The Nightmare. They thought they'd destroyed her with their little 'ray of harmony'.
They were delusional if they believed that.
She'd never be truly defeated - only delayed until she found her next victim. Luna had been weak, despite her title of princess. But now she'd found someone much better for the job.

Twilight Sparkle.

Play this song first!

Twilight Sparkle has always been looking forward to her 21st birthday. It's the day that she's finally recognized as an adult mare, but also the day she's finally able to learn magic on the highest level. What should have been a great day though, turns out to be the most horrific day in her life. She finds a prophesy talking about the next great evil in Equestria, and it's HER! Now she's falling, slowly becoming the very evil she swore to fight against, and not even her closest friends can pick her up in time. In the end, she may even...

Apple Bloom is tired of being the last in her class to not have her Cutie Mark, but her friends Sweetie Belle and Scootaloo aren't going in the right direction to get their Cutie Marks, and she knows it. In order to get her Cutie Mark the right way, Apple Bloom begins to have thoughts of separating from her friends, and getting her Cutie Mark on her own. But her search for her Cutie Mark opens up to a major mystery in Equestria, and Apple Bloom will discover much more than just her special talent...

friends become enemies...

destinies are revealed...

light fades into the darkness...

and through it all, a hero is born...

This is the first main story in the series.

New cover art by my friend The Spectralist.

Link to the TV Tropes page!

Canterlot... For centuries, Canterlot was the shining gem of Equestria, the pinnacle of pony society. Now, it’s a reminder, a bleak and monolithic warning to the world. 

Changed by the chemical and technological poisons that plague the mountain, an abomination of nature, I wander the greatest disaster Equestria has ever seen. 

... I will escape eventually, and when I do, I hope my friends still see me as Twilight Sparkle, and not the monster that hides among the ruins. 

Right before the big Canterlot Wedding, Twilight Sparkle makes a 'false' accusation against 'Princess Cadence.' Abandoned by her friends, teacher, and brother, the heartbroken pony experiences conflicting feelings of guilt and anger. Seizing this opportunity, Chrysalis takes in the fragile unicorn as her protege for her plan to plunge Equestria in darkness and chaos. With the Elements useless and the world being torn apart, how can Princess Celestia and the Elements possibly undo the damage they could've so easily prevented? And will Twilight be able to push away the darkness, or lose herself to it?

Note: Alternate Universe because of a few....'secrets' certain characters have, as well as obvious other reasons.

An idle inquiry into Celestia's past sparks a dangerous journey in search of an ancient evil. Twilight and her friends confront changelings, saboteurs and worse in their search for the creature that devoured the alicorn nation. But when Twilight's decisions endanger those she loves the most, she encounters an enemy she has no defense against; her own despair.

Dedicated with love to my amazing girlfriend Kristin, who doesn't get the 'pony thing' but still buys me the occasional plush. And to my old friend Martin (AKA Ash), who is one of the nicest, funniest (and cuddliest!) guys I've ever met, as well as being the inspiration for Pin Feather.

Cover art made by the talented dSana senpai.

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!"

It has been ten years since the defeat of the Changling Queen, and Equestria is again at peace. Twilight Sparkle and the Elements of Harmony have reached their prime, and have begun to settle down. Love and life abound in Ponyville, especially for Twilight's friends, but she has nopony to call her own.

There is a reason.

A series of events lead to a horrible revelation, and Twilight is thrust deep into a terrifying web of secrets and lies. Her peace is over.

This time, however, she won't be fighting monsters or madponies. What she faces will be much, much worse.

Act One of Two.

Act Two is here.

Currently undergoing editing by the wonderful Mstar!

After a week of recovering from her return Princess Luna seeks to return what was lost by her banishment and find the one pony she cares for the most... her daughter.

This is a rewrite of my old story. I hope you like it

For most foals, a magical surge results in a couple hours of frantic searching. For Twilight Sparkle, a magical surge vaporised an entire Canterlot block and killed hundreds. Having spent the last ten years as a fugitive running from the law, she is tired of her life and all she desires is for the nightmare to end. With one last night before she turns herself in, she spends it with her one and only friend - Trixie.

Proof-read and editted by Sabre and Some Person (Thanks!)

Chrysalis is dying, and with her, the last of the Changeling race... but there might be a way to avoid extinction.