The changelings have taken over, and nopony even knows. With changelings dispersed across Equestria, feeding on the ponies' love, can they be stopped?
Note: Due to the way that changelings feed, there will of course be some shipping. Non-cannon ships will be temporary and induced by changeling magic, so try not to get too upset if there's a ship you don't like. Sexual content will be kept to a minimum. If at any point the rating is changed to mature, it will be for dark themes or gore.
Chapters (3)
Great concept, keep going.
5396588 Thanks! I will.
Well, for the most part it seems like it's off to a pretty good start. The first two paragraphs gave the impression that it was going to be rushed, but I didn't mind the pacing and perspective changes in the rest of it, so I guess it was just because the very start was a quick summary.
I've gotta say, though, it always jars me when I'm reading a story and suddenly, boom, Dr. Who outta nowhere. I realize it's popular fanon, but I've never understood why so many people throw that in that way. Including characters from any other story would warrant a crossover tag and a mention in the synopsis, but with that one show, people treat it like just a regular thing, and every story I've seen do that has instantly become harder for me to enjoy or take as seriously. It feels as out of place as if Gandalf were suddenly there beating up changelings, with no explanation for what he has to do with anything. Hmm, I guess the main page does have a Doctor Whooves character tag, now that I look again, so either you added that in later, or I just didn't notice initially, because I usually pick stories to read based on the genres and synopsis, looking at the character tags mainly when it seems crucial. Either way, I guess it's not quite as out of nowhere as it seemed, but it'd still be nice if the synopsis mentioned that, if it's going to be important to the story.
So yeah, that one portion distracted me quite a bit, especially since it was a relatively large chunk of the chapter, but otherwise the story seems like it has good potential. I'm guessing the crossover aspect is going to remain fairly prominent throughout, though, so I don't know, the fic might not be quite for me.
5403952 You'll be pleased to know that the crossover bit was really just a small thing to amuse readers. I included that part because I needed some description of the actual fight with the changelings and how they convinced everypony that they were defeated, and Dr. Whooves was a convenient, popular background pony.. The crossover aspect isn't going to influence the story. It will probably still be included somewhat, but other than his thoughts Dr. Whooves will be no different from what any other background character would be.
I'm glad you enjoyed the fic aside from that aspect. Chapter two is from Twilight's perspective for the entire way, so feel free to come back and sample another chapter. I will be ready to update soon, as I'm on vacation and am really enjoying writing this fic.
5404011 Okay, good to know. That's what I assumed at first, but then when I noticed he was tagged, I started thinking he must have a larger role.
I'm just wondering when the ones who are secretly changelings will reveal themselves. If they plan to just play along forever, it seems like the groups would have to run into each other eventually.
5413512 Wondering is part of the fun. I will tell you the groups will meet sometime in the latter half of the fic. Of course, their meeting may have unpleasant consequences.
Wou, just wou. This changelings are totaly much more competent then ones in cannon.
5826054
I'm not so sure they're that much more competent. We didn't see much of the changelings in the show before they were defeated. Chrysalis had everypony but Twilight fooled, and she was at least somewhat clever. The idea here is to create a world where the changelings didn't make the mistakes that had led to their downfall, so they do have to be a bit more competent, but I don't feel the change deviates too much from cannon. True, in the show they resort to sheer numbers, but I feel that that was merely an act of desperation because everypony knew who they were. It just makes sense for me that a changeling race would use deception once established. Besides, their disguises aren't perfect; not all of the bad dialogue is bad writing. The changelings act a bit out of character here and there, and I encourage you to try and figure out where before the characters do.