#firebender sokka au

[thepublishingpress]

"thank you for always listening to me," sokka says, sighing.

"I'll always be there for you." Blue replies, and Sokka can't help but smile.

au where zuko died from the agni kai and becomes a spirit by agni. oh, and he's the guardian of a firebending sokka.

zuko is glowing bc hes a spirit and he can-

this is A. and apology for not posting for 2 whole weeks and B. an early birthday present for @ultfreakme's fic Tell me Your Story-

(im mentioning this bc this au is a mish-mash of some of my favorite zukka fics)

((also also im making a fic for this au but its spiralled out of control. i am currently on the boiling rock episode. send help.))

[a-todd-illustration]

I will literally never get over the kids™ + Zuko, I’m devouring these crumbs of content (yes I did just spend half an hour scrolling through your account)

Then have some more! Protective Zuko fighting off a thief in the night

[discordiansamba]

fun part of the kyoshi twins AU is: Zuko in Kyoshi Island blue. I think he wears it like we see Suki do in the flashbacks in Suki Alone, with the outer part of the top tied around his waist, but his undershirt is probably either short-sleeved or sleeveless to accommodate his firebending.

(kyoshi island isn't exactly a hotbed of fireproof materials. he has to make do.)

he might also have some bracers from Fire Nation armor salvaged from driftwood to protect his forearms. he's never burned himself with his own firebending, but it's always better to be safe rather than sorry.

(also Zuko with just. a completely normal ponytail.)

[demaparbat-hp]

Does Katara ever meet Hakoda and Sokka in your Half Blood AU?

Omg yes!!! That's basically the scene that gave birth to this entire AU, in fact. I love confrontations, family discord, and internal conflict in narrative, so most of my AUs have at least a little bit of that. I don't want to give too much away yet, but Katara, Sokka and Hakoda's encounters are Huge, Important Scenes in the HalfBlood AU.

Hakoda has no idea Kya was pregnant when he left her, so he doesn't know Katara is his daughter when he first meets her. Not for long, though. She looks a lot like Kya, and the necklace around her neck doesn't leave much room for denial once Hakoda notices it.

Sokka had been a part of his father's fleet for years at that point—he will be at least five years older than Katara, already a child when Hakoda met Kya. He will be the first to meet Katara, possibly while looking for a healer for the Southern warriors after a battle, or something like that. Katara would have been traveling with Zuko for a while now, and they're helping a group of refugees when Sokka comes along asking for help.

Sokka knew nothing about his father's lover. The only one aware was Bato, and he disapproved of it because he Hakoda's wife was his younger sister, so their relationship is strained and uneasy.

And Katara doesn't really want to have much to do with Hakoda at all. I'm toying with the idea of Hakoda trying to create a bond between them once he realizes she's his daughter, only to explode in his face once the truth comes out. Or, he could mention Kya early on, maybe whisper her name in astonishment when he notices Katara's resemblance, and she catches up pretty quickly.

Point is, Katara isn't happy, Hakoda is conflicted, and Sokka is facing a side of his father he never knew existed.

Sokka and Katara's relationship is surprisingly easy going, though. They have some issues, of course, especially at first, but they bond pretty quickly. They're nowhere near the relationship they had in canon, but they can get there with enough time.

[kimwarris]

AU where Zuko joins the GAang after Azula attacked Iroh when they all cornered her in that abandoned Earth Kingdom town (Episode “The Chase”). Zuko yells at Katara to leave them alone, but Sokka reasons with him that it’s a bad idea with Azula and her friends still on the run, without supplies or shelter and Zuko obviously having no idea how to treat Iroh’s injury.

He notices that Zuko looks quite like a shadow of his former self - skinny and pale and as if he’d break into tears any minute. He also got rid of this stupid ponytail – short, dark hair covers his head now. He looks just human and that doesn’t sit right with Sokka, because it makes him feel sorry for Zuko.

Plus, the enemy of my enemy… it’s just logical to offer help to Zuko and Iroh, he reasons with himself.

They find a hide-out for the night and Zuko doesn’t leave Katara out of his sight, while she does her healing session. Iroh doesn’t awake right away, but Sokka reassures him several times that everything will be fine and that Katara would never pretend to heal somebody and then hurt them.

Zuko offers to do the first watch. They don’t light a fire, because even though they brought some distance between themselves and that abandoned town neither of them wants to risk being found by Azula again.

It’s quite a chilly night and it occurs to Sokka that firebenders thrive with warmth and the sun, so he comes to the conclusion that Zuko must be horribly cold. Sokka himself is not so bothered by the cool air - he grew up at the South Pole, he is used to the cold. But he doesn’t want to be held responsible for Zuko catching a cold and the former prince looks like he’s been through hell and back. Plus, the firebender pulled his knees close to his body and wrapped his arms around them. Zuko is not shaking, but to Sokka it’s obvious that he’s not doing well. It’s not going to be pleasant, but Sokka makes a decision. Zuko needs the blanket more than he does.

So Sokka gets up and walks over to Zuko holding the blanket out to him.

“Here, you must be cold.”

Zuko stares at him in complete disbelief.

“Uhm… are you serious?”

“Yeah, yeah, don’t make a fuss. You’re a firebender, you need to stay warm.”

“I’m a firebender. I don’t need a blanket to keep myself warm.”

Visible confusion shows on Sokka’s face and he feels like he’s just made a fool of himself in front of Zuko.

“But I thought…”

Zuko takes a deep breath and when he exhales a little flame comes out of his mouth.

Sokka thinks he’s never seen anything this hot in his entire life.

[waterfire1848]

Au. Azula wins the agni Kai. Not reckless, far more calculating cunning & smarter. Shoots a powerful beam of bolt lightning, stronger, controlled, free, ( does actually in the real life speed of lightning), to both zuko & katara, zuko can't didn't manage to catch, can't redirect it. (Both died). Azula still revives both of them (she invented fire & lightning healing) then said I can, could and would for real actually kill both of you if ever you repeat this. (Also shoots lightning on iroh that he can't even redirect it as revenge, for ignoring her and calling her monster & crazy) Banished both zuko & iroh and strip off their titles and honor forever, permanently, without chance of regaining them. Along with Mai and ty lee. Also the gaang, would be killed on sight if ever seen on any parts of FN.

Hello, @lala-ann-11!!!

Although Azula is suffering from a hallucinations and a mental breakdown, she is still a child soldier. When she gets into a fight, especially an intense on, her muscle memory kicks in and keeps her afloat. Even if her mind isn't in the right place, she knows what to do. Because of this, she's able to fight against Zuko and actually stay on her feet, thinking back on previous lessons she'd done and how to best counter his attacks. Eventually, she uses lightning and aims it directly at Zuko and Katara and fires. And, since Zuko is not faster than lightning here, he gets hit and so does Katara, who tried to use her waterbending to protect herself but ends up getting electrocuted. Azula, trained in every use of her firebending, heals them. (Zuko: You won't kill us. Azula: No. Live. Live, knowing you only do because I let you.) (Yeah, I stole this from Hazbin Hotel but it just fits so well)

Appa returns a few hours later with a defeated Ozai and triumphant Gaang. When they arrive, Zuko and Katara tell them what happened and, at first they don’t believe them because (1) they don’t think they would lose to Azula and (2) they don’t believe Azula would let them live if she did win. However, Azula does arrive at the courtyard and demands that they all leave the Fire Nation and not return. The Gaang objects, arguing that since Ozai is taken down now Azula has to step down as well but Azula refuses. She has the right to the throne and she just defeated Zuko and Katara, she’s the winner in this case, but, of course, the Gaang want to fight. (Azula: Fine. Let’s fight. Sokka: You sure you want that? You’re fighting all of us without Sozin’s Comet. Azula: I don’t need Sozin’s Comet to beat you. You really think over a decade of training was just for show? *Grin*). The fight is not an easy one. Both Azula and the Gaang are tired, but she manages to defeat them and exiles all of them, saying that if they return she will kill them.

A couple days later, after Azula has gotten a lot of sleep and rest, Iroh arrives to challenge her for the throne. (Azula: Now you want to step in and be Fire Lord? What? You didn't feel like it when father was in charge? Didn't feel like actually helping? Iroh: I regret not taking the throne sooner. Maybe then I could have protected it and this nation from you. Azula: Protect the Fire Nation from me? I've done everyone for the Fire Nation and for my father! EVERYTHING! You abandoned this nation and your brother and niece the second you found a way out. Iroh: It's a shame, niece. I think you could have been a good ruler, but it appears as though Ozai has gotten to you. He has turned you into the same monster he is. Azula: Monster? Iroh: Yes. Though it pains me to say it, niece, you need to go down. Azula: I don't think I'll be the one leaving this fight defeated.) Azula is faster and more cunning than Iroh, but Iroh throws bigger punches. One of his fireballs straight at Azula would be enough to throw her to the ground and Iroh has more experience under his belt. That being said, Azula know show to maneuver around him unlike anything Iroh has seen. While Iroh is distracted, Azula moves under him and sent a blast of lightning straight at him. One Iroh can't redirect in time. He's not killed but he's out of the fight. That night, Azula makes a declaration to the nation that Zuko and Iroh are banished and stripped of their honor, giving them no way to get it back.

Ozai is pretty pleased to say the least. True, he wasn't the one who banished Zuko (this time) or got to defeat his brother, but he can always change that in the history books. (Azula has done a good job though, she can get a footnote). However, more and more time goes on and he remains in prison. The guards make no move to talk to him or let him out or anything to that affect, they just stay at their post and don't move. Ozai grows angry, demanding that the Fire Lord's orders be recognized and they'd all be killed for their treason. (Guard: We are following the Fire Lord's orders. Fire Lord Azula has ordered that you are to remain here.) Ozai is shocked and angered. He constantly makes threats to Azula and yells (as if she can hear him) that she'd be nothing without him. Finally, Azula arrives and stands in front of her father's cell. Bottom line, she tells him that she is in charge now and he is an embarrassment for losing to the Avatar during Sozin's Comet and, without his bending, he's nothing to her. (Azula: The only reason you are still alive is because mother's nagging voice is already in my head. I don't need yours as well. But, make one more threat against me and I will come down here and finish the job.).

Azula continues the war and wins it. The Fire Nation was about to win during Sozin's Comet, but since they lost it they didn't win on that day. Instead, it takes longer and the Gaang remains a thorn in Azula's side but they eventually do win a few years later. By that point, the Fire Nation is ruling over the world. The only place left is the North Pole which Azula doesn't care enough about to try and attack. (Azula: It's taken 110 years, but the Fire Nation has won this war). The Gaang continues to fight, to try and preserve whatever hope they can so that maybe the next generation can defeat the Fire Nation. Azula remains on the throne until she passes away after a long, long life.

[juksuart]

3. Window is all about @kusirotta and I in ATLA AU! They are a firebender and I’m airbender!

[live-from-flaturn]

All Fired Up (chapter 1) is now up on AO3!

@viva-yas-vegas KimChay ATLA AU when?

[late-draft]

Wooooooooo here's the design for Zuko in his villain era in S1 in my Last Air Keyholder AU - big sci-fi story in a megapolis where gangs of firebenders race using bending to boost speed. Zuko is one of the best ones in the world (mostly because he wastes time and energy practicing as he has nothing better to do, seeing how his father tasked him with finding the lost Avatar). Aang gets woken up by Katara and Sokka from a cryo pod deep underneath the city, 1000 years after the last airbender was seen.

The biggest difference in design is that unlike how he was forced into this hairstyle in canon series, here Zuko chooses to wear it this way. I think that would be an interesting situation. Each bending style has a key holder and a symbol, the firebending one looks like a dragon spitting lightning if you squint! Based on what I researched, looks like Zuko defaults to using Hi-Low unrockered design for aggressive inline skating. He used to suck at this too and would often fall backwards. He wears a special overcoat and jacket with a sewn-in assistive technology that lets him fire lightning without damaging his own body. Iroh finances all repairs for Zuko's equipment. His uncle may not be the owner and head of the strongest enterprise in the world like his father, but Iroh still owns an entire skyscraper at the outskirts of the city.

But when the Avatar actually appears, they engage in chases across the megacity at breakneck speeds. Aang, however, doesn't use any technology other than his airbending! And firebenders were told that their bending is at the top of the pyramid and that's why it outclassed and pushed out all other benders who are now in a much smaller number compared to them.

[reinerispretty]

atla + lok masterlist

all of this is from around 2020-2021, so pls keep that in mind when reading :) i promise i've improved lol. links within fics may be inactive!

zuko

rotations (x f!reader fic)

tea shop zuko

katara's twin sister

fighting azula

fire dancer

burned

dreams

secret admirer

sokka

beneath the moon (x f!reader fic)

ocean kumquats

flirt

firebender reader

groceries (modern!AU), pt 2

just a little jealous

bolin

hold me

bridal style

comfort

hungry

mako

almost kings (fantasy au)

drive

warm hands

iroh ii

welcome home

azula

banished

asami

campus

reminiscence (unknown x f!reader fic)

[thepublishingpress]

the fire burns so bright (until i cannot hide)

Sokka always feels like he has something to prove.

From being a worthy son, a strong warrior, to a wise leader.

But there is something else that he yearns to prove, in his heart of hearts, buried deep.

He wants to prove that he isn’t a monster.

He’s not like them.

His father tells him, again and again, I know you are not like them, I know you would never do that, never betray us.

I know, I know, I know.

But it all feels fake.

It always feels fake.

Sokka knows that in the elders’ hearts, in some of the mens’ hearts, maybe even in his parents’ hearts, they fear him.

They are terrified of what he can do.

And beside him, beside his flame that he can push to the surface and burn this place to the ground, is a blue-faced figure, standing tall, silent and watchful.

But Katara doesn’t know this.

He didn’t know this, for a time.

No one knows this, except for the elders, his parents, and some of the men.

And he was fine with that, he was fine with his powers.

Until they took his mother away.

After, he always felt stares, crawling up his body, 

The judgement, the renewed suspicion.

And so, is it really any surprise that one night, feeling alone, and bitter, and isolated, he cries?

He tries not to cry too loud, to avoid waking Katara or Gran-gran or even Dad and causing them to fly into a panic, muffling his sobs with his parka.

He stops, though, when he feels a hand on his shoulder.

He flinches, and opens his mouth, prepared to shoo away Katara or maybe even Dad, but stops, freezing when he sees its face.

A blue face, marked with intimidating snow-white fangs.

His mother had always told him he was blessed by a spirit, but Sokka had never bought it. After all, the spirits and the Avatar abandoned the world, so why should they care about him? A fire child, an ashmaker.

But here one of them was, crouching next to him.

“Who are you?” Sokka whispers, because he would really like some answers.

The spirit tilts its– his? –head and says, “I do not know. I do not remember. All know is that I am is your protector.”

“I’ll give you your name,” Sokka decides, “The Blue Spirit.” He chooses to call him.

“I like that name,” He tells Sokka, “But now, will you tell me about your pain, child of the flame?”

Sokka blinks. That subject change was very fast. But he supposed Blue was like that. Quick, to the point. Sokka scooches closer to his supposed guardian. “It’s just that I’m Water Tribe,” Sokka confesses, and spirits does it feel good to let this out. “We’re all about, um, watery stuff you know? And I’m, well, like you said, a ‘child of the flame.’”

Blue seems very thoughtful, placing his hand under his chin. “You are Water Tribe by birth, but fire flows through your veins,” He muses to himself. “Agni certainly loves to play such games.”

“I just wish Agni hadn’t picked me.” Sokka complains.

Blue chuckles, only for a bit. “No one, not even most spirits, would like to get caught it Agni’s web of odd games.” He agrees.

Sokka grins at him. “At least I have you now.”

And that was the beginning.

~

When the Fire Princess came, Sokka was terrified. 

He felt ready to run and to hide, but he felt and cold hand on his shoulder, and resolve filled him once more. 

He put on the face paint.

And was instantly knocked down.

Sokka tumbled through the snow, and there was his presence again. He’s taking this guardian role very seriously, Sokka thinks in the back of his head as Katara rushes towards him.

Then the tiny 12-year old boy came, and sacrificed himself to keep their village safe.

Katara tells him they have to find him, and that she doesn’t care if he doesn’t want to, because she’ll go anyway.

(But Sokka, being the genius he is, had the forethought to get a boat before Katara even opened her mouth.)

~

When Sokka had tried to show-off to the Kyoshi Girls, he did have his reasons.

They were dumb reasons, but reasons nonetheless. 

He was also definitely not expecting to be humiliated, the girls laughing at him, and the hot burn of shame scalding him like heated water as he leaves.

But he remains curious as to how they fought, the fluid motions interesting him.

So, later, he approaches the leader– at least, the person he assumes to be the leader– and asks her to teach him.

He humbly kneels down and says, “I’m sorry for what I said,” He apologizes. “I would be honored to be taught by you.”

Suki raises an eyebrow. “Really?” She asks, skepticism dripping off her voice. “You be willing to be taught by a girl?”

Sokka bobs his head. “Of course.”

She smirks. “And you swear to follow all of our traditions?”

“Yes.” Sokka agrees.

Her smirk grows wider, which, honestly, should have put up some red flags for Sokka. “Just so you know, I do mean all of them.”

Sokka didn’t understand until he put on the dress.

Sokka grimaced as he twirled around a little. “It’s a dress,” He complains. “I can’t fight in a dress!”

“It’s not a dress,” Suki says patiently. “It’s our armor.” When the slight pout was still on his face, she says, “Hey, listen. That silk is for bravery, and gold for honor. Wear that with pride.”

Sokka pauses. Those things were good. Maybe it wasn’t so ba—

“Hey, Sokka! Nice dress!” Aang says cheerily, and Sokka knows it’s probably meant as a good thing, but spirits does he want to strangle Aang.

Sokka pulled a face. “Let’s just get this over with,” He says glumly.

He ends up getting knocked down again and again, over and over. He gets frustrated, throwing his fan into the wooden pillar.

Suki sighs. “Sokka, you don’t use brute force in this style of fighting,” She explains. “You use the enemy’s strength against them. Now,” She tugs the fan from the pillar and hands it over. “Try again.”

-

The peace Sokka was feeling was quickly disrupted, for Fire Princess Azula arrived.

She and her crew started attacking the Kyoshi Warriors. Azula was perhaps the most vicious in her methods, flipping Kyoshi Warriors, sending them flying. Sokka felt his heart beat, faster and faster. He flew into action, jumping forward, fighting with his fans, albeit a little clumsily.

But Azula sadly is able to knock him over as well. 

“You seem to be getting better,” She says mockingly. “For a peasant, I suppose.” She raises her fist to deal the finishing blow, but an invisible presence, and Sokka knows it’s Blue, drags him faster than any normal human could.

“Sokka!” Katara cries, rushing forward. “Come on! We have to leave.”

“But–” Sokka tries to say, but then Suki is there.

“You have to leave, Sokka” Suki tells him, and maybe his heart cracks a little here.

“Wait!” Sokka says, “I just wanted to say, I’m sorry for treating you like a girl when I should’ve treated you like a warrior.”

Suki smiles. “I may be a warrior,” She says softly, leaning forward and pecking him on the cheek, “But I’m a girl too.”

He blinks, but he can’t say anything in reply because Blue has started dragging him again.

Later, Aang confirms Sokka’s theory that the bald kid is absolutely insane because he rides the Unagi, that crazy serpent thing, and extinguishes all the fire.

He tries to talk with Blue about it later, but the spirit just huffs, and like a child, crosses his arms and looks away whenever Kyoshi Island is mentioned.

~

The first time Aang meet Blue, they tell him later, is when Sokka is kidnapped by Hei Bai.

Aang finds Blue in a panic, frantically searching for his chosen. The moment he sees Aang, Blue grips his shoulders and begs him to find Sokka.

As they search, Blue explains. “When the spirit kidnapped Sokka, they somehow separated me from him. I can’t– I can’t find him in here, the spirit is hiding him somewhere, I can’t–”

Aang places a comforting hand on Blue’s shoulder. “We’ll find him, don’t worry,” He promises, and Blue relaxes.

Meanwhile, Sokka is screaming as Hei Bai drags him away, kicking and struggling.

Hei Bai seems to quickly tire of this, tossing him away into the fog. 

Sokka hits the ground a bit too hard, and passes out.

-

Blue shakes him awake. When Sokka opens his eyes, Blue sighs with relief and hugs him tightly. 

“You’re alive,” Blue murmurs, his voice muffled by Sokka’s shirt. “I thought I failed and that– that you were gone forever–”

“But I’m not,” Sokka says gently, “I’m still here and sarcastic and incredibly as strong and manly as ever, Blue.”

Blue huffs. “Sure you are.”

(Things don't stay all chummy for long. Aang has a time limit, the comet, and then...)

~

When Sokka heard the screams of his little sister, he ran. 

She was crying, and crying hard as she ran away. Aang stood a few feet away, looking horrified. 

Sokka felt anger rising in his chest, breaths puffing out quicker. 

“What happened?!” Sokka screamed. “Who did this to my sister?”

“I did!” Aang said, voice cracking. “I'm sorry, I was practising firebending and it got out of control–”

And Sokka’s brain stopped. The words circled around in his head. 

Practising firebending, got out of control, practising firebending–

It got out of control. 

Sokka’s breathing quickened as he remembered the day he tried to firebend and Blue’s face had been burnt and Sokka had cried and cried and begged for forgiveness until Blue told him he was a spirit and he was fine and now this had happened to his sister. 

“Get out,” Sokka said, voice shaking. “Get. Out!”

And Aang obliges, running away. Sokka packs up Appa, rambling to Blue. 

His hands tremble as he places all their stuff. “I could have done that to Katara, Blue. I could have done that to anyone. I already did it to you!”

Blue sighs. “Let me do the packing, Sokka.” Blue says gently. 

“Why?! I'm fine! Completely fine! Totally focused.” Sokka exclaims. 

“Sokka, you're completely rattled. You're even tying up Momo.” Blue points out. 

Sokka realized this was quite true, and begrudgingly obliged. 

~

Sokka’s heart is quaking, because he has to hurry fast. 

He has to save these people.

He’s not what Jet said he was, he’s not an ashmaker, he’s not like those people that took his mom and Jet’s parents from them!

He’s good, and he repeats that to himself over and over.

(Somehow, it feels like a lie.)

But Blue is there, and it makes him feel good.

(But only a little.)

“Please!” He begs the town, “I’m not a spy! I’m serious! The dam will break, and your town will be flooded!”

The soldiers growl, coming closer at them with their very pointy spears. “Just look at your clothes!” One of them says in disgust. “Some other nation scum, I’ll wager. The Water Tribes certainly must be weak if they sent you.”

The others grumble in agreement.

Sokka might’ve been drowned with them, trying to convince them to listen, but someone steps forward.

“Listen to the boy!” An old man says, voice shaking from age. Sokka realizes it's the elderly man Jet tried to attack. “A crazed young man tried to attack me just because I was Fire Nation, even if I did no wrong against him! I certainly wouldn’t put it past him to blow this town to smithereens if given half the chance.”

The town evacuates almost immediately.

-

When he finds Katara and Aang, Katara is beating the living daylights out of Jet, tears forming at the corner of her eyes.

Sokka tells them all of the village’s survival. 

“You’re a traitor, Sokka!” Jet screams at him, “A traitor! You’re no better than the Fire Nation! You are an ashmaker!”

Katara looks murderous, but Sokka cuts in before she could say anything.

“No, Jet.” Sokka says calmly, though inside the words sting, “You became the traitor when you stopped protecting innocent people.”

-

“Sokka,” Katara says carefully as they leave, “Why did Jet call you an ‘ashmaker?’”

And now, he cannot hide anymore. He just opens his palms, and small flame flickers.

Katara gasps. “Sokka, you–”

“I know,” Sokka says shakily, “I know. I’m an– an ashmaker.”

“Sokka,” Katara whispers, “Don’t say that.”

And Katara hugs him, and so does Aang, and then Momo joins in and Appa lets out a little roar.

And, as always, there’s Blue. And even if Sokka can’t see his face, he thinks he’s smiling.

~

The Northern Water Tribe is disgusted by him.

Really, he should’ve expected it.

More awful and hateful words are thrown at him, especially by Hahn. They push him into the snow. 

Yue is the only one who doesn’t care.

She is nice to him, and finds his fire fascinating.

“Why?” Sokka asks. “Why do you like it?”

Yue pauses. “I am a non-bender,” She says softly. “And being a firebender is always better than being a non-bender. At least people take you seriously and they respect you. Even if in their heads they think you a monster.”

Sokka thought about that a while after, and realized it was true.

He and Yue talk a little more, and he realizes he’s falling for her, fast.

(He doesn’t see the angry aura radiating off Blue in massive waves when he figures this out.)

-

Sokka cries after the Siege.

He hates this, so much.

He hates Zhao, he hates the Sun Spirit, he hates–

He hates his firebending!

The hot tears of shame and hatred and grief rush out of his eyes.

And then there’s whispering sounds, going faster and faster until it suddenly stops and Blue appears.

Blue crouches in front of him, and grabs his chin.

Sokka stares into the seemingly soulless eyes.

(But Sokka knows there’s humanity in Blue. He knows how Blue reacted when Sokka got kidnapped.)

Blue carefully wipes Sokka’s tears away with his thumb.

“I know now,” Blue says. “I am not only your guardian. I am also to be your friend.”

Sokka cups Blue’s hand, which is now resting on his cheek.

“Thank you,” He whispers, and Sokka means it. “You give me more warmth than any burning flame.”

&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&*&

A/N: uhhh yeah it took a while- i decided to split this into the books bc i realized how lengthy some of the episodes would get (like the boiling rock for one. theres a reason its split into multiple parts.)

(also to see if anyone would like this lmao)

@ultfreakme as promised, it is here!

[bayofalgecirascranes]

#they come back from the North Pole and those wearing the colors of Aang's people are everywhere#our baby tears up#meanwhile at the Northern Air Temple Teo-in-orange#Who asked Aang for some of the stories and philosophies behind the murals his dad ruined#And who's found an awesome penpal at the Eastern Air Temple that knows more#Is pulling some absolutely SICK moves in the air... that no one else can duplicate... wait a minute#Meanwhile meanwhile#a certain costume with mask is also spreading as a disguise among the more active resistance movements#a certain Freedom Fighter among them#it has been attributed to the Water Tribe members traveling with the Avatar#Sokka has no clue how they got from wolf war paint to a tusked mask but is more than willing to run with it#Which is to say#the AU where Zuko Sokka and Jet all try to break into somewhere in Ba Sing Se#and end up being Pointing Spiderman Meme: Blue Spirit Edition#avatar the last airbender#atla

I see your tags and raise you: three Blue Spirits independently break into the dai li headquarters beneath lake laogai for completely different reasons and do the Pointing Spider-Man Meme there

desperate for ideas, sokka decides that their best option is for everyone to dress in orange and pretend to be airbenders to freak out the fire nation

[a-todd-illustration]

Princess Yue finds that she is a bit of a control freak outside of her kingdom. She's never had to deal with real world problems and had to solve them with compromise, so sometimes her temper flares. It doesn't help that she's married to/best friends with a firebender.

(She also gets wildly jealous of other girls and guys looking at her man ((other than Sokka)) )

[discordiansamba]

Sokka doesn't get to date Yue in the Kyoshi twins AU because Suki steals his girl. This isn't even a 'Sokka has two hands' situation, it's a 'Suki has two hands' situation, because I think the idea of Suki charming her way into Yue's heart and Sokka missing his chance is absolutely hilarious and I'm therefore legally required to do it once.

(Zuko just hanging back and watching his sister seduce the princess of the Northern Water Tribe. Yeah, sure, why not. Sokka can't even be mad about it. He knows how charming Suki is.)

[evilcarmona]

AU where Sokka works as a dancer at a festival (book one)

You remember the festival, right? So the guys decide that they can use some extra money while traveling, so they decide to earn some extra money, but the only job available is for a dancer. The festival workers are able to tell that they're talking about a little girl (sorry, Mrs. Fire), so Katara is out. So… Sokka is perfect!

(I haven't decided yet if this is an omegaverse. I like the omegaverse because it makes feminine (or just prettier) clothes on men socially acceptable even in historical settings. On the other hand, I also like stories with misunderstandings and secret identities. Dramatic reveals are fun. On the other hand, I don't think this will be a trans Sokka AU. If I had to choose, I see him as either an omega or a non-binary person. On the other hand, you can interpret the AU however you want.)

Anyway, Zuko ends up at the festival too. And doesn't recognize Sokka? Haha, Uncle Iroh had fun watching this.

Zuko: just standing in the front row looking at Sokka like this: (//⊙/_/⊙//)♡

(He probably started smoking from embarrassment)

Sokka, who noticed him from the start and continues dancing: I'm gonna die I'm gonna die I'm gonna die I'm gonna die

As for the dancing, I like to think that while the dancers are twirling around with those huge sleeves and hems and ribbons, the firebenders underneath the stage are releasing flames, firebirds, and dragons that fly around without setting the fabric on fire.

I'll probably add a sketch of another outfit later

(Yes, this is one of those AUs where I add at least 2-3 years to the older teenagers in atla. Again, you can interpret this however you want if you're a teenager yourself)

[anonymous-gambito]

If there was no rush from the stakes of the war, I see no reason why Aang would have to travel the world so fast in the first place (unless he wanted to). He could have stayed in the Southern Water Tribe for a while til he mastered waterbending. Also, since he always liked Katara, I can totally see him choosing her as his teacher. I don't think most kids in the ATLA world are that sheltered either, and without a war, it would be safer for them to travel, and they could go back at any time. But let's say Kya and Hakoda still didn't want their kids (because Sokka would totally come with) traveling unsupervised. Easy. They could just send someone to go with them 🤷

Obviously, Azulon was a not a good guy, but how do you think a "Good Azulon" AU would go?

Imagine if after Sozin's death, Azulon makes peace negotiations with the other nations and ends the war as soon as he can. Many of the non-flashback ATLA characters wouldn't be nearly as traumatized, but the air nomads would still be gone since that was Sozin's doing. How will the rest of the royal fire family live, and what happens once Aang is found?

This just seems like such a complete change that it's hard to speculate on what might happen. The war and its consequences are so central to practically all the characters in ATLA. Katara not growing up the last waterbender and not losing her mother completely changes everything about her, for instance.

Presumably the royal family is much less toxic and have better relationships with each other, even Ozai.

And I think Aang would awaken to a world that's fairly supportive of him on average, but not nearly as interested in him as canon. Without him being a tool in the war, the world doesn't need him as much. I imagine that many of his younger years would be spent dealing with spirit issues that had been neglected.

Aang would still have massive survivor's guilt, though, maybe being made worse by a world that's at peace and seemingly in balance but without the Air Nomads.

I guess Iroh would probably be Firelord by this point, and I assume he would retain his interest in spiritual matters and thus be pretty supportive of Aang.

I doubt Toph would be Aang's earthbending teacher here. Without the pressure of the war, Aang's not going to try to recruit her without permission from her parents, and is unlikely to go so far out of his way to find her in the first place.

Katara might end up teaching Aang waterbending, but I doubt it. Without the war I don't see Kya and Hakoda being eager to let her travel the world without supervision, and in any Aang will likely be shunted to a more experienced teacher.

Funny enough, I think it's pretty likely that Azula will be Aang's firebending teacher. Aang is likely to come into a lot of contact with the Fire Nation royal family, and I can't help but think Azula is going to feel at least a little devalued in any version of the royal family, as the youngest and lastborn and a girl in patriarchal, hierarchical society. I think she would jump at the chance to do something meaningful to prove herself.