#zuko and azula adore toph

[illycanary]

What Aang’s Relationship With His Kids Tells Us About His Relationship With Katara

Bumi: “Oh, boo-hoo. Must've been real hard for you, flying around the world with dad, riding elephant-koi all day.”

Tenzin: “Oh, so that's what this is all about.”

Kya: “That's what it's always been about. You think you're some savior who has to carry on dad's legacy.”

Tenzin: “Who else is going to do it?”

Kya: “How about all of us?”

Bumi: “Yeah, we're Aang's kids too.”

The whole problem with this family is, Aang didn’t believe that.

Aang has a long, undeviating track record of never questioning anything he believes about the Air Nomads. Who the hell has a perfect and complete understanding of their society, government, international relations, education system, religion, morality, genetics, and reproduction at age 12? According to Aang? He does. 

The entire lynchpin of Aang’s Book 3 arc is all about how Air Nomads are pacifists and cannot ever under any circumstances harm a life. (We’re going to ignore the body count Aang’s already wracked up over the first two seasons for the sake of preserving his feelings because those were soulless NPCs or something.) 

And yet Aang never questions this…

Monk Gyatso’s bones surrounded by a pile of Fire Nation soldier bones. The picture doesn’t fit Aang’s image of Air Nomad peace and harmony, so he ignores it entirely. It NEVER comes up despite its overwhelming relevance to Aang’s internal conflict and the sorts of advice he seeks from authority figures in the third season (despite Monk Gyatso being the penultimate authority figure in Aang’s life).

Another thing Aang never questions?

There’s no such thing as a non-airbending Air Nomad. They’re just all born that spiritual. And spirituality is the golden key that unlocks bending. (Because Bryke said so.)

Despite Guru Pathik not being a bender. Despite the fact that Zhao, literal spirit murderer, is one. Despite Toph—the most un-spiritual, cynical, feet-on-the-ground-head-nowhere-near-the-clouds member of Aang’s friend group—being the most powerful bender of the lot. Despite Hama being a waterbender equal to none but Katara while completely cut off from her culture and turning her back on everything we believe about water bending’s inherent ties to community, connectedness, and love (Iroh’s words). Despite Azula mastering the god-tier lightning technique BECAUSE she’s practically dead inside and values life least of all things. Despite the fact that Princess Yue has the literal MOON SPIRIT THAT IS THE SOURCE OF ALL WATERBENDING living inside her, and yet she still somehow manages to not be a bender.

Despite the fact that Air Nomads roam all over the world, sewing their wilds oats throughout every nation, yet no airbending toddlers ever crop up in Fire Nation or Earth Kingdom preschools. 

Despite the fact that non-monogamous societies where men have multiple partners father more children and boost the population faster than in societies that favor “attached” relationships, yet the all-airbending Air Nomads still somehow have the smallest population of any ethnic group in the world. 

Despite the fact that Aang’s twin, Ty Lee, is RIGHT. THERE. with her unparalleled aura-seeing, chakra blocking spirituality and her GRAY EYES in a world where color coding is ~totally~ not a thing… *sigh* 

But nope. Air Nomad parentage = airbending child. Always.

So when Katara births a child that is… not an airbender? Not any kind of bender at all, in fact. There’s only one logical conclusion (in Aang’s mind). 

That is not Aang’s child. 

Aang never had a problem traveling with non-airbenders before. He was non-exclusionary by nature. Katara and Toph and Zuko were welcome. Sokka and Suki were welcome. The more, the merrier, in fact. Because Aang loves nothing as much as he loves an adoring audience.

Yet Bumi never travelled with Aang.

Bumi’s as old in this picture as Aang was in the first series. He had an entire decade in which he should have been the most important thing in his parents’ lives. His personality was already more or less formed (not completed, but the groundwork was laid) by the time Tenzin came along. Bumi’s inferiority issues began long before there were any airbending children around to siphon Aang’s attention for training purposes. 

Aang and Katara didn’t have another child until Bumi was on the verge of adolescence because Aang was convinced that Katara cheated. And I’m guessing it took Mr. “Let Your Anger Out, And Then Let It Go” about ten years to forgive his wife and give her the chance to get it right. (Which is at least four years longer than he gave her to forgive her mother’s murderer, in case you forgot.)

Acolyte: “Sorry, I thought you were the servants.”

Bumi: “We’re Tenzin’s brother and sister!”

Acolyte: “Avatar Aang had other children? The world is filled with more airbenders?!”

Kya: “We’re not airbenders.”

Acolyte: “Oh… I’m so sorry.”

The Air Acolytes—whose whole identity, purpose, lifestyle, and religion center around every detail of this man's life and beliefs—didn't know Aang had more than one child.

The best case scenario here is that Aang simply pretended his older children didn’t exist because he was ashamed of them and made Katara keep them shut away at all times. 

And maybe that could have worked… If Aang and Katara had ever had any privacy in their relationship. But they didn’t.

The Air Acolytes have been following Aang and Katara since the comics. They’ve been there at every step of Aang and Katara’s life together. Observing. Fangirling. Emulating. Diefying. Looking for weaknesses in the relationship because Katara was only his “first girlfriend.” 

Yet, somehow, they didn’t know Aang had three children. 

I can’t imagine a way for them not to know unless Aang actively told people, “Those aren’t my kids,” and let Katara bear the shame and stigma of having the world believe she was unfaithful. 

All because Aang couldn't entertain the idea that he was wrong about some facet of a society he never understood clearly.

[wilcze-kudly]

Aang is great because almost every ship you can put him in instantly becomes top-tier.

Like:

Kataang- they literally make me cry every single time I think of them. Their love story is wonderful and genuinely heartwarming. It symbolises healing and peace for both of them and the literal world. He showed her the world and he's her biggest supporter and she always defends him and they find solace in each other because they understand what it's like to be the last of their respective kind. And they're each other's hope and just... ahhh. They're so much more than the vanilla hero gets the girl ship people paint it as. Haters stay mad or smth.

Zukaang- the symbolism? They're the actual Ying and Yang of the show! The Rozin parallels? Them standing in a vortex of rainbow fire as two dragons (the blue one like Aang's tatoos facing zuko and the other one, red like Zuko's general colour scheme facing Aang) forming a heart shape around them? Zuko was literally searching for Aang and found his redemption in Aang and Aang made him a better person and Aang is literally the only person who genuinely experienced Fire Nation culture before the war and he clearly values it and he's helping Zuko bring peace to the world and the nation...

Taang- The og tomboy x soft boy dynamic. He's literally the person that helped her free herself from her parents and Air is the element of freedom? And she teaches him when to stand firm like the Earth? And I love when they do synchronised earthbending it's so satisfying and they work so well together. Toph having lost her face in one of Aang's nightmares is also a nice parallel to Ummi and Kuruk. (One caveat though: i hate taang being used as a "get Aang out of the way" side ship to Zutara)

Sokaang- they kinda come out of left field for me but the more I think about them the more obsessed I become. It's all about a teenage boy who has been forced into a role that demanded way too much of him finally learning to trust and rely on others. It's about Sokka finally living out the childhood that he was forced to grow out of. Sokka also has such a cute bond with Momo and more importantly, Appa, Aang's animal soulmate. The fics write themselves.

Sukaang- ok, I know Suki and Aang barely interacted in the show but like Hear me out.Suki is so connected to one of Aang's past lives. And she saved Appa, which would totally bond her and Aang (genuinely distressed that this was never discussed in canon). And they both value a sense of community so much, and Aang was one of the people who inspired Suki to leave Kyoshi to help others. Plus, there could be some amazing Rangshi parallels if Suki became Aang's bodyguard instead of Zuko's, which could be very plausible.

Azulaang- I adore this ship because I genuinely think Aang could really help Azula find her redemption. Hell, he was so nice to her in The Search and she literally killed him. Plus I've already laughed about how it would absolutely kill Ozai. The mental crisis Azula would go through due to fallingin love with Aang would be hilarious, and also the guilt over everything she's done, as Aang's kindness makes her realsie she was on the wrong side this whole time. He's one of the only people who can beat her at her prime and he doesn't seem to fear her at all, which is rare for her. Aang could give her the unconditional love she so desperately craves and needs.

Maiaang- genuinely adorable to me. Other than the obvious grumpy x sunshine trope, Maiaang has a lot of potential. Mai seems to genuinely like Aang in the comics, which is really cute. I also think Aang would be able to help Mai express her more positive emotions, other than just anger. Also something about the girl who was forced to remain silent and passive her whole life learning to finally let go and allow herself to just live with the help of probably one of the most active and expressive characters of the show has me by the throat. Plus, he got along great with her lil bro!

Tyaang- They're so similar and cute and bubbly! They'd have tons of fun together and I just know Ty Lee would teach Aang some gymnastics and he really enjoy it! I think he can also find Ty Lee's chiblocking very cool, since it is essentially a great way to deal with a conflict without causing permanent damage. Very airbendery. Speaking of which, Ty Lee is also very airbendry herself. I can genuinely see her finding herself in Air Nomad culture and be excited to help revive it.

Onjaang- i just find this ship so funny because imagine being a random schoolgirl in the fire nation and not only rizzing up a demigod but rizzing that demigod up successfully. This ship can also go so many ways depending on On Ji's reaction to that random cute guy who threw a cool dance party is actually the Avatar, so it's certainly interesting.

Yuaang- the ultimate cinnamon roll x cinnamon roll ship. But more than that, there's of course the Yue becoming the Moon Spirit and Aang getting lowkey possessed by the grieving Ocean Spirit. There's Yue appearing when Aang needed her most, while he's stranded in the middle of the ocean and helping him. They both understand sacrifice and responsibility, and maybe they could comfort each other through it. Also Aang being the bridge between the spirit worlds and Yue being a Spirit could lead to a very interesting romance, depending on how much the Avatar could interact with the Moon Spirit.

Jetaang- ok, Aang was just as infatuated with Jet as Katara was, right? And I think Aang was heavily affected by Jet's actions and behaviour. Also Aang really not wanting to hurt Jet while fighting him (twice!) was really cute. And Aang helping Jet snap out of the Dai Li brainwashing could be a really cool ship moment the more you think anout it.

Teoaang- Honestly their little one sided rivalry at the beginning of the episode was really cute. And I think there could be some interesting symbolism between them. Aang symbolising the old and Teo symbolising the new. They compliment each other like that. Teo comforting Aang by showing him that the critters of the temple are still alive and well is also sweet. And Aang admitting that Teo has the spirit of an airbender is so sweet.

Kuzaang- they're adorable. I loved the comic about them. Aang calling Kuzon "Hotman" is really funny. Aang helping Kuzon make a bigger flame with airbending is also really sweet. I especially like this ship in combination with Zukaang. It's such tasty symbolism.

Aang may just be the most shippable charater of this franchise, argue with the wall. He's so filled with love I have no choice but to multiship.

[aangarchy]

My little cousin (15) finished season 2 of atla, here are her opinions of the characters after the s2 finale

Aang: "adorable and he better not be fucking dead"

Katara: "i hope she gets vengeance in season 3." Me: "vengeance on who?" Her: "the world."

Sokka: "he needs a girlfriend, every girl he's met has either died or left him... are you sure he's not into guys at all?" Me: "the fandom thinks so." Her: "they're right."

Toph: "she reminds me of a feral little dog most of the time"

Zuko: "get that traitor out of my face"

Azula: "if i speak."

Uncle iroh: "if he needs to die for zuko to finally get some character development so fucking be it"

Mai: "knife wife"

Ty Lee: "she's so me coded"

Suki and the Kyoshi Warriors: *hums who run the world girls by Beyoncé*

Jet: "dead. at least i think."

The Earthking: "oh that loser"

Long Feng: "who?" *gets shown a picture* "imagine being half bald and losing your whole army to a teenage girl"

Joo Dee: "she's innocent"

[ilikepjo24]

Take a minute from your day to imagine Zuko and Azula with therapy cats that they each name after the other. It gets so confusing so fast because whenever the name Zuko or Azula is used people have to clarify if they’re referring to the cat or the prince/princess.

Human!Zuko: Azula, I don't know what to do about Azula.

Human!Azula: Are you asking me for advice on what to do about the cat that keeps ruining your furniture, or are you asking the cat for advice for our argument from earlier?

Cat!Azula: Meow.

[...]

Human!Azula: Ugh! I'm so pissed at Zuko!

Sokka: Did he forbid the kitchen chefs from making mochi again after you burnt that general's robes in the last meeting?

Human!Azula: ...What?

Cat!Zuko: *continues pushing objects off Azula's desk unbothered*

[...]

Aang: Where did you get that mark from?

Sokka: Oh that? Azula just bit me.

Aang: Ouch!

Katara: Some pet owners just don't know how to train their pets properly!

Sokka: ...

Sokka: Yeah. The cat. I meant the cat. The cat bit me.

[...]

Zuko, yelling from a distance: Azula no! Stop it! Stop! It! You're supposed to be helping me, why are you acting like that!? After everything we've been through! Stop it, I say! Azula!

Ty Lee: Which one do you think he's talking to?

Mai: It could honestly be any of them.

Cat!Azula: *walks in the room and lays on the carpet to take a nap*

Ty Lee: Well now we know.

[...]

Aang: Hey, Azula! How are you? You seemed upset earlier after your fight with you brother.

Azula: Oh, I'm fine. I spent some time with Zuko and now I've calmed down.

Aang: That's nice, I'm glad you could work it out.

Zuko: Hey, Azula, I was wondering if you could-

Azula: No, I couldn't. Go fuck yourself. *storms off*

Aang: ???

Cat!Zuko: *runs after her*

[...]

Zuko: Azula's just so adorable! And helpful too! We've been getting along so well, it's wonderful. She's really taken some stress off my back.

Toph: That's nice to hear, sparky. And here I thought you could never tolerate each other.

Zuko: Yeah, in the beginning I was hesitant too. All I could think of is how she'd leave hair everywhere, and she might bite, or break stuff. But after I got her, I found out just how well behaved she is. The only thing I still can't get behind is when she spits out hairballs and that at night, she likes to lay down and sleep on my face.

Toph: ...

Toph: What the fuck, actually.

[zvtara-was-never-canon]

Bless you for creating this blog, because I need to VENT

(obligatory not all Zutarians who want to enjoy their fics and arts in peace. you guys are cool and chill.)

Isn't it so interesting transparent and sad that every Zutarian critical analysis about "making the show better" is just about making Aang suffer more, and Zuko look good?

Katara should have kept her burn scars, because Aang needed to understand the consequences of his actions!

Right. Because immediately apologising, and becoming so guilty he doesn't fire bend for 2 seasons doesn't show remorse.

Aang should have given up his attachment to Katara to become a fully realised Avatar, otherwise he doesn't sacrifice anything! That would have been narratively satisfying!

Right. Because LOSING HIS ENTIRE CULTURE AND EVERYONE HE EVER LOVED isn't a "sacrifice". Which he will never get back. He'll have to live with the tragedy of being the last Airbender forever.

It's SO interesting how Zuko literally gets everything he wanted- locking up Ozai forever, getting a new father figure in Iroh, becoming Firelord, being with the woman he loves, finding his mother, even finding a new sister who adores him. His ONE tragedy is Azula, and even then she's hopefully on a journey of redemption.

But somehow that's not the "perfect ending" for Zuko. Nope, the only narratively satisfying ending is if Katara falls over to suck Zuko's dick.

So Zuko doesn't sacrifice anything permanently, and he literally gets everything he ever wanted. Aang will never get back what he lost, but apparently he has to give up Katara too. Funny how that works. Can you make your seething resentment any more obvious?

It's also amazing to me that so called Katara stans NEVER think about how KATARA would feel if Aang lost his romantic attachment to her. Girl hugged him several times, kissed him on the cheek and lips, blushed around him, threatened to murder Zuko if he hurt Aang...she was not subtle. But apparently no one cares about Katara's feelings.

Also, how GUILTY would Katara feel if Aang had to sacrifice his romantic attachment to become the Avatar? Do you think she'd be happy he had to sacrifice love for duty? Which BEST FRIEND would be okay with this situation? Even Sokka and Toph would be outraged.

If my best friend and fellow genocide survivor had to sacrifice his romantic attachment for duty, I'd be so mad I would murder Ozai myself. Yes, even if I didn't love him back, because HE'S MY BEST FRIEND. Nobody would even be able to find the body.

Katara and Zuko should have gotten together, that would have fully represented the themes of balance and redemption in the show!

FFS THERE IS A RELATIONSHIP THAT REPRESENTS THESE THEMES! IT'S ZUKAANG! SORRY YOU WERE TOO STUPID TO UNDERSTAND THE SHOW!

Sorry, Sokka. Your relationship with Suki is toxic, because she's from the Earth Nation. You need to break up immediately. Better go find a nice firebender to have children with! Zukka anyone??

Did they miss the part when Uncle Iroh said, "Understanding others, the other elements, and the other nations will help you become whole."

Or the Guru when he said, " Even the separation of the four elements is an illusion. If you open your mind, you will see that all the elements are one. Four parts of the same whole. "

AKA "balance" is when we learn from all 4 elements and grow as a person!!! It's got nothing to do with love!

BECAUSE PEOPLE CAN'T BE REDUCED TO THEIR ELEMENTS! THAT'S THE THEME OF THE SHOW!

Sorry, Katara. You represent water, and Zuko represents fire, so you have to marry each other for "balance". It's in the rules. How convenient.

Even though Aang is ALSO a fire bender, so marrying him would also represent "balance". But he doesn't count because he's not hot and sexy like Zuko with his anime hair.

sidenote - Aang is so hot. With his muscles , grey eyes, and his off-shoulder fit? Divine. Zutarians who think Aang isn't sexy have no taste.

sorry for the extremely long rant. I just couldn't take Zutarians and their "atla-critical" analysis anymore. It's the self-righteousness that gets me.

They can't just say, I love Zutara together because I like their dynamic. Instead they have to write long metas justifying why their ship is the "only one that strenghens the themes of the show" and Kataang / Maiko "weakens the narrative" and other bs.

thanks for this space, this was cathartic.

You're welcome, anon 💖

[ash-and-starlight]

Would you have any thoughts about the Gaang in a modern au (either with or without bending), especially jobs? I legit love how there’s never been a consensus of how they’d live, especially job wise, in the fandom — except for Katara, she is absolutely a doctor, surgeon, ER badass. Personally, I love the thought of Zuko as a child protective agent, and Sokka as a high school teacher, not just for the dramatic Zukka potential lol haha either way, I’d love to hear your thoughts!

aaa ok i love and adore to see how their roles get translated in modern au’s in such clever ways, i loveee your ideas for zukka workplace drama that’s so 🥺 ok i’ll list some of my faves but feel free to add

-doctor katara SO TRUE and activist katara also so true either way she’s helping people and giving all she’s got

-aang also activist monk-turned *insert job that has to do with flying?? or meteorology??* AND i love the silly little headcanon he and zuko are lion dance partners dkfjdj

-toph wwe champion. without question

- jet could also work with kids tbh as either a child protective agent too or teaching martial arts classes for kids as some sort of social program he zuko and toph have an underground fight club every tuesday he and iroh have a wholesome breaking bad situationship going on with banger edibles

- zuko the guy with 294737 job options tbh either as jasmine dragon clerk, firefighter, historian / khon expert and standing authority on the ramakien, parkour guy, sword guy, guy who goes to business school just to learn how to efficiently dismantle dad’s financial empire, and i am extremely partial on muai thay champion-instructor zuko who has like a post-injury gym program just for the zukka of it all of him helping sokka with his leg during rehab 😌

- sokka also guy that can do anything tbh wether working as inventor or in tech/mechanic fixing things, working at a science museum (hi robin), marine biologist (hi kath) working as an astronomer or at the planetarium bc he’s always been fascinated by the night sky and the moon, artist, poet, mythbuster, sword guy as well, all of these at once. most importantly he has an insanely popular food blog on the side

- suki kendo captain of an all-girl club

- florist mai. (specifically ikebana artist) which is comic canon and in context made little sense but i love it it’s beautiful bc it brings me to

- tattoo artist ty-lee 💕

- and azula uhhh nepobaby electrician

[thetreefairy]

Platonic!yandere!Aang using the prompt Hydrangea please? Remember to drink water❤️🌼🕯️

Warning: Aang convinces the gaang that Reader needs him, airbender Reader, the gaang is also kinda starting to become yandere

Since pronounced were not specified: they/them reader

Hydrangea - "Perhaps we adore you too much to be just friends, family might be a better word." also can I just say I am terrified to start school again, this isn't my best but I hope you like it!

Kofi - 700 rules - 700 masterlist

Aang couldn't believe it, he had heard from Zuko that there was an another airbender.

So the gaang couldn't help but agree that they needed to rescue the unknown airbender. They were kept at a remote island, surrounded by fire benders, they had to investigate the routine in place.

Reader hated their abilities, they hated that they could bend air. The firebenders around them often ridiculing their abilities, yet the fire princess treated them kindly.

Azula had just visited and had given them a book about airbending traditions, as she knew how desperate Reader was to reconnect to their roots. The reason for this gift? Reader had been a good pet.

Aang couldn't help but feel a pit grow in his gut, how dare they harm his sibling. How dare they ridicule our culture. But most of all, the audacity Azula has to treat you like a pet.

The gaang had to formulate a plan, and it didn't take long for Aang to start visiting them sneakily.

their first meeting went as expected. Strange.

Reader was reading the book on the air nation, scoffing at some parts that were obviously altered to suit the fire lord's point of view. "The book isn't trustworthy." A boy said, you looked up in shock, ready to scream until you saw what he was wearing. 'He has to be the avatar, or is there perhaps another airbender?' Reader thought, they couldn't speak, they didn't trust their voice.

"I'll get you out of here." He promised. "I'll teach you about our culture."

He was rambling. "Are you the avatar?" Reader interrupts, causing his eyes to widen with joy. "Yes, I am, my name is Aang." He introduced himself. "Zuko told me about you, you are Reader right?"

Reader nodded. "The fire prince?" They asked softly. "Did Zuko finally find himself?"

Aang chuckled at Reader's wording. "I'll tell you all about it when we get you out of here."

After that it didn't take long for Reader to be rescued, it went quietly and Reader sighed in relief when they were at a cave with the gaang. Shaking as they hugged Aang.

"I am Katara, this is my brother Sokka." Katara introduced herself and her brother. "I am Toph." The earthbender introduced himself.

"Hi Reader, it has been a while." Zuko started as he bowed slightly. "I apologize for my sister's behavior and my past insolence."

Reader then hugged Zuko and introduced themself to the gaang. "Thank you for rescuing me, I'll make sure to be out of your hair quickly." Reader added to their introduction, causing Aang's eyes to harden.

"You can stay with us for a while." Katara told Reader, Toph hummed in agreement and said; "Yeah, twinkle toes was so excited to find another twinkle toes, you can't just leave right away."

Alarm bells rang in their head, but they chose to ignore it.

How wrong that was of them.

During one of their stops at a village, Reader had made a lot of money with their story telling. Toph was always with them when they told their stories, and quite frankly she enjoyed them.

Aang wasn't allowed to stay with Reader during story telling because he would scare everyone off with a glare.

'At least he thought them about their culture' Reader thought whenever they saw unusual behavior from Aang.

When Reader saw that they had enough money to make it on their own for a while, they announced it to the gaang causing an uproar. "No." Aang said right away. "You can't.

"Twinkle junior, you need Aang." Toph would say. "You aren't as tough as me yet."

Reader had looked at Zuko for back up as the gaang gave them the reasons to stay and why they are too weak to live on their own, but he shook his head as well. So Reader decided to confront them.

"Why are you guys acting like this, this isn't how friends are supposed to act."

"Perhaps we adore you too much." Aang started. "To simply just be friends."

A nervous chuckle left Reader's mouth

"Family might be a better word."

[thegaybluejay]

Just for fun, here are my rapid fire rambling thoughts on the ATLA ships and platonic dynamics hehe (please don’t go full ship wars tho - these are just my opinions as a chill multishipper!)

My Favorite Ships:

• Zukka - My current brainrot and main ship!! I know they aren’t canon but I really love them and their potential okay😭I just feel like their personalities would work so well! Sokka would call Zuko on his shit and Zuko would be good at grounding Sokka when he needs it. Plus I have seen some absolutely breathtaking AUs with this ship! And fire-and-ice vibes except gay! Them <3

• Kataang - Cutiessss!! I love them! They may not be the ship I think about most often, but when I do think about them, they’re adorable! Aang is such a “my wife” guy and Katara absolutely adores him back! Also the last airbender x last southern waterbender dynamic goes HARD! I like that these two are canon!

• Yuetara - Listen I know they barely interacted but THEY’VE ACTUALLY GROWN ON ME SO MUCH LATELY AND I VERY HIGH KEY SHIP THEM! Something about like, Katara thinking about Yue when she bends is so😭Their story would be heartbreaking in the best way!! Sapphic noncanon blorbos <3

• Mailee - These two are SO cute and have so much potential rahhh!! Again, love some noncanon sapphics <3

• Batkoda - Super SUPER cute and silly and fun! The dads fr <3 Bato is either Katara and Sokka’s adopted uncle or their stepdad and I love it for them hehe! This usually pairs well with a “Hakoda adopts Zuko” AU lmao!

Other Canon/Relatively Popular Ships:

• Zutara - A good ship! I see the potential and tbh it’s very very fun to think about sometimes!!! However, some of y’all toxic Zutara stans need to leave my boy Aang alone lmao. Those who are chill tho, I rock with y’all!! Overall, I’m not opposed if it’s done well and I do sometimes seek out Zutara content! I personally do prefer writing them as found siblings tho, especially with the Azula and Katara parallels!!

• Sukka - Canon cuties!! I really like them! Suki my BELOVED <3 She’s so underrated!

• Yukka - Also canon cuties! They make me sad tho ahhhhh😭😭😭

• Maiko - Also ALSO canon cuties!! They have an interesting dynamic that I can really appreciate! And gotta love Mai <3

• Jinko - Jin my beloved! These two had a super cute dynamic during the one episode they had together lmaoooo, tho I don’t think about this ship too too often.

• Tokka - I don’t mind it if it’s them getting together as adults! But tbh I personally don’t prefer shipping them as teens and I think Toph’s crush was just a typical young girl crush on someone slightly older lol. Definitely not horrible and most Tokka shippers are relatively chill! I like to think Sokka sees Toph as a little sister tho.

Now For Some Of The Crackship-y/Less Popular Ships (based on ships I’ve actually seen):

• Zukki (Zuko/Sokka/Suki) - Power throuple fr and I love some polyamory!! While I mostly lean plain Zukka, this is extremely fun to think about and would be a great dynamic!

• Mai/Ty Lee/Suki - Saw this in a Zukka fic once and it was adorableeeeee! I may not have plans to actively write this or anything, but it’s cute! Another power throuple!

• Jetko - I don’t think they would be compatible long term, but by god they are very very fun to think about in a “Jet flirts with Zuko and Zuko is completely oblivious and they share one kiss before everything goes to shit” way lmao!

• Taang - I can respect it!! I will always love them as chaos siblings personally, but it’s a totally valid and chill ship!

• Katoph - Not a bad ship at all! I’ve only come across like one post tho lmao. Also I do think I heavily prefer them as found sisters, but that’s just me personally! Again, totally a valid and chill ship!

• Azutara - I’m very neutral on this lmao. I don’t despise it at all and it could be pretty interesting?? But tbh really not something I plan to seek out.

• Azulaang - I mean?? I’m also pretty neutral on this one. Aang would be kind to her if she was trying to get help but…idk lmao.

• Tyzula - I see the potential, but I personally think Mai and Ty Lee had a healthier and more interesting and more realistic dynamic. Just my preference tho!

(I think I just want Azula to be in therapy before I reallyyyyy ship her lmao, but NOT THE KIND OF “THERAPY” SHE WAS GIVEN IN THE COMICS)

• Zukaang - I don’t love this as a ship honestly. The canon age gap as teens is sketchy for my personal taste, tho I’ve seen people ship them in “Aang was 16 when he got frozen” AUs and that’s…better and I can get behind it a little! It would be interesting! But I think Roku being Zuko’s great-grandpa just still throws me off of this ship. I don’t have any beef with the shippers tho! I’m very “live and let live” and I have seen so much worse lol.

Can’t Forget My Fav Platonic Dynamics!

• Sokka and Aang - Two found brothers who share one idiot braincell when they interact LMAO! Love them always <3

• Sokka and Katara - The siblings ever!!

• Zuko and Aang - Enemies to found brothers!! Canon besties! I love their friendship and their parallels SO MUCH!!

• Toph and Katara - Absolutely ADORABLE as found sisters!!!! Love them!

• Zuko and Katara - I really like their development in a platonic sense and I think they’re very very fun and lovely found siblings by the end!!!! Zuko is 100% the brother that just “yeah my sister can and will whoop your ass” LMAO!

• Zuko and Toph - Also very found siblings in my head!! Only have a handful of solo interactions in canon but I DON’T CARE! I WILL FOUND FAMILY THEM ANYWAY! I’m a “Toph seeks out Zuko for sibling hugs/cuddles when she’s cold because he’s basically a space heater” truther.

• Uncle Iroh and the Gaang - Zuko needs to learn to share because that is ALL OF THEIR Uncle!!!

• Hakoda and Zuko - I thrive in this section of the fandom!! They have exactly one (1) frame together in canon, but I ADORE Dadkoda adopting Zuko! Something about it is just so wholesome and cute!!! My very very fav ATLA fics are this trope!!#LetHakodaBitchSlapOzaiAndAdoptZuko2024

• Uncle Iroh and Zuko - God they make me so ALSNDKSNXNCNSNSNXNX, y’know?

• The Gaang as a whole - Obvious I know, but I really do love them😭They all bonded sm and I adore their little family!! I eat up fanart of the Gaang cuddling like CANDY omg. And yes Suki is included in the Gaang because WHY WOULDN’T SHE BE!

Anyway, thanks for coming to my TedTalk. If you made it to the end, you get a big platonic kiss on the forehead MWAH!

[blorboazula]

I've been sorta exchanging ideas with @the-genius-az and that whole thing is fully to blame for the upcoming A/B/O fics :)

the context for this is: Maizula are "true mates", Mai still betrays Azula in the boiling rock and it basically breaks Azula. despite all the healing, Azula still can't form actual bonds with people and the closest she gets to do it (and to form a pack) is with her own pup and the Gaang's pups. cue to Mai watching Azula with babies in the garden (this is also the version they're a little bit aged up in canon). it's alpha!Azula x omega!Mai.

During the short years when Mai tried to give Zuko a chance, she thought she could love him when she watched him being soft. Soft and gentle with the turtleducks, sat on the grass and allowing the tiny creatures to climb on him.

She could fall in love with him, if he was the only option she had. She could fall in love with him, for showing genuine affection towards a pup that's isn't his.

Nowadays she still likes watching him, she thinks he looks great playing with the turtleducks and spending time with Izumi, still spending time with Ilah. Years later, she still loves it.

Nowadays, she has a better sight to enjoy.

It's not surprising at all, not really, to see Azula in the garden. All the rough, sharp edges have always hidden the softness inherent to the alpha. Searing heat to harm, soft warmth to make you feel safe and loved. Azula is soft when she's allowed to.

Her father never wanted her to, he wanted a weapon (and Azula needed a parent).

It's a heartwarming sight, it truly is. Azula, who grew to be a strong, handsome alpha. She healed enough to let her inherent protectiveness shine through. Mai can see it often, and can see how Azula now has good days more often than bad days. Can see it in the way Azula isn't that afraid of allowing herself to be an affectionate mother to their daughter.

(It's so, so beautiful, Azula playing with Ilah, showing how beautiful her firebending is.)

Sometimes Azula sits with the baby turtleducks, they climb her lap, seeking a human's soft warmth. She pets them, picks them up to give them soft kisses on their little head, allows them to nip her fingers and her toes. Gives them bread and fruit cut in tiny, neat cubes.

Destiny or not, Mai never had a chance of not loving Azula.

When their friends come around, the kids flock Azula the same way the baby turtleducks do. Ilah is always a little jealous, but Azula makes sure that her pup isn't left out in favor of the other kids. Nowadays she's too big to fit on Azula's lap when she has Bumi and Kya and Lin, but she glues herself to Azula's back. (Mai is infinitely happy that the early years separated didn't mean that Ilah's bond to Azula was permanently damaged). Izumi too, more often than not, it's adorable how the cub is close to her aunt.

Today Toph brought Suyin too, so Azula is really under a pile of cubs.

And she's glowing.

Really, Azula's giving off happy pheromones like there's no tomorrow. And the cubs respond to it by doing the same, so the whole garden is smelling like happy alpha and her cubs.

Mai loves it.

Mai loves that Azula gets to be happy, even if it's with pups that aren't hers. Azula gets to be happy, and it's all that she needs. All that she deserves.

Mai doesn't dare intruding, not when Azula is softly telling them a story. Probably a play, even if the alpha still won't admit that she loves those plays. That she likes theater as much as Zuko. That it comes from her grandmother, probably the one person of her family that never gave her so much trauma she can barely look at them.

The world feels right like this. Not perfect, but much better than Mai would have dreamed.

Better yet when Azula seems to find a moment to look back at her, and offers a small smile. Amber eyes shining with happiness that Mai feared would never be there.

Really, not loving Azula was never an option.

[flameohotwife]

So I always thought the canon pairings in AtLA had good writing/development but all the Aang and Mai bashing has made me decide to rewatch the series because shippers of a certain other ship called them "abusive" and Aang sexist. But honestly, I love how Mai calls Zuko out on his jealousy and possessive behavior in "The Beach" and Aang is always supportive of Katara's dreams, even refusing to be trained by Pakku because he's sexist to Katara. I like that Sukka teaches kids watching the show to treat women with respect but also Kataang and Maiko in the examples I mentioned above are also good examples of feminist moments in the show too.

YES! Anon, say it louder for the people in the back! There are so so SO many amazing feminist moments in this show and honestly I loved watching it with my kids (multiple times, haha) for that reason. I don't remember growing up with media that showed SO may instances of how girls/women could stand up for themselves in those types of situations. I love how Katara stood up to Pakku (with Aang's support! His little "Go, Katara!" makes me smile every time) and also how she CONSTANTLY takes boys on in fights, from pirates and Rough Rhinos to the taunting kids that subsequently get frozen where they stand ("oh, a girl has her ways") and anyone who insults Aang. How SHE is the one to defeat Azula in the end. How the WHOLE SHOW starts with her rant against Sokka's sexism. How Suki finally put's Sokka in his place. How Toph had to be played by "a really BUFF guy" in EIP because the Fire Nation couldn't admit to being bested by a tiny, 12-year-old girl. How Mai won't let Zuko treat her like a possession with no agency of her own. How she is the one to save HIM in the end at Boiling Rock (how's that for a damsel in distress?). How Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are trusted by the Fire Lord to perform tasks even the highest generals can't achieve. How the show is relentlessly turning sexist stereotypes on their heads and making viewers question what they think they know.

Beyond the feminism (which you all probably already know I adore so much), I love that each of the leading boys has learning experiences wrt less-than-ideal behaviors towards girls/women, because in real life boys (and girls, too!) are GOING to make mistakes as they're learning and it's important to show how they can move beyond those mistakes and not forever be defined by them. Zuko learns not to be a possessive asshat like he is in The Beach (at least, we don't see him act that way towards Mai again--he might as well have broken up with her via text and not given her the option to follow him to the "good side," but he never acts possessive again. Baby steps). Aang learns he can't just solve their relationship problems by kissing Katara when she's confused. He gives her space and she clearly thinks he's learned from it by the end (really, by the next episode). Sokka learns not to be sexist and that sometimes girls are going to be stronger/better fighters than he is AND THAT'S OKAY. Good, even! It doesn't make him "less of a man" or anything like that, and we don't hear those sexist ideas come out of his mouth again. ALL of these make great talking points for parents watching the show with their kids, too.

Kids make mistakes. They lean on stereotypes or prior experiences and sometimes that bites them in the butt. AtLA shows that we can teach kids hard lessons. Not only can we fight back against injustice but we can improve ourselves when we've been the ones to mess up. And I really think that's something special.

Thanks for sending in your thoughts, anon! You're so right.

[somewhereincairparavel]

Alright atla watch update part 7: watched episode 14-17 (and a lil bit of 18) and I'll say, it was great! I like how Zuko bonded with both Katara and sokka individually within just a few episodes, great writing. Katara and Zuko make an excellent team tbh. I love how Zuko took her to go avenge her mom so she could forgive him.

But my most favourite of all was the ember island play 💀 it was so funny i wheezed every second throughout the episode. We got toph x Zuko bonding aswell! I love these filler episodes that are filled with comedy lmao I sometimes enjoy it more than the plot itself.

Zuko just fits into the gaang so well. I like how he was seving tea to all of them and trying to attempt the jokes his uncle used :( it was so adorable. Ozai was right. His uncle had gotten to him.

Also, the writing for ozai is great?? They made him monstrous as fuck, no wonder Zuko betrayed him the very next day of the war meeting. The war meeting also gave an insight on how tragically similar azula has become to her father :(

Mai and ty lee betraying azula was unexpected aswell. Now azula has no one but herself and her dad (kinda ozai doesn't really care about her, he cares about her power) so I'm interested to see how azula is going to wind up. Something tells me it isn't going to end well for her.

I only have 3 more episodes till the entire season is done! I'm so sad :( but it's been an awesome time! I love making these updates on Tumblr to share my atla journey aswell (I hope it doesn't get annoying lol since I've made like 6 of these already)

[ao3feed-zukka]

awaken child of sun and flame (and take my willing hand and heart)

Read now on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/5koLblF by Cross_d_a Prince Zuko has been dead for two years. Lieutenant Jee could care less. The intricacies of the Court mean nothing to him when cruelty runs through every royal vein. It makes no difference who’s on the Dragon Throne when they’re all just as likely to kill their own children as swiftly as they’d send new recruits to their deaths. All Lieutenant Jee cares about is keeping his crew alive. Then he rescues a young soldier from drowning. A boy whose eyes are as bright and gold as Agni’s light: A dragon child. Words: 4925, Chapters: 1/?, Language: English Fandoms: Avatar: The Last Airbender Rating: Mature Warnings: Graphic Depictions Of Violence Categories: Multi Characters: Zuko (Avatar), Jee (Avatar), Zuko's Crew (Avatar), 41st Division Members (Avatar), Hakoda (Avatar), Hakoda's Crew (Avatar), Sokka (Avatar), Aang (Avatar), Katara (Avatar), Toph Beifong, Yue (Avatar), Azula (Avatar), Iroh (Avatar) Relationships: Jee & Zuko (Avatar), Zuko & Zuko's Crew (Avatar), 41st Division Members & Zuko (Avatar), Sokka/Zuko (Avatar), Azula & Iroh & Zuko (Avatar), The Gaang & Zuko (Avatar), Yue & Zuko (Avatar), Hakoda/Jee, Toph Beifong & Zuko Additional Tags: Alternate Universe - Canon Divergence, Hurt/Comfort, Angst, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder - PTSD, Implied/Referenced Torture, the horrors of war, Child Abuse, Bad Parent Ozai (Avatar), Protective Jee (Avatar), Jee adopts Zuko (Avatar), and everyone is really jealous bc they want their own adorable feral dragon child, Feral Behavior, Dragon Zuko (Avatar), Azula isn't good but she isn't bad either, Azula Redemption, Found Family, Yue Lives (Avatar), Zuko got half his face burnt off and something ancient and Other woke up from deep within, Protective Zuko (Avatar), Slow Burn, Spirits tend to love Zuko, the agni kai ends differently, Zuko Joins The Gaang Early (Avatar), Toph Joins the Gaang Early (Avatar), Iroh is a Good Uncle (Avatar), but he's also only human Read it on Ao3 at https://ift.tt/5koLblF

[waterfire1848]

@mayfay I just created a new post just to make this a little easier

That "protect the pack" mode would kind of be like the Avatar state where Katara just becomes incredibly powerful and dangerous when her friends are in danger and gets a sort of adrenaline rush. Which, like you said, has some potential especially when Katara start looking at herself beyond the last wolf of the south pole and starts to have feelings for Azula in Ba Sing Se.

When Katara grows up as the sole wolf in the South Pole, she gets an isolated version of what a waterbender/wolf should be and assumes that she is exactly what a waterbender and wolf should be. She's as powerful as a wolf should be, as big as a wolf should be, as fast, as strong, etc, etc. When she goes into the Earth Kingdom, she doesn't expect the wolves to be the same as her. She doesn't love that they try to capture her or call her a monster, but she also doesn't really think much of it. Then she gets to the North Pole where she's still the odd one out. The largest wolf form there is 3 feet tall and she's much bigger than that. Everything in the North Pole is built for smaller wolves and Katara is completely removed from that. Sokka and Aang know she's feeling horrible but there isn't much they can do. On the plus side, when Zuko tries to put restraints on her, it's all too easy for her to stand up and brush them off or snap them in her jaw.

Zuko, looking at the broken chains on the ground: Oh, shi-

The mental image of the North Pole giving them the same house because they assume Katara has a handle on her wolf form only for her to almost bring the whole house down because she absolutely cannot fit in there. Poor Katara just wants somewhere to sleep but the North Pole has nothing for giant wolves. I feel like the necklace would change sizes with her. She has no idea why but it always changes with her and adjusts perfectly to her size. So when Pakku sees her in her wolf form, he's able to easily make out the blue necklace around her neck only now he can't take it and hold it because if he tries to grab it, Katara will bite his arm off. I feel like Pakku would ignore her because she assumes all her power is in her wolf form so he isn't prepared to fight her when they have a waterbending battle or something (which happens the very first time he refuses to teach her).

I can get what you're saying about her both choosing not to suppress her wolf form but also just not having the time (and being so much bigger than every other wolf makes it so much harder for her). I think a good middle of the road approach is Katara learning how to suppress her wolf form to the degree that she can spend the night almost as a human except she has a wolf tail, ears, claws, muzzle and strength because she didn't have to time or want to learn how to completely suppress her wolf side. At nights, she usually just goes as a full wolf if they aren't being chased but when they need to get on Appa it's a good trick that she can suddenly make herself as small as her human form is. (Azula 100% finds Katara's wolf ears adorable. Whenever she touches them, they flick and move and Azula finds it so cute).

------------------------ (Season 2)

Yeah, I think the first part would be pretty close to the show where they don't get very far but are trying to get through some character development moments. Sokka is still being a leader and Aang is coming into his role as the Avatar while Katara is trying to strengthen her bending (because I also imagine she felt kind of weak when Tui took control of her and felt like her wolf form was strong but also out of her control so she wants to learn waterbending which feels more in her control, especially since she really wants to learn that and becoming a better southern waterbender)

Of course the major season 1 upset that'll get things changing is the inclusion of Toph and appearance of Azula. Toph quite literally came in a vision, is a level of magnitude stronger than even Katara at this point, and comes in right when everyone's trying to figure out dynamics and purposes. Needless to say it shakes things up. On top of that Azulas first encounter with the Gaang happens right after, taking the place of Zuko and cranking the danger up to 11 (even if she's not as good at tracking them as he is).

👆👆👆

The Chase is the best chance for everything to go from the frying pan into the fryer. Sokka and Katara are strong enough to, at least, be on Azula's level, especially with Katara's wolf form. She's been trying to keep in under wraps at night for safety so she can easily get on Appa but it's a lot harder for her to do that when she is exhausted and fighting with everyone. (Despite Toph's strength, Katara has to constantly remind herself not to attack her as she could do real damage to a twelve year old as a ten foot tall wolf). Aang is trying to help her but also keep everyone safe and Toph is struggling with her first time on a team. Meanwhile, Azula, Mai and Ty Lee are shocked to see a waterbender with wolf characteristics because they were taught that waterbenders were either human or wolves. Azula isn't that shocked or scared because she still thinks Katara is a small wolf. When they fight in the little town, Azula gets to finally see Katara as a full wolf and she is shocked. She expected a small wolf, a regular wolf that she would see in the EK not one that, with a wack of her paw, could send her flying into one of the buildings. She flees but is injured because of Katara's attack and I feel like, after that, Azula isn't going to try and stick around to see what this giant predator is going to do. (I do really want Katara and Azula to talk more but I also think Katara views Azula as a pure enemy and wants to get rid of her). (But also I need Azutara 😢).

I do think Katara would stay because her healer and waterbender moment is overpowering her need to chase down Azula. It's a big shift for her to act instead on her waterbending side and not wolf side.

------------------(season 2 part 2)

I agree with you on Toph and Katara being pretty similar to their canon versions here. They’d still have moments where they just flat out don’t get along but that also is now coming from Katara seeing Toph as the most powerful bender on the team (minus Aang) who can bender 24/7 unlike her and isn’t stopped by a wolf form which would just further her feelings on her wolf self not always being what’s best for the situation. In the desert, Katara probably not only becomes the one keeping the group together, as we saw in the show, but the main method of transportation since Appa is gone. (Although she and Toph can rant about the sand. Toph can’t see in it and for Katara it gets all in her fur). Wolves are hunters but they are not suited for long runs, they’re endurance hunters, so Katara won’t be able to make a lot of progress especially with carrying three people. And her fur is meant for the cold weather of the South Pole not the desert (so….highly overheated and making water supply a big problem especially when their main waterbender is a wolf almost all night because she’s exhausted from walking in the desert all day). Katara helps them make up some distance for half the night and then she practically face plants into the sand and sleeps out of pure exhaustion the rest of the night. Actually, fun fact, in the world of ATLA the desert has sand sharks which are giant predators so…..Katara’s getting some sea eat food.

There’s such a good moment where to show Katara, as a wolf, struggling to take steps. She just keeps forcing herself to keep moving but every step is a battle. Sokka is the first one to notice this and notice that she’s struggling to stay conscience but he can’t stop her from walking. Aang helps get Toph and Sokka off of her but she still refuses to stop walking, believing that she has to keep going and has to keep moving. Finally, Aang and Sokka literally trip her up and she turns back as she falling to the ground. At this point it’s much easier for Sokka to stop her from walking and get her to finally fall asleep. She’s hungry, thirsty, tired and mentally exhausted from having to keep everyone together. Being out in the desert is a test for everyone, but that really is the moment when the three see how much Katara is struggling. Aang is still upset over Appa, of course, but he also doesn’t want Katara to literally collapse because she’s trying to do everything.

Sokka, honestly, would probably have a similar time as he does in canon. He’s clinging to trying to keep the group moving and keep them alive and struggling the entire time. The desert really would be when that’s highlighted and you can finally see both how much Katara does for the group and how they really don’t know what they’re doing without Sokka there to help them. They’re struggling to just keep moving by the end of the desert arc and make it out alive. No one ever speaks about the sunburns, loss of weight, almost collapses into the sand, etc that happened there.

Moving on to Zuko and man is yet again bound to canon. That being said I do see him with a bit more angst than expected (though that's pretty much the bread and butter of the changes these kids are getting so far). I mean on top of the canon issues hes been very thoroughly bested by a single novice water bender, Sokka showed how he can't lead for crap in comparison, Azula reminded him of his position in the FN and is doing about as well as he'd expect, hell even Zhao managed to come up with a plan and execute it, a pretty dumb plan that left him as dog chow but credit where credit is due the man did kill the moon and breach the northern walls. This is all of course a pretty bad comparison but it's Zuko, gods favorite chew toy who has literally never seen anything normal in his life before and would have an allergic reaction if he did. Most of his time is gonna be like canon and getting a taste of the world, though he's unlikely to actually notice how different normality is maybe he'll get some small seed planted deep in his mind. Probably not but you can't say Iroh didn't try. Speaking of, Iroh is probably gonna be a bit worse for wear here. See, even if Katara didn't go after Azula and immediately healed him, she's a pretty novice water bender so her healing's kinda garbage right now. It'll do the work, girl is literally gifted by the moon and might've been able to brute force it if healing was as uncomplicated as canon made it out to be (I refuse to believe a 6 year old with some healing water could fully fix a fried heart, no matter how magical it is. So I'm taking the liberty of poking atla's magic system with a stick and nerfing healing to require some degree of skill). Point is he might have survived and maybe even redirected some of it, but you can't give the heart some electricity and amateur healing and expect him to come out looking like he's 20. That's right, Iroh gets the heart problems he should've had from Zuko. Probably mostly translates to being weaker in a fight (not a big deal for him really) and not being able to push himself as hard as he used to (a slightly bigger deal when traveling on the road with no supplies). Also some extra Zuko angst over Iroh not only getting hurt by Azula and nearly dieing, but seeing the lasting consequences of it. Also likely slows down their travel time a bit but what else is new in this.

👆👆👆

(That being said, I do think that there’s also room for some humor with Zuko too because everyone assumes he stopped chasing Aang because of Azula or he was scared of Aang’s strength but that’s not the reason. The reason is because Team Avatar has a giant wolf on their team who literally bit through the restraints he brought. He’s not that stupid.)

I love the idea of Azula having a crush on Katara. Girl sees a pretty girl and is just like 😍 and then said pretty girl becomes a giant wolf capable to biting her in half without much effort and Azula’s like 😍😍😍🤩🤩🤩. I do think you could have some fun with Azula having a crush on Katara at the drill because the drill takes place during the day (so no wolf) and Azula and Katara could have a fight scene inside the drill. It’s just a bunch of witty banter back and forth but Azula finds herself wishing the fight would never end (Katara is also finding this Fire Nation girl kinda cute and wants to know more but forces herself to focus on the fight). The reason the fight does end is because Aang stops the drill and Katara flees when he does. Doesn’t stop her from winking in a smug way to Azula and Azula blushing or Katara blushing when she realized that she winked at the enemy.

———————————Season 2 Ba Sing Se

Toph 100% would completely renovate their house in Ba Sing Se so that Katara can fit when she’s a wolf. And it’s not like Joo Dee can say anything cause the other option is a giant wolf sleeping outside the house and freaking everyone else out. (Toph: It’s some renovations or facing the Karens of the city. Joo Dee: Have fun building).

Sokka also spends some time planning for the invasion as well. This is the perfect time for Sokka to feel like he is contributing to the team in terms of strategy and not just keeping them alive by making sure these incredibly powerful children don’t piss off a group of firebenders or forget to eat or something. Oh! I love this idea of Sokka learning from a Pai Sho game and getting the White Lotus’s attention. The White Lotus does have people everywhere so it makes sense that they would have someone in Ba Sing Se to monitor the last city safe from Fire Nation rule.

I kinda love the idea that Katara actually can’t transform into a wolf for the first few weeks in the city because she used it so much in the desert, so not only is she mandated by the Gaang to sleep but now she doesn’t have a wolf form for a while to keep herself busy at night. It’s not by choice but Katara does finally get some rest. And her going along with Toph and Aang on various missions is just her finally getting to spend some time as something other than the group’s primary protector. Katara is able to keep up with Aang easier with just her waterbending but she does still feel vulnerable without her full wolf form to back her up. She and Aang learn how to get through the city and avoid the Dai Li while she and Toph become closer and closer. Katara takes time to rest with Toph and Toph helps Katara by basically telling her that being a wolf is awesome but bending is also great and she can help the team all the same even without her wolf self. (She and Toph can still help stop crime and commit crime together though).

Toph spend most of her time with Katara, as mentioned above, but learning goes both ways. While she might be the best Earthbender in the world, Azula and the desert was a bit of a wake up call. Strong does not equal invincible, and if any one of them hadn't cooperated it would've ended up a lot worse than their battle with Azula (which looking back she might be able to see ways they could've properly cornered Azula and taken her hostage, had everyone worked together). So she's taking an effort to, uhg, be more "cooperative" and whatnot and keep Katara company. And from there she can see how despite being weaker, Katara has her own strengths and fun moments. I mean she even joins along in having some fun in the city, even if it's directed more towards blowing up labor mills and releasing animals than anything else. All in all a very good chance to start recognizing peoples differences, which will help with teaching Aang and figuring out why people are acting they way they are.

👆👆👆

Aang meanwhile gets his fair share of issues, namely the Appa search going nowhere fast. Hes tried everything he can think of, reached out to everyone possible, even tried using his position as the avatar to get something done, and yet nothing has happened. It's still posters being torn down in the night, fake smiles, and everyone acting like things are going great when Appa is gone. Tis a rough time for the boy, and without Sokka and Katara leading the way he's gotta do stuff independently this time around. It goes poorly. Very poorly. Break into houses, release a zoo, and wind up in jail poorly. At this point the guards hear it's another one of the Gaang and just pull out the keys, enter Long Feng. See hes heard about Aangs plight and he knows just how hard it can be to get anything done due to bureaucracy. But he's one of the Dai Lee, keepers of culture created by Kyoshi and as such loyal to the avatar and all they represent. So hes taken it upon himself to work behind the scenes to try and help (he could possibly bring it up to the Gaang, Joo Dee might report back to someone he stepped out of line). And what do you know, hes found Appa! Hes starved and half mad at this point though and only the avatar can possible calm him down enough for them to get him out. See it turns out Appa has cornered himself over by the lake (poor thing probably got loose and ran wild till it crashed) and while they have a tunnel there they can't restrain him without risking Appa hurting himself, so they need Aang to come along. Naturally there's no time to gather everyone up, Appa's scared and hurt and hungry and they didn't care enough to look every hour of every day like hes been trying to do (Sokka is so tired man, at this point they're safe in the city, just let the kid roam free till they get their audience with the king). And so Aang goes with the strange man into the tunnels without telling anyone.

I thought you were going to make Long Feng a good guy for a second 😂, but yeah he would trick Aang into going down into the tunnels.

If Iroh is still struggling with his health then I can see Zuko taking on the role of being the main tea maker. He feels a responsibility to help his uncle and provide for him while they’re in the city since Iroh can’t be on his feet as much. For now, he’s focused on Iroh and making sure they have the money to survive in the city. His days of trying to capture Aang or Katara have passed, especially since he assumes that he’ll never see them again. I LOVE the idea that the Gaang knows Zuko is in the upper ring and he’s the first person they suspect of kidnapping Aang (because…..of course he’s the obvious suspect). Katara is most likely seconds away from ripping out his throat if he doesn’t cooperate with them but Toph is able to tell if Zuko is lying and saves him just because Katara can make good on her threats.

Of course, Zuko wants to capture Aang again but he also knows in a little something called “the enemy of my enemy is my friend”. Aang is the only thing standing between him and his father’s wrath and he would rather take his chances with the Avatar, so he agrees to help them. Everyone meets up and tries to decide what they can do to find Aang, they do suspect the Dai Li (since Zuko is cleared as a suspect after a long, long interrogation process) but the problem is that they don’t know where he is. Thankfully, Zuko heard the Dai Li say something about a lake when they took Jet away. It’s as good a place as any to start looking.

They start looking through the tunnels to try and find Aang or Appa when they’re ambushed by the Dai Li. As we saw in the show, the Gaang can take on the Dai Li but the numbers are not in their favor and Iroh is weakened. They get captured and Long Feng tries to start his monologue but he, nor the rest of the group, realize that Katara’s wolf form came back. (Fangs to the throat is a horrible way to die). Toph breaks everyone free while the Dai Li are distracted and they flee, but not before finding Aang and Appa and getting them out. There’s a sweet little reunion on the beach where Iroh tells Aang that he needs to go and talk to the Earth King about what happened. Aang agrees with him and the group runs/flies off towards the palace. When they arrive it's similar to canon where they talk to him and prove that Lake Laogai exists which results in Long Feng being thrown in prison. The only difference is that now, when Katara is trying to head back home, she picks up on something and finds Azula, who then captures her. The last wolf of the South Pole is bound to be a worthy catch to send back to her father but she also knows that she can't exactly move a giant wolf out of the city without someone seeing her. Thus, a deal is made between Azula and Katara. After Long Feng's kidnapping, Aang is going to be anything but an easy target but that doesn't mean she can't get some damage in. Katara, desperate to keep Aang safe, agrees to go with Azula and back to the Fire Nation. (Azula knows she can't take down Ba Sing Se with just her, Mai and Ty Lee, even an assassination wouldn't guarantee her victory in the city, so she's decided to take down who she views as the most powerful person on Team Avatar and weak the team so that she can attack later). Everyone is celebrating and having fun while Katara has just been taken prisoner by Azula and is being transported out of Ba Sing Se.

I do think Azula needs a bit more attention maybe some behind the scenes stuff because of now it’s not very Azutara-y. Though I do agree with you that they don’t have many scenes together so I think so every time they encounter one another they need to have an interaction of some kind to build a connection.

#you have no idea how tempted I was to throw canon to the road to write early Wolf Azutara#where Azula goes with Katara after The Chase as a “prisoner” (she's just going along for reconnaissance. Yeah that's it)#(not cause feelings no)#(that'd be stupid and dumb and she'd obviously never stoop so low over a not a crush)#Honestly might still do it as a separate reblog chain at some point - How dare you leave this in the notes?!?!

No, but imagine Katara attacks Azula because she’s the enemy, of course she would attack her, and bites Azula’s leg (no this is not becoming a werewolf thing). Azula tries to run but her leg is heavily damaged and she can’t get far and Mai and Ty Lee aren’t around to help. She can try to firebend but her bending is considerably worse since she can’t properly stand up. Zuko and Iroh are a bit busy at the moment (Iroh is trying not to die and Zuko is mourning) so the Gaang decide to “take her hostage” (Read as: don’t leave her to bleed out in an abandoned town). Not only does this allow for a lot of cute Azutara moments but the opportunity is there to explore Azula’s connection with her bending and how she feels about it now compared to Katara and Toph who are also prodigy benders. (Sokka makes her a walking stick because she needs some kind of helper to walk).

[broadwaybalogna]

Hey do you have any steambaby headcanons?

Ok I had to look up what steambaby was because I had no clue what it was when I saw this. So, I BELIEVE it’s Zuko and Katara’s kid??? If I’m wrong, please let me know. Without further ado, here are some headcanons I am coming up with on the spot and spitballing.

• their first child’s name is Kya. I’ve seen some versions of steambaby where her name is Izumi, but I believe because of the name Kya’s sentimental value, they would name their firstborn after her first, then Izumi if they had a second.

• Avatar bending physics are terrible because two nonbenders can have a bender, two benders can have a non-bender and etc. so, I now head canon that their child is actually an earth bender and Toph trains the hell out of her

• She has such a fiery personality (I’m thinking like Lily from modern family but with more emotion) to the point that by the time she reaches 11, she’s having rap battles with Toph and Azula (who has been redeemed)

• She’s Gay

• she has a perfect gaydar

• she figures out Sokka’s gay before he does

• Her temper knows no bounds and neither do her time-outs

• She once went an entire month where she got grounded each day.

• She hates pickles

• Azula loves being called Aunt Azula and adores little Kya but Sokka feels like being called uncle Sokka makes him feel old so he gave her a goofy asf nickname to call him so he could feel young. (This nickname is what made Kya realize he was gay)

[bellatrixobsessed1]

I Am Blackened Bones (Part 29)

The spirit, Azula finds, still speaks to her. Speaks not as a separate entity but as an extension of her own thoughts. Mostly it does so when she finds herself confused or reluctant. It is a small portion of her mind—the portion that acts on impulse and spontaneity. The portion that would probably be called an intrusive thought if the thought was something vicious. These thoughts, while still semi-intrusive, compel her to kiss Katara for no reason or to throw herself into a pile of snow just for the sake of experience. 

She ignores them mostly. 

She is, admittedly, somewhat afraid of them.

Or afraid of what people would think of her if she acted upon them. 

Katara doesn’t seem to mind. She seems to rather enjoy the surprise kisses and the random gifts. Even if the random gifts are just dumb doodles burned onto slabs of discarded firewood. “I didn’t realize that you were an artist.” She says of her newest gift. 

“I’m not.” Azula replies. “I’m mostly bored.” 

“Mostly bored?”

Azula nods. “I swear that it didn’t take this long to make this trip last time.”

“Last time you were in and out.” Katara reminds her. “Time tends to pass quicker when you aren’t there the whole time.”

“Right, yes.” Azula flushes slightly. That was a silly thing to have forgotten. Katara chuckles and Azula would like nothing more than to take a miniature retreat back into her own mind. Evidently she would very much like to sleep through the entirety of her homecoming. Not that she wishes that her spirit self could do it for her. The spirit would have made her look like a complete dolt. She feels as though she will accomplish looking like a fool well enough on her own. 

Katara squeezes her hand. “They’re going to love you Azula.”

“How do you know?”

“Well the Fire Nation seemed to adore you before you left.” 

“I believe that I have fallen out of favor with the general public since Zuzu has taken the throne. Traditional values and beliefs are on a decline.” 

“It’s a shame that you don’t have any way of showing that you don’t exactly subscribe to traditional beliefs anymore.” Katara kisses her ear. “If only you had a beautiful waterbender to date.”

“Yeah, I only have the moderately visually appealing if you squint hard enough waterbender.” 

From her corner of Appa’s saddle, Toph gives a snort and a laugh. 

She wishes that she could laugh too but the truth is that she is…intimidating. Her stomach has been tying itself in knots for the better part of the morning and each passing minute presents her with another opportunity to find something to fret over. 

She and Zuzu hadn’t parted on terrible terms with each other this time around. But they certainly hadn’t had any meaningful discussion while she was occupied with fighting to stay present in her own mind. She isn’t particularly keen on digging up old fights and picking at old wounds. But she is just as dissatisfied at the thought of not confronting her past. 

Franky she isn’t sure why she is so worried, so far her attempts to face herself have all been successful. And the stakes had been just as high, if not more so. And yet this is the thing that worries her more than any other.

She tries to remind herself that Zuko had been the one fighting for her, the real her to come back. 

But it creeps in that maybe he won’t be satisfied with the results of winning that fight. She wonders if it will be strange for him to see her on good terms with everyone else. It will certainly be jarring; he hadn’t been there to witness the full evolution. 

Azula, of course, had been there and it is still jarring when she reflects upon the changes within herself. Both the large and small changes. Somehow those subtle changes are more startling than the more overt ones. She sighs. 

It seems like it had only taken the duration of the one exhale for the Fire Nation to appear on the horizon. It was certainly longer, much longer. But not nearly long enough. Seeing the volcano jutting towards the clouds stirs the butterflies in her stomach into a frenzy.

It is almost instinctual at this point, to see the Fire Nation and feel dread. Even knowing that firebending no longer hurts her doesn’t prevent her from bracing herself for that pain. Her chest constricts. She wishes that she weren’t so accustomed to hurt that she is suspicious of its absence.

She feels Katara’s arms slip around her middle and her chin on her shoulder. Azula hates that she still stiffens at unexpected touches, even the loving caresses and embraces. She resents that she can’t love as effortlessly as the spirit had. Resents that she has to remind herself that she and the spirit are the same and always have been. That they were never opposites so much as twin flames that have come to combine into one brilliant blaze. Hates that she has to actively think about and remember how it feels to live unhurt. How it feels to have been so innocent and trusting. Loathes that she can’t just carry on that way. 

Carefree and open. 

Unguarded. 

So maybe she hasn’t changed all that much. 

Maybe she is the same person that they all hate. That…

Katara kisses her neck. “Don’t do that.”

“What?” 

“Do that thing where you overthink things and upset yourself.” She pauses. 

“If you expect things to go wrong then they probably will.” Sokka comments unhelpfully. “Like a self-fulfilling prophecy.”

“What he’s trying to say…” Aang clarifies. “Things will go just fine if you let them happen naturally. If you try to plan every little detail, you’re more likely to get frustrated and upset when things don’t go your way. And then that frustration will make things worse. That’s what usually happens to Sokka. It happened with Zuko a lot too.”

“I guess.” Azula mumbles.  It isn’t just Zuzu that she is worried about. It is Mai and TyLee too. It has been so very long…

Katara moves to massage her shoulders. If it were TyLee doing the massaging she would surely be on the receiving end of another lecture about how much tension she consistently holds. “How do you think spirit Azula would handle this situation?”

“By completely ignoring Zuzu to marvel at how big and shiny the palace is.” Color blossoms back on her cheeks once more as she imagines some goofy, wide-eyed version of herself bouncing around the palace, inspecting its every nook and cranny. “I would look like a complete idiot if I followed that line of thinking.”

“Well you could ignore Zuko.” Toph shrugs. “And pretend to be very invested with the new furniture.”

“New furniture?”

“Oh yeah.” Sokka says. “He added some new decorative vases and got rid of one of them.”

“The one that he got stuck in as a child?”

Another snort sounds from Toph’s corner of the saddle. “He got stuck in a vase?”

Azula nods. “It was not a very good day.”

“Wait, are you implying that you were in the vase too?” Sokka quirks a brow.

“It was a very large vase and it was surprisingly easy to climb. I could probably fit myself into it without much effort.”

“Oh man, I know how we’re spending your homecoming day!” Toph shouts. 

“Except that he got rid of that vase.” Aang reminds her. 

“I’ll find it.” Toph declares.

“You probably won’t. It has probably been destroyed.” Azula replies, perfectly content to have something else to think about. Indeed, she decides, it is better to think about something else entirely lest she give herself an opportunity for some admittedly destructive overthinking. 

“I’m going to find it.” Toph promises. “And if I do, you’re going to get in that vase.”

“I mean, you won’t find it so I don’t have anything to worry about.”

“Great so, it’s a deal then. If I find the vase then you’ll climb into it.”

“And if you don’t find it?” 

“Then I’ll pick my favorite of the new vases and crawl into it.”

“I suppose that I will accept your terms. But only because, in the Fire Nation, we tend to repurpose things that we throw out. The vase is probably part of a tank or an air balloon now.”

“Spoken like someone who is about to get stuck in a vase again.” Sokka mutters to himself.

“I’m sure that, that will earn me the respect of my people and won’t give them grounds to think that the jungle has left me completely uncivil.”

“The people of Omashu love Bumi and all of his quirks.” Aang points out. 

“Caldera City is a bit more…proper. Rigid. Dancing is frowned upon…”

“Not anymore.” Aang says. “You’ve been so focused on how much you’ve changed that you forgot to consider that The Fire Nation might have changed too.”

“Has it?”

“Almost as much as you have.” Aang replies. 

She isn’t sure if that makes her more or less anxious. But she doesn’t have much time to decide. The palace is within eyesight and phantom tickles dance up and down her arms. She closes her eyes and takes a few deep breaths. She isn’t on fire. She isn’t burning. The prickles that she feels are all in her head. The product of anxiety more than anything else. 

Katara assures her that she is going to do just fine. 

A little voice in the back of her mind tells her that it will be just another adventure. That she should, maybe, be excited for it.

Excited for the chance to rise from the ashes that she had been burning to and blaze more brilliantly than ever. 

[avrelia]

A week ago news broke about a new upcoming AtLA comic by Faith Erin Hicks as a writer and Peter Wartman as an artist. Apparently it will have Mai, Zuko and Kiyi on the cover and focus on Mai working as a teacher in the Fire Nation Royal Academy for girls.

There was a lot of excitement and consternation on Tumblr in related tags.

So here is my take. I generally accept AtLA comics as the facts of life. They exist. I like some, I dislike others. I hate some narrative choices made in them, and I find some compelling and interesting, and some – just boring or underdeveloped or meaningless.

I love the works of Faith Erin Hicks, and ever since her Nameless City trilogy, books that she worked on as writer or artist are a must-buy for me. More so, I think she has a good grip on AtLA characters, loves them, and loves writing them. So I trust her as a writer quite a lot.

However, after the Imbalance, the Dark Horse comics strategy was “playing in the sandbox” and not moving stories in any significant way. The recent comics about Katara, Toph, Suki, Azula, and June are all adorable and smart character vignettes, lovely yet forgettable. They are not hated, but they are not talked about, either.

Azula story is an outlier here – because while it didn’t move Azula’s story, it clarified the confusing mess that was Azula’s story in previous comics and positioned her for the next adventures and future changes in a meaningful way.

All that said – do I expect Mai and Zuko to start dating again in the new comic? No, I don’t. There won’t be space enough in a short story to bring them back together.

But what do I expect? Well, Faith Erin Hicks herself says that “this book is mostly about Mai and her attempt to find her path after the events of the show” and that’s what I expect and that’s exactly what I want to read.

Is Mai as a teacher a weird concept? No. I can’t say that it is, since I myself wrote a story “Mai doesn’t know what to do with her life and stumbles upon being a substitute teacher to earn some money.” (it’s an AU, part Jane Austen, part detective story, part Friends TV show and I still love that fic.)

Mai’s problem is that she doesn’t know what she wants. Various people in Mai’s life come and pull her one way or another – Azula, Zuko, Mai’s parents, her aunt… If Mai finally makes up her mind what she wants to do with her life, it will be a great development for her.

How likely is that Ursa would want to send her youngest daughter to the school Azula went to? I don’t know, but I am willing to wait and see.

How likely that Zuko think Mai would be a good teacher? Well, he knows her. And he himself never planned to be a teacher, yet he managed to teach Aang firebending, so he might believe teaching is an easy skill to pick up.

Here I am willing to trust the creators’ team, and wait and see what they came up with.