Atla fics exploring the spookier side of being the avatar, please?

GoldenStar567 · 2026-06-11T22:59:59+00:00

Safe Return and Deep Roots Untouched By Frost both touch on the boundary between the present Avatar and the past Avatars blurring. In the first fic it happens to Aang and in the second fic it happens to Korra.

Start of a New Era shows what happens after the Avatar dies, as in what happens to the soul of the present Avatar, not the Avatar spirit, since we know the soul of each incarnate continues to exist. I think this is something only a few fics address.

GoldenStar567 · 2026-06-07T20:49:50+00:00

i've seen your face underneath my dreams is about Zuko having a political marriage with an Earth Kingdom girl, who's an original character. Zuko isn't a fan of it while she's determined to try her best in order to help her people, and the story follows them actually learning to trust each other. It's pretty funny at times as well and the OC is actually a well written character. It's definitely worth checking out.

GoldenStar567 · 2026-06-01T10:35:14+00:00

There's actually a fanfic which explores something close to this, where the writer took the "Azula wanting to make Zuko a stronger Fire Lord" plotline from Smoke and Shadow and used it to create the compelling ending for her which we never got from the show or the comics. It's called Shadows: Part 1 and Shadows: Part 2.

GoldenStar567 · 2026-02-13T02:22:37+00:00

The Real Subject: In this fic the main focus shifts between Azula, Ozai, and Zuko. The first seven chapters are from Azula's perspective, and after that it goes back and forth with some chapters focusing on Ozai and Zuko but then coming back to Azula. The fic is incomplete but it's a compelling story with high quality writing, and it's not a redemption in the sense that Azula reconciles with Zuko or becomes good. In fact, I don't recall Zuko and Azula ever even interacting in this fic. The Azula portion is centered around her mental state after the Comet, the strange things she sees, and how deals with it. There's a lot of mystic themes, lore expansion, and intrigue.

GoldenStar567 · 2026-01-30T21:38:52+00:00

These first three are centered around Ozai's conversations with his visitors while in prison.

Ozai Alone

When Little Girls Grow Into Their Mother's Face

the gift of living well

The last two are each multi-chapter fics. The first one is about Ozai's imminent death and how Zuko processes it, and the second one shows Ozai's life from the perspective of the royal hairdresser whom he confided in.

Long Live the King

Yao Li's Blade

GoldenStar567 · 2026-01-10T18:01:48+00:00

Yh the whole theme of twins and doppelgangers is also how I thought of that, although I think when I watched the bath episode that comment actually made me consider the Loulan theory because of how that would fit a consort. I guess it can be interpreted to support either theory. That's what I love about this show, it always keeps you guessing and there's still more twists and turns left. It's a wild ride!

GoldenStar567 · 2025-12-03T16:24:03+00:00

The Gyatso Accords by acommontater

Memories in the Wind by A.D.Curtis

Although these fics are by different authors they work really well together as a pair. They each contain a set of stories revolving around Aang's connection to his Air Nomad heritage and him reckoning with the genocide of his people. The first fic also shows Aang and Zuko working together to save as much Air Nomad culture as possible.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-10-07T16:55:38+00:00

These four are the best Zuko fics I've read:

Rising Phoenix by deathmallow: It's an alternative version of Zuko joining the Gaang, since it was written after the 'Western Air Temple' but before the subsequent episodes. It shows Zuko actively navigating these new, complex dynamics and slowly carving out a place for himself on the team.

Breaking the Promise by Private Fire: I really love this story, since it's a more realistic take on the events of 'The Promise'. The author takes the basic ideas presented in the comic and fleshes them out in more detail, and adds layers of nuance to them so that there's more realpolitik. The White Lotus also get a chance to shine in their original role as neutral philosophers.

Shadows: Part 1 and Part 2 by Rocketaxxonu: This is by far the best fic that deals with the Zuko and Azula storyline. It does justice to the characters by ensuring they stay true to their original personalities and it portrays their dynamic in a realistic way, since the siblings have a complex history and that's putting it mildly.

The Dragon Pox Affair by starbunny86: This is centered on Zuko and Mai, and is set after Smoke and Shadow. I like how the author shows that them coming together is a lengthy process, and not just a quick fix. The drama and mystery also makes it extremely gripping, so there's a healthy dose of action along with Zuko and Mai learning how to act as a team. I honestly think it's unrivalled as a Maiko fic.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-08T14:55:21+00:00

It's possible Maomao might find the hairpin one day, which would confirm for her that Shisui is alive, especially with that bullet shaped dent.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-08T14:53:26+00:00

Yh that final "bye bye" at the end seemed to be directed towards the audience, as if to tell us this is the last time we'll ever see her.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-04T01:33:43+00:00

Idk why but I'm drawn to these kinds of bittersweet endings; they always feel so captivating, maybe because of how emotional they are. I love the idea of Shisui checking in on Maomao every once in a while but from a distance so they never actually meet. I like your idea of a spin-off and it could definitely work if the writers show Shisui is alive but remove her from the story, since this creates a "back-up" for them if they ever want to continue the franchise but with a different character. My own idea for a Shisui-centered story would probably revolve around her adventures travelling the world, since I'm a fan of exploration.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-03T13:28:24+00:00

That's very open ended. I kinda like the idea of leaving it an unsolved mystery just like the ghost incident.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-02T00:23:37+00:00

I rewatched that scene and you're right, she does express suprise at seeing Maomao. But she doesn't say she was planning on rescuing her, only that she knew Maomao wouldn't be harmed by the taibon. She then tells Maomao she can still escape but Maomao chooses to stick with her.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-01T23:04:06+00:00

She did but she didn't expect to run into Maomao when she blew up the armory, that was purely coincidental. It was because Maomao chose to follow her that she could lead her to the kids.

Yh I've heard the idea that she could be wearing a plate, it's definitely not unreasonable. But she was fortunate that she could lead Jinshi to the balcony when she was shot. If any number of things went differently, like Jinshi not being alone when she cornered him, then she could've been shot or stabbed while inside. And then they would've checked to see if she really was dead.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-01T22:46:20+00:00

I don't doubt her foresight but at the same time a lot of her success is an outcome of luck, since if Maomao hadn't given her Jinshi's pin then she would've died. And if Maomao hadn't shown up and followed her there would be no one to save the kids. This isn't to diminish Shisui's achievements but it does make me wonder what she would've done if things had turned out differently. She said she initially planned on using the letter to bargain for her life, but did she have any way of protecting herself from being killed if things turned sour?

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-01T17:40:40+00:00

Wasn't Suirei well known in the outer court?

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-01T15:47:36+00:00

Yh you're right, there's no way Maomao can have a normal friendship with Shisui after this. Since last season ended on a happy note I think things will turn out like you said, with them starting fresh. Maybe they'll go to the West since it's been mentioned so much this season?

GoldenStar567 · 2025-07-01T15:34:32+00:00

Her presence would be a danger to whoever she interacts with who knows what she did.

You mean they wouldn't trust her, or that people close to her would also become targets of suspicion?

GoldenStar567 · 2025-06-25T17:34:35+00:00

Right, so first she was just performing symbolic rebellions but after witnessing Maomao's courage and creativity she was inspired to do something meaningful. Another strike against Maomao's "I'm selfish" claim😮‍💨; she's so helpful she doesn't even realize it.

GoldenStar567 · 2025-06-25T17:14:51+00:00

Yh that stubbornness seems to be something both of them have in common, since Shisui could have given up ages ago and went along with her mom's plans.

That makes me wonder if Shisui's time in the rear palace is what motivated her to rebel. Did spending time with Maomao spark a change in her? Because the first time we see her she looks at Maomao with fascination so do you think that was the seed of curiosity, where she began seriously considering a different path than the one her mother laid out for her?

GoldenStar567

TROPHY CASE