The Fire Lord Burns

by Immigrant_writer

Summary:

The defeat of the Fire Lord was meant to mark the end of the war. But when the Gaang arrives at the Caldera, they find Fire Lord Zuko waiting for them. That's when they learn that Azula has an older brother and ending a 100-year war may not be as straightforward as they thought.
Zuko may be worse than Azula. At least they could just fight her.

Notes:

• Inspired by Fractures by EvieNyx
• Inspired by Towards the Sun by MuffinLance

I wrote most of this this last year, including the rest of this author’s note, so I decided to actually publish it. I have no idea where the story is going. Enjoy:
I haven't been able to write for my normal stories for a while (long story, not as dramatic as the usual AO3 author’s notes) so I got into reading Avatar fanfiction. I really got into reading 'Zuko never meets the Gaang and becomes Fire Lord' stories. And while many were good, I found myself craving a different form.
A lot of the stories involve Zuko being tortured by his dad and often not even being able to Firebend anymore and I'm not in love with the idea. In some ways it kinda feels awkward when everyone’s treating the injured or emaciated kid in a wheelchair like the biggest threat ever.
At worst, it feels like a quick way to force sympathy out of all the characters who have good reason to hate him.
So I've been writing my own version in my leisure. Here Zuko isn't the poor prisoner we're supposed to feel sorry for. He's the Fire Lord. And no one knows how to handle it.

Chapter 1: Azula Has A What?

 Team Avatar had no idea what to expect when they approached the Royal Palace of the fire nation. But they hadn’t expected it to be so calm. Having spent a week in Ba Sing Sae after the second takeover in a year, they almost resented it.

 Aang and Iroh had stood at the ready in Appa's saddle, prepared to deflect any fireballs that came their way as they approached, but none did.

"You think that means they've given up?" Sokka asked looking over the edge. He could see Fire Nation citizens going about their day, stopping only to point at them when they were spotted, but making no moves to challenge them.

 Appa moved closer to the palace, once again, completely undisturbed.

"Maybe," Katara said. "I think they're hailing us."

"What?" Iroh asked.

Everyone looked over the side to see two people, servants, gesturing for the flying Bison to land in one of the gardens.

 "Is... is that a trap?" Sokka asked. "What am I asking? It is a trap. Aang, land in a different garden."

 Aang grimaced but did as he was told, directing Appa to a garden closer to the palace. Right in the middle in fact.

 Everyone hopped off, arms raised, ready to fight. Iroh kept his arms in his sleeves, looking dignified. But everyone knew that he was probably the second most dangerous person there, behind Aang.

"You shouldn't have done that," a familiar voice said.

 Everyone whirled around to see Azula, dressed in casual finery, sitting on the ground in front of a pond.

"You," Katara snarled before lashing out a water whip, angling it so it would go in the direction she was sure Azula would dodge to.

 The fire princess didn't move and Katara's attack slapped the air.

 Everyone stared at the empty air in shock, including Azula. "You missed," she said. Then she gave Katara a baleful look. "Disappointing to the absolute end."

"I didn't miss. You didn't dodge."

"Oh, are you saying your inability to hit a girl sitting defenselessly in a silk dress in front of you next to a pond isn't your fault?"

"Defenseless? You killed Aang."

Azula glanced at Aang, who shuffled awkwardly, backing away from her slightly. Then she looked at Katara with a raised eyebrow. "Slander," she said plainly.

"Azula," Iroh interrupted before Katara could jump and tackle the other girl. "What are you doing?"

Azula gave her uncle a cold eye. Then she gave the rest of the group a once over before landing on Toph. "So... are you supposed to be the earth kingdom's delegation? Because people used to say my family was crazy for letting me fight in the war, but then you showed up. What are you 6?"

 Before Toph could start, Aang chose that moment to step up. "We are here for the coronation of the new fire lord."

 Everyone gave her a cold look, daring her to disagree.

 "Kinda late aren't you?"

 Everyone was taken aback by her answer.

 "Well," Katara said. "You're surrounded, so it's best if you step down."

 Azula smiled. It was her scheming smile. Everyone got even more on guard, Toph a second late in reaction to everyone else.

 Katara began bending the water in the pond, planning to sweep the princess with it.

 Azula's eyes widened. "Don't do that. You'll piss him off."

 It was such a weird statement that everyone froze. Azula was concerned about upsetting someone? They could hardly even imagine her doing so with Ozai.

 "Will you resist us crowning Iroh?" Aang asked, trying to get his bearings again.

 Azula laughed. She laughed and laughed and it freaked everyone because, aside from Iroh, it was the closest they'd heard her sound like an actual fourteen-year-old.

 "Sorry, that's just funny. I mean I knew he was right, but I can't believe he was right."

 "Who are you talking about?" Sokka asked.

 "The Fire Lord," Azula responded. "Obviously."

 "Your father is in an earth kingdom prison."

 It was almost magical, the way the princess' face dropped. "He's alive?"

 "Yeah,” Sokka said, jumping on what he perceived as an opening, “and if you don't want anything to happen to him, you'd better not stop Iroh from..."

 "Who is the Fire Lord?" Iroh asked, sounding like he was choking.

 Everyone turned and looked at him, confused.

 "Who else? Zuzu."

 "Zuko," Iroh half-whispered, his face in shock.

 Everyone looked at each other. Well, Toph mimicked the motion. Whoever this Zuko guy was, it was clearly important.

 "Wait, wait, wait," Sokka said. "You just let some guy become fire lord over you?"

 Azula looked at him like he was a child who'd asked a stupid question. "I'd hardly call the crown prince 'some guy'."

 

 And that threw everyone for a loop.

 "You found Zuko?" Iroh asked.

 "He was never lost." Azula answered. "He just didn't want to come home."

 "Wait , back up," Toph interrupted. "Who is Zuko?"

 "My Nephew," Iroh answered, his sounding voice far away. "Her older brother."

 "Ozai has another kid?" Sokka asked. Then he looked at Azula. "There's an older version of her?"

 "Why yes, except I'm very unique," Azula said. "And he's already going to be so upset about you landing your giant animal in the middle of his favorite garden and scaring his pet turtleducks instead of the area he had cleared out for you."

 It was only then that everyone noticed the collection of turtle shells around the princess. A turtleduck slowly peaked its head out, looked at them, before retreating back in.

 "You never mentioned you had a nephew." Sokka hissed at Iroh, the accusation clear in his voice.

 "Well Zuko has been missing for a while," Azula said, almost conversationally. "He only showed back up like, two days before the comet."

 Iroh continued to stare at her.

 "Wait, so is Zuko like her?" Katara asked, calculating for the possibility of a second bigger, Azula dropping from the sky at any moment.

 "Zuko was always more studious. He was determined to be the best Fire Lord he could be. He always wanted to impress his father."

 Azula laughed again.

 "Wait, if he showed up before the comet, why wasn't he with your dad?" Sokka asked.

 "Because I'm not crazy." At the sound of his voice, the kids all turned to look at the teenager who'd shown up. He looked like a softer, younger Ozai, with gold eyes and the fire lord's crown on his head. But unlike the shirtless and pathetic man they'd all seen struggling to insult them, he was dressed in full robes and standing with complete poise. There were a dozen guards behind him.

 "It was amazing," Azula said. "Zuko arrived, like the drama queen he is, planning to present himself with all the glory of Sozin's comet like a returning hero. Then I told him that father was planning to burn the earth kingdom, and I couldn't tell if he was going challenge him to an Agni Kai or try to assassinate him."

 Some of the fire nation guards seemed to do a double take at the idea.

 "I wouldn't have beaten him in an Agni Kai," Zuko said. "And you know I was never going to assassinate father."

 "Enough talking about assassinating your father," Sokka said before he pointed his sword at Zuko. "You are going to step down and let Iroh be crowned Fire Lord."

 "No I'm not." The response was so, definitive, it made Sokka feel like he'd just lied.

 "Yes you are."

 "No, I'm not."

 Sokka grit his teeth. "Stop being difficult."

 "Says the guy who barged into my palace and is asking a whole country just change the leader of the nation less than a week after he officially took power."

 "Well," Katara said. "What if we're not asking?"

 Zuko gave her a once over before looking at Azula. "The waterbender?"

 The princess, who had gotten on her feet, answered. "Yes."

 Zuko gave her another once over. Katara didn’t like that. They had been discussing her?

 "Hmm," Zuko hummed looking like he was thinking about something before looking back at them. "Still not happening."

 "Wait," Aang said, stepping forward to take control of the conversation. "Maybe he can do it."

 "Aang, he's Ozai's son."

 "Yeah, but he was going to... well, try to stop his dad?"

 "But he didn't." Sokka said.

 Aang turned back to Zuko. He stepped forward hesitantly. “Hi. We haven’t met. I’m Avatar Aang.”

 Zuko stared at him. “You’re taller than the last time I saw you.”

 Aang startled at those words.

 “What do you mean by that?” Katara asked.

 “Did I speak in riddles?”

 Aang spoke up before she could respond. "Are you willing to order the Fire Nation's surrender?"

 Now Zuko looked confused. "Surrender? What are you talking about?"

 "He's talking about you. Losing the war," Toph said matter-of-factly.

 Zuko looked at them all, baffled. Then he looked at Iroh. "Is that what you've been telling them? That the Fire Nation lost?" He thought about it some more. "Is that what you've been telling everyone?" His tone was a lot more incredulous. “Do you have any idea how much trouble that’s gonna cause me?”

 "Well, duh.” Sokka said, “Last I checked the Fire Lord is in prison."

 "My father's alive?" Zuko looked like a lost boy for a second. Then he looked shocked.

 Sokka smirked, "Yes. And our prisoner."

 "Wait, you thought he was dead?" Katara asked.

 "I didn't think any of you would be foolish enough to... never mind that. Do you think that defeating the Fire Lord means you've won the war?"

 That question had the kids looking at each other. Iroh looked down, conflicted.

 "I mean... kinda?" Aang said.

 Zuko stared at them. "Oh, well, I'm glad the war ended 80 years ago. I suppose that means we've been living in peace then. Feel free to leave."

 "What?" Katara asked. "No we haven't. The world's been at war for a hundred years. Did you not notice while here in your palace?"

 "Strange. Fire Lord Sozin died 80 years ago. Are you saying that didn't end the war?"

 "Nephew," Iroh began.

 "Don't nephew me. What was your plan? That no one would question that nonsense? Were you going to surrender? Actually, don't answer that. I'm upset with you enough as it is."

 He turned to the rest of them. "And all of you sheathe your blades. I get enough complaints from the generals about telling them to order their troops to withdraw without having to explain a bunch of foreign soldiers attacking me for no reason. I'd basically have to keep the war going if you did." He looked at his sister. "They didn't attack you, did they?"

 Everyone turned to the Princess, Katara with particularly wide eyes.

 Azula sighed. "No. They couldn't even do that right."

 "We're not soldiers," Katara said.

 Zuko looked at her like she’d quacked.

 "Wait," Aang said. "That's why the soldiers are falling back?"

 Zuko looked at him again. "No. They all simultaneously decided that the best course of action was to start falling back to fire nation territory the moment the Fire Lord stopped sending them orders."

 Aang stepped back, looking embarrassed.

 "Wait so you won't surrender, but you're retreating?" Sokka asked.

 "Withdrawing," Zuko corrected. "You know people in the rest of the world talk about the fire nation like we aren't even human, but we have a lot in common. My generals also couldn't comprehend the idea that I could just end the war like that."

 "We can comprehend that," Katara said, indignant. "But... but you can't refuse to admit you lost."

 "So... if I ordered my armies to keep fighting and ordered every firebender in the city to shoot fireballs at you and your bison as you arrived, would you be thinking, 'well at least we won the war' as you frantically tried to survive?"

 Katara stamped her foot indignant at the overly happy patronizing tone he used for her supposed inner thoughts. The sight of some of the soldiers suppressing their laughter just sprinkled salt on the wound.

 "There are two ways this war could be concluded. One side overwhelms the other's armies and fights them all the way to their home territory until they're forced to surrender. That is winning the war. The Fire Nation has failed to do that for a hundred years. Though, some do think the conquest of Ba Sing Sae should count as victory."

 Everyone glanced at Azula, who bowed performatively.

 "And save for that episode on the day of Black Sun, no one else came close to even beginning. The other is if we just stop fighting. That's ending it. Technically, no winners and losers, but if we're keeping score, despite your great victory during the comet, I'm pretty confident the Fire Nation was still winning. At the very least, we're just back to where we were last year."

 "He's saying what we want to hear," Toph said. "But I don't like it."

 "Toph," Katara exclaimed, suddenly remembering that she was still here. "Is he lying?"

 "No," the earthbender answered.

 "Well, maybe he's a good liar like his sister."

 Azula, who had moved to her brother's side, laughed again.

 "Are you just upset that I won't say we lost?" Zuko asked. "Is that it?"

 "Iroh should be the Fire Lord," Sokka tried one more time.

 "The man who passed over the position when it was his to claim, is now 55, and has been declared a traitor to the Fire Nation? That's who you want sending orders to our armies? Do you honestly think that political nightmare is preferable to just shutting up?"

 Sokka made to answer.

 "How did you even get Ba Sing Se to let him out alive?" Zuko asked his uncle, "I find it hard to believe anyone there with any authority would be happy that you were bringing the Dragon of The West here to take power."

 Everyone winced. Those had not been pleasant conversations.

 "Let me guess," Zuko said. "He was the only option that wasn't Azula?"

 No one said anything.

 "Well do you have an actual reason to complain about me taking the position that isn't 'I refuse to say that we lost? Which we very much didn't.'"

 "Well, you're Ozai's son."

 "Iroh is Fire Lord Azulon's son. And he's actually led invasions of the earth kingdom. I've never even been a soldier."

 Iroh looked ashamed as everyone turned to look at him.

 "That's not fair." Aang interjected. "Iroh's done a lot to make up for his mistakes.

 "Mistakes I haven't made."

 "Well we know we can trust him," Sokka said, his building frustration evident on his face.

 "So?"

 "What do you mean 'so?'" Katara asked.

 "It doesn't matter how much you trust him. You don't even live here. You have no authority to decide who the next Fire Lord is just because you like him."

 "We want someone who's going to end the war."

 Now Zuko was looking at Sokka with pity. "I just told you," he said slowly. "That I'm doing that. Did you hit your head on the way here?"

 Sokka began sputtering, aghast.

 "With that settled," Zuko turned around, "Let's continue inside." He stopped. Then looked back with a completely flat look on his face. "After you move your Bison."

Notes:

Okay, I may have made Zuko a bit sarcastic. But there is freedom in characterizing him without all of the trauma. Just some of it. And his journey has left him with little patience for… a lot of things.
What do you think of the story so far?

Chapter 2: My Father Is Alive?

 The group found themselves sitting in a tea room. It didn’t help Sokka’s growing theory that the Fire Nation was obsessed with tea after all the time traveling with Iroh.

 A servant delivered the tea and Iroh volunteered to pour it.

 "This isn't poisoned, is it?" Sokka asked.

 Zuko took a sip from his cup. “It is.”

 The group stared at him. He took another sip while looking Sokka in the eye.

 Azula took a sip then smiled. "The poison doesn't affect Firebenders."

 Zuko glanced at her, poorly hiding a smirk.

 "So... is this an attempt to kill Aang?" Sokka asked, confused.

 "The Avatar is a Firebender," Zuko said, matter-of-factly.

 That gave Sokka pause. He had never really thought about that.

"The tea doesn't matter," Katara said. "What does matter is making Iroh Fire Lord. He's the rightful heir to the throne."

 Zuko shot his uncle a look full of disdain. "If he wanted to be Fire Lord so badly, why isn't he?"

 Katara made to answer, but Zuko interrupted.

 "My uncle was one of the Fire Nation's most successful generals. He conquered quite a bit of land for the Fire Nation. But when my father took power, he made no attempt to take back the throne. And now that my father isn't here, I'm supposed to relinquish the position to him? Don't be absurd. He has very clearly proven he either doesn't want or doesn’t deserve it. Otherwise, why didn't this war end six years ago?" Now Zuko looked at his uncle, “If he was even interested in ending the war at the time. Who knows where we’d be if Lu Ten was still alive.”

 Katara stopped, looking like Zuko had straight up punched her in the face. She glanced at Iroh for a second before looking away just as quickly.

 The general looked decidedly guilty but didn't say anything.

 Azula looked at her brother, clearly impressed.

 Zuko himself was surprised by his own vitriol. Then he shook his head. "Anyway, Iroh can't be Fire Lord," Zuko explained. "Neither the earth kingdom nor the fire nation will accept him once they realize they don't have to. I can guarantee the earth kingdom would consider me the lesser of three evils among their options."

 Azula chuckled. "Are you bragging about the fact you've never conquered Ba Sing Se?"

 "Yes."

 "Why are you ending the war?" Toph asked. "Don't you also want to spread the glory of the Fire Nation?"

 Katara snorted.

 "Not really," Zuko admitted. "If the rest of the world isn't interested, I don't see the point in trying to spread it with and over dead bodies. Especially because it's not even getting spread properly."

 "Huh," Toph said. "That's kind of the truth."

 "Kind of?" Sokka asked. "Then what's the whole truth?"

 Zuko glared at the earth bender. "I don't think there is anything to be gained by continuing the war."

 "As opposed to starting it?" Katara asked.

 "Let me rephrase that. I think the things lost in the war far outweigh any gain. Both in the past and in a hypothetical future."

 "More true, but you're still hiding something."

 "Well, that's the best you’re getting, and you'll be happy with it," Zuko said. "If you're not, I'll just have to ask the guards to escort you out."

 "What?" Sokka asked. "You can't kick us out."

 "Yes, I can. This is my palace and you're an enemy combatant. The only reason any of you are allowed here is because you're the Avatar's entourage and I suspected you'd have my uncle. Otherwise, you'd have been shot out of the sky."

 "That doesn't sound very peaceful," Katara said.

 "Well, the war isn't over yet," Zuko reminded her. "And I don't think the earth kingdom would be any more tolerant of an airship flying over them."

 "Wait," Aang said. "Would you continue the war if the things gained outweighed the things lost?"

 Zuko looked at the Avatar searchingly. "Do you think there's a version of this war where that's possible?"

 "It's just the way you phrased it was off."

 Azula scoffed.

 “That's because I'm not rejecting the concept of war," Zuko said while glancing at his sister. "Just this one."

 Aang looked conflicted.

 "Well," Katara said, "We don't trust you."

 "I don't trust you either."

 That clearly surprised her. "What do you mean you don't trust us?"

 Now Zuko looked confused. "Why should I?"

 "We just saved the world," Sokka said.

 “That’s a bit of an exaggeration,” Azula said. “Being conquered isn’t the end of the world.”

 “Burning the world to ground kind of is,” Sokka rebutted. He was almost glad Azula had spoken up. She was much easier to argue with.

 “We weren’t gonna burn down everything.” Azula said. “I’m flattered that you thought we could though.”

 "To clarify my position,” Zuko interrupted. "I just don't trust any of you in relation to the well-being of the Fire Nation."

 Katara opened her mouth.

 Toph elbowed her. "Please don't prove his point."

 "Hey, we care. We even helped people while we were here in the Fire Nation," Sokka interjected.

 Zuko looked at them dubiously.

 "It's true," Katara said.

 Zuko sighed. "Well, I helped people when I was in the earth kingdom."

 Now it was team Avatar's turn to be dubious.

 "Oh, what's wrong?" Azula asked playfully. "Is that hard to believe off just his word?"

 Now she and Katara were glaring at each other. Zuko smiled at both of them. They both noticed and stopped to glare at him.

 His smile actually got wider. Then he frowned. "Now, what's this about my father being alive? Because I'm absolutely shocked no one killed him." He glanced at his uncle. "The news of his life will encourage his supporters. My crowning, and your hypothetical crowning that is never happening, may be considered illegitimate."

 "No need to worry about that," Sokka said smugly. "Last I checked, you need to be a fire bender to be Fire Lord and dear old dad can't bend a spark."

 Zuko and Azula glanced at each other looking shocked.

 "Wow," Azula said, though her voice was cracking. "I didn't think the Avatar was one to cripple their opponents like that. What did you do? Cut his hands off with water? Or did you burn him so badly he's scared of fire now?" She didn’t sound quite as sadistic. There was a clear hint of worry in her voice.

 "What?" Aang asked, horrified. "Of course not. I removed his bending."

 Zuko and Azula looked alike, though not so much you'd automatically assume they were siblings. But as the information Aang had just provided entered their ears, they made the exact same horrified expression.

 "I don't think I understand," Zuko said. "What did you do?"

 Aang looked confused. "I removed his fire bending."

 "Yeah," Sokka said. "Your dad is now a non-bender."

 Azula leapt to her feet, blue flames igniting in her hands.

 Katara leapt to her feet, the water from her waterskin rising out poised for attack.

 Sokka got up, reaching for his space sword, but it wasn't there.

 Aang would have gotten up, but he was too distracted by the glare Zuko sent his way.

 You could practically hear a pin drop as the groups stared at each other.

 Then there was a bang at the door, grabbing their attention.

 The servant on standby and two of the guards ran out. The group stared at the swinging door, then glanced at the two remaining guards. They seemed frozen in fear.

 "Zuko," Azula said, her voice dripping with rage. "What are you planning to do?"

 "Avatar Aang," Zuko said slowly. "Explain to me exactly what you did."

 And so Aang did.

 Now Zuko's attention was on his uncle. "And you were... aware of this?"

 Iroh nodded.

 "So..." Azula said, her voice cold. "Is the Avatar going to make a habit of removing the bending of his enemies?" She looked at Katara. “I guess that’s where all your misplaced confidence is coming from.”

 "Misplaced?" Katara asked. "Why don't you...?"

 Zuko's hand slammed into the table. He turned to one of the remaining guards. "Go get me a scribe. Right now. Tell them to bring their tools." They both took the opportunity to run.

 He looked back at them. "I think I should make it very clear right now. I am not going to tolerate threats to my family. If that's all you have to offer, leave. Letting enemy soldiers into the palace is already stretching my hospitality." He was glaring at Katara. Then he looked at Azula. He didn’t say anything.

 Azula looked at him, her face twisted in frustration before she sat back down. "I gotta say," Azula said. "All that talk of pacifism, I had no idea you had such a talent for cruelty."

 "Cruelty?" Aang asked. "I spared his life. That wasn’t cruelty. That's mercy."

 Azula laughed again. It didn't sound happy. She looked at her brother. "And he calls it mercy. That's funny."

 "This is no laughing matter," Zuko said. "We'll be lucky if there's only one riot."

 "What exactly is the problem?" Aang asked.

 "You took our father's inner fire," Zuko asked. "You basically crippled him."

 "Hey," Sokka protested. "Being a non-bender is not being crippled."

 Zuko stared at him. Then he turned to Katara. "Why don't you tell your brother what you think of the idea of never being able to bend water for the rest of your life."

 Katara’s face twisted into a scowl, bordering on pain, the very idea clearly horrifying her. And she'd clearly never thought of it.

 Zuko turned back to Sokka. "You're right. Being a non-bender doesn't make you a cripple. I apologize."

 All the non-fire nation citizens stared at Zuko, stunned that he'd apologized. Sokka and Katara sat back down.

 "But that means you don't quite understand what it means to be bender. And what the idea of losing that connection feels like."

 "Wait," Aang said. "This wasn't about cruelty. I just, wanted to stop him without killing him. Killing isn't the Air Nomad way."

 Zuko studied the young Avatar. "So... that was your mercy?"

 "Yes?"

 "Even if the person you're showing mercy to would rather die?"

 "There's no way he'd rather die" Aang protested.

 "You clearly haven't given this much thought," Zuko paused. “Have you… not talked to him afterwards? At all?”

 Aang didn’t say anything. He didn’t need to.

 The door opened and a small, mousey man walked in. "Y-you called my Lord?"

 "Yes. I need to draft a new law quickly. Then I need you to deliver it to the messengers and make sure it gets to every part of the Fire Nation."

 "But, won't it need to be looked over for..."

 "The council won’t make too many adjustments to it," Zuko said with certainty. "I need it to get ahead of the rumors no doubt already swallowing the palace up."

 The scribe glanced at Aang, nodded and closed the door behind him before sitting, just a bit away before setting down a tiny table. With practiced ease, he set up a small writing station.

 "Add all the titles and numbers later," Zuko said. "I, Fire Lord Zuko, hereby declare the removal of the bending of any Fire Nation citizen, by way of spiritual severing and energy bending, illegal. The Fire Nation will not stand for such a violation..."

 "Wait," Aang said. "You can't make that illegal."

 Zuko raised a hand, signaling the scribe to stop.

 "I'm doing it right now."

 "Why?" Katara asked smugly, "Scared he'll do it to you?"

 "Honestly? Yes. I was sure the worst thing the Avatar could do was kill me, but clearly I was wrong."

 "I wouldn't..."

 "And now, surely, there's a massive panic at the idea that the Avatar could just rip the most revered part of our people’s souls out of them if he was displeased. And he's here. I'd be shocked if any of the armies ordered to return didn't immediately stop until they learned he was gone."

 "It... you make it sound like I was being cruel when I spared him. But Air Nomads..."

 "I'm sure what you're about to say sounds very spiritually enlightened and culturally important," Azula said. "But Fire Nation culture regards your actions as an abomination. Or is that not important to you?"

 Aang clammed up. Then he looked at Iroh.

 "Oh, don't be so upset. I'm sure our precious uncle just wanted to shield you from the weight of your actions."

 "Don't you think you're overreacting just a little?" Sokka asked. "You can't just make one of the Avatar's powers illegal."

 "Yeah. Aang would only use his power on those who deserve it," Katara continued.

 "And it's supposed to be a way to avoid killing anyone." Aang finished.

 Zuko stared at the two. Then he raised his hand to his chin and thought about it. After 15 seconds, he pointed at Katara. "I see. So that's why the Earth Kingdom didn't make it illegal."

 "What do you mean?"

 "It's because at the moment, they only see the Avatar as a weapon to use against the Fire Nation. I bet they haven't even thought of the idea that he could use it on an earthbender. Or a waterbender. Or maybe you just don't value your gifts as much as we do."

 Katara gasped, insulted.

 Zuko pointed at Aang. "So, you're against killing? Really?"

 Aang nodded.

 "We can unpack that later. If you can't kill whoever you think deserves it, find someone who can. We've been at war. I'm sure you'll have options. Ask one of your friends to do it. I doubt they’ve never done it before."

 Aang gasped, then looked at his friends, who very pointedly didn't look at him.

 Then the Fire Lord pointed at Sokka. "Different uses of bending being illegal is not new."

 He put his hands down. "Do you know how the earth kingdom handles unruly firebending prisoners? They crush their hands with boulders."

 The kids winced.

 "And I'm sure you're all very aware of the southern raiders attacking the southern water tribes." For the first time since they'd met him, the Fire Lord actually looked ashamed.

 The water tribe kids went very still.

 "The Fire Nation, in its," Zuko paused, "mercy, decided that simply killing them all would be wrong. I don't think I have to explain the... quality of life that would come with keeping water benders securely imprisoned."

 The room was deathly silent.

 "On behalf of the Fire Nation and my family, I sincerely apologize for the harm that has come to your people."

 Katara looked ready to explode.

 "But my point," Zuko started, getting ahead of her, "Is that you are not the first person to find a way to restrain a bender without killing them. The former is very illegal in the colonies. I imagine the latter would be in the water tribes."

 "But..."

 "I'm making it illegal, on pain of banishment." Zuko said. "You get a pass on Ozai because it was war and because you clearly didn't know the significance. Or maybe you did, but didn't think about it as much in the face of... mercy. But I will. If your Air Nomad ways are so important to you, consider our Fire Nation ways as important to us."

 "You can't banish the Avatar," Sokka protested.

 "Why? Is the Avatar above the law?"

 "Yes? I mean… No? It's a stupid law."

 "Your opinion has been noted and discarded as you are not a citizen of the Fire Nation." Zuko looked at his uncle. "Well, Uncle. What do you think?"

 Iroh stared at the ground.. "I think... that's probably for the best."

 "What?" Sokka asked, indignant.

 "The Fire Nation is not going to accept peace with someone who they think can and will kill them on a spiritual level without some assurances that it won't happen again."

 "Fire comes from within," Zuko said. "Maybe because none of you produce your elements you really do not understand, but it's considered a part of us and a blessing."

 "What about you?" Sokka asked. "Would you prefer we kill you than take you and your sister's bending?"

 Azula made to move, but Zuko put a hand on her shoulder before glancing at his Uncle. "Is that why your here? To kill and cripple everyone who stands in the way of making my Uncle Fire Lord?"

 The group of children in front of him actually reeled.

 Azula pointed at Aang. “You better man up and kill me rather than hide behind your pretenses of mercy. You want to throw a coup in the fire nation, don't pretend to be a child while you do so. You and your group left a trail of bodies in the thousands over your little journey, so don't come at us with your fake pacifism. I am very interested in knowing how many of the Air fleet's soldiers are still alive right now. As it stands, the Fire Lord might be the person in this room who has committed the least violence against others.”

 With that, the room came to a simmering silence. Aang looked like he was grasping for something just beyond his reach. This was not how he’d expected today to go.

 "The Avatar isn't going to overthrow me," Zuko said. "It would be a terrible idea."

 "Why's that?" Katara asked, irritated.

 "Because it's very public knowledge that I'm ending the war here in the Fire Nation," Zuko said. "My intention is very well-known. So if the Avatar deposes the Fire Lord to put someone of his choosing in the position, it won't be you ending the war. It'll be you trying to place a puppet who will do as you ask without question." Zuko glanced at his Uncle before looking back at Aang. "Combined with my Uncle's track record, I'll be shocked if the Earth Kingdom trusts you after that. I bet you’ve already shown him a lot of preferential treatment to him they don’t understand. But they’ll find an understanding if they think it was all for political power. And they will be very upset."

 "This is not how we expected a peace negotiation to go," Aang said.

 "This isn't a peace negotiation," Zuko said. "Unless one of you was recently named ambassador to the earth kingdom or water tribes, all this is, is a not-friendly discussion on spirituality and me telling the Avatar I’m serious about ending the war.”

 And with that, he dictated the rest of the law and sent the scribe to quell the violence.

Notes:

Wow, I did not expect such a positive reception to the first chapter. So, here’s a second. We haven’t even gotten to the negotiations yet. Those will be fun.
Zuko may strike you as oddly aggressive, but he has to push a strong front. And he is mad at his Uncle.
The Fire Nation was never gonna burn down the entire Earth Kingdom. It’s literally impossible.
I may or may not change up how the Comet fights went in this story. Honestly, the non-Main Character firebenders were done impressively dirty. Not a single one of them won a fight. The power of a thousand suns, and it felt like literally nothing changed outside of the fire blast from the airship. Crazy work.

Chapter 3: You Call This Negotiation?

Notes:

Somehow, is chapter is longer than both before it.

 “So…” Zuko said conversationally once the scribe had left, “With all that unpleasantness behind us, let’s get back to this… Preliminary discussion of peace.” His face got more serious. Aang didn’t like how much he looked like Ozai. Iroh shifted uncomfortably.

 None of the guards had come back.

"None of you have the authority to be delegates. That's why I'm also trying to contact the earth kingdom. I have to wait for their response though." He glanced at Sokka. "I don't suppose you can contact your tribe's chief?"

 The water siblings stared at him.

 "Uh, Zuko," Iroh said. "Chief Hakoda was captured on the day of Black Sun."

 Zuko blinked, then glanced at Azula who nodded.

 “I figured you’d seen it in that pile of paperwork on your desk.”

 “That’s all just for recalling the Army. I haven’t even gotten to reviewing domestic affairs and international incidents.”

 Azula stared at him in horror.

 Zuko looked at the other siblings in the room. "I don't suppose you can contact whoever's in charge now?"

 "That would be me," Sokka said. "Seeing how my Dad is your prisoner."

 Zuko stared at them, visibly putting the pieces together in his head. "Chief Hakoda's your father?" Zuko asked. Then he looked at Azula.

 The Fire Princess looked at him. "What?"

 "I'm just trying to figure out how you found the only other violent teenage super prodigy princess in the world. Was it instinct? "

 Katara, once she realized she was the subject of his question, was caught between preening and indignation. "Don't compare me to her. I'm not violent."

 Zuko looked at her incredulously. “How old are you?”

 “What? I’m 14.”

 Then the Fire Lord blinked at her. Then he looked at Sokka with sympathy. The non-bender shuffled uncomfortably.

 "Anyway, I'm in charge,” he said. "So, I guess this is a peace delegation."

 "Okay," Zuko said. "What are your demands?"

 "Uh..." Sokka said, stuck by the sudden question.

 "Releasing the Water Tribe prisoners," Katara interjected. "And the prisoners from the invasion."

 "Yeah, that."

 "Okay. I don't suppose you have any surviving Fire Nation prisoners to exchange?"

 Both siblings looked at each other.

 "Any prisoners Chief Hakoda kept would have been delivered to the earth kingdom," Iroh said.

 "Wonder how many that was," Zuko mused. “I don’t suppose the Northern Water Tribe kept any prisoners while you were there?”

 Aang, Sokka and Katara almost seemed to freeze at the question before the Avatar shook his head. “The ocean spirit was… very thorough.”

 “Ocean spirit?” Azula asked. “Is that where the rumors of a giant fish monster came from?”

 “Yeah,” Sokka said. “Turns out if you kill the moon, there are consequences.”

 Zuko nodded, though he really wanted to ask for more information.

 “You can talk about that with the Northern Water Tribe,” Katara said. “We may have missed some.”

 Zuko nodded. "This is not an official meeting, and we can't have one until the Fire Nation's withdrawal is more finalized, but as I see it, we'll release the Water Tribe prisoners, remove our ships from your waters and deliver reparations for our raids on you in the form of supplies, to be determined in the future, and in exchange, all activates targeting Fire Nation ships and soldiers on your part must cease immediately. And you have to contact the Northern Tribe and tell them to open communications with us and make statements about our seriousness about ending the war. The non-water tribe prisoners from the invasion will be released to the Earth Kingdom when that part of negotiations comes along." Zuko decided not to bring up that the release of the Earth Kingdom prisoners would depend on the state of the Fire Nation prisoners they would be exchanged for.

 "Reparations?" Azula asked.

 “Yes,” Zuko answered giving her a flat look.

 "It's a start," Sokka said.

 Zuko barely hesitated with his next words, just enough for Azula to notice. “Your father won’t be getting released unless he vows to uphold whatever agreement we come to.”

 “What?” Katara shrieked.

 “If he’s the one really in charge of your tribe, I’m not releasing him for him to decide he doesn’t have to uphold whatever agreement we come to.”

 “That- you- what?” Katara stammered.

 “I think having him agree to our peace terms is a great bare minimum,” Azula said conversationally. “Or we could keep him like you’re keeping our father.”

 “Is that it?” Sokka asked. “You want your father back?”

 “What? No.” Zuko said. “If you brought him here, I’d have to have him executed. You understand that right?”

 Sokka grimaced, but he clearly understood.

 “But he’s your father,” Aang said quietly.

 “Yeah,” Zuko said. “And he’s a threat to any peace we may try to form. Even without his bending. How serious are you about ending this war exactly?”

 Aang didn’t say anything. No one said anything. Iroh hadn’t spoken yet, but he looked as ashen as they had ever seen him. Team Avatar had never seen Azula look so uncomfortable.

 "Now I just have to wait for the Earth Kingdom."

 "Actually," Iroh said, some life returning to him. "I was given some preliminary demands by their generals."

 "Of course you were," Zuko said, sounding tired. "What are they?"

 "They want the Fire Nation's unconditional surrender."

 "They're very funny. What else?"

 "They want Princess Azula and her Dai Li agents delivered to them as a prisoner of War and as traitors for conquering Ba Sing Se."

 The room got quiet again.

 "You weren't going to say ‘yes’ were you?" Zuko asked, his voice very still.

 "Of course not. It's a ridiculous demand and they know it."

 "What?" Katara asked, looking at Iroh aghast. "How is that ridiculous? She did conquer Ba Sing Se."

 "In the most bloodless act of conquest in the history of the war. Your invasion of the city we're sitting in killed more people. And we just talked about releasing that army." Zuko said. "And it would set a precedent of sending anyone who has won any victory in the war over as a prisoner because he'd be sending over his 14-year-old niece. It's a stupid demand for Iroh to deliver what they think is his heir into enemy hands. I don't care how embarrassed they are."

 “And how would it look if we just let people who worked with us get punished for working with us?” Azula asked. “I’m keeping my Dai Li. If they didn't want to be conquered, they shouldn't have made it so easy.”

 Katara glared at her.

 "Anything else?"

 "They want all war criminals delivered directly to them for punishment."

 "Fire Nation war criminals will be punished by the Fire Nation."

 "Come of it," Katara said. "You're gonna punish yourselves? Really?"

 "I mean... he is telling the truth," Toph said, almost not believing her own senses.

 "Toph!" Katara snapped. "There is no way..."

 "They're free to send evidence of wrongdoing to us. But unless the earth kingdom, and the water tribes, are willing to send their war criminals to us for punishment, I don't see why we should hand our citizens over. I remind you, no one is surrendering."

 "Their war criminals?" Katara asked, scandalized.

 Zuko sighed. "Please tell me that you're not under the impression that no one besides the Fire Nation has committed any atrocities in the last 100 years of war. Are you honestly telling me that you haven't met a single person in your fight against my Nation who wouldn't do something completely unethical?"

 Zuko could practically see the cogs turning in her head as she came to an answer.

 "Besides, I can't say I trust the Earth Kingdom to not try to arrest everyone in my army. Uncle, did you knowingly commit any War Crimes?"

 "No," Iroh said, his face sad. "But some soldiers under my command were willing to break the rules when no one was looking. And… I would be surprised to learn no innocent people were harmed as a result of my actions and decisions. Actually no. I wouldn’t believe it."

 Zuko looked at Toph. It took her a few seconds to realize. "True," she said.

 "But let me guess, the Earth Kingdom also thinks you're a war criminal?"

 "Obviously," Iroh admitted.

 "And we're relying on your legal system, and your laws, to determine what is and isn't a war crime?" Toph asked. "Seems convenient."

 "You know, I almost want to say we’ll rely on the Earth Kingdom’s laws, just to see what happens next," Zuko said cattily before blinking in surprise.

 "You know," Azula said. "Sinking a ship not engaged in combat without warning or a chance to surrender is considered a crime in the Fire Nation. It's not very honorable."

 "Okay?" Sokka asked. "And?"

 "And we're apparently giving you back your entire navy. Your father was the commanding officer, right? I don't think you get to complain. My father personally sentenced him and his crew to life in prison."

 The Water siblings practically choked.

 Katara shot to her feet. "You take that back," she said. "My father would never..."

 "You've seen Fire Nation Ships," Zuko said. "How do you think your navy has been able to engage so many, and come out alive, for so long? And if it's any consolation, we only have evidence of them doing it to our war ships.”

 "I... I..." Katara looked on the verge of tears.

 "It's what they had to do," Sokka said resolutely.

 "So War Crimes are okay if you have to do them to win?" Azula asked.

 "Maybe we should move on," Iroh began.

 "No," Katara snapped. "We're not moving on. Your armies came to our homes and kidnapped our people. They killed my mother while looking for me. Your people did that. And what? We're supposed to let that slide. Where's the justice?"

 Zuko looked conflicted before his expression cooled into blankness. "And what do you want exactly? Do you want me to apologize? I plan too. Do you want reparations? I plan to give them to you. Do you want your navy and all our prisoners? You can have them given you return yours. Or do you want to flood the fire nation with your own army and kill us all? Because you tried that. Or do you want to kill me? Is that it, Katara? Do you want to kill the Fire Lord? Because my grandfather is dead and you left my father alive, so where does that leave us? Do you want to kill me? My sister? Do you want to kill my mother?"

 "Well maybe then you'll know how it feels," she snapped before slamming her hand to her mouth.

 Zuko stared at her. "Well, my father probably killed her, so that's not happening."

 Azula very visibly flinched. So did everyone else, but that was normal, so it wasn’t as notable.

 "Look," Zuko said. "There is nothing wrong with you hating me or the Fire Nation. In fact, I'm sure you'll do it for the rest of your life, and you are entirely justified in it. But I'm the Fire Lord. I am the Fire Nation. And I can only give you what I can give you." A thought occurred to him. "Your mom wasn’t a waterbender?"

 Katara didn’t answer. She was staring at the ground, practically shrouded in shame.

 "She was a non-bender, not that it should matter." Sokka bit out. "She lied to save her. They were looking for the last waterbender."

 Zuko turned to look at the older of the two. "If he was ordered to kill the last waterbender of the North Pole, my grandfather is already dead. It’s my understanding that the raids ended before my father’s reign began. If he was not, I can punish him for going against orders, though I expect not as severely as you want. But if you're asking me to punish fire nation soldiers for doing what they were told to do, you aren't thinking about the fact that there is an army of such people currently in the Earth Kingdom all very capable of deciding not to listen to me. I can't punish a Fire Nation soldier for doing what the Fire Lord ordered him to do unless it was particularly egregious. Especially considering the consequence of disobedience. And that's if he’s even still alive."

 Katara didn't say anything. Aang reached over and slung an arm around her and she leaned into him.

 Zuko exhaled, but then Azula put her hand on his shoulder and squeezed supportively.

 "Sounds like you're just avoiding responsibility," Sokka said bitterly.

 "Oh, is the release of all our prisoners not good enough?" Azula asked. "I mean, you did invade our home. We were just better prepared."

 The water in their tea began shaking. Azula glanced at her cup. Then the fires on the torches around the room turned blue.

 "We didn't start this war," Katara said. "You did."

 "And you won't be satisfied until you punish us?" Azula asked. “It’s funny how you just said you’re not violent? Or is it not violence when you’re doing it to your enemies? Because I don’t think I’m violent either. I’m too efficient and graceful.”

 “Graceful?” Katara asked finally looking up. “You tried to kill Aang. You’re nothing but a cold-blooded-”

 “Should we a clear a place for you two to spar?” Zuko interrupted.

 The girls stared at him in shock, before glaring at each other.

 "My Uncle,” Azula said the word like it disgusted her, “may have rolled over for anything you asked for, but unfortunately, The Fire Lord has no intention of letting the war end on the terms of people who hate our nation."

 "And we should?" Sokka asked.

 "I don't hate you," Zuko said. "None of you, or your nations, have actually done anything to hurt me." Then he glanced at Azula.

 The princess sighed. "I don't hate you either. I just know I'm better than you."

 "She will not be making decisions during negotiations," Zuko said, almost mechanically.

 Katara looked Zuko in the eyes, "I think you're imagining a far more sympathetic picture of the man who killed my mother than I am. He definitely wasn't some unfortunate conscript."

 Zuko didn't say anything. He believed her.

 "One more question," Toph said. "Do you have any Fire Nation officers you’re currently planning on charging with War Crimes?"

 Zuko stared at the little girl. The one Azula told him could detect lies who had already displayed the ability. "Not at the moment." He said as steadily as possible.

 "Lie. You’re not even close to as good as your sister. What did they do?" Now everyone was staring at her.

 Zuko grit his teeth. "That is need to know information."

 Toph smiled. "Okay Sparky. I believe you. And by the way, I’m the only person from the Earth Kingdom in this city."

 “Well that’s not true,” Azula said. “Have you already forgotten the Dai li?”

 “The only real Earth Kingdom citizen,” Toph said.

 “That’s not true either,” Azula said with her ‘I know something you don’t smile.’

 Zuko sighed. Then he looked at his uncle. "Is that all?"

 "They want all Fire Nation colonies returned to the Earth Kingdom."

 "And let me guess, you were gonna say yes?"

 "You're not?" Aang asked, alarmed.

 "That's a matter of negotiation."

 "What? No. You have to. The Four Nations have to remain separate."

 "Do they?" Zuko asked.

 "What does that mean?" Toph asked.

 "It's some new age idea he's caught about the possibility of all nations mixing," Azula said with a scoff.

 "That sounds like Sozin," Aang said accusatorily.

 "Mixing, not being one, Zuko said. "As in, no one nation has unique claim over a bending type. And involving less violence and more marriages."

 "A real mixed-race utopia," Azula said derisively. “Would we even still be called the Fire Nation?”

 “I don't imagine it'll happen anytime soon," Zuko said. "Honestly, I'm not sure it'll ever work. But it's nice to imagine."

 "You still have to leave the earth kingdom," Aang insisted.

 "We are. Last time I checked, the earth kingdom isn't literally the continent it's built on," Zuko said.

 "To earth benders it is," Toph said. "That's our culture," she said smugly.

 That gave Zuko pause. Then he continued. "I'll take that into account when negotiations start, but that depends on the Earth Kingdom. We’re withdrawing from contested and technically already conquered land, but the colonies are a different matter. Ones like Yu Dao are older than my uncle. To the people in it, it's their only home and I’m not kicking them out of it."

 "Boo hoo," Toph said dryly. She hadn’t said much, but as the resident Earth Kingdom citizen, she was her people’s representative at the table.

 "And while their creation is unfortunate," Zuko continued. "I'm not going to pretend they don't exist and aren't currently my responsibility. I have no intention of paying back suffering with more suffering. Besides, this wouldn't be the first time someone's conquered land. The only difference is that it's across the sea."

 "But... you can't just leave pieces of the Fire Nation in the Earth Kingdom."

 "It's not anymore earth kingdom as the air temples and their surrounding territories are," Zuko said.

 Aang narrowed his eyes.

 Zuko seemed to realize what he'd stepped in and moved on. "Or Omashu. Where some crazy earthbender who speaks in riddles gets away with being a King because no one in Ba Sing Se seems to care."

 "But it's still a part of the Earth Kingdom," Aang protested. Then he paused. “Have you met Bumi?”

 "How many Earth Kingdoms are there?" Zuko asked, ignoring Aang. "Because the way I see it, there are practically 3 almost independent nations, and a water tribe on the continent. And funny enough, they're only considered one kingdom because someone conquered them."

 "You know about the Swamp Benders?" Sokka asked.

 “Why are we discussing Zuko’s trip through Earth kingdom?” Azula asked.

 “It’s just…” Sokka didn’t finish his statement.

 "You know," Zuko said. "I get the feeling that the fact I want to end the war is making you misunderstand that I, first and foremost, have the Fire Nation's best interests at heart. And I do not believe letting the earth kingdom take control will be good for the people who live there. How about this? You go to Yu Dao, and you tell them what you think, then come back and tell me what they said."

 Aang blinked. He hadn’t realized how much softer and more emotional Zuko’s voice had gotten until he snapped back to the one he’d had at the beginning of the negotiations.

 "So what?" Sokka asked. "Fire Nation citizens won't be jumping at the chance to lose the land."

 "You realize almost everyone in those colonies is a Fire Nation citizen to some degree, right? Even the ones you'd consider Earth Kingdom. Actually... Azula, go get Kori."

 The Princess smiled as she got up, obeying her brother's order in a heartbeat. That didn't bode well.

 A few second after she left, Zuko turned to the other, his face as frigid as the North Pole. “I am willing,” he began, “to put up with a lot of negative comments. About myself. Even about my country. But you should be aware that if any of you say anything to imply my sister is a monster or less than human, I will have you physically thrown into the ocean.”

 Everyone stared at him.

 “This is not negotiable. This is not a request. This is a condition of my hospitality.”

 “Oh come on,” Sokka said. “Azula’s a big girl, she can handle herself. She doesn’t need her big brother running interference for her.”

 “What if I said your sister’s a bitch?”

 Sokka jerked violently, glaring at the Fire Lord. The rest of the group stared in shock and indignation.

 “What? I thought being 14 meant she was old enough to handle herself? Or have you reconsidered your position on insulting young girls?”

 “I think you’ve made your point Nephew,” Iroh said.

 Zuko glanced at him like he wanted to speak, but chose not to.

 "What do you think a Fire Nation citizen is, exactly?"

 "Well, duh, someone from the Fire Nation," Sokka said.

 "So the people born on what you consider Earth Kingdom land?"

 "Okay, no. People with Fire Nation blood."

 "So, how much Earth Kingdom blood would it take to become an Earth Kingdom citizen?"

 "Wha...?"

 "Surely you've come across the concept of mixed-race families. Like, is an earth bender no longer an earth kingdom citizen if she's from the Fire Nation?"

 "What? No..."

 "And you, Avatar. What's your plan with your kids? I assume you plan on repopulating your people."

 Aang blushed. So did Katara, but Zuko didn't notice it on her dark skin.

 "So, say you get together with an earth kingdom girl. Will your non-airbending kids be citizens of a different nation?"

 "I... that's not relevant."

 "It kind of is. What am I supposed to tell the earth bending fire nation citizens? Sorry, the Avatar said you have to be loyal to another nation because your parents passed down the wrong genes?"

 "It's not that complicated!" Aang yelled with a burst of wind. "An earth bender can't be a fire nation citizen."

 The doors burst open and an angry young woman in red and green clothes burst in. "Who said that?"

Everyone stared.

 "Uh... I did?"

 Kori stared at the Avatar in shock before recovering, as she raised her foot and slammed it down. There was a small earthquake that shook the room. "So what? Are you gonna ban me from being a citizen of my nation?"

 "Uh..."

 "Meet Kori Morishita," Zuko said. "She's an earth bender. And a Fire Nation citizen. From Yu Dao. She doesn't take kindly to people telling her she can’t exist."

 The group stared at the angry girl who looked at Zuko and did a double take before bowing to him.

 "Oh God," Katara said. "You..."

 Kori growled. "My parents are married," she said with the air of someone who hated how often she had to say it.

 "How? Your mom just married a fire nation citizen?" Sokka asked.

 "Yeah," Kori said. "It's almost like we're people or something."

 "On top of that," Zuko said. "I simply have no trust in Ba Sing Se’s ability or willingness to protect those who stay behind. You know, the collaborators who lived in relative peace with their enemies. Or the Fire Nation citizens who may choose to become immigrants rather than come back. And honestly, I don't even think I can trust you to sort out who should stay and who should leave."

 "But... no harm would come to them." Aang’s voice wasn’t as confident as he’d hoped it would be.

 "I believe you think that. But I also know you don't plan to run the government or live there, so I have to go by what I have seen. And a lot of the Earth Kingdom probably hates mixed children more than actual Firebenders."

 “My Lord,” Kori said, “I just to want to say, I am 100% certain they do.”

 "Why would you even want to be Fire Nation?" Sokka asked, still staring at Kori. Like he wasn't in front of the Fire Lord.

 "You mean the people who took a small farming village and made it into one of the richest most successful cities in the world?" Kori asked. "That Fire Nation?"

 "I love patriotism," Azula said from her position leaning on the door, pleasure dripping from her voice.

 Aang was staring at Kori like his brain was short-circuiting.

 "I have a question." Iroh said.

 "Do you now?" Zuko asked.

 "Imagine negations end and you still have Yu Dao. What would be your first move?"

 Zuko stared at his uncle.

 "Answer the question," Sokka said.

 "Citizenship and economic reform," Zuko said, sounding pained as he did. "To benefit the more... earth-based citizens."

 "So you don't think they're being treated right?" Sokka asked smugly.

 "I think I have a responsibility to the people who live there," Zuko said evenly. “And the conditions of being at War with the earth kingdom has made things more complicated than they should be.”

 "Well, I guess you wouldn't be the worst imperialist to dominate over them," Toph said flippantly. “And I guess you’ll let everyone else out of their work camps?”

 "This isn't a negotiation," Iroh said.

 "What?" Sokka asked.

 "This is Zuko's initial reaction to demands, but no one here is actually representing the earth kingdom. And most rulers start all discussions from the position that gives them the most power." Iroh looked at Zuko. "You'll keep yourself open to negotiations and compromises?"

 Zuko nodded.

 "Not sure how much that'll help," Azula said. "I mean, has the earth king made a single political decision in his life?"

 "Anything else?" Zuko asked, interrupting that discussion. Sokka was really starting to hate that question, but he was also glad for the diversion.

 "Nothing you'll agree to," Iroh said. "Or are you willing to hand over our entire navy and all our wartime innovations."

 Zuko gave him a flat look. "Was the Earth King even serious when he gave you that list?"

 "It's not from the Earth King. It's from his generals. King Kuei and Bosco are still missing?"

 "Bosco?" Zuko asked.

 "His bear," Aang supplied.

 Zuko stared at the Avatar. "I'm starting to regret letting you in this palace."

 "That's where you draw the line?" Azula asked. "The bear?"

 "They did ask for Reparations too."

 "That was expected. Though any Reparations is going directly to the lands that have been affected, and nowhere near Ba Sing Se. My sister tells me the king didn't even know about the war until right before she conquered it."

 "And that's the Earth Kingdom I'm supposed to be a part of?" Kori asked.

 Zuko glanced at Kori, and it occurred to him she was probably the biggest fan of the Fire Nation in the room.

 “And we’re supposed to trust you on this?” Sokka asked.

 “I find it hard to believe we’re supposed to trust Ba Sing Se?” Azula said. “They hardly have the capacity to take care of their city and are so incredibly isolated.”

 “And whose fault is that?” Sokka asked.

 “Good question,” Azula said before looking at Iroh, “Whose fault was it uncle?”

  Zuko looked at Aang, “And you?”

 "Me?" Aang asked.

 "The Last Air Nomad. What do you want?"

 "I... uh... me?"

 Zuko stared at the boy, taking in his age. "You will of course, be getting a public apology on behalf of my family and my nation. The genocide of the air nomads was... horrible. And as the last of them, you are your own representative."

"I... I don't know." Aang said. “I never really thought about it.” Then a thought occurred to him. "People think we had an army."

 "You didn't?" Zuko asked.

 "No," Aang sounded quietly. "We didn't."

 Zuko put his hand to his chin and glanced at the two girls on his side. Azula was hiding any shock she may have had, but Kori looked horrified. She opened her mouth to say something. Probably call him a liar. Zuko silenced her with a gesture.

 "Our education system's gonna need an overhaul on par with the one that got us here. I think all three nations need to stop thinking the others eat human flesh. I have met people in the Earth Kingdom who think that’s what the Water Tribes do with their dead.” Zuko looked at Aang, taking in just how young the boy was. “We'll also return all captured artifacts from the Temples. I’d offer you a place to stay, but I suspect you have no interest in living in the Fire Nation."

 Zuko got to his feet. "We clearly all have something to think about. Because you are the Air Nation, separate from being the Avatar.”

 He looked at everyone else. “You can all use the guest room. Please refrain from insulting my staff.” He turned and did a double-take when he saw Kori staring at him.

 "Oh right," Zuko said. "You guys are staying there."

 "Actually," Sokka said. "We'll camp with Appa."

 Zuko looked at them. “If that’s what you want.” Then he looked at his uncle.

 Azula looked at him too. Then she looked at Zuko with pure curiosity.

 "Will you be staying with the Avatar or...?"

 Iroh looked at his nephew with a shrewd eye. "If it’s okay, I would like to stay closer to my family."

 Zuko nodded. “There is a free guest room. You can have free reign of that, and the gardens if you want to discuss more with the Avatar.”

 Azula nodded in approval.

 Iroh nodded impassively.

 

////

 

 Azula walked into Zuko’s room and shut the door behind her. It wasn’t technically where the Fire Lord should be living, but Zuko was having their father’s room remodeled before daring to set foot in it.

 It was the middle of the night, so he was predictably hard at work.

 “Bravo,” she said. “I really thought you’d fold in front of Uncle.”

 Zuko looked up from his desk with a raised eyebrow. “Do you have such little faith in me?”

 Azula shrugged. “You weren’t exactly the picture of a perfect Fire Lord. But you held your ground.”

 Zuko smiled. “You learn a thing or two when you travel with earthbenders.”

 “So you say,” Azula mused as she walked up to him. “I really thought you were going to get all sad and nice when Katara brought up her dead mom.”

 Zuko paused, frowning. Azula took the opportunity to look at the papers he’d been going over. The most recent prison roster for the Boiling Rock and the orders concerning the capture of the Southern Waterbenders. She scoffed. “You never change.”

 “I’m just double checking everything so I won’t be blindsided.”

 “The way you talked about it, I don’t think they expect you to talk about it again. The Fire Lord clearly shut that down.”

 And then a conflicted look appeared on Zuko’s face.

“What are you thinking about Zuko?” Azula asked as she picked up one of his trinkets and began turning it over in her hands.

 Zuko glanced at his sister. He considered lying, very briefly. “I may have to have father assassinated,” he admitted as he stood up. “I’m distracting myself from debating which way would have the least collateral.”

 Azula stopped breathing as she stared at her brother as he walked past her and to a painting of himself as Fire Lord that was hanging on his wall.

 “You said you’d never assassinate father,” Azula said, her tone even.

 “I might have to,” Zuko said. “He’s the symbol of the old regime. Alive and well.” Then he laughed. “Actually, I wish he was well. He’s alive and a martyr. I can practically feel the civil war.”

 “That’s very… Fire Lord of you,” Azula said. “I’m sure the Avatar would be horrified.”

 Zuko groaned in irritation as he leaned back on his chair. “I knew the Avatar and his friends were children,” Zuko said. “But I didn’t realize that they’d somehow… remained children. Or at least he did. It’s like the Avatar doesn’t even hate us.”

 “Eh,” Azula said. “I’m not sure he’s capable of hate. I’m pretty sure I did kill him.”

 “He doesn’t see what could happen if father remains alive. The many lives that could be lost. I don’t get it.”

 Azula looked at her brother’s back, imagining what it would look like if his hair was longer and he was taller. Then she schooled her emotions and smirked. “And here I thought you were bring ruthless. But you’re just being nice again. Why don’t you let the Avatar see the results of leaving Father alive? Rub it in his face a little? You’d kill Father just to save his innocence?”

 “I’d kill father because a civil war would be disastrous,” Zuko said before turning and giving his sister an inquisitive look.

 “Not much of a Fire Lord if you don’t think you can hold onto power with a crippled old man challenging you. I was impressed with how you handled Uncle, but if you’re scared…”

 “Azula,” Zuko interrupted. “I know why you’re saying this. I don’t want father to die either. He’s our father. And, I want our family to be whole again.” He walked to her and grabbed her wrist, raising it so her sleeve fell down, revealing a burn scar in the shape of a handprint on her forearm. “But I am never letting him near you again.”

 Azula froze and fear briefly flashed across her face before she remembered that the Fire Lord holding her was not her father and pulled her arm back. “I don’t need you to protect me,” she said. “I’m a warrior.”

 Zuko smiled and Azula hated it. And she hated herself for not resisting as he pulled her into a hug. “Don’t worry Lala,” he said softly. “I know you’re a warrior.”

 Azula hugged him back, burying her face into his shoulder.

 “Everyone loves you,” she muttered. “Father… he loves me. Even a little. Even if it hurt. He loves me.”

 “I love you,” Zuko said.

 Azula hugged tighter.

 “Ty Lee and Mai love you.”

“Ty Lee’s only here because I scared her,” Azula admitted.

 “And yet, she still loves you.”

 “You’re still a Dum-dum,” Azula asked.

 Zuko pulled back from the hug and looked at her. “It’s true. The way she goes out of her way to help you isn’t born from fear.” Then he smiled. “Father didn’t have anyone like that. Well, besides us. And he hurt us anyway. Do you hurt Ty Lee?”

 “Of course not.” Azula snapped. Then she looked to the side. “Is it really that simple? Helping people?”

 “Helping people isn’t bad,” Zuko said.

 Azula rolled her eyes and walked past him to look at the painting. “Well, it’s good you can resist that urge when you’re being Fire Lord. Even if you were pretty lenient about the Water Navy. That thing about only sinking war ships. That's not what Admiral Kil said. Or Commander Lakan."

 "Admiral Kil would believe the, and I quote, 'Water Pirates' ate all the fish in the sea to explain why he didn't catch anything that day. And Commander Lakan is literally traumatized by the color blue and is scared of going near the sea after he spent a week drifting in it. I trust their judgement of the Water Tribes about as much as I trust most of the Earth Kingdom’s about the Fire Nation."

 Azula didn’t say anything and continued to stare at the painting.

 “You know, when you told me about Katara, I figured you two could become friends.”

 Azula spun around and stared at her brother.

 He raised his arms in surrender. “I know, a pipe dream. Especially with how much she hates our family. I guess I never really thought about the possibility she’d have such a… personal anger.”

 “She said mom should die,” Azula said.

 “Do you even believe she meant that?”

 Azula didn’t want to admit that she didn’t, so she didn’t say anything.

 “If this is how talking with the Avatar is like, I can’t imagine negotiating with the Earth King.”

 Azula laughed. “Kuei’s a total pushover. You could probably keep all the colonies with a little pressure.”

 “We aren’t keeping all the colonies,” Zuko admitted. “Yu Dao and a few like it have blossomed and ironed out differences, but… we’re not keeping a third of them. Their just centers of pain and oppression and work camps where our rule will never be accepted.”

 Azula smiled. “You’re going to graciously only keep a few of the colonies when negotiations end.” She said with a smirk.

 “And some buffer lands,” Zuko said.

 Azula smiled. “It’s times like this where I almost think being the Fire Lord sounds fun.”

 “Oh, so will you help me with my Paperwork?”

 “I can set them on fire for you.”

 “I can do that myself.”

 “And yet you’d rather look into who killed the Water Tribes’ mother rather than sleep.”

 Zuko didn’t say anything.

 “Yeah, you aren’t like normal Fire Lords. Even without removing the context of ending the war.”

 “Oh, I’m sure there have been some like me.”

 Azula nodded. “There were probably many insomniacs.”

 Zuko gave her a flat look. “I have to do all this to stabilize the country.”

 “Oh, I know. But you are putting off one very important thing that needs stabilization. Succession.”

 Zuko gave his sister a flat look.

 “All I’m saying is that a responsible Fire Lord would already have Mai in here helping to create the next heir to the throne.” She thought about it. “Though a properly irresponsible one would also invite Ty Lee so there could be a succession crisis when they die.”

 “You’re not funny Azula,” Zuko sputtered.

 “Really?” the princess asked, tossing the trinket in her hand at him as she began moving to the door, “Because when I send Mai here to make sure you go to sleep, Ty Lee and I are definitely going to be laughing.”

 “Azula!” Zuko yelled, but she was already gone. He sighed before looking at the necklace he was holding. “Now what am I gonna do with you?”

Notes:

I have rewritten this like, seven times and now it looks extremely different from when I first wrote it
With Zuko presumed dead, Ozai could focus all his disappointment on Azula. And he did not appreciate her ‘false report’ on the Avatar’s death.
I don’t want team Avatar to come across too negatively in this fic. They’re a lot of things, like naïve, but they aren’t stupid. They’re victims. Kids who had to fight in a crazy war because they were extremely powerful. And Zuko is defending the country responsible. Kya’s death is an example of something he doesn’t really have a smart retort for when her grieving daughter is staring at him. So is the whole, you know, genocide. But you still have to put things together afterwards no matter how unjust everything is. In related news, I’ve been listening to YouTube videos and the stories of all the cool and horrible people we have in real life history.
Zuko’s kind of like if John Rabe was Hitler’s successor. On one hand, he was an almost unbelievably virtuous person. On the other hand, try telling that to the allies in World War 2 the new Nazi leader wants peace. And also wants to keep parts of Poland and Austria-Hungary.
I feel like some stories focusing on Zuko and the Fire Nation tend to make Katara feel like the bad guy, which is admittedly a side-effect of perspective. But I don’t want people to read this story and walk away thinking she’s unreasonable. She’s just… understandably emotional. She doesn’t actually want to kill anyone, but she can’t stand the idea Yon Rha gets to walk free. And the Fire Nation has earned it’s reputation as the bad guy. But Zuko looks at the war on a Macro-level and any outrage at individuals rings hollow to him, especially while Ozai is still alive. Katara also never got to have all the character development that came with Zuko’s existence.

Chapter 4: Zuko Did What?

 There was a riot. From the outer garden team Avatar camped in, they could hear the noise. But it only lasted a couple minutes before it was successfully dispersed. Aang had trouble sleeping that night, but they were too emotionally exhausted to talk about what had happened.

The next morning, when they woke up, they found an assortment of meals waiting in the garden.

 “Toph,” Sokka complained as he dug into something he recognized as meat. “You didn’t warn us we were being snuck upon.”

 “Your mouth is literally full of the food they brought,” Toph said from where she was lying flat, dropping nuts into her mouth.

 Sokka swallowed. “So… about the Fire Lord. That did not go as planned.”

 “Did we have a plan?” Toph asked.

"It's like he just… wants the Fire Nation to get a pass on everything it did," Katara said joining her brother, Aang and Toph’s head in a circle around the food. "And he's dressing it up by ending the war."

"He does want to end the war," Toph said. "And I think it’s even for the right reasons. But he clearly cares about the Fire Nation more than any other. And he doesn't trust anyone outside it much. It's kind of his job to try and get as much of a pass as he can."

"Well, he shouldn't," Katara said. "I mean, that first one. We shouldn't need his trust."

"The leader of the Fire Nation shouldn't care more about the Fire Nation?" Toph asked.

"All world leaders should care about other nations."

"Have we met a single world leader that did though?" Sokka asked.

"He can't just protect the Fire Nation's interest above all others. They're the ones who destroyed the world."

"They also have all the leverage. They might very well be the only ones strong enough to put it back together. I remind you that most of their army is in the earth kingdom and are only retreating because he told them to," Toph said. "And I don't think they'll react well to us deposing the leader who was already ending the war. Unless you want to continue the war just so we can properly win it." She paused. “I mean, we probably could. But it’ll look really bad and a lot more people will die first.”

 “Of course I don’t want to continue the war,” Katara snapped. “It’s just… frustrating.”

 “He’s being very careful with his uncle,” Toph remarked.

 “What do you mean?” Sokka asked.

 “He specifically said his uncle has free reign over the guest room and the gardens.”

 “So…?” Katara asked, reaching for some spicy baked dough she’d found she liked while they’d been travelling through the enemy nation.

 “That means he can’t go anywhere else. And he’s probably being monitored. Zuko’s making sure he can’t go under his nose. It means he sees him as a potential threat to his throne.”

 Sokka glanced at a guard close by whose eyes were focused squarely on Appa. He was too far to hear them. “I guess us constantly saying he should abdicate didn’t help.”

 “Does he really not trust his uncle?” Aang asked.

 “I wouldn’t,” Sokka admitted. “Not in his position. Iroh wants to do a lot of things he thinks will harm his nation. Even if they’re the right thing to do.”

 “Does he?” Toph asked. “He wasn’t gonna hand Azula over. We’ve never actually talked with him about what he’d do as Fire Lord.”

 “Yeah but… are you saying we shouldn’t trust Iroh?” Katara asked.

 “I’m saying we haven’t really thought about what he’d have to do to end the war while keeping the Fire Nation in one piece.” Toph frowned as she sat up. “This whole mission has been about restoring balance. The Fire Nation needs to be intact, or we’d be the ones disrupting things in the other direction. And I hate to say it, but removing all the colonies might not be a requirement.”

 “All?” Sokka asked.

 “Yeah, I’ve listened in on my Dad negotiating more than once. I’m familiar with what he’s doing. He’s asking for too much so he can graciously be worked down to what he wants. Weren’t you paying attention to what he said?”

 Sokka thought about it. “He said he wanted to keep the colonies but only justified the really old ones that have been properly settled.”

 “How did you not notice that smarty pants?” Toph asked.

 “I’m a tactician, not a politician.”

 “Really? Because it sounded like you’re your tribe’s interim chief until your Dad comes back.”

 Sokka frowned.

 Toph kicked her feet out. “But yeah, it is frustrating. We had to fight a whole war and it’s like Zuko can just end it with ease now that he has a chance. Why couldn’t anyone else do it?”

 "He shouldn’t be keeping colonies," Aang said. "The Fire Nation has earth bending citizens. That's not right."

"The Fire Nation would disagree," Sokka said.

"What's wrong with that?" Toph said. "I mean, exactly what's wrong?"

"It's messed up. It's important for the sake of balance that the nations remain separate."

"What about the swamp benders?" asked Katara. "They basically live in the middle of the earth kingdom."

"Yeah, but they aren't part of it. Are they?"

"So, location doesn't matter. You just can't be loyal to another nation? Because that seems oddly, I don't know, human? Like it's more of a human concern than a spiritual one." Katara said, a pensive look on her face. “Didn’t people like that exist in your time?”

 “I mean. Yeah, but they were rare. Like Avatar Kiyoshi.”

 “Kiyoshi?” Sokka asked, reacting to the word like a trained puppy.

 “Her mother was an airbender. Well, a criminal airbender. But Kiyoshi was a citizen of the Earth Kingdom.”

 Now Katara was more interested. "So, if you have kids, will you just, not teach any non-airbenders about Air Nomad culture."

"Air nomads are all benders," Aang said, sounding uncomfortable. “If they can’t bend…”

"So your kids will just… be divided by how they bend?"

 “I… I don’t know. I’ve never thought about it.” What little emotion Aang was showing seemed to drain out of him with that admission. “I’ve never thought about there being more air nomads. And how that would happen. And how I would teach them.” He looked at Katara. “I’ve never even thought about the idea I’d have non-air bending kids.”

The conversation was getting very heavy, and Toph was not a fan, so she was grateful for the approaching distraction. "Azula's coming. And she brought her friends."

The whole group instinctively tensed up for a fight.

Azula, Ty Lee and Mai strolled in. Everyone noted that the Princess was wearing more combat-capable clothes, but without armor.

"Hello peasants," Azula said. "Did you like sleeping outside?"

"Azula," Ty Lee said exasperatedly.

"What are you doing here?" Katara asked.

"In the garden in front of my home?" Azula asked.

"You-I..." Katara sputtered.

Ty Lee flipped over to them and landed in a lotus position, slipping herself into their circle. "So... how was your night?"

The group gave the overly friendly girl a once-over.

"It was fine," Sokka said, suspiciously.

"Why are you here?" Aang asked.

"I figured I’d try something new," Azula said, “and that involves a little espionage. See if I can get around my brother.”

"In what way?" Sokka asked, his suspicion rising. "You don't want the war to end?"

"I mean... not particularly."

That put everyone on guard.

"I like the whole, conqueror thing. It suits me. But I'm never topping Ba Sing Se and pretty much winning the war. Taking the impenetrable city with an army of three girls. Might as well go out on a high note. I heard there were more casualties when it was taken back than when it was conquered. And it turns out, I'm not the biggest fan of like, trying to rule people. It's just... politics."

"Weren't you raised as a princess?" Sokka asked.

"I was raised as a warrior."

"So, Zuko's doing the ruling and you what? Can't exactly conquer with no war." Toph remarked.

"Eh, that remains to be seen. You guys are practically ready to continue the war just so you can win it. And you’re the optimistic children.”

 “Azula,” Mai said, her tone warning. “Stop bullying them.”

 Azula’s eyes widened as she looked back at her before she turned back to her former enemies, who were sputtering at the idea they were being bullied. “But this isn’t about the violence of the future. This is about now. And Zuko’s contradictory nature.”

 "You mean doing what we want but pissing us off?" Toph asked.

 "Oh, no. I have no problem with that. It's been very entertaining. Come," She turned and began walking away. The group defiantly stayed sitting apart from Ty Lee.

Azula stopped. "Or are you not interested in Zuko's secrets? Because I'm pretty sure you'll find these ones to be quite impactful."

Sokka cursed his curiosity as he, and everyone else, got up.

"Anyway," Azula said as she walked. "Zuko's always had this gift. For making people like him."

"Really?" Katara asked skeptical.

"Yeah. It's weird. Maybe it's his face or something. People trust him. I imagine it's how he gathered the ragtag group of people who he came home with. You've met Kori."

"Yeah," Aang said.

"He hasn't been acting very nice with us," Katara said.

"That's because you haven't been talking with Prince Zuko," Mai said. "You've been tangling with Fire Lord Zuko. The guide and representative of the Fire Nation. Agni's chosen. The head of the nation who must protect his people."

 "I imagine you guys are nice to the people you're not at war with," Ty Lee added. The words sounded so much more striking coming from the bubbly voice of one of their most dangerous enemies.

 "Getting him to go along with the idea of punishing his people is already a hard sell," Azula said. "You'd have a better chance of getting any other nation's leaders to condemn their own people."

"Yeah, but they didn't start the war."

"Yeah, but neither did Zuko," Ty Lee said. "He's ending it."

"Because we aren't giving him a choice," Katara said. As soon as she said it, she realized how wrong it sounded.

 “Is that how it seems to you?” Mai asked. “You talked to him quite a bit. Did he strike you as someone who was only interested in peace because he didn’t have a choice?”

 The Gaang thought about it and realized that, for all their complaints about the new Fire Lord, wanting to continue the war was far from one of them.

"He's wanted to end this war since he was started learning about it,” Azula said “Frankly, you just gave him the opportunity when you..." she paused. The group couldn't see her face, but they could practically hear her feelings. "...captured our father."

"Wait," Sokka said. "If he loves his country so much, why is he ending the war?"

Azula stopped, making everyone else stumble to a halt. She looked back at them with a searching gaze. "Interesting. Do you think that continuing the war is in the Fire Nation's best interest?"

"What? I didn't say that."

"You kinda did," Aang said.

"I mean... wouldn't he think that if he raised the same as you?"

"Are you complaining that Zuko thinks the right thing to do is the same thing you think it is?" Mai asked.

"Anyway," Azula interrupted. "Shortly before the Avatar's return was announced to the world, Zuko got a vision. From Agni. That he was to look to our colonies to understand the future of the Fire Nation."

"And your Dad believed him?" Sokka said. “Ozai didn’t strike me as the spiritual type.”

"Kinda hard not to when your son finds a secret compartment in a temple that's older than the war and gets the Fire Sages behind him. And Dad wanted him out of sight anyway. He went to the colonies, and within a month, he was just gone, for several months. And then he came back with all sorts of crazy stories about what he’d been doing.”

 The Gaang waited for Azula to elaborate, but she just kept walking.

Once they reached the palace, Azula took off with a running start, scaling up one of the pillars before grabbing the edge of the roof and hoisting herself up. She turned to the others who were staring at her. "Well? I don't have all day."

Once everyone was on the roof with her, they began sneaking across it.

"Now," she said. "Try not to make any noise. Just watch."

 “Hmm,” Toph said performatively, “Well, I’ll do my best.”

As they approached a familiar garden, startling a pair of guards who were stationed on the roof. Azula made a sign at them, and they nodded and ignored them.

Zuko was running through a series of katas, but instead of wielding flames, he was wielding two swords. And he was shirtless.

"What are we-" Katara began to ask, getting flustered, but Azula hushed her, her eyes trained on Aang. The young Avatar stared at the Fire Lord in confusion. Then, slowly, the confusion changed into shock. He opened his mouth to say something, but Azula clamped her hand down on it.

"Dang," Sokka said. "He's good."

"I think that's enough," she said as she began moving back. Then she glanced at the other teenage girls, who were still staring. "Or do you want to keep watching my brother?"

Everyone besides Mai quickly snapped out of it.

"Can I?" Mai asked. Considering the way Zuko’s sweat made his muscles shine.

"No. Now come."

Once back on solid ground, to Toph's elation, Aang began pacing. "No way. No way. No way."

"Aang?" Katara asked, "What is it?"

"Uh. It's just. It can't be. But... could it?"

"Alright Twinkletoes, what's the issue?"

"Okay, so, remember when you guys got sick? And Zhao captured me?"

"Oh, you mean when we almost died because you disappeared for two days?" Sokka asked. "I think I recall that."

"And remember I said some guy in a mask saved me?"

"Yes?" Katara more asked than answered.

"Well, he used two dao blades to fight."

 Sokka made a choking sound.

 "What? But... no. You didn't mention Fire bending."

 "He didn't firebend."

 "Wait," Sokka said. "Are you suggesting... that the Fire Lord broke into a Fire Nation stronghold. Without bending. To rescue you?"

 "It couldn't have been him." Katara said. "I mean... why didn't he say anything?"

"As far as he's concerned it doesn't matter," Azula said.

"I'd say it matters quite a bit," Aang said.

"I think Zuko's made it clear he doesn't think what you say matters beyond being an Air Nomad,” Azula said. “Plus, it might give you guys the impression he was on your side beyond the very act of ending the war."

"So, has Zuko been rebelling against the Fire Nation for long?" Toph asked.

"He wanted the war to end, even without a Fire Nation victory. We have prisons for people like that," Mai said.

"So… he committed treason?" Sokka asked. "Then why's he so mad at his uncle?"

 To her surprise, Katara had the answer. "Because he didn't end the war when he had the chance to." She realized that she had the exact same anger towards the General buried deep inside her. And she also realized that Zuko was the only one in the Fire Nation Royal Family who had always disliked the war.

 "That's insane. Wait, does that mean we have to be grateful to Zuko?" Toph asked.

 "That's probably one of the reasons he wouldn't tell you," Azula said. "Plus, it's not even the biggest thing he did."

 "What?" Aang asked.

 "Tell me," Azula said. "What do you think my father's plan was? You know, for the comet."

 Aang opened his mouth to talk.

 "You know what? Stop. Don't tell me. I'm pretty sure it'll be insultingly stupid. We weren't actually going to try and burn every inch of the earth kingdom. That'd be stupid, and impossible. Also, we have several colonies just sitting there full of soldiers. Our entire army would have revolted." She stopped and looked around to make sure everyone was paying attention to her.

 "The plan was for four different war fleets to hit systematic targets and burn them down. Not too dissimilar to the last time the comet appeared. With air superiority and such far reaching flames, scorching our opponents would have been child's play. And we’d leave a mark on the continent to make it clear who owned it now."

 "Wait," Sokka said. "You have four air fleets?"

 Azula ignored him. "As father's fleet took off, none of the others did. Because they all received very authentic looking orders to stop and await further instruction. So authentic, no one would believe anyone who wasn't in the royal family could pull it off. But who would do that?"

 "And Zuko did this?" Sokka asked. "Because that's... insane."

 "I really don't get why he wouldn't tell us that? Is he that opposed to us thanking him?" Katara asked.

 "That and he has a... strained relationship with our father."

 "How strained?" Sokka asked.

 "You've seen how protective Zuko is of our citizens, in his capacity as the Fire Lord. Well, he got serious about becoming the Fire Lord when our father decided that sacrificing new recruits was a valid strategy for victory."

 "That... that's terrible," Katara said.

 "What's this?" Azula asked. "Sympathy for Fire Nation soldiers?"

 Katara glared at her. "It is terrible. And callous. I’m not heartless." She paused. “I’m… sorry for what I said about your mother.”

 Azula stared at her before continuing. "Well, Zuko decided that the war was bad then. So he began really working on becoming the Fire Lord. Studying. Learning about our nation. Bothering to talk to the servants."

 "Wasn't he the crown prince?" Sokka asked.

 "Yes. But I was the favorite."

 "And you don't want to be Fire Lord?"

 "I did, but watching Zuko made me realize, being the Fire Lord is boring. I mean, my father hasn't left the Fire Nation since he got the position before last week. I'd never have conquered Ba Sing Se if I didn't. Zuko got to do all sort of crazy stuff."

 "And you're really willing to let the war end?"

 "I conquered Ba Sing Se and almost killed the Avatar. I can't top that. And like I said, there'll be more opportunities for me to fight," Azula said with a smile.

 No one wanted to unpack that.

 "Well," Sokka said. "Zuko doesn't give off the vibe of caring."

 "It's so weird to hear you say that." Ty Lee said. "The most talked about part of his coronation speech was calling the war a... uh..."

"Needlessly destructive endeavor." Mai continued for her. "And that, in the same way a Firebender who has burnt something must take responsibility, we must take responsibility for the flames we've started."

"He said all that?" Aang asked.

 “It’s funny to think about the fact that you guys don’t really know how the Fire Lord is supposed to act,” Mai said. “Zuko has been extraordinarily nice.”

 “Especially to you guys,” Azula said. “It’s like you’re reaching him in a way no one else can.”

 “Why are you telling us all of this?” Toph asked.

 Azula smiled. “What? I can’t do something nice for my brother?”

 “This is you being nice?” Sokka asked.

 “The Fire Lord has a certain… image he has to maintain. But I know you people. And I know that having you think of him as ally will work to his advantage. He’s… not like other Fire Lords. And he shouldn’t be allowed to slip too deep into the position. He does great with you, but that’s only because you’re so casual about everything. You should see him with the Generals.”

 “Wait,” Aang said. “Are you saying…”

 “The Avatar as an ally would be great for Zuko,” Azula said. “Even if he lacks the ability to think it’s possible and is convinced you hate him. Or should. But you should know that he really has no intention of letting you dictate what he should and shouldn't do without a fight. You still have to negotiate with him."

 "We don't hate him," Aang said resolutely.

 "Really?" Azula asked before turning to Katara. "After the conversation we had yesterday, you don't hate the Fire Lord?"

 Katara grit her teeth. "I think he's stuck up and trying to get a pass on all the bad things your nation has done. But... at the very least he's ending the war. Even if he insists on making it on his terms."

 "I mean, if it's any consolation, it's not really targeted at you guys," Mai said. "It's for the people who won't be satisfied until the Fire Nation sinks into the sea. In the name of all the innocent peasants and children the rest of the world hates because of his family."

 "And what about you?" Katara asked, looking at Azula. "Are you sorry?"

 "Of course not." Azula said. She gave Katara a sharp look. "The war made you soldiers when the Avatar showed up in front of you. It made me a soldier when I was born in this palace. I'm not apologizing for being good at it. The Fire Lord is the Fire Nation and represents our country, so Zuko's attitude is all about that. It's why he's accepted being the most hated man on the planet without a fight. That, and the fact he's too nice. But I'm not the Fire Lord, so save your 'You started the war' accusations for him or Fire Lord Sozin. I'm not apologizing."

 Katara glared at her. "Well, I guess I shouldn't have expected any different."

 "What can I say? I'm a real monster."

 "Zuko said you shouldn't talk about yourself like that," Ty Lee said.

 Azula shot her friend a look.

 "Especially considering what Fire Lord Ozai would have done to you if you weren't a good soldier. He'd have treated you like Zuko."

 Azula shot her other friend the same look.

 "And how did he treat Zuko?" Toph asked.

 "And we're done here," Azula said abruptly. "Let's go." She turned and walked away.

 “What?” Mai asked as she walked after her. “We can’t do something nice for you?”

 “You make me sound like a poor victim,” Azula complained.

 Ty Lee gave an apologetic shrug as she followed the other two.

 "She and her brother seem to be more similar than we thought," Sokka said as he began walking back to the campsite, the others following him.

 "Didn't we start off assuming they were the same?" Aang asked.

 Katara turned to the group. "You know, I know Ozai is a terrible person. But I think I assumed there were some people he was nice to."

 "I'm sure he was nice to his favorite weapon," Toph said bitterly. "As long as it cut properly and didn't defy him." She paused. "Oh shit. Do I sympathize with Azula?"

 "Cutting down the impenetrable city is going a bit beyond isn't it?" Sokka asked.

 Toph thought about it. “I doubt it.”

 On their way back to their camp, they saw two people running through some recognizable forms in what they could only describe as an absolutely destroyed patch of land. Sand was moving around them in a dance.

 "Isn't that Kori?" Sokka asked.

 It was. And she was sandbending with a partner they didn't recognize. At Sokka's question, she turned to look at them before her eyes widened and she took off running.

 "Huh?" Sokka said. "She seems different."

 "She's scared," Toph supplied.

 "Scared?" Sokka asked. "She didn't seem very scared yesterday."

 The other earthbender chuckled, drawing attention to him. He was wearing brown pants and a cream-colored open vest. He looked like he was a little older than Sokka, with his hair cut close to his scalp.

 "You know something?" Sokka asked.

 "Well," he said. "If she seemed more willing to talk to you yesterday, it's because it was before she learned that Avatar apparently does have a way to resolve the fire nation earthbender conundrum."

 The Avatar looked at him in confusion before realization struck.

 "I would never take away her bending," Aang protested.

 "Really? The way she told the story, you seemed outraged and offended by her existence."

 "Aang would-" Katara began.

 "I mean, I know she was probably exaggerating," he interrupted. "But I'm guessing you did actually say something about the Fire Nation and earthbenders."

 Aang didn't say anything.

 "Well, let's just say Kori... has learned not to trust anyone who says that."

 "Who are you?" Toph asked.

 "A bored sandbender," he admitted.

 "A sandbender?" Sokka asked. "Don't tell me your fire nation too."

 He snorted. "The Prince or, Lord now I guess, is nice, but I'm not even gonna pretend to claim this magma filled rock."

 "Wait, then why are you here?" Aang asked.

 "Curiosity. I wanted to know what the weird firebender meant by 'ending the war' and somehow, I just never stopped watching him. He's been too entertaining."

 "That's one word for him," Sokka said.

 The sandbender shrugged. "Well, I imagine you expected a more compliant end to the war with justice being served to all who deserve it. Unfortunately, that's not how people work."

 "And what do you get out of being here?" Aang asked.

 "Well, I do care for ending the war. Also, money, but I wouldn't have taken the job for just any Fire Nation royal."

 "And you’re… happy with his plans for the earth kingdom?" Aang asked.

 The sandbender raised an eyebrow. "I'm from the Si Wong Desert. You'll find the war didn't affect us that badly because it wouldn't have been profitable for the Fire Nation to try. Honestly, as long as the armies stop advancing, I doubt it would affect my people much."

 "How can you take such a lax stance?" Katara asked.

 "Says the girl from the water tribe," he retorted. "Hasn't your people's attitude been to keep out of the war as much as possible."

 Katara glared at him. "I'm from the Southern Water Tribe," she hissed.

 The teen blinked. Then his eyes widened. "Shit. Sorry."

 Katara huffed.

 "Do you think Zuko is trustworthy, Mr...?" Sokka trailed off.

 "Gantu," he said. "And, well, it depends on what you want him to do. I trust him to end the war. I also trust him to make an earnest effort to treat the burn scars. And I trust him to do whatever it takes to keep his people unharmed, as long as they don't do anything evil of their own volition."

 "What if the first thing clashes with the third?" Sokka asked.

 "Well, then I trust him to not sleep until he comes up with the best solution. And then do a great impression of an earthbender and refuse to budge."

 "And that won't start the war back up?"

 Gantu shrugged. "If this war continues, I have extreme confidence it will only slightly be Zuko’s fault. You know, because he has to be Fire Lord. I’m still shocked he actually came back."

 “You’re shocked he came back to claim his birthright?” Toph asked.

 “Well, from what I can tell, he hates the Fire Lord. Even now.”

 “Even now?” Sokka asked. “And what do you mean ‘hates the Fire Lord?’ He is the Fire Lord.”

 Gantu glanced at them, his face twisting into one of inquisitiveness. “I should not be talking about this with you.”

 “Well, you are.” Toph said.

 “Yeah, I have a big mouth. Look, just make peace or whatever you wanted to do while you were here and leave,” With that, the sandbender fell backwards, going through the earth like it was water and sinking out of sight.

 Katara stared at where he’d just been standing. “I can’t believe I’m about to say this. Like, I really can’t. But I think the Fire Lord’s the nicest person we’ve talked to here.”

 “I can’t believe you said that either,” Toph said. “I mean, I already knew it was true, but hearing you admit it is wild.”

 “He’s gonna have a hard time negotiating with everyone,” Sokka said. “And I’m not liking the idea of ending the war with the Fire Nation in such a powerful position.”

 “Plus, he still hasn’t told us why he wants to end the war. I mean, he has, but I can tell he’s hiding something.”

 “Do we really care as long as he is ending it?”

 “I don’t know Sugar Queen. I feel like it’s important for finding common ground with him.”

 “We’ve been going about this all wrong,” Aang said, breaking his silence.

 “What do you mean?” Katara asked.

 “When we went to the North Pole, they welcomed me with open arms. When we finally met the Earth King, Long Feng aside, we were able to establish trust with him. But we came here ready for a fight. And I’m not saying we were wrong to do so, but the Fire Nation has a leader who wants to end the war. And he hasn’t been thrilled to see us. We shouldn’t have been so aggressive.” Aang smiled. “There’s technically only one leader I’ve met who can really serve as a blueprint for where we go from here.”

 “Really?” Sokka asked. “Who?”

 “Another teenage leader who didn’t want to let his guard down in the face of a potential threat.” He pointed his staff at Sokka. “You.”

 “Me?”

 “Frankly, I think Zuko’s more welcoming of my presence than you were.”

 Sokka flinched at the memory.

 “So we just do the same thing I did back then.”

 “Flirt with his sister?” Sokka asked.

 Katara and Aang began sputtering while Toph laughed.

 “N-no!” Aang denied, barely casting a glance at Katara before taking a more confident stance. “We’re going to befriend the Fire Lord.”

 “We’re going to be kicked out of this country,” Sokka said.

 “We can do both.” Aang said with a smile.

 “Aang, I don’t think befriending Zuko will make him change his foreign policy,” Toph said.

 “I know that. But I also know that we need an understanding of each other to really achieve peace. We need to stop thinking of each other as opponents. Everyone says that Zuko’s nicer than he’s letting himself be. And I think we need to show him that if he’s gonna be a different Fire Lord than his father, grandfather and great grandfather, he needs to be less like them in his style.”

 “And we’re gonna do that by…” Sokka began.

“By talking to the person behind the crown,” Katara said. “We need to look past the man who won’t give us an inch to the man who wants to end the war.” She smiled. “I don’t quite like the Fire Lord, but I am interested in talking to Zuko.”

Notes:

The last two chapters have been really hectic for me because I wanted to make clear where everyone’s headspace is while keeping the dialogue natural and consistent. I simultaneously rewrote them several times.
Zuko is not perfect. And he’s under the impression that he has to be hated. Azula isn’t because unlike her brother, she doesn’t see the office of Fire Lord as being so… hateful. An ironic side effect of being attached to Ozai.
So, yeah. Zuko’s been busy. And we’ve only just scratched the surface of what he’s been doing.
Aang hasn’t been talking much because he’s so overwhelmed with all these new things he hasn’t had to think about, but he is intelligent in his own way.
Despite that, I thought it’d be interesting to explore his reaction to possible changes in the socio-political norm. Officially making an earthbender a Fire Nation citizen? Unfathomable. What his perspective doesn’t show is that there was an unspoken current of cultural segregation based on bending that discouraged interracial relationships and encouraged benders to stick to a nation. By starting a war with the premise of bringing everyone under its banner, the Fire Nation unintentionally killed the idea with their country.
This is my take on how there seemed to be such strong segregation pre Last Airbender despite almost 10,000 years of the nations knowing about each other and then an explosion of the commonality of mixed families in Korra.