A Kidnapping

An AU where Lu Ten didn’t die at the Wall in Ba Sing Se and returned home with his father after secretly taking the city. Everyone thinks they’ve lost, when Iroh is controlling every aspect of the Dai Li.

At home, Fire Lord Azulon is still alive and kicking and Ursa is still home and Azula’s a little brat and Zuko is just… trying to keep it together.

Life goes on as normal, Iroh as the Crown Prince that never hits rock bottom, never travels to the spirit world to find enlightenment, and remains the same warmongering heir that he’s always been, setting the example for his son to follow in his footsteps.

At thirteen, Zuko begs to enter the war meeting. It goes very similarly in canon. Except since it’s Azulon’s meeting, he is the one disrespected.

He orders Ozai to face his son.

When Zuko is burned and sick with fever, Ursa begs Iroh to change his father’s mind about the banishment. Iroh uses his favor to ensure that his young nephew is allowed to stay at home, he is a child, he’s learned his lesson, he’s loyal to our nation he was only confused as to how best to keep Her good and strong.

Zuko goes quiet. Eventually it’s been years since anyone has heard his voice.

When there is news that the Avatar is alive, Azulon sends Zhao to capture him. Zhao takes Zuko’s place here since Zuko is in disgrace at home.

When Zhao dies in the North Pole, it’s Lu Ten and Azula who are sent to capture the Avatar. It becomes a competition between them. A future Fire Lord versus the second born of the second born, destined for mediocrity.

The thing is, we all know that our darling princess will never settle for anything but the best.

So now life is harder than ever for the gaang, running from two Fire Nation Royals, benders more powerful than any they have ever encountered (sans Toph, because come on). Azula is insane, her little girl group incomprehensibly terrifying. Lu Ten is calm, cool, charming and is actually really nice (a lot like Iroh was in the series, except more murder-y). He takes his father’s place in the scene where he talks with Toph, not knowing she was with the Avatar because she’s such a new addition to the group. He still talks about little cousin Zu Zu, about how sweet and kind-hearted he is and how he can be stubborn as a cat-mule when he wanted to be. How he feels guilty about not being able to save him from his family’s harsh ways and would sometimes dream about taking his Zu Zu - and his cousin Zula, even if she was so incredibly frustrating and cruel to everyone she interacts with - and just disappearing. How he loves his father, but after the things he’s seen in war… he wasn’t sure if he could agree with him anymore.

Azula fires at Sokka instead of Iroh.

Lu Ten disappears with her.

They move forward, Lu Ten and Azula have teamed up again at the outer wall. They fail, but not before that hilarious slipping scene when Aang gets smacked between Azula and the wall and Azula gets smushed between Aang and Lu Ten.

It’s a mess, honestly.

So now, it’s after Ba Sing Se and the gaang convenes at the Western Air Temple. It’s a few days in, they have people coming in and out going over plans for the Invasion, and they go exploring in the woods across the chasm.

There’s swooshing and crackling and everyone present has the sound of firebending carved into their brains in a way they’ll never forget. Everyone ducks and peers through the foliage.

There’s a boy who couldn’t be much older than Sokka all alone, practicing firebending. His hair is dark and shaggy and his skin is pale and his red Fire Nation garb matches the brutal scar encapsulating a good third of his face and drawing one eye into a permanent glare.

“How did he find us?” Sokka whispers.

(Spoiler: the boy hears him)

The firebender whips around defensively and the youngest of the Avatar’s group steps forward boldly. “Who are y-”

He lashes out.

Toph is yelling on the ground, clutching her feet, and Katara is already fighting, Sokka takes the little earthbender and runs, and Aang is trying to calm everyone down.

The boy doesn’t move like the firebenders they’ve faced before. He’s fluid, extending his fire like it were a part of him, almost dancing.

Aang is awed.

Katara is furious.

Eventually the boy wins and leaves the two of them puffing on the ground, unable to rise and fight.

He halts his final blow, staring.

The Avatar stares back.

It’s a strange connection that Aang can’t even begin to describe. Like he’s a total stranger and yet has known him for a thousand years. Familiar in a way he couldn’t place. Kindred spirits.

The boy disappears.

Back at camp, Aang thinks back to something Jeong Jeong told him.

“I cannot teach you the practice of fire. To me, it is a curse. A curse that only death can free me of. You, young Avatar, need a master who has seen the extent of fire’s evils. Who has personally suffered these hurts and injustices, yet breathes in the embers and roars his flames bright enough to encircle the earth a million and one times.”

They talk about the firebender that night.

“I’m telling you, it was an accident,” Toph groaned out for what felt like the hundredth time. “He was surprised. I got too close and I got burned. Literally.”

Aang snorted into his bowl.

Katara shot him a sharp look and shook her head in disgust. “He’s a firebender. They’re all the same. He probably wanted to try and scare us or something.”

“Kill us,” Sokka snapped. “I don’t think it’s safe here. We need to move out before he comes back or sends reinforcements.”

“Aang?” Toph asked. “You haven’t said anything.”

All eyes turned to Aang. He looked up, only the sigh and set down his half finished food.

“I think that guy’s supposed to be my firebending teacher.”

That morning, Sparky Sparky Boom Man appears.

The boy saves them.

Before he can disappear again, Aang flies up to the cliff and follows him. When he finally catches up, the boy turned to him, angry and scowling worse than his burned eyes. “What?”

“Thank you,” Aang blurted. “For… you know, saving us.”

The boy grunted. “Sure. Whatever. Don’t follow me.”

Aang gaped at his back before running up and planting himself in front of the firebender. “No, wait! Please, just come meet my friends! I’m sure they want to thank you too!”

The boy stared at Aang blankly before picking him up under the arms and placing him down next to him. He continuing stomping walking away.

Aang groaned and ran back up to grab his arm. “PleeeeeeeeaaaaaaaassseeeeeEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!”

The boy gaped as Aang failed miserably to back the boy budge, pulling and pushing his chest and even jumping on his back at one point trying to fall backwards.

“What are- no don’t- what- stop!”

Aang jumped down and stared up pleadingly.

“Please come have breakfast with us.”

The boy clenched his jaw glaring at the small boy before he let out a long suffering sigh, looking heavenward. “If I do this, will you leave me alone?”

Aang nodded vigorously, even if he did feel a little guilty since he knew that he would bother this guy nonstop until he agreed to teach him firebending.

“Fine.”

Aang cheered, grabbing the boy’s arm and dragging him back to camp much too enthusiastically, laughing and blabbing and in general because

he just kidnapped his new firebending teacher.