This story is a sequel to Across the Sea of Time

[First Person] [Alternating Perspectives] [Science Fantasy]
The Sea Series: Book Two (Alpha)

NOTE: You do not need to read the previous book to fully enjoy Beneath the Sea of Sand.

The changelings of the Emerald Hive are known mostly as a highly reclusive bunch of people squatting under a hill in the Equestrian Badlands. Ponies living near their hive have reported strange happenings more often than not, weird lights in the sky at night, strange sounds, and the fact no pony who has visited has ever said more then a few words about their hive at all have made many ponies uneasy over the years.

After an attack on a Diamond Dog mine to seize a large amount of Arcaneite, the Emeralds Queen is revealed to be Phoenix, the AI of an alien starship changeling hive spent generations repairing. To many ponies amazement, Phoenix quickly made an offer of mutual assistance and advanced technology in exchange for food for her changelings.

Celestia decides to accept Queen Phoenix offer, but with one condition: Twilight, her friends, and their immediate families must first live within the Emerald's hive for a year to learn if their cultures are compatible, and what dangers her technology might present.

Beneath the Sea of Sand is a work of Science Fiction, specifically the Science Fantasy genera, which combines tropes and elements from both science fiction and fantasy. You can expect to see magic and all things FiM (made a bit more Swords and Sorcery), and also crashed alien space craft, AIs, high technology, and themes meant to explore the human condition.

Beneath the Sea of Sand is inspired by FiM, my old D&D games, the works of Isaac Asimov, Clive Cussler, and Douglas Adams. While there is a running joke and plot point involving Star Trek, you do not need any knowledge of Trek to enjoy Beneath the Sea of Sand.

Proofread by the Amazing Timuri
Dedicated to NFire, Bringer of Good Fiction, Architect of Legacy.

There are many legends whispered among the ponies of Equestria, but none are stranger than that of the metal man that fell from the stars. Legend has it that the metal man's suit of armor still exists to this very day, slumbering the centuries away in the Canterlot Archives ...

Takes place during the season four finale.

Here's some quick background info on what you need to know, seeing as the 40K universe is huge and no one can be expected to know everything.

The Space Marine chapter involved in this story is a little known chapter known as the Celestial Lions, who are a descendant of the Imperial Fists. They were targeted for destruction by the Inquisition after defying them on an Exterminatus that was due to purge a world the Lions had fought for and saved. They fought during the Third War for Armageddon mainly, and during the fighting, they were reduced from 950+ battle brothers to just 96. Their numbers are even lower now, due to events that will be explored during this story.

Edited and Proofread by the amazing Loyalist. He's seen some heresy.

Featured on 4/26/15 and again on 7/25/15

A vengeful demon steals Starswirl the Bearded from his pleasant afterlife and shoves his spirit in a book.

Starswirl is secretly elated by this.

Not so much once he meets the pony he'll be staying with for the indefinite future.

Featured on 13/02/2015

Proofread by the wonderful God Of Physics and CryHavoc21.

Art courtesy of the awesome Lightspeed!

Changelings are a hated presence in Equestria, even years after the invasion of Canterlot. Following an incident she can't remember, a girl from our world finds herself as a new member of this despised species. Can she survive, or will her world crumble around her?

I was living a comfortable life. Had a loving wife and son, money was absolutely no issue, everything was swell.

Next thing I know, I'm hearing voices, I can't move, I can't talk, I can't even breathe. Yet, I know I'm alive, though I don't entirely feel like myself anymore.

Then I end up being the last of survivor of my new race.

I'm not even human anymore...

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-A HiE fic as a changeling in an alternate universe where MLP was never aired on Earth.
-Starts shortly before the end of Season 2.
***Slow updates! You've been warned!***
-Current cover image is a placeholder. Trying to find a more appropriate one...
-Comments below contain spoilers!
-The [Tragedy] tag is there mainly because I can't put up the [Sad] tag, due to conflicts with the [Comedy] tag.

It has been one of the closest guarded secrets of Canterlot's royalty. Deep in a specially constructed dungeon, surrounded by warding spells and powerful magic barriers, exists an enigma. Within a cage that could only be described as something out of a nightmare, it waits and watches all of Equestria. A creature that cannot age, is immune to disease, does not thirst nor hunger, and resists all injury. But, it also holds secrets and knowledge that could safeguard the kingdom. Its powers are frightening, but it is civil enough for debate when patience permits.

Princess Celestia has sought counsel with the creature before, enduring it making deal after deal for its services. The Princess walks a fine line when dealing with it, knowing full well anything could give it an advantage despite its imprisonment. She has had to go back on her word in these dealings, and from this a deep animosity between them has been born. It is a necessary evil as she is convinced this is a being capable of untold evil far and above anything Equestria has ever dreamed of. So long as it remains within the confines of its cell, her kingdom is made safe. So much magic has been woven to ensure that, there is little chance of escape.

So long as the magic holds, there is no danger. So long as the cage remains strong, the nameless creature stays enthralled in his cavernous dwelling. If that were to change--if the magic failed--not even the wisest could say. But one thing is assured, it does not bode well for Equestria.

Stuck in a time not her own, with two mysterious ponies she's never met or heard of before, and Discord and Sombra at the full height of their power, will Twilight be able to prevent the mutual destruction of past and present Equestria?

This is a collab between two authors, Default and Nerobot

Also, huge thanks to our editor/pre-reader Stanku!

Everyone is dead. She doesn't know who is responsible, just that somepony activated the ultimate weapon. Only four ponies survived and now try to find meaning in the great wasteland. Celestia will just be happy if she can find a way to heal Twilight.

One day, Applejack was petrified by a cockatrice in the Everfree forest.
It was a long time before she was ever revived.

A story of moving through lives and the bonds forged in-between.

Was begun before the season four finale, so disregard anything in canon relating to Tirek. He does not exist in this story's timeline.

Thanks to Discord Kantus for prereading.

Now with a reading by Terminal Velocity. Click here to view.

One ordinary mare. One never-ending time loop. Infinite ways to die.

How long before she snaps?