Ponyfic Roundup 532

Read it Later story count: 89 (-2)

Words read this week: 26,587

I've had quite a busy time this week, not really for any bad reasons but just because several things have come up at the same time. I am therefore rather tired as I write this and could do with sleeping for about 18 hours. As such, I'm pleased to have managed to get this edition of Ponyfic Roundup out on time. The usual five stories on the slate today, so first of all let's see what's coming up:

Remember Vigil by Golden Paw
Interloper by Raugos
One of Them by ThePinkedWonder
Filly à Deux by UmberRose
A Charmed Life by BlazzingInferno

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

Remember Vigil by Golden Paw
Twilight and OC
G4; Dark/Adventure; 5k words; Jun 2014; Teen

I stand as a watcher; a guardian over an ancient power that could reshape the world. There is one who approaches: I know not their name but I sense they are an alicorn like myself, maybe they are the one I wait to release me from my guardianship?

This fic was written for the "Most Dangerous Game" contest, wherein authors had to take an often horribly used cliché (in this case an alicorn OC) and make it work. If you can cope with a bit of POV changing, there's quite a bit to appeal here, not least the pervading sense of mystery about exactly what is happening as Twilight arrives on her quest to find a cure for a plague of "living stone". I wasn't sure what to make of Vigil (the watcher of the shortdesc) to start with, but I came away feeling considerable sympathy and empathy for his task. ★★★

Interloper by Raugos
Starlight Glimmer, Bat Pony and OC
G4 AU; Slice of Life; 6k words; Nov 2017; Teen

In the midst of a war with the Crystal Empire, a lone night ranger stumbles upon a strange unicorn, a mare who claims to be the cause of all their pain and suffering.

No prizes for guessing that the above happens in the S5 finale's war timeline, although there's more to this story than that. The batpony (yes, the word "thestral" is used) who finds Starlight is Hemlock, a poisons expert who knows exactly how to make Starlight stop and talk in the way that she (Hemlock) wants. This fic feels very nicely grounded in this particular AU, and the tight focus keeps the story moving well. After a while we learn more about both the characters, and in Hemlock's case I really did not see the twist coming. A very satisfying piece and well recommended. ★★★★

One of Them by ThePinkedWonder
Starlight Glimmer, Spike and Mane Six
G4; Drama/Slice of Life; 3k words; Mar 2024; Everyone

When a setback made Starlight Glimmer seriously consider if she might be undeserving of friends, Spike had an important talk with her.

This fic is set just after the events of "Every Little Thing She Does", with Starlight beating herself up about whether she's truly been accepted as a real friend by the Mane Six, or whether she's really just a "plus 1" only invited to things at Twilight's instigation. Spike takes it upon himself to have a serious talk with Starlight, drawing on his own experiences, not least with Twilight. This is a pretty satisfying little piece, one which feels like a potential organic follow-up to the episode itself. It's a simple story, but I think both Spike and Glimmy fans will find something for them here. A top-end three and a fine choice as a tea-break fic. ★★★

Filly à Deux by UmberRose
Sweetie Belle and CMCs
G4; Dark; 5k words; Sep 2012; Teen

What does it feel like when a pony is losing her mind?

This author has only two published stories, and the other one is a nasty gorefic. This story, fortunately, is not, although you can see from the above that it's hardly light fluff. It's set "a couple of years in the future" (from 2012) and Sweetie Belle has got her cutie mark. She's the only Crusader who has, though, and Sweetie has grown apart from the other two. As she tours and sings, she starts to see a frightening figure pursuing her. We do eventually find out who that is, but I'm not really convinced it's justified given the pony involved. There's not quite enough of a solid foundation to make the startling reveal convince. ★★

A Charmed Life by BlazzingInferno
Derpy and Other
G4; Drama/Slice of Life; 7k words; Jun 2020; Everyone

Every second Wednesday something special appears at the second-hoof store, something that just might turn Ditzy’s hope for a fresh start in Ponyville into the career of her dreams.

Like One of Them above, this story was written years after its setting, which in this case is way back in S1. It won the Depth in Innocence contest, which required entrants to write an E-rated story with emotional depth. A Charmed Life is fascinating, starting off with Ditzy (as she's called here) working in a fast food joint, contrasting with an unfulfilled Canterlot heiress (named Lucky Charm, hence the fic title) trying to get away from her riches and inheritance. The two ponies' lives entangle in a way that works remarkably well, we get a satisfying cutie mark aspect, and there's still time for some convincing if sometimes sad background world-building. This is heartwarming and interesting and very Pony. ★★★★

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Next week, I'm going to be doing something I haven't tried for a long time: letting the fics I read be chosen by a Random Number Generator! This admittedly didn't have a wonderful hit rate when I last tried it, but hope shines eternal. (Hmm, I seem to have seen that phrase somewhere...) Rules: no incomplete fics, no crossovers I don't know, no sequels unless they work as standalones, no outright porn/gorefics, one M-rated fic only, no Anon fics. Beyond that, the RNG chose these:

Liable for Content by Sarcasmo
Sentinel by Xenos
The Truth That Lies Within by Ps3luver
We Can't All Be Friends by Awesomo3000
Fear Itself by saarni