#mlp fics

word count : 21k

chapters : 3 / 30

archive warning : graphic depictions of violence

fandoms : mlp friendship is magic ( g4 ) , mlp equestria girls

characters : twilight sparkle , sunset shimmer , flash sentry , starlight glimmer , timber spruce , queen / princess celestia , grand princess luna , king sombra , stygian , queen chrysalis , lord tirek ( and a lot more )

Two of my favorite readings from Obabscribbler, An Article on Unconventional Romance and Too Far. The Appledash one is cute and romantic, I love the relationship between AJ and Dashie. Too Far, is one of my favorite because it’s about a spoiled girl facing her consequences.

I don't think I have many (or any) MLP followers, but, just in case, I posted a new chapter of TTC.

Crossover with Dark Souls through standard plot device of “transported upon death”. Well, actually a portal made by Twilight’s experiment, Seath is only almost dead.

DNF at chapter 5. The parts that happen in Equestria were mostly OK (until they weren’t), but every chapter dedicated a non-insignificant portion to events back in Lordran. Those segments are rather awful, informing us in a rather tellly way about the events of an essentially standard playthrough. The fact that the PC is the most boring character in the game doesn’t help, and speaking of - it’s really annoying how the fic keeps calling the PC “the Chosen Undead” like they’re a Fallout protagonist. Chosen Undead are dime a dozen, the Cresfallen is a Chosen Undead who gave up, and he’s seen endless others pass before him. In dark souls, the player character isn’t a Chosen One, they’re tiny and insignificant and the world is indifferent to them. Why would Seath think of the rando who ran into his house and almost killed him as Chosen Undead?

Anyway, the reason to of dropping it: in chapter 5, Seath wants to demonstrate how to craft a proper Estus Flask.

“I could demonstrate for thee, as thou was gracious enough to do so in turn. However, I will require something of the highest importance: a soul.”

Twilight cocked her ears forward. “A soul?”

Seath nodded. “The fire that exists in us all, that enables one to transcend the disparity between life and death. That which the cursed covet as their only means to hold onto what once made them more than hollow.”

Twilight puzzled Seath’s flowery speech, her ears drooping and her features falling as she finally deduced their meaning.

“You mean…you need somepony’s life essence? A sacrifice basically?” She queried.

Seath nodded and braved the looks of disgust that greeted him from every direction. He figured that was how they’d react, but then again, they had been the ones to ask. He was only imparting the truth.

“With all due respects, noble Seath, I don’t think we can accommodate you on that.” Luna said. Celestia nodded, but Twilight held back. She was thinking hard about something, something that evidently made her uneasy, but might just allow her to have her curiosity sated.

“Mmmm…hold on. Will any soul do or does it have to specifically be a pony’s?” She asked.

Seath shook his head. “For the simple act of kindling the fire, only a simple soul is required.”

Taking a deep breath, Twilight fought back her disgust.

“Then let me go and speak with Fluttershy. We might be able to work something out.”

Are you quite serious.

“Wait…can Seath promise Snuggly a quick and painless end?” Fluttershy asked. Twilight seemed reluctant but nodded.

Is this a joke.

“Snuggly’s been a long-time friend of mine. He’s returned every year to make a nest by my cottage and raise his family with my help. If you could please see to it that he passes away peacefully, I’d be very appreciative.” She said.

You have to be shitting me.

In this context, there are two approaches one could take to the subject of souls. This manages to thread the needle to combine them in the worst possible way.

Sacrificing a soul, in most settings, is an act of the most vile necromancy. Most standard dark sacrifices would only offer the life and blood of the sacrifice, not rend an everlasting soul. It’s horrifying.

Souls in Dark Souls are cheap. It’s a number. Slaying an enemy grants dozens or hundreds of that number. It’s just life force, basically. They’re tradeable. It’s the main currency of Lordran. You can buy a shitty sword and some moss for a few dozen souls. Souls are gained and lost by people without affecting them much. Even the powerful souls are just items. The biggest gods of the setting are powerful because they literally found the Lord Souls laying on the ground. My main point is that by and large, you can use “some souls” for something, not someone’s soul that is identifiably and personally theirs. You don’t sacrifice a specific creature.

What’s happening here is the worst possible combination. Everypony is cheerfully on board with this, despite souls belonging personally to individuals. Fluttershy is on board with sacrificing a crow. Fluttershy can talk to animals, they are people to her. That crow has a name. Even leaving aside than many of the animals are people with pony-level intelligence, this is ludicrous.