u/Yuura22

https://www.tumblr.com/zuko-always-lies/659733524344176640/in-the-zuko-ozai-agni-kai-azula-was-standing-in

For reference, the image is from The Storm, first season, a flashback Iroh is recounting about the time Zuko was burned by Ozai after their Agni Kai.

I just find this scene to be conflating with how Azula is presented overall in the main show, so I wanted to analyze this in context with what we know about her. This WILL contain spoilers, of course.

The thing is: Azula actually shows genuine care for Zuko throught the show, routinely giving him the princess treatment (pun intended) and going out of her way to bring him back as a war hero TO HER OWN DETRIMENT.

Azula literally gives him back his throne after Ba Sing Se, reinstating him as a Prince and sharing her conquer of the city with him, while effectively giving up the throne. This is before Zuko shows concern that the Avatar is still alive, as far as we know, as Zuko is introduced to the nation as Prince before he shows the concern. She has no reason to believe Zuko would ever lose his position and seems to gleefully accept that just to get her brother back (look at it without the bias against Azula that we're led to have, you'll see how true that is). She tries to soften the blow of having been declared a traitor before, and keeps trying to get him back. This all tracks with her deepest desire, shown in the Spirit Temple, which is to have a happy family, united by love and honesty.

So this image feels out of the character we know: Azula looks gleefully as Ozai scars Zuko for life.

Now I want to point out a few things:

- Of the presents, only Iroh looks horrified. By this moment Iroh has lost his son and began to see his nephew as sort of a second son, and a second chance, so him being horrified (he knows firebending well, and he likely knows that that kind of fire is meant to disfigure) is totally in character. However nobody else does, they either look disinterested, stoick or gleeful (for Zhao and Azula), which leads me to believe that whatever's happening is not something out of order for how the Fire Nation sees it (it's hard, after all, to believe that out of 6 people portrayed only 1 is not a complete asshole).

- From Ashes of the Academy we know that the Agni Kai is a sacred tradition, a duel to first blood (with incendiary weapons, but that is normal for the universe) that can get really violent and result in death...or not. It is used to restore someone's honor and, at least from how I'm reading it, just participating itself is a recognition of honor, as having taken part, tried, and endured the pain seems to be something honorable (while winning is a recognition of strength). Ozai is just a special kind of asshole about it. It realistically has a "surrender" clause, and attacking someone that surrendered is definetely seen as a dishonorable move (it's not confirmed, my speculation, but I see no reason to believe it's any worse than this) so Ozai is 100% in the wrong, if we think about the original nature of Agni Kais as they were first intended centuries before. However...

- Again from Ashes of the Academy we know that Azula, along with the kids, are heavily indoctrinated into believing in the value of Agni Kai, and we see how they're are presented and treated for children of a young age: they're actively encouraged in taking part in them by their caretakers and teachers (Headmistress Pearl you're an asshole), and to not back out of them out of fear of dishonor. This view seems to be absolute within the nation and I believe this is a bastardization of the original meaning, made to align to extra-militaristic view of honor and pain that the Fire Nation wants to push for the sake of the war

- Azula in this scene is 11. That is not very old indeed, and definitely not old enough to know better (especially in a nation so heavily propagandized)

So, in this image, I think there's two ways to realistically interpret Azula's expression:

- The writers just not thinking much about it. Not very interesting of an explanation, but in this scene the focus is Iroh, his story and his reaction. Azula doesn't even have a name yet and is not presented as his sister officially. One explanation would thus be that they had thought about making Azula either a villain or an unspecified Evil Sister (hence the cruelty in her eyes) to serve as a future antagonist but not her story nor her character in more detail, and proceeded to contradict the scene afterwards. The show is kinda known for this, it's probably the reason we have a generic guy doing earthbending in the intro: Toph was supposed to be a random dude initially, and both were introduced properly in the second season when Toph was changed radically, so them just not caring too much for an extra that comes up in 1 scene in the first season just to make them into a flashed out character afterwards would be on brand (not just for the show, I believe someone would not have a hard time finding shows that do this).

- Wanting a perhaps more fun in lore explanation: by this time Azula was already heavily propagandized, believing that avoiding the Agni Kai (especially after having accepted it), would be a sign of weakness and a dishonor to her family for having raised a coward and wanted Zuko to be punished for it, fullfilling the principle of the Agni Kai as it was presented to her by her teachers and caretakers: those who lose get burnt. She likely does not realize that that flame would leave a permanent, disfiguring scar (nobody else ever shows proper scars from burns in a nation of walking flamethrowers...which is a bit dumb if you ask me but true nonetheless) and did not realize the horrifying pain Zuko was in (Azula doesn't seem to have ever been challenged to Agni Kai, at least prior to that moment, given her position in the Academy, and at most she has endured burns from her training, which while not nice would not be permanent nor that terrible). Azula is 11, living like royalty her whole life, likely doesn't have a concept of many things, including that kind of pain nor the concept of permanent maiming. For an 11 year old realizing certain things without having experienced them firsthand (directly or indirectly) can be difficult. Don't get me wrong she 100% has a sadistic and mean streak and likes to see people in pain, she's always struggled with that, but she's still a child and children can and are mean like that, especially if nobody tells them better and ESPECIALLY if that behaviour gets praised by half of your parent figures (100% of them, by that time) and the whole of the teacher body. This is an Azula that doesn't realize the gravity of the situation due to her age and not having been given the tools to properly consider other people's pain and to put herself in other's shoes. It is not, as many would say: a heartless monster that revels in cruelty. She's just a child during the wrong thing because everyone around her told her it was the right one.

Hello, so I wanted to share my honest thoughts about the vote we'll be having for the last DLC character. I'm in no way an expert on fighting games, kinda new to it actually, but I'll keep my opinions separated between what I believe would be objective and will be subjective.

• Tenzin: I know not many seem to be excited by him, and I share that sentiment. I feel like he would play kinda the same and kinda differently from Aang, which is also focused a lot on airbending. In the show, his fighting style is different to Aang's in many aspects, but I'm not sure it will be enough to make him very distinguishable and fun to play. They could lean into his more aggressive, a bit less evasive airbending (if I'm not mistaken that's a lot of his style) but I don't know I'm afraid it might be too subtle of a difference. Still, there is potential I think. Subjectively, I'm not that interested in seeing him in the game compared to others.
• Amon: The first contender for the spot, I think he would be a terrible decision honestly. Trying to look at him objectively, in the show he's a plot device more than a character. He's a schemer in a very political story with absolutely busted powers. I don't think this would translate well in a game. His fights (if I remember correctly) are relatively few, short, with him aurafarming half the time often surrounded by his goons just to pull out the "this move is going to f*ck you up" at the last time. If I had to picture him in game, he could be relying on his goons, to keep this feel, on martial arts for basic attacks and the specials...the specials are a problem. You need to include his bloodbending, of course, but how? A far, unreactable and undodgeable grab? Perhaps as a special? With his ult locking you out of certain things like your chakras and your flow for a time? In all of this, it needs to be considered that the character must also be "interactible" when you fight him to be considered fun and balanced, and that goes against all of his persona (using goons to fight, taking away your bending and your movement are all things he relies on to specifically prevent an interaction). All in all I'm afraid it's going to be a "the boss when you fight him->the boss when you unlock him as a playable character" moment, which I think would fall flat with the audience. Subjectively, I think he's boring and his aurafarming makes me tick and wouldn't be healthy for the game.
• Bumi: The second contender for the spot. He would be...interesting. An earthbender beside Toph, which relies on a decently different fighting style in the show. Toph relies on a very peculiar style taught to her by the Badgermoles, while Bumi on a more modern style. Unfortunately, I'm afraid that besides having more projectiles, he would play a lot like Toph does, controlling the battlefield with the earth, without really creating a new playstyle for people to enjoy. His ult might be him throwing a balcony at you, which would be objectively funny. I can see why he's popular. Subjectively, I don't like him. He's fun in the show, but he's not very interesting to me, especially compared to others.
• Asami: Probably going to be the last choice and honestly? I disagree completely. She has a fighting style based on martial arts and the use of technology to fill the gap with actual benders. That is very unique (even Sokka relies more on martial arts) gives a TON of possibilities for new interesting comboes and playstyle. The devs could go haywire with her comboes, basing them on different gadgets, even coming up with them since we know that she's very smart and would be tinkering a lot. Smoke bombs or flashbangs, batons, flamethrowers, grappling hooks perhaps, her shock gauntlet of course, and for the specials she could use vehicles, hitching a ride on a satomobile to run you over with or calling for a bombardment from an airship (just because, if I remember correctly she pilots one later in the series). Subjectively, I love her, she's fun, not too busted and would reward a lot of creativity with her plays. She's probably going to get my vote.
• Kuvira: Sleeper pick, even more than Asami, and rationally speaking I think she would be the best addition to the roster. While Asami would give a lot of creativity to the devs, Kuvira wouldn't but she actually has all that she needs to work perfectly. She has her own, unique fighting style (even between metalbenders, or at least the ones in the game like Lin and Toph) that would greatly differentiate her from everyone, based on projectiles that allow her to control people at a distance, as well as earthbending to do the same. Someone can see that and say "you know what? this is going to be MY style and MY main" just because of how unique that is. Unlike Amon, which would also likely control at a distance, she would have counterplay in dodging and blocking her projectiles, and they don't need to be too strong since they're much more limited. She has melee in her metal sword and medium range in her whip, and standard earthbending to pull it all together and give some variety to the players. Her specials could also include her giant mecha, imaging her ult being the mecha's spirit beam raining down on you while she holds you with her metal cuffs. I think it would be rad. I also think all of this would tie in very smoothly on the already existent playstyle. Subjectively she would be my pick if it wasn't for Asami, and she might still be as I haven't decided yet. She's also charming and fun while also being human (as a villain of course).

This were my thoughts I wanted to share. I hope that people will agree with me, but if not, fair, the point is to have a healthy, differentiated community.

Edit: just to be superclear, even when I'm in the more "objective" parts it's still just my personal prediction, the "subjective" ones are just about how I like the characters besides their gameplay.

And the opposite? I just feel like characters like Mai and Suki being relegated to supports is a biiiiiiiiiig waste of potential. They would be incredible in a fightning game. Plus, this could extend greatly the life of the game, as every new character would otherwise consume around 4 characters from the franchise (one playable and 3 supports, and not all of them can have 2 animals and a dead guy by their side).

It could be explained very simply: since mirror matches exist (and thus mirror supports) it would only make sense to have a character play both in the ring and as a support, perhaps as different versions.

For the story mode I would just add restrictions to some encounters, if needed. After all, in a story mode the most important part is the story, so I think none of us would complain about not being able to play a character or a support because they're on the other side already (again, if the story doesn't allow for multiple versions to coexist already).

(Also I kinda want the devs to switch Joo Dee for Mai & Ty Lee for Azula, but that's just me)

Hi, I'm new here but not to Avatar, I wanted to ask for fanfiction recommendations, especially very fluffy things where Azula is loved and comforted and allowed to heal (bonus points if it's multichapters ones). Thank you in advance!

Hello, I don't mean to invade but I've tried to learn everything I could about BPD and I keep finding myself with one question and I don't know where can I find the answer: are there cultural differences in how Borderline Personality Disorder manifests?

To let me give a bit more context, it seems to me that a lot of how BPD is viewed (at least, as far as I can see) comes with its manifestations within a society, and particularly it seems to me that the more common "point of view" would be the USA society, since if I'm not mistaken the official guidelines used worldwide (like the DSM-5) are made by the American Psychological Association, I think there are experts from everywhere that collaborate, but I don't know how it works. However, the USA is a microcosm and I would like to know how in different societies, which perhaps might have different social dynamics, BPD might manifest.

I was trying to find inspiration for outfits inspired by the Fire Nation, but Pinterest is awfully lacking on that depart, so I was wondering: how do you think would people from the Fire Nation dress if they lived in modern times? What types of outfits would they choose?

And moving it a step further, what about the other nations?

So I jsut finishde reading the first run of the Runaways (because I heard there's a lesbian eh eh eh) and I wanted to imagine their kits for Marvel Rivals so here you go (devs, for legal reasons you're allowed to take inspiration from this post if you ever wanted to add them):

Lucy in the Sky
Duelist

-        Primary: a beam of light that leaves behind a tiny after-light on the ground that deals some more damage (based on a 100 energy meter like Iron Man’s). Her primary fire passively regenerates when not in use, or can be “recharged” by pressing R or fully expending it

-        Secondary: a block made from a light wall/vortex, like Blade’s, but bigger

-        Passive: flight

-        E: a light explosion all around her, deals tiny damage but temporally blinds (with a light effect instead of Cloak’s shadow). The blind is not as bad and doesn’t last long, but the duration is partially extended if the target takes damage from any of her abilities (only partially, even continous fire can only extend it by a second and a half)

-        F: Torch’s meteor strike, but deals very little damage with no knockback, essentially just a “move down quickly” button, meant to be followed by the blind

-        Lshift: fast flight, leaving behind a trail of light, while quickly regenerating her primary fire

-        Ult – Rainbow Empowerment: enters in a “rainbow state”, starts emitting rainbow light around her, that deals a small dot, her primary is infinite and empowered, with her shooting from both ends so is her fast flight, she moves faster and her light explosion is recharged

Princess Power
Tank (the smallest tank hitbox and hp pool, barely above a duelist)

-        Primary: a very flashy, fast telekinetic fist combo with a big range and damage fall off

-        Secondary: a charged telekinetic punch that pushes the target away

-        E: 3 charges, an explosion of telekinetic power that pushes everyone away and creates a telekinetic field around her that slows people

-        Lshift: a block ability, on a high energy meter, taking damage recharges the meter faster, the block is 100% reduction (it extends way beyond her actual hitbox)

-        Ult – Princess’ Power Amazing Combo: performs a fist combo (which is just PP flailing her arms around) that somehow deals massive damage around her. If it ends with a final hit, she will strike a victory pose during which she’s 100% immune.

Arsenic & Old Lace
Duelist

-        Primary: a gun with a style between very retro and high futurism. Shoots energy bullets that don’t deal a lot of damage

-        Secondary: selects a target closest to the crosshair, marking them. When marked, Old Lace teleports in battle and automatically attacks and pursues them. Using this ability again (after its cooldown) changes the mark. Using it without a target retrieves the mark.

-        Passive – Old Lace: Arsenic can call on Old Lace. Old Lace is equipped with a futuristic teleporter in the form  of a hight-tech collar. Old Lace has 300 hp, attacks automatically, automatically teleports to the marked target upon use of Arsenic’s secondary fire and will pursue them (with 12 m of movement) if they try to flee. If the target dies, exits a 10 m radius around OL, or if OL is reduced to 1 hp (can never be below 1, come on we don’t harm animals) or if the mark is recalled, OL teleports out of map and quickly regenerates her hp.

-        E: launches a time grenade. Acts as Mantis’ sleep, but the target influenced is sent in “time jail”. Characters in time jail disappear (not really, they still exist in the code but are untargettable, untouchable and cannot be seen) for 3 seconds. From their perspective, everything freezes for that time, then suddenly everything comes back (like a huge lag spike). Does not stop abilities, they simply resume after the duration ends.

-        Lshift: recalls OL, which stands in front of Arsenic absorbing damage (using her own HP bar, with a 50% reduction). Can only be used if OL is above half hp.

-        Ult – Time Rift: can place a Rift generator on the ground, if there is nothing 6 m above it. Can change direction of the rift to face away from her, or towards her. When placed, a rift forms, from which a T-Rex head (only the head) sprouts, biting everyone close for high melee area damage. If nobody is close, it simply roars until the rift disappears.

Talkback
Tank

-        Primary: a flamethrower from his fistigons

-        Secondary: places a fire wall that blocks ranged attacks and damage everyone that touches it or walks through it, including with melee attacks

-        E: creates a fiery area on the ground that deals damage over time and provides Chase with overshield generation

-        Lshift: uses briefly his X-ray glasses, cannot attack but gains wallhacks until the duration expires

-        Ult – HERE COMES FROGGERS!: like D.Va mech-up, summons and enters Froggers. Froggers deals high damage upon impact, then Chase can move in it (but only move) by hopping. Every hop deals damage directly below her and through a shockwave, then can use jump to leap into the air, repeating the initial impact damage (this ability starts in cooldown, as it was used for the arrival). Froggers has its own hp (2000), a huge hitbox and killing it only demechs Talkback

Sister Grimm
Strategist

Note: this version has studied proper sorcery and does not use only the Staff of One (otherwise her abilities would be impossible to convey)

-        Primary – Grimm Bolt: like Loki’s bolts, deals area damage and heal, with more heal than damage

-        Secondary – Sanguine Cauldron: summons a cloud of monstrous bats that travel forward through enemies, enemies hit by the cloud take small damage and suffer a 30% anti-heal effect, additionally bats start cluttering the screen. Affected targets are surrounded above their heads by 2 of those bats, with 30 hp each, killing them or waiting for them to disappear releases the target from the effects. Allies hit receive a small one-time heal and are healed more by Sister Grimm’s primary fire (they also have the bats and they can be killed, but those bats last longer)

-        E – Let the Staff of One Emerge: sacrifices 25 hp (and suffers 1 second of anti-heal), but summons the Staff of One, which opens a menu (like Black Cat’s) to select a spell. Upon second click, the spell is expended and the Staff disappears and can quickly be resummoned. Each spell can only be used once. Spells:

o   Resurrect: targets an ally death icon, the ally resurrects with max hp

o   Stop: selects the enemy closest to the crosshair, the enemy is immobilized for 3 seconds (does not fall if in mid air)

o   Fly: Sister Grimm gains free flight with improved speed

o   Empower: targets ally closest to crosshair, they gain regeneration, 20% damage bonus and increased speed and reload speed for the duration

o   Cleanse: an ally affected by a major condition (or more) like a hard stun or damage nerf is cleansed of all of them. If Sister Grimm is affected by one such condition, the ability cleanses her instead

o   Hurt: converts Sister Grimm’s primary fire into a new attack. Works in the same way, but cannot heal, has a wider area and deals more damage. Her Sanguine Chains can only hit enemies, but enemies share 100% damage (or 50% more damage by area attacks that would affect both)

-        F – Change of Mind: if the Staff is summoned and the spell selected not expended, re-opens the menu to change the spell without expending it.

-        Lshift – Witch’s Ways: can teleport to a seen location 15 meters away. If used while moving backwards, it instead teleports her up to 15 m backwards (even if the location is not seen)

-        Ult – Recursion: low energy cost, uses the Recursion spell to set Sister Grimm back to full hp, cleanse her and more importantly resets the Staff of One’s spells, meaning that she can use them again