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The Recommendation Archives

T-Bone's Stakes by Simon Leet

Rated: PG for some violence.

Located: On the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive, arranged alphabetically by author.

Summary: When the SWAT Kats and the Enforcers are caught in a pitched battle against the PastMaster and the army of undead warriors he's raised, Dr. Viper sees his chance to catch the SWAT Kats unawares.  He manages to infect Razor with his new poison, and T-Bone finds himself facing his true greatest fear - the loss of his best friend.  And, he'd do anything to prevent it, even pursue a cure that only exists in the Dark Ages.  But, the Dark Ages have problems of their own.  And,  the fate of two cities, one of the past and one of the present, and that of his friend comes to  lay on the big kat's shoulders.  And, he must save them... alone.

Comments: To my knowledge, Simon's only finished SWAT Kat fanfic.  A real shame given how superb this story is. It was the first fanfic I ever read.  Period. SWAT Kat or otherwise.  So, yes, it holds a lot of nostalgia for me.  It showed me what fanfic could be.  How one could be like a fresh episode of a cancelled show... and how it could explore so much that the time restraints of a twenty-two minute cartoon wouldn't allow.   This story is an incredible look at T-Bone.  It really gets inside his head, shows his outlook on life, his fears, and, ultimately, his strength of character.  But, if you're not much of a T-Bone fan, don't write this one off.  T-Bone's Stakes is also a really great adventure.   The action never stops, and I couldn't put it down on my first reading.  I even tried to read it in the car by the light of a quickly setting sun.  Aside from being slightly more violent and definitely much longer than any episode could be, this reads just like a fresh episode of SWAT Kats. 

Civilized Savagery by Strike

Rated: PG for some minor profanity and violence.

Located: On the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive, arranged alphabetically by author.

Summary:  While fighting the PastMaster, T-Bone and Razor get sucked into one of those classic post-apocalyptic futures.  But, this isn't a flashback to "A Bright and Shiny Future."  In this dark future all the kats are . . . cats?  And, the Pastmaster brought them there to ask for their help in preventing the nightmare.  Last of a series, but stands on its own. (Summary paraphrased from that posted to the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive.) 

Comments: The story that left me with cold chills... in a good way.  When I tell you to read this story, I mean "take this ride."  Strike takes you on a novel-style sci-fi adventure, first to a dark apocalyptic future, then to a not-so-distant future where everyone seems to be withholding some mysterious secret from the SWAT Kats.  Being told first-person from Razor's point of view never once limits this story.  Strike offers plenty of clues and visual insights that more than make up for any limits on Razor's perception - what he may not grasp the reader can interpret.... when Strike wants you to.  The writing is excellent as is the handling of all the characters.  And, the plot's mysteries and twists will keep you hanging on until Strike throws you for one final, climactic loop.

The Enforcer Days by AJ Siytangco

Rated: G

Located: On the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive, arranged alphabetically by author.

Summary: A light-hearted look at Chance and Jake's days at the Enforcer Academy that takes you from the recruitment office to their graduation. 

Comments: If you like a good buddy/coming of age story, you'll enjoy this.  It doesn't have much action, but the untitled chapter gives you a taste of it.  Chance and Jake are captured to a 'T' and the original cadet characters are all creative, fun, and well-developed.  In fact, by the time I finished this, I had come to view Tailor, Ralph, Paul, and Miranda as some of my favorite original characters.

The Hero's Home by Abby Woodward

Rated: PG for some profanity and a few rather gruesome illusions.

Located: On the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive, arranged alphabetically by author.

Summary: The year is 2040 and the heroes of old have passed on their dreams of peace to newer enforcers of cyberspace and reality. And, some still leave their own private ghosts to swing the balance towards good once again...  (Summary word for word that which appears on the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive - I just couldn't beat that, folks.)

Comments: I finished this with tears in my eyes.  The story's original author's notes, now gone, stated that it was based on a nightmare... and it is a sad story in many ways.  But, I think you'll be smiling through any tears you might have by the end.  It is superbly written not only by a talented writer but a master storyteller.  Don't let the summary fool you. This story isn't so much about those that went on after the SWAT Kats but about how the SWAT Kats' legacy lived on. And, not in any of the usual forms like children or a new team of SWAT Kats.  Nothing so predictable.  The two original Enforcer characters that undertake this rather revealing journey into a past almost forgotten are well-rounded and easy to like.  The future setting is rich with details and a past of its own.  It's not just a hastily slapped in generic "future world" serving as a frame.  It's a world unto itself that almost makes you want to explore it a bit more. 

Turnover by Sarah Combs

Rated: PG for some violence.

Located: On the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive, arranged alphabetically by author.

Summary: When Enforcer pilots Chance Furlong and Jake Clawson are fired and sent to run the city salvage yard, it seems their crimefighting days are over.  But, the discovery of a hidden hangar beneath the yard gives Jake a brilliant, fateful idea.  As Chance and Jake dive into their new project, the Enforcers deal with a seemingly minor crime that quickly escalates with the death of one Enforcer and a full-scale car chase.  And, when the Enforcers give up, enter two unnamed vigilantes out to prove to themselves and the city that they've got what it takes.

Comments: This is a really well-written alternate take on the SWAT Kat universe.  Sarah manages to incorporate her own, original ideas without fundamentally altering the universe the show created.  Her detail is incredible, both in description and depth of plot.  Turnover reads like a mystery thriller, and I couldn't put it down during my first read.  No megalomaniacs or supervillains here, but there's more to this story than just a run-of-the-mill murder mystery.  When the action slows, Sarah treats you to a very believable description of just how Chance and Jake might have gone about creating the SWAT Kats.  It's both an excellent fan-written backstory for the show as well as a fun adventure in its own right.  And, the wit in both the dialogue and the narration is hilarious.  I spent this fanfic alternately hanging on the edge of my seat and laughing my head off.

Hurricane by Skybright Daye

Rated: PG for some violence

Located: Fanfiction.net and the SWAT Kats Fanfiction Archive

Summary: Jake and Chance need help at the garage desperately enough to actually put out a want ad.  Even though they're well aware of how it could compromise certain secrets.  They get a fellow ex-Enforcer with a possibly even more sullied record than their own.  But, is she answer to their problems?  Are they the answer to hers?  (Summary paraphrased from the author's original summary.)

Comments: I was very uncertain about starting this one initially.  Its summary read like any number of other stories I've read, and I thought I could probably tell you the entire plot without even looking at it.  But, I did look at it and thank goodness I did.  I've grown rather disillusioned with the idea of adding new members to the SWAT Kat team over the years.  Originally, I found it a novel idea and even had my own pair of "junior SWAT Kats."  But, a few too many fanfics where the author seemed more interested in their own creations than my beloved heroes gradually left me disinterested in the very idea.  And, in particular, those stories where the tendency to focus on original characters grew to the point it seemed the author actually went out of their way to point out how their creations were better than the original SWAT Kats left me even a tad suspicious of original character stories.  But, Skybright pulls off a very plausible tale here.  Everyone you know from the show is well in character, and her original character Maggie is a breath of fresh air.  She's original, witty, and far from being a Mary Sue.  She is a very talented character, but the author never feels the need to have her upstage T-Bone and Razor just to prove how good she is.  She develops a very believable relationship with both Chance and Jake that keeps her "one of the guys" and never a potential love interest.  And, should she develop into one in a future story, I could see it far more readily than in many stories I've read before because there's already a good, realistic basis for it.

That aside, the story itself is just fun to read.  It's witty and creative.  Skybright incorporates a lot of original ideas without compromising the concept of the show.  And, the character dialogues are brilliant. 

Rated: PG-13 for profanity, some violence, and mild sexual innuendo

Located: Click title to access Fanfiction.net copy of this story.

Summary: Set in an alternate universe. One normal schoolgirl, one magic "lamp", ten seemingly cursed wishes, and one dog-eared genie with a bad attitude.

Comments: Hands down one of the best Inuyasha AU's I've read to date. At the outset, I was eerily reminded of the story/play "The Monkey's Paw" as all of Kagome's wishes backfired in increasingly frightening ways. The building tension had me hanging on every word by chapter three. And, that's only the start of it. The story has a little bit of everything, from some downright creepy moments to outright hilarity. I can't think of the words to say how very much I enjoyed this. Sango and Miroku's part is a little lacking and the twosome only appear in the latter portion of the story, but, personally, I think Kagome and Inuyasha did need the bulk of the story to themselves.

Inuyasha's Sweetheart by Suki

Rated: PG for mild profanity

Located: Click title to access Fanfiction.net copy of this story.

Summary: There's another female in Inuyasha's life - and it's not Kagome! [Surprisingly, I think that KA/IY fans will like this short story.] (Summary taken directly from the one posted on FFN)

Comments: A touching, sweet little story that I find myself re-reading whenever I just want a good warm fuzzy. I really can't say more than that without telling you too much. This is a short little oneshot, so there's not too much to tell in the first place.

Exitus by Aino-kaachan

Rated: PG

Located: Fanfiction.net

Summary: An old warrior spends his last moments reflecting on his life as he waits expectantly to follow those who have gone on before him.

Comments: I cannot read this short without getting misty-eyed. As the title and summary imply, it is an ending, but never a sad one. Some of the memories visited are bittersweet, but I think, overall, it paints a happy, realistic ending for the bulk of the Inuyasha cast. The writing can only be described as magnificent in its dreamlike imagery. The author paints this story across the mind not in words but in colors. If a story can be breathtaking, this is.

Picture Me by Midoriko-sama

Rated: PG-13 for some profanity and violence

Located: Fanfiction.net.

Summary: Accidents are prone to happen in a difficult life. Disabilities are something a warrior cannot afford. But when the worst occurs, who will keep him from the despair of the blackness around him? (Summary taken directly from the one posted on FFN)

Comments: Yet another story that left me astounded with its imagery. The story is beautiful. The main character is blind, but few stories I have read appear in my mind in such vivid pictures. The interpretation of Inuyasha's character is equally wonderful. As is the relationship the author develops between him and Shippou.
And, I should probably note that I do not, as a general rule, enjoy stories where characters are maimed or otherwise suffer physical handicaps. Too often, I find such stories depressing, and the authors allow only a bittersweet resolution. Picture Me is neither depressing or bittersweet. The ending is completely uplifting, and I find myself coming back to it again and again.

Under the Dog Star by Catwho

Rated: T/PG-13 for mild profanity and some violence.

Located: On Fanfiction.net

Summary: A retro-generation fic dealing with how Inuyasha's parents met. This is now AU based on movie three canon. First documented use of the name Inutaisho! (Summary taken directly from the one posted on FFN)

Comments: This one should have been on my recommendation list ages ago. As much as I love the third Inuyasha movie and its brief glimpse at Inuyasha's parents, I wish Catwho's version was canon. Oh, how I wish it. I love her characterization of both parents, particularly Inuyasha's father. Fandom-wise, Catwho's tale, in my opinion, is much more true to what little information the canon has offered than ninety percent of the other retro-generation fics I've found. It's also a wonderfully fun read if you enjoy a prequel with a lot of little nods to later events in the storyline. There are ominous glimpses of the Shikon no Tama, hints as to Tessaiga's creation and the implications of a curse as the root of the tragic outcome of Inuyasha and Kikyou's relationship. There is one original character who might tread into Mary Sue territory for some, but Makoto's part is small and she does serve a useful purpose in the storyline. Personally, I liked her. Of course, all she had to do to earn my favor was to snap, "And stop talking in third person, baka," after Sesshoumaru.

All I Need is a Miracle by Vathara

Rated: R for profanity, violence, and some innuendo

Located: On Fanfiction.net

Summary: Between life and death, there is a moment to choose: peace - or let the demon rise once more.... AU fix to Samurai X - Reflections, crossover with Gargoyles. (Summary taken directly from the one posted on FFN)

Comments: It's like Kenshin crossed with Inuyasha! Okay, so, as an Inuyasha fan, that was my first thought in reading this story. The story does reference youkai and hanyou and seems to touch on a lot of concepts commonly found in Inuyasha fanfiction. The struggle between Kenshin and the Battousai is incredibly reminiscent of Inuyasha wrestling with his youkai side. As the Youkai Inuyasha arc was probably my favorite of all the Inuyasha plotlines, I find the parallel intriguing. That said, the story is not an Inuyasha crossover. However, it may still be off-putting to more purist RK fans. Personally, I found the RK characters well in-character and didn't feel like the series was compromised by either the new elements or the Gargoyles crossover (which is very mild and, mostly limited to the presence of Demona).

Walk Through the Valley by Vathara

Rated: T/PG-13 for some profanity and violence.

Located: On Fanfiction.net

Status: Complete (though there is sequel potential)

Summary: Times and technology may change. People don't. AU, Hiko POV. (Summary taken directly from the one posted on FFN)

Comments: If I drooled over this as much as I would like to, I'd short out the keyboard. I have a particular penchant for sci-fi reinterpretations of very non sci-fi fandoms. This is probably the best I've ever read (well, Saro's Inuyasha AU "Synthetic Emotions" could compete if she'd ever finish it). While it has abundant parallels to the Kenshin storyline so that it doesn't become an original story with fandom names, it's also unique enough to be interesting in its own right. Vathara has crafted a fascinating setting and backstory, and I dearly hope she someday writes a sequel that will show us some more of this world.

Blades of Blood by Vathara

Located: On Fanfiction.net

Summary: In a world where monsters roam city streets, a mildmannered New Yorker has just picked up a blade called Battousai... Modern AU, based off the NightLife RPG. (Summary taken directly from the one posted on FFN)

Comments: Vathara + Rurouni Kenshin AU is proving to be a winning combination. This was actually written before "Valley", but I hadn't commented on it before. Which is sad because I've probably re-read it five times since my first reading. The touch of having Battousai actually be Kenshin's sword rather than Kenshin himself is particularly interesting.

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