Chapter 4: A Brief History of the Fire Nation – Part One
Zuko wasn't sure if he was dreaming, it all seemed so real. He couldn't see or feel his own body, but he could observe what was around him. The sun was shining brightly in the sky, illuminating the lush green grass beneath where he was positioned. He didn't think it was hot outside though, since there were many clouds in the sky, which appeared to take several whimsical shapes. Zuko could spot one that looked like a man, and two nearby that looked almost like dragons. However, his cloud watching was rudely disturbed by the muffled sounds of birds chirping. But when he listened closer, it wasn't the only sound he heard.
"You're it!"
"Aw… no fair, you're too fast!"
"To bad, you'll need to run faster if you want to win!"
"You're on!"
There were two boys chasing each other in a game of tag. They looked almost identical, with the only difference being their height. They were giggling with joy, as the smaller boy chased his older brother through the grounds. The small boy seemed to be making very little progress, until he shot a tiny fireball past his target. This distraction slowed the older brother just enough for his sibling to catch him.
"You're it!" He exclaimed, with a cheeky grin on his face.
"No fair, I thought we agreed on no firebending!"
"You said to use our bodies, and dad says firebending is an extension of our bodies."
"Hmm… dad says lots of things. Besides, didn't you think he was dumb?"
"Oh he is a big dummy, but he knows his firebending!"
"I guess… uh oh…"
"What's the matter? Oh…"
The boys turned to see a man walking towards them. He looked very much like an older version of the children standing before him. He was dressed in fine robes, and the top of his head was adorned with the headpiece of the Fire Lord.
The man spoke not a word, and merely conjured fire in his hands. He made swift elegant motions, and the fire he created began to form the shape of a dragon. The man blew a jet of flames from his mouth, and the fire dragon flew up into the sky, dissipating into thousands of tiny embers.
The two boys watched in amazement for several moments, before stepping into their own firebending stances. The smaller boy went first, mimicking his father's movements. While there was far less fire, he did manage to send several small arcs into air. He finished his routine and turned towards his elder sibling, who tried to wipe a nervous expression from his face. His movements were similar, although not quite as tight. But when the time came to properly bend, he could barely manage to summon a handful of sparks.
His father's face was expressionless, and the Fire Lord left just as he had come… without saying a word.
Suddenly, the dream shifted, and the two brothers were standing on a dock. Several Fire Sages walked up to them, and whispered something to the older brother. With shaky legs, he accompanied them aboard a boat, and turned back to face his sibling. He slowly waved to his younger brother, whose expression remained totally blank. The young prince turned away from his elder sibling, and departed the dock without ever saying a word.
He wandered through the palace, which was now emptier than it had previously been. He entered a room with a large window, and briefly stared at the rays of sunlight outside. Then he turned away, his focus shifting to a table in the center of the room. On top of it was a detailed map of the world, showing the four nations. His gaze remained fixed on the Fire Nation, and time seemed to slip away. Hours turned into days, days turned into years, and years turned into decades. The young boy was now an old man. His hair was grey, his skin was wrinkled, and he wore his father's headpiece. All the while, his yellow eyes remained fixed on the Fire Nation, becoming ever more ominous.
Soon a small boy entered the room, and took his place beside the old man. The Fire Lord gestured to the map before them and began to speak, but the boy wasn't listening. Instead, his mind was fixated on the window, and the glorious sunlight outside. Suddenly, the old man slammed his fist on the table, startling the boy.
"Pay attention! One of these days you will wake up and I will no longer be with you. When that time comes, you need to be prepared to carry out my plans. I have spent my life on this project, and it's your duty to see it through… till the very end."
"Yes father…" The boy turned his attention towards the map, a look of worry showing in his innocent eyes.
Time lurched forward again, and many scenes unfolded; a funeral, a coronation, and then a wedding… all the most precious moments in a life. The boy was now much older, and much rounder, his skin tanned from the sun and his hair grey from age. He was standing in room with many people, maids and servants carrying towels and bins of water. With a single gesture he dismissed them, leaving him alone with a young boy and a woman cradling something in her arms. He walked up to the woman and whispered something in her ear, and with delicate hands, he removed the bundle from her hold. He walked over to the boy and placed the infant in his small arms, watching over him to make sure the baby was secured.
"Wow… she's beautiful father."
"She certainly is." He looked between his son and his newborn daughter, a prideful expression fully displayed on his puffy lips.
"She's so small… will she be alright?"
"She's not as small as you were. I think she'll grow up strong, like you are now." As if on cue, the little girl reached up and grabbed hold of her father's beard with her tiny hands. Father and son both began to chuckle, just as the girl opened her yellow eyes.
The room slowly faded from view, and was replaced by the royal palace. It should have been afternoon, but the grounds appeared dark. The sun was in the middle of an eclipse, and very slowly, the last rays of sunlight disappeared behind the black moon.
There was shouting outside the palace, a mob of men carrying weapons had arrived and were storming the front gates. They overwhelmed the guards and crashed through the entrance, their minds fixated on the throne room. It was there that they found the elderly Fire Lord, helpless without his legendary bending. And it was there that they beat him to death, in front of his very own throne.
But in their bloodlust, they did not notice that the Fire Lord's children had arrived in the throne room. And they never got the chance to notice, because when the eclipse began to wane, the prince and princess blasted the murders with fire. Every single one of them fell, their bodies turning to ash before they even hit the floor.
The young royals rushed over to their father's body, and the prince grasped his bloodied hand.
"Father…" The prince looked away from his father's face, and tears fell from his furious eyes.
The princess gently placed her hand on her brother's shoulder, as they began to mourn what must surely have been the darkest day in Fire Nation history.
Time shifted once again, and the ashen floor of the throne room gave way to grass and open air. A small boy was running through the damp spring grass, as an old man struggled to keep up with him.
"Sozin, come back here you little rascal!"
The boy giggled, "You'll have to catch me first!"
The man shook his head, and resumed chasing his mischievous son. But as he rounded a corner, the old man clutched his chest and doubled over in pain, his eyes bulging as he struggled to breath. After realizing he was no longer being chased, Sozin ran back towards his father.
"Dad… are you alright?"
The old man let out a series of violent coughs before responding. "Yes… I'm… fine. Why don't you go play with your aunt?"
"Aw… but she's no fun."
The old man sighed. "I know, I know, she never was. Tell you what, if you go play with your aunt, I'll teach you a new firebending move. Does that sound good?"
"You really mean that? Is it something Roku doesn't already know?"
"You… ah… you bet. I invented it myself. Now be a good boy and run along."
Sozin left to go find his aunt, and his father slowly limped back to the palace. Years passed, and soon the Fire Lord was joined in the throne room by his son and another boy.
"Avatar Roku… I wish you well on your journey. When you return to the Fire Nation, you will have reached your full potential."
"Thank you my lord, for how kind you have been to me over these years."
"No, it is you who are deserving of gratitude. I have not been well these past few years, much to the detriment of my family. And during this time you have been such a great friend to my son, and for that I am thankful."
Roku bowed before the Fire Lord and left the palace, sharing one last look at his friend.
The Fire Lord's throne morphed into a bed, and he laid there while the life drained from his face. Sozin sat next to him, a dour expression on his youthful face. The Fire Lord conjured what was left of his strength and leaned over towards his son. He whispered something to the prince, whose eyes lit up, first with shock, and then with ambition. And with a final breath, the Fire Lord bid him goodbye.
Years flashed by at an incredible speed. Sozin's coronation, the return of Avatar Roku and his marriage to Ta Min, the colonization of Yu Dao, the schism between Sozin and Roku, and finally the Avatar's death. Sozin pondered how much had happened, and how much he had planned. The Great Comet would be returning soon, and then he could truly begin the unification of the world. And with no heir, Sozin would have to prepare his cousin's family to rule the Fire Nation after he was gone.
He glanced up from his papers and stared at a drawing of Avatar Roku on the far side of his desk, he had forgotten that it was still there. He had done what needed to be done, but the memory continued to hurt. He placed the drawing face down and resumed his work, until he was interrupted by a hand on his shoulder.
"Sozin, you shouldn't be working so late."
The Fire Lord cringed upon hearing his name, everyone referred to him by his title, everyone besides her.
"Azumi…" He acknowledged her presence without responding to her comment. After Roku's death she was his only real friend. In truth, he had begun to have feelings for her, but his work left little room for any romantic entanglements.
"I really mean it Sozin, you look awful."
"I'm in my seventies, of course I look awful."
"You know that's not what I meant."
Sozin sighed and got up from his chair. He moved to leave the room, but Azumi grabbed his arm before he could. He turned around and she planted a quick kiss on his lips. He stood there for a moment in shock, and Azumi gently placed her hand on his cheek.
"Just kiss me you idiot."
She went in for a second kiss, much deeper than the first one. Sozin wrapped his arms around her waist and held her tightly. He had never felt this way with any other woman before, and for the first time in his life he went to bed early.
Several more long years passed. Sozin had just come back from his journey to the Southern Air Temple. It was there that he used the Great Comet to commit an act of unspeakable evil. He had begun the war and wiped out an entire nation, but the Avatar was nowhere to be found. And now he had arrived home, just in time to witness the birth of his son.
Sozin had never desired children, but Azumi was a persistent woman. So despite their advanced age, something was bound to happen eventually. He already knew their child would be a powerful firebender. Even though he was still in his mother's womb, the soon to be prince had felt the power of the comet, and became extremely active.
Sozin dismissed the servants so he could be alone with his wife and newborn boy. The birth had gone perfectly, and Azumi wore a prideful expression on her face. The Fire Lord sat down on the bed and looked at his son. The boys yellow eyes seemed to sparkle with light, and he stared up at his parents with a look of wonder. Sozin stared back, his eyes full of ambition and expectations.
The boy was named Azulon, and he became crown prince of the Fire Nation, much to the chagrin of his distant relatives. He was one of the most important children in the world, but also one of the loneliest. His father had no time to play with him, so he spent his free time with his mother and Ilah, his only friend. She was the same age as him and their mothers were good friends. His parents said it wasn't proper for a boy and a girl to play together, but Azulon didn't care. All the boys his age were idiots, with none of his skills or intelligence. Ilah was always interested in what he had to say, and despite her bubbly personality, she always made sure she knew what she was talking about. Discussions with her were worth the silly tea parties, which Azulon didn't actually think were that silly. After all, who didn't like tea?
"Azulon, it's time for practice."
Azulon sighed. He hated firebending practice, even though he was excellent at it. "Sorry Ilah, my mother is calling me."
"That's alright, I understand." She gave him a sweet smile and bid him farewell.
Practice went well, considering all his opponents were pathetic. Azulon threw a series of fireballs at his targets, and finished off with a large arc of fire. He found it amusing that grown men could hardly stand up to a child half their size. His instructor rattled off some combination of praise and suggestions, but Azulon wasn't listening to him. Instead he looked up towards the balcony were his father was, watching him. Sozin briefly glanced at his son and left without saying anything. Azulon stormed off the training grounds, to angry to continue with the lesson.
A few months later he accompanied his mother to the docks. His father was leaving them again, to go search for the Avatar. It was an unusually cold day, even for winter, and Sozin was wearing his best fur lined coat. He waved goodbye to his wife and son, before setting sail on his big steamboat.
Azulon ditched his mother in the palace and went off to meet Ilah. The Fire Lady was infamously paranoid, but even she had no idea how to navigate the secret passageways in the palace. The guards were all loyal to her, but they had no need to look for the prince, since everyone assumed he was just sulking in his room.
Azulon made it to their meeting place and saw that Ilah had already set up a table and a pot of tea.
"Did you carry everything here?"
"I'm a lot stronger than I look." Ilah blushed slightly, and Azulon began to nervously play with his long hair.
"I'm glad dad built these passages; otherwise it would be a lot harder for us to meet alone."
"Yeah, I know how you don't like other people." The two friends drank their tea in silence for a while, content to just be around each other.
"Hey Azulon, do you miss your dad?"
"I'm angry at him."
"I know that silly, I asked if you miss him."
"I guess… I wish he wouldn't leave so much."
"I understand… my dad spends a lot of time away from home too."
Azulon tried to maintain his composure. He hadn't cried in years, and he didn't want to start now. He wanted so badly to get along with his father, but they always seemed to talk past each other, and his mother hated being an interpreter.
Besides the time spent with Ilah, Azulon's happiest memory was his trip to Ember Island several years ago. The young prince had managed to win a high stakes game of kuai ball against his father, and he showed off his artistic skills during a competition. The young prince also fondly remembered smaller things, like scouring the rocks for a giant crab the locals had told him about.
His parents had also enjoyed their trip. Sozin hadn't been to Ember Island in decades, since his own father hated the beach. His last trip had been with his aunt, and according to him, it was the 'most boring vacation in the history of vacations'. Coming back with his new family was a different experience, and it allowed him to get away from the stress of the palace.
Azumi got the chance to show off her new swimsuit, which her husband insisted made her look half as old. Later they went on a date, and returned with huge smiles on their faces. The three of them had all sat on the beach huddled together. Sozin wrapped a firm arm around his son, and Azumi gently combed the sand out of his long hair. Azulon never wanted it to end, but it passed like all good things do.
"Hello… is anyone home in there?"
Azulon snapped out of his trance and returned his attention to Ilah, a grim expression on his face.
"Father says that one day I'll have to go look for the Avatar."
"Hopefully that doesn't happen. But if it does… know that you have someone you need to come back for." Ilah smiled at him, and Azulon felt his frozen heart soften slightly.
Another year had passed, and Azulon stood on the docks. It was a cold morning, just like the last time he had been here. He solemnly looked at the ship that was going to take him around the world in search of the Avatar.
"Boo!"
Azulon jumped slightly as a woman in a mask leapt out from behind him.
"Ilah, is that you?"
"How did you guess?"
"Hmm… maybe it's because I told you to meet me here at this exact time."
"I know, I'm just teasing you."
"Sorry, but I'm really not in the mood."
Ilah frowned at her friend's cold expression. She hated to see him upset, but he was becoming less and less happy as the years dragged by. Carefully, she wrapped her arm around his back.
"You shouldn't be so hands on, the crew will arrive soon, and I'm sure they'll tell my mother everything they see."
"I know… that's why I'm going to give you this now."
Ilah quickly grabbed hold of Azulon's shoulders and stood up on her toes, carefully planting a kiss on his lips. She looked up and saw his eyes go wide. He lifted his fingers and gently caressed Ilah's cheek. She blushed at his touch and moved away.
"So now you're shy?"
"A book I read recommended starting off bold and then retreating."
"Well, it certainly seems like good advice."
"You know we're both old enough to get married, right?"
"Is that a proposal?"
"Perhaps it is, but only if my prince agrees to return."
"You will always be worth coming back for."
"Aw… since when have you been so romantic?"
"Since about a minute ago, if my calculations are correct."
"They've never been wrong before."
"Has anyone ever told you that you have the tenacity of firebender?"
"No, but it does sound accurate."
Azulon held Ilah's gaze for several long moments, clearly deep in thought. "Ilah… I…"
"Save it for when you return, I'll be back later." She gestured to several men approaching the dock and quickly left.
Azulon sighed and began instructing the crew where to place their belongings and what to do once they were at sea. Ilah returned shortly before the ship was scheduled to depart, and she acted as if it was her first time being there. She walked up to Azulon and whispered in his ear.
"I truly wish you didn't have to do this."
"As do I, but father is too old to fight anymore…" he leaned in closer to Ilah, "or keep mother satisfied, if the rumors are true."
"Oh my, that does seem serious!" Her mocking tone caused Azulon to chuckle.
"You rarely laugh anymore."
"There's rarely ever anything to laugh at."
"There's always something to laugh at, you just need to think about it."
"Where can I find more of this sage advice?"
"I can give you more when you return."
Just before it was time to depart, the Fire Lady arrived with a whole host of Imperial Firebenders. Her long dark hair blew wildly in wind, and her face was locked in a tense expression. Azulon noticed that Sozin was nowhere to be found.
"Where is father?"
"I'm sorry dear, he couldn't make it."
"He couldn't make it? Or he didn't even bother?"
Azumi frowned and moved in to hug her son, but he swatted her arms away, his eyes filled with rage.
Before the young price had the chance to say something he would regret, Ilah stepped in and grabbed hold of his arm. She was much stronger than she looked, and Azulon struggled to break free of her hold. The guards moved to separate them, but Azumi gestured for them to halt.
"Azulon… say a proper goodbye to your mother!" Ilah's voice was harsher than he had ever heard. This was not a request, but an order.
Azulon relaxed his posture and gave his mother a weak hug.
"I'll miss you." Azumi slowly let go her son, and bid him farewell.
Azulon sailed around the world for years and found no trace of the Avatar, just like his father. The journey gave him time to reflect and think about what he wanted for the future. And that future came much quicker than he expected. Azulon sailed home after he learned his father had passed away. His mother was inconsolable, and not fit to manage the Fire Nation in such a state.
The funeral and coronation were merged as one, and a massive crowd gathered to mourn the Fire Lord's passing.
"Sozin, Fire Lord to our nation for seventy-eight years. You were our brilliant leader in the battle of Han Tui, our inimitable conqueror of the Air Nomads. You were father to Azulon and husband to Azumi. We lay you to rest."
The Fire Sage lit Sozin's pyre and walked towards Azulon, placing a golden headpiece in his hair.
"Hail Fire Lord Azulon!"
The crowd cheered at his ascension, and all the sages bowed down before their new Fire Lord. Azulon felt someone grab hold of his hand, and looked over to see Ilah in a beautiful white dress. She wiped a nervous expression off her face and smiled at him.
"Welcome home, my Lord."
Author's Note
This chapter originally started out as a small scene in the previous chapter. But as I wrote it, I felt like there was more and more I wanted to tell. So that small scene eventually grew into two whole chapters, packed to the brim with new characters and lore. It isn't a super important chapter in the grand scheme of things, but it does provide some background. Not to mention, it was the most fun I've had writing so far! : )
