I don't own Avatar: The last airbender

Chapter 34

"Update log from the workshop, your highness."

Zuko was having his breakfast as Sai updated him the regular debrief for the day.

'Go on.'

"A serum was synthesized from the blood of the apex. So far there is no sign of immortality elixir, but there have been some very interesting and disturbing discoveries."

'Disturbing how…' If Sai of all people says it, than something is really amiss.

"Injection of the serum on lab subjects had shown to give various side effects, including arthropod like mutations, increased strength, increased aggressiveness, cannibalism, bleeding, infertility and other minor side effects."

'And is death inside said side effects?'

"Only in approximately 58 out of hundred cases. A sharp decrease from the ninety nine of a month before."

Of course. "And why is that minor?" Seriously, sometimes he just didn't understand how Sai thinks… which considering everything was completely reasonable.

"The states side effects were given priority because of their severity."

Without a word, Sai had sent him images of the experiments. At first, Zuko saw a small rodent in some kind in a cage, it was being injected a black liquid. Fasting forward a few minutes, the rodent started to trash wildly and to Zuko's mounting horror, transforming. Zuko was no stranger to hybrids. Heck, Xing was the exception, not the norm. But this? This was something else.

Animals usually have a very clear and symmetric separation when one animal part ended and another began. This was nothing of the sort. Zuko watched as the rodent began to grow various insect like features in various places, places that shouldn't have such features. An insect eye on its right hind leg, a centipede tale from the left eye socket and so many legs all over the body. It was as disgusting as it was horrible.

It didn't end there. The thing, calling it a rodent wasn't right at this point, kept trashing around until it actually broke thought the glass! It was unbelievable. That reinforced glass will give even a grown man problems, and a thing so small just broke it.

Its moment of freedom was short lived as it was immediately caught in the claws of a (relatively) small scorpion like sentinel with one big glowing rad eye. The sentinel threw the mutant to the air and shot at it with rapid blasts of rad fire so clear that it seemed like rays of light. The mutant screeched in agony as its body was riddled with holes, until after a minute or two it finally stopped.

Even so, the metal construction kept its fire going, making the body dance in the air without stopping. This continued for a minute or so until it finally stopped and caught the falling body with its claws, examining it. Only the head was left, frozen in constant agony. Apparently, it found nothing interesting as it merely threw the mass of flesh backwards, right on top of a pile of equally gruesome mutations.

Looking at it, as hard as it was, Zuko thought that he noticed a small movement at the pile. It was as if something was trying to crawl away. It seems like he wasn't the only one, because in a speed Zuko had never seen before, the scorpion like machine was upon the pile and burned it with flames that came from its claws.

The movie ended with a close-up image of the sentinel, its one red eye moving the pupil from point to point as it mirrored the flames. The agonized screeches of the damned could be heard in the background.

"There are more videos recording the interactions between the mutants and the other rodents of various age groups, but I believe that the message had gotten through."

'Sweet mother of Agni on a bike…' Zuko barely held his stomach from retching. 'What was this absolute monster?!'

"This is a medium scaled mutation, one of the side effects I mentioned."

Wait, that was a medium? What was considered high? No, the bigger traumas first.

'I meant the scorpion! Or whatever that thing was!'

"You mean a standard pest control unit LDRS03E07? What about it?"

If that thing was a standard Zuko did not want to see what a special unit looks like.

'It's the single most sadistic, bloodthirsty and psychotic thing I have ever encountered. And I grew up with Azula for crying out loud!'

"I don't see what's wrong, your highness. It's just a regular pest control unit, it's not even from the WH40K series. You can hardly blame a unit for doing effectively. Honestly, I'm more surprised you didn't comment on the mutant."

'Yeah, the blood of the apex can do that?!'

"After some experiments, the apex mutated its own blood. A thing that produced the results you saw. In addition, it seems to have developed the ability to spit acid strong enough to malt rock, although metal is still beyond it."

Great, because the thing wasn't dangerous enough already…

'And you couldn't wait fore to finish eating first?!'

"A miscalculation on my part, I assumed you would like your answers immediately."

'You're not wrong, but still…' Zuko shook his head. 'Never mind, what's the agenda for today?'

"We have to go through the mail first, another update from Loban should arrive by now. After that we should expect company. My sensors indicate that Xing will arrive in a few hours, and Hakoda should be here as well in that case."

'Already? I thought that it would take longer for them to arrive.'

"Your letter didn't leave much room for a compromise. Besides, in spite of the image he paints himself as, in the end Hakoda is a desperate man running on fumes. You gave him an offer he couldn't refuse."

'I should warn Sokka and Katara then. Maybe Toph as well, Hakoda would probably want to hear it from the source. Besides, the less red he sees during that conversation, the better.'

"Very well, just warn them that we don't have a precise time for the arrival. I would also like to suggest that you greet our guests at the gate, there is no need for misunderstandings. As well as warn your generals beforehand."

'True enough.' With his appetite completely lost, he decided to do just that.

The track to the fire prince was a strange experience. They had decided to sail at night as the eyes are blind then and the wind was good. With Xing on the helm, it directed them with its snot. If he pointed left they sailed left, if it pointed right they sailed right.

One time Hakoda noticed it laying on the floor with its ears covering themselves. He didn't know exactly what it was, but he ordered his men to lower sails and be quite. Only in the morning after did he discovered that they were passing by a pod of heavy cruisers that were heading to the east, an encounter that would have resulted in the death of him and his men.

With dawn, they left their canoes and continued the journey on foot. Donning stolen fire nation uniforms, the warriors of the south managed to avoid any unwanted inspection. Honestly, Hakoda expected to at least be ambushed at some point by an earth kingdom force, but there was none to be found. The implications were very concerning.

As for the "friendly" fire troops, a simple note with the royal stump of prince Zuko was enough to get them through without inspection. Of course, they didn't enter any stronghold that would have allowed a more professional inspection. At long last, they seemed to be close, because the dog stood still.

"We're close, boy?" Hakoda addressed the animal. It was a strange thing to talk to an animal as if it was a person, but he found out that this dog was more intelligent then most of his men. Wither it told on the hound's skills or his men's lack thereof remains unanswered.

Xing merely barked and pointed forward to the end of the forest they used as shelter. The message was clear, their journey end is near… for better or worth.

"I'll take a look." Bato volunteered as he went ahead. He returned after a minute. "There is a city ahead, a big one. Near it there is a huge camp filled with fire nation."

"How huge?" Hakoda asked.

"Thousands, sir." Bato said, a little shaken. "I had never seen so many fire nation soldiers in one camp."

"Damn… Any sign for the prince?"

"I saw a figure standing near the gates, his scar leaves little doubt about his identity. The prince then looked forward and I swear that he looked at me in the eyes."

"And what did he do?"

"He was just standing there… maniacally."

Hakoda sighed. "Very well, men. It's time to face the music. Bato and I will go in, see what the prince has to offer. If we don't return until sunrise, you all know what to do. Be ready to disengage at any moment." With a sign the men followed him.

The two of them walked towards the gate. Nothing had gone wrong, for now at least, but they were prepared. After the two (three actually if you consider the dog) were about a dozen meters away, the dog ran towards the prince and barked happily. The prince in return, opened his arms wildly and greeted his pet with a hug. Hakoda was actually impressed that when Xing jumped on Zuko, the prince merely slid a feet or two back before hugging the very heavy dog.

"Yes, daddy missed you too. Yes he did." Zuko said as the dog licked its master's face. "Who's a good boy, yes you are~"

It was very strange for Hakoda to see the creature that hunted him from one end of the world to another, mauled him and singlehandedly could have ended the fighting force of the south pole (by killing him and living the rest without leadership, a death sentence in this time and age), acting like a lapdog. A look to his side showed that his right hand man had similar thoughts.

After a minute or two, Jakoda didn't dare to interrupt, Zuko decided to grace them with his attention.

"I've been waiting for you, come." He said as he turned his back and walked inside, his dog following right away. With one last look at his friend, the two went into the dragon's den. The guards didn't dare to stop them with the prince.

As they walked, Hakoda noticed the usual organized chaos that was common for all the bases he was in. Some things never change, no matter the side. Zuko led them into the deeper part of the camp, to a building of some sort that Hakoda would be willing to bet was a command center. Entering inside, Zuko pointed at a door.

"You will get all your answers there. Once you finish, come to me. I'll be in the other side of the lobby, you'll have your privacy." With those oh so clear words, the prince and his dog left the two of them alone.

Looking again at one another, Hakoda took the lead and opened the door, completely ready toe fight for his life. Bato was next to him, hidden from view but ready for action. Hakoda was greeted with something he never would have expected.

There were three people there. One girl wearing greens who seemed to be blind, as well as from a wealthy family, but she was a side note for him. What really caught his attention were the two teenagers wearing traditional clothes of the south tribe, a boy and a girl. So much time had passed, so much in fact that he barley even recognized them. But he did, especially with how they grew to be similar like their parents.

"Kids…"

It was time, that's what Zuko told them. Their father was going to come here today.

The two of them, Katara and himself, waited in their room with Toph. The earth bender was uncharacteristically nervous, not that he had any ground to stand on. Both Katara and him were more then freaked out. How dad will react? Will he be happy to see them, or ashamed? Will he even recognize them? Thoughts like that occupied Sokka's mind all day long, and a look at his sister revealed that the same applied to her.

After a forever of sitting still, Toph suddenly sat straighter and looked at a point on the wall.

"They're here." Was all she said.

After a minute or so, the door opened.

"Kids…" Sokka heard the unmistaken voice of his father for the first time in seven years.

"Dad?" His sister said in a trembling voice, as if afraid that it's all is just a dream.

The three of them walked slowly to each other until they were in a touching distance. Dad raised his arm forward slowly, as if he himself thought it was just a dream, and grazed both of their cheeks gently. He sobbed a little, and what followed was a hug in which all three of them cried as dad hugged them. Sokka didn't care if a warrior doesn't cry, he missed dad to much. He messed to be hugged by him, hearing him. He missed a lot of things.

After what felt like forever, as well as to short, they let each other go.

"Kids, how? What-" Dad's eyes suddenly grew. "What are you doing here in the heart of a fire nation camp!"

"Well… Zuko kinda visited the south pole…" Sokka began.

"He what?!" Dad yelled as he held Sokka's shoulders. "How is the village? Gran-Gran? Are they ok?"

"Their fine, their fine!" Sokka proceeded to tell him about the end of the supplies, the greenhouse, and how the women managed to get a work there. All as his dad sat in one of the chairs nursing his growing headache.

"I've failed you." He said. "I have truly failed all of you."

Sokka saw from his side that Katara was biting her lips, most likely having a few things to say but either unsure of herself or deciding it wasn't the time.

"Dad, you couldn't have known." Sokka tried to reassure his father, but the older man had none of it.

"I appreciate it son, but no. I should have paid more attention to the deliveries, I should have seen the possibility when I first heard of the eyes. I certainly could have sent back a few men at some point to make sure the village is fed." Sokka didn't have anything to say to that.

"And now I have to worry about our women being all alone with foreigners doing spirits know what…" Father nursed his ever-growing headache. "And that still doesn't explain how you got here."

Here Sokka awkwardly put his arm behind his head. "I may have done something stupid." At his father's raised eyebrow he explained. "I maybe attacked Zuko once I saw him enter the greenhouse. And I totally won that fight until his men attacked me from behind!"

The last part was a complete lie, and Katara (Even if it was clear to him that she tried to surpass snickering) mercifully kept silence and let him have the moment. He had the feeling that his father wasn't falling for it as well, but if so he made no indication.

"Well done son!" Dad congratulated.

Afterwards, Sokka explained his father about how Zuko found the women and how they ended up getting official recognition as workers. Dad was very interested in the fine print of this work, as well as how much the tribe is getting and loosing. Which Katara explained better as she was the one who actually worked there. Hakoda did stop, however, in a certain point of the story.

"He knows?!"

"Y-yes dad. Zuko knew right away that Katara is a water bender."

"But how?!" father was perplexed. "I made sure that there is no way that someone may even suspect after… well."

"From what Zuko said, there is something in the eyes that tells if a person is a water bender or not." Sokka tried to explain. "Didn't understand it completely."

"Never heard of such nonsense." Father told them. "And I was very close to the water benders that still were in my time. Gran-Gran also told nothing about it and she would have if it was something that may endanger you. No, if even my mother doesn't know anything about this than I'm sure the prince is lying."

Dad then shook his head. "Never mind, we'll deal with this later. What happened next?"

"Well, Zuko offered to personally teach Katara water bending if we accompanied him in his mission." Sokka explained.

"An offer that you couldn't refuse, I guess."

"Maybe?" Sokka shrugged his shoulders. "I mean, looking back I think that Zuko wouldn't have done anything if we refused. Zuko made sure to emphasize that we were free to choose whatever we want, of course we were very scared at that point of time. We decided to leave with him after he finished whatever business he had in the frozen tundra."

"So you left the tribe behind by choice?!" Hakoda said unbelievably. "Had Gran-Gran taught you nothing about trusting strangers?! How would he even teach Katara water bending, his a fire bender for crying out loud! You couldn't have been that naïve!"

"Well excuse me, I thought leaving the village and the family behind was a family tradition!" Katara suddenly yelled. "You know, like you left us behind and didn't send us even a letter! Would you even have come and see us at all if Zuko didn't force your hand?! Because unlike you, he actually keep his promises!"

There was a silence for a moment, none of them was expecting the outburst, not even Katara.

"Katara what…" Dad said it a weak voice, before having a realization of some kind. "You mentioned Zuko many times… you have feelings for him don't you, did he try anything to-"

"And what if he did? Why would you even care?! You weren't there! You weren't there when I cried myself to sleep, you weren't there when I couldn't sleep because of my nightmares and you weren't there when they took mom! You weren't there!"

"Unlike you, Zuko at least was there when we needed help, and he is strong enough to push back the bad men away! And you think you achieved something in all those years?! You don't even know where mom is! All you did was dancing for the one who took her! Actually, if it weren't for you then they wouldn't have taken her. I hate you! I wish that you never were my father!"

Katara than ran out of the room crying.

"Katara, wait!" Sokka was about to go after her but was stopped as his father caught his hand.

"Let her be. She needs some time alone now."

"You know that nothing happened between her and Zuko, right?" Sokka clarified. "I always was with them the entire time. All Zuko did was teaching her water bending. Really."

"That…" His father hesitated for a moment. "That does put my mind at ease a little, thank you son. But what did she meant by the last part?"

"Ehhh…" Sokka wasn't sure how to breach the subject. "What does the name 'Mi-Sha tells you?"

Immediately, his father's expression grew cold as ice and hard as steel. "How do you know that name."

"Actually, maybe it's better if I do the talking." A voice from the side suddenly spoke. Looking in that direction, Sokka saw Toph sitting there . Huh, he forgot she was there after everything.

"Forgive me for sounding rude, little lady, but who are you?" Hakoda asked.

"I'm Toph Beifong, my father is the one owning this city."

"Well then, miss Beifong." Dad bowed. "I apologize for what you have seen. Things are… complicated for our family at the moment."

"It's fine, l should be the one apologizing for intruding."

"Yes… actually, not to be offensive, but why are you here?" Dad asked. "Forgive my bluntness, but I don't see a reason for you to be in such a… private setting."

"I talked to Kya." Was Toph's reply. That shut his dad up.

"Please, tell me more."

Toph than began telling the story of how she met mom, from the moment she was kidnapped to the moment she was rescued. She told his father about her meeting with mom and about what mom told her about Mi-Sha. About how he arranged the raid that took mother, how she was tricked into being under Mi-Sha's thumb and about how the bandit lord puppeteer dad into doing Mi-Sha's dirty work.

Sokka could feel how each word hit his father harder and harder. In the end, dad thanked Toph, as well as praising her for everything she'd done, and asked her to have a moment of peace to digest everything. To which she silently nodded and left.

After they couldn't hear her footsteps anymore, dad screamed in rage and hit the table again and again. Cursing both men and spirits as he raged on. The screams were later transformed into sobs as he bashed his head one final time on the desk.

"I really am good for nothing…"

"Dad…?" Sokka honestly didn't know what to do. Usually Katara was the one who was good with all this emotional nonsense, but for obvious reasons she wasn't available at the moment.

"Your sister is right, son." His father addressed him. "I ruined everything. You would have been better off with another dad."

"What?! No!" Sokka wasn't having any of it. "It's not true and you know it. Sure, you may have made some miscalculations, but you acted the best you could under the situation!"

"Yes, and look where we are now." His father said mournfully. "My children grew orphans, my daughter hates me, my tribe in shambles and in the mercy of the fire nation, years wasted on being some thug's errand boy. And worst of all, all this my wife had been a plaything under my nose this entire time!"

Another fist hit the table.

"Look dad. You made some mistakes, sure. But what could you have possibly done differently? It's easy to blame yourself now when you know all the facts, but seriously, how could you have known or being prepared for all this conspiracy? Sure, I'm also angry and ashamed, but there is one and only one person I blame, and he's in Amora."

Dad looked at him in the eyes and sighed. "You will become a great chief one day, I'm proud of you."

Sokka didn't know how much he needed to hear those words.

"What do you think the prince will want from me?" Dad asked.

"Well, as you know, Zuko is going to attack Amora. If I had to guess, he would want you to be on covert missions like the Kyoshi warriors, or maybe inside agents? Anyway, that's my guess."

"And afterwards?"

"From what Zuko told me, he wants you back in the pole. Living your life quietly and ending your crusade once and for all." Sokka answered after a moment of thinking. "He'll probably be more specific when you talk to him later.

"Yes… I do need to talk to him." Dad said in a tired voice. "You call him Zuko, are you close to him?"

"We're good acquaintances, but the tribe comes first." Sikka answered immediately.

"Good boy." Dad patted his shoulder. "And keep and eye on your sister, will you? She's at this age when girls do stupid things, especially if boys are involved."

"You got it dad." Sokka saluted.

Katara ran to her room and closed the door, she immediately went to her bed and cried with her face plastered to the pillow. Why, why did it have to be like this?! She just wanted to meet her father again after all those years, was it to much to ask?

She continued to cry until she heard the door being open and then closed behind her.

"Go away…" She didn't know who it was, wither it was dad, Sokka, or even spirits forbid Zuko, but she wasn't in the mood for conversation. The sound of a sad, and clearly inhuman, wail drown her attention and made her look in surprise at the one before her.

"Xing?" The hound before her was on his belly, giving her what could only be described as literal puppy eyes. "Wait, how did you even opened the door?"

She was more than certain that she closed the door, if not locked it, but how can an animal open a door? Especially one without thumbs. Deciding she was in no mood to think about it, she just filled it under the rest of the nonsense she grew used to after she met Zuko.

"Never mind. What do you want? I'm not in the mood. Go to Zuko if you want someone to play with."

Much to her annoyance, Xing only drew closer. Couldn't it understand that she needed to be alone?! Was it so hard to even wallow in peace?! After the day she had, she just wanted to be left alone. She didn't want anyone, even if it was a literal dog, to see her like this.

"I told you to go away, didn't I?!"

The sound of a pained yelp brought her back to reality.

"What…" She suddenly saw Xing on the floor, paws cover his eyes and body shaking. She then noticed her hand to her side. Wait, did .. did she slap the animal?! No, the hand was preparing for the hit, not finishing it. But she was certainly about to. Another look at the vulnerable and innocent (for her specific misfortune) animal finally erased any semblance of anger she had as she instead hugged the poor thing.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry! I'm such a bad person!" She now cried on Xing's fur. At one point, the hound put its front limbs around her like it was hugging her, but she honestly didn't notice when. She continued to apologize for what she had nearly done, it evolved later to apologizing for random things that she barely even remembered. Like sawing seaweed in Sokka's underwear that one time.

"Do you forgive me?" Katara finally asked as she pulled her face off Xing's fur. What she received was Xing licking her face where trails of tears could be seen.

"Alright, alright!" Katara said happily. "I got the message, I like you too."

For the next few minutes she just patted the dog.

"Do you think I'm a bad daughter?" Katara suddenly asked. It was strange to talk to an animal, but frankly? She was glad to let this out. And having someone who would listen but not judge her was exactly what she needed.

"I mean, maybe I overreacted, but why did dad had to be so judgmental? He thought it was easy for me? For everyone? It's not like the avatar was going to return just to swipe me of my feet and take me with him to the north to learn water bending, you know."

"It's just… of course I'm still mad at him for leaving us, and maybe a little disappointed that he couldn't protect us. But I was a little girl back then, you can't really blame someone for this. But in the end he's a victim just like all of us, doesn't he? I really shouldn't have said everything back then, dad really tried his best."

"But now he probably hates me… fine, it's not like I have forgiven him as well. At least he has Sokka now, with him he doesn't need to fear someone discovering a water bender. Sokka always wanted to be a warrior like dad, I'm sure that they're getting along very well now without me."

"...No, it's not fair for Sokka. I shouldn't blame him because of my own screw-ups. What do you think I should do?" And now she was asking for guidance from a dog… her life really did hit rock bottom, didn't it?

In response, she got a bark and a lick on the cheek. Xing then jumped on the bed and circled like a cat before laying down. Huh, maybe it was on to something, Katara did feel like sleeping. She moved to the bed and laid there as Xing made place for her. She then pulled a blanket on the two of them and hugged the dog like the big soft plushy it was. Soon enough, sleep overtook her.

"Uncle, you're back…"

His uncle was finally back after a long time where he went "to visit old friends in the colonies" because he felt the need to "change serenity". To be fair, Zuko didn't know how to feel. On one hand, he was happy to see the his uncle again. On the other hand… he really would have appreciated it if his uncle would have chosen a different time to arrive.

"That I am, nephew." Uncle said. "I hope that my arrival hadn't been to sudden, I didn't see you among the welcoming party."

Was he trying to guilt trip him? Yeah… that's not going to work any more. "Sorry uncle, but you really caught me in a bad time. I have an important meeting that I must prepare for, which is why I would ask you to say your things without the usual word games. I'm really on the clock with this one."

"Is it so wrong to spend some quality time with my favorite nephew?"

"It's not, tomorrow, when you nephew the crown prince isn't having a meeting with international consequences for decades to come."

"Must be a very important meeting then." Uncle groomed his beard as he said in wonder.

"It is. Now why are you here?"

His uncle's face grew serious. "While I had my vacation, I also searched for all kinds of interesting tales about anything that may be connected to our special friend. And what I found was quite… disturbing to say at least."

Oh dear, it's going to be one of those talks, isn't it?

"Afraid so, your highness."

"Well then, please share. Obviously you wouldn't leave until you say your piece."

"It's not a game, Zuko. That thing is dangerous!"

"So does you, dragon. But I don't see anyone trying to push you away because of that." Sai finally decided to participate in the conversation, as there were no witnesses unaware of the helmet.

"I'm his uncle, helmet. And any crime I have committed pales compared to your never-ending list of atrocities. Any good Samarian deed you have done is to cover another hundred misdeeds. You have caused global conflicts every time you appear."

"Yes, because the world is so much peaceful without me. There is no global war going on as we speak." Sai had a point.

"You have killed hundreds of thousands of innocent women and children. No amount of self righteousness can justify that."

"Millions actually. For every soul I had snuffed, I made sure ten more would be preserved as the spirits deemed that they should perish. And you're no innocent yourself, general."

"You destroyed the sun warrior civilization. You made the great divide as a means to destroy the avatar, killing anyone who was in the way. You bent and broke men and spirits alike and murdered all who didn't agree with you. And I have a proof for all of this."

Uncle put a bunch of scrolls on the table, no doubt all kinds of stories about said things.

"And?" Zuko asked. "So what? I already know all of this."

Sai made sure that Zuko learnt about his procedures, both achievements and mistakes. Sai analyzed anything they did and the two debated what could and should have been done in place, it was a good head breaker. Some of the things the overlords did was outright dark, like burn a baby alive while its family watches dark, and Zuko made a mental note to never do such things, but Sai explained the reasoning of each overlord. They thought together on different alternatives. To many they found, but to too much Zuko had no answers.

In any case, his answer gave uncle a stop. "What?! You knew all along?!"

"Well, not all along." Zuko admitted. "But the helmet didn't shy away from telling about former owners, and I hardly would blame the tool on the acts of the owner. It's really short minded of you uncle, I'm disappointed."

"Zuko, once is a happening, twice is an incident. But if every single time someone finds this helmet they end up as a power-hungry maniac, then it's a pattern. Nephew, I beg you. Look past the glamour of its gifts and flattery, look at yourself and how much you've changed. More cruel, more egoistical, the Zuko I knew wouldn't have demanded his face being plastered in every possible corner."

"I wouldn't ask you to return to our lessons, I have failed you enough when I allowed the helmet to influence you under my nose. But I ask you to put the helmet aside and be yourself again. Don't you see it, it's pushing you away from those who hold you dear. It makes you vulnerable for its words."

Now this was just wrong.

"Pushed me away? Uncle, do you even hear yourself? I now have actual friends! People my age I could actually trust. I'm more social then ever, you remember how I was with the crew at the start."

Uncle didn't really have a counter argument here. As it is, the only one who Zuko distance himself from was Iroh, and his uncle couldn't say it out loud without sounding as a hypocrite. With that way blocked, his uncle tried another approach.

"I can teach you how to redirect lighting. Creating it is one thing, but controlling it is another."

"Amateur. Is redirection all you can do? We have passed that weeks ago."

"Then allow me to offer you console in your sage. It had been long since our friend had been in a real battle, undoubtedly warfare had changed since then as well."

"You'd be surprised how it always stays the same without me. Something Sensō is quite disappointed at."

"Who?" Zuko asked.

"The spirit of war, we have a history."

"Spirit of war…" Uncle looked as if he ate something he couldn't quite digest. Zuko wondered why. "Never mind. Zuko, you can see that it's not the crowd you want around yourself. What next, dining with the spirit of death?"

"Actually, the closest thing we have to a spirit of death is Koh. And let me assure you, we are not in good terms."

"Somehow it's not calming me down…" Uncle muttered under his breath.

Suddenly there were feminine screams and a door slammed hard. Zuko didn't need to be a genius to figure what may have happened. With a look to the side, he ordered his loyal hellhound.

"Follow her and make sure she's ok. Be careful, she may get frisky."

"Bark!" Xing walked to the door, and then pushed the handle with his paws and opened it almost like a human. To add another layer to the surreal, the dog had the curtsey to close the door after it.

"How…" Zuko couldn't fault his uncle's bewilderment. He still had hard time grasping it.

"Don't question it, it will only cause you headache. Xing is a very smart boy, and Xing saw how we open doors many times."

"But… thumbs…"

"As I said , don't question it."

Iroh shook his head before continuing. "So will you have me by your side?"

"That depends, will you leave me to your pai sho friends like you always do?" Zuko answered back.

"I- n-no, I will stay by your side." His uncle at least had the common sense to look ashamed.

"Fine, then you can." Zuko said before stressing. "But remember, I'm the one calling the shots. They listen to me to you."

"That is fare, nephew."

"Good. Now with this thing over with, you are excused. I love you, but my company will literally arrive any minute now and I still need to be prepared."

"Very well, nephew." Uncle nodded. "I shall see you tomorrow."

With that, Zuko was left as the only thing breathing in the room.

Zuko sighed. "Finally, I thought that it will take much longer."

"So did I." Sai said in his mind. "I do wonder however what does he plan to do, he would hardly return just to be moral support. Although I'm more interested in what the lotus order had written on me, I hardly think that stories about the overlords have been unchanged by time. Even the time skip between one overlord and the next was enough to cause misconceptions, let alone three thousand years."

Using what little free time he had, Zuko organized a file on the table, preparing for the inevitable head bashing with Hakoda. And indeed, not long after Zuko heard a knock on the door.

"Come in."

Hakoda came and sited himself on the chair next to him.

"Your highness."

"Chieftain."

Zuko immediately pushed the sheets of piper to Hakoda's side. From experience, in meeting like this one you need to jump right to the meat of the matter, there is no one to impress here with fake politeness.

"What is it?"

"A contract of sorts, a bunch of points that we'll discuss. Mainly about what I want from you during our unplanned cooperation and afterwards."

"And what do you want?" The suspicion in this voice was clear as day. Understandable.

"You're association with Mi-Sha opens you many doors, one of which is entering Amora without too much suspicion. I want you to use it and hold key points, allowing my soldiers and the Kyoshi warriors easier access."

"As compensation, I will let you borrow Xing for the duration of the assault. Let him smell your wife's necklace and I promise you that Xing will lead you to her. And don't worry about finding me or anyone during the chaos, Xing will find you."

Hakoda nodded, more than aware of the hellhound's abilities.

"And what do you want in exchange for your help, prince Zuko?"

Zuko put his elbows on the table. "I want you gone. This crusade is over, your mission will be completed. You will go back to your village in the south pole and live the rest of your days there happily with your wife and children. Your war is over."

"This sounds too good, what's the catch?" Hakoda said as Zuko smiled.

"Sokka told you about the greenhouse?" at the chieftain's nod he continued. "Good. You will do nothing to harm it nor the employee, both water tribe and foreign. You will put your support for it and any other projects I'll have in mind. If there is something that you're really against, then contact me and we'll bargain."

"That is… acceptable." Hakoda said after a minute. "And my kids? What will be of them?"

The question caught Zuko by surprise. "They will return to you, obviously. What, were you thinking I was going to keep them prisoners?"

"Well… don't get me wrong, your highness, but wouldn't you?" Hakoda asked before quickly adding. "Not that I want you to, of course!"

"As talented as Sokka and Katara are, and they are very talented I mean it as no joke, all of us already know what you will do if one of your family is missing. So no, two people hardly worth the pacification of an entire civilization. Besides, I promised them that they will have their family back, I am a man of my word."

Hakoda dumbly nodded, as if not sure how to digest the words.

"Very well, your highness. A question, if I may." At Zuko's nod Hakoda continued. "Why did you take my children with you? Why invest in them like you did?"

It was a fair question, one that Zuko had to think a minute to answer. "Well, firstly there is of course the political bargaining chips as you mentioned. I needed a way to pressure you."

"But why invest in them so much? You could have just locked them in a room or something."

"Their cooperation is your cooperation, it's easier to make deals with you if you have a good word about me from those you love the most. But besides that, as I said before, your children are talented. Sokka has brains and is very quick on his feet and Katara is a prodigy water bender that comes once a generation, and that not mentioning her healing ability. Those two could have very well integrated with enough time."

The answer seemed to satisfy the chieftain of the south. "Very well, I have only one thing to ask."

"Which is?" Zuko raised an eyebrow.

"I want to be the one to kill Mi-Sha, as is my right. He will pay for what he's done" there was fire in Hakoda's eyes.

"I'm afraid you have to stand in line." At Hakoda's murderous glare Zuko explained. "The Kyoshi warriors, you saw them right? Mi-Sha kidnapped and enslaved them for over a decade and a half, by playing some very cruel games on them. And there are many who suffered even more. Mi-Sha will die a miserable death, that I promise, but we have a plan to follow."

"I wouldn't risk him getting away because someone missteps, but you have my blessing to inflict whatever justice you want on anyone involved that somehow survives the purge. I'll even give you his skull as a gift of good will, what do you say?"

Zuko raised his hand for a handshake.

"You have a deal, your highness."

Hakoda took his hand and shook it, to the chieftain's credit, he didn't flinch when their hands were surrounded by a purple dark flame.

AN

For reference about the first scene, search "Love Death and Robots Ratpocalypce" at your own risk.

In any case, the meeting with Hakoda is over and let me tell you one thing, it was hard to write. not sure if I did a good enough job.

now for the reviews:

deniswanheda:

Thank you, and it's something very Azula like to do. As for Ozai, it's less of supporting Zuko then making himself look good. The entire point of this attack is to avenge the destruction of a colony, and by a non-state actor. Canceling this is something neither his ego, nor his image cam except. Besides, obviously his hard teaching and punishment are what turned his quivering embarrassment of a son to the prince he is now. That's at least what he sells, and there is hardly enough people who know the truth and willing to act on it. Iroh, as we see in this chapter is trying to salvage what he can. if he succeeds or not is a different question.

I for one, think Toph will make a wonderful earth queen, She'll certainly put everyone under her feet and rule with a literal iron fist.

I'm happy that you like Jasmine's character so much.

02cjdgmail:

Thank you, and I will will take your criticism to heart. I have played with the idea of playing with Zuko's humanity. There are some ideas for later on, but I'm saving them for dire situations when inhuman problems require inhuman solutions. As for the tatoo I feel rather conflicted, on one hand it will be very cool, but on the other hand it will mark him as a servant or a tool of Vaato. Something neither Zuko nor Sai will stand. for the rest it's spoilers, I'm afraid.

TrueMugetsu:

Thank you! I'm blushing right now.

Engineer1869 :

Thank you, and hey, a dog got to eat. Besides, someone has to ask the important questions. I'm happy that you noticed both Sokka's progression and the easter egg to the show. As for Katara I'm happy that you liked it, it was a headscratcher to write how water bending healing will interact with Sai's machinations. As for Jasmine and Azula... Brrr now that's a nightmare material. Thinking about it, I should start writing scripts about the interactions between those to.

As for Ba Sing Se... You'd be surprised how incompetent silver spooned nobles can be. Their problem with Long Feng was because of his status as lesser. As far as his reigh went, they were more then happy. At least from what I understand, Long Feng kept the unclean and uneducated masses in the outer rings and far from the sight of the nobles, and allowed them to do as they please as long as they kept the no war rule. The generals will actually have them work and do something for the kingdom. If you'll read the book material focusing on Kyoshi, You'll understand how insulting this act is to the nobles of the earth kingdom. They will want to get rid of the five and return to the old days, pronto.

Anyway, I'm more than happy to read all your reviews.