Zuko's initial shock wore off quickly. He rushed over and hugged his uncle. Iroh gladly embraced his nephew.
"I'm so glad you're back," Zuko told him.
Iroh sighed. "Sadly, Prince Zuko, I have to leave again in a few hours."
"Why," Zuko questioned.
"I'm leading Toph, Suki and Sokka to the Order of The White Lotus base camp. Then the other Lotus members will help them get the rest of their group out of prison. In a few months they will band together to form a rebellion to get the Fire Nation out of Ba Sing Se."
Zuko blinked. "How do you know Toph, Suki and Sokka?"
"Toph and I have become great friends since she pretended to murder me on my brother's command, months ago. You all have been meeting with Toph on some nights, but so have I. I've only snuck into the prison a few times, much less than you all, but during our few visits Toph and I managed to make a massive string of plan against the Fire Nation," Iroh explained. "Before I went to go meet with them at the prison, I left those scrolls for you and Aang."
"But Uncle, I didn't understand what I found. Firelord Sozin died peacefully in his sleep. What's the truth behind that? How does that help me?"
"Firelord Sozin was your great-grandfather on your father's side, Prince Zuko," Iroh said. "Your mother's grandfather was Avatar Roku."
Zuko gasped. He was surprised, but at the same time he felt honored to have such powerful bloodlines running through him. "I understand," he whispered. Now he understood the struggle with good and evil that he dealt with before his banishment.
"Understanding the struggle between your great-grandfathers helps you better understand the struggle you had within yourself and your connection with Aang," Iroh assured him.
"Why are you telling me this now," Zuko asked.
"Before I leave, I wanted to make sure your head was leveled and you were choosing the right side in this war. With the knowledge you both have discovered today I'm sure you and Aang will make the right decisions in the end. I know it." Iroh smiled and wrapped his arms around his nephew once again.
Zuko had tears streaming down his face. This moment was a little too much like the last time he saw his mother. He didn't want to let go of the only father he'd ever known, just as he'd let go of his mother. But he knew he'd see his uncle again.
At noon, Aang and Zuko attended a last minute meeting. Of course, it was about Toph, Sokka and Suki's escape. The meeting came to a close with Ozai's decision to double prison security measures. Not that it mattered now. Toph, Sokka, Suki and Iroh were safely on their way to the Order of the White Lotus base camp.
When Aang made it back to his room, Katara was sitting on his bed and lunch was on the table. Of course, he skipped the food and went straight for the girl.
"D-do you l-like, want to go s-somewhere?"
Katara perked up at the mention of getting out of the palace with Aang. "Sure!"
Aang blushed and sheepishly rubbed the back of his head. "I was thinking we could go for a ride on Appa. I'd be nice to see him again."
"Let's go," Katara said, grinning. She jumped up and grabbed Aang's hand, running out of the door with him.
"So Zuzu, did you hear that Mai's going to be in town," Azula asked, standing in Zuko's doorway.
Zuko looked up at his sister. "Really?"
"Yeah, her father has requested to meet with dad about something before our personal meeting, so Mai decided to tag along. They should be here before sundown," Azula said. She turned a taunting smile on Zuko. "I bet you're happy now. But think of all the teasing I'll be able to do with you two together."
Zuko snarled, holding back a smile. "Get out Azula." He stood and shut his door in the Princess's face. He rolled his eyes. Couldn't they have a civilized conversation just once?
"This is amazing!"
Aang looked up at the girl in the Appa's saddle and laughed. She was completely absorbed in the sights of the city far below her. She'd never been this high up before. Everything was so small. People looked like tiny ants. The sky was a peaceful blue color and it was almost as if she could reach up and touch the sun. Aang's melodic laughter rang out as the wind carried it into the air. His joy wrapped around Katara and made her enjoy herself even more. The sound of their laughter mixed together and was carried off in the sky behind them.
The couple soon reached the shoreline of the capital. Aang noticed a large Fire Nation ship stop at the dock. As Appa flew over, he saw Mai and her father walk out of the ship with a few Fire Nation guards.
Aang smiled, brightly. "Mai!"
Katara looked over the edge of the saddle. "Who?"
"Zuko's girlfriend," the Avatar explained. "Appa, take us down."
As they got closer Katara recognized the emotionless Fire Nation girl from her earlier visit to the palace.
Aang landed Appa close to the dock and in front of Mai and her Father. He leapt down from the bison and floated lightly to his feet. The guards and The Governor of New Ozai bowed down in respect for the Avatar while Aang pulled Mai, who hadn't bowed at all, into a hug.
"Good to see you, too, Aang," Mai said, dully. "Mind giving me a ride to the palace on your furry monster?"
Aang looked back up to the saddle, where Katara sat and smiled. "Sure."
"Dad, I'll see you at the palace," Mai told the governor, happy to be avoiding the walk. She allowed Aang to help her into the saddle and quietly took a seat next to Katara. "Oh look, you brought your servant."
Katara eyed the girl, never actually exchanging words with her before. She held her hand out for Mai to shake. "I'm Katara."
Mai didn't move. She peeked under her dark bangs and stared at Katara's hand as if it were a foreign object. "I'm Mai," she said, simply. She turned away from Katara and stared out into the sky as they lifted into the air.
Katara rolled her eyes and stuck out her tongue at her behind her back. No one ever failed to remind her that she was a servant.
They landed in the palace courtyard a few minutes later. Aang, Katara and Mai got off of Appa and a few caretakers came to take him back to the stable. Zuko came behind the caretakers and happily embraced Mai.
He tried to plant a kiss on her lips, but she turned her head and he kissed her cheek instead. Zuko laughed. "Still against PDA?"
Mai cracked a small smile and grabbed Zuko's hand, leading him off into to the palace.
Katara turned to Aang. "What do we do now?"
"Well, there's still a lot of time before the meeting tonight…I guess we could go do some waterbending."
Katara nodded, eagerly. "But where?"
Aang thought for a moment. "We could walk to the lake we went to before," he suggested. Katara smiled and took his hand. They walked towards the gates that led to the city, unaware that they were being watched.
Azula watched the Avatar and his servant from her spot near the turtle-duck pond. Her eyes narrowed at their linked hands. "Hmmm…It seems someone has taken a liking to a certain dark-skinned water peasant."
Aang and Katara spent the afternoon in the lake, practicing waterbending. Aang taught Katara many new stances and moves with the water. Before they knew it, it was time to head back to the palace. There was a meeting tonight that only Aang, Zuko and Azula were to attend with Ozai. None of the royal teenagers knew what the meeting was about, but the Firelord had stressed how important it was. Once he arrived back at the palace, Aang went to his room and dressed in his formal Royal Fire Nation robes, with the head piece that let everyone know he was considered one of the Firelord's children by Ozai's demand. He swept his growing hair into a small bun and placed the headpiece into the bun.
He made his way to the War Meeting room and took a seat next to Zuko. Ozai sat at the end of the table, his Fire throne abandoned. He sat at the table when meeting with only the Royal circle.
Aang eyed Iroh's empty seat with sadness, but Zuko met his glance at the seat and winked. The Avatar gave his friend a questioning glance, but Zuko simply gave him a look that could only be translated to: I'll tell you later.
Firelord Ozai stood, signaling the meeting was started. "My children, I've called a meeting here to announce something very important. As you know, all of you are capable of ruling this nation, but only one of you will take the thrown once I pass. Now that you are all of age and we've acquired a new 'Prince'," Ozai said, turning to look at Aang. "I consider each one of you to be my child, even those who just became so only five years ago. With that being said, Avatar Aang, since coming here has demonstrated unfathomable power. I watched him change from the weak monk he once was to the powerful Fire Nation Royal seated before me. So, I've changed the rules a bit to allow it so that Aang will take the throne once I pass or take ill."
After Ozai's speech, the entire room was silent with different emotions. Zuko was shocked, his mouth open. Azula's face was one of pure rage and Aang was distressed. Finally, Aang stood. Ozai had hoped Aang had come to his senses since they last spoke on the subject, but his feelings remained the same.
"Ozai, I'm…honored that you would consider allowing me to take the throne, but I must turn you down-"
"It is non-negotiable, Aang," Ozai responded, calmly. "I love you like a son, but if you refuse to become Firelord, I will have you banished. Dismissed."
Aang sighed as Zuko and Azula rose. Azula stormed out of the meeting hall, kicking open the doors with fury.
Aang put a hand on Zuko's shoulder. "Zuko, you know I don't want this-
"Just leave me alone, Aang," Zuko hissed, jerking his shoulder out of Aang's grasp. He walked swiftly out of the meeting hall, feeling more dejection and envy than he'd ever felt in his entire life.
Aang lowered his head and walked slowly out of the room and down the hall. He avoided Azula's glare as he passed her open bedroom door, unknowingly fueling her anger in her quest to think of something that would destroy the boys and clear her path for the throne.
Well, there was good news in this chapter and there was bad news. Good news: Iroh's alive and helping Sokka, Suki and Toph. Also, Mai's visiting for a little while. Bad news: Ozai complicates Aang and Zuko's friendship by announcing Aang as his heir to the throne. Azula plots against her brother and Aang. AND Azula suspects Aang and Katara's growing relationship.
XOXO
KataangGirl14