Crossovering 2018
Aug. 26th, 2018 11:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
miramiraHi! Sorry for the wait, but as you can see, I had a lot to write. Please don't be alarmed: I look forward to this fest every year, and I'm looking forward to seeing whatever you write - plus, I may or may not be stocking a few ideas away for future reference.
General Likes and Do Not Wants: I'm a big fan of plot (whether adventurous or introspective, although characters coming together to accomplish some kind of task or navigate a problem together is one of my favorite scenarios), witty dialogue, humor, worldbuilding (including exploring parts of canon that only get briefly referenced in the source material, or taking a cracky concept and finding a way to make it work in-universe), minor characters getting a chance to shine, and situations and choices that aren't always easy or straightforward to navigate.
The one thing that will make me nope out of a story is graphic torture, particularly if it's intended to break down a character and leave them broken. I'm fine with character death or unhappy endings, but I'd like there to be some meaning or hope for the survivors.
Notes on Shipping: I will never be disappointed with a gen story, so please know that's always an option. If you do include sex, I prefer awkward first times to mind blowing orgasms, and I'd rather it be used to advance the plot or as comic relief than the main focus of the fic. My kinks don't typically go much past light bondage, but I do like seeing magic users or mad scientists getting creative with their abilities in terms of restraints or interesting sensations, or couples getting to swap bodies. Please avoid noncon (if it's part of a character's canonical backstory, alluding to the fact it happened is fine), bodily fluids not typically associated with sex, or improbable biology like a/b/o or tentacles.
In terms of specific ships, sticking to canon couples is probably a good call unless otherwise specified. If you're looking to get a little more creative or for crossover ship inspiration, I tend to prefer het or femslash to slash, but will happily read the latter. Incest is okay for Game of Thrones and Ender's Game, but I'd still like some kind of acknowledgment that these are not healthy relationships.
Phew. Okay, on to the actual nominations. Please don't take the relative amount of detail or number of prompts for a particular canon or section as a sign of how much I want something, and remember that optional details are optional. If you still need additional inspiration, feel free to check out past years' letters. Above all, have fun!
Discworld, Dragon Age, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Shades of Magic
These are all fandoms where traveling between worlds is, if not canonical, at least not implausible, so you may already have an idea in mind for how you want to bring them together. Or if you're really stuck and none of the specific suggestions are helping, you can always just add Death and/or daemons. Or maybe you'd rather organize a convention/mutual gripe session for Chosen Ones, magic users, longsuffering mentors, or other common character types that tend to pop up across these fantasies?
Discworld + Dragon Age
Some kind of mash-up involving the Watch, the Kirkwall Guard, the Chargers, and/or the Templars would seem to make sense. And of course, there's always slotting someone in as hero: I'd be particularly interested in Vimes or Moist as Inquisitor, or Rincewind as the Warden, but feel free to go more ridiculous (Nobby?). Speaking of Vimes, I know Aveline talks about her father, but I still think she might be Vimes and Sibyl's universe-displaced daughter. Or if you just want to have Wynne and the witches hang out, or have Bethany train with them, that works, too.
Discworld + Harry Potter
I flatly refuse to believe that the Peverell brothers meeting Death was just a metaphor. (Also, Susan Bones? That can't be a coincidence.) Alternatively, some sort of Granny, Nanny, and McGonagall team-up would be amazing (just no Greebo/Minerva, please). I've also always loved the idea of Madam Pince and the Librarian having an L-Space facilitated friendship, or Carrot being somehow related to the Weasleys. And Rincewind can't be that much worse than the other Defense Against the Dark Arts professor candidates, right?
Discworld + His Dark Materials
The Auditors hate change. So does the Magisterium. The Auditors want to destroy everything that makes life interesting. So do the Spectres. There's a horrifyingly perfect connection/alliance in there somewhere.
Of course, you could also just imagine what happens when Serafina and Granny meet up. And L-Space seems like a useful discovery for a pair of young lovers in otherwise separated worlds.
Discworld + Shades of Magic
Rincewind the Antari strikes me as a hilariously terrible idea. So does hiring him as Kell and Rhy's magic tutor. Susan as their governess is probably not such a disaster waiting to happen, but could still be amusing. Or you could send Lila to Granny and Nanny for training.
Dragon Age + Harry Potter
Sirius fell through the Veil, right? Not too hard to guess where he might have ended up. And it would be only fitting for Padfoot to have a run-in with the Dread Wolf there.
If you'd rather go with something more fusiony, it'd be interesting to see Hogwarts as a Circle. Also, Hawke would make a pretty good Marauder. And of course, Harry would make a decent Warden or Inquisitor. Although the latter might be more of a Neville. Or a Snape.
Dragon Age + His Dark Materials
The Chantry and the Magisterium seem like logical allies/substitutes for each other, depending on whether you're going the crossover/fusion route. Similarly, Asriel's quest to remake heaven suggests some interesting parallels with Solas - or Corypheus. And what happens if Will or Lyra discover an eluvian: do they try to use it to get back to each other?
Also, intercision seems like a horrifyingly convenient way to induce Tranquility - and also the kind of thing a desperate Chantry might consider if faced with a Blight of Spectres. Just saying.
Dragon Age + Shades of Magic
Isabela's either going to get along with Lila and/or Alucard like a house afire, or they'll hate each other on sight. Zevran, Varric, and Iron Bull will probably get along with everyone, though. And judging by Dorian, I'm not entirely convinced Red London isn't Tevinter minus the slaves. Speaking of which...Black London = Black City?
Harry Potter + His Dark Materials
Hogwarts seems like a logical place for Will and/or Mary to end up at some point post-canon. Or maybe you'd rather examine the differences in how magic works and is treated in both worlds, and where the points of divergence started. Also, see note above about intercision and Tranquility; substitute horcruxes for the latter. Or is it even possible to subdivide a soul that has a concrete form?
Harry Potter + Shades of Magic
What if, instead of meeting with the king, Kell's primary Grey London contact was the Minister for Magic, or the Headmaster of Hogwarts? Would things have gone any better? What if Lila was a Hogwarts graduate (or dropout), and knew she had magic from the start? Or what if Voldemort's quest for immortality took him through the different Londons?
Of course, you could always just give Kell Harry's life, or vice versa. Or maybe it turns out Kell's a long-lost Weasley relative.
His Dark Materials + Shades of Magic
So what does happen to a daemon when someone gets brought back from the dead and magically bonded to someone else's life force? Do Antari daemons have any special characteristics, or are there differences between daemons from other Londons? Is the Subtle Knife related to Antari abilities in any way, or do Kell and Will just have a lot to talk about if they ever run into each other?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Discworld, Dragon Age, His Dark Materials, Shades of Magic, Young Wizards
I've gotten a fair few Buffy/Harry Potter crossovers over the years, so I figured it was time to split these brackets up a bit and share the wealth. See above for the repeat fandoms and general concept ideas, though. Plus, you can add the Lone Power to the "instant crossover" options.
Buffy + Discworld
I'm not sure Buffy would know what to make of Discworld vampires, especially the Black Ribbon Society. It'd still be fun to watch, though. Alternatively, maybe Giles and the witches have some kind of history, or Willow has an opportunity to learn from Granny. Or if you're looking for a fusion, maybe Polly from Monstrous Regiment is a Slayer who winds up unexpectedly attached to one of her targets?
Buffy + Dragon Age
Nothing will dissuade me from my belief that Kirkwall is a Hellmouth, and female Hawkes are Slayers. The rest of the party maps surprisingly well on to other characters from the series, too, if you'd rather do a Kirkwall High AU than add to the canon city's demon problem.
If that's not your favorite installment of the franchise, though, maybe you'd rather have Morrigan or Solas visit Sunnydale on their travels, or see how one of the Scoobies fares as Warden or Inquisitor. (I've already gotten terrific glimpses of Buffy and Xander in this universe, so someone new and unexpected would be great: maybe Jonathan or Andrew gets a chance to be the hero for real, or maybe Anya just confuses the hell out of everyone.)
Buffy + His Dark Materials
Getting a daemon back when you're an ensouled vampire must be a really weird experience. For that matter, was there something off about Buffy's when she came back from the dead?
Of course, if you're not into metaphysical questions, there's always sinister Magisterium/Watchers' Council and/or Initiative alliances, or Lyra the Vampire Slayer (and Roger her vampire friend). Or you could just introduce Giles to Mary Malone; I think they'd like each other.
Buffy + Shades of Magic
Lila the Vampire Slayer makes a disturbing amount of sense. (So does introducing her to Faith, in an "oh God oh God we're all going to die" kind of way.) Or maybe one of the Scoobies has to go to the Going Waters for something, with predictably disastrous results. And I'd be interested to see how the gang handles Holland if they have to go up against him for some reason.
Buffy + Young Wizards
There's always the Lone Power as Big Bad scenario (whether the Scoobies need to call on Nita and Kit's help is up to you). Or maybe Giles, Tom, and Carl met and trained together at some point. And I'd really like to see Dawn and Carmela bond over being the (not-so) mundane sibling.
Discworld + Young Wizards
I'm sure there's something you can do with this concept besides sit Death and/or Vetinari down for a chat with the Lone Power, but I'm having trouble coming up with it right now.
Dragon Age + Young Wizards
What if the Speech is a type of magic dwarves can use? At the very least, it seems like it'd open up a lot of possibilities for Dagna. And I'm pretty sure there's something to be done with the concept of Fen'Harel as an aspect of the Lone Power - or its biggest foe.
His Dark Materials + Young Wizards
Lyra and Will's journey is effectively an Ordeal featuring a Choice. Would it have gone any differently if one or both of them did know that was what was going on - or if they'd had assistance that chose to keep them better informed - in spite of the prophecy? How might Nita and Kit handle a similar situation? Also, Mary Malone seems like she would make a really good Senior; maybe Tom and Carl can give her some pointers.
Shades of Magic + Young Wizards
Okay, so Rhy's not so good with Red London magic, but the Oath seems like it would be right up his alley. (Or maybe he can just take some lessons in turning not being a wizard to his advantage from Carmela.) Not so sure about Lila, though: what happens if the Lone Power gets to her first and offers her a different sort of adventure? For that matter, is the whole White/Black London mess the result of a bad Choice or two - and if so, is it something Nita, Kit, and the gang might be able to undo?
Allstate Insurance "Mayhem" Commercials, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog, Genghis Khan - Miike Snow, Girl Genius, The Good Place, SCP Foundation
It is a world ruled by SCIENCE! Or wait, maybe it's an afterlife. Where people occasionally break into song, and there are insurance mascots wandering arou...okay, fine, this one's pretty random. But there is a (scientific) method to the madness, I promise.
Dr. Horrible, Genghis Khan, and/or Girl Genius
Fitting these together seems pretty self-explanatory, although whether they exist in the same continuity or someone does something stupid with portals to other universes is up to you. What I like about mad science properties in general is that nothing is so ridiculous it can't somehow be explained in context (including random musical/dance numbers); what I like about these in particular is that the characters have lives and dreams beyond what happens in the lab, even if they occasionally lose sight of that in the thrill of creation.
If you need some more specific prompts...maybe Billy's been assigned to evaluate someone for the Evil League of Evil, or Gold Nose captures Captain Hammer or OTHAR TRYGGVASSEN, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER instead of Secret Agent Guy (who could be a colleague of Wooster's). Also, if you want to bring Penny back from the dead (with or without unpleasant side effects), I'm good with that.
Any/all of the above + Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Prison's a good place to make some supervillain friends, right? Or maybe Nathaniel went to college with some of these people. Or who knows, maybe Paula; she has to have come up with her genius for scheming somewhere. Then again, maybe Friendtopia is one of the kingdoms Agatha has to visit on her quest to stop the Other. Or maybe the firm's just decided it needs to take on a new type of client to survive.
Science fandoms + The Good Place
Mad scientists seem kind of like the definition of "The Good Place can't take them and the Bad Place can't handle them." Then again, maybe they're natural Architect recruits. Or maybe a mad scientist gets everything they thought they wanted, only to discover they're in The Bad Place after all, and decides to do something about it. (You could probably make a decent argument for Dr. Horrible in particular already being this.) Of course, if you'd rather see what happens when a mad scientist gets their hands on a Janet, or have Chidi try and figure out what mad philosophy looks like, or what kind of henchperson Eleanor or Jason would make, go for it.
Science fandoms + Mayhem
A mad scientist's lair does seem like a pretty logical place to find Mayhem. Maybe he was even created in one. Then again, maybe he just hangs out in the same villain circles, or gets hired by the heroes to sabotage evildoing, or some combination of the two. Or maybe he's just the only Allstate rep who's willing to visit the dungeons when someone puts in a claim.
Science fandoms + SCP Foundation
This one seems like it should fit under the general umbrella, except that involving the SCP seems to make everything darker. So go ahead and take an invention or incident that was used for comedic effect, and itemize it. Or maybe someone in the other canons used to work for the Foundation, and somehow got away without being destroyed or quarantined themselves - although clearly not with sanity intact.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend + The Good Place
Honestly, you can do pretty much whatever you want with this one: send some or all of the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend characters to the afterlife, find some excuse for both sets of characters to meet up on Earth (I have a feeling Josh and Jason would be particularly entertaining together), or take a closer look at the time Michael decided everyone should burst into random choreographed numbers (with or without a few snippets from Chidi's Kierkegaard musical). Whatever it is, it's bound to be entertaining.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend + Mayhem
Let's face it, Rebecca's made worse romantic choices. So has Heather, probably. Although I think Mayhem's real soulmate might be the Santa Ana Wind. (Can they at least be bros?)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend + SCP Foundation
Again, the firm taking on an unusual new client seems the best way to handle this one. Then again, maybe Rebecca's musical fantasies start manifesting somehow and need to be contained.
The Good Place + Mayhem
Mayhem and Trevor are totally pals, or possibly even colleagues, right? Right. Then again, maybe he's what happens when one of the Bad Janets tries to make a Derek. Or maybe he's just an even worse thorn in Michael's side than Eleanor when it comes to making plans run smoothly.
The Good Place + SCP Foundation
Imagine if the Foundation got their hands on a Janet. Then again, maybe they're convinced one of the main four (I'm thinking Jason in particular, but anyone would work) is an object and needs to be studied/contained. Or what happens if a Foundation employee dies, and starts applying their examination technique to the afterlife?
Mayhem + SCP Foundation
It's kind of amazing they haven't captured him for study yet, honestly. Although again, maybe he started out working for them, and something went wrong somewhere along the way. Or is he their insurance agent?
Avatar, Disney Princesses, Ender's Game, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, Vorkosigan Saga
Battles and political conflict are pretty much the name of the game for these fandoms, though there's a fair bit of coming of age and trying to find one's place in society thrown in, if you're just looking for characters who might get something out of interacting with each other.
Also, princesses. Because why the hell not?
Avatar + Disney Princesses
Figuring out what kind of benders the princesses might be (besides the obvious, like Elsa and Ariel) sounds fun, or just having Mulan train with someone, but I also like the idea of trying to force Toph to go along with the whole poofy dress thing and her Not Having It.
Avatar + Ender's Game
"Everything changed when the aliens attacked." Feel free to either explore what would happen if there was an extraterrestrial invasion during the time period(s) covered in canon, or carry the universe forward a century or three so the tech is equivalent to Ender's Game. What are Battle School games like with powers? Alternatively, what happens if Ender is the Avatar, or Peter has to go on Zuko's journey toward becoming a decent person?
Avatar + Game of Thrones
Azor Ahai = the Avatar seems like a logical place to start, whether you want to go with sending Aang or Korra to Westeros or just giving those powers to one of the preferred candidates. Or you could just expand the playing field of the game by throwing all the nations in both canons together and seeing what happens. I am very afraid of what might happen if Azula met Cersei, or if Stannis had Zaheer shaping his ideology instead of Melisandre, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see it.
Avatar + Harry Potter
There are enough parallels here that arranging a meetup or fusion should be fairly straightforward. Having the Slytherins and the Fire Nation kids work through how to deal with either disillusionment with the ideals they grew up with or lose to "inferiors" might be particularly interesting, though.
Avatar + Hunger Games
Let's face it, the only reason the Fire Nation didn't set these up is that they didn't finish conquering everyone. Which is probably a good thing, because battles to the death where some or all of the fighters don't have to scramble for weapons would be doubly terrifying. Then again, maybe the Gaang get transported to Katniss's world just in time to help out with the rebellion. Your call.
Avatar + JLU
The Gaang as superheroes sounds like tons of fun. (Bonus points if Toph gets to be Melon Lord.) Alternatively, maybe you'd prefer to figure out how the Justice League's powers (or lack thereof) play out in the Avatarverse, or whether they'd just be able to make things easier in the fight with Ozai.
Avatar + Vorkosigan Saga
Miles with Avatar (or just plain bender) abilities sounds fun, if dangerous. Maybe it's safer if he just makes friends with Aang or Korra and their respective crews...no, probably not, but that would still be fun, too. Or maybe his struggles in the Avatarverse come less from his physical limitations and more from the fact he doesn't have powers?
Disney Princesses + Ender's Game
Mulan + Petra = BFFs? I also wouldn't be surprised if Valentine starts exhibiting typical princess traits. And you could always have the Battle School Mind Game conjure up a slightly more familiar fantasy landscape, assuming you don't just want to go the straightforward fusion route.
Disney Princesses + Game of Thrones
Sure, you could see what happens when happily ever after turns into a grueling battle for supremacy, or pit Cersei against the likes of Maleficent and Ursula. But I'd also like to see Sansa get the kind of princess experience she's dreamed about, however briefly (or however little she trusts it at this point). Or see how Arya or Brienne handle frilly ballgowns and wild animals that aren't wolves following them everywhere, though I'm sure they'd both rather hang out with Mulan.
Disney Princesses + Harry Potter
We can all agree Elsa would've been a lot happier at Hogwarts than locked up in her room, right? Although if you'd rather sort the other princesses, or see how Voldemort fares as a Disney villain, or indulge in pure crack involving Harry-ella and his wicked guardians, go for it.
Disney Princesses + Hunger Games
Apart from the obvious fusion possibilities, you could probably do a cool dystopian fairytale retelling where one of the princesses gets to go to the Capitol instead of a ball. Or maybe all those fairytale kingdoms aren't as idyllic as they seem, and there are subjects we never get to see toiling away in Districts to enable those happily ever afters.
Disney Princesses + JLU
Princess superheroes! (Besides Diana, I mean.) Or you could see how the Justice League fare in a fairytale kingdom: I'm guessing Batman's going to have a rough time of it.
Disney Princesses + Vorkosigan Saga
How do traditional fairy tales get adapted in Barryaran society, and how many of the Disney flourishes survive? How do princesses who aren't born as nobles fare in a strict caste system? And what happens when Lady Alys tries to impose her standards on a group of heroines who are more inclined to go their own way, or Cordelia tries to insist you don't need to settle down with the first man you meet?
Ender's Game + Game of Thrones
Is the game of thrones any less cutthroat if you transfer it to Battle School? (Probably not.) I particularly like the idea of Tyrion in Ender's role, since that means Cersei and Jamie can be Peter and Valentine (or attempt to go up against them), but Jon, Dany, or someone else also works. Alternatively, is Ender better equipped to face the White Walkers than anyone in Westeros? Or if you just want to find a way for Petra and Brienne to train together, I'm down for that.
Ender's Game + Harry Potter
Fighting Voldemort might be a nice change for Ender and company, and Harry would probably enjoy battle games (at least until he figured out their ultimate purpose). Or how might the existence of magic - with or without the knowledge of the authorities - change the Formic Wars?
Ender's Game + Hunger Games
Let's face it, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch for Battle School to determine their top candidates by seeing who survives. Or for the Capitol to claim its tributes as soldiers in an interstellar war rather than having them fight for entertainment value. Although if you just want Katniss and Petra to kick ass together, I'm here for it.
Ender's Game + JLU
What if there was no alien menace: just a Cadmus plot? Alternatively, what if Battle School was intended to fight bigger threats than the Formics, and the kids had abilities to compensate? Or what if Lex Luthor just decided to take Peter under his wing?
Ender's Game + Vorkosigan Saga
It's entirely plausible that Ender...sorry, Andrew and Valentine could have made their way into the Vorkosiverse through all their FTL travel, though whether they'd want to stop on Barrayar or somewhere else is an open question. Of course, you could always just send Miles (and Ivan? Mark? Byerly?) to Battle School, or put Ender (and Peter?) through the Academy, or see how Valentine might take to the mercenary life.
Game of Thrones + Harry Potter
Okay, the Malfoys and the Lannisters are obviously alternate universe versions of each other with opposing color schemes. The question is, would they get along, or would Narcissa wipe the floor with Cersei? Alternatively, you could turn Dumbledore's Army into the Night's Watch, or vice versa. And if Sansa's going to learn intrigue, Snape has to be a less creepy mentor for her than Baelish.
Game of Thrones + Hunger Games
Again, not much of a stretch that some ruler at some point (probably Aerys) might have decided tributes seemed like a good idea. Or that Katniss would fit right in with the Wildlings, or the Faceless Men. Or maybe someone just designs an arena that mimics Westeros; heaven knows dragons would make for one hell of an obstacle.
Game of Thrones + JLU
When Justice Lords play the game of thrones, everyone loses. Alternatively, maybe you want to explore what Superman would've been like if he'd been shaped by Westerosi values rather than truth, justice, and the American way, or Batman battling the forces of corruption in King's Landing, or just an all-out battle against the coming invasion.
Game of Thrones + Vorkosigan Saga
I got a great version of this last year, but it's only stoked my hunger for more. You could try and mesh the Vor system with the Great Houses, or pit them against each other somehow, or just turn Tyrion and Miles loose and see what happens. It'll be fun! Horribly destructive fun, probably, but fun.
Harry Potter + Hunger Games
It's easy to imagine this happening in a Voldemort Wins scenario, or some other timeline where wizards assert their superiority over Muggles. Although the Capitol could also be what happens when technology outpaces magic, and the wizards are forced to compete for everyone's entertainment. If you don't feel like going that dark, though, there's always sending Katniss and friends to Hogwarts. (Prim and Rue in particular could use a happier option.)
Harry Potter + JLU
I've always thought Harry would make a pretty good Green Lantern, or that Hermione might enjoy a vacation to Themiscyra, or that Ron and Wally might be long-lost cousins. Alternatively, you could see how the JLU handles Voldemort, or go way back into Hogwarts's history and see how Etrigan, Shining Knight, and/or Morgan Le Fay might have played a role.
Harry Potter + Vorkosigan Saga
Miles, Ivan, and Elena would probably make fun stand-ins or companions for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, if you wanted to send them to school. Or you could see what happens if Harry discovers he's a long-lost Vor heir and/or heads off to the Academy. Or find some way to have Illyan work with the Aurors and/or Snape.
Hunger Games + JLU
The Justice Lords have to keep order somehow. Or maybe Darkseid or Mongul have found a new variation on their usual cruelty. Alternatively, maybe the Capitol deliberately rigs the drawings to bring in children they suspect of having special abilities, or serves as the center of its own interstellar empire. Or maybe Katniss is just Green Arrow or Huntress's newest apprentice, or Cinna is working for Vixen, or something along those lines.
Hunger Games + Vorkosigan Saga
What if the Vor were more adamant about keeping the non-nobles/non-Barryarans in line? Or what if Cetaganda decided to do the same thing to them? Alternatively, what if District 13 had a master strategist on their side? Or you could just turn Alys loose on the Capitol and see what happens.
JLU + Vorkosigan Saga
As Miles has noted himself at times, he has a lot of the standard villain trappings. Would it have been easier for him to go down that route in the DC universe, especially depending on his mentor, or would he still have found a way to be a hero? Alternatively, what would've happened to Bruce Vorwayne growing up as an orphan in a world where family and reputation are even more important? And are Barrayar and Thanagar or Krypton anywhere near each other?
Double phew. Thanks again for your patience, and happy writing!
General Likes and Do Not Wants: I'm a big fan of plot (whether adventurous or introspective, although characters coming together to accomplish some kind of task or navigate a problem together is one of my favorite scenarios), witty dialogue, humor, worldbuilding (including exploring parts of canon that only get briefly referenced in the source material, or taking a cracky concept and finding a way to make it work in-universe), minor characters getting a chance to shine, and situations and choices that aren't always easy or straightforward to navigate.
The one thing that will make me nope out of a story is graphic torture, particularly if it's intended to break down a character and leave them broken. I'm fine with character death or unhappy endings, but I'd like there to be some meaning or hope for the survivors.
Notes on Shipping: I will never be disappointed with a gen story, so please know that's always an option. If you do include sex, I prefer awkward first times to mind blowing orgasms, and I'd rather it be used to advance the plot or as comic relief than the main focus of the fic. My kinks don't typically go much past light bondage, but I do like seeing magic users or mad scientists getting creative with their abilities in terms of restraints or interesting sensations, or couples getting to swap bodies. Please avoid noncon (if it's part of a character's canonical backstory, alluding to the fact it happened is fine), bodily fluids not typically associated with sex, or improbable biology like a/b/o or tentacles.
In terms of specific ships, sticking to canon couples is probably a good call unless otherwise specified. If you're looking to get a little more creative or for crossover ship inspiration, I tend to prefer het or femslash to slash, but will happily read the latter. Incest is okay for Game of Thrones and Ender's Game, but I'd still like some kind of acknowledgment that these are not healthy relationships.
Phew. Okay, on to the actual nominations. Please don't take the relative amount of detail or number of prompts for a particular canon or section as a sign of how much I want something, and remember that optional details are optional. If you still need additional inspiration, feel free to check out past years' letters. Above all, have fun!
Discworld, Dragon Age, Harry Potter, His Dark Materials, Shades of Magic
These are all fandoms where traveling between worlds is, if not canonical, at least not implausible, so you may already have an idea in mind for how you want to bring them together. Or if you're really stuck and none of the specific suggestions are helping, you can always just add Death and/or daemons. Or maybe you'd rather organize a convention/mutual gripe session for Chosen Ones, magic users, longsuffering mentors, or other common character types that tend to pop up across these fantasies?
Discworld + Dragon Age
Some kind of mash-up involving the Watch, the Kirkwall Guard, the Chargers, and/or the Templars would seem to make sense. And of course, there's always slotting someone in as hero: I'd be particularly interested in Vimes or Moist as Inquisitor, or Rincewind as the Warden, but feel free to go more ridiculous (Nobby?). Speaking of Vimes, I know Aveline talks about her father, but I still think she might be Vimes and Sibyl's universe-displaced daughter. Or if you just want to have Wynne and the witches hang out, or have Bethany train with them, that works, too.
Discworld + Harry Potter
I flatly refuse to believe that the Peverell brothers meeting Death was just a metaphor. (Also, Susan Bones? That can't be a coincidence.) Alternatively, some sort of Granny, Nanny, and McGonagall team-up would be amazing (just no Greebo/Minerva, please). I've also always loved the idea of Madam Pince and the Librarian having an L-Space facilitated friendship, or Carrot being somehow related to the Weasleys. And Rincewind can't be that much worse than the other Defense Against the Dark Arts professor candidates, right?
Discworld + His Dark Materials
The Auditors hate change. So does the Magisterium. The Auditors want to destroy everything that makes life interesting. So do the Spectres. There's a horrifyingly perfect connection/alliance in there somewhere.
Of course, you could also just imagine what happens when Serafina and Granny meet up. And L-Space seems like a useful discovery for a pair of young lovers in otherwise separated worlds.
Discworld + Shades of Magic
Rincewind the Antari strikes me as a hilariously terrible idea. So does hiring him as Kell and Rhy's magic tutor. Susan as their governess is probably not such a disaster waiting to happen, but could still be amusing. Or you could send Lila to Granny and Nanny for training.
Dragon Age + Harry Potter
Sirius fell through the Veil, right? Not too hard to guess where he might have ended up. And it would be only fitting for Padfoot to have a run-in with the Dread Wolf there.
If you'd rather go with something more fusiony, it'd be interesting to see Hogwarts as a Circle. Also, Hawke would make a pretty good Marauder. And of course, Harry would make a decent Warden or Inquisitor. Although the latter might be more of a Neville. Or a Snape.
Dragon Age + His Dark Materials
The Chantry and the Magisterium seem like logical allies/substitutes for each other, depending on whether you're going the crossover/fusion route. Similarly, Asriel's quest to remake heaven suggests some interesting parallels with Solas - or Corypheus. And what happens if Will or Lyra discover an eluvian: do they try to use it to get back to each other?
Also, intercision seems like a horrifyingly convenient way to induce Tranquility - and also the kind of thing a desperate Chantry might consider if faced with a Blight of Spectres. Just saying.
Dragon Age + Shades of Magic
Isabela's either going to get along with Lila and/or Alucard like a house afire, or they'll hate each other on sight. Zevran, Varric, and Iron Bull will probably get along with everyone, though. And judging by Dorian, I'm not entirely convinced Red London isn't Tevinter minus the slaves. Speaking of which...Black London = Black City?
Harry Potter + His Dark Materials
Hogwarts seems like a logical place for Will and/or Mary to end up at some point post-canon. Or maybe you'd rather examine the differences in how magic works and is treated in both worlds, and where the points of divergence started. Also, see note above about intercision and Tranquility; substitute horcruxes for the latter. Or is it even possible to subdivide a soul that has a concrete form?
Harry Potter + Shades of Magic
What if, instead of meeting with the king, Kell's primary Grey London contact was the Minister for Magic, or the Headmaster of Hogwarts? Would things have gone any better? What if Lila was a Hogwarts graduate (or dropout), and knew she had magic from the start? Or what if Voldemort's quest for immortality took him through the different Londons?
Of course, you could always just give Kell Harry's life, or vice versa. Or maybe it turns out Kell's a long-lost Weasley relative.
His Dark Materials + Shades of Magic
So what does happen to a daemon when someone gets brought back from the dead and magically bonded to someone else's life force? Do Antari daemons have any special characteristics, or are there differences between daemons from other Londons? Is the Subtle Knife related to Antari abilities in any way, or do Kell and Will just have a lot to talk about if they ever run into each other?
Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Discworld, Dragon Age, His Dark Materials, Shades of Magic, Young Wizards
I've gotten a fair few Buffy/Harry Potter crossovers over the years, so I figured it was time to split these brackets up a bit and share the wealth. See above for the repeat fandoms and general concept ideas, though. Plus, you can add the Lone Power to the "instant crossover" options.
Buffy + Discworld
I'm not sure Buffy would know what to make of Discworld vampires, especially the Black Ribbon Society. It'd still be fun to watch, though. Alternatively, maybe Giles and the witches have some kind of history, or Willow has an opportunity to learn from Granny. Or if you're looking for a fusion, maybe Polly from Monstrous Regiment is a Slayer who winds up unexpectedly attached to one of her targets?
Buffy + Dragon Age
Nothing will dissuade me from my belief that Kirkwall is a Hellmouth, and female Hawkes are Slayers. The rest of the party maps surprisingly well on to other characters from the series, too, if you'd rather do a Kirkwall High AU than add to the canon city's demon problem.
If that's not your favorite installment of the franchise, though, maybe you'd rather have Morrigan or Solas visit Sunnydale on their travels, or see how one of the Scoobies fares as Warden or Inquisitor. (I've already gotten terrific glimpses of Buffy and Xander in this universe, so someone new and unexpected would be great: maybe Jonathan or Andrew gets a chance to be the hero for real, or maybe Anya just confuses the hell out of everyone.)
Buffy + His Dark Materials
Getting a daemon back when you're an ensouled vampire must be a really weird experience. For that matter, was there something off about Buffy's when she came back from the dead?
Of course, if you're not into metaphysical questions, there's always sinister Magisterium/Watchers' Council and/or Initiative alliances, or Lyra the Vampire Slayer (and Roger her vampire friend). Or you could just introduce Giles to Mary Malone; I think they'd like each other.
Buffy + Shades of Magic
Lila the Vampire Slayer makes a disturbing amount of sense. (So does introducing her to Faith, in an "oh God oh God we're all going to die" kind of way.) Or maybe one of the Scoobies has to go to the Going Waters for something, with predictably disastrous results. And I'd be interested to see how the gang handles Holland if they have to go up against him for some reason.
Buffy + Young Wizards
There's always the Lone Power as Big Bad scenario (whether the Scoobies need to call on Nita and Kit's help is up to you). Or maybe Giles, Tom, and Carl met and trained together at some point. And I'd really like to see Dawn and Carmela bond over being the (not-so) mundane sibling.
Discworld + Young Wizards
I'm sure there's something you can do with this concept besides sit Death and/or Vetinari down for a chat with the Lone Power, but I'm having trouble coming up with it right now.
Dragon Age + Young Wizards
What if the Speech is a type of magic dwarves can use? At the very least, it seems like it'd open up a lot of possibilities for Dagna. And I'm pretty sure there's something to be done with the concept of Fen'Harel as an aspect of the Lone Power - or its biggest foe.
His Dark Materials + Young Wizards
Lyra and Will's journey is effectively an Ordeal featuring a Choice. Would it have gone any differently if one or both of them did know that was what was going on - or if they'd had assistance that chose to keep them better informed - in spite of the prophecy? How might Nita and Kit handle a similar situation? Also, Mary Malone seems like she would make a really good Senior; maybe Tom and Carl can give her some pointers.
Shades of Magic + Young Wizards
Okay, so Rhy's not so good with Red London magic, but the Oath seems like it would be right up his alley. (Or maybe he can just take some lessons in turning not being a wizard to his advantage from Carmela.) Not so sure about Lila, though: what happens if the Lone Power gets to her first and offers her a different sort of adventure? For that matter, is the whole White/Black London mess the result of a bad Choice or two - and if so, is it something Nita, Kit, and the gang might be able to undo?
Allstate Insurance "Mayhem" Commercials, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Dr. Horrible's Sing-a-Long Blog, Genghis Khan - Miike Snow, Girl Genius, The Good Place, SCP Foundation
It is a world ruled by SCIENCE! Or wait, maybe it's an afterlife. Where people occasionally break into song, and there are insurance mascots wandering arou...okay, fine, this one's pretty random. But there is a (scientific) method to the madness, I promise.
Dr. Horrible, Genghis Khan, and/or Girl Genius
Fitting these together seems pretty self-explanatory, although whether they exist in the same continuity or someone does something stupid with portals to other universes is up to you. What I like about mad science properties in general is that nothing is so ridiculous it can't somehow be explained in context (including random musical/dance numbers); what I like about these in particular is that the characters have lives and dreams beyond what happens in the lab, even if they occasionally lose sight of that in the thrill of creation.
If you need some more specific prompts...maybe Billy's been assigned to evaluate someone for the Evil League of Evil, or Gold Nose captures Captain Hammer or OTHAR TRYGGVASSEN, GENTLEMAN ADVENTURER instead of Secret Agent Guy (who could be a colleague of Wooster's). Also, if you want to bring Penny back from the dead (with or without unpleasant side effects), I'm good with that.
Any/all of the above + Crazy Ex-Girlfriend
Prison's a good place to make some supervillain friends, right? Or maybe Nathaniel went to college with some of these people. Or who knows, maybe Paula; she has to have come up with her genius for scheming somewhere. Then again, maybe Friendtopia is one of the kingdoms Agatha has to visit on her quest to stop the Other. Or maybe the firm's just decided it needs to take on a new type of client to survive.
Science fandoms + The Good Place
Mad scientists seem kind of like the definition of "The Good Place can't take them and the Bad Place can't handle them." Then again, maybe they're natural Architect recruits. Or maybe a mad scientist gets everything they thought they wanted, only to discover they're in The Bad Place after all, and decides to do something about it. (You could probably make a decent argument for Dr. Horrible in particular already being this.) Of course, if you'd rather see what happens when a mad scientist gets their hands on a Janet, or have Chidi try and figure out what mad philosophy looks like, or what kind of henchperson Eleanor or Jason would make, go for it.
Science fandoms + Mayhem
A mad scientist's lair does seem like a pretty logical place to find Mayhem. Maybe he was even created in one. Then again, maybe he just hangs out in the same villain circles, or gets hired by the heroes to sabotage evildoing, or some combination of the two. Or maybe he's just the only Allstate rep who's willing to visit the dungeons when someone puts in a claim.
Science fandoms + SCP Foundation
This one seems like it should fit under the general umbrella, except that involving the SCP seems to make everything darker. So go ahead and take an invention or incident that was used for comedic effect, and itemize it. Or maybe someone in the other canons used to work for the Foundation, and somehow got away without being destroyed or quarantined themselves - although clearly not with sanity intact.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend + The Good Place
Honestly, you can do pretty much whatever you want with this one: send some or all of the Crazy Ex-Girlfriend characters to the afterlife, find some excuse for both sets of characters to meet up on Earth (I have a feeling Josh and Jason would be particularly entertaining together), or take a closer look at the time Michael decided everyone should burst into random choreographed numbers (with or without a few snippets from Chidi's Kierkegaard musical). Whatever it is, it's bound to be entertaining.
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend + Mayhem
Let's face it, Rebecca's made worse romantic choices. So has Heather, probably. Although I think Mayhem's real soulmate might be the Santa Ana Wind. (Can they at least be bros?)
Crazy Ex-Girlfriend + SCP Foundation
Again, the firm taking on an unusual new client seems the best way to handle this one. Then again, maybe Rebecca's musical fantasies start manifesting somehow and need to be contained.
The Good Place + Mayhem
Mayhem and Trevor are totally pals, or possibly even colleagues, right? Right. Then again, maybe he's what happens when one of the Bad Janets tries to make a Derek. Or maybe he's just an even worse thorn in Michael's side than Eleanor when it comes to making plans run smoothly.
The Good Place + SCP Foundation
Imagine if the Foundation got their hands on a Janet. Then again, maybe they're convinced one of the main four (I'm thinking Jason in particular, but anyone would work) is an object and needs to be studied/contained. Or what happens if a Foundation employee dies, and starts applying their examination technique to the afterlife?
Mayhem + SCP Foundation
It's kind of amazing they haven't captured him for study yet, honestly. Although again, maybe he started out working for them, and something went wrong somewhere along the way. Or is he their insurance agent?
Avatar, Disney Princesses, Ender's Game, Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Justice League and Justice League Unlimited, Vorkosigan Saga
Battles and political conflict are pretty much the name of the game for these fandoms, though there's a fair bit of coming of age and trying to find one's place in society thrown in, if you're just looking for characters who might get something out of interacting with each other.
Also, princesses. Because why the hell not?
Avatar + Disney Princesses
Figuring out what kind of benders the princesses might be (besides the obvious, like Elsa and Ariel) sounds fun, or just having Mulan train with someone, but I also like the idea of trying to force Toph to go along with the whole poofy dress thing and her Not Having It.
Avatar + Ender's Game
"Everything changed when the aliens attacked." Feel free to either explore what would happen if there was an extraterrestrial invasion during the time period(s) covered in canon, or carry the universe forward a century or three so the tech is equivalent to Ender's Game. What are Battle School games like with powers? Alternatively, what happens if Ender is the Avatar, or Peter has to go on Zuko's journey toward becoming a decent person?
Avatar + Game of Thrones
Azor Ahai = the Avatar seems like a logical place to start, whether you want to go with sending Aang or Korra to Westeros or just giving those powers to one of the preferred candidates. Or you could just expand the playing field of the game by throwing all the nations in both canons together and seeing what happens. I am very afraid of what might happen if Azula met Cersei, or if Stannis had Zaheer shaping his ideology instead of Melisandre, but that doesn't mean I don't want to see it.
Avatar + Harry Potter
There are enough parallels here that arranging a meetup or fusion should be fairly straightforward. Having the Slytherins and the Fire Nation kids work through how to deal with either disillusionment with the ideals they grew up with or lose to "inferiors" might be particularly interesting, though.
Avatar + Hunger Games
Let's face it, the only reason the Fire Nation didn't set these up is that they didn't finish conquering everyone. Which is probably a good thing, because battles to the death where some or all of the fighters don't have to scramble for weapons would be doubly terrifying. Then again, maybe the Gaang get transported to Katniss's world just in time to help out with the rebellion. Your call.
Avatar + JLU
The Gaang as superheroes sounds like tons of fun. (Bonus points if Toph gets to be Melon Lord.) Alternatively, maybe you'd prefer to figure out how the Justice League's powers (or lack thereof) play out in the Avatarverse, or whether they'd just be able to make things easier in the fight with Ozai.
Avatar + Vorkosigan Saga
Miles with Avatar (or just plain bender) abilities sounds fun, if dangerous. Maybe it's safer if he just makes friends with Aang or Korra and their respective crews...no, probably not, but that would still be fun, too. Or maybe his struggles in the Avatarverse come less from his physical limitations and more from the fact he doesn't have powers?
Disney Princesses + Ender's Game
Mulan + Petra = BFFs? I also wouldn't be surprised if Valentine starts exhibiting typical princess traits. And you could always have the Battle School Mind Game conjure up a slightly more familiar fantasy landscape, assuming you don't just want to go the straightforward fusion route.
Disney Princesses + Game of Thrones
Sure, you could see what happens when happily ever after turns into a grueling battle for supremacy, or pit Cersei against the likes of Maleficent and Ursula. But I'd also like to see Sansa get the kind of princess experience she's dreamed about, however briefly (or however little she trusts it at this point). Or see how Arya or Brienne handle frilly ballgowns and wild animals that aren't wolves following them everywhere, though I'm sure they'd both rather hang out with Mulan.
Disney Princesses + Harry Potter
We can all agree Elsa would've been a lot happier at Hogwarts than locked up in her room, right? Although if you'd rather sort the other princesses, or see how Voldemort fares as a Disney villain, or indulge in pure crack involving Harry-ella and his wicked guardians, go for it.
Disney Princesses + Hunger Games
Apart from the obvious fusion possibilities, you could probably do a cool dystopian fairytale retelling where one of the princesses gets to go to the Capitol instead of a ball. Or maybe all those fairytale kingdoms aren't as idyllic as they seem, and there are subjects we never get to see toiling away in Districts to enable those happily ever afters.
Disney Princesses + JLU
Princess superheroes! (Besides Diana, I mean.) Or you could see how the Justice League fare in a fairytale kingdom: I'm guessing Batman's going to have a rough time of it.
Disney Princesses + Vorkosigan Saga
How do traditional fairy tales get adapted in Barryaran society, and how many of the Disney flourishes survive? How do princesses who aren't born as nobles fare in a strict caste system? And what happens when Lady Alys tries to impose her standards on a group of heroines who are more inclined to go their own way, or Cordelia tries to insist you don't need to settle down with the first man you meet?
Ender's Game + Game of Thrones
Is the game of thrones any less cutthroat if you transfer it to Battle School? (Probably not.) I particularly like the idea of Tyrion in Ender's role, since that means Cersei and Jamie can be Peter and Valentine (or attempt to go up against them), but Jon, Dany, or someone else also works. Alternatively, is Ender better equipped to face the White Walkers than anyone in Westeros? Or if you just want to find a way for Petra and Brienne to train together, I'm down for that.
Ender's Game + Harry Potter
Fighting Voldemort might be a nice change for Ender and company, and Harry would probably enjoy battle games (at least until he figured out their ultimate purpose). Or how might the existence of magic - with or without the knowledge of the authorities - change the Formic Wars?
Ender's Game + Hunger Games
Let's face it, it wouldn't be that much of a stretch for Battle School to determine their top candidates by seeing who survives. Or for the Capitol to claim its tributes as soldiers in an interstellar war rather than having them fight for entertainment value. Although if you just want Katniss and Petra to kick ass together, I'm here for it.
Ender's Game + JLU
What if there was no alien menace: just a Cadmus plot? Alternatively, what if Battle School was intended to fight bigger threats than the Formics, and the kids had abilities to compensate? Or what if Lex Luthor just decided to take Peter under his wing?
Ender's Game + Vorkosigan Saga
It's entirely plausible that Ender...sorry, Andrew and Valentine could have made their way into the Vorkosiverse through all their FTL travel, though whether they'd want to stop on Barrayar or somewhere else is an open question. Of course, you could always just send Miles (and Ivan? Mark? Byerly?) to Battle School, or put Ender (and Peter?) through the Academy, or see how Valentine might take to the mercenary life.
Game of Thrones + Harry Potter
Okay, the Malfoys and the Lannisters are obviously alternate universe versions of each other with opposing color schemes. The question is, would they get along, or would Narcissa wipe the floor with Cersei? Alternatively, you could turn Dumbledore's Army into the Night's Watch, or vice versa. And if Sansa's going to learn intrigue, Snape has to be a less creepy mentor for her than Baelish.
Game of Thrones + Hunger Games
Again, not much of a stretch that some ruler at some point (probably Aerys) might have decided tributes seemed like a good idea. Or that Katniss would fit right in with the Wildlings, or the Faceless Men. Or maybe someone just designs an arena that mimics Westeros; heaven knows dragons would make for one hell of an obstacle.
Game of Thrones + JLU
When Justice Lords play the game of thrones, everyone loses. Alternatively, maybe you want to explore what Superman would've been like if he'd been shaped by Westerosi values rather than truth, justice, and the American way, or Batman battling the forces of corruption in King's Landing, or just an all-out battle against the coming invasion.
Game of Thrones + Vorkosigan Saga
I got a great version of this last year, but it's only stoked my hunger for more. You could try and mesh the Vor system with the Great Houses, or pit them against each other somehow, or just turn Tyrion and Miles loose and see what happens. It'll be fun! Horribly destructive fun, probably, but fun.
Harry Potter + Hunger Games
It's easy to imagine this happening in a Voldemort Wins scenario, or some other timeline where wizards assert their superiority over Muggles. Although the Capitol could also be what happens when technology outpaces magic, and the wizards are forced to compete for everyone's entertainment. If you don't feel like going that dark, though, there's always sending Katniss and friends to Hogwarts. (Prim and Rue in particular could use a happier option.)
Harry Potter + JLU
I've always thought Harry would make a pretty good Green Lantern, or that Hermione might enjoy a vacation to Themiscyra, or that Ron and Wally might be long-lost cousins. Alternatively, you could see how the JLU handles Voldemort, or go way back into Hogwarts's history and see how Etrigan, Shining Knight, and/or Morgan Le Fay might have played a role.
Harry Potter + Vorkosigan Saga
Miles, Ivan, and Elena would probably make fun stand-ins or companions for Harry, Ron, and Hermione, if you wanted to send them to school. Or you could see what happens if Harry discovers he's a long-lost Vor heir and/or heads off to the Academy. Or find some way to have Illyan work with the Aurors and/or Snape.
Hunger Games + JLU
The Justice Lords have to keep order somehow. Or maybe Darkseid or Mongul have found a new variation on their usual cruelty. Alternatively, maybe the Capitol deliberately rigs the drawings to bring in children they suspect of having special abilities, or serves as the center of its own interstellar empire. Or maybe Katniss is just Green Arrow or Huntress's newest apprentice, or Cinna is working for Vixen, or something along those lines.
Hunger Games + Vorkosigan Saga
What if the Vor were more adamant about keeping the non-nobles/non-Barryarans in line? Or what if Cetaganda decided to do the same thing to them? Alternatively, what if District 13 had a master strategist on their side? Or you could just turn Alys loose on the Capitol and see what happens.
JLU + Vorkosigan Saga
As Miles has noted himself at times, he has a lot of the standard villain trappings. Would it have been easier for him to go down that route in the DC universe, especially depending on his mentor, or would he still have found a way to be a hero? Alternatively, what would've happened to Bruce Vorwayne growing up as an orphan in a world where family and reputation are even more important? And are Barrayar and Thanagar or Krypton anywhere near each other?
Double phew. Thanks again for your patience, and happy writing!