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timepiececlockSo, here's a thought: what if Katara still won the battle against Azula, but Aang died while fighting Ozai?
That would set up a really *interesting* scenario, if you think about it... Ozai as the Phoenix Lord is busy roasting 1/3 of the Earth Kingdom (let's face it, there's a lot of land to roast), but meanwhile a coup has occurred back home. The heir he left in charge isn't in charge, the other one is. But the war doesn't end.
Iroh: Re-taking Ba Sing Se, securing it for rebel EK forces & the White Lotus.
Ozai: Has control of the bulk FN army, has some airships which survived the gaang's sabotage, is laying waste to the EK landscape. He has an army, but is cut off from the FN and its support.
Zuko: Has control of the capitol, has control of the domestic military forces, is claiming the crown of Fire Lord. May have to defend the city against Ozai's forces.
That's THREE people from the royal family, all with "armies" of their own, all out in force. DUELING! Except, of course, that Iroh and Zuko are allied. But Ozai has most of the military power, right? All the forces still in the colonies and outposts like Omashu are under his control (except those in Ba Sing Se who now are under Iroh's control). In the Fire Nation, all the remaining forces and cities are in a state of flux--some swear loyalty to Zuko immediately, some refuse and swear to the Phoenix Lord instead. The generals split and choose sides, taking their armies & navy[s] with them.
It's freaking CIVIL WAR. How fun would that be to see play out? My brain adores the idea of 3 "princes" of the FN battling across the Earth Kingdom, each with their own armies and spying and traitors and military coups and broken loyalties and such. Meanwhile the EK and WT are like "Must you use OUR LAND to battle out YOUR FUCKING FAMILY PROBLEMS?" The world has become the royal family's chess board, just like Sozin wanted.
And for the others...
Katara: Zuko's new trusted lieutenant; after she gets word that Aang is dead, she is heartbroken, but decides to focus on the problem in front of her: helping Zuko take control of the city and rally the people to fight the Phoenix Lord. Zuko cannot do it alone, and with Iroh in the EK, she is all that Zuko has to rely on. They put Azula in prison. Zuko helps her deal with her grief, and she helps him deal with the clusterfuck that is his country. Her assistance and loyalty to him is very, very visible.
Sokka, Suki, and Toph: They succeed in destroying some of the fleet, but they witness Aang's death. They can't save his body, but they escape and head for Ba Sing Se on a distraught and near-suicidal Appa. Sokka becomes the person Appa relies on, the only one he'll listen to. [Appa *was* with them, right? Who had Appa during the final battle?] They hope to meet the White Lotus and Iroh in BSS and regroup, and plan for the coming civil war.
Mai & Ty Lee: Mai's uncle releases them when he gets news that Zuko has claimed power, and Ty Lee demands that the Kyoshi Warriors be released as well. As a group, they make their way toward the FN capitol. Along the way, they recruit for Zuko's forces, and gather information about the loyalties of the cities and towns. Mai and Ty Lee become closer. Mai gradually realizes that if the war ends, then Tom Tom won't be force into battle when he grows up, and he won't be at risk for dying young. If Tom Tom lives to become heir to their family's wealth, Mai will be free from her mother's control, and won't be forced to marry and have children. Tom Tom will be her freedom.
Hakoda & Co.: Heads to what remains of the Water Tribes, bringing news that the FN is about to have a civil war which could do even MORE damage to the surrounding nations, and that the WT must support Fire Lord Zuko if anyone's going to come out of it alive.
"There witnesses to our fight with Azula, you know that. Those old women--"
"My great-aunts."
"And others too. They keep talking about how you took Azula's lightning for me. They're saying--"
"It doesn't matter."
"But they think--"
"Katara, look at me. Look at me. It doesn't matter what they say. It doesn't matter what they think. What matters is that they recognize my claim, and that they all know beyond any doubt that you're here to support me. They will respect your power; they know that you healed me, and that you were my champion against Azula."
"Zuko..."
"I can't do this by myself, Katara. You helped Aang, before. Please...help me, too. Help us."
"I will help you."
"Thank you."
"It doesn't bother you, what they could be saying?"
'I put it out of my mind. If they want to see...I'm sorry, Katara. It must make you uncomfortable. I know that with--I know it's not easy to hear something like that right now. But I can't let myself think about it, because it doesn't change anything."
"You're right, Zuko. It doesn't matter, does it? What matters is that they know they'll have to get through me to get to you. That's what they need to think about."
I seriously need a map of all the cultures/cities....
That would set up a really *interesting* scenario, if you think about it... Ozai as the Phoenix Lord is busy roasting 1/3 of the Earth Kingdom (let's face it, there's a lot of land to roast), but meanwhile a coup has occurred back home. The heir he left in charge isn't in charge, the other one is. But the war doesn't end.
Iroh: Re-taking Ba Sing Se, securing it for rebel EK forces & the White Lotus.
Ozai: Has control of the bulk FN army, has some airships which survived the gaang's sabotage, is laying waste to the EK landscape. He has an army, but is cut off from the FN and its support.
Zuko: Has control of the capitol, has control of the domestic military forces, is claiming the crown of Fire Lord. May have to defend the city against Ozai's forces.
That's THREE people from the royal family, all with "armies" of their own, all out in force. DUELING! Except, of course, that Iroh and Zuko are allied. But Ozai has most of the military power, right? All the forces still in the colonies and outposts like Omashu are under his control (except those in Ba Sing Se who now are under Iroh's control). In the Fire Nation, all the remaining forces and cities are in a state of flux--some swear loyalty to Zuko immediately, some refuse and swear to the Phoenix Lord instead. The generals split and choose sides, taking their armies & navy[s] with them.
It's freaking CIVIL WAR. How fun would that be to see play out? My brain adores the idea of 3 "princes" of the FN battling across the Earth Kingdom, each with their own armies and spying and traitors and military coups and broken loyalties and such. Meanwhile the EK and WT are like "Must you use OUR LAND to battle out YOUR FUCKING FAMILY PROBLEMS?" The world has become the royal family's chess board, just like Sozin wanted.
And for the others...
Katara: Zuko's new trusted lieutenant; after she gets word that Aang is dead, she is heartbroken, but decides to focus on the problem in front of her: helping Zuko take control of the city and rally the people to fight the Phoenix Lord. Zuko cannot do it alone, and with Iroh in the EK, she is all that Zuko has to rely on. They put Azula in prison. Zuko helps her deal with her grief, and she helps him deal with the clusterfuck that is his country. Her assistance and loyalty to him is very, very visible.
Sokka, Suki, and Toph: They succeed in destroying some of the fleet, but they witness Aang's death. They can't save his body, but they escape and head for Ba Sing Se on a distraught and near-suicidal Appa. Sokka becomes the person Appa relies on, the only one he'll listen to. [Appa *was* with them, right? Who had Appa during the final battle?] They hope to meet the White Lotus and Iroh in BSS and regroup, and plan for the coming civil war.
Mai & Ty Lee: Mai's uncle releases them when he gets news that Zuko has claimed power, and Ty Lee demands that the Kyoshi Warriors be released as well. As a group, they make their way toward the FN capitol. Along the way, they recruit for Zuko's forces, and gather information about the loyalties of the cities and towns. Mai and Ty Lee become closer. Mai gradually realizes that if the war ends, then Tom Tom won't be force into battle when he grows up, and he won't be at risk for dying young. If Tom Tom lives to become heir to their family's wealth, Mai will be free from her mother's control, and won't be forced to marry and have children. Tom Tom will be her freedom.
Hakoda & Co.: Heads to what remains of the Water Tribes, bringing news that the FN is about to have a civil war which could do even MORE damage to the surrounding nations, and that the WT must support Fire Lord Zuko if anyone's going to come out of it alive.
"There witnesses to our fight with Azula, you know that. Those old women--"
"My great-aunts."
"And others too. They keep talking about how you took Azula's lightning for me. They're saying--"
"It doesn't matter."
"But they think--"
"Katara, look at me. Look at me. It doesn't matter what they say. It doesn't matter what they think. What matters is that they recognize my claim, and that they all know beyond any doubt that you're here to support me. They will respect your power; they know that you healed me, and that you were my champion against Azula."
"Zuko..."
"I can't do this by myself, Katara. You helped Aang, before. Please...help me, too. Help us."
"I will help you."
"Thank you."
"It doesn't bother you, what they could be saying?"
'I put it out of my mind. If they want to see...I'm sorry, Katara. It must make you uncomfortable. I know that with--I know it's not easy to hear something like that right now. But I can't let myself think about it, because it doesn't change anything."
"You're right, Zuko. It doesn't matter, does it? What matters is that they know they'll have to get through me to get to you. That's what they need to think about."
I seriously need a map of all the cultures/cities....
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no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 09:16 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 09:19 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 09:36 pm (UTC)So that way he'd be en route when he "feels" Aang die, and say he goes batshit, and heads in the direction of the place the Avatar died. Soon after Sokka/Toph/Suki, who are trying to leave before they get killed and take news of the Avatar's death to Iroh, see him flying past. They have a bison whistle (for emergencies), and call him down.
Then, Sokka/Appa bonding. It also gives him and Suki and Toph some renewed hope after seeing Aang fall. And it helps them get to BSS in days instead of months.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 11:17 pm (UTC)It's a great idea for a fic though. I hope you write it, 'cause I want to read it. I've been searching the Pit looking for good post-finale fics, and have only come across two or three that I really like.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 11:20 pm (UTC)Are the few that you liked the ones you listed at k_z? I've seen those. I haven't browsed for any more, though... I haven't thought about ATLA since the finale....not until today. I kinda fail as a fan. My head's been tied up in Doctor Who and Dr. Horrible.
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Date: 2008-08-06 11:23 pm (UTC)Azula: How did you even get here?
Zuko: Hot air balloon.
It's funny, because since Avatar ended I've become even more of a fantard. The ending wasn't satisfying enough for me, I don't think. :D And yeah, though were the ones I posted at k_z
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 11:17 pm (UTC)Maybe that's why Aang looses! Appa's nearby and tries to intervene, Aang gets distracted, and Ozai toasts an Avatar on a stick? It could work.
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 11:23 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 09:19 pm (UTC)I could still see Sokka and Appa being closely bound after something like Aang's death, though, regardless.
You should totally write this. I'd love to see some Mai/Ty Lee development. XDDDD
no subject
Date: 2008-08-06 09:36 pm (UTC)So that way he'd be en route when he "feels" Aang die, and say he goes batshit, and heads in the direction of the place the Avatar died. Soon after Sokka/Toph/Suki, who are trying to leave before they get killed and take news of the Avatar's death to Iroh, see him flying past. They have a bison whistle (for emergencies), and call him down.
Then, Sokka/Appa bonding. It also gives him and Suki and Toph some renewed hope after seeing Aang fall. And it helps them get to BSS in days instead of months.
--
I love Mai/Ty Lee as friends and as a slash pairing. I think that if, for example, Ty Lee loved Mai (and that's why she chose her over Azula), then prison bonding could make secrets like that come out. And maybe Mai would think "Okay, ex-boyfriend who dumped me? Or girlfriend whom I love anyway and maybe whom I could love even more..." But it could happen slowly too, and while they're trekking across the FN recruiting for Zuko (because I believe that Mai would want to help him, especially if she knew he was barely holding onto power with his fingernails), they rely on each other more and more, so that by the time they reach the FN... Mai's feelings have changed. She loves Zuko, but she's not the same person anymore, and he's not the same person anymore, and she supports him, but... everything Mai sacrificed for Zuko, Ty Lee has sacrificed for Mai. And Mai's finally waking up and noticing.
Hm... that could work. It'd be a challenge since I've never written UST for two girls before.