Author's Note: Thank you for taking the time to read this. I know the prologue is short, and they often are, but I promise there will be more to read as the story progresses. The story may be a little confusing at first, but things will clear up as it progresses, a lot like in the show.
The golden firebender will lead to the demise of the nation of fire.
It was a year after Prince Ozai's son had been born when a general in the Fire Navy had his own child. Much to his horror, he baby girl was born with strange golden hair and eyes as azure as the oceans surrounding the volcanic islands, uncharacteristic of the Fire Nation. The baby looked nothing like he or his wife and they thought their child was cursed by Agni herself. In an attempt to protect their honor, the general kept the child secret for as long as he could. After two years, the secret was finally discovered and word got out of a golden-haired child. The gossip reached ears the general and his wife would never have expected.
A messenger from Fire Lord Azulon fetched the family and a meeting had been scheduled for the next day. The general and his wife traveled to the Capital City, wary of what awaited them in the Fire Lord's chambers.
"General Wei, I expect you brought the child as requested?" came the cold voice of the Fire Lord.
"Yes, my lord."
"Good. Prince Iroh and Prince Ozai, you will want to pay very close attention to this meeting as the future of the Fire Nation rests in our hands."
The princes, both in their early thirties, dipped their heads and watched their father intently.
"I was told many years ago by a sage a prophecy that I am determined to change. 'The golden firebender will lead to the demise of the nation of fire.' And here we have the father of the golden firebender," he said, narrowing his eyes at General Wei as a sly smile slid onto his thin lips.
Being the trained soldier he was, the general didn't flinch under the scrutinizing look. Instead, he simply voiced his thoughts. "Are you proposing I kill the child?" he asked, not claiming her as his daughter. He feared the toddler, unsure the past two years of what her existence meant but fearful of whether to dispose of her or not. He didn't want to anger the Spirits anymore if the child truly was cursed. With the revelation of the prophecy, he was now certain that his child was a monster and the Fire Lord would want immediate disposal of her.
"No, no. I have a much better plan," Azulon said in a silky voice that whispered through the air with an undertone of cunning. "If the child-what's her name?"
"Kai, sir."
"Ah, Kai. If she is powerful enough to be the demise of our nation, then surely she has enough power to help us spread to the very edges of the map, correct?"
Everyone in the chamber nodded, unable to disagree with the powerful man for fear of their life.
"Her loyalty could only make us more powerful," he continued.
"Father, how are we going to do that? We can't lock a child away and brainwash her," Iroh cut in, getting to his feet.
Azulon's jaw muscles jumped at the interruption and the chamber fell deadly silent as he contemplated on whether to address the disrespect or let it pass. After an uncomfortable stretch of silence, he waved his hand, as if merely swishing the thought away. There was a collective exhale of relief and he spoke again.
"I was getting to that. Now, how old is your son, Prince Iroh? Twelve, correct? That is close enough. Lu Ten and Kai will be betrothed once she comes of age. Until then, she will be kept at the palace and raised by my family. That way, we will ensure her loyalty to our nation and our worries will be put to rest. General Wei, to compensate for the loss of your daughter, you will be rewarded with early retirement. Your sacrifice for our nation has been great and we will provide you a large fund so you may live the rest of your years in luxury."
He glanced at his son, as if daring him to defy his orders. Iroh held his tongue and he fought to mask his sorrow for his son. This was his punishment for speaking out. His son would be forced into an arranged marriage. Lu Ten would most likely be resentful toward this, especially when his bride would be so much younger than him, but there was nothing Iroh could do now. Fire Lord Azulon's word was law, and his expectations were not to be let down. He looked to the general and anger welled inside of him. How could he look so composed when his child was being taken away from him? Iroh would have fought to keep his son, anything but to lose him when he would be used as a weapon. He clenched his jaw, resenting the man and resenting his father for ruining his child's future.
"You may leave now," the Fire Lord said in a dismissive tone. "General Wei, Prince Iroh will take your daughter. I assure you, she will be given the best life possible here."
The general bowed respectfully and left the Fire Lord's chambers to reach his wife. He looked down at the small girl beside her, feeling nothing for the loss of his cursed child as he explained what was happening to his wife. Iroh reached them and they bowed respectfully.
"She is rather quiet for a child and I don't believe she will cause you too much trouble, your grace," General Wei said to the prince. Iroh hid his resentment of the couple as he looked down at the toddler clinging to her mother's leg. His heart softened at the sight of her angelic face and he was glad he was helping her escape such wretched people. He crouched to the ground beside her and held out his hand, putting a friendly smile on.
"Come here, Kai. I'm sure you're tired and hungry after your long journey. I have warm food and a soft bed waiting for you," he coaxed.
The little girl looked up at her mother for instruction, but the woman looked away, trying to hide her disgust for the child. With a few unsteady steps, Kai reached Iroh's outstretched hand, following him away from her former life. He led her down a few hallways and opened a door to a lavish suite.
"Lu Ten, I have brought news from the meeting!" he called.
A younger and a lot skinnier version of Iroh came rushing into the room, excitement visible on his young face. "You're allowed to-who's this?" he asked, noticing the strange looking toddler for the first time. "And why does she look funny?"
Iroh hesitated, wanting to tell his son the truth, but also wanting to protect him from the immense responsibility he would have in the future. He smiled fondly at his son and ruffled his hair.
"Don't be so blunt. This is Kai. She's going to be staying with us from now on," he explained, choosing to wait until Lu Ten was older before revealing the whole truth to the young boy.
A/N: Thank you for reading! I love reviews and criticism is welcome. Updates will occur hopefully on a regular basis, but it might turn into a weekly thing when school gets back in.