Fanfiction Spotlight #54 · 5:53am Jan 14th, 2018
Good Evening Pony Fans! We're back again, and trying to find a consistent schedule for these updates! This week we've got a few interesting stories for you to check out! This week, Silver Flare looks at a long form poem that works really well, and Novel Idea has a rather interesting piece about one of Celestia's assistants!
I also wanted to give you a brief update, again reminding folks that in February we'll be announcing the start of the EFNW Scribblefest 2018! This year will be a little different, but the concept is the same. We'll be dropping a prompt, and judging it for folks competing to win one of several categories! Just what those are Heartshine and Xepher haven't figured out yet, but we're working on it. 
Anyways, we hope you enjoy the stories we found for you to check out!
---Review by Silver Flare---
Only, Only You
By Corejo
Words: 1,594 Complete: Yes
Recommended by Silverflare
It’s difficult to find good poetry in fanfiction, no matter which fandom you subscribe to. It could be argued that good poetry is just hard to find in general. That Corejo manages to tell a story and evoke emotion while adhering to rhyme and meter is an amazement to me. Plus, it’s just plain fun to read out loud.
This poem is in two parts, both from the point of view of the sentient shadow-stuff that bonded with Luna to become the Nightmare. The first chapter covers its travel from the castle in the Everfree to Canterlot in search of Luna, and the second is their confrontation in the streets.
What makes this poem stand out from a narrative perspective is how it’s framed as a love story. It’s easy to remember Luna’s fall as an act of jealousy, or an act of bitterness. Yet, from where did the bitterness and jealousy stem, if not from a deep well of love for moon and stars and the cloak of night?
I’d hate to spoil any of the twists, nor any of the bright and subtle gems tucked away in the sparse 1,500 word poem. Just read it. You’ll be glad you did.
Raven
by SaintChoc
6,033 words - Complete: Yes
Recommended by Novel-Idea
Raven was one of the first stories I came across when I entered FimFiction. This story helped redefine my definition of “fanfiction” and showed me just what was possible when someone allows their imagination to take off.
I don’t want to ruin the magical dynamic of this story, so I’m not going to reveal the plot. But I will say that Raven explores the life and times of the personal aide to Princess Celestia with a simple concept: No one alive today can say where she came from; simply that she has always been there.
This story slowly unfolds the origins of Raven in a manner I have yet to see matched on FimFiction to date. The sheer wonder and meaning behind her being an aide to Celestia only becomes apparent at the very end of the book. I warn you, you may cry a little.
Celestia, Luna and Raven are all perfectly written. We get to see Celestia with her mask off—and sometimes outright broken. We get to see Luna concerned about both the past and the future. And we get to see a nervous young aide become one of the greatest stabilizing forces Equestria has never known.
Why are you still here? Go read it already!
Both super solid stories. Fortunately for my RIL, I can state this from experience!