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ModernBigFourBig

Modern AU is an alternate universe in which the Big Four are living in the 21st century era. It is one of the most popular AU's in the fandom.

About the AU

Many Modern AU fanart indicate of the Big Four going to a high school or college-like universe. In this AU, many works show them wearing modern clothes, and participating in activities we do today. They are often seen in schools hanging out together. Due to the LGBTQ+ community's standing in modern times, the Modern AU is where Hijack is most commonly found, though it isn't always the case.

Popular Spinoff AUs

Featured Characters

The Big Four

Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III

The sarcastic and smartest one of the group, and sometimes the defacto leader. As the nerd, Hiccup Haddock has been picked on top to bottom in school all his life. However, he is able to find the strength to overcome it. Usually Hiccup is a nickname given to him in his early years, with his real name being either Henry, Harry, Harold, Hamish, Haven or something similar. He spends time doodling, applying his skills at Gobber's Auto-shop and trying to keep up with the standards of his father. Sometimes Toothless accompanies him, either as a dragon, a black cat, a black dog, a vehicle or even as a human. Hiccup almost always has a prosthetic leg like in the film, but it is usually from an everyday accident and not from the Red Death. With modern Hiccup commonly depicted as a nerd, he is sometimes given a pair of glasses to wear.

He may learn that he's a descendant of Vikings. In a modern setting that's also populated by magical creatures that are hidden from humans, he might discover that his ancestors have ridden dragons and he ends up encountering real dragons, like Toothless who's portrayed as himself.

Jack Frost

The rebellious bad boy of the group. At first glance, Jackson Overland (also going as Jack Frost) is a prank or problem waiting to happen, gaining the admiration of many girls in his surroundings. Despite this, Jack has the heart and sense to help those in need at the expense of his own safety. His devil-may-care attitude may serve as a defence mechanism for a deeper trauma, either involving his little sister or a near-death experience. He's a natural brunette, but dyes his hair snow white. He would usually wear sandals, due to his canon counterpart being barefoot. Since Rise of the Guardians already takes place in modern times, some stories have Jack stay as a winter spirit and a Guardian, while the other three are left as his believers. The other guardians are also nearly always in the story, sometimes depicted as family members, close friends or teachers of Jack.

Merida DunBroch

The hot-headed jock of the group. With many talents in sports and archery, Merida DunBroch is often portrayed as the ill-tempered, tomboyish one who speaks before she thinks and is the first to fight when a friend's in trouble. Heckled by her mother to be more "lady-like", Merida is consistently at odds with her family and often looks to her friends for support (usually Hiccup). Because she is royalty, she can be portrayed as a girl that comes from a wealthy Scottish family.

In the second Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, where Merida appears as a cameo character, that is a Netizen version of her, she is given modern day clothes. That she wears when she and the other Netizen Disney Princesses were getting to known Vanellope during their downtime. Since they are modern clothes, due to the modern day timeline of the film and the princesses taking a liking to the style and comfortable feeling of the young racer's clothing, some fans place Merida in her modern WIR cameo-Netizen clothes; in both the AU and modern related crossovers.

Rapunzel Corona

The sweet, popular one of the group. Rapunzel Corona (also going by Rapunzel Gothel) is the type who could make friends easily, being able to look past superficial ideals that her peers would see and find the good qualities in someone. Her time in the tower is usually paralled by being home-schooled by Gothel. Despite her abusive, overbearing mother, Rapunzel can always make time for her friends when they need her, just as they would make time for her. She is serves as the adhesive of the group, balancing out the more negative personalities of the other three. Some stories would have her living with her parents, while Gothel would be her governess. Because she is royalty, she can be portrayed as a girl who comes from a very wealthy family.

In the second Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, where Rapunzel appears as a cameo character, that is a Netizen version of her, she is given modern day clothes. That she wears when she and the other Netizen Disney Princesses were getting to known Vanellope during their downtime. Since they are modern clothes, due to the modern day timeline of the film and the princesses taking a liking to the style and comfortable feeling of the young racer's clothing, some fans place Rapunzel in her modern WIR cameo-Netizen clothes; in both the AU and modern related crossovers. Like Jack Frost, she would mostly wear sandals due to her canon counterpart being barefoot.

Extra Characters

Guardians of Childhood

The Guardians (sometimes as humans) are seen as Jack's legal guardians, friends or as the teachers at the school he attends. Their job and roles of keeping children safe can even have them work for companies that keep children safe, healthy and making sure that there being looked after by their parents and guardians. Since Rise of the Guardians already takes place in modern times, some stories have them stay as their Guardian selves, while the other characters in the fandom are believers.

Queen Elsa

Elsa Arendelle is seen as a straight-A student that does her best to keep her grades up, spends time in the shadows when she wants to be alone and tries to live to her family's exportations for her. Leaving her little time for friends or relationships. She can also be portrayed as an ice skater to symbolize her icy powers.

In the second Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, where Elsa appears as a cameo character, that is a Netizen version of her, she is given modern day clothes. That she wears when she, Netizen Anna and the other Netizen Disney Princesses were getting to known Vanellope during their downtime. Since they are modern clothes, due to the modern day timeline of the film and the princesses taking a liking to the style and comfortable feeling of the young racer's clothing, some fans place Elsa in her modern WIR cameo-Netizen clothes; in both the AU and modern related crossovers.

Princess Anna

Anna Arendelle is a girl that enjoys making friends at school, due to the isolation that she feels at her house and get from her sister when she is focusing on her studies.

In the second Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, where Anna appears as a cameo character, that is a Netizen version of her, she is given modern day clothes. That she wears when she, Netizen Elsa and the other Netizen Disney Princesses were getting to known Vanellope during their downtime. Since they are modern clothes, due to the modern day timeline of the film and the princesses taking a liking to the style and comfortable feeling of the young racer's clothing, some fans place Anna in her modern WIR cameo-Netizen clothes; in both the AU and modern related crossovers.

Moana Waialiki

Moana Waialiki is a girl that enjoys surfing and sailing on a boat, that she owns or rents. To please her father, Moana works hard to get good grades at school and takes the time to study their culture, history and its myths. Like the legends of the demigod Maui and the Island Goddess Te Fiti.

In the second Wreck-It Ralph, Ralph Breaks the Internet, where Moana appears as a cameo character, that is a Netizen version of her, she is given modern day clothes. That she wears when she and the other Netizen Disney Princesses were getting to known Vanellope during their downtime. Since they are modern clothes, due to the modern day timeline of the film and the princesses taking a liking to the style and comfortable feeling of the young racer's clothing, some fans place Moana in her modern WIR cameo-Netizen clothes; in both the AU and modern related crossovers.

Eugene Fitzherbert/Flynn Rider

Because he is very athletic and good with the ladies, Eugene can be portrayed as a jock or a playboy, with “Flynn Rider” being his nickname. However, because he is too old to be in high school, he could also be portrayed as a thief, living on the streets and stealing to get by. It is through this interaction that he could meet the Big Four from high school (most notably Rapunzel, with whom he falls in love with depending on the fanfic). Because of his age, he can be portrayed a man in college or even takes on the job of a high school coach (or assistant coach).

Astrid Hofferson

Astrid's tough nature and somewhat tomboyish style can place her as a jock, or the notorious ‘bad girl’ with the good grades. She is often portrayed as Hiccup’s girlfriend of his crush due to the series canon.

Prince Hans

Because of his good looks yet devious nature, Hans could be portrayed as the popular guy who is also a playboy, or a school president candidate (which he would most likely cheat in to win).

Cassandra

Cassandra, like Eugene, is a little too old to be in high school, so she can either be portrayed as a bodyguard (depending on whether or not Rapunzel’s family is rich) for Rapunzel or a college student, that takes on the job of a high school teacher.

Varian

Varian can be portrayed as a gifted high school student who aspires to be an alchemist/engineer.

Kristoff Bjorgman

Kristoff's athletic nature could easily cast him as a jock, or his love of animals (particularly reindeer) could make him one of the animal lovers.

Mavis Dracula

Mavis can be portrayed as a goth who's a fan of monsters movies, particularly ones about vampires (except maybe ones with sparkles). Since Hotel Transylvania already takes place in modern times, she could stay as herself. Often times she plays a friend to characters such as Rapunzel, Merida, or Anna, or a possible love interest to someone in the Big four or other groups.

The Once-ler

Because the Once-ler was born in a Modern era (sort of), he is usually portrayed as being the same as his original character: an aspiring business tycoon that (unknowingly) destroys the environment. However, he can be aged down to fit the requirements of a high schooler. If he's shown in a school scenario, the focus is usually on his dreams of becoming an inventor and his troubled relationship with his family. Often, he is shown as a friend to other characters such as Jack or Hiccup (and perhaps a love interest to Mavis or another one of the girls), but he traditionally gets less focus in crossover-style stories.

Audrey

Audrey is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era. She would likely be the artsy type of kid in the school, and one who cares a lot about the environment. Sometime she is shown as a friend to Rapunzel (a fellow artist and nature lover) as well as other characters, but she usually takes more of a background role.

Ted Wiggins

Ted is usually given the same role as he was before, since he was already born in a Modern era. There would be a lot less thneeds and dystopian elements in their world, so he would mostly just be a skater or biker kid who is trying to impress his crush, Audrey.

Raya

Raya would be seen in the modern times as an athletic young lady who pursues to become a national player (or possibly a champion in a SEA Games, given her Southeast Asian ethnicity) in her favourite sport/s: which is fencing/arnis (given her skills with her sword and kali sticks), and/or even MMA (e.g. Muay Thai, given her skills in hand-to-hand combat). In most cases, she would be a straight-A student who always works hard for high grades while at home she would train and tutor with her father especially on weekends. At home, she enjoys her company with a few other friends that she and her father made, such as Sisu (who will be primarily seen in the AU in her human self), Boun, Noi, Tong, and Namaari (who will be portrayed as her childhood bully turned friend, and possibly girlfriend; for the Raymaari ship). In her locality, Raya and her family may have been among the bourgeoisie.

Because Raya is a Disney Princess, some have given Raya her own comfy modern, Ralph Breaks the Internet style clothing, for fun.

Namaari

Namaari would be seen as a spoiled young lady from a very wealthy family who has the same athletic and academic passions as Raya, given her skills in sword fighting, hand-to-hand combat, and will to keep her grades up (though she will get F's in some cases). She would be attending any competitive event that Raya goes into so that she may continue to make Raya's life as painful and miserable as it was during their childhood. But they would end up becoming best friends (or possibly girlfriends) as she finally accepts defeat in one final battle with Raya (possibly in a national martial arts tournament, reminiscing the rivalry between Daniel LaRusso and Johnny Lawrence in The Karate Kid).

Sisu

Sisu's human form would be her official appearance prior to this AU. She would probably be portrayed as Raya's godmother.

Boun

In modern times, he would be seen as a part-time fisherman apprentice from a family of commoners. He would be portrayed as a young friend that Raya made when she first meets him at a park while she is strolling along and he runs into her.

Noi

In this AU, Noi would be a child that Raya babysits part-time, or possibly be her adoptive sister.

Tong

In this AU, Tong would be a family friend of Raya's father. He would fill the role of a woodsman or a soldier.

Talia

In this AU, Talia would be working as a waitress to reference her former occupation at the Brocken Eagle Inn from the 2013 film, before she quits in order to go down a better path beside her new friend.

Justin

In this AU, Justin would first start out as a modern day law student until he quits law school to pursue his dream and true calling that relates to his beloved late grandfather.

Riley Andersen

Riley is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era.

Tip Tucci

Tip is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era.

Penny Forrester

Penny is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era.

Miguel Rivera

Miguel is usually given the same role as he was before, since he was already born in a Modern era. While there would be less dead people around, he'd probably have (or learn to have) a healthy respect for his family and culture.

Yi

Yi is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era.

Fei Fei

Fei Fei is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era.

Walter Beckett

Walter is usually given the same role as he was before, since he was already born in a Modern era.

Mirabel Madrigal

Mirabel would most likely be taken in this AU as a typical high school student from a working class family; who, despite having some awkward backgrounds and agendas, had somehow some talents she could use for her own build-up of character in society such as what she can do in arts & crafts, mathematics, and performance arts. She could also be most likely to be the most industrious person among her peers, making sure she maintained good academic performances, and established good camaraderie and friendship in the same way that she helps form and keep her family's values.

Verta/Xiao-Qing

In the second White Snake film Verta ends up in a modern-like city, where she learns its modern ways in order to better understand it and the tools she needs to survive the world she has become trapped in. After she escapes it, Verta finds herself in modern China than the ancient world she born into.

Katie Mitchell

Katie is usually given the same role as she was before, since she was already born in a Modern era.

Isabela Madrigal

Isabela is usually portrayed as the "popular girl" in high school or college, similarly to her role in the movie. Sometimes she is portrayed as the cheerleader type of character, or simply a fashionable and classy high class girl whom everyone admires. Since Modern AUs are often more grounded in reality, Isabela doesn't have any magical plant-growing powers, but her status as the "perfect" girl still remains. Stories of this type usually show Isabela struggling with maintaining this image (sometimes dating Mariano because she feels like it's expected of her), but wishing she could do other things. In some cases, Isabela might have a secret double life, sometimes dabbling in punk rock or abstract art to express her more rebellious side.

Luisa Madrigal

Luisa is usually the "jock" in Modern AUs, especially those that take place in schools. While she wouldn't have literal super-strength, she would still be very muscular and athletic, participating in many sports and taking great care of her physical health. Sometimes, in more school-centric settings, Luisa would be the star jock of the school while Isabela would act as her cheerleader. Just like in the movie, however, Luisa would probably feel pressure to keep up her tough girl image and would feel like she's not allowed to like "girly" things such as reading or fashion.

Camilo Madrigal

Camilo would be similar to his canon self in that he's seen as a prankster or trouble maker by his peers, and adults. But since he's not literally a shapeshifter here, his talents would be more suited to being the "theater kid" in school or otherwise being involved in drama and acting. Despite generally being seen as a troublemaker, some fan-creators portray him as being nice to many of his teachers and peers, so they still like him despite his mischief. Additionally, a popular headcanon for Camilo is that he struggles with identity issues, so in this AU it often comes in the form of typical teenage angst.

Dolores Madrigal

Dolores is often portrayed as a high school/college student who is the "gossip" of her campus. She's the type to spread rumors or generally keep tabs on what's going on with the people around her. Just like in the movie, she would often be in the shadow of her more popular cousin Isabela, sometimes acting as her right-hand woman or part of her posse. A lot of Modern AUs also like to emphasize the love triangle between her, Mariano and Isabela. Dolores would usually be quietly pining for Mariano, but can't do anything since the whole world wants him to be with Isabela. Just like canon, though, this would usually end with Dolores getting her man since Isabela wasn't into him anyway. In many cases, Dolores is also portrayed as a musician, or an avid listener of music.

Antonio Madrigal

Antonio, as a very young child, is usually just a kindergartener who acts as a support character for the other members of his family. He would be a shy kid who has trouble making friends in school, and would be fascinated by animals as in canon. Antonio would likely be the one to have/ask for a lot of pets, or spend his time observing birds and bugs outside. His canonical companions Parce and Pico might be represented in this AU as domesticated, less dangerous animals (such as a housecat and parrot).

Pepa Madrigal

Since Pepa has no powers in this AU, her Gift would instead be represented by giving her a job as a meteorologist. Pepa often just plays the role of mother to Dolores, Camilo and Antonio, but if a particular story is more focused on the adults, she would have a more active role. Pepa is often portrayed as a go-getter sort of woman who is passionate about her career and family. Just like in the movie, she is very dramatic and opinionated, but she's often taken more seriously in these AUs since her emotions won't literally cause windstorms.

Julieta Madrigal

Julieta's Gift can be represented in a variety of ways for a Modern AU. More often, she is portrayed as a chef or baker, but in some cases she is portrayed as a doctor or nurse who happens to also be a good cook. Julieta plays the role of the nurturing mom to Mirabel, Isabela, and Luisa just like in the movie. But in many cases, especially if she's a doctor, she might be busy and not as present in her daughters' lives as she would like to be. Sometime she struggles with work-life balance more than her sister Pepa would, and she's also less opinionated or ambitious about most things. However, Julieta still tries her best, and her daughters often try to help out and not give her any trouble.

Bruno Madrigal

Like in the film, Bruno is usually portrayed as the weird or estranged uncle from the family. But, since Modern AUs tend to lack magic, the reason for his estrangement has to be changed, and varies from author to author. Sometimes, his goals simply don't align with those of the wider family, and in some cases he might have done something that caused friction between him and the others. His canonical precognitive abilities are usually just represented by him having anxiety about the future, or just weirdly accurate intuition. Additionally, many fans like to portray him as a movie director, writer, or actor in Modern AUs, since he has a love for storytelling and dramatics (having him direct telanovelas is also a popular idea, especially in comedic or romcom-style stories). In more optimistic stories, Bruno is the kooky but still fun uncle who plays with his nieces and nephews in ways that other adults don't--such as pretend play, or something larger in scale such as D&D. Whether or not he still has pet rats is up to the specific writer.

Guy

Hiro Hamada

Violet Parr

Wilbur Robinson

Princess Elena

Princess Isabel

Tulip

Nate Gardner

Luca Paguro

Alberto Scorfano

Giulia Marcovaldo

Tom Kullersen

Jun Wong

D'Angelo Baker

Alexandra Gonzalez

Known Examples

Fanfiction

Mockup Art

Fanart

MMD Art

Cosplay

Videos

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