Best Short Redemption Arc Fanfics
Redemption Arc novellas — 10k to 50k words, polished and contained. Curated from AO3, ranked by kudos.
Top 20 Short Redemption Arc Fanfics
Ranked by AO3 kudos. Each fic is tagged with redemption arc and falls in the 10,000–50,000 words range.
Don't Mess With the Best (+DLC)
by l_OmegaInfinity_l
Security Breach Fic - This was getting ridiculous. Five animatronics in the Pizzaplex, and not one of them could catch a single child? Roxanne was going to lose it if something didn't change quickly. Luckily, she just managed to find him. Perfect!Wait, why is he already running? Why is he bleeding?
tell the world (i'm coming home)
by revanchxst (BadWolfGirl01)
“Ahsoka,” Vader says. “Anakin,” his wonderful, brilliant, amazing padawan whispers, pushing herself to her feet with all the grace he’d taught her (and she’d always had within her), and then: “Come home.” [or: in the Sith Temple on Malachor, Vader makes a choice]
Change Your Way
by WritingIsMyCoffee
In which P5R's secret semester also affected the lives of other persona users, and Goro Akechi (unwillingly) becomes responsible for fixing Takuto Maruki's mess. Featuring Junpei Iori (Ace Detective), and Naoto Shirogane (actual detective). [A rewrite of Untitled Goro Akechi Redemption Fic ]
Miraculous Tales
by dankle_meme_boi
Miraculous rewrite but MY miraculous rewrite. Will tag characters as they appear. Also, the og series is so mean to Chat so now he's a PROPER main character instead of just Marinette's love interest and Ladybug's partner. Also gay. Everyone is gay. At least a little.
When the Angels Fall
by OneWhoSeeksBetterment
“The Root of Hell's evil is nothing other than the blood of sinners that nourishes it. And by injustice and vice, its corruption is made eternal—for all our sorrows,” Angel, the most beautiful, says to her as he regards the red horizon, tears streaking down his soft cheeks. “To weep for the lost and
The Gathering of Worlds
by Jenn_L_Miller
A mysterious invitation from beyond time and reality summons heroes, rulers, warriors, scholars, and wanderers from countless worlds to an impossible gathering. Some come seeking answers. Others arrive reluctantly, unsure why they were chosen. A few never intended to answer the call at all. At the c
The Illusion of Truth
by WinterPaladin
Part II: Learning CurveFar away from the Capital Wasteland, Malcolm begins a new journey in the heart of the Enclave. With opportunities far beyond what Malcolm would have ever had back in Vault 101, he is hopeful he can find his purpose on the surface world he now calls home. As Malcolm advances hi
A New Game Plus? Or a Time Fix Prequel to the whole game
by Asistis_55
Gabriel Belmont has been given a second chance, not as he wanted it, but you got to make the best of what fate gives you. When a millennia-old vampire refinds himself as his 26-year-old self, with so much vast knowledge as well as immense shock. Now he will have to make sure everyone gets a better f
TALES OF THE DEADLY DARK | Part 1: Hidden Relic Beneath His Skin
by WildlyCharmed
A Shadamy series following Shadow the Hedgehog, a feared outlaw known across the land as the Deadly Dark. To those who cross his path, he is a ruthless gunslinger who keeps to the shadows, where honor only carries as much weight as the gun at your side. But when old wounds, unexpected love, and long
Villain redemption
by Zeroonethenotsoaveragehyperfixatedfan
Be excited :) This is my biggest project jet ! (Please read info first if you’re not interested in the fanfic yet and think about just swiping away! Please 🙏🏻)
Phoenix Fire, Chemical Burn
by Eclipsed_Cosmos
While dealing with complicated feelings towards his best friend's cousin, Jimmy is approached by Lex Luthor, who offers him an alluring business opportunity. He wants Jimmy to work with him, and in exchange, Lex will stop pursuing violence against Superman while the deal is active. As well as inside
Amongst the Wolves
by Anxiety_filled_Brioche
Finn has settled into life in Jackson, Wyoming. Five years have passed since the hospital in Salt Lake City, and for the first time, life has begun to feel almost normal. Patrols. Horses. Snowstorms. Winter dances. Family. But peace in this world has always been fragile. After ghosts from the past i
Waves Beat on Old Machines
by Copy_of_a_D3m0n
Lonnie, Rogelio, and Kyle bring Imp to the refuge camp on beast island to reunite him with his maker: Hordak, who battles more and more ghosts from his past as his memories return. The three ex-soldiers plan on holding him accountable for his wrongdoings to the child, perhaps for his wrongdoings to
Drowing In Our Humanity *Rewritten*
by AsheTheUlquihimeStan
Orihime thought her attempt to bring him back was futile, that she failed to do such a thing but once she returns back to her old life in Karaukua town, it turns out that wasn't the case at all. Ulquiorra is alive and isn't too happy with the arrangement but it can't be helped. While living with Ori
Dragon Ball Odyssey: Heritage of the Saiyans
by Scorpion_dude
Ever been curious to relive the story of DBZ but with more relevant side cast? You might be in the right place, embark on a journey with me on this passion project as we relive through the legacy defying world of Dragon Ball with familliar but reinterpreted story beats. Hopefully this fanfic will co
Found family...pregnant and overjoyed
by Storymaker2026
The found family is thrown into joyful chaos when Laura reveals she’s pregnant again — carrying a baby that is hers, Tony’s, and Clint’s. Tony bursts into happy tears on the spot, Laura glows with quiet pride, and Clint… faints. Hard. Twice. The kids scream with excitement, Thor declares it a divine
The Hunter
by tatoob09
Long ago, the Fox Spirit foretold a prophecy: 'The Hunter shall rid the world of evil at its very core and save all.' Now, in an age where shadows still linger and the world teeters on the edge of chaos, whispers of this prophecy have begun to stir once more. Could the destined Hunter walk among us
A long way from home
by Idekwtp1234
Negan's first raid on Alexandria takes an unexpected turn when he finds his daughter living within its walls. Lucy thought losing both her parents at 17 was the worst thing she would ever endure, turns out Negan being alive and kicking might just be worse. Authors note: the fic is already 60 chapter
The Names We Buried
by IndigoVerses
"To exist is to remember." Ann has spent most of her life traveling between kingdoms, collecting stories, maps, and forgotten artifacts. Ancient ruins, lost languages, and old legends have always been easier to understand than most people. The Fae do not frighten her nearly as much as they should, s
Hellsing: Blood and Fire
by FunnyWiccan
Dopo qualche mese dal ritorno di Alucard a villa Hellsing, durante una sera di tempesta una giovane donna per metà kitsune si presenta alla loro porta, affermando di essere stata attratta da un'energia oscura. Questo incontro sarà solo l'inizio di un nuovo capitolo della lunga esistenza del vampiro,
More Short Redemption Arc Fics on AO3
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About Redemption Arc
A character who has done genuine harm works to become someone better, earning forgiveness slowly or sometimes never receiving it at all. Redemption fics take a villain, an antagonist, or a fallen hero and ask what atonement would actually cost them.
There is something deeply hopeful about watching a person claw their way back from their worst self, especially when the narrative refuses to make it easy.
Common scenarios: A former villain doing community service alongside the heroes who defeated them, or a war criminal spending years quietly making amends to the families they hurt.
About This List
This list of 20short Redemption Arc fanfics spans 457,318 total words. Kudos range from 2 on the newest entries to 8,635 on the most established. Most entries are ongoing works, so subscribe on AO3 for update notifications. The most common rating is Teen And Up Audiences (8 of 20 fics).
Recurring tags across this list: Redemption · Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence · Angst · Hurt/Comfort · Fluff and Angst.
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