A/N. So, I extended the dragon scene a bit, to include dialogue! Hope you like it!
I don't own Avatar the Last Airbender.
Touching his closed fists against Zuko's hands, Aang finished the Dragon Dance that had been illustrated by the statues down in the city. As he had been doing the forms, the airbender couldn't help but thin this had been a bad idea. How was a small dance going to convince dragons that they were worthy?
The enormous bodies of the animals landed on either side of the bridge, Aang took a step backwards, feeling that Zuko had done the same and that they were now pressed back-to-back in the middle of the bridge. Quickly glancing at the staircase, he knew… Even if he tried to escape with the help of airbending, the dragon would catch him. So… Being judge was the only option.
As the fire red dragon stared into his eyes, Aang couldn't help but shake. Of course, this was going to end poorly! Who had they been kidding? The Avatar, responsible for leaving the world, and the Prince of the Fire Nation, whose family had literally killed millions? Of course, if these dragons were going to judge their past… They were as good as done for.
He had never imagined that of all the ways to die, he was going to be dragon dinner.
As the ember eyes kept looking at him, he saw the long teeth appear as the dragon opened his snout slightly. Yep. Dragon dinner.
"They are afraid." A voice spoke in his head. It sounded like an ancient person, speaking as if every word was a great exploit.
"Good… It is only right." Another voice spoke, still in his head. This one sounded slightly younger, but still as if it was hundreds and hundreds of years old. And, if Aang's mind wasn't playing tricks… It sounded distinctly female.
"This one is afraid we are going to eat him." Aang realized that… It were the dragons. The dragons were speaking to them... Or just casually talking over breakfast, that was also a possibility.
"This one too." The female voice seemed to come from farther away… So, Aang assumed, that meant it was the one facing Zuko, the one whose blue body was wrapped around a part of the bridge.
"They knew what to do… But there is also darkness in their souls."
"Indeed, there is. Doubt, mistrust, fear and anger."
"The prince doubts of his worthiness… Mistrusts his newfound friends… Fears that his father will kill him because of his treachery… And feels anger towards himself, that his decisions led him away from righteousness.
"While the Avatar doubts his capabilities… Mistrusts the person standing behind him… Fears for his beloved and is enraged towards what the world has become because of him."
How… how did the dragons even know about all these things? Sure, he felt all of that… And could Zuko hear this too? Seen that he had heard the part about the firebender… Aang assumed that yes, the prince had just heard everything.
"And yet, the prince does not need to doubt. Even though his actions were unworthy, he didn't know any better. His scepticism is well placed, but he needs to be the one to take the first step if he has any hope to make these people trust him. His father has already written him off a long time ago. And he still chose good at the end, at the moment it mattered. So, is he righteous after all?"
"The Avatar is a humble man but needs to accept that his power is great and stronger than anyone alive. If he really wants the world to heal, he needs to accept the man behind him as a friend, not as a tool to reach his goal. His fear is founded, the water woman is in grave danger. But he would choose love above duty, which is the right choice every time. He needs to let go of his rage, for it has no place in the world he wants to build."
The voices stopped after that, and the dragon in front of him kept looking in his eyes for a long time…
The airbender understood… His beliefs had always said that personal arrogance was a negative trait, so he had always downplayed his own abilities… Well, most of the time. Sometimes, he had felt like his bending was better than most people…
But the dragons were right. He was the Avatar… He was supposed to be powerful, to protect the world and the people living in it…
That part about letting go of mistrust… Well, Zuko had certainly proven that he was not going to betray him. He could have done that at any moment during this trip but had not done so. And they had also been right that he had accepted the firebender to stay with them for the wrong reasons. He had promised Sokka and Katara not to trust him, while the prince had extended his hand in friendship... He had only taken him in to achieve his goals...
He had to resist smiling. Guru Pathik had encouraged him to choose duty above love… And here, two ancient beings were encouraging him to do the exact opposite. He liked their version better to be honest. And they were right, if Katara was in danger… He would choose her above everything. And to hear them actually approve… For the first time, someone approved… He had tried to explain it to Katara, but although she understood, she had encouraged him to place the world above her.
No. Never.
And yes… He had felt fury. The world had become a mess, and it was horribly enraging to see that and not being able to change it. But… He could change it. The world didn't need another warrior fuelled by anger and revenge. No… They needed a peacemaker. They needed an Air Nomad. They needed… him.
The dragon in front of him moved. Aang nearly flinched, but the animal moved his great head upwards and… breathed fire. Not at him, but rather… Around them? The flames dancing around them seemed familiar, and after a few seconds, the airbender realized where he had seen it before.
In Iroh's hand, in Ba Sing Se.
"True firebending isn't born out of hate and rage, but out of passion and desire to change the world for the better. Learn that, and your inner fire will always breathe clearly and powerful." The voices of the dragons both spoke at the same time, as red, yellow, pink, green and blue danced around them. Aang felt the warmth but wasn't scorched by the flames as one would expect.
"I understand…" The airbender heard behind him. For the first time in the short time he had spent with Zuko… The firebender sounded emotional. And he could only agree… The dragons had accepted them, as they were, with all their flaws… And showed them that there was another way to learn firbending…
The flames around them died down, and the dragons turned back to their caves, flying into them and disappearing from view. As the tail of the red dragon vanished, Aang felt his knees buckle and his how body released the tension he had apparanlty been holding in. Quickly putting his hands to his knees for support, he exhaled raggedly.
"Did we just… Survive that?" The airbender whispered.
"It seems… We did. We… We are worthy… I am worthy…" Zuko spoke behind him, and Aang heard in his voice the same utter relief as he himself was feeling. Turning around to the firebender, he managed to look the man in the eyes.
"I'm sorry… Sorry for accepting your offer of friendship merely a way to learn firebending. I'm sorry I didn't trust you." Aang said, extending a hand to the prince. The dragons were right. There was only one way forward, and that was by forgiving the people for acts that they hadn't done willingly.
"No need, I understand… To be honest, it was the only place I could go… I knew you and your friends were good at hiding… And my father has probably put a price on my head. They were right, I'm no longer his son in his eyes… Well, in that case, let it be known that I don't accept him as my father." Zuko whispered, and Aang heard the slight sadness in those words.
"I understand… Maybe we should talk about that later, on the way back… If you want. No more secrets. If you are willing to trust me… I will tell my secrets." The airbender suggested, to which the firebender nodded abruptly.
"Come on, it seems Feather Guy wants to talk." The prince gestured at the bottom of the staircase, where the Sun Chief was standing with his arms wide, a smile adorning his face from ear to ear. He seemed… Genuinely happy that they had been accepted by the dragons. While the man behind him, that High Priest with the feral look… Seemed rather disappointed.
As they walked down the steps, Aang realized what had really just happened. Two dragons had judged their character, past and ancestry... And accepted it. How? Sure, he knew his own ancestry was not that interesting... But how had Zuko survived that? Perhaps it was indeed that his mother's side of the family had cancelled out Sozin? But… How good did you have to be to cancel out that kind of tyrant?
"They judged you, and found you worthy to see or hear the visions about true firebending." The Chief announced, loudly enough for the crowd to hear.
Aang bowed in the traditional Fire Nation way, without the whole part that had been added during the century that had passed. Zuko did the same, but from the corner of his eyes, the airbender saw that it wasn't the old way, but at least, the firebender showed the respect these people were due.
"I can't believe that there are still dragons… My uncle Iroh told the story over and over… About how he faced the last dragon…"
Aang widened his eyes in sudden realization, but before he could say anything, the Sun Chief spoke.
"Iroh… Was the last outsider to come here before you. He faced the dragons, who found him worthy… Even if he was the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. They saw that his path wasn't to conquer and burn the world. They saw that he had a higher purpose. He wasn't worthy at the moment of his arrival here, but the dragons knew he would become it… Later in life."
He knew it! Aang knew he had recognized those flames! Iroh… So, the old prince had known all along, and had protected the secret.
"Who… Who came with him? To be judged?" Zuko spoke softly, and the airbender thought he heard the shyness.
"His son, Lu Ten." The Sun Warrior spoke with a kind voice. Aang knew that Iroh had a son who died some ears ago, but he had never heard the name. Watching the prince, the airbender saw the small smile.
"And then, the dragons wished his father a long life… And gave the prince the sad news he wouldn't see the end of the long war…. It was a bedtime story my cousin told me and… And Azula. We loved that story…" Zuko sighed, and Aang's heart cracked under the immense sadness in his voice. It seemed… It seemed that the firebender had loved this Lu Ten very much…
Putting a hand on the prince's shoulder, Aang turned to the Sun Warriors.
"All this time, I thought that fire was destruction. I hurt my…. Friend. But now, I know what it really is. It is energy and life." He spoke, and saw the smile on the chiefs' face, indicating he was on the right track.
"It is… It is like the sun. Not the inner flame as described by most firebender, fuelled by ambition and anger… But an inner flame radiating life… One born of passion and care… That is why my firebending was weak! My ambition… my drive was to capture you!" Zuko turned to him, staring at him with wide ember eyes.
"But now… I know what I need to do. I will help you defeat Ozai. Not only by teaching you firebending! But by actively fighting. I will help you restore balance, whatever it will take." With that, the prince bent a flame in his hand. Aang saw that it looked like it had done when Iroh had illuminated that tunnel in Ba Sing Se. Fire, filled with colours and life.
Breathing in, the airbender did the same. His fire still looked smaller and timider than that of Zuko, but he assumed that was because of the fact that he still held back. But that would face as he became more accustomed to it, Aang was sure.
"Here are some scrolls with forms and so on. We hope that you will see this as our contribution to your peace effort." The chief handed him a small bag filled with scrolls. And the hidden meaning behind those words didn't escape him either.
This is all we will do. We will not fight.
"Now that you know our secrets… You will have to stay here, of course." The Sun chief didn't smile this time.
"What! No! I have thin-" Aang began to object, but then heard the chuckle.
"Only joking. But I would have an oath of you. Promise me you will not speak about this place to anyone whom you don't trust fully. Other than that… You are free to go."
Aang resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Of course it was just a joke.
"Wasti wä sö." He bowed.
I do so swear.
"I promise." Zuko speak beside him, to which the Chief smiled and turned around. As the man walked away, the other Sun Warriors melted into the shadows, and not before long they were alone at the mountain peak.
"Remember me that I will teach you your language when all this is over." Aang spoke as he pulled out the bison whistle. They had left Appa on the beach on the east side of the island, but to be honest… He didn't feel like walking all the way down, which would take hours with Zuko. He would much rather go as soon as possible, and sleep beside Katara tonight.
"My language?" The firebender asked, as Aang blew softly into the whistle.
"The Fire Nation language, yes. For some reason, ti was not taught at your schools. When I was a boy, only the Caldara spoke the Common Language. The rest of the islands spoke their own dialects of the language of the Fire Nation. My version is the one of Kirashi, where my friend Kuzon lived." The airbender explained, as he put the whistle back into his pocket ad sat down on a fallen pillar, putting the bag with scroll between his feet. It would take Appa around ten minutes to come back here, so, better to wait as comfortable as possible.
"You are truly a relic, you do know that, right?" Zuko shook his head, sitting down next to him.
"Yeah, I hear that all the time… Just some people don't see it that way. There are those who see me just as… As Aang. Not like some long-lost culture and hope." He sighed, blowing the air out of his lungs and making the few dried leaves lying around twirling into the sky.
"Well… I hope I will learn to know you as Aang… Not as Avatar, or the Airbender." Zuko sounded shy.
"Once more, I'm sorry that I saw you as a means to learn firebending… I would like to know the real Zuko." Aang elbowed the older boy into the ribs, smiling.
"Agni, this is going to be a pain, isn't it?" The prince grumbled.
"Planning on it, yes. But… The dragons are right. No more secrets, no more mistrust. I will tell you everything there is to know about me." It was the right thing to do. The firebender had proven his worth and willingness over and over again.
"Your question, coming here… About Katara. Yes, I love her. That is why the dragons spoke about the water woman. Azula has threatened to capture her and use her as a way to make me surrender. And you need to know, if she captures Katara… I will do that in the blink of an eye. Just so you know." It was only fair if the firebender knew the whole deal before he actually committed himself to this cause.
If Katara's life is in danger, I will throw the world away just to make sure she is safe.
But… He wasn't going to tell the firebender about his relationship with the waterbender. That was not only for him to tell, and as long as Katara didn't trust him… This would have to be enough.
"I understand. I left my girlfriend so that my father wouldn't take out his anger on her. I wrote… I wrote a letter. Explaining my reasons. I know, it was cowardly. But I didn't fancy getting my throat slid." At that, Aang heard Zuko laugh softly.
"Ah… so Sifu Hotman is a hot man?" The airbender couldn't help it. It was the corniest joke ever, but he had been sitting on that one ever since Kuzon had taught him that word!
"Shut u… Oh, Agni. Alright, ha-ha." The firebender spoke angrily.
"So, this girlfriend… Why didn't you just take her with you? If you love her…" Aang suggested.
"Exactly. I didn't want her to be in the same kind of danger as we are in. If we lose… She will still have a good life now. And I guessed you wouldn't be exactly charmed to see her." The prince explained as the airbender saw the shape of Appa appear on the horizon, coming from the east.
"Oh? So… Who is it?" Aang grinned.
"Mai… She was the dark-haired girl who travelled with my sister a few months ago." Zuko explained, with a dopey smile on his face. Spirits… Did Aang look like that when he talked about Katara? If that as the case, it was a wonder that Zuko had not found out just by looking at him.
"Oh, the knife-throwing girl!" Aang spoke kindly. He had not exactly fond memories of the woman. But hey, maybe he was mistaken and he was actually a nice and caring person. Under all the knives and gloominess that was.
"Yeah… That's her." Still that dopey grin.
Spirits…
Appa landed beside them, and Aang saw how the bison sniffed the air, looking from left to right. And then, growled softly. Quickly standing up, picking up the bag and moving to his head, Aang patted the fur gently.
"It is alright buddy… They are not here. I know you don't like dragons, but there is nothing to fear, I promise." He caressed the fur under the big brown eyes.
"Ehm… Why doesn't he like dragons?" Zuko asked as he came to stand beside him.
"In the old days… Well, dragons never stop growing. Masters Ran and Shaw were clearly very old… Some of the older dragons were big enough to hunt and actually catch Sky Bisons. So, Appa's instinct is to be very wary of them. Come on, let's get going. I need to get us back before tomorrow morning." With that Aang bend himself up, landing on the bison's head.
"Do I want to know why we need to be back tomorrow?" Zuko asked as he climbed into the saddle.
"Katara has threatened to come after us if we are not back by the third day. And believe me when I say this: she will." Aang answered. Yeah… She would walk the journey if needed, only to be sure to know what happened. And take revenge if needed.
"Of course she has… She doesn't like me very much, does she?" The firebender said as Appa jumped into the air.
"Have you given her much reason to actually like you? I mean… you did push her grandmother to the ground, attacked her village… And then chased us around. I forgive you for those things… But to make the others do so… Well, Sokka and Katara will be hard to convince, I admit." As Aang steered Appa into the right direction, towards the east, he got up from his place between the horns of the bison and walked to the saddle. As he arrived at the ledge, the airbender began to walk precariously over it, balancing between the saddle and the abyss below.
"Well, I understand where they are coming from I guess… But I'm glad you at least trust me somewhat." Zuko spoke, and Aang saw how the ember eyes followed the movements he was doing over the edge of the saddle. As he came around the other side of the wooden construction, Aang nodded.
"They lost everything because of the Fire Nation. If you want them to trust you, you will need to show them you are genuinely trying to help them. You can't just ask them to forgive you, with a please and a thank you." He explained as he let himself slid into the saddle. He walked over to where the firebender was sitting and put the bag that he was still holding in front of the prince. Then, he moved to the other side of the saddle and lay down on the wood with his head against the rim.
There was no answer from Zuko, but Aang hadn't expected one to be honest.
They were going back to the Air Temple… And the second he got there, he was going to ignore the trauma and the despair he felt there. No, he was going to kiss Katara senseless, or until his heart gave out. To be honest… He needed her. He needed her arms around him, her soft laugh in his ear, her lips against his… It was maybe slightly strange to think about that after encountering dragons, a lost civilization, and learning so many new things about firebending…
But they had spoken about love and passion being the driving force behind real firebending… And to be honest, those were feelings he would always associate with Katara.
And now… Maybe he could also leave the sorrow of that empty Air Temple behind… just for a few moments… If Katara would like to get away for a few hours…
"These forms… Alright. At sunrise, meditation. Then, the mornings, you are going to spend with the earthbender and the waterbender, because I guess you will still need to do those trainings. Then, lunch. Afternoon and evenings, we will practice." Zuko's voice cut off his daydream, and Aang felt his eyes widen in alarm.
"Wait… Do I get free time?" Oh, spirits no…
"Agni no. You do realize that you are going to fight Ozai in the coming four weeks, no? He is the best of the best, maybe even better than Uncle. No, if you want a chance against him, you are going to train. Day after day. Night after night. No distractions."
Oh Spirits… This was way worse than when Sokka had wanted to plan his training! No!
"Not even a day off, when we get back?" He pleaded. They couldn't deny him that!
"You get this evening. Tomorrow we start. Until the end, this is going to be your life."
Closing his eyes, he got up and quickly moved to Appa's head. As he sat down, Aang bend down towards the left ear of the bison.
"Please buddy… Get is there as fast as you can. Every minute I can get, I'll take… Please hurry. I can't survive this planning without at least a few moments with her…"
Answers :
CoyoteLemon : Yeah, it was dark, but I wanted to make it realistic. And yeah, I was writing this, and needed cause of death… I guessed that suffocation, for an airbender, would be horrible. So, I went with that.