So, AU idea: Gyatso takes Aang away from the Southern Air Temple before Aang can run away, and they BOTH get trapped in ice and survive. Now, the GAang includes Katara, the last waterbender of the Southern Water Tribe; Sokka, a boomerang and tactical genius; Aang, the Avatar; and finally Gyatso, who is now a Grand Grand Grand Lotus with the Order of the White Lotus (headcanon) and keeps scamming random people out of their money cheating at pai sho.
And of course, Gyatso teaches valuable life lessons and has many teachable moments along the way, such as: "yes, stealing from thieves is very wise, Katara!" "Sokka, you should do well to respect the other gender, lest you find yourself at the edge of Kyoshi's fan!" "Aang, procrastinating and turning away from your waterbending training will do you no good! However, I have come up with a good game to play to help you hone your waterbending skills..."
Then, when Zuko and Iroh appear, Gyatso is just like, "okay, we've been banished from the Southern tribe, that's okay, ah! Fire Nation friends! Hello-"
And Zuko mistakes him for the avatar, leading to increasing hijinks.
Also, if any fics like this exist, PLEASEEE drop them in the comments. Thank
















