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bonesbuckleup · 5 years ago

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Lord, this answer got long. I’m a little embarrassed about it, but I wrote it, so it’s getting posted. It’s a literal essay. Sorry but also not?

TLDR: Yes, the show is arguably unfair to Sokka about Kya, but it also follows a pattern where Sokka stays quiet about Bad Feelings and plays by the rules established for his character. Katara, meanwhile, grieves loudly and often, and appears to be under the impression that because Sokka’s grief is silent it doesn’t exist, which also fits her character/interactions completely. Neither of them are right or wrong, but it sets them up on inevitable collisions.

Now. If you want to join me on a cactus-juice fueled descent into madness, proceed below the cut.

Number one. We’re referring to this exchange in “The Southern Raiders,” where the Gaang is talking about Zuko and Katara going after the man who killed Kya, which is vicious and brutal and never reflected on:

Aang: You sound like Jet. Katara: It's not the same! Jet attacked the innocent. This man, he's a monster. Sokka: Katara, she was my mother, too, but I think Aang might be right. Katara (angry, yelling): Then you didn't love her the way I did! Sokka (visibly hurt, softly): Katara.

And that’s it. Upon returning, Katara apologizes to Aang and not, as Anon is absolutely correct in pointing out, to Sokka, who is 100% the more injured party. Now. Is it possible this is one of the rare missteps from the atla writers? Yes. Absolutely. Is that the answer I’m about to write a literal fucking essay about? No. Because it’s more painful fun to take it as face value and talk subtext.

First, a reminder that this show is fucking good at what it does. It teaches you how each character grieves as we go: Aang explodes, often triggering the Avatar state, usually crying or angry, and when he does try to repress his Bad Feelings it rarely lasts longer than a day; Toph either shuts down or gets mad, but either way she doesn’t like people seeing her having Bad Feelings and often storms away, knowing that she can’t control it no matter how much she might want to; Zuko yells at the sky in a rainstorm or yells at his dad in an underground tunnel or challenges Zhao to an Agni Kai or yells at his uncle in a jail cell and generally is an emotive nuclear bomb because the boy has feelings and if he keeps them inside for more than three seconds he might explode okay.

Then we have Katara and Sokka.

Let’s start with Katara, since she has the most textual and straightforward displays of grief. She’s really the only one to talk about Kya’s death in Book 1. If Sokka mentions it, it’s barely in passing. I don’t think we hear Hakoda address her death at all (which I’ll return to in a moment.) Katara’s grief is loud. It’s angry. It’s still very much a living thing for her. She thinks she sees Kya in the swamp and breaks down crying, and tells Aang and Sokka about it with no hesitation. When she’s angry and sad at Hakoda for leaving, she acts out and is visibly upset with him, yells at him, cries at him. She out-loud hates Zuko when she comes to the conclusion that he told her about Ursa and got her to talk about Kya to manipulate her. It isn’t that her grief is performative, because it’s a very real and terrible thing, but it’s a grief that’s to be witnessed.

Then, Sokka. Sokka’s grief is more complicated because it exists almost entirely in subtext, especially in regard to Kya. We really only hear him talk about Kya twice, both in Book 3. First, to Toph, when he tells her that he can’t remember what Kya looks like. Worth noting, however, that even though it is Sokka talking, this is still centered on Katara and Katara’s grief. The next time is when Zuko asks what happened to Kya, and Sokka tells the story that leads into the initial flashback. Sokka doesn’t talk about his mom. This is a fact of the show. It’s such a fact of the show that, in “Southern Raiders,” after the exchange at the start of this post, while Katara and Zuko are on the hunt, Sokka doesn’t bring up Kya again and is messing around with Aang. Like nothing has happened or is currently happening--which I’ll come back to in a moment.

So while we can use Kya as a perfect example of how Katara grieves, we can’t really use her for Sokka. So let’s use Yue instead. Moments we see (or don’t see) Sokka grieving Yue:

In the opening to Book 2, we briefly have a shot of Sokka with the moon imposed behind him.

“The Swamp,” where Sokka’s vision is of Yue accusing him of not protecting her. This one is one of the more textual moments of grief--”I think about Yue all the time”--but what’s awful great about it is how Sokka tells Aang and Katara. Aang, obviously, has no qualms about sharing his vision. Katara openly talks about seeing Kya. Sokka only tells them about Yue when explicitly asked. Even then, he doesn’t mention what she said to him. From this, we can assume that Sokka is still holding onto a lot of guilt over her death--guilt that he won’t let Aang and Katara see. Anyway. Moving on.

“The Serpent’s Pass.” After spending all day panic protecting Suki, he tells her that he lost someone, but doesn’t go much further into detail, just saying that he can’t when she tries to kiss him. Of course, this is all happening in front of the moon. Again, though, Sokka stays vague. He doesn’t tell her any details.

“The Puppetmaster,” Toph posits that maybe the moon spirit has gone mean and is kidnapping people. Sokka snaps at her, in a moment definitely meant for laughs, saying, “The Moon Spirit is a gentle, loving lady. She rules the sky with compassion and ... lunar goodness!” It is a funny moment, but here’s what we can take from it: Toph doesn’t know about Yue. Toph is a Feral Bastard a lot of the time, but she also knows where the line is, and I don’t think she’d’ve said that if she’d known.

“Boiling Rock,” in arguably the most quoted (and well deservedly so!) line in the entire show. “My first girlfriend turned into the moon.” “...that’s rough, buddy.” COMEDIC GOLD. Also, weirdly, the literal only time that Sokka explicitly tells someone about Yue in the course of the show.

“Ember Island Players” which I haven’t hit in my rewatch yet, but I definitely remember a moment where Suki asks Sokka when he was gonna tell her he made out with the moon, and he tearfully shushes her. Again, played for laughs, but the implication is that he still hasn’t told Suki about what happened.

This plays perfectly into the same way that Sokka (doesn’t) talks about his mom. When the Bad Feelings come, Sokka either avoids them and finds a distraction (Goofs with Aang--see, told ya we’d come back to that) or stays silent. When someone explicitly asks him about the Bad Feelings--what he saw in the swamp, what’s eating at him in “Sokka’s Master,” why he’s panic-protecting Suki--he’ll answer, but often talks around the actual issue. (Interestingly, it’s in regard to Suki we see the most explicit manifestation of Sokka grieving as Azula taunts him during the invasion: he cries, he attacks Azula, he yells and questions her despite the fact he knows she’s wasting their time. I think this one hits him because, as this beautiful post points out, Suki’s the protector in the relationship, and Sokka can actually chill out for 2 seconds. But he let his guard down, and Azula got Suki. Anyway. That’s probably a different essay: back to the matter at hand.) We even see this in “Boiling Rock.” There’s a moment where they think Hakoda is not with the other political prisoners. Sokka’s tense, drawn tight, but the only thing he says is, “No.”

Basically, we’ve got Katara, who grieves loudly and rages and is kinda like white-water rapids that churn and churn and churn. And we’ve got Sokka, who, to quote John Mulaney, looks at his grief and says, “I’ll just keep all my emotions right here and then one day I’ll die.” Iceberg grief, to keep the water metaphor going.

And where did these come from? Yup! Water Tribe gender roles! What we know from the show is that, while the South is typically more progressive (women can train as benders and marry who they want, at least) than the North, it’s still very rigid: the men are warriors/hunters/protectors, the women stay home to cook/clean/child-rear.

Now: subtext! And why I think they are this way!

We’ll start with Katara. The last waterbender in the South Pole. She no doubt grew up doted on. If I say she’s most likely a little spoiled, I don’t mean it in a bad way--I mean it in a she’s the last living remnant of this aspect of their culture kind of way. When raiders come, she’s probably the first priority to protect. Kya dies to keep her safe. Her needs are generally put before the community as a whole. (This isn’t to say that Katara doesn’t contribute or care about her community, because she 100% does). But! Especially in Book 1, we see Katara often considering her opinions as facts (trusting Jet, the waterbending scroll) and doesn’t always pause to consider the larger impact that her actions will have (scroll and Jet again, challenging Pakku, dressing up as the Painted Lady despite the fact the factory will hold the village responsible). And many of these actions are good! But we see a lot of Katara being pretty self-centered--what can I do, how does this impact me, how do I feel about this? And this isn’t a bad thing! This aspect of her character makes her complicated and complex! Katara loves her family and protecting people and caring for them! She’s extremely empathetic! But she also struggles to meet people where they’re at when they emote in a different way than she does (see: her clashes with Toph, her initial problems with Zuko joining the group, the above interaction with Sokka). It’s also worth talking about how Katara witnessed her mother’s death, which no doubt makes her grief about it a sharper thing.

Then, again, Sokka. Also loved in his community! But a normal kind of love, I’d assume. He probably was raised on stories of the Fire Nation dragging waterbenders away. No one exemplifies the Water Tribe ride-or-die mentality quite as well as Sokka, or the gender roles of the man as the warrior/protector, so you gotta believe Hakoda raised that kid to look after his sister at all costs, which we see throughout the show (already preparing to go after Aang in the South Pole because he know Katara’s going anyway, “You burned my sister!”) And he isn’t there when his mom dies. He finds out later. He goes from feeling like a victor who helped chased the raiders away to the worst realization of his life. I have to imagine he’s ashamed by the fact that he thought everything was going to be okay, which leads into his worldview of assuming that nothing is okay ever in any circumstance.

Finally, Hakoda. Who never, unless I’ve forgotten something, talks about Kya. All we know is that their family fell apart after her death (per Sokka in “The Runaway,” learning how Katara stepped up to hold everything together) and sometime after he took the warriors and straight up left. He apologizes for leaving but doesn’t address the fact that he left Katara and Sokka with no parents at all, only the war. This is, uh, not exactly echoing a healthy coping mechanism?

My theory: Kya dies. Since the Water Tribe is so embedded in gender roles, Hakoda probably shut down and/or checked out emotionally for a while. This leaves his kids on their own to deal with their shit, and we learn Katara does everything she can to keep her family going. As the most protected individual in the South, Katara’s probably been taught that emotions equal attention, and uses her temper/caring/sadness to help bring her community closer. Meanwhile, Sokka, who hero worships his dad, watches Hakoda go stoic and learns that “real men” shove their shit down. Additionally, Katara’s grief is deafeningly loud, and Sokka’s number 1 role is to keep Katara safe. He’s taught that the Bad Feelings only get in the way and make things worse, and so he learns to be fine no matter what kind of terrible is going down around him. Basically, Katara learns to use grief as a needle and thread, and Sokka learns to bury it as deep as he can and avoid it at all costs. Opposite reactions to the same trauma. Katara gets mad and demands to be heard and listened to and seen, and Sokka gets sarcastic and prepares himself for the day the Fire Nation ships come back for his sister.

So. Back to those above lines from “Southern Raiders.”

From a writing standpoint, I do wish the final moment was between Katara and Sokka versus Katara and Aang. They could’ve had an almost identical interaction, but it would’ve been more nuanced. I don’t think that Katara needed to apologize, but I think we needed some acknowledgement from both of them: Katara continuing the lesson she’s learned about how her pain doesn’t entitle her to hurt other people (including Sokka, who is there no matter what she says or does), and Sokka that Katara’s process of grieving had to involve this catharsis.

Or. Maybe not. Because again--subtext. Their grief works in such different ways that I have to imagine this isn’t a new fight. It was probably brutal and vicious for a very long time. Maybe that’s part of what made Sokka try and go with the warriors. Maybe that’s part of why Katara gets mad so quickly in the first episode of the show. But eventually, unable to find an answer, they just...stop talking about it. Because the two of them don’t talk about it. Katara only talks about her mom with people who aren’t Sokka, and Sokka does exclusively to Toph and Zuko.

The only time I can think of Katara and Sokka talking about it together is the exchange at the top of this post, and it gets ugly fast, and it isn’t brought up again. It’s a fight that will never be resolved, because they fundamentally can’t react to one another in a way that can be universally understood.

“You didn’t love her the way I did!” Katara yells, loudly, because if Sokka loved her then why isn’t he raging? Why isn’t he getting his sword and coming to help her? Why doesn’t Sokka want to burn this firebender to the ground and make him see and hear and look at what he’s done to the world? To their family? He must not understand. He must not care as much or he’d be screaming with her.

“Katara,” Sokka says, much quieter, and adds nothing else. Not because there isn’t anything else to say, but because Sokka can’t talk about this kind of thing. Not doesn’t want to, but can’t, because it’s his job to protect people, protect Katara, and if he lets all those old hurts come boiling up he can’t do that, because that ends with losing focus and losing control and people getting hurt or going away. Why can’t she understand that?

And then they do what they always do. They don’t bring it up again.

#LITERAL ESSAY BY TUMBLR USER BONESBUCKLEUP #Sokka #Katara #atla #this is what isolation has done to me #this is the nerdiest bullshit that I've spewed in a while #felt good though #writing's been hard recently #I'm working myself back into it through atla shitposts and meta #long post #If I could harness this energy into something other than fandom I might rule a small country by now?#oh well

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yuueee · 4 years ago

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song: bruno mars & b.o.b. - nothin’ on you slowed

word count: 2,456

request: Hello, if you're talking requests for atla. May I request a sokka x reader in which she works under Piandao and during Sokka's Master episode they meet and become close? Maybe they meet again during the finale or the Gaang asks her to accompany them on the rest of their journey?

author’s note: I am so sorry for taking forever to post something! I rewrote this and like 2 other fics almost 3 different times because I didn’t like how they were turning out so I hope this was okay🥺. thank u for requesting and I hope y’all enjoy!

“You want me to do what now?” you asked the boy in front of you incredulously, attempting to wiggle your shoulders out of his hands’ grip. He straight up lied to your face and expected you to just get over that? It had nothing to do with his water tribe heritage of course - being that you hated the fire nation’s outlook on the other countries and this pointless war as much as Piandao did. You just didn’t understand why he felt the need to lie to you about it!

During the meager amount of time you had to spend with him, you two had an immediate - albeit odd connection. He was able to get you out of your shell of composure in a way that Piandao and Fat were never successful in. On the contrary you aided him heavily in training and kept him motivated - although it often sounded more like insults.

“I know you’re upset but I promise I can explain everything later. But I really think you should join us in defeating the fire lord!” he reassured, his blue eyes seemingly sparkling in excitement. Shrugging out of his grasp and turning towards Piandao, you hoped that he would add in some useful input.

“But what use will I be if Master Piandao hasn’t even finished training me yet?” you asked, balling your fists in frustration. Your master simply shook his head and gave you a smile.

“{First-Name},” he spoke gently as to not further anger you, and leaned down to your height. “You are beyond my training at this point. Your destiny now lies in helping the avatar defeat the fire lord and besides - it’s what he would have wanted.” you couldn’t argue with that. Having trained you since around the age of twelve, he hadn’t heard you talk this much in all of the three years he had known you. Even after only knowing Sokka for about two days - he trusted you with him. He could see the positive effect you had on eacho other just from observing your interactions.

He’d be lying if he said that he hadn’t been worried about you ever since your father and his closest friends’ passing. You had went from a bubbly and joyous child to emotionally repressed and largely untalkative. Although he had still not seen you smile since before your fathers death - the outwardly expressed anger and frustration at Sokka’s idiocy was atleast something.

“I trust that you’ll be in good hands.” he said sternly, giving Sokka a pointed look.

“It’s settled then! You’re joining team avatar!”

While you weren’t quite sure why Sokka was so adamant on you joining him and his friends, you were somewhat happy to be leaving Shu Jing - which was new. Other than the weather being insufferably humid the majority of the year, your home in Piandao’s castle was bearable. In the past you hadn’t minded the repetitive nature of your days - but things were different now. You felt that you owed it to your father to join the fight against the country that took his life. And if this was the route you were forced to take, then so be it.

Surprisingly, as annoying as he was Sokka was the one you remained closest with in the group - but Toph was a close second. Though you didn’t talk with him that often, Aang was always kind and making sure that you felt included in the group - which wasn’t exactly necessary but appreciated none the less. Katara on the other hand was having some difficulty warming up to you - which you understood, so you didn’t speak to her unless necessary, which wasn’t often.

Although you had indeed become slightly more emotive and open, it was normally limited to sarcastic quips when Sokka said something stupid or asking Katara if she needed any help with groceries or cooking dinner - which she actually appreciated. Overall though, you still spent the majority of your time with Sokka. While he was still annoying and enjoyed teasing flirting with you every chance he could get, you’d be lying to yourself if you said you weren’t somewhat enjoying it - you’d never admit to that though.

One of the first times you got to be alone together was when you both were trying to escape Toph and Katara’s arguing.

“I’m going to head back out to the market,” he said, getting up off of the ground. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“Wait, can I go with you?” you questioned somewhat awkwardly, getting out of your seat and sprinting some to catch up with him.

“Of course!” he grinned in return, slowing down some so you could walk at the same pace. His smile made your chest feel warm, slightly catching you off guard.

“So, is Piandao your dad or something?” he asked gently, trying not to press too much. Though it was a sensitive topic, you felt oddly comfortable with Sokka - even though you had only known him for several weeks. “You don’t have to answer if you don’t want to.” he responded to your silence, ceasing walking and looking at you sincerely. You shook your head in return and kept walking.

“No, it’s fine.” he nodded and followed apprehensively. “Piandao is kind of like my uncle I guess? He and my Dad were friends when they were both in the fire nation army. And you know how Piandao eventually deserted the army?”

“Yeah, I recall him saying that.” he gave you a concerned glance, but you kept your gaze trained on the ground in front of you. While your expression was obviously pained, it still seemed restrained in a way as if you had practiced holding back your feelings for years. It was at this point he realized he’d never seen you smile, not even when when you were making fun of him.

“Well, my Dad also attempted to leave - but he wasn’t as skilled as Piandao was.” there was a beat of silence before you felt his hand envelope your own, rubbing the back of it with his thumb. Normally if someone did this you would’ve snatched your hand away - but you didn’t want to. His hand felt nice, warm and comforting.

“I’m really sorry about your Dad, and it was really brave of him to try and leave the army.” he gave you a look of concern and understanding, leading you to remember him mentioning

“Um, thanks.”

The rest of your afternoon at the market was spent making conversation about your childhoods and the messenger hawk he had just bought. The entire time he never let go of your hand. You assumed he was just doing it out of friendly comfort - but then again who platonically holds hands? You only stopped when you both returned to the small campsite and greeted the others.

You didn’t mean to snatch your hand away, but at the same time you thought your heart was going to jump out of your chest if you didn’t let go. But it didn’t seem to bother Sokka though, not at all. So maybe it was just platonic? But this wasn’t the only situation in where he left you utterly flustered and confused.

When the five of you were seated around the campfire listening to Katara’s story, you could see Sokka inching towards you out of the corner of your eye. Everyone else seemed rather uncomfortable, and while it was a quite unnerving story if you were scared you weren’t showing it. As the story went on, he would jump closer which each detail - until he was eventually leaning on your shoulder with his arms wrapped around your waist, shaking in fear like a small child.

When she finished her story, Katara and Aang just stared in awe as you didn’t shove him off. You just rolled your eyes and mumbled something about him being an idiot. They noticed a change between you both after that day. You almost seemed closer in a sort of way? You still scolded him for saying and doing stupid things - but you no longer pushed him away. He was quite touchy and handsy with you, never in a disrespectful way though. It’s just when he got excited he’d sometimes pick up you up for a few seconds before placing you back on the ground. Whilst you didn’t really return his affections, you weren’t rejecting him either. But the two of you were forced to confront this rising attraction all to soon, the day of the invasion.

You had a moment alone before you had to go your separate ways. After staring down at your feet for what seemed like a few minutes, you gained the courage to speak.

“Don’t, uh die.” you finally said aloud, meeting his gaze. Before you could say anything else he doubled over in laughter, clutching his stomach to get a hold of himself. “Sokka I’m being serious!” you said in frustration, seconds away from turning around and getting back into the submarine. Once he calmed down, he placed both of his hands on your shoulders and gained a serious expression.

“I’m sorry for laughing. But we’re gonna get out of this alive. Okay?” he finished his sentence with a smirk, tilting his head to the side. You nodded, feeling somewhat disappointed for some reason. But what were you expecting? You were just friends, and you didn’t like him like that anyway... right? Your thoughts cut off when you felt a pair of lips peck your cheek and his hands leave your shoulder to interlock with one of your own. “Come back to me okay?” he said sincerely, his eyes filled with worry.

“I promise.”

After the failure at the fire nation capitol, the few weeks before the arrival of Sozin’s comet blurred by far too quickly for your liking. The anxiety concerning Aang’s final battle with the fire lord was a top concern on everyone’s mind, including your own. Things were a bit stagnant between you and Sokka. You couldn’t ignore your feelings but at the same time you were fighting a war - there wasn’t any time to put energy into a relationship.

However after you, Toph and Sokka took down the airships, you were forced to confront these feelings yet again.

After riding with Appa over Ba Sing Se to look at the fireworks, you two were aimlessly roaming around the upper ring - watching the festivities of those celebrating the end of the hundred year war.

“So,” he asked suddenly, looking at you with a smile and nudging your arm jokingly. Normally you would have shoved him back, but all you could do was look down at your fidgeting hands and hope he couldn’t hear how fast your heart was beating. “What do you plan on doing now?”

“Um, I’m honestly not sure.” you responded, looking up at him. “I guess I’ll go back to the fire nation? I still want to help, I just don’t really know where I guess.”

“I get what you mean. I mean you could always stay with me...”

“With you?” Sokka began sputtering and waving his hands around after realizing what he just insinuated.

“I mean not with me per say.” he rephrased, rubbing his hand on the back of his neck. You actually felt a tinge of disappointment at his words. “I mean with team avatar, we aren’t exactly finished saving the world - and you’re a vital member of our team.” Instead of calling him an idiot like you would have in the past, you gave him a small smile - catching him completely off guard and causing him to blush.

“I’d like that.” He intertwined you’re fingers and ran his thumb over the back of your hand. Before you could speak again you were interrupted by the rest of your friends running towards you.

“We were wondering where the two of you ran off to!” Katara said slightly out of breath, leaning over.

“We were having a moment and you ruined it!” Sokka shouted at his sister, causing her to start complaining about how he shouldn’t have broken off from the group without telling them if he didn’t want to be followed. As they continued to bicker, you felt Toph shove your shoulder.

“It’s about time you two got together.”

“Shut up Toph.”

Several years into the future, you continued to aid team avatar in helping the the different nations recover from the wars aftermath. Surprisingly, you and Sokka’s relationship still had no title and stayed undefined. To everyone else’s was clear you were together - but you still hadn’t kissed or showed in public displays of affection as of late. To on onlooker it just looked like you both could’ve been close friends. But that would finally change when you and Toph went to visit Katara and Sokka in the southern water tribe.

After greeting Katara, you were almost knocked off of your feet by the force of Sokka hugging you and eventually picking you up so you were about a foot off the ground.

“I missed you so much!” he borderline squealed, rocking you back and forth a bit.

“I missed you too, but can you set me down for a minute? I have something to give you.”

“You do?” he asked, his eyes sparkling in excitement. Reaching behind you, you handed him a sword with slightly shaky hands. “Is this, for me?”

“Yes.” you replied quietly, looking down at your fidgeting hands - still not rid of the habit even at 17. “I felt really bad after you lost your space sword and I couldn’t find another meteor but I wanted to make you a new one to replace it anyways...” you continued to ramble on before you heard the sword drop onto the snow covered ground with a quiet *crunch*. “Hey! I get that it’s not your old one but that doesn’t mean I didn’t spend a lot of timmmph!” you were cut off when you felt his lips cover your own, his arms wrapping around your waist.

You didn’t kiss back at first out of shock, but eventually did so and cupped his cheeks with your gloved hands. Once you broke apart, he leaned his forehead on yours. “I love it.”

Later on that evening when everyone had turned in for the night, you found yourself tucked into Sokka’s chest as he snored softly - his head resting on top of yours and his arms protectively encircled around your waist. Though the journey had been long and exhausting, you were greatful for it. Maybe joining team avatar hadn’t been such a bad idea after all?

𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐬𝐭 - @practicallylivesonline

#sokka x reader #sokka imagine #atla x reader #sokka x you #sokka x y/n #avatar x reader #avatar #sokka #avatar: the last airbender #avatar imagine #atla x you #atla imagine

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limit-list · 4 years ago

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ATLA AO3 Fic Recs!

idk about how y’all are handling the state of the world rn, but i have retreated into the “consume every available fanfic ever” phase!! for anyone else who wants to read lots of Avatar: The Last Airbender fanfiction, i’ve gathered a list of some of my favs so far!! i’ve split it into gen series, zukka series, gen fics, and zukka fics because those are the types of fics i thrive in. they’re not in any particular order other than that.

i will say that a funny trend i recognized was that Haicrescendo on AO3 (@sword-and-stars on here) made it on to every single list because everything they write is amazing hahaha, feel free to do as i did and just read all of their atla fics. anyway!! here goes, hopes this helps people, ill prolly add onto it at some point haha.

GEN SERIES:

What We’re Given by Haicrescendo

The premise of the story is that Zuko, Iroh, and the crew set out when Zuko was banished, found out that the Sky Bisons never died out, turn their ship into the Jasmine Dragon (a tea shop on a boat!!!), and never hunted the Avatar. This series is so good, it’s currently updating every Friday I think and I love it so much.

Dragon of the Yuyan by 00AwkwardPenguin00

Summary is: “In which Zuko is fostered/adopted/raised/recruited by the Yuyan Archers of Pouhai Stronghold, and destiny hiccups.” Y’all I adore this series so much, I receive so much serotonin every time this updates. The plot develops really really nicely, the OC’s are my fav people ever, and the way the author uses the signing is just perfection. It’s currently updating every Saturday I think.

kintsugi by discordiansamba

Summary is: “au in which a banished for good zuko ends up being hired by the beifongs to watch over their daughter- or, zuko and toph never took that field trip in canon so now she gets to hog him for three whole years”. If y’all know me, y’all know I love some Zuko and Toph friendship. This story is PEAK bonding, it makes me so happy.

ZUKKA SERIES:

Quarantine and Chill 2020 by Haicrescendo

Literally what it says on the tin haha. Series about roommates Sokka and Zuko as they’re stuck in quarantine, first two are explicit, there’s four total so far, and I love them all. The characterization is immaculate, the banter had me cackling, and all in all just a great series!

Carry On For You by Haicrescendo

Summary is: “Not the Pokémon AU you asked for but the one you’re getting anyway. Featuring: full time gym leader and local cryptid Zuko, badge challenger Sokka, and Katara who can only look at so many memes before she flips.” Yall I know nothing about Pokémon but this series!!! It brings me SO much serotonin. I adore this series so much, we get Zuko interacting with animals at the same time as Zukka develops and Iroh is there and I just love it.

the best laid intentions by alittleduck

Post-show fics for the most part. Summary is: “Centers around members of the Gaang coming out to their well meaning but woefully unprepared friends. Part one is centered around Zuko coming out as gay, the second one is centered around Toph coming out as a lesbian and the third one is centered around Sokka coming to terms with his bisexuality.” I love this series a lot, it’s super cute and I thrive on LGBTQ+ gaang fics. We got gay Zuko, lesbian Toph, and bi Sokka and they make me so happy.

GEN FICS:

Embers by Vathara

Ooo boy, this is a long fic, but it is my absolute favorite fanfic in possibly any fandom I’ve been in. The summary for this fic is: “Dragon's fire is not so easily extinguished; when Zuko rediscovers a lost firebending technique, shifting flames can shift the world...” I dunno how to put it any better than that without spoilers!! It rewrites canon from I think Zuko and Iroh getting into Ba Sing Se on. Expect politics, interpersonal tension, several plot lines overlapping and weaving their ways through the story, amazingly developed OC’s, and just incredible writing overall. Definitely a must read.

For Hearth and Home by Haicrescendo

Post-show fic in which Zuko hangs out with a baby all day while everyone falls in love with him. Summary is: “In which Fire Lord Zuko is a total mess and somehow people manage to love him for it anyway.” Honestly I think that sums up the plot, this is just such a pure story, it cheers me up like instantly haha! This is one of the cutest and most relaxing fics I’ve read.

The Family You Choose by TunaFishChris

Show rewrite soulmate fic with the Gaang as family! Summary is: “Some people are born with soulmarks. Zuko has them, but his grandfather burned them off because they ‘make you weak.’ Team Avatar has a few things to say about that.” No spoilers, but I love a good soulmate fic and I’ve never seen a concept quite like this one!! I think I’ve read this two or three times at this point. Amazing.

Unwanted Friends by FoiblePNoteworthy

This was inspired by The Family You Choose by TunaFishChris (see previous), and I love it so much. It’s the same concept, but minus Suki and told from the other’s perspective at an earlier place in the timeline! If y’all end up liking The Family You Choose, you’ll like this one too!!

Perfection is Overrated by Jagged Cliffs

Post-show fic. If you’re like me and have a soft spot for fics where Fire Lord Zuko is an absolute sweetheart to the palace staff, then you have to read this. One of my all time favorite fanfics. Everything about this story makes me happy.

Another Brother by AvocadoLove

Show rewrite. This is a WIP, I’m actually still reading it rn but it’s really good!! It’s about if Hakoda found Zuko as an 8 year old injured on a Fire Nation ship and brought him home to the Water Tribe. No spoilers here, but it’s a really good pure story and I love it so much so far.

Salvage by MuffinLance

Show AU WIP. Ooo goodness I love this story! Summary is: “Mid-Season-One Zuko is held ransom by Chief Hakoda. Ozai's replies to the Water Tribe's demands are A+ Parenting. Hakoda is… deeply concerned, for this son that isn't his, and who might be safer among enemies than with his own father.” Zuko is an angsts bby whomst I adore, Hakoda is my favorite ever, and the OC’s are legit the best. MuffinLance is another author where every fic is amazing! This fic in particular tore me to shreds and then makes up for it in absolute amazingness.

OUTLINE: Amnesia!Zuko Joins the Earth Army by MuffinLance

Show rewrite, I can’t remember from what point exactly, but it’s before Ba Sing Se. Summary is: “Zuko loses his memory and becomes an Earth Kingdom war hero. His father is going to LOVE this.” Written in outline/concept form, I adore this so so much. This fic is why I post concepts of stories I’ll never write, cause this story made me realize people enjoy reading them!! And this is sooo enjoyable, I fuckin love this fic.

ZUKKA FICS:

The Good Vanilla by Haicrescendo

Show AU-ish from the Western Air Temple I think. I think this is the fic that made me fall in love with Zukka actually omg. A beautiful fanfic that shows how Zuko and Sokka slowly fall in love, no spoilers here, there is lots of cooking.

Quit your life and come train Pokemon. (orphaned)

Modern Day AU. Another one of my starter Zukka fics!! Sokka kinda maybe falls in love with Aang’s roommate Zuko. There is nerdiness and awkward situations and ~emotions~. It makes me happy, definitely one of my favs.

by the stars above, i knew we were in love by theycallmesuperboy

Post-show fic. This one tore me to shreds!! It’s a fic about Zuko working his way up to proposing to Sokka. No spoilers, just saying that this story hurt me in all the best ways. Amazing story.

Unchained Melody by AvocadoLove

Show rewrite from Hei Bai’s Forest episode, WIP. Basic premise is that Sokka turns into a ghost, and Zuko is the only one who can see him. The dynamic between Zuko and Sokka is just explored so well here, and the banter is perfection. There are so many things I could say about different parts of the story, but I don’t wanna spoil a thing, so go read it!! Love this fic.

Sea Cranes by Druddigonite

Show AU. Summary is: “Between chasing the Avatar and dealing with his disgrace, Zuko begins to cough up flowers.” It’s a really interesting concept which I’d never heard of before, but I loved this fic! Just enough angst to tear my heart up and then mend it back together.

Hotman by callmecaramleh

Set during the Western Air Temple Arc. Summary is: “Toph decides she needs to know who in the gaang is hot. This leads to quite a bit of trouble for Sokka.” I love this fic so much. It’s so clear that they’re awkward teenagers here, and as an awkward teenager I love the dynamic!!! I just adore these boys so much.

Something Good Can Work by beersforqueers

Bookstore AU!!! I live for a good bookstore AU, as well as library and café AUs. Anyway, summary is: “Bookstore AU! In which Sokka tries to not-so-subtly pick up the cute boy working in the bookstore, and the cute boy is totally oblivious. Because the cute boy is Zuko.” They’re adorable and flustered. It’s precious, another fic that brings me outta a bad mood in like a minute flat. I love this!

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janedrakey131 · 4 years ago

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zukka hp au part 5

I’m so flattered people like this au. I didn’t think I’d be posting again so soon, but I had some more ideas last night. If you’d like to catch up:

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 part 7 part 8 part 9 part 10 part 11 part 12 part 13

If you would like to join the tag list

My brief, very long, not at all fleshed out plan based roughly on what year Sokka is in and other associated events:

First year

Sokka’s first year is boring

He meets Zuko, makes some friends in his house, probably a bunch of OCs

He finds the kitchens on day 2

Hogwarts just hires people who like to cook, who cares whether they’re magical beings or humans or whatever, there’s all sorts of really cool kitchen magic though

He’s always asking questions in class and you can tell why he’s a Ravenclaw

He wants to learn about everything

And once he knows how to do more than shoot a few sparks, he’s going to start inventing

He’s going to do some truly awesome things with transfiguration and potions

And I can’t wait for him to start arithmancy

Like let me tell you, Sokka is a genius, and he’s probably going to be the only one who understands magical theory

This just ended up being a rant about Sokka, so moving on

Second year

The fun starts

Katara and Aang are finally here

Sokka doesn’t know Aang is the avatar

I’m very tempted to have both Katara and Aang be in Hufflepuff

And they run into Sokka in the kitchens

He does a double take, like who is this boy with my sister??

But Aang’s a sweet kid

So Sokka is immediately like we’re bros now, I don’t make the rules

Iroh starts working at Hogwarts (sorry, I changed my mind from herbology) as the potions professor

He comes in on the train with Zuko who just got banished (I actually...might change the specifics)

Sokka doesn’t know what to make of that

Azula is also skulking around annoying Zuzu

But I think she secretly cares a bit and threatens anyone that looks at his scar wrong, because Zuko helped her a lot with some stuff

I think she’s going to be in the same year as Katara and Aang? I’m not sure

I have plans for Azula

I think Mai and Ty Lee are going to be in Zuko’s year, but closer to Azula

Mai and Zuko will date at some point

I think Mai will end up with Ty Lee

But she and Zuko had a short relationship

I think it was more expected of them by their families that they date

But they’re good friends now

I’m not doing this betraying and cheating and hurting other characters to find out who you are thing

Everyone is having wholesome relationships that just don’t work out

(Sidenote, I’m changing things, and characters might end up a bit OOC for atla, and I’m really sorry, but this is just wish fulfillment for me)

Anyway, there’s a plot to find the avatar

The mini gaang (toph isn’t here yet) learn the prophecy (still working on it)

Third year

They find out about Sokka and Katara’s mom

I don’t think Hakoda really knows what happened either. I don’t think he was in the country at the time

I also have some ideas for the water tribe/fire nation beef, but I just made the realization that if I spell everything out in these posts, what’s the point of writing for Ao3 XD

But spoilers, it’s going to be pretty angsty

But I like happy endings, so I may find a way to fix it

Ish

I have this whole idea that if Suki or the Kyoshi are also werewolves, they have really cool rituals to respect and honor the moon spirit and that allows them the ability to turn into wolves whenever they want and not just the full moon

So other people can also be born as werewolves, but different groups have different ways of being a werewolf

Also, I believe I said Zuko starts following Suki around thinking she’s the avatar

And then Sokka decides to fake being the avatar (I completely forgot when I said this would happen, so I’m assuming it’s this year or the next)

This is about when Sokka’s letters to Hakoda start going on about Zuko’s everything even more

Fourth year

Zuko (Zuko’s fifth year) witnesses something unspeakable

Sokka is kidnapped

Zuko saves Sokka

That’s all the detail I have on this XD

But the unspeakable thing and the kidnapping are going to be this year’s mystery

Zuko, the idiot, still thinks Sokka is the avatar at this point

Aang is like no

But doesn’t bother to say he is

So Zuko thinks Katara is the avatar for a hot sec

But has some nonsense logic that there’s no need to stop following Sokka, because if he or his sister are the avatar, of the two, Sokka’s more likely to give something away

Which okay, Zuko, not actually terrible reasoning, except Sokka’s been leading you around by the nose for ages

There’s none of this the avatar rotates which element they can use

Because that’s predictable

And half the fun is that Zuko is trying his best, but has zero clues

Fifth year

This is the big question

I’m not sure what to do with this year

I hope Sokka can start inventing

I want him to make some cool shit

There won’t be an equivalent of the DA as far as I can see :( I can’t figure out how I’d structure that

I think it would be really cool to see them all learning how to use their elemental magic though

Toph and Zuko don’t really need the help

Katara and Aang have always had to deal with all the crap going on, so they haven’t had much time for it

I’m wondering if I should bring in Paku

Aang has it rough, because air magic users are really rare now

So I think he might work with Iroh, because he’s studied other styles of magic extensively

Sixth year

I think Mai had to figure out she was bi

I truly think Zuko doesn’t have time for gender

For like five years, he’s like DO YOU KNOW WHO THE AVATAR IS and if you don’t, he’s already forgotten who you are

So my headcanon is that he’s pan and when he and Sokka eventually get together, Sokka doesn’t know anything about his orientation and just knows he dated Mai, so he’s like “are you cool with me being a dude? Sorry, I just know you’ve dated Mai, so just checking haha?”

And Zuko’s so done with all the random crap he’s dealt with that he’s like “wow, you have a dick? Congratulations”

But then realizes Sokka’s actually concerned and talks it out

Anyway, everyone’s leveled up now, we’re all masters at elemental and non-elemental magic (seriously, Sokka could’ve sat for his NEWTs last year if he wanted to. He’s that far ahead and magic is that intuitive for him)

I have no idea what will happen this year lol

I kind of want an invasion of Hogwarts, I know I’ve been trying not to just blindly follow the books completely :/ So I guess we’ll see?

I’ll have to work on that

I’m such a sucker for the villain waits until the end of the school year to attack

Because it’s so dumb

Like I will find the avatar! *shakes fist* But education is important, kids

Like okay, Sozin

Maybe I can have Roku finally escape that mirror

I kind of want the past avatars to be spirits that anyone can interact with

But most people don’t know how

So the Kyoshi can interact with Avatar Kyoshi as well as other relevant spirits

Seventh year

????

The plot?? Who knows yet

I do know that Zuko’s graduated

And they’re all crying and like wtf do we do now

Because Sozin’s still around and they’ll miss him

And finally Zuko leaves

And he shows up as the assistant DADA professor and he’s like “Hi, Zuko here” and then he’s like “I mean, fuck, Professor Zuko, I mean, fuck...just call me Zuko. You guys all know me”

And the gaang is all like wtf Zuko, we thought we would only see you for breaks

And he’s like you really thought I’d leave you

The plan is that he’ll be an apprentice for a year or so and then take over as professor

Toph punches him so hard, Katara has to heal the bruise

I can guarantee a happy ending

I’ll do whatever angst on the way, but they’ll all be happy

I’m like 89% sure they’re all going to end up working at or around Hogwarts (why work for the government, when you can invest in teaching all these talented kids)

One more thing, there is going to be rep in this au. I know there’s at least one aro ace character. Multiple bi characters. One gay character. One pan character. One trans character that I know of, but I need to plan that out a bit more. Some of these orientations and identities, I can’t speak to personally. For instance, while I know a decent amount about the medical aspects of transitioning, I don’t think I’d be able to write the experience of gender dysphoria and give that its due right now. So unless it’s something I have first hand experience with, most of the individual emotions as part of figuring things out might happen off screen. That doesn’t mean I won’t bring up issues the characters may have had in the past, but any that I talk about, I’d have to do more research into first. Also, partly because this is mostly from Sokka and Zuko’s perspectives, we’re mostly going to be present for what other characters tell them about their experiences

I hope you continue to enjoy this au! Sorry, this got so insanely long. The next couple weeks are going to be a bit crazy for me, so I thought I’d write this up while I had the chance. I’ll be back soon though! If anyone has any suggestions or questions, please let me know :)

part 1 part 2 part 3 part 4 part 5 part 6 part 7 part 8 part 9 part 10 part 11 part 12 part 13

If you would like to join the tag list

#zukka #hp au #part 5 #atla au #atla #zuko #aang #sokka #toph #katara #azula #sorry this is so long #next ones will be shorter #maybe #lgbt rep #next up is magical theory #i hope i can make this a fic

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hrpayo01 · 4 years ago

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That messy ass post! sgjksfkksfk Poor OP

I just recently got caught up on the other replies (I was focused on my personal interaction with OP) And LAWD HAVE MERCY, I did all that and they didn't even rewatch the video that was causing such a stir?! I wrote all that and did they even read it?! Coz another person replied in the same way THAT I've already been criticizing.

And I MADE SURE I wouldn't bring up the fact that this was a Zutara take (I looked at OP's profile and I wasn't surprised) because Zutara wasn't mentioned and my beef was with the Katara misinterpretation but since this is a different post and I know we're on the same train of thought let me just get it out for my sanity lol.

The same people that says Katara was reduced to a mother and a wife are the same people who wants Katara to marry Zuko and have steam babies with him. The same people who minimize her role as the world's greatest healer, an influencial and benevolent figure in republic city, matriarch of the Air Nation and waterbending master of two avatars are the ones who want her to be firelady Katara.

They wanted what LOK said Katara was and has accomplished EXCEPT they wanted her to be that BUT WITH ZUKO and with the fire nation. The cognitive dissonance there is just SO FRUSTRATING. They believe they are defending her honor by insulting what she is and what she's done because she chose to marry the man she loved. They don't realize or they refuse to acknowledge that they headcanon her doing the same thing but with Zuko and the nation which has already caused her and her family and tribe so much trauma and destruction.

And FN has such a restrictive governmental structure that even if Katara is able to do and help how she wanted, even if she is secure in herself; the nobility and the fact that the nation is recovering from losing a 100 year war and is unlearning colonialism would take a mental and emotional toll on her and the waterbending babies she would inevitably have. That would be her everyday life. Fighting and feeling that pressure and cultural tension. Just coz you've forgiven and you mostly healed and you're empowered doesn't mean you have to constantly put yourself in the situation that echoes your pain and present you with daily microaggressions. Smdh.

And Katara just doesn't belong to one nation anymore especially after saving the world, she helps EVERYONE. ATLA made sure to show that side of her as she brought revolutionary change in all 3 nations. Post canon, she brings back to life the fourth. That's why her being in Republic City makes so much sense coz it maximizes her scope of influence just like it did for Sokka. She gets to help (and highly respected in) all 4 nations while leading her own household without any formal restrictions from any of the 4 nation's bureaucracy. Additionally, she gets to co-establish a 5th nation. And honestly all these are still possible even is she didn't marry Aang. (Again, Sokka. Even Toph) But these won't be an option if she married Zuko.

But no. They don't see that advantage for Katara. They don't see how well that fits her character and just how good that is for her. They don't see how much the world and how much Katara herself benefits from that. How she gets to have it all (which she deserves after everything she's done).

All they see is she married Aang and had his babies.

Then argue they are pro-Katara.

#op i feel like this was more than you bargained for #but i gotta let it out lmao #i saw you on the comments #thank you for getting it #i felt like i was talking to a wall #it's nice when someone actually understands 😂😭

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awkwardpenguinproductions · 5 years ago

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Okay I’m sure you’ve gotten asked about this before but how would Zuko interact with Jet assuming he was with the gang in their first meeting with him?

You’re the first one, Nonny! 🎉

So I started writing this at 12:45am my time, and finished at around 1:30pm my time. Total active writing time was probably about 3, 3.5 hours? Honestly, that kind of turnaround is unheard of for me, but IDEK, I saw this ask and this popped nearly fully formed into my head.

Nemesis

The smarmy jerk’s got style, Zuko will give him that. He still rubs Zuko the wrong way––instincts honed over years spent in the company of soldiers recognize bloodlust regardless of how well it disguises itself under smooth charm. He and Sokka exchange irritated glances, but both Aang and Katara are googly-eyed, and if half the squad is dug in, the rest aren’t going anywhere.

The hideout’s pretty cool. Zuko can appreciate the strategic genius of the location; the trees are so tall and the canopy so thick that there’s very little chance of the Freedom Fighters (oh Agni what a stupid name) being discovered––firebenders like to be rooted, and that preference informs almost all of Fire Nation military tactics, so it’ll be a rare Fire Nation soldier that would think to look up for his enemy. That speech, though... Zuko shivers and prays to Agni, Tui, La, and the Four Winds that his new squad has the sense to keep Zuko’s firebending confidential.

The guy’s a nutcase. The elder he’s just assaulted was barely able to stand up without the cane Jet had swiped out from under him, and now he’s on the ground and Zuko has a rappel line ready but for once Sokka beats him to the punch, leaping from the perch like a diving eagle-hawk. The Water Tribe warrior catches Jet’s foot with his club as it swings towards the elder’s face, and Zuko lands behind his squadmate just as Jet snarls “remember why you fight” in Sokka’s face. When they return to the hideout and Sokka tells Katara and Aang what had happened, Jet fucking lies to their faces—if that elder had actually been an assassin, Zuko will snap his bow in half and join the Imperial Firebenders.

Zuko is awake at dawn (he is a firebender after all) so he clearly hears the whispers outside the hut. Sokka hears them as well, and without a word they both slip out and follow Jet and his cronies to a cliff overlooking a nearby village and the dam that protects it. Zuko knew Jet was bloodthirsty, but wiping out an entire village just to get rid of half a garrison’s worth of soldiers? Gaipan, Zuko remembers from reading pilfered reports back at the Stronghold, is barely worth the ink that marks it on the maps. Wiping it out wouldn’t do a single thing to uproot the Fire Nation’s foothold in the Earth Kingdom. And the guy’s bullshit excuse about the demands of war makes Zuko want to either laugh hysterically or breathe fire. This kid has no idea about the demands of war; he’s just lashing out at what he perceives as monsters.

But he’s too dangerous to be pitied, and too steeped in fear and rage to be reasoned with. When Sokka refuses to go along with their plan, and Zuko makes his opinion clear by spitting in the nutcase’s face with all of the precision trained into him by the Yuyan, Jet orders Pipsqueak and Smellerbee to take them on a “long walk”. Their hands are tied behind their backs, and Smellerbee jolts them into motion with the poke of a dagger.

As they walk, Zuko is itching to fight; the odds are much better now that it’s two on two, even accounting for Pipsqueak’s size. But a single look from Sokka banks his fire. The Water Tribe warrior is subtly leading them in a specific direction, so sublty that even Zuko hadn’t noticed until just that moment.

Sokka suddenly speaks, it’s a signal, and Zuko watches carefully for signs of what to do. He knows that Sokka is going to break left the second the other boy shifts his weight, and they turn and run in unison, so suddenly that their captors are left behind to shout and give chase. Zuko immediately sees where Sokka is going with this—the same traps they had discovered yesterday are primed and waiting. The two Freedom Fighters bumble into the traps and get snapped up like hog-monkeys, and Zuko smirks as he easily snaps the shoddy vine-rope with a flex of his arms. Even spitting mad, a blush spreads across Smellerbee’s face, and Sokka laughs as he easily undoes his own bindings.

“While you’re up there and daydreaming about how ripped Zuko is, you might want to practice your knotwork,” he quips, and Zuko cuffs him under his stupid wolf-tail.

As they sprint back towards the hideout, Sokka breathlessly outlines his plan. There’s no time to argue, and Sokka isn’t yet advanced enough in Yuyan hand-language to understand him anyway, so Zuko agrees, and they pack up Appa’s saddle and race to the village. Zuko and Appa drop Sokka off to get the villagers evacuated, and then return to the hideout to pick up Aang and Katara.

Who aren’t in the hideout.

Shit.

It’s hard for Appa to punch his way through the forest’s dense canopy, and by the time they find a hole big enough for him to get through without scraping the saddle and half the fur off his back, they’re much farther from the resevoir than Zuko wants to be. They fly back as fast as Appa can manage, but the resevoir’s full, the blasting jelly is in place, and Zuko can hear a birdcall whistling through the air. Another call answers it.

A burning arrow arcs through the sky, too far away for Zuko to shoot it down. All he can do is watch.

The dam explodes.

The village floods.

Agni, please let Sokka have gotten them out in time. Please let Sokka have gotten out in time.

Heartsick, burning with fury, he directs Appa over the flooded remains of the village, following the flow of the water. There are no bodies, but that means nothing. Until they round a bend, and then it means everything.

Sokka is waving his arms and jumping around like a maniac, grinning from ear to ear, jubilant in his plan’s success. Behind him stand the entirety of the village’s residents, Earth Kingdom natives and Fire Nation colonists and soldiers. Zuko returns Sokka’s grin, and holds out an arm for the other boy to hoist himself up on Appa’s head. Sokka waves to the people, and everyone but a few shell-shocked soldiers cheer. Zuko spots the elder from the day before, tears in his eyes as he bows shakily to the two boys.

They find Katara, Aang, and Jet just inside the treeline atop the cliff. Jet is frozen to a tree, and Katara is shouting at him furiously, tears flowing down her cheeks. Aang is sitting on the forest floor with his big, stormy gray eyes staring at Jet like the asshole had broken his heart. Zuko’s fury reignites at Aang’s expression, and he glares at Jet and wishes that he could roast the bastard to ash with the strength of his gaze alone. The flinch Jet can’t supress at the sight of Zuko is satisfying enough, he supposes.

Aang and Katara climb into Appa’s saddle, Momo flutters down to wrap around Aang’s shoulders, and Sokka flicks the reins. The bison roars and lifts off, drowning out the furious, insane screams of the would-be terrorist of Gaipan. Looking at the faces of his squad, Zuko knows that this was a lesson that needed to be learned, but it was a cruel one, and he’s not looking forward to the debrief. For now, though, he’s content to act as comfort for shellshocked Aang and miserable Katara, and smirk when Aang points out to Sokka that they’re flying the wrong way.

And I wasn’t even planning on writing a Jet redux. “Jet” comes before “The Blue Spirit” in the series continuity, which, spoilers, is when I’m planning for Zuko to join Team Avatar, so in my outline (really more of a list with a one sentence summary/prompt, some of which I look back at and go “????” because I can’t really remember what sparked each one in the corresponding ep) Zuko and Jet don’t meet until Ba Sing Se. But to be perfectly frank— “Jet” was a filler episode. It introduced the character and his motivations, but it could’ve appeared anywhere in Book 1 and been perfectly effective. So, this takes place a week or two after “The Blue Spirit”, or at least the Dragon ‘verse version thereof.

I’ll post a more polished version of this to AO3 this weekend, but I hope this answered your question, Anon!

#atla #atla fandom #atla fanfic #dragon of the yuyan #awkpenproductions presents #oops my hand slipped

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avatarsymbolism · 7 years ago

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The Avatar and the Firelord: Aang and Zuko Parallels

Avatar: The Last Airbender gives us two juxtaposed storylines.

The first storyline, focusing on Aang, tells the story of an Air Nomad monk who, at the age of 12, finds out that he’s the Avatar. Faced with this burden, Aang runs away and accidentally freezes himself, eventually waking up one hundred years later in a world that has been ravished by the Fire Nation. With the coming of Sozin’s Comet less than a year away, Aang goes on an epic adventure as he tries to master all four elements so he can defeat Firelord Ozai.

Alongside this storyline we have the story of Ozai’s son Zuko who, at the age of 13, is burned and banished for speaking out of turn at a war meeting. Exiled from his home, Zuko is told that he can’t return until he finds the Avatar. When the Avatar finally reveals himself, Zuko begins chasing him, and we see how these two characters interact as the series progresses until Zuko ultimately joins Aang to defeat his father.

With that said, despite being two very different storylines, the experiences that these two characters go through have parallels and connections that help tie them together. Thus, this post will look at these two characters, as well as multiple Avatar episodes, to demonstrate the parallels between them.

But, before we get started, let me explain how I plan to go about this meta because, let’s be real, if you’ve been following my blog, you know that we have a lot of ground to cover.

Therefore, I’m going to start by going over some of the general themes, parallels, and contrasts that follow Aang and Zuko through their adventures, as well as going over some of the thematic trends that follow them too.

With that out of the way, I’ll get into the specifics—talking about the parallels that take place episode-by-episode and season-by-season. I won’t go through everything, since not all the parallels are important plot wise (like��this one) but, I’ll go through the really important ones that help establish the storyline of each character.

So, with that said, let’s begin!

General Themes

Upbringing

Let’s start off by talking about Aang and Zuko’s respective upbringings.

The cultures that Aang and Zuko grew up in were very different from each other. Aang, growing up in a loving, supportive environment, grew up to be very much the optimist. This all changes, however, when the burden of his new identity as the Avatar, coupled with the possibility of him being separated from his father figure, Monk Gyatso, push him to run away. This eventually leads to him being frozen, and waking up a hundred years later in a world that’s been taken over by the Fire Nation.

Zuko, in contrast, grew up in a much more aggressive nation, one that chewed him up and spat him back out all because he was unable to conform to their warmongering ways.

I won’t go into too much detail here but, if you’re interested in reading more about the differences between the environments that Aang and Zuko grew up in, here’s a relevant link.

Now then, let’s talk about destiny.

Destiny

“Destiny is a funny thing. You never know how things are going to work out. But if you keep an open mind and an open heart, I promise you will find your own destiny someday.”

Both Aang and Zuko were born into their destinies—Aang as the Avatar, and Zuko as the Fire Nation prince. Furthermore, both Aang and Zuko face challenges when it comes to dealing with their respective destinies, and the responsibility that comes with it. Aang is constantly trying to figure out what it means to be the Avatar while also learning to become the Avatar, and Zuko is constantly trying to figure out his place as the Fire Nation prince.

Another related theme is how Aang and Zuko repeatedly deny their true destinies.

For instance, Aang grapples with his destiny as the Avatar as he runs away, and later lies about his identity. Likewise, Zuko too grapples with his true destiny as a potential ally to the Avatar as he travels around the world on his quest to capture Aang. As the show progresses, we see how both characters learn to fully embrace their true destinies until they ultimately come together in the last half of the third season.

On a related note, Aang and Zuko’s destinies shape many of their decisions, and these decisions often revolve around love.

For example, Aang, fearing loneliness and separation from Gyatso, runs away. And later, when he interprets Pathik’s words to mean that he must completely detach himself from Katara, Aang chooses not to let go of her, and thus not achieve the Avatar state (in “The Guru,” at least).

Similarly, Zuko, fearing losing his father’s love, bases many of his decisions on just that—gaining his father’s love. Thus, we see him constantly going after Aang, and even betraying his uncle just so he can have a shot at getting what he wants most.

Here, we see yet another contrast between Aang and Zuko. Where Aang knew where his true love and connections were, Zuko had to discover his through trial after trial. Aang knew his path from the start, and Zuko had to learn his.

Additionally, we see a very distinct arc when it comes to Aang and Zuko dealing with their respective destinies. This pattern also ties into the themes of identity and loss as well, and involves many parallels and contrasts which will be discussed even more as this meta continues.

Anyway, Book 1 starts off with Aang denying his destiny as the Avatar, while Zuko is pursuing his (or rather, he’s pursuing what he thinks his destiny is). As Book 1 progresses, Aang begins to accept his destiny, while Zuko is denying his—thus, spurring him on in his quest. By Book 1’s end, we see Aang being able to continue with his overall goal of ending the war, gaining a waterbending master through Katara, and successfully repelling the Fire Nation at the North Pole. Meanwhile, Zuko’s journey comes to an apparent halt when he’s forced to abandon his search.

In Book 2, Aang works on the next step of his Avatar training as he tries to learn earthbending. Here, we see him going from defense (defending the Northern Water Tribe) to offense (getting to Ba Sing Se and trying to get the Earth King’s help in ending the war). Meanwhile, Zuko is lost, having to let go of his desire to gain his father’s love as well as his birthright. With nothing to replace his dream of gaining his father’s love and his wanting to return home, we see him struggle to live in the Earth Kingdom, and continuously denying his circumstances as well as the truth of the war and his father in favor of hanging onto even the smallest shred of hope for having something like his old home.

Still, even in Book 2, when Zuko is desperately wanting to return home, there’s something boiling under the surface, something that for now lays dormant until everything starts to come together in Book 3 when Zuko begins to accept the truth of the suffering that both he and the people around him were put through. This, however, can only happen when he returns home, and puts aside his need for his father’s love.

That said, Book 2′s ending reverses what happened in Book 1. Where Aang successfully repelled the Fire Nation in “Siege of the North” here, he fails, and his quest comes to an apparent halt. Meanwhile, Zuko’s journey is seemingly able to continue after he joins Azula and regains his title and passage home.

This brings us to Book 3, which starts off with Zuko triumphant, while Aang is defeated and in hiding. Yet, we clearly see something happening under the surface, with Zuko struggling with his decisions and Aang preparing himself for a renewed assault.

Thus, we come to our big turning point with Aang coming out of hiding and again taking a stand as the Avatar, and Zuko finally putting everything together and joining Aang.

This brings us to one final note regarding Aang and Zuko’s destinies. Both Aang and Zuko are destined to be unifiers. Aang, as the Avatar, is destined to bring peace and harmony to the world; Zuko is destined to bring peace and harmony to the Fire Nation.

This brings us to our next topic: identity.

Identity

Regarding identity, we again see Zuko and Aang as opposites. Zuko is a rich, spoiled banished prince who desperately wants to reclaim his old identity as his father’s rightful heir. Aang, in contrast, is a simple monk who at first rejects his identity as the Avatar, only to later embrace it.

By Book 2, Aang has accepted his Avatar role, and tries to continue his Avatar training. Zuko, on the other hand, is still struggling with his identity, wanting to regain his title, and with it his father’s love.

At the end of the series, however, both Aang and Zuko come to terms with their respective identities, and accept those identities as a part of who they are—Aang as the Avatar and the last airbender, and Zuko as the scarred, and once banished prince of the Fire Nation.

That said, just like with their destinies, we see how Aang and Zuko’s identities, and their struggle with their identities shapes their decisions. Aang, as an Avatar wanting to distance himself from his identity, is constantly having to learn to fill his role, and having to deal with the burden of having to bring balance to the world.

Likewise, Zuko too carries a heavy burden. But, where Aang constantly tried to distance himself from his identity as the Avatar, Zuko constantly rushed toward his identity as the Fire Nation prince. Or rather, the sort of Fire Nation prince he thought he was destined to become.

But, what about those things that remind them of their identities, and the world they lost?

Let’s talk about scars.

Scars

“I used to think this scar marked me…But lately, I’ve realized I’m free to determine my own destiny, even if I’ll never be free of my mark.”

Ever since my first time watching the show, I thought Aang’s “I have a scar,” line was meant to be a metaphor for how he perceived his Avatar status. Since he’s the last airbender, he’s the only one with airbender tattoos. And, since the last airbender happens to be the Avatar, Aang’s markings immediately identify him as the Avatar—a status that he never wished to have, and a status that he had to learn to accept. With that comes his added guilt seen in Books 1 and 2 about how he couldn’t help the airbenders (a theme that crops up in “The Storm,” and “The Guru”).

What hadn’t occurred to me until recently though was the possibility of Zuko’s similar line back in the season 2 finale being of equally symbolic value. Of course, Zuko is just referring to his physical scar, and we as the audience know he’s only referring to his physical scar. However, we also know that the scar’s meaning is much deeper than that. For not only does the scar represent Zuko’s banishment and all the implications that come with that but, it later comes to represent Zuko’s honor—the very thing Zuko thought he’d lost.

Thus, Aang and Zuko’s markings are a constant reminder of who they are (or, who society says they are). For Aang, it marks him as the last airbender, and the Avatar; for Zuko, it marks him as the honorless, banished prince of the Fire Nation who’s unloved by his father (until Book 3, when his scar begins to represent his honor). By the show’s end, both Aang and Zuko embrace what those markings stand for, and choose to move on from their pasts to forge their own destinies.

This allows both characters to stay true to themselves—Aang stays true to his roots when he defeats the Firelord without killing him, and Zuko finally stays true to himself when he defects from the Fire Nation to join the Gaang.

This brings us to another topic: mentors and masters.

Mentors and Masters

One of the elements that factor into the parallels between Aang and Zuko’s narratives is the role that Gyatso, Iroh, Katara, and Mai all play in Aang and Zuko’s respective journeys.

Let’s start off by looking at Monk Gyatso and Iroh, and the role they play in Aang and Zuko’s narratives.

Iroh was Zuko’s mentor, father figure, and firebending master. Likewise, Gyatso was Aang’s mentor, father figure, and airbending master. Iroh and Gyatso both cared for their respective charges deeply, and gave them advice, guidance, and wisdom when they could,

Gyatso and Iroh were also there when Aang and Zuko were burdened with their identities the most. Gyatso was there for Aang when the world around him demanded that he take a stand as the Avatar to defeat the Fire Nation threat looming on the horizon, and Iroh was there for Zuko when he was doing anything and everything in his power to restore his honor. Occasionally, Iroh and Gyatso would step in, thinking it best for their respective charges to relax, and have a more healthy, balanced lifestyle.

When Aang runs away in the flashback from “The Storm,” and later when Zuko betrays Iroh in “The Crossroads of Destiny,” we again see a nice little connection between these two characters. Where Aang ran away because he was burdened by his role as the Avatar, because he lost his friends, and because he was faced with the possibility of being separated from Gyatso, Zuko was willing to betray his uncle to restore his honor, and again be with his biological father whose love and acceptance he craved.

This leads to a nice set of parallels that focus on Aang and Zuko’s relationship with Monk Gyatso and Iroh respectively.

First, we have this parallel in which Aang expressing his anger at his elders for wanting to separate him from Gyatso in “The Storm” parallels Zuko expressing his anger and frustration in “The Beach,” which he admits has to do with himself, and his decisions.

Second, we have this example, which deals with Aang and Zuko trying to come to terms with their decisions as they go about their respective journeys. This usually follows the formula of them grieving or being reminded of their loss, only to be consoled by Guru Pathik, Katara, or another member of Team Avatar.

This brings us to our third and final parallel of this sort, which features Aang mourning Gyatso, and Zuko crying as he begs for his uncle’s forgiveness.

Thus, while Zuko was eventually able to reunite with his mentor, Aang was not.

With that out of the way, we can begin to focus on Katara and Mai, and the role they played in Aang and Zuko’s journeys.

So, after Aang gets frozen, and after Zuko betrays Iroh, the mentor figure in Aang and Zuko’s lives gets replaced by Katara and Mai respectively. And, while the circumstances surrounding these two characters are very different, Katara and Mai still provide a similar role by giving Aang and Zuko guidance if and when they can.

Let’s start with parallels between Gyatso and Katara. This is a pretty straightforward comparison. Katara and Gyatso both give Aang advice, listen to what he has to say, and act as Aang’s airbending and waterbending masters. Additionally, both Gyatso and Katara want Aang to be viewed as a person, and not just as a sort of super weapon that could be used to defeat the Fire Nation. We also get a nice parallel when Gyatso and Katara discover that Aang is missing (complete with Aang on the water during a storm, albeit for two different reasons)/

Turning our attention to Gyatso and Mai, both characters listen to their respective charges. We also see another parallel which I’ll talk about later in this meta.

So, what about Iroh then?

To answer that question, we can look at two sets of parallels.

Let’s start off with Iroh and Mai. Just like with Mai and Katara, the circumstances surrounding Mai and Iroh are very different. On the one hand, Iroh knows Zuko a lot. He’d been traveling with him for three long years, so he knows what to expect and when. On the other hand, the last time Mai saw Zuko was before his banishment.

Still, they both try their best to help Zuko by giving him advice, as well as doing other things like trying to cheer him up (even if they sometimes fail to do so), just plain listening to what he has to say, calling him out when he partakes in destructive behavior (and trying their best to keep Zuko from hurting himself and other people out of anger and frustration), setting boundaries for what is and isn’t acceptable behavior, and even by just backing away when they have to.

Next, we have parallels between Iroh and Katara. Again, they play a similar role by helping Aang and Zuko along their respective paths. They listen to them, help guide them, try to make them feel better (even if it sometimes doesn’t work), they lend their voice when they think Aang and Zuko are about to do something that will ultimately do more harm than good, they try to keep the peace when it looks like things are getting heated, and they too back away when they have to.

Having said that though, we can also look at parallels between Katara and Mai, to see how they factor into the mix as well. Just like Iroh, they listen to them when they’re brooding (and again, just like with Iroh, when they try to cheer them up, it sometimes doesn’t work), they call Aang and Zuko out when they display problematic, or unhealthy behaviors, and they too back away when they have to.

Looking only at Katara and Mai’s interactions with Zuko though, we see some nice camera framing parallels, as well as some other parallels that help tie everything together. For example, both Mai and Katara try to help Zuko along his path, either by listening to what he has to say, or by trying to cheer him up. Furthermore, we have these two parallels that feature Zuko (and Ty Lee) saving Mai and Katara from Azula, as well as these two parallels that have to do with Zuko hurting Mai and Katara emotionally, and Zuko seeking their forgiveness.

Now, having gotten that out of the way, let’s talk about loss.

Loss

“It is still inside of your heart, and is reborn in the form of new love.”

Aang and Zuko experience various kinds of loss, and deal with their loss in different sorts of ways. But, the show still does its best to tie everything together, especially when it comes to our three central characters: Aang, Zuko, and Katara.

Just focusing on Aang and Zuko though, we have four primary parental figures: Monk Gyatso, Iroh, Ozai, and Ursa.

While we never got to see Aang’s parents, we know that Monk Gyatso was like a father to him. Zuko, on the other hand, had both his parents. However, while Aang grew up in a supportive environment, Zuko grew up in a much more hostile, and abusive one. Still, Zuko, like Aang, had family that loved and supported him. He had his mother, Ursa, and he had Iroh, his uncle and surrogate father.

Both Aang and Zuko lose their parental figures at one point or another. Aang, fearing separation from Gyatso, runs away. This leads to him being frozen and eventually having to deal with Gyatso’s death. In addition to losing Gyatso, however, Aang also loses his entire culture, thus adding another layer to his grief.

Zuko’s situation is a little more different. While he doesn’t lose his culture, Zuko loses three parental figures between his birth and the final season, as well as being exiled from his homeland. That said, the sort of loss Zuko goes through with each of his parental figures is very different.

The first parental figure that Zuko loses is his father. The difficulty here though is that because of the abuse Zuko endured, Zuko doesn’t quite realize this until the second half of the third season, and thus does everything he can to gain and maintain whatever love Zuko thinks Ozai has for him.

However, Zuko’s journey—in terms of his losing Ozai’s love—leads him to conclude that whatever love Ozai had for him (if he even loved him), doesn’t matter because he had other, better parental figures in his life. Furthermore, as Zuko himself mentions, winning his father’s love wasn’t worth losing sight of who he was.

This brings us to Ursa and Iroh.

The next parental figure Zuko loses is his mother, who was banished as part of a deal that would spare Zuko’s life. And, while we don’t see her much, we still see how she helped shape some of Zuko’s decisions (like him not giving up in “Zuko Alone,” and his ultimately staying true to himself by choosing to leave the Fire Nation).

Eventually, Zuko also loses Iroh (albeit temporarily) when he seemingly renounces his love for him so he can gain his father’s love. However, after this betrayal and his reunion with his father, Zuko soon realizes that it’s Iroh’s love, and not Ozai’s twisted idea of love, that matters most.

And, as mentioned in previous sections, both Aang and Zuko are forced to confront their loss. They deal with this loss in different ways but, they still need to lean to move on, even if they’re only partially able to do so.

That said, we see how both Aang and Zuko have trouble dealing with loss, and are often in denial of that loss. As the series progresses, we see how their inability to deal with their loss and their refusal to let go ties not only into their respective arcs but, also interacts with the themes of destiny and identity as well.

For example, Aang at first refuses to believe that the Air Nomads are actually dead. This leads to him discovering Monk Gyatso’s remains, and having to deal with the reality of the Air Nomad Genocide. Later, he sees what a group of Earth Kingdom refugees did to the Northern Air Temple, and he has to deal with that as well. Then, he deals with losing Appa, and we see how that affects him as the Gaang travels to Ba Sing Se. Finally, we see him having difficulty letting go of Katara, and later having to deal with losing in Ba Sing Se. As the series progresses, Aang learns how to move on, and to accept that he’s the last of his people.

Likewise, Zuko must deal with the loss of his father’s love. And, like Aang with the loss of his people, he tries to deny that his father doesn’t love him time and time again. Even when people like Zhao and Azula lay down the facts, Zuko refuses to accept that as reality, and instead persists in his belief that his father actually loves him. Eventually, after returning home, Zuko realizes that his father’s love doesn’t matter, and thus is able to break free and forge new connections.

And now, having talked about loss, we come to parts seven and eight of this meta, which are somewhat interconnected.

First, let’s start with good and evil.

Good and Evil

“They balance each other…push and pull…life and death…good and evil… yin…and yang.”

While it’s tempting to call Zuko the yin to Aang’s yang (or, even, his yAang…sorry), it’s important to remember that good and evil in Taoist tradition differs dramatically from how good and evil are perceived in Western tradition.

In Western tradition, good and evil are opposites and are at odds with each other. According to this tradition, evil is ofttimes associated with the male, while good is ofttimes associated with the female (technically though it can sometimes be more complex than that but, that’s a different discussion entirely). Here, passiveness and stoicness are associated with the male, while purity, virtue, and emotion are associated with the female.

Taoism, on the other hand, is very different. First and foremost, there is no ideology that distinguishes between good and evil or, vice and virtue like there is in Western traditions. What yin and yang actually describes is a philosophy whereby forces that appear to be contrary to each other are actually complementary and interconnected—thus, a perfect metaphor for the relationship between Aang and Zuko.

That said, there appears to be a misunderstanding when Westerners try to talk about yin and yang because, what often happens is that Westerners will assume that Taoist beliefs share the West’s dichotomy between light and dark, and good and evil. And, because the West views dark as bad and light as good, they will often assume that yin (the dark part of the yin yang symbol) is evil, while the light side (yang) is good. This is usually followed up by assuming that everything that the West holds true for good and evil (or light and dark), and what the West associates with good and evil applies to the Taoist tradition of yin and yang as well. For example, they might assume that yin is evil and associated with masculinity and passivity, while yang is good and associated with femininity and emotion.

This belief is very much false.

In the Taoist tradition, yin is associated with passivity and femininity, while yang is associated with aggression and masculinity. Of course, neither yin nor yang are mutually exclusive, and any individual can show traits that belong to either.

Therefore, according to Taoist tradition, it’s Aang—our pacifist monk—who’s yin because of his passive nature, while Zuko is yang. Aang—who usually relies on negative jin when he fights—is pull, while Zuko—who usually relies on positive jin when he fights—is push.

That brings us to part 8 of this meta: fighting styles.

Fighting Style

“Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole.”

As I mentioned above, Aang starts out with a fighting style that overly emphasizes negative jin, while Zuko starts out with a fighting style that overly emphasizes positive jin. This simply means that Aang is constantly on the defense, while Zuko is constantly on the attack.

This soon changes, however, as both Aang and Zuko begin incorporating the opposite sort of jin into their fighting style. We see, for example, how Aang first starts to really use a more firebender style of fighting in Book 1, while Zuko adopts some aspects of the airbender style of fighting as well. Although neither of them really lets go of their accustomed fighting style in terms of offense and defense, both Aang and Zuko try to incorporate offensive and defensive forms into their fighting.

That said, we also see how both Zuko and Aang try to incorporate different modes of fighting into their own styles as well. For example, Aang uses the bending styles of the Four Nations with their own element (Northern Shaolin for firebending, Tai Chi for waterbending, Hung Gar for earthbending, and Ba Gua for airbending) but, he also allows those different fighting styles to influence his airbending style, whether it’s through waterbender style push and pull, an earthbender stance, or a firebending kick.

Likewise, Zuko too learns to incorporate different forms of fighting into his own style. He starts to be fluid like a waterbender, evasive like an airbender, and grounded like an earthbender,

Thus, we end up with multiple examples of Aang and Zuko allowing their native bending styles to be influenced by different bending techniques (here’s just one example that demonstrates Aang and Zuko using the bending style of each nation).

Furthermore, with the aid of Huu, Iroh, and Guru Pathik, both Aang and Zuko learn about the connections between the four elements and the Four Nations, as well as the benefit of learning from those around them regardless of their nationality.

It’s this connection, and use of different fighting styles, that we later see being displayed in “The Legend of Korra.” Only now our benders have gotten smarter, and maybe even more creative. As you may have seen me mention, by Korra’s time it’s not just as simple as “using x style with y element,” because Zuko and Aang helped shape a world where people are bending and fighting in new, unique ways that neither they nor Iroh could have anticipated.

Themes and Interactions

In the above section, we learned how there are many important themes at play in Aang and Zuko’s narratives, and that these themes help our characters grow as they go about their respective journeys. We also saw that these themes parallel each other in many different ways, and that Aang and Zuko’s reactions to the forces around them often shape the path that they eventually take.

We began by discussing Aang and Zuko’s upbringing, and saw that each character’s culture affected how they grew up, thus influencing their growth and the people they came to be at the start of the series.

Then we talked about destiny, identity, and scars We saw that both Aang and Zuko were faced with a great burden, and that Aang initially ran away from his destiny, while Zuko constantly tried to embrace his. We also saw a lot of push-and-pull factors at play here as well, and saw that Aang and Zuko’s response to their identities and destinies shaped a lot of their decisions.

Then we talked about mentors. Here, we saw that there were quite a few people that helped Aang and Zuko along their respective paths. This group mainly consisted of Iroh, Gyatso, Mai, and Katara. They helped Aang and Zuko move along their respective paths either by supporting them, giving them advice, trying to cheer them up, or by doing something else to help them along their journey.

Having talked about mentors, we came to the subject of loss, where we saw that both Aang and Zuko felt loss in different ways, and that many of Aang and Zuko’s decisions were centered around loss as well. We also saw that this loss had a huge impact on their decisions, and that both characters eventually had to come to accept the loss that they suffered and learn to move on.

Finally, we talked about fighting styles and saw how the philosophy of yin and yang applied to Aang and Zuko. Here, we saw that Zuko was the yang to Aang’s yin, and that this is a reflection of both their personalities, as well as their fighting style. Here, we saw how Aang was more passive and generally relied on negative jin, while Zuko was more aggressive and generally relied on positive jin.

We also saw that both Aang and Zuko learned about understanding different cultures and the teachings that came from those cultures. Related to this, we also saw that Aang and Zuko learned to incorporate the bending style of each of the Four Nations into their individual style, thus creating even more of a connect between the Avatar and Firelord.

Now, having finished talking about themes, we can finally begin talking about specific parallels between Aang and Zuko that happen season-by-season,

Let’s roll!

Parallels between Episodes

Before I get started, let me explain how this will work. I’ll go through each season in order, pointing out parallels along the way. However, to maintain continuity, and to ensure better organization (and because the payoff will be better by the time I get to Book 3), parallels that occur between two different episodes will be mentioned in the episode that’s closest to the finale.

Book 1

So, the plot of Book 1 is pretty straightforward. All our characters start out in and around the Southern Water Tribe when Aang is freed from his iceberg. This leads to all our main characters being introduced to each other, and Zuko chasing Aang as he travels to the North Pole so he and Katara can learn waterbending.

Along the way, we learn some of Aang and Zuko’s backstory, and we get to see a couple of nice parallels between them too.

The Boy in the Iceberg

Let’s start off in the very beginning, where we’re first introduced to Aang and Zuko.

“The Boy in the Iceberg” starts in the icy seas of the South Pole where we meet Katara and Sokka, two siblings from the Southern Water Tribe. They’re simply trying to catch themselves some dinner but, a series of events leads to them finding a boy trapped in ice.

This boy turns out to be Aang—a person who we later learn is the Avatar, which means that 1) he’s the bridge between the human world and the Spirit World, and 2) that he can master all four elements.

However, as Aang is freed from the ice, we see an immense amount of spiritual energy pouring out of it, which leads to our next character introduction.

The camera starts to move away from the giant energy beam and we eventually cut to Zuko, who we immediately learn is on the hunt for the Avatar. Concluding that the Avatar must have been the cause of the energy beam, Zuko sets a course toward the light.

And, after some more character introductions, some world building, and a series of events that lead to a flare being fired from an abandoned Fire Navy ship, the episode ends with Zuko tracking Aang back to Katara and Sokka’s village.

Here, aside from being introduced to our main cast, we get our first ever transition between Aang and Zuko. And, while it’s not all that impressive, it’s still a first for the Avatar and the Firelord.

That said, this episode is also important in that it sets up Aang and Zuko’s respective arcs for the rest of the series. It sets up Zuko as the frustrated banished prince who is constantly trying to regain his honor so he can return home and gain his father’s love, and it sets up Aang as this Avatar who was so burdened by the revelation that he was the Avatar that he ran away.

The Avatar Returns

This brings us to “The Avatar Returns,” which picks up where “The Boy in the Iceberg” left off.

After setting off the flare in the previous episode, Katara and Aang return to the village where they find an unfriendly welcome. The villagers, noticing the flare set off in the previous episode, fear that the Fire Nation will be on them at any moment, and thus banish Aang from their village.

Eventually, Zuko arrives and we see our first interaction between protagonist and deuteragonist as Aang and Zuko fight. However, after noticing that Zuko is unintentionally harming civilians with his fire, Aang offers himself up as a prisoner on the condition that the village be left alone.

After Zuko agrees and takes Aang prisoner, Sokka and Katara go after Aang and manage to catch up to him just as he’s about to escape, but not before he enters the Avatar state and waterbends at Zuko and his crew.

Here, there’s nothing really impressive parallel wise (—yet, just wait until we get to Book 3) but, episode 2 does introduce our main cast to each other. We continue to get introduced to Aang, Zuko, Katara, and Sokka, and we witness some more interactions between these four characters.

The Southern Air Temple

This brings us to “The Southern Air Temple,” which takes place immediately after “The Avatar Returns,” and is all about loss.

Let’s start with our A-plot. The A-plot of this episode features Aang, Katara, and Sokka visiting the Southern Air Temple, Aang’s home. Despite hearing about the war and the devastation caused by the Fire Nation, Aang is deep in denial, insisting that some of his people must have escaped the genocide. This changes, however, when Aang is forced to face the reality of the Air Nomad Genocide as well as the death of Monk Gyatso. And, unlike Zuko who we’ll see is still very much in denial of his loss, Aang begins to accept his loss, going so far as to conclude that the Fire Nation must have gotten to the other temples as well.

Now, having said that, we can focus on our B-plot, which follows Zuko and Iroh. We start off with Zuko and Iroh paying a visit to Zhao’s harbor in the hopes of repairing their damaged ship. Here, Zhao outright tells Zuko that his father doesn’t want him. But, Zuko being Zuko, denies this, and even goes so far as to challenge Zhao to a duel all because Zhao dared suggest that his father doesn’t love him. And, it’s in this state of tension where we get our first hint at Zuko’s past.

So, what can we say about Aang and Zuko at this point?

Well, we know that both characters have experienced some sort of loss. We don’t know the details about Aang’s being frozen or the details of Zuko’s banishment but, we know that both characters have experienced loss, and we know that that lose concerns a father figure in one way or another.

As the series continues, we’ll see both characters deal with this loss until finally coming into acceptance.

Winter Solstice

After “The Avatar Returns” and “The Warriors and Kyoshi,” “Winter Solstice” is the third (and fourth, since this is a two-part special) episode where we see Aang and Zuko butt heads.

In “Winter Solstice, Part 1,” Aang travels to a small village where he tries to stop a spirit from attacking it. Meanwhile, Zuko chases Aang but, he ultimately has to make a choice between hunting Aang and rescuing his uncle.

“Winter Solstice, Part 2” again finds Zuko chasing Aang, this time to the Fire Nation. Here, we see some more world building done as it’s revealed that Firelord Sozin used the Great Comet (now called Sozin’s Comet) to start the war, and that Ozai will use the next coming of the comet to end it.

Aside from a neat little parallel where Aang and Zuko finish each other’s sentences, we have a few things going on.

First, despite not knowing how, Aang decides to try and communicate with the spirits, and later tries to rescue Sokka from Hei Bai. Zuko, in the meantime, makes a choice between going after Appa, and saving his uncle from earthbending soldiers. He chooses to save his uncle.

Later, both Aang and Zuko make a dangerous trek into the Fire Nation. For Aang, the danger is obvious—he’s the Avatar, and of course it would be dangerous for him to go. In a similar vein, it’s dangerous for Zuko to go as well, since returning home would mean his death if he gets caught.

Thus, this episode shows us three things. First, it begins to show us that Aang is willing to step into his role as the Avatar, and that he’s willing to take the risks associated with his duty. Secondly, it shows us that not only is Zuko still in denial of his losing his father’s love but, that he’s willing to take immense risks in order to regain Ozai’s love also. And lastly, this episode is the first of many episodes to show the struggle between Zuko’s wanting to do what’s right, and wanting to do everything he can to win his father’s affections or to get a piece of home.

As the show progresses, we’ll see this struggle between right and wrong play out even more until Zuko finally changes sides.

The Waterbending Scroll

Next, we have “The Waterbending Scroll.”

In this episode, Aang and the Gaang come across some pirates and a waterbending scroll. After Katara steals the scroll, Aang and Katara try to learn from it. However, after Katara gets a little jealous of Aang’s bending and tries to learn from it in the dark of night, she gets captured by Zuko, and we see the consequences of Katara’s actions unfold as Zuko tries and fails to capture Aang.

I know I said I won’t focus on insignificant stuff but, I just like this camera framing parallel (plus, we have a nice shot of Katara and Iroh having their attention caught by something they find to their fancy).

The Storm

And now, having to gotten to “The Storm,” the fun can really begin.

We start out with Aang and Zuko reflecting on just how nice the weather is. One storm symbolizing the turmoil of their past, and one camera framing/transition parallel later, and Aang and Zuko’s backstories begin to unravel.

Here, we learn how the pain and pressure Aang and Zuko were put through affected their decisions, and the position they found themselves in at the start of the series. For example, Aang, fearing separation from Gyatso, runs away. Meanwhile, Zuko, wanting both to gain his father’s love and protect his people, speaks out of turn and is eventually burned and banished.

The episode ends with some really beautiful imagery as Aang looks at Zuko, and Zuko looks at Aang. We don’t know where their journeys will take them but, still we sense some sort of connection between these two characters.

We also again see that Aang finds it easier to move on than Zuko. After all, this episode was all about Aang and Zuko’s past, and their ability to move on from their past mistakes. And, as we had seen in “The Southern Air Temple,” Zuko is very much tied to his past.

The Blue Spirit

This brings us to “The Blue Spirit,” which takes place immediately after the events of “The Storm,” and again shows us the strong connection between Aang and Zuko.

So, Zhao is again on the hunt. He captures Aang. Zuko, fearing that his honor is at stake, goes to rescue Aang as the Blue Spirit (even if his intentions aren’t all that noble). This leads to Aang and Zuko working together for the first time ever.

After Zhao has Zuko shot with an arrow, Aang learns the identity of the Blue Spirit and decides to save him, which eventually leads to the most well-known foreshadowing moment in the entire franchise.

Seeking sanctuary in a forest, Aang tells Zuko about his friend, Kuzon, who we learn was from the Fire Nation. At the end of his anecdote, Aang wonders if he and Zuko could have been friends had their circumstances been different.

While Zuko answers Aang with an attack, we still get the sense that maybe, just maybe, Zuko considers Aang’s question as he looks off into the distance.

After Aang returns to his and the Gaang’s shelter, and after Zuko returns to his ship, a delirious Sokka asks Aang if he made any new friends. Aang, thinking only of Zuko, responds with “No, I don’t think they did.”

This leads us into a nice little transition between Aang and Zuko, as well as one final parallel as Zuko considers Aang’s question.

Siege of the North

“Siege of the North” is our big climax for Book 1. Here, we see The Northern Water Tribe prepare for battle against the Fire Nation fleet led by Admiral Zhao. Meanwhile, Aang tries to find a way to defeat Zhao and save the Northern Water Tribe from his assault.

While there’s not much to say about “The Siege of the North” in regard to Aang/Zuko parallels, we still have a moment where both Aang and Zuko try to save their enemies.

Aside from these events, we also hit our first major benchmark since the start of the series. Here, we see Aang beginning to accept his destiny as the Avatar and going into the world ready to be the hero that it needs. Meanwhile, Zuko is still shunned by his father and his people, and has hit a major obstacle after his quest to fulfill what he thinks his destiny comes to a halt.

Book 2

In Book 2, several things happen. First and foremost, Aang tries to find an earthbending teacher while Zuko and Iroh travel around the Earth Kingdom as fugitives. Next, we hit a turning point which involves both Aang and Zuko trying to make it to Ba Sing Se. As these two narratives play out, we encounter many parallels between Aang and Zuko.

The Avatar State

Like many Avatar episodes, “The Avatar State” features an A-plot focusing on Aang, and a B-plot focusing on Zuko. And, like some of these episodes, Aang and Zuko parallel each other.

We start off with General Fong and Azula giving Aang and Zuko a very tempting offer. General Fong offers to help Aang get into and master the Avatar state, while Azula seemingly offers Zuko a way home.

Despite being warned by Katara and Iroh, Aang and Zuko take the bait. Where Aang tries to back out of General Fong’s offer before being forced to fight (with a small parallel between him voicing his refusal to fight General Fong in “The Avatar State,” and Zuko refusing to fight Ozai in “The Storm”), Zuko is tricked by Azula, who was really trying to take Iroh and Zuko home as prisoners.

This leads to a couple of nice camera framing parallels between Aang and Zuko. And in the end, both Aang and Zuko realize that their mentors were right, and they continue with their journey.

With that said, this episode continues to do what “Siege of the North” already began to do. Regarding Aang, it puts him in a position to further embrace and continue with his destiny as the Avatar. With Zuko, it continues to make it difficult for him to embrace what he thinks his destiny is, and we see him continuously having to struggle with his circumstances from this point on.

Aside from that, “The Avatar State” continues to show us Zuko’s refusal to believe that his father doesn’t love him, which ties into both Zuko’s loss arc as well as his overall redemption arc.

Bitter Work

After a few more episodes of adventuring, and after Zuko runs into the Gaang in “The Chase,” we come to “Bitter Work.” This episode takes place right after the events of “The Chase” and, like “Winter Solstice” and “The Avatar State,” hosts a lot of parallels between Aang and Zuko within the episode.

“Bitter work” finds Aang trying to learn earthbending, while Zuko tries to learn lightningbending. Both these characters find themselves with a bending block. Aang has trouble with earthbending because it’s the opposite of air, and Zuko has trouble creating lightning because of his inner turmoil.

Eventually, Aang overcomes his block, while Zuko does not. And, despite learning lightning redirection, Zuko is still frustrated about his inability to lightningbend, which leads to a nice contrast between the endings of our A-plot and B-plot where Aang is proud of his accomplishments while Zuko is still upset.

Here, I would also like to note that not only does Iroh’s speech to Zuko parallel what Huu told Aang in “The Swamp” but, also that Iroh’s speech is followed up by Aang using an earthbending stance with airbending to deter a moose lion, thus demonstrating the practicality of combining the different bending styles.

The Serpent’s Pass

Eventually, we come to the “The Serpent’s Pass,” where Aang and Zuko almost meet as they try to get passage across Full Moon Bay. However, they ultimately don’t as Aang and the rest of his group choose to travel with a couple of refugees they met along the way.

Before we get into the Aang/Zuko parallels though, it would be worth noting that between “The Avatar State” and “The Library” we’ve seen Zuko become a fugitive of the Fire Nation, as well as Appa being stolen. These two events leave Aang and Zuko feeling rather hopeless. Iroh and Katara try to cheer them up but, Aang and Zuko refuse their comfort. Eventually though, both Aang and Zuko come around, and their respective journeys continue.

Furthermore, Aang losing Appa is tied into his loss arc due to the significance Appa has to him. Appa was Aang’s best friend and, just like with Katara’s necklace, Appa was a connection to Aang’s past and the people he lost.

Likewise, the whole idea that Zuko is feeling hopeless because he can’t return home also ties into his loss arc as well because, as I’ve already established: all Zuko wants to do is go back home and gain his father’s love and acceptance, something that he feels he’s lost and thus must store.

That said, we again see that Aang is more willing to try and move on and focus on the present instead of moping around, while Zuko continues to brood and long for his home.

City of Walls and Secrets

After everyone crosses Full Moon Bay, the Gaang, Zuko, and Iroh eventually make it to Ba Sing Se. Aside from Zuko struggling with the idea of having a new life in Ba Sing Se, and Aang trying to find Appa, we’re left with a rather striking contrast between Aang and Zuko.

Aang, the humble Air Nomad monk gets settled in the Upper Ring. Aang dislikes Ba Sing Se because of the contrast between how he was taught to live, and how those in the Ba Sing Se live.

Zuko, the Fire Nation prince, gets settled in the Lower Ring. He dislikes that, of course, because he’s a Fire Nation prince, and he’s being forced to live in poverty.

Lake Laogai

This brings us to “Lake Laogai.”

In this episode, Katara meets up with Jet who informs her and the Gaang that he can help them find Appa. Meanwhile, Zuko chances upon one of Aang’s wanted posters for Appa, which makes him want to go look for the giant bison so he can capture Aang, thus giving him another shot at going home and regaining his father’s love.

As the episode progresses, and the audience begins to think that the Gaang is getting close to finding Appa, we get a nice little camera framing parallel when it’s revealed that it’s Zuko who finds Appa, and not Aang.

This leads to Iroh confronting Zuko, and telling him just how much he’s letting his honor quest control him, and how much damage he’s doing to himself because of it. And Zuko, despite doing all he can to ignore his uncle, and telling him that he’s only doing what he has to, is eventually forced to face the facts and abandon his quest.

This ends with him setting Appa free, and allowing him to return to Aang.

Stepping back for a moment though, Zuko, finding himself at another obstacle where he’s forced to face to the futility of his quest, seemingly abandons his search to be who his uncle wants him to be. Meanwhile, Aang finds himself one step closer to meeting with and making an ally of the Earth King, thus bringing him closer to ending the war and fulfilling his destiny as the Avatar.

The Guru

"The Guru” finds Aang trying to master the Avatar state by opening his chakras, while Zuko seemingly lets go of his quest to begin a new life in Ba Sing Se. And, just like he did in “The Swamp,” and just like Zuko did in “Bitter Work,” Aang learns about the four elements and the four nations being connected.

The Crossroads of Destiny

This brings up to the Book 2 finale, “The Crossroads of Destiny,” where Aang and Zuko are forced to make a crucial decision.

Stepping back for a moment though, between “Lake Laogai” and “The Guru,” we’ve seen Aang and Zuko struggle with their choices. Aang struggles with whether he can or should let go of Katara to fulfill his destiny as the Avatar, and Zuko struggles with his identity and whether he can or should let go of whatever love he thinks his father has for him, and any love he has for his father.

In “The Guru,” Aang finds that he can’t let go of Katara who, like Appa, is a connection to his past (“The Air Nomads’ love for you has not left this world. It is still inside of your heart, and is reborn in the form of new love.”). Zuko, in contrast, has seemingly let go of his past as well as any love he had for Ozai, and vis versa. This dynamic gets reversed in “Crossroads,” as Aang lets go of Katara to achieve the Avatar state, while Zuko sides with Azula because he has a shot at gaining Ozai’s love.

Regarding other parallels, we start off with Zuko saying he’s tired of running (which parallels Aang telling Azula he’s not running in “The Chase”). Zuko gets captured, Iroh tries to help the Gaang stop Azula’s coup, and we eventually get to our big fight where Zuko, who is unable to let go of his old identity and his father’s love, sides with his sister.

Likewise, even though he was unable to give up Katara in “The Guru,” Aang eventually lets of Katara in the finale to achieve the Avatar state.

This leads to Aang getting shot down by lightning, and Zuko thinking he’s regained his honor, and doubting his decisions.

Book 3

Thus, we come to the third and final book of the series. Here, we really see Aang and Zuko’s parallels come full circle. Zuko starts to be a little more like Aang and finally, everything Avatar has been building up to comes to a head.

Here, we see both Aang and Zuko in and around the Fire Nation. Aang is in hiding, and Zuko is struggling with his decisions. Come “The Day of Black Sun,” things change, and while the Avatar and his friends suffer a loss, Zuko joins the Gaang, and they go on to defeat Firelord Ozai.

The Awakening

So, Book 3 starts, and immediately we have several things happening. First and foremost, Zuko is welcomed home as a hero and seemingly fulfills his destiny, while Aang is on the run. This is a bit of a twist on Books 1 and 2, where we saw Aang—the hero the world was waiting for—welcomed into the world and ready to fulfill his destiny, while Zuko was the fugitive. And, like Zuko in Book 2, Aang grows his hair out.

This episode itself starts with Aang on a ship, not unlike his counterpart in the very beginning of the series. Aang feels like he’s lost his honor, while Zuko thinks he’s found his. In these opening scenes, we’re also given two transition parallels which help to further establish the connection between Aang and Zuko.

Also, both Aang and Zuko are caught in a lie, with the world believing that 1) Aang is dead, and 2) that Zuko killed him.

Looking at only Zuko though, we see him parallel a lot of Aang’s earlier scenes.

For one, both Aang and Zuko desperately want to visit their home regardless of Iroh and Katara’s repeated warnings.

And, when they do return home, they realize just how much has changed since they left. After all, as Iroh said in “The Storm”: “Things will never be back to normal.”

The Headband

When we get to “The Headband,” Aang has accepted that he’ll just have to wait for the Day of Black Sun, and he’s feeling much more upbeat than before. Zuko, meanwhile, is still brooding, and trying to deal with the fact that Aang is alive.

This is clearly a reflection of how Aang has an easier time moving on. However, in this scenario, it’s not necessarily a bad thing for Zuko since it’s his fixation on his banishment that helps him realize just how messed up that whole thing was in the first place.

Anyway, to help solve his problems, Zuko visits Iroh but, Iroh turns his back on him and he’s forced to handle the situation by himself. This parallels a moment from “The Avatar State,” where Katara turns her back on Aang, and refuses to help him further his goals, just like Iroh does with Zuko.

On a lesser note, Mai and Zuko go on sunset date, while Katara and Aang share a dance at nightfall.

The Beach

“The Beach” has a pretty simple premise. The Gaang gets attacked by Combustion Man, who was sent after them by Zuko in “The Headband,” and Zuko goes on a forced vacation with the Fire Nation kids where we explore some of their backstories as well as Zuko’s problems.

While “The Beach” is mostly focused on Zuko’s narrative, we get a nice parallel with Aang in “The Storm” and Zuko in this episode expressing their anger in and around a campfire. However, while Aang’s anger is focused on his elders, Zuko’s anger is focused on himself.

We also get this parallel, which features Aang and Zuko burning relics of their past. And, while their reasons for doing so are very different, this parallel highlights an important contrast in regard to Aang and Zuko dealing with loss.

To elaborate, while Aang’s staff is a connection to his past, Aang has to let that go and, in contrast to other times where Aang had to move on from his past, Aang—even though he seems sad about having to let it go—still manages to do it.

Zuko, in contrast, acts like he’s letting go when he burns his old family portrait. But, in classic Zuko fashion, he can’t because he is still very much tied to his past.

Thus, we again see how Aang has an easier time moving on, while Zuko finds it much more difficult.

Finally, we also have a nice parallel between “The Beach” and “The Serpent’s Pass” with Ty Lee and Katara talking to Zuko and Aang about how they’re pretending not to care about Appa/their past, when really they do.

This again goes back to the theme of loss, and how we’ve seen Aang having an easier time moving on in compared to Zuko.

The Avatar and the Firelord

"The Avatar and the Firelord” is also pretty straightforward. However, just like with episodes like “The Storm” and “The Blue Spirit,” it’s very significant,

Here, we learn about Avatar Roku and Firelord Sozin, and how they went from being friends to enemies. Thus, this episode helps to both establish more backstory, as well as to connect Aang with Zuko even more. This connection becomes even more significant when we later learn that Roku was Zuko’s maternal great-grandfather.

The connection between Aang and Zuko in this episode is further aided by another sleep parallel, similar to what we saw in “The Blue Spirit,” as well as scene transitions parallels between Aang and Zuko, and Zuko and Roku, which help connect Zuko, Aang, and Avatar Roku.

That said, it’s also worth noting that while Aang and Zuko are destined to be unifiers (as I mentioned in the section on identity), Roku and Sozin too could have been unifiers. The problem, however, was that Sozin was an imperialist, and wanted to unify the world in all the wrong ways, with Roku by his side.

Thus, Aang and Zuko’s story isn’t just a reverse of Roku and Sozin’s story—it’s also a new beginning. But, it’s not just a new beginning for the world, it’s a new beginning for the Fire Nation, and the Avatar and the Firelord as well. Where Sozin wanted to unify the world through war, Aang and Zuko unify the world through peace.

Nightmares and Daydreams

“Nightmares and Daydreams” focuses on two things. First, it focuses on Aang stressing about the impending invasion. Second, it focuses on Zuko stressing about supposedly not being invited to a war meeting.

In addition to this, it’s also worth noting that Aang and Zuko’s moods are reversed between the start and the end of this episode. Aang starts out feeling stressed but, by the end of this episode, he’s feeling happy and content. Zuko, in contrast, starts off feeling happy and content but, eventually starts to feel stressed and ultimately conflicted having endured his father’s war meeting.

Getting to the parallels, just like Zuko’s fever dreams in “The Guru,” Zuko shows up in Aang’s stress dreams as well. Additionally, one of Aang’s dreams parallels something that actually happened.

And, aside from getting a camera framing parallel between Aang/Zuko and Katara/Mai, we also see a parallel between Zuko’s brooding here, and Aang’s brooding in Book 2.

Furthermore, just like how Aang refused to be comforted or helped by Katara in “The Serpent’s Pass,” Zuko too refuses to be comforted by Mai.

In the end though, both characters resolve their issues, and we move on from there.

Before we move on though, let’s again take a step back. By this point in the series, Aang is again taking a stand as the Avatar and embracing his role. Zuko, in contrast, has spent the last few episodes feeling extremely conflicted about his decisions. What follows from this point onward is Aang continuing to become a better Avatar, while Zuko embraces his true destiny as Aang’s firebending master.

The Day of Black Sun

“The Day of Black Sun” is our first big turning point in Book 3. While the Gaang falls into a trap set by Azula, Zuko confronts his father and eventually defects from the Fire Nation. But, I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s go over everything plot point by plot point.

It’s the Day of Black Sun, and Aang and Zuko are preparing themselves to face the day. Zuko plans to face his father and defect from the Fire Nation, and Aang plans to face Ozai and defeat him.

This brings us to two parallels. First, we have a parallel with Aang cutting his hair, and Zuko letting down his hair. This symbolizes Aang’s coming out of hiding, and Zuko’s defection from the Fire Nation.

Aang cutting his hair also parallels Zuko cutting his hair in “The Avatar State.” But, where Zuko’s gesture was him going into hiding, Aang’s is him coming out of hiding.

As the episode progresses, we see Zuko going to Mai’s house and saying he’s sorry before leaving her a break up letter. This parallels two things. First, it parallels Aang telling Katara he’s sorry before deciding to try and go into the Avatar state in “The Crossroads of Destiny.” Thus, just like Aang did in “Crossroads,” Zuko too lets go of love. However, Zuko isn’t just letting go of Mai, he’s also letting go of the idea that his father actuary loves him, and whatever love he had for his father as well.

Second, both Zuko’s letter, and the framing of his letter parallels Aang leaving a letter to Gyatso “The Storm,” saying he’s leaving. But, while Aang leaving Gyatso led to their permanent separation, Zuko leaving Mai led to their eventual reunion.

After that happens, Zuko returns to his room, and we see him talking to a portrait of his mother, saying that he’s going to take a stand and do what’s right to make up for his past mistakes. This parallels what Aang said in “Siege of the North” when he took a stand against the Fire Nation fleet attacking the Northern Water Tribe.

And finally, we have one last parallel with Aang and Zuko facing a door, and expressing their readiness to face Ozai.

Of course, as the Gaang later finds out, everything was just part of a trap created by Azula. Meanwhile, Zuko faces his father.

At the end of the day though, both Aang and Zuko make it out of the capital. The Gaang tries to make it out alive so they can fight another day, and Zuko finally embraces his true destiny.

The Western Air Temple

Thus, we come to “The Western Air Temple,” which features some nice examples of Aang and Zuko coming full circle.

We begin with the remnants of the fighting force from “The Day of Black Sun” making its way to the Western Air Temple. They’re followed by Zuko, who wishes to join Aang now that he’s left home.

When Zuko finally confronts the Gaang, we see lots of similarities between his facing them, and Aang’s return to Sokka and Katara’s village at the start of “The Avatar Returns.” This parallel features a nice camera framing parallel between Aang and Katara, as well as parallels between Sokka and Katara, and Toph and Katara. And, just like Aang before him, Zuko too offers himself up as a prisoner.

When this doesn’t work, Zuko returns to his shelter. Come nightfall, Toph, who at that point is the only one who sees the value of having Zuko as Aang’s firebending teacher, makes it over to Zuko’s camp. Zuko, not expecting visitors, accidentally burns Toph’s feet, paralleling Aang accidentally burning Katara’s hands in “The Deserter.”

This brings us to the moment that directly leads to Zuko becoming part of the Gaang. Zuko faces Combustion Man, and we get a really nice moment where Zuko fighting Combustion Man parallels Aang fighting Zuko in “The Crossroads of Destiny.”

After Combustion Man is defeated, Zuko meets up with the Gaang to explain himself again and apologize and, from this point on, Aang and Zuko are friends, and we see both characters moving toward embracing and fulfilling their destinies.

The Firebending Masters

With Aang and Zuko’s friendship secured, we come to “The Firebending Masters.”

This episode is pretty straightforward in terms of plots and parallels. But anyway, Zuko finally becomes Aang’s firebending teacher and, with neither of them being able to produce an actual flame, they visit the Sun Warriors. There, they learn firebending from the last dragons. This whole experience includes some nice camera framing parallels, as well as some toying around with the symbolism of the blue and red dragons (the blue dragon having been symbolic of Sozin’s line, and the red with Roku’s line).

Again, not too significant as far as Aang and Zuko’s overall arcs are concerned but, it’s still pretty important due to the Avatar and the Firelord embracing their true destinies and working toward peace.

The Ember Island Players

In “The Ember Island Players,” both Aang and Zuko take the play rather hard. For Aang, it has to do with his feelings for Katara. For Zuko, it was to do with how the play shoves all of Zuko’s mistakes in his face.

Here, we also get a moment where Aang’s clinginess toward Katara parallels Zuko’s clinginess towards Mai in “The Beach.” And, like Zuko before him, Aang too faces consequences for his actions.

Then, in the final moments of the play, the fact that the play has Azula and Ozai winning has Aang and Zuko doubting their eventual success.

Sozin’s Comet

And now we come to “Sozin’s Comet,” where everything the show has been building up to finally comes together. Here, Aang and Zuko help bring down Ozai and Azula, embracing their identities and destinies, and forging the world anew as leaders in their own right. And, where “The Day of Black Sun” saw Aang fighting Azula and Zuko confronting—and kind of fighting—Ozai, here, Zuko faces his sister and Aang finally faces the Firelord.

In terms of parallels though, we can start at the beginning.

In “Sozin’s Comet, Part 1,” the Gaang is convinced by Zuko to fight the Fire Nation during Sozin’s Comet, and Aang learns lightning redirection from Zuko (which parallels how he learned lightning redirection from Iroh back in “Bitter Work”).

Then, in “Sozin’s Comet, Part 2,” Zuko finally faces his uncle, and we get a nice little parallel with Aang mourning Gyatso, and Zuko crying as he begs for Iroh’s forgiveness. This ties into the whole theme of Aang and Zuko mourning their loss and past mistakes, and trying to move on. Also, Iroh gives us a nice little summery of Zuko’s arc which parallels Katara doing the same with Aang in “The Day of Black Sun.”

Then, in “Sozin’s Comet, Part 3,” when the battle between Aang and Ozai, and Zuko and Azula finally ensues, we get a parallel with Aang and Zuko catching, and redirecting lightning.

Unfortunately, things go wrong for Zuko and he doesn’t redirect Azula’s lightning quite right. This leads to him and Katara paralleling Aang and Katara in “The Crossroads of Destiny” almost frame for frame, and leads to Aang and Zuko having matching scars (both of which were given to them by Azula).

Moving onto Aang, his being brought low only to stand up to Ozai and fight him in “Sozin’s Comet, Part 4,” parallels Zuko being brought low by his father in “The Storm” only to confront him in “The Day of Black Sun.” And, just like Zuko before him, Aang initially refuses to fight Ozai, and Ozai considers him weak for doing so.

Furthermore, just like how Zhao thought Zuko was weak for not killing him in “The Southern Air Temple,” Ozai too thinks Aang is weak for refusing to kill him.

This brings us to our grand conclusion.

Aang’s question to Zuko in “The Blue Spirit” finally pays off with the Avatar and the Firelord finally being friends.

Speaking of the Avatar and Firelord, Aang and Zuko’s relationship is shown to be a reversal of Sozin and Roku’s relationship. Where Sozin and Roku began as friends only to become enemies, Zuko and Aang began as enemies only to become friends.

Their friendship leads to their ultimate victory, they take center stage as world leaders and heroes who have fulfilled their destinies, and we end with a nice little parallel with Zuko/Mai and Aang/Katara.

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