A big part of this AU is an attempt to explain why the Water Tribes and Fire Nation are able to maintain themselves through adversity where the Earth Kingdom has balkanized; powerful Waterbenders and Firebenders are capable of More Than Mind Control - "Fire is loyalty" so they can bond people as Knight Errants, "Water is family and community" so they can gather Nakama. QED The Fire Nation is loyal to its leaders unto death, and Katara acting as Team Mom kept them going when things kept going wrong. Put her and Zuko in the same room and witness the fireworks.
Kalaong's review
A big part of this AU is an attempt to explain why the Water Tribes and Fire Nation are able to maintain themselves through adversity where the Earth Kingdom has balkanized; powerful Waterbenders and Firebenders are capable of More Than Mind Control - "Fire is loyalty" so they can bond people as Knight Errants, "Water is family and community" so they can gather Nakama. QED The Fire Nation is loyal to its leaders unto death, and Katara acting as Team Mom kept them going when things kept going wrong. Put her and Zuko in the same room and witness the fireworks.