FimFiction Link - Short ID: 87982/derplicity
Published: Mar '13
>Derpy Hooves is secretly a changeling. Nopony particularly notices, or cares.
'Derplicity' is an eight-thousand word oneshot about Derpy actually being a Changeling. The review will spoil the story (though I believe, it's not the twist that makes this story particularly enjoyable), so I'd rather first share my thoughts and then dive in: If you like silly comedies that also tug on your heartstrings a bit, I definitely recommend this fic. It's short, sweet and funny.
Queen Chrysalis has created a perfect weapon to infiltrate and destroy Canterlot from the inside in the form of an exceptionally skilled Changeling called Malphigi. The first third of the fic doesn't shy away from hamming up this character as a big threat and someone who has a real chance at accomplishing their goals. This is done in an entirely serious fashion too, which only helps to set up the punchline of Malphigi's unceremonious and accidental death caused by Pupa, a Changeling drone with slightly misaligned eyes. I'm sure you see where this is going. The panicking drone decides to impersonate the late warrior and go in her stead to Canterlot. The switch-up goes unnoticed and she's tasked with recording everything about "that pink pony princess." However, not only does she end up in Ponyville instead of Canterlot, she also mistakes Pinkie for Cadence. Because of her good-natured clumsiness, while she tries to do her mission, she succeeds more in becoming a muffin-infatuated klutz that everyone loves. The rest of the fic is spent exploring her amusing integration into pony society and even a humorous nod towards why the invasion failed.
There is basically nothing I can really fault in this fic. Even the Coldling the Edgebug OC fits because she's the gross exaggeration to compare Derpy to.
Overall: 8/10 This story is a brilliant piece of comfy comedy. It isn't going to tell you anything really new, change the world or make you have an epiphany, but that isn't the point. It just wants you to smile or laugh and I think the author accomplishes this very well. Despite Derpy's out-of-character origins, she acts quite faithful to the show and her interactions are adorable. The fic also doesn't overstay its welcome, in just eight thousand words it tells a very well-rounded plot. I wholeheartedly recommend it.