Totally totally new writer here. Like, as of BBS new. I'm hoping to post some of my stuff here, a good portion of in the works stuff, because as a new writer I need critique, tips, and ideas on how to get better as much as possible. Which is not as common on fanfiction.net, because commentary there is quite sparse, it seems.
I've been a fanfiction reader for as many years as I've been into anime, almost. Which makes it about...3-4 years? I've read anywhere from small drabbles, to rather professionally written Lord of the Rings AU epics. I know to write well, I probably should read more real books but...:shamefully haven't gotten around to much of that:
Since I got majorly inspired by BBS, the first three stories here will have some degree of spoiler. I'll try to write for other fandoms too...after my BBS muse dies down.
One request before I start posting. Tips/critique/help on writing
DIALOGUE is EXTREMELY appreciated. Even if you don't want to spoil yourself and read BBS drabbles, comment with dialogue ideas?
Drabble 1.
Title: Mind your Manners
Characters: Terra, Aqua
Little to no spoilers
Summary: Terra wasn't always chivalrous...
The first time Terra met Aqua, he was certain she was a boy.
Dressed in a black gi and dark grey hakama, eight year old Aqua was all adamant eyes, cropped blue hair, and steely concentration. Careful not to disturb her, ten year old Terra had quietly walked out the way he came, officially intending to simply find a new practice area, but, secretly, devising strategies to beat his formidable new rival.
Years later, when the pair where in their teens, Terra decided he had to know. Although constantly referring to his best friend and sparring partner as just "Aqua" worked in some ways, a future Keyblade Master had to have manners. Manners required addressing people by appropriate titles, and the name Aqua couldn't exactly answer the now engrossing question...
"Areyoumaleorfemale" Terra mumbled, then immediately shrank and turned away.
When no response came, no offended outcry, not the slightest peep, the teen finally chanced a peek.
Aqua had turned bright pink, and upon noticing Terra, immediately ran away.
The next day, Terra had shown up to their usual practice area. Noticing Aqua had not yet arrived, he'd made to settle himself under the large tree, expecting to catch a quick nap, when he noticed the most frightening sight.
Aqua, strong, proud, confident, dependable Aqua, was wearing a torture device from hell. Loose fitting gi and hakama had been traded in for a skin tight black halter top and shorts. She'd donned gloves like he had, but covered them with ridiculous cloth bells, which swayed with every movement of her hands. To top the ridiculous effect off, she'd tied what looked like mop cloth around her hips, and donned two pink cloth belts wrapped in an x shape around her chest.
Before Terra had finished laughing, Aqua was on her feet, favorite keyblade summoned and a vindictive gleam in her eye. Before Terra had realized Aqua's true intentions, he was face flat on the grass, mercifully unconscious and spared from the brunt of the angered girl's wrath.
Now, bowing to Cinderella as he watched her enter the ball of her dreams, Terra sighed with relief at not being clubbed with a keyblade.
Drabble 2.
Title: Duality
Characters: Aqua
Moderate to HIGH spoilers, especially for secret ending
Summary: Even the brightest light sometimes fails to shine.
Little known to the denizens of light, the Realm of Darkness had two shores, one facing the light, and one the blackest abyss. The Twilight Sea was gentle-pale blue waters lapping at soft gray sands. The Dark Sea, for that was simply its name, was another matter. Waves of violent jaded lashed against jagged rocky shores, and a fiercely howling storm always brewed.
After 12 years, 11 months, and 25 days, she had come upon the ocean. With the last she had seen of any living presence being the mysterious man she'd parted ways from some time ago, what little hope he'd imparted her was finally on its last dregs.
Throughout the seemingly ages of shadow, she'd tried to be resilient, stubbornly holding on to the fragments of their memory. Terra's face, crinkled with gentle laughter as he teased their new friend about his swordplay. Ven's voice, timid and hesitant, those few nights he'd finally dropped the facade and let her protect him from the nightmares. But as the ages turned into eons, the eons into eternity, their memories, too, had slipped away like grains of sand.
As she stood on the edge of the ocean, the waves called to her.
'Aqua, Aqua, child' they said 'Come into the Water, little droplet*, come home'
Home. At that, Terra and Ven's images flashed into her mind again, brilliantly, like the day she had sacrificed her future for theirs. With one last smile, Aqua dove into the tempest waters.
And woke up in a room of pure light.
Drabble 3.
Title: Second chances
Characters: Terra, Aqua, mention of Ven
Moderate to HIGH spoilers, for the secret ending, and for Ven and Terra's endings.
Summary: Every beginning has an ending. Some endings also have beginnings.
He wasn't supposed to exist.
After the last battle with Aqua, in a final, desperate moment of clarity, Terra had taken the hulking keyblade to their collective hearts and plunged blissfully into darkness. His last thought was of Aqua, how beautifully radiant she was, how well she would carry on their Master's legacy.
And how it would be all the much easier for her without his poisonous heart clouding her world like acid.
He wasn't supposed to exist, yet here he was, placidly sitting on a couch and looking into a pair of adamant blue eyes. At the least, he thought, those eyes should be clouded with pain; turned away in mistrust. He'd killed their teacher, worse, he'd as good as killed the both of them.
Yet, inexplicably, Aqua leveled a patient gaze at him, eyes shining with hope and happiness. Belatedly, he slowly reached a hand out towards her, but recoiled, as the blue haired girl flinched under his impending touch.
Memories of a darker time, after the possession. Brutal strength. A cold, sneering voice. Hands callously wrapped around a slender neck, intent on...Light, he had harmed her! No matter the sacrifice, he swore at least to protect his friends.
One more reason Sora should have left him in the darkness.
Aqua, however, seemed to think nothing of it. Amidst his self incrimination, Terra suddenly felt a pair of hands brush his arms, hesitantly at first, and then forcefully, as he was wrapped in her embrace; a silky blue head nuzzled into his chest. Slowly, he returned the gesture, aching to touch her yet fearing to break her. At first, she'd tensed, but as the seconds passed, the girl had relaxed, and he'd allowed himself to cling to her, immersed in her calming light.
Their story was to have ended more than a decade ago, each one broken by the plan Master Xehanort had set into motion. Now, with his princess tucked in his arms and his little brother's heart restored and whole, Terra felt that their finale could have a new beginning.
Spoiler Show
