I do not own either version of Avatar. They belong to their respective owners.

Enjoy!


"Do you have everything you need?"

"I think so."

"Really? You have swords, correct? I fear you will need those. You should keep a close eye on those Firebending scrolls. The techniques would be useful."

"Kiyi-"

"You should also make sure that Druk is fed properly. He can't fly very well on an empty stomach."

"Kiyi-"

"You'll need a map of the city as well, given that you are new to it. You might also need to learn how to talk to them, they have their own lingo. And.."

"Kiyi!" Zuko's yell took the Fire Lord out of her ramblings. Unfortunately, it also bought some of the guards to attention. Kiyi had to put up her hand to put them back.

"I'm sorry Zuko. I suppose I am a little worried. You are leaving so soon after coming home."

"I know it's soon. But I don't think I can stay. I've been stuck in ice for decades. I need to do something."

Kiyi shook her head. "You're my older brother, and you have me worrying like your mother."

Zuko had to chuckle a little bit at that himself. As weird as it felt to be so much younger than his kid sister, he wouldn't deny the irony. Even if it was still weird.

"Is there anything we need to discuss beforehand? I don't think we can telephone each other while you're on a dragon."

Zuko made a mental note to ask what a telephone was later. Though it sort of sounded like a mail launcher, if it was used for communication.

"Actually, there is one thing we need to figure out," Zuko said. "I don't think we should tell anyone what I am."

Kiyi frowned. "What do you mean?"

"It's fine if you tell others that I'm a royal, or just a noble if you want. And I still intend to go by Zuko. But..." Zuko took a moment to consider his next words. "Do people actually know what I am? Or what I was?"

"You keep saying 'what". Zuko, are you referring to your being Vaatu's vessel?"

Zuko nodded.

"In that case, you are essentially unknown. Iroh believed it would be best if you were left out of history books."

Zuko frowned. "Why?"

"He never said why. Though he did always believe you would come back. Maybe he was planning for that?"

"Maybe," Zuko admitted. He didn't know why his uncle would want him forgotten by history. But that might actually be helpful to him at the moment. "I don't think we should tell anyone about me being an Avatar."

Now it was Kiyi's turn to frown. "Why?"

"Being in the light, being the person everyone looked to for help, that was Aang's job," Zuko said. "I don't think that's what I'm meant for. Raava and Vaatu are opposites. I think it would be best if I stayed secret for now."

Kiyi had her concerns about Zuko's request. Keeping his identity secret would come with complications. Among them is what she would have to say to world leaders. She was planning to send him to the home the Fire Nation royals used when they visited the city. She and her children hadn't been there in years, and there were no servants placed.

How was she supposed to explain a possible stranger who would just come in start living there? She would also have to explain his connection to her, as many people would be suspicious as to why the Fire Lord was allowing someone to use her home.

There would also be massive ramifications if it was discovered who he was. The fact that a Fire Lord had allowed an unknown Avatar to reside in Republic City without informing any of their leaders would not do well for her standing in the global community. They might even lose trust in her.

But he was family. And he had already had to bear enough. He was owed this.

"Alright then. If I receive any messages from the city asking about you, I'll tell them you're a distant relative. They wouldn't even suspect you of being the Fire Lord's older brother."

"Thank you, little sister." Zuko wrapped Kiyi in a hug. It was just as warm as the first one.

"Good luck, big brother."

Zuko walked away from Kiyi and mounted himself atop of Druk. The dragon lifted up its head and unfurled its wings.

"I'll write to you as soon as I settle. I promise."

"Follow the directions I gave you. They'll tell you where you can stop."

"I will."

That was all Zuko said before Druk took off. The dragon blasted off into the sky, with Zuko hanging on tight.

Kiyi watched with slightly sad eyes as the pair flew off towards Republic City. She honestly had no idea what to expect when she heard back from them. Zuko had a tendency to make unpredictable decisions. And his luck wasn't always the best.

She could only hope that he would be fine.


Zuko let out a deep breath as he enjoyed the silence. Well, relative silence. The sounds of the wind in his ears were pretty loud since he and Druk were flying far above the waters. But there was no other sound besides that, and Zuko could enjoy the simple pleasure of being there.

This was probably the most relaxed Zuko had been ever since he woke up from the ice. Going to Aang's island had been a little nerve-wracking, and even his time at the palace with Kiyi hadn't been the most comfortable. There were just so many reminders of how much time had passed.

But here, in the clouds, riding atop Druk, there were no worries to be had. Flying had a way of lifting the spirit. It was something he had learned after the first time he had taken a ride on Druk. And no matter how many rides he took since then, the feeling was always the same exhilarating.

Another advantage to being in the air was the way it lets him focus on his thoughts. The heavy wind kept distractions at bay, so he could direct his mind on important matters.

Like what he should do once he makes it to the city. In truth, Zuko's only plan was to make the designation Kiyi had laid out for him. She said it would be a place he would be both welcome and safe in. But he had no idea what to do after he got there.

Settling in would be the first thing, obviously. He would also have to get used to the surroundings. In case anything happened, he would need to know the best way to move around the residence.

He would also need a way to hide Druk. If Zuko wanted to keep on a path of secrecy, riding a dragon every would not help him in that regard. He would be too large and recognizable.

He would also need a way to keep himself hidden. If he wanted to remain inconspicuous, he would need to come up with a lot of excuses.

His scar? Accident when firebending back when he was younger.

His firebending skills? He had a good teacher.

His sword skills? Same answer.

His wealth? Family.

He doesn't know about the city? He just arrived. And his family kept him moving around a lot when he was younger. That wasn't even technically a lie.

There would also be the issue of keeping himself discreet when doing... Avatar stuff? Is that what it's supposed to be called? he never got to ask Aang. And there was no way he was going to ask now.

Zuko did use to have a mask decades ago. He had used it for the same reason, keeping himself hidden to avoid alerting the Fire Nation of what he was doing. But he lost that mask a long time ago. Along with the black suit he wore with it.

He would need something else. He needed...

"Hmph"

Druk pulled Zuko out of his thoughts. He was staring back at his rider with an amused expression.

"I got lost in my thoughts again, didn't I?"

A puff of smoke was Zuko's answer.

"Sorry about that. I guess I'm just trying to figure out what we should do once we get to the city. Uncle always said I don't plan ahead. I want to do things differently this time around."

Druk grunted.

"I know. Better late than never though."

With that out of the way. Zuko and Druk continued their flight towards Republic City. It wouldn't be too much further now.


The feeling of freedom died down when Zuko and Druk had to land to rest. It was already dark when they arrived at the spot Kiyi directed them towards. Seeing the place made it clear why Kiyi chose it.

It also solved his problem of hiding Druk.

The residence Kiyi had told him to find was a small island off the coast of the city. It almost reminded Zuko of the Ember Island home. It was decorated in a traditional Fire Nation manner, with red and gold being abundant.

"Let's take a look inside Druk."

No one was around, so Zuko pushed the gates of the house open by himself. He walked inside, followed closely by Druk. They could see a garden that clearly had not been tended to in a while. The windows and doors could use a good dusting. And those were just the issues that Zuko could see from the outside.

"Do you think you'll be fine sleeping outside Druk?"

In response, the dragon curled up its body in a spiral. He settled himself on the ground, quickly closing his eyes to rest. Flying here all the way from the Fire Nation with few breaks was clearly taxing.

And not just on Druk.

Zuko opened the door to the house to look inside. It was even more similar to the Ember Island retreat than he had expected. Even the furniture was similar, all of it decorated with gold. One of the rooms was basically just a nap room, with a bunch of pillows, blankets, and mattresses all scattered around the floor.

"I wonder who..."

Zuko's eyes widened when he reached a table at the end of a hallway. His heart stopped when he saw what was on the small table. It was something that Kiyi had told him about. A photo. A painting that could be created in an instant. She had even shown him a few that she owned.

What caught Zuko's eyes was the person in the photo.

It was uncle Iroh.

He was clearly older than the last time Zuko had seen him. His head had less hair, and his beard was slightly longer. Next to him was a young woman who had to be Kiyi. She had lightly tanned skin with her hair in a royal topknot. And they were both on a beach. Both smiling.

And Zuko wasn't able to be there.

Zuko put the photo down. The house probably had a lot more rooms and history for Zuko to learn about. But he was tired. And it was dark outside. So he dropped himself in the nap room, fell on a pillow, and promptly fell asleep. Exploration and reconnaissance could wait until tomorrow.


Zuko is now settled in Republic City. As of now, he has the guise of a Fire Nation Noble. Someone slightly important, but not exactly Royalty. Now to just wait and see how long the guise holds up.

I know this chapter is pretty short, but it's just a set-up for what is to come in the future.

I'm looking forward to what comes in the future. It ought to be fun.

Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.

Bye!