Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, Fanfic Plan for 2014 and-Oh dear gosh, bats! Bats everywhere! Ahhhhh! · 7:56pm Dec 28th, 2013
Is it just me or does the fandom love making it a thing about Twilight walking in on such situations? I guess she does work best for such circumstances. Anyway, it's a little late and I forgot to do my usual digital cards but I hope you all had a spiffing Christmas. I did of course with much family enjoyment coming from my brothers and I playing Super Mario 3D World, playing the logo board game (how my family can't tell what a Monster Munch looks like I'll never know) and seeing my brother's face as he hypes himself up for a flat screen TV and gets an ironing board instead. Seriously, the look on his face was priceless. Even more amusing is picturing him purchasing my Fluttershy toy from Build-a-bear; it is a scene I wish I could have witnessed.
Fanfiction Progress
Now I could go into depth about how progress on The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess is going but other than saying that the 4th chapter isn't done yet there isn't much else to say. I'll admit, I dropped the ball on this one. I didn't get enough written before uploading and worried too much about having you waiting long enough as it was. As a result it was started at poor timing for me, particularly as I attempt to juggle an ongoing, randomly updating SSB fanfic alongside it. So instead, as the last blog post of the year, I figured I'd inform you of my fanfiction plans for next year.
First up, The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess. I'm not sure when I will get the 4th chapter finished, proof-read and uploaded. The obvious time though would be January. I shouldn't take any longer than that unless I'm hospitalised or something unexpected like that. Point is, while I'm unsure of the exact time it'll be uploaded I can generalise the date. I can also remind you that I still plan on taking a short break after uploading the 4th chapter. This break will be somewhere between 4-6 weeks and is for a multitude of reasons. Two of those relating to fanfiction, the 1st being to properly sort things out for further chapters of The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess. I'll be able to get chapter 5 done for sure in that time, and with some luck, chapter 6. Furthermore I'll organise my notes in a cleaner manner, to make it easier to look at and remember the scene I wished to type.
My second reason relates to other fanfiction. One of the more immediate ones in that period being my SSB fanfic, Smashing Reactions. For those of you unaware I also write Super Smash Bros fanfiction and have one going on wherein each chapter is about a newcomer revealed for the upcoming SSB4. A newcomer was recently revealed and as such I have a new chapter to write. Obviously I don't know when else I'll be doing chapters for this fanfic or even how many there will be but it should be done this year. Provided not all newcomers are revealed by the time the game releases I'll probably keep on writing for, doing a chapter for each newcomer as I learn of them, but once the game has released I can put it on the backbench and hold off on writing chapters, placing complete priority on The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess.
On the topic of Super Smash Bros fanfiction there are also 2 other one-shots I wish to do within that year. One of them being a short and humorous story and the other being my most emotional, personal and hopefully grandest fanfic to date. It is representation of all that fanfiction means to me. Naturally though I have no set date for these one-shots so other than a desire to write them up next year they shall not interfere with The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess.
Back on that topic, given my lack of knowledge concerning the start and return of my break I do not have the clearest of ideas when The Shy Knight and the Rainbow Princess will be finished. Given previous estimations and guesses, though expanding its field of time to take into account possible delays, I imagine the fanfic will be finished from anywhere between July to September. That gives me time for a fanfic or two concerning ponies. In that time I do wish to write my Twilight and Pinkie comedy one-shot, Pliable transparent plastic material with regularly spaced, protruding air-filled hemispheres fun! (yes, that's its name) as well as another fanfic that may very well be done before then.
I of course speak of mine and NintendoGal's collab Openly Secret Date. We are still working on it and I hope to deliver it to you next year. It is a matter of us both finding time for it but we should get it done in 2014.
That is all I need to say. There are other ideas bubbling about in my head, both MLP wise and SSB wise (also Bravely Default wise because it is hard to pull myself away from that game and so many jokes can be made based on the job mechanic) so don't be surprised to see an unexpected one-shot or two. I hope you'll enjoy my fanfiction writing in 2014 and I wish you luck with all of yours.
Other Episode Reviews for Power Ponies
James Corck
Thejboy88
NintendoGal55
Zyr1987
Episode Review of Bats!
My opinion on this episode was a bit of a rollercoaster, with conflicting thoughts on various events that changed as things went on. Even with the episode having ended there are some things I can’t even deduce whether they’ll be ultimately good or not as they are details to whom the truly quality will be determined by how they are looked back on in future. To explain simpler, this episode has a plot twist, one that could potentially impact later episodes in the series and as such this review will be a bit more spoiler-ific than usual. Just thought I should give you the heads up.
The first enjoyable moment of this episode came from the opening, a very short one at that and yet the imagery of Applejack swirling around as apples fall around her is perfect. From there on the next noteworthy thing, aside from the hilariously dramatic Applejack that we rarely see, is the song. Applejack and Fluttershy’s duet is one of the conflicting things of the episode for me and leads onto a 2nd conflicting detail. That is best covered in the negatives but as for the positives, the differing tones between Applejack and Fluttershy’s parts of the song are perfect. Applejack has a Halloween vibe to them, spooky and grim, whereas Fluttershy is uplifting and serene, Disney like as it were. The types of song contrast but the shift between the two tones works.
From there on, aside from one joke concerning Rainbow Dash and her clear need to attend alcoholic anonymous, there isn’t much to stand out. A negative that I will get to later but it is at this point that things mellow down, the neutral zone of the episode. Thus the best point to explain plot: Vampire Fruit Bats have invades Applejack’s orchard and she wants to kick them out. Fluttershy disagrees and suggests building them a sanctuary to eat their apples there instead. Twilight then mediates a solution, a magic spell which strikes me as being the exact same one she used on the Parasprites back in Swarm of the Century, but requires Fluttershy to use the Stare to garner their attention. Fluttershy is reluctant but agrees, Twilight uses her spell and everything is peachy… then plot twist happens, a good one at that.
Applejack finds the apples still being sucked dry, but the Vampire Fruit Bats aren’t responsible. So Twilight orders the group to do one of my favourite things any character can do in a series, orders the group for a stake-out. It is then, with the setting changed to the partially ravage Apple Farm at night, where atmosphere and animation become amazing. It’s spooky, chilling and most of all, delightful. The presentation of the setting works wonders and builds up intrigue, even if part way through the mystery you’ll understand what is happening. The big plot spoiler that occurs in this episode was a plot twist that I did not see coming from the summary not beginning of the episode: Fluttershy becomes a vampire pony.
It is brilliant. Vampire Fluttershy’s design, or FlutterBat as Pinkie jokes, is incredibly done. Her design is great, her actions add to the spooky atmosphere. Even the plethora of jokes that Pinkie and Rarity dish out (oh, by the way Pinkie is great in this episode) don’t diminish the mood.
Eventually of course they get Fluttershy to return to her normal self and Applejack does build a sanctuary for the Vampire Fruit Bats. We get delivered two great morals, a seemingly consistent thing for this season and through the delivery of these morals earlier negatives of this episode are soothed over as they finally make sense. Then there is one last moment, but that will be its own section after the negatives.
As for the negatives, I feel there to be two of them in this episode and both are of the conflicting nature. I guess I’d say a 3rd would be that mellow, middle bit to this episode which feels rather dull; it leads to great things but still feels kind of ‘meh’.
Anyway, first up is the song, or more precisely the end of the song. It starts as a duet between Applejack and Fluttershy, but then all the others join in. Not as a chorus though, they sing along with Applejack and it ends turns out rather dark. It feels like they’re staring down at Fluttershy, bullying her. It doesn’t help when Fluttershy curls up in a ball, cowering at their words and the sheer nasty tone it has. It’s very off-putting to an otherwise enjoyable song and feels very out of character. For Applejack it makes sense, she has personal stakes in all this and it is her who is supposed to learn the lesson so I feel at odds in the way they depict the other’s participation in the song.
My other negative is Fluttershy’s apprehension to using the stare. She does explain as to why she doesn’t want to use it but I feel she’d be more for it when it is offered as the only peaceful solution to the problem. There are other small nit-picks but ultimately everything is soothed out by the 3rd act and the moral to the episode.
There is one final factor of this episode to discuss then, the very last moments of this episode. It is neither a positive nor a negative because as of the moment it cannot be determined, we have yet to see its affect. So spoiler warning, at the end of the episode where everyone is laughing and having a good time the screen zooms up on Fluttershy… she still has fangs. So apparently Fluttershy is still a vampire pony, at least according to this episode. This is either a positive or a negative depending on the case. If this is a series factor, Fluttershy is a vampire pony and it will be noted as such in the future, then this is brilliant and opens up the doorway for new and interesting ideas much like Twilight becoming an Alicorn. If not though then it was an unnecessary tease and by a standard, a lie, a falsification made just to have a dramatic ending. Now I was okay with such a thing in Castle Mane-ia because it was to do with an unintroduced figure who we need never know about. As for this one though, this has an impact on a recurring main character who we will continue to see consistently. Its impact is far greater and will be clearly apparent if never shown. So you’ll have to bide your time on my opinion on this factor which has the potential to change my score.
At the end of all things, despite some conflicting aspects and uncertainties, what I do know of this episode is that it has many quality aspects. This is certainly so for the later half where the animation, humour, suspense, atmosphere, scenery, action and characters are all top notch. It’s a bit on the lower end of the scale but I reward Bats! an 8/10, it’s a Fantastic episode.
The ending of the song definitely bugged me. It was as wonderful as Gaston vs Belle until the others took AJ's side mid song. I think it would have been fine if the last bit was cut out instead of doubly explaining the side the friends were going to take. Not to mention, the whole time they show RD being unsure about AJ's argument and then being immediately gung-ho about it. With the time they could have saved with a slightly shorter song, they could have done this:
RD: I dunno AJ, I've known Shy a long time and she's never been wrong about animals.
AJ: But Rainbow Dash, if these vampire fruit bats aren't stopped we might not have enough food for Ponyville, let alone any crop left for Cider!
*dramatic gasp from RD*
RD: I'm sorry Shy, but those monsters have to be stopped! Sweet, glorious, juicy, wonderful cider is on the line!
I just have to say, Flutterbat is one of the most adorable things I have ever seen.
And yes, Dashie needs to get her little problem fixed. Even if it would ruin my "Rainbow Dash is a Ciderholic" gags that I enjoy making.
For the most part, I agree with what you said, but I have some comments I wish to make.
Okay, that is just evil, if hilariously so.
You'd love Burn Notice, then. They had stake-outs every few weeks (while explaining via voiceover why actually doing a stake-out is the perfect idea for an insomniac.
All so true, hence my new, perhaps temporary, avatar. We'll see if I can find a new Pink Floyd based one that I like.
As to Fluttershy's fangs, it's a very interesting Chekhov's gun, if they use it again. I have a feeling they won't though. Still, if anything, I can see fanfics revolving around it (Fluttershy becoming a doesn't die in the day vampire has so much ridiculous entertaining potential, especially if she only has to feed on lots of fruit)
1657251 Agreed and that example you gave would been a much better way of presenting the situation (and I don't just say this because I'm a FlutterDash fan). The song stands out as the only definite disliked element of the episode to which is a shame because it starts out great and is sung terrifically.
Ah well, a negative pops up in all episodes. It was rather odd that they all chose Applejack's side. I'd have preferred if the rest of the group stayed more neutral, then again that would have changed the course of the episode quite a bit and I'm glad it eventually progressed to the events of that brilliant 2nd half. Thank you for commenting Drankito.
1657278 True, so many jokes can arise from Rainbow Dash's cider addiction. It was nice to see it brought up again. With Fluttershy now being an Apple obsessed vampire bat though I can imagine cider day being a rather shared event between the two.
Also, yes, FlutterBat is adorable. Thanks for commenting Alchemystudent.
1658002 First off I've just got to say... love your new avatar.
I've never heard of Burn Notice before but I'll look it up. My love of stake-out initially came from NCIS, one of my favourite episodes involving a stake-out, and I love moments where a group of characters and hanging out in an area. Character interactions are my favourite thing as far as stories and shows go.
I'll be irritated if they don't use the FlutterBat again, given that ending. They hint at a huge change to a character they should go through with it, otherwise the ending makes no sense. If it doesn't eventually reap fruit (pun not intended) then I'll have to take points off this Fantastic grade episode as that would strike me as a negative. Hopefully they will come back to it, it's an interesting concept and change. Thank you for commenting Zyr.
I don't really know what to say about the episode, but I don't actually think the ending will be a recurring issue and is merely a joke. While I thought it was an amazing episode (but that song ending...lynch the bats, lynch the bats, everypony must lynch the bats)
but I'm very very split about the Flutterbat
remaining thing, since this changes the character slightly and of course the fanfics are going to be raging all over the site.
I just...
Why...
I don't know what to say...
Whatever happens Fluttershy is still Best Pony.