Disclaimer: I don't own Avatar: the Last Airbender, otherwise the storyline would be constantly changed.

Note: Zuko's thoughts are in italics.

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I Didn't Learn the First Time

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Zuko looks out the window and stares vacantly at a mountain deep in thought. Mai implies, "Zuko, I don't get why you're so riled up about not being invited to a stupid, all-day war meeting... remember what happened at the last one you went to!"

"I know, I'll never forget," Zuko replied "It's just that ever since I returned to the Fire Nation I've been feeling guilty. I betrayed my uncle, even though all he ever did was love and support me. And in Ba Sing Sei, I sided with Azula and took down the avatar, even though he saved my life twice! I'm just overwhelmed with guilt."

Mai stares at Zuko and says, "Jeez Zuko, I didn't ask for your life story. Besides… didn't you already get your honor back?" Zuko keeps staring at the horizon.

"I don't know…" Zuko mumbles and sighs. "I just wish I could set things right"

The door creaks open. A servant enters the room and announces, "My apologizes, Prince Zuko, but Firelord Ozai is waiting for your arrival at the war meeting."

"Dad wants me there?" "Umm… sure," Zuko responds, "I just need to get ready."

The prince strolls up the stairs and sits to the right of Ozai. The meeting begins. After about an hour of discussing on how they should deal with the invasion force, they talk about the rebellions in the Earth kingdom. Ozai asks Zuko, "Zuko, you were in the Earth kingdom for a while. What is the best way to deal with them?"

Zuko declares, "The people of the Earth kingdom are proud and strong. They can endure anything as long as they have hope."

"Yes, you're right," Ozai opines, "We need to destroy their hope."

Zuko turns his head to Ozai and stammers "That's not exactly what I-"

Azula cuts in and concludes "I think you should take their precious hope and their land and burn it all to the ground."

"Yes, great idea, on the day of Sozin's Comet, we will burn down the Earth kingdom and a new world will be bo-"

"What are you crazy!" Zuko refutes and stands up to his full height. Everyone stares at him. "You can't just wipe out a whole race of people! That's genocide! Dammit! This is just like when Firelord Sozin destroyed the Air Nomads! It's just not right! I actually congratulate the people who have rebellions, because they're fighting for what is right!" A couple generals start to glare at him. Zuko continues, "We learned as kids that this war was a way of spreading our greatness to the world. What a great lie. Do you know what we're giving them! We're giving them an era of fear, destruction, hatred, and poverty! How can you call that great! I am sick and tired of us being selfish, greedy, and unjust! This madness needs to end! This war needs to end peacefully with an area of peace, love, kindness, and happiness!" The whole assembly is shocked, outraged, and pondering about his little speech.

Ozai has a bitter look of outrage and disgust splattered all over his face, and Azula wears one of her famous, devious smiles. Ozai pulls out a knife and slashes Zuko's throat and kicks him, which causes Zuko to cascade down the stairs. Ozai yells, "Didn't you learn your lesson the first time! Grrrr… Guards! Get him out of my sight!"

Blood is what Zuko gags out of his mouth when he collides with the ground. Zuko winces with blood oozing down his neck and mouth and smirks slightly. "I guess I didn't." The prince gazes at the guards' feet that are approaching him.

"Azula you are in charge of his punishment. I never want to see his scarred face again! Make him suffer miserably!" demands Ozai.

"With pleasure." Azula smiles.

The now ex-prince – again – is kicked by a guard, put in handcuffs and dragged out of the room. "Ahh, Zuzu. You never learn," Azula mumbles to herself and laughs.

Mai is waiting outside for the meeting to be over. She can't wait to see Zuko. Suddenly, she hears yelling and a loud, resounding thud. Mai murmurs, "Okay, what is going on in there…" Mai becomes slightly worried. A little later two guards emerge with a limp Zuko. He has blood dripping down his mouth and neck. "Zuko…" Mai mutters to herself, "I thought you promised me you wouldn't do anything stupid!" A warm, salty tear rolls down her face from the corner of her eye.

Zuko wakes up on a hard, stone floor. His face is covered in dried blood and anguish; he is chained to the floor with his hands bound behind his back with rope. "Uhg… Why am I chained up!" Zuko squirms in his manacles.

Azula says, "So Zuzu, are you going to talk?" He attempts to speak but only coughs up blood. She puts on her grin and laughs, "Oh wait, I almost forgot, you can't! Hahaha!"

"Huh! Why can't I speak!" Zuko thrashes around more and writhes in pain. "Why does everything hurt… And… More importantly, who left me alone with Azula!" His eyes dart around franticly.

"So Zuzu, do you want your knife back?" Azula provokes poking him with her foot, "If you want it you have to take it from my hand." She waves it right in front of his face with a mocking grin.

"Wait… I was in that war meeting," Zuko thinks as he tries to recollect the past events, "And… I spoke out… against Azula's plan and…" Zuko's eyes widen in realization, "Wait this is the bunker! For the day of black sun, Oh just great!" Zuko closes his eyes and frowns; he lowers his head, "Ugh… well maybe I try could help the avatar, if he forgives me... Ugh… I'm so sorry…" Zuko reclines against the wall with his eyes shut.

Azula breaks the ex-prince's train of thought and announces, "Zuzu, since I'm bored we're going to play a game. It's called 'stab Zuzu with his knife.' Let's start!" The knife slashes Zuko and causes him to bleed from the cringes every time the blade cuts him while Azula merrily slashes away.

"Toph, I need you to metal bend that door." Aang requested.

"Sure thing, Twinkletoes!" Toph declared. Toph stops for a moment and says, "Wait Guys! I don't know why, but there are two people in there and the one on the chair feels too light to be a full grown man, and the other guy on the floor has a weird heartbeat."

Silence shrouds the whole group, then Sokka whines, "Toph! Maybe the firelord's just anorexic! Hurry up and open the door! We need to defeat the Firelord before the eclipse ends!"

"Okay Sir Whinesalot!" Toph jokes. She repeatedly jabs the door, then licks her fingers, and rips the door apart. They burst into the room, except they don't find Ozai...

Azula smiles and states, "I had a theory you were alive." Zuko lifts his head and looks at the visitors with a glazed, empty stare with blood visibly dripping down his arms and face. "Too bad Zuzu isn't much of a talker."

Aang, Toph, and Sokka shout, "Azula! Zuko!" They are shell-shocked.

P.S. Yeah! I rewrote it! :D It's 1,326 words and 4 1/8 pages. You wouldn't believe what inspired me to do this, in school we read a story about bobsleds and people dying… really inspiring right?