In the Azula/ Sokka roleswap, how DOES the meeting at the South Pole go? I remember that in Canon, Azulon and Ozai also went searching for the Avatar – so maybe it’s royal tradition? I can see both Zuko and Sokka (er, Sozin) seizing that excuse to get away from the court and their father.

attackfish:

There is no meeting at the South Pole is the answer.  They don’t attract Fire Nation attention until the Southern Air Temple and the sages alert the Firelord that signs point to the Avatar’s return.  They then don’t first encounter Fire Nation troops until the Winter Solstice, at which point Zhao begins his hunt.