Reason #789 why Zuko joining the Gaang earlier would have been hilarious: he’s the only one sleep-deprived enough to understand Aang’s batshit exhaustion hallucinations
Aang: oh my god Appa and Momo are fighting with katanas
Zuko: Momo’s sword is actually a wakizashi, it’s too small to be a katana
Aang: wait you can see them
Zuko, who hasn’t had a proper night’s sleep since he had clear skin: I See Everything
Katara: Aang please go to sleep
Aang: BUT I FORGOT MY PANTS AND-
Zuko, nodding: and your math test
Aang: AND MY MATH TEST
Aang: so then I said “NO FIRE LORD OZAI, YOU’RE NOT WEARING PANTS” and boom, nightmare over
Zuko, taking notes: you’re a tiny bald genius