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Avatar The Last Airbender: North and South

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Lady Aleema, I have come to discuss plans for rescuing Ulic. We must not leave him a prisoner among our enemies.

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Zuko and Azula in "The Beach"

Lately I think a lot about "The Beach" episode [x], especially about this small detail of great teamwork Zuko and Azula have during the game.

Zuko is looking ahead, directly facing their rivals (who had the control of the ball at this moment) but his body is clearly lowered to the ground, left hand most likely touching the ground, legs bent and widely spaced - a clear contrast to Mai standing near and how he stood before on two separate occasions

which is why I think Zuko willingly create an opportunity for Azula, so she could jump higher - something she definitely used to their team’s advantage. If Azula simply jumped on her brother’s back when he wasn’t expecting it or wasn’t ready, he would probably just fall face down from the impact but as the scene shows, he had no such problem nor was angry about it in the following scenes.

During the game sequences there was no dialogue shown between our protagonists, so it is hard to determine if Azula in advance called Zuko to give her a “lift” or Zuko offered on his own, or did they were that much in sync they just acted without thinking. Regardless I like this few seconds long interaction, because for me it implies how they trusted each other despite all the rivalry and bitterness from previous episodes. Like Zuko trusted Azula won’t use that moment to hurt/humiliate him by overuse of force, the same as Azula trusted in Zuko’s strength and that he won’t mess up by losing his balance. It is a small thing but no less sweet to see them working well together when fighting for the same goal - what reminds me a bit their teamwork from the previous season finale.

Interestingly, it was also the second time Zuko assisted Azula in scoring against their rivals while not scoring himself any point on screen. The first time happened almost right at the beggining of the game (second from total five sequences)

while each girl have the solo sequence of winning a point:

Azula's first attack,

later Ty Lee landing on the net

and Mai kicking the ball (and presumably scoring)

while Zuko’s two actions are shared only with his younger sister while there is no sense of competition between the siblings, something contrasting a lot with some previous and later episodes.

Azula is bossy and competitive through most of the episode and her brother lets her be that without a complaint. Azula and Zuko get along pretty well and A) do not argue (with the exception of the campfire scene and then they argue not even for the whole scene itself) and B) don't get on each nerves the way they do in the palace, with Ozai's presence looming in the back of their mind. I absolutely adore this episode, as it humanizes all our Fire Nation characters by showing them as teenagers outside the war zone but also giving us a bit of insight into what Azula and Zuko could be if Ozai didn't pit them against each other. And they could be a great team!

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Herers the grup of my au ( so you have more room to help me)

Tang shen: after not only losing her family and friends but tured into a monster as became a angry bitter person who no longer sees the good in humans

Oroku nagi: a broken man who tried to keep himself from dying every day, still loves shen but now wonder if he should stay away as she blames him for the death of the clan,big brother type

Bi-han: after losing his clan as been trying to see the positive side to his situation,his now free of bining an assisted and his trying to find himself after everything he as been trow, missed his little brother a lot and his friends

I see. An interesting take for characters however I still have no idea what kind of help you expect from me here. And please, don’t get it in the wrong way, but I’m total stranger to the AU you are planning so I don’t feel qualified to give advice on something I’m not familiar with beyond the original source material.

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Nickelodeon Avatar The Last Airbender - The Promise Part 2

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Du you have any head coon about

Tang shen, oroku nagi and hamato yoshi

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I will be honest, I have never liked or disliked Tang Shen, Hamato Yoshi or Oroku Nagi, nor cared much for their conflict in any particular way, besides the fact it is the reason for the majority of TMNT drama with Foot Clan. Though their backstory is not without nuances, with Hamato Yoshi’s rage and being part of an actual clan of fully trained assassins, it is pretty much a general, cliche story of great love threatened by a jealous man rejected by a woman, the kind of story that simply is not my cup of tea.

(Original Oroku Saki though is a totally different matter, as the Shredder’s revenge quest to avenge his murdered brother humanizes his character and adds nice parallels to how Splinter raised his sons, especially in regard to Leonardo.)

So, this is may be less headcanon and more what I would add to the characters in general: Oroku Nagi and Hamato Yoshi weren’t bitter rivals who hated each other's guts, but well working partners in crime. Tang Shen was an undercover kunoichi from rival ninja clan (or even police agent) that infiltrated Foot to steal their secret and/or gain some inner control via seducing high ranking member(s) which is kinda how Oroku Nagi became the target (as I think Oroku family is one of the most influencing part of their clan) while Hamato Yoshi was picked for his great skills. But she truly fell in love with Yoshi while her cover was blown up. So instead of the Nagi going to Shen to demand she love him, he actually discovered she is the enemy and tried to kill her but Yoshi chose his love over the clan and so they needed to flee. While Oroku Saki was trained to find the traitor and avenge Nagi as was done in original comics.

You know, anything more focused on the Foot clan’s inner politics and conflicts and actually giving Tang Shen some agency and motives than just an old boring story of two men fighting over a woman.

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What if Lu Ten wasn't a firebender?

Lu Ten’s death is the turning point in history of Iroh, his relationship with Zuko and Ozai’s rise to power while we barely knows anything about him as a character. Including whether he was firebender or not and I admit, it bugs me a lot, because Lu Ten being a non-bender could add a lot to the conflict between brothers but also explain Iroh’s fondness for his nephew.

We know that as a son of Iroh, Lu Ten was the second-in-line to the throne and that he fought at war in Ba Sing Sai. His death broke Iroh and saddened Ursa and little Zuko, however Azulon himself never said anything suggesting he loved his grandson (and heir) in any special way. When Ozai asked to be named the Crown Prince, Azulon only talked about Iroh - his first-born (beloved) son and Iroh’s pain, never saying how he personally, if ever, was affected by Lu Ten’s death.

Azulon: Say what it is you want! Ozai: Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me. Azulon: You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born? Directly after the demise of his only beloved son? I think Iroh has suffered enough! But you ... your punishment has scarcely begun!

What Ozai did was not only foolish for pragmatic reasons - especially if Azulon always favored Iroh, but also very tactless, showing how little he cared for Lu Ten, his nephew or Iroh, his older brother. Through Zuko’s memories we could see that Azula already thought their “dad would make a much better Fire Lord than His Royal Tea-Loving Kookiness [Zuko Alone]”. Considering how Ursa and Zuko are fond of Iroh and Lu Ten, it is logical to think Azula’s opinion is rooted in Ozai’s ambitions and disdain for Iroh.

Additionally, Avatar: The Last Airbender - The Search comics provided us some insight into Zuko’s childhood: Ozai wanted to get rid of his son because he thought the baby “lacked a spark” and having a non-bender for a first born was embarrassing for Prince of Fire Nation.

When you were born, we weren't sure if you were bender at all. You didn't have that spark in your eyes. I planned to cast you from the palace. How embrassing for a prince of the Fire Nation to have a nonbender as his firstborn! [The Search, part II]

As the story explained, Ozai on purpose emotionally abused and humiliated Zuko, as a revenge against Ursa, so we should ask if what he said was a widely accepted truth or just him taking another chance to make his son (and wife)’s life a living hell. However if Ozai’s words are true, then if Lu Ten was born as non-bender he would be considered an embarrassment to Iroh’s bloodline. Yet since Azulon accepted him as his grandson and thus put in line of succession, especially if Azulon did it solely out for love for his firstborn, then it makes sense for Ozai to resent Iroh (the favored son) and Lu Ten (the non-bender nephew Ozai would be forced to serve in future).

Interestingly, child Azula provided another detail to ponder more about the idea of non-bender Lu Ten:

Young Azula: If Uncle doesn't make it back from war, then Dad will be next in line for Fire Lord, wouldn't he? Ursa: Azula, we don't speak that way. It would be awful if Uncle Iroh didn't return. And besides, Fire Lord Azulon is a picture of health. Young Zuko: How would you like it if cousin Lu Ten wanted Dad to die? Young Azula: I still think our dad would make a much better Fire Lord than His Royal Tea-Loving Kookiness.

If Iroh didn’t make it back from war, logically thinking the title of next Fire Lord should be bestowed on his son. However Azula wholly ignored her cousin’s existence and this scene took place before news of Lu Ten’s death. Surprisingly, Ursa does not correct Azula about the line of succession and like her daughter, she omits Lu Ten. Understandably, Ursa was taken aback by such a question, but still no one from the Royal Family presented here seems to consider Iroh’s son to be next in line.  

Zuko is literally the only one person who remembers about Lu Ten’s existence but like the rest of his family, not in the context of the succession line. Which I admit, confuse me a lot, because in the same episode Ozai specifically ask for Iroh’s birthright arguing his older brother lost his heir, while Ozai’s children are alive (and Azula presented as amazing firebender at such young age).

Ozai: Father, you must have realized as I have, that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended. After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege at Ba Sing Se, and who knows when he will return home. But I am here, Father, and my children are alive. 

To my knowledge, here is little solid data about Lu Ten but… if Lu Ten was born as non-bender - the shame to Royal Family - but was still put by Azulon before Ozai in the line of succession, it adds a lot to Ozai’s frustration and resentment for Iroh, the clearly favored son, and fuels the competition between brothers for Azulon’s favor. To the point Ozai will push hard his own children to their limits and beyond, because of the need to prove his heirs are better than Iroh’s. And with Azula, the second child being the prodigy firebender, while Iroh’s own can’t bend a fire for sure comes a great deal of satisfaction and most likely Ozai’s arrogance rubbed on little Azula toward her cousin. Which could meant Ozai didn’t pit his own kids against each other, but also pit Azula against Lu Ten.

On the other hand, Zuko and Lu Ten were implied to have a good relationship. We saw Iroh, baby Zuko and little Lu Ten playing together on the beach or that Zuko was genuinely sad about his cousin’s death and fact Iroh lost his only kid. We also know Zuko struggled a lot with firebending and father’s high exceptions (though we have no idea how good a firebender he was compared to other children his age. We only know he was bad compared to firebending prodigal Azula). If Lu Ten was the “embarrassment” for being non-bender and Zuko the “failure” compared to younger sister, their bond could be based on similar hardship they were forced to endure. Beside Iroh, from all family members, within the context of presented flashbacks and little bits here and there, Zuko seemed to have the closest relationship with his older cousin. The moment Lu Ten is dead, Ozai is already trying to get the throne.  Azula barely cared for Lu Ten and mocked Iroh for being broken by son’s death (no doubt Ozai’s influences). Ursa was upset about the news of Lu Ten’s death, but she barely mentions him beside that one moment. Azulon has never openly said he is upset by his grandson's death or that it is a great loss to Fire Nation - he only cared for Iroh’s pain. 

So if Zuko and Lu Ten (non-bender) had any resemblance of normal family relationship, I think it would naturally make Iroh like the boy despite the bitter brotherhood with Ozai, especially if his nephew did not look down on Lu Ten’s lack of firebending. What most likely would just add another reason for Ozai to resent Zuko (and maybe for Iroh to not be fond his niece?)

Which is why I like the idea of Lu Ten being non-bender - it mess even more already messed up Royal Family relationship. 

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Whenever the Lin Kuei go out on a mission, they probably use fake names that they draw out of a hat to avoid suspicion.

Bi-Han crossing fingers: Please don't be a awful name, please for the love of the gods-And it's Blake. Bland but it would be worse.

Cyrax: I got Conner. Not bad.

Kuai: I got Kandance...I don't know how to feel about this.

Sektor: For some reason, I got Simon. It just doesn't fit me.

Smoke cringing: I got Willow. It sucks. Can I pick another one?

Sektor: We don't have time for it.

Smoke groans.

Ha! But what if those dorks actually make up the weirdest name or pick the most difficult to say to mess up with people? I bet Tomas could pick Polish name like Grzegorz Brzęczyszczykiewicz just to be the pain in the ass while Kuai Liang and Bi-Han go with all the most unique variants of Ice or Cold in any possible language - or in case of Bi-Han, calling himself Shang Tsung just to irks one sorcerer if he is in mood to annoy him XD. Cyrax joins for the lulz, while Sektor is the only one trying to be not suspicious at all (and somehow always drawing the most attention because his life can’t be easy for once, not with those crazy bastards around 🤣)

But then again, Bi-Han may not bother at all; with the Mythologies: Sub-Zero's storyline, it seems he is destined for quick type of missions, as in get in, kill and/or steal and get out so I guess, one way or another, not many people will be left alive to tell his real name…

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O.k. bi-han( in Mike tmnt) is afraid after finding out he is not only going to die but his little brother is going to be the next sub-zro ( because it is a dangerous name to have)

Oh I see. That is an understandable fear to have, though if Bi-Han knows how he is supposed to die, he may try to change the fate and save brother from taking the dangerous mantle.

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It's the Jedi that keep my brothers enslaved. We do your bidding. We serve at your whim. I just wanted something more.

Sergeant Slick

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o.k. I'm not sure if this is a good Ida for an au, so bi-han,oroku nagi and tang she n are the only surviving member of ther clans who were killed and decroyed by the drogen lord and turned them into Der universe version of the turtles and whit the help of a little boy Billy le ( oc) they tried to find a way to live Der life

So what du you think and give me help me please

Generally I think any AU idea is good to explore and have fun with because this is the purpose of fan work. If you feel like working on it, then go on! Though I’m afraid I can’t help you much, as I do not know what kind of genre your story is supposed to be (romance, crack, dark and angsty or something totally else?) nor what exactly you want to do with those particular characters nor which universe/timeline the characters comes from, as both TMNT and MK have many version of those characters.

Sorry to not be much help here, but is hard to give an advice when I don’t have an idea what you are aiming 🙁

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Avatar The Last Airbender: North and South

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I like the idea Smoke plays pranks on others on occasion for the lolz.

Kuai: Smoke, why are you so happy?

Smoke: Can't I just be happy for no reason?

Sektor screaming: AAAAAHHHHH! THERES FUCKING SYRUP IN THE SHAMPOO! AAAAAAAHHHHH!

…are you saying this is a reason why Cyber Sektor went after Tomas in MK9, instead after Kuai Liang? All because of personal vendetta for all the pranks? Well, in that case, can’t blame Sektor if he was the usual target for Smoke’s pranks 😂

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I read several of your and not only your analyzes of mortal kombat characters (you did a very good job, btw, thank you for that!) and noticed that no one, as far as I know, mentioned this dialogue between Bi-Han and Liu Kang. maybe you know about it and just didn’t think it was necessary to mention, but I only recently saw this and I was very interested in the fact that Bi-Han essentially said that he was ready for peace if the Lin Kuei were left alone👀. And the sins that Liu Kang talks about are also interesting: does he mean only Bi-Han or inclusive of his ancestors? 🤔I don’t know if you expressed an opinion about this, but if anything I’m interested in hearing

Just in case the pictures won’t show or text may be hard to read from, below the full intro dialogue:

Sub-Zero: You want peace? Let us be. Liu Kang: The Lin Kuei's sins aren't easily forgiven.

Hello there and thank you very much, I appreciate your kind words about my analyzes. 

I did mention this intro dialogue (though not as a quote) in my reply to discussion about Bi-Han’s interest or lack of thereof in weaponizing Tarkat illness, as an example that though Sub-Zero believes the ends justifies means, he is still not against a truce, be it with Mileena or Liu Kang, if it benefits him and Lin Kuei. 

I really like this intro dialogue, because it shows us Bi-Han as a more capable leader that people give him credit for and it does support the sources that his rebellion against Liu Kang is something more than big ambition of just a power-hungry man. For one, we have the theme of freedom and enslavement in his interaction with other characters and though POWER is A) Sub-Zero’s official character theme and B) has often negative connection, Earthrealm’s safety heavily relies on its champion’s might. As in, a show of power is what keeps Outworld in check for centuries. Bi-Han coming from a clan deeply involved in ensuring Earthrealm’s safety, most likely operates on this logic*: Power is what secures your safety.

Yet despite the anger at Liu Kang and Lin Kuei’s situation, this intro suggests that Bi-Han is capable of putting aside emotions - even his pride - for the clan’s greater good. If there is a chance to peacefully end the conflict in a way it benefits his clan, Sub-Zero will take it and this adds a lot of weight to him as a leader. For example, Mileena is so set into her hatred toward Sub-Zero to the point she won’t consider any truce or alliance that could end the conflict in bloodless way because she blames Bi-Han for her mother’s death. Even if he wasn’t even there when it happened, and as intro dialogues say, he saw Sindel’s death as regrettable, despite her friendship/alliance with Liu Kang (the enemy). Bi-Han in that matter seems more willing to cease conflicts, as long as Lin Kuei’s independence is secured. And as I said, it adds a lot to our understanding of Sub-Zero, who, logically thinking, was trained since childhood to take over Lin Kuei. Thus I imagine he was prepared to deal with politics to some degree. Though of course, his father did not think Lin Kuei will ever break up with Earthrealm & Fire God.

Understandably Bi-Han’s enemies have all right to refuse any truce he offered due to Lin Kuei action, especially when he is the one setting the conditions. I assume Liu Kang’s words “The Lin Kuei's sins aren't easily forgiven” refers to Bi-Han’s choices made during storyline (allying with Shang Tsung, Quan Chi and General Shao, not aiding Earthrealm against Titan Shang Tsung) and post-MK1 (suggested by intros & characters endings: attacks on Tarkat people, hunting down his brothers, being in general problem in Outworld). Since Lin Kuei supported Sub-Zero, it makes sense Liu Kang keeps them as much responsible for the mess as their leader and is not willing to just "let them be" as they are at this moment.

[*]This is a topic I’m planning to talk more about in the upcoming part of “Bi-Han & Kuai Liang. Good brother? Evil brother? Nah, just different reactions to trauma”.