Rorschach lives.

I'm Ultiman92, or "U92" as my close friends (i.e. my fanchars) refer to me. I'm about as old as most people on this site, though by no means as immature and unoriginal. I only put out a fic when I'm 100 certain it's grade-A material.

What, you thought I'd describe my appearance? Take a look at my Mii if you want a good guess! (note: Mii picture is pending until my mom can figure out where in the nine hells she left the camera-to computer connector cable)

Here are my fanchars:

Rowan Darkwood: A female hedgehog withlight red fur, purple eyes,and red and black striped quills which she wears down to her shoulders. She usually wears a simple brown tunic and sandals, withher trusty bow and quiver. She's very focused and quiet, with a slight attraction to Shadow. Rowan is one of the main characters in my Chaos Knights triliogy.

Steele the Hedgehog: A male hedgehog withblack and silver quills that he wears just like Shadow, with black fur. He has green eyes, a green spiral pattern on his chest, and gray and black rocket shoes. He's Shadow's and Rowan's son from the future, usually seen with his full-length battleaxe. Steele is courageous, determined, and persistent. He also plays a role in Chaos Knights.

Elm: A male wolf with yellow eyes and silver and black striped fur, usually wearing a black cloak with a silver and calculating, Elm is the leader of the Darkraisers and the main villain of the Chaos Knights trilogy.

Oak: A male wolf with green eyes and blue and black striped fur, wearing a black cloak with a blue outline. He's extremely confident and arrogant. Oak wields two bolas (ball - and - chain for the uninitiated). Oak is No.2 in the Darkraiser Council and the villian of Chaos Knights: Axewielder.

Ivy: A female wolf with red eyes and purple and black striped fur, wearing a black cloak with a purple outline. She has a prejudice against hedgehogs, especially Rowan. She carries around a small axe. Ivy is No.3 in the Darkraiser Council and the villian of Chaos Knights: Archer.

Sequoia:A tall, broad-shouldered, muscular male wolf with orange eyes and brown and black striped fur, wearing a black cloak with an brown outline. Sequoia doesn't talk much, and maintains a grim and imposing demeanor. He wields a massive scythe. Sequioa is No.4 in the Darkraiser Council.

Maple: A female wolf with light green eyes and yellow and black striped fur, wearing a black cloak with a yellow outline. Maple is the strategist of the Darkraisers, and constantly analyzes every situation. She has a bow and arrows as her main weapons. Maple is No.5 in the Darkraiser Council.

Cedar:A male wolf with light purple eyes and green and black striped fur, wearing a black cloak with a green border. Cedar is loud-spoken, brash, and sarcastic. He spares no time in criticizing his colleagues' actions, and speaks with an Australian accent. He wields a hammer. Cedar is No.6 in the Darkraiser Council.

Birch:A small male wolf with olive green eyes and white and black striped fur, wearing a black cloak with a white border. Birch is shy and somewhat timid, but can become violent and aggressive if roused. He uses a magical staff as his weapon. Birch is No.7 in the Darkraiser Council.

Favorite videos:

SUPER SMASH BROS.:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ANN5LKvVEO4&search=ssbmUnstable. This is a weird and funny video showing what Advanced Replay can do in Super Smash Bros. Melee.

http:///videoplay?docid=2059870170233165074&q=ssbb The Super Smash Bros. Brawl theme song in a combo video. This got me laughing out loud the first time I saw it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlWv3L8DZtsWhat do you get when you mix Super Smash Bros. Melee, five teens, a video camera, and waaaay too much free time?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTn4wu8eYZoUltimate Showdown - The craziness of SSBM with one brawlin' song. Highly recommended.

MONTY PYTHON:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uprjmoSMJ-o NOBODY expects my favorite sketch ever!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HevM-35hJUE You've never heard a name like this one before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vuW6tQ0218 Now that's what I call a dead parrot.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C7fsxnzZF9w It's the perfect crime...because there's nothing criminal about it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dy6uLfermPU And you thought normal candy was disgusting...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpn1anVPZsc Why are all the eccentric people in sales?!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IqhlQfXUk7wNothing's quite as silly as that walk of his...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6RexQLrcqwc A very dedicated camelspotter.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mkAfl2RmAZc Taxes take a lot out of profit.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7UqhDs8zj4 Ever think that salesmen might need some of their own products?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gJB2Q9gh2uEGod I love the Gumbies. Their voices always crack me up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MstyFwhLy4 Even the Pythons are capable of cheap laughs sometimes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2bvWEJliS-I You can't have spam, egg, bacon, and sausage without the spam!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJSey8HRUhU One of the best sketches ever from the Pythons, and, ironically, never seen on the show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4oKXagF3IE Michelangelo took a bit of artistic licencse with "The Last Supper".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X8rhIw_9ucA If you thought Miss America was riduculous, you should see this competition.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDUTTRGOJdE A pianist and an escape artist in the same show.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zekiZYSVdeQ It is very important not to be seen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SrDFGa0juCM Wink wink, nudge nudge, say no more!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UieDo4GoRPEA religious secret agent?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BitlXcKAyBw This guy does NOT know how to smuggle...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQZINuJRt7c Now these are stocks I'd like to invest in.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2rPrqfFVwEWhat kind of Robin Hood steals only flowers? The Dennis Moore kind.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vL5L6pv3lAo The Chemist Sketch is a smorgasbord of everything Python: naughty, silly, out of character, mocking, and just plain hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L1sYgknWGSA The famed Science Fiction sketch. (Part 1)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ljCQeqFouVU The famed Science Fiction sketch. (Part 2)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UMCNltgrs1U The famed Science Fiction sketch. (Part 3)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48dPi7C8wdw Eric Idle sure is unlucky...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOqfPG1ohKw Reporting a burglary shouldn't be this hard.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xToPCaNxaow I'm a lumberjack and I'm okay!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8wVqfUNJb_Q Who doesn't love to go hunting?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhm4SMlGnbk It's every dad's worst nightmare - his daughter bringing home "the unacceptable suitor".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWKdokcvM7AMichael Palin confronts the mysteries of deja vu.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4khXkE5gEI Almost nothing bothers office workers...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ie3Myg0c6U This is Graham Chapman's greatest work by far.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFixDSO4_s0 Marriage is so complicated these days.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jNBNqUdqm1EYou might not know it, but idiots are very important to society.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjvuqK9WDrE This is one sketch where you never quite know what's going on.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GH7pfVvCII What is it about unexpected visitors that nobody seems to like?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9KcoOkXy2PkSome entertainment acts are just too overhyped...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NBGlO_5AT-A Let's go mosquito hunting!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es0t50H44IE If you're a kamikaze soldier, how do you train for your job?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xe1a1wHxTyo Things were always harder when you were young...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VVYjS8r7b_w Reality is just a matter of perspective.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9U0tDU37q2M The toughest challenge for any climber.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=31FFTx6AKmU Elections always seem incredibly silly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAYDiPizDIs New theories are hard to explain.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNfGyIW7aHM Don't you wish you knew how to do it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xGkX-sY1W7U What's my ideal religion? Namely, one that has the Gumbies, Mr. Nudge Nudge and Ken Shabby as members.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vlmGknvr_Pg What if Hitler decided to hide in a small boarding house in Minehead, Somerset?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TOTQW0-DxM Just when you thought documentary hosts couldn't get any more desperate...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ujnZKRCzBY The most ridiculous movie in existance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gEzKqp9x9dM Have you ever noticed how some TV personalities never seem to shut up?

MUSIC VIDEOS:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjqKXX4RMr4Rotersand - "Exterminate Annihilate Destroy" The unofficial Dalek theme song with a pumping techno beat.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8SujDk6kqjkPet Shop Boys - "Integral" A techno/pop song that works very well for the Cybermen.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WajFEDvBw_8Basshunter - "Boten Anna/DotA" Two phenomenal dance songs fused and set to Kingdom Hearts.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4luje4FBNI "Doctor Who Theme" This is the best TV theme song ever, with dozens of remixes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IGS9qY7xko Victims of Science - "The Device Has Been Modified - Remix" Like the game Portal? You HAVE to see this video. It's everything a Portal music video should be.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ix2QVdqH9s "Trance Collection" Want to relax? Listen to this.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HgQlCkhTUoE "Numa Numa Chorus Line" A collection of remixes of the famous Numa Numa from all over the world. Part 1.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IkRcnobili0 "Numa Numa Chorus Line" A collection of remixes of the famous Numa Numa from all over the world. Part 2.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wJmcwCJLsfc "Numa Numa Chorus Line" A collection of remixes of the famous Numa Numa from all over the world. Part 3.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2VSjzSopufM "Numa Numa Chorus Line" A collection of remixes of the famous Numa Numa from all over the world. Part 4.

DOCTOR WHO:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DnKNupdSH8g All the title sequences and themes, blended together stunningly.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tdwo2wNEkO0 A great story, two great trailers, two great instrumental themes - what more could you ask for?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rh-TGAqDfgk 40 years, 8 Doctors, 160 stories - in under 6 minutes.

MISC:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaLX6pRtM8IThe BIONICLE Barraki teaser movie. Great song by Christine Lorenzen, but I have no idea how to get it for my iPod. :(

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sXZCsQ_F-IThis is the best Kingdom Hearts cosplay ever.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fwvtREuu6yo Ever wondered what it would be like to play the hardest Mario levels EVER?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eBGIQ7ZuuiU This is the BEST YouTube video I've ever seen.

http:///videos/latest-videos/dear-sister-snl-digital-short The original Dear Sister parody. Hilarious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-xEzGIuY7kw My theme song. :)

Favorite quotes:

"We're giving you a second chance at life, so you can screw it up in a completely new way." -Holly, Red Dwarf

"Five million Cybermen, easy. One Doctor - now you're scared." -Rose, Doctor Who

"But for my own example, I'd never believe one little kid could have so much brains!" -Calvin, Calvin and Hobbes

"I love my co-workers, until they talk." -Dilbert, Dilbert

Five-Star Reviews:

This is the section where I review truly exceptional fiction I've found on this site and what makes it so great. It's handily organized by catagory and all the fics here can be accessed through my Favorite Stories section.

Death Note:

Dynamism by keem (WARNING! Mature Content!)

In an alternate timeline set when Light has lost his memories of the Death Note, Misa seduces L to try to learn his real name and help Light kill him. As the investigation continues, Misa continues her seduction, to increasingly satisfying results. However, no chessmaster is completely immune from mainpulation, and Misa soon develops uncertain feelings of her own for L. Caught between the two men she cares about most, Misa must judge her next move carefully...for one wrong step could kill all three of them.

The romance is excellent, and keeping with the suspenseful Death Note feel. Both a secret affair between L and Misa occurring literally under Light's nose and Misa frantically trying to convince L that she isn't the Second Kira are exciting, suspenseful, and very much in character. It takes talent to deliver a satisfying L/Misa romance while still showing Misa's utter devotion to Light, and this fic delivers in spades.

A tender, twisted romance, complete with an ending happier than the manga's but still true to the characters. Grade A.

Doctor Who:

Liminal Beings by neilq

The TARDIS takes the Doctor, Tegan, Adric and Nyssa to Stone Age Earth. Exploring the surroundings, the Doctor encounters a small primitive village. Breon, the new village leader, leads the village in a short-sighted and escapist lifestyle. He demands extravagant feasts and wild parties every day while giving no thought to any long-term needs for food or resources. The village remains stable due to unexplained occurance of game - as long as a sacrifice of metal is made every night. Breon proclaims that the ghosts of the village's ancestors are providing for them, but the Doctor isn't convinced, even with repeated ghost sightings. It quickly becomes clear that some unseen force is manipulating the entire village for its own ends - and the answers lie on the Isle of the Dead.

The sci-fi concept is excellent, asking questions about life, death, and what comes between, as well as throwing a glimpse at the origins of group mentality. Excellent stuff, just clear enough to be accessible to a causal reader but not so deep that the mystery's gone.

The characterization also works well, Tegan and Adric in particular standing out. Tegan's attempted rationalization of a society thousands of years more primitive than hers shows how small-minded she can be, but she is also able to expand her thinking. Adric's interactions with the estranged prince Mahl are written especially well, and the obvious parallel between them is interesting. The references made to Full Circle also help to deepen Adric's character.

Despite not having much to do, Nyssa and the Doctor also shine, sounding completely genuine every step of the way. The mannerisms, the phrases, the moods - this really feels like an adventure in the John Nathan-Turner era in the tradition of Kinda.

An enjoyable Fifth Doctor story.

Fallen God by tardis-mole

The TARDIS crash lands on planet Regaria, separating the Doctor and Rose and giving the Doctor amnesia. With only the name "John" to identify him, he is imprisoned by the Nor, the dominating species, to be used as a personal slave. He is taken in by a Nor couple, Roiz and Mela, who have the power to terminate his life on a whim. Meanwhile, Rose is taken in by an order of monks who believe she is the Companion of their god...a magical man who travels through space in a big blue box.

This fic succeeds in integrating two great sci-fi concepts: examining the ethics of slavery and analyzing religious fanatacism. It also does something the new series touched on but never really explored: what happens to a planet that gets caught in the crossfire of a Time War? If you thought stories like Planet of the Ood, The Impossible Planet, and Faith Stealer were a bit too heavy-handed in talking about slavery and religion, you don't need to worry here. It's toned down just enough to get the point across while still being subtle.

Characterization is excellent: Rose is good, but the Tenth Doctor is at his best here. His "John" persona has echoes of John Smith from Human Nature, which is a nice touch. As he slowly gets his memory back, characteristics of the Tenth Doctor become more and more apparent. In the last few chapters, you can almost hear David Tennant speaking the lines.

One of the best Tenth Doctor stories I've ever read. If you can't get enough of 10, this one's for you.

Non-Linear Love Story by Rallalon (WARNING! Mature Content!)

I've personally always been a little skeptical of the Doctor/Rose pairing. What exactly made him so attracted to her in the first place? What did she have that any other woman he's ever traveled with didn't? How'd he fall in love with her?

Love at first sight? Clingy dependence due to the death of the Time Lords? Or something else?...

This fic shows us a previously unseen interaction between the 8th Doctor and Rose, where he meets her for the first time and she meets him for the last.

In essence, it's a love story told out of order. It's a completely unique twist on romance fiction, and it could only be done in Doctor Who. As an added bonus, it makes a Rose/Doctor relationship plausible - all three of them.

The plot is as twisty-turny as the Time Vortex itself. You never have everything lined up perfectly, but then again you never will with a time travel story. Connecting the timelines at first takes some work, but eventually it clicks in your mind and everything falls into place.

References are prominent and blended smoothly with the rest of the plot, giving you no doubt you're reading Doctor Who fiction. References are made to the Doctor Who TV movie, the Time War, and specfic episodes in the first and second new series seasons. It's Who nerdvana.

Characterization is one of the best I've ever seen. The distinction between Rose when the Doctor first meets her and Rose when he meets her again is apparent, yet both manage to be distinctly Rose Tyler. The true gem, however, is The Doctor. All three Doctors are clearly represented, with the differences between them faint, but noticable. The 8th Doctor's childlike wonder, the 9th Doctor's grim, depressed demeanor, and the 10th Doctor's manic, chattery hyperness are all well represented here.

The sex is also some of the best I've ever read, capturing the emotion perfectly. Most sex scenes have the reader on the outside, as an observer. Here, you're with them, feeling everything they feel. From the nervous foreplay to the careful undressing to the sheer exhilaration of climax, it's all here.

A brilliantly intricate web of pure emotion. You haven't read this love story before.

Scratching the Itch by Rallalon (WARNING! Mature Content!)

On a visit to an alien world, The Doctor gets bitten by a "fixation fly", an insect which bite causes someone to obsess endlessly about whatever they were thinking about at the time. Unfortunately, at the time the Doctor was cotemplating sex with Rose Tyler.

Now an insatiably horny Doctor must help a clueless Rose cure his fixation before he does something they'll both regret.

It's side-splitting comedy at its best, with unintentional innuendos, hilarious dialogue, and uncomfortable situations producing a laugh a minute. There are many possible crude jokes to make about a guy with an uncontrollable libido, but the humor manages to stay tasteful and mature (well, most of the time).

Characterization is also excellent, capturing the Doctor and Rose perfectly. The Doctor's frantic babbling and Rose's caring devotion to the Doctor are given special attention, and it only serves to make the fic funnier.

As for the sex, it keeps the same level of emotion previously seen in Non-Linear Love Story. Sure, it takes away from the humor, but when it's this good, you don't really care. After all, in a fic about an extreme sex drive, a sex scene is inevitable.

The ultimate Who romantic comedy. Well worth your time.

Halo:

Je Mourrais by Kavek

Could the Chief/Cortana relationship work?

It's a question that's plagued almost anyone who's played Halo. They certainly have chemistry, yet the limitations are obvious. Both of them only exist for war. Neither knows anything about a relationship. Most importantly, she can't touch him.

Kavek thinks it could work.

This fic deftly explores the possibility of love between a soldier and an AI, turning the probable into the belivable.

Set in an alternate ending to Halo 3, Master Chief rescues Cortana from Gravemind, blows up the Halos, and ends up stuck on the Ark with the Arbiter, Johnson, and a ragtag group of humans and Covenant. Even worse, the Flood are there too, rebuilding their forces after their detruction on Halo. Fortunately, the Ark contains a backup superweapon to stop the Flood for good. Chief and the others are now in a race against time to reach the weapon before the Flood - or anyone else - reaches them first.

The romantic aspect emerges when Cortana goes rampant, breaking her programming and teetering on the edge between becoming human and becoming psychotic. John's love for her drives him to do anything he can to save Cortana from herself, unwilling to give up the woman he loves.

Unfortunately, the UNSC believe that Cortana's rampancy is negatively affecting the Chief, and are determined to remove her by any means necessary.

It's a whirlwind of love, drama, and action. The Halo mythos is used quite well, showcasing the Spartans, AIs, Covenant, and even the Forerunners with excellent characterization and attention to detail. If not for its obvious departure from offical canon, it could stand alongside any Halo novel.

The odd pop culture reference is also thrown in occasionally, from Morgan Freeman as God to Jack Bauer as a Spartan. They work within the Halo universe quite well, and serve as nice little easter eggs.

If you're any sort of Halo fan at all, this fic is for you.

Kingdom Hearts:

You Don't Miss It Until It's Gone andYou Don't Miss It Until It's Gone: Nobody's Perfect by Numina-Namine

Sister fics.

A concept that seems enormous in contemplation: tell the same events from two different perspectives, while maintaining good writing in both. A task that requires only the best of authors.

Numina-Namine is one of those authors.

The sister fic aspect works almost perfectly, especially when telling the same events in both a dramatic and comedic perspective. Events occur at about the same pace in both fics, so you won't get lost if you're reading both at once.

Now for the actual story. Either fic would work fine on its own, but intertwined, they form a brilliant tapestry of love, betrayal, redemption, and the darkness within all of us.

The Sora-Kairi-Riku story focuses on a plot thread people have been speculating about since the end of KH2: would Sora leave Kairi behind if he was called into another adventure? The answer: he does. And she's less than thrilled.

One thing leads to another, and soon a trail of broken hearts, unrequited love, and hurt feelings manage to almost completely splinter the trio. A rash action by King Mickey drives Sora deeper into darkness, until only one group is willing to accept him: a revived Organization XIII.

The interpersonal drama reads well, and the fight scenes pack a punch. What really sets this fic apart is that there is no villain. Apart from Sora's Antiform, which drives Sora all the way from protector of light to the exact thing he tries to destroy, the majority of the fic revolves around Sora, Kairi, and Riku clashing in heart, mind, and body.

The Nobody story is equally, if not more compelling. Roxas and Namine wrestle with the question of whether their feelings for each other are real or not, with explosive results. The Organization encounters their own messy love triangle when some of their number revert to their Somebody selves, throwing a monkey wrench into multiple relationships.

Overall, it's a beautiful pair, in terms of plot, drama, characterization, and action. A must read.

Sequel: Soaring on Broken Wings

That's Why by Talitha Koum

This story starts out as your basic KH3 adventure: Sora confesses his love to Kairi, the Organization comes back, a new bad guy shows up, the Heartless return, you know the drill.

What drives the fic to five-star status is, incredibly, its OCs. It takes talent to make original characters more full of personality than the actual established characters, yet Talitha Koum does it.

Particularly of note is Nevaeh Alexander. The second she appears, you know you're seeing something unique. Childlike innocence paired with a relentless killing instinct makes a genuinely creepy character, and as her personality develops, you start to care for her even more.

Tony Sarmiento is equally enjoyable, with his New York accent, manipulative nature, and general I'm-a-sleazeball demeanor that makes you love to hate him.

If the scenarios seem a bit predictable, they're rescued by the dialogue. Hearing the characters talk always brings a smile to my face, whether it's a comedic or dramatic moment. The focus is clearly on personality, and it shows.

Particularly of interest is the infinitely complex relationship between Nevaeh and Riku. The two progress from enemies to allies to friends to perhaps something more, and not once does it feel like an unnatural or rushed transition.

The fight scenes are also well written, injecting real passion and rage into the battles.

A must read for Nevaeh alone. By the time you're finished, you'll almost forget she's not an established character.

Sequel: The Afters

All the Roads We Have To Walk by Ginger Ninja

Things start out simply enough. In a KH1 alternate ending, Sora, Donald, and Goofy visit a quiet little world while searching for the door to light. Sora is pulled into a mysterious portal, and find himself separated from both friends.

From this point on, everything normal is thrown out the window.

Sora finds himself in a darkened universe where worlds consumed by darkness freeze over, Heartless are malevolent ghosts, and shadowy figures from Sora's past oppose him at every step.

The main question on Sora's mind (and the reader's) is where the heck is he? The future? The past? An alternate universe? It's a brilliant mystery, and it's one that will keep you reading until the end to find the answer.

Sora finds himself accompanied by a crew of classic Final Fantasy characters, including Zidane, Tifa, Barret, Red XIII, and even a child Yuna. The Final Fantasy references are unique and memorable, integrating Sora into the plots of the games just as deftly as any Disney world.

The writing is spot-on, catching all the characters and their unique personalities. The grim and gloomy tone never grows old or loses significance, giving the story an eerie feel.

A chilling, masterful read.

Sequel: A Darker Road

The Eleventh Hour by Organization VI

Set a few decades after KH2, Sora, Riku, and Kairi are living happy, stable lives, with the occassional Heartless attack here or there.

Then things change.

Riku is stalked by a mysterious warrior. Memories begin disappearing. Even worse, entire Worlds begin to vanish.

As the heroes race against time to put things right, the cause of these events remains ambiguous. Is it the Heartless? Nobodies? The mysterious Chasers? Or, in the most terrifying possibility, could these events be stemming from Riku himself?

The plot is terrific, moving along at a fast pace while always keeping the nagging possibility that it's Riku's fault in the forefront. What drives this fic up to five-star status, though, is its inclusion of parallel Xehanort chapters, chronicling events in his life from the end to the beginning. The format can take some getting used to, and its inclusion may seem questionable, but by the end, it manages to prove its worth by managing a complete intersection with the main story.

A great short story.

Those Lacking Spines by Organization XIII

It was a normal day (or was it night?) in The Castle That Never Was. Organization XIII was going about their sinister business when they were attacked by parasites known as Gutless that turn anyone they infect into horribly OOC bishounen. Xaldin, Lexaeus, and Vexen, being the least bishounen-like in the whole Organization, are left unaffected. It's now up to our unreasonably manly anti-heroes to traverse the unkown lands of Fandom Hearts and retrieve their fellow members.

Basically, it all amounts to the biggest and best parody of bad fanfiction ever seen on this site. With sharp wit and biting critisim, Xaldin, Lexaeus, and Vexen tear apart cliche, unoriginal, and just downright bad fanfiction trends. Almost nothing is spared: Mary Sues, high school AUs, OCs, fanfiction's creepy obsession with yaoi, if something gets your goat about fanfiction, you'll find it here.

The author manages to deliver lessons on good fiction without seeming overly preachy or high-handed. Absolutely hilarious dialogue and break-the-fourth-wall moments enhance the experince, making this fic a laugh a minute.

An outstanding example of a parody, and a fic that should be required reading for 85 of all fanfic writers in existance.

Replica by DragoonG

The Riku Replica. Used as a plot device in KH:CoM. Players get to fight an evil Riku again without it actually being Riku. One-dimensional, Riku clone character. His story isn't worth telling.

Or is it?

This story, currently unfinished, tells the story of the Riku Replica from his "birth" in Castle Oblivion to his new sanctuary in Twilight Town. Anyone who's played CoM knows his story's pretty simple: his memories are rewritten by Namine to make him believe he's the real Riku, Namine's protector, and that Sora must be eliminated at all costs. This author tells a different story, showing Riku Replica's memories being continually rewritten and messed with while he tries to survive in the web of intrigue that is Castle Oblivion.

The Replica is definately an unexplored character, and the author dives into him here. The constant themes of being a fake and of memory manipulation underline his unique character. The Replica's bitter, sad first-person narration serves to further set the tone and create a character worthy of your empathy.

Characterization is the biggest strong point, turing a simple expansion storyline into five-star quality. All of the Organization members have their own unique personalities, with each one expressing their malicious nature in a way that doesn't feel cliche or repetitive. Anyone reading this fic with absolutely no knowledge of CoM would still be able to recognize all the members' distinct personalities. Namine is also excellent. With her broken spirit and anguished outlook on life, this shows more of Namine than CoM ever did.

A great character piece. If only it could be finished.

The Reqiuem by Pretty Shimmie

Heartless. Dark, moralless creatures, drawn by the darkness in the heart and destroyed by the Keyblade.

What do they think about?

This fic follows Rexen, a Green Requiem Heartless, as she goes from her creation as a Heartless by the twisted Xehanort to embarking on the road to becoming human. It's an interesting journey through a Heartless' perspective, from fighting the Keyblade Master to finding camraderie with fellow Heartless.

Rexen is an enjoyable character, naiive and sad. Other Heartless also drift in and out of her life, showing personalities very similar to the main heroes of KH, something that's actually pointed out in one chapter. The Disney chacters are good as well, especially Maleficent. Seeing the evil, jealous witch in a maternal role is a nice change of pace.

A great fic showing the other side of Kingdom Hearts. Why do so many good fics have to be left unfinished?

Mario:

Fibra by Usami

Bowser, needing a new strategy to beat Mario once and for all, approaches Luigi and offers him the respect he's never had if he'll betray his brother and serve the Koopas. In a shocking twist, Luigi accepts.

Mario is soon captured, and comes to realize exactly who put him there. As Mario attempts to foil Bowser's plans yet again, he comes to terms with Luigi's feelings, his unexpected influence on his brother, and what it means to be a hero.

It's a masterful drama, with a great plot added on. The characterization would hold up to any adult novel. Reading this, it's almost hard to imagine that this is set in a universe meant for children.

The emotions come across very well, with Luigi's emotional range given special attention. We see a side of him here rarely, if ever, seen before. It offers a fascinating look into who Luigi is, and how he got to be where he is.

Change a few names and settings, and it could hold up to any "serious" novel. A great work.

The Queen of the Koopas by Walkazo

Story doesn't matter in the Mario games. It's always just been one tacked-on stock "invasion" plot after the other, with no real thought to depth or character.

Walkazo has blown away any of those previous expectations, chronicling the Mario games while focusing on the Koopas. More specifically, the courtship between Bowser and Bowselta Parakay, Kavek's excellent OC.

Bowselta is not your standard OC. She doesn't love the spoiled, arrogant Bowser when she first meets him, merely planning to use him for personal gain. Over time, though, she falls in love with him in a natural and cliche-free process. You haven't read this love story before.

The story goes on to chronicle their marraige, parenthood, and unwilling separation, all chronologically tied into the plots of the Mario games. Walkazo shines here, taking random places, events, and characters, and making them all play out naturally and convincingly. Even the Koopalings' background are believable, with a surprising amount of character depth. Even with Bowser Jr.

Great characterization, a touching love story, and it makes the plot of Mario games comparable to Final Fantasy.

Sequel: Super Koopas

Matrix:

Animatrix: Channel Surfing by The Grandiloquent Demagogue

This fic follows one unnamed U.S. resident, channel surfing on three seperate occassions during the Matrix's Second Renaissance.

You'd think a story like this would have no plot and be completely uninteresting, but the author reverses that. Every channel has meaning, showing a survey of our own possible future, the Second Renaissance present, and the inevitable Matrix.

The channels are informative and illustrative while looking random. We get a glimpse of the future of politics, religion, entertainment, video games, sports, and just about anything else you'd see on TV. Scattered throughout the fic are continual updates on the war with the Machines, as well as little glimpses of the Matrix to come. Various pop-culture references are also integrated into the fic.

The author also maintains a sense of humor. From the viewer hurriedly flipping past a porn movie to Republicans and Democrats having completely switched stances, subtle jokes are scattered throughout.

A smorgasbord of the Matrix and a glimpse at our future told in a unique style. I loved it.

Metroid:

Stumbling Towards Elysia by Prioris

Samus Aran met the bounty hunter Gandrayda during Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Gandrayda is a sassy, smart shapeshifter who gives Samus the nickname of "Sammy". Gandrayda tragically dies of Phazon corruption after a fight with Samus. Samus mourns her, then moves on. That's their entire relationship.

But what if there was something more?

This fic starts at a previously unseen first meeting between Samus and Gandrayda, then follows their relationship all the way through Corruption. Yes, it's a love story. And it's a good as any heterosexual pairing.

Unlike most yaoi or yuri fics, this story has almost no graphic content at all, leaving us to imagine the sex scene in our heads. As a whole, the story is less about the physical relationship and more about the romantic one, so anyone who finds graphic yuri "icky" can read this fic and like it.

Gandrayda and Samus have quite the complicated relationship, leading on a twisting and turning path of deception, secrets and feelings. Just as it seems the relationship starts to get better again, something's thrown into the works to mess it up. It's a quite a tragic tale, full of unrequited love and missed opportunites, and knowing that the ending is a given, the author manages to make it bittersweet.

Gandrayda holds true to her personality from the game, with all her wit, snappy remarks and shapeshifting intact. The real brilliant characterization is that of Samus herself. Samus is shown as being incredibly good at bounty hunting while also being completely clueless on actual social interaction. While this may be unorthodox, it certainly works within the boundaries of her character.

A great tragic love story. Why is this the only fic the author's ever made? We need more of this great talent!

Celastrus by TheDepartedFanfictionist (WARNING! Mature Content!)

Who is Samus Aran?

Seen by everyone who's ever played a Metroid game as a faceless, silent warrior, no one truly knows her personality. Not even, it seems, the people around her. Her fellow soldiers see her as a cold, calculating woman, incapable of pain or emotion. No one has ever broken down her walls, and Samus believes no one ever will.

Until she meets Colonel Adam Malkovitch.

Only seen in Metroid Fusion, Adam bravely gave up his life to defeat the Space Pirates, and seems to be one of the few people for whom Samus actually has respect. In this story, we see Adam before the events of Fusion, where he becomes the first and only person to see past the facade and see Samus as she truly is. It's a truly heartwrenching tale, with emotions flowing freely and both Samus and Adam getting lost to their desires.

The sex is written very well, of course, but it's the emotion that shines through here. Feelings of sadness, completion, and bitter loss are heavily present, as Samus must deal with losing her better half so soon after finding him. If you thought Stumbling Towards Elysia was sad, this fic is heartbreaking. It's a tragic love story without the happy ending - which makes it work. You feel for Samus here - she's a tough, yet fragile woman who got her heart broken.

One of the saddest romance stories I've ever read. But it's very, very good.

Naruto:

Pain Binds Us by LifelikeDoll (WARNING! Mature Content!)

Out of the practically hundreds of Naruto characters, Gaara has always been one of my favorites. His uncaring, heartless demeanor, his twisted relationship with the demon sealed inside him, and his endless layers of complexity make him a fascinating individual. So when a fic comes along that's primarily about Gaara, I tend to like it. It doesn't hurt that the story's top-notch as well.

A simple accident causes Gaara to notice his sister Temari in a way he's never done before. He begins to toy with her, teasing her with romantic actions one moment and injuring her to the point of agony the next. Hurt and confused, Temari weathers Gaara's actions out of fear for her life and the small hope of claiming her brother's love. Eventually, Temari finds herself trapped in an intricate web of love, lust, deception, and pain - one that Gaara himself might be caught in.

What would already be a taboo relationship due to incest is complicated even further by the presence of Shukaku, the demon sealed inside Gaara. Having a sadistic, utterly evil demon fighting for control for over ten years has caused Gaara to develop multiple personalities: the sadomascochist who only enjoys blood and pain, the sad, frightened boy who just wants to be loved, and a peculiar and horrifying combination of the two.

Having to deal with Gaara's multiple personalities puts a heavy strain on Temari. She's torn - she's afraid of being killed by Gaara, but also wants to reach out to him and give him her love. Temari doesn't know how to deal with Gaara's constantly changing mood and personality, producing a relationship that's as twisted and confused as Gaara himself.

This all adds up to a completely different kind of love story, written in sad, angry, and passionate tones in turn. You go into each chapter having absolutely no idea what's going to happen next - and that's what makes it work. There's not a cliche to be found, even if a few moments do veer dangerously close.

A twisted, broken love story. Creepy? Yes. Great? Even more so.

Sequel: Beyond Blood

Pokemon:

The Mewtwo File by Alisonven (WARNING! Mature Content!)

Humans. Pokemon. A race of men, and a race of animals. Each completely and utterly different from each other. The idea of a cross-species relationship is ridiculous, the idea of a cross-species romance laughable.

But what if one came along that was different than the others?

This beautiful fic takes the entire idea of the Pokemon franchise and completely inverts it. Gone are the innocent, bright-eyed Pokemon Trainers who forge bonds with their Pokemon. Instead, we have a mature, dark setting where Pokemon are analyzed, documented, abused, and mistreated. It's a rare gem: a Pokemon fic made for adults. And it works.

The plot follows an alternate timeline set around Mewtwo's creation and training by Giovanni. Confused and frustrated by his own sentience, Mewtwo struggles to exist in a world where he is seen as a mindless animal. He bonds with a female human named Aiko, a Pokemon researcher fascinated by him. Their friendship soon turns into something more, but there are those who do not approve of a human-Pokemon relationship...and are willing to go to great lengths to stop it.

It's a classic love story, tugging at the heartstrings while managing to slip in a few lessons on prejudice. The plot moves at just the right pace, never seeming to drag or feel rushed. There's more than enough suspense to go along with the romance, creating a story that demands to be read in one sitting.

Characters, setting, story, even the surpisingly tasteful sex are all great. A magnificent romance.

Resident Evil:

The Cure by gentle gwen (WARNING! Mature Content!)

Just when you've finally wrapped the sister fic concept around your head, along comes a fic like The Cure and gives you something completely new to boggle over: nonlinear fics. Tell a story out of order, cutting back between segments of the story in a specific pattern. It sounds impossible to follow, but with a little talented writing, everything flows relatively smoothly as you put the story together in your mind.

The plot is a love story. Several of them, in fact. Set in Resident Evil. Again, sounds ridiculous, but it's pulled off surprisingly well. The story takes the traditional RE formula of lots of horror and blood and guts with hints at romance and turns it completely on its head, instead giving a story based on romance with little to no horror or gore at all. Sure, there's a conspiracy plot in there too, but romance is the story's main focal point.

Wesker and Rebecca try to forge a relationship in the insanity that is their lives. Chris and Jill struggle with Chris' stubborness and inability to forgive. Leon and Claire are haunted by ghosts of their pasts. And that's just a summary.

The plot is magnificent, immersive and deep. You never lose track of who's doing what or relationship status, despite the nonlinear format. The romance is written masterfully as well, managing to create three distinct relationships in one story, each with their own comforts and problems. The author even takes a pairing that at first glance seems like a crack pairing (WeskerxRebecca) and makes it completely belivable in the RE universe.

The characterization is one of the highlights of this already fantastic story. Gone are the days when RE characters were known for their cheesy dialogue. These are real people, with real emotions and reactions. They get tired. They get pissed. They ramble. They talk dirty. They say things they'll regret later. They're just like us, except they fight zombies.

And then there's the sex. Lots and lots of sex. Peverted tendecies aside, it's actually written creatively. Picturing sex many, many times in the same fic is bound to sound repetitive and boring, but this author moves past that. Every sex scene is written differently, and all focus on pure emotion instead of the usual graphic, dirty description.

Some of the scenes are gruesome, to put it mildly, when describing Wesker's past. It's creepy, dark, and disgusting. But then again, this is Resident Evil, you wouldn't be reading this unless you already had a taste for that sort of thing.

Unique format, grade-A everything else. As close to perfection as you'll ever find on this site.

Sequel: Villany

Sonic the Hedgehog:

ARK: What Really Happened by Maverick 1812

Oh. My. God.

I have never found a funnier story related to SA2 on this site. Ever. Sure, the jokes are a little raunchy, and veer towards the shocking at times, but it's all grade-A and will surely bring a smile to your face. It even manages to lampoon that Gary Stu Chris Thorndyke from Sonic X. I'm sold. And you will be too.

Ghosts of the Past by Red Mage 04

You'd think a Archie comics Sonic fanfic that borrows heavily from the technology and culture of Star Wars and Halo wouldn't work, right?

Think again.

This fic is magnificent. The prose is excellent, and the characters are spot-on. You never once stop believing these are actual freedom fighters, a feat the comics themselves has yet to achieve. The aforementioned borrowing works seamlessly, and provides some neat little references for those who actually know the mythos. (Boba Fett as a Mobian, anyone?)

As for the villains, wow. Robotnik, Snively and Metal Sonic are fantastic, but the real standout is Norrack, an unstoppable, superhuman killing machine. You get chills down your spine every time he shows up, and the fact that he just won't die makes him all the more creepy. The enormous revelation about him at the end takes you completely by surprise, so I won't spoil it here.

There are some nice emotional moments, too. You really feel for Derrick, the battle-scarred warrior hiding a broken heart. The death of one of the main characters early on hits the team hard, and it shows, especially when they have to face Norrack minus one of their central team members.

Overall, it's excellent. Definitely worth your time.

Sequel: Shadows of Fate, Angels of War

To Reawken Chaos Unto the Planet by Sky the Hedgehog

Do you like dark stuff? Gloomy, end of the world type fiction?

Here's your nirvana.

This fic does an excellent job of showing, in just 10 chapters, how Metal Sonic rises from the gutter to rule the entire world, aided by a group of lost souls and power-hungry deviants. Just to tell you now, the storytelling's a little confusing. Shifts between perspective could be anywhere in space and time, and characters frequently act OOC. Keep reading, though, and everything falls neatly in place. You'll be kicking yourself at how easily you were fooled.

Part of the hook in this story is its unconventional ending. Sonic does not swoop in and save the day at the last minute, nor does any other "good guy". A large chunk of good characters die, others are converted to evil, and a familiar monster gets to rampage again. And that's how it ends. You get an ending just as dark (and as satisfying) as the rest of the fic.

The apocalypse never felt so good.

Sequel: To Reawaken Peace Unto the Planet

The Possibilities are Endless by Dragonbreath1

This fic starts out simply enough. Sonic arrives on Angel Island, annoys Knuckles, then inadvertently gets stranded on the island. Deprived of anything to do, Sonic finds out that the Master Emerald has the ability to show the future. From that point on, Sonic throws out requests and sits down to watch, with other members of the Sonic universe showing up and stopping to watch as well.

The sheer brilliance in this fic comes from its unique story structure. The future is constantly being altered, so at any point (usually after the main "story" is resolved) everything that's been shown so far can be completely retconned and a completely new future can be shown in its place. The possibilities are quite literally endless.

The first future we see starts out simply enough, showing the Sonic cast as adults/parents, and the varying ups and downs of their lives. The story soon develops into a darker and more serious story about race riots between humans and "Sapients", as the Sonic characters are dubbed. It's a very touchy subject, yet the author manages to deliver a satisfying, non deus ex machina ending and never seems to be pointing the finger at one specific group. The Sonic characters are also very good, with each of their children being given their own distinct, fresh personalities.

The second future, currently unfinished, is a hilarious tale involving Blaze accidentally getting impregnated and how this affects everyone else in the Sonic universe. So far, it's shaping up pretty well.

Sure, it's unfinished. But after you read this, you won't care. It's just that good.

Want more fanfic recommendations? Go to http:///pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FanFicRecommendations .

Secret Preview:

(CLASSFIED)

Memo from the Director of Project RED (Research of External Dimensions)

Mr. President,

I urge you to reconsider the decision to pull our funding. Our project, if seen to its conclusion, will provide massive advances in science and technology. In a matter of weeks, we will be able to fully stabilize the gate’s containment field. Rest assured, we will not attempt any more field tests until we have complete control over the gates. Safety is our utmost priority.

I would also advise against making a public statement about the incident in Area 5. The copy I obtained of your planned press release contains many gross inaccuracies. What happened in that lab was a mere equipment malfunction, nothing more. The explosion was caused by the failure of our particle stabilizer, not by something passing through the gate.

I am aware that the science involved is a new concept, but to have such an event occur is completely impossible. The dimensions we are attempting to reach are incredibly dense, comprised entirely of dark matter. Life cannot exist there. And even if it did, it would be little more than single-celled organisms. Certainly nothing advanced enough to initiate travel through the gate.

Nothing appeared in that gate. There are no extra- dimensional beings loose somewhere. To declare such a thing would cause widespread panic.

I firmly believe, Mr. President, that letting this incident go public would be a serious threat to national security.

-The Director

the new world is coming...

are you ready?