#idk if ozai was the only one able to get the throne without going to battle once but iroh and lu ten were generals. led armies.

[ash-and-starlight]

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[carnistcervine]

A Dragon Named Icarus

So, I was talking with @mistystarshine about my Bending Curse AU and they gave me some ideas and then I got the idea of a what if scenario for Zuko’s Agni Kai. Like, in the AU, bending isn’t really something people are born with, it’s more akin to vampirism/lycanthropy where it’s a curse that spreads when benders attack non-benders. Originally I had the thought that royal firebenders are given their fire when they’re babies, but then I thought well what if it’s a special ceremony that happens at like 16 or something and my brain was all and Zuko gets his fire from Ozai burning his face off.

And then I wrote this.

I’m not entire sure if I’ll keep it in the “canon” of the AU or not, because it means no wicked fire scar for Zuko. But on the other hand, I quite like this idea. :’D I may continue this or expand upon it at a later date, but IDK.

~~~

Zuko walked up to the blood red curtains of his father's war room. But, without even turning his head, a guard swiftly moved to block his entry. Zuko bounced back, slightly startled, but also annoyed.

"Hey!" The boy huffed. "Let me in!" He felt a warm hand on his shoulder. He turned his head to see his Uncle.

"Prince Zuko, what's wrong?"

"I want to go into the war chamber," he pointed to the guard blocking the entrance. "But the guard wont let me pass!" Uncle gave Zuko a gentle smile and carefully began to lead him away.

"You're not missing anything, trust me. These meetings are dreadfully boring." His elder mused. "Besides, it's only three years until you receive your firebending. I've heard you're a little behind." Zuko flushed and looked away at this. "I can help you catch up." Uncle offered.

Zuko turned back to his Uncle, determination burning in his soft brown eyes. "But Uncle, if I am going to rule this country one day, don't you think I should get a taste of how things work?" His uncle nodded slightly in a silent concession. "Besides I want to learn as much as I can." He looked away a little shyly. "And maybe afterward, it would be nice if you could help me work on my katas..."

Uncle Iroh smiled softly at the boy. "Very well. But you must promise me you will not speak." He leaned down and whispered. "These old folks are a bit sensitive, you know?" Zuko nodded happily. Iroh put an arm around Zuko. "And afterward I'll make us some tea and show you some of my tricks. Why, you'll be even better than Azula when you get your firebending!"

Zuko gasped in delight. "Better than Azula? Dad says she was born with her firebending!"

Iroh nodded. "Yes, a rare occurance indeed. Even I had to be given the fire." He looked quite thoughtful for a moment, before walking with Zuko into the war room.

X~X

The meeting went on very uneventfully. However, Zuko couldn't escape a growing unease in his gut. The way these people spoke, like this war was just a game to them. These were people, people who dedicated their lives because they loved their country. Not pawns to be sacrificed for minor gains.

"The Earth Kingdom defenses are concentrated here." General Bujing said, shuffling pieces around on the war map. "It's a dangerous battalion of their most powerful earthbenders and ferocious warriors." He grinned maliciously. "My recommendation is the forty-first division."

Zuko couldn't help but frown at the face the man was making. He didn't exactly know who or what the forty-first division was, but Bujing's grin was making his imagination go wild.

"But the forty-first is entirely new recruits!" An elder soldier proclaimed, slightly horrified. "How in the name of Agni do you honestly expect them to defeat a powerful Earth Kingdom battalion."

"I don't." Bujing said, grin full on predatory. Zuko felt his stomach sink to the floor. He was sure that if he had an inner fire, it would have dimmed. "They'll just be the distraction while the real attack is launched from the rear." Bujing chuckled slightly. Zuko bit his lip, trying hard to hold his tongue. "Those Earth barbarians won't be able to resist stomping out any flame they see." His dark brown eyes appeared downright black. "What better bait for the dirt stompers than fresh meat?"

Unable to take it anymore, Zuko shot up. "You can't just sacrifice an entire division like that!" The young prince shouted, looking over the room and the shocked old faces. "Those soldiers love our country and dedicate themselves to us! They are loyal to the Fire Nation! How could you just betray them like that?"

Suddenly an unbearable angry heat overcame the whole of the room. The flames of the Fire Lord's throne flaring up.

"Zuko," the Fire Lord hissed. "You have spoken out of turn in a show of complete disrespect. Do you understand what this means?"

Zuko looked back at the old general he had disrespected. His normal, dark brown eyes. Hmpf, not only was he old, but also a non-bender. Zuko could take him.

Zuko huffed, challenging. "I'm not scared!"

"Very well." the Fire Lord said, still radiating angry heat, his inferno obscuring his image. "An Agni Kai it is."

X~X

"Prince Zuko," Iroh implored. "I'm not quite sure you understand the seriousness of this situation."

Zuko turned back to Uncle, placing a hand over his. "It's okay, Uncle." Zuko said, his brown eyes shimmering. "I'll be fine." With that, he was ushered off by the Fire Sages. When he stepped out onto the arena, Zuko couldn't help but notice that the air seemed abnormally hot. Sure, it was quite sunny, but the sun seemed especially harsh in that time. He decided not to concern himself with it. So he took his place and waited for the match to begin.

As soon as he stood up, his heart dropped, his blood freezing as the tippet on his shoulders fluttered to the ground. His heart began to race, time itself slowed to a snail-turtle's pace. Uncle's words finally hitting him. He wasn't going to duel against an old, fellow nonbender.

He was to duel against his father.

The Fire Lord.

And the most powerful firebender on earth.

Zuko dropped to his knees, his legs having given out on him. His heart raced, he didn't mean to disrespect his father! He really didn't!

"Please, Father. I-I only had my nation's best interest at heart!" The boy begged. "I didn't mean you any disrespect! I'm sorry I spoke out of turn!" He lowered his head, on his hands and knees. "Please forgive me!"

But the Fire Lord wasn't having it.

"Pathetic!” He spat. “You are supposed to be my son?" The sun shone brightly behind him, casting his figure in darkness. "Fight, fight for your honor!"

Zuko started to shake, tears flowing from his eyes. He only barely managed to croak. "I am your loyal son..."

"Get on your feet and fight! That is an order, Prince Zuko!"

"N-no..." Zuko whimpered. "I won't do it. You are my father, I won't fight you..." Ozai's feet came into view, and Zuko knew the man was standing over him.

"Coward." The Fire Lord hissed. "I have no son."

Zuko looked up, a shriek thundered in his ears as fire filled his vision. One eye staring into the flames, one into the sun.

It wasn't like anything he'd ever felt before. The intensity and ferocity of the energy invading him. It felt as if his very soul had been set ablaze. Like the sun itself was trying to climb into his mortal flesh.

Then both of the boy's eyes gazed into the abyss.

X~X

Iroh sat by Zuko's side as he lay in bed, out from a combination of drugs and having half his face melted. The old general stroked the boy's hair gently.

"Leaves from the vine," He sang softly, only able to hold onto the hope that somewhere deep down the boy could hear him. That his soul hadn't been completely burned away. "Falling so slow..."

Zuko moaned, the unbandaged half of his face scrunching up slightly. "'m sorry..."

The Dragon of The West took a breath and gave his nephew's hand a firm squeeze as he bit back the tide of rage welling within him. "You have nothing to be sorry for."

But Zuko kept repeating it like a mantra, his one eye slowly starting to peel open. "Sorry... sorry... m' so sorry..."

Iroh leaned in closer, angry tears threatening to spill from his golden eyes. "You haven't done anything wrong, Zuko."

Zuko peered at him with a glossy, golden eye. "Uncle, 'm sorry."

The old man felt like his flame had been snuffed.