Avatar the Legend of Aang Book Four: The Avatar

Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar and All that.

Chapter 1 – The New Beginning

The Fire Nation – now at peace with the rest of the world– was humming with delight for the upcoming festival in honor of the Avatar. The city buzzed with excitement, children ran around carrying miniature Aang dolls, there was a cloud formation of an arrow in the sky created by some fire benders in a hot air balloon, with some help of technology created by some of the neighboring – now friends of the fire nation – Earth bender inventors, such as Aang's old friend who built the air balloon.

The city was filled with decorations; it had an aura of peace and happiness…..

And the rest of the world as well….

And after such a long time…

It deserved happiness.

A little turtleduck waded comfortably, just swimming around like nothing else really mattered. But its little turtleduck eyes widened as – Plop!

A peace of Bread crumb was thrown before it. And in no less than a minute it was gobbled up. It gave a tiny sound that was a cross between a chirp and a quack (since it was just a baby.)

Zuko was sitting under a tree, by the pond where the little turtleduck swam. He looked tired, yet calm and at peace. He had his legs up against himself, like a kid would do. And very unlike a fire lord. But Zuko was different. It was thanks to him, unlike his ancestors and father and sister, that the world was now at peace. A new era of kindness was born. Mostly it was the avatar's doing, but it was part of their destinies to help rebuild it together.

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Zuko's P.O.V.

The War was over….

It seemed so long ago….

Seeing all those happy faces. …..

I'm glad Aang was able to pull it off. I admit, I was a little worried at first, but I guess that kid really was special. The Avatar, whom I chased a year ago…I was so determined to get my honor back, but it was all a wild goose chase. It took me a long time to realize, that I won't be getting any good out of being a good son to my father. My father, who never really cared about me. My father, who didn't hesitate to banish me, using a stupid senseless mistake as an excuse to kick me out. I should hate him…, but the Avatar-Aang – spared him. That cruel man was spared! But, it was Aang's decision, not mine, and he chose to let the man live... so in the end, I turned sides after all that chasing, and desperate needing of honor. The Avatar, …is now my friend…

Aang is a good kid.

Aside from being the Avatar who restored balance in the universe….he's a good kid.

But,….he is still just a kid…

Even after the war was over we still have to train him. He still has to learn. And I guess he has every right to develop his skills. So anyway, there I was – Fire Lord Zuko – teaching the Avatar Firebending. I admit it is an honor. But, like I said, he's got a lot to learn, and he can be really annoying at times, I had to shout at the kid once in a while…

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"You're late." Said Zuko said, a couple of hours before the beginning of this story. He was at the palace gardens, hair down, in his training attire, (not in his most formal, your highness clothing.) he had his hands behind his back, indicating how calm he was, but there was a slight knot on his forehead, and a slight twitch in his eyes. Aang smiled innocently. He floated, and then glided from the steps of the temple towards the gardens, about a couple of feet away from Zuko. "Uh, Momo got into a fight with Appa again and I…." he looked up and saw a dead serious look on Zuko's face, then backed up with a jump abruptly. "…I guess I should just walk next time, hehe…"

"Yeah, wouldn't want to let the new Jerk Lord, to wait long for your Jerkbending training." Sokka emerged from the palace walk way, he had on a goofy mocking, self-satisfied grin. Zuko's mouth twitched as if he was going to say something, then sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose, as if he had a head ache.

"Fine, you want to stay? Go ahead, just don't make any interruptions when I –"

"Hey all." Katara entered with a mother like smile. she was followed by Toph and Suki.

Zuko was stunned. "Are you all going to stay here and watch?"

They all looked at each other.

"Yeah."

"Of course."

"We got so used to watching you two train, and we've got nothing else to do, so don't mind us and go do your training thing." said Katara.

"Jerkbending." Sokka insisted.

The others laughed.

Zuko made an impatient low Grrr noise. He cleared his throat. "Fine." His mouth twisting into a half smile.

"Azula."

Two figures emerged from the door of Azula's cell, the light from outside showed the princess, her hands were tied up in chains and the chains were posted down to the floor, she was sitting knee down on the floor, her hair was a mess, and her eyes had dark rings below them. She breathed rapidly at the sight of the two traitors.

"Ty-Lee." She said, it came out as a spat. "And Mai, what a pleasant surprise."

Mai and Ty-Lee put down their hoods; they each wore a look of concern.

"Azula…" Ty-Lee said. "We, er ….brought you some food,"

Ty – Lee tried to make a friendly smile, but that couldn't hide the fear in her eyes. Azula bit her lip. "I don't need your food." Azula muttered with a whispery breathe. "Tell me, is that all that you came here for?"

"No." Mai said.

"Really? to what do I owe this…visit, then?"

"It's Zuko…"

Azula let out a snarl that frightened the two girls, though Mai's only reaction was widened eyes.

"I don't ever want to hear that name ever again!"

Mai lost her breathe for a second, then straightened up and clenched her fists.

"No, I will say his name all I want, Azula." She stared at the Princess. "I know what's done is done, but my heart can not possibly rest on whatever's left of the anger inside."

Azula begin to laugh like a mad woman. "Mai? Is that you? You're starting to sound like my fool of a brother!"

"You tried to kill him!" Mai's face represented anger; her fingers inched closer to one of her weapons. "Your own brother?! He could've died because if that attack! I would've never have seen him again after-"

"Mai, I think that my crime has been justified as a crime a long time ago, so why waste breathe? I got what you all wanted me to get." She paused. Then faked a smile. "Is there more?" she made a whispery effect on the last sentence.

Ty-Lee looked at Mai, worried.

"Yes, how I wish I could kill you!"

"Mai!"

Mai's hand raised up threateningly, weapons ready. Azula's eyes widened for a moment, and then it relaxed.

She laughed quietly…then more loudly. "Do you really Mai? Oh dear, then what would Zuzu think of his…girlfriend, then? A killer, and you've became very passionate, too. Tell me, how does it feel….to feel?"

Mai made a shout and was about to attack when Ty-Lee stopped her hand.

"That's beside the point, Azula." Said Ty-Lee, braver now. "We came here to ask you if you know anything about the Location of your mother. Zuko has been asking your father but he won't budge."

At this Azula laughed again. "And now, you want me to help him? My, my…"

"See Ty-Lee, I told you it was ….inevitable. We won't be getting anything from her." Said Mai bitterly. Then she added as an after thought: "at least I know how it feels…to really care about a person, while you..." she pointed at Azula. "you don't care about anyone but yourself." They stared at each others rage filled eyes for a moment, then Mai looked away. "Come on Ty-Lee, let's go."

Azula's P.O.V.

I screamed. Those fools.

Who do they think they are? They betrayed me, and the whole Fire nation, and my ancestors…, even my wretched brother was a traitor! How dare they enter my cell? How dare they look smug before me?!

I know what this is! This is revenge! After letting them rot in prison, their whole beings are as rotten as the dirt in my cell!

After all I've done for them, this is how they repay me? as a token of gratitude for letting them be my most trusted right hands…

They betrayed me!

Ty – Lee, that gullible, lowly excuse for a woman…, she was always jealous of me! That was why she was trying so hard to get all the attention on her and her ridiculous little stunts! She was jealous! And she, at times, managed to deceive their eyes into seeing her instead of true beauty, such as mine! The princess against a peasant? Surely I would win. She was always jealous of me…, and now she thinks she's better than me?

And Mai…, the biggest traitor. How despicable! Really, now. she chose my brother, instead of being loyal and truthful to me. She believes her love for him is stronger than anything. What a fool! You don't need love! Love is for fools who have nothing! After falling for my fool of a brother, Mai has started "feeling", after that day in the boiling rock, her control on her emotions is starting to break, it might even be the end of her!

That Water Tribe girl, and all her hope! Meddling into things that do not involve her! I get the feeling she too has feelings for my brother! Well, that would be interesting, now won't it? poor Mai, has no idea that her precious boyfriend is cheating on her. Boohoo. Well, she chose her fate!

The Avatar, took away all hope for the fire nation. He destroyed my father and his dreams! that gullible little monk! I have lost all trust in my own father. To think, he was defeated by a child!

And…..

Zuzu …will pay for everything! Taking my crown, my friends, and everything else! He'll pay…one day; I'll make sure of it.

Fools!

Fools and their emotions…

Their Feelings…

Their ….

Love!

How naive!

I don't need them! I'll get out on my own, that Avatar took away my firebending as well…but as a prodigy…, I'll soon get out of here.

Aang and his friends were at Iroh's teashop, it was already closed so they had it all to themselves. Zuko served the tea, as usual. Suki was still there, and was sitting beside Sokka, with his arm on her shoulders. She and Ty-Lee and the rest of the Kyoshi warriors will be going back to Kyoshi Island.

Iroh was telling them about an old fire nation folk tale, as Mai and Ty-Lee entered.

"Mai." Zuko stood up to greet the two.

The others just looked up at them and nodded as greeting.

Suki didn't stand up, but remained in Sokka's arms as she talked to Ty-Lee. "So? Everything packed for the departure? Only a couple of days to go…." She smiled and tried to sound all happy and excited, but a small frown was on her face. Ty-Lee didn't speak .Suki

turned to face Sokka. "This isn't good bye, you know." She said. Sokka forced a smile. "Look, I'm not a complete idiot I-"he paused at the sight of her serious expression, he quit the joking around and smiled sadly. "I know." They were like that for a couple of minutes until Toph ruined the moment with a loud nose blow, she sniffed. "That was too much, don't you two idiots start going dramatic on us again, okay? I don't think my feet can take the sight of it."

They all smiled.

"Hey."

"Hey…"

Zuko tried to be casual, he is well aware that there was a crowd behind them, so he tried not to make things too awkward. "Uhm, want to sit down?"

"Maybe I would like that." Mai smiled.

The two were being ignored by the rest (and they were completely happy for that.), the others were laughing and talking about funny memories. Taking the happiness all in, hoping it'll last. Aang had the broadest smile of all. Being able to see his friends like this means a lot to him.

Mai frowned.

"What's' wrong?" Zuko had on a look of concern.

"It's nothing that I have to show through emotions. You know I'm not capable of…, and I'm not supposed to."

"Mai, you just did. With that frown. And you have every right to express yourself, go ahead. Your boyfriend's the fire lord, remember? I think they'll understand if I talk to them, whoever they are."

She smiled. She moved closer to him. "you see,….After the boiling rock thing…" Zuko followed the protocol of how the whole thing went and didn't subdue the current moment with arguing. He moved closer as well.

"…I guess it could wait…."she said. The gap between the two's faces disappeared. But their lips barely touched as much when Sokka interrupted. "Hey, Zuzu!" Zuko winced at the interruption. They broke apart, abruptly, on cue on the sudden silence. "Your uncle was just telling us one of your most embarrassing moments. And other Embarrassing stories about ya'! Want to add this one to the list?" the rest of them laughed. Zuko's face went red. While Mai's face grew paler than normal and there was a slight annoyed twitch by the corner of her eye. Uncle Iroh chuckled. Sokka kept raising his eyebrows. Aang, Toph and Katara giggled silently. The rest including Sokka laughed loudly.

But in the midst of their laughter, another could be heard from a distant area. In a prison cell. And her mad laughter was due to a plot for revenge.

Notes: So that's the first chapter. This is my first Avatar the Legend of Aang fanfiction. So if there are any mistakes such as O.C. ness and all that please let me know, but do so carefully, I can only take just as much of criticism. Hope it start out okay for you guys. :D