This story takes place within the storyline of The Chase. DO NOT READ unless you have read The Chase and understand what is going on. Seriously, just don't bother. The story will not make much sense and the events will be confusing.
A pony awakes in the mud with no memory of how he got there. He cannot speak, does not know what he is, or why he has knowledge of certain things, and he is unable to recall how he has learned them.
Taken in by Luna's Marauders, the strange pony is taken before Princess Luna and Princess Twilight Sparkle, who try to figure out who their mysterious visitor is.
Their number one priority is to figure out why he has both wings and a horn.
Edit: Featured on 8/31/14. Thanks to everybody who made this possible.
Chapters (2)
HAHAHA! SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK-Holy crap changelings.
Worth it, that alone makes me love our new hero already.
Because he's part of the Chase-verse during present time, will he have any influence on Bucky's story?
Guess I'll find out. This story is neat alone simply because we now have a pair of eyes to see through that'll let us know what's going on in Equestria.
Looking forward to more dude.
Yet another one to keep an eye on. I haven't even gotten around to reading the prequal yet.
Mind manipulation as a story device is a huge pet peeve of mine. But you handled it well in the Chase, so I have hope it won't be too bad here. Other than that, the story itself seems very promising. I look forward to reading more.
It kind of disturbs me that Luna and Twilight both believe Bucky is doomed to become the Alicorn of War. Props to Bucky for realizing the important things in life. Lots of kinky sex and a huge family are all you really need.
As for this changeling... I kind of like it and hate it at the same time. I'm not quite sure how the changelings in this universe work though. I'm used to the people who have them drain people to death I suppose. Maybe that's more rare in this universe? I just don't like the idea of them putting a predator amongst his prey willingly. Even if he doesn't know he's a predator. That almost makes it worse cause then he won't know why everyone he loves dies....
Thus far, my only major concern is that if this is only going to have two parts, it's going to be awfully short. Also not sure I like the idea of Twilight going around editing pony's memories, especially since the way Luna was sounding, it was a hop skip and a jump away for being for 'the greater good.' When you start using that as your reason for doing questionable things, you slip very close to the edge of a dangerous fall...
And, yes, I realize that Bucky and family have been doing a lot of questionable things lately, but we've been following along on his journey and can, for the most part, see that everything he's done has been justifiably for the benefit of his herd and the other ponies of the isles. Whereas we've been out of contact aside from small news snippits to what's been going on back on the mainland, and now we have Twilight and Luna talking about memory modifications like it's a daily chore and that raises concerns with me. Especially because they seem to be acting under the 'Because Destiny says so' clause. I personally hate that as a reason for doing ANYTHING, and, considering what we know of his feelings on the matter, I hope that if they try to make Bucky the Alicorn of War, he tells them to shove the wings up their backsides.
4908458
Happens in the show too. See quote.
about time we got changeling's in the story!
now....why was that changeling disguised as an alicorn....?
4908473
Doesn't make it any better. Also you're using that quote a little out of context. When Twilight used the memory spell on her friends, she used it to remind them of their time together in order to break Discord's spell on them, she wasn't using it to alter memories, just reinforce the ones already there.
Basically my thought process: story story story HOLY CRAP CHANGELING.
pony's
4908507
I think the quote was more for "Why doesn't she use the spell to bring back his old memories and rid everyone of the mystery of his background."
I feel like the above words weren't the right way to say what i wanted to say, which is why i simply read everything instead of write like Kudzu.
Ugh. I do not like Luna's flippant acceptance to do memory modification. I don't care if it's been used before, I still don't like it.
Has the Changeling invasion taken place in this timeline? I don't believe so, so I wouldn't expect any immediate or extreme revulsion, at least not in Ponyville.
I'm hoping that Bucky (who I'm starting to think should not become a teacher) will continue to avoid ascension, at least so that he can try to push back against such manipulation.
4908763
How is Luna any different than Bucky, doing what must be done in the name of the greater good?
She's a true believer. Anything as an agent of destiny.
So is Bucky. He's a true believer too. He will sink down to any depth to accomplish what needs to be done.
He's a lot like Luna.
I'm calling it! You should create a Chase-verse Group, and like always... another great read.
I´m tagging a long with the guys here. Loved the story, great cliffhanger, the only reason why i did not upvoted is beacuse stupid proxy in the work blocks some codes, thus i can´t vote at all but the memory manipultaion is becoming too much of a deus ex machina. Not saying i hate it it´s just being used too much, IMHO. it should be a REALLY last resource thing. They could keep the alicorn of....hungry ? Well, whatever alicorn he is at bay, in canterlot, or even with the mane 5 (TS being so focused in the Equestria problem) without problem. Fluttershy could take care of him, specially being feral, AJ could hide him (the acres are far enough to avoid intruders with some care).
But the part where you clearly says that Luna and the alicornhood expected to Bucky turns in the alicorn of War...that, right there, pure beauty ! That´s a punch in the stomach. Are they even aware that if he turns out like that (wich he won´t, you already told that, he is fighting for and AGAINST his destiny) there is a 99% chance of death rain and scorched to the ground Equestria ? If they are aware, what in tartarus is wrong with they !? Hey, hi, four-legged-nuclear-bomb-power-level-unicorn....here, have all possible imaginable mental issues, have all your family under the risk of being eaten alive, or having permanent meantl AND phisical scars and, then, we hope you return (if you, somehow, survive) being a good pers...i mean, pony. Sure, i can´t see how this plan can go wrong and your turn yourself in a slaughter machine that will bring doom upon us...
When, not if. Interesting word choice, and one that may be rather amusing in retrospect.
I have to object to the author's note: the memory spell in question restored and revisited memories. Probably. I suppose they could've been implanted, but that seems like a needlessly grim reading of the effect. Well, needless from a general perspective. Here, it's rather necessary for the story. Also interesting to see Twilight's reservations run up against her new responsibilities.
The protagonist is interesting. He's clearly smart enough to learn quickly. Is his patchy knowledge the result of separation from a hive mind? Some traumatic event that left him amnesiac? Something stranger yet?
And, of course, there's the information about the state of Equestria. Failed cities, usurper cults, Tirek taking advantage of the disarray, and from the sound of it, mind whammies are not an unprecedented event. Truly this is the Summer of their Discontent.
Looking forward to more.
So...they're assuming Bucky's going to be an Alicorn when he's going to pretty much fight that notion to the death (thanks, Luna!). I thnk some princesses are going to get mud in their eye when he chooses his family over godlike power.
Fascinating.
I am inruiged, if a bit confused but at this point I know that you (most likely) know what you are doing.
But really, I am excited! This is a curve ball no one could have expected and now I really want to know just where you will take this.
Is he destined to be the new leader of the changelings? is he destined to be a alicorn of, I dunno, knowledge? Given how fast he started successfully mimicking? Something completely different?!
Looking forward to more
LOVE THIS LOVE THIS LOVE THIS!
instead of the alicorn of war how about protection? lots of overlap and since he is resistant to war, and so .... forceful about protecting his family it fits...
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The alicorn of protection should have a condom cutie mark.
Very interesting. I hope to see this finished.
Just one thing: that bit about foals was a bit weird. You're kinda jumping pretty far ahead and assuming quite a lot of weird things Luna and Twilight if that is one of your main concerns. I wouldn't put a feral pony into the flower trio's care and expect them to jump his bones.
4912411
They both know about the heat Celestia is planning.
4912422
Ah. Ok
considering the latestish chapter of the chase with the deal bucky made, i wonder what is going to happen... HURRY UP KADU
if... if it is ok with you 
4912131
I take that as a no then?
Kudzu, I think you mean 8/31/14, not 7/31/14
This is why I keep saying the Downvote Button should force the person using it to make a comment as to WHY they are downvoting. That way we can easily separate those who honestly don't like something from those who are just being dicks. So many authors would actually feel better and have more confidence if they could see that most of the downvotes they get are just from people being dicks.
Now you have my attention with this story. I look forward to more.
4931454
This story is over.
There will be a sidestory about Slate though. And he will be in The Chase.
4931459 Well then, I blame the four hours of sleep I have had in the past 48 hours.
Sleep is for the weak, effeminate, and English!
But yeah, then I look forward to THAT story.
In the quite and wise words of Barley....SHITE !!!
No, really, now that the things are looking better and better you finish this gobeshite story !!!!! I´m gonna hung you through your balls !!!!
Oh gosh, i think that Barley infected me...he have a very infectious mood...
Please, say we´ll have more Barley and borderline Twilight in the chase. I love when miss-everything-in-your-place-and-time simple can´t have control, or answers. I have soft side for broken Twilight....
Implied eventual omniscience on Twilight's part? Oh my. I can't help but wonder if that'll result in a Laplace's-demon-type situation, wherein Twilight could extrapolate the future based on the present position and trajectory of every atom in the universe...
Ah, but Equestria is far from a mechanistic cosmos. Probably not worth worrying about.
In any case, always good to get more insight on the situation. It sounds like Fillydelphia wouldn't look out of place in Fallout: Equestria. I just hope Celestia's plan works...
Twilight isn't necessarily doing the right thing. I don't think there is a right thing to do in this scenario. However, I think she's doing the best she can.
Looking forward to more, especially Slate's education.
So...this is pretty much just more information for the Chaseverse?
Not complaining, just wondering.
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Also a teaser for what is to come, and I am strongly planning on a bit more about Slate. Depending on how well he is recieved. Side stories.
4932486 Yes, we need more Slate. He seems promising. Slate is, after all, a blank slate. Erm...was he not an alicorn when we first met him? Did he subconciously shift to a earth pony form when he was introduced to the mares who would take care of him? I might have missed that.
4932494
Read through very very carefully. Look at the clues and puzzle it out.
If you still don't get it, I will send you a private message. Don't spoil it.
4932498 Found it.
4932498 i have a typo to report
in other news. i really look forward to slate learning social rules through lessons and example rather than growing into it. the speaking will be interesting to since i wonder how you will explain it. if we go from a purely physical perspective and compare to humans then... maybe he would be able to learn?
wild humans who have never learned to talk become unable to learn normal speech after, 12 years i think? after that the speech area of the brain will have mostly deactivated due to inactivity and absence of stimuli. BUT this guy was mind-wiped, not grown feral. that could mean that simply all his knowledge was removed but the synapses in his brain are still intact. that would mean that he has a perfectly healthy brain and then he should (probably, we can only speculate as this is completely untested water) be capable of learning without much hindrance
nope. i tried but i can't really make sense of it.
i read both chapters up and down, twice and i must confess that i don't really have a fucking clue what is going on?
right now i can only think that the Three made him transform into an alicorn to get the princesses attention, and that he now is disguised as an earth pony and the only really interesting thing about him is that he is a alpha test to see if changelings can live with ponies.
all this fucking talk of destiny is confusing me and making me pissed because i fucking hate the thought of inevitability ib reality im my own fucking master of my own fucking life not some fucking shit power decided what my life was gonna be and i think it is just a cheap way out of explaining motivations in books and fuck shit piss fuck ass wank FUCK!!!
4932829 im sorry, im very very sorry but i just...
can some one just tell me what the hell in going on because im just getting more and more confused here.
is he a changeling? did he become and earth pony? alicorn? what the what is even going on anymore
i need a drink... need to calm down
… This was interesting. I'm going to be confused somewhere else now.
4932837 This story ties in heavily with The Chase, Kudzu's other story. The three ponies mentioned are the fates, extra-ordinary beings in charge of running the entire planet, guiding every being through the weave of destiny. While the three may not be directly responsible for the changeling his future obviously plays a major role in how destiny unravels.
I understand your rant on the whole destiny lark but for the story that is how things are. And if you think about it that's how real life is, going through each day, each and every decision affecting those around you, spreading like ripples in a pond. No one is in charge of their destiny. Any of the several billion people could easily end your life tomorrow and you'd have no say in the matter. As depressing as that is, it's true.
4937316 yeah, that I understood, what I don't get is where this is going but I guess that is just something I will have to wait and see.
And as for the fate shit, yes, that might happened because someone decided to kill me, not because I was destined to get shot that day in that place.
WHY KUDZU WHYYYY!!!!!!
Every time you make a side story to The Chase I begin to fall in love with the characters, but I'm conflicted because I still want the Chase
otherwise your quality:quantity ratio is unmatched by any other. I bet you have created more content than Meghan/Lauren have in the same period of time
Will Slate appear in "The Chase"? If so, will he play a role of signifigance and will he be a little more... Developed? Cuz i find myself intrigued by him
This is why Shetland ponies are the best.
Well... I wasn't sure what I was expecting coming here, but I didn't expect THAT!!!
Very interesting...
Did they do the right thing? In some cases... no. I feel that they should have told the flower trio the truth, but away from 'Slate'.
5050769
Slate is a pony. Mentally, he is a pony.
Why ruin a good thing?