I only changed Zula to Azula since that is Zuko's sister's real name. Surprising isn't it. For those who expect an update to Dehydrate, I'm sorry to say to not bother hoping. I was planning on it, but then I realized I would have to put it on another website for the second chapter. I'm not kidding.
Also do not expect an update for this story just yet. I received writer's block on the Zuko part of chapter two and am busy with school work and college apps. Once things calm down, I promise I will get over the block.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar and related characters. They belong to Nickelodeon and Bryan Konietzko and Michael DiMartino.
Chapter One
The South Pole had once been the home of castles made entirely of ice and a thriving civilization. The clear beauty of the structures radiated the light of both the moon and the sun, without ever melting or disturbing those who slept inside. However, the Fire Nation attacked the South Pole, ending the lives of many waterbenders and melting the monuments that once glistened throughout the year. The moon never once saw the deaths of those who depended and worshipped her will over the water. Maybe if the sun allowed her to watch, the Water Tribe might have saved their village.
Those who survived the attack lost hope as they looked towards the northern sky.
The Fire Nation stopped the assault, as long as the South Pole became loyal to the Fire Lord and paid the taxes that they placed upon the townspeople. Reluctantly, they agreed. The survivors built a small settlement further from the ocean shores, in hopes of one day of seeing their beautiful memory becoming so much more.
Fortunately, the Fire Nation did not kill off every waterbender that lived in the South Pole that miserable night. A few survived long enough to give birth to more waterbenders. Klavdiya, wife of Hakoda, was one of them. At seventeen, she bore a son who was named Sokka, a child whose fate to become a mighty warrior whom time had yet to realize. A year later, Sokka had a baby sister named Katara. No one in the small town knew the possibilities that hid behind her icy blue eyes. That is, until four years later, where our story takes place.
"Katara! Come back here!" Klavdiya yelled, running after her daughter. Katara turned and stopped when she saw her mother heaving towards her. "Katara, what did I tell you about running away from me like that?"
"But you said we could go penguin sledding! It's been forever since we last went penguin sledding," Katara whined.
"We are sweetie. We are going to go penguin sledding, but only if you stay close to me. What if the Fire Nation were to come here while we were separated? They'd take you away from home and I'd never see you again."
"Then, I'd scream really loud so you could hear me! That way, I could see you again!"
"You would scream even louder than the wind of a blizzard for me to find you?" Klavdiya asked, kneeling to her daughter. Katara nodded her head, while Klavdiya chuckled stroking her daughter's chin. "Then I'll come running and take you away from the Fire Nation they wouldn't even know what hit them."
"Hey mom, is it true that the Fire Nation eats people?"
"Eats people? Did your brother tell you that?" Klavdiya asked, holding her daughter's hand as they walked to their destination. Katara nodded. "Well, if they do eat anyone, it is those who do not obey them."
"Is that why we pay them money?"
"Something like that. So, are we just going to talk about the Fire Nation or go penguin sledding!"
"Did you bring the fish?"
"Of course and some seal jerky."
"Seal jerky!" Katara's eyes lit up causing her mother to giggle a little. Klavdiya rarely had time to make seal jerky, but her daughter loved seal jerky so much that she always took the opportunity to cook it.
"I'll only give you some if you behave and don't run off, okay?" Klavdiya gently squeezed her daughter's hand as they trudged through the frozen tundra.
Not too far away were a few ships that belonged to the Fire Navy anchored just outside of Water Tribe waters. Further behind them was a much smaller and more regal ship sailing towards them. This ship was used to escort members of the Fire Nation's royal family. And on it was the young Prince Zuko, heir to becoming the Fire Lord. Prince Zuko is the first son of Fire Lord Ozai and Flame Mistress Ursa, therefore, unanimously becoming the next Fire Lord. Zuko wasn't their only child, but had a sister named Azula and another unborn sibling along the way. Prince Zuko is two years senior to Katara and only one year senior to Azula.
On the ship, Zuko was busy concentrating his breathing and control of firebending with his mother. Completely focused Prince Zuko would control the flame in his palms when his mother instructed him to either make it grow or shrink. For some beginning firebenders, this task was a simple one, unless you were impatient. Unfortunately for Prince Zuko, patience was one thing he lacked.
"I think that will be all for today, son," Ursa said. Zuko allowed the flame to extinguish and slackened his posture. "You have improved your concentration. Perhaps we can move onto the next level this month."
"You've been saying that all year, but you haven't taught me anything new," Zuko groaned, changing his legs from a kneeling into a crossed position.
"Zuko-chan! What did I tell you about that attitude? Ai-ya! You are just as sarcastic as your father," Ursa sighed.
"Am I really like dad?" asked Zuko, straightening his back up. Zuko often heard the nobles speak badly about him when they thought he could not hear their words. Since he was having a difficult time learning firebending, they criticized on how unlike his father, a former prodigy himself, Zuko was. Zuko only believed it when his father frowned at him when they discussed the children's training. Even if it is a not a kind comment, Zuko loved hearing any sort of trait he shared of his father. To him it meant they were closer, even if it was a small bit in reality.
"Hmm, let me think…You are both determined and extremely stubborn. You do have his face," hummed Ursa, tilting Zuko's chin up for a better look. "You do resemble your father quite a bit. But why are you so happy all of a sudden?"
Zuko's smiled disappeared with a sigh, "Dad hates me."
"He does not hate you Zuko," Ursa said, pulling Zuko onto her lap. "Your father just has a hard time expressing his love."
"He expresses it fine with Azula. Everyone likes her and even this," Zuko said, placing his palm upon his mother's swollen abdomen. Ursa laid her own hand over Zuko's and rubbed the back of his hand with her thumb.
"I think I understand now," Ursa smiled. "You probably don't remember how excited the Fire Nation was when they learned that I was pregnant with your sister. You weren't even a year old then. But you should have seen how excited everyone was when you were inside here. Your Uncle Iroh kept buying gifts for us to give you. The Nation's excitement was much more intense than it is now."
"That's not just it. Everyone adores them! That's all they ever talk about, even Uncle Iroh and you."
"Zuko," Ursa sighed, unknowing what to think. Her eyes traveled around the room, trying to find something that might cheer up her son. The golden eyes landed on two crossed swords on the western wall. A flame flickered in them as she looked down at her son and said, "Did you know that some of the admirals your father admires cannot firebend at all?"
"Really?" Zuko asked, looking up. There was no tone of excitement in his voice; in fact, Zuko was more surprised than anything. His father only spoke to him when it came to commenting his inability to firebend. Impossible was the only word that came into the young prince's mind about his father having any type of positive emotion towards someone who can't firebend.
"Well, why?"
"They came up with extremely victorious strategy plans and excelled in arm combat. In fact, I even know how to use a weapon other than my firebending. You see those swords hanging on the western wall? I am well skilled with them, my brother, your Uncle Fai-Long, taught me. If you like, I can send him a message to teach you and have your Uncle Iroh teach you firebending. Does that sound like fun?"
Zuko turned his head and looked at the swords on the wall. He admitted he found watching the swordsmen do their stances fascinating. Gaining the skills to move like them interested Zuko. Looking at his mother, Zuko nodded in immense approval of the idea she gave him.
A hard rapping at the door was soon heard and Ursa allowed them entry. A silhouette of a tall man wearing the Fire Navy armor and a bun at the top of his head. Ursa quickly stood up and smoothed out her kimono, pulling Zuko up with her arm.
"Lt. Zhao, I didn't expect you to bring us so soon," Ursa laughed, fixing the wrinkles in her clothing.
"Pardon me, milady, but it is now time," Lt. Zhao bowed, noticing the glare the young prince gave him.