Idol Hooves holds a special place in Equestria. He's probably the only exiled changeling to serve in the Royal Guard, or at least, that's what he expects, as exiles don't really broadcast that fact. However, it's well known that Princess Celestia loves all of her little ponies, and her guards perhaps more so, and that makes it one of the best ways for a changeling to discreetly feed.

But how does a changeling even get there, let alone get exiled in the first place? For that matter, why would it ever go to Canterlot? Set a number of years before the series proper, before Luna’s redemption, Idol details how he was exiled, the ponies he’s met, and the series of misadventures that led him to joining the Royal Guard, and should continue a good ways into the series, as something of an alternate perspective.

Soon, he’ll have to deal with a boisterous new princess to serve and a royal wedding in the works bringing a third to power. Will his old instincts bring this new life crashing down around him? What precipitates Chrysalis’s ill-fated assault on Canterlot? Is it really so wrong for a changeling to enjoy good craftsmanship to an obsessive degree?

New cover art provided by the fantastic Carnifex

And a TVTropes page here.

And an Ask Blog of questionable canonity!
Out of Idol Curiosity

Fanart by Norad2! Major thanks! Short For a Royal Guard

Art by Egophiliac of Idol and his Daring Duckie Please don't tell him what that brush is meant for.

Rating updated to (T), it's a bit darker than (E)
Comedy Tag added as well
And changed the character tags a bit.

[Based on the EaW 2023 April fools update. Long Live the God-Emperor!]

As Projekt Kristellthron fails (or succeeds, based on who you ask), Grover the Fifith is reborn as the Emperor of Griffonkind, forever upon his golden throne. Despite betrayal from Dawnclaw, Dawnclaw's heresy only ends with the newborn Imperium of Griffonkind rising greater then ever. And as the years go on, the Imperium spreads ever further, until finally, in the mid 1020s, Griffonia, and Griffonkind, are united under one being. The God-Emperor of Griffonkind, the being who was once Grover the Fifth. For he is the physical manifestation of Boreas, Eyr, and Arcturius. Yet, as Griffonia is united and the Emperor dreams of greater conquest for griffonkind. He blinks... and his dream ends.

On a dark night filled with even darker magics, an insane cult attempts to give Nightmare Moon a body and life of her own, utterly separate from Princess Luna. But, when the spell is interrupted by Celestia, something unexpected is created.

Now, a little black alicorn filly named Nyx finds herself living under the care of Twilight Sparkle, only to be haunted by memories and emotions from her past. Is she Nightmare Moon reborn or is she simply a doppelganger with a soul and mind of her own? Can Twilight Sparkle protect Nyx from those who refuse to see past her dragon eyes and black coat?

Or, will Nyx be forced to inherit the sins that may not even be hers and become the greatest evil Equestria has ever known?

We have all read the stories about a human waking up as N.M.M in the castle of the two sisters heck even I've read a bunch of them. They were always my favorite with a normal guy trying not to get blasted by rainbows for having the same body as some villain.

But never thought that could happen to me!

Now my hair is on fire, I'm most likely 6 years old and this castle I woke up in looks an awful lot like a certain one that located in the magical land of Equestria.

But that's only fiction right?

Well if there is one positive thing about this...I got to keep my hands.

(level 4 anthro)
Previous Cover art from my friend Sonata Dusk951 Send him some Love

Now with Editors HeBogin and The-Hidden-Fox

(JESUS JUMPING JEREMY I GOT FEATURED 20/05/2020)
(IT HAPPENED AGAIN SQUEEEEEE 21/05/2020)
(AGAIN WOOOO 23/05/2020)
(10k VIEWS 25/01/2021)

The Griffonian Empire was on its deathbed.

For years, it has battled with itself and its own institutions for survival. Already, revolutions and acts of secession have tormented it, tearing it apart limb by limb until only its most integral parts remained, paying lip service to the emperor - the Herzland.

But all these discussions, all threats, are suddenly silenced when news from the Imperial Palace are made public. News which the Empire, with all its shortcomings, may never be able to recover from.

This short story takes place in the Equestria at War alternate universe. Knowledge is advised to immediately understand the scenery and characters, but not ultimately required.

The State of Chiropterra had existed in isolated secrecy for a thousand years. Descended from the most loyal Legions of Nightmare Moon, they employed extreme measures to survive on a hostile continent, relentlessly preparing for the night of their Empress's glorious return.

But now their historic task is complete, Nightmare Moon sits undisputed upon the Equestrian throne, and Chiropterra's fate in the New Lunar Millenium is to be decided.

Amongst it all, the Equestrian General Selenite had befriended two Chiropterrans from opposite ideological persuasions, the hardline conservative Auburn Leaf and the moderate reformist Lucent Eclipse. As Chiropterra's future hangs in the balance, so does their relationship.

Takes place in my New Lunar Millennium alternate universe. More information can be found here, but no prior knowledge of my AU is required to read this story.

Proofread and edited by Izzy Incraft.

Hope is the faith of the young. Losing everything she holds dear, Puppysmiles embarks on the adventure of her life to find her mother, her hopes of meeting her again driving her through the horrors of a world not of her making. Too bad the Wastelands doesn't care about hope.

For most of Applejack's life, she didn't know what she was. True, she understood who she was well enough.
But ponies don't change shapes, nor do they get strength from love.
Applejack never thought too hard on it... until the events of a certain wedding brought about some harsh realizations.
Now, with Equestria still reeling from the surprise attack, will Applejack manage to come to terms with what she is? Will she even be able to keep her secret safe?
For if the royal guards don't get her first, the conspirators in the shadows just might...

Image provided by Heilos -

This story is a sequel to The Irony of Applejack

Warning: this story is a sequel. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you read the prequel first before continuing!

Over half a year has passed since the changeling attack on Ponyville, and Applejack would like to think things have finally settled down. Much has changed for the young changeling, and all of Equestria in kind. The new district in Ponyville proves that, along with the town's many new residents.
But there is much the young queen does not yet know about being a changeling. Some things, she will learn, can be chosen, while others will be chosen for her. With new allies and enemies emerging all around her, Applejack must discover what it truly means to rule before the choice is taken from her forever, and the history of the changelings repeats itself, once again...

Image provided by Heilos.

Equestria and the Crystal Empire have fallen to the Changeling Hegemony, led by the brutal Queen Chrysalis at the head of a mechanized horde of guns and tanks. Princess Cadance stayed in the Crystal Empire; Princess Twilight stayed in Equestria. Chrysalis rules the continent, only defied by Nova Griffonia, the poor Griffon colony in the north.

Across the ocean, the Griffonian Reich pledges to reclaim its lost territory, sundered by revolution a generation ago. While the Alicorn Sisters retreat to New Mareland, Princess Flurry Heart and Shining Armor turn to Aquileia, the Republic born out of the ashes of the Griffonian Reich. The Kaiser of the Reich is only a child, subject to a regent bent on war and conquest.

Flurry knows the Reich and Chrysalis have worked together.

She knows that war is coming to Aquileia.

She knows that Celestia and Luna abandoned her mother and Twilight Sparkle.

She knows that the world is on fire, and she is the last true Princess of Ponies.

She knows she will go home.

Cover Art by Opal Radiance, commissioned by Sunstreaker.
https://www.deviantart.com/opalradiance