“Valkyrie” by Applezombi is a story that takes us through Twilight’s battle with Tirek, but shown through the eyes of the citizens of Ponyville. But while the titans battle in the background, the story keeps its focus on the poor ponies caught in the crossfire. Spoilers ahead. 

TValkyrie

• MLP: FiM
• Drama

Are the old legends true? Do warrior pegasi mares really come to escort the valorous dying off the battlefield?

• Death
• Alt. Universe
• Scootaloo

applezombi · 2.1k words  ·  131  3 · 1.2k views

First, a little background. Valkyries, in addition to being rather annoying to spell, are beings of Norse mythology. They are warrior women, tasked with guiding the souls of the dead to Valhalla. This story puts that mythology in the world of MLP quite well, showing them as pagsi mares that carry off the souls of fallen warriors. So points for mythological accuracy. 

Grammar/Spelling (10/10):
No issues with Spelling or Grammar. Additionally, the writer adds a few interesting twists to the story. The story is told from the first-person perspective of an elderly pony who is telling their story to a lost loved one. It adds a healthy dose of unreliable narration, which adds a deeper layer to the story. 

Plot (9/10):
During Tirek’s (or Tie Rack, as the story calls him) attack on Ponyville, a group of elderly ponies tries to evacuate to safety. A wrench is lodged firmly into their works when Tirek shows up before they finish. Several ponies end up trapped inside. Not everyone makes it out alive. The story has a bittersweet ending that has made more than a few readers tear up. The piece does a fantastic job of capturing the pain and confusion of a battlefield, leading to a handful of incredibly powerful scenes. And while this is only a minor complaint, some of the later scenes can be a little chaotic. While I understand that this is intentional, it can make the reading a tad difficult, as it blurs the lines between reality and fantasy. 

Characterization (10/10):
Waddle is the main character, and really the only character who gets much focus in the story. Starting the story in a Retirement Village, Waddle is the main source we have for the story, as it’s gold directly from their perspective. For the most part, Waddle seems to be a stereotypical old and somewhat cranky pony. However, throughout the piece, the backstory falls into place. Overall, Waddle is a selfless pony that puts themself in dangerous situations for the sake of others. Overall, a quite enjoyable character. 

Total Score:
Grammar/Spelling: 10 / 10
Plot: 9 / 10
Characterization: 10 / 10
Final Score: 29 / 30 (9.6 /10)
<For archive purposes: 9.6/10>

Final Notes:
“Valkyrie” is a quick, somber story. It shows up, gets started, breaks your heart, then moves on. I found myself rather impressed by both how quickly the story drew me and then caught me off-guard with a sucker punch to the emotions. It was a fine beating. Bravo.