The life of a young Fire Lord is a chapter story;
All the stories are about fragments out of Zuko's life.

The coronation is over, there arises a new beginning. Mai promises her boyfriend to be their when he needed her, she's ready for a new life here in the Fire Nation together with the love of her life.

Iroh is sixty-five,
Zuko is sixteen,
Sokka is fifteen,
Katara is fourteen,
Aang is twelve,
Mai is fifteen.

The life of a young Fire Lord,
Chapter 1: A new beginning.

The coronation was over, and the Fire Nation was still very elated. Their inhabitants waited enthusiastically on the first National party in ages, while all the personal guests were transported to the Fire Lord's Palace. They were all expected in the refurbished Royal ballroom.

Fire Lord Zuko on the other hand was already in his own room, he was busy with changing his outfit. His Fire Lord costume was rather inappropriate and perhaps a little bit too excessive. Zuko had asked his servants to make him some private clothes which he could wear as a Lord at home.

The boy stroked his hand over the golden silk with a tiny smile; the seamstresses had done an amazing job. The design was wonderful and very stylish, the silk felt so soft against his bare skin. Mai, who had just entered his room was also amazed by seeing her boyfriend in his new clothes.

"You look great." The girl spoke out in a rush as she hugged him proudly. Zuko turned his head and gave her a peck. "I've always knew you would make it."

"Three years ago, all our dreams were decreased and now we're here together."

Mai rubbed the boy his back and stared deep into his softened eyes. "I somehow always knew you would find your own duty and passion in life and I'm happy your dream came true today."

"It won't be easy, Mai. The road to peace and happiness is still very long." Zuko knew his task as the Fire Lord would be so complex, there was so much he had to learn and he was still scared to fail.

"Zuko, I'm your girlfriend and never forget that I'm here for you." The girl stroke the boy his cheek and smiled tenderly as she noticed the conflict in his expression. She knew him very well and Zuko always underestimated himself. "But still, there is no need to worry. The Fire Nation is celebrating, and they're waiting on their new Lord."

The young Fire Lord grabbed Mai her hand and nodded. "You're right, we need to enjoy our happiness … and maybe it's time for you to meet my friends?"

Mai pulled her hand away while she removed her gaze, she didn't knew if this was such a great idea. She didn't knew them and they were her enemies in the past… "They will never accept me…" The girl crossed her arms as she glared outside.

"They will! I'm sure…Mai?"

"Zuko… I hunted after them. Humiliated them, almost … killed them."

Zuko placed his hands around the girl her waists and kissed her neck softly as he began to understand. "They forgave me and we became friends, they'll do the same for you. Mai, look at me. They will give you a second chance." The girl smiled, she knew her lover was right. She grabbed his warm hand and was ready to go.

The huge front doors opened fast, the gaang couldn't believe their young eyes as they entered the Palace. It seemed much bigger at the inside than at the outside. "So, this is Zuko's … house?" Sokka spoke out with huge disbelieve. "It's even bigger than his beach house."

"Jealous, Sokka?" Toph asked with a smirk, she absolutely loved it here. The rooms were huge and there were a lot of them, she could feel them. This Palace felt like one huge labyrinth.

Sokka frowned. "I'm not jealous… this place is insane! How can people find each other here?"

"With a map?" Suki replied with a tiny smile, her boyfriend nodded and gave her a small kiss.

Katara rolled her eyes; her brother could be so stupid at times. "Maybe we'll better ask one of the servants for help."

Aang knew she was right, they had no clue where to go and they couldn't enter too late. The boy walked deeper into the hall and bowed his head before one of the servants. The older man bowed deep and welcomed the guests. "You're invited into the ballroom, sir. You can follow me."

The young kids followed Kisho towards a beautiful decorated room, it seemed so much different than the other rooms and corridors they had seen today. It was so much more welcoming, the orange flowers smelled so nice.

"Man, do you guys see all that food?" Sokka whispered, his tummy growled instantly as he noticed the three large tables full of snacks and desserts.

"No, but I smell it!" Toph replied with a wide smile and grabbed the boy by his hand. "Where are you waiting for? Let's eat!"

Katara glared with wide eyes at the two wild animals who're ruining the beautiful decorations without permission. She smashed her hand over her mouth and felt terribly ashamed as she noticed the high Generals who were staring at them.

"Those two have no manners… I mean the Fire Lord isn't here… Can they take food without his presents?" Aang whispered with gritted teeth, Katara shrugged and knew they were already in trouble.

"There goes our first noble feast…" Suki sighed deep with crossed arms, she knew this would happen. Sokka could be such a pig.

"Don't worry about that, my friends. My nephew has ordered enough..." The two girls turned around with a smile and hugged the old nice fire man. Iroh felt a warm spot inside, those children became a part of his own family.

"You're sure Zuko won't make a problem of it? The other high noblemen seem a bit bewildered."

Iroh gave Aang a little smile; the young avatar had something cute. He wanted to stroke that little bald head of his but that would be a little bit too awkward. "My nephew doesn't care a lot about the high etiquette and certainly not about what others think of him or what they think about his friends. He cares to see you all enjoy this party."

Aang closed his eyes and smiled, he was happy to hear that fact. He turned his head and noticed the five sages, Fire Lord Zuko was entering. Zuko held his girlfriend's hand tight and glared over the large room, everything seemed perfect. His guests seemed happy and enjoyed this party.

"Sokka seems to enjoy the food." Mai whispered with a smirk, that guy seemed nuts. Zuko peeked at her and grinned back, he knew Sokka and Toph would never change. He looked over his friends and waved at them.

"Hey, Zuko." The young Avatar replied soft as he stared silently over the strange girl, she stared at the ground and didn't say a word. Aang didn't knew why but this girl seemed so awkward to him, so different then the other girls he ever had seen. She seemed like a blank sheet of paper, which was unwritten. Her past was empty like no one ever had interest in her.

Aang tilted his head; he tried to see her eyes. "So, this is your girlfriend?"

"Yeah, this is Mai…" Zuko replied with a warm and tenderly smile, he placed his hand on the girl her stiff shoulder as he grabbed her closer. Mai raised her head andpeeked shyly towards Zuko. "Hi…" She whispered almost inaudible, without meeting their eyes.

The young kids nodded softly and felt uncomfortable as the couple, Zuko knew this moment wouldn't come so natural. He wasn't used to this and Mai especially not. Iroh stared heartwarming over the shy love birds, they could be so harsh but they were so much softer than other thought.

Mai sighed deep as she crossed her arms, she had enough of this. She felt bad and chased, she had no control about this situation and she didn't knew what those kids thought about her. She had to take some actions, the girl glared up and tried to apology. "I… euhm. I made mistakes and you all maybe have mixed feeling about me but I never hated one of you. What happened in the past was pure profession…"

"I'm sorry I chased you." Mai bowed before Aang. "And that I never cared about what could happen if you died."

"It's okay; you made a wrong decision in your life. I accept your apologies."

"I'm not done yet…" The girl stared silently over Katara; the water girl gave Mai a tiny smile. "I'm sorry I attacked you and your brother, and I have to thank you for saving my little brother."

"Aw, that wasn't a problem." Katara opened her arms and hugged the fire girl without any problems. She shocked as she felt a firm push against her side. "ARGH! SOKKA?"

Sokka removed his sister and couldn't believe he had missed this moment. "Hey! You're Mai! That gloomy girl with the sharp knifes? You saved my life!" The boy opened his arms with enthusiasm but Mai didn't seem so excited, she took some steps back and frowned as she noticed the sauce around his mouth and hands.

"Yeah… that wasn't a problem…"

Rest engulfed Zuko's body when he noticed this, his friends accepted Mai for who she was and she seemed to enjoy them. The young boy knew this was the start of a new beginning.