RWBY: Alternate Scenarios
What’s one of the most common forms of fanfiction for fandoms? Alternate universes. Also known as “AUs”, these fics remix a lot of the lore from any fandom and present very new, very new very different scenarios from canon.
When it comes to RWBY, there’s no shortage of AUs. Sometimes they can be very major AUs, like a regular high school, high fantasy or sci-fi and sometimes they can just be slight remixes to canon, like having a different friendship dynamic or a different semblance.
This post is going to discuss some alternate scenarios that were on my mind for a while. Some of these are well known in the FNDM, others not so much. Without further ado, let’s talk about the wonderful world of AU RWBY!
What if Ruby didn’t have silver eyes
Aside from her hood and red hair, Ruby’s silver eyes are probably her most defining characteristic. But if that wasn’t case. What if she didn’t have those legendary silver eyes. How different would her life be?
Would Ozpin have still taken an interest and let her in early? Would she have to wait 2 years later? How would it affect the eventual showdown against Cinder? Would she still be able to hold her own?
Jaune is a popular character to write about when it comes to AUs, often remixing his background a LOT. This one is something I’ve seen pop up on Reddit a few times, as well as FanFiction.net: Jaune Arc having secret royal lineage. Many fans suspect that Jaune could be a descendant of the King of Vale, making him and his family royalty.
RWBY’s characters often take inspiration and influence from characters in fairy tales, mythology, folklore and even some historical figures, but some characters can allude to more than one figure. For example, Salem isn’t just the Wicked Witch of the West as her backstory is also similar to Rapunzel’s and Ozpin has been shown to allude Odin as well as the Wizard of Oz. As such, Jaune’s secret royal lineage, as well wielding a legendary sword, could give him an allusion to Arthur Pendragon.
Say if that was the case, how would it affect the plot moving forward? Would he be a key player in the defeat of Salem alongside Ruby and Ozpin? Would he eventually take up the crown of Vale or would he leave it for someone more fit to rule? How would it affect the relationship of his friends? Would he eventually wield Excalibur?
This is one which I’ve seen a few times in fanfiction, but never really expanded upon. Say if Raven decided to take Yang with her when she abandons Tai, what Yang’s life be like within the Branwen Tribe? Would Qrow raise her alongside Raven too? Would she grow up to become a killer? Would she ever want to know and reconnect with Tai and Ruby? Would Summer still be alive? Would Yang go to Beacon or would she stay with the tribe?
I think I saw 1 fic about this and that’s it. There could be more, but I don’t know. Anyway, character dynamics being remixed are some of my favourite AUs and I’ve always wondered what would happen if Ruby and Pyrrha switched teams.
Say if Team RNJR was formed at the beginning, how would the dynamic change? Would Ruby and Nora be BFFs? Would Jaune teach Ruby the art of swordfighting? Would they be the ones to go to Mountain Glenn instead? What would Jaune and Ruby’s team attack be called? What would Ren and Ruby’s dynamic be like?
What if Blake never left the White Fang
I don’t know if anyone has actually thought of this AU or not, but Blake still being part of the White Fang is a very interesting scenario. How would life be different if Blake stuck around with the Fang? Would she become a cold-hearted killer, just like Adam? Would she realise the horrors much later? Would she and Illia be partners? Would she infiltrate Beacon? Would she work with Roman Torchwick? How would Sun be involved in all this? Would Blake try to convert him into joining her?
These are just some of the AUs that are in the FNDM and there are MUCH MORE! I love AUs and the variety of changes they can bring to canon. They make for very interesting stories and serve as nice companion pieces, kind of like DC’s Elseworlds stories. I’d like to examine more AUs in more detail in the future, this was just something I had on my mind. Anyway, what do you guys think of these AUs? Like them? Dislike them? Let me know in the comments.
