Chapter Text
Zuko’s been at sea for years, but never has he felt so alone with the ocean. The Fire Nation attacked the Northern Water Tribe, committed atrocious acts that had him doubting his home nation for the first time in his life. It’s been 3 days since, and Zuko is still at sea.
He’s not with his crew anymore. He’s not even on a proper boat. A simple raft that has kept him afloat.
On the first day, he spent his time sulking and warming himself enough to survive. He thought about his most recent failure at capturing the avatar. He thought about the spirits and how close Zhao had gotten to bringing irreparable damage to the world. Had Zhao not realized that killing the moon spirit wouldn’t just strip waterbenders of their connection, but completely demolish the Fire Nation as well, considering it was composed of islands. The moon controlled the tides, and the Fire Nation actually needed to rely on those. But no, Zhao’s ego was so fragile, he didn’t even think about the consequences that his actions would have on the homeland. He was too focused on his own despicable achievements to even consider the catastrophic consequences that would come with. Zhao simply did not care about the fate of this world.
Thankfully, nothing actually happened to the moon spirit other than being put in a bag for a few seconds. Uncle showed up just in time to help the Avatar stop Zhao and free the spirit.
His uncle helped the Avatar.
Zuko understood why, of course. Uncle was all about the spirits, but the shock of seeing it with his own eyes was still there. He needed to think, he couldn’t stay and watch his uncle betray the mission he helped Zuko with for years.
In a panicked state, Zuko ran out as far as he could. He was never lucky. He knew that. In his attempt to find a place to think, he was swept away in the destruction his own people had caused. Only to end up alone and desperate on a raft.
On his second day, Zuko spiraled.
His entire purpose was falling apart. What was he even doing? Trying to capture a 12 year old boy for his father. He knew what his father would do. He wasn’t stupid, the Firelord didn’t even have mercy on his own son; his own blood. The avatar wouldn’t be killed, the search for him would’ve been in vain, no— the Avatar would be put through a fate so much crueller than death.
This Avatar had already lost his entire nation, and Zuko was willing to force the boy who’s element of birth was one of freedom, into a life of imprisonment.
Zuko was coming to the realization that he’s been cruel too, following his father’s orders blindly. He was too swept up in earning his father's approval, that he started rationalizing things he knew were wrong.
Does he even want to go home anymore? What happens the next time he makes a mistake, would his father send him to capture another myth? What missing spirit is next?
On the third day, Zuko prayed.
He watched the moon as he drifted along the sea. He was so, so glad that it was still there. The fear of losing it weighed heavy in his chest. It wasn’t even a spirit worshiped by the Fire Nation, yet Zuko felt at peace when he thought of it.
His physical body was beginning to weaken drastically. The lack of food and water were getting to him, snuffing out all the fuel to his firebending. He couldn’t keep himself warm anymore.
Today, Zuko realised that he’s going to die on this raft.
He looked at the moon, and as his vision began to blur, he prayed. He prayed to Tui and La that his uncle was alive and that Zuko’s death wouldn’t be too much of a burden on him. He prayed that his sister would be safe from the wrath of his father, and that his mother was at peace, wherever she was. He prayed that the Firelord would never lay his hands on the Avatar.
And finally, he apologized to the moon and ocean spirits, for the harm that his nation has caused.
The moon was the last thing he saw before his vision finally turned black.
On a ship, not so far away, lived a dead princess.
Princess Yue abandoned her home years ago, escaping the harsh life that awaited her. At 14 years of age, she was betrothed to a pathetic man that thought himself above her. A man that bragged about beating women into submission. She wasn’t given a choice, so she made one for herself when she escaped out of fear for her own life. She was less afraid of dying than she was of being a wife to Hahn. Her father was willing to make her marry a man who cared more about her title than her. Her own father didn't care about her thoughts on the matter.
The Northern Water Tribe thought her dead, so she let herself die. Instead of the life that had been planned for her, she found herself living a life of piracy.
Captain Xi found her, barely holding on to her life, and took her in. He took her in and raised her, helping her unlearn the values that were built into her head. He taught Yue to sail, he taught her to fight, and he taught her to live. Yue learned that she was more than just her title.
She spent a year with the man, and although he was only in his early twenties, he acted more like a father to her than her own. She was accepted by him and a crew that was diverse in its nations.
If Captain Xi was the first to teach her freedom, Ulu was the first to actually show her. It had taken Yue a surprisingly long time to accept that Ulu was a waterbending woman who used her gifts for battle rather than healing, and that her close friend Amaruq was a man who used his waterbending for healing in her stead.
The reversal of the gender roles forced upon her for the duration of her entire life was the eye opener she needed. The acceptance of her ignorance was the first step in becoming a truer version of herself. A version of herself that she didn't hate.
The crew had taken her in as one of their own, treating her as if she really belonged there, as if they truly wanted her there. She’d started with simple tasks along the ship, helping out the cabin boys and learning under the cook. It was only a few months when Captain Xi had seen her potential and began teaching her the roles of a Captain and how to lead the crew. It was only a few months after that when most of the crew was lost to a battle against Earth Kingdom soldiers. Captain Xi and Ulu being amongst the deceased.
Yue was 15 when she took the role of Captain. Accepting yet another title she did not feel worthy of. The remaining crew insisted that no one else could fit the role, that it was hers to inherit the moment that Captain Xi found her.
As the remaining crew predicted, Yue had grown into her role, managing to rebuild the ship and gaining new crew members who would put their life on the line for her in a heartbeat. She was the youngest Captain, but not any less respected than Captain Xi was.
Almost three years after her escape from the Northern Water Tribe, she saved a boy who was on the brink of death, just like her Captain saved her.