A/N: Still don't own ATLA or LoK. Boo.

Fourth of July is on a Monday (Boo) so no guarantees that this Friday I will be coherent enough to post. If that happens there will be two chapters Monday.

Azula remained silent thinking of various things during the meeting. Her gut told her that most of what the group was recalling about her homeland was true. The dead princess also knew that it would not be as simple as showing up during the eclipse. Certainly her people kept close track of the eclipse and Ozai more than likely would hide during such an event. Without his fire bending Ozai wasn't much more skilled than an high priced merc.

Azula watched the ocean churn by. The saltwater bringing blurred memories to the woman's mind.

"You okay Sudhir?" Aang watched Azula tilt her head.

"Who knows? Everything feels slightly distorted. I can tell you this much, I really don't want to go back."

"I guess attacking your own home is hard." Aang leaned on the railing next to Azula. She was so different than before. Azula always wore perfectly fitted silken clothes now she had lose clothing stitched together multiple times with faded colors. Her hair was longer, bangs were uneven (much to her displeasure), and her skin had tanned. Brown hair shook as Azula corrected Aang's logical assumption.

"It's not that. I don't want to be in that place again. If I really am who you think I am... then I don't want anyone else connecting the dots. After all, Princess Azula is dead." Heated air escaped through her nostrils. She wanted to live somewhere quiet away from those blasted halls and whispers. Both of them listened to the sea accompanied by the overworked engine. The ocean has been kind to the ship allowing it to return on schedule without drawing any attention, thankfully. The crew and cargo would have to be careful the next few days since they were entering deeper into Fire Nation waters.

"Sudhir?"

"Hmm?"

"I don't think I can take Ozai on." Aang leaned over the side as if Tui and La were pulling him into the ocean.

"It will be terrifying. I doubt it will be easy. But you have to do it. General Iroh could hold his ground against Ozai. Yet he's older now. Though I have no idea where to start searching for him." Azula patted the boy's back making sure the ocean didn't claim him. How would she explain that to everyone? I don't know, the ocean just ate him. In one bite.

"I just... I don't want to kill him."

"Then don't. Ozai is the biggest problem, that's true. You also have to remember that this war has been going on for a hundred years, Aang. There are and will be countless problems or conflicts that everyone will demand that the Avatar fix. It won't be fair in any way because I doubt you chose to be the Avatar." Aang was already expected to sacrifice and do so much without considering everything that he had lost. He needed the choice to be a little selfish for once. The dead princess doubted that anyone would willingly step into the battleground that is the Avatar's life.

Aang pushed himself from the railing smiling at Azula.

"Thanks Sudhir."

They embraced once again. Aang still smelled like lychee nuts. To Aang, Azula reminded him of an incense whose name was long since forgotten. They separated still holding hands. Both uncertain of each other and themselves. Inexperience rooted them to the ship eyes studying the other.

"I-I guess we should go to bed." Aang croaked his face sporting a pink hue.

Obsidian pillars. Azure dragon.

Princess Azula. No.

Rumbling- rather chuckling. Your brother will replace you then. No.

Sister?

Turn.

Golden eyes and a marred face. Zuzu? Brother.

Thankfully, Azula didn't start shooting flames this morning. She only awoke in a cold sweat with Avani's hair tickling her face. The truth glared at her from the metal ceiling. The engine spoke of her linage to everyone in earshot.

Zuzu. Zuko. Prince Zuko. My brother. I am the dead princess. Why do I have to be Princess Azula? Curses. Why was Aang right? What am I to do?

Steel did not answer any of her questions and there was no earth to consume her whole. She doubted that the ocean would take her away. Angrily the dead princess sighed causing Avani to grumble at the disturbance to her sleep.

One thing at a time. Fire Lord Ozai must be defeated. After that... I'll figure out what to do.

Maybe.

Hopefully.

So much had remained exactly the same after a few short years. The paths the servants took, the paintings, and the shining stone reflecting the flames to name a few. It was painfully quiet until footsteps shattered the serenity of the palace. The prince did not remember the silence being so overwhelming.

Could something have happened? Zuko carefully paid attention to the servants moving boxes from Azula's room. Why are they moving her things without her yelling at them?

Prince Zuko struggled hard to accept he was home. Not as a prisoner, not as an exile but as a prince. Ornate doors creaked open.

Ozai sat alone. There were no flames roaring around him. No smug look rested upon his face.

"My Son." My son... He called me... his son.

Ozai rose from his blood stained throne and embraced Zuko. The child could swear this was the first time his father had hugged him. Prince Zuko's heart stopped along with his mind. Such affection he could not remember such a thing from his father. His mother? All of the time. Fire Lord Ozai was warm and smelled of ash. No tears rolled down the man's face. They separated yet Ozai rested his hand on Zuko's shoulder watching the young man.

"Is... is it true? And... Where's Azula?"

"Yes it is true, Zuko. Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are dead." The Fire Lord's voice wavered in the slightest. Prince Zuko could not accept such a truth.

Azula's dead. My sister. Gone? Why? Why is this happening? How did this happen? Did father bring me home because I am the only one left? Does he even care about me in the slightest? He claims that Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee are dead. How did that happen? They are all much more skilled than I. Azula was always the best at fighting and fire bending. I can not believe that she is dead. She's too tenacious for such a thing to happen to her.

Ozai was a father whom had lost his precious daughter. Only now could Fire Lord Ozai understand his brother's grief when he lost Lu Ten. How he stole the crown from his weeping brother. Ozai was ruthlessly power hungry man. Today? The Fire Lord did not know.

"I know this is hard news to hear. Especially on the day of your return. I am sorry Zuko. For many things that I have done... To you... and to Azula." Fire Lord Ozai gazed upon his son. His only surviving child. He was so foolish to think that Zuko would not be a suitable heir to the throne. Dark looks and harsh words from his brother resurfaced in his mind. Iroh, my brother, I should have listened. Even a little.

He murdered his father, stole the crown from his brother, and marred the face of his own son.

These mistakes could not be fixed or undone.

"Wait. Hold on. We're sneaking into the Fire Nation?" Azula's heart was not beating. Sokka looked at her as if her braid was too tight or something.

"Yeah. It will be easier to coordinate everyone before the initial assault." Azula physically balked at their plan. There was no way for her to back out of such a terrible strategy. If you can hear me earth. Please. Please swallow me whole. Right now.

The earth did nothing. Like it does most days.

"Yaaay! I can't wait to try the food!" Avani cheered holding Momo. They had discussed leaving Avani behind yet could not think of a feasible option. The southern water tribe would be safe but with the eclipse closing in no one could be spared. Appa could fly there and back running the risk of being spotted. They figured that Avani could hide somewhere and they would pick her up after the fighting.

The dead princess gritted her teeth as they approached their destination in the Fire Nation. White knuckled gripped Appa's saddle and her eyes constantly searched the horizon.

"You okay there Inferno?"

"Nope."

"At least no one's shooting at us."

"Thanks, Captain Obvious." Sokka shrugged at Azula's bitter response.

"Welcome to our new home." None of them looked upon Aang with excitement about living in a cave. Except Avani. She was the only one not frowning. That could be counted as excitement, right?

"I wanna go explore!" Azula quickly nabbed Avani before she could bolt out of the cave.

"Not happening until we all change into Fire Nation clothing." Off they went to steal clothes from an unsuspecting and sleeping cleaner.

By midday they all looked as if they were born and raised on the island. Avani was beyond ecstatic about new clothes even if they were stolen.

"Alright. We're ready to explore the city."

"I'm staying here." Azula sat down next to Appa stretching as if she was about to go to sleep. She was exhausted from flying and worrying about everything related to being in the Fire Nation.

"Aaaw." Avani whined she had many plans that involved Sudhir coming with her.

"You sure Sudhir?" Katara held Avani's hand as she struggled to drag the woman to follow the boys and Toph.

"Yeah, don't worry about it. Have fun and good luck trying to keep her out of trouble." Katara chuckled finally letting Avani drag her away from the sulking Azula. There was no way she was going to risk anyone spotting her in the city. They would be holding her funeral soon enough. Plastering her likeness all over forcing other to mourn her loss.

I doubt father cries over losing me. I suspect he cries for losing a willing pawn. Zuko, please be safe and... I'm really sorry. For everything.

Zuko could not sleep this night. Silk felt unnatural against his skin. Bed as soft as the clouds could not calm his mind. Over and over he went through his memories. Comparing Ozai now to before his exile. Could he trust his father- rather the Fire Lord? All the young man had was question after question. All of those questions could replace the ocean.

Thoughts drifted towards the rag-tag group he had been part of before running into Sokka. Smellerbee, Longshot, Jet, and Uncle. The prince rolled over in guilt. He could only hope that Uncle Iroh was safe and that nothing had happened to him. Maybe tomorrow he'll ask his father to forgive Iroh as well.

Exhaustion finally slowed Zuko's mind enough to let him sleep once again in his home.

Or future prison.

Jet's vision doubled as Iroh moved towards him. The old men looked truly concerned for him.

"I don't feel..." The leader lost conscience before he could finish his sentence. The general allowed Smellerbee and Longshot to approach their comrade. Iroh did all that he could to remove the brainwashing. All that was left was for Jet to rest and hopefully never be forced to fight himself for control over his own body.

"Is he going to be alright?" Longshot looked upon the old man who sighed at the events unfolding too quickly for his liking.

"I do not know. Jet must fight for himself now. You two will need to help him." The tea has long since cooled losing its luster. Within a moment Iroh had warm tea once again on this night it did not calm his shaking hands.

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