Undertale Fanfic: Dive into the Underground

The world of Undertale, with its quirky characters, branching storylines, and deeply emotional undertones, has spawned a vibrant and prolific fanfiction community. From heartwarming tales of friendship to dark explorations of alternate timelines, Undertale fanfic offers an endless wellspring of creativity for fans eager to extend their stay in the monster-filled Underground. Whether you're a seasoned veteran of fanfiction or a newcomer curious about what the community has to offer, this guide will delve into the rich tapestry of stories that have emerged from Toby Fox's beloved RPG.

The Enduring Appeal of Undertale

What makes Undertale so ripe for fanfiction? It's a combination of factors that resonate deeply with players.

• Rich Lore and Unanswered Questions: While Undertale provides a compelling narrative, it also leaves room for interpretation and expansion. The history of the monsters, the specifics of the Barrier, and the lives of characters before the player's arrival are all fertile ground for fan-created content.
• Memorable Characters: Sans, Papyrus, Undyne, Alphys, Toriel, Asgore, and even the more minor characters like Grillby or Burgerpants, are all incredibly well-developed and possess distinct personalities. This depth allows writers to explore their motivations, relationships, and inner lives in ways that go beyond the scope of the original game.
• Emotional Resonance: Undertale is not afraid to tackle complex themes like morality, pacifism, determination, loss, and the consequences of one's actions. These emotional cores provide a strong foundation for fanfiction writers to build upon, exploring character arcs and emotional journeys with great depth.
• Multiple Endings and Timelines: The game's famous "Genocide," "Neutral," and "Pacifist" routes, along with the concept of SAVE files and timelines, inherently encourage exploration of "what if" scenarios. This is a goldmine for fanfiction, allowing writers to explore alternate realities, character deaths, or different choices made by the protagonists.
• The Power of "What If": Many fans connect with specific characters or relationships and wish to see them explored further. Perhaps you want to see Sans and Papyrus’s backstory fleshed out, or explore a romantic relationship between two characters not explicitly developed in the game. Undertale fanfiction is where these desires can be realized.

Navigating the Undertale Fanfic Landscape

The sheer volume of Undertale fanfiction can be overwhelming. Thankfully, the community has established common tropes, tags, and platforms that make navigation easier.

Popular Tropes and Themes

When diving into Undertale fanfic, you'll encounter a wide array of recurring themes and narrative structures:

• Post-Pacifist/True Pacifist Endings: Many stories focus on the lives of the characters after the monsters have reached the surface. These often explore the challenges of integration, the characters adjusting to a new world, and the continued development of their relationships. You'll find heartwarming slice-of-life stories, adventures as they explore the human world, and even more dramatic narratives dealing with lingering societal prejudices.
• Alternate Universes (AUs): AUs are a cornerstone of fanfiction, and Undertale is no exception. These stories take the core characters and settings and place them in different scenarios or genres. Some popular Undertale AUs include:
  • Underfell: A darker, edgier universe where characters are more antagonistic and survival of the fittest is paramount.
  • Underswap: Characters swap personalities and roles, leading to humorous and often surprisingly insightful reinterpretations.
  • Outertale: The characters exist in a cosmic, space-themed setting.
  • Horrortale: A post-apocalyptic, survival horror AU where resources are scarce and characters are often desperate and monstrous.
  • ReaperTale: A more mature AU where characters are personifications of death and life.
  • Storyshift: Characters swap their core roles and personalities based on their original game significance.
• Character Studies: These fics delve deep into the psyche of a single character, exploring their past, their fears, their hopes, and their internal conflicts. Sans's mysterious past, Papyrus's unwavering optimism, Undyne's fierce loyalty, or Alphys's crippling insecurities are common subjects.
• "What If" Scenarios: These explore pivotal moments in the game and imagine different outcomes. What if the player chose to fight Toriel? What if Papyrus actually caught the human? What if Undyne's determination failed?
• Pre-Game Stories: Many writers explore the lives of the characters before the events of Undertale, detailing their lives in the Underground, their relationships with past fallen humans, or the history of the war between humans and monsters.
• Fluff/Slice-of-Life: These are lighter stories focusing on everyday interactions, cute moments, and the development of platonic or romantic relationships. Think Sans and Papyrus making spaghetti, or Undyne and Alphys going on a date.
• Angst/Tragedy: For those who enjoy emotional turmoil, there are plenty of stories that explore character death, trauma, difficult choices, and the darker aspects of the Undertale universe.

Key Platforms for Undertale Fanfiction

Where do you find these incredible stories? Several platforms are popular within the fanfiction community:

• Archive of Our Own (AO3): This is arguably the most popular platform for Undertale fanfiction. AO3 boasts a robust tagging system, allowing users to filter by characters, relationships, plot types, warnings, and more. Its clean interface and comprehensive organization make it a go-to for many readers and writers.
• FanFiction.net: One of the oldest and largest fanfiction archives, FanFiction.net also hosts a significant amount of Undertale content. While its tagging system is less granular than AO3's, it remains a valuable resource.
• Tumblr: Many Undertale fan artists and writers use Tumblr to share their work, often posting snippets, one-shots, or linking to their longer works on AO3 or FanFiction.net. It's a great place to discover new creators and get a feel for ongoing trends.
• Wattpad: Another popular platform, Wattpad hosts a variety of Undertale fanfiction, often with a strong focus on character-driven narratives and romance.

Crafting Your Own Undertale Fanfic

Inspired to write your own story? The Undertale fandom is welcoming, and here are some tips to get you started:

1. Choose Your Focus: What aspect of Undertale captivates you most? Is it a particular character, a relationship, a specific AU, or a "what if" scenario? Having a clear focus will guide your writing.
2. Understand the Characters: Even when writing AUs or exploring darker themes, a solid understanding of the characters' core personalities, motivations, and speech patterns is crucial. Revisit the game or read summaries if needed. How would Sans react to this situation? What would Papyrus say?
3. Embrace the Lore: Whether you're sticking closely to canon or creating a wild AU, grounding your story in the established lore (or thoughtfully subverting it) adds depth. Consider the implications of magic, determination, souls, and the history of the Underground.
4. Tagging is Key (Especially on AO3): If you're posting on AO3, use tags effectively. Tag characters, relationships (pairings), general tropes, and any content warnings. This helps readers find your work and avoid content they might not want to see.
5. Show, Don't Tell: Instead of saying "Sans was sad," describe his slumped shoulders, the slight tremor in his voice, or the way his usual grin seemed to falter.
6. Dialogue Matters: Undertale is known for its distinctive dialogue. Pay attention to how characters speak – Sans's puns and laid-back tone, Papyrus's capitalization and enthusiasm, Undyne's aggressive but loyal nature.
7. Pacing and Structure: Consider the flow of your story. Does it build tension effectively? Are there moments of quiet reflection? Does the ending feel earned?
8. Don't Be Afraid to Experiment: Fanfiction is a space for creativity. Try out different narrative perspectives, experiment with genres, and explore themes you might not see in the original game. Perhaps you want to explore the existential dread of a character who remembers previous timelines, or the simple joy of a monster experiencing snow for the first time.
9. Get Feedback: Once you've written something, share it with beta readers or trusted friends. Constructive criticism can help you improve your writing.

Common Misconceptions and How to Address Them

• "Fanfiction is just bad writing." While quality can vary, the Undertale fandom, like many others, produces incredibly well-written, emotionally resonant, and creatively innovative stories. Many fanfiction writers are honing their craft and producing work that rivals published literature.
• "It's all about romance." While romance is a popular element, Undertale fanfic encompasses a vast range of genres and themes, including adventure, mystery, horror, comedy, slice-of-life, and deep character studies.
• "You have to stick strictly to canon." Fanfiction, by its nature, explores what-ifs and alternate possibilities. AUs are a prime example of deviating from canon to explore new ideas. The key is to be consistent within your own narrative's rules.

The Future of Undertale Fanfiction

As long as fans remain passionate about Undertale, the fanfiction community will continue to thrive. New interpretations, creative AUs, and heartfelt stories will undoubtedly emerge, keeping the spirit of the game alive and offering endless new adventures within the familiar world. Whether you're looking for a laugh, a cry, or a thought-provoking exploration of complex themes, the world of Undertale fanfiction has something for everyone. It’s a testament to the game’s profound impact that so many people are inspired to contribute their own unique visions to its already rich universe.

The creativity found within the Undertale fandom is truly remarkable. From exploring the quiet moments between battles to imagining entirely new worlds built upon the game's foundations, these stories offer a unique lens through which to appreciate the characters and themes we've come to love. So, dive in, explore the archives, and perhaps even add your own voice to the chorus of creativity. The Underground awaits your discovery, in more ways than one.