#i feel like a kid supporting their older brothers lmao

[lupismaris]

Just watched the first ever All Trans International Rugby Match and my club mates were on the pitch im so emotional rn y'all saturSunday is a rugby day is everybody happy you bet your ass we are

[callsign-rogueone]

defective

Bodhi Durran x reader, Brennan Sorrengail & reader words: 1.7k 🏷️: did somebody say more chronically ill reader? with sweet baby Bodhi this time, and reader with a heart condition. negativity about illness / reader thinking they’re weak, others calling them weak / defective / etc., but not Bodhi or Brennan (they would never.) Brennan makes an appearance as an older brother figure, reader is referred to as she/her and a girl by members of the assembly but not by Bodhi. I think cuddling Bodhi would cure me of all my ills. I got the idea for this the other day when I went up stairs carrying a laundry basket and almost fainted. I would not make it up to the parapet, let alone be able to cross it lmao. anyway, here, have this. already plotting a part two of them reuniting after Resson 🥺

The assembly are too busy arguing to notice you standing in the doorway — arguing about you, you realize quickly.

“We can’t send her to her death.”

“We’ve been forced to send 15 to their potential deaths so far, with 92 more to go. Why is she any different from the rest?”

“You know damn well why, Ulices,” Brennan snaps. “Everyone else has a fighting chance, but there’s no way she’s going to survive the parapet, let alone the rest of the year.”

“There’s 250 steps up to the parapet. She won’t even make it to the top,” another voice adds.

“There’s still time to fix that. They don’t leave for another three months.”

“You can’t fix her,” Trissa says firmly. “No amount of  time in the gym will change the fact that she’s defective. She’ll never be able to do the things that the others can. She’s too weak.”

The word echoes in your ears. Defective. 

Your gaze falls to the empty chair — Xaden’s chair. What would he say if he was here? Would he let them call you weak? What would he say? Maybe it’s for the best that you don’t know. It would only hurt you to hear that the boy you’ve always idolized and regarded as an older brother call you weak and pathetic.

“So what would you have us do?” Felix asks.

“Either we send her with the rest, knowing her name will be at the top of the death roll on conscription day, and her blood will coat our hands forever, or we tell Navarre that she died, and keep her here. It should be believable enough that the weakling girl with the heart problem died young. It’s a miracle she hasn’t died already.”

Tears blur your vision, and you bring a hand up to swipe them away with your sleeve. The whisper of the fabric moving is enough to give you away; five heads turn toward the door, seeing you standing there.

Something compels you to run away — likely the fact that you’d been caught eavesdropping by the entire assembly. These meetings aren’t secret, but there’s an unwritten rule that the kids aren’t invited, especially if it isn’t a routine meeting.

Brennan calls your name, but you ignore him, moving faster, intent on getting back to the room you’ve been sleeping in and shutting the door in his face so you can cry alone in peace.

He catches up with you quickly, his strides longer and his movements faster. He lays a gentle hand on your arm. “Hey,” he coaxes. 

You stop and turn toward him, knowing that you can’t run again — he’s faster than you, and moving would also be a very bad idea right now; you feel like you’re going to fall over.

“I’m so sorry, kid.”

“Not your fault,” you rasp, fumbling for the wall and pressing your hand into it to support yourself. 

“Hold on to me,” he instructs. “Can I check your pulse?”

You nod, regretting the motion when it makes your head spin faster, and wrap your hand around his forearm, using him as an anchor to hold yourself up.

“Attagirl. Keep breathing.”

You work on deepening your breaths, filling your lungs all the way before you exhale, like he’d taught you last year.

Hot, frustrated tears slip down your cheeks. 

They’re right. You are defective. You can’t even run down a hallway without your body giving up on you. You wouldn’t be able to get up to the parapet, let alone cross it after that exertion — you can hardly stand right now. 

“Talk to me,” he asks after a moment. 

“I don’t want to go,” you say softly, “but to stay here, and let all my friends go where I can’t ever see them or help them, knowing they could die any day…”

“I know. I felt the same way when my sister started, but she’s a full fledged Captain now. Commands her own unit in Montserrat,” he says quietly, but it sounds like it pains him to say it — to tell you that she’s on the other side of the fight. “They’re all strong, they’ll make it through. And they’ll have each other to lean on.”

You nod again, and this time it doesn’t make you dizzy. “Yeah,” you say hollowly. “They’re strong.”

He immediately knows what you’re getting at. “Hey. I didn’t mean it like that. I don’t think you’re weak. I think you’re just at too much of a disadvantage to risk it. Your strengths lie elsewhere— not in the physical.”

“If only we could be scribes,” you sigh.

“If only,” he says softly. “My youngest sister is going to start in the scribe’s quadrant the year after this. She’s a lot like you, actually. She was born with an issue with her bones. She’s got a heart of gold, though. And she’s incredibly smart, like you. I think you’d get along well.”

“If it wasn’t for this, yeah,” you say quietly, looking down at your relic. 

He tries to hide his wince, but it doesn’t quite work. “I think she’d come around once she realized how great you are.”

“Whatever they decide, can you be the one to tell me? Alone?” you ask in a small voice. “I don’t want to see the looks on their faces. I know I’m an embarrassment to them, but I don’t want to be reminded of it.”

“You aren’t an embarrassment,” he chides softly. “But of course. I can tell you when they make their decision.”

“Thank you.”

He opens his arms to you. “C’mere, kid.” 

You step forward, letting him guide you into a gentle embrace. 

“I’m proud of you.”

“For what?” you ask into his shoulder.

“For surviving. For not giving up. For dealing with your symptoms every day and not letting it break you. For so many things. You’re amazing.”

“I don’t feel amazing.” 

“That’s okay. I hope you will someday, though.”

“Someday,” you agree softly.

“Alright. Let’s get you back to your room.”

You nod, keeping a hand on his arm while he walks with you. He’s slowed his steps to match yours, but he doesn’t show any sign of impatience.

“Thank you,” you say softly.

“Of course, sweet girl. Get some rest. Bodhi should be back in a few hours.”

Your cheeks warm as you realize that Brennan knows about whatever you two have going on — you don’t call yourselves boyfriend and girlfriend, but you’re very close, and there’s definitely a spark there. 

He drops a kiss to the top of your head, waiting to make sure you’re safely inside your room before he heads back down the hall. 

———————

Bodhi shows up around sunset, his hair damp from the showers. He sits beside you on the edge of your bed, leaning back against the pillows. “Hi, lovie.”

“Hi.”

He tilts your chin up with a gentle movement of his knuckle, seeing the tears in your eyes. “Whoa, hey, what’s wrong?”

“I’m not going to Basgiath,” you admit quietly.

“What?”

“The assembly decided that I’m too weak to even make it up the stairs to the parapet,” you answer, your voice wavering. “They’re going to tell Navarre that I died, because of my heart problem.”

Why are you crying again? You went over all this with Brennan already and got it out of your system — but evidently not.

Bodhi looks conflicted. You watch the gears turn, and see him weigh the good and the bad. You won’t have to endure everything riders are put through, and the assembly is right, you wouldn’t survive it. But to stay here while everyone else risks their lives, with no way to communicate with them, would be crushing. And if you’re found out, Xaden’s life will end along with yours.

He gathers you up into his lap, holding you close. He smells good, clean — soap and the tiniest bit of cologne, something warm and woody. “I’m so sorry, honey.”

“I am too,” you sniff. “I wish I could be there with you, but…”

“It’s for the best,” he says gently. “I’d rather you be here, safe with Bren and the elders, than overworking yourself every day, and making things worse.”

“I know,” you whisper. “I still feel guilty about it, though.”

“It’s not your fault. It’s just how you were made. And you know it doesn’t change the way that any of us feel about you. We all love you so much, because you’re you, and you’re our friend.”

“Love you too,” you sniff. “M’ gonna miss you so much.”

“I know, sweetheart. I’m going to miss you too, every day. But I promise I’ll write — I know first years can’t send letters, but I’ll ask Xaden or Gare to send it for me. They’ll probably have to sign their names on it, and address it to someone else, but you’ll know it’s from me by the handwriting.”

That makes you feel a little better, but you’re still worried. “But when you graduate, and move across the continent…”

“Then I’ll come visit you here, as often as I can. Maybe I’ll be closeby. Or maybe Tyrrendor will be freed by then.”

“Maybe,” you sigh. 

“I don’t want you to think for even a second that this means I’m letting go of you,” he says firmly. “You’re stuck with me, even if we’re apart, okay?”

“Okay,” you say quietly. 

“Good. Now, I have had a very long day of having my ass kicked by Imogen, and I’d like to spend the rest of it laying here with my favorite person.”

You’re his favorite person? You must be looking at him in disbelief, because he laughs lightly, his chest shaking against yours. “Yes, you. I thought it was obvious. You’re the one I spend all my time with.”

“You’re my favorite person too,” you say softly. 

He smiles. “I’m glad we sorted that out. Get comfy.”

You scoot off of his lap, settling down on the mattress. He slots himself in beside you, letting you work your way under his arm to rest your head on his chest. He’s put on a considerable amount of muscle in the last few months, and it’s so nice to rest your body against his like this, a strong arm keeping you in place as he reaches toward the foot of the bed for a blanket to drape over the both of you. 

You hum sleepily, content to rest in the warmth of his body and the softness of the blanket.

“This good?”

“Perfect,” you murmur. 

“Perfect indeed,” he agrees softly, pressing a soft kiss to your forehead and wrapping his fingers around your wrist, resting his thumb over your pulse point. “Goodnight, sweetheart.”

“G’night, Bo.”

[siltyriver]

DPxDC WIP — Conceal, Don’t Feel

(official continuation of this prompt post)

Pairings: Jason/Danny, Tim/Bernard, Dick/Wally

Idea: Frozen/Rise of the Guardians AU

Okay the brain worms won out so official new WIP here we go!

Jason is Elsa, Danny is Jack Frost

Basic premise is that Jason was abandoned as a young child and the Spirits gifted him with powers to help him stay alive after they witnessed him helping a young reindeer (no he does not adopt it lmao) and he’s eventually taken in by Bruce Wayne, King of Arendelle Gotham

His powers are a shock to Bruce, but they seem harmless enough and he mostly uses them to make little trinkets or mini snow storms/flurries when his emotions are high

He gains more control as he gets older and Dick and Tim are always asking him to make more action figures and slides and whatnot and he’s more than happy to comply, enjoying making his brothers happy

Until one night (ages are roughly: Dick 12, Jason 7, Tim 5) there’s an accident with Timmy jumping too fast on the pillars Jason was creating for him and he falls and Jason reaches out with too much power that hits his brother square in the chest

Dick runs to get Bruce as Jason cradles Tim who’s passed out and cold as ice and Jason is so, so scared

Bruce takes them all to John Constantine who is a hermit in the woods with lots of magical and arcane knowlege

He is able to heal Tim but he makes it very clear that Jason could have killed him and that if he continued to use his powers without tight control he could kill someone else

They’re all shaken enough to take this as meaning that Jason should just… never use his powers. Conceal, don’t feel, don’t let them show

So life goes on and Jason locks himself away in his room most of the time (Bruce does not shut down the castle though — they just keep Jason’s powers a secret like usual). Tim doesn’t remember the accident or the fact that Jason has powers so he’s confused and hurt and Dick is worried about Jason but follows Bruce and his lead and doesn’t talk about it and tells Tim that Jason is just sick and needs his space

Their family grows as Bruce takes in Damian (Talia died when he was about 2, Bruce didn’t even know about him until the kid showed up at the Palace doors with a letter explaining the situation), and adopts Cass and Duke.

Babs is the daughter of the Captain of the Guard and Dick’s best friend so is basically part of the family and Steph (a street rat, daughter of a criminal) got attached to Tim and basically lives in the palace (but is NOT Bruce’s daughter, she reminds them all constantly). Other batfam members come in and out as they please lol

Bruce is presumed dead when Jason is 16 and Dick takes the throne at 21. Things are a bit tense but Dick has a solid support system and things go relatively smoothly, but Jason is having a harder time controlling his powers and emotions

Cut to his 18th birthday when he’s to get Crowned as Prince (I know this may be incorrect but I also Do Not care how monarchies work <3 — Maybe it could be Dick’s official Coronation or smth to make it easier, idc)

He really fucking doesn’t want to, but he also wants to act normal and make Dick proud so he suffers through it

Needless to say it goes terribly and ends with him basically turning the ballroom into ice and setting an eternal winter on all of Gotham as he flees to the mountains

Tim (who kind of set Jason off) tells Dick he’s going to track him down. (After a quick run-down explanation from Dick who is Stressed and Tim is so pissed that he didn’t remember the accident and that Jason felt the need to isolate himself — and that Bruce let him and convinced Dick it was for the best)

Dick goes with him and leaves the Kingdom in the capable hands of his Advisor (Babs) and Consort (Wally) and Alfred

They left very fast and aren’t the Most prepared and it’s a bit of a shitshow trek (cue Tim falling into a river trying to mimic Dick’s stupid gymnast moves and Dick getting a tree full of snow dumped on him for laughing) but they eventually make to to a little trading post (‘Look, Tim, they have a sauna!’) and are immediately recognized as Royalty and are getting products shoved at them left and right

Enter Bernard, local ice harvester, who is covered in snow and already annoyed at the Royal Roadshow when he needs to buy some real supplies

Tim and he immediately start bickering and when Dick overhears that Bernard knows the mountain he asks him to be their guide, much to both Tim and Bernard’s immediate refusals. But Dick offers a lot of money and Bernard caves

Meanwhile Jason has found himself collapsing in the snow and finally lets himself have the emotional release that he’s been holding in and his magic goes nuts creating things and he finds himself in a giant ice fortress, which, rad

What’s not rad is the freaky guy who shows up inside said fortress and starts poking around at both the ice and at Jason

It’s Danny, AKA Phantom Frost from the Legends

Now, Danny has been around for a century or two as a Winter Spirit and then became a Guardian when he kicked Pariah Dark’s ass back to the Eternal Darkness a couple hundred years ago. (Pariah Dark = Pitch Black/the Boogeyman)

He doesn’t remember his mortal life and no one is sure if he actually ever had a life Before or if he’s a manifestation of Magic herself. That rumor mixed with his defeat of Pariah leaves him revered among the Spirits and Guardians alike and he doesn’t love it because they often come to him with problems as if he can fix them (he does, every time)

He’s known as Phantom Frost but his closer friends call him Danny - the name he came into this world instinctively knowing as himself even when everything else was missing. (Maybe his squad can be Spirits/Guardians too? hmmm.)

Things have been quiet for a couple of decades and then one day his instinctual alarm bells start going off telling him that something is wrong and Unbalanced with Winter so he goes to investigate

He finds out that an Eternal Winter has been set on the Kingdom of Gotham and discovers a truly spectacular fortress built from ice in the mountains north of the kingdom

He goes inside and meets Jason who has clearly been Gifted by Magic herself and is so Unbalanced within his own soul that it makes Danny shiver

He knows he needs to help the guy and ends up showing off some of his own powers and gaining a bit of trust from Jason who ends up telling him the rundown of what led up to this and Danny is Pissed (and confused on how he had never known about Jason throughout the years) and vows to help him learn how to properly control his powers without trying to shut them off and harm his soul

After a bit of training and huge improvements with Jason’s abilities, Dick and Tim (and Bernard) come to find him and when Jason figures out he set off an Eternal Winter (Danny did Not inform him of that fact) he kind of spirals and ends up lashing out at Tim for the second time in his life and Danny has to calm him down so they can Fix the situation

Dick is (rightfully) freaking the fuck out and doesn’t trust Danny all the way so Danny agrees to go with them to visit their local Hermit/Arcane Expert to get a second opinion and who, from what Danny heard from Jason, deserves an ass kicking anyway (it’s John Constantine and he’d been the person Bruce took Tim to when the first accident happened and who had basically convinced them all to fear Jason’s powers and led to him trying to pretend they didn’t exist)

John Constantine is So Tired

Meeting Phantom Frost is overwhelming enough, but having to yet again deal with a Wayne level Situation… he feels like maybe he should move

But he helps, calling on Magic and finding the situation much more dire than any of them thought

He tells them the solution and they all pretty much laugh in his face (all except Phantom, who knows Magic better than John could ever even hope to and who wouldn’t dare laugh or scoff at Her power)

Only an act of True Love can thaw the ice that has set in Tim’s heart

aaaaand… to be continued ;)

[peony-pearl]

Homestead

Here is the fic in it’s entirety without all the readmores; thanks again to everyone who kept up with this! This fic wasn’t meant to happen at all and was all written from the top of my head the moment I included Niwa and the kids lmao, so if anything consider this a rough draft for Ozai and Niwa’s story. It’s not perfect and there are some inconsistencies but I’ll tend to those as the main story begins to develop more ^^

****

A healed Azula having her first violent outburst in years after finding Ozai in his hiding spot in the Earth Kingdom. She has him pinned, aiming her hand that is popping with charged lightning right at his heart.

‘Beg for my forgiveness.’ She seethes as Zuko panics behind her.

Ozai remains calm.

Years have passed, long enough to realize what he did to them.

He does not deserve to even beg. He closes his eyes.

Azula’s own eyes are overcome with tears. The lightning is at its zenith.

But she is not her father. She releases the lighting into the air with a curse.

****

Azula trembles. She could hit him; she could hurt him, but she remains frozen. Fire and lightning boil within her blood. She feels Zuko grab her arm, pulling her away clumsily before she can hurt him - or herself.

“Let go,” she hisses softly to her older brother. Ozai remains still, only moving to open his eyes and to heave a sigh, releasing his pent up breath and muscles. There’s an added layer to his relief, one that he dreads them learning - he must convince them to leave. “What I did to you-”

“Don’t,” Azula snarled. “Don’t you dare say a word. What do you know? What do you know of what you did to us?! Do you even care?!”

Ozai swallows; his gut turns. Azula is finding her footing again. She is no longer the girl that cowered at his raised voice. Nor is Zuko the worried, wet-behind-the-ears Fire Lord. They have both grown in stature and demeanor, and have left all traces of Ozai’s influence behind, leaving two grown royals in place of Fire Lord Ozai: a deplorable, angry warlord trying to live up to a legacy larger than the ego he boasted.

An ego he himself had shed - but it was the ego that had bruised, burned, and shunned these two children.

Zuko tried to keep Azula from growling into Ozai’s face, looking every inch like a dragon. The first daughter born to the Fire Nation Royal Family in three generations had more fight in her than every male that preceded her.

“I hope you rot,” Azula spat. “I hope you die alone,” she said, smoke billowing from her mouth.

Zuko, trying to keep Azula from doing something she might regret, hears a twig snap; he turns around.

Ozai’s stomach plummets as Azula continues to berate him.

“Chen?!”

A voice cuts through Azula’s train of thought; she realizes Ozai is grimacing and looking away from all of them. Azula turns, seeing that Zuko is already frozen in place.

A woman stands in the path leading from the wooded area. Small in stature, with thick brown hair and olive eyes. She carries a basket full of finds from the land around them, pears, apples, mushroom and herbs. A swathe of cloth wraps around her chest to carry something snug against her chest; wisps of a baby’s hair peek out of the bindings.

Next to her, a small girl stands, holding a jackalope that is poised to be that night’s supper. Despite her small stature, she bears an expression that is very similar to Ozai’s when he is aggravated; she has the woman’s thick hair, but it’s black like Ozai’s.

The woman puts the basket down on the ground, supporting the baby bundled against her.

“Chen, who are these people?!”

Zuko and Azula stare at Ozai, whose face has become a nauseous green.

****

“Chen?”

The name blurts out of Azula’s mouth as Ozai doesn’t meet her eyes. Instead, for the first time since their reunion, Ozai uses force, but only to move past Azula so he can meet the concerned woman, who rushes forward to touch Ozai’s shoulder. “What is happening?”

“It’s alright, Niwa,” he says.

Niwa looks at the visiting siblings cautiously. “I don’t buy that.”

“It’s fine; I promise. Come on; let’s get the kids inside and start dinner and we can sort this out.”

Niwa stares at him, concern written in her brow. “Chen.”

But Ozai offers her a smile before gently cradling the wispy hair of the newborn strapped to her chest. Ozai looks to Zuko and Azula. “Niwa is a skilled cook; her roast jackalope is the best this side of the Earth Kingdom. You’re welcome to join us.”

Azula’s lip curled. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Zuko remained silent. He turned to the small girl slowly making her way towards Ozai and Niwa, holding tight to the jackalope in her hands. Her eyes don’t deviate from Zuko; despite her timid demeanor, she does not back down. Once she walks past Zuko, she rushes towards Ozai, who allows her to cling to him.

Azula bristles.

“Come now,” Ozai announces, nodding towards the house. “Let’s talk about this over a good meal. Or if you don’t have the time, perhaps you can visit again sometime soon.”

Azula watches as Zuko joins her.

They watch Ozai’s hand gently lead the small girl into the home.

Azula stomps forward towards the house.

****

It was tense inside. The small girl bustled in the kitchen without a word as she skillfully prepared all of the smaller ingredients for dinner. Ozai had taken the jackalope outside to butcher it. Zuko had all but held Azula in place to keep her from going to find where Ozai kept butchering materials - she had half a mind to gut her father.

Niwa returned from hers and Ozai’s bedroom, having taken a few moments to nurse and change the baby. She joined her daughter in the kitchen as Zuko and Azula sat at the table.

Zuko noted Azula’s anger at boiling point. He knew it was time to make peaceful engagements.

“… I’m sorry for any concern miss… Niwa?” He said. Niwa turned to look his way and she nodded, still on guard.

“Do you two know Chen?”

Azula’s frown deepened.

Zuko folded his hands, shrugging.“Yeah. It’s been a long time since we’ve seen him.”

Niwa folded her arms, leaning back against a counter. “Then maybe you can tell me why I met him in the sorry state he was in. Beaten and blacked out and half drowned in the forest out there. We’re a ways away from a town, so I wasn’t sure exactly how he got here.”

Zuko pondered for a moment. “That I can’t tell you.”

Azula’s laser-like gaze pierced through Niwa. “Looks like you’re not complaining that he’s around.”

Niwa met Azula’s glare. “No; I suppose not. I helped him get back on his feet, but for a while he couldn’t do much; whatever happened to him really took it out of him. When he recovered, he helped me rebuild my gardens that I’d used to feed both of us. It’s only been me for years so suddenly having two people took a bite out of my reserves.” Niwa smiled. “But then we became three, and now four.”

“Are you married?” Zuko asked. Niwa laughed.

“Not officially. Things just kind of happened; we’ve never really talked about it. When I realized I was expecting,” she said, patting her daughter’s head, “he just kind of said ‘all right then’ and stayed with me. He just… accepted it. He farmed when I couldn’t, learned how to cook, hunt, fish, butcher; he likes to stay busy. I’ve noticed when he doesn’t have a list of chores he becomes distant. When Chiyo here was born, we’re so displaced that getting a midwife was almost impossible for when the time came; and yet he never panicked; it’s like he runs on that chaos. Even so, he’s the one who’s put both of our children into my arms when they’ve arrived; he was the same way when Katsu arrived three weeks ago.”

Azula stood with a furious scrape of her chair, which clattered to the floor. Niwa jumped, but quickly moved to stand in front of Chiyo; but Azula wasn’t interested in moving towards them. Instead, she headed for the door that led outside, slamming it so loud that the trio still inside waited to hear if Katsu would begin crying.

“What did I say?!” Niwa asked as the pressure in the room deflated. She looked to Zuko. His eyes told her there was something he knew about this situation.

“You know him, don’t you?”

Zuko took a deep breath.

“My name is Fire Lord Zuko.”

Niwa’s mouth went slack as Zuko continued.

“That was my sister, Princess Azula.”

Chiyo held tight to her mother. Zuko thought he saw a smaller version of himself clinging to Ursa, who now resided back at the palace with her husband, Noren, and daughter, Kiyi. Zuko was slowly taking it in that he had more siblings.

Zuko looked to Niwa. “Chen isn’t his name.”

Becoming rigid, Niwa braced herself for more information.

“How do you know?”

Zuko felt a twist in his heart, almost as though he was cursing her with this knowledge she hasn’t asked for. “Because your children’s father is also my father; and my sister’s father.”

Niwa held tight to Chiyo. If her the man in her life was the father of the current Fire Lord, then…

The air escaped Niwa’s lungs as she stumbled back, holding onto the counter; out of her mouth escaped his true name: “Ozai”.

****

The door to the shed slammed open. Hanging on the walls were multiple hides, furs, and horns that had been harvested from the game in the woods.

Azula had no more tremble in her. Now she was painfully still as she loomed in the doorway. Ozai looked up as he quartered the jackalope for cooking.

He didn’t cower.

Azula walked inside, her eyes darkened with hatred as she approached his work table.

“I think you’ll like jackalope,” Ozai said. “It’s robust and sweet; but it takes a good hand to cook it or else it gets tough. It’s not as forgiving as komodo chicken.”

“I’m not here to talk about the stupid jackalope,” Azula grumbled. Ozai continued working.

“I figured. I just thought I might make conversation. Did you speak to Niwa?”

“Niwa? Your perfect little happy ending? With your perfect little babies?”

Ozai didn’t speak as he masterfully carved silverskin from a slab of meat.

Azula’s hands became fists. “It must be nice to just forget everyone you hurt when-”

“You think I forgot you and your brother?”

“You left!”

“You left me in that prison.”

“You were going to destroy the Earth Kingdom!”

“And you were going to be Fire Lord under my rule.”

“You used me.”

“You’re my child. I was giving your instructions.”

“You were going to make a CHILD the Fire Lord!”

“Funny… Zuko is only two years older than you and he’s Fire Lord. By the way, how is your uncle?”

“Don’t change the subject. Uncle has nothing to do with this.”

Ozai dunked a cleaver into a pot of water. He wiped his hands on a towel as he looked towards Azula as she continued. “You left your cell and found a whole new family.”

Ozai sighed, slinging the towel over his shoulder.

“You’re right. I did.”

Azula’s eyes flared, and she rushed forward to pin Ozai against the wall, multiple horns and antlers clattering down onto the floor.

“WHY WEREN’T WE GOOD ENOUGH?!” Azula screamed. “WHY WEREN’T-”

“I LEFT BECAUSE EITHER I DIED IN THAT CELL AS OZAI OR I DIED A DIFFERENT MAN.”

Azula’s screams withered. She stared at Ozai as he finally showed an emotion beyond indifference.

“I never meant to find what I have. I never set out to replace you and Zuko. That’s not the point of my life now. Niwa found me, and I… I had planned on leaving. I had planned on learning how to hunt and gather effectively before I struck back out on my own. But it… never happened.”

Azula’s grip on Ozai’s collar loosened.

Ozai felt the hand that had scarred Zuko tingle.

“… I found a life beyond the one that I carved from my desire to appease my father.”

Azula stepped back. Ozai finally looked to his daughter.

“What I felt the moment Chiyo was born, when my hands brought her into this world and all I wanted to do was protect her… it’s what I should have felt for you and Zuko. Back then I wanted to be a good father; but now I know that my own definition of a good father back then was something I never want to be again.”

Ozai stood up straight, ready to make his case known.

“Azula; I’m sorry.”

The words struck Azula’s heart like bramble.

“I’m sorry that I… I put so much pain and fear onto you. I owe you and your brother more words than I can ever say, and yet words don’t matter for what I’ve done. I’m sorry.”

Azula glowered at the former Fire Lord as he poured his heart out. She was all too aware of his false words to be convinced.

“I don’t forgive you,” she seethed.

Ozai’s expression remained neutral; he did his best to blink away the small, dewy tears forming on his eyelashes.

“A wise choice,” he said, his voice pitifully rough with the emotion he couldn’t hide. Azula watched as he returned to butchering the jackalope.

“I’m getting Zuko and we’re leaving,” Azula said. “We’re not staying for dinner, we’re not going to play nice. Whatever this is… I hope Niwa wakes up and realizes the mistake she’s made. I hope she takes those kids far away from you.”

The knife in Ozai’s hand finally fumbled as Azula spoke. He took a deep breath, letting her speak.

“And I hope everyone you meet from here on out sees you for who and what you truly are. A sad, pathetic excuse for a man.”

The silence that fell between them was nearly as suffocating as when Azula spit her barbed words. Ozai continued his chore as Azula turned away to leave.

But the door opened before she could reach it. Niwa stood, staring inside as Ozai peered up to her.

He could tell something was wrong.

“Niwa?” He asked. She stepped inside, looking at Azula.

“I’m sorry, may I speak with him in private?”

Azula shrugged. “You can do whatever you want with him. I’m getting my brother and leaving.”

“Wait, please-” Niwa reached for Azula but the princess avoided the woman’s grasp.

“Ask him. Ask him why we’re here-”

“I don’t have to.” Niwa said, looking at Ozai. “Your brother already told me.”

Finally Ozai’s calm shell fractured. He froze, looking at Niwa, who’s lips trembled. She opened her mouth to speak; a moment passed before she could find her voice.

“I’d had a feeling that my children were not your first, Ozai. But I could never really justify asking you such a personal question; even after all these years.”

Azula blinked; she stared at Niwa as Ozai realized he was caught.

Ozai cleared his throat. “… So now you know.”

Niwa’s eyes flooded with tears. “Your son’s eye.”

A painful silence passed before Ozai gripped the wrist of the hand that had caused that burn. “… Yes. I did that.”

But how? Niwa looked at Ozai, having seen what she believed to be every side of him over the past seven years. How he had cared for her, tended to her at her most vulnerable, made her believe he only had their childrens’ best interests at heart. How he held Chiyo and Katsu, and the ways he spoke to them and how Chiyo found true comfort in entrusting her father with her protection’; how Katsu was now beginning to recognize his father’s voice and had started to smile when he heard him.

But now she was learning that her childrens’ father was a man who continued the horrors of his fathers, passing all of that fear and hatred and pain onto his own older children.

“You told me your name was Chen. How long were you going to lie to me?”

“I never meant for it to be a lie,” Ozai quickly explained. “I… I was never expecting this to become my life.”

“… Are you happy here?”

“Niwa, of course I am. We have all of this, each other, our children; Niwa I’ve kept the name because I… I don’t… I’m no longer Ozai.”

“Camelephant dung,” Azula hissed. “Don’t even-”

“I’m not. That man is dead. I would bury him myself if I could.”

Niwa wrung her hands together. Ozai stepped forward.

“I would never hurt you, Niwa.”

Trembling, the woman looked up to him, unsure of what to believe. She opened her mouth-

“Chiyo! Chiyo!!”

The three in the shed jumped, turning towards the house as Zuko rushed along the path leading to the woods. Niwa bolted towards the Fire Lord, followed by Azula and Ozai.

“What happening?!” Niwa asked. Zuko pointed into the woods.

“Chiyo came outside to check on you, but then I saw her run into the woods; at first I didn’t think much of it since I’m sure she’s familiar here and I didn’t want to leave Katsu alone, but-”

Zuko pointed, and billowing from the trees was a ghastly blue mist.

****

Niwa wasted no time running into the wooded area to try and find her daughter - but just as soon as she ran inside, she came tumbling back into the clearing from between another set of trees. She realized what had happened and she darted back into the mist, only to emerge elsewhere in the clearing. She began to panic.

“Chiyo!!” She screamed as Ozai rushed to her. “Chiyo where are you?!”

No answer came, and Niwa turned to Ozai. “What… What are we going to do?!”

“Remain calm,” Ozai said, but Niwa’s fear quickly devolved into anger.

“You want ME to be calm RIGHT NOW, OZAI?!”

Ozai winced, getting used to hearing her say his real name. Zuko approached them, kneeling down to get a look at the mist.

“I’m guessing this isn’t a regular occurrence,” he said, watching the tendrils of smoke wisp around his hand.

“It’s not; this is the first time I’ve seen this,” Niwa said. Azula approached her, for once looking at her without the judgment of her father placed upon her.

“Do you have anything like a messenger hawk? It could fly above the trees.”

“It could, but how is anyone going to get through?” Niwa asked. Azula smiled.

“Again, they’re going to go over the trees.”

Niwa, confused, looked to Zuko, who smiled.

The town may have been a three-days trip on foot, but on an air bison, it was heavily reduced to twenty minutes. When Zuko and Azula had received information on the potential whereabouts of their father, it was Avatar Aang, along with his fiancee Katara, who had dropped them off and mentioned they would be back at nightfall if they hadn’t heard anything. Niwa offered parchment and a brush for Zuko to write to his friends.

Ozai appeared… nervous, to say the least, at the aspect of seeing the avatar again.

But at the rate things were going, it was possible that the only person who could fix quickly this was Aang.

The hawk took flight in the full, bright sunlight of the afternoon, and arrived as daylight became rustic and golden. The hawk was intercepted, and the letter was delivered to where the Avatar was staying - which wasn’t hard to find, as Appa was happily munching on some hay just outside of the parlor of an inn where Aang was conversing with the townspeople.

“Avatar Aang,” the delivery man greeted, “I have correspondence for you.”

Aang blinked, looking to Katara. “How does anyone know I’m here?” He asked, just as he unfurled the parchment. “Oh; it’s from Zuko.”

“Is everything alright?” Katara asked, immediately standing. Aang’s eyes continued to scroll through the letter.

“We need to go.”

Katara did her best to peel Aang away from his audience as quickly as she could. Within moments they were up in the air as the wind sifted through Appa’s fur. Katara scanned Zuko’s letter.

“Of all days for a spirit to show up,” she said.

“Good thing we stayed!” Aang smiled as they breezed through the atmosphere. They watched the forest canopy below them zoom by, and Aang shuddered.

“Yeah; something big is going on in there.”

“Look!” Katara pointed towards the mist streaking through the gaps of the leaves. “It’s some kind of smoke…”

“Let’s touch base with Zuko and Azula,” Aang said, flicking at Appa’s reigns to signal that they needed to hurry. Appa growled and quickened his pace, soon leading them to the small clearing where they’d dropped the royals off. They crested over the trees, seeing a small audience awaiting them.

As Appa landed, Aang and Katara joined Zuko and Azula, where a distressed Niwa’s fears were being subdued.

“Niwa,” Zuko started, “These are my friends, Avatar Aang and Master Waterbender Katara.”

Niwa sighed. “The Avatar, I can’t believe how lucky I am. I suppose being related to the Fire Lord has it’s perks?”

Aang looked at Katara, then to Zuko. “Related?” He asked. Zuko smiled nervously.

“So uhh; I need to tell you guys something.”

Azula peeked out from behind Zuko. “Our dad’s here.”

“O-Ozai?! Where? Is he the reason this is happening?!”

Niwa quickly intervened to quell the Avatar’s own worries. “No, no it’s not him! Please, my daughter; she’s lost in the mist!”

Katara maintained a hand on her waterskin. “Ma’am if Ozai is here then we need to consider him a threat; he escaped prison years ago and-”

“He’s my daughter’s father, he is NOT a threat!” Niwa snapped, her voice echoing over the livestock surrounding them.

Aang and Katara looked at Niwa, their jaws slack.

“The woods are usually peaceful. I’ve lived in this space my whole life. It was built and maintained by my great-great grandparents. I have never seen a spirit in my whole life. But for Chiyo to just run into the mist? I’m so worried; I’ve never had anything like this happen before.”

Aang heard the door to the house close. He became rigid as he recognized the form exiting the home.

Ozai.

The former Fire Lord walked down the path, holding something strapped to his chest. He noticed Aang, and even his own stride faltered.

Niwa turned to him. “Ozai! The Avatar is… Oh.”

It hit her that they had met.

Still, Ozai walked forward with Katsu wrapped against his chest. He looked at the younger man, now much taller. Nearly reaching Ozai’s own height.

“Avatar Aang,” he said. “If anyone can help, it’s you.”

Gripping his staff, Aang’s face darkened. “You’re lucky it’s a kid in there and not you,” he said, suddenly taken back by the fact that there was an infant strapped to Ozai’s chest as Katsu shuffled within the cloth.

Niwa, needing a distraction, took Katsu into her arms, holding him tight as she escorted Aang to the entrance of the forest. Along the way, he noticed some interesting carvings in some of the stones along the path.

“Those are airbender markings,” he said, noticing the swirl patterns. Niwa looked down, smiling.

“My grandfather laid this path after he married my grandmother. She started going blind after an infection, so he made a tactile path leading her around the grounds. Each path has a specific symbol. I didn’t know they were of Airbender origin.”

Aang opened his mouth to mention something, but he remembered there wasn’t much time to talk. Instead, he approached the entrance of the forest.

“I don’t know if any of the landmarks I know will be in there, but if you come across the well, there’s a compass at the base. It will help guide you,” Niwa said.

Ozai approached them, unwrapping the bindings used to hold Katsu. “I want to go.”

“Absolutely not,” Aang spat.

Niwa wrung her hands together as she pleaded. “Please, Avatar?”

“If anyone goes, it’s you,” Aang said.

Ozai frowned. “My son is too small to be without his mother for too long.”

“Can’t you change him?” Aang crossed his arms.

Ozai remained placid. “Of course; but I cannot feed him.”

Aang stuttered. “Maybe I should do this alone either way-”

“Chiyo will not recognize you,” Ozai said.

“Aang.” Zuko’s voice piped up. “I can go with you two.”

Azula stared at her brother in furious horror.

Aang wasn’t happy, but if Zuko was willing to back him up, he agreed to the situation.

“After this, you’re going back to prison, Ozai,” Aang announced. “I’ll see to it myself.”

Ozai looked into the Airbender’s stormy eyes; Aang then slammed his staff into the ground as his eyes and tattoo glowed an ethereal blue. With a wave of his hand, the mist opened, and the three men entered.

****

Azula, Katara and Niwa watched the mist envelop Aang, Zuko and Ozai. Niwa let out a shaky, bated breath as she gently bounced Katsu in her arms.

Katara looked to Azula, who seemed indifferent to the whole thing. Katara could notice the shielded way she stood and held her face - it was like when Katara had been reunited with her own father years ago, and the pain of his absence to fight in the war had resulted in her placing so much orphaned anger upon Hakoda. All of the feelings she didn’t have the time to sort through while helping to take care of the tribe, while traveling with Aang and Sokka and Toph and holding people together, she felt both displaced enough from Hakoda and trusting enough of her father to unload every negative, sour, complicated emotion she’d been harboring for years - and he didn’t push her away. The moment had allowed Katara to become more open with her father after the war, and the two were now on more even grounds than ever.

But a father that was absent for trying to help the world is different from being the soldier child of a man who held the whole war in his hands. Ozai may have only reigned for 6 years, but those 6 years were formative to Zuko and Azula. Sometimes Katara thinks about those months when Zuko chased her and Sokka and Aang, and she’s long-since realized that a parent burning their child for speaking out and then banishing them for an indefinite amount of time was cruelty beyond measure - but back then she was too young to understand, as was Zuko. But Azula herself had no idea the pressures and weights to being Ozai’s blessed favorite. Azula, having prided herself on the stature of Ozai’s talented, preferred child who held the burdens of her father so gracefully on her head, yet her own young mind, no matter how brilliant, couldn’t foresee how Ozai’s teachings would lead to Azula to sequestering herself out of paranoia before challenging Zuko to an Agni Kai while on the cusp of being crowned Fire Lord while Ozai was out demolishing what was soon to be the Old World, reducing it to ash to allow a New World to be reborn.

Katara noticed Azula’s detachment from the situation, and she approached the princess with caution.

“You don’t have to walk on eggshells, Katara,” Azula said without looking at her as she heard the decorative beads on Katara’s clothing rattling upon her presence.

“… I’m sorry. I just wanted to check on you.”

Azula’s face remained neutral, although Katara could see the effort being made to do so. Azula’s crossed arms tightened.

“I’m fine.”

With a nod that meant Katara knew she wasn’t going to get much more out of Azula, she backed away, thus moving to approach Niwa, but not before turning to look at the grounds. The house ahead of them was large, something she would expect to contain an entire family. Several other small buildings surrounded the area, like a shed nearby, a chicken coop, a barn for the lion-rams, every hybrid pig Katara had ever seen, and several ostrich horses. It was a handsome property; bright and colorful with flowers at the base of the mountain, and a ravine that wrapped between the land and said mountain.

Turning back towards Niwa, who bundled Katsu up in the wrapping blanket as twilight approached, Katara was taken back at the image of the woman as she lovingly spoke to her newborn. She also felt immense dread, wondering if this woman knew the extent of what Ozai had done to so many people. What if Chiyo and Katsu were just as doomed as Zuko and Azula? What if Ozai returned to his old ways of pitting his children against each other?

“… Miss Niwa,” Katara began, “how are you doing?”

Niwa sighed, holding Katsu up to her shoulder, gently patting his back. “Better than I was, but still… not knowing is the worst. I’m just… I’m so scared for Chiyo. I trust her knowledge of the woods; she’s played in them so many times before on her own, but this? I’m so scared of what this could do to her.”

Katara nodded. She looked at little Katsu, wondering if maybe he resembled Zuko or Azula when they were that age.

“I can’t help but ask… but… what convinced you to… to be with Ozai?”

Niwa closed her eyes. Azula’s eyes locked onto the other women as she maintained her distance.

“Nothing ‘convinced’ me. I found a man who needed help, thus I helped him. Things happened from there. He told me his name was Chen.”

“He lied to you as well?” Katara asked. Niwa shook her head.

“It’s not… it’s not like that.”

“He did.” Azula seconded. “He lied to you to protect himself. Look where it’s gotten him. A woman who will defend him and two new, perfect little children. Only this time he won’t mess up.”

Niwa’s already strained patience was waning. “You take me for a fool.”

“Oh you bet I do,” Azula scoffed.

Katara did her best to place herself between them, trying to maintain civility. “Let’s not get too riled up. We’re here to make sure Chiyo returns to safety-”

Azula finally stepped forward. “Which means removing Ozai.”

Niwa’s stomach dropped.

Azula maintained her stance. “At all costs.”

“No. I won’t allow it,” Niwa insisted. Azula pointed towards the forest.

“You’re so afraid of losing your children yet you’ll allow that monster near them?!”

“He has never hurt them!” Niwa shouted. Azula doubled down.

“You’ve seen my brother’s eye! He had no problem doing that to him and shoving him off! For THREE YEARS! And he had no problem raising me to believe that what he did to Zuko was justified! The war was one thing, but he pitted me against my family so I believed he was the only one truly on my side, and then what happened? He abandoned me! Do you know how long it’s taken me to understand what actual affection looks like? What it’s meant to feel like when my mother holds me so that I don’t think she’s using that as some kind of emotional bait??”

Katara was quick to act in intercepting Katsu as Niwa’s anger rose. Niwa handed her son to the waterbender as she stalked Azula’s way.

“And I am sorry, Azula. I am so sorry for what you two went through. I can’t imagine all of the pain and horror you must feel reliving what happened.”

“No.” Azula growled. “You can’t. You can’t imagine what it’s like to be so alone-”

“I’ve BEEN alone, Azula. Before I found Ozai I was alone for years! I’ve had family! I had a wonderful family! My grandparents, both of my parents, and guess what? They have all DIED! I have been here because it’s my home; it’s all I have. When I found your father I didn’t think to myself ‘oh look, I wonder if this man is former Fire Lord Ozai and I should leave him for dead’, no! I found an injured man here in a place of little threat and I wanted to help him, because that’s what my homestead is about! I never believed him to be Ozai!”

“Well now that you know, then you’ll understand when we take him back to the Fire Nation.”

Niwa didn’t budge. “Over my dead body.”

Katara stepped back. Azula’s mouth ticked a smile.

“Excuse me?” Azula laughed.

Niwa approached Azula with every word. “Over. My. Dead. Body. You are not taking Ozai. You are not touching him. When your brother and the Avatar return, I am giving you all my thanks in every way I can, but you are not removing him from my life, nor that of my childrens’ lives.”

“He’s a monster!” Azula shouted. Niwa shook her head.

“Azula; if you can change your perceptions, why can’t he?”

Feeling the back of her neck bristle, Azula stood rigid in furious horror.

Katara stood at the ready, holding a baby in one arm and keeping her other hand at her waterskin.

Azula’s lip curled.

“You want him so bad? Fine. Maybe I’ll talk Zuko into building a wall around this forest, so you all can stay locked up and so SO happy together.”

Katara shook her head at Azula, who ignored the waterbender. Niwa, her arms crossed, tilted her head.

“I thought you said you were different? That sounds an awful lot like an old Fire Nation tactic if you ask me.”

Azula’s fists shook. “… I’m… I’m not like that anymore. I’m not like him!”

“I know you’re not Azula; but in the same way, you’ve both changed,” Niwa said. “I just want you to understand that he’s come a long way. Just like you have; and I don’t intend to let him go after I’ve seen the man he’s become. I trust the man he has become. Just like Katara is here with you.”

Azula looked towards Katara. “What are you talking about?”

Niwa continued. “A waterbender here as a friend to the princess of the Fire Nation? After everything you’ve told me? You can change and build new friendships, but he cannot?”

Azula replayed the moment Katara chained her to that grate after besting her during Sozin’s Comet. But she said nothing.

But she didn’t need to as her charged posture diffused, and she stepped back, and away from the argument.

Katara waited and allowed Niwa to turn her way, taking Katsu back into her arms. The waterbender didn’t say anything at first. She knew enough about Ozai to hate him. She’d also once hated Zuko and Azula.

Katara herself was the reason Azula wasn’t crowned as Fire Lord. And yet here they were as… well… maybe not the best of friends, but by now they were on positive terms of acquaintanceship through Zuko, and through Azula’s continued work towards a healthier life. Today had been the darkest turn Azula’s mentality had taken in well over a year, and it worried Katara, but she also understood.

But she couldn’t help but wonder, as she watched Niwa defend Ozai - the man that Katara’s fiance defeated - maybe… if his children had achieved a life beyond the goals of the old Fire Nation… maybe Ozai had achieved that too.

Katara listened to Niwa talk to Katsu as he cooed.

“Don’t worry; daddy will be home soon with sissy. I promise,” she said, stroking her son’s wispy hair.

****

“Chiyo!!” Aang called out. “Chiyo where are you?!”

“Chiyo!” Ozai shouted, following Aang’s voice. “Come on! Let’s go home!”

Zuko felt something in the pit of his stomach as Ozai said that.

“Zuko, Azula! It’s time to go home!” Ozai would call as their feet were coated with sand and saltwater, and as they begged for more time to keep constructing their lopsided palace on the beach.

Zuko looked at his father’s expression as he waited to hear Chiyo’s voice. The concern knitted in his brow was something Zuko had never seen - or at least if he had seen it, time hadn’t done the memory much justice.

“Does she come out here often?” Aang asked. Ozai nodded.

“These woods have been peaceful since before Niwa’s time, from what I understand. Chiyo has played in here for hours on end without problem. I taught her how to swim in the fishing pond up ahead.”

Aang looked towards Zuko, who maintained a visage of neutrality. The Avatar fell back a bit, walking next to Ozai.

“… So Niwa found you in this forest?”

“That’s what she’s told me,” Ozai said. “I was traveling at night, through a forest near where we fought. Next I remember I was waking up in her home.”

Aang listened to the atmosphere around him. “There’s a lot of uncertainty around here. When we flew over, I could sense a large cluster of spirits.”

Ozai hummed; Aang could hear the concern laced within it. “I’ve always figured this place had… something within it. For as long as it’s been peaceful, even at night, I guess I rationalized it as some form of… guardian. Maybe I was wrong.”

“I don’t think that’s wrong, necessarily,” Aang said. “But, if there’s some kind of guardian, it’s being overpowered right now; and it feels angry.”

Zuko’s hands became fists, but not out of his own anger. “… You don’t think it’s here because of Azula and me, do you?”

Aang looked back, shrugging. “Spirits can follow emotions and intentions. I… I suppose it’s possible.”

Zuko felt a weight in his gut. He looked towards Ozai, who didn’t look back to Zuko.

Old fears resurfaced for Zuko; he hadn’t felt this wave of uncertainty around Ozai in years.

“Ah; there it is,” Ozai said as they approached the well. Aang stopped, getting a good look at it’s construction.

“That…that looks like one of the wells back at the temples.”

First the carvings in the rocks, and now the well’s architecture. Aang touched the stone, impressed with the craftsmanship.

Ozai looked out to the different branches that splintered off from the clearing. “Chiyo!”

Aang looked up from inspecting the well to look at Zuko. The young Fire Lord watched his father shout for his child, able to maintain a poise he once never thought possible as he yearned for scraps of his father’s approval. But he also felt guilty for potentially leading to this search.

“Dad,” Zuko’s voice broke through the ringing silence when no one answered his call. Ozai looked at his eldest child as he reached out, hesitating, but he still managed to touch Ozai’s shoulder. “We’ll find her. I promise.”

Ozai regarded Zuko with an air of surprise. The son who once told Ozai to his face that he was abandoning everything their family stood for and trained the Avatar in the ways of firebending just to dethrone his father was there helping him find a part of his ‘new family’.

The older man could see how much Zuko was truly beginning to resemble him, and it made his stomach turn as he remembered how much suffering he put upon Zuko for his supposed weaknesses - when those ‘weaknesses’ were traits he had inherited from his father. Traits Ozai wanted stamped out because of that very reason. If he had to let go of all of the tenderness in his heart to succeed in his endeavors, then Zuko had to do the same.

And yet it is Zuko that now sits upon the throne, having heralded a new start with care and compassion the likes the Fire Nation and the world hadn’t seen in a century.

And it took too many years and a new family for him to come to even begin to understand how much of himself he’d never gotten to know by denying himself tenderness with another person.

Ozai finally managed to answer his son by placing his hand over Zuko’s on his shoulder.

“Thank you,” he said, his voice gruff with overflowing memories and feelings. He cleared his throat, looking at Zuko, into his eyes that were no longer wide and pleading and unsure, but were now more sure than even Ozai was these days. He tried to smile for some levity; and for something he didn’t realize was important to say until the events unfolding. “You’ve really… You’re…”

The words couldn’t register You’re a good kid? You’ve come a long way? How so? The man who had bucked the mould Ozai tried to fit him into was now something completely different indeed. Would telling him he’d grown into a good man even mean something coming from Ozai?

Instead, Zuko offered another smile.

“It’s alright. We can talk about it later.”

Aang watched from behind, unsure as Zuko walked ahead.

“Aang,” Zuko said, “Can you sense anything from here?”

Aang closed his eyes, opening them as they began to glow. He slammed a hand onto the ground, and a glow of energy burst through the grass that only he could see. Zuko and Ozai stumbled back as the gust of wind nearly knocked them over, but Aang, as his eyes dimmed, pointed to a spot towards the north; as the glow dissipated, he found a set of small footprints.

“There! She’s gone north!”

But just as they prepared to take off, Ozai felt something grab his ankle. He fell onto his stomach as he was dragged backwards. Zuko turned to see his father being pulled by something he couldn’t see - while Aang saw a translucent hand reaching out, pulling Ozai away. A spirit that was hiding in the well was the culprit.

“We’ve found him!”

A cavalcade of noise deafened Aang; Zuko watched his friend try to block his ears as he winced.

“Justice!”

“Justice for our lands!”

“Praise to the Avatar for leading us here!”

“Now we need to remove the woman and the other parasite; then this land will be ours.”

Zuko rushed forward, grabbing Ozai’s hands to keep him from being dragged into the well. The two latched onto each other, and Zuko, for once, witnessed primal fear in his father’s eyes.

Aang found his clarity through the noise; he also darted towards the well, pulling Ozai out of the grip of the spirit.

“Avatar!!” It screeched. “Let us take this beast from this world!”

“No!” Aang shouted. “This isn’t the right way!”

“Your way didn’t work! Your human justice led him back here to infest this land!”

Aang and Zuko managed to pull Ozai to safety, and Aang created a barrier of spiritual energy around them.

“What is it you want?” Aang shouted. The spirits howled and screeched.

“On the day the comet painted the sky crimson, the Fire Lord set ablaze to our homes!”

“We have wandered countless eves since!”

“We nearly rid ourselves of him years ago! When we came across him wandering, just like us! We forced him to feel our rage! Our pain!”

“We have been trying to find him since, but something has kept us from entering this forest.”

“But we have managed to distract it by luring the older of the parasite’s children into the forest; He is busy keeping It safe.”

Aang, confused, looked around as the clearing continued to darken with encroaching spirits. “He?”

“His spirit feels much like yours. But regardless, Avatar. We are ready for our justice!”

“This isn’t justice!” Aang shouted. Behind him, Zuko helped Ozai to his feet. “This is revenge! And revenge only begets more revenge and bloodshed!”

“PERHAPS BLOOD IS WHAT WE WANT!”

As the sun set, the trees began to sway as the spirits convened, and they amassed together to create an amalgamation of rage and desolation, appearing in the form of a massive, armored spidersnake.

****

She turned towards the burst of energy that had erupted towards the south.

The other with her, carrying a lantern that glowed with a hazy, white fire, hummed to himself.

“Did you feel that, Chiyo?” He asked, looking at the small girl. She nodded, not looking to him; instead he watched her face where the energy was coming from, her little form frightened, but not shying away from the predicament. “He is here as well… I should go say my hellos. It’s been a hundred years, after all.”

Chiyo looked up to the older man, able to see the grass through his non-corporeal form; but after all this time of knowing him nothing about him frightened her.

“What happens if I don’t know what to do?”

“It’s alright, Chiyo. You won’t be alone. But we must make haste. Don’t worry. I will be right by your side.”

Beyond the trees, they could hear the screech of the spirits as they engaged in a heated confrontation with the Avatar, the Fire Lord, and the man responsible for displacing them.

“AVATAR! YOU WOULD DEFEND THIS BEAST? AFTER YOU PROMISED HE COULD DO LONGER CAUSE DESTRUCTION?”

Aang dodged one of the spidersnake’s piercing legs as it jammed into the ground.

Aang faltered with an answer as he landed on one of the spirit’s legs.

“I won’t stand for acting on vengeance when the other hasn’t committed any other crimes!”

“HE IS COMMITTING A CRIME BY BEING HERE! YOUR MORTAL SENTENCING DID NOT WORK! YOU ALLOWED THIS CREATURE TO ESCAPE HIS CONFINES AND INVADE OUR LANDS! AGAIN!”

Ozai dodged one of the legs as it prepared to slice him upon impact.

“Let me speak!”

“IT WILL ALL BE LIES!”

Another leg stabbed the ground. Ozai looked towards Zuko, who was unsheathing his swords; even as a master firebender, he found comfort in bringing these weapons along with him.

He turned towards Ozai.

“Dad!” He shouted, tossing one of the swords Ozai’s way.

“YOU WOULD CAUSE MORE BLOODSHED!!”

“Just the same as you!” Ozai barked. Aang, from up high, began to panic, and he descended towards the others.

“No! Wait this isn’t the way!”

“Then what do you want us to do?!” Zuko hissed as he tried to keep his eyes on the massive spirit.

Ozai lashed out, slashing at a leg that passed by them, trying to stab it where the armor was weak.

“OZAI!” Aang shouted.

“WHAT?! MY FAMILY IS IN DANGER!”

“THIS HAPPENED BECAUSE OF YOU!”

“I’M WELL AWARE OF THAT!”

“YOU CAN’T KEEP TRYING TO USE VIOLENCE, IT WON’T SOLVE ANYTHING!”

Ozai glowered at Aang. “Really? Maybe you should have killed me when you had the chance, boy. Then maybe this wouldn’t be happening.”

Aang’s mouth bobbed, but he quickly became furious. Zuko looked between the two. He had once insisted to Aang that he would need to kill Ozai; it would be the only way to truly stop him. But Aang didn’t, citing the importance of his heritage and views of mercy. But… Ozai had indeed escaped his prison sentence, and he had returned to the Earth Kingdom, and now the spirits of the lands that were scorched by his fire were seeking their retribution, and an innocent family was in danger.

Well; mostly innocent family. Zuko wouldn’t lie about how he wondered how Niwa could care for his father; how he wondered what kind of man she found within him.

“Zuko! Behind you!”

Aang blasted a gust of air towards the spirit before it could slam a sharp leg down upon Zuko.

“ENOUGH!” The spirit shrieked. It doubled down and charged at Aang, flinging him into the tree canopy. It turned towards Ozai. “You have chosen this land, and thus the bones of you and your family will decorate it!”

Ozai held onto the hilt of the sword with a grip that turned his knuckles white. “You won’t touch my family.”

The spirit cackled. “Oh? Let’s make things interesting.”

A leg slammed down, catching the fabric of Zuko’s tunic. The spirit rounded, tackling Zuko to the ground, and it reared back to bite down into Zuko’s ribs. The Fire Lord screamed as the pincers buried into his abdomen; the poison seared and stung his flesh and exacerbated the wound.

Ozai watched as Zuko howled.

Yet he never called for his father, who was right there.

“Papa!”

But another voice did.

“Mama! Papa!”

Chiyo’s voice was heard over Zuko’s screams.

“ZUKO!” Aang’s voice entered the noise as he returned to the fray; and Ozai once more grabbed the sword Zuko had lent him… Zuko had lent him a means of protection - which Ozai now needed to use for him in return.

“ZUKO!” Ozai screamed along with Aang, and he charged after the spirit. “Avatar! Give me a lift! I’ll-”

“No! I won’t let you kill it!”

“IT’S KILLING ZUKO AS WE SPEAK!”

Aang faltered, but Ozai didn’t. He reeled back and, with all of his might, he sliced through one of the spirit’s legs. It screeched in agony, finally releasing Zuko. Aang was quick to Zuko’s side as the spirit stumbled away from him. Ozai grabbed Zuko’s other sword, slashing at the spidersnake, eagerly cutting any tender part of it’s body.

Zuko fought for air, his mouth rendered dry from the effects of the poison. Aang was quick to pull some water from the well, and with techniques Katara had taught him, he began trying to heal the wound.

“VILE CREATURE! YOU BRING MORE PAIN!” The spirit screamed as Aang heard another leg thud to the ground.

“AVATAR! YOU ALLOW THIS TO HAPPEN! YOUR BLINDNESS AND BIAS LEAD TO MORE DESTRUCTION!”

“No!” Aang cried out. “You chose this path! You have chosen revenge to deal with your pain!”

“MY PAIN BROUGHT ABOUT MERCILESSLY BY ONE OF YOUR OWN HUMANS! I ASK RETRIBUTION AND I RECEIVE PAIN!”

“You threatened me and my family!” Ozai shouted.

The spirit wobbled; seeing no other way to end this scuffle, it’s body rattled with determination.

“Perhaps it should no longer be a threat. You will know my pain.”

Even missing two legs, the spidersnake charged towards the home.

“NO!!” Ozai screamed. He looked towards Aang and Zuko.

“Zuko still isn’t healed!” Aang said. “I’ve removed the poison but-”

Ozai rushed forward, removing his shawl and pressing it against the wound.

Zuko lay bleeding; but Ozai’s family was in danger…

But Zuko was Ozai’s family… As much as neither were ready to admit it in full just yet.

Ozai’s face twisted; his method hadn’t worked. It had only hastened the problem.

“Go, Avatar. Please; help my family.”

Aang nodded, taking to the sky and flying back towards the homestead.

In the enveloping silence, Ozai was panicking; he had to get back, but what about Zuko?

“Zuko; can you hear me?” Ozai asked; gently jostling the Fire Lord. Zuko moaned; the poison had taken every bit of energy out of his body.

“He needs this.”

Ozai jumped as a voice made itself known from behind. A cloaked man… another spirit, judging by the way Ozai could see through him… he offered an herb to Ozai.

“What do I do?” Ozai asked, accepting it.

“Extract the oils with your palms; it will also warm it up, activating it; then apply it to the wrists, throat, chest; it will absorb and help him.”

Ozai quickly took to smashing the herb between his palms; in time creating a medicated-smelling oil, and he began dabbing as instructed.

“Do you know this man?” The spirit asked. Ozai felt how Zuko’s scar had even wrapped around to the back of his neck as he administered the oil.

“…This is my son.”

“I see,” the robed man said. “Quite a nasty scar on his eye.”

Ozai didn’t look back at him; instead he massaged Zuko’s wrists, hoping the herb would take effect soon.

“That must have hurt. Did you find the man who did it?”

Ozai stopped; he looked back to the cloaked man-

Who was gone.

A groan; a grimace.

“Dad?” Zuko asked. Ozai jumped, pulling Zuko to sit up.”What happened? Did we fend it off?”

Ozai shook his head. “No; can you stand?”

“I… I think so.”

“If you can stand, then I can help you.”

****

Aang flew as fast as the currents could take him. He kept tabs on the spirit as it charged towards the homestead; he hoped the others weren’t too close to the entrance of the forest.

He found a strong wind current, and he charged through the sky, able to see the clearing as he bypassed the raging spirit. He crested the canopy, and found Katara, Azula, and Niwa waiting nearby.

“GET OUT OF THE WAY!! GO TOWARDS THE HOUSE!!” Aang screamed; but it wasn’t long until the spirit burst through the trees.

Katara was quick to act, and she used the nearby ravine to create a wall of ice to contain the spirit. Azula shoved Niwa towards the house and ran to join Katara and Aang.

“Where’s Zuko?” Azula asked Aang as he landed.

“He’s in the woods with Ozai-”

“YOU LEFT HIM WITH OZAI?! ALONE?!” Azula screeched as smoked poured from her mouth. Aang winced, but he was distracted by the scraping sounds of the spidersnake’s sharp legs clawing at the ice. Katara continued to add layers of ice to the wall, but the spirit was chipping away too fast for her to keep up.

“It’s going to escape!” She shouted. Aang looked back to Niwa, holding Katsu as she watched in fear, and he bent giant split in the earth to keep the spirit from reaching her. Niwa watched in awe as her land was broken in half, and water from the ravine crashed into the gap.

“Okay,” Katara said, still adding layers of ice. “What’s the plan?”

Aang joined her, also layering on to the wall as Azula joined them at the ready. Aang nervously laughed.

“Uhh that’s a good question.”

“You don’t have a plan?!” Azula asked. Aang pouted at her.

“Oh like you two have been making one while we’ve been in there?!”

Azula pouted back and crossed her arms, remaining silent.

“I don’t want to kill it,” Aang said. “It’s suffered enough; but harming others won’t fix it’s suffering.”

“What does it want?” Katara asked.

“It wants Ozai and his family dead,” Aang said.

Azula hmm’d. “I don’t see the problem with that.”

“Azula!” Katara admonished, but Azula was quick to snap back.

“Do you know what it’s like?! To have gone through so much because of him and suddenly he’s so much happier without you around?!”

Aang helped add another layer to the ice wall as the spirit screamed in frustration.

“I don’t think that’s what happened, Azula.”

“HE NEVER WOULD HAVE HELPED ME IF I WAS IN THIS SITUATION! AND YET HE’S IN THAT FOREST LOOKING FOR HIS NEW PERFECT LITTLE BABY WHILE WE DO ALL OF HIS DIRTY WORK FOR-”

“OZAI STAYED BEHIND BECAUSE ZUKO’S HURT. I’M DOING MY JOB AS THE AVATAR, OZAI IS HELPING YOUR BROTHER.”

Azula went silent, but she appeared as though she could shoot lightning from her eyes.

“Azula,” Aang said; “Would you let a woman endure the pain you felt just to make yourself feel better? I know you wouldn’t; you quit that cycle a long time ago. You have to live it now. And not giving in to the pain you’ve endured sometimes hurts more than the memory of it.”

Azula turned her head, tears in her eyes.

“Think about Kiyi! You have another little sister and brother! If you put that same harm on them, what would that say about everything you’ve learned? And if Ozai has learned how to stop acting out on his own anger, then why be mad at that?”

“Because Zuko and I suffered!”

“But it’s not Niwa’s fault; nor is it Chiyo’s or Katsu’s. Your suffering isn’t your fault,” Aand said, looking at the spirit, “But enacting on that anger to hurt others out of justice… sometimes it’s only revenge; and the cycle continues. And one day they’ll see it as the right thing to keep hurting other. Is that the legacy you want, Azula? After everything you’ve been through?”

For a moment, the only sounds were Katara and Aang adding water to the ice wall to contain the spirit.

Azula took a breath. “So… what should we do with this?” She asked.

Aang looked to Katara. “We can’t just keep holding it… we have to do something to stop it.”

“And at what point do we put it down?” Azula asked, stretching her arms as her hands began to sizzle.

“… We don’t.”

Azula sighed. “Katara he’s impossible.”

Katara smiled towards her fiance. “Yeah; I know.”

The ice finally broke, and the spirit lunged forward. Aang leaped into the air as Katara used the water to skate out of the way. Azula bent a wall of fire to try and herd the spirit away, but it was almost too fast, and it kept up with the blaze as it extended. Azula cursed and focused her powers on her feet, and she burst forward, using her flames to hover and move quickly.

Niwa watched in horror as part of her homestead was lit ablaze. Even from her distance she could feel the heat from the fire. Her livestock bleated and clucked and screeched in fear as she held tight to Katsu.

She wondered why only Aang had returned from the forest; until she saw two figures at the entrance of the trees.

Ozai helped Zuko stumble along, the two of them taking in the sight of battle.

Zuko tried to stand, but he was still too weak. Ozai helped him sit as he he could see Niwa and Katsu were safe.

But there was still no sign of Chiyo.

Holding tight to Zuko’s swords, Ozai pondered his best course of action.

“Dad,” Zuko said, and Ozai knelt down to listen. “You should go back in and try to find Chiyo while it’s distracted.”

Ozai stared at him. “And leave you here?”

Zuko laughed. “It wouldn’t be the first time. I’ll be fine.”

The words stung Ozai, but he was right.

“Besides,” Zuko said, “I’m a better solo fighter.”

“And yet you’re here with all of these people who care about you,” Ozai said.

Zuko smirked. “I lucked out. They helped me realize how much worth I had when I was blind to it.”

Ozai’s throat tightened. “I’ve… gone through a similar situation recently.” Ozai said. “I just didn’t realize it until today.”

Zuko shook his head, weakly pushing his father.

“Then go; go find her,” he said. Ozai stood, and Zuko gripped Ozai’s hand on one of the swords, ensuring he had a good hold on the hilt. “Don’t fail another one of your kids. Or I’ll make sure you see that prison cell again.”

Ozai nodded. “As his majesty commands.”

Ozai rushed back into the woods, and Zuko weakly tried to stand, but his legs weren’t strong enough. His presence caught the eye of Katara.

“ZUKO!” She shouted, skating his way with her water ribbon. She landed in front of him and crouched down. “Where is it?” She asked, preparing her water as he showed her the wound. She was quick to begin healing it as he wrapped an arm around her for support.

“I told dad to go back in and look for Chiyo while you have the spirit distracted.”

“You haven’t found her yet?”

“No. I’m starting to worry.”

“… Do you think he’ll find her?”

Zuko looked back to the fight raging in front of him. “I want to hope so; for all our sakes. I don’t want to think of my father’s bloodlust going against this spirit’s. If we led this thing here and something’s happened to Chiyo, I don’t think we’ll have seen the last of my father’s anger.”

****

He raced through the woods, feeling a panic he wasn’t used to. Even when Chiyo and Katsu had been born, he wasn’t this afraid.

Only upon seeing Zuko and Azula and the reflections of the man he used to be, and now Chiyo’s sudden disappearance did Ozai feel his eyes grow hot with tears as his frustration built.

So many emotions seemed to pile on top of each other, one after another.

Perhaps he wasn’t meant to be a father; he was barely even a good son. But he tried so hard…

‘All I wanted was for you, my father, to love me!’

Zuko’s words pierced his mind, as did the image of Azulon’s emotionless face.

Ozai shook his head and he continued back down the path.

“CHIYO!” He screamed.

What if he never found her? What if she was gone?

‘Spirits can follow emotions and intentions-”

Aang’s answer to Zuko’s question earlier rang in his mind. Ozai had displaced those spirits… if they’d arrived following any animosity from Zuko or Azula, or even following the Avatar’s power…

‘I’ve taken away your bending-”

Ozai’s defeat at the hands of Aang had caused him so much grief… and yet his time here with Niwa, away from the palace, away from the place that had created his anger and self-loathing… She had given him something new.

The early days when she expected nothing back from him for saving him, and he stayed because he just… didn’t have anything left. But he did find her. And soon they had each other. He often found himself thinking about Ursa; and the guilt he buried to keep himself sane.

And then Chiyo was born; the physical manifestation of his new life as Chen, as Niwa’s other half. Years ago, Ozai waited for his children’s arrivals from a distance as Ursa was confined to special quarters. He was then fetched to be brought to his tired wife and a clean, swaddled baby, to which he was pleased; and yet Chen helped to guide his children into the world, containing his composure in contrast to the work and pain Niwa endured. His hands - the hands that shaped, raised and burned everything from the world around him, including his own children, now delivered new life.

It didn’t hit him until a moment passed after Chiyo’s birth and she hadn’t made a sound, until she finally began to wail. That sigh of relief Ozai breathed was something he hadn’t forgotten. The way Niwa smiled as she gathered up their daughter into her arms.

The way Ozai felt compelled, hours later, to take Chiyo outside; all clean and bundled and happy with her first meal, as he introduced her to her home; his own new home. How he told her it may not seem much at first, but it had welcomed him and had helped him become a new man, and now how Chiyo was just as welcome to this new home; as she was created by a land that brought two souls together.

“CHIYO!!” Ozai shouted, his heart feeling the strain with the passing of the hours full of worry.

But thankfully-

“Papa!”

Ozai whipped around, hearing the voice. He heard some foliage rustle, and clamoring out from behind a lilac bush was Chiyo as she ran into her father’s arms.

“Papa!!” She cried as Ozai fell to his knees. “Papa I’m sorry!”

Ozai kissed her forehead. “It’s alright, rosebud. I’m just glad you’re safe.”

“I didn’t m-mean for al-all of this to h-hap-ppen,” Chiyo sobbed. Ozai looked to her in confusion.

“What do you mean?”

A soft glow rounded the lilac bush, and Ozai saw the robed man from earlier, holding a lantern flickering with an eerie-white flame.

“You,” he said. The spirit smiled, approaching them before he knelt down.

“I’m happy that you’ve finally found each other. Chen, or… I suppose Ozai… I’m afraid I’m the one that may have set things into motion today,” he said. Ozai stared at him.

“Who are you?”

The robed spirit chuckled. “I’m actually an old acquaintance of Avatar Aang’s. My name is Khospa.”

Ozai’s jaw went slack. “You’re Niwa’s grandfather.”

Chiyo sniffled, wiping her nose with her sleeve. “I got scared earlier when that lady kept getting angry. I saw Grandpa Khospa in the woods and wanted to talk to someone. He always gives good advice,” she said, reaching out to let Khospa take her hand as he chuckled.

Ozai’s eyes widened.

“Always? Wait… this isn’t the first time you two have spoken?”

“No,” Chiyo said, finally smiling. “Grandpa Khospa helps me find mushrooms and the best berries! and told me I’d be a good big sister!”

Ozai remembered when Chiyo was a little less than optimistic when she learned about Katsu’s impending arrival; then one day she started proclaiming about how she was going to be the best big sister.

Khospa chuckled. “She can be a little spitfire at times, eh?”

Ozai smiled, unable to hold back his relief.

“But I think she’s ready to tell you something, right Chiyo?”

Ozai looked between the two, and Chiyo, nervous, held tight to Ozai’s collar as she leaned in to whisper something in his ear.

His slackened jaw almost hit the ground.

“You can… you can what?”

The sounds of a shriek pierced the night. Ozai jumped as he recalled what was happening outside of the forest.

Chiyo wriggled out of Ozai’s grip.

“Come on, Papa! We have to go help them! I have to help Aang!”

“I will help you find your way out,” Khospa said, holding his lantern out to guide them out of the forest. Chiyo eagerly held tight to her father’s hand as they rushed through the woods.

Ozai, looking down at Chiyo and her determination, now felt more strongly than ever about returning to find Zuko and Azula - and to ensure their safety.

Zuko who, as of right now, had been healed in full by Katara. He stood, still wobbly, but he no longer ached as he stretched in anticipation of fighting. In the distance, Aang and Azula had kept the spirit contained by dodging it’s advances and using their elements to herd it away from each other.

“We can’t just keep making it go in circles,” Katara said. “But Aang wants it to stay alive.”

“It’s angry. I just don’t know how we can quell it’s anger in a way that will satisfy it.”

“Zuko!”

Zuko and Katara jumped as Ozai caught up with them. They gasped as they saw Chiyo with him, and Zuko smiled. “Hey Chiyo! You’re back!”

Nodding, Chiyo looked out to the great spirit as it fought.

“Look, Chiyo,” Khospa said, pointing to Aang. “There he is. I think he could use your help.”

Nodding, Chiyo rushed forward much to Zuko and Azula’s horror as Ozai ran after her.

“Chiyo wait!” Zuko shouted.

“It’s not safe for you!” Katara insisted. “Ozai stop her!”

“I can’t,” Ozai said. “This has to happen.”

Chiyo approached the spirit, and Aang, floating above, watched in horror as the spirit caught her in its sights. It turned towards her, and Chiyo stood still, but not out of fear.

Zuko screamed at Ozai to intervene; Katara readied her waterbending-

But just as the spirit reeled a leg back to smash down upon Chiyo-

A gust of air rustled around her clothes, and she leapt into the air, high, high up… until she was face to face with Aang as the spirit’s claw came crashing into the ground.

Ozai watched, unbelieving, as his daughter took to the sky; Zuko and Katara’s shouts went silent.

Aang, wide-eyed watched this little girl hover for a moment as their wind currents collided. She smiled at him.

“You’re… You’re a…” Aang’s throat was dry.

“Avatar Aang!” Chiyo grinned. “My Grandpa Khospa says hi!”

“Khospa?” Aang echoed. He looked towards the entrance of the woods, where a figure stood with a lantern.

The memory of an Air Nomad, still struggling to get his tattoos, but was a beloved shepherd of young airbenders, came to his mind.

“Khospa?!”

“ENOUGH!” The spirit screamed. It reared back on it’s snake body to reach upwards, flailing it’s legs towards Aang and Chiyo, who fell back down to the ground. Aang caught himself, but Chiyo was poised to land - until Azula made a grab for her little sister, who knocked the wind out of the older princess as she slammed down. Chiyo looked to see Azula and she smiled nervously.

“Thanks, lady.”

Azula pushed her off without hesitation. “Just what we need, another cloud-brained airbender.”

With a screech, the spirit prepared to strike again, but Chiyo stood to join Aang as she poised herself against the beast.

“HOW DO YOU FEEL, LITTLE ONE? TO KNOW I WILL DECORATE THIS LAND WITH YOUR FLESH?!”

Chiyo didn’t let her nervousness invade her mind; she’d seen spirits before, but this was the angriest one she’d ever met.

She stepped forward, her hands clasped together. “Why are you mad?”

“I HAVE NO HOME. YOUR FATHER SAW TO THAT MANY YEARS AGO.”

Chiyo turned to look at Ozai, who closed his eyes out of shame.

“Papa, is that true?”

Ozai looked to her, and he nodded.

“It is true. This… isn’t the worst thing I’ve ever done. I’ve committed many wrongs. Against this spirit, the world… your brother and sister.”

Azula and Zuko looked to each other as Ozai spoke.

Chiyo turned back to the spirit. “What is it that you want?”

“YOUR HOME IN RETURN. WE SHALL CLEANSE THE LAND OF THOSE WHO LIVE HERE AND MAKE IT OUR OWN!”

“You don’t have to do that!” Chiyo begged. She stepped forward as Ozai and the others made grabs for her to not step too close. “If you need a home, we are more than willing to let you live on this land.”

“WE WANT VENGEANCE!”

“Your anger is justified! But I can’t let you harm my family, or anyone else. But I can let you choose to live here. I don’t want you to suffer; but I don’t want anyone else to suffer. Please?”

The spirit looked upon Chiyo; and without warning, it reeled back to strike down upon her with it’s piercing leg. The others shouted, ready to remove her, but Chiyo didn’t budge; and just as she was about to be skewered-

The claw halted, just inches from her face.

Chiyo reached out to touch the armored claw, and the spirit shuddered.

“It’s okay,” she said. “You’re safe here; you can make this place your home, and you’ll always be safe. I trust you.”

The spirit trembled.

Aang stepped forward. “You have my word. You have his word as well, right Ozai?”

The spirit looked to Ozai, as he looked an absolute wreck as he watched Chiyo’s actions; but he and the spirit locked eyes.

“My Niwa opened this land to me when I needed a home. I took yours away; I now invite you to stay here, and make this land your own; with one condition.”

“… And what is that?”

Ozai placed his hand on his daughter’s hair. “That if you find anyone that is lost, you protect them. Beyond that, you’ll find Khospa; he will be glad to keep you all company.”

The Spidersnake backed away, and upon multiple parts of it’s body, light began to shine. The spirit allowed itself to come apart, and countless streams of light burst into the air, descending down into the ground, where the battered earth regenerated. Grass regrew and flowers burst forth.

“Thank you… ” They heard the whispers of thousands of voices. “I will abide by your condition, so long as you keep your own promise, and maintain the earth around you.”

Ozai looked to Aang. “I promise.”

Aang closed his eyes, passing the message along in spirit; and a cool breeze rustled the trees, playing melodies from nearby windchimes.

****

Niwa watched Aang return her land to one piece as Katara redirected the water that rose with the slab of earth. Niwa then rushed forward, holding Katsu tight as she embraced Chiyo.

“Oh Chiyo! Sweetheart!” She cried out, pulling her daughter into a tight bearhug. Chiyo hugged her mother back, eager to return the embrace.

Ozai watched them, and he tried to not be obvious as he turned to look at Zuko and Azula. Zuko sat on the ground, exhausted after his injury as Azula was staring Niwa’s way. She made eye contact with her father, and Ozai could almost feel the searing heat of her glare; he turned back towards the family in front of him.

“Mama, we kind of invited some people to stay in the woods.”

Ozai chuckled. He knelt down and looked to Niwa. “Well… we both did. But Chiyo did most of the talking. All that spiritual Airbender stuff, you know?”

Niwa still couldn’t believe it. “My baby is an Airbender.”

Chiyo nodded. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you earlier. I was… kind of scared.”

Niwa held her daughter’s hands like lifelines. “Oh baby; I’m so sorry if there’s ever been anything I’ve done to make you scared about telling me this.”

Chiyo, however, shook her head. “It wasn’t you. I guess I just got scared about it in general; there aren’t a lot of Airbenders so I thought maybe something was wrong with me. But then I met Grandpa Khospa! He helped me, and he told me he was one too!”

Niwa’s jaw dropped. “You… you’ve seen Grandpa Khospa?”

“Yeah, and he’s real funny! He helped me stay safe from the spirits today.”

Niwa looked up to Ozai, and he nodded that she was telling the truth.

“He’s actually over there, talking to Aang! They lived in the same temple!” Chiyo said, pointing towards the entrance of the forest. She could see Aang heading that way to greet Khospa. She couldn’t believe what she was looking at.

Ozai touched Niwa’s shoulder. “You should go see him.”

Niwa’s eyes glossed over, and she held Katsu tight before Ozai gently relinquished her grip of the boy, cradling him against his chest. Ozai stroked her cheek, and she answered with a touch on his hand, still looking towards the spirit of her grandfather.

“Go on,” Ozai whispered, finally convincing her to go.

As Niwa slowly made her way over, she could see Aang and Khospa strike up their conversation.

“It’s good to see you, Aang.”

With happy, but tearful eyes, Aang looked upon Khospa, unable to believe he was with one of his brethren.

“Khospa; I can’t believe it! But… you’re so old… I mean you’re- you’re dead but… look how old you got!”

Khospa laughed a raspy, hearty chuckle. “I… I was lucky. I managed to escape just as we noticed the Fire Nation descending upon us. I was using my glider at the time, so I had a means to escape. I tried to get my bison, Kooka… but she had been…” Khospa shook his head, overcome with emotion.

Aang’s heart dropped, remembering Kooka, a sweet, apple-driven bison, who was the sister of Appa’s mother. She was beloved by weavers as her fur was one of the softest of all of the bison; her fluff was worn by countless Air Nomads.

Khospa cleared his throat and continued: “But… I was still able to escape. I hid in the Earth Kingdom and made a new life. I joined the army, but had to hide my Airbending, or risk being found by the Fire Nation. Unfortunately I lost one of my legs, and couldn’t fight anymore. That was when I met my wife, who’s family lived here and maintained this homestead. It used to be a whole community; but the war took it’s toll,” he sighed heavily, looking upon the still-beautiful land. “I took to the Spirit World before my death so I could be with this land, and my descendants.”

“I’m so sorry, Khospa. I shouldn’t have run away… I should have been there when the Fire Nation attacked.”

“Aang… I’m not sure there would have been much you could have done. You were so young, let alone untrained.”

“I could have done something!”

“And what if they’d killed you too? Then the world would have had to wait anyway for the Avatar to appear again; and with the way the Fire Nation ravaged the Water Tribes? Aang…”

Aang felt the warmth of Khospa’s ethereal hand rest on his shoulder.

“Aang, you may not be proud of it, and it may not have been a brave decision… but the decision you made saved the world. And you still stood to right your mistakes, and you put an end to what destroyed our people.”

Aang smiled, wiping his eyes.

“Thanks, Khospa.”

With an embrace, Aang felt so much of the guilt that he had been carrying begin to ease. He noticed Khospa look up; Aang turned to find Niwa approaching, wringing her hands together emotionally.

“Hi Grandpa,” she smiled. Khospa beamed.

“Hello, Rosebud.”

As they watched from the field, Chiyo found the courage to approach Zuko and Azula.

“Are you feeling better, Zuko?” Chiyo asked.

Zuko nodded, patting her head. “Yeah. I think I’ll make it.”

Chiyo looked up to Azula, who held her hand out to stop her. “If you want to ask me anything, you will call me Azula. Not lady.”

Zuko leaned forward, whispering to Chiyo. “Call her lady, I’ll vouch for you.”

Chiyo giggled, but she simply regarded Azula with big, stormy eyes. “I… I heard you’re my brother and sister.”

Zuko nodded. Azula made a hand gesture indicating that ‘maybe’ they were siblings as she wobbled her outstretched hand.

“I’m so excited!” Chiyo danced. “I thought all I had was stinky Katsu.”

Azula smirked. “Funny; I used to think the same thing about Zuzu; but then we found out we have another sister on our mom’s side, and now I can actually say I have a favorite sibling,” she grinned.

“Hey!” Zuko feigned a hurt tone. “I’m not stinky.”

“Uhh that time we fought each other after you’d been on the run for weeks? Nasty; you smelled like Uncle”

“And who’s fault was that?!” Zuko shouted. Azula looked over her nails.

“Hmm; couldn’t have been mine.”

Chiyo’s eyes lit up further. “Uncle? I have an uncle?”

Zuko nodded. “You sure do.”

Azula shrugged. “He’s alright.”

“Uhh, he’s the best?” Zuko responded. Azula wrinkled her nose.

“Eh, he’s okay.”

Chiyo turned around. “Papa! I have an uncle!!”

Ozai’s face winced as he wondered what else the kids were telling Chiyo… but who was he to stop them from telling her everything he’d held from her? He turned to see Niwa speaking to Khospa, and he hoped their conversation was everything she’d needed after being alone for so long.

Ozai looked to Katsu in his arms as the babe slumbered. He knew it was time to tell Niwa everything. To finally confront the name he’d abandoned to save his own hide years ago. He owed it to her, and to his children. To all of his children.

Niwa gave the final blessing for the new spirits that had taken refuge in her forest. She told Khospa that, to let them know she was thinking about them, she would make a birdcall he had taught her when she was little. As she gave the signal a trial run, whistling out a perfect mimic of a songbird, the forest slowly erupted into a chorus of whistles.

Khospa hugged his granddaughter. “I won’t be far, Rosebud. And I will continue to keep watch over Chiyo and Katsu, and any other grandchildren you might bless me with.”

Niwa didn’t want the embrace to end, but before she could say another goodbye, she realized he was gone. Niwa laughed, wiping her eyes as Aang touched her shoulder. “He hasn’t changed.”

She and Aang returned to the crew as he checked in with Katara, who was visibly exhausted, as well as the others.

“You’re all welcome to stay with us for the night. I have plenty of hay for Appa, and my house has enough rooms for everyone.”

Aang and Katara were eager to take her up on the offer; Zuko nodded as well, but Azula seemed… less than excited. But she finally relented.

As she ensured everyone had a good meal (unfortunately the jackalope meal had to be discarded after being left out for hours), Niwa escorted everyone to their rooms and tucked Chiyo into bed.

“Goodnight, Rosebud,” she whispered as Chiyo was quick to fall asleep after the day’s trials. Niwa kissed her daughter’s forehead as Ozai did the same, holding onto Katsu as he looked upon her. He had so many racing thoughts; for so long he had wondered if she might have become a Firebender. But instead, something he never could have dreamed had happened.

Ozai felt Niwa’s hand on his back, and he stood to join her as they retired back to their room.

So many events that day… the two simply changed into sleepwear and Niwa tended to Katsu, settling him into the crib set up in front of the bed.

“Goodnight, Starshine,” she whispered. Ozai sat on the bed, still too wired to close his tired eyes. Niwa joined him, sitting back as she sighed. A few moments of silence passed before Niwa spoke.

“Okay. I need to know,” she began. Ozai, nervous, looked her way. “What am I calling you from now on? Chen or Ozai?”

Chen was the man that Niwa had met and fallen in love with. But he no longer existed; he was a farce to begin with. Ozai was the man that Chen replaced in Ozai’s own mind - but Ozai was still alive - both physically and in the memories of his older children, the Avatar, and the world.

Chen never existed. Ozai remains; despite how much Ozai himself wishes he could move on. But he already has, but that didn’t mean his children had moved on. Their pain was still evident. The pain of so many was now evident after an entire colony of spirits had found him and were willing to destroy everything that had brought out the best in him.

He sighed and took Niwa’s hand.

“… Ozai. My name is Ozai. I’m sorry.”

Niwa shook her head at him, finding a smile through the situation.

“Whether you’re Ozai or you’re Chen; if you plan on remaining here as though nothing happened today… I will call you whatever you wish.”

“Then just call me ‘my love’,” he grinned, pulling Niwa closer as she laughed.

“Let’s not get too embarrassing,” she said as Ozai leaned in to kiss her.

The night passed into a bright, sparkling morning. A blue, cloudless sky that lit the dewy earth in a twinkling, golden glow. A cool breeze wafted through the home, and Aang was the first to awaken. He decided to tiptoe outside to perform some katas, and as he passed Chiyo’s room, he noticed her peeking out of her doorway.

He smiled and motioned for her to join him. As Niwa woke up, she could hear the Avatar speaking outside. She looked out of her window to see Aang happily instructing some Airbending moves to Chiyo. She watched both of the realize they weren’t alone, and their forming bond was already unbreakable.

As the morning progressed, Zuko awoke as well, and he got dressed and prepared to potentially wake up Azula, but she was already awake, sitting on her bed just waiting.

“Are we leaving?” She asked. Zuko closed the door behind him.

“No, Niwa’s cooking breakfas-”

“I’m not eating.”

“Azula.”

“I’m not spending any time with them. I will leave this room when we leave this prison.”

“It isn’t a prison.”

“I don’t care,” Azula grumbled.

“Chiyo will want to say goodbye,”

“She can come in here and do it.”

Zuko sighed. “Alright. I can’t make you do anything.”

“Exactly.”

Breakfast was cooked and served; Niwa did her best to cater to Aang’s needs as a vegetarian. Chiyo asked reluctantly if she had to let go of meat to be an Airbender, to which Aang fumbled as he looked into her sad gray eyes.

“I mean… if you’re an Airbender already and you’ve been eating meat I don’t see why you should HAVE to give it up. It’s all personal preference!”

Chiyo’s eyes happily lit back up and she eagerly tore into her pig-chicken slice much to Aang’s dismay.

Notably absent from the table was Ozai, along with Azula.

“Where’s Papa?” Chiyo asked Niwa.

“Papa is… he’s watching Katsu while we eat. Katsu’s been… a little fussy and he doesn’t want to… to interrupt breakfast.”

Aang chewed his food slowly, looking at Zuko, who could also tell something was amiss.

“Oh okay,” Chiyo accepted as she chomped into her rice. Niwa looked up at Zuko, signaling that wasn’t exactly the case. As they concluded breakfast, and Niwa insisted everyone leave their dishes for her to clean, she escorted Zuko up to Azula’s with a tray of food for the princess.

“I hope this is alright,” Niwa said. “But… I want to have a talk with you two before you leave.”

Azula listened to the door open, and she bristled as she saw Niwa at the door. Even with a tray full of food, she struggled to trust the woman. Zuko entered behind her, and Niwa placed the tray at Azula’s feet before she knelt down to the floor.

“… There’s something I want to talk to you two about.”

Azula was quick to try and stand, but Zuko urged her to sit back down. Grumbling, she did so, and Niwa looked to the siblings in earnest.

“… Ozai told me everything this morning.”

Zuko looked to his sister. “Everything? As in…”

“As in the case of your mother, Ursa. About… About Azulon. About his death. About what Azulon wanted done to you, Zuko. About your Agni Kai, about your banishment. About you, Azula, and his beliefs that you were superior to Zuko, because Zuko, you reminded Ozai so much of himself. He told me everything.”

Zuko gripped at the fabric over his pants with a trembling hand. Azula frowned and she stood once more.

“If he wanted to say something he should say it TO us!”

“Azula, wait please!” Niwa stood to grab Azula’s hand, but Azula quickly yanked herself from the woman’s grip. “I promise you; this isn’t me trying to pass information along. This is me asking you if all of this is true.”

Zuko blinked. “Wh-why?”

Niwa held herself. “I want there to be honesty. Even if I have to go behind his back to make sure it’s there. If what he’s told me is wrong, then… I won’t keep him here. But if what he’s told me is true…”

“Don’t tell me you’d keep him anyway after everything he’s told you,” Azula sneered. Niwa held herself tighter.

“I would, Azula. I would because he’s not hiding it anymore. He’s not running. He told me this to make sure there were no secrets anymore. He told me all of that this morning. There’s more, too, if you want me to go further in depth. The Phoenix King? Lashing out at Zuko on the Day of Black Sun? Sending you after Zuko multiple times?” She ended the questions looking at Azula.

Zuko nodded. “Those are all correct.”

Azula turned away. Niwa approached her slowly.

“… I know you were both affected by him; terribly. And I know what it must look like to see someone give a chance to a man who didn’t give one to either of you. But… if there’s anything I can promise you in full honesty: He’s not that man anymore.”

“That doesn’t mean a damn thing,” Azula hissed, turning to face Niwa.

“And I understand that as well. But I come here both asking for your truth, and to let you know his own that he entrusted me with. That he’s not running. That… he hates what he did, but he knows you both have every right to not want to see him. Every right to hate him. There are no words for what has been done. But he does see now. And he is sorry.”

Niwa looked to Zuko, her hands folded in a gentle plea. “He’s sorry to both of you. I know that only goes so far coming from me. But… I wanted you both to know he’s stopped hiding. And if you wanted to confront him yourself, he won’t run. If you need to speak to him, he will be there.”

Niwa placed a hand on Azula’s shoulder, catching the princess’ attention as she turned, trying to force her trembling lips to become still.

“And I will be there too,” Niwa said, reaching forward to wipe a tear from Azula’s cheek.

Azula stared; emotional and still seething, but she didn’t retract herself from Niwa’s hand until she finally took a deep breath and returned to her bed, plopping down to grab the bowl of rice.

Niwa looked to Zuko, who nodded to her; and Niwa smiled before turning to leave.

As Aang saddled up Appa, Niwa stepped outside to watch Chiyo play with the bison.

“Mom! Mom!! Can I get a bison?? Please please PLLEEAAASSE?“ She begged. Niwa laughed as Chiyo bounded into her arms.

"We’ll talk to Papa about it. That is… if there are any other bison out there…”

Aang tightened Appa’s saddle. “We’ve seen clues of colonies! There have to be more out there.”

As Aang helped Katara and Zuko toss the packs into the saddle, Azula joined them outside. She passed Niwa, but not before hesitatingly reaching out to touch her shoulder.

“… Good meal,” she said before stepping away. Niwa beamed, finally getting something positive from the princess.

Back at the door of the home, Ozai stepped out. He lingered back as everyone said their goodbyes until Chiyo noticed him.

“Papa! Come say goodbye!”

Niwa turned to see Ozai; he faltered, but didn’t want to fail Chiyo; nor the promises he’d made to Niwa that morning. Azula stood rigid. Zuko was at ease as he watched his father approach.

“Fire Lord Zuko,” Ozai began. “Princess Azula. You are always welcome at our home.”

“Thank you,” Zuko said. Ozai looked to Azula, unsure of what to say as she refused to look at him.

Ozai continued. “… Have a safe trip home. Give your mother my regards.”

More silence. Ozai stepped back a bit to signal they were free to go.

Zuko looked down to Chiyo, who seemed to become confused at the cold nature of their interaction.

Anger begets more anger; and Zuko knew where he stood in that cycle. He remembered doing his best to change and how he hoped to be accepted by others. He knew the pain of rejection on both sides.

He stepped forward.

Everyone watched as the Fire Lord reached in-

and embraced Ozai.

It was tight. It was suffocating. Much like everything they’d felt leading up to that moment.

Ozai felt his son’s arms hold him, his fingers digging at his back. He trembled, tears falling from his eyes.

Zuko as well couldn’t hide his own tears. His entire body screamed at him. Fear and anger and the still constant pain of rejection was still so loud in his mind; but he hadn’t feared his father in years; and despite the uncomfortable embrace, Zuko buried his face into his father’s shoulder.

Perhaps this was both the ultimate way to prove how much they both had grown, that Zuko no longer feared Ozai, and that Ozai could now possibly begin to accept his own shortcomings without fear of retribution. Zuko was not like his father… and Ozai didn’t have to be like his anymore. He’d already proven that.

Zuko pulled away from the hug, and the two looked to each other quickly before the Fire Lord turned towards Appa in silence.

Azula gaped at her brother as he tried to compose himself. She looked to her father, but couldn’t bear to look at him much longer. Instead, she walked over to Chiyo; pulling the flame-shaped hairpiece from her topknot.

“Hey… this is for you.”

Chiyo lit up. “Really?”

“Yeah. I want you to have it. You’re part of the Fire Nation Royal Family after all.”

Chiyo giggled, and she leaped forward to hug Azula so tightly. “I’m so glad I have a big sister.”

Azula fought her own tears, and she hugged Chiyo. “Don’t forget to write, okay kid?”

“I’ll write every week!” Chiyo answered. Azula ruffled her hair and she stood, looking to Niwa, who offered a smile to the princess. Azula gave a ghost of a smile back; but as she peered Ozai’s way… she just couldn’t look at him… but she struggled to leave.

“… Write a letter sometime. Maybe I’ll read it.”

Ozai sniffled. “Yeah. I will.”

“Just so you know I’ll probably burn the first few. But if you keep trying.. one of us is bound to read one.”

Ozai chuckled. “Then I guess I’ll just have to write every day.”

“Don’t make promises you can’t keep.”

“I’m not promising,” Ozai said. Azula finally looked his way as he nodded to her. “I’m going to do it.”

Azula’s expression dared to falter. “I don’t forgive you.”

“I don’t want you to,” Ozai said.

“… Then… I guess that’s something we both have in common now.”

“Hey. It’s a start,” Ozai said, his voice rough as he subdued his emotions.

Azula lingered one more moment before she turned towards Appa and was helped up by Zuko.

Niwa held Ozai as they watched the bison take to the sky. She heard a coughing sob escape from Ozai’s chest as he watched, and Chiyo rushed forward to wave to the team.“

"Byeee!!” She called out. “I hope we have more fun when you visit again!!”

[bonefall]

Just curious, is Russetfur still Raggedstar’s half sister in this universe or are they completely unrelated now? Also do you have anything on Boulder? He was always one of my favorite background cats

If they are half-sibs, it's not relevant! They won't know or care.

Chelford cats are matriarchal. Sires don't inherently play a role in the lives of their children, and seeking that sort of company is something a parent keeps discreet. Uncles and brothers fill the role of "father" in raising the kittens, with cats tracking their lineages through mothers

So Russet has no idea who her father is and doesn't care. Ngl, I also just... don't care about Hal lmaooo

(Imagine writing a super edition about one of your most popular characters, with a story that people have been begging to hear in detail for years, and then dedicating the entire opening to her shitty husband's daddy issues. Couldn't be me.)

Instead, Russetfur is related to the leader of BloodClan at that time. Brick is her sister. I might make Hal her uncle or older brother.

The conflict that occurs between BloodClan and ShadowClan at this time will cause the leader to be killed suddenly, triggering the Frenzy, the period of time during which a new leader is chosen. Pinestar is already having issues over in ThunderClan, and starts seriously thinking about leaving to go help out.

(Though it's certainly not his last straw.)

In any case... if Russetfur and her buddy Boulder had been having second thoughts about Clan life, getting the BloodClan Leader killed and burned the hell out of THAT bridge.

Anyway.

Russetfur and Boulder are in danger during TigerClan. Serious danger. They were loyal to Brokenstar and were safe as long as they were good warriors, but Tigerstar had his eye on them.

So, I feel they may have supported Deerfoot's Rebels, but deniably. I want Blackstar picking Russetfur to be heavily based on her participation, but I also need her to stay safe.

(Might end up having her escape and take refuge with Mistyfoot...)

Boulder is a lot more passive. I like him a LOT and want to expand his role a bit, just because... I Like Him. Literally just blorbo lmao. It's funny how the fandom consensus is just, "this guy's cool!"

I go back and forth on when Boulder's kids are born, and who they are. But he WILL be having kids

I'm set on Whitethroat being one of them, and leaning towards Wetfoot being another.

If Wetfoot is one of Boulder's kids, Firestar knows Boulder as a concerned dad. Wetfoot is going to get a bigger role as a friend in ShadowClan and Deerfoot Rebel.

In my head, Boulder likes the community of Clan life more than the violence, but because he's huge and served under tyrannical leaders he gets forced into battles he doesn't enjoy.

He massively regrets following Russetfur, honestly. He doesn't want to leave and go rebuild his reputation in BloodClan... but he also wishes he never came here.

In my heart, TPB is like the WORST period in this poor guy's life. Background character going through an absolute WRINGER

He's anxious for himself, anxious for his friends, anxious for his kids. Loses Whitethroat. Might lose Wetfoot to the Plague. Serves under TigerClan, terrified that if he isn't a perfect warrior he will get killed.

(And he's right. His fear is warranted. If Russetfur does something, like if I go with her being a refugee in ThunderClan, HE is going to get punished.)

And, of course, he is eventually used by Tigerstar to open up talks with BloodClan.

Even though he has Sasha, Nightwhisper, and Jaggedtooth to serve the same purpose... Tigerstar chooses Boulder.

He doesn't trust Jaggedtooth after he "fails" to contain the prisoners that escape to ThunderClan. He "proved" his loyalty by following his order to execute Deerfoot, but Jaggedtooth is now at the bottom of the pecking order.

Sasha is being reduced to a mate Tigerstar can control, even though she served as one of his mercenaries. He doesn't give her ANY agency.

Nightwhisper is a stupid tool, in Tigerstar's eyes. He does not respect his intelligence, just his eagerness.

So Boulder is chosen. He's smart enough to translate properly, fearful enough to do what Tigerstar says, has lived long enough as a Clan cat... and if he HAS any remaining kids, there is the implicit threat that if Boulder tries something funny, his child is who will pay for it.

After TigerClan ends, I feel like Boulder is desperate to retire early, but also feels like he can't ask for it. He's only survived this long because of his usefulness. It would be hard to trust that he can just... not serve, anymore.

If I can scrounge up more kits for ShadowClan (IT'S SO SMALL), I also would like him to end up having another litter mid-Po3.

Hopefully one of the kids of his first survived, so I can play around with the harrowing dynamic of, "Our dad is so much happier while raising you... I envy my younger sibling's childhood."

And on a final note, Boulder is probably going to get a Warrior Name during TPB. It doesn't really make sense that he just keeps his old one, unfortunately, when Clan Culture is at its most xenophobic and he's in active danger. He'll get Boulder back as a request between TPB and TNP.

[somer-writes]

Hey hey hey you should talk about your blorbos

OH BOY BLORBO TALKING

idk what to talk about i have so many things i could talk about so uuuuuh TWILIGHT & WARRIORS RELATIONSHIP *flash bangs you*

(this is all hc ofc ofc)

so my warriors was born an only child and later adopted into a family he never felt at home with. twilight was also born an only child and then found ordon and became Brother Ever.

wars: oldest sibling energy. likes to be in charge/have control over the situation. kind of a worrywort. dependable and sassy. sometimes says things he doesnt mean. feels responsible all the time always.

twilight: older middle sibling energy. reliable but prefers to follow. independent and stubborn. has a temper but is fiercely loyal. yk, dog things /j

wars has wind but they have a sort of mentor/ee relationship. wind is plenty capable on his own and sees wars as a kind of goalpost. he does of admire wars and all that but their relationship is more like twilight & times than say twilight & wilds.

wars and twi have lots of friction up front. theyre pretty opposite people in terms of methods of attack and demeanor. they disagree on a lot of methodology but they enhance each others strengths and cover for one anothers weaknesses.

wars adopts twi as Kid Brother Supreme as the journey treks on. hes not really a mentor to twilight but wants twilight to look up to him and rely on him. twis one of the few heroes he doesnt mind being vulnerable in front of. its that balancing act thing again - wars gets into fairly hectic thought spirals and twilight is grounding for him.

twilight naturally falls into Kid Brother Supreme role. hes not used to not being the eldest sibling and i think he finds it somewhat freeing to let go of some of his usual responsibility. he can goof around with wars but trusts the guy to have his back in a pinch.

that said, siblings fight. A LOT. usually its just for play but it does tend to go a little overboard pretty quickly. wars isnt used to goofing off and twi struggles to rein himself in sometimes. i think they often have heated arguments where they go for low hanging fruit but they make up within a day usually

the wrinkle in this equation is time! so we have wars who sees time as a once baby brother now grown up. ofc he wants to impress time and be reliable and perfect for the guy. he wants time to praise him and depend on him. twi ofc has shade and sees time as a mentor. he also wants time to praise and depend on him but in a much different capacity.

the issue between the two arises when theres only one time but two of them. wars i think struggles with some resent bc twilight is sometimes an obstacle between him and time. it can be hard to get alone time with time and twilight monopolizes it often. wars also struggles with his own superiority complex. twilight doesnt have his formal training or pedigree but is better at some things naturally and wars does not like not being the best at things.

twilight understands that when there are other people around, they might need more support than him. he struggles to put his own needs first and downplays his own issues for the sake of others. twilight wants to be the one time chooses first but never voices it and ends up hurting his own feelings. plus he feels badly when he takes up times time from the others bc he feels undeserving fairly often. he resents wars bc wars is, in twis opinion, the gold standard. time naturally defers to wars much more often for things in twilights blind spots.

their sibling rivalry isnt really all that competitive per se but there is some underlying friction that holds them back. link needs therapy lmao

[beanghostprincess]

Modern au trans Ace has been consuming my mind lately so I thought I'll just share all of my headcanons or else I'll explode:

• Sabo was the first person he had come out to. It happened when they were around 9. Ace had always felt that something was "wrong" about him. That the way he acted, his interests and past times, and just how he would do things were "unnatural" or wierd". Once Ace became familiar with the conspet of transgenderism he just opened up to him, and was met with instant support.

• Immediately after this, Sabo gave Ace his (trademark) transgender haircut in the bathroom of Dadan's house. She actually entered it while they were there and upon seeing it she cried out of happyness. (Mothers know everything)

• Coming out to Garp was a bit harder for Ace since he wasn't sure how an older person would have reacted, I mean Garp just left there his grand"daughter" and came back to a grandson after all. But we all know that Garp would never discriminate, and plus now he has another grandson to train.

• Luffy arrived in his life after a full year after he had transitioned, so at first Ace wasn't sure how to exacly explain this to Luffy, but he did manage to open up to him after they officially became brothers. Luffy wasn't just an innocent kid, while he didn't fully understood concepts like transphobia, to him Ace is just his brother so if anyone is mean to him or calls him names he'll just kick their asses.

• Ace had been homeschooled for the 5 years that would have been him attending elementary school. Middle school was the first time he attended an actual school and at first he wasn't open or confident at all and was ready to just beat up anyone who tried to shit talk him.

• Surprisingly he made a few friends. They were mostly just Luffy's friends who were older than him or his friends's siblings, but he appreciated it anyway. His absolute best friend ever tho is Kuina. I hd her as non binary using she/they so its just trans supporting trans, and they also have like a million of other reasons to be friends but those were already pointed out.

• His top surgery was payed by none other than his father Newgate. The Whitebeards pirates would be just this one tatoo shop Ace works at that Newgate he opened after "retiring" from biker gangs and stuff.

• Obbligatory T4T Yamace, but we all already knew this, didn't we?

• Ace gets the best older trans guy advice from Franky. Because to me, he is just what every trans guy aspires to be, cool and hardboiled. And who wouldn't want to get advice from the dude who did his own top surgery in his father's mechanic shop at 15?

These are all from me, but feel free to add your own or elaborate on the ones you like.

Trans Ace is so real to me that I quite literally can't imagine him being cis. It's just so,,, Weird to me. And I absolutely love everything you said. I definitely think Sabo was the first one to know and the one who helped Ace the most with his transition, also telling Garp, who actually is way better (if you can say 'better' when something isn't even 'good' but yeah) at raising boys. At least he understands them better. So I think he wouldn't have a problem with it at all even if he's more on the "I don't really get it that much, kid, but as long as you're happy" type of vibe. I agree with everything,, When he was younger he really didn't interact with many people and usually preferred to be alone. Teachers considered him more of a problematic kid than anything, and always compared him to Sabo with the typical "how are you like this when your brother is just so polite and smart!?" but then Sabo always ends up fighting the teachers for saying that shit in front of the class and Sabo stops being so perfect in their eyes (also he starts rebelling himself a lot against the educational system lmao). And not to talk shit about Garp, but talking shit about Garp I'm sure Ace would get in trouble a lot and Garp wouldn't show up to the meetings with Ace's teachers. That only makes Ace feel lonelier and everyone thinks he's extremely troubled. When he's literally a sweetheart to both Sabo and Luffy,, When he meets Luffy's friends, he starts to open up to people. He still gets in a lot of trouble, honestly, but that's just him. I think his classmates find out about him being trans, of course, and not a lot of people are okay with that. He truly wants to fight them but he knows that if he keeps going like this he'll get expelled and he doesn't like the idea of leaving Sabo and Luffy alone ('doesn't like the idea' meaning he almost gets expelled and Sabo had to scold him and tell him that even though he has his own friends he doesn't know what he would do without him in school), so Luffy and Sabo are usually the one defending him a lot of the time since the teachers, even though they're chaotic, don't really hate them (because look at those cutie patooties how could you hate Luffy???? He gets along even with teachers). The Whitebeard pirates accept him with open arms and he finally feels he has a place to belong to. Newgate doesn't even offer to pay for the surgery, he just pays without telling him first because he knows Ace wouldn't have let him do it otherwise. He's so so grateful for them. And his brothers. And his friends. And everybody that has ever supported him. I think that he has lots of issues with depression and self-image and he often has a hard time when he acts impulsively, but Newgate always helps him. He grounds him. Gives him something to focus on. And Franky is soooo fun to be around. Newgate tells him to go see Franky and give him the money he owes him, and that's how they meet, basically. It's obvious he's trans because he goes shirtless all the time and scars are there and everything... And Ace just has to ask about his experience. Franky helps him gladly. And it's not only cathartic but also very comforting. He also meets Robin there!!!! Because married Frobin in this one. And I think Ace would absolutely love her because she keeps being oh so nice to him. She kind of reminds him of Makino, and it's extremely sweet. I think Ace now goes to help Franky from time to time when the Tattoo shop doesn't really need him there or, well, whenever he wants to because he also is extremely interested in bikes.

T4T Yamace my beloved.... Guys being guys. Dudes being dudes. I think they meet because Newgate tells Ace something about this man Kaido (leader of a gang) who owes him lots of money or something or did something very nasty to him yadda yadda Maybe they just have beef from when Newgate was into the gang stuff. And Ace keeps saying he should go and settle things with Kaido and beat him up for that, but Newgate is retired and he really, really doesn't give a single fuck about it. Lmao. Ace says he could take down Kaido himself. Newgate laughs. Ace is too proud. So he ends up looking for Kaido and fighting Yamato late at night in the street and,, Well. You know how it goes. They become daddy issues besties and turns out Yamato does not want to follow his dad's steps. Ace is curious about Yamato's experience because he doesn't seem to want to have surgery or anything, and they keep bonding over their pasts and family and Yamato ends up joining the friend group. And it's so cute. Newgate can see the kid is in love because every day he waits for Yamato to come pick him up to hang out. Or maybe he begs to get out earlier to go see Yamato. He keeps talking about Yamato,,, All the time. Even Sabo and Luffy are done with him. It's endearing.

AAAAAAAAAAAAAA This is just so good. Modern Au my absolute beloved.

[castlebyersafterdark]

I don't know! Why am I like this!!

hehehe ok firstly, shoutout to the peeps who can't watch panels due to the celebs, i can't relate but i feel for you! i struggle to watch them because of the awkwardness of the fans instead haha - awkward questions, silly questions, repetitive questions, people who burst into tears when they come to their turn. im sorry i just find that hard to watch lol! maybe its my inner journalist itching to be there and ask the real q's. or maybe im too british! pull yourself together, man! (said in a stiff military accent lmao) just kidding.

but as someone who used to find it harder than i do now to engage in this kind of content, my unsolicited advice that may not work for you is to really focus on being interested in what they have to say or are trying to say and what that might mean. then your brain kind of cuts out/dismisses the umming and ahhing, just sees it as a side effect instead of a tick or annoyance. obviously some speakers are worse than others but i honestly find most people in ST to be ok speakers, with the worst perhaps being finn. the others are all amenable and confident public speakers. i get the finn angst, it's never comfortable to see someone else who is uncomfortable... but he's fascinating, so i try to treat him as a fascinating person to observe when the empathy kicks in too hard and makes me want to hide lol.

which leads me to say vinny I AM HUGGING YOU RIGHT NOW! can't believe people were mean about you crying when another started crying - this is literally pure kind empathy at work and you are such a dreamboat for that. me and my whole family are the same, so i feel lucky to have had that experience. actually we used to be told not to cry as kids, only because my mum knew it would set her off too (she was already crying as she said it haha).

Yeah - good advice!! I really want to listen to what these actors have to say so it's a major power through moment every time!! And yeah, also not saying it to be mean but it's the fans primarily, but people can't help the reaction they have, and I know I'd fuck it up if I tried to ask something in public, which is why I never would. Actually, I'd try to be really funny and charming and it would fall completely flat and make me just seem like an ass so also, would never approach the mic at a con hahaha.

It's the same with live music or theater - I have this sinking fear in the pit of my stomach sometimes where as good as the show is, god if something goes wrong on stage and they flub lines and have trouble recovering or seriously mess-up a song or have a mishap, I would be dying inside and probably have a silent internal panic attack myself and wish I was anywhere else!! Get a grip, man, I am saying to myself!!!

And... thank you for the kind words. It's ok, I've manged to come out on the other side fine and unchanged, with people in my life who've made it known it's ok to be emotional, and be too much, and to feel deeply. And there's nothing wrong with being a guy who tears up a lot. (Part of what draws me to Will - I love him and I love his sensitivity and the way he feels so deeply. I've never seen a character like him before. Why when people complain about him being a crybaby it's a major 'shut up and let him be' moment from me! And Noah seems to also be similar so I feel kinship with that lovely guy). Listen. I grew up with 4 older brothers so. The little gay baby is my lot in life and it's totally fine now, but there was a lot of enduring bullshit growing up and breaking away from terrible friends and then finding people who let you be you. That's the goal in life. Find people who you can support and who will support you in turn, all sides. ❤️❤️❤️

[pansy-picnics]

how did unknighted dream react to varian coming out/bringing home hugo lol

LMAOOO OK so this is one of my favorite things ever solely bc theres SO MANY different ways it can go and literally all of them are fucking gold

i feel like they always knew varian was Not Straight. im a big fan of the idea that varian transitions after qfad and has a big mental breakdown haircut when his dad gets trapped and considering his feelings towards both eugene and cass i think it was always this unspoken thing all of them knew about. rapunzel and eugene however were obviously Not expecting him to bring home a whole ass boyfriend

of course varian wrote tons of letters home so they both heard everything about the new friends he was making, but varian was insistent on not telling them ANYTHING about his crush because god knows how rapunzel would react if she found out about That. she was suspicious when he came back for the light trial but decided to keep her mouth shut until they were all finished with their work there

i love rapunzel and eugene being super supportive but also a Little protective. and its not really anything to do with anything hugo’s done, they’re all about second chances after all but they’re obviously not ready to see their baby brother grow up so fast. ive seen a lot of fics where one or both of them are very defensive and suspicious towards hugo and it ends with a VERY yummy confrontation from varian where he tells them they need to learn that he’s an adult now and is able to make his own choices and they have to be okay with that. but the route of them being so excited and supportive that it ends up being overbearing is also super funny and in character

i think rapunzel at first would be super excited varian is finding love, and very welcoming towards hugo on a surface level- but as time goes on the tiniest things start to make her paranoid, and she worries a lot about varian getting hurt in some way. cue her snooping around a lot just to make sure he’s okay, varian eventually confronting her about it and her apologizing and promising to recognize varian’s maturity and be more accepting of his choices.

when rapunzel actually starts to see hugo on a deeper level she starts to recognize a lot of his similarities to varian, eugene, and especially herself, and she’s now basically like “oh ok!!! new baby brother!! :)”

she then tries to be a lot more welcoming towards hugo, trying to help him settle into the castle without being too overbearing. of course from hugo’s perspective her seemingly constant mood swings make him very hesitant to trust her, but eventually through varian the two are able to bond and find a lot of common ground

eugene on the other hand is fun bc he’s way more versatile and it can go a LOT of different ways depending on how they’re introduced or how their past together is established. i love the idea of him basically becoming Cass 2.0 and being super overprotective of varian but i also like to imagine he’s mostly just so hostile towards hugo bc he recognizes so much of his younger self and is Cringing about it (he would literally NEVER admit it though). like he’s like “i cannot STAND that kid he always acts so cocky and like he’s sooo much better than me” and cass is like “lmao yeah right? he’s exactly like you when you first came here” and eugene’s just “😐”

anyways they’re best friends (they literally cant stand each other)

no they do start to get along eventually though and i have so many thoughts about the potential friendship between the former thieves, lance hugo and eugene would be SUCH a dynamic and this fandom is sleeping on it fr

and then theres cass. GOD cass is my favorite in this situation by far bc shes way more logical and is like the only grounding force between rapunzel and eugene. new dream are the overemotional parents/older siblings in this situation and cass is like. the wine aunt.

bc see cass already ran into varian at some point during his journey and has already processed most of these changes ahead of time. she already recognized how much varian had matured and how much this trip had changed him. and most importantly she recognized what was going on between him and hugo a Long time ago and literally Did Not Care

in fact cass’s main concern is literally just that she thinks hugo is annoying. its not like she’s suspicious of him at all bc she fully trusts varians judgement and also knows varian is capable of handling himself. she’s aware that varian clearly saw something in hugo and chose him for a reason. she just doesn’t like him solely out of personal bias

cass doesn’t straight up tell raps and eugene what the problem is because she knows they need to hear it from varian more than anything but she does try to kind of push them in that direction. she reminds them like “hey maybe you should try to give the kid more credit. i think he knows what he’s doing” yk that kind of thing.

ironically enough though hugo is WAY more scared of her than he is of anyone else. shes like on the same level as quirin on his list of threats which is hilarious because they are the main 2 people who have like, basically nothing against him

hugo: so is this the part where you tell me you’ll kill me if i hurt varian

cass: ? what?? oh no that bitch is fully capable of killing you himself if he wanted to

hugo: …….yeah thats fair actually.

[play-rough]

omg.. do you have hcs/plans for the tanizaki sibs? im curious if u think they'd be neutral or not

I do think they’d both be neutral, but I do also have head cannons for them just in general as characters. Mostly for Naomi because I don’t like that her character is just “i want to fuck my bro” and I did not like her for such a long time because of that, but you know, it’s not her fault it is 🤡society’s fault 🤡 for making people think that troupe is acceptable. I can fix her.

Naomi is older I think, but probably by no more than two years. They were very close growing up, their parents were strict, but pretty well off. They didn’t struggle financially, but they really only had each other as far as other kids around. In their teens, I think Naomi was one of those characters that has a new job every episode. Just very airheaded and forgetful, and she has a quick temper, so it led to her losing a lot of jobs. She was very ‘whatever’ about it, no one in the family was really pushing her to really make something of herself because she could always be a housewife, and they probably grew up around all those traditional views (women make babies and belong in the kitchen 😷) until Junichiro was revealed to be an ability user (I think this was also revealed around their late teens) and was then ostracized by the rest of his family.

Naomi is the only one who stands with Junichiro, and she leaves her cushy life where she can blow off all her responsibilities to help support her brother. Naomi is very grateful to the ADA for not only taking in her brother but giving her a job as well, her receptionist job is the first job she’s really cared about doing well in. I think she also now wants to better herself and learn new skills so she can be there for Junichiro, and she takes night classes to one day get a business degree. I think she also takes self defense classes and becomes a better fighter than Junichiro, after she learns the basics on her own Kunikida takes her aside and helps her learn more specifics regarding different weapons, and maybe from there Fukuzawa even takes her on as an apprentice to learn to sword fight (the proper term escapes me but i feel like that’s not right lmao saying sword fight with a katana sounds dumb idk idk you get what i mean)

I think that’s all I had for them for now but I’ll add on if I think of anymore for either of them

[witchering10123]

my "divorced" zukka au, slammed back into my memory by @transboyzuko latest addition (a true hero right there yall)

story idea is below the cut because whoo boy it became a lot longer than i thought it would

sozin's comet, sokka and toph are dangling off the ship, there's smoke and fire everywhere, it's getting hard to breathe, hard for sokka to see, and without his weapons, sokka is unable to see a way out

a figure of a guard appears through the smoke, and sokka jerks back and away from the man (in vain) but in doing so, jostles his leg. the pain and the shock combined, toph's hand slips out of sokka's grip and he watches helplessly as she falls

sokka makes to jump after her, but the guard grabs him before he can and yanks him back onto the safety of the wider platform. sokka tries to fight, but he's quickly subdued and he falls unconscious

(fear not, toph does live: she falls from sokka's grasp, but what sokka doesn't realise, due to the intensity of the smoke and fire, is that suki is right beneath them, and she catches toph. do not worry i am not killing toph, i am too scared to do that)

the airship pulls away from the battle, with the most senior commander taking over and urging a retreat to one of the southern fire nation islands, where he, and a number of powerful fire nation lords, hail from - that part of the fire nation does not recognise the authority of fire lord zuko, however it is unclear if they would recognise ozai, now that his bending is gone (and besides, quite a number weren't wholly impressed with him usurping iroh), so the war has become more of a civil war, with the separatists (they're not separatists but idk what else to call them) planning to take over the fire nation and then continue the war

the gaang are now faced with a fire nation civil war AND convincing the many ek provinces and water tribes to support zuko so that the 100 year war can truly end, however many ek ministers and some northern water tribe ambassadors believe this is a trick

during this time, sokka is a prisoner of the separatist group, and has resigned himself to this fate, believing toph to be dead and ngl perhaps suki as well, but he's definite that toph is dead and he's definite that his actions led to her death, so MAJOR survivor guilt

this is, of course, exacerbating his guilt about not protecting yue, his mum, katara (even though she's not dead he still doesn't know what happened to her)

so yeah, sokka's feeling very guilty and feels as if he deserves being imprisoned/tortured/etc, so he's not making any escape plans or anything, he's just done

BUT THEN

a new political prisoner is placed in the cell next to his: a young boy called hinata (imagine like 7 or 8) who the separatists are using to try and goad one of the fire nation nobles who is supporting zuko - he reminds sokka a bit of the boys back home in the swt that he cared for

sokka begins to feel very protective of this kid, especially when the guards come round to do their usual tormenting, or when they give out too small rations, or when hinata has a nightmare, and after a while he realises that he needs to get out, but not for himself, just for hinata

so they do, they escape (you'll notice how much thought i've put into this lmao) but they can't get back to hinata's family because it's all a massive war zone so sokka grabs the kid and they head for the ek, and not just the ek, like south east of ba sing se ek, near the eastern air temple ek, like as far from the fire nation as possible, sokka isn't letting anyone near hinata

yeah, he essentially becomes an older brother to hinata

now sokka has every intention of reuniting hinata with his family once the war is over but unfortunately they are very remote and so the village they are staying in doesn't exactly get the news asap. or like, at all

aang is visiting the eastern air temple a few months after that war has ended (i'm thinking at least a couple of years after aang defeated ozai but hey whatever floats your boat) and he stops by at a village to get supplies and lo and behold sokka and hinata are there

the reunion is very accidental, one of appa's buckles on his saddle snapped and aang landed near the village because he didn't want to continue his flight to the eastern air temple with a broken saddle and he needed supplies anyway, and so he enters the village, asks a nearby kid who looks strangely fire nation "hey, do you guys have a blacksmith" and hinata is like, "oh yeah, come with me" and he takes him to sokka

yes sokka would become a blacksmith fight me if you dare

(also i'm imagining that during sokka's time as a prisoner, he definitely lost his leg that got broken because like the separatists would have gone for the easiest route with sokka's broken leg and if it's broken too badly then why bother trying to heal it just go chop chop- so yeah, sokka makes himself a prosthetic and specialises in mobility aids, which are sorely needed in this area of the ek with the amount of refugees that fled to that province when they couldn't get access to ba sing se, but he does other engineering things as well and his ideas are, ngl, creating a bit of a hub near the eastern air temple, so slay for sokka)

regardless, aang and sokka reunion :)))

long chat about hinata having to return home, because like yes that was always the intention but aang reveals to sokka that hinata's family were killed when hinata escaped and the separatists had no more leverage over hinata's family (he doesn't reveal that to hinata for obvious reasons, he lets sokka do that) and hinata and sokka have become a little dependent on each other

it's not co-dependency per se, but like it was definitely going that way before they reached the village and their community helped them begin to heal from their trauma and stuff, but regardless they don't want to be separated, and so after much deliberation sokka and hinata decide that they want to stay where they are and if the gaang want to visit that is fine but if there's nothing tying them to the fire nation then why leave their new home

sokka's part of the decision is most definitely fueled by shame over losing toph and not being able to protect the people he loves, but aang doesn't realise that sokka doesn't know that toph is alive so aang doesn't mention anything, he just agrees to tell the gaang and family and all and leaves

aang returns not even three weeks later with katara zuko toph suki, a couple of hinata's uncles who want to at least see that hinata is alive, and a letter from hakoda and bato saying that they're aboard a ship sailing over

angsty reunion for sokka as he realises that toph is alive lemme assure you that was not on his reunion bingo card no siree

angsty reunion for suki and zuko with sokka because zuko and suki were very sure that sokka was dead and sokka was very sure that zuko and suki would hate him for getting toph killed

angsty water tribe fam reunion obvi with a heavy dosing of katara hakoda and bato assuring sokka that he did not fail

...so yeah it's angsty it's dramatic it's miscommunication it's long distance it's kind of technically not really divorced au but it's got a bit of flair and that's all that really matters

[hood-ex]

Finished Teen Titans: Robin. Spoilers ahead, matey!

Since this is part of a series, there's really not that much that happens in this story. It's literally just Raven, Gar, Damian, and Max driving around and practicing their powers with Max's mom. Then Dick is like, "My Damian senses are tingling!" and Bruce is like, "Lol, Damian is fine, Dick." But Dick leaves to find Damian anyway.

Then the rest of the story is Slade going up to random people and showing them pics of the Teen Titans on his phone and being like, "Have you seen these kids?" And Dick and Damian doing a series of competitions to determine whether Dick stays and helps or if he goes back home to Gotham.

The scenes with Dick were my favorite (obviously). His hacking skills were put to good use. He also felt very Winchester-y at one point lmao because he was watching the weather for abnormalities/hauntings that would indicate Trigon's location.

Dick's relationship with Damian reminded me of his relationship with Jason. You know how in RHATO (Vol. 2) Annual #1 Jason got a little jealous when Dick was talking to Artemis? Yeah, well, same thing happens here except it's Damian getting jealous over Dick talking to Max. And then Damian refers to Dick as Bruce's "golden boy" which is also more of a Jason belief.

I feel like they played it safe with Dick by just having him be the "nice guy." Like he learns that Bruce has a bio son and that Damian is going to be staying with them for the summer, and he's instantly like, "Guess that makes us brothers." He's supportive of Damian and praises him for doing a move well. There is one scene where Dick tells Damian that he needs to work on restraint, but Dick offers to help Damian in that area. And then Dick's main motivation during this arc is making sure Damian is okay, and he wants to bond with Damian more. So, yeah, Dick's basically just playing the cool older brother with good intentions.

I do like that he's driving around in some kind of Dodge Challenger. I mean, come on. A letterman jacket and a muscle car? Nothing more Americana than that.

I also like Dick's ending line here:

Because the Titans have always been like family to Dick, and I feel like it's fitting that he got to describe them as such here.

[mistolras]

I have no idea if this post will reach the intended audience, but I've recently been playing Pokémon Shield and realised Hop is kind of similar to Lance from Voltron Legendary Defender. And I would literally take a bullet for either of them so there is definitely a character archetype that I'm into lmao

Essentially, they both have this goofy, upbeat exterior that hides a lot of sadness and insecurity. When we first meet them, there doesn't seem to be much under the surface beneath their jolly personality, but this is gradually unravelled to reveal that they're compensating heavily.

We get little hints about it at first, with Lance saying in season 2 'what if I'm just a fifth wheel?' and Hop hyping up his brother Leon at the start of the game, seeming enthusiastic and supportive of him but also revealing that he wants to be just as successful. This gradually gets darker, as Lance considers actually leaving the team and Hop becomes increasingly downtrodden and desperate after each loss.

They both feel overshadowed by someone else. Hop literally grew up in Leon's shadow, surrounded by memorabilia of his success in their house. After becoming the Red Paladin, Lance feels outshone by Allura's achievements with Blue, and, when Shiro comes back, feels that Keith is more worthy of Red. They're both constantly trying to fill someone else's shoes and never quite feeling good enough.

Despite this, they remain good-hearted. lance would've loved to become Black Paladin, but supports and uplifts Keith as the leader. Hop's dream is to become Champion, but he still congratulates the player every time they win, even when you take away his chance to fight Leon.

The final and most depressing reason they're similar is the treatment they receive from their franchises. Wasted potential doesn't even begin to cover it 😭 Lance just becomes a simp for Allura and then ends up being a farmer. Hop gets a pretty good character arc in the game, but he gets paid dust in the anime. Leon acts like a mentor and older brother figure to Ash while Hop barely features. They even make a storyline about that kid in the hospital (I forgot his name) who admires Leon, when Leon's own brother is literally right there. When the kid is brought to Leon's match against Raihan and it shows Ash and co in the crowd and then Hop sat at home watching- why hasn't Leon brought him to see it??

Why must I keep loving these pure hearted characters whose potential just gets completely wasted 😭

[thelastspeecher]

Olympian Falls AU, second option if you like, the birth of Junior/Lee and Stan stepping up to the role of being his dad.

SURPRISE out of nowhere I finally wrote this up lmao.

What can I say, I was mentally revisiting this AU after reading the latest PJO book and getting the Official Percy Jackson Cookbook in the mail yesterday.

I, uh, I went a slightly different route here, but it's still Stan stepping up to help with Lee.

——————————————————————————————

              Stan tugged at the uncomfortable collar of his black dress shirt.  Despite his best attempt to find something that didn’t feel like it was choking him, he’d come up dry.

              As if funerals needed another reason to suck.

              “Hey, Stan.”  A voice broke through Stan’s thoughts.  He looked over.  Angie’s mortal twin, Lute, was standing nearby, holding her infant son, Lee.  Stan felt a wave of sympathy.  Lute’s eyes were as red as Angie’s.

              Can’t blame him.  He and Max were best friends their entire lives.  Lute swallowed.

              “Could- could ya hold Lee fer a lil bit?” he choked out, his voice breaking.  “Angie ‘n I ‘re- we- we need a minute to collect ourselves.”

              “Yeah, sure, I can take the little stinker,” Stan said immediately.  He held out his hands.  Lute carefully handed Lee over.

              “Thanks,” Lute managed.  He quickly spun around and hurried back to Angie, who was sobbing into her mortal older brother Fiddleford’s shoulder.  Stan sighed.  He looked down at Lee.  The boy had thankfully slept through the entire funeral.  Now, however, he was wide awake, staring up at Stan with curious brown eyes.

              “You’re gonna turn out all right,” Stan said quietly.  “There’s worse things in the world than not having a dad.  Like having a bad one.”  Lee’s gaze suddenly shifted.  Stan followed where he was looking.  A woman in black was standing by Max’s headstone.  She looked almost blurry, like if Stan rubbed his eyes, she wouldn’t be there.

              Shit.  Please don’t let it be a monster.  Today’s been bad enough.  Stan shifted Lee so he was supporting the baby with just one arm, then let his other hand drift towards his pocket, where one of his Celestial Bronze knuckle dusters was hiding.

              The woman rested a hand on the headstone.  Her shoulders shook.

              “You may have lost your life, but in the end, you won the most important battle,” she said softly.  “You were a victor.”  A chill ran down Stan’s spine.

              That’s not a monster.  That’s- that’s Max’s mom, isn’t it?  The woman, Max’s godly mother Nike, clenched her hand into a fist.  As though sensing Stan watching her, she whipped her head around.  Stan swallowed and took a step back.  Nike’s dark eyes were wild.  Whether with grief or something else, Stan wasn’t sure.  Max said his mom always looked like she needed to switch to decaf, so maybe this is normal for her?  Nike’s unhinged gaze fell to Lee in Stan’s arms.  She smiled faintly.

              “Stan?” Angie’s voice said.  Nike disappeared in a puff of golden dust.  Stan turned.  Angie rubbed her reddened eyes.  “Thank- thank you fer holdin’ lil Lee while I took a mo’,” she said in a thick voice.  Like it always did when she got emotional, her southern accent was as strong as the rest of her family’s.  Stan smiled at her.

              “Not a problem, Ang.  I’ll always help out with your kids,” he said.  Instead of smiling back, Angie merely nodded silently.  “You want him?”

              “Yes, please.”

              “You got it.”  Stan handed Lee over to Angie.  Tears trickling down her cheeks, Angie stroked her son’s face.  A ray of sunlight broke through the cloudy sky, shining directly on mother and child, turning both Angie and Lee’s blond curls to pure gold.

              Guess I shouldn’t be surprised Apollo sent a sign.  Angie’s one of his favorites.  Stan stuffed his hands into his pockets.  His fingers brushed against his knuckle dusters.  Some part of Stan calmed down having his weapon close at hand.  When I finally bite it ‘cause a monster caught me off-guard, will my dad show up at the funeral?  Or will he be too busy delivering packages on Mount Olympus?

              “We’re all goin’ to head over to Angie’s place,” Fiddleford said.  Stan nodded.

              “Sounds good to me.”  The four began to head for the cemetery parking lot.  Lute cooed at Lee as they walked.  “So, uh, will you be able to cover the mortgage all right on your own, Angie?”  Angie nodded.

              “I can.”  She sighed.  “But I’m considerin’ movin’.  I think- I think a fresh start might be good fer Lee ‘n myself.”

              “You could come back to New York,” Stan suggested.  “You’d be close to camp.”  Angie shook her head.

              “As nice as it would be to see folks more reg’larly, I need to be able to stand on my own two feet.  I can’t lean on camp.”

              “I wasn’t saying-” Stan mumbled.

              “But I wouldn’t mind some extra help with Lee,” Angie continued, speaking over Stan.  Stan eyed her.  “In partic’lar, it’d be nice to have help from a fellow demigod.  I ain’t sure, but I get the feelin’ Lee might be able to attract monsters.”

              “I saw ya lookin’ at someone earlier, Stan,” Fiddleford spoke up.  “Was that a monster?”  Stan shook his head.

              “No, not- not a monster.  Just someone paying their respects or whatever.”  Angie’s eyes widened in a silent question.  Stan nodded.  Angie bit her lip, fresh tears springing to the corners of her eyes.  She quickly looked down at Lee again.

              “Huh.  I could’ve sworn there was somethin’ odd ‘bout ‘em,” Fiddleford mumbled.  Like Mrs. McGucket, he had the Sight, able to look through the Mist and see things as they really were.

              “Anyways, Angie, if you want me to stick around a bit, you just gotta ask,” Stan said, shooting his trademark grin in Angie’s direction.  “I’m more than happy to help out whenever I’m in the area.”

              “Yes, but how often will ya be in town?” Lute asked.  Since leaving camp for good, Stan had refused to settle down in one place, instead opting to travel across the country like a nomad.  When he would be somewhere was unpredictable.  Stan shrugged.

              “Look, I can’t see the future.  You gotta talk to Angie about that,” he said.  Angie rolled her eyes.

              “Oh, please, you know full well the only thing I can predict is who wins football games,” she said.

              “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” Stan said, waving a hand.  “But even though I’m not any good at prophecy, I’ve got a feeling that I’ll be around more.  A lot more.”

              Out of the corner of his eye, Stan saw Angie finally smile.

[theresa-of-liechtenstein]

my first and only graduate school admitted students' visit was a success in that it helped me make up my mind. but maybe not in the way that people expected.

readers of this blog will know that i have a slightly complicated relationship with Institution B (the school i was visiting). but to make a long story short, four years ago, i was convinced that i would be enrolling there for undergrad. i had grown up there; for most of my life, the thought of 'what if we had never been priced out of living there' has haunted our family. we went to the area to visit old friends often when i was a kid, and four years ago, i saw going to Institution B as a sort of homecoming. however, my current, home institution unexpectedly awarded me an extremely large scholarship, and i wound up enrolling at the start of the pandemic.

it was not at all what i had wanted, and i felt a little embarrassed about it because some people i knew had considered it 'less prestigious' than Institution B. four years later, with a greater degree of awareness, i'm pretty sure i can pinpoint a bit of the underlying cause of that. my home institution is significantly more ethnically and economically diverse than Institution B. despite being older than Institution B, my home institution does fall behind because it lacks the endowed immediate surrounding area that Institution B has.

from the minute i stepped onto Institution B's campus, i felt it. Institution B's department sees itself as a 'big brother' to my home institution. many of Institution B's faculty work collaboratively with faculty from my home institution. it seemed like to them, me moving to Institution B was the obvious choice to make.

i interviewed with three professors: Professor A (who the grad students warned me was an advisor who could potentially break a student, but had many connections and could set me up), Professor B (the supervisor of the graduate student buddy i was assigned for the duration of the visit) and Professor C (contacted me in january but i never got around to reaching out)

Professor A (who i met with first) revealed that he was on the advisory board for the matsci program of my home institution. he also asked me what my research background was, and when i started enthusiastically going into it, literally put his hand up, interrupted me, and said "hold on. ✋🏻😐" which was genuinely so embarrassing. i wanted to jump out of a window. he asked me if i was considering any other options, and when i truthfully said i was considering staying, he bluntly said it was a poor idea.

Professor B revealed that not only had he recently given a seminar presentation at my home institution, he had literally gone out for dinner with my capstone mentor/PI on his visit and spoke positively of the city. he was a little awkward, but seemed very supportive and my graduate student babysitter had nothing but positive words about him.

Professor C had genuinely surprising research, and when i pointed out a few things with the projects he showed me (it had to do with phase transformations, but since i've just taken the class the concepts were fresher in my head) he was absolutely ecstatic. his enthusiasm for me asking questions about the manuscript was genuinely endearing. he also very eagerly mentioned that he intentionally made sure that half of his group were women.

speaking of which, i was the only woman in attendance among the potential incoming students. there were other women already in the phd program, but not very many. i didn't feel uncomfortable, but i did get the sense that the guys in my potential cohort didn't really know how to deal with me at first. i did feel at times that i was like the diversity hire, and my interests beyond matsci were so dissimilar to everyone else's that i just really wasn't sure how to connect. but then again, story of my life lmao.

i spent more time talking to the current grad students, who were all genuinely so hospitable and kind and looked out for me. however, something i didn't like was their constant conversation about alcohol. it wasn't that they weren't serious about their research: plenty of research stories got passed around and students had received various fellowships and grants. but many of them were drinking excessively at the social events. no one pressured me to join, but being the only totally sober person at the table was a little uncomfortable.

the second night was spent at the chair's house for a party with many of the faculty we had been interviewing that day. two things of note occurred.

one, i found myself next to one of the admits and Professor A, who asked us if we had seen the transmission electron microscopes (TEM) during our facilities tour. off our answers to the negative (we'd run out of time) he was like 'give me ten minutes and i'll drive you to campus and show you' which is where i got the picture from that one post taken. (Professor A offered.) he was very much under the influence and probably should not have been driving, and nearly made me carsick on the way back to the chair's house from his abrupt hard braking. i thought i was gonna die but tbh, it was worth seeing some of the largest microscopes i had ever seen in my whole life. so basically, a professor kidnapped me and two other guys and almost killed us with his atrocious driving. which is not the weirdest thing i've ever done with faculty but that's a post for tomorrow morning.

two, i found myself conversing with a professor who had moved to Institution B from my home institution a few years before. when i told him i was considering between the universities, at first, he said something like 'speaking as someone who's moved from [home institution] to Institution B...' and gave me a knowing look. use your words like an adult for god's sake. he then asked me my current faculty mentor and commented on his research a bit, then asked, 'who would be your PI at [home institution]?' i told him, and he said, 'oh! well, then,' sent me another knowing look, and said 'well, whatever you choose...' as if name dropping had changed something. again, man, please don't be cryptic.

i think all in all, even though Institution B was trying very hard to sell themselves to me, and posit themselves as a school of diversity and inclusion, i still felt isolated in a way i didn't feel when i was undergoing the process of interviewing faculty in my home institution in my grad school search. i felt out-of-place and terrified of making the wrong impression. some things people were saying to me went straight out of the window because i was trying so hard to monitor my facial expressions and fidgeting. i truly felt like i had a mask on and was trying not to let it slip. also, being the first in my family to go for a phd made me feel like there were so many unwritten, unspoken rules that i was just breaking irreversibly.

i can't help but compare this part of the experience to the professor in whose lab i'd be at my home institution. even though i had had her for a class, i had never interacted with her at length since the class was a little big. but i had also impressed her, and she had wanted to hear from me. i felt like i could relax around her, and our energies matched so well. she brought up me staying in orchestra even before i did, whereas i didn't feel like i could admit to any of the other professors that i wanted to also pursue music. it was nothing like the interviews i had had at Institution B.

something my grad student buddy had told me about was how he had done both his B.S. and M.S. at one institution, but decided to move for the Ph.D. i wondered why, since the program at his old home institution has been world-renowned. and he told me that if he had stayed, he would have still felt like an undergrad.

and i think that helped me to solidify how i felt into words. i don't feel like i'm undergrad anymore. it's been like that since mainly winter term of my third year. i still feel like there is work to be done and a need to be filled. i've mentally graduated already. there are days i walk across campus and i feel like a graduate student already. sometimes even a professor. it's strange, i can't explain it fully and even seeing that out feels so pretentious. but it's the best i can do to verbalize it.

i think the best image with which i can sum up this experience is of me in my little car on the highway back to my home institution, thoughts churning in my head as i drove. i watched the landscape outside change from coast to valley as i drove my way inland. and at last, i saw the mountains that tower over my school, and felt the most overwhelming sense of relief come over me.

i saw those mountains, and my first thought was: i'm home.

[lxserlxne]

𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✮ . . . K DAY . ·.༄࿔

SEOWON

@yoyoseowon Happy Birthday to our little K. Ah, you’ve gotten so tall now ㅠㅠ I hope you’re always happy and healthy Karu-ssi. Remember you’re always loved and cared for <3

JAEYO

@elijaheyo Karu is a year older now! Happy Birthday Karu~~ I hope you got much needed love on your special day!

XANJUN

@linxanjun K, Happy Birthday~ Our maknae is growing up, when did you get so old now? I hope today was fun and exciting for you

MACE

@macesonnagram Happy Birthday my dear tennis partner K-ssi! Make sure you rest well and eat lots and stay healthy!!!! And I hope you have much support and love in your life from everyone and Riku!!!

CHANHEE

@woochxnhehe Karu-chan, Happy Birthday!!! I remember when you first joined, you were so quiet and reserved, and now you’ve grown both physically and maturely. I’m glad to have met you and to help you feel at ease. Make sure you’re always happy and healthy with us and heart$trikers too <3

𓏲 ๋࣭ ࣪ ˖✮ . . . K SNS UPDATE . ·.༄࿔

@karuchaiya There’s a lot I want to say, but so little space. Thank you heart$trikers for the birthday wishes everywhere. It was so loud at the concert tonight. It’s getting colder, but I felt warm today. I’m sorry I can’t convey all of the words I want to say right now. But thank you.

Comments . . .

lovekupdates happy birthday lovely k! i'm glad you had a nice day!

veryyberryy the concert was amazing! happy birthday love!

moonsunghee happy birthday k-ssi~

🌙🫧 - 171024 20:55

─ rare k bubble update?

─ ㅋㅋㅋ

─ thank you for the concert tonight heart$trikers

─ i’m not good with words and emotions, but i felt really good today

─ and thankful

─ it was loud

─ there was lots of music, and cheering, and heart$trikers singing with us

─ and then there was the birthday singing for me

─ and fan project too???

─ i didn’t know heart$trikers would do that…

─ i don’t know what to say…

─ i’m so greatful, it’s not normal for me

─ oh, riku says hi too!

─ [ k sent a picture ]

─ i take riku with me on tour, he only has me

─ i didn’t want to leave him with a babysitter for almost two whole months

─ he’s a lucky kid~

─ he had lots of fun too (but he always does, so it’s not surprising)

─ at the hotel room he sang me happy birthday again

─ i don’t like cakes and sweets, but i got a cake for him to celebrate with me

─ it’s late now…i should go sleep

─ the excitement is wearing off now ahh…

─ thank you for the birthday wishes

─ i’m not good at expressing emotions, but i was happy today because of everyone

─ the best birthday of my life

a/n: i didn't forget a birthday this time LMAO. i'm in the process of writing the members' backstories, so not everyone knows who this Riku is that K mentions a lot. Riku is K's unoffical brother that he has guardianship over, which is why K brings Riku with him. You'll find the reason why he has guardianship over Riku when I put out their backstories.