Ponyfic Roundup 74: Be Cunning, and Full of Tricks

Right, on to this week's batch of story reviews:

Of Cottages and Cloud Houses by bookplayer
Congratulations Apple Bloom, You're the New Mane Six by Servant Phoenix
Tenacity by FanOfMostEverything
The Art of Friendship by Blueshift
Election Day by Alaborn
Chrysalis Kidnaps Rainbow Dash For 10 Minutes by Cloud Hop

Of Cottages and Cloud Houses by bookplayer
Rainbow Dash and Fluttershy
Slice of Life; 5k words; Aug 2012; Everyone

Fluttershy and Rainbow Dash both move into their first homes, and they aren't what they had in mind

As this recent Royal Canterlot Library inductee's long description says, Dash starts off in the cottage and 'Shy in the Cloud House. In both cases, this has to do with their annoying parents, and the interactions each has with them are the best thing about this story. It does show its age a little, and definitely feels like a tale from simpler times, but that mostly fine for a fic of this sort. I'm not too keen on the "An orange mare..." character introductions, though. The letters at the end, which are not show-style, turn out to be excellent. Far too many instances of the same punctuation error (full stops rather than commas to close dialogue), although if you listen rather than read this problem – which really is so frequent as to be seriously distracting – will go away. ★★★

Congratulations Apple Bloom, You're the New Mane Six by Servant Phoenix
Apple Bloom, CMC, Fluttershy, Discord and Mane Six
Comedy/Slice of Life; 2k words; Apr 2014; Everyone

Apple Bloom makes the wrong potion during Twilight Time and drinks it.

The author of the enjoyable Flutterhug (PR 16) doesn't quite hit the mark this time. Apple Bloom's apprentice-level potioneering skills leading her to accidentally become each of the Mane Six in turn is a fun idea, but the execution is lacking. In particular, the character voicing is occasionally a bit off, and there's a rather clunky fourth wall bit with Pinkie Pie. Oh, and a horribly forced fandom/meme reference. ★★

Tenacity by FanOfMostEverything
Tank, Twilight, Applejack and Pinkie Pie
Sad; 2k words; May 2015; Everyone

Spring comes and Tank awakens, greeted by the sound of wings.

Tank's hibernation is over, and it's finally time to reunite with Rainbow Dash – but where is she? The answer to this central question is obvious from fairly early on, but is nevertheless well handled. What I found more interesting was the world-building around the edges, some of which is quite fascinating. The final twist was a little disappointing, and that's the only reason this doesn't quite make a four. Even so, it's a top-end three and so still recommended. Also, it has gorgeous cover art by LinaPrime. ★★★

The Art of Friendship by Blueshift
Twilight and Trixie
Romance/Comedy/Random/Alternate Universe; 1k words; Jan 2012; Everyone

What if Twilight and Trixie were both inanimate paintings who were in love?

It's been a while since I read a classic Blueshift "ponies aren't ponies" fic, so here we are. This follows the usual template of a Twixie romance played out against the backdrop of a hundred ridiculous puns. "Nightmare Moondrian" alone takes some beating. Tea-break silliness, in a good way. ★★★

Election Day by Alaborn
Celestia, Luna, Discord, Blueblood and OCs
Comedy; 2k words; Nov 2014; Everyone

The results of Equestria’s parliamentary elections are in! To report the results, Princess Celestia sends out her new Minister of Elections... Discord.

Another very highly regarded story (+101/-1) that didn't quite do it for me. Having a minister who acts as though he's a senior civil servant crossed with Judge Dredd is a bit strange in itself, but hey, it's Discord. What does really feel off is the ending, which – and, okay, it's a comedy – really doesn't feel right for this Equestria ruled by this Celestia. Also, Equestria has television, if that bothers you. ★★

Chrysalis Kidnaps Rainbow Dash For 10 Minutes by Cloud Hop
Chrysalis, Rainbow Dash, Twilight and Celestia
Comedy; 4k words; Jul 2014; Everyone

Chrysalis kidnaps Rainbow Dash and holds her for ransom. This same Rainbow Dash also happens to be engaged to the immensely powerful Alicorn Princess Twilight Sparkle. Chrysalis is not a very smart changeling.

Don't bother looking for any real explanation as to why Twi and Dash are engaged: there isn't one. There's also a little bit of meta, which didn't really do anything for me. The broad comedy of the bulk of the story, though, is plenty of fun, especially when Chrysalis is speaking. This fic is a good choice if you have a few minutes and don't want anything too taxing. ★★★