A/N: Wrote first chapter to avoid having to clean my living room. Living room has since been clean, and now this chapter is written to avoid having to clean my kitchen. That is the epitome of adulthood right there. Procrastination is a way of life. But I have set down and planned out a rough idea of where I want to take this story. It's structured at about twenty chapters so far. After writing this chapter it took a complete different turn than expected. So I most likely won't be following the exact structure I set, but it's looking like I'm gearing for around twenty chapters. I cannot guarantee any set update schedule with this. For anyone who has followed an ongoing piece from me, you will know that I am a bit sporadic with posting. After all, I went nine months without posting anything.
If you've enjoyed this, please feel free to let me know. It's been enjoyable to write, and would love to know your thoughts. Without any of my further ramblings, enjoy chapter two: The Test.
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Rarely did Fire Lord Azulon request an audience with his youngest grandson. He was a harsh and distant man who cared little for the whims of his grandchildren, and had no time for their childish nature. This lack of connection didn't bother Zuko; he was terrified of the aging Fire Lord, and had no intentions of going out of his way to catch the man's eye.
It was for this reason that Zuko knelt with a ridged fear in his back. Fire Lord Azulon sat on his thrown, the wall of fire separating him from the kneeling pair. Ozai was beside his son, his face blank as the heat of the flames bared down on him. Zuko looked at his father from the corner of his eye, looking for some reassurance to the situation. Ozai provided none.
Azulon raised his hand, motioning for the trio of men who stood in the shadows. They stepped forward on the beckoning, their long red robes casting dark shadows against the flames. They moved with a stiffness of old age, until they stood before the set of princes.
"Rise, Prince Zuko." Azulon's voice held no room to hesitate. Zuko rose to his feet, his knees shaking. The Fire Sages in the center dropped to a single knee, raising the box in his hand before the boy. The Sages flanking him set into a full kowtow. "Open the box, Prince Zuko. Let us see how strong the Avatar spirit within you, truly is."
Young golden eyes peered into the flame walls, trying to find the elder pair that matched his own. It was difficult to see the Fire Lord through the fire. He was a shadow, a thick blackness that towered over them. Zuko gulped, removing his gaze quickly. The golden box called to him. It grasped some part inside of him and begged for Zuko to unite with it. His shakiness subsided as he opened the lid.
That part inside of him jolted at the sight. Azulon made another demand, but Zuko's ears did not pick it up. His gaze was focused on the crystalized gem resting against the deep purple velvet. It was jagged and sharp, appearing to be as if fire had frozen before him. He reached out his hand, wrapping slender fingers around the harsh stone. It was warm.
He brought it closer to him, marveling as the fire laced into his fingers and through his body. It reached into him, traveling quickly. A fire and life resided inside the child. The opal pulsed within his hands.
Zuko breathed in deeply. The opal came to life; the fire inside the stone dancing with the same breathing pattern Zuko gave. The child was mesmerized, forgetting all others in the room as he stared into the stone. A blaze pulsated in his gaze as the jewel's flames beckoned him deeper. It sang to him, almost summoning him into the walls of its flames. Zuko's own fire began to intertwine with that of the stone. They were one.
The torches set in the wall were quenched with an inhaled breath. The wall of fire placed before Azulon smothered itself. Darkness set over the throne room; the only light came from the pulsating gem within Zuko's hand. Disbelief rested in the men's eyes as they stared at this young Avatar. He was a slight child, one inches shorter and pounds lighter than any his age. His black hair blew with a slight wind that none of them could pinpoint the origin of. It was easy to see the power that resided in such a tiny and young person.
As if snapping out of his trance, Zuko closed his eyes and let a sigh escape his lips. When his eyes reopened, the flames on the wall were reignited. Azulon leaned forward, the heat from his still extinguished flames having grown cold. He stood, a grin pressed against his wrinkled face. "Well done, Prince Zuko."
Zuko looked up, getting a good look at his grandfather. The man was crossing the stage, making his way down the stairs and to them. Zuko placed the gemstone back into the velvet box. The Fire Sages rose, but kept bent at the waist as they stepped back to allow the Fire Lord to stand before his son. Ozai was still knelt, but his back was straighter as he watched his son.
"Well done boy." Azulon placed a withered hand on Zuko's shoulder. The child did his best to not flinch as he was peered down upon with stone cold eyes. "You will serve your nation proud."
"Yes Fire Lord," Zuko answered quickly, finding his voice once more.
Azulon squeezed Zuko's shoulder. "Agni himself has granted you this power. It is a blessing and a sign from the spirits that our quest is noble. With this we will set the end to the war my father started. We will bring the savages of the world to their knees before us. You, Prince Zuko will have the world at your feet. Tell me child, how does that sound to you?"
The part of him ignited by the stone screamed against such a suggestion. A part of him that had been drilled to the teeth with the propaganda of war was eager at such a chance to prove himself. Unable to voice either side, Zuko merely nodded.
A smile graced Azulon's face. "Training will begin at sunrise at the end of this week. Your training will be given over to General Reiji when he returns from the front with Iroh. Under his tutelage you will excel in your bending." There was to be no room for argument in this.
Azulon's gaze drifted onto his youngest son. "You should be proud Ozai. Your son will bring honor upon our nation."
"I am proud, father." There was a tightness in Ozai's lips.
Removing his hand from Zuko's shoulder, Azulon's eyes traveled back to his grandson. "We will be announcing your birth as the Avatar to the people at the start of the Lantern Festival. This is a celebration to share. You will bring pride to our soldiers and fear to our enemies. You will be the strength our nation needs. The tide that brings the war into our favor. At your hand, Prince Zuko, we will reign fire onto the people of the Earth Kingdom. You will burn all those who do not kneel."
His voice left no room for resistance.
Something inside Zuko sparked. The flame licked behind his eyes.