... Boring or not, I've decided to post a few words about some
of the stories I've read in the past few months. Perhaps it
will be of interest to someone here. (After all, you'll never
know unless you try...) There're three short stories and two
ongoing novels that I follow.
Send Only Memories
by Chinchillax (2016-10-26)
http://fimfiction.net/story/351487/1/send-only-memories/-
Everything has a beginning. And an end. The world of Equestria
may last for the millenia to come; millions of years even. But
going this way will prevent the universe itself from ending.
And being reborn. Twilight tries to convince the creator of her
world to give it up for the greater good.
One of the finest "pony" short stories I've read so far. I've
found it back in May and I'm still feeling myself under its effect.
'Destiny' and Other Lies Told to Foals
by Sunchaser (2013-07-28)
http://fimfiction.net/story/84693/destiny-and-other-lies-told-to-foals/
Twilight wakes from a terrible nightmare; so terrible that she
goes all the way to Canterlot in the middle of a rainy night
just to ask Celestia a question or two.
The nightmare? It's "Magical Mystery Cure" -- the season 3
finale, also originally envisioned as the finale for the show.
In the story, the author points at a handful of issues with the
episode that are likely to be trivial oversights on the part of
the team (being pressed for time because of both the parallel
development of the "My Little Pony Equestria Girls" movie, and
also trying to put what could've easily been a two-parter into a
single episode), but when taken at face value, may have rather
"unfortunate" implications.
Also has an alternate ending, featuring (in the words of the
author) "Celestia, but just the slightest bit wrong."
Why The Immortal Smiles (There Is No Time To Frown)
by kalash93 (2017-08-31)
http://fimfiction.net/story/383686/1/
Celestia ponders on what the future has for ponykind; what the
challenges it may bring; and whom she is going to lose soon.
The story does a good job at depicting the thoughts an immortal
may have under the circumstances. Whether these circumstances
are in good alignment with the canon -- or 'common sense' -- is
debatable, I suppose. At the very least, it reminded me that in
biology (as we know it), evolution involves not only
competition, but cooperation as well; and ISTR it was theorized
that under certain circumstances, the latter may even become the
dominant driving force.
Chrysalis Visits The Hague
by Dan The Man
http://fimfiction.net/story/62981/chrysalis-visits-the-hague
The International Criminal Court (ICC) is intended to exercise
its jurisdiction when "national courts are unwilling or unable
to prosecute criminals [...]" (per Wikipedia.) Now that
Equestria is discovered in the middle of the Pacific Ocean,
it should be in the best interests of Queen Chrysalis to face a
fair trial with (mostly) humans in charge, rather than one run
by ponies. For the Equestrian Crown, it brings the hope of
establishing a common ground with the United Nations.
A remarkable feature of this novel is that 193k+ words into it,
I still have no idea just what's going on. Conspiracies aplenty.
Author seems to make it a challenge to paint someone a hero and
another a victim in one chapter, just to plant the seeds of
doubt in the next.
Rites of Ascension
by CvBrony
http://fimfiction.net/story/39849/rites-of-ascension
One day, years after the events of the season 2, Twilight makes
a successful experiment involving earth pony magic. Celestia
has to point that what she's done is impossible. For a unicorn.
This sets the course that'll ultimately lead to Twilight
becoming an alicorn princess of Equestria.
For now, Twilight Sparkle, the newly appointed Grand Mage of
Equestria, is on the journey to familiarize herself with the
realm at large, uncover conspiracies going back in time for
centuries, but most importantly, to learn and fight for /her/
little ponies. For, as Luna put it, "ascension is... eventful."
The novel features good humor and conveys a strong feeling of
"race against the clock," as Twilight all so often confronts the
situations that require skills of a warrior, not a librarian.
--
FSF associate member #7257 np. Legend of the North -- ethansight 230E 334A