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Thanks to @kigozula for organizing this event, and @seyaryminamoto for making this event possible.

Preface: LONG, this is my first time using tumblr and even participating in any event like this at all, so I'm not sure what the standard conventions are for length. Given that, I just wrote what I truly thought, even if it's rather cumbersome. But given that we've all read Gladiator, and one of us even wrote it, I assume breadth of text isn't too much of a barrier.

I guess I'll stick with the format that @wingsfreedom stuck with for their event, speaking about Gladiator as a whole before answering the event questions.

What makes you stick with the story so far? Well truthfully I haven't stuck with the story very long at all, I only started reading Gladiator in the last week and a half of April, right before my final exams for the semester. I started and was up to date just before chapter 295, and even left a comment under a guest account outlining similar sentiments under chapter 295(on AO3).

As for what Gladiator does to encapsulate me, well Azula is far any away my favourite character in canon, and hate reading tweets on twitter from people who said that Azula didn't deserve redemption had lead someone to mention Gladiator, and here I am. Everything feels so natural, right from the start. Each character introduction feels in line with their canon counter part, and each subsequent character development feels perfectly believable, both emotionally and logically. One of my biggest dislikes about fiction is when the plot is moved forward by people making objectively bad decisions, whether they are illogical or incongruent with their emotional state and needs. It is a further annoyance if everything just accidentally works out. Gladiator in contrast has a very natural plot development, pushed forward by dynamic and grounded characters. The politics of the world are plainly seen, and systemic issues are given the attention they deserve. As much as some people like to divorce politics from fiction, I think that notion is laughable, especially for a story like ATLA. Seyary(? not sure how to address the author) does an excellent job weaving systemic issues into the story. An unlikely point of introspection for me came from reading this story. As Sokka and Azula's love blossomed, the way it is described was so moving, to the point of tears at certain moments of the story. This lead me to realize that most of my romantic relationships were truly meaningless and marred by fear, and as much as I had said I didn't want a true relationship, and was content with a friends with benefits situation, it was my fear of being vulnerable that made me seek those fleeting things. I know this is quite a bit to unload on what is supposed to be a positive event, but I'd imagine these are the kind of feelings and thoughts that good fiction consistently evokes.

OC

There are many excellent OC's in Gladiator, a true testament of Seyary's writing skill to not just flesh out existing characters but give life to new ones. Of these Rui Shi is my personal favourite. I liked seeing his stern outlook, morph into a stern facade over time, as it pertains to Sokka and Azula's relationship. I liked seeing his interpersonal walls come down, allowing him to truly connect with others.

Guard

Well logically this one has to be Rui Shi as well, but that isn't the spirit of the question, so I will choose from the remaining guards. Of these 9(10 including Bao, but he isn't afforded the same opportunities in the story ) they all shine in the moments they're given. I'd have to choose Fei Li, I love the contrast between his demeanor and his role as an Royal guard, and later captain of the third squad. I love his leading role in the speculation about our favourite couple's love life. Some of the chapters that made the finale of part 2 bearable were the little moments between the guards, Sokka and Azula.

Gladiator

Once again forgoing the obvious answer of our main characters, I'd have to say Renzhi, the Millenium Dragon is my favourite. I like the fact that since the leagues inception the second best gladiator was an honourable man. I liked his interactions with Anou, showing he had his friends best intentions and truly cared for him and their bond. I like that he didn't hold anything against Sokka. And this might be a bit greedy, but I look forward to his reappearance in the story.

Sponsor

It doesn't need to be said that this spot truly belongs to Azula, but in her absence Kori takes her place. Her story with Sneers is meant to mirror Azula's story with Sokka, and her devastation at Azula's wedding must have shattered her heart, for two reasons; seeing her friend in terrible pain, and knowing that something similar, although not nearly as bad could await her if the world found out about her relationship with Sneers.

Pair/Couple (besides Sokkla)

Ty lee and Haru have a very beautiful story. Their initially asymmetrical relationship(not by any of their wants but by their lack of communication) was driven by blind lust, but only after truly being vulnerable with each other could their relationship reach new heights. Given my introspective words above, it's no wonder their story is my favourite.

Friendship

Azula, Mai and Ty lee have a sad outcome in canon, but there is one moment of true comradery, the beach. When everyone shares their stories, even Azula has a brief moment of vulnerability before snuffing it out by uttering that line we know all too well "my own mother thought I was a monster". Well thankfully Gladiator is chalk full of this comradery between the three fire nation girls, and I love every second of it.

Villain/Antagonist/Opponent

Ozai, I love what you've done with him. In canon we are shown that Zuko and Azula are morphed by much abuse, and that guides their minds towards some objectively bad actions. Implicitly we are shown that the same abuse must have affected Ozai, Iroh and Azulon and so on. Seyary has fleshed out this abuse that Ozai suffered, but not in a way that absolves him in any capacity from his actions, one that merely tells us what guided him down this dark path. I love the like father like son over emotional way of dealing with things shared between Zuko and Ozai, even if Ozai would never admit it.

Suitor for Azula

Anou has a very interesting arc, what that ends with him becoming an ally to Azula and overcoming his personal demons, with the help of an at the time foe in Azula and his friend Renzhi.

Place (any houses/island/cities…)

I'd say the southern water tribe, even if most the story is devoid of it. It is where our journey starts at a very low point. Sokka spends every waking moment thinking of home, thinking of killing Azula before she returns into his life. Once their relationship blooms he ponders returning, but with Azula at his side. And our story hits a incredibly sad low, with their separation, but narratively I know one day they will return, with the world put forward on a new path towards genuine justice. This is what I'm most looking forward to, and if Whaletail Island is any indication, it will be amazing. This is all without mentioning any of the Southern Water Tribe chapters, and Zuko and Suki's arrival, which are among my favourite chapters.

Event (weddings/festivals…)

My favourite "event" was Jing and Wentai's wedding Firelight Town. Seeing them be able to be themselves in public, with no holding back, seeing the raw emotions emanating off of and onto each other, I'm sure it must've been nearly as fun to write it as it was to read.

Favourite Top 3

Part 2 kisses:

1.) Their wedding kiss when getting married as Jing and Wentai in Firelight Town

2.) Their kisses shared in the morning before Sokka, Azula, Katara, Zuko, Kino and Aang go shopping on Whaletale Island in the cover of darkness.

3.) This kiss when Sokka woke up after being saved by Azula from bleeding out.

Sokkla love making

1.) Consummating their marriage in Firelight Town.

2.) Just after Azula told Sokka that she loves him, sober and directly, at the Northern Air Temple.

3.) Just after Azula proudly declares in front of an audiance of Sokka, Zuko, Katara, Aang and Kino that she loves Sokka in an impassioned speech.

This or That

Part 2, or Part 3 (so far) Part 2 was an incredible read, but it was always marred by the knowledge that eventually, narratively, everything had to come crashing down, that Sokka and Azula would lose everything they had worked for. Part 3 didn't start in the most optimistic of ways, but knowing that things can only get better, that everyone in the gaang, and everyone of Azula's real family in the Fire Nation have boundless hope for what is to come is an equalizer. Given that part 3 is limited to so far, part 2 is my favourite.

Zuki Family or Mai Jian Family

Zuko and Suki's family and general development in the Southern Water Tribe was an incredible development, and nearly took the place my answer to the earlier prompt of favourite couple (besides Sokkla).

Festivals Arc or Anniversary Arc

I'm not sure which festivals arc is being referred to, so I'll put all 3 in order. The first Festivals arc was the best of the 3, the best parts being when Azula accepts that it is love she feels for Sokka, just before bending gold fire for the first time, second only to their first of many sexcapades.

Second place is the next Festivals arc, Sokka's Rui Shi disguise and their dangerous consequences, the homeless people pleading with the firelord for help, sent by the white lotus, the mourning of those important to Sokka and Azula, their indirect bending. So many seemingly little moments and interactions that were a joy to read.

Third place is the Anniversary Arc. It was a fun read, especially when Azula was made aware of Mai and Ty lee's interrogation of her and Sokka's sex life, but I don't think it holds a candle to either of the Fesitval arcs.

Captain Rui Shi or Captain Fei Li

Captain Rui Shi, this should be simple enough to explain. Even when Fei Li was captain, Rui Shi was the de facto leader.

Ozai or Zhao

Ozai. I've already explained my thoughts about Ozai above under the favourite villain prompt. I don't think Zhao can hold a candle to Ozai as a villain, given his courtesy of Sokka and Azula's relationship, and his courtesy of Azula during the early days of their marriage, before the knowledge of her pregnancy infected his mind. I also have a sneaking suspicion that as part 3 progresses, he might not be so much of a villain.

Gladiator Brawl, Sponsor Race, Pairs Tournament or Scavenger Hunt

Sponsor Race was the best. The Brawl was good, either the pairs tournaments were also good, especially the one with Haru and Ty Lee, but the race was amazing. Finally seeing Azula and Sokka fight side by side again, having them triumph against Toph and Iroh, and especially their ventures into the cave of two lovers, their emotional distraught upon reading Oma and Shu's stories. It was amazing, start to finish.

Xin Long or Appa

I think Xin Long has this handily, by the simple fact that there is a literal mind connection between Xin Long and Azula, so they know, quite literally, everything about one another.

Azula’s Squad or Sokka’s Squad

Sokka's squad. While I laughed delightfully upon niece Wen's introduction, and was rather pleased at Azula finally finding a new companion in Rei, Sokka's squad has the Avatar, the twice banished (got to be a record) prince of the Fire Nation, Zuko, Ursa, the only one who had ever been able to somewhat tame Ozai, and of course the Blue Wolf himself. If there was ever a group that Ozai would hate to be together, that was it.

Ty Lee or Mai

Genuinely don't know, I spent a great amount of time considering this. I love Ty lee's story, especially with Haru, but I also love Mai, her family and her uncanny ability to read Azula better than anyone, except for Sokka. This seems a rather diplomatic answer, and I hate seeing such answers, but even my gut says that I don't have an answer, so I guess it's a tie.

Shoji or Kino

Shoji clears, but I suspect that over the course of part 3 Kino will have many, many parts to shine.

Ruon Jian or Haru

Haru, I love his arc where he finds his mother, and truly develops a connection with Ty Lee. Ruon Jian has never been given a chance to shine that brightly.

Other

A Place you would like to visit or live

Fire nation capital Calderra, I quite enjoy city life and its luxuries, and I already live in the imperial core in real life. I wouldn't visit either of the poles, I already deal with a harsh enough winter where I live.

If you could give Part 2 a title it would be

I'm a big sucker for humour so "Coming Together" works quite nicely for me.

Something you look forward to

There's about a hundred little things introduced over the hundreds of chapters that I'm just waiting to be reintroduced during arc 3, the guards, the dragons hidden in the mountain, other gladiators joining Sokka's cause (especially Anou and Renzhi), far too many to list. The thing I'm most looking forward to is Sokka and Azula's reunion, and Azula meeting Katara on far better terms, and Azula discovering who Kuzon truly is.

Best Arc(s) in Part 3 (so far)

They've all been amazing, even if painful at times. The best have been storytelling/wedding, Under Attack/Child of Two Worlds, and Family reunion/Strengthening Bonds. I save my judgement of Taking Omashu as the arc isn't fully out, but if Under Attack is any indication, I have full faith that it will be amazing.

Favorite Sokkla Artwork from Part 2

I only made a tumblr the day of writing this post, the 17th of June and haven't really looked at your tumblr at all beyond to see previews of upcoming chapters. I've never been one for the visual arts, so I don't really have an answer.

Guessing Time

Future Ships you think will happen

I think Katara and Aang is practically a forgone confusion, given their development. I think either one of them will become injured, and Sokka or Azula will tell them to not waste time, because you never know how much you have left with the ones you love. This answer isn't in the spirit of the question, but I don't really have any thoughtful speculation, only guesses, I'm not too fond of.

Azula and Zhao will divorce when/because of …

I don't know if they will divorce, maybe it will be once or if Azula escapes the Fire Nation and she becomes publicly an enemy(?) I don't think it would be particularly wise for Ozai to declare her an enemy, but if Azula escapes with her friends Song and Rei, and keeps Mai and Ty lee's families safe, whether by escaping with them or through other means, it'd hard to not see Ozai react with unrelenting fury that clouds his judgement. If you combine this with the fact that maybe he becomes aware of Sokka's status being alive at the same time, he might truly do something so stupid.

When Hakoda meets Azula and Hotaru for the first time …

Well if he meets Azula, she will probably not want to face him and the rest of the tribe she wronged alone because she feel like she might never be able to atone for her sins, so she'll be with Sokka. I expect a lot of crying, lines similar to the ones said on Whaletail Island about how she might never forgive someone who forcefully took Sokka from her, and Hakoda will break his stoicism upon this declaration, upon seeing Sokka again will be moved to tears. Another scneario is if she escapes to the Southern Water tribe from the Fire Nation without Sokka, which will still be met with the same tears and probably same declarations, just this time without Sokka. She will probably feel really welcome down there.

When Ozai and Ursa see each other …

Ozai will have what humanity he shoves away come back in full force, but Ursa will reject his words and tell him what she really thinks. Ozai will be furious, I think more furious than we've seen yet.

I think Ozai's future looks like... Eventually he will either be killed, or have his bending taken away like in canon. I like to think if he dies that it will be by the space sword, maybe in conjunction with Wolf's Bane. If his bending is taken away, I have faith in Seyary's writing that Aangs gain of this power will be done better than in canon, and a childish part of me wants Ozai to see Azula and Sokka hugging and kissing after becoming powerless.

When Azula finally visits the south pole, I hope/wish/think …

I've already laid my thoughts out when Hakoda meets Azula and Hotaru for the first time. With the rest of the tribe I expect similar greetings, but without the rest of the tribe reciprocating said tears.

First things Azula and Sokka will do after their reunion

If their first spiritual meeting is any indication, it will be to hug and kiss, saying each others name between sobs and tears.

Quiz

Name of the first Gladiator Sokka fought against?

Spawn of the Volcano

How many years are Azula and Sokka a couple now?

I think it's been 6 years since they first met in the south pole, 4 years since they met again in Hui Yi, and if we take them having sex as fully saying no matter what they need each other and to become a couple it's been somewhere between 2 years and 9 months and 3 years.

Which character found out about Azula and Sokka’s secret relationship first? Depends on how you define relationship and found out. Certainly Mai and Ty lee knew that they would fall in love pretty much instantly, Rui Shi thought something happened in the forest, especially when Azula said "Due to something I will not explain to you, I left to face the Rhinos by myself" he must've assumed something happened with Sokka. Toph definitely knew Sokka loved Azula, and knew by the time they were in Ba Sing Se together that Azula loved Sokka. Rui Shi saw them kiss on Shu Jing, song was the first to find out they'd had sex. So this question has many answers.

Which character felt something might be going on/will be going on between Sokka and Azula from the beginning? Mai and Ty lee.

What’s the name of Ozai’s first love? Ursa.(??) This feels too easy, like a gimme so maybe his first love was his father Azulon, maybe the power that Seethus gave him, seeing Azula the prodigious bender at birth? I'm confused but the answer must be Ursa, because those other 3 clearly aren't love, and if what he felt for Ursa wasn't love it was certainly closer.

What was the first Gladiator event Azula and Sokka took part in? Scavenger Hunt.

How often did the Blue Wolf fight in the Slate?

He fought twice, against the Millennium Dragon and the Queen of Pain.

Who would have almost been the potential future prince? I'm not sure what that means, maybe governor Kuon? He was rather close to having his gladiator defeat Sokka due to Sokka's leg cramping. Maybe you mean Anou, Renzhi was also close to defeating Sokka in the brawl, but I doubt Ozai would let Anou marry into the Royal family.

How old was Aang when he was forced to freeze himself and Appa? He was the same age as Azula at the start of the story, so 19.

SOME NICE WORDS TO OUR DEAR AUTHOR SEYARYMINAMOTO: