Will number 13 prove unlucky this week? Actually, no. I've got a mixed bag of stories to feature this time round, one much longer than the others, but there should be enough in here that most people can find something to enjoy. I won't ramble on quite as much as usual as I can't think of anything to say (what do you mean, that doesn't usually stop me?) so let's get on with things.
Pick of the fics
It's a Dangerous Business, Going Out Your Door by Jetfire2012
Rainbow Dash, Applejack, Rarity and OCs
Adventure/Alternate Universe; 147K words; Apr 2014; Teen (Gore)
This well-known story is actually much older than its FimFiction publication date, pre-dating the site itself. It's a classic adventure in the Tolkien mode (the parallels are obvious, occasionally blatantly so) in which three of the Mane Six set out to find what they need to save Twilight's life. Heaps of ideas and interesting OCs, and would have been an easy 9 if only it didn't have a terrible case of Lavender Unicorn Syndrome. Don't be scared off by the Gore tag; it's not too bad. 8.5/10
Other stories
The Birds and the Bees by theworstwriter
CMC and Mane Six
Comedy; 4K words; Oct 2011; Everyone
The Cutie Mark Crusaders want to know how foals are made. So they ask the ponies they think will know best, which is to say the Mane Six. This leads to... well, a lot of silliness and misunderstandings. Poor old Rainbow Dash, that's all I can say! A really, really silly ending, but that's no bad thing. Lightweight fun. 7/10
The Defender of Ponyville by Purple Dalek
Other, Apple Bloom, Diamond Tiara and Silver Spoon
Comedy/Slice of Life; 2K words; Apr 2014; Everyone
A short, light comedy starring an oft-neglected background pony, Archer. Actually, I don't think I've ever read another fic with her as the main character. It reads quite like a story aimed at foals, and that's no bad thing. The odd thing niggles, but there is a rather well judged ending. 6.5/10
I Need You to be Brave by MidnightDancer
Twilight, Spike and Discord
Sad/Slice of Life; 3K words; May 2014; Everyone
Quite an odd tale, this one. It's told in first person by Spike, and is set at some unspecified point in the future. As the story goes on, it becomes clear (well, clearer) what's happened. Discord's part in the fic is rather strange, but I suppose that's reasonable for him. A rather moving ending. Hard to rate, but 7/10.
Why Did You Forgive Me? by Fluffy Rose
Fluttershy and Discord
Sad/Slice of Life; 1K words; Apr 2014; Everyone
Set after the S4 finale, this story has Discord ask Fluttershy the question in the title. It's a potentially fascinating one, but sadly a sometimes sweet fic is let down by rather poor writing. The first paragraph is especially off-putting, with several glaring errors. One rather strange reference to "Dragonshy", too. A story that keeps threatening to become something much more, but never quite does so. 5/10
Just read The Birds and the Bees. A storyline that's probably been done many times, but a solid 7/10.
ReplyDeleteWeirdly enough, there's a story in my review queue on the same subject with the same title! I'll be fascinated to compare them. Also, thank you for the comment, and apologies for the late reply.
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