"The most effective way to destroy people is to deny and obliterate their own understanding of their history."
― George Orwell
Zuko frowned at the blank piece of paper in front of him.
There were many ways to word what he wanted to say, and even more people to send it to. Aang, Katara, Iroh, Sokka, Toph...
But he knew why he couldn't send it to most of them. Aang was the Avatar. He had responsibilities and, even if he didn't, there was a snowball's chance in hell that Zuko would actually tell him what this was. Katara couldn't keep a secret if it cost her her life-; many times, it nearly had. Iroh- there was good reason to never go in that direction. Toph could work, would work, except for one fact. She was blind. He couldn't just read what he'd seen aloud.
And everybody knew words were dangerous.
So Sokka it is, he decided. Dipping pen in ink, he began the strokes that could save the world.
Or shatter it.
Zuko stood at his shores, ready to welcome the first Water Tribe ship after the war. Everybody and their mother was itchy for battle, and he wanted to ensure everything went right. Right, meaning people didn't get run through and killed. He wanted the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes as allies, not just friends.
After all, there was a difference in being told the war was over, and actually seeing people who would have been enemies weeks ago being welcomed into the Capital with open arms. That it was their ruler who did so- well, it didn't help.
And Fire, for all that it wasn't as rigid as Earth, didn't like change.
Watching impassively as the blue-edged sails floated closer, Zuko let his hands curl into fists inside his robes. You're the Fire Lord. You need to act like it. Which, in this case, meant holding firm even when everyone around him wanted to burn things to ash. So sit on that temper, because you can't afford to lose it. Just watch- and nobody's foolish enough to go against you.
...Maybe. Hopefully.
A desperate gamble for desperate times; Zuko was no stranger to them. They were part and parcel of life in court, and he hadn't become inured to them in exile. No little thanks went to Iroh for that- he had absolutely reveled in giving Zuko problems when the cropped up. One of his worst traits was making those problems when he felt too little was going on.
Yeah, anyone who thought me and Uncle weren't crazy should just spend some time with us.
Except- it wasn't just worry and jumpiness that had frayed his nerves. A night walking through corridors under the palace, exploring with all the innocence of a naive prince, and-
-the world had crumbled. To ash on a breeze, because everything he'd ever known was wrong. And the worst part was that nobody ever even suspected such a horrible thing could have happened.
Dead, and dust, before my grandfather's grandfather's grandfather was a thought. How do I tell my people the truth- when saying it can kill them? They'll never believe it, not without proof, and I can't give them that without telling Aang. And I can't break him like this.
Did that make him evil, wanting to protect the barely-teenaged boy from a second death?
He's lost everything- family, friends, way of life. How can I tell him that his very existence is an affront to the actions of spirits? That his chi is the chi of a dead people- I can't. Spots flashed in the corners of his eyes, and Zuko inhaled sharply. The salt air braced him, calmed a racing heart and tattered nerves.
Breathe. You can't fix this problem. You know that. So don't. You called Sokka because he can help. Let him.
A blue-clad figure waved from the prow of the boat; Zuko only arched a dignified brow at Sokka's antics. His note might have been short and terse- he hadn't known what to say that wasn't dangerous to hear- but it ought to have carried a sense of urgency with it.
Ugh. He traveled with Aang for about a year. Urgency to him probably means a vacation to you.
What the hell is going on with Zuko?
Usually, he was stiffly kind; like a cat-owl, standing on formalities as much as friendship. Except today, he wasn't even attempting to catch Zuko's eye- he only watched as the trade imports and such were unloaded. Some people had slid down; were striking up conversation lightly, but no one was achieving much success.
Oh. Idiot. We're the first people to come since the war ended. Did you think they'd be happy to see you?
It would have been easy to just let this time slip by, and he would have. When Zuko's letter had come, he'd really wanted to refuse. He was home, after a year-long journey that gave him something more than fifteen years amidst ice ever had. He was home, with father and sister and grandmother and grandfather- with Tribe- and he hadn't wanted to abandon that for even a short period of time.
There are so many ways we can die. So many ways our family can be taken from us. I can't just let that happen!
And he hadn't. But when he had told Katara, in the dead of night, watching the push and pull of tides across the docked bay, she had not agreed. Only looked at him, worried.
"We can't afford to let this slip, Sokka," Katara said quietly. "Zuko's doing everything he can, but the people need to be able to see that we're not just enemies. We're not friends- not yet- but we are Zuko's friends. If we just let them think nothing's changed, nothing will. Right now, they are facing change. The Avatar is back, Zuko's Fire Lord, everything's changed. What's one more?" Her eyes were very, very blue, and very, very serious. "I know you don't want to. But you also didn't want to leave the first time. You don't have a choice."
And that had hurt. Katara had told him to go, and he had gone. The truths in her words were no less because he disliked them, but- really. Did she know what he had given for that? He had sacrificed his chance at chief in a single action; when he'd sailed away, the hurt in his heart wasn't really goodbye for a family but a life he'd been raised for forever.
You gave it up to save the world. Akkad is a good man- the Tribe isn't going to fall.
But it wasn't all about the Tribe- was it? When he returned, he'd have a second brother- all the better to train a new chief- and a sour taste in his stomach that he'd given it up to go talk to Zuko. When the problem might not even be that bad.
Sometimes, I just wish I could be selfish.
Except that wasn't the job of a companion of the Avatar. Companions of the Avatar had to be good, morally impeccable, kind, and powerful. Sokka was- most of them. Not all. But enough that it didn't matter. And in turn, companions were given power. And respect.
Shoving thoughts of bitter rivalry aside, Sokka slipped the double-looped scabbard that held both boomerang and Master Piandao's sword on; the Fire Nation might have been forcible peaced, but there were still enough military to stand toe-to-toe with each citizen of Omashu and match, head by head. Like hell am I walking there unarmed.
Sokka landed on the wooden dock, and immediately wished he hadn't.
Zuko was staring at him, as if he was still gauging the distance Sokka's fallen. Yeah, not the best idea in the world. But why are they so... shocked?
The general, stiff and tense, looked at Sokka, hard. Then he turned around and started barking orders to one of the men at his side.
Oh. If it was bad to land unannounced, how much worse was it to land within ten feet of the Fire Lord? I wonder what they'll change now. Obviously Aang hasn't visited over the weeks. And he waited, wondering exactly how to broach the topic.
The Fire Nation was subtle. The Water Tribe blunt. He shrugged mentally. Ah, to hell with it. I'm Water Tribe. I'm not changing just because someone in the Fire Nation wants me to.
A... harsh sentiment in this new era of peace. But still- What the hell? I'm not the ambassador.
He'd brought an ambassador with him, but that didn't mean he had to be a diplomat. Sokka wasn't. Acting like he was was a lie, at best, and stupidity, at worst.
"You asked me to come." Sokka looked at Zuko, wishing for once that he could read people as well as his sister. Or better still, Toph.
Oh, yeah. Definitely need to bring Toph with me next time I come to the Fire Nation. They're all so... complicated. All the time.
Zuko nodded warily. "There are some things that have come up. I'm going to need your help to unravel them."
He arched an eyebrow. "In your archives? Sorry, but the Water Tribe has business. You need someone's help, just tell one of your underlings. They'll do it for you." Sokka shrugged carelessly, not showing irritation. "Is that all you called me here for?"
Zuko looked downright panicked for a moment, before it was smoothed away into arrogance. "Well, what use is a Water Tribe ally if I can't pick your brain? I'll talk to you about it later today. You probably need a break- from all that water."
A man coughed behind Zuko, amused derision evident, and Sokka felt fury swamp over him.
What!? Sokka almost- almost- took a threatening step forward. Then he saw where he was, and winced. Maybe not the best place to tell Zuko he was an idiot. But if I gave up everything for grunt work, Zuko, I don't care how good you are. I'm coming for you.
And just because Katara showed mercy to her enemies doesn't mean I will.
Okay. This is a revamped version of my Lost Secrets story which I still have up- I don't want to lose the followers or favorites for that one... But after a couple looks at it, I decided it could be rewritten a lot better. So I did, in between my two other stories, and have this one to put up for all of you!
Hopefully this flows a bit better, and you won't be too shocked by the twists and turns as happened for Lost Secrets.
Next chapter, Zuko and Sokka talk about what Zuko's found, and Sokka reads an interesting document.
Reviews inspire me!
-Dialux