A/N. I'm rather proud of this chapter! A whole different setting, and characters…. So, prepare for Zuko's POV.

I don't own Avatar the last airbender

He crumbled the note in his hand, standing in front of the door. That great door, behind which stood his destiny… his dream. The thing he wanted the most.

Or was it? He didn't know anymore. For a long time, the bender had thought he had wanted this. But now, after years of contemplation… And failure, of course… he wasn't so sure.

The note in his hand was the news he had been waiting for, the news that would change everything. The Avatar was still alive. His mercenary had said it himself.

The boy is disguised, but the people he is travelling with are not Fire Nation. They travel with a great beast that can fly and are in the Home Islands. Following them now. Lost trail after Fire Fountain.

Fire Fountain… They were near the Capital Island. What did that mean? Of course, the Avatar would want to kill the Fire Lord as soon as possible, and… Well, what did that make him feel?

Angry? Yes. Afraid? Oh Agni yes. But… in a way… so relieved. If he was gone… It would be so much easier. But if the Fire Lord was gone… What would happen to the Fire Nation? There was really no one to replace him. At least, not anyone good. Azula was a wild card, going from extremely normal to extremely terrifying in a matter of seconds! No, she wouldn't be the one to lead the nation into a good future, in a world where the Avatar would have won. She was what her father had created. She was the perfect weapon to continue the war.

And then… There was him. Zuko.

What would he do? It was all so confusing. On the one hand, he wanted it. So badly. To have the power over the nation… To make his mark on history. But what did that mean? The firebender didn't exactly know. His father had been quite clear what his destiny would be. Burn and kill, stomp on the other nations, and reign as Fire Lord when he was gone.

Or at least, that was what he had told him. But Zuko had still not been confirmed as the Crown Prince again… No, he was still Fire Prince Zuko. Not Crown Prince.

But was that what he really wanted? Destroying another culture… For that was his destiny, if his father was to be believed. But… the Fire Lord had never met those people. Gansu… Sela… and Lee. Poor people, who had nothing, but had still opened their home to him. Just because he seemed to be in need. And Jin… such a sweet girl, who had never hurt anyone… And who had seen past the scar. Past the cold exterior. Who had wanted to see who he was.

And who was he?

"Prince Zuko… They are all waiting for you." The magister spoke softly, standing behind him. Yes. The War Meeting… His father had invited him! For the first time! He had actually been invited to join them. Not like last time! He had been invited to give his opinion, he had the right to speak his mind this time!

"Yes. Open the doors." He gestured to the guards standing next to the ornate gilded doors, with great golden dragons carved into the wood. The throne room… Agni, it made him feel like a thirteen-year-old boy once more. Six years… Six years ago he had walked through these doors, led by Uncle… And had done the stupidest thing he had ever done. He had said something… kind.

"His Royal Highness, Prince Zuko!" The herald shouted, and the firebender walked towards the dais on the other side of the room. He had been here a few times since coming back… But it still impressed him. The high ceiling, nearly black from the smoke of the fires that burned beneath the long walls. The floor was black marble that if Uncle was to be believed… Had been cut in the great quarry of Yu Dao. And there, at the other side of the room… The dais. Today, the fire that burned in front of it usually hadn't been lit, and he could actually see his father, sitting under the large baldachin. The bench that served a throne was pure gold and silver, in which the reflexion of the fires in the rooms seemed to dance…

And at his left side, sat Azula. For her, there was a large cushion, on which she sat, legs crossed and her back straight as an arrow. And… On the right side… Another such cushion. But as Zuko walked towards the meeting, he also saw there was an empty chair at the table where the generals and minister sat. Should he… walk to the dais, and take his rightful place and the right hand of his father? Or… take that chair? Join the people he wanted to help?

"Ah… Prince Zuko." His father's voice sounded soft in the room, but still audible, as there was complete silence from the other people in the meeting. He knew, from experience, that his father didn't tolerate anyone to talk without his express permission. A lesson he had learned. The hard way. And one that looked him in the eyes each day since he was thirteen.

"Fire Lord." He bowed, keeping his back straight, and putting his hand together in the traditional Fire Nation greeting. Or was it traditional? Uncle had taught him another way… Simpler. Less refined. But for some reason… Gentler.

"We have been waiting for you. I… saved you a seat." Father gestured to the place at his right. The place of honour… The place Uncle Iroh had always occupied under Azulon…

Zuko walked over, moved up the steps… And sat down. For the first time in his life… He was sitting at the right hand of the Fire Lord. His birthright.

No. It had been Lu Ten's right. Never his. It had been cast upon him. But it was not his natural place. It had been Uncle's… Or Lu Ten's… Not his.

"We are here to discuss two points on the agenda. The Day of Black Sun in five days and… What comes after it." Fire Lord Ozai whispered, but still his generals and ministers began to scramble through their papers, probably to find the appropriate reports.

"General Hezu. What are the preparations?" His father asked. A burly, older man stood up, and Zuko saw the grimace on the man's face. Hezu was a veteran, who had been the military advisor for Uncle, when Iroh had still been a mere green commander. He had been the one to teach the Dragon of the West. Except Uncle, this was probably to most experienced and capable of their generals. And he sat here. In the capital. Officially, because he had been wounded a long time ago, and the wound had never healed. But Zuko knew the real reason. Or at least suspected it.

This man was a friend of his uncle. And so, an enemy of his father.

"Fire Lord Ozai." The general bowed, and again, there was that grimace, "We have prepared the outer islands of the Home Islands, to signal us if there is activity that would indicate an invasion. For the moment no such activity has been detected. But we are still on high alert."

Yes… Azula had taken most of the Earth King's papers with them, and in those, there had been detailed reports and plans. They had also taken the Council of Five with them, who had told them… Or rather one particular general… the other plans for the Day of the Black Sun.

The plan, before the fall of Ba Sing Se, had been to invade all the islands simultaneously, with nearly twenty thousand troops. It had been ambitious, stubborn and brave. In other words, exactly what you could expect from the Earth Kingdom.

"Also, we have reports from the Western Earth Coast. There, in occupied territory, earthbenders are obligated to state their presence at least once a week in their village, at the command post. But near the town of Haipan, there are several hundred earthbenders who have not done so in two weeks. We suspect they are fomenting a rebellion on that day."

That… Sounded wrong. Earthbenders weren't secretive. They would barge in and fight. But this sounded much more organized.

"Let the Earth filth rebel. At least we will know who can't be trusted after the Day of Black Sun." Ozai shrugged. Zuko wanted to protest. It was a bad plan to let them rebel, for the Earth Kingdom would see it as the signal to resist even more.

But he kept his mouth shut.

"There are also reports in from the Home Islands. There has been… activity. Seditious activity." One minister stood up, and General Hezu sat down, clearly relieved to be able to sit down again.

"Here? In the Home Islands?" Azula spoke up for the first time. Zuko tried to hide his amusement. Of course, here. That was what the man had said, no?

"Indeed, Princess Azula." The Minister bowed to her, "Apparently, there have been acts of resistance against… Our policies."

That surprised Zuko. He had never heard of actual Fire Nationals resisting their government.

"How so?" His father sounded angry. Probably because he took it as a personal insult.

"Nothing too serious. A school in the Outer Islands has been complaining that their students are asking questions, and no longer listening to the authorities. There has also been reports that a chemical factory has been blown up at the Jang Hui River. And lately, there have been riots in Fire Fountain City."

Fire Fountain.

Could it… Could it be him? It sounded a lot like things the Avatar would do. No casualties… and it wasn't really that bad. But it showed small acts of resistance. Zuko's fist tightened around the note in his right hand. With one sentence, he could change this War Meeting.

The Avatar is alive and is in the Fire Nation.

But Zuko kept his mouth shut.

His father just waved his hand, dismissing the reports as not important. They were! It was clear that something, or someone, was creating dissent, and if he didn't act now, that small ember could flare up into a great fire, consuming most of the nation. This was serious.

But he kept his mouth shut.

"Not important, we will deal with all that after the Day of the Black Sun. Azula, please tell the general what you told me." And with that, his sister stood up, walking over to the great map that lay unfurled on the floor.

"When our prince." She smiled at him. But it wasn't her nice sweet smile. This one was her evil one. "When our prince defeated the Avatar, and I dealt with his cronies, the Earth King escaped. We believe he has fled to the only place he knew it was safe." Azula gestured one of the servants, who brought a scroll, that she spread out and read out loud.

"The mouth of the Jasmin River is being guarded by the Chief Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe and his warriors."

Silence. What did she mean? Of course, the two water tribe siblings were from the South Pole, so knew this chief. But how was this important? And they hadn't dealt with the Avatar's friends. Or with the Air Nomad for that matter. So… Had they fled towards this man?

"Our intelligence reports say that this man is the father of the two water savages that travelled with the Avatar."

Oh. Shit.

Of course, that was a very important fact. If that was true, and the ministers and general believed that they had actually killed the Avatar and his group of friends… They would know that this Chief would be furious with them. And that he would have the Earth King.

"I believe this… Chief… Hakoda will want revenge for what we did to his children. He may even try to mount an attack during our weakest moment. I believe he will try and strike at the heart of our nation. Here."

Silence settled in the meeting. It was completely absurd to think one rag tag team of water tribe warriors could, or would, infiltrate this deep inside the Home Islands, and mount an offensive towards Caldara. Or was it?

Zuko had learned not to underestimate the Water Tribes. He had been defeated too many times by these people to understand their value as warriors. And the others didn't know, but they would also have the siblings with them. The young man had always seemed a bit… dorky. But he had been extremely intelligent, and Zuko thought he was the main factor why he hadn't managed to capture the Avatar.

And the waterbender was also a threat. She was a fighter, and, if she was to be believed, a healer. Uncle had once told him about the healing abilities of the waterbenders… And there had been that Spirit Water she had proposed to use to heal his scar… And he had said yes.

Of course, Uncle and the Avatar had interrupted before that could happen… But if she was to be believed, it was powerful stuff… And the Avatar was alive, even if, by all accounts, he should be dead. So… The waterbender was a threat. And she had clearly liked the Avatar, which brought a whole lot of problems. If his own information was false, and the Avatar was indeed dead… Then all these insurgencies were her work. And her brother's.

"Princess Azula… That is not possible. No one can attack Caldara." Minister Qin muttered. An old man, he had been the chief advisor of Azulon, but was now "demoted" to War Minister.

"That was what we thought of Ba Sing Se. But now, thanks to four people, we have control of it." Azula spoke arrogantly, but she had a point. Their actions had undone centuries of the city's reputation as unconquerable…

"But-"

"Prepare the defences. Everything is on high alert until after the Day of Black Sun. And make sure our newest weapons are available here. Caldara is of paramount importance." His father interrupted Qin, and several generals began to write hurriedly on their papers. It would be their task to make it possible, and to make sure that Caldara wouldn't be attacked.

"Now that is handled… Tell me about the situation in the Earth Kingdom." There was no discussion whatsoever… Just, do this, do that. And to Zuko… It didn't seem the right choice. They should discuss this. If there would really be an attack on the capital… that was something worth discussing!

But Zuko kept his mouth shut.

"General Shinu." His father waved an impatient hand to one of the younger generals in the meeting. Probably one of the newer additions, and not the councillors he had inherited from Azulon…

One of his lackeys.

That voice had been present for weeks now. And sounded a lot like Uncle.

"Thank you, Fire Lord Ozai!" The man bowed too extravagantly. Agni, Zuko hated people like that. People who thought that licking the Fire Lords feet was more important than acting with honour and dignity. The arse licker stood up.

"Ba Sing Se is still under our control, as are the bigger cities. Omas… New Ozai, Gaoling and Chenbao are all under our control, without too many difficulties. However, earthbender rebellions have broken in the northern part of the Omashu territory, as well as south of the capital. They have prevented us from achieving a complete victory in the Earth Kingdom."

Zuko heard his father exhale softly, as if he was preparing himself for something.

"What do you recommend?" The Fire Lord spoke up, and this surprised the scarred prince. His father… asking advice?

"Our army is spread too thin… But once the eclipse is over, and the threat of invasion is behind us, we should transfer more domestic forces into the Earth Kingdom." It sounded… rehearsed? Yes, that was it. His father had already known all of this! And to save face, and not to have to suggest this rather alarming new policy, he had one of his cronies does it for him.

Smart.

"Prince Zuko." He tried not to shudder as his father turned around, facing him. It had been a long time he had been so close to his father. There was grey hair appearing at his temples, and there were small lines in his face. But that were the only indications that Ozai wasn't as young as he liked to appear.

"You have been among the Earth Kingdom commoners. Do you think that adding more troops will stop these rebellions?"

Was his father… asking for his advice? Alright… he did act as if his time with the Earth people was a choice, rather than exile… But still!

He is using you.

"The people of the Earth Kingdom are proud and strong. Adding troops won't change their way of thinking. They can endure anything as long as they have hope." And just as he said it, he saw the small fire lit behind his father's eyes. Oh Agni. He had just given him an idea… And knowing his father… It wasn't good.

"Yes… You are right. We need to destroy their hope."

Well, that wasn't what he had meant… The hope of the Earth People was the Avatar. And the Day of Black Sun probably.

"That wasn't what I-" he began, but was interrupted by his sister, on the left side of their father's throne.

"I think you should take their precious hope and the rest of their land and burn it all to the ground."

Zuko looked at his father, and saw a multitude of emotions cross that face. Anger, for being contradicted by his children. Then, jealousy. He had been jealous of Azula, he had noticed. Just as he had been envious of Uncle, each time the man came home, covered in honour from a far away battlefield. And finally, his expression settles on… greed. And evil.

It settled on the look which with his father had looked at him while burning his face.

"Yes… You are right Azula…" A small pause, "Sozin's Comet is almost upon us."

Oh no.

"On that day, it will endow us with the strength and power of a hundred suns!" His father stood up, walking over to the map on the floor. Standing on the map, he pointed to the western coast of the Earth Kingdom.

"No bender will stand a chance against us!" He actually… grinned. Father didn't smile. Never.

Except the Avatar.

"What… what are you suggesting?" Hezu sounded shocked, and with good reason. Zuko was afraid to imagine what his father's mind had conjured up.

"When the comet last came, my grandfather, Fire Lord Sozin the Great used it to wipe out the Air Nomads."

Oh no… Not that.

"And now… I will use its power the end the Earth Kingdom! Permanently. We will rain fire down from the airships that have been in production these last few months! A fire that will destroy everything, and out of the ashes, a new world will be born! A world where all land is Fire Nation! And where I reign supreme over it."

Zuko heard clapping, and some cheers. But he was too dazed to notice. No… His father could not be serious! Sozin was a monster! He had killed and killed! The other nations hated them! The Earth Kingdom had a much larger population than the Air Nomads, and they were already despised! Oh Agni, even with the comet, they couldn't kill everyone, could they? Millions and millions… No…

Jin. Lee. Gansu. Sela. The people that had shown him kindness.

All of them would burn.

Zuko saw how the generals and minister began to stand up and mingle, talking and discussing. The prince also stood up, and saw how his father and sister quickly left through one of the side doors of the dais. For a moment, he hesitated to follow, but before he could take a step, he felt a hand on his arm.

"Prince Zuko, may I have a moment?" It was Hezu.

"Yes… Sure!" He had always liked the man, who had a sense of humour that was quite rare with the Fire Nation Army.

He allowed himself to be pulled away from the main body of ministers and officers to a darker corner of the room.

"Please, talk to your father! He can't be serious about this!" No small way to introduce the subject, no dancing around. Direct and clear.

"General Hezu! The Fire Lord's word is law! We know that!" Zuko felt his scar twitch a little. He knew better than anyone. Anyone alive, that was.

"What if the Fire Lord's word is utter and complete nonsense? Is it law then?"

Zuko gritted his teeth. This man was talking treason, and he knew it. But an old military man, with a certain amount of honour. He had actually been known for his kindness towards the defeated, and for in impeccable discipline and restraint.

As is Uncle.

"General… What can I say to stop him? Nothing! This plan… Even if I talked to him, it wouldn't change a thing."

"But you do agree? In theory?" The man looked at him, pleadingly. He was desperate for at least one person to agree with him, Zuko realized. And he wouldn't lie. Not about this.

"In theory, I don't agree with his plans. They won't work, the Earth Kingdom's population is simply too big. It will only make us be hated, and unite everyone. The Water Tribes, the remaining Earth People… Everyone. Even here, at home."

Hezu sighted in relief.

"Indeed… So. What can we do to stop this?"

Yes… What could they do?

No one in the Fire Nation would openly rebel against his father. No one of interest at least. There were too many of his cronies in high places…

"We need someone to stand up to your father! Tell him that this is madness! We need Prince Iroh!" Hezu whispered, and Zuko realized… That he was right. There was only one person capable of stopping his father from doing this… And that was uncle Iroh.

"My uncle is in prison Hezu… What could he do?"

"Pff, prison, if that is what you call it. He has his jailers wrapped around his finger, or at least, some. And he has been communicating. Who do you think put that scroll in your chamber?" Hezu eyes gleamed.

Agni… Uncle had been running an illicit organization, to work against the Fire Nation… from his cell. Suddenly, Zuko's heart was overwhelmed with love and admiration for his uncle.

"You… You did that? But… Oh Agni. Uncle, you clever fool. He has been acting like an idiot to throw off suspicion, hasn't he?" Zuko sighed; Iroh was really something…

"And not for the first time. He has been downplaying his capabilities for nine years. Since the death of Lu Ten. Because he learned that the Fire Nation has been wrong. For a century, we have been the aggressors. The world hates us. And we deserve it." Hezu grabbed Zuko's arm, tightening his grip on him.

"You… You could be arrested for saying all this…" Zuko muttered. To hear his own doubts voiced so strongly… It opened his eyes.

"Doesn't that prove that the Fire Nation has been wrong? If saying this led to my execution, then at least I would die knowing I was right."

Yes… Hezu was right. Uncle had been right. He had been right.

Ozai needed to be stopped.

And soon.

And there was only one person capable of doing that.

Do you think, that in another lifetime… We could have been friends?

The Avatar.

"I may have a solution… But I'll need my uncle."

Hezu smiled, nodded and walked away.

There was really just one solution. If this invasion was defeated, or didn't even happen… The Avatar would need a firebending teacher. And Zuko knew just one man capable enough to teach someone as fast as possible. Uncle Iroh.

Uncle Iroh would teach the Avatar firebending. And Zuko would come with. He would trust his life to people whom he had treated as enemies… While he should have treated them as liberators. Liberators who would stop the Fire Lord. Who would save the world from burning.

He needed to free Uncle Iroh.

Answers :

Kalaong : I haven't read that, but it is true! It is exactly why Kataang is not only one of the best ships, but also a good example for people to follow. It is exactly how a relationship should be. And I hope you are excited for the Kataang chapters I have planned!

CoyoteLemon : Thank you! And don't worry, page 45 is going to make an appearance lol!

Jjsmith103 : Yeah, I was rewatching the episode and as asking myself the same thing. But of course, I had to put some Kataang chapters into this before the invasion! And that is why made Hakoda come earlier than in the series, so that they have an evening all together before the battle!