BOOK: AIR

There was a lot of panic inside the Fire Nation royal palace. Servants panicked and rushed to the birthing mothers' aid. Unsure what to do other than bringing in towels and a bowl of water while a professional nurse instructed her to push.

Minutes pass before the first cries were heard and relief washed over the new mother.

"A healthy baby boy," the nurse had said excitedly, before washing the baby and placing him in his mothers' arms.

Later that day, the Fire Sages traditionally gathered around the newborn, gave him their blessing, and named him Zuko. Unaware of the inevitable and challenging destiny bestowed upon him.

Ursa looked at her bundle with a strong sense of affection.

It was the very same affection she was not able to properly give her husband. The manipulative and cold-blooded Fire Prince Ozai.

At the same time, the father of the boy sat at her bedside and frowned disapprovingly as he observed their firstborn child. It was Ozai who said Zuko didn't have the spark. That he wouldn't be a bender at all. That he'd only bring humiliation in his ambition of becoming heir to the throne.

Therefore, he had ordered Zuko gone from the palace, much to the Fire Sages and Ursa's distress. They managed to convince her husband; stating that Zuko would be a bender. She promised him he would be, and in return, Ozai replied she'd better be right.

Ursa tried everything to make her son show signs of firebending. Going as far as to hire a fire bending instructor at just one-year-old. Unfortunately, there hadn't been any sign yet. And as years went by, she started doubting the promise she'd made Ozai. Especially after their second child was born. A female the Fire Sages named after the reigning Fire Lord Azulon, whom Ozai highly adored because Azula was born with a certain spark that he could not ever find in Zuko's.

The day her son finally managed to bend fire was both a blessing and a curse. Not only did he accidentally set his room on fire, but a spark of curiosity had finally awoken within Ozai, and he seemed impressed and sometimes even proud of Zuko. Who in return beamed and gracefully accepted the many torturous hours mastering the arts of firebending with his newly instructed tutor.

It made Ursa wonder whether she needed to step in and have her son do things at his own pace. Exhaustion was evident on Zuko's face, but the determination to have his father be proud of him always seemed too overwhelming.

It worried her greatly.

When Zuko was seven and Azula was five, Ursa would often see her son sulk and try to avoid his sister. Rather finding amusement in being with her. A part of her very much liked it that way. Or perhaps she was just as clingy to him as was Zuko to her; giving her a sense of comfort to all she once lost.

Yet she knew… Zuko was supposed to play with kids his age. Her son was rarely outside of the palace. Instead, Zuko tried his best in completing the katas for firebending, or, whenever his father wasn't looking, took on his blades and waved them around clumsily.

The fun times were when his cousin Lu Ten would stroll with him through the market. Or when Iroh would tag along to go play hide and seek. It was something she always found cute.

It was the day after Azula's eighth birthday that they had gathered to bid their Crown Prince Iroh and his son Prince Lu Ten farewell. They had bowed respectfully and wished them luck on their return to Ba Sing Se in yet another attempt of breaching the Outer Walls; securing the invasion and eliminating the Avatar, who hadn't been seen for some years.

Curiosity regarding the fate of the Earth Kingdom Avatar, Avatar Lokai, and the state of the world triggered her to make plans for the future. For her family. A confrontation with the Avatar against her new family, it was something she feared greatly. She felt trapped and thoroughly isolated. If only her parents were here. If only Ikem…

Everything changed a year later.

Prince Lu Ten had been killed during the Siege of Ba Sing Se. Ozai urged his father to make him his heir, and Fire Lord Azulon ordered the death of her firstborn child.

That night she conspired with her husband and struck a deal she knew even he couldn't refuse: making Ozai the new Fire Lord, resulting in her permanent banishment.

Everything she had done. She had done to protect him. That is what she told herself, and Zuko too. This way, Zuko would remain alive. Both her children would be safe.

She cried. Angry at herself for not being able to do anything. It only caused the hot tears to fall faster and one hand quickly swept them away. She repressed the sobs threatening to rip out of her throat, it wouldn't do to have anyone find her like this. The banished princess.

Underneath the full moon, Ursa stepped into the shadows, and no one ever heard of her again.

[⁂]

"You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher!"

Zuko woke with a start; gasping for breath. His caring mother, soothing his troubles before leaving him behind.

His father… calling him a disgrace for speaking out of turn. For refusing to fight in an Agni Kai, and for being a weakling of a son. Now banished and send on a quest to find the Avatar.

Anyone he encountered would tell him it was a futile chase which would only add more shame to his already humiliating status as the banished Fire Prince.

It was his father who said capturing the Avatar would restore his honor and his rightful place as heir to the throne. It took a moment for his heart to stop pounding and his mind to clear as he desperately looked at the Fire Nation flag pinned to his bedroom walls.

He just wanted to go home.

I'm awake then, he thought gloomily.

Sleep always seemed like a paradise after the misery that now lasted three years. A sweet release from all his troubles.

Subconsciously, his hand rested on the wrinkled skin under his left eye and he sighed. Shaking his head and getting on his feet, Zuko opened his bedroom door and ambled his way up the main deck of his ship.

"Ah, my nephew. You are up early. Come sit, I have prepared delicious tea."

Zuko scowled at his uncle who sat at his usual spot in the early mornings, drinking his self-made tea.

"Today is an important day," he muttered slowly.

"Ah, yes. Going on foot and leaving your crew behind is a huge undertaking. Even for you." Iroh took a silent sip from his cup.

"The ship's useless. If we are to capture the Avatar, we must look for him on fresh soil," Zuko countered.

His uncle blinked in surprise. "I recommend checking the Fire Nation colonies then. You'll never know what surprises you might find there."

Zuko rolled his eyes. "That's ridiculous uncle. What good would it do for the Avatar to be in one of the colonies?"

"Avatar Lokai might be looking for a firebending teacher. The last time I saw him he only mastered the elements of water and earth…" Iroh muttered softly. "The people of the Earth Kingdom were unable to teach him in the correct order of the cycle, thus making him a fragile and incomplete Avatar."

"I don't care whether he can or cannot bend other elements. Besides, that was sixteen years ago! The Avatar is thirty-two years old now. He ought to be a master and I will not falter in my ambition to capture and bring him to my father," Zuko turned to look at his uncle. "We've been searching for three years now. Trust me, the Avatar is still in Ba Sing Se. Hidden safely behind those ridiculous thick walls."

"You must do whatever you think is right, of course. I'll simply be there to guide you."

"Pack your things uncle. I suppose it'll be just us for a while now," said Zuko.

He moved back to his room and took his most valuable possessions. Once done, he rejoined with his uncle and other members of the crew as they bid their princes farewell and moved on–likely to be returning to the Fire Nation or whatever other military business they would be selected to.

When they reached the nearest village–Tamaki–they started inquiring about the whereabouts of the Avatar. But not before putting on some decent Earth Kingdom disguises which included Zuko using his knife to cut off his Phoenix tail and replace it with a conical hat.

Regrettably, both he and his uncle concluded the villagers wouldn't dare spill the beans to the likes of them. So, when they were in full peasant get-up, much to Zuko's displeasure, they could finally start.

[⁂]

"Uncle, got any valuable information?" Zuko asked after half a day, taking in the sight of villagers passing by and doing whatever business they felt like doing.

He added gloomily. "Honestly I thought getting info would be easier dressed up as peasants but it's as if the Avatar never set foot outside of Ba Sing Se."

"Not yet," Iroh said seriously, before unrolling something he'd snatched along the way and practically shoved it in his face. "But I've heard they have a tea shop right around the corner! They have a special brand. We should visit them, so we can clear our minds and be on our way with high spirit."

Zuko scowled at him, jerking away from the flyer as he turned to walk away, but as soon his back was turned, he let out a surprised gasp and forced himself down the bushes.

"Uncle, down!" He gestured for Uncle Iroh to follow suit.

Fire Nation soldiers, and not just one of them.

Zhao, Zuko heard himself mutter under his breath. Anger shot through him as he tried to contain all his willpower not to move and confront him regarding their heated discussion last time.

Something about his honor, and his weakness. Not surprisingly the subjects his sister and father loved to lecture him with as well. It pissed him off to no end that the guy had more power than him.

"What's he up to?" Zuko grumbled darkly.

"Zhao and his men usually mean bad business, Prince Zuko. It is best if you stay out of sight."

"I know," he finally gave in. "Where was it you wanted to go?"

A spark of excitement glistened in Iroh's eyes and Zuko knew he had to endure his frustration a little longer.

[⁂]

Zuko eyed the customers warily, feeling agitated one of them might turn out to be Zhao's men in disguise and that they would recognize him with all consequences that it might entail.

When a whisper in his mind gave him the satisfying safety approval that Zuko needed, he followed his uncle and took a seat.

Scanning his menu card, he tapped against the rough texture of the wooden table before passing it to his uncle and scoffed.

Why had he agreed to go here? There was no time for tea while enemies lurked right around the corner. But then again, what were the chances of Zhao visiting a tea shop?

Perhaps it truly was a stupid idea coming here.

His uncle smiled at the waitress. "Hello, you look lovely today. May I order a Jing Mountain Tea for two, please? I hear they are very tasty."

"Oh my, such a gentleman. Of course," the waitress giggled at him.

Iroh stroked his beard as he poured over his menu card, "But I must say I've never heard about the Gui Ping West Mountain tea…" he contemplated with great difficulty, making Zuko roll his eyes.

"Well, I can tell you they are very tasty too," she joyfully insisted.

"But what of the Rain Flower tea, or wait–" His eyes popped in surprise, leaning a little closer. "Perhaps the Dragon Mountain?"

Zuko growled and threw his hands up in the air. "Uncle can't you be more decisive?!"

Iroh frowned. "We need a cup of tea filled with warmth and energy, so we can prepare ourselves for whatever lies ahead. We must choose the most effective."

Zuko breathed in deeply, trying to calm the stress pressing down on his mind. Vaguely, he was aware of a group of children dressed in blue huddled up behind him, and, upon closer inspection, noticed they were Water Tribe.

Deciding their conversation ought to be more entertaining than his uncle's, he listened closely as they, just as he predicted, spoke of Water Tribe stuff.

Northern Water Tribe stuff to be more specific. Funny, they were planning on heading for the Northern Tribe then?

What caught Zuko by surprise, however, was the sudden subject of Avatar Lokai being dropped, increasing his interest tenfold.

He dared a glance over his shoulder.

The female of the group leaned a little towards the two boys, "It's worth a shot, Sokka. I think it's time for the Avatar to come out and fight."

"Fine–but only if I get to eat seal jerky tonight."

He couldn't quite fix his eyes on the other two boys with him, hidden behind a pillar, but the one speaking just now sounded somewhat annoyed.

"It's a deal."

Without a word, Zuko rose from his seat and approached their table. His calculating eye looking over each of the three customers in anticipating silence. He could see them now. Two Water Tribe peasants and a… he wasn't quite sure who the third and youngest boy was. He looked awfully familiar somehow. Which was strange because he was fairly sure he had never met a boy with tattoos wearing outdated monk robes.

Who did this boy think he was anyway? Perhaps an airbender wannabee? Zuko cringed.

At the same time, his actions caused the group of three to turn and look up at him in surprise and, dare he say, with mild caution?

"You're looking for the Avatar?" Zuko asked after a moment.

"What? Who are you?" The Water Tribe girl stammered, clearly taken back by his appearance.

"I said, are you looking for the Avatar?" Zuko repeated with irritation gnawing at him. "Don't lie to me. I heard you say you were."

"Why do you care?" Her demeanor changed; there was certain alertness in the girls' voice.

Zuko sighed. "Because I want to know more about the Avatar and his… great destiny of purifying this world from the Fire Nation's evil schemes. I've heard the stories about him being in Ba Sing Se, but whenever I ask people here no one seems to know exactly where he is. Or whatever might have happened to him."

"I'm afraid we know just as much as you do," her blue eyes lowered in disappointment.

"Why do you want to know where the Avatar is?" The older Water Tribe boy questioned suspiciously, Sokka… was it?

Zuko didn't answer him though; his thoughts now fiercer than ever.

"…Then he must be in Ba Sing Se."

The bald boy with the arrows finally began talking. "You really think he is? I mean, they couldn't have locked him up in there forever. The Avatar needs to be free; to learn all the elements and restore balance."

Sokka crossed his arms and nodded. "Yeah! Not lock him up like they did the Southern Water Tribe Avatar. I wouldn't want to spend six decades in a cell. It's the same they're doing now just a different nation."

"Well, at least Avatar Lokai's not stuck in a cell," the bald one exclaimed hopefully.

"We don't know that Aang," Sokka countered, shaking his head in denial.

"I doubt the people of the Earth Kingdom are as ruthless as the Fire Nation," the girl replied dryly.

"You don't know that either." Sokka retorted. "Although I do agree with you on that one."

Zuko clenched his fists but stayed silent.

The bald boy–Aang, smiled and rested his hands behind his head. "So, you're hoping the Avatar will come out too, huh?"

There was a bitter smirk on his face. "It's what I've always dreamed of."

"Yeah, me too," Aang admitted. "All of us. Hopefully, we'll be able to meet him one day because I need to speak to him. I heard some great stories about Avatar Lokai after my friends, Sokka and Katara, found me and told me all about the war in the past hundred years."

There was a flicker of confusion in Zuko's eyes, "What do you mean?" he questioned suspiciously.

"Oh uh," Aang's eyes widened and he began to splutter, "I'm um, I've been living in a cave that goes deep underground. I missed a lot about the war," he answered innocently.

"You're lying," Zuko shot back, narrowing his eyes slightly.

"He's speaking the truth. What is there to lie about?" The girl retorted, her blue eyes narrowing back at him.

No, he wasn't. There was something off about what he just said. If only he could lay a finger on it.

"Lee!"

Zuko groaned instantly. He hated that name. Worst of all he hated the looks these kids were giving him. They were obviously agitated by his mood-swings, and, because of his excellent hearing, Zuko couldn't help picking up the whisper, weird guy that one, and he shrugged it off as nothing.

No more caring about the peasants, he stalked off to his uncle.

"Yes, Mushi?"

"I've decided on the Thousand Islands Jade Leaf. Simply because of its name, though the energy is in there. One sip will get you up and running for many hours straight," Iroh smiled brightly and Zuko sucked in a breath; trying to calm himself.

"Yeah, that's great."

Iroh nodded. "Did you make some new friends?"

"They are not my friends," Zuko spat. "I simply overheard them speak of the Avatar, so I went to check on them. They don't know anything about his whereabouts either."

"That is unfortunate."

Looking back at his tea, Zuko stared at his reflection for a moment, "I just don't get it, uncle, it's like he's vanished into thin air. From what I read in reports, it states that the Avatar wasn't seen often outside of Ba Sing Se, but he tended to be, and his adventurous stories still circulated the nations. But it's been dead silent for as long as I live!"

Zuko's tongue found itself locked behind his teeth, eyes becoming shamed slits as he looked back at his uncle.

"There's just nothing to go by other than visit Ba Sing Se. Even if I know you keep telling me I shouldn't do that," Zuko mumbled hopelessly.

"Shush Lee, you are acting a bit too emotional right now. Calm yourself," Uncle Iroh urged, noting the looks people were giving him.

Suddenly, the entrance door slammed open. A man stormed in, panting heavily as if he'd just run a marathon. "Fire Nation troops are heading towards us! They just burned several parts of the village, run! Run!"

Zuko's blood ran cold. He took a deep breath, careful to disguise it as normal, and fixed his uncle a knowing look before moving away and jump over a counter in the far corner of the shop. As all ingredients and porcelain cups crashed down on the ground and shatter into tiny pieces, they silently hid behind it while hysteria unleashed itself among the customers.

"Well, well," a familiar voice started; glee in the way his voice echoed throughout the shop. "Look at who we have here."

Zuko gulped. Zhao was here!

"The foolish Southern Water Tribe siblings and the airbender. You are coming with me kid," Zuko couldn't see it, but he imagined a sinister smirk creeping up Zhao's face.

Honestly, though, Zuko was somewhat surprised it wasn't him they were after. Which meant they still had a chance of escaping peacefully without triggering the Admiral's attention. He couldn't afford to have Zhao see him as he would likely force another Agni Kai or coax Avatar-related information out of him. He knew how much Zhao obsessed snatching the Avatar right under his nose.

What did surprise him, however, was that Zhao's been targeting those groups of kids he just spoke to. And since they want to find the Avatar, like him, he couldn't help but feel something cold settle in his stomach. If those kids knew more about the Avatar they hadn't told him yet…

"After them!" He heard a firm order.

What followed was water splashing over his hat, a loud battle-cry, and a gush of wind. Zuko blinked and turned to stare at his uncle in awe, who returned his concern. They didn't dare look up until after a moment, all soldiers had run out of the tea shop and after those kids.

Once the screams reduced to mere whispers, Zuko scrambled to his feet as fast as his body would allow him. He stumbled out of the shop, staggering through the woods and hide in the bushes. There was a field of fire that occupied his vision; heat burning against his face.

The entire village was burned to the ground. And what for? All because of Zhao hunting some kid. Some strange-looking kid fascinated by the airbenders.

Or could he be…

No, it couldn't. It shouldn't be possible. The airbenders are extinct thanks to his great-grandfather Sozin. There are no survivors, and it's been like that for a hundred years.

Then why was it that Zhao took a liking to him?

He had to know why.

"Prince Zuko! It is not wise to mess in other people's conflicts. This isn't your fight, and right now Zhao does not know we are here. We must leave immediately," Iroh demanded, panting as he approached him cautiously.

"But I must know what's going on, what he's after!"

He saw glimpses of men dashing through the forest, screaming and yelling orders.

"I know you do, but remember, there is always next time if you leave now!"

Zuko cursed under his breath but nodded almost imperceptibly.

Decision final, he swiftly turned around and followed his uncle into the forest, far from the burning village that's probably left a scar on its citizens for good.

Author's note: You can read the story on AO3 as well. The title of the story is "Avatar Zuko" under the username "aresia".