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1[[quoteright:314:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/knightscape_1_494.jpg]]
2[[caption-width-right:314:The Knight Sabers' usual reactions to Bert.]]
3-->''"Trust me, I know what I'm doing."''
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5How much trouble can one man get himself into? ''The Bubblegum Zone'' is the story of Bert Van Vliet, a college student who suddenly finds himself catapulted into the animé series ''Anime/BubblegumCrisis'' mid-way through the second OVA episode. He quickly joins the Knight Sabers, builds his own hard suit(s) and tries his damnedest to save everyone.
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7He also gets hurt.
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9A lot.
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11Mostly written in the 1990s, ''The Bubblegum Zone'' is a classic of the self-insert genre filled with high-action, advanced technology, a plethora of pop-culture references and great drama. The beginning can be a little iffy at times, but the story [[GrowingTheBeard really kicks into gear]] past the halfway point, especially once it passes the original [[OriginalVideoAnimation [=OVAs=]]]. Many fans regard this series as one of their favorite pieces of fan fiction and it has been greatly influential to the growth of the genre, to the point where many self-insertion or Bubblegum Crisis stories written afterwards feature explicit shout-outs to or crossovers with the Zone.
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13Although there haven't been any new chapters for nearly a decade, the author is still writing when real life allows, giving readers the occasional teaser or snippet for the eleventh chapter.
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15If you're interested, the story is available for reading [[http://www.bgcrisis.com/zone/index.html here]], but be prepared to spend [[DoorStopper several days reading]].
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17This page is currently a work in progress. If you think something is missing or needs to be changed, go for it.
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19!!''The Bubblegum Zone'' contains examples of:
20* AirVentPassageway
21* AscendedFanboy
22* BigBad: Quincy, of course, but also the original character Hollister who shows up later in the series.
23* BreakTheCutie: The results of [[spoiler:Nene and Bert's breakup]] are particularly harsh on Nene.
24* ColdBloodedTorture: What happens to [[spoiler: Bert]].
25* CoolCar: Bert builds himself the Bond car of trucks.
26* CrazyEnoughToWork: Some of Bert's plans and ideas. His method of saving Sylvie is... special.
27* CrazyPrepared: When Bert's house gets invaded.
28* {{Crossover}}: [[spoiler:[[Franchise/GhostintheShell Motoko Kusanagi]]]] shows up late in the series. ''Why'', we don't know yet.
29* {{Determinator}}: Bert on occasion late in the series.
30* DoorStopper: Although there are only ten chapters, they comprise nearly ''640,000'' words. And this isn't spread out evenly either; chapter one is around 15,000 words, while the tenth chapter is 170,000, nearly a novel unto itself.
31* ExpandedUniverse: The three author crossover ''Three Knights'', jointly written by Bert Van Vliet, Amanda Stair and and Craig Reed, uses all of their characters in one scenario.
32* FacePalm: Sylia does this an awful lot, usually in reaction to some crazy stunt Bert has pulled.
33* FanVerse: The Zone has been referenced and/or used in a great many later works. Craig Reed's [[http://www.mediaminer.org/fanfic/view_st.php/112241 BubbleGum Avatar]] and [=DartzIRL=]'s [[http://www.fanfiction.net/s/5094598/1/Yours_Truly_2032 Yours Truly, 2032]] both exist ''because'' of this story.
34* FixFic: The chapters that take place during the [=OVAs=] has Bert trying to attain the best possible outcome using his foreknowledge and tech savviness.
35* KnightInShiningArmor: Bert is exceedingly chivalrous, to the point where it sometimes dictates how he acts in combat. [[spoiler:At least until Hollister...]]
36* KnightInSourArmor: [[spoiler:What Bert becomes due to an incredibly traumatic experience. He gets better after a long struggle.]]
37* LargeHam: Bert has a tendency to crack jokes, mouth off and make corny exclamations while in combat.
38* MadScientist: Although Bert doesn't act like one, some of the stuff he comes up with may as well have been made by a mad scientist.
39* MoreDakka: Beam swords, laser cannons, corrosive chemical launchers, [[spoiler:''electrified knight's lances'']]...
40* MyGodWhatHaveIDone: An interesting example: Bert spends a good chunk of the series inventing better and better weaponry for his hardsuit. When other parties attempt to either capture his inventions or make their own versions, he realizes that he basically started an arms race.
41* {{Omake}}: There's a short extra story where the Knight Sabers and Bert visit the ''real'' Bert Van Vliet and "thank" him for all the trouble they go through.
42* PutOnABus: Bert and the Knight Sabers manage to save both Sylvie and Anri, who are promptly never heard from again for several chapters. Same with Irene Chang and [[spoiler: Bert himself for a short time]]
43* RuleOfCool: A good chunk of the reason why Bert makes some of the gadgets he does.
44* SelfInsertFic: Duh.
45* ShoutOut: Numerous, to everything from Franchise/StarWars to Franchise/GhostInTheShell.
46* ScheduleSlip: Part 11 has been 'in progress' for over a decade at this stage.
47* TrappedInAnotherWorld: In the world of Bubblegum Crisis.

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