Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender in any shape or form.
Since the beginning of his lonesome journey, Zuko had plenty of time to reflect. His travels were quiet and the only company he had was the tired ostrich horse that had not eaten for as long as he had. With no one else besides him, Zuko couldn't help but reminisce the past.
When Zuko was five, he thought he had a happy family.
He remembers the time spent on Ember Island just the four of them. He remembers how he and Azula were close back then, they still argued like brothers and sisters but they would play together along the beach of the island and their parents would watch from aside.
Zuko wonders when Azula had changed—or was that truly her in the beginning? When did the playful glint in her eyes turn mischievous and destructive? Her mind was always calculating, plotting her every move and staying one step ahead of him. Is this what 'prodigies' like her can do while he struggled to gain his father's attention?
But Ozai had loved him too—Zuko was sure of it. His earliest memory was of his father's strong arms wrapped around his tiny form, saving the three year old boy from the harsh waves on Ember Island. His father had cared and he had only wanted to make him proud.
And his mother—she always loved him. He was spoiled by her love and attention; he loved the way Ursa doted on him and the jealous looks Azula would send him when she thinks he's not looking.
At that time, the five year old thought this was all right. He had a loving mother, a strong father, and a fun but annoying sister. The times spent on Ember Island were his fondest memories—where they were not royalties of the Fire Nation but a family.
When Ameya was five years old, she attempted to run away from home.
She did not grow up surrounded by love and care; Ameya grew up with two strangers who took on the duty to shelter her. She knew the older couple who looked nothing like her wasn't her parents. She was young but she was not stupid.
They told her to refer to them as 'sir' and 'madam' only and once she was old enough to enroll in school, they forbid it. But she was a curious child and often snuck into the lessons; whether it be peeking from the window or even sneaking into the room, Ameya found a way.
And when one day she asked them if they were her parents, they froze and demanded where she heard that from. They scolded the young girl and quickly ushered her to finish her errands to avoid more unnecessary questions.
Since then, Ameya knew they weren't her parents. She heard mothers were suppose to love and care for their children and fathers would be strong to protect and provide for them.
'Sir' only left the house to gamble and 'Madam' would only give her list of chores to do and at the end of the day, they provided her a small meal as payment and sent her off to her dainty room.
But the chores were strenuous to her small body and she was the only one to do it. The feed she carries to the pigs were heavy, the rag she uses to clean the house was filled with holes, the meals she had were leftovers from her caretaker's dinner.
And so Ameya ran.
But she did not get far. She only reached the stream of the river before she tripped over a rock, falling flat on her face in front of the water. Her tears mended with the river and her bare feet and hands were littered with cuts and bruises.
It's painful, she thought pitifully, why was I born?
She dragged her fallen body towards the river, putting her hands in the water for the cold water to cool the heat of her cuts and suddenly it glow bright blue.
At the age of five, Ameya discovered she could heal.
The split skin on her hands disappeared, leaving only the phantom pain of the fall and when she put her feet in the water, the water glow the same blue. She stared at her body in wonder and confusion, staring at her mended hands in shock and sat unmoving.
There were no other benders in her small village that was taken over by the Fire Nation. She was taught the Fire Nation was superior to everyone else and all the other elements that were not fire were enemies.
Ameya was young, but not stupid.
Fire cannot heal injuries and water had been her source of comfort. She cannot survive alone even if she left her old home but she also cannot allow her abilities to be discovered.
She knew Fire Nation soldiers would check their cottage every month—check up on her while speaking quietly to her caretakers and when the soldiers leave they would toss a small pouch to Sir and Madam.
If she wanted to run away one day, she must endure. Ameya must continue to endure and grow—stronger and faster, smarter and quicker than her caretakers.
But until then, she returned to the small cottage with wet clothes, listen quietly as they yelled at her reckless behavior and endured the next few days with no food.
When Zuko was nine years old, he was a carefree boy.
He did not have the glorious role of becoming the future Fire Lord. He studied under the royal tutors because he was Prince Ozai's son. He studied the blade because he wanted to be a proud soldier like the ones fighting the war for the success of the nation—similar to his uncle and cousin.
Zuko was carefree and naïve, ravishing the attention his mother gave him because she was the one he clings to. He ignored Azula's taunting tricks and fired back when he can because Ursa was always on his side and Azula always picked on him.
But father always preferred his sister over him and that was the only thing that marred his confidence.
He knew he was not as strong as Azula, knew his father was disappointed in his abilities to firebend. Ozai always took Azula's side and a rift within the family began to appear.
But Zuko persevered.
He believed if he studied hard enough, he will catch up. Dedication and hard work will pay off—that was what Ursa had said. So he clings onto her words and continued to train.
Their family may be distant back in the Royal Palace but the memories of their time on Ember Island are still vivid in his mind.
This was just a small bump in the road. He will be sure to make his father proud and acknowledge him. It was not like they were next in line for the Fire Lord throne—that was for Iroh and Lu Ten to succeed.
Young Zuko's main focus was to get stronger but that was whenever and however he pleases. No one can order the Royal Family to do anything besides them—he had all the freedom he wants.
When Ameya was nine years old, she successfully ran away from home.
She had studied her caretaker's habits since young and the Fire Nation soldiers that visited their homes became less frequent. She knew where their money was hidden and knew where she can run to so they do not catch up.
In the stillness of the night when her caretakers were asleep, Ameya snuck into their room to retrieve three golden coins and ran away into the woods.
She ran without looking back. That 'home' should have never been called a home to her. It did not hold the warmth the other children would describe theirs as neither did it house loving parents she were envious of.
All Ameya could do was run away, this was not where she's meant to be.
The first few months were torturous. She lived in constant fear at the sight of red armor and hid her small body away from everyone's gaze.
The coins she had stolen were already gone by the second week and no one would take a dirty orphan girl as a helper. She grew bitter at the world and decided to take matters in her own hands—if they won't accept her services then she will just take what she can.
But the young girl did not go without punishment.
The adults were stronger than her, faster than her. They saw her steal from them and chased her until her legs were sore and she collapses—but not before stuffing her face with the food she stole. And the rare times Ameya did manage to get away from the adults, other orphan children like her cornered her.
They were all different in age and size but they shared the same thing—the desire for food and the desire to live.
She endured the beatings and pain and learned from it. Life is not without lesson and she took each one to heart. For months she suffered this way of life, shielding her face away from the world. But when they leave her alone, the young bender comforts herself with water and heal the aching wounds.
But someone had seen her—someone with wise grey eyes saw her abilities and decided to take her in. An older man asked for her name in the dark alley and for a moment, she almost forgot it; no one had asked her name before. Her old caretakers never spoke her name and it was only once she heard the Fire Nation soldiers say it when they sneaked glances at her years ago.
"Ameya."
That was her name—she was certain of it.
The man stared her down, looking at her icy blue eyes in consideration and turned away. She startled when he spoke again, saying he will offer her food and shelter if she comes along and without a second thought, she ran after him.
That was her first meeting with Master Xiao. He taken her to a remote cottage by the edge of the village surrounded by lush vegetation. And older woman approached them at their return and Ameya thought she never saw someone so pretty in green and yellow like she had then.
He confirmed her decision to keep her bending a secret—the Fire Nation is ruthless to other benders and Ameya listened obediently. He promised to teach her ways to protect herself if it ever comes to it but there is no shame in running and hiding. He had seen her potential—her skills would just need refinement.
Lu Jie was disapproving.
A young girl should not be expected to handle the blade but Xiao insisted. Ameya was capable—she was unlike other street orphans. Lu Jie decided to take matters in her own hands, schooling the young girl of the world nation history, educating her of the current situation in the Earth Kingdom, teaching her the proper etiquette of a lady, and most of all—Lu Jie cared for her like a daughter.
Ameya wonders if this was what it was like to have a family.
Zuko was eleven when he reached a turning point in his life.
A letter had arrived at the Royal Palace; Prince Lu Ten was killed during the Siege of Ba Sing Se and General Iroh abandoned his duties. The news shocked the Royal Family and Zuko wished for his uncle's safe returns. The elder man had always been kind to him and had loved his son dearly. He wouldn't admit it but Zuko had been envious of that love—the love where his own father had not shown in years towards him.
But what occurred after Lu Ten's death and Iroh's disappearance shook the whole nation. Fire Lord Azulon had passed away during the night and Princess Ursa had been declared missing the next day.
Zuko could never forget the funeral held in honor for Fire Lord Azulon for it fell on the same day as the coronation of Fire Lord Ozai. He watched on the podium besides Azula, eyes wide at his sister's delighted face and felt a feeling of dread in his torn heart.
His mother was gone—the sole person he had been clinging to was gone. There was no one to stop Azula's taunts, no one to comfort him for his mistakes, no one to support him. He had taken Ursa's love for granted and the last memory he has of her was hazy and ambiguous.
The rift within the family deepened and Zuko was left feeling helpless.
With his father as Fire Lord, Zuko's lessons had doubled. It would not be for a long time until the crowned prince was to take over but he must prepare at a young age for the responsibilities. In a matter of one night, Zuko's life spiraled out of his control and he was the next in line for the throne.
Zuko could do nothing but endure.
Ameya was twelve when her nightmare came true.
Fire Nation soldiers ransacked the village and soon—her home. She saw the fire light up in the forest and felt the fear crawling in her heart at the sight of smoke overpowering the bright moon.
Lu Jie took her hand suddenly and ran. Ameya turned just to see Xiao take his prized katana off of display and he sent a smile her way—a small, sad smile and she felt the tears form in her eyes.
The past three years were the best years of her life.
They provided a home for her—they had cared for her. She excelled in Xiao's teaching and loved Lu Jie's doting. And yet—why was this happening to her now? She thought she could be happy here—she thought she could finally be free from the Fire Nation.
But fate is not kind to her—it never was.
Lu Jie stuffed her in a tree trunk; her olive colored eyes were glossy and distressing. Ameya reached out towards her but the older woman shushed her and smiled hopelessly.
"Go north."
Ameya could never forget that night.
That was the night she realized the severity of the world she lived in. The Fire Nation had taken her home and there was nothing she could do about it. Even with her learning—even with the two people who cared for her by her side, they cannot prevent her home and village from burning.
It was heartbreaking and infuriating, knowing that Ameya was just one girl against a whole nation.
So she gave up.
She followed Lu Jie's advice and headed north.
And a year later, when Ameya had began to realize her attachment to the Northern Water Tribe and the princess, she ran.
Zuko was thirteen when he was banished from the Fire Nation.
Just when he thought his was able to prove himself, he was thrown harshly away by his own father. His birthright, his nation, everything that he is was stripped from him. His only hope was to capture the Avatar and restore everything he had lost.
Zuko grew bitter and resentful.
He cursed the world and used all of his energy to look up clues of the Avatar's whereabouts. But his crew was incompetent and his uncle was less than helpful. Why did he even join in the first place? Iroh had no reason to follow him and yet he did so regardless.
It was humiliating and painful but it was something Zuko had to endure.
Everything lies in finding the Avatar. Zuko will present him to his father proudly and the Fire Lord would have no choice but to accept him back. His throne, his honor, his nation—they will all be waiting for him once he has the Avatar in his grasp.
It would be the only option to mend the gaping rift between Zuko and his father—and Zuko clung to it desperately.
They met each other on his sixteenth year and on her fifteenth.
It was not a meeting they cared to remember until much later.
Ameya saw the Fire Nation uniform and thought it was only fair they would be her next victims. The Fire Nation had stolen everything from her without ever giving back. So she acted boldly even after she just stole from the nearby merchants and bumped into the tall, scarred face man.
Their eyes interlocked then—just for one second and she bowed and lowered her gaze, hiding the dagger underneath her pants and apologized.
She was always good at appearing weak. With her dark hair framing her face and hiding her eyes, she looked just like another weary traveler. She did not need flashy clothes or expensive jewelry, Ameya was content with a simple meal, a roof over her head, and her freedom. It was more than what she had grown up with already.
And Zuko—he did not care for her until their next fated meeting. She was just another thorn in his side—minuscule compared to his goal of capturing the Avatar.
They never thought their small encounters would start to shift their life. Zuko thought he was apprehending a thief and Ameya thought this was just another cell she must escape from.
And yet with each meeting pass, their views of each other changed.
Zuko was beginning to accept their accidental meetings to be normal—wondering when the next time she will show up unexpectedly in his life.
Ameya thought she would not mind seeing him again—even if he was an arrogant prince in the beginning, she realized he was much more than the rumors let on.
And alone, when they have nothing but the silence of the night surrounding them, they stare at the moon and wonder if the other is looking at it too.
Author's Note:
This took place during 'Zuko Alone' episode and although nothing really happened in this one—I really enjoyed writing the parallels of the two. I had Ameya's past planned since the beginning but not everything is revealed just yet—but this is as much as she knows and what the readers know too.
I tried to explore Zuko's past as well, writing scenes that were briefly described in his history and expanded on his emotions. I hope I did it justice—we all know how he was growing up and his inner struggles.
There are a lot of parallels/developments in this series. A lot have been show already and there will be many more in the future. The question is—will you guys be able to catch them? I wonder if I should do an art request for those who manage to find them hmm...
Reviews are much loved! This is one of my favorite chapters so please share your thoughts! Also I am shocked that this story is in a community?! I have no idea what that does but—thank you so much for the recommendation/addition!
P.S. Does anyone else get excited for Friday updates or just me-ok probably just me ahah.