Polar Opposites *A Prince Zuko Love Story*

Chapter 11 - The Firebending Masters

To say that I'm very surprised that I even got this chapter finished and posted in one day is an understatement! I'm literally so proud of myself right now since this is the 3rd chapter I've gotten done in the last 2 or 3 days!!!!

Now, I know Chapter 12 and 13 are going to be way longer than this one so hopefully you guys enjoy this one because I know it's going to take me a while to write those 2 chapters!!!

Anyways, enjoy!!!!

To say that it was really awkward between Zuko and I the next morning during breakfast is an understatement... The whole time that I was eating my breakfast I felt his eyes on me, and I know that he wanted to talk to me about last night. Luckily though, he didn't get any chances to talk to me because he had to start training Aang today while Katara and I were planning on sparring ourselves.

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After spending almost the whole day sparring with Katara and Sokka we all have dinner before we all get some sleep. I sit in between Katara and Haru eating my noodles. As I eat my noodles, I glance over to where Appa is eating his hay to see Zuko leaning up against one of the pillars. For whatever reason he's been quiet today... And as much as I want to ask him about it, I just can't push myself to do it...

As soon as I think that I see Zuko turn his head so that he's looking at the others and I before he starts walking toward us. "Listen everybody, I've got some pretty bad news." He says, causing all of us to look at him. "I've lost my stuff." he continues as he looks down dejectedly. At his words, Toph raises both of her hands in defence. "Don't look at me," "I didn't touch your stuff." she continues as she folds her arms. "I'm talking about my firebending. It's gone." Zuko clarifies before he looks down again.

I'm about to ask what he means by that, but Katara laughing causes me to not ask as everyone turns to her. "I'm sorry. I'm just laughing at the irony. You know, how it would've been nice for us if you lost your firebending a long time ago." Katara explains. She does have a point, but still... "Well, it's not lost. It's just... weaker for some reason." Zuko clarifies. "Maybe you're not as good as you think you are." Katara replies holding her bowl up and glaring at Zuko. "Ouch." Toph smiles sarcastically. Zuko looks away from Katara for a second before turning back. "I bet it's because I changed sides." "That's ridiculous." Katara scoffs before she drinks from her bowl. "I don't know. Maybe it isn't." Aang contemplates for a moment. "Maybe your firebending comes from rage and you just don't have enough anger to fuel it the way you used to." he suggests.

At that, Sokka leans toward Zuko causing him to look at my brother. "Sooo, all we need to do is make Zuko angry. Easy enough." he smiles before he starts poking Zuko in the head and waist with the hilt of his sword several times, laughing as he does this. "Okay, cut it out!" Zuko exclaims, which makes Sokka jump in surprise and his sword slip from his hand before falling on his head. Zuko rubs his nose in irritation. "Look, even if you're right, I don't want to rely on hate and anger anymore." he says. "There has to be another way." "You're gonna need to learn to draw your firebending from a different source." Toph says as Sokka sits next to her, rubbing his head from when his sword hit him on the head. "I recommend the original source." He continues before she eats the food from her bowl. "How's he supposed to do that‌? By jumping into a volcano‌?" Sokka asks her excitedly. "No." Toph answers. "Zuko needs to go back to whatever the original source of firebending is." "So, is it jumping into a volcano?" Sokka asks her seriously. "I don't know. For earthbending, the original benders were badgermoles." Toph replies as she places her bowl down onto the ground in front of her.

"One day, when I was little, I ran away and hid in a cave. That's where I met them. They were blind, just like me. So we understood each other. I was able to learn earthbending, not just as a martial art, but as an extension of my senses. For them, the original earthbenders, it wasn't just about fighting. It was their way of interacting with the world." she explains. "Wow!" I smile, amazed at her story. "That's amazing, Toph!" Aang agrees. "I learned from the monks, but the original airbenders were the sky bison." Aang then leans back to look at Appa. "Maybe you can give me a lesson sometime, buddy." Appa growls in response to that. "Well, this doesn't help me." Zuko says. "The original firebenders were the dragons, and they're extinct." he continues. "What do you mean‌?" Aang asks him. "Roku had a dragon, and there were plenty of dragons when I was a kid." "Well, they aren't around anymore, okay?" Zuko yells. "Okay, okay." Aang replies as he moves his arms in an appeasing manner. "I'm sorry." "But maybe there's another way." Zuko says as he walks toward the fountain. "The first people to learn from the dragons were the ancient Sun Warriors." he explains.

Aang gets up from his spot and walks toward Zuko. "Sun Warriors?" he asks. "Well, I know they weren't around when I was a kid." Zuko turns his head toward Aang as he replies. "No, they died off thousands of years ago. But their civilization wasn't too far from where we are now." he explains. "Maybe we can learn something by poking around their ruins." "It's like the monks used to tell me. Sometimes, the shadows of the past can be felt by the present." Aang says. "So, what?" Sokka asks, causing Aang and Zuko look back at him. "Maybe you'll pick up some super old Sun Warrior energy just by standing where they stood a thousand years ago?" "More or less." Zuko answers. "Either I find a new way to firebend, or the Avatar has to find a new teacher." he finishes causing Aang to look concerned and worried.

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The next morning I help Aang saddle Appa before he and Zuko leave to go to the ruins of The Sun Warrior civilization. "Are you sure you don't want me to come with you?" I ask Aang for what seems like the 100th time. "I'm sure Kida." Aang answers. "I have a feeling Zuko and I will find something." he smiles. "I'm sure you will." I answer, smiling back at him. "Aang?" Zuko's voice rings out from below, causing Aang and I to look down at him from our spots in Appa's saddle. "We should get going if we want to have time to look around before dark." Zuko says to Aang.

Aang nods in reply. "I know. Kida was just helping me saddle Appa." Zuko then looks at me, a confused look on his face. "You coming with us Kida?" I shake my head. "I would, but Sokka wants to spar." "Oh." he answers, looking down at the ground, sounding slightly disappointed. "Don't worry Zuko, I'm sure you and Kida will be going on your own field trip soon!" Aang smiles, while shooting Zuko a wink. "Aang!" I shout in embarrassment as I feel my cheeks heat up in embarrassment, causing Aang to laugh.

Aang stops laughing a few moments later, but he has a satisfied smirk on his face. "Alright," I begin as I slide down Appa's side, landing next to Zuko. "You 2 have fun on your 'field trip'" I continue making air quotes as I glare up at Aang, who's still smirking. I turn to Zuko and place my hand on his shoulder. "Good luck." I say, giving him a small smile before walking away to find Sokka.

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Zuko and Aang arrived the next afternoon, and pretty much as soon as they had arrived they had the others and I sit down in front of them so that they could tell us what happened. They had told us everything that had happened and now they're showing us the actual technique that the dragons had shown them. "With this technique the dragons showed us, Zuko and I will be unstoppable." Aang says as he and Zuko perform the technique.

They get to the final posture and the others and I applaud. "Yeah, that's a great dance you two learned there." Sokka says from his place beside me. "It's not a dance. It's a firebending form." Zuko retorts, turning to glare at him. "We'll just tap-dance our way to victory over the Fire Lord." Sokka says, moving his fingers in a dancing manner, causing me to giggle. Zuko stomps up to Sokka. "It's a sacred form that happens to be thousands of years old!" he growls. "Oh, yeah‌? What's your little form called‌?" Katara asks.

At Katara's question, Zuko's shoulder's slump in embarrassment as he answers. "The Dancing Dragon." The others and I laugh at that causing Zuko to cringe in embarrassment.