Chapter Seventeen

Hard Truths

Sokka followed Yue down the hallway. He had never been in this part of the living quarters before, but he didn't pay attention to their surroundings. Yue was angry with him, and he was trying to calm her.

"Yue, please, can't we talk about this?" He asked. She ignored him and kept walking. A pair of guardsmen watched them curiously as they passed. Yue opened another door and stepped inside. Sokka made to follow her, but one of the guards placed a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, sir, but you are not permitted in the princesses bedroom without permission."

"But I've got to talk with her! She's mad, and I.." He trailed off. He started to worry about his relationship with Yue, and wondered if maybe it wouldn't work out. Surely it would, their fathers had signed the pact already. One argument wouldn't stop that, would it?

"Yue, I- Can we please talk? I can explain everything! If you would let me in, I-" He stopped speaking when the door opened. Yue was glaring at him in a way that was frighteningly similar to Katara. She held his gaze for a moment, and Sokka thought that she would send him away, but she stepped aside so that he could enter.

The door closed behind him, and Sokka looked around the room. He was surprised at the spartan furnishings. There was a large bed, with blue curtains that surrounded the canopy. A desk and chair were stationed against one wall. A window opposite the door overlooked the city. A bookshelf and dresser stood beside the left and right of the bed respectively.

"Well?" Said Yue. "Explain why you feel so strongly for Azula?"

"I don't feel strongly for Azula." Sokka answered, "I just… pity her, I guess."

Yue's face lost it's angry expression and changed to one of confusion. "You pity her?"

Sokka sighed. He should probably start at the beginning. "It's a long story. It all started a few months ago…"

Sokka told the story of how he had fallen into the spirit world, his deal with Koh, and everything that had transpired since. He explained how when he entered the void everything became so clear, and he told her of his third eye. Yue listened silently as he told his story, and she sat beside him on the bed.

"And that's when I met Azula. Her and Zhao had captured me and Aang, and they were interrogating me about my father. Azula said something and I knew it was a lie. I'm not sure how, but I knew it as surely as I know that the moon will rise again. That's when I looked at her with my third eye. I met her eyes and I got a look inside. It's hard to explain, really, but when I meet someone's gaze with my third eye open I can get a sense of who they are. I think that because I was wrapped in the void at the same time I could really see who she is."

"And who is she?" Yue asked hesitantly. Sokka's story worried her. She felt something for this boy, something she hadn't felt before and she didn't really know what it was. And now she learned that he had been bound to Koh, whoever he was, much like she had been touched by the Moon Spirit. His bond seemed different somehow. Darker. As if the spirit had taken something from him. She was worried now, worried that Sokka was in danger, that somehow the boy she had grown to… grown to like, would be taken from her. Taken by the Fire Nation princess, or by the spirits. Yue didn't know what was worse.

"She's… alone, I guess. Someone left her when she was young, and she had nobody but the Fire Lord. She's devoted to him, completely, for she is afraid that if she disappoints him he'll cast her away, and then she'll have nobody. She's sad, lonely and scared. When our eyes met, she was afraid of me, I think."

"Do you… like her?" Yue asked, softley. To her relief, Sokka shook his head. The feeling of jealousy that she had been holding since Katara and Sokka's argument faded away when he had denied liking the princess.

"D- do you like me?" Yue asked hopefully, trying hard not to let worry into her voice. Of course he did, or she thought he did, at least as a friend. She wanted to think that he had feelings for her in the same way that she had for him, but she couldn't know for sure. He could just be fulfilling his duty to his tribe, and not feel anything for her.

Sokka scoffed at her question, and Yue's heart sank.

"Of course I do, Yue. I think that I'm falling in-" He cut himself off. His voice cracked and he blushed. "Falling in… like with you."

Yue looked at Sokka. Sokka looked away, trying to hide his blush. Falling in like with you? What was wrong with him? Why hadn't he just said yes? Spirits, Sokka felt stupid. He was almost as bad as Aang back on Kyoshi Island.

"I'm falling in like with you, too." Yue said, with a smile. Sokka's face lit up and he smiled back at her. She leaned towards him, tilting her face upwards. Sokka leaned down and kissed her gently. They broke apart quickly and smiled at each other.

Yue stood up and took Sokka's hand, "Let go on a walk, I want to show you something."

Sokka nodded and followed her. "We have something else in common, since you told me about Koh."

"What's that?" Sokka asked. They walked around a corner and began to descend a flight of stairs.

"I owe the Moon Spirit my life. I'm spirit touched, too." Yue spoke to him as they exited the palace and headed towards the bay. Yue took hold of Sokka's arm and they walked in comfortable silence as they traveled through the city. Eventually, they walked out over the Glacial Gate. Yue and Sokka looked out over the sea. It was a spectacular view.

"When I was born, I was very sick. Most babies cry when they're born, but I was silent. Our healers tried everything they could, but they couldn't help me. My parents took me to the Spirit Oasis and placed me in the water, where the moon reflected on the surface. My hair turned white and I began to cry. My parents knew that I would live, and so my mother named me Yue for the moon."

"That's amazing!' Sokka said, "I'm so glad that you're alive.

Sokka paused, realizing that what he said sounded a little weird. Yue seemed to like it though, and she smiled at him before turning back to the sea. Sokka couldn't take his eyes away from her though. He looked down at the beautiful young woman beside him. Ever since they had met, Sokka had been enthralled with her. She was so kind to everyone they met. She would help anyone who needed, going as far as to help the elderly in and out of boats on the canals. She even settled arguments between children.

Sokka felt something deep in his chest, a happiness stronger than he had felt since before his mother died. He was so grateful that she had come into his life, and he would have to thank his father for it. He wondered if they would have wound up together if he hadn't. Would they? Surely they would have met while he was at the north pole with Aang, even if they didn't spend so much time together.

"Sokka," Yue broke him out of his thoughts, "I was wondering, what do I look like when you use your third eye?"

"I actually haven't looked. I haven't opened it in a while. I can now, though."

"Oh, no, you don't have to if you don't want to, I was just curious." Yue hastily replied.

"I'm curious too now," Sokka chuckled. "Give me a second, it won't take too long."

Sokka closed his eyes and touched his forehead. He hadn't had to do that for some time, but he hadn't practiced since Katara had confronted him about Koh. He really should, it was a valuable skill even without the Face Stealer's power. He made a mental note to practice that and reaching for the void more often.

He opened his eyes again, and his mouth fell open. Yue glowed with the beautiful white light of the summer moon. It didn't course through her body the way that chi normally did, no, it emanated from her and illuminated everything around them.

"Is it that bad?" Yue said with a smile. Sokka shook his head and wiped his eyes. He shut them tight and closed his third eye once more. He had seen enough, as beautiful as it was, he didn't think it wise to gaze at her like that for long.

"It's the most beautiful thing I've ever seen."

"Really?"

"Yes!" He laughed, "Yue, you're incredible!"

"She is indeed." A man said from behind them. Sokka looked over to see who had spoken. It was a tall man that he didn't recognize. Evidently Yue did, as she greeted the man by name.

"Thanks, Laluk, but I'm really not all that special," She said. Sokka shook his head in disagreement. "You most certainly are! I can assure you of that!"

Yue swatted him on the arm, and Sokka fell to the ground clutching his arm as he pretended it was a grievous wound. Yue rolled her eyes and laughed at his antics while Laluk looked at Sokka judgmentally.

"So this is the man who your father chose instead of Hahn? Well, as long as you like him I can't hold too much of a grudge. Even if he did beat my own son." Laluk said, cracking a half smile.

"Oh, uh, yeah. I'm sure that Hahn will find a suitable wife soon." Yue said awkwardly. Sokka stopped writhing dramatically and looked at Laluk. He had been chosen over this man's son? And he had just been rolling on the ground like an idiot? Good first impression that would make. Laluk was probably a member of the nobility, and Sokka imagined that he would have to deal with him rather often once he and Yue were married.

"I'll see to it, eventually. I must say though, being turned over for… Sokka… has been a humbling experience for him." Laluk said, before turning away from the and walking across the gate once more. "It's been a pleasure, Princess, First Son."

"Uh, you too." Sokka said, watching the noblemen walk away. He had an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach, a suspicion that he should be wary of him.


Zuko sat lotus style on the porch of Song's home. He gazed out at the fence he had tried to rebuild, and wondered how he could improve it. The structure leaned inwards, and sagged slightly. How had he managed to make logs sag?

The door slid open and Song walked out to sit beside him. She followed his gaze to the fence before speaking. "My father would normally fix that sort of thing, back when he was still with us. I haven't seen him since I was a little girl. When the Fire Nation took control of this territory they raided our farming village, and took him and all the other men away."

Zuko looked at her slowly. He felt a pain in his chest at her story, sorrow for her loss, and guilt. It was his family that started this war, and he felt that he bore at least part of the blame.

"I haven't seen my father in many years." Zuko said softly. Song smiled at him sadly, before speaking again.

"The Fire Nation has hurt you.." She whispered, and she reached out to gently caress his scar. Zuko grabbed her hand gently before she could, and he saw a disappointed look on her face. He felt more guilt, and shame now. He decided to tell her something he had kept to himself for all the years since his banishment.

"It still hurts."

Song's eyes widened at his words. It still hurt? She could tell the wound was a few years old at least, it shouldn't be paining him still. Not after all this time, unless the burn went deeper than it looked.

"It hurts just when you touch it?" She said softly. Zuko shook his head. "It always hurts."

Song pulled her hand back and looked away. Zuko released her and returned to his thoughts.

"The Fire Nation has hurt you…" She said again, and pulled up the hem of her dress. She rolled up the leg of her pants to reveal a burn much like Zuko's own. "They've hurt me, too."

Zuko looked at her in horror. This kind and gentle girl had been burned badly, when she was just a child. She must have been even younger than Zuko when he was banished when it happened. Even one as young as her had been harmed by his father's army, or his grandfathers perhaps. Zuko realized that this war needed to end immediately. It shouldn't have begun in the first place, the Fire Nation had lost its honor, in a way far greater than Zuko had. His had been stripped from him for refusing to fight his own father, but the Fire Lords had shed their nation's honor through countless atrocities for a century. Zuko knew that as soon as he returned home, he would have to beg for the war to end, to fight his father in any way he could. He needed to bring peace, somehow.

"There's hope, though. The war will end soon, for the Avatar has returned." Song said, her voice filled with optimism. "He's going to end the war, and bring back balance."

Zuko closed his eyes and exhaled slowly. "I know."


Three days after the war meeting, Iroh walked his way towards his niece's cabin. He hadn't seen much of her, or her friend Ty Lee, since the meeting. He had spoken with the other girl, Mai, who had told him she didn't know what was going on with those two. During the meeting, while they were discussing the First Son's engagement as well as Hakoda, Azula had sounded… off. Something in her voice had seemed different. What was more compelling was Ty Lee's reaction to Admiral Zhao. Had she seen the corruption that had taken him? Iroh hadn't expected her abilities to advance so quickly, but if they had…

Iroh rounded the corner and approached Azula's quarters. The door was ajar, and that was something that was unusual in and of itself. He approached the door cautiously; he didn't want to startle Azula in whatever it was that she was doing. As he got closer, he could hear faint voices coming from the cabin.

"Azula, I'm serious! There's something wrong with him! It's like he's sick, his aura was dark, like- like- I don't know, something rotten! I'd never seen anyone that clearly before, but when I saw Zhao it was…" Ty Lee trailed off. She had heard something in the corridor outside. Azula heard it too, and she looked at the door, surprised to see it ajar. She glared at Ty Lee. "Ty Lee, you left the door open! How many times have I told you to shut doors after yourself?"

Iroh opened the door fully and stepped inside. He bowed to his niece in greeting. "Good morning, Princess Azula. I haven't seen you around the ship in a few days, and I worry that something is troubling you. Is everything well?"

Azula rolled her eyes. "Everything's fine, Uncle. Or it would be if Ty Lee weren't seeing things."

"I am not seeing things!" Ty Lee said, her shoulders up and her fists balled at her sides.

"Right, sure. I believe you." Azula sniped sarcastically. Ty Lee's face grew red, and she seemed as though she were about to shout, but Azula just carried on speaking. "Why, Uncle, maybe you should take Ty Lee above deck and brew her some calming tea. Perhaps she can explain to you whatever nonsense she thinks she saw."

"That's… Yes, of course, Princess Azula." Iroh replied slowly. He had intended to speak with Azula personally, to try and help her through whatever trouble she was facing. She hadn't been willing to open up to him yet, and he hoped that he would be able to help her during the few remaining weeks before he would rejoin Zuko. He worried that when he reunited with Zuko, she would feel betrayed and devastated. He loved his niece, but Zuko needed him more. Despite his wishes to help Azula, and how much he had grown to worry for her, he knew that it was imperative for him to help Zuko on his path to becoming Fire Lord. He only hoped that Azula would forgive him in time.

Ty Lee did not look pleased with the turn her conversation with Azula had taken. She worried that her friend had placed too much trust in Zhao, and it hadn't bothered her before she had seen whatever it was that was wrong with him. Now she was being dismissed to try and explain with General Iroh. maybe that wasn't so bad, maybe he could help her with explaining to Azula what she had seen. Ty Lee wasn't entirely sure what it meant, honestly, but she was certain that it wasn't anything good. Ty Lee took a deep breath before following Iroh from Azula's quarters.

They walked in silence until they reached the deck of the ship, where Iroh summoned a servant to bring him a pot of tea. He began brewing quickly, and soon the pair of them were sitting in the morning sun enjoying a cup of jasmine tea. Iroh drank deeply before finally asking Ty Lee what she had seen.

"I take it you looked at Admiral Zhao with your third eye." Iroh said softly. Ty Lee nodded.

"He looked sick, like a disease had infected his spirit or something. I don't know how else to explain it."

"I have seen it too." Iroh said, placing his cup down on the table between them. "He has been corrupted."

"So you know about it too? You don't think I'm crazy?" Ty Lee murmured. Iroh shook his head.

"There is a hard truth, one that I had hoped I wouldn't have to explain so soon, but it seems that you're more gifted with matters of the spirit than I gave you credit for." Iroh sighed. "You see, there is a sickness that dwells in the hearts of many in the Fire Nation. It exists in the Earth Kingdom and Water tribes too, though it is incredibly rare."

"What kind of sickness?" Ty Lee whispered, curious and mortified.

"One that perverts the mind, and makes one cruel and heartless. It is not an easy thing to come to know. Especially for one so young. It took me many years to understand it."

"And Zhao has it, then? This corrupted spirit?"

Iroh nodded, "He has perhaps the worst case I have come across. Whatever the cause is I do not know, but it has him fully. It most often begins in childhood, or at an event so horrible that it can change you forever. Some can fight against it, and others it touches only lightly, but not him."

"Do-" Ty Lee swallowed, "Do I have it?"

Iroh chuckled and shook his head. Ty Lee let out the breath that she didn't know she had been holding. It was a relief to know that whatever it was hadn't touched her. She was sure that Mai didn't have it, though she had yet to look at her with the third eye since Iroh had begun training her in it. She thought about what Iroh had said. The corruption made one cruel and heartless, and that didn't describe Mai. She was gloomy, and apathetic to most things, but never cruel. Azula on the other hand…

Ty Lee's eyes widened. Could it have taken Azula? Her friend had often said cruel things, and acted uncaring. Ty Lee had heard rumors about things Azula had done, but she had never paid them much heed. But now that she knew about this sickness, she couldn't help but wonder…

"Does Azula?" She asked meekly. Iroh shook his head and smiled, glad that Ty Lee seemed concerned for his niece. At least Azula had friends who would watch out for her, and that was more than Zuko could say.

"No, she does not." Iroh said with a smile. "I had worried that she would, but she's safe. It hasn't taken her. She's completely untouched by it, unlike Zuko."

"Zuko has it?!" Ty Lee said aghast.

"Partly, though his spirit is fighting it, and winning. When he was a boy, before his banishment, he was completely untouched. After his Agni Kai with the Fire Lord, however, that changed. What was once only the golden fire of sunlight became fraught with darkness. As I said, a cataclysmic event such as he suffered could open one to it, and it did for him."

"But he's fighting it?" Ty Lee asked hopefully.

"Yes, and as I said, he's winning."

"But if that's the case, why did he turn against the Fire Nation?"

"I said he was winning, I never said he was wise. And besides, Zhao has not turned against us, and neither has Ozai."

Ty Lee paled. Ozai? As in Fire Lord Ozai? If what the Dragon of The West said was true, it meant that their sovereign was sick, with whatever it was that was inside of Zhao. That was bad, it was really bad. It did make sense though, in a way. It would explain how the Fire Lord could have done what he had to his own son, and how poorly he treated Azula. He had always been cruel to Azula, treating her more like a weapon than a daughter. The Princess didn't see it though. She did anything and everything her father asked of her, and he hardly showed her any affection or thanks in return. Ty Lee's own parents had never given her much attention, but that was because of how busy they were, and with her six sisters she doubted that they had enough time in general. Her own problems paled in comparison to her friend's, especially if what General Iroh said was true.

"And at any rate, Zuko has not turned his back against the Fire Nation. He has done what he has so that he might regain his place on the throne, and lead the Fire Nation to a brighter future. That said, the way he has gone about is unacceptable." Iroh hurriedly added the last sentence. He did not want to give any indication of his conspiring with Zuko. If their plot was discovered, it would surely fail, and with it any chance of helping Azula see the error of her fathers ways.

"Is there a cure?" Ty Lee asked quietly, a pleading tone leaking into her voice.

"Yes, but not for one such as the Admiral. He has been taken by it, and there is nothing to be done for him now." Iroh answered somberly, and upon seeing the sorrowful look on the young woman's face, he added, "At least none that I know of."

Ty Lee slumped. She didn't know what to do, should she try to talk to Azula? She had tried that already, and it hadn't worked out. Perhaps if Iroh helped her, she could try and explain things to Azula and it would actually work? She just didn't know…

"Ty Lee," Iroh said, and she looked up at him. "I understand how tempting it might be to try and explain this to Azula, but I must ask you to keep this to yourself. When people learn of this before they are ready, it can be… difficult."

"But, I have to warn her about Zhao! He could be plotting something! She might be in danger!"

Iroh shook his head. "I do not think so. Zhao is devoted to the Fire Nation, and he would not act against its best interest."

"Are you sure? You said that the spirit illness causes you to be heartless and cruel."

"Yes, but it does not make someone abandon everything out right."

Ty Lee sighed in relief. She didn't want Azula to be in danger, and if Iroh thought that she wasn't in harm's way, it was enough for her. The old general was wise, and he cared for his niece. If he was sure that she wasn't in danger, then Ty Lee was certain as well.


Azula finished her message. It was a missive from the capital, and it bore tiding that she should have been happy with. She knew that, but despite the fact that it should have been good news, she began to worry. The Fire Lord had gotten engaged. He would be wed after the comet came, on the last day of summer. She should be happy for her father, truly, but she couldn't shake the feeling of helplessness in the pit of her stomach.

Was he getting married again simply because he liked this woman? Or was it because he decided he needed a new heir? Surely the first. Azula had let the Avatar slip through her fingers, and she had so far failed to capture Zuko, but that didn't mean that he had decided she was unfit, did it? Surely, he would understand. He was reasonable.

Even as she thought that, she couldn't help but remember what he had done to Zuko. He had challenged him to a duel, burned him, and then banished him. Simply for speaking out of turn. A much lesser event than her own failure so far. Would he cast her aside just the same? She would not let that happen, she could not. She had failed him once, and she would not do so again. She would prevail during the siege of the north pole, she would capture the Avatar and Sokka. She would prove to her father that she was valuable, and that she deserved his love.


Author's note.

Hey all, I hope you've enjoyed the story so far. As it is right now, we're in the last few chapters of part one. There's not much farther to go until the siege, and I appreciate that you've bothered to read this far at, so thanks I guess.

It's a bit of a milestone for me, for the story has reached the two hundred page mark, with a total of 88613 words including this note. I honestly didn't realize how long it would be when I wrote the outline, or when I drew out each character's plot for the entire saga.

Katara and Aang have taken the back seat in part one, but in part two they're going to have a greater role in the story.

Anyway, please review, leave a comment or something. Or don't; it's up to you.