#even though i do think zuko would immediately forgive ursa

[m1ckeyb3rry]

── THE GLASS PRINCESS // FIVE

Series Synopsis: You wake up in a strange room with no memories, broken glass at your bedside, and a prince named Zuko as your only chance at figuring out who you really are.

Chapter Synopsis: You visit Ember Island with Jia-Li and grow closer with her and her brother. Everything comes to a head, though, when a party on the island goes wrong.

Series Masterlist

Pairing: Zuko x Reader

Chapter Word Count: 7.4k

Content Warnings: complicated relationships (strangers to friends to lovers to enemies to strangers to lovers to enemies to lovers), amnesia, alternate universe, lots of secrets and lying and mystery

A/N: would you guys believe if i said i thought we’d already know reader’s real identity this many words into the fic?? anyways enjoy the fun times while they last folks because trust it will be getting angsty at some point probably

Dear Zuko,

I’m sorry for whatever I did that made you angry with me. Please forgive me. I don’t want you to be upset.

Sincerely, Ursa

P.S. Destroying Chan’s house was wrong, but since it was him, I won’t chide you. Jia-Li and I also participated a bit, so it would be hypocritical, anyways.

P.P.S. I’m not friends with Ruon-Jian anymore. 

Though you had been at sea for quite a bit of time now, you still had not grown bored of staring at the ocean. Jia-Li had sat back down under the shade of the silk canopy a while ago, eating a bowl full of ice cream and watching you in amusement as you stood at the prow and peered down into the water.

“It’s so beautiful,” you said.

“You’ve said that like a hundred times,” Jia-Li teased you.

“I know, I just…I just can't get over it. I’ve never seen anything quite so blue,” you said, though this was somewhat a lie. That blue from your memories, it resembled this water in depth, though not in texture — the water was clear and lucid, whereas the blue you remembered was harsh and matte.

“I guess I should be glad that you’re enjoying yourself already! Just think about it — you haven’t even gotten to Ember Island yet, and you’re having so much fun. Imagine how much better it’ll be once you’re there!” Jia-Li said.

“I can’t wait,” you said dreamily. “As long as we can go swimming, I’ll be happy.”

“Of course,” she said. “We’ll swim every day! My brother wrote to me, he said that the tides have been forgiving this season. Maybe I can convince him to teach you how to ride the flying dolphin fish. He always shoos me away whenever I ask, but it’s impossible to hate you, Ursa, so he’ll definitely say yes.”

You had been growing accustomed to that name. It still felt like an alias at times, but it was a familiar one, said around you so often that you barely even hesitated before responding to it.

“It’s fine if he doesn’t,” you said. “Though it would be nice to learn something like that…”

“Maybe you should ask him!” Jia-Li said. “There’s no way he can refuse then!”

“I wouldn’t want to be imposing,” you said immediately, shaking your head. “He shouldn’t have to do something just because he’s too guilty to say no.”

“No, I was more thinking along the lines of ‘you’re pretty and he doesn’t say no to pretty girls’, actually,” she said. “He’ll be happy to oblige you, but if it’s a request from his little sister, he’s likely to say no just to be contrary.”

“We’ll see,” you said after ruminating on it for a second. “Also, thank you for the compliment.”

“It’s just the truth,” Jia-Li said. “But since we’re on the subject — I know you don’t have memories, so you can’t answer about your past life, but what about recently? Have you had a crush on someone before?”

“A crush?” you said.

“Yeah! I mean, have you ever liked anyone?” she said.

“I like a lot of people,” you said. “For example, you and Ty Lee.”

“No, silly, not in that way. I mean liking someone romantically,” Jia-Li elaborated. “I know a few of the boys in the Royal Fire Academy for Boys have been talking about you, so I was just curious.”

“Oh!” you said, covering your face with your hands so that she could not see the embarrassment blooming on it. “I didn’t know that they were.”

“Sure, of course they are! They talk about a lot of us, so it makes sense, and anyways I wasn’t lying when I said you’re pretty. They’re all too scared to actually talk to you, but I’m sure that if you went to the market alone and met one of them, they’d propose on the spot,” she said.

The academies for girls and boys had separate campuses, but they were run conjointly, so that your breaks aligned and your events were held in tandem. Though you tended to avoid attending sporting matches, you had gone to one or two in your time as a student, so you supposed that must’ve been when you had become a viable prospect for whatever nonsense Jia-Li was spouting.

“I don’t talk to any boys,” you pointed out. “Even if any of them like me, I don’t know them, so I can’t say I like them back.”

“You talk to the prince a lot,” she said.

“What?” you said.

“Did you really think I didn’t notice how often you send letters to him via Bian?” she chided. You coughed uncomfortably.

“Um, well, he is my benefactor, so I have to keep him updated with my day-to-day activities,” you said. “It’s, er, part of my scholarship, you know.”

It was not, but Jia-Li seemed to buy the lie readily enough, nodding sagely, though not without a dramatic pout.

“That does check out, but it’s not nearly as exciting as a secret love affair or letters written out of pining and sent with longing, stamped with your heart’s greatest desire for a man that can never be your own!” she said.

“Sorry?” you said. “I don’t think any of that fits the situation, though.”

She sighed. “It’s okay.”

“What about you? Do you have any crushes?” you said, recognizing that this was the logical next step in the conversation. Jia-Li blushed and looked at the wooden paneling of the deck, using her fingers to twirl the hair which escaped her ponytail to frame her face.

“Yes,” she said. “Kind of. But it’s someone who I shouldn’t like, and who would never like me back, so I’ve never said anything.”

“Who?” you said. “Your family is pretty influential, isn’t it? I can’t imagine most anyone rejecting you. Unless you like Prince Zuko and are projecting your ‘heart’s greatest desire for a man that can never be your own’ onto me?”

“No way!” Jia-Li said. “It’s more complicated than him being of a higher ranking than me.”

“Then what is it?” you said.

“He’s my brother’s best friend!” she said, all in a rush, her entire face in flames at the confession.

“Oh,” you said, cringing in empathy. “I see. He would not approve?”

“Definitely not,” she said. “But there’s something worse than him not approving: marrying this boy would mean having Kaho as a sister-in-law!”

“Oh, Agni,” you said, slapping your palm against your forehead. How had you forgotten? It was the only reason Jia-Li was somewhat exempt from Kaho’s reign of terror, despite her association with you: her brother and Kaho’s were best friends. But if she liked Kaho’s brother, then what would that mean?

“That’s the scenario,” she said. “And to top it all off, he’s notoriously popular with girls. He probably wouldn’t even look at me twice. I’ll always just be Ruon-Jian’s annoying little sister to him.”

“I doubt that that’s true,” you said as you approached the docks. “Really, Jia-Li, I don’t think that's the case. You said his family will be on Ember Island at the same time as us?”

“Yeah,” she said quietly. “Although Kaho mentioned not being able to come — something about volunteering as a scribe for some official meeting that the Fire Lord will be hosting over the weekend.”

“Perfect! That’ll be our goal, then,” you said.

“Huh?” she said.

“We’re going to get you noticed by your crush! Who cares about the consequences? Kaho and your brother can just deal with it, and if they have something to say, then they can talk to me,” you said.

“That’s nice of you to offer, but what would you even do?” Jia-Li said.

“I don’t know,” you said. “Talk to them, I guess. Kaho already doesn’t like me, so it’s not a tragedy if she hates me more, and I don’t know your brother that well, so if he and I don’t get along after that kind of conversation, it won’t be a great loss.”

“Do you really think we can do something like that?” she said.

“We have to try,” you said. “You deserve it, Jia-Li.”

“Thank you,” she said, swallowing. “You’re a really good friend, Ursa. If you ever change your mind and decide you do like Prince Zuko after all, just let me know—”

“Jia-Li!” you warned her, though the threat fell flat, as she only laughed in return.

Jia-Li’s home on Ember Island was close to the docks, and it was right on the water. She told you as you walked up the seashell-lined path that that stretch of sand was actually a private beach that belonged to her family, so you wouldn’t have to worry about anyone bothering you while you were there.

“Sometimes my brother goes to the bigger beach a little ways away, though,” she said. “They like seeing other people our age and hanging out with them and whatnot.”

“Maybe when I’m a little more confident, we can try it,” you said. “For now, I’m just glad we have our own space where I don’t have to be worried about embarrassing myself in case I drown or something.”

“I wouldn’t let you drown,” Jia-Li said. “But I’m fine with that plan. It’s not like I have some huge desire to be on a massively crowded beach with the others, so it’s not heartbreaking for me if we just stay here the whole time.”

“Now, now, not the whole time,” you said. “We have to leave the house at some point so we can meet this guy you like!”

“I’m still not so sure about that,” she said, pulling out a key from her pocket and using it to unlock the front door. “Now hush, I don’t need my brother overhearing us. We can talk more later tonight or something.”

“On it,” you said, pretending to seal your lips shut. She rolled her eyes before motioning you after her. Carefully, you stepped into the grand foyer, scuffing your shoes on the welcome mat to rid them of the sand. Jia-Li smiled in approval, presumably at your politeness, and you smiled back at her.

“Mother, father!” Jia-Li shouted. “Ruon-Jian! Ursa and I are here!”

Jia-Li’s mother peeked her head around the corner, nodding demurely at the two of you, though it was deeper and more reverent when it came to you. She looked exactly like Jia-Li, only a little older, her features aged, the cut of her face sharper.

“It is good to meet you,” she said. Her voice was musical and quiet, carefully controlled — it was the culmination of years of training as the wife of a high-ranking Fire Nation official. It was what you and Jia-Li and Kaho and Ty Lee would one day sound like, once you had graduated from the academy and were ready to enter society properly.

“And you as well, madam,” you said, clasping your hands, bowing your head slightly. “Thank you for welcoming me into your home. It is greatly appreciated.”

“You are so polite,” Jia-Li’s mother said, the slightest traces of happiness flickering over her face. “I am glad Jia-Li has such an exemplary friend to look up to.”

“Nice to see you, too, mother,” Jia-Li said. Her mother laughed, opening her arms.

“Come here, then,” she said. Jia-Li brightened, racing into her mother’s arms and hugging her. You looked away, feeling like you were intruding on the moment and wishing you had your own mother to embrace like that.

“Where’s father?” Jia-Li said. Her mother sighed.

“He and Admiral Chan were called back to the palace for some important meeting, so they’re not on the island for the moment,” she said.

“It must be the meeting Kaho is scribing for,” you said.

“Most likely,” Jia-Li said. “Do you think he’ll be able to come back before I leave for the academy again? I haven’t seen him in so long.”

“I’m not sure, darling,” her mother said. “If he is still in the capital by the time your boat leaves the docks, I will send him a message to stay in the capital and receive you before he returns.”

“Thank you,” she said. “What about Ruon-Jian? Where is he?”

“Oh, that boy, he’s being as troublesome as ever. I believe he’s locked in his room at the moment. Ruon-Jian! Please come downstairs and say hello to your sister and her friend!” her mother said. It was strange — even yelling, she sounded soft and polite, which should not have made sense but somehow did.

“Why?” a deep, grumbling voice said. There were heavy footsteps on the stairs, evidence that Jia-Li’s brother was on his way but wasn’t exactly happy about it. “I don’t wanna meet Jia-Li and her stupid friend — woah.”

Her brother was tall and willowy, with shaggy brown hair that fell into his face, giving him an effortlessly cool appearance. His eyes were the same color as Jia-Li’s, but that was about where their similarities ended. If you had seen him outside, without introduction, you wouldn’t have been able to guess that they were siblings in the first place.

“This is Ruon-Jian,” Jia-Li said when it became obvious that her brother wasn’t going to introduce himself. He was far too busy staring at something, his jaw dropped and his eyebrows raised, though when Jia-Li spoke, he was able to pull himself together, running his hand through his hair and then smirking.

“That’s right,” he said. “The name’s Ruon-Jian.”

“That’s what I just said,” Jia-Li said.

“What about you?” he said. You looked from side to side, wondering who he was talking to, and then you realized it was you, which meant that the thing he had been staring at was also…

“Ursa,” you said. “I’m Ursa.”

You weren’t sure how you felt about the attention. Maybe you liked it, or maybe you didn’t. It was strange and fluttering and unfamiliar in the pit of your stomach, and behind your back, you wrung your hands nervously.

“Ursa,” he said. “Great name. It’s as pretty as you are.”

“Um, I guess if I knew who my parents were, I’d pass along the compliment,” you said.

“Wicked,” he said. “So, what are you doing on Ember Island?”

“She’s my friend, idiot. My roommate from the academy,” Jia-Li said.

“Shh, Jia-Li, I’m trying to get to know her better! Stop talking and interrupting her,” Ruon-Jian said. You exchanged bewildered looks with Jia-Li’s mother, while at your side, Jia-Li fumed, the air shimmering from the heat she gave off as a Firebender.

“She’s right,” you said. “I’m her roommate back at school. She’s one of my greatest friends.”

“Sick,” he said.

“I don’t think I am,” you said, puzzled.

“It’s slang,” Jia-Li said.

“I understand,” you said, although you didn’t, not fully. This way of speaking was entirely foreign to you, but you figured that if you had Jia-Li with you to translate, you’d probably be alright.

“Who’s your family, Ursa?” Ruon-Jian said.

“I don’t have one,” you said.

“Word?” he said.

“He’s asking if that’s the truth,” Jia-Li whispered. “It’s like saying ‘really?’”

“It is the truth,” you said. “I have no memories. I am the girl that the royal family sponsored to study at the academy after I was rescued from the Earth Kingdom.”

“No way!” Ruon-Jian said. “That’s so cool!”

“Not really,” Jia-Li said. “She doesn’t remember anything. Including her family. Idiot.”

“If I could forget you, I’d do so in a heartbeat,” Ruon-Jian said.

“Well, I’d do the same!” Jia-Li snapped. You cleared your throat.

“I’m just grateful to Prince Zuko for saving me and ensuring my future,” you said. “He, and the rest of the royal family, are likely the reason I’m still alive and standing before you today.”

“Word,” Ruon-Jian said.

“I am not lying this time, either,” you affirmed.

“No, that was more of an expression of agreement,” Jia-Li said.

“I am a little confused,” you said. “But I shall trust you on this one, Jia-Li.”

“Do you have plans for the week?” Ruon-Jian said.

“Jia-Li is going to teach me to swim,” you said, beaming at Jia-Li, who gave you a high-five in return. “Beyond that, no, not really.”

“We were going to ask you if you could teach her to ride the flying dolphin fish,” Jia-Li said. “I know you’d never teach me, but—”

“Definitely!” Ruon-Jian said, cutting Jia-Li off. “I’ll teach you anything you want, Ursa.”

Heat rushed into your face, and you bit your lower lip, shifting from foot to foot nervously. Glancing at Jia-Li, who shrugged, you trained your attention on the ground instead of looking at Ruon-Jian when you responded.

“I think that that would be fun,” you said.

“We’ll get started tomorrow,” he said.

“Ruon-Jian, usually I’m joking when I say it, but you really are an idiot! How can you teach her to ride flying dolphin fish if she doesn’t even know how to swim?” Jia-Li said.

“The day after tomorrow, then!” Ruon-Jian declared. “See you around, Ursa!”

With that, he bounded back upstairs, taking the steps two at a time, leaving you, Jia-Li, and her mother standing in the foyer, somehow even more confused than before.

The next day was somehow sunnier and brighter than the previous, which was a relief, as it was the day you were supposed to learn to swim. At present, you were wearing one of Jia-Li’s sets of swimming clothes, your towel spread out on the sand as you looked at the ocean with furrowed brows.

“You ready?” Jia-Li said.

“I think so,” you said.

“Let’s go!” she said. Without waiting for you, she charged into the water, flopping onto her stomach once it was deep enough for her to do so. Not even taking a second to think, you sprinted in after her, and when the water rose to the level of your thighs, you didn’t second-guess yourself. Using your legs to push off, you dove into the water, jetting through it, forcing your eyes open and laughing soundlessly as you wove amongst the flowing bubbles and colorful fish that decorated the ocean.

It was many seconds later that you pushed your way to the surface, taking a deep breath, your legs churning the water so that you stayed afloat. Some ways away, Jia-Li had done the same, though she was busily scanning the shore for where you might be.

“Jia-Li!” you called out. “Over here!”

“Ursa!” she said, clapping her hands in delight. “I guess you do know how to swim!”

“I guess so!” you said, overcome with a rush of euphoria at the weightless feeling the water afforded you. Jia-Li paddled over to where you were treading, doing the same beside you so that you two could talk.

“That means you can learn to ride the flying dolphin fish sooner rather than later,” she said slyly. You lowered your eyes.

“Maybe,” you said.

“I knew it!” she squealed. “You have a crush on my brother!”

“No!” you said, far too quickly to sound convincing. “I mean. No.”

“You do!” Jia-Li said. “I can’t understand why you’d ever have a crush on him, but I guess there’s really someone out there for everyone.”

“I don’t even know him,” you said. “Sure, he’s cool and all, but I don’t know the first thing about who he is as a person. How can I say for certain that I have a crush or anything?”

“That’s why you have to get to know him,” Jia-Li said, poking you in the forehead. “Right?”

“True,” you said. “Then I can tell you for certain how I feel. What about you, though?”

“What about me?” she said innocently.

“When will I get to meet this mysterious crush of yours? You can hardly expect to pursue him if you never even go to see him!” you said. She splashed you with water.

“I’m not about to just go visit his house for no reason! It would be weird,” she said.

“Maybe a little bit,” you said. “But there has to be a way for you to accidentally run into him! And when I say accidentally, of course it won’t be an accident at all, but it’ll appear to be one.”

“Just forget about it,” Jia-Li said. “It’s not a big deal. If it’s meant to be, something will come up.”

“If that’s what you want,” you said. “But you have to promise me that if something comes up, as you say it will, you’ll really try your hardest.”

“Okay,” Jia-Li said in determination. “If there is some opportunity for me to talk to him, I’ll do it.”

“That’s the way!” you said. “Now, let’s race. I want to see how fast I am, too.”

“First one to that bit of driftwood wins?” Jia-Li said, pointing at a smoothed-over log floating in the distance.

“You’re on,” you said. “Three, two — hey, I didn’t say go yet! Jia-Li!”

You could not remember ever having as much fun as you did during that time on Ember Island. You and Jia-Li spent hours lazing around on the beach or swimming in the water, eating whatever her family’s chef prepared for you, drinking fruit juice that was sometimes sweet, sometimes sour, oftentimes both. At night, you would stay up until the moon was high in the sky, giggling and exchanging secrets and stories, making fun of your classmates and the boys in the Royal Academy for Boys.

“You know, one of them has a shrine dedicated to Kaho,” Jia-Li told you one night. You howled with laughter.

“No!” you said.

“Yes, he really does! He found a portrait of her and leaves money and food in front of it every week,” she said.

“You’re making that up,” you said.

“Nope, I found out during one of the sporting matches,” she said. “I was a little disgusted, but now that I see the humor in it, I confess I’m entirely amused by the entire thing.”

You would sleep late into the day, sometimes missing the morning entirely and only waking up for the afternoons. Jia-Li’s mother never scolded you two for it, saying that she was happy you were catching up on your rest, since dark circles were not comely on a woman or something along those lines.

Sometimes, Ruon-Jian would spend a few minutes with you both, but for the most part, he was off with Chan, his best friend and Kaho’s older brother. When he was with you, he was usually sitting at your side, making fun of his sister and complimenting you all at once. And even though you barely knew him, you had to admit that it was nice to have someone paying such close attention to you for once, treating you as if you were worthy of his time and entirely normal, the way he was, instead of tiptoeing around you and your lost memories.

“You ready, Ursa?” Ruon-Jian said, plopping down on the bench beside you as you and Jia-Li ate breakfast — or was it lunch, at this point?

“For what, Ruon-Jian?” you said, batting your eyelashes at him. From across the table, Jia-Li pretended to gag.

He elbowed you in the side. “To learn to ride flying dolphin fish, of course!”

“Yes!” you said, shooting to your feet. “I thought you’d forgotten!”

“How could I forget about you?” he said. “The currents just haven’t been right for a beginner recently. You should’ve seen how badly Chan wiped out the other day!”

You glanced at Jia-Li. She mimed falling over, and you gave her a discreet thumbs up.

“You didn’t fall, though, did you?” you said. Ruon-Jian beamed and flexed his arms.

“’Course not. I’m way better than Chan,” he bragged.

“Very impressive. Then there must be no one in the Fire Nation more equipped to teach me,” you said.

“Not a single person,” he agreed.

“I can’t bear to watch any more of this,” Jia-Li muttered to no one in particular. “You guys have fun. I’m going to collect our clothes so that they can get washed, Ursa.”

She left without another word, though as she walked away, you thought you caught her saying something about how you could do better. Ignoring it, you followed after Ruon-Jian towards the beach behind his house, struggling to keep up with his brisk stride.

“There’s a pod of flying dolphin fish that visits our beach pretty regularly,” he said. “We should be able to catch a ride there.”

“Okay,” you said. “Is it safe?”

“We’ll ride the same one, so I can look after you, but on the whole, flying dolphin fish are very docile, so as long as the waves are gentle, it’s fine,” he said. “That’s why I’ve been waiting to take you out.”

“That sounds good,” you said. He whistled.

“That’s how we call them. Now, we just have to wait until they come,” he said, pulling you forward to stand beside him.

“Then what?” you said.

“It’s a surprise,” he said. “Just kidding! Then we swim out and find the friendliest one and get on.”

It took a few minutes, but eventually, in the distance, there were splashes. Ruon-Jian whooped in delight, grabbing your hand and dragging you after him before you could protest.

“They were fast today!” he said. “Let’s go before they decide to leave again!”

Ruon-Jian was a little faster than you at swimming, though you had been faster than Jia-Li. You didn’t feel insulted, though; he spent much of his time in the ocean, so it was to be expected that he was better than both you and his sister alike. The end result was that he reached the flying dolphin fish before you, and had already mounted one by the time you swam up to its side.

“How do I get on?” you said.

“You don’t,” he said, using his legs to hold onto the body of the flying dolphin fish and then bending over to pull you out of the water and set you in front of him.

“Thanks,” you said, suddenly very aware of how close he was to you, how he held onto your waist and rested his chin on your shoulder.

“Just rest your hands on its head,” he said. “Like that. Good job! I’ll do all the steering and stuff with my legs, so don’t worry about that for now. All you have to do is focus on your balance.”

“Got it,” you said.

“Then let’s get going!” he said, clicking at the flying dolphin fish, which took off with a push of its powerful tail, propelling itself through the water. Its speed was breathtaking, and as the wind rushed against your face, tears gathered in your eyes, tears of joy and freedom and also of regret. When was the last time you had felt like this? When was the last time you had been so happy? Why didn’t you endeavor to be so more often?

Suddenly, the flying dolphin fish took off into the air, and then you were soaring. Everything faded away, the rest of the world and Ruon-Jian and the flying dolphin fish and even you. It was all nothing. You were all nothing. There was only the sky and the sea and the smell of salt on the wind, blue taking over your vision and almost, for a second, reminding you of something else.

Then you were slamming back into the water, the flying dolphin fish not even slowing its pace as it went from air to ocean. The spray that hit your face from the impact was enough to wake you up from the daze, and you were reminded of where you were and who you were and what you were doing.

“That was so fun,” you said as you and Ruon-Jian re-entered the house, still dripping with saltwater despite the towels wrapped around you both.

“It’s sick, right? I knew you’d like it,” Ruon-Jian said. “Speaking of things you might like…my friend Chan is holding a party later tonight. You wanna come?”

You perked up at the name Chan, knowing he was none other than the object of Jia-Li’s affections.

“Yes, but only if Jia-Li can come, too,” you said.

“Aw, no way! Chan never leaves her alone, and I don’t want my best friend bothering my little sister. It’s so odd!” he said.

“It’ll be really lonely for me to be at a party where I don’t even know anyone,” you said with a small frown.

“That’s fair,” he said.

“And she’s my friend, so it’ll be more fun for me if she’s there,” you continued. “That’s why I’ll only go if she can, too.”

“Okay, okay,” Ruon-Jian said. “Fine. She can come, too.”

“Yay! Thank you so much!” you said, clapping. “It’s going to be so much fun.”

“Sure will be,” he said. “You should go get ready, though. There’ll be a lot of influential people there, so you should try to look your best.”

“Of course,” you said. “See you soon!”

Luckily, Jia-Li had been right in assuming that you and her would be the same size. You had been wearing her clothes for the entire vacation, and tonight was no different, as she picked out something nice for you to put on for the party.

“Ursa, I’m convinced you’re a miracle worker,” Jia-Li said, shaking her head. “Seriously! How is it that you managed to get us invited to one of Chan’s parties? They’re super selective.”

“Simple. Your brother invited me, and I told him I’d only go if you could, too. He was initially a bit reluctant, since he seemed to think Chan wouldn’t leave you alone, but he came around,” you said.

“You’re the best,” she said.

“I honestly might’ve just said no from the get go, but I heard that Chan was hosting, and I knew we had to attend. This is literally the sign you were waiting for!” you said. “What are the odds that your brother would invite me to a party hosted by the man of your dreams?”

“Pretty high, considering he thinks you’re really attractive and the so-called man of my dreams is his best friend,” Jia-Li said. “But I know what you’re saying, and I agree. Enough about that, though. The only thing left is for us to do our best to look amazing!”

Because Ruon-Jian and Chan were best friends, you arrived at the party before anyone else so that you could help Chan set up. His house was enormous, according to Ruon-Jian, and he had said it would be greatly appreciated if you all could lend a hand. With a meaningful look at Jia-Li, you had accepted.

“I made sure that Chan knew what food you like, Ursa, so that he could serve it,” Ruon-Jian said, his arm tossed around your shoulders. “I want you to have the best time!”

“Aren’t you so romantic, brother?” Jia-Li said dryly.

“Thank you, Ruon-Jian,” you said.

“Anytime,” he said with a smirk.

“Ruon-Jian!” a tall, muscular boy said as he opened the door to the mansion. “I thought you’d never get here.”

“Jia-Li took forever getting ready, dude,” Ruon-Jian said. “By the way, Chan, this is Ursa. And Ursa, this is Chan.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you,” you said.

“Pleasure’s all mine,” Chan said. “Did you say Jia-Li? Is she here?”

“I am,” Jia-Li from where she was hiding behind you and Ruon-Jian. “Hi, Chan.”

“Jia-Li! It’s been ages since I saw you last. How have you been?” Chan said, yanking her by the arm and into the house.

“Quit flirting with my sister!” Ruon-Jian shouted, though he went ignored by both Chan and Jia-Li. You patted him on the arm.

“It’s okay,” you said. “She doesn’t seem upset about it, so you shouldn’t be, either.”

“It’s just so freaky,” he said with a shudder. “Jia-Li’s my baby sister. She shouldn’t have guys interested in her, let alone guys that have been my best friend since I could count.”

“She’s grown up now,” you said. “She can make her own decisions. You should just support her.”

“If you think that’s what’s best,” he said reluctantly. “You’re pretty mature, you know.”

“It’s funny, I feel like I’ve heard that before, though I don’t quite recall who might’ve said such a thing,” you said. “It doesn’t matter; either way, thank you.”

Jia-Li and Chan were too busy talking with each other, and Ruon-Jian was too busy fixing his hair in the mirror, so the brunt of the party set up fell to you. You didn’t mind, though, liking the act of working, and you were so efficient that everything was ready right around dusk.

“The place looks great, Ursa,” Ruon-Jian said when you rejoined him in front of the mirror.

“Your hair does, too, so you can stop fiddling with it,” you said. He pulled you in by the waist, flashing a peace sign in the mirror.

“Don’t we look so good together?” he said. “It’s like…like you were meant to stand beside me.”

“I suppose so,” you said, though you weren’t sure if you would go so far as to say all that. Still, it was nice to know that someone thought you belonged with them, so when he began to lean in, you did not move away.

Right when his lips were about to brush against yours, there was a knock on the door. He drew back in irritation.

“Who is here this early?” he said. “Whatever. Where were we again?”

The moment was ruined, though, so you pretended to be preoccupied with straightening your clothes, your head tilted downwards so that he could not even catch your eye.

“These are some really punctual party guests,” you said. “No one else is here yet.”

“Yeah, punctual’s one word for it,” Ruon-Jian said, clearly taking the hint you had given him and hopefully not being too miffed about it. “Wait, it’s that group we invited when we were on the beach earlier! Should’ve known they’d be the type.”

“On the — Ty Lee?” you said.

The first one to enter, Ty Lee turned in search of whoever had said her name. When she noticed you standing beside Ruon-Jian, one of his arms still around your waist, your posture clearly still set towards him, her jaw dropped.

“Ursa?” she said. “What are you doing here?”

“I feel like that’s a question I should be asking you,” you said as she cartwheeled over to drag you away from Ruon-Jian and into a hug so tight you temporarily stopped breathing.

“We were just hanging out on the beach when we got invited to come by Chan and Ruon-Jian!” she said. “I can’t believe you’re here, too.”

“Ruon-Jian is Jia-Li’s older brother, and he’s best friends with Chan, so I think that my presence is a little more explicable than yours,” you said. “When you say we, though, who do you mean?”

“Me, Mai, Azula, and Zuko!” Ty Lee said, pointing at each of them in turn. Mai was sitting by a painting, glaring whenever someone tried to approach her, and the girl who must’ve been the infamous Princess Azula was talking to Chan while Jia-Li stood behind her, ostensibly shoved out of the way so that the princess could have her turn talking to the host.

As for Zuko, he was still awkwardly standing by the doorframe, though when he glanced over at you, his eyes widened. At first, relief filled them, but when he noticed your proximity to Ruon-Jian, a strange sort of malcontent settled over his expression.

“Zuko!” you said as he stormed over to you. Ty Lee looked at him and then back at you before promptly dashing over to Mai’s side, the only one who didn’t get glared at for daring to go near her. “What are you—?”

“Who is he?” he said.

“The name’s Ruon-Jian, dude,” Ruon-Jian said, holding out his hand for Zuko to shake. Zuko looked at it disdainfully before scoffing and then returning his gaze to you.

“He’s Jia-Li’s older brother,” you said.

“Right,” Zuko said sardonically. “That’s why the two of you are so close.”

“I’ve been staying at his house the whole time I’ve been on Ember Island, so yeah, it’s probably a contributing factor,” you said.

“I’m gonna go get some food, Ursa. There are some freaky vibes here right now that I don’t really approve of,” Ruon-Jian said, inching away.

“Do you like him?” Zuko said. You blinked, taken aback by the direct question. In his letters, he was so kind and tactful, so you had come to associate him with that sort of language. The elegance with which he wrote, the careful concern he always showed for whatever you said — all of it had caused a fondness for him to grow in you.

“He’s just my friend’s older brother,” you said. The way he was speaking now was as if he was accusing you and you had to defend yourself or face judgment, but what crime had you even committed in the first place? “He taught me to ride flying dolphin fish and invited me to the party. That’s all.”

“Of course,” he said. “He’s so cool, with his dumb hair and clothes and flying dolphin fish, so of course you like him. No surprise there.”

“Are you angry?” you said. “Why?”

“Am I angry?” he said. “No!”

“You sound a little angry,” you said meekly. “I just wanted to make sure.”

“Why would it even matter to you?” he said.

“I don’t know?” you said. “I was only asking.”

“Don’t ask questions for no reason, especially when you don’t care about the answer in the first place,” he said.

“But that’s not the case. I did care about the answer, or else I wouldn’t have asked,” you said.

“Well, next time, just ask that boyfriend of yours,” he said.

“Ruon-Jian?” you said.

“Yes?” Ruon-Jian said, appearing out of nowhere. “Here, this is for you.”

“You have such horrible timing,” you said under your breath, accepting the plate he handed you. “Zuko, have you eaten anything yet? There’s a lot of really good food out. I’m sure you’ll like it.”

“It’s all Ursa’s favorites!” Ruon-Jian said. “I made sure of it myself.”

“Oh, yeah?” Zuko said with a sneer. “What the hell do you know about her, anyways?”

“Yo, chill, dude,” Ruon-Jian said, holding his hands in the air. “Who even are you? I probably know more than you! Her and I are really close, you see.”

It was probably the worst thing he could’ve said. Zuko’s face darkened, and then, before any of you knew it, he was grabbing Ruon-Jian by the collar and throwing him into a nearby vase. You jumped at the noise before rushing over to help Ruon-Jian stand.

“I’m fine,” Ruon-Jian said, waving you off as he staggered to his feet. “What is your problem, dude?”

“Stay away from her,” Zuko said.

“Who are you to say that?” you said. “My benefactor? That doesn’t mean you get to control my life, Zuko! Why does it matter to you who I’m hanging out with? He’s from a perfectly respectable family, so it’s not like it’ll reflect badly on you. I don’t get what the big deal is!”

“Seriously?” Zuko said. “You think I care what family he’s from? Do what you want! It doesn’t matter to me. It’s what you’ll do anyways, so why should I try to stop you?”

“What happened?” you said. “Why has your opinion of me lowered so thoroughly? What have I done to offend you so greatly? I know that you are angry, and I know it is because of me, but I cannot understand why!”

“There’s a lot of things you can’t understand,” he said.

“I heard a crash, is everyone — who broke my nana’s vase?” Chan shrieked as he came back into the main room. Ruon-Jian pointed at Zuko. “You! I’ve had enough of you, alright? Get out of my party!”

“I was just leaving,” Zuko said, though not without one last glare at all of you.

“See you around, loser!” Ruon-Jian said.

“Jia-Li’s right,” you said as Mai, Ty Lee, and Princess Azula excused themselves as well. “You really are an idiot. Do you know who that was?”

“Some jealous loser?” Ruon-Jian said. You opened your mouth to argue before deflating, knowing that there was no point.

“Just forget about it. Let’s try to enjoy ourselves for the rest of the party,” you said.

Some time later, there was a knock on the door. Chan opened it, and then his face fell.

“Hello, Chan,” a voice that could only be Princess Azula’s said. “Thanks for inviting us earlier, but I have some unfortunate news to share.”

“The party’s over,” Zuko said, and then all four of them were in the room, sending bursts of fire everywhere, kicking the tables in half, swinging from the chandeliers and slicing up the paintings.

“What is going on?” Jia-Li shouted, covering her head with her hands.

“I have no idea,” you said. “Hey, what are you guys doing?”

Chan screamed as Mai threw a set of knives into a pair of antique paintings on the walls and the chandelier came crashing to the ground under Ty Lee’s weight. Jia-Li pulled you out of the way of a stray lick of blue fire from Azula, and you buried your face in your hands.

“This was a pretty terrible party,” Ty Lee said, dropping lightly to her feet in front of you. “You could say we’re showing our appreciation as guests!”

“By destroying his house?” you said as Zuko kicked an entire pillar in half.

“Yep! Wanna join?” Ty Lee said.

“No!” you and Jia-Li said in unison.

“To each their own!” Ty Lee said before springing away.

“Well…” Jia-Li said. “It would feel nice.”

“What? Why?” you said.

“I thought Chan was confessing to me on the balcony earlier, but it turns out that even though he does like me, he wants to live a free and unburdened life, without the commitment of having a girlfriend. He told me that the best he could offer me is a long-term arrangement in which he does what he wants and then spends some time with me whenever I’m on the island,” Jia-Li said.

“That’s horrible,” you said.

“And while I was out there, he told me that Ruon-Jian invited Mai and Ty Lee because he thought they were hot and he wanted a chance with them,” she continued. “So there’s that.”

You scowled, and even though you hadn’t been betrayed, it felt as if you had been. Naturally, you held no claim on Ruon-Jian, but the entire reason you had grown close to him in the first place was because you liked being someone’s priority. If you weren’t even that, then what was the point?

“Jia-Li,” you said. “Since it’s the prince and princess in charge of the destruction, you could consider it a royal order.”

“You could,” Jia-Li said, a grin creeping onto her face.

“And as students of the Royal Fire Academy for Girls, we are duty-bound to follow all royal orders,” you said.

“That we are,” she said.

“I think that means we have to participate,” you said.

“I think you’re right, Ursa,” she said.

“Of course, it’s not because we’re angry at Ruon-Jian or Chan or anything,” you said.

“Definitely not,” she agreed. “We’re just following in the prince and princess’s example.”

“That’s exactly correct,” you said. “After all, what are we but their humble and obedient servants?”

“Nothing, indeed!” Jia-Li said brightly. “All hail the royal family!”

With that, she ignited her hands and placed them right on a portrait of Chan as a child. You cheered before taking a steak knife and using it to cut up the curtains, tossing them into the fire she had started as kindling.

“I’m glad we’re friends, Ursa,” Jia-Li said.

“Yeah, I’m glad we’re friends, too.”

Ursa,

It wasn’t anything you did. I’m sorry; I was upset about something unrelated and took it out on you. You have no need to ask for my forgiveness — if anyone should be doing that, it’s me. Please, please forgive me for being so angry. I promise that I will make it up to you the next time we meet.

Yours, Zuko

P.S. I did not think that you and Jia-Li would join in, but I can’t say that I’m disappointed.

P.P.S. Ruon-Jian is ugly and his hair is terrible. You don’t need to be friends with him, anyways.

#zuko x reader #zuko x y/n #zuko x you #zuko #avatar the last airbender #atla #reader insert #canon au #the glass princess #m1ckeyb3rry writes

[sokkastyles]

So, this is a post for another fandom, but the discussion of Azula and Zuko came up in it, and OP revealed themselves as an Azula apologist. Thought you might be interested.

What's so funny about this is that before OP goes on their rant (so tired of people misusing feminist talking points to excuse abusive behavior) they themselves actually hit on, then immediately dismiss, the reason why people like Zuko more than Catra.

"just because her redemption arc wasn't as good"

Like, that's it. That's the thing. It doesn't matter what actions Zuko did that might be worse (although given what OP later writes, I would seriously question that statement). We're talking about stories, so the character who has a better written arc is going to be liked more, and that's that. It has nothing to do with gender at all. It also has nothing to do with who did what when they were a villain, because if the redemption isn't believable enough, it doesn't matter. Zuko has a better written story and in the land of fiction, that is always going to be more forgivable.

You could argue that there is misogyny in the fact that we don't get enough female characters who are as well-written as Zuko, but I'm a feminist who reads enough fiction that I don't need to pretend something is a good story just because it's female-led. I think a lot of people wanted the She-Ra show to be good for that reason, but in the end, consuming media isn't activism. And from what I've seen of the relationship between Catra and Adora - hell, from the way people talk about Azula, too - a LOT of people will forgive shitty behavior if a woman is doing it on the grounds of "feminism," and that's not only not feminist - how many women suffer because of Catra and Azula's actions? - it's extremely dangerous because it perpetuates the idea that women cannot be abusers.

You want good female representation? Maybe read a book instead of putting all your money on one or two popular cartoon series.

Now that I got THAT out of my system, there's a lot wrong with what OP says about Azula.

None of what OP says to defend Azula is feminist. Like, they don't even attempt to back up this claim the way some Azula stans do, they just say it like they think declaring themselves a feminist makes it so. And then they spend most of the post bashing Ursa, natch. OP will not explain why defending Azula is feminist (because it isn't), but I can explain why bashing Ursa is misogyny. Because you're taking a female character we know barely anything about other than that she was a mother and that she was fridged for the main characters, and insisting she must have been a bad mother based on minimal evidence. Even though we know why her children acted the way they did and we know it had to do with the negative actions of their father. Blaming Ursa for Azula is misogynist because it is shifting blame from a male abuser to a female character who was his victim, and focusing the blame on how she was a bad mother, with very little evidence that she was. But reducing a female character to motherhood and criticizing her for not being saintly is absolutely misogyny.

Where is it "expanded on in the comics" that Ursa gave up on Azula? Or that Azula acted out for Ursa's attention?

Here we see Ursa spending time with both her kids. Azula hangs back because she sees a flower in the garden that isn't as pretty, and waits until Ursa's back is turned to burn it. Then, when Zuko tells on her, she burns Zuko. Azula isn't trying to get Ursa's attention here. She waits until Ursa isn't looking and is mad when she gets negative attention from Ursa because Zuko told on her. She did not want her mother to notice her burning the flower. But when her mother does notice, Azula explains why she did it. Because it wasn't as pretty. It's very obvious what's going on here. Azula is acting out, but not because she's being neglected by her mother. She's acting out in the ways her father groomed her to act out, because her father taught her that if something isn't the best, it's worthless and deserves to be hurt. She then applies this to Zuko, who she thinks deserves to be hurt because he told on her.

And this is a pattern of behavior for Azula that we see not only in the comics, but the series itself. In "Zuko Alone," far from acting out to get her mother's attention because she "gave up on her," we see Azula lie to her mother so that she can get Zuko to play with her, with the purpose of playing a mean prank on Zuko.

Azula appeals to the fact that she knows Ursa thinks she and her brother should get along. If Azula was desperate for her mother's attention, if Ursa gave up on her, Azula would not be able to successfully lie to her mother this way.

What these scenes show is not that Ursa gave up on Azula or that Azula lacked attention from her mother, but that even at a young age (which was more like 8, actually) Azula was influenced by her father's cruelty and acted it out on others, and knew how to manipulate her mother in order to get what she wanted. Shifting blame onto Ursa for trying to teach her child right from wrong, for trying to protect her other child, is misogyny.

Also "Zuko let his insecurities get in the way of his relationship with Azula" is a weird way of saying that Azula deliberately played on Zuko's insecurities to hurt him. Like, you cannot ignore that the reason Zuko is insecure is, in large part, because of Azula, because she provokes his insecurites and then blames him for feeling insecure. This is victim blaming.

Also, the doll thing. I am so tired, y'all. If you automatically assume Azula getting a doll from her uncle is proof he doesn't care about her, who is the misogynist again? If the show wanted us to think this was a thoughtless, sexist, or even misguided gift, that would be shown. We would see Iroh ignoring hints that Azula does not like dolls. Instead, what we see is Azula getting a gift from a relative who hasn't seen her in years, and she burns it because it isn't exactly what she wanted, and then says she hopes her uncle dies. This says FAR more about Azula than it does Iroh, and it is meant to. The OP then goes on to say that Azula was right about Iroh when she mocked his son's death and said he should have burned Ba Sing Se to the ground, but then says he committed more crimes and bloodshed than her, conversely. What bloodshed? We're shown no bloodshed because this is a nickelodeon cartoon show. But we ARE shown Azula mocking Iroh for not being more violent. So don't tell me Iroh is somehow worse. Azula's coup on Ba Sing Se would not be bloodless if this was Game of Thrones, and overthrowing a city using deception isn't more moral than a siege.

Azula also was not "right" about Iroh in the way OP claims because they make it seem like she objected to Iroh ending the siege because she cared about her nation and people. That is not what she said. She said he should have burned the city to the ground to be "a real general." This, and Azula's other actions, such as giving irrational orders and making threats when they aren't carried out from her introductory episode, show that Azula has no real concept of statecraft beyond how to violently assert power, and we know who taught her that.

Also, Azula did not immediately apologize to Ty Lee after making her cry by slut-shaming her (how often the "feminists" forget that). She begrudgingly apologized, and then made it about herself and what Ty Lee should do for her.

Okay, okay, calm down. I didn't mean what I said. [Frontal view over Ty Lee's shoulder.] Look, maybe I just said it because I was a little ... [Whispers.] jealous.

I know people make a lot of this because it's a rare scene of Azula being accountable for her actions, but that alone should tell you something. It doesn't make Azula this kind and compassionate soul. It's not even a great apology. Sincere apologies do not begin with "Okay, okay, calm down." Azula just told her friend that boys only like her because she's easy. The fact that Ty Lee forgives her, especially after everything Azula did to her, makes Ty Lee a saint. And then Azula has a very difficult time admitting that she is jealous, because of course she does. And yes, I know, people make a lot of this because it's Azula, and yeah, it probably did take a lot of effort for Azula to admit that Ty Lee was better at her at something, but that is because Azula is egotistical and selfish and cruel to even her "friends."

And Mai...Azula does not get points for not understanding that she can't force Mai to murder her boyfriend for Azula. Azula asking Mai why she did it even though she "knew the consequences" again shows how little regard Azula has for even her friends, who she thinks she can control using threats. Azula thought she could use Mai to control Zuko and then when Mai's feelings were inconvenient, expected Mai to just watch Zuko die, and is so offended when that doesn't happen.

Also, Zuko never worked on his anger issues? It is literally a major plot point that Zuko says he doesn't want to rely on anger anymore and finds another way. And I've talked about this before, but this idea that Azula is so calm and collected is utterly ridiculous. You only have to look at the examples I mentioned above, but also many more, to see Azula fly into a rage at the slightest provocation, make threats, act out violently, and attempt to control others through fear to see that that is not true. The real difference is that Azula thinks she is justified in acting this way, and when that stops getting her results, rather than trying to change and learning to understand and value other people, she has a breakdown. You have to misunderstand Azula's entire arc to not get that. It is literally explained to us at every opportunity in the narrative.

Conclusion: if you claim to be a feminist, act like one and get to know some feminist theory. And just because you're a woman does not exclude you from being an idiot.

#azula #zuko #the discourse #abuse

[chucktaylorupset]

*deep sigh* you cannot say Ursa is the reason Ozai abused Zuko.  Ozai abused Zuko because Ozai is an abusive piece of shit.  None of Ursa’s actions are responsible for Ozai’s behavior.  Ursa is an abuse survivor whose abuser was not only higher class than her and had her living in a location so far away from her family as to effectively isolate her completely from her entire support structure, but also the ruler of the entire nation.  She had no power in that relationship and no recourse for any of the harm he would visit upon her and her children.  Yes the comics writing are shit and also dead to me, but it was not unreasonable for Ursa to feel that she couldn’t do anything to protect her children by staying, both because of her objective social power and status and  because of how her perceptions and emotional and mental state would have warped under the effects of a decade of abuse and isolation, convincing her that she is powerless and worthless and that the best and only way to improve the situation is to leave.

It’s also worth noting that Ozai escalates the abuse *after* Ursa leaves.  Ursa doesn’t think shes’ leaving her children with a man who is willing to permanently scar them because Ozai's abusive behavior up to this point has been more about invasiveness, undermining, emotional and verbal abuse.

Also, Ursa doesn’t “uses her son against Ozai” she tells a lie that Zuko is not Ozai’s son in order to draw out information about whether Ozai is surveilling her and completely cutting off her communication with her family. It is completely logical for Ursa to expect this tactic to make Ozai angry at *her.*  Ozai purposefully reinterprets her intentions with this tactic because he is an abuser, and he wants to hurt her as much as possible, and he knows that hurting Zuko is the way to do that.  Ozai has plenty of fucked up reasons to want to hurt Zuko *and* to use Ursa’s children against her, regardless of how perfect Ursa acts. 

Which is besides the point because our expectation of Ursa’s behaviour Should Not Be that she acts perfectly.  Abuse fucks you up.  Ursa is in a traumatic situation, it is expected that this makes it harder to access good judgement because That’s How Trauma Works.  Just as Azula and Zuko hurt each other accidentally (or even on purpose!) sometimes because of the effects of abuse, Ursa also hurts her children, especially Azula.  But that harm can coexist with the fact that Ursa is also grievously suffering and Ursa deserves to heal and to be considered for forgiveness from her family and have the harshness of the circumstances of the situation be considered when her children make the decision of whether or not they can give her that forgiveness

#my post #atla #ursa #meta #abuse #using the children against your abuse victim is such a basic abuse tactic #if you think ursa is responsible for how ozai treats zuko you are looking at a justification given by an abuser #and you are believing him #what was she supposed to do? stay? what good did that do. take her children with her? #'oh youre being abused you should just leave' its never that simple. with what money. what is she going to do when ozai #ruler of an entire country #tears apart his entire nation looking for them because um royalty make a big deal about keeping track of their heirs #also i worded this the way it is because i wanted to make it clear that forgiveness is very personal and is never owed #even though i do think zuko would immediately forgive ursa #azula... idk. maybe she feels too hurt to forgive her mom that's okay! we live #anyway this rage is because i saw. the worst post cross my dash but i didnt want to reply because that's not polite and everyone deserves #to express their own opinion without the hell that is tumblr discourse rising up to bite your head off #i just think this is right and i should say it

[beifongsss]

playing with fire pt. 6 [sokka]

Pairing: Sokka x reader

Summary: You’re a Fire Nation citizen who saves Sokka and Katara from some angry villagers. Aang “convinces” you to come along with them, finding your knowledge of the nation useful. Not everything is smooth sailing though as both Water Tribe siblings have their doubts about you.

this will be a series :D this is a filler tbh

w.c.~2.9k

prologue. one. two. three. four. five.

.masterlist.

~

They reacted instantaneously.

In unison, Aang and Katara gasped, their jaws hanging as they stared at you. Sokka’s eyes widened as he took multiple steps back, trying to put as much distance as possible between the two of you. Your heart dropped slightly at their reactions, noticing the distrust that was beginning to creep into their eyes. 

Toph was the only one who didn’t react.

“You mean you dunderheads didn’t know?” she cried out, a disbelieving expression on her face. You all turned to her, curious expressions on your face. Even though she couldn’t see you, she knew you were all staring at her confusedly.

“You did?” Aang asked, looking at Toph suspiciously.

“Yes! Why else would my parents get all weird and proper around her?” Toph replied. “Besides, the name (Y/N) isn’t exactly the most common. I knew she had to be the Princess. Why do you think I’ve been calling her ‘Princess’?! Haven’t you ever seen a portrait of the royal family?”

Silence ensued as the Gaang realized that they had, in fact, never seen a picture of the Fire Nation royal family. In Aang’s defense, he had been gone for an exceptionally long time and there were no pictures of the family down in the South Pole. They all shifted their gazes back to you, now a little more curious than distrustful. 

“So you’re a princess?” Aang asked, trying to wrap his head around the news. You nodded silently. “Then why are you here with us?”

“It’s a long story,” you whispered, looking back down at the ground.

“Well we have time so start talking,” Katara said brusquely. You sighed softly, motioning for everyone to sit with you. Katara looked at you weirdly, crossing her arms stubbornly before gaping as Aang and Sokka took seats near you. 

“Aw loosen up, Sugar Queen,” Toph said, smirking as she took a seat next to you. “If she tries anything it's four against one. Let’s hear her out first.”

Begrudgingly, Katara sat down, making sure she was right in front of you just in case. Her eyes narrowed before she tilted her head, silently telling you to start talking. “I was born in 83 AG to Fire Lord Ozai and Princess Ursa. My mom used to tell me it was a blessed day because she was gifted with not one but two angels. Me and Zuko.”

Sokka let out a choked gasp at your words, looking at you in disbelief. “Y-You mean you and Zuko are t-twins?”

You nodded softly. “I was born twenty minutes before him, making me the crown princess. Two years later, Azula was born and our family was complete. For the first few years of my life, we were a happy family. And then we got our firebending.”

Aang’s eyebrows furrowed at your words. “You got your firebending?”

“Yes,” you replied, nodding again. “I was the first one to show the signs of being able to firebend. My first display of fire terrified everyone. Fire Lord Azulon declared me a prodigy and I immediately began training with both my fire and a sword. When Zuko showed signs of firebending, he joined me but it was clear that he wasn’t a prodigy and so Ozai separated us, claiming that he’d only be a distraction for me. Zuko and I had always been very close but that definitely messed us up.”

“Fire Lord Azulon?” Toph asked, snorting lightly. “Why don’t you just call him ‘grandfather’?”

You shook your head, forgetting that she couldn’t see it. “That man wasn’t my grandfather; at least he never acted like it. The only reason he liked me is because I was talented. He didn’t even like Ozai. He always preferred Uncle Iroh.”

“Iroh?” Aang asked. “What do you mean?”

“I’m not supposed to be crown princess. Iroh was the original crown prince, not Ozai,” you explained. “When I was young, we received a letter from Uncle Iroh. Back then, he was still a general and his goal was to take over the city of Ba Sing Se. He told us about how his son, my cousin, Lu Ten was killed in battle. Overcome with grief, Uncle Iroh ceased his 600 day siege and left. He traveled around, not ready to come back to the Fire Nation or return to battle. It was during this time that Ozai requested an audience with Fire Lord Azulon to make an impossible request.”

Katara looked at you, a little concerned at the expression that had made its way onto your face. 

“It started off normally. He had Azula and I show off how far we had gone with our bending. Fire Lord Azulon eventually dismissed us all except for Ozai,” you took a soft breath before continuing. “Azula and I hid behind the curtains, curious about what Ozai wanted to say. He- He asked Fire Lord Azulon for the throne, claiming that since Uncle Iroh had lost his only son, he needed someone with an heir in charge. Azulon was furious and told Ozai that he would never betray his first born who in turn had just lost his first born. He told Ozai that he needed to feel Uncle Iroh’s pain and commanded him to kill his first born.”

Shocked gasps rang from the group. Even Toph couldn’t hold back her surprise.

“He ordered your father to kill you?” Katara asked, sadness creeping into her eyes. You nodded. 

“Azula and I ran out of there and she immediately began to terrorize Zuko, knowing that there was no way that Ozai would kill me,” you continued. “I was his pride and joy, a ruthless firebender. Unfortunately, Zuko wasn’t. He was soft and sweet and so, so pure. In Ozai’s eyes, he was weak. It wasn’t until a few years later that I learned that Ozai thought about a ‘loophole’, asking Fire Lord Azulon if it mattered which of his first borns met their end. Azulon waved him off, stating that he didn’t care for either of us. The next night, Fire Lord Azulon died in his sleep and our mother disappeared.”

The silence was almost unbearable and you looked up to meet Aang and Katara’s pity-filled eyes. Toph was abnormally serious and Sokka wasn’t meeting your eyes. You continued to speak, wanting to fill the silence. 

“Ozai took the throne, claiming that Fire Lord Azulon’s last wish was for Iroh to be stripped of his title. That’s how I became crown princess.” You paused for a bit, sighing heavily. It felt good to finally tell someone about everything. “To this day, we still don’t know what happened to our mother. Zuko took it the hardest, of course. He spent the most time with her. Azula, well she was a different story. She was convinced that our mother never loved her. I tried my best to be there for both of them but we all changed. Azula and I threw ourselves into our firebending lessons and Zuko took it upon himself to start learning about our military forces. By thirteen, I was already working on bending lightning. I was one of the youngest firebenders to ever do that but losing my mother had made me more reckless and aggressive and firebending was the perfect outlet. I was the perfect weapon and Ozai knew it.”

You paused for a few seconds, wondering if you should continue. Sighing yet again, you continued to speak. “When Zuko and I were thirteen, everything just got worse.  By this point, I rarely saw him. Azula was getting more and more aggressive as time went on and honestly, so was I. I had mastered almost all aspects of firebending, except for lightning, and I had mastered sword fighting. And then Zuko got challenged to an Agni Kai.”

Everyone except for Aang seemed confused, prompting you to explain.

“An Agni Kai is a firebending duel. It stops once someone gets burned,” you said somberly. “It turns out that in one of the war meetings, a general proposed a plan to take over an Earth Kingdom town that would result in the deaths of an untrained Fire Nation battalion. Zuko said that leading them to death was wrong. The very own nation that they loved would be leading them straight to the slaughter. He called the general out on his tactics and accepted the Agni Kai when the general challenged him.”

“Zuko did that?” Sokka asked skeptically. “He tried to save the soldiers?”

“He wasn’t always mean,” you replied, chuckling humorlessly. “During the Agni Kai, I was sitting between Azula and Uncle Iroh. We were all watching anxiously as Zuko approached his opponent. You can only imagine the shock we felt when his opponent was revealed to be Ozai, not the general.”

“No!” Katara gasped, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. You didn’t meet her gaze. 

“When he noticed it was...our father, Zuko threw himself to the ground, begging for mercy and forgiveness and stating that he would not fight Ozai.” You shook your head, trying to blink back the tears that had welled up. “Ozai said he had to learn respect. He said that by speaking out of turn, he had insulted him as a parent. When Zuko refused, he said he was dishonorable and that he was going to teach him a lesson. That’s how he got his scar. He was immediately banished, sent on a quest to find the Avatar and capture him. Only then could he regain his honor and reclaim his title as prince.”

“But the Avatar had been missing for nearly one hundred years!” Katara said, looking at you in confusion.

“I know,” you replied. “He wasn’t supposed to find Aang. Ever. Zuko left and Uncle Iroh joined him in his banishment. I didn’t do anything.”

“What do you mean?” Aang asked.

“I mean I didn’t do anything!” you shouted, a tear spilling out of your eye. “I’m his older sister. I’m supposed to protect him! And I didn’t do anything. Spirits, you should’ve seen Azula’s face during the Agni Kai. She had the biggest smile on her face. Uncle Iroh looked away but I… I just couldn’t. I couldn’t move. I froze. And I couldn’t save him.”

“Ozai would’ve burned you too,” Aang said softly, his eyes wide. “You can’t blame yourself for what happened.”

You sniffled, wiping your nose with your sleeve and ignoring Aang’s words. “After his banishment, I lost my bending.”

“How does one just lose their bending?” Toph asked loudly, earning an elbow to the stomach from Katara.

“I don’t know,” you replied quietly, hugging your knees to your chest. “Seeing Zuko getting hurt was rough for me. It didn’t matter that we were separated from a young age. We would always sneak out to the kitchens together to steal snacks and stay up late just playing around. He was my best friend. I just woke up the next morning and my spark was gone. I haven’t been able to bend in three years.”

Aang looked at you sadly. You were his friend and your sadness was so overwhelming that he couldn’t help but feel sad as well.

“Ozai was furious when he found out,” you whispered, rolling up your pant leg to show an ugly scar on your calf. “He did this and then he made me focus on my fighting, giving everyone some bullshit excuse about how I wanted to prove that I was just as capable at fighting without my fire. Azula never found out.”

You raised your head slightly, ignoring everyone’s horror-filled glances as you met Sokka’s bright blue eyes. “Not everything I told you was a lie. When Ozai thought I was old enough, he sent me into battle. He didn’t care if I lived or died. To him it was a win-win situation. Without my bending, he didn’t really see any use for me but if I survived, he still had an heir. I was sent to a small Earth Kingdom battle, led by the same general who had challenged Zuko to an Agni Kai. I took the chance to escape during battle.”

Sokka looked away from you, his jaw clenched and his expression hard. 

“I ran when I was fourteen. I searched for my brother, always getting their trail but never being able to catch up to them. Eventually I just stopped.” You stretched your legs, looking back down at the ground. “I settled into a small Fire Nation colony, doing little errands for the old ladies who lived there. When I gained their trust, they vouched for me and I was able to live there peacefully. No one argued with them because they respected them too much. After a few months, you guys came crashing in and the rest is history.

The Gaang exchanged unreadable looks before Katara turned back to face you. “How do we know we can truly trust you?”

You pondered on her question for a few seconds, opening your mouth to speak before you were beaten to the punch by Aang. 

“I trust her.”

The group went completely silent at the Air Nomad’s words. Sokka kept his gaze down as Katara gave Aang an incredulous look.

“But she’s Fire Nation!” Katara cried out. “She’s Fire Nation royalty and she’s been hiding that from us. For all we know she’s trying to capture you to help her brother!”

“She already had so many chances to do that, Katara,” Aang said patiently, shooting you a soft smile. “She’s proven time and time again that she’s on our side. She even fought both Zuko and Azula! She’s saved your life multiple times as well! So yes, she has my complete trust.”

Tears welled up in your eyes at Aang’s words and you smiled through the tears when Aang got up and gave you a hug. 

“I want her to stay with us,” Aang said. “Besides, you’re right. She’s from the Fire Nation which means that she has insider knowledge.”

You chuckled at his words, nodding along as you glanced at Katara. The Water Tribe girl bit her lip before speaking, knowing that Aang was right. “Alright, Aang. I trust you. But if she does anything that I find weird, I won’t hesitate to bring her down.”

Aang frowned at her words before looking at you. You nodded in agreement, silently assuring the Air Nomad that Katara’s words were reasonable. The tense atmosphere was broken when Toph yawned loudly, stretching before speaking. “Okay now that we all know about Princess over here, can we please get some sleep?”

The rest of the group nodded in agreement and you helped set up the tent and sleeping bags, smiling lightly when you noticed Toph and Katara settle in next to each other. You noticed that Sokka was still sitting a little bit aways and you walked over to him slowly, trying to ignore the curious glances from Aang and Katara.

“Hey,” you said softly, standing next to him. Sokka didn’t reply. “We have the tent all s-”

“Were you ever gonna tell me?” Sokka asked roughly, standing up quickly. His sudden movement took you by surprise, causing you to stumble back a bit.

“S-Sokka, I-”

“Or was I just supposed to be happy with the lies you were telling me?” he snapped, cutting your words off. “Because it seems to me like you weren’t planning on telling us the truth anytime soon.”

You stood silently as Sokka spoke, your mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water. Aang looked away from the two of you as Katara swallowed nervously. Sokka was being a little too rough with you. 

“We were perfectly fine before you came alone, Your Highness,” Sokka sneered, giving you a steely gaze. “We didn’t need you.”

You reached out, softly placing your hand on Sokka’s arm. “I’m sorry, Sokka. I really am, but you have to understand that-”

“Understand what?” Sokka yelled, pushing your hand off of his arm. He underestimated his strength, pushing you harder than he meant to and knocking you down. You could hear a soft gasp from Aang. “Just leave us alone.”

“Sokka, stop!” Katara cried out, rushing over to help you up. Sokka’s gaze softened for a fraction of a second as he noticed your distraught face.

“No, it’s okay,” you whispered, gently brushing off Katara’s help and standing on your own. The silence was almost overwhelming as everyone watched you walk over to the large pile of rocks. You climbed to the top, sitting before turning to address Aang. “You all go to sleep. I’ll take the first watch.”

Aang opened his mouth to argue and state that you all needed the rest before noticing the way Katara shook her head. There was a new kind of tension in the air, namely between you and Sokka. Katara was the first to fall asleep, closely followed by Toph and Sokka. Aang laid on the hard ground as quietly as he could, trying to ignore the sniffles that were coming from your direction because he knew you just wanted to be left alone. 

And just like that, the blooming romance between you and Sokka had been crushed before it ever began. 

~

taglist!

atla: @musicalkeys, @mywigglybaby, @aangsupremacy, @iguessthefloorislava, @dekahg, @boxofteenageideas, @bottledcostcowater, @butterflycore, @coldlilheart, @the-firebender-girl, @ajediherowitchrunner, @lammello, @a----rag​, @astroninaaa​, @samsmultifandomblogs​, @sadskater25, @oddment-niwit-blubber-tweak​, @eternallyvenus​, @emberislandplayers​, @sunflowerazula​, @moonnei​, @stilllivindue2spite​, @knaite-solo​, @riespage​, @wastelandbbyg​, @edgy-hufflepuff-bro

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#sokka x reader #atla sokka x reader #sokka #atla sokka #aang #katara #toph #toph beifong #avatar #avatar: tla #avatar: the last airbender #avatar x reader #atla #atla x reader #zuko #prince zuko #fire lord zuko #sokka imagine #atla sokka imagine

[the-badger-mole]

Sins of the Mother 2

  “You can still change your mind, you know.” Katara watched her husband fidget with his shirt, fussing with the shoulders again. He was clearly nervous and Katara couldn’t blame him. 

“she’s already on her way,” Zuko said. He found Katara’s eyes in the mirror. He saw her shrug carelessly. 

“You’re the FIre Lord,” she reminded him. “You  can always say something came up.” Zuko knew exactly  what she thought, and even though he hoped she would be less apparent with her feelings when Ursa arrived,  he also knew that it was all out of love for him, and he couldn’t find it in himself to be upset about her attitude. Zuko shut his eyes and took a deep breath. 

It had been two months  since that first reunion with his mother. She had sent a letter a week after that until Zuko finally consented to a brief visit. Ursa would arrive early that afternoon and be on her way back to her husband and young child by the following evening. 

Katara had been less than thrilled when she heard of the plans. She made no secret of the fact that she thought it was selfish of Ursa to pressure Zuko into a relationship he wasn’t prepared to rebuild. But Zuko had assured her that he was ready to see Ursa, at least, and Katara promised to be there, too. zuko knew she would keep her promise. She never turned her back on people who needed her, and Zuko desperately needed her now. She crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him from behind, pressing her face into the spot  between his shoulders. 

“Are you sure?” she asked him. Zuko wasn’t sure, but he also knew he would never be completely sure. 

“I have to do this sooner or later,” he said. 

“Notice how later is an option there?” Zuko couldn’t see Katara’s face, but her voice was dry and sarcastic. He couldn’t help his grim smile. 

“Time won’t make this part easier.” Zuko turned so he could face Katara and pressed his forehead to hers. “I want to do this.”

“Okay.” Katara took a breath and squared her shoulders as if preparing for battle. “But you say the word, and we can end this immediately.”

“Yeah?” Zuko smirked. “Just like that?” Katara raised her fingers, and snapped. 

“Just like that,” she promised. “We need a code word. Something you can work into a sentence and won’t be too obvious.” 

“How about mango?” Zuko suggested. Katara shook her head vehemently.

“I like mangoes,” she said. “How about papaya.” 

“Alright,” Zuko chuckled. “If talking to my mother is too much, I’ll try to casually slip the word papaya into the conversation.” 

Katara grinned up at him. Oh! How she loved this man! And she told him so, as she did whenever the thought crossed her mind. 

“I love you, too,” Zuko murmured. They had just leaned into a kiss when their was a knock on their door. Katara rolled her eyes. 

“Who is it?” she called. 

“Iroh.” Katara and Zuko released each other, and Zuko let his uncle in. 

“What is it?” Zuko asked after they greeted each other. 

“Ursa has arrived,” Iroh announced bluntly. Irh was better at hiding his thoughts than Katara was, but Zuko had a feeling that he wasn’t any happier with Ursa than the young Fire Lady. 

“She’s early,” Katara said with a displeased frown. Iroh nodded. 

“The coachman said Ursa was anxious to make exceptionally good time,” he explained. “She insisted that there was a front of bad weather they should keep ahead of.” Katara folded her arms and scowled. 

“I’ll just bet there was,” she muttered. Then she turned to Zuko.  “You don’t have to see her right now. Just because she’s  ahead of schedule doesn’t mean you have to be.” Zuko smiled, grateful at Katara’s ferocity on his behalf. 

“No, it’s fine,” he said. “I’m as ready as I’m going to be.” Katara nodded and slipped her hand into his. 

“Remember, you just say the word...”

“I’ll remember.” Zuko squared his shoulders and faced his uncle. “I’m ready.” 

.*.*.*.*.*.

After the initial shock of seeing Ursa for only the second time since discovering she was still alive, Zuko was pleased to find that talking with his long lost mother was less uncomfortable than he feared. They stayed away from the more sensitive topics- Zuko’s childhood; Ursa’s husband and child; Ozai; Azula. They discussed the weather front Ursa had been wary of for the first hour. Katara had stayed mostly quiet throughout, only interrupting to offer tea or snacks. She was the consummate hostess. Her etiquette tutor would have been proud. Every so often, she would take Zuko’s hand beneath the table and give it a squeeze. Her etiquette tutor would have been less proud of that.   

An hour and a half, a servant came in and whispered discreetly into Zuko’s ear. He flushed a bit and whispered something to Katara. She nodded, and Zuko stood up. He had been called away.

“I’ll be back in a bit,” Zuko promised, bowing slightly apologetically. Katara and Ursa smiled and assured him that it was fine. The two women watched him leave, and then turned back to their tea, allowing a heavy silence to fall over the room. Katara took a sip from her cup, content with the lack of conversation. Ursa, on the other hand, looked around the room uncomfortably. Katara wondered if she was remembering her life there, or if she was so far removed from it, she was no longer used to the silks and finery of the palace. Finally, her soft eyes landed on Katara, and she smiled nervously. 

“So, why don’t you tell me about yourself?” she started. Katara’s mouth pursed tightly and she set her tea aside.

“Well, I suppose the most important thing for you to know about me is that I love Zuko.”

“Well...that is very comforting,” Ursa said shifting in her seat. 

“Maybe that’s not exactly true,” Katara folded her arms and crossed her legs. “I think the most important thing for you to know about me is that I protect the people I love.” Ursa looked startled for a moment, but after a moment, understanding dawned on her face. 

“I take it you don’t like me?” Ursa  met Katara’s eyes directly. 

“It’s more that I don’t understand you,” Katara said. “I can’t imagine what would make a mother voluntarily forget her children.” Had Katara physically struck Ursa, she might not have startled that gasp from her mother-in-law. It took Ursa a moment to find her voice again, but when she did, her eyes shined with shed tears. 

“You are not a mother yet, my Lady,” she said. 

“I’m not,’ Katara confirmed. “Zuko and I are probably another year or two from that particular milestone, despite his advisors’ best efforts. Still, I don’t know of any mothers who would make the choice you made.”

“Lady Katara, you have to understand-”

“I’m not here to judge you,” Katara cut in. “Zuko wanted to see you again. And I get that. So, I’m here to support him.”  Ursa held her gaze for a moment before looking down at her teacup. 

“Would part of supporting him mean convincing him to cut out people you deem unworthy?” Katara’s jaw clenched at that accusation, but years of diplomacy lessons had made her less prone to rash reactions than she had been at 14. 

“Zuko knows how I feel about this,” she said, making her feelings clear to Ursa, as well. “But he also knows that I’ll stand behind whatever decision he makes. If he wants a relationship with you, I won’t stand in his way.” Ursa’s eyes narrowed calculatingly, and Katara was reminded sharply of Azula.

“But...”

“But?” Katara regarded Ursa archly. The older woman, however, kept a steady gaze. It seemed that despite everything, she had not forgotten her court training.

“I can tell there’s a but, my Lady.” Ursa lowered her eyes respectfully. Still, there was an air of expectation around her. She wanted an answer from Katara, and Katara was willing to give one.

“Alright,” she said.”But, I know better than you do what you being alive means for Zuko. He’s not only happy that you’re alive. He’s also hurt and confused. I think more hurt and confused than when Ozai burned and banished him.” Ursa flinched at that. “And I refuse to allow you to do that to him again. Zuko has had far too much of hurt and abandonment in his life. When we married, I promised to do everything in my power to make sure he never felt that again. You owe him, Ursa. You owe him more than you can ever repay. I’ll stand aside and let you at least try for as long as he is comfortable with you being here. But if he changes his mind, or if you hurt him again, I’ll make sure that you never set foot in our home again.” Ursa’s face was carefully blank and she straightened her spine and folded her hands in her lap, a regal, yet unthreatening pose that Katara’s etiquette teacher had tried and failed to drill into her.

“My son has been willing to look past my mistakes,” Ursa pointed out meekly. “As I have never hurt you directly, I don’t quite understand why you shouldn’t be as willing to give me a chance to prove I still love him.”

“My husband,” Katara said pointedly, “is a lot quicker to forgive than I am. He’ll be the first to tell you how I can hold a grudge.” Ursa  perked up at that bit of information. 

“So, Zuko has been on the wrong side of you before?” she asked. “Like mother like son, I suppose.” 

“Humph!” Katara only just managed not to turn her nose up at Ursa. 

“Please tell me what he did to get you to forgive him?” There was a hint of pleading in Ursa’s tone, and in spite of herself, Katara found she was willing to answer her. She held Ursa’s gaze levelly and and leaned forward slightly. 

“He helped me find the man who murdered my mother.” 

Ursa gawped at Katara. That she had not been prepared for that revelation was clear. Before she had a chance to respond to it, the door flew open and Zuko returned in a fluster.

“I’m sorry,” he said breathlessly, falling into the chair next to Katara. “I had forgotten to cancel a meeting. Did you two get a chance to get acquainted with each other?” 

“I think we understand each other pretty well,” Katara said breezily. “Wouldn’t you agree, Ursa?”  The older woman had already regained her composure, and she nodded demurely. 

“Yes...I think we do,” she said. 

Part 1, Part 2, Part 3

#atla #atla fanfic #zutara #ursa

[blause]

Why Azula Doesn’t Deserve a Redemption Arc

With the Avatar Renaissance, I've seen quite a few people say that Azula deserved a redemption arc. I disagreed, despite her being my 3rd favorite character, and wrote a whole essay about it!

This is strictly about Azula in the show, not the comics!

Avatar: The Last Airbender is not only praised for being one of the greatest children’s cartoons created, but also creating one of the greatest character redemption arcs possibly in animated history.

Prince Zuko started as a bitter child, wanting only to restore his honor and be seen by his father as a valuable member not only to the Fire Nation but to Lord Ozai’s family. He spent years putting his heart and soul into a mission that was meant as a joke to keep him away, but when Prince Zuko actually finds the Avatar, Aang, it’s the first time he has had hope in a long time. That hope, though, was a flame tended by hatred, anger, and fear that he let get the best of him for two seasons of Avatar. And while there are moments in the show where he shows vulnerability and his true colors (see: “Zuko Alone”), his traumatic past overshadows any positive step he could truly take even if he had the best intentions.

It is in the third season where Zuko truly shines, standing up to his father and his sister, an abusive family where he hardly ever feels like he belongs, and joining the Avatar and his friends who he had betrayed so many times to finally do what was right and aligned with his morals instead of his father’s. It is with the love he had gotten from his Uncle Iroh from the beginning, and the compassion of his newfound friends, that he fights his own family for the sake of saving the world only to take his place as crowned king of the Fire Nation.

The reason I go into brief detail of Zuko’s character arc is to explain how fleshed out it makes his character. The questioning of himself, his morals and his motives truly make Zuko human. It makes him relatable, as nearly all true heroes in media try to be. There is an argument to be made that, despite his trauma and his warranted anger, he is not a three dimensional character in the first season of Avatar, but instead an angry child that wants his way no matter what his true motives are. Making Zuko end up on the “good” side was his fleshing out, and making him come full circle made genuine sense for the show.

So if Prince Zuko was able to get a redemption arc, doesn’t that mean his sister Azula, who also went through an immense amount of trauma, would be able to get one too and have it be just as great or make just as much sense?

No. I genuinely believe that giving Azula a redemption arc would not make sense for her character or the show.

Azula, Zuko’s younger sister and only daughter to Firelord Ozai, is seen as, what I believe to be, the secondary villain in Avatar. She was born with a natural talent for firebending, picking it up more easily and far younger than her brother Zuko did. Her personality type was nasty; she was a cunning, manipulative bully with relentless determination that reflected poorly on everyone around her. She commanded the attention of anyone in her presence, took what she thought was rightfully hers, and would not stop until she was the best -- the best being Ozai’s true approval.

In her introductory scene at the end of season 1, Azula does not even speak but it is not hard to see her emotions come through on her face. Beyond the “evil smirk” commonly associated with “bad” or “evil” characters, there is the radiating pleasure of being donned a serious task by her father. By the time you were to finish Avatar, it is clear to see in this 3 second introduction of Azula as a character that she is willing to do anything her father asks of her, thus turning into anything she would do to gain the respect and honor that Zuko also seeks out. It can be argued that, despite Azula receiving praise from her father both in her past and in the show, she never receives the honor that Zuko does.

In season 2, Azula is already cruel to those working for the Royal Family. This is to be expected, as she is only a 14 year old girl with the whole world wrapped around her talented finger, but the confidence and power in her tone as she commandeers a ship cannot be ignored. To have that ability and that intimidation at such a young age shows the complex that Azula develops with each success and conquer, only to end up being her downfall. When she reunites with her childhood “friends”, Ty Lee and Mai, it is through manipulation and fear that she gets them once again on her side (although with Mai and the way she hardly shows her true emotions, it is not as clear). It takes only minutes for Azula to get those on her side, showing the signs of a leader but also of an overlord.

While Azula’s bending powers are far beyond her years, it can be argued that her verbal powers are even stronger. Her confidence, persuasion tactics, and mastery of manipulation can sway anyone from vulnerable children (Zuko when she tried to bring him home as prisoner to her father as a traitor alongside her uncle), to an entire kingdom (not only the Earth Kingdom, but also the Dai Lee that held a leader confident in his abilities to lead the rogue society). As a counter, though, Azula’s verbal skills also lack when seen in season 3 as she tries to play the role of a “normal firebender citizen”.

She is shown at a firebender party having no social skills whatsoever, trying to find others ulterior motives, and overall struggling to fit in. While her traumatic past absolutely had a huge impact on her social skills, on top of being part of a royal family (Zuko shared similar struggles when going to offer to teach Aang firebending), it is interesting to see her confidence falter. In this episode is when we see Azula most vulnerable not only with those her age that she cannot immediately control, but also when she reflects on her mother and being called a “monster”. Those feelings of abandonment after Ursa left the Fire Nation only pushed her beyond her own limits to do anything in her power to keep Ozai’s love no matter how twisted it was

One of the biggest reasons I think that Azula did not deserve a redemption arc is because, much like Zuko, she chose her own path in the very end. If Zuko did not choose to seek out Aang and his friends in season 3, there would be no arc whatsoever. Obviously the writers chose this for him, and I see exactly why they did it. They showed Zuko’s wavering beliefs clearly over the years, despite his anger and his fear of not only change but forever losing his father regardless of how severed their connection had been for years on end. Azula, on the other hand, never showed anything but loyalty to her father and their shared beliefs and cause. There were countless openings for Azula to show some sort of questioning of herself and her beliefs, with the loss of Ty Lee and Mai, her father’s decision to make her the next ruler over the Fire Nation despite his plans as the Phoenix King, and the Agni Kai against Zuko and Katara, but she never did.

The closest she ever got was when her mental state and mental health began to collapse on her coronation day, and even that cannot be justified as questioning herself.

It’s heartbreaking to see the fall of Azula, the pressure put on her practically since birth finally crashing down around her. All the times that she had been called “crazy” by Zuko, Iroh, and others that she saw as disposable pawns finally “coming true”. It is when she begins to lose herself, not question herself, that she becomes such a big threat. While before she was cold and so tightly wound up in her ways, seeing the unraveling of trauma and how it can affect a teen girl whose true motivation was love and acceptance was powerful. The scene of Azula hallucinating her mother in the mirror was the acknowledgement of a lost past, a hopelessness that she could never forgive, and resulted in Azula’s genuine intentions to kill Zuko and Katara once confronted. And instead of stepping down, having enough awareness to see herself in such a deteriorating state, she challenges her brother to an Agni Kai.

Azula is truly gone the moment she steps off the throne. And even after she is defeated, instead of accepting the consequences of her actions or what led her to that point, she breaks down instead, forever sealing the potential of any character arc.

TLDR; So why do I believe that Azula doesn’t deserve a redemption arc?

1) She showed no desire to be redeemed.

2) Azula was already so fleshed out that it would not make sense to redeem her. Her anger, trauma, and actions take her down a road she cannot return from.

3) The fact that Zuko got such a terrific character redemption arc cannot be ignored in the sake of arguing whether Azula deserves one. If every character were to be redeemed, there would be no power behind the redemption. Giving both siblings a redemption arc, despite their (partially) shared traumas, would lessen the importance/meaning of the other’s.

4) Despite my personal belief that Azula is not evil, she is not good either. I believe that giving her a redemption arc would be a cheap shot at wiping clean or attempting to validate all of her past actions in at least some aspect. It would be a disservice to her as a character and invalidate her motivations and what she did to get to every peak she hit in the show.

#avatar #avatar the last airbender #atla #azula #zuko #ozai #aang #ty lee #mai #character study #mine

[theycallmebabycakes]

General Iroh, the Dragon of the West. First son of Fire Lord Azulon and heir to the throne. Father to Lu Ten, Prince of the Fire Nation.

There was a shimmer of pride in your belly as you thought of how powerful your General Iroh was. You might only be a servant, a petty bodyguard tasked mostly with pouring tea, but you were servant to the heir of the Fire Nation. General Iroh’s power glowed in a room of lesser men, and by mere proximity that light also showed in you. Other servants got out of your way as you passed through the Fire Nation Army’s tent city. All you were carrying was a letter, but people jumped at the sight of you as if you carried the weight of the world.

“A letter from your son’s Commander, General,” you said, bowing as you entered General Iroh’s tent. The General had a small table in front of him, his dinner getting cold as he read the latest report from the front lines. The Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se was breached, and your esteemed master had plans for the next one.

“Thank you, (F/N),” he said, immediately setting down the scroll and reaching for the one in your hand. General Iroh always stopped everything when his son was involved. You hadn’t met Prince Lu Ten, but with how often his father spoke of him, you felt like you knew him well.

You had only turned your back for a moment, checking the heat of the teapot, when you heard a strangled sound behind you. A shock of fear ran through you - had the General been poisoned? Attacked, with you right there in the room? You spun around--

And found General Iroh crying, the scroll you’d handed him crumpled in his clenched fist.

--

General Iroh, the Dragon of the West. First son of Fire Lord Azulon and heir to the throne. Father to Lu Ten, Prince of the Fire Nation, now passed. 

When people got out of your way now, it was always with a slightly pitying look on their faces. It wasn’t you they pitied, but your master; General Iroh had taken his son’s death badly, and everyone knew it.

The Seige of Ba Sing Se wasn’t going as well as it had before. In fact, it was being abandoned even as you marched to your master’s tent. General Iroh had lost his son, and his momentum in the battle had followed shortly. You bowed as you entered his tent, silent this time as the small group of Fire Nation Army leaders muttered over their map of Ba Sing Se. General Iroh sat at the head of the table, shadows under his eyes and a distant look on his face. He stared into his teacup, listless.

You gently took the teacup from your master’s hand, drawing the attention of the others. To be so forward with the Prince of the Fire Nation, the Dragon of the West--

“Please forgive the intrusion,” you said, bowing deeply. “I come bearing news from the Homeland.”

“This must be important,” one of the leaders said. You didn’t look up from your bow, instead sinking to your knees.

“Fire Lord Azulon has passed. All members of the War Council have been recalled to the capital at once, to observe the crowning of the new Fire Lord...” You paused, not wanting to finish. The men and women in the room waited with baited breath, ready to start posturing for their new Fire Lord. “Fire Lord Ozai will be crowned in one week’s time.”

--

General Iroh, the Dragon of the West. Brother to Fire Lord Ozai. First son of Fire Lord Azulon, now passed.  Father to Lu Ten, Prince of the Fire Nation, now passed.

The procession was slow. You had packed General Iroh’s things on the same night as the announcement, but it took more than a week to get to the Fire Nation capital from Ba Sing Se. Now you walked next to your master’s palanquin, slowly but surely headed toward the castle. The new Fire Lord stood at the door, his crown in place and a welcoming smile on his lips. There was a glint of pride in his eyes that didn’t seem quite befitting of a man whose father had died only a week ago.

“Fire Lord Ozai,” General Iroh said, bowing deeply before his brother. His younger brother, who should not have been Fire Lord before him. Iroh had taken it well, but you were still seething. General Iroh had been conquering the Earth Kingdom while his little brother sat at home, and yet Fire Lord Azulon had seen fit to make Ozai his heir?

“My dear brother,” Ozai said, that little smile turning into an almost wolfish grin. “Welcome home. I only wish your return didn’t have to be on such sad tidings.”

“As do I. It has been a long time, my brother. We have much to discuss.”

“Of course. But first, won’t you greet your niece and nephew? They’ve been looking forward to your return.”

“Of course! It is wonderful to see you again, my dear Prince Zuko, and my darling Princess Azula.” General Iroh bent to offer a hug to his extended family, and you watched out of the corner of your eye as Prince Zuko accepted the hug. Princess Azula hesitated, even glancing at her father, before joining in.

“But where is your wife? I have missed my sister-in-law Princess Ursa dearly.”

“My wife will not be joining us,” Fire Lord Ozai said. There was a sudden coldness in his voice, and you could almost hear the warning - “don’t ask” - in the way he said it.

“I miss Mom,” the young Prince Zuko said, his voice barely above a whisper. Too quiet for Fire Lord Ozai to hear, but just loud enough for your ears.

--

General Iroh, the Dragon of the West. Brother to Fire Lord Ozai. First son of Fire Lord Azulon, now passed.  Father to Lu Ten, Prince of the Fire Nation, now passed. Uncle to Prince Zuko, heir to the Fire Nation throne.

It was late, almost midnight. You were practicing with your swords, attacking a straw dummy with all your might. Sometimes the dummy was Fire Lord Ozai. Sometimes it was one of the other Generals, whispering behind their hands as your master walked by. They didn’t respect General Iroh as they should. So the Battle of Ba Sing Se hadn’t ended as well as they’d expected - so what? General Iroh had still gotten further in that siege than anyone else in history. He deserved respect.

“Wow, you’re really good at that,” a voice behind you nearly made you drop your swords. Spinning around, you nearly pulled your back trying to bow and turn at the same time. Prince Zuko, his eyes a little reddened, stood just under a nearby tree. How long had he been watching you practice?

“It’s an honor to hear you say that, Prince Zuko,” you managed. General Iroh liked Prince Zuko, and though he was a little stuffy and definitely a crybaby, you’d decided you liked him, too. At least, you liked the little Princeling more than his awful younger sister.

“You don’t have to be so formal,” he whined. The Prince rubbed his eye, still staring at the swords in your hands. “Where’d you learn to be so good at that, anyway?”

“My father and mother were both skilled swordsmasters,” you said, straightening up from your bow. There was a long pause, but you swallowed and stepped forward, holding the swords out to the Crown Prince. “Would you like to try them?”

Prince Zuko started flailing at your dummy, the swords flashing. You might have laughed, if he weren’t swinging hard enough to hurt himself.

“You’re holding them wrong,” you said. He paused, turning to look at you as he panted. You approached, gently correcting his grip and posture with nudges from your feet and tugs from your hands. “Keep in mind, these are dual swords. Two halves of a single weapon. Don't think of them as separate, 'cause they're not. They're just two different parts of the same whole.”

#atla #iroh #general iroh #uncle iroh #zuko #prince zuko #reader-insert #minific

[wiseabsol]

WA Reviews “Dominion” by Aurelia le, Chapter 4: Found

Link: https://www.fanfiction.net/s/6383825/4/Dominion

Summary: For the Fire Nation royal siblings, love has always warred with hate. But neither the outward accomplishment of peace nor Azula’s defeat have brought the respite Zuko expected. Will his sister’s plans answer this, or only destroy them both?

Content Warnings: This story contains discussions and depictions of child abuse, emotional abuse, physical abuse, sexual abuse, and incest. This story also explores the idea that Zuko’s redemption arc (and his unlearning of abuse) is not as complete as the show suggested, and that Azula is not a sociopath (with the story having a lot of sympathy for her). If that doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, I would strongly recommend steering clear of this story and my reviews of it.  

Note: Because these were originally posted as chapter reviews/commentaries, I will often be talking to the author in them (though sometimes I will also snarkily address the characters). While I’ve also tried not to spoil later events in the story in these reviews, I would strongly recommend reading through chapter 28 before reading these, just to be safe.

Now on to chapter 4!

CHAPTER 4: FOUND

Hey there, Aurelia. Please excuse my delay on chapter four’s review. I spent the past week in a pit of job-related despair, but I have a bit more energy tonight, so onwards we go! So we start this chapter with a flashback to just after Zuko was burned by his father. I’d never really considered the possibility of Azula staying at Zuko’s bedside – that seemed more like something Iroh would have done – though for all I know, Iroh could have visited Zuko while he was unconscious, and is just away at the time of this meeting. I do like having Azula there, though – especially when she opens with lines like, “You know, it’s stimulating conversation like this that I think I’ll miss the most” which made me laugh. Okay, I never noticed before – for some reason I’d been assuming that Azula was sitting and reading at Zuko’s beside – but her laying in the bed beside his and reading that way is a neat mental image to me. It’s also better in terms of Azula’s characterization. “She had started wearing makeup a few months ago. It bothered him for some reason he could not pin down.” – That’s because she’s eleven, and while children might play with cosmetics, that’s usually exactly what they are doing: playing and pretending to be adults for brief periods of time. The use of makeup on a regular basis, on the other hand, is usually done to try to look more adult to other adults/to conform to society’s expectations of what a grown woman should look like. It’s possible, of course, that Azula entered puberty at eleven, but she should probably still look girlish at this point. As such, her using makeup like this isn’t justified/appropriate yet, and acts as a subtle warning sign to how Azula is being groomed. “That this was not a nightmare. This was his life now.” – Oh the feels. The horror Zuko feels here will, I think, be paralleled by Azula’s in chapter twelve. “When had she ever shown mercy before?” – Careful, Zuko, your bias is showing. “[ . . . ] to unwind it with the fine concentration that made her such a natural in their calligraphy class. Just like in everything else.” – While Azula no doubt has some innate talent, I feel like her considerable skills mostly derive from hard work. Zuko thinking of those skills as being all “natural” to her implicitly dismisses the effort she put into them, so this may be one of the ways his jealousy expresses itself. “He could think of no one more fitting to reopen a wound.” – Oh screw you, Zuko. “But his sister peeled the bandage away slowly, with a care he thought of as so unlike her that for the first time in living memory, she almost reminded him of-” – Ugh, comparing her to Ursa like this is just cruel. Then he adds, “He couldn’t think of what else he’d lost,” which makes me grumble, because Azula totally also didn’t lose her mother back then. “Well, someone’s vainer than I ever guessed” – Oh lol. The following banter between the siblings is delightful, but then we hit this line: “But the warm light shining through the painted glass softened her features, and Zuko remembered how people would sometimes say that he and his sister looked alike. He thought they wouldn’t say that, anymore” – which is very effective mood whiplash, all in all. “The only people who /ask/ for mercy, are those too weak to deserve it.” – Ozai’s life lessons are not child appropriate, or even people appropriate. Lines like this make you see how Ozai drove Azula to the point where she honestly thought that trust was for fools and that fear was the only reliable way to ensure loyalty. “You haven’t earned the /right/ to want. You haven’t earned the right to an opinion.” – Considering how Azula keeps repeating that what she wants doesn’t matter, it’s easy to imagine that Ozai said something similar to her at one point, or at least made it clear that she had to earn his favor before he’d take her words/desires into consideration. No one, especially not a child, should have to meet those kind of demands, though. The discussion about how Zuko interrupted before his father could approve or veto the general’s plan, which indicated that he didn’t trust his father to do the right thing, is something I’d never considered before. I personally don’t think Ozai would blink an eye at losing soldiers to gain a tactical advantage, but since there was no confirmation of that, Zuko seemingly slighted his father’s honor without cause. Ozai’s response to that was entirely out of proportion, but given his position, it fell into the realm of social acceptability, even if some characters expressed their doubts about that later. Here's another fun tidbit, and by fun I mean painful: “You’re lying.” - “If /you/ say so.” “Until he remembered that she hadn’t hugged him, or even consented to be hugged, since before their mother….” – Azula hasn’t been hugged for /three years/? That’s horrifying. Someone (namely Ty Lee) needs to fix that immediately. “‘You really don’t feel anything? That must be nice.’ Zuko looked up to see something like a shadow fall over her eyes.” – Um, what exactly is /that/ referring to? Training injuries? Burns? Backhands to the face? Okay, probably not that last one, but I have a theory on that later that I’ll discuss when we reach chapter seven. Zuko doesn’t even ask about what she means here, though, instead focusing on himself again. Of course he does. (Sigh.) Azula touching Zuko’s shoulder and the base of his spine unsettles me, by the way, given that touching the back of the neck often equates to a “bad touch” in this story. “He hated it when she tried to act like a normal person.” – Oh shut up, Zuko. Then Zuko learns about his exile, accuses Azula of lying about it, and we get another nice line from her: “Lies are supposed to be /plausible,/ dumdum.” It’s both amusing and true; lying all of the time wouldn’t be an effective tactic, especially in the Fire Nation’s poisonous court. “Yes, Azula! Any one of them, /anyone/ but /you!/” – I’m pretty sure Azula was hurt by that outburst, given her guarded expression and her cutting tone of voice afterwards. “You’re expecting what, /congratulations/ [for hating me]? It’s not exactly hard to do.” – Azula! That’s a terrible thing to say about yourself! We love you, Azula! We actually really do, or else we would not be reading this story, since you’re the protagonist here (I guess Zuko…sort of…counts…too. Both of them acts as protagonists and antagonists depending on the situation/who is narrating at the time). “He had never wanted to hurt her so much in his entire life. And the clear certainty that he /couldn’t/ - because she was simply better, and beloved of their father – only made him want it more.” – Good lord, this man should never have been entrusted with Azula’s well-being post-finale. Tension between siblings is inevitable, but Zuko’s thoughts here are uncomfortably violent. Him declaring Azula a monster, which only dehumanizes her further, doesn’t help. Her response to him is admittedly satisfying, but also incredibly awful at the same time. These two need so much therapy and we’re still in the prologue. Zuko nearly chucks the book she brought at her, but then realizes what it is and starts reading it instead. Azula undoubtedly ordered the servants to bring him other books on the Avatar as well, but Zuko doesn’t realize that, and so doesn’t realize that Azula was, in fact, trying to help him. Her doing so doesn’t help her at all, either. As long as Zuko remains in exile, she’ll be heir to the throne. She should be trying to hinder him, but because she cares about her brother, she does the opposite instead. Zuko, unfortunately, takes her harsh words and veneer at face value, and so doesn’t connect the dots and see that. We then move forward in time to Azula screaming, “Oh no /no/ NO! What will - /Father/ say? /What will Father say?!/” – and I cringe back at how nightmarish that is. Dear lord do I not want to think about how Ozai would react to Azula losing her bending. A large part of Azula’s value to him rests on it, thanks to firebending being a requisite to being Fire Lord, for one thing. Azula’s terror here is entirely understandable, even if no one is absorbing the implications of how scared she is right now. “He’ll /never forgive/” is one of the things she says, and what they should get from that is that Ozai mistreated Azula too, even if they don’t know how. Being scared of disappointing a parent is normal; being scared of one’s parent is not. “How it almost made him miss Azula - /almost/” – I think you’re lying to yourself, Zuko – “because at least she still treated him like himself. She’d been a pain in the ass, but she’d /been there./ She was the only one who never flinched for him, and now… He couldn’t even look at her.” – He’s such a coward, but at least he admits that to himself. I can’t believe he just walks away from her. Who /does/ that? “When he thought it was his punishment to hear her now and always, because he hadn’t heard her until it was too late….” – Uuuuggggh the pain! After this scene, we move on to a reparations conference, which Zuko is not paying much attention to, because he’s expecting to get word any day now that Azula has died. The Earth Kingdom representatives, particularly General How, are being especially prickly at this meeting. Among other reasons, they are angry because they think that Azula is faking her mental illness to avoid being tried and executed for her “war crimes.” The Earth Kingdom is the only one really upset about these crimes. Pakku, in contrast, has some amusing lines (especially coming from him) in which he points out that Azula’s crimes are no worse than what some of the now pardoned Fire Nation soldiers did during the war, and Shinu points out that the only reason the Earth Kingdom is upset is because they were bested by a girl. Their pride what the only thing damaged during the bloodless coup at Ba Sing Se, but that is enough for the Earth Kingdom to want Azula's head. Of the nations in A:TLA, the Earth Kingdom's culture is probably the most overt in its sexism (though it shows up in the other groups too), and this has led to some ugly consequences where Azula is concerned. Had Iroh conquered Ba Sing Se, I can't help but think that they wouldn't be responding quite like this – because Iroh, after all, is male, and was fighting them in an open and perhaps more "honorable" way in their eyes. Even though Iroh's siege and hypothetical conquering would have led to thousands of more people dying, it was not as "deceptive" and "underhanded" as Azula's methods, even though her methods ultimately spared thousands of lives. Ty Lee arrives, and Zuko thinks: "Because as long as she didn't say it, he could pretend Azula was still alive, and there was still a chance for her to be something more than one more life their father ruined. For them to be something more than bitter rivals and deadly enemies..." – First, ouch; second, do you really know what you want from your sister, Zuko? What would a healthy relationship between you two even look like? It's so poisoned at this point that it's hard to imagine, and that's not even counting what happens later in this story. Okay, so you randomly put in here that spidersnakes are a thing that exists in the A:TLA world, which makes me incredibly glad that I live in this world instead. What would those things even look like? (Shudders.) Anyway, it turns out that Azula realized that she needed to eat to regain the strength to bend, so she's decided to stop starving herself! Hooray! "Be sure to tell Mai the good news, she'll be so relieved!" – Yes, I'm sure /that/ will be how Mai reacts. You keep thinking the best of people, Ty Lee. The conversation between Aang and Zuko is heartwarming, though we get this exchange during it: "'I know it's hard to think clearly, when someone you love is in danger.' Zuko blinked once in surprise, and Aang added, 'I mean, she's your sister.' He looked at the Fire Lord with an intentness unusual to him. 'You /must/ love her, right?' Zuko frowned, and let his hand drop from Aang's shoulder. 'What are you getting at?'" - This effectively highlights how /off/ the relationship between Zuko and Azula is: that his desperation to save her wasn't something he recognized or possibly even considered to have love as its source. "It was a new and wonderful awareness for him, that his friends could make jokes about his sister. That they could find her funny sometimes instead of just sad…or horrifying." – I'm not sure how this makes me feel, though its somewhere between heartwarming and sad I think. "He had named his uncle Azula's legal guardian in the interim, after taking a hard, honest look at the situation that was long overdue. [ . . . ] He was too close to this to think clearly, to make the decisions that needed to be made for her care." – No kidding, Zuko. "When he thought how close he'd come to killing her…. He could not live with that on his conscience." – That faint wailing sound you hear is me screaming from across time and space. Oh /Zuko/…. "Iroh had always seen her for exactly what she was, and Zuko knew his honor was beyond question." – (Snorts.) Uh-huh, sure. "[ . . . ] his usual nightly send-off when Mai wasn't available…." – Okay, now I'm laughing. "He was the one in control here, even if that was easy to forget when it came to Azula. He was the Fire Lord. It was not for /him/ to be afraid of her, or anything she might have to say." – You keep telling yourself that, buddy. "Its panels depicted two dragons, one red and one blue, fighting viciously with teeth and claws and flames. Or maybe mating. He supposed it was hard to tell, with dragons." – OMINOUS FORESHADOWING IS OMINOUS. Zuko just unintentionally summed up his relationship with Azula in this story, even if he doesn't know it yet. "Didn't she think he would /tell her/ if he found their mother after all this time?" – No. No she does not think you would tell her, Zuko. Of course she doesn't. He then thinks that Azula is asking him about their mother to torment him, and I groan again. I'm pretty sure you're not Azula's most pressing concern/focus right now, Zuko, as much as you'd like to be. Zuko ends the chapter on that note of moping. By far my favorite parts of rereading this one were the first flashback scene, the discussion of why the Earth Kingdom is so ornery about Azula, and that OMINOUS FORESHADOWING. I'm looking forward to going over the next and last of the prologue chapters, though I'm not sure when I'll be able to do so. Things will be busy for me over the next few weeks…possibly longer because my classes are starting next month. Oh my god. That's a terrifying thought. Keep me in your prayers to Agni, Aurelia! Until next time, WiseAbsol

#WiseAbsol #Azula #avatar: the last airbender #Dominion by Aurelia le #Fanfiction #Review