Chapter 3: Discussions

Aang sat down in front of Zuko. The two siblings sat down. Zuko shifted on the ground uncomfortably. This isn't awkward, at all. "So, I guess I'll start as to why I decided to join you guys," he sat up and continued," My great-grandfathers are Firelord Souzin and Avatar Rouku-"

"Really?" asked the baffled trio.

"Please, no interruptions. As I was saying, they're my great-grandfathers. Uncle said that is the reason I struggle so much. I'm split inside into two parts. Should I help the fire nation? Or teach the Avatar and possibly destroy the nation?

"When I returned to my home, I found it was not what I had expected. My father was proud of something I did not do. Azula had lied to him about her killing the Avatar. She said it was me. It's difficult to live under false pride.

"My Uncle was in prison this entire time. I visited him. I tried to get his help, but he refused. I don't blame him. He was the one who encouraged me to find out about my great-grandfathers." Zuko paused.

Aang had gotten solemn and Katara looked like she was going to bust out with a million questions. Sokka was quiet. He was pondering on Zuko's information.

"Questions? Comments?" Zuko asked. He was slightly amused by their facial expressions.

"How do we know that you're not going to turn on us like last time?" Katara asked.

"Good question. I'm not welcome back there anymore. During the eclipse, I spoke with my father. Let's just say that he isn't too happy with me, now. Besides it wasn't the first time I went against him," Zuko looked meaningfully at Aang.

"How many times have you helped us Zuko?" Aang asked.

"Four times, if teaching you counts."

"When did you help us before?" Katara asked suspiciously.

"I freed Aang when he was captured by Zhao. Azula caught up with you guys, and uncle and I fought. In Ba Sing Se, I freed Appa from the Di Li," Zuko said.

Sokka snapped back to reality. "When was Aang captured by Zhao?"

"When you two were sick. I'll have to say, I didn't know you rescued Appa. No wonder he was able to get to us on time," Aang answered smoothly.

"How did you get past Zhao without him noticing it was you?" Katara asked. For all she knew, it was a set up.

"I went as the Blue Spirit on both rescue missions. Ask Aang. He saw me when I rescued him. Are you three satisfied?"

The two nodded and got up to leave. Zuko looked at Aang, who looked at Zuko.

"Yeah?" Zuko asked cautiously.

"'Yeah?' Is that anyway to speak to your great-grandfather?" Aang asked. Aang let out a laugh before turning solemn suddenly.

"You know what happened to your great-grandfathers, right?" Aang asked.

"Yes. Don't worry. My great-grandfather Rouku will keep me in line. Besides, the two fought together to save people, remember?"

Aang smiled. "Yeah! Hey, let's go see what the battle plan is!"

Mai wandered over to the prison barracks. She didn't really like going to this part of the traing camp, but she had to find Azula. Faint screams could be heard outside the small room. Azula was having fun. Mai took a deep breath and entered the room.

Azula stood over the cowering girl. Her golden eyes glistened with mirth. Bloodlust ran strong throughout the royal families. Azula's back and red dress was clean. Her blade and boots were tainted with blood. The princess took out a red handkerchief and wiped the blade.

The pale little girl scrambled away from her tormentor. Her raven black hair was messed.

"Yes, Mai?" Azula asked calmly.

"The Firelord demands your presence," Mai said. She was slightly curious as to why His Majesty needed his perfect daughter.

Azula stiffened slightly before relaxing. "Very well. Thank you Mai."

Sokka set up his plans in the front of the room. He mentally prepared himself to give his presentation. He smiled at his small audience. Finally, Zuko and Aang took their seats on the ground and he began.

"We'll have to start our invasion from a different point. This island, right here, will give us the best angle to breach the gates. We'll come in on Appa as a cloud. Any attacks on us will be blocked by Zuko. We're going to land, around here. If that spot is taken then we'll go here. Zuko, Aang, and Katara will go to the palace to search for the Fire Lord. Haru, Toph, and I will stick as close to your backs as we can. Teo will fly overhead and drop bombs on soilders' heads and tear holes in balloons with knives. The Duke will supply Teo with bombs from above on Appa. Once we get to the palace, my group will keep any Fire soldiers from getting to Aang's group. Any questions so far?"

"What about the others from last time?" Katara asked softly.

Sokka looked at his little sister. He swallowed down the urge to give in and save them first, but didn't. "We might not be save any of our last soldiers. We need to overthrow the Fire Lord and then we'll save our soldiers. The Fire Lord is our priority."

"Okay." Katara said. She took a deep breathe and exhaled slowly. She felt like someone had knocked the wind out of her, but Sokka must have felt that way too. She had to be strong too.

Sokka looked around the room again before he jumped back to the rest of his plan. "Once Aang's group is done, they'll call Appa. Appa is the signal for everyone to head inside the palace. Once inside the palace, we will secure the throne room. Zuko or, if Zuko doesn't make it, Aang will be crowned Fire Lord. I will discuss individual groups separately. Aang's group is first. My group and Teo's group have break now. I'll get you two later."

Duke and Haru stood and exited the room. Sokka faced the small group there, and started to go through different scenarios.

(A/N: Since I have to write what they do, then I'll just not type up different scenarios. You just need to know that Sokka planned for a lot of things to happen.)

"Father," Azula acknowledged her father. She dropped to her knees and bowed down before his throne. Her forehead was a fraction of an inch off the ground. She calmed herself and continued to speak. "I heard that you are displeased with me, Father. Did I deal falsely with you?"

The Fire Lord stepped through the flames that blocked the throne. The fire parted before its master before it died. "Rise, Azula, my daughter," he said. His voice was fatherly and Azula unconsciously took comfort in it and rose. She faced her father, and he looked at her kindly.

A harsh smack resonated in the room as his hand caught her unguarded left cheek. With a small gasp, she stumbled to the side slightly and fell to her knees. Her cheek burned, but she didn't dare rub it, less she anger him. Her pride was injured as was her cheek. Her face would portray her father's displeasure for the rest of the day. Hopefully, he would leave it like that. She berated herself. Having hope was wrung out of her by the time she was twelve.

"You know your fault with me. You are dismissed," The Fire Lord said calmly.

Azula picked herself off the ground and bowed to her father. "Thank you, Father," she monotonously replied.

The group ate in silence. They were still processing the information that Sokka had given them. Zuko had been a helpful asset. He taught Sokka how a fire nation solider thought. Aang and Katara left together. Later Sokka and The Duke left to go to their sleeping quarters. Haru and Teo left soon after the later four. Zuko sat alone. He enjoyed the silence that everyone had left.

His mind moved forward to his minor problem. How was he going to go to sleep tonight? He kept on dozing in and out. He needed to focus for the battle. His arms crossed his chest as he pondered on different methods. He could always get someone to knock him out, but he remembered his uncle saying that forced unconscious was bad for the health. Option B was to do what his uncle did, which was to drink tea. But what kind of tea?

"Whatcha thinkin' about?"

Zuko would have made an undignified sound if he wasn't already used to Ty Lee jumping up at him from behind. Toph was leaning against the wall. He remembered that she never left. He let out a small sigh, he let his guard down.

"Ways to get to sleep," he said honestly.

"Hm, weird, you're telling the truth. You havin' trouble getting some sleep around here?"

"Yeah."

"I could always knock you out."

Zuko sweat-dropped.

"Aang I've been wanting to talk to you for quite some time," Katara said.

Aang's eyes got wide. He was very perceptive. He shifted uncomfortably.

"Uh, what is it?" Aang asked. He tried to sound clueless, but failed.

"You know, what happened before the eclipse. Is that really how you feel about me?"

Aang gulped. He could say no and possibly hurt her feelings or even worse, have her relieved. He could also say yes, and they would go out and stuff. Yes could also mean rejection. He made up his mind right then and there.

"Yes, but, Katara, I don't think it is wise of us to do anything now."

"Why not? You like me, and I like you. What's there to stop us?"

"Katara, we should be careful. I mean, you and I might not make it."

"Exactly! We might never get the chance to be together," Katara said. She felt like crying and screaming at the same time. She sat down on the ground. Aang felt a little helpless and walked over to her. He kneeled down and draped his arm around her.

"We're already together, kinda. I've liked you for a long time, Katara. Let's just wait. There's no need to rush things. I mean after the Fire Lord's defeated, and then we can coast to peace."

"You sounded like we weren't going to make it a while ago."

"I changed my mind. People do that." He turned and hugged her gently. Katara slipped her arms around his neck in return. They would figure something out.

"Hm, it looks good. I can barely see it now!"

"Thank you Ty Lee," Azula said. She put away her cosmetic kit and re-did her hair. Ty Lee went back to stretching out her legs.

"I'm going to play with my pet now," Azula said quietly. She was going to give that bitch hell.

Ty Lee looked at Azula's back. Her face portrayed concern over her friend. Azula had never been punished, ever. Ty Lee stood up and brushed herself off. She tried to decide whether to find Mai to kill time or go to the prisoners. Mai was good company, even though it was like talking to a rock. She grinned. Maybe she would talk with the prisoners. They were fascinating people. She had been in a circus that traveled past the Fire Nation borders. Different cultures interested her and she was always up for swapping legends and stories.

She walked out the door with her destination in mind. She hadn't seen those prisoners in a while.

Uh, I don't really like this Chp. Thank you, my two reviewers friend that doesn't have an account.