CANON TIMELINES

The canon timeline is recorded through the art and writing centered on the primary story known as SNAP. However, there are multiple alternate timelines and spinoffs that are canon to this universe. Some may feature slightly in SNAP's story canon and function as what-ifs or AUs within a larger continuity family. Every instance listed here comes from the butterfly effect changes seeded in some part of this universe's pre-established lore, rather than an overhaul of what is or is not possible here.

SNAP’s universal stream is Sumahopu 1019.6 Gamma, and these are different branches within the larger Sumahopu cluster.

What is a universal stream? A universal stream is a sci fi in-universe classification of various continuities and the types of fiction they appear in. The G1 cartoon for example is Primax 984.17 Alpha, with the first part naming the G1 continuity, the second being the start date, and the third the term for an animated series. In this case, Sumahopu is a mashup of sunappu and mahou, in keeping with the anime theme.

Shattered Glass

  • Point of divergence: ~5 billion years ago
  • Intersection with canon storyline: [s4e03]

A negative polarity Vector Sigma chooses ambition instead of relationship, and everything spirals from there.

Poor Mech's Function

  • Point of divergence: ~2.5-4 billion years ago
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

The Guiding Hand are not around to guide anymore. Famines and natural disasters wrack Cybertron throughout history. When functionism rises, people grow ever more desperate.

Does The Dog Die, God Convoy?

  • Point of divergence: both mid canon storyline and billions of years ago in a paradox
  • Does not visibly intersect with canon storyline

An ancient hero loadbears every burden, and a jealous goddex intervenes. A friend is lost to the depths of history, spawning a lot of universal constants that affect even the primary universe.

Severed Hand

  • Point of divergence: ~3.5 billion years ago
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

There are a certain five amnesiacs wandering around. No one remembers their names.

Fifth Face of Darkness

  • Point of divergence: ~3.5 billion years ago
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

A key is stolen, a god is enslaved, and a third moon orbits Cybertron.

Our Trio's Down To Two

  • Point of divergence: during the main cast's childhoods
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Starscream, Skywarp, and Thundercracker are a close trine. In this timeline, that fact does not prevent them from being split up. Three variations depending on which sibling was separated.

Playing God

  • Point of divergence: prior to the JAAT opening
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Jhiaxus lives. The school he dreamed of becomes unnecessary when someone mysteriously recruits him. Nightracer gets a sword.

Swapsies: Greenlight Edition

  • Point of divergence: during the JAAT's application period
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Windblade elects not to become an interplanetary transfer student, and Greenlight never gets to go to Caminus. When the Autobots form, Orthia is among them.

Nothing Happens

  • Point of divergence: a few vorns prior to s1e01
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

The Jhiaxian Academy of Advanced Technology opens, and is never attacked. No disasters occur, no children get relics, no heroes rise up. The Academy has no librarian.

Worse Things Happen

  • Point of divergence: Nothing Happens timeline mid/post JAAT era
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Megatron is a candidate for empurata who learns that sometimes, violence is the answer. Orion is a simple dockworker given something amazing and horrible in equal measure as he’s expected to end this burgeoning uprising. Civil war is on the horizon.

Inheritance

  • Point of divergence: mid canon storyline
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Heroes die, and their families mourn. Dominus is the first to take up his fallen sibling’s relic.

Magnificent Useless Ones

  • Point of divergence: season 2
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

The Magnificence finds a new host. Red Alert finds bravery. The junkers find power, and the universe will be their feast.

Swapsies: Iacon Edition

  • Point of divergence: season 3
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Wreck-Gar becomes a DJD member.

High Class Thunderblast

  • Point of divergence: mid canon storyline
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

The reign of the new empress and her minions leads Cybertron to prosperity. No one ever sees Nightracer again.

Swapsies: Swerve Edition

  • Point of divergence: season 3-4
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Swerve becomes Soundwave instead of Rumble & Frenzy.

Tailgate Tries Again

  • Point of divergence: late season 4
  • Does not intersect with canon storyline

Tailgate watches his hero die, takes up his sword, and finds himself back in time on the first day of school with a magical relic in his hands.

Optimus X

  • Point of divergence: both mid canon storyline and post canon storyline in a paradox
  • Does not visibly intersect with canon storyline

A figure from Optimus’s future appears, terrifying and powerful and urging him to take up arms before it’s too late.