[EDIT: 1/22/2021] I...changed the advisor's name to Masahiro. Look him up and you'll see. X) I'm gonna use Hari's name somewhere in the future. ;)
Zuko was tired.
He stood in front of a mirror, looking at his reflection while wearing his red night robes.
He looked tired.
His right eye looked like it had a bag underneath, while his left burnt scarred face remained the same. Taking a deep sigh, he raised his left hand to touch the top of his scar and traced his fingers down on the left side of his face.
Two days...it's been two days since his father escaped from prison.
There was a breakout in the Capital City Prison, resulting in some guards to losing their lives or be severely injured. Apparently, early in the morning, a group of fire-benders decided to break out the 'true' Fire Lord.
'Of course...' Zuko thought bitterly.
Not only that, but Ozai gathered up some followers while he stayed there. His father rounded up ex-soldiers who once served him, as well as criminals who respected him. But worst of all, Azula was free too and joining them in this rebel cause as well. Now his father, Azula, and these prisoners could be anywhere in the world. His intelligence officers around the country are hard at work trying to find the airship that they were riding on, which from what Zuko heard, this group stole from one of the officers.
Zuko shook his head, 'How could I be so foolish?'
He should've sent his father to the Boiling Rock...actually, would it even matter? He and even Azula would've been able to escape anyways by some matter or means.
It had been the beginning of Spring, the time of new beginnings. However, this was not the beginning he envisioned when he took the crown. The war was over, but that doesn't mean everything was all as it should be. Tensions rise as the people of the Fire Nation felt doubtful of Zuko's decisions when he took the position of Fire Lord. Nations were wary of his political experience because of his age, although he did learn the best advice from Uncle Iroh. But even if it was good advice, it didn't resonate well with his people.
He wished his Nation would understand. They need to know that this is a time of peace. They need to move forward, they can't live in the past.
The past...as well as moving forward. For Zuko, that's easier said than done.
He still hadn't found his mother. While he was ruling, he asked his father in prison where she could be, but Ozai only gave him false leads every time. At that point, Zuko decided to just forget about asking his father and try to find her instead. But even then, he didn't have any luck in finding her. He was starting to wonder if she was truly gone.
He closed his eyes and scowled.
'I can't give up hope...'
A couple of knocks emerged from the doors to his bedchambers.
"Fire Lord Zuko?" a muffled male voice behind the closed doors interrupted his thoughts.
Zuko opened his eyes and turned to the doors. "You may enter."
One of the double doors opened and his advisor, Masahiro, came in. "Good morning, My Lord."
Zuko nodded, "Good morning, Masahiro. May I ask if there is any information on where my father, sister, and the escapees are located?"
"Actually, there is. We just received word that they've been sighted," Masahiro said with a small smile.
Zuko's eyes widened in surprise. "Really? Where are they? Where was the information gathered?"
"The very south of the Fire Nation. They spotted an airship early this morning going out to the sea."
"To the sea?" Zuko muttered in slight interest and confusion.
"Yes. There's," Masahiro paused to think, "...I think there's an island located just little ways south of the port village of Shua."
"Hmm...are there anyone residing on that island?"
Masahiro frowned, "I...think."
Zuko noticed Masahiro's expression. "Is something wrong?"
"Oh, no, My Lord, I, uh, I was just...wondering if they landed on that island." Masahiro mused.
Zuko raised a brow, "That island? What do you mean?"
"Oh, well," Masahiro cleared his throat, "There's, uh...there's this infamous island town that's known to be a seedy place."
"Really? What's the town and island called?"
"I think the island itself is called...Sairento Hiruzu, My Lord. As for the town, it's named Silent Hills. It used to be a resort town."
"A resort town? Like Ember Island?" Zuko asked.
"Yes," Masahiro nodded. He looked at him curiously. "You...haven't heard of the stories of Sairento Hiruzu from times past?"
"Um...no. Should I have?" Zuko wondered.
"Well, not particularly. The...well, the island and its town itself is really something the Fire Nation wishes to forget." Masahiro informed.
Zuko blinked at that sentence, "What exactly happened there?"
"A lot of things actually. Murders, rapes, shady business deals, all the like, just to name a few," Masahiro explained as he cringed.
"Huh...sounds like a criminal's paradise," Zuko muttered.
"Which is why we think they're there right now in hiding," speculated Masahiro, "What are your orders, My Lord?"
The young Fire Lord gave him a nod. "In that case, I'm going to write a letter to one of the Fire-Benders Special Ops Team in the southern base of the country to retrieve my father and sister, as well as the escapees. I'll advise them to proceed to Sairento Hiruzu Island with caution. Once I've written it, I'll give it to you to deliver it to the messenger hawk station."
"Understood. Anything else, My Lord?"
"No. That would be all, Masahiro."
Masahiro nodded in obedience with a smile. "I'll wait for your command, then," he then exited the room, closing the door behind him.
As soon as his advisor left, he turned back to his mirror. Staring at his reflection once more, he contemplated on the only family - besides Iroh - he had left. He wondered what they were planning as of right now, and who this group was that broke them out. Whoever they were, they must've lived on this Sairento Hiruzu Island.
Speaking of Iroh, he wishes he could use some of his advice right now...about all of this pressure and doubt...
'I hope I'm following the right path here...'
He was so in thought, that he didn't hear the door open again.
Zuko sighed, "I wish Uncle was here right now."
"You called?"
Startled, Zuko turned around to see his Uncle Iroh who just entered his room.
"Uncle!"
"Hello there, my Nephew!" Iroh greeted with a warm smile.
"Uncle, you're here!" Zuko said with delighted surprise.
They approached each other and exchanged hugs, Iroh chuckling as he said, "Well, of course! I came by to see how the Fire Lord is doing with all this drama going on."
Letting go of their hug, Zuko smiled, "Thank you for coming over here, Uncle."
"Oh, no problem at all!" Iroh said with a nonchalant wave of his hand, "I can take a day off at my Jasmine Dragon location in Ba Sing Se anytime! So, how is everything here in the palace, if I may ask? I mean...besides the prison breakout?" he asked a little sheepishly.
Groaning, Zuko shook his head, "It's been stressful. But we found where Father, Azula, and the prison escapees might be hiding."
"Oh? Well, what did your resources say?"
"They might be hiding in an island called Sairento Hiruzu in a town called Silent Hills. It's said to be a place of crime, I heard."
"Silent Hills on Sairento Hiruzu Island?" Iroh asked in surprise. "They're going there?"
"Apparently so. I've sent a special ops group to retrieve them, so I can only hope they'll be able to apprehend them."
"Hmm...Sairento Hiruzu, you say?" Iroh asked as he stroke his beard.
Zuko blinked, "Um, yeah..."
"Hm...I haven't heard that name in a long time."
"You heard of the island before?"
"Oh yes, I have. Back when I was little at the Royal Academy, I've learned about the Nation's history, and Sairento Hiruzu came up. It has...a very dark past from what I remembered. Some even say the island is cursed."
"Cursed?" Zuko raised an eyebrow.
"Mm-hmm. And from what I've heard, the Island is supposed to be a sacred place."
"A sacred place? What's it sacred for?"
"Well, basically, it's just a very beautiful and quiet area from what I heard, hence the name Silent Hills. It's also the only place in the Fire Nation that has no volcanic activity. And as said before, the island itself is said to be a magnificent sight on its own..." Iroh shook his head and sighed, "Such a shame it has had such a troubled past."
"Well, even though this island suffered a bad reputation, I won't let it deter me to find my father and the others."
"Hm...so you're sending a special ops fire-bending team to find them?"
"Yes. I made sure to let them proceed with caution. I don't know if there will be a fight on our hands or if this island will have any experienced fire-benders on it, but I can only hope we can keep the place secure."
"Well, it's good to know that you are letting the soldiers proceed with caution. Did you let them bring any good luck charms or anything with them?"
Zuko looked at him oddly, "Um...Uncle, are you implying that there is some sort of curse on this Sairento Hiruzu Island?"
"Well, to be perfectly honest, I don't know if there is one. As I mentioned, I only heard of the place; never went there. But you never know; there could be some truth to these sort of things."
"Uncle, there's no such thing as curses," Zuko said while rolling his eyes.
Iroh frowned, "Be careful, Zuko. You can never know what could be real and what could be an illusion."
Zuko sighed, "Look, I trust the team will do its job on apprehending my father and Azula, as well as rounding up the other escaped prisoners."
"Oh don't worry, I trust they will too," Iroh said. He looked at Zuko with slight empathy and melancholy in his eyes, however, "So, how is being Fire Lord, really?"
"Ugh," Zuko groaned, "As I said before, stressful. Everyone just can't seem to move forward in this country."
"Well, it is a big change to accept."
"I know, but...I just..." the young Fire Lord sighed as his posture slumped.
Iroh frowned at his nephew, noticing his dejected state, "Something else is bothering you, is there?"
Zuko winced, "...I'm just...thinking about mother. Wherever she may be."
"Oh," Iroh nodded, "Hmm...well, all I can say is that you shouldn't lose hope, Zuko. I'm certain she is still alive."
"I know. Father at least said that much. But..." Zuko grunted, "He hasn't told me anything useful. I'm just going around in circles. And...if she is alive, I want to know where she is and why she...hasn't decided to come back home..." Zuko frowned dejectedly.
Sensing his sorrow, Iroh came up to him and placed a hand on his shoulder, "Zuko, your mother loves you. She even loves Azula and your father at one point. She would come back to you in an instant if not for the circumstances,"
"But the circumstances are lifted, Uncle. It's been six or seven months, so why hasn't she come back here yet?"
"These things take time, my Nephew. It has been three years since your banishment. Maybe she started a new life with a new name."
Zuko's frown went deeper, "You're saying that she abandoned all of us?"
"No, Zuko, you know I don't mean that," Iroh clarified, "I mean, how else would she hide from your father?"
Lowering his head, Zuko closed his eyes and took a deep sigh, "I know...I just...I really want to find her."
"I know, Zuko," Iroh squeezed his shoulder in comfort, "And she really does love all of you. Just believe in hope, and you will find her."
"Hmm..." Zuko nodded but looked unsure.
"...There's something else, is there?"
"...Uncle...am I...doing a good job at being the Fire Lord?"
Iroh looked at his nephew in earnest. After a couple of seconds, he said, "Zuko...never doubt yourself. You are doing absolutely well, far better than any other Fire Lord back in my day. People will realize that their old ways have passed and the vision of hope will soon come to them. And you, Zuko, are the reason that hope exists."
Zuko's face remained unchanging, until he said, "Thank you, Uncle."
"I mean it. Do not think I am saying encouraging words to you. These words that I've told you are true."
Zuko gave out a small smile. "I'll keep what you've said in mind, Uncle."
Iroh patted his shoulder and lets go of it, giving him a smile as well, "Do not be intimidated by the challenges ahead, my Nephew. You will conquer them."
"Thank you, Uncle. I'm happy to know that you have faith in me."
"Of course I do. But you also must have faith in yourself."
"...I'll keep that in mind as well, Uncle."
Smiling warmly, Iroh nodded, "Good. How about you join me for some tea? That'll relax your nerves."
Zuko chuckled, "You know what? Tea sounds really good right about now."
"Excellent!" said a thrilled Iroh. "It has been so long since we had tea together! Maybe we can talk about what kind of woman you're looking for!"
Zuko groaned, "Uncle...I'm seventeen. I can't look for a wife right now."
"Oh, come on! Let us at least talk about it like guys!" Iroh nudged him teasingly in the ribs.
Rubbing his ribs and shaking his head, Zuko gave in, "Okay, Uncle. Just let me get changed for the day. I haven't eaten any breakfast, so having something to snack on while drinking tea would be great."
"You haven't eaten any breakfast?" Iroh said curiously.
The young Fire Lord looked embarrassed. "I...basically didn't sleep well last night. I gave up pretty recently after it was close to the seventh morning hour before you came in. It was a tiring day yesterday."
"Well, I can't blame you on that. However, I can tell you one thing; you certainly are made to be Fire Lord if you can handle the pressure of this job. I don't think I could last a day!"
Chuckling at his uncle's encouragement, Zuko said, "Thanks. I'll be there in a moment, Uncle."
"Okay, just don't brood in here much longer," Iroh said waving his finger at him.
"I won't," Zuko said, rolling his eyes.
Iroh nodded with a smile, "Good. Well, I'll meet you in the tea room! Maybe then we can get some lunch and play a little pai-sho! I have to see if you've improved."
Zuko chortled, "Sure. Of course, Uncle."
Laughing softly, Iroh gave him a pat on the back and left Zuko's room.
Once Zuko is alone, he turned to his mirror as he looked at his reflection again. Seeing the scar on his right face, he stared at himself intently.
He opened one side of his front robe a bit to see the noticeable burnt spot on his abdomen that Azula stuck him with when he was protecting Katara.
Katara...he wondered how she's doing. He wondered how everyone else is doing. How they're holding up...
...Zuko sighed.
'I hope everyone's doing better than I am. Until then, I also hope that today and tomorrow would bring good fortune.'
And with that, he got dressed for the day, hanging on for a brighter tomorrow.
End of Chapter 2
Okay! That's the first chapter! Sorry that it's so short, I felt like I really need to make it up to all of you readers out there after the prologue I just made. But no worries! Next time, I'll probably focus on either Katara and the others, or Azula and Ozai! Which one would you like to see? XD By the way, can you spot the SH character name references that I made? X)
But yeah, tell me if this catches your interest so far! Leave me a review, fave, and a follow if you want! I love them all! ^_^
Until next time, keep on rocking everybody! See you all later! ;D
-TSP