The Best Romances

Deserve Second Chances

"The Betrayal"

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Volcanic Reef, the last island before the Red Gulf and Lava Isle. The reef part of the island is non-existent, but the volcanic part couldn't be any more true. Volcanic Reef was created by the volcano's lava spew hardening from contact with sea water. The ship made dock in the harbor by dawn after four days of sailing, and all but Zuko stayed on the ship for some much needed sleep. Zuko woke early to set about the town. He bought breakfast and saw a very familiar face as he ate.

"Aang, what brings you here?"

"Zuko. I have bad news for you."

Aang was the pinnacle of power in the world. A master in all four elements, he couldn't be bested. He handled his power with grace, but somehow physically showed he wasn't afraid to use it.

"It's Inu. She's done something..."

"What? She's can't be back at the palace already? Can she?"

"She is, and has passed a law in your name. Saying you gave her permission to do so."

"What law! I've told her nothing of the sort."

"A segregation law. It's a start but it's scary."

"Segregating who?"

"Benders from non-benders."

Zuko sat in silence.

"I'm sure you will resolve this issue once you get back home after you deal with Azula."

"Azula? I'm dealing with a person named Harley."

"Don't play dumb with me," Aang said his tattoos glowing, "I know Ozai has escaped, and I know that Azula hired Harley."

"Azula is behind Harley..." Zuko's mind was racing to catch up to the facts that now faced him.

"I'll tell Sokka and Toph for you, but take down that law. Who knows what could happen if it stayed in effect."

"I promise I will Aang."

"Good, I'll see you then. Bye." and with a wave of his hand Aang walked away heading towards the dock.

Zuko got out of his chair, rose and went to take a shower hoping that he would wake up from this nightmare. Washed up and now of a clearer mind, Zuko still finds himself not awoken from his nightmare.

"A segregation law," he thought out loud, "a segregation law!" he punched the wall, and ruffled his hand through his hair, "Is that even legal? Can someone pass a law like that? Can someone even pass a law with me there? Damnit!"

"Wait, woah, time out Aang, that's not possible, Zuko isn't there." Sokka pointed out.

"I just said, 'Inu had permission from Zuko.' Sokka."

"Are you blaming Zuko for this?" Toph questioned to the Avatar.

"Should I? Did he give her permission to pass this law?"

"Never. And you know that yourself." Sokka readily defended.

"People change. For many reasons, most of them secrets, but don't let it phase you if Zuko has changed."

"Where is Zuko?" Toph wondered.

"Zuko..."

"Whaaat?" Zuko blankly stared into the hotel room ceiling.

"A segregation law? I remember when I tired to pass such a law."

"What are you talking about Sozin?"

"Of course it was passed, I mean, I was the Fire Lord after all."
"I had no intention of passing such a law, I know what happened when you did."

"Oh, so you know of the massive riots, the social class was literally split in two. Military, civilian, even political?"

"No, I didn't..." Zuko now remembered.

"That's right, I burned all the negative information from all history books. Only someone from that time would have known the real facts."

"So what else happened?"

"Avatar Roku was very angry at me. Much like Avatar Aang is at you."

"Why?"

"It's an Avatar's job to help keep and promote balance, peace, prosperity, and order. It's rather hard to do that when you separate the two biggest racial classes. Roku and I were growing farther apart up to that time, but after the law was passed, we never saw each other until we fought where I killed him."

"So are you saying Aang and I will fight ending with me killing him?"

"Those who don't know history tend to repeat it."

"But why pass the law in the first place?"

"Many reasons, all corrupt. One, is taxes. Two classes means two different taxes. The rest can't be justified enough. It pits a person against a person, families against themselves, hell, a civil war broke out inside the Nation. This is something THAT YOU SHOULD NOT HAVE DONE!"

"I'm going to fix this. I promise."

"Fire Lord Zuko, do not make the same mistake as I did. I lost my best friend, my nation, my honor, my family, everything lost to this damned law."

"Zuko's at a hotel, Toph." Aang answered.

"Thanks Aang," Sokka said resting a hand on the Avatar's chest, "but we need to head out again."

"I can't help you anymore than this. This fight or chase or whatever this is, must be decided and dealt with by Zuko." Aang said, "Goodbye." Aang bended onto Appa and with the command he flew off.

"This royally sucks." Toph pouted.

"Suck it up Toph," Sokka joked, "it could be worse."

"Don't jinx it." Toph said as she knocked on metal.

"I'm going to get Zuko, start up the ship." Sokka commanded.

Sokka ventured into town looking for the Fire Lord. The town center was crowded more than he expected for such a small town.

"Sokka!" Zuko shouted out as soon as he spotted his friend.

"Zuko!" Sokka responded and greeted the Fire Lord in a hug, "Let's get going."

"Of course, where are we off too now?" Zuko asked as the two of them began walking back to the ship.

"The Red Gulf, and finally, Lava Isle."

"And Azula is there at Lava Isle?"

"She has to be."

"And if she isn't?"

"Well … then we sail back to the Palace and repeal that law."

"So Aang told you then?"

"Yes. You screwed up big time Zuko."

"I did nothing, that was all Inu's idea."

"And what about your mother! Doesn't the mother of the Fire Lord have any say?" Sokka screamed in frustration causing a scene.

"No, not that I married Mai. Mom is out of the picture after the marriage, technically out of the blood line."

"Still, her opinions must still be respected."

"I don't know. I doubt Mom is back home, since Inu betrayed me."

"Let's get going."

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But why is it so short? First off, that's what she said, and secondly, be prepared for the BEST, LONGEST, MOST EPIC AWESOME SPECTACULAR AMAZING ENORMOUS, finale of ALL TIME. Seriously, I have sh*t load prepared for the ending of this book. Finale starts next chapter and ends with the one after that, so in total TWO MORE CHAPTERS!