F A N F I C T I O N R E V I E W
S
the
5
key
EARTHBOUND fanfic battles
of
2003
At this point we can forget nearly
everything "EarthBound" ever taught us about combat. The realm of
"EarthBound" fanfiction is on a whole different level. Toss aside all
of that "so-and-so equipped such-and-such instead." This is a world
where opponents who happen to be carrying weapons pull out on each
other. Discard all of that "it did not work on the enemy" nonsense.
Here it’s move it or lose it. And please, don’t read anything expecting anybody
who loses to "become tame." No, no…this is an arena where stupid
little baddies get blown the crap away.
From the complex dynamics of EarthBound:
The Horsemen Saga, to the very down and dirty duels of MoonBound,
writers redefined what an "EarthBound" battle was all about in 2003, and
the future looks quite bright in 2004.
Here, we take another look at five of the
best from the past year.
“I’m sure one of you would get promoted if you killed me!”
“Looks like I have to wait a short while until two idiots wake up . . .”
“
. . .If you still want to live, I suggest you run.”
5. EarthBound: The
Horsemen Saga
Destined Ones vs. Gorin and the
Starman
As Mike, Tom,
and Casie momentarily separate during this battle, Gorin and the Horseman of
Time get into a brief but brutal struggle that drains just about all the energy
Mike’s got to offer at the moment. Titan’s Armor, Ragin’ Finale, and Delta
Omega are all summoned within this one, and if those terms are
unfamiliar to you, you must be missing out on an "EarthBound" fanfic
offering some of the most complex combat in a long while. Oh and, remember
those weapons mentioned a bit earlier? Well, thanks to not-so-sweet little
Casie, someone loses their head during this battle. Not figuratively either.
"Turn around and show yourself."
"I
suggest you keep your injured tongue behind what teeth you have left."
"PK
Beam Alpha!"
4. MoonBound
They say thy
greatest enemy is thyself, and Picky had plenty of reason to believe them
during this encounter. Faced with a Nightmarish double who matches him move for
move, the young hero of MoonBound gets his toughest challenge yet—and
not just physically. The elegant suit and neatly styled hair sported by the
dark Picky is a metaphor that’s easily recognizable for any
"EarthBound" fan. And the battle itself? It’s some serious stuff as
blood and beams fly with more than one casualty before it ends. A well done,
very memorable read.
“No matter though, time to counter before he realizes anything.”
“Ness that was a big mistake, you just gave me a recharge.”
“Poo says this attack is called a Fate and its power is unrivaled by
anything else.”
3. EarthBound: The
Horsemen Saga
Oh come now,
did you really think EarthBound: The Horsemen Saga was only going to be
on this list once?
Anyway, if you wanted to make a really bad
pun, you’d call this EBZ. As part of a test that gets a…little out of hand,
Ness busts some skill beyond what we generally think him capable of while
meeting his match and counterpart in Michael, The Horseman of Time. A great
battle, plain and not so simple.
"Even
now, he stares at me through your eyes, taunting me, getting in my way."
"Your real name..."
"You will die before you lay another finger on Sasha."
2. EarthBound 202X: The
Chosen Eight
Heroes vs. Mister P
This tense battle introduces a few more of the main characters to
Mister P, who’s not terribly powerful, but crafty and hateful enough to make it
a fight they won’t soon forget. A great installment like this makes one wonder
where this story is going in 2004.
“Why won’t you help me?!”
“And when you think about it, so
did Julian. We’re all a lot alike, aren’t we?”
“Because, finally, I understand.”
1. Mother Alternate
Mother Alternate was pretty well known for quality
combat before the much viewed and much-praised final chapter arrived on
Fanfiction.Net (and Starmen), so it was rather appropriate that the very best
battle of the story was also the very last. And it’s not even the rapid-fire
headshots, stunning transformations, or huge beam blasts that make it so
memorable (though those don’t hurt); it’s the wonderfully written emotional
attachment that flows through this fight from start to finish that truly closes
the tale with a bang. Witness surprise after surprise after surprise as…well,
stating what happens might ruin the surprises.
Truly, a battle worthy of any
"EarthBound" game, and the best of 2003.
the
2
key
EARTHBOUND author characters
of
2003
One of the simplest and most memorable statements I’ve ever read on a message board was this: "It takes a certain amount of difficulty and/or skill to convincingly write any character."
Seems like a lot of "Mother" fans
are up for the challenge. Thanks to the visions of some of the veteran writers,
and the creativity of certain newcomers, more and more of the fanfics submitted
to Starmen.Net happen to be AC stories, a.k.a. Neo-"EarthBound."
I got word that The Origin of Mani Mani might
be coming back in 2004, incase you were wondering, and with 'fics like the newly
arrived EB: Onkochishin and EarthBound, No More making their appearances, I’d say the Neo- stories have just about moved
from the position of upstart to a whole second category of "EarthBound" storytelling.
Here’s a look at two of the most poignant
author characters of 2003.
Male
Allen Black – The Coming
Darkness
Created by JamesPicard_007
From his cool demeanor to his combat skills, Allen
was quite a unique fellow to follow in 2003. Oh and, did I mention he’s
probably the key to triggering or averting an event that’s likely to determine
the fate of the world? There’s that, too.
Female
Karen – EarthBound 202X: The
Chosen Eight
Created by INouveaux18
Whether we’re observing as she broods
in her room by playing with those dangerous hidden powers, or getting hints
about her mysterious origin, it’s always an interesting chapter when Karen
shows up.
the
3
key
EARTHBOUND fanfics
of
2003
Hmm…what if things were the other way
around? What if Ness and co. were peeking in on our world, controlling us, and
writing stories about our lives later?
…Sorry, just a little pointless,
"EarthBound"-spirited rambling there (either that or I’ve been
reading too much SimonBob lately). Anyway, if someone asked me what the top
three "EarthBound" stories of 2003 were, these are the ones I’d have
to go with. But hey, what do I know?
3. EarthBound: The Perpetual Adventures
Written By
Michael
DePalma
Life went on for the Chosen Four, and EarthBound: The Perpetual
Adventures is one of the most utterly believable takes on this concept you’re ever
going to find. Mixing gritty dialogue and mature themes with a nicely comedic
posture (could you believe what Jeff did at that gathering?), we follow our
heroes as they attempt to adjust their daily routines while cleaning up the
remnants of the failed invasion.
2. The Coming Darkness
Written By
JamesPicard_007
"’Let’s create
a hypothetical situation. Let’s say that tomorrow a camel’s going to step on
your foot.’ Allen began.
‘Ok.’ Sam said reluctantly.
‘Let’s say
that somehow you see that this is going to happen before it actually does. Now
will you still get stepped on or will you move your foot in time?’ Allen said.
‘I’d
move my foot of course. Getting stepped on by a camel would hurt not to say it
might also break your foot.’ Sam
answered.
‘But
you’re fated to get stepped on.’ Allen
replied.
‘But I know it’s going to happen so I could… avoid… it. Ooooh. I see.’"
The Coming
Darkness lured readers in with the coolness of Awesome Allen and Dashing Dr.
Sam, then hooked us by slowly revealing that the background plot was far more
complex than the action-packed openings were letting on. Overall, the
entertaining characters and well thought out story made for a way above average
follow-up to the game.
1. EarthBound
202X: The Chosen Eight
Written By
INouveaux18
EarthBound 202X: The Chosen Eight came out of
nowhere and took the Starmen.Net fanfic department by storm. It seems to be
gaining the attention of some popular names in the community, and is apparently
already casting inspiration on some other writing.
This fanfic is possibly one
of the most well-plotted works in progress to ever grace the section. Due to
some obviously extensive planning that included an enticing prologue—each
installment introducing us to the past, present, and future of one of the
titular players—we observe as all the little pieces of an intriguing picture
begin fitting themselves together. Helping spruce up the ceremonies are eight
very well-designed author characters, some of whom have secrets that tie deeply
into "EarthBound"
history, the conflict at hand, or both. Throw in a persistent emotional
ambience, a few charming guest appearances, and battles that spare these
newbies little room for mistakes—such as the gruesome scenes of Part 10 and the
near hopeless showdown of Part 12—and you’ve got the little
rookie-of-the-year-that-could in one EarthBound 202X. Not to mention the
EFR choice for top story.