Review: Fluttershy's Bad Hare Day. by: Pegasus Rescue Brigade

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After a little mix up with some leaves that definitely weren't meant to be brewed into a tea, Fluttershy finds herself trapped as a rabbit, unable to communicate with any of her pony friends. But now able to fully communicate with all the other animals she's always known and cared for. But can they work together to gather the ingredients needed to turn her back into a pony before it's to late? And will her relationship with her animals be the same after she finds out what really goes on underground?

Story: The story is rather simple. Fluttershy becomes a rabbit, and spends time learning about all of the animals she takes care of, as well as the rest of the mane 6's pets. Finding an entire world she never even suspected. While decently told overall, the set up required does feel rather contrived, and introduces a lot of questions about why she's doing what she is. She just happens to transform the night before she's due to leave town on a trip, so that nopony will be suspicious that she's gone. Okay, need someway to address that, but sending he to Las Pegasus? Why would she ever be going there alone? And no pony made plans to see her off? No pony was at the train station to say goodbye and realize she didn't make it? It just feels rather forced and contrived. As does the arbitrary time limit placed on getting her back. It's just there for some extra drama near the end, but noone believes for a moment that she's not going to turn back, and while the attempt was decent, the execution of it just fell rather flat. As does how she is unable to communicate with any of the other mane 6. Yes, not being able to talk, fine. But given how smart her and the other pets are, and how the Mane 6 have to be used to dealing with weird stuff like this by now, they couldn't get say Twilight's attention and draw a picture or two? Find some way to get through to them what went on? She makes on attempt to get AJ to notice her, just by squeaking and jumping around, and gives up on any chance. Like above, it just feels rather forced and contrived.

That said, they are just the background details, the things needed to get the story told, not really major parts of the story. That is Fluttershy learning about the other animals. And that, is well done, but not amazingly done. Competent, there aren't any major flaws or issues beyond the logical twists and contrivances needed to get it going. But also, little that really stands out story wise. Everything hits more or less the points you expect on cue. Does them decently, but not spectacularly.

Characters: A strong point to the story is it's characters. Fluttershy feels relatively in character the whole time. At least in overall sentiment and attitude. Though at times the specific dialog choices did feel rather odd for her. But the overall feel was spot on. And she well used in the story. And like so much in the story, decently handled, but nothing spectacular. The Mane 6's pets were all well done as well. Their personalities coming off as rather fitting and about what you would expect. Well, other then Gummy, but that's more because it's hard to really know what to expect him to be like, but this stories take of him as some deep, Zen master in constant contemplation of the greater truths of the universe to the point he tends to not notice what's going on around him.... yeah that was one of the better parts of the story. So another well handled part.

Then you have Angel Bunny. The character with the most to do other then Fluttershy. And like so much, his whole arc was competently done, but rather predictable and hit all the expected notes. The other minor characters beyond Fluttershy and the mane 6 pets weren't anything bad, but tended to be rather flat, or serve more as plot devices or fill a needed roll rather then characters in their own right. And then there is Jim. Even for a story where Fluttershy turns into a rabbit, and takes place in a world where Pinkie Pie exists. Jim was just weird.

Ponyness: A really nice look at Fluttershy and great exploration of the pets. Everything felt in character, and there really isn't more to say beyond, "well done, but not spectaculary so" yet again. It used what it had well.

Overall: Good. A pretty much average fic. As has been clear by now, while it didn't have any glaring flaws beyond the contrivance needed for the set up, it also never quite did anything amazingly well either. Handling everything competently. Hitting the right points. But failing to have the ephemeral little bit extra that makes it truly engaging. It felt like everything was a dance set to a skilled piece of music. Yet with the dancers feeling lifeless. Just roboticly following along to the steps of the dance. Technically skilled, but lacking that extra little spark to really bring it to life. But still one I'd say is worth checking out for yourself.