The day before the wedding, Chiara was helping in the tea shop since they would be closing early to prepare it for the ceremony. While working in the kitchen making tea, Zuko stood off to the side watching her. As he stared at her, he realized how lucky he was that by the following afternoon she would be his wife. He had always expected it to happen one day despite being told it was impossible, but when did that ever stop him from trying. And now it was possible, and soon it would be real and forever, and he could not wait. Unfortunately, his contentment was not without worry. His father's words echoed in his head, you were lucky to be born. He felt his life had been filled with failures: failure to live up to his father's standards as a firebender; failure to be strong like Azula; failure to capture the Avatar. Maybe this happiness was just a dream. Perhaps he never made it out from beneath Lake Laogai, and he was currently a prisoner of the Dai Li and just hallucinating a better reality where he could accomplish the impossible. He wondered if he would wake up in a cell the next morning unable to make it to his own wedding or even return to the dream from which he did not want to wake.
He walked up to her and took her hand in his. She looked up at him as he leaned down and kissed her.
"Are you okay?" she asked.
"Just trying to figure out if this is real."
"If it's not, I hope we don't wake up," she said.
He kissed her again.
"No fondling my tea maker," said Iroh as he entered the kitchen.
They started laughing.
"Kissing my fiancee can hardly be considered fondling your tea maker," said Zuko.
"Go," said Iroh shooing him out of the kitchen. "Serve the customers."
Chiara was still giggling.
"I haven't seen him so happy since before his banishment," said Iroh thoughtfully.
She smiled at him. "I've been thinking the same thing lately."
On the day of the wedding, Zuko was up early just as the sun was sending its rays towards the balcony where he sat quietly meditating. It was part of his daily routine, but this day he found focusing especially difficult. Iroh joined him while Chiara was making his breakfast. She and Zuko had opted for a lighter breakfast, and she had been up before the sun making banana bread. They never found it as good as her ash banana bread, but the Fire Nation fruit was impossible to get in Ba Sing Se, so they settled for regular bananas. When the men were finished with their morning meditation, they knelt around the table that Chiara had set for them.
"You two are quite quiet this morning," said Iroh as they ate. "Are you nervous?"
"We might be less nervous if you hadn't invited so many people," said Zuko.
"It's a joyous occasion. It should be celebrated."
"But if someone sees the ribbon ceremony, they might get suspicious," said Chiara.
"No one will see it," Iroh assured them. "You will be far enough away from the guests that no one will notice. And I will stand behind you and block their view just in case."
After breakfast as Chiara began cleaning the kitchen, there was a knock at the door that Iroh answered.
"Welcome, Lady Taya," greeted Iroh.
Taya was an older widow who had been daily patronizing the tea shop since it opened, and whom Chiara had secretly suspected might have her eyes on Iroh. She was more than willing to help when Iroh had asked her to assist Chiara and escort her to the tea shop for the ceremony.
"Ooh, such a handsome father-of-the-bride," she said as Chiara quietly giggled.
Iroh blushed as Taya walked into the apartment.
"Why is the bride-to-be working in the kitchen on her wedding day?" she asked, sounding appalled.
"Hello, Lady Taya," said Chiara as she bowed. "I can't leave the kitchen a mess."
"Mushi, you need to hire help. She shouldn't be doing this."
"Yeah, good luck with trying to stop her," said Zuko as he walked by going to his room.
"I appreciate your help with my daughter today, Lady Taya," said Iroh.
"Well, it's such a joyous occasion. I'm happy to help."
Iroh turned towards Zuko's room. "Hurry, Lee," he called. "We must go. There's still much to do at the shop."
"I'm coming," said Zuko.
Iroh kissed Chiara on the cheek. "We will see you soon."
"Yes, Father."
As Zuko walked out of his room, Iroh started pulling him towards the door.
"Wait. I'd like to kiss my fiancee goodbye," he said pulling back.
"There'll be plenty of time for that later, Lee," said Taya. "Go, go."
Chiara ran up to him before they could rush him out the door, and he quickly leaned towards her and kissed her.
After making sure everything was in order at the tea shop, from the decorations to the food, Iroh remained with Zuko who was feeling nervous as they waited for Chiara to arrive.
"What if she's been kidnapped?" asked Zuko who was pacing anxiously in the kitchen.
"She will be here," said Iroh. "Women like to make men wait."
"Chiara's never late. She's always here when she says she'll be here." He suddenly stopped and looked at Iroh. "What if she's changed her mind?"
Iroh started chuckling. "I'm sure you don't have to worry about that. I'm sure Lady Taya won't let her leave the apartment without making sure she's perfect."
"She's already perfect. All she has to do is be here."
One of the employees walked into the kitchen. "Sir, the carriage is out front."
Zuko's eyes grew wide, and he could not understand why he was feeling even more nervous now that she had arrived.
"Come on, Nephew," said Iroh as Zuko was brushing off his clothes. They left the kitchen. "Stand over there by Shyu."
Zuko stood where he directed him while he went outside to greet the ladies.
"Oh, Chiara," he said as he took her hand to help her out of the carriage, "you are the most beautiful woman. Zuko is very lucky to have such a treasure." He offered his other hand to Taya helping her out of the carriage. "Thank you again, Lady Taya, for assisting my daughter," he said.
"My pleasure, Mushi."
Iroh placed Chiara's hand on his arm and led her into the tea shop towards where Zuko stood waiting for her. He was stunned by her beauty. She wore a beautiful layered anarkali of pale green which contrasted with the long dark locks that flowed from beneath her sheer veil. Her diadem was around her head again instead of her neck, and he felt she looked like a goddess as she glided towards him. As he watched her approach he felt that being crowned Fire Lord could not surpass that moment. Iroh walked her up to Zuko, took her left hand, and placed it in his.
"I am placing my most treasured gift in your hand," Iroh said to him.
Zuko was wearing a similar color of pale green, but Chiara's eyes were drawn to his bright, golden eyes, a sea of fire which had always captivated her heart. As he looked down into her own, he felt he could swim forever in those seas of deep green which had enslaved his heart since the first day. He did not even care that it was not the elaborate Fire Nation wedding ceremony they would have had were he still Crown Prince. He would have been completely content just to exchange their vows without any ceremony, though he was impressed that Iroh managed to provide a Fire Sage, royal wedding rings, and even the ribbon and candle rituals. Chiara had never imagined any of this to be possible, and for her it felt like a dream from which she did not wish to wake.
Fire Sage Shyu stood before the two of them as they faced each other. He took a thin deep red ribbon and he wrapped it around Zuko's left wrist spiraled it over his hand as it still held Chiara's and then wound it around her wrist. He looked at Zuko and nodded.
Zuko gazed into her eyes. "Chiara...," he started so softly that none of the guests heard her name. "...I take you for my wife," he spoke in a normal tone. "And I, Zuko..." He spoke his name softly. "...am your husband, and it will be my duty to protect, cherish, and honor you until death."
Shyu gently nodded at Chiara whose eyes never moved from Zuko's.
"Zuko...," she started softly. "...I take you for my husband. And I, Chiara, am your wife, and it will be my duty to protect, cherish, and honor you until death."
After exchanging their vows, Shyu touched the ribbon beneath Zuko's wrist setting it aflame, and as the spark was passing quickly over it around his wrist and hand, then around hers, it was turning from its deep red to gold.
Shyu now held their rings. "May those who wear these rings keep faithful unto their spouse, and may they ever live in mutual love."
He held his hand out to Zuko who took his ring and placed it on Chiara's ring finger on her left hand. "With this ring I take you for my wife; this gold I give to you; with my body I worship you; and with all my worldly goods I endow you."
Shyu held Chiara's ring out to her, and she took it and placed it on Zuko's finger.
"With this ring I take you for my husband; this gold I give to you; with my body I worship you; and with all my worldly goods I endow you."
Shyu removed the gold ribbon from their joined hands, and he turned to the three candles sitting on a table behind him. Zuko took Chiara's right hand in his left and escorted her to the table. Prior to the ceremony, Zuko secretly lit his smaller candle with his own fire. If there had not been any Earth Kingdom witnesses, he would have held his own flame, but instead, both of them picked up a small candle and joined the two flames together lighting the larger candle.
"And the two flames shall become one," said Shyu softly.
After the ceremony, they celebrated in the tea shop. It had been the first time Zuko and Chiara had danced together since they were children in the Fire Nation. As Iroh stood and watched them, it brought deep joy to his heart to see the peace and happiness in their faces after so much pain and struggle.
Late into the celebration, a man entered the shop and handed Iroh a scroll. "A message from the royal palace."
Iroh read it. "I...I can't believe it."
"What is it, Uncle?" asked Zuko as he and Chiara walked over to him.
"Great news. We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!"
Chiara hugged him. "That's great."
"This may be too much to ask," started Iroh, "but it's requesting the family, and it would mean so much to me if you both would be present with me for this great occasion."
"When is it?" asked Zuko.
"Tomorrow," he answered. "But I'm-I'm sure the king will understand if you do not wish to go..."
"Of course we'll go," said Chiara as she looked up at Zuko.
He nodded. "We can postpone our vacation for a day," he said.
They continued celebrating late into the night, and after everyone had left, they closed the shop, and Zuko and Chiara remained with Iroh and helped clean up.
The next day, Iroh, Zuko, and Chiara stepped out of the carriage at the Earth King's palace.
"Many times I imagined myself here," said Iroh, "at the threshold of the palace. But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are the Earth King's personal guests here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing."
"It sure is, Uncle."
After they were taken inside, they waited awhile in an empty room. Iroh began pouring some tea.
"What's taking so long?" asked Zuko.
"Maybe the Earth King overslept?" asked Iroh.
Just then the Dai Li entered and surrounded them.
"Something's not right," whispered Zuko.
"It's tea time," said Azula as she stood before them.
Zuko and Chiara quickly stood up.
"Azula," said Zuko.
"Have you met the Dai Li?" she asked. "They're earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's so...firebender. I just love it."
Iroh, now standing, calmly picked up a cup of tea. "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname 'The Dragon of the West'?" he asked conversationally.
"I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle," said Azula in a bored tone.
"It's more of a demonstration really," he said pleasantly.
He took a sip of tea, and Zuko and Chiara smiled at each other knowing what was coming. Iroh immediately pulled Chiara behind him as Zuko followed, and they both ducked as Iroh spit fire at the Dai Li that surrounded them. Zuko then blasted a hole through the wall and pulled Chiara with him as Iroh followed still spitting fire. They turned a corner avoiding an attack from the Dai Li, and then Iroh shot lightning through the wall. Jumping, he landed on a topiary, and Zuko and Chiara stopped.
"Go," he said.
She jumped down next to Iroh and then looked up waiting for Zuko. He looked down at them.
"Come on," called Iroh. "You'll be fine."
"No," said Zuko. "I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula."
"No!" cried Chiara.
He disappeared, so Chiara jumped up to run back into the palace, but Iroh grabbed her.
"You can't, Chiara." He pulled her with him. "I have an idea."
Meanwhile, Zuko stood before Azula.
"You're so dramatic," she said. "What? Are you going to challenge me to an Agni Kai?"
"Yes," he said. "I challenge you."
"No thanks," she said lightly.
Zuko stepped back raising fire that he sent towards her, but Azula just stood there unfazed by his attack as the Dai Li raised a section of the floor to deflect it. They sent their rock gloves towards Zuko restraining him as Azula turned and walked away. Then they threw him down into the Crystal Catacombs where he saw Katara.
"Zuko," she said surprised, but then she felt angry.
He looked up at her.
Meanwhile, Iroh managed to capture one of the Dai Li agents with Chiara's help, and they took him to a large Upper Ring house.
"Why are we here?" she asked Iroh as they set the tied agent on the porch.
She began tightening the knots of their prisoner's bindings.
"A friend of yours may be able to help us," said Iroh as he was knocking on the door.
She was puzzled and was wondering about whom he could be talking when Toph opened the door.
"Glad to see you're okay," said Toph.
"We need your help," he said.
Aang and Sokka simultaneously yelled out when they saw him.
"You guys know each other?" Aang asked them.
"I met him in the woods once and knocked him down," said Toph. "Then he gave me tea and some very good advice."
"May I come in?" asked Iroh.
Toph nodded. Iroh entered and Chiara entered behind him.
"Chiara," said Aang surprised to see her.
She bowed, surprised, but happy to see him. "Avatar Aang, it's good to see you and Sokka again."
"Beautiful mystery girl," said Sokka.
"You are speaking about my daughter," said Iroh deeply.
Sokka's eyes got wide. "She's...she's your daughter?"
"So you weren't traveling alone," said Toph.
"This is Lady Chiara," said Iroh to Toph. "The Daughter of the Dragon of the West," he added proudly.
Chiara saw Toph and she knelt down on the floor before her and traced an Earth Kingdom greeting on the floor.
"The General said he had enjoyed some interesting company while I was hunting. It's a pleasure to meet you."
Toph smiled, but was stunned by her greeting on the floor, and she greeted her back. "Toph Beifong."
"The Beifongs of Gaoling?" asked Chiara.
"Uh...yes," said Toph now stunned by Chiara's knowledge. "How did you know?"
"I thought everyone knew of the Beifong Family."
"Okay, I think we're going to get along great," said Toph.
"Not to rush the pleasantries," started Iroh, "but Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se."
"She must have Katara," said Aang.
"Lady Katara's missing?" asked Chiara.
"Yes," he answered.
"She has captured my nephew as well," said Iroh.
"Then we'll work together to fight Azula and save Katara and Zuko," said Aang.
"Whoa there," interrupted Sokka. "You lost me at 'Zuko.'"
"I know how you must feel about my nephew," said Iroh. "But believe me when I tell you there is good inside him."
"Good inside him isn't enough," said Sokka. "Why don't you come back when it's outside him too, okay?"
"Katara's in trouble," said Aang. "All of Ba Sing Se is in trouble. Working together is our best chance."
Sokka nodded.
"We brought someone along who might be able to help us," said Iroh as he walked to the door and opened it.
They stepped outside and Toph immediately earthbended rocks around the Dai Li agent and Iroh removed his gag.
"Azula and Long Feng are plotting a coup," he spoke quickly. "They're going to overthrow the Earth King."
"My sister!" said Sokka pointing his machete at him. "Where are they keeping Katara?"
"In the Crystal Catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se deep beneath the palace," he answered.
"Let's go," said Aang.
They followed him to Appa whom Chiara was happy to see reunited with Aang.
In the Crystal Catacombs, Zuko was sitting with his back to Katara.
"Why did they throw you in here?" she asked him as she paced angrily. "Oh, wait, let me guess, it's a trap, so that when Aang shows up to help me you can finally have him in your little Fire Nation clutches."
Zuko ignored her.
"You're a terrible person, you know that?" she went on. "I don't understand how Chiara can stand you. She's nothing like anyone from the Fire Nation. But you...always following us, hunting the Avatar, trying to capture the world's last hope for peace. But what do you care? You're the Fire Lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood. You'd probably betray Chiara if it meant capturing Aang."
"You don't know what you're talking about," said Zuko.
"I don't?! How dare you? You have no idea what this war has put me through, me personally." Tears filled her eyes and began falling. "The Fire Nation took my mother away from me," she said sadly.
"I'm sorry," said Zuko.
Katara was crying.
"That's something we have in common," he said.
She looked up and wiped the tears from her eyes, and then she stood up.
"Chiara too," he said softly. "She lost her family because of the war."
Back above ground, the others had arrived at Old Ba Sing Se. After jumping off Appa's back, Toph began feeling the ground.
"Well, what do you know," she said. "There is an ancient city down there, but it's deep."
She opened up a tunnel.
"We should split up," said Sokka. "Aang, you go with Iroh and Chiara to look for Katara and the angry jerk, no offense...," he added to Iroh.
"None taken," he shrugged.
"And I'll go with Toph to the Earth King to warn about Azula's coup," he continued.
Iroh, Chiara, and Aang went underground as the Avatar earthbended the rocks to form a tunnel and Iroh held a flame providing light.
"So," said Aang to Iroh, "Toph thinks you give pretty good advice...and great tea."
"The key to both is proper aging. What's on your mind?"
Aang moved some more rocks. "Well, I met with this guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State and control this great power, but to do it, I had to let go of someone I love, and I just couldn't."
Chiara suspected he was speaking of Katara.
"Perfection and power are overrated," said Iroh. "I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love."
"Being the Avatar didn't stop Roku from marrying Ta Min," said Chiara. "He was very powerful and was able to master the Avatar State."
Aang thought about it and realized she was right, but he was still worried about his own ability.
"But what happens if I can't save everyone and beat Azula? Without the Avatar State, what if I'm not powerful enough?"
"I don't know the answer," said Iroh. "Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving..." Just then Aang broke through to a large cavern. "...you will come to a better place."
Meanwhile, Katara was feeling sympathetic towards Zuko.
"I'm sorry I yelled at you before," she said sincerely.
"It doesn't matter," he said.
"It's just that, for so long now whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face."
"My face," said Zuko as he touched his scar. "I see."
"No, no, that's-that's not what I meant."
"It's okay," he said. "I used to think this scar marked me, the mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever, but lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my own destiny, even if I'll never free of my mark."
"Maybe you could be free of it," she said.
"What?" he asked looking up.
"I have healing abilities."
"It's a scar. It can't be healed."
She pulled out a vial from around her neck. "This is water from the Spirit Oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties, so I've been saving it for something important." She stood before him. "I don't know if it would work, but..."
She touched his scar, looking at it. Suddenly, the ground trembled and there was a cloud of dust. When it cleared, Katara saw Aang.
"Aang!" she said.
She ran over to him and hugged him. Aang looked at Zuko angrily, and then Chiara wrapped her arms around Zuko's neck as he wrapped his around her waist holding her, and Iroh wrapped his arms around both of them.
"Aang," said Katara, "I knew you would come."
"Uncle," said Zuko as they released him, "I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?"
"Saving you, that's what," snapped Aang.
"Grrr...," growled Zuko as he tried to leap at Aang, but Iroh and Chiara held him back.
"Zuko," said Iroh, "it's time we talked." He looked at Aang. "Go help your other friends. We'll catch up with you."
As Iroh was talking to Aang, Chiara looked up at Zuko. "Are you okay? Did Azula hurt you?" she asked him.
"No," he said.
After Aang and Katara left, Iroh turned back to them.
"Why, Uncle?" Zuko asked him softly.
"You are not the man you used to be, Zuko," said Iroh. "You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good."
The ground suddenly shook again as crystals rose up surrounding Iroh and Chiara and trapping them. Zuko took a defensive stance as the Dai Li approached them.
"I expected this kind of treachery from Uncle and Chiara," said Azula, "but Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor. Are you?"
"Release them immediately!" demanded Zuko.
"It's not too late for you, Zuko," said Azula. "You can still redeem yourself."
"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you," said Iroh.
"Why don't you let him decide, Uncle?" said Azula.
"Don't listen to her, Prince Zuko," begged Chiara.
"I need you, Zuko," said Azula. "I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day you will have your honor back, you will have father's love, you will have everything you want."
Her promise swirled around in his mind, everything you want.
"Zuko," said Iroh, "I am begging you, look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want."
"You're free to choose," said Azula.
She motioned the Dai Li to leave and she started walking away. Zuko stood impassive. Everything he had been working for was being promised to him. All of the impossible was becoming possible. Chiara was already his wife; why could he not have everything else too? Maybe his luck was changing.
"Prince Zuko, don't trust her," said Chiara as she struggled to break free from the crystals. "Azula always lies."
"But...but what if she's not lying now," he said contemplating the promises. He thought about the last time Azula attacked them on the ship, but now she walked away. "My honor, my father..."
Chiara's heart sank as she realized he was falling for Azula's promises again.
"She's never been on your side," she said. "You can't trust her."
"Zuko, think of your new family," said Iroh in a deep whisper. "If they find out, they will execute her."
Zuko was going over everything in his head.
"Please, Prince Zuko," said Chiara, "I need you."
They were already married. There would be no reason he could not be prince and keep his wife. Chiara had hidden her ability for years, so he thought no one needed to know she was Water Tribe.
"I love you," he said to Chiara. He tenderly kissed her, and then his eyes locked on to hers. "Our destiny lies in the Fire Nation."
"Please don't go," she pleaded as tears fell down her cheeks.
He caressed her face, and then he took off into the other chamber where Azula was fighting Aang and Katara.
"Zuko, no!" yelled Iroh.
Iroh and Chiara continued struggling to break free from the crystals. After a great deal of effort, Iroh was able to get out and he helped free Chiara.
"I want you to get out of here," he said. "Go with the Avatar's friends."
"I don't want to leave you."
"You must go, Chiara. There are too many to fight. Stay with the Avatar."
She looked at him and hugged him with tears in her eyes.
Iroh could hear the battle as he ran through the tunnels, and when he finally reached the cavern he saw Azula and Zuko approaching Katara who was holding the Avatar's lifeless body. He sent a wall of flames between them, and then jumping down he stood protectively in front of Katara.
"You've got to get out of here," he said to her. "I'll hold them off as long as I can."
Iroh shot fire at the enemies while Katara escaped with Aang out of the catacombs. The Dai Li attacked him, but suddenly a flood of water came from behind them and froze their feet to the ground as Chiara came in on the water. As she passed between Zuko and Azula, she froze Azula but not Zuko.
"You traitor!" Azula yelled at her.
Zuko was stunned. He could not move as he was full of mixed emotions. Azula began sending fire blasts at her, but she formed a shield to protect herself and Iroh when Azula attacked him as well. Azula then quickly melted the Dai Li who started earthbending against Iroh and Chiara. Iroh wanted to focus on Azula because he knew she would go after Chiara, but the Dai Li were sending missiles towards him, so he tried fighting them all.
"Zuko!" yelled Azula. "Stop her!"
Zuko stood watching the fight, but he could not move against her. She sent ice over Azula and then over the feet of the Dai Li, but she never attacked Zuko. She threw ice missiles that slowed down the Dai Li attacks and even knocked several of them down. She ran towards Iroh, but Azula had broken free of her ice cage and started sending fire blasts at her despite Zuko being between them now. Chiara sent up an ice shield against her attack, but she raised it between Azula and Zuko so as to protect him too. He was amazed by her skill. The small, delicate, and beautiful demonstration of her waterbending she gave him the day he discovered she was a waterbender was nothing like the fierce attacks and powerful defenses she was using now to protect Iroh and him.
"Still protecting Zuko?" said Azula. "Only now as a Water tramp."
Chiara drew up a water spout that wrapped around Azula pulling her to the ground.
"Zuko!" yelled Azula, completely soaked and looking deranged. "Do something!"
He reared back and drew up a flame. He had no intention of attacking his wife though, and down deep he was impressed by her skill. He had no idea she had been so well trained.
Despite the fire in his hand, Chiara did not raise a defense against him. Azula stood up drenched, and she started sending blasts at her again. Chiara continued countering them and then she threw balls of ice towards Azula as she took the offensive. Azula countered them with fire blasts, but as Chiara threw ice missile after ice missile, Azula could not keep up and was eventually hit by one, but it did not stop her as she continued blocking with fire causing the cavern to fill up with steam. There were too many for Chiara and Iroh, and they had both known going in that it would be a losing fight. The Dai Li had finally subdued Iroh, but Chiara continued fighting and raising a shield against any attacks by Azula and the Dai Li. She sent another wave of water over all of the Dai Li which she froze, and then she froze Azula again.
"Zuko!" yelled Azula who began breaking free of her ice. "Stop that traitor!"
"Zuko, don't touch her!" yelled Iroh trapped in the rock.
Chiara ran towards Iroh, but she did not know how to free him. She forced water between the rocks and turned it to ice hoping to crack his cage.
"Just throw it!" Azula ordered Zuko as she was still trying to free herself from the ice. "She lied to you. She's been lying to you. She's been living in the Fire Nation as a traitorous spy."
"Run, Chiara," said Iroh. "You can still escape."
"Not without you," she said, desperately trying to free him.
Azula broke free and quickly sent fire towards the feet of the Dai Li to melt the ice, and then she quickly threw a blast towards Iroh and Chiara, but Chiara, refusing to leave him, moved in front of him to protect him and she was struck in the arm and was knocked back.
"Chiara!" yelled Iroh.
She threw a shield up to protect him and then shielded herself from another blast. She began bombarding Azula with ice again. Drawing up another water spout, she sent it towards Azula who avoided it, and raising her arms a huge wave went crashing toward all of the them. The wave was powerful enough that it pushed the Dai Li and Azula towards the back wall of the cavern, but Zuko was amazed that he emerged from the wave dry and in the same place, though his small flame had gone out. The wave crashed against the wall, but as soon as the Dai Li and Azula regained their footing, they began attacking her.
"Take her out!" demanded Azula, angry that they could not seem to defeat her.
Zuko could not attack her, but suddenly a fire blast shot past him and struck Chiara knocking her down again.
"Chiara!" yelled Iroh as he continued struggling to break free.
She had been weakened by the blast and knew she could not fight them all on her own and rescue Iroh, but she refused to leave him. She began crawling towards him, but the Dai Li drew rock over her hands pinning her to the ground. She kept her head down to hide the tears flowing down her face; her dark hair was flowing all around her. Zuko looked upon his wife; he loved her, but he felt lost and confused about his destiny.
Azula angrily walked over to Chiara as blue flames danced between her finger, and she drew back to strike.
"Azula! No!" yelled Iroh. "Zuko, don't let her do this!"
Zuko grabbed Azula's arm before she could strike. "I'm not going to let you kill her, Azula."
"Fine," said Azula. "It'll be much more fun taking her back to the Fire Nation...both of them. I can't wait to see what's in store for Uncle for harboring a Water Nation spy right under the Fire Lord's nose."
Her words caused Zuko even more worry.
"Take them away," ordered Azula.
As the Dai Li approached the two prisoners, Azula pulled Zuko away suspecting he might have second thoughts on his decision.
"Let's go, Brother."
She was frustrated at her dripping clothes, and she glared at his seeing that they were dry except around his feet where they were still walking in water. Zuko was in a daze as he walked along side his sister, his mind jumping from thought to thought. He would be returning to the Fire Nation after years away from home. The Avatar was dead. He betrayed his wife and his uncle, though it was unintentional. He thought he could have it all, his life in the Fire Nation and his wife, and it might have worked if she had not tried to rescue Iroh; no one would have known she was a waterbender. Maybe his luck was not changing after all.
"So the tramp's a waterbender," said Azula. She looked at Zuko. "How long have you known?"
"I just found out recently," he said looking down.
She studied him for a moment wondering if he was telling the truth.
"How did you find out?" she asked.
"She showed me."
"Where'd Uncle find the little peasant?"
"Her village had been slaughtered. She was the only survivor."
"He dared to bring a waterbender into the Fire Nation," she hissed.
"He said he forbade her to waterbend."
Azula let out a laugh. "Forbade her? I don't think so. Those moves back there were not from some untrained amateur. That savage has had a master."
Zuko realized Azula was right. It was clear Chiara had been trained and he had had no idea.
"So all these years you really didn't know what she was, and you grew up with her...," she said accusingly.
"So did you," he snapped. "Did you know?"
"She was on your ship with you for three years, and you never figured out she could waterbend?"
"No one figured it out, Azula," said Zuko. "Except Uncle," he added softly.
"It makes perfect sense," she said. "Uncle raises her in the Fire Nation so he can usurp the throne with the help of the Water Tribe."
"That doesn't make any sense," he argued. "Uncle brought her home before Grandfather died. Why would he need to usurp the throne?"
"He used her to fight against us and help the Avatar. He's still a traitor to our Nation."
Zuko sighed to himself feeling overwhelming guilt for his actions.
As Azula and Zuko were returning to the Earth King's palace, the Dai Li handed Iroh and Chiara over to Fire Nation soldiers who took them to the brig on a ship that was headed to the Fire Nation.