Site Post » Fic Spotlight #02 · 11:04pm Feb 20th, 2014
Heya, folks. Are you hungry for stories? Starving? Threatening to riot and overturn all that Fimfiction stands for because of your insatiable lust for the written word?
Well, good! 'Cause The Royal Guard has got stories for you. Mounds of stories. Piles of fics. Steaming dumpster-truck-fulls of fresh horsewords. All to satiate that emptiness in your cold, war-blackened heart.
And, of course, since there isn't enough to go around, you'll divvy up the spoils by fighting amongst yourselves in glorious gladiatorial combat.
Good luck to all of you. I hope at least fifteen of you survive, because these are good stories and deserve to be read.
Final note. If you're interested in more regarding The Royal Guard and their story recommendations, here're some links for you:
-The Royal Guard Group
-Submit Your Story!
-The Royal Guard's Reviewing Omnibus
-Join The Guard!
AND NOW, WITHOUT FURTHER ADO... STORIES!
This Week:
Action/Adventure
Subjunctive, by Integral Archer
The Savage Way, by Horse Voice
Sunset of Time, by The Albinocorn
Dark
Mistakes Best Not Remembered, by Sorren
Ruled by Sin, by Pearple Prose
Sad
Happily Ever After, by Benman
In Memory Of, by Obselescence
The Ancient Heart’s First Beating, by Tactical Rainboom
The Lessons of Eternity, by Fedora Mask
Hospice, by Regidar
Slice of Life
Hitch a Ride, by Yipyapper
The Firework Lotus, by ArgonMatrix
Pears, by Aquaman
Comedy
Teeny Tiny Twilight, by Darkentrophy
Prodigy, by Sable Tails
ACTION/ADVENTURE
The subjunctive is the verbal mood of abstractions and possibilities. To ponies and their indicative-based language, it is a frightful mood, awkward and unwieldy. To changelings and their language of nearly inaudible shrills, it is indispensable.
Equestria’s inhabitants are a diverse race, no two the same color, who speak a language of concretes. But to Errenax, a changeling linguist well-versed in both languages and fascinated by their dimorphism, everything about them intimates a singular notion: that this division of moods and language is perhaps deeper than it initially appeared.
Will I like this?: Subjunctive gives a great insight into the mind of a changeling infiltrator; the forward scout, prelude to an invasion. Follow Errenax as he looks on at the Equestrian world with a keen intellectual mind. Aside from a look into the Equestrian world, it also peers into the changeling hive. — Dash247
A disaster at sea strands Caramel on an island with one other survivor: a human immigrant. They agree to work together, but Caramel's new friend may not be as benevolent as he seems.
Will I like this?: In this story, the nature of the will to survive is explored in a brutally realistic one-shot. A very good example of humans used effectively. —PR Pearple Prose
The wheel of time turns, as destiny and history clash together.
Fifty years into the future, Sunset Shimmer is Princess Twilight Sparkle's most faithful student. She is smart and eager, but doesn't always think things through. Her life had been perfect, right up to the End of the World.
With a ruined future, Sunset travels into the past to alter the course of history. With only her mentor's cryptic word to go on, Sunset and the Elements of Harmony must solve the riddle of the Dark Regalia and stop the mysterious Vesper Radiance from rising to power. But the further Sunset goes, the more she feels like she's been through it all before.
Is destiny set in stone, or can Sunset shape her own future? Only time will tell.
Will I like this?: If you like Sunset Shimmer, but dislike Equestria Girls, you might enjoy this alternate universe tale of adventure offering a different take on the character, in which she is sent back in time by her dying mentor, Princess Twilight Sparkle, on an epic quest to save the world. —PR Prak
Memories hurt; she knows this. A thousand years on the moon with nothing but your own thoughts is torture upon a level no pony could ever achieve. Sometimes, the easiest thing to do is hope, and pretend they never existed. But nothing can change the past.
And sometimes, those memories don't want to be forgotten.
Will I like this?: Many stories skim over the meaning inherent in Luna's redemption. This story, however, remembers that actions have consequences, and makes sure that its readers remember that. —PR Golden Vision
Dragons did not want. They did not fight. They did not feel greed.
There was one who wanted. There was one who fought. There was one who felt the Greed.
His name was Sin the Black. He wanted more, and he nearly destroyed it all.
Will I like this?: It's rare that we see the mythos lurking behind Equestria's flora and fauna. Author Pearple Prose finds the story behind one of the series's more iconic races and gives it a tone not dissimilar to many other ancient myths. If you liked Tolkien's Silmarillion, you'll certainly enjoy this. —PR Golden Vision
Shining Armor will do anything to save his marriage. Anything.
Will I like this?: Tragedy is a genre that many authors on Fimfiction fail to execute effectively. Benman's twisted tale of poisoned love is a shining example of the genre, both concise and powerful. —PR Pearple Prose
Dear Princess Celestia,
I'm sorry I haven't written in a while. Things seem to be falling through the cracks lately. Spike thinks I should go see the doctor, but...
Will I like this?: This story is written largely between the lines, and it deserves a gold medal for that alone. Complete with emotional enrapturement and some of the most sincere characterization I’ve ever seen, this tale will stay in your heart for a while to come. —PR ArgonMatrix
Tell me the story, Celestia. The one that you promised you would, so long ago…
This is the beginning of a story.
This is the end of a story.
This is a story about beginnings and endings, about gods and mortals, about love and death.
Will I like this?: The Ancient Heart's First Beating is like a poem. It's lovingly constructed and paced, so that every word has meaning, and every emotion has weight. The story of love contained within will undoubtedly change how you view a certain alicorn, her life, and her ultimate fate. —PR Garnot
Love doesn't always last forever. And sometimes it can crumble so spectacularly that you never want to see or speak to the other person again.
Celestia was perfectly content with that. But when Twilight Sparkle suddenly appears at the palace in Canterlot, after a century of silence, she has no choice but to talk to her.
Politely, of course. Always politely.
Will I like this?: A different take on a common idea. It's hard to say a lot about this story without spoiling it, to be honest. Feel free to give it a read if you want a new perspective on the concept of Twilight dealing with immortality and how that affects the dynamic with her teacher. —PR Kaldanor
Caramel works at a Hospice, taking care of dying patients, making sure that their last days are as comfortable as possible. He can't ever let himself grow attached to his patients, though, that would cause far too many complications.
One patient, however, is different.
Will I like this?:With an engaging cast of deeply flawed and damaged characters, Hospice's bleak and haunting tale of a broken stallion and a dying mare tugs at the heartstrings, but doesn't resort to being sad just to get a reaction from the reader. —PR Prak
Twilight's lack of inspiration or progress for a Hearth's Warming play prompts her to believe that she has the most stressful life in the world—on a train ride to gather her thoughts, though, everything is shown from a more realistic perspective. And it isn't the ride, but the stories, that she will remember most.
Will I like this?: Fans of Charles Dickens’s “A Christmas Carol” will find a lot to love with this one. The characters are fun, the moral rings strong, and the whole thing is as warm and captivating as a mug of cocoa on Christmas Eve. I loved it and so will you. —PR ArgonMatrix
The Firework Lotus Celebration, a grand festival which celebrates the dawn of a new year, is a tradition held near and dear to Spike's heart. But when the winds of change threaten to take this special time away from him, Spike is forced to make a difficult decision. Which is more important: what he knows to be right, or what he feels to be right?
And as Spike soon discovers, it's a choice best made with the help of some friends.
Will I like this?: The Firework Lotus is a good look at how we deal with change. Even when it's a good change, it can be hard to deal with. A simple story concept helps us to look deeper into a topic that we all have to deal with in our lives. Most importantly, for a story like this, the characters are written very well and that allows us to sympathize with their plights. —PR Kaldanor
The city of Vanhoover is the place "Where Everypony's Family". Pinkie Pita isn't sure if she believes that, but it seems true enough. After all, she enjoys her job and the place where she lives, and she can't imagine asking for much more out of life.
Today, though, she discovered something new about herself. And it doesn't make any sense at all.
Will I like this?: On a site filled with genre fiction, Aquaman's Pears takes a "pointless" idea and gives it meaning through development of a single, powerful theme. There aren't any explosions here, but the protagonist is both tragic and utterly relatable. —PR Golden Vision
Twilight Sparkle isn't known to put anything less than her all into magic development. It's only natural she tried her best when Rarity asked her to make an anti-wrinkling re-vitalizing de-aging spell to help smooth some stray laugh lines.
Turns out her best is a little too good.
Now it's up to Shining Armor and Cadence to take care of their little sister, with an emphasis on the "little". Assuming her Royal Canterlot Voice temper tantrum doesn't cause the Crystal Empire to shatter first, that is.
Will I like this?: Ever wondered what actually raising an alicorn foal is like? In Darkentrophy's Teeny Tiny Twilight, you get to see firsthand the trials, tribulations and silliness that burdens those who take on such a challenge. Don't forget the earplugs. -PR Comet Burst
Being left for dead in Trottingham was a major disappointment for the little changeling prince, this is true. Being adopted by a paddle-happy pony wizard, this ‘Star Swirl the Bearded,’ was also a bit of a downer at first. But Stasis still manages to appreciate the savory side of things.
Unfortunately, not all pastel prey are as soft and as chewy as they may appear. Stasis has seen the golden soldiers and their goddess’ wrath, and if he can’t keep his true nature a secret, he may see them yet again.
And of course, not all changelings see fraternizing with prey in the same light….
Will I like this?: A skillful combination of Star Swirl backstory and a delightfully wicked OC. The interplay between the two is often as engaging as it is immersive, and the treatment of past Equestria and other species is extremely interesting. —PR ChromeMyriad
I like this.
I've got the Sunset Shimmer one on my to-do list. I really liked her design but felt her character was lacking. Better give that one a go at some point.
1857496
I concur.
Holy crap, Sunset of Time got in!
Sh*t!
Just submitted one of my stories. Hope it gets in.
There it is! Your prereaders need proofreaders.
Oh, and I'll be looking at Sunset of Time and Teeny Tiny Twilight.
1857589
I see no mistake here.
Incidentally, the war with Eastasia goes well.
Can we submit all of FelixDawn's stuff?
That guy is a true writer.
1857629
No, but FelixDawn can. :3
1857600
*Rereads Post*
Egad! A spy in mein midst!
Edit: WAIT JUST A SECOND...
J'accuse!
1857638
I will notify him at once! He will surely want his fiction up here!
PS. I don;t know who you are, but I love you.
1857642
Love you too.
We would let people submit others' stories, but we get angry letters from authors who get rejected/approved when they didn't know their fic was under consideration.
That's odd. The Firework Lotus was on the last list too. I know because that was when I downloaded it. Now it's not. What happened there?Ah, that was Seattle's Angels. No wonder I was confused.
Lol. Of course Obel's story would be in there.
1857642
Please. Make this happen.
The world needs more FelixDawn.
1857713
The world can never enough FelixDawn
1857736
Everything rests on you, now.
BE THE MESSENGER WE NEED.
1857740
I SHALL TAKE THIS RESPONSIBILITY WITH THE UTMOST VIGOR!!!!
1857744
GODSPEED
Huzzah, Hospice has snuck its way into your ranks
I am very pleased by this development. Glad to have done something of worth.
Wow, this time around I've read a grand total of one of these. I think I will give Sunset of Time (I've been reading and enjoying one of Albino's other Sunset Shimmer stories), Subjunctive, and The Firework Lotus a try.
1857639
Again, Comrade, I see no mistake.
Perhaps your patriotic fervor for the war with Eurasia is getting to you.
No, that doesn't come until Knighty upgrades the site to v3.0 and starts screwing around with the "Favorites" and "Read Later" lists.
I like how half these fics were written by Royal Guard staff.
1857762
*Rerereads Post*
I'm....just gonna go sit with Switzerland now...
1857768
Why do you need a "Read Later" list when "Favorites" already tracks stories?
1857779
If 4 is half of 15, sure.
1857800
"Favorite" means you've already read and liked it. Or liked it enough to watch for updates. "Read Later" means exactly what it says. They're different.
You didn't italicize the "too" in Teeny Tiny Twilight's synopsis! A pox on you, a pox I say! Oh, how humiliated I am...
Well, not really, but very mildly disappointed.
1857589
I hope you enjoy it, and feel free to leave comments and constructive criticism on it!
1857949 Will do, sir!
1857779 Are you implying that because they have been submitted by staff, that they are not good? Any staff stories that are submitted have to go through an extra step in the approval process to ensure that the very thing I know you are poking at does not happen.
1858015
Of course not. I haven't read any of them yet (well, except for Hitch A Ride, which is good), so I couldn't say if they're good or not.
That's good to hear!
Oh man, finally Prodigy is getting recognition. It receives so few views for such a humorous tale.
*Pulls out Gladius*
MAGNUS ET POTENS ROMANUS!
FACE ME, COWARDS!
1858270
"Drive me closer! I want to hit him with my sword!"
th05.deviantart.net/fs71/PRE/i/2012/166/4/7/drive_me_closer__by_cyberpanda2000-d53k1bl.png
1858106
Agreed. Prodigy is awesome.
Hmm..This is something I could get used to!
Now, you don't have to be a part of the R.G. group to submit like with other groups, do you? It's not an issue, just wondering.
1859229 No you do not.
Your own fic was posted here by people in an organization that is accountable to no body?
COINCIDENCE, I THINK NOT!!
1860757
Indeed, it was not coincidence. For I submitted my story to this organization and obtained the approval of three out of four Prereaders (whereas people unaffiliated with TRG only need two out of three) in order to get my fic posted.
Thus, it was not coincidence, but rather the result of a wholly legitimate process of cause-and-effect.
One tends to look a tot like the other sometimes, weirdly enough.
1860840 Ah, but you see, it goes deeper than that.
- Your name starts with an O.
- Oboes start with the letter O.
- The oboe is a musical instrument.
- Oboes are part of bands.
- Bands make music.
- Miley Cyrus makes music.
- Miley Cyrus likes to get naked on stage.
- Getting naked on stage is a crime if you are 17 or younger in the USA.
- Pooping on stage is illegal in the USA
- Utah is part of the USA
- The media finding out that people are pooping on stage in Utah would be a huge news story.
- News... story...
- This is a news feed... about your story...
- INB4 you are arrested for pooping on a stage in Utah.
The link is too obvious to ignore.
"Subjunctive" is amazing. Been following it for months and jumping to read every update as soon as it's published. Everything about Equestria and pony society instills in the protagonist a beautiful sense of sheer amazement and discovery that the reader easily shares.
1858052
I'm a prereader for the guard and I can attest that the story I submitted (which was accepted by eqd a while ago) is pending changes before being posted. (Apparently there were some problems in places where the narrative style bleeds into characters' written letters).
I really should have gotten to those edits sooner. I might've gotten into this batch. Oh well.
1858106
Double agreed. Prodigy is amazeballs.