a/n: Just a beforehand note; I changed Kanari's age in the last chapter to fit the story better. Just so there isn't any future confusion. Hope you enjoy~


Fire Nation-Chamber of the Fire Lord

One Year Later

"I'm going to see Father. I'm going to see Father." Prince Zuko chanted quietly as he paced outside a heavy metal door, tension and anxiousness gripping his stomach in an iron fist. Iroh leaned against the bricked wall, completely at ease as he hummed a soft tune. Ryhant struggled against his bindings, his mouth gagged with a filthy rag. Ryhant closed his eyes, his sister's face in his mind. Over the year that it had taken to get back to the Fire Nation, Haynia's face had become blurred, her voice uncertain. Why was he here? Why did Zuko need him so badly?

Ryhant remembered his father, his mother, his sisters Haynia, and Kanari. She would be a year older now-they all would. He had celebrated all their birthdays in bitter silence on the ride to the Fire Nation. Prince Zuko had visited Ryhant's chamber often, taunting him softly. That was in the beginning. Although Ryhant's hate radiated from every pore of his body, the Prince still visited, telling him stories of his abusive father, and how he got his scar. The only one Ryhant didn't hate was Zuko's uncle, Iroh. Iroh told him stories of his tribe, and the other tribes and how he was supposed to save them all. The old man told him of how he was terribly sorry that Ryhant had ended up with the fate he did, which excessively continued to befuddle the teen. What was so special about him? He was just a Waterbender, wasn't he?

"You're the Avatar, Ryhant." Iroh sighed. "The weight on your shoulders is such that even a grown man shouldn't be able to handle."

"Move it, Avatar." Zuko said gruffly, pushing Ryhant forward. The Waterbender surged forward, his eyes snapping open into a glare. The guards only flanked the teen, Zuko taking the lead and Iroh trailing after him.

"Father."

Fire Lord Ozai stood in the center of the room, a smug smile toying with his lips. Ryhant let his eyes wander back down to the floor, willing himself not to look up again. There was a dull thump as the prince fell to his knees at his father's feet.

"Father," Zuko repeated, "I have brought you the Avatar."

"Rise, Zuko," the Fire Lord sounded pleased, but an indistinct chill remained in his voice.

Ryhant listened to the Prince's uneven breath and could feel Zuko's hands get clammy.

"Seems as if the idiot has proven his worth," a poisonous, manipulative voice growled.

"Quiet, Azula!" Ozai snapped menacingly. Ryhant could barley pick up the soft pop of a locking jaw.

"Yes Father," Azula grumbled. Quieter, she then muttered, "Mr. Golden boy..."

"Is this him?" A new speaker questioned, most likely the voice of a nearby guard.

"Of course." Zuko sounded sure and confident. The Waterbender could tell that the Prince's chin was in the air just from his tone.

"I'll be the judge of that," Ozai hissed. "Bring him forward!"

Ryhant felt strong grip tighten on his shoulders, shoving him forward. The Bender stumbled, catching himself just in time. The rag in his mouth was removed on the Fire Lord's command.

"Look at me," Ozai ordered. But Ryhant did not obey.

"Look at me," the Firebender's voice was a dangerous whisper. This time, Ryhant's eyes flickered up to glare at the Fire Lord's.

"You are a Waterbender, yes?" Ryhant refused to respond. Ozai merely shook his head. "Untie him. Now."

Ryhant waited, his eyes boring into Ozai's as his bindings we cut. Ryhant shook of the ropes, examining his beat red wrists, hoping the raw skin wouldn't start bleeding.

"Listen to me now, boy," the Fire Lord expounded. "It's useless trying to run, unless you want your execution to only come sooner. You will do as I say, or we will wait until you do as I say. The longer we wait, the more impatient I get. And you do not want to put me into that state of mind, you hear me?"

Ryhant only pursed his lips and continued with his glare.

"Water!" The Prince barked. The left side of Ryhant's fingertips tingled as he pivoted in that direction, flicking his wrists. The water from a guard's cup that had been rushing towards the Waterbender was now suspended in midair.

"Good, good," Ozai sighed. "Iroh, please test to make sure he is the Avatar."

"Father, I have already proven that. Back in his village, each element tested correctly in his presence." Prince Zuko explained.

"I just want to make sure, my son. You have served me well." Ozai gave his son a slight nod. "Iroh?"

Ryhant watched as Iroh dragged over a table, and begun digging in his pockets. He pulled out the small chimes, the cup, the rock, and the candle. The graying man lit the candle by pulling fire from on of the torches that hung on the wall.

"If you may," Iroh gestured to the water Ryhant was currently bending. The teen let the water fall into the cup.

"Stand by the table," Zuko ordered. Ryhant locked his jaw, refusing to budge. Zuko took another step toward the teen. "I said stand by the table."

Yet, when Ryhant refused, Zuko raised his arm and prepared to hit the Waterbender. As soon as Ryhant had flicked his wrist and twisted his foot, five guards were grabbing him at once. Ryhant fell limp, and just when the grip on his arms slackened, he slipped out of the guard's reach, and was rushing towards the door.

"Stop," the Prince was suddenly in front of the teen, blocking his exit. Ryhant came to a halt, gritting his teeth at his failed escape.

"Excellent job, Zuko," the Fire Lord praised.

"Ryhant?" Iroh muttered. "Please come over here before you are hurt."

The Waterbender sighed, his eyes narrowed as he scowled at Zuko before turning and walking back towards the Prince's uncle.

"I just need you to look at each object for me, okay? You'll be fine if you just do this test one last time for us."

Ryhant slowly nodded, glancing down at the chimes. His stomach churned uneasily when they didn't move.

"Now at the water?"

The water had the same effect as last time when Iroh dumped in out on the table; a perfect circle was formed.

"At the rock, and then the candle, if you would please?"

The Waterbender's eyes flickered over to examine the small rock and then the flames. He stopped breathing when they didn't have the same effect as last time.

"Zuko..." a poisonous voice growled.

"No! Something has happened, Father. I beg of you, they moved when he was in his village!"

"This is obviously not the Avatar. You have failed me again." The Fire Lord bit his lip, his eyes blazing with hatred.

"Idiot! You foolish git!" Azula cackled. This time her father did not silence her.

"Please! Please, Father! Something is wrong! This is the Avatar!" Zuko screeched as the guards advanced towards him.

"He speaks the truth, Ozai!" Iroh's quiet voice somehow could be heard through the ruckus. "I believe that we were in the presence of the Avatar back in the village."

"Possibly. But what does it matter, Iroh? Zuko has failed me again." Ozai snarled, his voice coated in a layer of venom. "He is no son of mine until he is deemed worthy!"

"Father! Father! Please, I beg you!" The guards were taking Zuko away kicking and screaming.

" here and finish our guest."

Azula's lip slightly curled at having to do her father's dirty work, but nevertheless, the thought of battle lit up her sour attitude. Azula made a circling motion with her hand and from one of the near by torches, a ring of fire swirled around the Princess's hand.

"Iroh?" Ryhant asked, his stomach clenching. "You said-"

"I'm sorry." The old man's eyes drooped. "It is out of my control."

"You promised," Ryhant's voice was bleak as the Princess advanced towards him.

"I cannot tell you how sorry I am, Ryhant. That this had to happen. Your family would be very proud of you."

"Iroh." the Waterbender whispered as Azula stopped, and began to drag more fire from the torches. The only light in the room now was the light from the flames in her hands.

"Iroh..."

"It's okay, Ryhant. I'm here with you. Follow me." A strange, echoing voice whispered in the teen's ears. The boy's voice sounded younger than him.

"Iroh-!"

The flames were rushing towards him as Ryhant's last breath whooshed out of him.

"Follow me, Ryhant. Follow me..."

But it was not the name of the graying man Ryhant managed to gasp, but his sister's.

"Haynia. Forgive me."

There was a sudden intense burning that caused the teen to scream in pain as a bright light flashed before his eyes. The silhouette of a boy stood there waiting.

"Follow me...follow me...this way, Ryhant...this way..."

And as Ryhant's body fell to the ground, flamed encasing his body, the Waterbender was already gone. Silence fell across the room and in the dim light, a single tear fell down Iroh's cheek.

"May the spirits be with you."


a/n: Remember-we're just getting started. The chapter should start getting longer soon. Remember to review :D

~ Confetti Storm