The 100: What If Universe (Summary)
Author's Note
Hi, my name is Throne. This is my first major fanfic, and I'm hoping it will last for a long time. Fingers crossed—and maybe send me a prayer—because I have no clue if I'll continue this story. For now, we'll see how it goes.
Here's what you need to know: this is an original story with a crossover into The 100 universe. Our main characters, Sam and Amy, are the protagonists, and they will be the primary focus throughout the story. Occasionally, we might explore other characters and their reactions to the changes I'll be making. However, always keep in mind that no matter what happens with other characters, or who lives or dies, Amy and Sam are the ones you should really focus on.
A quick warning: I follow my own plotline. I do what I want when I want. So, if I kill off a character you like, or one that you don't, that's just the way it is. Whether you give me bad comments or good ones, it won't change the fact that I'm going to write the story I want to write. All comments and reviews are welcome, even if they're critiques or just ramblings about grammar, spelling, capitalization, or story elements. Whatever your opinion is, I'd love to hear it.
Also, let me make this clear: I am not a professional author or writer, so any mistakes in the story are entirely mine. Additionally, fair warning: I am not the most politically correct person. This means I might say or imply something you might not agree with, and that's completely fine. If you don't like it, you can always choose to exit and look for a different story. It's your prerogative. If you continue to read the story and don't like it, I'm not changing it. So, too bad for you—or more like it sucks to be you.
Anyway, that's my summary. Continue if you want to; if not, I really couldn't care less. Have fun or don't. It's up to you. Bye.
- Break
Sam sat at his desk, surrounded by stacks of paperwork. The dull hum of the office was a familiar background noise, blending with the faint ticking of the clock on the wall. He was just about to dive into another stack of documents when a knock on the door interrupted him.
"Come in," Sam called out, his eyes still focused on the paper in front of him.
The door creaked open, and Anderson, one of Sam's coworkers, stepped in, holding a piece of paper. "Sam, could you take a look at this? There's something off, but I can't figure out what."
Sam finally looked up, taking the paper from Anderson. "Sure, give me a moment." He grabbed his magnifying glass, leaning in closely to examine the text. His eyes meticulously scanned each word, each punctuation mark. Thirty minutes passed in silence as Sam carefully identified the errors. He circled a couple of misspelled words, highlighted a few missing commas, and marked a period that had been overlooked.
"There," Sam said, handing the paper back to Anderson. "I've marked the corrections. Be sure to double-check these before submitting."
Anderson nodded, looking at the highlighted sections. "Thanks, Sam. You always catch these things."
"No problem," Sam replied, giving him a brief smile. "How's the family? Kids doing okay?"
Anderson chuckled. "Yeah, they're good. Busy, as usual. How about yours?"
"Everything's fine," Sam said, his tone even. He didn't dwell on the question, quickly steering the conversation back to work. "Anything else you need help with?"
"No, that's it for now. Thanks again, Sam," Anderson said as he left the office, closing the door behind him.
Sam leaned back in his chair, glancing at the clock. It was nearly time to go home. He gathered the remaining paperwork, neatly placing it into his briefcase. With a quick stretch, he stood up and made his way out of the office, stepping into the brisk evening air.
Brooklyn traffic was its usual beast, snarling and unforgiving. As Sam navigated through the maze of cars, he found himself lost in thought. The city was always bustling, alive with energy, yet there were moments like this when he felt oddly detached from it all. The honking horns and glaring headlights faded into the background as he considered the path his life had taken. Was this the life he had imagined for himself at 41? The thought lingered for just a moment before he pushed it aside, focusing on the road ahead.
After what felt like an eternity, Sam finally pulled into the driveway of his two-story American house. The white picket fence gleamed in the soft glow of the streetlights, and the lawn was perfectly manicured—just the way he liked it. He parked the car and stepped out, taking a moment to appreciate the quietness of the neighborhood.
"I'm home," Sam called out as he walked through the front door.
"Welcome back!" his wife's voice echoed from the kitchen.
He smiled, heading upstairs to his office. After changing into more comfortable clothes, he sat down at his desk, opening the leather-bound diary he kept there. He flipped through the pages, each one filled with neat, meticulous handwriting, recounting the details of his day.
Today was like every other day, he wrote. Work was steady, no major issues, just the usual. Anderson came by with a document that needed corrections—simple enough to fix. Sometimes I wonder if anyone else cares as much about these details as I do.
As he finished writing, a knock at the door interrupted his thoughts.
"Dad, you're late! It's our TV night, remember?" Amy stood in the doorway, arms crossed, her voice a mix of impatience and excitement.
Sam chuckled, closing the diary and leaning back in his chair. "I'm sorry, Amy. I got caught up at work." He stood, stretching his arms as he walked over to her. "Let's go; we don't want to miss it."
Amy rolled her eyes playfully, grabbing his hand and pulling him toward the living room. "You better not fall asleep during the episode like last time!" she teased.
Sam smiled, his heart warming at the sight of his daughter's enthusiasm. These moments with Amy were more than just TV nights—they were a rare escape from the daily grind, a chance to reconnect amidst the chaos of life. Watching her grow up, sharing these small but meaningful traditions, made all the long hours at work worth it. In these moments, everything else faded away.
"Amy, tell Dad again, what's happening in this part," he asked with a cheerful smile as he settled on the couch next to her, looking at the big 80-inch TV in front of them.
Amy moved the cursor and clicked on the last season of The 100, season seven.
"Dad, come on! I've told you a hundred times already; this is the finale of the series. This is when we find out if they all live or die," she replied, her tone a mix of exasperation and excitement as she settled on the couch beside him. She grabbed the remote and turned off the lights, and the TV screen flickered to life with the first episode of season seven.
"I'm sorry, honey. Don't be mad. I promise I'll pay attention this time." He put his hands together in front of her, giving her a pleading look, which made her laugh. Sam always knew how to make his daughter laugh. It's one of the things he loves most about being a father—seeing your children laugh and be happy is one of life's greatest blessings.
Amy turned to him, still chuckling, and said, "Okay, I'll forgive you this time, but you better not forget anything that happens in this episode. I will have questions later," she warned, trying to mimic her father's serious work demeanor. Sam nodded and gave her a thumbs up, impressed by her serious act. They both settled in and started watching the TV together.
Episode 1 - "From the Ashes We Rise":
As the opening credits rolled, Sam settled in, narrating playfully. "Ah, Sanctum. The place that promised so much, yet delivered chaos. Anomalies, factions, and here we are, diving back in."
Amy chuckled at her dad's mock-serious tone. "You always make it sound like a documentary, Dad."
"Well, it's gonna be a bumpy ride, kiddo," Sam replied with a grin.
They watched the episode together, Amy gripping a cushion as the tension built.
Episode 4 - "Hesperides":
Amy was getting more invested as the season progressed. When the group faced another deadly challenge, Sam could see the worry on her face.
"Don't worry, Amy. They've gotten through worse. Remember when they escaped the bunker?"
She nodded, but didn't seem convinced. "I just hope they all make it this time."
"Me too," Sam said, giving her a reassuring smile.
Episode 7 - "The Queen's Gambit":
By mid-season, the stakes were higher, and Amy was fully engrossed. When Clarke faced yet another impossible decision, Amy bit her lip.
"Why does it always have to be Clarke making these choices?" she muttered.
Sam leaned back, offering some perspective. "Because she's the leader. And leaders have to make the tough calls."
Amy sighed. "I just hope she makes the right one."
Episode 10 - "A Little Sacrifice":
When one of the fan-favorite characters made a heroic sacrifice, Amy gasped, her eyes wide with shock.
"No, not them!" she cried, her voice trembling.
Sam reached over, patting her hand. "Hey, remember, it's just a show. The actor's still around, and who knows? Maybe there's a twist waiting."
Amy nodded, but the tears in her eyes said it all. "I know, but it still hurts."
Episode 13 - "Blood Giant":
The twist with Bellamy shook Amy to her core. She jumped to her feet as the scene played out, her face pale with disbelief.
"Not Bellamy! Why, Clarke? Why?" She screamed at the TV, her voice filled with frustration.
Sam tried to console her, his voice soft. "It's tough, sweetheart, but remember, it's just fiction. Bob Morley, the guy who plays Bellamy, is still alive. Who knows, they might pull a 'resurrection' card on us."
Amy didn't respond, sinking back into the couch with a frown. "It's just not fair," she mumbled.
Episode 14 - "A Sort of Homecoming":
Gabriel's sacrifice brought the room to a heavy silence. Amy was quiet, her usual enthusiasm dimmed by the weight of the episode.
"Gabriel's sacrifice hits hard, doesn't it?" Sam said gently. "The weight of decisions, the sacrifices—these characters carry more baggage than a family on vacation."
Amy looked up at him, her eyes reflecting the sadness she felt. "I just wish they didn't have to sacrifice so much."
Sam nodded. "Me too, Amy. But sometimes, sacrifices are what make a story powerful."
Episode 15 - "The Dying of the Light":
As the tension built towards the finale, Sam tried to keep the mood light, even as the plot grew darker. "Emori's sacrifice, the imminent nuclear disaster—this show doesn't pull punches. But hey, at least our snacks are on point, right?"
Amy glared at him, her sharp eyes sending a shiver down his spine. "This is not the time for snacks!"
"I know, I know. Humor helps, though," he said in a low tone, trying not to antagonize her.
Amy huffed, but a small smile tugged at her lips.
Episode 16 - "The Last War":
The final episode had them both on the edge of their seats. Sam watched Amy closely, knowing how much this show meant to her.
"And now, the final showdown," he narrated softly. "Sheidheda out, but the Ascension takes everyone. Look at Clarke and the gang on that beach. It's like a cosmic beach party, just a bit lonelier."
As the scene on the beach unfolded, Amy's eyes filled with tears. She turned to her dad, her voice trembling. "Dad, this is so sad. They're all alone."
Sam glanced at the screen, a mix of sadness and frustration crossing his face. "I know, sweetheart. We've been through this before, remember Lexa? It really sucks; they're all alone on that beach, no future, no hope."
Amy's voice grew heavier with emotion as she continued, "Yeah, it's like a cruel fate given to prisoners. They can't even have kids or fall in love. It's like they're sentenced to a life without a future."
Sam sighed, nodding. "Damn, that's unfair. But at least they have each other, right?"
Amy wiped away a tear, trying to find a glimmer of hope in the narrative. "They're the only ones left, Dad. It's so lonely. But yeah, at least they have each other."
Sam smiled gently, his voice softening. "Yeah, you're right. At least they have their friends. But, Amy, it just makes me appreciate what we have more. You're my pride and joy. Without you, I don't know if life would be enjoyable."
Amy looked at her father, touched by his words. "Dad, you're my rock. I can't imagine a life without you either."
Afterward, they began reviewing the episodes they had skipped or stopped before. Amy frequently asked Sam to pause, wanting to catch every detail.
"Dad, stop! Go back a little," she said, her eyes fixed on the TV with intense focus, as if it held secrets waiting to be uncovered.
"What is it, sweetheart?" Sam asked, concerned. "Why are you staring at the TV like that?" He wondered what had caught her attention so strongly. The last time she got this intense, she nearly broke the TV by throwing the remote at it.
"Hey, sweetheart, remember—you're not allowed to break my TV again." Sam teased, trying to lighten the mood. Amy turned toward her dad, still deep in thought about what she had seen.
"Um, yeah... no."
"Wait, what did you say, Dad?" She looked at him in surprise, not fully processing what had just happened. Sam eyed her, trying to decide if she was pretending, but decided to give her the benefit of the doubt.
"I said, don't break my TV again."
"Oh, sorry, Dad. I didn't mean to scare you."
"No worries. Just remember, I love my TV. If you break it this time, I might shed a tear or two."
The episodes played out as before: Bellamy, Diyoza, Gabriel, Sheidheda, Russell, Emori, Nelson—all died. And in the final battle, those who were left alive transcended. It wasn't the ending we had hoped for.
"Amy, make sure to clean up the mess you made around the couch," Sam said as he slowly got up from the couch, stretched, and then walked towards his room.
"OK, Dad, no problem," Amy replied, watching him leave.
Sam's mind was chaotic, grappling with a lingering question: What if? Those two simple words seemed to weigh on him, as if he were meant to do something but didn't know what. The attachment he and his daughter had formed with the characters made their tragic fate feel especially unjust. Sam thought about his mother's words, her wisdom always guiding him when he needed answers. She would say, "Life is about the journey you walk through, not just the end."
But what if that journey was filled with nothing but suffering and loss? Sam couldn't accept that for people he had come to care about. There had to be a solution, a way to rewrite their fate.
His thoughts turned to the Ark's failing life support system, the catalyst for so much of their suffering.
Sam sat at his desk, staring at the monitor, trying to make sense of the problem. The Ark's life support system was failing, and unlike most challenges he'd faced, this one was beyond his capabilities. The show never really explained what went wrong with the life support system; it was merely a plot device to drive the characters toward desperation.
Now, Sam needed answers. He couldn't rely on the script's ambiguity. He had to figure it out himself.
He opened a new tab and googled "What do you need in a life support system?" The results appeared instantly: oxygen generation, carbon dioxide removal, pressure control, air circulation, and leak detection.
"Okay," Sam muttered to himself. "If I had to guess, it's one of these causing the problem."
He considered the tools, materials, and technical knowledge required to fix something like this. Sam knew he wasn't an engineer, but he could approach it like a puzzle—break it down into manageable pieces.
Sam leaned back in his chair, contemplating the situation from every angle. He needed to diagnose the issue before jumping to solutions.
"If it's an oxygen generation failure, the crew would suffocate. If it's carbon dioxide removal, they'd be poisoned by their own breath. Maybe it's a pressure control problem, or a breach that's causing air to escape…"
to be continued…