Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9, Part 10, Part 11, Part 12, Part 13, Part 14, Part 15, Part 16
Arc 3 - The Avatar's Return (Book 1)
Part 17, Part 18, Part 19, Part 20, Part 21, Part 22, Part 23, Part 24, Part 25, Part 26, Part 27
Arc 4 - The Earth Kingdom (Book 2)
Part 28, Part 29, Part 30, Part 31, Part 32, Part 33, Part 34, Part 35, Part 36, Part 37, Part 38, Part 39, Part 40, Part 41, Part 42, Part 43, Part 44, Part 45, Part 46, Part 47, Part 48
Arc 5 - The Fire Nation (Book 3)
Part 49, Part 50, Part 51, Part 52, Part 53, Part 54, Part 55, Part 56, Part 57, Part 58, Part 59, Part 60, Part 61, Part 62, Part 63, Part 64, Part 65, Part 66, Part 67, Part 68, Part 69, Part 70, Part 71, Part 72, Part 73, Part 74
Arc 6 - A Post-War World
Part 75, Part 76, Part 77, Part 78, Part 79, Part 80, Part 81, Part 82, Part 83, Part 84, Part 85, Part 86, Part 87, Part 88, Part 89, Part 90, Part 91, Part 92, Part 93, Part 94, Part 95, Part 96, Part 97, Part 98, Part 99, Part 100
Part 101, Part 102, Part 103, Part 104, Part 105, Part 106, Part 107, Part 108, Part 109, Part 110, Part 111, Part 112, Part 113, Part 114, Part 115, Part 116, Part 117, Part 118, Part 119, Part 120, Part 121, Part 122, Part 123...
A Superbat AU, Krypton survives, and Bruce ends up on Krypton for some reason. Only problem is, there's something about Krypton that just being on the planet makes humans sick. But there's hope! A Kryptonian can temporarily help by Bruce's body adjust via... An exchange of bodily fluids.
Of course, once this is discovered, the oh so dedicated Kal-El is all over it.
Bruce is off doing his research, probably relating to the slow decay of the planet, with Kal-El hovering nearby, wanting to help Bruce in his research, while also ready to spirit Bruce off for a 'healing' session. Of course, Bruce is annoyed about it. Sort of. He's annoyed that he has to stop the mission for this, but he definitely enjoys the sessions.
On the one occasion that someone else tries to help Bruce out, Bruce contemplates it for only a moment, and before he could say no, Kal-El was all over him. Dark glares that didn't quite fit with his normally cheery exterior. Bruce acts like he's annoyed, causing Kal-El to pout and whine, because come on! He's been doing a good job taking care of Bruce, right?!
And they're just total freaks for each other the entire time. Bruce is playing like he's indifferent not because he needs to focus on the mission, but because it works Kal-El up even more. And Kal-El is just so smitten with this human that he has barely a fraction of a second of thought where he wonders if he should sabotage Bruce's mission to save Krypton, just so Bruce won't leave, before being upset with himself for it.
When Bruce finally leaves, Kal-El doesn't even question about going with him. In fact, Kal-El gets on Bruce's ship home really early, just to make sure Bruce doesn't leave without him, and everyone thinks Kal-El is off sulking somewhere, even Bruce. They're far from Krypton when Kal-El, having fallen asleep in the bunk while waiting for Bruce, comes out and asks if they've left yet, making Bruce jump.
Of course, Bruce takes Kal-El to Gotham where Bruce makes him a human identity, and they have shenanigans with 'Clark's weird reactions to an alien planet.
Back on the anime inspired AU track. Apothecary Diaries Superbat.
The House of El fled Krypton. They end up on Earth, becoming kings/emperors, kinda like the Dark Knights of Steel run. The current emperor is Jor-El. His younger brother, Zor-El, is believed to be the only heir. In truth, Jor-El had a single son, Kal-El, who for his protection had been raised in secret by trusted servants (Johnathan and Martha Kent) after Lara had been assassinated. The public believes the rumor that Prince Kal-El had been killed at the same time.
Well, when Kal-El is at the age when he should be training to be emperor, he doesn't really want to. And Jor-El gives him a task. If Kal-El doesn't want to be emperor, fine. But that means Jor-El needs another heir. And while there have been a few rare pregnancies in Jor-El's 'garden', none of them have come to term. Kal-El will go undercover as a human servant, the head of the garden, and figure out what's going on, using the name Clark.
This sets up Clark to play the role of Jinshi.
Meanwhile, Bruce is obviously playing the role of Maomao, though not a direct comparison. He's still smart and insightful, able to figure things out. And, if we're sticking with a more medieval timeframe, you could even keep Bruce working as an apothecary under Alfred. Bruce's parents were once nobles in Jor-El's lands, before being killed by thieves when Bruce was very young. With Bruce being too young to take over the family estate, it went to his uncle, with Bruce being placed in Alfred's care. His uncle cast them out, and Alfred found work as an apothecary in an in-need area. Which happens to include a brothel, whose owner keeps Alfred on retainer for, and Bruce spent a lot of time around.
And, because Kryptonians don't discriminate on orientation, with male Kryptonians able to even impregnate human males because of weird biology, it's actually seen as a status symbol to have beautiful male lovers. Which the brothel owner would 100% rope Bruce into if Alfred wasn't watching. Bruce, thusly, gets doted on by those living in the brothel. Not that he's all that interested, because he'd rather be out learning various things. Like how to resist poison, how to judo flip would be thugs, and helping orphan kids.
(I have no real idea who the brothel men and women would be. May be some of Batman's Rogues? Just had the thought of Ras al Gul as the brothel owner, with some notable workers being Talia, Harvey, Ivy, and Harley, which would be kinda funny.)
Anyway, I imagine that rather than being kidnapped himself, maybe a few of Bruce's orphan kids have gone missing. He figures out they were kidnapped and sold as servants to the inner palace. Bruce, deciding to go undercover, and uses just enough of the brothel tutoring to set a trap and get 'kidnapped' and sent to the inner palace. Once Bruce discovers that the kids are okay (maybe it's little Dick and/or Jason), he starts planning an escape.
It's while he's in the inner palace that he hears about the babies. The word hasn't really gotten out yet, but the emperor has two newborn children now. A daughter of a few months, and a son of a few days. But they're both sick. And Bruce already figured out the problem, and hehe can't just let them die, even if they are nobility.
So he leaves a message. One listens... The other doesn't. One kid survives, and the other doesn't. And Clark has to investigate. He does his own digging, and eventually finds... Bruce.
And obviously it's a different dynamic between Bruce and Clark. Clark is earnest and hard working, not as teasingly playful. Bruce doesn't have any tolerance for 'grin and bear it', and still has ambition. They both want everyone to be safe. To not have to see others, especially children, see the darkness of the world. They end up working together more often than not, Bruce piecing together who Clark really is, but can't figure out any way to confirm. Clark knows that there's more to Bruce than people see.
There's of course some Apothecary Diaries plot lines. Like Bruce and the others brought by the same people being let go, some miscommunication leading to Clark thinking Bruce wanted to leave and Bruce thinking Clark didn't want him to stay, which leads to Bruce taking the boys home and helping a bit more in the brothel before Clark finds out and makes a drastic claim he'll buy Bruce out, even though Bruce isn't actually a member. Clark having to go to a meeting with Zor-El, but not having any other servants he trusts to go with him without revealing his identity/powers, and taking Bruce instead. Bruce would actually pass the testing needed to become Clark's assistant, unlike the unmotivated Maomao. A brewing war that Bruce gets wrapped up in, whether it's a neighboring kingdom led by Lex Luthor, Zor-El, or another surviving Kryptonian, idk.
Rocky and Grace? 100% hounded by the Eridian entertainment industry. Assuming that Rocky's little sand tablet thing is something Rocky made just for viewing Grace's screens, combined with Grace explaining television? Entertainment and media would explode, frothing at the mouth to replicate it on Erid.
Forever ago I had this idea for a superbat fic that started with an early meeting between Clark and Bruce.
The premise was that eight/nine year old Clark had won a trip to Gotham, one funded by a Wayne Enterprise attempt to increase tourism. He was just so excited, he convinced his parents to go despite their worries about his still unstable powers. Anyway, he has a lot of fun, getting to be in the big city. And because his parents are worried about him being discovered, they never really hang around town late enough to run into crime. UNTIL...
It's their last night in Gotham. They have a late flight home the next day. Clark, wanting to do one last thing before they go, begs his parents if they can go see the new Gray Ghost movie at the theater. Martha can't help but cave, and they go to the late show. Afterwards, Clark is so excited. He can barely control his powers. That's when he hears pounding hearts and a cocking gun. He acts without thinking, superspeed launching him towards the alley. He barely has time to register the fancy family trio in front of him before he's tackling the masked man with a gun. The gun goes off, going wide and missing anything important, the criminal trying to throw Clark off only for Johnathan to come barreling in after him. Thomas jumps in to help restrain the man as the two Martha's pull their boys away from the fighting.
Its a blur. Police come and take the man away. Reporters and paparazzi take pictures of Clark as the Wayne's thank the Kents. Martha Wayne insists they have the Kents over to the manor to thank them probably. Martha Kent declines as politely as possible, saying they really should get Clark to bed. Well, what about tomorrow? Well, we leave for Kansas tomorrow. What about breakfast then, and our butler Alfred can drive you to the airport? Martha Kent can't think of another excuse, so they accept and Alfred will come to get them the next day.
Turns out, the two Martha's hit it off shockingly well. Thomas respects Johnathan's drive, even if Johnathan is a bit wary of the rich Waynes. And Clark and Bruce... Well, Clark wants to be friends, but Bruce is just so... Quiet around him? He doesn't say much the entire time the Kent's are there. Clark can't really blame him. Must be weird having your life saved by a kid only a year older than you.
The Kent's go home, and they think that is that, but Martha and Martha just can't help but stay in contact. The two women call and text and send gifts to each other. They're phone besties. Then they get an invite for Bruce's birthday party, and the Waynes offer to host the Kents at the manor, because Bruce really wants Clark there, even though Clark doesn't know why.
They go anyway, Bruce once again quiet and shy. Clark does his best to not feel hurt, ending up helping Alfred more than trying to play with Bruce. The party comes, a bunch of rich kid boys show up. Bruce is polite with all of them, but mostly talks to Oliver Queen. Clark stays close to his mom, who mostly sits at their table. Clark, with his super hearing, picks up a few boys making rude remarks about him being invited. He also hears Bruce, as politely as possible, tell them that they won't need to worry about Clark next year, because the boys won't be invited. Before an uproar can happen, Oliver goes and rescues Bruce, and Clark hears the slightly older boy tell Bruce that he really should just go talk to Clark, especially since Bruce had been so excited to see him again.
When Bruce finally comes over, he's clearly nervous, and thanks Clark and Martha for coming. Clark, being rather impulsive, asks his mom if maybe next time Bruce can come to them? See Kansas? They have cows and horses, and the creek nearby is pretty full in the summer. Bruce, being more vocal now, excited says yes, and Martha Kent really can't say no when two sets of puppy dog eyes are aimed at her.
So begins their friendship. Bruce opens up, becoming more vocal around Clark, and the two become thick as thieves. Every chance to visit, they take. The Martha's encourage this, Martha Wayne delighted that Bruce has another real friend besides Oliver. Martha Kent is just excited that Clark has a friend at all.
Eventually they get to Clark going to Metropolis University. Thomas and Martha insist on giving Clark their apartment (a three bedroom presidential suite in the heart of the city) to use. Bruce, still in his senior year of highschool, comes to visit on the weekends. If Clark had even a little bit of knowledge about dating, would realize how Bruce wearing his hoodie and leaning on him while they're on the couch would look. Instead, it's a year of Clark going to college, of not seeing the signs, and a week after Bruce's graduation, it happens.
Bruce brings up, maybe... You know, moving into the apartment. Clark, oblivious, says he has enough saved up from not needing to pay rent and the Wayne's 'scholarship' that he could actually buy a fairly nice apartment somewhere if Bruce wants it. Bruce gets flustered and frustrated, trying to tell him that's not what he means. For the first time, they really argue. Bruce, still in Clark Met U hoodie, goes towards the elevator. Clark follows, trying to get Bruce to tell him why he's upset. And then... Bruce kisses him, and Clark freezes, and Bruce takes that as his answer. So he leaves. Clark wonders about going after him, but reasons they both need time to cool off.
Only, that next week, when Clark goes to his monthly tea with Martha Wayne, he tries to subtly ask where Bruce is. Martha, confused, confesses that Bruce came back early from his weekend with Clark, and announced he was going backpacking in Europe. He'd left immediately after that.
Clark then spends the next 7 years wondering where Bruce went. Meanwhile, Bruce is traveling Europe and Asia, training.
See, Bruce most certainly isn't an idiot. He knows Clark has powers. He figured it out not long after they became friends, even if Clark hasn't actually told him yet. And he knows that Clark is still helping people in Metropolis. He knows about the kids trapped in fires suddenly appearing outside near the trucks. He knows about the close call hits in the road, where people are suddenly out of the way of an out of control car. He knows that, that fateful night they met, that Clark had used his powers to save him and his family. And he wants to be a hero too. He wants to be worthy of Clark. But he doesn't have powers. He's a fragile human. So when he (thought he) was rejected, he took those feelings and put it into training. He left. And when he comes back, he'll be something more than human.
Okay, I've been thinking about this again, and I think the MAWS universe would be a pretty good fit for this. Shorten Bruce's training a little so that he spends about 4-5 years training instead of 7, and returns around episode 4, after Ivo tower, probably. Superman is now a figure, Clark is really using his powers, and of other heroes appearing in other cities is popping up.
Jimmy moved into 'Clarks' apartment about a year after Bruce disappeared, and Clark still keeps Bruce's room (the master bedroom, because Clark never felt right taking it) exactly how it had been. Jimmy doesn't know that Clark knows the Waynes. or Oliver Queen, who had disappeared for a couple of years, returning after Bruce went missing and showed up randomly to Clark's college once to let him know he was back.
So the team goes about their day as normal, coming into work and getting the magazines. Perry gives them the assignment, and Clark gets his nice suit from Ms. Wayne. He's actually pretty comfortable in posh parties, or as comfortable as someone can be, because he'd been to his fair share of them in middle school and high school with Bruce. He tells Lois that her questions are just going to cause everyone to shut down, and when she insists, he holds firm. He can't talk to these people that way. He's met some of them before, and- And Lois isn't listening, and runs off.
Clark goes on, instead actually focusing on the questions that Cat gave them. He gets distracted by a commotion by the door, where a small crowd has gathered. He thinks he catches sight of a long missed face, but they're gone before Clark can intervene. He's on edge after that, looking at Cat's questions and wondering if he's going to be like reporters in Gotham that Bruce had hated so much. He tries to shake it off, and ends up having a... disagreement with Ivo and being kicked out. When Lois lets him back in, he's clearly shaken, and Lois asks what's wrong. He confesses that he thought he saw someone he had lost, and how they had left before Clark had realized his feelings. Lois does her best to comfort him, before they get distracted by the room with the tech.
Later, Clark gives Lois his jacket, mostly because he doesn't need it, and they wait for Jimmy together. They all head back to the Planet together. Jimmy needs to drop off the photos, Lois needs to write about the Superman fight, and Clark needs to drop off questions to Cat. Only, when they walk in, they aren't expecting Perry to be standing in the hallway, waiting for them.
"Kent, why the hell is there a billionaire in my office asking for you?"
And Clark does have to think for a moment. Thomas has only really come to see him specifically once, on the one year anniversary of Bruce's disappearance, and he'd shown up at the apartment. Martha came more frequently, but usually called first. Oliver might just show unannounced, but it was unlikely.
"Could you be more specific?..."
And that's when Clark heard that voice, smooth as honey. "I'll give you a hint. It's your favorite billionaire."
And there's Bruce. Older, more confident, but clearly Bruce. Clark rushes forward, sweeps the other man up, and just hugs him.
It's a huge scene, and Clark is a little embarrassed about it later. Cat is frothing at the mouth for the gossip, Lois can smell a scoop, Jimmy is kinda freaking out because what do you mean Clark is the 'Kansas Kid Saves Gotham Darlings' kid? Perry is thinking that the interns are more trouble than they're worth.
Clark manages to get away from his coworkers and Bruce gives a not total lie about having gone to find himself. He'd only been back about a day, and had asked his parents not to tell Clark, since Bruce wanted to surprise him. Bruce had actually also been at Ivo Tower, and had been planning on seeing Clark there, but then Clark had been thrown out and Bruce couldn't find him. (Bruce was actually doing Batman esc stuff, and was busy getting his hands on some of the tech to study it. He's looking into Cadmus too.) He was back now and that was all that mattered.
Come around to episode 5, where Clark is completely distracted by Bruce being back, Bruce who is spending most of his time in Gotham, with his parents, being the life of plenty of parties. He usually comes to visit Clark, sitting in his apartment, Jimmy being mildly uncomfortable by the clear tension in the air. Most of the rest would be about normal, with most of Clark and Lois's interactions while handcuffed being about their friendship, and Lois being a ride or die friend.
Episode 6 would be saving Jimmy, with Bruce texting Clark as he and Lois escape bots. Lois makes jabs at Clark about lying to Bruce to. Clark resolves to talk to Bruce at the end.
Episode 7, Clark is trying to find the best way to tell Bruce about the mistake from before Bruce went away, and also him being Superman. Mxyzptlk, being aware of whats going on, of course uses Bruce as his bait. Clark panics and is distracted. The League of Lois's does there thing, with a comment being made about most Lois's being with their Clark's, and Bruce's are usually left behind. There might even be a snide remark about Bruce usually getting in the LoL's way. When Lois gets the sphere with the Kryptonite, she might even discover Batman. Which doubles the secrets that she's keeping from her best friend. After Clark rescues her and Jimmy, Lois gives him a peptalk about Bruce and he goes off to do that while Lois and Jimmy deal with the sphere.
Of course, when Clark shows up unannounced at Wayne Manor, Martha is delighted and trying not to pretend she isn't eavesdropping as Clark confesses to Bruce that he'd taken Clark by surprise all those years ago. And that he really wished Bruce hadn't left, because if he had waited for Clark's brain to catch up (more like slow down and stop over heating) than Clark would have definitely kissed him back, and he's so sorry. Bruce, to shut him up, kisses his again. Clark short circuits, and Bruce says they should go out sometime. Clark agrees.
That night (kicking off episode 8) Clark's super hearing activates. He hears everything. Even all the way across the water into Gotham. He runs around, is up all night, and has his first interaction with Batman. Of course, Batman tells him to go back to Metropolis, Bruce not wanting Clark to know yet, and knowing Clark isn't in the right mindset to help or learn the truth. So Bruce goes to see him the next day, and helps Clark calm down. Even subtly teaches Clark to ground himself using Bruce's heart beat. Bruce goes off to do his thing, only to later get word that Superman is missing. (If Lois knows about Batman being Bruce in other universes, she might reach out, trying to see if Bruce was Batman here, since Batman hasn't been in the papers yet.) And of course Bruce goes and helps orchestrate Clark's escape. He gets close enough that during Clark's break down, he can use Bruce's heartrate to ground himself. He escapes, saves the day, and even makes it back in time for his first date with Bruce, which is a picnic on the top of the Daily Planet under the stars. It goes great.
And then, Thanksgiving. Bruce is there, of course. And his parents and Alfred even come. Jonathan and Alfred argue over the turkey, the two Martha's overjoyed to have the whole family back together, since it never felt right to come without Bruce. Thomas is more than happy to chat with Lois and Jimmy, curious about their work with that Superman fellow. Lois's dad even gets a few questions, with Sam being uncomfortable about the billionaires clear dislike for anyone showing dislike for Superman.
Bruce excuses himself while Clark, Jimmy, and Lois are dealing with their thing. He goes to mess around by where he knows Clark's ship is. He'd managed to find the spot once as a kid, but hadn't been able to investigate further. Then the Daily Planet trio have the issue with the Kryptonite, and the ship activates. Bruce ends up nearly being taken into the sky with it, but manages to get down and fights off some bots. Then he happens upon Jimmy with the Kryptonite and demands answers. Lois figures out that Bruce is definitely Batman, and Bruce gives her a hard stare before filling Bruce in. Bruce, of course, confiscates the Kryptonite. When Clark comes for it, Bruce says, under not uncertain terms, is Clark going alone. And there's no way that Clark is getting the sphere from him. So Clark has to bring Bruce with him.
Jor-El is of course confused, but with Bruce being the one handling the Kryptonite, Clark isn't as bad in the end when they destroy the ship. Bruce also got plenty of scans of the ship while Clark was fighting into the center. When its time to leave, Clark is able to take off, if a bit wobbly, and get him and Bruce to safety. General Lane is waiting for them, and Bruce make a thinly veiled threat, about Superman being more human than anyone.
After things have settled, it's revealed that all the Wayne's had kind of figured out Clark's secret years ago, before Clark even finished high school. It's so embarrassing, and Clark asks why none of them never said anything. They just shrugged like, why didn't you?
There's also a moment, where the Wayne's share a look. Because when Bruce came back, and set up the (yet to be named) Batcave, it was kind of impossible to hide from Alfred and his parents. They make a team, with Bruce of course being Batman, Thomas being his sons medic, Martha often giving Bruce alibis and intel from ladies nights, with Alfred being mission control. They don't tell the Kents about Team Batman yet, though.
A friend and I were talking about different AUs for Avatar, and we were talking about an AU where Azula is banished instead.
It starts with Ozai having a different approach in how he deals with his kids after Ursa leaves. Because Zuko is easily controlled. After he's burned in the Agni Kai, Zuko would never 'disrespect' Ozai again. But if Azula stepped out of line and got caught, she'd just be sneakier about it.
So obviously Ozai needs to get rid of the kid that's more likely to try and take the throne.
Azula is banished for something, sent on what is supposed to be an impossible mission, to find the Avatar. Iroh, having been pushed away by Zuko, decides that this is a chance to make some kind of progress with Azula. Ozai lets Iroh leave, figuring that his daughter will somehow take out his brother for him.
But Iroh, now with Azula who is on the edge of a breakdown, is more firm with Azula. She doesn't react to the gentle approach like Zuko.
Season 1 has Azula being more cunning, more manipulative, getting closer than Zuko ever did to capturing Aang, but with each failed attempt she becomes more erratic. It puts a bit more pressure on the Gaang to keep moving and not stop unless necessary. And as Azula continues to fail, she starts making more mistakes, and the Gaang, being good people, tend to save her from death before they quickly flee.
With they make it to the North Pole, Azula, now knowing more support techniques with her firebending, would be crazy and desperate enough to try swimming through the turtle vents. She, much like Zuko, gets a meditating Aang, and flees into a blizzard. Her firebending is strong but she can't navigate a blizzard. Once more, the Gaang save her when they rescue Aang, with Azula screaming, asking why would they do that? What's in it for them? She's not going to stop hunting the Avatar, so why?
And the Gaang just... Shrug. They're good people. And despite all the harm Azula has done, she doesn't deserve to die. She's just a kid too.
They drop Azula off by the edge of the city, and go about their business. Azula, confused and about to have a break down, goes looking for Iroh. She doesn't know what else to do. They flee, even before Aang and the ocean spirit fuse and start destroying stuff.
They retreat to the Earth Kingdom, and Azula is shattered when she finds out that they have been labeled traitors to the Fire Nation. She's lethargic and unmotivated to move on. What would be the point? She can't go home.
Iroh convinces her to keep going. Tries to build her back up, tries to find something that would be worth living for.
Azula eventually asks why Iroh is helping her. Why did he leave the Fire Nation with her, and not stay with his favorite Zuko? Why did the Avatar keep saving her, despite being their enemy?
And it's rough, because Iroh has to explain, that it is kindness and empathy. Because what happened to Azula was unfair, and she deserved someone who cared by her side.
Of course Azula doesn't understand. But she keeps moving. She follows, as Iroh leads her to Ba Sing Se. He's giving her a chance to start over. To be a teenager, be normal. He shows her tea making. It's not really her thing, but she does end up finding tending tea plants as rather... Calming.
They don't run into the Gaang much. And when they do, Azula doesn't bother going after them. There wouldn't be any reason to. She can't go home, after all. They just continue on their way.
It's when they're on the ferry into the city that things change. Azula meets Jet and his freedom fighters. She stays back, watches them as they plan. She wonders what it would feel like, doing something for someone else. So when it becomes obvious that Jet's crew will get caught, she steps it. Tells them it won't work, but she'll 'help' them. And with her cunning mind, she helps them with planning and movement. They get the food and spread it around, and as Azula sits back by Iroh, she feels... Something. She doesn't hate it, but she isn't sure if she likes it either.
They get settled in Ba Sing Se. Iroh makes tea, Azula tends herbs and tea plants. She doesn't have much skill with service work, but they make it work. Except...
The drill.
See, Zuko, having spent the last 3 years trying to be the perfect obedient son, has now become a Fire Nation general. He's tasked with leading the attack against Ba Sing Se. And he's focused. Mission oriented. He knows the Avatar is in the Earth Kingdom, but that's not his job right now. Right now, he needs to get the drill to the wall, and break in. He won't stop to pick up friends, he won't stop to take a detour for the Avatar. He will reach the wall, and he will take Ba Sing Se.
He reaches Ba Sing Se days before the Gaang does. Weeks even. The Fire Nation invades, they hold the lower rings hostage, and lay siege to the palace. The Dai Li are a problem, but Zuko's army was ready for resistance.
Azula and Iroh stay hidden in the lower ring. They lay low. Try not to get seen. Easy when they both work in the back of the tea shop, but the ring is still under Fire Nation occupation.
When the Gaang arrives, on foot, they find a capital in despair. They know they need to do something. They need to help. But they can't get in without help when they can't even get around the city. They manage to sneak it, but...
That's when someone unexpected shows up. Azula. She gives them a once over and sighs. The Gaang would be captured in minutes without her help. So she'll help them move through the city.
When they reach the palace, though... Well, Zuko's in charge. He's beaten Long Feng, and the Dai Li follow whoever is in charge.
The Gaang goes in to fight. To at least rescue the Earth King. Azula hangs back, having an odd feeling about interacting with her brother. He's different. She remembers him as the petulant child. The kid that tried too hard, but wasn't sure about anything he did. Now, he was a general. There was a darkness behind him, a pressure that hadn't been there when she was banished.
She thinks long and hard about what she's going to do. Return to the nation that discarded her? Go back to the tea shop with Iroh and pretend like none of this happened? Join the Avatar and the people that have started to treat her better than most of her family had?
Azula knows what she has to do. She steps in. She attacks the Avatar. Zuko is shocked. He hadn't even realized Azula was in the city. But he's relieved. He had never seen Azula as a traitor. And her loyalty, even in the face of the accusations against her, would be rewarded. She would be welcomed back to the Fire Nation.
And Azula knows, even despite how different her brother is, that he would not lie to her.
Of course, the Gaang escapes. Zuko still brings Azula back to the Fire Nation. Iroh never joins them. Zuko never sees him, but Azula tells Zuko about what she and Iroh had been doing. It seems to hurt him, a bit, to speak about the uncle that he felt left him behind. Azula scoffs. Iroh would have stayed, if she hadn't been in danger.
They reach the Fire Nation, Zuko is welcomed as the hero who conquered the impenetrable city. And, he lies, surprisingly easily, that if it hadn't been for Azula's help, the Avatar would have reclaimed the city.
Ozai is displeased that Zuko didn't capture the Avatar, but at least he managed to capture the city. He mostly ignores Azula. After all, Zuko has given her enough to be allowed back, but not enough to have any favor.
Zuko continues with his duties. He has meetings and briefings. Ba Sing Se, while no longer under his direct command, is still his responsibility. Azula offers to be his assistant. Zuko is sceptical, but allows it. Even lets Azula bring some people in.
Mai and Ty Lee show up after Azula sends for them. They're both cautious. Mai's family, their reputation shattered after the Avatar broke into the city and then escaped with minimal issue, need Mai to be heir in once more. Ty Lee returns because when she got Azula's letter, saying that she needed her, not as a lackey, but as a friend, Ty Lee couldn't ignore it.
And when they arrive, they find out what their mission is.
See, the Avatar had escaped. And in the short time Azula had been with them in Ba Sing Se, she had snooped through their stuff. So she knew about the day of black sun. She knew about the gathering of forces. And she hadn't told anyone else. Why should she? No one knew she was connected with the Avatar. They wouldn't suspect her at all, while she would help the Avatar take out the Fire Lord.
To do that, she needs someone to help her flip Zuko, and someone to take messages to the Avatar.
Meanwhile, team Avatar escaped Ba Sing Se. They meet up with Suki and the Kyoshi warriors, who had found Appa. With Appa, it was easy to get further. They stop at the nearest Air Temple to figure out the plan. They meet Guru Pahtik. Aang goes through the training, while the rest work on the invasion plan. Aang still argues about Katara. He hesitates.
When Aang says he's done, they rejoin with the Southern Warriors. They share the plan. They sneak into the Fire Nation. And... They get found by a bubbly girl named Ty Lee. And she knows... To much about what the Gaang is planning. And says she's not an enemy. And has some information for them too. She gives them a suggestion for good places to stop, and places to avoid. And she drops off some clothes for them. And just... Leaves.
They discuss what to do, and decide to avoid the next stop that Ty Lee suggested. She finds them again anyway, two stops later. Waves a scroll with information in their faces. Sokka can't resist. Its information about the layout of the capital. A more accurate map than anything they have.
It continues, all the way until the day comes. The Day of Black Sun. The Invasion starts. The Fire Nation isn't as prepared as it could have been. They push through. The Gaang reach the palace. Azula is waiting for them, with Mai and Ty Lee. She tells them that they made her wait. Her father has fled to hide in the thermal vents under the palace. So they better hurry.
They go down, find Ozai just as the eclipse starts. With Zuko as his personal guard, with dual swords. They fight, Zuko shockingly good at fighting off benders with swords alone. And then Azula shows up, Mai and Ty Lee helping her push Zuko back. Ozai is furious. Zuko is confused.
Azula steps in just as the eclipse is ending. She'll give the Avatar another chance to escape. And they have to.
They others flee, and Zuko is torn as his father orders him to kill Azula. Because he can't. But he's the obedient son. He can't kill his sister, but how can he disobey a direct order? Ozai is furious, outraged, rips into Zuko, calls him a worthless mistake. A pawn that has lost his use. Azula scoffs. Ozai is the one that has lost his use. He isn't what the Fire Nation needs. Enraged, Ozai hurls lightning at them. Zuko, torn, moves on instinct. He takes the hit, and when the dust settles, Zuko, Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are gone.
Zuko wakes on the way to the Air Temple. Azula calls him an idiot. He asks what happened. Azula explains that Ozai tried to kill them, because they're threats to Ozai's rule. Now, they're going to show him just how much of a threat, by joining the Avatar, and being his firebending teachers.
Zuko is too shocked to argue. He is dragged after them, and they join with the Gaang, who are obviously dubious of them. But they agree. Zuko looks at these kids, just a bit younger than him, as they work together in a mutual kindness and respect that Zuko has never seen. Its... Strange. It's a new environment. A strange one. One he doesn't understand.
But it's good.
They have to lay low. Full caution. After all, the Fire Lord spread the lie that the Avatar killed the Crown Prince and the redeemed Princess to the population.
In the end, when they're getting ready for the comet, Zuko and Azula are in agreement. Their father needs to be taken out, taken off the board completely. Aang just can't do it though. He disappears, and the Fire Siblings are screaming because god DAMN IT.
Mai and Ty Lee end up joining the air ship team. It gives them more options. A higher chance of success. But Ozai wouldn't leave the Fire Nation undefended. He has generals in the capital, defending the Fire Sages, after his crowning as Phoenix King. So Zuko, Azula, and Katara go together.
The battle to reach the Fire Sages is long. Azula and Zuko act more as defense as support, redirecting the powered up flames as Katara is their main attacker.
When they reach the central plaza, the Fire Sages hesitate. Because Ozai did abdicate for his new title. But... Who will take the crown?
There's a moment, as Azula and Zuko look at each other. Who, indeed. Because Zuko has learned he doesn't want to be like his father, doesn't want to take the throne if it means stealing it from his sister. But Azula also knows, that the people would never truly accept Zuko, unless the crown was won.
The answer is obvious. An Agni Kai.
They face off, evenly matched. But when Azula sees an opening, she hesitates. Because if she wins, she will become the Fire Lord. And she knows... That she will become just like Ozai. She will become a tyrant, she'll just make things worse, because she doesn't care enough about those around her. She cares for those in her circle. Mai, Ty Lee, Zuko, the Gaang. She can't look at a map, and think about what is best for the people she doesn't know.
But Zuko can. So she hesitates, and it's all the opening that Zuko needs to land a decisive blow.
When Aang comes back, with a bendingless Ozai, it's Zuko who has the crown. But Azula will stay. Will be his advisor on the hard decisions. Just like Iroh will be when he returns.
"grace. grace! grace give attention. rocky perform human ritual of escape closet now. statement."
"come again?"
"i learn more from thinking machine. human gender preference. attraction to same gender, means word 'gay.' all eridian same gender." rocky stands straight up. "rocky come out to grace now. all rocky plural gay, statement."
"...wow, that's... rock, i'm not sure it makes much sense to apply human ideas of sexual orientation to a monogendered species."
Danny meets Lady Gotham and her robin (jaybin of course) at his coronation, as teen vigilantes/ghosts they promise to brawl sometime.
that sometime ends up being post revival, Jason is actively the Red Hood.
it would specifically be hilarious if Danny just shows up in Gotham and starts fighting Red Hood on some random rooftop and the bats are worried. hood is fighting like his life depends on it and this strange, very powerful entity is laughing!
AND HE SOMEHOW KNOWS HE WAS THE SECOND ROBIN?! FUCK!
It was a slow patrol night. Jason and the fam have been on better terms lately. But it's been feeling like the calm before the storm.
Jason sighed, reaching for the smokes in his pocket. They'll have a check in soon, and he knows Bruce will give him that look, if he's smoking during. Better get it out of the way now, he thinks, as he puts a stick in his mouth. His lighter clicks and flickers as he lifts it to his cigarette.
"Those will kill you, you know," a voice said, right next to him.
Jason scoffs. "Been there, done tha-"
And then he freezes. Because he'd heard Dick say that before. But that wasn't Dick.
Whipping around, Jason lurched back, staring at the man next to him. They were the same age. The guy was lanky, with white hair and glowing green eyes. Lazarus green.
Jason barely has enough time to let his register, barely has enough time to start reaching for his guns, when the stranger is throwing a punch.
It's fast. It's brutal. Jason can't think, can't hesitate. He knows that if he doesn't fight to live, he's going to be dragged back into the afterlife. There's a buzzing in his ears, as he fights for his life against this stranger.
But when Bruce and the rest of the bats arrive, having come looking for Jason when he didn't check in, Jason throws up a hand and shouts for them to stay back. The bats lurk as the brawl continues. Jason's chest is tight. He manages to land a hit to the man's jaw, only for the man to laugh in delight and land a strike that sends Jason sprawling.
Jason doesn't get up. He's staring at the dark sky, heart racing and limbs heavy.
"It was good to see you again, Second Robin," the man, the entity, chuckles. He's floating over Jason, just out of reach and grinning wide. "Or, rather... Red Hood~ I'll see you again soon."
The being flies off, laughing the whole while. Tim and Damian take off after it, but it's a lost cause. Bruce and Dick come to check on Jason. Only, Jason has a hand over his face, and can't look at him.
"Who was that guy?" Dick asks, hands hovering and but not sure if he should touch.
"The Ghost King," Bruce answered, voice tinged with worry and urgency. "What happened?"
Jason takes in a deep breath, and then begins to laugh almost . "I think I'm engaged?"
There needs to be more weird Kryptonian biology added to fics. I want to see the most absurd behaviour from Clark.
Just think about the possibilities.
He could eat rocks, simply because he enjoys the texture. Most rocks don’t have a taste to him, but he particularly likes the crunch of harder things, like diamonds or basalt.
He could create warm nooks around the fortress/manor/his apartment for comfort when he’s scared, or much like a bird, when he’s stressed. Bonus points for dragging any child within grasp into it for security, whether it be his child, a robin, or even Krypto when nobody’s around.
He could follow obscure mating rituals that even he’s unaware of without the assistance of Jor-El. He doesn’t understand why he feels the need to be bright and flashy in Bruce’s presence, but he knows that if his cape isn’t as brilliant as possible, he stands no chance to win the bat’s heart.
I guess, what I’m trying to say, is that kryptonians in my heart should behave like freaky birds.
And once bruce studies the fuck out of it, he’s enough of a freak that he really likes it.
Where Merlin, prince of the druids, son of King Balinor the dragonlord, has his life change when a blonde boy arrives trying to slay a dragon in their care.
Shortly after, that same boy saves his life from some bandits and gets appointed as his servant. Merlin is really happy about it for some reason, that may have to do with all the magical tasks he ask the servant to complete and he is unable to do.
Secretly though, Arthur Pendragon has escaped his kingdom and accepted this life cause he wants to take his father's throne after he sent his sweet sister, Morgana, to the dungeons when she displayed magic abilities, and he needs to gain the druids trust to attempt an attack.
Cue to learning about the 'non-magic-druids' in the place that become their friends and the 'not-as-powerful' sorcerers that follow Merlin like he is more capable of magic than the magic trick of butterflies he summons for fun in his free time.
So I actually had a fic idea that was basically this, BUT instead Arthur had fled when his uncle Agravaine had led a coup. Unable to trust anyone, Arthur goes to find the one person he knows outside the kingdom, Gaius, who had been his caretaker before Gaius couldn't stand Uther's madness anymore and left. When he finally makes it to Gaius, Gaius does what Gaius does, and insists that Arthur can't let King Balinor or Prince Merlin know who he is, because Uther had killed Queen Hunith not long after Merlin was born.
So Arthur has to pretend not to be of noble birth, all while trying to get an in with the knights, to make allies to help him retake his home. Except then a mistake happens, Arthur accidentally finds a disguised and snuck out Merlin and gets in a fight, and well, Arthur is brought before King Balinor.
And Balinor... Well, he knows something is up with Arthur. But he thinks its just that Arthur is a very dedicated knight hopeful. So he'll be Merlin's manservant, keep an eye on Merlin for Balinor, and then when they know Arthur is trustworthy, they'll see about knighthood.
Saw the My Adventures With Superman season 3 trailer yesterday, and I just keep thinking about Kon. And my mind is just swimming with Superbat. Specificly, Superbat that never got around to realizing that the other loved them back before Clark 'died', and Bruce fighting like hell to protect Kon once he knows about him.
Like Clark has been gone for months, Bruce doesn't think he's coming back and trying to not let any of his kids or the League see how much Clark being gone is affecting him. So Bruce is throwing himself onto everything he can. And when he gets word of a Superman related project that Luther is looking for investors for, Bruce has to investigate.
He shows up to this private investor meeting, hides how much he seethes as Lex makes a fake speal about Metropolis needing Superman, and how its a tragedy he's gone. And then... Revealing his answer to the power vacuum. Superboy. A kid. Maybe 13 or 14, who is so eager to please who he thinks is his parent, and displaying his powers. And Bruce nearly drops his champagne flute. Because Superboy looks so much like Clark does in old photos. Their smiles are nearly identical.
When people are given a chance to interact with Superboy, Bruce hangs back, trying to get his heartbeat back under control. Because that's a little boy, basically Clark's son, and Lex is going to ruin him. And Bruce needs a plan. Only, there's a gentle touch on his sleeve, and Bruce looks down at a nervous smile and unnaturally blue eyes.
"Are you okay?" Superboy asked.
And Bruce feels his heart clench, and he reaches out, smoothing back Superboys hair, the same way he does with Dick and did with Jason. And Superboy leans into it. Because the part of him that comes from Clark knows that Bruce is good, loves Bruce unconditionally.
"Oh, chum," Bruce breathes, bending down to be on Superboys level. "What's your name?"
The kids confused. "Superboy?"
At the back of the room, Lex is starting to turn towards them, sensing that something is about to happen.
"How old are you?"
"I don't know..."
People around them are starting to murmur.
"Who takes care of you?"
"The scientists, when I'm in the tube?"
Security is pushing through the crowd towards him.
"I'm so sorry," Bruce breathes, pulling Superboy into a hug. "I'm so sorry."
And everyone can see how Superboy tears up, hands hovering before grasping onto the back of Bruce's jacket. It's clear he's never been hugged before.
And then Lex and security are on them, security pulling Bruce away forcefully. Superboy's reaction is immediate, yelling and shouting, and reaching out. Even as security is roughly escorting Bruce out, Bruce is trying to sooth Superboy, saying everything is gonna be okay. It's gonna be okay!
And Bruce makes sure of it. Lex can't keep him locked away. And the potential investors already have a sour taste in their mouths about the project. Bruce comes down on Lex with claims of child endangerment, neglect, and abuse. Lex tries to fight it, tries to show Superboy off, using threats against Bruce to keep the kid in line. But it's always clear that Superboy is terrified every time Lex takes him in front of people.
And then Batman drops a file on Lois Lane's desk, and the court of public opinion really pushes things forward.
The judge decides that Lex Luther isn't a suitable guardian, and that the Superboy project is unethical and illegal human experimentation. And with some strings and Superboy's own wishes, he gets placed with Bruce. Oracle helps scrub all the classified documents.
Dick comes to see them, helps Superboy get settled, helps him pick the human name Connor.
Connor adores Bruce, and follows him around like a little duckling at first. One day, Bruce asks Connor why he trusted him so quickly. Connor just said that a part of him knew that Bruce was good and true and amazing. And Bruce knows that it's Clark. Hopes that this is Clark's love, shining through.
And when Clark returns, he's met with Bruce, who dotes and mothers this kid that looks just like Clark, as if it was Bruce and Clark's kid. And Clark has this pang in his heart, because it's so clear that Connor loves Bruce, and its so obvious to Clark where Connor gets it from. But he can't tell if the love Bruce has for Connor, if he fought so hard for this poor kid, has anything to do with him.
I've been working on my full Zutara Taken Au fic, but I keep getting distracted by the movie, and I kinda wanna incorporate the storyline into my AU, but at the same time, it means pulling away from the chapter 5 draft of I'm finally working on with young kidnapped Katara experiencing the Fire Nation. 🫠
I've been trying not to interact with Project Hail Mary, because I don't need another thing, but I keep seeing only what happens to Grace on Erid, and no theories or AUs about what if they went to Earth.
Like, yeah, Rocky had an insane amount of astrophage, if he could just give Grace that much of it. But how much did he have? Especially if the Predator got out and went to town on it. Rocky's ship was dangerous without the Astrophage protection, too.
So when Grace goes back, and saves Rocky, they realize they don't have enough fuel to get Rocky back to erid. It was already well over 6 years (Rocky said giving Grace the Astrophage would make his trip 6 years longer, so less Astrophage, means even longer). So they have to come up with a different plan. Instead of sending the probes to Earth, they rig them to go to Erid. Rocky spends days getting everything set up so the other Eridians can see/hear everything. And then, they head for Earth. The probes will reach Erid before Rockys ship would have anyway.
And when they get to Earth? Well, its a mess. The planet is close to fucked, and no one expected the astronauts to survive. They thought they were already dead. And when Grace shows up, clearly not wanting to be there, with an alien that is starting to figure out that the reason Grace 'made peace' but not at the same time, was because they had forced him to go?
Having to work with a government, who puts so little care into the single if it meant salvation for the many? Saving a planet whose leaders were willing to force people to die and then lie about it? Who would love nothing more than to pull Rocky apart and see how he ticks, if they didn't need him?
Like a month ago I messaged a craft group about accessibility for wheelchairs and the answer I got was “there’s a lot of stairs but we have cute boys who can carry you”.
And it’s…not good. As a wheelchair bound person I largely depend on people when I want to go out and do *anything* so I’m used to it, I laugh it off, make an annoyed post about it and off I go. But I wanna just say a thing real quick.
Even if I wasn’t gay, wasn’t a survivor scared of men, getting help as a disabled person is just…Not a pleasant thing to us! Imagine for a sec how you’d feel being carried up a flight of stairs. You’re a grown person. You’re being touched in an awkward way. You’d rather do it yourself. You’re So Uncomfortable. It’s not where I look for the beginning of a romantic relationship.
So like…could abled people stop doing this thing where they think helping us in a condescending and infantilizing way is cute? Cause I’m real tired. Just get me a ramp or lift and I’m cool. I don’t need a dating service when I’m just trying to go about my day
(Also, people who use wheelchairs are not the only people who have problems with stairs - anyone who’s using a cane, or crutches, or who just has dodgy knees is gonna wish you had access to a lift, a ramp, or some other place to meet).
In highschool, my history teacher did a unit on discrimination/minority groups. For the essay at the end of the unit, there were a couple of options:
- If you're part of a minority, or have experienced discrimination, you can write about your experience and how it feels. If you wrote one of these, my teacher would ask to share it, anonymously of course.
- You can interview minority groups, and write a reflective essay about what you learn.
- or you could borrow a wheelchair for an entire school day, and write about how the people around you changed how they treated you and how difficult it was to get around. (It's important to know, my high school had 10 different buildings, spread out across about 6 square blocks, and on a hill creating 3 different levels.)
I did the last one. It was awful. I had classes all over campus, going from one corner to the other, but having to basically loop sections of campus because the ramps were massive and really spread out. My friends, despite me asking them not to, kept grabbing my bag off the back, or would push the wheelchair when I didn't want them too.
One of my classes was in the next building over, but up one of the largest hill sections and had to use the biggest, steepest, and longest ramp to get there. One of my classmates, who I didn't even know well, saw me almost to the top, and decided to be 'nice' and push me up without asking. It was humiliating and infuriating.
I know it's not the same, because I was still getting out of the chair at the end of the school day. But in just 7 hours, it gave some perspective on the struggles and feelings of those kinds of situations.
Now, as an adult that has worked with kids with canes and wheelchairs and all kinds of disabilities, part of my job is helping where needed, and I'm so careful with the kind of help I offer. How can I help without making someone uncomfortable? How can I help while making sure they know how to speak up when uncomfortable?
It's so important to recognize that we recognize that if we offered the same to someone else, it would be insane. You have to go up stairs? Lets call up random strangers and carry you like a baby. Insanity.
A teacher sub we have regularly came in after dental surgery. She can't talk. At all. She keeps trying to get us paras to teach for her. We cannot, because we have 1) nonverbal autistic that throws things when her para is interacting with others, 2) a nonverbal medical who has seizures, 3) a near blind student that needs specialized equipment to participate, and 4) a kid that flees the room when he's angry, who she already ticked off once today. She can't be with any of these kids, so she needs to lead. She knows this. And even when she can talk, she tries to pawn off leading on us. I bet the only reason she came in today was because she thought she could get sympathy and do nothing (which she kinda already does). Fuckin shitty subs.
