#Ursa and Lu Ten and their memories

[demaparbat-hp]

Zuko was awoken by the ghost of a caress on his left cheek and the echo of a voice that told stories of dragons and spirits and love. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are.

Zuko's childhood, as told in For the Spirits Chapter V: There Was Sun.

When did Zuko start seeing the spirits of the dead? How did loss become the norm for a child?

(Maybe it was after Lu Ten, or after Mother. Maybe it was because of the burn or the fire or the dreams sent to him by Agni. Maybe such was the way of things since the very beginning of time.)

[zuko-always-lies]

Azula is the family member Zuko cares the least about, by far [and no, it's not because she's mean to him and no, this is not a post about Zuko's morality or anything like that]

So the entire premise of Zuko's arc is he spends years and years trying to regain his father's love and appreciation, that he spent three years trying to capture the Avatar so that his father would like him again. We even see in a flashback that exiled Zuko misses his father badly.

And when Zuko decides to completely break off his relationship with his father, he decides that this merits a dramatic confrontation, since his relationship with Ozai is so important to him. Even after that, the second to last scene of the series is Zuko visiting Ozai.

Zuko often takes Iroh and his support for granted, but even in Books 1 and 2 there are plenty of moments which act to reaffirm how much Zuko values and appreciates his uncle. He goes out of his way to protect his uncle on a couple occasions. And in Book 3, after Zuko has screwed up his relationship with Iroh, one of Zuko's core motivations becomes fixing his relationship with his uncle and regaining Iroh's love, trust, and appreciation.

Ursa is someone who Zuko talks about far less, yet the series makes it very clear how much Zuko misses her, with "Zuko Alone" and "The Earth King" and "The Day of Black Sun: The Eclipse." And the second to last scene in the series is Zuko trying to find her.

That leaves Azula. Zuko never seems to miss Azula the least, even though he hasn't seen her for years when the series begins. In fact, when she unexpectedly shows up and greets him, instead of being happy to see her, he's angry and suspicious (to be fair to Zuko, she did turn out to have ulterior motives due to Ozai's orders, but if he really deeply missed her, he'd probably be at least a little happy to see her regardless. Mai and Ty Lee reacted with joy the first time they saw Azula again). And in Books 2 and 3, there is essentially nothing to suggest that Zuko misses the better relationship he had with Azula when they were younger.

For instance, in "The Beach," Zuko angsts over an old photograph of his family.

His eyes focus on Ozai

and he remembers a happy memory associated with Ozai:

and then Zuko's eyes focus on Ursa

and he remembers a happy memory associated with her

Yet Zuko never looks at younger Azula in that picture, nor does he think of her at all. The "Happy Family" that Zuko misses includes Ozai, Ursa, and even Iroh and Lu Ten (shown in a separate memory sequence at little earlier), but not little Azula.

Ultimately, what we see in the first half of Book 3 is that Zuko is willing to take advantage of Azula's kindness, when she shows it to him, but he never acknowledges it, thanks her for it, or reciprocates in the slightest.

In the end, in the DoBS Zuko leaves Azula behind without a regret or even a thought. Ozai gets a big confrontation; Azula gets nothing. And after that, we see that Zuko misses Mai, and still feels complex feelings for Ozai ("Fatherlord," anyone?), but there's nothing to suggest he misses Azula at all or feels a deep attachment to her. The penultimate scene of the show even features Zuko visiting Ozai, not Azula.

Some people might point out that Azula is a bad sister to Zuko. That's definitely true. She says and does plenty of awful things to him over the series.

Yet that doesn't explain things. Ozai is far, far worse to Zuko than Azula ever is, yet Zuko cares deeply about Ozai to the degree that Zuko's entire arc is about it. Merely talking about "look how mean Azula is" explains almost nothing. Is possible to explain why

This does bring me to my main point. The ATLA fandom tends to believe that Zuko cares about Azula a lot and that he places a lot of value in having a good relationship with her, tends to believe that Zuko is obsessed with Azula.

However, the reality is that Zuko by far cares about Azula the least of any member of his family and that he places almost no value on having a good relationship with her. She is never a priority for him and is at most only an obstacle. All of Zuko's other family members loam far higher in Zuko's priorities and headspace than Azula. And if he is obsessed with her, it's not in a loving way. Maybe "Azula the enemy" and "Azula my advisor and emotional caretaker" are significant to him, but "Azula my sister" never seems to be.

Again, this isn't a moral judgement, merely a fact.

[zukosdualdao]

Just some more thoughts I wanted to chat with you about. I am getting some of these points from anti-Zuko spaces, admittedly, in an attempt to think about things, but only the ones that I think are interesting questions to explore regardless.

The first thing I think is interesting is the idea that part of why Zuko stole the ostrich-horses from Song is not just because it was convenient, but specifically because he resented the vulnerability, and it was a way for him to lash out. I think that's interesting and it fits with some of the other stuff I've seen you saying. It was especially cruel given Song's mother helped Iroh, but nonetheless, I think that makes sense.

Second one isn't actually directly from any anti-Zuko blog I don't think, but I've seen people in your circles (I can't remember if you said this) say that Azula brought Zuko back in honor purely as a way to pawn off the blame on him potentially, but I... don't feel like that really fits? Like, obviously she was also being manipulative a lot, by not telling him she told Ozai he killed the Avatar, but if she really wanted Zuko out of the way, she didn't need to bring him in at all? She could have probably won by herself (or at least, I find it hard to believe she would think she would need Zuko), and she certainly didn't need to give him credit for killing the Avatar– she could have just said that she got in a deadly blow but the Avatar has a waterbending healer, if she knew that as I believe Giancarlo Volpe said.

Fundamentally, I don't see a reason for her to bring Zuko back, especially in such a way that he would return to the role of crown prince, unless she genuinely also wanted to have him back. Sure, her love might be selfish, and she may have also wanted someone for Ozai to blame for things, but it strikes me as odd to claim that there was no positive feeling towards Zuko, especially given The Beach, which I just rewatched for this ask. For example, we see her come get Zuko from their old house, and then try and help Zuko figure out who he's angry at, which I do think was genuinely her being helpful, given Mai and Ty Lee were also doing it.

To be clear, she obviously also loves making fun of, tormenting, putting down, and generally, abusing Zuko, and it's very possible that was part of her motivation for bringing him back, but it seems like it's not just that.

Third, and this one you might agree on, Zuko seems to genuinely not have much positive feeling associated with Azula? Like maybe I'm forgetting something, but I can't think of a single time Zuko felt positively about Azula. The closest three times I can think of are when he suggested to Iroh that he should try and get along with Azula (which sounded kind of rote, but maybe he also believed it), when Azula was falling and he said she's not going to make it, sounded shocked and maybe a tad worried, then had a very slightly barely soft expression for a single frame when she did, and finally after her breakdown. I think that does fit in with the idea he can only feel compassion for Azula when she's in a vulnerable position, which I think I've seen you reblog before and I agree with? (And of course, this is precisely what makes it possible to help with Azula post-war, because he's seen her in that vulnerable position and she continues to be in a relatively vulnerable position).

Anyways, that one seems doubly interesting because he also doesn't seem to have any good memories of Azula when she was younger, either? He has a flashback of Ozai with his hand on young Zuko's back, of Lu Ten and Iroh, of Ursa of course, but there's never a time when he has a flashback to Azula at all.

Anyways, these are just some things I was thinking about and I was wondering if you'd be interested in going some of them, and what you feel about the positive feelings in the Fire Sibling relationship more generally. Are there signs of care from Zuko to Azula that I've missed?

Putting most of this under a cut, lol, maybe one day I'll be able to talk about things with any sort of concision but no one should hold their breath on that tbh

Oh, I 100% agree with the point regarding Zuko and the ostrich horse he stole. I don't even really see that as an anti-Zuko take and rather, just like. What happened, because it was part of his journey, lol.

(Aside: which is I guess what bothers me about many anti-Zuko spaces? Which is not to say you're doing or saying this, I know you're not, just in general. I'm perfectly willing to criticize the characters I like and talk about their faults and poor choices, of which Zuko has many. The issue is that so many treat those things as a condemnation of Zuko's character on the whole or his redemption journey, but, like... the narrative treats those things like they're wrong. Iroh may agree to it, but he's not happy about taking the ostrich horse and notes it as being unkind, especially, as you note, given the kindness Song and her family just showed them. For a redemption arc to work, the character has to have something to redeem himself FROM, so I"m like... yeah... he sure did do that... and then he grew and changed, lol. They don't go back to every specific instance and be like, "Yup, that was wrong" because it wouldn't be realistic and wouldn't move the story forward. When he does get confronted with the wrong things he did, it's from the Gaang, because that's what's most relevant to the larger story being told, and he takes accountability and atones.)

I think something important to remember that Zuko's perspective on the war and the Fire Nation cannot be disentangled from Zuko's perspective on Ozai as the father who abused him. Because Ozai's power-hungry and imperialist worldview, whether Zuko would put it in these terms, was something he was challenging when he defended the division being sacrificed, and even in refusing to fight Ozai back. Which relates to this episode because Zuko, for the first real time, is considering the perspective of the people the Fire Nation, in their war efforts, have othered and harmed. When Song is showing him the scar on her leg, he looks horrified - the war effort is not just soldiers battling out on even footing, but families getting displaced from their homes and torn apart, civilians getting burned, too. Zuko, up to now, has been willfully ignoring what some part of him knows is wrong, but when confronted with Song's suffering, real and right in front of him, he is forced to look at that more deeply. I know a lot of people might say "Okay, but then, if he knows it's wrong at this point, why doesn't he change right here and now?" But that's what I love about Zuko's character arc. It's not clear or linear are simple because people aren't that way, generally. Yes, in this moment, Zuko is confronted with and aware of at least some of the atrocities the Fire Nation has committed. But in that same scene, he's also confronted with Song noting that he is a victim of the Fire Nation, too. (Which he is, albeit not in the exact same way. But there are parallels - not only were he and Song both burned, but they were both forced out of their homes.) Zuko can't fully acknowledge or comes to term with the Fire Nation being on wrong side of the war without also acknowledging that not only is Ozai abusive and doesn't want him back, but that he's wrong for that. Zuko isn't ready to accept any of that, so instead of taking this moment of vulnerability as a chance to grow, he doubles down and reasserts himself as what he thinks, based on Ozai's standards, he should be - someone who's cruel and take things like they're owed to him.

I do think we disagree on the second point pretty heavily, which is fine, but to offer my perspective:

I disagree with the notion that Azula wouldn't think she may need Zuko to win. Azula is very skilled and can be very arrogant about and assured of her own skills, that much is true. But she also often prefers not to fight alone. I remember reading an interview (I would have to dig around for it) where one of the ATLA creators said that she surrounds herself with people like Mai and Ty Lee because she understands they have skills she doesn't. I tend to see her as someone who is very distinctly aware of what advantages she has and very intentionally fills those gaps.

Zuko is the wild card in "The Crossroads of Destiny." He is the only person, by the point of the final battle, who no one (I think, for a moment, even himself) knows exactly what he'll do or which side he'll fight for. Iroh and Azula both make their bids for him - Iroh tries to appeal to his sense of morality and sense of self. Azula tries to appeal to things she knows he wants - his honor and the love of their father back, yes, but also to be genuinely needed and respected by his family in general, including her. And while what she says here is couched in manipulation, often, what's so dangerous about manipulation is that there is or can be an element of truth to it, but it's twisted to fit the manipulator's agenda. She tells him that she needs him to win the fight, and I think that part, she genuinely means.

I don't think she would believe she needed Zuko to win a fight in most or every circumstance. This fight is different. She has faced off against the Gaang-Zuko-Iroh when they very, very briefly joined forces against her in "The Chase." The only reason she got out of that is because she feigned surrender, and, using their moment of surprise/distraction, targeted Iroh. That will not work twice. I think she is incredibly aware that this group of people at least holds the capacity to genuinely pose a threat to her. In fact, she is notably growing wary and arguably losing, with Aang and Katara facing off against her together, before Zuko intercedes. She's also very explicitly losing when she and Katara are facing off and Katara's got her trapped with her water-tentacles, and again, it's Zuko who cuts that off and saves Azula there. So not only do I think she was very intentionally encouraging Zuko to join her to fight because she needed him, I think she was pretty smart to do so. (Not morally good or justified, of course, but strategically competent.)

Of course, people can have more than one reason for doing something. I would say most people usually do. I don't think that Azula MINDED that the end result would be that Zuko came back, because (this is something I will delve into more below), having him around, I think, kind of boosts her ego. It's possible that she also has some degree of unhealthy but genuine affection for him - after all, people are complicated, and while Azula is abusive toward Zuko, it's possible to abuse someone and still love or be convinced you love them. That doesn't make it healthy or the abuse okay, of course, but my point is that I do agree with the general notion that Azula, while a villain in the narrative and abusive on a personal level, is not born evil nor 100% devoid of any good qualities. But I think we would also be remiss to act like it's not true that, a lot of the time, the reason Azula seems to enjoy having Zuko around, it's because she can demean him, like when she cornered into playing with them so she could embarass him as children. Or when she quite obviously delights in calling him paranoid and making him squirm while he confronts her about the lie she told that he killed the avatar.

Zuko being around gives her someone to be better than, given her status as Ozai's golden child and Zuko's as the scapegoat. (But again, more on that in a minute.) Any affection she does have for him is unfortunately deeply entangled with that aspect of their relationship as well.

I don't know if you've read that interview with Volpe in full, but I made an addition to this post a while ago that details the quote about this. Volpe makes it pretty explicit in the interview that as soon as Azula saw Katara sweep in, it was her explicit intention to lie about Zuko killing Aang so that he'd be the one to take the fall if/when it came to light that he was alive. One could argue about how well that was executed in-show (I would argue well, but to each their own), but it was the authorial intent. Authorial intent doesn't count for everything, of course, but in such a series-defining moment as this, I think it should count for a fair amount.

(*Note that I don't know where to fit but I think is relevant - on the Zuko coming back and being crown prince front - I agree that it seems somewhat weird that Azula's willing to have him back, given that. But I did also read a post a while back (I can't find it; I'll try to see if I can dig it up at some point) talking about how Zuko's status as the crown prince, set to take over as Fire Lord one day, is... somewhat murky. Yes, he returns and is immediately hailed as a hero because of Azula's lie - but he's also often aimless and unsure of his real role in the Fire Nation at this point. He's frustrated with being sent off on a 'forced vacation' in "The Beach", he's not even sure whether he's allowed in the war meeting from "Nightmares and Daydreams". (And I read a lot of deliberate manipulation on Ozai (and Azula's) part in that. As mentioned in that last post, Zuko spends a lot of time in the series talking about his crown - but I'm not sure he spent a lot of time thinking about what it would mean to get it back. By the end of the series, Ozai is clearly drunk on power and trying to make himself the most powerful person in the world, basically, handing off the hollow title of Fire Lord to Azula. In truth, I don't think he ever wanted or expected either of his children to succeed him; he only saw them as extensions of himself. When Zuko is back, yes, he's being treated like he's a hero and more trusted/respected, but I'm not entirely convinced it would have lasted very long, had he not left. This next part is somewhat based on conjecture/headcanon, but I don't think it's entirely unreasonable to think that Azula doesn't think bringing Zuko back will mean, in Ozai's eyes, he is still next in line to become Fire Lord. Which I actually think she's right about. In her eyes, Zuko has always been the scapegoat who can't do anything right, and it won't take long before that's true again. But I also think that, while Azula has a pretty good read on how Ozai sees Zuko, part of her tragedy is that she does not have as good of a read on how Ozai sees her - he might on the surface treat her more respectfully or with my trust, but at the end of the day, he sees her as a weapon in service of his own ego and power. Knowing that, it's not difficult for me to imagine Azula might have thought she could eventually work things in her favor so she would be Fire Lord - she does, after all, have a pretty good example in Ozai of him doing just that. When Ozai makes her 'Fire Lord' in the finale, I do read some surprise there, but it doesn't seem to me like surprise that he would do such a thing - she deems that it "seems appropriate". I think the surprise is because the timing makes it pretty clear what a hollow gesture it is, and for the first time, she's being confronted with how Ozai truly sees her, and has truly used her.)

The last point is difficult to discuss because Azula and Zuko have a very complicated relationship because of Ozai's abuse of them both, and because his treatment of Azula encourages her to participate in Zuko's abuse as well. (Something pretty relevant to the second point above.)

I talked about this briefly before, but to reassert it: I see the way Ozai treats Azula and Zuko as a pretty clear demonstration of the idea of an abuser treating their children a 'golden child' and 'a scapegoat', respectively. (I have complicated feelings about the origins of these terms which I won't get into now, but regardless, they are pretty commonly recognized roles family structures can fall into that character dynamics and tropes often parallel.) Azula, on the surface, is praised and seemingly treated with more respect or trust, but there is a lot of pressure that no one can truly live up to placed on her, Ozai sees her skill as an extension of himself and in the context of how they can serve him (see him having her demonstrate for Azulon in the flashbacks of "Zuko Alone"), and Zuko is always there as an implicit threat of how she COULD be treated. ("You can't do this! You can't treat me like Zuko!") Zuko, by contrast, is most often treated like everything he does is wrong, and even when he's trying to do what he thinks Ozai wants, he's still a failure. (He's notably displeased by Zuko, in the same flashback sequence, trying to demonstrate his own skill even before it goes wrong, because the expectation is that Zuko will fail before he ever even tries.)

I know this is just like, defining terms, but I genuinely think it's important context to consider when talking about Zuko and Azula's relationship. The tragedy of Zuko and Azula is that they should be able to have a good relationship, but Ozai's abuse has ensured that they don't.

So, yes, I would say that Zuko seemingly has few positive feelings about Azula. Because there has been very little to be positive about. What he does displays a desire that things were different. While Azula is lying about wanting Zuko back home, she is obviously there as an extension of Ozai, but it's her telling this lie, her he's choosing, in this moment, to believe. Because he wants to be able to trust what she's saying and that their family, as a unit, including her, wants him back. In the moment you mentioned where he says he should be trying to get along with her, I think that is another acknowledgment that he wishes things were different because he would like to just get along with her. But she has proven herself dangerous, having just attacked Iroh, and Iroh rightly points out that he doesn't have to simply get along with her, because she is not willing to make the same effort. And yes, a lot of the moments of compassion he seems to feel for her are in moments of vulnerability, because in moments where she's in power, she's often using that power against him, to target him.

Azula does have moments where it may seem she has more positive feelings about Zuko's presence, but as I said before, it's hard to disentangle that from the broader context of their dynamic. I do think the moment in "The Beach" is one of her more genuine moments of care for Zuko, because she sees that he's sad and does something to show there's more to Azula than just cruelty, manipulation, etc. But it's also notable that Zuko is sad because he's finally starting to acknowledge that the way their family is isn't right or healthy, that he's not happy being back in the Fire Nation. Turning away from that is what Zuko's BEEN doing most of the series. He NEEDS to face that if he’s going to grow. Azula trying to get him to turn away from it in the moment isn't entirely healthy, even though that's not something I think she herself recognizes. I'm less inclined to think she was being caring when she asks him who he's angry at, because she immediately demeans him for the answer.

Which is sort of the problem with a lot of the evidence people will sometimes pull to show Azula caring about Zuko - they usually come from moments where either she's manipulating or straight up lying to Zuko or where she is insulting him. It's fine and in fact important to acknowledge that she has more sympathetic moments and is not this completely evil person with no capacity for love or affection (one of the show's central themes is, after all, to suggest that no one is born evil), but I often feel that, when people are making this argument, they are using it an attempt to justify the abuse Azula has committed against him. To say that, because she cares about him, it's okay. And I've seen people go further than that and suggest he's a bad brother for not putting up with her abuse. And I don't agree with either of those stances.

[teaandcrowns]

Do you have any headcanons for Zuko and Katara's Steambabies? How many would they end up having? What names would they give them? (for example, my personal favorites for boys are Iroh and Lu Ten, because they would obviously name their daughter after Kya). Which one is a firebender or waterbender? Do they also have a non-bender that Zuko trains in swords? Which one takes after Zuko or Katara the most, in terms of physical appearance or personality?

I've been contemplating this one for a while, because I'm not entirely sure. I haven't covered it in any of my fics, so I haven't had to make any decisions about it yet.

I actually like the idea of keeping Izumi as their firstborn daughter and as her name—from what I understand, it means "source of water" or "spring" (as pertaining to water). I think Zuko would ask if Katara would want to name a daughter after her mother, but she'd say no, and want to look forward to something new while still able to hold on to the memories of her mother just as her mother. I can also see her wanting their firstborn, who would become Firelord after Zuko, to have an appropriate Fire Nation name (especially with the chance that the child might be a waterbender), but Zuko would want something to honor his wife and her connection to the water, so Izumi would be the name he chose.

I think they might have two more children after, much like Katara does in canon. I like the idea of Izumi being a non-bender, actually, and then a waterbending boy and a firebending girl, in that order. The youngest would give Zuko some anxiety, worrying that she might end up being like Azula somehow. Their names wouldn't be directly from other people, but perhaps reminiscent of them in some way. Or perhaps different entirely, with meanings of their own. Zuko and Katara, again, are looking ahead and taking part in forging a new era in the world, after all. Maybe the boy might be Kallik (which the internet tells me is an Inuit name meaning "lightning"), which Katara would choose to wed her culture and her husband's together in the same way Izumi does. Maybe the girl is Dara (again, the internet tells me this is a Thai name meaning "star"), because she's their little bright one with the spark of fire in her eyes.

I think Izumi would, complexion-wise, probably take the most after Zuko (and he would say Ursa, but Katara also sees Kya in her), but with Katara's nose and eyes (she learns to use her blue eyes to either set people at ease or surprise them that she's the up and coming Firelord). Kallik would have Katara's complexion or a bit darker but physically be a blend of Zuko and his grandfather, Hakoda, coming in, with a bit more solidness and breadth when he comes of age. Dara I imagine to have a lot of Ursa and Azula in her body shape and eye shape, though she has Zuko's (and Ozai's) eye color and is somewhere between Katara and Zuko in complexion, and is shorter and lither than her elder siblings.

I can actually see Zuko training all three of their kids with swords, and all three would learn firebending and waterbending styles from both their parents, regardless of what element (or not) they command. Zuko and Katara picked up things from one another during the war, after all, and I imagine that would only continue as they spent more and more time together after, and that is something they would consciously and unconsciously pass down to their kids.

[loreandletters]

WarTrophy!Sokka snippet...

tysm! 12yr lore would have loved to read this lmao and yeah, Zuko def deserved that hit, what was he thinking saying all that? (also apologies if i didn't reblog this right? haven't been on tumblr that long)

Speaking of snippets, I have been finding all these little scenes littered through out my old docs. (i feel like an archaeologist rn) I didn't think about posting it until I read ur tags lol thanks for the idea!

Warning, some of the writing had a few months in between (I think this was around the time I got super sick) so there'll be difference in quality. lol I'm really enjoying all this tbh, very nostalgic for me :)

(fic in question)(this comes right off the 2nd chapter lol)

-

Sokka woke up in pain and decided that it was a good enough excuse to start brooding up a storm.

A traitor. Him? Was their defeat so inconceivable that Zuko had gotten amnesia? (totally possible by the way, Zuko was dramatic enough for it) It’s not like Sokka hadn’t spent, oh, nearly ten years trying to prove otherwise. Honestly, aside from the color of his eyes, what about him screamed Water Tribe? 

Sokka couldn’t stand the cold. He loved the smell of a fresh fire, and yeah he complained, but sometimes he was more faithful to Agni’s rites than Zuko was. When the chill came at night, he made sure to wear double layers, and when they re-entered warmer waters, he breathed a sigh of relief. He can’t remember a time when he didn’t like spicy food, he embraced their festivals (even the one that celebrated the fall of the Airbenders), and wearing anything other than red felt wrong. To put it simply: everything about Sokka was Fire Nation, down to the lingo, down to the bone. Just not the eyes.

And his family? His parents were a faded memory. Yes, he hadn’t wanted to leave (what did they expect, raids and children didn’t exactly mix well!), but obviously that wasn’t still true. He had plenty of chances to run back ‘home,’ but he never did. 

The more he thought about it the angrier he got.

He’d followed his prince in his banishment, sworn fealty to the royal family, and accepted all the burdens that came with it. If he were born with golden eyes, people would be envious of him. No one would even think to call him a dog or a savage - he would just be Sokka. Not even that! His name would be different, less strange and so obviously foreign.

Damn you, Lady Ursa. Lu Ten. Sokka thought viciously, hot tears pricking at the corners of his eyes. If only you had just let me die back then.

That had to be easier, right? His heart was burning with the anger, but underneath it bubbled a sickening kind of grief. His chest hurt, like a knife twisting round and round and round. Almost ten years of loyalty, and what did he get but Zuko screaming all of his insecurities to his face?

Azula was right. Sokka was way too stubborn for his own good. Even now, he didn’t know if he was more upset with the prince or the fact Zuko might just kick him off the crew all together. Where would he even go? Sokka didn’t want to leave - he wanted another chance. He wanted to see Zuko home like he swore. (he wanted to go home too. The Fire Nation may have taken from him, but it had given him so much more in return)

Sokka scrubbed at his face, drawing deep, steading breaths so as to try and kill the sob building in his chest. Zuko was so lucky, he was so fuckin’ lucky that Sokka loved him this much. He was lucky that his mom had saved Sokka, ripped his chest open and tricked him into caring for her kids. And that Lu Ten had instilled such a deep love for the Fire Nation, that Sokka never even thought twice about returning ‘home.’ war

If they hadn’t, then Sokka would have left Caldera the night Ursa died and never looked back.

[ghanjrho]

How A:tLA should have ended, Pt. 2

Part 1 is here

I promised you Fire Family and Steambabies, have your Fire Family and Steambabies. We'll start with oldest and move down in age, as of roughly AG 115. For timeline purposes, the royal wedding was in AG 105, when Zuko was 21 and Katara 19.

Uncle Iroh: Iroh retires from his role as Regent the day Zuko and Katara have their Fire Nation wedding. Now he moves back to Ba Sing Se and his tea shop, though he still makes it back to Caldera for a couple weeks a year. It's a good system, obviously removing the Dragon of the West from the levers of power, while also putting enough physical separation between him and Zuko that a coup is unlikely to target both at once. The Steambabies call him Grampa Iroh.

Ozai: Is dead. Handed over to the Earth Kingdom a year or so after the war ended, an international tribunal called for his execution. In desperation, he offered up all the information he had on Ursa. All it bought him was being executed like a member of the Fire Lord's family, as opposed to a peasant. Aang refuses to vote for death on principle, but has grown enough to understand that not everyone can live by his personal code of ethics.

Ursa: Was found. The basic arc of The Search is maintained, with the exception that Ursa didn't lose her memories. Why didn't she go back? She was going to. But Ursa was Noriko now, and Noriko was going to have to work hard to convince her son that she was his mother; at the time she didn't know that the Mother of Faces could undo a gift and make her Ursa again. Not to mention that at the time of The Search, the family simply didn't have the money to travel to the Capitol and stay there for the amount of time it would take for her to get access to Zuko without running afoul of her banishment.

Zuko: Is the Fire Lord, and a devoted father. He thinks the second is more important. Had some serious nerves about parenthood, but bowed to the reality of needing an heir and a spare. Winds up having more than that.

Katara: Is the Fire Lady, and a handful of other titles besides. Her travels through the Fire Nation hinterlands give her a surprising wealth of connections to the Fire Nation's peasantry, which she freely uses to keep abreast of what's going on in her adopted land. She and Zuko are that married couple that can't keep there hands off each other.

Azula: Instead of letting Azula be a crutch villain, Azula gets better. Ursa's return and Zuko's persistent attention helped her unwind a lot of the emotional abuse that Ozai inflicted on her. Not all the way better, she has a medicated tea that she takes daily, and her moral compass is still worryingly external. That said, Zuko is her frame of reference instead of Ozai, so everyone is willing to call it good enough. On her 18th birthday, Zuko (and Iroh) named her the Hand of Fire, making her the Fire Lord's go-to problem solver.

Kiyi: is adorable. Yes, Mommy looks different now, but Kiyi has cool older siblings now! Azula had very complicated feelings about "her replacement" for a while. A lot of talks with Ursa helped; finding out Zuzu would fold in the face of Kiyi's pout did too. Early morning Fire Sibling meditation is essential bonding time. For Kiyi's age, I'm putting her 10 years younger than Azula, or 12 years younger than Zuko; in AG 115 she's 19 and a skilled firebender.

Izumi: Steambaby the first. Izumi was born on her parents' first anniversary, almost to the hour. Like her aunt, she's an extremely talented firebender, using blue fire and learning lightning generation. Unlike her aunt, her mother isn't trying to protect a more vulnerable sibling, and her father isn't emotionally abusing her to turn her into a living weapon/vessel for his will.

Kya: Steambaby the second. Followed her older sister by a year and a half, being born in mid-winter. Like her mother, she's a waterbender with the healing gift.

Lu Ten/Noriko: Twins that followed Kya by 3 years and a bit; spring birth. Neither has shown signs of bending yet, but there's still time.

Rei/Kallik: Boys, newborn.

Bonus:

Sokka/Suki: The brother-in-law and co-sister-in-law of the Fire Lord. Have 3 of their own and are working on a fourth. Suki and Azula are in a low-key competition to be the favorite aunt. Their work mainly keeps them in the new United Republic's territory,

[peony-pearl]

I needed to doodle him; idk what he's upset about. Maybe he just got back home for the first time since BSS and Ozai as Fire Lord, Ursa's disappearance, memories of Lu Ten and the absolute shame of failing at BSS while also feeling ashamed for the whole siege after his spirit-journey has him all in a big mental scuffle as he ponders his new place in the Fire Nation

[purple-astronaut]

Ursa giving birth to kiyi, trying to write sad works more because I write like I work for Disney, if anyone has any ideas or requests, I would love to do them! Sorry for all the typos I did not review 😅

Im sorry, my dear husband

It had been a hard 10 hours, but ursa got kiyi out, but there was a lot of blood, so ursa had to rest but she couldn't sleep because she was still in pain but she was also really tired.

"Ozai.... it hurts, " ursa whispered to her husband, who was sitting right beside her, wiping sweat off of her and cooling her down. "I know, baby... it'll get better real soon, ok, like it always does, " Ozai said, putting more cold water on the rag. "No, this... is different...." Ursa whispered, said as she closed her eyes.

"Ursa?! Call the healer!" Ozai yelled. That was the last thing Ursa heard as she blacked out.

Ozai was scared for his wife and his children having to grow up without their mother, but as the fire lord and a father, he had to remain calm as his kids asked millions of questions about thier mother and her condition.

"Is she ok?"

"Is she alive?"

"Will she be ok?"

"Is there anything we can do?"

Lucky, iroh was here it hurt him that his brother may lose his wife the same way iroh lost his and that his nephew and niece may have to grow up without a mother. As he was ushering the siblings out, he saw his brother mouth a silence, Thank you, to which he gave him a head nod in response. He needed to keep his mind off of all the memories this place gave him of his late son, and zuko and azula needed something to do.

Ozai sighed now that he was alone "Ursa you can't die...." he shed a tear and did something he hadn't done in a while, he prayed. He didn't believe in the spirits, but right now, he needed his wife, and he was doing everything in his power to keep her with him.

"I hope mom will be ok..." azula said as she came through the passage way in the walls. Ozai chuckled and told her to put the painting back up that covered the hole. "Sorry, for overwhelming you dad, we're just worried," azula said as she sat down at her father's desk in the fire lord's personal office. "It's alright, azula. Did you leave iroh and zuko?" Ozai asked, "They're making tea..." azula said, rolling her eyes "Plus I want to help you with your work!" To which ozai chuckled and told her to put stamps on the papers he gave her. "How is the baby?" Azula asked, "Unstable, thier not sure if she'll live..." Ozai said, they worked in silence after that.

Ozai was great full that he had gotten one child like him who depvopled his work ethics, but zuko was the same way too just when he wanted to be. They worked until they had gotten the alert that the fire lady and the baby were alive, awake, and strong. It was almost night.

Azula and zuko were the first in the room, "MOM!" They yelled as they saw their mother standing holding their new baby sister in the nursery. "Hi, my babys!" Ursa said, happy to see her kids, husband, and brother in law. "Can I hold her?" Zuko asked as he sat in the chair and was given the baby not too long after, "Congratulations on the new baby..." Iroh said, Ursa frowned and said,"We all are very sorry for your loss, Iroh... lu ten was an amazing man. " Iroh waved his hand in the air and told them not to worry and enjoy all the time they had with their kids. Ozai and Ursa bowed as iroh left, zuko, and azula were too busy admiring their new baby sister.

Ozai grabbed a chair and sat down in it, then told Ursa to sit in his lap, and she did. Ozai put his hand on her stomach and his head on her shoulder because she was sitting sideways. "You sacred me, ursa...." Ozai said in a whisper for only her to hear, "I'm sorry, my dear husband.... but I have more bad news... but it can wait till the kids are asleep, " Ursa whispered back.

"Did you name her?" Azula asked with big eyes, "Me and your farther agreed on kiyi..." Ursa said, resting her arm around ozai's neck and her head on top of his. Ozai got up, letting ursa have the chair to her self to give kiyi to azula so she could hold her. Soon, ozai got to hold his new daughter, and zuko and azula went to bed, and ursa moved to the more comfortable chair. The one zuko and azula had been sitting in.

"Today was rough..." Ursa said, already starting to fall asleep, ozai sighed and rolled his eyes in a playful way."Ursa, go to bed," he said. "You don't have to tell me twice," ursa said, getting up and heading to the door. "Oh... and ursa, it'll be ok, you'll get through this, " he said, rocking their daughter in his arms. "The doctor told you...." Ursa said, stopping in her tracks but not turning around.

"No... but I know you, and that's the most logical answer, " he said, putting their new and last child down

"You're not mad?" She said, unmoving, trying not to let tears fall

"Mad? Ursa, this is something you can't control, I'm just glad you're alive." Ozai said

Ursa walked over to her husband and sobed into his chest, "Let it all out firelilly, it'll be ok," he said, rubbing her back.

"I can't bear you any more children, ozai!" Ursa said in-between sobs, "we don't need anymore, and the fact that you are still here is more than enough. The children we have now need a mother, and you are an amazing one. We would have been broken without you."

Ursa looked up at her husband and sniffed, then said, "I'm sorry I scarred you..." Ursa mumbled out, "Stop apologizing." Ozai said as a maid walked in, and she stood to the side as the royal couple left. "Can we cuddle?" Ursa asked as she grabbed ozai's arm and put their hands together, "Of course, " Ozai responded.

"Will kiyi be ok with the maid?" Ursa asked, worried for her new baby, "Yes, she is in good hands, " Ozai said

"Can you give me a massage?" Ursa asked, looking at her husband with her big brown eyes, "Yes, my love, " Ozai said. "And then while we're cuddling, can we talk more about the......baby thing?" Ursa said, "Anything you want, " ozai said as he kissed her head.

[cienie-isengardu]

What if Lu Ten wasn't a firebender?

Lu Ten’s death is the turning point in history of Iroh, his relationship with Zuko and Ozai’s rise to power while we barely knows anything about him as a character. Including whether he was firebender or not and I admit, it bugs me a lot, because Lu Ten being a non-bender could add a lot to the conflict between brothers but also explain Iroh’s fondness for his nephew.

We know that as a son of Iroh, Lu Ten was the second-in-line to the throne and that he fought at war in Ba Sing Sai. His death broke Iroh and saddened Ursa and little Zuko, however Azulon himself never said anything suggesting he loved his grandson (and heir) in any special way. When Ozai asked to be named the Crown Prince, Azulon only talked about Iroh - his first-born (beloved) son and Iroh’s pain, never saying how he personally, if ever, was affected by Lu Ten’s death.

Azulon: Say what it is you want! Ozai: Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me. Azulon: You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born? Directly after the demise of his only beloved son? I think Iroh has suffered enough! But you ... your punishment has scarcely begun!

What Ozai did was not only foolish for pragmatic reasons - especially if Azulon always favored Iroh, but also very tactless, showing how little he cared for Lu Ten, his nephew or Iroh, his older brother. Through Zuko’s memories we could see that Azula already thought their “dad would make a much better Fire Lord than His Royal Tea-Loving Kookiness [Zuko Alone]”. Considering how Ursa and Zuko are fond of Iroh and Lu Ten, it is logical to think Azula’s opinion is rooted in Ozai’s ambitions and disdain for Iroh.

Additionally, Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search comics provided us some insight into Zuko’s childhood: Ozai wanted to get rid of his son because he thought the baby “lacked a spark” and having a non-bender for a first born was embarrassing for Prince of Fire Nation.

When you were born, we weren't sure if you were bender at all. You didn't have that spark in your eyes. I planned to cast you from the palace. How embrassing for a prince of the Fire Nation to have a nonbender as his firstborn! [The Search, part II]

As the story explained, Ozai on purpose emotionally abused and humiliated Zuko, as a revenge against Ursa, so we should ask if what he said was a widely accepted truth or just him taking another chance to make his son (and wife)’s life a living hell. However if Ozai’s words are true, then if Lu Ten was born as non-bender he would be considered an embarrassment to Iroh’s bloodline. Yet since Azulon accepted him as his grandson and thus put in line of succession, especially if Azulon did it solely out for love for his firstborn, then it makes sense for Ozai to resent Iroh (the favored son) and Lu Ten (the non-bender nephew Ozai would be forced to serve in future).

Interestingly, child Azula provided another detail to ponder more about the idea of non-bender Lu Ten:

Young Azula: If Uncle doesn't make it back from war, then Dad will be next in line for Fire Lord, wouldn't he? Ursa: Azula, we don't speak that way. It would be awful if Uncle Iroh didn't return. And besides, Fire Lord Azulon is a picture of health. Young Zuko: How would you like it if cousin Lu Ten wanted Dad to die? Young Azula: I still think our dad would make a much better Fire Lord than His Royal Tea-Loving Kookiness.

If Iroh didn’t make it back from war, logically thinking the title of next Fire Lord should be bestowed on his son. However Azula wholly ignored her cousin’s existence and this scene took place before news of Lu Ten’s death. Surprisingly, Ursa does not correct Azula about the line of succession and like her daughter, she omits Lu Ten. Understandably, Ursa was taken aback by such a question, but still no one from the Royal Family presented here seems to consider Iroh’s son to be next in line.  

Zuko is literally the only one person who remembers about Lu Ten’s existence but like the rest of his family, not in the context of the succession line. Which I admit, confuse me a lot, because in the same episode Ozai specifically ask for Iroh’s birthright arguing his older brother lost his heir, while Ozai’s children are alive (and Azula presented as amazing firebender at such young age).

Ozai: Father, you must have realized as I have, that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended. After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege at Ba Sing Se, and who knows when he will return home. But I am here, Father, and my children are alive. 

To my knowledge, here is little solid data about Lu Ten but… if Lu Ten was born as non-bender - the shame to Royal Family - but was still put by Azulon before Ozai in the line of succession, it adds a lot to Ozai’s frustration and resentment for Iroh, the clearly favored son, and fuels the competition between brothers for Azulon’s favor. To the point Ozai will push hard his own children to their limits and beyond, because of the need to prove his heirs are better than Iroh’s. And with Azula, the second child being the prodigy firebender, while Iroh’s own can’t bend a fire for sure comes a great deal of satisfaction and most likely Ozai’s arrogance rubbed on little Azula toward her cousin. Which could meant Ozai didn’t pit his own kids against each other, but also pit Azula against Lu Ten.

On the other hand, Zuko and Lu Ten were implied to have a good relationship. We saw Iroh, baby Zuko and little Lu Ten playing together on the beach or that Zuko was genuinely sad about his cousin’s death and fact Iroh lost his only kid. We also know Zuko struggled a lot with firebending and father’s high exceptions (though we have no idea how good a firebender he was compared to other children his age. We only know he was bad compared to firebending prodigal Azula). If Lu Ten was the “embarrassment” for being non-bender and Zuko the “failure” compared to younger sister, their bond could be based on similar hardship they were forced to endure. Beside Iroh, from all family members, within the context of presented flashbacks and little bits here and there, Zuko seemed to have the closest relationship with his older cousin. The moment Lu Ten is dead, Ozai is already trying to get the throne.  Azula barely cared for Lu Ten and mocked Iroh for being broken by son’s death (no doubt Ozai’s influences). Ursa was upset about the news of Lu Ten’s death, but she barely mentions him beside that one moment. Azulon has never openly said he is upset by his grandson's death or that it is a great loss to Fire Nation - he only cared for Iroh’s pain. 

So if Zuko and Lu Ten (non-bender) had any resemblance of normal family relationship, I think it would naturally make Iroh like the boy despite the bitter brotherhood with Ozai, especially if his nephew did not look down on Lu Ten’s lack of firebending. What most likely would just add another reason for Ozai to resent Zuko (and maybe for Iroh to not be fond his niece?)

Which is why I like the idea of Lu Ten being non-bender - it mess even more already messed up Royal Family relationship. 

[demaparbat-hp]

For the Spirits— Chapter V: There Was Sun

I wish I could dream like I used to dream

I wish I could be all the things that I used to be

When there was sun

—There Was Sun by Nothing But Thieves

.

Zuko was a child when he first met Agni. He couldn’t remember the dream, not really. He woke up with ragged breaths and eyes older than his years on earth. Whenever he tried to drag the memories to the surface all that could be found was a blank space where the night’s visions should be. Zuko knew he had met Agni in the dream because that’s when the whispers started. The next day, a six-year-old Fire Prince burned for the first time.

[enigmeyyy-writes]

The Olive Branch {Zuko x F!OC}

Chapter 1 - The Summer Proposition

Given the task of accompanying the Earth Prince and her dear friend, Giren, to the Fire Nation over the summer when she was only 14, Sana Beifong didn’t expect to become a bargaining chip to help prevent further invasion into her homeland.

Or: Giren only wanted his dear childhood friend Zuko to be happy after the disappearance of Fire Lady Ursa. After meeting Sana in school in the Upper Ring, Giren decides to come up with the brilliant idea to play matchmaker in the middle of a war between their two nations.

Masterlist | Next Chapter

Word Count: 3589

Author's Note: Hi guys and welcome to the first chapter of The Olive Branch! It's taken a few days between work and classes, but I finally am happy with how it turned out :) this is part 1 of 30, so if you enjoyed this first chapter please follow my account or join the taglist (via masterlist)!

Being invited to tea at the royal palace in Ba Sing Se was a normal occurrence at this point. Of course, the travel from Gaoling could be quite a hassle when she wasn’t staying at her apartment in the Upper Ring, but Sana made do. Having a natural talent for persuading others from a young age, a scholar and professor visiting the Beifong estate had convinced her parents it would be best to educate her at the Earth Kingdom Royal Academy. Being from such a wealthy family, young Sana thought this path was an odd one at first, but soon enough, she realized it was a perfect fit.

Now fourteen and a political prodigy, Sana has thrived during her past few years at EKR. She had made good friends with other noble heirs and heiresses in Ba Sing Se, some of the few people who also had contact with life outside of the walls. Namely, Sana had the privilege of becoming good friends with the Earth King’s eldest son, Prince Giren.

Giren is quite the character, and Sana learned that quickly. Despite his princely disposition and current responsibilities as the Earth Kingdom's primary ambassador in charge of diplomacy, he’s loud and easily excited by even something as small as a Sparrowkeet. Sure, the prince had a heart of gold and was honestly as childish as his father, but he was a great mentor and had the kind of wisdom you may only find in generals and peacemakers. He often dragged Sana and their other friend Shihe to the palace when they were all in the city, so it was a bit odd for Sana to be receiving an invitation right after returning home at the end of term.

“What the fuck, Giren?”

“Well I don’t want to go alone so I convinced my dad to give you an official position! No biggie!”

Sana rolls her eyes in frustration as she lifts her teacup to take another sip. It’s perfectly sweet, just like how she prefers it. “Giren, you can’t just have the literal Earth King appoint me junior ambassador for the entire nation just because you didn’t want to visit the Fire Nation alone.”

“I haven’t visited the royal family since I was twelve, Sannie! It’s been three whole years since I’ve seen my friends there outside of sending letters once a month, so of course I’m nervous!” Giren is exasperated, lounging dramatically across a plush couch as he begins to recount his childhood memories to his dear friend. “We’ve only been friends since you came to the city for–ugh–school two years ago, but Sana you probably know by now that the Fire Nation just went through some crazy political upheaval last year. Things are a lot different now and I don’t know how well the meeting this summer will go…”

It is concerning, what Giren has recounted to her from his letters with the now crown Prince Zuko. After the death of his cousin Lu Ten during the siege on Ba Sing Se last year, General Iroh abdicated the throne to his younger brother and Zuko’s father, Ozai. Within days Fire Lord Azulon had died and the newly appointed Fire Lady Ursa had disappeared. On the other side of this, Giren hadn’t been able to visit Zuko and their other friend Soru in years. Sana, attempting to emphasize, thought what it would be like returning to Ba Sing Se if King Kuei suddenly thrust Giren onto the throne on such short notice. “I see…” A sigh escapes her pink-painted lips. “I suppose it would be more beneficial to have a closer companion in addition to your guards with you considering the shift in political climate the Fire Nation is facing. But why not invite Shihe and introduce him to your friends? You’ve known him much longer and honestly, I’d like to spend more time with my sister before we grow apart too much…”

“You know I can’t. Not in the way I want to.” Giren places his head in his hands. “Besides, you and Toph are polar opposites anyway. She may only be ten years old and behave for your parents when they’re around, but you’ve mentioned she manages to sneak off a lot and I know you’d never,” he jests a bit knowing her well.

“Ren, I’ll come with you this summer,” Sana says to him as he suddenly jumps up with a childlike glee. “But only after I visit home and tell my parents. We’ll depart at the beginning of next month, yes? That gives me two weeks to get my affairs in order before you whisk me away to the Fire Nation, of all places.”

Giren is ecstatic at this point. “Oh thankyouthankyouthankyouuuu!~” he exclaims, running up and hugging her sitting form. Sana remains composed, but a slight smile reaches her controlled face. “You have no idea how excited but nervous but excited I am to go back! Back in the day when I visited over the summer, Lady Ursa would invite Soru and me on their annual trip to Ember Island since it falls during my birthday. I wonder if we’ll be able to bring back that tradition…”

Sana giggles a bit behind her hand. “Anything for you, you spoiled brat..”

“H-hey!”

*:･✧*:･

Returning home to Gaoling to have dinner with her parents after a week in the city was quite nervewracking for Sana. How could she explain the situation to them without their overprotective nature bubbling up and taking away an amazing opportunity for her? Arriving back at the Beifong estate via their family carriage after several days of travel, Sana is greeted by the sight of her parents.

“Father, mother,” she greets them cordially. Sana had always been a proper young lady fitting of her status, so addressing her family formally had stuck out of habit. Ever the dramatic pair, Lord and Lady Beifong immediately rush over to their eldest daughter.

“Dear how was your trip?”

“Why were you summoned to the palace so soon? You only just returned home from school…”

��Sana you should get dressed in something nicer and put your hair up, we’re having guests over tonight.” 

“Why is her hair down in the first place…”

With a sigh and a smile, Sana plays her parents well. “My trip was well. Prince Giren invited me for tea and well…I have something to announce at dinner if you think our guests do not mind?” She thinks for a moment. “Who is visiting anyway?”

Her mother, Poppy, smiles warmly. She’s proud of her daughter, despite Sana being away from home so often. “The Lu family is visiting from Ba Sing Se. They’ve been in the region these past few days meeting with the towns that grow their trade goods. Didn’t your friend Shihe tell you? Or the Prince?”

Sana’s mother had always been the talkative type despite being a lady of class–gossip was difficult when you live in a regional capital town where you are the most prominent family. “No I’m afraid he didn’t write either of us…I’m glad we’re hosting him and his parents, though. It’d be good for him to hear the news now than over a letter.”

Returning to her bedroom and dressing herself in the nicest dress clothes (a pretty olive-jade colored ensemble that compliments her slightly more golden eyes) and twisting her long black hair into a pretty low bun with her favorite ornamental hairpin (a birthday gift from Giren last year). While Sana’s look wasn’t as typical as her mother’s fashion or what her little sister was often forced into, it was one that set her apart in the best way, showcasing her unique beauty perfectly. 

Dinner with the arrival of the Lu family to Gaoling was delightful. Sana struck up conversation with Shihe quickly, making ease of the small talk while avoiding topics surrounding school, business, or politics. Their fathers, of course, found themselves engaged in a loud conversation about business and their children that was seemingly unavoidable.

“Lao, I have to ask, why send your daughter so far away from home to be educated when she surely would grow into a perfectly mannered young lady with your wife’s guidance?” Mr. Lu was a stern businessman who his son looked nothing alike. Their values also differed quite a lot as despite technically having new wealth in comparison to the Beifongs, they hold very traditional beliefs about roles in society.

Of course, all four Beifongs and Shihe are taken a bit aback by this sudden question. “W-well you see my good friend who grew up here, Advisor Xi Mao–I’m sure you’re familiar with him, correct? He’s a scholar and professor at the Earth Kingdom Royal Academy our children attend and had been visiting us two years ago. Xi Mao had noticed my eldest Sana’s natural gift and intellect and suggested we enroll her as she had the makings of a political prodigy.” The praise was seemingly endless and repetitive at this point for Sana who had heard her father tell the story a million times before. “Of course, this is evident by the friendship she has gained with your son and Prince Giren. She’s top of her class for those studying political endeavors.”

Sana, with a strained smile that comes across as grateful to the untrained eye, stands up with ladylike grace. “On that note, father, may I make an announcement?” Her voice rings through the room in a delicate and pleasing tone, immediately settling the tension. Lao gives his daughter a permissive hand gesture, allowing her to speak.

“I was visiting with Prince Giren for tea earlier this week and received news that I am the newly appointed junior diplomatic ambassador for the Earth Kingdom.” Congratulations are spoken, her parents' faces lit up with dramatic pride. “However, this means I will be leaving next week to accompany the prince to the Fire Nation on a long overdue summer visit to the royal family.”

Silence fills the room. Toph, still young and naive about the world, innocently speaks up.

“Why is everyone so quiet? Is something wrong?”

The adults in the room immediately rush to speak up to assure the youngest daughter that there is nothing to be concerned about. However, the tension in the room and nervous glances among them say otherwise.

After dinner, the Lu family departs from the estate to reach the next town over for the night. Shihe comfortingly lets Sana know before they leave that he will be in contact with her and Giren all summer. When the home is empty of the joyous chatter and talk of business, Sana’s parents pull her aside, with looks of worry on their faces.

“Sana, what is the meaning of this?” Her father’s tone is confrontational. “Surely this is some kind of mistake…”

Confused, Sana tilts her head, lips slightly parted with a small frown. “The Earth King himself drafted the proclamation document at his son’s request, father. You know you can trust I am responsible enough to handle such a position. Besides, Giren and his company of guards will be traveling with us and he’s visited the Fire Nation many times before…”

This doesn’t shake her parents’ concern. “Dearest, what kinds of…responsibilities will this new position mean for you? For your time?” As typical of Poppy Beifong, she is more concerned about her daughter’s safety and status as a young lady of a noble house than where she may be traveling.

“Most responsibilities will be handled by Ren I suppose, he is the primary diplomatic ambassador and prince of our kingdom after all…He told me himself he truly just wanted a close friend to keep him sane while visiting as it has been years since he’s seen his childhood friends in person.” Recalling the conversation from earlier that week, Sana tries to make sense of her own future agenda for the summer. “Much of our time outside of Giren’s meeting will be with the crown prince and their mutual friend, Soru. I’m sure the princess and her friends will also be around quite frequently as well from what I’ve heard, but they are younger than us and tend to stay distant.” 

These details seem to quell her parent’s anxiety, but it’s evident the Beifongs are still hesitant. Sana, in all honesty, is the perfect daughter of nobility. Having such a gem like her in such a dangerous position and environment like traveling to the Fire Nation for political reasons comes with a great risk. Despite these apprehensions, all Lao and Poppy can do is let her go. “Well, then I suppose there is no way to go against the wishes of the royal family…but your mother and I do expect letters at least once a week while you are away. We don’t want to hear news through the vine that you are suddenly in danger,” Sana’s father sternly tells her.

With a gentle and small smile, Sana gratefully gives a bow to her parents before bidding them goodnight. Heading down the hall to her bedroom, however, she is quickly stopped by her little sister grabbing her wrist. “Toph?”

“I heard your footsteps…so you’ll really be gone all summer?” Toph was normally one to wear her masks: the sweet blind daughter in front of their parents, the fierce competitor when she’d sneak away to earth-bending battles, and even the unbothered friend if need be when in company. Her sister knew her best of all, seeing through whatever the ten-year-old would try to do to protect herself. “It’s times like these I wish I wasn’t blind because now I won’t have anyone to confide in, Sana…”

A sigh escapes Sana’s lips with a gentle frown. The girls’ rooms had become their sanctuary, their space to breathe and relax away from the eyes of their overbearing parents and the rest of society. Sana, as the elder of the two sisters, had a room more different from her sisters: books and scrolls from school, expensive gifts of jewelry and trinkets given to her by her friends and family, an ornate vanity, and a hanging scroll Giren had given her depicting a scene of a pond beside a large tree with hanging leaves in a pretty garden (he claimed it didn’t “suit his space”). Toph’s room was much more simple and slightly smaller as not only was she the youngest, she is blind and their parents try to “prevent” her from coming into contact with hazards. Aside from the same set of furniture both girls have, Toph’s room was fairly barren in decor aside from a few dolls Sana had given to her when she was younger. Both rooms were full of memories of simpler times of childhood dreams of future handsome suitors and fighting Fire Nation goons. Toph had always been a fighting spirit, a strong-willed girl who refused to be told something was impossible for her to do. On the other hand, Sana was a near complete opposite: a ladylike girl who thought before she spoke and acted, someone who once had dreams of always living lavishly surrounded by pretty flowers in a peaceful home. Despite their stark differences, the two found comfort in each other–they had freedom in their small rooms that no one else could grant them.

With a heavy sigh as she sits on the silken covers of her little sister’s bed, Sana faces her with solemn pale olive eyes. “I know, Toph…but it's only until the end of August and then I’ll be home again, I promise.”

“But then you go to school!” Toph is still holding Sana’s hand, not wanting to lose her sister in the room.

Flopping back with a bounce, Sana’s breath falters. “I guess I forgot. I’m so sorry I won’t be here. I’m sorry we won’t be able to talk like this for months. You’re still so young and I sometimes forget that I’m still a kid, too.” A choked sob leaves her lips. “Toph, sometimes I wish I was an absolutely naive and insignificant girl who wasn’t involved in all of this…mess!”

“Don’t say that.” Toph gives her a look, one Sana knows all too well. Since when was her baby sister so full of wisdom? “I love that you are my smart, super cool, and I assume very pretty older sister–judging from how many times Mom and Dad have complimented how beautiful you are–so I don’t want anyone else! Definitely not a sister who can’t think for herself.”

“Toph-”

“No! Honestly, I could care less that you’re going away to an enemy country of all places, but I am worried that you’ll be different when you come back…”

“What?” Confused, Sana’s brow furrows. “Toph, I highly doubt meeting the people threatening our nation will change me.”

Toph hums in frustration. “It’s just- Well, the prince is friends with Giren, right?”

“And how does this relate to me changing as a person?”

“I-I don’t know, Sana…”

*:･✧*:･

By the end of the week, Sana had packed her luggage with a variety of fancy dresses, hair ornaments, and necessities for her stay in the Fire Nation. She would be met by Giren later in the day before they traveled to the western coast to board their ship to the Fire Nation. The trip would take a few days on the water before stopping at a port to transfer onto a smaller boat to reach the capital city. Renowned for their navy, Sana had to give the Fire Nation their flowers for being so innovative when it comes to feats of engineering. While Giren had been escorted by the royal navy multiple times before, this would be her first time on a boat–let alone traveling across a body of water as large as the Mo Ce Sea.

“Oh, Sannie!~ Are you excited?” Giren, loud as ever, is ecstatic to be outside the walls after two years. “Sometimes I forget that Gaoling is such a small regional capital…but hey, we’ll be on a naval ship in just a few days!” He had arrived earlier than expected, but surely he must have been exhausted after traveling across the desert for days? Nope.

With a friendly roll of her eyes, Sana looks at her dearly unbelievable friend. “Ren, I expect we’ll be setting off from the ports at Omashu?” He confirms with a nod. “I don’t know much about naval ships so I don’t really know how long we’ll be traveling…”

Much opposed to her original apprehensions, traveling by way of the Fire Nation navy to the island nation went by quicker than expected. After a couple of days by carriage to the city of Omashu, the party consisting of Giren, Sana, and a small entourage of Earth Kingdom guards boarded a minimally manned ship (so as to not create a politically imbalanced tension aboard). Such a large piece of metal somehow traversing one of the largest bodies of water between nations at exceptional speeds was alarming yet intriguing to Sana. Not one for engineering or much to do with how things work, the fourteen-year-old girl gained some genuine respect for the Fire Nation’s push for innovation rather than tradition (in comparison to the more traditional structure of the Earth Kingdom).

After switching to a smaller vessel to reach the capital of the Fire Nation via an island port town, Sana was instantly taken with the energy and warmth of the islands. A series of volcanic islands scattered with vibrant greenery from a rainy spring season, the summer heat permeated the air. However, it wasn’t unpleasant. The humidity was new in comparison to the southern region of the Earth Kingdom in an area surrounded by mountains, desert, and dense woods. It felt nice, dewy, and not unbearably sticky on her skin. Ba Sing Se, the only other place Sana had stayed in for an extended period of time, was much colder and misty in comparison to the warm, orange-skied Fire Nation. 

The people were quite lovely, too. There have been stories girls growing up in the Earth Kingdom have been told for the past one hundred years: the Fire Nation is evil, you can’t trust people whose land is covered in ash and consuming heat. Growing up they’re told to stay away from these people just because of where they came from, because of the colors of their eyes. Seeing the lively natives of the nation, however, Sana felt that everything she was taught could not possibly be entirely true: children smiling and running through the streets in the afternoon sun, street vendors selling foods that had scents of spices she definitely didn’t even know existed, young ladies maybe only a few years older than herself dressed in pretty reds and ambers flirtatiously eying the young guards escorting them through town, and sweet old ladies noticing that she was from the Earth Kingdom but not mentioning it as they called her as pretty as a fire lily or the rumored silver wisteria blossoms of the royal palace gardens. 

Sana would get to see those blooms herself in just less than a day now. Their party would stay the night in the town before boarding, making their final leg of the trip to the Fire Nation royal palace. It was only a matter of time before Sana would be entering the dragon’s den, facing the Fire Lord. Readying herself for bed that night, the candlelight glimmers across her eyes creating a golden gleam. Contemplative and resigned, a thought crosses her mind: what could go wrong tomorrow, or this summer for that matter?

[phoenix-king-ozai]

I personally believe that Ursa does affectionately calls Azula pet-names during the past in her younger childhood but she has slowly stopped subconsciously due to her disagreement with her daughter behavior. Ursa during Zuko Alone was scolding Azula and was angry with her comments about Iroh’s possible death resulting in Ozai becoming Fire Lord given Lu Ten’s death.

“Azula we don’t speak this way! What’s wrong with that child?” ~ Ursa B2 E7

Ozai however as a father and toxically masculine figure would be more comfortable and feel appropriate with calling Azula my dear rather than his son Zuko. An alternative for Ozai is Zuko my pride. However, as we saw in the Fire Lord’s Throne Room during Zuko and Azula's performances in front of Fire Lord Azulon. Ozai doesn’t feel pride, respect, or affectionate admiration for his son Zuko but rather feels that Zuko is an extreme disappointment compared to his younger and much more talented little sister. Ozai rarely probably praises Zuko during his youth because he fails to live up to the extreme expectations and standards of the Fire Nation Royal Family. Ozai may deep down have some fatherly memories and affection for Zuko but is drastically hampered by his feelings of inadequacy/disappointment in regards to Zuko’s personality and firebending prowess. Azula is WORTHY of praise for her skill and competence whereas Zuko is a pathetic failure in comparison in Ozai’s mind and UNWORTHY of being heir to the Fire Nation’s Imperialist Legacy!

Ursa may be biased in favor of Zuko’s personality and his struggles however I deeply believe she LOVES both Zuko and Azula unconditionally despite having struggles with connecting emotionally with her daughter and being the “mean” parent in Azula mind.

Ozai however is biased in favor of meritocracy, talented skill and superb extravagant intelligence! Ozai judges his children based on his imperialistic ingrained instincts & beliefs that has been passed down, influenced, & taught by his own father Fire Lord Azulon. In Ozai’s mind Azula is the PERFECT heiress and successor to his forefathers Azulon & Sozin along with being the embodiment of being a ruthless, cunning, and powerful Fire Princess that can continue to succeed in the Fire Nation’s imperialist legacy!

For Ursa, Zuko and Azula are simply her children that she deeply loves and care about as a mother. Whereas, Ozai may be a father however he is upmost an imperialistic warmonger fanatic first. This is why Ozai doesn’t feel remorse and regret over banishing Zuko because he was seen as the weakest link in being his future successor to being Fire Lord. Zuko has Ursa’s “soft” heartiness of being compassionate, empathetic, and moralistic about the Fire Nation’s role in the world and its cruelty. Whereas those traits have been likely burnt out of Ozai since his adulthood into being a cold blooded, ruthless, vicious, imperialist butcher and conqueror due to his societal brainwashing from his father Azulon and grandfather Sozin’s legacy!

Ironically, this is the ultimate contrast between Iroh and Ozai. Iroh is a father first and imperialistic warmonger second whereas Ozai is a imperialistic warmonger first and father second!

In "Zuko Alone," I noticed that Ursa never calls Azula affectionately, unlike Zuko, whom she calls "darling". At the same time, Ozai calls Azula "my dear," but never calls Zuko that. I think this is interesting and shows which parent is closer to which child. What do you think about that?

Indeed, I've always thought it to be DELIBERATE that we see Ursa using affectionate language with Zuko and Ozai with Azula, but not the other way around.

Ozai calls Azula "my dear", but whenever he addresses Zuko, he almost always calls him "prince Zuko". Ursa also takes a more official tone when addressing Azula, calling her "young lady".

We have no evidence of Ursa calling Azula endearingly on screen, but at the same time, I honestly don't think that she never did that with Azula.

What I personally think happened is that Ursa used to use affectionate language with Azula, when she was younger, just like Ozai used to do with Zuko, but with time, they both stopped, when Ozai started to see the sides of Zuko he didn't like and Ursa started to see the sides of Azula she didn't like.

I think this subtle characterization element in Zuko Alone shows which parent understands which child better. With Ozai, it's obvious that he started to resent Zuko, and with Ursa, I don't think she hated Azula, but she didn't understand her and started to instinctively keep distance from her, paying more attention to Zuko, which unfortunately, contributed to a horrible result for Azula in the end.

[peony-pearl]

Fire Fam ask: What are other family members thoughts on Iroh’s wife? And what/how do you think his wife is like?

Oohhhh good question!! I think Iroh's wife was a classic lady, someone Azulon would have approved of for his favorite son. I've never really seen Ozai and her as really being close, although I can imagine she would only ever be pleasant to him because he is still her husband's brother and a prince. But I think Ozai, as an angry young man, would have felt this to be catering and condescending.

I think she would make sure she was a picture perfect daughter in law for Azulon (and Ilah if she was still alive), but was also a talented Firebender and has given Iroh plenty of challenging training sessions (which only made him more attracted to her)

I personally headcanon that she never met Ursa. A few years after having Lu Ten, she passed away from an illness before she and Iroh could add on to their family while he was away, thus Zuko and Azula only know about her through memories of Iroh, Lu Ten and the maids.

[krastbannert]

📂

Lu Ten taught Azula how to play Pai Sho; they'd spend hours together, just playing the game. Sometimes Ursa would join them, or if she couldn't, would sneak them mochi.

(These are some of Azula's only truly good memories of her mother, too - Ursa bringing her her favorite mochi, giving her a kiss on the head, telling her to kick her cousin's butt. It's hard to remember them, but when she does...they're some of her favorites.)

[ur-frndly-neighborhood-memer1]

A THEORY ABOUT OZAI-

Why was Ozai so cruel?

Fire Lord Ozai is the absolutely malicious and tyrannical main antagonist of the Avatar: The Last Airbender. In the series, he comes across as a cruel, ruthless, and a megalomaniac dictator. Which is why he is often considered as a 2 dimensional cartoon villian with no rich background compared to the other villains like Azula, Zuko (formerly), Hama; Amon, Zaheer...

We never really see his inner struggles or anything complex about his character at all. His only motivation is like "Evil for sake of being evil". That's why some fans complain about his character being too shallow and too cartoonishly evil. And this really stands out when we compare him to rest of the characters, and arguably, they're all more complex characters than Ozai.

But... is this really true?

Could there be something more interesting and tragic about Fire Lord Ozai's character? Do we only see the only a small part of the iceberg? Well, let's find out!

There's literally nothing we know about his childhood or his early ages. All we know is that he was married Ursa when he was 30 and Ursa was 21, Ursa was specifically chosen because she happens to be the granddaughter of Avatar Roku. So, they could have powerful heirs for the Fire Nation. And it actually happened because Zuko and Azula really are exceptionally powerful firebenders.

Another thing we know about him is this panel,

They actually look like a normal, ordinary family here and it hurts. They're on a vocation; Ozai and Ursa just sitting calmly, baby Azula playing with sand, little Zuko running to save a turtle-crab... And when when the wave washed over Zuko, Ozai ran to save him.

Could the whole thing be true or Ozai was lying? I personally don't think it was a lie, because Zuko seems to remember some rare memories of his family being happy once and coming to Ember Island all together. Yes, you can say that Zuko could be an unreliable narrator here since he kinda romanticized those memories... But again, it's what happens with memories. Don't we all remember our childhood as purely innocent and happy? Because we like to remember those happy times and often forget about the bad ones. But the bad times don't erase the good memories! Also, in the "Beach", when Azula came to comfort Zuko, she also seemed a bit depressed. It means she was also missing those happy and innocent times of their life. So no, Zuko's memory was correct and Ozai probably wasn't lying either. Their family had some good times once.

Could it possibly be a redeeming quality for Ozai? Perhaps. However, we all know that it didn't last long. And we also know that Ozai was always sort of like that and Iroh comfirms it in "The Legacy of The Fire Nation" novel

And something interesting here... Iroh admits he sort of blames himself for not being a better guide for his brother. Which makes me think... Did Ozai really ever have a positive influence on his life?

You can arguably say Iroh, but i'd disagree. First of all, there's a huge age gap between Iroh and Ozai. And Iroh was a general who was busy with fighting in battle, such as the siege of Ba Sing Se. So I imagine they didn't really have a chance to spend time together and bond as brothers.

Also, Iroh wasn't exactly a positive influence before the death of Lu Ten. He used to be more ruthless and hungry for glory. Yes, he still was a caring guy towards his family, but he only realized the terrible side of violence and terror after losing his dear son... This is when he finally developed empathy towards everyone, not only for his family. So I don't think he would be able to be a better influence for Ozai when they were younger...

And if not Iroh, who could possibly be a good guidance for Ozai? Azulon? Pfft, yeah right! He definitely favored Iroh over Ozai, and was seen to be cold and harsh towards his son. So nope, he was an abusive father and far from being a good guidance.

But... What about his mother? What happened to her?

The only thing we know about Iroh and Ozai's mother is her name, Ilah. And she was married to Fire Lord Azulon. There's literally nothing else we know about her. So, we don't know what kind of a relationship she had with Ozai either.

And that's why I have this theory in my mind! Could it be that Ilah died when she was giving birth to Ozai? And maybe that's why Azulon was cold and cruel to Ozai?

The death on childbirth was a common incident during middle age and in the earlier ages too. Unfortunately, it still can happen in modern world too... But thankfully, it's a rare incident now due the modern advantages.

So yes, it's very possible that Lady Ilah to die on the childbirth. Because we never see her in the series nor in the comics. If she was alive at the moment, she would totally show up on Ozai and Ursa's wedding. But she didn't, which means she was long gone, at least for like 20 years. But since neither Iroh or Ozai mentions her for once, we can assume that she died very long ago.

Could this be why Iroh turned out to be a caring and compassionate person towards his own family? Because he had maternal love and support? Well, he obviously didn't get that from Azulon (even though Azulon seemed to care for Iroh and Lu Ten in a certain level). And that might be why Ozai became a cold and cruel jerk, because he never had this kind of love and support in his life.

And it also explains Azulon's bad treatment towards Ozai, reminds me of how Tywin Lannister despised his son Tyrion Lannister from Game of Thrones/A Song of Ice and Fire. Tywin hated his son Tyrion because he was a dwarf and also because he "killed" his mother in childbirth

So maybe Azulon was going full Tywin on Ozai and blamed him for "killing" his own mother.

If that's the case, it makes a ton of sense for Ozai's character! Because he never really had a chance to redeem himself and grow up in a healthy environment. He was being told that he was a killer since he was born and accused with killing his own mother. I can totally imagine Azulon telling him that he is "An ill-made, spiteful creature. Full of lust and low cunning" (Quote from Tywin Lannister), or maybe even calling him a "monster"?

If this theory is true, then it makes sense for Ozai's character and why he became a brutal, ruthless and narcissistic person.

And let's not forget, narcissism isn't only a personality disorder but also a coping mechanism. Narcissists actually have fragile egos and low self-esteems. That's why they fake confidence and a false sense of grandiosity as a self-defense mechanism. The exact reasons of narcissism is not known, but researchers show that both genetic and environmental factors are in it. And it's very possible to occur because of a trauma or abuse too.

So maybe Ozai was crushed under the abuse and pressure of being "guilty" for killing his mother in childbirth, and he found comfort in creating a false sense of superiority.

And this also might be why Iroh and Ozai became distant towards each other. Ozai was probably jealous of Azulon's nicer treatment towards Iroh. So he didn't want to be around him and see how their father treats him better, because it would remind him of the fact that he was the unfavorite child. And from Iroh's aspect, maybe he was devastated after the death of his mother and wanted to distance himself from Ozai for it? Yes, it doesn't really sound like something that the Iroh we know would do. But again, we really don't know the Iroh before Lu Ten's death, but he surely cared about his family so much. And maybe that's why he distanced himself from Ozai because he took away a part of his family? And because of Azulon, Iroh probably didn't have a chance to accept Ozai a part of his family at this point. And when he did, it was probably too late. The damage was done. Ozai already became a narcissistic jerk and a potential tyrant.

So, that's my headcanon about Ozai's evilness. You can agree or disagree with it. If you have different thoughts, please feel free to share them with me

[worstoftimesbestofcrimes]

im THINKING about this again. so here we go:

as stated in my tags: zuko is henry and sokka is alex.

we open with lu ten is getting married, and this is when sokka drops the cake on him and zuko. the big difference here is that lu ten is not a dick to zuko, hes actually looking out for him. the family dynamic is much more similar to what we see in atla than in rwrb, but some key differences

biggest difference is that azula is post redemption here. in atla canon she was only 14, and in this au she was still kinda a bitch at 14, but shes grown since then. she went off the rails after ursa and ozai got divorced, starting with following ozai’s rules ruthlessly, then cracking and sneaking out (#powderprincess) and then getting radicalized the other way by her new friends (let just call them “the freedom fighters”), and eventually coming back when zuko says he needs his sister. yes, he has his uncle and cousin and his mom is still alive (alas still in “africa”) but some things you just need a sibling for. and as much as azula hates to admit it, for every ounce that zuko needs her, she needs him too. so yeah, azula is bea, and she is her big brothers attack dog through and though. its been a rocky road but she loves her brother so so much and she is very defensive of him against sokka at first.

speaking of sokka!!! his white house trio: he and katara are the first children of Prez Hakota (yes, kya is still dead. sorry but i have to fridge her 😔), and yue is the granddaughter of the VP. sokka and yue dated a few years ago, but eventually called it. however!! sokka respects her too much to use her to play with the media so instead we have *drum roll* suki!!

suki is sokka’s one (1) friend from college—both were political affairs majors but sokka is trying to go to law school and suki wanted to be a journalist and freelance photographer. obviously this complicates things, but suki is ever so respectful and acts as an Inside Source, as well as being a mentor to katara, who also wants to be a journalist.

in this au zuko doesnt just want to be a writer, he wants to be a playwright/screenwriter. hes truly insufferable the way he can quote shakespeare sonnets from memory, and has way too many opinions about 20th century rom coms, but luckily it also means that he recites poetry to sokka in a cheesy romantic way.

also! two of zuko’s closest friends are aang and toph. he met toph in a boarding school they both went to (tophs parents let her study abroad growing up bc she was a wild child who wanted freedom and it was the only way to appease her). aang is the son of a diplomat that zuko met on the equivalent of henry’s gap year in mongolia.

i have more Thinkin Thoughts but thats for another day

zukka rwrb au. think about it.