#ive never posted this sort of idea rambling thing before so please excuse the mess

[crybabyforhire]

Listening to Don Bluth’s Anastasia OST earlier and I can’t get a mdzs au out of my head so I’m just going to dump all my thoughts here.

and here’s a link to the movie’s wiki for reference but I recommend watching it! Don Bluth does amazing work and Anastasia has fun characters and a catch soundtrack!)

LWJ as Anastasia. WWX as Dimitri, of course. Could possibly be switched but WWX’s personality would help drive Dimitri’s goal in the beginning. BUT WWX would also make a good Anya/Anastasia and this one particular scene with WWX as Anya would be very good in my opinion but it would also be good the other way too there is potential!! both!! ways!!!

LWJ doesn’t have any memories before the past 10 years and now 18, has decided to go out and find answers. He only has the one clue: to go to Qinghe, The Unclean Realm. (The clue could be something like the music box and necklace in the film. Maybe a jade pendant or forehead ribbon?)

WWX needs money fast (maybe to help the remaining Wens, or specifically A-Yuan? Going this route it would make sense for WN to be his partner in crime; JC or NHS could be a fun partner too but I am partial to WN so I’m using him for this rambling). 

So WWX gets the bright idea to find a look-alike for the younger Lan brother, Lan Wangji of Gusu, who disappeared during a siege of Cloud Recesses 10 years ago. His brother, LXC (Lan Qiren could still be alive too but not as hopefully or something??), has kept onto hope all this time and has a hefty reward offered for anyone who can reunite him with his brother. 

If they find someone who resembles and act like him then maybe they could get away with it! Sure, they would feel bad about using someone’s grief to trick them but they are really desperate. 

WWX and WN host ‘tryouts’ to find the best look-alike. They go through a handful of auditions (Su She as one of them would be funny!!) but none of them make the cut. 

Somehow LWJ finds himself meeting WWX and WN and WWX is like ‘yes, this is it!!!’ and convinces LWJ to go to the Unclean Realm with them to meet LXC. 

The journey ensues and the closer they get to their destination the more a thought keeps bothering WWX. LWJ seems familiar-ish and has been acting and even answering questions eerily accurate for just a look-alike. 

They arrive and are met with NHS (almost put JGY here because there could be some good scheming and lies there but I didn’t want to figure out details). NMJ is still LXC sworn brother (and potential love interest?? I think its a sweet couple) and is actually the one who has helped LXC this whole time. 

NHS’s job is to screen anyone who comes forth with any information regarding the lost second jade. If they pass then LXC will see them. As NHS asks questions and LWJ answers one particular one triggers a memory for WWX.

 He’s a young boy on the night of the siege, servant to the Lan family, and helps a young LWJ escape before he can be found. The night is in chaos and they get separated, never able to introduce each other. But WWX remembers beautiful golden eyes, the same color as the man he’s been traveling with. And it clicks. 

They pass but 10 years is a long time and LXC has had his heart broken many times over with fakes and frauds. He’s tired. NHS arranges for them to an audience but LXC denies it. 

WWX and LWJ have a dispute, LWJ finding out the reasons why WWX is doing this and leaves, both heartbroken. 

Desperate to get LXC to meet with LWJ, WWX does something crazy to get his attention. He’s able to convince LXC with his now found memories of that night and whatever it was that gave LWJ his clue in the first place. 

LXC gives in and meets LWJ and it is a happy, tearful reunion. Later, LWJ learns that WWX did not take the reward. Cue LWJ going to find WWX. 

They get together, kiss, and its a happy ending! But LWJ doesn’t run off with WWX just yet. They stay, move the remaining Wens to Qinghe, and maybe start the plans to return to the Cloud Recesses? Or not, LXC could marry NMJ now that his brother is home and LWJ and WWX can come and go as they please (but they stay for awhile because A-Yuan and happy little family vibes).

There is the whole antagonist side, which could have a few options. The two I thought are obvious, Wen Ruohan or Jin Guangshin as Rasptuin (if it’s JGS then JGY could take the place of Bartok the Bat. A character that helps the villain but could still possibly get redemption? idk I love Bartok and I’d like to see JGY decide his father’s approval isn’t worth it and helps the good guys).