Prince Kuzan

Water, Earth Fire and Air are the three prominent elements within the Four Nations. The nations all live separately and peacefully. Every so often though there is a person born with the potential to bend all four elements, this person is called the Avatar. The Avatar's job is to maintain peace between the nations and is also the bridge to the spirit world. The last Avatar was Avatar Roku who was a fire bender originally. However under unknown circumstances he vanished.

It was due to this that Fire Lord Sozin began his conquest believing that fire was the most powerful of all elements. His first action was to eliminate the air benders in an attempt to stop the avatar from returning as the Avatar is reincarnated in the cycle of the four elements. The fire bender army did not want this, they wanted peace as it has always been but they did their duty. However most of the fire benders including Sozin's own son Prince Azulan decided to not follow these orders and secretly smuggled out air benders from every temple. They hid these air benders right under the fire lord's nose. Dressed and disguised as Fire Nation citizens the surviving air benders were protected by the citizens of the Fire Nation.

But the war continued and then came the attack on the Earth Kingdoms. The earth benders were strong and bulky making them stand up to the fire benders. However they also began to lose ground and several towns and cities were taken from them and made colonies for the Fire Nation. Like with the air benders the Fire Nation colonist did not persecute or abuse their neighbors and instead befriended them. It took so work but they all began to live together and the towns were filled with fire and earth benders who put aside their differences and lived together. The children even invented a game they could play together using their respective bending's.

Then came the death of Fire Lord Sozin and the rise of Fire Lord Azulan. The newly crowned Azulan then sent out a message to the Earth King and the Water Tribe leaders in order to discuss peace. The three leaders all talked but the Earth Kingdoms and Water Tribe Leaders were angry and after years of war the issue could not be resolved. The Earth Kingdoms demanded the towns and cities that were taken to be handed over and the Fire Nation citizens to leave. The Water Tribe Leaders did not even talk and instead left the meeting. Azulan was in a tight spot as he could not betray his people and order them to give up their homes. What's more there would be no way for the colonist to all live in the Fire Nation. With nothing more to talk about the meeting was disbanded and the war continued. The hidden air benders were then taken to the Southern Air temple were they would live together with the families they started in the Fire Nation.

As the war continued Azulan had two children he named Iroh and Ozai. The brothers were strong and gave Azulan hope that even after his death the Fire Nation will endure and hopefully find a way to end this war. Then a raid by the Earth Kingdom on a Fire Nation colony escalated the war. Many colonist were killed while others were driven from their home. Many had wives and husbands while others had full families. The families were made up of earth benders and fire benders. Angered by this Azulan sent his son Iroh to siege the great city of Ba Sing Se.

Iroh had a son named Lu Ten who was the grandson of Azulan. Ozai too had started a family and had two younger children with his wife Ursa. They were called Kuzan and Azula. General Iroh had successfully breached the walls of Ba Sing Se before his son Lu Ten was killed and Iroh lost his will to fight. The Fire Nation pulled back and returned home. Ozai though more serious never wished for war and was saddened by the death of his nephew. However more tragedy struck as Azulan was fading. Azulan knew that Iroh in his state could not lead the nation and crowned Ozai as his heir.

Thus Ozai became the Fire Lord and lead his nation. This is the story of Prince Kuzan as he struggles to end the 100 year war. At a young age Kuzan was kind to most and loved his family more than anything. Like his sister he too was a prodigy in fire bending as his flames were blue like Azula's. Kuzan and Azula were very close and often time they could be seen training together to hone their skills. Watching them would be Ursa and Ozai who would have small smiles on their faces. Iroh would also watch and even train the two in the art. Ozai loved his children more than anything and would do things just to see them smile. On the 6th birthday of Kuzan he planned with his brother Iroh to give his son a lifelong companion. As the party went on Ozai looked to Iroh who then told the crowd it was gift time. Ozai then handed his son a wrapped gift that Kuzan eagerly tore apart. Inside the wrap was a small dragon that made Kuzan nearly squeal in happiness. Dragons were the original fire benders who passed on their art to humans. During Sozin's reign the great beast were hunted for sport but Iroh, Ozai and like-minded people saved the last few and hid them away. Kuzan named his red and black dragon Sabor after saber because of the dragon's long fangs. Azula was not as happy as she was quite scared of the creature making Kuzan chase her around the party holding out Sabor.

As Kuzan grew so did his passion to end the war. However he realized that he was not yet ready to start this mission. He knew he was a good fire bender but feared he would be defenseless without his bending and talked with his uncle. His uncle merely laughed at this before telling him about and old friend of his that was the greatest swordsman of the era. Kuzan packed his bags and gave his family a farewell hug before setting of to train.

He traveled on the back of Sabor who was happy to have his friend on his back. The two flew miles before landing in the town of Shu Jing. There he asked around for the great swordsman and was pointed in the right direction. Walking up to the door Kuzan was nervous.

"H-Hello." Says Kuzan as he knocks on the door. Kuzan is still quite young only around 10. He is very shy but is also a person that people follow behind. His dark brown hair is spiked but is pulled back into a pony tail with it being held together by the Crown Prince headpiece given to him by his mother. Not wanting the attention he wears a red cloak with gold trims. Kuzan looks to Sabor and shrugs before turning only for him to pause as the doors open. Kuzan back peddles and stands beside Sabor who snuggles his face. Sabor has often been seen encouraging his friend with nudges or grunts.

"What do you want?" Asks an aged man making Kuzan squeak at the seriousness of the man. Sabor growls noticing his friends discomfort making the man startled.

"I-I'm here to train with the m-master." Says Kuzan making the man groan and sigh.

"I should tell you that the master turns away all those who come." Says the man making Kuzan gulp before the doors fully open. Kuzan stands still as he thinks about this before Sabor nudges him forward getting a giggle out of Kuzan. Entering the castle Kuzan can tell that the master is a fan of art like himself. His mother had opted to teach Kuzan about art and calligraphy to which Kuzan enjoyed. As they walked in Kuzan watched as an elder man wrote with his back turned to him. Kuzan stepped forward and with as much confidence as he could muster he spoke.

"Master Piandao I've come to ask you to train me." Says Kuzan as he bows with his hood still on. Piandao has a small smile on his face before he speaks.

"And I suppose you think I should just do so because you are the prince?" Says Piandao making the man from earlier nearly faint from shock while Kuzan blushes from being caught. Kuzan takes of his hood as he no longer needs it before shaking his head.

"No I you do not wish to I will not force the matter, even though I doubt I could." Says Kuzan before Piandao burst out with laughter. Piandao stands before turning to Kuzan with a smile.

"Just like your uncle told me, you are very humble." Says Piandao before slamming his sword on the ground.

"Very well, I will train you." Announces Piandao making Kuzan beam with happiness. At least until the training began. Kuzan though knew how to hold a sword was not very good at the start. But as he trained Piandao saw that he was quick to learn and even quicker to understand. Kuzan excelled at painting and calligraphy making Piandao proud. Kuzan also was very strategic and used his mind to formulate plans for every occasion and those times when he needed a quick plan, he made. After a couple of months Kuzan was far better than Fat, the man he meet at the gate.

Finally came the day were Kuzan would have to make his own sword. Looking over the metal he felt that none were right for him before inspiration struck him like lightning. Hopping on Sabor he traveled to one of the many mines across the Fire Nation. He was then given the material he asked for and made his way back to Shu Jing. Kuzan smiled as he carried a diamond into the castle and began to work. The diamond was hard but with the help of Sabor's fire they managed to melt it down and began to work. Near completion Kuzan made an intricate design on the blade, of a gold dragon. Sabor helped more by using his fire to heat the blade. After two weeks the sword was finished and shinned in the sun light. Kuzan named his sword Dragon Tooth.

For his final lesson he would have to duel with his master. Kuzan was not very confident he could win, in fact he thought he would lose in a matter of seconds. However he dueled with Piandao and was not doing bad. Using his speed and youthfulness he jumped and dodged around. Even using the high ground and the environment to his advantage. Kuzan lands in the middle of the garden before blocking two thrust and spinning. Piandao blocks the attack and smiles before entering Kuzan's guard and striking. Kuzan seeing it coming leans back before back flipping away. Piandao nods his head at the maneuver. Kuzan rushes forward and strikes with fast blows that Piandao easily blocks or evades. Then Piandao clashes swords and disarms Kuzan who is flipped over with a yell. Kuzan rubs his head as Piandao sheathes his sword.

"Very good, you have passed all my lessons and are now a swordsman." Says Piandao making Kuzan jump with joy.

"Thank you master." Bows Kuzan as he has his bags packed. Piandao tells him to train himself and remember his lessons.

Kuzan leaves Shu Jing a swordsman but decides to travel around some more. He traveled to the Earth Kingdom and made friends with many colonist. One day while flying he spotted something in the desert he was crossing and landed. Being curious he made his way into a high window and dropped inside the building. Looking around he saw books, millions of books making Kuzan's eyes turn to stars while a little drool went down his face. Before he could start reading he is held back by an owl he is amused by the child. Kuzan doesn't even realize this and keeps running in place before he is picked up and turned around.

"Who are you and why have you come here?" Asks Wan Shi Tong making Kuzan wipe the drool from his face but his eyes still have stars.

"I am Prince Kuzan of the Fire Nation and I simply wish to learn and or read your books." Bows Kuzan making Wan Shi Tong look at him. Being an all knowing spirit he can tell the boy is telling the truth and has a thirst for knowledge. Though he swore to never let another human into his library he can respect a thirst for knowledge.

"To read you must first donate something of knowledge." Says the owl making Kuzan light up before he pulls out six scrolls about dragons making Wan Shi Tong drool. Kuzan read the first thing he saw and kept reading more. While walking in the library he found his way to the Fire Nation sector and cried out when he saw the burn marks. Kuzan grew angry at the sheer audacity of the one to do this. Turning around he bows to Wan Shi Tong and vowed to rebuild his collection. He asked the spirit to give him a list of the books that were loss and he would have them sent here. Wan Shi Tong was surprised by the boy and gave him the list. On the final week he could stay Kuzan made a discovery about the Fire Nation. Though most was burned he was able to use the map room to find out more. A Solar Eclipse will happen and fire benders will lose their bending. Kuzan placed the script back and did not even write down the date as he is sure the Fire Sages will tell them. He then makes a final discovery and sits down to read it. It talked about Energy in the body that gives people the ability to bend. Kuzan reads on and finds out Lion Turtles were the first benders and were able to manipulate the energy in the body. However that is where the book ends. Kuzan thinks about the energy before realizing that since that is how bending came to be then that means that energy bending is possible. As he leaves he bows once again to Wan Shi Tong and promises to deliver the books. It is not long that his promise is fulfilled as many books were delivered by animals of all kinds before Wan Shi Tong's collection was filled once again. In thanks Wan Shi Tong made a door for the fire section that could only be opened by fire bending.

Kuzan returns home to his family. His mother would not let him go anywhere without her and Azula would always want to spend time together but Kuzan did not mind. Kuzan continued his training and added it together with his fire bending. With the training of his uncle and his will, Kuzan began the first steps of Lightning Bending. He spent a lot of time with the engineers and began to become fascinated with inventing. Then he began to work on something he believed would make the Fire Nation win the war. However as he neared the end he became afraid of the invention's power. He then showed his mother who too realized why her son was fearful but encouraged him to finish it. He called the invention the Dragon Cannon. When he showed his father he made sure that only family was there to see it. The weapon could be fired by fire bending or manually making it a good weapon. Ozai saw his sons face and had a long chat with him. After the chat Kuzan began mass construction of the weapon but made them less powerful under the orders of his father. The newer models were still strong but were only called Fire Cannons. The Dragon Cannons were to only be used by Kuzan when he became a soldier and had his own ship and men.

Reaching the age of 12 Kuzan began to sit in on the war meetings after begging his father who could not refuse his son. Iroh would always sit next to his nephew and fill in the blanks making Kuzan learn about war. One day an elder man proposed a plan that would sacrifice the majority of the new recruits. Knowing that speaking out if turn would disgrace and insult his father he waited for his moment. Looking to his father he then raised his hand making the commanders and generals surprised. Ozai though was not and nodded to his son who stood.

"Gentlemen I do not agree with this plan of action." Says Kuzan making the man who proposed the plan to scoff before the flames rise in Ozai's anger. Ozai looks at the man who shrinks down.

"Instead I propose we use the new recruits as the sneak attack and have the veterans hit the enemy." Says Kuzan as that is much more likely to give them the battle. Kuzan talks while Ozai smiles with pride and he sees more of the generals and commanders nodding their heads at the strategy. Suddenly the master of the plan stands while slamming his hands down startling Kuzan.

"Enough of this, are you all seriously taking the plan of a child over mine!" Yells the man making Kuzan narrow his eyes. Many generals and commanders know that the prince is young but the plan he has made is sound. The man names Jin Li growls before glaring at Kuzan who tilts his head.

"You've insulted me, I challenge you here and now in public." Yells Jin Li making Kuzan point to himself with mouth open. Ozai looks on fearful for his son and being Fire Lord not even he can stop the challenge.

"Do you accept?" Shouts Jin Li before Iroh stands but Kuzan nods his head. Jin Li smiles before Ozai stands making him gulp.

"And if my son wins what does he get?" Ask Ozai making Jin Li look down having forgot about that. An Agni Kai is like a gamble. The winner is promised something from the loser and there is no limit to what one can ask as long as it doesn't interfere with free will. So you can't order someone to marry someone else. Jin Li suddenly gets a cruel smile on his face.

"If I win the prince will be banished," says Jin Li making the commanders and generals widen their eyes, "and he can never return." Kuzan gulps at that but nods his head. Kuzan thinks about what he wants before smiling. Jin Li is a commander and has dozens of ships and men. Kuzan wants to help his nation end this war and this is the perfect way to get himself up in the military command.

"If I win I want your status as a commander." says Kuzan making Jin Li widen his eyes. His status means everything he has. His men his ships everything he has clawed to get will become Kuzan's. Jin Li though believes himself a better fire bender and accepts the challenge.

His mother having heard this was fearful and scared but was assured by Kuzan that he would be fine. The day of the Agni Kai the people flood the arena while Azula paces fearing for her beloved brother. Ozai watches with his hands gripping Ursa's.

Kuzan I on a knee with his eyes closed wearing a vest that shows his arms and chest. Kuzan stands and turns to face his opponent who glares at him.

Agni Kai Theme

The two glare at each other before Kuzan spins and releases a wave of blue fire from his leg. Jin Li blocks the fire before firing a blast from his fist. Kuzan blocks the blast and another before crossing his arms, dispelling another blast. Kuzan fires back with a stream of fire that Jin Li counters with his own. Jin Li grits his teeth as his fire is overcome before he blocks two fire blast from Kuzan. Kuzan charges a blast and breaks through Jin Li's guard making the man fall down. Kuzan rushes forward releasing a wave of flames from his left fist. Jin Li flips and stands before dispelling the fire. However as he does this Kuzan appears in front of him and using his feet lands on Jin Li's chest. Kuzan then propels himself of the man using blue fire and making an explosion. Jin Li rolls out of the dust cloud and struggles to stand. Kuzan narrows his eyes before standing straighter and moving his fingers in a circle. The crowd gasp as they see lightning forming and Kuzan smiles before snapping his eyes wide and pointing his fingers at Jin Li who is paralyzed with fear. Kuzan closes his eyes and the lightning hits in front of Jin Li who is sent flying back. Kuzan turns away with his eyes closed while the crowd cheers. His uncle has a small smile and gives him a nod.

Agni Kai end

After the fight Kuzan introduces himself to his men who clap and applaud making the prince blush. His family claps as well before he walks to his father and smiles. Today is the day that Kuzan leaves to join the war. Ursa nags him to brush his teeth and be careful while his sister hugs him and tells him she'll join him soon. Under a request from his mother and father, Iroh has agreed to come along making Kuzan happy.

His first mission was to a small town in the Fire Nation that had been experiencing missing persons. Kuzan had originally thought these people simply got lost in the vast woods around the village but changed his mind after learning of a witness.

"Excuse me but are you Vinny?" Ask Kuzan as he is followed by his uncle and three soldiers. Vinny is a middle aged man with a scar on his right eye. Vinny turns around and glares at the boy before seeing his headpiece and sputtering.

"Y-Yes that is me, how can I help you?" Asks Vinny while Kuzan doubts this man is a witness but his uncle encourages him to try.

"Well we've heard about your escape." Says Vinny with doubt before the man nods his head making Kuzan surprised.

"Yes I had gone out one night by the ridge and suddenly I lost control of my body." Says Vinny with hand gestures.

"I was forced to walk to a mine shaft in the mountain but suddenly I was free and I ran as fast as I could." Says Vinny making Kuzan narrow his eyes.

"Do you remember anything about that night?" Asks Iroh making Vinny put a hand to his chin.

"Well I could tell you it was early morning with the full moon still up." Says Vinny making the soldiers groan.

"Weird because I guess the thing is scared of the sun." Says Vinny making Kuzan tilt his head.

"What do you mean?" Asks Kuzan making Vinny look to him.

"Well I got control of my body right when the sun came up." Says Vinny making Kuzan think. The soldiers leave with the prince as Kuzan thinks.

"What now Prince Kuzan?" Asks a soldier making Kuzan look to him.

"Now we wait until the full moon and find out who's behind the kidnapping of our citizens." Says Kuzan making the soldiers nod their heads. Kuzan looks around and sighs when he sees his uncle drinking some tea.

"Come uncle today is the day I beat you at Pai Sho." Says Kuzan getting a chuckle from his uncle. As the days go on the time of the full moon approaches and Kuzan gets ready. He dons his royal armor and places Dragon Fang on his back under his cape. His orders were for hi men to stay on their ships and any suspicious activity is to be reported. Kuzan heads into the forest and is unfazed by the darkness as he remembers his lessons from Piandao. He makes his way through the forest before he stops in a clearing.

"I know you are there, come out." Demands Kuzan as a hooded and cloaked person steps from behind the trees.

"Well not many come into these woods willing." Says the person who is identified by Kuzan as an aged woman.

"Well now I know you're not a spirit, so who are you?" Demands Kuzan with narrowed eyes. He hears the witch cackle.

"Oh and how do you know I'm not a spirit?" Asks the woman.

"I've come across a spirit and I've read about them." Says Kuzan. He has been with Wan Shi Tong for so long that he realized that spirits give off a different presence than normal people.

"Very smart, but telling you my name is useless as soon you'll be joining my little collection." Says the woman making Kuzan narrow his eyes. He sees the woman twitch her finger making Kuzan widen his eyes. Acting quickly he flips forward and releases a blast from his feet. The woman widens her eyes, not that he could see and waves her hands and water appears from the ground blocking the blue blast of fire. So that's it! She's a water bender! But that doesn't explain- wait water benders during the full moon have their bending enhanced. Then that must mean she could bend the very water in the human body. That's the only explanation as every incident has happened on a full moon. That would also explain where she just got the water. She's using the plants and trees that hold water in them! Thinks Kuzan before unleashing a barrage of fire blast from his fists. The woman uses the water in the trees and plants to block but Kuzan doesn't let up. Kuzan then spins and releases a huge wave of fire that engulfs the surrounding area. The woman loses her water supply and Kuzan attacks. But before he can he is frozen while the woman laughs.

"Not bad but not good enough." Says the woman as Kuzan is slammed into the ground. Kuzan looks up as the woman laughs and makes out white hair. Kuzan then stares at the fire behind her and concentrates. The flames flicker before lashing out at the woman who is hit from behind and howls in pain. Kuzan gets up and using both hands releases a stream of blue fire that engulfs the area and causes and explosion. Surrounding the fire in the forest are fire benders who halt the fire. Kuzan narrows his eyes when he hears panting and draws his sword before throwing it. He hears the woman yell in pain before using the surrounding fire and gathers it in front of him before condensing it. The fire becomes a ball that turns blue when Kuzan adds his own fire. Kuzan roars and the Fire Comet is released at the woman. Kuzan shields his eyes from the explosion as the ground is uprooted. As the explosion subsides Kuzan walks forward with caution. The surrounding fire glows blue at his presence before making way for him. Iroh and several soldiers arrive while Kuzan kneels down and retrieves his sword. His sword is stuck into a severed leg making Kuzan narrow his eyes. He flicks the blood of his sword and sheathes it before turning to a soldier.

"I want a sweep of the area and anyone missing a leg is to be detained." Orders Kuzan with a glare making the man nod. Iroh walks forward and looks at his nephew.

"It was a water bender who was taking the villagers," says Kuzan making Iroh widen his eye. The water benders and fire benders have had escalating series of violence. Raids have happened on both sides. Water benders have raided fire nation ships in the south. Some of these ships are filled with colonist who were traveling to the home land or vice versa. The fire nation has raided the southern villages and soon the two parties have hatred for each other, "what's more this one was powerful enough to bend the blood in my body."

After searching the area they could find no signs of the wounded woman. They did find the missing villagers and returned them to their homes. Kuzan had ordered for men to be stationed in the village and should there be any more missing persons on the full moon, they are to engage the woman with deadly force. If they need to they are authorized to burn the forest and were given tactics to use. Kuzan has been in his room drawing the motions he saw the woman use. He uses the most expensive ink and paper with gold trims before he copies the information onto a fire nation scroll. One scroll will be added to the archives in the Fire Nation while the other more elaborate scroll will be added to Wan Shi Tong's library.

As he stands on the long platform of his giant boat he had made he is broken from his thoughts when a bird the size of a Bald eagle lands on his shoulder.

"Hey there were did you come from?" Asks Kuzan with a giggle as the bird nuzzles him. The bird looks to be a cross between a messenger hawk and an iguana. On its back is a message with the royal seal.

My son, I have sent this bird to inform you of your new mission.

It seems you are needed in the south.

The raids of the Southern Water Tribes need to be stopped.

They have halted the supply lines on an island.

Free the supply line and take them prisoner if you can safely.

The bird is a gift from your mother.

Know that we all miss you here

Love, Your Father

Zach reads the letter before smiling and petting the bird. Sabor lands in front of him and nuzzles his arm making Zach smile.

"We're going to need a name for her aren't we?" Asks Kuzan to Sabor who grunts. Zach laughs at the dragon before looking to the iguana hawk.

"I like it, Tula it is." Says Kuzan as the hawk looks to him and nuzzles it head in the face of Kuzan who smiles.

"Well I think she likes it." Laughs Kuzan.

Ok guys this is my first Avatar the Last Airbender fanfic. So here is the run down the war is still on but the fighting is not just a single enemy. All the nations are fighting. Now the fire nation started it with Sozin killing the air benders but under Azulan they tried to stop the war to no success. Keep in mind some air benders still exist and live together with fire benders in the Southern Air temple. Ozai will not be evil but he will want to end the war when he can. Also he never banished Ursa and loves her. Azula will still be a little dark but she loves her brother.

Kuzan will seek to end the war like his father. Now when I say end the war to Kuzan and Ozai that means if they can't convince the nations they will just win the war and force a peace. This of course will put him at odds with Team Avatar who want to end the war peacefully.

This makes Aang's job more difficult because he has to talk to all the earth kings and even water tribe leaders. He must also convince the Fire Lord to have another peace talk after the years of war. He will need to master all elements in case they attack him and well that's what avatar's do. Basically there is not a single enemy that he has to face. He needs to convince the nations to talk and find peace. Now I'll shut up before I give away spoilers.

As you might be asking, where is Zuko? Well he's not here. It's all Prince Kuzan and I know "Kuzan really" Well I needed a name and that was what I picked. The journey will be mostly the same for Aang but the story will mostly focus on Kuzan and his meetings with the avatar.

So… that's about it, until I post this and forget to say something ;)