So it's time to talk about the most powerful element of any fan base: its ability to create original stories with the characters.
I make suggestions in the audio above, but I'll do a brief synopsis of each of my major picks below. (The audio also includes "Cupcakes" thoughts, but I'm not linking it on principle.)
Synopsis: A human dealing with loneliness and a lack of closure in his life finds a young Rainbow Dash in a box and raises her for more than a decade.
The legitimate gold standard for MLP fanfictions. People rave about this story, and honestly, the hype is justified.
It's very much an 'Old Yeller' kind of story where it's mostly a chronicle of life the two have together. If anything, it needed to be longer so that the emotional punch was that much harder.
If you read ANY fic from this franchise, make it this one.
My Little Dashie: A sequel by TY 500600
Synopsis: A 'what if' where Dashie's memories aren't corrected, due to a reason explained later, and she looks to return home.
This is the best sequel of the unofficial sequels. The voice matches perfectly and there's a real theme of making sacrifices for those you care for that is present throughout. I'd say this story nearly matches the original, and I wish there was a sequel that took place after the epilogue.
Audio reading is below:
Other sequels I'd note:
My Little Dashie Part II (comic form)Synopsis: Discord offers a deal to Dashie and her father.
My Little Dashie: The Return
Synopsis: Rainbow Dash's memories return and now she wants to see her adoptive father.
Let's move on to my other high recommendation:
Synopsis: What if the Mane 6 missed a Pinkie Pie clone during "Too Many Pinkie Pies" and she saw her fellow clones' destruction?
This one is a legitimately good story that needed to be told in my opinion. It presents a realistic 'what if' scenario and dives into what would happen if a being who had six hours life experience suddenly dealt with a massive trauma and existential crisis.
Admittedly, much of chapters 2-5 are 'sadfic' territory and really harp on what she's feeling when such detail is understood, but the actual plot gives a glimpse into a person trying to find their place in the world, all while the clone tries to reach the palace so her life might be pardoned.
It's beautifully done and kudos to this writer.
A Look into Witchcraft by Masterweaver
Synopsis: Twilight discovers the FIW universe and characters of both universes have to react to each other.
This has been both a hilarious and heartfelt story, which makes it all the more upsetting that it hasn't been updated in so long.
Seriously get on this writer to finish the story! In the meantime, check out one of his other hilarious works:
Dance of the Rainbow
Synopsis: Rainbow Dash has a family secret that she doesn't want anyone to know. What follows has to be shown, not told.
Yeah I laughed big at this thing. The end is so absurd it's amazing. The only downside is that there are clear ethical flaws in the characters that make it seem like no one learned anything from the Mare-do-well story.
My Little Powerpuff: Teamwork is Magic by PrinceofBrony
Synopsis: The Powerpuff Girls, Utonium, Mojo and Princess are thrown into Equestria and meet the Mane 6.
Much like Masterweaver's crossover, this one has had a long delay, but this one does go 7 chapters deep first. All characters are written properly and there's no faked conflict. Overall, it's a good story that could be great if an end was written for it.
Once again, get on the writer.
Bride of Discord by DisneyFanatic2364
Synopsis: The events of 'Keep Calm and Flutter On' don't happen and Discord gets free, and requests a bride in exchange for the princesses.
(I forgot to put this fic in the original audio, so it's here.)
Admittedly, I haven't read this one; I've listened to the in-progress audio series. But this is the one and only 'shipfic' that will get mention from me (Discord/Fluttershy, if you're curious). It's kept itself from going over the line into creepy territory and is actually plausible, heartfelt and funny.
The only thing I find off is the Applejack subplot (AJ/Spike, again, if you're curious), as it feels like I need more in their history to be added to make it feel in character. Otherwise, though, it's a really nicely done work. The audio series' first chapter is below.
Follow me on Twitter and Facebook.
No comments:
Post a Comment