I'm not sure what everyone here thinks about My Little Pony fan fiction, but I just finished reading the most incredible story by
Saddlesoap Opera on Fanfiction.net. I don't think I can recommend it highly enough for what it deserves. Six chapters, one for each pony. Linked in chronological order:
1)
Fluttershy: Origins
2)
Pinkie Pie: Schism
3)
Rainbow Dash: Dependence
4)
Applejack: Exposure
5)
Rarity: Loss
6)
Twilight Sparkle: Spellbound
The first chapter is short and the second chapter really get the ball rolling. I was intrigued after the first chapter and the second chapter completely sucked me into the story. Every chapter keeps getting more and more interesting, and while I hate to use the word "epic" to describe anything anymore, I can't think of anything else to describe this. The fact that it's in well written English also helps the readability and enjoyability.
It's almost 2:00am on a workday and after reading this from beginning to end in one sitting (I could
not put it down!), I need to sleep on what I've read to process it. Its tone starts off kind of creepy but interestingly plausible for what so many people would dismiss as a funny scene in show for kids, and as the story unfolds the author continues to introduce new conflicts and scenarios one wouldn't expect from the Pony universe and keeps one-upping it, revealing each of the ponies' conflicts slowly, piece by piece. I'm just awestruck at how much this works with many of the things we've seen in the show, even very subtle things, and how well it could fit into the canon universe if you're willing to accept that Pony could be this dark, complicated, and interesting!
Just a fair warning, though: There are parts of this story that involve "Shipping," or trying to pair the ponies in romantic relationships. With each other. I'm sure that's not for everyone here, but I don't think the author goes too far with the physical relationships that occur in one or two scenes, and nothing blatantly explicit is ever described. (no clopping here) It's used as a plot device. It's not fan service. Just be warned that it's there, and as far as I'm concerned it's completely relevant to the story being told.
And man, what a story. I'm sure when (not if) I go back and re-read it I might find a few flaws or problems I have with the author's contributions and interpretations of Pony, but right now I'm just bowled over by what I've read and how adult the characters are portrayed in this story. It's an intensely different and mature take on Pony, but the author sticks to what makes Pony, Pony: Friendship.
I'm very, very enthusiastic and happy about the kind of media this fandom is putting out. There's excellent art, music, videos, and stories, and so much of it is easy to find because it's so plentiful. The off-season isn't so bad after all.