Hello my name is Tay and I'm dying. I know, not the best way to begin a story, but that's how I ended up here, where I am now. And as weird as it sounds, I wouldn't have changed it for anything. I mean, how often does a poor orphan girl like me get to travel the world, to become friends with the most powerful bender of them all, the Avatar! I think knowing my end was near has made it easier and after this last incredible year, I am at peace with it. I have seen and experienced more than I could have ever imagined. And in my final act, I can save everything, everyone I have come to love.
So, it is in my end that this tale really begins. The tale of a farm girl who was given the chance to save the world.
"What do you mean they're unaccounted for?" Raged the Firelord. "Documents just don't disappear!"
"I don't… I.." Muttered the shaking messenger, terrified to witness the anger of his superior.
"My Lord, perhaps it would be best to think this over carefully with a hot cup of tea," Iroh the Firelord's uncle and trusted advisor suggested, giving a significant look to his nephew and then looking back to the cowering news bearer.
Curtly, the King dismissed the frightened man, still stewing over the news in his head.
"Zuko." His uncle said sternly. After his nephew's coronation, Iroh had to replace his more affectionate and paternal treatment with formalities and proper manners, not wishing to make Zuko appear less than worthy of the people's respect. Zuko knew this and as such the two were seen as nothing more than the Firelord and his advisor.
When not being observed, was another matter.
Sensing the oncoming lecture, Zuko slumped his shoulders and gave a deep sigh. "I know, uncle. I know. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to lose my temper." Throwing out his arms and gesturing about the throne room, he exclaimed, "How can I ever right all the wrongs of my father? How can I rule a nation so crippled by his tyranny?!"
Iroh's eyes softened as Zuko dejectedly sat down on the steps of the throne seat and placed his head in his hands. To the rest of the fire nation, the new ruler Zuko was kind and stern, a leader with a fair heart and a firm hand. As his uncle, Iroh saw all that and more. He saw the boy who was scarred and hurt, and he sees the man he is now struggling to carry the burden of grief left by his father.
"The fire nation is not so far lost that it cannot be once again restored to its former glory." Iroh said, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.
Lifting his head mournfully, Zuko questioned tersely, "But experimenting on children? How can the fire nation ever regain its honor from something like that?"
"It was not the fire nation's honor that was lost when these experiments were performed, but Ozai's."
"No one will see it like that."
"Perhaps it is up to you to make them see that."
"Uncle, I can't let this information get out. I'm trying to rebuild the image of the fire nation. If it is learned that my father experimented on children to attempt to create benders of all the elements, peace between the nations would never be accomplished."
"The only difference between possible and never is determination."
Seeing the internal war Zuko was fighting, Iroh quietly sat down next to him on the steps. "I know you will make the right choice."
"But what is the right choice?" He asked, desperate for his uncle to show him a clear, simple answer to this complex matter.
"That, you will have to answer for yourself."
Iroh watched, had it not been for the severity of the problem he would have been amused at the look on his nephew's face. He could practically see an idea blossom in the Firelord's mind the way his eyes gleamed and the corner of his mouth twitched up.
Quickly standing, Zuko thanked Iroh for his advice and made his way out of the throne room to his private study where he furtively worked on the details of his plan. Starting with learning as much as he could about his father's twisted secret project, the experimental trials dubbed "New Life."
After spending days hidden away in his study, the firelord sent for his advisor. Dismissing the guards outside the door, the Dragon of the West entered the private office and smiled at the small tray of tea placed on the corner of the desk.
"Uncle, I know what I must do," Zuko said determinedly, "I will find the survivors of the experiments and give them back the life my father stole from them."
"That is a very wise choice, Zuko." Iroh complimented as he sat down on the cushioned seat, "However, who will you entrust with this plan?"
"No one. I must go. With all the corruption in the court and Azula loyalists, there is no one I can trust to carry out such a mission as crucial as this."
"But who will not question where the firelord has gone?"
Zuko quickly replied, "A meeting with Chief Hakoda of the Southern Watertribe to discuss trade between the nations. A journey that long will give me plenty of time to investigate without people questioning my travels. I will be leaving with a small number of soldiers cutting through the major cities to hopefully learn the current whereabouts of the children."
When Iroh did not immediately respond, Zuko sighed and said "I know, it'll be risky."
Giving a small smile Iroh replied, "The right thing is rarely easy. But where will you begin your search?"
"Bae Sing Se, the documents stated that the 'promising' subjects were to be taken there for training."
"In Bae Sing Se?"
"Yes."
"But why?" Iroh asked with furrowed brows, unable to fathom a reason for the nature of his brother's plans.
"I don't know. The papers end after that last order."
"Hmmm." Pouring himself a cup of tea, Iroh leaned back against the chair and took a slow sip.
"Uncle, while I am gone, I leave you to run the fire nation. There is none whom I trust more to lead than you in my absence." He finished, a little sheepishly.
Iroh's face split into a huge grin at the words and the slight blush in Zuko's cheek. "It would be my honor."
Clearing his throat, Zuko turned to his papers, "Good. Then it is settled. I will send word to Chief Hakoda and leave at once."
Taking his leave, Iroh walked to the door, but stopped and turned to Zuko a last time, "Be very careful my nephew. There will be many who would use this information to harm the fire nation. Remember: keep close those whom you can trust."
With that, Iroh left his nephew to his plans, while the Dragon of the West went to arrange a secret mission of his own.