A/N: First things first: I am so sorry for not updating sooner. I do not plan on making a habit out of this, I just happen to be particularly bad at first chapters. Originally this was going to be longer, with snippets from other main characters as well, but one of those snippets evolved into a full-fledged chapter that I should have up as soon as tomorrow. I would be posting it now, but based on your reviews there was some confusion over who the Avatar is, and I thought I would try and clear that up because yeah, this AU is kinda complex. Speaking of reviews- oh my stars, were you all amazing. I couldn't have asked for more. I ask for three reviews and you give me twelve. I won't be doing that again, I promise, I just wanted some feedback. So…yeah. Have fun doing whatever you're doing. Peace.

EDIT: So I tacked this on, because it would've seemed out of place in its own chapter. Tell me what you think about Lu Ten- he was surprisingly difficult to write for, because there is practically no basis for his character. Seriously. It was hard.

A Fire Nation soldier sprinted through the corridors of the palace, panting beneath his heavy armor. The summer air hung hot and still, thick with some unnamed tension. The clacking of metal boots on the stone floors interrupted silence as he turned a corner and continued his run. Powering through the last stretch of hallway, the soldier burst through a pair of stone doors and stumbled into a garden. A young man sitting by a small pond barely moved, only bothering to tilt his head towards the winded man.

"Yes?" the boy rasped. His eyes were still focused on the water before him.

The soldier gulped for breath. "Avatar Zuko," he wheezed. "A summons for you- from the Crown Prince." He clutched at his metal breastplate, trying to still his heaving chest.

Zuko continued to gaze forward. "Hm. What did he want?"

"The prince requested your presence in the dragons' hearth immediately. Urgent business, he said it was."

"Hm," he murmured again. "Alright. Tell my cousin I'll be there shortly."

"Yes, Avatar," said the soldier, but then hesitated. "Also-"

Zuko turned towards the man. The guard's eyes widened underneath his helmet as he caught sight of the flaming scar stretching across the Avatar's face. "What?" Zuko questioned. His voice contained the barest hint of something dangerous. The soldier gulped.

"The prince said for you to bring your swords, sir. Your swords and your armor."

- ···· ·· ··· / ·· ··· / ·- / -··· ·-· ·- -·-

Zuko mounted the stairs to the dragons' hearth silently, his unease growing with each step. The air grew more humid as he moved closer to the volcanic cave in which royalty's dragons resided. By the time he had reached the entrance, his tunic was sticky with sweat. He paused for a moment, scanning the darkened cave for his cousin. "Hello!" he called out, feeling slightly foolish. "Lu Ten?"

"Over here!"

Zuko jogged further into the shadows, his eyes adjusting as it darkened. He made his way towards the back of the cave, where his cousin stood next to a red dragon that was stretched out on the rocky floor. Zuko bowed as he approached.

"My prince. Why have you summoned me?"

"Drop the crap, Zuko," Lu Ten deadpanned. Zuko looked at him in surprise.

"Fine. What's going on? Why did you bring me here?"

"The Earth Kingdom has attacked."

Zuko froze. "What?"

"The Earth Kingdom attacked. They raided the southern isles yesterday. The news reached the palace this morning." He paused. "No one survived."

They stood in silence for a moment as Zuko tried to comprehend. "So they finally carried through with their threats." Another silence. "What does that have to do with me?"

"As the Avatar, you have a duty to maintain balance between the nations. The Earth Kingdom has declared war with the rest of the world. It will be your responsibility to stop them." Lu Ten locked eyes with his cousin, his amber eyes startlingly fierce. "Zuko, you have to leave."

The Avatar blinked, stunned. "I have to leave?" he asked, voice cracking. He cleared his thoat. "What are you saying? I can't just leave. I have a responsibility- to the Fire Nation, to you and Uncle-"

"Zuko." Lu Ten looked at his cousin, his face filled with some infinite sadness. "They're marching on the capital now. You have to go."

Zuko stared back. Wordlessly, he walked over to the dragon, pulling himself onto the beast's scaly neck. The dragon rumbled and rose to its feet.

"Wait."

Rider and mount both turned to look. Lu Ten quickly walked up to him, pulling off his crown piece and holding it up to him. "Here."

Zuko looked at him oddly. "But this is a royal artifact. It's supposed to be worn by the Crown Prince."

In return he got another sad smile. "I want you to have it."

Zuko hesitated for a moment, then nodded and took the ornament, tucking it into the bag at his side. He paused, looking at Lu Ten intently in the dim light of the cavern. "We'll see each other again. I swear it." He bowed. "Upon my honor."

Lu Ten bowed back. "Upon your honor. Now go."

Zuko looked at him for one more second, then turned. "Roku, fly," he commanded, and the great dragon went. Lu Ten stood as they took off, watching them grow smaller the distance. "You were wrong," he whispered. "This was our last."