This story is a sequel to Changing Expectations

This is an anthology of non-canon side stories for the Changing Expectations series, each story detailing a different take on the story, on the world, or any other story that can't function as a standalone. Reading Changing Expectations is required.

The entire course of history can be changed by a single butterfly flapping its wings. So what if an entire war was won instead of lost? What if a King never existed? Distorted and twisted, parallel universes offer an infinite number of stories to tell.

Waning Crescent: A world illuminated only by the moon and the stars above. Despite not wanting for light, there are far too many shadows.

Pursuit Of Happiness: Equestria might be the world of sunshine, rainbows, and magic, but not everything is perfect for everyone.

Phasma Is Considerably More Evil But He Is The Main POV Character So It’s Okay: Everyone loves a good villain story. But I'm fresh out of those, so have a mediocre one instead.

Cover art is by Rich May
Special thanks to all my prereaders for proof reading each chapter!

This story is a sequel to Changing Expectations

When ages are segmented and divided in the annals of history, it is done so with great events as breakpoints. The Second Age of Heroes was unanimously declared to have started with the return of Princess Luna and the changeling Invasion of Canterlot.

For thousands of years, the changelings survived beneath The Great Tapestry, that which connects all living and nonliving things. Hundreds of generations worked endlessly to keep their existence a secret. With one command from Queen Chrysalis, the Masquerade was broken.

In a single night, the changelings waged war against Equestria and took the Kingdom by storm. Months later, the war between changelings and ponies has ended. A new tapestry, a new story, must be woven between the two species. Equestria and the Fifth Hive have gone through a dark chapter and have emerged stronger for it.

One war ends and another begins.

As The Sword of Damocles hangs above the heads of the formerly-human King Phasma and his Equestrian counterparts, the forces of light must work on an ever-shortening window before war once again brings Hell to Equus. Dark powers grow in the places that the light does not reach, and they bring one irrefutable truth.

Epitaph is coming.

Cover art by Nixworld.

Special thanks to my pre-readers!

My brother and his friends overthrew a perfectly functional monarchy and turned the changelings into a bunch of pastel hippies.

I (regrettably also now a hippie) am trying to reintroduce regiment and strength to the changelings of our hive.

That includes my brother.

Featured 2/15/2022 - 2/17/2022!

A gift for Sockiepuppetry, inspired by their Thorax artworks, and most notably, their Boys Will be Bugs fan animation.

* A part of the Love Bug Continuity!
* Cover art by Wulfumz
* Edited by LevelDasher
* Live reading by Skijarama

Seeking to normalize cluster naps among the hive's excitable young, Thorax has invented a game. For five minutes he attempts to capture nymphs as they fly around the nursery hive. Upon capturing one, a swift hug and the phrase, 'squeeze the bug!' signals a countdown. The other nymphs have ten seconds to free their friend, lest Thorax get a point. Five points and Thorax wins.

Being a sentimental monarch is hard work, but tiring out little changelings so he can take naps with them - most especially with his favorite one of all - makes it all worthwhile for Thorax.

* Featured 11/19/19!
* Part of the Love Bug Continuity!
* A spiritual sequel of To Love as His Own.
* Cover artwork done by the awesome KamDrawings!
YouTube reading by Skijarama!

When you're a lonely love vampire, you befriend baby dragons. It's what you do.

When you're an alpha bugmoose who adopts an entire hive, you teach reformed parasites how to be cute and cuddly. It's what you do.

Featured 1/19/2022 - 1/21/2022!

* Comedic spin-off based off the Love Bug Continuity fanonverse.
* Story artwork commissioned by myself, created by my good buggo friend CitreneSkys!

Following her first semester at school, Ocellus returns home to the hive.

Featured 11/15/2021 & 11/16/2021!

* A part of the Love Bug Continuity!
* Takes place after the S8 premiere.
* Cover art done by Little Tigress.

While visiting the Crystal Empire as part of a liaison unit from his hive, a young changeling excitedly tracks down the workshop of a local plush maker, eager to pick up his special order. When he discovers the shop maker is actually a changeling from another hive, his walk-in turns into an unexpected friendship, and a memorable experience.

* Featured 10/29/19 - 11/01/19!
* A collaboration between myself and Racingwolf!
* Calor & story are (C) to me, Scy, cover art and author's notes art are (C) to Racingwolf!

Torn from his laid-back life as an intel operative, Vertex had resigned himself to stand before his queen, to learn of the hive's latest invasion, and the role he would play in it. Instead, he returns to witness the collapse of Chrysalis's empire, along with what it meant to be a changeling. Misplaced and frustrated, Vertex must turn to the hive's new leader for answers, but he may receive more than a mere recollection for his troubles.

A direct continuation off the events of the season 6 finale.

* Featured 4/9/19!
* A commission for Vertex, my very first one ever!
* Cover art & story art by the amazing 28GoodDays!
* Vertex the Changeling is (C) to Vertex & Golden Beam is (C) to Hywther!

Whilst their younger siblings take part in Equestria's annual royal summit, newly-met Shining Armor and Pharynx find themselves alone in a waiting room, with little to talk about other than what they share in common - a passion for homeland security, and a dorky little brother/sister.

* Cover art by the awesome Doodle-Mark!
* Featured 2/27/19 - 3/4/19!
* Story reading by Skijirama!

Following the hive's metamorphosis, the desolate region once charted as 'the Badlands' on Equestrian maps has begun to flourish. Deserts now sprout with newfound life, and wastes of sun-baked rock crumble in the wake of sprouting vegetation.

But with all progress comes growing pains. Such a sudden abundance of life cannot flourish without water, and an awful lot of it, at that. For bug ponies with fragile gossamer wings, things couldn't be more inconvenient.

Caught in an acclimating climate, the changelings now face a series of torrential downpours that limit both their flight and activities. Luckily for them, their new leader is an expert at finding the coziest solution to every situation.

* Calor is (C) to me!
* Part of the Love Bug Continuity!
* Cover art by the multi-talented Racingwolf!
* A re-imagining of The Patter of Rain, which takes place between seasons six & seven.