Random “what If Bolin And Mako Were Born In The First Series” Just Because. (Though, Their Start

Random “what if Bolin and Mako were born in the first series” just because. (Though, their start is the same in the au where Aang died and Korra is born within the hundred year war. Which … maybe I’ll make a post about, maybe I won’t idk.)

They’re born in a Fire Nation colony. It’s small, not overly populated so their family isn’t exactly a secret. Some colonies have less unrest, this isn’t one of them.

Their family is generally ignored but with Fire Nation troops still prevalent in newer colonies they’re still kept an eye on.

Mako is born with gold eyes and his complexion is just darker than his mothers. They’re actually a little relieved. But then comes Bolin with warm green eyes who moves pebbles with his wails and they’re suddenly not so at ease in town anymore.

San is the one who bends a small tunnel under their house. He drills into his boys head that they don’t belong here, that people don’t care for them here. That one day they may have to leave. Go find refuge with his family back in Ba Sing Se. He tells Mako repeatedly that he can’t bend out there. He tells Bolin repeatedly that he can’t bend here.

Naoki doesn’t argue but she hates it, she hates these plans and the fact that they could be necessary. They’re her children, they should belong.

It’s Naoki who gets them in trouble. He’s passionate and speaks her mind but she’s angry too. She loves her nation and she hates it. Hates how it spits at her husband’s feet and looks at her children like they’re nothing. Naoki hates that in many of her peoples’ eyes she stopped being a Fire Nation citizen the moment she married San. (Or not, who knows if marriage between two nations is legal at this point. Especially concerning Fire Nation.)

Mako doesn’t know why his parents are suddenly fighting the soldiers but he knows what it means when they stop moving. He knows what could come next if he doesn’t get his little brother out.

And they’re running away and they’re crying and hungry and their feet hurt. Mako struggles to bend to keep them warm, Bolin struggles to make them stable shelter. Neither of them have any idea where they’re going.

They’re children who have struggled to survive. They have to learn to feed themselves, to keep themselves clothed in any manner they can. They’re rarely ever looked at when they roll into a town. Orphans of war are hardly a new concept, especially on the borders of the Earth Kingdom.

Mako hates firebenders and he never bends in public view but fire is what helps keep Bolin warm and fed. It’s what keeps him close to his mother. Mako hates firebenders but he trains every second he can. He’s skilled enough to keep them safe but his fire is used only as a last resort. Mako’s good with knives. (He doesn’t generate lightning in this au, doesn’t even know that’s a possibility.)

People tend to love Bolin and then dislike him in a heartbeat. He’s a very “not all firebenders are bad” kind of kid because they’re cursing the Fire Nation right in front of his brother and it’s not fair. Mako’s not like that and Bolin’s Fire Nation too. But he knows well enough he can’t say that. Bolin’s not ashamed of his family but he thinks sometimes that maybe he should be.

It takes them years to actually reach Ba Sing Se and by then Bolin has forgotten why they’re here in the first place. Mako doesn’t remind him. He doesn’t find their family. He doesn’t know them, he doesn’t trust them. Most of all he’s afraid they’ll reject them.

They spend three years in the city. Living on the street and in abandoned buildings. They both take whatever job they can find. Mako’s 16 and Bolin’s 14 and they’re used to hard living by now.

“These people are Fire Nation!” Bolin’s panic lasts only a moment when he realizes people are gathered on the street. Two teenagers around his brother’s age are sword fighting. The old man is trying to talk the teenager down, trying to tell them that they’re not who he thinks they are. It’s not surprising when the Dai Li takes one of the angry teenagers away. They said they’re not Fire Nation. People defended them. But Bolin can’t help but wonder.

Iroh is slightly worried it’s going to become a frequent occurrence when ANOTHER teenager comes in the shop asking if they’re Fire Nation. The difference is, he buys some tea and when he brings the cup to the counter, he leans over it to whisper his question. The problem is he whispers his question to his nephew who replies with a loud and impolite “no”. Luckily the boy seems unperturbed by Zuko’s brash behavior. Unluckily for them it just seems the boy decided for himself that they are.

The boy becomes a regular. Not always buying tea but always trying to engage both Zuko and Iroh. Iroh is amused, Zuko is not. But the boy, Bolin, did promise to keep their secret. Iroh believes him, though he never admits to the boy’s claims. Iroh eventually invites Bolin over for tea, much to Zuko’s chagrin. But he’s a hopeful old man and maybe someone as lighthearted as Bolin would be good for Zuko.

Iroh learns a lot about Bolin in a very short time. Bolin loves to talk, especially about his brother. Apparently Bolin has had a very hard life, traveling, homeless, his brother taking care of them since their parents were killed. Iroh doesn’t really understand how Bolin is so ready to be friends with people he believes to be of the same nation that killed his parents. That is until he sees his brother.

It’s Bolin’s eyes that threw him. Standing next to Mako with his dark amber eyes and the boys strong family resemblance, Iroh doesn’t know how he missed the Fire Nation in him. Mako politely apologizes for his brother’s intrusiveness and Iroh hopes maybe Zuko’s potential friend count just bumped up to two. But then Zuko remarks that he should be and the look Mako throws at his nephew makes Iroh realize he should focus on one for now. Still Mako somehow finds himself having tea with his brother, his strange old friend and their shithead nephew.

Another potential friend, a potential more, for Zuko comes in the form of Jin. She’s nice and he thinks her date with Zuko went well. But Bolin’s at their apartment the next morning without so much as a hello but a giddy “I knew it!” Iroh is reminded once again about his nephew’s fault in not thinking before he acts when Bolin told his tale about seeing and following Zuko only to see him light up the candles in a plaza without taking a step towards them.

It’s then that Iroh learns that Mako’s a firebender. Iroh is prevvy to a lot more detail about Bolin’s life then and Zuko quietly listens from his room. Iroh isn’t surprised to learn that Mako isn’t a fan of firebenders and wouldn’t exactly be happy about Bolin hanging around them. Mako wouldn’t be the first.

Iroh is pleased that Bolin is so happy for him when he’s given his own teashop. But Bolin never enters and he’s surprised that Bolin didn’t greet them at their new place. It’s then that he realizes the kind of people he’s suddenly surrounded by. No shoeless, grubby teenagers in sight. He doesn’t get the chance to invite Bolin and his brother into his teashop before they’re invited to see the king.

Get ready for Zukaang Week 2022!

Zukaang Week will run this year from July 4-8. Keep an eye out for prompt submissions, FAQ, and rules, and start thinking about amazing Zukaang content to create!

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perfectlove990

3 years ago

Best cartoons of the 2010s

Ah, the 2010s! It was an interesting decade for cartoons. There was lots more innovation to say the least. While many view the 2010s as a dark age for cartoons, I feel that it was one of the strongest decades. Sure, we got more duds than the 2000s, but the best cartoons of the 2010s were some of the best of all time in my eyes. And the hits really hit. Plus, it was a more innovative decade. We got cartoons tackling more darker subject matter, cartoons with more tight storylines and cartoons that were plain goofy. But without any further adieu, here’s my best cartoons of the 2010s!

10. Star Vs The Forces Of Evil

The 2010s was Disney’s decade! So many gems being dropped, and Star Vs The Forces Of Evil was one of many of them. Spanning a total of 4 seasons and 77 episodes, Star Vs The Forces Of Evil ran for a good portion of the second half of the decade. The series revolves around Star Butterfly, a magical princess from the dimension of Mewni. After accidentally setting the family castle on fire, Star is sent to Earth in hopes that she will mature. On Earth, she moves in with a boy named Marco along with his family. She often takes Marco with her to battle monsters, and this brings us some pretty awesome and high stakes adventures. As the series goes on, it gets more intense and gets more tightly focused on the story. Some highlights of the series are the character designs, the plot which I think gets evidently better as the series goes on (though there are some massive flaws closer to the end) and the well written characters (all of the main cast is likable to me). Despite so much greatness this show offers, it ranks at the tenth spot for two reasons: the ending which was not the greatest resolution to me, and the fan service (watch the show and you’ll see what I mean). Overall though, this is a great series which I recommend. You can watch Star Vs. The Forces of Evil on Disney Plus or Hulu!

9. Ducktales (2017)

Ducktales is a classic to many, and with all the reboots going on, one may be afraid that it does not live up to the hype the original had. However, I can assure you all that it does. Ducktales ran for a total of 3 seasons and 69 episodes, and it was truly a masterpiece. The story revolves around Donald Duck, along with his nephews, Huey, Louie and Dewey and his uncle Scrouge. The gang go on many treasure hunting adventures while facing many villains. The story has multiple arcs to keep the viewer engaged. My favorite things about this series are the humor, the characters and the comedy. Ducktales is truly a successful reboot. You can watch Ducktales on Disney Plus!

8. The Legend of Korra

If you have read my last blog, you must know that I am a huge fan of Avatar: The Last Airbender! Therefore, this was probably expected. With a total of 4 seasons and 52 episodes, The Legend of Korra follows the events of Avatar: The Last Airbender 70 years later where there is a new avatar by the name of Korra. Like the former series, Katara wishes to learn to master all four elements. At the start, she already knows earthbending, metalbending and firebending. However, she travels to Republic City to learn airbending with Aang’s son, Tenzin. However, she finds out that Republic City is not all that she thought it was - here, there are a group called Equalists who oppose bending. As the series goes on, we are introduced to more intense plot lines. I personally loved the darker tone they added to the Avatar franchise along with the character dynamics and the intensity. While it is not as great as the original, it is indeed a great series. You can watch The Legend of Korra on Netflix or on Amazon Prime Video!

7. Hilda

How can one hate a series with magic and trolls? Comprising 2 seasons and 26 episodes, Netflix’s Hilda is a truly magical show. It centers around an eleven year old girl Hilda who along with her friends David and Frida and her pet deerfox Twig go on multiple adventures and often run into mysterious creatures. It is definitely a fun series. The magic is great, the characters are all fun and the art style is unique. While the magic theme has been done so much in other shows, Hilda executes it in a unique way. You can watch Hilda on Netflix!

6. Adventure Time

Ah yes, the series that carried Cartoon Network on its back in the early 2010s. Running with a total of 10 seasons and 283 episodes, Adventure Time quickly became one of the most iconic cartoons of the 2010s. The series is about a human named Finn and his friend Jake who live in the Land of Ooo, a place which was unfortunately destroyed by a war. Through the series, they go through many adventures whether that be stopping the Ice King from kidnapping Princess Bubblegum, throwing a sick party or chilling at a haunted house during Halloween The duo is always up to something exciting! As the series goes on, it also gets much more serious and delves into some darker themes. I loved the progression, the colorful atmosphere and the very vibrant characters. Adventure Time is truly a masterpiece. You can watch Adventure time on Hulu or HBO Max!

5. Steven Universe

Another one of the few cartoons that carried Cartoon Network in the early 2010s - Steven Universe. Running a total of 5 seasons and 160 episodes, Steven Universe was another series that became a heavy hitter for Cartoon Network. The series was about The Gems - alien warriors that protect the world from threats. The Gems consist of Garnet, Amethyst, Pearl and Steven. Steven is a bit different as he is half-human as well. He inherited the gem from his mom. Like Adventure Time, this is a series that gets more intense progressively. It definitely gets better as it goes on. Off the top of my head, I need to say that the designs and color choice are beautiful, the characters are very well written and the emotional spark the series leaves is amazing. I also really admire that Steven Universe was able to push boundaries, and introduce same sex relationships in the series. It truly did change the cartoon landscape in a positive way, and this is why it is one of the best cartoons of the 2010s and perhaps one of the most impactful. You can watch Steven Universe on Hulu!

4. Rick and Morty

Adult animation can often be lazy, but Rick and Morty is an exception to this stereotype. With five seasons and fifty one episodes (and it is still running), Rick and Morty has proven to be one of the most critically acclaimed shows globally. Rick and Morty revolves around the Smiths - Jerry and Beth along with their kids, Morty and Summer and Beth’s grandfather, Rick. As the title implies, Rick and Morty take the center of attention in the show though. The two go on many adventures (led by Rick) through different planets and dimensions, and they always keep us entertained! It is truly an amazing series. I love the lore, the comedy and the characters the most (especially Rick). Rick and Morty is truly one of a kind. You can watch Rick and Morty on Netflix!

3. Detentionaire

You’ve probably heard of every cartoon on this list until now! I think it’s about time I go to Canada and talk about one of Canada’s best shows, Detentionaire! Running for a total of 53 episodes and 4 seasons, Detentionaire was one of Teletoons hit shows in the early 2010s. The series revolves around a high schooler named Lee who gets framed for the biggest prank in high school history, and gets a year of detention. He tries to figure out who the true culprit is so that he can clear his name, but as he goes deeper into the mystery, he starts to discover more and more secrets hidden deep beneath the school that could change the entire world as he knows it. As we get closer and closer to finding out what is truly going on, Lee realizes he has a huge role to play in all of this. This series is truly amazing, and it is criminally underrated. My favorite thing about this series has to be the lore and how it gets increasingly more intense with each episode. Alongside that, I love the characters as they each feel like someone you would encounter in a regular high school, and I love the overall mystery. Detentionaire is truly one of the best cartoons of the 2010s, and definitely the most underrated. You can watch Detentionaire on the YouTube channel Retro Rerun, or on Tubi!

2. Gravity Falls

Let’s be honest - who did not expect this? I’m sure most of you would expect to see Gravity Falls on a top 10 cartoons of the 2010s list. A series that had 2 seasons and 40 episodes, Gravity Falls was centered around two twins - Dipper and Mabel. The two visit their strange Grunkle, Stan, at a strange town called Gravity Falls. Stan owns a tourist trap known as the Mystery Shack. Now, the town of Gravity Falls isn’t all it appears to be, which is something that Dipper learns shortly - with the help of Mabel, along with Mystery Shack employees, Wendy and Soos, Dipper slowly unravels the town’s greatest mysteries. Now, what isn’t there to like about this show? My favorite things are the mystery (which was really well done), the characters who all keep the series entertaining in some way, and the pacing which never left an episode boring. Gravity Falls is an iconic hit, and there is certainly no denying why it is so awesome! You can watch Gravity Falls on Disney Plus!

1. Amphibia

My profile picture probably gave this one away - Amphibia is truly a masterpiece. Running in the late 2010s with 3 seasons of 49 episodes so far, Amphibia is a series revolving around Anne Boonchuy who steals a magical box that transports her and her friends Sasha and Marcy into the world of Amphibia, a world full of frogs. Now separated from her friends, Anne must find them and return home. Though, along the way, she faces many threats and obstacles. A truly magnificent show. I personally love the very new and intriguing concept, the characters which are all very loveable and the humor. Amphibia is a masterpiece, and I can see why it’s the talk right now! You can watch Amphibia on Disney Plus!

And these were the best cartoons of the 2010s to me! I hope I introduced you to some new cartoons! Which of these cartoons do you agree with? Which do you disagree with? What are some I missed? Are you going to watch any of the cartoons on this list? Have you already watched some? What are the best cartoons of the 2010s to you? Let’s discuss in the comments!

And make sure you follow my Tumblr page for weekly blogs! I promise I won’t disappoint!

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perfectlove990

3 years ago

Finn Mertens from Adventure Time should've been aro.