#Lu Ten blaming Iroh for what happened to Iroh can work so good | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

sokkastyles · 7 months

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So about that post we're both included in...the good thing about being at work when I saw that come through was that I wasn't able to respond. lol

I've decided not to respond but something they said that really irked me and wanted to get your thoughts on was this: In all that time between his return and Zuko's exile, there's no evidence that he (Iroh) ever tried to reach out to Azula

This comment and other's like it always irritate me because they always seem to leave out the idea that Azula has to be receptive to Iroh's help. They act like that all Iroh had to do was extend a hand to Azula and she wouldn't turned out the way she did. As if we haven't been shown that Azula has been dismissive of Iroh from a very young age. The idea that Iroh was ignoring her that whole time between when he moved back into the palace and leaving with Zuko, is just another way of blaming Iroh for not loving her enough. I highly doubt Azula was eager to spend time with Iroh around then and tried to avoid it as much as possible. Zuko was trapped on a boat. 😆 You cannot tell me that whatever short time they had together, that Iroh never left the door open for her. At some point, doesn't Azula need to reach out as well?

I'm not sure what I'm asking, I think I just wanted to vent instead of responding to that person. But if you have any thoughts on this, I would love to hear them.

P.S. Sorry for spamming your inbox while going through your old posts. 😁

No problem! Sorry that person reblogged your post to try and continue the argument with me.

You are right that Azula has to be receptive to any attempts Iroh would make to try and reach her, and what we know from canon is that she wasn't. That's why these people always say the doll doesn't matter, because it's evidence of Iroh doing something kind for his niece and her violently rejecting it because she thinks her uncle is a weak fool and her father taught her that people like that deserve to be treated cruelly.

But secondly, lack of being shown him reaching out to her doesn't mean that it never happened. Especially considering Iroh's character and the way he is consistently portrayed, it would be bizarre to interpret him as uncaring towards his niece just because we are not shown it onscreen. The writers expect you to fill in the gaps based on what we are shown onscreen, and what we are shown onscreen is that Iroh, even before his redemption, cares about his family and gets his niece and nephew a gift. We are also shown onscreen that Azula, even as a young child, is cruel towards everyone who is not Ozai, including Iroh, and burns the gift he gives her. Since these characterizations are consistent - Iroh being kind to others, Azula being cruel to others - we can interpret that the reason Iroh and Azula do not have a good relationship is because of what we already know, and that Azula is the reason they do not have a good relationship, and that she would reject whatever attempts Iroh might make to reach out. If the writers wanted to establish that Iroh was uncaring to Azula, it would need to be shown onscreen, since it contradicts everything else we know about his character, and everything we know about Azula and Azula's relationship with Iroh.

It'd be like me trying to argue that Ursa hated Lu Ten, since we never see them interact or get an indication that Ursa feels anything about him one way or the other, except for seeming sad about his death. But that's enough, because we know through everything else we know about Ursa that she is a kind person who cares about her family. Just because we don't see Ursa talking about or interacting with Lu Ten is not evidence of a negative relationship.

I agree that from what we know of Azula as a child, she did not want to spend time with Iroh and probably avoided it. Given how she talks about his reaction to Lu Ten's death, I also think even if Iroh did reach out, he would find it both difficult and extremely painful to be around someone who gleefully made fun of his trauma over his son's death.

Not only does Azula have to be receptive of Iroh, but there is a certain point where Iroh does not need to submit himself to cruelty just because Azula is a child. Azula is also a child with fire powers who is the princess of her nation, and her cruelty towards Iroh is approved by Ozai, who is now the firelord. Can you imagine what it was like for Iroh coming back to that after his son's death, in a world where he was widely seen as a disgrace? How much power does he really have in that situation?

Also imagine that Iroh also has to protect Zuko, who has newly lost his mother, from both his father and his sister.

Imagine, if you will, him inviting both of the children to play pai sho with him one day shortly after his arrival home, aware that he needs to get his niece and nephew away from their father, who now is their only sole parental figure, but also the most powerful man in the country, while he, Iroh, has been reduced overnight to the kooky, disgraced uncle. Even if Azula had accepted that invitation, I imagine that she does not respond well if she were to lose a game to the uncle she thinks is not a real general or the brother she thinks is weak and deserves to be abused. Imagine Iroh trying to problem solve between Zuko and Azula while Azula is shouting at him that he's just a loser who cries all the time because his son died. Meanwhile, Azula is also trying to burn Zuko for taking her piece in the game, and eventually Iroh just has to seperate them both.

And that's sad. It's so sad. I imagine it breaks Iroh's heart to see what is happening to his niece, what his brother is turning her into, just as every cruel jab she aims at him tears open his wounds over the loss of his son, his regret that he might have done something to help her, just as he might have done something to help his brother as he saw Ozai grow into the kind of person he became. We know these are things that are built into Iroh's character, but we also know that he's also not going to allow an abusive person to continue to be enabled, and there's a certain point where what Azula stans seem to want from Iroh is exactly that. They hate him because Azula hates him, and need an excuse for it other than the truth, that Azula was learning to be hateful from her father. They also hate him because he committed the sin of trying to protect Zuko from her and not allowing her to continue the behavior Ozai enabled.

We're also shown this dynamic between Iroh and Azula in the show, from the moment Azula shows up to try and trap Zuko and Iroh immediately susses out her intent and she resents him for it, tries to prevent him from helping Zuko think about what she is saying, and identifies that she needs to seperare Iroh from Zuko. Abusive people are really good at picking out vulnerable people, and also are good at recognizing the people who are less vulnerable and alienating their chosen victims from anyone who is going to be an obstacle, like a protector or guardian. That also increases her hatred of Iroh, that he sees right through her and knows what she's trying to do, and won't allow it. She's not going to respond to an attempt from him to help her because she wouldn't see any benefit to it, because he isn't someone she can manipulate or exploit like Zuko. And she hates that. She hates that she can't control Iroh the way she is used to controlling people, the way she thought she had even her mother under control. Until she learns to let go of that need to control, she is not going to respond to Iroh. Further, he is an obstacle in her continuing to have access to and control Zuko, which increases her hatred of him.

#azula #iroh #abuse cw

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attackfish · 2 years

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Hi! Could I get five more headcanons as a continuation of the AU where neither Iroh nor Lu Ten die in Ba Sing Se? Specifically, the scenario you mentioned where Ozai tries to have them assassinated, they both survive, figure out that Ozai is involved and he is executed. Does Iroh ever have a revelation about the death and destruction caused by the Fire Nation? Does he join the White Lotus and help end the war? How are things for Azula and Zuko with their father's damaging influence gone?

Continued from: [Link] and [Link]. Most of these questions are answered in the previous installment, which was in my queue when I got this ask.

So I have been keeping a certain distance while writing this, treating it less as an AU than as a thought experiment. And when I PMed the asker the screenshots of the previous installment from my queue, they asked a really interesting question:

I've gone back and forth in my head a lot about a similar question, but with Zuko - would he have turned against the fire nation and aided the Avatar if Ozai was a better father to him? Assuming that he got to see the horrifying side effects of war first hand, as he does in the show? He is intensely loyal to his father and his nation, but at the same time he does (independently?) come to the realisation that the war is bad during his travels in the earth kingdom. I know that his journey probably wouldn't have happened if Ozai hadn't burned and banished him, but maybe he goes on some millitary mission or as part as a bid to make the Fire Nation rule more palatable to the people of the earth kingdom?

And that's a question I would really like to dig into here.

On one hand, it is certainly convenient, as only the best storytelling can be, that Zuko got to confront his father's abuse of him and the Fire Nation's imperialism at the same time, drawing a direct parallel between the two. Love that thematic cohesion. But on the other hand...

On the other hand, Zuko is already willing, pre-canon, when he's thirteen, to speak out against what he sees as a gross abuse of power, as something immoral and cruel. This goes against his father's version of uh, morality, and Zuko is punished brutally for it, both with his scarring and banishment, and with the emotional hurt of being cast out, and of his father blaming it on him, on his "disrespect." In canon, Zuko insists to himself that it is his fault, and that he can earn his father's love by fulfilling the task his father set him, and cleaving to Ozai's moral view. He learns to shove down his own compassion and moral instinct.

Iroh as Firelord conversely is all about those high moral ideals, as for that matter is Ursa. Both are imperialists, and Iroh is still prosecuting a war of conquest, but critically, they believe that war is noble and righteous, and would both be working to foster idealism in Zuko and Azula, especially Ursa. It wouldn't surprise me at all if this Zuko, one who has spent six years without his father doing his best to destroy his moral compass, who is much more sure in his ideals, and primed to follow his compassion, wouldn't follow those ideals and compassion right over to the Avatar, if exposed to the full cruelty of his uncle's supposedly just war.

The asker also brought up the prospect of Azula meeting Aang before Zuko, given what I said about her in the previous post:

Also, the idea of Azula being the one to discover Aang instead of Zuko is just... terrifying. He's way too trusting and would be easily manipulated by her.

Yes. Absolutely. I don't think it would be hard at all for Azula to paint herself as exactly what Zuko becomes, as a righteous anti-war defector from the Fire Nation's terrible war. For good measure, she would probably paint herself as the poor abused niece of that brutal tyrant Iroh, and probably claim Ozai was against the war too and this is why he was killed, and she just wants justice for her father. It would be so believable. For a little while.

Azula is a talented, even prodigious liar and manipulator. But it's one thing to fool someone about who you are as a person short term, and another thing to keep it up long term. The cracks will eventually show. Eventually the person doing the fooling misjudges what the person they're pretending to be, would think, feel, and do. Eventually, no matter how much the fooled wants to believe the lie, the liar gives themselves away. This is especially true of someone like Azula, who really believes she is better and smarter than her victims. This breeds carelessness.

We never see Azula maintain a consistent facade long term in canon. Instead, we see her lure people in, get them into her power, and then bring out the coercion and control, until they are too afraid of her to stand up to her. Sure she still manipulates and lies, but it's about keeping her victims guessing and eroding their sense of reality rather than keeping up a consistent lie. This relies on Azula establishing a relationship where she holds the power, not something she can really do with Aang as the Avatar.

Eventually she would let something slip, the Gaang would cotton on, and there would be a big confrontation where Azula does as she's caught in a lie with her brother, spews insults and put downs, and she is eventually driven off to try other forms of treason. They probably find her cozying up to resistance groups later, or trying to wriggle her way back into Iroh's good graces, depending on what he knows.

This would make them so much less ready to believe Zuko when he comes to them with his actual defection. Man, Azula ruins everything.

And this brings up something else: how Iroh would view Azula and Zuko's working against him. He believes he is in the right, with the war and with his family, and he is not going to change his mind on that without a real assault to the foundations of his beliefs. With Azula, given his age, and his "benign" sexism, he might view her as a silly little girl who needs to be brought home and taught better, poor misguided thing. And he might see Zuko the same way, or he might view Zuko as more responsible, more culpable for his betrayal. But either way, he's not going to reconsider his beliefs and come around to Zuko's side. He's going to view this as treason.

I don't think Iroh was close to his brother's wife and children when they were young. I think he was a distant, if loving presence in their lives. I think he never got close enough to see the horror show that was Ozai's marriage and parenting, or the abuse he subjected them to. I don't think he was someone any of them thought they could trust, and I don't think he knew anything was wrong.

And then in canon, after Lu Ten died, he was too grief-stricken to be up to relationship building or noticing Ozai's children's fear and pain. I think we can see some of this distraction and distance in how Iroh agrees to sneaking Zuko into the war meeting. This doesn't change until Zuko's banishment, until Iroh witnesses the horrific extent to Ozai's abuse.

I see Iroh's turn around as having two parts: the death of his son, which forced him out of the war, and started him down the road to reevaluating the war, and Zuko's public mutilation and banishment, which forced him into action, or more accurately, which pulled him out of his grief-induced stagnation. I'm virtually certain he offered to go with Zuko, only to suddenly have a traumatized abused teenager he barely knows, on his hands, one who desperately wants to win the love of the father who did this to him. This, and Ozai's abuse together I think explain Zuko's deep insecurity and distrust toward Iroh and his relationship with him throughout the show.

And with Ozai no longer around to brutally disfigure his son, Iroh never has that second shock, and never builds that relationship with Zuko. He has no real reason to ask himself if maybe Zuko's turning on him might be born out of true conviction and moral clearsightedness.

But with first Azula and now Zuko turning on him, and with Ozai's previous crimes, Iroh is going to take a good hard look at Ursa, his brother's mysterious wife, who he hardly knows, and wonder what she's been teaching her children, and what kind of rat-viper he's been nurturing at his bossom.

And how, I wonder, would Zuko and Azula each react to their mother being arrested, and put in prison, possibly to be killed, because of their actions?

#avatar the last airbender #zuko #azula #uncle iroh #atla ursa #posts i created #do you want to ask a question it doesn't have to be a question #azula needs her own warning #zuko is a dweeby little turtleduck #i ship iroh/tea #mother bear ursa

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electronswrites · 3 years

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oh boy...

now Lu Ten could go two possible ways: actually recognizing that he was so, so wrong and feels genuine remorse, or he goes on with life feeling that he was completely justified in what he did.

in both, Zuko would not forgive him, I believe. how do you think these two circumstances would go down?

I actually think Zuko WOULD forgive him, in both scenarios, even though he shouldn't.

In scenario A, Lu Ten starts to recover from the PTSD of captivity, he gets some perspective, he learns more about what Ozai put Zuko through, he realizes that Zuko risked a lot to save him when he could have left him to rot without anyone ever knowing... He's horrified with himself. He feels sick.

He tries to apologize, but Zuko just... isn't mad. He's still so self-loathing, and Lu Ten is the Crown Prince, so technically he's allowed to do whatever he wants to Zuko. So Zuko's just: "You don't need to apologize, Your Highness. Thank you," and then bows deeply.

Still, Zuko avoids him. Iroh helps. The peace talks in Ba Sing Se need a representative from the royal family. Lu Ten is never going back there. Iroh sends Zuko, who's actually really good at it. Zuko spends time with his friends, helps come up with a pretty decent treaty, has a great time and does a great job.

But when Zuko comes back, nothing has improved. Lu Ten tries to compliment him, and he Freaks. Out. "I wasn't trying to overstep! I'm just trying to serve the family! I'm not like him! I'm not trying to steal your place!"

So, that didn't work. Nothing Lu Ten tries really works. He goes to his father in tears, who is sympathetic. Still, he doesn't tell Lu Ten what he wants to hear. He tells Lu Ten to give Zuko space, to give him a chance to feel safe.

Zuko goes on diplomatic trips all over the world. He helps ease (some of) the international tensions that are still a very big problem. Lu Ten stays home and is lavished with the adoration of his people, their returned prince, their second chance. He hates it.

So Lu Ten writes Zuko a letter. He says that Zuko can take all the time he needs, the rest of their lives if he wants. He says that he was wrong. He says that what he did was cruel, and that he'll never forgive himself. He says he's going to use the experience to be a better leader, to remind himself that there's NEVER a reason to treat people the way he did Zuko. He says that he loves him.

Zuko writes back. It's easier to talk through letters. Letters can't burn you. For a long time, that's their whole relationship, letters. Zuko gets more comfortable, and eventually they rebuild something of a relationship. Lu Ten knows it will never be what it could have been, and he mourns that loss everyday, but it's something.

They almost never spend time alone, just with Iroh, who adopted Zuko as his second son. When Lu Ten eventually has kids, they LOVE Uncle Zuko. Things get better, but Lu Ten never EVER forgets what he did. He refuses to allow himself that. If he forgets, it could happen again. He won't let that happen.

In scenario B, Lu Ten refuses to acknowledge any wrongdoing. I have a headcannon that in Fire Nation culture children are somewhat viewed as an extension of their parents. This is why finding the Avatar was still such a big deal even after he'd been missing a century. It was Sozin's unfinished business, which made it Azulon's responsibility, which made it Iroh's and Ozai's, ect...

Anyway. So as far as Lu Ten is concerned, Zuko IS responsible for what Ozai did. Full stop. He's your dad, so it's your problem.

Zuko internalizes this. Obviously, when Iroh + the GAang find out, they try to help Zuko realize he's innocent, but Zuko doesn't really buy that at first. Even when he does eventually accept that he's not responsible for Ozai, he still doesn't blame Lu Ten. He avoids him, sure, but he doesn't blame him.

Iroh forbids Lu Ten from mistreating Zuko, and Lu Ten obeys, because that's his father. Still, he refuses to acknowledge that he did anything wrong. He finds subtle ways of letting Zuko know Lu Ten doesn't love him or want him around.

Zuko stays as far away from the FN as possible. He tries to serve the best interests of his people and Firelord Iroh, but from a distance. Iroh is stuck between a rock and a hard place. One day, Lu Ten will be Firelord, and Zuko will never really be safe in the Fire Nation as long as that remains true.

He has to make a decision, and he knows that all possibilities lead to grief and suffering. If he disinherits Lu Ten, Zuko will be safe, but the country will probably fall apart. If he keeps Lu Ten's position as Crown Prince, Zuko will be effectually banished from the Fire Nation forever.

#avatar the last airbender #zuko #iroh #lu ten #by electrons #answering questions #dark lu ten

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seyaryminamoto · 3 years

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Do you think canon Zuko has any understanding of the idea of duty? That he, especially given that he aspires to political power, should act like his status as Prince gives him certain responsibilities? That doing what's best for the for Fire Nation or the world might require him to do things which make him unhappy or uncomfortable or require him to make grave personal sacrifices? Does he even understand duty as a concept?

Oof. Complicated questions, thus, this sat in my inbox for a veeeery long time.

I honestly, seriously, genuinely... don't think Zuko truly understood, at any point in canon, what it really meant to be a leader. I know many of us (and I think you, too?) don't particularly like the comics, but in my opinion, The Promise did a surprisingly decent job at highlighting several problems left in the wake of the end of the war, and perhaps unintentionally, this is one of the problems: upon becoming Fire Lord, Zuko is remarkably erratic, unsure of his choices, even seeking advice from his FATHER, of all people, because he has no idea what he's doing.

In the most favorable possible view of Iroh, he taught Zuko to be a better person. I don't entirely adscribe to this belief, but fine, let's concede that he did, or else this answer would never end: not just because you're a good person, however, are you guaranteed to be a good leader. Zuko, as we both know, is far from the best person in the world, and he is prone to making impulsive, emotional mistakes that can cause harm and trouble, and typically, Zuko doesn't face the consequences of most his actions, or the narrative just pins the blame on someone else. When we see this sort of behavior in a real-life politician, the immediate reaction we would have is "this guy is awful at his job", and sadly, I find myself thinking that quite often when it comes to Zuko's canon tenure as Fire Lord.

So... what is Zuko's concept of duty? Going by his pursuit of Aang in the first two seasons, duty is a task given to him by someone whose approval he seeks (in this case, Ozai) and he must pull it off, no matter what, to gain said approval. By Book 3, this logic still applies fairly easily to how Zuko acts over Iroh: I've highlighted in the past that the main motivation for Zuko's redemption is Iroh, doing right by Iroh, making amends to Iroh, regretting how he treated Iroh. He points that out explicitly in Ember Island Players, he does it as well indirectly by bringing up Iroh first of all, when confronting Ozai: this is his main priority. Ergo... I'd honestly say it's safe to judge that this is what Zuko regards as duty, as what he has to do. Iroh wants him to be Fire Lord? That's exactly what he becomes. The difficulties and complications in this particular line of work are taken for granted, and so, we have an outcome that was remarkably well depicted in The Promise, despite that comic's many glaring flaws: Zuko gets swept back and forth, twisted left and right by all the pressures and responsibilities, because he has no idea what he's doing as Fire Lord, and no idea/experience in how to be a real leader.

As far as I can tell, the core of the matter is that nobody really seems to have taken Zuko all that seriously as future Fire Lord. Ozai, evidently, wasn't training Zuko to be his personal heir. Ozai himself is a questionable source of information regarding learning what it means to be Fire Lord, considering he, as well, wasn't raised to take that role, just as he didn't raise Zuko for it. Yet Iroh didn't exactly teach Zuko how to lead anyone either, as far as I can tell: his lessons were meant to be of a more personal nature, and even then, Zuko had lots of trouble accepting most of them. Iroh's firebending lessons to Zuko were typically stunted in the basics because he was hot-headed and rash about getting to the intense and interesting stuff...

So: neither Ozai nor Iroh gave Zuko actual responsibilities. Ozai gave him a punishment Zuko was trying to endure however possible, a punishment he wanted to prove himself unworthy of by finding the Avatar and "regaining his honor". Then, Iroh punished Zuko as well by giving him the cold shoulder in Book 3, then he escaped and Zuko did everything he did, after betraying Ozai, to prove himself worthy of Iroh's kindness once again. It's not actual duty, the way it is in Azula's case: no doubt, Azula wants Ozai's approval too, but she has the madman's trust when it comes to finding her brother and uncle, to taking down the Avatar, and to conquering Ba Sing Se, as far as anyone can tell. I do doubt Ozai gave her all these missions at once, but he gave her the resources through which she pulled off ALL of them: she had the firebending procession, she had a ship, she had a train-tank, she had mounts... Zuko had a rundown ship that looked like a 1:10 scale version of every other ship in the harbor back in the very third episode: he was being punished. In contrast, Azula is entrusted with a mission, with LEADERSHIP, while Zuko has no visible, tangible, objective experience with the latter (consider how Azula steals the Dai Li's loyalty from under Long Feng: when did we see Zuko pulling off something like this? Even with Jet, Zuko was more of an associate to the Freedom Fighters, and Jet was still the leader).

I've always thought Zuko wasn't prepared to be Fire Lord, and the main reasons are the ones you indirectly point out through this ask: Zuko doesn't seem to treat the throne as a responsibility, but as his right. I won't get tired of pointing out that this was NOT Zuko's birthright, he was NOT born thinking he'd be Fire Lord: he was born to the second branch in the Fire Nation family. We literally SEE the day in which Lu Ten's death is revealed to him. According to somewhat official sources? He's ELEVEN in Zuko Alone's flashbacks. I, personally, think he looks a little younger than that, but I think that's the official wikia age, no idea where they got that info but that's what it says. Meaning...

Zuko, objectively, only had been crown prince for FIVE YEARS.

Zuko was NOT raised, not by his mother, not by his father, with the belief that the throne would one day be his (Ursa is gone before Ozai is crowned and Ozai clearly wanted Azula for the job rather than Zuko).

And yet, when you backtrack to the show? It seriously looks like that was the case. He clings to the throne in Books 1 and 2 as though he had no other purpose in life, as though this was everything that was promised to him (in contrast, Azula only ever indicates wanting the throne in Sozin's Comet: Part One). Even when he's an outlaw, discarded and cast out, he STILL talks about the throne, as though most his identity were built upon the notion that he must become Fire Lord: why? How come? Within five years, he's crafted his entire existence around being the heir to the throne? That's... a bit weird.

And a bit wishful, too. Which is why I commend that the comics show him struggling as Fire Lord, if anything they should've had him struggling MORE than that, because Zuko is simply NOT prepared for these responsibilities. He never gave any indication, any sign, of seeing it as such. He sees it as his right, his birthRIGHT. Why? Why more people don't ponder how utterly strange this behavior is, beats me. But it really does bother me that Zuko built his entire existence around being Fire Lord in a very similar way to how Korra built her own about being the Avatar. I have very little praise to give LOK in general, but the premise of Korra learning she was a person, a human, and not just the Avatar felt like the perfect parallel to Aang's story, where he was very much anchored in his humility and belief that he was just "one kid", and his rejection of his duties as the Avatar was meant to change gradually as he learned to accept himself as he was. Korra, however, never fully hit the mark with this subject, in my personal opinion... much as Zuko doesn't hit the mark either, since the show's only direct attempt to "deconstrue" Zuko's clinging to the throne happens in one dialogue, and his attachment to the idea is built up again, right afterwards:

Zuko: And then ... then you would come and take your rightful place on the throne? Iroh: No. Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honor. It has to be you, Prince Zuko. Zuko: Unquestionable honor? But I've made so many mistakes. Iroh: Yes, you have. You've struggled; you've suffered, but you have always followed your own path. You restored your own honor, and only you can restore the honor of the Fire Nation. Zuko: I'll try, Uncle.

And there we have it. The only point in the show (that I can remember) where Zuko seemed to not feel worthy of the throne and questioned he should be the one sitting on it (RIGHTFULLY!), buuuuuuuut he goes right back to wanting it, right afterwards, based on how this single exchange was enough for him to be 100% determined to take down his sister, merely a few lines later.

As for his willingness to make personal sacrifices... some might say he was outright willing to die for Katara in the finale -- though I'll point out he was trying to redirect the lightning anyway, didn't do it as well as he should have, but he wasn't exactly, consciously, trying to DIE for her... --, some might say that he left Mai behind in the FIre Nation, and that as well was a sacrifice... but was it? We don't see him missing her, or suffering about her fate, at any point in time after SHE sacrifices herself for him in the Boiling Rock (my biggest gripe over this particular canon couple is this, tbh). I feel like the show generally presents Zuko's situation as somewhat... self-sacrificial? Especially in Books 1 and 2, and yet that's really not the case: it isn't Zuko himself who makes the choice of traveling to find Aang, it's a punishment inflicted upon him.

This particular view upon his circumstances makes it so Zuko is never responsible for... well, any of his choices? It's always someone else's fault, therefore, whatever he suffers through, there's always someone he can (and usually does) resent for it. Therefore... I can't genuinely think of anything Zuko sacrificed in order to come as far as he did. He was forced to let go of things by his father, typically, by Zhao as well, maybe, but even then, it's not like we saw that he has a super healthy and happy relationship with, I don't know, Earth Kingdom people (his only meaningful positive EK bond was with Jin, which went nowhere and goes forgotten after a single mini episode)? The Palace staff? The commoners of the Fire Nation (they just treat him like a hero and he seems awkward and distant about it anyway, like he can really just do without their worship)? He doesn't have other friends beyond Azula's own friends... thus, he doesn't sacrifice anything that really matters. And in a sense, some people might say he doesn't have to sacrifice anything at all: he already went through so much strife and struggle that why would he need to sacrifice anything else? But the thing is... you DO have to learn to make such sacrifices if you're going to be a good king.

So often, people who devote themselves to their jobs have to consciously neglect their families, to name one thing: Zuko neglects Mai and she explodes at him for it in The Promise, then he just tries to get her back at all costs in Smoke & Shadow, with no thoughts given to the fact that maybe he isn't ready to juggle both a relationship and the throne, that maybe Mai could be happier with someone other than him, someone who can give her the attention and relationship she's looking for... THOSE are the sacrifices I'd be referring to, personally, sacrifices where his happiness and peace of mind have to be set aside for the sake of something much more important than himself, and I expect that's the kind of sacrifices you're referring to, too. I seriously don't think he's ready to make them, and with the comics as reference, there's seriously no evidence to suggest he's prepared to accept these burdens that come with the heavy mantle of leadership and ruling. I've never seen any signs of him being ready for it, myself. Maybe I need to reexamine the show and see if maybe I'm missing something... but I don't really think I am.

The worst part, for me, is that Zuko isn't even doing the bulk of the things he's doing in pursuit of genuine happiness: he's doing it over a sense of destiny. He never stops to reason with that destiny, to wonder if maybe he doesn't need to be Fire Lord, if maybe he could have a life beyond that role. Book 2 veeeery briefly suggests he MIGHT be on his way to questioning that destiny, but as I've said before, I don't see the sense in Zuko's big change of heart after the Appa incident considering we don't really understand what he's learned, other than how to be the perfect nephew for Iroh, apparently. Zuko never really is happy, as he says in the show: his happiest moments are with Mai and they're only like a 25% of his relationship with her, everything else is a mess (and his relationship with her isn't exactly the core of his character, either). So, the way I see it... Zuko is even worse off than it looks at first glance. He's out to fulfill a destiny he has never stopped to reason with, a destiny he's 100% sure is his, despite he has only been on that path, objectively, for five years? Despite he wasn't raised all along under the belief that this was what he was supposed to be? If given a chance to be genuinely happy, what on earth would he even do? A lot of the growth I gave him in Gladiator was based on that particular question: is the throne really what Zuko needs to be happy? It doesn't look like it, even in canon. If it's not... then it's not happiness he seeks, it's some sort of sense of assurance that he's doing the right thing, according to the figure of authority he follows at a set point in time: by Book 3, said authority is Iroh, and Iroh wants him on the throne. His motivation, as far as I can see it, is as simple as that.

Long story short... I don't think Zuko really has a strong grasp on many concepts that he absolutely should have reasoned with and worked out in order to become Fire Lord. In a sense, he's way too young for the role he's given, for the heavy burdens he has to deal with, and I'll NEVER see the sense in not having Iroh taking the throne (beyond how "poetic" the creators and writers found it to crown Zuko to finish his story, of course), at least for a short time, before Zuko can be ready. This is exactly why I wrote things that way in my oneshot where Azula takes Zuko's role, more or less: Iroh serves as regent while Azula prepares for taking the full role of Fire Lord when she's ready. I love her, she's awesome, I absolutely adore her character... but I don't think an Azula who was sidelined and sent on a long voyage with her uncle for YEARS could possibly be ready for the responsibilities of being Fire Lord right away.

Meanwhile? Iroh was given leadership of military missions enough times that he became a general in the Fire Nation forces. By all evidence, he was Fire Lord Azulon's pampered and spoiled son, whom he DID prepare for the duties of a Fire Lord for as long as Iroh was born: Iroh literally had fifty-ish years of preparation, as far as I can tell? How is he NOT the better suited person to take the throne, if just temporarily, while his nephew learns what it really means to rule by watching him, or by maybe learning leadership by managing smaller duties first, a specific town or city, and then putting his knowledge to good use by becoming Fire Lord properly?

Eh... because it wouldn't be an epic enough finale for the show, I suppose. That's the only answer I can find for this particular question.

So... yeah. That got long :'D but in short... I don't think Zuko has a strong grasp on responsibility and duty, let alone on the burdens inherent to these concepts. Yet more reasons why his character's arc can't hit all the marks it should, imo, to make it as great as the whole fandom is already convinced it is.

#zuko-always-lies #more zuko meta #and it got long #:'D #if anyone needs a read more #let me know and I'll add it #but for now #it is what it is #you know it really is sad to write all this when I'm more or less making peace with Zuko via Gladiator #and actually making him reason with soooo much stuff #that he never really had to in the show #*siiiiigh*#he'll never be my fav #that much is obvious #but he could be MORE #and it's sad that he's not #very sad

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beifongsss · 4 years

Text

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

pwf: @ilovespideyyy, @binaryssunsets, @existing-but-nonexistent, @milk-n-cheese, @itsthatsadbitch, @nin-tendou, @honey-ruel, @reclusive-chicken-nugget, @teenbiology, @davnwillcome, @fandomarchiveilyd, @minninugget, @sukifans, @nugget-barnes, @vintageroses1014516, @donteatmycookiesplease, @fanficdepot, @birdlovinghyena, @cipheress-to-k-pop, @my–shitty–art, @woohoney, @castalette, @lozzybowe, @spacelesbianfanclub, @macymafia, @deadsunflower01, @olsenholic, @thia-aep, @loganrwebb, @porkbumh, @awkwardnesshabitat, @romanticraccoon, @jackbamexpress, @marievanleeuw, @lunariasilver, @francesciak, @alive-ahahah-fuk, @reillykwatson, @naanlianid, @on-jah-bruh

#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

643 notes · View notes

carnistcervine · 4 years

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Reverse CAIN AU

More parasitic Raava, the AU no one asked for? Yep. c:

-You know my fic CAIN, where Raava posseses Zuko, and Vaatu posseses Azula? Like that except Raava posseses Azula, and Vaatu posseses Zuko. Also, Lu Ten and Azulon live this time.

-And the dominoes just fall from there.

-During his campaign at Ba Sing Se, Iroh's son Lu Ten manages to deliver the killing blow on the Earth Kingdom's Avatar. Unfortunately, he is also gravely wounded.

-With his own son on the brink of death, Iroh eyes are finally opened to the true cost of war and conquest. He abandons his campaign and retreats back to the Fire Nation, a failure.

-On the way back, Lu Ten falls deathly ill. He's feverish and lethargic, pleading with some invisible force to leave him be.

-The medics assume that his wounds may be infected, despite showing no outward signs of infection. In fact, they seem to be healing cleanly.

-Iroh suspects that the illness may be spiritual in nature, and turns to the spirits himself, in the hopes that he may plead with them to spare his son. Although, he fears that it may be too late.

-It's not too long after that the other crew members of the ship start to become ill themselves. They suffer from chills, lethargy, shortness of breath, and general weakness. Another thing is that their firebending diminishes greatly.

-Many crewmen complain of seeing a strange glow-eyed figure stalking the halls at night, sucking the life out of everyone. However, no evidence of said being is found when morning rolls around. Another thing is that, when encountering the glow-eyed figure, the crewmen can't help but say that they were completely out of it during the encounter. And after the encounter is over, they wake up in their beds as if nothing had happened. Well, they feel sick and weak, but there's no physical evidence they were ever bothered.

-Some suspect that Lu Ten had actually perished and that the figure is him, stalking the halls stealing the breath of his shipmates. However, Lu Ten is clearly alive, and fighting for his life.

-Iroh suspects that angry spirits from Ba Sing Se had followed them. All he can do is pray to Agni for protection.

-As the problem worsens, and even the komodo rhinos start to fall ill, Iroh decides to stay up to investigate the figure. He leaves his door open and waits for darkness to fall. Sure enough he hears soft footsteps and labored breathing slowly approach. He exits his cabin, fire in hand to light the way. He has no intentions of attacking the spirit unless absolutely nessisary. Iroh hopes that maybe he can reason with it, maybe help it find peace. Or if worse comes to worse, sacrifice himself so that the others will be left alone.

-Iroh's sins are heavy, and he feels them weigh on him hardest when he spots the figure down the hall. Glowing white eyes gaze upon him hauntingly. There's a bright blue pattern shining on the figure's abdomen. His breath catches in his throat, he can feel a flood of alien energy overcome him, his mind going fuzzy and getting fuzzier as the figure grows closer. The fire in his palm weaknening gradually.

-Until eventually he starts to hear a quiet pleading. "No, not him... anyone but him... please..." The figure halts it's stilted gait, and gazes at Iroh, like it's considering something. Then it slowly turns around and shambles off into the dark.

-It isn't until long after the figure has gone that Iroh comes back to his senses. He searches the ship, and finds Lu Ten in his bed, fast sleep from his medication. Iroh sits by his son's side for the rest of the night. He isn't sure how or why, but he feels like Lu Ten may have saved his life somehow.

-When they reach port in the Fire Nation, Iroh is the only one that hasn't fallen ill. The crew are all taken away to recieve medical care and Iroh takes Lu Ten back with him to be cared for by the royal doctors.

-Once everyone is off the ship, Fire Sages come and bless every inch of it, as well as the beds of the sick crewmen.

-However, once they get off the ship, they all make speedy recoveries. Their chi balances quickly returning to normal.

-Meanwhile in the palace, Lu Ten remains bedridden, Iroh by his side like a broken man. Iroh prays to the spirits to spare his son.

-Soon enough, Azula falls mysteriously ill.

-This isn't what Iroh was hoping for. Ozai blames Iroh for his daughter's illness. Ursa tries the reassure him that it's not his fault. Iroh's guilt doubles anyway.

-Lu Ten slowly recovers, though he seems haunted. Much more sullen and withdrawn now. Iroh tries to get his son to open up. After much gentle prodding, in confidence he does.

-Lu Ten tells his father about his experiences after taking down the Avatar. He explains that he killed the Avatar in the avatar state and when he did, the dying Avatar looked him directly in the eyes. Their eerie glow meeting the gold of his own, and in the moment it was like a komodo rhino had struck him. At first he thought that he had just been injured, and that the heaviness in his soul was him dying. But as the darkness took over, the void gave into the innumerable voices all crying at him, most screaming about how much of a horrible person he was, some begging for him to change his ways if he survived. When the voices finally quieted down, he could hear a woman call out to him. She cooed soothing words into his ear, telling him to relax, take it easy. Telling him to give into her. Lu Ten recalled how miserable it was trying to fight her off, as soothing as she was, she set off so many alarms in his concious mind. He started to see the visages of the past Avatars looming over him as he laid in bed. They all glared at him, eyes ablaze with white light. He admitted to being the mysterious figure haunting the ship. Telling Iroh that the woman, whom he suspected was actually the Avatar Spirit, had taken over control of him and was using him as a conduit to drain the life of his crewmates. He was too weak from his wounds and illness to fight her off.

-Most damningly of all, he finally recovered now that she's left him be.

-Iroh doesn't know what to make of this. But he keeps the secret between him and Lu Ten.

-Of course Lu Ten still needs a lot more time to fully recover from his injuries, but he's a lot healther than he was. Also, eerily, his wounds are a lot more healed than they should be.

-Soon after falling ill, Azula notices she now has a voice in her head. Well, many voices, but the most dominant one is a female voice.

-At first she wonders if the voice is her mother, trying to turn her mind against her. However, the voice is nothing like her mother. In fact they don't even sound alike.

-The past Avatars go much easier on Azula than they did on Lu Ten, after all, Azula is a child. They figure that she hasn't played a role in the war. Unlike Lu Ten who directly killed the previous Avatar.

-Iroh tries to reason with the spirits, he offers himself in Azula's stead. He has his issues with the child, but he'd much rather she not suffer.

-Raava finds that Azula respects power. She slowly works with the past Avatars to draw Azula onto her side.

-Zuko, being the sweet little bean that he is does his best to help care for his ailling sister.

-While Lu Ten is still weak and recovering from his illness/wounds, Ozai makes his move. Claiming that Iroh is too weak for the throne. Azulon is pissed and tells Ozai that the spirits will make him feel the same pain.

-Seeing the full extent of his son's callousness, Azulon considers having both his children tranfered over to Iroh's care.

-But also because he wants to punish Ozai for being a shitty, worthless, second born.

-In her time of illness, Azula comes to genuinely appreciate Zuko. She grows closer to him, as Zuko is the one that's there for her when Father isn't.

-As the solstice gets closer, something starts to reach out to Zuko, claiming that it can help him save his sister. Zuko eagerly listens in and on the day of the solstice, he goes missing.

-The next morning he's found unconcious and feverish.

-A voice in Zuko's head whispers to him. Vaatu feeding his darker thoughts and impulses.

-While Vaatu makes Zuko act more like Book1!Zuko, he is unable to get the boy to do anything genuinely awful or twisted. He finds that Zuko would rather suffer than inflict needless suffering on others.

-Raava tells Azula that she's going to have to fight her own brother, to restrain him for his own good.

-The two spirits create a rift between their respective hosts.

-One that the siblings must work hard to overcome.

#ATLA #Avatar #ATLA AU #Avatar AU #Parasitic Raava AU #Super neiche but I love it #And I intend to explore every inch of it and bathe in it's creepy horrific glory #Reverse CAIN AU

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myfandomrambles · 5 years

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Iroh & Zuko: A study in change and healing.

Uncle Iron and Zuko’s relationship is one I find truly interesting. It shows an interesting look into how people can change, how people can help others, the nature of wisdom and addresses healthy relationships that can survive toxicity.

So first change, this is obviously Zuko’s main character arch change and redemption, that’s been talked about ad nauseam, but Iroh also changed beforehand. We can infer he had a period of time that changed him the same way Zuko did over the course of the show.

Iroh isn’t a magically better person, but one of the main reasons he can be a good force in Zuko’s life is his past change. Iroh always had a tendency towards knowledge and mastered the more spiritual part of Firebending. He also seemed to be more comfortable playing Pai Sho and tea than being a leader. I think his quest for knowledge and lack of political ambition allowed for the death of his son to be a moment that pushed him to end his military campaign and not challenges Ozai’s power grab. We also know somewhere around this time he joined the Order of The White Lotus connecting him to a force trying to bring back balance. Had he not dealt with the reckoning of the destruction of his own family and past, as well as work through tragedy he would not have been able to as effectively help Zuko. He understood the pain and trauma but he had learned acceptance. He was of course not perfect but having known the hate and found the peace he wasn’t leading Zuko blind. This means that not only can Ioh mentor him from a place of age, be fatherly after having lost his own child, but more than most people also have an inherent connection to the struggle being had.

Iroh’s important role within the show is as a sage and mentor to primarily Zuko but others as well. Iroh is calm, accepting, generally level headed and steadfast in his beliefs allowing him to be a guidepost and foil to Zuko’s own erraticism. He loves Zuko deeply and wants nothing more than for him to be able to heal and choose his own path but does challenge him as time goes on knowing if Zuko just lives in pain he can never move forward.

He gives education about the cultures, people and bending of the people they see. He tries to give Zuko the power to work through his own issues. This act is crucial even though Iroh knows Zuko can be a danger to himself and others he doesn’t try and totally strip his autonomy or leave him unable to defend himself. I think this is evident with Zhao in the first book and then the Zuko alone arc in book two. Allowing Zuko to fight for himself when possible, and fail when he has to allows learning and gives real power. This is reinforced when multiple times he tells Zuko that in the end he has to choose what he wants, chose his own destiny and honour. If he wanted Zuko to make good choices reinforcing the life of little choice they came from would have done more damage.

Iroh doesn’t leave him without backup ever either. He’s always there for Zuko either physically having his back in battle, talking to him or even trying to help their crew understand where Zuko is coming from. No one has really had his back since his mother left, and it’s debatable how much she was even capable of doing. Trying to help him understand he isn’t alone is so powerful. Someone just being there for you is one of the most healing things a person can have. And I think more than any of the actual lessons just giving unconditional love was one of the strongest legacies you can leave.

Iroh also modelled what he wanted Zuko to learn. Rather it is Firebending being able to take it with your head held up, letting down walls, enjoying the small things, or brewing the best tea. Iroh lived his ideas making it do as I say and as I do in almost all circumstances. This irked Zuko of course as it was periodically embarrassing for him but I think it was why everyone who met him respected him or at least liked him. Even when Iroh was a man of layers and did have a few secrets he wasn’t duplicitous. Being a model of what you want increases trust and can help it easier to actually learn new ways of being.

Iroh is an example of Wisdom and not just knowledge. I think this difference does matter. Iroh was, of course, a master Firebender knew much of history and culture and was at least a decent military man from the way others spoke of him, but his understanding of the intangible is what makes him powerful. He always knew to watch and learn, he invented multiple bending techniques because he let down the arrogance and took in other ideas. Being a member of the White Lotus he knew and respected the connection of all four elements. He was often a third party within the first book, during the siege of the north we see him chose not to fight really for or against the Fire Nation. He acts to protect the spirits, to keep the balance. He is not averse to using violence (even against his brother or niece) but has a respect for the life of all peoples. This kind of understanding and wisdom is more powerful than any spewing of facts. Because this plays into the level of acceptance he has, makes him a formidable foe and gives him an ability to convey complex ideas.

Trying to find your centre and accepting who you are is an act of connection to the world and yourself. He can help many people Toph, Aang and a street beggar can all listen and understand where he comes from. He can help Zuko through his metamorphosis moment because he understands the connection of identity, health and spirituality. When you can bring a whole connection to someone it will always be stronger then listing facts or platitudes.

Zuko and Iroh have a relationship that is a blur of found family and blood ties. He is Zuko's biological uncle but they don’t seem to have been exceedingly close when Zuko was very young but after Iroh returned from war become closer. In the world of ancestors, destiny and bloodlines their relationship matters, but their connection was born from love, time, care, compassion, struggling, loss, fighting, and forgiveness. Neither the story or Iroh force Zuko to forgive Ozai or Azula. Iroh recognizes that his brother was abusive and horrible to his children, and recognizes that Aula can’t be left in power. Zuko chooses how he confronts both of these people, disavowing his father, and facing his sister with Katara. Their relationship comes out of this history of abuse and toxicity but is forged forward because of how much they have grown to care for each other in their own right and how much they grow. Iroh is Zuko’s real father in any important way and Zuko is as much his son as Lu Ten ever was.

Real World Techniques:

Through writing a mentor to someone who is clearly dealing with mental illness (C-PTSD, BPD) real-world psychological and coping strategies end up being employed in a strong connection.

-Radical acceptance. I skill taught in the framework of Dialectical Behaviour Therapy (DBT). Iroh has learned to accept his past, and the loss he has shown. Iroh works hard to drag Zuko out of obsessive behaviour by trying to get him to accept that past happens, you can not fix that. Iroh himself embodies this behaviour. He doesn’t force non-action though, the acceptance makes you better able to manage future stress and build better lives.

-Meditation A common skill suggested across mental health and general health practice. He tries to instruct Zuko in this ability as one that is key to being able to properly Firebend and to reach in and use innate human power. This concept also connects people to the spirit world built into the mythology of the world.

-taking responsibility w/out victim blaming. Iroh knows Zuko’s backstory built him into this damaged person, but Iroh doesn’t allow him to hurt others through this. Iroh works to teach him to respect his crew, let down boundaries of pride and learn a new way of working in life. But there is never a time Iroh blames Zuko for the abuse he faced. Ozai’s treatment was never Zuko’s fault. They create an ability to simultaneously own your shit but not stew in self-hate

-We also see the structure we often see in productive de-radicalization programs. Zuko is exposed to the people he was taught to hate, facing the humanity and real-world effects of hate usually begin to break through narratives. Iroh lets him into his own point of view that connects all life, he learns the practice of living within balance instead of the belief system jammed into his brain, doesn’t let Zuko uses his past as reason for his behaviour, and acts and expects Zuko to let the humanity of The Earth Kingdom colour his view. The dissidence from his childhood beliefs and the new ones he can’t integrate into his life. This is crucial to his being able to learn the history of the fire nation, even describing the earth kingdom people favourably before his complete transformation.

Learning to use empathy across whole peoples is powerful to deprogram people, he is expected to verbally and through actions show contrition. Zuko is eventually able to connect to this over his indoctrination. The ability to come with humility and not expect the other side to forgive you. Often framed as seeking forgiveness from the people he does not deserve it from. This behaviour can work in reality and seeing played on screen is part of why this arc resonates across the media.

-Iroh helps Zuko find and construct meaning. The loss of a belief system Zuko experiences through his trauma leaves him in horrible confusion. Iroh helps him connect to his past giving a new lens to view the world from. He can’t do so from the position he held before having that structure built for him.

-I mentioned previously Iroh providing Zuko with a degree of control. Long term child abuse often creates either extreme self-reliance or sometimes learned helplessness. Offering both the ability to protect and control his life combined with having his back can combat both of these. Along with the deeply obsessive thought patterns around the avatar.

I truly belive their relationship is hugley important. Two characters who fit simple archetypes at the start are allowed to bloom into deeply strong and complex real feeling characters. Iroh is shown to be powerful, respected, incredibly kind and wise. We can all learn from him, and be shown a powerful love. Zuko’s own arch ahs been seen as groundbreaking for years but without Zuko we wouldn’t have had a person to guide and reflect this. Adding layers to the world and understanding ourslves.

[Requested by nbj on AO3]

#fandom:#atla #avatar the last airbender #topic:#relationships #trauma and media #abuse and media #character:#zuko #uncle iroh #azula #fire lord ozai #ship:#iron & zuko #type:#txt #my post

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disneygirl2202 · 7 years

Text

The Banished Commander (Zuko x Zara) Chapter 5

Prologue 1 2 3 4

Zara’s P.O.V.

I watch as the Senlin Village starts to shrink as we make our way towards the fire temple so Aang can talk to Roku.

“Are we sure it’s going to be safe to go to that temple? As it is in Fire Nation waters.” I say

“It might not be safe, but we need to get there so I can get this understanding of what I saw.” He says

“Alright. We just have to be extremely careful once we cross the borders, as if I was to get caught, I will be arrested.” I say

“We won’t let that happen.” Sokka says

I nod and lay back in the saddle, watching the clouds as they pass by as we fly through the sky.

-~-

“Uhm, guys, we might have a slight problem.” Katara says

I stand up and walk over to her and see the Fire Nation ship following us.

“How the heck did he find us?” I ask

“Is it Zuko?” Aang asks

“Exactly, I don’t understand how he could have found us.” I say, biting my lip

I look back down at the ship and see two small figures at the front of the ship and many men working around the ship.

“Zara, they’re not the only Fire Nation we have to worry about.” Sokka says

“What do you mean?” I ask

“Look ahead.” He says

I walk away from the side and look ahead at the water below us.

“Zhao.” I whisper

Zuko’s P.O.V.

I watch as Zara’s figure walks away and I hear some of the men start to yell about a fleet in front of us.

“Run through them. We can’t lose the avatar and his friends again.” I say back to the men

“Yes sir.” They say

-~-

“Azula, don’t you think that was a little mean?” I hear Zara say

“Its normal for siblings to do this.” She says with a shrug

“No its not.” She says

I hear running footsteps come running after me. I turn around and see Zara come running over.

“Zuko, wait. Azula shouldn’t have done that.” She says, stopping next to me

“Don’t be sorry, its normal for her to do that.” I say

She smiles and we continue walking towards the front of the palace.

“There you two are.” I hear Zara’s brother say

“Ling!” She says

She goes running over, jumping into his arms. Ling laughs and spins her around.

“Aren’t you supposed to be with Azula?” Ling says to her

She looks down sheepishly.

“You’re fine that you’re not. I understand that you and Zuko here are closer.” He says

“She was being mean to him. So I came chasing after him.” She says

Ling laughs and stands up, ruffling her hair.

“I should go find dad. Zuko, I would watch out for your uncle for right now.” He says

I look down at me feet and nod. I hear Ling walk away, and Zara come walking over.

“We should go find your uncle now.” She says

“Good idea.” I say

-~-

I watch as my uncle and the ship starts to get farther and farther way and the fire temple gets closer.

“Zara, you better watch your back.” I whisper

Zara’s P.O.V.

I look at the Fire Sages as they pass by the hall we are hiding in. When I see the one stray Fire Sage start to walk towards us.

“Avatar, you need to come with me. I can get you to safety.” He says

“How can we trust you?” I ask

“There’s no time to explain.” He says

I hear the other sages come running and the one sage looks at us then opens a secret passage on the wall and shoves us through.

-~-

“I thought the Fire Sages are supposed to be on the avatar’s side.” I say

“We are. But the others have been turned by the Fire Lord. After Avatar Roku disappeared, we waited, but when the new avatar never came, well you can figure out the rest.” The sage says

I nod, looking around at the beauty of this temple.

-~-

“Ling, tell me about the temple again!” I yell

“Again Kiddo? You should be in bed. You know mom and dad would be furious and never let me watch you again.” Ling says

“They would understand. As you just came back from the war.” I say

“Whatever you say. But only if you promise to go to bed after this.” He says

“Fine. I’ll go to bed after this.” I say

He laughs and leans back on his hands, looking down at me as I lay my arm across his leg and my head resting on my arm.

“The fire temple that I am about to tell you about is the one that came during Avatar Roku. It has this one room when the solstice hits, the current avatar can talk to him.” He starts

I listen, trying to keep my eyes open as he continues to tell me the story.

-~-

“It looks like there was an explosion.” I say, looking over at Sokka as he is studying the soot

“Yeah.” He says

“Do you not see where I am going with this Sokka?” I ask

He looks at the soot, then up at me and I nod over at Momo and the tubes.

“We can fool the other sages into thinking Aang is in the room and they’ll open it.” He says

“Exactly.” I say

-~-

I’m holding onto one of the sages.

“Aang, come on, you need to go now!” I yell

I hear no reply, when I hear someone struggling. I watch as Zuko brings Aang out, laughing.

“Zuko?!” I ask

“Hello there again Zara.” He says

The sages use that as an advantage and retrain us.

“Keep Zara away from the others.” Zuko says

I feel my back hit the pole and chains wrap around me.

“Zuko, you need to understand. Aang needs to talk to Avatar Roku! Please!” I say

I watch as Aang looks at Katara and uses me distracting Zuko as an opportunity to get free.

“Aang, get into the room!” Katara yells

-~-

“Yes!” I yell as the doors shut

“Can it Zara. We don’t need your comments.” Zuko says

“But I think her comments make this so much more interesting.” A voice rings out

“Zhao.” Zuko and I say

“What are you doing here Zhao?” I ask

“Came here to collect three fugitives.” He says

I watch as Zhao comes into sight, with Ling shortly behind him.

“Ling?!” I ask

“Zara?!” He says

Zuko’s P.O.V.

I feel them press me against the same pole as Zara.

“Tie them both tight. And try to make sure the girl doesn’t try to firebend.” Zhao says

“Leave him alone Zhao. He’s just a kid.” She says

I watch as Zhao motions at one of the men. The chosen man comes up and stabs his knife into the pole between Zara and I, barely cutting into her cheek.

I glance at her and see her just staring at Ling.

“Ling is with Zhao now?” She mumbles

“Don’t act like you didn’t know.” I say

“Well I didn’t.” She growls

“Just like how you didn’t know I was part of the Royal Family.” I hiss

-~-

“Thank you Lin for the wonderful dinner.” My father says “But if you will now excuse me, your husband and I need to discuss a few things.”

“Of course.” She says

I watch as the girl stands up and collects the dishes, bringing them to the kitchen.

“If you two would like, you two can go to the backyard. That’s where Zara and Ling like to hang out when their father is busy.” Their mother says

“Thank you ma’am.” I say

I stand up and head to the backyard, only to see the girl standing there, some fire in her hand, aiming it at her brother.

“I want you to shoot that at me then watch as I redirect it.” Ling says

“Shouldn’t we wait for Lu Ten to get here to help with this part of my training? I know he said he would stop by to help one last time.” The girl says

“You know that he is getting ready to head out to Ba Sing Se with his father and I.” He says

She nods then throws the fire at him and watches as he lets the blast move his body, then shoots it back towards her.

“You saw how I let my body move with it?” He asks

“Like a waterbender.” She says

“Exactly, that’s where Iroh learned it.” He says

“So you both know how to Firebend.” Azula says

“Don’t interrupt. They were in the middle of a conversation.” I say

“Just because you find the girl cute..” She starts with a shrug

“Yes we both are firebenders Princess Azula. Your uncle was the one who was in charge of our training.” Ling says

“That is until he decided to bring you and Lu Ten to Ba Sing Se with him.” The girl mumbles

“Azula, would you come in here for a moment?” My mother yells into the back yard

“Ling or Zara, would you come in here to help me with something?” Lin yells

“I’ll come help mom.” Ling says

I watch as those two walk away towards the house then Zara heads towards the grove of trees.

“So you’re part of the Royal Family?” She asks

“You’re the girl who stuck up for me at the school the other day.” I say

She nods and shrugs, leaning against the tree, crossing her arms.

“You’re also the daughter of my father’s most trusted and his best friend.” I start “The little sister of my cousin’s best friend too.”

“So?..” She says

“Why are you so quiet or not like them?” I ask

“Because I wasn’t born into the family. They found me when my real family didn’t want me because I was a firebender.” She says

“So you’re cold to everyone?” I ask

“Unless they make the effort to get to know me, then I don’t put any time into them.” She says

“Will you let me put the effort into getting to know you?” I ask

“If you can prove that you want to, then I won’t be so cold.” She says

I hold my hand out and she just looks at me then slowly takes my hand.

“Names Zuko.” I say

“Zara.” She says with a smile

-~-

I glance over at her again and see her just staring at the door. I watch as Ling looks over at us and shakes his head.

“I can’t believe Ling did this. That man is the reason that my father is dead.” She mumbles

“He thought you were dead too.” I say

“What do you mean by that?” She asks

“Same reason that I thought you were dead. Azula told us that some of the soldiers found your body.” I say

I watch as Ling pushes himself off of the wall and starts to head over to where we’re tied up.

Zara’s P.O.V.

I watch as my only other sibling comes walking over to us, staring down Zuko.

:I can’t believe you are still alive.” He says

“I can’t believe you’re working with Zhao. He has always hated dad.” I say

I feel Zuko tense up next to me and I glance his way to see him watching Ling carefully.

“I thought I was the only one left. That I had nothing left to live for.” He says “Azula told me that you were banished because of Zuko here. Then shortly after that she came back and told me they had found your body.”

I look at the ground, biting my lip, trying to hold back the tears.

“So you blame Zuko for my banishment?” I ask

Zuko’s P.O.V.

“Of course I do. If you had never even had that relationship with him, you would have been able to stay in the fire nation.” He says

“I told you, we were happy! And that was all that mattered! You always told me to follow me heart! And that was exactly what I was doing!” She says

-~-

“This is all your fault.” Ling yells

“What do you mean?” I ask, looking up from my paper

“If she had never started to sneak around with you, she wouldn’t have had to leave and she wouldn’t have been killed.” He says

I look at him, then look down at him.

“I cared for her too. Don’t think this is easy for me knowing she is dead.” I whisper

-~-

I look at the ground as I hear Zara crying. I bite my lip as I look at Ling walking away.

“How could he do that to you?” I whisper

Zara’s P.O.V.

“Guys, the doors opening!” I yell

I look at the doors as they slowly start to open, but I don’t see Aang, instead, I see Avatar Roku.

I feel the chains start to melt, I roll my wrists and hurry over to Sokka and Katara.

“We need to get Aang and get out of here.” I say

“I know, but where is Aang?” Katara asks

I bite my lip and watch as Zhao and Ling run away. I look at Zuko as he just watches me and nods then hurries and runs off, jumping out of the hole in the wall.

I look back at Avatar Roku and watch as he slowly disappears and Aang is shown in his place.

Katara hurries over and catches him before he hits the floor.

“Alright, lets go. We need to go.” I say

We start to run, making it out of the temple before it finally collapses.

-~-

As we are passing Zhao’s ship, I look down and see Ling looking up at Appa with a smile on his face then it quickly disappears as Zhao looks at him.

“I love you Ling. Stay safe and do what is right.” I whisper

“So Zara, you never told us you had a brother.” Sokka says

“Yeah, because it was always too painful.” I say

“Understandable.” Aang says

#Zuko #prince zuko #zuko imagine #Azula #princess azula #aang #katara #sokka #atla #atla imagine #Avatar The Last Airbender

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seyaryminamoto · 4 years

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We always joke how Azula is the smarter one between her and dad but do you consider that Ozai is (or was) more mature?

Honestly…? Nope O_o as far as I’m concerned, Ozai’s maturity is pretty much comparable to Zuko’s Book 1 mindset. Which is to say, not mature at all. Of course, remove Zuko’s occasional compassionate displays and then you get Ozai’s actual personality and level of maturity xD

Azula certainly messed a lot with Zuko, trolling him in their childhood and saying hurtful things that he always lashed out right back for… but she did play with him when they were kids. She gave him some advice that he chose whether to use or not, she tried to look out for him in her own way. Can you imagine Ozai ever doing anything of the sort for Iroh? XD I absolutely can’t. So that’s already one regard in which Azula shows superior maturity to Ozai.

Ozai always struck me as someone who allowed his bitterness to define him. His resentment towards Iroh for being the favored son is most likely the source motivation of many of Ozai’s actions. Including, of course, sliding in and asking his father to reconsider having Iroh as his heir and to have him take up that role instead, just when Lu Ten died. Objectively, Ozai isn’t entirely off-base by making this request, but also objectively, Ozai hears his nephew is dead and his brother depressed for it… and his immediate reaction is “YAY THIS IS THE OPPORTUNITY I’VE WAITED FOR ALL MY LIFE!” Sooo… yep. I’m pretty sure he has allowed his bitterness to be the boss of him.

Meanwhile, while Azula absolutely resents Zuko for his closeness with their mother and for being capable of forming lasting relationships while she can’t… that ISN’T what defines the character, despite that’s what 99% of her haters believe defines her. Azula didn’t set out to find Zuko and Iroh because she was jealous and bitter and angry: she did it because her father sent her on that task. Had we been shown an Azula who poked and prodded at her father to PLEEEEASE let her go capture her brother and let her humiliate him because he’s trash? Then she’d definitely be much more defined by her bitterness than she is, probably on the same level as Ozai is. But Azula didn’t merely focus on Zuko while she took off on her journey during Book 2: Azula sets up an elaborate trap in Ba Sing Se, stages a coup and gifts her father the main city of the Earth Kingdom on a silver platter… and why would she do any of that? Because she was proving she could do this while Zuko couldn’t? Heh, no: it’s because she was obtaining a great victory for the Fire Nation. She even shares credit with Zuko for taking Ba Sing Se through Lo and Li’s speech, something that happens BEFORE the turtle-duck pond scene! If EVERYTHING she ever wanted was to boast about how much more powerful and epic and better than her brother she is, she would have never given him partial credit for what was, on great measure, her success in Ba Sing Se.

Meanwhile, feature Ozai in the same situation and I can assure you, he’d either take advantage of Iroh’s help only to lock him up as soon as he doesn’t need him anymore, or he’d outright imprison him from the get-go and claim his brother is to blame for all that’s wrong in the world. Guaranteed.

So, without going into further detail and subjects, I think someone who’s 40-something and as good as defined by being bitter and constantly trying to prove to the world he’s the baddest, meanest, strongest guy ever… can’t possibly be considered mature, at least by my standards. This doesn’t mean there’s no possible nuance to Ozai (I, personally, try my best to make him a tad bit more complex than we could see him as in canon), but canonically, Ozai is a man who has been working his damnedest to sabotage his son and brother in every way possible just for the sake of feeling superior to them. However he may be interpreted, this is fact and I’m pretty sure it rules out the possibility of considering him a mature human being altogether…

#anon #if this is regarding Gladiator specifically #(which I dunno if it is since you didn't really mention it :'D)#the answer is really the same...#because even if Ozai has more leadership experience #even if Ozai understands more of what being Fire Lord entails #and he's ready to do some seriously shady and shitty things my Azula no longer wants any involvement in #that honestly doesn't mean he has any more maturity than she does #now HE would absolutely think it does #but honestly no #being a shitty human being with a certain grasp on the dark side of ruling =/= maturity #there's one friggin hilarious dialogue coming up in the chapters 180-something #between Azula and (????)#and she describes Ozai's ruling philosophy very eloquently #it's one of the most beautiful things I ever wrote (?)

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