The latter

Artic's New Random Thought of the Month by Artic Blade on 2008-07-04 05:55:00 UTC Reply

Now, my last question was about the PPC defending fanfiction of fanfiction, which people rose to answer quite well. Now for the next question:

Is it possible, for an Agent in a particular dangerous story, to approach members of a Goodfic to help fight a Mary-Sue?

This is with the instant assumption you have been given permission by the author. To put this in an example:

'Miss Mary Sue has corrupted everyone, everyone lovers her, and would rise to her defense. Your partner has just eaten some bad meat (The Cute Animal Friend makes it's final stand) and you're on the verge of passing out. Using the Portal, you open a portal into a Goodfic, where you hope the characters can help you stablise the continuum long enough to weaken the Sue, and help you defeat her."

And that is Artic's random idea. What do you guys think?

It'd seem more likely to go back to HQ. (Query?) by wingnut on 2008-07-05 06:31:00 UTC Reply

I think remote activators just have a 'Home' button, so that'd presumably be a bit easier. Suppose it'd mean you'd get flak from the Flowers for coming back before the mission ended, but better than getting into too much trouble, aye? 'Sides, the Agent(s) concerned wouldn't have to deal with getting the characters in the Goodfic's trust, and I reckon there might well be a better chance of finding someone who knows the things to do to help out. Although might not be Agents know how to stop, say, blood flowing from a wound. Is first-aid part of training these days?

Sort of relevant query: what of asking canons, if they're together enough?

Part of the training? by Huinesoron on 2008-07-06 22:43:00 UTC Reply

If by 'training' you mean 'the ones who haven't picked this up are dead by now', yes.

hS

Definitely possible by Sedri on 2008-07-04 06:07:00 UTC Reply

Though I think the more likely solution would be to contact HQ and get another agent, a friend, to come and help instead.

That said, the biggest problem of using Goodfic characters... hang on - are we talking about canons or Goodfic OCs? Because the latter would be BRILLIANT - especially if it's a well-known goodfic. If you mean canons from a Goodfic (or simply from Canon itself), the biggest problem I see would be having two running around at once and possibly being mixed up.

The latter by Artic Blade on 2008-07-04 06:34:00 UTC Reply

Definitely the latter. Canons would make things a little too messy, like you said.

I'm not sure about that... by Cassie Cameron-Young on 2008-07-04 13:25:00 UTC Reply

Canons may confuse the issue, but there are some of them who naturally resist Sue-influence, and it might be an idea to have them help you. For example, Gimli and Eowyn from LOTR, Gaspode from Discworld and Ron Weasley from Harry Potter are all noted for their anti-Sueishness.

And I don't think you can bring the characters from the Canon into the fic per se, becasue the fic is in the Canon world. It'd be a case of either killing off the Sue and releasing the characters from her influence, or (if there are character replacements) finding the real characters and rescuing them from the plothole they'll have been stuck in.

Precedent musings by Tasari on 2008-07-11 19:06:00 UTC Reply

Well, I know that TOS sent at least one Canon Replacement 'Sue to OFUM for extermination. I imagine that if OFU characters are acceptable forms of punishment, there's some wiggle room for using other goodfic canons. The rescue and use of plotholed canons is really the only other close thing we've had before. Except for Team Phoenix...(http://www.misssandman.com/PPC/Pranksters.html) Hmm. Couldn't say.
Oh, my bad by Artic Blade on 2008-07-04 14:48:00 UTC Reply

I meant pulling another copy of the Canon characters from a Goodfic would only confuse the readers, and the PPC agents