[THE LIST] This does not match my headcanon

This list is not about my favorite stories of all time. That's my favorites list and it's nearly 200 fics strong. The thing is, I've got high standards for my favorites list. It's got to be a completed fic. I can't have said at any time during the reading of it that I would rather be reading (or doing) something else. It's got to be high quality, and if it doesn't follow tried, tested, and true formulas for creating a successful narrative work, it's got a damn good reason and pulls it off with flying colors. Sometimes, however, there's a fic that I'd like to recommend to people, but it's just not finished yet. Maybe it doesn't quite merit my favorites list but it does something unique and interesting and is worth more attention than it's getting. Perhaps it's just not something that ever reaches the feature box, so most people never hear about it.

The List is about stand-out works that deserve more love, for whatever reason. In addition to general reviews of the fics, these blog posts will tell why I picked a particular story and highlight any features the reader should look out for. Spoilers will be appropriately marked, so you'll be able to read my reviews with confidence that you'll be able to read the story itself and experience the same surprise and delight I did when I first found it.

Also, authors and fans of works will be able to submit stories. Your particular selection may not make it onto the list, and the more information you give me for why you think it should be featured, the more likely I'll be to read and post it. To submit a fiction, simply PM me through FiMFiction's link on my profile.

The list can be found here: Princess Columbia's List

Dazzling Doubles
by
icecreammac

Premise
After the events of Rainbow Rocks, Canterlot High gets three new transfer students who's names are Adagio Dazzle, Aria Blaze, and Sonata Dusk. Here's the catch, these three girls are completely human and have never heard of Equestria before.
Princess Columbia's Synopsis
As you may know if you pay attention to my blog, my personal headcanon is that the Sirens are at least a thousand years old and took on the forms their human-world counterparts had back when they first crossed over when Sparswirl the Blearded (can you tell I don't like the guy?) banished them from pony-land.

This fic...doesn't follow that.

While I'm slightly disappointed, the intriguing premise easily overcomes said disappointment and the fic is so well written that questions like, "Why do three girls who were born a full millennium later happen to be the quantum-entangled counterparts to ancient mythical beings?" fade into the background as, "I hope this is resolved, but I'm enjoying myself too much to really care if we ever find out."

So three completely human girls find out that they're the doppelgängers to three mystically powerful trans-dimensional sociopaths and, whups, those three sociopaths know that their doubles exist and are in the same town. They are understandably frightened out of their god-damned minds and the only person who really believes that they aren't mentioned sociopaths themselves is Sunset Shimmer. Even the rest of the HuMane 6 (Sci-Twi isn't part of this story) can't quite wrap their heads around the idea that these are doubles.

...Oh...my god! I just got an idea for this continuity where the human world Sunset Shimmer is a deranged serial killer and meets the Sirens and they team up...

OK, getting back to this story...

Why am I highlighting this fic?
In my opinion, Rainbow Rocks is probably the single best EQG entry in the series, and the somewhat ambiguous nature of how the sirens were just...left on the field makes for a magnificent opportunity for sequels and fan works. It's honestly a bit of a disappointment that Hasbro/DHX hasn't done more with the Sirens. Naturally, that means that nearly every Sirens-centric fic is worth noting for this fandom, some do it better than others.

*leaves a link here for absolutely no reason whatsoever*

There's just not many fics that feature a completely human group of girls who look (and even mostly act) like the Dazzlings we were introduced to in Rainbow Rocks. As a point, this is the only such fic that I'm aware of.

What makes this fic particularly good?
The characters of the three "human sirens" are just plain believable as a trio of high-school-aged girls. Sure, they may not be total Heathers like their Equestrian counterparts, but it's easy enough to imagine finding a triad of sisters that behave and dress like these characters as presented by this author. They have their own history that's hinted at without making us sit through exposition or rambling narration, we get the feel of the characters without having to be dragged through the character creation process as many newbie authors are wont to do.

Additionally, with a good bulk of the story being told from the human Dazzlings' perspective, we really truly sympathize and empathize with them. The frustration is palpable when having to deal with the aftermath of their Equestrian counterparts at the school and being repeatedly told they aren't allowed to know why; and then there's the lack of agency that being a true minor in modern society brings that highlights that these girls are stuck. They are required to endure the (to them) baseless accusations and bullying because they don't have a choice in the matter.

Who would like this fic?
'Fans of the Dazzlings' is kinda a given, but if you also like stories where characters have to overcome the deck being stacked against them or having to overcome prejudice, then you'll enjoy this one.

Does the author monetize?^*
No, be sure to drop them a line to encourage them to become a filthy, filthy capitalist.

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Endorsement on Princess Columbia's List is an endorsement of the selected work of fiction only and is not intended to endorse the creator of the work in any other way.

* Why highlight whether the author monetizes their work? By providing renumeration to the author, you often get the opportunity to request certain works be given higher priority. Additionally, when a person is able to get paid for their passion on their terms, it can often allow them to cut out things that otherwise distract from said passion, like a day job. Please support your content creators!