Here is the 12th full chapter in Book 5, released on time as promised. This the third of the three chapter Zaofu arc that is the final bridge before the inevitable meeting that is coming and in this case it is wrapping things up with why they came to the city in the first place. That is all I have for now though and as there isn't anything to respond to that means that it time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the 12th full installment of Avatar: The Tale of Harry. Book 5: Duty.

Disclaimer: As always I own nothing related to these two great works of fiction.

Chapter 12

Even after dealing with them for at least 65 years, Harry still hated formal functions. They were always the same, especially the ones in the ISEK. A bunch of overly dressed people who held either high stations, vast wealth, or more often than not both, in a large room with finger food, wine, and pointless small talk with maybe a bit of business thrown in to keep up appearances. However, being the Avatar meant that Harry had to endure these things.

After his retirement from public life following the Principate War, Harry had been lucky in the sense that these things were now mercifully rare for him. Basically, only when a President was inaugurated, or a new leader crowned did he have to attend one so only a handful since the end of the war. Now, though, he was temporarily out of retirement because duty called for it due to Ekrizdis's appearance and threat.

That was what had necessitated Harry coming to Zaofu to get back into training shape with a blade. It had also meant that they had to throw at least one of these does for the makers and shakers in the most advanced city in the world. Add in the Dominique had decided to come as well, and it was a practically a requirement that they have one seeing as the Avatar and the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe present.

As such, Harry was now in a formal suit tailored perfectly for him by Zaofu's best tailor and cut in the latest fashion trends for high society. In keeping with his nation, it was dark green with gray accents and a light green lining. The only things that Harry had been able to have that weren't forced on him was a special, metal lined black glove on his right hand to allow him to move it and his emerald topped cane. He'd even been required to wear his Kyoshi Medal of Freedom around his neck, though at least he wasn't asked to wear all his medals today, that would have really been a nuisance if he'd had to do that.

"Still hating these things, I see." Ron said to Harry's left and Harry turned and smiled at his best friend as he approached.

"What made you think that?" Harry asked with a chuckle as he studied Ron.

Ron was in full Southern Military dress uniform for the event and unlike Harry he had to wear his copious amount of medal with it as it was a military uniform. They covered his double breasted, dark blue jacket and clinked as he walked. The rest of his uniform was also dark blue as the South's color though he wore black boots with it and a white belt around his waist where his water skin was.

Since his own retirement, Ron had reverted to wearing his nation's formal clothes rather than the suits favored by Presidents of the United Republic. That meant that as a member of the Southern Royal Family he was expected to wear military attire to reflect their warrior ways.

"Well, you are hiding near against a far wall and not meeting with the dignitaries here despite many clearly wanting to chat with the Avatar." Ron said as he picked up a pair of goblets from a passing waiter and handed one to Harry. "So, I came to hide with you as I hate them just as much but at least I'm not a public figure anymore so they don't care about me, unlike you."

"Almost seven decades of this shit and we still can't stand it." Harry said clinking goblets before taking a sip of fine wine that the goblet contained. "Wouldn't have it any other way and at least the wine is good though not as good as it is in the Fire Nation."

"I didn't mind it back when I was Chief of Police or President." Ron said taking a second drink. "Lot of work got done at these things if you know how to work them, but I put it all behind me when I retired. The Air Nation doesn't do this unless in another nation so usually we are spared despite Luna's position there but we're here today, so we have to suffer it. Though I agree, I prefer the Fire Nation stuff, that volcanic soil makes the best wine out there."

"It wouldn't be so bad if I actually knew more people." Harry said with a sigh. "But this is a local crowd and while many of the elite here are known, they tend to stay in Zaofu and not socialize with the wider world unless it's to sell something."

"Such is the way of life in this corner of the world." Ron said. "They may be part of the ISEK, but things have always been different here thanks to the reasoning behind Su's founding of the city. Great place to start over if you have the talent to do so, they'll give anyone a clean slate here."

"Very true." Harry said. "Speaking of Luna, any word on the backchannels with Ekrizdis's people."

"Really good, she called after your training in fact." Ron said with a nod. "She's made contact with Ekrizdis's representatives, and they confirm that he will meet you before he does anything else, and they have agreed to Azkaban. Even they understand the nature of that place and its neutrality. The only problem is a date. They don't want it too soon for some reason."

"They're stalling." Harry said bluntly. "Which works for us as it is more time for me to train myself back into shape."

"Agreed but I'm still worried." Ron said. "Stalling means that they're not expecting this to go well for them and are making sure their contingency plans are in order."

"I know so what is your assessment?" Harry asked. "You understand this shit better than anyone else."

"If I had to bet, the reason why Ekrizdis is stalling is because his contingency is to splinter the Air Nation and he needs time to make sure that that works." Ron said simply. "Luna feared that he might, there are factions in any nation and the Air Nation is no different. There are 8 airbenders who effectively run the Air Nation, no doubt Ekrizdis is trying to poach some of them, especially those who are more ambitious then they really should be as Head Abbots."

"I agree." Harry said with a sigh. "Not all will remain loyal to Remus. Luna we know will, and I trust Davies and Bexley to remain with him, both served in the Principate War and are close with Remus so they wouldn't betray him."

"True which is good as it means that the ANDF is on our side." Ron said. "Marshal Bexley is a good man and would never side with a madman who doesn't want him anyway, Ekrizdis has made it clear that he disapproves of the ANDF which has ensured that they will remain loyal to Remus. Davies is also well-versed war given his history as a veteran of the Second Purity War and the Principate War, so he'll be able to spot a warmonger when he sees one. It's some of the others I'm worried about."

"Some?" Harry asked. "So not all."

"Cho will remain neutral regardless of what happens." Ron said. "Remus appointed her Head Abbess of Air Temple Island because of her centrist, neutral views. That Temple, due to its location, needs to have a neutral leader and Cho has made it clear that she has no intention to do anything on either side of this issue."

"Or one being groomed for Archabbot." Harry pointed out. "It is why Filius appointed Luna to the role, to give her experience before she got one of the main Temples."

"True and as much as Luna hates it, she is Remus's successor." Ron said. "She's got the pedigree and experience to lead the nation, as well as the respect of most airbenders out there. Davies might have been a candidate but he's already backing Luna for when the time comes. Edgecombe doesn't like Luna so she's one I'm worried about. I am certain she'll defect to Ekrizdis if a schism occurs as she's the most ambitious of the Head Abbots and thus the one least likely to become Archabbot."

"Why was she appointed as Head Abbess of the Eastern Air Temple again?" Harry asked trying to remember what he could about Edgecombe. "Didn't she get investigated by the ICTP for collaboration with the Principate."

"She did but was cleared as having acted in a pacifistic manner in line with old airbending teachings by staying in the Temple and letting the Principate do what it wanted without her helping them." Ron said with a sigh. "Not that I believe it but so many had died or opted to retire in the wake of the war that she was the only choice once the dust settled and her technicality ensured she wasn't charged with anything."

"I see and the other two?" Harry asked. "Brocklehurst and Wroxton? What are your thoughts on them?"

"Wroxton will remain neutral, the nature of education is like that, and he was neutral during the Principate War as well so he can't be involved even if he wanted to be after that." Ron said. "Even if he wants to take sides his hands are tied on that front. He'll likely vote for Luna to be Archabbot when Remus dies but that's a given. Any schism and he's out for support."

"Makes sense to stay neutral as the Head of the Air House." Harry agreed. "That just leaves Brocklehurst in the North. I haven't had many dealings with him, so I don't know him well. What's your assessment of him?"

"He's a complete wildcard." Ron admitted. "Kinda person who would like to play kingmaker if he's a deciding vote from my interactions with him and play both sides to see which would give him the best deal. He served in the ANDF during the Principate War and is from the Northern Air Temple so when Sybil died Remus appointed him Head Abbot as he'd retired from service following the conflict, but he's got a survivalist mentality after the war."

"Alright so it's him and Edgecombe we have to keep an eye on." Harry said making a mental note of that. "I'll leave that to you; I don't doubt that you are advising Luna on this."

"In my capacity as a private citizen." Ron said with a grin. "It is hard as a member of the Southern Royal Family, but I can justify it now that Dominique has 3 kids, all waterbenders, so no worries there given how low down the line of succession I am."

"And the middle one named after you." Harry said with a grin. "A high honor in deed, I know how naming works in the South."

"And a burden for him." Ron said with a slight shake of his head. "But one he's living up to from what I've heard. Likely going to become a General one day and he'll have more than earned it."

"Avatar, Prince Ron, sorry to interrupt." A voice said to their side as someone that neither Harry nor Ron had noticed approaching while they were talking reached them. "But I have something for his highness."

Harry turned and saw an awkward looking Sirius standing there in a clearly new suit. It was similar to Harry's only gray with green trim likely as an homage to his metalbending prowess, something that would be prized in Zaofu.

His grandson had cleaned up well and looked fresh and ready, albeit uncomfortable in the fancy clothes and setting he'd found himself in and Harry suspected that it was his first such formal do. In his hands was a metal case that he was now holding out to Ron.

"You don't need to be so formal Sirius." Harry said. "At least not with us as we are family. Well slightly removed family in Ron's case."

"Great uncle I believe is what I am." Ron said helpfully. "But yes there is no need for the formal stuff with me."

"Yes, sorry, I was given a crash course this afternoon after an inadvertent chat I had with Chief Dominique about how to behave tonight." Sirius said apologetically. "This is my first formal function, so I am unsure what to do at it. Thankfully, no one knows me, so I wasn't stopped on my way to you guys."

"It is the way of the Earth Kingdom." Harry said with a slight sigh. "Status is everything here, always has been and no matter how much people try it likely always will be even in a place founded on the principles that Zaofu was founded on. You are supposed to know those above you and not those below you unless they can help you get even higher than you already are. As you are below everyone and no one know what you can do none of them will give you the time of day."

"That is good." Sirius said. "I want to keep a low profile all things considered. It must be hard for you Avatar."

"It is but I have already done the rounds and now they will leave me alone for a bit before I have to go again." Harry said glad that he'd shown up early and chatted to whoever was around before hiding in a corner. "But what do you have there?"

"Oh this, this is something I've been working on as well as the stuff that the smiths here have been making for you." Sirius said with a note of pride in his voice. "One of my first things to make up for my father's actions and a gift for Ron."

"For me?" Ron asked confused. "What is it?"

"Well, I remember hearing about your legendary meteor hammer and how dad, um, destroyed it in the Battle of Cymru when you threw it at him." Sirius said as the case opened with his metalbending. "So, I thought I'd make you one a replacement as a hammer is your weapon and keep the habit of using meteorite metal. It's different and not as unique as your old one but I have designed it so that you can use it."

Ron and Harry looked into the case and Harry had to admit, it was a really nice piece of metalwork. The hammer was clearly a one-handed war hammer designed for smashing skulls and armor. It had a black metal head that was made from metal extracted from a meteorite but rather than being flat, it had 5 small but lethal looking spikes in it, one for each corner and one in the center. The back half of the head was a sharpened pick so that the backswing could be deadly as well.

Then there was the handle. It was made out of a material that wasn't metal or bone, probably plastic that was all the rage these days in Zaofu but toughened for battle. It was also dyed or naturally dark blue to fit with Ron's national color. To top it off it had a tight string grip. At the end was a special clasp that could be attached to a belt and but had a quick release function for easy deployment in battle.

"It's one handed and lighter than your last one because of your age." Sirius said. "I know you're still strong Ron, but age is one foe that no one can truly defeat. It's also got a narrow hollow in the handle that is filled with water for ease of use and as it is plastic it won't rust."

Harry reached out with his waterbending and connected with a strip of water in the handle, so he knew that Sirius spoke the truth about it. Ron reached out his hand and the hammer floated up perfectly staying level under his bending. Without hesitation, he closed his hand around the grip.

Harry and Sirius took a few steps back as Ron swung it a few times, lightly given the room but still enough to check out the balance on the weapon. Harry saw the grin on Ron's face before he attacked it to his belt on his right hip. It hung there looking like it belonged just as Ron's last hammer had. The only thing was the head was going to cause problems, but Harry was certain they could solve it while here.

"It's amazing Sirius." Ron said turning to the boy. "Thank you, you didn't have to, but I appreciate it anyway. I will wield it with pride should I ever enter battle again. I do miss a hammer by my side, but I never had a chance to replace the last one."

"I kinda did after dad destroyed your old one." Sirius said. "So, I felt like it was my duty to forge you a new one."

"He destroyed it because I threw it at him in the middle of a battle." Ron pointed out. "I was trying to at the very least incapacitate James and end the war then and there but his metalbending was too good."

"A battle that should never have happened but for my father's twisted views." Sirius countered. "This is just the first of my many attempts to reclaim my family's honor in the wake of his actions."

"Well then thank you." Ron said with a nod. "It's fine craftmanship, I'm impressed."

"I have a gift with metal." Sirius said simply. "A good thing my father gave me and one that I intend to use for good and not evil like he did. The design was a collaboration with the people here, but I did make the head."

"You could have a future in metalwork if you wanted it." Harry said as Sirius closed the case and put it against the wall. "While here you should check out the city, there is no place better for metalwork in the world than the Metal Clan."

"I intend to, but we had to finish your other item first." Sirius said. "Now that it is finished though I can see more of the city."

"Yes where is it?" Ron asked.

"Dominique has it on her." Sirius said glancing around. "But she isn't…"

As if on cue there was metallic clanging and the whole crowd looked to the large doors that led into the room the event was being held in. The clang was to silence everyone and signify the arrival of someone very important was about to enter. It had been used for Harry when he approached so he knew who it had to before an announcement came over a speaker system.

"Attention honored guests." The voice said. "The second of the two important honored guests that this event is for is about to enter so please turn your attention to the doors and give a warm, Zaofu, welcome to her. I present to you, Her Majesty, Chief Dominique, the Chief of the Southern Water Tribe and the She-Wolf of the Southern Waters."

With that the doors swung open under the use of metalbending by two guards. Harry was glad that they kept the introduction short as technically they should have listed all of Dominique's titles and awards, but the list was rather long thanks to her actions during the Principate War. Likely they'd cut it down because Zaofu did at least have some sense and stuck with the bare minimum of the legal requirements for these things. Had this been Ba Sing Se, they'd still be listening to the various titles and awards that Dominique had received.

Harry just watched as the doors finished swinging open to reveal Dominique standing in the center tall and proud as she should when attending such a do. To her side and just behind her was Ginny as she'd had to stay with Dominique to get her ready and they were flanked by the Royal Guard of the South though they would stay outside as they weren't allowed in the room.

Both Dominique and Ginny wore the same military dress uniform as Ron though the female cut but only Ginny opted for the skirt, trying to get Dominique into one was a recipe in futility that usually involved a lot of waterbending. As expected, both women had their full cadre of medals on their chests, the clear difference being Ginny's Roku Cross that hung around her neck, an award that can only be given to those who aid within the Fire Nation and as such one that Dominique did not have.

There was one major difference between the two Southern women. Dominique was wearing a snow-white cloak that fell to just above her ankles. Harry knew what it was at once, her formal cloak. When Dominique had to dress up, she was required to wear two things, one of them being the cloak from a kill she made before her coronation before she turned the pelt into a cloak with her own hands. The other thing she was wearing was atop her head, her hair in her preferred style.

"Is that?" Sirius asked as Dominique and Ginny swept into the room followed by some Zaofu guards who were assigned to them as Dominique's own Guard couldn't be present in the room for whatever vague reason they couldn't be this time. "You know…"

"Yup." Harry said seeing where Sirius was looking. "It only comes out for events like this, but she has to wear it whenever she's expected to actually look like the Head of State that she is."

"The Changing Crown of the South." Ron said. "A tradition started by my grandfather Septimius when he became the second Chief of an independent South. Every Chief since has been required to design their own crown prior to their coronation, and it is minted from pure platinum by the best smiths we have so that it is forged in the South. The change is due to both how young the South is a nation and as such doesn't have a historical crown or symbol of the Chief and to represent the ever-shifting tundra and sea of our homeland."

"She hates wearing it." Harry said as they watched Dominique begin the process of polite small talk with the important guests who were practically cuing up to speak to her and try and gain some favor from her. "But it does look good on her."

Harry had always approved of Dominique's design. It was a simple platinum circle with a rolling wave pattern of different heights with the highest peak at the front and a flat part at the back, to represent the shifting seas of the South with a white fur lining so that she could wear it in the cold. Set into the center was a large sapphire carved with the crest of the South and 3 smaller sapphires on each side equidistant from each other as they surrounded it to represent the 6 other nations.

"It is a fine piece of craftsmanship." Sirius said with a nod of approval. "And she knows how to handle herself well at these things."

"Royal duties are drilled into the us from a young age." Ron said with a slight shudder. "But those at the top of the line of succession get it the hardest as they will actually represent the Tribe. Due to her bending, Dominique was put on the same level as Victoire so had to learn as if she were 2nd and not 3rd in line from the moment she was old enough to learn this. That intensified once Victoire abdicated her claim and Dominique became the Crown Princess upon my brother's ascension. Other than my late brother Percy, we all hated it but when needed we can perform our duties admirably."

"And of any of them, the Chief is expected to be perfect." Harry said. "She's still a fearsome warrior, probably one of the most dangerous people in this room right now not including us, but she knows how to be regal when she has to be though she's not as good as Xiang."

"No one can compare to the Earth King." Ron pointed out. "It's in his blood and unlike his father, Xiang always respected the traditions of his people."

"I don't think I could get use to this pomp and ceremony." Sirius said with a shake of his head. "Way too much for me to deal with or remember."

"Well, you won't." Harry said simply. "You technically aren't part of the Southern Royal Family, and no one knows of your father, so you don't have to worry about your relation to me and as such so long as you are polite and respectful you will be fine."

"I see that is good on the latter on." Sirius said. "Though I am confused on the former. How does the Royal Family work in the South? I thought my dad was technically a Prince of the South."

"It's confusing and made worse by my father having 7 kids because apparently his seed is extremely potent." Ron said with a sigh. "And his two brothers had kids as well. It was decided by Chief Septimius that the title of Prince or Princess would only extend as far as the current Chief's grandkids. Any who were great-grandchildren and not of the direct line would not be given the title though they were in the line of succession for emergency purposes."

"Ok break that down for me more." Sirius said and Harry could see how confused he was. "What do you mean by direct line?"

"Ok so the first Chief in my family line was my grandfather Septimius." Ron explained. "He had three kids, my father, and my two uncles. My dad had 7 children including me and Ginny while my uncles had 2 each so there are 11 Princes and Princesses in my generation. However only 7, those of my father Chief Arthur, were of the direct line so the grandchildren of my uncles did not receive titles. They can be looked to in emergency succession problems but that isn't an issue at the moment given the glut of potential successors that we have."

"I see, I think I get it a bit." Sirius said. "So, the kids of Arthur's 7 all got the title as well, like my father."

"Correct." Harry said. "All of my kids had it, but the Constitutional Crisis changed things a little as the direct line, those being Bill's kids as he was the Crown Prince and thus the succession passed through him, produced an airbender in the direct line."

"Ok that's what I thought the direct line was." Sirius said. "They are the ones most likely to be Chief, the eldest child and his or her eldest child and so on."

"Correct." Ron said with a nod. "My brother Bill was dad's firstborn and heir so his firstborn would be the next in the line and this be part of the direct line but that was where the problem was."

"The firstborn was Victoire." Sirius said stating the well-known fact of what happened in the South many years ago. "Who's an airbender."

"Yes and the solution, thanks to Korra, was that any eligible member of the Southern Royal Family who is not a water or nonbender and doesn't relinquish their bending at the age of 25 automatically forfeits their title and place in line." Harry said simply. "As of right now all in the Southern Royal Family who that applies to, including Bill's two airbending children, have opted to forfeit their claims. Your father, my son, naturally kept his earthbending so he was one of them. He was so far down the line it didn't matter anyway. However, as your grandmother is Ginny and not Bill, thus you aren't eligible for a title."

"I see so basically only Dominique's kids then." Sirius said. "Though I am 27 now so it wouldn't apply to me regardless as I am past the age of renouncement."

"That would be correct on both fronts." Dominique said as she finally reached them. "Sorry I caught the tail end as I was avoiding some annoying merchant trying to get a contract from me to be the exclusive provider of something we have no need for in the South and he knows it."

"Aren't you supposed to be focused on international trade and relations my dear niece." Ron said with a smile. "You are our Chief and we do have contracts with Zaofu."

"That we do but we don't have a railroad in the South because it's still too cold to actually have one, the metal would be too expensive to maintain down there." Dominique pointed out. "Can't have one if we can't maintain it now can we. Fortunately, he took that as a challenge and promised a cold resistant one within the year. No one has yet perfected one, but it is good motivation as whoever does would get exclusive contracts in the Northern and Southern Water Tribes."

"As diplomatic as ever I see." Harry said. "You are good at this whether you like it or not."

"Uncle Percy's Boot Camp and Please Don't Bend Me Through Several Wall worked well." Dominique said with a shrug. "Well, the first part, I did destroy most of the formal wing of the Palace that time we spent 3 months together before I started college because I had failed his first test so had to have a full boot camp with him."

"I remember that." Ron said. "I was down on a diplomatic mission as President when Percy literally crashed into it as Bill while I were arguing over a trade deal regarding fish I believe, the South does have the best fish in the world and Bill knew he could get a good deal from me for them. Really livened it up though, there is only so much interest one can take from a fish chat, especially because you were 3 rooms away."

"That wasn't my fault." Dominique complained defensively. "He was teaching me the formal way to eat a 9-course meal in Ba Sing Se for when I meet with the Earth King, and he wouldn't let me eat unless I used the right cutlery for the dish and for some reason they aren't in course order."

"Blame Wu for that, he thought it would be fun to mess with it without realizing it takes a while for the time limit to run out on tradition." Harry said. "He died before it did and only the monarch who made the change can make it within that period. Wu got a lot reset for him thanks to the anarchy period following Queen Hou-Ting's death, but it quickly reverted back to what it was once he was established."

"Of course he was the one responsible." Dominique muttered with a sigh. "Anyway, you are right Sirius, only my kids are eligible for the title of Prince or Princess, well my kids, and my waterbending uncles, aunt, and cousins but not my cousins' kids. Victoire's line ended the day she abdicated so her children aren't eligible, and Louis doesn't have any so it's just them with my eldest William being the Crown Prince."

"I see." Sirius said. "Thank you, it is good to know how it all works and to know that I have no expectations."

"Yeah 3 generations is enough for a royal line that has little hope of seeing the Throne outside the direct line even if there is a kink in it as I am not my father's eldest, but we all know that situation well." Dominique said. "But enough of that. Harry, I present to you your knew exo suit."

Dominique waved a hand and two guards carrying cases came forward and opened them for the Avatar to see. Inside Harry marveled at what looked like a skin tight bodysuit but he could see metal threads woven within then, thin enough to be flexible but thick enough to not break with special designs to maximize support, stability and movement around his joints.

"It is a special titanium/tungsten alloy that they developed here for metalbenders who work in the Fire Nation but was adapted for this purpose." Dominique said as the boxes were closed. "It is lightweight, strong, easy for a bender of your caliber, and pretty flame resistant. It's woven into the cloth so the metal won't touch your skin and you can wear a fuller suit over it with a winch system should you desire one. You will be fully fitted tomorrow to make sure it works and then it's training time. We expect to have 2-6 weeks before the meeting so plenty of time for you to get used to wearing and using it."

"That should be enough time." Harry said as the guards turned and left. "Thank you, I will certainly pay my respects to the forgers of it. It is similar to how my glove works and I have gotten good with it."

"That was the base idea." Dominique said with a nod. "And it will make you more flexible in battle."

"As much as I am enjoying this chat." Ginny said taking Harry's arm. "And it is better than most things here, we do have duties and you and Ron have been standing still far too long and many dignitaries haven't had the pleasure of chatting with the Avatar and his best friend. Time to suffer with us."

"Uncle." Dominique said and instinctively Ron offered her his arm that Dominique took in a similar fashion with only a slight look of annoyance at having to do so because of her gender. "Thank you, only a warrior of your station can escort me so let's get you two back to the crowd."

Harry and Ron just nodded as the women dragged them off to mingle some more leaving Sirius perplexed where he was. Harry put on a smile as he fell back into a usual routine. For one night he could do this and then it was back to work and training to get back into fighting shape just in case the worst came. He didn't know when his meeting with Ekrizdis was, but he knew that he had to be ready for it when it came.

One Month Later

"You're leaving tomorrow, aren't you?" A voice asked distracting Harry from his thoughts. "That's what I've been hearing at least."

It had been a little over a month since his arrival in Zaofu and it was all about to end. They'd gotten word that morning that Ekrizdis would see Harry in a week's time atop Azkaban Prison. As such Harry, Ron and Ginny were heading via airship to the Western Air Temple in the morning to rendezvous with Luna and make final preparations for the meeting. Dominique had gone back to the South the week before having been ordered back by the Tribal Council, but Sirius was still here, and it was he who had approached Harry.

Right now, Harry was standing at the edge of the Beifong Estate looking down on the rest of the sprawling city of Zaofu. Originally it had been just the estate but over time it had drown into several hubs connected by high-speed trains that were the most advanced of their kind in the world.

It had been 4 or 5 in Korra's time but now they numbered 15 sprawling hubs across the large valley and plain that the city occupied. It had been 9 hubs when Harry had first been here, though he'd never seen the domes as they'd been dismantled by Kuvira and never replaced when the ISEK was formed.

He'd come here to think on the coming meeting but in all honesty he was as ready for it as he could be. They knew so little about the Ekrizdis and what he represented that all they could go off were James's notes, what Rohit had said when Harry had spoken to the only living Unique, and what happened when Ekrizdis had shown up at the ANNC. Harry's talk with him would be more enlightening but he had no idea what to expect from it.

"Yes." Harry said turning to his grandson who had joined him at the railing. "And I heard that you are staying."

"For a bit at least." Sirius said with a nod. "I am heading back to Republic City to close my things out there sometime next week but then I'm returning here for a while."

"So, you are moving to Zaofu then?" Harry asked surprised.

"For a year at least." Sirius said with a shrug. "Zaofu is a place of new beginnings, especially for those with talent but even if I didn't have it they'd give me a chance. My ability to bend platinum is unique in the world and if there is a place it is needed it is here. I have use and value and no one cares about who my father is here, the philosophy of this city dictates as much. I figured that I would come here and be of assistance as I continue to find myself. I need to be away from Republic City, it is where I was born and raised but too much of my parents' legacy linger there. This is but the first step I am taking."

"I see." Harry said understanding where Sirius was coming from. "I can respect that and if there is a place to find your calling it is Zaofu, it is known for that. It is part of why Su founded this place in the first place as she too had problems finding herself and living up to her mother's legacy. She did though and became a great person because of it."

"You met her didn't you." Sirius said. "Not many are still alive who met her or any of Korra's team."

"Twice yes." Harry said with a nod. "Once before I was the Avatar, and I came here for a summer to study metalbending from her and once shortly before the Battle of the Elemental Academy as we used Zaofu as a staging ground for the final battle of that war. She was near death by then, and in the process of making Zaofu the final imperial state though with the same special status as Kyoshi Island. It was an honor to have met her, as well as Korra's team. Su would have liked you and taken you under her wing, I'm sure of that."

"I gathered that from what I experienced here, her legacy and influence really live on in the city she created." Sirius said. "It is part of why I am staying. I found a nice little place in the main metalbending work hub and already put down a month's rent so I can't wait to move in there."

"You said you had plenty of money right?" Harry asked. "Money that is clean."

"Yeah dad left a lot of stashes for me, and they are clean, he had people who could do that for him." Sirius said. "I don't touch it unless necessary and this move is one such time but once I am settle I will use what I earn to pay my way."

"Very well, it is your life." Harry said. "Though expect certain high-ranking officials to reach out to you about your father as you may have information they don't. Similarly, expect those with the clearance to know about you to reach out for help regarding your bending. You are an asset to us; we would like you to help us when we need it."

"Of course, I will help in any way in understanding him." Sirius said. "I will admit, this isn't what I expected when I went to visit his grave for closure, but it is what I needed so I am grateful for all that has happened since then."

"Fate has a way of finding us our paths." Harry said philosophically. "And I am glad it has worked out for you. This is a fresh start Sirius, take it with everything you have."

"I will." Sirius said with a nod. "But I have a feeling we will see each other again Avatar."

"There is something big coming." Harry said looking out. "Decades of experience has told me that the arrival of this Ekrizdis is a foreshadowing. I can feel it in my gut, this world is about to change again. Should there be a conflict, your skills will be needed."

"I'm a private citizen, my bending is at your disposal." Sirius said. "My father fought you, but I will fight with you to redeem what he did to our family, Avatar."

"You've already done more than enough but I understand how honor works and will welcome your aid should I need it." Harry said. "But I should retire for the night, it is a big day tomorrow and I am leaving early. Goodbye Sirius, until we meet again."

Harry turned and offered his hand to his grandson which Sirius shook. He then turned and left to retire to his room and get some sleep leaving the boy to look out over the city he was moving to. Harry was glad that he'd met his grandson and brought him here, it felt right and a way to restore when his son did to their family all those years ago. Sirius staying in Zaofu was also needed but Harry knew they'd meet again.

There was a change coming and in week Harry would finally meet that change face to face. He had to be ready for whatever might happen when he finally looked Ekrizdis in the eye and learned what kind of man he was. It was time to do his duty once again. The world needed the Avatar and Harry wasn't going to let them down.

Ah a little tease and foreshadowing to end on with Sirius ending his arc and Harry getting ready for what is to come, which as y'all can guess is that meeting so it is finally upon us as Book 5 shifts into high gear. Sirius will be back later, this isn't the end of his time in this story, just the end of him for now as he makes a new life for himself in a new place while trying to restore his family's honor. Anyway, that is all I have for now so I will leave this chapter off now. As always any questions in PMs or reviews will be answered before the start of the next chapter (as well as replied to if possible). Please follow, favorite and review, all are greatly appreciated. Until next week.

Stringdog