Chapter One: The Boy in the Iceberg
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A long time ago, a man named the Avatar roamed the four nations. He ruled over the four as a harbinger of peace and harmony amongst all. I always heard stories of his powers when I was young. Stories of how I had to gain the power to defeat him.
Fire.
Earth.
Water.
Air.
The four elements once existed in harmony, but discord has taken control of our lands, running rampant amongst those who are hungry for power. It is my duty to stop those who want to take this power for themselves. It is my duty to stop the Avatar.
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Growing up in the Fire Nation has given me the opportunity to learn and live amongst the best. To learn and live amongst those who understand me. Those who know the Avatar must be stopped. Though most of my time was taken up in training, I somehow always managed to spend time with my best friend.
Though we were competitive, we somehow always managed to get past our bickering. We understood each other. We would have been able to firebend before we were able to walk had it been possible, and trust me, our parents tried. We understood that one day, we would be tasked with taking over the Earth Kingdom as the walls of Ba Sing Se fell. We would be tasked with defeating the Avatar.
We spent our whole lives on the same path. Training towards the same goal. In many ways, we were the same. To the typical passerby, you might even take a glimpse at us and think we were one and the same. A few years older, but still the same amber eyes. Though my hair fell in waves, it was the same dark brown. It mattered not since day by day we wore the same clothes and the same pins in our hair.
When we were apart, I would often find myself in the gardens. I was twelve years old the first time I visited the Royal Palace. I remember getting lost in the expansive garden filled with some of the most extravagant flowers I have ever seen.
I was admiring a fire lily for the first time. My father never cared for plants around the home. "We're fire benders, not plant benders," he would lecture for the umpteenth time as my curiosity always got the better of me. But that mattered not to me when I laid my eyes on the most gorgeous thing I have ever seen. It reminded me of fire that had been brought to life. Reds and oranges splashed the petals, but if you looked closely, they bled into rich blues and black, which lay in its center. I could not tell you how long I was admiring the flower when all of a sudden I was startled by the feeling of a hand on my shoulder.
I shrieked suddenly as I turned around to see who had interrupted my moment of peace. I was met with a boy around my age: familiar dark brown hair was pulled up into a bun I was oh so familiar with.
"Who might you be?" The boy, I could tell, was no stranger to these gardens. His clothes were similar to my own. He looked familiar, but I could not quite puzzle together just how familiar he was. But who was I to be kind to someone who had startled me so and interrupted me from my brand new favorite pastime?
"Why should I tell you?"
He was taken aback, clearly, as his eyes widened and he paused before letting out a small laugh, "Well, I live here, so I think I have a little right to know who you are." It was my turn for my eyes to widen before I shot into a quick bow, realizing how much trouble I was about to be in.
Of course, I had to get sassy with the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation.
"I apologize, Prince Zuko, I had no idea. I was simply admiring the flowers and lost myself." I stayed in my deep bow, unsure if I should look up into the eyes that I was sure would be filled with anger and annoyance. Instead, I felt a hand pat my back awkwardly as I finally looked back up at the boy.
"You don't have to do all that," he laughed nervously, scratching the back of his neck. Obviously, just as embarrassed about this situation as I am, "but unless you want me to start calling you Fire Lily, I still don't know what your name is."
I flushed, quite embarrassed with the whole ordeal. A life of etiquette courses, training, and political prowess, and I threw it all out the window the second I met the Prince.
Oh, how Azula would laugh at me now.
Shaking a little from my nerves, I reached out my hand to the Fire Nation's Prince, "My name is Sumi, it's nice to meet you!"
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"Zuko!" I yelled throughout the ship trying to find my old friend. I sighed as I realised he was not going to answer my calls, and instead I continued to pull my hair up into its usual high bun, carefully using my golden pin to piece it together. I hurried out of my room as fast as I could to be above deck.
Getting above deck, all I could see around us were expanses of ice as far as the eye could see, as I walked up to Zuko and his uncle, General Iroh. The ship was eerily chaotic, while some soldiers scattered, adjusting our course and gathering supplies, others were staring off at something in the distance. As I walked towards the two, I realized what Zuko was so preoccupied with in the distance: a large beam of light emitting powerful energy as it reached into the sky.
"Finally!" Zuko exclaimed as he turned to look at Iroh, "Uncle, do you realize what this means?"
Iroh, being the man he is, looked at his game of Pai Sho in disappointment as he came to a realization, "I won't get to finish my game?"
As Zuko turned back towards the light, he huffed out, "It means my search is about to come to an end." Iroh sighed, uninterested in Zuko's 'search' as I giggled quietly at their antics as I approached them.
"So, what's Zuko fangirling about this time?" I asked as I gently sat across the table Iroh was sitting at. I quickly grabbed one of the Pai Sho tiles, a lotus flower, and placed it on the board before looking at Zuko, who was glaring at my question. I shrugged lightly and took my attention back to the Pai Sho board, where Iroh had once again placed a tile.
Zuko looked pointedly at the two of us as we continued our match, "That light came from an incredibly powerful source!" Suddenly, the light disappeared.
"And?" I said sarcastically, interrupting Zuko's rant.
"It has to be him!" Of course, him. The Avatar that is. The man whom Zuko and I had come searching for. I peaked my head in interest, realizing the notion of the Avatar being the source of such a powerful source was very plausible.
Iroh did not react the same as I did, "Or it's just the celestial lights. We've been down this road before, Prince Zuko," Iroh once again placed down a tile, depicting the airbending symbol, "I don't want you both to get too excited over nothing. Please, sit with us. Why don't you enjoy a cup of calming Jasmine tea?"
As I stood up from the table, Zuko turned around furiously looking at Iroh, "I don't need any calming tea! We need to capture the Avatar! Helmsman, head a course for the light!"
As Zuko stalked away, I turned to Iroh, "I'm sorry, General, but I am with Zuko on this one. Finding the Avatar is the reason we are here, and we can't afford to take any chances based on scepticism." Iroh said nothing, and so he continued to play his game. I sighed before returning to my room.
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Once I finished training in my room, I returned to the deck of the ship, standing at the helm. I searched the horizon for signs of life, but the ice was all that remained. I sighed as I looked at the water that surrounded the bow of the ship.
I couldn't help but feel like I had visited here before. This feeling was something I felt in many of my journeys with Zuko to find the Avatar, though I had only left the Fire Nation for the first time just two years ago.
I suddenly felt a presence approaching me, stopping once they reached my side. I didn't need to look over to my left to know it was Zuko standing there.
We stood in silence as we both watched the horizon, waiting for the Southern Water Tribe to appear in the distance. We didn't need to speak to know we were both anxious to find the Avatar. After years of searching, I could feel the excitement emanating from him as we sailed closer to him.
Once again, someone approached us, "I'm going to bed now," Iroh yawned, "Yep, a man needs his rest." Iroh eyed Zuko, seemingly annoyed at Zuko's reluctance to pick up on his suggestion, "Prince Zuko, you need some sleep. Even if you're right, and the Avatar is alive, you won't find him. Your father, grandfather, and great-grandfather all tried and failed."
Zuko looked down in annoyance, "Because their honor didn't hinge on the Avatar's capture. Mine does. This coward's hundred years in hiding are over."
"You really can't expect to rest now when we're so close to capturing the Avatar, can you, General?" I asked Iroh, frustrated at his lack of faith, "And they failed because they didn't work nearly as hard as Zuko and I have, so I'd appreciate it if you would trust us every once in a while, General," I huffed out at Iroh. As I stalked off, I pulled Zuko by his forearm so we could go wait in peace while we await our arrival.
As we walk into the training room together, Zuko says, "Hey Sumi," he says quietly, "What do you think will happen if we find the Avatar?" I looked into Zuko's eyes, glancing into some of the uncertainty he was feeling. Occasionally, his eyes would dart upwards towards my hair where my hairpin lay. The same pin his family had gifted me all those years ago.
I took a second more to look at Zuko before turning around and moving further into the room. I sat down in the middle, patting the space next to me for Zuko to sit as well. He followed my lead and sat down, looking at me for what I would do next.
"Zuko," I was quiet, "do you remember all the good times we had as kids?" My voice came out in a near whisper, my nerves finally breaking through my walls. "All those times we would sneak out to the garden to feed the turtle-ducks, or when you pranked Azula and me while we had our tea parties?"
Zuko looked at me, confused, "Of course, Sumi, but what does that have to do with the Avatar?"
I closed my eyes, speaking in the most sincere way I could to Zuko, "During those times, we were oblivious to the ways of the world. To the destruction we would cause or others would bring to us," I glanced at him, his face gazing at me intently, my eyes flickering between the scar on his face which matched my arm so well, "We were innocent then, and I don't think we can ever be again now. But we were happy. I know I don't come from your family, and I can't speak for that, but when we do find the Avatar, I believe the most important thing that will be restored is your happiness." I could see the confusion that so clearly passed across Zuko's face from my words.
"Happiness is not something you can buy, Zuko," I reached for his hands as I picked my next words carefully, "not with coins, not with crops, not with the Avatar. But, I know you can't be happy until you've come to peace with finding the Avatar and bringing him to your father. That's why I think when we find him, the happiness within you will finally be able to feed into the raging fire it once was," I finished as I smiled at Zuko.
Zuko looked down at our hands, which lay in my lap, deep in thought. He looked back up at me, smiling as bright as he did when we were kids, "You sound like uncle." I paused for a second before bursting into laughter.
Zuko quickly joined me in my fit of laughs, when all of a sudden we felt a jerk of the ship. Zuko lurched forward towards me as we both tumbled towards the ground, landing on top of me as my head harshly hit the floor of our ship. After the initial shock subsides, I am able to open my eyes from the pain in my head, only to be met with amber eyes just inches away from me.
"Are you alright?" Zuko questions, searching my face for anything wrong. One of his hands holds him up above me as the other grabs onto my face, turning it back and forth, checking for further signs of harm.
Both of our faces flush as we realize just how close we are, "I-" I could barely get out a word without becoming a stuttering mess, "I feel the best I ever have, Prince Zuko!" I push him off, and he tumbles to the side with a confused look on his face. He hesitantly stands up, offering me a hand before I brush it off and get up on my own.
"Well," I looked nervously around the room for any excuse I could find, "I think I just heard General Iroh calling for us. We should report to him, wouldn't want to be caught defying orders on our own ship!"
"Sumi," Zuko interrupts me, placing a hand on my arm, "what has gotten into you? Defying what orders? And since when do you call me Prince Zuko?"
"Uhh...gotta run!" I need off this ship now.
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After getting my head checked out in our medical bay, Zuko decided to train with some of the soldiers on the crew. I sat to the side, witnessing the fight, having been told to rest by our doctor because of my mild concussion. Soon enough, Iroh joined us in the training room and began drilling Zuko on his firebending.
I myself took some of the tea Iroh kindly offered and watched as he relentlessly drilled Zuko.
Once Zuko finished, Iroh told him sternly, "Again."
Zuko continued to spar against the two soldiers. Zuko spread his arms to the two, showering them with a blast of bright orange flames; however, they were not powerful enough, as the two easily blocked them. One of the soldiers quickly countered his blast with a slash of fire of his own, forcing Zuko to shift his weight quickly in order to duck beneath the wave of flames headed straight towards him. Taking advantage of this position, the other soldier aimed a blast at Zuko's feet, but Zuko propelled himself out of the way just in time as he directed another blast at the two soldiers with his hand and foot. Once again, the two dodged Zuko's attack, and it seemed they were all back to square one as they once again faced off in their sparring stances.
Frustrated at the lack of progress his nephew has made, Iroh stood up, sighing, "No! Power in firebending comes from the breath, not the muscles," Iroh began demonstrating to Zuko a blast of fire before continuing, "The breath becomes the energy in the body. The energy extends past your limbs and becomes fire!" Iroh suddenly sent a blast of fire towards Zuko, narrowly missing him.
I spit out my Jasmine tea in surprise at the sudden outburst by the normally calm man. I sighed as the hot tea soaked into my clothing. Zuko rushed over to me to help me up, pulling a cloth off a chair nearby to help me get cleaned up.
As Zuko helped me, Iroh sat down on his chair once more, "Now again! Get it right this time."
Zuko handed me the cloth and whipped around in anger to face his uncle once again, "That's enough! I've been drilling this sequence all day. Teach me the next set! I'm more than ready!" I watched the two silently in interest as I continued to dab away at my clothing.
"No!" Iroh responded to his angry nephew, "You are impatient and have yet to master your basics. Drill it again!"
After Iroh's outburst, Zuko whipped around, directing a kick of fire towards one of the soldiers.
"I don't think that's how it goes, Zuko," I pointed out as I stood back up in my dry clothing.
Zuko scoffed before returning his attention to Iroh, "The sages tell us that the Avatar is the last airbender. He must be over a hundred years old by now. He's had a century to master the four elements! I'll need more than basic firebending to defeat him!" As Zuko yelled, I sulked closer to the two, ready to intervene if need be, "You will teach me the advanced set!"
"I'm starting to think you need some advanced manners," I said, crossing my arms, looking at Zuko in annoyance. Though I support Zuko, he's too hard on his dear uncle.
Iroh looked to me, "It's okay, Sumi, thank you." Iroh looked to Zuko once more, in reluctance, "Very well." Suddenly, Iroh's mood perked up in happiness as he picked up a plate with food adorned on it, "But first, I must finish my roast duck." I facepalmed as Zuko looked on at his uncle in dismay.
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After more bickering between the General and the Prince, I sighed and made my way back up to the deck of the ship. I gazed into the horizon once more, which had comforted me for so long.
It had been a long time since I'd seen home. Since I'd seen my best friend and my father. Sometimes, gazing into the horizon gives me a sense of home with them. Perhaps, if I gaze out into the horizon, they will be too.
I don't know how long I was in my trance before I saw movement in the distance. At first, I thought I was imagining it, but as I pulled a retractable telescope from my pocket, I realized my vision was not failing me.
"Zuko!" I yelled behind me, rushing further forward, almost slipping off the front of the bow of the ship, grasping for the view of the Avatar at an abandoned Fire Nation ship with my eyes. Zuko appeared at my side quickly, alarmed by my yells.
I briefly glanced into his eyes as I handed him my telescope, "Look quickly, you're going to want to see this," I told him frantically. Though I saw some alarm in his eyes, I also glanced into the hope and weariness from our long journey. Soon enough, he would no longer have to trap such a burden within those eyes.
When Zuko finally glanced through the telescope, he saw the Avatar exiting the old ship, "The last airbender! Quite agile for his old age. Wake my uncle! Tell him I found the Avatar, as well as his hiding place."
As soldiers rushed aboard the ship, I joined Zuko at his side once more as we both stared at where the Avatar had last been spotted.
"We did it, Zuko," I gasped, placing my hand gently on his shoulder.
Zuko looked at me briefly, using his hand to grasp mine lying on his shoulder, "And we did it together," he smiled. I looked into those gold eyes of his and couldn't help but feel happy. At the beginning of our journey, I never would have guessed I would be granted another best friend from our travels. That moment gave us hope. Hope for the future. Hope for our families. Hope for each other. Nothing could stop that.
We're coming for you, Avatar.
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