A story in The Weedverse by Kudzuhaiku, Amplitude Adjustment
has Vinyl Scratch and Sumac Apple seeking an audience with Princess Celestia to explain the latest addition to his Hypothesis, and ask for permission to keep studying the very dangerous implications.
This fanfic contains examples of:
- Big Eater: Sumac is at the right point of adolescence for this. Vinyl's annoyed he manages to stay skinny while doing it, not that she has significant problems as her magic is Cast from Calories.
- Blatant Lies: When Sumac comments that he and Vinyl do not have the best reputation, she claims to not know what he means, so he follows up with the usual Weedverse trope of listing several Noodle Incidents that they've caused.
- Call-Forward: When discussing previous mishaps, Vinyl comments that they're only on a watchlist until they finish the Blamethrower, a previously-mentioned Noodle Incident that we know doesn't really end well. Sumac also mentions his idea for a stick that shifts perspectives. A Perspective Shift Stick if you will.
- Can't Tie His Tie: Sumac needs a little help from his master to get his tie tied, giving her the chance to read what it says in very small printnote .
- Continuity Nod: Vinyl's voice is noted as being powered by illusion.
- Epic Hail: The crowner of Vinyl's demonstration is transmitting Celestia's voice to radio receivers all across Equestria, Canterlot, Ponyville, the Rock Farm and the Crystal Empire.
- Lame Pun Reaction: Sumac's ice cream puns cause Vinyl to facehoof hard enough to knock her glasses askew.
- Loophole Abuse: Celestia cannot make any law governing magic or the study of magic due to the Treaty of Three Tribes. She can, however make a Ministry of Radio to govern the study of radio. The fact the two are inextricably linked is neither here nor there.
- The Magic Goes Away: Sumac's Hypothesis get more information here, with he and Vinyl figuring out that unicorns work on different frequencies, and each frequency only has so much power to go around, and higher band unicorns can tap the lower bands, but not vice-versa, which is why the majority unicorn power has declined, but individuals can still have great power. Oh, and there's the odd ones (like Trixie) that operate on bands all their own, and they reckon that the Black Star modulates some magic into new bands Grogar gives his followers access to, explaining their drastic power boosts.
- Porn Stash: Vinyl very quickly clocks what Sumac's bought in the unmarked paper bag. To his mortification, she proceeds to take a look and comment on his taste. And ask to borrow it.
- Rummage Sale Reject: Downplayed but commented on, when Vinyl wishes Sumac had more idea of how to match clothes, rather than choosing the somewhat clashing formal ensemble he goes with. Then they arrive at the audience with Celestia to find rather than her usual regalia, she's wearing imitations made by her foals.
- Scientifically Understandable Sorcery: Magic in the Weedverse runs on this, which means new tech has to be introduced very carefully. A particular failure in the past was microwave ovens that stopped pegasi from flying, which is why Vinyl and Sumac need an audience with Celestia to convince her radio is safe. The point of the story is Vinyl and Sumac using radio principles to understand some quirks of how magic works (see The Magic Goes Away, above). It's also played with, as the ponies have wireless microphones, but didn't realise it worked off radio. Oh, and the Crystal Empire is a massive signal booster.
