How to Train Your Dragon Fanfic Review: Crossing The Line by The Antic Repartee / Avannak

Fanart by the author

This month of April has got something to look forward to. I waited almost a year to see this ever since I first saw the trailer: the sequel to How To Train Your Dragon. Finally, something to overtake the overused Frozen memes and fads.

No offense to Disney's latest entry, but I want something a little new and different for this summer. Last winter season may have been the Ice Queen's time, but this summer will belong to the dragons.

A lot of fanfics had been made expanding the HTTYD world, and some of them delved into the future of the characters after the movie. I've seen plenty of them, but this one goes into such detail about the Viking culture that was absent in most and the social impact of having dragons as pets. Because there is one fact that we can easily forget when we see the main cast: they maybe child-friendly Vikings, but they are still Vikings. Vikings on dragons.

Anyone who knows their history and culture - their warrior culture - should get an idea where this is going. So basically, this fic explores what would happen in the HTTYD world when actual Viking culture is applied. When old rivalries with other clans are in effect, the troubles of adjusting into a new life felt, and the idea of going to war on the backs of dragons is tempting... Yeah, it gets a whole lot more complicated.

It also explores the dynamics of the relationship between Hiccup and Astrid, as well as what would happen when include one more person from the books into the equation. It's more mature and realistic in its portrayal, as well as justified in its developments.

I haven't read the books myself, but there are several elements from there incorporated into the story. Such as the characters of Berk identifying themselves as Hooligans, and the introduction of other characters not included in the movie but are present in the books. Anyone who had tried both might get a kick in this; but for someone like me who was only familiar with the movie, I had reeled from the fact that there's a third wheel in the pairing.

It's still a good read, despite the unfamiliar elements. It's from the same author who gave us Hitchups, The Antic Repartee or Avannak, so it is worth it.

You can read it here:

https://www.fanfiction.net/s/7021226/1/Crossing-the-Line

and here:

http://avannak.deviantart.com/gallery/38585809

Enjoy :)

The Avengers Movieverse Fanfic Review: The Photograph by sam_storyteller

Fanart by Res-Gestae

I know what a crack fic is. I've seen and read crack. I've had crack. But this. This is too well done to be just labeled crack.

Here's the situation: set after the big damn movie, Tony Stark gathers the team to live in the newly-rebuilt Avengers Tower. Seems to be all fine, at first. But for all smarts that our millionaire-genius-playboy-philanthropist was supposed to have, he never had the experience of dealing with roomies. Until now.

Especially when Steve Rogers, AKA Captain America - of all people - inadvertently turned the place into a nudist colony while cooking breakfast.

By all rights, Tony . He'd seen a lot of people naked. He might even like to see a few select number of people naked - female ones, anyway. But there's something about seeing a butt-naked Thor that makes even him want to back away. That, and Hawkeye in superhero underwear.

And all it took was a routine fire drill to get some sense back into everyone's heads.

Want to know how things escalated so quickly? Check this link to find out: http://sam-storyteller.dreamwidth.org/180567.html

Enjoy ^_^

A Song of Ice and Fire Fanfic Review: Neither Wolves Nor Dragons by L_Cloudy

Fanart by MARYMARU

If there is one thing that the A Song of Ice and Fire series (better known as the Game of Thrones for the people who prefer TV) had taught me, it’s that convenience is boring. After seeing the unforgiving and unfavoring brand of realism the series is notorious for, I’ve started to feel that whatever story development that seems too easy and too good to be true would be too ridiculous to believe. Much less accept.

I’m guessing it’s a sign that my taste in media has started to mature. I now have this preference for a sense of realism in whatever story I read.  Some scenario that’s not too good to be true but not too hard to believe, but enough to convince me that something like this is still likely to happen in the real world.

This is why I often try to find stories that show me that even good things – believably good things – can still happen. Even in a crapsack world such as Westeros.

That was how I found this story. This fic is part of a series of what-if? stories set in the world of the series where it answers one basic question: what if Rhaegar Targaryen had won against the rebellion? Well, for starters, everyone seems better off. But, of course, this is still Westeros and there will always be downsides: the Mad King is still alive (but locked away somewhere while his son is effectively king in all but name), some people are still dead (some of whom we won’t miss though *cough*Robert*cough*), and (according to the other stories set in the same timeline) Cersei is still a bitch.

This story is told from the perspective of the eldest Stark daughter, Sansa, who in this universe is less spoiled but still a bit of a brat, as she and her family are called back from exile in Braavos and make their way back to a home they never knew: Winterfell.

This might be living proof why the author, George R.R. Martin, has a disdain for fanfiction. Whatever scenario I’ve just described to you is pretty much just product of wishful thinking, which runs contrary to how the narrative causality of the world of Ice and Fire works. Like I've said, too good to be true (if you're still naive enough not notice the implied political-hostage situation).

But given the original material it’s based on, this fic comes as a much needed breath of fresh air.

You can read the fic itself here:

http://archiveofourown.org/works/897512/chapters/1733934

Enjoy :)

Frozen & Rise of the Guardians Crossover Fanfic Review: To Thaw a Heart by justcallmefaye

Fanart by Queen-of--Snow

My interest in this crossover pairing started from having watched their respective movies within the same weekend. I've finished torrenting Rise of the Guardians just in time Frozen came out in theaters, and me and my sister both had that what-if? scenario that might as well be a eureka moment for fanfic writers.

Jack Frost and Elsa? Sure, why not.

The thing is, the idea for the pairing is only just recent and though there already are plenty of fanart of the two popping up online, there is still the issue of finding any decent fanfics of them.

But I think I've found one that's maybe up to par.

Just a little something short, sweet. Nothing fancy, nothing too deep. But written in a way that could work in each other's canon. This fic gives us a scenario how these two would interact before and after the events of Frozen. Loneliness and ice powers are what Jack and Elsa both have in common, so why not let them bond with it. Besides, their fanbase had already run with it as a good starting point.

You can check the fic itself here:
https://www.fanfiction.net/s/9893186/1/To-Thaw-a-Heart
Enjoy :)


Finally had time to post a new one. After weeks, months of adjusting to my new workload, I managed to fight off writer's block to get this done before the end of the year. I hope this would help me get back in stride.

Haruhi Suzumiya & Doctor Who Crossover Fanfic Review: Worst Day Ever by Sharper Than the Sword

Fanart by mell0w-m1nded

This crossover had been bound to happen. Aliens, time travelers, espers, a would-be god, and an ordinary human roped into the mess... Did we just describe the cast of Haruhi Suzumiya or the recurring elements of Doctor Who?

Heck, the name "John Smith" pretty much guaranteed it.

The story could  be simplified as thus: the SOS Brigade - bar Haruhi - meet the Doctor (Tenth, my personal favorite), they go to Dairy Queen (in China), they try to keep him a secret from their boss, Haruhi finds out anyway, universe goes boom. And all it took for the latter to happen was the name "John Smith." Not too long, nothing too serious. Which is why I think if this story was polished a little bit more, it would make a hilarious episode in the style of the Haruhi-chan spinoff show.

What's also fun about it is the little thought exercise of reading this in each of the characters' respective voices. That would be hearing Crispin Freeman and David Tennant hamming it out in our heads.

Mind blown.

Imagine Kyon near freaking-out at the absurdity of the situation? Bit out-of-character for him, but still funny. Hearing Crispin Freeman as Kyon near freaking-out at said situation? Definitely funny. Hearing Crispin Freeman as Kyon near freaking-out the same way he does in the Haruhi-chan gag dub? Along with Tennant's cheeky glib? Priceless. 

Get that dose of crack here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5403007/1/Worst_Day_Ever

Enjoy :)

Wild Arms 3 Fanfic Review: The Birthday Boy Remains Unwilling by grey

Fanart by Innocentfate

This was one of the very first stories I've read when I first discovered Fanfiction.net, and also one of the first batches of fanfic printouts I've had. I'm sure I still have the copy somewhere in my house, and I wouldn't mind digging through my mess of files to read it again. Even after all these years the story is still a good read. It also had helped set my standards for fanfic-writing, and provided a speculative relationship subplot that the original material didn't bother to show.

Not that the latter problem stopped us.

Basically, the story is a lighthearted rom-com involving the only two main characters in the cast with a chance of shiptease but never got explored: Virginia Maxwell and Jet Enduro. She's upbeat and plucky, he's sulky and snarky. She's team leader, while he's the ineffective loner. She had brought the group together, while he gets convinced that it's better than going solo.

Oh, and they were separately sort-of raised by Virginia's absentee father at different points of their life. So yeah. Bonus points for that.

Opposites attract. That might as well be their charm. And their interactions - and often arguments - gives us some of the funny and heartwarming moments in the game.

Expect some more of those here. The story goes like this: Virginia decides to throw Jet his first birthday party because he never had one - by virtue of the guy not having been born (more like created). There's also a treasure map involved, some moldy cheese, and a bet that got ruined by a squirrel. Believe me, it'll make sense in context. And it is a lot better than it sounds.

In-character interactions, witty prose, and a well-written narrative. What's not to like?

Check out the story here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/1984579/1/The-Birthday-Boy-Remains-Unwilling

Happy reading :)

Baccano Fanfic Review: Family Rites by karanguni

Fanart by chiart

I was never really a fan of the three Gandor brothers in Baccano, much preferring the antics of the more colorful members of the cast. Compared to the rest, these three seemed to be the only sane guys in the entire entourage. In fact, excluding their mortality and criminal roots, they seemed the most normal. Down to earth, even.

But that must be why they make this fic work.  

Simply put, this fic shows the dynamics of the Gandors as a family and how they cope together after the events of 1930 in the series’ timeline. Like mentioned in the fic’s introduction, one of them gets married, starts a family, all that stuff even men of the criminal underworld have the luxury of having. But they still have to put up with the consequences of living forever while the rest of the normal world couldn't.

Some of the other characters make brief appearances in this fic. That’s not to say they don’t do much either, since they always drop by to keep the brothers grounded when the changing world proves a little too much to handle. Oh, and Claire drops by every now and then, of course.

It’s all keeping it in the family alright. Even if one of the members in question is Claire batshit-crazy-insane Stanfield.

Oh, and if you read between the lines hard enough, you might even spot some slash between Luck and Claire. I’m no fan of yaoi and I’m not starting now or anytime soon, but I don’t really mind since that side-plot doesn’t overtake the rest of the story.

You can find the fic in either of these pages in livejournal:

http://baccano.livejournal.com/92518.html

http://karanguni.livejournal.com/26782.html

EnjoyJ

How To Train Your Dragon Fanfic Review: Tradition by The Antic Repartee / AvannaK

Artwork by the author, AvannaK, herself

I only got into the How to Train Your Dragon bandwagon just recently. I never had the chance to watch the movie until I leeched a copy off the internet a few weeks back. Before that I hadn't been interested in seeing another movie adaptation of another popular book series - much less one aimed for little kids, if the books' artwork was any indication.

Then I watched Dreamwork's pragmatic adaptation of the damn thing and was left breathless.

Since then, I've been scouring fanfics online that could give that same kind of feeling again. Thank whatever gods out there for TVTrope's FanficRecs section for narrowing the search down.

That was how I managed to find The Antic Repartee - also known as AvannaK in deviantart. She's one of the best, if not THE BEST, fanfic writer for this franchise so far. It helps that she's also familiar with the book series and she incorporates some elements from there to flesh some of her stories out more. She is also best known for the epic What If? fic Hitchups which is widely acclaimed amongst the HTTYD fandom for its well-developed characters and intriguing plot when compared to the source material. She had also done a few other fics for the franchise. Some set in her Hitchups universe and a few more from the original movie and books.

Tradition is a creative take on the events that follows after the Gift of the Night Fury animated short. It hadn't been all celebrations in the end. Berk was still in shambles after Astrid's dragon-egg fiasco, and almost everyone in the village would be busy with repairs in the morning.

Oh, and Astrid's grounded for her little stunt. Meanwhile, Hiccup gets an idea with a branch of mistletoe that had gotten tangled in his hair.

It's kinda easy to imagine these events happening after Hiccup's and Toothless swandive at the end of the short, because the fic might as well have started at that point. Anyway, the plot of this fic practically referenced a deleted scene that never got into the finished product - so this girl has definitely done her homework on this one. Apparently, Astrid had this idea of starting a tradition where you punch the face of whatever poor shmuck who got under someone's missing toe hung over them. It also addressed something about Astrid in the short that kept bothering me: she was a little too much of a genki girl there than in the movie and series.

This passage from the fic pretty much spelled it out for me:

Vikings found Hiccup's ideas to be disturbing at best. Astrid never came up with new ideas before she started dating Hiccup; she was content to practice and master the ideas of warrior Vikings before her. If her behavior over Snoggletog was anything to go by, Hiccup had somehow convinced her it was okay to create ideas.

It was not okay.

And this coming from Snoutlout's frame of mind. Especially after the... hehe... yaknog incident.

You can read the complete fic through these links here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/7667885/1/Tradition
http://avannak.deviantart.com/art/Tradition-A-HTTYD-Holiday-Story-275547787

And, as you can see, the author had also made a fanart related to this story, which also includes an extra scenario that goes along with the fic. You can check it out here:
http://www.deviantart.com/art/Happy-Snoggletog-338320391

Enjoy :))

Doctor Who & Firefly Fanfiction Review: The Man With No Name/A Life Less Extraordinary by Frostfyre7

Fanart by geniesapocalypse

Consider this my next foray into the field of non-anime fanworks. I've recently been checking out some of the video files I've leeched off from some of my friends, and I ended up having a Doctor Who and Firefly marathon. Yes, it was that awesome an experience.

And yes, so was this fic. 

Premise is simple: we got the Tenth Doctor, my favorite Doctor, still reeling from the loss of his companions in the "Doomsday" and "The Runaway Bride" episodes. So he decides to do what he's been doing: keep on moving.

He just never thought he'd get to tag along with another would-be heroes of another story.

On the Firefly side of things, there's been disturbing reports of Reavers suddenly acting like an army. Not exactly good news for anyone in this 'verse ever since the Miranda fiasco. There's also a possible sighting of a would-be alien somewhere in the Core Worlds - and no, it isn't another dead calf. Also, while the crew had been trying to get by after the events of the big damn movie, Captain Malcolm Reynolds is getting worried when his new co-pilot is having another of her moments again.

Something about a storm coming...

You know a crossover fic is good when the writer had managed to capture the tone, atmosphere, and style of two different shows and make their resulting chemistry work in a single story. All the while keeping everyone and their interactions with each other so in-character that it almost seemed like the studios of both shows just banded together and made this story off-record.

Here are the links:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3486089/1/The-Man-With-No-Name

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/3486070/1/A_Life_Less_Extraordinary

Most recommended for fans of either series. Believe me, it's totally worth it.

It's been a while since I've last posted here, busted laptop and corrupted files can do that to you. I'll be sure to post some more articles this coming August to make up for lost time. Until then, see ya.

Discworld Fanfic Review: Sparrows by SilverInkblot

Fanart by TxoriBuru

Now for something completely different: Discworld. Consider this my first fanwork review of anything out of anime and video games, which goes to show that these are not the only kinds of media I cover. That, and I'm a Terry Pratchett fan.

Picture a hooded figure on a hill. Picture the sight of the landscape from that vantage point. So vast, so empty, and utterly devoid of life. Notice the figure raise its hand and snap his bony fingers.

You may wonder where that sudden breeze had come from, and the smell of grain. You may also wonder how a wheat field was suddenly there. Though by now that scythe the figure was holding suddenly made sense.

Looking at his work, the figure seemed satisfied as the adopted kittens playing around in his robe. Though this was one harvest he wouldn't reap, he keeps the scenery around for the novelty. And the reminder that there is something the harvest can hope for under the care of the reaper man.

Death has always been one of my favorite Discworld characters, right beside Sam Vimes and Granny Weatherwax. Out of everyone else on the Disc that I know of, only these three could take a look -  a really good look - at the cold, bitter place that is the universe at large and not succumb under its weight. Or better yet, they could tell the world around them to shove off and the damn thing listens. And in Deaths' case, literally.

This oneshot fanfic takes place some time before he gets fired in the Reaper Man book, and it also gives us some insight in a line Death mentioned in the story:

"FOR THE SAKE OF PRISONERS AND THE FLIGHT OF BIRDS." 

We never really got a hint where he got that line from in the book itself, but this fic could give us a really good idea. Good enough to be canon, god-willing. The writing even has a bit of Pratchett's own style in it especially in describing the atmosphere and the overall theme in a whimsical, poignant kind of way.

You can access the fic here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5386180/1/Sparrows
Enjoy :)

Final Fantasy 7 Fanfic Review: Glitterati by Nagia

Fanart by elphin-art

One of the best way any piece of fiction could convey their stories would be summed up in the three-word principle: show, don't tell. No spoon-feeding us readers like we're a bunch of idiots, but give us enough to let out imagination paint and fill the blanks. Now, one of the rarer ways a story could be told lies in not just how it is showed to us, but what it can also imply.

Nagia's Gliterrati is one of the few fanfics I didn't become interested in because of the characters but for its genre. I was in the mood for some good Crime Dramas that I've even tried to look for a few in fanfics. This one stood out. I was never really a fan of the Yuffie and Vincent Valentine pairing but the story had won me over. And the fact that it had a noir-ish feel it helped.

The setting is an AlternativeUniverse fic where Yuffie is married to Don Corneo (ye gods) with Vincent serving as their personal bodyguard. There's not much plot to speak of, just plenty of lines to read between. And, in case that still doesn't convince you, take my word for it that this thing is better than it sounds. Show and don't tell, indeed.

Not sure about the lyrics of Fuel's "Shimmer" and how it connects with the story, but it's now in my playlist.

And kudos to elphin-art for the fanart. Couldn't find a fitting pic for the story so I had to settle with this.

You can find the fic here:
http://archiveofourown.org/works/42907
and here:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4476289/1/Glitterati
Enjoy :)

Soul Eater Fanfic Review: Undo by Marsh of Sleep

Fanart by stickypenguin

It always has to be the first couple of lines in the fic that's got to convince me to take it seriously. Then, the only way that I would ever be interested on continuing would be if reading the rest would be like following a clear train of thought. Not too wordy, not too redundant, not too minimal. But creative enough to make an overused plot seem refreshingly new. I also appreciate a little porn with plot.

Marsh of Sleep didn't disappoint in this Soul Eater fic.

The plot goes like this: In between classes, extracurricular activities, and hunting rouge witches and soon-to-be-Asuras, our two main leads, Soul and Maka, have also got to deal with growing up. And by growing up, I mean hormones. And by hormones, I mean having an itch get scratched – if you know what I mean.

Simply put, they try a friends-with-benefits kind of relationship to grind some off some stress - all the while trying not to emotionally break under this new arrangement.  

Trust me on this. It's better than it sounds.

It’s the author’s writing-style that really sells this fic so well. Marsh of Sleep is one of the few fanfic writers I’ve encountered who’s got a way with words, and I regularly reread his/her (not sure which, never mentioned what gender) stories just to get a lovely dose of narrative. Mostly witty, sometimes funny, all the while meaningful in its execution. Always a worthwhile read.

Here’s the link to the fanfic:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6265474/1/Undo

So enjoy :)

And kudos to stickypenguin from deviantart for the fanart. It was what I found most appropriate for the story, especially in regards to the ending. 

Katekyo Hitman Reborn Fanfic Review: To Some Distant Horizon by smiles1777

Fanart by unknown artist, but contributed by drummer-cho713

This was one of my favorite Reborn fanfics back when I had been interested in the series. Back before I boycotted the franchise for being a cop-out. But I like going back to this fanfic because it gives me a taste of what I've preferred the series to have been. Something that that the limits of its Shōnen - sorry, I meant Shōnen-ai (ﺧ益ﺨ) - genre wouldn't be able to portray right.

The setting of this fic takes place before the Future Arc of the series. Specifically, it details the events that lead to that arc from the perspective of the characters' future counterparts. The story follows Tsunayoshi Sawada, nearly ten years older and wiser, who is preparing his own death while making sure that that event would also ensure their younger counterparts get to their version of the future to fix the crisis.

The fic is well-written, giving us an in-character portrayal of each of the Vongola Family members and associates. The mood was fatalistic from the first few lines of the story, giving you the feeling of - in the author's own words - "solemn oppression" and that things will not end well here. And as anyone who knows the backstory of the Future Arc, it didn't. And, other than showing us Tsuna's acceptance of his oncoming demise, it also presents us the respective reactions of each of his Guardians to his death.

Overall, it's great read if you prefer a more mature take from the franchise's Shōnen - ahem, Shōnen-ai (ﺧ益ﺨ) - material. Below is the link to the fic:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5767205/1/To-Some-Distant-Horizon

And thanks to drummer-cho713 for giving us the pic and whoever the artist was for making it. Enjoy.

Hetalia Fanfic Review: Taken to Extremes by snappleducated

Fanart by Bluupanda

Sometimes the best way to tell a story is to keep things simple. Nothing too fancy, nothing too wordy. But just enough to entice the reader to imagine the rest.

This author did a good job of that in this fanfic.

We open at a starting line of a car race where the Hetalia characters are paticipating. They start their engines, the gun fires, and they're off. Hilarity ensues is the only thing that could describe what happens between here and the finish line.

I've never thought something so minimalist could be so entertaining. snappleducated is one of those writers I've encountered with a distinguishable writing style - fanfic or otherwise. She shows, she doesn't tell. Minimally. And yet, she's able to sell the comedy and drama of a scene with just a select choice of words. Then, she lets our minds do the rest. Well done.

Kudos too to deviantartist Bluupanda for having made the fanart. It was perfect to be paired with the story.

Here's the link to the story:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5091933/1/Taken-to-Extremes
Enjoy XD

Fanfic Review: Local Man Finds His Arcade Turbotastic by Cadavatar

Fanart by *N-Y-C-fan

Fanfic Review: Local Man Finds His Arcade Turbotastic by Cadavatar

     I've grown up as a gamer. Heck, my entire childhood had been spent in front of a TV and game console. So when Wreck-It-Ralph had hit the theaters, I didn't think twice about watching it and torrenting the movie just to watch it again.
     Fanfics of it were expected too. No way something like this could not be fanfic material.
     This particular fic was on top of TVTrope's list of recommended fanfics of the film. In fact, there's a list of over a dozen people encouraging others to read it. Because: It's. That. Good.
     The fic explores and adds a backstory for Stan Litwak, the owner of the arcade where the story took place, giving him more personality and would-be history that doesn't stray too far from the source material. It traced how his arcade had started in the late 70's and how business flourished in the following decades, all the while conforming with the events in the movie. The author was even creative enough to expand on some parts hinted in the film (like, who was this "Nana" person he had mentioned in passing) without betraying the source material. But what really sells this fic was his reaction on finding out that his games and their characters had a life of their own.
     I like the treatment Litwak was given here, and I personally found the guy more relateable. Him being a fellow game-lover and all. That, and how he came to care for the arcade machines and the video game characters that he had 'worked with' all these years mirrors how I treat my own. Because there comes a time in a gamer's playthrough that, when we have invested so much time and effort in the games we play, we start to consider the characters in it as real as friends and family. That whatever story that we had to go through was one big bonding moment beginning to end. That kind of experience sticks with us even after the game over screen.
     That's the feeling this fic gives you after reading. I'm telling you, the same way the other tropers who've read this would tell you: the story's well-written, tru toe its source, and a must-read.

Here's the link:
http://www.fanfiction.net/s/8677314/1/Local-Man-Finds-His-Arcade-Turbotastic
Read. Enjoy :)

P.S.
     There's an extra story after the main one. Shows how the game characters react to power outages, and how Litwak deals with that problem. It's just as good.

 

FB Post turned Baccano Flash Fiction

FB Post turned Baccano Flash Fiction

     I've recently saw this in Facebook while a friend of mine was checking his account. The moment I saw the pic of Baccano's Isaac Dian and Miria Harvent, I got curious and looked over his shoulder just as he was typing a reply.

         My friend was a well-known ditz among our social circle (his lacking sense of direction his most glaring trait) and had mentioned how weird it would be for him if he starts thinking along the same lines as Isaac and Miria. Then, someone else commented how more disturbing it'd be if it was the other way around.
         He responded with this:

           It was like a fanfic condensed into a short, so-very-in-character conversation between the two. And at the same time was so very much him. It was freakin' hilarious too. He let me post it in this blog when I asked him if I could, but wanted the names removed. Strange guy...

Pokemon Fanfic Review: The Sound of Falling Rain by DOTMW

Artwork by 清順(春コミむ３９a）

Pokemon Fanfic Review: The Sound of Falling Rain by DOTMW

I was feeling nostalgic one day that I was in the mood for browsing some Ash/Misty fanart. Ever since that ship was indefinitely sunk by canon and no signs of it ever coming back afloat, I had to rely on anything made by the fans just to see those two together. Who wouldn’t? Anyone who had grown up with the classic series way back in the beginning had actually hoped for these two to hit it off. And I’ve slaked my interest with what few doujins, fanart and half-decent fanfics the net has to offer.

I’ve found this little gem just recently. It was listed in the Fanfic Recs portion of TVTropes, recommended by Troper Sagacious Zu (thank you VERY much, by the way), and the story might as well be the best thing ever done for this pairing in a long time.

Set ten years after the start of the series (chronological time finally affecting the cast that they do grow up) and a year after the events of the Diamond & Pearl series of the anime, the cast had moved on with their lives. Gary Oak had taken over his grandpa’s research, May and Drew (along with a character import from the games) travel together participating in coordinator contests around the world, Drew had been doing the same thing on her own and has settled down in Sunsyhore, Brock’s still a Gym Leader, and as is Misty (who, by the way, had upgraded the Cerulean Gym to penultimate boss levels). While Ash…

Ash had been travelling alone the past few years, preparing for the Sinnoh Cup where he has to face Regional Champion Cynthia and that unholy beast of a GARchomp she calls a Pokemon. Only, just an hour or so before the event, he disappears. No warning, no explanation, no clue where he’s gone to or where he is. He just left, walked away. Of course, everyone else in the cast starts worrying because… Well, this is Ash. This is the kid who goes charging into things (under-leveled or not), challenging Legendaries, bringing down criminal organizations, and saving the world every big damn movie. If those things can’t break him down, then what was it that caused him to walk out like that?

And why was it that wound up on Misty’s front porch looking, by all means, broken.

I like how this fic explores not just the romance between a twenty-something Ash and Misty but also how much they and the rest of the cast mean to each other. There’s a kind of dynamic you find in a bunch of people who had traveled and gotten close together adventure after adventure, region after region, that makes it feel like they’ve developed into one big family. Though most of them are done with their adventuring days and have settled down into their own lives, they still care enough for boy and electric mouse who had brought them all together in the first place.

The fic also explores one particular topic that had the fandom theorizing and inspiring fanfics ever since the earlier seasons: Ash. Ketchum’s. Father. I won’t spoil it here, but I will admit that it isn’t the guy’s identity that’s important in this story. It’s more like his influence on the young Ash that’s more drawn on. Just what kind of guy would abandon his wife and kid, and still travels the world on a Pokemon journey? And how hard would that be on the poor kid, living with the knowledge that his dad’s out there and never came back. Plenty of issues there.

And it’s from this kind of drama that this story draws its strength from. Because other than giving us a few laughs and the excuse to have Ash and Misty together, this story explores the importance of finding closure. Disappeared dad suddenly back in your life? Old childhood crush affecting you even after all these years? Not knowing what to do when life had hit you so hard? Yeah, these things definitely need some closure.

This also provides closure for us old-time fans who had grown up pairing these two together, and I’m not kidding – not even exaggerating – that this might as well be the best thing that has ever happened to the Ash/Misty pairing. The kind of treatment we’d never get from a kid’s show. It might not be canon, sure, but hey, this is the reason why fanfics are read. Heck, this is why fanfics are even made.

Here’s the link:

http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5859927/1/The-Sound-of-Falling-Rain

Enjoy :)