Final Fantasy VI/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
Caves of Narshe
 * Recommended by Tex
 * This is easily one of the best repositories of FFVI fanfic and game information. Even though the link is to the FFVI section, the site itself is much bigger.

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.''

Final Fantasy VI: The Novel by Celes Chere
 * Recommended by Outsyder 0486
 * Synopsis: I haven't done a lot of searching for Final Fantasy VI novelizations, but that's only because I found a complete novelization in Final Fantasy VI: The Novel.
 * Comments: It's a good read, and the author nails the characterization perfectly. If you'd like to experience the story of Final Fantasy VI, but don't feel like actually playing the game, you'd be hard-pressed to find a better alternative than this.

Dead Man's Logic by Asa Sanderson
 * Recommended by Operation Shoestring, Montblanc
 * Synopsis: Just because you are dead doesn't mean you can't have a little fun. Kefka jumps off the Ghost Train and into a wager with Wrexsoul. Our intrepid ghost has a international incident to stave off, and precious little to do it with. But that's part of the fun, isn't it?
 * Comments: Absolutely beautiful rendering of the FF6 characters, right down to the last detail. Sympathy for Kefka is no mean feat.
 * Seconded. Seconded so hard. I picked this up thinking, 'Hey, a Kefka-centric fic, I bet it'll be zany.' Oh, but lo-and-behold, I discovered the best FF fic I've read to date. And yes, it does make Kefka sympathetic without invoking Villain Decay. Inferno 232
 * Thirded. If it wasn't for the above comment, I would've probably brushed it off with a thought along the lines of: "Meh, if you've read one zany Kefka-centric fic you've read them all." Boy, howdy, had I missed out on a nice story.
 * Fourthed! I never would have thought someone could make a Kefka-centric fanfiction that made him sympathetic without serious changes to his back story and a whole lot of Villain Decay. The way that Kefka's outlook on life, err.... after-life evolves is well done and believable. The scene with  is such a perfect turning point for his character, and the little call-backs (Crud. What a mess.) are a nice choice. My only complaints are the use of ZINGER! and the woefully inappropriate use of Japanese words.

Leisure by Bezdomny
 * Recommended by Tex
 * Synopsis: Before fighting Kefka, the cast decides to play cards.
 * Comments: My description doesn't do this light piece justice. It's one of the few good FFVI comedies I've seen. There's a little Sabin/Terra if you squint and hop on one foot.

SEGA Fantasy VI by RSF and sikamako, translated by Gabe Glick
 * Recommended by Quote Marx, Fish Called Waldo
 * Synopsis: A rather long flash animation, detailing what FFVI would be like if the entire cast were video game consoles. Cameos or appearances all through the four major generations -- third to sixth. PSP as the villain, of course. Extremely slight implications of Dreamcast/Saturn shipping.
 * Comments: An amusing and affectionate parody of classic games. Including the entire ending sequence was a good move, and the characterization is done surprisingly well.
 * Fish Called Waldo: There are two other SEGA Fantasy clips on the creators website -- all in Japanese, sadly. SEGA Fantasy IV and SEGA Fantasy V, if you would like to try and watch them.

Walkabout by Negative Creep
 * Recommended by Bozeia, Montblanc
 * Synopsis: Relm and Interceptor go on a coming of age journey across a post Kefka world. Winner of the 2006 Icy Brian All That Glitters competition. Complete.
 * Comments: Oh my god. This is, without a doubt, among some of the BEST well-written fics I've ever read. I'm talking good grammar, paragraph structure, creative and evocative description of details and setting, character exploration, and all the sad, heart wrenching little moments depicting various, pure and unadultured, sadness tropes you could ever want to read about. It's just plain good. Literary good in fact. Very well put together story (with perhaps a little fancy free fantastication involved to be able to suspend your disbelief from time to time). Highly, highly recommended. As in, go read it. Now.
 * Montblanc: WOW. You are doing yourself a great disservice if you don't read this fanfic RIGHT NOW. The characterization and interactions between characters are spot-on, Sally McDonald is an incredibly likable addition to the cast, and the last chapter is a great combination of  It's a shame the author never wrote another FF6 story, because they realized the world so perfectly.

Locke's Returner Adventures by Methusilah
 * Recommended by Liz
 * Synopsis: Entertaining adventures of Locke's life as a Returner before the game started.

Of Sketch Pads and Shadows by Shadow's Interceptor
 * Recommended by Arc Varanus
 * Synopsis: A family long thought lost is brought back together by a sheer chance of fate...and the ruin of the world. A story about Relm and Shadow and the situations that will define their relationship and will ultimately determine their fate.
 * Comments: One of my favorite FF6 fics, it shows the growing bond between Shadow and Relm, set to the background of the main plot. Full of heartwarming and heartbreaking moments, with great characterization of all the cast members. A brilliant fic altogether.

Forever Rachel by DK
 * Recommended by andromeda, papercut
 * Synopsis: AU. Sometimes, you just can't let go.
 * Comments: This is one of the creepiest one-shots ever written, for all the right reasons. It asks the question: what if Rachel had not healed the Phoenix magicite, and had instead used its power to remain alive, and what would happen after Kefka's defeat, when magic ceased to exist? Undeniably eerie and heartbreaking all at once.
 * Recommendation seconded. The horror aspect doesn't go overboard but the Locke and Rachel's situation is so twistedly tragic it still gives you the shivers. And despite it all you'd still feel for them.

Those Who Favor Fire by Stealth Noodle
 * Recommended by User:GG Crono
 * Synopsis: In the universe next door, Terra grows up in the Esper World. Everything goes wrong differently.
 * Comments: A most excellently written AU, showing how a small change can have a huge impact. By the same author who wrote the hilarious Shadowgate story Cheers (which can be seen on that game's recommendation page).

Kefka by Jenny Creed
 * Recommended by Amake
 * Synopsis: Kefka narrates the events of the game from his perspective, which is wildly delusional, insane with pain and power, and pretty lonely.
 * Comments: This is a very tightly written story. Not one wasted word. You might read it in five minutes and then spend the rest of the day unraveling it. Character interpretation may vary from one's mileage, though.

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

Not With a Whimper by Snow Duchess
 * Recommended by h4113
 * Synopsis: Details the events of Final Fantasy VI from Celes' point of view, and also focuses on her growing relationship with Locke.
 * Comments: This story is definitely heavy on the angst, but the author pulls it off well and offers an interesting, though much darker interpretation of Celes. Her eventual relationship with Locke (the term "romance" isn't really appropriate given the story's tone) is incredibly believable and compelling.

Reconstruction by Stealth Noodle
 * Recommended by Shadowdrake
 * Pairing: Shadow/Terra
 * Synopsis: Shadow isn't quite sure to what to do with himself after surviving his suicide attempt, nor is he quite sure what to make of Terra's determination to heal him.
 * Comments: Gorgeous style of writing, beautifully poetic usage of words and great characterization. The author actually makes Shadow and Terra a plausible pairing, with their similarities and their contrasts, as well as their histories.