Ponyfic Roundup 71: Pony was a Warrior

Pascoite made this interesting post over on Chris's blog the other day. As with quite a few posts there, it's a bit over my head at times, but it's certainly worth a look. My reviews, for what it's worth, are unashamedly of the "Did Logan like this?" variety. I do try to say why I loved or loathed a fic, but detailed analysis is not really my thing. This week, there are five stories to consider:

The Midnight Run by midnightshadow
Through The Door by Regidar
Temporary Measures by ambion
Sunset Town by Art Inspired
Remembering by Yip

The Midnight Run by midnightshadow
Twilight and Applejack
Adventure; 3k words; Sep 2011; Everyone

Some say Earth ponies have no magic... but that isn't true. They are the secret custodians of nature

Having seen that this fic was referenced by the amazing Riverdream at Sunset: a Manuscript (PR 70), I really wanted to know more. This tale of Twilight being invited into a world different from anything she's experienced before is a worthwhile read, and much better than most 2011 fics. It even has a (slight) twist on the "letter to Celestia" theme. Although I certainly found it discomfiting, it didn't have quite the intense effect on me that it seems to have on some other readers. Something interestingly out of the mainstream and unlike almost anything else you'll read. ★★★★

Through The Door by Regidar
Celestia and Luna
Sad/Slice of Life; 3k words; Dec 2014; Everyone

Princess Luna, intrigued by the mirror in the bottom of the Crystal Palace, looks down into her own fears.

This collaboration with Art Inspired and SS&E is one of the rare fics featuring the Door of Nightmares from the S3 premiere. It's packed with exposition early on, so be prepared. I couldn't quite get on with Celestia's voice, and Luna's Royal Canterlot Grammar is frequently off ("Art thou anypony here?"). A nice concept that isn't quite given the treatment or space it deserves. Mind you, "The midnight matriarch breathed softly at the solar princess's torso" certainly wins my Sentence of the Week award! :P ★★

Temporary Measures by ambion
Twilight and Pinkie Pie
Adventure; 5k words; Aug 2014; Everyone

Twilight Sparkle comes to terms with having lost - and gained - a home.

This should really be tagged Slice of Life/Adventure (insert my usual whinge about Fimfiction restrictions here). It's very enjoyable, though, and although written before "Castle, Sweet Castle" it may even work better in the light of that episode. The story's greatest strength is its brilliant Pinkie characterisation. Twilight's fine too, and the narration is fun, but read this for the Pinkie. ★★★★

Sunset Town by Art Inspired
Celestia
Slice of Life; 1k words; Jun 2014; Everyone

Princess Celestia visits her oldest home.

This is more a vignette than a story, so whether you'll like it depends on whether you like what it's showing you. I found it sometimes interesting but sometimes dull, not helped by a mildly annoying narrative voice and the fic's brevity. I would like to know more about the Sunset Ponies, though. ★★

Remembering by Yip
Spike
Sad; 2k words; Aug 2012; Everyone

Dealing with memories can be too much for one to bear.

It's obvious from the cover art that Twilight is gone, and that Spike is dealing with his grief. The main problem with this fic is that Spike doesn't really sound like Spike; I just can't stretch to believing he'd say things like "I’d like to pay for my glass myself, if you would be so kind". On the plus side, I didn't see the twist at the end coming. ★★