History LighterAndSofter / Fanfiction

[[AC: Fanfiction in General]]
* Most [[SugarWiki/{{WAFF}} fluff fics]] are this to the original works which inspired them, especially if the originals were considerably dark in tone.

[[AC: ''WesternAnimation/TheBlackCauldron'']]
* ''Fanfic/HopeForTheHeartless'' (in which [[VillainProtagonist the Horned King]] is [[ResurrectedForAJob resurrected]] and half-forced on a RedemptionQuest) has shades of this trope. While [[OurLichesAreDifferent the Horned King]] was bad in the movie, the [[BeneathTheMask deepening]] of his [[BeingEvilSucks character]] and [[TheDarkSideWillMakeYouForget past]] makes him [[CharacterDevelopment less threatening]] over time. His MoralityPet [[PurityPersonified Avalina]] and the [[PluckyComicRelief comical]] Invisibles also countermand seriousness. In the movie there were no musicals, but now many borrowed songs (both happy and sad ones) are included. While the Horned King's past as a ruthless warlord has not been forgotten and several dark themes have been added (like the [[AxCrazy Mad]] [[SavageWolves Pack]] and [[SealedEvilInACan Arawn]]), the story is overall more cheerful than the movie.

[[AC: {{Crossover}}]]

* ''Fanfic/CreepingDarkness'', a ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' and ''''VideoGame/AlanWake crossover, manages to play with this trope by being DarkerAndEdgier than My Little Pony but still this trope in regards to Alan Wake. Mainly due to the violence being intentionally toned down as a plot point and wrapping up in a EverybodyLives ending. Equestria Daily hung a lampshade on how much it defied classification by tagging it Grimlight.
* As a whole, as stated by the [[WordofGod authors]], [[AuthorAvatar James's]] presence in ''Fanfic/CoOpMode'' changes a lot of things in the setting, making it comparable to the [[Webcomic/{{TheGamer}} original manwha's]] tone when it comes to storytelling. However, as [[spoiler: Coil's Interlude]] would show, this does not mean that the grim parts of Worm are entirely gone. This can be even considered [[FridgeBrilliance Fridge Brilliance]] when one realizes the parallels of the story to the manwha's own version of the [[BlackMarket Black Market]].
* ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfAnElderGod'': Subverted. At the beginning it looks lighter and softer than canon: the characters are a bit happier and more psychologically stable, the battles against the Angels are less traumatic... and then more and more elements of the Franchise/CthulhuMythos are introduced, and the setting becomes very dark.
* In the DarkerAndEdgier {{Crossover}} series ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfTime''... there's the 221B series, a long string of [[ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin 221-word-long drabbles]]. Even this series-within-a-series is not excluded from angst, but it tends toward fluffy marriage moments for Sherlock and Beth Holmes.
** There's the episode "Fractures" in the ''Fanfic/ChildrenOfTime'' series, a Literature/SherlockHolmes[=/=]Series/DoctorWho {{Crossover}} that tends to be DarkerAndEdgier than its parent works.
* ''FanFic/DecksFallEveryoneDies'', a Film Fic of ''Moulin Rouge!'' using the ''WebVideo/YuGiOhTheAbridgedSeries'' characters, tones down the Duke's character (and the depression of rest of the plot) considerably.
* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': In this setting, Shinji gets Franchise/{{Superman}} powers and a lesson on power and responsibility. He grows into a more idealistic, more caring and less passive person, and that different mindset and their powers let him alter events positively.
* ''VisualNovel/MyLittleInvestigations'' is, at the same time, DarkerAndEdgier than [[WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic the show it takes place on]] and Lighter and Softer than [[VisualNovel/AceAttorneyInvestigationsMilesEdgeworth the game it's based on]] (due to {{avert|edTrope}}ing AlwaysMurder).
* ''Fanfic/PonySpace'': A ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' and ''Franchise/DeadSpace'' crossover, while it does have much of ''Dead Space'''s horror and the psychological effects of the Marker, Necromorphs rarely show up (twice as of 14 chapters), and it keeps much of MLP's light hearted tone.
* ''Fanfic/SOE2LoneHeirOfKrypton'': To canon. Asuka gets [[Franchise/{{Superman}} Kryptonian powers]] and starts out a super-heroine career. In the process she learns to be a better person, finds a cause to worth to fight for, hooks up with Shinji, and manages to avert some canon tragedies (such like [[spoiler:Touji getting maimed or Rei blowing herself up)]]
* ''Fanfic/TangledAdventuresInArendelle'' is one of the few K rated [[ContinuationFic continuation fics]] for both ''WesternAnimation/{{Tangled}}'' and ''WesternAnimation/{{Frozen|2013}}''. While many authors try to go the route of psychological scars and political upheaval, especially for ''Frozen'', Doctor Darth takes a much lighter hand. The fic is still mature with many distresses happening over the course of the story, but it's more in line with what's presented in the movies, with friendship, compassion and forgiveness being the most important components.
* ''FanFic/TheBridge'', a crossover between ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' and {{Franchise/Godzilla}}, has an odd example. While it will deal with plenty of darker moments which are much more grim than the first series usually delves into, the tone and protagonists from the kaiju side are all played much lighter than the norm for Godzilla fanfiction, such as using one of the outright heroic incarnations of Godzilla instead of a TrueNeutral or ChaoticNeutral version. Compared to other crossovers of the same type such as "Born of Rage" and "My Little Destoroyah", it's ''much'' lighter.
* ''Fanfic/TheLittlePonyLegend'' is definitely this to one of its sources. Not so much its ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' part but definitely more its ''WesternAnimation/TheLegendOfKorra'' side.
* ''Literature/{{Worm}}''/''VideoGame/TheWonderful101'' fanfic ''Fanfic/{{Wonderful}}'' crossover is somewhat happier and more optimistic than original canon "Worm" due to the changes done to the timeline and the introduction of {{Toku}} super-hero tropes played straight.
* ''FanFic/TheGodEmpressOfPonykind'' compared to ''TabletopGame/{{Warhammer 40000}}''; while it has its dark moments, Equestria is not the Grimdark hellhole the Imperium is, and the heroes can score genuine victories against the Forces of Chaos. Additionally, [[GodEmperor Celestia]] is portrayed much more heroically and humbly than the God Emperor of Mankind, who was an AntiHero at best and a straight villain at worst.
* ''Fanfic/TokimekiPokeLiveAndTwinbee'' is both this as well as DarkerAndEdgier at the same time. While the Side Story arcs and the backstories for certain characters are darker than regular ''Franchise/LoveLive'', ''VisualNovel/TokimekiMemorial'' and ''{{VideoGame/Twinbee}}'', it's balanced out by the Main Stories, which are more lighthearted and funnier than anything ''{{Franchise/Pokemon}}'' that isn't the main anime, with the Main Stories using tropes from moe Seinen anime as well.
* ''Fanfic/RickAndTheLoudHouse'' (''Franchise/RickAndMorty'', ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''): PlayedWith. Some of the more highly profane moments from [=RaM=] are either toned down or removed entirely to better integrate itself within the [=LH=] universe. In fact, the author confirmed that we wouldn't write chapters based on either "Raising Gazorpazorp" and "The ABC's of Beth," feeling both episodes are too mature to be written alongside [=LH=].
* Accidentally done in ''Fanfic/TheMountainAndTheWolf'' [[CrapsackWorld despite being]] a crossover between ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' and ''Series/GameOfThrones''. Several characters survive their deaths thanks to the Wolf's unintentional intervention ([[spoiler:Theon]] gets sent away from the frontlines, a Khornate berserker ends up attracting the wights' attention which saves [[spoiler:Beric]]), although because he kills several characters shortly before their deaths there hasn't been much change overall to the events of the final season.

[[AC: ''Manga/DeathNote'']]
* In the CrackFic ''Fanfic/AllYouNeedIsLove'', [[SadistShow basically Death Note the]] {{Sitcom}}, there are much fewer deaths of series regulars and Light/Kira is much more mentally stable in this ficverse "sticking to a diet of murderers and rapists" and doesn't [[JumpingOffTheSlipperySlope jump off the slippery slope]].
* ''FanFic/ACharmedLife'' a [[CrackPairing Ryuk/Light]] romance in which EverybodyLives.
* ''FanFic/IWontSay'' the Heartwarming ''Manga/DeathNote'' ChristmasSpecial where Light and L spend Christmas with the orphans at Wammy's House.

[[AC: ''Franchise/DragonAge'']]
* ''Fanfic/SkyholdAcademyYearbook,'' which places the various characters in a modern BoardingSchool HighSchoolAU setting, is definitely this compared to the CrapsackWorld that is Thedas in the games. There's considerably less death, and while there certainly is a fair bit of drama, angst, and occasional violence, it also has a lot of SugarWiki/{{WAFF}} and plenty of comedy.

[[AC: ''Film/TheHumanCentipede'']]
* Creator/HansVonHozel: "Ok so I saw a horrible scary movie call ''Film/TheHumanCentipede'' and is was horrible but I make [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/6255487/1/Centipede_Crufts this version]] [[LampshadeHanging where it is not so scary and of the happy ending!]]"

[[AC: ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'']]
* The first ''WebVideo/PoniesTheAnthology'' featured a content warning and even a separate clean version, while the second one was specifically designed to stay within a PG-13 level. WordOfGod from one of the ''Anthology's'' contributors is that this actually made them think more about ''what'' was funny versus VulgarHumor.

[[AC:''Manga/{{Naruto}}'']]
* ''FanFic/IAmNOTGoingThroughPubertyAgain'' has far more emphasis on humor than your average PeggySue fic. In fact, there's an author's note at the end of the first chapter noting that while other fics with a similar premise have drama, angst, and overpowered main characters plowing through their enemies, this fic has laughs, snark... [[ShowyInvincibleHero and overpowered main characters plowing through their enemies]].

[[AC:''Anime/NeonGenesisEvangelion'']]
* ''Fanfic/ACrownOfStars'': It is lighter and softer than canon and the preceeding fic. Shinji and Asuka are at last given the help, council and healing time they desperately needed, and a chance to recover their families and make their world right.
* ''Fanfic/AdviceAndTrust'': To the canon history. The story changes a specific event, and as a result Shinji and Asuka lean on each other as they endure trauma after trauma rather than isolating from each other, breaking down and imploding.
* ''Fanfic/TheChildOfLove'': Although this story got pretty dark sometimes, it is definitely and unapologetically [=WAFFier=] than the original series. Shinji and Asuka have a daughter, which pushes them to try to figure out their relationship, [[spoiler:Gendo gets arrested, and Third Impact never happens.]]
* ''Fanfic/DoingItRightThisTime'': Than canon, so far. The three Children have been sent back in time. And they have decided things will go THEIR way this time... and they will have a three-ways relationship because screw you, UnresolvedSexualTension-fueled angst and CanNotSpitItOut-induced heartache.
* ''Manga/{{Evangelion 303}}'': To canon. In this AlternateUniverse the main characters are still full of issues, but since they are older, they are somewhat more mature and better at dealing with them.
* ''Fanfic/{{HERZ}}'': The story can get pretty dark, but it is happier than canon. Third Impact was averted in 2015, and Asuka and Misato survived that battle. Twelve years later Shinji and Asuka are married, have a daughter, and the two of them together with Rei work under Misato's orders to fight SEELE's attempts to cause Instrumentality.
* ''Fanfic/HigherLearning'': To canon. A new teacher starts teaching the Children. Their lessons help the three traumatized pilots to consider new possibilities and open up, leading to a better ending.
* ''Fanfic/OnceMoreWithFeeling'': When he returned to the past, Shinji was determined to set his world right. His influence, both covert and overt, has had good effects so far: Touji's sister did not get crippled when he fought Sachiel, Rei is learning to make friends, Asuka trusts and respects her teammates more than in canon... Nonetheless everything can go to Hell again if he is not careful, and Shinji is well aware of it.
* ''Fanfic/TheOneILoveIs'': A bit lighter than canon thanks to the LoveTriangle between the three pilots which led to them finding some happiness and [[spoiler:Third Impact being averted.]]
* Although ''Fanfic/TheSecondTry'' has plenty dark and tear-jerking moments, it's happier than canon. Shinji and Asuka learn to deal with their psychological issues, [[spoiler:become parents, and the world is saved.]]

[[AC: ''Webcomic/SlightlyDamned'']]
* In the AU ''FanFic/ADifferentMedius'' despite having some truly horrific moments, is still a LOT lighter in tone than the original series. As of Chapter 8, nobody [[spoiler: apart from Buwaro's biological parents]] has died, not even [[spoiler: Sakido]]. Rhea is oddly absent, though, so she may be dead.

[[AC: Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog]]
* The rewrite of ''FanFic/SonicXDarkChaos'' is simultaneously both this ''and'' DarkerAndEdgier than the original. While there is more violence and horrific content as a whole, the darkness is balanced with much more likable characters, a stronger message of hope and redemption in the face of terror, and the power of friendship. And BlackComedy.
** Even with the darkness, it's also still LighterAndSofter compared to some of its [[VideoGame/ShinMegamiTensei primary]] [[TabletopGame/Warhammer40000 influences]].

[[AC: ''Franchise/TombRaider'']]
* Though ''VideoGame/TombRaider2013'' fanfic ''FanFic/TheCameraLovesYou'' and its sequel ''The Dreaming'' are by no means free of violence, death and {{Angst}}, they are by far lighter than the grim, gory video game itself.

[[AC: ''Franchise/XMen'']]
* ''The [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/9224 "Daycare 'Verse"]]'', a series of AlternateUniverse modern-setting ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' {{Slash Fic}}s. In it, Charles Xavier runs a daycare for [[KidFic mutant toddlers]], and [[ComicBook/{{Magneto}} Erik Lehnsherr]] is his JerkWithAHeartOfGold engineer boyfriend (instead of a WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds NaziHunter-turned-terrorist). Instead of FantasticRacism and imminent nuclear war, the main hazards in the characters' current lives seem to be annoying coworkers and getting set on fire by a mutant preschooler with PowerIncontinence issues.

* Accidentally done in ''Fanfic/TheMountainAndTheWolf'' [[CrapsackWorld despite being]] a crossover between ''TabletopGame/WarhammerFantasy'' and ''Series/GameOfThrones'', several characters survive their deaths thanks to the Wolf's unintentional intervention ([[spoiler:Theon]] gets sent away from the frontlines, a Khornate berserker ends up attracting the wights' attention which saves [[spoiler:Beric]]), although because he kills several characters shortly before their deaths there hasn't been much change overall to the events of the final season.

* ''The [[http://archiveofourown.org/series/9224 "Daycare 'Verse"]]'', a series of AlternateUniverse modern-setting ''Film/XMenFirstClass'' {{Slash Fic}}s. In it, Charles Xavier runs a daycare for [[KidFic mutant toddlers]], and [[ComicBook/{{Magneto}} Erik Lehnsherr]] is his JerkWithAHeartOfGold engineer boyfriend (instead of a WoobieDestroyerOfWorlds NaziHunter-turned-terrorist). Instead of FantasticRacism and imminent nuclear war, the main hazards in the characters' current lives seem to be annoying coworkers and getting set on fire by a mutant preschooler with PowerIncontinence issues.

----

* ''Fanfic/RickAndTheLoudHouse'' (''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'', ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''): PlayedWith. Some of the more highly profane moments from [=RaM=] are either toned down or removed entirely to better integrate itself within the [=LH=] universe. In fact, the author confirmed that we wouldn't write chapters based on either "Raising Gazorpazorp" and "The ABC's of Beth," feeling both episodes are too mature to be written alongside [=LH=].

* ''Fanfic/RickAndTheLoudHouse'' (''WesternAnimation/RickAndMorty'', ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse''): PlayedWith. Some of the more highly profane moments from [=RaM=] were either toned down or removed entirely to better integrate itself within the [=LH=] universe.

[[AC: ''Disney/TheBlackCauldron'']]

* ''Fanfic/TangledAdventuresInArendelle'' is one of the few K rated [[ContinuationFic continuation fics]] for both ''Disney/{{Tangled}}'' and ''Disney/{{Frozen}}''. While many authors try to go the route of psychological scars and political upheaval, especially for ''Frozen'', Doctor Darth takes a much lighter hand. The fic is still mature with many distresses happening over the course of the story, but it's more in line with what's presented in the movies, with friendship, compassion and forgiveness being the most important components.

* Most [[{{WAFF}} fluff fics]] are this to the original works which inspired them, especially if the originals were considerably dark in tone.

* ''Fanfic/SkyholdAcademyYearbook,'' which places the various characters in a modern BoardingSchool HighSchoolAU setting, is definitely this compared to the CrapsackWorld that is Thedas in the games. There's considerably less death, and while there certainly is a fair bit of drama, angst, and occasional violence, it also has a lot of {{WAFF}} and plenty of comedy.

* Most [[{{WAFF}} fluff fics]] are this to the original work they were based on, especially if it was considerably dark in tone.

* Fanfic/CreepingDarkness, a WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic and VideoGame/AlanWake crossover manages to play with this trope by being DarkerAndEdgier than My Little Pony but still this trope in regards to Alan Wake. Mainly due to the violence being intentionally toned down as a plot point and wrapping up in a EverybodyLives ending. Equestria Daily hung a lampshade on how much it defied classification by tagging it Grimlight.
* As a whole, as stated by the [[WordofGod authors]], [[AuthorAvatar James']] presence in ''Fanfic/CoOpMode'' changes a lot of things in the setting, making it comparable to the [[Webcomic/{{TheGamer}} original manwha's]] tone when it comes to storytelling. However, as [[spoiler: Coil's Interlude]] would show, this does not mean that the grim parts of Worm are entirely gone. This can be even considered [[FridgeBrilliance Fridge Brilliance]] when one realizes the parallels of the story to the manwha's own version of the [[BlackMarket Black Market]].

* ''Fanfic/LastChildOfKrypton'': In this setting Shinji gets Franchise/{{Superman}} powers and a lesson on power and responsibility. He grows into a more idealistic, more caring and less passive person, and that different mindset and their powers let him alter events positively.

* ''Fanfic/TangledAdventuresInArendelle'' is one of the few K rated [[ContinuationFic continuation fics]] for both Tangled and Frozen. While many authors try to go the route of psychological scars and political upheaval, especially for Frozen, Doctor Darth takes a much lighter hand. The fic is still mature with many distresses happening over the course of the story, but it's more in line with what's presented in the movies, with friendship, compassion and forgiveness being the most important components.
* ''FanFic/TheBridge'', a crossover between ''WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic'' and {{Franchise/Godzilla}} has an odd example. While it will deal with plenty of darker moments which are much more grim than the first series usually delves into, the tone and protagonists from the kaiju side are all played much lighter than the norm for Godzilla fanfiction, such as using one of the outright heroic incarnations of Godzilla instead of a TrueNeutral or ChaoticNeutral version. Compared to other crossovers of the same type such as "Born of Rage" and "My Little Destoroyah", it's ''much'' lighter.

* ''Fanfic/TheChildOfLove'': Although this story got pretty dark sometimes, it is definitely and unapologetically waffier than the original series. Shinji and Asuka have a daughter, which pushes them to try to figure out their relationship, [[spoiler:Gendo gets arrested, and Third Impact never happens.]]

* ''Fanfic/OnceMoreWithFeeling'': When he returned to the past, Shinji was determined to set his world right. His -both covert and overt- influence has had good effects so far: Touji's sister did not get crippled when he fought Sachiel, Rei is learning to make friends, Asuka trusts and respects her teammates more than in canon... Nonetheless everything can go to Hell again if he is not careful, and Shinji is well aware of it.

[[AC: ''VideoGame/TombRaider'']]

* Fanfic/CreepingDarkness, a WesternAnimation/MyLittlePonyFriendshipIsMagic and VideoGame/AlanWake crossover manages to play with this trope by being DarkerAndEdgier than My Little Pony but still this trope in regards to Alan Wake. Mainly due to the violence being intentionally toned down as a plot point and wrapping in a EverybodyLives ending. Equestria Daily hung a lampside on how much it defied classification by tagging it Grimlight.

* In the AU ''SlightlyAltered'' despite having some truly horrific moments, is still a LOT lighter in tone than the original series. As of Chapter 8, nobody [[spoiler: apart from Buwaro's biological parents]] has died, not even [[spoiler: Sakido]]. Rhea is oddly absent, though, so she may be dead.

[[AC: ''VideoGames/TombRaider'']]