Disclaimer: All rights belong to Nickelodeon, Bryan Konietzko, Michael Dante DiMartino, and all the men and women that created the A:TLA show, books, and comics. I take no credit, and I do not mean to break any copyright rules. This is simply a work of fiction made for enjoyment. No money is being made. The lyrics are from the song "Demons" by Imagine Dragons
Rating: General Audiences. Warning: some scenes contain dark themes and minor violence
Chapter 8 - Meetings
When your dreams all fail
And the ones we hail
Are the worst of all
And the blood's run stale
This is my kingdom come
"Are you ready yet?" Azula peers into his room, dressed in full uniform. She sees him lounging on his bed and her eyes grow alarmingly wide. "Do you want to get banished again?"
He rolls onto his back and stares up at the ceiling. "I wasn't invited. Why wasn't I invited?"
"You're still not over that?" she exclaims. "Ugh! Boys are are so dramatic. You're the prince. Of course you didn't get an invitation. You're expected to go."
"You got an invitation."
"Because I'm a girl. And despite the progress the Fire Nation has made, it still has some ingrained sexism. They don't expect girls to be interested in war strategy." She crosses her arms. "That's going to change if I have anything to say about it."
"What if I'm not welcome?"
"You captured the Avatar, Zuzu. Of course you're welcome. I thought you said your talk with Dad went well."
"It did."
"Then what are you so worried about?"
He continues staring at the ceiling. The truth is, he doesn't really want to go. He remembers what happened last time he was at a war meeting. He isn't eager to repeat that, especially considering how conflicted he's been lately.
"Fine. But I'm not the one who's going to explain to Father why you didn't show up." She whirls around and leaves, slamming the door behind her.
He lays on the bed for a few more minutes debating it. Finally he decides that Azula has a point about him not needing an invitation. And besides, isn't this what he wanted? Isn't this what he worked so hard the last few years for? Princes go to war meetings. Princes become acquainted with generals and learn strategies and keep up with the current events because one day they'll take the throne and they need to know how to run their kingdom.
Zuko dresses quickly and then heads to the meeting room. Halfway there, he runs into a frantic servant.
The man bows quickly. "Prince Zuko! Finally! Everyone's waiting for you!"
He freezes. "What?"
"The generals, high admiral, the princess - even the Fire Lord. They're all waiting for you to arrive, sir."
He frowns. "I'm wanted? My father wants me there?"
"He said they wouldn't start without you, sir."
Huh. Zuko lets himself smile a bit. The anxiety he had over it disappears quickly. His father wants him. His father wants him. The warm feeling he'd had after the last talk with his father returns. The acceptance. The pride. The honor.
Zuko steps past the servant and enters the room. A group of the highest ranking officials in the Fire Nation sit along a low table. At the head of the table, raised above them all on a platform, is the Fire Lord. Next to him on the left sits Azula. She smirks when she sees Zuko. On his right hand side sits an empty cushion. Zuko walks behind the generals and approaches it.
"Welcome, Zuko," says The Fire Lord - no, not the Fire Lord; his father. "We waited for you."
There is no malice in his voice. No sarcasm. Nothing but sincerity. Zuko can hardly keep a straight face as he bows and then takes his seat.
"General Shinu, your report," Ozai instructs.
The general stands and bows. "Thank you, sir. Omashu is under our control and the change of power is going smoothly. Our soldiers are advancing towards Ba Sing Se as we speak. That city is the last of the powerful Earth Kingdom strongholds. Once we take it, they will have no rallying point."
"Why do you not sound pleased?"
"Ba Sing Se has proven quite impervious in the past, sir. The wall is indestructible."
"Nothing is indestructible. We must only find the right weapon. Our engineers are working on it as we speak."
"Of course, sir. However, there is a pattern that has proven repetitious with the Earth Kingdom. Despite our crushing victories, the Earthbenders continue to fight back in small rebellions. Nothing major, but it is inflicting extra costs and inconvenient delays for our armies. We cannot have complete victory until we deal with them."
Ozai frowns. "What is your recommendation?"
"Our armies are spread too thin. We need to transport more of our domestic forces into the Earth Kingdom. In time the Earthbenders will assimilate and decide to work with us and not against us."
"Hmm." Ozai glances over. "Prince Zuko, what do you think?"
His heart stops for a moment. What if he says the wrong thing? What if he doesn't please his father? What if he humiliates himself in front of everyone?
No. Not again. He just has to think the way his father would think.
His father continues, "You've spent some time among the Earth Kingdom commoners. Do you think more troops and more Fire Nation colonies will stop these rebellions?"
He doesn't even think about the potential consequences of his answer. He doesn't think of the people he met. He only thinks about telling the truth and pleasing his father.
"The people of the Earth Kingdom are proud and strong. They can endure anything as long as they have hope."
His father thinks it over silently for a minute. "You're right," he agrees. His eyes narrow. "We need to destroy their hope."
Zuko's first thoughts are of the Avatar. The Avatar is the last hope for many of those people. His father doesn't mean that he'd kill Katara, would he? Zuko couldn't allow that. Imprisoning her was nearly impossible for him. The only thing that convinced him he could do it was knowing that she'd still be alive. He can't let her die.
But couldn't he? He had feelings for her and he still betrayed her. She saved his life multiple times and he still stabbed her in the back. He turned away when she was begging for him to help her. Couldn't he just turn away again?
He doesn't want to have to test that theory. "Well, I didn't mean it like that -"
Azula jumps in, cutting him off. "I think we should take their precious hope - and their lands with it - and burn it all to the ground. Show them that fire is not to be messed with."
She crosses her arms and smiles smugly. Ozai's expression reflects hers.
"Yes," he agrees. "You're right, Azula. Sozin's comet will be upon us in the summer. That will give us several months to conquer Ba Sing Se. And if they still have hope by then, we'll use the power from the comet. It will endow us with the strength of a thousand suns! No bender will stand a chance against us."
"What are you suggesting, sir?" a general asks.
"The last time the comet came, it gave my grandfather Sozin the power to wipe out the Water Tribes. This time we'll use it to wipe out the Earth Kingdom. Permanently."
He stands while he speaks, his energy palpable in the air. It terrifies Zuko. He understands that they're waging a war, but no one should take so much pleasure in the genocide of an entire people.
Ozai steps over the maps on the table. "We'll rain fire down from above them. A rain of fire that will destroy everything. And out of the ashes, a new world will be reborn." He raises his hands up. "A new world in which all the lands will be Fire Nation. And I am the Supreme Ruler of everything!"
The generals break out in applause. Azula smiles widely. Zuko claps quietly. He doesn't agree with this plan. He knows how dangerous fire is. He knows how innocent most of the Earth Kingdom is. But it's not his place to speak out. And besides, his father said they'd only use the strategy if the rebellions didn't die down after the conquest of Ba Sing Se. There's still hope for the Earth Kingdom. No point in speaking out before knowing whether something is going to be a problem.
Deep down, Zuko knows he won't ever speak out. He's worked too hard to gain his father's love and acceptance. He isn't going to throw it all away now over some strangers who would have spit on him if they had known who he was.
Besides, he's just relieved his father didn't mention Katara. Now that the Avatar is locked up, Ozai must not see her as a threat. He's probably already forgotten she even exists. As long as she is safe, Zuko can accept anything his father does.
"What a rousing speech that was," Azula gushes once the meeting is dismissed. "We're going to rule over all the nations, Zuzu."
"You mean that Dad is going to rule over all the nations."
Her smile falters. "Well, of course," she says quickly, catching herself. "But we'll be sitting at his side. I've missed us being a real family."
Of course the only time Azula admits to missing him is when they collectively plan genocide. Zuko isn't even surprised. He knows how much power means to her. Power is all she has. Underneath it, she's just an empty shell. It makes him sad sometimes.
He wonders which is worse: having nothing but power, or having everything and giving it up for power.
He had a loving uncle, a crew of loyal men, his wits and strength, and a girl who would have followed him to the ends of the world. And he gave it all up for this. To sit in war meetings and applaud atrocities. To gain his right to the throne and to return honor to his name. To earn his family's love and acceptance.
He's still struggling with this when he exits the war chamber.
"How did it go?"
Mai detaches herself from a column and falls into step next to him. He doesn't slow down, but he doesn't ignore her, either.
"When I got to the meeting, everyone greeted me warmly. My father had saved me a seat. He wanted me next to him. I was literally his right hand man."
She grabs hold of his arm with one hand and his shoulder with her other. "Zuko, that's wonderful! You must be so happy."
He stops in front of a huge banner of his father. Flames are woven around him in the tapestry and his arms are outstretched in glory, just like during the meeting. Mai releases him and stares at it.
"During the meeting, I was the perfect prince. The son my father wanted." He looks away. "But I wasn't me."
She doesn't say anything. What can she say? Be true to himself? She knows him well enough to know that that would be treason. But she cares about him enough to not encourage him to be someone he's not.
For a brief moment, he wishes Katara were here. She would know exactly what to say. She would unravel his thoughts better than he can. And she wouldn't be afraid of treason. She isn't afraid of anything.
Except for him, now.
Zuko's mind returns to his question about power. He had everything and he gave it all up for this. But he's gained so much in return. His father replaced Iroh. Azula replaced his loyal men. And Mai is now the girl who would follow him to the ends of the earth.
He knows these people fill these spots in his life and yet for some reason he still feels so empty inside.
The guards escort her to a new cell the next day. They blindfold her first, then spin her around until she can't walk straight before taking her down what she assumes is a different wing. The air feels colder and drier.
When they finally take the blindfold off and shove her in a cell, she's disheartened to see how small it is. A stone bench is against the back wall, which appears to be carved straight from the mountain, and the bars are made of cement instead of metal. The torchlight is even dimmer here.
If she thought escape was hard last time, it's impossible now.
She sits on the bench and leans against the wall. It's so cold down here. She misses her Water Tribe furs. All she has is her Fire Nation clothing, which is designed for warmer temperatures. The thin cotton and silk does nothing against the depressive cold from beneath the mountain, which seems to seep into her very bones.
It's a whole different type of torture.
A shuffling sound from her right causes her to jump in alarm. Then a voice speaks out of the darkness.
"You'll adjust to the cold soon."
Katara scans the cell next to hers. Slowly an old woman appears from the dark and wraps her hands around the cement bars separating them. She smiles with crooked teeth at Katara.
"Who are you?" Katara asks.
"Just another prisoner like you, I'm afraid. Considered dangerous by the Fire Nation and so locked up here, far away from the rest of the world."
"How long have you been here?"
The old woman sighs. "Too long, my dear. I wasn't much older than you when I was arrested."
Horror fills Katara. She can't even wrap her mind around being locked up here for a few more months let alone decades. How has this woman not gone insane?
"So, tell me, dear. Why did the Fire Nation decide to bring you here?"
"I'm the Avatar," Katara admits, looking away. "I was supposed to save the world from the Fire Lord and his conquest. But I got captured."
"The Avatar, huh?" The woman is silent for a moment. "You're so young," she finally says. "Saving the world is a lot of pressure."
"I know. And I messed everything up." Katara puts her head in her hands. "I'm supposed to be a symbol of hope to the world. Instead I disappeared when I was needed most and then got captured before I could help anyone."
"You can't give up hope," the woman says. "There is always a way out."
"I tried escaping already. I was so close. But there is no way to escape. I'm powerless here."
"What is your name, dear?"
"I'm Katara."
"Katara, hmmm." The woman smiles a little. It isn't a warm smile. In fact, it kind of scares Katara a little. Then the moment passes and the old woman is smiling genuinely. "Well, young Katara, were you at my home, I would offer you spiced tea and a warm bed. Unfortunately I have nothing to offer you here except an old shawl."
She slides the fabric through the bars. Katara scooches over and takes it. Her fingers sink into the soft fur. It reminds her of Water Tribe craftsmanship.
"Are you sure?" she asks. "This is a really nice shawl."
The woman just continues smiling. "You need it more than I do, dear. I've grown used to the cold. Until you do, too, that will help alleviate some of your suffering."
As she gratefully wraps the shawl around her shoulders, Katara feels tears sting at her eyes. It's a little embarrassing, crying for no reason, but she's just so grateful. Grateful for this wonderful, kind old woman in the cell next to hers. Grateful for someone to talk to other than guards. Grateful for the hope the woman provides.
It will always amaze her how kindness can prosper even in the worst conditions.
"Thank you so much," she says. "You know, you kind of remind me of my Gran-Gran."
The woman laughs. "I'm glad to help. I'm just happy to have a companion who isn't a serial killer."
"What's your name?"
The old woman starts fading back into the dark of her cell. "They used to call me Hama."
Azula watches Zuko and Mai walk away from the meeting. She can read their body language perfectly. And even if she couldn't, she knows her brother well enough to read straight through him.
He isn't happy.
She has no idea why he isn't. He captured the Avatar, defeated General Zhao in an Agni Kai, and reclaimed his honor. Their father practically showered compliments on him. Saved him a seat at his right hand side. Asked for his advice. That's love from him. And isn't love what Zuko wanted? Love and acceptance? So why isn't he happy?
She doesn't understand her brother sometimes. What does love and acceptance matter? Love is fleeting. People die and then their love disappears. Even worse - people change their minds. There was once a time when their mother loved Azula. Then, when Azula started becoming strong, her mother suddenly didn't love her anymore. That's when Azula stopped believing in love. No point. Besides, love is completely dependent on others. When it's gone, it destroys you. She saw how it destroyed Zuko.
Acceptance she can understand. But she and Zuko have completely different views on acceptance. He wants to earn acceptance through love. She has earned her acceptance through power. No one will deny you when you're stronger than them. If they do, it's because they're fearful of your strength.
Whatever the case, Zuko managed to bumble his way through earning love and acceptance. He has everything he wanted: his precious inheritance, his family, and his girlfriend. He has servants waiting on his every move. Generals bowing to him. Unhindered access to anywhere in the Fire Nation. Next week he's getting his own tapestry made to be hung next to Father's. How on earth can he still be unhappy?
She supposed he might miss their uncle, although she can't fathom why. She certainly would be sick of Iroh if she spent even a week on a ship with him, let alone three years. She supposes he and Zuko always understood each other better. Still, you can only take so much unintelligible garble and drink so much tea before losing it.
Azula has no idea what has Zuko so offset. She'll never understand him fully. But she does know that he isn't as fun when he's moody. She almost feels guilty picking on him when he's so depressed all the time. He doesn't even react anymore.
He needs something to boost his spirits. He needs a short break from all of this formal stuff. It's too much at once after such a long time away. He needs a vacation.
But to where? Anything outside of the Fire Nation is out of question. It will only remind him of his time in banishment, which will just make him worse. Azula doesn't think she can stand him if he's any worse.
So where in the Fire Nation would Zuko enjoy going?
He's a sentimental person. She saw how he was looking at that old present from Iroh the other day. And she heard how he spoke about their mother. He likes reminders of when he was happy. So what would be a good vacation and bring back good memories?
The answer is almost too easy. Azula remembers many childhood summers spent at a particular place as a family. Back before their mother left. Back before their father was the Fire Lord. Back when they were all still happy.
Azula is going to plan a surprise trip to Ember Island for Zuko. That should lift his spirits.
She smiles to herself. She is such a good, caring, younger sister. Zuko really should appreciate her more.