It's time we made the commitment
I'd like to dedicate this story in honor of my cat Tess who passed away on March 11th, 2019. She was 17 years old. May she be in a better place.
This story is the sequel to my 2018 story "When Gold Met Jade: A Love Story that saved the World"
So please enjoy.
The golden skyfire was leisurely ascending into the heavenly azure heavens of the realm of everlasting flames gifting its spirits once more with its life-giving radiance of eternal life, purpose, moreover flames.
It banished away the obscurations that concealed the land as the break of day graced the day. One by one the golden-eyed souls were opening their sleepy eyes as they woke to their element and to the hope of a bright new day overflowing of promise furthermore infinite opportunities.
However, inside the Fire Nation Royal Palace, one pair of eyes weren't golden and they were currently waking to a different kind of sight altogether. Far different than anyone else in the land of sun worshipers.
The gorgeous jade green eyes gradually opened up and a radiant smile lit up the most attractive features of the most beautiful woman in all the Fire Nation, as she leaned over to kiss the left side of her betrothed's face. The one that too many of this world still perceived as a mark of ignominy, but for her, his scar would never be that, but rather the mark of highest honor, for never surrendering his humanity even in face of Death itself.
Cuddling a little closer to her fire lily as was the term Fire Nation people used for their true loves, she pulled his long coal-black hair out of his fine-looking features before she caressed his scar once more than murmured tenderly into his ear, "Zuky? Zuky? Darling, time to wake up," she cooed benevolently to him.
Rather nonchalantly he rolled over and gradually opened his golden eyes and gazed them longingly into her pools of jade then smiled the most spectacular smile ever and whispered fondly back to her as he caressed her face in his hand, "Good morning Akiko, did you dream any beautiful dreams?" he asked her in a melodious murmur.
"Are you asking if I was actually dreaming, Zuky or if I made an excursion to the Spirit World while I was sleeping last night?" she challenged coyly as she twirled a lock of her thick and silky jet-black hair with her right index finger.
"Well, what's the answer?" her sexy lover wanted to know as he sat up a bit more in their king size bed showing off his well-defined six-pack abs. My oh my was he a fine specimen of a man and all hers to relish each and every morning. How delightful Akiko thought to herself with guilty pleasure.
"The answer is yes," as she pulled herself up some more on the bed they'd shared since they'd been betrothed five years ago. " I did go on a little sojourn to the Spirit World last night to revisit with my birth mother Sakiko. I required a little of her wisdom. After all who else am I gonna turn to with Zuka ultimately laying her eggs but another Dragon Guardian?" she questioned in a bit of eloquence manner.
"True, very true. Did she offer you any wisdom?" her betrothed questioned her in a hopeful voice. His gorgeous intended nodded gracefully and articulated of the wisdom murmured to her last night in the realm of the spirits.
"She said she was speaking with my grandmother and great-grandmother along with the whole Sisterhood of Dragon Guardians on the subject. As there haven't been newly hatched dragons since Sozin decreed their genocide and well we know what befell to my people," she looked rather uncomfortable at addressing that personal topic.
"Akiko," Zuko as he took her hands in his and stroked her face soothingly, "we both know what my great-grandfather did in his life was beyond sinful. That he did numerous unjustifiable atrocities. Furthermore, what he did to your family was just unforgivable."
"Well," as she held his face in her hands and spoke courageously, "always, always remember Zuko. I never blame you for what Sozin did to my people. You're not guilty of his crimes. You didn't order the dragons to be annihilated or their Guardians to be defiled and then assassinated just so someone could earn the title of "Dragon!"
"No, I didn't," he nodded in agreement. He sighed heavily still feeling the weight of his infamous family members transgressions upon him. He smiled slightly as he turned back to her, "But at least we did discover along with Aang from Ran and Shaw the true ways of firebending. Plus learned we are like mated dragons and that's why we alone can bend gold and pink flames which just makes you and I so much more extraordinary."
"Yes, that's true, along with for the past five years raising their daughter Zuka your namesake into the powerful goddess she is and now, at last, she has reached maturity and will have eggs of her own!" Akiko was brimming with enthusiasm at the thought of Zuka becoming a mother at last. How pretty quickly they've numerous little hatchlings scurrying and fluttering amock it be absolute but refreshing chaos!
"Yes, that is one of our greatest achievements admittedly!" both broke out with amusing and heartfelt hilarity at these happy sunny thoughts as they started to get out of bed. Both of them were wearing exquisite and well-designed silk sleepwear courtesy of their godmother Xiaoying who was the Grand Yon of the Order of the White Lotus making her second in command of the ancient secret society.
Xiaoying was a long-time old friend of their mothers both Akiko's birth mother Sakiko and Zuko's mother Ursa and their families had known each other and been friends since the time of their great-grandparents. Which had been Avatar Roku and his wife Ta Min for Zuko and the former Leader of the Dragons Guardians Surya for Akiko and Xiaoying's grandmother former Grand Yon Xiu Mei.
They'd all sworn at Avatar Roku's wedding a vow of eternal friendship and for the last 100 years had kept it. Honestly, it all seemed like fate that Zuko and Akiko would be bound by the red thread of love given their ancestry furthermore all that had transpired in both their family history and their own lifetime.
Akiko made her way across their impressive bedroom over to a large luxurious gold vanity with a massive dragon-shaped mirror and covered with beauty commodities plus accessories from their friends from a second secret society that had assisted them in their darkest hours in their childhood. This one had been called the Sisterhood of the Dawn. It was a bit more ambiguous then Order of the White Lotus but nevertheless, they're just as devoted to fighting for what was right and spreading truth, light, and love throughout the world.
Zuko and Akiko had met them five years ago when Akiko had been in a coma as a direct result of Zuko's younger sister Azula taking possession of his mind and temporary severing their symbiotic bond. Akiko's spirit had been trapped in limbo and had had to undergo a spiritual journey to recover so she could awaken from the coma while Zuko had had to undergo a physical journey in the real world.
The Sisterhood was lead by an extremely sympathetic and altruistic lady named Healer Yang. She'd shielded both of them at this critical time plus performed ancient but potent cleansing rituals to relieve their bodies of lethal negative energy to purify their spirits and help them recuperate.
It was following the War and it is resolved that they'd found out the Sisterhood and its members all had day jobs, that they'd heretofore used as undercover positions. One to gather knowledge and secondly let them use their natural talents at the same time. Following the War ended, they like the Order and Sisterhood divided their time between doing still their work for their societies as well as doing their ordinary day jobs.
They'd discovered that Healer Yang operated a holistic healer clinic, Kishi was a renowned jeweler, Rei ran the best beauty parlor in the Fire Nation Capital and finally Saura as the best vocalist in the capital as well. Also to their delightful astonishment, they discovered Kishi had a twin brother named Kami who worked in the Order and he was a professor of anthropology at the Fire Nation University.
Truly life had transformed so dramatically as they talked about various issues as they assisted each other in getting ready for the day. Each brushing the other hair and also helping the other get dressed. Just as they had done every day for the last five years. Their royal robes were made by their godmother, everything from their shampoo to makeup to what scent they wore was from, Rei's salon, their extra accessories all were designed by Kishi.
Healer Yang who also was proficient in the art of Feng Shu had even come in not long after their coronation to work her magic. She'd given the entire palace an overhaul to dispose of all the evil energy by using Feng Shu to neutralize it thus delivering the palace from sins and ghosts of the past. The end result was so presently only good energy would be permitted in the palace from now on.
Finally, there was only one thing left to do before they departed for their normal routine of the day. Going over to a crimson silk pillow were their crowns and they smiled as they lifted and put them on each other heads before kissing.
"Zuko do you want to know what I love the most about doing this every morning?" Akiko asked amorously as she pulled out of the kiss with love shimmering in her jade green eyes she asked him this particular morning.
"What? That I still kiss by the book?" he also replied amorously with a small giggle.
Laughing gaily she shook her head, "No, even though I do love you are a seriously good kisser, but that's not what I enjoy about getting dressed every morning. I love for the first time in Fire Nation history that it's both a Fire Lord and Fire Lady ruling as one."
"Yeah, that makes me happy too," he nodded in agreement about that happy change in the rules. " I mean continuously in history it's just the Fire Lord who governs. We are the first couple that rules together. As equals. I'm thrilled with that change," He said with surpassing joviality.
"Well even though you renounced Ozai as your father and rightfully so that made you one legitimate heir. Furthermore, I was made a rightful heir when our true father Iroh adopted me after he made certain Zhao was thoroughly dishonored for his transgressions to me and my birth mother," Akiko pointed out the indisputable facts why they had revised the laws for them.
"Of course, Akiko, neither of us could ever possibly forget the day we met. We may be 21 years old now but even if we were five years old at the time that day will never fade from our minds," as if they needed a reminder how their love story started at all.
"No, you rescued me in every way possible that day as I did you. Furthermore, yes Iroh is still both our father and Ursa is both our mother. Which is what we did learn when we finally located Mom was the agreement they had as children." Akiko reminded her true love as she brought up another promise they had fulfilled over the past five years.
"Yes, now that was an unimaginable adventure no-one would ever believe unless they lived it which we did. However, at least Mom is happy now. Married to her true love and raising my little sister Kiyi." Zuko's mind was still completely blown about what they had learned about their mother's origin and what had happened to her after that night so long ago. It was a story no one would really believe even if it was true.
'Yes, you are so right about that one Zuky! Moreover at least finally the Sisterhood made some serious advancement with Azula! It took half a decade however it looks like with a hell of a lot of praying and a great deal of spiritual help we have lastly eliminated her demon seed."
"Yes, something we've sought to do a long time ago along with all our other missions with the rest of our friends. But still, Azula has a long way to go in her treatment, Akiko. Remember that," Zuko remind his love not to count their chicken pig eggs before they hatched.
"At least we've made an adequate amount of improvement with her that she has a sense of right and wrong, learned empathy and can ultimately at last feel remorse presently. She's continuously learning. The Sisterhood has been working so hard for five long years to rectify her insanity and annul all the things that made her into a demon." Akiko pointed out that any progress was better than none which is what they started with five years ago.
"Which given again the family history and the life we grew up in with Ozai can't easily be undone," Zuko admitted knowing like Akiko from firsthand experience just what Ozai was capable and the damage he had had inflect wasn't so simply undone by anyone. Not everyone could recover from spiritual scars that abuse caused to everyone it encounters.
"But at least it's notable progress, Zuky. Now if we don't leave we will miss morning prayers. Furthermore, it's essential we are punctual with them. We must always show our ancestors and other family members the respect and honor they deserve. That's what Uncle constantly taught us when we're growing up, correct?" she questioned her true love who nodded seriously.
"Yes, I remember and we've never missed our daily prayers and we won't be late for them today either. So let's go," as he offered his arm to his love who took it as they glided leisurely down the long corridor.
They kept a steady even pace as they headed outside to a miniature shrine. It was evidently a much more recent addition to the grounds given it looked shinier and elaborate than the rest of the palace and not as broken into.
It was a magnificent place of worship with a magnificent red roof that had sizable golden dragon encompassing the top till it roared with pride its fire into the sky above. The materials that shrine was made from were in a mosaic pattern demonstration a phoenix in flight. Finally ringing the lowermost of the shrine was a flower garden of all the flowers that signified someone close to the royal family or had significant meaning to Fire Nation.
Walking into the shrine they immediately lit some incense sticks and placed them in the small gold dragon incense burners hanging from the ceiling. Next, each laid some type of offering on a miniature wooden table that was in front of a blood-red stone tablet with gold writing.
Higher up from this stone tablet was a sizable painted portrait that Akiko had done years ago back in Ba Sing Se. It displayed all their loved ones, that they considered family. There were likewise two additional portraits present. The one on the left-hand side held the image of all their ascendants along with Xiaoying's. The one on the right-hand side showed all their friends.
Each of them lit half the candles till half burned with gold flames and the other pink flames they then bowed their heads so low they touched the floor and began to recite their daily prayers.
Praying that their loved ones in the Spirit World were protected and strong. That they'd continue to safeguard the living. Praying they'd give them the enlightenment to lead the Fire Nation out of the darkness and into the light. Praying that Agni would continue to glorify their people.
Praying that every day would be perfect in its own way and that they'd do better than the day before. That their friends and family's dreams would be safe as well as blessed. That their dreams would come true. Finally, they prayed for more people to forgive them for their country sins and that peace would continue and that future would continue to prosper.
After making sure their morning payers were complete it was time to have breakfast with their family at their open-air dining room. Consequently, they immediately head out to the gazebo in the garden where they saw their family was waiting unabatingly for them.
The palace servants were just finishing up with bringing today favorite foods to the table and their true father Uncle Iroh was occupied making his latest batch of mystery tea to serve. As they slowly neared they could perceive everyone they loved was assembled there. Their mother Ursa, her husband Noreen, their little girl Kiyi. Their godmother Xiaoying with her husband Piandao and their five-year-old daughter Xiang. All members of the Sisterhood, and even Azula though she was still under light guards.
After all she still hadn't finished her mental health treatment, although was allowed back in the palace two months ago as long as she always was with an escort and continued to get therapy treatments 3 times a day, plus took a special concoction of the Sisterhood design with meals to keep her peaceful and control her symptoms.
"Good morning family. How is everyone doing today?" called out Zuko politely as he and Akiko took their positions at the head of the table. The servants started to try and serve them and Zuko waved them off nonchalantly.
"Please, this is family time. Allow us to take pleasure in our breakfast as a family. You are dismissed," he said in the nicest way possible.
"If you are sure Fire Lord Zuko," the servant maiden started to say when Akiko cut in.
"When we are with family it's just Zuko and Akiko. No formal titles when it's family time. So it's okay. Please go enjoy your day and we will enjoy our time with our family," Akiko respectfully told the servant girl who bowed once and left.
"Are you two sure you want to be so informal with the court? It's not exactly making you sound like strong leaders if you can't show who is the in charge and that you should put some level of fear in them," whispered Azula from down the table. She was a bit twitchy and not completely satisfied when you looked at her. Even though she wasn't in a straitjacket, chi blocked or anything like that. She was free to move or say whatever she wished. This was to show signs they're willing to trust her some. Giving her a little trust and freedom a bit at a time. Yet she was still seated near her mother and Healer Yang as to keep an eye on her.
"Azula do you remember what we talked about at our last family session with Healer Yang?" her mother Ursa inquired to her eldest blood daughter respectfully.
Azula lamented emphatically as she slumped in her chair before she spoke softly. "Family and friends come before anything else. That people can't be replaced like material possessions and family is the most important thing in the world. And people shouldn't be treated or controlled with fear but respect and love," she recited what her mother had reminded her again of in that last session.
"Azula do you think people really respected you when you made them fear you?" her mother questioned her in a delicate kind voice as she placed her right hand over her daughter's trying to be friendly and again show her she did love her and be reassuring. Azula still was working through her old thoughts and trying to accept her mom didn't believe she was a monster. That she did love her and that she needed to see the truth but it wasn't easy even after five years of treatment.
"No, they didn't respect, Mom. You cannot respect someone who is mean to someone. For its not real respect. You only earn respect by being respectful in return," Azula acknowledged what she finally understood. Though it looks like it took the effort of running a marathon through a field of geysers for her to say that. That how hard it was for her to say that or learn it.
"Well, at least we've made some progress with you at last. Since it's taken a long time for you to get this far in your treatment. At least you don't want to set fire to helpless animals anymore. Animal therapy was a good midway through your therapy and how is taking care of your pet coming along by the way Azula?" Healer Yang wanted to know. She felt at this stage of in Azula's recovery it was time to see Azula could really handle relationships as well as feel things towards a living creature.
Consequently, as part of the treatment, Azula was one to take care of the flower and make certain it lived for two years. If after two years if the plant was still alive she was to go get a pet and keep the animal alive and well cared for. If both were still alive after four years she'd be willing to say Azula truly made enough progress in her therapy that she said was truly not a demon but truly regained her humanity.
So far Azula had managed not to kill or incinerate the plant which was Agnimitra's Tear which was a flower named after a character from the play/ballet "Phoenix Heavens" which was one of the few things Azula actually fancied. Now that she'd kept the flower alive for a whole year she was now raising a female Bengal she'd named Shula as it meant "Fire".
Little Shula was actually asleep in Azula's lap at the moment with her petting her fur. "No, I guess not. Okay maybe being fearful is wrong and it's okay to be relaxed around family," she admitted as she kept stroking her pet's fur. Seeing that Azula loved her pet cat and actually cared for something made her mother truly happy and hopeful that Azula was actually turning a corner and that the rest of her therapy would continue to be easier from here on out.
"Alright, now that little dispute is over with can we please enjoy breakfast before we have to get on with a busy day? Akiko has been in contact with the Spirits again and needs to attend to Zuka and make sure the rookery with up to the suitable standers so the eggs will be well guarded and hatch."
"And Zuko needs to deal with finalizing negotiating that deal to help establish safer trade routes for our ships. While also with helping the Earth Kingdom with building that canal they'll need if these trade routes will be successful if we wish to continue this dream of a fifth nation," Akiko finished for her betrothed.
"Sounds like you both have busy days ahead of you. You'll need a lot of calming tea for it. Here have two cups." Iroh said as he passed two big tea cups over to his second son and only daughter to drink up as they would surely need it. Same old Iroh thinking tea was the only solution you need to life problems but they were always willing to take their father's advice and always did love his mystery tea since they were children.
"Thank you, Uncle." as they took the cups and drained them in one swallow and passed the back to be refilled which he was more than happy to do. The more tea to go around the happier Iroh was. As they once said back in Ba Sing Sa Uncle Iroh was a tea snob a polite one but tea snob nonetheless. Still, you did whatever it took to make your family happy and stay together as nothing was more important than family.
"Is there anything we can do to help you in any way, son?" inquired Ursa to her son hopefully. She was more than thrilled to be back with her children and even happier now that Ozai had been dealt with and she never had to deal with that monster again.
"Well as we're not gonna have any time to do it today ourselves. Therefore could you send messages to our friends for us? As we're supposed to send letters once a week to one another to keep up to date on everyone's activities.
Last we heard Toph was still occupied with attempting to reconcile with her family, Katara and Sokka were back in the South Pole improving further the advancement in restoring it into a magnificent city, and Aang was going to each of the old air temples so he could obtain inspiration to construct a new temple for one to put into the fifth nation one day," Zuko requested to his mother as a favor.
"Yes, the three of us we'll make certain to write your letters to your friends and find out how they are doing for you son."
"Thanks, Mom." Zuko graciously thanked his precious mother.
"Anything you require of me?" inquired their godmother who was busy cutting up some food for her bubbly little girl.
"Well, you could [erhapse give the kitchen servants a few pointers also there are some clothes of ours that need mending. We left them in a small basket at the foot of the bed for you," answered Akiko thoughtfully as the meal before her wasn't specifically to her full liking.
"Consider it done. I was wondering when you asked me to give the kitchen staff a few pointers on this surplus food. I mean Agni high! Don't these people even know what flavor is? God! Do they even have a sense of taste?" Xiaoying muttered in repugnance as if she was positively irritated with the royal kitchen meals.
"Oh my love everyone knows your the specialist when it comes to food and fashion. I mean you're more than a master ninja," her husband the greatest swordmaster ever compliment his wife with a kiss on the cheek. She blushed positively pink before replying back in a witty voice.
"Of course I'm a master of many arts, Piandao! My family for generations been the masters of many arts but cooking and fashion as always come second nature to us! We're born with those gifts! We don't need to be taught! It's natural!"
"So you think little Xiang here won't need to be taught at all?" as he eyed their little girl who seemed a bit oblivious that the conversation had turned towards her for a few moments.
"What do you think? After all the breakfast in bed, she's already served us and her keen sense of style?" as she looked at her little girl with admiration in her eyes.
It was true the little girl had a great sense of style. She was the average size of a five-year-old and had inherited the trademark looks of her mother's side of the family. She wore her hair in 4 odango buns covered with candy apple red cloths with a braid hanging down from each. Plus she was also wearing a rather attractive cadmium yellow and red sundress with matching shoes and cadmium yellow ribbon around her neck with a white lotus tile as a necklace.
"Mommy do you need help with mending Cousin Zuko and Cousin Akiko's clothes?" Xiang inquired delightfully. Though not actually her cousins they, Azula and even Kiyi were considered her 'god-cousins" by the agreement of the three family vow of friendship made by their great-grandparents before the 100-year war.
"No, not today, Xiang. I think your Daddy rather you start you on some of his sword training. But if Mommy needs a little helper she'll know where to go find her," Xiaoying informed her daughter while giving her husband a playful smile as if to say "You win this round." They all ate for a few more moments in peace before Akiko looked up and started another conversation.
"Well, we assume you four have to do your jobs today?" Akiko asked as she looked towards the Sisterhood who Yang replied first to the captivating Fire Lady and one of her dearest friends.
"Only half the day. Just till 1:00. Afterward, we're coming back here to assist you all in any way possible. Beside it will be time for Azula's therapy session then."
"Oh joy," mumbled Azula sarcastically only to smile happily as Shula started to purr loudly. She bent down low to kiss the kitty on the top of her head and hug her lovingly.
"Don't worry we shouldn't be too busy. Last month was super busy because it was the mid-season fashion show" explained Kishi who got a confused look from the two young leaders who went onto explain the terms of fashion to them.
"A mid-season fashion line show is a make or break moment in the fashion world. You have to account for the current season as well as make it functional and comfortable for the season to come," she explained this in a tone as everyone knew this. Which clearly most gathered around the table had no idea what she was talking about so it was time for a lesson in the art of fashion.
"Was last month different than any other mid-season show?" Akiko wanted to know curiously. Akiko knew she was considered to be one of most beautiful people in the world and Xiaoying had forever dressed her in clothes fit for a goddess but alas she still didn't truly understand anything to really do with what went on in a fashion show. Even if she had learned how to make fashionable clothes from Xiaoying.
"Well considering this was the first time all four nations were showcasing all at the same time and mixing it up yes! Furthermore, that was the theme! Four Nations in Unity! It was an extraordinarily big deal! Consequently, I had to make certain all my accessories were not only each unique but also matched perfectly with each unique outfit that incorporated something of each of the four nations!" Kishi explained in a high excited voice that was strained with residual urgency of the event.
"It wasn't unproblematic for me either, Akiko. If you believe coming up with unique blends for your unique chemistry to make you one of a kind every morning is complicated? Try doing it for ten very unique models. Having to style each body with its own unique challenges as well." Rei added as she remembered the stress she was under for the whole event. It had nearly driven her insane, bonkers yes but not insane thankfully.
"And me having to design the whole line wasn't a piece of cake either mind you of that my godchildren. It was my big moment to really break into a whole new world since the world just starting to mingle once more after five years of peace. So that show was my big night. So everything had to be beyond perfect. It was really stressed beyond stress!" Xiaoying clearly remembered how she usually did well under pressure but nearly had a heart attack from doing that show.
"Or coming up with the music for them come out to add the drama effect. Fashion has so many components to it! This really was a group effort! Hell even Kishi's twin brother Kami was helping us by giving us books from the archives to help inspire designs!" Saura had to admit this had been all the women working together to make sure all their talents came together to pull off the perfect show which thankfully it had been.
"Did you do anything to help with this fashion show last month, Healer Yang?" Zuko had wanted to know after seeing how stressed everyone still was from something he had apparently not know that been going on at all.
"Who do you think was keeping everyone calm and making sure the location where it was held had good energy flow?" chuckled the healer woman who herself had been just as stressed as the rest of them during that fashion show.
"Wow! What a team effort! I guess you all work well as a team and could do a lot of great events and occasions together if you did a fashion line together. That must be nice." Akiko spoke in an admiring tone. She smiled proudly at her family and friends for pulling it all together and only wish she and Zuko had been free to have seen it last month and not cooped up in the palace going over all the boring junk they'd been stuck with all last month.
"It really was a fun team effort but at least we won't be as busy after five months of non-stop work for that mid-season line," everyone agreed unanimously.
Shortly afterward they finished breakfast and everyone went their separate ways to do their different duties. The various family members and friends went to do their own things for the day while Zuko had the more political affairs to take care of and Akiko made her way to the special rookery that they'd created for Zuka.
At this moment in time, the only one a nesting mother dragon would allow to approach was either another mother dragon or one of Dragon Guardian. As Akiko was the last of the line and she was the rightful heir of leadership she, of course, was allowed in the rookery. They, of course, had had to build a rookery first which had not been an easy task!
Zuka was a magnificent beauty now that she was a full-size dragon with her crimson and gold scales, she flew so magnificently and was just the most stunning thing in heavens when she flew. Everyone who saw her thought they'd been blessed with a miracle or thought good luck was in their future. Truly a miracle all in her own. Raising her had been no easy task and her and her clutch of no less 28 eggs hadn't been easy either. They'd only barely managed again thanks to Akiko's spiritual powers.
Because of the unusual circumstances of Akiko's birth coupled with her Dragon Guardian blood she'd succeeded in invoking the spirit of a male dragon, not just any male dragon. Her true love great-grandfather's Dragon Fang, the very dragon her own great-grandmother Surya had given him to temporary on Solstice resurrect him.
Therefore, the pair had gone on a secretive mating flight and the end result was these gorgeous eggs now awaiting to hatch. Right now Akiko remembered all the training she spent a lifetime being tutored in by her spirit animal guides Kai and Ting-Ting began to do her duties to ensure this rookery hatched.
She prayed to all her lost Sisterhood of the Dragon Guardians and all the slain Dragons to watch over the hatchlings within these shells. Then she used her unique firebending to summon as many dragon souls as possible to provide the proper flame source to keep warm. Next using her advance spiritual powers she summoned the fallen Dragons and their Guardians Spirits from the Spirit World and helped them cross over to the world of man.
"Hello my brethren, I've summoned you in the name of duty. Allow me to formally introduce myself. My name is Akiko. I'm by birth daughter of Sakiko and Zhao. I was raised as the daughter of Iroh and Ursa. I'm known as the Light of Hope, the Last Dragon Guardian, and Fire Lady although I and my true love Fire Lord Zuko have yet to be wed.
I've summoned you to this intermittent space which is holy ground that Spirit World and Human World overlap each other. So as long as you reside in this rookery you need fear nothing.
I'm assigning you all an important duty both as your Fire Lady and as the rightful leader of the Dragon Guardians. This is Zuka named after my true love Zuko. She is to be the mother of all dragons after the genocide of the original firebenders.
I've called the fallen spirits here to ensure all the eggs hatch and grow up so we can ensure we can bring the dragons back from extinction. Can I trust you in this duty?" the beautiful Fire Lady and Dragon Guardian asked the Dragon and Dragon Guardian spirits before here.
All bowed before her. The masked firebending warrior women held up their swords while the dragons bowed the way a dragon showed respect. Which is with their heads down forelegs primly together. All the spirits spoke as one the same thing.
"Fire Lady Akiko we can only answer one way to your request.
From the first rays of the morning sun, my spirit's embers ignite again, turning the shadows inside me into the light.
My sword is at the ready. I will survive this journey and carry courage ahead to what awaits.
The forces of evil are strong, they do not fear us, but we will show them the error of their ways.
When daybreak comes so does our resolve in remaining brave. Even the bitterest of enemies can stand united and face as one!" which is Dragon Guardian Vow which is an oath of allegiance, trust, faith, and love.
Akiko felt somewhat overwhelmed but pleased even in death the spirits of her fallen family and spirits of the original firebenders trusted her so much. Bowing back to them. "I thank you for your loyalty and I will do my part to continue to honor all of you so your deaths were not in vain.
When I've children of my own and they have children of their own your legacy will not only live on it will be honor ten times more for they will find even greater ways to honor it and make sure you remember far longer then even memory lives and beyond," she vowed to the spirits before her.
Whilst Akiko was having a highly spiritual day with her the spirits of her ancestors and the original firebenders Zuko was up to his eyeballs trying to get through some of the toughest of political parts of his job as Fire Lord.
"I understand your concerns Minster Tawno with the building of this canal. But it would speed up bringing trade ships from all area into what will become the fifth nation by half the time.
Think about how much food and medical supplies will not go to waste or spoil if this canal was built. Plus we can make sure with the proper steps that it wouldn't impact the environment at all. Surely you can see why this canal is a good idea?" Zuko spoke courteously to an unreasonable ancient Earth Kingdom gentleman he'd been working with for weeks now to get his final approval for the project.
"Are you sure this isn't about attempting to gain more territory that you wish to reclaim Fire Lord? It'd be so easy to have access to our lands again if this was built." the old man rebuffed coldly.
Zuko kept his cool as this wasn't the first time he'd dealt with people whose hearts hadn't changed since the war. As Uncle had told him so many times peace had yet to be truly achieved. They had won a victory, not peace. There were still countless angry and vanquished hearts that had yet to be changed. He needed to be both patients and have an understanding heart.
"Minister Tawno, may I remind you kindly that I'm not my sire Ozai and I wasn't born guilty of his crimes. I am my own person and I live with the choices I make and accept the consequences of each of those choices.
My true father Iroh was the one who raised and loved me. Furthermore, he taught me what being an honorable and righteous man was all about. That's the kind of man and leader I strive to be.
Therefore, please judge me for me. Not on past sins of my country or my family history or whose blood I share. But who I am and what my character is in front of you." the young Fire Lord cordially requested.
"Very well, your ideas, reasons, and logic all make perfect sense. I can't find any real reason to not accept your proposal. So when can you send the needed manpower and supplies need to help build the canal? Surely you don't expect the Earth Kingdom and our Earthbenders to do all the work?"
"No, I don't, this will be a team effort. I'll hold a meeting with my advisers me along with my betrothed will discuss it together then send you a message about what time the project can commence. Thank you for seeing reason at last."
"You're welcome Fire Lord Zuko. But tell me how is one Fire Lady and ruler of the Fire Nation but not yet your wife?"
"We've not yet gotten married because of all the major problems we and our friends have encountered since the war ended five years ago. So we've just had a long engagement period is all," Zuko replied in a tone that sent the message that really wasn't his business.
"Okay, well hope to hear from you soon, Fire Lord Zuko. Good day," as the old man picked up his long angular wooden cane and walked out. Zuko sighed loudly as he plopped down on his throne and thought about the minster's words.
That night after both he and Akiko had each bathed separately Zuko began to sing the same song he'd come up with to always end each day since they'd been crowned Fire Lord and Fire Lady.
"Can't get enough of this everyday love,
Can't get enough of this everyday love.
Each morning the sun shines through my window,
Lands on the face of a dream come true.
I shuffle to the kitchen for Uncle Iroh's tea,
And catch up on the newest morning news.
Then she walks up behind me and throws her arms around my neck,
Just another normal thing I've come to expect.
It's special, exciting, and complicated,
Typical, this everyday love.
Same 'ol I knew, yet keeping it new,
(Same 'ol this everyday love.)
Emotional, so familiar,
Nothing about it too peculiar.
Oh, but I can't get enough,
Of this everyday love.
Every afternoon I make a special call,
Listen to the voice that warms my heart.
I drag myself through a few more hours,
Then head on home to try and beat the dark.
Her smile will be right there when I step through that door,
And it will be better tomorrow, just like every day before.
It's special, exciting, and complicated,
Typical, this everyday love.
Same 'ol I knew, yet keeping it new,
(Same 'ol this everyday love.)
Emotional, so familiar,
Nothing about it too peculiar.
Oh, but I can't get enough,
Of this everyday love.
Wouldn't change one single thing about it,
No, it's a familiarity I know, still, I can't live without it
It's special, exciting, and complicated,
Typical, this everyday love.
Same 'ol I knew, yet keeping it new,
(Same 'ol this everyday love.)
Emotional, so familiar,
Nothing about it too peculiar.
Oh, but I can't get enough,
Of this everyday love.
Yeah, of this everyday love.
Can't get enough of this everyday love,
Can't get enough of this everyday love,
Can't get enough of this everyday love,
Can't get enough of this everyday love,
Can't get enough."
as he finished the same way he always did kissing her and holding her close but she knew something was bothering him.
"Zuky what's wrong? You didn't sing tonight with the same passion you usually do. Is something on your mind?" Akiko asked with concern in her lovely voice to her beloved.
"Tell me the truth about something Akiko," he asked her and she nodded.
"Okay, what do you want to know?"
"Are you really happy about our current situation?"
"Meaning what exactly?"
"That we've been in love since we were five years old and engaged since we're sixteen but now we're 21 years old and still not married and you know still can't take our relationship to the next level because..."
"Because it's the highest dishonor to give yourself away before your wedding? That is especially frowned upon if your royalty? That you must remain pure and untainted till your husband and wife?" she answered for him. He wasn't sure if she was reading his mind or maybe just had the same thoughts. Though given the fact they're symbiotic and overall relationship it was likely they were thinking the same thing.
"Well, yeah that's one reason I'm unsettled. But what about you?"
"Zuko, how well do you think you know me?"
"Well enough I shouldn't even have to ask the question?"
"Then you know I've been dying to do it for a long time and yes I'm longing for our overdue wedding! Although things have been getting in the way for the last five years! Furthermore, it's not OUR faults that the damn world has kept us from saying "I do!" she stomps her foot at this. Clearly, she too was fed up with them putting it off this long as well.
"So your as ready as I am to make the commitment? Ready to be husband and wife?"
"Zuko I think you and I both know we've been ready to do that since you pulled me from the water when we're five years old! We're tied by destiny red thread of love for crying out loud!"
"Okay, but is it the time for the wedding?"
"Well, I don't think we're gonna have a better opening then now to do it. There no real emergency in the world right now. Things are pretty settled for the moment in the Fire Nation, our friends are gonna be free in two weeks so they can come and help us. We did promise they could be part of the wedding."
"Don't forget what we promised when we were crowned. We want to make this a one-of-kind royal wedding no-one will ever forget that somehow incorporates all four nations in some way while still holding parts of our traditions into it."
"Then it's settled! Tomorrow at breakfast we tell everyone and send messages to our friends to get their butts over here as quick as possible! We've got a wedding to plan! Because the sooner we get married the sooner you and I can finally at long last give ourselves away to each other!" Akiko cried with delight as if that was the only thing that mattered.
But still, they did tell their family the next morning at breakfast it was time to finally have their wedding and to send out letters to get the rest of Team Avatar here to help plan it. There was gonna be a Royal Wedding in the Fire Nation soon! What could possibly go wrong?
Songs tweaked by Japananimegirl
Avatar OC Voice Actors
Akiko- Me
Sakiko- Ming-Na Wen- Mulan
Xiaoying- Lucy Liu- Silvermist Tinkerbell movies
Healer Yang- Nia Vardalos- Goddess Selena DuckTales 2017
Rei- Catherine Tate- Magica De Spell- DuckTales 2017
Saura- Paget Brewster – Della Duck- DuckTales 2017
Kishi- Julie Bowen- Queen Arianna- Rapunzel's Tangled Adventures
Noren- Jeff Bennett- many roles
Kiyi- Kath Soucie many roles
Kami- Thom Adcox- Lexington Gargoyles
Kai- Trwilson881-DA friend
Ting-Ting- my twin sister
Xiang- Moonfairy82-DA Friend
Xiu Mei- Yvonne Strahovski- Stalyan- Tangled the Series
Surya- Kelly Hu- Adira- Tangled the Series
