#story rewriting

Zuko is thirteen when he turns to face his opponent in the Agni Kai and sees his father’s face instead of the general’s. He doesn’t want to face his father, because he is the Fire Lord of their nation and no one can win against him, him included, and Zuko doesn’t want to even if he could, because standing victorious over his father would force him to become the new Fire Lord while he’s not even an adult yet. 

So Zuko pleads, pleads not to fight his father, but Ozai refuses to hear it, fights against him, his own son and burns his face, and it hurts, it hurts so damn much Zuko sees white and feels like vomiting in the middle of the arena, but his father’s words hurt more than a burn. 

’Leave the nation.’ He says, exiles him, ‘You are shaming me, your father and lord by your lack of honor.’ and Zuko loves his father, admires him, but how dare he assume he stained his honor by refusing the fight. 

And if what his father, no, if what Ozai wants from him is to fight so he can show his honor, then Zuko will gladly comply. 

So Zuko stands, even if his whole body hurts and his palm is burning hot against his wounded eye. He stands, faces his father and loudly claims his refusal. 

’If you want me to leave my home, then kill me.’ He shouts, because an honorable death is worth a thousand shameful lives. 

And for a second, for a dreadful moment, Zuko is convinced Ozai will kill him, execute him before the country’s eyes and let Azula reign beside him as his heir, but Ozai doesn’t move and Zuko’s heart is still beating, once, twice, a hundredth times. 

He’s still alive and it’s all Zuko needs to face the Fire Lord.

Fire bursts from Zuko’s palms and soles as he executes complex sequences, and of course iously Ozai avoids them all so Zuko stands firm on his feet, his valid eye burning holes in the Lord’s face, venomous words spit out of his bloody mouth. 

’Kill me today father, kill your first son now or let me live and mark me as your Crown Prince.' 

The next day, as a new dawn spreads on the palace, Zuko is here to welcome her; as the nation’s Crown Prince.