AN: Hey, moonbird here.
I just want to give a quick thank you to all those who read and those who left reviews. While I don't comment on this site, i DO read all of them. And you have been extremely kind. Thank you.
And well, if anyone wants a more direct conversation. I do reply more directly to reviews on my Archieve of our own account as that site has a infinetely superior commenting system. My user there is called "Moonybird." you can drop by if you ever wanna talk about the fic there.
And if not, that's cool too. I hope you all will still enjoy the story. Thanks again. Love Moonbird 3
As it turned out, it probably was a good thing that Team Avatar had decided to follow this group, the last stretch of the pass was anything but fun!
There were several rocks became loose and people almost fell down, they reached a point where the pass itself was subverted into the water and oh yeah… They found out why this place was called the serpents pass.
There was a giant sea serpent living here, and it looked like it might enjoy some human meat snacks.
Finally… finally the shore appeared in the horizon and everyone was breathing a deep sigh of relief.
And walking a big further they could see a giant hairball with an arrow on his head waiting for them at shore making Aang lighten up. "APPAAA!" the young Avatar shouted before he just zoomed ahead leaving the rest in the dust.
"Wuah!" Zhau-Li shouted as he almost tripped before his arm was firmly grabbed by Zuko who was walking right next to him.
"Steady footing. It's the corner stone of fire bending." Zuko winked in a smirk. "You don't want to fall down doing an Agni Kai."
"I understand!" Zhau-Li exclaimed as he listened intensely to all of Zukos advices like he had done the entire trip. It didn't seem to matter to him any more that he was slightly older than Zuko, he had eagerly been asking questions and been listening for hours while Zuko had been more than happy to talk.
And the two continued talking and then laughed.
Sokka lifted an eyebrow behind them. "Isn't Zuko supposed to teach Aang firebending?"
"I think it's nice." Katara smiled. "Zuko seems so happy. I never seen him actually happy before. How long do you think it has been since he met regular fire nation people?"
"According to Zuko. Three years." Sokka had to admit while Zuko laughed at something Zhau-Li had said and Zhau-Li beamed as well happy to have made the prince laugh.
"Really?" Suki asked. "How come?"
"Apparently he was banished." Sokka said. "Something about Zuko defending the lives of some fire nation soldiers. But that went against what the mighty fire lord wanted and it ended in this public fire dual between Zuko and his daddy fire lord which Zuko refused to fight. And that ended in half his face burned off and a banishment."
"Oh." Sukis face faltered. "I see... That sucks."
"That's also why he wanted to capture the avatar." Toph said. "He had been told that the only way to end the banishment and restore his honour was to bring back the Avatar."
"How do you know?" Sokka asked.
"I asked. He told me." Toph simply said. "Guy is stupidly honest. You can pretty much ask him anything and he is going to tell you. The really messed up thing though is that he was asked to capture the Avatar three years ago! He was basically send away to go away and die on his own."
"A quest with no end." Suki nodded then looked at the fire prince again whom was beaming and he was engaged in the happy conversation with Zhau-Li. Then Suki smirked. "Serves the fire lord right that he would screw himself over like that!"
"What do you mean?" Sokka asked.
"Think of it. If the fire lord had done the right thing and not punished Zuko. Zuko wouldn't be here." Suki said. "He would still be at the palace not having seen what really goes on in the world. He would be loyal to his father. But now he's here! He clearly loves his people and knows exactly what is going on. That guy!" she pointed at Zuko. "Is going to play a key part in ending this war! He is going to do great things in the future! And some of it will probably even be pretty soon." she grinned. "Fire Lord jerk gave us a gift. And he doesn't even know it!"
"Well, nice we can be thankful for just one thing jerk lord did." Sokka rolled his eyes. "Even though that is burning and banishing his own son."
Suki smirked amused as she grabbed Sokkas arm and sighed leaning on him for the last stretch making Sokka grin and Katara roll her eyes.
As they reached shore Aang was grinning as he waved his arms. "We made it! We're almost at Ba Sing Se now!" he beamed. "Just a little more! I could see the wall when I jumped!"
Zuko smiled in genuine relief and smiled as he saw the people who were waiting for them. Ming running to her husband to give him a deep hug and a kiss. The old man who did nod his thanks and Aang grinned.
"I'm going to fly ahead and try and find the closest entrance!" Aang grinned as he pulled out his glider and then he was off like a jet.
Suki smiled then sighed. "Well I should go to the Harbor and take a ship back." she said.
"Wait… You're leaving?" Sokka asked.
"You made it across safe." Suki smiled. "My job is done."
"Wait you came… To protect me?" Sokka asked then he grinned. "Heh. That… But Suki we need you!" he said. "You and the Kyoshi warriors. You could change the entire outcome with the strike force at the day of the black sun."
"Sokka. You guys have our support. Of course you do!" Suki said. "And I will meet with you inside of the city! I'll be more than happy to take my best warriors with me to the fire nation capital to join your strike force."
Sokka gasped. "Really?"
"Of course." Suki smiled warmly. "And we the Kyoshi warriors will accept Zuko as the legitimate heir for the fire nation throne."
"Wait what?" Zuko asked in a shocked blink.
"What use will it be to take down Fire Lord Ozai if the next fire lord is just as tyrannical?" Suki asked.
"No. Listen. I don't think you understand." Zuko stated. "I can't be the next fire lord!"
Suki looked at Zuko then stepped forward and put a hand on his shoulder. Her eyes looking directly into Zukos "You can and you will." she said. "The world depends on it."
Zuko wet his lip. "But… I."
Suki smirked as she let go of Zukos shoulder and then turned to Sokka. She smiled sweetly and then leaned over kissing Sokka on his mouth before she stood back. "See you." she whispered and finally ran off.
Sokka sighed deeply as he looked after the fiersh warrior then finally he glanced at Zuko and blinked.
Zuko… Looked like he was going to faint any second.
"You okay there Zuko?" Sokka asked.
"What is she talking about!?" Zuko asked. "I can't be… You know… The thing!" he exclaimed.
Katara blinked. "Well who else should it be?"
"I don't know. Uncle I guess! He was supposed to be fire lord anyway." Zuko said. "I can't.."
Mercifully Zuko was cut short as Aang came back and landed between them, all though by the sight of his face everyone halted.
Aang looked extremely serious. A complete turn around from his previous eagerness. "Guys…" he said. "You gotta come to the wall quick. We got trouble."
