What If? AU Challenge

3rd Annual Anniversary Bingo Challenge

Wed, 01 Apr 2026 13:13:54 GMT

Posted by: brumeier

Happy 9th anniversary of the comm, AU friends! I want to thank everyone who has participated these past nine years. This comm couldn’t run without you! Since I started this, we’ve had over 740 fics, fanarts, and podcasts submitted for our 74 challenges. Wow!!

In August, we’ll be changing formats just a bit. Instead of AU themes, we’re going to have AU prompts. So make sure you stay tuned for that!

Without further ado, I give you THE ANNIVERSARY BINGO CHALLENGE!

Here’s what you need to know:

• Bingo will run from April 1st through July 31st. You can request a card at any point during this four-month period.

• Each bingo card will be a randomized 3x3 or 5x5 grid drawn from the prompt list below. Please indicate which size you’d like when you sign up.

• You can veto up to three themes you absolutely don’t want or ask for a whole new card if you get one that’s totally unworkable.

• The wildcard square can be filled by any AU theme from the list below not already on your card.

• Fills can be fic, art, or podfic, or any mixture of all three. Original fic is always welcome. How you interpret a theme is entirely up to you.

• The minimum wordcount for all bingo fics (and fics that become podfics) will be 100 words. Maximum wordcount? Shoot for the stars, friends! LOL!

• All fills must be new works – nothing previously posted.

• You can get a bingo by horizontal or vertical lines, diagonals, or blackout.

• Each square can be an independent fill or, if you’re feeling ambitious, you can combine squares into one fic (though each theme should be given equal time and not just mentioned in passing).

• You can post your bingo fills anywhere you like but make sure to also post them here at the comm so you can be included in the masterlist! There is a What If? AU Bingo collection on AO3.

• Please wait to post to the comm until you have a completed bingo. Then you can post all your fills together in one post. This makes it easier for me to track them.

• Like all our challenges, there are no true deadlines. I’d love to see some bingos by the end of July, but if you need more time you have it!

Below the cut you’ll find the list of AU challenges that will be included in the random card generation. (The links will take you to the original challenge post for that theme in case you have any questions about it.) If there’s one you absolutely don’t want, just let me know in the comments below when you sign up. You can veto up to three.

(I did combine some themes and eliminate others this year. For example, there’s now just one Winter theme, and I cut Christmas out because that can be covered in either Winter or Holiday Mythology. This way you won’t have so much repetition on your cards.)

( Read more... )

There won’t be any penalties if you sign up and don’t get a bingo. We just don’t roll that way over here. ::grins:: So there’s no pressure, friends! Just have fun with it! Let me know if you’d like a bingo card and I’ll get one out to you!

Also, check out allbingo, where you can interact with other bingo-minded peeps and monitor your progress!

You’ve got four months till the first prompt post goes up (August) so have fun creating!

Please Note: If you post your work to AO3 please be sure to select the What If? AU Bingo collection. To be included in the masterlist, you must also post here.

There are no actual deadlines at this comm. You can write any theme at any time, and as long as you post it here, you’ll get added to the masterlist. Also, we support all fandoms (including original fic), all pairings, and all ships (gen, het, slash), and other forms of AU media including art, podfics, any ole thing!

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[Multiple Challenges] Original Fiction: 'Cursed Silence'

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 03:15:09 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Cursed Silence'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Original Fiction
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Using Challenge #22: Steampunk AU, Challenge #29: Decade-Specific AU, and Challenge #47: Coffee Shop & All Variants AU. Crossposted to genprompt_bingo.
Summary: "So. They finally took an assistant for me, did they," I heard a voice mutter.

( Cursed Silence )

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[Challenge #18: High School/College AU] Inuyasha: 'Jealousy's Forms'

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 03:04:40 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Jealousy's Forms'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Inuyasha
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: Humming to himself, he began to tap the number keys again.

( Jealousy's Forms )

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[Challenge #64: Winter Wonderland AU] Doctor Who: 'Snowglobe'

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 02:54:17 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Snowglobe'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo and ficlet_zone
Summary: He looked...almost hurt, somehow.

( Snowglobe )

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Horizontal Line Bingo

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 02:41:37 GMT

Posted by: jane_x80

Title: Unassailable
Author: jane_x80
Bingo Square: Regency
Fandom(s): Módào Zǔshī 魔道祖师 / The Untamed 陈情令
Pairing(s): Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji/Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian
Wordcount: 4,677
Warning(s): None

Summary: The ton in London is abuzz with the newcomers, two Chinese lords who seem to be wealthy, single, and incredibly handsome. One, Lord Lan, is the strong silent type while the other, Lord Wei, is charming and pleasant. Nobody knows very much about them but they seem to be perfect gentlemen until one is insulted by one of the minor lords.
OR
The one where Lan Zhan gets to beat up a Regency-era lord in a swordfight.

Title: A Cup of Love
Author: jane_x80
Bingo Square: Wild Card - Bakery/Coffee Shop AU
Fandom(s): Módào Zǔshī 魔道祖师 / The Untamed 陈情令
Pairing(s): Lan Zhan | Lan Wangji/Wei Ying | Wei Wuxian
Wordcount: 9,639
Warning(s): None

Summary: Post-grad Lan Wangji does not have time for gossip, coffee shops or friends. But after an unavoidable meeting, he cannot get his mind off the barista known as the Yiling Laozu who has captured his attention. He even becomes a regular at the Laozu's cafe.
OR
Wei Wuxian wins Lan Wangji over with baked goods and latte art and doesn't even tell him his name.

Title: I Hurt Myself Today
Author: jane_x80
Bingo Square: Sports
Fandom(s): NCIS
Pairing(s): Anthony DiNozzo & Jethro Gibbs
Wordcount: 5,090
Warning(s): None

Summary: A few years after the events of Everyone I Know Goes Away In The End, Tony DiNozzo is a player in the NFL and is injured. Gibbs gets a call from the hospital and he goes to help the kid out. Tony did save his life, after all.
NOTE: This is an AU of pre-canon after Tony saves Gibbs from being killed in the apartment fire in Baltimore, Gibbs gets to help Tony out when he's injured.

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[Challenge #73: Supernatural Plus One AU] Original Fiction: 'Poor, Pretty Fool'

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 02:05:47 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Poor, Pretty Fool'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Original Fiction
Rating: PG-13
Warnings: Disturbing concepts; mild innuendo; brief violence; character death
Notes: Using Challenge #24: Fairy Tale AU. Crossposted to ficlet_zone and genprompt_bingo.
Summary: Her curiosity had planted such intriguing scenes in her imagination.

( Poor, Pretty Fool )

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[Challenge #7: Supernatural AU] Wayne & Shuster: 'The Great Gian'

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 03:04:56 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'The Great Gian'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Wayne & Shuster
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to spook_me
Summary: The Great Gian is "great" no longer!

( The Great Gian )

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[Challenge #28: Crackfic AU] Friends: 'Contraband'

Sat, 25 Jan 2025 09:00:33 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Contraband'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Friends
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: In their line, aliases were a survival tactic.

( Contraband )

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[Challenge #69: Winter Plus One AU] Pokémon: 'A Frigid Throne'

Tue, 07 Jan 2025 08:56:55 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'A Frigid Throne'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Pokémon (Spoilers for Pokémon Black 2/White 2)
Rating: PG
Warnings: Some disturbing imagery
Notes: Using Prompt #16: Dystopia AU. Crossposted to genprompt_bingo.
Summary: Ghetsis sits upon his frigid throne, content in the power that he wields.

( A Frigid Throne )

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[Multiple Challenges] Friends: 'Buzzkill'

Thu, 12 Dec 2024 02:36:52 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Buzzkill'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Friends
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo. Using Challenge #7: Supernatural AU; Challenge #8: Magic AU; Challenge #12: Lost/Stranded AU; Challenge #24: Fairy Tale AU; Challenge #25: Party Hardy AU; Challenge #30: Mythology AU; and Challenge #56: Treasure Hunters AU.

Summary: I brought the treasure back for you, Monica. Guard it with your life.

( Buzzkill )

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[Challenge #7: Supernatural] Original Poetry: 'The Book'

Wed, 21 Aug 2024 03:17:53 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'The Book'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Original Poetry
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: What a silly old joke, I did tell myself

( The Book )

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[Challenge #14: Movie/TV Fusions] The Monkees/Doctor Who: 'Oobleck'

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 04:07:22 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Oobleck'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: The Monkees/Doctor Who
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo and ficlet_zone
Summary: "It's the only explanation we're going to get," Peter answered.

( Oobleck )

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[Challenge #18: High School/College AU] The Legend of Zelda: 'Bumping Into You'

Mon, 05 Aug 2024 01:09:12 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Bumping Into You'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: The Legend of Zelda
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: Waving awkwardly at them, Zelda attempted a feeble smile.

( Bumping Into You )

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[Challenge #12: Lost/Stranded AU/Challenge #56: Treasure Hunters AU] Friends: 'Girls' Night'

Sat, 03 Aug 2024 07:04:39 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Girls' Night'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Friends
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: "Adventure isn't sexy," Phoebe asked. "Being chased by treasure-guarding monsters isn't sexy?"

( Girls' Night )

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[Challenge #56: Treasure Hunters AU] Original Fiction: 'Rendal'

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 02:37:21 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Rendal'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Original Fiction
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: He'd pored over every detail, until he was sure that he had it memorized.

( Rendal )

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[Multiple Challenges] Doctor Who: 'Misdirection'

Sat, 27 Jul 2024 02:18:59 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Misdirection'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Doctor Who
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Using Challenges #3: Soulmate AU; #12: Lost/Stranded AU; #21: Food Service AU/#25: Party Hardy AU/#39: Politics AU; #50: Espionage AU; #55: The Staff AU; and #56: Treasure Hunters AU. Crossposted to genprompt_bingo.
Summary: "Well, well. You're a spy, and I'm a thief."

( Misdirection )

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[Challenge #8: Magic AU/Challenge #47: Coffee Shop & All Variants AU] The Monkees: 'Galdrar'

Tue, 23 Jul 2024 23:50:15 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Galdrar'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: The Monkees
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo and ficlet_zone
Summary: What'cha got there?

( Galdrar )

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[Challenge #62: Punk AU] Original Fiction: 'Memory Delving'

Sat, 20 Jul 2024 08:55:09 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Memory Delving'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Original Fiction
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: "We each have our own interests to safeguard."

( Memory Delving )

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[Challenge #7: Supernatural AU] Friends: 'Hell Money'

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 03:03:25 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Hell Money'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Friends
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: Shutting his laptop, Chandler sighed.

( Hell Money )

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[Challenge #29: Decade-Specific AU] Friends: 'Password'

Fri, 24 Mar 2023 02:58:40 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Password'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Friends
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to emotion100 and genprompt_bingo
Summary: Ross stared at the eyes, taken aback.

( Password )

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[Challenge #2: Cowboy AU] Original Poetry: 'Grandpa Was A Cowboy'

Thu, 23 Mar 2023 00:35:19 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Grandpa Was A Cowboy'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Original Poetry
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: What a sight it would be

( Grandpa Was A Cowboy )

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[Challenge #24: Fairy Tale AU/Challenge #28: Crackfic AU] Friends: 'Trainee Fairies'

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:24:33 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Trainee Fairies'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Friends
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: "Attention! Could everybody settle down, please?"

( Trainee Fairies )

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[Challenge #18: High School/College AU] Inuyasha: 'Wonderful Profession'

Thu, 09 Mar 2023 05:17:55 GMT

Posted by: but_can_i_be_trusted

Title: 'Wonderful Profession'
Author: but_can_i_be_trusted
Fandom: Inuyasha
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Notes: Crossposted to genprompt_bingo
Summary: The responsibility is great, but it's one that she embraces.

( Wonderful Profession )

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Life Is Not a Fairy Tale |Challenge # 1 | FullMetal Alchemist (2003)

Sat, 06 May 2017 02:38:56 GMT

Posted by: vexed_wench

Title: Life Is Not a Fairy Tale at Ao3
Written for Challenge: Number One
Fandom: FullMetal Alchemist (2003)
Character |Pair: Edward Elric/Alphonse Elric
Author: Vexed
Words: 2057
Rating: R
Summary: Scar and Tucker are dead and Nina is alive. Al has been back in his own body for a few years. After spending years living on the streets Ed wants to have a normal life. Sadly their past threatens to catch up to them.
Warnings: They are legal aged brothers in a consensual incestuous relationship.
Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

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Fic: All These Broken Pieces Fit Together

Fri, 28 Apr 2017 15:14:49 GMT

Posted by: kitsune_dream

Title: All These Broken Pieces Fit Together
Author: kitsune_writes
Fandom: XMFC
Pairing: Alex, Armando
Rating: G
Warnings: None
Word count: 351
Summary: Considering Darwin's powers, I thought what they did to him in the movie was pretty ridiculous. Here's my tiny fix-it for that moment.
Link to fic: Over at AO3

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