Author Note:
Hi. Welcome back to "Back without Regrets".
So, before writing this chapter, I realised I had to do some heavy duty research so that the timeline matches and makes sense(-ish).
I'll explain in detail at the end of this chapter once you have read it because if I do so now, I'll be spoiling this chapter by a lot.
So, without further delay, enjoy chapter 8
Zuko entered the throne room, bowed before the Fire Lord, with fists clenched on his thighs as he knelt down. He knew any twitch would get him unwanted attention from the Fire Lord, or better yet, unwanted scolding.
"Ah, Prince Zuko," began Ozai, "to what do I owe this visit from the Crown Prince?"
In another life, Zuko would be swelling with pride at his 'father's' words. But he knew better, this position was never his in the first place. Steeling himself, Zuko spoke with a monotone voice with his head down,
"I give my greetings to the highly esteemed Firelord. I pay my respects to you as Crown Prince"
As if you deserve any respect, Zuko thought to himself.
"Well said," Ozai answered, "It would seem you are making use of those etiquette lessons"
You would have them beaten into me if it was anything below your expectations.
"I am grateful for your praise, my Lord," said Zuko.
"You may have heard this already, Prince Zuko," Ozai began, "For my first act as Firelord, I have sent out an order for a taskforce that will journey to the South Pole to apprehend the waterbenders. What are your thoughts?"
Zuko had plenty of thoughts, shock being at the top along with "What the hell did I just hear? Did this bastard really say…? ". He didn't remember this happening in his timeline! Ozai never bothered with sending anymore units to the Southern Water Tribe as they were, with no easier words to put it, a tribe close to extinction with no real military threat to the Firenation.
"Prince Zuko," the Fire Lord said, "I asked for your thoughts"
"I apologise, my lord," Zuko quickly answered, "to my understanding, grandfather saw to the end of the waterbenders in the Southern Water Tribe with the raid missions"
"It would seem you still have much to learn as the crown prince of this nation," Ozai declared, standing from his throne and walking through the wall of fire that he parted with a wave of his hand, "My father, Azulon had a vision to continue with the suppression of the weaker bending factions to cut short any ideas of rebellion. We must not have the Earth Kingdom looking for an ally in the tribes"
"From my lessons with the royal tutors, the Nothern Water Tribe stays out of the affairs of the war and any other affair that do not concern the tribe. As for the Southern Water Tribe, it has no military force worth speaking of," Zuko said, but sensing the mood, quickly added, "But clearly I lack the vision you see, my Lord"
"I will have to look into what your tutors are neglecting to teach you if you're still lacking this much as a prince of this nation. Listen well, Prince Zuko," Ozai stated, "This is a lesson you must keep with you in the art of war. We do not need a report to show that there are waterbenders in the Southern Water Tribe. We use this as a tactic to show our enemies our strength as the superior race and to remind them of the lowlife savages that they are"
Zuko felt sick. He wanted nothing more than to burn Ozai to ashes where he sat but he knew better than to act recklessly. Zuko could kill Ozai if he wanted to, but it was neither his destiny nor his place to do so. Even if it was, he was in no position to deal with the backlash that would happen on his nation if another monarch passed so soon. It would be a national nightmare.
Calming his raging inner fire, Zuko took a shallow breath as he said,
"It is a brilliant strategy. I congratulate you on your initiative as Firelord to send the taskforce the Southern Water Tribe," Zuko paused, then spoke carefully, "If the Firelord permits it, I would like to observe the taskforce in person. The tutors' lessons don't offer much as a real time experience. There was much I learned from the excursion to walls Ba Sing Se walls. Granted we did not reach our destination due to unforeseen events"
"Well said, Prince Zuko. I will allow you to go with the Southern Raider to the South Pole. Take this as part of your studies. This is the first of many that will solidify our mark on the world"
"Thank you for this opportunity, my lord," Zuko replied.
Zuko and Azula
"For a former Firelord, you really are an idiot, Zuzu," Azula stated bluntly.
"I panicked alright," Zuko stated pinching his nose in frustration, "It's not like I could do nothing and agree to everything he said with a clear conscious"
Zuko was currently in his room with Azula. Azula sat herself on a chair inspecting her hands while Zuko paced around the room.
"So what will you do?"
"I'm still thinking of a plan,"
"You're hopeless,"
"Do you have any bright ideas, genius?"
"Are you that incompetent to ask me for help? I'm only 8 years old"
"I thought you wanted in on whatever I do?"
"Well, it would be very irresponsible for you as an 'adult' and as my big brother to expect that of me all the time. I would like to enjoy my life too you know"
"Ugh!" Zuko groaned, slumping down into a meditative pose with his back to Azula and a flame cupped in his hands. A few seconds pass before Azula speaks up, "Any plans yet?"
"No, Azula"
Silence.
"Do you have one now?"
"Shush, Azula. I'm trying to concentrate"
A few minutes pass.
"How about now?"
"No, Azula. Now be quiet"
A minute passes.
"Any plan..."
"What part of be quiet do you not understand," Zuko hisses twisting his upper body in Azula's direction only to find her smirking with her face in her palm. Zuko groaned with frustration as he smacked his forehead.
"You're having fun with this aren't you," he states.
"I am not," Azula replies innocently, but Zuko knew otherwise. He loved Azula, he really did, but it was days like this (and before) that made him want to tear his hair out.
"Zula," Zuko began after taking deep breaths, "I need silence to concentrate, mediate and have my thoughts in order. Okay"
"Okay," Azula smiled with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I'm serious. It's bad enough the raiders are going to the South Pole," Zuko rambled, "and my friend's mom is in danger, not to mention that it was Ozai's order to begin with instead of Grandfather's. Now we don't have any power to deal with it, and Uncle is still away..."
"Wait what?" Azula cuts in, sitting up straight, "What do you mean it was father's order?"
"Ozai ordered the Southern Raiders to the South Pole," Zuko explained.
"You're first sentence dum-dum"
"Uhh, it was Ozai's order to begin with?"
"And?"
Zuko tilted his head and continued, "...instead of Grandfather's"
"Say the whole thing again," Azula demanded.
"It was Ozai's order to begin with instead of," Zuko paused, taking the words he was about to say,"...instead of Grandfather's. He ordered the raid instead of Grandfather"
"And that meant what?"
"The timeline is different. Agni the events are different!" Zuko exclaimed jumping to his feet. He paced around for a bit before stopping and checking around that the room was secure before saying to Azula,
"Zula you are a genius!" he grinned.
Azula gave a short grin before coughing and putting a poker-face, "And why am I a genius?"
"The order to raid the Southern Water Tribe was supposed to be given by Grandfather around this time, which means Ozai was supposed to be Firelord months to a whole year from now. We, I mean the events of time have basically been pushed forward," Zuko explained excitedly.
"Not to spoil your amazing show of joy, but can you explain so I can understand? I'm only 8 years old," Azula huffed.
"Things are not going to be the same as my previous timeline. Things are going to be different, a lot different. It also means I'm going to have to work a lot to prepare"
"You mean we, right?"
"I thought you said that would be irresponsible since I'm the adult," Zuko smirked.
"And you are hopeless without me. Besides," Azula stated in a smaller voice, "you're my brother. I should watch your back"
Zuko's face softened at Azula's words, more so the blush that was evident on her face as she tried to come across as indifferent. He was thankful for this moment here with Azula. It was one of the things he had hoped for when agreeing to come back in time. Zuko would forever the lost relationship he had with Azula in his previous lifetime, He gently patted Azula's head.
"What would I do without you," Zuko smiled, "Thank you, Azula"
"So what's the plan?" Azula asked, purposefully ignoring Zuko's thanks.
"Well," Zuko began,"I suppose..."
Author Note
As you may or may not have noticed, the timeline has changed.
In the canon timeline, the raid on the Southern Water Tribe happened in Azulon's reign as FireLord before his timely death.
In this AU, Azulon and Lu Ten died a year before their canon death. Don't know if that makes sense.
Review!
Constructive criticism is much appreciated!
Jiang-sama