This is an idea I had after rewatching the Legend of Korra. I'll admit it has problems, but I never hated it as much as other people seem to.
Also, while this story will be similar to my other Avatar story Compromise, you don't have to read it to understand much here. You only have to read the synopsis to understand the basic premise. This story is also it's on AU, not directly related to Compromise. You'll see what I mean.
Let me know what you think of this idea. I'm always open to opinions.
I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender nor the Legend of Korra. They are properties of their respective owners.
Enjoy!
When I was a boy, my father, Avatar Aang, told me the story about how he and his friends heroically ended the Hundred Year War. With the help of Fire Lord Iroh and Princess Kiyi, he was able to change the world for the better.
Together, his group of allies transformed the former Fire Nation colonies into a fifth nation. The United Republic of Nations. The capital of the great land was named Republic City.
He also told me about his greatest regret in life. The one time he allowed his past lives full control over his body. And the action they made him commit.
There is a reason that he chose to never call upon them again.
Even with this regret, Avatar Aang dedicated his life to trying to save the world. He believed that it was the duty of an Avatar to act in the best interest of the world.
And so, he began reconstruction. The damages left by the war had to be repaired. The world needed to change for the better. And under Avatar Aang's guidance, it did.
But as the seasons change, it becomes clear that the cycle of the Avatar will continue. Soon, my father's time will be finished.
And the prison his past lives built will no longer hold.
He could remember a fight. He didn't know why it started. He knows he didn't win.
That's probably why he can't feel much anymore. He lost the fight, so something happened to him. He remembers shouting. A white glow. Nothing else.
He knows he had to do something. Or- he thought he had to do something. He didn't know what that was. Something about... a leader.
There were people angry at him over that. A lot of them had been yelling and shouting at him. Said they... disagreed? He couldn't remember.
Then there was cold. There was nothing but cold when he lost the fight. It was also.. boring. There was literally nothing. And then-
"Awaken! This world deserves chaos!"
Zuko's pitch-black eyes burst open.
170 AG
"They ever tell you what we're guarding?"
Three members of the Order of the White Lotus stood at the edge of the Northern Waters. They had been standing here for a few days now, just as their predecessors had. They were tasked with standing watch over... something.
"No one told us. Actually, no one's ever been told. We're just kinda... keeping an eye out for something."
"What's that?"
"No idea. But one of my buddies said that-"
*Crack*
The conversation ended when the ice around them began to shatter.
"The ice is breaking! Move!"
"He walked out!"
"It's like we were told."
"What do we do?"
"I don't know. But we-"
A section of ice beneath them exploded.
All three men had to stand back to avoid the steam. It looked as if a large circle of the ice had been melted from below. But what could have caused that?
"Keep strong men. This could be the thing we were stationed to stop."
All three agents assumed fighting stances. If something was to rise from the ice, they had to be ready to fight it.
That's when they saw movement.
A man in a dark red cloak stepped out of the black portal within the ground. He was now walking on a ground of ice. Standing before him are three men in white and dark blue clothes.
One of these men, with grayer hair than the rest, steps forward. "Identify yourself! Where did you come from?"
The man's face did not lift to meet his speaker.
"Where is Avatar Aang?"
The men in cloaks all assumed fighting positions.
"You will not harm the Avatar. Identify yourself, now."
The man lifted his head, making his features visible. He wasn't even truly a man, his face was too young for that. He had dark hair, and his golden eyes stared back at the guards. One eye was covered in burnt red flesh.
"Whether I hurt him or not depends on what he has to say to me. Now, where is he?"
It seemed that two of the men were waterbender. They both pulled water from the ice to use as weapons.
"I don't want to fight."
Both men attacked him anyway. Both used water whips against him.
In response, Zuko grabbed a hold of both whips. Using waterbending himself, he shifted the liquid into ice. He then lifted both frozen whips, still attached to the assailants, and smashed them both into the ground. Both men were left disoriented on the ground.
The winner turned to the last man standing. "I won't say this again. I would rather avoid fighting, but I want to know where Avatar Aang is."
The man entered a fighting stance. It was... familiar, to Zuko.
"You will not harm the Avatar! I won't allow it."
The man shot a fist a fire, which momentarily surprised Zuko. A Firebender fighting alongside Waterbenders?
He quickly got over his surprise and dodged the flame. The man shot more, but Zuko dodged them all with ease. He wasn't such a great Firebender.
"Fall already!"
"No."
Moving his hands in a circular motion, Zuko shot a blast of wind at the firebender. He had not been expecting any airbending and was caught completely off guard. He was shot back several feet, falling into the snow on his back. He tried to get back up, but there was already a foot on his chest.
Zuko created a fireball in his hand.
"I won't ask politely again. Tell me where Avatar Aang is. I have personal business with him."
The man scowled. "It doesn't matter if I tell you. The White Lotus will protect the Avatar. You will not get near him."
"It'll just be a challenge then. Tell me where to meet them."
The man just sighed. "He will be at Air Temple Island. Along with many White Lotus Agents."
Zuko frowned. "Air Temple Island? Where is that?"
"Some miles off the coast of Republic City. We'll warn them."
Zuko frowned. "Republic City? Where is...?" His eyes narrowed. "How long ago did the war end?"
"What?"
The flame in Zuko's hand grew larger. And less stable.
"Do not make me repeat myself. How long ago did the Hundred-Year War end?"
"Seventy years ago. Why does that matter?"
Zuko's eyes widened at the statement.
"Seventy years?"
"Yes. Why are you asking?"
But Zuko was no longer paying attention to him. He had already fallen back from the shock.
Had so much time truly passed?
That meant that Azula... Kiyi... Mai... Uncle...
The White Lotus agent took his opportunity. He stood back up and focused his sights on Zuko. He took in a breath. readied his fist aimed...
And was immediately swished back by a giant red tail.
The dragon, who had been silent and out of the way until now, sniffed in disinterest as the man flew across the sky, landing in the snow again. He didn't stand back up."
"Hmph."
"Thank you, Druk."
Zuko repeated the words in his mind. As well as aloud absentmindedly.
"Seventy years."
He had been locked in a chunk of ice for seventy years. Seventy years was how long the world has moved on without him.
And all because of one person.
"AANG!"
The dragon its neck towards the ground. Zuko sat upon the saddle and held the reigns while Druk lifted up his head.
"Aang a lot to answer to me for. Let's go."
Flapping his wings, Druk lifted himself and his rider above the ground. He then soared to the snowy clouds. They had an Airbender to find.
Zuko just had a Captain America pulled on him. Or 7/10ths of an Aang, now that I think about it. Still, he missed a lot, and he's not too happy about it.
The original idea for this story is Legend of Korra, with Korra replaced by Zuko. Kinda. A lot of things would change with this premise. It ought to be interesting.
Also, if I do continue this, the pairing will be Asami Sato. I feel like that could be an interesting dynamic to explore.
Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.
