Chapter 1 – A Gift From Fire

Beta read by Levi Ackermanlet

Zuko sped the ostrich horse up marginally, painfully aware that each step would jostle Iroh and send a fresh stab of pain through his body. He hadn't wanted to move him yet, Iroh may have woken him up and been okay enough to walk around, but the toll of riding were clear. Whenever they passed over a rock, or hit a small dip, Iroh's hands would clench in agony, even if the old man himself kept quiet.

'He probably doesn't want to worry me.' Zuko thought to himself.

It was rather typical of uncle, to try and hide his own discomfort without realising that he could see right through it all. Still, he couldn't exactly stop, not with the way those grey clouds were moving in. Maybe if he was lucky, he could pretend he had just imagined it all.

"Nephew, I'm afraid we must stop."

No luck it seemed.

"It's okay Uncle, you can rest for a bit." Zuko spoke softly as he pulled on the reins for the ostrich-horse to stop. He wasn't very good at sounding "comforting", but being quiet would normally sound close enough.

"You could…? Never mind. It is not pain nephew, those clouds, we will not make it to Full Moon Bay before the storm is upon us."

"So we should just wait!? Uncle we need cover, we need to-"

"There is a small cave just that way, we should be fine in there."

Zuko stayed silent, and tugged on the reins again after a few moments. He should have known his Uncle had thought of that. Then again, the memories of Uncle trying to make tea out of poisonous plants made Zuko feel at least somewhat reassured that his doubt wasn't without reason.

The clouds were on them sooner than Zuko had expected, and the first splatters of rain had already started to fool as they rode inside the cave. Things weren't much better inside of it however, as without any wood to burn, the fire benders had to rely on their own heat to keep themselves warm as the storm began to build. Zuko helped lay his uncle down on the ground, on what at least looked like a comfortable spot, while he himself took his seat on a somewhat clean rock that jutted up from the floor. He stared out at the rapidly building storm outside, the almost black clouds now pouring out rain as the wind whipped up and sent freezing gusts in every direction, chilling them to their bones whenever one came inside. For Zuko however, the worst part of the storm was the strangeness of it all.

"Uncle…?"

"Yes?" There was the hint of drowsiness that only came from a man who was already almost asleep.

"The last time we saw a storm like this, it was on his ship. But that was out at sea…we're in the middle of a desert, and it's the completely wrong season."

"Hmmm…you are not wrong nephew, but even the Earth Kingdom still has its share of mysteries." His nephew did not look reassured. "There are tales that the Avatar can change the weather to their whim, perhaps he was a bit hot?"

It was a terrible joke, especially considering the present company, and it was something Iroh hadn't considered until he saw his nephew's body tense. He said nothing however, and moved himself onto the floor, laying down so that he was facing the mouth of the cave. He would no doubt say it was to watch for intruders, but Iroh knew the boy simply didn't want to look at him.

Iroh sighed internally, he really should have known better. Zuko may have let the avatar run after Iroh had found himself struck by his own niece, but he wasn't such a fool to think that was anything other than rash panic to protect his uncle. Perhaps Zuko's greatest strength, and his greatest weakness, was his iron will. He was relentlessly determined to capture the avatar, despite the boy besting him at nearly every turn. Even before that however, the boy had never questioned his mission when he spent three years of his life searching for the avatar, when nobody had even seen him for almost 100 years.

Zuko loved and devoted himself to his father. An impossible mission, and a flaming fist hadn't changed that, it would be naïve at best for Iroh to think that he might realise the truth. The truth however, was horrid. It might break him. It probably would. His mother disappearing in the night, his sister besting him at everything he prided himself upon, the truth that Ozai would never, and could never, love him…no, that would finish him.

His nephew took pride in how he held himself, as well he should. He never looked beaten, even in the few times he was. He never looked scared, even in the face of the avatar's power. And he never looked lonely….even when he always was. How Iroh wished he could comfort him, to love him like had Lu Ten and like his mother did. Like Ozai should have. His hands clenched into fists with anger.

'Ozai you fool…you burned and banished your son. You saw him as nothing but a failure. But I know the truth. You see Azula as the first-born you always wanted. You admire her strength. Her ferocity. But Zuko is powerful too. Strong in will, and with more potential than you would ever care for.'

He must be getting very tired indeed, he rarely thought about his brother so angrily. He didn't hate him, regardless of the monster he most certainly was. He still held fond memories of their childhood. Of when Iroh was a teenager, and would teach the young Ozai all the many bending techniques he had learned. Memories of seeing the young man smiling at his wedding to Ursa. Ozai was his brother, and he would love him for as long as he lived.

It didn't mean he wouldn't kill the man if he had to…

Iroh heaved a great internal sigh and made himself more comfortable on the floor. Tried to, at least. Years of practice, and aged wisdom helped him clear his mind quickly, and soon, he found himself drifting away.

Zuko kept still even after he heard his uncle's almost infamous snore. His mind was racing with fury at the avatar's mention. Not because of how he'd eluded him, how he'd continually denied him the love of his father. Not even because he behaved like nothing more than a child, making his losses even more humiliating. No, it was because…uncle was right. The brat probably could conjure up the storm just outside their cave. Uncle was one of the most powerful firebenders to have ever lived, and he was the son of the firelord! And yet here they were, hiding in a cave to keep dry, while a 12-year old boy could wave his hands, and with all the power in the world, change the weather of a whole desert. It was ridiculous! It was insane! And he was supposed to- Zuko stomped that thought into the dirt before he could even finish it. His father knew the power of the Avatar, and he knew Zuko could succeed. That's why he sent Azula to capture him. To motivate him. To remind him of who would take his place should he choose to remain a failure.

Azula could do it. She was a prodigy. One of a kind. Blessed by Agni himself to bend blue flames. She was sent after the Avatar too. And if his father had given them both the same mission…then he believed that he really could be as powerful as her.

'Thank you father. I promise…I won't fail you.'

As he shut his eyes, he didn't need to pretend to sleep anymore.

~RWBYZ~

He looked down upon his two children. One, broken by mourning, yet seeking to love again. The other, a child, mutilated and abused by a man who should have loved him. Both lost souls, each in their own way. But the youngest…he was destined for failure. The other spirits had begun to become involved, each in their own way. An army patrol here, a storm there. The two he watched over didn't know it, but the avatar and his gang of friends had likewise been diverted. It was still astounding how much of an impact a small change can have. Destiny foretold a great victory for the Firelord…

"Are you sure about this?"

You're asking me if I'm sure? You never doubted me before Roku.

"You never took such interest in humans before. Prince of the Fire nation or not he will never amount to much, not anymore."

So cruel, and to one of your descendants no less.

"I have dozens of them. You only blessed one of them, and it was his sister."

Do you believe in spirit gossip now Roku? I didn't know that all powerful avatars partook in such matters.

"Did you do it?"

I gave her an advantage, one she deserved, and one that her father has twisted and infected with his disease. But I did not bless her alone. The boy…I gave him potential.

"…He'll never reach it."

No. Not anymore.

Roku couldn't look at him, but he raised an eyebrow in his general direction.

"You sound sad. I didn't know you could."

Then you truly have lost faith in me. Despite what my children have done to this world, to my world. I do love them. Each and every one of them. He should have been happy.

"He's never happy."

Not here, no.

"…here?"

I see before me two travellers, both with the only family left who love them. I wished to say goodbye before they continued their journey.

He reached out with non-existent hands, and ever so slightly, touched upon the teenagers burned eye. The reaction was immediate. He squirmed and shook, writhing around in agony while his dreams kept him prisoner. Sweat began to bead down his head, before evaporating into steam. Flames licked his body and wrapped themselves around him. A cocoon of fire embraced his uncle too, though his was softer, and tenderer.

As flames danced and filled their small cave, he looked down upon them and felt a small sadness. He would miss them, even if they were going to a better place. But he would look after them, as best as he could…

Goodbye, Zuko. This, I give you this gift, and this blessing.

A red flash consumed Zuko's body, and he disappeared. His uncle's flames whipped up in a fury, then faded away, taking the elderly man away with them…