Chapter Eighteen:
Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation
Class: Other, Bender
Powers: Pyrokinesis
Dimension: Earth 10

"Does Raphael seem off to anyone else?" Nico asked during dinner. Despite people not really wanting to interact with us, that didn't stop us from learning their names. So yes, I did know who Raphael was, but I hadn't been here long enough to know what "off" was for him.

"He does seem...different." Raven answered; both her and Nico's eyes on the table where Raphael was sitting. Today, he was sitting next to Connor Kent (his closest friend), Leonardo (his brother) and a girl I believe was named Megan.

"Raphael is behaving uncharactistically happy, his behavior lining up with someone that would be more expected from Michelangelo, not him." Zane summarized.

"Right? I have him in my Care of Magical Creatures class and he didn't snap once. Not even when the creatures tried to bite him." Will was here too. Needless to say, he was the brightest person here.

Wait...was that a pun?

"Let's not focus on it for right now. I'm sure someone else has noticed." I said, trying to sound optimistic. If I was being honest, I think the whole school noticed his personality switch; currently, Leo was staring at his brother as if he had grown another head.

"Of course someone has. How could you not?" Raven said dully, turning back to her dinner.

"I wonder if it's a curse of some kind..." Will muttered, his eyes still on that table. Nico rolled his eyes, nudging Will slightly.

"My scans aren't picking anything up. Maybe he's pretending?" I shrugged.

"I think we should be happy that he's making an effort to be a nicer person to people. Everyone deserves a second chance." I sounded like uncle, I know I did.

"You're only saying that because you want Aang to talk to you. There's a difference between a second chance and a complete 180." Even if the chance does seem like a 180, whatever that meant. Although I was trying to be seen as a nicer person (helping out in the library, assisting where I could in the school), Katara still seemed convinced I was the bad guy. And Team Avatar listened to her, which meant I was never going to be able to talk to them.

I hope Toph's feet were okay...

"Hey Zuko, isn't Professor Iroh your uncle?" Nearly choking on my drink, I nodded.

"Yes, why is he here?!" Will frowned, nodding slowly, pointing to the dining hall door.

"Yeah, he just walked in with Coulson and I wanted to make sure I had the right guy." I had to hide. I hadn't spoken to Uncle since I got here, and I imagined he was absolutely furious with me. As cowardly as it sounded, I didn't want to face his disappointment. I had to proven myself as a better person, regain my honor before I could properly face him. Not as his stupid nephew who made a bunch of bad choices, but as an honorable young man who deserves his forgiveness.

I'm sorry, Uncle.

"I need to go." Everyone had confused looks on their faces, but no one asked. It was respectable that they didn't; we all had our own reasons for avoiding someone here.

Uncle was too busy talking to notice that I had stood up, and after discarding my dishes, I quickly made my way around the outskirts of the dining hall, making sure to stay out of his line of sight. If he saw me, he didn't say anything. No glance or anything; possibly another sign that he hated me. Once I was safely out of the dining hall, I sighed. It was only seven, which meant I had three hours till curfew, when everyone needed to be in their dorms. I could either hang out in my dorm room for the rest of the night, spend it in the library, or go spar.

Sparring was the best choice, I thought. Professor Howlett always had the gym opened late, for tutoring and just in case anyone needed to blow off steam. I could focus on my firebending and I could think about what exactly to say to team Avatar.

The gym was about a six minute walk from the dining hall, and although during the day it seemed to take forever, with the halls empty it felt like a nice peaceful walk. I was alone with my thoughts, no rush to go anywhere and no one I had to worry about bumping into or anything. There was no strange looks because of my scar, just me...

Alone.

I'm not quite sure why I hesitated when I reached the gym doors. Maybe I was afraid Uncle would magically be in there, or perhaps Katara. For whatever reason, I didn't open it. Just stood there, waiting for something. A sign maybe, that I was allowed in after hours. That it wasn't just reserved for heroes.

"You just gonna stand there, or are you going to go in?" I jumped slightly, turning in surprise to face the hero in front of me. The Green Arrow as he was known, the second archery instructor at Hero High. Was he a demigod? I wasn't sure.

"Oh, sorry. I didn't know if it was open or not." I lied. He seemed to believe it, nodding and pushing the doors open for me. The light was on, and there was a quiet hum of the machinery. At first glance, I couldn't see anyone in there.

"First time staying late for a class? Well don't worry, most teachers don't shut stuff down till curfew, just to be on the safe side. If you ever need something, we'll usually be here for you, Zuko." There was a brief moment when I panicked, almost demanding to know how he knew my name. Then of course, I remembered; I have a lanyard with my name on it. That feeling of panic was replaced with a comfortable feeling, one that gave me the impression that everything was going to be alright.

"I'm trying Mathew, but if you haven't noticed, MY FEET ARE BURNED!"

"Yes, I can see that Toph, but-."

"Neither of us can see, we're blind."

"Its just a figure of speech. Anyway, I know your feet are burned because you haven't stopped complaining about it since you got in here, but I still need you to focus!" I didn't recognize the redheaded man. He was sitting cross legged on the floor, a walking stick to the left of him, and red glasses laying next to them. In front of him, sat Toph.

"I am focused, on the fact that my feet are burned!" I was frozen. Toph couldn't see me, and if I heard her correctly, the other man couldn't either. Should I leave? Cough and introduce myself? What was the right thing to do here?

"For the last time, I know Toph, but..." He paused, titling his head to the side. "Hello there. Can I help you?" I didn't say anything. Who was he talking too? It couldn't have been me because he couldn't see me, he didn't know I was here.

The Green Arrow nudged me, and I blinked in surprise at the fact that he was still there. I thought he left, honestly.

"He's talking to you Zuko." When I opened my mouth, nothing came out. I sat there gaping like a koi fish stuck out of water. The blind man chuckled, standing up.

"I suppose I deserve that reaction. Toph, your fire friend is here." Toph turned her head, almost as if she could actually see where I was.

"Hey, Zuko!!"

"You don't hate me." I blurted out. Everyone looked confused at that response.

"I feel like I'm missing something here." Green Arrow mumbled next to me, before walking away towards Professor Howlett's office. Toph sighed, turning her whole body so she was facing my general direction (the blind man helped her with this part).

"I snuck up on you, at the dead of night, and scared you. You were defending yourself, and that's all there is to it. You didn't mean to hurt me, and from what I can tell, you're genuinely trying to be a better person. Don't let Katara get you down, Zuko. We all can see how hard you're trying." The blind man snorted.

"Well, you can't." He said smugly, a wide grin on his face. Toph turned to the sound of his voice and glared at him.

"Shut up, you!!" I cracked a smile.

"Thank you Toph, that means a lot. So uh, if I may ask...what are you doing here?" Toph jerked her thumb towards the blind man, who was still grinning widely.

"This idiot is my mentor. He's here to show me how to better manage life being blind; although, I feel like I'm the one who should be giving him advice, not the other way around." He chuckled in response to this.

"Sure Toph, let's go with that. Call me Matt, Zuko. Most people do. Toph has talked a lot about you...some of it bad, some of it good." I nodded slightly, not really sure how to respond.

"Great, you scared him away." Toph said, after a few moments of silence. Matt raised an unimpressed eyebrow.

"He's still here Toph. Something you would know if you actually listened to your mentor. We're blind, not deaf." Mentor. This time, the word stuck with me. Mentor. I racked my brain, trying to remember. I dimly remembered overhearing someone talking about tutoring someone else. Hero High had a tutoring program that anyone could sign up for...

That's it!!!

Excitedly, I ran towards Professor Howlett's office. Behind me, I heard Matt ask where I was going, quickly followed by Toph yelling at him once again. Forgetting my manners, I pushed the door open.

"The Avatar!" I gasped, causing both the Green Arrow and Professor Howlett to look at me strangely.

"Yeah. What about him?"

"I want to mentor him, tutor him. Teach him firebending so he can stop my father!!" It took him a minute to process what I had said, but when he did he shrugged, grabbing a piece of paper and a pencil.

"Yeah, alright. Bring this to Agent Coulson's office, he's in charge with scheduling and all that. Keep in mind that Aang can turn down your offer if he so chooses." I nodded.

"I understand, thank you." I bowed respectively, taking the note from him. "Thank you." I didn't hear his response, as I was already out the door. I remembered Agent Coulson, as he was the one who let me attend the school after my questionable past. I remembered his office too; it had several posters of a man dressed in red white and blue with a matching circular disc. Captain something.

He didn't look like a Captain, if I was being honest. He wasn't dressed like one either. His outfit seemed very...very...

What was the word?

I didn't think of it before I reached Coulson's office, and the thought slipped my mind quickly once I pushed the door open. Memories flashes of disrupting Father in such a manner as I just did pushed their way into my mind, and on reflex, I bowed to avoid punishment.

"My apologies, Agent Coulson. Forgive my intrusion." I waited. Nothing came.

"No, it's alright, i just came back from dinner with your Uncle, actually. Come in, Prince Zuko. I take it this isn't a friendly vist?" Agent Coulson's smile reminded me of my Uncle's; friendly and inviting, the smile of someone who smiled as often as they could. Though, despite the similarities, I still found myself stepping forward cautiously.

"I am afraid not. I have come to ask that I be allowed to mentor the Avatar in the art of firebending." He raised an eyebrow, and I continued on.

"I believe I am meant to be the Avatar's firebending teacher. I wish to teach him everything I know so he may defeat my Father and bring peace to our land." I paused, waiting to see if he would say anything. He didnt- only looked me over, eyebrow raised, and a slight smile on his face.

"You think this will be a good idea? I know your past, Prince Zuko." I nodded firmly, hoping he did not sense my nervousness.

"Yes, I believe it's a perfect idea." Agent Coulson looked down at the note in my hand, and I quickly handed it to him. He looked it over, before opening the school's computer system.

"I trust you, Prince Zuko. Don't let me down. I will schedule your training sessions with Aang. They will be sent to your dorm room, and they will start immediately following that. Any questions?"

"No sir." I said quietly, trying to hide my excitement. This might actually work, I thought. Maybe, things were finally turning up for the better. Maybe, I can make Uncle proud of me.

"Great. Hope it works out for you." I bowed respectfully, thanking him once again before I left. I was so nervous (and excited) that I almost ran into the one person I wasn't planning to see:

Uncle.

We stood there, facing each other, both of us unsure of what to say. I could see it in his eyes- he had to be disappointed in me, for what I had done.

"Zuko-."

"Uncle I have decided to train the Avatar in the art of firebending. I want to help him stop Father and Azula, and I understand if you don't believe me. I wouldn't either, if I was you. But know that I am trying to change, and be a nephew that you can be proud of. Goodnight, Uncle. And...I'm sorry." I didn't want for him to respond. I ran. Behind me, I could hear him calling after me, but I was too afraid to hear what he had to say.

I'm sorry Uncle.

I'm sorry.

I promise, I'll make you proud of me.

No one from my dorm asked me where I was. Its not that they didn't care, but we respected each other's privacy. As long as we were not out after cerfew, it did not matter; our time was our own.

I settled into bed quickly, noting how hard my heart was beating. Once I was outside, I stopped running (there was no need to run, at that point), but my heart still pounded loudly, running it's own marathon in my rib cage. Perhaps, it was excitement- I had figured out a way to repay my debt to the Avatar, by offering to teach him Firebending.

It could've been nervousness. Katara still doesn't trust me, as she shouldn't.

Or....

No. I said my piece to Uncle. There was nothing to be nervous about. I would make him proud, and honor him. No matter what, I will honor Uncle, and rightfully earn his forgiveness.

"Night everyone."

"Night!"

"Goodnight!"

"Goodnight." I answered calmly. My heartbeat had finally slowed down, and I begun to feel the peacefulness that the night brought with it. It was all going to be alright. I had finally found my way.

"You'll be proud of me Uncle." I muttered. I wasn't sure who I was saying it to: to the sky, myself, or Uncle himself. It felt nice though, to say it one more time.

"Shut up and go to bed Zuko, we don't have time for your dramatics." Chuckling slightly, I rolled over, trying to get comfortable.

Tomorrow would be a new day. Time to get started with the rest if my life.

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Wow. I have been gone a very long time, haven't I?

Gonna be honest, I do regret being away this long. The awful real world held it's grip on me, and I sorta became trapped there for awhile. And then, I started personal (non fanfiction) stories off of Wattpad so I got busy with those...And then college stuff, of course...just a lot.

I'm sorry. I really am guys. Hopefully, I can split my time better now that I have less work to do for school. Hopefully.

Regardless, it's nice to see you all again. I hope you enjoyed this semi short chapter.

Peace, my metahumans, inhumans, mutants and everyone In-between!!