Chronicles of Multiverse

{Mc pov}

Darkness again. I slept for the majority of the time since I couldn't feel any more active. The occasional rocking of the ship, putting me in a dark room with no sound, made it harder for me to shake off my sleep. I cracked open my eyes and stared up at the metal ceiling. My wrists still ached from the heavy iron shackles, and every breath I took carried the scent of salt and rust. Fantastic. Fantastic. At least I did get to drink Iroh tea, which is good.

"System," I muttered, my voice barely above a whisper.

[What?]

"Tell me again why you conveniently forgot to mention that 'Authority over Fire' doesn't mean absolute control?"

[It's called a learning experience.]

"Oh, you son of a—"

The door creaked open before I could finish my sentence. Azula stepped in first, her golden eyes gleaming with something between amusement and curiosity. Behind her, two Fire Nation guards stood at attention.

"Well," she said, tilting her head, "you don't look as miserable as I expected."

I flashed her a grin. "What can I say? I enjoy long walks on the beach, candlelit dungeons, and some peace. Have I ever told you that with the avatar, the last thing you get is peace? But it's kinda given since the first mission with the avatar, I fought him, an air bison, and the fucking fire nation army." 

Azula smirked. She stepped closer, looking down at me. "You've been very quiet since we took you in. Iroh says it's because you're 'thinking.' I think it's because you're waiting for a moment to escape."

I sighed. "And here I thought we were starting to trust each other."

"Oh, don't flatter yourself." Azula crouched, leveling her gaze with mine. "I've fought many benders before. But you—you're something different. I've never seen fire like yours. It's not bending… it's something else."

"You say not to flatter myself, yet you flatter me with your praise," I said. 

She studied me for a few more moments before standing up. "No matter. You'll talk eventually. Either to me or to my father."

I pretended to yawn. "Ozai? Ah, I can't wait to meet the guy. I hear he's a real sweetheart."

Azula smirked, but this time, there was something almost dangerous in her expression. "Oh, you'll find out soon enough." She turned on her heel and left, the door locking behind her with a heavy clang. I sighed, leaning my head back. Yeah. This is going to be fun. 

{After a while}

The door creaks open again, but this time, it isn't Azula. Zuko stepped inside, arms crossed, his usual scowl in place. Unlike his sister, he didn't look amused. He looked… frustrated. Angry, maybe. But beneath all that, there was something else—hesitation.

I smirked. "Prince Zuko. To what do I owe the honor? Oh wait, you're still chasing it."

"Stop joking with me," he snapped. "I've seen what you can do. You're not just some firebender. What are you?"

I tilted my head. "I could ask the same thing about you. You fight like a man possessed. And that temper? Whew. Ever tried calming teas? Your uncle makes a mean brew."

Zuko's scowl deepened. "You don't take anything seriously, do you?"

"How am I supposed to take a bunch of misguided people seriously? To me, you all look like people lost in a dark room, which you desperately try to escape but fail to realize that the room is neither dark nor bright but whatever color you want it to be," I said with a smile.

Zuko paced for a moment, his fists clenching and unclenching. "You fought against the Avatar… but you don't seem loyal to the Fire Nation either. What do you want?"

Now, that was a good question. I exhaled, my expression turning serious for once. "I want nothing, I desire nothing, I need nothing. It is what I give, not what I take." I said in a wise voice.

He stopped pacing. "You and uncle can't speak normally. Why do you speak in riddles?"

"I am not speaking in any riddles; you are just too blind to see the truth," I said. I continued standing up and looking him straight in the eye, "Zuko, I am not your enemy, and no one is. It is you who is your enemy, your self-destructive. It is not only you but also Azula; she has just gone too far into the darkness, but it is never too late to paint the room white, is it?" 

Zuko's jaw tightened. "Azula thinks you're dangerous."

I chuckled. "So? That doesn't change the fact that she lacks love. At least you have a good mother. She has no one to support her, except a father who treats her as a tool and a bunch of people who she calls friends, but she knows that they are just too scared. I hope that you can at least try looking at her like a sister rather than a monster." I said in a very serious tone. That made him pause. He looked at me for a long moment, something unreadable in his expression. Then, without another word, he turned and left, slamming the door shut behind him.

I believe what I just said. Both the siblings are just misguided by their father, meanwhile, Zuko has both Iroh and his mom to offset his father's mistreatment. Meanwhile, no one was there to protect Azula from their father. Of course, she will turn out not ok in the head; none of the fire emperors are. I leaned back, exhaling. That went well, now I can finally meet the big bad boy and the bane for all my problems.

Maybe I can convince him to give up this useless quest while he still has a chance to change otherwise...