Play With Fire ~Zuko X Reader~

-24- The Firebending Masters

Toph glared slightly, "No. Zuko needs to go back to whatever the original source of firebending is."

"So, is it jumping into a volcano?"

"I don't know," Toph sat down her bowl, "For earthbending, the original benders were badgermoles. One day, when I was little, I ran away and hid in a cave. That's where I met them. They were blind, just like me. So we understood each other. I was able to learn earthbending, not just as a martial art, but as an extension of my senses. For them, the original earthbenders, it wasn't just about fighting. It was their way of interacting with the world."

Aang's smile was bright, "That's amazing, Toph! I learned from the monks, but the original airbenders were the sky bison," We looked over at Appa, who growled in agreement, "Maybe you can give me a lesson sometime, buddy."

"Well, this doesn't help me. The original firebenders were the dragons, and they're extinct."

"What do you mean‌? Roku had a dragon, and there were plenty of dragons when I was a kid."

I almost laughed, "Well, they aren't around anymore."

He was next to speak, "But maybe there's another way. The first people to learn from the dragons were the ancient Sun Warriors."

"Sun Warriors? Well, I know they weren't around when I was a kid."

I rolled my eyes, "Aang, you still are a kid."

"They died off thousands of years ago. But their civilization wasn't too far from where we are now. Maybe we can learn something by poking around their ruins."

"It's like the monks used to tell me. Sometimes, the shadows of the past can be felt by the present."

"So, what?" Sokka rolled his eyes, "Maybe you'll pick up some super old Sun Warrior energy just by standing where they stood a thousand years ago?"

"More or less. Either I find a new way to firebend, or the Avatar has to find a new teacher."

I stood, "Well I'm coming too."

I sat with my back to the saddle as Appa flew the three of us over the ocean. I kept my eyes on the sky above.

"We've been riding for hours. I don't know why, but I thought this thing would be a lot faster."

I glared at him, "Maybe because Aang was able to so easily avoid you. I mean, even I caught the guy before you."

He tilted his head, "What are you talking about?"

"Back at Zhao's fortress," I laughed, "When you two fell, I caught Aang."

"That doesn't count!"

Appa growled under us, then Aang spoke, "Appa's right, Zuko. In our group, typically we start our missions with a more up-beat attitude."

He laid down, "I can't believe this."

"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it."

I recognized the surroundings as Appa descended on the ruins.

"Whoa!"

The two men spoke as we walked through the ruins, "Even though these buildings are ancient, there's something eerily familiar about them. I can tell the Fire Sages' temples are somehow descended from these."

"Okay. We've learned something about architecture. Hopefully, we'll learn something about firebending too. The past can be a great teacher."

I laughed, mumbling, "You have no idea."