all her friends brutally killed in front of her eyes after the young unicorn woke up one morning with wings. Celestia had realized that Twilight had been chosen by the Elements of Harmony to replace Luna and herself as the leading force of Equestria, and correctly surmised that the other Elements would have followed shortly after and become a united force the current princesses couldn’t hope to defeat if they chose to contest their position for the throne. Even though Twilight doesn't want to acknowledge her destiny as Equestria's next chosen ruler, the new alicorn cannot let the tyrants she has now seen Celestia and Luna really are remain in power.
Armed with only the Elements of Harmony and her burning rage, Twilight sets out to avenge her friends and free Equestria from Celestia and Luna's tyranny.
The fate of Equestria, as well as the balance of this entire universe, hinges on Twilight's success.

The Great and Powerful Trixie, dethroned from the top of the performing world, was cast into the realm of the forgotten after the events of the Canterlot Wedding. She has nothing. No pity bestowed upon her, no place to call her home, no pony to call her friend.

One day, when walking down the streets of a nameless town, her life changes for the better...

...or for the worse.

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!"

Celestia is dying. Or at least it seems so. Afflicted with a curse that is destroying her very nature, she sets a plan in action.
The Bearers of the Elements of Harmony will take the throne in her wake... Not that they know that yet...

(Takes place as an Alternate Season 3)

What if somepony you love was taken from you? Twenty years to the day, a mare had her father taken away from her, she visits him to celebrate her birthday, but what if her father is trapped in a dark cold prison. Will she be able to talk to him? Will she have the best birthday ever? Who is she and who is her father?

The next Nightmare Night is approaching fast, and this time Luna's going to come to scare everypony as Nightmare Moon the first time intentionally. A few days before she leaves for Ponyville though, she discovers the friendship reports Twilight has been sending to Celestia. Interested in these, she reads them and realizes she has a crush on Twilight Sparkle.

How will she react to this revelation, and will Twilight return those feelings?

Cover image is by RyuRedwings. Editing done by Destinae Spring on chapters 1 and 2.

The pony race is in decline. Equestria is nearing an end, ravaged by war and betrayal. Celestia has ruled her kingdom for centuries beyond counting, but even she is not truly immortal. Death has come at last to claim the weakening princess.

Death is not evil, nor is he good. He simply is.

My first fanfic. Feel free to leave critique!

What are the chances your favorite pony was secretly a changeling all along?

Yeah, probably about one in one.

There has always been a little voice in Twilight Sparkle's head, whispering dark musings to her. And until her brother's wedding, she has managed to push those bitter thoughts away and focus on the good. She forgives and forgets and holds onto hope.

But when her friends turn their backs on her and her brother cuts her from his life, Twilight finds herself alone, with only the little voice to comfort her.

And it is through anger and hate that has been repressed for so long that Twilight finds the power to rise up. Harmony and Friendship have only brought her pain and suffering. It is time for her to embrace her dark side. No longer will she worry about what others think. Twilight is going to live her life how SHE chooses: without friends, without family, without love and without harmony. She is going to cut loose, have fun, and screw what others think.

For her friends and family, it will soon become apparent that if they don't find a way to mend the damage they've done to the lavender mare...Twilight Sparkle might be lost to them forever.

Thank you to everyone that got this story as one of the Featured Stories here on the site!

The TvTropes Page can be found here: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/FanFic/FaithAndDoubt

Cover created by the amazing FerGarcia220