Some servants are helping me for the morning. It's a little weird. "Would you like me to wash your feet, Prince Zuko?" See? "No."

"Would you like a warm towel, Prince Zuko?"

"No," I said. I walked out the door. "Where are you going, Prince Zuko?"

"I'm just going to Mai's house," I replied.

"Would you like a ride?"

"No, its near."

"Its not princely to walk everywhere." I hesitate. "Oh okay." I hop in. They really like following me. Its really creepy. I head inside Mai's house with a servant following.

"Hey, Zuko," Mai greeted. I sat down on the couch next to her. "If there was anything in the world you could have, what would it be?"

"Maybe some food with some rose petals on top of it," Mai said.

"You know, I am a price, I could get that for you." I look at the servant who followed me in. Could you get her some food with rose petals?"

"Lovely choice, Prince Zuko." He walked away. "I guess there are some perks to being royalty. Too bad you have to be in that day-long war meeting."

"What war meeting?" I asked.

"Azula told me that the palace was having a war meeting and I-"

"I guess I wasn't invited." I stand up to go talk to Azula. "Zuko, wait. Eat lunch with me," Mai said, grabbing my arm.

"All right, but just this once."

The guard came back with Mai's food and brought a plate of food for me as well when Mai requested it. We had a lunch, a short conversation, and then I stood up. "I really have to get going, Mai," I said.

"Oh all right. Go do your royal things." She sounded slightly grumpy, but it was hard to tell.

I entered the palace, where some guards were washing Azula's hair. "Hey, Zuzu. If you want your hair done, you're going to have to wait."

"What is this about a war meeting?" I asked her.

"Oh that? That's what you came in here for?" I didn't answer. "Oh fine. There will be very important people there. I'm sure Father wants you there."

"But no one bothered to tell me about it?" I asked, interrupting Azula.

"I guess. Stop being such a child, Zuko."

"Were you invited?"

"Of course I was. I'm the princess."

"And I'm the prince."

"Zuko, don't be so dramatic."

"Forget it! I'm not going!"

"You're a child, Zuzu."

I walk over to my room. Then I glanced out the window. Why did they invite Azula but not me? Am I not important? Am I not wanted? "Who cares about a stupid war meeting anyway?" Mai asked from out the window.

"I don't," I replied. Who cares anyway? If they aren't going to invite me, why would I care? "That's good," Mai said. "You know what would make you feel better? Ordering your servants around. There a few things I want to do."

I glance at Mai but say nothing. I look away just in time to see a guard approaching me. "Prince Zuko, are you coming to the war meeting?" he asked. I look at Mai. "So my Father does want me there?" I asked, turning to the guard again.

"Well, of course, Prince Zuko. You are his son! He is waiting your arrival and commanded not to start until you come."

"Well, I guess I'll be heading over then."

I entered the war room. Father really does want me here! "Zuko, you're late," Father said.

"Yes, sorry," I replied, bowing.

"Take your seat." Father pointed to a mat on the floor on his left side. "Of course," I said, walking up to the seat.

"You all know my plan on invading the Earth Kingdom, correct?" Father asked. No one answered. "Well, I have officially finished planning. We are going to take our airships, on the night of Sozin's Comet, and blast the land below. The Earth Kingdom will have no power against us!"

"Firelord, Ozai, if I may interrupt," General Zhao said, standing, "wasn't that already the plan to begin with? What will be different about it?"

"Yes, however, we missed one key point," Father said, finally standing from his throne, "Zuko," he pointed at me, "has finalized the Fire Nation flag. It will be the centerpiece of our invasion. Once the Earth Kingdom is defeated, we will take over completely. We will put our flag over theirs. Everyone will see it for miles and know that I will be their new ruler! They will have to work in factories to help create more war machines."

"Sir, wouldn't the invasion end there? Isn't the Earth Kingdom the final Nation?" a war leader asked from the table.

"No, there are more. We have the Northern and Southern Water Tribes to take care of."

"Haven't we already been to the Southern Water Tribe?" General Zhao asked.

"Yes, however, they overthrew us many years ago. Now, that they have no Water Benders, they will fall. Their small little continent will be ours! We will place our new flag everywhere. Everyone will bow to me!" Father paused. "What do you think, Azula?"

"I think it sounds lovely, Father. The whole world at our feet, knowing we are superior to their small, weak elements."

"Zuko? What do you think?" Father asked me. I hesitated. I wanted to tell him what I think. Invading the Earth Kingdom, taking over the other Nations, it…just isn't right. But, why can't I say it? "It's, uh, great…" I finally replied.

"It is agreed then!" Father said. "The invasion will begin the day the comet comes. We will be unstoppable!"

The room cheered. Everyone but me. I just couldn't say it. I just couldn't tell Father how I actually felt. I just couldn't tell him that it isn't fair. The Earth Kingdom will fall almost immediately. It will be unfair. I just can't tell him how I feel, but why? Why can't I do it?

I left the war room and met Mai outside the palace. "So, how did it go?" she asked.

"The room was excited but, I wasn't. I just didn't feel right. I didn't feel like me."

"What?" she asked. "Like how?"

"I didn't feel like myself. It just wasn't right. The Fire Nation…we will be unstoppable…"

"Isn't that good?" Mai asked.

"Of course not!" I cried. "The Earth Kingdom will fall! We will give them no mercy! They will have no chance to beat us!"

"Zuko-"

"I couldn't even say anything to Father about it! I just couldn't do it! I don't know why I can't but I just can't! It's like my body doesn't want to cooperate with my mind! I want to but…I just…can't!"

"Zuko, calm down. It's okay," Mai tried.

"No! It isn't! If I can't speak up to my Father, what kind of Fire Lord will I be? If I can't speak up to my Father…what kind of person will I be?"

"Zuko, you're a great person. You don't need to do that-"

"Yes I do!" I yelled. "I need to! I need to get this off of my back! I just can't live with it! It keeps me up at night! It keeps me from doing what I need to do! It keeps me from apologizing to Uncle!" Mai said nothing. I give her one more glance before I walk away. I never told anyone my feelings like that before.