Author: Yay!! I've finally decided which direction I wanted to go with this! It's been really bugging me to extend this into a story so I'm doing it. Comment if you wish. Feedback's always nice.
Deep within his palace's walls, young Zuko slowly trudged with heavy eyes towards his bed chambers anticipating a long awaited nap. For two days straight, the young ruler hosted an array of meetings between the four representatives of the four nations. Although it had been two years since the end of the war, there was still much to attend to. Because the Fire Nation started the war, it was the Fire Lord's duty to lead the restoration of political balance. It was a burden on the boy's shoulders, but he unwillingly carried it.
Upon arriving in his room, he was greeted by several female servants offering to bathe him, massage his body with oil, feed him fresh fruits etcetera. He smirked at one woman offering her body for the night. Of course, like everyone else in the palace, she knew that he had his girlfriend, Mai; but when the young maiden ventured to Omashu to visit her parents, still residing there, Lord Zuko sought his pleasures elsewhere. Yet, tonight he was too exhausted for such things even.
Instead, he dismissed the women and prepared for bed alone. Feeling as if he'd been freed from bondage, the fire lord spread his arms wide and belly-flopped onto his massive, circular, crimson bed, burying his face within its soft depths as if he was diving into a stained cloud. Lord Zuko thought briefly on the meetings held today, yet despite straining effort, he could not stop his mother's face from seeping into his memories. A hot tear slowly streamed down his scarred cheekbone before being absorbed by the crimson bedspread.
After a year of relentless searching for the banished woman, Lord Zuko called off his search party and pronounced his beloved mother dead to the world. Despite his longing to continue his search, his uncle as well as Avatar Aang thought it was best for him to turn his energy to his primary task of restoring balance amongst the nations.
"Lord, Zuko, I must speak with you, Sir".
The young ruler's body jolted in surprise at the voice. He hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep. While rubbing both eyes in an attempt to get over the initial shock, Lord Zuko questioned, "Can this not wait until morning?"
The soldier lowered his head replying, "No, Sir, I was told to report directly to you. The matter concerns your sister".
This caught his attention. He hopped from bed and put on his robe.
"Is she dead?" He asked when he was standing in front of the man.
"No, Sir, she escaped".
Lord Zuko felt his heart skip three beats. He clutched his chest in an attempt to calm himself. How could Azula have escaped? After the war, Zuko threw his worthless and powerless father in prison where he later starved to death for what he did to the former fire lady, Ursa, and his crimes against the nations but he'd spared Azula. He did not do this because he wanted; in his opinion his sister was just as responsible for his mother and the war. However, Ty Lee and Mai begged him to spare her pathetic life, so he did, but unbeknownst to the girls he had the former princess brainwashed and when questioned about it, her doctors claimed that her mental condition after the Agni Khai caused her to lose her memory. So how could she possible escape? She couldn't remember how to fire-bend to defend herself.
"The warden claimed it was Lady Ty Lee who assisted her, Sir," the soldier informed him.
Ty Lee, huh? No wonder she wanted me to "spare" her. No matter, too bad the circus freak doesn't know that this gives Ozai's baby prodigy an immediate death sentence.
Lord Zuko touched his trademark scar with his fingertips. The memories of his Agni Khai with Ozai flooded his brain. His honor had been stripped from his feet. Even now, his honor was constantly in question. Some referred to him as the weak child of Sozin, but he'd show them this time. He smirked at his plan as it unraveled in his mind.
"Do you know where they're headed?" He asked, removing his hand from his face.
"It seems they were going in the directions of Kyoshi Island, Sir".
The young ruler wanted to howl with laughter. It was just like Ty Lee to lead them somewhere open. He would have no trouble catching his prey.
"Prepare a fleet of flying balloons for the dawn," he ordered, "I'll take the role as captain. I want to personally greet my sister".
The soldier bowed and moved swiftly from his presence. Instead of going straight back to bed, the fire lord stared at his reflection in the mirror, adjacent to his doorway. Thoughts of his mother plagued his mind again, but this time he didn't mind.
It's ok, Mother. I've avenged you once, but I'm not done. I refuse to stop now. By the time the sun reaches its peak tomorrow, I will be the last of Sozin's and Roku's reign. I will make you proud, Mother.