Welcome to my A:TLA fan fiction! I'm very excited to get this show on the road. A few tidbits about this story first:
1) This story is going to cover the TV series AND the comics.
2) Ideas and suggestions are warmly welcomed. If your idea is used, I will credit you in a 'special thanks' at the end of the story.
Happy reading!
Zuko rubbed his hands together and tucked them under his armpits. The skies hid behind a thick layer of gray clouds, and a light shower of snow fell. He breathed deeply, and a puff of visible air escaped his mouth. A chilly breeze bit his nose and cheeks, and the nine-year-old shivered.
"C-C-Can we go home now?" Zuko said.
A slender hand patted the top of his head, and he looked up at his mother, Ursa. She offered that gloved hand to him, and he gripped it tightly. Their shoes crunched against the snow.
"We're almost done. It hardly ever shows any signs of cold here, let alone snow. I want to enjoy this a little longer," Ursa said. She raised her other hand and pointed a finger. "Look."
Zuko followed her finger to a group of children building snowmen. A snowball flew and nailed one of the children in the side of the head. They whipped in the direction of the giggling friend who threw it. With a mischievous grin, they scooped up a large handful of snow, shaped it into a snowball, and chucked it, covering the friend's face with snow.
"They look like they're having fun," Zuko said. He looked up at his mother with a smile. "Can I join them?"
"Let's go over and ask," Ursa said.
They approached the frolicking children. As they drew closer, one child called from the entrance to an alleyway, waving his arms frantically for attention. His friends gathered around them. Whispers arose. Zuko and Ursa glanced at each other and joined the group. When the children saw the two, quiet gasps rippled. They separated, creating a path for them to walk up to the front and see what was going on.
A young girl lay in the snow. Her skin was blue from the frigid cold. A thin layer of snow had begun to cover her body.
"What's she doing here?" Zuko said, looking to his mother for answers.
Ursa scooped the child into her arms and brushed the snow from her face. She pressed two fingers against the child's throat, feeling her slow, weak pulse. She lowered an ear against the girl's mouth. A shallow breath tickled her ear.
"I don't know, but she's been here for a while. She's freezing." Ursa ran a hand over her dark brown hair. "We must head back to the Palace, and quickly. We've got to get her out of the cold."
Zuko nodded. The children watched from their snowball field as the two members of the Royal Family emerged from the alleyway, the unconscious girl hanging heavily in Ursa's arms.
The guards opened the main palace doors and bowed to Ursa and Zuko as they passed, murmuring to each other about the child.
"Where are you taking her?" Zuko said.
"I was thinking about putting her in your room," Ursa said.
"My room?! Why not Azula's?!"
Ursa smiled. "Because you're the most forgiving. It won't be for long."
Zuko sighed submissively. "Is she going to be okay?"
"I believe so. We found her just in time. For now, we need to make sure she warms back up. Until then, she'll sleep. It might be a while before she wakes." They stopped at the doors to Zuko's room. "Go and fetch a bucket of warm water and some warm towels. I'll change her out of these wet clothes."
Zuko nodded and jogged down the hallway. When he turned the corner, a face appeared.
"What's going on?" Azula said, her arms crossed.
"Nothing. We found someone while we were out, and we're taking care of her," Zuko said.
Azula's nose wrinkled. "Why?"
"Why? What do you mean why? Why wouldn't you help someone who needed you?"
"That depends on what I get in return."
Zuko scoffed and jogged past her. "Whatever."
He entered the kitchen, where a cook greeted him. He scurried out, carefully dangling the bucket in one hand while balancing a stack of warm, folded towels in the other. The water sloshed against the sides of the bucket, spilling drops onto the floor. He pushed the door to his room open with his foot.
Ursa lay the girl back on the bed. She was dressed in red and gold pajamas. Ursa brushed her short, dark brown hair out of her face and reached a hand to Zuko. Zuko hurried over and handed the stack of towels to his mother. Ursa smiled gratefully and accepted them. She unfolded one and laid it over the girl's neck.
"How long do you think it'll be until she wakes?" Zuko said.
"I'm not sure. It might be tomorrow or it might be a few weeks from now. No one can say," Ursa said.
"Unless, of course, she doesn't wake up," Azula said as she leaned against one of the bed posts with folded arms, observing the girl with half-closed eyes. Zuko scowled.
"There's no need for that kind of thinking. We'll do the best we can and hope it's good enough."
~ONE WEEK LATER~
"Your Majesty!" A servant burst through the bushes and hurried to Ursa and Zuko, leaping over a patch of flowers to reach them.
"Yes?" Ursa said as she and her son stood from the bench they sat on.
"The girl. She's awake!"
Zuko and Ursa looked at each other with wide eyes. Zuko gripped his mother's hand as they hurried back into the palace, down the hallway, and to his room. They cracked the door open and peeked inside.
The sliver of light fell on the bed. The blankets shifted. A shadow slowly sat up, only to fall back on the pillow with a wince. Ursa hurried to the bed.
"Don't push yourself too hard. You must be exhausted," Ursa said.
The girl rubbed her eyes. "I don't feel tired."
Ursa slid her hand underneath the girl's head and helped her sit up.
"Are you hungry?" Ursa said. The girl nodded right as her stomach growled. Ursa looked to Zuko, and he nodded and hurried out of the room. "What's your name, dear?"
"Uh..." The girl's light blue eyes wandered around the room. "I don't know."
"You can't remember?"
"I don't think I have one."
"How strange. We'll have to change that. Would you like me to think of something for you?" The girl nodded.
Zuko returned with a bowl of stew and a roll of bread. The girl snatched the roll from his hand and devoured it. She reached hungrily for the stew, a pile of crumbs in her lap. Zuko handed the stew to her.
"She looks like Water Tribe. Why not give her a name according to that?" Azula said.
"I'd rather name her something that suits her," Ursa said. She tapped a finger to her chin as she watched the girl gobble up her stew. "I'm thinking... Ashe. Do you like that name?"
Ashe lifted her head and opened her mouth, but a burp escaped instead of words. She covered her mouth and blushed.
"Excuse me," she said. Zuko snickered while Azula scoffed and rolled her eyes. "I like it."
Ursa smiled. "Then your name will be Ashe. It's nice to meet you. You're inside the Fire Lord's Palace. My name is Ursa."
"I'm Zuko," Zuko said with a wave. Ashe smiled and waved back. She looked at Azula, who rolled her eyes again.
"Whatever." Azula stepped out of the room.
"That's Azula. She doesn't like anyone."
Ashe wiped a hand over her mouth and held up her empty bowl. "May I have some more?"
"Of course," Ursa said.
"Ashe," Ursa approached the young girl, "I have something I need to discuss with you."
"Okay," Ashe said. She and Ursa entered the guest room, where she was staying.
"Have you noticed something... different between you and I?"
"What do you mean?"
"When we first met, it was mentioned that you aren't originally from this place, the Fire Nation. You have the characteristics of someone from a Water Tribe, which explains why we look different from each other."
"Yeah, I noticed that."
"Well... I say this with a heavy heart, but these days are very different compared to long ago. I'm worried that people will not take this well, and they may try to put you in danger."
Ursa lifted her hands, which held a small container of foundation and a pair of colored contacts.
"I thought that maybe these would help you to blend in with the people." Ursa knit her eyebrows. "Is this all right? You don't have to do this if you don't want to."
"If it will help you not worry anymore, and if it'll keep me safe like you believe, then it's okay," Ashe said with a smile. Ursa smiled back. "Can you help me put it on?"
Ursa nodded. Ashe hurried to the vanity chair and sat down. Ursa opened the foundation container and used a tiny cloth to apply it to Ashe's face, instantly making it a shade lighter. She opened the lens case. She paused a moment to look at Ashe, cupping a hand over her cheek.
"You have lovely eyes," she said. Ashe smiled. Ursa carefully picked up a lens. "Open your eyes wide and look up."
Ashe obeyed, and Ursa applied the contact.
"Blink slowly."
Ashe closed her eyes and slowly opened them. They repeated the process for the other eye. Ashe twisted in her seat to look in the mirror. She stared at her reflection. The contacts made her eyes amber instead of blue, and her skin was slightly lighter, magically transforming her into someone from the Fire Nation. Ursa scooped Ashe's hair into her hands; Ashe squirmed from Ursa's nails lightly scratching the back of her neck. Gathering the hair on top of Ashe's head, Ursa used a red hairband to tie it into a topknot. She left some hair out, and it framed Ashe's face. Finally, she picked up a small, three-pronged, golden headpiece shaped like a flame and inserted it in the front of her hair.
"Wow," Ashe leaned closer to the mirror, "I look different."
Ursa nodded. "To everyone else, you'll look like this in their eyes."
The door opened, and Zuko stepped inside. He raised an eyebrow when he saw Ashe.
"Is that you, Ashe?" Zuko said. Ashe nodded. He leaned closer to study her. "You look different."
Ursa chuckled and placed a hand on Zuko's shoulder, gently pulling him away. Ashe turned back to the mirror.
~TWO YEARS LATER~
The door to Ashe's room opened, and Ursa stepped inside. Ashe was fast asleep. The outside was pitch black, and nothing from the gardens could be seen. Ursa sat on the bed and placed a hand on Ashe's shoulder. Ashe's eyes cracked open.
"Ashe," Ursa whispered as she pulled Ashe up to a sitting position, "please listen to me. I'm glad that I had you in my life. You were like a daughter to me. "
"...What?" Ashe mumbled, rubbing her eyes. Ursa hugged Ashe against her chest.
"I love you, Ashe. Please, make sure you and Zuko take care of each other. Make sure you always stay close and watch over each other." Ursa pulled away and gripped Ashe's shoulders. "I'm sorry for all that I've put you through. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you truly are."
Ashe's eyes drooped, and she lazily nodded. When she forced her eyes to open again, she watched Ursa step out and close the doors behind her. Thinking nothing of it in the moment, she flopped back on her bed and closed her eyes.
A few hours later, when morning came, a pair of hands grabbed Ashe's shoulders and harshly shook her awake.
"Wake up, Ashe!" Zuko whispered. Ashe groaned and sat up.
"What is it now?" she said with a yawn.
"Mom's gone. I've looked everywhere for her, but I can't find her!"
Ashe's eyes opened wide. "What?"
While Zuko continued to sputter out nonsense, terror gripped Ashe. She looked across the room at the vanity, where she could see her reflection: her darker shaded skin and light blue eyes.
"...I asked my dad where she could be, but he wouldn't answer me..." Ashe picked up from Zuko's endless sentences.
A thought zipped across her mind- it appeared quick and painless, but it stuck there like glue.
What if I'm next?
~TWO MORE YEARS LATER~
~ASHE~
Between the splinters wedges in my knuckles and fingers, tiny drops of blood squeezed their way out to the surface. My steps were muffled against the rich, red, narrow strip of rug that covered the middle of the marble hallway.
Two pairs of footsteps were headed in my direction. I leaped behind one of the thick pillars lining the edges of the carpet.
"Where do you think she went?" one guard said.
"Don't know, but she couldn't have gotten far," the other guard said. "Let's search that way."
The footsteps faded down the hallway. I struggled to breathe deeply; the weight bearing down on my chest made it nearly impossible. I peeked down the hallway to check if anyone was around. I turned to the window, which displayed a glimpse of the gardens. I crept over and played with the lock until it clicked open. I carefully crawled through the window, closing it behind me. I hopped into the bushes below, right as a guard strolled by. The spear in his hand sent chills up my spine. When he passed, I slowly crawled through the bushes lining the palace, looping around to the front entrance. I peeked my head out and observed my surroundings. I could see the exit from here, as well as the multiple guards standing watch. Panic rose in my throat- how am I going to get out of here?
"Are you looking for something?" a voice said behind me. My muscles trembled as I turned around, lifting my shaking eyes at a stout, elderly man. His gray hair connected with his beard, a topknot resting on his head. He held his hands together, but because of his long sleeves, I couldn't see them.
I opened my mouth, but all that came out was a shrill squeak. I forced more air out.
"Are... you... going to tell on me... Iroh?" I whispered.
Iroh looked up at the guards in the near distance before setting his soft, amber eyes back on me. He reached a hand to me. Hesitantly, I accepted it, and Iroh pulled me out from the bush.
"I'm going to do something, but first, I need you to close your eyes and trust me," Iroh said.
My eyes widened and I gulped. Nevertheless, I obeyed. I heard Iroh shift, and a soft fabric wrapped around my head. I flinched when it first touched my skin. Iroh rested a hand on my shoulder to assure me, and I relaxed. He securely wrapped the fabric around my head, leaving my nose and mouth alone to help me breathe.
"I'm going to carry you, now. Please do not make any sounds."
I nodded. Iroh slowly and carefully scooped me into his arms, and we began to take steady steps in a direction, which I assumed was toward the exit. I heard the soft chings of guard armor from movement as we got closer.
"Good evening, gentlemen," Iroh said. He stopped his stride.
"Is that...?" one guard said.
"Yes. I am taking him away to be treated." My heart throbbed.
"Very well. You may pass."
"Thank you."
Iroh's stride continued, and he carried me away from the Palace. Through the fabric over my ears, I heard the muffled excitement of the town. That, too, faded. Minutes passed as we walked. Iroh's heavy breath rustled the stray hairs around my face as the slope steepened. The path curved downhill, and Iroh's pace quickened.
"I'm setting you down," Iroh finally said. I nodded and held on to his robe as he planted me back on my feet. He reached up and removed the layers of fabric from my head. We were near the docks of a port. A large ship was anchored at one of them, filled with many people. I bowed my head as I tried to hide my blotched cheeks. Iroh knelt and rested his hands on my shoulders. "I must return to the Palace. I don't want to cause suspicion."
I ran a hand under my running nostrils. "What's going to happen to me?"
"Listen to me very carefully, Ashe. You must leave- not just the city, but this Nation. Fire Lord Ozai no doubt will search for you. The sooner you leave these borders, the sooner you'll be safe."
Tears streamed down my cheeks. "Where will I go?"
Iroh reached into his pocket and placed two small sacks in my hands. I opened it and peeked inside- one bag was filled with blue coins while the other had copper, silver, and a few gold coins. He pointed to the large ship. "That ship is heading to the Earth Kingdom. One copper piece should pay for the trip. If you are careful, this money will carry you for a while. Find some new clothes, and make sure you keep your belly full. Unfortunately, I won't be able to help you as much as we'd both like."
I nodded and clutched the bags of money. I threw my arms around Iroh's neck.
"Will I ever see you again?" I wept into his beard.
"Only time will tell. And when that day comes, I hope to hear the tales you have." Iroh pulled away. "You must go. Ozai must have noticed your disappearance by now."
I nodded and scurried down the wooden dock. A man greeted me with a smile. I reached into one of my money sacks and placed a copper coin in the man's hand. He bowed to me and gestured for me to climb aboard. The blast of the ship's horn nearly startled me out of my skin. I raced up the slope and onto the ship. I walked to the edge. Iroh waved to me. The anchor lifted, and the ship began to set sail.
I reached up and wiped my cheeks. When I pulled away, I looked down at my hand. The back of it was covered with makeup, lighter than my skin tone. I waved even when my arm was tired. When Iroh and the docks were no longer visible, I walked with my head bowed to the washing room. A smooth slab of glass hung against the wall, allowing me a look at myself. The left side of my face was light and fair, save the trail of tears that had washed away the makeup. My right cheek's makeup was now on the back of my hand. I leaned closer to the glass at my amber eyes, which were dry despite the pool of tears.
I plunged my hands into the warm bucket of water in front of me and splashed it on my face. As I scrubbed, the makeup melted off my hands and face and into the water. I looked up at my dripping, clean face. The light mask was gone, revealing the darker tone to my skin. I patted my face with a cloth. I reached up and removed the colored contacts. The amber quickly changed to light blue. I tossed the contacts to the floor. I yanked the band that kept a top knot securely on the top of my head. My dark brown hair fell, barely skimming my shoulders in waves. The golden flame headpiece fell out and clattered to the floor. I bent down, picked it up, and placed it in my pocket.
I stared at my reflection for a long while: my bloodshot eyes, my red cheeks, as well as the now beige-colored water in front of me.
For the first time in years, I could see what was behind the mask.
The fresh memory ripped through my skull- an ear-piercing shriek. I clenched my fists and shook my head to try and block out the noise. As I did, I heard crackling. I looked down and gasped at the now frozen water sitting in the bucket.
Did I... do that? I stepped back and looked at my hands. The remnants of water on my fingers hardened to ice. I clapped my hands to dust them off. However, when my hands came together, the ice in the bucket shot up and stabbed the wood ceiling. I jumped against the wall as splinters of wood fell at my feet. I stared at the ice.
Does this mean I'm a...?
I slipped out of the bathroom. I passed by a bowl of punch. I glanced around to make sure no one was watching before I raised my hand towards it. The punch crackled as it froze instantly. I tapped a finger against it, but it remained frozen. I stepped away and walked over to the railing. I gripped the cold metal. The night air stung my tear-stained cheeks. I looked behind me and watched the Fire Nation Capital get smaller and smaller as this ship carried me further and further away.
A fresh tear streamed down my cheek. I reached into my pocket and clutched the golden flame headpiece.
"I'm sorry..." I whispered. "I broke our promise."
~A FEW MONTHS LATER~
My thick boots crunched against the heavy layers of snow, the topmost layer fresh from the new blanket that finished falling an hour ago. I rubbed my gloved hands together to warm them up; it must be many degrees below zero in this part of the world. A sudden wind stung my face, and I tugged the hood of my heavy overcoat to cover my freezing ears. The soft chiming of coins rumbling in my pocket kept the silence from coming. Thankfully, the money Iroh gave me was enough to buy new clothes and a ferry trip to this artic land. Too bad they dropped me off and I had to walk to my destination.
I heard children's laughter somewhere nearby. I stopped and strained to listen. Either the cold was seeping into my head and causing me to hallucinate, or there really were children playing out in this freezing weather. The laughter picked up again, and my eyes trailed up a steep hill. Two creatures slid down the hill at quick speeds, and when I squinted my eyes, I could see people sitting on their backs. The bottom of the hill was nearby, and I broke into a run.
Two children, a boy and a girl, as well as a grown man watching over them, turned at the sound of my approaching footsteps. I stopped in front of them, panting quietly.
"Hello," the man said, surprise all over his face.
"Hello," I said. "Are you all from the Southern Water Tribe?"
"Yes... Who are you?"
"My name is A-" I stopped and took a deep breath. "My name is Ursa."
"Hi, Ursa! My name is Katara!" The little girl ran over to me with a big grin. The two hair loops framing her face billowed in the breeze. "This is my big brother, Sokka!"
"Hi!" Sokka said. Both children were younger than me, with Sokka closer to my age than Katara.
"My name is Hakoda, chief of the tribe we live in and the father of these kids. What's a young girl like you traveling around these icy tundras by yourself?" the man said.
"I traveled here from the Earth Kingdom. I'm looking for somewhere that I'll be safe," I said. "Do you by chance have any waterbenders in your tribe?"
Katara's eyes grew wide. She tugged on my sleeve and cupped a hand over my ear.
"Are you a waterbender?" she whispered secretively.
I stood up straight and thrust my hand forward. A wall of ice launched from the ground, stretching for many feet. Katara squealed.
"Wow!" she cried. "Look, Daddy, she's a waterbender like me!"
Hakoda patted Katara's head. "Katara here is the only waterbender in the Southern Water Tribe."
"The only one? Where are the others?" I said.
"The Fire Nation got rid of them," Sokka blurted.
"Hush, Sokka!" Hakoda said.
My eyes widened. "The Fire Nation?"
Hakoda sighed and looked at me with a smile. "We'll take you to our tribe. If it's protection you're looking for, whatever the reason may be, then you've come to the right place."
"Yeah! Our warriors are super strong. I'm gonna become one of them someday!" Sokka said, flexing his slim arms. Katara rolled her eyes.
I gave him a small smile. "I feel safe already."
"Let's get going, then," Hakoda said, resting a hand on my shoulder. I looked up at his warm smile. "Welcome to the Southern Water Tribe."
I nodded, expecting to be happy or relieved, but the hollow emptiness in my chest remained.