A/N: There will be deviations from canon. First of all Zuko is genderbent into a girl named Zuzu. The focus will be on the effects of Ozai's physical and emotional abuse on her, so depression, anxiety, panic and PTSD will be handled. There will be adventures with Team Avatar of course and other characters. Zuzu will have romance, but it's a surprise with whom. Positive feedback and constructive criticism are very appreciated.

The Legend of the Anti-Avatar

Princess Zuzu enters the throne room and kneels head down in front of her father Fire Lord Ozai. She wonders why he summoned her. Did she do something wrong to upset him? Perhaps he was angry about her mediocre grades or her weak Fire Bending skills. Perhaps Azula told him a nasty lie just to get her in trouble. Her anxiety is so overwhelming she feels nauseous and dizzy. All she can do is try to remain still so he won't notice her trembling. There is a painful silence in the room until the Fire Lord finally breaks it by demanding: 'Look at me, Zuzu.'

So Zuzu looks at her father, trying to keep her face emotionless.

His face is stern with a hint of annoyance and his eyes pierce through her soul. She holds her breath anticipating his words.

However his question sends her off guard: 'Do you know the legend of the Anti-Avatar?'

She merely answers, 'No, father,' feeling more insecure.

The Fire Lord sends her a disgusted look, but much to her surprise proceeds to tell her a story:

'Long ago, at the beginning of humanity, the good spirits created the Avatar to bring balance and peace to the world. As response, the evil spirits created the Anti-Avatar to bring chaos and destruction to the world. The Avatar and the Anti-Avatar are soul enemies. They are complete opposites destined to endless lives of conflict with each other, until one ends the vicious cycle by destroying the other.'

He pauses for while, then asks: 'Do you have any idea why I am telling you this?'

Zuzu answers confused: 'No, father.'

The Fire Lord sighs, then continues:

'The Avatar is easy to spot. He masters all four elements and follows a reincarnation cycle: Water, Earth, Fire, Air. On the other hand the Anti-Avatar could be anyone of the opposite sex. It could be a bender, a non-bender, a friend, a lover, an enemy, a family member of the Avatar. No matter what their relationship is, the Anti-Avatar shall lead the Avatar to its downfall.'

He pauses again and asks: 'Do you understand now why I am telling you this?'

Zuzu hopes she is right and answers: 'You wish to find the Anti-Avatar and form an alliance with him in case the Avatar returns?'

The Fire Lord chuckles slightly and says: 'No. Because they have both already been found.'

Zuzu is so stunned, she can't help but exclaim: 'But the Avatar has been gone over a hundred years! And all Air Benders have been destroyed!'

The Fire Lord demands with anger in his voice: 'Don't interrupt me!'

Zuzu looks down ashamed, holding back tears, and says: 'I am sorry, father.'

He ignores her apology and continues: 'The Avatar has returned. The Fire Sages recognized his return by the supernatural illumination of statues and murals within the Avatar temples. Then they performed a fire ritual to discover the identity of the Anti-Avatar and saw her face in the flames.'

He pauses again. And Zuzu unable to hold her excitement any longer asks: 'Who is she?'

Much to her disbelief her father answers, 'You,' without any emotion.

Zuzu just keeps staring in shock at her father. She can't believe she's the Anti-Avatar. It must be a mistake. Or perhaps her father decided to play some sick game with her. Perhaps a lie to send her away, or just to see her reaction.

Eventually he interrupts her thoughts by sneering at her: 'I wish the Anti-Avatar would be your sister Azula, but unfortunately it's you, so we shall have to make the best of it. You shall pack your stuff and leave tomorrow morning by ship with a small crew. You shall hunt down the Avatar and bring me his head. You aren't allowed to return home empty handed. It's an extremely important mission, so it's time you improve your Fire Bending, and grow up.'

Anger replaces Zuzu's fear. She was right. He found an excuse to expulse her from home. Before she knows it, she loses her temper and yells: 'You can't! I am your daughter and the heir to the throne! And this is my home! You can't just send me away like you did to mom! I refuse to leave!'

The Fire Lord stands up furiously and yells back: 'You shall show respect, you little brat!'

Zuzu quickly realizes her mistake. Her fear returns and transforms into desperation making her plead: 'I apologize for my disrespect. Please, I just don't want to leave home. Please father, have mercy. Please…'

However the Fire Lord just stares at her in utter disgust and says: 'You shall be severely punished for disrespecting your father and Fire Lord, and for refusing the most important mission of your life!'

Zuzu's desperation turns into panic. No longer is she able to hold her tears. She breaks down and sobs in front of her father, adding fuel to fire.