Iroh was surprised by who he saw in front of him. There was something that seemed so different about the young prince. Memories flooded into the former general's mind. He recalled how it had been when he left for Ba Sing Se with his son. Then, the boy looked devastated–pitiful. It broke Iroh's heart. It often did because even prior to leaving for that siege, he had noticed a type of uncertainty in Zuko's eyes which he was beginning to worry would never leave. Having returned to the Fire Nation and seeing the prince again, these worries were gone. A small flame had always hidden in the boy's gaze, but it had moved to the forefront. Iroh had never seen him look so sure of anything.

"The other nations are in even more danger. He already sent some troops to the Northern Water Tribe to kill everyone," Zuko said, gaze moving to where the Fire Lord had gone.

"Rumor has it that the attack did not go well," Iroh mentioned.

The prince started to smile. "Really? I haven't been able to find anything out about it. Father would probably order anyone who told me to be executed, but I've been hoping it went well."

Curiously, the elder bender asked his question. "What happened while I was away?"

Zuko looked surprised by the inquiry. "A lot. What do you mean?"

"Something changed in you, Nephew. Before, I thought you had made a friend in the Southern Water Tribe, but now, it seems like there is something more serious than that. Did this have anything to do with what happened at the Northern Tribe?"

Momentarily, the boy considered what he wanted to tell him. What he could say was dangerous, but his uncle was a trustworthy person. If there was anyone in the Fire Nation he could reveal this to, it was Iroh. It was even possible that the man would be able to help in some way if he knew.

"My friend found the Avatar," Zuko whispered.

Iroh's eyes widened in shock. That detail had not been included in the rumors. Without anyone from the siege sending word back, soldiers and people of the nation began to assume that they lost. When the Fire Nation won, it was boastful. The possibility of new land being claimed and nothing being said was too unlike the people for anyone to consider it as an option. That meant they lost, but no one knew how it had happened.

"And your friend went to the Northern Water Tribe with the Avatar?" Iroh asked in a quiet voice.

Zuko nodded. "They went right after the revolt in the South."

"Do you know if anyone else has learned of this?"

The prince shook his head. "I know Father was talking about the Avatar, but I don't think he knows where he is yet. I'm not sure about anyone else."

Iroh's mind raced as he thought of everything he had learned about the Avatar when he was still in school. Four elements, the spirit world–all these traits of being the bridge between the physical and non-physical world seemed capable of ending the war. The very idea itself was as promising as it was inconceivable.

"Did you see the Avatar?"

"Yeah, he's really young."

"Young?"

"I don't know how, but he is. I don't know how powerful he is either, but he had airbender tattoos."

"Then, he's an airbending master. If he went to the Northern tribe, it's likely that he learned waterbending as well." Iroh's brows furrowed in thought. "They will probably go to part of the Earth Kingdom next to find his earthbending master."

"Did you see soldiers all over the Earth Kingdom or just Ba Sing Se?"

Iroh's face clouded over. "They were in many areas of the kingdom. Some people are still fighting, but as more troops arrive, I fear they might be overpowered."

"It just keeps spreading everywhere." Zuko sighed and started to frown. "Father's not going to stop sending people. As soon as he learns the Avatar really is alive, he'll be even more determined. I talked with Mai about suggesting to her uncle that he send some of the guards in the Boiling Rock to war instead of civilians, but I heard some of the servants say that her family was reprimanded for that. I've been trying to think of a way to head over there to check on her. I just don't know how many people are watching. It might mess up more things for them."

A small smile appeared on Iroh's face. "I believe that what you need is a bit of backup. There are people busily working today, but I can provide a distraction if you are not gone for long tomorrow."

Zuko's eyes lit up. "That would be great. I don't know what might have happened to them, so I want to make sure they didn't get arrested because of that."

Eagerly, the two benders caught up with their adventures since their last reunion. The next day, they waited in a room towards the exit of the palace. Several groups of people were going by but when the uncle and nephew heard only two servants talking, Iroh winked and walked out to greet them.

"Fir-General Iroh," one greeted, forgetting how he was meant to refer to the man.

As the duo bowed. Zuko quietly ran out of the room and went outside. They started to raise back up when Iroh put an arm around their shoulders.

"It's good to see you both," he said warmly. "Lee, how has your mother been?"

"She's been very well, Sir. Lately, she has been working on new tea recipes."

"Wonderful! You will have to remind me to stop by."

"It would be an honor."

The servants continued talking with Iroh as Zuko began his task. Making it to Mai's home was not difficult from there. He had gone so many times that he knew the way by heart and it was not a far distance. Running, the prince arrived in hardly any time. He saw the girl's parents in their garden, talking about something. Zuko was too far from them to hear their words, but he could tell by their postures that they were nervous.

"At least they're still here," he thought. "But where's Mai? She should be out of school by now."

Zuko crept around where the couple was, walking lightly so that they did not hear him. He also wanted to be silent so that he could hear other people. Unfortunately, Mai was always so quiet that he had no idea if she was there or not. Frowning, he started moving around the home, going where he recalled seeing Mai and Ty Lee going when the girls would have a sleepover. He stopped below a window. That had to be Mai's room. The boy climbed up the side of the wall. The shutters were closed, so he gently knocked. After a moment, they opened. Mai's eyes widened when she saw Zuko and she pulled him inside.

"They're going to kill me if they find you here," she whispered.

"I won't be here long. I heard about what happened after you spoke with your uncle. I'm sorry. I wasn't trying to get you in trouble."

"It's not your fault. They're just scared about things changing."

"But things are changing. Pretending like they aren't isn't going to help. Maybe I can speak with them."

"No," Mai said quickly. "They think it was all my idea. If they find out you're involved, they might not let me come visit anymore. I'm not even sure if I'll be able to come by for a while now. They haven't let me go anywhere but to school since the messenger came. The only reason I still have my knives is because they don't even know I have them."

Zuko paused after she stopped speaking. Her spirits seemed so low.

"We'll find a way to make our world a better place," he promised her.

"How are you so sure?"

"Because I'm not going to stop until it happens. Other people won't stop either."

Mai was not sure if she believed the words, but she believed the speaker. A tiny smile appeared on her face.

"I hope it doesn't take too long." She started pushing him towards the window. "But you really can't stay any longer. Sometimes, they pop in randomly to make sure I'm not up to anything."

To the girl's surprise, Zuko hugged her. She hugged him back, then poked his shoulder.

"Go," she said, unable to make her tone sound scolding.

Zuko smiled and waved as he slid down the side of the wall. Just as quickly as he arrived at the home, he returned to the palace. Suddenly, he stopped and held his breath. He could hear his sister.

"I just feel like there's something you're keeping from me," she said calmly.

Azula was laying on her side, lighting a small flame in her left hand. She was watching it before turning to Ty Lee. The other Fire Nation citizen was trying her best to not look terrified. She did not want to be around Azula without Mai and did not think Zuko even knew she was there. Had the princess not gone to her home to retrieve her, she would have been practicing various acrobatics.

"There really isn't," she insisted nervously. "You know I'm awful at keeping secrets."

The firebender's gaze became cold. "I do, which is how I know you've got one. It makes me feel like you don't trust me. Friends don't keep secrets from one another. Aren't we friends?"

"O-of course we are. I just…"

Ty Lee stammered, wondering why this was the only time in her life full of people that she was finally alone. Her face lit up when Zuko casually walked towards her.

"Ty Lee," he greeted, smiling.

There was enough of a knowing look in his eyes to let her know that he had heard the ending of the conversation. With his head turned, Azula could not see him.

"Zuko!"

She quickly hugged the prince. He could feel her shaking in the embrace.

"Careful, Ty Lee," Azula warned. "Mai just might get jealous if you two keep hugging."

The girl let go and Zuko struggled to keep the frown off his face. Azula could tell that it wanted to appear and smirked.

"I see that Uncle is not only too cowardly to continue the siege, but he also returned home in shame."

This bristled the boy as he felt himself become hot with anger. "Uncle's not a coward," he said through gritted teeth.

"Only a coward retreats."

"He lost his son."

"And we lost our mother, but you don't see me letting that affect my life."

"It didn't happen in the middle of us trying to lead a siege."

"It wouldn't have mattered, but it clearly would have for you. You're as weak as Uncle is." Azula rolled her eyes. "Seeing the two of you around each other is going to be pitiful. If you don't spend all day crying over Lu Ten, you'll find some other reason."

Zuko's hands shook at his side, but Ty Lee touched his arm. Her expression was sympathetic and calmed down his rage slightly. The princess saw this and scoffed at them.

"Our nation is becoming pathetic because of so many people like you. Somehow, you're contagious. Why else would Zhao not have returned with news of our victory over the North Pole?"

"Maybe other nations are just stronger than you give them credit for."

"Or there's something going on that Dad and I haven't discovered…yet."

Azula stared into his soul, but Zuko did not back down. He glared back at her until a smile tugged at her lips. It unnerved him.

"What's that for?"

"Oh, I was just thinking about someone I saw earlier. Apparently, the savages in the North didn't kill all of the soldiers."

Horror threatened to flash in Zuko's eyes when he thought of the implication. The other firebender saw this and stood up.

"The commander should have had her injuries treated by now. She was so injured by the time that she got here that she collapsed. Others might have died from her wounds, but she was very determined to deliver some news. Dad said I could listen with him, so I'll see you both later." She gave a bored look to Ty Lee. "You can go back home for now." Then, she smiled at Zuko. "I'm sure I'll have something fun to share with you afterwards, Zuzu."

The princess kept walking and entered the palace. When she was gone, Ty Lee's knees practically buckled under her.

"G-good luck with whatever she does after that conversation, Zuko."

Hurriedly, Ty Lee began heading home, getting transported by some of the servants. As she did, Zuko nervously looked at the palace. No information the soldier had to offer could be anything helpful. He felt horrible for wishing it had been such a bloodbath that no one survived if only for it to prevent his father from learning anything. Azula could almost feel his nervousness and felt thrilled by that. She entered the throne room and sat at her father's right side. He gave her the warmest smile he was capable of giving and they waited for the commander. Shortly, the firebender entered and bowed before the royals.

"My lieges," she greeted.

"You had information for us," Ozai said. "What was it?"

"Admiral Zhao is dead," she said. "Everyone else is too I believe, but…we found the Avatar."

Slightly, the father and daughter's eyes widened.

"The Avatar?" Azula repeated.

"Yes, Princess. He's just a boy, but he's more powerful than any other bender we have ever fought against."

Ozai frowned, confused by the information regarding his age. "Did he kill everyone single-handedly?"

"No, I don't think he personally killed anyone–the waterbenders did. He was also fighting with two other children."

This made Azula lean forward. "What did they look like?"

The commander hesitated, trying to recall. "They were from the Water Tribe as well. One was a boy and the other was a girl. I did not see them from a close enough distance to provide a thorough description. I apologize."

The princess rested back, a scowl ready to appear at any moment. After a moment of silence, the commander worried she would be executed for what she had said. To her relief, Ozai lifted his hand.

"You may return to duty. You'll join the troops heading to the Earth Kingdom."

She bowed again and exited the palace. Ozai frowned after her, then noticed the similar expression on his daughter's face.

"Those two children must be the people Zuko was talking to," Azula said. "That friend of his had a sister."

The Fire Lord took a deep breath. "Azula, would you bring your brother here?"

Nodding, the girl left to find him. She found the prince about to approach Iroh and some servants. Catching his arm, she stopped him.

"Dad wants to see you."

The boy's stomach dropped. "Why?"

"I didn't ask, but you'll find out."

Azula began leading Zuko away, but Iroh saw them out of the corner of his eye. The prince wanted to pull his arm free; however, he knew that it would have been a temporary solution to a long-term problem. So, he walked with her and stopped when they got to the throne room. Azula returned to their father's side as Zuko bowed. For several moments, Ozai said nothing, silently considering his options.

"Did you know that the Avatar had been discovered?"

The boy felt the blood drain from his face. Any answer would be the wrong one.

"Answer the question," Ozai instructed coldly.

"I had suspicions, but I never saw him bend other elements, so I wasn't sure."

Ozai paused for a moment. It sounded like the boy was telling the truth.

"Why didn't you tell me?"

"You said that I'd be forgiven if I found him. It would have been a surprise if I'd been able to bring him to you, but I didn't want to say that he was here if it wasn't really him."

There was another moment of silence. Ozai had a contemplative look on his face.

"I can't trust you," he finally said.

Zuko anxiously awaited what he said next. The father glanced towards the girl.

"I don't trust him either," she said.

Ozai nodded. "There have been too many instances of you doing something underhanded. I could ask you if you would betray the nation, but no answer would be believable."

Azula could feel herself becoming excited. "What should we do then? We could send him to the dungeons to rot for the rest of his life or execute him now."

"We could…or we could turn him into someone useful." Ozai glared down hatefully at the boy, but he smirked. "You don't deserve the luxury of the palace. There are Fire Nation colonies being developed in the Earth Kingdom. I've already sent one of our commanders back there. Help the citizens establish homes there. The soldiers will report to me frequently to keep me informed of what you've been doing." His expression became deadly. "If I learn that you have done anything to sabotage me, I will kill you personally."

Zuko knew that was a promise and not a threat. Azula appeared slightly disappointed, but she said nothing.

"You'll leave tonight," Ozai stated, dismissing him.

The prince bowed again and quickly left the throne room. This seemed like a reward more than a punishment. He would get away from the two of them and could maybe find a way to help stop the war. He just would have to be very stealthy in how he did this. Azula turned to her father, a question in her eyes. Ozai saw this and did not make her ask.

"It is not to be merciful. The world is in tension and has been for decades. Sending him to the Earth Kingdom could easily be sending him to his demise. The people there already hate us. Being both a prince and a child, he would be an easy target to assassinate. They would not even realize that they're helping us."

This put a smile on Azula's face. She loved the way her father's mind worked. As she simmered in the thought of her brother being gone, Zuko gathered some of his belongings. He heard a light knock on his door and turned to see Iroh.

"I know a wonderful spot for tea in Gaoling," the man said.

"You could be in danger too if you try to help me stop them," Zuko pointed out.

Iroh put his hands in his sleeves and smiled. "I think I would enjoy being an obstacle in Ozai's path." His expression became serious. "And we've been separated for too long."

Zuko started to smile and a curious look crossed his face as Iroh's eyes lit up. He hurried down to his room and returned, looking excited.

"On my way back, I found something I thought you would like."

He presented twin broadswords and handed them to the prince. Zuko looked at them in shock, eyes trailing along their blades.

"Now," Iroh said, "you'll be able to continue your sword fighting training as well." He held up a finger, feigning a chastising tone. "One mustn't become sloppy in technique. I would have to write to Piandao and it would break his heart to learn of that."

Zuko chuckled and accepted the weapons. "Thanks, Uncle." He took a breath and smiled. "In that case, I guess we're off to Gaoling."