Hello sorry about the wait, school sucks.
I would like to thankSupremeVegeta15 for the review and followThanks to themugglepadme24 for the fav and followLastly thank you toheyarowlandLissap020Luka-sanFor follows !
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When Zuko woke up he felt cold, dirty, and sore. Slowly cracking open his eyes he looked around. The trees stood high acting as a shade for them, carefully looking over to his left he could see Sokka on the other side of the dead fire. Zuko pushed himself up and shook any sand and dirt off of him.
Once he got the dirt off he looked over to Sokka, " Get up. " He told him, " Sokka, get up. "
Sokka groaned a bit but showed no sign of waking. Zuko rolled his eyes as he glanced around for a way to wake him. He could pour water on him but well after yesterday he decided that would be way too cruel. Besides they both have a chance of getting sick because of that it would be unwise.
Carefully grabbing a stick he walked over to him and poked his side. Sokka let out a yelp as he sat straight up. He jerked his head over to the culprit with the stick, " Why did you do that ! "
" I wanted you to wake up. We have to get up early to find your friends and uncle. " Zuko countered as he crossed his arms.
Sokka groaned but still got up, not arguing against it. Sokka carefully dusted himself off as he looked forward, " Let's get going then."
Zuko just looked forward to the wall and walked alongside it. Carefully holding his hand on it, they both walked. They walked and walked for hours carefully passing any obstacle with some ease, until Zuko held his hand up.
Sokka peaked over Zuko's hand. They stood over a cliff, down under was a man made hole, looks like an Earthbender punched through it. Coming out was a whole list of Earth Nation citizens who were trying to rush.
" Odd, why are they running away. " Sokka asked as he held onto Zuko's arm, still looking over it.
For a couple of seconds Zuko thought the same thing, until it suddenly hit him. " Azula. " Zuko eyes shot open realizing something, " Argh I'm so stupid ! " He lifted his arms to his head running his hands through his hair, " I thought Azula was just here for us. Why didn't it cross through my mind she took over the town ! "
Sokka had to admit, he felt dumb for not thinking of that too. " That doesn't matter though, we still have to go to Ba Sing Se for our friends. "
Zuko shook his head as he looked defeated, " If we go in there we are dead. With Azula, the Dai Lei, and the possibility of Fire Nation troops we would be killed once we first step in there. "
" But your uncle is there, MY SISTER AND FRIENDS ARE IN THERE ! " Sokka argued as he glared at Zuko.
" I KNOW ! " Zuko shouted as he looked away to the wall " Trust me I don't want to leave them in there alone but we would just be in extra trouble if we got caught. We can try to see if they go to Full Moon Bay. There is a possibility they went there in case they know we ran. "
Sokka bit his lip as he was thinking, he wanted to storm into that wall and find them. But Sokka knew he would be one guy without his boomerang fighting a whole army. It wouldn't look so bright for him. Looking at Zuko he just nodded his head, " I trust you with this. I just hope they are there."
Zuko nodded as he glanced back at the refugees running, " Here we should follow them. They have food and money, it would be best for us. "
Sokka agreed while holding his stomach, he really wanted something to eat. Carefully the both of them climbed down the cliff. They had to be extra careful to not fall, they could break an arm or leg doing that. Once they touched the ground Sokka ran forward, to the group of ten Zuko trailing behind.
" Hey ! " Sokka shouted as one guy jerked his head back holding his hand out ready to throw a boulder at Sokka. He lowered it seeing he wasn't a fire nation soldier. Sokka let out a sigh of relief as he waved " Can me and my friend join you ? " Zuko stepped up from behind Sokka.
The group felt off seeing the two dirty teenagers in front of them. They didn't want to throw them away but they didn't know him. Well except for one in the group.
" Lee ? " A voice spoke up as she stepped out in front of the group, the familiar girl from Ba Sing Se. She wore clothes more fit for walking and had her hair braided and put up in a bun.
" Jin ? " Zuko asked surprised to see her here. She bolted forward hugging him tightly around the neck. Zuko was caught off guard but hugged back. Sokka just stared at the two of them, his curiosity rising.
" I'm so glad you made it out ! I was worried about you and Mushi. " Jin admitted as she pulled away. She paused, noticing that Mushi wasn't here, " Where is Mushi anyway ? "
" I lost him in the crowd. " Zuko made up the lie in an instant.
" O, I'm so sorry. Hopefully we can find him in Full Moon Bay. " She admitted as she patted his shoulder, she then looked over to Sokka, " So wait who are you ? "
" My name is Sokka. " Sokka smiled as he held his hand over his chest, " Me and Lee went way back. "
Zuko was so glad Sokka used the fake name. Jin accepted this and nodded " O that's cool, you two will have to tell me about each other. Lee here is a bit shy about talking. " She smiled wider, ignoring Zuko's embarrassed blush.
Sokka just smiled wide, " Of course, I know a lot " he empathized a lot, " Of embarrassing stories about Z- Lee ! " Sokka could feel the burning glare into the side of his head, he was glad Firebenders couldn't bend with their eyes. He would be dead from a worthy cause.
" Great ! I can tell you embarrassing stories too ! " She smiled as she looked at Sokka.
" I hate everyone here " Zuko mumbled as he walked off to the crowd wanting to lay down and pass on.
Jin and Sokka just shared a glanced and giggled a little before they followed Zuko right in the crowd. The trouble eventually caught up and they both stood behind Zuko making him rethink who he talks to.
" So how did you and Lee meet ? " Sokka asked as he looked over at Zuko.
Jin smiled at Sokka and then looked up at Zuko, " I asked him out on a date once." Sokka choked on his breath at that moment. (Rip Jinko my other favorite ship)
" What about you and Lee ? " Jin asked Sokka as his eyes widened. He had to make a lie quickly.
" O um I was traveling with the Avatar - "
" Wait, Avatar ! " Jin's eyes were bright in amazement, " That's amazing ! "
" Yep, me and the Avatar are actually good friends. " Sokka smiled definitely using some bragging rights, " We travel everywhere, fighting fire nation soldiers and doing avatar business ! "
" Amazing so how did you and Lee meet again ? " She asked
" Well he actually helped us sometimes during our travels. " Sokka lied, missing another glare Zuko gave him. He could have said anything else but he had to say he helped them. If something slips he would be exposed and they would be in trouble.
Jin's eyes widened as she looked over at Zuko, betrayed by this lie, " Why didn't you tell me !"
" It never came up. " Zuko said as Jin just pouted. They continued the walk as she eventually walked in front of them to go help her Father with some bags.
Sokka spared a glance at Zuko, Zuko could feel the eyes on him as he just glanced over. Zuko let out a sigh, " You can ask if you want. "
" You and Jin, are you two still a thing ? " Sokka asked.
Zuko shook his head, " No, it was nice but the both of us didn't click. " He left it off at that. He didn't have to explain why he couldn't feel the click.
Sokka just nodded, " I kinda get it. Me and Suki went out on a lot of dates but we broke it off due to how crazy it got. " He frowned softly at that as Zuko looked over.
Reaching over he patted his shoulder, " That's rough buddy. " Sokka just looked over to Zuko with a bewildered stare. Sokka smiled suddenly amused by his words, " You really aren't good at comforting people. "
" HEY I'm trying to be nice " Zuko argued glaring lightly at Sokka, " I don't have to be nic- " he was cut off by Sokka wrapping one arm around him pulling him into a hug. Zuko was caught off guard as he was slowly let go. Sokka just smiled and continued walking, " Come on we got to catch up. "
Zuko just watched Sokka walk off and let out a sigh, " People are so hard to understand. " He mumbled as he quickly followed behind Sokka.
They walked with Jin's family to the port of Full Moon Bay. Eventually they got to port immediately meeting a crowd of frantic people. So many are running from the Fire Nation trying to find a shelter from this war. Zuko just looked around at all the families that would starve this year due to his bloodline. Zuko looked away from them as he stared at the messager who was trying to flag everyone down.
" ATTENTION EVERYONE ! PLEASE CAN I HAVE YOUR ATTENTION " The man shouted with a booming frantic voice, he held a tan scroll in his hands, " I HAVE WORD FROM BA SING SE ! "
The people all paused and turned to him, silence spread through the room making everything seem deserted
" Ba Sing Se has fallen to Princess Azula, the Princess in her control kicked the king from his throne and has marched the armies through the rings taking down anyone who gets in the way. " He continued his voice growing more somber, " In this battle she killed the Avatar in the Avatar state. "
Sokka felt all the air leave his lungs, he felt his legs go numb as he fell right on his knees. He could hear everyone around him frantically yell and cry hearing the only hope was gone. He couldn't even feel the hands on his shoulder trying to get him to stand up so he wouldn't get stomped on. He only felt nauseated.
What had happened ! How could Azula kill Aang ? What had happened to his sister, to Toph, to Suki, to Appa, to Momo ? All those possibilities flooded into his mind reminding him of Yue.
" Sokka ! " He was immediately startled out of his thoughts by Zuko. Zuko held his shoulders. Zuko didn't let go of his shoulders as he tried his best to comfort him, " We got to get on the ship Sokka. They are marching here soon. "
Sokka let himself be led onto the boat. Zuko looked back as the boat took off. Even though Zuko didn't know Aang that well he still felt sick by the news. He glanced over to Sokka who stared out at the water too. The two of them stood in silence mourning the loss of a young hope.
Hadoka sat on the beach carving into the driftwood with a small knife. The moon shined down on him trying to act like comfort. He sighed as he found himself unable to calm himself down even with wood carving. They did have a few weeks until the Solar Eclipse but still as a leader of soldiers he had the job of watching over each man of his tribe. He had to bring them all home to their loved ones. Besides being a leader, he was also a Father.
Katara had left here with the Avatar in a rush. She didn't explain what had happened, and it worried him. He just hoped Katara and Sokka were safe with the Avatar.
" Are you having a moment there ? " A voice spoke up behind him. He turned his head to see Bato standing right behind him. Bato eventually sat down beside him holding his shoulder, " Wanna talk about it ? "
" Just feel like I'm getting gray hairs. " Hadoka laughed as he turned back to the water, " Most of you guys act more childish than my kids. "
Bato laughed as he softly hit his shoulder. Eventually the laughter slowed as Bato's smile turned somber, " Sokka and Katara are strong. I'm sure they can handle anything thrown at them. "
" Don't get me wrong I trust them but I can't help but feel scared. " Hadoka admitted as he smiled " But it's pr- " before he could finish he heard the roar of a bison. Hadoka looked up as he saw the Avatar's bison suddenly land.
" HELP ! WE NEED HELP ! " he could hear the yell from the bison's saddle. Hadoka threw himself up from the ground and bolted to the bison. Quickly climbing on the side he could smell the familiar smell of burned flesh. In the saddle was Katara who held the Avatar close to her chest as the blind girl held onto her shoulder. The Avatar had a huge gaping wound on his back.
" GET THE MEDICS HERE NOW ! " Hadoka yelled to Bato as he immediately went into leader mode, " Katara hand him here now. "
Katara did just that as he held the boy tightly before climbing down, Hadoka quickly passed Aang over so they could treat the wound with more herbs and bandages. Bato climbed up there and helped the blind girl , apparently named Toph, and Katara out of the saddle.
That's when it finally struck Hadoka, Sokka wasn't here. He looked over to Katara who stood in front of him, just struggling to hold back tears.
" Katara. " Hadoka spoke up slowly hoping he was just overreacting, " Where is your brother?''
That was enough to break the wall, she let out a choked sob. Katara just held her herself, tears streaming down her face as she bolted forward. She threw her arms around her Father's chest sobbing into his chest. Behind her Toph stared at the ground, hands balled in fists as tears dripped down hitting her feet and the dirt. He could see Bato's eyes widen, he just reached and held Toph's shoulder.
" I-I'm sorry d-dad. " Katara sobbed her voice shaky, " Azula she.. she.. she said he- " she let out another choked sob as Hadoka just hugged her shushing her softly as she sobbed louder.
Hadoka held himself together for her, just how he did when their mother had died. But on the inside all he could feel was anguish. His only son, the child who was always a guardian to his sister, died. He held Katara tightly as he moved, laying his head on top of hers. He had lost a wife and son to the Fire Nation. Two innocent souls to the blood thirsty land of fire. Hadoka could feel anger take him over, he would have that nation gone. He would march through that kingdom and make that Lord feel the exact same pain they have caused him. He would do it for Sokka and Kya.
Still for now he would hold his daughter close and mourn a warrior the world lost. He let his tears fall from his face as they stood there all night.
The throne room was dark, the only light was the cruel fire around her Father. Azula was on her knees bowing to her Father, she had to show perfect control. She couldn't let herself show any fear, unsureness, nor any useless feeling of grief.
" I heard you captured your useless Uncle in Ba Sing Se, but you never mentioned anything about your brother in the letter. Why is that ? " Ozai asked as he stared down at his daughter " He didn't get away right ? "
" No Father. " Azula looked up at her Father, " Before I struck down the Avatar, I had cornered Brother and Uncle. They had been hiding as tea servers and even talked to one of the Avatar's friends ,a water tribe peasant."
She could feel her Father's flames getting hotter. He was definitely angry about her Brother's betrayal. She continued on, " Brother and the Peasant ran away, in that chase they fell in a canal. No body was found in the waters but the chances of surviving such a fall is low. "
" So he is dead. " Ozai hummed as he didn't sound even a bit sad, " I should have known he would die sooner or later. He was weak, just like his mother. "
Azula didn't speak up about that, he wasn't wrong. Her brother had always been a weakling who cried to mother and couldn't handle a simple war meeting. " Do we make a grave for him ? "
" Sadly yes, banished or not every person of royalty gets a grave of importance. So he has to get one. " Even Lu Ten had one here, but his body rested outside of Ba Sing Se.
Azula nodded as she stood up. Before she could leave her father spoke up, " I am glad you didn't become a disappointment like your brother. "
Azula spoke up " Thank you Father. " She accepted the praise even though she really didn't want to. She left the throne room as she walked all the way to her room, Mai and Ty Lee were locked in their own rooms. It was ridiculous how much they mourned for Zuko, he was weak and useless, he doesn't deserve these tears.
Eventually she walked in her room and let out a sigh, she locked the door to show that those servants better leave her alone. Walking to the bed she decided to change her clothes herself. Eventually she walked to her mirror and sat in front of it. She took out the red ribbon in her hair letting it fall right in her face.
She blinked once and found herself not alone in the room.
" Azula, don't you want to get the hair out of your face sweetie. " Ursa softly smiles, staring at the mirror running her hand through Azula's hair and using the other to hold her cheek. Standing over Ursa's shoulder was Zuko, unlike the Zuko she had last seen, he didn't have a scar and had his hair in a royal bun. He held Azula's shoulder and his Mother's shoulder " Let's do your hair like mine. We could match like we did when we were kids ! "
Azula quickly jerked around throwing a blast of fire, the fire didn't hit the illusion but the wall leaving an ugly black scar. Looking back at the mirror she found herself alone, she growled as she grabbed her hair tightly and put it in a ponytail " Stupid brother and mother ! " She shouted as she got up and turned away walking to bed.
She wouldn't grieve for the weak. It's not what Father would want.
Fun fact I originally wasn't going to add Katara part nor the Fire Nation part but I thought about it some more and decided to show them one more time. Since I'll admit they won't show up so much in the story after this. ( Until later planned chapters ;) )
Also bonus I was tied on how to show Azula mourning ? Like would she even care if Zuko died, she didn't care during the Boiling Rock due to Mai comment about fear and Zuko leading to a mental breakdown.Azula is a confusing character to write, but I can't hate her. She is just a messed up girl.