A/N: Ahem...ahem...Before anyone throw me any accusations, I would like first to explain myself. This idea has been bugging me for ages and I can't stand it anymore. I just had to write, so, yeah, in short, this story would definitely add to the pile of my currently growing heaps of unfinished works. I am sorry.

Anyways, basically, this is a ZUTARA fic with a 'lil bit of Iroh II and Korra spices. Not that I don't like Asami/Korra. It's just that I saw a fanart and then BAM! I had this sudden epiphany that these two would most definitely create the most sparks of 'em all. Screw the age differences.

So, I am betting my ass here. If there were any mistakes, discrepancies, please do contact me because I have been a Zutara fan for like ages. Thank you very much.

P.S. As for my other stories, namely A Solemn Vow to Mate, don't worry. I am still working on that. :D

Disclaimer: I don't own anything that involves Avatar. I am nothing but a humble fan.

Chapter 1

"Desna, the moon's turning red again." Eska addressed her twin brother sitting beside her.

It was such a rare sight that a flash of emotion ever reached their faces. This was the third night ever since the red moon started its terror. The first time, they dismissed it as nothing more than a natural occurrence called Lunar Eclipse, when waterbenders loose their ability to connect with their element.

It was normal.

It should be normal.

It has been recorded in their history by their esteemed scholars that such planetary activity was nothing more than a cause of nature. Naturally so, when the sun rises the next day, their ability will be restored.

And it did. And it was relieving.

However by that night, the moon resumed its blood-colored hue. This was by no means a natural thing. A Lunar Eclipse just doesn't happen in two consecutive nights. It only happens by mere minutes, hours top. Not consecutive nights of the sight of the creepy illumination. Something was definitely wrong. And apart from that, A Solar Eclipse has also been present during the day. It was a question that needed an immediate answer.

Ever since the demise of their father, Unalaq, they have succeeded in his place as the chiefs of the Northern Water Tribe and it was their shared responsibility to adhere to the needs of their countrymen. Waterbenders were starting to lose their confidence in bending their element. One by one, their forces have deteriorated and soon they'll be vulnerable to attacks. Even the master benders have lost their ability and what was more unacceptable was the fact that even them, both Eska and Desna were starting to lose their control over their element. They need some damage control now and fast.

"Eska, let's go to the Spirit Oasis. Something must be wrong." Desna suggested. From what their records have informed them, a similar situation happened early in the year 100 AD. A Fire Nation Admiral by the name of Zhao apparently tried to take over the Northern Water Tribe and killed the Moon Spirit, Tui in the form of a white koi fish and that was when a Blood Moon started and wiped their waterbenders' ability to connect to their element.

Something must be wrong with those two Spirits. As fast their feet can carry them, they quickly ran through the corridors, the red light casting long shadows from their forms to their castle walls. They stopped near the entrance as they felt a foreboding feeling churned in their gut. There was something ominous beyond that door, like strength was quickly drained away from their bodies.

Their eyes widened in astonishment and disbelief when they pulled open the doors. The atmosphere it has donned over their years of visit was nowhere. there were no feeling of serenity. Only a repulsive force. Before, even though it was within the confines of their nation's perpetually frozen landscape, the oasis was warm and it flourished in verdant green. Now, the crystal clear pond was unbelievably frozen like the walls surrounding it. Both twins rushed towards the centermost pond where the two Spirits, Tui and La had eternally danced with each other. The sight made their hearts sank. It almost looked like blood was spilled in the water as it reflected the red rays. Never has they seen this awful state. Both kois were weak and their movements were obviously strained.

"No…" Eska uttered as she dipped her hands in the water. It has become unusually cold. Was it happening again? The story she has heard from her youth about the sacrifice of the young Tribe Princess Yue to save the life of the Moon Spirit from Zhao? She scanned the surroundings to see if there had been an intruder but no, there were no signs and even if there were, the evidence has long been wiped by the thick cover of ice.

"There was no signs breach." Desna suddenly said, as if answering her mental question. "We need to send word to our sister tribe about what has gone and have them send the greatest of our healers." Calculating, Desna already has plan hatched in his mind to solve this problem. The Yue in their history gave up her life to save the Moon Spirit from certain death, thereby preserving the line and the ability to waterbend. However, she managed to do that because she was 'touched' by the Moon Spirit. She was given half the life of the white koi fish and she merely returned the favor by sacrificing herself and becoming a Spirit herself. Taking that into consideration, no matter how much they touch these fishes, they would never take their lives. Tui and La were far more passionate to take somebody's life. Besides, there were two of them that need attention, not one and they weren't dying. There's no need to waste on efforts with low chance of success. They should go straight to the point and quickly eliminate the problem.

"Brother, you don't mean…" Eska trailed off.

"Yes, we need the Greatest Healer and Waterbending Master, Katara of the Southern Water Tribe."

"How about cousin?" Eska suggested. They have heard of this Katara person. She was truly a fully realized master of their respective element. Stories about her were abundant in their tribe. Eska was slightly intimidated by her reputation and doesn't want to intrude and trouble such esteemed woman.

"There's no time left. Korra's a hothead. I wouldn't be surprised when she doesn't know how to heal and besides, she's the Avatar, we don't know where that girl ran off to." Desna bluntly stated. "And tomorrow's an Equinox, we don't; know what effects would it create with a Blood Moon." It was true. They can't rely on their cousin again as she has other 'spiritual' duties to attend to. Not that they care in a way. They just don't want to contact her after defeating their father during the Harmonic Convergence. Not that they're bitter about it but they were still in the process of grieving for their deceased loved one. Unalaq was a bad guy but that doesn't mean that he's not their father anymore.

Ninety-five year old Zuko walked in a familiar ground. He can't be mistaken for he has trudged this same path years ago with his friend, Aang. The ruins of a civilization remained untouched by the outside world. He was glad that it has remained intact over the years even if he has relinquished his hold on the throne in favor of his daughter. Years ago, he made a pact with his uncle to always have this area protected from the outsiders and he has succeeded in passing that oath to his bloodline of Fire Lords, the secret of the Sun Warriors whose sole duty was to protect the ancient origin of all firebending. So, taking that into consideration, was that the reason he was brought here? Was the secret been exposed to the world?

Looking around, he took in his surroundings. The vines and mosses still covered the olden pillars, walls and broken statues of dragons. Located mid-way to the top of the city's primary ziggurat was still the very same mural of the two dragons Ran and Shaw. The pyramid was still intact, withstanding the years. Nothing seemed to be out of ordinary except the fact that he was alone. He still continued his walk until he reached the courtyard. The Celestial Calendar stood sturdy even to this day as the red orb still gleamed in the sunlight.

"Zuko…" A familiar voice called upon him from behind. He could swear a chill ran down his spine. He would know that voice anywhere from this world and even the other. There's no mistaking it. He slowly turned his head to the voice and sure enough he can't believe his own eyes. His uncle, still the very same man, same appearance and same clothing from the moment of his death was staring at him with no hint of humor in it. Serious eyes made him relieve his days when he still questioned himself about his honor and pride. Have he done something wrong or his uncle was now taking him to the other world? Then the former general spoke in a grave voice that obviously warn of imminent danger,

"Hurry, Zuko, Agni is in danger." Iroh started to disappear as was the whole place. It was like being burned quickly, leaving only darkness in its path.

"Wait! Uncle! Wait!" Zuko could hear his voice becoming that of a young man as he tried to run towards his beloved uncle but it was futile. He was left in darkness, alone again.

Zuko woke up with a start with sweat covering his face, breathe ragged. That nightmare marked the first time in all of his years since the end of the Hundred-Year War that he dreamt of something ominous. He'd had the very same dream three nights ever since the three consecutive days with a Solar Eclipse. The first eclipse happened only minutes in the first day but as days passed by, it has become too unnatural. The second eclipse happened in hours and yesterday it lasted half a day. He can't dismiss this anymore as something trivial. Something was definitely happening out there.

Their firebenders were starting to lose confidence in their abilities. Though they have the non-benders in their army, there's still the fact that most of the soldiers composed primarily of benders. Without them, their forces have dangled between half or three-quarters. Crime rate has begun to rise again and it caused the public panic and worry. He has to do this now, while the eclipse was still not in full effect. He has to travel back into the ruins were the Sun Warriors have existed.

Taking that into mind, there's still something that proves that these eclipses weren't just normal occurrences. Last night, if he could be sure, was the third night of the Lunar Eclipse. And solar and lunar eclipses just don't coincide in consecutive days without something seriously messed up happening.

The waterbenders living here in the capital have been depowered just like the firebenders. He has contacted the council leaders of the Air and Earth elements to know if there were any disruption in their bending but what he received was a definite 'no'. It seems that the airbenders and earthbenders weren't affected by this change.

This was too alarming. Two elements were undergoing change while the others weren't. He then stood up from his bed and looked at his reflection in the mirror. He has become old through the years. His stamina, strength, speed and overall physical and bending abilities have declined in the years. Though he was still unbeatable and unrivaled in the art of dual broadswords, he can't help but admit that he has gone rusty and pretty soon, his grandson would surpass him. His eyes then landed on his face. He touched the scar in the left side of his face.

"Katara…" He whispered, suddenly remembering their time alone in the crystal prison beneath Ba Sing Se. He then chased that thought away. There were more pressing matters that needed his immediate attention and not just some fleeting memory of a once beat of a heart. He has to go alone. Though this was a matter worth the attention of the Fire Lord, namely his daughter, she has more things to do mind now that there's a public panic. His grandson, Iroh would not do. He's still young and even if he was slated for the position as the next Fire Lord, he's not yet ready to handle the secret of the Sun Warriors.

"Guards, prepare me a hot air balloon!" Zuko ordered the two guards outside just as he put on his travel clothes and packed his necessities and weapon. Even if a hot air balloon was old-fashioned, he'd rather use it than a ship. This vehicle can be man-handled by a single person not like a ship where it took the joined efforts of an entire crew to move. His main goal was to preserve the secret while helping the Sun Warriors. A crew wouldn't actually make that possible, now, does it?

"Lord Zuko, would you require soldiers to accompany you?" A soldier came up to him, jumping from the question on why and where would he go simply because the former Fire Lord made it clear right from the start that he was not to be concerned too much. He might have become old but he was not a defenseless old bat.

"No." The ninety-five year old merely dismissed the soldier and quickly darted towards the open area at the end of the corridor to see if his transportation had already been prepared.

"Grandfather." A voice he will know wherever he might be reached his ears as sounds of hurried footsteps neared him. Zuko paused and looked at his grandson walking towards him with furrowed eyebrows. "Where might you be going at this early time of the day?"

The former Fire Lord was momentarily taken aback not because he was surprised but because he has mistaken his grandson's voice to be his. They really have the same voice. He regained his posture when he saw that the youngster was waiting for his reply. "I have something urgent to do."

"Oh, in that case, I wish to join your quest. I'll just have to uh…" Iroh managed a smile.

"No. I have to do this alone."

"But I want to help the Fire Nation. I know that wherever you are going has something to do with the eclipse!" Iroh started to protest.

'Impatient and impulsive…just like I was.' Zuko inwardly smiled, remembering the days of his youth. "I know, grandson. But you are needed here. I'll return soon. And besides, I know that Ms. Korra will most definitely miss you." He teased his grandson who blushed at the mention of the young lady's name. 'I do sound just like uncle.' The former Fire Lord inwardly smiled to himself. He really was getting old and with that thought in mind, he turned on his heels to set course to the northern part of the Fire Nation's mainland.

Zuko arrived in his destination almost noon. He quickly went to the Celestial Calendar and sure enough the light has already refracted on the calendar on the ground. Tremors rocked the concrete and he almost stumbled if not for the pillar that held the red gem. As the ground pacified, he walked slowly, planting his feet firmly towards the Sunstone Chamber. The statues depicting the Dragon Dance still stood strong and on the center of the room, still in all of its glory, was the egg-shaped sacred sunstone of the Sun Village.

'Wait, that's not quite right.' Zuko thought. If his memory served him well, shouldn't he first perform the Dragon Dance before a pedestal appeared? Why's it already released? Something's definitely amiss. The Sun Warrior Chief wouldn't leave their sacred treasure unattended. Zuko trudged towards the sunstone but stopped midway. It could be a trap and he might be caught again in that glue just like all those years ago.

"Hurry, nephew." A voice whispered in his ears.

"What?" He glanced around to search for that voice. It was his uncle's but he didn't find anything.

"Take it and bring it to the masters." There it was again. He didn't question the voice anymore. His uncle knew what he was saying. After all, he was the one who first discovered this place and kept its secret. He put both of his hands on both sides of the egg-shaped sphere.

"What the…It's cold…" He cursed to himself. Fishy. Before, this was warm, like something's alive was inside. Now, it felt barren and empty. A door before him opened and he took that moment to escape to the outside. That accursed glue might chase him again and he doesn't want to bet on that.

Walking till he reached the two large rocks overlooking the ocean, he climbed the long and high stairs towards the large, elevated man-made platforms and when he reached the top, the concrete in which he stood rumbled. This was it. Two dragons burst forth from the opposite caves. One was blue and one was red, it was Ran and Shaw. They flew towards him without sparing any second. They didn't even perform the Dragon Dance. They charged at him in full speed and breathed large jets of fire in his body. His eyes bulged in panic as he took a step back but it was no use. There was no escaping them. Was his uncle betrayed him? Just as the combined pillar of flames completely consumed him, he saw the sky. The Black Sun and the Red Moon was staring at him as if mocking him of his uselessness. That's not quite right…A Solar Eclipse can only happen when the moon blocks the light of the sun. There's just no way that both celestial events can happen at the same time.

Then everything went black.

Ninety-three year old Katara arrived almost at noon. Last night, she had dreamt about the perpetually young Yue, telling her to quickly make her way to the Northern Water Tribe for the Spirits were in once again plunged into a mortal danger. She had a sneaking suspicion that it has something to do with the three straight nights of Lunar Eclipse and it was then proven by the sudden arrival of the emissary from their counterpart tribe. The messenger said that their two Spirit, Tui and La have been in a weak constitution and that the Spirit Oasis was in dire situation. It was frozen. He also said that they even tried the efforts of their healers but it was no use. She was their last hope.

She then packed her necessities in the middle of the night and hurriedly boarded the last trip of their steamship. Worried, she didn't even have the time and will to sleep the entire travel and prayed to all the governing Spirits to help her solve this problem. As soon as the ship docked, she quickly bid her greetings in the official and two tribal chiefs. Desna and Eska, was it? Korra's cousins. Not bothering any pleasentries, as mch as her olden legs could carry her, she made a wild dash towards the palace, even in the dark casted by the Solar Eclipse.

Speaking of which, there's also been an unnatural set of solar eclipses and today's the fourth day of that. What was happening now? And what worried her the most was the fact that today marked an Equinox, the equal day and night.

"Zuko…" She muttered under her breath. It has been so long since they have seen each other. She brushed that thought away. Her fleeting affections doesn't matter now. What needed to be done was her duty to her people and not a traitorous beat of a heart. There's danger lurking again and waterbenders were affected. She can't stand for that.

She reached the room and sure enough, the information she received was true. The entire landscape was frozen and the kois were weakened. They have stopped swimming and circling each other. They just floated there, as if…as if… as if they were lifeless.

Panic rose in her chest and without wasting any time, she dipped her hands in the small pond. Soft blue light covered the water. And sure enough, vitality and strength returned to the two fishes but as she removed her hands from the water, soft blue light crept along her arms. She looked at the sky. There, though faint in the distance, outshined by the eclipsed Sun, was the blooded Moon.

"Equinox…" It was the only word she has uttered before her whole body was swallowed by the light.