A/N- On to more serious subjects now… since humor isn't too strong for me. My first romance/ drama fic. Bear with me. This will be a multi-chapter story.


Broken Expectations, Perfected Destiny

It was the Day of Black Sun. He could barely hold off the woman full of rage throwing daggers at him. His source of strength was cut off.

It was hard to think that just a few minutes ago, they were in each other's arms, staring contently into each other's eyes…


"Zuko" Mai stared longingly into her lover's eyes.

Zuko stared back with the same affection "Mai... I--"

But he was interrupted as suddenly, Aang, Sokka, Toph, and Katara as well as the invasion force burst into the palace taking out guards by the second. The commotion was heard throughout the palace and Zuko and Mai went outside of the royal lounge to see what the matter was.

The Quartet invaded the dungeon where they found Iroh prepared for battle. Iroh needed no help as he simply broke through the cage bars. "It is time to realize our destiny. My brother will no longer terrorize the nation. But first, I have a stop in mind." And so the Five headed to the higher floors of the palace in search for Zuko before the Fire Lord.

As instantly as Mai and Zuko went out, a member of the royal guard ushered the couple into Zuko's bedroom. Outside the door, a battle could be heard. It would be only a matter of time before the assailants would reveal themselves.

The Quintet easily defeated the mob of soldiers blocking the way and proceeded to search the palace for the royal family.

"This is the door. I know it" Iroh stopped at the door with "Prince Zuko's room" written on it.

Sokka sighed to himself "I wonder how he knew that"

When the door to his room was opened, Zuko instantly realized the danger he was in. his honor was shattered forever. Mai looked at him disdainfully.

"The Avatar! I thought you had slain him!" Mai had her eyes drilling through him as she hissed her utter anger "What is this? Some kind of lie?"

"I… I…" Zuko was speechless as he saw every last bit of power he had as the prince fall out of his grasp.

Iroh assumed a fighting stance in Zuko's direction. "Zuko! Remember who you are! You are not the bloodthirsty Fire Lord Sozin was or even Your Father! Control your own destiny!"

As Iroh said this, Zuko's stance fell and he froze as the good part of his conscience fought for control against the part he had been dominated by for the past few weeks. He saw how his life had no sense of real meaning when he was the head of a terrorizing nation, He saw how Fire Lord Sozin was wrong in what he did, And then, he remembered his mother.

In a flash, he came back to reality.

"Mai… I… I'm… sorry." Zuko walked over to the Avatar's side and turned against Mai.

Mai couldn't believe what was happening. Zuko, the love of her life was turning against her. She couldn't just brush it away like some normal wound. It was too much.

"Zuko! What are you doing?!? Was everything a lie? Was everything we had a lie? Was…was our love a lie?" Mai was torn in two as she saw her life slipping from her grasp.

She had thought her and Zuko's destiny was to be together and be the next fire lord and lady. She was only content when she thought of her future. But now there was no meaning to her. Her life was now full of betrayal and contempt and she hated Zuko for this.

Her pain was turned to anger as she dwelled upon the circumstance. The look in her eyes was one of savage rage. She reached into her sleeves and pulled out her throwing daggers...


"You!... you dare go against everything we had?!? Do you even know what you are doing?!?" Mai continued throwing the deadly knives straight at Zuko. by now, tears were streaming down her face. Zuko could see all the pain she was in. So he began to inch closer to Mai with every side-step he took. Mai noticed this and backed up as well, but her back soon contacted the wall and Zuko only gained proximity. Mai shot daggers strategically at Zuko to back him up, but she found it hard to truly try to kill Zuko; her accuracy was dulling due to her indesicion. Zuko still gained closer.

Aang began to run toward Mai, but was held back by Iroh. "No. this is Zuko's conflict. Let him deal with it. We must press on for now." Everyone left the room leaving Zuko alone with Mai.

"Why?... why are you doing this?..." Her voice began to weaken as well as her attacks. Zuko was still ever closing in.

Zuko finally reached Mai and held her arms down. He leaned in and kissed Mai gently but passionately. Mai froze with shock. He whispered gently.

"It is because I love you."

Zuko walked past the still form of his ex-girlfriend to retrieve his broadswards and join the rest of the group. Mai called out to him.

"I… don't understand…"

Zuko simply replied.

"I'm sure you will when you realize your destiny…"


A/N- Yeah. Worked hard on this one. The next chapter will be called perfected destiny. and then there will be an epilogue. Maybe then I'll write a sequel. Or not. It's all in reviews