Non-AU AUs...

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

I have a rather specific request tonight.

You know those stories where you start off certain that the tale takes place in an alternate universe, but then the author manages to tie the story back to canon?

If you're not certain what I'm talking about, here are a few examples:

In Madison's Second Fiddle, we find out about an AU Rodney McKay, only to have canon!John show up to validate the original universe (and subsequently suck McKay into said canon universe).

In the Long Journey Home, by Skoosiepants, McKay is an author who writes science fiction novels about a mythical organization known as the SGC and mythical aliens like Teyla and Ronon.  Then he finds out everything he's ever written is real when Ronon and the rest of the team show...

In And Be One Traveler, David Hewlett finds out that the Stargate universe exists when he wakes up there.

And in All These Places we Have Met, by toft_froggy, John chases a more-or-less amnesiac Rodney through alternate realities, trying to get him to remember the one to which they both belong.

So... looking for stories that seem to be completely original AU, but the author is actually messing with the reader.  For whatever reason, canon shows up again; and canon usually ends up trumping the originally established reality...

Failing that, newer quantum mirror stories would be good.  (*hums*... in an AU frame of mind, I guess...)

Thanks, all!

Comments

[crysothemis.livejournal.com]

lamardeuse's Fashion Victim (http://lamardeuse.dreamhost.com/sg/fashionvictim.html) fits the bill. It starts off appearing to be an AU where Rodney is a fashion designer and John is his model . . . only it's actually canon.

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

...can't believe I forgot that one! 'Fashion Victim' was *going* to be one of the examples... ;)

-K

[(Anonymous)]

I think http://www.ltljverse.com/watergate/stories/earth2.htm Earth 2 and http://www.ltljverse.com/watergate/stories/deflection.htm Deflection by ltlj fit this.

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

Thank you!

[debris_k.livejournal.com]

sgamadison also wrote The Second Series (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewseries.php?seriesid=143) ("Second Best" and "Second to None", McShep, NC-17) which is the AU!John version of "Second Fiddle", basically - wonderful and angsty and eventually just your regularly wonky Pegasus galaxy setup. :-)

Her Alternative Medicine (http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=12025), also McShep and NC-17, has the same premise as "Fashion Victim", with Rodney dying a virtual reality he's not aware of being in, and John doing his best to be there for and with him.

A more light and fun fic could be Maharaja (http://ladyflowdi.livejournal.com/441744.html) by ladyflowdi, McShep, R, (be sure to listen to the podfic by the author if you can) in which the amnesiac - but reportedly very brave and virile, though he felt not much of the latter - Maharaja slowly comes to the conclusion that something stinks in his very vast kingdom (which comes complete with his very own Vizier) when his newest pleasure slave doesn't so much kowtow at his feet as yell at him for his Kirkian tendencies with great outrage. Total humorous crack with a happy McShep ending (and now excuse, but I have to go and re-listen to this podfic a few more dozen times, because, yes, it's definitely worth it).

Similar to that one is scribblinlenore's The Gamers of Ardann (http://scribblinlenore.livejournal.com/294259.html), McShep, NC-17, in which John has amnesia and thinks he's the Consort of an influential Holder, until Rodney enters the local Game and does his best to win John, every way he can, back.

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

I'm familiar with (and love) Madison's fics, and the Gamers of Ardann. But I've never heard of 'Maharaja', which sounds hilarious. *grins* Thankee!

-K

[killmelover.livejournal.com]

I wanted to recommend a fic I love, but since I'm crap at remembering titles, I seem to have misplaced the link for the fic. Maybe you know it anyway : John and Rodney are prisoners on some planet where prisoner's memories are erased to help decrease their violent tempers etc. Rodney is granted as a servant a lower rank prisoner, John.

If you find the link, I'd be glad to get it too. This is a fantastic story. I wish I could remember the author's name T-T.

[lwdagreat.livejournal.com]

Forget Me Not by Maisierita at http://maisierita.livejournal.com/14509.html

[killmelover.livejournal.com]

Eee, thanks ! <3

And I think there are many fics I haven't read in the list you posted under this comment, so thanks for the recs too ! :)

[lwdagreat.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! I was contemplating throwing it in with my recs below when I refreshed to see if I needed to remove any fics for already being recced. So I had it right there. :) Enjoy!

[lwdagreat.livejournal.com]

#1: Ones where it's Complete AU and then there's a stargate/atlantis:

1. A Farm in Iowa by Sheafrotherdon at http://sheafrotherdon.livejournal.com/80587.html#cutid1

2. Mona Lisa Box by tzzzz at http://tzzzz.livejournal.com/4146.html

3. The Proposition by Jane Elliot at http://jane-elliot.livejournal.com/13463.html

4. Unconventional Beauty by jane_elliot at http://jane-elliot.livejournal.com/2135.html

5. Si Muovo by Kass and Sihaya Black at http://www.trickster.org/kass/SiMuovo.html

6. Doctor/Patient Confidence by custardpringle at http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=3490

7. Adventures in an Astrophysicist's Life by Elayna at http://www.furholt.net/elaynas_den/_McShep_Adventures.htm

8. The Christmas List by Lenore at http://scribblinlenore.livejournal.com/400819.html#cutid1

9. Converging by Purna at http://purna.livejournal.com/22055.html#cutid1

10. Entity by Danvers at http://01100100.fanfib.org/fanfiction/sga/five/au3.html

11. The Hostage Major by Frostfire at http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/163706.html#cutid1

12. Hindsight by Rageprufrock at http://glitterati.talkoncorners.net/fiction/hindsight.html

13. Unhealthy Attachment by Amireal at http://www.amireal.com/UnhealthyAttachment.htm

#2: Ones where it's CompleteAU and then suddenly it's just pre-show SGA (with subset CompleteAU where they're in school/kids and then grow up to SGA):

1. Wonderful Life by icantfollow at http://atlantis-chat.livejournal.com/6681.html

2. The Soul and the Company Store Remix by Leah & Springwoof athttp://leahwoof.livejournal.com/9838.html#cutid1

3. Aspects of Divinity (the world is my oyster) by rinsbane at http://rinsbane.livejournal.com/57650.html#cutid1

4. Lock the Door by Rageprufrock at http://glitterati.talkoncorners.net/fiction/lockthedoor.php

5. Duet by Miss Pamela at http://misspamela.livejournal.com/291024.html

6. Spruce Summit Mensa Camp by Belladonna http://area52hkh.net/asb/belladonna/sprucesu.php

7. Second Time by lamardeuse at http://lamardeuse.dreamhost.com/sg/secondtime.html

#3: Ones where it's CanonAU and then suddenly our Canon shows up:

1. The Light of a Fading Sun by friendshipper at http://friendshipper.laylalawlor.com/fadingsun.shtml

2. M(eredith +1) Theory by Lallybroch at http://lallybroch.livejournal.com/74000.html#cutid1

#4: Ones where someone has amnesia and thinks they're living a different life but they're really canon-them.

1. Running on Empty by friendshipper at http://friendshipper.laylalawlor.com/running.shtml

2. A Royal Deception by Mandragora http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/159098.html#cutid1 (Doesn't really count since told from POV of those who know Rodney's not in fact Prince Rodney. But very fun nonetheless and I love to read it & Maharaja together.)

3. Those Damn Amnesiac/Space Pirate/Homesick Blues by Nataliadarimini at http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/570293.html?#cutid1 (Part 3 which has links to previous parts)

Whoa!

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

So... many... recs! Some of these look familiar, but a lot of them don't. Thank you so much!

*glee*

-K

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

Just read 'Light of a Fading Sun' and MUST second the rec. Really unique and very much what I was looking for. Thanks again!

-K

[lwdagreat.livejournal.com]

You're welcome! And I love that one too! Friendshipper's fics are absolutely delightful and always a lot of team-fun. :)

[melodyunity.livejournal.com]

I want to second the rec for "Soul and the Company Store." It fits your criteria completely, and it's an amazing story.

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

I've read it, adore it, agree wholeheartedly. :D

-K

[skeddy-kat.livejournal.com]

These are from the list I keep so I can find stories again. If the descriptions seem strange, that's because they are designed to remind me. I tried to delete the ones already mentioned - but I might have missed a few. (I also left almost all the amesia ones in because I'm basically lazy. This is in two parts because it's too long.

AU Atlantis/Stargatge
Both know about Atlantis
• No Refunds or Exchanges by Astolat: John is Rodney’s mail order bride http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/stargate/No%20Refunds%20Or%20Exchanges.html
• Slouching Towards Bethlehem by Mrs. Hamill: Earth has fallen to the Ori and a broken Daedalus makes its way toward Atlantis http://www.hawksong.com/~thammill/SGA_Fic/bethlehem.htm
• The Call by MistoKitt: John gets the call to go to Atlantis, Rodney is his roommate http://kitt.livejournal.com/660659.html
• Retrograde by Martha Wilson: SG1 gets back in touch with Atlantis, but it’s a bit too late – the NID beat them to it. Series with sequels all from here. http://www.ltljverse.com/watergate/seriesindex.htm
• Teamwork by Magus Minor and Methaya: Dr. John Sheppard, math guy and Staff Sergeant Rodney McKay, RCMP along with Beckett and Cadman are Team Misfit, and one of my favorite teams on Atlantis. http://www.area52hkh.net/asm/mminor/teamwork.php

John Knows about Atlantis
• Tale as Old as Time by immoralilly: John is John, Rodney is a genius hermit with robots to keep him company. Very Beauty and the Beast – but not. http://immoralilly.livejournal.com/201179.html

Rodney knows about Atlantis
• Without Love by lamardeuse: John is out of the Air Force, Rodney needs a quiet place to work and goes to Carson’s cousin’s ranch (it’s John’s) http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/stargate/transcendental.html
• Push/Pull by Jane Elliot: Rodney runs down a homeless John, has Carson patch him up, and takes him home to heal. http://jane-elliot.livejournal.com/29386.html
• The Hotline by Nixajane(laytoncolt): One night Rodney calls a sex line and then is haunted by the voice of the fellow he talked to – John. http://community.livejournal.com/mckay_sheppard/525724.html

They both find out about Atlantis
• Sky of Longing by Cait: John is a pilot on a lousy run and Rodney is a mechanic for the airline and a physics professor. http://eternallycait.livejournal.com/39641.html
• Lie to Me by madeline871: Scientist Rodney McKay starts to suspect that his boyfriend James Carter isn’t quite who he says he is. http://community.livejournal.com/anotheratlantis/6392.html

Atlantis, but not
• Absolute Corruption by Cypher: Rodney works for all-powerful Daniel, John is a captured resistance fighter, Lorne plays a part. http://community.livejournal.com/mckay_sheppard/1043974.html
• Whipping Boy by Kat Reitz and Perryvic: Rodney has accepted Kolya’s patronage at NIT, is abused and Carson, then John try to help him before it’s too late. http://www.caffiends.net/viewstory.php?sid=456
• Raiders of the Seven Systems by Martha Wilson. John Sheppard leads a rag-tag group of Athosian pirates after escaping when the Trust took over Earth. He ends up rescuing Rodney and Sam from the dread pirate Genii. http://www.ltljverse.com/watergate/stories/raiders.htm

Part II

[skeddy-kat.livejournal.com]

Amnesia
• Amnesiac by Cesperanza: John forgets who he is on a mission and nobody notices.
• But Thinking Makes It So by solvent90: John wakes up. He remembers being 23. How did this get to be his life? http://solvent90.livejournal.com/26663.html
• Eternal Sunshine by unlikely: After Duranda, John gets amnesia and forgets everything since age 21. He pursues Rodney. Cute. http://community.livejournal.com/sga_flashfic/166720.html
• Goons Guide to Mental Health by like the koschka: Part of the Goons and Geeks series, Rodney gets amnesia and doesn’t remember John, their marriage, anything personal. He must remember in time if he’s going to save John. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=2451
• His Way Through the Constellation by torakowalski: Rodney find Amnesiac John after six months of searching. John is a trader. He takes John back to Atlantis, but John is reluctant to take the antidote that will restore memory. http://torakowalski.livejournal.com/67864.html
• Mindshock by megaera: Over heroes are enslaved on an alien world with forced amnesia. Rodney looks after John. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=8414&textsize=0&chapter=1
• Mixing Memory and Desire by Trinityofone: John buys Rodney for string and a pen, Rodney doesn’t remember. They go back to Atlantis. http://trinityofone.livejournal.com/43031.html
• Out of the Blue by Leah: De-Ascended John returns to Atlantis without his memories. He keeps touching Rodney. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=7300
• Recall by solvent90: Very short, Rodney temporarily regresses to 21. http://solvent90.livejournal.com/15713.html
• Starting Over by lavvyan: Amensiac Rodney seeks help from Psychologist John. http://lavvyan.livejournal.com/71367.html
• Terra Firma by Madison: John and Rodney get hurt in a cave-in off world, then back on Atlantis, Rodney gets electrocuted and wakes up with amnesia. http://www.area52hkh.net/asm/madison/terraf01.php
• The Life You Lead by The Grrrl: Ancient gizmo gives John (temp) amnesia, he gets to see himself through other people’s eyes http://www.geocities.com/thegrrrl2002/atlantis/04/lifeyoulead.html
• Unidentified by fiercelydreamed: Rodney and John are lifelong friends, Rodney gets amnesia (memory wall) http://fiercelydreamed.livejournal.com/8714.html
• You Must Remember This by Auburn: Every day is Tuesday, but that’s ok. John wakes up and sees the note telling him to kiss McKay. He’ll leave himself another one tomorrow. http://www.eternalvox.net/~auburn/youmustrememberthis.html

Virtual Realities
• A Hundred Words For Snow by icantfollow: Rodney doesn’t know he’s dying, John joins him for a life in VR. http://atlantis-chat.livejournal.com/16188.html
• Cure For Insomnia by Mrs. Hamill: Recently rescued John isn’t sleeping in VR. Rodney goes in and learns how to help him sleep. http://community.livejournal.com/mckay_sheppard/838491.html
• The One With the Staplers by icantfollow: John is a secretary, Rodney is a programmer, Ronon is a HR guy and Teyla is in accounting. John keeps dreaming of Atlantis. http://community.livejournal.com/mcshep_match/11447.html
• Time in a Bottle by Astolat: They’re injured and at Rodney’s VR beach while in stasis http://www.intimations.org/fanfic/stargate/time_in_a_bottle.html

Part III (It was longer than I thought)

[skeddy-kat.livejournal.com]

Quantum Encounters
• 99 Briliant But Irritable Scientists on the Wall by sage: Atlantis ends up with 27 Rodneys. John only wants his. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=5713
• Ancient Music by Linaerys: Teacher John finds pianist Rodney, he’s dreamed about them in a floating city. They find our Atlantis. http://linaerys.com/fic/sga/ancient_music.php
• Another Day Older and Deeper in Debt by das kabinett: Residents of an alternate Atlantis want John for his gene, and they aren’t asking. http://community.livejournal.com/sga_santa/67514.html
• Chaos Theory by Amireal: Dr. Sheppard and COL McKay step out of the gate, followed in a few by LTC Sheppard and Dr. McKay. Their alternates are in love and it shocks John. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=2623
• Cross Product by Quasar: John ends up surfing and finds out he was switched with another John. Has sequels. http://quasar273.livejournal.com/1871.html
• Deflection by Martha Wilson: Sheppard thinks he’s a clone, has partial amnesia, and is caught up in a game by an evil Sumner in a world through the quantum mirror. http://www.ltljverse.com/watergate/stories/deflection.htm
• Finding Family by crazy-obsessed: John and Rodney end up in an alternate Atlantis and find out they have a daughter named Isabella. http://crazy-obsessed.livejournal.com/7665.html
• General and Dr. Sheppard by Xanthe: Alternate BDSM married Sheppards visit our Atlantis http://www.xanthe.org/SGA/generaldoctor/gendr.htm
• Later On by Springwoof: Rodney steps into a funny-shaped chamber and finds himself with an alternate John and an alien named Annie and they keep moving through alternate universes. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=1440 or http://www.area52hkh.net/ass/springwoof/latero01.php
• Leap of Faith by Mrs. Hamill: John and Rodney step out of the stargate into a quantum reality where everyone seems to be paired up, and everyone seems to think they are another pair. http://hawksong.com/~momskitchen/SGA_Fic/leap.htm
• No Place Like Home by Delilah: John gets caught in a parallel reality and he finds professor Rodney to help him. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=2297 or Area 52
• Parallax by sajinn: A gate problem sends John and Rodney into another reality. The Atlantis team hasn’t arrived yet. They must keep from starving and find a way to not only survive, but get home. http://sajinn.com/sgafic/parallax.html
• Second Best by Madison: Rodney decides his Atlantis needs a Sheppard, so after his dies he goes and finds one to bring home. http://www.wraithbait.com/viewstory.php?sid=12518
• Second Fiddle by Madison: AU Rodney is rescued by Sheppard during a robbery. He helps Sheppard get back to Atlantis and ends up going along. Sheppard’s Rodney is dead. http://atlantis-chat.livejournal.com/16188.html
• Standard Deviations by Rustler: John takes a nap on an Ancient bench and his mind strats taking side trips to other realities. http://rustler.mrks.org/deviations.html
• Supersymmetry by Lallybroch: After McKay’s IDC is sent, a little girl comes out of the gate. She’s John and Rodney’s biological daughter, Maggie. http://lallybroch.livejournal.com/30336.html
• Taking the Long Way Home by sardonicsmiley: After opening cryptic fortune cookies, John starts jumping to parallel lives while Rodney deals with the alternate Johns. http://sardonicsmiley.livejournal.com/39997.html
• The Other Side of the Storm by Gaffer42: John ends up in an alternate Atlantis where John is dead, Rodney is crippled and Elizabeth is abused by Kolya. Can he help them? http://community.livejournal.com/sg_lonelyship/3591.html
• Refraction by ltlj: A quantum mirror, a quantum Rodney taking the real McKay, an Atlantis controlled by a Weir Goa’uld. http://ltlj.livejournal.com/179418.html

Re: Part III (It was longer than I thought)

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

Skeddy_kat, you are totally my hero! <3

-K

[dawnofage.livejournal.com]

try the NANTUCKET AU! Where John is still a ex-military pilot, but living in Nantucket. Rodney is still...well Rodney, going in between Nantucket and Colorado. I think this is before Atlantis, I have to re-read again to see. this is written by several authors (most are from dogeared )

http://dogeared.livejournal.com/97845.html

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

I think I get confused between the Iowa and Nantucket AUs... I know I've read one and not the other...

-K

How about

[(Anonymous)]

I'll put in my 2 cents worth with Orithian and Rina's The Other Side of the Looking Glass series where John gets swapped with John from a SGA-less universe or John as an Ori in their Ashtaroth series.
All their fic are on Wraithbait at http://www.wraithbait.com/viewuser.php?uid=363 (sorry can't do clever clicky-linky thing)
miki

Re: How about

[kirinin.livejournal.com]

Thanks!

-K