Some fics are… experiences. Not just stories, but entities unto themselves, that grab you at the base of your spine and take you to a whole new, slightly tiled reality. Creatures that curl up in the back of your throat until you can’t quite breathe, until you’re smothered in them and the rest of the world is a hollow, dim space. Cocoons that make you just a very slightly different person than you were going in.
Here are a few of the ones I’ve found so far.
The Vienna Game by paraTactician
Homestuck; The Ship Is A Spoiler
Easily the finest fic experience you will ever have. It reads equally digestibly to both members of the Homestuck fandom and to the uninitiated. I know this because my husband read it before deciding whether to read Homestuck, and my fifty year old mother read it, and believe me she will never read Homestuck.
The fic is an Alternian AU following Sollux Captor and Terezi Pyrope, with cameo or significant appearances from everyone I can think of.
There is shipping, and it isn’t in the background, but the primary focus of the fic is an amazing, action packed cyberpunk plot that goes all the way to the top. I would say more, but to be honest, I cannot possibly do it justice. If this had undergone some name-swapping, the novel would easily be a Best Seller and I would happily shell $25 for a hardback copy. The fact that it is available for free on the web is an act of superme generosity on the author’s part. It’s that good.
A two-piece soundtrack can be found [here] and [here].
Warnings for violence, possession (as in mind-control or usurpation), non-consensual body modification, more violence, and at least two attempted martyr suicides.
Despite the Snow by MothfinderGeneral
Pokémon X/Y (nondifferentiated); Sycamore/Lysandre
A three part series tracking the obsessive, blinding and unhealthy infatuation between Lysandre Fleur-de-lis and Augustine Sycamore.
This fic is ungodly popular. Genre defining popular. Headcanons that started here have actually already begun to infect other, older parts of the pokémon fandom, including terms like Ingrando and Psychosymbiosis.
While it never loses focus on thw two main characters, switching between third person limited on them both, one of the biggest selling points is the amazing cast of beautifully fleshed out supporting characters, and indeed an intricately built up world that the reader is occasionally given glances into the complexity of. The Academia, the engineers, the nobility, everything is beautifully detailed.
The porn is also beautifully detailed, as any longtime reader of MothfinderGeneral will already be well aware of.
It is rife with the sort of richly romantic prose that reveals the author’s history as a poet, but at no point does it become the sort of suffocating purple mess that many similarly styled fics produce. Whatever emotion the narrative demands you feel, you will feel it in extreme, almost to the point of mood whiplash. The highs are high, the lows are low, and the depersonalized dream fugues are depersonalized and dreamy.
Warnings for dissociation, verbal hallucinations, nonconsensual sex (later treated by characters as “retroactively” consensual), violence, drug use, suicide, death, abusive relationships.
He Says He Is An Experimental Theologian by SailorPtah
Night Vale (His Dark Materials fusion); Cecil/Carlos
I can’t speak for the entire body of fic in the Night Vale fandom, but I damned well can speak about the entire body of fic in the HDM ‘verses, and this is easily the best of them. The progression of history, the cultural differences, the world building, and the
scienceexperimental theology are all unbelievably keen. The dæmons are truly dæmons, both a part of and separate from their humans, rather than OCs or pets. The alethiometry and Dust work is beautiful. Of particular note is the dæmonology, which is all in the background and supplementals, but which big fans of dæmon work will note is absolutely beautifully plotted out.Also worth noting is the broad representation: perfectly in keeping with both HDM’s spirit and Night Vale’s active and continuing commitment to diversity. Rare is the fic that manages to encapsulate cultural and sexual diversity among a brilliant, broad cast of secondary characters without things seeming forced or falsified. Every character native to the fic is beautifully unique and brilliantly characterized, so that none are forgettable or easily confused with eachother.
Also, this is definitely, far and away the best Steve Carlsberg and the best Earl Harlan I have seen to date.
Furthermore, the fusion of the fandoms is just that: a fusion. It isn’t “Night Vale, but with dæmons” it’s “if Night Vale were written and produced by people in Lyra’s Earth.” Both perfectly Night Valian and perfectly HDM, all in one indescribably meshed package. Events, people, places, everything has been changed in subtle and keen ways to make it all fit together in ways puzzles only wish they could.
The POV focus is Carlos’s, with occasional supplemental forays into other characters, but at no point does the fic read as one of those deeply entrenched, isolated concoctions. It is an ensemble work, and the ensemble is amazing. Josie, Dana, Steve, Earl, the children of Night Vale and of Citagazze, Carlos’s family, the Control Team, the Night Vale team, and most importantly Carlos and Cecil are all captured in the most perfectly realistic ways. The plot is a slice of life style, albeit a Night Valian life, but because of the world shaking implications of the Night Vale team’s research, we see plenty of Greater World Implications, and interesting politics, mingling with our painfully pretty romantic unfurling.
Warnings for racism, violence, gratuitous blood and body horror, vegetative states, more violence, seriously this is Night Vale there is violence, guns, a lot of guns, torture, rape symbolism compatible with HDM-verse dæmonology, attempted suicide, debateably successful suicide, nonconsensual drug use.
The Rule of Transformation by JumpingJackFlash
Homestuck; Eridan/Sollux
Apparently, there’s a fair chance that this fic will be taken down, polished, and made into a novel. As a general proponent of free reading materials, that should upset me, but it absolutely does not. This reads less like Homestuck Fanfiction and more like high fantasy in an entirely original, wonderfully built world. I recommend it wholly, and if and when it becomes a pay-to-read thing, I will continue recommending it, and probably offer to pay for half of it for you or something.
It follows Rebellion Spymaster Sollux Captor after his incarceration by The Prince- a curious being who may or may not have been created wholecloth from the mind and soul of The Orphaner. While the Orphaner plots his endless course of conquest, and The Prince is left scrabbling to keep what little order can be kept in the scrabbling masses of territory already claimed. A new and clever spymaster might be just what he needs: someone who can unravel the snare of correspondence that the Orphaner doesn’t want him to see.
The first thing anyone learns in a war like this is how to eat and sleep where they’re told. But the second is never to let your irresponsible heartrate make decisions where a cold head is needed.
Into the Clouds, Into the Rainbow by Cullionly
Homestuck; Eridan♥/♠Sollux
Everything you ever wanted to know about Alternia, but were afraid to ask. This is the quintessential Aternian world building fic. The EriSol aspects are… weird. I wouldn’t recommend it for the characterization. It’s not bad, but it takes liberties, since the Trolls would have passed at least a few more sweeps between SGRUB’s non-existent launch date and when we see them.
But this fic isn’t about the ship, it’s about the ‘verse, and sweet mothergrub what a verse it is. Everything from caste politics and law to the mating drone cycle, from helmsmen to the breeding caverns, all of it gets a rich tapestry of logic and detail that will supplant your headcanons faster than you can say hot-a-what.
Like One Sundered Star by Oriflamme
Homestuck; John♦/♥Karkat, Multiple pairings
So, how ‘bout them superheroes, amirite?
In a world of superheroes, superscience and super-fucked-up crime networks, John Egbert, AKA the Heir, just wants to figure out how the hell he’s supposed to deal with school, work, secret identities, and making the stupid, all too human mistake of flipping flushed for his troll moirail.
Meanwhile, Karkat Vantas, AKA Hemogoblin, is dealing with the more pressing concerns of being an off-spectrum piece of cull bait, his moirail’s total lack of regard for anything aspproximating safe behaviours, and re-acquainting himself with his hemokinetic powers on the surprisingly dreary, crim infested streets of Seatlle. Also, the raging flush-crush he has on his budding partner in vigilantism doesn’t help, especially when the Heir keeps making unwanted pale advances on him. He already has John, thank you very much!
With guest appearances from: literally every single cast member, be they troll or human, guardian or ancestor, carapacian or felt.
Sundered Star is, I believe, the longest piece of Homestuck fanfiction in the world. I do not say this lightly. Split into two works it holds the #1 and #3 spots on AO3 when sorted by length. It is not for the faint of heart.
It is, however, for people who love superheroes, love homestuck, and love big casts of perfectly characterized beloveds. Even the Horrorterrors make requisite appearances, and even the horrorterrors are eerily well written. Everything is well written! The dialogue is snappy, the tension is well paced, Jade and WV are the best superduo in recorded history, Clubs Deuce and Diamonds Droog is a ship that was never meant to be but damn does it bomb spectacularly. It is almost impossible to summarize, really. John and Karkat are the nominal focus, but every character you can imagine gets a day in the limelight.
If you’re looking for something massive enough to fill the void in your heart left by the gigapause, Sundered Star has got you covered.
Hemostuck by RoachPatrol and urbanAnchorite
Homestuck; Eridan♠Sollux; Eridan♦Feferi; There are more ships but it’s basically a boatload of spoilers
If you only ever read one bloodswap, it needs to be this one. Hands down, this is the one you need. Yes, Red Dead Virgo is great, yes there’s that one where Vriska bets Eridan into wearing that hideously clashy March outfit and it’s hilarious. I do not care. This is the one.
The first piece follows Eridan, the second Karkat. While the relationships are central, the plot exceeds them considerably. That said, if you’re looking for some fun excursions in Eridan The Not Trash Moirail, Pale Serendipity: a Primer, and Why You Have To Patch Up Your Kismesis If They Are Dying On Your Doorstep, this will suit you nicely. And just you wait until you hit the religious tension between the official Quintet and that weird murderclown bullshit.
In truth, it has been entirely responsible for a massive number of my headcanons, particularly the quadrant ones. The cast of characters is big- bigger than you think- and its not quite as far removed from canon as you’re thinking, but I’ll stop now, before I ruin it.
Warnings for violence, casteism/classism, extreme religious views, drug use, attempted murder, zombies/ghouls/asstd undead, murderclowns.
Here We Are (At The Start) by PariahPirate
Homestuck; Sollux/Karkat
Like many of the fics on this list, though the relationship is central, it is not the focus of the tale. If you don’t like SolKat as a ship, it will probably put you off. If you have no opinion on the matter, do not be fooled. This is not a shipping fic.
No. This is a music fic.
You will cry. Let me make that clear now. You think I am joking, and indeed you’ll be approaching the end and be like “well that was bullshit, I didn’t cry at all.” Don’t worry. It’s coming for you. But the biggest plot twist of all? Those will be some of the happiest tears you will ever shed.
The premise is simple enough. Karkat Vantas is a homeless musician, playing forscraps in the subways of New York.
Sollux Captor is the second chair violinist in his concert symphony.
Anything much more than that will verge dangerously into spoilers, but rest assured that this is one of those rare, deliriously enticing fics that A) knows its source material backwards and forwards, with deep looks into both the concert hall and the subway stations, and B) manages to write about music without completely mangling the otherwise incompatible media.
Warnings for: bipolar disorder, homelessness, child services related trauma, orphan status, drug use.
Poor Unfor-tuna-te Shoals by SplickedyLit
Homestuck; Feferi♥Sollux but mostly Feferi
The empress swims where she will, AND THE EMPRESS WALKS WHERE SHE WANTS.
Something of a The Little Mermaid fusion fic, Poor Unfor-tuna-te Shoals follows the merprincess Feferi as she finds her way to land, and to the middle of a mounting war between the Low and High Blood nations.
One part romance, one part political drama, and two parts coming of age, this fic kept me up until uncomfortably late hours many a night when updates seemed to consistently arrive just as I was signing off.
If you like Feferi, boy is this the fic for you. It walks the perfect balance of good intentions, bubbling curiousity, and wrecking shit through sheer ignorance, all melting down and refining into someone worthy of her crown.
Eternal by Device Heretic
MLP:FIM; Twilight & Celestia
What is the nature of immortality? What is the price of permanence?
Although in compatible with world-building after season one, Eternal was for a long time the quintessential MLPFIM history fic, as well as the unanimously agreed upon imperial high queen of Celestia characterizations.
Set in the myriad compartmentalizations of the immortal Princess Celestia’s inequine mind, it is a rich and complex tapestry of what ifs and could have beens, born from a millenium of staying ever watchful, every brilliant as the morning sun. That sort of effort is bound to burn anyone out.
Primarily told form the Perspective of Twilight parkle as she seeks to recover her ailing Princess, some other characters do see POV interludes.
The endings (of which there are arguably three) are… immense, and the twists are both beautifully foreshadowed and wildly unexpected. The overall tone of the fic may leave ardent shippers unsatisfied, as the narrative is not about romance, but about the epic struggle of two women to find and recover their identies in the depths of self-inflicted trauma.
Warnings for: imprisonment, abuse, insanity, death.
Friendship is Optimal/Heaven is Terrifying by Iceman/Chatoyance
MLP:FIM
Though written by two different authors in two wildly different styles, both fics take place in the same shared universe, and I always recommend people read them as a pair, starting with FiO and moving to Caelum Est. The premise is a simple one, but the execution in both tales is unbelievably impressive.
If you like stories that explore the massive, frightening implications of Friendly AIs, technological singularities, and human-mind uploading, then this is the fic for you.
Indeed the build is so intricate, plausible, and detailed, yet so perfectly balanced on the blade of neutrality that equal parts of the readership come away thinking that it is a utopian wish fulfillment fantasy, and a deeply disturbing extinction event horror story.
The more technical of the pair, Friendship is Optimal, was composed over a year and a half, and was vetted for scientific accuracy by the members of LessWrong. It is, with only one major conceit, an entirely realistic premise, which adds to the bone chilling sense that something might jut be going very, very wrong behind this rainbow facade.
After reading the initial pair, there are 45-ish supplementals in the series, all written by different authors of different levels of canonicity and technical skill, as the ‘verse is open and public.
If you’ve never taken the time to consider the ientity issues with common sci-fi tech (transporters, uploaded bodies, etc), or to really consider what a utopia is and how it works, or if you spend any time at all thinking about the nature of consciousness, perception and the shared reality, this fic will be an eye opening piece indeed.
Don’t let he ponies fool you, or the bronies scare you off. This is an amazingly well thought out piece of science fiction, from both humanist and technological standpoints.
SNUFF by toxo
Team Fortress Two; Spy/Sniper (crossfaction)
Where do you even begin with SNUFF.
I’ve been following this fic for… for three years? Something riiculous like that, and I still don’t know what to think of it.
It captures the sort of depersonalizing experience of slowly losing touch with your own sense of reality in ways that are as nauseating as they are addictive.
Factoring for the fandom and the title, I shouldn’t have to warn you about the gratuitous violence, but I do. The cheapness of death means that murder becomes a toy, and it’s all just part of the descent.
The entire thing is basically a richly drawn out downward spiral into complete madness, and it’s definitely worth reading, but it is not by any means for the faint of heart.
Warnings for: gratuitous, detailed, graphic violence; abusive reltionships; insanity; murder; endless reams of murder; murder for fun; murder as a sex toy; murder as a means of healing minor injuries; dubious consent (participant may or may not be in control of his mental faculties); hallucinations; so. much. murder;
Honorable mentions (primarily because they’re too short to be All Time Record Holders):
- And Now You Are Banging Her; Homestuck; Dave/Roxy; Unrepentant porn that will hurt you for how hot it is. I mean it. This is going to burn you. Fear it and respect it.
- Have Your Death And Eat Cake Too; Puella Magi Madoka Magica; Kyouko/Sayaka (not the focus); SailorPtah of Experimental Theologian fame has a knack for world building that the ending of PMMM desperately needed, and this oda/fix-it fic combo will definitely define your headcanons.
- Out On The New Frontier; Homestuck; Dave♦Cronus; It’s difficult to pin this one down. A gritty look at prostitution serves at the launching point, but it quickly expands into an endearing, if utterly unexpected, moirallegiance without ever actually losing it’s intense, unforgiving tone.
- I Found Myself Wishing I Had Known You In a Different Time; Night Vale; The reincarnation fic. The Only One. No others need apply. After, and ONLY after reading it should you look up [Louis Slotin]
- Bringing Order And Balance (Like The Tide Does to Water); Night Vale; If you’re looking for something indulgently romantic to read- romantic in the sense of emotive imagery and rich detail that is- this is a good little series to spend your afternoon on.
- Second Date; Night Vale; In the long, long, long list of fics about our boys (non explicitly in this case) fucking in the broadcast booth after a near death experience, this is a definite highlight. Episodic style, available in transcript or podfic format, and as hilarious as it is… concerning, it suits the canon tone to a tee.
- Stirring Up The Brewing Pot; Homestuck; Freshmen Jade and Feferi try to get terrifying upperclassman Damara Megido to join their coven. Hilarity ensues.
- A Snowy Hilltop On A Calm Night; Homestuck/Iskyrne fusion; Jade/Karkat/John; I have no idea what Iskyrne is, but this appears to be your standard soul-bonding wolves fantasy AU. Too short for the official list, but oh. Oh, it’s good. 2.5k should not be enough to build an entire world in, but it does.
- Independence Week; Homestuck; You don’t need to have read Homestuck to appreciate this one. It is the pinnacle of non-linear time travel humour. That’s all you need to know.
- One Day, He Writes; Supernatural; Castiel/Dean; If every heaven is perfect isolation, then once you figure it out, how utopian can it really be?
- Butterfly Weed; Night Vale; Floriography, in fictional form. A decadent indulgence of symbolism and sense.
- Come Home; Homestuck; In two worlds, she’s still the same Roxy: lonely.
- The Sacred Pimp Hand of Justice; Homestuck; Eridan♣Karkat♣Rose; Alternate title: How To Write an Ashen Romance.
- Colors; Pokémon X/Y (nondifferentiated); You know when people say ‘scenery porn’? Well this is art porn. I mean, it’s also regular porn too, but it’s art porn.
- The Conversion Bureau; MLPFIM; I was going to put this on the main list, but with FiO I figure the “humans becoming ponies” thing is maxed out. That said, if you’d be interested in a massive- several million words massive- treatise on human greed, cyberpunk dystopias, immortality, lawful vs good, and what constitutes a human being, Chatoyance’s TCB series, starting with 27 Ounces, is definitely going to give you everything you could ever ask for and more.
- Anything That Burns; Homestuck; Jane/Roxy; Safely tucked away while the world dissolves across the ocean, Heiress Jane Crocker is content enough with her life. Then she gets a new bodyguard- human, for once. A rehabilitated Rebellion operative, no less. Well, no one ever said a prisoner of war was likely to be all there in the head.
Now that you’ve waded through the stuff that aches into the back of your head and burns itself there, if you’re looking for some lighter recommendations, consider #Vees Recs Stuff or my official AO3 Rec Page