I actually didn't write this chapter, HammerTide wrote the grand majority of the chapter and I just added the Aang scene at the end.

So let's all give a big thanks to Hammer for writing this wonderful chapter !

:)

By the way, expect updates to be a bit slow since I'm nearing the end of my semester and have a lot of assignments to finish.

With that said, let's get it started !


"Goodnight, mom." Kiyi happily said, holding her teddy bear toy tightly against her chest as Ursa kissed her cheeks.

"Goodnight to you, Kiyi." Ursa says softly as Kiyi closed her eyes, a smile on Ursa's face appeared briefly, but disappeared moments later. It was starting to be a bit difficult for her to keep up the charade of the happy mother all the time to the rest of her family. The void of her first born daughter was gnawing at the back of her mind, ever since she had known the truth of what she had done, the truth of making the decision to abandon her children in favor of starting anew, her first born hasn't left her thoughts ever since.

How could it? Abandoned, replaced, and forgotten. Those words rang in her mind again and again. Now she realized that moving on was impossible. No parent should ever have to bury their own child. But in Ursa's case, she willingly forgot about them in favor to will herself a new life. She went to her bedroom, Ikem already sleeping in, his health wasn't as strong ever since the assassination, though the doctors have said that his life is no longer in danger, the poison took a toll on his body, mentioning about liver function and inability to consume wine and no longer able to exert his body like he could once if he was completely healthy, it was fortunate that Zuko didn't suffer the same fate.

She has Agni to thank for that.

She took his hand and planted her lips on it, just the same routine of affection that she had done day by day. Ever since the revelation of her life with Noren was revealed, everything felt different for Ursa, particularly since Azula's departure. Her days was just a cycle of pretentious smiles to family and friends despite having everything; friends, family and a stable household. The void of having her firstborn daughter was eating her. Is this how all parents feel when they regret something?

She stood up and left Ikem in his sleep. She had been doing this quite often now, sometimes in continuous successive days, once Kiyi and everyone else in the palace have slept, she would rise up and explore the palace as her thoughts dominated her. Everyday she had time for her son, her second born daughter and the others, she spent her entire waking hours to be with them, her children and her current husband, but in the night at least she would give time for her firstborn daughter; the one she willfully forgotten and replaced.

The void in her heart was laughing at her attempts of filling in her motherly duties. She was completely willing to ignore her when she was still around, withholding love in favor for her son thinking that her daughter had her father, too similar like her father the void corrected Ursa, its laughs echoing at the justification, she didn't withhold her love because she had her father, she withhold it because she didn't view her firstborn as her own; she was Ozai first, Azula second.

And now that her firstborn daughter had disappeared, in tears at the revelation of being replaced, now she is willing to love her like a mother should. The void was laughing loudly. She stopped shy a couple of steps from the door, her eyes looking at the knob of the door, as if reluctant to touch it. She had been doing this often, back then rarely, but as the time passed it became more often than not. She opened the door to Azula's room, her eyes scanning around. The once empty bedroom was now adorned again with decorations, her strong ability to retain her memory gave life to the room again, looking like as it was the night before she left the palace.

And her children and off to forget them.

Ursa tried to find justifications of her actions, to flee the palace for the murder of the Fire Lord was justified, she could have lived still under the shadows, she was smart enough, learning much about politics and to backstab since she was wed to Ozai. She knew she could have lived with her memories of her children...there was no need to forget Zuko and to forget Azula, but she did so anyway.

You didn't have to but you wanted it, to forget. Ashamed that your firstborn daughter was nothing like you. Under the pretense to start anew you so willfully forget.

The void laughed and laugh, but Ursa resisted, but her eyes already started to sting.

She went over to a drawer, her hands trembling slightly. Despite having done this so many times, the pain never stops. Looking at the broken item always makes her heart ache, like as if it was the truth that she didn't want to accept. She opened the drawer and saw the broken crown resting on the wooden compartment. It always hurt to see it regardless if she had seen the item a thousand times. The crown, broken in half with the edges of it were charred from flames. Her fingers were trailing along the charred edges, her eyes stung as tears threatened to burst through.

Ursa wanted to believe that it had been broken accidentally, that something had happened that caused it to break...but the scorch marks told her that Azula had purposefully broken it.

She kept it for so long...it was my gift to her and she broke it...

The message was clear: Any long lost love Azula had for her mother was gone.

Ursa still pathetically held onto it, like it would somehow matter or change anything.

This is how she spends time with her firstborn that ran away. Sitting down on the edge of Azula's newly matted bed, holding the broken crown with motherly affection as if it was her own child. It was worn by her child once, a child that was once spirited, carefree, and confident, always out there to prove to the world that she is the best. Though arrogant and sometimes a bit of cruel, she could have nurtured that arrogance and cruelty to something different, something acceptable.

Laughable.

The void told her. She didn't even consider nurturing her, since the moment she was born, all she saw was Ozai. How could something so vulnerable, innocent, pure and sinless look like Ozai?

You're the only one that thought of that.

The moment she conceived Azula, Ozai was overjoyed. Pride swell in his heart, proclaiming that unborn child will be the greatest firebender to ever grace the footsteps of the Fire Nation. And throughout the pregnancy, Ozai was for once doting, loving, and for once happy. The thought of Ozai's happiness infuriated her, that such a monster could experience the emotion of happiness? And when she was finally born, everyone smiled. Zuko, Lu Ten, Iroh, and even such monsters like Azulon and Ozai, they smiled, but among the people inside the room where Azula was born, it was she that did not smile. Witnessing the whites of Ozai's teeth as a sign of happiness infuriated her to no end.

She didn't even try. Never loving the monster that made the monster smile for once. The void taunted, but she didn't disagree. All she could see in Azula was Ozai, no matter how she tried to look at the innocent creature that she once held in her arms, all she could see is the scowling face of her former husband. She couldn't love it, no matter how she tried, all she can see is a monster.

Ursa's tears wet the charred edges of the crown, already realizing the devastation of her own mistake. She wanted to try again, with her firstborn this time, but now she is nowhere to be found. "Azula, please comeback. Forgive me..." Ursa wept, holding the crown tightly to her chest. "I want to say so many things to you, I want to apologize for never telling how much I loved you, I should have told you that I loved you..."

Told you that you were beautiful.

Told you that I liked your bending.

Told you that I enjoyed our walks together in the garden.

Told you that you are strong.

Imagining everything she should have told Azula, she cried until sleep took her over.


Ursa felt powerless, she felt groggy, her eyes were struggling to open as she fought against sleep. And when she did open her eyes, she realized that the heavens were holding her in place, though still able to move her limbs, she felt like a ghost. And at this point she is, realizing when she looked around and found herself surrounded by people. Zuko, Iroh, Lu Ten, Azulon and her dreaded husband Ozai was around, carefully observing Li and Lo tend to a younger version of herself delivering her second child. Ursa wailed in shock, but instead of bumping to the people, her body went through them, as if she was a ghost.

You are a ghost...forced to watch your past and your sin.

Ursa stepped in, watching her younger self struggle against the pains of labor. She studied this moment carefully, she remembered it so well when she finally met her first born daughter. The older caretakers safely bundled the young princess with soft towels and presented it to the Fire Nation princess. Ursa remembered this moment in detail so clearly. She watched her younger self with a frown, rage imprinted on her face, rage towards the girl she had just given birth to.

"Smile at her..." Ursa whispers, this was a moment that has been haunting her, one of the many mistakes that she had made with Azula over the years, she made so many mistakes towards her firstborn that it was quite pathetic. One could say it was intentional. "Smile at her!" Ursa's voice begins to become louder as she watched herself hold the newborn, her eyes were without happiness, it was just sorrow and anger.

"Don't you dare look at her with a frown! Don't you dare!" Ursa screams at her younger self, powerless to do anything as the fire nation princess held her, her eyes were dead inside, void of any happiness as if the infant was the worst thing that happened to her.

She could only cry as the past unfolded before her, the pain of regret was strong. "Why did you never smile at her, Ursa...?" She asked herself, sobbing. She should have smiled, a simple smile towards her would have changed everything, yet she didn't.

Then the world around her turned black, this time to a new setting. She recognized the area where the royals of the Fire Nation bathe, this time seeing herself being tended by the old caretaker, she was in the nude, Lo was washing her hair with the expertise appropriate for her age. Ursa's felt the pit of her stomach dropped as she remembered this moment from her past. She was shaking as she stood by her past self, smiling as Lo tended to whatever needs she has.

Don't you say those words. Don't you say those words. Don't you say those words. Don't you say those words.

Ursa could only repeat many times over as she watched in unfold. The smirk of her past self infuriates her to no end. How could she be smirking? So ready to tell Lo what horrible fantasy she had in mind just to spite Ozai? To murder an innocent for the sake of having the last laugh. And when she looked at the door at the end of the bathing room, just slightly open, she froze. Her breathing stopped as she looked at the young Azula, peeking through the slightly open edge of the door.

"Azula..." Ursa sobbed as she held out her hand to the young princess, so wanting to hug her.

But she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to touch her, she could not. She wanted to hug her, to cover her ears and protect her innocent little mind from what she would hear from her own mother. Her ghostly body stood up and approached her younger self, now in front of her. Her arms were clenched tightly at her side, her eyes were filled with rage towards younger self, for saying such depraved words.

"Don't you dare utter those words." She growled, her eyes flashing with a predatory glare. "Don't you dare." She warned again, but it was useless.

Her younger self smirked, as if suddenly something funny came to her mind. Her fingers were making circles on her legs, as if what she wanted to say was something so casual, so innocent. The younger Ursa looked back at Lo for a moment an then back and simply says. "I'm a horrible mother, Lo." She began, looking back again and watching her caretaker's reaction, Lo seemed to paying attention as she stopped what she had done for a moment to focus at Ursa.

"Don't you dare!" Ursa yelled stomping her foot, demanding her past self to not utter those words as if it would change everything that already happened in the present. She looked briefly at the young Azula, listening carefully, her eyes locked on to her mother as if so eager to hear her words, not knowing those words will be the worst thing that she had ever heard. "Azula, cover your ears! Don't listen to whatever she says!"Ursa fruitlessly pleads, the past doesn't heed the present.

"Sometimes I had wished that I ended my pregnancy with Azula-" Her younger self said. She could only listen and watch as Azula heard those words. The young eyes of her daughter visibly hurt, tears threatening to burst, as she began to chew on her fingers, like all children would do when they are visibly shaken.

Ursa stepped in further, her ghostly form was directly over her younger self. "You're pathetic." She told her past self despite knowing that the past never hears.

Her younger self was a bit surprised that the old caretaker had no reaction. "Don't strike me as a fool, Ursa. I've known you don't see the princess the same way as your son, loving her the same as him." Lo says and adds. "To you, the princess is just an extension of Ozai, everything about her reminds you of him, and that is why you do not dote her. We elders see it again and again in women like you in noble houses.."

The younger Ursa chuckled, somewhat mortified at the old woman's words, sometimes she wondered if she is a cruel woman, purposely withholding love to her daughter because she can't stop seeing Ozai in her.

"You're right. Have you seen how much of a monster Azula has been lately?" She chuckles. "I wished that she would be like Zuko more."

Then Ursa took a look at Azula, the clear stream of tears were visible. Of course it would be, she had just heard her mother wish that she should have killed her and regrets that she is nothing like her brother. She would have wailed loudly like a child should have upon hearing those words and the former Fire Lady along with the old caretaker would have noticed her immediately. But she didn't, she swallowed the childish wail that threatened to come out from her lungs and stood up, covering her eyes and left hastily, eyes covered by her hands as her tear dropped down to the floor.

Ursa angrily turned towards her younger self, the lids of her eyes were shaking as she saw her daughters heartbreak. No wonder she had broken the crown.

"What have you done?" She asked her younger self, now gently humming a soft tune as if she wasn't heard by her own daughter and broke her heart. Ursa curled her hands to a fist, so wanting to slap her younger image, but refrained to do so. "What have I done?" She asked herself this time, tears were coming out from her shaken eyes as the world around her turned black. Her daughter wanted love, and she gave indifference, a young girl that wanted a mother to hold her and say that she was beautiful received a cold stare and a closed lip.

Then finally the world changed around her once again. Her ghostly form now looking at a scene that was all too familiar for her, a young Azula slightly older than the one she had seen earlier while her younger self looked at her with accusing eyes. It was the last time she had spoken to her daughter, she turned around and did not even want to look. She had just wanted to help; snooping around the palace when Azulon was angry at her son for his insolence, demanding the crown while the crowned prince of the Fire Nation had just lost his only child; the heir to the throne in Lu Ten.

She didn't want to see, it was painful to relive this again. "What did you hear, Azula?!" Her younger self demanded, her voice was raised as if she was interrogating a prisoner and not her own daughter.

"I heard it from grandfather and father! Grandfather was angry that father wanted the crown, and he wanted father to kill Zuko if he wants the crown!" The young Azula explained, her eyes were shaking as if one more word would be enough to burst the damn that held her tears. A prodigy and a master firebender; at the end, she was just a child who goes back to crying whenever confronted.

Ursa wanted to cover her ears, she does not want to hear anything, but the past was brutal, they made sure to let her relive all of her sins. "No, no, no...make it stop." Ursa pleads, but the void was laughing.

There's nothing to plead here, Ursa; this was you, done by you on your own free will.

The younger Ursa grit her teeth, her anger was displayed on her face and pointed an accusing finger at the frightened princess. "No! No! You're lying! You always lie!" Ursa yells but this time the young Azula defended herself.

"No! I'm not lying! I'm telling the truth! I just want to help Zuko, he's my brother I love him, I want to help!"

"Why do you not love me mother?! What did I do wrong?!" Azula yelled, confused.

Azula's words made the older Ursa froze. He's my brother I love him, I want to help. Why did you not love her, Ursa? She could have been different, far different but you purposely withheld your love and let Ozai tell her everything she needs and now you wonder why she turned out?

"You're lying! You always lie!"

"I'm not lying! It's true! You never loved me! I heard from you, you said I was a monster and you said to Lo that you wished you ended your pregnancy with me-"

SLAP !

Ursa heard the sharp slap, she doesn't want to look at Azula's young face, the tears that came out from her amber colored eyes. It was too much.

"I am a monster." Ursa told herself as she hugged her knees. Ignoring the world around her turning black as it changed its setting once more, a familiar night. This time, she was floating above, like a cloud in the sky, but still seeing everything.

She watched her younger self went past Azula's room for her firstborn son. Her daughter's room slightly open as the young Azula peeked through, observing her mother entering her brother. Her heart could only sink at the bottom of her stomach as she looked at her daughter's observant face, brows narrowed with jealousy that her brother once more received a welcome hug in the dead of night, unbeknownst to her that this would be the last time she would ever see her.

Quietly observing her younger self hugging Zuko, and kissing his forehead professing that he needs to be strong, to not forget who he is. She had kept repeating this memory throughout the trip to Hira'a when she escaped the capital. It once had soothed her, but now it only fuels her grief as it is a reminder that she had forgotten about Azula once more.

"Don't forget about her..." Ursa growled at her young self, her fist clenched tightly as her past self left Zuko's room. She watched the young Azula smiled when saw her mother came out from Zuko's room and began walking towards her, some flash of happiness in her face that this time she will receive a kiss on her forehead. She hurriedly and quietly closed her door and pretended to be asleep as Ursa stood right at her door. "Don't you dare think about leaving without giving her kiss..." Ursa says again, her voice was brimming with venom as she looked at the face of hesitation on her younger version.

"Open that door you and give her the love that she deserved, you monster." The younger Ursa held the knob of Azula's door, but at the last second let go as she hurriedly left the premises in the dead of night. "No! No! No! COME BACK!" Ursa yelled, she can do nothing. "Don't you dare leave her be! COME BACK!" It was fruitless, watching Azula's door open, wondering where could her mother be.

Ursa watched her breakdown, her tears were out, crying that is appropriate for her age, her legs giving out under her as she threw a tantrum that Zuko got a visit from her mom and once again she was left out, on her back to the floor while her hands and feet were hitting against it. The former fire nation princess broke down herself as she desperately tried to console the young Azula, her hands reaching to hold her but she wasn't able to, she was just a ghost observing the past.

"Azula, don't cry! Don't cry! I'm here!" She yelled, as if she could hear her. "I'm here! I love you!" She says so, trying hold the young crying princess with fruitless outcome.

"Mom! Why?! Why?! Why?!" The young Azula wailed as some of the servants came to her, confused to why the princess was out throwing a tantrum in the middle of night.


Ursa awoke with a gasp, her body was drenched with sweat, she rubbed her eyes and realized that it was wet.

Crying through my nightmares. Ursa told herself, despite her nightmares were just basically her memories relived, it was the most horrifying somewhat. The pain of Azula's memory is so fresh, knowing what she had done, what she did wrong throughout her time with her.

The broken crown still in her hands, she looked at the item. "I love you, Azula. I really do. I pray that we'll find you and bring you back home because I have so many things to tell you." Ursa proclaimed. "I want to hold you, love you as I should have." she says, kissing the broken crown before putting it back again inside the drawer. She first wiped her tears out, finding a cloth to wipe her sweat to at least put herself in a more presentable manner than the weeping mess that she is right now.

When she went outside she didn't even realize that it was way past the time where she usually wakes up.


It's not characteristic of Mai that she would just confront Zuko like this, usually if she does raise her voice it is because he did something incredibly stupid and he needed a quick lecture from her on what he did wrong. And the truth was, she should have acted sooner, advised him earlier instead of letting it just happen. She is to be the future Fire Lady of the nation once she comes of age to finally marry Zuko. She felt like she should have slapped herself for letting it fester like this.

Mai arrived at the door of the Fire Lord's council chambers, his advisers were coming out, finished from their weekly routines on having to report the state of the nation, giving out advice that Zuko never heeds. Frowns and scowls were on their faces as they went past her without a glance, they want to focus more onto something important than to just skulk within the palace walls.

"I have to say Lady Mai, your future husband is quite the fool." A voice called to her side, she looked at her side and see an old man, typical of that of Zuko's councilors. Zuko have mentioned this particular advisor, he's one to not hold back his opinion.

"You speak of insolence, Advisor Jiang. I think you should watch your tongue." Mai said, looking down on to the elderly man, she was quite tall and sometimes even something as trivial as height gives power especially to politics. "It will not do you good to have you put in the dungeons and await execution." Mai threatens, still retaining the calm and ghostly voice she always had.

Jiang laughed and calmly said "I know how capable you are my future Fire Lady, you could have my head in a stick in a blink of an eye, yet I'm not sure I'm frightened with prospect of death. I lived a long and prosperous life. But I for one do not want to die knowing I failed my country." He told and it seems his word got Mai her attention and respect, it's not often to see a nationalist in politics, usually it is corrupt businessmen under the guise of senators and governors.

"What do you seek from me, Advisor Jiang?" Mai asked, she sensed it immediately and did not bother having to play politics in conversations.

"I want to know your opinion on the Fire Lord." He calmly asked.

And Mai simply answered, stone faced as ever. "Less than satisfied." She says and it was the truth, as much as she loved Zuko, the way he handled how the Fire Nation will repay its sin was less than ideal for everyone.

Jiang nodded as he tightens his lip, the conversation is not over. "I just want to advise you to please convince the Fire Lord, put reason in his idealistic mind, I'm sure he is trying to help the nation, but his way of handling things put the nation to her knees and I'm sure if he does that..."

" Zuko is...doing his best " Mai said with some difficulty. It was hard defending Zuko when his actions were so stupid and lacked any tact to them.

" I'm afraid that his best is not sufficient for the good of the nation, I'm afraid " Jiang said with a hint of spite to it.

" Stop verbally sparring with me and just say what you want. Agni knows, my parents have put me through enough sessions to learn that much " Mai said bluntly.

" Very well, let us speak openly then. You must convince the Fire Lord to stop the reparations, merely reducing it is not going to be enough anymore. We need to halt it entirely and start figuring out where to properly put that money " Jiang said bluntly in turn.

" Zuko will never go for it " Mai shook her head, knowing full well how stubborn Zuko can be.

" You are his future wife. He listens to you, Agni knows he barely listens to any of us " Jiang said purposely avoided his eyes from Mai " If this keeps up...others will not be so kind to the Fire Lord."

"Is that a threat, Advisor Jiang?" Mai says, her brows twitched in anger at the display the advisor showed. She mentally took note now, she'll look carefully into Jiang if ever he would be a threat. Destroy the danger before it festers to something.

Jiang shook his head. "No, no. Of course not, future Fire Lady, I will never do such a thing that compromises the security of our nation." He half heartedly defended, Mai could smell the scent of sarcasm in the air. He then adds as he turned his back." I am merely advising." He says, leaving. Mai's eyes were following him the entire time as he walked away until he was out of sight. She now knows at least who are some of the people are that willing to rebel against Zuko.

Mai entered the room and found Zuko on the window, overlooking the capital, admiring the city walls from afar. His face had the mixture of being happy yet at the same time concerned, happy how beautiful the nation is but concerned on where it is heading. People have been calling him a fool, he isn't deaf or blind and he accepts it. He kept on gazing on as Mai approached him.

"The capital is so beautiful. I didn't realize than when I was younger, always running around the palace walls and the city looking for fun." He commented as Mai stood beside her. He thought about the talk he had with the advisors, there weren't much talk at all, it was more of them writing and doodling and refusing to speak as such knowing that the Fire Lord would never listens to their advice.

"How are you, Mai?" Zuko asked.

Mai simply answered. "I'm doing fine, Zuko. I'm just wondering about you actually."

Zuko chuckled. "You know me, advisors to talk to and paperwork. It's hard work to be a Fire Lord now that I'm here." Zuko says, walking from the window as he sat on to a sofa. His thoughts were still lingering about the nation, he knew Mai's purpose for coming, they always had these talks. "I've always thought that the advisors are right, they know better than me." He said as Mai sat next to him.

"It doesn't hurt to listen to others, Zuko. I thought your uncle taught you that." She says as she looked unto the window. "Especially something as important as handling the nation."

"I know Mai! But it had to be done, the nation had to agree the demands of the other nation, we were in no position to negotiate!" Zuko said. Frustration was clearly expressed on his face because of his inability to lead the nation.

Mai held her tongue how untrue that actually is. They were in a very good place to negotiate after the war, the only reason they 'lost' was because the Avatar took out Ozai and Zuko assumed the Throne...and if she was being totally honest, she thinks Zuko folded to the other nation's demands a bit too quickly.

"We are in position now, now that the Avatar is coming." Mai said.

"Aang? What does it do about him-" Then he realized what Mai is asking for, same like the advisors, a friend of the avatar, a leverage to negotiate. "No! I will not do that, I'm not cutting off the reparations. Who put you up to this ? Jiang ? "

"...That's not important. I was going to talk to you about this anyway "

Mai had to be honest. She admired Zuko's stubbornness when it came to a lot of things. How he refused to give up when the chips were down, how he stood up during the war meeting and such. But she was positive that his stubbornness was going to be the death of him one day. Or hers from arguing with him.

" Zuko if you would just listen-"

" Absolutely not Mai. I'm not cutting the reparations" Zuko argued, cutting her off.

" Zuko this is unsustainable, even you can see that. The price of goods is flying high, famine and poverty are on the rise, budget cuts to other sectors like education, people are unhappy with you- "

" Were they ever ? "

" Well, now they hate you even more now " Mai pointed out " Zuko this is insane. The reparations were fine back then, because we were still in the early stages of pulling back from the war and still rich with resources and money ...but with the colonies gone and loss of jobs from cutting military than the Fire Nation is looking at a serious economic downturn in the future " Mai said seriously " Its time to face it Zuko, tell the Earth Kingdom that we can no longer pay them "

" Still no. Agni Mai, I already get enough crap from my advisors about this, I don't need you-"

" Well, maybe somebody needs to tell you then " Mai hating the fact that she's actually agreeing with people who are very likely still loyal to Ozai.

" We entered an agreement with Kuei. I can't just pull out now, we could end up risking a war ! " Zuko shouted.

Mai however was unimpressed " The Earth King can wave the threat of war around all he wants, but I doubt he would be too popular for thrusting his people back into war "

" The possibility is still on the table "

" But not a very high one, is it ? " Mai questioned " Be honest Zuko, what is this really about ? "

"...We have to atone Mai. That's what my uncle taught me...we waged war for a 100 years, did Agni knows what to the other nations, almost killed off all the waterbenders in the South Water Tribe..." Zuko says softly " We have to make up for what we did "

" For how long Zuko ? Until we're so poor that we can't afford food ? Until we're so poor that we can't afford to keep our people safe ? Until the people decide that maybe it would be better to rebel and replace you ? " Mai said bluntly " I know this is an uncomfortable thing to bring up, but you need to focus on being Fire Lord. Not being the friend of the other nations " she says as she closed the gap between them, taking in Zuko's arms.

"Do you have any idea what will happen Zuko, if Azula ever returns to the shores of the capital while the people harbor hate for you?" She asks, as she puts her hands on Zuko's face, her soft fingers trailing along his scar before it rested on his cheek." It wouldn't even be a fight. The peasants and nobility will support her just to get rid of you. At worst, a civil war will break out and I'll be damned if I ever lose you. Please, Zuko for once, don't be stubborn, don't wait until peasants would have to storm the palace in search for food."

Zuko was quiet, Mai was right. He had been stubborn, too stubborn to get a move on, to admit that he made an error. He should have hit himself for waiting this, to wait for the problem to be this bad. He nodded at Mai -

"Sir! Your friend the avatar has arrived!"

A guard bursting through the door interrupted his thoughts and they were quickly forgotten at this new information.

" Wait, Aang's here ? "

" The Avatar's bison just landed in front of the palace sir " The guard explained.

" I-I got to go greet him immediately, come on Mai " Zuko said, hurrying out of the room. Mai following after him, groaning at the fact that he clearly forgot about what they were just arguing about.

It took only a few minutes of fast speed walking to meet Aang in front of the palace...and it wasn't just him alone that had came. He had brought the whole Gaang with him !

Suki had also come out and was in the middle of a makeout session with Sokka, Toph who stood on the side gagged and Mai shared her feelings.

" Zuko ! Its good to see you !" Aang said as Zuko walked up to him with a smile.

" Its good to see you too...but I thought you said you were busy with your airbending school ? "

" Well, one of my students had the good idea of leaving them with Bumi to keep up with their airbending training and I figured you could use my help " Aang explained " Sorry it took awhile to get here cause we ran into a lot of complications getting here "

" Its fine, I'm just glad you're all here..." Zuko said with a smile " Has Aang already told you everything ? "

" He gave us the bare details...about finding Azula I mean..." Katara said simply.

" Well, let's talk inside. I'll give you the full details there " Zuko suggested and they followed him inside.

Once they were seated in one of the living rooms, and exchanged some short pleasantries, Zuko gave them the full details on how the search for Azula has been going. Their reactions were varied. Aang was attentively listening, Sokka seemed to be half listening, Katara was completely serious while Toph seemed busy picking her nose.

" So let me get this straight: The trackers think Azula might have been take by some kind of...Fire Lady in the Forgetful Forest ? " Aang asked for clarification.

"...Yes " Zuko answered " We don't know if she's alive or dead or not. Or if the Spirit was even telling the truth ? "

" Likely dead " Mai added nonchalantly, making others turn to her in surprise " What ? Its been months since we received that knowledge. You think whatever Spirit is holding Azula is going to keep her alive that long ? "

" That's a horrible way of thinking Mai " Zuko said but didn't push on it because he knew deep down how true it was." Look, I know this isn't an easy task and I would understand if you-"

" Are you crazy Sparky ? We didn't just spend weeks flying out here just to turn back and quit !" Toph said exasperated.

Okay, yeah that was fair.

" Agreed. I don't like the idea of Azula out there running free, scheming who knows what " Katara nodded.

Mai internally agreed with Katara. Even with her mind the way it was, Azula was still more than capable of scheming...it made her worry even more about what would theoretically happen if Azula returned to the capital with the way things are now. Would the people rise up and take her side ? Mai doesn't want to bet that it won't happen.

" Ditto. I want to get some payback for her blasting me with lightning " Sokka said proudly.

" You wouldn't last 10 seconds against Azula " Mai said blankly, feeling the weird need to defend Azula.

" Hey ! Come on, give me some more credit than that. I would last way longer ! "

" Fine, 11 seconds "

Sokka continued to shout indignation until Suki calmed him down.

" Thank you all for helping...I really appreciate it" Zuko bowed his head in gratitude.

" No problem Zuko, always happy to help a friend " Aang said with a smile.

" The tracker is in Hira'a, his name is Shin. He should be able to help you get a lay of the land " Zuko said.

" Okay, we'll set out in a few days when we've rested and resupplied " Aang thought it over.

" Sounds like a plan "

" In the meantime, you can all tell me what took you all so long to get here " Zuko said with a small smirk.

" Well, that's actually a really funny story with twists and turns and all sorts of interesting stuff " Aang explained.

Mai watched in silence as Zuko laughed at the stories Aang told him...knowing that finding Azula is the least of Zuko's problems at the moment.

In fact, it may just make their current problems worse...


Its always such a treat reading Hammer's chapters, he always manages to write Ursa in such a way that really hits all the emotional feels. The flashback was my favorite part too since we get to see how much Ursa truly regrets what happens and is totally helpless to do anything about since its all already been said and done. That scene was really sad to read.

And followed up with the Mai and Zuko argument scene...this was honestly a long time coming. Mai to me is a pragmatist at heart, while Zuko is an idealist...but his problem is that he is stubborn and unwilling to listen to those wiser than him. And of course, the Gaang finally reaching Zuko means we'll be getting into some juicier things very soon.

:P

Now let's answer some reviews shall we ?

To hct0898:

Azula definitely needed to get away from her blood family for good long time in order to heal properly and she has.

Whether seeing them again is for better or worse, that remains to be seen.

To evattude:

Glad you liked the chapter !

To Lord 770:

Azula is basically Kazumi's daughter at this point. Have I been forcing that underlying tone into everyone's throat enough ?

XD

Kazumi's family didn't survive generations without having a certain level of wealth to their name.

Oh boy, don't worry next chapter we're going to get Azula fighting evil spirits I promise.

Okay, with all that said, I will see you all in the next chapter.

Angel Out.