Disclaimer: Avatar the Last Airbender is created by Michael DiMartino & Brian Konzieko and owned by Nickelodeon.
Rewrite of "The Avatar and the Fire Lord" originally written by Elizabeth Welch Ehasz.
While Aang was asleep, Avatar Roku appeared in his dream.
"Meet me on my home island on the morning of summer solstice," said Roku.
"Okay," Aang replied.
A messenger hawk arrived for Zuko.
Sokka looked at him with suspicions. Zuko took the message.
"You need to know the story of your great-grandfather's demise. It will reveal your own destiny," Zuko read the message aloud.
"What does that mean?" Toph asked.
"I don't know, but I have been wondering if I did the right thing," said Zuko.
"You think siding with your father would have been right?" Katara asked with a quirked eyebrow.
"No, but I as hard as it is to admit, I still want his love," said Zuko.
"He is still your father, even if he is the Fire Lord. I understand, my parents were too busy keeping me a secret," said Toph.
"Parents aside, maybe there is a secret message," said Sokka. Zuko gave the message to Sokka. Sokka held the message to a flame. "There is one."
Zuko, Sokka, and Katara gathered around the message.
"The Fire Sages keep the secret history in the Dragon Bone Catacombs," Zuko read.
"Where's that?"
"The Fire Nation Capital," Zuko replied.
"Going there alone seems dangerous," said Katara.
"Would you want to go with me?" Zuko asked.
Katara looked at Sokka, then Toph, and finally Aang who was still asleep. Then she replied, "Sure."
"This could be some kind of trap," said Sokka.
Aang woke up and said, "Good morning everyone. What's going on?"
"A secret message came for Zuko that said he should find out about his great-grandfather's demise," said Sokka.
"Oh," said Aang. "I thought Fire Lord Sozin died peacefully in his sleep."
"Where'd you learn that?"
"School," said Aang.
"It said it would reveal my destiny," said Zuko.
"I think it's a trap," said Sokka.
"I've agreed to go with him," said Katara.
"Well, since Katara is going, I guess it's okay," said Aang reluctantly.
"Thanks! You won't regret it," Zuko smiled and replied.
"I talked to Avatar Roku, and he wants me to meet him on his home island on the solstice," said Aang.
"That's great Aang!" Katara exclaimed.
After breakfast, Team Avatar prepared for the day. They wore their Fire Nation disguises.
They flew on Appa near the Capital City, but far enough away that they would not be spotted.
"Are you sure this will work?" Toph asked.
"It has to," said Zuko. Then he turned to Aang, "This will be close enough."
Katara jumped down and formed an ice board. "It will only be for two days, and we will meet up near Fire Fountain City."
"We will meet you then. Be careful," said Sokka.
Zuko jumped down and landed on the ice board. "We will."
Katara used waterbending to propel them toward land while Appa took off in the other direction toward an island not too far from the palace.
Aang, Sokka, and Toph arrived at the uninhabited island.
"Here it is. It's Roku's home," said Aang.
"There's nothing here," said Sokka confused.
Toph landed and said somberly, "Yes there is. An entire village. Hundreds of homes," a wind blew a layer of ash, "completely buried in ash."
"I wonder what happened," said Sokka.
Zuko and Katara made it to land.
"What's the plan?" Katara asked.
"The Fire sages would alert my father if there were intruders. We'll have to stake out the temple. Here," said Zuko. He handed her a set of black outer cloak with a scarf* to wear over her Fire Nation disguise. "I brought these. You'll need to follow me closely, certain doors can only be opened by firebenders."
Katara nodded.
They made there way to the temple and stood hidden behind pillars as the watched a Fire Sage walk the grounds and open a stairwell. They waited until all was quite and were sure the Sage was gone, then they went to the center of the medallion. Zuko delivered a fire blast and they traveled down the spiral staircase.
They continued and walked through dragon bones.
"Ar-Are those...?" Katara whispered.
Zuko frowned and replied softly, "Yes, they're dragon bones."
They continued walking until they reached an ornate door that has a metal sculpture of Fire Lord Sozin. Zuko put his left hand over the Fire Nation emblem and sent a fire blast. Fire filled the door and poured from the nose and mouth of the statue. The door opened and revealed artifacts and vessels and a large intricate statue of a dragon with Fire Lord Sozin's testament under the dragon's head. Zuko and Katara entered and removed their hoods and scarves.
Zuko picked up the scroll and read, "The Final Testament of Fire Lord Sozin."
Zuko, Aang, and Katara learned about Roku and Sozin's past friendship and their destiny.
Aang also learned that Roku was friends with Gyatso, just like he was.
"With Roku gone and the great comet returning, the timing was perfect to change the world. I knew the next Avatar would be an Air Nomad. So I wiped out the Air Temples. But somehow the new Avatar eluded me. I wasted the remainder of my life searching in vain. I know he's hiding out there somewhere. The Fire Nation's greatest threat...the last airbender," said Sozin.
"That can't be it. Where's the rest of it?" Zuko asked disappointed.
"Hmm," said Katara. "Who do you think sent you that message?"
Zuko thought for a moment. "My uncle. Maybe we should see him."
"It won't be as easy as sneaking into the temple, but I think we can do it," said Katara.
"We'd better hurry," said Zuko.
They went to the Prison Tower and managed to sneak past the guards. Katara waited outside Iroh's cell area, while Zuko visited.
"You sent this to me didn't you?" Zuko said angrily, but not too loud, as held up the message. "I found the secret history. Which, by the way should be name 'the history most people know.' The note said I needed to know about my great-grandfather's death, but he was still alive in the end."
Iroh looked up at Zuko. "No...he wasn't."
"What are you talking about?" Zuko asked irked.
"You have more than one great-grandfather, Prince Zuko. Sozin was your father's grandfather. Your mother's grandfather was Avatar Roku."
"What? Why are you telling me this?" Zuko asked.
"Because understanding the struggle between your two great-grandfathers can help you understand the battle within yourself. Evil and good are always at war inside you, Zuko. It is your nature, your legacy. But there is a bright side. What happened generations ago can be resolved now...by you. Because of your legacy, you alone can cleanse the sins of our family and the Fire Nation. Born in you, along with all the strife, is the power to restore balance to the world," said Iroh.
"I thought the Avatar was suppose to bring balance to the world," said Zuko confused.
"It is, but he will need your help. I have something for you," said Iroh. He turned and removed a brick and unwrapped a cloth. "This is a royal artifact. It's suppose to be worn by the crown prince."
Zuko looked at Iroh confused. He took the artifact.
"I'm not sure I understand. I'm trying to help the Avatar now, but I wondered if I did the right thing. I wanted to break you out. I felt guilty about leaving you with Azula," Zuko admitted.
"You did the right thing by joining the Avatar. Do not worry about me. I have an escape plan," said Iroh.
"You do?" Zuko questioned. There was a whistling sound. "I wish I could get you out, but I have to go."
He turned to leave, when Iroh said, "Don't worry, we'll see each other again soon."
Zuko left and joined Katara, who had signaled to him. They snuck past the guards. Unfortunately, one of the guards turned back, but Zuko knocked him out.
Zuko and Katara arrived at the meeting place before the others.
"So, what did your uncle say?"
Zuko smiled. "He said I did the right thing by joining you, guys."
"That's it?" Katara replied with disbelief.
"Well, no." Zuko hesitated and said, "He said that by helping the Avatar, I'd help restore balance. And he gave me this." Zuko held up the royal artifact for her to see.
"It looks familiar, what is it?"
"It's a royal artifact, worn by the crown prince. Sozin gave it to Roku," said Zuko.
"Oh...How did your uncle get it?"
"My mother must have given it to him. She was Avatar Roku's granddaughter," Zuko replied.
"Wait, what?" Katara asked confused. "You're related to both Fire Lord Sozin and Avatar Roku?"
"Yeah, that's what my uncle said."
Sokka, Toph, and Aang arrived at the meeting place.
They sat around a fire after dinner and talked about what they had learned.
"I can't believe that after everything Roku and Sozin went through together...even when Roku showed mercy. Sozin betrayed him like that," said Katara.
"Aren't you glad I didn't betray you in Ba Sing Se?" Zuko asked glumly, as he looked at Katara.
"Of course. I'm not sure I would have ever forgiven you if you had betrayed me," said Katara.
"It's like these people are born bad," said Toph.
"No, that's wrong. I don't think that's the point of what Roku showed me at all," said Aang.
"Then what was the point?" Sokka asked confused.
"Roku was just as much Fire Nation as Sozin was right? If anything, their story proves that anyone is capable of great good and great evil. Everyone, even the Fire Lord and the Fire Nation have to be treated like they are worth giving a chance," said Aang.
"That's nice, but my father would not give you that chance. He would take advantage of it and see it as a weakness," said Zuko.
"But I have to try. I also think it was about friendships," said Aang.
"Do you really think friendships can last more than one lifetime?" Toph asked.
"I don't see why not," said Aang.
Sokka stroked his face. "Well scientifically speaking..."
"Oh Sokka," said Katara annoyed. "Group hug." They hugged. "You too, Zuko. You're a part of the group and that means being part of group hugs." Zuko joined the hug followed by Appa and Momo.
To Be Continued...
AN: Thank you for voting in the poll.
I had considered changing the direction of the story, but after seeing the votes and thinking about it more; I've decided to move forward in this direction.
*The outfits were similar to the ninja outfits in The Southern Raiders.