The Trouble with Fire
Ch.21: The Masters
Zuko X OC
disclaimer: I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender. I own my OC
After a long day of Zuko trying to firebend, Fang and Aang retired to the crackling fire pit where the group usually ate their meals. Zuko had disappeared somewhere. Fang decided not to walk around and find him, not wanting to bother him. He needed to be alone right now. Unfortunately, something was wrong and she did not know how to fix it.
She sat next to Katara, who handed her a bowl of hot soup. She took it with both of her hands, showing respect to her new friend, and took a small sip. The warms of the soup was welcoming in her empty stomach. "Listen up everyone!", Zuko announced stepping forward. Fang set her bowl down and frowned. What was he doing?
"I've got some pretty bad news... I can't firebend.", he stated. Fang's eyes widened. Now was probably not the best time to announce this to everyone. Zuko... he was also so rash with his decisions... never giving time to try other ways. Some of the party giggled and continued eating their soup not believing him.
"I'm sorry... I'm just laughing at the irony. You know? How it would have been nice for us if you would have lost your firebending while you were chasing us around the world.", Katara said, sarcasm covering her words. "Well... it's not lost.. it's just.. weaker for some reason.", Zuko answered, balling both of his hands into fists. Frustration leaking from his voice.
"Maybe you're just not as good as you think you.", Katara sneered. Fang's eyes traveled to Katara. Her patience with Katara's comments was starting to wear thin. She liked her new friend but she would also not allow anyone to talk to her husband this way.
"Katara... I am happy for our new friendship but please do not speak to my husband that way. I am a good fire nation citizen. I do not treat people cruelly or as if they are lower than me. I know you may not have a high opinion of him but he is the man I love. Do not tread on my feelings lightly unless you want to witness how cruel I can be.", Fang said, her red eyes piercing Katara's blue eyes.
Katara stared at Fang like she had seen a ghost. Fang did not falter her piercing gaze from Katara's as silence fell over the group until Toph muttered an "Ouch" to break the ice. "Sorry.", Katara muttered, standing back up and walking into one of the small stone buildings. Fang sighed and ran her fingers through her dark hair.
"I think it's because I changed sides..", Zuko explained. Fang's eyes traveled back to her husband. "Your firebending comes from rage... you don't have that now... it would make sense.", she stated, standing up and walking over to him. Fang placed her hand on his shoulder.
"You don't have that anger to fuel your firebending like you used to..", she whispered as Zuko crossed his arms. "I don't want to rely on hate and anger anymore. There has to be another way!", Zuko sighed. Fang slowly rubbed her husband's shoulder. Trying to provide a little comfort. "You're going to need to learn to draw your firebending from a different source. I recommend the original source.", Toph said, as Sokka sat back down next to her.
"One day, when I was young, I ran away from home and went into a cave. That's where I met the badger moles. They were blind just like me.. but they were still able to get around. That is where I learned to see with my hands and feet. Earthbending isn't just a martial arts.. it's an extension of myself.", Toph explained, smiling.
Fang smiled along with her. "That is a remarkable story, Toph.", Fang said, looking in her direction. "Well that doesn't help me.. the original firebenders were the dragons.. and their extinct.", Zuko said, frowning more. "What do you mean? Roku had a dragon.", Aang said, smiling a little at the thought of his past life. Fang frowned.
"They were hunted during the time you were gone, Aang. If you could kill a dragon... you made a large name for yourself in the Fire Nation. It was quite a disgusting tradition.", Fang explained. "But maybe there's another way... the first people to learn from the dragons were the ancient 'Sun Warriors'.", Zuko said, running his fingers through his hair.
"Sun warriors?", Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow. "They died off thousands of years ago but their civilization isn't too far from here... maybe we can learn something from poking around their ruins.", Zuko suggested. "We'll leave in an hour. We can't afford to waste too much time.", Aang said. Fang quickly turned to Zuko, grabbing a hold of his sleeve.
"Take me with you, please.", she asked, looking up at him with a pleading look in her eyes. His answer was always no when it meant going on adventures with him. His answers were always "it's too dangerous", "you'll get hurt", or just flat out "no".
She was taken a little bit off guard when he nodded slowly and continued to walk after Aang. Was the new Zuko happy to take her along on adventures too? She couldn't be sure but at least he agreed to this one. She quickly followed him to the flying bison who roared softly in greeting as they approached.
She made her way back to her tent and grabbed a few of her personal belongings. She didn't know how long they were going to be there but she might as well be prepared. She picked up a comb for her hair, folded a robe to keep her warm during the night. Reaching into a small chest she had a few items of nonperishable food that she had picked from one of the nearby gardens. She placed a few of the fruits into her bag and tied the bag closed. Slinging it over her shoulder she made her way back to the group.
Aang was already had leaped up and rested on the bison's neck, petting the fluffy white creature's head. Fang reached out and touched the fur with her hand, surprised to feel how soft it was under her fingers. Appa made a pleased rumble making Fang smile. "See? He likes you.", Aang said, smiling at her. Fang smiled and turned toward Zuko. He had a determined look on his face. After all, his bending was on the line. Zuko wrapped his arm around Fang and hoisted her up onto the saddle, waiting for her to sit down before climbing up himself.
"Yip yip!", Aang called out to his pet and pulled on the reigns. Fang grabbed onto the edge of the saddle for support as the large animal leaped into the air, soaring like a feather. It still boggled her mind how such a heavy animal could stay in the air so long.
Zuko sighed and rested the back of his head against the saddle. Fang's eyes turned to him, he seemed annoyed somehow. Like he still had a little bit of the old Zuko in him. Fang quickly turned to Aang to make sure he wasn't watching before leaning over and placing a kiss on Zuko's exposed neck. Zuko turned his head downward to look at her before placing a kiss on her forehead.
"What is wrong?", she whispered, moving closer to him. Zuko frowned a little and looked down at his hands. Fang followed his gaze and realized that he wasn't all too sure about visiting the ruins. Fang reached out and touched his cheek. "It will come back. I know it.", she whispered again, giving a soft smile before resting her body against his. She could feel Zuko tense but that was normal for someone in his position.
Fang's eyes looked out at the fluffy clouds that moved past them. She was sure that if she reach out and touched one they would be as soft as a duck feathered pillow. The thought of resting on something so comfortable made her eyes start to close. The hypnotizing horizon was not helping either.
"WOW!", Aang shouted, pulling on the reigns a little. Fang turned her head to see the young Avatar looking down at the ruins. They stretched out for miles and had been overgrown with vines and weeds. Broken rubble was scattered everywhere. Aang slowly lowered his bison down, landing with a dull thud on the ground.
Fang brushed the dust that kicked up away from her face and quickly stood, wanting to explore this new land as soon as possible. She hopped off the saddle and was about to start walking around before Zuko grabbed her arm.
"Don't go wondering off... we don't know if there are any traps.", he scolded, still holding onto her arm. Fang hadn't even considered that factor. An ancient civilization had much different tactics for warfare than modern day. She nodded her head, staying close to Zuko's side as he let go of her arm. Zuko's eyes scanned around. "Even though these buildings are ancient... there's something familiar about them. I can tell the Fire Sage's temples are derived from these.", he stated, moving toward an alcove.
Fang and Aang followed behind him, peering at the cracked stone that once were touched by ancient firebenders. They continued along the alcove and reached a giant wall. The large wall had a beautiful picture carved into it, one of a man - a firebender and two dragons breathing fire at him.
The man was encircled in flame but was able to keep the flame away from his skin by firebending the flames around him. "This looks promising but... I thought the Sun Warriors had a good relationship with the dragons.", Aang stated, looking up at the mural. Fang ran her fingers along the etched stone of one of the dragons feeling the rough porous stone brush against her skin. "They seem... angry... but why?", she asked out loud, letting her hand fall back to her side.
"My grandfather started the tradition of hunting dragons for glory... I wish I could talk to one to understand.", Zuko said as he walked past the mural. Fang could hear the anger in his voice as he walked past them. "They were wiped out while I was sleeping?", Aang asked, turning to Zuko. "The last dragon was conquered by my uncle.", Zuko answered, frowning a little.
As they continued the stumbled upon a large golden door. The engravings seemed to resemble a sun. Aang rushed forward and tried to open it, pulling with all his strength. The door slowly opened to reveal large statues. The statues lined in a circle. Fang stared up at them, looking at each statue with curiosity. "Are these firebending stances?", she asked, turning her head to the side a little.
"No... it's a dance.", Aang answered. He was mimicking the statues as he continued along in a circle. Zuko stared up at the statue and started to follow the Avatar's lead. As they approached the final statue a door in the center of the floor opened up. Out rose a stand with a golden egg on top, it glittered with a brilliant sheen. This egg had obviously not had a lot of human touch.
Zuko walked toward it and reached out to touch it. "Don't! What if it's a trap?", Aang yelled, waving his arms in the air. Fang had to agree with the Avatar. This screamed of a trap.
"What choice do we have though? I don't see any other doors leading out of this room other than the one we came in from.", Zuko sighed. Zuko grasped the egg in his hands before anyone could protest. "It feels... alive.", he whispered staring at the large golden egg in his hands.
Without warning, green rotten slime shot out of the hole the pedestal had come out of. It hit Zuko with such force that he sent him toward the roof of the room. Green slime continued to billow from the hole. "It's sticky. Get away from it. I can't break free of this stuff. It's like some kind of glue.", he yelled.
Fang quickly backed up toward the wall but soon the green slime would reach her within seconds. She had to act quickly. Her eyes searched around the room till she looked up at the room. There were barred openings covering the ceiling. If she could get to them, maybe she could break the old iron bars and escape.
Haste was of the importance as she climbed to the top of one of the statues and leaped up toward the gate. Her hands grabbed onto the bars as she desperately tried to pull herself up. The green liquid touched her foot making her wince from the gross feeling. It felt like wet cement. She pulled herself up with all her strength but was only able to get her head and arms out of the gate.
The green sludge started to fill in all her around her, pushing her body against the hard metal bars. She winced as one of the bars pushed on her collar and chest, threatening to knock the wind out of her. Just before she thought the pain would be too much it stopped.
Fang sighed, at least she had air to breathe. They would have to think of a way out of this. She tried to move but to no avail, Zuko and Aang had met the same fate as well. "HELP!", Aang yelled loudly. "Who are you yelling to? No one has lived here for Centuries!", Zuko yelled back, irritated by the young boy. "Who is down there?", an unknown voice spoke. Fang's ears perked up when she heard the voice. "Please help us!", she yelled back to the voice.
She received no response back but it seemed the man had flipped upon a door in the floor to allow the slime to fall through. She felt herself slowly slinking down to the floor away from the ceiling where she had been trapped. The three of them were quickly sat down and interrogated. Her red eyes turned to her side where she saw an animal with a long tongue coming toward her.
"An anteater?", she whispered. She yelped when the animal stuck it's tongue out at her but relaxed once she realized the animal was beginning to lick off the slime from her body. More and more villagers approached. The wore red and gold clothing and painted their face with tribal markings. These... couldn't be the Sun Warriors... they had died out many years ago.
"For trying to take our Sun Stone you must be severely punished.", he said, tapping his large staff against the hard floor. "We didn't come here to take your Sun Stone. We came here to find the ancient origin of all firebending.", Zuko explained. "You are obviously thieves!", the man yelled back. "Please, I'm the Avatar. Hear us out.", Aang said, standing up slowly. Zuko stood up quickly after him, pulling Fang's arm to make her stand as well.
"My name is Zuko, crowned Prince of the Firenation and this is my wife, Lady Fang, Princess of the Firenation. I know my people have distorted the ways of learning... we've learned to firebend using anger and rage... but now I've learned that isn't the way it's supposed to be. My wife has tried to teach me that Fire can be made with different feelings but I have not been able to firebend since then. Please, I would be honored if you taught us.", Zuko stated.
The chief stepped forward and frowned. "It you truly want to learn then you must learn from the masters. They will read your heart, your soul and your ancestry... they will determine if you are worthy enough to learn from them.
Fang swallowed hard, Zuko's ancestry... this might not work. She bowed slightly. "Even though I can firebend... I would still like to see the masters as well.", she whispered. The man only scowled at her but ushered them to walk toward a large staircase where a large fire was burning at the top.
There, it was explained to them, that they called this the eternal flame and it had been burning for centuries. They would have to take a part of their flame up to a large mountain. There they would find the masters. Fang gently cradled her flame to her chest as she walked alongside Zuko.
Aang continued to have trouble with the flame in his hand. It continued to be too small all through their trip. When they reached the mountain peak, the village was already there waiting for them. Fang took a deep breathe and watched as Zuko and Aang were ushered up the stairs. This "judgment" had better go well or she didn't know what to do.
Once they reached the top, a man with a large horn spoke through it. "Those who wish to meet the masters must present their fire.", he stated. Aang and Zuko did as they were told and bowed their head slightly. Fang bit her lip as her heart started to race. A large horn blew sounding an alarm. Fang's eyes grew wide as two dragons shot out of the walls.
There were still dragons left in this world? But how..? She watched as the large red and blue dragons continued to circle around Zuko and Aang. Both of them seemed just as bewildered as her. The dragons blew a fire that was so magnificent it glowed different colors.
Fang's eyes widened as her mouth fell open a little. She had never seen colors in fire before, it was amazing. This was what firebending was supposed to look like. A smile came to her lips. Iroh... he had such a wonderful heart. He must have claimed the title of "Dragon Slayer" and said he hunted the last dragon to protect them.
He understood hunting them was wrong and faked their death to protect them. Zuko and Aang slowly made their way down. Fang smiled at her husband, he seemed to have his confidence back with each step he took. "I understand.", he whispered to her as she stepped closer to him. He threw a fireball up toward the sky. It burned brightly and with lots of energy. Fang smiled. Her husband had regained his strength and now they were one step closer to defeating the Firelord once and for all.
End of Chapter 21