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Deep Red (Avatar: The Last Airbender)

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Terran Imperium said:
I doubt that would happen.

Akane herself stated her goals and focused her will around that goal a few updates back, where she was meditating with Azula.
She said that she will rule the world with an iron fist, and anyone opposing her would be cut down but those supporting her would have a good life. Anonkun's player base built it around that and the bases for it since the beginning. Which resulted in the current villainous imperialistic and perfect Crown Princess Akane.
The element of Fire is that of Will and to be honest, I don't see any relevant or sufficient enough reason for Akane to drop her ultimate goal nor for the Anonkun player base to do so after working to reach it for like 60k words long?

I doubt Azula would have any kid, Akane seems like she would be lenient enough to allow her sister to not marry if she wished to and Azula in the canon universe just kind of went power-hungry crazy, really. I just can't really see her marrying anyone. I mean, can you imagine her caring for a kid? Or just not fighting or training for 9 months? :V Impossible.

So, unless Akane goes for the sperm donation, she'll have to rely on Zuko to perpetuate the line as he did in the canon universe.
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I think the Iron first side of the deal is showing sign of going away actually, if we take her conduct in the colonies as the style of rulings she want to implement.

Her taking over the world would probably be the best thing for the avatar's world if she'll come to see that they are all the same people and that the divide of the nation is an illusion, just as how she is already starting to see that the element division is an illusion.

If she were to unite all the world in a paceful multi-cultural super-nation she would probably do Aang job for him. (And having Aang face the question of if the Avatar is needed anymore as an istitution instead of Korra could be an interesting narrative plot)
 
I'd like it if she applied her thoughts on improving her firebending with other bending arts to culture and such as well. Acknowledging that fire isn't perfect, and taking from water, earth, and air to make a stronger whole.
 
MannfredVon said:
Something to note. Master Piandao knows something is up. It doesn't take that much to connect the dots when the dots in question are teenagers, dishevelment, close proximity, flushed faces, and a lack of anyone else in the room up until then.

Luckily, Piandao is pretty freakin' chill. He could probably cover for the two of them.
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Not just Piandao. It seems to me as if Gou misunderstood who the second dagger was for and thought it was for Mitsuko, and made them twin daggers based on that.

He's been witness to a few moments shared between them and made them twins based on that chemistry. She never did tell him one was for Azula.

That's just the vibe I'm picking up though.
 
Given the already noted Mitsuko/Water Nation ties, I'm actually kind of curious what Akane's research into waterbending will turn up. I doubt that Mitsuko will be a waterbender herself, but just Mitsuko learning more about her mother's culture from her father would be an interesting development.
 
Shadow Archon said:
Not just Piandao. It seems to me as if Gou misunderstood who the second dagger was for and thought it was for Mitsuko, and made them twin daggers based on that.

He's been witness to a few moments shared between them and made them twins based on that chemistry. She never did tell him one was for Azula.

That's just the vibe I'm picking up though.
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I assumed they were paired daggers in the same sense as Zuko's paired swords, identical because they're intended to be used simultaneously.
 
MannfredVon said:
Luckily, Piandao is pretty freakin' chill. He could probably cover for the two of them.
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I'm pretty sure he knows, honestly. He's been watching them interact for a while, he had that whole moment at the end of Mitsuko's interlude, and he doesn't seem to be 100% on board with the fire nation propaganda about other stuff, so why would he necessarily mind lesbians?
 
pedanterrific said:
I assumed they were paired daggers in the same sense as Zuko's paired swords, identical because they're intended to be used simultaneously.
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Right, but they're both meant to act as separate hair clips. While I'm sure Akane could use both in certain hair styles, it feels like she clearly implicated them for use by two people.

That way both her and Azula have weapons on hand whenever they're attacked by assassins again. It doesn't hurt that Azula will definitely appreciate a dagger as a gift. It's better than a Earth Kingdom Doll for one.
 
OverLORDY said:
But Azula is not batshit insane in this universe and a lot more stable because, you know, someone actually LOVES her and cares about her.
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You didn't read my post properly or you are not aware of the timeline.

I never said Azula is batshit insane, I said in the canon universe after sometimes near the end where she tries to control Zuko from the shadows because it's her destiny and all, she became batshit insane or even before that. Finally, even now considering her character now in this quest. I cannot see her in a working marriage, caring for a kid or not fighting/training for nine months unless she changes drastically.
Tarantio said:
I think the Iron first side of the deal is showing sign of going away actually, if we take her conduct in the colonies as the style of rulings she want to implement.
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Not really, considering the intention behind it is pretty clear through the Anonkun questers there.

I agree for the rest. Akane is probably the best you could get out of a dictator that makes things actually work well.
 
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NemoMarx said:
Knowing the author, I really doubt we're going to get an ending that implies a dictatorship can even be functional. Akane is more likely to run away from home when she's outed and join the Gaang than that. :p
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That sounds like the ideal perfect ending with Akane realizing the wrongs of the Fire Nation, their wrong imperialistic nature and all that but... nah. I may be just cynic today but I'm skeptic about that ever happening. I mean, its something the entirety of the player base over there is encouraging and is working toward. If she was outed, she'll probably kill her father like she considered doing when it'll threaten her and the people close to her and take over as a Fire Lord. It's not something I'm saying, it's a something she herself said.
Although, that type of happy ending makes me dream I'm kind of split off with the other more fun ending that Anonkun wants. SV can make me so conflicted sometimes. :V

I can kind of understand that, to be honest. SV likes lawful good or just good-aligned characters a lot and then good happy endings. It's not something bad but Anonkun doesn't generally share the same opinion. Although Akane ending up as a dictator of the world may not be that much of a bad thing to be honest.

A dictatorship can be functional. It just depends on how the dictator run things. Its that generally, dictators don't run things well. I doubt QM would just throw that away and what the player base was hoping for. It's the QM's quest, of course, but the quest itself is built on the player base. Unless what they're asking for is just too unreasonable.
 
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Great update, really excited for Akane to meet Iroh. Although I fear that hr might misstep with her due to a lack of knowledge about how things went down with her mother.

Just please, let us learn lightning redirection.
 
What I'm most interested to see is the potential for Akane to learn more about the truth about the other nations. She can clearly already see the value of their philosophies when applied to combat and bending - it's not that huge a leap from there to think that there might be value in their philosophies in general. And from that, value in their cultures, their arts...
 
Iroh could make the same kind of spectacular mistake with Akane that he did with Azula when he gave her that dumb Earth Kingdom doll as a present. He seems to connect better with boys.
 
I'm almost certain that Piandao is aware of the mutual crush between Akane and Mitsuko, just as I'm also almost certain that he has every intention of hiding this fact from everyone else. Might be giving a bit of a Talk to Mitsuko pretty soon, which may help her out on her end.

Piandao is basically the most trustworthy adult in Akane's life. Cares about Akane's well-being while also knowing the size of her educational blindspots. Steering Akane away from being a second Ozai is super within his White Lotus interests.
 
I once saw a fan theory that Piandao was in a relationship with his butler, and that's why we never heard anything about him having a family in canon. I'm not saying that that is the case here (if nothing else, Mitsuko's existence indicates that Piandao has some interest in women), but it might explain how Piandao is able to recognize that Akane and Mitsuko have mutual lesbian crushes on each other.

Alternatively, he could just be a really smart, really perceptive guy, as is befitting of the Fire Nation's premier swordsman and member of the White Lotus.
 
An excellent chapter! I love morally complex protagonists and it's so nice that those two finally kissed.

Tyran said:
only for Azula to also be gay.
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Azula x Ty Lee? I wouldnt mind.
necrolectric said:
the Fire Nation's premier swordsman and member of the White Lotus.
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I wonder if he's a member if the WL here, he sounds fairly suportive of Akane despite she being against what the WL would want. If Akane managed to give him hopes for a not-assholish FN, he might not join the WL at all.
 
Personally, Im willing to vote for dictator Akane or not depending on how things go. I just want to help make a fun realistic story where Akane wins whatever she decides to win at.
 
That was an awesome update. Akane further questioning her people is great, that and her drive is why I really don't want her to run away from her family rather than be a figure of change.

Also loved the swording scenes. The awkwardness of the names, the implication the sword's their kid and Akane's internal panic over whether she should kill Gou... Plus Piandao's supportive shipping was awesome, best dad for sure. Looking forward to seeing Iroh too
 
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Omake: Nightmare (Ancient Scholar)
  • Apocrypha
    • @kosm

    This is an omake I made. It's trash, or at least not fully fleshed out. Feel free to rewrite it into something better. The idea is that all of Akane's thoughts and insecurities from the past few years has finally burst after the kissing scene. Stuff like her fear of treason and her mother's homophobia, etc.

    [/hr]
    Nightmare    ​

    You were back in your room at the palace with Mitsuko. Alone. Both of your faces were red and you couldn't look her in the eye. It was improper for a princess to be so awkward and you didn't know what to do but you had to do somethi...

    Mitsuko stepped forward and suddenly you were kissing again. Her soft skin, her sweet lips, you let all your worries fade away. Suddenly you tasted something bitter. Something both familiar, yet not.

    Iron.

    You pulled back in shock and opened you eyes. Blood. Mitsuko skin was pale and coughed up more blood before collapsing.

    "Mitsuko!"

    You reached for her but you were suddenly yanked back and pinned to a wall. Earth cuffs. Another assassination! You had to get free and save Mitsuko!

    "Enough of that now Akane."

    You froze, you knew that voice.

    "Mother?"

    Why was she back? You saw her with two of the Earthbenders that had trapped you.

    "I had warned you remember? As your mother it's my responsibility to clean of your mess."

    Mess? You were never less then perfect. What was she talking about? The only warning she gave you was...

    "Leave Mitsuko alone."

    "She is a bad influence on you daughter. Corrupting you with deviant thoughts. This is for your own good."

    You struggled harder but nothing worked. You were trapped and couldn't bend. Weak and powerless. You can only watch as Mitsuko choked, all the while your mother gave you her serene smile, as of nothing was wrong. Finally Mitsuko gasped and stilled.

    "There now. With her gone she can no longer cause you to perform treason."

    Mitsuko was dead. She was dead! The detachment you had meditated on for years shattered along with your broken heart. You glared at your moth...no, this monster that took her away from you. You were overwhelmed by anger, consumed by it. Every fiber of your being was filled with rage at her smug face. It grew inside you until you felt you were about to burst. A lick of flame escaped you mouth.

    It was blue.

    Then you exploded.



    You sat up with a scream. You didn't know if it was out of fear or anger. You were blinded by your tears. A moment after the door burst open, Mitsuko, sword already drawn.

    "Akane, what's wrong?"

    You didn't think. You leaped at her and sobbed into her shirt. Mitsuko froze before awkwardly trying to comfort you. The stress and emotions slowly faded. A nightmare. Mitsuko was fine. You were still on the ship. It was just a dream, none of that was ever going to happen.

    Right?
     
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  • Apocrypha
    • kosm said:
    She looks back down at the sword cradled in her hands.

    "You can tell that your fire is in it," she says quietly.
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    Pfffff ahahaha they had a baby! :lol
    "I feel like I should name it or something?"
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    *falls out of chair*
    "Akane," she blurts.
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    *ded*
    You hear a muffled noise and glance over to see that Piandao and Taro Gou are actually still standing there. Gou is looking away, and Piandao has a hand over his mouth, expression neutral.

    You raise an eyebrow at the two of them.

    "I'll go fetch the pieces you had commissioned, Princess," Gou says immediately, bowing as he leaves. Piandao doesn't even make an excuse, just leaves with him.
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    THEY CAN'T HIDE THEIR LAUGHTER. :rofl:


    Plus the kiss! Plus so many other awesome things! :D:D:D
     
    I have to agree with the others who think that Akane successfully conquering the world and becoming the Fire Lord would be a bad ending.

    After all we can go so much further. Akane should aim to become the Empress of Mankind then we'll conquer the spirit world and the stars.


    And wear lots of gold.
     
    I'm not actually voting but I think that Akane conquering the world would be a fine ending.
    If the QM is fine with us ruling the world that is something fun they can aim for. If instead they want to avoid that I can live with that too. ​
    The one thing I want to avoid is to have the QM end the quest without warning because they aren't happy with the direction it's going.
    I admit I would be unhappy with giving up all of the conquered territory that we've captured in the earth kingdom because of moral reasons but a huge portion of that is because of how completely out of character I would find it. I can see Akane create a peace treaty without fully conquering the world but I don't see her giving back conquered territory. ​

    Now that they've kissed the two scenes I want the most are talking to uncle Iroh about water bending and fighting Aang and the gang with moves that are recognizable as air and water bending and the reactions.
     
    kosm said:
    I'm sorry for all the trouble. Chat for this quest both on fiction.live and on here I guess has tended to get pretty far afield, and I'm not very good at keeping it under control. I hope it doesn't impact people's ability to enjoy the story.
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    Controversial stuff will do that. A villain protagonist... it'll always be this way. Don't worry too much about it.
     
    kitsune9 said:
    I'm not actually voting but I think that Akane conquering the world would be a fine ending.
    If the QM is fine with us ruling the world that is something fun they can aim for. If instead they want to avoid that I can live with that too. ​
    The one thing I want to avoid is to have the QM end the quest without warning because they aren't happy with the direction it's going.
    I admit I would be unhappy with giving up all of the conquered territory that we've captured in the earth kingdom because of moral reasons but a huge portion of that is because of how completely out of character I would find it. I can see Akane create a peace treaty without fully conquering the world but I don't see her giving back conquered territory. ​

    Now that they've kissed the two scenes I want the most are talking to uncle Iroh about water bending and fighting Aang and the gang with moves that are recognizable as air and water bending and the reactions.
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    I've been following Kosm for about a year now, and I don't think she would end Deep Red without warning. She did end a previous (NSFW, so I can't link it) sidequest of her then-only quest because she was having trouble writing the villain protagonist, but she's grown so much as a writer since then, she's a lot more invested in this quest than that one, and if the voters did take the quest too far for her (which is certainly possible, albeit unlikely; I don't think being a dictator would be too far, though I don't think Kosm would make it easy for us), she would probably just refuse that vote and use the runner-up instead of ending the quest or something.

    When a reinterpretation of her other quest (which the previously mentioned NSFW sidequest was based on, so I can't link that either) led to her not wanting to write it anymore, she just retconned the part she was having moral issues with, though that was a pretty minor part of the quest, so I'm not sure how that would work for something more major; she probably just wouldn't let it happen.

    Regardless, I'm confident in Kosm's writing and adaptability, I think the voters understand that limits, as distant as they may be, exist, and I don't think this will be a problem.
     
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