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Title: Postcard From Fanficland V: The Brigade
Author: Pattie
Rated: G
Category: Vignette, Post-Truth, AU
Spoiler(s): With the series in re-reruns for so long and
the DVD's out, about the only thing I could possibly
spoil is the next movie. (That would be something: Chris
Carter using one of my ideas, me without a literary agent,
and trying to prove I thought of an idea first? In
my dreams.)
Summary: After Mulder has gone to Chris Carter with all the
Fanfics and pleaded for a second X-Files Theatrical Movie,
and Scully's noticed a drought in fanfiction tales, it looks
like these particular residents are about to kick some ass.
Feedback: Always welcome at parfiler 2016@outlook.com
Archive: Gossamer. Others please ask.
Disclaimer: All X-Files characters and the name The X-Files
are property of Chris Carter, Ten Thirteen Productions and
Fox Studios. I gain no money and intend no copyright
infringement. Any original characters are mine.
FANFICLAND
PRESENT DAY
On The Run From Prison Mulder was talking to a younger version
of himself, going over a fanfic writer's story about Samantha's
disappearance and Mulder's first summer vacation after her
abduction, when On The Run With Mulder Scully called over to
him. (Let's just call them by their original names for
simplicity's sake, now that we know we're dealing with just the
most recent characters.)
"Mulder! Time for the meeting!" Scully shouted excitedly.
"I'll be right there," he shouted back. "Now listen, don't go
poking that author. You know only the very latest versions of us
are allowed to do that. That goes for the other shows as well.
Got it?"
"Yes. One of the Rules Of Fanficland. Thanks for straightening
me out on that. Some of them are writing more about me lately,"
the younger Mulder replied.
"Good. You're getting popular, too. I'd better get to that
meeting."
Mulder walked over to their usual area in Fanficland and stood
in the motel room. "You're sure you want to do this, Scully?"
He peered out the window and looked for their expected guests.
"You're damn right. It's about time The Poke Brigade and
Inspiration League went out and poked those writers, new and
old, yet again. This time, we don't pick on the current writers
only. We're waging a campaign to bring back some of the ones
who have not been writing lately, all the current ones, AND the
newbies! You'd better believe we'll be recruiting the newer fans
to write X-Files Fanfics as well." Scully stood beside Mulder at
the window. "Here they come. Right on time. Get away from the
window and get ready to go poking."
"Boy, ever since I introduced you to the fanfics, you've been
working out, ready to take the bull by the horns, Scully! I'm
so proud of you. You've got enough pokey sticks, all right.
Very resourceful of you."
"Thanks." Scully opened the motel room door. "Thanks for being
so prompt." The characters filed into the room and she closed
the door. Even Jeffrey Spender and Some Don't Believe She's
Dead Samantha showed up.
"I don't know if we can do this," Dead Dad Mulder stated. "I
seem to have ruined enough lives in my lifetime on the show to
get them pretty angry with me."
"You and me both, Bill." Dead C.G.B. Spender butted out his
cigarette and immediately lit another one. "What? I never did
quit. Stop looking at me like I'm out of character, Bill."
"At least you could get a haircut," Dead Dad Mulder shot back.
Scully pointed out the pokey sticks. "You are all necessary
characters of The X-Files, and you all had a role in the story
of Mulder's life. No one is any better or any worse, weaker or
stronger than the other. Every one of you is necessary."
Dead Diana Fowley agreed. "Yes, much as everyone loves to hate
me, they write about me. We have to keep ourselves visible,
and we do that through the writers."
Jeremiah Smith rolled his eyes as he crossed his arms. "Now
just how important do you really think I am in this?"
"Oh, very," Mulder said strongly. "Some writers need you badly
to set things straight in the fight against Colonization, in
flashbacks, and even in mid-series stories. I thought I showed
you a few of them. Yeah, I'm pretty sure I did, because I have
a photographic memory. Someone almost put me out of character
somewhere, on their computer. I feel these things now."
"Mulder has a point," Scully continued. "Everyone is needed in
some fanfic stories. That's why I have obtained all these pokey
sticks. Now, we know most of the readers as well as the past and
current writers." She handed out lists to everyone, including
Gibson Praise. "We also have here a list of newer writers, and
a list of people on the verge of writing their first X-Files
stories."
The Well-Manicured Consortium Member went over the lists. "This
is pretty impressive, young lady. I must say I regret having been
killed off in the theatrical film."
"Hey red? Can we go together this time?" Yes, it was Dead Krycek.
Of course, Dead Frohike was quickly on his feet. "Lay off of
Mulder's Chickadee! Go with Marita Covarrubias!!"
"Shut up, Munchkin!"
"One more word and I'll... "
"Shut up!" Scully shouted. "Try to stay in neutral for the
moment!"
Mulder glanced at Scully. "Look, we don't have time to act out
the things some people have written. We need to make a
concerted effort to keep all of our characters in action on those
websites and archives. I'm glad Scully thought this up, because
quite frankly, I was tired of poking people on my own. That's why
Scully joins me in poking some of the authors. By the way, I'd
like to thank those shape shifters for coming to the meeting on
such short notice."
"Well we are written about," one of the aliens replied. "Every
character here is well aware when we are being used in a story.
Even 8-year-old Samantha here."
Mulder's Dead Mom spoke out. "He's right, you know. I feel the
pull every time I find out I'm in another story, and I root for
the writer. We just have to get into their heads at the right
time. My son here tells me it's usually when they are on their
computers or beside their notepads. When they're on the message
boards and are reading about upcoming challenges, that's also a
very good time to step in. They're hungry for inspiration at
that time."
Monica Reyes entered the room with Doggett. "Sorry we're late.
We were caught in an argument with someone who wants to deny
Seasons 9 and 10 existed."
"Can you believe that?" Doggett asked. "Wants us wiped out."
"I guess they forgot about 'The Truth' and your roles in it."
That was Present Day Gibson Praise's take on the matter.
Scully grabbed Mulder's hand and opened the door. "Are we all
clear on what we have to do, everybody?"
There was a resounding "Yes" that echoed throughout Fanficland,
and it even disturbed some of the characters from other Fandoms.
At least the Star Trek Fandom was rooting for them.
As The Poke Brigade and Inspiration League marched into the world
of the fanfic writers, they saw newer writers looking for a way
to write and thinking about quitting. They also saw someone
doing something that was not consistent with the series time-
line, veteran writers debating whether or not to start writing
again, and current writers in need of that little nudge to write
the next part of their stories. There were even newer writers
trying to muster up the courage to write and post their stories.
These strong characters were ready to battle anything from ennui
to writer's block, from nervous doubt to over confidence, and
they sprung into action where they were most needed. With the
lists Scully had provided, these characters were going to be
valiantly promoting the X-Files Fanfiction cause, and their
work was cut out for them. Yes, this was war on fanfiction
drought.
Fanfic characters do not tire easily. Beware writers, at every
stage of your time writing in this fandom: They will poke and
poke until you write.
Take it from someone who knows: Pokey sticks hurt! In fact, ask
any of us. OW! I'm writing. Really I am. Mulder, stop it!
Well, at least they're letting me tell you about them!
END
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