Is it possible there's going to be short stories to some of the skin lines? {+ Theories]
Mainly, I've been fascinated with all the animations and skins behind this alternate reality that possibly includes a lot of skin lines. Could it be an alternate future for Runeterra? I mean, I doubt it, but its definitely possible.
We've seen the Project cinematic. I actually have my doubts that its actually Ionia they're in due to how Ionia lives more at peace with nature and builds more spiritually. But, maybe after conflicts with Noxus and the inner turmoil is concluded, it's not far fetched that they contribute to scientific study and collaborate with Piltover for advancements with Hextech.
That's where my question ends, and the theories begin.
Read on if you'd like. it's going to get complicated.
(Many of this after is simply theorycrafting - if its that much of an issue, I'll repost it on Concepts & Creations.)
I'll peace together what I may think. I'll put a description of what I may think the post-modern regions seem like now. I'll also describe some of the skin lines as being able to fit into this alternate reality.
The main skin lines i feel would be in this due to easter eggs, time of release, and aesthetic. Just because something is similar, doesn't mean it actually would appear in the same reality as another skin.
The PROJECT initiative. - Mainly to counter the threats of the Battlecast and a spear of progress in a possible collaboration of figures across Runeterra. The Battlecast (the glorious evolution) - The rise of Viktor and his philosophy. The Omega Squad - (more of a underdog-esque grit-filled alternate future for the yordles?) The Mecha line - aesthetically similar. The Program line - came out at the same time of Mecha Zero Sion. Could be the less combat oriented logistics or support areas to assist the Mecha line.
Next is the less possible but somewhat similar skin lines. The Headhunters - Connected by the lil' trailer of the new Omega Squad skins. Could be possible, I'll try to fit them in. Either Steel Legion or Commando - Both possible paths of Demacia. Crimson Elite (bit of a stretch) (another possibility for demacia could possibly be the warden skins due to how similar they are to the current demacian aethetic. i doubt it though.) Marauders could be possible for Freljord or bandit groups, but I HIGHLY doubt it. Eternum - Small possiblity of how the voidborn or demons may be abused to solve wordly wars.
Situation 1
#1: The World Runes
It's no secret that the rune wars came and went, with the world changing forever. I'm not exactly sure how many world runes still exist, or if they keep appearing as 
finds them. But this could be one of the events that causes the rise of greater weapons.
Let's say gets there too late or somehow fail in his mission. World runes may fall into the trigger(or pommel)-happy hands of Noxus or Demacia. Spread across the land is fear of another Rune War and the idea of "mutual destruction" (ex. in real life: nuclear weapons of larger countries afraid to use them because they know other countries have them and don't want to get bombed themselves) ensues.
An actual war escalates, but both forces call on Zaun/Piltover to design weapons to be used against the enemy.
(hear me out on the two below, they're far-fetched but either one may be interchangeable - as they're the possible places of demacia during this alternate universe)
Piltover is able to supply the technology for a big enough sum to allow the first possible involvement of EITHER
Steel Legion - Displayed with a Lux and Garen skin. Looks like heavy armor that could possibly be indicative of advancement. it matches an evolving battlefield and cooperation with the extreme hextech of Piltover.
or the Commando skin line - Displayed via skins of Xin Zhao, Garen, Lux, Galio, and Jarvan. Less likely in my opinion. Possibly units deployed in some dense areas to disperse Noxian affairs for resources.
Shurima Shurima is scoured in search of Brackern to supply its demand for Hextech. One of two things could happen.
- Alternatives are discovered to the Brackern crystals, reducing the demand.
- Shurima's rise as Azir returns prevents Piltover from intervening.
I can't tell what would actually happen to piltover after Azir rises. If he actually does rise Shurima from the ashes, I doubt Piltover would be able to go in and basically murder sleeping Brackern. 
intervenes obviously. The news of where crystals come from spreads, from Piltover, down to Zaun, and down to a specific scorned inventor.
So begins the Battlecast. 
could go full machine (technically) and fully augments his form to seriously take up the Battlecast. I'd guess he'd find investors in either Noxus or Demacia to attack the opposing one.
Battlecast
Battlecast Alpha could've been the first, sought after and propositioned for safety for his race. On one condition. To join up with Viktor and augment Skarner's battle potential and harness Brackern wisdom.
Battlecast 
could be the second.
The rise of a powerful scorned Noxian headsman is heard, and his idealogy seems to match up with the goals of the Battlecast to some degree. He's propositioned by an envoy, or possibly attacked personally, and Urgot could possibly respect a gesture of strength before accepting Viktor's augmentation.
Urgot can be a mighty weapon to have and not just for strength alone. His followers would be easy targets and test subjects to augment for the Battlecast. With the extreme power, the Battlecast could rise and control Zaun due to how fast the chem barons are falling.
and 
could be very powerful adversaries when it comes to the rise of the Battlecast, but Warwick may either succeed or fail in dealing with the fully mechanized soldiers. (or, imagine if there was a Battlecast Warwick. HNNNNNNNNNGHHHHH.)
Elsewhere in Runeterra... The world seems to become stranger as the lines between the Void and Runeterra grow thinner. Voidborn are actively hunted down by splinter groups. Some are contractors that actually somehow capture them or convey messages.
is discovered before he finds Malzahar. The beastly void-puppy is given greater tools to devour everything. In flames.
is offered infinite knowledge if he were to integrate with technology. He becomes some infiltrator.
Appears somewhere, and he becomes the ultimate specimen to the project. (hence "Battlecast Prime"
And this.. is where Mecha comes in.
As some creatures or discovered or spotted, minds sometimes design large constructs after figures around runeterra. Possibly not connected to their real counterparts. But it may be the case with 
.
One large construct is designed after a figure found is various degrees across Runeterra, associated with war and victory. (Mecha 
)
One construct is either designed after, or a creature is propositioned with all it can hunt if it did it for a cause. It is given a new metal form. (Mecha )
One is an extremely large siege master, able to efficiently destroy the larger threats. (Mecha 
)
One may be a large construct possibly designed after 
or simply a construct that gets corrupted. (Mecha Zero )
Not really sure about the Program skins 
but its highly likely they're support, ground, and logistics aids for the Mecha constructs or just to be ground units. Possibly designed like the Battlecast but with a less brutal aesthetic.
Ionia With its deep connection to magic, if it gets its inner conflicts settled (possibly by outside sources), it could be a massive contributor to magical energy for use by Piltover and other buyers. This could lead, in extreme fashion and after many years, lead to the city we may see in PROJECT: OVERDRIVE But I have my doubts that its actually Ionia.
The PROJECT initiative could've started over the threats as The Glorious Evolution extends from beyond Zaun and Piltover. They rise because of the described goal of still keeping their humanity, yet augmenting flesh. They could have taken actual figures across runeterra to use as PROJECT members, unknown if willingly or not.
#2: War (what isssss it good for)
Instead of using the World Runes to stop eachother and Viktor's uprising, they begin to launch a war. Demacia, Noxus, and Post-Modern Ionia.
The Glorious Evolution continues, and some nations MAY use World Runes causing disasters. In the wilderness between battlegrounds, guerilla warfare is used. Piltover could possibly be taken over or in constant warfare with the Battlecast. The Freljord may be a safer area for a short duration due to how some Battlecast might not be able to traverse it due to freezing. Some, definitely not all due to the themes of fire and magic. (battle-cast)
Demacia may be in a good spot if the Battlecast are using more more magic than it seems, as most of Demacia uses Petricite and 
is a thing.
Parts of Piltover may be safe, but if Bandle City is actually accessible (and in a jungle or wild place as I predict) it may be taken over and forcing most of its defense to be in the surrounding jungles (hence: omega squad and its jungle/subterfuge themes)
Groups may become bandits and use tech and other guerilla tactics to survive and profit from warfare (this would be where the Headhunters would come in if they are in this universe (Possibly in league with 
and his people ).
The Omega Squad is formed by some of the most elite of the area and a few that want to stand against the strong opposition. The Battlecast may also be using toxins against organic opposition, and that is normally why the Omega squad could have a theme of gas masks and such.
Some members of the PROJECT initiative may start defecting and rebelling against others, maybe Battlecast sympathizers.
At the time of writing this, I start to realize how ridiculous it gets. I'll probably write something more cohesive in the future in Concepts & Creations.
Hope you've enjoyed reading the ravings of a madman, if you've even read. i'd like some replies/comments so i know someone read my ravings, but that's optional.
[TL;DR] war happens demacia commisions piltover for hextech shurima is scoured for more brackern life crystals conflict happens ionia and piltover do things noxus comissions zaun or something, i dont know battlecast rises mecha and program come from piltover to fight battlecast battlecast intensifies war happens ionia makes project initiative to fight battlecast omega squad happens guerilla warfare big war that's probably all, basically
that is all
uh
goodbye