"I never realized the Fire Nation had built so many colonies in the Earth Kingdom..." Avatar Aang mused as he inspected the map of the nations together with Earth King Kuei and Fire Lord Zuko.
Shortly after the coronation, they had travelled back to Ba Sing Se to reinstate Earth King Kuei as monarch and began the reconstruction of the stronghold.
The Earth King nodded and pushed his spectacles up the bridge of his nose. "Yes, for the people of the Earth Kingdom, they're a constant reminder of the war, like an old scar— Oh! I-I – Fire Lord Zuko, I meant nothing personal!"
"No, Earth King Kuei, You're right. After all the pain my father has caused, it's my duty to bring healing to the world." Zuko kept his golden eyes trained on the map, taking note of the Fire Nation colonies that dotted the Earth Kingdom borders. The war has come to an end and it was time to set things straight, and that means giving back what was taken by his nation. "I'll do whatever it takes."
"But removing the colonies won't be easy. A lot of people's lives are gonna be disrupted. We need someone to oversee everything to make sure it all goes peacefully. Someone like me!" Aang pointed proudly to himself, ready for the task.
"Really? You'd want to do that?"
"Yeah! I'm the Avatar! Making stuff go peacefully is kind of my thing!"
Kuei clasped his hands together. "Wonderful! The Avatar's personal involvement will give the entire process an air of hope!"
"Toph, Sokka and I can help!" Even Katara was optimistic about the plan.
"It'll be a movement... a movement towards harmony. We'll call it... we'll call it..."
Sokka came up with the perfect name. "The Harmony Restoration Movement!"
"Yes! The Harmony Restoration Movement! I like it!"
That evening, Earth King Kuei planned a celebration where he would announce the Harmony Restoration Movement. He took care of everything as a generous host and let the young ones off to enjoy the newly rehabilitated Ba Sing Se.
They decided to spend their time at the Jasmine Dragon, Uncle Iroh's famous tea shop in the upper ring. It was closed for the day, but the doors will always be open for Team Avatar.
A kind, old lady who introduced herself as Lady Quinta led them inside the tea shop and called for Iroh. He came out from the back room, carrying a tray of cups and a fresh brew of jasmine tea. "Right on time!"
Zuko relaxed from his 'Fire Lord stance', letting out a long sigh of relief and looking around the tea shop for someone in particular. "Where is she, uncle?"
"Ah, she's in the private room with Lady Reiko. They're getting ready for the celebration. Why don't you change into something more comfortable... and earthy?"
He raised an eyebrow, still not fully trusting his uncle's fashion and style sense. But what choice did he have? "Alright."
Zuko went upstairs to get changed. Just as he was passing the corridor with the private rooms, he heard the soft, steady beating of drums.
"One, two, three, one, two three..."
He couldn't resist his curiosity and tried to open the sliding door a fraction of an inch, disappointed to find it sealed shut.
As he did before when he was younger, he focused his chi on his fingertips and bore a small hole through the wood with fire, enough for him to peek through it.
But all he found was Lady Suiren's sister, Lady Reiko, directing a couple of musicians.
"Looking for someone?"
"AAH!" Zuko let out a startled shout and stumbled forward, knocking his forehead onto the door, losing his balance and ending up on the floor. "Oww..."
The sound of musical laughter made him open his eyes and look up at the source. There she stood over him with a wide smile on her lips, red-amber eyes twinkling with laughter and mirth as she held out a hand for him to take.
Chiyo helped him up on his feet and dusted off his royal robes, still chuckling lightly. "I never thought the new Fire Lord would be a peeping tom!"
"I wasn't peeping!" Zuko rubbed his red forehead that was quickly matching his reddening cheeks. "I was... just—"
Lady Reiko opened the doors to look at what had caused the commotion. "What happened?!"
After getting changed into a dark brown and gold tunic and pants, he took off the Fire Lord emblem and let his hair fall out of its ties, shaking out the dark locks. He went back down to the shop to see everyone relaxing in chairs, sipping tea, sharing stories, laughing carefree.
Peace looked good on them.
As he stood there by the stairs, he felt a warm hand placed in his, slender fingers twining with his own. "Lost in your thoughts, Fire Lord Zuko?" Chiyo smiled up at him. She had changed into a beautiful green and silver cheongsam that hugged her figure perfectly. Her dark wavy hair was half tied up in a bun, half flowing down past her shoulders; nestled between the curls, a full-bloomed fire lily that matched her eyes.
"How can you be more beautiful with each passing day?"
"Hey Zuko! Chiyo! Check out this painting I made of us!"
Before the celebration, they took Appa out for a ride throughout Ba Sing Se. They explored the vast plains of the outer wall, the nearly finished rehabilitation of the lower and middle ring, and the preparations in the upper ring and the palace grounds.
Evening slowly came and the whole city lit up with lights, like millions of fireflies beneath them as they flew across the dark sky.
"Wait, guys! The fireworks are starting!" Just as Suki pointed in the distance, their visions filled with the beautiful colors of the fireworks.
Toph loosened her tight grip on Appa's saddle and asked Sokka. "Hey, wanna know what fireworks are like for me? Close your eyes."
Sokka did as he was told and waited.
"BOOOOOOM!"
His eyes shot open and he hurriedly clutched his ears.
Katara stifled her laughter at her brother's expense and hugged the earthbender. "Oh, Toph, don't be such a grump! You're out with friends on a beautiful night, celebrating the fact that we saved the world!"
Toph shrugged. "True."
"You too, your new Majesty Fire Lord Zuko, Sir! Turn that frown upside down! It's happy time!" Aang let go of the reins and jumped in front of Zuko.
The fireworks were beautiful, and so was Chiyo by his side, but his thoughts kept floating elsewhere. "I visited my father in prison the other day. I've been meaning to ask you for a favor, Aang."
"Sure. Anything."
"If you ever see me turning into my father, I want you to... I want you to end me."
"WHAT?!" Identical expressions of shock, confusion, anger and hurt flitted across Aang and Chiyo's faces.
"Even now, after everything that's happened, my family's legacy is still a part of me. That's why it's my duty to heal the scars that the Fire Nation has left on the world."
Zuko thought back to Earth King Kuei's words, about the Fire Nation colonies being a constant reminder, a scar on Earth Kingdom history. "But the Fire Lord's throne comes with a lot of pressures and if I'm honest with myself, I need a safety net. The world needs a safety net. That's what I need you to be, Aang. The safety net."
"Zuko, you are not your father." Chiyo frowned and held his hand tighter, looking at him determinedly. "You aren't like him, you will never be like that monster..."
Aang was at a loss for words. His friend just gave him a responsibility far heavier than what he expected. "You're my friend, Zuko—"
"Then as your friend, I'm asking you. If you ever see me go bad, end me. Promise me, Aang."
The seriousness of his request weighed heavy on his shoulders. How could a friend ask that of him? How could his friend make him promise to end him the moment he turns like his father?
If only he were someone else, he would readily refuse him.
But he was the Avatar. The keeper of the peace, balance, and harmony across the four nations. He already neglected the world once, throwing the nations in chaos under Fire Lords who sought power over the world. Aang knew that Zuko was different, but as the Avatar, was he prepared to risk the peace that they were enjoying now?
After moments of silence, he made his decision. "Fine. I promise."
After the celebration and the announcement of the Harmony Restoration Movement, Zuko went back to the Jasmine Dragon and sat alone at one of the tables, nursing his tea.
At that moment, he wished he was drinking something stronger.
"You didn't... stay to ... watch my... performance..." Chiyo entered the tea shop breathlessly, having ran from the palace grounds to the shop on foot.
"I'm sorry..." He closed his eyes and buried his face in his hands. "I'm just out of it, I guess."
"Oh..." She sat down across from him, taking both of his hands in hers. "Is there anything I can do?"
He locked eyes with her as she held his hands, staring up at him. What would he give to be at peace and have her stay by his side? "Distract me, please."
"From what?"
"From myself." Zuko admitted, looking down at the varnished wood of the tabletop. Now matter how much he tried to steer his thoughts away, he couldn't help but remember his father's words that night that he had visited him in Capital Prison.
"You ought to bring me some tea, Zuko." Ozai smirked as he sat up from his cot. "We'll talk while sipping from steaming little cups, much like you did with my traitorous brother. I'll give you advice on how to be a good Fire Lord. Wouldn't that be nice? And perhaps, even the subject of your mother will come up."
Zuko gritted his teeth and clenched his fists before turning away. "I don't need this."
"Do you think being Fire Lord is easy?"
He had stopped in his tracks, but he refused to turn around.
"The throne comes with many pressures, and those pressures will change you! But if you can stand the heat, you'll become something more. Of all the people in the world, I have the wisdom you need, the wisdom of experience!"
He remained still. How could his father be behind bars and still hold him captive with mere words?
"Be honest with yourself, Zuko. Do you really believe you can handle it all on your own?"
Can he?
"You'll be back, and I'll be here waiting for you, son."
"Distract you... distract you..." Chiyo thought hard as she worried her bottom lip. "Oh! A playwright hired me as a consultant! They're going to make a play about Lady Suiren!"
"Oh?" Zuko raised a brow, his interest slightly piqued.
"Yes! I will be working with the playwright of Love Amongst the Dragons and the Hira'a acting troupe. It will take a long time to develop, they said a year at most, but it will be perfect!"
"But Hira'a is so far away from the Capital City..."
"I know..." She avoided his eyes, choosing to focus on their joined hands. "That's why Lady Vira said I will be staying with the Hira'a troupe for a year—"
"What?!"
She expected that much, but she still flinched at his reaction. "It will only be for a year—"
"But I just got you back, Chiyo..." He stood up and went over to her side of the table, kneeling in front of her. He reached up and took her chin in his fingers to make her look at him. "We've been separated for three years... It's only been a few weeks... And you're leaving me?"
"I'm not leaving you, Zuko..." She cupped his cheek, watching as he leaned towards her touch. "I'll finish the play and come back as fast as I can... to you."
"Do you really need to do this?"
Chiyo nodded. She had promised her mentor and herself that she will continue Lady Suiren's legacy. This tribute will be her way of honoring her beloved teacher for all the sacrifices she had made. It might not be enough, but all the people must know of Lady Suiren's story at the very least.
That's what Lady Vira told her.
"I do, Zuko. For Lady Suiren."
He nodded in understanding after a few heartbeats and leaned in to kiss her softly. "When the play is over, you'll come back to me, am I clear?"
She smiled widely. "Yes, Fire Lord Zuko."
"Promise?"
"Promise."