Zuko is standing at the edge of the deck. The moon shines brightly through the clouds.
Cadi is tied up on the ship's deck being watch by Ty Lee as she helps the ship move faster toward the Fire Nation. They have a small conversation before Ari is dragged out. "So how has he been?" Ty Lee asked.
"He's had it rough but he made it through just fine."
"Did he miss me?"
Cadi stopped what she was doing and she was whipped with a fire whip. She started water bending again. "Yes, he did." She looked Ty Lee in the eye. "You know I could beat this entire crew and get away without a scratch?"
Ty Lee looked stunned at first but eventually nodded. "I know."
Cadi looked back to the person she was staring at longingly before Mai walked up.
…
"Aren't you cold?"
"I've got a lot on my mind. It's been so long. Over three years since I was home. I wonder what's changed. I wonder how I've changed."
"I just asked if you were cold. I didn't ask for your whole life story." She smiles and wraps her arms around Zuko. "Stop worrying." Mai pulls Zuko's face closer. Zuko and Mai kiss. Mai lets go of Zuko and walks off.
Cadi looks down in disgust. That should be me. She thought. I was the first to share a bed with him, I should be the only person allowed to kiss him like that. God, I miss him way more than I should at this point.
Zuko turns slightly. Mai kiss was sweet but it wasn't passionate. I miss my first kiss, my first time sharing something so important it was impossible to see it given to anyone else. I miss my first love. My only love. He thought as he looked back to the ocean.
…
They had arrived at the Fire Nation capital city and harbor. Lo and Li were seated on top of a very high balcony at the royal plaza facing a large crowd of Fire Nation citizens. Behind them is a large archway filled with flames.
"Your Princess Azula, clever and beautiful, disguised herself as the enemy and entered the Earth Kingdom's capital. In Ba Sing Se she found her brother, Zuko, and together, they faced the Avatar. And the Avatar fell, and the Earth Kingdom fell." They said together. "Azula's agents quickly overtook the entire city. They went to Ba Sing Se's Great Walls, and brought them down!"
"The armies of the Fire Nation surged through the wall and swarmed over Ba Sing Se, securing our victory. Now the heroes have returned home. Your princess, Azula!"
She walks towards the edge of the balcony and the crowd cheers for her.
"And after three long years, your prince has returned. Zuko!"
Zuko walked out onto the balcony and facing the crowd. The Fire Nation citizens cheer for him as he sullenly gazing over the crowd.
...
Cadi and Ari watched as Azula and Zuko walked out to see the crowd cheer.
"And after weeks of trying to bring down the Earth Kingdom, Your prince and princess have returned with the Earth Kingdom's Prince and Princess!"
The crowd roars as Azula and Zuko part and two guards bring Cadi and Ari to the crowd in chains. Azula takes Ari and Zuko took Cadi.
"You're an ass." Cadi said through her teeth.
"I know." He whispered back.
"But I still can't get over you." She leaned in the slightest bit so no one would notice.
"I miss you. Mai isn't like you. You're perfect." He rubbed her arm with his finger while he spoke, hoping no one would notice but not caring if they did.
Ari noticed.
…
Zuko is sitting at the edge of the turtle duck pond at the Fire Nation capital. Zuko tears a bread bun in half before throwing it into the pond. Azula's shadow passes over the turtle ducks, scaring them off.
"You seem so downcast. Has Mai gotten to you already? Though actually, Mai has been in a strangely good mood lately."
"I haven't seen Dad yet. I haven't seen him in three years, since I was banished."
"So what?"
"So, I didn't capture the Avatar."
"Who cares? The Avatar's dead. Unless you think he somehow miraculously survived."
Zuko looks down and away from Azula. No. There's no way he could've survived."
"Well, then I'm sure you have nothing to worry about. Except for trying to hide from Mai how you feel about that red head." Azula smirked as Zuko looked up. "I see things Zuko. I'd tell one of them it's over before I do. Besides, you'll be seeing them both enough. Father wants them to join us. They agreed willingly enough and they will be tremendous help with the war since they are considered the best of the benders. Since they agreed, they are free to roam the palace as they please."
Azula leaves.
…
Zuko kneels on the floor.
"I am proud of you, Prince Zuko. I am proud because your sister conquered Ba Sing Se. I am proud because, when your loyalty was tested by your treacherous uncle, you did the right thing, and captured the traitor. And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment. You slayed the Avatar. Ozai said to his son.
"What did you hear?"
"Azula told me everything. She said she was amazed and impressed with your power and ferocity at the moment of truth."
…
"Why'd you do it?" Zuko asked Azula, walking into her room.
"You're going to have to be a little more specific."
"Why did you tell Father That I was the one who killed the Avatar?"
"Can't this wait until morning?"
"It can't."
"Fine. You seemed so worried about how father would treat you because you hadn't captured the Avatar. I figured, if I gave you the credit, you'd have nothing to worry about."
"But why?"
"Call it a generous gesture. I wanted to thank you for your help, and I was happy to share the glory."
"You're lying."
"If you say so."
"You have another motive for doing this. I just haven't figure out what it is."
"Please, Zuko. What ulterior motive could I have? What could I possibly gain by letting you get all the glory for defeating the Avatar? Unless somehow, the Avatar was actually alive. All that glory would suddenly turn to shame and foolishness. But you said yourself that was impossible. Sleep well, Zuzu."
Azula lays her head on her pillow and closes her eyes.
…
Cadi lay motionless, awake in her guest bedroom. It was softer then the fire ship bed she'd laid on almost two years ago but it somehow, it wasn't as comforting. The door opened.
"You awake?"
"Yea."
"Mind if I come in?"
"I don't care." Cadi said sitting up. Ari was in the next room and she didn't know how thick the walls were so she didn't want to talk too loud or too much.
"Lay back down." Zuko said walking towards the bed. Cadi lay down and Zuko lay next to her. She turned to face him.
"What about Mai?" She said snuggling close to him.
"I can't break it off just yet, they'll know. I want this to be a secret for now. Let me just hold you during the night." He said as he kissed her before falling asleep like before.