Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: the Last Airbender or its characters.

Pointers: 'Italics.' means that the character is thinking and "Bold" telepathic spirit speaking.

Summary: Zuko's banishment never happens. Instead, he is the most loved prince of the Fire Nation. Though his life is picture perfect, he has a near death experience in battle and becomes merged with a dragon spirit. She's not the only spirit now living in the Physical world and not the only one tangled in Zuko's life. Zuko x OC

Author's Note: R & R ~ !

Chapter One:

Prince Zuko

"Stand up to your obstacles and do something about them. You will find that they haven't half the strength you think they have."

– Norman Vincent Peale

The air about him was certainly different than it was around anyone else. He was a prince with so much valor, promise, and most of all... honor. He was a young man destined for greatness since the day he was born, but he did not have all the tools of greatness since birth. In fact, he had to reach for those tools harder than everyone else. Zuko, Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation, was a person who persevered into greatness from struggle. He had things that others weren't born with such as wealth, but he was not born with strength. His strength had to be earned, it had to be gained, and it had to be harnessed and allowed to grow. Zuko had to learn strength by his downfalls, by his mistakes, and boy did he take strength by the reigns when he had firmly grasped it. All his life he felt like he had to prove something, especially to his father. He always felt like he was never enough, inadequate to his sibling who seemed to be born with strength and power both physically and emotionally.

Despite the odds, he had proved himself as a soldier. He was ambidextrous, a strong strategist, and worth one hundred men on his own. He had more than enough proved to his uncle how skilled he was, who was a retired general of their nation's army. The only reason why his uncle had retired was because of the death of his son during the war, which had broken his heart and made his long lived will to fight dwindle. The mystery of why he had not gained the crown since he was once crown prince still remains a mystery but has also been forgotten within time. Iroh, his uncle, had trained Zuko day by day since the boy had told him that he wanted to be stronger, even stronger than his sister. Just the day after his father had burned his eye in an Agni Kai, who had given Zuko a chance to redeem himself. Iroh could not refuse the boy who had said it with such determination and his voice holding such anger and agony.

It was because of his Uncle's relentless training had shaped the prince to the soldier he was today, though there was still a thought that nagged him in the back of his mind. His sister was still stronger; she was a prodigy after all. But instead with competing with her, Zuko had laid his skills out in the battlefield. Sixteen and capable of taking out fifty soldiers on his own, had only made his father notice him more. Which leads us to where the prince is today, kneeling in front of his father's throne. "Father, you have requested me?" He had said as he had slowly looked up to the man who had sat proudly and regally on his throne.

"You have continued to be victorious battle after battle, my son. I request your assistance in another battle with Admiral Zhao in the Earth Kingdom."Zuko had continued to look at his father, assessing all the information that his parent was giving him. "You will be on combat, leading the soldiers in Omashu. You will take out King Bumi. I do not care if you bring him back dear or alive, I just want him dealt with. Out of the picture."

Zuko had nodded, "I accept." There was no declining anyway if he wanted to or not. King Bumi? One of the strongest earthbenders known would be his opponent. How could he say no to that? And what a reward he would get for bringing this man's head back home. He might even be promoted… "That is all. You may leave Zuko." His father had said as the prince had stood and walked out of the room. He had walked down the corridor, his uncle waiting for him in the middle of the brightly lit hall.

"Prince Zuko, how did the meeting with your father go?" Iroh had asked him, his face bearing a gentle smile but a tone of seriousness in his voice.

"It went well. Father requests that I go with Admiral Zhao in the battle of Omashu." Iroh had nodded his head, stroking his bear. "Bumi is quite a fearsome opponent. Are you sure you are ready?" His uncle had asked him which seemed to slightly irritate his nephew. "I do not doubt your skills, I've taught you well… But I am not sure if Bumi is the appropriate opponent for you yet. You are strong, stronger than I would've thought but—" His nephew had cut him off.

"I'll be fine, Uncle." Zuko had said as he had walked down the hall, leaving the conversation.

"Becareful Nephew." Iroh had whispered, concern drawn on his eyes.

"Omashu huh? Why would father leave such a big responsibility on your shoulders? I'm sure you'll find one way to screw up." He knew that voice from anywhere. The pessimistic wishing girl who always wanted to see him fail, his sadistic sister: Azula.

"How many times have you said that and it hasn't happened?" Zuko had asked her as she had looked down at her red painted, perfectly manicured nails.

"Countless of times but I know it stays stuck inside your head. It'll work eventually." She had seemed so nonchalant about her vindictiveness that it grated her brother's nerves. Not once would she shed guilt or regret.

"You never stay inside my mind Azula. Keep dreaming." Her brother turned away and kept walking, Azula smirking at his retort.

"That's what you want me to think." She said, knowing that he could still hear her. He had stopped for a second and then kept going, grimacing at her words. He did not have time for mind games; he had to prepare himself for departure.

A full week had gone by when Zuko had landed on Earth Kingdom soil and a few days when he touched Omashu grounds. Admiral Zhao, arrogant as always, had already mapped out on what was to be done. Zhao and his soldiers would head in first, clearing the path for Zuko and his small army. Zuko had always kept his troops small, thinking that it would put him at a disadvantage if they were too large, especially when he was given one objective. Zuko had made sure that his soldiers had stood back, but they had held their own by using their shields to block the flying pieces of earth. It hadn't done much, it had protected them, but the force had often caused them to stumble and some to fall and get crushed. Zuko's small group of troops had managed to stay in better condition, and they had easily made their way through and once they had reached near the castle, Zuko had turned to them. "The battle between King Bumi and I has nothing to do with the rest of you. This is my battle but that doesn't mean what I need you to do is less important."

The soldiers looked at him as he had tried to make eye contact with each and every one of them, adding sincerity to his words. "I need all of you to protect me from outsiders during this fight and that includes Zhao. Zhao will make it his top priority to take down King Bumi, leaving me with nothing to show for." Zuko had explained to them as they had nodded their heads. "I need you all to protect me with your life and you will be rewarded greatly. If we win this, all of yours names will be written down in history and forever your families will be soaked in the honor of this battle without them not even being present. Each and everyone one of you is valuable and if you fall today, I shall compensate your families in much healthy matter. None of your deaths will be in vain." His words had boosted the morale's of his troops, they had felt like they were surging with power and adrenaline.

Zuko had turned around, raising one broadsword in the air. "Troops, move!" His small army had rushed forward, letting out a fierce battle cry as they were greeted with Omashu's soldiers in the low level of the castle. It was to be expected, Zuko had known. King Bumi was a smart man and was more than honorable to not unleash an ambush attack as well. Zuko had kept his shielding, fighting with one arm against the soldiers that surrounded him. They proved to be no feat, easy to pick off. He figured the King's best men would be inside the castle or maybe he was just too strong for them. When they had reached the second floor, Zuko had noticed more of a challenge. He realized that the King's best men were in the castle but the strongest were at the top. It made him feel challenged, more competent, and more than ready to face the King himself.

As he had his troops climbed to the top, some of them injured and having been left behind until they got medical attention by Zhao's troops that were bound to make their way some time soon. Zuko had made his way to facing Bumi, the old man sitting on his throne with a wide grin on his face. "I knew you wouldn't disappointment me, Prince Zuko." The man had said his name with a mixture of enthusiasm and disdain. Much like Zuko had felt, Bumi was excited about fighting him too but showed some restraint because Omashu was still in danger. "Now, tell your boys to clear the room and I'll tell mine to clear as well. This is just between you and I." The childish charm of the King had left. Zuko had looked to his soldiers who had looked for an order.

"Troops, settle your battles in the floor below. This floor belongs to King Bumi and I." He ordered as Bumi had said the same for his.

Once the room was empty, Zuko had threw his shield to the side and pulled out his other broadsword. Bumi had taken off his shirt and cape, revealing a shockingly muscular body. Zuko had narrowed his eyes slightly, the grip on his swords tightening. "No, no." Bumi shook his head. "This isn't the right scenery. Follow me Prince Zuko." He told the Fire Nation royalty. Zuko had appeared surprised but followed him nonetheless, they had gone in the hall and then down a corridor to a room which appeared to be a large arena. Bumi had jumped on the rail and then used his earthbending to create steps for him to go do down while Zuki had jumped over the rail and landed squarely on his feet and walked to the opposite side in which Bumi stood. "Much better." The King had said.

Zuko knew that he had gave Bumi a large advantage, earth everywhere, but Zuko had wanted the challenge. He didn't want to leave the man without his resources, which would've been a poor and unfair battle. Zuko believed in being fair. Bumi had then assumed stance, Zuko as well. A minute had gone past before Bumi had launched several boulders at Zuko, in which he had managed to evade and even split one in half by clawing his swords into it and using his brute strength and the strength of the metal blades of the swords to break them in half. "No firebending? Why I'm quite surprised. I am glad the Prince of the Fire Nation is not so predictable."

The prince had sheathed his swords, "I can show you some firebending." The teenager said as Bumi had launched another boulder at Zuko, who had quickly ran and slid right from under the rock and sent a disk of flame towards Bumi who had created a wall of earth to block the attack. When he had lowered the wall, Zuko was in midair and sent his fist down towards the King of Omashu, hitting the old man square in the face and causing him to stumble back. Zuko had jumped back, making sure he didn't go back to far as the old man laugh.

"Even actual hands-on combat. I'm growing more and more surprised, young man! You always strike back." Zuko wasn't sure if he should've liked it or not that the King seemed to be enthused by him but no matter what, he knew he had to win than to worry about trivial things like that. "Are you going to be more of a challenge or am I going to do all the work?" Zuko had asked, trying to taunt the King.

"You'll just have to wait and see." said Bumi as he had rubbed his jaw as the prince had grown more and more irritated. The King had launched another stone at Zuko, which had missed but exploded upon hitting the ceiling. Zuko had looked up as debris was falling to the ground and tried to evade them, but one debris the King had turned into a spike and had went through Zuko's chest. The Prince's eyes had widened, the pain shocked right through him as she had found himself hanging mid hair with the spike of earth right through him. Blood had immediately filled his mouth, dripping down the corners as he had grabbed the spike and attempted to pull it out with gritted, bloodied teeth. He hadn't expected that, Bumi had gotten him good but he refused to die here and like this. He had clung onto his life but he could already see white spots clouding his vision.

He had slowly turned to look at Bumi who was grinning. "You fought well young firebender but I think I have proved that I was a much stronger opponent or maybe an opponent that was wittier. A stronger, wittier opponent? That works!" The prince growled feeling the piece of earth move inside him as he continued to pull it out but before even reached the sharp end, he could feel himself fading in and out of consciousness. And like that, everything had gone dark. The sound of the cackling King of Omashu had filled his ears, setting fire through his heart. His body had soon gone limp, darkness fully enveloping him.

/ / /

Zuko could feel his eyes opening, much to his disbelief. He had sat up, and look around to see that he was in the middle of a forest. "How did I end up here?" He asked himself as he had instinctively put his hand to his wound which wasn't there anymore. He was still dressed in his Fire Nation armor, but was helmetless. "How did I end up in the forest?" He was confused entirely. He wasn't sure what to make of all this and he could tell that something was strange. The air felt much clearer, crisper than he had ever felt and smelled before. He had taken a few more steps. He had entered a meadow with the sound of a spring not too far. He headed towards the sound of the water but stopped when he heard bushes rustle. He had immediately turned, fire daggers now in his hands. A dragon had slowly slithered out from the bushes and granite his eyes were full of shock.

He took a step back, his arms falling limply to his sides and the fire daggers dissipated. "A human?" The dragon said, perplexed. "What are you doing here?" It questioned. The boy was still afraid of the talking dragon. Animals didn't talk as far as he was concerned and dragons were deceased. "Why are you looking at me like that? You look like you've seen a ghost!" The dragon's light blue scales for skin had gleamed under the bright son. Its gold eyes locked on the prince before it. Zuko had taken another step back, tripping over a small rock but still maintained the need to distance himself from the dragon. "Don't be afraid." The dragon cooed, which only drummed more fear into him. "Say, human, why does it smell like you're half alive?" It asked him as Zuko had looked at her curiously.

"Half alive?" He asked as the dragon had nodded.

"Half of you is here and the other half is somewhere else. Slowly but surely the alive part of you is threading thin." That's how Zuko concluded that he was dying but entering to the Spirit world at the same time.

He wasn't sure what got him to the spirit world and why, but he knew he had to get out. "I need to get out of here. Is there a way out?" He asked the dragon as it had looked at him.

"Entering that portal is dangerous and you can enter it as you are. You're half dead. Half of your soul is on the other side; you'll need to merge with a spirit." Zuko had looked at the dragon, contemplating on what to do in this situation.

"Merging with you must be out of the question, huh?" He asked the spirit in which seem to coil back in surprise.

"You want to merge with me?" He wasn't sure why it seemed surprised.

What other quick and only option did he have? "Yes or no?" He asked in which the dragon had looked down in thought.

"It's quite dangerous and you could die." Zuko had thought about it again but then quickly made up his mind.

"It doesn't matter. I'll die whether or not I agree to it, so tell me dragon. Will you merge with me?" It wasn't a good idea or so the dragon thought.

It knew that there would be consequences of this action. But would it turn away and let this human die? Spirits didn't really care for humans whereas this one felt indifferent. "Fine, I'll take you to the portal. Climb on my back human." The spirit insisted as Zuko had walked over towards the dragon and climbed atop of its back. It had sped off once his grip was tight; Zuko's eyes had gazed around the forest of the spirit world. It was a magnificent sight, more than he ever thought it would be.

He wondered if his uncle would believe him if he told him since he had once travel to the spirit world before. They had landed on barren ground in which the dragon had noticed that neither portal was open. "Well… You didn't come from here." The dragon said as Zuko had looked at it.

"What do you mean?" He asked.

"The Physical world and the Spirit world have their own separate portals and there's a Harmonic Convergence every ten thousand years in which the portals open but you didn't come from the portal, you came here another way." The dragon had then sighed, trying to figure out how the human had come to the spirit world. "This means we'll have to talk to Agni." The dragon said in which Zuko had appeared surprised.

"A-Agni?!" He repeated the name in surprise.

"Yeah, the God of fire and executions; he rules over justice, revenge… death."

The boy shook his head, "I know that but where can we find him?"

"They are up in the sky with the other Gods and Goddesses." The Dragon had explained, "Climb aboard." Zuko had sat atop of the dragons back and held on as it soared up to the sky.

They had went through clouds, in which had dampened the prince's clothes, and kept going higher and higher. "Are you sure you aren't pulling my leg?" He asked the dragon.

"I want you out of my hair just as much as you want out of here." said the dragon, as the prince had gave it an apathetic look before feeling the dragon slow down and noticed land atop of the clouds.

The dragon had flown towards the center of the Heaven, letting Zuko off its back and having its feet firmly planted on the strange ground. "Priyala." A voice had boomed, causing both of them to turn. "What is going on here?" The man asked as the dragon swiftly turned and move towards the tall, large man. He had long hair that had reach his waist, a short full beard and bright golden yellow eyes. His skin was of bronze and he wore red clad armor, a sword at his hip and a tiger at his side.

"God of fire Agni, I stumbled upon a human who entered the spirit world unknowingly. He didn't come from the portal and I'm not sure how he's here." The dragon quickly explained, standing in front of Zuko in a rather protective manner.

"I just wish to go back home, God of fire." Zuko had bowed perfectly and deeply, not showing one ounce of a mistake. He could not wreck his chances or shame his nation by showing district to their God: Agni.

"I see." Agni had rubbed his chin, walking towards the duo and then placing his large hand on Zuko's shoulder. "A part of the Avatar blood lives within you, I can feel it." He had said as the prince nodded.

"My mother was—" He couldn't explain since Agni cut him short for he already knew.

"I know, son. I know." He simply said as Zuko kept quiet now. "When you were to die, you were chosen to come here, to Heaven... but since you died before your time, you fell through the spirit world and met my friend Priyala here."

The prince looked at the dragon as Agni continued to speak, "Priyala. Since you took care of him, he's your responsibility forever."

The dragon was shocked, and not really too pleased either. "What? I-I was just doing something good."

Agni had shaken his head, "He will need half of you and since you've agreed on it; forever, you will give this boy your power and half your life force. Fuse with him, Priyala. And he'll be half spirit." The dragon had reluctantly coiled around Zuko's body and then turned into an ethereal shade of blue before absorbing into him. Zuko had let out a scream of pain slowly, falling to his knees. He had gripped handfuls of earth as he had felt his insides flare up, his heart squeezing tightly in his chest and prespiration quickly dripping down his forehead. "I should figure your body wouldn't be able to take it." Agni then had searched in his sleeve and pulled out a small bottle. "Drink this."

Zuko had slowly and painfully looked up to see the blue bottle in the God of Fire's hand. There was a blue, angelic and bright light radiating out of it. "What..." Zuko had winced, his left hand immediately going to his chest and pressing his palm over his heart. "What... is that?" He had asked through clenched teeth.

"It's a Fox bead. It'll help heal your wounds and alleviate the pain. Your wounds will take days to heal, but this bead will helps the process go much faster" Agni explained to him, "Take it."

The Fire Nation Prince had stared at the bottle with skepticism but since Agni was indeed trying to help him, he had taken the bottle and flicked open the top. The cap had flew off as his amber eyes had stared at the bottle that seemed to glow. Whatever was inside the bottle, it didn't seem to be like a potion. He had pressed the bottle's opening to his lips, he had shot the bottle up and tilted his head back as the bright, blue light had exited out of the bottle and slip down his throat.

It felt strange and he could feel it traveling down to the center of his chest. There was a cooling sensation, taking over the whole inflammation he had felt in his chest. His whole body felt relaxed and he could feel his eyes falling closed. Zuko's body had slumped towards the ground.

/ / /

The prince's eyes flew open and he has immediately filled his lungs with a large inhale of air, he could even feel them rattle from how hard he was breathing. His hand immediately went to the spike that was impaled in him and began to pull the spike out with much ease than before. The wound that had nearly killed him had slowly closed up, a healing glow coming from out of it. The fox bead had immediately healed him. "Priyala…" Zuko had called the dragon spirit's name, "I'm sorry for putting you through this." He apologized, "But I'll make sure that I won't waste this life since you have given me half of yours."

"You better live this life to the fullest." Priyala had mentally spoken to him, a tone of irritation in her voice. "I was always curious of the Physical world and so, I guess you can say I'm not entirely mad about the circumstance. Lucky thing Agni gave you the fox bead, or else healing your would have taken a lot of my chi." The dragon had said which had caused Zuko to halfway smile.

Zuko closed his eyes, placing his hand now over the closed wound. 'I promise Priyala.' He opened his eyes and then ran forward, searching for King Bumi. He wondered how long had he been out, was it an hour or even a day? He wasn't sure if the time in the physical world and the spiritual world was the same.

"You're alive, Prince Zuko?" Bumi had said, sitting in the stand of the arena. "I thought for sure that I had killed you. Oh well, I can just try again." He rolled his shoulder, cracking his knuckles.

"You were fighting this guy? Jeez, I never knew someone so old could be this buff. And, he's the one who literally kind of killed you. You sure you wanna fight with him?" Priyala had asked him, concerned about the situation. "If you're put back in that situation like before, I don't think the fox bead can revive you."

The firebender had kept his eyes fixated on the earthbending master in front of him. He wasn't going to let doubt fill his mind and he wasn't going allow Priyala to worry. He could take care of this. 'I can handle this.' He thought as he had ran forward, "Ahhhh!" He had cocked his arm back, his fist bawled tight as he had then pushed it forward and released a stream of fire. The Omashu King had quickly ducked, dodging the fire just barely and then leaped over the rail just to roll on the ground before getting on his feet.

The prince had turned and looked back at the man, his amber eyes glowering with determination with clouded frustration. He had fully turned and then ran, leaping on the rail. 'Priyala, what are all the powers you can give me?' He asked her as he had pulled out his swords, propelling himself towards the Omashu King.

"Naturally, Dragons have the ability of fire that can be hot as the sun; the colors change depending on intensity. I can also give you heightened senses and I can give you the ability to possess inhumane strength. Those are the only powers I can give you." The dragon explained, "I am naturally a water dragon and since you are a firebender, you cannot possess those abilities and you're not the Avatar, so that is even more impossible for you."

'I want you to give me the hottest fire there is; the fire of the sun.' He said as Bumi had created a shield of earth, blocking the attack. His chi, he could feel it intensify as he had jumped back, placing his words back in their scabbards. He had then assumed stance and the held out his hands, his fingers curled as a pressurized ball of white fire had formed at his palms.

Bumi had looked at the odd colored fire, his eyes widening as Zuko had shot it forward, a miniature comet firing towards him. Quickly, he had covered his body with armor of crystal but even that began to melt. He disappeared within the ground as the comet had went through the wall with ease but left a trail of fire in its path. 'Now give me heightened senses.' He requested as he had closed his eyes, his chi dulling into a cooling sensation all over his body. He could feel everything. The shifting of earth underneath him as the Omashu King had roamed and tried to find a way to make his way towards Zuko, trying to come up from under him. Zuko had moved away before the man's hand came sprouting from the ground. The man had chuckled, his laugh ringing through the air as Zuko then try to plan what to do next. 'Give me inhuman strength.'

A large amount of chi began to flow to his arms, his hands specifically to the point where his heightened senses allow him to see a green aura around his hands. He had cocked his arm back and then slammed his fist to the ground causing the earth to shatter from under him and upwards, the ground breaking and revealing Bumi who got trample by broken pieces of earth. Zuko had immediately run forward, stabbing the injured man straight in both shoulders with each sword since his feet were already injured. He wouldn't be able to earthbend for quite some time. "King Bumi, you are now prisoner of the Fire Nation and Omashu belongs to Fire Lord Ozai."

The man had closed his eyes, his head lowered as he had taken his defeat. 'Thank you Priyala.' He thanked the dragon spirit within him. "You proved to be an excellent fighter Prince Zuko. It was amazing to watch." The dragon complimented.

Soldiers came flocking into the arena, Zhao ahead of them as Zuko had taken the King and placed him over his shoulder. Everyone looked in surprise as the sixteen-year-old, covered in dirt and cuts had looked at them all, still slightly panting. "P-Prince Zuko, y-you did it!" Zhao stuttered in shock. The boy had used his firebending to propel himself all the ground and over the rail and towards the Admiral and troops.

"I just need some rest." He said as he had continued to walk forward, leaving the castle and heading out towards the ship. There was still sounds of war going on outside, soldiers still fighting but when Omashu soldiers had seen their King being carried like a sack of potatoes by the Fire Nation prince, they had lost their will to fight and bowed in defeat. Everyone looked in surprise as the Prince had made his way towards the ship, doubting anyone would attack him with the King on his shoulder.

Once he made his way to the metal ship, the soldiers had taken the king from him to put him in the prison cell. "You'll need a long rest. Your chi is irregular right now but the good thing is that it wasn't just your chi but mine as well. You would've been weaker than this had I not been a strong spirit and you had the Fox bead." Priyala explained as Zuko had walked towards his cabin, his steps slow.

"I don't want anyone to wake me up until I'm back at the Fire Nation." He said as he had looked over towards the crew, who had nodded at his orders.

It had taken a week to return back to the Fire Nation, Zuko now full rested and healed and even trained with his newfound power. He wondered if he should tell his father about his soul being attached to a dragon spirit but he wondered if he would even believe him. It seemed so farfetched and he didn't need to put in doubt in his father's mind about him. And so, he told himself that his uncle would be the one to know. When the ship had reached the harbor and docked, he had gone to the walkway and to be greeted by his Uncle. "Prince Zuko, you've come back victorious as always." He said as Zuko could feel the sense of pride that radiated off of him. "I am so proud of you."

"It was a difficult. King Bumi is not a predictable or easy opponent. He was all you said he would be." Iroh smiled and placed a hand on his nephew's shoulder.

They had gone into the carriage that would take them up the hill and towards the gates of the capital. "There is a palanquin for you. The whole nation wants to celebrate your victory, Prince Zuko." Iroh had explained as his nephew had looked at him in shock. "We are steps closer in taking down the Earth Kingdom." He explained as his nephew had nodded, now understanding how much more of a big deal it was. When the carriage had come to a halt, Iroh and Zuko had climbed out. "Now come on, everyone is waiting." He had led his nephew to the palanquin that was waiting for him, all four palanquin bearers ready for him to board.

The palanquin was mostly red with gold trimmings lining the top and edges. Two steps had led to the seat, which had red cushion and was concealed on three sides by a pink cloth attached to the exterior of the palanquin's top. A smaller cloth had also hanged from the roof, but this one was mainly black and adorned with red borders with the Fire Nation insignia. Zuko had went up the two steps and then sat on the cushion; guards immediately surrounded the palanquin to ensure his safety as he was carried to the Fire Nation palace.

Once the gates had open, all the capital citizen's had roared in joyous cheers. They had thrown what looked to be firelilies and confetti in the air, as their prince had been taken into the city and the path before him was clear as can be. Prince Zuko had nodded and waved towards his people, never feeling more than a prince than he had at that moment. His people had loved and adored him, even more so than ever. When they had reached the palace gates and the bearers had placed the palanquin down on the ground, Zuko had stood and went down the small steps as the guards opened the gates for him. "Welcome home Prince Zuko." They had greeted him as they bowed; Zuko gave them a firm nod before walking inside as his uncle was a few steps behind him.

The palace doors opened and he had walked into the hall, everyone bowing as he walked down the red carpeted hall. "Welcome home Prince Zuko." Echoed across the servants but one in particular had caught his attention.

This was the first time he had seen her and she had immediately stood out. Her hair was a light auburn, long and ending towards her waist. She had grey eyes and flawless rich, fair skin. She had stood in a perfect bow, her head lowered. "Welcome home Prince Zuko." She had said like the others.

"Are you new?" He asked her as she had stood straight, her grey eyes now on his form. She had shyly looked at him, her mouth pressed together. "Are you going to answer?" He then asked.

The girl had then fiddled with her thumbs, "Yes." She answered truthfully, "I…I was found outside the palace a few days ago and I was allowed to stay here as a servant since I have nowhere to go, my prince." She answered truthfully.

"Something doesn't seem right." Priyala had said to him, "She feels familiar." The dragon spirit continued to speak as Zuko had continued to keep his eyes on the girl before him.

He then asked another question, "What's your name?" He asked the servant as she had tried to keep eye contact with him.

She shook her head, "I'm sorry but I don't remember my name." She answered in which Zuko had seemed to be quite surprise. "They diagnosed me with amnesia and General Iroh said that I'll eventually gain back my memories but for the meantime, I have no name."

Zuko had felt sympathetic for her. She knew nothing of where she was from, who her family was, and she didn't even know her name. He decided not to press further, "I see." He then turned and continued down the hall, the girl looking at him as Zuko had entered the throne room to see his father on his throne. Zuko had walked towards the center, kneeling. "My liege."

"Prince Zuko, you have amazed me yet again. My son, you have proven to be a true warrior by all means. You had given me King Bumi of Omashu, an earthbending master. How can I not be proud?"

The praises after praises had made Zuko feel more confident about himself. Even though this victory was not his and his alone, he had Priyala helping him along the way. "It's not like he'll believe a dragon spirit infused with your soul and helped you." He heard Priyala say. "Don't worry about me getting recognition. I gave you the power and you took Bumi on yourself, I'm sure without me you still would've captured him."

He had liked to believe that, that maybe on his own he would've done so but her words did keep him from questioning himself further. 'I still can't thank you enough…' He said to Priyala as he then looked at his father. "It is because I am your son that I was capable of doing this. My father's great legacy was passed down to me."

Ozai found himself amused by his son's words. "I suppose so. How could I expect any less from my first born, my son." Zuko embellished in his words. "If there is anything that you need my son, I'll give it. You deserve any award that you wish."

Zuko had stood, unsure of what he could have wanted. What was there he could have when in all he had everything. He had wealth, power beyond any human save for the Avatar, and fame. People cheered for him on the streets, so what else could he ask for? "I wish no reward for now." Zuko had said, "There is nothing more than I could ask for at this moment."

His father had nodded, "Should you need or want anything, you'll have it granted to you. There will be a feast held in your honor, my son. Go and prepare yourself." And with that, his son had bowed and walked out of the throne room.

"It seems Prince Zuko has gotten stronger than one would imagine, hasn't he?" Ozai turned to his right to see a young woman, in her mid to late twenties walk in the room, her long black hair was unbounded and knee length, her eyes a brilliant shade of marigold and her skin pale and her body frame petite. "My liege, you do not think you should worry?" She had asked him.

"And why should I worry Masuyo?" Ozai had asked her, his eyebrow rising. "My son has proved time over time his loyalty to me. There is no question if he would even die for my own honor." The young woman merely smirked, her hands folded neatly in front of her.

She then spoke, her voice teasing and holding mischief. "You are the one to burn his eye. Who says that he would not want revenge for that? You are one of the reasons why Lady Ursa is no lon-" She had evaded the fireball that was blasted towards her foot.

"Do you intend to anger me, Masuyo? You have one job and I suggest you stick to it. Until I ask for your opinion or your advice, you keep your mouth shut." Ozai threatened, the woman setting her jaw and swallowing her pride. "Do you understand?"

The woman had looked up at him, "Yes… Fire Lord Ozai." There was venom hanging on her lips from the way she had said his name. The Fire Lord had watched as she had switched out of the throne room, going back to her quarters.

And that's the first chapter.

I find this story really fun to write.

Name(s) meaning:

Priyala is the Sanskirt name meaning "honorable" and "beloved."

Masuyo is the Japanese name meaning "benefit the world."