AN1: I'm so glad that you all seem to like this story! The dream sequence was fighting me, but I think I managed to wrestle the dragon into submission.
Review Responses:
Sandford9687 - This story will not contain yoai. I'm actually still debating between a slow burn Zutara, canon Maiko, or no romance for Zuko at all. Also, if it WAS going to be yaoi, I would have put it in the Summary and/or Disclaimer.
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar the Last Airbender
Chapter Two Vocabulary:
Spectacles- another term for glasses
Chapter Two: Acceptance
"Who are you, and what do you want?"
Placing a cloth from the bowl of cold water onto the prince's forehead, Akane couldn't help but recall the last time they were in this exact scenario. Unlike three years ago though, the cause of the prince's fevered state this time was unknown. Accompanying her in the prince's quarters were General Iroh, Lieutenant Jee, Kenji and Reiji. Sekitan would have joined them, but he had drawn the short stick for guard duty tonight.
"This doesn't seem to be from his fall in the ocean. The three that were trapped in ice were showing signs of constant sniffling before dinner. But this?"
Kenji paused to wave his arm at the teen lying unresponsive on his futon, as the medic's spectacles slid down the bridge of his nose. "His fever came out of nowhere and it's dangerously high, even for a firebender! I can't treat him if I don't know the cause of it!"
The cloth started to steam, prompting Akane to switch it out for another. The medic made a sound of exasperation.
"This is not a natural sickness."
All eyes zoned in on the portly general.
"His words about my brother. The image of himself that he had built over the last three years. What was said tonight was in such conflict with himself, he is now fighting a battle within his mind and body."
Jee raised an eyebrow. "Meaning?"
"This will not be a pleasant experience for him," he stated as Akane continued to tend to Zuko. "But he will become a better person after this."
"What does this mean for us?" Reiji inquired, his first words for the night since Zuko had been brought inside.
"I suggest that we watch over Zuko in shifts," Iroh answered, as a grimace appeared on the teen's flushed and sweaty face.
"This is going to be a long night."
-DREAM-
Zuko was dreaming. He had to be. Why else would he be sitting on the Dragon Throne, a spot in the throne room that was exclusive only for the Fire Lord? Out of the corners of his vision, he could see two dragons appear, one red and the other blue, coiling around the pillars on each side of him. Suddenly, the blue dragon started circling around Zuko.
"It's getting late," the blue dragon began, its voice sounding not unlike Ozai. "Are you planning to retire soon, my lord?"
"I'm not tired," Zuko insisted, face still facing forward and forcing himself to not turn his head to look at the beast.
The blue dragon loomed closer to him.
"Relax, Fire Lord Zuko," it purred into the teen's ear. "Just let go. Give in to it. Shut your eyes for a while."
Zuko slowly started to shut his eyes, but widely opened them upon hearing the other dragon.
"No, Fire Lord Zuko!" Raava's voice came out of the red dragon's mouth. "Do not listen to the blue dragon. You should get out of here right now! Go! Before it's too late!"
Both dragons are now poised on either side of Zuko.
"Sleep now, Fire Lord Zuko," growled out the blue dragon.
The dragons suddenly disappear, and the throne room begins to crumble away into nothing. Out of the darkness, two golden eyes appear, followed by the face of the blue dragon, which closes in rapidly towards the teen.
"Sleep. Just like your mother!"
The dragon charges at Zuko and opens its mouth. Inside the dragon's mouth, Zuko sees his mother. The woman drops her hood to look at him pleadingly, his reflection seen in her eyes.
"Zuko! Help me!"
The floor disappears under him, and he begins to fall into the darkness.
As he began to fall, Zuko felt fingers firmly latch onto his arm. Clouds appeared as the inky darkness turned to white. Looking up, he saw that it was a tall elderly man who was keeping him from falling. Feet touching solid ground, Zuko looked around and realized they were now on a mountain...plateau...thing.
"Well, this is an interesting turn of events. Don't you think so, great-grandson?"
The scarred teen turned to look at the man. He squinted his eyes as his mind dared to wade into the storm of memories...now which one...ah-ha! From the portraits he had seen in the palace, this wasn't Fire Lord Sozin. So that meant he was—
The memories suddenly blurred and flooded Zuko. His eyes shut and hands going to his ears, he dropped to his knees, images and sounds threatening to overwhelm him once more. Wan? Zuko? Both? Around the two appeared a large amount of flame wisps.
"We need a place to store them."
Without thinking, a stone statue of Raava appeared before them, a small offering bowl placed in front of it. Zuko felt the pressure in his mind lessen, and he shakily got up. Looking at the man, the teen nodded his head, and, one by one, the duo worked to place the wisps into the bowl.
With each wisp came memories, settling deep within Zuko. Yao, Jaya, Wan's time living with them, stealing food from the Chou brothers to feed them. Being banished into the Spirit Wilds. Trying and failing to trick the Ay-Ay spirit into letting him in to the oasis. Attempting to save a cat deer from hunters. Being allowed into the oasis, and spending two years with the spirits and Mula the cat deer. Creating the Dragon's Dance.
Being tricked by Vaatu into helping him. Raava rejecting his offer to help her. Catapulting his way onto the air lion turtle. Raava reluctantly agreeing to his help, and their journey of learning to bend all four elements. Encountering Yao and human settlers. The spirits turning dark and attacking them. Failing to save his last human friend.
Reaching the sight of the Convergence. Fighting Vaatu. Touching the Convergence, and fusing Raava in him. Trapping Vaatu in the tree of time. The spirits going back to the Spirit Realm. Spending the rest of his life in and out of battles. Lamenting about his failure of peace to Raava. His death.
As the last wisp disappeared, so did the bowl. In it's place was a lit candle. Walking over to the statue, Zuko took a deep breath as he placed a hand into the flame. This time, it was easier to breathe when the memories came. They were easier to process. To analyze. To accept that he was Wan, the first Avatar, given another chance at life as the banished prince Zuko. Two lives and one soul.
Returning his gaze to the man, Zuko reminded himself of who this was as his hand lifted away from the candle.
"Avatar Roku."
Roku gifted him with a smile. "When I sensed that my descendant needed my assistance, I had no idea that he would be the first Avatar reborn."
An amused expression appeared on the man's face. "Would this make me the youngest between the two of us?"
Zuko twitched. Did he just-? Yes, yes he did. Avatar Roku, his great-grandfather, just called him old.
"At least I don't look old," he shot back.
Roku let out a few chuckles before turning serious. "So many wrongs have been done to the world to make it fall out of balance."
He smiled at the prince once more. "But I believe that you and Aang will restore the balance and bring peace to the world."
"If he'll trust me," Zuko countered gloomily. "I didn't really make the best first impression."
The man hummed, considering his words.
"Trust is built with consistency*," he began, getting his great-grandson's attention. "Do what you say you are going to do and have integrity in everything you do. Though I must say, I am disappointed in Aang for the broken promise."
Zuko filed that little tidbit into the back of his mind as his eyebrow rose. "So all I have to do is be honest and let actions match my words."
He gave his great-grandfather a wry smile. "You called me old, but here you are giving sagely advice."
"So I am," Roku agreed while chuckling.
It was at this moment that a red dragon appeared, landing before the previous Avatar. The man patted the beast on the head as Zuko stared, eyes wide with wonder. Man, did he miss Gekkou*.
"You have a dragon."
"And so I do," Roku stated as he continued to pet Fang's head. "but he isn't my dragon. Fang here is my friend."
He looked over at his great-grandson. "I need to take you somewhere, but before I do..."
Roku walked towards the prince, a fingertip glowing. Before Zuko could move to get away, the finger touched his forehead.
"Gah!"
Sounds and images swam through his head. What the world was like before the war. The Fire Nation's culture, history, festivals, songs, and even dancing of all things, that was now forbidden. How everything was peaceful and balanced before Sozin burned his way across the world, annihilating the Air Nomads. How to spirit project...why the fuck would he need to know that?
Taking a few steps back from the man, Zuko rubbed his forehead, glaring at his ancestor. He helped sort out his memories, and he goes to implant more into him? What the hell?
"Come."
Zuko looked over at Roku, who is already on Fang's back. He slowly stepped over and carefully got on behind the man. The teen clung to his great-grandfather as the dragon took off. They soar in the sky, the spiritual representation of the world speeding by under them.
"Where are we going?"
Roku doesn't answer, and all too soon, the trio land near a fountain where an elderly man in robes was waiting for them. The man had a mustache, and a round necklace hanging off his neck. Zuko froze, recognizing those robes. The man was an airbender.
"It is an honor to meet you, Prince Zuko," the man started, bowing to the teen staring at him. "Or should I say, Avatar Wan."
The two elderly men bow to each other before Roku turned to look at him.
"Zuko, this is Monk Gyatso. I knew him when I went to the Air Nomads to learn airbending. He was also Aang's mentor."
Gyatso had a solemn look on his face. "I'm afraid that Aang is soon going to learn about my death. It's going to break him if no one helps him."
"And this is where you come in," Roku cut in. "You are able to help him."
Bewilderment crossed the prince's face. "But what can I do?"
"Ah," Roku shook a finger in front of him. "He doesn't need Zuko's help. He needs Wan's."
Zuko didn't realize how close to the fountain he was, until Roku pushed him.
"What-!" came Zuko's exclamation before he disappeared in a bright light.
Gyatso looked over at his long time friend. "Did he realize that in the spirit realm, his spirit shows that he-?"
"We shall let him find out on his own," Roku simply replied. The man slid his hands into his sleeves as the monk sighed.
-SOUTHERN-AIR-TEMPLE-
Katara was still in the sanctuary with all the statues, looking at the Avatar before Aang, Roku. Suddenly, the statue's eyes lit up. Looking around, the waterbender saw that the others were being lit, spiraling upwards to the ceiling.
Unknown to her, sitting at the very top of the spiral was a wooden statue, worn with age. It was of a man with a kite-like object behind him. Unlike the other statues, this one didn't just have its eyes light up. The whole thing glowed, as an orb floated out of the statue, hovered for a bit before shooting down towards the floor.
"Ah!"
Katara shielded her face when the ball of light hit the ground, a gust of wind blowing around her as smoke appeared, hiding what happened. Uncovering her face and opening her eyes, she barely glimpsed at what it was before she saw someone running out of the smoke. Towards the exit. Towards her.
The man had brown disheveled hair and a goatee. He was wearing orangish robes, dark-colored pants and a red scarf. That is all she got as he ran past her.
"Who are y-?" she started to question him, before he interrupted her.
"No time! Your friend needs help!"
Katara stared at him for a moment before her eyes widen.
"Aang!" she shouted as she chased after the man.
Running through the halls of the temple, Wan was inwardly grumbling to himself. 'Dammit Roku! The next time I see you, ancestor or not, I'm shaving your beard off!'
They arrive just in time to see the roof of a small dilapidated building explode, debris flying high into the air. Feeling the winds pick up to turn into a tornado, Wan exploded into action, shielding his face as he made his way towards the enraged airbender. Sokka noticed him from behind a rock.
"Hey! What are you-?!"
"What happened?" Katara loudly asked her brother, attempting to speak over the sounds of the raging winds. Sea and snow, she was standing right next to him, so she hoped he heard her.
"He found out firebenders killed Gyatso!"
The siblings had concerned expressions on their faces as they watch the man slowly walking towards their friend, his scarf and robes fluttering around and behind him in the wind.
"Oh no! It's his Avatar Spirit! He must have triggered it!" Katara shouted, covering her face and ducking behind the rock to avoid being hit by a piece of flying debris.
"I hope he calms Aang down before he blows us off the mountain!" Sokka yelled, keeping a firm grip on the rock.
While the two were shouting at each other, Wan reached Aang right as an orb of wind engulfed the airbender, slowly raising him out of the building.
"Aang!" Wan shouted, trying to keep how nervous he was out of his voice. Oh, what he wouldn't give to be able to bend all four elements again! "I know you're upset and I know how hard it is to lose the people you love. I went through the same thing when I lost my family, and I'm guessing your friends have lost someone dear to them as well."
Katara and Sokka managed to run over and stand behind him as they looked up at Aang, the boy's tattoos glowing and his clothes fluttering.
"Monk Gyatso and the other airbenders may be gone, but you still have family!" Wan pointed to the siblings, their eyes wide with surprise. "They're your family now!"
The orb started to descend to the ground. The wind died down as the air sphere disappeared. Aang's feet touched the ground, but his eyes and tattoos remained glowing. The siblings walked over to stand on each side of the boy.
"Katara and I aren't going to let anything happen to you. Promise," Sokka pledged as Katara took one of Aang's hands.
The glowing stopped, and tears leaked from the boys eyes as he collapsed into Katara's arms.
"I'm sorry," Aang sobbed tiredly, energy spent from his episode as he buried his face into the girl's shoulder.
"It's okay," Katara assured him. "It wasn't your fault."
"But you were right," he voiced as the airbender lifted his face momentarily. "I really am the last airbender."
After Aang said those words, Katara hugged him tightly to her, and Sokka placed a hand on the boy's shoulder. Wan watched it all, feeling for the boy. He could kind of relate. Waking up to find the world changed and your friends and family gone. Of course, in this life, he now had his uncle the his crew, and Aang now had Katara and Sokka.
It was at this moment that the airbender noticed him. Getting out of Katara's arms, the boy took a few steps towards him. He had a quizzical expression on his face as he asked, "Who are you? I feel like I should know you."
Wan gently smiled as a few chuckles left his lips. Ten thousand years may have passed, but the Avatar Spirit recognizing him made him...happy. Yeah, happy.
"Of course the Avatar Spirit would recognize me," Wan began, taking a few steps back from them. He gave the trio a flourished bow. "Name's Wan, and almost ten thousand years ago, I was the first Avatar."
The trio stared at him, no one daring to respond to that. Ten thousand years? Sokka thought that the man was either serious or crackpot insane. It was Katara who made the first move.
"Wait, first Avatar? How is that possible if Aang is-?"
"Is here?" Wan finished for her. The girl nodded her head, her hair loopies swaying with the movement.
The man looked around the small dilapidated room, disheveled and...not fitting for their conversation.
"Aang," he started, getting the boy's attention. "Is there a place here that we can talk comfortably?"
It took a moment for Aang to think, before he darted for the door. "I know just the spot!"
The three follow him out of the now roofless building. Up and down stairs, twist and turns though empty hallways they follow the boy. They walked past the sanctuary, and Wan eyed the statue of his great-grandfather for a quick moment. Agni, he was the first Avatar and also closely related to another. Can this get any weirder? Shit. Now he jinxed himself.
They reached the bottom of the stairs, walking around the statue of Monk Gyatso and into a courtyard with the frozen fountain. They sat down cross-legged in a circle. Clockwise, it's Wan, Aang, Katara and Sokka. The three eyed the man, waiting for him to explain.
"Okay, so Aang here is an incarnation. His body is the vessel for the Avatar Spirit. The day an Avatar dies is the day a new one is born as the Avatar Spirit enters a newborn. New soul, new body, and the Avatar Spirit."
Wan gave the three an amused smile. "I'm not surprised actually that people keep mixing the two ideas. Throughout an Avatar's life, a piece of them seeps into the Avatar Spirit. As an incarnation, Aang can ask the past Avatars for help and guidance. If he was a reincarnation, he would have the worst case of multiple personalities."
Sokka let out an amused snort, Katara hid the bottom half of her face with her gloved hand, and Aang was looking at him like a student would to an instructor.
"A reincarnated person can't do that, because they themselves are just old souls in new bodies." Wan smiled sadly at them. "Most of the time though, people who have reincarnated don't remember their past lives. I used to be one of them."
Katara stared at him. "How did you-?"
"Remember?" he finished for her, again. "I almost died when I fell overboard. Cold water is dangerous to those born of Fire."
The trio actually somehow jumped back while still sitting. Wan sighed and stroked his goatee. "Remember, every person, no matter their element, is capable of both good and evil. Got that?"
Scooting forward to where they once were, they gave him stiff nods. He put his hands on his knees.
"So, fire. This life, yes. Ten thousand years ago, no. There was no such thing as the Four Nations. Instead, all humans were living on the backs of giant lion turtles as spirits had taken over the human realm. And no," Wan said, seeing the look on Sokka's face. "The spirits didn't wage war on the humans. They just...left the spirit realm and never went back."
He snorted in amusement. "Oh the irony. The nation I'm born to is the first element I learned back then."
They gave perplexed looks at him. No bending?
"There was no such thing as benders. The lion turtles only gifted their elements to those going on hunting parties for food. The Avatar Cycle is the order I learned the elements. Fire, air, water, and earth."
He paused to give them time to process everything he had just told them. He began recalling the journey he had done with Raava to learn the elements.
"Can you tell us who are in this life?"
Aang's question threw him out of his reverie and into a loop. Agni, no. Did he just ask that? He did. Fuck. How was he going to get out of this?
"...You're going to automatically hate me if I tell you."
Sokka scoffed at him. "Come on. It can't be that bad!"
"No, really. You don't want to know." Was he this persistent at his age, in both lives?...shit, he was. He's doomed.
"How can we trust you if you keep secrets from us?" Katara asked him. Ah-ha! Now this is something he can use to get himself out of this!
Wan looked at the waterbender. "Katara, right?" A nod. "And he's your brother?" He nodded his head towards Sokka. Another nod.
"Okay. So, Katara, do you tell your brother everything?"
She gave him an astounded look. "What?! No!"
"And yet you trust him." There was silence from the trio. Oh sweet, sweet silence, where have you been?
"I need to keep this secret, a least for now. I'm not in the best of situations for this to be known just yet. When it's safe, I can tell you."
Aang gave him a questioning look. "But we're safe up here."
It was at this moment Wan began to feel a tugging on his soul. Looked like his time here was coming to an end.
"For you. I can't stay much longer or I'll lose the connection to my body."
"WHAT?!" came the horrified shrieks from the siblings, while at the same time Aang had stars in his eyes as he shouted, "That's so cool! Can I learn to do that?"
He really wanted to ruffle the boy's hair, except, well, he didn't have any. "After you learn the four elements and master your Avatar State."
Wan got up from the floor, patting dust off his pants and robes. "I've got to get going before I become a full-time spirit. But before I go..."
He went over to the airbender, and pinched his ear. "OW!"
"What are you doing?!" Katara yelled at him.
The man looked Aang dead in the eyes. "Avatar Roku wanted me to give you a message.." The boy froze, all movements to get away ceased. "He's disappointed in you."
"What-?" Aang started to question him, but Wan interrupted the boy.
"For what? I guess you're just going to have to ask him about what happened on that ship."
The moment Wan let go, he disappeared from sight. Most likely to his body, wherever it was.
There was a minute or two of silence, before Katara asked, "Aang, is there something you're not telling us?"
AN: I'm so sorry it took so long to update! I am not ashamed to admit that my depression decided to rear its ugly head once again. It's like a hydra; cut one head off and more grow. All I can do is bury it under rocks, but it will eventually claw its way out. 2020 just fucking sucks, and I'm so glad the year is just about over.
Episodes Used: AtLA Book2 Ep18, Book1 Ep3, and brief glossing over of LoK S2 Eps 7 & 8
Things to Know:
'Trust is built with consistency' - quote by Lincoln Chafee
Gekkou- the dragon seen with Wan doing the Dragon's Dance in LoK S2 Ep7. Poor thing didn't have a name, so I decided to give him one