what is au in fanfiction

In fanfiction, AU stands for "Alternate Universe"). An AU fanfiction is a work of fanfiction that departs from the canon of the fictional universe that the fan work is based on). It is a setting for a work of fanfiction that imagines what would have taken place if the plot events of the source material had unfolded differently, or it might transpose the characters from the original work into a different setting to explore their lives and relationships in a different narrative context). Unlike typical fanfiction, which generally remains within the boundaries of the canon set out by the source material, alternative universe fanfiction writers explore the possibilities of pivotal changes made to characters history, motivations, or environment, often combining material from multiple sources for inspiration).