Unicorns are Elite. Just ask them. All must enroll in Celestia's Magical University in Canterlot. The motto however is adhered to without exception: Only the best, only the Elite. May Celestia show them mercy if they fail any task. The Princess however, has none to give.

In a society where knowledge is power, the unicorns of Canterlot refuse to be anything less than the best. Everything depends on it. Everything. Money, friends, it all is based solely on how well you've done at the Academy. Failure is not an option. But don't fret, even the failures will graduate...Eventually. They have to. Because at any cost all Unicorns must be:

Only the Best, only the Elite.

For the past millennia, Equestria has been at constant war against the creatures of darkness. Twilight Sparkle joined the Royal Guard and devoted her life to protect her fellow ponies and Equestria from the darkness after it took her family from her. With dedication, she fulfilled every task given to her to the Queen's satisfaction.

That all changed when she learned that everything she believed in was nothing but lies.

Cover art used with permission by: isorrayi
Story edited by: Nyhll

There's an old saying; "Words can create love or hate, tears or smiles, harmony or chaos, peace or war. Choose your words in care." For some however, words can also cause you great deal of pain and those who say the pain of bad words or feelings, they can't take it back until it's too late. Leading to a dark route ahead or perhaps a chance to redemption. In the Equestrian world, this will be the tale of how a once peaceful kingdom has turned into a downfall ruin in it's place a new kingdom. Before we get started, let's dive into the origin of how this all happen. Starting with the two students of the sun goddess mentor.

Requested idea; Chazkopa.

Dash has been having a crisis of faith in the Wonderbolts, and her teammates have noticed. They aren't the only ones, and finally Spitfire's had enough of it so she sends Dash's marefriend to go and see what is the matter.

Contains Twidash shipping, and Spitfire/Rainbow friendship

Amazingly enough for this premise, NOT a Wonderbolts-Bashing fic. Probably the only fic I'll ever write that that touches on the events of "Newbie Dash" and "A Canterlot Wedding Part 1".

(New art property of Jykinturah)

Staring out at the desert i cant help but wonder how if i could have done better. Was there a way that i could have proven that it wasn't cadence at the wedding? Maybe if i had i would be home in Equestria in stead of here at Enotita. Maybe i would still be a unicorn instead of a kirin. Maybe i would still be a scholar instead of a guard. Maybe i would still be the prince's student. Maybe.

Twilight Sparkle, Element of Magic, Hero of Equestria and first casualty in the Changeling war. When she passed she became the rallying cry for the Equestrians in the short lived war. When Chrysalis attempts a surprise attack on Canterlot a mysterious figure in armor appears and slays Chrysalis in front of the princesses. Now it's time they learn that anyone can change.

For better or worse.

Big thanks to Nightcloak for the huge help in editing this train wreck of a story.

This Story was featured on 7/28/2018
Thank you to everyone who has read this. I never thought this would happen and am honored beyond words.

Twilight Sparkle was banished from Equestria a long time ago for a crime she didn't commit. The rest of the Mane 6 have been searching for her to tell her that she can return. When they do find Twilight, they realize that the trials of surviving outside Equestria have changed their old friend. Not all the changes are necessarily good.

As they return to Equestria, they must figure out who is opposing them. Shadows lurk in every corner, enemies watching for a single misstep. Not to mention, Twilight's shadows are creeping up on her. But even if they do manage to face the trials and troubles, do they have what it takes to face what awaits them back home?

If you want to chat to me, we have a discord server here!

Editing team: Stinium_Ruide
People who've helped me before:
Ex-coauthor: computerneek
Ex-editor: Holtinater

Twilight has been banished and hated but she didn't do what they say Celestia believes her but this was the best out come for her. Twilight spent days wondering trying to find a place to rest when she find other's like her. Now things are starting to look up but when Twilight discovers a darkness that plains to attack Equestria will she let the land that turned it's back on her burn or will she try to help.
(this is some time after season 4)

One year after her coronation, Princess Twilight Sparkle is dead, killed by her own subjects out of fear and jealously. After the funeral, Princess Celestia isolated herself from the world, mourning the loss of her brightest student and daughter figure.

But she cannot weep forever. She must take control of her duties once more. Haunted by the memories of the assassination, and its aftermath, Celestia slowly makes her way to Twilight's resting place to find some closure.

Now With its own TV Tropes Page!

Sequel is up

Deep underground under the farmland of Sweet Apple Acres lives a familiar group of ponies. Anypony could tell you who these citizens were; most of them were once citizens of towns all over Equestria. Ponyvillians, Cloudsdale pegasi, Canterlot citizens. They were the lucky ones. After something went wrong that caused Princess Twilight of Ponyville to snap, the ponies who made it out unscathed needed a leader.

Rainbow Dash never thought of herself as a humble pony. She knew she was awesome, and she knew that everypony else needed to know.  That's why when Twilight Sparkle was "corrupted", as Starlight Glimmer would say, the cyan pegasus not only led but started the group that hoped to bring Twilight down. Nopony really knew what happened to Twilight. As far as everypony knew, her very mind was destroyed by her own magic. 

How different are things? Can they stop Twilight? Will anything ever be the same again? It’s only a time until the dark takes over...

Originally written during NaNoWriMo of 2020 and edited a bit, this specific story does NOT include the School of Friendship in its canon and happens before Twilight’s coronation. Most of seasons 8 and 9 are not canon to this story.

CONTENT WARNING
Tags will be updated as story progresses!

Story will update weekly.