The group of young adults stood in silence, stunned by the news Iroh delivered so brokenheartedly. Azulon, the strongest man they had ever known, was gone. Azula leaned against her brother, weeping, while Zuko supported her with a blank look on his face, as if he couldn't mentally process the news. Mai leaned into his other arm, crying softly as she embraced her two closest friends. Yuudai supported his father's crying form, unable to fathom how this could have happened.

"This-this can't be right, Uncle. He was so…ALIVE…at Yuudai's test! How can he be dead?!" Zuko finally choked out, disbelief and grief threatening to break his composure.

"I don't know, Zuko. I was given the news over an hour ago by Li and Lo." Iroh gradually gained control over his emotions, standing under his own power to address the group as a whole. "The funeral is set for tomorrow morning, immediately followed by your father's coronation as Fire Lord. It would be best if you all would go home now and be with your families. They will break the news to you themselves and prepare for what's coming. Go, be with them." The old man then left them without another word, making his way towards his room in the palace.

Zuko gave Mai a chaste kiss goodnight and followed his uncle, beckoning Azula to follow him. The princess rushed into Yuudai's arms, craving the comfort only he could provide. Mai left them to each other, giving the brief bit of privacy she could.

"I'm so sorry, Azula. I don't know what else to say," Yuudai forced out, struggling to keep the tremor out of his words. Azula couldn't bring herself to answer him, resigning herself to crying into his shirt. Yuudai motioned to Zuko to go on without her, reassuring him that his sister would be right behind him. Zuko nodded stoically, leaving the two behind as he blindly stumbled to his own room. The couple stood there for what seemed like hours, though it could have been seconds for all they knew. Finally, Azula looked up and made eye contact with her warrior, seeking answers neither of them had. She silently leaned up and gave him an innocent kiss, bringing them both back to reality, before bidding him a brief goodnight. Tonight was not the night to figure out their future; tonight they would grieve. Yuudai let her slowly leave his arms, making sure she could make it to her room under her own power. Once she left his sight, he broke into a run to his own room, tears he'd held back finally falling freely.

The next morning carried with it an air of sadness. The funeral had been a simple one, only privy to members of the court and the royal family. Ozai sat on the throne of the Fire Lord as his predecessor was laid to rest with the traditional Fire Nation cremation. Before Azulon's ashes were cold, the crown of the Fire Lord adorned the younger son's head, a cold smile on his features. Yuudai watched the entire process stoically, anger taking the place of his grief. He demanded answers; how had his grandfather been so alive when praising his growth and prowess and dead less than twelve hours later? None of this made any sense. It was no secret Azulon was in his twilight years, but he certainly didn't seem like a man on his deathbed. Then there was a matter of his "uncle's" ascension to the throne. Apparently, with is final breath, Azulon had deemed Ozai his successor, bypassing his father's claim to the throne. The whole situation just seemed…wrong. Ozai's first proclamation broke his concentration, and he forced his attention towards the throne.

"Citizens of the Fire Nation, today has been difficult on all of us, but we must persevere! My father left behind an unshakeable legacy, proving himself to be one of the greatest rulers our great nation has ever seen! I stand before you today and swear an oath to follow his example and continue our quest for supremacy! I will do what he was unable to; I will conquer the Earth and Water Kingdoms, and I will raise Fire Nation flags across all corners of the earth!"

The outburst was met by cheers across the courtyard, nobles and soldiers alike praising their new Lord's words. Yuudai felt a small hand clasp his tightly, and he felt Azula lean into him for support. He knew what she was thinking, for he shared her thoughts. Her father's ambition was dangerous, for their entire country. They held their silence as Ozai continued for several more minutes, making all sorts of promises and declarations to appease the masses. Once he was done, he called his commanding officers and all members of the royal family into his war room to discuss strategy.

Yuudai, Zuko, and Azula marched side by side towards the war room, a deafening silence shared between the three of them. It seemed so strange that the previous night had been buoyed by such joy, only to have their entire world shattered in a matter of hours. Iroh met them just outside the doors, shaking off his somber attitude to give them some very detailed, very important instructions.

"Alright, you lot, this is your first war council. Do not speak unless spoken to. I want you to listen and begin to understand how these men think. They may be loyal to the Fire Nation and the Fire Lord, but above all else they are ambitious and will satisfy their own selfish desires above those of the people. Watch how they operate, how they plan, and above all else how they undermine each other."

The three young adults nodded in understanding and entered the throne room, finding the preparations already underway. Ozai leaned over a giant map of the Four Kingdoms, talking strategy with Commander Zhao and General Chan on which area to strike first. Chan presented his strategy first.

"Your worship, I propose we strike Gaipan to begin our campaign. It is a small town on the outskirts of the Earth Kingdom, but it sits in the shadow of a nearby dam that controls the water flow of the surrounding subsidiaries. If we control this area, I believe it would prove to be an important strategic victory to start our renewed push."

"Excellent, General Chan! This would be the perfect victory to start my reign! What sort of defenses do they control?"

"The Earth King also sees the strategic value of this village and has set up a squad of elite Earthbenders as a bastion of defense. Nothing some cannon fodder of new recruits couldn't thin out enough to overwhelm."

A gasp escaped Azula's lips at the General's words; knowingly sacrificing Fire Nation lives simply to thin out defenses? Surely this wouldn't be allowed!

"Their sacrifice will be remembered in the future glory of the empire," Ozai stated, bringing Zuko to his feet in disbelief.

"You can't be serious?!" the prince exclaimed before Yuudai could stop him, drawing an audible groan from Iroh and Azula both. Always the hot head it seemed. Ozai apparently shared in their displeasure, though his reaction was much worse than theirs.

"Sit down, BOY! Mind your damn place!" the Fire Lord bellowed, stopping Zuko in his tracks. Today, though, it seemed that grief had removed all rational thought from his head, as he continued his questioning.

"When have we ever sacrificed the lives of our own people simply to wear down the enemy?! This isn't the way we fight; this isn't the way grandfa-"

"DO NOT SPEAK HIS NAME, YOU INSOLENT LITTLE SHIT!" Ozai roared, having enough of his son's attitude, "YOU WILL REMEMBER WHO YOU SPEAK TO!" Zuko paled visibly, wilting under his father's rage while Yuudai and Azula stood by helplessly, unable to help him at all. Everyone in the room shrank back out the Fire Lords outburst, overwhelmed by the abrupt turn of events. Ozai took advantage of their surprise and composed himself, eyeing his oldest child coldly.

"So, Zuko, you believe yourself to be more capable than the men I have advising me, do you? Well, you will be given an opportunity to prove such." Zuko stood straighter at these words, looking forward to the opportunity to redeem himself in his father's eyes.

"You, Zuko Agni, will immediately participate in an Agni Kai against the party you have openly questioned in the presence of this court. Do you accept?"

"Yes, Father!" Zuko eagerly exclaimed, shedding his shirt hastily in preparation, "If it is your will, I will face General Chan in an Agni Kai."

Ozai chuckled malevolently at Zuko's response, confusing all present, particularly his son.

"Fool boy," Ozai taunted as everyone in the room backed against the walls, giving room for the fight, "Chan is not the one you openly questioned." The Fire Lord slowly removed his crown, handing it to Chan along with his ceremonial robes. "My generals are an extension of my rule, the fingers of my closed fist. If you challenge them, you challenge me. Therefore, your Agni Kai is against me." Yuudai and Azula tried to protest, but both were silenced by a desperate Iroh. Zuko he couldn't protect now, but he would be damned before he saw his son and niece get drawn into the same mess. Zuko blanched at his father's revelation and immediately dropped to his knees in terror.

"NO! Please Father, I beg your forgiveness for my outburst! Do not make me fight you!"

"Stand up, you embarrassment! Face me like the man you so boldly claim to be!" Ozai goaded, an evil smirk played across his features. Zuko couldn't bring himself to stand, begging his father for forgiveness with tears streaming down his face. Unfortunately, this sight only further enraged the Fire Lord.

"Bah, you disappoint me Zuko. I give you the chance to redeem yourself in my eyes and you insist on showing your true colors. You disrespect me in front on my men, and then disrespect me further with your unmistakable cowardice. You disgust me. You will learn respect, and suffering will be your teacher!" Ozai suddenly reach forward and snatched his son by the ponytail, yanking his head back and forcing eye contact. Zuko struggled to get free, but a hard slap across the face left him still. Ozai called fire to his hand, drawing a scream of protest from Azula and Yuudai, who were both giving Iroh a hard time trying to get to their family member. The flame gave Zuko new life, intensifying his struggle to free himself, but it was no use.

Ozai slammed the flame against Zuko's left eye. The prince's scream of pain was one that would haunt the dreams of all those present that day, even the most seasoned of the Fire Nation's generals. Azula's struggles ceased as she collapsed into Yuudai's arms, her tears staining his shirt as she wept uncontrollably. The larger warrior simply couldn't take his eyes off the scene unfolding in front of him, his best friend's screams threatening to send him into a berserker rage. His father's steel grip on his shoulder was the only thing that kept him in place. When Ozai was done, he cast his broken son to the floor, leaving him a sobbing, shaking mess.

"Zuko, you are hereby stripped of all titles, rank, and privileges associated with this family. I declare you exile, banished from this nation until you have proven your worth to this nation once more. For openly challenging me in public, there is only one thing that could regain my favor: You are condemned to your fate until the day you find and capture the Avatar," the triumphant ruler gloated before reclaiming his garb and sitting upon his throne. The Avatar hadn't been seen for a century, despite the tireless searching of generations. It was, effectively, a lifetime exile.

"Now…get this pathetic sack of flesh out of my sight." Yuudai finally broke free of his father's grasp and ran to his friend, scooping his shaking body up in his strong arms. Azula was instantly at his side, soothing her brother as best she could. As they began to make their exit, Ozai's voice rang loud once more.

"Azula, you shall stay. I am not finished with you yet." Yuudai stopped along with her, turning to face the Fire Lord. Iroh was suddenly in front of him, a frantic look in his eyes.

"Yuudai, you need to stay here. If he is doing what I think he is, only you can stop him. I will take care of Zuko; you protect what is finally yours!" His father's words confused him, but there was no denying the urgency in Iroh's tone. Yuudai obediently handed Zuko's fragile body to his father and reclaimed his place at Azula's side, his hand silently taking hers.

Ozai's face split into a smile as he beckoned his daughter forward. Azula reluctantly made her way to the throne and knelt before her father.

"My daughter, you have always been my favorite child. With this recent development showing your brother's unworthiness, our family line requires strength more than ever. Therefore, my beautiful child, you will be married!" Azula's head snapped up at this declaration, shock and anger written across her face. Yuudai suddenly felt his own need to object, yet held his piece for now. This was no different than the situation with Chan; he just had to wait for his moment once more.

"Admiral Zhao, step forward please." The arrogant naval commander took his side at a now standing Azula, a smug smile on his face. Azula looked at the man with disgust and rage while her father continued this madness.

"Azula, Admiral Zhao has proven himself to be a worthy match for the daughter of the Fire Lord. He is ruthless in battle, intelligent, and seasoned. What do you say to this match?"

"Absolutely not! I will not marry this pig!" Azula screamed. She would not accept this fate without a fight. Where was her warrior? Why hadn't he stepped in? Ozai laughed at his daughter's rage, seeing the strength and fire he admired in her.

"Very well, Azula, I will give you one chance. If you can come up with one single member of this present court you believe to be worthy of your hand, may he step forward now and prove himself against my choice." NOW.

"She requires no chance, your majesty!" Yuudai's deep, rumbling voice roared across the room, drawing every eye to him, including Zhao's.

"If Azula will have me, I present myself to this court as a worthy match!" Murmurs ran through the present crowd and a scowl came across Zhao's visage, but Yuudai never took his eyes off Azula, who seemed to swell with pride and relief. Ozai broke the moment between the two lovers, laughing mockingly at the boy's outburst.

"YOU?! Who are you to say you are worthy of MY daughter, boy?! You are nothing here!"

"THAT IS WHERE YOUR ARE WRONG OZAI!" a fresh voice bellowed from the doors. Yuudai turned and saw his irate father storming towards the throne, apparently having enough of his brother for one day.

"YOU MAY NOT SEE WHAT MY ADOPTED SON HAS TO OFFER, BUT I REFUSE TO LET CONTINUE TO INSULT MY NAME THROUGH HIM!" Iroh roared, silencing Ozai. The Fire Lord leaned back in his chair, folding his hands with a smirk on his face. Perhaps he could turn this change into an advantage, embarrassing two people he hated in the process.

"Very well, brother. Present his case to the court."

"Yuudai may not be my blood, but he is my heir and my son. He has recently attained the rank of Master Firebender, surpassing all others before him, including you and me, in his trial by combat. He has more claim than this arrogant upstart of a commander, no matter what his rank says." Ozai chuckled at his brother's fiery outburst and gave him a slow, mocking round of applause.

"Well said, Iroh. I see now that no one can refute your son's claim. This is what I propose: you boast about his prowess in combat, well then let him demonstrate against Admiral Zhao." The whispers that ran through the court earlier came back like wildfire. Zhao was renowned as the greatest fighter in the army; the man had literally beaten his way to the top. Ozai had played this card, convinced it would cause his brother and the peasant playing at royalty to submit. Yuudai simply smirked and met his so-called uncle eye to eye.

"I accept," he simply stated, sending the room into frenzy. Ozai's arrogant smile disappeared in an instant, and Zhao seemed to shrink before the mightier young man. He hadn't fought a duel in years, and never against a warrior of this quality.

"Very well!" Ozai boomed, regaining composure in the face of embarrassment, "the contest will happen in one hour in the courtyard. Whomever wins will claim the right to marry my daughter."