"What do you mean 'destroy the Northern Water Tribe'?" Aang cried.

"I mean, the Fire Nation is going to come with a bunch of ships and destroy the city and take or kill everyone there, or at least the waterbenders. At least, that's the idea I got when I heard it mentioned."

"So basically they're doing the same thing they did to our village, only on a much larger scale." Sokka said to confirm things.

Katara nodded an affirmation. "A few days ago, some men from Zhao's ship ran into some of Zuko's men at a port. They bragged about what they were going to do, and Zuko's men told him. That's how I heard about it."

She turned to look at Aang, who was unusually quiet. "See Aang, if you take up Zuko's offer, we could defend the Water Tribe."

"What makes you think Zuko would defend the Water Tribe? Or that they'd accept help from a firebender?" Sokka asked.

"Zuko's the Fire Nation prince. Meaning he knows all about the Fire Nation; what they'd probably do in a massive-scale attack and how to defend against it. And I know Zuko hates Zhao. So he'd probably do anything to get at him. Plus, if the Water Tribe knows he's an ally of the Avatar, then maybe they'll accept his help."

"Maybe this truce is a good idea" Aang broke his silence. "If Zuko can be on our side, maybe we can convince people to end the war; maybe they'll see there are good people in the Fire Nation. And, Zuko's the prince, so maybe he can convince his people to stop attacking the rest of the world. We might be able to get the whole war to stop without any violence!"

"I don't know…" Sokka started. "Hey, what's in that?" He gestured to the letter in Aang's hand.

"I dunno." Aang sat down cross-legged between the two Water Tribe siblings and broke the red seal holding the paper closed. He cleared his throat and read it out loud.

Greetings Avatar Aang,

I believe that by now, you are aware of the hostilities that have been going on within the world for the past century while you were…away. My country, on orders by my great-grandfather Firelord Sozin and his descendants, has been invading the world in an attempt to conquer it into one mighty empire.

Nearly all people within our country have been taught that the Fire Nation is the greatest civilization in history and that this war is in fact, our country's way of spreading it's greatness to share with the rest of the world. Be aware, many people will not turn from this belief easily, should you ever try to convince them otherwise.

However, I have become aware, through my own resources, which I will not share, that there are some people, mostly within the lower ranks, who were not given this type of education. They have no desire for war and have lost their faith in the Firelord, as they are left starving while the goods they produced and any money they earn, is being taken to support the war effort. As I am currently unable to go to the Fire Nation directly, I cannot address this problem myself. (This is NOT a suggestion that you rush over; you would be captured instantly and brought to the Firelord and we can't have that, can we?)

However, there is something I can do, and that is aid you. You may be wondering why I would suddenly choose to aid someone considered by my country to be an enemy. I can list several reasons:

My father, the Firelord, seems to not recognize one thing that history constantly shows us: massive empires cannot survive, and flourish, for any long period of time before eventually collapsing. Even if by some way, the entire world was placed under one rule, it would never survive. And when it would collapse, it would affect not only the Fire Nation, but everyone in the world. The world cannot be placed into one empire simply because its own survival would not allow it.

I am aware you were raised in an Air Temple, and therefore, believe life is sacred and violence is not the answer to problems. Having been raised in a country made for war, my mentality is the exact opposite. Fighting is simply how we solve our problems. Since you would be unwilling to fight, your best bet is to take down the Firelord without fighting him. As the Great General Zhu Sen would say 'It is more important to outthink your enemy than outfight him.' As you obviously have no experience with military tactic- "Hey!" cried Sokka- this is another field in which I would be an advantage to you. I have been trained in military tactic and fighting since I was four and am well aware of my countries' capabilities, as well as its weaknesses.

Admiral Zhao, as well as nearly every other military personnel in the Fire Nation, is after you. As I consider Zhao to be a personal thorn in my side, I would be more than happy in providing you defense against him. You were not within his grasp long enough to understand the cruelty he is enable of inflicting. Were he not ruthless and power-hungry, he never would have been made an Admiral.

I believe Firelord Ozai, my father, is an ineffective ruler of the Fire Nation. According to my sources, he was done nothing in aiding the struggling lower classes, the middle classes are on the line of poverty themselves in some areas, and some of the elite have even become disgruntled with his rule. I will not argue if someone says the Fire Nation is in need of a new ruler. However, it is my sister, Princess Azula, not I, who is first in line for the throne. Beware of her. She is unbelievably ruthless and manipulative and she would never hesitate to harm or take something you love simply to get what she wants. Should she ever ascend to the throne, Spirits help us, only more utter chaos would ensue. She would possibly be an even worse ruler than any of the Firelords previously. Should we make a truce and the war come to an end, I simply request that I or my uncle, General Iroh, be allowed to assume control of the Fire Nation. With your approval to back us, our claim would be legitimate and I promise you, we would not allow the Fire Nation to continue in its ways.

I will allow you to consider this offer. Should you accept, my protection and abilities, to my best effort, are yours.

HRH Zuko

Prince of the Fire Nation

"I don't believe it!" Sokka cried. "It's got to be a trap. He's clearly only interested in getting power for himself.

"But he sounds like he cares about his people. I think maybe he'd be good for the Fire Nation."

"Are you insane? Both of you, listen! Zuko. Is. Fire. Nation. As in he's evil!"

"He doesn't sound so bad in his letter. I think we should at least try and talk with him."

Sokka folded his arms. "Nobody ever listens to me!" he muttered.

0000000000000000

Zuko had written the letter over twice. He wasn't satisfied with it completely, but as he was lost on how else to write it, he let it go as-is.

His plan had started perfectly. Jee had come back to him, reporting that the men had announced the waterbender's presence on their ship within the Avatar's earshot. Then, said person showed up and took Katara with him.

He wasn't going to admit that the ship seemed a little dull without her on board; that he'd become accustomed to their reading lessons and practice spars. He was most certainly not going to admit that he might actually miss the waterbender. If she had stayed maybe they could have-no! He wasn't even going to finish that thought. There was no way she'd ever be attracted to someone like him that way, or any way. After all, she'd called him a monster.

He'd pushed the thoughts away by focusing on his plans. If the Avatar refused his offer, Zuko still had his ship and was aware of where the Avatar was going. He could simply follow and plan out a way of capturing him. But Zuko had an unusually good feeling that the boy would accept. And if he did, that would mean Zuko could get onto the boy's side and gain his trust, just as he'd gotten Katara to do as he wanted. He could perhaps get some inside knowledge of the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribe tactics that he didn't already have and present it as information for the Fire Nation to win the war. He could convince the boy to come with him and then take him to his father, thus completing his quest and restoring his honor and place as crown prince and heir. And even if (and it was a large if) Zuko for some reason chose to go to against his father, he would already be on the Avatar's side and able to provide him with information on defeating Ozai.

As they said, if you can't beat em, join em. Either way, he'd win. And one way or another, he'd become Firelord. As his mother had always told him, it was his destiny. One day, she said, you'll sit on the Dragon Throne. You will be Firelord. I promise you.

What makes you think that? Zuko, who was only seven at the time, asked.

A mischievous look came into him mother's eyes. She'd kissed on the forehead and replied, Your uncle's not the only one the spirits grant visions to.

Zuko settled himself in front of his altar and focused his mind back on the present. He carefully measured out the incense into a bowl before lighting it. Soon, the spicy aroma filled the room. The candles' flames moved up and down in sync with Zuko's breathing as he meditated.

I apologize this is so short. But school has started up for me, and I may possibly (hopefully) be getting a new job, so I won't have as much time to work on this, and I don't want you guys to have to wait too long.

General Zhu Sen is based off of Sun Tzu, a Chinese warrior-philosopher credited with writing "The Art of War", from which that line was taken.

A random thought entered my mind the other day: What if what happened to the world in the movie "The Day After Tomorrow" happened in the Avatar World? Who would survive? I'd love to know your guy's thoughts on this one and I challenge anyone to write a story about this (just please note you got the idea from me. Thanks).