Chapter 25: After the War

Dear Jin,

Running a country that just lost a war and whose economy has just collapsed is impossible.

Aang has a bunch of ideas for how to help out, but most of them are really stupid. He thinks we should use the navy to give world tour cruises and that we should offer to let people jump from the airships into the ocean because it would be fun. I'm running a country not an amusement park.

He did however come up with the idea to rebuild one of the Air Temples so he can have a base to restore the Air Nomads. He has a plan on how to do that, but it was a bunch of complicated Spirit-World Avatar stuff that didn't make any sense to me. We could send a group of soldiers to help with repairs. It would be work for the soldiers (most of whom are now unemployed) and it would be a small step toward reparations with the Air Nomads (which right now is just Aang. It's a good thing that he's easy going about it.) He's thinking of starting with the Western Air Temple as it's closest to the Fire Nation, and is in the best shape, but he's also considering the Southern Air Temple. It's his home after all, and then he would be closer to the South Pole. But I think he's hesitant to see Fire Nation soldiers there again.

Toph has already agreed to lead the reconstruction group. She may be on speaking terms with her parents, but she's not ready to go home yet. I told her that she can stay in the Fire Nation in an advisory capacity for as long as she wants.

She's already been very helpful. I met with each of the Admirals and Generals and advisors to find out who was loyal and who needed to retire to Ember Island. Toph sat behind my throne and whispered if they were lying or not (and other things that were less useful.) She's having a good time.

Demilitarization is going very slowly. I had a few Captains the other day who refused to return from their post because they didn't recognize me as Fire Lord. I had to send out a few of my own ships to bring them back, and there was a sticky moment when I thought shots might be fired. Everything turned out alright, but the situation is still tense.

I got yet another death threat today from a group of Ozai supporters. I really hope that all they do is send threats, but security has been tightened around the palace. That makes it difficult to present myself as an open, listening, reachable leader.

Please, don't worry about it. It's no big deal.

Katara says that she's healed my chest wound as much as she can. She says that I'll be fine, but it still aches and I can't lift my arms over my head. I think she was getting really irritated with me because she was really excited and disappeared as soon as Aang showed up. I'm glad that she's stopped pestering me all the time about how I should rest and "Any news on when Aang's getting here?"

Now she has to deal with Sokka's complaining. He whines ten times worse than me.

Sokka's having a rough time. He's still walking with a crutch, Katara keeps nagging him about his leg, he lost his boomerang and his space sword in the final battle, and it's pretty obvious that Suki's going to dump him after the peace talks and go back to Kyoshi Island while he returns to the South Pole. It's kind of miserable to be around him.

How is the Jasmine Dragon? Has it changed much since I was last there? They've changed management a few times since then. I'm sure Mimi has a lot to say about the subject.

I wish you were here. See you soon.

Love,

Lee

Dear Lee,

I'm so sorry I missed your coronation. I'm devastated. I hate myself. The biggest day of your life and I'm stuck here with these idiots. I'm very glad you'll be here next week. I've missed you, and I need to see for myself how bad your lightning injury is. I know that you haven't been taking care of it. I don't care how busy you are, I want you to eat three meals a day and get lots of sleep and don't over exert yourself.

Still no luck finding someone to head the Dai Li. We managed to round them all up and put them in holding cells. There weren't enough cells to hold earth benders (or earth benders who aren't drugged), so we had to build a bunch of new ones. It's a nightmare. We went through the Dai Li's records and guess what. We found Hyun Su. He and about a dozen other masters were brainwashed and were acting as Dai Li agents. The water benders are working on them, but they aren't having much luck. I've written to the Northern Water tribe and asked if they could send some master healers with their delegation to the peace talks. I'm hoping that they can take a look at some people who have had their earth bending removed. I need to ask Aang what he thinks about that, and maybe I'll write to your friend Ty Lee.

There are a handful of Dai Li who went with Princess Azula to the Fire Nation. I heard that they were banished, but they haven't shown up here. Maybe they heard that we were rounding up the Dai Li and made a break for it. But I'm worried that they might pop up here and make trouble. Can you keep an eye out for me?

The rebuilding of the outer wall is going well. It's apparently much harder to build a wall than to take it down. I went out today to take a look at their progress. Everyone is in high spirits and a group of women come by everyday with food for the workers. They even had someone play the tsungi horn during a break. It made me think of you. I bet that makes you happy.

Rebuilding after the fires is not going as smoothly. Several nobles think that the lower ring rebuilding is a lower priority and they're being pretty snooty about the manners of the lower ring work details rebuilding in the upper ring. I told them that if they didn't like it then they could do the work themselves. I think they just want something to bitch about.

Dr. Isamu says that they're going to reopen the University for the fall term. It's good news even if I won't be going.

The earth sages are planning to crown "our glorious new monarch" tomorrow. I think the ceremony will be nice. It's going to be small and quick. It'll be nothing in comparison to yours, I'm sure, but it's still been a pain to organize. Maybe Kuei will show up this evening and it won't happen. But there hasn't been any word from him and no one seems to think he's coming back.

Your uncle is doing well. He's going to serve tea at the coronation. He's very excited about it. He's been joking that the girls are running the shop so well that they've made him obsolete. Everyone's still calling him Mushi and the girls' attitude toward him hasn't changed. Quon was shocked to find out that he was the Dragon of the West. Pao was too. I stopped in to see him on my way back from the wall this afternoon. When he saw me he screamed and broke the pot he was holding. Poor thing.

Mimi says to tell you that you're an ass for getting captured, and a jerk for being crowned Fire Lord and not coming back. I think she misses you.

I told Smellerbee about your mother. She immediately volunteered to go look for her. I think she's already itching for another adventure. Longshot, on the other hand, wants to move out to the country and live a peaceful life on a farm. I've no idea what they'll end up doing.

I'm sorry that General Sung is such an idiot. I really wish he wasn't. His idea of having the peace talks on neutral ground was a good idea, but I have no clue where he got the idea that Ba Sing Se was neutral ground. Jerk. It would have made so much more sense to have the peace talks in the Fire Nation, as most of the delegates were there anyway for your coronation. Then I would have been able to be there. Thank you for being so reasonable about it, I guess.

You're going to be greeted like a hero here. They've planned a parade all the way from the outer wall to the palace. Wear comfortable shoes.

How is your sister? Any change? Is she still catatonic? How is Ozai? Remember that he only spits on you because he loves you.

I'm so sorry that you have to go through all of this. I know it must be extremely difficult for you. I wish I could be there to give you love and encouragement and strength, but remember that I'm with you in spirit and that you are brave and good.

I love you and I always will.

Yours,

Jin

Dear Jin,

Tell Mimi that whatever I'm up to doesn't change the fact that she's a slut. A freckled slut.

How was the coronation? I'm sure my uncle had a fantastic time and wants to talk about it with everyone. I wrote to him and congratulated him on serving tea to the new Earth King so there's no need to remind me to do it. I also wrote to the Earth King and gave him my congratulations and a token of friendship, so you don't have to remind me to do that either.

At long last I finalized the list of delegates that the Fire Nation will be bringing to the peace conference. This is a great load off my mind. I sent all the information to the peace talk organizer, but I kind of suspect that that's you. Am I right? Well, if it is, then you will be getting a very formal letter from me that talks about a whole lot of boring crap. If it's not you, then be glad that you don't have to read all that.

Toph got in a fight with one of the palace guards. They destroyed one of the gardens and then became best friends and went and caused more damage in town. I threatened to send her back to her parents and murder that guard, but she just laughed at me. What am I supposed to do with her?

Sokka's been haunting every weapon shop in the capital trying to find a boomerang. None of them are up to Southern Water Tribe standards and I told him that he should just wait a few weeks until he gets back home instead of complaining about it and bothering all the merchants.

Azula came out of her stupor a few days ago. She started shrieking gibberish and pretty badly scratched one of the nurses who was holding her down. They drugged her and now she's back to being catatonic. They're keeping her nails trimmed now. She didn't try to fire bend. Maybe that's a good thing. It means that she didn't blow up half the hospital. But it worries me a little. Maybe she's forgotten how.

They've been bringing her outside and she sits on the grass for hours and moves her face to follow the sun. They cut her hair short. It actually looks nice. Ty Lee used the word "cute." She went to go visit Azula the other day. Mai didn't go with her because she's still too angry.

Ty Lee says that she would be happy to talk to you or the healers or whoever about the flow of chi. She doesn't know if she will be any help, but she says that the more knowledge you have, the better. She and the rest of the Kyoshi warriors are coming with us to Ba Sing Se for the peace talks. When they're done they're all going back to Kyoshi Island, and from there the Water Tribe and Aang are continuing on to the South Pole.

I have a suite set up in the palace for you. I think you'll like it, but you can change whatever you want. I tried to tone down the reds, so it's mostly golds and browns. There's a private courtyard attached with a little pond and some orchids. I don't know what kind they are, but the gardener says that they're good ones. I also met with your team of personal servants. There are three of them (an old woman and two teenage assistants). They all seem very nice and competent and they understand that you're not used to palace life. I told them to get your wardrobe ready for you, but that you were particular about your clothes and might want to pick your outfits out yourself. I also had the staff clean up the library. I remember it being pretty nice when I was a kid, but it's fallen into disrepair lately. I had someone buy a bunch of Earth Kingdom stuff to supplement the collection. I hope you like what he picked out. I recognized a few of the titles.

I've also been interviewing private tutors so that you can continue your studies if you want. There is one very interesting applicant who focuses on history and politics and public policy. He was very interested in your ideas about using mass media to bring information to the public and draw attention to wrong doings. He sounded a lot like that guy you liked at Ba Sing Se University. You know: kind of an ass. Then there is another one who is a writer and poet and musician. He'd be good if you really want to focus on your style. I'm not really sure which way you want to go. I'm enclosing a copy of their applications. Let me know if I should expand my search to the Earth Kingdom.

I'm excited to see you again and show you the palace. I really hope you like it.

I love you,

Lee

The new Earth King sent him a rather nice letter. It covered all the typical topics: congratulating him on his coronation, thanking him for his part in ending the war, offering the hand of peace and friendship between their two nations, and that he was looking forward to seeing him at the peace talks. Zuko had received hundreds of such letters.

The royal seal was at the bottom where a signature would be. Like all other Earth Kings, it was in the shape of a coin – a circle with a square inside. Kuei's had had a carp arched across the top and the phrase "For a tree to become tall it must grow tough roots among the rocks." Whatever that meant. But the new Earth King had a dragon encircling the square. The beast was entwined with what looked like cherry blossoms.

Why was a plant strangling a symbol of the Fire Nation on the Earth King's royal seal? It was beyond weird, and Zuko decided that it did not bode well.

Upon arriving at the Ba Sing Se Port, they were greeted by an Earth Kingdom guide, whose name was surprisingly not Joo Dee. She was polite, enthusiastic, and pushy. Toph hated her immediately, but it took Zuko about an hour to decide that he didn't like her.

She brought detailed instructions on how the parade was to be conducted straight from their new glorious monarch (as absolutely everyone phrased it.) That was fine, as Jin had already forewarned him about the celebration. The bad part was that the guide came prepared with a set of fine Earth Kingdom robes for Zuko to wear.

He blinked at her. "Why? I have my own clothes."

"Our glorious new monarch feels that it would be prudent for you to enter the city as a resident of Ba Sing Se and as the esteemed hero Lee of the Jasmine Dragon instead of marching in as the Fire Lord at the head of a Fire Nation delegation. I'm sure you understand that the last time the Fire Nation entered the city it was an unpleasant experience."

Fine. Whatever. He was trying to be nice and make everyone happy and he didn't really have a reason to argue with her. It was mostly just annoying that the Earth King was already trying to push him around.

The clothes were really nice – not that he was going to say that out loud. It was the kind of outfit that he used to wear while living in the upper ring, only made of nicer fabric. Just to be difficult, he changed during their guide's explanation of the parade setup and route. Aang and Sokka snorted and the guide turned red, but she continued as if he was giving her his full attention.

They lined up outside the outer wall, not looking forward to the all day trip to the palace. Thankfully, they provided him with an emu-horse so he wouldn't have to walk the whole way. He could have done without it. It's just that he would have complained the whole time.

Absolutely nothing happened as they passed through the agrarian section. They didn't see a living soul and the harolds that marched in front of them didn't even bother with their chant. It was a pleasant day and he decided to take it easy and enjoy the scenery. Sokka struck up a conversation about what kind of food the new Earth King was going to feed them.

"I hope it's boar-goat. Ooo! And cake. Lots of cake with strawberries and that nice sweet stuff. What's that stuff called?... It's brown and sweet and tastes good?... Anyway, I hope they have it. Do you think they'd get it if I asked?... What if I asked real nice?... I'm a hero damn it!"

The party really started when they entered the lower ring. It was as though they were hit by a wall of sound as the gates opened. They were engulfed in cheers and confetti. People were crowded along the sides of the street, shoving one another to get a good view. Children were lifted onto their parents' shoulders. People waved from second and third story windows.

The harolds began their chant.

"People of Ba Sing Se, make way for your heroes.

Avatar Aang, the last air bender, who has defeated Fire Lord Ozai and brought an end to the great war.

Brave Master Katara, of the Southern Water Tribe, the Avatar's water bending master.

Mighty Master Toph Bei Fong of Gaoling, the Avatar's earth bending master.

Wise Sokka of the Southern Water Tribe, who brought down the airship fleet.

Lee of the Jasmine Dragon, who has returned as Fire Lord Zuko and the Avatar's fire bending master.

People of Ba Sing Se, make way for your heroes…"

There was wild applause every time Aang's name came around and then again when Lee's name was mentioned. He found himself smiling and waving and silently admitting that the Earth King was probably on to something by introducing him this way. He could hear another harold quite a ways behind him announcing the Kyoshi warriors.

Sokka and Toph were really getting into it. They blew kisses at the crowd and yelled "thank you, thank you, all in a day's work." Katara tried to get Sokka to calm down, while trying to shush Toph and keep the small girl on her emu-horse.

About three-quarters of the way through the lower ring, he made out a single shout from the crowd. "Lee! Lee!" He scanned the crowd until his gaze landed on a thin woman, who was smiling a sad, beautiful smile, and waving from over a man's shoulder. He pulled his mount to a stop, causing the whole procession to halt in confusion. He slipped from his emu-horse and pulled the woman from the crowd.

Jin's mother enveloped him in a warm hug. "Lee dear. You've done so well." He was so much taller than her that it was a little strange, but for some reason he didn't pay it any mind, just as he didn't give any thought to the crowd watching him. She was a reminder that Jin was near, and this city really did care for him. She kissed his cheek before pulling back and telling him to get a move on and stop by for diner sometime.

The middle ring was less populated and therefore less noisy. Slightly less noisy. They made up for it with the sheer amount of confetti that they launched into the air.

The upper ring was by far the most civilized. No one threw anything at them, and cheered in a very organized sort of way. Or at least they did until the procession passed the Jasmine Dragon. The parade route seemed to be contrived so that they had to pass the tea house, as they made several unnecessary turns that led them straight past.

The girls were on the balcony, with signs and friends and streamers and firecrackers. Their cheering was almost deafening. Zuko just laughed at them and hoped that they wouldn't damage the roof with a stray firecracker.

They dismounted when they reached the palace wall late in the afternoon. Sokka again mentioned the cake that he was expecting to see before Katara elbowed him in the ribs.

The flight of stairs leading up to the palace was long and looked as though it had been recently repaired. They could see a delegation standing at the palace entrance to greet them. Generals and well dressed ministers stood on either side of the Earth King's palanquin. Zuko couldn't see the King's face through the curtains, but he could make out a silhouette. He didn't concern himself with it too much as he probably wouldn't see the man's face for several days.

A spokesman stood next to the palanquin and greeted the members of the Water Tribe delegation on behalf of their new glorious monarch. The delegation was then led into the palace and the spokesmen greeted the Fire Nation delegation.

Team Avatar stepped forward in turn, flanking Aang on either side, and gave low bows. The spokesman began speaking, but his voice was immediately cut off. Zuko raised his head slightly to see the Earth King's thin hand emerge from between the curtains and he immediately averted his eyes downward again. Everyone on the dais fell to their knees as the Earth King stood to greet the Avatar.

"Welcome, Avatar. The people of Ba Sing Se and the people of the entire world owe you their freedom and their lives." Zuko's head shot up. "On behalf of my people, I offer you my eternal gratitude."

Zuko was now standing straight and gaping with his jaw hanging and his eyes wide. What? What the hell?

The new glorious monarch was in fact a Queen - a beautiful Queen - whose attention slipped briefly from Aang to Zuko, causing her familiar smile to flicker ever so slightly. Lee was the only one who could recognize the wealth of emotion in her green eyes.