A great idea for an urban fantasy story is a city where every time it rains, the raindrops are actually magical potions that can give people different powers for a short time. Some people hunt for these raindrops, while others try to find a way to stop the chaos it causes. Also, a story about a detective who is half-vampire and uses his enhanced senses to solve crimes in a world full of supernatural elements would be really interesting.
An urban fantasy story could revolve around a group of witches who run a trendy coffee shop during the day, but at night, they use their powers to protect the city from dark magic forces. Or, there could be a story about a young artist who unknowingly paints portals to other magical dimensions in his graffiti. People start disappearing into these portals, and he has to figure out how to close them.
A great idea is a city where time behaves erratically in certain areas due to a magical catastrophe in the past. Some parts of the city are stuck in different historical periods, and the main character has to find a way to restore normal time flow while dealing with the various challenges each time - locked area presents, like different forms of magic and different social norms.
One idea could be a city where magic is hidden in plain sight. There are underground magic markets where wizards and witches trade potions and spells. The protagonist could be a normal person who accidentally discovers this world and has to navigate through the power struggles between different magical factions.
One idea could be a world where magic is powered by emotions. For example, a young girl discovers that her intense anger can create powerful but dangerous magic. She has to learn to control her emotions to master this magic and save her village from a dark force that feeds on chaotic magic.
Another idea is a fantasy world where time is a tangible substance that can be manipulated. A wizard discovers a way to steal time from others to make himself more powerful. The hero of the story is a young timekeeper apprentice who must stop the wizard. He has to travel through different eras, from a prehistoric world full of dinosaurs to a future where machines rule, to gather the knowledge and power to defeat the evil wizard.
Read a lot of urban fantasy works. This will expose you to different concepts and ideas that you can build on or twist in your own way. You can also take elements from different mythologies and blend them into an urban setting. For example, take the concept of Norse Valkyries and make them motorcycle-riding warriors in a modern city. And don't be afraid to play with the rules of magic. Maybe in your story, magic is powered by recycled materials.
One idea could be exploring the backstories of the minor characters. For example, the SeeD trainees who don't get much spotlight in the game. Another could be a 'what if' scenario, like what if Squall and Rinoa didn't end up together? It could also be interesting to write about the world of Final Fantasy 8 from the perspective of an ordinary citizen living in one of the cities, dealing with the sorceress wars and the chaos that ensues.
One interesting urban story could be about a hidden community garden in the middle of a big city. People from all walks of life come together to plant and take care of it, turning an abandoned lot into a beautiful green space. It's a story of unity and how people can create something positive in an urban environment.
There are urban stories of small, family - run restaurants that have been in the city for generations. For example, a diner that has served the same classic dishes for over 50 years. It has become a gathering place for locals, and each table seems to have its own story of friendships, first dates, and family celebrations.
One of the best urban fantasy stories is 'The Dresden Files' series by Jim Butcher. It follows wizard detective Harry Dresden as he solves supernatural crimes in modern - day Chicago. Another great one is 'Neverwhere' by Neil Gaiman, which takes readers on a journey through the magical and hidden London beneath the city we know. 'Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter' series by Laurell K. Hamilton is also popular, featuring Anita, a strong - willed woman who deals with vampires, werewolves and other supernatural beings in a world much like our own.
One popular urban fantasy story is 'The Dresden Files' by Jim Butcher. It follows wizard detective Harry Dresden as he solves supernatural crimes in modern - day Chicago. Another is 'Buffy the Vampire Slayer' which has a TV show and comic book series. Buffy is a young girl chosen to fight vampires and demons in a world that looks like our own. Then there's 'The Mortal Instruments' which is set in a world where shadowhunters protect the world from demons while living among humans in cities like New York.