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Chapter Text

Ursa walked up the stairs, her heart beating fast, the  torches on the walls flickering as the flames dances. In her arms laid an weak infant with pale yellow eyes that barely manages to stay open. He was born without a cry or spark... Ozai couldn't care less of him, but Ursa did.

"Don't worry my little turtleduck, you'll get better soon." She softly said as the big doors opened with a loud creak as if it hasn't been open in years. 

The room was big, the old red walls were decorated with dust red banners with gold accents of the Sun rising and setting around the room, and in the middle a marble table. Even with the years of abandonment Agni presence wouldn't let it just go that easily...

Ursa's eyes shifted through the room then put the baby on the marble table. "Please work.." Her words muttered, and got down into a bow on the floor. Words of prayers and pleas echoed the room, her eyes shut tightly as the air tensed. The baby's staggered small breath were like needle to the arm though she didn't get up, she raised her head towards the ceiling, where she knew the Sun would be at. At its highest peek. "Please Agni hear my pleas. Save my son, Zuko, from terrible death and give him life." 

Her words were finished by a sudden gust of wind knocking all the flames out, silence filled the room then... flames of differnt colors rose up aswell on the marble table with the baby. My baby! Ursa rushed to her feet and tried to grab Zuko but the flames wouldn't let her. Dread and panic filled her body, she wanted to help her son not hurt him! 

A bright light embraced Zuko's little frail body causeing her to shield away from it and cover her eyes, a second later the light was gone with the color flames aswell. Ursa heard a giggle. A baby's giggle! She rushed to the table and looked at zuko, he was differnt... his black hair was now golden as the Sun, and he was healthy. Her baby was healthy!

"Thank you Agni! You have blessed my baby with life. I will make sure he will know of his gift!" Ursa said happily, tears filled her eyes and scooped up Zuko in her arms. With a bow and a great smile Ursa left the temple with her Sun bless child.

Prince Ozai won't be to pleased though.

Chapter Text

    Whispers were exchanged all through out the palace walls and towns. "Did you hear Prince Ozai's son is chosen by Agni?"

 "The first born son of Prince Ozai is touched by the Sun Spirit!" 

"It's a miracle! Agni has chosen Zuko as his blessed one!" 

"The first born-" "Zuko-" "The son-" "The newest addition-" "He's the Chosen One!" 

That's all Ozai heard since his son was born. It made him grit his teeth and clench his fist, so what it's true? That boy still wasn't born, nor have seen with a spark of fire! It was a waste of a child.

People, especially Fire lord Azulon and his brother, say he must be so happy and proud that his son was chosen. He would have been if that boy had flames. You would expect with Agni's blessing he would have big blazing flames already, but no. That son of his was born sick, Ursa should've let him die. He couldn't even look at his son without wanting to burn his face off.

Walking through the halls and to the nursery where he knew Zuko was sleeping peacefully, well for a few more minutes at best.

Ozai loomed over Zuko's sleeping body in his crib, it was the best one to be made. The best for Agni's chosen as people say.... Red and orange flames formed at Ozai's finger tip, he let his finger get close to Zuko's shut eye, dangerously close... inches away from burning him.

"Ozai. What are doing." A voice was heard behind him. Ozai didn't have to look back to know who it belonged to. "Ursa, my darling wife. Can't a father look at his son?" He extinguished the flame and turned towards Ursa, who had a stern expression. "No need to be worry." Ozai said with a smile, Ursa didn't believe a word he said, she never did, she knew what he was going to do whether it was right here or the future. "You know what will happen if your father finds out if you hurt him."

Ozai clenched his jaw and scowled, it true he did knew, he'll get punishment for it. "But not if they believe it was just a accident. An accident of where hid firebending was just acting up..." flames engulfed Ozai's fist, Ursa's eyes widen with worry and disbelief.

"Ozai- Ozai please don't hurt him." Her pleas didn't hit his heart, heck it didn't even move it. Looking back at the sleeping baby just made his anger grew

"If he is really blessed then let Agni stop my flames" Ozai raised his fist and was about to slam down "Ozai! Please! I'll do anything! Anything! But please don't hurt him!" Ursa screamed stepping forward, tears threatening to spill. Ozai thought for a moment before lowering his fist

 "Fine. Cover his face with something. A cloth or mask, never let his face be seen, or I'll let it burn for good." He stepped back from the crib and closer to Ursa "Tell people they aren't worthy of seeing the 'blessed ones' face." He walked out of the nursery with heavy steps

Ursa let out a shaky breath and went to Zuko making sure he wasn't hurt, Zuko was now awake his eyes looking at Ursa with a smile. This will be the last time she'll see his face... maybe something white to mourn it. "I'm sorry my turtleduck, but you must survive."

Chapter Text

Zuko watches through his veil as generals and other higher ups entered the war chamber, he smoothed his robe and held his head high. He was going into that war meeting one way or another. 

As he walked closer to the curtain entrance, his excitement grew. 'Maybe this time I'll be let in! My past attempts were... unsuccessful; trying to sneak in, dressing up as a guard, extra stuff... all of them failed, but now I'm 13! I'm old enough to be permitted in!'

Zuko was about to past the guards when then they stepped closer together, blocking him from entering. "Um.. uh.. my father wants me to join! You have to let me in!" Zuko said to the guards, though his lying is terrible, he tried to push his body through them, but they were bigger and stronger then he was, so it was usless... all they did was turn their head to not look at him and stood still.

'He will not be denied!' "Let me in! Don't you know who-!" A pair of hands gently pressed on his shoulders and pulled him away "Prince Zuko, what's wrong?" It was uncle Iroh, as wise as he is was, his proverbs can be very confusing.

"I wamt to go into the war chambers, but the guards won't let me through!" Zuko complained to his uncle, Iroh sighed and guided Prince Zuko away from the guards, "You're not missing anything trust me, Prince Zuko. These meetings are dreadfully boring." Zuko faced towards him though Iroh could tell behind his veil his train of thought was elsewhere. Zuko shook his head, his veil flowing with his movement.

"Uncle, if one day I'm going to be firelord for my nation don't you think I should learn as much as I can?" Iroh sighed, he knew Prince Zuko was determined to go in, and sooner or later he'll be permitted in, with a sigh and a nod Iroh answered "Very well. But you must promise not to speak. These old folks can be abit sensitive, especially with you now being in the room."

Even if Iroh couldn't see it, he could sense Zuko was smiling excitedly inside the veil. "Thank you, uncle!" Zuko said with a small bow, then followed behind uncle as they entered

-

'Yes, so uncle was right about it being boring... I was still having a nice time learning about their strategies! Even if I do doze off as they talk...'

"But the 41st is entirely new recruits. How do you expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion?" A voice asked, snapping Zuko out of a daze. 'Huh? Oh right! Talking about how to defeat earth's powerful benders army thingy...' "I don't." 'What? Then why suggest them?' Zukos attention was now on the general with confusion and curiosity in his mind.

"They'll be use as an distraction while we mount an attack from the rear." 'What.' Zuko hands clenched on his robe and he bit his lip, trying to stay silent. 'I can't act out. I promised Uncle, just stay silent.'

'Don't speak. Stay still. Just listen.'

"What better to use as bait then fresh meat?" 'Stay silent. Speak out. Fight for them. Shut up. SIT DOWN!'

"No!" His body and voice betrayed his mind. He stood up and spoke out. He wanted to do the right thing, just more civil... "You can't just sacrifice an entire division like this! Those soldiers are loyal to the fire nation! They will not be thrown away like they're nothing to our army!" Zukos voice bombed as his sudden outburst was unexpected. The generals looked shocked and worried, since the prince and Agni's blessed was now disagreeing with a plan...

"Price Zuko-!" Uncle quickly said and tried to get Zuko to sit back down, but Zuko wasn't moving, stiff as a emberbark tree

"N-no! The Chosen one is right! We shouldn't use our recruiters like this." The general quickly interrupted with nervousness, then turned to Zuko and bowed deeply, his forehead touched the map on the horigotatsu. "Please forgive me for suggesting this displeasing plan." The general pleaded fearing of getting hurt for the disagreement 

"Y-you are forgiving... just please figure out a new plan.." Zuko quietly said as he sat back down, his general direction was now looking down at his lap. A second of silence was heard before the curtain of flames from the firelord throne extended higher. 

'The firelord was in here.... huh..'

'Wait...'

'MY FATHER IS IN HERE AND I JUST SPOKE OUT.'

Behind the flames the firelord stood up and with his loud voice demanded. "This meeting is over! Everyone out!" The generals and higher up scrambled to put stuff away in their secure containers. Iroh grabbed Zuko's shoulders and pushed towards the exit.

"Iroh let Zuko stay here for a bit. He and I need to talk." Ozai said still behind the flames as they were not going down. Iroh's grip tighten, he forced a smile on his lips as he faced towards the flames "How about I stay behind as well? I'm not doing anything important right away, dear brother!"

"No. I just want Zuko here. Leave Iroh." You could practically hear Ozai sneer from the throne. Iroh jaw clenched but he didn't speak instead let go of Zuko and slowly exited the room.

Zuko knew he was in trouble, I mean it wasn't hard to know... "Father I didn't mean-" Zuko tried to explain himself but was cut off by a blast near him. Zuko felt the heat go past him. The uncomfortable heat almost hitting him.

"You dear to speak out! You ruined an important meeting, Zuko! A meeting that was going to help us get another step closer to winning the war!" Ozai decended down towards Zuko, his face contouring with anger and flames building up in his fists

"We can still win the war without sacrificing! If you could-!" Zuko couldn't finish his sentence as Ozai had slammed him down by his veil, knocking it off as Zuko hit the floor

"Father!" Zuko tried to get up but Ozai seemed quicker grabbing a fist full of Zukos hair and pulling him up, he let his free hand to create big flames "You're just like Ursa. I should've done this years ago." His face had a malicious grin as he let his hand get close to Zukos face

Zuko heart stopped for a moment as the heat got to close. He shut his eyes wanting this to be a terrible dream.

"If he is really blessed then let Agni stop my flames."

"AGHHHHHH" A scream of pain echoed through the war chamber, but it wasn't Zuko's... 

The pain on his head left, though his eyes were still shut tight, tears streaming down his face from fear... a loud thump and staggered breaths echoed the room. The smell of burnt flesh made Zuko stomach queasy. Zuko carefully opened his eyes and saw his father facing away, hunched over as his body trembled.

"...F-father...?" Zuko's voice was quiet as he carefully walked around to get a better look at Ozai, he got to an angle where he could see his father's face in pain, and him cradling his hand..

His hand. His injured hand. His hand that was now blistered, red, and... very... very burnt.

"Get back! Look at what you did, Zuko!" Ozai didn't make an attempt to get up, only looking at Zuko with rage and hatred. 

"Father, I'm so sorry! Please I didn't know that would happen! I'm your loyal son! I would never-!" Zuko tried to explain, he didn't know why that happen, or how! He never wanted it to happen, he never wanted to hurt his father no matter what!

"Leave! Go to your quarters! Chosen one they say!? Yet you dare hurt your own father!" Ozai yelling made Zukos tears fall like rain. Like someone was controlling him. Zuko ran out, not looking back, not grabbing his veil, not stopping when servants and gaurds called out to him, not for Azula.

He only stopped when he reached his bedroom, then thats when he crumbled, he cracked and breaked into pieces and realized what happened.

He had hurt his father. Zuko had burned him by using his own flame....

His head in his knees and cried, he flinched when a frantic knock and a voice called out to him from behind the door.

"Zuko! What's wrong!? What happened!?" Uncle's worried voice didn't help, it only made him roll himself into a tighter ball.

"Go away uncle! I'll burn you!" Zuko's voice was qivering as he yelled out "Nonsense, Prince Zuko!!... Nephew please open the door, if you talk to me you'll feel better!" Zuko wanted to believe uncle, but he knew it wouldn't help, though still Zuko slowly got up from the floor and hesitantly opened the door.

As soon as he open his door uncle pulled Zuko into a tight hug. There zuko cried again. He cried into Uncle's arms until he passed out from exhaustion.

...Noone will hurt my chosen...

Chapter Text

A week after the accident, Zuko was moved farther away from the rest. His room was now on the top floor, away from the Firelord chambers. Out of Ozai's sight, but still lingering the back of his mind. Now he had to eat in his new room with no company, only the servants and guards that moved, or waited outside his door.

Zuko keeps his distance with people, scared he'll burn them just like what he did to his father. The whole reason why he moved rooms. He doesn't speak to many people anymore, not wanting to say the wrong thing. It took a lot of persuasion from Iroh to have Zuko trust him and others.

Two months in and Zuko struggled to use firebending. Zuko knew he wasn't the strongest firebender. Even with Agni's blessing, his flames were weaker and not quite in control with him. Uncle Iroh taught him to meditate to help him feel his chi better of both himself and his flames. Zukos flame never reached bigger than four inches tall, but it did have a blue color added to it which was very nice progress.

The bigger thing is that Zuko had been isolated. His schedule never gave him time to spend time with Azula. He missed her. But they would only see each other from opposite sides of the palace. Only once did they interact with each other; in the garden, when Zuko was feeding the turtleducks and Azula and her friends, Ty Lee and Mai, playing with each other, well actually seeing who could dodge Azula's fire.

-

"Ooh Zuzu! How about you play with us? It'll be fun!" Azula called out to Zuko as he sat under the tree, next to Azula was Ty Lee who cheerfully spoke up "Yeah, Prince Zuko! I can show how to do a backflip!" Mai just stood there not looking at him but off in the distance with a bored expression.

Zuko looked at them, his expression hidden by his veil. 'Playing with does sound nice.... but if father finds out..'  Zuko shook his head "Thank you for the offer, but I must decline." Zuko said calmly, that answer didn't satisfy Azula, her brows furrowed and snared "Oh come on, Zuko! It's just playing! Noone is going to know!"

"Father might find out... and the guards will know if I play with you." Zuko said pointing out the guards near him "What father doesn't know know, won't hurt him, plus I highly doubt they'll snitch." Azula said eyeing the guards, Ty Lee looked worry now as Azula face grew angry "Azula how about we just leave him alone, it more funnier without him!" Ty Lee said tugging Azula arm to move away

Zuko looked away from them, Azulas face looked to much like fathers... when.. he was down... Zuko shook his head not wanting to remember the terrible memories. A maid walked over to him and without a word he knew what she was going to say.

He got up and turned away "Have a good day, Azula, Ty Lee, Mai." He left the garden not looking back

-

After that interaction, his father gave him news, through a letter, that was definitely written by someone else by how the calligraphy was different, on how he can't talk to Azula or him anymore, nor practice with Azula.

He used to have a big group of servants, well they were all the palaces servants but they mostly helped him, but now he only had six personal servants...

They weren't bad to him, but he missed having more people to see, to hear. Even though some were too nervous to even look at him since he was blessed.

The first day he got his personal servants he learned about them: What their name was, their age, What they like or don't like, generally getting to know them better.

The oldest servant, and the one that had been with Zuko before, was a woman named Ketta, who was 47 years old, Zuko learned that she was his mother's servant before she.... disappeared... Ketta was nice and hard working, never letting herself rest until others were safe. Her and uncle Iroh actually helped Zuko meditate to better control his flames! Even though they were flirting a little bit...

The next was Jali, a 42 year old woman, she is sweet and patient, she's the one to help Zuko get ready for the day with his hair and clothes. 

The third servant, Zei Ya is 27, she always looks mad, even though she isn't, she is hotheaded, but very strong at keeping 'cool' and once she stole a dagger from Zhao! Commander Zhao!

Then Vick, he's 24, he's a quite a jokeser and... quite the charmer... once he tried to use a pick up line on another servant, it ended by him on the floor.... the others never let him down for that.

The second youngest, Ave is 23, she just started working in the palace and was extremely nervous and clumsly she almost fell trying to bow to Zuko. Not exactly the best impression but she'll get use to working under Zuko, she is very kind though.

The youngest servant was 22 his name was Argo, the other would joke that his was named off of a hyena-mutt, because of his name is the same as the ancient war Earth general, Odsen, hyena-mutt. Argo likes to tell stories and gave me scrolls of his favorite plays! Though Love Amongst The Dragons will always be my favorite.

He couldn't go out in public as much as he liked, so he usually spemt time in the garden or reading in the library. He went to the garden and library so much that the turtleducks recognized him from a mile away, and he read almost every book in the library, spirits he had learned how to speak and write in the old fire nation language.

Though when he's able to go outside the palace, he's with the fire sages rather in town, or the temples, and help his people, which he likes to do!

Maybe one day he'll go to other places, but until then a day awaits.

Chapter Text

   It was just a normal day, Zuko had finished his classes and had a bit of free time before dinner. So here he was in the garden practicing his dao blades, making sure he didn't step on or hurt any of the turtleducks near him that decided to watch.

"Quack!" A turtleduck yelled as a blade got a bit too close to them, Zuko stopped and got up from his stance "Well maybe if you weren't so close, you wouldn't get hit." Zuko huffed and took his stance again. "Quack! Quack!" The turtleduck rebuttal 

"I know it'll be easier without the veil, but we're- I'm surrounded by guards and servants!" Zuko angrily said, then sighed. "Oh Agni... I'm talking to an animal. Arguing with a palace turtleduck... I'm going inside. There are just some things I can't get away with." And with that, Zuko sheathed his blades and walked away

-

Zuko put his swords back into the closet and stretched. "Ugh.. I need to stretch more before practicing. " Zuko huffed, and a minute later, a knock on the door. "Come in." Zuko knew it was Ketta. It wasn't hard to remember what time she came to deliver stuff

The door opened, and Ketta walked in with a tray of food, Argo trailed in behind her, holding a kettle and a teacup. "The chef made komodo chicken dumplings and saber lily tea." Ketta placed the tray down on a nearby table with a smile.

Argo sat the kettle and teacup next to the tray and before Zuko could open his mouth, Argo said with a big smile "And before you ask, the tea is something the chef wanted to try. Your uncle liked it, so he thought you would too!"

"Saber lily... mhmm. I'll make sure to tell the chef and uncle how I'll like the tea. Thank you, Ketta and Argo. You are dismissed." Zuko gave them a gratitude bow, and they gave a bow in return as well. Ketta left the room, and just about when Argo was leaving, he turned to Zuko and grabbed something from his pocket.

"Oh my Highness, here I got this for you, I know you're getting bored with the same royal library scrolls." He said, giving Zuko a tightly rolled scroll. It had blue and silver ribbon wrapped around it, not like anything in the library at all.

Zuko looked at the scroll and noticed the seal it had, a symbol he had never seen before, but looked familiar. 'It must be from the water tribe.. possibly Northern.' "Thank you, Argo. I'll make sure to read it tonight. I'll see you tomorrow." Argo gave Zuko a bow and left the room. He put the scroll on his desk and went to his mirror.

Zuko took off his veil and undid his top-knot, letting his gold hair fall into place, putting his crown back in its rightful place. He grabbed the utensils on the tray and began eating.

The dumplings were truly amazing. They had a nice taste of spicy and sweetness from the chicken and the dough. Zuko grabbed the kettle and poured himself some tea, not wanting to get a lot and not liking it. The tea was actually pretty good! Better than ginseng.. A shiver ran down Zuko's spine at the thought of that horrible tea taste. He always wonder how uncle can drink that.

Zuko finished up his meal and tea and then went to his closet, grabbing his sleep wear, as the sun was already to fall soon. Zuko carefully began undoing the many layers of his robe and folding them away.

Putting on his sleep wear, just a simple thin dark red robe with gold timing on the sleeves and bottom. Zuko grabbed the scroll. 'A night reading won't hurt...' Zuko lit a candle near his bed and carefully opened the wrapped scroll. The calligraph was different yet still readable.

-

'Long before Tui and La danced together, there was something blocking their love, darkness.

Agni and Tui were siblings, the ones who created day and night, light and dark, the bending of fire and water. Before humans, the spirits bended themselves, Agni bended their own rays of light and flames, and Tui bended the water with her push and pull. 

So when one day Agni found Tui crying, Agni asked, "My dear sister, why are you crying? You go high and low, you dance with me and the waves below, you're stronger than the ones in the hold, so why are tears leaving your eyes?" Tui responded with sadness."Oh dear brother, I weep and whine cause no matter what the ocean can't see me in the sky! The darkness when you leave consumes me and leaves me to cry! The way of bending is the only known La that can sense my existence!"

Agni thought long and hard, then brightened with glee. "My Tui, I can help with that, for I'll give you some of my light so you can shine! But know my light will change as we dance. It'll lose its shine, but I'll give it more once it's out." 

That night, when Agni went down, he bended light onto Tui, not letting the darkness consume her again. Tui bending was stronger, more powerful as she shined bright in the night sky. She was whole! She and La danced and laughed together, their love stronger than before.

But as said, Tui lights went away as Agni and Tui danced, causing La to fear. "My love, where did you go! You dimmed, and the darkness got you once again!" La searched and searched but to no avail, his Tui had been consumed in the dark sky, then Tui sweet voice was heard above "Ocean don't fear, I'm still here. Soon, my light went again, but for now, I'm just sound. Wait for me, dear. We can still dance and laugh. Our love will never wash away."

And just as promised, Tui's light returned! La now knew she kept her word, and in return, their love only grew as they danced and learned.

Tui thanked her brother for the light and promised, "On the same day, every so often, I will join you up in the day and give you the light you strayed!" Tui hugged him so tight. Agni let his rays become small and weak, melting in his sister's arms and cherishing that feeling until the day came again'

-

Zuko smiled as he finished the story. 'I can see why Argo gave me this. It's beautiful, I guess I have a new 2nd favorite.' He closed the scroll and placed it on his nightstand, then extinguished the candle flame with a motion, letting the room only be lit with the shine of the moonlight. 

Zuko looked out his window towards the full moon and smiled. "Good night, Tui." He whispered and pulled his cover over him, having sleep get him.

-

"Hello..?" 

"Wake up."

"Wake up!!"

Zuko was shaken awake, his eyes not yet adjusting to the light shining, but could make out a figure standing over him. "Who are you...?" Zuko said, sitting up, his hands and feet touching the grass surrounding him. "My name is -"

Wait... grass..?

His eyes immediately focused and looked around. He wasn't in his room! He wasn't even in the palace! "W-where am I!?" Zuko yelled out, scrambling to get up. "Wait, hold on! Just calm down, I don't know where we are either!" It was a girl... about his age, her hair was white and wavy, she was a water tribe by the tell of her clothes.

Zuko and her just stared at each other for minutes before she decided to speak again. "My name is Yue, I'm from the Northern Water tribe, and you are?" The girl, Yue, introduced herself. 'The north.. but we certainly aren't in the north..'

"My name? Right, my name, uh, my name is Li. Um.. do you know how we got here?" Yue didn't really seem to be convinced, but didn't say anything. Instead, she shook her head.

"I don't know either..." Zuko said, looking around to see what surrounded them. It was just grass, but in the distance, there were different things like a forest, a swamp, rocks, and other things. The sky was clouded and orange. "I woke up here. One moment, I was in my bed, and then I closed my eyes, and the next I'm here.." Yue explained, also looking around

Zuko sighed. "The same thing happened to me… um maybe we could walk around and try to find someone who can help us. If thats ok with you." Yue nodded at Zuko suggestion then looked at the places in the distance. "Sounds good, but where do we start?" 'Right... there are too many places, and we don't even know if they're safe.' "Um.. we can try-" Zuko was cut off by a loud shriek. They looked to see where the sound was coming from and saw it came from a dragon. Wait, a dragon!? A dragon that was flying right to them!

"Look out!" Yue yelled and pulled herself and Zuko to the ground. The dragon barely missed them, zuko felt its claw graze his hair. The dragon didn't really seem to take that miss and well.. turned around to try and grab them again. 

"Run!!" Zuko screamed, grabbing Yue's hand and ran as fast as he could away from the flying beast after them. "What does it want from us!?" Yue cried out, absolutely terrified. "I don't know! I'm not a dragon whisper!" Zuko looked back at the dragon, who's getting closer, and tried to shoot a fireball at it, but nothing came out; not a whisk of flame, not a spark, nothing! 'Why can't I firebend!?'

That sparked panic in Zuko's mind, causing him to misstep and fall down. "Li!" Yue yelled and quickly turned around to help him, but the dragon was already near them. Yue squeezed her eyes closed, feeling tears build up, Zuko wrapped his arms around her and swiftly got in front of her, protecting her and awaited for the agonized feeling of heat.

'Please, Agni, don't let this be how we die!'

The heat never came, instead a voice was heard "Zhu, stop scaring them. This is no way to treat the blessings." The person said, it sounded like many people talking at once, but it just came out of one person. Zuko hesitated but looked at the person who saved them from death, the person's back was facing towards them as they scolded the dragon. What…

He was tall, very tall, definitely taller than Ozai, and he had pale skin and wore red clothing with bracelets across one of his arm. ‘Why is he talking to the dragon!? Why is a dragon even here!? Where is here!?.’ Zuko's eyes widened as he noticed their hair. It was black like others, but it turned gold at the end. A gold just like his own.

Zuko was just speechless looking at the stranger. ‘Could he be Agni blessed like me? Does he know where we are? Why isn't his hair all gold? How does he know the dragon!?’ It was only when Yue decided to speak up to the strange person, that Zuko snapped out of his thoughts. “Excuse me, umm mister.” Yue's voice caught the tall man's attention. He turned around and Zuko saw that the man's eyes were yellow.

“Sorry I hope Zhulon didn't give you both quite the scare. I told him to guide you, not kill.” It was really weird hearing the man's voice.. “It's nice to meet you, Princess Yue, Blessed of Tui, and Prince Zuko, blessed by me.”

 Zuko and Yue quickly looked at each other in shock “You're spirit-blessed!?” They said to each other in unison

Zuko was shell-shocked, ‘No wonder her hair was white!’ Yue was blessed by Tui and he was blessed by Agni. Wait. That guy said 'blessed by me'. Why? It's not like he's-

Oh. My. Spirits.

“You're the Sun Spirit! You're Agni!” Zuko yelled as he pointed to the man, he was going through a lot of emotions right now; Shock, dumbfounded, honor, disbelief, joy. He should probably bow, right? Maybe not. Yes? Can you blame him!? He was standing right in front of one of the Great Spirits, one who gave him life! Gave his people their spark!

Agni smiled at his recognition “Correct, Prince Zuko. I am the Sun that goes above you. The one who dances with Tui to create day and night. And this is Zhulon, the first ever dragon.” Zhulon nodded and snuggled against the two. “Hello Zhulon” Zuko bowed to the dragon, Yue noticed and guickly followed. Zuko's smile grew bigger and so did Yue's as she looked at the Sun Spirit. “Wait, if you're here then does that mean Tui and La are also here?” Yue asked as she petted Zhulon fluffy mane

Agni shook his head to Yue's disappointment, her shoulders slumped as she frowned. Agni let out a chuckle “They are not here in the spirit world, but she is closer than you think, little moon.” Yue gave a confused expression at that. ‘Closer than I think?’ She was about to ask what that meant but then Zuko yelled “Spirit word!? We're in the spirit world!?” 

Wait what!?

“We're in the spirit world!?” Yue repeated in shock, Agni had a guilty smile “Yes… You weren't meant to be here until Zuko turned 16, but that didn't happen. That's also why your firebending didn't work, Zuko.” Agni said and gestures to Zuko's hand. “Until Zuko turned 16!? That long!? But why did it happen-” Yue stopped mid sentence to look at Zuko “Zuko? No, I thought your name was Li.” Zuko looked sheepishly at her “I might have lied... but look Yue.. I don't know what you would do if you knew me. We barely know each other! We didnt knew know we exizted until five minutes ago!” Zuko tried to explain

Yue took offense to that and let out a gawk “Barely know each other!? We are spirit-siblings! Siblings don't lie! What next you're going to say you're the prince of the Fire Nation!?” Yue shouted with her hands on her hip, seemingly waiting for an answer, but that never came instead Zuko looked guilty at the ground. Yue crossed her arms and walked away a few feet from them and sat down angrily, her back to Zuko and Agni. 

“Fine, be like that!” Zuko shouted and did the same thing as Yue. ‘Spirit-siblings!? Ugh, I already have a sister! I do not need more.’ if Zuko had his firebending he would be steaming right now, Agni just sighed and went beside Zuko “You're going to apologize, little star.” Zuko took a deep breath and nodded his head “I know. I just.. Do you really think we can be brother and sister.. after I lied to her?” 

Zuko's question made the Sun Spirit kneel down beside him “Of course you can. Why do you ask my dear?” Zuko plopped down on the grass and ran a hand over them “Well I have a little sister, Azula, and well I'm not the best big brother. We barely spend time together back then, but she was always angry and mean at me or someone else, and now we just can't anymore. What if I mess up again? Or Yue hates me forever?” 

Agni shook his head “Every relationship has to have its scratches. Nothing is perfect, me and Tui had bumps all the time. You know how we fix it?” Zuko looked at him and asked “How?” “We start slow and listen to each other on why we thought we are doing right, then we stitch it up.” 

Zuko opened his mouth, but Agni quickly shushed him and pulled him up “Come on now, you have to apologize.” Agni dragged Zuko to where Yue sat.

Agni gave Zuko a little nudge “I'm sorry, Yue. I shouldn't have lied to you…” Yue glanced his way, then went back to plucking the grass. Zuko got closer “I just thought I was doing the right thing by lying… I didn't want to ruin your view of me with you knowing who I am..”

“How does know the real you will change my view?” Yue grumbled into her knees “I feared you would hate me, and think I'm a monster..” Zuko said taking a step closer to the curled up Yue, who stopped plucking the grass. He looked back at Agni, who gave him a sad smile. Zuko took another deep breath and was about to speak again "I don't think you're a monster.. even if you're fire nation. You're still my spirit-brother." Yue said as she unraveled herself.

Zuko was shocked then smiled “How about we get to know each other now? No more lying or secrets.” Zuko suggested, causing Yue to look up at him, she extended a hand. “Promise?” Zuko took it and smiled, “Promise.” Yue pulled Zuko to the ground next to her, causing him to yelp in surprise.

They looked at each other then laughed “Let's start off small” Zuko said, letting the laughter die down “My name is Zuko, I'm 14. I like to use my dao blades, and um my favorite animal are the turtleducks we have in the palace, though the moms can be mean sometimes when you mess with their babies…” 

Yue giggled and leaned against his shoulder “You're 14? You're pretty small to be 14.” Zuko gasped and crossed his arms. “No I'm not! I'm perfect height! You're just tall and older.” Yue quirked an eyebrow up “I’m 13.” Silence followed after that, then Zuko erupted in red “Shouldn't you be talking about yourself and not making fun of me!” Zuko flustered as he shoved Yue

Yue giggled and went to lean back against Zuko's shoulder “Ok! Ok! My name is Yue, and I like to weave stuff like blankets, and my favorite animal is ram-horse pups, they are really cute. Oh! Once time-” 

Agni smiled as they talked, they were perfect to dance together. “Come one Zhulon, let's leave the ‘spirit-siblings’ alone.” Agni chuckled at the nickname Yue had given them. Zhulon let out a low growl and followed Agni through the grass.

Oh.. please make the most of your time together…

Chapter Text

Hello, it's been a long while since I updated… I have been putting this off for a while, uncertain if I should just post the next chapter or just rewrite the entire thing.

And at 1 am I decided to rewrite my fanfic. I just kept on looking back at my writing, thinking the choices I made didn't seem to make sense to me, nor fit the storyline I was going to do. I cringed and thought I could do better to make it longer and finally made up my mind to do so.

I already started with it, so probably the next day or the following day I'll post the rewrite! This story will likely still stay up so you guys and I can see the difference if there's one, which I hope, and tell me if I changed. The updates will likely be the same length of time since stuff keeps piling on, but I hope you think it's worth the wait!!

Hope you understand.❤️