It Is Recommendsday, My Dudes #77 · 6:58pm Sep 7th, 2022
Y'know, it's only fair. I focused on Celestia last week, so I should focus on Luna this week.
Also, she has a gun.
Speaking of! Let us lead today with Pistols At Dawn by naturalbornderpy.
The story begins with a big thick book labelled EVENTS IN HISTORY LUNA MISSED OUT ON WHILE TRAPPED IN THE MOON, which any astute reader means there's going to be trouble. Luna emphatically points out to Celestia that the latest thing she's discovered having missed is the age of duels. So she demands pistols at dawn.
Of course, Celestia immediately points out that they have no pistols, which Luna corrects. But they also need a grievance to duel over.
And so begins Luna's desperate quest to find someone she can have a grievance against so she can challenge them to a duel. And then have one.
This one's just a lovely and silly little comedy. It's light, it's peppy, and it's ridiculous from start to finish. Luna is a joy, and there's that wonderful innocence of Equestria on display throughout.
The ending, as well, is just so wonderfully silly. It reminds me so much of childhood and in the best of ways.
It isn't a deep story, but it doesn't need to be. It's just fun!
On the other side, we have Decaf and The Last Duel.
Now here is rather the opposite situation: it is before the Nightmare. Dueling is a common flaw among the nobles of Equestria, and Celestia seeks to end it. There are too many senseless deaths over too many pointless arguments - but the nobility won't give up their traditions.
So Luna solves things. Her way.
But that's only the first half of this story, and that's part of what pushes it into excellent territory. In the second act, you are strongly reminded of just when this is: before the Nightmare. And as Luna and Celestia discuss what has happened (as well as the why), the aspects of their growing rift come out. And the already interesting story about the last duel in Equestria morphs into a glimpse into the sisters' relationship just before their split. Add in an epilogue with filly Twilight that shows how history remembers and forgets, and you've got an overall stellar piece of drama.
While this one's got focus on both sisters, it's Luna who really takes the center here. Her actions in the Gala (and her explanation of them afterwards) give a great glimpse into pre-exile Luna. A very different princess for a more unsettled Equestria, doing the darker things her bright sister is unwilling to confront. It's not new ground (this fandom loves that era, and for good reason) but this is a favorite portrayal of mine.
And the aforementioned epilogue really sells it well - also young Twilight is just adorable. The way history becomes twisted over the centuries adds to the second half of the story, and Celestia's quiet introspection about the lesson Luna taught her puts everything into perspective.
New or catching up? Try Recommendsday: The Index for your story needs!
I have read Pistols at Dawn, but don't remember a thing about it, other than I probably found it delightfully silly fun, if your assessment here is anything to go by. Which it usually is. Added to my Re-evaluate backlog!