Site Post » Fic Spotlight #08 · 2:51am Jun 6th, 2014
Hi guys. It's been a while, hasn't it? How are the kids? The grandkids? The endless line of your descendants who wandered onward into the grave while we, unhindered by the excesses of time, sat in ageless observation?
Oh, wait. It's, uh... only been a couple weeks I guess.
Seemed like it was longer.
Anyhow, now that Finals season's approaching definitely certainly dead, The Royal Guard is starting to mobilize once more. Fear not, citizens. There shall always be horsewords, so long as the strong defend the weak from the tyranny of the other strong.
First, here are some links:
-The Royal Guard Group
-Submit Your Story!
-The Royal Guard's Reviewing Omnibus
-Join The Guard!
SECOND, ACTUALLY STORIES:
This Week:
Action/Adventure
The Dresden Fillies: Strange Friends, by psychicscubadiver
Sad
Dreaming Her Awake, by The Rising Tide of Night
Slice of Life
Tarnish, by KitsuneRisu
Don’t Give Up!, by CeruleanVoice
Comedy
Dash of Humanity 2: A New Dawn, by Kaidan
My Little Pony’s Little Ponies, by Baby Boo
A Hiccup In Time, by Pascoite
Romance
In a Tavern, Down by the River, by Lysis
Synchronicity, by A Hoof-ful of Dust
This Gift, by Garnot
ACTION/ADVENTURE
The Dresden Fillies: Strange Friends, by psychicscubadiver
Harry Dresden, Chicago's only professional wizard, accidentally travels to Equestria after being attacked in the Nevernever. Twilight is none too amused with their newest 'guest', but trouble is brewing. Somepony is planning something sinister and the mane six may need Dresden's help however little some of them want it.
Will I like this? Are you a fan of MLP? Are you a fan of The Dresden Files? If you answered yes to both, then this is a must read! If you only answered yes to one of them, I'd still suggest you check this one out. "Strange Friends" is a well-written crossover filled with great suspense, action, and banter, all while meshing these two very different series together in a believable manner. It's a wonderful read! —DemPonies
Racing through the snow, wind and ice.
A poisoned pony’s life on the line.
Will Fluttershy be able to save Pinkie Pie’s life? Or will a price have to be paid?
Will I like this? What could have been a clichéd old chestnut turns out instead to be a beautiful, poignant story, by virtue of the author's elegant writing. If you're looking for something happy, you should probably stay away; otherwise, dive right in. —R5h
This is a story about a child
a spoon
and change
Will I like this? A subtly dark but altogether sweet little story about a girl with some real emotional turmoil—turmoil gone unnoticed by anyone who might actually help, until now. It plays first-person perspective like a harp and tugs on the heartstrings and headstrings both. —Burraku_Pansa
Berry Punch, her short-term memory in tatters, awakens one morning in Ponyville Hospital. It will take three of her best friends—Aqua Lung, Luminous Spark and Minty Shake—to help her remember what happened, and to assuage the doubts she's been feeling recently in relation to her close call.
Will I like this? Now, this is how you get the most out of less than two thousand words. This story is short, but there's a lot happening and a lot of character to go around. —R5h
I'm stuck in Equestria, which reminds me of the dark ages. Instead of internet and fast-food, I have Rainbow Dash. She's been asked to help me learn to fit in... I'd like a refund.
I suppose we got off to a good start, aside from being told that after all I'd done I'd never see Earth again. So long as I can look on the bright side of life, and not get arrested for running pranks on everypony with Dash, I might just survive long enough to find my purpose in Equestria. So help me, however, if I get any vegetable related cutie marks I will choke a Princess.
Will I like this? Even though it's a sequel, Dash of Humanity 2: A New Dawn stands strong on its own. This story is an enjoyable read with a pleasant blend of romance, comedy, and slice of life. It's worth a look even if you aren't a fan of HiE stories. —Lab
Rainy weather and a looming deadline drive Twilight Sparkle up the walls and Spike out of the tree. Only Pinkie Pie can save the day, by introducing the reluctant librarian to an unexpected new hobby. Astoundingly, sex does not ensue.
Will I like this? During our review process, this story made three jaded, cynical prereaders giggle like idiots. 'Nuff said. —Prak
Twilight Sparkle definitely learned her lesson from her last time-travel experience. This one's not her fault. Really. Sometimes nature can be... annoying.
Will I like this? Typical Twilight experiment gone wrong, but the way that it just keeps getting more and more out of hoof is a perfect blend of funny, clever, and... Twilight being Twilight. I found myself laughing the whole way through. This is an exceptionally clever story that you won't want to miss —BronyWriter
I, The Great and Powerful Trixie, have been reduced to performing magic tricks in a Trottingham tavern. One would think I'd never sink this low, but it's not as bad as it could be. The food is good, the beds are soft, and the company plentiful. The only problem? I'm stuck here until I earn enough bits to buy another caravan so I can get back on the road where I belong.
So imagine my delight when one evening, a conpony walks through the door and starts cheating at cards. It was a golden opportunity: a chance to line my purse, play the heroine, and teach an amateur magician a thing or two about misdirection.
I had a perfect plan. My only mistake was getting a friend involved.
Will I like this? A nice little Trixie story tht keeps her believably in character, yet at the same time takes her places that few have dared to. It's really worth your time, especially if you like some nice romantic drama type stuff. —BronyWriter
While at a slumber party telling spooky stories, Twilight learns of one story that is supposedly true, and just has to investigate...
Will I like this? I've always been a fan of stories about stories—I've never metafiction I didn't like, after all—and Synchronicity offers just that with its examination of ghost story tropes. Well, not just that: there's a tight plot, a great relationship in the making, pitch-perfect characterization, and a nice spooky atmosphere to tie it all together. Basically, give it a shot; you won't regret the read. —R5h
Six years after her ascension to princesshood, Twilight and Spike have started to grow apart. Spike starts to fear what age will do to him, and he comes to the realization that he must tell Twilight a shocking truth before it's too late.
What he doesn't know is that his decision will change everything.
Will I like this? This Gift is an interesting take on how the relationship between Spike and Twilight might develop in several years. The hopes and fears of the characters feel very real, and I found myself wondering how things would turn out. —Lab
You know what happened to me when I started reading too much fanfiction?
Every night, I passed out DRINKING IN THE TAVERN, DOWN BY THE RIVER.
Good to see our
tyrannical overlordsbeloved masters are still alive and kicking. Well, I'm not sure about the 'kicking' part, but regardless it's great to see the horsewords are still getting showcased.~The lizardman now has an ace up his sleeve to get a story into the royal guard *cackles evilly*
final season to what? the mlp show? cant be true because hasbro studios announced that they had the next five years planned out for the show. unless of course im overreacting and you're not talking about it at all
2179517
School final exams are wrapping up, I believe is what was meant.
Might want to mention that the Dresden Fillies: Strange Friends has a sequel.
Cool stories, bro.
Hey, KitsuneRisu! Seems like only yesterday we were featured side by side in Slice of Life, doesn't it?
We should make this a trend
Hey, I recalled submitting a thing for this, but me or bluecat never got a rejection letter or anything.
I thought this was for SFW stories only?
2180004
What do you mean?
Nice story suggestions.
I was not at all impressed with Don't Give Up; I never really connected to the central character at all. It was trying to go for the easy feels - suicide victim, friends help them - but I have no connection to any of them and the story never gave me any reason to care about any of them.
I read Synchronicity a while back.
I normally don't bother with anything under 30k. Shorter stories usually don't pull me into the character's situation and out of my world the same way that a novel-length fic would. Truthfully, this wasn't an exception, but for what it is, I found it to very interesting, and rather unique to the fandom.
It's a good read, even if it's outside my comfort-zone.
Can we just put a thing up there that says "Pascoite" every time so people know to just go read all of his stuff?
On a more serious note running off that not-serious idea, why not have something like an author spotlight at the same time as the fic spotlight? Find an author who repeatedly has shown the ability to make stories of the highest quality. Ask them a few questions, beg them to tell us their writing secrets, and highlight their top stories. That would be really cool.
Also, how long does it take to get a response after we submit something to The Royal Guard? I saw two weeks somewhere else but it's been a month and I'm curious.
2180274
If it's taken longer than usual, it's because most of us have been busy with finals. Things should soon start getting back to normal though, if they haven't already.
2180297
Ah. Thank you.
Ahh, The Dresden Fillies. I thoroughly enjoyed that story
AHAHHAAAAHAHA!!!!
HAHAHAAH!!!
HAAHA!!!!
MY READ IT LATER LIST...
IT KEEPS GROWING!
AHAHHAAAHAHA!!!
*cough hack cough*
Thanks guys for giving me more awesome stories to read, even if I'm quickly losing my sanity in the process.
...
DAMMIT, WHY IS THIS SO FUNNY?!?!
"tht" should be "that", no?
Well, there's a few more stories I can put in my "watch later" list.
They do have author interviews every so often. see this recent interview
How does one get their story spot-lighted?
2179913
They say if it happens 3 times, the world will end.
2182268
There's a link to the submission form at the top of this post. You can also find a link on the group page.
2184057 Thanks. I really don't know how I overlooked that.
What is this day and age where no dark fics are included in a fic spotlight.
I just finished tarnished and I only have one thing to say
'takes sip of tea'
wow, just wow
I am now both intrigued and disgusted by this fic.
9/10 I say
2188818
How, If I may ask