The changeling princess known as Twilight Sparkle is ecstatic. Her mother is giving her a chance to save the hive! All she needs to do is evaluate the efficiency of friendship as a food source! Perhaps she can even prove that a changeling can be friends with ponies without having to use a disguise!
But when the reigning monarch of Equestria disappears, the young princess finds herself facing something she's only heard about in legends.
And what about that mystery hive that's been destroying other hives with reckless abandon?
Thanks to my prereader(s): SirNotAppearingInThisFic
Chapters (3)
Not much I can say other than, wow. I love the work you are going to on the characterizations. Changeling-Twilight , in particular, seems surprisingly in character despite her altered species . And Chrysalis comes off as a surprisingly good mix of caring parent and firm leader (the little jab to her canon debut plan was well done too). And somehow, I get the feeling that Changeling-Twilight is even more on the right track than even SHE realizes.In general, this looks downright intriguing so far. You are doing an excellent job showing the differences while still keeping things just similar ENOUGH to the SPIRIT of the original to make it believable. Anyway, on to the next chapter.
Ouch. Poor Muffins . Well, at least Dinky still has a good home. Anyway, excellent job on this chapter. Gives a fair amount more information WITHOUT revealing TOO MUCH. I particularly like your characterizations of AJ, Rarity and Dash, among other ponies. And Night Light and Twilight Velvet must be AT LEAST as good of parents as Ma and Pa Kent if they could get Blueblood THAT relatively well-behaved. The first meeting (in this universe) of Shining Armor and Cadance was also quite well done. At any rate, I'll definitely be looking forward to more of this, but am quite willing to be patient.
8016325 Not quite sure why you're censoring the fact that Twilight is a changeling in this story when it states this fact in the description. I'm not criticizing, just curious.
8016495 I skimmed past the description (sheepish grin) and was trying to minimize spoilers. A self-admitted goof on my end.
..... tracking out of curiosity
Unusual premise, you have my interest.
I know it's an AU and all, but I can't help feeling... concerned that Twilight hasn't encountered Pinkie Pie yet. More than concerned, actually. More likely deeply worried. Particularly with the heavy implications the EoH are going to be mixed around among the Mane 6 a bit.
So, some Changelings have moved into Ponyville already and it's Twilight that made the Friendship-is-edible breakthrough?
Diamond flippin' Tiara is a 'ling, Rarity knows this and is raising her, and... also knows DT and Twilight happen to have a prior relationship? Is that what I'm getting from that "babysitter" comment?
Consider me hooked.
8017249
You should be, you'll see, and yep. Still, Pinkie won't be... too different.
Great work so far. So looks like Applejack is the Element of Generosity and Rainbow Dash is the Element of Laughter, and it's no surprise that pinkie mare is Pinkie Pie. Second, what is Diamond Tiara's secret? I did find the interaction between Cadence and Shinning Armor nicely done. And finally I have to comment on this,
Obviously that Queen Majesty and Tirek are stand-ins for Jesus and Satan respectively. I find this amusing since Queen Majesty is slightly closer to Injustice's Superman.
8016686 Lol, fair enough, everybody makes goofs like that.
Why hello there, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum.
You MONSTER!
This is definitely a unique reimagining of things. I look forward to what comes next!
Interesting AU, can't wait to see more.
So... they're researching ways to get along with ponies, but at the same time send out "seeds" when a hive gets wiped out which kill the pony they infect?
Did I see a The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy reference there? And Pedestal reminds me of Kain from FF4. Does that make Shining Cecil? Is that all just in my head or am i just reading too deeply between the lines? Real nice story though!
8017940
They don't kill them. The mind is kept intact, the body is just changed.
8018809
It's partially intended. I did reference Hitchhiker's Guide but I (Unfortunately) haven't played FFIV.
Interesting AU.
Is Cadance going to be one of the Bearers?
8020378
Mmmmaybe.
ahhh true love between princess of love and her shiny armor....... should be good
um Is rarity a changeling or something along those line
Well done, you have my interest I'm watching and tracking you from now on
I love this story so far makes me wonder just who is. Secretly a changeling also why dose it say it was posted July 2016
Ah hello Little Mouse thought I would let you know that I'm watching you.
I think you could have saved the Hive Inquisition for later, too big of a plot event to be tossed around on the first chapter. Maybe a few hints here and there (like holding it a secret and/or how some Hives, suddenly, stopped talking) before making the reveal along the seeds.
Celestia singing the Lullaby nine hundred ninety-nine times implies she does it only once a year, as opposed to every time she brings the moon down. I suspect your intent is otherwise?
Everything being switched around is... weird.
)
It's like watching a film you like, only to realize that everyone switched roles.
What's next, Cadence going after Twilight instead of Shining ?
(I would like that, actually
Anyway, digression aside, this is certainly interesting enough and well written, so I will follow to see where you are going with this.
This is really good! I expected this to be another mediocre, beat-for-beat rehash of the MLP show with the characters as changelings. Blah, right? Well, this is nothing like that! A true alternate universe. I approve.
8192054
Thanks! I try to never just rehash something if I can avoid it. If it's an alternate universe, the trope 'For Want of a Nail' is in full effect a good half the time.
8195387 I for one like this story and hope for more chapter at some point,
Hope to see more
Shoot Twilight! are you kidding MEEEEHHH!!!!!!!!!!!!!
more please
Well, I may have not needed to wait a year for an update but I'm glad to see this story being updated. Liking the direction so far.
Once again, this is an excellent chapter. Again, great job on revealing more information without giving away too much. I particularly liked, Twilight's flashback, Twilight's exchange with Fluttershy, the others' reactions to the accidentally revealed truth about Twilight (especially how well Rarity, Fluttershy and the fillies stuck up for her), the attempted interrogation scene , and the exchange between Cadance and Pedestal . And, somehow, I have a feeling that, yeah, things are going to get worse before they get better (mostly due to the upcoming return of Nightmare Moon AND the threat of the mystery "killer" hive) , but they WILL get better.
At any rate, I will very definitely be looking forward to more, but will also be quite willing to be patient.
I was NOT expecting this. You would think a changeling princess wouldn't be spooked into revealing herself. I really do like this development!
It lives!
*jumps up and down repeatadly while confeddy rains from above
Great work on this chapter.
“A bit timid, but very nice.”
The pot calling the kettle black.
Or her hair was always green and she just dyed it purple in canon because green hair is 'HIDEOUS!!', and post Trixie/Ursa-Rampage her newly acquired 'Element-of-Honesty'ness compelled her to be more honest about her natural color.
8017263
Are you talking about the Librarian mare? The unicorn?
Or the pink earth pony at Rarity's, AKA Diamond Tiara, the changeling?
8019504
Obviously, otherwise they wouldn't bother to find a host who matched the personality of the fallen queen. Furthermore it is obviouslymeantto be obvious or you wouldn't have made a point of specifyingNever-mind, just remembered the CH.1 AN mentioned an edit to elaborate on the seed issue.8321355
On the subject of hair, your first guess is the closest, but that's not quite the whole story. Sweet Celestia, it isn't the whole story.
For one thing, the shade of green Trixie turned Rarity's hair is, frankly, ugly as all get out, and didn't affect her tail. Here, the shade is a more pleasant shade, both her mane and her tail are green.
For another thing, spoilers. Can't tell you. Sorry!
Well Trixie arrived early and apperently Twilight changed Rarity’s hair back since it’s still green Snips and Snails brought the Ursa to Ponyvillevand with no Twilight to soothe it they had to fight it which is where Rainbow got the scar. Am I right?
8661265
I know I'm late in replying but... dang. You're almost completely right. What you aren't right about will be kept a secret, though.
Love this story!
well if the update scadule holds the pattern then a new update will be next year
A very nice and interesting story so far, can't wait to read more of it.
The image of Twilight and Rarity, collectively shivering like a single Chihuahua, is... an interesting one.
Is the next chapter coming any time soon?
Apple Family not using magic? is that Canon or Fanon.....
if this ever continues I'd love to read it.
9939880
Technically both. Ponyville forbidding the use of magic during the Winter Wrap Up was because the town was founded by Earth Ponies, specifically the Apple Family, so it became a tradition to not use magic. However, during the Applebuck season episode, Twilight was clearly using magic to harvest large quantities of apples, so they don't really seem to have a problem with using magic.
This is great, mate!
I love the way you're playing around with canon to make something unique :3