It Ends
The Fire Lord and the heir to the throne knelt before the shrine to General Iroh, Hero of the Fire Nation and prayed. "Great ancestors, protect us, guide us in your wisdom and plead for us before Lord Agni," they chanted, touching their foreheads to the floor six times as was custom.
"Thank you for accompanying me, Zuko," Lu Ten said softly. It had been six months since he had become Fire Lord and he had decided to make it a custom to pay respects to his father on the morning of the New Moon.
"I didn't mind. I love missing class," Zuko chimed in, rising to his feet. He ducked Lu Ten's pebble throw. "Sorry, but Sage Amida is boring."
"Well, yes, but religious training is supposed to be boring. At least…I always thought it was," Lu Ten said, trying to hide his smile.
"When Haru visits next week, it will be a lot more fun," Zuko said. Although Zuko now had many friends among the nobility, his little Earth friend spent every third month with him. The Earth Kingdom rebellions had been put down and a kinder hand had been allowed on them. "Can we go to Ember Island when he comes?"
Lu Ten rolled his eyes. "Again? We just went there last week," he said, ruffling his cousin's hair. "I do need to work, you know." His people were happy, his family was happy, but Lu Ten would not rest on his laurels. He had too much to accomplish. "And I am getting married, you know."
"Yeah, to Ty Lin," Zuko said, wrinkling his nose. "Girls are silly and gross, you know. Her sister, Ty Lee keeps doing cartwheels around me and asking her to play dolls with me."
"She's a nice girl, Zuko and it's good to make many friends. I'm having another young lady, Miss Bei Fong come to visit too. It's important for a prince to have many friends. We can have a party for Haru and invite them all," Lu Ten offered.
"Yeah. And…someday, will Azula come too? It's her birthday next week. Can we send her something?" Zuko asked, his eyes shadowing a bit. He had never mentioned his sister till today.
Lu Ten, of course, knew all about her antics. The nuns had reported her to be a manipulative, angry, deceitful child who frightened the other novices and yet exuded a magnetic appeal on them to do mischief. Lu Ten had been furious to hear her behavior had not improved at all. "We'll…see."
He had no idea how to reach the goodness inside her…if she had any goodness. He had written back, insisting that they punish Azula as they see fit until she learned to respect others and conduct herself appropriately. He didn't wish to send her to Crescent Island to live in complete isolation. He remembered what Aunt Ursa had said "What was wrong with that child?" He wished he knew.
"Poor Uncle….I miss him too. You're a lot like him, you know." Zuko could be quite sweet when he wished to be. "But sometimes...I think he'll still come wake me up and bring me a gift."
"Well...I can't bring him back. But...I have brought someone else back for you. My soldiers found Aunt Ursa in hiding in the Earth Kingdom. She'll be coming home in three days." Lu Ten would allow Ursa to explain why she had to hidden away for her own protection.
Zuko's eyes almost fell out of his head. "Mom...is coming home?" he whispered. He stayed silent for a long moment before bowing deeply. "You're...the best. That's why everyone calls you the Great Dragon. Thank you."
"No…I'm not a Dragon. I'm just the Son of the Dragon. But…I think that's good enough," Lu Ten said, scooping Zuko up and plunking him on his shoulders. He was the Son who ended the war, brought peace to the family and had made a better future. "I am the Son of the Dragon of the West, and I think I have finally made him proud." For some reason, he had a feeling of peace that told him he was right.
At least, he hoped.
Okay guys. This story has ended, but I have decided on a little contest. It involves the prompt "Six Years Later," which would be the time that the show takes place, when Aang leaves the iceberg. In your review, tell me what you think would have happened. Lu Ten has conquered the Earth Kingdom and the war is over. This means that the raid on Katara's village still happened.
How have things changed? How would Aang's quest be different? What is Azula doing now? How different is Zuko? What about Katara and Sokka?
The idea I like the best wins. The prize will be a gift drabble of your choice! Two drabbles if you write it into your own drabble and post it!