ATLA/The Lion King – (The Fire King)
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar The Last Air bender or Disney's The Lion King. This fanfiction is based off of the Disney movie mixed with little bits of Broadway's The Lion King. I just called this fanfiction The Fire King because all of the characters from Avatar will still be human and still have their bending abilities; they'll just follow along with the characters' story from the Lion King. They lyrics used throughout are not mine; they are from the movie and the Broadway show. If something doesn't make sense while you are reading, message me and I will do my best to explain. Also, I realize that a different author had started to write their own Avatar/Lion King crossover. However I did not know that until after I had started writing this fanfiction. I hope no one is upset with me and I never tried to take anything from the other author; there story is written how they wanted it to be.
Chapter 1: Circle of Life
Nants ingonyama bagithi Baba [Here comes a lion, Father]
Sithi uhm ingonyama [Oh yes, it's a lion]
As the Sun was rising into the sky, marking the beginning of a new summer day, a cry could be heard throughout the Fire Nation. All of the citizens seemed to awaken from their restful slumber once that cry was heard because they all knew what it meant.
The Prince had been born.
Nants ingonyama bagithi baba
Sithi uhhmm ingonyama
Ingonyama
Before today, the Four Nations had been at war for a hundred years. The Fire Nation had started it so they could expand their territory; or at least that was what it said in the history books at the very beginning of the war. A couple of years in the war just caused an era of tyranny in the Fire Nation and terror amongst the three remaining nations.
Then the war was ended nine months ago by a rebellion lead by a society called the Order of the White Lotus. The Order consisted of many leaders from the different nations who wanted peace and for balance to return to the world. One of the leaders had been General Iroh of the Fire Nation.
Iroh had once been the crown prince until he turned his back on his title and family so as to bring about peace. He would have been Fire Lord had his brother, Ozai, not gone behind his back to take the throne.
The day before the war ended, Iroh and the rebellion had been able to stop the Fire Nation army when they attacked the capital. Then news had reached them that Ozai had fallen ill weeks before and had just died; leaving his wife, Fire Lady Ursa – a gentle woman compared to her husband – widowed.
That was when they also learned of the Fire Lady's pregnancy. Iroh, even before the war ended, had not intended to become the Fire Lord. Once he heard the news though, he declared the war over and agreed to be the Fire Lord until Ursa's child became of age. So it was because of this that everyone was happy and ready to celebrate.
Siyo Nqoba [We're going to conquer]
Ingonyama
Ingonyama nengw' enamabala [A lion and a leopard come to this open place]
After the war had ended, many from the Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom who had also been a part of the rebellion decided to move to the Fire Nation despite the fact that they had caused the war. None of the air benders stayed behind afterwards because they preferred to either stay at the air temples or to travel as nomads. Those who had stayed wanted the better job opportunities, loved the landscape of the nation, or wanted to just start over and possibly start families of their own.
Even after nine months of peace the Fire Nation and the rest of the nations had recovered well. They were completely happy with Iroh as the Fire Lord and knew that his nephew would grow up to be just like him and not cruel like his ancestors prior had been.
As the Sun rose higher in the sky families and officials of the different nations all started to gather at the palace where they knew the baby prince would be presented to everyone. Young children tugged eagerly on their mother or father's hand so they would get to the palace faster.
From the day we arrive on the planet
And blinking, step into the sun
There's more to see than can ever be seen
More to do than can ever be done
Meanwhile, unaware to anyone, the Spirits were watching with joy at the change that had finally come. They had watched for a hundred years as the world nearly fell apart. They could help here and there but they could not intervene too much; that was the restriction they followed as spirits. Now that the changes had come in the right way they continued to watch on happily as others whom had not stayed in the Fire Nation arrived in boats just for this day. Peace and balance in the world was finally starting to truly return.
There's far too much to take in here
More to find than can ever be found
But the sun rolling high
Through the sapphire sky
Keeps great and small on the endless round
Everyone on the palace grounds looked up to the balcony of the palace and saw Fire Lord Iroh standing there proudly and a small smile on his face. Anyone who knew the Fire Lord personally knew he was far from intimidating and was very fair to everyone.
Iroh bowed to the people down below. Then he felt the presence of someone standing behind him. Turning around he saw his advisor, Hakoda, smile and do the traditional Fire Nation bow in greeting.
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Hakoda was originally meant to be the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe. He had met Iroh as he fought alongside of him to stop the war. Iroh had seen he was an amazing leader and had become the best of friends. Hakoda had gone home after the war, but a blizzard had struck his home worse than years before and he had left with his wife, Kya, and their family to the Fire Nation to ask Iroh for help. That was when Iroh asked him to become his head advisor and Hakoda graciously accepted.
Iroh returned the gesture by holding out his arm for the traditional Water Tribe greeting. Unlike his ancestors during the war, he was very respectful of everyone else's traditions. Hakoda clasped his hand around Iroh's forearm. "Everything is almost ready" Hakoda stated.
"Very good. Thank you Hakoda."
Just then they noticed the crowd had gone silent. Looking down they noticed that everyone was bowing to a man walking up to them. This man was Bumi.
Bumi was the oldest and wisest – aside from Iroh – member of the Order of the White Lotus. He could be a little strange, but was well respected and was the king of the Earth Kingdom city of Omashu. Despite this he was also seen as a shaman and he would be presenting the young prince himself.
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
Using his earth bending Bumi was able to get himself up to the balcony and greeted Iroh with a hug. "Bumi, it is good to see you again my friend" Iroh greeted.
"It is good to see you as well" Bumi responded. "Hakoda, how are you?"
"Very well Bumi."
"Good, good, I'm glad to hear. Now, why don't we go see Lady Ursa and your new nephew?" Not needing to say anymore they went inside the palace.
Inside they saw Ursa propped up with pillows behind her. Next to her was Kya. She and Ursa had become friends the moment they met and were always trying to help each other. Hakoda walked to his wife and rested his hand on her stomach with their first child safely inside her. He smiled and kissed her forehead. Meanwhile Iroh walked over to his sister – in – law and took her hand. "How are you feeling?"
"A little tired, but I'm fine Iroh so stop fussing" Ursa lightly scolded. "Besides I think there is someone more important that everyone is anxious to meet" and looked down to the little bundle wrapped up in a red baby blanket. Pulling some of the fabric aside she showed everyone the baby who was resting comfortably at the moment. His skin was pale like most people of the Fire Nation and he already had some raven black hair covering his head. "This is Zuko."
As if by just mentioning his name the baby yawned and opened his eyes to take in his surroundings. He did not cry at the unfamiliar faces. He only looked around with his curious golden eyes. Bumi approached and smiled. Then he held out the staff he brought with him that held a symbol of each of the four nations and gently shook it over the prince; blessing him. Zuko's young eyes followed as best as he could. Next he brought a small bag that contained tree ashes because they helped to represent the nation he was born in.
When he sprinkled some of it on his forehead Zuko's face scrunched up. The ashes tickled his nose so he let out a tiny sneeze. Everyone thought that was just adorable. After he sneezed Bumi continued and used the ashes to outline the symbol for fire. Asking with his eyes, Bumi held out his arms for the young prince and Ursa relinquished his hold on him.
Bumi held him securely in his arms as Iroh helped Ursa to stand and made their way to the balcony. Everyone below quieted down as they waited. Once Bumi was close enough he made sure he still had a good hold of Zuko as he held him with one hand on his lower back and the other supporting his head. Then he held him up to present him to everyone; including the Spirits that were still watching.
It's the Circle of Life
And it moves us all
Through despair and hope
Through faith and love
Once they saw the baby prince the people started cheering. A fire sage nearby had announced Zuko's name as Bumi remained silent. Many of the people shouted in excitement. Some even said, "Hail Prince Zuko!"
Then the Sun appeared from behind the clouds and a ray of sunlight seemed to land directly on Zuko. The baby noticed the light and tried to reach up as if he believed he could grasp it in his tiny hands. To the people, it was as if the Spirits were blessing him. What they didn't know was that the Spirits kind of were in their own way because they already knew that Zuko would bring about change when he was older.
All of the people below bowed then. Iroh and Ursa watched happily with Kya and Hakoda by their sides. The Spirits just continued to watch on silently as they always do. It was the beginning of a new day and everyone welcomed it.
Till we find our place
On the path unwinding
In the Circle
The Circle of Life
So there's chapter one. Please review and tell me what you think. Also, I feel like I should point out two things, before I go. One, Hakoda's role in this story will later on be divided with Sokka; but that won't happen just yet, I will clarify more in later chapters. Two, I will be posting a new chapter each Tuesday, but I can't guarantee it will be the same exact time (I might be early or late in the day; depends on my schedule). Regardless I will post each Tuesday so no worries. But again, please review! I would love feedback! Until next time.