After the current ruler of Tartarus steps down, Princess Celestia and Luna are tasked with finding the very best replacement possible.

Sadly, that's not exactly who shows up to apply.

Artwork by Evilbob0.

Following the return of the Crystal Empire, Twilight begins some intensive research into the history of the Empire and its late king. Modern historians know next to nothing about the enigmatic dark mage. Who was he? Did he have family? Loved ones?

The answers to those questions changes everything the Element of Magic knows about herself, and in doing so catches the attention of a shadow that yet clings to the frailty of life...

Cover art made by Skijarama!
Reading can be found here.
Edited by RC2101_Copey.
Featured on 20/10/2018.
Russian Translation: Here

Twilight loves her. She is the Princess, the beautiful, powerful, kind ruler of Equestria. But when the Princess denies her, Twilight vows to become stronger, to be better. Until one day, she will be so powerful that not even her mentor can ignore her any longer. One day, she would make Celestia love her back.

I'm a princess, an alicorn, an immortal.

There's nothing I couldn't do. No promise I couldn't keep. Nothing that would make me give up.

Nothing but possibly this.

But I won't give up. I have never failed to hold on.

... but why do I feel like I'm losing control?

Warning: There are rather heavy themes and character death in the story, as well as major sadness.
Inspired lightly by this song.
Cover art is by noideasonnicknames on DeviantArt.

What began as a party between a student and her beloved teacher ended up becoming the moment when Twilight's heart broke into a thousand pieces. She had done it; Celestia had replaced Twilight. There was no pillow fortress big enough to hide all the pain inside her, so she decided to run away and find a place to hide from her miserable life. But after her friends found her, Twilight decided to tell Celestia a couple of things.

While exploring Canterlot Castle, Pinkie Pie and Rainbow Dash uncover a room filled with stone tablets connected to dials. Above each dial is the name of an alicorn they know.

These old things couldn't possibly control an alicorn's power, could they?

Only one way to find out.

Tragedy strikes the Sparkle estate one winter evening and Twilight finds herself cold, alone, and far from home.

Fortunately she stumbles across two fillies who may have more in common with her than she realizes. With no place else to go, nopony else to turn to, and no clear way back home, Twilight decides to stay with the fillies and their caretaker while she tries to piece together the mysteries of what happened to her family and why.

Bonds will be forged.

Secrets will be unraveled.

And a great journey will be undertaken.

Additional tags: Sad, Slice of Life (I don't care if it contradicts the Adventure tag, things are gonna get Slice-of-Life-y)

This is an alternate timeline set in the same universe as The Ties that Bind -- a "what if?" scenario, or "sister story" if you will. Reading The Ties that Bind is not required, but it is recommended.

On a cold winter night, tragedy befalls Twilight's family and she barely manages to escape with her life. Now she's lost and alone in a place she doesn't recognize.

She's left to wander aimlessly with nothing but the dark memory of that night to keep her company, but that's about to change.

Something awoke in the lavender filly that night -- a new kind of magic she's never had a chance to study before, and she soon finds she's not the only filly with dark memories and something new to learn.

Thankfully they both come across a strange town with a pony that just might be able to cultivate their new talents.

For most ponies the day they get their cutie mark is the day everything changes. That was especially true for Twilight Sparkle, as the day she got her cutie mark was also the day Princess Celestia took her on as a student, she gained a new little brother and started on the road to her future.

It was also the day she became a dragon.

Custom cover artwork by Elza Fox
Editing and so much more by Klamnei

This story is a sequel to Critical Mass

Two months have passed since Twilight was rescued, and since then, she has been constantly exhausted, worn out, and easily ran down. Her outlook is far from hopeful in her vulnerable state, but Rainbow and the rest of the princesses are there to help her start the long road to recovery. Perhaps the Crystal Faire, the celebration that the Crystal Empire is most known for, a prominent display of joy, love, and hope, will be just what she needs to realize that tomorrow will be better than today. A hope that things will improve, even if it isn't overnight.

This story is completely written, except with the possibility of revisions of the last chapter. Edits of the remaining chapters are still in progress, but a new chapter will be posted every two weeks until completion, barring any unforeseen problems that arise.