Show Avatars on custom vB page? Do I need to query the db?

[Dismounted]

functions_user.php does not run any code when you include it. It is merely a library of functions that allow you to fetch and manipulate data about the user. Alternatively, you could simply have a look at what fetch_avatar_url() does, and "merge" the query with your own; removing the use of functions_user.php altogether.