Chapter 51

Dragons

Maddi

Zuko didn't acknowledge me until we were safely hidden in what I assumed was his old room, and the curtains were shut.

"What do you think?" I shifted uncomfortably at the question. Part of me wanted to be out there, supporting our friends and finishing this once and for all, especially to make sure that Azula wasn't still free by the time the comet came. However another part of me was begging to take up the chance to escape the fighting, the battling. I was tired of killing and seeing so much death. I wanted it done and over. I wanted to be able to live without being scared that my actions would lead to someones death.

"I don't know." I admitted, moving to sit on his bed. Glancing up at Zuko I rubbed my forehead.

"This isn't one of those easy questions and I don't even recognize anything anymore. The future is altered past anything I could even imagine." I told him. He sighed and joined me on the bed.

"Have I done enough?" He asked me softly, arms wrapping around my shoulders. I gently pulled at one so I was cradling his forearm against my torso.

"For what?"

"To make up for everything that my ancestors have done." I groaned, letting go to run fingers through my messy hair.

"Honestly, Zuko? There's no making up for the past, unless you can go back in time. But you've made the best choices considering and you're well on your way to being a great Firelord. I think that is what matters the most in the end."

"But what do I do?" He asked, running his hands through his hair, loosening the topknot that it had been placed in.

"Well what's your gut saying?" I asked, pulling his hands out of his hair.

"Both," he admitted, "I want to stay here and guide my people but at the same time this war isn't over." I nodded my head in understanding.

"And its Azula." I finished. He stiffened, letting me know that I was right on the dot. He thought taking down Azula was his responsibility. After a moment he nodded. We were both silent for a while, I wasn't sure of how to treat this particular subject. I didn't know Azula that well, we had only battled twice. The only things I knew about her al came from the show.

"What should I do?" He muttered. I sighed the firenation needed the security that Zuko could offer and if he stayed so would I. Aang and the others had been fine without Zuko and they were far from helpless but my own heart rebelled against the concept of leaving them. This wasn't easy, there were no easy answers for this and I had no idea how this was going to work out. I knew what was best for the fire nation though and if Zuko and I kept this relationship then I had to think of what was best for my future nation, not myself.

"I think we should stay." He looked up at me in shock for a moment before nodding.

"Our people before ourselves." He stated, figuring out my thought process in seconds. Give him a year and he would know me better then I knew myself. A sudden warmth filled me. Our people. Zuko had called them our people. I shook myself, not now, I chastised, I needed to keep focused on the matter at hand.

"Well then Firelord Zuko, what should be the first matter we attend to after your crowning?" I asked facetiously. Zuko chuckled at my voice before moving over to a desk and pulling out a roll of parchment, an ink pot, and a brush.

"There's a lot that needs to be done." He admitted, dipping the brush into the ink.

"I need to attend to matters of state, seeing to finances, calling troops back home from overseas, there are doubtless rules that I have to adjust or completely get rid of."

"What about political prisoners." I added, my mind thinking of Suki, "Anyone in jail under that label should have their case reevaluated. In some cases they might have to be reimbursed." Zuko paused from the list he had been making to send me an odd look over his shoulder.

"Reimbursed?" He asked.

"Its something that we do in my world if someone was arrested under false pretences or didn't even do the crime. Of course I don't know how that goes for political prisoners but you might want to look at all the cases with men and woman who have been put in jail, not just the political prisoners." Zuko nodded and added that to the list.

We talked a bit about my knowledge, but I admitted, that the state of affairs in the firenation hadn't offered enough entertainment and therefore had been left out. Still my knowledge was useful and in an hour we had the completed list.

List in order of importance

A. Cases of all those in jail in order of importance

Political Prisoners

Arrests for treason

Criminal acts (from stealing to murder)

Those with warrants on their heads

B. Looking over the firenation's finances and budget

C. Calling troops from overseas and reimbursing time spent as unwilling soldiers if possible

D. Look at the various rules and orders, alter or change if necessary

In particular those put into effect in Ozai's reign

E. An official 'gathering' in which the lords, ladies, generals and other members of the court pledge allegiance to their new sovereign

F. Touring the fire nation to find areas that need to be supported/helped/etc.

Look for any sign of Ursa

G. Figure out what to do with the colonies.

"So we've got our action plan?" I asked with a teasing smile. Zuko nodded, reaching up and giving me a kiss on the forehead. I chuckled and kissed him back. We shared a smile before going back to planning, we had a lot to do before the war was over.


Zuko's crowning went very well. There was no attempt on either his or Aang's life (which was eerily likely. Luckily there were several warriors in the crowd and on the stage who were more then willing to risk their lives for Zuko's). More surprising was the excitement and joy that seemed to explode from the lower class. The higher class and nobles seemed either neutral or carefully suppressing their true feelings. It was well known by now that Zuko was a man of the people and the nobles didn't look like they liked the idea of a firelord who would put the poor above them. Sucks to be them. I found myself thinking with a twist on my lips as Sozin/Roku's crown was placed over his topknot.

Then it was back to the counsel room.

"Well Firelord Zuko, what was your decision?" Chief Hakoda asked smiling at the newly crowned young man.

"Maddison and I will remain here in the firenation to fix the wrongs my ancestors have committed." Zuko replied, glancing at me with a small smile. Taanki grunted and my eyes narrowed in on him. I had chosen to ignore his rude comment before as I had more important things to worry about but now I had to also show that I was deserving of respect.

"Are you sure?" Katara asked, looking slightly sad at the thought that we would be staying behind. Both of us nodded.

"Yes, but there is something that the avatar and I must do first." Zuko added, sending me a sly smile, "We will be gone for two days at the most. Can I assume that the war effort will not cease while we are gone?" There was a chorus of 'yes' and 'of course' from around the table mixed in with a couple of suspicious looks.

"In the meantime, Maddison will be in charge of the fire nation." I made a noise similar to a dog toy being stepped on but caught myself before to many people identified it. I had expected Zuko would put Iroh in charge, not me.

"Are you sure this is wise my lord?" The firenation General from earlier, Nihouka, asked.

"I trust Maddison with my life and with the lives of my people. One day she will be firelady." Zuko stated. I carefully schooled my expression as everyone turned to look at me.

"I will do my best." I told Zuko firmly. I would probably go to Iroh a lot of course, but I would still be the one officially in charge.

"Aang? Shall we head off?" Zuko asked. Aang nodded, looking shocked before speaking.

"Can I ask why we're going now?"

"Consider it one last lesson before we have to separate. I am your firebending master right? Well there's one thing more to teach you."

"But I thought you said I had mastered firebending-" Aang asked as Zuko guided him out of the private meeting.

"Well I believe that is all for now. I will call another meeting tomorrow, an hour after sunrise." I stated firmly, standing. Everyone else stood along with me.

"Taanki, Nihouka, I would ask that you remain behind to talk." I stated, catching the attention of the two men. They nodded Hakoda sent me a strange look but didn't argue, choosing to follow his daughter and son out of the room. I sat once again causing both older men to follow me.

"Nihouka," I stated, turning to look at the older general, "Do you trust Firelord Zuko?" The man spluttered before finally asking in a voice of deep hurt.

"How can you question my allegiance? I was the first man to offer my abilities to serve him when he was still price." I was surprised, not having been aware of that.

"Yet you seem to dislike me, why?" He seemed unable to speak for a moment before finally stating.

"I do not... dislike you. I was surprised by the fact that the Firelord did not reinstate his previous engagement with Mai and that he had decided to become involved with... an earth kingdom peasant." I nodded thoughtfully.

"You don't believe that I have what it takes to be firelady?" I asked. He shook his head.

"You will be the first firelady to not be of firenation origin and from a peasant birth no less." It suddenly made sense to me, he was worried about his people.

"I promise, the firenation is my nation too." I told him firmly, "I had no allegiance to any nation before becoming involved with Zuko and I will treat the people of the firenation as my people." I told him. I could tell he didn't fully believe myself. I would have to prove myself to him over time.

"You may leave." He nodded, stood, bowed and left. Now it was just Taanki and I.

"Why do you hate me? What did I ever do?" I asked. Taanki glared at me and refused to speak.

"Why are you so insistent upon being rude to me?" I asked, trying not to snap at the man. He was an adult but he was acting like a scorned child. I sighed deeply.

"Listen, I don't care about your personal opinion of me. Facts are there are people who are going to dislike each other. However when you were blatantly rude to me earlier today that is where I draw the line. Dislike me all you want. Go ahead and hate me. The fact is, I will not tolerate blatant disrespect, especially when I have a nation relying on my strength."

"They aren't relying on you, you're a woman. They're relying upon Zuko."

"Firelord Zuko to you." I snapped tersely, "And maybe not but I support him and there is a lot of good I can do for this nation." I stated finally.

"You may leave." I added. He stood, turned but last second turned back, bowed and walked out stiffly.

This was going to be a great deal harder then I had first thought it would be.


Sokka

The first thing that caught my attention was how quietly my father was speaking to an irate Taanki. Taanki himself was practically spitting the words at my father. I slowly crept forward, careful to remain hidden.

"I don't understand what bothers you so much about her."

"That girl has never had to work a day in her life." Taanki hissed at my father. I realized that they were talking about Pala, after all, who else could make Taanki that furious?

"Do you honestly believe that? Pala is a fighter and she has clearly had to go through a lot." Sokka's father asked softly.

"She's had to fight to survive. We all have had to. That girl has been handed a perfect life on a silver platter and all she had to do was step through the spirit world." Taanki hissed before storming away. My father sighed, rubbing his forehead in a gesture of tired exasperation.

"Why does he hate Pala?" I asked, sliding up to my father who shot me a look.

"How much did you hear?"

"Not a lot, just that he thinks that she's had it easy." Hakoda took a deep breath.

"Taanki has had to struggle every step of the way to even make it to councilman at his age. I think he's jealous of Pala. You forget that in a matter of months she was surrounded by five of the most important members of your generation. Now she is in a relationship with Zuko and it looks like in a little less then a year she will be firelady. That sort of luck most people would sell their souls for." Hakoda explained, eyes still fixed on where the old councilman had vanished.

"She hasn't had it that easy," I pointed out, "She's had to prove herself over and over and she will never see her old family again. I can't imagine what I'd do in her situation." I admitted.

"Neither do I." My father replied, "Neither do I."


Aang

Several hours later

"So why are we here?" I asked, looking around. Zuko smiled.

"Its my last lesson, Maddi suggested it." I glanced at him.

"Did she tell you what this place supposedly does?" I asked. Zuko nodded, looking around.

"Well?" I asked. He glanced at me then realized what I was suggesting.

"Apparently the people who lived here aren't as extinct as we believed." He explained.

"I guessed that by the working boobytrap." I replied. Zuko stared at me. I grinned guiltily.

"Maybe I've been spending too much time with Sokka." Zuko laughed, shaking his head.

"Whatever you say Aang." He paused, looking up at the temple entrance. I rushed forward and tried to open it. No luck.

"Its a celestial calendar." I pointed out, gesturing at the light that sat on the ground then up to a large crystal embedded above the temple door.

After a bit of clever thinking on Zuko's part involving his duel swords The door opened, revealing a set of statues. I moved forward to inspect an inscription by the feet of one.

"The Dancing Dragon." I muttered.

"I wonder if Maddi knew about this." I heard Zuko mutter. I shrugged and moved to mirror the position of the man before us. My foot sank into the ground.

"Zuko, you'll want to see this." Zuko turned and wandered over. I showed him, stepping on and off the piece.

"We're going to have to do this aren't we?" Zuko sighed before getting into position.

We moved through the dance in tandem until the end where we leaned toward each other, our fists almost touching. A loud grinding noise startled both of us. Turning a pedestal raised from the ground, a gold, egg shaped object covered with decorative swirls sat on the centre.

"Whoa." I muttered, approaching it carefully. Zuko reached out.

"Well don't touch it!" I warned. Zuko didn't seem to agree with me, he picked it up, his eyes wide and unfocused.

"Its warm." He muttered, softly rubbing one hand over its surface. An explosion of green goo exploded from the pedestal, throwing Zuko into the air and against the grate above.


Zuko

I stared up at the Sunwarriors before us. I was still holding the 'jewel', which had somehow become stuck to my hand. I could feel the pulse of energy from the egg shaped gold stone. Whatever it was it was most certainly not a jewel.

"They're here to steal Sunwarrior treasures." One of the Sunwarriors accused, pointing at us and glaring at the egg in my hands.

"We didn't come here for this, we came here to learn some firebending, my girlfriend recommended that we come here." The disbelieving looks were not a comforting sight. I sighed.

"I am Firelord Zuko, this is Avatar Aang, I am trying to right the wrongs committed by my family." I explained.

There was a loud crack. I jerked and turned to look at the 'jewel' that was still stuck to my hand. One of the Sunwarrior women attempted to grab it, but was stopped by the chief. The egg was becoming hotter, practically unbearable. Suddenly it shattered in every direction.

When the smoke cleared I found myself staring at a tiny red dragon sitting on my arm with wide eyes.

"That's a-" I choked, staring at the infantile dragon as it cooed, wrapping itself around my neck.

"A dragon." Aang finished, eyes equally wide before pausing.

"I thought you said they were extinct?" The Sunwarrior chief shook his head.

"A young dragon only hatches when it feels its time is right. They are immensely spiritual creatures, and clearly this one has decided upon hatching for you." He stated, not really answering Aang's question. Aang glanced up at me.

"What's the chances that Maddi knew about this?" He asked. I shot him a look.

"That's what I thought." He muttered. I nodded. Maddi had to have known about this, it was a very political statement for the firelord to have a dragon and it was exactly the sort of thing that Maddi would support.

"Come, you two must present yourselves before the masters and be judged." He smiled and glanced at the baby dragon that had wrapped around my neck like a living scarf, "Although there is little doubt about what will happen." He turned away, gesturing for us to follow him.

We followed him to a huge bonfire, it seemed to reverberate life and hope. The baby dragon around my neck cooed and attempted to throw itself into the fire. I wasn't sure if that was a good idea or not, so I caught it and wrapped it about my neck where it made a grumbling sound but remained where it lay.

"This is the original fire, gifted to by the dragons to humankind. We have kept it burning for hundreds of years. You will both take a piece of the fire and present it to Ran and Sha and present it to them. If the masters deem you worthy, then they may teach you something." He added, glancing at the dragon. I shot a look at Aang and the two of us nodded. We would do this task and meet these masters. Who knew what they would be able to teach us?


So what do you think? Zuko got Fang a little earlier then in the original series, and Maddi faced up to those two men who were causing her problems. Nihouka is still going to cause problems, just because he isn't as open about his true opinions as Taanki, and Taanki himself may ease up a little on Maddi, but that sort of jealousy doesn't just 'go away'. Anyway let me know what you think,

Until next time,

Princess Kassie Out.