I've seen quite a few Zuko inserts. And, while quite a few of them are well written. One thing has really stood out to me. Like a trend. Where, the Zuko's constantly feel the need to join up with the Gaang, help them out, pursue peace and all that kind of thing. And the one biggest thing being, where the Zuko's constantly let others walk all over them, treat them like shit because he's from the Fire Nation, as if it's his fault and he's the one that needs to atone for everything the Fire Nation has done. And don't get me started on the constant Azula simping and trying to fix her and all that crap. I figured I'd try my own spin on it. Just for shits and giggles and see what I can do with it.
It probably won't be the most intensive story of mine, and might end up a lot shorter than I usually aim for. But eh, let's see how it turns out.
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Prince Iroh, Grandmaster Firebender, legendary Dragon of the West yawned, scratching his backside with his free hand as he made his way up and out onto the ship deck.
The morning lights of dawn welcomed him warmly, and he felt the inner flame within him rouse, basking in it. He brought the cup of tea in his other hand up, slurping lightly as the grunts and shouts of the warriors already up and ready for the day engaged with their morning training.
Gouts of flame seared the air, while the ringing of metal echoed over the vast deck of the warship. 'Youth at its finest.' Iroh laughed lightly to himself as he swallowed a mouthful of his tea after a few moments.
One must always savour their tea. Especially the very first of the day!
As he lowered his cup, he noticed something slightly odd. Usually, there would be a pile of bodies groaning in shameful defeat by the time he awakened as his nephew doggedly blasted through his morning training like there was nothing more important in the entire world.
He was a dedicated lad his nephew.
...Well, it was only slightly odd. 'He did begin to have more late mornings in the last few months.' Iroh couldn't help but chortle proudly.
The last year, had saw a great change in his nephew. One, he was not at all adverse to. He had shed his surly cocoon formed by the abuse of Ozai and emerged as the beautiful butterfly he always knew he could be.
He tilted his head up as a great shadow was cast over him from above, and watched as huge red beast soared freely in the air.
'Well, if he's up, I best go see what's keeping Zuko this time.' Iroh mused.
Well, after he finished his tea of course! It was only proper after all. One did not simply abandon their proper tea times after all. Not unless something urgent was happening.
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Once he finished his morning cup of tea and returned the cup to the kitchens, Iroh made his way through the wide metallic halls of the ship.
'They truly are quite impressive, I have to admit. A far cry from the Wani.' he mused idly. Yet, he felt a little forlorn. The Wani was much smaller, and even just the inner hallways vastly more cramped than the behemoth of a warship Prince Zuko now commanded.
Yet, they had spent two years on the Wani. He had grown fond of it, and somewhat missed it. Alas, the Wani had been returned to the Fire Nation.
Though luckily as part of Prince Zuko's own personally owned collection. If he remembered correctly, it had been left at the royal port of Ember Island.
Perhaps one day they'd venture out on the small ship they once called home again? 'Perhaps even as a tour of the Fire Nation archipelago!' Iroh thought.
Before long, he arrived the large daunting metallic doors leading to the captains room, and Prince Zuko's bedroom.
Once upon a time, he would have entered with much gusto to check on his nephew. But, such things would be improper now.
So instead, Iroh raised his hand and rapped lightly on the door three times.
There was silence for a moment.
"Enter." his nephews voice echoed.
Doing just that, Iroh pushed the door open and entered into a large sprawling metallic room, cast in the flames of red and black burning atop the torches of the room.
Mixing two colours of flame like that, truly was impressive. Changing the colour of a flame for mere cosmetic purposes, was a parlour trick any adept could manage. Nothing at all like the natural blue flame of his 'dear' niece. Keeping the flame burning that colour though, after cutting it off from ones own chi, was quite the feat of skill though.
And the red and black cast quite the homely warm glow over the room.
His eyes landed on his nephew. Zuko's back was to him, not even turning to look at him. Instead, his nephew was much more enamoured with his own reflection as he stared into a tall mirror hung on the metallic walls.
Clad in only an expensive set of red and gold swimming shorts, with a gold sash dangling from his waist Zuko had one hand on the back of his head, while the two had two fingers extended and was pointing into the air.
Iroh blinked slowly, 'What is he doing?' he could not help but wonder as the rigid powerful musculature of his back and shoulders flexed with each simple breath.
Zuko had taken to, some rather odd habits in the last year since he changed. It was quite abrupt really. He'd fallen ill with a fever that lasted two entire weeks, and for a time, Iroh thought he would lose the boy.
Only for him to recover, and change entirely.
It was no simple fever Zuko confided in him alone. But rather, the work of a spirit. He'd been taken upon a spirit journey for some reason he would not disclose.
But, Iroh would not complain, for things had truly become so much better for Zuko since then.
"What are you doing Zuko?" Iroh asked. The respectful title of Prince, had been banished within their privacy these days. He would only use such a title in public, to defer respect to his nephew.
He saw Zuko's reflection in the mirror smirk, "Just admiring myself uncle," the prince replied, "I really am HIM, aren't I?"
Case in point of the oddities. Sometimes, he would come away with such sayings that just did not make sense to Iroh at all. Yes, he was a him, he was male after all.
Why such emphasis on it? He could not fathom. Perhaps it was just the way of the young in this day and age?
Zuko had been spending a lot more time with people his own age after all in the last year when they visited port cities.
"You are indeed him, Zuko." Iroh simply agreed with him and nodded along.
His nephew laughed, dropping his pose and turning around to face him, crossing his arms. And as he did, Iroh could not help but admire the boys sheer musculature in pride of his efforts. He had told him many times before, that firebending came from the breath, not the muscles.
It was a lesson hard learned and had not stuck in fully even after two years together. But, after his change, his nephews response had been simple, 'My punches come from my muscles though.'
Sound logic, and what muscles they were. Zuko had always been a rather tall and broadly built boy, owning to his constant training efforts growing up, pushing himself constantly to his limits, and then even further after his training with Master Piando becoming a Master Swordsman by time he was a mere ten years old.
But after the last year, his training had ramped up ever higher and his musculature had broadened to the point where most Eathbending Masters would look upon him with envy.
They'd also probably lose in a pure Earthbending fight as well. Zuko did not need bending after all to pick up and toss boulders around these days.
"So, what's up uncle?" Zuko asked, "Shouldn't you be on your third cup of tea by now?"
And the boy even teased and joked now! Truly, if there was ever signs of miracles existing that was one of them. Now, if he could only convince him to take back up the Tsungi Horn.
"Second, it's still quite early," Iroh corrected, grinning back at the boy, "And I simply came to check up on you when I saw a lack of piled up defeated soldiers and Druk already high in the sky. Usually the silly thing likes to go on his morning flights with you."
Zuko shrugged, "I told him to go without me this morning, I had a late night. It was my birthday yesterday after all."
Indeed it was. The celebrations throughout the ship had been quite something. It was a wonder any of the soldiers were up and training after how much most of them drank.
And Zuko as well now that he thought about it. He could have drank an entire crew of pirates under the table with how much rum he went through last night.
"...I can see that." Iroh laughed lightly, his eyes on instinct straying to the massive bed at the far end of the room. Expensive black silken sheets were rumpled quite thoroughly, and barely covering the sleeping form of a most beautiful curvaceous young woman, her hair unbound and mussed and bare shoulders peeking from the incredibly expensive silken covers.
They were imported straight from Silk island back in the Fire Nation. Or, so he'd heard Zuko claim. After he stole them and quite a few others things from one Captain Zhao. Or Mutton Chops as Zuko preferred to call him.
But more importantly the one underneath them.
Ty lee, his nephews lovely paramour.
And no doubt future Fire Lady if his nephew had anything to say about it. They were practically attached at the hip these days, 'Or rather the crotch.' Iroh snorted in amusement inwardly.
They had come across the girl nearly six months ago, having fled from her family to join a circus of all things. And Zuko, whom had wanted to unwind one night and invited the entire crew to the circus, came upon the girl and they reunited.
He did not know how his young nephew convinced the girl, but she left the circus that night and joined them upon their quest to search for the ever illusive Avatar.
...Not that they had actually been doing much of that over the past year. His nephew had been much more interested in adventuring, training and crushing enemies of the fire nation and looting them for all they were worth.
Kyoshi Island was probably still reeling from their visit nine months ago. And that girl, what was her name. Sakumo? Socki? Something like that. The girl who lead the Kyoshi Warriors. She had walked bowlegged for the entire second week they'd spent on the island.
Zuko followed his gaze to the sleeping form of Ty Lee, and his grin widened a tad, before the boy shrugged, "Well, I guess now is a good time to get my morning training done I suppose," the prince mused, "Ty Lee will be out of it for a good few hours yet. I tired her out quite thoroughly last night."
"Indeed." Iroh nodded sagely.
Proudly.
Truly, Zuko had learned well from his ways over their first two years. Clearly the boy had paid attention and studied his wily ways. He had been quite the rogue in his youth and even today, the ladies couldn't get enough of his charming self, big belly or not.
Ozai could never.
He turned, making his way out of the room, his nephew following him, quietly closing the metal door behind him, "Besides, I've been wanting to work on something lately and I think I've got to the point where I can attempt it." Zuko hummed as they made their way through the ship.
"Oh?" Iroh raised a brow, intrigued, "And what might that be?"
Zuko's grin returned, "Uncle, have you ever heard of a magnet?"