The Plot for the day is... @zukkaweek day 7 Time Travel
Zuko Plot 171: Isekai to the Past
Modern AU teenage Zuko gets Isekai'd into the canon world. As he'd been a combination Drama and History nerd, it doesn't take him long to realize that he's actually in the PAST! And worse than that, somehow he's taken the place of the young Prince Zuko! You know, the guy who brought the Fire Nation out of the hundred year war!? Who FOUND THE AVATAR!?
That is a LOT of pressure, but it shouldn't be too crazy right? He knows what's going to happen, so he can totally get ahead of it! He's only 13 after all, there's plenty of time to learn the ropes!
And that's when Zuko realizes that history didn't cover the abuse the Prince had suffered as a child. And apparently never emphasized that he was in fact A CHILD when he was sent to find the Avatar!
A more air headed Zuko (because he keeps trying to piece together whats happening in connection to the history he knows, and misses things happening right in front of him) is burned and sent to find the Avatar, and ends up unintentionally raising a following as he goes because he's just… so nice to people? They don't expect it from the Fire Prince. Zuko gain's the love and support of his nation and some of the Earth kingdom, which will really cut back on the future assassination attempts, at least.
Then the day comes when he finds the Avatar in the South Pole, he'd somehow forgotten that would be happening this year and is blindsided by the reveal. A much kinder Zuko and his Uncle enter the Southern Water Tribe to the same fighty welcome, and Zuko almost has a stroke at realizing he's seeing his absolute favorite historical figure, (like self insert shipfic blorbo level favorite) Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, as a CHILD. ATTACKING him! Oh Spirit's he's so BAD at it too, but it's so endearing because if he had been the REAL Prince Zuko, it probably would have been a legitimate fight!
Fanboy Zuko crushing hard over the very confused Sokka. Encounters happen similarly to canon, but less fighting from Zuko's perspective because he already knows which side of the war is the correct side to be on. Also these are historical figures who have holidays and shit named after them, it's hard to not space out at each meeting.
Sokka getting wigged out and confused by this guy who seems obsessed with him and knows such random trivia that Sokka hasn't even discovered about himself yet! But also like.. it's hard to deny he enjoys the attention. Especially when their team of prodigy benders keeps increasing. At least SOMEBODY thinks he's the cool one! Right?
Sokka ends up getting so distracted by Zuko and his silly shenanigans that he ends up not paying as much attention to the girls he would have otherwise dated. Actually starts crushing on Zuko back and Zuko doesn't even REALIZE it's happening because things still feel so unreal in his mind. Like who'd ever expect their hero and dead history crush to LIKE THEM BACK? Don't be Silly.
The romantic dramedy potential is astronomical~!
Let me know if you write it!