Chapter 20 - The New Fire Lord

It was almost dawn, thousands of people had come to see the coronation of Iroh. Zuko was dressed in his best out fit. Azula was being watched by the guards in the infirmary. The Fire Sage walked up the stairs, followed by Iroh. Zuko was waiting at the top, holding a satin pillow, with the crown placed upon it.

The fire sage spoke, "We are gathered here, for the coronation of Iroh, and the resignement of Fire Lord Zuko."

The crowd began to whisper.

"People of the Fire Nation, I am resigning my place as Fire Lord, to take back something I have lost -"

Zuko paused when he saw a familiar face in the crowd, a face that he hasn't seen in a long time.

"Mom?" asked Zuko.

Zuko's mother walked up the stairs.

"Zuko." said Ursa, as she came to embrace her son. "I'm sorry it took me this long to come back."

"Why did you leave?" asked Zuko.

"Some things are better left unsaid." said Ursa.

"It's good to see you again Princess Ursa." said the Fire Sage.

"Continue with your speech Zuko." said Ursa.

Zuko faced the crowd.

"I am resigning from my place as Fire Lord, to take back something I have lost. I lost the person who I cared deeply for, actually I cared for two people. Before I met this person, I only cared about capturing the Avatar, and getting back my honor, but she taught me more than that. Now we have a daughter named Mei. I care for them so much, that I'm willing to sacrifice this great honor of being Fire Lord. So now, I give this honor to my Uncle Iroh. A strong, patient and sensible man, who helped me through those long years being banished from the Fire Nation. A man, who acted like a real father to me." said Zuko. "I owe him a lot, and now I'm giving him what he really deserves."

Iroh walked over to Zuko.

"Zuko, I hope you will have a safe journey to the South Pole." said Iroh. "Say hello to Katara and Mei for me."

"I will." said Zuko.

"Ursa, I'm sorry that Ozai isn't around anymore." said Iroh.

"That's okay Iroh." said Ursa. "I have him engraved in my heart."

The Fire Sage walked over to Zuko, and grabbed the crown.

"I now crown you, Fire Lord Iroh." said the Fire Sage, and he placed the crown upon Iroh's head.

The crowd cheered. The sun went down below the horizon. Rows of fire torches were lit, and the ceremony began, in celebration of the new Fire Lord, and Zuko's trip to the South Pole.

Meanwhile in the South Pole.

"Katara! Let's go penguin sledding. Just the two of us." said Aang.

"Maybe later." said Katara. "I have to take care of Gran Gran."

"Can I go Uncle Aang?" asked Mei.

"Can she Katara?" asked Aang.

"Alright. Be careful though." said Katara.

"Yay! Come on uncle, let's go!" cheered Mei.

"You're back from the Fire Nation already?" asked Hakoda.

"You told him didn't you?" asked Katara to Sokka.

Sokka hung his coat on the rack. "What? I didn't tell him everything that happened."

"So, where's my new granddaughter?" asked Hakoda. "It's about time I saw her."

"She went to go penguin sledding with Aang." said Katara.

"Who's the father?" asked Hakoda.

"I'd rather not mention his name." said Katara.

"Oh?" asked Hakoda. "Alright then. When are you heading back to the North Pole?"

"Tomorrow." said Katara. "I just wanted to check on Gran Gran."

"I didn't need you to check on me dear. I'm still as strong as ever." said Gran Gran.

Katara laughed. "Yes, for a ninety year old, you sure are."

Fire Nation

"Have some rice cakes Zuko. They're your favorite." said Ursa.

"No thanks." said Zuko.

"I went to check on your sister." said Ursa. "You gave her a horrible scar on her left eye."

"She deserves it." said Zuko. "Did you see the eye patch on her right eye? I gave that to her too."

"I thought I told you that fighting doesn't solve anything." said Ursa.

"Mom, I'm twenty years old. I think I'm old enough to decide for myself." said Zuko.

"I know, but you could've made a wiser choice." said Ursa, as she placed her arms around him.

"Do you like the scar father gave me?" asked Zuko.

"Of course not." said Ursa. "Iroh told me what happened."

"Oh." said Zuko.

"Tell me about this special person." said Ursa.

"Her name is Katara." said Zuko.

"Water Tribe girl?" asked Ursa.

"Yeah." said Zuko. "She's not like the other girls, she's, wonderful."

"My son is in love." said Ursa.

"Mom." whined Zuko. "Please, I'm not eight anymore."

"I know, I know. I'm just recovering old memories." said Ursa.

Zuko leaned on his mother's shoulder.

"I miss your warm embrace mom." said Zuko. "I miss them a lot."

"I miss your smile." said Ursa. "It must've been hard for you."

"I made it through." said Zuko.

"That's my son." said Ursa.

South Pole

"Mommy we're back!" yelled Mei.

"Ahh, so this must be my new granddaughter." said Hakoda as he picked her up. "What's your name little one?"

Mei smiled. "It's Mei. What's your name?"

Hakoda laughed. "Grandpa Hakoda. I'm your mother's father."

"Yay! Grandpa!" cheered Mei, and he hugged him.

"She sure is a cheerful little one." said Hakoda. "She takes after you Katara."

Katara laughed. "She sure does. Come on Mei, it's time for your bath."

"I don't smell that bad." said Mei.

"You can't smell it?" asked Katara.

Mei nodded no.

"You smell horrible." said Katara.

"No I don't." whined Mei.

"Sokka, tell me about Mei's father." said Hakoda.

"I don't know if Katara would like it if I told you." said Sokka.

"I won't say anything to her." said Hakoda. "I promise."

"Katara liked this guy. He was a prince. They fell in love, and had Mei. Then something happened, Katara hates him, and she came here." said Sokka.

"You're not telling me everything." said Hakoda. "My granddaughter's skin is ivory, not brown, and her eyes doesn't look like Katara."

"Geez, you can spot everything can you dad?" asked Sokka.

"Mei's father is from the Fire Nation isn't he?" asked Hakoda.

"If you say so." said Sokka.

Fire Nation

After the ceremony, Zuko went up to his room. He walked out to the balcony and noticed the full moon. In his mind, he could only remember what Mei said to him, "Go away I hate you!" Even though it was from a little girl, those five words pierced him heavily.

"I'm coming back for you Mei." said Zuko.

End of Chapter 20

Author's Note: One more chapter left until the end.