In one timeline, Princess Azula and Prince Zuko hid behind a curtain, listening in to an important conversation their father and grandfather were having. Their tiny faces peeked out, watching the exchange with misplaced excitement. When their father asks treasonous things, Zuko flees, scared of what's to come next.

Azula did not.

In another, this did not happen.


Zuko knew he shouldn't have agreed to stay behind with Azula. Nothing good ever came out of listening to Azula. At least, not for him.

Intently, he watched his father and grandfather. His father was on his knees, in a deep bow. A sign of respect.

"Father, you must have realized as I have, that with the death of Lu Ten, Iroh's bloodline has ended. After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege of Ba Sing Se, and who knows when he'll return. But I am here, Father, and my children are alive."

Zuko stiffened.

"Say what it is you want!" The Firelord roared, the fire around the throne soaring higher.

The second oldest Prince's face stayed impassive.

"Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me."

"You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born? Directly after the demise of his only beloved son? I think Iroh has suffered enough! But you ... your punishment has scarcely begun!"

The fire around the throne flared, the Firelord's disgruntled face barely visible.

In an exceedingly common moment of fear, Zuko ran from behind the curtain. Azula watched him leave, and debated her options. She could stay and witness the ending of this conversation—Father suggested something absolutely treasonous, and she wanted to see the conclusion—or she could leave with Zuko. She wasn't going to lie, the first option was much more tempting, but there were possible repercussions. Not that she would get caught, no of course not, but Zuko would be. Father would punish Zuko and be done with it, but Grandfather would know that Zuko wouldn't have the guts to hide behind the curtain himself.

Grandfather would know it was her.

It wasn't a risk she wanted to take. Her brother was an idiot, and she couldn't rely on him not to mess up.

So, as Zuko scurried out of the room, she followed him.

She did not hear the order.

She did not tell her brother.


Zuko sat on his bed, the sheets crumpled beneath him. He tucked his knees close to his chest, while rocking back and forth.

Father asked Grandfather for Uncle's birthright.

The Fire Nation was strict. One did as they were told. It was how things worked. A Second-Born Prince did not ask for the Fire Throne. It simply wasn't done. There is no strength in a broken nation.

It was...treasonous.

Zuko shuddered at the thought, his tiny frame shaking. He didn't want Father to die, as that was usually the punishment for such an act. He was taught from a young age: do as you are told. Father went against everything he was told. He did the unthinkable.

Zuko couldn't fathom how Father could be so bold. Or heartless.

Lu Ten just died, his death still a wound on Zuko's heart. He loved his cousin. Almost everyone who met him did.

Lu Ten was just like that. Zuko wanted to be like that. He wanted people to like him. He wanted people to love him.

Like his father for example. Father loved Azula, who was perfect in almost every way. A prodigy in firebending..

("I've never seen blue fire exhibited at such a young age. Or, at all. It's extremely rare, Your Highness. It's remarkable. It's impressive The Princess is surely a prodigy."

Father nodded, surprise not showing on his impassive face. However, something like pride sparkled in his eyes.

"What about the boy?" He asked, disinterest evident in his tone.

"The Prince...the Prince is lacking in the areas his sister exceeds in. He is sloppy and unfocused. His sister, however, is showing signs of great promise."

"I see." )

A prodigy in strategy, and all her subjects at school. If there was a singular word that described Azula, it would be prodigy. Father went on and on about how special, and talented Azula was.

After all, she was born lucky, and he was lucky to be born.

It wasn't fair. Zuko deserved his Father's love just as much as Azula. At least, he thought so. He might not be good at firebending, or strategy, or history, but he was good with his dual blades. Lu Ten said he might be able to become a master one day.

(Zuko wiped the sweat off his forehead. His arms were heavy from repeating the last drill over and over again. He wanted it perfected. Master Piandao always said that he needed to practice if he wanted his form to be perfect.

"Wow Zuko. That was impressive, can you do it again?"

Zuko whipped his head around, only to see his cousin leaning against a tree, watching him intently.

"You...want me to do it again?" Zuko asked, slightly dizzy. He didn't know anyone was watching him.

"Yeah, of course. I tried to learn the dual blades, but I never mastered it. I'm really impressed, Zuko." Lu Ten said, a smile present.

Zuko's cheeks heated up, a blush spreading across his face. "Yeah, yeah. I'll try to do it again if you want."

"I do." Lu Ten nodded.

Zuko fixed his stance, and repeated the form. He wanted to show Lu Ten how much he studied. And, if Azula happened to be watching in the shadows, it was only a bonus.)

"Zuko?" At the door, his mother stood. She raised her eyebrow at the state of his sheets. "Why aren't you sleeping yet?"

"Um…" Zuko trailed off. "Constipation?"

His mother shook her head, a soft 'tsk' sound coming out of her mouth. "You're so silly, Turtleduck."

"Mom don't call me Turtleduck. It's embarrassing." Zuko pouted, jutting his lower lip out for the full effect.

"You're right. You're much too old for me to be calling you Turtleduck. In fact, you're so old that you don't need me to kiss you goodnight." Ursa tilted her head, her eyes wide. "I'll just be on my way..."

"Wait!" Zuko panicked. "NO, I mean...no. I'm not too old for goodnight kisses."

Ursa laughed, and leaned over to tickle his feet. "I didn't think so. No one can resist my goodnight kisses."

Zuko blushed. "MOM."

"Yes?"

Zuko bit his lip. "Do you think Grandfather will kill Father?"

Ursa straightened her spine, and her smile disappeared almost immediately. "What?"

"I mean…" He upset his mother. "I'm sorry."

Ursa placed her hands up. "No..you didn't upset me, but why would you ask such a thing?"

Zuko frowned. "Because Father asked for Uncle's birthright because Lu Ten died."

Ursa took a deep breath, her face strangely passive. Zuko thought he heard her mutter something like, 'this is the most idiotic thing he has ever done,' but he wasn't sure.

"Zuko?" She finally asked, as she walked towards the door. Zuko said nothing as she reached the doorframe. He chased her away. He upset her. Father always said he couldn't do anything right.

"Zuko." She repeated, her head turned towards him.

"Yes Mom?" He answered.

"Stay here, and go to sleep. I'm going to go do something."

"Okay Mom. Love you."

"I love you too, Turtleduck." Ursa gave him a tight smile. She squeezed his shoulders, and exited the room.

Ursa left as quick as she came.

Determined to do as she said, Zuko tucked himself.

He shut his eyes.

Father is going to be fine. He's going to be fine.


Zuko couldn't fall asleep.

The branches scratched his windows, the servants scurried past his door, and his breathing was too loud.

Everything was too loud .

Zuko grabbed his pillow and pulled it over his head. He needed to sleep. His mom told him to stay put, and go to sleep.

A floorboard creaked outside his door. A servant must've been in a hurry.

Except, no. It wasn't a servant.

The door opened slightly, and a man stepped inside.

Zuko held in a breath. Hundreds of scenarios, each worse than the last ran through his head.

Is it an assassin? His mother had taught him different holds, and tricks to get out of an assassin's grasp, in case the guards were too late. Some of the holds weren't as honorable as they could be, but she told him that his life was worth more than a few dirty tactics. He still wasn't going to use those ones, though. He was as honorable as they came.

"Prince Zuko?"

Zuko let out a breath.

It was Father. His grandfather hadn't executed him. Zuko mentally smacked himself. Of course his Grandfather wouldn't kill his own son. What kind of person would do that?

Zuko idly watched his father close the door.

Usually, Father didn't come to say goodnight to Zuko. Or, actually, Zuko couldn't think of a single time. His Father probably felt sad because Lu Ten died, and wanted to make sure he was safe. Or something.

"Yes, Father?" Zuko responded, sitting up in bed.

"It was a great shame." His father replied, not looking directly at Zuko, but rather, past his head.

"What was?" Zuko asked.

"In the middle of the night, as he slept, Prince Zuko was murdered by Earth Kingdom assassins. He barely got to live before the Earth Kingdom snuffed his fire out." His father stalked towards him, the shadows under his eyes becoming more prominent. His Father looked like a monster from a horror play. Except, his father wouldn't hurt him. His mind knew that, but his body didn't. His pulse sped up to the point where Zuko could almost feel it thrumming against his skin.

"What?" Zuko couldn't help but be mildly confused. He was still alive, sitting in his bed.

"This will forever remain, a tragedy."

Ozai moved to grab Zuko. Zuko didn't move out of his way. Ozai roughly grabbed his arm, and forced him down. Zuko stumbled before he fell.

Ozai stood over the boy, his hand holding a flame. The flame didn't flicker, and the orange light illuminated the room. Zuko didn't fear fire.

Fire was beautiful, and full of passion. Even when Azula set almost all his toys on fire, he was only annoyed. Never fearful.

Now, with his father holding his palm out, a large flame consuming almost all of his father's hand, Zuko's heart sped up yet again, and he heard the blood rushing to his head.

"Father..?" Zuko asked, his voice barely audible.

His father turned his head around, and the fire in his hand extinguished. Zuko let out a breath he didn't know he was holding.

Zuko was on his knees, staring up at his father.

Prince Ozai, the second-born son of Firelord Azulon, looked at his son. Tenderly, he cupped Zuko's cheek.

Zuko didn't understand what was happening, or why his father was acting the way he was.

And so when Prince Ozai set his son's face on fire, Zuko didn't understand the searing pain.

Agony wasn't the proper word to describe what Zuko felt in that moment. His face was burning off, his skin melting like wax. The smell of burning flesh filled his room.

His father stopped once the left side of his face became numb.

"Hmm," He grabbed Zuko's arms, lifting him upwards, to get a better look at his face. "This should do. The corpse may need to be disposed of, however. Earthbenders can't use fire."

Tears streamed down his right cheek. He could barely stay conscious. The edges of his vision began to blur.

Why was Father doing this to him?

"Do not cry, Prince Zuko." His father sneered, catching sight of the tear drops on his face. "Your sacrifice won't be in vain."

His father repositioned his hand onto Zuko's face, determined on reaching the skull. His skin melted at the touch. Tears refused to fall.

Zuko didn't sit still this time. He kicked back, determined not to have his face set on fire again. The pain was too much. He didn't want to feel the fire again.

A well placed kick hit Ozai in the shin. Momentarily stunned, the Prince dropped his hold on his son.

Zuko took his chance, and he ran. He tried to open his door, but the handle slipped from his grasp. His hands were coated in blood, and he couldn't get a grip on the knob.

"Open...please...open.." He pleaded.

Like a vengeful spirit, his father cornered him.

"That was very disrespectful, Prince Zuko. But, what could I possibly expect from you? You are worthless, and untalented compared to your sister. Once I'm Firelord, Azula will be my heir. And you? You will be nothing but an anecdote."

Zuko stumbled, his back against the door.

"Please, Father.." Zuko cried.

Prince Ozai snarled at his son, nothing but disdain across his features.

"I always knew you were weak, Prince Zuko," His father stated, his lip twisted in a sneer. "Princes do not beg ."