Y'all bored yet? Lmao, I hope not.
Anyways I just realized I should start making disclaimers for the story as some lines from ATLA and Jang Ok Jeong are beginning to be used in chapters like this one ENJOY!
Disclaimer: I don't own ATLA or JOJ
Aang sighed as he stepped out of the Royal Academy he had just finished music class and had been scolded by his music teacher for dancing while playing the Tsungi horn. He pretended not to notice the faces of the other children staring and whispering about what he did as he walked back to his dorm. He looked up to the sky noticing the pink tint looming signaling it was almost sunset scratching the back of his head carefully not to move his headband tucked around his hair, he murmured to himself.
"Luten's coronation should be starting soon."
His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a girl who stopped him in his tracks.
"Uh Hi, Aang. I really liked that crazy dance you were doing"
It was OnJi from their music class. They occasionally spoke as she was the only person who seemed to acknowledge him when they had co-ed classes like music.
"Oh, thanks Onji. I could show it to you again if you like. Ah!"
The Airbender jumped as a blast of fire hit the ground at his feet.
"What'd you say, fake royal trash? You're gonna show her something?"
"Oh hi Hide, Just some dance movements."
Aang chuckled nervously at the popular kid, who never missed the chance to mess with him.
Hide stepped closer to him a slight smirk across his face and Aang knew what was coming.
"Nobody shows my OnJi anything, especially movements"
Hide attempted to strike him with his fists, but Aang was faster and immediately stepped out of the way. He continued to try and punch the Airbender, but Aang continued to evade with ease. Aang noticing the fire bender's frustration got behind his back and moved to the side matching his movements. Hide attempted to strike two more times but Aang slid through his legs. He was so glad Hide was not using his bending as he probably would have used his elements out of reflex. He again swung and the Airbender quickly sidestepped and tripped him. Before he could rejoice in victory the schoolyard quickly began to clear and Aang noticed the headmaster arriving.
"Uh oh,"
Aang noticed Hide with tears in his eyes as he slowly got up.
"Seriously? I didn't even throw a punch." He muttered in defense.
The headmaster angrily marched up to Aang hands on his side.
"Picking fights and roughing up my star pupil? We need to have a conference to discuss your punishment. Bring your parents to my office after school."
Aang sputtered as the headmaster began to stalk away. "Parents?! But-"
"That won't be necessary Headmaster Shoji"
Aang and the headmaster turned to the voice who was accompanied by two guards. Aang had no idea who the man with the sideburns was but the headmaster seemed to as he bowed quickly.
"Commander Zhao"
The commander held up a letter with a red seal at the bottom
"I have special orders to bring this boy to the palace for the Prince Luten's coronation ceremony."
The headmaster looked at the boy in annoyance as Aang smiled sheepishly back, happy to have escaped from his almost punishment. It was a royal order and Aang knew the headmaster could not say no.
"He's all yours commander."
The headmaster bowed shooting Aang one last glare before departing. Aang's shoulder relaxed, but before he could take a step towards the commander, he felt a painful blow to the back of his head and his vision went black
Iroh heard his son's frantic voice as he rushed into his chamber and took a knee beside where he lay.
"Father the physicians told me you had woken up!"
A wave of relived washed over the prince as his father lifted his hand to stroke his cheek. His voice came out like a hoarse whisper.
"Luten I heard what happened before I was carried away, is it really true?"
Luten quickly got up fumbling with his father's blanket "Don't worry father, the main priority is getting you nursed back to health. You are the Firelord once you get better the officials will go back pretending it didn't happen."
Iroh could tell that his son was in denial, he wanted to ignore the political ploy happening under his nose.
"It is all a test by the officials to see if I will make a fit Firelord and I have it all under control. Besides I can get my coronation moved to next month like it was originally supposed to be, then you will be there to witness it."
"Luten"
The Firelord called out trying to get his son's attention, but the young prince kept pacing back and forth pretending to fold his blankets. He knew who was behind everything, but he could not cause such a rift between his son and the rest of his family by telling him. Being a royal really was a curse and the Iroh had never wanted any of it.
"Plus, it was Zhao who engineered this I just know it. He has never liked me ever since you took away his position as an admiral."
"Luten"
Iroh called a bit louder but his chest tightened inducing a coughing fit. Blood spewed out of his mouth and nose causing Luten to stop his talking and rushed to his father's side.
"Father please take it easy, I know you will get better"
Iroh immediately grabbed a hold of the prince's fists holding pinning him to the spot to listen.
"Our destiny was never to rule my son."
The prince was a bit confused, all his life he was raised for the palace. However, he decided to keep silent as his father's breath kept coming fast and shallow with his bloody lips.
"Our destiny is to protect and help the oppressed that our nation has terrorized throughout all generations."
"B-but father-"
"When you leave here, I want you to check the room your coronation is supposed to take place. Each official has a designated seat. If you see their official engravement seal with their names on their seat, then it means they have rejected your crown"
The prince's eyes widened
"But that is treason". "
"Luten, even our own shadow leaves us when we are in the dark."
Iroh brought his other arm out clasping it on top his other hand holding Luten.
"As my crowned prince and only son, I need you to promise me" …. "Promise me that you will protect Aang and yourself from political vipers in the palace. Aang, he is just a boy. He is the last Airbender and the air nomads last hope to restore balance to the four elements"
Luten took his fathers hands and smiled sadly.
"And always remember, loyalty means nothing unless your heart is at its absolute principle of self-sacrifice."
The Firelord looked at his son, his eyes filled with so much ambition, loyalty, strength, and maturity. He let Luten's arm go and began singing a song Luten knew all too well.
"Leaves from the vine,
Falling so slow,
Like fragile tiny shells,
Drifting in the foam
Little soldier boy, comes marching home."
The Firelord lifted his hand to touch Luten's face.
"Brave soldier boy."
Iroh smiled back and closed his eyes to rest.
"Comes marching ..."
His hands slowly dropped from his son's grip, the last word of the song vanishing with his last breath.
Luten began panicking trying to jostle him awake, but Iroh didn't respond.
"Father?"
"Father! Help! Somebody help!"
The maids rushed in with Lady Anya in the front.
"Prince Luten, what is the matter?"
"My father! He's not waking up!"
Anya looked at the Firelord, she stepped a bit closer and placed her thumb on his wrist. The silent response from his pulse confirmed her work was done. She turned to face the young prince but avoided his gaze. She had executed Ursa's orders perfectly but was too ashamed to tell the prince he was fatherless because of her.
"Why are you silent!?" The prince questioned.
Anya continued to avoid the boy's gaze.
"Answer me!" He yelled, igniting his fist with a dagger as a threat.
Anya bowed her head and broke the news.
"Your father has passed away your majesty."
Luten staggered backward, his mind racing. His father couldn't be dead, they had just been talking. The maids quickly bowed to the floor towards him as a new Firelord, and Luten was not ready to accept that.
"You're lying!"
Luten rushed to Iroh's side? In an attempt to jostle him awake.
"Father wake up! Please, don't leave me! Wake up"
"Wake up!"
He began to sob uncontrollably on his father's chest.
"Father please wake up!"
He felt something hard in his hands were his father had held. Realizing his fists were still clenched he slowly opened it exposing a red tile with a white lotus engraved in it. He knew the tile all to well when he watched his father play pai cho with him and his friends.
The officials seal. He thought.
He needed to go see for himself if what his father said was true. If so he would swallow his pride, beg for forgiveness and make sure his father's legacy didn't go to waste when he took his position as Firelord. Wiping his face with determination he made his way out of the chambers to find the coronation room.
*Hides*
Don't kill me pls. I teared up writing Iroh's death too damn it Ursa! T.T. If y'all are wondering I also googled the bully from the headband and his actual name is Hide (He-Day).
Cheers?