Fic recs, October 16th · 1:33pm Oct 16th, 2015
So it looks like I'm going to have to rebuild my computer. :( This could fuck me over completely.
Anyway, it’s time for another one of these because I started a whole bunch of new collections recently. The good news is, I’m gonna finish like three of these the next time I do this, and two more not too far after that, so that's exciting.
Readings news! Month of Macabre has given us a reading of Bradel’s The Rose by Neighrator Pony! Captain Sand (should I be calling him Scarlet Blade?) did Obselescence’s The Mare at the End of Forever!
Sonic Rainboom has always topped polls for “what episode would you use to get someone interested in ponies?” but I tend to be leery of it for that purpose because it paints Rarity in such a poor light. That said, for all that she ends up the villain of the episode, it’s important to remember that she was the one who insisted they find some way to cheer for Rainbow Dash, and furthermore was the first in line to volunteer for an unknown spell. So she was being a good friend, she just let vanity get the best of her. Meanwhile, Feeling Pinkie Keen is just a strange episode any way you cut it, but let us not forget that Polsky blessed us with Gummy. :V
H: 1 R: 7 C: 8 V: 1 N: 0
The House at the End of the World by Cold in Gardez
Genre: Post-Apocalypse
This one… Huh. Well, the author’s note suggests it’s part of something else (what, I don’t know), and the first two comments are “I don’t get it”, so YMMV. This does certainly paint a nice post-apoc setting, a la Lost Cities but with an actual viewpoint character. I’m confused by the second character, though; basically, I can’t tell if it’s supposed to be Fluttershy or not. If she is, she doesn’t sound like Fluttershy, and if not, then I was really misinterpreting all those signs that point to her being Fluttershy. Still, even if the author agrees this doesn’t work as a story, it’s worth it for the imagery.
Recommended for Post-Apoc Fans
And Then Applejack Was a Vampire by Esle Ynopemos
Genre: Comedy
Applejack has a hard time waking up one morning.
It’s kind of too bad the joke is in the title, but it’s not like there’s anywhere else this could go. That said, the getting there is fun, even if there’s some stretching for the sake of comedy (AJ not knowing why she checks her pulse being the most grievous example). It’s light, it doesn’t amount to much, I enjoy ponies drinking. :V
Recommended for Laughs
The Play’s the Thing by Chris
Genre: Comedy
Twilight explains to Celestia just what happened last night.
This is a really quick, well-set-up one-joke letterfic that works perfectly. I mean, “Neighbraham Lincolt” is a bit of a stretch, but it works in the end. Definitely read this.
Recommended
Oats by Pascoite
Genre: Trollfic
What. What. This is a whole pile of stuff that makes more sense if you remember that Ponychan’s random board was called /oat/. Well, okay, that doesn’t make it make more sense, it just explains the title. But there’s at least one good joke in here along with all the weirdness. I mean, this takes jabs at just about everything. If there’s anything wrong with it, it’s that it focuses too much on meta jokes and self-awareness (without an equal amount of poor writing, anyway). Still, Pasco proves that he can hold his own with the longteeth of badfic. This is quite the experience.
Troll Recommended
Eponalepsis by horizon
Genre: Epic
Celestia has brought them all to her, one last time.
Man, when horizon goes all out, he goes all out. This is fucking Biblical for a 750-word creation myth-type piece. The roster of immortals is fascinating, the language use is near impeccable (I’ve pointed out in a comment one line that stands apart from the rest by its out-and-out plainness, the exception proving that rule), and the backstory suggested by the events is tantalizing. I will say I was a mite confused when “the Nightbringer” was mentioned (it’s Twilight, no spoiler), but that’s my only other complaint. This was great.
Highly Recommended
The Wrong Answer by Titanium Dragon
Genre: Koan
This is clever, and one of the few times I’ve felt as though I actually understood the enlightenment at the end of a koan. Though I have to wonder about the title now...
Recommended
An Army of Eight Thousand by Wanderer D
Genre: Comedy
Vinyl Scratch returns with a report on the enemy’s number.
This is a really weird setup for a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it joke. If you get to the end and find yourself scratching your head, consider who they’re fighting. There’s a bit more than just one joke to this, too, which makes it worth reading even if it is a very strange AU.
Recommended
Trixie Lulamoon: VOICE OF A GENERATION by Ezn
Genre: Crackfic
So the joke in this story is that Trixie is Kanye West. I’m starting with that because I didn’t figure it out until the end. :B This still got a laugh out of me, at least.
Recommended for Laughs
Frying-Pan Men by alexmagnet
Genre: Non-Pony! Gasp!
This is a story about one of those bronies. (Which, y’know, none of us are. :V) Your mileage depends on how long you can take cringeworthy humor aimed at a subset of the fandom. There’s some pretty epic descriptions of fat rolls and sweat, so that’s something?
Recommended If You Like Mocking Bronies
Delusions of a Long Forgotten Dream by Filler
Genre: Slice of Life
Cadence seeks Princess Luna’s advice on dreams.
I have no idea what to make of this. On even a second read, it seems to be unfinished. Luna is oddly comical despite the somber tone of the leadup. If there’s something I’ve missed, I cannot find it. Someone read this and explain it to me. :( EDIT: So apparently, this is unfinished, and just a scene. Given how confusing it is, I can't say it's a great read.
Vaguely Recommended
Nothing to Worry About by Nonagon
Genre: Light Comedy
This is a really quick piece based on character traits that works quite well. I didn’t even have to scroll down to read the whole thing, so it’s worth it. :)
Recommended
”Behind Closed Doors” Writeoff Entry by FuzzyFuvert
Genre: Adventure
Curse you, FuzzyFurvert, for not titling your stories! D: Usually I can just go to the Writeoff site and find them, but not this time: it didn’t get submitted! And, as the author says, it feels very unfinished, the end just petering out with no resolution. Still, Maud and Daring Do isn’t a team-up I’ve seen before. As a proof of concept, at least, this works, just don’t expect it to go anywhere.
Recommended If You Don’t Mind a Lack of Ending
The One Thing I’ll Remember by HoofAndQuill
Genre: Drunk Ponies
Applejack recalls the events of the drinking contest so far.
First things first, this is written in decently thick vernacular, so it may be a tough read for some. Beyond that, I enjoyed it, though I’ll admit to being a tad disappointed that it wasn’t more focused on Twilight. (She gets the best segue, so hopefully I can be forgiven for expecting that.) Still, I like drunk ponies and I liked this.
Recommended If You Like Drunk Ponies
Someone You’d Admire by Tall Tales
Genre: Character Piece
I was expecting to hate this, given the “Spike/Rarity” tag, but it turns to be one-sided, a piece about Spike’s devotion to Rarity. Though it obviously takes place in a dark future AU, we’re not given a whole lot of detail as to what, exactly, has transpired. Unless told otherwise, I’m assuming it continues on from the events of Inspiration Manifestation, which should tell you all you need to know. (I was told otherwise, but Death of the Author. :V)
Recommended for AU Fans
Fish Out of Water by FanOfMostEverything
Genre: EQG
Ditzy Doo and her bandmates approach Sonata with an offer of friendship.
I am of course all about this piece because I’m a huge Sonataboo. :V (That’s a word now.) If you’re not, note that it edges up on your classic Sonata redemption (she’s back at the school, after all), but doesn’t quite make it there, and the reason why not is what makes this worth reading. Also, I like the way Raspberry Fluff and Blue Oyster were characterized.
Recommended
Court Song by darf
Genre: Dark
When you’re a musician, no one notices you listening in.
This is a really solidly-voiced piece from the perspective of Lyra, a musician in Canterlot’s court. It’s the voice I like most, the character that’s been crafted for her. The plot meanwhile revolves around a murder that shakes the court to its core, won’t say whose. For all I liked this, I suspect Celestia’s portrayal will turn some off. She straight-up murders two ponies. But overall, it didn’t diminish my enjoyment of a piece that could have easily stood on its own.
Recommended
The Noise Under Pinkie Pie’s Sink by Admiral Biscuit
Reading by ShadowOfCygnus
Reading by Scribbler
Genre: Dark Comedy
Pinkie asks Twilight to investigate a strange noise under her sink.
This is a very strange duck, and I don’t know how most people will react to it. Just know that, for all that there’s a huge shock once Twilight discovers what’s under the sink, everything that happens is done in good fun.
Recommended
Oof. Here's hoping you don't get completely over-fucked. Um. So to speak.
It's unfinished. That not-a-story was an exercise in how many words I could bang out in an hour.
The Wrong Answer's title is referring to Twilight's belief that the spell is giving her the wrong answer. I wasn't terribly creative with the title, I'm afraid.
I'm glad you liked it, though.
Incidentally, have you ever read hacker koans? If not, you totally should.
"The Play's the Thing" won the first ever minific event, and deservedly so.
3474916
Guess I'll hafta rate it now. D:
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Ah, okay!
3475150
No wonder it seemed familiar!
About best 1st regular episode to watch, those that say Sonic Rainboom confuse favorite episode for best introductory episode. The best introductory episode is Suited For Success. If the viewer likes Suited For Success, then Friendship Is Magic Parts # 1 & 2 for context.
3475456
That's actually not a bad idea.
3475466
Before recommending an episode to one who has never seen the show, one should ask whether this episode makes a good introduction. As an example of a good episode which is a terrible way to introduce the show, one might be tempted to recommend Magical Mystery Cure for it great music, but it is impossible to follow for nonfans. He also have 4 episodes in Season # 05 which are great episodes, but terrible 1st episodes because they are for the fans:
For the 100th episode, DHX had 4 episodes in contention. These are
* Slice Of Life
* Amending Fences
* Crusaders Of The Lost Mark
* Do Princesses Dream Of Magic Sheep
DHX went with Slice Of Life. All of these episodes are rewards to long-term fans and make absolutely no sense to newbies. They are all great episodes, but terrible 1st episodes.