Fanfiction - Avatar (Zuko/Aang)

[fannish_nan]

You know what? I've been meaning to this damn thing but I keep getting nervous because OMG THIS IS MY BABY and OMG WHAT IF IT ACTUALLY SUCKS but then I think: You know what? I like this. So I'm posting (plus, I keep thinking that the more I fiddle with it, the more I mess it up). *G*

Title: The Rise and Fall of a Fire Nation Prince - Chapter One, Part One
Fandom: Avatar: The Last Airbender
Pairing: Zuko/Aang
Rating: Overall, R. This part, probably PG
Disclaimer: Don't own, not making money, please don't sue.
Notes: This chapter was longer than the post size allows (10,909) so I had to have two posts for it. YUP. Beta-ed by chrissy_sky but I messed with it so much after she read it over that all errors you see are completely my fault. XD

The rest of the notes are at the end of chapter one, part two. :)

Previous Parts:
Prologue



The Fire Nation has Aang. Katara shook her head furiously and scrubbed her eyes where tears had dried. No. No, this wasn’t happening. She wasn’t going to let it happen.

She stood up, legs trembling as she looked around. “Sokka?” she called out, wincing at how raw her voice sounded. “Sokka, can you hear me?” There was no answer and Katara tried to remember what had happened when Zuko had him. Guilt threatened to consume her as she realized that she was so concerned with Aang that Sokka had…

Slipped her mind.

Katara shuddered. What kind of sister are you?! She raged at herself as she took a few steps forward. “Sokka, please!” Narrowing her eyes against the fading light, Katara saw a suspicious mound on the ground. “Sokka?” She ran towards it and stumbled, falling beside it. Reaching out, she touched it softly and gasped when it groaned.

“Sokka!” Katara carefully took hold of Sokka’s shoulders and shook him gently. “Come on, wake up.” She leaned down close and listened to his breathing. “Come on, wake up. You can do it,” she coaxed, pulling him up to a sitting position, resting him heavily against her chest. His wolf tail had snapped lose and she brushed his hair out of his face.

“Uhhg… Katara?” Sokka muttered, eyes blinking rapidly before focusing on her. “Are you okay?”

Katara couldn’t help herself; tears welled up in her eyes again. She nodded and quickly brushing them away. “Yes, I’m fine,” she said. “How’re you feeling? Does anything hurt too badly?” She ghosted her hands over his chest, not wanting to hurt him more but frustrated at her inability to help.

“Ugh. Just about everything,” Sokka said, looking around. “Where’s Aang?”

Katara blinked and looked away. “He….” Her voice died and Sokka immediately understood was she was trying to say.

“They got him?!” Sokka sat for a moment before getting up, drawing Katara up with him. He looked at her, taking in the tearful eyes and streaked cheeks. “We’ll get him back,” he said firmly and Katara nodded.

“You’re right,” she said, though the tears didn’t stop. “We will.” They wrapped their arms around each other and Katara closed her eyes. We will get him back, she vowed and pulled away from Sokka.

“Come on. We need to find Appa,” she said. “We can catch them, I know we can.” Together, they searched the woods for the large bison, calling out his name

When they finally found him, Sokka crawled up and grabbed the reigns. “C’mon, get on,” he said and Katara rubbed Appa, burying her face in his fur for a moment before jumping up.

“Okay, let’s go,” she said. “Zuko told his soldiers to take Aang to his ship. Where’s the nearest water source?”

Sokka nodded. “There’s a huge river running alongside this forest,” he said. “Appa, yip yip!”

Appa pushed upward, flat tail beating downward. He flew high over the trees and water. Katara and Sokka looked frantically for the familiar Fire Nation red.

“Do you see it?” Katara asked, blue eyes wide as she scanned the river.

Sokka shook his head. “No. How long ago did they leave?” he asked and Katara shook her head.

“I…I’m not sure. It could be anywhere from a half an hour to an hour,” she asked, fingers tightening on the lip of the saddle. They flew over the river to where it lead to the ocean, feeling more and more frantic.

“They could have gone anywhere,” Sokka said finally, sitting back. “We don’t even know which direction they went.”

Katara looked at him. “We can’t just give up,” she whispered. “We can’t just let them have him!”

“I know that,” Sokka said, frowning at her. “I know. But we can’t find Zuko’s ship and all we know is that he’s taking Aang back to the Fire Nation. We’ll just have to…” he paused, knowing that what he was about to say would sound both crazy and impossible. “We’ll just have to sneak into the palace dungeons and get him out.”

Katara baulked, sitting back against the saddle. “You’re right,” she said after a moment. “We have to get him back. And if that means doing the impossible, then we’re going to do it.”

“All right! Next stop, the Fire Nation,” Sokka said and Katara put her hand on his shoulder.

“No. If we’re going to do this, we’re going to need some help,” she said, eyes narrowing. “Our next stop is Kyoshi Island.”

***

“We see once again how the Fire Nation is greater than the other nations of this world,” Ozai said, arms raised high as he address the royal subjects. “The capture of the Avatar has now ensured our victory!”

Loud, but polite, applause erupted in the main hall of the palace. It was an ornate, beautiful room; carefully shaped detailing on the trim of the walls and ceilings and soft, plush carpeting under every sharp heeled boot signified the decadence of this spacious room.

The Lord’s throne sat on a dais and a smaller throne sat to the left of it. Ozai stood in front of his throne, loud and powerful voice needing no help as it echoed throughout the room.

There were several dozen Fire Nation royals present. They all had a similar gleam in their eyes; hungry but not malicious. The Fire Lord’s daughter, Azula, was a different matter. She stood to the side with Mai and Ty Lee, arms crossed tightly in front of her as she glowered.

“My son, the future Fire Lord, was the one to capture the Avatar,” Ozai continued, glancing off to the side. Zuko came out from behind a red, heavy curtain, glancing quickly at the crowd before stepping up to the throne with his father. Ozai didn’t touch him, but his lips did curl up, his own definition of a smile.

“Despite his absence the past three years, Prince Zuko has proven himself to be capable and strong.” He glanced at Zuko again and though there was no warmth in the gaze, Zuko was glad.

Zuko bowed his head. “Thank you, Father,” he murmured, unable to keep himself from glancing over at Azula. Their eyes met and Zuko smirked, a bare twitch of his lips.

Azula narrowed her eyes. Damn you, Zuko, she thought, feeling her dagger-like claws dig into her arms. Ty Lee touched her shoulder.

“Calm down, Azula,” she breathed, eyes wide. “You know he’s just trying to get to you.”

Mai raised an eyebrow. “And it looks like it’s working,” she murmured, voice little more than a breath of air. Azula ignored them both, her eyes on Zuko.

“Now, my son and I have to discuss what we plan on doing with our illustrious prisoner,” Ozai said, stepping backwards and sitting down at his throne. He motioned for Zuko to do the same and Zuko did, though not nearly as gracefully as his father did. “You all may leave,” Ozai said. “But first,” he raised his voice. “Bring the Avatar in!”

The tall, heavy doors at the back of the grand hall opened slowly, and six soldiers walked in, each of them grasping hold of a heavy chain. At their center was Aang. The chains at his knees kept him from taking large steps and so Aang staggered, unable to keep up with the quick pace of his captors.

Gasps and whispers erupted throughout the room as the Fire Nation Royals strained to get a good look at the Avatar. Aang blinked at them and grinned, looking like he would wave if he’d been able. This caused a few of the women to cover their mouths to hide giggles, charmed.

“You see,” Ozai said as the guards stopped in front of him and Aang looked up at him. “The Avatar is ours,” he said and nodded. “Now that all doubts have been dispelled from your minds, you all may leave.” He looked down at Aang, eyes narrowed. “We must decide the Avatar’s fate. All members of my family, stay.”

As the royals slowly shuffled out of the room, whispering and taking plenty of glances behind, Azula and Iroh stepped forward. As the doorway closed with a low thud, Azula smirked at Zuko.

“So, dear brother, you’ve managed to capture the Avatar,” she said, giving Aang a quick glance over.

Zuko glared at her, clenching his jaw as he did before looking at Ozai. “Father, what do you mean, decide the Avatar’s fate?” he asked and looked at the Avatar. It had been several days since they’d arrived at the palace and the Avatar looked very much the same; a little thinner, but with the same annoying cheer he’d always seemed to have.

The Fire Lord raised an eyebrow. “Avatar, I’m feeling generous. You have two options; two possible futures.” He looked at Zuko. “Since you captured the Avatar, Zuko, he is your conquest, and what’s yours, you make the decision for.” He stood and stepped down off of the throne platform. Zuko hesitated for a moment before following him.

“You may let the Avatar stay in the dungeon. It is a safe and secure location. He will be weakened and will rot there for all I care. He will not cause you any more trouble, unlike what he’s done for you the past three years.” He raised an eyebrow. “I daresay you would enjoy that.”

However, Zuko didn‘t know how he felt about that. He knew it was normal procedure for prisoners and the Avatar had proven himself to be incredibly annoying. For some reason, though, Zuko wasn’t thrilled about sentencing the boy to that.

“The second choice, if you really want to hear it, is a collar,” Ozai said.

Zuko blushed bright red. “W-what?!” he stuttered.

Ozai narrowed his eyes. “A collar. I had my specialists create a collar that injects a sedative every twelve hours. It will weaken the Avatar, keeping him from bending or contacting previous Avatars.”

What?! Aang shook his head. “What?”

Everyone ignored him and Ozai turned to Zuko. “Make your choice, Boy,” he said, and Zuko winced at that degrading title. “Either have a walking, talking Fire Nation trophy or lock him securely in the dungeons.”

This…this is dishonorable, Zuko thought. Collar him like a pet? Even if he’s my enemy, that’s just… Although the other choice wasn’t much better. Being locked up in the dungeons? Why do you care? he thought, brow furrowing. That will be the one to do. You will choose the dungeons. It would be better for him there than being ogled like a sideshow freak.

“The collar,” Zuko said and blanched. That’s not what I meant!

“Fine. Bring the collar out,” Ozai said, and an anonymous Fire Nation servant walked out holding the collar delicately. She held it out to Zuko, eyes downcast.

“Take it and put it on him,” Ozai ordered. Zuko hesitated, not wanting to do this. He looked at Iroh, who had a blank expression on his face. Zuko frowned and glanced at Azula, who was smirking. Probably waiting for me to fail. Like always, Zuko thought. He took the collar from the servant girl. She gasped and bowed, hurrying away.

Zuko paid her no mind, inspecting the collar. It was a simple bit of leather, with two small, hard packets on both sides. Probably where the sedative goes, Zuko thought and inwardly shivered.

“No!” Aang suddenly cried out, fighting against the soldiers and the chains. “No! I’d rather go in the dungeon than be cut off from my past lives!”

Ozai glanced at him, lip curling. “Unfortunately, the choice is not up to you,” he said. “You’re also speaking out of turn.” As if on cue, one of the guard slapped him, hard, across the cheek.

Zuko immediately protested, marching down to the guards and striking the guard. “Since the Avatar is mine,” he said, “none of you will touch him. Ever.” Suddenly realizing what he’d done, Zuko glanced at Ozai, who had an unexpectedly pleased expression on his face.

“Good!” he said. “The Avatar is yours, as you say. And as such, he is your responsibility. Should he escape, either by death of other means, it will be you fault.”

Zuko nodded, and moved to the front of the Avatar.

No, no, no, no… “Prince Zuko, don’t,” Aang said, wide eyes on Zuko’s. “Just throw me in the dungeon!”

Zuko paused, eyes caught with the Avatar’s, before looping the collar around Aang’s neck. It fit tightly enough for the sedative packs to come in snug contact with the sides of Aang’s neck. He curled his arms around Aang’s neck to lock the collar into place. “I can’t,” Zuko said as the lock snapped into place. He stared down at Aang before stepping back quickly. He looked over at Iroh, but the old man wasn’t looking at him.

Ozai clapped his hands, making both Aang and Zuko jump. “Welcome to the Fire Nation,” he said. “Since Zuko captured you, you belong to him. Understand, boy?”

Aang blinked. Wow. It feels like… I can’t think. He couldn’t focus on any one thought. It should have frightened him but it didn’t.

A healer stepped out from the curtains. “When the sedative first hits his bloodstream, it will knock him back pretty severely,” the man said, bowing. “He’ll probably spend the first day unconscious.”

Ozai frowned at that. “Avatar!” he said sharply and Aang jumped, blinking blearily at up at him. “Avatar, you belong to Zuko. Do you understand?”

Aang closed his eyes for a moment. I…belong to him? No. I don’t belong to anyone. Aang wasn’t so far gone to not to know that the Fire Lord would punish him brutally if he argued, so he pretended that he couldn’t hear. It wasn’t hard; the drug muddled his thoughts.

Zuko stared down at the little Avatar and, despite his disgust for the collar, felt a trill of excitement course through him. The Avatar is mine? Zuko knew, logically, that it wasn’t right but he couldn’t help it. The idea of owning such a powerful being, of being in command of it, was gripping.

“Zuko. Take care of him,” Ozai said, a clear dismissal. “I’ve a war meeting to get to. Remember, the Avatar is your responsibility.” He didn’t add a threat to that. He didn’t need to; the dark gleam in his eye was easy enough to read and Zuko nodded. Ozai looked at Aang briefly before leaving. The guards bowed as he left and then bowed to Zuko, Iroh, and Azula before making their own retreat, silent save for their heavy footsteps.

Azula stepped forward again. “Good job, Zuzu,” she said and Zuko immediately flinched at the hated nickname and the unsaid words that floated in the air: it’s about time.

Iroh raised his hands. “Princess Azula, why not be happy for your brother?” he asked, eyebrows raised. “He has given the Fire Nation great honor and prestige with this victory. You should be proud to call him your brother.”

Azula shrugged. “I suppose you’re right, Uncle.” A malicious smile curled on her full lips. “After all, he’s finally done something that’s not shameful.”

“What?!” Zuko said, hands fisting. “How dare you?!” He stepped towards her. “You have no right to speak about me that way!”

“Oh really?” Azula said, eyebrows raised with indifference.

While the two siblings bickered and Iroh attempted to stop them, Aang rubbed his eyes. “Wow…’m so sleepy,” he said and the three Royals stopped with their arguing. Azula stepped forward.

“How adorable,” she said, tracing one long, sharp nail down Aang’s face. Zuko grabbed her arm.

“Back off, Azula. He’s mine,” Zuko said, eyes narrowing dangerously. “I haven’t given you permission to touch him.”

Azula drew closer to Zuko. “Oh?” she said. “So possessive, Zuzu. You don’t want to share the little Avatar with your sister?”

“He’s not a plaything!” Zuko exploded, shoving her away from him roughly. “You’re not to come near him, do you understand me? I’ll know if you do; I’ll order him to tell me!”

Azula sighed deeply, mockingly. “Fine, fine, brother. If you’re going to cry about it, I suppose I should listen to you.” She turned as if to leave but quickly swung one arm out, clawing Zuko’s temple. He cried out and immediately reached up, feeling blood. Azula sneered. “Don’t ever push me again, Zuko,” she said and left the main hall.

Zuko muttered under his breath for a moment, rubbing his temple. The bleeding had already stopped though four red welts were swelling up. It didn’t hurt so much as cause incredible rage to burst inside of him. How dare she?! Zuko thought, before turning abruptly to the Avatar.

Who was no longer there.

“Avatar?!” Zuko yelled, looking around. “Where are you?!” He realized who else was missing and took a few steps forward. “Uncle?!” He could hear muffled speech in the hallway outside the great hall and took off towards it. As he turned the corner and frightened a young servant boy, Zuko saw the Avatar and Uncle Iroh ahead. The Avatar was leaning heavily against him and Iroh had wrapped one arm around the boy’s shoulders.

“I know you will not be able to remember this when you wake up later,” Iroh said. “But we are heading to your room right now. It is a nice room, near the servant’s quarters.” Aang didn’t respond.

Zuko scowled. “Uncle!” he said, hurrying over to them. Iroh stopped and turned around slowly, causing the Avatar to stumble.

“Ah, Prince Zuko,” Iroh said. “I was just showing our guest to his room.” He raised an eyebrow and smiled. “He has been fading in and out of consciousness but I can already see he has a wonderful sense of humor. You should have heard the joke he was telling me-”

“Uncle, this is my job,” Zuko interrupted, narrowing his eyes. “The Avatar is my responsibility. If my father sees you taking care of him, he’ll think I’m neglecting my duties.”

Iroh stroked his chin with his free hand. “Your father is in a war meeting and you were too busy squabbling with Azula to take care of him.” Iroh shook his head. “He is relying on you, Prince Zuko. The Avatar is weakened and is surrounded by enemies here.”

Zuko narrowed his eyes. “He’s mine,” he said. “I will take care of him.” He took hold of Aang’s arm and Iroh raised his eyebrows.

“Then act like it.” He gently transferred Aang’s weight off of him and onto Zuko. “You must take care. There are plenty of people in this very palace who would like to see you fail this task.”

Zuko cautiously held the Avatar, who blinked up at him disinterestedly. “I know that,” he said, not holding Aang’s unfocused gaze. “I’ll take care of him. It would do me no good if something were to happen to him. Father would see me as a failure. Again.”

Iroh frowned, clearly unhappy with that answer. “Fine, Prince Zuko,” he said, folding his hands together beneath the voluminous sleeves of his robe. “But I want you to remember that the Avatar is a human boy, not just your trophy.”

Zuko’s eyes widened. “Uncle,” he started, unconsciously clutching the Avatar more tightly, and Iroh shook his head.

“You do not need to explain yourself,” Iroh said. “You are more humane that your father and your sister. You take after your mother in that respect.” He smiled then, fondly, and nodded to Zuko. “I am going to bed. I trust you know where he goes?”

Zuko nodded, not knowing what to say and Iroh bent down to the Avatar.

“Good night,” he said and Aang murmured nonsensically, burrowing closer to the closest source of warmth. Zuko stuttered and picked Aang up.

“He’s going to be more trouble than he’s worth,” Zuko muttered, face red. “I should have thrown him in the dungeons.”

Iroh raised an eyebrow and shrugged. “It sounded like that’s what he would have preferred too,” he said. “But I am sure everything worked out the way it should have. For the best. Good night, Prince Zuko.”

Zuko blinked, confused. “Uncle, what…? Never mind.” He shook his head. “I’m not sure I want to understand what you’re babbling about. Good night.” He nodded to the older man and walked off, carrying the Avatar easily. Zuko stepped into the darkened hallway that the Avatar’s room was located and walked slowly.

What could Uncle have been talking about? What does he mean, for the best? Zuko thought, eyes narrowing as he thought about it. Of course it was for the best that I captured the Avatar. Was that what he meant? Muttering caught his attention and Zuko looked down at the Avatar.

“Where’re we going?” Aang asked, looking forward. Zuko didn’t answer him and Aang looked up. “Zuko!?” he said, as much of an exclamation as he was capable in his present state. “Where did Iroh go?”

Zuko focused down the hallway. “That’s none of your business,” he said. “You don’t have the right to ask questions like that.”

Aang blinked, fighting to think against the sedative coursing through his bloodstream. “What will you do if I ask them?” he asked.

Zuko scowled. What? “Just hope you never have to find out,” he said, and immediately wanted to kick himself. If there was one thing he knew about the Avatar, is that he would want to find out. He was too curious for his own good. Even the glimpses Zuko had had told him enough to know that.

Aang blinked at that and smiled tiredly. “Okay,” he said and closed his eyes, already asleep against Zuko’s chest.

Zuko stared down at him, eyes narrowed in confusion. What was that? he thought. He couldn’t dwell on it though, as he made it to the Avatar’s bedroom’s doorway. He slid it open and stepped inside.

The room was surprisingly spacious, with a high ceiling and large windows. The windows had bar going across and downward, though the bars were so wide apart that Zuko wasn’t sure they would be able to keep the Avatar in. I’ll have someone look into it tomorrow, he said. He walked over to the bed and set the boy on it carefully. Aang immediately turned over, back to Zuko, and slept on.

Zuko scowled for a moment before looking around to inspect the room more closely. It was bare, which wasn’t surprising at all. The floor was bare, with no carpet or rug to soften it. There was nothing sharp or heavy in the room. Zuko could understand that; even a nonbender could be a threat with a weapon.

Along the wall to the left of the bed, a single row of open shelves were built into the wall. They were bare at the moment. On the wall opposite that, a large Fire Nation banner hung. Zuko smirked at that. A reminder of who has him? he thought. In any case, it was a nice touch.

Aang moaned, catching Zuko attention. The Avatar rolled over restlessly, hands touching his abdomen. “Oohh…” he said, curling into a ball. “I don’t feel good.”

Zuko walked over to him. “Stop complaining; you’re fine,” he commanded the Avatar. “You’re just realizing the position you’re in.”

“No ‘m not,” Aang muttered, eyes clenched tightly closed. “I already knew the position I was in.” He hissed and bowed his head. “My stomach really hurts, Zuko!”

Not bothering to correct the Avatar on using his name so casually, Zuko knelt down beside the bed and pulled Aang up roughly. “What’s wrong with you?” he asked.

Aang shook his head. “My stomach hurts,” he muttered pitifully and Zuko rolled his eyes.

“You already said that; what else is wrong with you?” Zuko pressed his hand to Aang’s forehead and scowled. The boy was feverish. He was also sweating, clear drops running down his temples. Zuko thought for a moment before glancing at the Avatar’s neck. He gasped and pulled the boy closer to him, ignoring Aang’s pained cry.

Out from under the collar, thin black lines flowed through Aang’s blood stream. They curled and twisted down his neck and Zuko tugged on the thin material of Aang’s top, ripping it. The black lines followed their course down his chest towards his heart.

Zuko cursed and scooped him up, standing quickly. “I’m taking you to a healer,” he said, and Aang chuckled weakly, causing Zuko to look snap his gaze downward. “What is it?” he asked and the Avatar shook his head.

“I just…it’s a nice room,” he said, and Zuko rolled his eyes.

“You fool,” he said as they exited the room, his pace quickening in the hallway. “You’re very ill and yet you make jokes!”

Aang blinked drowsily. “It wasn’t a joke,” he said, not bothering to look up at Zuko. “It really is a nice room.”

Zuko didn’t know what to say to that, and he was saved from trying to think something up as they reached the healers’ quarters. Zuko slammed the door open unannounced, startling the healers.

“Something’s wrong with him,” Zuko said, easily hoisting Aang up. “There are weird things coming from the collar.” One of the healers, an older man with a manacle and hunched back, slowly walked over to the two young men. Adjusted the manacle, he unlocked the collar and pulled it off of Aang’s neck. Aang cried out, unconsciously arching against Zuko.

“What are you doing, old man?!” Zuko said, tone dangerous. The healer did nothing but sniff in response, before bending closer and touching Aang’s neck gently.

“This was expected,” he said. “The sedative is a mild form of poison; that is why it is able to shut down his bending capabilities.” He put the collar back on and stepped back.

Zuko exploded. “What do you mean, expected?!” he said. “I certainly wasn’t expecting this! Why wasn’t I told?” He took a step forward. “How dare you keep this from me?!”

The healer took several steps back and held up his hands, glancing at the other healers for support. “It wasn’t my idea, Your Highness. The Fire Lord knew this would happen and the possible side effects-”

“What side effects?” Zuko interrupted.

The healer blinked. “Why, the possibility that the shock of the sedative would send the Avatar into a vegetative state,” he said and Zuko growled, hands tightening around the Avatar. Aang whimpered and Zuko immediately loosened his grip, eyes never moving from the elderly healer.

“What?” he said, scowling. “What are you talking about?!” He cut his left hand forward in a violent motion. “Treat it!”

The old man shook his head and shrugged. “Your father has asked us to create several new poisons and I’m not sure we’ll have time to-” Zuko lunged forward and grabbed the old healer by the collar. Zuko drew him close to his face, Aang between their chests.

“Make time,” Zuko said, shaking the healer slightly. “You’ve created this mess. You will fix it.” He released him and the healer stumbled back, nodding nervously.

“Of course, of course, Prince Zuko,” he said, nodding timidly. “We will work on the little Avatar. Lay him over there.” He motioned at a small futon that was sitting beside the wall opposite them. “We will do our best to get his system used to the sedative before any sort of permanent damage takes place.”

Zuko nodded stiffly and set Aang down on the futon. He stared down at him, taking in his pallor and sweat slicked brow, and cut his eyes to the healers. “If you can’t help him…” he didn’t finish the sentence, but the threat of clear and the healers swallowed heavily and glanced at each other, nodding. Zuko shook his head angrily and stormed out of the healer’s chambers.

My first task since I’ve come back and I’ve already failed, he thought bitterly, walking through the elaborate hallways tinged orange from the lantern light that lit every corner. Father, you have every right to hide these things from me. In a fit of rage, Zuko punched the wall, fist flaring in pain. Zuko ignored it, staring at the wall with wrathful eyes.

“Prince Zuko, what is wrong?” A very concerned voice said and Zuko whirled around. Iroh stood in front of him, eyes filled with confusion and concern. “Is something wrong with the Avatar?” Iroh continued.

Zuko shook his head. “The Avatar… he’s not well,” he said, and he knew it didn’t make sense. “The collar that my father created. It has some side effects that I didn’t know about.” Zuko looked away. “It’s poisoning him.”

“What?” Iroh said, eyes widening. “Is he alright?”

Zuko narrowed his eyes. “He will be, or the healers will pay,” he said darkly.

Iroh furrowed his brow. “Did Ozai know about this?” he asked, and immediately knew when Zuko tensed. “You’re father has kept something like this from you.” Iroh shook his head. “It is not right.”

“It’s not like that!” Zuko said. “It was…just a test.” It had to have been. Father doesn‘t want me to fail, Zuko thought desperately. He doesn‘t.

“Do you really believe that? That your father would test you like this?” Iroh said, shaking his head.

Zuko lashed out. “Just stay out of it, Uncle!” he said. “It’s none of your business anymore! My father wants what’s best for me! I’ve proven myself to him and he wants me now!”

Iroh shook his head. “A son should not have to prove himself to his father to earn love,” he said and noticed Zuko’s oncoming rage. “However, let us not speak of this anymore. Tell me, how is the little Avatar doing? Is it really that bad?”

Zuko swallowed his anger. “Yes. He’s unconscious. The poison was heading towards his heart when I got him to the healers.” Zuko’s eyes narrowed. “He will be alright.”

Iroh eyed him. “You cannot will someone to be healthy, Prince Zuko. Not when they’re poisoned like this.” He folded his hands in his robes. “It is not possible.”

“He is mine and he will be fine,” Zuko repeated.

“He is only yours because he is weakened and has no choice, Zuko,” Iroh said sharply. “He is the Avatar. If he dies, he will be reincarnated and free.” Iroh shrugged. “And if that happens, you will have no choice in the matter.”

Zuko tensed again at that. “He will not die,” he said. “I won’t allow it.”

Iroh sighed at that. “Fine, Prince Zuko.” He refused to argue on the subject further. “Come with me.”

Zuko raised his eyebrows. “Why? I thought you went to bed some time ago.”

Iroh smiled. “I had trouble sleeping. Come.” He took Zuko gently by the arm. “You look like you could use a nice, hot cup of tea.”

Zuko sighed heavily but allowed Iroh to pull him forward. “Uncle, tea doesn’t solve everything,” he said and Iroh cast a glare in his direction.

“Prince Zuko, bite your tongue,” he said and that startled a small smile to Zuko’s lips. Together, the two men walked slowly through the palace hallways.