Fire Nation soldiers patrolled Gaoling to make sure that none of its original citizens went against the invaders. Zuko and Iroh oversaw everything, subtly ensuring that the firebenders did not hurt anyone. If even a slight change occurred in the area, one of them noticed. It was simple to spot another ship when it pulled into the harbor.

"I guess Father is sending more soldiers," Zuko thought.

He glanced in the vessel's direction, trying to see how many would be there without seeming like he was paying too much attention. The boy's blood ran cold when he saw Azula disembarking. Zuko started going to find his uncle. He was barely able to keep the look of horror off his face. Iroh patted the back of one soldier.

"I think the entrance of the city could benefit from you guarding it," the man stated.

Bowing slightly, the soldier went to his new station. With the closest ears gone, Iroh turned fully to Zuko.

"Azula's here," the prince whispered.

"Then, Ozai is planning something," Iroh said. "We have to stay level-headed. If she is here, it's probably because our stay hasn't had the expected results."

Zuko nodded, still feeling nervous. "She can always tell when something's up. She could figure out that the others are here, then they'll all be in danger."

The prince did not say anything more on the topic in case someone heard him. He tried to act naturally, but it became more difficult as he sensed Azula approaching. The firebending prodigy walked over to him and regarded the boy with a smug expression.

"Hello, Zuzu." Azula glanced around as an unimpressed look crossed her face. "It doesn't seem like you've accomplished much while you were here. It still looks like an Earth Kingdom city."

"So, you were sent to make it look more like the Fire Nation?"

"Why do I need to only have one reason to be here?" the girl asked

Azula's expression was as unreadable as it usually was when she had a secret. Zuko disliked how hard she was to read. He just knew that her being there was an issue, but he had no idea what her true plan was.

"You don't need to be so worried," she stated dismissively. "Unless of course, there's something you don't want me to find out."

The boy started to feel more stressed and returned to watching the soldiers. "There's nothing you shouldn't know. Ask around if you want. We've been working with the soldiers ever since we arrived."

"Possibly, but we'll see how long that lasts."

Azula turned and began walking away, making a pit form in her brother's stomach.

"What did that mean?" he wondered.

Zuko wanted to warn Sokka and the others, but he could not do anything so hastily when they could be easily noticed. Instead, the prince tried to remain calm and look like he cared about the soldiers putting up another Fire Nation flag. For the safety of the others, he had to stay where he was and not draw attention. All Zuko could do was hope that they would be ready. Underground, the trio was trying to get to know their new allies. The rebels seemed a bit intimidating, but they knew it would be more helpful to develop trust between them. Sokka had spent most of the previous night thinking over this. With all these allies, it could be a blessing or a curse. If they helped the team, then that could make their battle easier and also give Aang a chance to put his earthbending to the test without as many stakes. Unfortunately, relying on strangers could be dangerous. What if some of them were too fearful or got apprehended by the soldiers? If they said that they knew of the Avatar being there, the Earth Kingdom citizens could have their lives spared, but the friends would be captured or killed. The sound of laughter woke Sokka up that morning. Sleepily, he rubbed his eyes before they widened at the sight of Aang riding around on an air ball near the Boulder. The earthbender looked extremely amused by the child.

"The Boulder is impressed by finding a second skilled bender who is so small."

Aang grinned, beaming. "Thanks! I hope I can get better with earthbending soon too."

"With the Blind Bandit, you'll be doing it in no time."

This comforted the airbender who spoke to the Boulder a while longer.

"I guess Aang's already working on making friends with everybody," Sokka said, surprised. "Hopefully, they'll be less likely to betray us."

Katara watched her friend with their new comrades. "Aang just has something special about him even before you find out he's the Avatar."

She paused, looking at her brother. There was a troubled expression on his face, so she sat by him.

"What's wrong?"

"I wasn't expecting Zuko to be here."

"But that's a good thing. We don't have to worry about as many of the firebenders being against us."

Sokka was quiet for a moment before frowning. "Yeah, but what if it's just a repeat of back home? I don't want to leave him behind again."

"We could invite him to come with us," Katara offered hopefully. "He'd probably say yes."

This did not seem to make the boy any happier. "There's not really a good option, though. If he stays, his dad will just send him somewhere else and be mad again. If he joins us, he'll be marked as a traitor. It's tough enough going against new enemies. At least it's not like the Water Tribe also hates us for trying to help Aang. All Zuko's people will think he turned his back on them. Even if we still defeat the Fire Lord, they might never forgive him."

Katara's eyes lowered slightly as she considered this. The girl could not imagine being despised by so many people just because she wanted to make the world a better place. Leaving to fight in the war had been a simple decision to her. The worst part was being separated from Hakoda and Gran Gran, but if all went well, they would meet again. The future could be bright for their family just as it could be for most of the world once the Fire Lord was removed from his position; however, the future might not be as promising for the prince. They had no way of knowing how many soldiers sided with Ozai. It could be impossible to remove them all. Despite Zuko's best attempts to lead in his father's place one day, the nation might view him as a treasonous prince who contributed to the downfall of their empire.

"Let's just ask him," Katara finally said. "If that's something he's willing to risk, we should let him know that we'd be happy to have him here with us. I don't know if we'll be able to change everything in the Fire Nation, but we can still be there for him."

Sokka nodded his head and sighed softly before getting ready for the day. He could hear Aang practicing the earthbending exercises Toph had given him.

"Hopefully, he'll be ready soon," he thought.

Waiting could be torture. It was this way for Toph too who was waiting for the evening so that her parents could go to sleep. She was a little undecided on how she would go about doing everything.

"I could put earth all around the house," she thought. "Then, someone will notice later and free them, but we'll be long gone. If I do that now, we'd also have to start the fight now and I haven't been able to tell anyone besides Zuko about my plan yet." The girl frowned, remembering something. "Oh yeah, the sun is still out. If I wait until tonight, then it won't be able to give the firebenders any extra power. I'll do that. I can trap Mom and Dad, go get the others, force the firebenders out, and leave on the bison."

It would be a big change, which admittedly was not something Toph loved, but some changes could be good. One new thing that Toph was certain would not be helpful was the new ship which had docked. She had been unable to sense it, but the sudden group of people walking onto the dock informed her of its existence. Her parents remained blissfully ignorant of this fact while they stayed home. This only further convinced the girl that she was doing what was necessary. Whereas her mother and father could be comfortable in their home, she could feel enemies getting closer. If the soldiers decided to round up citizens and kill them, she would feel that too. Blissful ignorance was neither something Toph wanted nor had.

While the earthbending master awaited the evening, Azula was walking around Gaoling. It was less primitive to her than the Water Tribes, but it still was inferior to the Fire Nation. She was nearly repulsed by everyone who bowed before her. If the roles were reversed, the princess would never allow her home to be conquered. Excitement began filling her as she thought of what was to come. Azula went around the city to observe and search. She wanted to know where the best hiding places could be. Then she could ensure that they were not used. Once the firebender was satisfied that she had thoroughly inspected the area, she found a place to stay for the evening. Azula was about to enter when she saw Iroh approaching.

"Hello, Niece," he greeted.

"Hello, Uncle," Azula said, looking at her nails. "You don't seem like you mind being here."

"I don't. Any place could become a home."

The girl regarded him in disgust. "I'd never be able to consider somewhere like this home." She began to smirk. "But I suppose it should be expected that you'd learn to accept unpleasant things in your life. Not many people would lose the title of Fire Lord and still show their faces."

Iroh's expression was calm. "A title only has as much power as we give it, but I did want to speak about the current Fire Lord. Do you have a moment?" he asked, gesturing to the building.

Azula considered the question, then turned to the door. "Fine, as long as it doesn't take long."

The two firebenders entered and sat down at a table in the middle of a room. Azula's eyes narrowed at her uncle.

"Why do you want to talk about Dad?"

"Because I'm curious why he sent you here."

"You can't just be happy to see me like you would be if Zuzu were the one visiting?" Azula asked, feigning hurt.

"I've yet to experience being happy and concerned simultaneously."

The girl rolled her eyes. "Concerned about Zuzu. When aren't you?"

"I'm also concerned about you."

This made Azula pause for a moment. She visually scanned the man's face for the truth.

"I believe Ozai sent you here because he knows you'll carry out his wishes," Iroh stated, voice becoming gentler. "It's natural for children to want to make their parents proud. That shouldn't be used against you, but I'm worried he sometimes sees you as his soldier."

Azula started to frown. "He sees me as his successor." Her expression relaxed. "Besides, it's simple for me to make him proud. One of his children should at least. Zuko only brings dishonor to this family and you're hardly any better by following him here."

"I don't think honor and dishonor are as simple to define as many people believe."

"Clearly, because you wouldn't have retreated from Ba Sing Se if you thought like the rest of us. Leaving was a show of weakness. If you couldn't personally do it, you should have appointed someone in your place, but you were too distracted."

"Family should come before the opinions of others. If citizens of the Fire Nation think I disgraced my position by mourning Lu Ten, there's nothing I would do to try to change their minds. If joining Zuko here was also weak to them, they are free to think that."

A mildly confused expression crossed the princess's face. "Then what do you think is a disgraceful way to act?"

"Targeting the helpless or those who don't know to defend themselves." Iroh said this last part with a sympathetic look that annoyed the girl. "Ozai has hurt both of you, Azula."

"Dad's never hurt me," she stated.

"Maybe not physically, but there are other ways. He is trying to separate you from your family."

"If you're referring to Mother, she was executed because she was a traitor. She killed Grandfather. Her punishment was the standard for anyone who committed such a crime."

"Do you really believe she did that without reason?"

Azula became quiet, frown deepening. She had not found it difficult to learn that her father convinced her mother to poison the former Fire Lord. Ursa was not a natural killer.

"She could have been capable of anything," the girl lied. "I didn't know her very well."

"No, you didn't," Iroh said sadly. "I sometimes wonder if I should have gotten involved more so that you two could bond instead of you always being around Ozai."

Azula's blood started to feel warmer with anger, but she stayed calm. "Everything worked out like it should have. She would've made me weak like she did to Zuko. I spent time with the stronger parent." The girl's tone became icy. "But I suppose you would have wanted me to be as easy to manipulate as Zuko is so that you could turn Dad into the outcast of the family and push out any chance of your reign being opposed."

The elder firebender quietly regarded her. Azula disliked his silence. By now, Zuko would have said something in anger, then looked foolish as a result. If she had been speaking to a servant, the person would have apologized and likely been burnt as punishment. Yet, her uncle and cousin always had a way of responding to her like this. She loathed that.

"Why do you hate us?" Iroh suddenly asked.

Azula blinked at him, genuinely taken off guard. Did she hate them? Naturally. But why?

"Because you're all pathetic."

"Would you not have mourned your father if he had been killed?"

"I would have, but I wouldn't have retreated."

"Zuko didn't have a siege to retreat from, but you still thought his response to Ursa's death was pitiful."

"He's constantly pitiful. That was just another example."

"What do you think of entering cities where there are no warriors and attacking them in the name of expansion?"

"They're casualties. Every battle has those. Are they all unacceptable to you?"

"Not every battle, but it doesn't take much strength to kill a civilian. It's also not the work of a brave leader to enter a land that has already lost its benders and conquer them."

Azula scowled at her uncle. "Dad could have you executed for calling him a weak coward."

"I never did, but that might be how you interpreted the actions I just described."

The princess stood up from her chair. "I'm tired of talking to you. Go find Zuzu and talk about this if it's still on your mind."

Iroh stayed where he was for a moment longer, then he also rose from the seat. He began heading to the door and stopped, looking back at his niece.

"If you side with Ozai–"

"You'll consider me an enemy?"

"–be careful," Iroh finished, causing Azula's eyes to widen slightly. "He has consistently removed anyone he thought blocked his way to power. Even though he's tried to separate you from us, you're part of our family. That hasn't changed."

Iroh closed the door behind him and started returning to check on matters in the city. Azula glared at the ground, hands balled into fists. He was trying to get into her head. Ozai had always warned her about Iroh and his words. He could use them to destroy someone even more than if he used his firebending. She could not let him poison her against her father. Ozai was the only family she truly had. He cared about and understood her unlike Ursa, Iroh, or Zuko. Of course she hated them. There was no alternative. It was impossible to love them and her father, so she made a choice and she chose right. Letting Iroh convince her otherwise would be to the detriment of herself and the nation. So, the princess took a breath and began to mentally prepare. Soon, she would lead the soldiers in an attack to burn Gaoling to the ground. When Zuko inevitably tried to stop them, he would be revealed as a traitor in front of everyone. If Iroh did the same, then he would meet a similar fate as the one awaiting the prince. Azula did not really care if this part happened or not. She just wanted to ensure that the plan worked. Then she could return home to her family and rule by his side one day. That was a future worth fighting for. No dangerous words would distract her.