A/N: Hi all. It has been far too long. A lot of life stuff because, you know... life. I hope to potentially write more consistently soon but there is definitely a story that's coming. I apologise to you all for the rather long delay between updates. It turns out plane/bus/car rides are excellent times to use up for writing (visiting the US at the moment which is fun). With everything going on, I can only try to give you guys the potential for some mild escapism. I hope you all continue to enjoy my story and stay safe out there.

Word Count: 3075

28. To Burn or Not to Burn (Do Firebenders Even Have Social Skills?)

The four children sat in a circle on rock seats. Percy noted Toph's comedically large one, rather entertained at the sight.

"We need to decide what we're gonna do now." He heard Katara say.

"Okay, so what's the new plan?" Aang asked.

"Percy!" Toph interrupted, leaping off her pillar and crashing into a hug.

The demigod laughed good naturedly.

"I should've known better than to think I could sneak up on you."

He gave her hair a good scruff while returning the hug with equal enthusiasm. The rest of the group all joined in, though Aang and Katara seemed to have other things on their minds. Questions were answered about how his avoidance and diversion of the Fire Nation went, and everyone seemed to feel a little relief after being reassured that there weren't any airships that followed them to the Air Temple. Percy didn't feel the need to mention that Zuko was there with them. That, he was just going to let play out.

They all separated back to their seats, with Percy sitting against Afosiosi on the floor next to Toph. The demigod looked up at her and laughed, to which she responded with a knowing smirk.

"So, the plan?" Katara continued.

"We need to get Aang a firebending master." Sokka said. "We just need Aang to master all four elements and confront the Fire Lord before the comet comes."

Percy raised his eyebrows at that. He hadn't heard too much about the comet and what happens with it, but with the way the group reacted, he could tell that it wasn't too far away. And with Aang's sarcastic reply, it seemed like the kids weren't feeling like they had very good odds.

Well, wouldn't you know. A firebender just followed them all the way here.

He couldn't help but marvel at the way these things seemed to fall into place. The gods in his time that sprinkled their way throughout his journeys to either completely hinder his pace or save them when continuing felt like it was almost too much. The dream visions that told him just enough to get him going, but not enough to know exactly what was about to happen until it did.

No matter how much I hate those old crones, the Fates sure do weave interesting tapestries. It's always funny how destiny lands at your feet, no matter how hard you try.

He must've reacted a certain way, or had a particular look on his face, because both Toph and Sokka were paying attention to him while Katara and Aang were still trying to come up with ideas. The name Jeong Jeong came up and was breezed past quickly. It seemed the young Water Tribe man had a notion that Percy could help them out with a master firebender. That wasn't too far off base, considering his experience with Fire Nation people. But it seemed Sokka was about to get his answer.

"Well, I guess we can't think of any." Aang said. "So-"

"Guys." Toph interrupted him. "I think that'll have to wait."

She leapt down off her pillar and pointed towards the shadowed figure of the Fire Nation Prince. Percy sat up, rather intrigued, while Siosi seemed to be bored or still annoyed with the fact that it wasn't Azula, so she dropped her head back down. The same couldn't be said for the rest of the children.

All of them, bar Toph, seemed to be both shocked and on high alert. Their hands were raised defensively, and all their weapons were drawn. The demigod noted that Zuko didn't react with any manner of self-defence of his own.

Bold strategy. I like it.

"Hello…" he raised his arm up while speaking, "Zuko here."

Percy should've been appalled at the lack of social awareness displayed by the firebender, but it was all too familiar.

I guess it runs in the family.

His thoughts were clearly reciprocated in his animal companion, who snickered without looking up.

"I heard you guys talking there, so, I just thought I'd wait for you here…" His awkward speech continued.

An armour-less Appa wandered over towards him, growling, before licking him a few times. Percy noticed the Avatar have a much more tentative stance after that. But the demigod had other things on his mind.

"See, why can't I take off your armour. You'd be so much more comfortable that way." Percy said to his ostrich horse.

'Comfortable for you maybe.' Came the snort back. 'I look spectacular, and you want to take that away from me?'

His one-sided conversation simmered some of the anger coming off the kids towards the firebender, but it seemed Azula wasn't the only one who had to plan how interactions would go for her to get what she wanted or hoped for. Zuko continued his, clearly overprepared, recitation with but an uncomfortable glance towards Percy. It didn't seem like he either had the time nor the attention to recognise him from Ba Sing Se.

"I know you must be surprised to see me here."

"Not really, since you've followed us all over the world." Sokka said, though his words seemed to be more testing of Zuko than they were scathing.

"Right. Well, uhhhh… anyway… what I wanted to tell you about is that I've changed, and I, uhhhh, I'm good now, and well I think I should join your group, oh, and I can teach firebending to you."

Percy and Toph both snorted at the chances, while Sokka muttered under his breath. Aang and Katara's faces would be better described as indignant.

"You can't possibly think that any of us would trust you, can you?" Katara asked, rhetorically. "I mean, how stupid do you think we are?!"

"You have only tried to hunt us and capture Aang." Sokka posited, though his look towards Zuko was inquisitive.

"I've done some good things! I mean, I could have stolen your bison in Ba Sing Se, but I set him free. That's something!"

Appa licked him again, and Percy looked to see Toph raise an eyebrow. Her lack of calling him out looked to mean he was telling the truth.

"Appa does seem to like him." The earthbender agreed.

Sokka's eyes met the demigod's as he seemed to be thinking about something else. Most likely his connections to certain Fire Nation people and the idea of opening his mind to that.

"I can understand why you wouldn't trust me, and I know I've made some mistakes in the past."

Sokka's gaze returned to Zuko, with a little more anger than before.

"Like when you attacked our village?"

"Or when you stole my mother's necklace and used it to track us down and capture us?" Katara added, with much more heat.

"Look, I admit I've done some awful things. I was wrong to try to capture you, and I'm sorry that I attacked the Water Tribe. And I never should have sent that Fire Nation assassin after you."

Toph and Sokka seemed to straighten in shock. Percy's head dropped.

An assassin? Now why would you do that Zuko? And why would you say that now?

"I'm going to try and stop-"

Zuko was interrupted by an angry Sokka.

"Wait, you sent Combustion Man after us?"

"Well, that's not his name, but-"

"Ohhhh, sorry. I didn't mean to insult your friend!" Sokka replied, rather sarcastically.

"He's not my friend!" Zuko rebutted, but Percy could sense that this interaction was getting out of his control.

"That guy locked me and Katara in jail and tried to blow us all up!" Toph yelled.

Percy winced.

"Why aren't you saying anything? You once said you thought we could be friends. You know I have good in me." Zuko asked Aang.

The demigod looked into those eyes. Just like with Azula, there was something there that he could see. It was more obvious with Zuko coming to them to help them out, but without his father's influence, Percy could see the desire to do good. It was something his uncle had clearly stoked within him.

Iroh would be very helpful right now. He smiled. And proud.

Aang turned to Katara to see her angered face.

"Guys, I think-" Percy was interrupted by Aang, giving his opinion.

"There's no way we can trust you after everything you've done. We'll never let you join."

"Aang, I think we should just-"

"No, Percy." It was Katara's turn to interrupt him. "You didn't see what he did." She turned to the firebender. "You need to get out of here now."

"I'm trying to explain that I'm not that person anymore!" Zuko pleaded.

No one replied.

"Then maybe you'll take me as a prisoner."

He started to kneel before Katara began to waterbend at him.

Percy raised his hand and the water stopped mid-air. He stood, for the first time, gaining everyone's attention. After covering the distance to the young man, he lifted him up and spoke to him.

"Just go. I understand what you're trying to do, and you're doing the right thing. But just come back another time. Emotions are too high."

His words were only loud enough for the firebender, and of course Toph, to hear. They seemed to have the intended effect, as Zuko wandered dejectedly up the stairs.

After a moments silence, Katara began the questioning.

"Why would he try to fool us like that? And what did you tell him?"

Percy turned to them all, ignoring both of the waterbender's questions.

"What would it take for him to earn all of your trust?"

They all paused, as if knowing that he was going to continue.

"A lot, probably. And that's fair." He continued. "Katara, you're right. I wasn't there with you. I don't know everything that he did, or how it affected all of you. But I do know three things. The first, is that there are very few people who are irredeemable. For Zuko to come here, in front of all of you, and vulnerably do that. He's not irredeemable."

Sokka looked at him, knowingly. Showing him that Fire Nation letter and asking for his help was doing more than he'd expected.

"The second, is that he was mentored by someone I absolutely trust. You all know his uncle. If there is anyone that I believe could help who you described as Zuko and turn him into the boy who I just saw, it's definitely Iroh."

Toph gained a small but happy smile at the mention of that name.

"And last but definitely not least, Aang needs a firebending master."

"That's what I was gonna say!" Toph piped up.

"But he still could've been lying." Katara argued. "What was all that about Appa?"

"Toph?" Percy asked, knowing full well what her response was going to be.

"He wasn't lying about that Katara. Everything he said to us was sincere."

"Well great, that's one good thing. Neither of you were here what he had pirates attack us."

"Or when he tried to capture me at the Fire Temple." Aang agreed.

"Why would you even try to defend him?" Katara asked.

"Because Katara, if I was raised by that messed-up family, I sure could've turned out a lot worse." Toph argued.

"You're right, Toph! Let's go find him and give him a medal. The 'not as much of a jerk as you could have been' award!"

"Maybe you're all just letting you hurt feelings keep you from thinking clearly!" Toph said, before stomping away. "I'm beginning to wonder who's really the blind one around here!"

Her angry footsteps echoed around the temple. Aang looked up to Percy.

"Do you really think, after everything you've heard from us, that Zuko can change."

His voice had softened slightly, but he could still taste the bitterness coming from it. That betrayal down underneath Ba Sing Se really didn't help the firebender's case.

"Do I think he can? Absolutely. Do I think he has? Probably. The thing is, I don't know."

"Then how can you argue for him?" Sokka asked, though any of his previous anger at Zuko seemed to have receded.

"Because I've written many people off, thinking they can never change. That was my flaw. When all that really matters is having people that believe you can. Sometimes you get stung, and that betrayal will continue to hurt for a long while. But every now and then, someone can prove you right. I've had far too many people in my life come to that realisation too late. I don't blame you for what you're doing, I would probably be doing the same. Although now, I will continue to do everything in my power to not let another person have to wait to die to be a hero in their story."

With that, he strode off, following Toph on the winding path out of the Air Temple.

The Fire Nation princess sat in front of the fabric draped between herself and the throne room. Increased protection surrounding her father had meant there were two guards posted either side of the doorway and four more further down the corridor. Even in such high-ranking company, she couldn't fail to feel alone.

The wall of emotions that threatened to burst forth from the cage that contained her, held only in place by the hair pin atop her head. She'd been strung together by her servants; puppeted Azula into the armour, directly on her still-burnt shoulder; carving her face with makeup and tying her hair into shape suitable enough for an audience with the Fire Lord.

Yet nothing could stop her hands from shaking.

A blast of air that sucked all moisture from her lips was her signal to enter. The noren swaying out of her way and closing behind her without a sound. The bars around her tightened, suffocating her heart and lungs just a little bit more.

If she were to guess her father's mood by the height of the flames that rose in front of her, he was incredibly angry. She could barely see him through the red that enshrouded her vision. But the princess could tell his shadow watched her kneel before him.

"So," he began, ending any pretence of introduction, "that was the boy you spoke of. The one below Ba Sing Se."

It sounded like a statement, though Azula felt the need to answer.

"Yes, father."

"And you failed to defeat him."

Azula remained silent. The smallest part of her wanted to say that he didn't either, but her clenched hands kept her mouth quiet. Her shoulder burned with renewed venom, threatening to send her into screams of agony at the slightest of movements.

"And what's more, I hear you lied to me about the Avatar."

The princess flinched away, though it seemed the distance and fire were enough to disguise her weakness. The armour tore away at her skin, leaving it bare. Vulnerable.

"Your traitorous brother made sure to let me know of that."

She didn't dare to speak, as she dreaded any follow-up questions would give way to answers that would inflict more punishment on her.

"My family. Failures and traitors."

Her nails dug deeper into her palms.

"You are to find them all and bring them to me, in chains." He said. "Do not fail me again, Azula."

That sounded like a dismissal.

She rose to her feet. Unharmed. Her father still sat in the throne. Unmoving.

Her legs took her out of the throne room, but she knew what had happened. In his pursuit to never show weakness, she'd seen his armour could be pierced.

He couldn't come down of the throne without showing his injury. The injury that he gave him. The one that, most likely, only I know about in the whole of the Fire Nation. Percy does belong on that throne with me. He inflicted fear and pain on my father.

The princess clung to her chance of avoiding the promised consequences of her failure. She strode out into the palace, with her vision clear.

Now, to find where they are. And bring him back to me.

Azula came upon her own room, which had the head of the Dai Li with a full report for her. She moved to sit behind the desk as he spread a map of the world out in front of them. He lowered his head to her.

"My princess. From the last reports we gathered from the airships, the invading fleet was last seen over here."

His finger traced a path east from the Fire Nation capital, stopping about halfway to the Earth Kingdom. Azula's eyes followed their own path. A continuation of the path his finger had set her upon.

It leads right to it! Is he leading me right to it? To him?

She couldn't stop the thoughts that ravaged her mind, but the firebender forced herself to remain within her façade.

He's with his army and the Avatar.

"I'll need my airship and tell Mai and Ty Lee to report to it."

"The Fire Lord did say he also has other orders for you to follow."

Azula suspicious gaze traced his face for any indication of disloyalty. His face remained earthen.

What orders would those be?

The night came surprisingly quickly to Percy, as he followed the trail left by Toph. It wasn't too difficult, as she never really tried to hide her path. Before long though, he realised he should've followed the girl a little more closely.

A flash of red moved between the trees.

"Ow!"

Toph?!

Percy began running through the bushes, before he saw them.

"I'm sorry, it was a mistake!" The firebender exclaimed at her.

The image of Toph crawling away from him broke something in Percy. He changed positions so he was standing where she was going.

"Get away from me!"

She threw earth back at him and he kept trying to move out of the way.

"Let me help you!" He tried, while dodging more chunks of the ground. "I'm sorry!"

His hand just grasped her shoulder, before he was thrown backwards.

"Get off me, get off me!"

Percy kneeled and prepared for when Toph would arrive at his feet.

"Hey Toph," he said, quietly, "it's me."

"Percy." Her delighted voice cheered him up.

The ex-prince's yelling echoed around the forest.

"Uggh! Why am I so bad at being good?!"

A/N: So, I hope you all enjoyd that chapter. After the invasion arc, it won't exactly be slow, but I'm following the pacing of the ATLA episodes while trying to juggle the feeling of PJO chapters. In this one we're setting up a lot of what's going forward while having some connected Azula moments. Though it's hard for Azula to really get anything she truly wants isn't it (he says as the author writing the story). Anyways, as always, let me know what you think and I'll reply to all the reviews below.

Review replies:

CRUDEN: Siosi is such a blessing to write. Just so fun.

namer1: Thank you! And me too, although abandoning this story was never in my mind, it's just so hard to find time to write for this.

Multiverse of Fiction: Thank you! That means a lot. She was the character I was trying the hardest to write for as she's such a big element of the story that I wanted to do her complexity justice. I definitely think the start is a bit of me learning what I think works but I'm glad you've continued the story! Me too! I love the voices in her head because canonically she struggles with hallucinations, so who's to say that wasn't a much earlier problem that just went under the radar because there was very little outlets for her trauma until the end. And I guess we'll have to see about the voices, but that's a good guess. Hope you continue to enjoy!

Callum Runchman: Yeah, exactly. The kind of indoctrination she's gone through is something that wouldn't be undone with a few words. I'm glad you're liking it though I definitely get the frustration. It's why it takes a village to pull someone out of it. Hope you continue to enjoy.

Figggle/Death Fury/Guest#2/yairtwito1: Thank you very much!

Ltbutterfly287: I understand that. Though I wouldn't call it "pussy footing". And I'm not necessarily writing this story to get the maximum amount of enjoyment from every chapter, I'm writing it so it can be a concise, full, emotionally-cathartic story. If that means that some chapters might not be as fun or as enjoyable as the Percy and Azula stuff, then I can live with that. The only thing I can do is try to write and update more. I hope you keep loving the story with that in mind though! And thank you for your perspective, it's definitely understandable!

Guest#1: Definitely not dead! Even now!

Junky: Yeah, last one was quite the depressing one. Although what author doesn't like putting their readers through a few deep emotions haha. Me too! I'm just trying to make it all worth it in the end for both the characters and you guys! I'm wishing you all the best too, with everything going on.

CreativeNameOrSomething: Hahaha thank you for the compliment and I get it. Who doesn't love the cheesy romance and fluff. If only life could be that. Thank you! It was definitely a focus to handle characters inner turmoil (mainly Percy and Azula) in in-depth and distinct ways. Percy, for me, was exactly how you described. Never just a killing machine and definitely never a goody-two-shoes, and he was at no point ever sadistic. I'm glad you're enjoying it and hope you can stick along for the ride!

fluitt-charles10: I'm glad you're loving the dynamic between everyone. Percy's instant hatred for Ozai is just so him to me. Any authority figure, especially those that seek some kind of domination over someone, Percy just goes "imma do everything to make your life the hell that you make for others". His connection to Iroh was definitely something I highlighted at the beginning for myself, as I think they're such a fun pair.
In regards to the repulsion to bloodbending, I think, for me, the story creators have stated that it is genuinely an invasion of someone's body. I think there was an explanation of it being almost akin to a four letter r word I'd rather not use. While I don't necessarily think it is, the ability to quite literally strip people of their own bodily autonomy is a power that I don't think anyone should wield. For Percy, it is something he knows Annabeth (and most likely Sally for the purposes of my story) would morally disagree with and he wants to uphold their memory. While there are potential good applications of it, I kind of agree with the view of Katara, its potential benefits definitely don't outweigh the potential negatives.

Nanikoolbean: Oh my god?! Oh my god!

Idk just reading: Thank you! I appreciate it a lot. That was my main focus for the story, the mental trauma and manipulation done right. It means an immense amount to hear that feedback! I'm curious how you thought of the ATLA ending if you've gotten there. It's one of my favourite (and best in my opinion) endings to a TV show ever. From the invasion through to the end it's almost perfect. I also think it takes a lot more effort and energy for the good fics so keeping them up and completing them is often a lot harder. Although I appreciate you grouping mine in with those good fics. That realisation (if it ever comes, no spoilers and I don't think i've written that yet ;)) would be very funny. The ramble is great! I love hearing the ramble about my stories! You're incredibly welcome and I hope you continue to enjoy! :D

Passerby: Thank you! I'm glad you love it! Ty Lee is an essential part of the story, I'm intentionally not confirming the pairing because I want it to be as natural to me as I have it planned out in my head and I don't want to spoil what I want to do. I do hope you like it though!

jus drein jus doun: Thank you! I do hope you enjoy it. I'm glad my books seem to be improving. I hope that continues!

TheBurningLetter: Haha that's very true. They either head out or just... blow up in front of him.

Thank you to you all for your reviews and I hope you all continue to enjoy!

-PS