Avatar: The Boy-Who-Lived
Disclaimer/Plot/Author's Note: SEE FIRST CHAPTER
Recommended Reads: Emerald Dragon and Damaged Raven by JustBored21, Shouri no Hikarino Tabi and I Want It All and More by Winged Seer Wolf, Harry Potter Bending Force by gadman85, The Firebenders by whitetigerwolf, Consuming Shadows by Child-OTKW, Who Dares Wins by OlegGunnarsson, Brave New World by Sunal and The Necromancer by MaeglinYedi
Key Pairing: Harry/Zuko
Other Pairings: To be determined
Normal Speech
'Thoughts'
/Parseltongue/
Review Responses:
Jostanos: Wow! I used to love that film, and I never even knew/realised that was Zuko's voice-actor in a live-action role; still, that's why I said the portrayals are who I see when I think of them in live-action: if you'd rather stick with the actor in question, that's up to you;
PREVIOUSLY ON AVATAR…
"He…he just…he just threw lightning?" asked Filius Flitwick.
"No, I bent lightning, you ignorant fools," growled Raiko, scowling darkly at the downed Snape as he hissed, "As for you, peasant, watch your tongue when you speak to Prince Zuko, Son of Ursa and the Mad King, Fire Lord Ozai; Crown Prince of the Fire Nation and Heir to the Throne."
"Now, would someone mind telling us just what we're doing here? And, for the sake of your charges and this strange palace of yours, I suggest you talk quickly; lest you risk tickling the sleeping dragon again!"
If only Zuko knew how appropriate a statement that was…
BOOK ONE: FIRE
Chapter 2: One Dark and Stormy Night
Thirteen Years Ago: The Fire Nation
Dark clouds had gathered.
As she sat at the balcony of her chambers, feeding her infant son, Zuko, Fire Princess Ursa felt a stab at her heart as she looked down at her beautiful boy, the firstborn son to Fire Prince Ozai – a title she knew, and had known for some time, he hated having to use – as well as one of the two second-generation heirs to the throne, after his Uncle, and fellow Fire Prince Iroh's son, Lu Ten.
So young, but already so handsome, and yet, so in danger of being just another victim of his Father's lust for power; they say a Mother always wants what's best for her child?
Well, for Ursa, this was especially true; ever since Zuko had been born, only to be identified as, apparently, not being capable of Firebending, Ozai had become more-distant and even disrespectful towards the very existence of his son. So much so that Ursa had heard how he was even planning to impregnate her again, during the Solstice, to ensure that the Spirit of Fire gave her a more-worthy child to call his heir and become as powerful – and, as crazy – as he was.
Some children are born lucky, Ozai had once said, whereas it – meaning Zuko – was lucky to have been born.
And now, Ursa could only hope that his plans fell through; that she didn't give him another child, especially if it meant he would warp them and make them as cruel, manipulative and power-mad as he was.
In fact, Ursa hadn't said anything about it, for obvious reasons, but she'd even had a nightmare, which she had only ever shared with Iroh and a few close, trusted friends, where, in it, she was forced to watch her children do battle, Zuko weaker than his sibling – whom, in her dream, was a girl with a vicious streak as long as her arm and then some – until, empowered by some unknown drive, her second child slew her own brother in cold blood, laughed over his corpse and then went on to end the world.
By the Spirits, if only her grandfather's successor hadn't been lost nearly a hundred years ago.
As she looked down at Zuko, who seemed to have drunk his fill, Ursa smiled before she tickled her infant son, making him giggle.
"Zuko, my precious boy…if only there was a way I could make sure…"
Suddenly, as though the Powers had been listening, a clap of thunder suddenly ripped across the sky; at the same time, what could only be described as a weird, ominous string of lights and illuminations crossed the already-dark skies before, as Ursa looked up to the heavens, her eyes widened in alarmed disbelief when a single bolt of pure, white lightning hit the ground.
As the guards and many of the servants reacted in fear and alarm, Ursa's eyes widened when, as she looked down at Zuko, intending to shield him from the destruction, she saw his golden eyes were wide open. And not only wide open, but staring out at the spot where the lightning bolt had hit, his small hands reaching out to grasp at something that Ursa could neither see nor, for the moment, provide for him.
Frowning in curiosity, Ursa carried Zuko out of her chamber, making her way out into the courtyard where, to her surprise, many of the soldiers had their weapons, as well as fires, prepared to attack whoever or whatever had caused such a violent lightning strike. The courtyard, itself, meanwhile, was a ruin of stone, ash and broken shards of wood, while a thick, almost-cloying scent filled the air, the scent immediately reminding Ursa of the smell of dust after rain, mixed with charred embers.
And not just any charred embers, but those that might have been left by the flames of a dragon!
"Stay back, Princess!" cried one of the soldiers, but Ursa didn't hear him; partially because of how surprised she was at the level of destruction, and its subsequent assault on the senses, which had been left by the lightning strike.
And partially because, when she looked down at her child, Ursa saw Zuko's hands again reaching towards the centre of the blast, though, as he reached out for them, Ursa also saw a pained, if not frightened look in his eyes.
Almost as though he was scared for whatever was there.
"Hold your fire," Ursa cautioned, shifting Zuko so that he was resting in the crook of one arm before, lifting her own hand, she gathered up the flames that had been left by the blast, tossing them towards the torches around the courtyard, which blazed back into life, once again filling the courtyard with light and life.
Her task done, Ursa carefully, but not naively, moved towards the centre of the blast; when she saw what had been at the heart of the blast, Ursa felt her own fears grow stronger, if only for one reason.
"A…A…A child?"
"Beg your pardon, Princess?" asked another soldier, watching as Ursa bent down before, when she turned back to them, the soldiers all gasped in amazement and disbelief when they saw how it was a child.
A young boy, whom looked around the same age as Prince Zuko – whom was, himself, only a year and four months old, having been born on the night of the Summer Solstice – with a small mess of black hair, as well as what had to be the brightest shade of emerald-green eyes – suggesting he was born to the Earth Kingdom – any of them had seen. The boy was dressed in what looked like a set of child's nightclothes while, to Ursa's alarm, the boy had a fierce-red-coloured bolt of lightning seemingly carved onto his forehead, oozing blood, which trickled down his face as he looked at all the unusual men and women around him.
"Someone get a healer!" cried Ursa, a part of her resolving to deal with the fact of the child's presence, but only after she had made sure he wasn't hurt too badly. "And then summon some of our Earthbenders to take care of this damage: now, move!"
As the soldiers and the servants hurried to obey, Ursa looked down just in time to see the small boy's hands were now linked with Zuko's, both of them smiling warmly as Zuko and the boy exchanged looks with each other.
"Hi," said Zuko.
"Hi," repeated the boy, earning an awestruck, but also cutely-appreciative look from Ursa.
It was in that moment, the Princess made a choice.
She would adopt this child, not as her son – Ozai would never allow a potential Earthbender to be called a member of the Royal Family, even if they could bend in the first place – but as a ward, whom she hoped would protect Zuko from his Father and, at the same time, be the hope she wanted for her nightmare not to come true.
"But first," whispered Ursa, gently kissing the newcomer's brow, earning a whimper from the infant as she whispered, "You need a name…hmm…I think…what do you think of…Raiko?"
"I-go?" asked the infant, earning a soft laugh from Ursa.
"We'll get there…do you like that name, Raiko?"
Judging by the giggling and cheerful look that both the now-named Raiko and Zuko both gave her, Ursa took that as a yes…
ATBWL
Present Day: Hogwarts
"Raiko?"
As Raiko heard the voice of his Prince and closest, dearest friend address him, the emerald-eyed boy shook his head before, looking to Zuko, he asked, "Yes, Prince? Did you say something? Sorry; I was…"
"Reminiscing," replied Iroh, whom walked with the Prince and his bodyguard as they walked with their hosts along an olden-days-looking hall, past several suits of armour and through what they'd learned was a school, which both amazed and confused Raiko, as well as Zuko.
As Iroh saw the light blush form on Raiko's cheeks, the aged General chuckled softly as he explained, "I understand, of course, young Raiko; the manner with which we were taken from the Air Temple and brought to this school. It reminds you of the story that Lady Ursa once told you about how you came to our world in the first place."
"Similar, General, yes," said Raiko, earning an amused smirk from Zuko, who, despite his cold exterior, knew full well that Raiko was only being formal because of their hosts, none of whom, thankfully, had noticed the three of them hanging back, so they could talk without their guides listening in on their conversation. "I mean, Lady Ursa told me that I arrived by lightning, but, in the Air Temple, it was fire that took us away and brought us to this place. And there was something off with it too."
"How do you mean?" asked Zuko.
Giving the small party ahead of them a wary, suspicious look, Raiko dropped his voice as he muttered, "My special power couldn't affect it; I mean, I know you and the General couldn't bend those flames either, Prince, but you both know that there is no flame that my special power can't touch."
"Maybe they were more than normal flames," suggested Iroh, earning a curious look from Raiko. "What I mean, child, is that, just like the temple we were observing and examining for traces of the Avatar, perhaps those flames were somehow connected to the powers of the Spirit World. And, because we were but wanderers in the Physical Realm, our bending could not touch it; I have often heard tales of how benders cannot work their will in the Spirit World…not without some great blessing or permission from the Ancients. Some benders even lose the full capacity of their bending when they are in opposition to their spiritual reasoning: example, my brother often believed Firebending came from anger, but, as I have always tried to teach you two, there is so much more to it."
"Yes sir," said Raiko, while Zuko just nodded once.
"However," continued Iroh, now indicating the party, who'd stopped just ahead of them, in front of a statue of a large bird, as he explained, "Another possibility, Raiko, is that the flames that pulled us here were not of our world, or even of the Spirit World. But rather, they came form whatever realm of existence this new world, where you were truly born to their world, is situated in. and, because your powers were unfamiliar with the power of this realm, your bending could not even scratch its surface."
"But could he do it now we're here in this world, Uncle?" asked Zuko, earning a shrug from Iroh.
"That, dear nephew, I cannot answer for certain; therefore, I suggest we go along with their wishes for the time being and then, should the opportunity present itself to return to our world, we shall take it. Also, Raiko, I'm sure Zuko would agree with me when I say that, in this world, while we are not among friends or allies, you are among family. So, there is no need to be so formal and distant, especially not with Zuko, let alone me."
"You're saying I have permission, Prince?" asked Raiko, earning a warm smile from Zuko as he nodded before he held out a hand to Raiko.
"In every sense, my little one."
Raiko returned the smile before he took Zuko's hand, both of them now hurrying with Iroh to catch up with their party.
Chapter 2 and we discover Harry's – whom, from this chapter on, will be known and will be written as Raiko – origins, but, like the boy himself, they're full of mystery: I mean, how is it he got to the Fire Nation in the first place?
Also, what special power could he be talking about and, since it looks like this Zuko is a little more level-headed, but still determined, and Ozai is a power-hungry nutcase – hmm: I wonder if his last name's Dumbledore? – what will the future hold for Raiko as he seeks to get him and his new family back home where they belong?
Keep Reading to Find Out
Next Chapter: Raiko and his party fill in a couple of blanks, but they're not about to just lay it all out there, not even when a certain someone drops a bombshell that risks tickling the sleeping dragon once again;
Please Read and Review
AN: Portrayal
Ursa: Katie McGrath