I do not own Avatar The Last Airbender. It is the property of Nickelodeon. And the creation of Michael DiMartino and Brian Konietzko.
Enjoy!
"Sun's about to set."
"It is, Zuko."
"So she should be here any second now."
"That is what she said."
Zuko and Iroh waited outside their cave for the small and deadly girl they meet yesterday to show up.
"How long, uncle?"
Iroh sighed. "I don't know nephew. She will arrive when she chooses to."
"What are we supposed to do until then?"
"The only thing we can do Zuko. Wait."
Groaning, Zuko fell down on the ground, clearly unhappy with the situation. All of his past tutors, Iroh included, had worked with a sense of punctuality. Even Druk would count among them, but that was only because he was always with Zuko.
There was a time and a place for practice, and it was meant to be respected. But it didn't seem like this girl knew that.
Druk, sensitive to Zuko's moods, flew towards his partner and snuggled on his lap. He might have been intending to sleep, since dragons are creatures of the sun.
Unfortunately, he wouldn't get a chance to do that. A giant hole exploded from the ground. The same little girl walked out.
"What's up losers?"
Druk, his eyes shot open, looked at Zuko.
"Yeah. That's her."
"Ah, young Bandit," Iroh said cheerfully. "We were wondering when you would be arriving. Perhaps now you can..."
"Silence the mouth old man. Need to talk to Sparky first."
The girl walks straight to Zuko and stops in front of him.
"There's something long and hot in your lap. Explain."
Zuko's eyes widened. "Uh..."
"I'm talking about the animal!"
"Oh. Right. This is Druk."
The girl eyed(?) Druk, almost like she was scrutinizing him.
"What is he? I'm getting the sense that he's a lizard with wings."
Iroh was about to speak, but Zuko interjected.
"I'll tell you about Druk if you promise to teach me Earthebending."
"Oh, no, no, no. Remember Sparky, I said I would consider it after I heard your story. Start telling that, and we'll see what happens."
Zuko frowned. "What assurance do you have that you won't just hear the story and leave?"
"Bit of a cynic aren't you? Tell you what, if I like your story, I'll give you your first lesson right here and now."
Zuko's eyes widened. he didn't even stop himself.
"Deal."
"Nephew, hold on a..."
"Better shake on it." The girl held out her hand, which Zuko immediately took.
Iroh groaned in the background. Why did Zuko never listen when he asked? He could hope that this didn't backfire.
"Just one thing. If I'm about to trust you with the truth, can I at least get your name?"
The girl pursed her lip in thought, and then she shrugged.
"My name is Toph. Toph Beifong."
Iroh's eyes momentarily widened, but he recovered quickly.
"Ok, Toph. Nice to meet you. I guess I should start with..."
"Wait. Can I make a small request first?"
Zuko furrowed his brow. "What?"
"Can I see Druk?"
Instead of receiving an answer, Druk just flew from Zuko's lap onto Toph's shoulder. The girl just giggled in response
"Wow! He is warm."
Druk responded to the praise by nuzzling his head on Toph's cheek. The girl giggled in response.
Zuko frowned, muttering something that sounded like 'traitor' under his breath, and told his story.
"And that's when we came here and found you."
Toph just looked at both of them with wide empty eyes. The only move she made was scratching Druk's chin.
"So let me get this straight. You actually merged with a spirit of chaos?
"To escape the Spirit World. Yes."
"And that makes you a new Avatar?"
"Yes."
"Your goal is to fight against your nation to make sure that the world doesn't fall apart?"
"Yup."
"You mastered firebending from your uncle here? And you managed to find a dragon egg and hatch it?"
"I wouldn't say I mastered it yet, but I'm pretty good."
"And now you need to learn Earthbending because your cycle is the opposite of the old one?"
"Yeah. And I want you to teach me."
"And you," she directed this question to Iroh. Or, she probably was. Her hand was actually pointing at a confused Druk, "are actually sticking around?"
"Well, I couldn't just leave my nephew, now could I?"
Zuko had told Toph what had happened at the Western Air Temple and afterward. He had left a few parts out, like him being a prince, the Sun Warriors, and his original mission. Telling her he was the Fire Lords' son might diminish trust, they had promised not to reveal the Sun Warriors to anyone, and he was sure how he would look if he told anyone that he was technically supposed to be hunting airbenders. And not so that he could learn from them.
Zuko and Iroh waited for an answer. Depending on Toph's reaction, things could go one of two ways.
One, Zuko gets and Earthbending teacher and things work out.
Or two, she runs away, tells the city about the two crazy people living in a cave outside the city, and they have to restart the search elsewhere.
Suddenly, Toph smiles.
"You guys are crazy. I'm in."
Zuko and Iroh share a look. This wasn't exactly what they were expecting. Thankfully, Toph chose to elaborate.
"Things can get pretty boring in Gaoling. Especially at home. I figure this ought to be pretty interesting."
Not the most benevolent of reasons, but it could work.
Toph stood up. Druk flew down to stand next to Zuko.
"Alright Sparky, let's see what you got."
Zuko's eyes widened.
"Right now?"
"Duh. I said I'd give you a lesson right now if I liked the story, remember? Now get up."
With one shift of her foot, Toph created a rock column that forced Zuko to send up. He gets shot to his feet.
"Let's see your stance."
"M-my stance?"
"Yeah. That's one of the most important aspects of earthbending. Don't you know anything?"
"No! That's why I came to you!"
Toph just sighs and shakes her head.
"Guess we're starting with the basics. Let me see what kind of stance you know."
Unsure of what else to do, Zuko takes a fighting position. Unfortunately, it's a Dancing Dragon move.
"I'm here to teach you Earthbending Sparky. You already know Firebending from the old man there."
"Hey! I'm not that old."
"Not the point. If I'm going to teach you earthbending, you're going to have to forget about firebending first."
"Forget about firebending?" Zuko thought. How was he supposed to do that? He had been a firebender his entire life. Becoming an Avatar was a recent development. How could he forget the element he was born into?
"Let's start with getting you into the right stance. First thing's first, take off your shoes and plant your feet."
"Excuse me?"
"If you want to learn to move the earth, then have to connect with it. That means letting your feet feel the earth. Now hurry up before I make your uncle take your shoes off."
Iroh perks up. "Why would I have to remove them?"
"You think I want to touch his feet? No way! Now hurry up Sparky!"
Confused and slightly offended, Zuko nonetheless too off his shoes and stomped his feet on the ground.
"Good. Now lower yourself and harden your stance. You need to be solid for this to work. Let me show you."
Toph walked to Zuko and fixed his stance.
Instead of the usual dynamic pose he would take for firebending, Toph instructed him to be firm. Both his feet were planted on the ground, and his legs were separated. He held his fists on the sides of his stomach, and his arms were held back.
"Now try to drop your body low. Try to get closer to the earth."
Zuko did so. It was difficult, he was feeling a burning pain from it, but he did it. He held himself as low as he could, his stance not wavering.
"Alright. Your stance is good."
Zuko smiled. He might actually learn to get this.
"Keep practicing that. I'll be back tomorrow."
His smile immediately fell.
"What?! Where are you going?"
"Home. If I stay out any longer, someone might get suspicious. But I'll come back tomorrow."
"I thought you were going to teach me earthbending."
"I am Sparky. Don't worry. The stance is an important part. Just work on that. Tomorrow we'll see if you got the stuff."
"Stuff?"
"Yup. Later."
With one stomp, Toph opened another large hole in the ground. She jumped in, and the hole closed after her.
And just as suddenly as she appeared, she was now gone.
"UGH! I can't believe this!"
"Zuko..."
"She promised she would teach me earthbending, and all she showed me was how to stand. How is that supposed to help?!"
"Did you not once say the same thing about the Dancing Dragon nephew? You asked me how dancing could improve your firebending."
Zuko, who was about to yell something else, stopped when he heard his uncle's explanation. He didn't want to admit it aloud, but he was right.
"Besides, what she told you is true. A stance to an earthbender is similar to what breathing is to a firebender. It is a basic and fundamental aspect of this art. Just as proper breathing will enhance one's flames, a proper stance can improve one's connection to the earth."
Zuko absorbed his uncle's words. He might not be an earthbender himself, but he had spent years as a high-ranking general fighting in the Earth Kingdom. He had fought his fair share of earthbenders. That meant that he would know what he is talking about.
But still...
"So you're saying I should just practice how to stand until she comes back?"
"No Zuko. I am not saying that" Iroh said with a shake of his head. Then he grinned. "It is late, and we should rest. Tomorrow you will practice how to stand until she arrives."
Zuko groaned, but he decided to follow his uncle's advice. He didn't much like staying up the sun anyway.
Setting on to his futon, and letting Druk curl next to his head, Zuko drifted to sleep.
When Zuko opened his eyes, he was sitting in a red chair inside a dark room. Vaatu was there as well, but he was ignoring Zuko. His back was turned to him.
Because Zuko usually waited for Vaatu to start their conversations, he remained silent and waited for him to speak.
He waited.
...
And waited.
And waited.
And waited.
How much longer was he supposed to wait?
"Are you there Vaatu? Or does your silence mean that I don't have to talk to you anymore?"
No answer.
"Vaatu? I can see you."
The spirit of chaos ignored him.
"Is this because I interrupted you yesterday?"
"Oh, now you remember."
Zuko could only groan. Here was the living incarnation of chaos and darkness, sharing a body and mind with him. And that same spirit was acting like a pouty child.
Why did this feel ironic?
"Are you really still mad about yesterday?"
"I'm not mad. I am offended."
"Offen- How are you offended?"
"You interrupted me. You thought your realization was more important than my wisdom. You don't really value me."
"I don- Vaatu, how could I not value you? I would have been trapped in the spirit world without you. I wouldn't know about spirit fire, and I probably wouldn't have gotten Druk. You-"
*Sniff*
"You actually do care vessel. I am touched."
Zuko was confused for a moment, then his face deadpanned.
"You put on that act to make me admit all of that, didn't you?"
"Partially. I really don't like being interrupted. It makes me feel unimportant."
"And you thought acting like a bratty kid would help you?"
"It works for you, doesn't it?"
Zuko's eyes bulged, and he could feel his temper rise. But he fought it back. he already knew he wouldn't win against Vaatu. He knew too much about him for Zuko to win a verbal match against him.
Instead, Zuko only sighed.
"Alright. Anything else you want to say to me?"
"A few things, actually. Give me a moment."
Vaatu moved to a corner to collect his thoughts. He returned quickly.
"Firstly, good work on securing your master. She will do well."
Zuko nodded. He hoped he made a good choice.
"Also, listen to your uncle about stances. They are important."
"Alright."
"What else? Ah, yes. Your dragon should be growing soon. I suggest you prepare for that. He will require more space and food, and it would be better to prepare yourself sooner rather than later."
Zuko's widened. He and Iroh could barely take care of themselves at the moment. How were they supposed to deal with Druk when he became a full dragon?
"One last thing. Do not. Ever. Interrupt me again. Understood?"
"No promises."
"Why did I expect that response?"
A glowing light was overtaking the world.
"I suppose you are waking up. Until tomorrow vessel."
Zuko woke up feeling something tug on his hair (which had grown out a bit since he cut off his topknot). He looked up and was not surprised to see Druk pulling on it with his teeth.
He was, however, surprised to see that Druk was snow larger. Before, he still looked like a baby dragon, no larger than a snake. Now he was twice that size. His body was now much longer than Zuko's arm, and possibly his leg.
Looks like Vaatu was right.
"Uncle?"
The old fire master woke up with a yawn.
"Yes, nephew?'
"We might have a problem. With Druk."
Confused, Iroh turned to the dragon that had slept by Zuko. His eyes widened when he realized the issue.
"Druk is beginning to grow."
"I noticed that uncle. What are we supposed to do about that?"
Ignoring both of them, Druk trotted to the leftover meat. It only took him one minute to eat all of it. The problem was, he still looked hungry.
"I will take Druk into the forest. Hopefully, we may find something that will satisfy his growing appetite."
Zuko frowned. "What about me? Do you expect me to just stay here?"
"Yes. Zuko, you must work on your stance. Continue to solidify it. If you wish to learn earthbending, you must learn to properly plant yourself into the earth. I suggest you get as much practice as you can before young Toph returns."
Zuko sighed. He trusted Uncle, especially with Druk. But helping his dragon sounded like something that Zuko should be responsible for, not Iroh. He didn't want to force his uncle to do that for him.
Sensing his conflict, Iroh smiled.
"Zuko, it will be fine. I enjoy Druk's company, and I believe your task to be more important."
Zuko looked at his uncle.
"You yourself admitted that you must learn to master the four elements. This will be your first step to attaining that goal. I do not wish for you to be distracted from it."
Zuko nodded. Uncle was right (as usual). He needed to focus on earthbending right now.
"Druk. Come with me."
The dragon happily flew up and wrapped himself around Iroh. Zuko always thought that Druk viewed his uncle as a sort of grandfather figure. It would explain why he often listened to his uncle more than him.
"Uncle?"
"Yes, Zuko?"
"Have you thought anything about... after?"
Iroh frowned. "After what Zuko?"
"When my father is removed from the throne, are you going to become Fire Lord?"
Iroh's eyes widened when he heard the question. He hadn't actually put too much thought into.
"I- suppose I am the only option. Your duty as the Avatar prevents you from taking the throne."
"What about Azula?"
"I suppose I am the only option."
Zuko nodded.
"What about an heir? You won't rule forever."
Once again, Iroh was thrown for a loop. He had spent so long focusing on Zuko, he hasn't put any thought into the future of the Fire Nation.
They would need a new lineage. The previous one was no longer viable.
He might have to seek out the White Lotus for advice on this matter.
"We will discuss this another time. I will return Zuko. Work on your stance meanwhile."
"Alright, uncle."
Once Iroh and Druk were gone, Zuko got to work.
Miles away, inside the Beifong estate, a young girl laid in bed awake. She couldn't stop thinking about what she had agreed to last night.
"Maybe I should have thought it over before agreeing to train that guy."
Not that she regretted doing so. Having a student to teach (and possibly torture for her amusement) sounded like a much better alternative to being stuck at home all day.
Also, the three of them seemed like they would be fun to be around. Sparky's skin was so thin that it was easy to get under it. She had plenty of insults already lined up for him.
His uncle was... alright. She hadn't really talked to him that much, so she would need more time before forming an opinion on him. But he probably a firebending master if he was able to teach Sparky. So she would have to keep an eye on him.
And Druk was, well, a dragon. There weren't many of those left in the world, and she could now say that she was able to pet a baby dragon in her lifetime. He'd probably be fun.
Right now, she just had to figure out how to teach Sparky. It's not that she couldn't, it's just that she's never had a student before. And Earthbending was something that came so naturally to her, she might have trouble explaining some of the finer details to someone else. Especially to someone who just became an earthbender.
But then again, Sparky seemed like the stubborn sort. He could probably figure it out. And after that, he would have to learn water and air. Maybe she'd tag along, get away from her parents for a bit.
But the main thing that was bothering her about her new student was his name. She called him Sparky for fun, but she heard what his uncle called him. His real name.
Zuko.
Why did that name sound so familiar? She knew she heard that name somewhere? Her parents were discussing something when it came up. Was he someone important?
Nah, if he was important, he probably wouldn't be living in a cave. He'd probably smell better too.
But then again, he did manage to get a dragon. Something that was supposed to be extinct.
Ah, she'd figure it out later. Probably wouldn't be too big of a deal.
Zuko now officially has an Earthbending master. And it's arguably one of the best earthbenders in the world. He's in good hands.
Originally, I was going to have Zuko move his first rock in this chapter. But then I remembered how much of a troll Toph can be, so I decided to have some fun. The next chapter will focus entirely on Zuko's training. That ought to be interesting.
Also, I think I should clear something up that I probably didn't fully explain in my previous update chapter. If (no promises) I decided to give Zuko lavabending, I would ignore the retcon that LOK made to the skill. It wouldn't be a sub-form of earthbending. It would be a mix of firebending and earthbending like it originally was. But I haven't decided to do that. Apparently, a lot of people want to see Zuko be a combustion bender, which I admit could be cool, but I'm not sure. I don't think I'll give him lightning, that's more Azula's thing, and he'll learn to redirect it anyway.
I'm not making this suggestion just for the sake of making Zuko powerful, I just want to clear that up. One of my past reviewers pointed out that because Zuko is the first of Vaatu's Avatars, he is technically the weakest. He has not past lives to draw wisdom or power from, which would put him at a massive disadvantage. That same review suggested having Zuko learn a powerful sub-bending art to make up for that. I am merely considering that suggestion.
Anyway, please leave reviews, tell me what you think, and I will see you all next time.
Bye!