Final Fantasy IX/Fanfic Recs

Proof that the remaining 10% is worth dying for here:

These are recommendations made by Tropers for Fan Fics, all of which have been signed. After a few samples, you will be able to judge whether you might be interested in the 'fic, based on who recommended it. No-name recommendations will be Zapped. Nobody would back up the rec. Discussion of the recommendation is welcome on the discussion page. As such discussion is important, do remember to add the discussion page to the watchlist, if need be.

Do warn when a fanfic may head into homosexual or non-canon territory. Some people just don't like it, and as we all know, Shipping is Serious Business.

Authors, and Websites
fyre byrd
 * Recommended by Burning Butter
 * Writing that makes you feel as if you're actually experiencing the character's lives mid and post game.

General Fics
''Stories focused on the family and the friendly relationships of the cast. Plot-focused stories or light day-in-the-life stories. Pretty much anything that isn't focused on romance.''

Origins by LeFox.
 * Recommended by Chaotic Brain
 * Genre: Suspense/Adventure
 * Synopsis: On ancient Terra, a plot is hatched to create an immortal golem, Garland, by sacrificing Terra's prince. A young boy named Kuja finds himself caught up in the chaos, fleeing for his life alongside the prince... but how long can they survive?
 * Comments: This is a fantastic story. It takes place on Terra 5000 years before the start of the game, and the world serves to flesh out some of the underdeveloped plot points of the game, most notably Taharka, the monster-bug thing you fight in Ipsen's Castle. Not only that, but it's an immensely gripping read in its own right. It's pretty dark and violent, yes, but maintains a level of emotional maturity throughout. Politics, doomsday cults, and themes of betrayal make this a story you simply won't want to put down. (It's not complete yet, though.)

Gems Are Bad, Mmkay? by MPerrett.
 * Recommended by Chaotic Brain
 * Genre: Humor/Parody
 * Synopsis: Zidane and the gang have an unusual encounter in the woods with a monster that just wants to get high.
 * Comments: Ever wondered what the deal was with those Friendly Monsters? Well, here's one author's take on it.

Prince of Thieves by Myshu
 * Recommended by Master Shaper
 * Genre: General
 * Synopsis: 200 years after the Mist War, Luthane Crescent goes on a pilgrimage to seek out his heritage. All he's found is a Genome with a wild streak and a big secret...
 * Comments: A very well-written story that takes the reader to the world of FFIX several centuries after the game's ending. Can't really say much more here without spoiling parts of the story, but it definitely has some thought-provoking themes, TearJerkers, and comedic moments. Oh, and you might want to keep children from reading it - there's a scene or several that might not be suitable for anyone that isn't at least a teen (due to site requirements, I'll note here that it involves some risque yaoi).

Shipping Fics
Stories focused on the romantic relationships between the cast.

Duty and Honor and Courage and Strength, by Meriko Robert
 * Recommended by arthurdent
 * Pairings: Freya/Fratley
 * Synopsis: Freya and Fratley embark on a quest together, her seeking peace of mind, and him remembering the love that he has forgotten.
 * Comments: Set three years following the events of the game, but before the ending cinematic. Slightly AU because the author misremembered certain plot points from the game; as a result, Cleyra is merely damaged instead of being completely destroyed by Odin, and the mystic gem enchanting the Wind Harp is never recovered. Freya and Fratley go on a journey to find a suitable replacement, and in the process, become re-acquainted with each other. Duty and Honor provides the framing for the tale, while Courage and Strength, which is significantly longer, covers the quest itself. Occasional hints of Purple Prose, but still very well-written, with an ending that's a guaranteed Tear Jerker. Gore warning for Courage and Strength, which includes some pretty graphic descriptions of monsters dying.

Brick by Brick, by CrimsonCobwebs "Zidane: Oh really? Hehehe. Hardly surprising. All the girls talk about Zidane.
 * Recommended by Comartemis, seconded by Arc Varanus
 * Pairings: Zidane/Garnet
 * Synopsis: A princess, a thief, and a look into the building of a tumultuous relationship.
 * Comments: A Slice of Life Adaptation Expansion that focuses on Zidane and Garnet's relationship, set against the backdrop of the canon storyline. Doesn't really have much of a plot, but it does have 300% of your daily recommended fluff intake (where appropriate; some of the chapters take place during Garnet's Heroic BSOD, and those are a bit more angsty). Also gets big points for nailing Zidane's Lovable Rogue / Handsome Lech personality; the back-and-forth banter between him and Garnet is probably the most entertaining part of this story.

Garnet: Oh really? Must be about your ability to get them stuck in ice caves for hours on end…

Zidane: Or my dashing good looks.

Garnet: Or your childish sense of humor.

Zidane: Or my suave charm.

Garnet: Or your lack of manners.

Zidane: Or my very large -

Garnet: Alright, stop there."


 * Seconding the rec. It's a very heartwarming portrayal of how the two grow closer to each other throughout their journey, but it's the attentiveness the author devotes to all the characterization that really made the fic shine for me. Things like  seem so fitting that you wonder why it wasn't in the game in the first place. Definitely worth your time, and what's more, it's complete, with a sequel in-progress that's shaping up beautifully.

Practical Medicine by Myshu.
 * Recommended by Kerrah
 * Pairings: Zidane/Freya
 * Synopsis: Zidane, Freya, and how to learn nothing the hard way.
 * Comments: Yes, I did not make that up: it's Zidane/Freya. However, the fic doesn't focus on the "lol hot furry pron" aspect, but instead builds a pseudo-romantic relationship between the two characters in a bunch of scenes taking place among the events of the game. The sex scene in the last chapter, despite being well done, isn't that long or in-your-face. While the fic doesn't exactly follow the canon, it's definitely not Canon Defilement either. Also, it's damn funny and sometimes dramatic too.

Go Not Gently by Guardian1.
 * Recommended by lunarkweh
 * Pairings: Eiko/
 * Synopsis: "Thirteen years after the events of Final Fantasy IX, and Eiko Carol's life is turned upside-down once again by an enemy supposedly long dead. What's a girl to do?"
 * Comments: Amazing style, compelling plot, and a new spin on old characters--what's not to like? Black Tango's dialogue and characterization are of particular note. Hot damn. Has its own page of tropes these days.

Fur Beneath Her Fingertips, by CrimsonCobwebs
 * Recommended by Arc Varanus
 * Pairings: Zidane/Garnet
 * Synopsis: Garnet's thoughts on Zidane's tail.
 * Comments: A humorous and fluffy scenario (with a hint of lime) that takes place at some point during the journey. Garnet becomes fascinated by Zidane's tail and... well, as the first chapter says, curiosity killed the cat... To say any more about this great little three-shot would be telling...