What If (glossary term)

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Synonyms:
See also: episode tag, fix it, alternative universe, missing scene, canon divergence, for want of a nail, butterfly effect
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What if refers to fanworks that ask this question and then go on to imagine a possible result. The end product may be an alternate universe, a missing scene, a canon divergence or another speculation. The concept is similar to Marvel comics' various lines of What if comics, which ask experimental questions separate of comics canon.

Variations

  • Episode Tags: A what-if story that takes place immediately after the end of an episode may be called an episode tag.
  • For Want Of A Nail describes stories in which one small change causes considerable changes to the canon storyline.

Example Fanworks

Fanfiction

What ifs are common in The Lion King fandom:

Vids

Meta

Resources