Some of my ideas for an Atla Re write (Part 1)
First, I would make the story take place over a course of 3 years, unlike the original story. Like, Book 1: 97-98AG, Book 2: 98-99AG, Book 3: 99-100AG. I like the idea that when the story starts the characters are not just kids physically but also mentally and rightfully so and by the time the story ends, they are adults or soon to be adults mentally and physically. That realization at the end of the story, at the end of their journey that it's been years since they started their fight and how time flies and that bittersweet feeling that they can't go back to being just kids. That the war also takes your years of being a kid, especially when you are actively fighting in it, either for it or against it.Katara: Book 1- 14, Book 3- 17Sokka: Book 1- 15, Book 3- 18Aang: Book 1- 12, Book 3- 15Suki: Book 1- 15, Book 3- 18 (Yes, Suki is more involved in my version but from Book 2 onwards)Zuko: Book 1- 16, Book 3- 19Toph: Book 1- 12, Book 3- 15 (In my version she is also introduced in Book 2. I just wanted to put a point about her age even though she won't be in Book 1)
Changing the 41st Division story. I haven't watched NATLA, but I think the one thing that we all can agree on is that NATLA changing the story about the 41st Division and making them be Zuko's crew was fantastic. That entire scene when Lieutenant Jee finds out that Zuko sacrificed himself for them and never held it against them even though they talked bad behind his back and come to genuinely respect him is just so good 😭😭. The way they all salute him and give him the proper respect is just something. This is one thing that NATLA did better than the original and Bryke were the ones to make this change and it was actually good. The one problem I have is that if I were to make a fanfic how would I write this scene while still keeping the episodes "The Storm" and "The Blue Spirit". In NATLA, the Iroh tells the crew when Zuko is away and which is why when Zuko comes back from a dangerous mission, it really hits your feelings seeing the crew salute him and finally thinking of him as one of their own. I guess I could combine both the episodes.
Another change I want to make is also a good one made by NATLA. It's regarding the Southern Water Tribe, or more specifically Wolf Cove. Now in the original cartoon, we are shown in the beginning that the only people left are women and children with all the men out fighting. But NATLA showed a bit more realistic approach, and I like that women and children aren't the only ones there. Old men who obviously can't fight are also in the Wolf Cove, some more kids around Katara and Sokka's age, kids younger than them, some sick or handicapped people too. Basically, in my version these are the people who are in the Wolf Cove while men who are able to fight are out fighting back. This doesn't add much to the story, and it doesn't make a difference, but I still wanted to add this.
Aang's running away is a bit different in my version. In the original version Aang just takes Appa and runs away, but I decided to change things up a little bit. In my version Aang, decides that he will run away and stay away for a little bit longer which is why he packs a bag with some of his stuff or just Air Nomad stuff in general, in his haste he ends up picking some clothes of other Air Nomads who are a few years older than him, like maybe 1 or 2, or 3 years older. He ends up taking some books, like a cookbook with Air Nomad recipes and some relics. Because in Aang's mind, he's scared of this Avatar responsibility, like the 12-year-old boy that he is, he decides to run away for a while. He was planning on coming back but he first wanted to just be free and not think about the fact that he is The Avatar. Due to this, his bag and all the stuff inside are the last remaining surviving stuff of his culture. The last of his personal belongings that are safe and haven't withered away with years. While this is a good thing, the problem comes from the fact that Aang becomes deeply attached to them, and he as an Air Nomad who's a monk should not have material attachment. Yet, he becomes deeply attached to his belongings because if he looses them or if they get destroyed, then what? What is left of his culture, his home that isn't withered away or destroyed with time? Same reason he gets increasingly attached to his friends. Katara and Sokka in Book 1, Toph and Suki in Book 2 and finally Zuko in Book 3. He is not ready to let go of his attachment to them which causes problem for him in season 2 finale when he has to learn how to achieve the Avatar State.
These are some of my ideas that I have for right now. I want to post more so that if I have enough positive feedback, then maybe I can write a fanfic. But please let me know what you think and if you guys have some ideas, please do feel free to share them. If there's enough response, I will upload some more of my ideas.
Thank You 😊
