Site Post » Fic Spotlight #04 · 2:10am Mar 21st, 2014
>Launch Higuys.exe
>Launch It'stimeforTheRoyalGuards'StoryFeatures.exe
>Launch Thisdoesn'tactuallydoanything.exe
>Launch It'sreallytedioustowritelikethis.exe
Hi guys. It's time for The Royal Guards' Story Features! In the great word famine of '14, these gents worked ceaselessly around the clock to bring you quality literature and exciting reads... and also peoples' fanfiction!
So let's give everyone involved a round of applause. They've earned it. The authors have earned it. You've earned it. Hooray for everyone.
Anywho, one last thing to address before we get to your regularly-schedule story featuring: The Royal Guard is on the look-out for promising new prereaders who can help them read through stories. Recent personal business and emu attacks have left the Guard somewhat undermanned as of late, which makes it hard to get through submissions half as quickly as we'd like. So if you think you've got the chops to be a PR for The Royal Guard, you should totally consider applying. More details on how to sign up can be found here.
(TRG not responsible for damages caused by emu attacks while on duty)
-The Royal Guard Group
-Submit Your Story!
-The Royal Guard's Reviewing Omnibus
-Join The Guard!
NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO, TIME FOR YOUR FANFICTION:
This Week:
Dark
Twilight Sparkle: Night Shift, by JawJoe
The Cellist of Saraneighvo, by Ruirik
The Star in Yellow, by Blueshift
Under a Luminous Sky, by Jake the Army Guy
Sad
Making Friends, by Pascoite
A Bolder Note Than This, by The Headless Horsepony
Slice of Life
Fiddlesticks!, by Tigerhorse
Insomnia, by Pale Horse
The Carrot Dog Fight, by xjuggernaughtx
You Lose Some, You Winsome, by Arwhale
Comedy
Scootaloathe, by FanOfMostEverything
Romance
The Sweetest Gem, by The Rarispy
Desert Rose, by Golden Vision
Love and Barriers, by CvBrony
You might think that Equestrian nights are but serene exhibitions of Luna's work on the sky. You may believe that you can just lay out on the grass and admire the beautiful stars as a warm evening breeze caresses your mane. And you would be wrong.
Equestria is a magical place, and where there is magic, there is chaos. Dead rising from their graves, inanimate objects coming to life, strange apparitions making your foal cry in her room... sounds familiar? No? Then I'm doing my job right.
I'm Twilight Sparkle, and I work the Night Shift.
Will I like this?: "A dark and intriguing story with a stylish twist to the Equestria we see in the show." —PR Pearple Prose
They said mighty Saraneighvo would never fall.
They said proud Saraneighvo would never weep.
They said old Saraneighvo could never die.
In the darkest of days, we find solace in whatever we can.
Will I like this?: “This story pictures all the sadness and loss of a city without hope. It's dark and intriguing, but with just enough heart and soul put into it that you can't help but go, ‘Incredible.’” —PR Figments
Deep in the Royal Library is a book. A terrible book that is said to send whoever reads it mad. A book so dangerous that it has to be hidden away and secured with chains to prevent it from ever being opened.
A book which has just been accidently checked out by Spike on behalf of Twilight Sparkle.
The Star In Yellow is rising once more, and only Rainbow Dash and Spike can save Twilight before it's too late. Ideas live forever. Ponies do not.
Will I like this?: "A very chilling, almost Lovecraftian story about a peculiar book. Fans of horror and the supernatural will enjoy this." —PR Pearple Prose
Ponyville, the humble village known for its peaceful tranquility, is shaken to its core when a body is discovered in the Everfree Forest. As the townsponies grieve, the strange, pale Special Agent Bentgrass, from Their Majesties' Royal Investigative Service, arrives at the Books and Branches library and drags Twilight into a world she's only read about: lies, corruption, suspicion, and murder.
Faced with an indifferent police force, and Agent Bentgrass's infuriating methods, Twilight must put the pieces together and catch the killer. But as blood continues to spill and questions pile up, one thing is terrifyingly clear: in the dark of the Everfree, much more is at play than mere murder.
Will I like this?: "If you're in the market for some darker fare, look no further. This tense, tightly-plotted mystery will keep you hooked from start to finish.” —PR Prak
Lyra and Bethany hoped their friendship would last forever. But children rarely consider the full impact of their promises. Tomorrow never comes, after all.
Will I like this?: Don't let the "Human" tag turn you away; this story is quite an unusual take on the relationship between our world and Equestria, as well as a genuinely touching story about a girl and her pony friend. —PR Headless
Octavia Melody has performed for hundreds of audiences across Equestria, and left every one breathless. She has come so far, become one of the most celebrated musicians in the kingdom, and this concert will be her crowning achievement. Tonight, she will play before the Princesses themselves.
This is not her story.
Will I like this?: “Sometimes, when living with an unrealized, hopeless dream, living vicariously is not an option but the only option… no matter the cost.” —PR q7randomguy
Octavia has a musical history and a side to herself she'd rather not have to explain outside of Ponyville. Inside Ponyville... well, everything was fine until she spotted Vinyl Scratch. What was she doing here?
Don't panic, Octavia! Don't freak out, don't lose your mind, don't....
Oh well.
Will I like this?: You'll smile reading this fic, and not just because it's got more than a few genuinely funny moments; not just because it knows how to send the levity level into a crescendo. You'll smile because it's not just genuinely funny – it's genuine. The characters and relationships in Fiddlesticks! all struck me as beautifully believable and honest, and I bet that if you click on that link up there, they'll strike you in the same way. —PR R5h
Finding herself unable to sleep, Princess Celestia occupies her mind by penning a letter to Twilight Sparkle. But for a weary princess, the mind has a tendency to wander…
Will I like this?: What does a goddess do when she cannot sleep? Writes letters, apparently. A very nice look into the mindset and thought processes of Princess Celestia. —PR Headless
Lunchnapping! That's what it was. A brazen crime in broad daylight. The delicious carrot dog was in Spike's claw one moment and airborne the next, spirited away by a flying thief.
Now, Spike's on a mission to get back what's his. Unfortunately for him, city birds are a lot tougher than they look.
Will I like this?: “This short story's simple premise belies a much stronger tale than you'd expect at first glance. If you're a Spike fan, or if you just want a unique story that holds true to the show's themes while adding depth to its world, you owe it to yourself to check this one out.” —PR Prak
Having been many months since the last one, Rainbow Dash and Scootaloo decide it would be a fun idea to take another weekend camping trip up to Winsome Falls in the spring. But on their first night in the tent, Scootaloo accidentally wakes up Rainbow Dash in the middle of the night... and ends up revealing an embarrassing secret.
She's wet the bed.
Will I like this?: “A tale whose strength lies not in a complex tale, or a dramatic turn of events for its players, but in a situation that's as mundane as it is important. Dash and Scootaloo are well presented, their relationship remaining genuine from start to finish, and the situation they find themselves in presented in a well-meaning way. A good short read for those looking for a simple, yet meaningful little story.” —PR Garnot.
To Catch Up With The Sun, by Dark Avenger
The Cutie Mark Crusaders tell Zecora how they earned their cutie marks. Zecora returns with a story of her own.
Will I like this?: "It starts off as any other day for the Cutie Mark Crusaders. Then, it becomes something decidedly more magical as Zecora narrates to them her story, and the meaning of her mark. In 14,000 words, author Dark Avenger spins a beautiful tale, one that shows how Zecora became the mysterious mare that we all know and love. Definitely worth checking out." —PR Pearple Prose
Their eyes met across a crowded park. Okay, they didn't, but still. She was everything Scootaloo wasn't: She flew, constantly. Her cutie mark stood proud on her flanks. She dictated the actions of the Bearers of the Elements.
She had to be stopped.
Foes will act as one. Plots will be hatched. Colts will be embarrassed. All to put an end to the foulest, most sinister force Ponyville has ever seen:
Zipporwhill.
Will I like this?: I laughed, I spluttered, I couldn’t help but share some of the glorious lines with my friends, and I think you will too. If you’re looking for a great comedy in the style of the show, you’ve found it. —PR q97randomguy
ROMANCE
Sweetie Belle attempts to deal with the realization that she's developed a crush on Spike. Meanwhile, Spike's own feelings are in flux.
Will I like this?: “Ah... schoolyard romance. Most shipping pairs involve adults, so it's often difficult to find a story that portrays children as... well, children. The Sweetest Gem is aptly named, being a rare gem in the romance genre. Innocent, naive emotions tied with a realistically characterized children leads to a refreshing take on the romance genre. If you like Spike, Sweetie Belle, and possibly the most adorable couple on the block, this fic is for you.” —PR Flint Sparks
As the prince of Saddle Arabia, Altair wants for nothing, but a chance encounter shows him the one thing that he lacks: love. Desert Rose intrigues and excites him with the mystery of her past and the beauty of her form. Only she can teach him the secrets of the desert: open his eyes to a world with riches beyond gold, and power beyond a scepter.
The sands cannot be caged, but the desert winds will set Altair free.
Will I like this?: A story that, admittedly, may not be everyone's cup of tea at first. However, what is present in this tale is, for a lack of a better word, amazing. It is thought provoking, builds a far-away land full of it's own mythos, and oozes feeling and passion. A story not to be underestimated due to it's initial premise and separation from what is commonly known in the show. —PR Garnot, friendly neighborhood SCP.
Shining Armor and Princess Cadence's marriage has become legend. However, the two were not always a couple. Learn how the famous lovers first met and the stunning lengths that the Princess of Love herself had to go to in order to get her destined beau's attention after years spent drifting apart while Shining served in the military.
Will I like this?: “It's no secret that Cadance and Shining Armor lack characterization in the show, but that gives authors plenty of room for creativity. CvBrony makes the most of that freedom, offering up a romantic tale of their history with some unique twists and a lot of heart.” —PR Prak
Reminiscent of Monty Python, this is.
Speaking of which, while my fic The Black Knight might have been rejected at Tier 2, I will get something into The Royal Guard. Otherwise, I'll send in my own patented mustache-devouring anteater army.
That's an... interesting... description for Night Shift. Not what I got out of it at all.
1942917
Woah look at that, suddenly that mistake's not there anymore.
It's like magic. :(
1942919 My Little Review: Retcons are Magic?
Ruirik is an incredibly talented person, and The Cellist of Saraneighvo is a great read. Even if you don't like dark fics, read it anyway.
1942926
Yes, but we shall never speak of this wizardry again.
It has been retconned from existence.
1942939 ditto.
Aw yiss, Night Shift is on here! It's the fic that beat mine in a contest and I'm so glad it did, because that shit's the bomb, yo.
1942955
Sounds like...
*Sunglasses*
A dirty bomb.
Aw, shucks.
Much obliged, guardsponies!
1942985 no u
I honestly couldn't get into Night Shift, but Scootaloathe was funny and Under A Luminous Sky is really good. Excellent example of how to write something dark while still making it feel like it's still Equestria.
SCP?
Seeing that, Desert Rose made me think of some particularly... dark things.
I have to say, the prereading process was much more enjoyable than Equestria Daily's. I never got explanatory links from them. Certainly not one to a Schoolhouse Rock video.
That being said, that'sdefinitelynot the picture I used for Scootaloathe.Now it is. Thank you.
1943109
How does this happen? I don't even know!
Well, this is a very pleasant surprise. Thanks for the feature, guys.
1943138
I blame cybergremlins, personally. The same nasty critters who pluck commas and semicolons out of otherwise functional code.
*Launches Higuys.exe*
*Launches It'stimeforTheRoyalGuards'StoryFeatures.exe*
*Launches Thisdoesn'tactuallydoanything.exe*
*Launches It'sreallytedioustowritelikethis.exe*
Stupid PC!
What do you mean I can't launch exe files on a Linux system?
Gawd, I'm such a nerd.
Glad to finally make it here. And I'm in good company, too!
Some good picks this time. Luminous Sky is one I just finished and found to be quite good, Night Shift I read while it was on-going and was very entertaining (and has the best name for the evil version of a certain character ever), and Star in Yellow is as great as you can normally expect a Blueshift story to be.
Love and Barriers is good too, and is a really great addition to the larger 'verse it's connected to.
1943925
"and Star in Yellow is as great as you can normally expect a Blueshift story to be."
I have no idea how to take this, I assume it's a complement!
1944373 It was!
To this day I still every once in a while burst out into laughter when I think about Twilight and peas.
Hoo, thought I'd miss one this time!
I got a lot of RL's out of this set, and I especially look forward to The Star in Yellow...
I also need to check my notifications more often, for being a day late.
Well, I submitted my story the other day.
I'm just burning time at this point at 0007 in the morning.
Btw, I love how this interactive pony is kinda slow, so when you scroll down to type a comment, she just pops outta nowhere!
Oh look, now she's asleep! so... awesome...
1943545 i cant launch .exe on my mac either
1943545 Trying to launch a windows executable on linux wouldn't give you a segfault.
2074948
And here you had to spoil all the fun. 
But maybe Obs didn't know it.