The Best Damn Fics You've Ever Read.

veteranMortal · Jan 15, 2018

GuesssWho said:
It still pisses me off that Rowling wrote them that way. It's stupid black-and-white thinking and it ignores the fact that not all the bad guys were the snakes. That fic removes some of the most idiotic bits of the setting and points out some spots where Rowling was a hypocrite.

Plus I happen to like snakes. I like the traits Slytherin is supposed to have, but that Rowling totally forgot about. Cunning and ambition aren't bad things.

The people it redeems are the children of racists, who in canon grew up to be racists, and it does it at the expense of people who died fighting against said racists.

That's shitty.

EDIT: Reminded myself of the modly banner. I'll bow out of this argument, unless you want to make a new thread.

GuesssWho · Jan 15, 2018

As far as I can tell the Malfoys are the only ones in that whole series who had character development worth the name, so I don't know why you're complaining.

All i can say is that I would've given a lot to see the things in that fic happen in canon. I'm not that fond of Harry Potter.

SolipsistSerpent · Jan 15, 2018

veteranMortal said:
Look, fact is, it is explicitly laid out; no Muggleborns in Slytherin, because it was a house founded on pureblood supremacy. To then turn around and say "yeah well actually it does have muggleborns and is totally innocent and bullied" is both not at all supported by the books, and honestly kinda fucked. The Slytherins we are shown, and the Slytherins this fic focuses on are all the wealthy children of racists. Recasting them as the real victims is fucking despicable.

Yeah, but the real issue is that it's self-reinforcing. Putting all the children whose parents taught them racist ideas together and treating them as a monolithic block practically guarantees those ideas will find an echo chamber and they'll grow up at least as bad as their parents. Especially when you throw in shit like what Dumbledore did at the end of book one with their House Points. Slytherin is full of terrible or potentially terrible people, but it seems designed to make them worse instead of better.

EDIT: Ah, the banner. Well, you can PM me or we can let it drop.

einargs · Jan 15, 2018

Title: Project Tatterdemalion
Author: Vathara
Summary: What if Hollows were caused by an alien virus? Sci-fi AU. Warning for gore, and some language.

I just realized--we don't have Project Tatterdemalion on the list. It's a Bleach fanfic that is, hands down, the best (non-crossover) radical AU I've seen. It uses puts a twist on familiar Bleach characters--the Gotei Thirteen, plus some others like Urahara, Yoruichi, Masaki, and Isshin--and concepts--Hollows, Shinigami, and Quincies--to tell an engaging, genuinely good, sci-fi story. And I don't just mean sci-fi as in "it is has spaceships"--I mean sci-fi as in science is important. I'm not a biologist, so I can't speak to how accurate some of the technobabble is, but it immerses you in the fast pace of the story in a frankly magical way.

I'm not sure how much I should say about the plot; I feel like giving away too much could throw-off the tight pacing that underlies the entire story. Essentially, at a top-secret, middle-of-nowhere base, a mysterious virus gets out of control--and people start turning into Hollows. Fortunately, the research team, led by Kisuke Urahara, has enough time to create a fast-and-dirty fix--though it has unexpected side-effects. The newborn Shinigami now have to race against time, and Hollows, to prove that they aren't contagious.

I'm honestly surprised it isn't already on the list. Has it already been brought up or something?

SolipsistSerpent · Jan 16, 2018

einargs said:
Title: Project Tatterdemalion
Author: Vathara
Summary: What if Hollows were caused by an alien virus? Sci-fi AU. Warning for gore, and some language.

I just realized--we don't have Project Tatterdemalion on the list. It's a Bleach fanfic that is, hands down, the best (non-crossover) radical AU I've seen. It uses puts a twist on familiar Bleach characters--the Gotei Thirteen, plus some others like Urahara, Yoruichi, Masaki, and Isshin--and concepts--Hollows, Shinigami, and Quincies--to tell an engaging, genuinely good, sci-fi story. And I don't just mean sci-fi as in "it is has spaceships"--I mean sci-fi as in science is important. I'm not a biologist, so I can't speak to how accurate some of the technobabble is, but it immerses you in the fast pace of the story in a frankly magical way.

I'm not sure how much I should say about the plot; I feel like giving away too much could throw-off the tight pacing that underlies the entire story. Essentially, at a top-secret, middle-of-nowhere base, a mysterious virus gets out of control--and people start turning into Hollows. Fortunately, the research team, led by Kisuke Urahara, has enough time to create a fast-and-dirty fix--though it has unexpected side-effects. The newborn Shinigami now have to race against time, and Hollows, to prove that they aren't contagious.

I'm honestly surprised it isn't already on the list. Has it already been brought up or something?

I remember that. It had some interesting stuff, though it also had some of Vathara's trademark quirks that got irritating after reading too many of that author's stories. I might have it on a favorites list somewhere, though I wouldn't have listed it as one of 'the best damn fics I've ever read'.

tgojeff · Jan 16, 2018

Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

Tallamee · Jan 16, 2018

einargs said:
Title: Project Tatterdemalion
Author: Vathara
Summary: What if Hollows were caused by an alien virus? Sci-fi AU. Warning for gore, and some language.

I just realized--we don't have Project Tatterdemalion on the list. It's a Bleach fanfic that is, hands down, the best (non-crossover) radical AU I've seen. It uses puts a twist on familiar Bleach characters--the Gotei Thirteen, plus some others like Urahara, Yoruichi, Masaki, and Isshin--and concepts--Hollows, Shinigami, and Quincies--to tell an engaging, genuinely good, sci-fi story. And I don't just mean sci-fi as in "it is has spaceships"--I mean sci-fi as in science is important. I'm not a biologist, so I can't speak to how accurate some of the technobabble is, but it immerses you in the fast pace of the story in a frankly magical way.

I'm not sure how much I should say about the plot; I feel like giving away too much could throw-off the tight pacing that underlies the entire story. Essentially, at a top-secret, middle-of-nowhere base, a mysterious virus gets out of control--and people start turning into Hollows. Fortunately, the research team, led by Kisuke Urahara, has enough time to create a fast-and-dirty fix--though it has unexpected side-effects. The newborn Shinigami now have to race against time, and Hollows, to prove that they aren't contagious.

I'm honestly surprised it isn't already on the list. Has it already been brought up or something?

It has been brought up before. By you, no less, and then seconded by me and derecced by at least one other person (I think).

einargs · Jan 16, 2018

Tallamee said:
It has been brought up before. By you, no less, and then seconded by me and derecced by at least one other person (I think).

Wow.

I am... an idiot. I feel like we should get a warning sign that reminds us to do a thread search before we recommend stuff, but that's mostly just me looking for a way to distract myself from embarrassment.

Thank you for pointing out my error; my apologies for making it.

EDIT: Because I missed a post:

SolipsistSerpent said:
I remember that. It had some interesting stuff, though it also had some of Vathara's trademark quirks that got irritating after reading too many of that author's stories. I might have it on a favorites list somewhere, though I wouldn't have listed it as one of 'the best damn fics I've ever read'.

That makes sense; I can see the style not being for everyone, especially now that I've just binged some of her other 'fics. For me, my recommendation is mostly based on the fact that I've remembered it out of the blue several times, and each time I've re-read it it's held up. (Though, I didn't re-read it before recommending it this time, so that could have changed?)

What quirks bothered you about it?

EDIT 2: fixed Vathara's pronouns.

Tallamee · Jan 16, 2018

einargs said:
That makes sense; I can see the style not being for everyone, especially now that I've just binged some of his other 'fics. For me, my recommendation is mostly based on the fact that I've remembered it out of the blue several times, and each time I've re-read it it's held up. (Though, I didn't re-read it before recommending it this time, so that could have changed?)

What quirks bothered you about it?

As an aside, Vathara is a her.

I have read it recently, and find that, like yourself, it continues to hold up for the most part. Tatterdemalion certainly does, as do Thoughts and Asclepius, although I am somewhat less of a fan of the subsequent crossover with Saiyuki, or Kryal's cross with Resident Evil.

veteranMortal · Jan 16, 2018

tgojeff said:
#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

Derec.

tgojeff said:
Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

Derec as well.

Neither of them are terribly funny, and neither succeed in making Jaune a likeable character.

giodan · Jan 16, 2018

tgojeff said:
Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

Rec and Rec.

I just love this guy story!!!!!

Is true at first the story isn't that funny but then latter is the best!!!!

Anzer'ke · Jan 16, 2018

tgojeff said:
Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

Double derecc, has all of Coeur's usual Jaune wankery, and I don't even dislike Jaune.

einargs said:
What quirks bothered you about it?

Speaking for myself, Vathara has a number of quirks that pop up in everything she writes and become excruciating once you notice them.

Most notable is the whole insistent headcanon thing, which often amounts to bashing the shit out of some characters and putting others on a pedestal. Something she seems to have improved as since the garbage fire that was Embers, but has certainly not lost entirely.

She also tends to spell things out far too much, often in the form of the line you can find in almost everything she writes which amounts to some form of:

"This character is x thing, and x things are all like this, so this character is like this"

Usually taking some implied aspect of them and spelling it out in needless and painful detail.

Flying Dice · Jan 16, 2018

tgojeff said:
Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

Double derec. Mediocre guilty pleasure fics at best.

NemiTheNen · Jan 16, 2018

Anzer'ke said:
Speaking for myself, Vathara has a number of quirks that pop up in everything she writes and become excruciating once you notice them.

Most notable is the whole insistent headcanon thing, which often amounts to bashing the shit out of some characters and putting others on a pedestal. Something she seems to have improved as since the garbage fire that was Embers, but has certainly not lost entirely.

She also tends to spell things out far too much, often in the form of the line you can find in almost everything she writes which amounts to some form of:

"This character is x thing, and x things are all like this, so this character is like this"

Usually taking some implied aspect of them and spelling it out in needless and painful detail.

Basically you're derecing because it's not your cup of tea

Like I legit think Derecs shouldn't be on that, or people who derec have to say so? It's like derecing an epic BDSM/College AU/etc fic because you don't like BDSM/College AU/etc, and not because the fic is bad

Anomen · Jan 16, 2018

tgojeff said:
Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

I'm going to continue the derecs for these. Coeur writes one type of fic (mostly) and while he writes it well and rapidly enough to satisfy his audience, each of his works are Jaune wankery of varying degrees and none of them are interesting as RWBY fics or as original stories.

edit: Also, I'll second the rec for Project Tatterdemalion. I feel like the derecs are mostly in response to Vathara's reputation as an author and her other works as opposed to the merits or lack of them in the work itself, at least based upon the reasons given.

Anzer'ke · Jan 16, 2018

NemiTheNen said:
Basically you're derecing because it's not your cup of tea

Like I legit think Derecs shouldn't be on that, or people who derec have to say so? It's like derecing an epic BDSM/College AU/etc fic because you don't like BDSM/College AU/etc, and not because the fic is bad

No, I'm dereccing because I think that like all of her work it falls short of greatness due to habits she cannot seem to shed. Constantly bashing at least one character, obsessively spelling out implied details about favoured members of the cast, an inability to show instead of telling, and frequent use of OCs that are intensely annoying and get far too much attention and special traits.

On the subject of which, while it's long since made the list I'd still like to put down a derecc for The Dragon King's Temple Also Floods for the record. The opening is wonderful but the rest is derailed by Goa'uld Sue and his pop culture Jaffa girl, not to mention the wildly out of place Agatha expy.

Tallamee · Jan 16, 2018

Anzer'ke said:
No, I'm dereccing because I think that like all of her work it falls short of greatness due to habits she cannot seem to shed. Constantly bashing at least one character, obsessively spelling out implied details about favoured members of the cast, an inability to show instead of telling, and frequent use of OCs that are intensely annoying and get far too much attention and special traits.

On the subject of which, while it's long since made the list I'd still like to put down a derecc for The Dragon King's Temple Also Floods for the record. The opening is wonderful but the rest is derailed by Goa'uld Sue and his pop culture Jaffa girl, not to mention the wildly out of place Agatha expy.

On The Dragon King's Temple Also Floods, you make a fair point.

On the subject of Vathara's works, well, I have argued the same on other occasions and yet rec this one. You make excellent points, and I know that when I am reduced to saying 'excellent logic, but my feelings disagree' I am not really sticking with my own ideals.

So, with that in mind I shall rescind my seconding of Tatterdemalion.

einargs · Jan 16, 2018

Anzer'ke said:
No, I'm dereccing because I think that like all of her work it falls short of greatness due to habits she cannot seem to shed. Constantly bashing at least one character, obsessively spelling out implied details about favoured members of the cast, an inability to show instead of telling, and frequent use of OCs that are intensely annoying and get far too much attention and special traits.

On the subject of which, while it's long since made the list I'd still like to put down a derecc for The Dragon King's Temple Also Floods for the record. The opening is wonderful but the rest is derailed by Goa'uld Sue and his pop culture Jaffa girl, not to mention the wildly out of place Agatha expy.

Who gets bashed in Tatterdemalion? Yamamoto? I'm having trouble picking that out--it certainly isn't something I ever noticed while reading it, but I suppose that's probably because I wasn't looking for it.

(To be clear, I'm genuinely curious here.)

tgojeff said:
Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

I'm derecing "Not this time, Fate". Some of Coeur's stuff is good, but I wouldn't call it "best damn Fic" quality.

Dragonskyt · Jan 16, 2018

tgojeff said:
Haven't read the whole thread, so I do not know if these have been posted before...

RWBY Red's

#1 Professor Arc

Honestly one of the funnier fics I have read in a long time. Pacing starts great, gets a little slower and more serious at the end but not in a bad way. Character interaction and development is on point, and the story uses the framework of the setting to tell a story beyond righteous punching.

Professor Arc by Coeur Al'Aran RWBY u:07-02-2017 - He didn't know the first thing about teaching, Hell, he didn't even know the first thing about fighting! A shame then, that his forged documents painted the picture of an accomplished and skilled warrior. Now he's trapped teaching students his own age how to be hunters, when he doesn't even know himself!

#2 Not This Time Fate

Same author as the first one, and the style is similar if not the story itself. Basically its premise is that the Main Character is at the late game levels of a time loop, thus is experienced, weak in body, and Tired. Thus, this is his vacation.

Again starts very funny and gets more serious as the story progresses, and it shows a little more than the first one. Complete and excellent, if not brief.

Not this time, Fate » When Jaune woke up back in his house with his sisters and family, all he could do was sigh. Every time he died he was forced to start over again, and this was what... the one thousandth time? More? If it doesn't matter how hard he tries, doesn't matter how much he fights. Then maybe it's time to just kick back and enjoy himself. Fate can find someone else to be its whipping boy.

Can't help but Rec Professor Arc at the very least.

Sure I can see the wankery, but the fic doesn't take itself all that seriously either. It relies a lot on misunderstandings and tropes to push along the agenda.

Of all the fics I've read, I can easily say that this one deserve its spot for the best humor fics. At the very least this guy has actual plot planned, which is something I can't say about most fics.

Jhojji · Jan 16, 2018

Well, I am prepared to be yelled at, at the very least. But anyways, If there's one fic I've got to recommend be added to this list, its this one from the Worm fandom: We are Number One but it's Greg and He's a SuperHero. Not quite sure how to summarise this one without ruining it, but I'll give it a shot.

The name makes it sound like a less serious fic but in all honesty? The story takes the character Greg and makes something of him. It makes you feel genuinely attached to this hopeless memer and his idealism as he attempts to do Hero stuff. Yes, it is a meme laden, hilariously stupid and unique fic that had me laughing the entire time I read it- but that's what made it great in the end.

It's only a short fic, so if you have the time, I would definitely recommend giving it a read. Just stick with it to the end if you do.

Flying Dice · Jan 16, 2018

Dragonskyt said:
Can't help but Rec Professor Arc at the very least.

Sure I can see the wankery, but the fic doesn't take itself all that seriously either. It relies a lot on misunderstandings and tropes to push along the agenda.

Of all the fics I've read, I can easily say that this one deserve its spot for the best humor fics. At the very least this guy has actual plot planned, which is something I can't say about most fics.

That's kinda the point. This is the "Best Damn Fics" thread, not the "predictable and semi-competently written fics which are occasionally funny or poignant in a shallow, juvenile manner" thread.

I'm not saying they're godawful. I still follow a couple of them. But they're damn sure not great, let alone something I'd recommend to other people as quality writing. They're the sort of fic I read when I get home from a long day at work and sit down to eat dinner in front of something that doesn't take much thought, only none of the youtube channels I'm subbed to have anything new up, so I have to find something.

I've probably said it before, but there's a distinction between "not shit" and "good". Couer's assorted Jaunewank fics are not shit, in that his writing isn't physically painful and he's self-aware enough that he doesn't take them too seriously. That's kinda the charm for me, they're all different takes on "Jaune is ackshually sooper speshul because he's ______" except Jaune is placed in whatever the role is while still being a dork and perpetual screw-up rather than a Sue who smells of NINO and acts like he's got Pumped Up Kicks on loop as the soundtrack to his life.

753398445a · Jan 17, 2018

Compelled To Play Again is an awesome and completed BTVS story I'd like to recommend. The opening works best if you don't already know the premise, but by the end of chapter three its revealed that

Illyria - having regained some of her powers - travelled back from a post-NFA timeline (this was written prior to the follow-up comics, so its different than what readers nowadays might picture it as) to the battle between Faith and Angelus to unite the forces of good and annihilate Wolfram & Hart.

I'll also preemptively derec the sequels.

Day Seven is a depressing look at a generally forgotten character from Supernatural.

SolipsistSerpent · Jan 17, 2018

753398445a said:
Compelled To Play Again is an awesome and completed BTVS story I'd like to recommend. I'll also preemptively derec the sequels.

All the sequels? I think I might have liked the first couple, but I definitely remember the series going downhill eventually and deciding to stop reading before it finished.

Although I suppose, as someone else pointed out, something doesn't have to be bad to not be "the best damn fic you've ever read", so it's possible even the better sequels don't line up.

GoldenFalls · Jan 17, 2018

Here's an Avengers/Captain America fic about Phil Coulson that is so good/cathartic but also so sad:

User Since by rageprufrock

Summary said:
To: PC (loyaltothedream@hushmail.com)
From: Buck (bucky1956@yahoo.com)
Subject: Report!
Date: May 10, 2012

Phil — where the hell are you, man? Let us know if you're all right, or if there's anything we can do to help. HQ's freaking the fuck out.

It's a oneshot kind of outsider perspective about grieving and how Phil has effected people and meant something to so many. The writing is excelent and it's just a great story that makes me feel and tear up when I read it.

(There's also a sequel where Phil is alive as per Agents of Shield canon, but you don't need that to love this fic.)

GuesssWho · Jan 27, 2018

Practical Mythology is probably my favorite Doctor Who fic ever, because it depicts a Time War better than canon possibly could--if only through some after-effects.

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