"The Water Tribe Doll"
Summary: Children of the Fire Nation are raised and educated amidst propaganda and racism. Even children's toys stereotype and distort their views of the other nations. Around the time that Sozin attacked the Air Nomads, the Fire Lord also placed a ban on any goods that promote the cultures of the foreign nations. As a young prince, Zuko is accustomed to leading finely-crafted Fire Nation army troops in battle against crudely made toys that depict foreigners as uncouth, dirty peasants. Yet by intercepting a present meant for Azula, Zuko gains possession of a beautiful Water maiden doll crafted by the Water Tribe. Later, as a banished prince, Zuko sees foreigners in the prejudiced manner that the Fire Nation wants him to view them. Yet his memories of love for the Water Tribe doll are stirred up by a Water maiden who possesses the beauty and gentle nature of the doll, but the will of a warrior. This story will briefly cover a part of Zuko's childhood as well as some of his experiences in Season 1 and 2. However the focus of the story will be on the Zutaraness that will be Season 3. Or at least how I would write Season 3. Heehee. I don't own these characters. Please R&R. Rating will change from chapter to chapter.
Chapter 1
Zuko was lucky to be born. He was conceived during the beginning of the year of the Tiger. Ozai wanted his firstborn child to be a dragon (powerful & lucky) or a rat (cunning & ambitious). The Fire Sages tried to convince Ozai that Tigers have great qualities too: they are courageous, determined, warm-hearted, and open to new experiences. The father-to-be merely scowled at their assurances. He sought an audience with Azulon to get permission to abort the child. The Fire Lord was enraged by this request and very nearly burned the ceiling of his throne room. Thus Zuko was allowed to live, barely.
9 years later
Safely tucked away in his secret hiding spot, young Zuko eyed his stolen prize: a doll from the Water Tribe. The prince had never seen anything like it. Sure he had Water Tribe toy soldiers, but the army men toys were crude renditions crafted by Fire Nation toymakers. This doll was a girl toy made by the Water Tribe. She was meant to be a present for Azula from Uncle. Knowing that his sister would torch the little figure, he swiped it before his sibling could even get a look at it.
Zuko smiled at the warm expression of the doll's face. It reminded him of the way his mother looked at him, full of kindness and love. He peered happily into the vibrant blue of the doll's serene eyes, then snuggled the toy against his cheek.
"I'm glad that you saved her, Zuko."
The prince smiled at his mother. She was the only other person who knew about his hiding spot.
"Promise you won't tell Azula?"
"I promise honey."
Satisfied, Zuko turned back to the doll. He scuttled over to his toy palace and placed her into the highest room. He reached into his toy box and pulled out a proud firebender figurine. Zuko placed him next to the doll.
"Are you friends with the Water Tribe girl, my son?"
"Yes, mother. We're married."
Ursa smiled. "And how did you meet a girl from so far away?"
"I was conquering more lands for the honor of our Nation. I saved her from a polar bear."
"That was very brave of you Zuko. But son, what about the Avatar? Won't your Water maiden cry if you fight the last airbender?" Ursa asked with a sad smile.
Zuko thought quietly for several minutes. He glanced over at his Avatar doll. It was much the worse for wear as he would fight and defeat the airbender several times daily. The Prince moved his firebender figurine in front of the Water Tribe doll, effectively blocking the doll's view out of the palace window. He then gathered his biggest, fiercest dragons and placed them around the palace gates.
"I will leave the Avatar alone if he leaves me alone. And if he dares try to fight me I'll have my dragons fling him across the sea with the whip of their tales."