is it just me or has anyone else found zuko from atla and mulan from…mulan to be weirdly similar??
like they both have the whole “i need to go on this family ordained quest under a disguise (literal for mulan, figurative for zuko) to regain my (family’s) honor!” thing and then they go on the quest and they find something other than honor. they find something better than honor.
they find themselves.
as in, they connect the warring sides in their hearts, thus creating a (kind of) new mold for themselves that they can finally fit into.
their circumstances and outcomes are slightly different, yes, but the correlation is still there and i think it’s beautiful.
that is why i’m currently writing a zuko-centric mulan-inspired fanfic au!
in which he parallels mulan more closely by having to literally disguise himself as a bride to infiltrate the rebellion that killed uncle iroh
(featuring a baby turtleduck as the lucky cricket and the spirit of uncle iroh as mushu to help guide zuko on his journey)
(also featuring zukka because i just couldnt help myself lol)
if anyone is particularly interested in this idea i’m like 90% sure i’ll need a beta/writing buddy so please please please dont be shy and send an ask! i promise i dont bite <3
this fic idea is now airing on an AO3 near you! summary/pairings/rating under the cut.
rating: teen (subject to change)
pairings: Sokka/Zuko
summary:
The nations have been split into money-making ‘Provinces’ for the newly established Empire of Eternal Flame. The Empire’s control does not extend as far as they make it seem however, as they are deterred by the Order of the White Lotus, an underground organization formed by the remaining armies of the former nations. Their numbers have dwindled in the years between the Battle of Ba Sing Se, where they suffered major losses. The Empire declared the White Lotus’ defeat shortly after, claiming to have snuffed out the rebel group once and for all.
Little does the world—or the naive First Prince—know, the White Lotus is still giving the Empire trouble, and are responsible for things much more heinous than destroyed cabbage fields.
Or : A vaguely Mulan-inspired Zukka fic, featuring a lot more politics than you might expect, historical/cultural references, war, and crossdressing.
