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* ClipItsWings: More then one pegasus from the Isles suffers this, before or during the story, including [[spoiler: Laird Keg Smasher]].
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* ClipItsWings: More then than one pegasus from the Isles suffers this, before or during the story, including [[spoiler: Laird Keg Smasher]].
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* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: We have Bucky, Derpy, and their herd [[spoiler: which by the time of the Gryphon Diplomacy arc includes five mares, a secondary herd of four, a gryphon and his pony mate, five foals, and at least five more foals on the way]], the Mane six, the princesses, about half of Clan Pickled are named, as are some of the members of House Avarice, we have some Ponyvillian folk, and other named characters from the show itself, as well as some demons and various deities. More are expected.
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** It's possible for powerful enchanters to imbue items with their LifeForce, at the expense of shaving years off their lifespan.
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** It's possible for powerful enchanters to imbue items with their LifeForce, LifeEnergy, at the expense of shaving years off their lifespan.
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%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
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''Pegasi really are brutes.''
[[OriginalCharacter Bucky Bitters]] struggles to escape the airborne affections of Derpy Hooves after a chance encounter caused them to bump noses together. His real mistake was trying to comfort the mare after the snoot-bump. Little does the poor stallion realize that their meeting was only the prologue to a journey that will change his life and the lives around him forever.
[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/185272/the-chase The Chase]] is a ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' {{fanfic}} by [[http://www.fimfiction.net/user/kudzuhaiku kudzuhaiku]] that follows Bucky and his ever growing world down the drain of anarchy, necromancy, and deific ascension.
----
!! This story provides examples of:
* AllWomenAreLustful: Played with. As the ponies are depicted as having a biology very much akin to terrestrial horses, all mares go through a heat cycle, during which they are...well...lustful. This can be countered or minimized through magic or medicine, of course. In a more general sense, neither mares nor stallions are shown as being particularly more lustful, nor is one gender obligated to begin a courtship; it's a matter of the individual.
* AmplifierArtifact: Mentioned as a means by which powerful enchanters can become a force to be reckoned with, with the canon Alicorn Amulet as an example. [[spoiler: Bucky's new horn of fulgurite also counts.]]
* AncientArtifact: Discussed and referenced, but most powerful items encountered are not ancient.
* AnimateDead: One of the classic use of necromancy. Ponies in general are extremely disturbed by this, and zombies can be a significant threat. Amusingly, Bucky corrects several inaccurate myths perpetrated by Equestrian horror films prior to a group facing them.
* AppliedPhlebotinum: Lots and lots of magic; the story is set in a [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic world of magical ponies]]. See various other entries.
* AnthropomorphicPersonification: Alicorns are essentially this, linked to a cosmic force; Celestia to the sun and the day, Luna to the moon and the night, Cadance to love, Twilight to magic, and [[spoiler: Bucky to war and hate, if he ascends]]. Discord (chaos), [[spoiler: The Fates (fate)]], and [[spoiler: The Creator alicorn (balance)]] are other examples. Demons may or may not qualify; the jury is still out.
* AntiAntiChrist: [[spoiler: Bucky sort-of fits this role. He's destined to become the Alicorn of War, and his ascension into such would lead to the end of the world. Given that, he's actively avoiding fulfilling said destiny. Unusual in that his destiny comes not from demons or evil, but from the Creator alicorn, who is a force for balance.]]
* AnArmAndALeg: [[spoiler: Bucky and Keg Smasher]] both wind up losing one of their legs each.
* ArtifactTitle: The story was about a chase...for the first two chapters. It gets the occasional TitleDrop or use as metaphor, however.
* ArtificialLimbs: After [[spoiler: losing a leg, Bucky]] is planning on this as a solution.
* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: [[spoiler: Bucky]] is trying to avoid apotheosis, since it's linked to a potential BadFuture. Happened to [[spoiler: a pegasus from an alternate dimension after killing their version of Luna.]]
* BadPowersGoodPeople: [[spoiler: Bucky qualifies eventually; The Taint makes dark magic especially easy for him, and his shadow diving form is poisonous gas.]]
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Zig-zagged. The main characters are generally stated to be attractive, as are Celestia and Luna among others. However, many of [[TheBeautifulElite the evil nobles]] are just as pretty. And of course, after [[spoiler: his injuries, Bucky]] doesn't exactly have attractive looks -- but then, he's not necessarily "good". This is further confused by the story often being told from the point of view of a given pony, and thus having their feelings color whether or not others are described as attractive.
* BerserkButton: We've got a whole console of buttons here! Dinky has one when she can't use her magic. Derpy will smash you into paste if you harm foals, especially if those foals are her own. Similarly, Bucky becomes quite protective of his family. If you even harm a hair on their hides, what you have really done is give yourself a one-way pass into Tartarus, effective immediately, because Bucky WILL make you regret it.
* BiggerOnTheInside: Canterlot Castle contains extradimensional spaces.
* BlackMagic: Accessed by rage and hatred, useful for many things, the chance of an evil shadow of an evil overlord taking over your body notwithstanding. Comes with a form of GlowingEyesOfDoom in the style of King Sombra. Long-time users may develop this permanently as a lethal condition called Taint. The explanation for this is dark mana evaporating via the eyeballs.
* BoomHeadshot: More than one nasty creature is dispatched this way at the hooves or horn of a pony.
* BurningWithAnger: As per the image on that page, unicorns with an affinity for fire wind up in this state if they lose control.
* CallOnMe: [[spoiler: "Uncle Scorch"]] has said he will come when [[spoiler: Rising Star]] calls his name.
* CastHerd: We have separate sections and sometimes entire chapters from the perspectives of Bucky, Derpy and Berry, with some Lyra, Bon Bon and Thistle thrown in for good measure, and other sections dedicated to the foals, especially Sentinel, though Dinky and Ripple also have large swathes of their own narration.
* CerebusSyndrome: The story starts out with a fairly-innocent, slice-of-life premise, but as the story progresses, [[DarkerAndEdgier it gets darker]]. ''Much'' darker.
* CharacterFilibuster: Berry Punch's seems to be polygamy:
--> '''Berry Punch:''' “A mare should have the right to assemble with like-minded mares and form a herd. Present a united front. Engage in collective bargaining. Have the right to assemble. We deserve the power of committee. We deserve to be able to divide our labour and lighten our loads. We have a right to have motherhood as a unified group effort because it takes a herd to raise a foal. We have a right to collect and assemble mares from different backgrounds together so our foals will grow up with the broadest possible knowledge base to work with. What I know is limited, what another mare knows might also be limited, but together, we can teach all of what we know to our foals and have them prosper, and then when they have foals, that collection of knowledge can be passed on to their foals, each generation starting off a little better than the one before. I have a right to be a good mother, and share my motherhood experience with my best friends, those I love, and my fellow herdmates within marriage. And nopony has the right to take that from me. Motherhood is sacred. It is the foundation of our society and the privilege of every mare to do her part, and she shouldn’t be forced to endure this task alone, bearing the heavy brunt of all this labour on her shoulders. We deserve to be empowered!
* ClipItsWings: More then one pegasus from the Isles suffers this, before or during the story, including [[spoiler: Laird Keg Smasher]].
* CoolAirship: Exist in canon, and more explicitly exemplified in the story by the ''Scorned Mare''. The prequel story, ''The Catch'', uses them as a central feature since it's about SkyPirates.
%%* CrashIntoHello: How the story kicks off.
* CrystalBall: Bucky makes repeated use out of simple glass spheres enchanted in various ways. So far, no scrying though.
* CultureClash: One of the major recurring themes. Okay, so we've got our initial three tribes, plus a few unique spin-offs of the tribes, and the tribes themselves don't have monolithic cultures, then there's the territorial differences between the Shetland Isles and Equestria which itself is split between the monogamists in power and a variety of polygamist and/or outright homosexual groups of varying levels of extremism, and that's before you factor in the different views of magic, especially between certain other countries and Equestria. And then there are the non-pony species...
%%* CuteClumsyGirl: This is how Bucky views Derpy.
* TheDarkArts: Both dark magic and necromancy are treated as such, and both cause the same GlowingEyesOfDoom when in use. Shadow magic generally gets a pass.
* DarkIsNotEvil: In the case of dark magic and shadow magic: The former is drawn from pain and hatred, but can be put to good use; the latter can be scary, but it's largely seen as neutral, or even TheSacredDarkness to those loyal to Luna. Necromancy, on the other hand, is vile.
* TheDarkSide: Interestingly enough, typical dark magic doesn't include this; it's not very seductive and anything but pleasurable to use. In fact, overuse may lead to The Taint, a permanent and usually lethal corruption. Necromancy, on the other hand, is very much the dark side; it offers power at a premium without any apparent cost. It is eventually revealed that [[spoiler: this is because the power comes from demons, who can slip free of Tartarus when necromantic spells are cast]].
* DeflectorShields: One of many variety of defensive magics that unicorns can use. Lyra, a talented abjurer, is skill in their creation and dismantling. Bucky is not; his shields tend to get dismantled quickly, and he resorts to brute force to try and get rid of those of others.
* DepletedPhlebotinumShells: Lugus's hook-axe was able to [[spoiler: kill a banshee]], which is apparently quite difficult.
* {{Doorstopper}}: This thing is over 2,000,000 words long as of September 2015. It has over 800 chapters. The author often posts two or three chapters per ''day'', getting it to the spot of longest story on [=FIMfiction=] within a year and a half of publication. [[ArchivePanic Good luck picking this thing up.]]
* ElementalEmbodiment: Fey creatures are Fae with connection to another plane, with fire being the most commonly seen. Celestia speaks of pyromancers in this manner as well with regards to fire. The shadow essence of lunar pegasi may qualify them as embodiments as well.
* ElementalPowers: Most unicorns are found to have an element they use most easily, typically either fire, cold, or electricity, though others such as earth are possible.
* EmotionalPowers: Different elemental magics demand different sorts of emotional states for proper use; fire relies upon anger, cold upon sheer will, and electricity upon focus or concentration.
* ElementalShapeshifting: Certain ponies have a tendency to transform, in part or in whole, into their element of specialty when making elaborate use of it. Specifically, [[spoiler: Rising Star, Celestia, and Twilight can all become flame, Sparkler can become rock, and Bucky can become ice.]]
* EmotionBomb: A literal and rather disturbing case; [[spoiler: for fighting the shadow wolves, Bucky produces magical munitions that carry a sexual variant of a "want it, need it" spell, tuned so it would not affect ponies. The results of one of these "rape bombs" going off is best not thought about for too long, and certainly incapacitating for the wolves in the area.]]
* EmpathicHealer: Non-necromantic healing requires that the healer endure the pain of the injury or malady that they are healing (but not to actually become wounded or ill themselves). For this reason, healers are rarer than the actual healing abilities themselves, and healers tend to charge quite a bit for their services.
* EntropyAndChaosMagic: The former is [[spoiler: actually what Bucky's cold specialty comes from]], and the latter is exemplified by Discord.
* EquivalentExchange: Magic requires mana, which is generally derived from food consumed by ponies. Further, transmutations need ''something'' to be transformed. Powerful unicorns can make things out of mana alone, but this generally demands the objects be related to their affinity or talent.
* ExplosiveOverclocking: A unicorn who uses too much magic risks having their horn crack or break. As healing a horn requires a large amount of mana (and thus food), such unicorns will die of starvation without medical attention. Happens to [[spoiler: Bucky, thanks in part to a quirk of destiny, when he digs deep to save Dinky from a brainwashed Ponyville]].
* EyeScream: [[spoiler: Bucky]] has half of his face torn off, eye including. He has to get the remains of it scooped out before it festered.
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: Anytime the Shadow Wolves get their teeth in something. Also extends to the demise of [[spoiler: their master]], and basically any user of dark magic.
* FantasticLightSource: Unicorns can cast light spells, and their horns glow while being charged. Also, sunstones and [[spoiler: Bucky's false eye]] are gems enchanted to shed light.
* FantasticRacism: Present between the three kinds of ponies, inspired by the the story of the Founding of Equestria in the show proper. According to the other two tribes, pegasai are brutes, earth ponies are numbskulls, and unicorns are snobs, respectively. Exploring the causes and consequences of such "tribalism" is one of the major themes of the story, beginning with the protagonists' efforts to overcome cultural differences between their races and escalating to [[spoiler: moving politically for greater inter-race and inter-species unity.]]
* FantasyGunControl: Guns exist in this setting, originally the creation of Gryphons looking for better ways to fight unicorns and their magic, but they are tremendously uncommon thanks to the "global firearms ban ultimatum" -- likely Celestia's work. Not in place during the prequel ''The Catch'', which takes place about two-hundred years prior and starring a gun-wielding unicorn.
* FartsOnFire: Happens in chapter 134:
-->"Dragonfire!" Dinky shouted as she ignited her flatulence. There was a gout of flame that shot from her backside and scorched the grass. She felt a wash of heat as the flames gushed forth. As soon as the flames died down, she sat down in the grass to extinguish anything that might be smouldering.
* FeeFiFauxPas: The story is kicked off by one of these, with Bucky accidentally giving the wrong signals to Derpy after bumping into her. He notes later that the tribes still don't communicate with each other that well.
* TheFettered: Played with somewhat with Bucky, along with TheUnfettered. He's really not a bad guy, and he will not harm his fellow ponies; this is in part due to the traumas he has endured, and partly because [[spoiler: Sombra's memories and his potential destiny are THAT scary]].
* {{Fireballs}}: Given [[spoiler: Rising Star's]] specialty, it should not come as a surprise.
* FireIceLightning: The three most comment or most well-known elemental affinities among unicorns.
* FlamingHair: Unicorns with fire affinities, at least when [[BurningWithAnger angry]], using powerful fire magic, or occasionally when simply alone together.
* ForcedSleep: Available by unicorn magic, though it has seen more therapeutic use than aggressive.
* FullPotentialUpgrade: [[spoiler: After healing from having his horn crack, Bucky finds himself with much more power -- which tends to make his horn spark and smoke. Thus, he makes plans to replace it with a new horn which can take the power without breaking again.]]
* FunctionalMagic: Obviously. The base format is Inherent Gift, as per canon; all ponies have magic, and among them unicorns can cast actual spells. Several known flavors of magic are observed, which may be sub-divided into schools or disciplines.
** Harmony Magic: the basic type of magic which unicorns channel, which permeates the universe, and which flows along {{Ley Line}}s.
** Chaos Magic: unpredictable and difficult to manipulate with harmony magic, chaos magic is used by Discord, as well as by unicorns in a sufficiently agitated state of mind. It is said to be "soured" harmony magic.
** Dark Magic: magic drawn out through negative emotions rather than harmony, dark magic is capable of some rather nasty things, and is often thought of as evil. Overuse is dangerous, as it can lead to acquiring The Taint.
** Necromancy: while largely similar to dark magic, and visually indistinguishable, necromancy offers power over the undead, painless healing, and various other effects with surprisingly little effort. It is revealed that this is because [[spoiler: it lets demons enter Equestria]].
** Healing: very similar to Necromancy in regards to healing, but very different in that the unicorn doing the healing is required to go through the same injury or trauma that necessitated the healing in the first place, with all the pain and suffering it brought, i.e. Going through the pain of having your own arm broken to heal someone else's broken arm. It's generally perceived as being a rare branch of magic, but it's really that not many unicorns want to go through all of that pain. Needless to say, but those that DO practice this charge a pretty bit for their services. The other difference between Necromantic and Healing is that Healing doesn't help demons escape Tartarus.
** Music: apparently has a magic all its own, which can be blended with other forms. Some pegasi can naturally tap into it to evoke emotion and tap into nature. Further, as it turns out, the gryphons' true calling is to bring the magic of music to the world, with one of their head deities, Odin, being a patron of the arts, and doing everything he can to bring it to light.
** Shadow Magic: a blending of harmony and dark magic, shadow magic is difficult for most unicorns to access. The specialty of Princess Luna and inherent to lunar pegasi, it allows for such feats as diving into dreams and temporary portal creation.
* {{Geas}}: Capable of being placed by powerful casters, and apparently inherent to fae creatures and their promises.
* GodInHumanForm: Celestia and Luna are presented as being something akin to this, though both enjoy being "just ponies" when given the opportunity.
* {{Golem}}: One of [[spoiler: Bucky's]] visions of a BadFuture include golems made of spell jars full of nasty spells, such that they will release deadly magics when damaged. See also Improvised Golems.
* GoodWingsEvilWings: Subverted and discussed; lunar pegasi suffer prejudice for having bat-like wings (among other things), yet are no more likely to be good or evil than any other pegasus. Similarly, despite having feathered wings, gryphons are portrayed as especially vicious and predatory. (Gryphons being a ProudWarriorRace in at least one caste may be considered one "straight" example)
* GroinAttack: Berry breaks the 'peace' between House Avarice and Clan Pickled when she justly delivers a beating upon Primrose Propers. She also attempts to ensure no more foals will be born to such an undeserving mare.
* HarmfulToTouch: the blade of Lugus's hook-axe should not be touched, period.
* {{Hellfire}}: Demons with access to infernal flames can burn ''anything'', given power, time, and a desire for it to be burned. [[spoiler: Rising Star gets access to this sort of fire as well after being tricked into becoming a fey unicorn.]]
* HeroicRROD: When it comes to heroics, Bucky has a habit of overworking himself, and suffers for it.
* ImprovisedGolems: While bored, [[spoiler: Bucky]] whips together a couple of miniature ponies made from ice. Which then copulate.
* InsistentTerminology:
** from chapter 34:
--->'''Luna:''' You struck my sister.\\
'''Twilight:''' No, I swatted your sister.
** [[spoiler: One of Bucky's foals, Harper, insists on referring to Bucky as "Mama". The little unicorn is prone to zapping ponies who contradict her on this topic.]]
* InvoluntaryShapeshifting: Thistle and other kelpies adopt a hippocampus-like form in the water.
* AnIcePerson: While any unicorn with sufficient power and will can cast ice spells, a specialty in ice is uncommon. Bucky exhibits this, eventually getting to the point of minor frost effects coming from some of his non-ice spells.
* KudzuPlot: Unusually appropriate in this case, considering the [[MeaningfulName author's own username]]. Arc after arc of the story has come and gone, with plot points being started and characters being introduced, [[PutonaBus and then not acknowledged]] [[TheBusCameBack until much later]] when deemed relevant.
* LeyLine: Specifically exist in Equestria, and the most powerful unicorns as well as alicorns can tap into them to fuel their magic. Lesser unicorns who attempt are generally driven mad.
* LightningGun: They exist as airship armament, presumably magical.
* LiteralSurveillanceBug: [[spoiler: Dinky]] gets access to these as part of her talent, though with actual insects rather than robots.
* LivingBattery: A light example; unicorns store magical energy, and even the least powerful can have that energy extracted -- indeed, there are factories dedicated to doing so to provide the power to mass-produce simple magic items, and the process is not at all uncomfortable (if a little boring).
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: We have Bucky, Derpy, and their herd [[spoiler: which by the time of the Gryphon Diplomacy arc includes five mares, a secondary herd of four, a gryphon and his pony mate, five foals, and at least five more foals on the way]], the Mane six, the princesses, about half of Clan Pickled are named, as are some of the members of House Avarice, we have some Ponyvillian folk, and other named characters from the show itself, as well as some demons and various deities. More are expected.
* LoyalPhlebotinum: Certain magical items demonstrate this trait, and can be built with it in mind; see OnlyTheChosenMayWield.
* MamaBear: Many mares, with Derpy as the prime example. Pegasai mares are said to be especially prone to this, almost to the point of being a [[PlanetOfHats Hat]].
* MageMarksman: Rye Mash, the main character from the prequel story ''The Catch'', is this -- though more marksman than mage. Bloody Velvet, who he learned gunplay from, is the reverse.
* MagicAIsMagicA: Present in force; magic is well-defined and consistent.
* AMagicContractComesWithAKiss: [[spoiler: A pyrodryad wanted a kiss in exchange for an acorn to grant Rising Star power. Granted, it was too good to be true; she was impregnated by the kiss and he was turned into a fey unicorn and swept off to Tartarus. Never trust the fey.]]
* MagicEnhancement: All sorts! Magical weapons, spells to make yourself stronger or lighter, and of course earth pony magic works this way for them all the time. [[spoiler: Further, Sparkler and Rising Star have their magical potential increased through magical means.]]
* MagicIsMental: Played straight and subverted. Magic must be learned, and its use demands mental discipline and fortitude, but it is part of the physical laws of the universe, and a unicorn's magical strength is also a matter of their physical ability to channel magic. Further, it uses up mana, which [[EquivalentExchange comes from what they eat]].
* MagicMusic: Music has a magic all it's own; it was used in conjunction with harmony magic by Lyra Heartstrings to counteract a magical fear effect. It is also used by certain pegasi to guide nature or evoke emotion -- in fact, the pegasi who can do so arrange bird song each morning to set the tone of each day. When one remembers just how Equestrian weather happens, this does seem like the sort of thing ponies would do.
* MagicalAccessory: Bucky's [[spoiler: torque]] has a minor enchantment on it.
* MagicalEye: Thanks to injury, one of [[spoiler: Bucky's]] eyes is destroyed, and eventually replaced with false eye consisting of a gem embedded in glass. It's connected to his magic system, but as of yet can only shine green light.
* MagicalIncantation: Spells have words, which when spoken (or thought) are tied to a given spell effect. When young unicorns are taught a simple blinking flare to be used in emergencies (to summon pegasi), they are taught the incantation "Whenever I am all alone / And I am too scared to think / Whenever I need some help / I flash my light and blink!"
* {{Magitek}}: A great deal of modern Equestrian technology. Given the [[SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic approach]] taken by pony society, it fits.
* {{Mana}}: Used to do magic, produced biologically from food; this demands unicorns eat heartily after impressive spellcasting (and they can actually starve since food is diverted to replenish mana before being digested for sustenance).
* MentalWorld: Luna can enter the dreams of her subjects and through that explore their minds, and often uses the ability to give them psychological aid.
* {{Metamorphosis}}: [[spoiler: Bucky]] has gradually adopted more shadow essence after [[spoiler: upgrading his horn and encountering the crystal lich's power sources]], to the point of being the [[spoiler: first "lunar unicorn". Or lunacorn.]]
* MulticulturalAlienPlanet: Implied by the show proper, the various cultures and species featured in *are depicted as quite different indeed. In the simplest sense, the pony types or tribes have differences in culture which largely arise from their biology. On an international scale, there are the warlike and nationalistic gryphons (and their servile smaller kin), the mercantile minotaurs, and various pony nations outside Equestria proper. Conflicts between species and/or countries play a large role within the story, complete with some FantasticRacism.
* MundaneUtility: Magic is used more often to improve lives and make tasks quicker and easier ([[EquivalentExchange at the cost of calories]]) than it is to do combat.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Lugus, while still a ProudWarriorRaceGuy, has a different sense of honor than many gryphons; he is caring where they are brutal, he can be modest where they would shame the weakness that modesty suggests. He even went as far as to [[spoiler: undergo painful surgery to remove his feline penile barbs to avoid hurting any lovers he may take.]] This is drilled in by his adoptive pony daughter, his curiosity about ponies and their customs, and [[spoiler: his wife, the pegasi Yew Wood.]]
%%* NatureSpirit: The Fae.
* NaturalWeapon: Several examples.
** All ponies have hooves, which are devastating when used by strong earth ponies or dive bombing pegasi, especially with weighted shoes.
** Carnivorous ponies such as lunar pegasi and kelpies have fangs -- though they are intended for use on prey, not other ponies.
** Gryphons have potent weapons in the form of their beak and claws, but tend to use held weapons for actual combat.
** Presumably a unicorn's horn could be stabbed with, but there are no examples of such; their magic is a much more efficient weapon.
** [[spoiler: Bucky's new leg]] has claws and a tail as well.
** Various animals and monsters have expected natural weapons; wolves have fangs, wyverns have fangs and a stinger on their tail, and so forth.
* {{Necromancer}}: A crystal lich, [[spoiler: Bucky's grandfather]]. Lyra Heartstrings is notably curious about necromancy as well [[spoiler: at least until the cost is revealed]].
* OffWithHisHead: Happens to one very surprised banshee.
* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: The end result of weapons and armor attuned to a being's magical signature, such as [[spoiler: Bucky's armor and Ripple's combat shoes]].
* PapaWolf: Most notably [[spoiler: Bucky]] to his foals -- and, in fact, foals in general.
* PlanetOfHats: The lunar pegasai and large breed of gryphons wear the ProudWarriorRace hat. The former live up to it well, the latter are a more pragmatic and nationalistic variant.
* PlayingWithFire: Any unicorn with enough power can use it, while some such as Celestia, Twilight, and [[spoiler: Rising Star]] have an affinity for it. Also exhibited by certain non-ponies, including a fiery dryad, phoenixes, and some demons.
* PowerLevels: Unicorns are divided into five by ability.
** Type One unicorns can manage telekinesis and a few spells generally limited to their affinity or special talent; this is fairly common.
** Type Two unicorns, only slightly less common, are also capable of learning to cast many spells, and delving into magic related to their special talent more deeply. Examples include Rising Star and Sparkler.
** Type Three unicorns are able to cast just about any spell so long as they can learn them, and are capable of more overt feats such as conjuring matter out of nothing. Examples include Dinky and Bucky [[spoiler: to begin with]]
** Type Four unicorns are about the peak of unicorn ability; they have lots and lots of power at hand, can tap into {{Ley Line}}s for a boost. Examples include pre-ascension Twilight Sparkle, Starswirl the Bearded.
** Type Five is alicorn-level, applying to the greater and the lesser alicorns both; atop everything in Type Four, they have even more power at their command, and gain strength through their related cosmic force or concept. It could be sub-divided, but ponies don't need the rankings to go any higher, as this is unattainable outside rare events such as ascension.
* PowerNullifier: Magical inhibitors exist, and are used on criminals. The dark crystals that Sombra can cause to sprout from a unicorn's horn are similarly restricting.
* ThePowerOfCreation: Strong enough unicorns can use transmutation to turn objects into other sorts of objects. Exemplified when rocks are transformed into furnature. This is deep magic, however, and rather exhausting.
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Suggested as a route to power to a distraught Trixie by [[spoiler: Bucky]]. May or may not be a MagicFeather in her case.
* ThePowerOfLove: Cadance, as the alicorn of love, draws power from it rather literally. In a more metaphorical sense, love is shown to be a tremendous force for good; it helps broken and neurotic unicorns, it brings confidence, and it lends the strength to defend.
* PowerOfTrust: Linked to ThePowerOfLove, this provides in a similar manner; trust helps Loch Skimmer and Ripple come out of their shells, provides a basis for the love of Bucky's family in general, and tightens bonds during training or practice in magic or martial pursuits.
* PowerSource: Several are mentioned:
** Unicorns tap into Harmony Magic, which relies upon mana in their bodies, which is converted from food they consume; it's both finite and comes with a downside for overuse.
** More powerful unicorns can tap into {{Ley Line}}s, which are a nigh-infinite source of magic.
** Necromancy is easier to use because at least some of the power [[spoiler: comes from demons, who are allowed into the world by its use]].
** Alicorns gain power from whatever cosmic force or concept they are aligned with. By way of example, Princess Cadance grows more powerful in the presence of strong love.
** It's possible for powerful enchanters to imbue items with their LifeForce, at the expense of shaving years off their lifespan.
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: Lugus, though he is an outcast.
* {{Ramscoop}}: Or, rather, a cloudscoop is featured on modern airships to keep their balloons stuffed with cloudstuff; it saves on pegasus labor.
* RemovingTheHeadOrDestroyingTheBrain: Doesn't work to de-animate zombies, though it might make them less effective.
* TheSacredDarkness: Shadow magic is generally seen in this sense by Luna's followers, such as the lunar pegasi. Given that she's essentially a deity of the night, and a proper balance with the light represented by Celestia, this makes sense.
* SaidBookism: while kudzu occasionally uses the word "said", the fic is rife with its replacements.
-->"I'm sorry if I hurt you, I'm really strong. I just wanted to say thank you," said Derpy sadly, her features now downcast.\\
"You could have just said so," muttered Bucky.\\
"But I did say so!" replied Derpy, now looking like she was on the verge of tears.\\
"A few words would do," snarked Bucky.\\
"We pegasi think words are meaningless and we rely on physical action," explained Derpy, one tear sliding down her muzzle and then landing on Bucky's muzzle.
* ScrewLearningIHavePhlebotinum: Toyed with; thanks to their communing, Dinky, Sparkler, and Rising Star all gain magical insight from Bucky. However, they still require further lessons.
* SelfHealingPhlebotinum: [[spoiler: Bucky's armor]] will gradually repair any damage done to it, up to an extent. [[spoiler: The armor can't regenerate from nothing. The armor is lost in the equivalent of a nuclear explosion, utterly vaporizing the armor, forcing Bucky to consider alternatives.]]
* ShapeshifterBaggage: Ripple's aquatic form is notably larger thanks to her tail.
* ShapeShifting: Several variants have been shown thus far, including InvoluntaryShapeshifting, ElementalShapeshifting, a variant based on SuperSmoke and one using {{Metamorphosis}}.
* SolarAndLunar: A common motif, given Celestia and Luna. Also present in pegasi; solar pegasi are the bird-winged, diurnal sort typically encountered with weather-manipulating powers, while lunar pegasi are the nocturnal, bat-winged, and can shadow dive. [[spoiler: Bucky, after being infused with shadow, may be the first lunar unicorn.]]
* SolidClouds: As per canon, pegasi can walk on (and nap on) clouds. Slightly less typically, airships are explained as using super-condensed cloudstuff as a lighter-than-air gas in their balloons.
* SpellBook: As with any self-respecting mage in a setting involving SpellConstruction, Bucky has one. He's also gifted a very...[[PowerPerversionPotential personal]] one by Celestia [[spoiler: after he's married]] (to his utter embarrassment), and [[spoiler: books of powerful (and dark) magic by Luna after his return from the Isles.]]
* SpellConstruction: While detail is usually omitted, spells apparently have [[MagicalIncantation words]] which must be said (or thought) when used. This is the form in which they are written in a spellbook.
* StrongerWithAge: Implied of alicorns, true of dragons.
* SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic: Magic is largely treated in this manner by unicorns and the few other ponies educated in its study. [[spoiler: One of the goals of the Founder's Forge, Bucky's academy, is to expand such education to all species, not just one tribe of equines.]] Given that Apple Bloom was crowned the Princess of Agriculture, and an Earth Pony to boot, it's safe to say it's so far a success.
* SummonMagic: It can be used to summon demons.
* SummonToHand: Lugus's [[spoiler: Bucky-made]] hook-axe teleports back to him if thrown.
* SupernaturalSensitivity: Setting aside the fantasy-standard AuraVision spells and the like, ponies of all sorts have been implied to be able to sense workings of deep or powerful magic, usually in the bits of their body most closely linked to their own magic (hooves, wings, or horns for the three typical kinds).
* SuperSmoke: Lunar pegasi can turn into living shadow, with a few variations such as [[DeadlyGas noxious gas]] or [[BallOfLightTransformation a Will'o'wisp light]].
* TailSlap: Occasionally used by ponies to chide or as another part of body language. A viable (and deadly) combat option for [[spoiler: Bucky]], thanks to [[spoiler: Bucky's armor (while he had it) including a dragon-like tail]].
* TakenForGranite: [[spoiler: Sparkler, once upgraded to Type Three,]] finds she is capable of petrifying her enemies, which is unheard of outside of alicorn-level magic.
* ThatMakesMeFeelAngry: Seen occasionally, most often for humorous effect or [[JustifiedTrope justified]] during conversations about emotions or nonverbal communication. As an example of the former:
-->'''Rising Star:''' I'm very confused!\\
'''Sparkler:''' So am I!
* ToiletHumour: Present both in the story and in the humor of characters therein. Especially prevalent are fart jokes, ranging from a unicorn foal enchanting a loaf of bread to make fart noises when sliced to the running gag of pegasai being flatulent.
* TheToothHurts: After [[spoiler: Derpy]] gives Keg Smasher a righteous thrashing, he winds up missing several teeth. Sour Mash is also missing a tooth by her appearance in the story thanks to participating in a fight club.
* TimeTravel: Sometimes, to make a truly extraordinary item, you need help. Sometimes, that help is you. It is extremely high-level magic, and it takes rigorous discipline and talent to pull it off.
* TheUnfettered: Played with somewhat with Bucky, along with TheFettered. He has plenty of moments, given that he [[spoiler: willingly uses dark magic]], but he does it for his foals, his family, and for Equestria at large. Again, he does not harm his fellow ponies. (That doesn't mean he's above frightening them to keep them in line, and don't even get him started about his mother...)
* {{Tsundere}}: Many of the characters are this, but the most concisely described case is Sparkler, described by Rising Star as "She of the confusing come hither stare and she of the stay away from me scowl".
* TurnUndead: As-yet unavailable in-setting, which is a real shame; the best they can manage is detection (which requires necromancy). [[spoiler: Or luring them by altering the enchantment.]] Somewhat averted, when Sparkler (a geomancer, i.e. can turn to stone and petrify monsters) and Bucky (can turn into a massive ice golem if pushed, or you threaten his family and home) get smashed into literal pieces; Sparkler was facing a demon made of diseased flesh and Bucky was taking on several platoons of mirror invaders. They were technically dead, but thankfully they put themselves back together. Both of them describe it as an unpleasant and diminishing experience, as if your perspective were suddenly reduced to that of a bug.
* UglyGuyHotWife: [[spoiler: After his injuries, Bucky and his wives fit this trope -- though they'd be upset with anyone who pointed it out.]]
* UpgradeArtifact: Generally averted; magical equipment is useful, but one must still know how to use it. Other artifacts are entirely useless because the original creator died. See Loyal Phlebotinum.
* WallCrawl: Unicorns can use a spell to make themselves stick to walls and ceilings. Bucky did so as a foal as part of a prank involving inky hoofprints, and later as an adult when [[spoiler: fleeing his coronation.]]
* WeatherManipulation: Usually the domain of pegasi, but everyone helps out for the changing of the seasons. Can be done by some advance unicorn magics, and [[spoiler: as Bucky becomes Lord of Winter, he is tasked with creating the first snowfall of the season]].
* {{Whatevermancy}}: From Cryomancy to Pyromancy, and Geomancy to Necromancy. Necromancy comes with [[spoiler: the added bonus of summoning demons into Equestria!]]
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Unicorns, especially powerful unicorns and those from Canterlot, are subject to this; they are susceptible to various neuroses which may be partially caused by having to keep their magic controlled and in check, by demons or other powerful beings whispering to them, and by the isolation and reservation held by Canterlot unicorns as an ideal. Bucky himself is quite neurotic as the story opens. [[spoiler: It's later learned that the herd structure is a huge boon against these problems, as it acts as a support structure for the unicorn(s). This is one of the points in bringing the herd system back into Equestria.]]
* WolverineClaws: [[spoiler: Bucky is considering a set of these made of ice for his artificial limb.]]
* WreathedInFlames: Powerful unicorns with a talent for fire tend to do this; full-blown pyromancers may be wreathed while meditating. Scorch is a primordial fire spirit, and can take any form he wishes, depending on who he's with.
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%% Administrivia/ZeroContextExample entries are not allowed on wiki pages. All such entries have been commented out. Add context to the entries before uncommenting them.
%%
''Pegasi really are brutes.''
[[OriginalCharacter Bucky Bitters]] struggles to escape the airborne affections of Derpy Hooves after a chance encounter caused them to bump noses together. His real mistake was trying to comfort the mare after the snoot-bump. Little does the poor stallion realize that their meeting was only the prologue to a journey that will change his life and the lives around him forever.
[[http://www.fimfiction.net/story/185272/the-chase The Chase]] is a ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' {{fanfic}} by [[http://www.fimfiction.net/user/kudzuhaiku kudzuhaiku]] that follows Bucky and his ever growing world down the drain of anarchy, necromancy, and deific ascension.
----
!! This story provides examples of:
* AllWomenAreLustful: Played with. As the ponies are depicted as having a biology very much akin to terrestrial horses, all mares go through a heat cycle, during which they are...well...lustful. This can be countered or minimized through magic or medicine, of course. In a more general sense, neither mares nor stallions are shown as being particularly more lustful, nor is one gender obligated to begin a courtship; it's a matter of the individual.
* AmplifierArtifact: Mentioned as a means by which powerful enchanters can become a force to be reckoned with, with the canon Alicorn Amulet as an example. [[spoiler: Bucky's new horn of fulgurite also counts.]]
* AncientArtifact: Discussed and referenced, but most powerful items encountered are not ancient.
* AnimateDead: One of the classic use of necromancy. Ponies in general are extremely disturbed by this, and zombies can be a significant threat. Amusingly, Bucky corrects several inaccurate myths perpetrated by Equestrian horror films prior to a group facing them.
* AppliedPhlebotinum: Lots and lots of magic; the story is set in a [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic world of magical ponies]]. See various other entries.
* AnthropomorphicPersonification: Alicorns are essentially this, linked to a cosmic force; Celestia to the sun and the day, Luna to the moon and the night, Cadance to love, Twilight to magic, and [[spoiler: Bucky to war and hate, if he ascends]]. Discord (chaos), [[spoiler: The Fates (fate)]], and [[spoiler: The Creator alicorn (balance)]] are other examples. Demons may or may not qualify; the jury is still out.
* AntiAntiChrist: [[spoiler: Bucky sort-of fits this role. He's destined to become the Alicorn of War, and his ascension into such would lead to the end of the world. Given that, he's actively avoiding fulfilling said destiny. Unusual in that his destiny comes not from demons or evil, but from the Creator alicorn, who is a force for balance.]]
* AnArmAndALeg: [[spoiler: Bucky and Keg Smasher]] both wind up losing one of their legs each.
* ArtifactTitle: The story was about a chase...for the first two chapters. It gets the occasional TitleDrop or use as metaphor, however.
* ArtificialLimbs: After [[spoiler: losing a leg, Bucky]] is planning on this as a solution.
* AscendToAHigherPlaneOfExistence: [[spoiler: Bucky]] is trying to avoid apotheosis, since it's linked to a potential BadFuture. Happened to [[spoiler: a pegasus from an alternate dimension after killing their version of Luna.]]
* BadPowersGoodPeople: [[spoiler: Bucky qualifies eventually; The Taint makes dark magic especially easy for him, and his shadow diving form is poisonous gas.]]
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Zig-zagged. The main characters are generally stated to be attractive, as are Celestia and Luna among others. However, many of [[TheBeautifulElite the evil nobles]] are just as pretty. And of course, after [[spoiler: his injuries, Bucky]] doesn't exactly have attractive looks -- but then, he's not necessarily "good". This is further confused by the story often being told from the point of view of a given pony, and thus having their feelings color whether or not others are described as attractive.
* BerserkButton: We've got a whole console of buttons here! Dinky has one when she can't use her magic. Derpy will smash you into paste if you harm foals, especially if those foals are her own. Similarly, Bucky becomes quite protective of his family. If you even harm a hair on their hides, what you have really done is give yourself a one-way pass into Tartarus, effective immediately, because Bucky WILL make you regret it.
* BiggerOnTheInside: Canterlot Castle contains extradimensional spaces.
* BlackMagic: Accessed by rage and hatred, useful for many things, the chance of an evil shadow of an evil overlord taking over your body notwithstanding. Comes with a form of GlowingEyesOfDoom in the style of King Sombra. Long-time users may develop this permanently as a lethal condition called Taint. The explanation for this is dark mana evaporating via the eyeballs.
* BoomHeadshot: More than one nasty creature is dispatched this way at the hooves or horn of a pony.
* BurningWithAnger: As per the image on that page, unicorns with an affinity for fire wind up in this state if they lose control.
* CallOnMe: [[spoiler: "Uncle Scorch"]] has said he will come when [[spoiler: Rising Star]] calls his name.
* CastHerd: We have separate sections and sometimes entire chapters from the perspectives of Bucky, Derpy and Berry, with some Lyra, Bon Bon and Thistle thrown in for good measure, and other sections dedicated to the foals, especially Sentinel, though Dinky and Ripple also have large swathes of their own narration.
* CerebusSyndrome: The story starts out with a fairly-innocent, slice-of-life premise, but as the story progresses, [[DarkerAndEdgier it gets darker]]. ''Much'' darker.
* CharacterFilibuster: Berry Punch's seems to be polygamy:
--> '''Berry Punch:''' “A mare should have the right to assemble with like-minded mares and form a herd. Present a united front. Engage in collective bargaining. Have the right to assemble. We deserve the power of committee. We deserve to be able to divide our labour and lighten our loads. We have a right to have motherhood as a unified group effort because it takes a herd to raise a foal. We have a right to collect and assemble mares from different backgrounds together so our foals will grow up with the broadest possible knowledge base to work with. What I know is limited, what another mare knows might also be limited, but together, we can teach all of what we know to our foals and have them prosper, and then when they have foals, that collection of knowledge can be passed on to their foals, each generation starting off a little better than the one before. I have a right to be a good mother, and share my motherhood experience with my best friends, those I love, and my fellow herdmates within marriage. And nopony has the right to take that from me. Motherhood is sacred. It is the foundation of our society and the privilege of every mare to do her part, and she shouldn’t be forced to endure this task alone, bearing the heavy brunt of all this labour on her shoulders. We deserve to be empowered!
* ClipItsWings: More then one pegasus from the Isles suffers this, before or during the story, including [[spoiler: Laird Keg Smasher]].
* CoolAirship: Exist in canon, and more explicitly exemplified in the story by the ''Scorned Mare''. The prequel story, ''The Catch'', uses them as a central feature since it's about SkyPirates.
%%* CrashIntoHello: How the story kicks off.
* CrystalBall: Bucky makes repeated use out of simple glass spheres enchanted in various ways. So far, no scrying though.
* CultureClash: One of the major recurring themes. Okay, so we've got our initial three tribes, plus a few unique spin-offs of the tribes, and the tribes themselves don't have monolithic cultures, then there's the territorial differences between the Shetland Isles and Equestria which itself is split between the monogamists in power and a variety of polygamist and/or outright homosexual groups of varying levels of extremism, and that's before you factor in the different views of magic, especially between certain other countries and Equestria. And then there are the non-pony species...
%%* CuteClumsyGirl: This is how Bucky views Derpy.
* TheDarkArts: Both dark magic and necromancy are treated as such, and both cause the same GlowingEyesOfDoom when in use. Shadow magic generally gets a pass.
* DarkIsNotEvil: In the case of dark magic and shadow magic: The former is drawn from pain and hatred, but can be put to good use; the latter can be scary, but it's largely seen as neutral, or even TheSacredDarkness to those loyal to Luna. Necromancy, on the other hand, is vile.
* TheDarkSide: Interestingly enough, typical dark magic doesn't include this; it's not very seductive and anything but pleasurable to use. In fact, overuse may lead to The Taint, a permanent and usually lethal corruption. Necromancy, on the other hand, is very much the dark side; it offers power at a premium without any apparent cost. It is eventually revealed that [[spoiler: this is because the power comes from demons, who can slip free of Tartarus when necromantic spells are cast]].
* DeflectorShields: One of many variety of defensive magics that unicorns can use. Lyra, a talented abjurer, is skill in their creation and dismantling. Bucky is not; his shields tend to get dismantled quickly, and he resorts to brute force to try and get rid of those of others.
* DepletedPhlebotinumShells: Lugus's hook-axe was able to [[spoiler: kill a banshee]], which is apparently quite difficult.
* {{Doorstopper}}: This thing is over 2,000,000 words long as of September 2015. It has over 800 chapters. The author often posts two or three chapters per ''day'', getting it to the spot of longest story on [=FIMfiction=] within a year and a half of publication. [[ArchivePanic Good luck picking this thing up.]]
* ElementalEmbodiment: Fey creatures are Fae with connection to another plane, with fire being the most commonly seen. Celestia speaks of pyromancers in this manner as well with regards to fire. The shadow essence of lunar pegasi may qualify them as embodiments as well.
* ElementalPowers: Most unicorns are found to have an element they use most easily, typically either fire, cold, or electricity, though others such as earth are possible.
* EmotionalPowers: Different elemental magics demand different sorts of emotional states for proper use; fire relies upon anger, cold upon sheer will, and electricity upon focus or concentration.
* ElementalShapeshifting: Certain ponies have a tendency to transform, in part or in whole, into their element of specialty when making elaborate use of it. Specifically, [[spoiler: Rising Star, Celestia, and Twilight can all become flame, Sparkler can become rock, and Bucky can become ice.]]
* EmotionBomb: A literal and rather disturbing case; [[spoiler: for fighting the shadow wolves, Bucky produces magical munitions that carry a sexual variant of a "want it, need it" spell, tuned so it would not affect ponies. The results of one of these "rape bombs" going off is best not thought about for too long, and certainly incapacitating for the wolves in the area.]]
* EmpathicHealer: Non-necromantic healing requires that the healer endure the pain of the injury or malady that they are healing (but not to actually become wounded or ill themselves). For this reason, healers are rarer than the actual healing abilities themselves, and healers tend to charge quite a bit for their services.
* EntropyAndChaosMagic: The former is [[spoiler: actually what Bucky's cold specialty comes from]], and the latter is exemplified by Discord.
* EquivalentExchange: Magic requires mana, which is generally derived from food consumed by ponies. Further, transmutations need ''something'' to be transformed. Powerful unicorns can make things out of mana alone, but this generally demands the objects be related to their affinity or talent.
* ExplosiveOverclocking: A unicorn who uses too much magic risks having their horn crack or break. As healing a horn requires a large amount of mana (and thus food), such unicorns will die of starvation without medical attention. Happens to [[spoiler: Bucky, thanks in part to a quirk of destiny, when he digs deep to save Dinky from a brainwashed Ponyville]].
* EyeScream: [[spoiler: Bucky]] has half of his face torn off, eye including. He has to get the remains of it scooped out before it festered.
* FamilyUnfriendlyDeath: Anytime the Shadow Wolves get their teeth in something. Also extends to the demise of [[spoiler: their master]], and basically any user of dark magic.
* FantasticLightSource: Unicorns can cast light spells, and their horns glow while being charged. Also, sunstones and [[spoiler: Bucky's false eye]] are gems enchanted to shed light.
* FantasticRacism: Present between the three kinds of ponies, inspired by the the story of the Founding of Equestria in the show proper. According to the other two tribes, pegasai are brutes, earth ponies are numbskulls, and unicorns are snobs, respectively. Exploring the causes and consequences of such "tribalism" is one of the major themes of the story, beginning with the protagonists' efforts to overcome cultural differences between their races and escalating to [[spoiler: moving politically for greater inter-race and inter-species unity.]]
* FantasyGunControl: Guns exist in this setting, originally the creation of Gryphons looking for better ways to fight unicorns and their magic, but they are tremendously uncommon thanks to the "global firearms ban ultimatum" -- likely Celestia's work. Not in place during the prequel ''The Catch'', which takes place about two-hundred years prior and starring a gun-wielding unicorn.
* FartsOnFire: Happens in chapter 134:
-->"Dragonfire!" Dinky shouted as she ignited her flatulence. There was a gout of flame that shot from her backside and scorched the grass. She felt a wash of heat as the flames gushed forth. As soon as the flames died down, she sat down in the grass to extinguish anything that might be smouldering.
* FeeFiFauxPas: The story is kicked off by one of these, with Bucky accidentally giving the wrong signals to Derpy after bumping into her. He notes later that the tribes still don't communicate with each other that well.
* TheFettered: Played with somewhat with Bucky, along with TheUnfettered. He's really not a bad guy, and he will not harm his fellow ponies; this is in part due to the traumas he has endured, and partly because [[spoiler: Sombra's memories and his potential destiny are THAT scary]].
* {{Fireballs}}: Given [[spoiler: Rising Star's]] specialty, it should not come as a surprise.
* FireIceLightning: The three most comment or most well-known elemental affinities among unicorns.
* FlamingHair: Unicorns with fire affinities, at least when [[BurningWithAnger angry]], using powerful fire magic, or occasionally when simply alone together.
* ForcedSleep: Available by unicorn magic, though it has seen more therapeutic use than aggressive.
* FullPotentialUpgrade: [[spoiler: After healing from having his horn crack, Bucky finds himself with much more power -- which tends to make his horn spark and smoke. Thus, he makes plans to replace it with a new horn which can take the power without breaking again.]]
* FunctionalMagic: Obviously. The base format is Inherent Gift, as per canon; all ponies have magic, and among them unicorns can cast actual spells. Several known flavors of magic are observed, which may be sub-divided into schools or disciplines.
** Harmony Magic: the basic type of magic which unicorns channel, which permeates the universe, and which flows along {{Ley Line}}s.
** Chaos Magic: unpredictable and difficult to manipulate with harmony magic, chaos magic is used by Discord, as well as by unicorns in a sufficiently agitated state of mind. It is said to be "soured" harmony magic.
** Dark Magic: magic drawn out through negative emotions rather than harmony, dark magic is capable of some rather nasty things, and is often thought of as evil. Overuse is dangerous, as it can lead to acquiring The Taint.
** Necromancy: while largely similar to dark magic, and visually indistinguishable, necromancy offers power over the undead, painless healing, and various other effects with surprisingly little effort. It is revealed that this is because [[spoiler: it lets demons enter Equestria]].
** Healing: very similar to Necromancy in regards to healing, but very different in that the unicorn doing the healing is required to go through the same injury or trauma that necessitated the healing in the first place, with all the pain and suffering it brought, i.e. Going through the pain of having your own arm broken to heal someone else's broken arm. It's generally perceived as being a rare branch of magic, but it's really that not many unicorns want to go through all of that pain. Needless to say, but those that DO practice this charge a pretty bit for their services. The other difference between Necromantic and Healing is that Healing doesn't help demons escape Tartarus.
** Music: apparently has a magic all its own, which can be blended with other forms. Some pegasi can naturally tap into it to evoke emotion and tap into nature. Further, as it turns out, the gryphons' true calling is to bring the magic of music to the world, with one of their head deities, Odin, being a patron of the arts, and doing everything he can to bring it to light.
** Shadow Magic: a blending of harmony and dark magic, shadow magic is difficult for most unicorns to access. The specialty of Princess Luna and inherent to lunar pegasi, it allows for such feats as diving into dreams and temporary portal creation.
* {{Geas}}: Capable of being placed by powerful casters, and apparently inherent to fae creatures and their promises.
* GodInHumanForm: Celestia and Luna are presented as being something akin to this, though both enjoy being "just ponies" when given the opportunity.
* {{Golem}}: One of [[spoiler: Bucky's]] visions of a BadFuture include golems made of spell jars full of nasty spells, such that they will release deadly magics when damaged. See also Improvised Golems.
* GoodWingsEvilWings: Subverted and discussed; lunar pegasi suffer prejudice for having bat-like wings (among other things), yet are no more likely to be good or evil than any other pegasus. Similarly, despite having feathered wings, gryphons are portrayed as especially vicious and predatory. (Gryphons being a ProudWarriorRace in at least one caste may be considered one "straight" example)
* GroinAttack: Berry breaks the 'peace' between House Avarice and Clan Pickled when she justly delivers a beating upon Primrose Propers. She also attempts to ensure no more foals will be born to such an undeserving mare.
* HarmfulToTouch: the blade of Lugus's hook-axe should not be touched, period.
* {{Hellfire}}: Demons with access to infernal flames can burn ''anything'', given power, time, and a desire for it to be burned. [[spoiler: Rising Star gets access to this sort of fire as well after being tricked into becoming a fey unicorn.]]
* HeroicRROD: When it comes to heroics, Bucky has a habit of overworking himself, and suffers for it.
* ImprovisedGolems: While bored, [[spoiler: Bucky]] whips together a couple of miniature ponies made from ice. Which then copulate.
* InsistentTerminology:
** from chapter 34:
--->'''Luna:''' You struck my sister.\\
'''Twilight:''' No, I swatted your sister.
** [[spoiler: One of Bucky's foals, Harper, insists on referring to Bucky as "Mama". The little unicorn is prone to zapping ponies who contradict her on this topic.]]
* InvoluntaryShapeshifting: Thistle and other kelpies adopt a hippocampus-like form in the water.
* AnIcePerson: While any unicorn with sufficient power and will can cast ice spells, a specialty in ice is uncommon. Bucky exhibits this, eventually getting to the point of minor frost effects coming from some of his non-ice spells.
* KudzuPlot: Unusually appropriate in this case, considering the [[MeaningfulName author's own username]]. Arc after arc of the story has come and gone, with plot points being started and characters being introduced, [[PutonaBus and then not acknowledged]] [[TheBusCameBack until much later]] when deemed relevant.
* LeyLine: Specifically exist in Equestria, and the most powerful unicorns as well as alicorns can tap into them to fuel their magic. Lesser unicorns who attempt are generally driven mad.
* LightningGun: They exist as airship armament, presumably magical.
* LiteralSurveillanceBug: [[spoiler: Dinky]] gets access to these as part of her talent, though with actual insects rather than robots.
* LivingBattery: A light example; unicorns store magical energy, and even the least powerful can have that energy extracted -- indeed, there are factories dedicated to doing so to provide the power to mass-produce simple magic items, and the process is not at all uncomfortable (if a little boring).
* LoadsAndLoadsOfCharacters: We have Bucky, Derpy, and their herd [[spoiler: which by the time of the Gryphon Diplomacy arc includes five mares, a secondary herd of four, a gryphon and his pony mate, five foals, and at least five more foals on the way]], the Mane six, the princesses, about half of Clan Pickled are named, as are some of the members of House Avarice, we have some Ponyvillian folk, and other named characters from the show itself, as well as some demons and various deities. More are expected.
* LoyalPhlebotinum: Certain magical items demonstrate this trait, and can be built with it in mind; see OnlyTheChosenMayWield.
* MamaBear: Many mares, with Derpy as the prime example. Pegasai mares are said to be especially prone to this, almost to the point of being a [[PlanetOfHats Hat]].
* MageMarksman: Rye Mash, the main character from the prequel story ''The Catch'', is this -- though more marksman than mage. Bloody Velvet, who he learned gunplay from, is the reverse.
* MagicAIsMagicA: Present in force; magic is well-defined and consistent.
* AMagicContractComesWithAKiss: [[spoiler: A pyrodryad wanted a kiss in exchange for an acorn to grant Rising Star power. Granted, it was too good to be true; she was impregnated by the kiss and he was turned into a fey unicorn and swept off to Tartarus. Never trust the fey.]]
* MagicEnhancement: All sorts! Magical weapons, spells to make yourself stronger or lighter, and of course earth pony magic works this way for them all the time. [[spoiler: Further, Sparkler and Rising Star have their magical potential increased through magical means.]]
* MagicIsMental: Played straight and subverted. Magic must be learned, and its use demands mental discipline and fortitude, but it is part of the physical laws of the universe, and a unicorn's magical strength is also a matter of their physical ability to channel magic. Further, it uses up mana, which [[EquivalentExchange comes from what they eat]].
* MagicMusic: Music has a magic all it's own; it was used in conjunction with harmony magic by Lyra Heartstrings to counteract a magical fear effect. It is also used by certain pegasi to guide nature or evoke emotion -- in fact, the pegasi who can do so arrange bird song each morning to set the tone of each day. When one remembers just how Equestrian weather happens, this does seem like the sort of thing ponies would do.
* MagicalAccessory: Bucky's [[spoiler: torque]] has a minor enchantment on it.
* MagicalEye: Thanks to injury, one of [[spoiler: Bucky's]] eyes is destroyed, and eventually replaced with false eye consisting of a gem embedded in glass. It's connected to his magic system, but as of yet can only shine green light.
* MagicalIncantation: Spells have words, which when spoken (or thought) are tied to a given spell effect. When young unicorns are taught a simple blinking flare to be used in emergencies (to summon pegasi), they are taught the incantation "Whenever I am all alone / And I am too scared to think / Whenever I need some help / I flash my light and blink!"
* {{Magitek}}: A great deal of modern Equestrian technology. Given the [[SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic approach]] taken by pony society, it fits.
* {{Mana}}: Used to do magic, produced biologically from food; this demands unicorns eat heartily after impressive spellcasting (and they can actually starve since food is diverted to replenish mana before being digested for sustenance).
* MentalWorld: Luna can enter the dreams of her subjects and through that explore their minds, and often uses the ability to give them psychological aid.
* {{Metamorphosis}}: [[spoiler: Bucky]] has gradually adopted more shadow essence after [[spoiler: upgrading his horn and encountering the crystal lich's power sources]], to the point of being the [[spoiler: first "lunar unicorn". Or lunacorn.]]
* MulticulturalAlienPlanet: Implied by the show proper, the various cultures and species featured in *are depicted as quite different indeed. In the simplest sense, the pony types or tribes have differences in culture which largely arise from their biology. On an international scale, there are the warlike and nationalistic gryphons (and their servile smaller kin), the mercantile minotaurs, and various pony nations outside Equestria proper. Conflicts between species and/or countries play a large role within the story, complete with some FantasticRacism.
* MundaneUtility: Magic is used more often to improve lives and make tasks quicker and easier ([[EquivalentExchange at the cost of calories]]) than it is to do combat.
* MySpeciesDothProtestTooMuch: Lugus, while still a ProudWarriorRaceGuy, has a different sense of honor than many gryphons; he is caring where they are brutal, he can be modest where they would shame the weakness that modesty suggests. He even went as far as to [[spoiler: undergo painful surgery to remove his feline penile barbs to avoid hurting any lovers he may take.]] This is drilled in by his adoptive pony daughter, his curiosity about ponies and their customs, and [[spoiler: his wife, the pegasi Yew Wood.]]
%%* NatureSpirit: The Fae.
* NaturalWeapon: Several examples.
** All ponies have hooves, which are devastating when used by strong earth ponies or dive bombing pegasi, especially with weighted shoes.
** Carnivorous ponies such as lunar pegasi and kelpies have fangs -- though they are intended for use on prey, not other ponies.
** Gryphons have potent weapons in the form of their beak and claws, but tend to use held weapons for actual combat.
** Presumably a unicorn's horn could be stabbed with, but there are no examples of such; their magic is a much more efficient weapon.
** [[spoiler: Bucky's new leg]] has claws and a tail as well.
** Various animals and monsters have expected natural weapons; wolves have fangs, wyverns have fangs and a stinger on their tail, and so forth.
* {{Necromancer}}: A crystal lich, [[spoiler: Bucky's grandfather]]. Lyra Heartstrings is notably curious about necromancy as well [[spoiler: at least until the cost is revealed]].
* OffWithHisHead: Happens to one very surprised banshee.
* OnlyTheChosenMayWield: The end result of weapons and armor attuned to a being's magical signature, such as [[spoiler: Bucky's armor and Ripple's combat shoes]].
* PapaWolf: Most notably [[spoiler: Bucky]] to his foals -- and, in fact, foals in general.
* PlanetOfHats: The lunar pegasai and large breed of gryphons wear the ProudWarriorRace hat. The former live up to it well, the latter are a more pragmatic and nationalistic variant.
* PlayingWithFire: Any unicorn with enough power can use it, while some such as Celestia, Twilight, and [[spoiler: Rising Star]] have an affinity for it. Also exhibited by certain non-ponies, including a fiery dryad, phoenixes, and some demons.
* PowerLevels: Unicorns are divided into five by ability.
** Type One unicorns can manage telekinesis and a few spells generally limited to their affinity or special talent; this is fairly common.
** Type Two unicorns, only slightly less common, are also capable of learning to cast many spells, and delving into magic related to their special talent more deeply. Examples include Rising Star and Sparkler.
** Type Three unicorns are able to cast just about any spell so long as they can learn them, and are capable of more overt feats such as conjuring matter out of nothing. Examples include Dinky and Bucky [[spoiler: to begin with]]
** Type Four unicorns are about the peak of unicorn ability; they have lots and lots of power at hand, can tap into {{Ley Line}}s for a boost. Examples include pre-ascension Twilight Sparkle, Starswirl the Bearded.
** Type Five is alicorn-level, applying to the greater and the lesser alicorns both; atop everything in Type Four, they have even more power at their command, and gain strength through their related cosmic force or concept. It could be sub-divided, but ponies don't need the rankings to go any higher, as this is unattainable outside rare events such as ascension.
* PowerNullifier: Magical inhibitors exist, and are used on criminals. The dark crystals that Sombra can cause to sprout from a unicorn's horn are similarly restricting.
* ThePowerOfCreation: Strong enough unicorns can use transmutation to turn objects into other sorts of objects. Exemplified when rocks are transformed into furnature. This is deep magic, however, and rather exhausting.
* ThePowerOfFriendship: Suggested as a route to power to a distraught Trixie by [[spoiler: Bucky]]. May or may not be a MagicFeather in her case.
* ThePowerOfLove: Cadance, as the alicorn of love, draws power from it rather literally. In a more metaphorical sense, love is shown to be a tremendous force for good; it helps broken and neurotic unicorns, it brings confidence, and it lends the strength to defend.
* PowerOfTrust: Linked to ThePowerOfLove, this provides in a similar manner; trust helps Loch Skimmer and Ripple come out of their shells, provides a basis for the love of Bucky's family in general, and tightens bonds during training or practice in magic or martial pursuits.
* PowerSource: Several are mentioned:
** Unicorns tap into Harmony Magic, which relies upon mana in their bodies, which is converted from food they consume; it's both finite and comes with a downside for overuse.
** More powerful unicorns can tap into {{Ley Line}}s, which are a nigh-infinite source of magic.
** Necromancy is easier to use because at least some of the power [[spoiler: comes from demons, who are allowed into the world by its use]].
** Alicorns gain power from whatever cosmic force or concept they are aligned with. By way of example, Princess Cadance grows more powerful in the presence of strong love.
** It's possible for powerful enchanters to imbue items with their LifeForce, at the expense of shaving years off their lifespan.
* ProudWarriorRaceGuy: Lugus, though he is an outcast.
* {{Ramscoop}}: Or, rather, a cloudscoop is featured on modern airships to keep their balloons stuffed with cloudstuff; it saves on pegasus labor.
* RemovingTheHeadOrDestroyingTheBrain: Doesn't work to de-animate zombies, though it might make them less effective.
* TheSacredDarkness: Shadow magic is generally seen in this sense by Luna's followers, such as the lunar pegasi. Given that she's essentially a deity of the night, and a proper balance with the light represented by Celestia, this makes sense.
* SaidBookism: while kudzu occasionally uses the word "said", the fic is rife with its replacements.
-->"I'm sorry if I hurt you, I'm really strong. I just wanted to say thank you," said Derpy sadly, her features now downcast.\\
"You could have just said so," muttered Bucky.\\
"But I did say so!" replied Derpy, now looking like she was on the verge of tears.\\
"A few words would do," snarked Bucky.\\
"We pegasi think words are meaningless and we rely on physical action," explained Derpy, one tear sliding down her muzzle and then landing on Bucky's muzzle.
* ScrewLearningIHavePhlebotinum: Toyed with; thanks to their communing, Dinky, Sparkler, and Rising Star all gain magical insight from Bucky. However, they still require further lessons.
* SelfHealingPhlebotinum: [[spoiler: Bucky's armor]] will gradually repair any damage done to it, up to an extent. [[spoiler: The armor can't regenerate from nothing. The armor is lost in the equivalent of a nuclear explosion, utterly vaporizing the armor, forcing Bucky to consider alternatives.]]
* ShapeshifterBaggage: Ripple's aquatic form is notably larger thanks to her tail.
* ShapeShifting: Several variants have been shown thus far, including InvoluntaryShapeshifting, ElementalShapeshifting, a variant based on SuperSmoke and one using {{Metamorphosis}}.
* SolarAndLunar: A common motif, given Celestia and Luna. Also present in pegasi; solar pegasi are the bird-winged, diurnal sort typically encountered with weather-manipulating powers, while lunar pegasi are the nocturnal, bat-winged, and can shadow dive. [[spoiler: Bucky, after being infused with shadow, may be the first lunar unicorn.]]
* SolidClouds: As per canon, pegasi can walk on (and nap on) clouds. Slightly less typically, airships are explained as using super-condensed cloudstuff as a lighter-than-air gas in their balloons.
* SpellBook: As with any self-respecting mage in a setting involving SpellConstruction, Bucky has one. He's also gifted a very...[[PowerPerversionPotential personal]] one by Celestia [[spoiler: after he's married]] (to his utter embarrassment), and [[spoiler: books of powerful (and dark) magic by Luna after his return from the Isles.]]
* SpellConstruction: While detail is usually omitted, spells apparently have [[MagicalIncantation words]] which must be said (or thought) when used. This is the form in which they are written in a spellbook.
* StrongerWithAge: Implied of alicorns, true of dragons.
* SufficientlyAnalyzedMagic: Magic is largely treated in this manner by unicorns and the few other ponies educated in its study. [[spoiler: One of the goals of the Founder's Forge, Bucky's academy, is to expand such education to all species, not just one tribe of equines.]] Given that Apple Bloom was crowned the Princess of Agriculture, and an Earth Pony to boot, it's safe to say it's so far a success.
* SummonMagic: It can be used to summon demons.
* SummonToHand: Lugus's [[spoiler: Bucky-made]] hook-axe teleports back to him if thrown.
* SupernaturalSensitivity: Setting aside the fantasy-standard AuraVision spells and the like, ponies of all sorts have been implied to be able to sense workings of deep or powerful magic, usually in the bits of their body most closely linked to their own magic (hooves, wings, or horns for the three typical kinds).
* SuperSmoke: Lunar pegasi can turn into living shadow, with a few variations such as [[DeadlyGas noxious gas]] or [[BallOfLightTransformation a Will'o'wisp light]].
* TailSlap: Occasionally used by ponies to chide or as another part of body language. A viable (and deadly) combat option for [[spoiler: Bucky]], thanks to [[spoiler: Bucky's armor (while he had it) including a dragon-like tail]].
* TakenForGranite: [[spoiler: Sparkler, once upgraded to Type Three,]] finds she is capable of petrifying her enemies, which is unheard of outside of alicorn-level magic.
* ThatMakesMeFeelAngry: Seen occasionally, most often for humorous effect or [[JustifiedTrope justified]] during conversations about emotions or nonverbal communication. As an example of the former:
-->'''Rising Star:''' I'm very confused!\\
'''Sparkler:''' So am I!
* ToiletHumour: Present both in the story and in the humor of characters therein. Especially prevalent are fart jokes, ranging from a unicorn foal enchanting a loaf of bread to make fart noises when sliced to the running gag of pegasai being flatulent.
* TheToothHurts: After [[spoiler: Derpy]] gives Keg Smasher a righteous thrashing, he winds up missing several teeth. Sour Mash is also missing a tooth by her appearance in the story thanks to participating in a fight club.
* TimeTravel: Sometimes, to make a truly extraordinary item, you need help. Sometimes, that help is you. It is extremely high-level magic, and it takes rigorous discipline and talent to pull it off.
* TheUnfettered: Played with somewhat with Bucky, along with TheFettered. He has plenty of moments, given that he [[spoiler: willingly uses dark magic]], but he does it for his foals, his family, and for Equestria at large. Again, he does not harm his fellow ponies. (That doesn't mean he's above frightening them to keep them in line, and don't even get him started about his mother...)
* {{Tsundere}}: Many of the characters are this, but the most concisely described case is Sparkler, described by Rising Star as "She of the confusing come hither stare and she of the stay away from me scowl".
* TurnUndead: As-yet unavailable in-setting, which is a real shame; the best they can manage is detection (which requires necromancy). [[spoiler: Or luring them by altering the enchantment.]] Somewhat averted, when Sparkler (a geomancer, i.e. can turn to stone and petrify monsters) and Bucky (can turn into a massive ice golem if pushed, or you threaten his family and home) get smashed into literal pieces; Sparkler was facing a demon made of diseased flesh and Bucky was taking on several platoons of mirror invaders. They were technically dead, but thankfully they put themselves back together. Both of them describe it as an unpleasant and diminishing experience, as if your perspective were suddenly reduced to that of a bug.
* UglyGuyHotWife: [[spoiler: After his injuries, Bucky and his wives fit this trope -- though they'd be upset with anyone who pointed it out.]]
* UpgradeArtifact: Generally averted; magical equipment is useful, but one must still know how to use it. Other artifacts are entirely useless because the original creator died. See Loyal Phlebotinum.
* WallCrawl: Unicorns can use a spell to make themselves stick to walls and ceilings. Bucky did so as a foal as part of a prank involving inky hoofprints, and later as an adult when [[spoiler: fleeing his coronation.]]
* WeatherManipulation: Usually the domain of pegasi, but everyone helps out for the changing of the seasons. Can be done by some advance unicorn magics, and [[spoiler: as Bucky becomes Lord of Winter, he is tasked with creating the first snowfall of the season]].
* {{Whatevermancy}}: From Cryomancy to Pyromancy, and Geomancy to Necromancy. Necromancy comes with [[spoiler: the added bonus of summoning demons into Equestria!]]
* WithGreatPowerComesGreatInsanity: Unicorns, especially powerful unicorns and those from Canterlot, are subject to this; they are susceptible to various neuroses which may be partially caused by having to keep their magic controlled and in check, by demons or other powerful beings whispering to them, and by the isolation and reservation held by Canterlot unicorns as an ideal. Bucky himself is quite neurotic as the story opens. [[spoiler: It's later learned that the herd structure is a huge boon against these problems, as it acts as a support structure for the unicorn(s). This is one of the points in bringing the herd system back into Equestria.]]
* WolverineClaws: [[spoiler: Bucky is considering a set of these made of ice for his artificial limb.]]
* WreathedInFlames: Powerful unicorns with a talent for fire tend to do this; full-blown pyromancers may be wreathed while meditating. Scorch is a primordial fire spirit, and can take any form he wishes, depending on who he's with.
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