Unfortunately, a terrible event stopped me from writing. My dear friend was diagnosed with a dreadful form of cancer, and my free time has been spent care-taking. I admit, writing Lu Ten's suffering was too much for me, as I'm feeling just as sad. I wish I had good news, but life is not easy. I also moved back to the United States and started a new job. I'm nearly done with the story, and I have the perfect ending for you guys. Thanks for your patience!

Fragile: I See Fire

Oh, should my people fall
Then surely I'll do the same
Confined in mountain halls
We got too close to the flame

Ed Shereen

—-

Hakoda held him close. "I'm so sorry," he whispered as Lu Ten choked on his sobs. It couldn't be possible. Father could not be dead. Father was alive and well, and this had to be a trick of evil spirits!

"What happened?" Zuko asked, clearly unaware of the magnitude of his suffering. "Is Lu Ten sick again?"

"No, pup. I'm very sorry to tell you that your grandfather and uncle passed away," Hakoda said, obviously trying to be delicate.

Zuko had barely known Father and Grandfather. Kept nestled in the nursery, he only knew his tiny family. It only hurt more when instead of crying, Zuko knelt before his cousin and bowed. "Your majesty," he said gravely, genuflecting to the new Fire Lord.

Lu Ten shook his head. "No…get up…," he whispered, completely broken. He wasn't supposed to be Fire Lord. His father wasn't supposed to be dead. His uncle had tried to have him killed. And he was all alone in the world. How could this be true? And now he was Fire Lord, away from his land and with no allies.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, kids," Hakoda said softly, as Lu Ten tried to make sense of everything. His father was dead and he was alone. He had never gotten the chance to say goodbye. He was alone. His father was dead and the world was darkness.

No, his father wasn't dead. His father had been murdered. Uncle had done this. First his death, then Grandfather and Father? How could Uncle have done this? As these thoughts invaded his mind, he found his stomach churning. "No," he whispered before heaving on the floor. As his breakfast enriched the ground, Lu Ten found himself sobbing so hard, he couldn't breathe.

"Lulu," Zuko whispered, clearly confused. "I mean, your majesty…" His natural affection won over and Lu Ten was grateful for tiny hands, clutching him close. "I'm sorry about Uncle." Lu Ten hugged him close.

"What's going on?" Bato asked. "I didn't think he'd take the loss of his king so badly. I'm sorry, kid, I didn't realize how upsetting it would be for you. And what's with the bowing?"

"They needs some time," Hakoda said, pulling them into the lean-to they had created. "I'll explain once I calm them down."

—-

Lu Ten stared up at the sky. How dare the sun shine? How dare the birds sing? The world was a terrible and empty place. He had cried till his body ached, until his body could produce no more tears. Now, all he had left was the bitter future.

He would never drink tea with his father again. He had never even said goodbye properly. He would never sing with him again on Ember Island. It was all darkness and sadness now. He had been betrayed by those he had loved most.

It all made terrible sense. His uncle had packed his bag, and had sent him to his death. Zuko wasn't supposed to be on the ship. When his uncle had realized his mistake, he had given orders to fire on any ship who might be carrying them. Uncle had given orders to fire on his own son.

That's why no bodies were required and the searches were called off. To Uncle's eyes, they were better off dead. Had Auntie been a part of this plan? How could he tell Zuko this?

Agni was supposed to protect his Beloved Children. Agni apparently had been napping on the job, because the Fire Nation Royal family had been decimated. He didn't care if he spoke blasphemy, it was true!

His people needed him. No, his people needed his father. He was too young to rule. He could barely handle Zuko, how could he handle a country?

Well, he had no choice in the matter. He would become the youngest Fire Lord in history, and he would do his duty. The first and most important would be seizing the throne and executing the traitors. He would take great pleasure in killing his uncle.

The crew had gone back to the ship to begin final repairs. Zuko had fallen asleep on a fur, enjoying an afternoon nap and had been taken back to the ship to sleep. Hakoda was sitting at the edge of the lean-to, whittling. "I'm sorry, kid," he said softly, seeing Lu Ten get to his feet. "It's never easy to lose a father."

"I didn't just lose him. He was murdered," Lu Ten snapped, taking a branch and setting it on fire. "My uncle killed him."

"I know. I can't imagine how you must feel. He is a monster, and someday, he will face justice for what he did," Hakoda assured him.

"I need to challenge him to an Agni Kai. I need to reclaim my throne, I need to avenge my family!" Lu Ten hissed, shaking with rage.

Hakoda gathered him up into a hug and held him. "I know, kid. Believe me, he deserves it, but he's a master and you're a child. He's a seasoned warrior and you are barely out of the school room. He'll kill you," he soothed, as Lu Ten hissed at being called weak. "And Zuko will never recover."

"I can win, I have right on my side," Lu Ten protested, steam coming out of his nose. "I'm better than he was, I am a prodigy. I was to be youngest master in Fire Nation history."

Hakoda held his shirt tightly. "He might not even accept your challenge. Why not have you smothered and silenced on the way to the Fire Nation? Say you were a pretender who was dishonoring his beloved nephew's memory."

Lu Ten sniffled miserably. "He's a monster. He stole everything from me!" He tried to keep his voice steady, but waves of sadness choked him. "I have to kill him!"

"Think about Zuko. Zuko knows too much, you think Ozai won't silence him as well?" Hakoda reminded him.

"I am the Fire Lord, I am the rightful king. I need to go back and rule my people, and execute that traitor," Lu Ten snapped, fire coming out his nose.

"And what if you lose?" Hakoda said, wading into the water with him. "You will die and Zuko will die as well. "

"I won't lose, I am the true heir. Agni will be with me," Lu Ten snapped, sending another dangerous tendril out. "I will kill him!"

"Zuko knows you're telling the truth. Do you want to bring him back to a father who is a murderer? The brute killed his own father, brother and nephew. I don't like Zuko's odds. Are you willing to risk his life?" Hakoda demanded, walking deeper in the water.

"If I had just gotten back, I could have warned them, I could have saved my family," Lu Ten snapped. "This is all your fault."

"I know, it doesn't feel that way but the only reason you are alive is because you stayed here with me. You know that. Stop fighting information you don't want to hear. Think logically. I'm begging you, Lu Ten. I care about you, you must know that. Just hear me out," Hakoda pleased. "Look at Zuko…he needs you to think clearly."

"Stop talking!" Lu Ten shouted, fire erupting from his wrists and being instantly thwarted by the infernal sea. He had a choice, dishonor or revenge. He knew what he had to do. "Just shut up and let me go!"

"Until an hour ago, you believed your uncle to be your loving and loyal guardian. You would have walked straight back into the hands of a murderer. How easy would it have been to poison your drink? Or smother you in your sleep?" Hakoda said, pulling him in deeper into the water. They were deeply in now. Too deep to bend. "You are what is standing between him and the throne. You really think he wouldn't end you and Zuko?"

A wave crashed over Lu Ten's shoulders, chilling his hands. As the cold water braced his thoughts, he realized the awful truth. It was true. How easily would he have taken a poisoned mead? Uncle could have ended him in a hundred ways, and he would have never suspected. And he had no doubt anyone claiming to be the Lost Princes would be assassinated on orders. They'd never make it past the Gates of Azulon.

Lu Ten's eyes widened and he collapsed into Hakoda's arms. Without anger, nothing seemed to be holding him up anymore."I thought he…cared about me," he whispered. "We were family."

"He's a miserable coward who valued a crown over his nephew. He is a monster and he doesn't deserve you or Zuko," Hakoda said, rubbing his shoulder. He lifted him into his arms and carried him out of the water.

"I just don't understand. I was his nephew. I loved him and Auntie. And Father was his brother!" Lu Ten pleaded, shivering now from the water. "I don't want the throne, I want my father!"

"I know, but the story has been written. Yes, you are the true king. You have a right to the throne and you have a choice. You can go after vengeance and risk everything in what will likely be a blood bath, or you can be a leader and protect Zuko's life," Hakoda said, sitting down on the sand so that they could dry off.

Lu Ten hung his head, broken at that thought. "My family," he whispered. "I could't protect my father and grandfather, and I can't protect Azula, but I can save him," he said softly. "I will keep him safe from harm."

"We will keep him safe from harm. You have a home, you have a tribe now who love you and care about you. The Southern Water Tribe is isolated, we hardly see anyone. You two can live with us," Hakoda said. "We always wanted more children and we want to be your family. We can't replace your father but we can give you a home."

"I…can't call you father…not yet. But can you be my uncle?" Lu Ten offered, hugging Hakoda tightly, wanting to feel safe. "My true uncle. The Uncle I should have had."

Hakoda hugged him close. "Yes, gladly. You are my nephew now," he said, stroking his head. "And I will never let anyone hurt you again."

Lu Ten sighed. "I want to tell the tribe the truth. I don't want to keep living a lie. I know, it has to be a secret outside the tribe, but they deserve to know."

"Are you sure?" Hakoda said. "I trust them with my life, but this is a lot of information." He looked concerned. "Maybe now is not the right time. We can wait till we get back to the Tribelands. I know, they have questions but…"

Lu Ten nodded. "I trust them," he said, softly. "I want to stop the lies."

—-

The crew gathered on the ship. Zuko had been asked to wait downstairs. The little one had taken the death extremely well, not processing it at all. He was still too young to appreciate the reality of life. Hakoda called them to attention.

"We owe you everything. You saved our lives, you saved me from slavery and took us in when we had no one. You fed us, you clothed us and you tended to us. We were not easy but you never gave up on us. So, we owe you the truth. I hope you don't mind, I did this alone. There is still much he doesn't need to know," Lu Ten began, realizing he was babbling. "Here is the truth. My name isn't Shaya and my brother isn't Hanzo. My name is Prince Lu Ten of the Fire Nation. Rightfully, I am Fire Lord by inheritance, and my brother is actually my cousin, Prince Zuko."

Hakoda placed his hand on Lu Ten's shoulder to steady him. "It's the truth. I found out a few weeks ago by accident," he said softly.

A low murmur went among the crew. "The princes are supposed to be dead," Bato said softly, his tone unreadable.

"We were targeted by assassination by my uncle, Prince Ozai, who is now Fire Lord over the murdered bodies of my grandfather and my father, and the presumed body of myself. Zuko wasn't supposed to be on the boat, but when he was, he was considered a fair sacrifice," Lu Ten said, tears streaming down his face. "We were alone in the world."

"Why didn't you tell us the truth?" Kesuk asked. "We all knew you were lying, you could have been honest with us."

"I apologize for lying to you and being a terrible guest, but I was scared of you. You were my enemies and I feared you'd kill me. Zuko and I were taken prisoner by the Earth Nation and I was…tortured. We barely escaped with our lives."

"I wasn't sure how we'd take it as well. With Lu Ten lashing out, I knew he needed to be acclimated to us before we could all be honest," Hakoda said, defending him to the end. "We are enemies."

"I understand you have every reason to hate me, but I am your prisoner and I beg you, to spare my life and the life of my innocent cousin. We are at your mercy," Lu Ten said, dropping to his knees. "We cannot go back now, or we will be killed."

The tribe stirred quietly, obviously taken aback. "So, I was right?" Shinta snapped, sounding angry.

Lu Ten winced. "I'm sorry I lied to you," he said, bowing deeply. It no longer irked him to humble himself. He knew now how much he owed them. "I was scared and I didn't know what to do."

"Oh, I don't care about that, I just want it noted I was right and I caught it before everyone," Shinta crowed. "I'm going to make an awesome hunter."

"We understand why you lied and we see you now as our tribe. Off your knees, we're your family," Bato said softly. The crew nodded. "Let's put the past behind us."

Kesuk nodded. "Any other secrets anyone has? Now is the time," he called out teasingly, before grabbing the shaking boy and hugging him tightly. "Because all is forgiven."

"So, you really are a prince," Bato asked, tousling his hair. "No wonder you were such a regal little dragon. Which means…." he paused for a long moment. "I'm sorry, child. I can't believe that's how you found out."

"It's fine. You didn't know," Lu Ten whispered, but tears were already in his eyes. "I know you meant well."

Bato swept him up in a hug. "I lost my parents too. Arctic flu. It hurts, but you will get better," he said, hugging him tightly. "Don't be afraid to cry as much as you need. We are all here for you."

Lu Ten sank into Bato's arms and cried. As he did, he felt the entire crew crowd around him in care. They whispered words of comfort and a for a moment, he felt slightly better.

"All right, first order of business. We need to get these two pups back to the village. The Fire Lord thinks them dead, but it's best that they remain out of sight. I'm sure until bodies are found, Ozai won't rest easy. And there's a lot of bodies," Hakoda said. "I want us as far from anything Fire Nation as possible."

It was the right decision. And it broke Lu Ten's heart to hear it.

—-

The night were hard. Zuko had bounced back easily, but Lu Ten found it hard to smile. The crew was kind but it was too much pain. He had tried to eat his kelp stew and found himself just crying into it. Princely dignity had gone the way of the rest of his royal life. Kesuk had held his shoulders, whispering comfort. Nothing helped.

Lu Ten had gone to bed early. He lay awake on his fur bed, trying to make sense of the world. The pain choked the breath out of him.

"Lulu?" Zuko's voice whispered in the darkness. "I wish you weren't sad. Do you want to come listen to some stories with me? Everyone wants to see you smile again."

"No. I want to be alone." He was alone in his grief. He turned over and stared at the wall, wishing that it was all a bad dream. He wanted to wake up in a world with his father as Fire Lord and Ozai's head on a spike. He wanted a world where justice prevailed. "Go, sit with Hakoda. I want to sleep."

Pulling the furs over his head, Lu Ten choked on more sobs. His father would never sing to him again. He would never fall asleep to the sounds of song and the smell of tea.

As his swollen eyes closed in sleep, Lu Ten remembered feeling the same way when his mother had died. He knew that he would wake up, disappointed.

Sleep was a mercy.

—-

Lu Ten slipped out of his fur bed and up the stairs to the deck. After a few hours of sleep, he had awoken as he predicted, miserable and alone. Zuko lay snoring, the only person left of his family that he could trust. Lu Ten would not burden him with his pain. The sky was cold and black and empty, with no moon to light the way. Only the endless sea seemed to remind Lu Ten that the world still existed.

Would Ozai even hold a funeral for his beloved father? The beast was likely enjoying his stolen crown. How would his father's spirit rest without a proper funeral?

He would have to give him one. Facing the stars, he bowed his head reverently. "Iroh, Crown Prince of the Fire Nation for twenty three years. You were our fearless leader in the battle of Al-Wad and the Conquerer of Ram-At."

"You were the husband of Lien, now passed." Now he was in the Spirit World with Mama, together forever and happy. "Father of Lu Ten." The best and most wonderful father possible.

"Brother of Ozai, soon to be passed," Lu Ten vowed. That traitor's day would come. Someday, that monster would have his rightful judgement.

"Uncle of Zuko and Azula." He would care for Zuko with love and goodness. Azula would at least have Auntie Ursa to care for her. He wondered if his aunt was all right. She had lost the majority of her family as well, including her dear friend and her nephew and her son. He couldn't imagine her pain. Unless…she had agreed to Ozai's plans. He had never imagined such evil. but he didn't know who to trust.

"I lay you to rest. You are now succeeded by your murder, the murderer of your family! " he whispered, breaking into tears. "I'm sorry, I can't avenge you."

A hand gently touched his shoulder. "I'm really sorry, your highness," Shinta said softly. He must have been on watch, "I can't imagine how you must feel."

"Please don't call me that," Lu Ten said softly. "That isn't me anymore. That world died with…" He couldn't complete the words. "I'm just me now. Whoever me is. The son of your enemy. All my life, I thought you were savages…but you were kind. My uncle was the savage and I'm not sure what I am anymore."

"You started out as a brat, but over the last few weeks, you became an awesome person," Shinta said softly. He offered Lu Ten some water. "You are part of the tribe now."

"I feel so lost. I keep waiting for this to be a bad dream, but it's real," Lu Ten said, his voice shaking. "My parents are dead, and my uncle tried to have me killed, and everything I am is gone. So I need to become someone new."

"The person you are is incredible. You aren't that horrid little dragon anymore, you're a good person," Shinta soothed, urging him to take a drink.

"Then why didn't my uncle love me?" Lu Ten whimpered, after a miserable gulp. "I would have given him any honor…why did he want me dead? Why did he abandon his own son?"

"I don't know. I can't understand how anyone can do that. My father says some people become so desperate for power that they forget what matters. You love your little brother more than you love your crown," Shinta said, offering him a hug. "Dad says you know what's important."

"How can I tell Zuko that his own father is a murderer who killed two members of his own family and arranged to have me put down as well?" Lu Ten whimpered, burying his head in Shinta's shoulder. "I want to protect him."

"Has he asked any questions yet?" Shinta said, patting his back. "You don't need to tell him everything. Just say that you can't go back, and leave it there."

"I'm his big brother, I'm supposed to know what to do," Lu Ten mumbled, feeling helpless. He was supposed to be the Fire Lord, but he could barely keep his head up.

"And I'm your big brother. I'll help you," Shinta said, holding him close. "And so will everyone else. You aren't alone. We're all here for you." And for the first time all day, Lu Ten felt something more than abject despair and rage. "You are Water Tribe now. You will never be alone."

"Shinta…will you cut my hair?" Lu Ten whispered. "A warrior wolf tail, like you. I can't wear it in a topknot anymore. Tomorrow, Zuko's too. It's for the best."

Shinta nodded and motioned for Lu Ten to sit in front of him under the torch light. "Are you sure?" he whispered. "I know this must be difficult for you."

"I must. The less I look like Lu Ten, the safer I am. I am Shaya now, Hakoda's nephew. A Fire Nation raid led to my birth. A raid seven years later produced Hanzo, another village child. The chief adopted both of us when we were babies, in order to make sure no one thought less of us. I am your humble and obedient cabin boy and cousin," Lu Ten said softly. He had no other choice. He knew now what Ozai was capable of, and how weak he was in comparison. "That must be the truth now."

"It will look good on you," Shinta noted as he began cutting Lu Ten's hair. "When we get back to the village, you and I will go camping." The tendrils of brown hair fluttered around, like the life he once had. "When Mama died, I thought I'd die of pain. I finally learned to smile again. You will too."

More tendrils of hair fell to the ground. "I hope so," Lu Ten said. The night felt good and dark, but he no longer felt alone. It was a small comfort.

—-

Ozai sat down by the cell. Seeing the prisoner there gave him a bit of pause. He had always known that he would have to make sacrifices but he had to admit, the price of the crown had been unusually heavy. "Your husband is Fire Lord," he said softly. "Your daughter is Crown Princess. You should rejoice."

"My husband is a murderer," Ursa snapped, refusing to look up from her chair. She had been straight-jacketed and drugged. Her beautiful hair was knotted and her eyes were red from tears. Yet, she was still the most beautiful woman he had ever imagined. "You tell the world I'm paralyzed with grief? How about paralyzed with sickness that my own husband would kill his flesh and blood?" she napped.

"Oh Ursa…why must you be so cruel? Why not just forget your mad thoughts and take your place as queen?" Ozai said soothingly. "I would never hurt the boy."

"I know what you did. And only the bars between us prevent you from joining Lu Ten and Zuko and Iroh in the spirit world?" Ursa hissed furiously. "Where is Azula?"

"You won't be allowed to corrupt our precious little girl," Ozai said softly. He wished she hadn't snooped into her affairs. She should have been spared the sacrifices he had made to make the world be a better place. "Azula will be raised to be a proper Fire Lord someday."

"You mean turn her into a monster just like you!" Ursa snapped, before coughing miserably. The drugs had made bending nearly impossible for her. It had made her weak and helpless. Ozai should have mercifully ended her, but he couldn't bear to stain his hands with her blood. "You killed our son and our nephew. You killed your own father and brother!"

"My poor mad wife. I see you are not better," Ozai said sadly. He had no choice but to leave her in the past where she belonged. "As a loving husband, I will spare our daughter this sight. Please, rest well and try to get better. I miss you."

"Let me out, you are a usurper and you have no right to that crown," Ursa screamed, before the door was slammed in her face.

Ozai sighed, not sure why his hands were shaking. The nurse looked up from her Pai Sho game with her assistant. "Keep her sedated. She is still delusional and I fear she will harm herself," Ozai said softly.

The nurse nodded. "She needs someone to blame, your royal highness. To lose her nephew and brother in law, and father in law and son in such short succession would cause anyone to suffer," she assured him.

"I don't need your explanations. Just keep her quiet," Ozai snapped, hating her. Pai Sho reminded him of darker things. "Increase her drugs."

"Yes, your majesty. Ah, the White Lotus gambit," the nurse said softly, putting forth another tile. "A rare move."

Ozai ignored the crones and walked back to the royal apartments. The war against the Earth Kingdom was proceeding nicely. All Earth benders were sentenced to death on sight, and non-benders were enslaved in the mines. Soon, the entire country would be his.

As he walked back, he noticed Azula was sitting in her room, studying. Ozai studied the childish scrawl with disdain. Had Zuko been so backwards? No, his beloved son had been perfect in life as well as in death. She was still too short and too skinny. How would she be his heir? "Your brother Zuko was a wonderful child. He obeyed me completely and did everything for me. You have much to live up to. You were born lucky, but you will need more than that to survive," he hissed, hating the weakness in her face. "Do it over."

He had nothing left but her. She would not fail him.

AN-And we still have a bit more to go. I have an ending. Poor Lu Ten.