Façades [A Zuko x OC Story]

Prologue

Water. Earth. Fire. Air. My grandmother used to tell me stories about the old days: a time of peace when the Avatar kept balance between the Water Tribes, Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation and Air Nomads. But that all changed when the Fire Nation attacked. Only the Avatar mastered all four elements; only he could stop the ruthless firebenders. But when the world needed him most, he vanished. A hundred years have passed, and the Fire Nation is nearing victory in the war. Two years ago, my father and the men of my tribe journeyed to the Earth Kingdom to help fight against the Fire Nation, leaving me and my brother to look after our tribe. Some people believe that the Avatar was never reborn into the Air Nomads and that the cycle is broken, but I haven't lost hope. I still believe that, somehow, the Avatar will return to save the world.

The sound of footsteps from down the hall awakened me from my pleasant slumber, "Fire Sage Li Mei! It's the Avatar!"

"What?" I reply, pushing myself up off of my sleeping pad and rubbing my eyes, staring at the other fire sages.

"It's Avatar Roku." Shyu retorts before turning away from the door and heading back down the hall. Quickly jumping up I grab my robes and throw them over my body following Shyu down the hall towards the statue of Avatar Roku.

"What's so important about Roku right now? Has he come back to life?" I question sarcastically as I push through the other sages to see the statue. My eyes widen in shock, my jaw dropping slightly. The Avatar's eyes glow blue, reflecting the bright blue light all across the room.

"The Avatar," I mutter under my breath. Another one of the fire sages turns and speaks, "Send word to the Fire Lord immediately! The Avatar has returned!"