4 First Time Firebending

I quickly ate my breakfast and went back to talking with my family, but not before asking for another serving of fish.

My father shook his head after seeing my ask for more fish and muttered "I still don't get where she gets her love of fish from."

Pouting slightly I gave a light glare at him and started eating my second grilled fish. 'Not my fault they make it so good! Honestly, the spice and the crispiness of the fish is just perfect.' I thought in my mind as I gobbled up the second fish.

Wiping my face with a napkin I smiled and looked to see if everyone else was done eating. Seeing as everyone was done I grinned and asked the question of the hour.

"So... When do I firebend?" I carefully asked at the completely silent table. All the occupants of the table just stared at me causing me to feel very awkward.

My father relented and said "Well we can start in 30 minutes, so as to let the food digest. Maybe a little longer for you though..." he said the last part while looking at my second plate of fish.

"Wha, hey! I just really like the fish okay..." I said dejectedly which caused most of my family to chuckle.

"Now now Homura, no need to get embarrassed. You are a growing girl after all." Zuko chuckled out and then smirked. Seeing his smirk I gave a mock glare at him and pouted.

Izumi smiled and shook her head at our interaction, she then stood and motioned for a servant to come over. One of the servants behind her seeing this came quickly for her orders.

"Tell the Fire Sages to prepare the room." Izumi commanded in a serious tone causing the servant to quickly take off.

Hearing her tone I tilted my head and asked "What room? Why do you need the Fire Sages for it?".

Izumi looked about ready to answer me only to be stopped by Zuko. "This is a moment where your life will change forever Homura. The room is a sacred spot where every member of Royalty visited at one point or another."

Getting more questions than answers I scrunched up my eyebrows in confusion. Tilting my head I said "Annnd?"

The Fire Lord glared at Zuko and then clarified the room more for me.

"It is tradition that every member of royalty senses fire in the room, once you sense it you must overcome and control the fires. If you can't then its tradition that you stay in the room and burn-"

"Wait what? What do you mean burn!" I yelled out in fright at the thought of burning again only to get glared at harshly by Izumi.

"I was not done. It's tradition that you stay in the room and burn to teach a lesson, but we have changed that many years ago. Instead you will be removed from the room if you can't firebend, and we will progress from there." Izumi finished off talking about the room.

Still slightly nervous about the thought of burning alive again I didn't even remember that I was a phoenix. My father seeing my nervousness gave a glare at Izumi and hugged me.

"Don't worry Homura, even I went through it and passed. Its not dangerous at all so long as you don't touch the fire." Iroh calmly gave me a hug and calmed me down.

'Oh wait... I'm an idiot! I forgot that I'm a Phoenix, why am I freaking out?' I questioned myself in my head and wiggled myself from Irohs grip. "Thanks..." I mumbled out as I twiddled my thumbs.

"Oh... Okay. So in the meantime can you show me some firebending Grandfather?" I asked Zuko which led to him smiling and nodding in my direction.

"Of course, let us go to the courtyard so that I can show you something more today." Zuko stood from his chair and motioned for me to follow him.

Following him out of the room I walked through the halls of the palace. Passing by long pillars and pieces of art we soon made it to the courtyard.

The courtyard was just a large open area with stone blocks and some bushes. It was surrounded by tall walls with guards walking back and forth to guard against intruders.

Zuko walked into the center of the courtyard and sat down. He held up his hand to stop me from coming closer and I obeyed. 'wonder what he's going to do?' I questioned in my head as I stood at the edge of the courtyard.

"Today I will show you how to control fire so as to help you in your trial." Zuko breathed out causing flames to surround him in a circle.

"Flames are very volatile, they are burning, they are life. Flames can sometimes have a mind of their own, so you must be careful to keep them in check." Zuko allowed a orange flame to appear on the palm of his hand.

Zuko breathed in and out causing the flames to rise and fall with his breath. "They are fueled by your emotions, by your very will. If you are afraid of the flames they will react, so never show fear because if you do you will lose control."

Taking his words into consideration I watched as his flames moved almost as if they were dancing around him. 'Beautiful...' was all I could think as I watched the flames calmly dance around him.

Zuko then started to play with the flames and let them weave around him in circles. They looked like intricate dragons dancing around him, weaving in shapes that overlapped each other.

I stood watching Grandfather Zuko weave flames for a long time until we were abruptly interrupted. "Homura, they have readied the ritual, are you prepared?" My father Iroh came out to the courtyard.

Grandfather stopped showing me his firebending and slowly stood up with a grunt. "Well as ready as I will ever be." I responded and slowly followed Iroh.

"Look Homura, don't even worry about failing or not, no matter what you will be my daughter." My father comforted me as we walked to a section of the palace that I rarely got to see, the Hall of Ancestors. Nodding to him I gave a thankful smile and followed him.

The area of the palace that we were walking to was the area with a lot of historical artifacts and paintings of past Fire Lords. It was more of a memoire for past Fire Lords with their accomplishments, and was very well guarded.

Me and Iroh walked to the area of the palace and saw that it was blocked off by two massive doors. 'Whoah...' I thought as I stared at the intricate door.

These doors were guarded by Royal Guards, or the best of the best firebenders. They wore their traditional Royal Guard outfit which was similar to the armor in the 100 years war, with the only difference of being that the mask had 3 eyes. There were subtle differences such as more armor being present and that the mask was smaller, but in the end it wasn't that noticeable.

We approached the two guards who protected the ancient part of the palace, and motioned to be let through. Both guards nodded and each grabbed a side of the door and opened it. I stood and looked into the Hall of Ancestors and saw a multitude of different Fire Lord portraits.

My father Iroh grabbed my shoulder and motioned me to follow him, which I did. We walked past many portraits that I sadly couldn't stop and look at, and soon made it to a small room.

The small room was blocked off by a dark door. Entering it, it was completely dark, and had well decorated throne in it. Intricate Gold Dragons wrapped around the walls of the room with their heads both roaring towards the chair.

On the sides of the throne were multiple Fire Sages who were all looking towards the ground, which looked like rippling waves. Each Fire Sage was placed on what looked like a small vent.

The ground itself had small holes which were covered by bronze flame metal workings. These small workings slowly increased in size until it nearly towered over the throne on all sides.

Staring in confusion at the weirdly textured ground that raised slowly to the throne I began to think. 'So the flames will slowly raise and engulf the throne?' I wondered as I stared at the strategically placed Fire Sages.

My father Iroh patted me on the shoulder and left the room, but not before whispering "Good Luck" in my ear. I was then standing by myself in the completely dark room until a Fire Sage approached me.

"Princess Homura of the Fire Nation, you will now undergo the Ritual of Agni." The older Fire Sage said to me and pulled something out of his pocket.

It was a jade pot, which had many carving of flames surrounding it. The pot itself looked warn down, and was carefully handled by the Fire Sage.

"These ashes came from the flames of your ancestors. Each generation of Fire Nation Royalty will burn something to put in the ashes. Your ancestors will guide you in this ritual. Now bow." The Fire Sage put his finger in the intricate pot of ashes.

Getting on one knee I looked down towards the ground and felt his thumb wipe something on the middle of my forehead. He then motioned for two other Fire Sages, each holding an incense, to light them.

"Agni, The Sun, will watch over you, and judge you. Now stand and begin your walk to the throne." I stood and passed by the Fire Sages who doused me in incense. Coughing lightly I passed by them and walked on the small bronze path to the throne.

The throne itself was made out of a material that I couldn't tell, but it wasn't tall. It was more of a lounge chair that was intricately designed to be a throne. It had golden inlays and beautiful engravings of fire, Dragons, and even a Phoenix on it.

Walking on the path I made it to the throne and sat down. 'Now or never, lets do this!' I smirked and watched the Fire Sages begin the ritual.

"The Sun, Agni, will now judge you! Control the flames from burning you and he will deem you worthy!" The older Fire Sage shouted as all the Sages began to firebend. Each made rings of fire which circled them beautifully, and slowly they pushed it into the vents on the floor.

The room then lit up in flames and the flames slowly lit the floor on fire. The bronze engravings in the farthest parts of the room lit up in the fire first, and slowly the rest of the engravings lit up in flames as well.

It was slow, but that was the point. I closed my eyes and began to meditate to feel my connection to the fires. Breathing in I could feel the heat of the room raise in temperature, but not enough to be uncomfortable yet.

Meditating something unexpected happened to me, I unlocked my yearly memories. These memories were this time, from the last generation of the Phoenix, the one before me.

With these memories I found myself watching them, almost like watching a movie. I watched the Phoenix's birth, and its early life. The Phoenix didn't have a personality yet, and was instead just brought about change.

The Phoenix would bring about this change through fire. The Phoenix itself was a beautiful red color, which controlled a deep red flame. It took time but the Phoenix began to create a personality, and a consciousness.

From what I could tell the Phoenix was warm, jovial, and at times caring. He went about doing his natural duty eagerly. One of his favorite parts of his work though was dealing with Dark Spirits. He would try his best to change them back into light spirits, but sometimes they were too far gone so he burned them.

The Phoenix enjoyed doing good for the spirits, but the thing the Phoenix enjoyed the most was bringing about change. Whether the change was good or bad, the Phoenix would bring it about no matter the cost.

His memories went on and for a long time I wondered how long they would last as this was the longest amount of memories I had so far. His memories kept going on for a long time, with some skips in-between, and finally made it to the end of his life.

The Phoenix flickered like a dying flame in its nest at the top of that mountain in the spirit world. Abruptly the Phoenix stood up in its nest and lit up in flames. Flames of every color, every hue, began to cover the Phoenix's body.

"For the next Phoenix after me, I wish for you to enjoy your life, like I have. I want something different though, as this cycle has went on long enough. So I want a new soul to be bathed in these flames and start a new generation of Phoenix's." the Phoenix spoke in a old jovial tone.

The flames began to consume the Phoenix even more as it continued to speak. "My job was bringing about change, and what I will do now will be one of the greatest changes that have ever brought about. I have received permission from Agni for this act, but I will be the last soul of the current Phoenix generation."

"I will burn everything, every previous phoenix, every previous incarnation. I will bring about a new Phoenix, who has no correlation to the previous. Who is not bound by this world. This is my last will and final act." It said resolutely which caused tears to roll down my face for an unknown reason.

"You, who is watching me, must be the next Phoenix. Am I right?" It said as flames reeved around it.

Nodding and staring in shock at the Phoenix I wondered how it saw me. 'How? These are just memories, right?' I questioned myself which caused the Phoenix to laugh.

"I can't talk to you little Phoenix, but just know I wish you good luck in your journey. You probably can't understand what I am doing, but I still hope you find your way without previous incarnations affecting you." The flames around the Phoenix began to go out as it stared in my direction.

"You will still receive our memories, but be unbound like no other Phoenix has been before. Take this as my final gift to you." It said as it slowly began to turn into ash.

"I hope you find your way, goodbye little Phoenix." and with those final words it crumbled into a pile of smoldering ashes.

'So that's what happened? For the past 5 years I have been wondering about the Phoenix's cycle, I guess I finally know more about it.' I smiled sadly at the pile of ashes.

The memory slowly began to fade and instead a sad calmness took over. My thoughts were practically blank as I opened my eyes to see roaring flames over taking the throne that I was on.

Breathing in and then out, I felt my connection to the flames grow. Looking at the flames I thanked the previous Phoenix for this opportunity it has given me.

"Thank you, for giving me this opportunity. I won't let it be for nothing." I whispered as I imposed my will onto the flames.

I felt a warm feeling in the center of my chest, and noticed it was the Phoenix Fire. My heart beat loudly, and with every breath I took I imposed more of my will onto the flames.

The golden colored flames closest to me slowly turned a beautiful blue color. I felt my connection with the fire grow with each passing second. 'You will not dare to burn me.' I thought resolutely in my head as I imposed my will on all the flames.

This caused shock amongst the Fire Sages who gasped in surprise at the now blue flames. The flames that were once going to burn me now danced around me, and greeted me like a lost friend.

Many of the Fire Sages gasped and muttered to each other as the room was now lit in a blue light. Seeing this I smirked and breathed out causing the flames to slowly die out. 'Enough time showing off to these old guys, lets show off to my family now.' I thought as I mentally ordered the flames to burn out.

The flames happily listening to my will all began to grow smaller and smaller, until there were none left. Breathing in the hot air I stood up and walked to the oldest Fire Sage, which knocked him out of his shock.

The Fire Sage calmed down and bowed to me, with the others following him. "Agni has blessed you child. You will be a very powerful firebender."

Staring at them bowing I scratched my cheek "Heh, thanks. But... uhhh, wasn't I supposed to burn something?" I asked only for the Fire Sage to pull out a black piece of wood.

Nodding, I grabbed the wood and watched as the Fire Sage readied a ornate plate for it. He motioned for me to start so I began to breathe in and out. Focusing on my connection to fire I pictured a small flame appearing in my hand.

Almost like it was second nature, a blue flame appeared in my left hand. Holding the piece of wood in my right I slowly pushed it into the blue fire, lighting it almost immediately. Seeing that it was on fire, I stopped fueling the blue flame in my left hand and watched it vanish.

The blue flame on the piece of wood slowly turned orange as it burned. Putting the piece of wood on the plate I stepped back and bowed to the Fire Sages.

"Thank you for doing the ritual, but I would like to show my family my fire now." I calmly said to the Fire Sages.

Each Fire Sage bowed to me. Once more the oldest Fire Sage began to speak and said "You can see them soon, but please allow me to do one more thing for you."

'Huh? Do what for me?' I questioned as I thought the ritual was over. Looking at the Fire Sage in question he chuckled lightly and put his hand on my head again.

"I bless you Princess Homura, to always be one with fire. May it guide you, protect you, and inspire you." the Fire Sage then wiped the ash off my forehead and motioned for me to leave.

Excited at finally being able to leave I smiled and began to jog out of the room but not before yelling "Thanks again!" to the Fire Sages.

Some of the Fire Sages laughed as they saw me jog out which caused me to pout. Shaking my head I opened the black door and exited the room to the sight of all my family members looking nervous.

My father Iroh almost immediately walked up to me with a nervous look on his face. "Did you pass?" he worriedly asked me with my other two family members waiting for the answer as well.

Zuko was the only one who didn't look that worried as I guess he could tell that I did pass somehow.

Looking at Izumi who was slightly worried as well I came up with a plan. 'Heh lets prank them.' I inwardly smiled.

Looking down at the ground I acted sad which caused all of my family to look worried. "So you didn't, did you." My father Iroh hugged me which caused me to grin.

Izumi approached me as well and pat my shoulder, while Zuko smirked in the corner of the hall after he saw my grin.

Letting them comfort me for a moment I then smiled even more.

"Who said that I didn't pass?" I chuckled out which caused my father to abruptly stop hugging me. Izumi and Iroh stared in shock at me and both quickly took on an angered look.

Izumi began to glare harshly at me while Iroh shook his head. Zuko though could be heard chuckling in the corner. "Haha, that was a good one Homura." he laughed jovially.

Smiling I nodded towards Zuko and ran past my family while motioning for them to follow me. "Come on! I want to show you all my firebending." I excitedly said.

My father Iroh breathed a sigh in relief while Izumi herself was still lightly glaring at me. Zuko kept chuckling at how eager I was and followed me. We soon began our approach to the courtyard and passed by the Royal Guards again.

"You can't scare me like that again Homura, I was really worried for a second." Iroh lightly said as he followed behind me.

I then looked at Izumi for her reaction. "He is right Homura, don't do it again. Or else you will not get any more sweets for a year." Izumi said with a tone of absolutely obedience.

Nodding in fear at Izumi and her threat I unconsciouslly got closer to Zuko. "Oh come on daughter, Homura just did it as a joke." Zuko explained to Izumi, who only grumbled in response.

Seeing this he bent over and whispered "Don't worry about her threat, she loves giving you sweets just as much as I do."

"Thanks Grandfather." I grinned and began a light jog towards the courtyard which was now in my sights.

Entering the courtyard I soon went to the place where Zuko was showing me firebending, and waited for my family. I waited for a moment and watched as my family lined up next to eachother.

"Well go on Homura, let us see." Iroh smiled fatherly to me. Nodding my head I did a light bow and said "Prepare to feast your eyes on my spectacular firebending."

Closing my eyes I then stood still and held out both of my hands. Breathing in and then out I willed my flames to appear in both hands. Opening my eyes again I saw all of my current family members staring in shock.

Izumi and Iroh looked slightly shocked, but the one who was the most shocked was Zuko. He was so shocked that his eyes opened widely and his mouth hung open as he looked at my burning flames.

'Uh oh, I forgot that only Azula had blue flames... And I look a lot like her.' I thought as an eerie silence over took the courtyard.

The first to snap out of his shock was none other than Zuko whos face hardened into an expression that I couldn't tell.

"Homura... You have blue fire..." Zuko slowly said to me. Getting nervous I watched as he slowly walked towards me, causing me to stop my fires. Stepping back slightly I stared at the approaching Zuko.

Zuko slowly walked towards me and bent down and reached his hand towards my face. 'Oh shoot!' I thought as I closed my eyes in fear only to feel a small pat on my head.

"Congratulations Homura... You have truly been blessed by Agni." I then opened my eyes and stared in shock at Zuko.

"Oh don't look at me like that, you're going to break my heart Homura if you do." Zuko laughed out which caused me to chuckle also.

'Guess I had nothing to fear.' I sighed in relief and then heard my other two family members approaching as well.

"Homura, I can't believe it. My daughter is one of the only Blue Firebenders!" Iroh approached me and gave me a frighteningly tight hug.

Gasping for air in his grasp I began to struggle. "Ple-a... Ne-ed... Air!" I shouted as my life was being squeezed out from me. 'Not like this! Not like this!' I shouted in my head as my life began to flash before my eyes.

Iroh saw that I couldn't breath and quickly let go. Collapsing on the floor I breathed deeply for air.

"Heh, sorry..." Iroh chuckled dryly as he saw me gasping for air. Izumi approached me and stood me up while staring in my eyes.

"Congratulations Homura, you are very special." She then looked to Zuko and Iroh and then said "We must immediately get her the best firebending masters, we cant let her talent be wasted."

Zuko stopped her by raising his hands and laughed lightly. "I will train her myself, after all I doubt most firebending masters can compete with me."

My father Iroh smiled greatly and then asked "But I thought you wouldn't train anyone else Grandfather?"

Zuko frowned slightly and looked towards me. I looked back at him and could see a multitude of different emotions flash across his face, finally landing on a prideful smile.

"Yes, I did. But she is a rare case." Zuko then turned around and began to walk away. As he was walking away he said "Homura, we will start training tomorrow. I must have time to prepare for it, so make sure you are completely ready." and with that he left.

Both Izumi and Iroh frowned slightly and shook their heads. Looking at Izumi and Iroh I tilted my head questioningly.

"Soo... now what?" I asked Iroh and Izumi who both looked down at me.

Izumi answered my question and said "Now? You get on with the rest of your daily routine. We will hold a feast later tonight, so prepare accordingly." Izumi then smiled towards me and pat my head.

After she pat my head she then left the courtyard and went back to whatever duties she had. 'Ughh, not more stuff.' I groaned after watching Izumi leave.

Looking back towards my father Iroh I saw him standing briskly at the sight of something. Looking towards where he was staring I saw that it was Soro with her clipboard out.

"Well I will see you later Homura! Enjoy the rest of your activities!" he quickly said and began to speed walk away from me.

'Nooo! Don't leave me here!' I shouted in my mind as I watched Soro slowly approach me.

Stepping away from Soro I tried to look for a way to escape, only to be met with walls on all sides of me. "Hey.... Soro. Uhh, can I have the day off? Please?" I pleadingly asked her.

Soro though, didn't seem to care at all and kept walking towards me. Seeing this I tried to make my escape by running past her.

"No. You will not have the day off Homura." Soro said in a strict tone and grabbed my shirts collar as I ran past her.

Being stopped abruptly by her I choked slightly but stood up again. Trying my luck I tried to run only to be held back by Soro.

"Nooo! come on Soro, please!" I gave Soro puppy dog eyes. Soro seeing this look straight at me and began to drag me towards my next assignment.

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A/N

Hope you all enjoyed this extra long chapter without getting bored. Next chapter will show Zukos inner thoughts after seeing Homuras blue flames while hopefully being slightly shorter.

Anyways sry if there are any grammtical mistakes. Chapters will continue to two day release date schedule.

Also leave a review or comment if you really enjoy this story ^_^

Cya next chapter.