A pony awoke in a muddy ditch on the side of the road with no recollection of how he got there, or who he was. It was as though he was waking up for the first time, and there was no memory of anything before waking up in the mud. He knew that he was a pony, and he was aware of certain things, but he was completely clueless as he tried to make sense of his surroundings.
He stared at his own foreleg, looking at his muddy grey pelt, and stared at it as though he was seeing his leg for the very first time. He felt a strange pain in his body, which his brain told him was hunger. He lifted his head and looked over his body, and as he did so, he saw wings. He did not know what he was, or why he had wings. He had no memory of flight and no knowledge of how to fly.
The pony with wings struggled to pull himself out of the ditch and then staggered into the road. He didn’t know why it was called a road, he couldn’t recall learning the word, but somehow he knew what it was.
There was something falling on him called rain. He couldn’t remember experiencing it before or even learning what it was called. He wobbled around unsteadily upon his legs, and it was almost as though he was using his legs for the first time. He nearly fell into a mud puddle and his wings flared out reflexively, which somehow allowed him to keep his balance. He sloshed through the mud which squished and squelched around his hooves.
His mouth was dry, and he was thirsty. It was as though he was experiencing thirst for the first time. He stared down at the muddy water in the road, but did not drink from that. He stumbled ahead through the mud, finally figuring out a trot and making his way down the road. Ahead of him was a town. He knew what the town was without being able to recall ever seeing one before.
The air was filled with the flapping of wings and suddenly there were other winged ponies all around him. They landed, and stared at him curiously. The grey pony who awoke in the mud did not know what to make of them. He couldn’t recall ever seeing other ponies before.
“Halt, who goes there? We’re Luna’s Marauders, and we don’t take kindly to bandits. Who… what are you?” one of the winged ponies demanded.
“Wings and a horn? What am I looking at?” another asked.
The pony with both wings and a horn didn’t know how to respond. He couldn’t recall ever speaking before. He opened his mouth and no words came out, only a few odd sounds, guttural grunting sounds that held no meaning.
“Look at him, he don’t look well… we should take him to Luna. She might know what to do with this… alicorn…” a pony with wings suggested.
“Can you come with us?” a pony with wings asked politely. “We don’t want to hurt you… if you are a refugee on the run from one of the many failed cities, you may find solace here. We have refugee camps, food, shelter.”
The pony with wings and a horn who awoke in the mud stood there, not knowing how to answer or what to do. His mouth was dry and he stuck out his tongue trying to catch the rain. He stared down cross eyed at his own tongue as if he was seeing it for the first time.
“You think he’s gone feral?” one pony with wings asked another.
“I dunno Thunderlane, maybe one of those cultist weirdos running around did something to his mind, might explain how he has wings and a horn,” another pony with wings said.
“I swear, I catch one of those mind messing nutjobs and I am going to punt them into next Tuesday,” the winged pony named Thunderlane growled.
The pony with wings and a horn who awoke in the mud jumped when one of the winged ponies touched him. He let out a shrill startled cry and leapt away, slipped in the mud, and fell down. He was immediately helped up by the other winged ponies, who didn’t seem to care that they were getting muddy.
“Easy you… whomever you are. Luna would snap our spines and pluck our wings if we hurt another pony that we were supposed to be helping. You’re not a bad sort, so you have nothing to fear,” one of the winged ponies said soothingly.
The pony with wings and a horn who awoke in the mud and then fallen in the mud settled a bit, and one of the winged ponies gently nudged him forwards towards the town. He unsteadily trotted forwards, surrounded on all sides by the winged ponies who had helped him out of the mud.
Princess Luna and Princess Twilight Sparkle looked at the odd pony with both wings and a horn. He seemed to be mute, confused, and quite afraid. He was wide eyed and worried, timid, and appeared to be on the verge of having a panic attack.
“How odd,” Luna commented, studying her guest. “An alicorn. One would think that with them being as rare as they are, we would know about the existence of each one.”
Twilight Sparkle peered at the alicorn suspiciously and then looked at Luna pointedly.
“Don’t worry Twilight, I intend to get down to the bottom of this,” Luna said in reply to Twilight’s glance.
“We have something that is attacking unicorns, sucking them dry, we have those weirdo cultists that want to steal away control of the sun and the moon from you and your sister, and now he shows up,” Twilight muttered. Twilight smacked her lips nervously and then looked at the grey pony that was the subject of so much curiousity. She heard a loud rumble from the pony's stomach and some of her suspicion melted away. “Aw, poor thing sounds hungry.”
“First things first Twilight,” Luna warned. The night blue alicorn moved towards the mysterious pony and circled him slowly. “I’ve tried to cast several spells already to peer into his mind… it is most troubling. I cannot make a connection. No common pony should be able to resist me should I want to have a look.”
“Well, he is an alicorn,” Twilight responded in a dubious tone.
“Perhaps,” Luna muttered. “But I could peer into your mind with no real effort,” she said to Twilight, which made Twilight raise her eyebrow and stare at Luna.
“Luna there are times-”
“Not that I would, well, other than when I bring you dreams,” Luna interrupted. “But what we have here is a special case. He can’t talk. He behaves like he is slightly feral. I doubt he is an alicorn, and I have reasonable suspicion to believe that he has been tampered with by powerful magical forces.”
Twilight nodded and watched as their visitor studied his wings intently. His feathers were a mess and needed preening. He had been cleaned off before being brought into the library and down into the basement. “He acts as though he has never seen his own wings before,” Twilight observed.
“Probably because he hasn’t,” Luna replied.
“But how?” Twilight responded.
“That is the mystery Twilight,” Luna said and as she spoke, she let out a soft chuckle.
Upon hearing Luna’s chuckle, the pony with wings and a horn and was found by kind ponies nickered, apparently soothed by the sound. He looked at Luna with his head cocked to the side. After a few moments, he mimicked the chuckling sound and flapped his wings.
“Well, he is capable of learning, that’s promising,” Luna observed. She smiled broadly at the grey pony and then waited for him to smile back.
The grey pony did not smile in return, he merely sat down and stared at Luna blankly. Heaving a sigh of frustration, Luna rolled her eyes and snorted.
The grey pony mimicked the sigh and the snort, and then made a chuckling sound again.
“Sounds Luna, he is copying sounds,” Twilight stated.
“Zounds?” the grey pony asked.
“See!” Twilight crowed.
“Yes,” Luna replied.
Twilight’s horn glowed and she pointed it at the strange pony. After a moment, he glowed. Twilight grimaced in concentration, one eye squinting shut as she struggled to strengthen her focus, and then her spell fizzled.
Luna snorted from Twilight’s failed efforts and then the grey pony snorted, looking at Luna hopefully as he did so. Luna snorted back, and began to harbour a secret fear that she was going to need to create a snort based language if this kept up.
“Look, I specialised in divination… I should be able to do something,” Twilight whined.
“What were you trying to do exactly?” Luna inquired.
“Dispel illusion,” Twilight muttered in defeat.
“Why illusion?” Luna asked.
“Well, why not? Gotta start somewhere,” Twilight answered.
“Fascinating,” Luna quipped. She turned and looked at the grey pony. “He seems real.”
“I don’t know, I had a hunch that he might be something… look, never mind, it was a stupid idea,” Twilight grumbled in disappointment.
“You had a hunch?” Luna inquired, now suddenly serious. “Twilight, your hunches have always held out…” Luna paced now, her wings fluttering somewhat. She peered at the grey pony, glanced at Twilight, and then her horn ignited with brilliant intensity.
Twilight found herself in a familiar place. It was grey and misty, and seemed to stretch in all directions infinitely. This was the place where Celestia had rebirthed her to be an alicorn. She looked at Luna, and then she looked at the grey pony.
He was no longer a grey pony.
Twilight gasped in shock.
“This is the astral plane… all things are revealed for what they really are here. In this place I have far more power,” Luna explained.
“He’s a-”
“Hush Twilight, don’t say it. He doesn’t even know. His first memory is waking up in the mud. He’s been Touched. Just like you were Touched and Buckminster was Touched. Whatever he once was, he isn’t any longer,” Luna said in a soothing serene voice. “Something has a plan for him. As alicorns, we are agents of destiny, and we are obligated to help him.”
Twilight stared at the black form before her, noting the wings and the horn. The black chitinous carapace. The shiny eyes. The holes in his body.
Strange magic swirled around Luna and she restored the dark figure back to being a grey pony again. This time, there was no horn and no wings. He was a common simple grey earth pony now, unremarkable in every way. Grey pelt, grey eyes, and a slightly darker grey mane and tail.
“You are Slate,” Luna said to the now grey earth pony.
“Thunderlane and the others, they are going to remember him having wings and a horn. We are going to have to… edit those troubling memories,” Twilight Sparkle muttered in disgust. “I hate having to do that.”
“He is going to need a caretaker,” Luna announced.
“How do we feed him?” Twilight inquired.
“We need a loving caretaker,” Luna repeated.
“I have an idea,” Twilight blurted out as her face pinched in concentration.
“Go on. Do tell,” Luna said as she gently touched Slate with her wing.
“I know three very sweet, very loving mares. They are a bit skittish, but they have recently formed a herd and they are looking for a willing stallion,” Twilight responded.
“A herd?” Luna said in thoughtful reply. “Well, that is a lot of love, certainly. Slate would never go hungry.”
“I know that he needs love, but to fit in, can he eat actual food?” Twilight asked.
“Yes,” Luna replied. “But love is what is important. Am I correct Slate?” Luna asked of the grey earth pony.
Slate snorted and made a chuckling sound as he looked at Luna. He let out a whinny, lifted his tail, swished it from side to side, which seemed to startle himself, and then bucked out with his hind legs at whatever had just made his tail move.
“We’ll have to make sure that nopony ever finds out,” Twilight said in a worried voice.
“He is already powerfully protected. And I plan to add my own protections,” Luna replied.
“What about foals?” Twilight inquired.
“Good question. He’s a drone, and therefore, sterile. We are going to have to find a clever solution Twilight Sparkle,” Luna announced.
“This is going to mean more manipulation, isn’t it?” Twilight questioned.
“You’ve only recently seen the bigger picture, and now understand your place as an agent of destiny. We must guide those intended to go on to bigger and better things,” Luna answered.
“Seems terrible somehow… what Celestia and even you… you’re not innocent, what both of you have done to Buckminster seems to be so horrible and so loving at the same time. I am still coming to terms with what I now know… and now I am to take part in the manipulation of the lives around me as well. I suppose I will be responsible for keeping an eye on Slate and performing any clean up should there be accidents,” Twilight said to Luna. “What about love?”
“Once there is actual love and affection there, Cadance and I will step in and greatly speed up the process,” Luna replied.
“Just like the three of you did to Buckminster,” Twilight said bitterly.
“My sister guides through wisdom, I guide through dreams, Cadance guides through love, and you guide through the magic that flows through all of us. We are the agents of destiny Twilight. That is what being an alicorn is all about. It is what we do,” Luna explained.
“And what of Buckminster, when he becomes one of us?” Twilight asked. “What does the alicorn of war do in the greater role of things?”
Luna shrugged. “I do not know. I suppose his role will be to protect us from those who wish to corrupt destiny and corrupt what is meant to be,” she replied. “Should he survive…” she added in a sorrowful voice.
Twilight watched as Slate fell over and rolled in the grey mist, acting very much like a pony. He had his legs kicked into the air as he wiggled about and he snorted a few times before shouting “zounds!”
“I guess I will ask if the flower gang if they are willing to be caretakers of a feral pony,” Twilight muttered dejectedly. “Look at him. He doesn’t even know who or what he is, and he is so happy.”
“This will be a unique opportunity of study Twilight Sparkle, surely you can find some consolation in that,” Luna said in soothing tones.
“Yeah, whatever,” Twilight replied as she slumped and sat down in the grey mist. “I wish I was like him. Ignorant of everything around me and happy.”
“We live in troubling times Twilight,” Luna stated.
To be concluded…
HAHAHA! SLEEP IS FOR THE WEAK-Holy crap changelings.
Worth it, that alone makes me love our new hero already.
Because he's part of the Chase-verse during present time, will he have any influence on Bucky's story?
Guess I'll find out. This story is neat alone simply because we now have a pair of eyes to see through that'll let us know what's going on in Equestria.
Looking forward to more dude.
Yet another one to keep an eye on. I haven't even gotten around to reading the prequal yet.
Mind manipulation as a story device is a huge pet peeve of mine. But you handled it well in the Chase, so I have hope it won't be too bad here. Other than that, the story itself seems very promising. I look forward to reading more.
It kind of disturbs me that Luna and Twilight both believe Bucky is doomed to become the Alicorn of War. Props to Bucky for realizing the important things in life. Lots of kinky sex and a huge family are all you really need.
As for this changeling... I kind of like it and hate it at the same time. I'm not quite sure how the changelings in this universe work though. I'm used to the people who have them drain people to death I suppose. Maybe that's more rare in this universe? I just don't like the idea of them putting a predator amongst his prey willingly. Even if he doesn't know he's a predator. That almost makes it worse cause then he won't know why everyone he loves dies....
Thus far, my only major concern is that if this is only going to have two parts, it's going to be awfully short. Also not sure I like the idea of Twilight going around editing pony's memories, especially since the way Luna was sounding, it was a hop skip and a jump away for being for 'the greater good.' When you start using that as your reason for doing questionable things, you slip very close to the edge of a dangerous fall...
And, yes, I realize that Bucky and family have been doing a lot of questionable things lately, but we've been following along on his journey and can, for the most part, see that everything he's done has been justifiably for the benefit of his herd and the other ponies of the isles. Whereas we've been out of contact aside from small news snippits to what's been going on back on the mainland, and now we have Twilight and Luna talking about memory modifications like it's a daily chore and that raises concerns with me. Especially because they seem to be acting under the 'Because Destiny says so' clause. I personally hate that as a reason for doing ANYTHING, and, considering what we know of his feelings on the matter, I hope that if they try to make Bucky the Alicorn of War, he tells them to shove the wings up their backsides.
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Happens in the show too. See quote.
about time we got changeling's in the story!
now....why was that changeling disguised as an alicorn....?
4908473
Doesn't make it any better. Also you're using that quote a little out of context. When Twilight used the memory spell on her friends, she used it to remind them of their time together in order to break Discord's spell on them, she wasn't using it to alter memories, just reinforce the ones already there.
Basically my thought process: story story story HOLY CRAP CHANGELING.
pony's
4908507
I think the quote was more for "Why doesn't she use the spell to bring back his old memories and rid everyone of the mystery of his background."
I feel like the above words weren't the right way to say what i wanted to say, which is why i simply read everything instead of write like Kudzu.
Ugh. I do not like Luna's flippant acceptance to do memory modification. I don't care if it's been used before, I still don't like it.
Has the Changeling invasion taken place in this timeline? I don't believe so, so I wouldn't expect any immediate or extreme revulsion, at least not in Ponyville.
I'm hoping that Bucky (who I'm starting to think should not become a teacher) will continue to avoid ascension, at least so that he can try to push back against such manipulation.
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How is Luna any different than Bucky, doing what must be done in the name of the greater good?
She's a true believer. Anything as an agent of destiny.
So is Bucky. He's a true believer too. He will sink down to any depth to accomplish what needs to be done.
He's a lot like Luna.
I'm calling it! You should create a Chase-verse Group, and like always... another great read.
I´m tagging a long with the guys here. Loved the story, great cliffhanger, the only reason why i did not upvoted is beacuse stupid proxy in the work blocks some codes, thus i can´t vote at all but the memory manipultaion is becoming too much of a deus ex machina. Not saying i hate it it´s just being used too much, IMHO. it should be a REALLY last resource thing. They could keep the alicorn of....hungry ? Well, whatever alicorn he is at bay, in canterlot, or even with the mane 5 (TS being so focused in the Equestria problem) without problem. Fluttershy could take care of him, specially being feral, AJ could hide him (the acres are far enough to avoid intruders with some care).
But the part where you clearly says that Luna and the alicornhood expected to Bucky turns in the alicorn of War...that, right there, pure beauty ! That´s a punch in the stomach. Are they even aware that if he turns out like that (wich he won´t, you already told that, he is fighting for and AGAINST his destiny) there is a 99% chance of death rain and scorched to the ground Equestria ? If they are aware, what in tartarus is wrong with they !? Hey, hi, four-legged-nuclear-bomb-power-level-unicorn....here, have all possible imaginable mental issues, have all your family under the risk of being eaten alive, or having permanent meantl AND phisical scars and, then, we hope you return (if you, somehow, survive) being a good pers...i mean, pony. Sure, i can´t see how this plan can go wrong and your turn yourself in a slaughter machine that will bring doom upon us...
When, not if. Interesting word choice, and one that may be rather amusing in retrospect.
I have to object to the author's note: the memory spell in question restored and revisited memories. Probably. I suppose they could've been implanted, but that seems like a needlessly grim reading of the effect. Well, needless from a general perspective. Here, it's rather necessary for the story. Also interesting to see Twilight's reservations run up against her new responsibilities.
The protagonist is interesting. He's clearly smart enough to learn quickly. Is his patchy knowledge the result of separation from a hive mind? Some traumatic event that left him amnesiac? Something stranger yet?
And, of course, there's the information about the state of Equestria. Failed cities, usurper cults, Tirek taking advantage of the disarray, and from the sound of it, mind whammies are not an unprecedented event. Truly this is the Summer of their Discontent.
Looking forward to more.
So...they're assuming Bucky's going to be an Alicorn when he's going to pretty much fight that notion to the death (thanks, Luna!). I thnk some princesses are going to get mud in their eye when he chooses his family over godlike power.
Fascinating.
I am inruiged, if a bit confused but at this point I know that you (most likely) know what you are doing.
But really, I am excited! This is a curve ball no one could have expected and now I really want to know just where you will take this.
Is he destined to be the new leader of the changelings? is he destined to be a alicorn of, I dunno, knowledge? Given how fast he started successfully mimicking? Something completely different?!
Looking forward to more
LOVE THIS LOVE THIS LOVE THIS!
instead of the alicorn of war how about protection? lots of overlap and since he is resistant to war, and so .... forceful about protecting his family it fits...
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The alicorn of protection should have a condom cutie mark.
Very interesting. I hope to see this finished.
Just one thing: that bit about foals was a bit weird. You're kinda jumping pretty far ahead and assuming quite a lot of weird things Luna and Twilight if that is one of your main concerns. I wouldn't put a feral pony into the flower trio's care and expect them to jump his bones.
4912411
They both know about the heat Celestia is planning.
4912422
Ah. Ok
considering the latestish chapter of the chase with the deal bucky made, i wonder what is going to happen... HURRY UP KADU if... if it is ok with you
4912131
I take that as a no then?
This is why I keep saying the Downvote Button should force the person using it to make a comment as to WHY they are downvoting. That way we can easily separate those who honestly don't like something from those who are just being dicks. So many authors would actually feel better and have more confidence if they could see that most of the downvotes they get are just from people being dicks.
Well... I wasn't sure what I was expecting coming here, but I didn't expect THAT!!!
Very interesting...
If typos are found then if the typos are found.