I do not own PJO or A:TLA
Chapter 28
"Hey, can I talk to you for a second?"
Percy looked up at Zuko, surprised. "Yeah, sure, man."
Zuko sat down cross-legged and faced Percy, searching his face for a sign that he could trust him. Percy tried to look as honest as he could. He hoped he didn't end up looking constipated or something.
They had arrived at the walls of 'the great, fallen city of Ba Sin Se' yesterday and had been taken to a camp by a bunch of old looking dudes that could bend like nobodies business. Zuko's uncle was in the camp, apparently. But the ex prince hadn't gone to see him yet.
"You know how you were talking about heroes before?" Zuko asked finally.
"Yes..." Percy drew it out, unsure of where this was going.
"Well, you truly believe that someone can... that they can do horrible things and... well, do the right thing in the end?"
"Yes, of course. I told you about Luke."
"But does your camp..." Zuko stopped again, biting his lip. Like he was choosing his words very carefully. "Did your camp completely forgive him? The people that he hurt directly... do they all consider him a hero like you do?"
Percy hesitated, he knew what Zuko was after now, but he didn't know how to answer. "Well, no. Not exactly."
He looked at Zuko's broken, scared face and felt sympathy in his chest. He wasn't exactly sure what had happened between Zuko and his uncle, but it couldn't have been good. It had happened before Zuko had turned 'good' and joined the Avatar.
"But it's not like that." Percy said, reaching out and squeezing Zuko's shoulder. "The people that really loved him, they understood. Luke blamed his father for everything that happened to him and launched the entire war to try and prove him wrong and his father still forgave him at the end. And my girlfriend, Annabeth, she loved Luke more than anyone and he tried to kill us so many times.
The people that didn't forgive him didn't really know and love him the first place. Luke was... really messed up. He was confused, angry and hurt and a little vengeful. But the people that mattered to him... they understood that."
Zuko nodded. Determination in his eyes. "Do you think my uncle will forgive me? Everything he did for me, everything he taught me. What I did to him... betray him like that, treated him like dirt. It's my greatest regret." His shoulders sagged and Percy understood why Zuko was always so sullen. He had a lot going on inside his head. It was more than just a war with his country, it was a war within himself.
"I've never met your uncle, but from what I've heard and they way you're talking about him, he seems like a pretty amazing guy. I don't think he'll hold anything against you."
Zuko nodded and held Percy's gaze for a very long time. It made Percy slightly uncomfortable but he understood what it was like to feel like you're drowning in your head and sometimes, honest human contact was like a lifeline.
He took a deep breath and then another one.
"Ready?" Percy asked.
"No. But I have to do this."
Zuko walked off towards the tents where one of the older guys had shown him to earlier, Katara slipping in beside him.
Percy watched him disappear and felt his own heart beating in his chest. The great battle inside Zuko was so obvious and interesting to see. Percy remembered the story his mom used to tell him, about having two wolves inside your stomach, a good wolf and a bad. He thought about how she would remind him to feed the good one whenever his vision blurred from anger or his stomach twisted so much he thought he was going to throw up.
Percy sighed deeply. There was something about Zuko that he liked.
Toph flopped down ungracefully and punched his shoulder lightly. She hadn't even been rude to any of the old guys when they had all shown up last night, they must have been something bigger than Percy understood.
"We're meeting with the old guys when Zuko and Iroh make up." She said. "I hear they're going to feed us, so that's a plus."
Percy laughed softly. "Yeah, food is always a plus. But like, who are these guys anyways? I didn't really understand what was going on before."
"They're masters." Toph said with reverence in her voice, which was rare for the small earth bender. "These guys are part of this huge, old, underground organization. They've been doing their peace thing for years, ignoring the division of the nations and working together. These guys are... amazing. To see them fight will be so sweet."
"That's pretty awesome. So we kind of have a chance at taking the Fire Nation down?"
Toph hesitated. "You said we did."
"Yeah, I still believe that. But do you?"
"I don't know. Everyone says that taking the Fire Lord down is Aang's destiny... But if he doesn't come back in time, I'm not sure how much we can do. They're going to destroy the Earth Kingdom, my home, if we don't at least try."
Percy felt bad. He had kind of forgotten Toph's entire kingdom was on the line if Aang didn't come back.
Toph pulled her arm band off and started bending it into all these different shapes. She made a trident at one point but it was gone before he could say anything. She made a boomerang, double swords, a necklace, Aang's staff, a miniature Momo and Appa.
"So, Sea Legs... After we defeat the Fire Lord and end a 100 year old war, do you have any idea on how we're gunna get you back home?"
"Not yet. This is more important."
"I guess..."
"Hey! Toph, Percy!"
Sokka appeared before them and reached down to pull them from the ground.
"We're getting ready to meet up with the Order."
Sokka let go of Percy's hand as soon as he pulled him up, but he kept Toph's held tight. Percy noticed but didn't say anything, even though he flashbacked to Suki or whatever her name was.
"Didn't you just say these guys were amazing?"
"Yeah, amazing fighters. But they'd better have a good strategy. I've already suggested storming the palace and Sokka shot that idea down."
"It was a dumb idea."
Percy laughed as they walked through the tents and weapons and older guys in blue and white robes. They looked pretty wise and dangerous to Percy. He just hoped they didn't immediately hate him for being... well, himself. He had never really gotten along with older adults before.
They made it to a large cooking pot and all settled down around it. It felt just like when they all had sat around Katara's pot before, except for Aang's gaping absence. It was more prominent now that nobody was really their group leader. Percy kept needing to tell himself not to take charge, this wasn't his war.
Toph stood up and smiled. "They're coming."
Sokka and Katara stood up too so Percy copied them as Zuko walked around the corner with the last person Percy expected.
He had heard that Zuko's uncle was a great general from the Fire Nation, the called him 'The Dragon of The West' and said his fire bending was legendary. This had built a rather impressive mental image for Percy.
But the man who was with Zuko was a short, chubby man with kind, amber eyes and a long grey beard, his hands tucked serenely into the long sleeves of his robes.
Zuko looked so relieved and happy and at peace as he followed the old man to the group by the pot.
He came close to the them and bowed deeply. "Hello again, my children." He welcomed them.
"Iroh." Katara greeted warmly. Her and Sokka both bowed in return.
Toph beamed and stepped right up to Iron and turned her shinning face up to him.
"Hello again to you, my friend." Iroh said with great happiness. He gripped her shoulder and bent down to speak at her level. "I can see you've done a very good job at keeping my nephew safe and out of trouble. I thank you from the bottom of my heart." He touched his chest sincerely.
"It wasn't easy." Toph grinned wickedly. "He made it real difficult sometimes."
Zuko rolled his eyes but smiled when Iroh threw back his head and laughed. "Don't have to tell me twice!" He patted Zuko kindly on the back and waved for everyone to sit down while another member of the Order served them steaming bowls of food.
Iroh's voice was deep and calming, everyone seemed to be in a better mood with him around already.
"Uncle, this is Percy." Zuko introduced them as an afterthought, realizing the two had never met.
Iroh nodded respectfully to Percy, who stuck out his hand to shake.
"Hello, sir. I've heard a lot about you."
Iroh shook Percy's hand even though it was not with the customs he was used to, and smiled at the boy.
"You look confused." Iroh said, slight teasing in his voice. "Have these people been telling you terrible things about me?"
Percy smiled back. "No, sir. It's been all good things. You're just not what I expected."
"Sometimes, to learn to not be surprised by people can help you make many new friends."
"I'll remember that. Thank you."
"Uncle," Zuko started off the meeting. The mood of the little group shifted immediately into a professional and somber mood.
Zuko sat forward and pleaded with his eyes that Iroh listen to him. This was his plan and if it didn't work out, nobody really knew what to do.
"You're the only one other than the Avatar who could possibly beat the Father Lord."
"Uh, I think you mean the Fire Lord." Toph interjected.
"That's what I just said!" Zuko shouted, he took a calming breath and addressed his uncle again. "Uncle, you have to come with us."
"Hmm." Iroh stroked his bread, contemplating. "No, Prince Zuko. It won't turn out well."
He ignored the protests from everyone and held up a hand for silence. "Even if I did defeat my brother, and I'm not sure I could, it would not be the right way to end a war. The only way for this war to end peacefully is for the Avatar to defeat the Fire Lord."
"Told you so." Percy grumbled.
Toph punched his arm and he rubbed it painfully.
"Then... and then would you come take your rightful place on the throne?" Zuko asked hopefully, a hint of desperate longing in his voice.
"No." Iroh shook his head and smiled softly. "Someone new must take the throne. An idealist with a pure heart and unquestionable honour."
Zuko bowed his head, great pain on his face. "Unquestionable honour? But I've made so many mistakes."
"Yes, my nephew. You have struggled, your journey has been long and terrible and difficult. But you have come out pressed like a diamond. You have restored your own honour. And now, the Fire Nation needs you to restore her honour, as well."
"Uncle." Zuko bowed lower. "I will try."
"But... what if Aang doesn't come back?" Toph asked. "Are we just going to let them burn down my home?"
"No. Sozin's Comet is arriving and our destinies come with it. Our young Avatar will face the Fire Lord."
Percy smugly thought about he had been saying the same thing all along and everyone had ignored him. He didn't say it out loud because Toph can hit.
"We will set your Earth Kingdom free." Iroh promised Toph. That wasn't a light promise, Percy thought. Be careful what you promise to powerful twelve-year-olds...
"Prince Zuko, you need to be in the Fire Nation when the Fire Lord falls, so you can gracefully assume your throne. I am guessing Azula will not give it up easily."
Zuko scoffed and puffed out his chest slightly. "I can take Azula."
Percy felt bad for wincing but he remembered Zuko's crazy sister and wasn't exactly sure what would happen with a one-on-one fight.
"Not alone!" Iroh said, voicing Percy's thoughts.
"Hmm." Zuko looked around and his eyes settled on Katara. "Katara, will you come to the Fire Nation and take down Azula with me?"
Katara smiled and her eyes narrowed with a hungry taste for violence Pecy had never seen in Katara. "It would be my pleasure."
"Uncle Iroh, what's our destiny today?" Sokka asked.
Iroh smiled at Sokka and Toph, the way that Sokka had accidentally called him 'uncle' and not even noticed warmed his heart. "What do you think it is?"
Sokka touched his chin while he thought. "I think... that whatever happens to Aang, we should try our best to stop the airship fleet from leaving."
"That is good."
"And that means that when Aang does face the Fire Lord, we'll be right there of he needs us!" Toph said.
"We will send you on your way." Iroh said. "As we prepare for the comet to come."
"Thank you." Zuko bowed again. "We won't let you down."
Iroh looked Zuko steadily in the eye. "You do not have to prove yourself to me, nephew. I know what you are capable of. No matter what happens today, I am proud of you and the man you have become."
He looked up at the whole group. "I am proud of all of you. Children who have left their homes and sacrificed their safety to bring balance and healing. You have done the world a great service. You are not children any longer, but I hope, when this is all over, you will find rest and peace in your own lives."
His eyes fell on Percy and he studied him for a few moments. It felt like forever to Percy.
This Iroh reminded Percy of Chiron, but he also was afraid. He seemed like such a kind, gentle old man. How could he even pretend to be a match for the Fire Lord? Let alone the whole army that had taken over Ba Sin Se.
Nobody seemed worried about him though. Percy thought back to what he had said about not being surprised by people and just mentally prepared himself to see Iron turn into the Hulk or something.
"So," Iroh stood up and spread his arms to the group. "Shall we end this war today?"
Heyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy, I hope you enjoyed! I wrote this all in one day because I am so relieved to get time off school. Bleeh. Nursing school is hard.
Don't forget to leave a review and also answer the question on the last chapter.
