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Izumi has a problem.
As the crown princess of the Fire Nation, there were certain expectations set upon her. From the High Fire Sages down to her classroom instructor, Izumi had to prove herself. Was she worthy of being a princess? And not just any, but the Crown Princess. Heir to the throne and future Fire Lord.
Since she could remember, Izumi’s always had a vague understanding that she was a pretty important person. And not just because her father called her princess and told her so, but because everyone else did too.
The old sages and councilors that stalked about the palace had looked down their noses at her, observing, calculating, judging. Their beady eyes watched, waiting for her to do something, anything. She could feel their judgement, their unspoken questions weighing on her. Is the Princess smart enough? Strong enough? Brave enough? Will she lead the Fire Nation with honor or disgrace?
But the most important question that hung over her head since the moment she first opened her eyes under Agni’s rays, was a simple one.
Was she a bender?
For since the dawn of time, every single Fire Lord has been a great and powerful firebender. From the first Fire Lord Yuroh to the current Fire Lord Zuko, long may he reign, they have been fire masters, each stronger then the next.
And then there was Izumi, who was famously not a bender.
Despite what all those fussy, old men had said about lineage and duty, her father reassured her that wasn’t the case. She didn’t have to be a bender to be a good Fire Lord. If she wanted to, she could be just as an amazing leader without it. He never forced her to bow to Agni in the morning or pray into the night asking the sun to bestow its gift onto her. Her father made it clear that it didn’t matter to him in the slightest, she either was or she wasn’t and he would love her the same. So, she was ok without it.
It became easier to accept that it was never going to happen. Kya, Izumi’s best friend, was only a few months older than her and had started bending when she was five. In the same time Izumi hadn’t produced as little as a spark. Bumi’s bending never showed either, but it was harder for him. He had wanted it so bad, she knew, the son of the Avatar.
When Izumi started at the Royal Fire Academy, it had opened a whole new world for her. There were talented benders and non-benders alike, making it a little easier for her to find her own strengths. She threw herself into her studies, far excelling all the other students. The little princess thrived in academia, enthusiastic to learn and prove herself, she felt confident. It wasn’t until she watched the firebending students that she felt unsure about her future.
Izumi’s father had taught her that fire was meant to be respected, not feared. While it can burn and destroy, it can also bring light and warmth. It was a necessary part of life and should never be taken for granted. His fire always gave her comfort; it made her feel safe.
But when these other boys and girls would fight and spar one another, she felt quite the opposite. It was scary. Their movements were angry and harsh, aiming to hurt. Nothing at all like her dads. If she ever got her flame, how would she measure up to them?
All the new kids at school whose fire manifested later than the others were looked down upon, sometimes even by the mentors. They were mocked and teased for their weak bloodline. Those students had to work twice as hard to prove themselves and still some couldn’t catch up. Izumi thought it was atrocious the way they would get picked on, but what could she do? She wasn’t even a bender herself. And the longer it took for her fire to come, the luckier she felt without it.
Which is why, one evening, when a frustrated little Izumi’s book goes up in flames in her hands, her heart sinks into her belly. She quickly drops it, stomping out the fire. Looking around there are no guards or attendants around, just her. No one saw.
Izumi tries not to panic as she hides the evidence, throwing the charred book into the nearest bush and running away from the scene of the crime. Once she reaches her room and is safely hidden away, she has time to think logically about her situation.
She’s a firebender.
Her worst fears have come true. The thought makes her nauseous. Izumi’s hands shake as she looks down at them. They seem just the same as they always have, but she knew, everything had changed.
A knock at the door startles her, scrambling to make herself presentable. “Yes?”
“Are you ok, Princess?” Her Nana Yuki asked from the other side of the door. “I saw you run in here like an eel hound.”
“I’m alright!”
“You sure?”
“Yes! I just forgot something. I’m fine.” She lied.
“Ok. You have dinner in an hour; you should wash up.”
“Alright.”
“Do you want my help?”
“No! I’m ok.”
“Are you sure?” She asked again.
“Yes!”
“Alright, alright.” Yuki said, taking the hint. “Don’t take too long, you know how the Firelord feels about punctuality.”
“I know.” She whispered, looking down at her hands again.
What was she going to do? If everyone knew that she was a firebender, then her life would be over. Sure, the Sages would be happy, they have been praying for this for longer than she’s even been alive. But she knew that she was way too old to bend for the first time.
Izumi was almost nine years old and nearly everyone in her class had been bending for at least three years. The math was easy; Izumi was good at it. She calculated that at the rate she had developed, she would never catch up.
So, then she wouldn’t. Because she wasn’t a firebender and what happened today definitely didn’t happen. Absolutely nothing would change. Izumi shook her hands, as if expelling her new magic abilities.
Her father was none the wiser at dinner, asking her how her day went. She omitted seamlessly, telling him about her calligraphy lessons and history class. No mention of a burnt book hidden in a bush in the palace garden.
And so it went, Izumi was a master of secrets, hiding her bending powers from the world. If she felt even a tinge of heat from her hands, she would find the nearest source of water and wet them thoroughly, stifling the heat. She got a few funny looks, but no one was the wiser. Everything had gone according to plan, and just as she wanted, nothing had changed.
About a month later, the Royal Fire Academy for Boys was congregating with the girls for their annual evaluations. Fire instructors and masters would judge the fitness of the nation’s youth, ranking them. For non-benders like Izumi, they just got to sit and spectate.
Izumi hated when the boys would visit their school. Some of them were loud and boisterous, way more violent and volatile than the girls. And they never failed to pick on her. She usually steered clear of them, sticking to her closest friends, Kimiko and Rini. She was trying to lay low, considering her condition that she didn’t want to come to light. Being the princess usually brought her a lot of unwanted attention, and today was the last day she wanted any scrutiny.
But sometimes it was inevitable. In between challenges, Izumi was approached by a group of scary looking boys, all firebenders.
“Oh, what do we have here? It’s the little princess.” The oldest boy, Shou, heckled.
“Leave me alone.” She tried her best to ignore him.
“I hope you have fun watching us again this year.” He jeered at her friends. “This is all the action you’re ever going to get, little non-benders.”
“We won’t.” Izumi glared at him, “Watching you is more boring than watching ink dry.”
“Oh really? Well, I think you should pay close attention,” He sneered. “See some real firebending for once, none of that sissy crap they teach here.”
“You wouldn’t know real firebending if it hit you in the head.”
“How would you know? I bet your father couldn’t even light a candle.”
“Shut up.” Izumi seethed. “My father’s a hundred times better than any of you.”
She’s smarter than this, she knew he was baiting her. But even taking deep breaths like her grandpa taught her wasn’t calming her down. Insulting her father was personal.
“The Firelord is a sellout, everyone knows it.” Shou laughed, the other boys joining in.
“I said shut up about my father.” She fumed, her fists steaming.
“Why don’t you make me?” His menacing smile angered her even more. She wanted to wipe it off his smug face. “You’re a waste of a perfectly good crown.”
“I don’t need fire to shut you up.”
“Oh please, you’re just a scrawny little brat.” He scoffed, “Pathetic, just like your father-”
“Ah!” Izumi threw a punch at Shou’s face, a blast of fire shooting towards him.
Shou ducked at the last minute, the fire singeing his topknot. Everyone nearby was watching. The princess attacked another student, firebending for the first time. They all saw, teachers, students, even the headmistress. Izumi was flooded with instant regret. What had she just done? She’s ruined everything.
Shou felt the top of his bun, noticing the burnt pieces, his face burning red. “You’re going to regret that.” He crouched down, ready to send a blast of his own fire back.
Izumi was frozen, not even able to protect herself. Maybe this was for the best, let Shou’s fire burn her for being such a fool. She scrunched her eyes shut, accepting her fate.
“Stop!” Sifu Yuro interjected, blocking Shou’s attack. “There is no unauthorized fighting on school grounds.”
“Get out of my way!” Shou fought to get a shot at her before another teacher stepped in. “Let me pay her back!”
“It was an accident!” Rini shouted. “He was picking on her!”
“What a bunch of babies!” Another boy yelled back. “She fought dirty!”
“That is enough!” Headmistress Shihan silenced them all. “If you do not disperse in the next five seconds, there will be severe consequences.”
The mob of students quickly scattered, lest they face her punishment. Izumi turned around, trying to get away undetected.
“Princess.” The headmistress called, spotting Izumi like an eagle-hawk. “My office, now.”
Izumi spent the rest of the hour with her stomach in knots. She had never been in trouble before, and now she was sitting outside the headmistress’s office for fighting. And to top it all off her secret was out. Everything has fallen apart and it was all Shou’s fault. She could wring his neck.
In the hallway she overheard two people conversing. “Are you sure it was hers? Maybe another student threw that flame?”
“No, I saw it with my own two eyes, it was definitely the princess’.”
“Wow, can you imagine? She’s nine years old, that’s so late.”
“I know, it’s almost worse than being a non-bender. She’ll be behind all the kids her age. I wonder what the Firelord will think…”
Izumi didn’t want to hear anymore and covered her ears.
Shou stepped out of Shihan’s office seeming mighty smug. “So, the little princess is a firebender after all. If you can call what you did out there, fire.”
She crossed her arms, deliberately turning away from Shou, so she didn’t have to see his stupid face.
“I can’t wait for our re-match, Princess. I greatly look forward to it.” He said threateningly. Izumi turned to glare back at him, just to show that she wasn’t afraid.
Headmistress Shihan called her into the office, so Izumi stood up, not breaking eye contact.
“Bye, bye, now.” He waved, “Until next time.”
It didn’t take long for her personal guard to pick her up from school. His face was an unreadable mask after he spoke with the headmistress and escorted the princess back to their carriage.
Izumi didn’t dare to ask him what the headmistress relayed. He carried a scary looking scroll sealed with the school’s emblem. That was probably going straight to her father.
Once home, Izumi didn’t wait for instruction and bolted away, trying to buy herself some time. She hid in the garden, pondering her options before her fate was sentenced.
She could run away and join the circus. Her Auntie Lee had told her many stories about joining, it sounded fun. Or maybe Uncle Aang will take her in as an air acolyte. She always loved learning about the airbenders, and that way she could be close to Kya and Bumi. Oh! She should definitely go to Ba Sing Se, she could become a tea maker like Grandpa, help him run the shop. Her dad could still visit them there.
“Izumi.” She tensed up at the sound of his voice. “Come on out, I know you’re back there.”
Calculating the odds that he would eventually leave if she didn’t come out, Izumi peeked out from behind the bushes, finding her father standing on the other side.
He was wearing his formal Fire Lord robes, crown and all. He probably was in a very important meeting, always solving everyone else’s problems. And now had to deal with Izumi’s problems because she was a terrible daughter. The last thing she wanted to be was a burden on him.
“There’s my girl. Why don’t you come over here so we can talk?” He said, his face calm but firm.
She silently picked her way over, sitting next to her father underneath the shade of the tree. Fire Lord Zuko took a deep, steadying breath, taking her little hand in his large one. Izumi instinctively did the same, breathing in through her nose and out her mouth. His warmth comforted her, making her feel just a little bit braver.
“Do you want to tell me what happened at school today?”
“Not really.”
“Zumi.”
“It’s not fair!” she shouted. “Shou was picking on me and he was making fun of you. I was just trying to defend your honor! No one should be allowed to talk about you like that! It made me so angry!”
“Did he?” He asked thoughtfully.
“Yes.” She said, her tiny brow furrowed at the injustice of it all. “He was being a jerk.”
“So you decided to throw fire at him?”
Izumi looked down guiltily. “That was an accident.”
“I see…” He hummed, thinking over what his daughter said. “What have I always told you about solving our disagreements?”
“That we should never use violence.” She parroted, thinking of all the times he’d repeated it to her.
“Right.” He squeezed her hand. “I know it’s not easy, especially when you’re angry, but it’s important. We cannot use violence to solve our issues; we use our words.”
“Well, he was saying some pretty nasty words, Dad. I didn’t want to listen to him anymore.”
“I know, but in your life, you will hear a lot of nasty things from a lot of nasty people and stooping to their level doesn’t make you any better.”
“I’m sorry.” She whimpered, feeling like the muck at the bottom of the pond. “I don’t know how not to be so angry sometimes. It’s hard.”
“I understand, Duckling.” His thumb brushed over her hand. “I do. It’s not easy for me either. It takes a lot of patience and practice, but I promise you can do it too. Sometimes we just need to take a deep breath and recenter ourselves. Then their words will fall off you like water off a turtleduck’s back.”
“Ok.” She resigned, “I promise I’ll do better, Dad.”
“Thank you.” He kissed her forehead. “As much as I appreciate it, you don’t have to defend my honor. No matter what Shou or anyone says, no one can take away your honor. It’s something you earn for yourself by-”
“Choosing to do what’s right.” Izumi finished for him.
“Exactly.” He smiled proudly.
“Can I go now?” She itched to escape, hoping this was the end of their conversation.
“Hold on just a minute, I’m not done.”
Izumi deflated, her arm hanging limp from where he was holding her hand. He let her go, allowing her to clasp them anxiously in her lap. That awful feeling in her stomach was back. This was it, the moment of truth.
“So, you firebended today.”
“I told you, that was an accident.”
“I know,” His head tilted, his crown reflecting the evening sun back at her. “But you still created a flame, right?”
She simply looked away, not able to meet his eyes.
“What’s wrong Duckling?” He tucked her hair back. “Are you ok?”
“I’m fine.” She shrugged.
“I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on.” His hand rested on her back. “You can tell me anything.”
She thought about pretending like everything was ok, that she was happy about this. It would be the easier thing to do. But she was tired of lying, it didn’t make her feel good. The only thing hurting her more was knowing that she’s failing her father.
“I don’t want to be a firebender.” Izumi murmured, barely getting the words out.
Zuko was shocked. “Why?”
“I just don’t.” She pouted, refusing to elaborate.
“Izumi,” He asked her very seriously, “Did something else happen today? Did Shou hurt you?”
“No.” she shook her head fervently. “Nothing like that happened.”
“Good.” He sighed, exhaling deeply before asking. “Why don’t you want to be a fire bender?”
“Because…” She breathed, looking up at her dad, “It’s scary.”
“Oh, honey.” He stroked her cheek, “I know it seems scary now, but once you learn how to control it, it won’t be. You’ll see.”
“But I’m supposed to be a non-bender!”
“I don’t understand, I thought you would be excited.”
“I’m not.” Her little brow furrowed again. “I want things to go back to how they were before.” She said stubbornly.
“Izumi…” Zuko’s exasperated sigh only frustrated her more. “You can’t just pretend like it doesn’t exist, this is happening whether you like it or not. If you don’t learn to use your fire properly, you could get hurt.”
“No, I won’t! I was hiding it just fine! I promise I won’t get into another fight!” She pleaded.
“What do you mean, hiding it? Have you been hiding your bending from me?” He asked, bewildered.
Oh, monkey feathers! She’s really done it this time.
“… No.” She denied unconvincingly.
“Have you firebended before today?”
“Maybe…” Izumi tried to look as innocent as possible.
“When, Izumi?”
“A month ago.” She admitted sheepishly.
“A month!” He exclaimed. “But why didn’t you tell me? Is it because you’re scared of me?” He looked genuinely distressed at the thought, his brow knitted with worry. “I would never force you to do something you don’t want to, Turtleduck. Ever.”
“I know that, Dad! I’m not afraid of you! I’m afraid of… not being good enough.”
“Sweetheart, of course you’re good enough. You’ll always be good enough for me.”
“Yeah, but I won’t be good enough for me! All those other kids have been doing it for years! You, Aunt Azula, everyone has been a firebender since forever! Why did it take me so long? What’s wrong with me?”
“Izumi…” Zuko tried to get a word in, but his daughter didn’t want to hear it.
“No! You said that being a non-bender was just as good. Well, I’d rather be that! I’d rather be that than a…” She trailed off, losing her nerve.
“Than a what?” Her father asked seriously, waiting for her to finish.
“A loser.” Her voice cracked at the words. She hated feeling this small. Loathed having to admit it out lout.
“You are not a loser. Don’t ever think that about yourself.” Her father admonished, deeply upset.
“But that’s what everyone’s going to say!” She cried, scrubbing her eyes. “Look at the weak little princess, couldn’t even light a candle until yesterday, a waste of a crown…”
The Fire Lord cupped his daughter’s face, wiping away her tears. His large, warm hands grounding her. He looked her straight in the eyes, unwavering.
“You, Princess Izumi, are not a loser. Do you hear me?”
She blinked up at him, listening to him intently.
“Do you know who the true losers are? Those who would rather put someone down than help them up. I couldn’t think of anything more dishonorable. Do you think that’s right? To punish someone because they struggle more than others?”
Izumi shook her head, still held between her father’s hands.
“There is nothing wrong with being a late bloomer, it does not make you weak. Did you know that I didn’t start bending until I was seven years old? I spent all my energy trying to catch up to my sister or prove myself to my father. I wasted so much time comparing myself to others, always falling short. It wasn’t until I decided to do things my own way, learn for myself and no one else that I could truly become a master. Do you think that makes me weak or a loser?”
“No.”
“What about your Uncle Aang? He didn’t start firebending until he was twelve, and he’s the avatar. Or your Aunt Katara? She hadn’t properly learned waterbending until she was fourteen. She’s now the best in the world. Would you call them weak?”
“I’m not like Uncle Aang or Aunt Katara though, they’re stronger than me.”
“You are strong, too. You have the strongest heart, Turtleduck. It takes strength to do what’s right and to stand up to those bigger than you. That’s why I believe in you, you just need to believe in yourself.”
“How can I, though? I’ve never done this before.”
“I know it’s scary to start something new, but if you put your mind to it, I know you can do anything. All I ask is that you try your best. That’s all I’ll ever ask of you.”
“Even if everyone else makes fun of me?”
“Let them try, they’ll have to deal with the Fire Lord himself. No one messes with my duckling and gets away with it.” He pressed his forehead to hers, smiling softly. “I’ll always be here for you; I won’t let you fall.”
“Thank you, Daddy.” She whispered, smiling back at him.
“Anything for you, my love.” He smiled, kissing her forehead before letting her go, “With all the knowledge you already have, I’m sure you’ll be a natural.”
“Really?”
“Of course! How many times have you joined me and Grandpa over the years? Or even sat in with Aunt Azula? I’ve seen how talented you are, you were just missing your flame is all.”
“Cool, so does this mean I’m going to have a new Sifu now?”
“Yes, I suppose so. We’ll have to find you a teacher as soon as possible.”
“But Dad,” she asked, a little timid, “Do you think you could teach me all your tricks too? You know, the cool ones.”
“Of course, Turtleduck, I’ll teach you everything I know, even the cool ones.”
“Thanks!”
“The honor is all mine.” He placed his hand over his heart, bowing his head to the little princess. “Come, let’s start with lesson number one.” Zuko instructed her to cup her hands together as he created a flame in his own palm.
“Fire is the element of power. Our people of the Fire Nation have a strong desire and will, with the energy and drive to achieve our goals.” The flame in his hand slowly grew, its radiance giving her sense of security.
“Come here.”
She cautiously brought her hands close to his, allowing him to slowly tip the flame into hers. It stuttered for a second before burning brighter than before. It was alive, the purest form of light sitting in her hand. Clean of any hate or anger, only pure love.
“Woah.” She breathed, entranced by the little flame glowing in her palm.
“Fire is life, Izumi. Never forget that it’s inside of you, and only you can control your own destiny.”
“Yeah, I can feel it.” She said, a smile splitting across her face, eyes twinkling with joy.
“I see that we’re in good hands.” Her dad smiled down on her, “I couldn’t be more proud to have you for a daughter.”