ATLA AU where Zuko at 14, is disillusioned of the Fire Nation propaganda and also bc he was a banished prince, his ship was full of prisoners that were labeled traitors. So when he tells them āhey so actually Iām gonna fight my father for the throne and once crowned Iām stopping this war, regardless if the Avatar is alive or even real at this pointā they all just go ācool sure why not, not like we could return home even if we wanted tooā
Uncle Iroh upon seeing his nephewās change of heart (and Zukoās dwindling flame from guilt) introduces him to the Sun Warriors.
One dragon dance later, Zuko has a new outlook on fire and fire bending. Their ship now sails with a symbol of the sun on its flags.
Over the years, Zuko creates alliances on his own, coincidentally with many White Lotus members (Iroh is impressed and proud and makes sure to tell Zuko that every day).
So when Aang comes across Jeong Jeong, he tells the young avatar āthe sun will lead the way to your true teacherā which ofc frustrates Team Avatar but they canāt argue with the guy about it because Admiral Zhao has shown up. (The team doesnāt notice how little resources he has to chase them compared to canon).
When on Kyoshi Island, the Kyoshi Warriors, despite not being in the war, surprisingly knew how to combat Fire Nation tactics and attack formations.ļæ¼
Later when King of Omashu reveals himself to be Bumi, he makes sure to mention that āallies can be found in anyone, even someone wearing enemy colorsā
Master Pakku after fighting and conceding to Katara, says he āhasnāt a fight like that since the sun walked on iceā
Sokka asks if Master Piando, who has famously turned away every young protege begging for his tutelage, if he ever had another student. āOne. A master of twin broadswords. I have a feeling your friend would like to meet him. He sails under the Sun.ā
Now, Zuko doesnt particularly need allies within the other nations due to having a civil war but it proves to be fruitful when new āfire nation desertersā show up on the shores of Crimson Island - home of the Crimson Sails Armada, only now they are named the Crimson Sun Armada. (They never attacked Katara for stealing a scroll, as Zuko has commanded his soldiers to return any relics they find aboard fire navy vessels and the āpiratesā upon seeing a southern water tribe girl and boy just hand it to her.)
Once Aang pieces the puzzle together and on the hunt for the pirates commence. Last heard, some of the Armada was in Ba Sing Se for some reason. Ba Sing Se still happens somehow with Azula and her lightning.
So Hakoda is there to make sure the kids donāt go willy nilly to the pirates as they sail a stolen Fire Nation ship.
Now over the years, the Fire Nation has been moreā¦lenient on their colonies, for the lack of a better word. Less terrorizing, less control where Earth Kingdom mayors are actually able to govern. Even soldiers have been pulled from the colonies. Simple messages by dragon hawk stating they are needed back on the homeland.
The other nations have been weary of this but ādonāt look a gift ostrich horse in the mouthā and all that.
Hakoda and Team Avatar finally figure out what the secrecy is about when another fire nation ship docks with theirs, and the first words from the captain are āwhich fire lord do you serve?ā
Watching the ship sail away, Team Avatar is in shock.
Hakoda though, has a grim face, āthe Fire Nation is in the mists of a civil war.ā
They reach Crimson Island two days later.
They disembark to the sand, and immediately they feel like they are being watched.
Itās when they are deep in the forests do the people following them show themselves. By shimmering within the shadows, as if they are melting from them.
Many have arrows drawn, red paint like wings around their eyes. Others have daggers and swords, red lines from their eyes to the bottom of their chin under their ear lobe. Some have that and lines from their eyes to their hairline.
But from behind their lines, front and center, walking towards Team Avatar, is a boy. Couldnāt be older than Sokka with a giant burn scar on his left eye. Around his right eye is yellow lines, like the sun.
āI am the Avatar,ā Aang starts, bowing the traditional Fire Nation way, left hand vertical, with his right in a fist under it, āand I come searching for my fire bending teacher.ā
