The Great Desert (Fan Fiction)

[Shadsie]

I wanted to provide an example of how one might handle a fan fiction, in this case, off-site, since this particular one has many chapters and is already a completed work. This is also for people to read, should they want to.

This is a PG-13 rated story. (Possibly R rated in some parts, your milage may vary). It is Western, Sci-Fi and Fantasy.

I wrote it based upon the ideas of both myself and a friend, Sailor Lilith_chan. It is a story that takes place in a "future Hyrule" - that is, in a time beyond all of the canon game eras. It is an original-era story with a new Link, a new Zelda and a Hyrule that's become semi-modernized and is being covered by desert. Link becomes a gunslinger as well as a sword-slinger, though swords and swordplay remain vital to the story.

Also important to consider is that this story takes place along its own Timeline - that is, the history of the Hyrule of this story runs upon a linear Timeline (that is explained a little as the plot goes on). It ignores the Timeline (split) theory that is the most widely accepted as being canon by the Zelda fan community. I did this quite on purpose - mainly because I wished to reference both Wind Waker and Twilight Princess events.

(Most fan fiction posted here will probably not have to come with such lenghty notes and warnings, "The Great Desert" does only because it is a very un-conventional Zelda fic).

Anyway...

http://i88.photobucket.com/albums/k173/Shadsie_2006/TGDPostersmall.jpg


Chapter 1: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/1/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 2: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/2/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 3: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/3/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 4: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/4/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 5: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/5/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 6: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/6/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 7: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/7/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 8: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/8/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 9: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/9/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 10: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/10/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 11: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/11/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 12: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/12/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 13: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/13/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 14: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/14/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 15: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/15/The_Great_Desert
Chapter 16: http://www.fanfiction.net/s/4665742/16/The_Great_Desert

[Badwolf47]

wow these are good! I love them. I hope you become an author I would read your book! ^.^,... I wish I was good as you! I am not good. =../

[ottobot]

i read this a wile back, its really good. i really like how you make the goddesses scientists. i ha d a speculative thought. mabye ( you don't have to answer i yuo dont want) that the goddesses are from a futuristic version of earth.

[Shadsie]

i read this a wile back, its really good. i really like how you make the goddesses scientists. i ha d a speculative thought. mabye ( you don't have to answer i yuo dont want) that the goddesses are from a futuristic version of earth.

They are meant to be from Earth, yes.

It was actually Sailor_Lilithchan that came up with that idea.

[Waker of winds]

Shadsie, you're amazing, you know that:)?

This particular fanfic feels...special. I've read a lot of other fanfics, but this one is the most hardworked of all. You did a great effort. It's more like a novel than a plain fanfic...

Also, I want to apologize from the other day>.<. I became confused because, you know, it's the westernest fanfic I've ever read, too.

Anyway, please keep up the good work;)!

[Arkatox]

I started it and it was pretty good (finally someone writes some good fanfiction!), but before I get to far, I'm wondering: Why would some parts be rated R? I want to know if it's gonna be worth reading the whole book.

[Shadsie]

I started it and it was pretty good (finally someone writes some good fanfiction!), but before I get to far, I'm wondering: Why would some parts be rated R? I want to know if it's gonna be worth reading the whole book.

It gets pretty violent in some parts, but if you've read up through Chapter 3 already, you'll proabably be alright.

Mostly, though, there's a scene in one of the later chapters that is... um... a non-detailed bed scene between the principal villians. I don't describe it *too* much, but people are naked and enjoying it. It's brief, though, quite brief. I'm not into the "hot-n-heavy." It's an important scene, though, because the characters have a conversation regarding power and play their politics off each other.

[Arkatox]

Hmm, there's a problem. I could still read it, I'd just have to make sure my mom or someone like that isn't reading over my shoulder. You could just have the same conversation, only in different circumstances, you know. Ah, whatever.

[Shadsie]

No, no... it wouldn't have had the same effect. I didn't write TGD for kids. The scene needed this creepy power-play vibe. It's not very detailed, it's not porn or anything, it's just fairly... adult. Think of a random segement out of a Stephen King novel. I really preferred telling this part of the story in a creepy and mature manner. It's no worse than most movies, R-rated or even PG-13 rated.

It's the very first segement, first paragraphs before the ____ break in Chapter 10 if you want to scroll down when you get to that chapter and avoid it. You can understand the rest of the fic without that scene.

To summarize the important part of it without anyone reading over your shoulder about the nekkid or the creepy: It's mostly just villianess Cecelia and Ganondorf in her chamber talking. Ganondorf cautions her on her foolishness because the sacred Crystal of Ice (Nayru's Love) which she carries in her body/right arm is turning her body cold and threatens to overcome her and turn her into ice unless she is able to regulate and balance the magic. Otherwise, the scene shows that they really don't have love for each other, are rather disdainful of each other, and really are only using each other to gain power, even as they've just done something that many people associate with "love." It's written to be more political than "sexy."

[Arkatox]

Yeah, I understand that if you wanted to change the scene, you would've. Oh well. I haven't gotten very far. I may as well start rearing. . . .

[Arkatox]

Ugh, this would make a cool movie, but the rating would either be R or halfway between PG-13 and R. It's pretty . . . gruesome? Is that a good word for it?

[Shadsie]

Ugh, this would make a cool movie, but the rating would either be R or halfway between PG-13 and R. It's pretty . . . gruesome? Is that a good word for it?

Yes, "gruesome." A bit of gruesomeness and morbidity are trademarks of my writing across stories, fandoms, and into my originals. I've written a few cute and fluffy things, but, generally, it's a part of my style.

Which is why I don't think any of my Zelda fanfictions will actually ever be made into an official game - the blood, among other things.

[Arkatox]

Yeah, like really, when was the last time you saw someone eat a human (sorry, hylian) heart? That's kind of gross . . . but it's also kind of like you. I forget what chapter I'm on, 'cause I haven't read it in a couple days. I'm like just at the part where they enter the bone temple.

[Shadsie]

Yeah, like really, when was the last time you saw someone eat a human (sorry, hylian) heart? That's kind of gross . . . but it's also kind of like you. I forget what chapter I'm on, 'cause I haven't read it in a couple days. I'm like just at the part where they enter the bone temple.

Hey, Ganondorf is evil. He takes human sacrifice in the games (in AoL, it's said that Link's blood will revive him. In the Oracles games, Twinrova try to sacrifice Zelda to him).

[Arkatox]

Yeah, yeah, I know. Some people are just extremely evil.

[Arkatox]

Attention people just passing by: This post contains some serious spoilers. I suggest you DO NOT read on until you've completely read The Great Desert.

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@Shadsie: You ever get a review for your book yet? Hah, this may be the first!

I finally finished it and . . . WOW. This is amazing. I loved the book.

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There were a few parts I didn't like. For example, you were a little too descriptive when describing Ganondorf's reawakening in chapter 2. It kind've grossed me out. You see, I know I read stuff like that in books all the time, but I still don't really like it. Oh well, what do you expect from a 13-year-old kid?

Another part I didn't like was a totally unnessisary part in chapter 7, when Link and Navi first enter the second temple (was it the Steel Temple or the Metal Temple?). Link said the "s" word, and Navi complained and told Link to please not say any more "bad words". Then, of course, Link immediately said a string of "bad words" just to show Navi that he could say what he wanted. I think that if this piece of fan fiction were a movie, that conversation would either be in the deleted scenes, or taken out entirely.

I liked the whole thing about who the goddesses and hylians really were. The Aether was a cool idea, too. Unlimited energy is a lot of energy, you know. Though what was with the whole thing of Link/Zelda/Ganondorf being a bet? That whole part is kind've confusing, though I think I understand it.

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“Still, I accept your offer,” Link said.
“What? Are you an idiot?” Midna protested.
“I never said I trusted him,” Link said, cocking an eyebrow at her. “Consider this… utilitarian – a relationship born of pure necessity in a time of desperation. I know that you know all about those. Yes, Midna, I remember now.”
“He’ll never grow to love you like I did,” Midna quipped sourly.
“So, it is settled then,” Ganondorf said.
“Yes,” Link agreed. “First we take care of Cecelia. We can kill each other later.”

You know, I thought it would be really boring if Cecelia turned out to actually be Ganondorf's puppet, rather than the other way around. 'Cause the same "Ganon uses everyone in his evil sceme" thing is getting old. So when Cecelia appeared and kidnapped Zelda and stole Ganondorf's Triforce of Power, I was actually kind've relieved.

Then, of course, Cecelia killed Ganondorf during the final 3-way battle. Cecelia still had the Triforce of Power, so I guess that means no more Ganon reincarnations in Hyrule's future. And also Zelda took the Triforce of Power after Cecelia had been slain, so I guess there won't be any Cecelia reincarnations either. Just Link and Zelda.

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Then there's that part in the credits:


Background Music While Writing provided by – U2, Kansas, Genesis, various artists/whatever Shadsie felt like putting on play.

You just had to put that in there, didn't you? :D

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Anyway, as you may have been able to tell, I'm pretty horrible at review books. I've actually tried several times in the past, but to no avail. What you've just read is probably the best I've ever done, aka still pretty awful. So, anyway, tell me what you think of it!

~Arkatox~

[Shadsie]

First, thank you. Would you recommend my story to others?

My commentary:

The squicky parts... well, the gore is just how I write. I'm a rather morbid person and have a touch of horror-writer in me. With one of my other hobbies - I've encountered some nasty stuff (I clean and paint found animal skulls. I can tell you what deer brains look like).

If you didn't like that desc, I'd suggest staying away from anything by Stephen King, Dean Koontz and the solo fanfic work for other fandoms by my co-writer. It's a bit lurid, but I really like the idea of the ressurection of an evil wizard-king being pretty gruesome, especially in a fan fiction story that's purposefully "darker and edgier" than the source matieral. Still, I understand why you're put off by that. Not everyone is morbid, which is why I rate high and warn when I write stuff like that.


The Link cursing scene was actually a part of the roleplay that formed the bare basis for the story. I was playing Link and I do not know if I had him say the "s" word or something less harsh, like "damn," but my co-writer wrote a completely shocked Navi and we thought the whole thing was very funny. I debated with myself whether or not to put that in the actual story, but decided to as an homage to the laugher we shared over the roleplay. I also wanted to show my original Link as being "slightly rough around the edges," perhaps moreso than his previous incarnations and it was a good way to do it. It's not a scene that I'm married to, so if something else (some fan-animation or fan game or something that most likely will never happen) were to be made from the story, I would be fine with having that mini-scene omitted. As you said, it's not necessary to the overall story. It pretty much only exists because my co-writer and I thought it was funny.

Cecelia... Cecelia is the creation of Sailor_Lilithchan, was originally roleplayed by her. I constantly was asking her if I was writing her correctly when I created the actual, polished story. Lilith was very attatched to her, so I went along with what she wanted for the character, but I worried that readers would think of her as a "Mary Sue" simply because we gave her so much power. I think we balanced her character out by making her "not someone to be admired" - wicked, insane... someone with angst but not to the point as to be pitied (the evils that she did outweighed any excuses she ever had). I also wound up making quite a lot of power-play between her and Ganondorf.

I am glad and relieved that you enjoyed the twist at the end. I've been worried quite a lot that people would just see Cecelia as a "Mary Sue" for overpowering ol' Ganny in the end.

The Triforce is a mysterious thing. Who knows what will happen after Zelda dies? As it is, she and Link are set to lead the kingdom into a longstanding Golden Age and TGD's Link will wind up being the best king Hyrule ever had. He's probably going to be the only Link to outlive his Zelda. After that, who knows?

Lilith and I actually roleplayed for a while beyond the point at which the polished story ended. We had this whole wedding scene and an assassiation attempt before we got bored with it. It never made story because I thought it would be best to end it at the nice, mysteirous point that I did.

[Arkatox]

Oh, and I forgot to even mention the incident in chapter 10. It's actually not that bad. As you said, you didn't describe it much, so I was actually okay with it, kinda. I think the content in chapter 2 was worse.

Oh, and by the way, how did Ganondorf manage to eat the Lost One's head?

[Shadsie]

It wasn't his head, unless I made a horrible typo I'm not aware of... it was his heart. Ganondorf ate his heart, which he ripped out of his body after giving him a fatal wound.

[Luminary]

Hello Shadsie, I'm just about to begin. Should be good, judging my your other work!

*tips cowboy hat*

[Arkatox]

It wasn't his head, unless I made a horrible typo I'm not aware of... it was his heart. Ganondorf ate his heart, which he ripped out of his body after giving him a fatal wound.

It probably said heart, I just thought it said head.

Yeah, it'd be even harder to tear a head off than to tear a heart out.

[Shadsie]

I did an illustration of the Lost One, but it's pretty grisly. You find it if you really want to if you look up "Shadsie" on Deviant Art. I do not know if I put a Mature rating on it (I sometimes do for my blooider/gorier pictures, just to be safe), but I think I forgot to with the piece. (On DA, if you are registered as underage or are not a member, Mature rated pictures are blocked).

I'd link it, but considering your reaction to Chapter 2, it's something you might not want to see.

[dumb180]

Just finished reading this a couple of days ago. And I'll say.. it was excellent.

The story was quite moving. Several times throughout the tale, I found myself becoming a little concerned for the characters involved. Like at the end there: I honestly thought Link would return to Hyrule and find an aged to death Zelda. Phew..

But I digress. It was great, and I'm glad I read it. *applause*

[clover1234]

This particular fanfic feels...special. I've read a lot of other fanfics, but this one is the most hardworked of all. You did a great effort. It's more like a novel than a plain fanfic...

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[Arkatox]

I did an illustration of the Lost One, but it's pretty grisly. You find it if you really want to if you look up "Shadsie" on Deviant Art. I do not know if I put a Mature rating on it (I sometimes do for my blooider/gorier pictures, just to be safe), but I think I forgot to with the piece. (On DA, if you are registered as underage or are not a member, Mature rated pictures are blocked).

I'd link it, but considering your reaction to Chapter 2, it's something you might not want to see.

Lol, you're right. :D

I just don't care for gorey/bloody things. Gorey things more than bloody.