#pros: you don't get dragged into the spirit world to suffer torment for all eternity

[discordiansamba]

thinking about, Zhao of all people in the avatar Zuko AU because like...

okay. so the captain in charge of the ship that deposited Zuko in the Earth Kingdom at the start of his banishment was Zhao. he considered the task an honor, as it was a direct order from the Fire Lord himself. he saw the foolish prince's pitiful performance at the Agni Kai. He expects that he'll be dead by month's end.

now. imagine.

he's at the North Pole. He's been promoted several times. he's leading an invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. He thinks this is the moment of his destiny. the moment he kills the moon spirit and brings an end to waterbending and the water tribes in one fell swoop. he knows where the spirit is hiding. he knows how to get there.

someone is waiting for him when he arrives.

zhao is no fool. he knows the Avatar is here. he's already sunk several of his ships. he's heard about the Earth Kingdom boy called Li who now fills that role. he's even heard about his airbending and earthbending companions... but he's not concerned. they're all children and the Avatar is only half-trained.

but the person waiting for him at the spirit oasis is no earth kingdom boy.

it's prince zuko.

he scoffs. he assumes simply that zuko has turned traitor, thrown his lot in with the Avatar. whatever keeps him alive. any ship in a storm, as they say. he certainly looks like he's been through quite the ringer- there's no trace of the prince he once was.

he's the only one here. their only defense is a pitiful child who was still afraid of his own fire the last time zhao saw him.

zhao smirks. this will be easy.

zuko inhales. exhales. shifts his stance. zhao has a split second to recognize that it's not a firebending form before a pillar of earth slams right into him, taking the wind out of his lungs and wiping the smirk off of his face.

prince zuko is alive. prince zuko is the avatar.