The False avatar

Chapter 4 Someone to look upto

The palace of Caldera become deathly quite as the sun turned to night. The darkness filled the walls and the halls were shourded in deep abyss. Shoto was walking around the dark hallways of the palace calmly. It was an habit that he developed when sleep was scarce. It helped soathe his mind whenever, things got too stressful. It also helped that he didn't have to deal with talking to anyone. Since most of his family were in deep slumber. 'His family, 2 years ago he would've done everything in his power to runaways from this honour obsessed lunatics. Which to be honest he still thought of it. But at least now he had ursa, zuko and Lu ten to keep him from going insane. And if the conversation between azulon and ozai hold any cerediance another sibling would soon come along.'

As he walked the long halls, he counted every source of light that he came by to entertain him. Roughly it was 28 tourches and 4 lanterns. As he took turn around the corner he noticed light coming from the training room. Shoto's curiosity was peaked so he opened the door. And let himself in, there was scattered scrolls on the ground with a lantern in the middle. And there falling asleep one of the scrolls was zuko.

Shoto kneeled down and gently grabbed zuko's arm and shake it until the young prince was wide awake. Zuko yawned as he rubbed his eyes until he looked sheepishly at his older brother. "What are you doing at this time sho-sho ?" The young prince said with a drowsy on his eyes. "Well I couldn't sleep so I decided to walk abit. What about you ? You shouldn't you be in bed." Shoto explained and then asked him.

Zuko panicked a bit and said, "I-I ugh was trying to y'know read some scrolls for a test. Yes a test that my tutors planned to take it tomorrow." Shoto looked at his younger brother unconvinced. "Really now, your tutors are giving you a test tomorrow." Shoto said with sarcasm in every word.

"Yes ?" Zuko said nervously. "And pray tell dear younger brother, what exam would gave you that reguires you to be in the training room. With a dozen scrolls with what seems to be firebending katas." Shoto said as zuko's face began to grow increasingly sheepish. "You're a horrible liar zuzu. Just tell me the truth and we can avoid this from getting awkward anymore then it has to be." Shoto remarked to which. Zuko gave him a defeated look and handed him one of the scrolls. Shoto took the scroll and viewed it's contents and found that it had instructions on advance firebending katas. That was in league of firebending masters.

Shoto placed the scroll besides him and looked at zuko. "Why are you looking at this advance firebending forms zuko ? You haven't developed a spark yet." Shoto asked him. Zuko looked at him while rubbing his elbow, before he produced a tiny flame on the palm of his hand. Shoto eyes went wide this wasn't what expected find out from his late night walking. But it was news none the less, "Zuzu that's amazing, since when did you developed it ?" Shoto asked him.

"2 days ago." Zuko replied. "Have you told mom or anyone else yet ?" Shoto asked him. "No I just wanted to practice before telling anyone." Zuko responded. "Okay I get that but why are you trying this scrolls ? These katas are for firebending masters. And you just started bending." Shoto asked with a puzzled expression. "I just want to be the best fire nation prince. I can be nothing more sho-sho." Zuko said which a half truth.

"Zuzu let me tell you this, I have been around you long enough to know when you are lying through your teeth." Shoto said to him. "I want father to be proud of me for once. He looks at you like your agni himself. Me I have to work hard and yet I barely to get him to notice me. I want him to look at with pride. I want to be an honourable son." Zuko said with a disappointed tone.

Shoto looked at him with a contemplative look. On the one hand he wanted to tell zuko that father's opinion wasn't worth more than trash. On the other hand if he did that than zuko might become distrustful of him or worse he could cause zuko to have an confrontation with him. But if he did nothing he would become like touya. His mind shuddered at the memory. He lost one brother because of his father. He is not going to lose another one. "How about I help you train your firebending ?" Shoto offered to his younger brother. For now he was gonna teach his younger brother, while giving gentle nudges in the right direction out of his father's grasp.