Disclaimer: I don't own Miraculous Ladybug or the Avatar (not the movie) universe.

A/N: Hi, everyone! I hope you guys like both ML and A:TLA, because this story is an AU with both! I had this idea after seeing lily-frog's Bender AU fanart on tumblr (go check it out, it's amazing :D), so I had to write it. I hope you guys like it! :)


Avatar: Flowing Fire

Chapter I: The Baker's Daughter and the Prince


"Papa, why did an officer visit?"

Tom's eyes did not shift to his daughter's direction, still fixated on the pastries resting on their dinner table. With a look of intense concentration, he hovered his hand over a cake with blue filling at the center and drew it upwards, pulling the air around the filling swiftly to form a perfectly upright twirled cream. He set the cake on his right with the other finished cream cakes.

Marinette sighed and sat in front of her father. It was impossible to capture his focus when making cream cakes, and she couldn't ask her mother while she was out running errands. Perhaps this was her father's silent way of telling her that she should watch the news more.

"The Fire Lord and his son will be visiting Republic City today," her father replied calmly once he finished prepping another cream cake. "They want to make sure that no one in the city tries assassinating either of them."

Marinette's lips mouthed an "oh" as she nodded.

"I know the Fire Nation's prince, so I'm clearly better than all of you!"

So that's what her obnoxious classmate was saying.

Her eyes wandered to the large glass window showing a refraction of the streets outside. It was usually colored with bustling pedestrians and whistling Satomobiles, in contrast to the current view she saw of metal gray coating the streets. The Republic City Police Department's officers were scrambling around the city, either knocking on doors or standing guard in long flanks.

"Many world leaders are gathering together for a gala to celebrate the discovery of valuable relics for the Republic City Museum," her father continued. "Mr. Kubdel found them near that Spirit Portal downtown."

Found valuable artifacts always equated to a Kubdel's work in Republic City nowadays. Alix Kubdel, Marinette's classmate and the daughter of said archaeologist, always complained about how people expected her to follow her father's footsteps but appreciated the compliments given to her family for being a cultural blessing to the world.

The thought of Alix reminded Marinette she still had school today.

"W-wait Papa, what time is it?"

Her father smiled at her. "Classes are cancelled, dear. The Police Department doesn't want a lot of civilians out while they prepare for the Fire Lord's arrival. They're going to have it tough for a few days since the other leaders will be arriving within the week."

A sigh of relief escaped her lips. With all the bad luck she (believed she) was born with, this saved her a lot of trouble from being late for school or rushing to avoid being late for school. Right on cue, her cellular phone started vibrating and jiggling her long tunic's pocket.

Before she could press the green Answer key on her keypad phone, the incoming call ended, replaced by a message.

Open up before Nino blows your door open!

You guys could've just knocked, Marinette thought, giggling. Her father understood without words needed and simply glanced at the door.

"I'm surprised they were able to sneak by officers. How good is Nino as an airbender?" he asked.

Marinette snorts. "Papa, Alya's the Chief of Police's daughter."

He answered with a laugh. "Right. I keep forgetting. Have fun, dearest. Just call me when you need food!"

She kissed her father's cheek before rushing to the door, excited to see her friends again after the long weekend.

She turned the knob of the door, and a swift blast of air met her face. Her disheveled, fly-away hair only meant one thing – Nino and Alya had found something interesting.

While Nino decided to rush in her room immediately, Alya still stood in front of her, chuckling at Marinette's wide eyes and cringing mouth. "Good morning to you too, Marinette."

Marinette flailed her arms around quickly until her posture was composed, her hair fixed, and her pulse soothed to a normal pace. She eyed down the forest green tunic her best friend wore. "You're wearing my gift!"

Alya glanced at her clothes. "Of course. Today's a special day!"

"Huh?"

Before she knew it, Marinette was being dragged to her room by the arm. "Good morning, Mr. Dupain-Cheng!" Alya greeted.

Marinette's father was unfazed by his daughter's distressed face. "Good morning to you too, Alya. Tell Marinette if you guys want snacks, okay?"


"Prince Adrien, please push your hair back so we can fix your crown."

Nathalie couldn't understand what was going on with the prince.

Even with words of instruction, the boy continued staring at the mirror, his green eyes fixated on his reflection. He didn't speak, move a muscle, or blink for minutes.

"Adrien."

"Nathalie." His voice sounded tired and hoarse. "The United Republic of Nations is still a thousand miles away. Could I please be allowed to sleep and just fix myself before we land?"

His eyes were still on his reflection. Nathalie believed he was gazing at his eyes to remember his mother.

The last time Adrien was in Republic City was when his mother was still around.

She resigned herself to ensure his well-being. "Very well. I will wake you up when we are closer to our destination. What shall I tell your father to make up for your absence for the next hours?"

Adrien blinked. Finally. "Tell him I just want to rest. That I'm getting sea sick from the trip."

She doubted the Fire Lord would believe it, considering that they hired the best ship captain and utilized their best ship for a smooth journey. "I see. Please rest well, Prince Adrien."

Nathalie left the room and shut the door behind her, heels clicking loudly on the hallway's metal floor.

Unbeknownst to her, Adrien waited for her footsteps to fade from earshot. He shut his eyes and slowly stood up, walking towards the open window.

He was sure his father would be disappointed he feigned sea sickness to dismiss his History lesson onboard the ship. What was the point anyway? He already memorized his ancestry and the political agenda of worldwide leaders out of sheer repetition, but his father insisted he needed to study them more. Adrien begged to differ – there were more important things than his ancestry and politics. He knew little of the world outside the Fire Nation, less about communicating with normal folk, and nothing about other cultures. His mother once told him that books in their library were outdated if he wanted to know about the other elemental nations in present day.

His arms stretched until he reached the curtains and, in one swift pull, hid the sunlight passing through the window.

Tomorrow, he thought, I'm going to be free.


A/N: Yeperoonie! We have Prince Adrien of the Fire Nation and Marinette, who is a bender. Cookies to those who guess right on what element Marinette bends! Thanks for reading! Please drop a review and follow if you want me to write the next chapter faster. XD