Advance, lunge. Retreat. It's about speed, but no one can run away. Sunset never thought she'd get the chance to show how far she had come, not in this. Her friends were by her side and they'd always be the greatest change in her life, but this was important too.
Changing bodies when she crossed over to the human world was hard enough. It was a challenge to write, and even harder to learn how to play the guitar. But this sport, fencing, felt nigh-impossible to master. But that was years ago.
Feint, disengage, lunge for the feet. Every time it's a lunge, firing the body like a magic blast from a unicorn's horn, only stronger. Every time she could feel the impact. The bending steel, it spoke volumes about how good the hit was.
Canterlot High had only ever had a fencing club, but the Inter-regional Fencing Tournament would be open to every young fencer, including upstart professionals. Schools like Crystal Prep would be sending their own team members, real competitors who lived with a sword in their hand. But none of them had to go through what Sunset did. She'd win for CHS, and finally give back to the one place that had done so much for her.
Sequel: https://www.fimfiction.net/story/414838/a-summers-gift
Just a short story I plan to be three, maybe four chapters long. I won't be publishing everything else until it's done, but I just wanted to get a public opinion on this concept.
For having been a quadruped and magical scholar for most her life, Sunset seems abnormally talented at a slew of human skills. I've heard of a Renaissance Man, but she didn't even have arms and thumbs until a few years ago, and yet already she is more talented with their use than the majority of humans who have had them their whole life.
This is a really excellent start. Definitely following to see how Sunset fares in this tournament!
8882292
Honestly I let a lot of it slide due to the kind of person Sunset is. She is an extremely driven individual and rarely settled for being less than the best before hand. In my eyes she would have obsessed over learning everything she might need as quickly as possible and perfect it.
8882292
I don't know if it shows, but I have years of experience with fencing. For myself, I started out young so my instructor taught me a little slowly the first couple years, but as I progressed and got to drill newcomers, I've seen a few extremely driven individuals pick up the sport relatively quick. I won't try to change your mind on how a character ought to be, but as a small aside for self-motivation, don't underestimate the power that passion can have on pushing oneself to do better every day.
ok this story has my attention its very good so far
Who made the cover art?
9044386
Its from the show sunset actually is in the fencing club
I really liked the scene at the end with Sunset and Marionette. Offered some good character material.
And of course, the fencing stuff before this was amazing. ^_^
This was a really excellent read. I quite enjoyed it.
Really nice ending with Sunset, the girls and Marionette.
As a fencer, I support this story wholeheartedly. As an epeeist, even more. Aside from my instant like of the subject, I also like the writing style. The setup is well done and the weapons seen thus far are explained in enough detail that someone unfamiliar can follow it, yet not distracting to people who already know, or so much that it would break the flow. All in all, a very interesting start and I'll definitely give you my full thoughts after reading the rest of the chapters.
That was a very good story. I like how all the weapons got good coverage, and how, during the epee tournament, you even addressed the cheering of Sunset's friends. I personally hate it when people cheer loudly, so it was nice to see it mentioned in a story like this.
I also like the building friendship with Marionette, it gave a nice flow to the story and it progressed very naturally. All in all, definitely one of the best fics I've read here.
9084223
Thanks so much for your thoughts! I had to write it for a broader audience, but I'm glad I connected with a fellow fencer.
9084278
You really did a good job at it. Are you an epeeist yourself, like Sunset is in the story?
9084319
I started out as foil, and I still believe it's the best starter for learning essential basics that cross over to epee, but I have the most time with epee. Still, when I started sabre a few years ago, that became my favourite, and I've heavily modified my sabre technique to blend it with elements of highland broadsword and polish sabre.
9085288
You do HEMA as well? Or just studying those styles on your own? I've always wanted to give HEMA a try sometime. Me, I've only ever done epee. I tried foil once, and immediately broke the foil. I don't really like the rules either. I also tried sabre once, and though I quite like it despite the ROW, and love watching it a high level, it doesn't really suit my style. I'm not much of an attacker so I usually try to bait attacks and then parry four or six.
9085303
I do HEMA in the sense that I study and apply its techniques when I fence, but I don't go to a HEMA dedicated club, unfortunately. There is one around my area with some of the stuff I'd like to practice, but I haven't had time to reach out to them and see what they're like. I highly recommend HEMA, especially if you have a lot of experience in fencing. You're generally better in terms of physique and footwork, while a lot of times HEMA can introduce a new perspective that can improve your regular sport fencing style.
Unlike most people who may be reading this, I am a rapier fencer. I do historical femcing. I am a little familiar with the Olympic style, however. Rapier fencing is what they did back in the 16th century. As such, when we do it today, our rules are different than those of the Olympic style. For example, we are not constricted to a line. We also can parry with our off hand, and may even have something in our off hand, such as a dagger or buckler. Whole body target, but if you get hit in the leg, you lose the leg. Same thing for the hand and arm. We also do not do doubles. Either both lose or the match is redone. This is because if we were really fighting with rapiers, both parties would be dead. We also have team battles and every man for himself. I did see a few drills in this that would be useful to us as well. I am really enjoying this story. Sunny, you better win all three! XD.
9127133
Thanks for your input, I'm also familiar with rapier, though I don't follow a single codified system. I haven't had time to go through a whole manual yet, I'm working on Fiore's work and 1.33. I've gone through highland's broadsword though, interesting stuff. Plus, they have horsies.
Just finished reading this story from beginning to end. It was fantastic. I particularly liked the fencing scenes. I'm no fencer, but I do greatly appreciate the effort and research that goes into things like that. And I just now read in the comments that you practice HEMA. No wonder you know so much. Good on you, boyo. And it's always nice to see another practitioner of European martial arts.
9245521
Thank you! Everything we write spreads a piece of our soul with it to the world, I'm happy that I've finally been able to share such an important aspect of my personality.
Waiting for the kendo fic now.
Good story. A really enjoyable way to spend an afternoon.
This is pretty impressive.
10409771
Thank you!
Interesting, a story focused on fencing, with an indept look into fencing. Haven't seen that before. Haven't really seen fencing or the like in stories. I kind of second the kendo story
10424771
I'm down for a kendo story, but I closest I've gotten to doing Kendo is watching a few classes at a gym along my weekend jogging route. But maybe, just maybe, someone out there has the experience to make a kendo spinoff.
"Ponies began to gather as the final was about to start, even while the young men's eliminations were going on." Just noticed this tiny error, should be points, yes?
10426708
Fudge. After multiple revisions, I'm surprised that got by me. It should be "people began to gather," thanks for pointing that out for me. Fixed it.
10426909
No prob, loving this story. While I've only read a few manuals, and whatnot, I have found fencing interesting
Excellent job
10426909
I forget, are you making a sequel to this or did I imagine that post?
10428988
There are two sequel stories that are shorter and character focused. But yes, I'm working out the details for the first chapter of a true fencing-focused sequel.
10429285
Awesome
yep, she really is.
wait is that true?
sometimes I even wonder if any of the students who attend CPA like doing all of that training just to win. 🤔
That was nice of them.
oofity
This is sure gonna take a lot of practice.
IMO, it be best she doesn't do it.
tha'ts the spirit Sunset, use the skills is better than the magic over this.
Only you can find out the answer Sunset.
Good for you sunset
Huh, that explains why she isn't here.
Hopefully no one knew sour sweet was the one who told them this info.
Couldn't agree more with you Rainbow.
Well that sure caught me by surprise.
I like the name gryphonstoner.
Glad to see rarity arrived home safely.
Yep, always be ready for the unexpected.
See Marionette, the cheering was helping more than you thought.
Wow, I can't believe it, Sunset lost.....
She's taking this way to serious imo.
I'd so accept that offer if I were you
Good for her.
I'd hate to have an alarm like that one.
Dang, this sure will be tough to beat.
Did pinkie just break the fourth wall?
Glad to see they're making a new friend.
Huh, that's interesting.
What matters is you got this far Sunset, and you did your best.
She's right, they're taking it to serious.
Overall great story and learned a lot more about fencing.
10988699
The thing about water is true this is why in boxing you see the coaches won't let you get more than a sip or two of water or any at all. And just using it to wet their mouth and then spit it out with possible blood as well from the round just ended. Not only can it weigh you down more so give you a bloated sick feeling. But on top of this if you get hit with a hard body shot can literally make you throw up which pretty much is a guaranteed fight ender. Since recovering to fight after throwing up much less getting back to full strength is damn near impossible. Especially cause you most likely would have had the wind knocked out of you during this.
11057740
huh, that's interesting.