#let me know if I did a wrong with Zuko's last name

[drunknillawafer]

right down the line: zuko x firebender!reader

You grew up close to the Royal Family due to your father's position as a General, but you ran away from home after the agni kai against your best friend. Now, you're just trying to do your part in ending the 100-year war.

hellooo so this is my first official published fic that i will keep up! hopefully you guys like it, let me know! this is set in book 1 ep 10 in the Jet episode! i do not own Avatar or these characters! okayy enjoyyy >.<

Part 2

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All I can see for miles is shades of crimson and orange. We’re so close to home, it almost feels like I’ve returned.

I’m standing in the trees near Jet and The Duke, peering down at twenty Fire Nation soldiers and their camp, waiting for the right moment to attack. The plan was to keep an eye out and alert Jet if anything could be of use to us. I hold onto my swords in anticipation.

“We’ve been here all morning, what if we don’t get a shot?” The Duke asked.

“Relax, we will.” Jet replied in his infamous cool manner. He was so sure we would score big this time and have one of the greatest victories thus far. I didn’t see the point, it seemed like your average solider platoon. But maybe he was right. He hasn’t let me down yet.

I met Jet when I was 13 and freshly ran away from home. I had left everything that could resemble Fire Nation in my room and took only my closest valuables. With one bag over my shoulder and a week of struggling to find food, the cool leader crossed my path in a forest not too far from where we’re standing now.

“Are you lost?” Jet questioned me.

“No, I’m hungry.” It was true. I hadn’t eaten for so long because I didn’t know how to find food. My family’s position in society meant I usually had servants dressing me, brushing my hair, and finding my food for me. It’s not something that crossed my mind when I left in a rageful fury.

“What’s your name?” He replied.

“Y/N.”

“You’re a kid. Don’t you have parents to feed you?”

“Don’t you?”

And that was that. I had passed Jet’s mysterious test and he invited me into his little world of lost children who were strong, brave, and alone. I was lucky to have found them when I did.

Three years later, the same cool leader has me standing in the trees like a predator waiting to catch its prey. That’s when I hear it. The voice of a teenage boy.

I crouch down to focus on the noise and see the rustling in the bushes near the Fire Nation camp we’re getting ready to bust. A boy in blue appears, looking backwards to his friends in an annoyed tone. Just as I spot him, he spots the soldiers in black and red.

“This is it.” I tell Jet. He nods and whistles his command to the Freedom Fighters, sending us off to our mission.

I come down from the trees and land on my feet, quickly inspecting my environment. Taking out two of my swords, I spot the boy in blue preparing an attack for a Fire Nation soldier who will surely beat him. His stance is all wrong, I can’t believe he’s actually attempting this.

I use both of my swords and dig them into the ground, launching my feet forward and off the dirt floor, kicking the soldier in the abdomen and out of balance. He falls over with the wind knocked out of him.

“Hey! He was mine!” The boy in blue exasperated.

“No, he wasn’t.” I snarked at him. This is the fun part of being with the Freedom Fighters, winning.

After a few minutes, the soldiers scurry off like rats when the lights turn on. They go in every direction, disappearing into the autumn-colored forest.

“We did it!” I celebrate. For a moment, I catch my breath and put my swords back into their sheaths.

The trio of strangers gather together and start walking toward us.

“Who are you guys?” The youngest with a blue arrow on his head spoke first.

“I’m Jet, and these are my Freedom Fighters.” The leader introduces the members one by one, leaving me for last. “And this is Y/N. She’s my right-hand.” He graces.

I wave at the trio, taking them in as they process the new information they’ve just been handed. It’s a Water Tribe pair with another boy in orange. His clothes were strange, when was the last time someone wore Air Nomad clothes like his? I wondered. I had briefly seen the girl bend water, but it was impossible for the boy to be an air bender. The Fire Nation made sure of that.

“Let’s loot!” Jet interrupts my thoughts, and the rebels cheer in agreement. Looting time.

I focus on a tent to begin raiding the soldiers' bags and belongings. If we’re lucky, the group can score something to help us in our efforts—a map, a plan, a supply shipment—anything to take the empire down.

As I go through my first bag, the boy in blue enters the tent. I look up at his glare and stare him right in the eye.

He crosses his arms and gloats, “Just so you know, I could have handled that. But thanks for your help.”

“Didn’t look like that from where I was standing.” I shrugged and shifted my focus back onto the bag. I flip it upside down so the contents come spilling out.

“And where were you standing by the way? You guys came out of nowhere!” Clearly, he wasn’t going to let my swoop-in go.

“We were in the trees, been staking out all morning.” Nothing of importance in the first bag so I move onto the next one, opening the top and letting the soldier’s belongings fall on the floor for me to inspect. “Until you,” I point at his chest, “came along and made the perfect distraction. It should be me thanking you.”

A balled-up messenger hawk message comes out of the bag. I can tell from its design that it comes from the Admiral, lucky me. Ignoring the boy in front of me, I open the letter and read the writing.

The Avatar has returned. From now on, any information must be reported to Admiral Zhao. The Banished Prince is to be ignored.

The Banished Prince. My finger grazes the ink.

“One day she’s going to try and overthrow me, I swear.” Zuko confesses as he lunges forward with his sword. I dodge his attempt at an offense and strike back.

“Even if she does, you and I can take her.” I reply. My mind is focused on the sparring round, but Zuko seems to be somewhere else. He’s not taking any of my bait to back him into a corner.

“You’d help me fight?” His demeaner softens and I know this is the moment I can use to win. I use the gymnastics I was forced to learn to my advantage and gain the higher ground on a bench near the turtle duck pond. His sword falls out of his hand as I send my blade toward him, making sure to not seriously hurt him. Zuko holds his hands up in defeat. I win this round.

“Duh, it’s kind of my throne now too. I’ve grown fond of it.” I hold one hand to my heart, feigning admiration for the title.

The Prince and I grew up together. Learning fire-bending at the same academy, attending snobby important society gatherings, and now practicing sword-fighting at the Royal Palace’s turtle duck pond. We became halves of one whole. If the cosmic forces upon us gave me the mind, it gave Zuko the heart. And together, we felt complete.

“One day I’ll have to be Fire Lord.” He solemnly said.

“One day. But for now, just focus on beating me! Round 4?”

I take a deep breath in and push the memory away. Time makes it easy. The boy in blue waiting for my response to the messenger hawk letter makes it even easier.

“It’s nothing, just old information.” I crumble the paper into a ball once again and throw it with the rest of the useless items I’ve gone through so far. “Do you want to come to the hideout?” I change the subject.

“You guys have a hideout?” His eyes widen in amusement.

“Yes, but maybe I should know your name before I let you go up there.”

“It’s Sokka.” He answers. “And you?”

“Y/N.” I hold my hand out so he can shake it, and he does. When his hand touches mine, a pit forms in my gut. I got the feeling I’d be knowing him for a long time. “Well, Sokka, follow me.”

[low-budget-korra]

Comments on Netflix's Avatar The Last Airbender

*spoiler alert*

First of all I'm gonna start by saying it is one of the best adaptations I've seen so far. And that's the key word, adaptation. I've seen a lot of fans and others complain about some things that honestly, doesn't make sense because some things only work in a cartoon(just as much as some things only work in a book or a video game)

And before I start to talk about some topics that I judge important, I also wanna say that the production is fantastic, from the costumes to the CGI. It all looks amazing. (A part from Yue's wig)

1. The Script

It's not easy to pick 20+ episodes and make it fit in only 8 but damn they did a hell of a good job, especially when judging what was important to show and what they could let it go. Some fans commented that since there's no fillers, the Gaang and others miss some development but I think that for the universe of the live action what we got here it worked.

I can express how much I like to see Ozai and Azula's relationship and how it is now clear that he uses the siblings against each other, manipulating them to get what he wants. But I will admit I miss the fear Azula had, since it's implied in the show and some extras that she does fear Ozai, and fears becoming like Zuko.

I hope the 41. Is just fine after the battle in the north. See all of them bowing to Zuko after discovering that Zuko was the one that saved their asses and was heavily punished by that...it was beautiful. I loved the writers did that, give names and faces to Zuko's crew and a beautiful yet sad arc when Ozai banished his son and the men who he saved.

I also loved that they put weight into things that was treated as a joke, like Katara talking about her mother. She was a little kid who saw her mom get murdered in front of her and the live action made sure to let us know that it is not okay to make jokes about something so traumatic. All of the deaths here have tons of weight in it, it's not some random person, is someone we met, someone we liked, someone who helped. The costs of the war, something the cartoon manages to show us but know in live action, with real people, the massage gets stronger.

And they didn't forget Iroh's past like the fandom does, which is great. That actor, the earthbending soldier really let it all out, that's how you use the few screentime you have.

Sokka's isn't sexist and y'all were making a storm outta a cup of water, is not like Sokka sexist didn't go away after like the 4 or 5 episode in the original show. I think the live action was able to bring more depth to him in comparison to the first season of the cartoon. We see how he feels about his father's, the absence of him and his duty as warrior who kinda doesn't want to be a warrior.

I need a Gyatso in my life, I didn't know I needed to see more of him until the live action gave us more of him. Kyoshi was the Thor coming to Wakanda from this season, WHY THE FUCK BRYKE DONT WANNA GIVE US A KYOSHI SERIES? She is absolutely a jewel of a character. Roku and Kuruk, damn poor Kuruk man, so much pain in his words but again that's what it means to be the Avatar, it's not fun and games. Zhao saying to Aang what Korra villains said to Korra😭 that the world doesn't need the Avatar anymore, it hurt.

Guys I'm gonna say it, there's no way in hell for anyone to ship Kataang here. I'm saying this because some shippers complain that the secret tunnel part was different but c'mon, look at Kiawentiio and look at Gordon, it would be so s awkward and weird and just wrong. I know they don't have a big age difference, is only like 3 years but when they filmed Gordon looked so much younger than her, maybe in the next seasons the difference won't be that big.

The pace is good, once you start you don't wanna stop.

2. The Acting

Everyone is really good at capturing the essence of it's characters and somewhat making them their own. The highlights for me were Dallas and Ian, Its like they came straight from the show. Ken Leung's Zhao was also amazing as he was way more threatening here than he was in the show.

Kiawentiio was the Katara we were looking for, she is kind yet strong, brave and caring. And Gordon was Aang, sure, he has to learn a few things since he slipped a few times in his acting but nothing that could ruin the experience, that kid is good and just needs some experience.

Elizabeth Yu was Azula. It was different but yet the same character, is like learning something new of her and I like how cleared she show emotions with her eyes. Maria Zhang had great chemistry with Ian and I can't wait to see more of Suki. Arden Cho and Yvonne Chapman as June and Avatar Kyoshi look like they came out straight from the cartoon. Daniel Dae Kim...man is Ozai, so cold, so sharp, so scary, already way better than the cartoon version. I wanna see more of Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Iroh since the character he really starts to shine in book 2.

3. The live action doesn't have the spirit of the OG?

Yes, it does have. The thing is now that we are seeing real people, things get dark one way or another but I don't think it ruined the spirit of the show. Aang is still a kid, Sokka still making sarcastic jokes, Zuko still annoying as hell, Katara still hopeful and strong... There's everything there really.

The thing is stuff like genocide, murder, war, death and suffering are, for some people, better to watch as pixels in a cartoon than real people.

I think it's a great adaptation and I would recommend it to every fan.

[bluespiritshonour]

One thing about ATLA I love is... Things start making sense once you think about them...

Like, maybe I watched it when I was too young to catch on to a lot of nuances and my rewatches have been sparse and inconsistent but like...

While watching the show I didn't like Maiko—something seemed to be missing. At the same time I really wanted them to be endgame and resented the fact that they weren't better written. I still ship them to this day because—HAVE YOU EVER SEEN A COUPLE LIKE THAT ON SCREEN THOUGH?—I like every slightly unconventional thing and Maiko is unconventional and unique.

Last time I was thinking about how I didn't like that no big deal™ was made out of Mai sacrificing herself at Boiling Rock and I was just entertaining fix-it scenarios in the empty echo chamber called my head where it goes something like:

Zuko: Does that mean you don't hate me anymore?

And instead of Mai putting a full-stop after “I actually kinda like you” she continues to tell him that he'd have to win her back though. Like, in a friendly way—“I want to be in a relationship, sure, but I want to be wooed” way—because, well, she was in prison and now she has a better understanding of why he did what he did—

Oh wait! Is that why she forgives him so easily? Because she was in prison—probably with the Kyoshi Warriors because that's where Ty Lee was too (honestly I've begun to appreciate MaiLee more as time passes)—and while saving Zuko was a leap of faith and she didn't understand him then, but now she does? She knows what he did was right and she's glad to have been able to help him with it?

So...yeah. Her forgiving him makes total sense now. If Zuko had tried to explain it to her instead of breaking up in a letter I don't think she'd have understood (I understand why Zuko left her with a letter, I really do; but I'm still going to trash him for it: [cue exasperated tone] “Zuko!”)

But she does now...

What I don't like however is the “They let you out of prison?”

You're the fucking Fire Lord now, aren't you supposed to have pardoned all PoWs? Which includes Mai and Ty Lee. Who ended up their trying to save your arse?

[cue exasperated tone, second time] “Zuko!”

It could have been something like “Did you get out of prison alright? There wasn't any problem right? I'm sorry I couldn't come to get you personally—” or any variation of that!!!

How difficult could it have been?

But yeah. The point remains. I'm no longer bitter about Mai forgiving Zuko so quickly this time around.

Another thing I disliked is how in The Beach Zuko kept coming back to Mai expecting a warm welcome after every little friction. It was a classic man move where they upset you and try to act caring immediately afterwards and expect you to be responsive to it.

I loved Mai slapping his hand away when he tried to put his arm around her and yelling that she's still mad at him.

At least Zuko knows when to back off: he did everytime Mai told him to. And he didn't call her names for not being forgiving (which is what you expect men to do honestly).

Bar so low it's in hell, I know.

I hated that about him, that he thought he's owed forgiveness (with Mai here, never properly having apologised and trying to act as if nothing wrong happened) and later with Katara...

So... What I'm trying to say is... I love that in that last scene when Maiko is reunited... He isn't expecting her to forget everything and forgive him like a good little girlfriend. The fact that she does has a lot of reasons (she understands his motives now) but the fact that he goes, very timidly “You don't hate me anymore?” is actually very cute.

Add one more to the pile of “Zuko's character development.”

Like, yeah. What he did was necessary. But she also does have a right to be mad at him.

I'll just... Take it as a by-product of The Beach... He has bettered himself. Okay? I'll take it as that.

So. I've come from when I absolutely hated the Maiko post war reunion scene to a point where I only dislike the “they let you out of prison?” part. Also, it was cute the dopey way he smiles around her and she helped him dress, okay?

[the-badger-mole]

The Volunteer: Part 2

The first day of volunteering at Hama's Haven went as well as could be expected. Zuko spent his four hour shift painting the stair wells of the building. There were only three floors, but they'd only painted about two and a half landings. The men that Zuko worked with were happy with the progress, though. They were friendly enough, despite his clear inexperience. They gave Zuko the nickname Splotch because of how messy his painting skills were.

"Good thing we have drop cloth down," said the man named Due. He gave Zuko a good natured slap on the back and offered him a can of beer.

"Um...no thanks," Zuko declined politely. "I'm underaged. And it's kind of the reason I'm here in the first place." Due and the other men laughed heartily at him, and Zuko was given another round of back slaps to seal their newfound camaraderie. They would finish the paint job, they told him, the following day. Then the next week, when he returned, they would take on the second set of stairs in the middle of the building.

"See ya, Splotch!" they called after Zuko as he went to go find Azula and the others.

It was a bit later than he realized. Without a doubt, Azula and her friends would be at the front desk or the car already, and furious with him for making them stay in that building. Zuko hurried down the stairs and through the hall towards the front desk. It was only his quick reflexes that kept him from crashing into Katara and her brother as he rounded the last corner.

"Sorry," Zuko mumbled.

"Hey! I know you," Sokka said. "You're that jerk from my physics class! The one who ruined spring break by reminding Mr. Piando that he didn't give the assignment. You volunteer here now?"

"He's with the group the judge sent over," Katara told her brother.

"What?" Sokka laughed. "Mr. Goody-Two-Shoes? What did you do to get sentenced to community service? Let me guess, public mopery? Brooding with intent to skulk? Did you scowl at the wrong cop?"

"They're in for arson," Katara supplied, eyeing Zuko with disapproval.

"That's none of your business," Zuko growled at her.

"Get out!" Sokka gaped at him. "Arson? Seriously?"

"You are literally the only one who doesn't know that." Katara rolled her eyes at her brother. Sokk, still unfazed, just shook his head and let out a low whistle.

"Dude...when you rebel, you go hard, huh?"

"It wasn't like that!" Zuko insisted. "Look, I've got to go." He took off down the hall towards the front desk.

"Alright," Sokka called after him. "But you stay out of trouble. No more arson around!" Zuko could hear him laughing at his own joke.

Idiot, Zuko thought rolling his eyes to himself. He stopped at the front desk to make sure Hakoda got his hours logged.

"You sister and friends are waiting for you outside," he told Zuko. There was a tightness in Hakoda's face that made it clear that it would be a good idea for them not to linger. Zuko thanked Hakoda quietly and hurried out.

As he anticipated, Azula was in an even fouler mood than she was when they got there. She was standing outside of the car with Mai and Ty Lee ranting about her day. Mai, who had been assigned to work with her also looked unhappy, but she at least seethed silently.

"I should sue this place!" Azula was saying as Zuko approached. "I'm covered in whatever was rotting in those bins. My shirt is ruined, and that useless, smug knuckle dragger just laughed at me! My dad with tear this place to the ground. When he is done, there won't be anyplace for the rats infesting this place to hide!" Zuko was taken aback by is sister's vitriol.

"Let's get home," Zuko said, glancing around the parking lot. Fortunately, no one was in the immediate area to hear his sister's tirade. She looked at him and scowled.

"What took you so long?" she demanded. "We've been waiting for you to leave this disgusting place for ages!"

"It's only been a few minutes, Azula," Ty Lee interjected timidly. Azula rounded on her with a sneer.

"I'm sure you wouldn't mind staying, would you?" Azula spat at her friend. "Made a lot of good friends in the kitchen? Why don't you ask if there's a spare room. I'm sure they'd be happy to let you stay." Ty Lee shrank back, biting her lips against the tears that were about to fall. Azula just rolled her eyes and huffed in disgust. She turned and got into the car, taking the front seat this time.

"Zuko's going to be cramped in the backseat," Mai said.

"He can deal with it for twenty minutes," Azula snapped. "Shut up and get us out of here." Zuko slid into the backseat without a word. Azula moved the seat up a few inches so that Zuko at least had room to get in, but that was it. Azula continued ranting the entire drive, coming up with some particularly creative and vicious names for Hakoda, the staff and the residents of Hama's Haven. Her brother and friends just let her go. Mai interjected occasionally with some snide remarks of her own, but she didn't have the energy for all out rage like her friend. Zuko did his best to tune them both out, and he politely ignored Ty Lee's subtly wiping away stray tears next to him. Not for the first time, Zuko wondered why the sensitive, bubbly girl was friends with Azula and Mai of all people, but he'd stopped searching for an answer to that years ago.

True to her word, Azula went into her father's home office and demanded that he get her out of her community service sentence. Zuko could hear her while he fixed himself a snack in the kitchen. Interestingly, he noted, she didn't mention a thing about getting him or her friends out of the mandated service. Not that it bothered Zuko. He'd already decided he didn't mind the work.

Ozai did end up calling the judge to demand that something be done for his daughter. Zuko heard it the next day. He'd forgotten to shut the door to his office completely, so Zuko was able to hear Ozai alternately threatening and cajoling Judge Jeong-Jeong to release Azula from her punishment. He offered bribes. He swore to get Jeong-Jeong removed from his bench and disbarred from practicing law anywhere. He offered to donate a ridiculous sum of money to the shelter, if Hakoda was removed from his position. Jeong-Jeong said little through the near hour-long call until the very end.

"Mr. Kaji," he began ponderously. "Firstly, I feel the need to remind you that bribing a judge is a federal offence, and this call is being recorded. Secondly, my ruling stands. It is only the generous intercession of your brother that kept your children and their friends from spending the next 8 to 13 months in a juvenile detention center. I feel I have been more than fair with my judgement, but if Azula would rather serve out her sentence in juvenile detention, I would be happy to arrange that."

Ozai swore and started to speak, but Jeong-Jeong cut him off.

"As for having Hakoda terminated," he continued. "He has been serving at that shelter since it opened, and he has never had a single complaint about how he runs it in all that time. I have no say in what happens there, but I sincerely doubt the board that oversees the operation of Hama's Haven would be willing to let him go on the say so of one disgruntled, mandated volunteer and her overly indulgent father. This is Azula's only option if she doesn't want to go to the juvenile detention center. If she refuses to honor her service hours, or if Hakoda dismisses her, that's exactly where she will end up. Am I clear, Mr. Kaji?"

"I'll find a way around this," Ozai promised.

"You are certainly welcome to try," Jeong-Jeong sounded amused. "I'm sure the additional scrutiny from the government won't affect you...much."

Ozai swore at the judge again, but again Jeong-Jeong cut him off.

"If there is nothing else, Mr. Kaji," he said. "I have better things to do than babysit your tantrum." The call ended abruptly, leaving Ozai to rage in his office to no one. Zuko took his book and crept towards the back stairs. It was better if he wasn't in his father's line of sight while he was in this mood.

He made it to his bedroom just as Ozai came out of his office and stormed up the main staircase. He shut his light out and stayed silent. Ozai, though, went straight to Azula's room. Zuko heard her door fly open and hit the door with a thud.

"What's your problem?" Azula snapped.

"You're going back to that pit and serving your hours," Ozai told her. "I don't want to hear another word out of you about it."

"But, Dad!" Azula protested.

"Not another word!" Ozai barked. Azula went silent. A moment later, Zuko heard the door slam shut and his father stomped down the stairs. Then he left the house, slamming the front door even harder than Azula's door. Zuko waited until he heard his father's car peeling out of the driveway to make his way carefully to Azula's room. He knocked at her door lightly, then poked his head in. Azula stood in the middle of the floor, absolutely seething with rage. Her dark glower got darker when she saw her brother.

"What do you want?" she hissed.

"Just checking to see if you're okay," Zuko said. He was. It was rare to see Ozai's anger aimed at Azula.

"Peachy," Azula snorted. "I just found out that Dad's connections are useless. Now I'm stuck either cleaning up after people i wouldn't let touch my rags or spending a year in jail."

"It's not that bad," Zuko said, shrugging. "Some of the people are pretty cool, once you get to know them." Azula shot her brother a disgusted look.

"I should've known you'd be fine there," she said. "What are you doing in my room, anyway? Get out!" She stormed across the room and slammed the door in Zuko's face. He just barely managed to keep his hand from being crushed. With one last scowl at Azula's door, Zuko decided he'd had enough of the house for a while. He took his car and drove off in the opposite direction of his father.

The next week of school was annoying. As Katara had implied, word of their sentencing had spread throughout the school. People stared and whispered as Zuko passed through the halls. Well, more than usual. It was annoying, but people were too intimidated by Zuko to say anything to his face, so he could ignore most of it. At lunch, Zuko headed towards his usual spot in the far corner of the cafeteria, but he was stopped half way by Sokka appearing at his side.

"Yo!" he greeted Zuko. "Come sit with us today. I'll introduce you to the rest of the Haven Crew."

"What?" Zuko's nose wrinkled in confusion. Sokka had already started walking, though. Zuko followed awkwardly to a table where Katara sat with three other people. Zuko recognized Suki, who was in the same martial arts club as him, but the other two- a boy with a tight fitting beanie and a girl Zuko was startled to realize was blind- he had no idea who they were. They looked like freshmen.

"Katara you know," Sokka said, pointing to his sister. "This is Toph and Aang. The babies of the group. And this beautiful, terrifying girl is Suki, my girlfriend of two years."

"We've met," Suki told Sokka. She smiled politely at Zuko. "Nice to see you again, Zuko."

"So," Toph drawled, leaning towards Zuko. "You're the guy who blew up a building."

"What?" Zuko sputtered. "I didn't blow anything up!"

"Whatever you say, Sparky," Toph grinned at him. "Hey! I'm not mad at you. There's a few building's I'd like to blow up. Starting with this one."

"Toph, don't say stuff like that!" Aang glanced around nervously, looking for a monitor or a lurking teacher.

"Nah, it was just arson," Sokka told his friends, grinning. "I didn't know he had it in him, though. Sit, down, Zuko. You can't eat standing up." Zuko eyed the open seat between Sokka and Aang hesitantly.

"Would you just sit down already?" Katara snapped irritably. "The seat isn't dirty." Zuko scowled at her, but sat down.

"Zuko and his accomplices are going to be working off their debt to society at the Haven," Sokka explained. "We'll be seeing a lot of him. Dad says they've got nine months of work to finish."

"Um...you all volunteer at the shelter?" Zuko asked.

"Yeah, we're all there at least a few times a month," Suki told him. "I do tutoring once a week."

"I help out in the garden." Aang grinned cheefully.

"Pottery and crap," Toph said.

"Crafts," Katara said. "You do pottery and crafts." Toph snorted at that.

"We made comb sheaths last month," she said. "I think crap is spot on."

"Toph," Katara let out a long suffering sigh and shook her head.

"So, Sparky," Toph turned back to Zuko with a smirk. "Why don't you tell us how you landed on the chain gang?"

"Toph!" Suki chided. "You can't just lead with that."

"Why not?" Toph demanded. "It's the most interesting thing to happen in this school all year!"

"Maybe he doesn't want to talk about it," Aang suggested, looking at Zuko nervously. Katara rolled her eyes, which bugged Zuko most of all for some reason.

"There isn't that much to tell," he said. "We got drunk at warehouse and my sister dropped a candle, or something into a box of tea leaves. The fire department put the fire out before there was a ton of damage." The finer details, Zuko decided, didn't matter.

"And that's why you always use a flashlight when you're drinking," Sokka said sagely.

"Or you could just not drink underage," Katara scoffed.

"Too easy." Sokka waved his sister off. And with that the topic moved onto something else. It was jarring. Zuko wasn't sure what he was expecting. An interrogation. Derision. Some sort of prank to humiliate him for daring to think they actually wanted him to sit with them. But the conversation turned to what they all had done over the weekend. Zuko had little to add there, and no one pressed. It was a pleasant lunch, all things considered. Sokka invited him to sit with them again the next day and the one after that. By the end of the week, Zuko joined them on his own, if a bit hesitantly. They welcomed him. Or rather, they didn't tell him to get lost. Zuko decided to count it as an open invitation.

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5

[crowentity233]

The Dragon's Keep (part 1)

*Finished*

Fire Lord Zuko x (Fem!) Reader

Part 2

Summary: You are a firebender named Ayushi, who has been accepted to guard over the royal family as a kyoshi warrior. You end up guarding Zuko through his travels to visit the sun warriors. The mission, protecting the newest dragons, begins.

You stood in the hallway of the palace. Your armor clung to your body. The moon took over the night sky. The windows were open, letting in the cool breeze from the summer night. Pitter patters of feet down the hall jerked your attention back to reality.

"Princess kiyi." You called out running after the footsteps. You caught up to the girl. "Princess, you should be asleep. What's wrong?" You kneeled down next to her.

"I'm scared. I can't sleep." She mumbles, then hugs into your body, pulling you in to comfort her. You immediately wrap your arms around her and hold her.

"What are you scared of?" You asked gently to the girl. You picked her up and walked back to her room.

"I had a bad dream about a dark spirit." She whines into your shoulder. Her tears were starting to roll.

"It was just a dream, Princess Kiyi. You don't have to be scared. How about I sit with you and tell you a story?" You smiled brightly as the girl wiped away her tears nodding her head.

You laid her down on her bed and tucked her back in. You sat and told the story of the little dragon named Kioko. He was a very adventurous little dragon who learned he had to rely on others for aid. He couldn't do everything by himself. It was a firenation tale you heard many times from your parents.

She had fallen asleep, and you pet her hair before slipping back out into the hallway.

The next morning, Ursa was tending to the very energetic girl. She had retold the dragon story to her mother. "Where did you hear this story from?" Her mother giggled at the girl as she continued to almost the end, but kiyi didn't know how it ended because she had fallen asleep.

"Ayushi told me! I was going to get ZuZu up to scare away the spirits, but Ayushi told me a good story, and the spirits went away." The girl smiled proudly.

Zuko ate the breakfast in front of him, not paying too much attention until his nickname was said. "You were scared last night?"

"Yes, but Ayushi made it better. Mommy, I want Ayushi to tell me the rest of the story tonight. Can she please?" She spoke up to her mother.

"You can ask her before dinner tonight." Her mother smiled pleased that one of the kyoshi warriors was being so kind to her daughter and not just being a fire nation guard that was heartless like the old days.

You woke up getting ready for the night shift. You had been guarding at night. It was a long shift, but it was important to look after the royal family. You had stopped your fair share of criminals from getting to them.

Your job was about to become more interesting. "Ayushi, dear, will you come here, please? Kiyi has a question to ask you." Ursa's voice sounded through the hall out from the throne room.

You entered the room and bowed to the firelord and to the royal family.

Kiyi ran up to you. You kneeled down, sitting on your knees to face her. Your face brightened as she laughed energetically.

"Can you tell me another bedtime story tonight?" She said as she got to you.

You nodded. "Of course, Princess Kiyi. I would love to."

The girl jumped in glee. She wrapped her arms around you with a smile. You hugged her back, and then she ran back to her mother happily.

"Ayushi, I asked Suki if it was okay for you to take a daytime shift so you could tell Kiyi a bedtime story every night before your shift ends so you could sleep during the night." Ursa politely spoke.

"Yes, of course. What times work for you, work for me." Your voice is calm and respectful.

"You can have the next two nights off to readjust to daytime." She offered happily.

"Yes, Lady Ursa, thank you." You bowed, and you were dismissed.

The bedtime came quickly. You changed out of your uniform into a casual yet presentable outfit for the royal palace. You walked to Princess Kiyi's room, but it was empty. You looked around the nearby halls. The young girl poked her head out of the fire lords chambers. "Ayushi, come in here. I want Zuzu to have a bedtime story, too." You hesitantly followed her into the room. It was fit for a ruler. The room was huge. The walls were a darker color, very comforting and cozy. The fire lit torches flickered, a fireplace warming the room to a comfortable temperature to your skin. Fire Lord Zuko laid in the bed he was in silk sleep wear. His hair was down and messy. It was a stark difference from the times you've seen him. He seemed to be much more relaxed.

"Zuzu, she is here. Are you excited about the story?" Lord Zuko chuckled. Yes, much more relaxed than you've ever seen him.

"Yes, I'm excited." He said as kiyi got into the bed and tossed the covers over herself.

You bowed when your eyes met Zuko's. "Lord Zuko, I'm happy to tell you a bedtime story with Princess Kiyi." You giggled softly at the situation at hand. You leveled your body back up. His lips were turned into a grin. "Thank you, Ayushi." His eyes were a gorgeous golden brown. Your cheeks brighten ever so slightly seeing the Fire Lord in such a casual place. You were one of the new kyoshi warriors. You had never been in contact with Zuko before he became the Fire Lord.

"You can come in and sit. What story are you telling us tonight?" He seemed so welcoming.

"I was going to tell the story of the princess and dragon beast." You sat at the edge of the bed.

"Is it about a princess like me?" Kiyi gasped.

"Yes, it is her name is Bealin. She falls in love with a prince."

She laid down and held onto a stuffed flying bison Avatar Aang had given her from the air temple that was being rebuilt.

You started telling the story to the young girl. You were at the part where the princess was having fun with the dragon beast playing in the snow when Zuko leaned over, checking his sister. She was fast asleep. "She's out." He said quietly.

"I can take her to her room." You started to get up. Zuko shook his head, "That's alright. I can take her." He paused. "This reminds me of when I was little. My mom told that story a lot to us when we were little."

"My mother told me it a lot too, but my favorite was sleeping beauty. I always thought I would be rescued by a prince with a dragon from the dark spirit." You giggled at your own naivete.

"I've seen dragons they are as incredible in person as they sounded in the story." He trailed remembering the time with the sun warriors.

"But they went extinct..." Your face fell into shock.

"No, I am bound in a secret of their location, but I assure you they are very much alive." He stood up, and you stood as he walked past you.

"That stays between us." He trails quietly.

"Yes, Lord Zuko. Can you tell me more about the dragons?" You ask softly, making sure no walls could hear your conversation. You felt such a connection to dragons since you were a child. You just brushed it off to just being a firebender, but your connection seemed higher than the rest of your classmates.

"Wait here." He spoke softly, picking up his sister and then disappearing out into the hall.

You sat back down on his bed. Your hand ran across the silk. It was so luxurious and soft against your skin. His bed was so comfortable. It was better than yours back in the kyoshi housing.

Zuko returned to his room, and he pulled off the top robe. His silk bottoms were loose fitting. Your eyes stole glances at his fit figure. He didn't seem to notice. He slipped back into the bed and sat down across from you.

"The dragons are huge. They towered over me. It was so humbling facing them. There is a sacred firebending form. That started from the first firebenders that learned from the dragons. The ones I saw were red and blue. They breathed the most amazing flames that were every color you could think of." He explained the dragons to you, cautious of the secrets he had to keep specifically the where.

"I am so jealous. My dream is to see dragons. That is all I could think about as a child." You sat comfortably talking with the Fire Lord. It was the first real casual conversation.

"Maybe one day I can take you to see them. You've been very kind to my sister, and you've dedicated your life to serving the kingdom. You've put your life on the line. I will need a personal body guard when I return to them. Consider it a gift." Zuko leaned back against the headboard. His body is on even more display. Your mind didn't notice as your dreams were coming to life. His body had no place in your mind at the moment. Your eyes widened at the thought of meeting real dragons.

"Lord Zuko, you would do that for me?" You leaned forward in complete awe that he would take you to see them. He nodded, chuckling at your reaction.

"Can you teach me the form? I would be honored to learn it." Your eyes were still full of wonder.

"Yes, I can show you tomorrow. Kiyi is going to want to hear the rest of the story. I can teach you tomorrow after she falls asleep." Zuko offered to you.

"Thank you so much, Lord Zuko." You bowed respectfully. "I don't think I could ever repay you..." You trailed.

"You don't have to. It's a gift, and showing you the form is a right to all traditional fire benders." He stretched and wrapped his hands behind his head.

Your eyes then took in the scenery. The pillows, the bed frame, Zuko in less than appropriate attire for a woman to be in his bed even if you were just sitting on top of the sheets a distance away from him.

"Thank you, Lord Zuko." You bow respectfully. You stood up and made your way to the door.

"Good night, Ayushi." Zuko called out to you as you opened the door.

"Good night, Lord Zuko." You exited into the hall to go back to your housing unit with the other warriors joining the others that completed their day guarding.

Let me know if you would like to be tagged. 🥰

[sendhearthhome]

Zuko and Who's Afraid of Little Old Me?

“The who's who of who's that? / Is poised for the attack / But my bare hands paved their paths / You don't get to tell me about sad / If you wanted me dead, you should've just said / Nothing makes me feel more alive / So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street / Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream / Who's afraid of little old me? / You should be”

This whole first chunk, to me, is Zuko confronting Ozai in Book 3 episode 11 The Day of the Black Sun Pt 2

“The scandal was contained”

Book 1 E12 The Storm, Zuko’s crew thought Zuko had been burned in a training accident, not by his own father

“The bullet had just grazed”

Within the theme of abuse, Ozai and Azula minimise the abuse Zuko endured, Ozai just 'grazed' Zuko’s face

“At all costs, keep your good name / You don't get to tell me you feel bad”

Ozai keeps his reputation, while Zuko is banished to spend over 3 years trying to get his honour back (which he never truly lost)

“Is it a wonder I broke? Let's hear one more joke / Then we could all just laugh until I cry / So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street / Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream / Who's afraid of little old me?”

“I was tame, I was gentle 'til the circus life made me mean”

Zuko was a gentle child, but Ozai thought he was too soft. The circus life can connect to the pageantry and brutality of the Fire Nation Empire

“Don't you worry folks, we took out all her teeth”

In Book 2, when he’s a refugee, Zuko feels humiliated and powerless, having gone from a prince to a ‘nobody’, his shame critically culminates here in Ba Sing Se

“Who's afraid of little old me? / Well, you should be (you should be) / So tell me everything is not about me / But what if it is?”

“Then say they didn't do it to hurt me / But what if they did?”

Ozai burned Zuko to “teach him respect” but really, it was just abuse

“I wanna snarl and show you just how disturbed this has made me / You wouldn't last an hour in the asylum where they raised me”

These two lines truly encapsulate the rage of realising how fucked up your childhood was only once you’re out of it. You couldn’t see it when you were in it but you survived hell, and now that you understand that, you’re so fucking angry

“So all you kids can sneak into my house with all the cobwebs / I'm always drunk on my own tears, isn't that what they all say? / That I'll sue you if you step on my lawn / That I'm fearsome and I'm wretched and I'm wrong / Putting narcotics into all of my songs / And that's why you're still singing along”

People have preconceived notions about Zuko: he’s spoiled, selfish, and volatile. While these are areas where Zuko has genuine growth in the series, it is important to remember that they’re used by adults in the Fire Nation (ex. Ozai and Zhao) to discredit and demean him

“So I leap from the gallows and I levitate down your street / Crash the party like a record scratch as I scream / Who's afraid of little old me? / I was tame, I was gentle 'til the circus life made me mean / Don't you worry folks, we took out all her teeth / Who's afraid of little old me? / Well, you should be (you should be)”

“'Cause you lured me / And you hurt me / And you taught me / You caged me and then you called me crazy / I am what I am 'cause you trained me”

 Zuko’s autonomy and free will are really what led him to join the Gaang. He realises he never deserved Ozai’s abuse, never lost his honour, and his actions are his own. 

But you can’t deny the poetry of ‘you created the thing that destroyed you in the end’

“So who's afraid of me? / Who's afraid of little old me? / Who's afraid of little old me?”

I lowkey want to write a zuko-centric song fic...

Let me know what you think and if you interpret the song differently!! <3

[ok-boomerang]

zutara freed me from the tyranny of canon

It wasn't until I watched ATLA that I became a fan of non-canon ships, and let me tell you how much this has improved my experience of consuming any media, whether it's books, shows, movies, or what have you.

My first fandom, like many, was HP. And like many, until oh idk a few years ago, I thought JKR could do no wrong. I was a fan of Wolfstar (Remus/Sirius), but when it became canon that Remus gets with Tonks, I found myself doing backflips to explain how Wolfstar could still work with...Ronks? (See Idek their ship name.) Who was I to question The Word of God, even if it was...bad?

BUT THEN I watched ATLA and noticed how the subtext/themes would have led to an incredible love story between Zuko and Katara. And there was no backflipping I could do to convince myself that Kat@@ng made narrative sense. Mai.ko was even worse, since Mai was introduced to underscore how Zuko was unhappy despite having gotten everything he thought he'd want (his family, his crown, and even a girlfriend!). The last five minutes of the show simply confused me.

But the fanfiction and fanart that I've seen in the ZK community has simply blown my mind. Not only have I read fanfiction that made me think "this should have been canon," but I've read fic that made me think "oh my GOD this is BETTER than canon," in that the author developed the themes of ATLA even better than the original show did.

Zutara fans meticulously take canon apart and put it back together in a way that makes the story we know and love even more meaningful. I find myself taking this lens to many shows I watch or books I read. Was this character's actions believable? How would they respond if X happened? What would make this story more narratively satisfying? "Well this is what the author decided!" is not a good argument for why something should/should not have happened in a story. Creators may have given us the work, but it's a disservice to the creator to consider their decisions above critique.

As you might guess, this perspective has made me a much better writer too.

[empressofthesunwriter]

Yin and Yang: Book 1.18

Balance is a key aspect in the world, so why shouldn’t the Avatar have an opposite?

In a world where Raava and Vaatu merge with humans, the Avatar and the Daimon try to keep the peace between the four nations.

Aang and Hua are the current incarnations, but wake up 100 years in the future.

How will these two learn all four elements in one year and defeat the Fire Lord?

Book 1.18: The Firebending Masters

Water. 

Earth. 

Fire. 

Air. 

Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. 

Then, everything changed when the Fire Nation attacked. 

Only the Avatar and Daimon, masters of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed them most, they vanished. 

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar and Daimon, an airbender named Aang and an earthbender named Hua. 

And although his airbending and her earthbending skills are great they have a lot to learn before they’re ready to save anyone. 

But I believe Aang and Hua can save the world.

***

The next day an excited Hua sat before Zuko on a rock as he started their first lesson in firebending.

They had decided to train a bit further away from camp, not that they accidentally lit some of their things on fire!

Jaiyi was also with them, yawning cutely as Zuko began: “I know you're nervous, but remember, firebending in itself is not something to fear.”

“I’m not nervous, I’m excited!”, corrected Hua, jumping a little up and down on her seat.

For this Zuko gave her a serious look. 

“Hua if you don't respect it…”, he raised his word at the last parts, which made Hua and Jaiyi jump. “it'll chew you up and spit you out like an angry komodo rhino!”

Scared Jaiyi jumped onto Hua's lap and hugged her tight.

Jeez, Zuko could be scary when he wanted!

“Now show me what you've got. Any amount of fire you can make.”

So Hua put Jaiyi back on the ground and showed Zuko her fire blast.

“Good, good.”, nodded the banished prince. “You have a solid basis. We will together go over your scroll, and do the moves you know before I teach you the next level.”

“Alright, Sifu Zuko!”

Getting called Sifu made Zuko turn a bit shy. He was far from a firebending master, he just hoped he could teach Hua what she needed.

They turned in the direction of the river and performed together the fire blast.

Well, this was the idea, however, Hua made a perfect one, while out of Zuko came just small flames and a puff of smoke.

Stupefied Zuko stared at the weak flames he made, while Jaiyi could be heard making a fox laugh.

“Erm, are you okay?”, asked Hua, also stupified. “That was not how you normally made it.”

“I know Hua! I don’t know what’s wrong!”, he grumbled, before he tried the fire blast again.

Again nothing.

“What is going on?! That was the worst firebending I've ever seen!”, shouted Zuko.

Hua shrugged and Jaiyi rolled around the ground from laughter.

“Jaiyi that’s not funny!”, turned Zuko his anger to the kyuubi. “How should I teach Hua firebending if…if I produce something so weak?!”

This made Jaiyi stop. 

She gave a little apologetic whine and rubbed herself against Zuko's legs.

Signing Zuko patted the kyuubi.

He shouldn’t take out his anger at Jaiyi.

“Maybe it’s your shoulder? Katara and I worked on it yesterday, but it’s not like it’s completely healed.”, gave Hua her theory of what could be wrong.

“Maybe. Maybe it’s something with my chi-paths.”

“Let’s go back to camp. Katara and I will work on it again and pay special attention to the chi-paths.”

They did just that.

Together Katara and Hua waved the water over Zuko's shoulder wound, while the other looked on.

Well, Sokka ate loudly his breakfast, Aang played with Momo and Jaiyi, and only Appa looked on.

“I don’t know what to tell you Zuko.”, signed Katara. “From what I can feel your chi paths seem alright.”

“I agree, but they feel kinda cold, don’t you agree Katara?”, asked Hua.

Katara hummed and inspected the chi paths deeper.

Huh?!

“Okay, this is strange. The centre of the chi paths…it feels like a small flame…not like a burning fire you would expect from a firebender.”, diagnosed Katara.

The girls retired the water.

Zuko looked at them worried.

“What does it mean?”

“I’m not an expert Zuko.”, reminded Katara. “But if you ask me…your inner fire got smaller, that's why your bending is so weak.”

A loud laugh escaped Sokka, which made all turn to him.

“I just find it ironic. As he hunted us down he was all angry Jerkbender, now he is part of the team and can’t jerkbend anymore!”

“Sokka, that’s not funny that’s a huge problem!”, chested him Katara. “How should Hua and later Aang learn firebending if Zuko can’t anymore bend?!”

No one saw how Aang made a face because everyone expected him to learn firebending later too.

“What should we do now?”, asked Hua in the round.

“My uncle is still near us with the ship.”, told Zuko. “I will visit him, maybe he can help me. Also, I can bring the rest of the stuff to the camp.”

“That’s a good idea.”, agreed Katara.

The others nodded.

Before Zuko just walked all the way to his ship Hua told him he could ride Jaiyi.

The kyuubi didn’t have a problem with this order, turned big and Zuko mounted her.

He promised he would be back soon and Katara told him they would wait here for his return.

With this, he was off.

***

Katara and Aang trained together in waterbending, Hua her earthbending, while Sokka fished, as Jaiyi and Zuku returned.

“You are back!”, greeted Hua and walked up to them.

Zuko jumped down from Jaiyi, petting the kyuubi, having a pensive look in his eyes.

“Could your uncle help?”, asked Aang.

“Well, he told me it’s a common reaction for a firebender to lose their Spark when they make huge changes in their life. Me joining you, made all the anger vapoured which with I filled my bending with.”

“So you aren’t angry enough to bend?”, summarized Katara.

Suddenly Sokka leans towards Zuko and points a finger above.

“So, all we need to do is make Zuko angry. Easy enough.”

He starts poking Zuko with his club’s hilt in the head and waist several times, laughing.

“Okay, cut it out!”

Unamused Zuko takes the club from him and throws it somewhere on the side.

“Well, did your uncle tell you a way to get your Spark back?”, wondered Aang.

The face Zuko made would be funny if the citation wasn’t so dire.

“Yes, he told me he should go back to the original bending form. No more hate and anger. I’m all for not relying on anger and hat, but…”

“But…”, chorused Hua, Aang and Katara together.

“The original firebenders were the dragons, and they're extinct.”

“What do you mean‌? Roku had a dragon, and there were plenty of dragons when Hua and I were kids.”, said Aang surprised.

“Well, they aren't around anymore, okay?”, yelled Zuko.

All took a step back, staring at him.

Frustrated Zuko rubbed his head.

“I’m sorry, I’m actually angry at my uncle, he told me this, even if he knows CLEARLY why there aren’t any more dragons.”

“You wanna talk about it?”, offered Katara kindly.

He just shook his head.

“He told me, I should go to the place where the Sun Warriors, the first people who learned from the dragon's firebending lived.”

This made Hua and Aang listen up.

“Where the Sun Warriors lived?”, repeated Hua. “Long ago when Aang and I visited Kuzon we stumble across their ruins. It’s there that I found Jaiyi. A little cub, barely weened from her mother. She was all alone so I took her with me.”

“Besides the dragons, kyuubi’s and also phoenixes were sacred animals for the Sun Warriors, since they all could firebend. No wonder you found her there.”, explained Zuko.

This shocked anyone, even Hua.

“Jaiyi can firebend?”, she turned to her kyuubi. “I never saw you do some fire.”

Her kyuubi just yawned.

Well, this was also an answer.

“My uncle explained Kyuubi generate a special kind of fire, it’s called Fox Fire, it’s blue, burns cold and can apparently create illusions.”

“Wow, I’m not messing with the Fluff Ball again.”, mumbled Sokka.

“There is more.”

“Of course, there is more!”

“The Sun Warrior civilisations are in the Fire Nation, it would take weeks on Appa to get there. We can’t do that if we are this close to the North Pole.”

“True.”

“That’s why we need Jaiyi’s Fox Fire.”

 All just stared at him.

***

“So let me get this straight.”, began Hua. She was riding Jaiyi, Zuku behind her. “In their prime time, the Sun Warriors built a system of shrines around the Nations devoted to the Kyuubi’s, called Inari Shrines, after the All-Mother of all ninetails. When a Kyuubi sends his Fox Fire in it and jumps in they get transport to the Sun Warrior capital, where we hope to find something to get your fire back on.”

“Yes. And you asked this a few times already.”

“Just because it sounds insane! Are you sure your uncle isn’t pulling your leg?”

“Uncle Iroh is a lot of things, but that’s not the kind of jokes he makes.”

Hua signed tired.

“And you sure if we jump back in the one we come out, we will return here?”

“That’s what Uncle Iroh said.”

“Did he ever travel boy Kyuubi Fox Fire?”

“Not that I know.”

Now Hua groans.

“Hey, it will be okay.”

Softly Zuko patted her head.

“I trust my Uncle, he wouldn’t send us on a wild goose chase…I hope.”

“You HOPE?!”

That’s when Jaiyi let out a yip.

The humans saw an old and giant statue of ninetails. 

It was overgrown, but you can still make it out.

Like the way behind it.

“We have found one of the shrines.”

“Okay, then we will follow the way and hope the shrine still stands.”, thought Hua aloud.

She let Jaiyi run up the way.

After a while, there really was a shrine!

Overgrown with plant life, but seemed still alright.

Together the humans and kyuubi ripped the plants away to clear the entrance.

As the entrance was free, Hua shivered staring down at the dark ominous entrance.

Inviting was something else.

“Okay Jaiyi, do your thing!”, said Zuko.

Jaiyi just titles her head.

“You know…”, he waved his hands around. “Make Fox Fire!”

The Kyuubi just yawned.

“Hua…help me.”

“I’m coming Zuko.”

Hua took Jaiyi's face in her hands and stared into her blue eyes.

“Girl I know you never have done it, but I need you to firebend like me, look.”

The Daimon turned in the direction of the shrine and let out from her mouth a fire blast.

“See? Like this!”

Curious Jaiyi titles her head. 

She stepped before the shrine.

Her mouth opened.

Zuko and Hua were tense.

Would she do it?!

Incredible, a little blue flame came out of Jaiyi's mouth!

“Yes that’s good!”, called Zuko.

“Bigger Jaiyi, girl, you can do it!”, motivated Hua.

It took a while, however, a big blue flame burst from Jaiyi's mouth.

Hitting the shrine bullseyes, it lights up like nothing they have ever seen.

“Fast, let’s get in it!”, shouted Zuko.

They jumped on Jaiyi's back and raced into the shrine.

And they vanished.

***

“I can’t believe we are really here.”, whispered Hua in aww.

Zuko and her were walking around the majestic ruins of the Sun Warriors.

Jaiyi had decided to stay at the shrine they had come out of.

“Even though these buildings are ancient, there's something eerily familiar about them.”, declared Zuko. “I can tell the Fire Sages' temples are somehow descended from these.”

“That’s cool, but I hope we find more than just buildings, Even a scroll would help!”

Out of nowhere Hua trips!

Spikes spring out of the ground, but thankful Hua earthbends the ground again above the spikes and rolls over it.

“Oh Spirits, what was that?!”, she shouted, holding a hand on her fast-beating hand.

Zuko kneels down to inspect the tripwire.

“I can't believe it. This booby trap must be centuries old and it still works.”

“How is this possible?!”

“I know you are scared, but Hua people don't make traps unless they've got something worth protecting.”

“Uurgh so we go on?”

“We go on.”

A whine escapes Hua.

So they walk around, climb a stair and find an interesting building before them.

“Look, this seems promising.”

She points at a mural of a person being surrounded by two dragons who are breathing fire at him.

“But it doesn’t look like a bending pose, wonder what this means.”

“They look pretty angry to me.”, pointed Zuko at the dragons.

“Wasn’t you who said Dragons and Sun Warrior were friends?”

“Well, they had a funny way of showing it.”

Without looking at her, Zuko moves away. Hua frowns, something is wrong and calls out: “Zuko, there is something you are not telling me. Something about the dragons, I’m right?”

“My great-grandfather Sozin.”

“What’s with him?”

They walked together over a bridge as Zuko explained: “He started the tradition of hunting dragons for glory. There were the ultimate firebenders. And if you could conquer one, your firebending talents would become legendary and you'd earn the honorary title, of Dragon.”

They approach a path which has one dragon's statue on both sides and stop walking.

“The last great dragon was conquered long before I was born by my uncle.”

A shocked gasp comes out of Hua.

“That’s why you were so angry with him, telling you to go find the dragons. He is the reason they are extinct! I’m lost for words… your uncle doesn’t seem the type.”

“He had a complicated past. Family tradition, I guess. Let's just move on.”

They do so.

Soon a a vertical column with a sunstone in the center was before them.

A wall with two gates, with the both walking toward them. As they both come closer, Zuko stops walking, and Hua runs to the gates and unsuccessfully tries opening the gates.

“It won’t budge!”

Thinking Zuko rubs his head, and looks behind, before quickly going aside to see the sunstone from the column in front of the gates beaming light.

“Wait. It's a celestial calendar. Just like the Fire Sages have in their temples. I bet that sunstone opens the door, but only when sunlight hits at just the right angle. On the solstice.”

“Well, we can’t wait for the next solstice!”, points Hua out, raising exparted her arms in the air.

However, she doesn’t need to worry since Zuko has an idea. He uses his sword to direct the light to the sunstone and after a few seconds the gates open!

“Amazing Zuko!”

Happy Hua gives him a short hug.

“I’m so glad you are part of our team!”

This makes Zuko smile happily.

They enter the room, where an angry statue stares down at them.

Both split up to look around.

In the room are a lot of statues in different positions forming a circle.

Hua read the inscription on one of the statues: “It says this is something called the Dancing Dragon.”

Thinking Hua puts her hand under her chin.

What could this mean?

She takes a step back to look at the statue better, before copying its stance.

A button on the ground gets pressed. 

Surprised Hua comes out of the posture and examines the button. She looks around at all the statues, they all have these buttons behind them.

Maybe…?!

She runs toward Zuko, catches him by the hand, and pulls him. 

“Zuko, I want you to dance with me!”

“Erm, wouldn’t you prefer Aang and why suddenly?”

“Huh? Aang? Whatever, I think these statues are actually firebending forms, if we press the buttons while we copy them, maybe we will get a scroll or something.”

“This better teach us some good firebending.”, grumbles Zuko, but he moves to the other side.

Together they follow the steps of the statues till they reach the last two statues, who are bent by their waists toward each other, and their arms in the direction of their twin. 

A collum with a golden egg rises from the ground.

“An egg, I’m disappointed.”, murmurs Hua sad.

She had hoped for a scroll!

“It's not an egg it’s some kind of mystical gemstone.”, corrects Zuko and tries to touch it.

Hua slaps his hands away.

“Hey!”

“Don’t hey me! Don’t touch weird glowing eggs, this could be a trap like the spikes from before?!”

Zuko ignores the Daimon and picks the sunstone, as Hua's eyes twitch.

“It feels almost alive.”

He tries to put the sunstone back but yells in surprise as a geyser of viscous slime erupts out from the pedestal and pushes Zuko toward the grates in the ceiling, sticking him there.

“I told you it was a trap!”, shouts Hua.

The Daimon try to bend Zuko down with air, but it just changes his position.

In the end, both of them are stuck on the gate of the ceiling.

“At least we have air.”, tried Zuko to be positive. “Maybe if we stay calm, we can figure a way out of this.”

For that, he gets the mayor's side eye from Hua.

Hours pass and it’s night.

“You had to pick up the glowing egg, didn't you?”

“Well, who made us do the silly dance?”

“So it’s my fault?!”

“I think, I shouldn’t say anything more, the look in your eyes is scary.”

“Good decisions….oh spirits what should we do?”

“Think about our place in the universe‌?”

“Sorry, but what the fuck?!”

Before Zuko can chest her for using such foul language a man wearing a loincloth, an important hairpiece, jewellery and sandals steps to them.

“Who is down there?”, growls the stranger.

Shocked Hua and Zuko stare at the man.

***

As it runs out the Sun Warriors are not dead, they just hide from the world.

They got them out of their prison and currently aardvark sloths lick away the slime from them.

“For trying to take our sunstone, you must be severely punished!”, says the Sun Warrior Chief to them.

“We didn't come here to take your sunstone. We came here to find the ancient origin of all firebending.”, explained Zuko.

One of the Sun Warriors Ham Ghao doesn’t believe them and tells his Chief how the two are clearly thieves here to steal their treasures.

Finally, Hua and Zuko are free from the slime.

“Please listen to us. I’m the Daimon. We came here because we wanted to learn not to steal. Just hear us out.”, begs Hua.

Zuko takes over: “My name is Zuko, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. O-or at least I used to be. I know my people have distorted the ways of firebending, to be fueled by anger and rage. But now I want to learn the true way the original way. When we came here, I never imagined the Sun Warrior's civilization was secretly alive. I am truly humbled to be in your presence.”

Both bow before the Sun Warrior.

“Please, teach us.”

The chief stays still for a second before he says: “If you wish to learn the ways of the Sun, you must learn them from the masters, Ran and Shaw. When you present yourself to them, they will examine you. They'll read your hearts, your souls, and your ancestry.”

He takes a step toward Zuko and towers over him, who looks worried.

“If they deem you worthy, they'll teach you. If they don't, you'll be destroyed on the spot.”

Worried Hua and Zuko look at each other.

Since they can meet the master only in daylight, the Sun Warriors give them a hut to sleep in.

After a bit of a rough night's sleep, Hua is worried about the destroying part, the Chief picks them up and leads them to a large fire, the Eternal Flame as the Chief calls it.

The very first fire, given by the dragons to men, which they had kept burning for a thousand years.

Zuko and Hua were in aww.

The chief tells them they need to present to the masters a piece of the flames.

So he bends and gives each of them a little flame.

“It’s like a little heartbeat.”, tells Hua fascinate by her flame.

“Fire is life not just destruction.”, explains the Chief. “You will take your flames up there. The cave of the masters is beneath that rock.”

So they begin their pilgrimage with their flames.

After hours they reach finally reach the top of the mountain and see that Sun Warriors are already there, with the Sun Warrior chief, Ham Ghao, and another Sun Warrior standing before them.

“Facing the judgment of the firebending masters will be very dangerous for you. Your ancestors are directly responsible for the dragons' disappearance.”, explains the Sun Warrior Chief to an ashamed Zuko. “The masters might not be so happy to see you.”

“I know I wouldn't be.”, tells Ham Chao smugly.

Sad Hua looks at her little flame, at this little sun and heart in one.

“Then I believe they won’t be happy with me either.”, she says distressed. “I vanished for 100 years and didn’t stop the Fire Nation.”

“You are wise, young Daimon and it’s true.”

The chief roots his staff on the ground. 

The other two Sun Warriors get into a kneeling position and the chief walks toward Zuko and Hua, taking a small portion of their flames and giving the flames to both of the Sun Warriors, who go to each of the sides. 

The chief turns back and walks. 

Some Sun Warriors are standing or sitting, alternately, as the two Warriors stand to create a circle made of fire. 

“Well this is it, either we learn firebending from the masters or your Uncle needs a new successor when he becomes Fire Lord and the world has to wait for me and Aang to be reborn.”, giggles Hua nervous.

“Oh true, I forgot. If one of you dies, the other dies shortly after. You can��t live without your other half long.”

“Yeah, that’s why Sozin only killed all Air Nomads and didn’t attack the big Earth Kingdom, since killing Aang would have killed me.”

Her flames start to flicker.

“Stay calm Hua.”, tells her Zuko in a reassuring voice. “We will manage it. And if the masters attack us, we can handle them. We are the Fire Prince and the Daimon. I think we could take these guys in a fight, whoever they are.”

He gives her a smile, which she shakily copies.

Zuko tells the Chief they are ready to meet the masters.

“Chanters!”, shouts the Chief.

The chanters play the music. 

Sun Warriors, who are sitting down, beat their drums in a synchronized rhythm. 

Other Sun Warriors holding the fire circle in their crouched positions.

Zuko and Hua walk toward the stairs. 

On the other side of the circle, the Warriors alternatively rise and bow. As they reach the stairs the chief and the other two Warriors, step aside to let Zuko and Hua pass.

The two look at each other and take a deep breath before climbing. 

They reach the top as the setting sun shines at them. 

The music stops playing as soon as they reach the top. 

Both of them look at the caves on each side of the bridge.

“Those who wish to meet the masters, Ran and Shaw, will now present their fire.”

Hua and Zuko turn toward the caves and bow down with their hands stretched out.

“Sound the call!”

The sound from the horn sends a flock of birds scattering, as the cave begins to shake.

Two eyes glow inside a cave and a red dragon comes out, roaring, circling the bridge. A blue dragon came out of the other cave. 

It joins the other dragon as they circle the bridge.

“These are the masters?!”, whisper-shouts Zuko.

“Yeah, you still sure we can take them.”, whisper-shout Hua back, her flame shaking.

“Sshh. I never said that.”

The dragons circle the bridge in familiar forms, as Hua gets an idea.

“Zuko, I think we should do the Dragon Dance with them!”

“What‌? What about this situation makes you think they want us to dance‌?”

“I don’t think standing around and showing them the flames is it. They want us to see bending.”

“Fine!”

Hua and Zuko get into the first posture of the Dancing Dragon and change their postures to the next. 

Hua spreads her arms out, her fire following along, as the blue dragon flies behind her following the shape of her arms. 

Then she turns her arms to her side as the dragon turns as well. 

Zuko pushes his hand up as the red dragon behind him goes up as well. 

He dips and the dragon dives down accordingly. 

The dragons fly above the bridge as below the two performing the Dancing Dragon. 

They end in the final move, their fist touching, their flames gone.

Hua and Zuko look to either side.

The dragons have stopped moving and are hovering on either side of the bridge.

“Judgment time.”

The blue dragon stares Zuko down, while the red one Hua.

Scared Hua grips Zuko's arm.

This was it, wasn’t it?!

Then the two dragons breathe fire at them. 

They are encircled in a beautiful flame vortex made out of multicoloured flames.

Hua gasped and has tears in her eyes.

She had never seen something so beautiful!

Zuko is touched by this too.

“I understand.”, he whispers quietly.

The vortex slowly dissipates and the dragons curl their bodies, fly up, circle one time and go into their caves.

Changed from the experience Hua and Zuko go down the stairs.

“Their fire was beautiful. I saw so many colours, colours I've never imagined.”, mutters Zuko still thinking about it.

Hua wipes away her tears.

“It was otherworldly beautiful. It’s like it lit a fire in my soul.”

They came to a stop before the Sun Warrior chief who heard them.

“Yes. They judged you and gave you visions of the meaning of firebending.”

“I can't believe there are still living dragons. My uncle Iroh said he faced the last dragon and killed it.”

“He lied, obviously.”, said Hua, still sniffling a bit.

“Actually, it wasn't a total lie. Iroh was the last outsider to face the masters.”, revealed the Chief. “They deemed him worthy and passed the secret onto him as well.”

“He must have lied to protect them, so no one else would hunt them.”, guessed Zuko.

Hua smiles: “I already felt close to firebending, but this…this energy, this harmony…it’s life in its purest form. I never again want to bend in another way!”

“Yeah. It's like the Sun, but inside of you. Do you guys realize this?”

Zuko turned with his last sentence to the chief.

He smiles amused. “Well, our civilization is called the Sun Warriors ... so yeah.”

“That's why my firebending was so weak before. Because for so many years, hunting you and Aang was my drive ... it was my purpose.”, realizes Zuko. “So when I joined you, I lost sight of my inner fire. But now, I have a new drive. I have to help you two to defeat my father and restore balance to the world.”

To show how he found a new and better inner fire, Zuko performed two powerful fireblast.

Smiling Hua makes one too.

“Now that you have learned the secrets, and you know about our tribe's existence, we have no choice but to imprison you here forever.”

Shocked and scared Hua and Zuko stare at the chief.

“Just kidding.”, laughs the chief, which relaxes Hua and Zuko, only to jump when the chief practically yells. “But seriously, don't tell anyone!”

***

Like Iroh said the Inari Shrines worked in both directions and Hua, Zuko and Jaiyi were back where the other waited for them.

As a greeting, they performed before them the Dancing Dragon.

“With this technique, the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable. Also one day Aang, when it’s time for him to learn.”, tells them Hua, as she and Zuko come to the end pose.

Their friends applaud them.

“Yeah, that's a great dance you two learned there.”, said Sokka.

“It's not a dance. It's a firebending form.”, corrects Zuko.

“We'll just tap-dance our way to victory over the Fire Lord.”

“It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old!”

Katara cheekily raised an eyebrow and asked: “Oh, yeah‌? What's your form called‌?”

Zuko cringes.

“The Dancing Dragon.”

The three and the animals laugh, while Hua pats an embarrassed Zuko back.

13/06/2024 Hello, my loves, I need to make a short announcement. For those of you who use fanfiction.net, the site is currently experiencing serious issues. Comments are not appearing, messages are not getting sent, and this is frustrating for us writers. I like to update all my fanfiction sites on the same day and since the last problems were fixed, I hope they will do the same with this one. What does this mean for you? I I'm a perfectionist and I won't update my stories for the next few days until the problem is fixed and I can update them together as I usually do. However, I will continue writing them in the meantime, so you get your chapters fast. Thanks for your support and understanding. Have a nice day/night!

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[aprikosenklang]

Review: Avatar: The Last Airbender Live Action

First, some context: I started watching A:TLA when book 2 was airing. Since then, I watched it at least 10 times. Half of it in German and half of it in English. The last time was in 2020. I know a lot of lines by heart—yes in both languages. Zuko was my fist teenage crush and Oncle Iroh’s quotes helped my through a lot of dark times in my life. I might be biased because I love the original series a lot. But I try to reason everything carefully.

The Good

I loved it visually! Bending looked so cool and never felt out of place or weird. All of the shown places could be recognized in a blink. It was beautiful to see this world adapted in a realistic way.

The casting was mostly done perfect. A lot of the characters looked a lot like I would have imagine them.

The Kiyoshi Warriors were really awesome. Especially Suki—even though she didn’t got a name at all?!

I loved the addition with the 41st devision. It gave Zuko‘s crew actually a reason the respect him and fitted to his character and backstory.

Zuko and Iroh give the same energy as in the original. Usually this wouldn’t be something to mention, since I would expect this from and adaption. But due to issues you can read further below, I have to mention it. Zuko and Iroh might be one of the few characters that never felt out of character. I’m happy we got those two true to original at least.

The Bad

Since there is so much, I structure it even further into story, production and costumes.

Story:

I didn’t liked any of the story changes. I don’t even understand why they had to tangle all the storylines. The original book 1 is 20 episodes each about 20-25 minutes—which results in 400-500 minutes in total. The live action had 8 episodes each about 45 minutes to an hour—let’s say about 400-450 minutes in total. So basically, they could have taken the timeline as is is. Don’t get me wrong. I don’t advocate for a 1:1 adaption here. I just don’t get why they saw the need to tangle storylines, pull in things from later seasons and leave out important scenes, places, character traits and even whole characters. Each and every story change felt out of place, out of character and over all pointless. Nothing added anything that made sense. Just like it was changed because they had to change something.

Aang didn’t even learn water bending!!! Like what is the whole season even about if the main character doesn’t have a real character arc? All he does is having guilt over disappearing for 100 years. Yes that’s also a thing he has to overcome. But it is just half of it. And he even doesn’t really get over it. He has none of his childish fun moments like he does in the original.

Why did Sokka have SOOO much screen time?!?! Sometimes it felt like he‘s the protagonist of the series. Especially with Aang not even learning water bending.

Momo in contrast had like 0 screen time. But than in the last episode when he became important as plot device Sokka was weirdly attached to him.

Katara being her own master made it pointless to actually go to the northern water tribe. Yes there was Aang's vision. But in the original the plot is not mainly driven by what the fire nation does, but by what team avatar needs to do. Like… Aang learning bending!!!

We didn’t get the epic intro we could have. It felt like they tried to make up for it in the first episode. But having three different versions of the epic lines and finally Gran Gran dropping the original ones was actually the worst. It felt forced and as if she would read them out.

Everything regarding Azula was sooo off for me. She felt like a completely different character with other motivations and struggles. I wish she would not have been so present in the first season.

Uncle Iroh drank not enough tea. Lol. This is maybe a personal one and I cannot reason it to be honest.

I‘m disappointed by the Lu Ten moment. Fist of all, why did it need to be in season one?! But also: It was a bonding moment for Zuko and Iroh. It didn’t payed any respect for Lu Ten in my opinion. And leaves from the wine was barely noticeable and didn’t make feel anything.

Katara never lost her necklace. Which I don’t mind. But it made a huge plot hole for the headhunter Zuko hired. They tried to cover it with randomly finding a piece of fabric. But how did they know this belonged to the Avatar? This change feels similar to the one with the water bending scroll. Important things just become meaningless.

Agni Kai was once mentioned but never explained. If I didn’t know what an Agni Kai is from the original series, this would probably be either the most missed or confusing thing.

Hei Bai was never healed!!! Yeah sure, Aang saved the villagers. But what about the forest and spirit?! And why was there no winter solstice? And in general why did everything in the spirit world was so all over the place?

The siege of the Nothern water tribe being a distraction for Omashu is stupid. It would take them way too long to hear about it. So they would not be able to send troops there by time and it would not weaken them in any way.

The world feels super flat and boring. Because they tangled so many story lines, they got rid of a lot of places. No fire nation prison in the earth kingdom, no nothern air temple, almost no villages. You never get a change to explore the world and learn about the ordinary people.

Production:

The directing felt bad. A lot of people say, the acting was bad. But I don’t agree. First of all, a lot of the cast were children. I think it is not fair to judge them so easily and hard. In my opinion the directing wasn’t good. And you could tell because even the older and more experienced actors were really stiff.

The dialogs were almost always awkward. This adds to the previous point and is another sign that the acting isn’t the problem. The lines were sometimes random, jokes felt forced and original lines never made the same impact as in the animated series.

Some of the CGI green screen backgrounds were awful. They reminded you that this is a show which really pulled me out of the immersion.

Costumes:

The costumes felt lifeless. They could have added so much details to the garments and accessories. But of all things they decided to stick to the original with the costume design?! I expected the outfits to be a lot more toned down in brightness too. That’s something you need in an animated series, but not in a live action. So much missed potential.

Why could they not cast old people for old characters? All of them looked so stale, emotionless and almost uncanny.

I was sooo disappointed by Yue! Maybe I’m biased here, because she was one of my favorite characters of book one. But somehow she was the only character that didn’t felt casted perfectly. And especially her hair was awful and looked like a cheap wig.

Conclusion

Overall, I‘m disappointed. Again, I didn’t expected a 1:1 adaptation. But I don’t see that the same care was put into it like it was for the original. I would have wanted to have something that creates similar emotions and an overall known feeling. But it doesn’t. It’s confusing, flat and carelessly made. I can definitely see why the original creators stepped back from it.

If you think about watching it, I would recommend you the original. Especially because it is not that much longer. So better invest your time wisely.

[torchickentacos]

i finished atla after putting it off for years like, literally last week and im interested in what you have to say about zuki since i dont really know much of what happens after the main story ends, do you have any posts about it? or you can take this as an open invitation to atla ramble [:

HIIIIIII ok every time I mention Zuki I get a weird look since it's a rarepair who barely interacts in the show, but if someone's read the comics it comes together a bit! BASICALLY, SPOILERS FOR COMICS UNDER CUT!!! long post, I cannot resist inserting the comic panels here and honestly they speak for themselves. just in case this post breaches cointainment, Obligatory "I vibe with most ships and my love of one does not equal hatred of anyone else's, and if you like them platonically LOVELY!!!!! I vibe with that too".

First off, Suki and the kyoshi warriors become Zuko's bodyguards post-canon, with Suki as the head of them. In the comics we see a fair bit of this, with a lot of Zuko scenes having her in it too. So, we've got a bodyguard/royalty dynamic, which I am absolutely WEAK for (see: zelink from breath of the wild).

But more than this, they're friends. And I do like Maiko, don't get me wrong here- and I adore Sukka as well- but I think there's a distinct difference in how Zuko interacts with Mai and Suki. Namely, he shut Mai out and lets Suki in, telling her about his worries-especially in a time where he's not doing well.

Also, another thing in the comics is this: there's a point where Zuko feels like he's sliding back and becoming his father, and goes to the point of almost fighting the rest of the gaang. But, oh, there's someone who stood by him the whole time when near nobody else did! guess who.

And realistically, I know they just wanted some romantic tension in the comics but didn't want to break up kataang, so they broke up maiko and did whatever this is, with Sukka being long-distance. BUt I honestly think Zuki, platonic or not, has a huge amount of suki's support that Zuko lacked in Mai. I think Maiko could be really nice, but I feel like Suki uplifts Zuko in a way that Mai maybe didn't or just couldn't.

I think it also opens an avenue for Mai's characterization, and I like exploring her through Zuki in a "If I (Mai) stay with Zuko, I can't ever have peace, I'll be fire lady and never know a day of self-sufficience or true independence, and I don't know if I want that from life". I think Mai is very prideful and truthfully? I don't think she'd want a life of palaces and being guarded. It was an aspect of her in ATLA, distancing herself from her rich powerful family, and I don't see her choosing that life again.

As for Sokka, I LOVE him and I LOVE Sukka, but it lacks spice for me. Sukka almost works TOO perfectly. No conflict, other than long distance, but Zuki has forbidden bodyguard royalty stuff which I am, pardon my language, an absolute slut for. I mean, furtive glances across crowded hallways and secretive shoulder brushes and letters slipped through doors, hoping, praying nobody sees the lowly earth kingdom warrior and the regal firelord??? 10/10.

Also. It's just funny as hell. https://twitter.com/M1KASAD/status/1284621851763838976

[zukosasukelovebot]

Okay so I HAD to write a fanfic about azula and zuko going Therapy and slowly building their sibling bond again

If you wanna read it it's here did you think of me under the sunlight

If you wanna read it on tumblr it's ander the read more

Building family bonds again was scary. Especially when said family was Zuko.

Azula didn't know why she agreed to go to family therapy. Zuko had suggested it after she had come out or hospital after she had been diagnosed with bipolar and PTSD. Something about healing old wounds or something he said.

She supposed it was him reaching an olive branch to her, being willing to forgive her even after the shit she did to him before she was released. But even that was scary, Zuko being so willing to forgive her so easily as if she hadn't tried to kill him more then one. What did that say about Zuko?

"Penny for your thoughts?" Zuko said gently, reminding her they were sitting in the waiting room.

She rubbed her forehead, forgetting she had makeup there. It was only recently she started wearing foundation so she wasn't used to not touching her face.

"I'm just thinking about.. the past. What I did. Who I was."

Zuko hummed. "Deep thoughts," Zuko said, a hint of teasing in his voice.

She wasn't sure about what that tone meant, she wasn't used to being so… calm around him.

She was going to reply when a woman a with brown hair to her shoulders came out of the room. "Zuko and Azula?" She called.

Heads turned as they watched the two royal siblings walk into the Therapy room. They'd have alot to gossip about.

.

The woman sat in front of them , a notepad in hand and a pen in another.

"My name is Yuna. I'll be your therapist for your duration here. I specialise in family dynamics and also cognitive therapy. Now, you're free to say nothing at all for the next 60 minutes or you can make it easier for all of us to open up a little." Dhe turned her eyes to Azula.

"Why don't you introduce yourself first."

Azula looked like a deer caught in headlights. She looked at Zuko frantically, who offered her a kind smile and a nod.

Something in her stomach lurched at the sight of it. The last time she saw him smile like that was maybe 5 years old.

She quickly blinked away the stinging in his eyes and cleared her throat.

"My name is Azula." She said simply, her voice tight.

"And what is your relation to this young man beside you here?" Yuna asked.

"Hes uhm… my brother. My older brother."

"Okay. What do you think you're here for?"

Azula racked her brain. For some reason nothing would come to her. It was scary. So scary to admit what she had done , to say she fucked up.

She jumped a little when Zuko placed a reassuring hand on her arm. She hated him.

She jerked her arm away from him and looked ahead, keeping her mouth tightly shut.

Yuna breathed out gently. "Alright. We can revisit that another time. What can you tell me about your relationship with him?"

Azula could feel her fire slowly start to rise in temperature, her fingers start to flick in irritation.

"My relationship is none of your business," she hissed, her fingers sparking electricity.

Yuna glanced down at her hands and then nodded. "Alright. Let's ask a simple question. How are you feeling at this moment?"

"Like I want to punch something… or someone."

"Okay. That's good. Talking about your feelings is good. Why do you feel that way?"

"I feel that way because some lady is asking me questions about my brother. I don't know why I agreed to this," she hissed, her golden eyes narrowed into slits, as if her eyes held two sun's there.

Zuko was looking at her with pity and she hated it. She hated how he saw her as weak, as someone who had to build herself up again. In a way… he wasn't wrong but something about Zuko looking at her like that made her stomach go in knots.

She breathed in again and the electricity in her fingers died down. "I don't want to be seen as some fragile little girl who cannot look after herself. Who needs some stranger to help her bond with her brother."

"We tried…," Zuko said, interrupting. "We tried working it between us and it didn't work. This is the last resort, Az."

Azula shot him a glare and then looked up at the ceiling.

"What are you thinking about?" Yuna asked softly.

"When we were young… I was 4 and he was 6. We were playing by the turtleduck pond. Father came by and Zuko got so happy to see him but father barely spared him a glance. He picked me up and settled me on his shoulders and walked away. I saw how upset Zuko was, to not get his attention. Mother came to his rescue. She always did when jt came to Zuko," she said the last bit with disdain in her voice.

Yuna hummed. "What I'd your feelings towards your mother?"

Azula flinched. "She didn't love me. She always sought out Zuko. He was the gentler of us, the one who she could cuddle without any complaints. I was the difficult daughter. I could never make her happy. I… I hate her for that."

She heard Zuko suck in a breath after he heard his sister speak.

"When I had my full blown manic episode I saw her in the mirror. She told me she loved me. But… I didn't want to believe it. My whole life.. I've told myself she hates me. Why would my own hallucination tell me she loved me?"

Yuna was silent for a long time, writing down some things. "I think… in your heart you know she did love you. She loved you in her own way. Her relationship with Zuko will never be what she had with you and that's okay."

Azula found in horror that her face was wet with tears. She quickly wiped her face but found no matter what she'd do it'll always be there. Just like her pain. Just like her wounds.

[singswan-springswan]

Admittedly I do not know any of your OCs but here's our chance to fix that!! 7, 9, 17, 21, and 32 for whichever two of them sound like the most fun to talk about!

asdfghjkl okay cool cool so I'll go with two from my favorite og work called Giant Flying Lizard Thing. Laura and Kaixon are long-lost dragon shapeshifter siblings

7. What fictional character do you think most influenced them, or is most like them (intentionally or not)?

Laura is actually pretty original. she's very dry and closed off and at face value her personality is almost apathetic and I've often struggled with her characterization because I haven't encountered many good references in the media I typically consume. I can't think of a character off the top of my head that really inspired her. That being said, the whole story did start out as a parody to the Mark of the Dragonfly book that I read a loooong time ago (10/10 would recommend, though it is geared towards young audiences) which has dragon-shapeshifter adjacents.

Kaixon is on the other end of the scale. He's super jaded, but he runs it through with chaotic humor and unhinged criminal activity. He's got a good heart but like. you know. it's buried under about fifteen layers of trauma, self-hate, pessimism, loneliness, etc. Think Kanan pre-Hera. Kanan wasn't a base for his character, however, which is ironic because the more I think about it the more similarities I can point out. I did make Kaixon before I even knew Kanan existed okay I swear. Kaixon was probably more inspired by guys like Keefe Sencen from KOTLC or Han Solo.

9. Pick a quote from Avatar: The Last Airbender that describes them.

Oh shoot this is a hard one. give me a second while I pull up a list of atla quotes.

okay here's Laura's: “Step aside, filth.” —Zuko, Episode 1.15, “Bato of the Water Tribe” She's not super creative, but when she does express emotion it's very intense and often violent. This quote is blunt and to the point, and quite possibly the most generous warning she could ever give the scum bag she's about to beat up. Usually she just jumps them (Shane is proud of her for using her words).

This one is for Kaixon: “You sound like my nephew, always thinking you need to do things on your own without anyone’s support. There is nothing wrong with letting the people who love you help you.” —Iroh, Episode 2.08, “The Chase” He's very non-trusting and pushes people away every chance he gets. While it's kind of a thing to be a lone gunslinger in his career as a professional criminal, he has accumulated a few close friends against his better judgement, which he seemed frustratingly unaware of.

17. How healthy are their familial relationships?

HAHAHAHA oh boy

So everything was great at the start of course. Kaixon ("Drayce" at the time. he changed his name when he became a bounty hunter) was Laura's beloved protective older brother and everyone doted on her because she was baby and cute and full of life. then their parents were brutally murdered by slavers and they were separated and they both assumed the other was dead. Eventually Laura was adopted much later by a really nice lil family clan who were very accommodating of her traumatic past and triggers. they help her feel like a person again which is super great we love to see it. She does have a bit of a rivalry with her adoptive cousin Hally but only because Hally is super competitive and Laura totally forgot how to be nice. Kaixon never got adopted lol read: doesn't trust anyone. by the time his parents were killed he was old enough to make it on his own so he never put much effort into finding new people. He does get forcefully adopted by a few of his friends, but they're not super consistent relationships because he forces himself to work alone most of the time. They're trying. it's okay, it'll work out eventually.

21. What is their love language?

Laura expresses love by committing acts of service. This stems a lot from her sense of inadequacy, and growing up in a system of merit where she was rewarded or punished based on the quality of her performance. While she knows in her head that the people who love her would never hold her to the standards she was conditioned with in her formative years, it's knee-jerk instinct at this point. She always wants to prove that she's a valuable asset. On the flip side, she feels love by spending quality time with her family. Her family and the people she values most are what she hoards as a dragon cryptid, so being near them and spending time with them and doing fun things with them and knowing they're safe makes her feel really happy and fulfilled.

Kaixon is also a mix of the two. He won't go out of his way to spend time with people he loves since it's habit for him to isolate himself, but he deeply appreciates surprise visits from his friends (especially that friend if you know what I mean 😉). He uses his actions to show he cares about something or someone. no feat is too small. this boy will go above and beyond to any length necessary to prove his devotion and commitment. He'll do anything. seriously he will do anything <3

32. Rate on a scale of 1 to 10 how likely they are to commit a crime.

Okay this is funny. First of all, I need to establish that the government in this story is hella corrupt so a lot of the actual good things are considered crimes and a lot of the bad things are fully legal (read: active slave trade).

Laura is suuuuper unhinged and has poor impulse control especially when it comes to Shane. She has definitely eaten people for insulting him before. no one touch her precious little sunshine man. Also she's just super opinionated, and because she's not human she has a few physical advantages over most public offenders and is a lot more likely to get away with doing illegal stuff. I'll give her a 6/10.

Kaixon is the most wanted man in the kingdom. Doing crimes is literally his profession. 10/10.

Thank you super duper much @kanerallels for the ask! I always love going off about my oc babies my children my beloved muffins! They are so dear to me and I will NEVER tire of talking about them! I hope you enjoyed Laura and Kaixon feel free to keep the asks coming

[bookswithsyd]

Was the Live Action ATLA Good Or Bad?

Fans of the original Avatar: The Last Airbender cower in fear when hearing the words Live Action. After the disaster that was the live action movie back in the 2010s, hearing that Netflix was going to try again with an eight episode series, I know I wasn’t the only one who was worried. The only hope that fans held onto was the fact that the original creators were involved in the Netflix adaptation. Then, the fear started to crawl back in more and more as the release date crept closer. The original creators left the project after disagreements happened, news about major changes to the characters were announced, and worry about a new mess welled back up in the back of everyone’s mind.

And then, the show was released.

Taking a step back, the only way I was able to enjoy this show was to view this as what it is. It’s an adaption of a cartoon. Things will be changed, it was never marketed as a one-to-one remake of our childhood classic. Viewing this as a different retelling of events was the best way to get the most out of the live action.

The characters are different. That is obvious from the start. Aang is more mature, he doesn’t feel like that free-spirited child that fled his responsibilities in the cartoon. Katara lacks the rage that drove her to action, she has this air of constant calm. This alone makes everything feel off if you are trying to find that chemistry that was in the original.

Removing things like Sokka’s sexism when landing on Kyoshi Island had me worried that he wouldn’t learn those valuable lessons that women can also fight, you don’t have to be a bender to be valuable, and teamwork is crucial in a battle. And this is a prime example of how the show twists and turns the story. Sokka still gets all those lessons. He learns through his awe that the Kyoshi warriors are strong and are the protectors of the island. The teamwork demonstrated during the invasion showed how much he respects her as a fighter, he respects all the warriors.

The only big issue that I had with the storytelling was the fact that it had to be rushed. Due to it being limited to eight, one-hour long episodes, the major events took place in Omashu. It felt super odd to see so many characters that never really meet and are from different regions, different arcs, it almost felt wrong.

Since I am looking at this series as its own entity in a way, the compression of events is the main problem I had. Other than that, this series did a lot of things well.

One of the best add-ins was the backstories. Including a better look at the past traumas that shaped who they are for both Katara and Sokka gave more depth. Now knowing that Katara’s actions caused her mother’s death makes me understand why she was so attached to her memory and why she would constantly bring her up in the original. Sokka letting down his father is a perfect event that would push him to be the best warrior that he could, he felt the need to prove himself for his dad.

Even more impactful was the bigger role that Gyasto had for Aang. Being able to feel the connection that the two had drove home how upset Aang was to be deemed the Avatar and how he didn’t want to be sent away from his friends. Seeing the added scenes of Gyasto talking to Aang in the spirit realm and knowing that when Aang returned, he would not be there drew out so much raw emotion.

One of my favorite add-in scenes was the ones between Zuko and Iroh. The relationship between the two was one of my favorite even back in the original, and seeing it more fleshed out in the live action made it even better. In the original, we never knew the name of Iroh’s son, in the live action, we got a while funeral scene plus the sorrow Iroh and Zuko shared after losing someone close. Being able to see the interactions between the family (especially the early addition of Azula) gave a great overarching look at the family dynamics.

All this added information gave so much more substance to characters that I already though were three-dimensional with flaws and goals of their own.

This is not something that I would recommend to someone who has not watched the original cartoon if they want to get the full story. The live action is rush, it changes personalities, and mixes somethings from the original. But, I think this is something great for fans of the show that want more. Yes, you will get annoyed that Aang can just fly using air bending, but getting the extra look into the past of each character was worth it. The acting was good, the cinematics and effects were great (I was worried about the bending but was pleasantly surprised), and the martial arts for the bending was one of my favorite things.

The show was good. I think the people who say otherwise are stuck in the nostalgia they had with the original show. The live action was a solid take of the series, yes, it changed things, but I don’t think I ever wanted them to try and do an exact copy of the original.

[mysticaltora8276]

And I just want to say look. I get there are people that like the avatar comics. And please don’t let my ranting hold you off on them. Some of the story threads are kind of interesting, even if they’re executed in a half hazard manner. And even if I dislike smoking shadows and the promise from what I’ve heard from proxy. I’m not gonna deny that there are some promise in the premises. Unfortunately, though they decided to take a haphazard route, which comes across insulting at best or downright offensive at worst. With characters, either wildly acting out of character or literal character assassinations at worst. I mean, let’s take Aang for example. In the promise, he agrees to kill Zuko…. The same kid who literally put his foot down and told his friends and family that he was not going to kill the genocidal abusive monster of a fire. Lord that was Ozai, but Zuko in a moment of delirium makes him promise that he will kill him if he gets out of line and instantly agrees to this, despite the fact that this goes against his people philosophy… I mean did have this kind of conflict at the end of the show where he conclusively chose to follow the philosophy of his people so he could honor his people.

The search I’ve already ranted about so go see my previous post about that. Smoke and shadows just totally destroyed maze character, which royally pisses me off because all I can think of is is that name is one of my favorite characters from avatar the last Airbender and to hear that her character was so misled in the comics royally rubs me the wrong way, so there might be a bit of bias there, but from what I’ve heard even people who don’t like her think that she was portrayed badly… yeah that’s a whole new level of bad where people aren’t even fond of the character look at and go “you know we don’t even like her, but even will admit she’s way out of character.”

That’s not going into the ableism where it comes to Azula’s mental illness. They miss handle it and oh boy does it come across as offensive. I get it. They’re not mental health experts not everyone’s gonna get it right but they see that she’s sympathetic in the show but then they play up her Madness to the hilt and kind of don’t address the fact that she never gets treatment for it.

[grumpyzutara]

Departure – T

Continued from Oceans, started at Snowed In.

The next day brought sun and snow-melt. Katara found the mansion's owner in the kitchen making a pot of tea. It was such a domestic act to see him in that she stopped in the doorway to watch him slowly measure out the tea leaves.

"You're very precise about your tea."

Without looking up from his task, "I had an uncle who loved tea. The only way my brew was good was when I measured everything out. Uncle could toss everything together with his eyes closed and it would still taste like the best tea ever." They waited in silence as the tea brewed. The sound of water drops from icicles could be heard through the foggy windows. It was nice and warm in the kitchen with the roaring hearth fire but it was still cold outside. When the tea was ready he poured her a cup before his own.

"Have you seen any of your family since the curse?" She asked, taking a sip of the warm tea.

"I haven't seen anyone since the curse."

Katara's eyes widened. She figured a few other travelers had to of come by before her. "Well while I'm here, was there anything you wanted to do while another person was here? Any games or something?" She felt bad about leaving possibly tomorrow, but she had to leave.

It was odd, seeing the mask tilt to the side, but seeing no expression from the eyes. "I don't know. It would be nice to cook a meal with someone. I was never big on games, but just having someone in the mansion is nice." He also dreaded letting her leave, but he would never keep someone captive like he was – unless it was for her safety like it was during the snow storm.

"That would be nice. My brother, Sokka, never helped me cook."

The day passed quietly, and too quickly for his liking. In the morning they read in the library. Some days he felt like he had read half of the books but she pushed him to find a new book. In the afternoon, they prepared a 3 course meal together. All the while, it was obvious that the weather was changing. The wall of snow blocking all of the windows was below half. It was in the back of their minds that she would leave tomorrow, though it was unspoken.

After dinner, they were finishing their drinks in the sitting room, just the embers burning in the fireplace now.

"So tomorrow, if I looked at the decanter again, it would be full?" Katara was trying to process how the curse worked.

He chuckled, "Yes. It's a little weird at first. But it means I can have the same great vintage everyday and it'll never go dry.

Her head dipped back against the settee, the whiskey hitting her hard. "What do you think will happen after the curse breaks? Will everything go bad?...What will you do?"

The amber liquid swirled in his glass. "I can't afford to think that far ahead."

The burning log gave a loud crack, making Katara jump. "Will you show me what's under the mask before I leave tomorrow?"

He flexed the hand not holding his glass, the black fabric stretching and rubbing on his uneven skin. "There was a fire. It took a lot away from me. And it left behind it's destruction on my skin." He looked over but she was still gazing at the embers. "Do you really want to see it? It's not pretty."

Katara tilted her head toward him, locking her gaze on the black holes where his eyes were. "I think I want to know everything about you. Right now, the burns are a part of you're comfortable with it, I'd like to see you."

He set the glass down on a side table before pulling at the tips of his gloves, it was now or never. It felt nice to let his skin breathe again as he only took the gloves off at night while she was here. "My hands are a little dry due to the cold, but it looks worse than they feel."

His hands were discolored and rough. He was right, they didn't look good, almost painful, but Katara didn't look away. "Do put lotion on? That might help the healing process." She added softly, "May I touch your hand?" Katara thought about how long it's been since he's had physical contact with anyone and wanted to leave him better than he was when she first came.

"Sometimes. Some days I just try to ignore it." He let his hand touch the fabric edge of his mask. Who knows what he would have done if there wasn't a mask in the mansion for him to use while she was here. The knot at the back of his head came undone easily and then the only thing keeping his mask on was his hand. "I wasn't vain before the fire, I know my features weren't as ugly as they are now. The fire changed a lot." When the mask came off his face, he closed his eyes, not wanting to see what her expression was.

Katara was confused, how did he survive? She was standing and walking toward him before she even realized what she was doing. With his eyes still closed, she lightly touched the side of his face. "I wish I could heal you," she whispered. His golden eyes pierced into her soul. "You are very brave, thank you for showing me. If it makes you more comfortable to cover yourself while I'm here you can, but it doesn't bother me." She backed away until her legs hit the settee.  

He wondered where this woman had been all his life. She was kind and funny and didn't shy away from him like he figured anyone would do. Girls tended to leave him alone even before the curse. So he kept the mask off but put his gloves back on in the off chance that their hands bump.

"Thank you...for being yourself around me. It means a lot."

She gave him a soft smile, "Is it weird that I'm glad I was caught in this snow storm? I'm happy that I was able to meet you...and I'm a little sad that I have to leave tomorrow. I need to find my mom. I wish you could come with me."

"So do I," came his quiet reply. "We should go to bed. The morning before the thunderstorm will either be clear and sunny or already rainy. You'll need to leave early in the morning."

Now that his mask was gone, Katara could see all of his expressions. Maybe he wasn't good at hiding it, but she could see how sad he was that she was leaving. They climbed the staircase together but branched off when they got to the top.

"Good night, see you in the morning," her voice carried down the hallway to him. He couldn't remember the last time someone wished him goodnight.  

They were both restless, sleep eluding them.

Breakfast was quiet but the tea was warming. He didn't say anything as he handed her a food pack to take. They didn't really know each other, so why was this so difficult? Katara was all bundled up and ready to leave as he walked her to the front hall.

When he opened the door, they could see that a dense fog was rolling through the property but not a flake of snow to be seen.

"Thank you for your hospitality. Once I find my mom, I'll try to find you again."

He shook his head, "No, coming back just gives my sister another shot at hurting you. But thank you. Who knows when the next traveler will get stuck in my house?"

Katara stepped onto the porch, officially outside of the mansion. "I never asked your name, and I never gave mine. My name is Katara. What's yours?"

"Zuko. Zuko Shinoroi. It was nice to have met you Katara."

She waved and then walked toward the trees, hoping she would find the path soon. Zuko shut the door only when he couldn't see her. He would miss Katara, that much which he was sure.

TBC tomorrow

[dekusleftsock]

Recently I had someone piss me off about this very topic, so to get it out of my head it’s going here. Hi, welcome to the not well put together metas. Use this evidence how you please, but don’t harass anyone. Arguments are not owed to anyone. You can simply walk away if you don’t want to have it. And put your time into better things! Like this! A creative output! Go on, do ittt!!!! Make the negatives into something positive.

Tw for mentions of suicide.

In one of the very first scenes of this show, we see our wonderful, amazing, insecure, and downright unbearable to some degree, Bakugou Katsuki. He’s arrogant and most people think that this first action he ever does is irredeemable. Because telling someone to take a swan dive off of a roof so that he doesn’t try to get into UA (bc Katsuki knows that Izuku would find a way) is a really fucking shitty action and irredeemable.

This belief is true to a degree. But let’s establish a few points that are given to us. 1, this is out of character for Katsuki. The bullying no, but the extent of his bullying, yes. As pointed out here.

(Sorry for bad quality I wanted to get the official translation so I used my irl copy)

“You went too far today” aka “you went too far compared to what is the norm”. It’s not what he would usually do.

2, lip service. As stated on the can when he says this, it’s a tongue and cheek to Katsuki’s true beliefs. He doesn’t actually want Izuku to kill himself, nor does he believe it is Izuku’s fault. He is well aware of the severity of his actions the moment he makes them. The point of this scene is not to excuse his actions but to explain why he did them.

3, insecurity. The why of this scene. It’s a facade. Not what he truly believes.

But that’s the great part about his development; there is no justification. He just did it and it was bad. That’s honestly why I hate a lot of bullies in media. It’s always that they had a bad family life, or they were forced to, or they were protecting the mc. It’s never that they were a shitty fucking kid who was insecure. Now THATS the most realistic explanation. Part of the reason for why this is so common in media is because of how hard it is to do correctly. Mha does it in a phenomenal way. Katsuki never changes his personality, even when he gets his character development. He’s mellowed out a bit sure, but he’s still him. Katsuki. Bakugou Katsuki. The kid who yells at people when they tease him, the kid that still says “DIE” in every situation in heroics. He even made sure he kept most of his hero name. He didn’t just make it “dynamite”, he made it “lord explosion murder god dynamite”. He’s still himself.

The excuse will never appear. This is actually what a lot of bakugou/bkdk stans get wrong: there will never be an explanation passed what was given. Because it’s not needed to tell the narrative. No matter how many fanfics you write about it, or how many hc’s you add to it. In canon it will always remain this. Bakugou Katsuki did a shitty act, understood what he did was wrong, got passed their mis communications, did everything in his power to make up for it, and apologized for his actions. Standing side by side with Izuku. Your most important actions will always be what you do in the present over what you did in the past.

And my last point, which is just me putting this into perspective, but… you think that toga is more redeemable than him? What? Or Zuko? Hell, even fucking uncle Iroh. Name me a character that YOU think deserved their redemption arc. Was killing people or attempting to kill people better morally than telling someone to kill themself? You seriously BELIEVE THAT???

Face it. The reason why he is so hated for this scene is because of projection. Projecting him as a villain in dekus story. Someone for him to surpass and leave in the dirt. I fully understand WHY it’s so common, but if you’re gonna pick a fight, at least fucking get past the projection bit. He’s relatable, I get that. Fully understand that. Doesn’t make picking fights with people who disagree with you out of nowhere and unprompted any less bad.

(Also sorry for not posting for days, I’m back and there’s more stuff coming soon but for now, this is what you get lol. It’s my page and I can do what I want sibdodnd)