Clara's 10 Fan Fic Links:

1) The Matrix: Full Throttle

It is an interesting crossover of two action-packed films as the protagonist originally portrayed as a minor character, Anthony in the Charlie's Angels sequel (a screaming hair-pulling hitman), who masquerades as both assassin and saviour against the villainous Agent Smith from The Matrix. The plot is set against the backdrop of the original story lines, interwoven to form one story and allows most characters (good and bad) to cross paths. The idea works well as it doesn't stray too far from the films and the narrative takes place during memorable action scenes. What stands out for me is how it continues the comedic sexual tension between Anthony and one of the Angels, Dylan as it was ended abruptly just as it started in the original setting.

2) In an Ever Changing World

This idea is taken from a Japanese Manga and Anime-adapted television series, Gokusen which chronicles the struggles of a young female teacher who takes charge of a class full of male delinquents. Yamaguchi Kumiko (nicknamed Yankumi by her rebellious pupils) juggles her role as a twenty-four hour teacher (bailing, protecting, sheltering, saving her students) along with keeping her Underworld (Yakuza) background hidden. Her path to reforming her class is full of comedic mishaps, martial arts, drama and friendship through their interdependence to learn and mature together. The fanfic is set four years after Yankumi's students have completed high school and it focuses on her oblivious relationship with a past student who has returned from a soul-searching journey overseas. The story picks up from where her most difficult student (also romantic potential), Sawada Shin left for Africa after graduation in the original as he returns matured, worldly and realises his emotional pull toward his former teacher. As my favourite characters, their coupling works alongside the film's narrative as it does not overshadow her role as the devoted teacher but still the 'never-been-kissed', unrequited love type. Their gradual progress is logical and keeps their original characteristics in mind as if it were another episode.

3) One Day at a Time

The inspiration for this fanfic is from the hilarious television show, Ugly Betty. Briefly, Betty Suarez is the geeky protagonist who enters the world of an American fashion magazine company as an assistant to a playboy Editor, Daniel Meade. A comedic mishap of events influences her to grow along with her co-workers as they interact within and outside the company. This story unfolds from where the final episode left off, when Betty makes a life changing decision to leave her job of four years and relocate to London, England. Unlike the series, this focuses on Betty and Daniel's relationship as they start afresh in a new city and as a new couple. I guess this brings some kind of closure to those who were unsatisfied with the open-ended episode aired.

4) An Unexpected Visit

The television series, True Blood is the basis of this story which is basically about a town surrounded and inhabited by supernatural beings. Mostly consists of vampires and a heroine with a mind reading ability, who along with her friends have to deal with mysterious events that affect their Southern American town. The story continues the quirky supernatural atmosphere of the series from the last episode of season two. This involves the female protagonist, Sookie Stackhouse, in her search for her vampire lover who disappeared without word during an intimate dinner together. Enter the vampiric third wheel, Eric Northman, with his offer to assist her and the sexual tension becomes a battle for her. The fanfic works well and maintains the comedic sexual undertone as in the series without too much distraction from the mystery plot.

5) Mysterious Baby

Wallflower is originally an Anime and Manga creation but I am only familiar with the television series and I think they should all be similar without much of a variation in characteristic plots. Basically, it is about four varsity heart throbs who live together in a mansion turned boarding house. To earn a rent free year in the mansion, they strike a deal with the landlady to transform her awkward gothic niece (has seizures around attractive people) into a 'proper lady'. There is never a dull moment in the mansion for its boarders as the fanfic adds a new mystery for them to solve, like a baby on their doorstep and the hilarity that ensues as they take on the responsibility.

6) Go To Sleep, Hero
Based on the popular Nintendo game, Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It follows the journey of Link, who travels back and forth in time to complete his mission of restoring peace to his homeland from an oppressive warlord. The fanfic takes a glimpse behind the scenes when Link is not on a mission - when he lets his heroic facade rest and becomes a regular person in need of rest and leisure time. It focuses on his relationship with his mysterious informant (appears only after missions completed), who is really a Princess in disguise. The hero is oblivious to this fact which has not differed from the game but what is different is there are more dialogues, hints of romance and humour involved.

7) Just a Lost Girl
A funny account of life in a video game, Assassin's Creed (A.C) as it follows top assassin, Altair, in the Middle East during the Crusade period. He is part of a secret society of hitmen whose primary mission is to defeat their sworn enemy, Templars, from obtaining an ancient artifact in the Holy City. The object of desire contains supernatural powers that in the wrong hands, could cost humanity their freedom. The fanfic is told from the experience of an avid A.C gamer, Leah, who unexpectedly finds herself warped into the game world and has to keep up with the hero during missions to find a possible way back to reality. An exaggeration of the interaction between reality and the virtual world but very entertaining, set against actual events in the game.

8) Right Side of Wrong
An interesting idea based on the Pirates of the Caribbean saga, which presents a slight contrast between the film's narrative and the fanfic. Unlike the original, the antagonist - Davey Jones, is killed by Norrington which enables Will Turner to marry his beloved Elizabeth Swan and stay by her side. Set six years after their victorious battle against the ocean's grim reaper, the Turners and Captain Jack Sparrow become doting parents. The focus is on Jack and his journey through parenthood to a young daughter with her own destiny to fulfill - much against his wishes. Jack's iconic characteristics are not only kept intact but has also evolved to cater for his parental obligations too.

9) Pyramid Head on Trial
This is a parody of the video game adapted film, Silent Hill. The fanfic pays homage to the original idea by including both human and non-human characters but has a comedic plot which reduces the seriousness of the horror atmosphere. The story is set in a court room where the partial focus is on the male defendant, Pyramid Head, who is on trial for his torturous methods of punishment toward a female resident. The rest of the narrative surrounds the humorous interaction between both main and minor characters in the original storyline. There is definitely a high level of exaggeration in the idea of 'community' amongst the residents, where monsters and human survivors can socialise in contrast to the depression based original.

10) Livin' in the Future
Here is a fanfic based on the television series, Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles which follows the struggles of a mother and son to survive against a futuristic plague of robotic assassins as her son, John is the only key to the survival of the human race. The show has been discontinued after a few seasons in which this fanfic has picked up from the last episode aired so far. The story continues on from the cliff hanger scene, where John escapes an explosion in present day U.S.A as he accidentally travels through a portal to the future. His mission is to track down an android who knows too much of his present to overthrow humanity's ability to exist in the new world. However, his mysterious arrival and behaviour in a warring future only makes him more suspicious to the armed human resistance as does the people he recognises but it is only one sided. This idea is written thoughtfully in accordance with the original story as it takes on more action descriptions than in the present because of the change in situation. It also allows for the theme of family to continue but the only difference is that it is John's experience with another parent - his father.