Chapter Text
11000 BG
It was midnight. Tui snuck out of her bedroom window and made it to the river where a cheerful Agni was waiting.
“I was afraid you wouldn’t be able to make it.”
“You knew I would. I just had to wait for Aphrodite to turn her stupid head. She’s always watching me.”
“It must be your glow,” he said as he kissed her. “I bet it gives you away.”
Her arms wrapped around him. “I wish we didn’t have to hide this from everyone.”
They hadn’t even told La, their best friend.
“The Spirit rules are stupid. We haven’t failed to be spirits because we fell in love.”
“I know, Ag, but they’ll flip if they find us.”
10,000BG
Eventually, the other spirits did find out and to keep the lovers apart, Agni was assigned to the sun and Tui to the moon. She cried as their last day together drew near. Aphrodite, the goddess of love, was her best friend. She didn’t want to do this, but the others were adamant they be separate. There was only one thing for her to do. She went to her friend and gave her a vial.
“What’s this?”
“It will allow you and Agni to be together, even when you’re apart. Drink this before you see him tomorrow.”
Venus didn’t explain what the vial would do, but Tui would do anything to hold onto her love.
9800BG
Wan became the first Avatar. He worked to bring harmony to the world, but he died feeling like a failure. “I couldn’t do it.”
“Don’t worry Wan. We’ll have our chance. We will be side by side for many lifetimes.”
500 BG
A loud shriek echoed, bouncing off the ice and the sea. A warrior hit the ground, blood oozing from his chest. The ice beneath the man breaks, the water beneath the ice was bended to raise the wounded man to a looming giant. The giant mended the man’s chest and then set him to the side.
“THIS ENDS NOW!”
The warring men came to a halt. The avatar was here.
Relieved and scared, the men backed away from each other. Hopefully this conflict could be resolved without any more violence.
Jaki realized the wounded man needed more help than his limited healing abilities could provide. He went looking for a healer and found an old woman who could help. He saw piercing blue eyes and instinctively followed them with his green eyes. The girl confronted him. “It’s your fault he’s like this.”
“I didn’t stab him.”
“No, you just took forever to get here.”
The girl was furious. They had been trying to heal the wounded for weeks. Where was the Avatar?
“I’m sorry. There was another conflict in Gaoling. It’s not easy getting here in winter.” The girl stared him down defiantly. “Kalli don’t be rude,” her grandmother scolded. “He’s doing the best he can.” She pouted and went upstairs.
“Don’t mind her. Her brother got wounded badly last week, and she’s been shaken up ever since.” His wound became infected, making him quite ill.
“How is he?”
“Better, now. The fever passed.” He nodded and went to talk to the girl. Her door was open, so he walked inside. Her brown hair rested on the top of her shoulders. She sat down on the bed, staring at the floor.
“I’m sorry about your brother,” he said, taking her out of her daze.
“I shouldn’t have snapped at you. It’s not your fault. The different tribes have been feuding for months. It just went too far this time.”
When Kalli looked in his eyes, she saw sincerity. He was also quite handsome, with his strong jawline and short dark hair. She wanted the fighting to end soon, but hopefully, he could stay for a while afterwards.
450BG
A young man was juggling fire ball while he was dancing around on an air ball. The crowd was loving it. He danced about, pretending to set himself on fire, just to put it out on the last second. At one point, a spectator thought he was on fire and threw water at him. Oren Li froze the water before it turned his fire into steam. He ended his performance and everyone cheered.
The women threw themselves at him. The men all wanted to be his friend. Oren was on top of the world. When he looked behind him, he saw a girl out by herself. He ran out to her and when she turned around, he was surprised to see how beautiful she was. Golden eyes and raven black hair, she was clearly a noble.
“You missed my performance,” he said, wondering who she was and why she was by herself.
“I don’t remember getting an invitation,” she retorted.
“I sent one to your house,” he fibbed. “I guess it’s time for a new messanger hawk. I’m Oren Li.”
“Of course. You’re the avatar.” “It’s my job. It’s not me,” he said with a cocky swagger.
“Then who are you?” “If you let me take you to dinner, you can find out.”
“Let me think about it.” Oren was surprised. He never asked girls out. They always chased after him. Was she seriously thinking about saying no.
“Yes,” she finally said. “You were going to say yes all along weren’t you.”
“Maybe. I had to put your ego in check.”
“Friday?”
“Yes. I’ll be at the town fountain at 6PM.”
“I could pick you up at your house.”
“I want to know who you are before I tell you where I live. Bye Oren.” Just like that, she vanished. She was quick and got the jump on him, getting him to talk and revealing nothing about herself. He didn’t even know her name. He knew he was in love with this vixen.
106AG
The room, well it was more like a closet than a room, was dark. Only hints of light could be seen, the rest shadows. The former Phoenix King wasted away, refusing to eat and barely able to sleep. Everything he worked for was over. His life ruined. His son undid everything and his daughter faded into obscurity, running away from the world. He had no visitors, no ambition, nothing. He learned from the guards that his estranged wife Ursa had “remarried,” had another daughter and that her new family lived in the palace with Zuko. She dare bring a peasant and a bastard into his palace. Everything was his until a twelve year old monk took it away, “For fucks sake, why didn’t I die on the battle field?”
A voice appeared. “Now why would you want that?” Ozai knew he wasn’t crazy.
“Who are you?”
“I am like you. I had the world at my fingertips until the avatar took it away.”
“So you’re a loser too?”
“I AM NOT A LOSER. I just haven’t challenged the avatar to a rematch yet.”
“What are you waiting for?”
“You.”