Chapter 1: The Bad Decision Lord
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC.
"Let me get this straight," Liling began, shaking her head in disbelief. "Azula is nowhere to be found?"
Zuko nodded once, confirming his cousin's statement.
"And," she continued, holding her hand up to stop him before he could saying anything to cut her off. "You're certain of this?"
"Yes and no," a voice called from the doorway before Zuko could respond. Azula was framed in the doorway of the throne room, leaning against one of the doors. Upon having all six eyes in the room fall upon her, she smirked and pushed off the frame before making her way over to her brother, cousin, and uncle. "It's been a while."
With an eyeroll, Zuko rubs the tension out of his temples before turning to face her. "So nice of you to finally join us, Azula." Upon her approach, he continues, "I want to find my mother. Now that the war is over and I'm finally Fire Lord, I can finally search for her after all of these years. And Azula is the only person who can help me find her."
At that, Iroh and Liling exchange a skeptical glance before turning back towards Azula who was staring at them cooly with her arms crossed and a small smirk playing on the edge of her mouth. After a moment of silence, Liling points out, "Zuko, I know how much your mother meant to you. She meant a lot to me as well. I would be honored to personally help you with the search."
Nodding, Iroh adds in, "Nephew, if this is truly the path you want to take, then I will support you every step of the way. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know."
Zuko smiles at them both before saying, "Liling, I was hoping you would come with us. As for you, Uncle, I was wondering if you wouldn't mind taking my place as interim Fire Lord as the search is commenced?"
"Of course, nephew, it would be my pleasure," Iroh told him with a modest bow.
With a small smile, Zuko concludes, "Well, now that you two have decided to help me, there's only one more thing I need to do before we embark on our journey. I need to see if the rest of the gang wants to join."
"I hope we're not late." Iroh says as he and Liling hustle towards the throne room. They were supposed to have been there ten minutes ago but had been too engrossed in sampling Iroh's latest brew for the Jasmine Dragon and lost track of time. Now they were speed walking at top speed towards the throne room, hoping the others had yet to arrive as well.
As they neared the curtain to the Throne Room, a familiar voice calls warmly, "Liling, Iroh! We didn't expect to find you here!" Katara runs towards them and embraces Liling warmly.
As the two girls hug, Iroh pushes the curtain aside and shouts, "Zuko, your friends have arrived!"
Entering the throne room, Aang bows towards Zuko, saying, "Thank you for inviting us to your home, Your Fieriness! We've been out of touch for much too long!"
Shaking his head, Zuko replies with a chuckle, "It's only been a week." Looking around at the group that had gathered upon his request, his brow furrowed as he inquired, "Where's Toph?"
"She had to stay at the academy. Now that folks have seen the lily livers, I mean, her students in action, everyone and their mother wants to be a metalbender. Even the Yu Dao police chief went to visit her!" Sokka explained, joining Aang at his side.
As Liling and Katara entered the room, Katara adds, "We came as soon as we received your message. What's this about?"
"I recently obtained some new information about Ursa, my mother. It turns out she's from a small town called Hira'a on the outskirts of the Fire Nation. Liling and I going to look for her. Uncle Iroh's agreed to watch over things here while I'm gone." Zuko explains, looking fondly at both Iroh and Liling.
Clasping his hands together in front of him, Iroh encourages, "May you find who, and what, you are searching for, my nephew."
"That's great, Zuko! But it sounds like you've got everything covered. . ." Aang trails off, unsure of where this is going, a confused look on his, Sokka, and Katara's faces.
"So why do you need us?" Katara finishes Aang's unasked question.
Rubbing the back of his neck sheepishly, Zuko says, "The information about my mother came at a cost. You see. . ." As he trails off, Azula appears from behind the curtain.
Almost nervously, not that she would admit as much, Azula enters the room. Standing between Zuko and Liling with her arms clasped behind her back, Azula nods at the Avatar and his companions. It had been a hard adjustment for everyone to trust each other, but it was starting to become easier.
Before she could say anything, Suki and Ty Lee enter the room, decked in their Kyoshi Warrior outfits.
"Suki!" Sokka immediately perks up and runs towards his girlfriend, meeting her halfway and scooping her up in a massive hug.
Making sure Sokka wasn't about to interrupt again, Zuko explains, "Azula was the one who got the information from Ozai. Because she helped me out, we made a deal. She's going to come with me to look for our mother. And I want you all to come with us."
Leaning against his glider staff, Aang scoffs, "No offense, but that sounds like the worst plan ever! No offense, Azula, but we're supposed to trust what Ozai told you?"
Pulling away from Suki, Sokka exclaims, "Oooh! Oooh! New nickname for Zuko! How about bad decision lord?"
Iroh steps forward then and interjects, "Ever since my nephew ascended to the throne, he has yearned for peace. Finding Ursa may bring that peace, and not just for himself." Whilst saying the last bit, he eyes Azula warily.
Aang smiles softly in understanding, saying, "We're your friends, Zuko. If you need us, we'll go."
With that confirmation, it was decided. They would depart for Hira'a in the morning.