Chapter Text
Dozens of figures popped into existence in the dimly lit room. Different shades of blue, green and red mixed together in a platter of colors, all silent in shock for a blessed moment.
Then, like lightning strike from clear sky, the peace dissolved into chaos.
Screams and shouts reverberated off the walls as the fighters of the groups – soldiers, veterans and the capable – tried to shield the civilians and their leaders. Two on one, the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom trapped the Fire Nation between themselves.
But just as the fight was about to truly break out, a loud, ear piercing sound cut through it.
All heads snapped in the direction it came from and they found a young, ethereal figure standing causally in front of a floor-to-ceiling black glass with two of her fingers sticking out of her mouth.
“Who are you?” An Earthen warrior demanded first.
“Why, I’m a Spirit, of course,” came the reply, cheerful and unbothered.
Her words put the humans on edge more than the presence of their enemies. None of them knew how to react and the fear of deciding wrong froze them in place.
That is, until a tall, aged man dressed in deep crimson stepped forward and bowed low. “Great Spirit, I am Head Fire Sage Raka. To what do we owe the honor of your visit?”
His words seemed to amuse the spirit, the corner of her mouth twitching upward slightly. “Technically speaking, you are the one visiting me. Although,” She tilted her head, thoughtful. “I was the one who brought you here.” At a wave of her hand, lights flared along the walls, illuminating the enormous room.
It was a strange place, now that the people could see them clearly. Rows of cushioned seats stretched across a wide steep floor, framed by two isles on the side. The walls were smooth and dark, and what first they thought were torches seemed to have no fire inside them.
“And before you try to use this opportunity for murder,” the spirit added with a smirk, “I must warn you – it would be pointless. Bending doesn’t work in the Spirit World, and I’ve taken all your weapons.” Alarmed shouts rung through the crowd as the humans confirmed her words with frantic movements. “Now, we’re going to sit down and react to your future.”
That shocked everyone out of their panic.
“Th- the future?” A woman in blue stuttered.
“That’s what I said, didn’t I?” She laughed.
“Would you grace us with the reason you allow us such insight?” asked a voice from the crowd.
The folks in red made way for the owner of the voice, a middle aged man covered in silk, with a golden crown in his graying hair. He stood in front of a group of similarly well dressed people: a man much older than the one who spoke, his crown greater; another man many years their junior with an expression as cold as the city of Agna Qel’a standing beside beautiful woman and a young man just on the edge of maturity who used their bodies to shield two children behind them.
“You’ll forget all you will see the second you’re out of here, Prince Iroh,” the spirit shrugged carelessly.
“Then what’s the point?” A juvenile voice asked within the sea of blue, only to be muffled at the end.
The spirit took no offense to the boy’s words. “Entertainment.”
Before anyone could react, she clapped her hands. The rows of cushioned seats filled to the brim with the citizens of all three remaining nations segregated by elements. Earth, Fire, then Water. Eight children sat in the front row, their parents behind them and grandparents behind the parents. All of them panicked by the sudden change and tried to rise, only to find they couldn’t.
“I wish my children to be next to me,” Kya, Chieftess of the Southern Seal Wolf Tribe pleaded — no, demanded with enough restraint to sound polite.
“No can do,” the Spirit replied. “All of these children will have important roles in the future. That’s why they have the place of honor.”
Once again, she left them no time to truly process what she said, moving towards the green section. “One more thing,” she knelt before a petite girl, no older than five and snapped her fingers in front of her eyes. “Wouldn’t make much sense to have you sit through this without seeing anything. But I do warn you — it’s not permanent.”
The girl burst into tears, small hands shaking as the gray hue disappeared from her eyes. She looked around frantically, overwhelmed by the sight of the world, yet still desperate to finally see her parents’ faces. Said parents grabbed her shoulders with similar haste, tears of their own leaving wet trails on their skin as they guided her to turn towards them. Those around them tried to give the small family a semblance of privacy, even as they were just as moved by the miracle.
“With that done,” the Spirit said, taking her seat at the far edge of the first row, smile never wavering, “let us begin!”
Not wanting to offend the spirit, the Beifong couple hushed their daughter and urged her to turn around.
Sitting next to the child was another girl. She brushed her short auburn hair behind her ear, then leaned down. “What’s your name?”
The girl sniffled, trying to stop her tears to no vain. “Toph.”
“I’m Suki,” the girl smiled, placing a comforting hand on Toph’s thigh. “You’re very brave.”
The young earth bender managed a small smile.
“Can we know what exactly we’ll be watching?” The young fire nation man from before asked.
“Nothing overly important. Just something that’ll happen… hmm.” She leaned forward, eyeing one of the Fire children. “How old are you right now?”
Zuko blinked. “I turned nine a few weeks ago,” he said, then like an afterthought added, “My Lady.”
The Spirit turned back to Prince Lu Ten with a nod. “About eight years from now.”
“Everyone turn your attention to the screen,” she instructed, pointing at the enormous black glass as the light in the room dimmed.
The glass lit up, casting a glow over the crowd. Gasps and murmurs followed, every single person being awed by what they thought was magic.
On the screen — as the spirit called it — an entourage of Fire Nation soldiers surrounded a carriage. Their armor was unlike anything the audience had seen decorated but only so they’d be easily distinguished from other soldier’s and they lacked the signature skeletal face plates.
“Why do they look weird?” a child of water asked from a few rows up.
An adult moved to hush them, but the Spirit chuckled softly, waving off the concern. “They are the guards of the Fire Lord himself.”
She turned to those seated behind her, her smile too sharp to be kind. “Feel free to speak your minds without fear of punishment. Ask questions if you’d like. And I must remind you, it is polite to answer them.”
The threat was so thinly veiled it could have been made of glass.
Meanwhile the image showing their future moved closer to the elegant carriage, specifically to a guard who stood out from the rest, her armor distinct, her posture alert.
“Is that… a woman?” a Water Tribesman from the north asked, eyes wide.
Similar sounds of confusion sounded from the two nations which rarely if ever called their daughters to arm, while the woman in question, Amoko, even now a member of the royal guard who easily recognized her own face, glared in the voice’s general direction.
Prince Lu Ten, knowing etiquette did not allow the guard to speak in her own defense in the presence of those far above her in rank, turned in his seat by his father to address the Water Tribes as one. “Is there a problem with that?”
An older man, clearly in a position of power, huffed. “Women are not meant to fight.”
Fire Nation soldiers bristled in their seats, along with a small group of Earth Kingdom citizens.
“We’ve been at war for almost a hundred years,” Prince Lu Ten said with restrained annoyance but clear disbelief, “and you still refuse to train half your population?”
“Who’s going to stay home and raise the kids?” An older woman of earth questioned, aghast at the mere idea.
“Whomever fits the role best.” The prince shot back calmly, knowing that not many from their nation would dare speak up once he started and those who could wouldn’t bother for different reasons. Iroh, for his trust in his son, Azulon and Ozai for lack of care. “What if a woman cannot bear children? Or doesn’t have any? What’s more, how are they supposed to protect themselves or their children if attacked untrained?”
“It is completely—”
“I have lost my patience with this conversation,” the Spirit interrupted, rubbing at her temple. “The Fire Nation has female soldiers. Mostly in the home guard or prisons, yes, but some join the navy or the army of their own free will. Just accept it as it is.”
Given no other choice they all turned back to the screen, upset and murmuring among themselves.
Onscreen, the entourage rode in tense silence, clearly on edge.
“Congratulations on your promotion, Guard Amoko,” Prince Iroh whispered warmly, earning a smile of gratitude from the woman.
“Should I expect an ambush, Captain Amoko?”
The audience looked around in search for the speaker, only to realize it didn’t come from any of them.
“That voice…” Princess Ursa whispered, her brow furrowed.
“No, Fire Lord Zuko,” the captain replied. “I sent a platoon ahead to search the forest. The roads should be clear.”
“My nephew is the Fire Lord?” Iroh gasped.
“Yep,” the Spirit replied casually.
“What could have possibly happened in less than a decade for the line of succession to skip three heirs?” Azulon, stunned into voicing his thoughts, spoke with barely concealed outrage.
“A lot of fucking shit,” the spirit laughed.
“Language!” Scolded mothers of three nation at once, before they realized whom they were talking to and jumped back in their seats from horror.
Just as before, the spirit didn’t seem to mind the disrespect, only turning to address the fire lord again. “Though technically, it didn’t skip Prince Ozai.”
Young Zuko, who was never meant to inherit the throne, sat frozen, trying to suppress his panic.
What happened to Uncle Iroh? Lu Ten? His father?
He didn’t dare voice his questions, only sending a desperate glance to his sister sitting on his right in hopes she would whisper a snide remark in his way like she so often did. She did no such thing under the scrutinizing gazes of hundreds, including her elders, but she allowed herself to raise her head pointedly, silently urging her brother to keep his decorum.
The rest of the royal family and high ranking personals also made no outward reaction, far too trained in courtly manners to give away their nervousness, but the commoners and peasants exchanged worried glances and panicked words amongst themselves.
The other two nation didn’t share their worry. No, what they felt was anticipation and hope for a chance to win this spirit forsaken war.
A hand from inside the carriage pulled back the curtain, revealing the right side of the Fire Lord’s face as he glanced at the woman riding by his window out of the corner of his eye.
“You look almost exactly like Dad!” Azula exclaimed quietly. Too excited to follow her own lead. “Except…”
She trailed off, staring at the kind smile on the young man’s face. She didn’t finish the sentence.
“I’m sure if,” the Fire Lord’s emphasized the last word, “something does happen, you and the other guards will handle it without issue.”
The Captain’s eyes narrowed slightly under her helmet. “All the while Your Majesty will remain within my sight, safe, and will not even think about joining the fight, I’m sure.”
“That’s quite a familiar way to speak to your Fire Lord,” Prince Ozai noted dryly.
Amoko swallowed, mortified at her future self.
Zuko didn’t show any sign of offense, only smiling faintly, as his eyes trailed to the papers in his hands. “I’m sure I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
The captain nodded respectfully. “Of course. Because Your Majesty have never chased down assassins sent to kill your person.”
“That’s beside the point.”
Iroh threw his head back, laughing without a care shown to who were watching, while his sister-in-law sighed. “One of these days…” she murmured.
This time Azula managed to keep her own joy to herself– well, herself and her two friends sitting on her right. Mai bit the inside of her lips as subtly as one could, while Ty Lee…. Ty Lee didn’t even bother to hide her snickering. Much to Zuko’s annoyance. He saw no reason to laugh.
Others were perplexed by how normal some members of the royal family acted, aside from how carelessly they brushed off the mention of an assassin.
“I still think it’s unwise to attend the festival in person, my lord,” Amoko said, eye roaming the trees. “You could have sent someone in your place. With the growing number of rebel gatherings, the chances of an attack are increasing. Even some traitor nobles have joined them. They could easily fund a coup as I know Your Majesty is aware.”
“Traitors?” Azulon barked. “In my court?!”
“Technically, it’s Zuko’s court,” the Spirit corrected.
“What did I do for them to hate me so much?” Zuko asked quietly.
“Oh, you did nothing wrong,” she said. “Well… you made a few small mistakes early in your reign, but so did every ruler before you.” She waved a hand dismissively. “You’ll be known as the most beloved Fire Lord in your nation’s history for centuries. The economy will flourish, your people will prosper. Some just disagree with a few changes you’ve made.”
“Most beloved Fire Lord?” Zuko breathed, awestruck.
“Also, my personal favorite,” the Spirit added with a wink, making the boy blush.
Worried murmurs rose in the crowd at the idea of a Fire Nation-sympathizing Spirit, while said nation sat a little more relaxed. The royal family seemed especially pleased, Princess Ursa herself beaming with pride and even her husband looked reluctantly pleased.
“What about me?” Azula demanded.
Ursa was about to urge her daughter to show more respect, when she was cut off by the spirit’s laughter. “One of the greatest firebenders in history. Commander of the army and your brother’s right hand. Plus, you won’t have to sit through boring meetings.”
Azula looked perfectly content with that, especially the last part.
Ursa felt relief flooding her at the knowledge of her children’s confirmed safety. But the idea that they were working together instead of against each other? She could hardly believe how her luck turned around.
“You’ll have your friends’ support as well,” the Spirit added. “Even after Mai married Zuko, your dynamic never really changed. You remained equals in each other’s eyes.”
Mai and Ty Lee, along with their parents, straightened in their chairs. Being set to be close allies to the ruling monarch was no small deal, after all.
A curious Earth Kingdom citizen leaned forward in his seat. The man either braving his fear or generally not giving any mind to the clear difference in their ranks, spoke lightly.
“One would think a child that age would be more embarrassed by talk of marriage with someone so close to them,” he mused, only to be swat across the head by an older woman sitting next to him. “What?” He threw his hand out in the direction of the spirit with exasperation. “She said we could ask!”
Seeing the spirit’s nod of agreement, Ursa leaned forward as well to address the man. “My son and Lady Mai have been betrothed for quite some time.”
“It’s no surprise they married.” Iroh added, not even having to look to know his brother and father were sending disapproving glares at the woman. He paused after a second, tilting his head. “Or will marry?”
The children in question looked entirely unbothered. For them, it was simply a truth of existence.
“How about the rest of the children?” A Water Tribesman asked grumpily. “Didn’t you say they’ll have important roles as well?”
At their mention, the Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom children sitting in the front row perked up.
“Did you expect to see them in the heart of the Fire Nation?” the Spirit retorted with a hint of condescension. “They’ll show up later.”
Conversation pretty much closed, everyone turned back to the screen.
The Fire Lord didn’t look up from his scrolls as he hummed thoughtfully. “Wouldn’t that show distrust in my people and the security of our country?”
Amako shook her head. “With all due respect, Sire, my job is to protect you.”
“And you’ve done a remarkable job so far,” Zuko praised, letting go of the curtain, effectively cutting off any argument the woman could have posed.
Amoko sighed, slowing her pace on her komodo rhino to fall in line with her subordinates. A guard beside her glanced over.
“Is His Majesty always so quick to dismiss concerns about his own safety?”
“Are you kidding? I’m just glad I convinced him to take a carriage and double his guards.”
A third guard leaned in. “Two weeks ago, he was ambushed in a corridor of a noble’s mansion by half a dozen kidnappers. He only bothered to yell for the guards – guards he deliberately lost mind you – after he’d already taken care of them.”
Lu Ten nodded, exasperated. “That sounds like something Zuko would do.”
His cousin whipped around to face him with a pout, much to the amusement of everyone else. Apart from his mother, that is, who seemed to have reached a state of resignation.
“You do realize I can hear every word you say, correct?” The fire lord called from the carriage.
Amako nodded, lips twitching. “You are indeed sitting in quite close proximity to us, Your Majesty.”
“Remind me again why I let you get away with such disrespect?” Older Zuko asked, annoyance seeping into his words.
“I would also like to know that,” Azulon said, lips pressed into a line in displeasure.
Young Zuko hunched in on himself at his grandfather’s words.
“You find it entertaining, Sire,” the captain replied.
“The last time we tried to treat you with the respect befitting your status,” the first guard added, “we quite literally drove you up the roof, Your Majesty.”
Chief Hakoda, who sat right beside his wife, frowned. “He meant drove him up a wall, right?”
Princes Lu Ten and Iroh chuckled quietly. The Fire Nation girls, on the other hand, couldn’t exactly hold themselves with quite as much decorum, sniggering despite their best efforts. Ozai and Azulon on the other hand, looked exasperated, while Princess Ursa just sighed. “No, I’m afraid not.”
Meanwhile, Zuko didn’t seem to understand the problem. “What’s wrong with being on the roof?”
“Apart from the fact that such behavior is uncouth and quite unbefitting your title?” Azulon said sharply, making the boy flinch.
Hakoda had had enough of their nonsense. “He’s literally nine years old! Let the boy have fun, for La’s sake.”
“I expected nothing less from a Water Tribe barbarian,” Ozai huffed disdainfully.
The chief didn’t rise to the insult. “As long as he’s safe, there’s nothing wrong with exploring. Quite the opposite. It trains situational awareness and athletic skill.”
“He does make excellent points,” Iroh mused, stroking his beard. He promptly ignored the glares from his father, brother, and assorted patriots.
Sokka, sitting between his little sister, who didn’t dare make any noise so far and the youngest fire prince (much to his annoyance) shuffled uncomfortably in his seat before his curiosity eat his caution.
“Why do you even want to be on a roof?” He asked, trying to sound nonchalant.
Zuko blinked at the boy, perplexed by being address, then shrugged. “Not a lot of people can follow me up there. And no one ever bothers to look up.”
Sokka’s eyes sparkled with growing interest. But before he could ask more, the Spirit called for attention once again.
“I know I said feel free to talk,” she said, “but I was hoping it would be about more pivotal matters than letting a child be a child regardless of status.” Her tone made it clear which side she supported. “Now, let us continue.”
A thoughtful hum came from inside the carrige. “Right. Carry on.”
“No use, Sire. We’ve arrived.”
The curtain was moved to the side, and the fire lord leaned his head out an inch just in time to see a cheering crowd beginning to form at the road ahead.