Iolokus Series

Iolokus is a seven part X-Files fan fiction series by RivkaT and MustangSally. The work, which is a grim AU spin on the show's mytharc, may be one (if not the) most controversial fan fictions in Philedom (see Fan reaction) because of the bleak characterization of Mulder, Scully and their relationship in the stories. It's considered a Fandom Classic by many X-Philes.Classics (or, Your Fanfic Education is Not Complete Until You've Read ...)
The first part of the series was published in January 1998."I don't know if it was posted here -- it's definitely on the mailing list -- and Mustang Sally and Rivka T _promised_ the rest of it would be available today. I'm checking my mail every bloody five minutes. Is anyone else on the edge of their seats?" -- Anyone else _dying_ for the rest of Iolokus?, Ann at alt.tv.x-files.creative (January 30, 1998)
In 2013 and 2014, RivkaT explained that it was "written from a place of deep anger about what Scully went through," and that "This story was written in a fury of anger on her behalf, and a conviction that she too was entitled to be angry. I wish the show had let her be." Archive of Our Own (March 23, 2013, February 14, 2014)
MustangSally talks about writing this series a lot in interviews:
* The Writer's Block Interview with MustangSally (late 1990s?)
* The Writer's Block Interview with MustangSally (2001 or 2002)
* Old School X Interview: MustangSally (2021)
==Series Overview==
The Iolokus series is made up of four novel-length stories and a single, shorter holiday-themed piece, Syadiloh, which, cleverly, is "holidays" spelled backwards. Iolokus itself takes its name from an island mentioned in Medea: "Iolokus is a misspelling of Ilokus which was the Greek island where the action of Medea took place. That might win you money on Jeopardy, but you must phrase it in the form of a question." Disenchanted Kingdom
Originally posted and archived with Vix te Agnovi as the third installment, RivkaT's site now lists it as the fourth and final novel, moving Res Judicata into third.
A fan in 2009 posted: 
==Story Synopses==
===Iolokus===
Painted across the barren and desolate reaches of Texas, the shadows of the Project put additional pressure on Scully and Mulder's already fragile relationship. After a hostage crisis raises more questions about the Project's breeding program, Scully begins her own investigation, leaving Mulder to choose between saving her and saving himself.
"The title reference was to an island mentioned in Medea, to which we turned for fairly obvious reasons. Take the warning seriously: extreme violence, including the death of children."From the Summary of Iolokus A03
===Iolokus II: Agnates===
The horrific saga begun in Iolokus continues in the barren landscape of Texas. Mulder and Scully delve deeper into the genetic experiments done by the Project on the Mulder family. When the innocent, and not-so-innocent, legacies of the experiment are murdered because of who and what they are, Mulder and Scully are forced to face terrible reflections in a mirror broken into ten distinct pieces.
===Iolokus III: Res Judicata===
The saga that began in Iolokus ends not with a bang but with a whimper. Mulder and Scully are involved in possibly the largest battle of their lives - fighting the unknown minions of the Project in family court for custody of their genetically engineered daughter Miranda.
===Iolokus IV: Vix te Agnovi===
Without your family, what have you got? As Mulder attempts to deal with the mundane horrors of suburban life, his fragile security is threatened by the return of a less-than-savory relative. It's Father Knows Best meets Seven as the former X-Files partners reunite.
===Syadiloh===
Chanukah in the Mulder-Scully household. A three part series:
* Syadiloh 1: Chanukah with Lawyers (Iolokus V)
* Syadiloh 2: Some Assembly Required (Iolokus VI)
* Syadiloh 3: Y2K (Iolokus VII)
==One of the Authors Talks About This Story==
In 2001 or 2002, MustangSally talked about this fic:
==Works Inspired By "Iolokus"==
* a fan trailer by mulderswaterbed/K. LaCroix inspired by "Iolokus": Vimeo, and YouTube (May 2016)
==Fan Reactions==
=== 1998: At Time of Publication===
It's safe to say that Iolokus threw X-Files fandom into a frenzied uproar when it was first posted, and the fervor started up again each time a new installment was released. The series was so controversial that certain communities had rules against discussing it, as it only ended in tears, time and time again. From the WhyIncision FAQ:Fans really were that divided on the subject. Iolokus's radical approach to Scully's characterization was considered insulting by some, and brilliant by others.
Kris and Shari of Chronicle X discussed all four books of Iolokus in one of their Can We Talk? segments, and both agreed that their feelings about the individual stories changed once they considered the series as a whole. And how they felt things that seemed unsettling or out of character when the stories were viewed separately became understandable and even integral to the series when taken as part of the larger picture.
More 1998 comments: 
 
=== 1999: Comparing "Iolokus" and "Tikkun Olam" ===
From a discussion at 1999 discussion at alt.tv.x-files.creative which compared "Iolokus" with another well-known story by the same authors. Tikkun Olam:from , July 26, 1999
[resurre]: 
[Teddi Litman]: 
[Theaker]: 
[swikstr]: 
[Teddi Litman]: 
[Lavinia]: 
[swikstr]: 
[resurre]: 
===2000===
===2001===
===2002===
===2004===
===2009===
===2013===
===2014===
===2015===
===2019===
===Unknown Date===
==Swag==
At some point (2001?), you could buy Iolokus gear.
==Trivia==
* The work was initially spelled differently, which was changed with the third entry Agnates Summary to Agnates (with MustangSally) at AO3
* Miranda's nickname "The Mooselet" refers to the fandom's nicknames Moose and Squirrel. Since she is taken more after Mulder, she became the Mooselet.
==Awards==
* 1998 Spooky Awards:
** Outstanding Portrayal of Mulder Angst: First Place - Iolokus series
** Outstanding Original Character: First Place - Miranda Scully—Iolokus IV
** Outstanding Original Villain: First Place - George Naxos --- Iolokus
** Outstanding Drama: First Place - The Iolokus Series
** Outstanding Series: First Place (tie) - The Iolokus Series (tied with Momentary Lapses Series - Dasha K and Plausible Deniability)
** Outstanding Story in a Series: Third Place - Iolokus IV
** Outstanding Action/Adventure Story: First Place (tie) - Iolokus (tied with Antidote - Karen Rasch and Rachel Howard)
* 1999 Spooky Awards:
** Outstanding Series: First Place - Syadiloh
** Outstanding Collaboration: Third Place - Syadiloh 3: Y2K
** Outstanding Humor Story: Second Place - Syadiloh 3: Y2K (tied with Germ Warfare - Sue Schramm & Terma99)
==References==
Category:2018 Featured Articles
Category:1990s