VOID - The Fifth Element (Zuko)

1. Intro pt.1

✹ Zuko's P.O.V. ✹

It's officially been 5 years since I've been crowned fire lord.

5 years since the war between the four nations ended.

Most importantly; I'm home. But for some reason everything still feels out of place, I feel like I'm still missing something in my life. I have everything I've ever wanted, so why am I still feeling this way?

A sudden voice snapped me out of my train of thoughts.

"Prince Zuko, your brain might explode from all the thinking you've been doing the last couple of days." Iroh said with a big smile on his face.

"Very funny uncle." I said unamused while turning my head in the opposite direction. I felt my uncle sitting down next to me on the bench.

"What brings you to the garden this late in the evening?" Uncle asked.

"I just wanted to clear my head."

"And how's that going?"

"Not so well." I answered while sighing. "I don't know what is making me feel this way, it feels like I'm missing something."

"Or maybe you're missing someone." Uncle said while looking at me.

"What do you mean?" Not understanding where he's going with this.

"I think you're missing your mother, Zuko." He turned his gaze away from me and stared at the night sky while continuing "I think not knowing where your mother is, is taking a toll on you."

These words made my heart feel heavy. I started thinking about my mom, where she might be, and my father who never told me where she went. All I know is that he banished her. Is she still alive?

"Prince Zuko, you're doing it again. I can hear your thoughts racing..." Before he could finish what he was saying I asked him a question "Uncle, do you know where my mother could've gone when she was banished?"

I stared at him with hopeful eyes, hoping he had more information about her whereabouts. My hope quickly faded when I saw his sad eyes looking down at the ground. I started feeling heavy again. "I'm sorry Zuko, I really wish I could help you ease your mind."

It was quiet for a couple of minutes, both of us in our own little world, staring of in the distance. Over the past 5 years, I have had my men look everywhere for a sign of my mother. From The Southern water tribe to the Northern water tribe and from Ba Sing Se to the Fire Nation. Nobody has seen her. How is that even possible? My thoughts get interrupted again by my uncle.

"So... what happened between you and Mai?" he asked curiously, I groaned. "I'm not in the mood to talk about that uncle, we're just taking a break. That's all." I said annoyed.

"Okay Okay, I won't ask any more questions." Uncle said while raising both his hands in the air. "You better get inside Zuko, it's getting really cold and I don't want you getting sick. Come back inside and join me for a cup of tea. I can make a wonderful lavender tea that can calm your mind in a sip!" He said with a big smile while tugging at my sleeve.

"Thanks for the offer uncle, but I think I'm going straight to bed. I'm tired and I have an important meeting tomorrow morning." I said while standing up and dusting myself off. My uncle did the same, he wished me goodnight and we both headed towards our rooms.

While heading to my room I walked past the royal library. I stopped in my tracks in front of the door, contemplating if I should go inside or just go to sleep like I promised uncle. Maybe there was more information about tracking someone? Are there villages that we still don't know about? The maps always get updated but I doubt that everything has been explored and mapped out yet. My curiosity gets the upper hand and I go straight into the library.

It's been hours since I've started browsing through all the books. I noticed that the sun is coming up and decide it's best to leave the library now before anyone sees me, or most importantly before my uncle notices that I never went to sleep. I put the books away that are no use or don't contain any valid information for my search. I'm taking the books that I haven't had the chance to read yet with me to my room.

I try sneaking out of the library. I look in both directions to find that nobody is here. I quickly walk to my room, only to be stopped at my door by a stern voice "Up so early, Prince Zuko?"