"Avatar Roku contacted you in your dreams?" asked Katara.
The team was seated around a campfire on the outskirts of the Fire Nation civilization. They had a ways to go before they would reach the rendezvous point, and were enjoying breakfast before they'd begun their plans for the day.
Aang nodded in response to Katara's question.
"Yeah, he said it was time I knew the past history of him and Sozin, and the war."
"What's there to know?" shrugged Sokka, mouth full of food. "Sozin was evil, started a war, and now we gotta stop it before it gets worse. What could he possibly say about the past that would make any difference?"
"I don't know," shrugged Aang, "but if Avatar Roku thinks it's important, it probably is."
"So, how do you contact a dead guy?" asked Toph.
"I meditate. Avatars have access to their past lives through meditation. They act as guides."
"Can other people do that? Meditate and access their past lives?"
Aang shrugged.
"Probably? I don't see why not?"
"How about because no one else is the Avatar?" said Sokka, giving a short laugh.
"Still," started Katara thoughtfully, "It might be possible."
"Oh come on, there's no scientific evidence supporting the fact that past lives exist."
"But the Avatar-"
"The Avatar is so outside the exception he may as well be from another world," said Sokka, waving his hand.
"...but there's such a thing as tethers…" muttered Toph. Sokka shot her a look, but turned away in the next. When was he going to learn that she can't see his expressions? She laughed anyway.
"A Spirit's Tether," hummed Katara, getting that dreamy look she normally got when thinking of romance. "I bet it would be wonderful to have one."
Sokka rolled his eyes and Toph chuckled.
"Yeah," sighed Aang. "It must be fun to be able to talk to people in your dreams."
"Or a pain…" muttered Sokka. Katara laughed.
"Why am I not surprised? Anytime something nice or romantic like tethers come up, you're always ready to shoot it down."
"Hey, if the point is to be asleep, why spend it talking to someone?"
"But your tether is supposed to be someone you feel most at home with," continued Katara, "it's someone who's supposed to make you feel at ease, someone you can share all your secrets and desires with."
He let out a short breath, turning away.
"Unless they're a jerk…" he muttered.
"If they're your tether they wouldn't be a jerk," Katara argued.
"I don't know," started Toph, "I heard that tethers don't always have happy endings."
"Oh, yeah," nodded Aang. "That's true. Sometimes it ends in tragedy."
"Why's that?" Katara asked.
"Well, it's said that tethers are supposed to achieve something together," said Aang in thought, "They have a destiny, and are supposed to help mould the world with their actions. If they turn from their destiny, it doesn't always end well."
Sokka clicked his tongue.
"Why would anyone turn from the person who's supposed to be closest to them?" asked Katara.
"Because they're a jerk," muttered Sokka. Katara shot him a glare, thinking he was teasing her.
"Well, I wouldn't do that," she scoffed. "I'd always try and find some middle ground, at least some way to work together."
Sokka's eye twitched. Aang started up again,
"There are stories of tethers turning away from one another, but when they work together they achieve so much! Like the lovers from Omashu! They were tethered."
"They were?" asked Sokka.
"Yeah," nodded Aang. "When we got separated, Katara and I found their tomb, and in it, it told the story of their life. They were tethered, and saw each other in dreams, but were determined to meet each other. They learned earthbending from the badgermoles, and met in secret."
"But one day," started Katara, "the man, Shu, never came back. Oma, the woman, learned he'd died in the war between their people."
"With a powerful display of earthbending, Oma stopped the war," started Aang, "and declared that there would be peace. And that's how Omashu was created."
Aang smiled, leaning back on his hands when he finished. Sokka looked to the relaxed and smiling faces of his friends, unsure how such a tale could make them feel assured or at peace as they seemed.
"Um...hello?" said Sokka, looking at all of them. "Shu died. How is this a good story?"
"But if they hadn't met, if they hadn't fallen in love and learned earthbending, Oma could have never stopped the war and created peace."
"So Shu had to die for peace? Oma had to lose her tether? Just for peace?"
"That's destiny," shrugged Katara.
"That's garbage!" Sokka exclaimed. "Why do people have to keep dying because it's their fate? Because it incites change? Why can't we change things while we're alive?"
"I don't know," said Katara, holding up her hands in defense. "It's just one instance, no need to get worked up about it."
"Aren't there any happy tethered stories?" sighed Sokka, running a hand down his face. "About two people who don't die? Because it seems like being tethered is a curse."
Toph snickered before she spoke up,
"I had a nanny once who told me a story about two tethers that died together."
"Great. You're a real help Toph," shot Sokka, bitterly.
"Why do you care so much?" asked Katara, "It's not like you're tethered."
"Wh- well- I don't! I just think it's dumb that a spirit just ties people together and messes with fate like that. We're the ones who should be deciding our own actions, not a bunch of floaty ghost-things that don't even live here. This isn't even their world! Why do they care?"
Toph was cackling at this point, and even Katara was struggling to keep a straight face, surprised by his outburst.
"I'm being serious!" he said, his voice cracking.
"You're such a softy," smiled Katara. "It's sweet how much you don't want someone's tether to die."
"That's not sweet. I'm not being sweet!" he exclaimed, throwing his hands up.
"If it makes you feel better," smiled Aang, "there is a story about two tethers who live that the monks told me about."
"What's the catch?" he said, eyeing him suspiciously.
"...They went to prison for the rest of their life..." he smiled sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. Toph laughed again, rolling on her back with her feet in the air. Sokka's eye twitched a little harder. "But!" said Aang, throwing his hands out, "they were both alive, and they were happy."
"They were happy? In prison?!" he exclaimed.
"It's complicated?" he shrugged, apologetically. "You see, they were two airbenders who-"
"Spare me the details," said Sokka throwing out a hand. "I'd rather not know."
"You asked," teased Katara with a smile.
"I regret it," he said. "And will you stop laughing!" he snapped at Toph.
"Sorry ponytail, you just make it so easy to dunk on."
"I'll dunk you," he shot back, with no real threat to his words. She took it with a smile.
"Not if I dunk you straight into the earth's core!" she laughed.
"Well, whether we like it or not," Aang started, breaking them up, "these things happen. They happen for a reason, and if I've learned anything, it's that the harder anyone tries to run away from their destiny, the worse the outcome."
The other two went quiet, their attention caught by Aang's solemn tone. The boy had learned that the hard way, hadn't he, thought Sokka. With another breath, and seeming to pull out of his memory, he spoke again. "Destiny is just the point in time or place we reach where a decision has to happen. We can choose to fight it, or accept it. Good normally comes from accepting it, even if we don't understand why at the moment."
Everyone went quiet then, preoccupied in their own meanings of the word destiny, and how it applied to them. The Avatar took in a deep breath and let it out, then stood in that moment.
"Well, speaking of destiny, we should head out."
"Head out...where?" asked Katara.
"To Roku's old home. He said that's where he'll meet me."
"Do you know the way?" asked Sokka. Aang gave a nod and put a hand to his chest.
"I think it's instinctual, kinda? But we should start heading out."
The Gaang reached the island in the late afternoon, but what met their gaze was not a lush home village, but a completely desolate island. Where once was a thriving village, now there was only lava rock. According to Toph, buried beneath the layers and layers of volcanic ash now turned to stone, the village remained.
So it was here, at Roku's destroyed home, where the previous Avatar wished to speak to Aang.
The young Avatar took his place on a cliff side, trusting his friends would watch over his physical body as he entered the Spirit World. The other's knew he'd crossed over successfully by the glowing of his tattoos, and quietly breathed a sigh of relief.
"So...how long is this going to take?" whispered Toph.
"It's hard to say," said Katara. "It could take minutes, or even hours depending."
Sokka was quiet as he watched his friend, but as the sun sank further down over the horizon, he leaned back against Appa.
"I say we take shifts," he suggested. "We'll take turns watching Aang and alert the others when he's back."
"Sounds good to me," said Toph. "Who wants to go first?"
"I will," said Katara. "I'm not tired yet."
"Well, have fun with that," said the earthbender, who got to her feet and began walking around.
"Where are you going?" asked Sokka.
"There's a whole buried village under here. I wanna check it out."
"Fair enough," he sighed, and leaned back against Appa.
His mind wandered back to his destiny, and the invasion. A mix of thoughts came tumbling back to him, remembering the vision the blue dragon presented him with, which he huffed at. Then again, there had been the red dragon, who had told Sokka he had not been ready for what he'd had to say at the time. He blinked to himself, wondering what that had meant. He hadn't seen the other one since then. Did that mean anything? He sighed and shook his head, wondering since when he cared about spirits and what they had to say.
Zuko sat alone in the private dining quarters of the Royal Family. It would be empty so late at night, or early in the morning, depending on how one looked at it.
His hands were laced through his hair. His head hung suspended by their grip as he stared at the scroll that had been the catalyst for this state he now found himself in. On it read;
"You need to know the story of your great-grandfather's demise. It will reveal your own destiny."
He'd gone digging and found the truth alright, that his Grandfather Sozin had committed a treacherous act that had ended Avatar Roku's life. Fire Lord Sozin would then go on to be praised as one of the greatest Fire Nation leaders as he began spreading World War with the rest of the Nations, as well as being the one who ordered the raid and decimation on the Air Nomad people.
All this, Zuko knew.
What he had not known, what had him gripping his locks currently, was that the message had not been about his grandfather Sozin. He was learning the history of his other grandfather, Avatar Roku.
His hands held a slight tremble to them. He sat quietly staring in the lavish but austere dining room.
These two sides of him, the side that shared blood with the bringer of balance and peace, and the side who sought destruction and pitted themselves above everyone else in the world, fought within him. They were like two great serpents in his mind, both somehow dangerous to his current life. They circled about one another in parallel and opposite sides, whispering truths in his mind to tip the scale of judgement in their favor.
He did not know the difference between right and wrong, what he wanted and what he needed.
His uncle had been the one to deliver its news to him, sent from his cell. When Zuko went to confront him about this confusing discovery, it had been the first time the man had spoken to him in a month since returning home. Zuko had almost wished he hadn't.
What was he to do with this information? Did the man simply tell him to wear on his consciousness? To distract him? Was this revenge for Ba Sing Se? For taking away his Tea Shop, his new life, his dreams?
He sighed with aggravation at his own petty thoughts- he knew his Uncle to be a more upstanding man than that. The old former general prioritizes the happiness of others over himself; he'd proven as much to Zuko several times over when they were fugitives in the Earth Kingdom.
But then what purpose did his Uncle have in giving him this information? What was the use if not to torture the Prince into knowing that no matter what he chose he'd be betraying his bloodline?
His fist slammed down on the table then and he stood. But where was he to go? To Bed? Too many thoughts circulated in his mind to warrant sleep. Then out? In the halls? Servants might see him. Servants talk. They whisper, and whispers often lead back to royal ears if one wasn't careful. Truly then, he was caught.
A decision lay before him, a decision he thought he'd already made many weeks ago in Ba Sing Se. A decision he was sure he resolved and was out of his hands, that he no longer had a say in, despite how it tore at his heart, his consciousness.
His Uncle had spoken his peace, given him this information and this opportunity to think. He would give no further council, Zuko was sure.
He wished he had something, someone, to talk to.
He wished he could talk to Sokka.
His mind turned to the turtleduck pond. A place of peace and serenity.
He remembered how it looked in the Spirit World all that time ago, and felt himself suddenly drawn to the pond's waters.
Quietly, he took up his Uncle's message in his hands and burned the paper away. He watched it curl and bend in the heat, turning to ash that snowed softly down to the table below them.
He crept through the halls, which were dimly lit so that servants and guards might be able to still navigate it in the early hours. He listened carefully for footsteps before rounding corners, taking his time until he finally found his way to the royal garden.
A sliver of waxing moonlight shown down on the water's glassy surface. Quietly, and with one last look around, he stepped out onto the grassy area. He felt uneasy, exposed as he was, but continued forward, as if his heart were not hammering in his chest as the thought of being spotted. But then, why should he worry about visiting his own garden? Of servants talking? At least he wasn't suspiciously wandering the halls. Of what would they speak of? That the moody Prince was visiting the pond so late at night? Surely that wasn't suspicious.
He sat down before the edge of the pond, crossing his legs and casting his gaze to the water's calm surface.
It was said in the Fire Nation that water held a sort of secret power to it. Mystics and Fire Sages said water was like a bridge between worlds. Having been to the Spirit World once before, he knew such things to be true.
He needed council.
He needed advice.
He did not know who would answer, but he closed his eyes and allowed his heart to beat this silent plea, that someone, anyone, might answer him.
Sitting there for a few minutes, he felt a change come over him. He was lighter, and he soon found himself to be surrounded in a vast darkness, even as he opened his eyes. This sent him to panicking a moment, before some familiar light cast itself on him from behind.
The high-pitch hum of beetle wings met his ears, and he turned back to see a little ball of light gently floating closer to him. His eyes widened at the sight.
"It's you…" he breathed. He'd expected Iwei, but not this little spirit. He held out his hand, palm up, allowing it to rest in his palm as he asked, "What are you doing here?"
It tapped it's little foot on his palm, with some impatience.
"Right, I know I called out, I just didn't expect you. I expected...well, it doesn't matter. How are you? Is your spring still safe?"
It bowed it's little body forward, as if to nod, then took off from his palm, hovering just above it. It began to fly a few inches away, but slowly, still facing Zuko, as if to urge him forward
"You...want me to follow you?" he asked.
Whether it did or did not, it began to fly away and in a certain direction. Zuko stood up and began to follow it. It was now flying at such a rate that he had to run just to keep up with it. The little bug hurried ever on into the darkness when something- like the roll of thunder- raged out from within the shadow void and shot out. Something blue and looking to be the size of a battleship, careened out from within the darkness and toward them. Zuko barely had time to register what had just happened when he saw a large maw open, with dangerous teeth that snapped shut around his little guide and continued on into the darkness, disappearing.
He stood stunned, his hands still up in defense, struck cold from the sight of watching the helpless little spirit get eaten.
He heard a deep growl emanating from all around, and smoke rolled out from all angles around his feet.
"My lord…" said a voice, low and sweet, soft but commanding. "We're a bit old to be chasing bugs like peasants in the summer fields, aren't we?"
"What...did you just do?" Zuko breathed, just starting to come out of his shock. "Who are you?!"
"I am a friend, my lord. Or, something closer."
"I've never met you before. You're no friend of mine!"
"Oh, are you so sure? Quite forgetful, sire. Was it not I that has given you council in the past?"
"What are you talking about?"
Something large moved within the darkness, the only sign of it doing so was the loud sound of scales shifting, and the motion of the smoke as it became disturbed, the result of it whipping up in a circle around him.
"We have been together a long time...but it's only recently you've really started to listen to me. Started to hear and see me, even while you're awake."
"Stop messing with me and tell me who you are!"
"I am but your humble servant."
Zuko stared into the darkness, his expression turning from fear to anger.
"You don't believe me?" it continued, "Aww, was it because I ate your little friend?" it simpered. "Don't worry, your majesty, such trifling actions cannot harm a spirit here. I may return the little creature, should you care for it."
"Yes," he demanded.
"As you wish…" it sighed.
The sound of buzzing started up, and a little glowing light blue light suddenly shot out from the darkness and to Zuko's waiting hands. He looked down at the creature for any sign of damage, and did note there was a small scratch on its shell, creating a spot that did not glow like the rest of her, but was a dull brown color. He frowned, his eyes raising and looking back into the void.
The owner of the voice quietly revealed itself from the deeper darkness. The light of the spirit reflected off the sleek blue scales of the dragon that stared back at Zuko. The boy's heart leapt into his throat at this sight, for that was the same face he'd seen behind him in the beach house on Ember Island. His mind recalled he'd even seen it before that, back in the Earth Kingdom when he was sick with fever.
He stared at it in silent awe and fear.
"Now do you remember?" it asked, knowingly.
"I...I do...and I remember another one. Where is it?" he asked, looking about. The blue dragon snarled, it's upper lip curling to reveal sharp teeth with deep, red gums.
"The red dragon is of no use to you, sire. Not like I, your humble servant."
The dragon gently pushed itself further forward. Zuko stared back incredulously, his eyes breaking their gaze a moment as if to look for some place to run from the beast.
"You should really be thanking me," said the blue dragon. "Were it not for my interference, this little creature would have led you to your downfall."
"I doubt that," he said, holding it protectively.
"Do you? Then, should I bow out of the way and allow you to run blindly back to your tether?"
Zuko's eyes widened. Was that where he was being led? The waterbug's wings gave a high pitched hum, as if talking back to the dragon.
"Humph, pest," the blue dragon muttered at it.
"I...I was running toward Sokka?"
"What a nasty little trickster this thing is, yes? Better for it to have been swatted away like the pest it-"
"Enough!" he said, but his interruption pulled from it a growl that it seemed to fight to keep from turning into a roar. The tension in the air was thick then, a silence that seemed to beg for disastrous action, like the dragon within the darkness was barely keeping from lashing out at him. Its growl declined into a pur, and the beast once more began to circle him, calmly, like a fish in water. It's long body blocked off any possibility of Zuko escaping.
"As you wish...my lord. Run to him should you like. Only...I'm not sure how happy he'd be to see you. After all…" it sighed, "you did send someone to assassinate the Avatar."
His eyes widened, remembering that this was true.
"Ahh...but how interesting would it be, to meet him again after such betrayal?" it continued as it wound around him, coming slightly closer. "You know, my lord, the more I reason it out, the more I find myself also drawn to the idea of you meeting your tether. What will he say?"
Zuko's hands began to shake.
"Why do you hesitate, sire?" it whispered, directly behind him, the heat of it's breath washing over his neck and back. The smell of smoke and the sting of embers wound its way to his front. "Oh? Perhaps his majesty has had a change of heart…?"
The little waterbug hummed up at Zuko, but he was staring ahead of him, into the unknown, into the darkness, and he suddenly felt so small.
"What did you expect?" continued the dragon. "There is a war, Prince Zuko. A war demands a victor. It is either that you will rise to the throne, or you will fall by his hands. Or you both fall with your hesitation...after all, such was the way of two unlucky tethers."
The beetle hummed and floated up, begging him to follow again, but he found himself immobilized, scared. He could not face Sokka. He also could not deny that he still longed for him. He'd wrestled to push down these emotions, even after their return from the beach vacation (restful as that had been), his thoughts had often drifted back to him. They drifted back to one strange incident while running after footsteps in his home, as well, of Sokka dressed in royal red robes with the crown of fire pinned into his neatly done-up hair.
"If you are patient, however," continued the blue dragon, "you may yet get everything you want."
The words felt like ice water trickling down his spine and making his stomach plummet.
"...what do you mean?" he asked.
"Now is not the time," it said, pulling it's head away. "Come away, my lord...think no more of such disturbing things. Victory is ensured, and your country needs it's prince."
The waterbug's wings hummed in such a way as to make it seem as though it were whining in protest, and flew further forward to urge Zuko to follow, but as he stared at it, and to the darkness beyond, he shook his head.
"I'm sorry…" he told it, his voice on the verge of cracking from hopelessness. And thus, he turned and headed back the way he'd come.
A rush of cold air suddenly blew past him in a strong wind.
His eyes widened and he turned back, expecting the wintry spirit to stand before him. But, he saw nothing, save for the snow that gently drifted down from the draft that had carried it. A howl sounded from the depths, the sound carried another cool breeze.
"Iwei…" he breathed.
"Mutt…" snarled the dragon.
"They're calling…"
"But not for you…" said the blue dragon, suddenly turning as something else rumbled from the distance.
A streak of red streamed out from the darkness and shot past them, it's speed so fast that the wind that followed it nearly knocked Zuko off his feet. It was the red dragon, but it did not stop, even as the blue dragon snapped at it, it's large jaws missing the red body that jerked itself out of the way just in time. Zuko watched as the beast smoothly sailed away and into the darkness, toward the sound of howling, before disappearing all together.
"Where's he going?" Zuko wondered.
"It doesn't matter," snarled the other one. "Your destiny is assured...and nothing will derail it…" it's words were nearly lost to the deep, rumbling growls that emanated out from it.
Dawn had broken over the horizon when Aang had finally returned. His friends gathered around to hear the sad story of Sozin and Roku.
"You mean, after all Roku and Sozin went through together, even after Roku showed him Mercy, Sozin betrayed him like that?" asked Katara in disbelief.
"It's like these people are born bad," said Toph. Sokka was inclined to agree with her.
"No, that's wrong," said Aang, "I don't think that was the point of what Roku showed me at all."
"Then what was the point?"
"Roku was just as much Fire Nation as Sozin was, right? If anything, their story proves anyone's capable of great good and great evil. Everyone, even the Fire Lord, and the Fire Nation have to be treated like they're worth giving a chance."
The night had been rough, the team had barely slept. Before continuing on their way, they stopped off somewhere to rest. Aang's words had rattled about in Sokka's mind for a while, even when they'd landed, he found himself still thinking about them. Luckily, with a few deep breaths, he found he could quiet his mind enough to drift away.
He awoke to the void.
He was laying, as he had been when he'd fallen asleep. He drew himself up and looked around for Iwei, but found he was alone. Then, a howl in the distance called out. He got to his feet and looked about himself, before following the sound.
"Iwei?" he called out. "Iwei! You there?"
He ran until his feet touched soft grassy ground. He looked around himself in his new surroundings.
He was in a garden. A single tree stood in the middle of it, casting shadows from the moonlight to the pond it was rooted before. A figure sat at the edge of the pond, sheltered in the shadows, their eyes closed. Curious, Sokka stepped forward, but it didn't take long for him to realize who the mysterious figure was.
He froze, not wishing to make his presence known to the Fire Prince. Maybe, if he just tip-toed away…
"I hear you," said Zuko.
Sokka froze and turned back. He recognized Zuko's voice, but had also heard another voice layered over it; two voices speaking as one.
"I wish to speak to you."
"You...you're not Zuko...are you?"
The figure opened their eyes and raised their head, but did not turn to Sokka.
"I am, and I am not."
"Ulch...you're one of those dragons."
"I am."
"Well...are you like that blue one?"
"I am."
"Great."
"And I am not."
Sokka stared at the image of Zuko, narrowing his eyes.
"Which is it?" asked Sokka. "Are you good or bad?"
"I am capable of great evil, and great good," he answered. "I am both, and I am neither."
Sokka made a sound of aggravation and threw his hands up.
"With spirits like you in the guy's blood, no wonder he can't just think straight and be happy."
"Is that what you think?"
"...maybe," he said, folding his arms. "If you spirits would just leave us alone, if you would just let us figure out our own stuff, then maybe he wouldn't have…" his arms dropped, one of them gently clasping the other arm as it hung at his side. The image of Zuko closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh.
"It is not wise to delude yourself to the truth of Prince Zuko's actions."
"Don't lecture me," he muttered, narrowing his eyes at the ground.
There was a silence again, and eventually Sokka's gaze drew up from the ground to the dragon.
"So," he started, facing the imposter, "you said you wanted to talk? Well, I don't hear much talking. And unless it's an apology from his majesty jerk-face, I don't wanna hear it."
The other let out yet another breath, keeping their gaze out to the pond, before they spoke.
"You once called out for your destiny to be laid out before you. It was the night you rejected Iwei."
"I didn't reject...mmph…" he let his word fall and folded his arms, casting his gaze to the ground. "Okay fine, I did. I was angry."
"Your anger is justified."
"I...oh...thanks?"
"May I continue?"
"Erm...yeah, sure," he said, and sat down.
"That night, you'd asked for a destiny, and the blue dragon was more than happy to grant you one."
"You mean he made it up?"
"No."
Sokka frowned.
"That is one possible destiny," said the red dragon, through Zuko.
"Then...then I can avoid it?"
"Certainly."
"Wh-why didn't you tell me this earlier?"
"Because what you wanted, the blue dragon could give, but what you needed you were not ready for at the time."
"Fine," he sighed "What do I need?"
"To believe in him."
Sokka stared at him as the red dragon continued.
"One day, he will return to you. Upon that day, you must forgive him. You must allow him in."
Sokka stared in shock at the red dragon's visage for a moment, then stood up.
"No," he said.
"It is your destiny to-"
"I don't care what my destiny is anymore. I don't want either of you telling me what to do. This was a waste of time," he huffed and turned away.
"You love him."
The words stopped Sokka in his tracks. He turned back, looking hurt, but the other's gaze remained pointed ahead of him.
"You cannot deny it."
"Being in love with him didn't make him stay, it just hurt worse when he left. And it doesn't mean he ever loved me."
"He does."
Sokka had moved to walk again, but the words had yanked his attention back. He stared at the image of Zuko, sitting in tranquil quiet, looking out to the still water's surface where the moon reflected. It irritated him. Not once had this imposter even looked at him, acknowledged that he was there aside from speaking to him. Sokka strode over to him, stopping a foot or so away, staring down at him, but the other remained, not moving.
"Why'd he do it?" Sokka asked, staring down at this visage as if he were truly staring down at Zuko. "What excuse do you have that'll make me magically forgive him?"
"You are searching for one to alleviate the pain. I have none."
"Then you don't get to tell me how I feel about him or if I should forgive him or not," he said.
"As much pain as he is capable of causing you, he can also be a source of healing, should you let him. Do not forget that."
Sokka narrowed his eyes down at him, before turning and walking away, into the yawning darkness that opened up before him.
In the following week, Zuko tried to put everything he learned out of his mind. He tried to act as though he could forget it all, that it wouldn't creep up on him in the quiet moments. So, he tried to make himself as busy as possible.
It was for this reason that Zuko found himself with Mai almost every day.
She was happier, as a result. His visits there were always welcomed, and he'd go to her, asking her what was on her mind, what her day had been like. He would sit, and listen, losing himself in her voice, in her touch. He'd sometimes come with lavish gifts of food, knives, and things a little on the macabre side, just to incite a pleased reaction. She always accepted, though he'd steadily learned to lean away from hair ornaments, as they were a mixed result most of the time. Knives too. She was far more knowledgeable than he was when it came to the small throwing kunai, and he decided he'd leave the weaponry to her judgement. Food and desserts were the safest bet.
He'd rarely dine on them.
In all the time he spent home, he had not mastered his stomach, which ached after every meal, and never seemed to want for food until the last moment when he was pushed on the edge of starving himself. He stuck to tea, mostly, but even that would leave a dry bitterness in the back of his tongue that would make him nauseous if his mind lingered on it.
Mai was happier these days. Of course she'd always expressed her displeasure for something, had always spoken up about minor irritants, and the day to day boredom that growing up an aristocrat held, and he found her charming for these reasons. She wasn't afraid to express the tedium, and the extreme hypocrisy of their status. She wasn't there to exalt or flatter any one member of the court, including himself. She said things as they were, her honesty as plain as the tone of her voice. He enjoyed it. And now, after their trip to the beach, she'd even express the things she liked. These were far and few in between but when they were there he was relieved.
Zuko found as they were growing to know one another, that Mai had many sides to her, and that he, in fact, enjoyed spending time with her.
Yet, their proximity to one another had grown distant since their return. Certainly he was doing everything a good boyfriend, and a boyfriend who was also a prince, ought to do by traditional standards. Gifts, dates, and nights alone with her were plenty, but they'd begun to develop some...respectful...distance from each other.
"Really?" asked Mai, a hint of coyness to her normally flat affect.
They were seated on the veranda at the moment, with Mai delicately fanning herself, the smallest trace of a smile on her face as they enjoyed mid-morning snacks. They sat across from one another, the small table of food between them.
"It's true," said Zuko, confidently. "Those thugs had no idea just who they were messing with."
"What happened to the town?"
"I'm...not sure. When they found out I was Fire Nation, they turned their back on me. So I left."
"That's ungrateful," she said, tilting her head to the side. "The least they could have said was thank you."
"I guess…" he mused, his eyes shifting from the table to the outside. The day was calm, peaceful. The sunlight hurt his eyes, but he forced his gaze outward, to appreciate the home he fought so hard to return to.
"Is this poisoned?" she asked, suddenly drawing his attention back with quiet alarm.
"Huh?"
He looked to her finger, which was pointing down to the small tray of desserts he'd brought for her.
"No…?" he said, he said, returning his gaze to her. "...why? Does something taste off?"
"You don't know?" she asked, tilting her head to the side.
He blinked in confusion.
"You haven't touched anything," she said. "It makes me a bit suspicious..."
His eyes widened slightly, and with some embarrassment he quickly reached out and grabbed a small tart and shoved the delicate pastry into his mouth. She watched him, holding back her bewilderment in all but her eyes as he thoughtfully tried to taste whatever it was she was hinting at. Then, finally, she moved her fan just high enough that her eyes might peer over, but her eyes betrayed her humor as she watched him chew. He finished, forcing himself to swallow despite his stomach's resistance, and returned his gaze to her.
"It tastes fine to me, but do you want me to send these away? Do think someone's dared to-"
"Zuko!" she finally burst, which was more of a soft exclamation and a chuckle. "Zuko, no."
He stared at her in confusion.
"I'm trying to tell you that you barely touch your food," she said, calming her laughter.
"...well...you could have said so," he muttered. She shook her head and sighed.
"But...I've noticed you barely eat anything, at any meal. Are you sick?"
"I don't know," he admitted quietly, the taste of the yuzu on his tongue making him nauseous. "But...I'm not sure what it is. I know I missed these foods, I know I still have favorite dishes from home- er- here. But...but it's different, somehow. It turns my stomach, and I can't figure out why."
"Have you been to see the physician?"
"Yes."
"What did they say?"
"I should be fine. That nothing was wrong."
"But something is wrong."
"I know."
"So go back and tell them."
"No," he said, averting his gaze.
"But why?"
"I don't think...I don't think what's wrong with me is physical."
"What do you mean?"
She waited patiently for more, but after a moment, leaned back in her chair. He turned his gaze back to her.
"My father still hasn't summoned me to the war room."
"I see…" she said, thoughtfully. "That really bothers you."
"I just...I know he's forgiven me, but it's time I actually proved to be of use. I want him to see me as Prince, not only in title, but in duty to my country."
"I'm sure he will," she said, "just give him time."
Her words seemed to offer no reassurance for him, and he simply resolved to sulk as he looked out the window. With nothing she could do or say, she too turned to look out to the peaceful morning.
On a sunny day like this, one would find it hard to believe that the moon could ever somehow eclipse the sun. In a few short days, such marvels would come to pass, and two tethers would meet again.
They were quiet like this a moment, before Zuko endeavored to pull his thoughts back and looked at her.
"I love you," he said. She turned back to him, but her expression was neither surprised, nor happy. She was looking at him with an air of judgement. He frowned, furrowing his brow. "I mean it," he said.
A smile quirked at her lips before it fell away.
"I know," she said, looking away.
"You're supposed to say it back," he joked lightly, leaning in.
"Maybe I don't feel the same way."
He blinked, looking at her. She huffed then, and gently shook her head.
"Of course I love you," she answered. He smiled, and his smile broadened hers. He'd gotten up from one side of the table and went around to her side, kneeling down and leaning up to kiss her. Before their lips met, there was a sharp knock at the door in the room behind them. Mai sighed and stood up.
"Enter," she answered.
A servant to her family home walked with a small bow.
"Lady Mai, Princess Azula is here to see you."
Zuko watched at the stone mask returned to Mai's face, all warmth seeped out from the news and she merely gave a tempered nod.
"Let her know I'll be there in a moment," she said. The servant bowed and left. Then, with a breath, as if to steel herself, she turned back to him. "I'm sorry to cut this short," she said.
"Let her wait," he said, "you're in a relationship with me, remember?" he said, reaching out to catch her chin.
"I don't think that's a good idea," she said, averting her gaze and turning her head before he could reach her.
There was a pause, in which it seemed Mai expected Zuko to begin saying his goodbyes. Instead, he gently tilted his head to the side and asked,
"Why do you let her push you around?"
"You're one to talk," she muttered.
He blinked at the sudden hostility.
"I am?"
"You sister pushes everyone around. It's how she is. You're her brother, and she might be more lenient toward you, but I'm not related to her. I'm just her friend."
"She's not lenient to me. What does that even mean?"
"It means I don't have a choice," she answered. "You know how she is. If she doesn't get her way there are consequences."
He gazed at her cold and hardened expression, surprised.
"Has she done something to you in the past?" he asked.
She turned her gaze up to him, as if the question were one with an obvious answer.
"I'll talk to her," he started, but she shook her head.
"Do not."
"You're my girlfriend, not her pawn," he said, "She doesn't get to push you around-"
"So what then? I am to be traded from her hands to yours?"
"What?" he blinked.
"Zuko, don't protect me. It'll start a petty war between you two- like two children fighting over a doll, and I don't need that right now."
He stared at her, speechless. The logic was sound, so much so he wondered if Mai already felt the weight of being caught between the two of them.
"You should go," said Mai. "I've kept her waiting long enough. Pei will show you out the back way."
"What, like I'm some dirty secret?" he asked.
"I don't want you to make a scene."
"I won't make a scene. I don't make scenes."
"Zuko…"
"...fine," he muttered, but took her hand gently in his and kissed it. "You'll let me know if she ever does anything to you, right?"
She was quiet a moment, but nodded.
"Of course."
With her mask of indifference firmly in place, Zuko knew the promise to be disingenuous, but he also knew that pressing her for more was useless. So, with a nod, he left her room and found his way to leave through the back of the home.
Team Avatar had reached the rendezvous point the previous night. In three days, they'd be Invading the Fire Nation, and ending the war once and for all.
There was an air of nervousness in the waiting- especially from the Avatar himself. The boy hadn't slept all last night, and was currently doing his best to overcompensate for the fear he held in facing the Fire Lord.
Aang's battle with the man was supposed to take place during the eclipse, a time when firebenders could not bend. So, though Sokka would never say it allowed, he felt Aang's worries were a bit...blown out of proportion. And yet, he himself could not deny the hesitation he felt when thinking of facing Zuko.
If everything went to plan he wouldn't have to. He'd never see him. They'd take the capital, all royals would be imprisoned and…
He paused in his work.
Currently, he was constructing armor for Appa. Toph had already used her metalbending to reshape the metal scraps to fit Appa's shape, now it was up to Sokka to make sure it was structurally sound, reinforced, comfortable and protective.
He set the hammer aside, running a hand down his face and leaning against the large head piece.
Why did it have to be him, Sokka thought miserably. Why did he have to be the one to bring his tether to justice? What was he supposed to do, live the rest of his life knowing Zuko was rotting in prison? He released a sigh of aggravation and leaned back, a future playing out before him of the two meeting in dreams as Zuko became more, and more deteriorated and weak.
Why did Zuko have to do this? Why did their destiny have to be so dismal?
He groaned again and pushed up off the ground. He abandoned his work and went for a walk.
The large expanse of fields were home to cute little animals known as koalasheep. Their soft wool and gentle bleats made for a rather relaxing atmosphere. It was a shame he couldn't enjoy it, he thought.
Why couldn't he put the ridiculous notion out of his mind? What was it that filled him with dread rather than seeing it as something to laugh at?
He stopped and looked out to the horizon, to the direction where the Fire Nation capitol lay. He put a hand to his chest, then to the space just above it, idly testing something. He tugged at the air, as if tugging at his tether.
Far away on Khaimuk Ridge, Zuko stood looking out to the horizon. He had not wanted to return home after his visit with Mai had been cut short, but had nowhere else to be. He narrowed his eyes, feeling a strange but familiar pulling sensation at his chest. His tether was calling.
He frowned, resolving to simply wait for the feeling to pass.
Sokka let go. He wasn't sure what he was expecting. Nothing, really.
It was just like Zuko to ignore him.
Frustrated in an instant after thinking that, he grabbed it again and imagined pulling harder, an unflattering image of Zuko falling forward playing out in his mind.
Zuko grimaced as he felt a more violent tug. The force of which caused him to take a step forward, as if he truly were tied on the end of some rope. With the force he felt Sokka's irritation, his anger.
Oh fine, if that's what he wanted, thought Zuko.
The Prince put his hands in the air above him, and with a wicked force yanked at the air to pay back the Water Tribe boy.
Sokka felt a response. The burning anger and anxiety in Zuko raged out from the invisible, intangible bond they shared, and filled Sokka like a rush of adrenaline. It also nearly set him off his feet; the force of the pull at his chest threatened to topple him over.
"Woah!" He waved his arms to regain his balance and shivered. The strange unearthly feeling prickled from just under his skin at his chest, like small electric shocks. So, Zuko could feel it, he thought, partially amused, partially bitter.
"I'm coming for you...moron…" muttered Sokka, grabbing with both hands at nothing and tugging back.
Zuko was forced forward and almost to his knees. What was Sokka doing? What was he hoping to achieve from this? Zuko could tell he was angry, could sense his frustration, and within those, he could also feel something he didn't expect. Disappointment.
How dare he judge him! His temper flared in that moment and he pulled.
Sokka was thrust forward and had to catch himself from falling off the cliff face.
"Jerk!" he gasped, sharply. He stepped back and away, his glare pointed up and at the horizon, and pulled back.
"Ah!" yelped Zuko, startled, just barely able to get his footing. "Knock it off!" he snapped as he pulled back.
Engaged as they were in this tug of war, both gave it their all, trying desperately to pull at the other, as if to drag them closer out of spite. The sight would be comical to anyone watching, seeing either the Fire Prince or the Water Tribe boy pulling and struggling with the air; slipping, falling, tugging, and grunting with frustration.
The goal of their skirmish was unclear, and both were too caught up in the struggle to care. Tempers rose, frustration exchanged between the two of them as they struggled with this invisible bond.
Sokka pulled to show the fire-brat he would not give up, he would not submit to such a terrible destiny, that he would resist every poor action Zuko made. Once or twice Zuko actually fell from the force. His silk robes were stained with dirt and grass from his falls and his struggle to regain his footing.
Zuko growled in aggravation and grappled with his tether and also pulled- unaware that he was forcing Sokka to the very edge of a cliff! Sokka dug his heels in and stopped himself from falling over the edge.
They could feel the frustration of their fate, the inevitable drive that propelled Sokka to him, that forced Zuko to sit and wait for the trap to be sprung. They could feel each other's fear, neither one certain of what they would do, what they would say, when they'd face each other. Their sadness that they fought to conceal from each other carried over all the same, and they tried to harden their hearts to it. Why did things have to come to this, they thought. They were friends once. They were starting to become more. Why were they being forced to fight each other?
And finally, they were both pulling the tether taught, both somehow gripping at invisible threads that just barely existed beneath their fingertips, the strain of which catching them as they leaned back in equal opposite force. A stalemate.
Sokka pulled, as if to drive the other off the course of this terrible tragedy. This horrible story they both had been forced to play a part in. To knock sense into Zuko, to get him to run away. He wanted Zuko's surrender, he wanted him to wake up, to realize he was on the wrong side. He wanted him back. He wanted the friend the Nation abused and stole from him, that Zuko so willingly went back to.
"Please come back…" he whispered to nothing. The torrent of emotions, both his and Zuko's, forced him to close his eyes and fight for the clarity of logic he prided himself on.
Zuko was pulling Sokka ever closer to his destiny, to drag him to where the Invasion would inevitably take place, his hand extended, as if he wanted him, as if he wanted to capture him, to hold him there, and never let him go.
There was cruelty in this desire.
It scared him.
It excited him.
He would show him there was such a thing as fate, and they could not escape it, this was the path they chose. His heart hammered in his chest.
This was the path he chose.
This was the path Sokka resisted.
Then, together, unaware of the other, they gave one last decisive pull.
The force of it strained their tether, sending a terrible shock through their system that wracked their frame and made them both doubled over with pain. It was a warning, a message received loud and clear, that their bond was strained, weak, and threatening to tear should they keep trying to force it.
Zuko stood, angrily breathing as he stared at the horizon.
Sokka sat back up, heart pounding with fear; his pride bruised with anger. He got to his feet, glaring at the horizon.
Fists gripped, teeth clenched, and both yelled, challenging fate, challenging their tether, resisting change.
Zuko had screamed until his voice was raw, which then quieted down as he sank to his knees. He stared off into the distance as evening took over. Stars began to peak their head out through the veil of night, twinkling silently above.
He wanted him.
He wanted him to run away.
He held his head.
He didn't know what he wanted.
Sokka's yell had been a bust of noise, like a call. Controlled, and quickly silenced.
He stood on the ridge, staring at the dark purple sky as the sun continued to sink somewhere behind him. His heart pounded in his chest, he could feel it pulse in his ears. A breeze gently rolled up from the sea, carrying the smell of salt, and the chill of night.
A sound of stifled laughter from behind him caught his attention. He turned, seeing his sister her expression a mix of humor and shock as she eyed him with some judgement.
"Are you okay?" she asked, her words barreling into a laugh.
He breathed, feeling his face suddenly go hot with terrible shame and embarrassment. How was it, when it came to Zuko, he'd forget about everything and everyone else around him?
He coughed, ignoring how it hurt his already torn up throat, and folded his arms.
"Erm- yeah, definitely," he nodded.
"Why are you screaming at the air?" she asked. Her gaze was teasing and her smile was still pulled up from the shock of what she'd just seen as she approached him.
"Screaming exercises!" he said, smiling, throwing his hands up. "Erm- Aang and I were doing some earlier. He screamed into a pillow- well a koalasheep- but it didn't work, so I thought, ya'know, maybe screaming off the cliff might be better?" he said, smiling and rubbing the back of his head.
She laughed.
"If you're nervous you can just say it," she said.
"Me? Pshhh- naw. I'm cool as a cucumber. Not nervous at all. No nerves here."
She folded her arms and quirked an eyebrow.
"...alright. I might be...a little… nervous," he relented sheepishly. She dropped her arm in the next moment, nodding in thoughtful understanding.
"Everyone is. Especially Aang, but all of us too."
"Good luck getting Toph to admit it."
She gave a short laugh in agreement. They both turned their attention back out to the wide and open sea before them. The horizon was darker now.
"I can't believe it," he could hear his sister murmur into the night air, "It'll be over, soon. The world will be at peace. We can go home."
"Yeah…" he said, staring off. "If I can pull this off right."
"Hey, of course you will."
"How can you be sure?"
"Because my brother is the smartest person I know."
"I thought you said I was the dumbest person you know," he smiled, arching an eyebrow at her.
"Both can be true," she shrugged. "Come on. I need help with dinner and wrangling Aang into eating."
"Ohhh, he hasn't calmed down yet, has he?"
"No. And try not to mention the Invasion or the Fire Lord."
He sighed and clicked his tongue as he followed behind her. He paused, looking back out to the horizon one last time, before following her.
A.N.
Hey, hey! Getting close to my favorite part in the series, but Zuko still has to do a lot of reflecting before he can come to the decision, and boy was it a struggle to write this chapter haha.
Also my state was on fire... so that was a bit of a difficult obstetrical as well.
Anyway, I come to you, on this rainy Friday, to deliver a chapter that'll give you all relief and a moment of fun, hopefully. Thanks again for reading!