Chapter One, The Message
Zuko looked out across the gardens, the sunset illuminating the white lily blossoms on the waters below. From across the way, he watched a beautiful woman and two young children laugh and play by the waterside, trying to catch butterflies in their hands. He sighed as the woman looked up and waved at him, smiling as the little ones followed suit, shouting "Daddy!" in their young and soft voices. It was hard to believe that ten years ago, he lay in that same spot, stuck by a bolt of Azula's deadly lightning and close to death. To say a lot had changed was an understatement. He leaned on balcony's stone railing, one hand over the red scar that scored his left eye. The children were gone from the gardens, and again the peaceful silence that he so much enjoyed filled his ears. He sharply inhaled as he felt an unexpected touch on his shoulder. It was the woman. "Mai," he said quietly, standing up. "Zuko," Mai said, taking her husband's hands in hers. Over ten years, she too had changed. Zuko hated to admit it was for the better, but he knew it was true. "What's bothering you? I can tell, don't try to deter me." Mai said, looking into his eyes. Zuko rolled his eyes. "I used to be able to fool you." He said. "That's what happens when you know someone for ten years. Tell me. Was it the council?" Mai answered, kissing Zuko on his cheek. The Firelord nodded, moving to sit on a bench a few feet away. "There is something brewing in my council. Something dangerous. I've been informed of a secret union. We know not who they are or what exactly they're planning, only that they are devoted to my father. Somehow, they are making contact with him and Azula. I'm worried." Zuko let his tongue loose, pouring out what had been stressing him for so long. "Of course you're worried, but I'm sure you can handle it. You've been doing wonderfully as Firelord. I've never seen the Fire Nation so peaceful. It just surprises me how something like this is still happening. It's been a decade." Mai said. She looked at Zuko, seeing the distress in his golden eyes. "Ten years seems long, but it is merely a ripple in the river of time," Zuko said, and began to smile. "I sound like Uncle." He said. "That's not nessecarily a bad thing. Iroh is wise. He's been a good mentor. Maybe you should ask him for advice before you return to the counicl." Mai suggested, grabbing Zuko's arms and leading him inside the palace. "Come, Master Worrywart. It's time for dinner. The children have plenty of exciting butterfly stories to tell you." She said.
Nearly two-hundred miles away, Katara stood on the ledge of the Southern Air Temple, watching Aang and Momo fly circles in the clouds. She smiled, turning away and walking into the building holding a pitcher of water. Aang land in the doorway, his glider snapping closed. She turned to see him. Since the war, he had grown into a tall, handsome man, his frame becoming muscular and his features more defined and distinct. His grey eyes and wide smile hadn't changed a bit, though, and were still Katara's favorite features. "I was thinking the other day…" Aang sighed, sitting down on the stone floor. "Really?," Katara smiled wryly, "Thinking. Wow, that's new." Aang laughed. "Hey…" he said, crossing his arms. "Anyways, I was thinking we should go somewhere. Get away for a while." The Avatar said, leaning against the wall. "Most people would count this as 'getting away'." Katara said. "Maybe we could go to Ba Sing Se. Or to see Sokka and Suki on Kyoshi Island. It's been several years since we've seen anybody." Aang sighed. "You're right" Katara started, but was interrupted by a loud, surprising sound. The two looked up to see a red hawk sitting in the window. "A messenger hawk." Katara said, rising to meet the bird as it flew to her arm. "It's from the Fire Palace." She said, unraveling the scroll tied to it's silken back. After a few quiet moments, she looked up, a new expression of worry on her face. "I think I know where our vacation is going to be. Zuko's in touble." Her tone was serious. Aang stood and unfurled his glider, not thinking twice about the situstion or what danger it may bring, only that his friend was struggling. "Let's go."
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