When the time came the next day for the friends to meet by the shipwreck, Sokka was unsure if that day would be any different from the last. To his delight, it was, but he quickly saw how unhappy Zuko looked.

"What's going on?"

The boy took a deep breath. "My father's the new firelord."

Stepping back, the Water Tribe boy's eyes filled with horror. "Wh-what? How? Y-your uncle. What about him? He just decided he didn't want to lead anymore?"

After this was said, Zuko only seemed to become sadder. He shakily let out a sigh and had his eyes fall to the snow.

"It's my cousin," he explained. "He got killed and without an heir, Uncle can't be the firelord. My father's next in line."

Sokka went forward and put a hand on his friend's shoulder. This got the bender to look back up at the other boy.

"I'm sorry," Sokka said sincerely.

"Thanks."

"Do you know how it happened?"

"I don't, but I know that my father caused it to happen. He'll kill everyone in my family except my sister if he gets the chance."

Sokka paused, feeling concerned. "What can we do then? Do you know what his plans are next?"

Zuko shook his head. "No clue. He never really lets me know anything important. I…really don't know what his plans are. If I had to guess, he's going to try to make the entire world the Fire Nation and kill whoever gets in his way."

"The entire world? Is your military big enough to do something like that?"

"It's already killed all the airbenders. If given enough time, I think it could do more."

Sokka put his hands on his head, trying not to panic. "Okay, okay. We can work with this. This just means that even if we manage to push him out of our tribe, the rest of the world is in danger."

The boy let out a grunt, failing at his attempt to not become stressed. Suddenly, his eyes brightened and he looked back at Zuko.

"There is something good about this."

"There is?"

"Yeah! You can replace him."

Zuko stared at him in shock. "I couldn't be a firelord."

"Sure, you could. You said you're a bit older than your sister. That would make you next in line now, right?"

"Well, yes technically, but what would I even do with a nation?"

"Hopefully not lead it like your father."

Zuko's brows furrowed at him. "I'm being serious."

"I am too," Sokka assured him. "You know what not to do at least."

"But I don't know what to do. Even my uncle didn't know how to make the Fire Nation a good place."

"You could keep doing stuff like this with getting nations to interact." Sokka's smile became more encouraging. "Now, we're both in line to lead our groups. I don't really know what I'll do either when the day comes, but I'm looking forward to it."

"How can you look forward to it? Aren't you nervous?"

"Extremely. My dad leaves some big shoes to fill, but it's also sort of exciting. Even though I think he's a great chief, I want to become a better one. It'll be tricky, but I still think I can do it."

"I bet you can too."

"Which is exactly what I think about you becoming the firelord!"

"Well, maybe. It's nothing that would happen any time soon if it happened at all. For now, we have to prepare for whatever my father is going to do. The faster you all attack, the better. He's probably been planning this for a while, so he most likely has some scheme he's ready to put into motion."

Sokka nodded, becoming serious. "Already on it. We set a date and everything."

"Good. Well then," Zuko said, getting into a fighting stance, "let's keep training so that you'll be ready."

The two began their practice as the new firelord sat in the War Room. He was speaking with the commanding officers–the ones who were suddenly subservient to him and him alone. No order could be questioned. Zhao stood first, bowing to the leader before speaking.

"Firelord Ozai, though I was meant to search for the Avatar in the Northern Water Tribe, it would be an honor to conquer that territory in your name as well."

Ozai considered the other man's words. He had wanted that territory ever since his father invaded the South. The land in the North was so different from its sister tribe. It was civilized in comparison to the Southern Water Tribe's primitive ways. The conquest that the Fire Nation had done meant nothing because there was no fight and no chance for true retaliation. Even Ozai was not blind to the fact that they had done little more than arrive and build homes. In the Northern Water Tribe, there could actually be a fight. There, they had a military of their own with warriors and benders. It would be so much more of a show of power to conquer them as easily as they could their Southern brethren.

"You have my support, Admiral," he informed the soldier. "Your first goal is to conquer the tribe and second is to retrieve the Avatar."

Pleased by having received the ruler's favor, a smile found its way to Zhao's lips. "Are we to bring back any prisoners or turn them into servants like we have done here?"

"No."

Upon hearing this, some of the commanders in the room tensed. They tried to not be obvious with this, but their gazes became more cautious.

"None at all, my liege?" another one inquired, regretting his decision when he saw the man's cold stare.

"Was I unclear, Commander?"

"No, not at all, Sir," the soldier quickly insisted, lowering his head. "I apologize for my question."

Zhao only looked excited by the news he had been given. "Would you like me to attend to that immediately, Your Highness?"

"I would. Return to the Fire Nation first. The battle requires more soldiers than what we have present. Afterwards, lay siege to the tribe."

Ozai paused for a moment, thinking of something. He was not sure if the idea was one he would still like later, but he supposed that he would have an entire reign of conquering lands.

"Do not kill everyone initially," he instructed. "Let them live in their fear for a few days, then execute the leaders. Making a show of their deaths will demonstrate to the world what's to come. Afterwards, dispose of the rest of the tribesmen."

The admiral bowed deeply and was dismissed so that he could collect his belongings and depart. Ozai noticed how the others there looked concerned. They disapproved of his plans, but they would remain silent. The leader almost enjoyed the fact that they disagreed. It made their poised demeanors take on an uncomfortable note which brought him amusement. They were probably the same ones who would have supported at least some actions of his brother. When he was sure who all was among this group, he would be rid of them. Nothing of the previous firelord would be left in Ozai's nation. The only thing associated with his brother that he wanted there was the man himself. Having him present to watch Ozai take his place and lead better than he ever could would have been bliss beyond what even the new ruler could have imagined. One day, he hoped that dream would be reality.

That day would not come for some time. Iroh had left the others near Ba Sing Se. If he could have, he would have ordered the troops to withdraw. Unfortunately, he lacked the authority. If the only person he could control was himself, then he chose to leave. Iroh did not know where he wanted to go. He only knew that he had to get away from the Fire Nation. The man walked with a bag of supplies. A note was left so that no one came looking for him.

Iroh decided to go to one of the cities far from Ba Sing Se. He wore gray clothing. The former firelord refused to wear red. If he had it in his possession, he would have worn green. Iroh felt like he would have worn anything to further separate himself from his nation. The last thing which revealed his origins was the amber color of his eyes, but he decided he would allow that. As the man walked through the town, he saw families laughing together. They were enjoying a meal outside and two children were eagerly sharing news of an animal discovery with their mother and father. He had never been one to grow bitter while seeing the happiness of others, but he nearly did this time. Iroh stopped himself as his thoughts became resentful. That family did not deserve his disdain. They looked nice, but they also looked complete which was what hurt him so much.

Iroh doubted that his family ever truly felt complete. His mother had passed away years ago and even before then, she was always distant. He wished he could have known her better. His father was distant in his own way as well. The man offered no one love, but his favor was conditional. Do well and be rewarded; do poorly and be punished. For years, Iroh had been grateful that he was the older brother so that he could bear the weight of Azulon's pressures. It was not until adulthood that he realized just how much Ozai despised him for that. Happiness came for a brief time when he met who would become his wife. They had fallen so deeply in love that he was unsure how he would go on without her. Still, he had for their son. That was why Iroh would display his amber eyes proudly even if he no longer had national pride. They were the part of Lu Ten he could bring with him wherever he went. There was only one other connection to his people which Iroh valued: his nephew.

The grieving man worried for Zuko. Ozai was bold as a prince. He would be a tyrant as a ruler. Iroh wondered if fear was partially what kept him from going back. As the firelord, he could do something. He was a mere prince again, or general, depending on what people said. What could he do? So, he begrudgingly admitted to himself that he was afraid to return. He dreaded the idea of going back to what should have been home, seeing his nephew need help, and being completely useless. Though he knew his absence would not make things better, he doubted his presence would either. Iroh was uncertain about so many things, namely what he would do with his life from that day forward. He would not remain a traveler indefinitely, but he hoped that some time away from it all could bring peace and clarity to his troubled soul.

While Iroh went to find a place to stay for the night, Katara was on her way out of the hut. With Gran Gran preparing dinner and Hakoda speaking with the warriors, she could have been able to go unnoticed. Had the girl not needed to worry about the last member of her family, she would have. Instead, Katara walked out of the hut and into Sokka.

"Where are you going?" he asked. "You aren't taking any clothes to wash."

The girl hesitated, but she decided that it would take more time to try to convince him of a lie.

"I'm going to try to practice waterbending."

Her brother's eyes widened. "Why? Someone might see you."

"Not the way I'm going to do it. I'm going to the shipwreck."

Sokka shook his head. "The Fire Nation knows about it. I think Zuko's sister saw the two of us there. She could come back."

Katara paled at the mention of the girl. "Dad said that Zuko was a prince. So, his sister's the princess?"

"Yeah, why's that important?"

The bender suddenly looked unsure. "I don't want to go to the shipwreck then, but I still want to bend."

"I know, but you can after we get the Fire Nation out of the tribe."

"I want to help, so I'm not just in the way and can keep everyone safe too. I'm going to work on waterbending. I just need to find somewhere."

Sokka sighed, putting a hand over his face. He understood how she felt since he also wanted to assist in the battle but she was…his sister. That meant that he had to protect her even in times when she was determined to do something risky. This was absolutely one of those times.

"If you're determined to go, I'll take you somewhere not too far off the coast."

Katara's eyes lit up and she happily hugged the warrior-in-training. The two of them took a small boat from the hut and hurried off to the coast near the shipwreck. Once there, Sokka began rowing. They got just far enough away to not be seen from the shore, then the boy stopped.

"I hope you start bending better too because then, you can just move us with your waves instead of me having to row," the boy grumbled.

"Another reason why I should do this."

"Well, go on then, so we can go back before Dad gets worried."

Katara looked at the water and tried to focus. They were surrounded by ice, but she hoped that she could control some of the ocean even if it was just a drop of water. There also were icebergs everywhere.

"Maybe I can melt one of these," she thought aloud.

"Sure, why not?" Sokka asked, leaning back in the canoe. "Let me know when you're done."

The boy closed his eyes and thought of the upcoming battle. They could lose some of their people. They could even lose their…no, he refused to think of that. He just hoped that they would not lose at all. Sounds pulled him out of his thoughts as he heard Katara mumbling in frustration.

"It's kinda hard to relax while you're complaining," he commented.

When he looked at her, he saw chips in the icebergs. Katara kept trying to melt them, but chipping was all she could do.

"I can't make them melt! They just keep breaking. See?"

Katara demonstrated with another attempt at waterbending. It only continued to break off more pieces of the ice, this time in larger chunks. Sokka watched warily, making sure that nothing fell and hit them.

"Okay, I get it. Let's head back for now before this whole thing comes down."

A larger part of the ice fell and Sokka jumped back.

"Cut it out, Katara! We're going to get crushed!"

The girl's eyes widened in fear. "That wasn't me."

Suddenly, an enormous chunk fell from the iceberg and into the water. It created a huge wave that pushed the siblings' boat into another iceberg. The wood cracked, causing the boat to fill up with liquid. Quickly, Katara created a sheet of ice beneath them so that they were not plunged into the icy water. They clung onto one another to stay balanced and tried to calm down their breathing. Their eyes were tightly shut, but a bright light was shining through their eyelids. Curiously, Sokka peeked open an eye. His jaw dropped and he shook Katara.

"What?"

The bender got her answer when she followed Sokka's gaze. Across from them was a bright blue beam of light that reached the sky. Sokka protectively held Katara tighter, unsure what this mysterious light meant. Soon, its width dwindled and the light was entirely gone. Katara lifted her head more and moved a little forward. Sokka tried to stop her, but she kept going, barely balancing on the ice. She squinted before widening her eyes as a new sight was seen.

"Sokka, on the ice," she said, shocked, "th-there's a boy."