Hello, People.
Man have I got a new story to tell you.
This one might take a while to finish, so sit back, relax and enjoy the first chapter of this incredible adventure.
The world has never been more prosperous, they say there was a time where the world was controlled by powerful benders, those were the dark ages of the world, now it's controlled by machinery,
It was a huge step towards the future when people decided to forbid bending, and depend on science, specially for non-benders, as it must have been really hard for them to live in a world where someone is born superior to you.
Now, we're living in a time of equality, a time where one is not rated by a gift the spirits have given him at birth, but by his own work and dedication.
Only, it's been really rough for benders, since the art is forbidden, some nations go to the extreme with people who are born with such abilities.
Ba Sing Se and Omashu for example, and the rest of the lands that used to belong to the earth kingdom, now they are called 'Central Asia', it's gone as far as they would execute anyone who is proven to be a bender.
The Firenation, Now called 'Japan', and the north and south poles, now called 'Northern Antarctica and Southern Antarctica', however are much more civilized than that, they would just banish the bender for eternity.
Yeah, it's been a hellish life for benders, but for Zuko it's different.
Zuko was a rich kid, he's of Japanese descent, and not just any descent, he's of royal descent, he's the son of Japanese Emperor Ozai, the man who continued his grandfather Sozin's revolution against benders.
Zuko and Iroh decided to leave the firenation after finding out Zuko was a firebender, and Iroh lost his son Lu Ten because he was also a firebender.
Iroh had already decided to leave the throne to his brother, Ozai, after the death of his son, and leave the nation forever, and after Zuko found out he was a firebender, he begged his uncle to go with him to Central Asia, Ozai didn't object, since he was already fed up with Zuko's weakness and wanted to get rid of him and clear the path for his sister Azula to take the throne.
At long last, Uncle Iroh accepted, considering the fact Zuko has been his anchor ever since his son died, Zuko was the reason he never abandoned his humanity.
At any case, Zuko decided to leave his country five years ago to live with his Uncle Iroh in Central Asia, specifically in the city of Ba Sing Se, where they have a tea shop and it was going really well, until Zuko's 21st birthday…
Zuko's uncle Iroh got incredibly sick and he's been in the hospital ever since.
Zuko's been attending college in the morning and going to the tea shop in the afternoon, all the while not forgetting to visit his uncle daily at the hospital.
There was also Fung and Haru, who were helping Zuko with the management of the café, with Fung working as interim manager until Iroh's recovery, and Haru working a morning shift as a waiter instead of Zuko who is busy with his college studies.
Zuko thanked the spirits for the many friends him and his uncle have made throughout the years, for without them, they would have been lost.
One of his friends at school is Aang, he's an incredible guy to call friend, he's of air nomad descent, one of the last of his kind, when former Firelord Sozin started his campaign against benders and outlawed the art, he started with the air nomads for a reason nobody knows but him.
He completely wiped them out using his advanced machinery, history books say the army was a force to be reckoned with, and Zuko couldn't agree more as he sees for himself how powerful his father's army is, to the point that nobody is objecting the outlawing of bending anymore, as his father's army could get him anywhere, that's a mere example of what their advanced technologies could do.
Zuko admired Aang's strength and kindness, Aang was a soccer player in their school, his lean body, incredible speed and strength helped him get where he is.
He'd always win the inter-college tournaments for their college soccer team.
not to mention that he's an extrovert, something Zuko isn't, He could get someone to be his friend in mere seconds, that's exactly how he got Zuko to befriend them and join his inner circle.
His other friends are Sokka and Katara, they are descendants of the watertribes, their father Chief Hakoda, is the president of Southern Antarctica, but they came to Ba Sing Se to learn, as their country doesn't have a college as prestigious as the Ba Sing Se college, and their father only wants the best education for them.
Zuko noticed the close relationship that Aang shares with Katara, despite the fact they would never admit it, but Zuko knew Aang had a thing for Katara, and the same feelings are mirrored by the brunette girl, despite their many attempts at hiding it, almost the entire college know that they have a thing for each other.
They spend almost the entire day together every day, never leaving each other's side, even Sokka is annoyed by this, they would come to college together and they would leave together, on a daily basis, you would never find Aang without Katara, and vice versa, which is something that seriously intrigued Zuko.
Not even a couple would be this close, they must share something bigger, Zuko thought.
Something else that intrigued Zuko about Aang, is that he's always wearing a bandana, even at home when they are studying together, he's always wearing it to cover his forehead, and when Zuko asked Aang about it, his response was,
"I have a scar, it's really embarrassing." Aang said.
For some reason, Zuko deducted that wasn't the case, but he decided to let it slide.
Anyways, as days went by, Zuko's uncle's condition worsened.
One day, as Zuko was visiting his uncle at the hospital, Iroh's gotten really sick, and the sickness made him even more convinced that it was time for Zuko to know the truth,
"Zuko… I want to talk to you..." Iroh said, pausing between sentences, as he was unable to speak.
Zuko realized his condition, "No, Uncle. Get some sleep, you're tired." Zuko responded.
"There's no time… I have to tell you this… before it's too late." Iroh responded, coughing.
"Uncle, please… get some rest. Whatever you want to talk about, we have plenty of time for it, no need to rush." Zuko said.
"There's no time, I've already called him, he's sending someone to pick you up." Iroh said.
"Who is?" Zuko asked, confused.
"Lift me up, Zuko. I need to sit down for this." Iroh asked.
Zuko sighed, his uncle was getting really mysterious with his words, but The Japanese prince has become curious enough to know what his uncle is talking about, so he helped his uncle sit on the bed, putting a pillow behind his back to rest on.
After a couple of grunts, his uncle decided to speak up, "What I am about to tell you, you cannot recite it to anyone, or it'll be your head." Iroh started.
Zuko got really nervous, "Sure, Uncle."
Iroh paused for a second before looking at his nephew and saying, "Bending isn't dead, there are still those who are giving their all to keep it alive." Iroh said.
Zuko was stunned, "What?" He asked.
"There is a reason I'm so fond of Pai Sho, and that's because it's the symbol of our order, we are the order of the white lotus, the keepers of the art that was bestowed upon us by our ancestors, I was the leader of this formidable group until I got sick, that's when my friend Pakku of the watertribes took over, that's who I've called, and that's the same person who has sent someone to pick you up." Iroh said.
Zuko was still shocked by the revelation, he didn't know whether to laugh or cry about this, be excited that he's finally getting a chance to put his gift to use, or be afraid that his uncle might have taken things too far.
"Please, tell me this is a joke. Please, tell me you didn't sacrifice our peaceful life for a lost cause." Zuko said, his voice getting sharper.
"There's no peaceful life, specially not in the upcoming days, we're facing a threat that only bending is going to be able to solve, not machinery." Iroh responded.
"What do you mean?" Zuko asked.
"That's what you'll learn once you get to our base, you'll learn it from Pakku, I'm too sick to explain this to you right now." Iroh said.
Zuko paused, he didn't know what to say, "Uncle, we escaped the firenation for a better life away from my father's bending rules, we came to the earth kingdom seeking a new life, a peaceful one, now, you're telling me that this was a lie? you didn't come here for a peaceful life but to start a cult?" Zuko asked.
"It's not a cult, and I didn't start it. We're merely the inheritors of the tradition, Zuko." Iroh said.
Zuko paused again, unable to find the words, Iroh took the opportunity and continued to speak,
"It's true, I didn't come to the earth kingdom seeking peace, but seeking a peaceful life for you… Zuko, I just want you to know, sooner or later, you're going to have to show the world that you're a bender, whether you do it by force or accident, you'll eventually show it, I'm not waiting around until that time comes and you're taken from me the same way they took Lu Ten…" Iroh said, his eyes stinging with tears, Zuko noticed it and teared up as well,
"I was too much of a coward to save Lu Ten, but I had the chance to save you and that was enough for me, now it's your time to rise up to the occasion, to become the man you were always meant to be, to become a true firebender." Iroh said.
Zuko was speechless, Iroh's words took a heavy toll on him, he felt a sense of responsibility that he's never felt before, the fact that this could be Iroh's last words too made him even more adamant to listen to them, and he regretted ever listening to him as it's the reason he's become really conflicted right now.
Zuko put his head in both his hands and sighed deeply, he closed his eyes and began contemplating, he wondered why he'd never won an argument against Iroh, it feels like, whenever they argue about something, he comes out victorious, it was annoying.
Zuko admits his defeat to Uncle Iroh by finally deciding to get into details about the order, "Tell me more about your order, Uncle."
Iroh started telling him the origins of the white lotus, how it started between a bunch of old men playing Pai Sho over tea, they haven't always been involved in politics, it's only started when bending was outlawed, the white lotus used to be about philosophy and beauty and truth, those were the good old days, now it's just grim, and what's about to come needs us to be united to have a chance against it.
Zuko decided to finally ask the important question, "Why me?" He asked.
Iroh raised an eyebrow, "Huh?"
"Why me, Uncle? Why do I have to join such a formidable group of elite warriors? What have I done to deserve it?" Zuko asked, his uncle, seriously doubting his firebending abilities.
Iroh scowled at him, "Never belittle yourself again, you're a strong young man, and with the proper training, you might become the strongest firebender that's ever lived, I can't promise you would be the strongest bender, because that title is already taken by the person who is coming to pick you up right now." Iroh said.
"The strongest bender in the world is coming to pick me up?"
"Not only that, he's humanity's last hope, the one who might be able to save you from the upcoming catastrophe. He's the only person in the world who is able to bend all four elements, and he can also connect with the spirits, making him the one and only bridge between the physical world and the spirit world, and he also has that powerful feat of his, the avatar state, it's designed to empower the avatar with the skills and knowledge of all the past avatars." Iroh concluded.
Zuko couldn't understand a single word of what Iroh was saying, a person that has past lives? And he can connect with them and gain their powers? What kind of sorcery is this?
Before Zuko could ask any further questions, a knock on the door was heard.
"This should be him." Iroh told Zuko, before he looked at the door and said, "Come in."
The door was opened and there he comes in his white shirt and orange jacket, he also wore orange pants and white sneakers, his jet-black hair covering most of his head and he wore an orange bandana to cover his forehead, he looked really young for someone who's supposed to be the defender of the world, although not very young, maybe about Zuko's age.
Or, maybe… he's Zuko's college friend.
Zuko's eyes widened as he realized the one and only avatar is his dear friend Aang.
"Aang?" Zuko questioned.
"Hello, Iroh." Aang greeted upon entering the room, not even looking at Zuko.
"Hello, Avatar Aang. Nice to see you again."
"Likewise. So, you told him everything he needs to know?" Aang inquired, motioning at Zuko of course.
Zuko was annoyed by Aang's attitude, he entered the room only saying hello to Iroh, he didn't even regard Zuko with a hello, he didn't even ask Iroh if he's doing well or not, in fact, he doesn't seem to care at all about Iroh's condition.
"Hello, I am right here." Zuko said with a wave to Aang.
Aang was alerted by this and he looked at Zuko, "Oh, my apologies…" Aang extended a hand, "Aang, a member of the white lotus, and I'm here to pick you up and get you to the academy, and in the unfortunate event that you're accepted with us, I'd be your guide until you're finished with your training." Aang greeted, introduced himself, and discouraged Zuko, all in the same sentence.
"Why're you acting like you don't know me, you lying jerk? And what do you mean unfortunate?" Zuko inquired, looking frightened.
Iroh decided to interfere, "Knock it off, Aang. He loves to mess around with newbies." Iroh informed Zuko.
When Zuko turned around to look at Aang, he could swear a teasing smile crossed his lips for a second before he returned to his natural state.
"I can't believe you lied to me, Aang." Zuko said.
"Lied? About what?" Aang asked, looking genuinely confused.
"This!" Zuko motioned around, referring to the situation, "Why didn't you tell me that you are a bender, and not just any bender… apparently, you are the best there is. You knew I was a bender, you know how hard I wanted to bend freely, even if it was in secret, and yet you never offered me a chance to come by."
"It's too dangerous, I'd have never wished that upon you if it wasn't for Iroh." Aang said, with a hint of genuine concern to his voice.
"What're you talking about?" Zuko asked.
"That's something Master Pakku is gonna have to explain to you himself, shall we go?" Aang offered.
Zuko was silent, he looked back at Iroh, and the old man nodded at him.
"Go, I'll be fine." Iroh said, with a smile that Zuko knew he was faking.
Zuko returned the smile nonetheless and left the room with Aang.
Together they left the hospital, and together they got into the car to get to the base of the white lotus.
"Welcome aboard, Prince Zuko." Zuko heard a familiar voice say.
"Fung?" Zuko questioned, he found that the driver of the car he's riding with Aang, is none other than their good old pal, Fung.
"Could this day get any weirder?" Zuko asked, when he got into the back seat of the car.
Aang chuckled at him, as he was sitting right beside him, "Oh, you have no idea." The Avatar said.
As Fung started the engine and made his way to the base of the white lotus.
Stay tuned for chapter 2
don't forget to review and have a good one :)