"Dai Li agents?" her brother practically screamed the second they were alone in their chambers, after dragging her there "You're bringing the same men who staged a coup in Ba Sing Se to our nation?" he was being stupidly dramatic again, but for once he had a point. And at least he had the decency to only freak out in private.

"Former Dai Li agents. Who were handpicked by me to be saved from a miserable life in a city where everyone hates them for what they did, and would be very grateful for an opportunity to back the best leader they ever had. They're smart enough to follow orders, but not smart enough to turn their backs on me without being caught and punished."

"How can you be so sure?"

"I have been planning this long before I knew of any traitors, Zuzu" she said, making him look surprised and then angry.

"And when exactly were you going to tell me?"

"When I was sure I knew what I was doing. I know very well this is a high risk, high reward situation. I have been going over my plan to bring these men to the Fire Nation for months, and there were many changes over time. I know just what to do to prevent them from ever turning on me. Or on anyone from our family. They did trust our uncle to bring them over, after all."

"We don't need them" he insisted, stubborn as always.

"You and your friends wanted to get rid of as many former Dai Li agents as possible after freeing Ba Sing Se, but couldn't because of the influence some of them still had over the city. This will free you of some of them, get us more people to help us fight the traitors, and will make my lie about wanting to dethrone you more believable so I can get all the information we need from these fools. We need them.

"I still don't like this. I don't trust these men."

"Good" she said "Make that clear to them. Remind them that I'm not the only one they should fear, and that while I trust them, you obviously don't. Take them to prison and have them see all the important people you were not afraid of punishing for choosing the wrong side in the war. Uncle already has his reputation as the dragon of the west to help keep them in check, and I won them over a long time ago. Show them you're the one in charge."

"I don't know if I can put on a convincing act, Azula."

"It won't be an act, Zuzu" she brought her hands to his shoulders "You kept this palace and our nation under control for two whole years. Most people want you as Fire Lord, Toph and June said it themselves after that failed investigation of theirs. You already know how to inspire love and admiration. You just need a little confidence to inspire fear."

"And what if that's not what I want?" he asked her.

"It's necessary. And inevitable. You're royalty. No matter how kind of a ruler you are, you're still the one who holds all the power in our country. People don't want to disrespect you in any way because they fear the consequences. This isn't that much different."

Zuko just sat on the bed, lost in his own thoughts.

"What is going on, Zuzu?" she asked, sitting next to him "You've been looking more miserable than usual."

"I'm just worried. This whole situation is stressing me out. Nothing I do feels right. I know I have to act, but I don't want to go too far like father would."

At least I'm not the only one he's still haunting.

"Look at me, Zuzu" he did and gently cupped his cheek, caressing it with her thumb "You're nothing like him. He would have never shown anyone any mercy. You're not a maniac like him. You're just protecting yourself, your friends, your family, your nation... and me. This isn't any different than fighting in a battle or ordering father to be imprisoned. You're not being cruel. You're standing your ground and protecting what's yours. Can you do that? Can you be strong? For me and for yourself?"

He averted his eyes, but Azula caught a glimpse of a look she knew all too well. That fierce look her brother always had when he was determined to do whatever it took to survive. He was a fighter, and he would win this like he won the war.

"We'll see those Dai Li agents and make sure they know who's in control. Then we'll find every traitor that wants Ozai in power again, and we'll put them in their place."

Azula smirked "That's what I like to hear."