Lives are controlled. Communication is monitored. Anything deemed improper is censored. If you want to send messages in private, you need to do it physically, with couriers known as Runners.
Rainbow Dash is a Runner. It's not the greatest job, but it's for a good cause.
The government is hunting Runners. If they think you're carrying information they don't want you carrying, they'll come after you with everything they've got. They have nigh-limitless resources at their disposal: enforcers, vehicles, surveillance. Your life will be on the line until you submit. They will find you and they will hunt you down, and your only defense will be your wits and your ability to run.
Now it's the greatest job.
An experiment in atmosphere, entered in the Science Fiction Contest II because it inspired me to finish it. A thematic crossover with Mirror's Edge; no non-pony knowledge required.
I have long had a fantasy of a ponified Mirror's Edge so I couldn't resist delving into this, but I got way more than I was expecting. This is beautifully done. It manages to bring the dystopian city to life much more vividly than the game was able to. The choice of present tense is perfect for a story where we're constantly on the edge, and having Rainbow treat the whole thing like a game is a great way to mesh game logic with the narrative. I love how you even used necessary contrivances like the flight suppressors to give such a magnificent payoff at the end. Fantastic stuff. :) Wishing you luck in the contest.
Exhilarating. It can be challenging making a story fundamentally one extensive action sequence, but this was consistently really thrilling, while casually sharing juuuuust enough details about the setting to keep it creatively engaging as well.
I've never played Mirror's Edge but this really makes me wanna check it out
Adrenaline.
Captivating as all hell. Pacing is ridiculously well-done for tackling the style of Mirror’s Edge (which in itself is definitely worth noting!) while also getting really conceptual in so many tight ways. I especially adored the tutelary section. There are just so many great ideas hinted and worked into this, and it is all so satisfying. Great run from Rainbow, and even greater sights from you: seriously, fantastic work with the world-building; it was all so natural in spite of the absolute adrenaline that this fic is. You are excellent at getting the heart going fast.
NEW RAMBLING WRITER STORY LETS GOOO
I never played Mirror's Edge, so all of it looks new to me. But that was sure a cool story. I wonder what Dashie and Applejack were carrying. A message for Fluttershy?
I do know the song "Warning Call", which is featured in the second game, Catalyst, and I absolutely love it like many of the songs from CHVRCHES.
This gets a fave. Good job!
Cool I loved every moment of it
I especially loved the bit with the Tutelary being responsible for Runner Vision.
You captured the feel of the game pretty well, too.
oof, too true to life
stairs do seem far less suited for ponies than they are for humans
so true, also a great commentary on modern design trends
hehe, the horseshoenet! and yes, it is indeed a very useful excuse for Rainbow Dash
ooh, cyberpunk af
hehe, Rainbow is very well-suited to this as well!
aww, love this for Rainbow
so true
ooh, a very neat idea! and an in-universe justification for all of these thrilling action sequences
must be quite fast for even this Rainbow Dash-inflected narration to be saying this
and what a flex!
i was really in awe at just how well-paced this entire long action chase sequence of a story was! i’m someone who gets easily lost in long action sequences, so that is really saying something. well done!
You're alive, Rainbow Dash ~
Adrenaline is one hell of a drug.
Love this. I have no clue what Mirrorʼs Edge actually is, but that didnʼt hinder my ability to enjoy the story. Iʼm in love with the dystopia universe you've created here.
And also Dash is the best. She proves sheʼs just as awesome on the ground as she is in the air.
Into Best of Alternate Universe this goes!
This story has made me want to break out my old copy of mirrors edge catalyst and hope to god I can actually play it
Hello! I reviewed this (fairly...) recently, so here's your belated courtesy note. I think your "experiment in atmosphere" was a success, and the brisk pacing and effective tension are satisfying. I know nothing about Mirror's Edge, but I was still suitably thrilled by your thriller. An easy like and favourite for me.