I forced myself to write this, and I thought of making it more like 2,500 so I can add more, and so I don't go through the comic to fast (That's the main reason why the chapters are this short.)
I had two other ideas for an Avatar fic, one I will be doing, but I have to wait for this story to end because of a certain reason. I just recently had another one in mind, but I'm not sure if I want to do it and if I do, it will take longer to publish, considering that the other one I had in mind was already going to be after this story.
Enjoy chapter four. Sorry that it's short. I ended where the chapter of the comic ended, which happened to be after a thousand words, but less than two thousand. I'll try to update soon again, make it passed two thousand, but probably not until the weekend when I have more time. (I also have other stories I need to update on.)
Chapter 4 Zuko Needs Advice
Continuing their walk around the city Zuko continued his explanation of Yu Dao. "So, I stayed, I saw what my people created here. I saw what the Harmony Restoration Movement would destroy. I changed my mind...Ever since my coronation, I've had trouble finding peace. Now, I think I've finally figured out why. I'd forgotten my people." They stopped for a moment. "I know you defeated the Fire Nation Aang, but my people still deserve respect."
"I defeated the Fire Nation?" he asked confusingly. "You mean the Fire Lord," he corrected."
"It'd be disrespectful to take from them a life they spent generations building! I won't let you do it!" he argued.
"Harmony requires four separate nations to balance each other out!" he argued back. "You can't have balance if one nation occupies another!"
Morishita stood behind with his wife and Kori watching.
"Maybe Yu Dao can be an exception," Katara added.
"What?!" Aang freaked out.
"It's just a thought," she defended.
"Exceptions should be made for all the remaining colonies. Most of them have been around for well over a century. They're older than you Aang." Aang turned back to Zuko
"You've got to be joking. That would make peace impossible."
"Well regardless, the Earth King needs to be a part of whatever happens next. If Aang and I can arrange a meeting, will you be there Zuko?"
"I'll be there." If he wasn't lying or if a prediction.
"Talking's good. I guess." Aang said frowning.
"What's taking the Avatar so long?" the mob questioned, continuing their rants.
"The Fire Lord's probably captured him!" another ranted.
"We have to go in and save the Avatar from those ash makers," another suggested.
"Everybody calm down!" Sokka put his hand out to stop them, continuing his statement. "Avatar Aang can handle himself! The best thing for us to do right now is wait!" But it didn't work. A rock was thrown, hitting him in the forehead.
"Outta our way, you Water Tribe sabage!"
"That's it," Toph grumbled, pushing the ground beneath her, up. "Don't you dunderheads know who I am?! I'm Toph Beifong, the greatest earthbender of all time. When my friend tells you to calm down, then calm down. Next person to throw anything-or say anything-gets a boulder straight in the noggin! Got it?" Everyone was silent, afraid looks covering their faces. "Now that's more like it." She grinned.
"Good thing you listened to her folks." Sokka started making his jokes up. "I was about to bust out Mr. Boomerang! Whack-A-Pow!"
"Ooooh.'Mr. Boomerang?!' Soooo scary," one in the crowd said sarcastically, but he was knock in the head with a rock.
In the meantime, Aang and Katara arrived, landing on the ground.
"So what happened?" Sokka wondered, first asking.
"Did you have to...do it?" Toph added along.
"Do what?" Smellerbee said. "You killed the Fire Lord?"
"No. No," Aang defended, having them misunderstand.
"So what's going on, then? What are we suppose to do now?"
"Katara and I are gonna visit the Earth King to try to arrange a meeting. Can you please tell the protesters to go home? We need more time to figure out a solution, Smellerbee. All this shouting won't help."
Smellerbee thought for a moment, then she answered. "The Earth Kingdom has waited for over a hundred years to be rid of those ash-makers. We'll give you three days, Avatar Aang. After that, the freedom fighters will figure out a solution of our own." And there they had it, with only three days to figure everything out.
Appa flew in the air, the four discussing things.
"I don't totally get why you two need to talk to the Earth King," Toph gave, still confused of this Earth King thing. "Zuko knows he's wrong, doesn't he? The Fire Nation colonies have got to go!"
"It's complicated Toph. There are...a lot of...issues involved," she stuttered a bit, not wanting to have to say that.
"Plus," Aang went. "Talking's always good. Right?" They all looked away, silent.
"Katara, when we were back there...thanks for not letting me do something I'd regret." Aang slowly stood up.
"If you ever have to...you know...fulfill your promise...you can't let it happen like that. You have to be calm enough to know you're making the right decision. I just hate seeing you like get like that."
"Uh, Aang? Katara? You're giving me the oogies over hear," Sokka announced.
"Uugh! I am so sick of hearing about your stupid 'oogies' Sokka!" She blew up right then. "I don't even know what that means."
"I can explain." Toph smiled. "Give me your hand." Katara gave a suspicious look, putting her hand out. Grabbing it, she lick, slobber going onto her hand. "Gaah," she went, and Katara's face opened.
"Oogie!"
In the Fire Nation capital, Zoku walked in the Royal Palace, walking to the throne with the mass of fire surrounding.
"So the Fire Lord has returned." Behind, Mai made an appearance.
"Mai!" Zuko turned. "The mob outside Yu Dao is gone. For at least now, the Fire Nation citizens there are safe."
"You left without saying anything to me!" Mai worried. "I had to figure out where you were from official edicts your soldiers posted around the capital!"
"..." silence came for a moment.
"You're doing it again Zuko. If you're having problems, you're suppose to talk to me. I'm your girlfriend."
"You're right. I'm sorry. It won't happen again."
"You've been having trouble sleeping."
"How?"
"Have you looked in the mirror lately?" She took a step back, retrieving a look ahead. "Your bodyguards are a bunch of incompetent idiots. You're the Fire Lord now. You need real security." They turned, seeing the Kyoshi Warriors standing. "So I asked some friends to come help."
Nighttime came, Zuko was still having nightmares, struggling to sleep. He gasped, suddenly letting himself sit up instantly. He hurried to the door, Suki and Ty Lee standing at each end.
"Do you hear anything?"
"No, Zuko," Suki first went. "It's been quiet all night."
'Honest to goodness." Ty Lee lifted her arm up. "There hasn't been a peep!"
Zuko went passed, starting to make his way down the hall. "I'm sorry. It's just that I don't trust you. I know the Kyoshi Warriors are the best guardsmen in the world."
"Guardswomen, you mean," Ty Lee made a point.
"Go back to sleep. You have to at least try."
"No, I'm going to get a drink of water." He put his hand on his forehead, walking completely away.
"You don't need someone to escort you?"
"I'll be fine. The walk will do me some good." And there, he left.
Zuko walked beyond the prison Ozai laid inside, going inside and down the halls with a teapot and cups.
A door opened, the light shining on Ozai.
He poured the hot drink, handing a cup over to the other side of the bars.
Then he looked down, gritting his teeth. "I need your advice...father."
And that's the ending of chapter one. I think I will have arcs then, since it takes awhile to get to a new chapter, and I fell like adding some.
Let's see how the next episode goes by.
Answers to reviewers-
Avatar ruf: thanks for the review. I'm glad you found this interesting, but I couldn't make this chapter long. I would like to continue onto the next chapter of the comic, but I might not find a good place to end, so this was the best to stop at. I promise though that I will make these longer than they usually are.