Ponyfic Roundup 551

Read it Later story count: 88 (-1)

Words read this week: 33,900

Oh look, another 30 °C heatwave. We're really not used to this in the English Midlands, you know. It's also been really dry, and all the grass is yellowing. At least I can still read ponyfic, and that's just what I've been doing this week. Here at last is the slate:

In Droves, They See by Odd_Sarge
The 108th Page by Rightir_Russian_Mare
A Better Way To Be Dad by Jade Ring
Mourn The Wicked by SoundoftheWaves
Octavia's Last Night by Rune Soldier Dan

Zero: 1 | ★: 0 | ★★: 1 | ★★★: 2 | ★★★★: 1 | ★★★★★: 0
Note: I use a skewed rating system. A fic I enjoy an average amount scores two stars.

In Droves, They See by Odd_Sarge
Clover, Minuette, Lemon Shine, Twinklehearts and OCs
G4; Drama/Slice of Life; 5k words; Feb 2025; Everyone

On the cusp of receiving the finest lessons on magic a pony can have, Clover the Clever is sent to Fillydelphia. The knowledge she receives there is more fundamental than anything Starswirl could teach.

Clover is enormously important to the history of ponydom and the magic of friendship, yet she's only occasionally mentioned in canon. Odd_Sarge suggests a reason why this might be so, without diminishing her significance ‒ indeed, quite the reverse. I did find the language and delivery here a little less to my liking at times (although it's an authorly decision, not bad writing) but the underlying lesson on the difference between famous and important is very good. As such, a solid three. ★★★

The 108th Page by Rightir_Russian_Mare
Twilight, Celestia and OC
G4; Dark/Comedy/Slice of Life; 801 words [sic]; Nov 2011; Everyone

Reading is always though of as a good thing nowadays, but is there such a thing as reading to much?

When it comes to this fic, then yes, yes there is. This is a short piece in which Twilight reads a book. It's generally a simple if rather dull slice-of-life piece, but then you get to the end. The entire fic exists to lead up to a racist joke – and this isn't an "if you're sensitive, but secretly funny" racist joke, it's a front-and-centre and tedious one. This one is so egregious that knighty commented "pushing it a little with this ending" on the fic. Nope, not having this. Zero stars

A Better Way To Be Dad by Jade Ring
Chrysalis, Tirek and Cozy Glow
G4; Comedy/Slice of Life; 2k words; Aug 2019; Everyone

Tirek asks Cozy Glow a simple question not knowing that it might change the very nature of their relationship.

That question, which opens this fun quickfic, is "Where are your parents?" And it gets a direct and somewhat disconcerting but believable answer. But still, Cozy remains in need of some kind of father figure. Can you see where this is heading? It's light reading and not to be taken too seriously, but as a playful reimagining of the Legion of Doom's relationship it hits the spot. Note to self: don't call Chrysalis "Chryssy"... ★★★

Mourn The Wicked by SoundoftheWaves
Celestia, Luna and Chrysalis
G4; Tragedy; 1k words; Jul 2015; Everyone

Chrysalis has been defeated, and Equestria celebrates.

Set in the aftermath of "A Canterlot Wedding", this story has an intriguing setup: why is Celestia sad about what happened to Chrysalis? Quite an interesting answer is given, albeit one that wouldn't work with today's canon. There's also a related explanation for why Celestia lost that quick battle with Queen Bug in Canterlot. So, potentially fantastic – but sadly it doesn't do the crucial work of explaining why Chrysalis's childhood was as it is here. That makes it feel incomplete. Still interesting as a bit of a time capsule fic, but a highish two is the best I can justify. ★★

Octavia's Last Night by Rune Soldier Dan
Octavia, Discord, Tirek and Vinyl Scratch
G4 AU; Adventure/Drama/Sad; 24k words; Jan–Mar 2023; Teen (Death)

With Discord by her side, Octavia Melody must confront her past to save her soul.

This is inspired by the rock opera Beethoven's Last Night by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, but as I don't know that I'm reviewing it as a standalone. That doesn't seem to have hurt it, as I'm impressed. At the point of death, with her Tenth Symphony just completed but not yet heard, Octavia is offered a dreadful bargain by Tirek – who in this AU is in a kind of Faust role (and I don't mean Lauren). Discord is there to guide her, albeit in a very Discordant way. There are twists and turns aplenty, and some fascinating playing with timelines and possibilities. Octavia's relationship with Vinyl is the thread running through the fic, but it's worn fairly lightly and that only enhances its impact. Characterisation is strong, and the ending works. An easy four and recommended. ★★★★

---

There we go! A pretty impressive fic to round us of with, though perhaps that wasn't surprising given its author. Now, next week's word count will be very low, so that I can catch up again. There's more to this decision, but I'll save that for a post of its own soon. Here are the fics:

Ciderfire by ambion
Dressed in Dappled Gold by CharmingMarething
Discord's Time Travel Trip. [sic] by Hotel Chicken
Dressed to Egress by AsiagoUnicorn
Balloon To The Moon by The Sleepless Beholder