A man had all but written off humanity after retiring from military service. Precepts like Faith, Hope and Love had always been a part of his life but had fallen into shadow due to dark times. In their place, the motto from the U.S. Coast Guard "Semper Paratus" or "Always Prepared" had gotten him through difficulties many times before.

But what happens when the rough time isn't even on the same planet, let alone with other people. Will the training and constant "prepper" attitude be enough to get him through? Fighting despair, resentment, selfish ambitions and now sorcery- a man born out of chaos discovers a powerful talent where human precepts clash with Magic!

Beyond Earth and beyond the Universe within which Earth exists there is a place full of love; the richest mine of love that can be found, as it is seen by those capable of utilizing it...

Within that place, specifically a part of it called the Everfree Forest, awakes one such creature: a Changeling; specifically, a Changeling who had been a human on Earth the day before. How will he survive in a body that literally needs love for nourishment, while in a world that is now wise to the Changelings' tricks and has branded them evil? Better question: Will he be able to change more than his physical appearance?

These questions are not the only thing that will plague him, for the hows and whys of his arrival and transformation are in a hurry to reveal themselves, and Equestria's heart will stop as it waits for its fate to be decided.

Now with a side story (with more to come) from other characters' POV!
POV: MANE SIX

Video games are my passion. When I was offered a chance to test out some new "Chess Game" virtual reality simulator during its beta stages, how could I refuse? Go on adventures, explore new worlds and troll NPC's programmed with the most advanced AI available. It sounded like a dream come true.

Too bad I didn't read the fine print.

Chess Game of the Gods fic
Approved by Troutking
Contains a healthy amount of swearing and violence.

Link to TvTropes Page: http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Fanfic/EquestrianJoe

Does NOT Contain:
- An overpowered protagonist
- A human-on-pony romance
- Unbelievable characterization
- A contrived plot where everything happens the hero's way

As a brony who prides himself on always knowing where the fine line between fantasy and reality lies, Joseph Ryan Ang was more than skeptical about where exactly he thinks he has landed himself up in when he stumbles and falls through a large hole in the forest while out on a solo hiking trip in the forests of Tennessee. But when he begins to encounter, and subsequently escape from several familiar creatures, each one harassing him and then moving on to nearly killing him on his harrowing journey back to civilisation, the realization that he just might have stumbled into another world altogether begins to take hold.

The realization then batters relentlessly against walls of skepticism, but even as the evidence begins to mount before his eyes, he continues to hold on to the incontrovertible facts that there are no such things as portals, and manticores and wolves made out of wood and bark do not exist.

At least, that's what he thinks until he bursts out of the Everfree, and discovers that he's landed up in Equestria.

All in all, it's just the kind of day that would have had him swearing loudly and at length.

But Joseph's arrival in Equestria isn't just due to fickle chance, or to the myriad ways of destiny. Dark forces of the world stir, their eyes intent upon him. Sinister motives plot and scheme, and upon his arrival in Canterlot he soon finds himself embroiled in a shadowy plot more dire than anything he could possibly imagine, with far-reaching portents beyond his wildest dreams. As he races against time to unravel a conspiracy against the crown despite being surrounded by mistrust and prejudice, Joseph will discover what it means to be a protector and a guardian of what he loves... and more importantly, what it means to be human in a world of ponies.

This isn't just about the machinations of fate, the paths of destiny, or the fickle whimsies of chance. It is about the way a man is capable of forging his own paths by the choices he makes, despite the circumstances foisted upon him. It is about the power of the freedom of choice, to defy what destiny had planned for you and to create your own fate. It is about how even the unlikeliest of individuals can turn out to become even the most unexpected of heroes, and how one man's desire to make a difference can change an entire world.

He came to their world as a man who barely even knew his purpose in life, much less how or why he had arrived there.

He is about to become a man who will forge his own path to the very heights of their nation.

---
Shoutouts to HeirApparent and DigitalCore for helping me proofread, edit, and generate ideas for this baby!

I've had my fair share of critics in my line of work. It's understandable—someone with the power to invoke fear in those he touches? Yeah, that's someone I want to watch over me and my children.

But that's what I am now; a Metahuman Agent, using this and the other 'perks' of my unique condition to help my team in taking down the baddie of the day. Of course, it was while taking down the baddie of the day that I fell victim to his malfunctioning machine; a Rift that tossed me, randomly, to a head-scratchingly insane world of magical, talking ponies...

All I can do now is wait, pray I can get home, and try to show them I'm not the monster I appear to be.

(Dread's homeworld is based somewhat on the Little Victory comics by jollyjack; an Earth where metahumans are enlisted and trained by the government to defend the populace from threats, big and small.)

When a college brony on a camping trip makes a wish on a shooting star, it turns out far differently than expected. Now this man turned dragon will find the there is much more to the world than the land of Equestria.

A letter sits upon a table where it had not just a moment before. A golden glow lifts it as it unfurls in front of the reader.

Let us see here, how to begin?

Well, I suppose the best way to do so is with introductions. I am Prometheus and while I was, as one might say, tied up for quite some time I noticed your world. I have to say it's quite interesting, but unfortunately stagnant as well. So Miss Celestia I, being the patron of progress that I am, have sent someone your way. He is not a creature native to your world, a species I personally have a great deal of interest in, they're ambitious little scamps. I am bestowing a gift upon him as I send him, one he will in time learn to master. It is my hopes he brings progress to your world, but as the past has proven on many an occasion the best intentions can at times have the worst effects. We'll just have to see how it goes won't we.

Sincerely,
Prometheus

Ha, not as smart as the bastard thinks he is. I managed to snag the paper from him. So "Miss Celestia" my name is Coal and apparently I'm supposed to stir up some dirt. I'll admit I know just as much as to what is going on as you do, but if he's the Prometheus I'm thinking of, things might be a little more complicated than he'd let us believe. Crap, he's coming back. Ummm... Why did I just waste time writing Ummm?

Winter is coming... I'm disappointed with myself if that's the best I can come up with.

After being tricked into using a forbidden spell to enter the void, Damon Lipton is turned into a Lich and thrown into Equestria by the God of Mischief. Dorian the Deranged. The God mistaking Damon for a follower of his.

Now stuck in Equestria, Damon finds himself thrown into a series of bizarre and epic adventures that will change his life, and those around him, for the better. And quite possibly for the worse.

Cover art is done by me.

Thanks to DVAN56, Berry Punch, Rainbowbob and Bocaj518

He was an average man in nearly every sense of the term, but his entire life is flipped upside-down when a push for a paycheck turns into something unexpected...something much more. Marooned on an alien world with no known way home, how will he survive a potentially-hostile environment? Afraid, ignorant, and alone, he will be forced to adapt and survive, or seek out help.

Rated T for strong language, use of alcohol, violence, and suggestive situations.

A/N: Yes, there is romance in this story. No, I'm not referring to one-sided romances. Instead, most of the story is going to show the developing relationships between Jamie and those close to him, and you'll join him as he slowly and painstakingly overcomes a lifetime of human culture and morals.

Featured 09/18/2014! Holy horseapples, batmare!

Featured 06/13/2016! Thanks guys and gals!

Okay let's just go over everything that's happened so far. Dragged into a road trip, check. Dragged to a convention, check. Dragged through dimension. Wait what? Okay, universe. Stop! Seriously what did I do to deserve that last one! Stop throwing me into impossibly horrible situations! It was bad enough being world thrown, but public enemy number 1!? What did I ever do to you!?

Evidently, I must have done a lot. I have been trapped here with nothing but my wit and ingenuity, but I'm still alive and have at least one friend. I decided that it would be better make the most out of my new life, and see if I can live at all in this crazed world of Magic and Myths. Hopefully I won't screw up too badly. I fear what may come if I do. Though.... this is all starting to feel familiar. I'm having some difficulty remembering from where though.
Co-authored from chapter 22 and on with Shinigamisparda

Alt Cover Art
Story inspired by "F**k it, I'm having fun" by JimmytheGrape and everything else in the League of Humans acting Villainous.
Props to them! Cover art is not mine.
Edit*2/13/2014*FEATUREBOXYES!
Edit**4/28/14**Technopathic is amazing and you should thank her greatly for working on new cover art for me. It's not done, but as she does it, I will continue to update my cover.
Edit***5/23/14*** NEW cover art is COMPLETE!
Edit****6/28/14**** Old cover art is back by popular demand