#'the airbenders from the other temples are arriving... ALL OF THEM'

[whentheynameyoujoy]

Not even 10 minutes into the first episode and the show already agrees with me that the way airbender extermination is set up in the cartoon makes no sense whatsoever.

Now gimme that ritual orgy and we're cool.

[suzukiblu]

this is a question that is not meant to come off as judgemental, and if it does i apologise and you don’t have to answer

for you, or anyone out there in the world if they see this,

What is the appeal of (the?) Omegaverse?

Ive never quite gotten it? And it might be the big bold orange, blue and white letters spelling out aroace, or being european, younger than most people who are knowledgeable about that particular genre of content (still 18+) and while I did get on the internet at 11, I didn’t start reading fanfic until 14-15

this is a long and rambly ask so I just want to clarify, this is a genuine question I would like an answer to, no matter how short and sweet, or long and convoluted it may be

It's all good, I don't mind getting questions! And, like, I've written a LOT of omegaverse, so it's a thoroughly relevant question to this blog, haha.

. . . and this definitely wound up long and convoluted. So like, yeah, we are SO gonna need a read-more here, friend. 😅

Obviously everyone's gonna have their own reasons for liking the genre, but as another (much older, I'm assuming) aroace, for me the appeal is the opportunity to use the tag "Fantasy Gender Roles". Like, there's other stuff there, def, but "Fantasy Gender Roles" is my favorite part. Omegaverse is a game where the rules are made-up and the points don't matter, and you can interpret and re-interpret the involved sexes and genders however the heck you wanna, and in fact are ENCOURAGED to. I also really like certain tropes that are common to the genre, like pack dynamics and breeding kink and having babies and feral behavior and courting/courting rituals, I just really enjoy playing with and reading about all of those.

Also, the worldbuilding. I get to do ✨GENDER-BASED WORLDBUILDING✨.

And obvi, like, some people are just into omegaverse for the kink/porn factor, which is totally fair, but personally I am here for ✨GENDER-BASED WORLDBUILDING✨. And then also the kink/porn. Generally speaking a recurring comment I've gotten from a lot of readers is "I literally hate omegaverse but I love yours", so a lot of my stuff is allegedly a decent jumping-on point for the genre if you're looking for that. Like, I'm not the only person who writes omegaverse the way I do, obviously, just I'm a pretty accessible one who's written a LOT of it.

( and in the event you DO want any jumping-on omegaverse recs from my stuff, I'mma just pop a few of them from various fandoms here. no DC-related ones 'cuz I don't have any of those currently on AO3, only scattered in my WIP tags, but hopefully something helpful will be in here. )

original fic

to the victor go the spoils - human omega OMC/dragon [ GENDER NOT FOUND ] OMC; 16.7k; explicit Fantasy AU. This one includes porn but honestly the heart of it is just one of those fairy tales where the protagonist is somehow both incredibly genre-savvy in their story and yet still a total fucking idiot about other people's feelings, and especially considering it's original fic, it is honestly one of the most popular things I've ever posted, hah.

The dragon arrived early in the morning, and by noon the entire village was in a panic in the town hall. No one in the village knew anything about dragons, aside from what they’d heard in fairy tales and stories, and the plans for dealing with it were about that level of sophisticated.

“We’re not sacrificing a virgin to the dragon,” Viktor said in exasperation.

“Well what would YOU do?!” the mayor demanded.

“I’m going to go talk to it,” Viktor said reasonably, and got up from his seat and went to do just that.

.

Avatar: The Last Airbender

does the pain feel better when I'm around? - beta!Sokka/omega!Zuko, beta!Sokka/beta!Suki, past alpha!Mai/omega!Zuko, polyamory; 3k; teen Societal dynamics-focused fic. Zuko goes into heat at the Western Air Temple immediately after the Boiling Rock happens and goes off to den down alone and stay out of everyone's way without realizing that the local betas are gonna lose their ever-lovin' MINDS about that.

“Cool,” he says. “You realize we’ve been looking for you for, like, two HOURS, right?”

“Why?” Zuko asks, sounding confused, which is kind of sad.

“Because the world is full of people who wanna kill you and you didn’t bother telling anyone where you were going?” Sokka says. “Obviously?”

“Oh.” Zuko falls silent. Sokka glances moonwards in supplication. Yue save him from dumb, dumb firebenders.

every act of communication is a miracle of translation - alpha!Mai/omega!Zuko; 5.7k; teen Post-series fic where Mai and Zuko are about to spend their first cycle together and they're both really awkward about working out how it should go. Not actually a sequel to "does the pain feel better when I'm around?", but you could definitely draw a relationship between 'em.

They leave the office, Mai pretending that all her senses aren’t full of Zuko’s warm, spicy scent, and he keeps looking worried. She wonders if it’s THIS he’s worried about, now that she’s thinking about it. They agreed they’d share their next cycles together, but again, they haven’t really talked about it.

They can talk about it now, Mai thinks.

Unfortunately, that means now they actually have to talk about it.

.

Overwatch

even if I do I don't, even if I could I won't - omega!Genji/beta!the-character-who-was-at-the-time-I-wrote-this-fic-known-as-McCree; 5.1k; explicit Blackwatch-era fic where Genji did not fill out his heat partner designation forms and "Fuck or Suffer Unspecified Health Consequences" is gonna make that a problem. Worldbuilding, assisted negotiation, a touch of workplace-influenced pack dynamics, and porn.

“Yeah, you’re hilarious, kid,” Gabe says. “Get back to work. And Shimada, call your heat partner and we’ll see you next week.”

Shimada’s shoulders tense. Gabe . . . pauses.

“Shimada,” he says slowly. “PLEASE tell me you have a heat partner on base.”

“I have a heat partner on base,” Shimada lies. Gabe and Jesse both stare at him, then Gabe calls up his file, takes one look at it, and starts cursing.

don't, don't, don't let's start (I've got a weak heart) - alpha!Genji/omega!the-character-who-was-at-the-time-I-wrote-this-fic-known-as-McCree; 17.3k; explicit Blackwatch-era fic about Genji and the character formerly known as McCree dealing with their complicated feelings about each other and also the cybernetics and trauma and physical disabilities that are fucking up their sex life, including ED.

“You busy?” he asks. Genji stares at him in bemusement, which is fair. Genji’s only ever busy when they’re on a mission or he’s in the middle of an upgrade. “Dumb question. My heat’s coming on, wanna do me a favor?”

“What favor?” Genji asks, still looking mystified. Jesse tries not to laugh at him.

“The obvious one,” he says meaningfully, tipping his hat back and raising his eyebrows at him. Genji looks no less mystified for a moment, then startles. “THERE we go."

.

Marvel Cinematic Universe

come hang (let's go out with a bang) - omega!Darcy Lewis/omega!Johnny Storm; 5k; teen Darcy almost dies again, tries to figure out which omega buys the courting gifts in an omega/omega relationship, and has her first date with a super-hot superhero.

“Was there traffic?” Jane asks.

“I have a date with Johnny Storm,” Darcy says.

“What?” Jane says.

“Oh, and I almost died again,” Darcy says, pulling out Jane’s papers for her. “But that’s kind of secondary.”

“WHAT?!”

pack up, don't stray (oh say say say) - alpha!Natasha + polyamory; 3.4k; teen Natasha collects a harem pack and Captain America is fucking difficult about it.

Natasha is an alpha on a mission, and that mission is simple and clear.

I said you're holding back, she said shut up and dance with me - alpha!Peggy/omega!Steve/omega!Bucky; 10.3k; mature Alternate timeline where Steve and Bucky don't "die" and they all run away from the States to get married and start a family. Illegal adoption and biokids and lowkey pack dynamics involving figuring out how to fold pups into their lives, oh my!! And also, they all get to dance.

“One alpha mating two omegas? Really, Steve?” Peggy asks, mouth quirking wryly. “What WOULD the newsreels say?”

“We’ll go to France,” Steve says. “No one will care in France.”

“I do love France,” she muses.

oh don't you dare hold back, just keep your eyes on me - alpha!Darcy/omega!Bucky, polyamory; 187.4k; explicit MY MAGNUM OPUS, MY WHITE WHALE, THE LITERAL REASON OMEGAVERSE TOOK OVER HALF MY BLOG FOR HALF MY STINT IN MCU FANDOM. I wanted a goddamn female alpha and I wanted that female alpha to be Darcy Lewis, and Bucky was my fave blorbo at the time so the inevitable happened. The inevitable happened for three and a half years and 187,430 words, to be more precise.

Darcy is thirty feet out of Stark-cum-Avengers Tower when she starts craving cinnamon rolls--the sticky-sweet iced-up old-fashioned kind, yummy and messy and dripping gooshy icing all over your mouth and hands and down your yuuuup, yup, that is a super, super fertile omega that she is smelling, holy SHIT is it ever.

“Jesus Christ,” she groans in frustration, then follows her alpha instincts (and, more easily and importantly, her NOSE) to go track them down. They’re in the middle of New York City; middle of the day or not, not checking on somebody who smells like THAT is, like, the ultimate dick move.

.

OKAY SELF THAT'S ENOUGH LINKS, WE MOVE ON NOW, haha.

I will also say, if you're interested in, like, gender-exploratory AU concepts, apiary genders might be more your thing and more easily accessible for you? It's a MUCH newer thing than omegaverse and really only has a few fics around, some of which are linked in the "inspired by" of that AO3 primer linked above, but the concept is a bit more strongly "hive"-based than a lot of omegaverse is "pack"-based, and also there's no physical differences from baseline. I've got a WIP or two going about apiary myself, actually, but I haven't gotten too far into them yet, alas. The only one I've posted anything from is this one Superbat one.

[zuko-always-lies]

Suyin Beifong is such a weird character narratively

In many ways, she's the weirdest character in ATLA or LoK in her place in the story, considering her actions and beliefs. Let's just walk through everything.

Suyin got herself involved in criminal activities and street gangs as a kid and helped rob stuff. Then she scarred Lin when Lin tried to arrest her for that. And the fallout from that is implied to have led to Toph retiring.

After that, Suyin was sent to live with her (extremely wealthy) grandparents. After a while, she left them and began traveling the world and trying out various things, including being part of a traveling circus, living in a sandbender commune, and joining the crew of a pirate ship. Note that pirates rob and kill people. Note also that Suyin seems to have felt just about zero remorse for any of the above, and expected and demanded that Lin forgive her for everything without getting an apology.

Eventually, Suyin had had enough of all the traveling and robbing and killing and circus performing, so she used her vast, vast family wealth and bought a plot of land to build her own city on.

Zaofu seems to be essentially a Beifong family dictatorship defined by Suyin's ideological beliefs. As far as I can tell, the guiding principles of the city are "progress," "modernity," harmony, order, and control. After all, as Suyin says "Thanks to Aiwei, there are no secrets in our city," and she evidentially likes that a lot. The degree to which Suyin values absolute control over her city can also be seen in how incredibly outraged she gets when Kuvira, Baatar Jr., and some other citizens decide to leave on their own initiative. Her anger at Aiwei's betrayal ("I want you to hunt down Aiwei and bring him back to me") also fits the same pattern. Interestingly, Kuvira always claims to have gotten 90% of her fascist ideology from Suyin and Zaofu, and I actually think she was telling the truth, that Zaofu was a city organized on proto-fascist principles and Kuvira merely applied its principles to the wider Earth Kingdom.

Now perhaps we should turn to Suyin's relationship with Kuvira, which always seems very odd to me. Suyin took Kuvira in when Kuvira was a young child and trained her and claims "Kuvira was like a daughter to me." Yet Suyin never seems to really treat Kuvira like a daughter when the two interact on screen, nor do Suyin's children seem to see Kuvira as a sister. Notably, when Suyin introduces her family to Korra, she doesn't include Kuvira, nor is Kuvira invited to the dinners with Team Avatar. It's all very weird.

Anyways, Korra first arrives at Zaofu, Suyin seems to expect her, the Avatar, to stay in Zaofu relatively permanently to personally tutor Opal in airbending. The idea that Korra has other important responsibilities which don't involve personally serving Suyin's interests doesn't seem to cross Suyin's mind. We also find that Suyin is sheltering Varrick and Zhu Li, awful, highly amoral criminals, from justice since they're useful. On the plus side, Suyin is willing to personally teach Korra and even Bolin metalbending. She even eventually offers an apology to Lin for her behavior when younger, an something which helps reconciles the siblings. Suyin even allows Opal to leave for the Northern Air Temple.

Then the Red Lotus attacks, Suyin helps drive them off, etc. Everyone realizes that the Red Lotus had inside help, Suyin uses Aiwei the lie detector to search for the traitor, it turns out Aiwei was the traitor, he flees, Suyin is suitably outraged, and so on. Then we get to something "interesting": Korra wants Team Avatar to go after Aiwei, Lin (correctly) points out that this is way too dangerous, and then Suyin lies to and deceives Lin to make her think Suyin agrees with her and go bed, before personally sending Team Avatar after Aiwei anyways, something which goes very poorly. Suyin and Lin have barely reconciled, and practically first thing Suyin does is lie to and manipulate her sister. And yeah, Lin is pretty pissed that Suyin "stabbed her in the back" next time they talk, but essentially the entire thing blows over with zero consequences for Suyin.

The next thing that Suyin really does in the narrative is lead Zaofu's security forces to help Korra, Team Avatar, Lin, and Tonraq take on the Red Lotus and rescue the airbenders. This is objectively a good thing, but it's also interesting, considering what we later learn about Suyin's isolationist beliefs. However, it's worth pointing out that Suyin had several personal motives for her actions here: Her daughter Opal is one of the airbending hostages, Lin her sister is evidentially going to be involved, and the Red Lotus had the temerity to attack Zaofu and Suyin is probably pretty pissed about that. Without these "ulterior" motives, I doubt Suyin would have been willing to get involved. Then Suyin helps everyone else defeat the Red Lotus, but doesn't really do anything too interesting as part of that. Cut to Book 4.

What Suyin mostly does through Book 4 is oppose Kuvira, but we still get some interesting material as part of that. We learn that Suyin was asked to help stabilize the Earth Kingdom between books, but she refused. Considering how the children she raised ended up handling things, it's very likely that Suyin would have ended up becoming a (bigger) fascist dictator, so Suyin's refusal is also probably a good thing, even though refusing to provide aid to a country in anarchy probably isn't the best thing.

Kuvira and Baatar Jr. disagree about this, and they leave for Ba Sing Se with "Varrick, my security force, and a few of Zaofu's wealthiest citizens." Suyin is so outraged she responds by declaring them (or at least Kuvira) exiles, forever banished from Zaofu. We also see the start of a couple tendencies which will reoccur in the season. These are Suyin blaming Kuvira for Baatar Jr.'s bad actions and Zaofu's citizens being pretty OK with Kuvira and her actions, while only the Beifong family hates her.

Next time we see Suyin, it's at Prince Wu's "coronation." Normally Suyin would absolutely despise a royal idiot like Wu, but she hates Kuvira so much that she's willing to join the other world leaders in imposing him on the Earth Kingdom (as a useful lackey?). After that doesn't work out, Suyin tries to convince Kuvira to step down, something which goes poorly.

A couple episodes later, Kuvira shows up with an army and demands Suyin surrender Zaofu, something that Suyin understandably is pissed about. Mutual recriminations result, Suyin again blames Kuvira for all the actions of her fascist dictator son, and so on. Korra tries to continue negotiations, but Suyin has already left to try to assassinate Kuvira in her sleep. That's maybe a reasonable reaction to what Kuvira is doing, but it's an odd way to treat someone who is "like a daughter" to you. There's also evidence that Suyin doesn't really get that people are legitimately loyal to Kuvira and legitimately believe in her ideology, or that Baatar Jr. agrees with Kuvira, is equally complicit in her policies, and would continue leading the Earth Empire in its conquests if she died. Anyways, Suyin's attempt fails, she ends up captured, and ultimately she's forced to watch Zaofu's citizenry bow to Kuvira and cheer her. Although there was still coercion involved, the fact that only the Beifong family refused to bow is still evidence that the "Metal Clan's" general population has a reasonably positive view of Kuvira and her ideology and the only reason the Beifongs don't is because they have a personal vendetta against her. After all, Kuvira's ideology derives from Zaofu.

After that, Suyin doesn't do too much, narratively. She escapes with her family from Kuvira and Baatar Jr.'s prison for them and she opposes Kuvira's attempt to conquer Republic City. Again, that's objectively a good thing, but Suyin opposing it also makes perfect sense given the depth of her vendetta against Kuvira. The only interesting thing is that Suyin instantly forgives her fascist dictator son and doesn't hold him the least bit accountable for his actions, while continuing to hate Kuvira after she apologizes. Again, more evidence that Suyin does not, in fact, view Kuvira as a part of the family.

Overall, Suyin is narratively very weird. Based on all that I've discussed above, it's clear that she's very much not a good person, nor is she particularly likeable. She basically runs a mini-fascist dictatorship, after all. Yet Suyin not only gets a massive amount of narrative attention (it seems like some of the writers really liked the idea of her and her family), but is always an ally of the protagonists and is never held truly accountable for her actions. Considering who she is as a person and her backstory, having her be an antagonist or villain would in many ways make more sense, but that's not the route they went.

TLoK was really into giving its antagonists half-assed redemption/quasi-redemption arcs (Tarrlok, Desna and Eska, Varrick, Zhu Li, Tahno, Zaheer, Hiroshi Sato, Baatar Jr., Kuvira), but Suyin doesn't really fit into this paradigm, since she was never an antagonist in the first place. The only characters across ATLA and TLoK who really remind me of her, in terms of being bad people who are never really called out by the narrative, are King Bumi, Varrick and Zhu Li, and Iroh.

Of these, King Bumi is a complete dick, but he's a much more minor character than Suyin and gets away with a lot due to being a "comedy" character.

Varrick is an absolutely awful person, but the narrative lets him avoid consequences for that since he's likeable and funny. Zhu Li really just tags along with his narrative.

Iroh is morally grey at best in the present and morally black in the past, but again the narrative avoids calling him out about it since he's funny and likeable and nice to the most audience sympathetic character, Zuko. The narrative even starts painting him as perfect and a saint after a certain point, something which continued in TLoK.

Suyin isn't like any of them. She's not a comedy character. She's not funny or likeable. And it's not like the narrative paints her as perfect, like it does for Iroh. She sometimes suffers the consequences of her actions, and I think she's supposed to come off as significantly flawed. On the other hand, the narrative never really calls out Suyin for any of her terrible behavior, bad actions, or general bullshit. She's never held truly accountable in any way for anything. It's all very odd.

[ghhoste]

Title: THE LOVE I HAVE FOR YOU IS STRONGER THAN THE BEATING HEART IN YOUR CHEST…

TW: dead (nothing graphic)

Zuko x reader

The creation of heartbenders comes from my brain, please, no plagiarism or ask before copying (put my name, I would love to read your fics talking about Avatar <3)

English is unfortunately not my mother tongue, sorry if mistakes are present in this fic!

Aang was the last airbender. He disappeared after learning that he was the next avatar. Completely reclusive from his old world. He did not know how to save the world. He could not have the courage to save the world from the destruction of the fire nation. But he remembered that he knew a family that could help him learn the power of the land. The Y/N family of the Earth nation.

-----------------------------

The group had just arrived in a temple of the nation of the Earth. It was rare for the people of this nation to accept strangers especially people who came from the fire nation. Zuko was uncomfortable but his uncle was even more so. He had been sent to this temple to destroy it in the early days of the war and the men of the fire nation had decided to remain in the vicinity of this temple. Iroh, Zuko’s uncle, had been sent to the land nation to capture and kill the heartbenders. For many, heartbenders were abominations of life and when he was younger, Iroh thought so too. But after the loss of his son, the rumors of the heartbender abomination had become untrue to him. He had seen the warmth and the angelism of the power of life, but the horrors committed by the nation of fire, could not be repaired. Indeed, the men of the earth nation from this temple had a secret: it had a different type of earth power. He had the power of life. He had the power to revive plants but also humans. Heartbenders had become increasingly scarce. Because of the war. But also the devastation done in this temple. The Y/N family, the most important family in this temple since this family had decided to protect the back of the different avatars that had been there for generations and generations. Aang knew a man named Yuan Y/N, the great-grandfather of the Y/N family. He had known the young avatar during his early years and Aang had decided to visit him so that heHere comes to help him master the power of the earth but with other than the basic ability, he wanted to learn the power of life and control the dead.

-----------------------------

Aang began to speak so that his friends would know what to know about this people. He was not like other people on earth. He remained reclusive to avoid war but also heartbender trafficking.

“Yuan was a child of the people of Kyoshi Temple. These people did not like strangers because the Y/N family was the last family of heartbenders.” He heard slight exclamations after saying this sentence, Aang smiled. Yes, the Y/N family was really great and he loved to have as a friend this frail boy yet so generous. “Heartbenders are increasingly lonely and Yuan was one. He could grow plants but also revive them. His power was one of the most beautiful, no one can make me say otherwise. I don’t even know how or why people are chasing them when their powers could bring peace to the land and allow us to get along with everyone on the land— But the heartbender hunt was declared shortly after I was promoted to my role as an air nation monk and I was no longer allowed to approach Yuan. We lost contact shortly after he had his twelfth birthday…I would like to know how he is now…”

“Aang, this man must be over 112 years now… And even more so if he was a heartbenders… These men and women were considered traitors among all the nations…. I’m sorry, Aang, but your friend has unfortunately passed away.” Katara looked at the young avatar and she saw the tears coming in her friend’s eyes.

“Hey… Whether he’s still alive or not, maybe he has grandchildren? Maybe he has a family that can help you?” Sokka looked at his friend trying to comfort him. "And even though he has no family, he is still here." The boy of the water nation pointed to the heart of the young avatar and he saw a slight smile appeared on the face of the air boy.

“Thank you Sokka, thank you so much for comforting me!” Aang sighed before turning his gaze to a mountain where a statue of Kyoshi could be seen from afar. "Here we are, friends!"

-----------------------------

The village was right in front of them. They had walked for long hours to reach this village hidden by a dense forest. The men and women of the nation of the earth knew how to hide in their element.

While Sokka was at the front of the group, a weapon dangerously approached his neck. He could not believe his eyes. He had not seen the weapon appear and fell to the ground. Katara approached his brother but he was forbidden to approach. Aang moved to avoid being seen, perhaps this village was with the fire nation.

Suddenly, a masked figure appeared in front of them. "What are you doing here? How did you find my village?" The man who spoke was slightly larger than Sokka and was much more muscular than him, he dominated them all.

Aang approached the man and began to speak. "My name is Aang. I am an airbender and I am also the avatar everyone was waiting for.” He was cut by an exclamation of the man who seemed septic. But who wouldn’t, the airbenders were all gone a hundred years ago now. “I came to see an old friend and his name is Yuan. That’s why I know the location of your village so precisely. We are not with the fire nation and we will never be.

“Well…” A voice was heard behind the masked man. “I didn’t expect to see the young boy who accompanied my father as a child again.” A woman stood and looked at the young avatar. His eyes looked like Yuan’s. Warm and full of joy. As if the war had not touched him.

“Mother…You had to stay in the village…” The masked boy took off his mask, revealing his face to the other people around him. He had a very beautiful face and his C/E eyes allowed to see all the horrors he had already seen.

“I know, my son! But…” The woman looked at her son and winked at him. The young man broke down on the spot.

"And do you know where she left?" The young man began to run towards the forest and disappeared quickly, so dense was the forest.

“I feel sorry for my son. He never liked it when people approached our village. War leaves irreparable scars for the men and women living on this land.” Aang’s group was completely charmed by the woman. "Oh, I didn’t introduce myself. My name is Y/M/N Y/N and the man you are looking for is my grandfather…and unfortunately he passed away over 50 years ago… He died for protecting our village…May his soul be at peace…” Aang felt his throat cut. He expected it a little, many of his friends had died but he felt more and more alone as time passed.

Katara, seeing that no one was answering the woman, decided to answer her. “Good morning, Madam… We wanted to find a heartbender-" The look on the woman’s face changed to show fear.

“Please…Don’t say this power too loud… The men of the fire nation may have followed you and if they know we are hiding heartbenders, they may kill us for treason…” Aang looked at the woman’s eyes and turned to where her boy had gone.

“One of your children is a heartbender?” Iroh watched the woman decompose. “We don’t want to harm your children… The young man needs someone to train him in this secret power of which your people are the last to know the characteristics of this power and thus form Aang.”

“My daughter is not here yet and the heartbenders were killed in one of the fire nation attacks…” The woman looked back at the group. “But we can wait for her, she will return as always. Let the feast begin for the return of the Avatar, our savior and our hope.”

-----------------------------

Zuko had decided not to participate in the party that had been organized for the arrival of the avatar. He did not feel comfortable with others and he did not want to participate in a feast with a people who had suffered death because of his nation. He saw people tired of this war, crying when one of the statues representing the soldiers of the nation of the earth became black which announced the death of the soldiers. His uncle had tried not to show himself too much. He felt pity for those men and women who lost family members because of his brother’s madness. The madness of his brother who had caused the death of thousands of people.

Zuko walked for long minutes when he heard two voices talking behind a tree. He recognized the boy who had faced Sokka, thinking he was a killer-archer. He was protecting the girl with Y/C/H hair who was with him and who never seemed to leave him.

The boy had just asked the girl beside him. Zuko hid behind a tree so that he could continue to listen to the conversation of the two young people of the nation of the earth.

“Well, one is the avatar, so it’s okay for mother to want him to stay here and learn a little bit more about the power of heartbenders…” The girl had just spoken and Zuko looked at the girl’s hand, whose flower magically appeared. He looked at the girl with incomprehension. The heartbenders had disappeared during the temple’s first attack, so how is it possible that a girl could have a power gone?

“Stop Y/N! I beg you to stop using this silly power. If someone finds out, they’ll throw you into a war you don’t need to be in. You don’t have to.” The boy had just pulled the flower out of the hands of the presumed Y/N. Zuko could not let go of his gaze of the girl.

“But N/A…My power is to protect people…I want to save…” Y/N started a sentence but stopped seeing his brother’s disappointed look. He never looked at her like that, and she knew that he only wanted her well. He wanted her to stay alive, he wanted to be crazy. He was selfish and N/B knew it. He prayed every day that the war would spare his younger sister. He wanted her never to have that stupid power. That cursed power.

The power of heartbenders was a power that many nations wanted to have. It allowed to control the life of the forests but also the life of the men who surrounded the heartbenders. Heartbenders could kill people who were around them but they could also heal serious wounds and revive people. This power was known to few but the leaders of the different nations knew that this power existed and that if they captured heartbenders, the war would end.

“Listen Y/N, I don’t want to lose you…” Suddenly, Zuko heard a cracked branch on his left side. He turned his head to the side but saw only flowers appear. He turned his face Y/N and Y/B but found no one. They had disappeared and Zuko did not know where he could have gone. As he decided to turn back, he felt a blade slipping on his neck. He turned his body to see his attacker and fell face to face with Y/B. The boy’s C/E eyes pierced his skull as the blade pressed harder and harder on his neck.

"Who are you and what are you doing here?" The boy of the earth retreated slightly when he saw light flames appear at the fingertips of the boy whom he kept under his blade. “You’re a spy of the fire nation…What are you doing here? Your people have already done enough harm to the temple of Kyoshi, my people have suffered because of yours…” The young man’s blade clung even stronger to his neck.

“I’m not with the fire nation… I ran away from my life to help the Avatar Aang, I’m with him, you can ask him if you don’t believe me.” Zuko looked at the boy and he found a resemblance to the girl who was with him, before they disappeared.

"Are you with Avatar Aang? I don’t believe you." Y/B looked away for a few seconds to cross the eyes of his sister, Y/N. But these few seconds of exchange allowed Zuko to defend himself and sent him slamming on one of the trees behind the two men. The tree sucked the young man from the ground as if to protect him from the impact and thus afford to have a plan to protect his sister. The main person protected was his younger sister and he could not afford to lose her. He could not lose another family member and most importantly, Y/N had to stay alive to rebuild the forests destroyed by the fire nation. Heartbenders were born to accomplish this mission and until it was not fulfilled, heartbenders could not rest in peace. They were reborn endlessly, until life was calm and peaceful again for the people remaining alive.

"Why don’t you believe me? I wouldn’t lie about something so serious." Zuko couldn’t understand, he didn’t know how to do it. And if no one believed him when he said he was no longer part of the fire nation. "I hate the fire nation as much as you do. I hate her from the bottom of my soul. I betrayed my homeland to help Avatar Aang as your family betrayed the nation of earth to help Avatar Kyoshi… Your family is no longer part of the nation of the earth, that’s why no one stays with you and people want to capture you more and more. They want to take your sister, Y/N, right?”

“DON’T TALK ABOUT MY SISTER! YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO TAKE HER NAME OUT OF YOUR MOUTH!” Zuko had just hit a nerve. He had touched the rope that held the power of Y/B’s earth in perfect constant. The powers of the earth were connected with the feelings of the person and sometimes, when the people of the nation of the earth lost control of their powers, accidents could happen because no one could make them go back in the right way. When an earthbender lost control, it was difficult to regain control of his men. The land began to crack under Zuko’s feet and the fire nation boy began to panic, he did not want this to happen. He was not to upset a member of another nation, especially the land. Their emotional instability was far too strong for anyone to beat.

“I’m sorry…Stop…” Zuko begged the young man because he seemed really about to kill him. Suddenly, C/H hair appeared before his eyes and he let go a slight smile.

“Y/B. Stop, you don’t have to fight in front of the Kyoshi statue. She’s going to get angry.” The girl approached her brother and touched his cheek. She turned to Zuko to see if he was okay. "Are you all right, son of the fire nation?"

“My name is Zuko and I prefer you to call me that…” Zuko lowered his head but fingers touched his chin to raise his head.

“Raise your head. The men of the fire nation are not all the same. Many men have deserted the ranks of this nation. You don’t have to lower your head, you’re a strong person.” Suddenly, a bell rang in the forest and Y/B reached out immediately.

«THE VILLAGE IS UNDER ATTACK!» Y/N had just screamed and Y/B looked at her sister, making her understand that she had to go somewhere else. "To my Gods, the temple is defenseless."

The girl began to run as the trees closed in her path so that no one could pass into her lair and kill the young heartbender.

"Follow my sister! Protect her at the risk of your life! I beg you, she is the hope of my village. When the war is over, it can help our nations rebuild nature, but if it dies before, the omens made by the gods will be more and more present… And it is not war that will kill us, but nature around us…” Y/B rushed in the opposite direction of his sister and he disappeared, absorbed by the earth, so he was an earthbender.

-----------------------------

Kyoshi’s temple was one of the most beautiful that Zuko had seen. The wood and the mother-of-pearl color complemented the other colors that were present on the temple. The sunset reflected, giving yellow and golden colors on all the towers.

He arrived in front of the wooden door, with different flowers on top and it was slightly open. He chuckled slightly, realizing that the girl was extremely naive, thinking that no one would know that no one would be there. He thought back to the fire nation, to his family that he expected to wait impatiently while the reality was quite different.

Zuko whispered this sentence calmly, but this simple action reverberated against the walls of the temple. The phrase he thought harmless was ultimately something extremely catastrophic but whatever this simple resource could allow Zuko and Y/N to possibly postpone the war in the temple.

"Oh my gods!" Zuko turned and heard an insult behind his back. "Zuko, didn’t you?" The young man nodded and the girl gave him a slight, proud smile. “You have to watch the temple door while I collect the urns from the men and women of my village. To survive, I have to plant them in the forest but I never had time to do it because of the men of the fire nation who were spying on my family… I’m sorry you’re the one who has to put up with me, usually it’s -". She was cut by hot lips on hers, preventing her from continuing her rambling. She felt Zuko’s lips twist to form a smile and her breath became more erratic.

But there was no time for kisses in this war. Zuko promised to kiss him even harder when this battle was over.

-----------------------------

Zuko was fighting the men of the fire nation. He was trying to prevent them from entering Kyoshi Temple. If they came back, he wouldn’t forgive himself. The young heartbender had asked her not to bring anyone into the temple until she had removed the ballot boxes of the various men and women who had died during the first attack on the village. But the men of the fire were more and more numerous and Zuko could no longer fight, the wounds and burns became more and more painful and he could no longer bear it.

Suddenly, as he was fighting, an arrow fell on the torso of the man who was going to impale him with his weapon. He turned his gaze like the enemy men who were surprised to see a man with bad points with serious injuries on his upper body. Injuries that should have killed him. How is it possible that someone could survive such serious injuries? But his answer was quickly answered when he saw Y/N, black smoke surrounding him and he could see the urns of the men open, making him quickly understand that she had just used her power.

"Y/N?" Zuko looked at the girl who was in trance. The powers of heartbenders were likened to bad spells or black magic. But when Zuko saw Y/N trying to protect him so hard, he felt his heart beat stronger. No one had ever defended him and he had always been alone. When he saw a girl, whom he considered weak at the base, showing his power to people who wanted to harm him, he could not feel so confident. His flames mounted on his arm and he approached the girl of the earth.

"Are you okay?" Zuko asked the girl who was looking at him with fear.

“Are you asking me if I’m okay when you’re literally dying on me? Are you serious? I don’t even know what to say so that…” She was cut off by the young man’s loud laugh. “Stop mocking me, Zuko…”

“No one has ever worried about me…I don’t even know what to say…I mean, thank you!” Zuko looked at the girl with a bright smile and in his eyes he saw the hope he had been waiting for years now. He no longer needed to return to the nation of fire, he could stay with that girl who had become his beacon of hope and life.

“Well… I’m glad I could give you back your courage… I don’t know how I did it, but you’re a big guy and you don’t have to think otherwise…” The girl leaned towards the young man but was interrupted by a fireball, touching her left cheek. She looked at the young man with disbelief, her cheeks becoming increasingly red. She stepped back and got up, embarrassed by his behavior.

-----------------------------

The last soldier of the fire fell to the ground, face down. Zuko had just killed him with his flames and his shoulders relaxed when he saw no one standing. No one standing?

His eyes turned from left to right and his heart fell into his chest when he saw the body of the girl he was supposed to protect. His lungs could no longer give him the breath he needed and a cry resounded in the forest where only he could hear his purpose. Tears running down her cheeks making her breathing increasingly complicated…

pt2?

[itslenagain]

My thoughts on episodes 1-3 of Netflix ATLA (SPOILERS):

1. Commander Zhao has middle-aged white guy manager energy. I feel like this man is about to lead me in a team-building exercise

2. Aang having his origin story changed irks me! He ran away impulsively in the original show and got stuck in the ice. In this version, he fully monologs to Appa about his fears, but then just leaves for a joyride and gets stuck. It takes away from the significance of Aang leaving in the first place. When Kyoshi berates him for running away, it doesn't feel right because in this version, he didn't really run - he just got stuck in the wrong place at the wrong time

3. The Zuko that stood on an iceberg during a full Moon and challenged Katara to battle would be absolutely enraged at the Zuko that ran from the conflict in Omashu

4. Also, the fact that Zuko has not mentioned honor yet? What the fuck?

5. Seriously, Commander Zhao has a LinkedIn. He's got great networking skills

6. I miss aggro Katara. This version is way more subdued (though we do get a sibling fight in episode 3) and somehow listening to Aang's weird circular philosophy helps her learn how to waterbend and I don't get it

7. Seeing Aang be joyful is a nice change from the movie that shall not be mentioned

8. If Gram-Gram putting the waterbending scroll in Katara's bag replaces the storyline where Katara says fuck cultural looting and steals one I will scream

9. It's interesting to see Azula so early in the story, but I'm bummed we missed out on the whole blackmail thing with her & Ty Lee

10. Do you think Commander Zhao pays his employees a fair wage? Do you think they have health insurance? 401k matching? Vacation time? Sick days? What kind of benefits does his company offer?

11. This version of Sokka is definitely not silly enough

12. I feel robbed that Aang got to transform into a magical girl but we didn't get a magical girl transformation sequence

13. Also, we were robbed of Sokka crossdressing as a Kyoshi warrior and they are so rude for that

14. The graphic murder of the Airbenders felt. Weird? Wrong? I don't think we needed to see that. The impact it had when Aang arrived at the temple to find all of them gone in the original show felt heavier than in this version. We saw what happened, we know they're all dead. As a kid watching ATLA the first time, I remember feeling hopeful for Aang that maybe he wasn't really the last one. We don't get to feel that with this version

15. They did not understand Uncle Iroh at all. His character is so weird. Maybe it gets better???

16. The pacing is weird but maybe that gets better too???

17. I have never related more than when Ozai just burned that Earth nation dude who was about to start monologing, please shut up in my presence

18. Apparently everywhere has names?? Who decided on these names?

19. As a lesbian I also get horny on main immediately for girls who could definitely kick my ass, Sokka was so real for that

20. Overall I think they lean into the idea that the audience for this show is primarily older than the audience for the original (they're not totally wrong!) but I worry about it losing some of the messaging along the way. Part of the beauty of the original ATLA show was tackling these big, complex issues in a way that both kids and adults could relate to and understand. Anyone who knows me knows I also love Bluey for this, along with a few other shows that do it well. Media like ATLA that tackles the ideas of colonization, genocide, war, and so many other important issues is crucial! I hope that these topics are handled just as well as they were in the original series.

Am I going to watch the whole thing? Probably, yeah. Will I enjoy it? I hope so! It's not terrible, but it's also hard to do a show that has so much nostalgia attached to it in a way that will please all viewers.

If you haven't watched it, I think it's worth a shot. Just don't expect it to be an exact retelling of the original story.

[yukaro353]

🦋[Metal Butterflies]🦋

"The actions we took had consequences, it was our duty to take them responsibly"

In a world where Korra escapes from the South Pole and upon arriving at the Air Temple she only meets Tenzin, who is being overwhelmed by his new role as minister, he cannot go with her to train her because he promised to take over that position.

Why? Well, her niece, Dawa, is about to give birth and she must take her leave from the council.

Korra manages to be accepted on the island and now she will learn there, and she can also find out more about her mysterious teacher, a seemingly solitary Tenzin who only surrounds himself with his acolytes... Although, when the sun rises, a young lady with a sullen expression appears out of nowhere and calls her teacher "father."

Where did it come from?

🦋

Hello! I've come up with a rather ambitious AU, sorry if the approach is so ambiguous, below you will have some visual support for two original characters that "influence a lot"

🌻Dawa🌻

I'm not going to be mysterious, playing connect the clues is Korra's job, not ours jsjsjs

Dawa is a 34-year-old airbender, a minister in Republic City, and the first granddaughter of Avatar Aang and the Beifong Clan.

She is a cheerful woman who is always looking for a way to help. She is going through her first pregnancy, so she has decided to distance herself from the council. Tenzin, being the good guy that he is, has offered to cover for her during her leave.

She has trouble seeing from a distance so she carries her glasses with her, Korra wouldn't meet her until the party that Tarrlok organizes.

She was fortunate enough to grow up with Aang, she learned her bending from him, she spent a lot of time at the Island Temple so she is also close to the acolytes and her uncle Tenzin.

Yes, she is Lin's daughter, and she had her when she was around 17, so her upbringing was the responsibility of the entire family (Katara, Aang, Tenzin, Suyin, etc.) a group effort to allow Lin to finish the police academy.

When Aang died Dawa was 18 years old, it was a pretty hard blow for her because she saw him as a father figure.

She spent years on pilgrimage as a form of therapy, not settling in Republic City again until he was about 28.

She often clashes with Lin, but they love each other quite a bit. She had a distant relationship with her father, Bumi, in her childhood, but they became quite close when she manifested her element.

She has problems relating to her siblings, and deeply fears that she won't be able to be a good mother, so she puts it off quite a bit.

🫀Yeshe🫀

She is the second daughter, she is 17 years old and unlike her sister she did not live with Aang, she was barely one year old when he died.

She is very similar to Lin, both physically and emotionally. She was born and raised in Republic City, primarily in Temple Island.

Although she is almost the same age as Korra, she doesn't meet her until she arrives on the island. Their close age allows them to make friends fairly quickly; she is more of a bawd than she seems.

She has a very bad relationship with Dawa, but it's even worse with Bumi, she doesn't even call him father and avoids hanging out with him at all costs. She's a mama's girl through and through, she wants to be Lin's pride at all costs, she knows she can't be "the world's favorite" because unlike her brothers she doesn't bend air and she's self-conscious about it, but at the same time she's the only one who can be seen as "Just a Beifong" and she clings to that title with her nails.

Lin was more present in her upbringing so they are closer, there is a conscious effort to not let Yeshe develop the same tendencies as Lin, but that's okay, Yeshe doesn't want to just "follow in her mother's footsteps", she wants to take care of her, so she will put on the uniform and stand up against crime.

When Yeshe was very little there was an attempt by Lin to separate herself from Bumi so he was not present in her daily life, that made Lin's work life difficult until Tenzin began to give support, Yeshe ended up seeing him as her father and refuses to take away that title.

Yeshe may not really remember it but both Aang and Toph were present for her birth and pampered her to bits.

Aang was more aware of the damage he had done to his children through favoritism and misinvested attention; he did not want his granddaughters to grow up under that umbrella.

After all, they were both his little princesses.

🦋

One child is missing! But little Tsarlis will have his own post.

This is a rewriting job too so I'll take some time between each post about it (As with everything, I'm very scattered, you know that)

And that's it, we'll go into more detail about this story, but if you're curious about something, you can ask (?)

Anyway, we'll be reading each other again~

[dont-blame-it-on-the-kids]

Legacy of Steel

Fancomic Draft: Ang 

its not complete and idk how its gonna look in tumblr text post but i have plotted out the entirety of the comic.

gonna be going through and adding dialogue and more details as i work on it

i wont be able to do any of the actual drawings but hopefully if i can get a detailed script then one day i'll be able to do the comic / find someone willing to work with me lmao

Synopsis:

With Republic City changing faster than ever, at almost 60 years old Chief Lin Beifong is ready to step down and find a worthy successor. But her plans are derailed when a series of violent attacks hit the city, carried out by a mysterious group using advanced spirit energy weapons. As Lin hunts down this new threat, she must navigate the delicate balance between her duty to the city, the weight of her history, and the search for someone to continue her legacy. But this final battle may demand more from her than she ever expected.

Examples of cover and Splash pages. 

Front Cover Art with Title  

Lin, Mako, Korra, and a shadowed/masked figure in foreground, the city behind them split between as it is now - behind Lin - and how it was when Lin was younger (in sepia) - behind the shadowed/masked figure - 

Legend of Korra Splash Page 

(credit: ruins of the empire part 1)

Page Turn

Intro Art 

Kya heaLing Lin they’re sitting on the couch in their home 

(credit: Toph Beifong’s MetalBending Academy)

All the Splash Pages use this cream and green theme

Legend of Korra Title page w/ credits 

(credit: ruins of the empire part 1)

Page Turn

Legend of Korra/Avatar the Last Airbender legal / copyright page

(credit: ruins of the empire part 1)

Cover art Clear Image 

Page Turn

Scenes:

Scene - Past ATI

Flashback to Lin and Tenzin training as children about 5 and 6 years old with grown up Aang,Sokka and Suki.

LP 1 Lin at 5 and Tenzin at 6 in the garden on Air Temple Island. They are sparring with each other Lin using her EarthBending Tenzin his AirBending. Aang stands as referee and coach. Few panels of action shots of the kids with Aang’s advice in quote bubbles for each kid. 

RP 1 Sokka comments on how Tenzin is digging his heels in and taking more of the earth stances while airbending while Lin took more of the air stances and flips while earthbending Suki comments that Lin got her element first so Tenzin tagged along to some of her training. 

Page Turn

 LP 2 shots of Lin and Tenzin being trained with Fans by Suki. Tenzin uses the fans to assist his airbending and knocks Lin over. 

RP 2 Sokka teaches Lin and Tenzin how to sword fight. He has a No Bending Rule after what happened with Suki’s lesson. 

Scene - Present day

Lin wakes up after a fight gone wrong with the new gang “I am married to a healer you know?” When mako insists on her getting checked out

Page Turn

LP 1 Present day we see a few injured officers sitting down waiting for the medical team to arrive to help the wounded. Mako has taken control of the scene helping the wounded and ordering those who can to document the scene and collect evidence. 

RP 1 Lin is down on the floor of the warehouse they got ambushed at, she wakes and moves to sit up, hand to her head. Mako is standing next to her upon seeing her starting to sit up. 

Mako: (worried) “You should sit and wait for medical Chief, you took a pretty hard hit just now.”

Lin: (dismissive) “I am married to a healer, you know?” 

Mako: “You sure you can make it home with that hit? This gang hits rough.” 

Lin: (muttering to herself) “They’re not stronger, I’m just slowing down.”  

Page Turn

LP 2 Lin: (getting to her feet) “Alright Team let's work on recovering what we can-” (see’s they’re already doing everything by the book.) 

Mako: “already on it Chief, the medical team is on the way and we’re collecting evidence that's headed to HQ now.” 

Lin: (directed at Mako) “Good work detective.” 

Scene - Later that Night

Lin at home in pajamas as Kya heals her and she complains about being too old for this.

RP 2  we see Lin and Kya II sitting on the couch in their home Lin is in a white tank top and green pajama pants sitting leaning forwards with her elbows on her thighs holding a mug of tea while Kya II is sitting on the couch next to her with her legs under her heaLing Lins injured shoulder. We see Kya II’s mug of tea on the coffee table in front of them and the matching top of Lin’s pajama set next to it. (SCAR HC GO CRAZY YESSS)

Lin (grumbLing): “I’m too old for this… I should’ve been done with these street fights years ago.”

Kya (teasing): “Too old, huh? Linny, You’ve been saying that for years, but somehow, you always end up right back in the thick of it.”

Lin: “This time, it feels different. I am getting too old for this, Kya. I’m slowing the team down.”

Page Turn

LP 2 Kya: (stopping the spot heaLing and moving to wrap her hands over Lin’s shoulder, leaning to kiss Lin's cheek.) “Maybe you just need to stop trying to carry the entire city alone.”

Lin: (contemplating as she pulls her pajama top on) “Yeah, maybe it’s time I start thinking about a replacement…”

RP 2 We have a final shot of Lin and Kya cuddLing on the couch listening to a radio show sipping their tea as they relax. 

Scene - Lin’s Office The Next Morning

Page Turn

  LP 1 we see Lin going over the investigation paperwork

RP 1 we see the retirement paperwork on her desk kinda buried and not filled out, She’s about to pick up the blank paperwork when she’s interrupted by an officer with reports on the gang activity 

Scene - On the Streets

Page Turn

Lin and mako with a team on the trail of the bad guys short fight

LP 1 we see Lin and mako assembLing a team of officers and raid the location. 

RP 1 There is a short fight and they end up arresting 2 or 3 of the goons. 

Goon 1 (smirking as he’s pinned): “You’re too late. We’ve got something bigger planned. You think Amon’s gloves were bad? We’ve got weapons that’ll make those look like toys.”

Scene - Past Metal 

Page Turn

LP 1 we see Lin at 7 years old metalbending training with Toph 

Scene - Present RCPD

RP 1 We return to the present and see Mako and another detective in an interrogation room with the captured Goon

Page Turn

LP 2 .  goon reveaLing the group The Echoes were once benders who feel the rcpd didnt handle amon and kuvira correctly  

Goon (laughing, cuffed to the table): “There’s an army out there, and they all want Republic City. You can’t stop it.” 

RP 2 Lin behind the glass observing the interrogation going over the evidence files. Goon just saying basic take over the city, you cant stop progress, the RCPD is useless comparing them to book 1 

Scene - The Next Night Mako’s Apartment

Page Turn

Lin and Kya having dinner with Mako and Rina with the twins - twins birthday. Kya loves being a Gran Gran and the twins call Lin Grammy Chief.

LP 1 we see Lin and Kya in civilian clothes sitting at the table in Mako’s home, his wife, Rina, sits next to him as two seven year old twins (a boy and a girl, San and Moriko) excitedly talk to Lin and Kya about their school and fire bending practice. 

Moriko: (excitedly as she stands beside the table to show off her stances) “Grammy Chief! I was moved into the advanced bending classes!”

Lin: (encouraging) “Good work Rookie, you’re almost old enough to join a junior team.” (glances at Mako for his opinion)

Mako: “We’ve been considering allowing her to sign up or not when the time comes. Still got some rough memories of that place.”  

RP 1 San: (Sitting next to Kya) “Gran Gran my teacher wants my painting project to go up on his wall with the previous best in class works!” 

Kya: (smiLing wide) “That's amazing San, it's a big honor indeed.” 

Rina: “He needs to keep his math grade up before we allow the painting to go on display.” 

San: (pouting) “I know mamma, I'm trying.” 

Page Turn

LP 2 once the kids are settled down Lin speaks with Mako about the past and possibly allowing Moriko to sign up for the jr league 

Scene - Past Probending Jr

RP 2 flashback we see Lin at 12 years old on the probending stage with her team behind her, shes a part of a junior probending league run by the schools as a sports activity. Her team The Flying Boars is up against the Lucking Lightning Strikes. 

Past Young Lin (grunting as she throws a powerful earthbending strike): “You’ll have to do better than that!”

Past Young Zolt (smirking, blocking the attack with a fire kick): “I’m just getting started, Beifong.��

Page Turn

LP 3 we see the fight ensue ending with Lin knocking zolt off the back of the platform and her team winning the match 

Scene - Present Mako’s Apartment 

RP 3 We end the scene with Mako agreeing to think about it and Lin and Kya bidding the family farewell as they leave for the night

Scene - RCPD the Next Afternoon

Page Turn

LP 1 another tip leads to a dead end Tenzin is in the office when Lin gets back

RP 1 Lin and Tenzin talk about her possibly retiring (Kya II wanted him to talk to her)

Scene - Past Lin’s Career

Page Turn

Flashback montage Lin’s first few years on the force, rising the ranks maybe 6-10 scene ideas from beat cop to getting her chief badge showing growth timeLine / present day Lin’s in her office looking over old news articles and her retirement paperwork - mako interrupts with a fresh lead

Big art Scene across both pages. We start off LP 1 Bookend with Full body 18 year old Lin in her first uniform standing at attention no scars placed floating over the edge of the enclosed scenes

(with in framed comic all blending into each other)

Top Left LP 18 yr - beat cop with mentor officer 

Bottom Left LP 20 yr - first arrest of bad guy 

Top Right LP 22 yr - scar care with Tenzin and katara 

Bottom Rright LP 30 yr - taking the role of chief 

Top Left RP 40 yr - her and saikhan arresting/fighting zolt 

Bottom Middle RP 50 yr - the swinging from and the winner is 

Top Right RP 54 yr - Lin in the city fighting Kuvira Mech 

RP 1 Bookend with Full body 58 year old Lin in her Chief uniform. Her arms are at her side and though she's standing tall still she is much older with scars

Scene - Present Lin’s Office, a few days later

Page Turn

LP 2 we see Lin present day in her office going over old Articles about her career, she appears to be cleaning out/organizing her desk with her retirement paperwork now filled out on the desk next to her. 

RP 2 Mako comes into the office with a fresh lead on the new gang location. We see him notice the retirement paperwork but decides to not mention anything right now. 

Lin: “You take the lead on this one Detective, I have business tonight. Think you can handle this one without me?” 

Mako: (nodding) “Yes Chief, can I take Korra and the team on the investigation?”

Lin: “If you feel they’re the right team for the job, don’t let BoLin and Korra destroy evidence. I want a full report in the morning.” 

Scene - Team Investigation 

Page Turn

Investigation decrepit buildings downtown with Korra and team this time find evidence of how they’re making their weapons

Scene - At Saikhan’s

Page Turn

Lin having dinner at Saikhans talking about her possible retirement and who could step up in her place. Saikhan mentions he’s already held that position and he’s more than happy to “leave it to the kids” and support a new chief Lin picks.

Saikhan: “I’ve held that position before. Trust me, I’m more than happy to leave it to the kids.” 

Lin: “Are you sure? There's time for you to think it over.”

Saikhan: “I’m sure, Lin. If it’s time, then it’s time for the next generation to take a shot at it. Maybe Mako would be good to step in, if you feel he’ll be ready.”

Page Turn

LP2 Lin and Akira talking about getting old Akira mentions her newest grandson

RP 2 Taiyo excitedly talking about the news he's been keeping up with cuz he wants to be chief one day

Scene - RCPD, a few days later 

Page Turn

LP 1 Lin frustrated at dead ends when they get a tip about a location

RP 1 officers raid the location

Page Turn

LP 2 Lin’s shocked she thought Zolt had been killed by Amon

RP 2 a fight ensues and Zolt and his gang escape with the powerful spirit energy weapons.

Scene - Past w/ Zolt 

Page Turn

LP 1 Flashback scenes on Lin and Zolt school bullying

RP 1 flashback butting heads as they rise in the ranks of cop and criminal

Scene - Present day Zolt and Gang 

Page Turn

LP 2 zolt and his team in the underground hub

RP 2 zolt preparing for the final stage

Scene - Lin’s Office a few days later

Page Turn

LP 1 Lin talks to Mako about her stepping down after the investigation into Zolt is over and him possibly taking over as chief. 

RP 1 Lin offers mako the position of Chief 

Page Turn

LP 2 Mako expresses that he couldn’t picture the RCPD without her and he wasn’t sure he was the right fit for Chief.

Mako: “I’m not sure Chief, this place won’t be the same without you in this position.”

Lin: “Mako, RCPD was standing long before I was Chief and It’ll keep standing long after I retire. I want you to think about taking up the position, I trust you’ll make the city proud.” 

RP 2 korra interrupts with a lead

Scene - The Echoes’ Base

Page Turn

LP 1 Tracking down the lead

RP 1 fight ensues when they find the main operation hub/warehouse

Page Turn

LP 2 fight goes south Zolt and the avatar team end up fighting on the street.

RP 2 Team on Zolt but his weapons are long range and deal a heavy energy blow

Page Turn

LP 3 Mako’s hurt, boLin is down, tanzin is on his way, Asami and Opal trying to figure out how to stop the spirit energy whip

RP 3 Lin uses her metal bending to protect korra from a harsh blow

Page Turn

LP 4 korra gets the opening to take zolt down. As Lin gets hit with the spirit lightning whip

RP 4 korra makes the arrest of Zolt, while Lin does down and doesn't get back up

Scene - Past, Amon

Page Turn

Flashback Lin in Amon’s holding cell beat up without her bending

LP 1 We see Lin in her white tank top and grey uniform pants in a dark cell, her armor discarded in the cell with her, clearly been injured (she's got a bruised eye, a bloody nose, her leg is sitting at an awkward angle at the knee) and she is in pain, she tries to bend her armor and it remains cold and unmoving on the floor 

RP 1 Amon steps into the cell. Lin tries to stab him with the knife from her armor. He bloodbends her before she can land the blow, 

Amon: (bloodbending Lin) “Defying me is pointless Chief Beifong. Tell me where the airbenders are.”  

Lin: (in pain) “I won’t let you hurt those kids.”

Amon: (intensifying the bloodhold to make Lin cry out) “And just how do you plan to stop me from this cell Chief Beifong?”

Amon: “Where are my airbenders?”

Scene - Present fight ends 

Page Turn

LP 1 fight being over mako and boLin are standing up,

RP 1 korra is trying to heal Lin whos not moving on the ground.

Page Turn

LP 2 Tenzin comes up joining the fight too late as officers arrest Zolt and his goons

RP 2 Korra desperately still trying to save Lin as the medical team comes up to the scene

Scene - a few days later Lin’s Funeral

Page Turn

LP 1 Kya II and Saikhan speaking at Lin's funeral

RP 1 Crowd Shot of the family, friends, and officers attending

Page Turn

Graveside everyone takes their turn to throw in the first handfuls of dirt

LP 2  Kya II, Bumi II and Suyin, Tenzin and kids, Korra and Asami

RP 2 - Mako, Rina and twins, Saikhan and Akira 

Scene - A few months later Mako’s ceremony

Page Turn

LP 1 Mako getting the Chief badge ceremony

RP 1 Crowd Shot of the family, friends, and officers attending

Scene - Team Avatar Talk, Avatar Park

Page Turn

LP team avatar talk

RP Full page img - Team Avatar standing at Lin's statue in avatar park

Page Turn

Splash Page Filler 

LP

Credits and Thanks

RP Lin’s statue at Avatar park but this time it's snowy and Tenzin and Saikhan stand looking up at the statue. 

Credits and thanks under artwork kinda like this  

(credit: Imbalance part 1)

Page Turn

Pg LP back of Last Page

Outro Art Page

LP Lin and Tenzin as kids training with Toph 

(credit: Toph Beifong’s MetalBending Academy)

Back cover Art / Summary 

Lin and the Avatar Team behind her kinda like the screenshot of the team celebrating and shes smirking in the foreground 

(credit: Toph Beifong’s MetalBending Academy)

NOTES: 

Set in 178 Ag, four years after show end

New Gang and Plan: 

The Echoes are a large group of people in RC who are UPSET because they had their element taken from them by Amon, or were displaced by the Vines, or displaced by Kuvira. Zolt and his gang have developed weapons inspired by both Amon’s gauntlets and Kuvira’s Mech. Using the Spirit Vines they can infuse weapons with spirit energy and use them as an additional hard shocking blow to already strong weapons. Zolt himself has Two Whips that work like longer, more flexible versions of Amon’s Lieutenant kali sticks. They pack about 60 times more punch too. The group's goal is to take over the city and destroy the current system they feel did not protect them. 

Characters and Ages:

Lin Beifong - 58

Kya II - 62

Saikhan - 55 (assumed)

Zolt - 59

Tenzin - 59

Korra - 25

Asami - 26

Mako - 26

BoLin - 24

Opal - 24 (assumed)

Pema - 43

Jinora - 18

Ikki - 15

Meelo - 13

Rohan - 8

Original Characters:

Mako’s family 

Rina - 28

San - 7

Moriko - 7

Saikhan’s Family 

Akira - 52

Rei - 32

Emi - 28

Eiko - 27

Haru - 23

Taiyo - 14

Links:

[risingsoleil]

Lin having to deal with the horniest man alive: tenzin.

Good thing she loves it. Day and night 😉

Since LED lights don't exist yet in Linzin's teen days, here's an alternative.

Red paper lanterns illuminating young Linzin's room at one of the air temples.

Since his parents aren't with him at the temples, it's only him and Lin. They've been fucking nonstop since they arrived. The abbott is partially pleased bc this could mean new airbenders! And what an honor if they were conceived at this temple, and not the others.

Tenzin has been pushing Lin against the wall, pulling the acolyte robes off her shoulders and kissing any skin he can reach. Lin lit up the room with only red lanterns, and the ambiance has forced his dominant side to come out every single night.

Lin moaning into the room, her hair sprawled partially along the wall. her head is tossed back, while Tenzin sucks on her neck and holds her thigh near his hips. He's thrusting into her slow, but deep.

Their movements eventually loosen her robes and they slide down her arms and expose her breasts to Master Tenzin.

When it feels too uncomfortable, Tenzin lifts her, cock still deep in her. He places her on the bed, ripping the robes off of her. Lin's skin is glowing from the red light. Tenzin kisses between her breasts, sucking on both before tracing his tongue along her skin.

His hands slide up to hers and their fingers interlace as his hips curl like a wave. Their lips meeting in perfect harmony of his thrusts. Toned legs wrap around his hips, pushing him deeper into her. Pearly teeth bite down on his swollen lips.

Their moans mingle together as easily as the fluids connecting them together.

Lin gasps into him, toes curling as she feels pleasure rising in her core.

Tenzin studies her intently as he fucks an orgasm into her and appreciates the rich tone of her voice when he sends her to heaven. As it settles down, he pulls her into his lap and keeps going until she reaches another orgasm.

Lin doesnt know how many times he's made her cum until he finally cums inside her.

The red light makes it difficult to find the fresh scratches she's given him on his back. But it's so easy to fall asleep after spending hours satisfying a carnal hunger that only they share together.

-----------------

Tenzin opens the window slightly to allow the orange-red light to melt on Lin's naked skin.

The sunrise is always beautiful. but it's even more beautiful when it paints its colors on Lin's naked body.

Her creamy complexion is still so flawless. He must sign her body with his lips. And cum.

He seduces her body with tender massages and a few drops of jasmine oil to fill her senses.

Their bodies are still so young and it doesn't take long for Lin to be ready for him again. This time, she's pressed on her stomach and Tenzin is taking her from behind.

She's not as loud as last night. But that's alright.

Tenzin doesn't mind having his own private concert at sunrise.

---------------------

There must be something with the water at this temple because both Lin and Tenzin have been insatiable for each other.

Fucking in broad daylight in the gardens, or on the hiking trail.

They even found a private waterfall where they fucked beneath the water.

Their personal activities have alarmed the abbott and several acolytes. Lin has hardly stepped outside her room, unless she's with Tenzin. She's feeling sensitive from all the pounding Tenzin's been giving her. They've enjoyed their meals in their room. Tenzin sometimes brings her fruit.

"Master Tenzin...though the air temples will always be a home for you. We ask that you be a little considerate for the acolytes."

"But we might have a child. I'm just doing what makes Lin most comfortable so we can make that dream come true."

As soon as Tenzin returns to his room, lin is waiting for him. On the bed. Naked. Touching her clit. Moaning his name while looking at him directly in the eyes.

His robes fall to the floor immediately.

They are a perfect match for each other.

--------

Good for You x One of Your Girls is the perfect song for them to fuck with red lights. They can have LED lights in Modern AU. If they film porn, they can have lights to set the mood

[pod-together]

Pod-Together Day 8 Reveals 2024

A gradual decline into disorder [text, audio] (Criminal Minds (US TV), Inception (2010)) written by asuralucier, performed by peasina Summary: Whenever Reid has a near-death experience, his older brother shows up to cook him dinner, and they don’t talk about it. (After the events of “Entropy”, Reid receives a visitor.)

sing this one song (to the world) (陈情令 | The Untamed (TV), 魔道祖师 - 墨香铜臭 | Módào Zǔshī - Mòxiāng Tóngxiù) written by coffee_and_cardamom, performed by Gavilan Summary: There is a curse sitting in Lán Wàngjī’s bones, and a flute in her ears.

A hymn to a mother scorned (Ancient Greek Religion & Lore) written by GwenAChan, performed by hiddendruid, itallcomesbacktoandreil, BubblesKat, and mahons_ondine Summary: This is a familiar story, told in an even more familiar world. The story of a girl torn from her mother’s arms, and how that woman turned her fury to the world. A hymn to Demeter, through a new lens.

world with purple skies (mulberry down!! - Nicole Kornher-Stace) written by Koschei_B and Rosemarycat5, performed by Koschei_B and Rosemarycat5 Summary: Scenes from the Exiled One and the Other from the dream world with purple skies musing on temporary death and strange yet accommodating worlds.

Now you are in my Power, to Slay or Spare as I will! (Merlin (TV)) written by mdzjodrt, performed by Penndragon27 Summary: Canon divergent from s02e03 where Merlin decides to admit to Morgana that she does have magic and he reveals his magic to her along with Gwen and Arthur finding out as well.

you are the one (I have been waiting for) [text, audio] (9-1-1 (TV)) written by OfTheDirewolves, performed by Matriaya

keep the earth below my feet (for all my sweat, my blood runs weak) (Good Omens (TV)) written by shadoweddepths, performed by elle_dubs Summary: “A-Aziraphale,” Crowley stutters, a bit helplessly. He looks – lost. Like he doesn’t know what to do, or say, or think. So Aziraphale makes the decision. He steps forward, reaches out with his hands. Places them both on Crowley’s shoulders before he can step back again. Underneath his touch, the demon freezes. He’s so still, so unmoving, that Aziraphale is certain he’s even stopped breathing again. Has he gotten it wrong? He was so sure, after what happened at the wedding – but Crowley is frozen beneath his touch, and Aziraphale doesn’t know what to do. But then – it’s like a dam breaking. Like it’s too much, all at once. Crowley crumples forward. Collapses into Aziraphale’s arms, all the strength gone out of his limbs. His arms end up slung across Aziraphale’s shoulders, hands locked together behind Aziraphale’s head. There’s no – he doesn’t make a sound, but the raw agony on his face, the sheer openness of it, says more than words ever could. “I’ve got you,” Aziraphale says, now sounding a bit helpless himself. “You’re alright, Crowley.” (When Crowley returns from his laudanum-induced trip to Hell, Aziraphale helps pick up the pieces.)

After the Crash [text, audio] (Avatar: The Last Airbender (Cartoon 2005)) written by shadowsong26, performed by mangotart_reads Summary: When a small disaster hits the Lower Ring, it brings someone unexpected back into Zuko’s life.

The Fic/Pod at the End of the Universe (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Radio)) written by SweetPollyOliver, performed by semperfiona, 42donotpanic, elle_dubs, SweetPollyOliver, KitKaos, pezzax, and wilfriede0815 Summary: In which our heroes arrive at an alien world who are quite convinced that Arthur Dent is the fabled saviour of their homeworld and Arthur is very embarrassed about how many towels Ford is stealing from the temple they're being accomodated in, in addition to all the general adulation being heaped on his head.

While the tide is low (One Piece (Anime & Manga)) written by Whalen, performed by Cricketbones Summary: There was a strange tightness in her chest when Vivi’s eyes fell on her in the almost-darkness, with the smell of her home around her and the sky melting into the sea. It was all too easy to imagine they were sitting among different trees on an island so very far away. Maybe that’s what led her to keep talking past the pleasantries. Maybe that’s why she told her about her mom and her sister and an old man she never called dad but wished she had.

[jaethecreator]

ATLA SKZ AU

pairings: minsung (forbidden lovers) hyunlix (lix fell first, hyun fell harder) binchan (rivals to lovers) seungin (childhood friends to lovers) avatar: felix (originally a waterbender) felix learns the bending of elements in this order: water, air, water again (healing), earth, fire the order felix meets the members in: seungmin and jeongin, han, chan and changbin, hyunjin and minho

airbenders: jeongin and seungmin

jeongin and seungmin were trained as monks together and are always together. they love to pull pranks on the higher ups with their airbending, and their flying air bison is def named pocchako, i dont make the rules! seungmin and jeongin both have their marks, but sadly their air temple is attacked during one of their sparring sessions and they're forced to relocate to the closest air temple. on their way, they run into felix and decide to aid him on his journey to master all of the elements instead of relocating. felix then learns airbending from them.

earthbenders: changbin and chan

changbin and chan are both earthbenders, but chan has experience with metalbending and sandbending as well. they're both generals in the earth kingdom and like to show off to each other. one day on a patrol, changbin's unit is attacked by firebenders. chan receives the distress call and leaves his post to make sure he's okay and to provide aid. however, the firebenders attacking changbin's unit were a distraction. after chan leaves his post, the earth kingdom is infiltrated. when chan arrives to changbin's unit, he sees changbin is the only one left alive. both injured, they return to the kingdom and realize they'd fallen for the fire nation's tricks. the earth kingdom deems them traitors, and banishes them. after felix has learned airbending from jeongin and seungmin and how to heal with his waterbending from han, the four of them on their way to the earth kingdom discover injured changbin and chan. they set up camp nearby the kingdom so that felix and han can nurse both generals back to health. changbin ended up with burns on his wrists, so chan bends a pair of metal braces for him to wear.

waterbenders: han and felix (prior to learning hes the avatar)

han and felix are pen pals from the northern and southern water tribe. they used to send letters to each other all the time, complaining about orders and the fire kingdom. when felix learned he was the avatar, he was whisked away to begin training, and han had no clue. felix's last letter was supposed to be sent to inform han, but the elders of the southern water tribe intercepted his letter and destroyed it, believing that hiding felix's identity and status as the avatar would help him keep a clearer mind to focus on his training.

han's waterbending is more healing focused, as he learned more with the women than the men of his tribe because they didnt believe him to be a good fighter. felix was a gifted martial artist at a young age, and so his waterbending was more combat focused than healing. later on when felix, seungmin, and jeongin visit the northern water tribe, they meet han for the first time (although han is pissed bc he thought felix died to the fire nation and mourned his death). reluctantly, han teaches felix how to use his waterbending for healing. han ended up learning bloodbending like katara at some point before felix arrives bc they manipulated his fear of the fire nation/his fear of felix's "death" against him and made him believe he needed to learn it, but remembering that time brings him great anxiety so he swears to never use it unless there's no other choice. after felix defends the northern water tribe in the avatar state (very badly because he cant control it yet) han decides to join felix, seungmin, and jeongin, because the tribe believes felix needs to be kept in check during his journey.

firebenders:

hyunjin and minho

def getting azula and zuko vibes from them. hyunjin is the younger brother and more of a show off, but minho is the older and more powerful sibling. hyunjin works as a dancer in the circus (like ty lee) because the firelord doesnt expect anything from him (;C) meanwhile minho is the firelord's apprentice and is forced to carry his bidding and prove himself time and time again. he wishes to join his brother in the circus and dance freely with his fire, but his fire is forced to be a weapon. on the way to the firenation, felix and his gaang (see what i did there) seungmin, jeongin, han, changbin, and chan, end up attending the travelling circus, which hyunjin is a part of. felix ends up falling in love with hyunjin's dance and talent, and decides he wants to learn firebending from him. however, before he can get to hyunjin after the circus performances end, hyunjin is kidnapped by a group of rebels against the firenation. they learned of his true identity as the second son of the firelord, and aim to ransom him so that the firelord will end the war. when the firelord hears of this, he cares very little about hyunjin's life. minho, however, burns with anger and defies his father's wishes in order to go save his brother. while minho travels to the location the rebels sent, felix and his gaang are also on the hunt for hyunjin. changbin and chan are EXTREMELY against it, especially after their traumatic experiences with the fire nation. han is also deeply against it, and starts having more nightmares about bloodbending and having to use it to protect felix and the others. however, seungmin and jeongin explain the teachings they received from the monks, and that a single bender is not at the faults of his nation, nor his family. reluctantly, changbin and chan give in. as the oldest, they still worry greatly about the entire group and are on high alert the whole time. meanwhile, han continues to struggle mentally. at some point, he leaves their camp and goes far away to practice his bending to clear his mind. unknowingly, minho watches from afar, mesmerized with the beauty of han's bending a while, before it starts to remind him of the beauty in hyunjin's dancing. he misses his brother, and he misses home, even if he hates their father. han ends up noticing minho first and starts freaking out, not even able to scream because hes in so much terror. minho ends up standing at a safe distance and calming him down, before being honest and introducing himself while sharing his intentions. after learning that minho just wants to save his brother and doesnt believe in continuing the war, han calms down and explains he and the gaang's intentions as well. after realizing the avatar himself AND his group of exceptional benders wants to save his brother, even though hes the second son of the firelord, minho is deeply moved. he pledges to aid them, but when han and minho return to camp, everyone is gone. realizing the rebels must've found their camp, minho and han follow their tracks to go and save everyone. OK IF ANYONE ACTUALLY LIKES THIS SHIT I MIGHT CONTINUE BECAUSE I HAVE LOTS OF IDEAS AHAHAHAHAH

[soulc-hilde]

Operation: Rescue

Pairing: Sokka x OFC

Synopsis: Sent off from her homeland to fulfill her duty, a young waterbender sails for the Southern Air Temple to mentor the Avatar. Forced to abandon her people as Aang was to abandon his childhood, the two runaway into the night. 100 years later, the two awaken in an iceberg, ignorant to the time that has passed.

Divider by @wrathofrats

Ch. 1 | Ch. 2 | Ch. 3 | Ch. 4 | Ch. 5 |

"This waterskin will make an excellent gift for my father, a remnant of the last Avatar," Prince Zuko examines the leather pouch. The traditional markings glisten under the sun.

Lowering his arm, the boy looks at the girl with a glare, "I suppose you wouldn't know a thing or two about fathers; with the men of your tribe losing the war."

"You like to hear yourself talk, don't you?" Ikkara rolls her eyes. The Prince grits his teeth, pale face burning with anger. "Take the Avatar to the prison hold," he orders.

The soldiers push her forward, marching like zombies. As they leave, the teen tosses the waterskin to his uncle. "Take this to my quarters," he simply states before walking over to the telescope.

The former general splices a glance from the pouch to the remaining soldiers. "Hey, uh," Iroh trails, "you mind taking this to his quarters for me?" Rather than waiting for a reply, he shoves it into the other man's chest and walks off to his own chambers.

While guided to the prison hold, Ikkara put her mind to work. If she was an airbender, she could've easily been out of here by now. Desperately trying to feel for the smallest drop of water, her eyes widen at the familiar tug. Gloved fingers wiggling, she could feel the water that rushed through the body of her captives.

Blood, she gasps. It may be wrong of me, but I have to survive. I need to get back to Aang.

"You know," she speaks, voice taunting, "I may not be an airbender, but waterbending can be just as useful in moments like this. I bet I can take you both with my hands tied behind my back."

The guard in front of her hisses, "silence." The metal helmet adds a dramatic echo to his words. Arriving to the cell door, the guard grabs the key. Just as he inserts the head into the lock, Ikkara swallows nervously. For Aang, she thinks.

Taking a deep breath, her eyes glare at the man's back. She watches as his body turns stiff, joints cracking as they twist and shift irregularly. Focusing the majority of her weight onto her legs, she jerks her clenched fists downwards. The soldier behind her becomes tense, his body contorting disgustingly.

"What, uh," one of them grunts in pain. "What's, eh, happening? How... How are you doing, this? Ugh!"

A smirk stetches across the young girl's face. She shrugs, "secrets are to be kept. Not told." Tilting her head, the two slam against the wall, falling into a pile.

Happily, she runs for the deck. Charging for the door, she lowers her head and uses her shoulders to burst through the steel. Running through the hall, a guard emerges from behind. "The Avatar escaped," he shouts to other guard.

Rather than giving them her time, Ikkara focuses on trying not to lose track of where she is. Making a sharp right, a few soldiers stand ready. Scrunching her face, she presses her right foot against the wall and leaps across to other, bouncing off of her left foot.

Backflipping over the men's heads, she slices the rope bindings around her wrists before jumping into the next corridor where a soldier stands, hands lit. In the same second he punches a blast of fire, she slides between his legs. Standing to her feet, she thrusts a flat palm against the middle of his spine, forcing him forward.

Leaving undefeated, she continues her run, nearly ignoring the opened chambers. Propped on a small table, her waterskin sits in all of its glory. Ikkara could feel the water sloshing inside as she steps toward it.

"Finally," she breaths, snatching it off the mantle.

Behind her, Zuko slams the door, amber eyes furious. He locks the door, cornering the teen. "Looks like I underestimated you," he seethes.

"You're not the first," Ikkara shrugs. With a grunt, the prince sents a blast to separate the girl from the water. Quickly, she rolls under the flames and between his legs.

Appearing behind him, she jabs the tips of her fingers in between his shoulder blades. Gifted control over his movements, she shifted whenever he did, using his body as her personal shield. With her left hand, she winds it backwards as an arch of water draws around the fist, hardening into ice.

Zuko's eyes widen as the harsh punch replaces her pointed fingers, sending his body into the steel walls of his bedroom chest first. His face twitching with pain, he goes to unleash a whip of flames. As he turns to face her, his body comes to an abrupt halt. Frantic eyes widen, noting that the girl retrieved her waterskin.

However, what frightened him was the absence of water decorating his skin. Backing towards the door, Ikkara's arms swirl majestically above her head, forcing the boy's body to kneel before her. Using that as her moment to escape, she dashes out of the chamber.

Reaching the bridge, she leaps over the stunned soldiers, surrounding herself with globs of water until she matched the appearance of a baby octopus. Using the tentacles to launch herself into the air, aiming for freezing water, an enraged Zuko leaps off the deck and crashes into her abdomen.

The two teenagers grunt, landing on top of one another. Flipping onto her feet, Ikkara stands ready with a small smirk. Across from her, Zuko pushes himself to his feet with a ferocious growl. Prepared to clash, a sudden growl echoes amongst the ice caps.

They look up, eyes widening at the sight of Appa with Sokka, Katara, and Aang riding on his back. "What is that?" Zuko looks on with terror. "Appa!" Ikkara cheers.

Taking that as his moment, Zuko sends an arsenal of blasts. Gasping, she swiftly swings her arms clockwise, manipulating two thick streams to act as her shield. With each hit, the streams run thin, pushing her back until they break.

Pressed against the rails, another two blasts nail her in the chest, rendering the girl unconscious as she falls into the ocean. Aang's eyes water, widening with fear. Katara gasps with distraught while Sokka leans over the saddle, screaming.

"Ikkara!" He shouts down at the water, a desperate plea for her to hear him.

As her body begins to sink, Aang's grey eyes harden as a blueish white light overcomes them. His arrows begins to glow as well, the boy stands to his feet before diving into the water. Katara and Sokka watch with tears.

Locked in the Avatar State, Aang rises from the sea in a vortex of water with Ikkara laying limp in his arms. He lowers them to the deck, setting her at his feet before bending the water into a wave that forced Prince Zuko and his men overboard.

"Did you see what he just did?!" Katara watches in awe. Sokka grunts, shifting in hopes to get eyes on Ikkara. "Do you see her? Is Ikkara okay?"

With the coast cleared, Aang uses the last of his power to bend the water from Ikkara's lungs. As she awakens, coughing erratically, Aang becomes dazed as his return to normal. He collapse to his knees beside her. "Ikkara," he croaks, "you're okay."

Shuffling to her knees, she chuckles, pulling him into her chest. "For you, always." Appa lands on the ship, slightly lowering to help the siblings slide down.

"Aang, Ikkara!" Katara shouts, racing for the duo with Sokka behind her. She places a hand on Aang's shoulder, "are you guys okay?"

Ikkara nods, "hey guys, thanks for coming." Sokka comes up behind her, helping her stand to her feet. "Couldn't let you have all the glory," he smirks, the two gaze at one another for a bit.

"Speaking of which," Aang trails, swatting the girl across the back. "What were you thinking?! You're not the Avatar, why would you put yourself in danger?"

Ikkara twitches at the hit, grasping his wrist in an attempt to prevent anymore attacks as well as restrain her anger. "Because, they were looking for you, Aang. They were planning to take you to the Fire Nation and do Spirits knows what to you. I had a plan."

"A plan for what? To get killed!" His eyes blanch with anger. The teen rolls her eyes, "you dropped your staff, kid." Sokka runs to retrieve it, "I got it!"

As he picks it up, Zuko's hand clutches onto it as a way to reach the deck. Sokka's eyes widen as he tries to pull the staff from the prince's grasp before jabbing the prince in the forehead with the end of the staff, sending him overboard once more.

"That's from the Water Tribe!" He shouts, victoriously.

Meanwhile, Katara tries her best to guide both Aang and Ikkara onto Appa, however, it wasn't an easy feat as Ikkara swatted the young airbender's worries away and instead focused all of her attention on him. At this point, Katara was ready to leave, no matter what it takes.

As the duo settle in the bison's saddle, a few other soldiers begin to approach the trio. Katara goes to waterbend, the liquid trembling under the guide of her hands. The lack of strength and confidence in her movements was obvious, portraying a disconnection with her element.

She tries to send a stream towards the soldiers, but it flies in the opposite direction. Wrapping aroung Sokka's ankles, the water turns into ice. He pouts, "Katara!" He hacks at the ice with his boomerang.

The teen takes a deep breath, turning her back towards the advancing soldiers. Repeating the stance, she bends once again, however, this time she successfully freezes her opponents just seconds before they could grab at her hood.

Making her way onto Appa, she shouts over her shoulder, "hurry up, Sokka!"

"I'm just a guy with a boomerang," Sokka mutters, chipping at the ice. "I didn't ask for all this flying and magic."

Once the ice shatters, he picks up Aang's staff and runs for Appa's tail. "Yip-yip!" He shrieks, jumping into the saddle, "yip-yip!"

The kids take off on the bison just as General Iroh steps onto the deck. At the sight of the supposedly extinct creature, the older man rubs at his eyes in disbelief. Quickly, he runs to help his nephew on board.

Rather than thanking the man, the teen shouts, "shoot them down!" As the only firebenders not frozen, they launch a combined blast that flies after the flying bison.

The group watches the fireball with wide eyes when an irritated Ikkara stands up. Quickly, she take a deep breath in and pulls her arms back before pushing them forward. She raises them above her head, manipulating a wall of water to extinguish the fire. Shifting into a crouch, her left leg barring all of her weight as the right points out , she pushes the waves onto the ship.

Zuko and the rest of his men watch in horror as the wave floods the deck, the force of its crash pushes the ship off course and into the wall of a glacier. A small avalanche of ice falls onto the tip of the ship. Escaping off into the distance, the group cheers victoriously.

"Good news for the Fire Lord," Iroh speaks from behind his nephew, "the Fire Nation's greatest enemy is just a little boy and a girl."

The Prince grits his teeth, "that little boy, uncle, is the real Avatar and that girl just did this. I won't underestimate either of them again." He turns to the soldiers, "dig the ship out and follow them!"

However, watching the majority of them stand frozen, he turns back around with a quiet mumble, "as soon as you're done with that." He glares off into the sky, his vow echoing in the back of his mind.

---

On Appa, as the group basks in their victory, Katara looks over at Aang and Ikkara. "How did you guys do that with water?! It was the most amazing thing I've ever seen!"

"I don't know, I just sort of... did it?" Aang shrugs, scratching his bald head. Ikkara, on the other hand, simply laughs, "a lot of practice. Aang was able to do it because of the Avatar State, but for me, it just took time. And a lot of muscles, water is heavy."

Sokka scoffs, "yeah, muscles, sure. Girls don't have muscles, Ikkara, okay? These are muscles," he pulls back his sleeve, showcasing his slim bicep.

The waterbender giggles into her gloved palm, "I mean, there's not much muscle to see, but I will say that your arm looks good." The girls guffaw together as the boy quickly pulls his sleeve down with a pout.

"Ugh, anyways," he rolls his eyes, "why did you lie about being the Avatar?"

"I did it to protect Aang," she sighs, "we've been gone for 100 years. Outside of the North Pole, there's only two waterbenders and it's my fault. Aang's the only family I have left, now."

Katara glances at the boy, his eyes stare ahead, avoiding the others. "Aang?" He sighs, "I didn't want to be the Avatar. The only good thing that came out of it was meeting Ikki."

The older waterbender simply nods despite the boy telling the partial truth. It wasn't her place to tell the siblings that Aang ran away from the Temple to escape the responsibility of the world. Besides, what would they think of them if they were to find out.

The protector of the world and his teacher abandoned their destiny out of selfishness. Not a great impression.

"Aang, the world's been waiting for the Avatar's return to finally put an end to this war," Katara states, trying to instill hope inside the boy.

He glances her way, "and how am I going to do that?" Ikkara sighs, "according to legend, you need to master water, earth, and then fire. I can teach you what I know as we travel to the North Pole."

Aang's face brightens, looking over at Katara, "we can learn it together!" Two share grin, turning their hopeful eyes to their future master.

"Okay, okay," Ikkara sighs, fondly, "I can teach Katara, too. However, I will say that everyone is destined to find a teacher just like I was destined to teach Aang. There's a teacher for you, Katara, that'll mold you into the person you're meant to be."

The girl nods, understandingly before turning to her brother. "And Sokka, I'm sure you'll get to knock some firebender heads on the way."

"I'd like that," he sighs, eyes trained on Ikkara's side profile. She turns to him, their gazes meeting. He quickly looks away as a soft look dawns his features, "I'd really like that."

"Alright," Aang grins, pulling a map out and laying it flat in the center of the saddle. "Before I learn waterbending, we have some serious business to attend to."

Ikkara sighs, "Spirits." She takes Appa's reins as the boy points out several locations. Katara's eyes catch a plot of land in the Earth Kingdom, pointing it out, "what's there?"

The older girl deflates at the question, tuning the boy out. Behind her, Sokka's cerulean eyes land on her form once again. His mind pointing out how well her mane of curls looked when let down, the thick tresses carefully blowing in the wind. He leans back with a content sigh.

[deimagines]

Her Falling and Her Legacy *Part 3 ( A ATLA and LOK Imagine)

Been away for so long cuz of college. But I am HERE! and I am not leaving! Part 1/2/

General Iroh II arrives at the Air Temple and Zuko has a dream.

Ba Sing Se

100 AG

Y/N smiles happily that her mooncakes have come out perfectly. It was the first time she had made them, and she was proud of how they turned out. She even gave them a little dragon design on it, circling a jasmine flower.  

She took a careful bite to taste the flavors and smiled.  

“Mmh, not bad!” She says to herself and makes a small plate for her and her roommates. She just wished that Zuko would wake up soon. 

After Zuko released the Avatar’s flying bison, he became sick.  

Iroh said that his aura is changing drastically and was the reason for his illness.  

She sighs in worry but puts on a brave face before placing the plate on the kitchen table.  

Iroh took one and tasted it. A smile was presented on his face. A clear sign that he was happy by the taste. “Incredible! You have outdone yourself, Y/N.”  

“Thank you, Iroh. It’s my first time making these.”  

Zuko entered the room and Iroh presented the mooncakes to him.  

“Look, nephew, Y/N made mooncakes. Try one!”  

Zuko looks at the hopeful gaze on Y/N’s face over his uncle’s shoulder and takes one.  

After taking a bite, he hums lightly. “Pretty good.”  

“Really?” She asked, worry washed away.  

“Yeah. Really good, actually.” He takes another bite.  

“Maybe we should add them to the menu of our tea shop.” Iroh suggested.  

“Okay, but only I get to make them, I don’t want anyone stealing my recipe.”  

“Deal!” Iroh finalizes their ‘business’.  

Northern Air Temple

171 AG

Tenzin watched his pupils, yet again, with frustration.  

It had weeks, but he still has ye tot manage to shape them into the ideal air nomads that he and his grandfather had dreamed of for as long as he can remember. After the close call with the bison herd from getting stolen by animal traffickers, if Kai and the other airbenders hadn’t interfered, he had expected they would at least become more serious about their training. 

He winced as another was hit and out of the spinning paddles. 

Not a lot, but at least a little.  

He sighed once again and continued to watch until one certain pupil caught his attention.  

 At least one of them had expected those expectations.  

“Don’t just stand there, Rookie! Be the leaf!” Meelo orders her as he pointed at the gates with his chest puffed up.  

She looks down at him and then back at the paddle with a steady gaze. She watches as they spin and spin and then something just clicks. 

“A leaf. . . I get it.”  

She took her position and started moving her feet and walked onto the course, eyes closed.  

Tenzin watched in tense, nobody had done it the first time with eyes closed before.  

Yet she did the impossible, and moved like Meelo has instructed, like a leaf. But it wasn’t just dodging, it was like she was dancing. Like the leaf, she redirected any impacts that she stumbled upon her way through the grates and let the wind guide her to safety.  

She finally arrived at the other side, unharmed and lowers of hands together.  

The others looked at her with amazement and envy as whispers broke out. 

“Wow.” 

“She’s amazing.”  

“She makes it look so easy.”  

Bai-La was an incredible pupil. The most attentive, the most graceful and hard-working student that he has ever had the closest joy to have. 

Other than the poor man that he had to demonstrate to shave, Bai-La was the only one who willingly volunteered to have her hair shaved. Technically, she asked for a half-shaved look to not lose all of her hair. He hesitated, but she was the only one who volunteered.  

She passed every test and breathing exercises as well as understanding his lectures and stories, excluding.  

If she kept it up, she would be at the same level as his children and Korra.  

And . . . another thought had haunted his mind ever since he saw her eyes.  

Y/N. The girl who would’ve been the Fire Lady.  

Zuko’s first love.  

Though he was not sure if it was just a coincidence, Bai-La's eyes and face were the exact copy of the girl who would’ve been his aunt.  

Everyone knew the story. How Y/N The Gentle fought and aided future Chief Sokka, his would-be wife, Suki and future Chief of Police Toph to stop Fire Lord Ozai’s invasion.  

Only Y/N was sacrificed for the cause.  

His mother once told him of how broken Zuko was when he heard of the news of his beloved’s demise, but he had to remain strong as he was the next Fire Lord. He managed to find happiness in Mai, but even she knew that she couldn’t compete with the girl who had stolen her husband’s heart, their respect for each other is unreal.  

In fact, the now Fire Lord, name, Izumi was half of Y/N’s name, Y/N Izumi, to honor her in memory.  

Which brings him to another situation. 

“Alright everyone, that’s enough for today. We’ll continue tomorrow after our morning meditation.”  

Most of them sighed in relief and even went on their separate ways in groups or alone. Bai-La jumps done and lands on her feet gracefully.  

As she was about to leave, Tenzin stopped her.  

“Just a moment Bai. There’s something I want to talk to you about.”  

“Yes, Sifu Tenzin?” She looks up at him.  

“Follow me.” He says, and they made their way out of the training grounds.  

They reached one of many balconies of the temple and he took out an envelope from his robes.  

“Here.” He hands it to her. “Letters from your family. I’m sorry I couldn’t keep my promise of bringing them here, but the letter that you sent to them was most helpful.”  

Bai-La smiles gratefully and bows to him. “Thank you. These mean more a lot to me than you can think of.” She opens one and immediately begins to read.  

Tenzin nods. “I’m glad. . . there is something else that I need to bring up.”  

“Yes?” She looks back up at him.  

“As you know by now, our situation with the world leaders have been a little. . . strained with the idea of airbenders being back to society.”  

“You mean President Raiko?”  

Tenzin didn’t reply. “Our first impression was not . . .impressive, per say. Two days from now, General Iroh will come visit by to write a report on our activities and how fair we are doing.”  

“You mean spying?” She teases lightly.  

“Yes.” He couldn’t help but to comply with her humor. “But General Iroh is a good man. The one he’s working above him, however.”  

“No need for more explanations.” She raises her hand to stop him. “But I still have yet to understand what it has to do with me?”  

“Well, other than Kai and my brother, you Bai-La have the greatest potential out of all the other airbenders. In fact, you’ve become a sort of prodigy. Which is why I want you to be a representative of the airbenders once the General arrives to build his report.” 

“I don’t know what to say.” She says in surprise. “I am . . .”  

“Just don’t get it to your head.” Tenzin teases as he places a hand on her shoulder. “You should prepare, the General will be here next week.” 

“Yes, and thank you, Sifu Tenzin.” She bows with her fist connected to her palm.  

He returns it and they began to walk away until Bai notices something. 

“Is that an old oven?”  

Tenzin looks over his shoulder and sees a familiar oven that brought up wonderful memories.  

“Why yes, the air acolytes use it, but they’re a little old fashion these days. I used to make cakes with my father here once, Bumi did not like them.” 

“Were they that bad?”  

A secret smile made its way up to the corners of his mouth. “Not exactly.”  

“Well, then, can I use it? I would love to make some mooncakes or some sweetbread.” She had sparkles in her eyes as she explained. 

Tenzin raises an amused brow. “I don’t see why not. Here, let me show you a recipe my father taught me.” 

*** 

Bumi was happily taking a stroll until something fell from the sky.  

His head was suddenly covered in frosting and cake bits. He shouted at the sky in anger, knowing exactly who was responsible. 

“TENZINNNNN!”  

Tenzin and Bai-La looks down from the balcony and they both laugh. They then bow to each other. 

“Your aim is perfect, my bright pupil.”  

“Thanks, Sifu Tenzin.”  

*** 

The Fire Nation.  

The winds brushed his hair wildly as he stood there in the courtyard where the fountain lay, the exact one from Ba Sing Sae. The one where she took him there by accident.  

Cherry blossom petals suddenly fall from the sky. Where did they come from? He doesn’t know. 

“Zuko.”  

His eyes widened and he slowly turned. The wind blowing through his hair as the owner of the voice that had called out to him was full in his sight.  

There she was.  

Young and beautiful as he remembered.  

Her dress was the one she wore on their first date. 

He felt his youth coming back as he suddenly morphs back into the young lad he used to be when they were still together.  

He ran to the other side of the fountain, where she was and crashes her into a hug. She let out a giggle as he twirls her around until he settles her back to the ground. Her head burry on his chest as he hugs her.

“I missed you.” He whispers into her hair.  

“I missed you, too.” She muffles into his chest.  

“This is another dream. Is it?” His tone of content did not waver.  

“I’m afraid so.” She confesses. “But it’ll be over soon.”  

His hold on her tightened at those words. This dream always ended the same way. He begs her to stay longer, but she always says no.  

“Please. Just a little longer. A minute even.”  

“You don’t understand, Zuko. It will be over soon.”  

He frowns, this was different. He pulls away to look down at her. “What will be over soon?” 

She raises a hand to cup his cheek, her thumb caressing the edge of his scar.  

This was different too.  

But he didn’t care, he leans into the touch and grabs it to kiss the palm of her hand.  

“You’ll see.”  

He suddenly wakes up.  

He sat up and looked at the morning sky from his open window.  

It has been days since he arrived at the Fire Nation to protect Izumi. She was reluctant to take the decision, saying that she didn’t need any protection, but he insisted. She has only heard of Zaheer and the Red Lotus, never seen them of what they are capable of.  

His hands clutched the silk duvet as he imprinted the words of his first beloved. 

It’ll be over soon.  

But what did she mean by that? 

*** 

Bai-La sighs as she wipes the sweat on her forehead with the back of her hand after setting the last batch of mooncakes on tray. She smiled at her grandmother’s signature design on the treats as fond memories began to unfold. She looks at the ready mooncakes that were packaged in boxes. At the sight of it, there was enough for a whole fleet. Which was what she was going for.  

Ikki was there too, sitting near the baker on a rail of the balcony munching on a cake that Bai had given her. “Mmh! This is the best mooncake I ever tasted.” She pauses. “Don’t tell my mom I said that.”  

Bai only smiles. “I’m glad you like them! It’s my grandmother’s recipe, never changed and never left eaten without a single crumb behind.”  

Ikki looks at the number of mooncakes. “But why are you making so much? Is there a party? Are we having a party? Is it someone’s birthday?”  

“Nope,” Bai answers quickly to cut off any remaining questions that the little girl has. “These are for the Air Acolytes as a thank you for helping us settling in the temple and for the Fleet of the United Republic of Nations as a welcome present.”  

Ikki looks at the many boxes. “That’s a lot of mooncakes.”  

“Ooh!” Meelo made himself known. “Mooncakes! Score!”  

He was about to touch the ones that were already packed but Bai lightly taps his hand with a wooden spoon. “Apbububu- No touchy. Those are for the Air Acolytes and our guests tomorrow.”  

Meelo rubs his hand in dismay, but his mood suddenly changed when a plate of mooncakes was in front of his face. 

“These however are for airbenders.” Bai smiled.  

He gladly takes one and takes a bite. His eyes sparkled as his tastebuds sings his mood. “Whoa! It’s like I’ve been taken to Flavor Heaven!”  

He then takes more and more to stuff in his mouth, but Bai pulls that plate away from him as she laughs. “Hey! Save some for the others, Little Sifu.”  

Little Sifu was a nickname she had given him since she started her training, Meelo didn’t seem to mind since the word Sifu is being used directly to him.  

“Alright, since you two are here. Mind helping give these out till’ dinner time? I’ll put in a good dozen of mooncakes for you once we’re done.”  

“You trade in a hard bargain, lady.” Meelo comes by and takes a few boxes with Ikki.  

“But the temple is so big. How are we gonna take these to everyone by dinner? I’ll be tired from all the walking.”  

“Who says anything about walking?”  

Ikki and Meelo shared a look.  

*** 

An air acolyte was done cleaning the windows, when suddenly, he hears the familiar sounds of wind whistles.  

Before he could look behind, three figures passed by him, and he felt something in his hands. He looked down and was surprised to see a white box in his hands with a sweet aroma coming from it.  

He squinted to the culprit that gave him the box and see Bai-La with the airbending children on air scooters with other boxes balanced on the top of their heads.  

“Thanks for your hard work!” Bai shouted.  

The air acolyte raises a brow but opens the box, nonetheless, he takes out a mooncake and smiles to where the benders headed before taking a bite.  

“Mmh!” 

*** 

Like Bai had hoped, they managed to deliver the mooncakes to every acolyte at the Temple by dinner. Some were surprised but mostly happy by the thoughtful treats.  

Everyone finished their meals and the airbenders were surprised by Bai’s mooncakes waiting for them.  

“So, this is what the commotion was about within the acolytes.” Tenzin said as he takes one.  

“I wanted to thank them for helping us settle in the Air Temple.”  

“How thoughtful.” Pema complements as she takes a mooncake as well. She noticed the design and admired it. “What a lovely touch.” 

Bai smiled. “Thank you, it’s my gram-gram's signature.”  

“These are delicious!”  

“I know right!” Ikki was happily eating them.  

Bai sat in her seat as she was being thanked and asked for making mooncakes again from airbenders and acolytes alike. One even asked for the recipe, but she shakes her head.  

“Sorry guys, family secret. My grandmother would haunt me if shared the recipe from outside of the family.”  

The mood in the room changed drastically after hearing the comment.  

“Oh, I’m sorry to hear that, Bai.” Tenzin apologizes. 

The young woman only smiled and shakes her head again. “It is fine, Master Tenzin, it was a long time ago. . .” She fiddles with something that tied around her neck that Ikki seemed to be the only one to notice.  

“What that?”  

Bai pulls it up a bit to show it. It was a half pendant that shined brightly in the light.  

“It’s an heirloom, it belonged to my grandmother once, before she passed away. “  

“Pretty! But where’s the other half?” Ikki tilted her head. 

“I don’t know, my grandmother never really explained it to me.” 

As Bai tries her best explain the mystery, by mere sight of the necklace, Tenzin was suddenly pulled into flashback, a memory that he had almost forgotten.  

When Lord Zuko was telling them the bravery of the only fallen friend during the war.  

Y/N the Gentle.  

The portrait the Fire Nation Palace displays for her honor was made with as much detail as possible, the beautiful smile and kindness showing in her eyes. But what really stuck to young Tenzin the most was the necklace that the young girl was wearing around her neck.  

One that took a similar resemblance to the one that Bai-La has in her hands.  

And if he remembered the tales that Iroh had told him when he became older, Lord Zuko had the intension to marry Y/N after they brought peace to the Four Nations. But that promise was taken away from him when Y/N sacrificed herself to save his uncle and Toph Beifong.  

He frowns at the sight of the necklace as the possibility ran through his mind.  

After dinner, he stood up and announced that he had something to take care of in his study.  

Once there, He rummaged through the bookshelf until he found what he was looking for. He opens it and flips through the pages until he stops at a chapter where the first page shows a picture of the same portrait, he’s seen in the Fire Nation Palace. He takes a small magnifying glass from his desk and moves it around the portrait until it stops to the model’s neck.  

A pendant around the girl’s neck gave him the clue he needed for his question.   

*** 

Tenzin and the acolyte elders watched as General Iroh’s fleet had docked the port on a blimp. The General himself was walking down the ramp and he saluted.  

“Greetings, Tenzin.”  

“General Iroh, it is good to see you.” 

They shake hands.  

“You as well.” 

“I’m sorry you have to be put up with this assignment.”  

“No trouble at all. It’ll be a short visit, but at least me and my men have a time to relax, away from Republic City.”  

“And the President.”  

Iroh smirks. “Especially.”  

They began to walk and catch up, they have not talked since their ordeal with Unalaq. Once they reached the outskirts of the Temple where they were airbenders training on top of the poles. Iroh and Tenzin, and Iroh’s first mate, who was taking reports and writing them down on a clipboard, watched as they all worked through their training, some have fallen but few have managed to stand their ground on top of the poles. 

“As you can see, they have a long way to go until they become proper airbenders.”  

He winces as another pupil falls.  

“Very long. Also, if you have the time, there’s something that I need to discuss with you.”  

“What-” Before Iroh could even finish, a voice call from above. 

“Look out!”  

One of the pupils jumped with a powerful gush of wind by accident and suddenly fell on the General himself with a loud thud.  

“Ow.” Iroh croaks as the pupil gets and apologizes repeatedly and bows many times, knowing who exactly he had dropped on as Iroh turns to his back. 

A gasped was heard from above.  

Suddenly, a sound of soft wind was heard, and a pair of legs was delicately floating down to the ground with airbending and lands in front of Iroh. He looks up to see that it was a woman close to his age. 

The stranger leans and offers her hand.  

“Are you alright?”  

He took it and almost froze when he looked up and caught her eyes with his own. They were so bright and beautiful.  

But his admiration was brief when she tugged his arm up and he snapped out his gaze and stood.  

She was a short woman with long hair, yet the side was shaved off, it was styled in a very delicate way as well as edgy.  

He clears his throat, remembering his manners. “Thank you.”  

She smiled as Tenzin came to her side. 

“Iroh, this is Bai La, one of the freed airbending prisoners from Ba Sing Se and finest pupil in the temple.”  

“Hello.” She bows. But when she straightens her posture back, she moves her hair away from her face when a breeze passes by. 

Iroh then had a look of realization but was able to hide it from the woman before him. A look that Tenzin had predicted.   

“I hope you and your men are hungry. The air acolytes and I prepared a welcome dinner in honor of your visit.”  

“Yes. Thank you.” Iroh could only answer as his mind was plagued with possibilities because of her face.  

“Hey, Bai!” Kai from above calls for her. “I thought we have a bet going on?”  

“Coming!” She turns back to the General. “See you at the dining hall.”  

She then jumps with the help of airbending to set herself back on top of the poles.  

Tenzin finds himself back at Iroh’s side.  

“She’s. . .” He hesitated, yet Tenzin knew already what the Crown Prince was going to say.  

“Yes. Exactly.”  

Iroh had returned from his military training from the Northern Water Tribe. His mother took him on a walk, and they suddenly found themselves in the hall where all his forefathers and mothers portraits hanged, including the heroes of their nation. 

His mother, who suddenly stopped at one specific portrait that which she had mentioned was one of her favorites because of the story behind the person’s cause and bravery.  

Yet, she had surprised Iroh then with a single sentence.  

“You know. . . I used to hate her.”  

Iroh’s eyes widened a bit as his mother confesses.  

“When your grandmother Mai told me of Y/N, I grew angry at your grandfather, wondering why he could ever disrespect the woman who gave birth to me. Whispering her name in his sleep and she cried every time.” 

She closed her eyes and opened them, filled with wisdom, yet despair. “But she explained to me that on the day of Sozin’s Comet, when Y/N was lost, he became a broken man, almost unrecognizable. That’s when I knew that I couldn’t hold on to that anger anymore, especially on a brave woman who gave her life to save the world.” 

Iroh places a hand on his mother’s shoulder. “I‘m sorry you had to go through that, mom. It must’ve taken a great deal of strength to accept it.”  

She smiles and looks up at him. “Thank you, my son.” 

They both continued to look at the portrait. Admiring the woman who could’ve been Fire Lady. 

The general continued to watch Bai as she jumps from one pole to another circling with Kai to see who can stay the longest.  

“But. . .are we even sure?” He asked.  

Tenzin whispers to him. “Look around her neck.” 

Iroh squints and sees what Tenzin is referring to watch for. It was a pendant, broken in half. A pendant he was all too familiar with.  

“We can’t know for sure. Have you talked to her about this?”  

Tenzin looks at Bai with a conflicted gaze. It was clear that she had become his favorite student. He tried to keep all equal feelings for his airbenders but Bai was a kind and bright being that had the potential to become one of the greatest Airbending Masters.  

“I just don’t want to overwhelm her.”  

“You might now have a choice.” Iroh states in a calming manner. “With things going on at Ba Sing Se and the Red Lotus, there might not be a chance to tell her. Or . . . him.” 

Tenzin looks back and watches as Bai laughs to whatever Kai was saying. Lord Zuko was  

“No, there might not be.” He sighs. “I’ll arrange a private meeting with her. Will you join us?”  

Iroh nods as he continues to gaze Bai. “Of course.”  

Tags:

@treestarrrrrrrr @mayxsx @nani-nani-nani @lifesanenigma @letsthedogpackandthecats @evelyn-4034 @serenityhvl @fandomsfanman @shoxji

[linnoya-writes]

Aang actually *was* a Terrible Dad (and we should stop making excuses for him).

One thing I cannot get over is how people say that Aang actually wasn't that terrible of a father, and I keep hearing the same excuses to his behavior: he didn't grow up with conventional parents, he had to focus on bringing back his air-bending culture, Katara was already a natural parent and was totally okay being the housewife/mom who let Aang off the hook with most of the serious parenting duties... ugh....

Anyway, I have three points to give:

1) Aang may not have grown up with conventional family structure, but he certainly knew enough about the world (being a nomad his whole life pre-war) to understand what a healthy family dynamic looked like. He knew enough about Toph's dad and Zuko's dad to understand what a poor father figure looked like. Aang also spent time with Hakoda, in ATLA season 3, to see the characteristics of a good father -- and this doesn't even include the time he spent traveling with Sokka/Katara alone and noticing how their dad's absence was affecting them. I put a lot of emphasis on Katara, here, because she makes it very clear in Season 3 that her father leaving the family was devastating... and this girl would want a partner who understood those feelings and do absolutely everything to keep the family together. It's what she did throughout the entirety of ATLA-- Katara was the glue that kept everyone close -- and you would think Aang would pick up on those cues, rather than let history repeat itself after he had his family with Katara. Imagine how awful it must've been for Katara, watching the man she married ultimately go off with their air-bending son on these cultural excursions, and not even consider that their two other kids might want to learn about air bending culture anyway. They're a bi-cultural family, after all, right? Wouldn't that have been a prime example for the new world, showing a blended family being together and not separate? Just let that sink in for a moment.

2) Many people say that any misunderstood family dynamics between Kya, Bumi and Tenzin came to a peaceful conclusion in LOK season 2 with a happy family portrait. Here's the thing-- a posed, smiling family portrait doesn't necessarily indicate a healthy family unit. I'm also making note of LOK Season 3, when Bumi admits that he finally feels more connected to their father after he magically gets Airbending, and also that scene when Kya/Bumi arrive to the Northern Air Temple and the acolytes are shocked to hear that Avatar Aang had other children besides Tenzin. I mean... how much effort would it take, exactly, for Aang to just mention to the temple monks and acolytes that he had two other kids? Was he embarrassed to tell them they weren't air benders? Was he ashamed? In any case, he was the Avatar and he should've demonstrated pride for the children he had regardless of their bending ability or lack their-of. It goes without saying that, while Aang did grow up differently and had many priorities being the Avatar and the Last Airbender... he still made some conscious choices about how little of a "family man" he wanted to be. Aang clearly favored the air-bending life and didn't process that he was also raising a family that was part WaterTribe (perhaps because many of their customs clashed with his air-bending way of life... but that's another conversation.)

3) Yes, Bryke are notorious for writing examples of poor father figures (Ozai/Unalaq/BeiFong/Yakone/Hiroshi) and I'm also here to tell you that they're known for writing women who lose agency and turn devoted-doting-domestic-docile once they get with their man. Pema from LOK is a good example-- all we know about her is she literally gave her life to be an air-acolyte and carry Tenzin's children (the only backstory we get is Pema secretly pined for Tenzin until it became too much and she had to say something), and be the good housewife and mother to those air bending kids. We know nothing about this woman's individual wants or needs outside of motherhood. Another example is the backstory of Yakone and his unnamed wife who-- after giving this man two sons, completely disappears from the narrative and is not aware Yakone is abusing his kids. And she's still exists, because Amon refuses to go with Noatak so as to not abandon their mom. Their mother was so unnecessary as a character after she had the kids, she became this oblivious/silent character in the background who let her own kids get abused. Another example is Unalaq's wife-- again, about a father using his two kids like his henchmen and the mother isn't even in the picture. We know she exists because after Unalaq gets destroyed... Esna turns to Desca and says "what're we gonna tell Mother?"  It may have been written as a subtle joke... but the underlying sentiment is still there.

I'd say my favorite example is the fate of Fire Lady Ursa-- a woman once determined to protect her children that she was willing to commit murder and treason -- ends up choosing to forget those same children and instead wipes all her memories of them entirely to start a quiet domestic life with her childhood sweetheart, a man who very much knows the life Ursa left behind and has the power to decide what truths he wants to tell her about the world and live like there wasn't even a bloody war happening. (Don't even get me started on how The Search disappointed me. Oy).

Perhaps Aang and Katara -- even without intent -- might have fallen into that formulaic pattern when Bryke wrote out the first two seasons of LOK, because that was during the time The Promise, The Search and The Rift comics got published, and Katara's character was definitely becoming that unquestionably-loyal/no fuss/devoted girlfriend to Aang where she would go with everything he decided and sadly sit in a corner while Aang got all the praise and attention and never considering her feelings. Bryke picked up on these mistakes, however, because in the later comics like North & South and Imbalance, you can see them giving Katara some leadership moments (particularly when Aang isn't around) and Aang more of a mature, considerate approach with Katara, saying things like "I'm sorry I just left you to fight alone like that!" and "You're always asking me if I'm okay. Now it's my turn-- are you okay?"  The effort was definitely there to make Aang and Katara look somewhat more compatible than they let on. But things didn't really seem that promising in Legend of Korra... as Katara's character arc gets breadcrumbs of acknowledgement regarding what she did for the world outside of Aang's narrative.

It seems like Katara's badass individual characteristics were written second only to whatever she needed to be for Aang, including being the primary parent to his non-airbender kids while he focused on the air-bending culture.

In any case-- I'm almost certain Bryke will be bending over backwards to "fix" all of these flawed elements of Kataang and Aang as a father figure in the upcoming animated feature films, because if there's anything Bryke likes to do... it is "tell" us that Aang was a great guy and there absolutely was no other better person for Katara.

[guiltysecretpasttime]

Linzin drabble. I know I said I was back..then I wasn't. Haven't updated in a while so trying to write short ones first before delving back. Hope there are still Linzin readers out there~. Stay safe all.

------

Lin sucked in her breath as the sting of the antiseptic bit through her wound. She dabbed a few more times before wrapping the bandage tightly. It would be infinitely better if she had gone to the nearby hospital. On the other hand, she was not in the mood to be gawked at.

The sun had set and Republic City, while still chaotic, was safe from Equalists at last. Not that she had any hand in this. Lin exhaled as she gingerly moved to put the first aid kit back into the cabinet.

Once she was rescued from the makeshift jail that Amon had placed her in, Saikhan sought her out and asked for a subordinate to bring her to the nearest medical facility. He also spoke about turning over authority to her once she was up to it. She declined and scoffed. A non-bender leading the metalbending police was both impractical and ludicrous. Hence, she made an escape to go home as soon as Saikhan and the officer were distracted.

Lin knew Bumi and his fleet had arrived as the backup that Iroh had requested. She did not want to see them in this state; she wanted to make herself scarce. She had not yet fully come to terms with what she had endured. She hated this feeling. It was like something was pulled out of her soul and all that was left was a hollowness that she could not describe. And that was on top of the actual physical pain.

Said pain made itself aware, and Lin winced as she made her way to her couch, finding that going to her bedroom required energy she did not have.

Lin closed her eyes as she leaned back, angling for a comfortable position. If the rumors were to be believed, the Avatar was also victimized by Amon, albeit she had released her airbending. You win some, you lose some.

"Lin?" A familiar voice broke her reverie.

Her eyes opened wide and she swore. "What the—"

Tenzin caught her in a hug and she shouted in pain as she shoved him.

"Sorry, sorry!" He apologized quickly, palms up in surrender.

"What on earth? Why are you here? How did you even here in?" Lin bombarded the airbender with questions as he stood in the middle of her living room, a place he had not set foot in more than a decade.

He sheepishly brought up a key.

"You idiot! Why did you keep that key?" She recognized the house key she had given him years ago.

"For emergencies like this. You're obviously not fine, but thank Agni you're alive, Lin," Tenzin quickly placed his hands (and key) in his pockets.

Lin waved him off. "What are you even doing here? I would expect that you would be busy with your family and the Air Nation."

His eyes went narrow with concern. "The last I saw you, you were jumping off the airship for my family. I never knew for sure what happened after. But now I see it's true, isn't it?"

Lin shrugged, avoiding what he was asking. "What's true?"

"You didn't sense me from earlier. What did Amon do to you?"

She looked away from his scrutiny. "Nothing I can't handle."

"You don't have to handle it alone."

"Can you even hear yourself? I don't need your pity."

"This isn't pity."

"Look. I'm just tired. In case you missed the memo, it's been a long week with me losing my job and my bending..."

"Come with me to Air Temple Island."

"Are you out of your mind?"

"I could look after you better there."

"No. You've got your hands full with the Avatar."

"We're going to the South Pole. Mother can—"

"No, Tenzin. It's over for me."

The finality in Lin's voice worried the airbender. "Mother would—," He tried again.

"I'll be fine. I promise I'll take myself to the doctor. But for now..." Lin's voice faltered, the painkillers she took earlier started to take effect.

"You have to eat."

"I'll eat later. Just go and leave your key here. I should have taken that away from you years ago." Her eyes felt heavy and they drooped closed.

Tenzin looked around. The unit looked both familiar and alien to him. He went around preparing for Lin, checking her medicine cabinet and finding some food. He would ensure she was cared for, even if from a distance.

As Lin slept, the moonlight cast long shadows across her apartment. Tenzin moved with quiet efficiency, familiar with the space yet deeply aware of how much had changed. He found some vegetables in the fridge and started to prepare a simple soup, hoping she would at least take a few sips when she woke up.

He could not help but think back to their younger days, how fierce and unstoppable Lin had always been. Seeing her like this—wounded, exhausted, and stripped of her bending—was a gut punch. It was clear she needed help, but Lin being Lin, would resist it at every turn.

He set about making Lin's apartment a little more comfortable. He found some spare blankets and made up the couch into a cozy bed. He placed a glass of water and some pain relief medicine within Lin's reach.

Just as he was finishing up, Lin stirred. Her eyes fluttered open, and she took in the sight of Tenzin still in her home.

“I told you to leave,” she mumbled, voice thick with sleep and pain.

“I'm just making sure you’re okay,” Tenzin said softly.

Lin huffed but didn’t have the energy to argue. She attempted to sit up, grimacing as pain flared in her side.

“Here,” Tenzin said, moving to help her. “Eat something. You need your strength.”

She reluctantly accepted the bowl of soup, taking small sips. The warmth of the broth seemed to ease some of the tension in her body.

“What’s the plan now?” she asked, her voice gaining a bit more strength.

“Bumi is organizing the cleanup in the city,” Tenzin replied. “The Equalists may be down, but there’s still a lot of work to do.”

“And the Avatar?”

“Korra’s regaining her strength. She’s been through a lot too.”

Lin nodded, taking in the information. “I need to get back out there. I can’t sit around while everyone else is working to keep the city in order.”

Tenzin placed a hand on her shoulder. “You will, Lin. But first, you need to heal.”

She looked at him, a mixture of frustration and gratitude in her eyes. “I hate this.”

“I know,” he said softly, helping her settle into her couch and taking the soup bowl back.

Lin sighed, a deep weariness settling over her. “Just for tonight, I’ll rest. But tomorrow, I’m getting back out there.”

Tenzin smiled gently. “That’s all I ask.” He knew that Lin's quick acquiesence was largely due to both the medicine and the pain she was in.

He wanted to tell her she was not alone. But that left a bitter taste in his mouth. After all, he did leave her alone for several years. She might not readily believe him this time.

Tenzin watched Lin's restless sleep. Regret washed over him. The memories of their time together resurfaced, each moment tinged with joy and eventual heartache. Breaking up with Lin had seemed the right thing to do for both their futures, but now, standing in her apartment, it felt more like a mistake.

Morning light began to creep into the room. Lin stirred again, her eyes fluttering open, meeting Tenzin's worried gaze. "You're still here?" she murmured, her voice groggy.

He nodded. "Couldn't leave you like this."

Lin attempted to sit up, grimacing as pain shot through her side. "You look like you haven't slept at all."

"Didn't feel right to sleep while you were in pain," Tenzin admitted. "Do you remember anything from last night?"

"Bits and pieces," Lin replied, her voice stronger now. "You made more soup?"

Tenzin handed her the bowl, watching as she took careful sips. "I wanted to do something, anything, to help."

Lin's eyes softened slightly. "I never thought I'd see the day you'd play nurse."

"Desperate times," he said with a small smile. "Lin, I know you don't want to hear this, but I'm sorry. For everything. For leaving you, for not being there when you needed me."

Lin looked away, her jaw tightening. "What's done is done, Tenzin."

"But it doesn't have to be," Tenzin said, stepping closer. "We can start again. Not as what we were, but as what we can be now."

Lin's silence was heavy.

"Don't you think we can move forward?" Tenzin pressed.

Lin sighed, her expression hardening. "No, Tenzin. We can't. Too much has happened. You can't just walk back into my life and expect things to be the same."

Tenzin's heart sank. "I know I've hurt you, Lin. But I want to make it right. I want to be there for you."

"You weren't there when it mattered," Lin retorted sharply. "And now, you can't just erase the past with a few words."

"Then what can I do?" Tenzin asked, his voice tinged with desperation.

Lin's eyes softened slightly, but her resolve remained firm. "You can start by respecting my space. I'm not ready to forgive, and I don't know if I ever will be."

Tenzin nodded slowly, accepting her words. "I'll respect that. But I'll still be here if you ever change your mind."

Lin looked away, a mixture of emotions flickering across her face. "Just leave the key and go, Tenzin."

[rubykgrant]

I can't remember if I posted about it already, or if I just can't find it (because searching for something on here is impossible), but I'm thinking about my Avatar story idea from when I was a teenager (literally right after the original series ended, and way before we had Korra or the comics as a continuation), so here it is again-

-Zuko realizes his dad will never tell him where Ursa is, and just keeps using it as a bargaining chip, so decides to ignore Ozai and focus on helping put the Earth Kingdom/Water Tribes back together, and get the Fire Nation out of "war-mode"

-He also tries to figure out how to help his sister; Azula isn't being violent now that she's fully accepted defeat, but she is SUPREMELY depressed (and seems to expect him to "execute" her, which he very much has no interest in doing). Iroh and some others from the White Lotus find a group of Healers, some Waterbenders, who also understand emotional/mental pain, who agree to help her (she does improve eventually, but it is painful for her to even go home to the Fire Nation... finally realizing how badly her father messed her up was a big deal). Eventually, Ty Lee and Mai visit her, sort of trying to have a "new" friendship

-A couple years go by. Things have mostly settled down, but every once in a while there is a problem (a group in the Fire Nation who think Zuko shouldn't be Fire Lord call themselves "Azula's Army". they aren't very powerful, but are definitely annoying, and sow discontent with other people). After an adventure helping a young Fire Sage who is training, Aang and Zuko find some old scrolls about strange "distant islands"

-Sokka recognizes some of the scrolls are from Wan Shi Tong's library (stolen however long ago). The satchel they were in belonged to Zhao; these were other things he found when looking into information about the Moon and Ocean Spirits. One scroll with a map has the island closest to the Fire Nation circled, with notes in the corner about this being a "Secret the Fire Lords keep". Zuko researches a little more, and finally has the answer...

-This island was where a once "disgraced" Fire Lord was sent, and since then, other Fire Lords have used it as a place for banishment. While it is more common to just banish people from the Fire Nation itself, when a Fire Lord wants to entirely erase somebody without actually "killing" them, they are sent to that island. More secrets imply that a few soldiers who were part of Sozin's army secretly saved infants from the Air Temples during attacks. They weren't strong enough to outright oppose the Fire Lord, and there wasn't enough of them to fight the other soldiers, but they wanted to at least save the children. The babies were smuggled away to the island. This is also where Ozai sent Ursa

-The group decides to make a big trip to the island; after all, they have the possibility of not only finding Zuko's mother, but Aang might NOT be the last Airbender! Aang, Zuko, Katara, Sokka, Toph, Mai, Ty Lee, Suki, and Hakoda are all going out on a ship with a few crew members (it would be too far for Appa to fly over the sea, but he and Momo are still along for the ride). Zuko is leaving behind Iroh as temporary Fire Lord, and Suki asked some of her Kyoshi Warriors to help

-At one point as they travel, they find a small, much newer island, formed by a volcano that has started to grow plant life. They all stay for the night to camp and gather some fresh fruit/do some fishing. Katara has figured out a way to "pull apart" salt water so it can be drinkable. Toph just REALLY needs a good dose of LAND before sailing again. In a small tide pool, Zuko teaches Toph how to swim (suddenly remembering how his older cousin Lu Ten taught him way back on Ember Island, before Azula was even born. she finally gets her own Zuka field-trip!)

-They finally arrive at the island; there are a LOT of people here. Some who's ancestors were banished by a Fire Lord generations ago, some who were sailors that got stranded out here after bad storms. A few people who had been Fire Nation soldiers back then decided to stay, not wanting to be part of the war anymore. They all have their own communities... and so many of them are Airbenders! Aang is very excited, and shows off some of his own abilities. The people are amazed, especially because they have never been taught any actual "techniques". Their history and heritage has been lost to them. As everybody walks around, Zuko eagerly looks for a familiar face... when he hears somebody suddenly call his name. He and his mother finally meet again, crying and embracing each other (she sees his scar, and when she touches it and sees his eyes glance down sadly, she knows Ozai did it)

-Lots of catching up, both happy and sad. Some of the people banished here were Waterbenders that had been captured by the Fire Army, in the attempt to have them control whirlpools/tidal waves (searching for some long-lost treasure). The Waterbenders would pretend to be swept away, and escape, eventually finding this island. Now that the restrictions that "banished" them are gone, everybody on the island is welcome to return to the outside world. The ship isn't big enough for everybody, but Ursa and several of the Airbenders make the return trip (more boats will be sent later, both so people on the island can see the other Nations, and so the island can be visited; they won't be alone out here anymore)

-Ursa and Hakoda talk a lot together while sailing back (wishing they could have protected their children better), and Aang shares stories of the Air Nomads with the Airbenders, also teaching some of them how to make an Air Scooter. When they arrive, Iroh is happy to see Ursa again. Zuko takes her to go visit Azula, who at first doesn't believe her mother could return, or EVER love her... but Ursa reassures her daughter; she is real, and so is her love

-Zuko makes one final visit to Ozai; his father has gotten a little "impatient", expecting that Zuko wouldn't be able to resist coming back to ask about his mother for so long... Iroh also walks in, and Ozai tries to mock his brother. Azula walks in as well, finally confronting her father. This throws him, because she looks different (short hair, no make-up), and also because she doesn't care about his approval anymore. He tries to bargain with her, but she refuses his offers. Then, Ursa walks in. Her son and his friends found her, WITHOUT him. Now, she is back with both of her children. Ozai is struck silent. Finally, Aang walks in, telling Ozai that his ancestor failed, the other Airbenders were NOT wiped-out. They will all walk out of here, and have happy lives. He will stay. Nobody wants anything from him anymore. Too late, after they leave, Ozai starts shouting, trying to beg or threaten, but nobody listens (nobody cares)

-In the years that follow, the other islands are eventually located and explored, with more people found there (new people who are Fire/Water/Earth/Air Benders, but with different cultures than the Four Nations. Sokka is sort of the official diplomat for making new friends, and eventually, all the new places are able to travel and communicate with each other). Hakoda and Ursa grow closer, but take a while to act on any romantic feelings (they're worried their children might find it awkward, and Hakoda especially didn't want Katara and Sokka to think he doesn't care about their mother's memory... but the kids are all very happy about it! this makes them all family). Aang helps the Airbenders who want to move back to the Air Temples adjust and recover. People from other nations who have made homes near the Temples are welcome to stay as well, and also help repair the buildings. Hakoda and Ursa live part of the year on Ember Island, and part in the Southern Water Tribe village that was his home (which has also been rebuilt). Azula eventually feels content enough to move on, and she lives on Kyoshi Island with Ty Lee (Azula avoids bending, finally realizing she has PTSD, but she can still help train people with hand-to-hand fighting techniques). Toph makes a home for herself outside of the swamp, where she also begins teaching Metalbending (haha, yes, ironic~). Now that Zuko is very at home being Fire Lord, Iroh stays in Ba Sing Se full time for his tea shop, but returns for special occasions (like when Zuka and Mai get married). Katara surprises Aang with a gift one day; a necklace~

[roseeycreates-blog]

Hi, I just read your Farmer Lin AU and all I can is *chef's kiss*. I just want to ask, how would Toph find out or realize that Lin is her daughter? Would Toph go bazooka on Kanto? (that would be epic)

Anyway, hope you have a great day po :)

Hello, anon~

AHHH OMG, a fellow Filo fan 😊🥹😭 You made me extra happy! Thanks for liking the Farmer AU~ If you’re interested, we can chat more about it. Only if you want to, of course. Feel free to send me asks here anytime.. ANYWAY...

Toph met Lin three times 1st encounter: In the streets of Ba Sing Se, Lin, who was about 5 years old, was out with her babysitter. She accidentally bumped into the esteemed Chief of Police of Republic City. Toph, a little annoyed, reached out to the child but felt an unexplainable connection when she touched her. Before Toph could react, the babysitter apologized and quickly hurried off with Lin. 2nd encounter: At a recognition event in Republic City for the top contributors/businesses in the city, Lin, the youngest recipient, was getting an award. Toph noticed Lin during a journalist's interview and felt drawn to her. She wanted to approach Lin, but Suyin interrupted her. 3rd encounter: At Air Temple Island, Toph had just finished her mandatory healing/tea time with Katara when Tenzin arrived with Lin. Tenzin wanted his parents to meet his girlfriend. This gave Toph a chance to be close to Lin again. That familiar feeling returned when she touched her and heard her heartbeat. She couldn't shake the feeling that Lin was her daughter. Lin was a little confused by Toph's behavior but didn't react as the blind Chief let go of her. As Aang led Tenzin to another room, Katara asked, "What was that all about?" Toph simply said, "She's my daughter." Katara tried to reason with Toph, "Toph, why do you think that?" Toph shook her head, "I can't explain it. It's just that "feeling."" Katara sighed, understanding Toph's instincts, and said, "Go home and get some rest." Toph hesitated, then asked, "Can you gather some info about the young farmer for me?" Katara looked at her friend and, after a moment, nodded. "I will." The meeting went well overall, except for the sense of interrogation Lin felt from Katara's personal questions. Tenzin apologized for his mom's behavior, but Lin shrugged it off, understanding that Katara was being protective. She reasoned that Katara was just being a mom, considering Tenzin is one of the Avatar's children and the only airbender among them. Meanwhile, Aang noticed something was off and asked Katara what was going on. Katara then confessed everything to him, explaining Toph's suspicions and her request to gather information about Lin. When Katara told Toph everything she knew about Lin, Toph became more convinced that Lin was her daughter. She only needed proof, so she sent someone to investigate Lin's house. The other farmers and workers, including Lin, noticed the suspicious person hanging around for a few days. Two of them decided to stay overnight to keep watch. One night, Kanto called Lin and heard voices in the background. He angrily questioned her, but Lin explained the situation. He hung up and, hours later, arrived at the farm. The next day, Kanto sensed the suspicious person nearby and almost caught him with his knives, but the intruder escaped using metal cables. He had a bad feeling about it. The day he had feared for decades finally arrived—Toph standing right in front of him. Lin was taken aback by the sudden visit from the Chief of Police. Just as she was about to speak, Toph launched an attack on her father. Kanto swiftly dodged Toph's strikes and countered with throwing knives he had at the ready. Toph then distracted him, saying, "Aren't you going to use your fire today?" It caught him off guard, and Toph seized the opportunity, hurling a massive boulder of rock at him. Lin was bewildered by the chaos unfolding, but when she saw her father about to be crushed, she rushed to his side. Before she knew it, a wall of earth had risen up in front of them.

So that's how the reunion played out! I hope you enjoyed it. It was also when Lin discovered she's an earthbender, just like the blind Chief of Police.