Zutara, Taang, Sukka, Pride&Prejudice

Hello, I'm Lizzie Black and if you want to post hateful comments in here. than search for another blog, don't mess with me. Open for fanart and fanfic requests. Also, I'm writing a book of my own, it's on ao3 and wattpad. I go by the same name everywhere.

[allthingswhumpyandangsty]

reblog if you would never let ai write fanfics for you

[elizzieblack]

what is your opinion on characters who want to be seen as

But are really more like

?

I need answers for this question and some examples

[elizzieblack]

Fanart update!!!

Been working on this ship remake template for the last few days. Enjoy!

Art 1:

base sketch (notebook doodles)

ship remake template (feel free to use for any ship you ship)

Day 1 progress:

Day 2 progress:

Day 3 progress:

Day 4 final effect:

Art 2:

original sketch:

ship remake template (again, use wherever you like)

Day 1 progress:

Day 2 progress:

Day 3 progress (aka final art):

Been experimenting with Firelord Zuko X Firelady Katara outfits. I'm working on a different FZxFK doodle already, expect to hear from me within the next few days.

[elizzieblack]

Fic update!!!

Finished writing chapter 6 of my non-zutara fic - Crimson Clover.

If you're here only for Zutara, sorry to disappoint you! I need more time for 'The Guru' chapter. Still, I encourage you to take a look!

wattpad(beginning) - the first chapter is a map, just so you're not totally confused where the plotline is happening, I recommend taking a look.

wattpad(chapter 6)

ao3(the very beginning) - This is a link to the first oneshot meant to lock you in the universe. the whole thing is linked into a series so you shouldn't have problems with continuing to the second oneshot and and the actual fic later on, but let me know if there are some issues.

ao3(chapter 6)

I included the map for those of you on ao3 who don't have the opportunity to take a look on wattpad.

Enjoy!

Lizzie

[whattheheehaw]

Ok, so I decided to read some anti-Zutara meta this morning because I’m a masochist. And I came across this very popular meta which debunked the “Zutara = Omashu” theory. My curiosity was piqued immediately because that’s the one Zutara theory that I could defend to my dying breath. 

In the meta, they said that the parallel between Zutara and Omashu doesn’t work because the red/blue symbolism suggests that Zuko is Oma and Katara is Shu. Since Katara never “dies” and Zuko never displays his bending in a powerful fit of rage, the parallel falls short. They also said that the red/blue symbolism doesn’t work because Oma wore yellow and grey in addition to red. And then they went on to say that Omashu parallels Kataang because in “Crossroads of Destiny” Aang died and Katara wiped the floor with her waterbending before getting out of the catacombs. I could understand the point they were trying to make, but I have to disagree. 

Let’s talk about the color symbolism for a hot second. Oma wore red, Zuko wore red. Shu wore blue, Katara wore blue. When Oma and Shu met and fell in love, they were in a place that was untouched by war. At that moment, Oma wore yellow and Shu wore blue. When Zuko and Katara met and created a connection with each other, they were in the Crystal Catacombs of Ba Sing Se, a city whose motto is “There is no war in Ba Sing Se”. Conveniently, Zuko wore yellow and Katara wore blue in that scene. The place where Oma and Shu would hold their clandestine meetings was filled with glowing blue/green crystals. The Crystal Catacombs where Zuko and Katara truly saw each other for the first time was filled with glowing green crystals.

Colors are important, especially in animation. It was a conscious decision to make Oma and Shu wear those colors, especially since those colors weren’t previously connected to the Earth Kingdom/earthbending. It was also a conscious decision to make Zuko and Katara wear those colors AND make the Crystal Catacombs look similar to the Cave of Two Lovers. “But what about the grey outfit that Oma wore?” you ask. Put a pin in that thought.

Personally, I always thought of Zuko and Katara as reincarnations of Oma and Shu, respectively. In my mind, it makes sense why Katara wouldn’t die in this reincarnation. To my knowledge, every time Katara appears to be in serious danger and Zuko’s around, he saves her. Note: I’m only including the times when it seems like Katara is too shocked to do anything. My girl can save herself plenty of times, but sometimes she needs a little help.

Exhibit A:

Exhibit B:

If Zuko and Katara are reincarnated Oma and Shu, it makes sense why Zuko is so protective of Katara. In another life, Oma was helpless to do anything while Shu got killed in the war. In this life? Oma (Zuko) has the ability to be there for Shu (Katara). Oma doesn’t want to watch Shu die again. Zuko jumping in front of that lightning bolt to save Katara was Oma’s way of saying, “Hell no I’m not going to let my soulmate die. It was painful enough the first time. And this time, I can actually do something about it.” In this life, Oma and Shu are standing together underneath a red sky instead of Oma being left to grieve Shu’s death underneath a red sky. And Oma’s grey outfit? It’s a traditional mourning robe. Zuko doesn’t need to wear one because Katara didn’t die. 

However, this divergence from the narrative doesn’t do much in the end. Much like Oma and Shu, Zuko and Katara don’t end up together. This reincarnation was just another variation on a theme. 

[elizzieblack]

I just found this on Zutara nation and since I have a series of posts directed at debunking weird and dumb anti-zutara arguments, consider this part 4.

[elizzieblack]

i just found this in my room (yes, that's my work) and thought: maybe someone will like random fire-water koi fish doodles on minicanvas.

[elizzieblack]

Lebensweisheiten lustig | Tumblr sprüche, Psychologie lernen

Entdecke (und sammle) deine eigenen Pins bei Pinterest.

i just found this on Pinterest and thought I should repost it somewhere (don't worry, the actual pin is in English)

[elizzieblack]

Zutara rebuttals to irrelevant/irritating Kataang arguments I hear much too often part 3

Guys I just saw this article and read through the entire thing.

https://screenrant.com/avatar-last-airbender-katara-aang-not-zuko-relationship/

This is a piece of crap, I'm pretty sure all of the arguments here were thoroughly debunked before but I just HAVE to address them because I can't stand by and watch them twist things into something they're not.

Because MAN does this author even know what what talking about???

"They were enemies in season 1"

Bro. Exactly. Season 1. What does this have to do with them ending up together in season 3?

Like, seriously you kataangers got to stop using that argument. Being enemies at the beginning is literally the point of enemies to lovers arcs. Arguing that they shouldn't be together because it(meaning: being together) fits their arc is like arguing you should give a child a knife because it might hurt itself.

Then again, while I do understand why people say Kataro hated Zuko (she very much did in season 1), I have to point out that Zuko's feelings about Katara aren't exactly straightforward. While there might be annoyance at the fact that she prevents him from getting his honor aka the avatar, there are little things that suggest he didn't hate her. For example the fact that he puts his hand on her back to prevent her from sliding form the searshu.

Or the fact that when he catches her in 'The Waterbending Scroll' he doesn't torture her like Zhao or 90% of respective Fire Nation generals would, he just ties her up to a tree and tries to bribe her. For the record, I'm not saying Kataro should have ended up with him because he didn't torture her when he had the chance to. I'm pointing out this shows respect.

A respect I'd argue is mutual, because Katara, for all the hatred we see, never disrespects him. I have to point out that Katara doesn't hate Zuko as an individual so much as what he represents (canonically confirmed in the crystal catacombs). Example: you never see Katara calling him names or flexing the fact that she and Sokka and Aang escaped like e.g. Sokka sometimes does. The hatred is there, but so is respect.

Here, I have to point out that the author downplays Zutara to 'just friends bonding over shared trauma' which has been addressed so many times I won't even bother doing it again.

Zuko and Katara’s relationship may have been too toxic to evolve into a healthy romantic relationship, especially given the fact that Avatar: The Last Airbender’s target audience when it aired on Nickelodeon was for children age 9 to 14.

Excuse me? Toxic? Zuko and Katara? How? I already addressed 'The Waterbending Scroll' drama, I won't do that again, as well as the whole 'they were enemies' rant.

Also, excuse me, the crystal catacombs betrayal is crucial to both Zuko and Katara's individual arcs as well as their joined arc. The fact that Zuko was mature enough to apologize for it and ask for forgiveness without forcing anything and that Katara was able to truly, thoroughly forgive him that is the reason why people ship them and shows true maturity. Canon Zutara validation would be the ultimate true forgiveness force power which isn't toxic at all unlike Katara 'forgiving' Aang for something that is literally a textbook case of sexual harassment/assault (you guessed it right, the ember island players kiss) which is literally toxic masculinity validation.

I get why people say their bond in seasons one and two first half of season 3 is based on mutual respect and understanding, but Bryke thoroughly messed this up in the second half when they made Aang go from a smitten teen to an insecure asshole and abuser. Like damn, he forced two kisses! One of them crossed boundaries Katara set literally a few second earlier and met with a definitely negative response, the other one was so uncomfortable for Katara and the face she made after suggests she wasn't into it even then. I don't even know how to start with why Kataang isn't a relationship based on respect.

About them encouraging each other to work on their waterbending techniques, I have to point out Katara was the one encouraging Aang to work on it 90% of the time. And this does not equal a romantic relationship. I don't get why the author used that argument.

About Aang 'giving up his training with Master Pakku', how is that a sign of respect towards Katara? Like, she was pissed at Pakku' for being sexist. And that comment Aang made before the duel?

Aang: You don't need to do this, I can find another teacher.

Like bro thinks the world revolves around him, that's main character syndrome which is also what ruined this ship for me.

About the Kataang 'good line of communication', I already said this has been so thoroughly destroyed in second half of season 3 that it is literally an argument why Katara and Aang are better off as friends. Their communication works when Aang stays friendzoned.

Katara and Zuko’s friendship allowed them to grow as people in a way that couldn’t have been achieved had they become a couple

Impressive. This argument is literally the opposite of what would have happened. Like yes, their friendship allowed them to grow as people. And no, a romantic relationship wouldn't have stopped that process. It would have sped it up and made it even more efficient.

The 'friendly' life saving jump in fron of Azula's lightning was such blatant ship baiting that you have to be literally blind not to notice that. The familial love goal would have been achieved with Sokka becoming practically a brother to him and do I have to mention the sibling dynamic between Zuko and Toph?

The regaining of Zukos honor would have been even more emphasized if Zukos jumped in front of a lightning to save the love of his life because the old Zuko would have let Katara take the lightning and use that moment to beat Azula instead. The fact that he chose to save Katara and trust that she'll have it in her to beat his psychotic sister despite knowing she might fail says everything about his honor and moral compass that we need to know.

Katara's kind and nurturing nature makes her the perfect person for Zuko because she'd love him with all her heart and help him through rough times instead of giving vague statements like Mai did. And Zuko, for all his flaws would do the same thing for Katara which would be the ultimate validation of his redemption arc.

Also, I find it weird how the author said they both grow as people without pointing out Katara's growth. Maybe that's because she grows as a person in 'The Southern Raiders' and that episode alone contains so much pro-Zutara and anti-Kataang ammunition that this episode alone would overthrow every single argument made in this article LOL.

[desertbcrnnobody]

What's so special about Zuko and Katara in the Crossroads of Destiny episode is the fact that both of them have reached a breaking point in their current lives.

Katara is no longer an anonymous waterbender but a master waterbender and is becoming more active in the war efforts.

Zuko is no longer a banished prince but a fugitive of his own country.

Both of them no longer have their usual defense around them when they are in prison together in the catacombs.

They are both torn away from everyone they can hide behind.

Zuko doesn't have Uncle.

Katara doesn't have her brother, Toph and Aang.

So they are both at their breaking point and rather than attack each other or hurt each other, they try to understand each other and why and how this war has both impacted them.

After all this time, it's just a really tender and vulnerable moment for both of them, and they were both able to see that they were both teenagers forced to grow up too fast.

[desertbcrnnobody]

A couple scenes from Kpop demon hunters reminded me of Zutara.

Especially the catacombs scene and how close Katara was to emotionally breaking down.

She was literally about to go into a panic attack in front of Zuko, and he helped her get through it instead of attack her.

Watching this scene as a kid, I didn't know the signs, but as an adult, I could see them.

Katara was hugging herself, the slight shaking, and trying not to cry.

She's alone.

Everyone is gone.

At that moment, it's just her by herself in this situation.

It's just her at one of her most vulnerable moments, and Zuko chose to help her instead of making it worse.

I don't think anyone really realizes how much that can impact a person.

Kpop demon hunters reminded me of this.

That's why Katara had a very hard time with letting herself be seen like that again around him.

That's why her walls were up so high for so long.

That's why Zuko fought so hard to get her trust back. They understand each other. They helped each other, and when the time comes, they'll be there for each other again and again.

[phoebester]

And this concludes Book 4 Ash!

An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works

Special thanks to my close moots @geothewriter @achillmango @mfelewzi @wingchunwaterbender @ap-kinda-lit @brca86 @piece-of-mind @starartist @umweiss @ly02170 @broadwaybalogna @pineapple-frenzy @arverstaegnar @anretoga @nocturnalmug @fir4-raraaamm @averybrowngirlnerd @jana-137 who have given me encouragement with their quiet support (reblogging my takes), kind words, creations, and stayed with my cray.

And to @elizzieblack who’s become my spot checker and future beta editor 🤗 looking forward to working with you on Torn Between Two Worlds.

Since this fic is done, I’m gonna be sharing the heck out of it. Its summer in the Western Hemisphere, so plenty of youngins may be interested.

If you’re new to my fics, check out my Masterlist. 👈🏽Click link

Be well.

Sincerely,

Phoebe

Btw, my id is pronounced ‘fibster.’

[elizzieblack]

All the zutara fanart I've ever created from scratch.

Enjoy

[elizzieblack]

You know, I just had a deep dive into what Zutara existence vs. Maiko canonicity actually means. I mean we all know that Zutara was/is a thing, right? And I personally believe that if Zuko hadn't ended up with Mai, Katara wouldn't have dated Aang. She would have chosen Zuko. So I really want to dive into the psychology of why Zuko actually canonically chose Mai over Katara.

Zutara love confirmation.

We all realize that while there were definitely moments where the dynamic between Zuko and Katara felt like they were in love, there was no outright confirmation (at least not on screen), which is logical given that Bryke wanted to canonize Kataang. The fact that we never see them actually kiss or say 'I love you' or anything similar gives off two friends in love struggling to unfriendzone each other. While there are many, many examples of couples like that making it out, there are also some who don't.

Side thought: Getting out of friendzone is also notably a huge part of the Kataang overall arc, so thanks to (or because of) that, we see both things in the show and we have examples of both splattered all over pop culture.

Anyway, given all the things and thoughts on that particular area, we have one part of a recipe for Zuko making the wrong choice.

I love Zuko more than I fear you.

This is the most iconic quote by Mai in the entire show. She is portrayed as two things: an emo ninja chick with an emotionless attitude and Zuko's girlfriend. As we can see in the first part of season 3, they are definitely together. And while Mai seems ok with the relationship, Zuko is struggling to connect with her which (among others) eventually leads to him breaking up with her and leaving to do what feels right to him. Here, we need to mark that all the time he is away bonding with Team Avatar, Mai is left devastated (canonically confirmed in 'The Boiling Rock'). At the end of this very episode, Mai gets herself into prison for helping Zuko escape it. We also get the iconic quote and while I seriously doubt Zuko ever heard it, he definitely knew that after what she did for him. This situation creates an emotional debt to Mai in Zuko's psychology. He receives confirmation that despite the fact he broke up with her, she still loves him and is willing to sacrifice herself for him. Many men would feel, in a way, guilty about getting closer to another girl while knowing what the first one did for him. Additionally, behaviour like that is often criticised by outsiders in a manner going like 'Why did you abandon a girl who did so much for you?' or stuff like that. This is exactly what happened in Zuko's case. Him choosing Mai over Katara isn't about him loving her better. He essentially got trapped with the feeling that he owed Mai a relationship for all the favours she did for him.

These two combined create a (in my opinion) much clearer picture of why Zuko chose Mai over Katara. He wasn't entirely sure about Katara's feelings and the favour he owed to Mai was weighting on him. If he asked Katara and she dated him, he would have looked like an asshole to all the people who knew about Mai's sacrifice. Him asking Katara and her not agreeing to date him and then him agreeing to date Mai would make her feel like a backup plan. Zuko choosing Mai without talking to Katara was the only way he could save face and return the favour without being an asshole (at least that's the logical conclusion in his mind).

What we can see here is a textbook example of how people get trapped in unhappy relationships (because like, let's all agree, Maiko wasn't a happy relationship). In Zuko's case, we also have Katara trapped in a pretty toxic relationship (comment if you want to know why I think Kataang is toxic).

That's me writing it on a random Wednesday afternoon because I'm bored and weird things start happening in my head.

[elizzieblack]

I find something both charming and depressing about the parallels between Katara and Jin in terms of their relationship with Zuko, you know. I mean on his date with Jin, the moment the waiter referred to Jin as Zuko’s girlfriend, he pounded his fist on the table and yelled “She’s NOT my GIRLFRIEND!”. Then, just a few minutes of the episode later, they kiss. Twice. And then, about one season later, when June (is the name similarity accidental?) rather bluntly suggests Katara is Zuko’s girlfriend, he gets flustered and yells the exact same thing. Moreover, Katara also gets flustered and yells “I’m NOT his GIRLFRIEND!” which… I mean they have LOTS of other parallels so why not that, too? I just wonder when they kissed, because with that kind of ship baiting I refuse to believe they never actually properly made out.

[elizzieblack]

I imagine that at first after Zuko and Katara got together Aang resented both of them for some time. I think he was angry with them for not giving him what he, in his mind, earned and deserved.

But I also think that after a while he started to accept reality and started to be genuinely happy for them. It must have been a real relief for both Zuko and Katara because they both liked Aang as a friend and didn't want to lose him over romantic drama.

I believe that when Aang gave his blessing for them (as the last one, but better late than never) he also learned the lesson that just because he thinks he deserves something doesn't mean he will get it. This taught him to be more adult about what he gets and he learned not to take anything for granted.

The moment he understood that in his heart, he moved on from his childhood crush on Katara. He also observed how Zuko and Katara operate from a place of mutual respect and understanding which gave him a great example of a healthy, sustainable relationship he then proceeded to try replicating in his own life.

I imagine he dated a few girl he met during his travels to check if maybe they were the ones. But Meng, who stayed single, was more in love with the idea that he is the guy from the prophecy and Onji from the Fire Nation didn't like him as much without his hair.

Toph watched Aang change from a whiny needy kid into this more mature version of him. She always had a thing for him, but since he was always hung up on Sugar Queen she never made her move. When they met again after Aang came back from his journey of self-discovery, she caught him alone on a balcony and they ended up talking for hours. The conversation was easy and they understood each other in this easy, natural way Aang observed in Zuko and Katara's relationship. It didn't take long for them to start dating officially.

Fast forward to their wedding, Katara and Zuko already married and expecting their first child. During the reception, Toph gave a speech about how she watched Aang change over the years and about how she loved each version of him.

Aang surprised everyone with a speech where he thanked Katara for choosing Zuko instead of him. 'I used to resent you for that.' he said. 'I thought that because I defeated Ozai I was entitled to a prize, and by a prize I mean you. By choosing Zuko you taught me that I should never treat a person like something to be won by heroic actions, gave yourself the loving and understanding partner you deserve, gave him the very same thing he also deserves and showed me what a healthy, sustainable relationship looks like which made me good enough for my lovely bride.' he winked at Toph who smiled, listening to his speech. 'Thank you so much for not choosing me, Katara. We are much better off as friends.'

Katara got all emotional and Zuko hugged her from behind. 'You're making my wife cry, Aang.' he said, jokingly serious. Katara sobbed, a proud smile on her face. 'My baby grew up so fast!' she said, sniffling. 'This is the best speech you've ever given, Aang.'

[elizzieblack]

hi do you post on ao3 maybe? im new to tumblr so im still unfamiliar with everything

I have one totally mine fic belonging to no fandom that I'm developing. Why?

[elizzieblack]

10 posts!

[elizzieblack]

Katara walked out on the balcony to see Aang. He looked so relaxed. She was happy that all the have-to-end-a-war pressure was gone.

She wlked up to him and hugged him. He hugged her back, holding on tight.

'I've been doing some serious thinking during my journey of self-discovery.' He said. 'About myself and about my feelings.'

She slowly untangled herself from the hug and looked at him cautiously.

'What do you mean?'

'I realized that I never really saw you for you. I was smitten with a perfected version of you I had created in my head.' He blushed, a bit embarrassed. 'I also realized that I took you for granted.'

'...and?'

'I think you were right to be mad at me. Every time.' He sighed. 'I can't be smitten with the real you. You're my family, kind of like Sokka.'

She laughed, relieved. 'I'm glad we have that cleared out. Can we be friends?'

'Always!' he said eagerly. 'But you'll forgive me that I'm with Toph, right?' (sorry, I ship Taang for those of you who didn't figure it out. If you don't agree, just paste in the name of the person you ship Aang with)

'Yes, of course. You deserve to be happy with someone who cherishes you.'

They hugged again.

'Hey guys?!' Sokka's shouting came from the balcony door. 'Have you seen Zuko?'

Aang and Katara glanced at each other with confusion.

'He left a while ago and he's not back yet.' Suki explained.

Team Avatar, Iroh, Mai and Ty Lee scattered to search for him. Katara almost came inside when she got a nagging feeling where she could find him.

She immediately rushed to the entrance of The Jasmine Dragon.

There he was, talking to June of all the people.

'Zuko!' She called out.

He turned around, clearly surprised to see her. 'Katara!' he said. 'Why aren't you upstairs with the others?' he didn't sound like he blamed her, just surprised.

'You disappeared, so obviously we all needed to search for you.' she glanced at June. 'Are you going somewhere?'

He shifted uncomfortably, staring at his feet. 'I need to go back to the Fire Nation. My country and my people need me there.'

'Oh...' she expected an answer like this, but it still kind of hurt. 'I was... I was hoping you'd stay with us for a bit longer.'

'I can't. Sorry.'

They stood in awkward silence for a while.

'Could I... Could we come see you sometime?'

He looked at her with those perfect amber eyes and smiled, her heart skipped a beat. 'I'd love it if you could come visit.'

Something about the way he said "you" made her heart flutter.

'Prince Pouty, you're coming or not?' June called out. They both snapped out of the strange trance they fell into while looking in each other's eyes.

'Yeah, coming!' he yelled over his shoulder. He turned back to Katara, awkwardly scratching his neck. 'I'll see you in a while, then.' He smiled a little. Then, he turned around and started walking towards the xirxiu.

Katara bit her lip.

And decided to go for it.

She ran up to Zuko and grabbed him by the wrist. He turned around, surprised and then shocked when she stood on her toes and kissed him in his scarred cheek.

'Until next time...' She said blushing and looking away, then she turned around and ran back to the building.

Zuko stood there, eyes wide open, a bit dumbfounded, blushing af. Then, that stupid wide smirk appeared on his face. He probably looked like an idiot. He turned back to the xirxiu.

'So you did manage to catch her?'

'She's not my-' Zuko trailed off. Was she his girlfriend now? 'Never mind. Let's just go.'

He hopped onto the xirxiu and June hit its' sides with her shoes.

Katara watched them ride off with a furious blush on her cheeks. She smiled a little, touching her lips, remembering how Zuko's skin felt rough and dry on them.

And feeling both anxious and hopeful about the future.

'FINALLYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!' Toph's scream echoed through Ba Sing Se's alleys. Katara jumped. 'Finally, finally, finally!!! You made your power move, Sugar Queen!'

'Toph!' She shouted.

*The scene trails off to the entire team Avatar + Iroh + Mai +Ty Lee coming out of the bushes and starting to tease Katara. The camera (lol) zooms out and slides up to the sunset with their voices in the background*

*Fades to credits*