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Hi there! I’m writing this fanfic because I randomly thought, “I’d love to read a story where Aang and Zuko are actually brothers by blood,” but couldn’t find one anywhere (or maybe I just wasn’t great at searching). So, I decided to create my own version of the story.
My plan is to cover all three books, and at the time I’m posting this prologue, I’m already more than halfway through Book 1.
While I’m doing my best to keep the characters true to their canon selves, you’ll notice some striking differences—especially with their emotions and relationships. For example:
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Aang is more emotional and childlike than canon. In the original, I always found his chill, almost detached attitude a bit strange—considering he wakes up after a hundred years, finds his entire nation wiped out, and is expected to save the world. Here, he reacts with the natural confusion and feelings of a ten-year-old caught in impossible circumstances.
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Zuko isn’t the angsty teenager from season 1. Instead, he’s more mature and responsible, shaped by his time at the Southern Air Temple and the heavy burden of looking after his younger brother, who just so happened to also be the Avatar.
Here are the main differences from canon:
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There was no 100-year war. Instead, the war starts when Aang is 10 (in the fic’s prologue).
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Ages at story start: Aang – 10, Zuko – 15, Sokka – 15, Katara – 14.
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Aang’s parents are an Airbender named Tashi and Firebender Ursa—making Aang and Zuko half-brothers.
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Avatar Roku lived to an old age and died when Zuko was 3, nearly 4.
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After Roku’s death, Ursa was left vulnerable in the Fire Palace and fled when threatened.
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When Zuko is almost 14, he attends a council meeting thinking it’s political but discovers it’s about war. Speaking out against it results in his Agni Kai, exile, and banishment—same as canon.
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Instead of chasing the Avatar by sea, Uncle Iroh takes Zuko to the Southern Air Temple, where his mother (who he believed dead for 10 years) actually lives.
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Zuko discovers his mother left him and Azula behind and has a new child—Aang.
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The Fire Nation attacks the Air Temple, forcing Zuko and Aang to flee, along with many other Air Nomads.
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The attacks leave Zuko heavily overprotective and paranoid, feeling responsible for taking care of Aang.
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The Water Tribes are attacked after the Air Temples—South Pole falls and is destroyed, while the North Pole resists (as in canon).
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The main story begins with Aang and Zuko traveling to the South Pole, where they meet Sokka and Katara.
I hope you enjoy this new take on their journey!