Sometimes, the meaning of a cutie mark isn't obvious. What does a bunch of stars have to do with being great at magic, after all?

For the most part, Twilight Sparkle never paid much mind to this question. A lot of cutie marks are abstract, after all. But while browsing the Star Swirl the Bearded wing of the Canterlot Archives, she finds an old book with a cover that matches her cutie mark perfectly.

Inside that dusty old tome, Twilight finds the secrets of a bygone age, answers to questions she never would have asked, and a terrifying vision of what could have happened to her.

In the wake of Chrysalis' failed invasion, a different hive breaks tradition and steps into the light to open relations with Equestria. The ever eager scholar, Twilight Sparkle, uses this truce as the perfect opportunity to learn more about this enigmatic race. Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, she will learn all there is to know about what it means to be a changeling.

But will Twilight lose herself in the hive, or will she regain what she has lost? Only time will tell.

Featured on 9/24/13

My first featured story! You guys are awesome.

Story readings and cover art by Luminescent Skies: Click here for some audio novel treatment

My Editor in Chief: Cloud Hop

Twilight Sparkle never was a Unicorn and she didn't even know it.
What happens when her true heritage comes to light? Will she willingly embrace it? Or will she be forced to?

Beware of spoilers in the comments!

Edited by uTTerAbsurdity, Zervziel, Stormwatch and Gwenio

Cover art by the talented Cartoonlion and colored by the equally talented Stormwatch, original can be found here

Click here for the Tvtropes page

Changelings are not what they seem to be, as Twilight and Celestia find out so soon after the invasion. In fact, Twilight becomes intimately aware of said fact. The problem is, though, she doesn't know it.
Funny what an expedition into the woods, amnesia and a queen that only wants to help can do to change a girl's life.

Twilight's life is changing very quickly and there is nothing she can do to stop it. Will Princess Celestia still look at her the same way? Will any of her friends? Is the pain worth it if they cannot accept her changes, or is it better to just join the starving?

When Cheerilee asks her students to write an essay on their greatest hero, there's only one stallion Rumble can write about. That is none other than the stallion who's loved, protected, and cared for him the most. The one who's been there when nopony else has. The one who guides him, provides for him, and leaves big horseshoes for him to fill someday.

Takes place before "Wonderbolt Academy".

Thanks to Skeeter The Lurker, Holo, iloveportalz0r, Vexy, and TheApexSovereign for editing.

Now featured on Equestria Daily!

Now with a French translation by inglobwetrust!

Rated Everyone.