What Will Survive of Us
Chapter 3: Altruism
Prince Lu Ten stood alone at the very top of the grand staircase, taking deep breaths before proceeding below to where the guests waited. As he moved down the very first step, he was greeted by everyone in the ornately decorated banquet hall with their loud cheers and applause. The young man never understood why birthdays were held in such high esteem in the Fire Nation; he always felt that these celebrations were much too over the top for his taste. Despite walking down these steps every year to the same thunderous applause and deafening roars, he always found himself nervous and this year was no different. Nonetheless, Lu Ten was honored by the sheer number of people who wished to celebrate his 19th birthday with him.
To keep his mind off the possibility of tripping over his robes and tumbling down the staircase, his eyes scanned the entire banquet hall for familiar faces. The prince smiled brightly as his gaze fell upon the largest table in the room that was reserved only for his family. Lu Ten spotted his aunt Ursa, her children and his two young cousins Zuko and Azula, their grandfather Firelord Azulon, and his father Iroh beaming proudly back at him. The nineteen-year-old grinned in reply.
From the back of the room, the Fire Sages began marching down the long hallway towards the grand staircase to where their prince stood. This was Lu Ten's cue to stay still at the very base of the steps to await their words and blessings. Yesterday during the ceremony rehearsal, Lu Ten found it odd to have the Fire Sages in attendance since he has never seen them at his—or even his cousins'—previous birthday parties. His father later explained to him that while other nineteen-year-olds throw feasts and banquets to mark the beginning of their adulthood, members of the royal family are blessed by the Fire Sages in a coming-of-age ceremony.
The entire hall fell silent as Great Sage Wei raised his hand. He cleared his throat before announcing, "Behold Prince Lu Ten, son of Crown Prince Iroh and Princess Zhen Mi (now passed), grandson and loyal retainer of Firelord Azulon! Nineteen years ago this day, the entire country erupted in elation and cheer when news of his arrival into the world became public. As the only son and child of Crown Prince Iroh, all citizens of the Fire Nation knew that he was destined for the throne and for greatness. Prince Lu Ten has long been under the watchful eye of the entire country up until now; this celebration, this ceremony, marks the end of his boyhood and the start of his new life as a man."
The crowd broke out in applause once more as the Great Sage stepped away from the rest of the Fire Sages to stand directly behind Lu Ten. Due to the fervor of the crowd and his own nervousness, the prince forgot what had been rehearsed the previous day. Remaining calm, Lu Ten inconspicuously looked towards his father who motioned for him to get down. He smiled to himself as everything came back to him: it was time for Great Sage Wei to commence with the blessing.
Lu Ten lowered his body, his left knee and hand planted firmly on the ground while his right knee supported his right arm. He lowered his head, bowing toward his family, as the Great Sage began Firebending. The rest of the Fire Sages lined themselves up along the sides of the hallway before Firebending as well, creating large rings of fire reminiscent of the rituals of the ancient Sun Warriors. Great Sage Wei compressed his fiery circle into a smaller one above the prince's head, symbolizing Lu Ten's authority as a member of the Fire Nation's royal family.
Meanwhile, one of the Sages then presented their leader with a single, preserved fire lily entwined with a rare sun blossom. The two flowers were held in high esteem in the Fire Nation for their famed beauty and elusiveness—fire lilies bloomed for a few weeks during the summer while sun blossoms were found only near the outskirts of the ruins of the Sun Warrior civilization. Together they symbolized the awe-inspiring power of Firebending and the fleetingness of life itself. The Great Sage then placed the flowers in the crown of fire above Lu Ten's head. As soon as they went up in flames, he manipulated the crown into a small, fiery vortex that consumed what was left of the blossoms. With a wave of his arm, the little vortex spread outward as a large ring before dissipating into dancing embers. The ashes of the fire lily and sun blossom rained down upon the prince's head in a spectacular sight.
Crown Prince Iroh looked up at his son in awe. He could not believe how quickly his son has matured into the man standing before him tonight. Now that Lu Ten has reached adulthood, Iroh was excited to finally be able to share the glory of battle with his beloved son. The timing could not have been better; the next campaign he would be leading was to take place in only two days. The fact that Lu Ten would be there by his side as he claimed various Earth Kingdom strongholds and—ultimately—Ba Sing Se in the name of the Fire Nation brought warmth to his heart.
Great Sage Wei lined up with the rest of the Fire Sages as they themselves bowed down to the ruler of their nation. Firelord Azulon got out of his seat and stood before his eldest grandchild, swelling with pride. As it was now his turn to speak, everyone in the banquet hall stood up from their seats in reverence of their king.
"Rise, Prince Lu Ten."
Lu Ten immediately got up to his feet, standing before his grandfather.
Firelord Azulon continued, "Prince Lu Ten, my dearest grandchild, I humbly welcome you to adulthood."
The prince bowed before replying, "Thank you, Grandfather. Your grace is immeasurable."
"Like the stars embedded in the night sky and the summer sun itself, I have been burning with anticipation for this day. Long have you been a loyal subject of mine and a loving grandson. Now that you are of age you may finally fight alongside your father and my son, Crown Prince Iroh, in battle. The Campaign for Ba Sing Se begins in two, short days and I know you will make me proud. Born not only as a prince but also a soldier, I know you will serve the Fire Nation well."
"I will do all that I can for you, my Firelord, and for our country," pledged Lu Ten as he lowered his head once more.
"I don't know what I'm going to do!" Zuko groaned loudly.
"What do you mean?"
"You're leaving tomorrow morning and that means I'll be surrounded by a bunch of stupid girls for who knows how long!" Zuko huffed in disgust.
Lu Ten let out a hearty laugh before taunting his cousin, "Don't pretend you hate the idea of being the only guy around here."
The eight-year-old nearly bellowed, "I hate girls! They're crazy!"
"That they are," Lu Ten agreed in amusement as he tossed bread crumbs toward the turtleducks waddling around in the pond.
Zuko took a seat next to his only cousin and asked with genuine concern, "Are you scared?"
Yes.
"Not at all," lied Lu Ten. "I'll be serving under my father so I'm in very good hands."
The younger one smiled brightly. "You and Uncle Iroh will look out for each other, right?"
Lu Ten nodded reassuringly, returning his cousin's smile. "Right."
Leaning against the tree behind him, the elder one began to reflect on his life. Of course Lu Ten was excited to be able to go off to war and serve his country at the front line! However, he could not deny his fear of defeat, of disappointment, of death. In a single second, the prince could draw his last breath in the Earth Kingdom while fighting against a platoon of skilled Earthbenders. He could get injured and never recover from it. So many things could happen to him on the battlefield and he felt like a coward for thinking such thoughts. He was Prince Lu Ten, son of Crown Prince Iroh, grandson of Firelord Azulon! All his life he was told that he was nearly invincible and that he was a talented Firebender. If his grandfather or—even worse—his father knew of his fears, he would surely bring them great shame.
No, I'm going to be perfectly fine, thought Lu Ten. I'll make Dad proud.
"Lu Ten!"
The elder prince nearly jumped at the interruption of his thoughts. "Yes, Zuko?"
"Let's practice our Firebending again!" suggested Zuko as he rose from his spot under the shade of the tree.
"Alright, but I won't go easy on you!"
Readying his stance, the boy guffawed, "That's how I get better!"
Although it was hours before sunrise, a small figure tiptoed throughout the sleeping palace. The little prince awoke just minutes before so that he could pay his cousin Lu Ten a visit before he left to fight in the Earth Kingdom. Zuko quietly walked about, filled with a feverish excitement for this early meeting was his cousin's idea. The other day, while they practiced their Firebending, Lu Ten requested to see his cousin right before he was to leave for the campaign.
Lu Ten has a surprise for me! Zuko eagerly thought. I wonder what it is.
"Where are you going, Dumb-Dumb?" Azula asked curiously, appearing from behind a column.
Startled, Zuko jumped back. "Jeez, Azula! Don't scare people like that!" the elder sibling chastised quietly. "Lu Ten said he wanted to see me before he left."
"Hmm, funny," his sister murmured. "He told me the same thing last night after dinner."
Azula? Why would Lu Ten ask to see her?
Zuko always thought his cousin was too nice for his own good. He couldn't stand his own sister and did not understand how Lu Ten could tolerate being around her. No one saw her the way he did—everyone else considered Azula as a perfect little girl when Zuko knew first-hand that there was much more underneath. He was glad that at least their mother saw past his sister's guileful masquerade.
"Eh, let's hurry up. I don't want Lu Ten to be late and get in trouble because of us," Zuko sighed with a hint of exasperation as he began walking off toward his cousin's room. Azula then followed suit.
The two siblings walked down the long hallway, neither of them saying a word to the other. Although they were very close in age, they hardly ever got along. They easily stopped their fighting whenever they had to be civil, but there was always a heated competition and suspicion underneath it all. Not being able to relate to each other didn't help their relationship either. Zuko usually kept to himself and has to work especially hard during his Firebending lessons. On the other hand, Azula makes it a habit to find some way to annoy her brother and enjoys bossing her two friends, Mai and Ty Lee, around. Zuko tried his hardest to not pay attention to Azula's talents, but it was obvious that her Firebending was far superior to his own. It was as if she didn't have to work for her Bending at all, that everything just came naturally to her. His sister was capable of mastering new forms and techniques in just a few short days while it would take him weeks at a time, frustrating the prince a great deal.
The elder sibling let out a small sigh of relief as he and his sister finally reached their cousin's chamber. After just two knocks, the large double doors swung open to reveal an intimidating soldier. Zuko was used to seeing Lu Ten laugh and smile all the time, so he nearly jumped with fright when he saw his cousin completely dressed up in armor.
"Like my uniform?" laughed the eldest cousin as he removed his helmet.
"Y-yeah," Zuko said sheepishly in embarrassment. Azula merely smirked at her skittish brother.
Lu Ten led his cousins inside his private quarters, putting the doors' crossbar in place before showing them to their seats. Zuko and Azula eagerly awaited what was coming to them as the elder prince turned around and opened the chest that sat at the foot of his bed. He handed Zuko a large rectangular box while he gave Azula one that was less than half its size. The elder sibling grinned widely at his gift and at his sister's masked disappointment and jealousy.
"Go on, open them."
"A dao!" Zuko exclaimed as he marveled at the single-edged sword lying in the box.
"Dual daos," Lu Ten corrected the boy with a smile.
Zuko gasped and his eyes widened as he pulled the seemingly single sword into two separate blades.
"Wow... Thanks, Lu Ten!" Zuko nearly shouted as he excitedly gave his cousin a hug.
The soldier laughed at the boy's enthusiasm. "You're welcome, Zuko. Remember to practice hard while I'm gone so we can spar as soon as I get back!"
Although Zuko didn't like to talk about it, Lu Ten knew that his cousin was constantly frustrated with himself over his Firebending abilities. While he knew Zuko would one day become a great master, his sister Azula vastly outclassed him in every way. Zuko hated how easily everything came to his sister while he had to work much harder for slightly average results. So, unknown to everyone else, Lu Ten began teaching his disheartened cousin how to properly wield and fight with swords. Lu Ten was delighted at Zuko's progress and natural ability which in turn raised the boy's self-esteem and confidence tenfold. He recently started instructing his young cousin with dual daos, but knew he would not be back home from the campaign for at least a year. To counter this, Lu Ten decided to give Zuko a pair of his own.
"Oh, Cousin, you shouldn't have," Azula muttered, not even trying to appear happy. "Black string and three pieces of copper."
As he reached out for the small box in the girl's hands, Lu Ten laughed at his younger cousin's obvious distaste and disappointment. Taking only one of the three diamond-shaped copper pieces, the prince closed the box shut and set it aside on his bed before turning to Azula.
"Do you know why I gave this to you?"
She shrugged in reply.
"Give me your hand," he requested as he held out his own.
Azula gave him a confused look, but did as her cousin wanted. Lu Ten placed the shard in her little palm.
"The intensity of a flame is reflected in its color. It can range from different shades of red, orange, and yellow," Lu Ten began to explain. "Do you know how the large bonfire is lit every year at the Festival of the Summer Solstice?"
The girl nodded, appearing to be slightly more interested.
"Have you noticed that there's some blue in the middle of the bonfire as all the Firebenders' flames come together to ignite it? The flame of a candle showcases this as well; its base is blue. This is all possible because a blue flame is much more intense than the other colors. Now, create a flame with the copper."
Azula did as she was told and was surprised to find a blue-green flame in her hand.
"There are special properties in these copper pieces that change the color of a flame. When I first saw this in action, it reminded me of how fire can naturally be blue. I also thought of you, Azula."
Puzzled, the princess asked, "Me? Why me, Lu Ten?"
"We are all aware of your talent; you're a gifted young Bender. When I first saw these in the marketplace, I immediately knew that it was possible for someone to train themselves to create pure blue flames. If anyone can create blue fire solely through their Bending, I believe it is you, Azula."
For once Azula showed a vulnerable side to herself and smiled a genuine smile. Whenever the girl smiled, it was always due to pride or in the presence of someone else's misfortune. Whenever she smiled, her eyes were full of mischief or underlying contempt. This time, however, her eyes were void of all the negativity and were filled with delight. This smile was like reliving a distant memory; Zuko and Lu Ten hasn't seen this smile since the princess was much younger.
The man beamed back at his cousin, chuckling as he took the black string and the rest of the copper out of the box. Lu Ten put the string through the little holes at the tip of the shards as if he were threading a needle. Without having to be asked, Azula handed the last piece over so that the prince could thread all the copper onto the string.
"You can wear it like this," said Lu Ten, tying the makeshift bracelet around the girl's right wrist. "This bracelet can serve as a reminder to you of what I believe you are capable of."
The usually calm and collected child stammered, "Th-thank you, Cousin." She smiled that same smile again and he swore he felt his heart melt at the sight.
Children gifted with the ability to Firebend usually began their training on their 5th birthday. Once Azula turned five, she caught up to her brother in a very short amount of time. It did not take long for her to be named a Firebending prodigy. That was when it became very obvious to Lu Ten that his uncle, Ozai, began to favor his daughter over Zuko. While the siblings both received private lessons from one of the best Firebending instructors in the nation, Ozai quickly took Azula under his wing so that she could train more and paid less attention to his son. This in turn caused Aunt Ursa to spend much of her time with Zuko and hardly any with Azula.
He missed it when both his cousins were younger and much more carefree. He missed the summers spent on Ember Island when their entire family got together as a real family. He missed the years before Uncle Ozai and Aunt Ursa each claimed a child.
This imbalance distressed Lu Ten a great deal because he knew it was wrong for a parent to favor one child over another. In order for a child to blossom into a responsible and well-rounded adult, they required discipline and love from both of their parents. The prince was afraid of how his cousins would turn out. He even predicted years ago that the two children would not get along and hated that he was right. He was also well aware of the fact that Azula developed a talent for manipulation and lying, but refused to leave her out of things. It would not have been fair to give Zuko a gift without giving anything to his sister as well. Time and time again Zuko has complained to him, asking why he was so nice to Azula. To the younger prince's frustration, Lu Ten would always tell him not to speak badly of his sister. Then again, he himself was an only child and would never understand the relationship between the two fully.
"You're welcome, Azula," Lu Ten responded warmly to the princess. "I'm glad you like your gift."
As the prince walked to the command ship docked in the Royal Harbor, doubt weighed him down heavily. He was told that it was completely normal to feel anxious, scared, and excited before leaving for a long campaign, but the idea of normality didn't ease his thoughts at all. He has his duties to uphold as a prince, but could not help but wonder if he was ever going to return home. The furthest Lu Ten has gone was to Ember Island so leaving for another country made him extremely nervous. With all of his fears and worries, the prince still did not think of himself as a man. In his own eyes, he was still a lighthearted teenager.
Perhaps that's what bothered him: he did not feel any older. No, Lu Ten did not feel like an adult at all. Everything felt so rushed and forced which is something he has never gotten used to, even as the eldest grandchild of Firelord Azulon. Ever since he could remember, he was forced to go to various functions and balls and banquets and feasts while normal kids played with their friends until sundown. He attended the Royal Fire Academy for Boys since he was four and spent his hours after school with various tutors and private instructors when most kids would go home to relax after a long day.
Everything that has happened to him, everything that was forced upon him was to prepare him for his future as Firelord. Experiencing warfare was just one of those things. While the Earth King sat on his throne and had his advisers make all of the decisions, the Firelord has always been trained in tactics and the art of war along with politics. An absolute monarch, the Firelord had to be well-versed in almost everything in order to lead the Fire Nation through any situation. His father was the top general in the country, his grandfather led many successful battles in the past, and his great-grandfather was the one who began the War. It's been like this for generations.
Yeah, it's been like this for generations, Lu Ten repeated to himself. So stop worrying! It's not like I'll be the weak link of the dynasty. It's not like I'm going to be alone in this.
Stepping onto the dock, the prince looked up at the command ship to find his father smiling back at him.
I'll make you proud, Dad.
Note: Review, please! :3
Oh, garsh, another chapter that took a long time to upload! I apologize, I really do. Writers' block is no fun! D: It doesn't get much better when I'm not in a block because then I turn into a perfectionist so it takes weeks to write and edit and reedit chapters! Ugh. ._.
I had a really hard time with this one. Chapter 3 was originally supposed to be just a single vignette regarding Lu Ten and his thoughts and feelings on the War, but he was such a minor—but important!—character in the series that I wanted to give him a story! So I decided to give him a two-parter, the first part (this chapter) focusing on his relationships and amiable nature while the second dealt with the War. After I uploaded this, I decided that I would just leave this as a oneshot and use the two-parter idea for a whole new fic (keep an eye out for that!). I went through so many different chapter titles, too. Baw, it's not like any of you care, but I do because I am just that anal. :(
For anyone who was wondering: a lot of elements in this chapter was made up. Sun blossoms were not in the series, Festival of the Summer Solstice is made up, the name of Iroh's wife was something I chose (I sort of want to write a story starring Iroh so I included his made-up wifey's name), five being the age Firebenders begin their training was thought up by me, and the coming-of-age thing is totally made up. I know, I know. The Avatar finds out about his/her status at sixteen and kids can marry at sixteen in the Northern Water Tribe. Instead, I chose nineteen as the age of adulthood in the Fire Nation. I don't know why. I guess I just wanted Lu Ten to be a lot older than Zuko and Azula based on my own experiences. I have a lot of cousins and most of them are older than me by an average of twelve years. I find myself able to talk to and confide in a cousin that's fourteen years older than me (she knows a lot more about me than my own sister) so I thought it'd be neat if Lu Ten was older than his cousins by a significant amount. Azula's gift from Lu Ten was inspired by a bracelet she wears during "The Beach" episode in Book 3 of the series. I like to think that Lu Ten influenced both of his cousins in some way so I made him the origin of Zuko's swordsmanship and Azula's blue fire. :D
Anywho, hope you liked it!