Chapter Text
Once upon a time, in the time where earth was still young, the kingdoms were separated according to their elements, fire, water, mist, sand, earth and last one, air. The largest empire at the time was the Fire Kingdom. Fire was a strong element, it is uncontrollable and those who mastered this element naturally breed out greed for power and control. The kingdom was under the ruling of the Jung’s clan for as long as anyone could remember.
The story begins when the kingdom’s young prince is to be engaged to someone very far away. A prince from another kingdom, the water tribe.
“Prince Yunho, would you please wear this attire for today?”
The servant pulled out a garment, one of their official uniform worn in the palace when the under a formal meeting.
“The King had request for an audience with you, he said it was something important.” Getting off the royal bathroom, steam was practically oozing off him as he entered the dressing chamber, taking the cloth prepared for him.
“My father? Whatever does he need now? Do you have any idea?”
He starts drying off his wet hair, which not much left since he practically play around in the bathroom with his element. Being a master of his element at only the age of 12, he is everything a future heir of the throne should be, good look, intelligence and strong. His servant shakes his head,
“No sire, but I do recalled some of the maids were making a fuss. They said we’ll be expecting a new member of the royal family soon. It may not be my place to say this but…” The servant paused, somehow he was reconsidered his thought.
“What? Go on..” Yunho insists.
“It may be a matter considering your future spouse.”
The matter strike Yunho, it wasn’t that much of a surprise, because he somehow was expected to be wedded by time he turn 18, which was only another two months away.
In another kingdom where modesty strikes the strongest moral, living equally where there’s no such thing as hierarchy or dictators, and their strongest believe is to live in peace and harmony, was the Water Tribe. Being sheltered from any war or greed for power, most of the villagers are non-soldier materials, they are fishermen or farmers that mainly using their skill in water bending as a domestic skills for daily life. They do have a small military force, not enough to start a war and a leader, one they call as their chief, is Changmin’s father. The Shim family has been governing and managing the tribe, including all the internal and external affairs with the neighboring kingdoms. Their relationship with the neighboring kingdoms purely based on business and market trade, even with the Great Fire Kingdom.
Outside, in the beautiful countryside hill with green grass filled as long as the eyes stretch, are two young men, in his late teen and another one just barely an adult, panting their breath out. The younger was still holding on to his stand by position while the other was panting on his knees, both mentally exhausted from the ‘little’ training they had been doing.
“Come on hyung, get up. I’m not done yet.” The teen encouraged, challenging the older once again while still catching on his breath.
“Do we have to do this again? You’re skilled enough to be one of the great masters in water bend, can’t we take a break for awhile?”
Changmin slumped right next to his hyung, patting his shoulder.
“It’s still not enough. There are many out there, stronger than me. I need to get stronger. So that I’ll be able to protect everything, with my current state, I don’t know if I’ll be able to do anything.”
His hyung, Hangeng chuckled, the boy he used to know had grown into a fine man. Changmin is his childhood friend and just like his father, even if he was born with status and fame, he would throw all that away in a breath to protect something or simply stating the truth.
“You’ll get stronger Min-ah, you just need to have more time to experience.”
“I wish that was the case.” His expression turned sour, Hangeng noticed that.
“What’s wrong? You’re keeping something away from me, I can tell.”
“I just remember, granny asked me to clean up something for her. I need to go first, see you around hyung.”
Changmin quickly divert his eyes and tried to move away before being hold down with a cold water splash resembling a giant hand, Hangeng’s jutsu.
“Shim Changmin, you’re avoiding the subject, you like reading more than training, but today you seemed like you’re overdoing it. You seemed like in urgency. Won’t you tell me what’s wrong?”
“Haha, you caught me.”
Changmin turned and inhaled. He was met with eyes to eyes.
“Dad gave me a letter today. It was about my engagement with Fire Prince. I’m… leaving hyung.”
The silent was dreading as realization hit him, he was about to lose his friend to one of the Fire lords.
[Somewhere between the fire and the water land]
The journey was very long and with all the heat Changmin had to endure, he wishes he never agreed to such arrangement.
Flashback
“Dad, how could you? How could you agree to this?!”
“Trust me Min, you don’t want to be the enemy with the Fire.”
“We’re not weak. We can fight them off if we have too, just what was playing in your head when you agreed to this?! You just sell your own son do you realize that?!”
“I’m aware of that fact more than anyone, thank you. Son, I believe in you, you’re going to be alright. Besides, what they want is alliance with the Water. If war is to occur, don’t you think we need to be on the good term with the winning side?”
“And you just thought fire would be the winning side?!”
“I’m not saying that it will but the important thing is to avoid the war in the first place. What’s better way to prevent it by intruding the inside of the system, you’ve learnt the art in shougi, don’t you?” His father gave him assuring smile before palm his cheeks.
“Besides, I believe my son is up to the task to carry the duty. You’re smart enough to think what’s best to do.”
End Flashback
Living up to the expectation from a water tribe, Changmin went to the Fire nation capital alone. Anyone couldn’t tell the different between him or any of the people of the city except for the way he was dressing. The full length clog covered his head, protecting himself against the heat, he never see any place any hotter than that kingdom. Water kingdom was always having heavy rainfall even if there’s sun, it won’t be shinning that brightly, it makes him wonder how the people there seemed least concern regarding the weather. He stopped at somewhere looked like a dining area and asked for a meal.
Right next to the dining area, there was a crowd gathering at an area, curious pique makes Changmin went into the crowd and found out what the commotion was all about.
Apparently there seemed like there was going to be a match. A young, well-built guy against this bulky, gigantic man, from the looks of it, there’s no chance of the young opponent to win, unless miracle can happen.
The match starts off with a usual punching and throwing kick everywhere in the ring with the younger opponent douching every hits, his body seemed to work gracefully as if he was dancing and each steps he’d taken thrown his opponent off. The fight runs wild as both of the opponents start using their fire elements, the crowds cheer. Changmin takes in all the things that had been going on. In the end the young opponent defeats his opponent with one final blow. Everyone cheers for him and throw more fires to the air while Changmin kept his calm and learnt a whole new culture around him.
He knew that the Fire Kingdom people were vicious and bad-tempered, he just wasn’t expecting it was this bad.
Still having his identity unknown, he asked the man for a duel.
“Fight me!”
It only did earn him a good 10 seconds of laughter from the crowd and the man he asked for the duel, before he finally decided he had enough of it and sent the others’ flying with his fist.
A smirk plastered all over his face, seemed he finally able to deliver the message better with his fist.
“Now do you take me seriously?”
Changmin asked as he watched the other getting up on his knees again, that punch usually make other knock out, his opponent must have been strong enough to still be able to stand without that much of damage. His opponent finally looked at him smugly while spitting away the remaining blood out of his mouth.
“You seemed to be new around here lad, so let me explain a few things. First, this isn’t just some sort of street fight, nobody just jump in and asked for a duel. There’re supposed to be a price to bet on. If I see it worth it, then I’ll consider fighting you.”
“I don’t have anything I want to offer you, just simply a duel in discovery my strength.”
Changmin spoken, identity still remained unknown to the people he seeking a dual with, even his face remained hidden under the clog that pique his opponent’s curiosity on his age, but the fist clearly showed how much strength the other has.
“I forgot to mention, we should also introduce ourselves before a match. My name’s Jung Yunho.”
His opponent introduced himself without even being told to, clearly he was proud of who he is. Changmin smirked, although it wasn’t that visible, Yunho could spot that under the half covered face.
“What’s yours?”
He tried, but earned him a swift punch that he managed to block at the last second, the idea of him turning into a punching bag for the second time didn’t sound pleasing enough, especially not for the man of his statue.
“It’s rude not to introduce yourselves before a match.”
Yunho re-primed the other, body already dodging the other’s continuous attacks.
“I don’t re-called ever asking for it in the first place, Jung Yunho. You’re the one who’s willingly giving that to me.”
Changmin continuously attack, leaving no room for Yunho to re-counter. Yunho was cornered, he almost lost his footing before he sent a blow and leapt back a distance from Changmin. He needed to re-strategized the attack but the problem was he couldn’t been able to tell the pattern.
“You’re a snob. I’ll get your name once I’ve smear all the ashes right on your face.” He starts fire bending, moving so definitely as he controlled the element of fire.
“In your dream, Jung.” Changmin smirked, pleased he finally earned the other fully attention on the match. Play time’s over, now is where the good part begins.
Later that night.....
“Arghh!! That hurt! Can’t you do it softer?”
Yunho yelped,
as the servants were carefully attending to his wounded back. The match he had earlier turned into a bloody mess. He ended up with a burned back and wound fist. His knuckles turned purpled as he continued biting of the pillow to muffle down his yelp of pain, grudge built up from within on that one little brat that he still hasn’t caught the name of his offender. What angered him the most was the fact, he never gets anything out of that boy, not his name nor even his full skills, heck that guy was simply dodging the attacks and somehow he ended up getting hurt with his own element as he began destroying the neighbouring area of their arena.
The pang was the worse when his opponent even dared to say those on his face,
'Well, well, if it isn’t the strongest element in the world,’ that boy laughed. ‘But look at yourselves now, all wounded and burnt, I guess there’s always a price to pay to wield such a power. You’re not that great, Jung Yunho.’ Then he left, just like that.
“Ughh!!” More muffled hissing coming out from him.
“I’m sorry Your Grace, I’m trying my best to attend you.” His attendance continued to dress up his wounded back.
He kept his muffle under control, he still has pride to maintain, or what’s left of it. The match earlier didn’t turn up like he was expected to be. He thought the kid was just showing off and talked big, but seemed like he overestimated himself. That kid win, without even showing of one bit of his bending elements. And Yunho still have no idea who that kid was. He called for one of his personal attendances.
“This is under a personal order and keep the matter close as low as possible. Secure all the gates around the city, find out who that kid is and bring him to me. I want to meet him again.”
“As prisoner?” His attendance asked.
“No. Not as prisoner. As a guest.”
“I’ll see right to it sire.”
Funny how Yunho seemed unanimously interested in meeting the other again, seemed like it was a long time ago when he was interested in anything. Living in the palace was always dull and nothing sparks enough to flame out his interest, not when he is the one who controlled the flame. To be able to be challenged and defeated all by an anonymous character piques his interest once again, he just got to meet that boy again to confirm what it was about that boy that interest him the most.
Three days had gone by and there wasn’t any trace of the strange boy whom Yunho seek. He was beginning to think that the boy had already left the capital or already vanished. He wanted to let the matter go but the fact that the boy could defeat him that easily scratches his ego in a million ways possible. He waited and waited, and sometime left to seek the boy himself but to no vain. It was until that evening did his attendance remained him again of the ceremony that was about to take place that night, his engagement party which he was no longer flattered to attend to. It was probably just another fancy boy, dressed up in overwhelmed cloth from another kingdom, who was sent here to butter up the fire nation. Another rug to wipe his dirt on, he thought.
By the time the ceremony begin, the whole hall turned to silent as the pair, king and queen entered and seat on the throne. Yunho followed them silently from behind and seated on the empty space reserved to him. The whole hall passed them their greeting before the king speaks up.
“Welcome all my subjects.” He greets them, full with the confident and aura of a king, fitted for the kingdom.
“Our kingdom has been running well and prosperity thanks to all your people effort and loyalty. But, to secure a great position required great power. And of course, great power comes with a price to pay. If you people still don’t realize this fact just yet, wake up and see things clearly. I think it’s about time we could use opinion from another side, so therefore in this very evening, I’ll lay upon you all to witness as I welcomed the newest member to the royal family tree. Shim Changmin, from the water tribe.”
The whole hall turned into a dread silent as the grand door opened and revealed a tall slime figure. Yunho could heard some of the disagreement came from the rows of cabinet as the grace footsteps steps into the hall, all eyes lay on him.
Bowing down on all knee and head lies low, Changmin send the king his greeting first before brought his head up, eyeing each and everyone in the hall first starts off with the king, the queen and the rows of ministers before he finally looked at the one he’ll be betrothed too and smirked.
He turned back to look on the king and smiled politely. The king continued,
“The marriage to unite these two people will be taken place on the day the prince turned 18. Make no mistake on that.”
The whole hall turned silent as the ministers’ complaint rounded up in silent. They want to rise out their indignations but respected the present of the king. Wait till they have a gathering on their own, only then they’ll be able to tell. Meanwhile, Yunho couldn’t decide whether the arrangement is to his interest or distaste, which he was soon to find out.
The feast took place longer than Yunho had expected or that’s what Yunho thought since he couldn’t bared to get a single taste out of the food he ate thanks to his father sudden announcement, so like what? He should just accept the whole deal and what? Let the wedding that place by the time he turned 18? Seriously? And what about the kid he was supposed to marry, who’s he to begin with? A water tribe? Now that’s a rare specimen, his father sure has this amazing thought in unifying fire and water. He entertained that thought as he watched the other from afar. They were seated right at the opposite end of one another as he watched he so called fiancé eat with great interest, paying no attention on the eyes he was attracting. That boy is oblivious, how did father managed to pick up this kid? Is he even worthy of being the nation’s son-in-law? He starts questioning his father’s integrity as the king.
The night goes on and when the king and queen left the hall, Yunho took the queue to pull his so called fiancé in private, personal interrogation wouldn’t be so bad.
He went up to the table where Changmin was still trying to finishing his pudding before he tugged on his wrist, halting his movement.
“What?!” Earning an undignified yelp. “Oh…if it isn’t Jung Yunho. What do you want from me Jung?”
Yunho lifted an eyebrow, the boy is rude. Now he’s really start to questioning his father’s sane mind.
“That’s Prince Yunho to you, brat.” Changmin hummed uninterestedly before a smirk spread all over his face.
“You have to earn that if you want to be called as prince.” Yunho still kept his iron grip on the boy’s wrist as the smirk slowly turned mischievous much for Yunho’s taste.
“I see you’ve your strength back, glad you recovered that quickly. And here I thought you wouldn’t be able to make it to your own engagement party.”
“So you’re that brat…I thought I’ve seen you before. And there you were so stubborn in not telling me who you were, why? Desperate to get on my attention that much.”
That shouldn’t have slip out of his mouth but it did anyway, because despite the tone, there’s the truth about him seeking after his previous opponent desperately.
Changmin laughed over the other slipped of tongue.
“So you were thinking of me? Why? Too much damage done to that ego of yours that you couldn’t get over the fact of losing to someone?”
He laughed again and pulled his wrist away.
“Jung Yunho, you’re really takes too much pride in yourself.”
“Who are you really?”
“Are you curious?”
“I’m asking, aren’t I?”
“I’m just a pawn the Fire King wants and was given by the Water Lord. Is that answered enough for you?”
Changmin answered with the expression doesn’t weight on the meaning of his sentence, like simply exchanging greeting. Yunho stood there, mesmerized by how the other was handling the situation so well. Only then Yunho realized, the blisters and bruises covered on the others hands. He fought those hand once and it was only been three days since they last meeting, where the boy had been and what he was up too, he had no idea. All he knew now is that the boy who seemed much younger than him, is strong, strong enough to defeat him in his current state and what not, the boy is someone he’ll be wedded in two months away, wait, make it 7 weeks and 3 days away.