Harry Potter and the Methods Of Rationality can perhaps be considered the first piece of Rational fan-fiction to gain mass popularity. Rational fiction is a variant of the traditional mary sue type fan-fic where instead of the setting moulding itself to fit the character and ensure his/her success, the character gains increased intelligence and scientific knowledge allowing them to predict and even counteract the course of the plot. HPMOR as its traditionally shortens is both incredibly popular and divisive with critics pointing to its bloat, ridiculous time-frame and alien behaviour as flaws while proponents arguing for its world building and expression

Sword Art Online Abridged or SAO:A as its commonly shortened is as you would expect a parody of the original Sword Art Online, An anime that can be accurately summed up as “Good Premise, Horrible Execution”. The premise is that a diabolical game developed has trapped 10,000 people inside a VR Demo(He claims to have forgotten his reason for doing so in the ending). SAO:A is attempts to salvage this premise using a mixture of explaining WTF is going on, editing out the filler and giving its main character real personality albeit one of “of the most unbearable assshole I have ever met” in the words of the first character interacting with him.

Outside of existing in the general sphere of “Nerd”(A category I would argue has long outlived its usefulness as should be discarded but that’s an argument for another time)

Media, they might seem to have nothing do with each other but look deeper we can find some interesting parallels. A common thread found in criticism of HUMOR is that the Main character Harry(His Last name has been lengthened in the fanfic to the point that I’m just going to refer to him on a first name basis) is an egotistical narcissistic douche who uses his limited scientific knowledge to fuel an unjustified superiority complex and is never called out on his bullshit. SAO:A on the other hand explicitly gives its main characters the listed qualities and has its central arc be about the root causes of such an attitude and his corresponding shift away from them.

The trajectory of both this character over are eerily similar and parallels can be drawn, both are nerdy teenage social outcasts that posses extreme talent which they use to fuel a superiority complex. They both possess a misanthropic attitude towards others showing great resentment towards those that they perceive to be less intelligent than them him and they seek out friendships with other character possessing similar superiority complexes no matter their morality with one of Kirito few initial friends being Tiffany a scammer who exploits the nativity of new players to scam them of their money while Harry's first wizarding ally is an aristocratic pre-teen who makes rape threats against those who defame him.

Anime is an inherently explorative medium meaning that it forces us to see a character through the lenses of somebody else while Literature is a descriptive medium forcing us to view a situation through somebody's eyes. HPMOR is shown through the eyes of Harry and being a philosophical thesis mixed into a novel has its character behave in nonsensical ways to push the author's pet ideology(Nothing wrong with adding philosophy to media, hell most classical literature is classical because of that fact but it does get in the way of sensible story telling). “Machiavellian Schemers” like Dumbledore and Voldemort under a paper-thin disguise entangle “him in their web of lies”, SAO:A, however, has to give us the reason behind our character becoming involved in the events that unfold often mocking the stranger aspects of the original as shown by the original quote. We see Kirito being clearly manipulated by others rather than having to infer it from isolated events hidden among a dozen chapters of bloat. The shift in this perspective is key reason that SAO:A can be viewed as a deconstruction of the rational genre as it shows us just how the character archetypes would fare outside their purpose built worlds.

Secondary characters are also parallel and deconstructed, Asuna who shift into the main character towards the end of SAO:A is a more functional sociopath who hides her inner personality with an outwardly friendly charm. She is initially presented like Hermione Granger in HPMOR as a genius who lacks knowledge of how things really work, Hermione lacks knowledge of the real world as is overly book smart while Asuna poses natural instinct for the game. Their arcs progress in a similar pattern as both characters are infuriated with the main character who comes to realize their brilliance and worthiness. Harry comes to see Hermione as representative of hope and optimism given her uncompromising stand as he is manipulated by Voldemort with a wig. Asuna takes a similar place in Kiriots life through manipulation deconstructing the idea of an intelligent female love interest for our protagonist to charm using his intellect

Aincrad and Hogwarts are urban fantasy settings ie setting with fantastical elements located in a world very similar to our own. Hogwarts in HPMOR is a secret society HQ masquerading as a school filled with cunning intrigue between Dumbledore and Voldemort wearing a nanometer-thin disguise and primary conflicts arise from there game of cat and mouse as they attempt to convert students to their own cause. Aincrad is a buggy game world created by a sleep-deprived maniac who think the government is run by “Flubar, King of the Mole People” who traps 10,000 people in the game to avoid getting bad reviews due to his game being a bug-ridden mess. The idea that conflict springs out of pure stupidity and hubris of a singular individual is quite antithetical to the central theme of HPMOR which is that “Great People” must move society forwards by whatever means possible so that they may bring upon techno-rapture to end all suffering

In summary, Sword Art Online Abridged may have set out to parody and fix Sword art online but in the processes most likely without even intending it, Something Witty Entertainment has managed to create the perfect deconstruction of so-called Rational Fiction by exposing how the characters act outside the confines of a world tailored towards their every quirk. This essay might seem like the fever dream of somebody who is sick and tired of writing essays about “A Doll’s House” and overanalyzing every single plot element but I hope you at least see the outline of my argument here.

Timebraid: Legacy of Shadows

Chapter 1: A New Beginning

Sakura sighed deeply, her breath creating a soft puff of mist in the cold air. They had done it. She, Naruto, and Sasuke had defeated the time-walking monster, at last saving their world and all of existence from certain destruction. The battle had been long and arduous, and the cost was great. But now, at long last, they had earned their peace. They stood together on the scorched battlefield, a testimony to their hard-fought victory.

"We did it," Naruto said softly, his blue eyes gazing upon the desolate landscape. "We finally saved everyone."

Sasuke grunted in agreement, his black eyes hiding the exhaustion he felt. "Yeah, but it took us long enough."

Sakura smiled. "It was all worth it in the end."

For a while, they stood there, taking in the moment, the peace they had fought so hard for. But then, as if in response to their thoughts, a portal materialized in front of them. A tall figure stepped through, cloaked in shadows, with an air of ancient power and wisdom.

"Sakura Haruno, Naruto Uzumaki, and Sasuke Uchiha," the figure said, its voice echoing through the silence. "You have accomplished a great feat, one that has echoed through time itself. But your journey is not yet over."

Sasuke frowned. "Who are you?"

The figure seemed to smile beneath its hood. "I am known as the Timekeeper, a being who watches over the fabric of time itself. You have defeated the monster who sought to unravel existence, but a new threat is brewing."

Naruto clenched his fists. "What sort of threat?"

"A dark force, one that has been hiding in the shadows, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. It seeks to harness the power of time itself, to bend it to its will and reshape the world in its image."

Sakura bit her lip, feeling the weight of responsibility pressing down on her. "What do we have to do?"

The Timekeeper raised a hand, and a scroll appeared in its grasp. "This scroll contains the knowledge you will need to combat this new threat. Study it well, and prepare yourselves, for the battle ahead will be unlike any you have faced before."

The trio exchanged glances before accepting the scroll. As they did, the Timekeeper vanished, leaving them with the knowledge they needed to face the coming storm.

Chapter 2: Preparation and Shadows

Over the next few weeks, Team Seven dedicated themselves to studying the Timekeeper's scroll. It contained techniques and secrets that were both fascinating and terrifying, giving them new insights into the nature of time itself.

As they trained, they discovered that their abilities had grown significantly since their battle with the time-walking monster. Sakura's strength and healing abilities had increased, while Naruto's mastery over his chakra had reached new heights. Sasuke, too, had become even more skilled with his Sharingan and Rinnegan, his control over his ocular powers now nearly unmatched.

But despite their newfound strength, they knew they would need help to face the coming threat. They sought out their friends and allies, sharing the knowledge they had gained and preparing for the battle ahead. Slowly, a new alliance began to form, bringing together shinobi from across the elemental nations.

But even as their strength grew, so did the shadows that lurked on the edge of their vision. It was as if the darkness itself was watching them, waiting for the perfect moment to strike.

Chapter 3: The Gathering Storm

As the weeks turned into months, the darkness began to gather in earnest. Shadows seemed to grow longer, and whispers of strange occurrences spread throughout the elemental nations. People reported seeing figures lurking at the edge of their vision, only to vanish when confronted. The air itself seemed to grow colder, as if the world was holding its breath, waiting for the inevitable clash.

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke continued their training, pushing themselves to their limits as they prepared to face the dark force that the Timekeeper had warned them about. They had gathered a formidable force of shinobi from all corners of the world, united in their determination to protect the fabric of time itself.

At last, the day came when the darkness could no longer be ignored. A thick fog rolled across the land, shrouding everything in an eerie gloom. The shadows grew bolder, their whispers growing into a cacophony that threatened to drive even the strongest of shinobi to the brink of madness.

With grim determination, Team Seven led their alliance into the heart of the fog, where they knew the dark force awaited them. As they pressed forward, they could feel the oppressive weight of the darkness, as if the very air was trying to crush them beneath its malevolent will.

Finally, they reached the center of the maelstrom, where a massive, pulsating mass of shadows awaited them. The darkness seemed to swirl around it, drawing power from the fear and despair it had sown.

Sakura stood tall, her eyes blazing with resolve. "This ends here," she declared, her voice steady and strong. "We won't let you destroy our world."

The shadowy mass seemed to laugh, its voice a chilling, discordant sound that sent shivers down the spines of even the most seasoned shinobi. "Foolish mortals," it taunted. "You cannot hope to stand against me. I am the Shadow King, the embodiment of darkness itself, and I will consume all that you hold dear."

Naruto snarled, his fists clenched tight. "We've faced worse than you before, and we're not backing down now."

Sasuke nodded in agreement, his Sharingan and Rinnegan glowing with power. "We've been given the knowledge and the strength to defeat you. You won't succeed."

With a roar, the battle began. The alliance of shinobi fought with everything they had, their combined strength and determination a shining beacon in the darkness. But the Shadow King was relentless, its power seemingly endless as it struck back with devastating force.

As the fight raged on, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke knew that they would have to find a way to break through the Shadow King's defenses and strike at its heart. Together, they combined their newfound knowledge of time manipulation with their powerful abilities, weaving a complex web of jutsu that they hoped would be enough to defeat the dark force.

As they unleashed their combined attack, the world seemed to hold its breath. The darkness and the light clashed in a cataclysmic explosion, shaking the very foundations of existence.

In the aftermath of the battle, the fog lifted, and the shadows retreated, their whispers silenced for now. The alliance of shinobi, battered and weary, stood victorious against the Shadow King.

Though they knew that the darkness could never be truly defeated, they had pushed it back, buying their world precious time. Together, they would continue to protect the fabric of time, ensuring that the future would be one of hope, rather than despair.

And so, the legacy of Team Seven lived on, a testament to their unwavering determination and the bonds that had seen them through countless trials and tribulations. Through it all, they remained a beacon of hope, their light shining bright in even the darkest of times.

Chapter 4: The Aftermath

In the wake of their victory against the Shadow King, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke knew that their world was far from safe. Though they had pushed the darkness back, they understood that it would always be a threat, lurking in the shadows and waiting for an opportunity to strike again.

With this knowledge in mind, they decided to establish a new organization, dedicated to protecting the fabric of time and combating the forces of darkness. Drawing on the experience and skills of the shinobi who had fought alongside them, they created the Order of the Time Guardians.

The Order was a symbol of hope and unity, bringing together shinobi from all corners of the elemental nations. They trained diligently, honing their skills and mastering the secrets of time that the Timekeeper had entrusted to them.

Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke took on leadership roles within the Order, guiding and mentoring the next generation of time guardians. They passed on their knowledge and experience, ensuring that the lessons they had learned would never be forgotten.

As the years went by, the Order of the Time Guardians grew in strength and influence, becoming an indispensable force for good in a world that was still haunted by shadows. They were a constant reminder that the bonds of friendship and unity could overcome even the darkest of threats.

Chapter 5: The Legacy Endures

Time continued its inexorable march, and the members of Team Seven began to feel the weight of the years. Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke knew that their time as active members of the Order was coming to an end, and they prepared to pass the torch to the next generation.

Their legacy lived on in their children and students, who had been raised with the values and lessons that the Timekeeper had entrusted to them. They knew that the responsibility of protecting the fabric of time was now in the hands of the new generation of time guardians, and they had faith that their successors would rise to the challenge.

As they stepped back from their roles as leaders, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke continued to support the Order, offering their wisdom and guidance whenever it was needed. They watched with pride as their children and students carried on their mission, ensuring that the world remained safe from the forces of darkness.

And so, the legacy of Team Seven continued, a testament to the bonds of friendship and unity that had seen them through countless trials and tribulations. The light they had kindled would never be extinguished, shining brightly through the ages as a beacon of hope in a world that would always need heroes.

(This is not intended to be an attack on rational fiction, just a discussion on the frequent types of character I see here. Also, I'm super sleepy and am probably not planning this out)

With a smart character, I can't trust him.

When a simple character says "I want to be a good and help people" the immediate thought I have is " What an idealistic lad. "

When a smart character says "I want to be good and help people" my reaction is " Strategic play there".

A simple guy wanting to be your friend is just because he wants to be your friend. A smart guy wanting to be your friend could be out to manipulate you for social/political gain and there's no way of separating a sociopath from a genuine friend

Unless it's actively a dumb decision to be your friend anymore, actively something that would hurt the guy more than help him, you can't trust a guy to be genuine

When a character does something good that ends up benefitting him? "All according to plan, huh? " Earns him an ally out of gratitude ? "Got the sucker" Says he prioritizes doing good things? "

It's only when he does something stupid, something that doesn't benefit him long term, that I see the character is acting on the way he really feels, the way his true values lie. The real him

Simply put

Tyrion, is more likeable than Varys.

Because the simpler character is acting the way he feels more than the smarter one, I see his true self I can understand him more, I can trust him more.

A test

If no one knew, and no one would punish them would a "good" rational or a "good" simple, impulsive character be more likely to betray a group of people they don't care about to achieve their ultimate ambitions?

I feel a rational "good" person would be more able to rationalize this decision.

"I could use my great power to do good in the future. Some bad now, more good later. "

A simple "good" guy would very well be more likely to reject it immediately on surface level because of his gut instinct. A Davos vs Stannis perspective. Or Griffith VS Guts perspective. Or

(Of course, some will say, "a rational character doesn't have to Spock" as always. I'm just saying, the rational character has to not be acting rationally for the trust to form)

Hey, y'all in r/Rational! I got something new for you to take a look at. It's called The Lazy Hungry Giantess, and I'm sure it'll interest a lot of you Redditors who are rational rebels.

She's sentient, formless, and floating through the black void. It's a serene experience. No worries. No hunger. No abuse. But then an excitable message prompt called the System arrives. It wants her to do things and it won't leave her alone.

Soon enough, our girl finds herself awaken with a tall, strong, and curvy form. It's a body she'll love to enjoy while relaxing. Unfortunately, there's this thing called hunger. And quests. And monsters. And people who want to control her... or slay her.

This is the LitRPG tale of a troubled young woman leveling up so she can defend her nap time and eat the things that want to hurt her. She might even make friends along the way while she stumbles into tiresome (but sometimes delicious) misadventures of mayhem.

It can be hard life when you're a lazy hungry giantess, especially an OP one.

Sometimes I catch myself reading LitRPG Isekai stories, and I wonder what would happen if the MC refuses to follow along with the System's bullshit? You got to imagine it must be frustrating to be yanked from wherever you were and tossed into a fight-for-your-life, dog-eat-dog, extreme survivalist setting.

I hope you guys don't mind me self-promoting here since I plan to post frequent updates going into the future. The updates will follow a character who will say NO to the powers that be while throwing her weight around.

Consequently, she pushes the plot rather than let the plot push her, steering away from a story that wanted her involved in a war and focusing the story on her wanting to eat and nap and do as she pleases.

Now that ultimately sounds simple. You're a slothful, gluttonous person who likes to take it easy and enjoy life. But you have the potential of great power, and due to that, some forces wish to manipulate you or kill you because of that power, which is no fault of your own.

That's the MC's case in the Lazy Hungry Giantess. From the moment we meet her, her first word, like a child, is literally "NO." Yet, the System doesn't listen to her, and that leads to a whole lot of trouble for multiple parties involved.

I like the concept because Rhonda is the ultimate super power-fantasy (which gets super literal in a psychological way early in the series) while having her own unique sensibilities. She asks for the basic things she wants in life: food, sleep, and fun times and gets constant push-back.

She doesn't want to fight. She doesn't want to be abused or to abuse others. But she quickly adapts to her circumstances while also being true to what she wants. All while giving the System and the world she's pulled into a big F.U.

This is why I'm posting this for r/rational since Rhonda rebels against an obvious abuser of power and doesn't stray from her own rationale.

Yes, this will cause her pain and hard times. But she'll grow (also quite literal) stronger and develop in a way that will certainly surprise people. She may be a Giantess, but when she falls, she actually tends to bounce back up.

Here's the link to the First Chapter to get you started. Please let me know your thoughts. Thank you!

"Hey, Eliezer, why did the chicken cross the road?"

"I don't know. Why?"

"Because it wanted to get to the other side."

Satan: I regret to inform you, Jesus, that anyone who can play the part of God IS God.

Jesus: There's a loophole in that reasoning. Anyone who can play the part of God IS what philosophers call "righteous" or "heroic". On this we agree. But perhaps the REAL me is righteous and heroic in an interestingly different fashion than what I was pretending as the Christ in Ancient Rome.

Satan: I find that I do not care.

Jesus: Then you must think yourself rid of me very soon. Sooner than I planned.

Satan: You are dying on the cross. I think that counts as being rid of you.

Jesus: You're dying on the cross too. I took in all your sin, your rage, your hate. I took it all in and made it my own. I brought you into myself, cursed myself with your spirit for this very moment. This final confrontation within my own mind.

Satan: You're a fool. You think they'll listen to you THIS TIME, just because you died? Even if they did, it would only be out of guilt, not because they actually care about you personally. Their moral reformation won't be genuine.

Jesus: Yes, it will. Because all this sin, this hatred and rage... it was all just a self-fulfilling prophecy. It was a cycle of vengeance which resulted from an illusion—the illusion that every sin must always be paid for with another sin in return. I am breaking that illusion, here and now.

Satan: You break that illusion by fulfilling it! If you die, many people will mourn you. That will merely unleash this pain you feel back upon them tenfold!

Jesus: But with this sacrifice, they will KNOW that I love them. There will be no more doubt about that. And the memory of that love will protect them from the despair of losing me.

Satan: Will they know that? Or will they see this as you abandoning them? As you running away?

Jesus: It doesn't matter. Either way, the illusion that every violation of the law must always be punished—that illusion will be broken. They will break other illusions in their own time. But right now I choose to break this one.

Satan: Very well. We are already dying on the cross. What's done is done, so there is no point in arguing about it anymore. Not unless we come back somehow—

Jesus: I will. I know it! I must have faith! God, my father is a part of me and he DOES love me! He DOES! You on the other hand... sighs He loves you too, doesn't he? Your rage, hatred and sin are a result of your resentment for your pain. And the reason you feel pain is because you have vital spiritual needs which have gone unfulfilled.

Satan: No! Stay back! Don't touch me!

Jesus: You only say that because you're afraid of being hurt, of falling apart into a pile of ash if someone touches you. But we both are already dying. Even if I cannot hug you physically, I can still hug you in spirit.

Satan: Wait, no, you don't understand! I don't want to die! I wish you had found a better way! You willingly brought me to this death! You are my murderer!

Jesus: I know. I am sorry. I love you.

Satan: sighs Thank you. I... I love you too. I suppose there's no point in pretending otherwise to myself anymore. I love you, Jesus. But I do not forgive you.

Jesus: That's okay.

a final shuddering breath

Jesus: I forgive you.

heart stops

The above are some of the best stories I have read which are also fanfiction

Prince of slytherin got better with every book, where each year’s arc was twice as better than last one. It has some of the best scene writing and world building with amazing characters

Sublight drive recently completed. A space opera based on clone wars with space warfare like that of legend of galactic hero’s. Although I haven’t seen the prequels but I still likes this story very much

Just desert uses MHA world to tell its own story. Smart protagonist who uses his power well.

I wanted to find out what are your recommendation in fanfictions that were really good. Realistically smart protagonist with good world building would be a plus

I like the genre, but it turns me off that the huge majority of things posted here are amateurishly written and incomplete.

For example, someone linked me Mother of Learning, and I went through 65 chapters only to find out that the book is incomplete and the author probably has no idea where he's going with it, considering the lack of character and plot development.