Fanfic Spotlight #24 · 10:26pm Feb 15th, 2015
Happy Lupercalia everyone! Err... Valentines... I mean... "Hearts & Hooves" day! Regardless, love (or something like it) should be in the air. So this week, we start off with The Story of Hearts and Hooves Day. Then we have a story about the struggles of Berry Punch, and what happens when you try to fill that void in your life with something less healthy than love. Lastly, just some fun, as we contemplate the existential dread embodied by the phrase "Cutie Mark Crusadicorn!"
The Story of Hearts and Hooves Day
by meme-asaurus
Words: 3,686 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Ckat_Myla
After Canterlot Wedding there was a wave of incoming stories surrounding a certain type of new pony species we’re all familiar with, and after the Hearts and Hooves Day episode there were surely several tales written of this type. However, this particular fic that manages to combine these two ideas (a background for the changelings and for the story told in H&HD) is most definitely this reviewer’s favorite.
In the interest of avoiding as many spoilers as possible, not much will be said for the specifics of the plot, only know that meme-asaurus utilizes a bit of the old-world pony in their creation of an origin story for one of our favorite baddies.
Prince Duncan and Princess Crystal are the names given for the characters from the old tale the CMC read about in the episode. Crystal’s pony race is one that is not allowed to marry or share their love with other species… and for good reason. Duncan however, has about as much regard for what she might want (and what might not be a good idea) as the CMC did for their prospective matchmaking pair. He orders a wizard to create the infamous love poison.
In this reviewer’s opinion, it is the most interesting and well-written of the stories pertaining to the love potion/poison back-story, and for the history surrounding the changelings. Most certainly worth a read if you are a fan of either episode (both Hearts and Hooves and Canterlot Wedding).
It Spills Over
By ambion
Words: 7,518 Complete: Yes
Recommended by PiercingSight
Oh, how I recommend this fic to all!
Why do I recommend it so wholeheartedly? Because it not only rings amazingly true, but also gives a glimmer of hope to those on all sides of this kind of situation.
In summary, Berry Punch has a drinking problem, one that conspires against her and threatens to stifle all of her hopes of happiness for herself and her daughter. In a fantastic combination of perspectives, routine occurrences, and turning points, ambion manages to place us inside the mind of Berry Punch in both a revealing and sobering manner. We follow her battle against the monster that seeks to overtake her, and the shining glimmering hope that manages to get a few glints in here and there.
I HIGHLY recommend it because it teaches many valuable lessons in regards to these types of situations, how they should be handled, and the hope that there is for anyone who happens to find themselves in a similar situation or know someone who does. It is touching, shocking, revealing, and comforting in all the right ways, taking us along for quite the moving ride through the life of one who is oppressed by one of the saddest of addictions, and her seemingly hopeless fight against it.
Cutie Mark Crusadicorn
by Eakin
Words: 13,544 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Xepher
While you may be familiar with Eakin's famous "Hard Reset" series, this fun little one-shot often gets overlooked. In it, Twilight, in typical Twilight fashion, mucks up a spell, and ends up swapping bodies with the three Cutie Mark Crusaders... at the same time. As Twilight tries to manage three independent bodies at the same time, the CMC find themselves in the body of one of the most powerful alicorns in the world... if only they can coordinate those pesky limbs.
I'm a huge fan of stories that look into the concept of "identity" and the gestalt entity Twilight becomes when split in three is a very interesting take on things. As I noted in comments when I originally read the story, I'm heavily reminded of the Tines from Vernor Vinge's excellent sci-fi novel, "A Fire Upon The Deep."
It's not all deeply metaphysical stuff here though, and the bulk of the story is just the fun romp you probably except with this kind of mix-up. Eakin does a great job maintaining the separate character identities and voices throughout, and even though it's a tad long for a one-shot, the prose flows quickly and smoothly, making it feel much quicker than other stories of the same length.
The only negative I really found was that the actions of the other adults in the story all feel a bit contrived. That is, they behave in typically cartoonish ways, and dismiss Twilight and her explanation as soon as she's in the body of a filly. That's somewhat understandable in the real world, but in a land where that kind of magic happens almost weekly, you'd think they'd be a little more open to the idea.
Still though, a really fun story to read, and some interesting philosophical things to ponder if you look at it deeper too. Definitely worth the read!
And that's it. I hope you all are having a great (and for some of us in the U.S., extended) weekend. Remember, even if (like me) you don't have a special someone and think this whole holiday is a bit too sappy, just remember that you can still be thankful for all the friends, family, and other loved ones you do have. We'll see you all back here next week. Until then, be awesome!
--Xepher, Ckat, and PiercingSight
