The Fire Lord's Granddaughter

The captivating sunrise bathed the land of fire sublimely. After all, the tops-turvy, tension, and upheaval from the past few years? It is sincerely a miracle that they even had dawn to awaken to. Retired Fire Lord Zuko and his wife Lady Akiko dropped by for the week. After that lunatic, Kuvira sought to obliterate the universe? They didn't take their family for granted.

Their grandson Iroh II was due home on sabbatical in three days. Consequently, the imperial household anxiously anticipated his arrival. Fire Lord Izumi exceedingly looked forward to seeing her son once more.

Witnessing the threshold of the end of humanity? Yes, she didn't take her family for granted at all. However, she notified her parents that she'd had some difficulty concerning her daughter. Princess Ursa has been quite a handful in such a turbulent environment.

Princess Ursa possessed an extraordinary bond with her grandparents. Like her grandparents before her? She, too, could bend the flames of dragons. Yet, her firebending remained as dazzling as a rainbow.

She'd inherited her great-uncle Iroh's tea skills. Furthermore, her great-grandmother's passion for the theater. However, Ursa didn't care for the new-fangled filmography. Instead, she favored genuine performing arts over the glorified motion-picture shows.

Today the knockout princess was intensely training with her broadswords. Her grandparents had tutored her in the ways of the swords. They're genuinely masters, given both studied under Master Piandao. The fashionable monarch unquestionably inherited her grandfather's "Never give up" attitude. Consequently, these were Zuko's broadswords. He'd bestowed them upon her when she turned thirteen.

The young princess took after her grandparents in several ways. First, inheriting Zuko's never-give-up mindset. Second furthermore, Akiko's compassion. Third, moreover, understanding the power of love.

"One, two, three," she whispered while she danced the dancing dragon. Utilizing both her firebending and swords in sync. Everything went flawlessly until she reached the concluding part of the set. Then, she lost her equilibrium, toppling face-first into the mud. She snarled in frustration before someone held out a hand to help her up.

"Flowers only bloom when they're ready, Ursa. Take pride in the fact you learn more from mistakes. Rather then getting everything right," her grandfather advised helping her to her feet.

"Grandpa! Grandma! When did you get here?!" she squealed loudly as she threw herself into their tender embrace. "We arrived roughly two hours ago, darling. We stopped by the turtleduck pond for a moment. Therefore, how our little adventurer?" her grandmother questioned.

Fiddling with her white lotus charm bracelet for a minute, she squealed uncontrollably. "I recently traveled to the Fire Falls! It's as picturesque as you said it was! Also, I took part in a dangerous undertaking a month back. I'd gone scaling the most towering mountain on the planet! Now that was a romping good time!"

"If only we're young again. It'd been quite the venture, don't you agree, beloved?" Zuko glanced into his wife's jade green eyes. "Yes, it would've been. Yet, people overlook the fact every day counts as an adventure. It doesn't have the crazy ones we underwent as children, you know. Simply going for a jaunt through the park is an adventure."

"True enough, my fire lily. Either way, Ursa? We're both super thrilled to spend time with you and your older brother."

"Of course, I'll be making the tea for us. Seeing how neither Mother nor my brother inherited any understanding when it came to tea making!" That got her grandparents to chuckle. "You're sincerely refreshing, Ursa. Anything else you wish to share at present?" Zuko questioned.

Shaking her head, "Nope, I've nothing else interesting to report. However? I'm not performing particularly well in few subjects." "School wasn't effortless for us either. So consequently, what precisely are you grappling with?" her grandmother asked.

"Well, for one thing, I'm not gifted at calligraphy, like Grandpa Zuko. Nor do I've got a feeling for philosophy, as you do, Grandma," she answered gloomily. Then a grin lit up her features, "I'm quite proficient in mathematics, scientific discipline, and political science. But, unfortunately, thus far, history has been problematic."

"You know? When I was a child attending historical dramatic compositions benefited me considerably in my history lessons. Perhaps they would help you?" Zuko suggested watching his granddaughter's eyes light up.

"You know the palace has a private theater. Should we call in a favor, Zuky? Furthermore, have some high-grade actors perform for our family?" his wife inquired as they quickly kissed. "That be quite exciting. I'm sure you're eager to see the Blue Spirit, aren't you, Ursa?" asked both of them, knowing the Blue Spirit was her favorite character.

"YES! The Blue Spirit is the most magnificent!" jumping up and down in enthusiasm. "Okay, calm down, sweetheart. Don't give yourself a heart attack," her grandmother advised her.

"Yes, Grandma," regaining her dignity. Most of the time, Princess Ursa functioned quite maturely. Some went as far as to say Princess Ursa was the embodiment of the ideal sovereign. However? Whenever her grandparents were around? The prissy performance dropped immediately. Suddenly she became an extremely enthusiastic and vivacious young lady.

"We're going to get settled down now. We shall see you and the rest of the family at dinner time," as her grandparents each caressed her forehead before heading off. Ursa hugged herself tightly before continuing her training exercises once more. "One, two, three," she counted, going through the kata.

Back in their bedchamber, the couple reclined on their mattress, "She's quite a fetching young woman, isn't she, Zuky?" Akiko commented, playing with her husband's long white locks. "Her namesake be extremely proud of her. I think we both agree to that," pausing for a moment to remember the only mother either had.

"Yes, she sure as shooting would. However, I do hope Iroh arrives shortly. It's been ages since I've held him in my arms," the charismatic woman mused. "At least Uncle's proud of his namesake," Zuko remarked off-hand as the couple cuddled closer together.

"Why wouldn't our father be satisfied? We've only told him every time we visit how our family doing," Akiko referred to their weekly jaunts to the Spirit World. Given Akiko's unique spiritual capabilities? They're able to keep in contact with Uncle. Once a week, dropping by to play Pai Sho while indulging in his mystery tea.

For a moment, neither spoke. They basked in each other's love. "Zuko?" Akiko asked suddenly. "What is it?" seeing how he'd been attempting to doze off.

"Who do you think shall inherited the sovereignty? Iroh's eldest, but I feel he's more into the United Forces. Ursa unquestionably the more diplomatic one."

"I presume Izumi will leave that up to them to decide. Now can we please get some shut-eye?"

"You're like Uncle. Therefore constantly needing naps," as she kissed him before they are taking their snooze.

Dreams can be an escape from reality at times. Other times? Not so much. For now? All the couple dreamed were the few ember moments of their lives, which brought smiles upon their faces.

Eventually, the dinner gong was sounded. After making sure they're satisfactory, the couple traveled to the formal dining chamber. To their surprise, their grandson got home quicker then expected! A feast of roast duck, shark-fin soup, and pork dumplings lay before them. Quite delicious, in fact.

"It's so wonderful to have the whole family together under the same roof again, isn't it?" Izumi asked the room at large.

"Yes, Mother, it definitely is. I've requested extra time on leave. I'm not the only one. Everyone demands a long vacation after facing Kuvira," Iroh replied, wiping some seasoning off his lips.

"Tell us, Big Brother. What marvelous risky ventures have you gone on?" Ursa inquired playfully. Her mother shot her an annoyed glance for stuffing her gob when she asked that. The Fire Nation Princess promptly adjusted her conduct. Yet the whole thing made her big brother snort. Chuckling at his sister's antics. "I don't desire to bore you all with political relations."

"Oh, please tell us a story, Big Brother," pleaded his sister. "I feel as strongly as you do when it comes to Republic City! I'm scheduled to travel there in six months to represent Mother. How else can I learn to run the country? If I don't dip my feet into the world of political sympathies?"

"So you've decided that Ursa will inherit then?" pipped up Akiko, to which her daughter fiddled with her teacup. "I long ago learned from you, Mother, that one's destiny isn't set in stone. Moreover, the importance of choosing your own fate. Even if the throne is both my children's birthright? I've never forced either of them to accept it. I want them to choose their own fate."

"I much prefer serving with the United Forces," Iroh explained, "I feel that is my calling and where I belong."

"I've eternally felt a need for adventure. On the other hand? I feel extremely devoted to the well-being of our country and the world. So, Iroh and I chatted about it. He's more then comfortable for the dominion to pass to me."

"Hmm, second female Fire Lord. We are setting up new traditions then. If only your father were here to see it," Zuko thinking of his late son-in-law. "Yes, Father, I do miss my husband. But, how could one anticipate he'd get dragon pox? None of us saw that coming." Izumi recalled dismally.

"Sometimes things happen, daughter. But, more often then not, there is no blame to be found. You accept the way things are and move forward with your life," her mother reminded her.

"Yes, that is undoubtedly wise enough. Shall we retire to the drawing-room? We can have after-dinner drinks and play Pai Sho?" Izumi suggested, to which everyone agreed. The rest of the night played out the same. Yet one and all agreed. Family is where life begins, and love never ends.


Princess Ursa II- Jessica Boone- Rue Princess Tutu

Akiko: Me


This is for Moongirl91939. Ursa is the unnamed daughter of Fire Lord Izumi. It is listed in the wiki she has a daughter. She's just not named. So this is Moongirl91939 idea for her.

Akiko is my OC from my Avatar stories. So Moongirl91939 allowed me to use her for this story she requested. Since in the canon, we don't know who Zuko ended up with. And to be honest? In fanfic, I can only imagine him and my OC. Though if I had my way in the show? If I had to use canon characters? Yep, I'm a Zutara fan!


An exercise in perspective

Write a letter to your future self. Tell yourself who you are today. What your greatest fears are, and what you believe in.

What are your goals? What do you hope to get even better at? Give yourself advice. Share life lessons.

Seal up the letter, and store it in a safe place. Set a reminder on your calendar to mail the letter to yourself one to three years from now.

Years from now, you'll open the letter and discover the perspective that can only come with time.