Chapter Text
“You’re what?!”
The loud boy yelled, flinging his arms in the air. Zuko already didn’t like him very much, but to be fair he didn’t like either of the people in this tiny room. The older person, while shocked, at least had the decency to pretend like his words hadn’t affected them. Good, that was much better, less difficult to deal with them to the other boy.
“Did you not hear me? Or-...”
The firebender shut his mouth, he knew it was a bad idea to antagonise anyone here, even if he didn’t know where “here” is right now. He’d heard enough stories from Fire Nation officials and teachers, people from the other nations are filthy, violent, would love to hurt him. He could play along with their row of questions, answer them just fine, and maybe he’d get out of this alive.
“How could you be so sure of that? You are only thirteen”
Well, that was a question Zuko had wanted to avoid. But then again, what was he expecting? He did just out himself as the guy who could bend all four elements, who everyone believed would defeat his home. Even if he had not done anything against the Fire Nation, he felt like a traitor, just for existing, for being born as an enemy. He debated lying, but really, what was the point? If it was found out he was lying, he could be tortured or whatever these people did to Fire Nationals. So the truth made sense, even if he needed to force it out, after three years of hiding it, the idea of actually saying it was terrifying.
“My uncle told me… three years ago… but I only know firebending”
It felt like a lie honestly, even though he knew it was true. Uncle Iroh had told him, he remembered it like it was yesterday. He'd been forced to play with his sister, Azula and her two friends, Mei and Ty Lee, though he’d barely been paying attention to what they’d been doing. He’d been quite out of it the whole first month of his fathers rule, he missed his mother, which was made worse by father banning talk of her. And of course Uncle Iroh hadn’t returned from Ba Sing Se yet, his two favourite people nowhere around the palace. But he knew his uncle would return home soon, it was at least somewhat comforting, if only to him. Azula didn’t care either way, she’d never particularly bonded with Iroh, and father always went on about how cowardly his brother was.
And then he entered the courtyard, shorter than his brother and mostly gray hair, it felt so good to see him again.
“There are my favourite niece and nephew!”
He’d announced, beaming like he always did, like he hadn’t lost his own son only a few short weeks ago. Zuko could now guess he’d been hiding how much the loss hurt him, his uncle was good at that when he wanted to be. He remembered rushing over to Iroh, hugging him tightly, Azula and her friends hanging back, watching.
“I will need to speak with you soon, Prince Zuko, please meet me here later, ok?”
Iroh had sounded somewhat worried as he whispered that to the young prince, looking around subtly. And he’d nodded his head, returning in the night, only to hear the news that had almost shattered him to pieces.
“Then how can you prove you’re the avatar? Huh?”
The boy hissed, snapping Zuko out of his memories and back to what was happening now. It was almost depressing, he wanted to go back to that time almost, it was far less painful, even with his secret. He’d had his uncle who’d helped teach him firebending, and while she was still… bad… Azula had gotten slightly better with Iroh’s return. But he wasn’t there anymore, he guessed he was somewhere in one of the Water Tribes, with two enemies near him. And of course when he didn’t respond, water boy sneered, his face was really starting to annoy the prince.
“Exactly! He’s probably lying to save his butt!”
“I am not lying you peasant!”
The word had slipped out before Zuko could stop himself; it was used so often in the Fire Nation, especially to describe members of the other nations.
“I am not a peasant! Besides! You’re the prisoner oh great ‘avatar’! You answer to us!”
Water boy came closer, making panic shoot through the firebenders veins, he looked furious. Without thinking he covered his head as well as he could, struggling against the binds even more than he had when waking up. He’d really messed up, and now he was going to… well he didn’t know. All the stories he’d heard about the Water Tribes were they were all a bunch of violent savages, hell bent on killing and drinking the blood of Fire Nation children.
“Sokka! Calm yourself, we will get nowhere with the boy like this”
Zuko was thankful they didn’t let him get attacked, though it didn’t make any sense to him, he’d insulted them too, in a way. He didn’t understand, that was disrespectful, sure he was scared, but he at least deserved some form of punishment for it, didn’t he? This also didn’t match with anything he’d been told about the Water Tribes, besides the few things Uncle had told him. Iroh had tried to teach him some parts of the other nations, but it was almost impossible in the Fire Nation. And besides, father had said a million times, not to believe his uncle when he talked about the other three.
But, despite that, he still did, even if he didn’t believe it very much. This sweet old person kind of reminded him of uncle, in a small way, maybe he was right, the teachings slipping into his mind, trying to fight how he’d been taught for many, many years.
“I think I can prove it… me being the avatar and all-”
Zuko didn’t know why he’d admitted it out loud, but it felt right, he felt like he needed to repay avoiding his punishment with actual proof behind his words.
“And how will you do that? Hm ash maker?”
He was almost shocked at water boy- Sokka saying that, almost, he would have been more shocked if he wasn’t called that at one point.
“Well… I’ll need my arms free”
“No way! Not happening!”
Expecting that answer, the avatar sighed, his working eye twitching slightly, how was he supposed to prove he was the avatar if he couldn’t bend!?
“Just one of my wrists is all I need! …I think… and you can hit me with that club if you think I’m going to attack someone”
Zuko was not looking forward to feeling that club impact against his skull, but since that seemed to calm down Sokka at least somewhat, it was worth it.
“Fine! But don’t try anything!”
“Wasn’t planning on it”
The Water Tribe boy marched over, though it looked much more silly than an actual, proper march in the Fire Nation. The older person still looked unsure of this, but they let Sokka approach, moving slightly to give him some room. The firebender was pushed so the other boy could get the binds off his wrists with one hand, the other gripped onto the club. It looked weak in his hands, the prince was sure he could knock it out, blast fire at the two and escape. But that would end badly, he wasn’t that stupid, so he stayed still and let his hands be unbound. It felt nice to have his wrists free, which was instantly ruined when one of his arms was tied up again, this time to the bed post.
“Go on then, show your avatar powers”
Zuko closed his eyes, remembering the very few lessons Iroh had been able to sneak in about the other kingdoms, the main one he focused on was airbending. He knew he couldn’t have an airbending teacher, they were all gone as far as the Fire Nation said, so his uncle had tried to teach him some of it. He ran his hand through the motion he’d been taught, visualising Iroh’s smile as he’d finally gotten it right. And right as he opened his eyes, he’d pushed a blast of air though his hand, it wasn’t powerful, but it blew the door open for a few seconds.
“Is airbending enough proof for you?”
Apparently it had been, Sokka’s mouth hung open, it looked like he’d forgotten the club was even in his hand at all. And then older Water Tribe member had a similar expression, though unlike the other, they seemed almost… happy? In a way? It was hard to explain.
“You- you said you only knew firebending!”
“Well it’s true! That is… the extent of my airbending…”
Zuko admitted, he didn’t see any point in lying, he’d learnt a few more moves, but nothing had come of them, not even the smallest puff. It was to be expected, the Air Nomads had been dead for almost a century, and he was being taught by a firebender. Honestly he had no idea how he’d learn airbending without anyone to teach him, but that wasn’t a problem right now. The problem was he was stuck in one of the Water Tribes, with his punishment still burning despite the bandages and gause. His father probably hated him, he was a traitor just for being born as the enemy, the avatar.
“It is good you were able to learn that in your homeland dear”
The older one sighed, leaning him back against the bed again, he hadn’t noticed how even that small display of bending had drained him. His eyes were already drooping again, his body ached from all it had gone through in the last maybe two weeks. And before he could say something in response, a rebuttal or anything, he was out like a light.
And when he opened his eyes he almost flinched back, it was so blindingly bright, the sun baring down on him. Usually the sun was a good thing for a firebender, taking in Agni’s warmth, but this felt oppressive in a way he couldn’t put into words. He could hear someone speaking far away, the words rushed and terrified, muffled by the blood gushing in his ears. Then he heard it, it sent terror shooting though him, in a way he couldn’t understand, a shadow falling over the prince.
“You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher”
Zuko looked up at the man in front of him, his father, Fire Lord Ozai, his expression showing anger, disgust and obvious contempt. He brought his hand to his son's face, resting his hand over his left eye. For only a moment, the young avatar felt the fear leave him, for once his father was showing him mercy, and then agony ripped through his body. His flesh was burned away as he screamed, begging for it to stop, for forgiveness, but it didn’t stop, it never stopped.
Not until fire shot from his mouth, the Fire Lord barely ducking out of the way. He was still burning, everything was in agony, but there was something else in his body, something that seemed to make people scream. The earth under his feet shot out in quick unison, trying to shoot his father down to the ground. An air blast pushed back the flame shot at him, then using what he could only guess was a waterbending move to pull the flames to his own advantage.
When no one could be seen he dropped out of whatever had taken control of his body, falling slumped over.
And then his eye shot open, being met with a different Water Tribe person, right in his face. She was younger than him, he’d guess Azula’s age, and she looked very similar to Sokka, maybe she was his sister? No she lacked the look of a sister, her eyes looked nothing like Azula’s, there was so much kindness in these ones.
“Hi there! I’m Katara!”
She announced, she didn’t seem to hold the same distaste of him the boy had, and now it was morning he could confirm that he was indeed at the water tribe. She was wearing a giant fluffy jacket, he was sure was called a parka, in deep blues. It was almost pretty in a way, it looked so different to the Fire Nation regalia he was so used to back home.
“Gran-Gran was right about you waking up early”
Katara leaned closer, which in turn made Zuko lean further away from her, bringing his free arm to his chest. Wait, free arm? Huh? He looked down at it, the arm he’d used to airbend was still unbound, a little bit shocking to be honest. Maybe they’d been too shocked to tie it back down last night? Or maybe since he hadn’t attacked anyone, he’d earned this small bit of freedom.
“Katara, do not crowd the boy, he is still dangerous”
The voice was old, very old, and when he looked towards the source, she saw a short, elderly lady, who he assumed was ‘gran-gran’.
“I agree, he’s a firebender! Don’t forget that”
And there was Sokka again, Zuko remembered that voice very well, mainly because of how annoyed it made him. But then again, having a familiar voice with two he didn’t recognise was at least somewhat calming, even if it was the other boy.
“I’m not forgetting that! If anyone could forget someone could bend, it would be you”
“Hey-!”
“Besides! He’s the avatar! Aren’t they supposed to be the good guys?”
The prince lowered his head, a traitor, to his own people, he was seen as the one who’d ruin everything for his own people. But… hearing someone call him good… it was nice, he wouldn’t admit it to anyone though.
“There are no good people in the Fire Nation!”
“Yes there is!”
The avatar snapped back in a heartbeat, it was the first words he’d said today, though it wasn’t to defend himself.
“Oh really? Huh smokey?”
“My uncle…”
By the look on Sokka’s face, he’d been expecting some ‘I’m the avatar which means I’m always good’ speech. Well sorry water boy, he wasn’t good, at least in his own opinion, but Iroh was, Iroh was the best person on this planet. He was kind and understanding and had more patience than Zuko had ever deserved.
“Oh uh… right I guess…”
The other boy huffed, rubbing the back of his neck awkwardly, Katara shooting him a glare.
“I’m sorry about my brother, Sokka”
They were siblings? That made no sense, neither of them acted anything like how he and Azula were with each other. Maybe things were different in the Water Tribes? And sibling fights were punished worse, so they couldn’t start them near adults? That was the only guess the firebender had at that moment.
“It’s fine… I understand?”
It came off too much like a question, it made it seem ungenuine, which to be fair it was to an extent. He knew in theory why the other wouldn’t like him, they were in the middle of a war with each other for Agni’s sake. But the Fire Nation were always described as the hero’s, trying to fix the world, make it more like them, perfect. But that statement, of the Fire Nation being perfect, it didn’t feel nearly as real as it should anymore. Maybe it was the kindness he’d been shown here, kindness only replicated in uncle Iroh. Or maybe it was the wound still bandaged on his eye, from his own father, believing him to be weak, a disgrace.
“Am I able to get out of this bed now?”
Zuko asked, trying to change the subject away from home, away from painful subjects he’d rather not touch right now.
“No!”
“Yes!”
The two siblings yelled at the same time, Sokka was slightly louder, waving his arms in the air, while Katara looked hopeful, reaching towards his bound wrist. Though when the siblings realised they’d said different things, stared at each other in disbelief.
“What do you mean no?!”
“I mean that he’s an evil Fire Nation scumbag! No way is he just wandering around!”
“He wouldn’t just be left alone! I’d keep an eye on him!”
The boy looked offended at the very idea of his sister being left alone with the prince, trying, and failing, to make himself appear bigger.
“Well I get final say and-”
“He can be let up, if you both keep a close eye on him”
The siblings' grandmother interrupted, making both Water Tribe siblings look towards her. She seemed to be the one really in charge here, even if Sokka acted like he was, she kept calm as she looked over the three pre-teens.
“Just keep his wrists bound, in case”
Ah, that made sense, of course Zuko couldn’t have full freedom, they still saw him as too much of a threat for that. While Katara looked happy she’d gotten him out of this tiny room, her brother looked angry, it was almost funny really. He marched over to the bound prince, pulling the furs off his legs, which shot an icy chill though his whole body.
“Watch it-!”
The pre-teen hissed, shuddering from the sudden cold, sure it didn't take long for him to regulate enough to stay calm, but the cold was awful. The Fire Nation was almost always hot, it was just split into two seasons, the dry season and the wet season, it never got to anything like this. He tried not to kick or attack as Sokka undid the binds, wrapped around both his knees and ankles, knowing they’d be put right back on if he provoked the other. He was still wearing his Fire Nation clothing, they must have dried him off before putting him in the furs if he’d been in water. It was nice to see the familiar black and reds, as well as the small golden highlights that marked his high ranking royalty status.
“Yeah, yeah, sure thing jerkbender”
Well that was a new one, Zuko had almost snorted at the joke, but caught himself, rolling his working eye instead of letting the other get the satisfaction. His tied up wrist was then freed, falling limply onto the mattress, it didn’t look awful all things considered, but it was rubbed fairly raw, and it hurt like hell. The older woman handed something to Katara, who in turn handed it to the burnt prince, it was one of their jackets? They were being so kind as to give him one? Why not just let him freeze? But he didn’t turn it away, he wasn’t stupid, if these people wanted to be kind to him, he’d let them, taking the parka in his hands.
“Thanks…”
It was barely audible, he felt pathetic for saying that, he was the prince of the Fire Nation, he shouldn’t have to say thank you to those in this nation. But he did, it was the right thing to do, they hadn’t needed to show their enemy kindness, but they did. Through a voice that sounded cruel, disgusted, and alarmingly like his father, chastised him, calling him weak, pathetic, over and over. How dare you act like this, you truly are a disgrace to the Fire Nation. He had to force himself to ignore it, he couldn’t look even weaker in front of these people.
“It’s no problem! I tried to find one that looked like it would fit you”
Katara beamed, happy to have helped, even if it was him she was helping. It felt nice, even if Zuko didn’t believe he deserved the reason she was actually somewhat happy. But he tried to ignore those thoughts too, slipping the parka over his head, being careful not to ruin it in any way. It was a bit big for him, the sleeves too long, though he didn’t mind, it was just more warmth for him to be honest. And it also meant that his wrists wouldn’t be rubbing against the binds anymore, as Sokka was nice enough to re-wrap them around the sleeves and not against his skin.
“Help him get up, both of you, he hasn’t stood in a while, and doesn’t have his arms to help him”
The siblings nodded, which the prince also did a few seconds after, quicker than they both did. Sure the old woman hadn’t been speaking to him, but it was a sign of respect to show he was listening, and much easier than making eye contact. Even if he didn’t need help, it would look bad for him to refuse, they might think worse of him, maybe keep him in this tiny room.
Sokka heaved Zuko up by his bound arms, while Katara stopped him from toppling forward. It still felt like too much kindness, though eating snow from falling to the ground without his arms also sounded pretty bad. They both helped him get a feel for walking around the little room first, the girl smiling softly, while the boy huffed, grimacing in a way that made it obvious he felt stupid.
“I could have done this myself… but thanks… again”
The avatar had muttered once he was comfortable walking again, Sokka still looked annoyed, but slightly calmer upon receiving a thank you. While Katara smiled, she seemed so positive about this for some reason, he didn’t get it, but it was nice to see someone smile at him and not Azula for a change.
“No problem! Now let's look around!”
“Katara, wait! This is still not a good idea-!”
Sokka yelled, but it was too late, the girl started leading him out the door their grandmother was holding open. He heard her brother sigh, walking behind Zuko, still untrusting of him, which he didn’t really mind all that much to be honest. Not having trust was something that made sense, everyone treating him like an outsider, that made sense, not whatever Katara was doing.
When the light of the sun hit him, the prince almost sighed in relief, it had been so long since he’d felt Agni’s rays on his skin. And even in this frigid, cold tundra, it still felt wonderful to feel the sun's light hit his pale, mostly covered body. But he couldn’t bask in it for too long, that would look weird to anyone looking, and he wanted to at least seem composed, like nothing could break him. So he focused on his surroundings, looking over the snow covered village he’d woken up in.
It was tiny, a few igloos, some tents, a crude watchtower, there was barely anything. A few people were out and about, though when they noticed him, they stopped what they were doing, turning their attention to him. Women picked up any children nearby, the few kids not close to any adults cried and ran over to one of them. They were scared, scared of him, even though he was only a child and most of the people here seemed to be adults. Sure he understood the kids, they all seemed to be very young, Sokka and Katara being the eldest kids. And hell he understood the elderly too, a firebender against a much older, non-bending opponent, it was unfair. But all the middle aged women too?
And then it clicked, he wasn’t in the Northern Water Tribe, which had mostly avoided the war all together. This was the Southern Water Tribe, which had been ravaged by the southern raiders for longer than Zuko had even been alive. Of course they’d be scared of a firebender, even more terrified of the prince of the damn nation, especially if he claimed to be the avatar.