TLF - The Last Firebender

by Carrotine Clara

When all hope is lost, Aang is ripped from a dystopian world, only to find himself in a sick, distorted reality, forced to fight his friends alongside his foe. But can he really trust them? Trust people that destroyed his life? Trust those that don't even exist in his world? Against his own instincts, he may need to put his trust in one person above all: Azula, the last firebender.

42. Episode 1: Ozai

AUTHOR'S NOTE: And with that - we're back!

Just a few small things before I'll let you dive back in:

1) The number of fics I'm currently working on has been reduced to 3, as for personal reasons I have put one of em on ice. TLF is still my main project so you can expect the old "one chapter each month" output. The other two will receive new chapters at random intervals, most likely monthly as well though.

2) In tandem with a extensive rework of old chapters I have now finally started working on the audiobook version of TLF. You can expect a rework of Book 1: Episode 1 sometime within the next two weeks, which will include the name of wherever I'll be uploading that stuff (most likely YouTube). Very excited fot that, as I've been practicing a whole bunch and I'm curious as to how well I can do everyone's voice :)

Anyways - holy crap TLF is BACK! We're back with the final Book, therefore the final chunk of story, buildung up everyone's character arc a final time as our heroes are forced to face bigger threats than ever before!

And of course, as we head into a new chapter of this story, we are about to follow a brand-new Avatar.

More on that next time, though...

---

Avatar: The Last Firebender

Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro

Written by Carrotine Clara

---

Book 3: Water

Episode 1

Ozai

---

Act I. – The Red Spirit

---

Nocturnal insects chirp in the distance.

SARGEANT: Turn off your torch, Lork.

Lorkentaq grunts loudly in protest, for one because his hated nicknamed spread around camp, despite his friends promising not to mention it.

LORKENTAQ: We're on an abandoned Earth Kingdom road in the middle of the night. Why would I turn my torch off?

SOLDIER: Because he's your superior.

The youngest soldier rolls his eyes, continuing to hold the dark wood stick up high, casting some light upon the other two soldiers and their buffalo yaks, as well as his own.

The flames also cast shadows.

LORKENTAQ: Sir, this is ridiculous. We can't ride in pitch black darkness. We won't know where we're going.

SARGEANT: We can follow the stars, kid. Plus, I know the road to Omashu pretty well.

LORKENTAQ: The stars? Seriously?

A strangely quiet sound close by. Lorkentaq writes it off as the wind and instructs his buffalo yak to galop closer to his superior.

LORKENTAQ: Don't tell me this whole thing is about the Red Spirit.

First the Sargeant halts, then the other two. A vicious smirk grows on Lork's face.

LORKENTAQ: Oh... it is about the Red Spirit.

SARGEANT: Watch your mouth, kid.

LORKENTAQ: What? You really think there's a vengeful spirit out there attracted by fire? That's a bunch of bologna. Same with that Blue Spirit story.

The screams of Pohuai still echo at night in the dreams of the Sargeant. The images too frightening for a young recruit like Lorkentaq, the older soldier rides onwards.

SARGEANT: Fine. Keep your nightlight on if you're so scared of the dark.

The other soldier passes by with a grimace as Lork still takes a few seconds to recover. He joins them after being briefly eluded by something again. Some... noise, like a... rattling. Boots trampling over a bush. Or... maybe just a field mouse. He shakes his head, then joins the other two.

SOLDIER: Hey Lork, can I ask you a question?

Lorkentaq exhales his frustration for the whole world to hear.

LORKENTAQ (matt): Sure.

SOLDIER: What do you think of women being allowed to join the army now?

It takes the rookie a few seconds to digest the question.

LORKENTAQ: Um... I think it's cool. If they really want to fight, why not let them?

The soldier jabs his Sargent in the side, a victorious cackle attached.

SOLDIER (to the Sargent): See? I told ya the younger generations are more open about this stuff.

The Sargent groans dismissively, the three buffalos passing over a dried-out creek.

SARGENT: This has nothing to do with openness. We lost a lot of men in the past few months. First the failure at the Golden City, then that false flag in Ba Sing Se.

LORKENTAQ: Not to mention Gaoling.

SOLDIER: Which we tried to win back in a horrible counter-offensive.

LORKENTAQ: We almost lost Omashu...

SARGENT: And we wasted tons of manpower in Ba Sing Se.

The three of them quietly nod in agreeance.

LORKENTAQ: We're not looking too good with the war, huh Sarg?

SARGENT: It has been better, yes.

Another round of silence, allowing Lork to scan the area again. Some trees are barely visible in the distance, the rest of it is soft grass and a lot of bushes. Finally, his superior lets out an old-man-sigh.

SARGENT: Maybe having some girls in the army is gonna shake things up a bit.

SOLDIER: I have a niece who's a pretty good waterbender. I'm sure she'd love to join too once she's old enough.

LORKENTAQ: Wasn't there a girl who became a captain a while back? What was it the... Pirate Princess? She was kind of famous, right?

SOLDIER: Oh yeah, I heard about her. She kind of disappeared three months ago. Right after that whole ordeal went down in Ba Sing Se.

LORKENTAQ: You're right. I wonder what ever happened to-

His voice cuts off as he halts his mount. The other soldier and the Sargent follow suit immediately.

LORKENTAQ: Okay, I might be going crazy, but I think I heard something-

SARGENT: I heard it too.

A sharp slice later and the soldier has his machete drawn, the Sargent performing a complicated waterbending form, letting a ball of ice hover between his palms.

SARGENT: We know you're out there!

Lorkentaq's own weapon hasn't been drawn yet, the boy's heartbeat racing faster than a falcon hawk doing a nosedive.

SARGENT: Show yourself-

BLOOSH!

Lork grunts as he falls from his ride, the buffalo yak too scared to remain after that massive fireball. It takes the boy a few seconds to get his thoughts in order, make him realize that the flame on his torch suddenly combusted, temporarily blinding him. What follows is a cacophony of noise. Screams, battle cries, the sound of something being tossed and fired. Once Lork regains his vision, red and orange is all he sees. Flames full of passion and fury, devouring his comrades as they are left on the ground, the rookie having no way of knowing if they are alive or not.

His breath escaping in gasps, he crawls backwards on his hands and feet. That is until he bumps into something.

A part of the road has been set on fire behind Lork, who has now turned around, the reddish flames illuminating a figure in the night. Dressed completely in black, with some brown straps around its wrists and ankles, what stares down at him is a red mask.

White hair sticks out the side, a set of fangs giving it the appearance of a dragon. A crown shaped like a flame, with yellow eyes and, of course, blood red skin. The figure just stares him down for a moment, as if still indecisive about the man's life.

LORKENTAQ (scared): Please... please don't kill me... I... I have information...

Committing high treason Lork takes the messenger scroll from his pocket, offering it to the Red Spirit in the hopes of bargaining for his life. The thing hesitates for a few seconds – then raises both fists.

LORKENTAQ (scared): PLEASE DON'T!

Upon opening his eyes again, the boy spots the scroll missing, alongside the Red Spirit, both having vanished into the night.

Before he even checks on his comrades, Lork takes a minute to cry.

---

Despite the intentionally frosty design, the Great Chief's throne room feels like 100 degrees. This is in no small part due to the many visitors and nobleman present in the long hallway, huge marble pillars on a stone floor that's almost certainly heated from below. Still, much of the room's design carries frozen elements, ice and fountains of water, showcasing the element itself in just about every shape and form available.

As far as people present goes, it's basically a three-cast-system. The closer to the entrance you are, the less important. Some richer merchants and lesser noble houses are able to stand beneath eloquent hunting trophies and other fur-based decorations, though here you can obviously spot the least.

In the relative center, Water Sages, shamans, and other spiritual leaders are standing, those characters wearing outfits similar to the one Kanna wore during the Quviasuk ritual, all the way back with Bato.

Right next to the massive, steep, frozen stairs leading up to the Great Chief's throne stands just about every important Chief and military person available, most of the time those two titles go hand in hand.

The closest to the staircase – High-Chief Arnook of the North Pole, who looks even more emaciated than usual. His pleads to exchange a high-value prisoner for Princess Yue had gone unheard, and now his daughter seems to have defected to the enemy's side indefinitely. It strained him very much in these times.

Some other familiar figures are huddled together right next to him. First and foremost, Chief-General Vyke, rocking a slightly different beard cut and eyepatch, Chief-Marshal Hias, suppressing a burp, as well as Chief-Admirals Kayrule and Pola. Besides their high ranks, all of these men share something else in common – they appear to be overtly nervous, metaphorically shitting their pants as they await the Great Chief's arrival.

HIAS: It won't be a non-bender.

While the room is relatively silent, some chatter still echoes, including this.

VYKE: How can you be so sure of that? Puwati made the cut too!

POLA: That is precisely why the Great Chief won't be so foolish as to repeat that.

KAYRULE: Puwati was a risk back then. It didn't pay off, did it?

POLA: No, it didn't. Besides Puwati's fading loyalties, it will make the Wolf Clan appear weak. A second waterbender next to the Great Chief makes more sense.

Vyke unsuccessfully suppresses an angered grunt.

KAYLURE: It'd also make sense if his highness got married again. The prince is no real heir now, and the princess has vanished.

POLA: Correct. I wonder why he hasn't had Sokka assassinated yet.

ARNOOK: That's still the Crown Prince you speak of.

A cold shiver runs down everyone's necks as Arnook speaks up, his voice sharp and raspy.

ARNOOK: And it is his son. Worthy or not, that is a bond the spirits will always value above all.

Their small talk subsides with the harsh rebuttal. Just in time, as a door at the top of the stairs opens, all quieting down and standing as straight as they humanly can.

Hakoda's garbs appear rather simple, the imperial garments of the Great Chief one of the purest, deepest shades of indigo, carrying with it a hint of purple. Sapphire stones and traditional bones are worked in into the material, though, compared to some of his predecessors, the current Great Chief's outfit does seem rather tame. His shoulders and parts of his arms are dressed in non-functional leather armor, as all leaders of the Water Tribes need to appear as ruler and warrior.

He comes to a halt in front of his icy throne, staring down into the crowd. On his head sits a silver crown, the emblem of the Water Tribes carved in with brilliant diamonds. His dark brown hair seems slightly messy, some parts woven into little knots while on his back hangs down a proud wolf tail. His slim chin is hidden purposefully beneath a nicely trimmed beard, making him appear older as well.

Once his sky-blue eyes are done scanning the room, a warm smile forms on his features.

HAKODA: I would like to extend my gratitude to everyone present.

Despite being the voice of an absolute monarch, it still has that soft quality of an everyday man.

HAKODA: Let us hope and pray to Tui, La, our gracious Mother Sedni, and all the other spirits, that this war will soon be over and won. For it is our birthright to bring peace and prosperity.

His imperial voice briefly washes away.

HAKODA: And I know, deep within my soul, that we will end this conflict soon.

Two firm, strong pounds on his chest. The entire room mimics him, making for one hell of a soundscape. Right after, Hakoda, releasing a heavy sigh, sits down on his throne.

HAKODA: You have all come here to feast and talk and pray and celebrate. But, before we engage in all of that, I am today announcing the identity of my next Vice-Chief.

This is where all of the Chief-Militaries reflect their greediness on the outside.

HAKODA: Puwati of the Morray Barracuda Clan has served us well. Yet, after his disappearance and therefore suspected treason, it is time to award someone new with the title.

A cramped smirk forms on Vyke's face.

HAKODA: Water is the element of change. Alongside it, times are changing. It is the duty of our great nation to reflect this. And so, I, with the greatest pleasure, am introducing our newest Vice-Chief...

He signals to the door, surprising everyone as the massive portal opens. A cloaked figure casts a ridiculously long shadow all the way up to the stairs. As the figure enters, shocked gasps and confused whispers explode from the crowd.

HAKODA: Lady Whakamaikuku Gudgeon of the Vampire Bat Heron Clan.

As the 30-or-so woman enters, she takes off the hood of her cloak, which appears black on the outside with its insides a shiny azure. Her skin is dark even by the standards of the Water Tribes, her raven-black hair done in an efficiently short braid, two loops hanging down each side. As she walks by a frustrated bunch of Chief-Militaries, her burgundy eyes briefly frighten the soul out of all of them. Hias nudges an angry Vyke in the side.

HIAS: Told ya it wasn't gonna be you.

Before Vyke is able to murder a man, the combined attention is redirected to the Lady having reached the top of the stairs. As she bows in front of Hakoda, she suppresses a very obvious smile, the Great Chief forced to do much the same.

HAKODA: Rise, Vice-Chief Gudgeon.

She does so, pounding her chest before speaking up, her incisors so apparent that they may as well be called fangs.

GUDGEON: Thank you, Great Chief. By the grace of our Mother Sedni, I will not fail in serving you.

He nods, appearing rather relaxed for such a serious procedure. "Such a shame" by Talk Talk starts to play.

HAKODA: I know you won't.

---

The song continues over a most serene sunrise.

While this early in the morning, the entirety of camp situated at Chameleon Bay is still resting, minus some night guards.

And Sokka. The Crown Prince had been getting up this early every day for the past three months, the first sun gleams providing him with the warmth and strength he needs. His outfit these days consists of a blend between his brown Earth Kingdom attire and Water Tribe parts, a navy-blue leather armor making him look kind of like a football player, the wild, unbound set of hair upon his scalp giving him the appearance of a 70s rock icon. He takes a deep breath of salty, fresh air, his toes sinking into the soft sands for a few more seconds before getting back up.

Next up on his task list is feeding their vast array of animal companions, which includes two bison and a Doedicurus Mastiff. Flumau was clearly the most heartbroken about Adithya's disappearance, though the smaller beast had grown a liking to Sokka rather quickly. Appa still seemed a little quiet here and there, though Sokka's visits always seemed to cheer the creature up by a lot. It had similarly started to like Mai and Yue as well, and while the former remained apathetic, the northern princess enjoyed the bison's affection very much. Every once in a while, Akari would come to visit too, something Sokka had been paying close attention to. A few nights ago, he actually caught the airbender sneaking out to visit the bison for quite a while. Sledge liked everyone from the start, making him the least complicated pet.

After shared breakfast at a secluded little campfire, what was left of Team Avatar would train pretty much daily. Sokka still rocks his sickle-sword and boomerang, neither having dulled in sharpness in all these months. I already talked about his appearance, so let's go through the others real quick:

Mai looks more or less the same, her hair still held up by two buns and kept straight above her face, the only difference present in her outfit, which had deviated from the more militaristic Crescent Warrior fit, including some crimson red and a few gold parts to go alongside the grey and black. The leadership of her group was handed over to Cross Blades, who had returned to Ba Sing Se sometime after the events of the failed coup attempt transpired. They and the rest of the Warriors formed an independent police force in the Earth Kingdom's capital, called "Creds" by some, assisting the interim government led by Governor-General Fong, who had started adapting many of the reforms demanded by the New Culture Movement.

Yue, despite Mai having left her own organization, has since been taught in the ways of the Crescent Warriors. Her outfit provides a unique blend of the typical darkened outfit mixed with lapis and teal blue, the girl's black hair forming a very efficient braid dangling down her back.

Lastly, Akari's hair had grown long enough to form a proper ponytail in the back, some bangs on the side reminding Sokka a bit of Azula. She also kept her weird, custom airbender fit which the girl had bought back in Kaofu.

And that's how most days went. Sokka would train and eat and have fun with his small group of friends. They would participate in War Council meetings with some Earth Kingdom troops, they would get advice and help from the White Lotus elders, who have since pledged their support for the interim government. They would take care of their pets, do some hikes here and there, talk about some fun stories, or make up new ones. At night, they would watch the sun set and the orchestra of stairs set foot upon the horizon.

It has been hard, still continues to be, obviously. But still, this small clique representing all that is left of Team Avatar went on with their lives, as well as they could.

In all this time, despite travelling alongside them, they barely saw any of Zuko.

---

The song fades out as, on a different morning, Sokka puts on his armor, struggling comically to tie the strings together running down his armpits. The prince had been given a fairly spacious tent, though he is sharing it with a second person.

MAI: Do you need help with that?

The moody girl is standing behind him with her arms crossed, outfit, hair, and so on already done for today. Sokka makes an embarrassed pout that she can clearly see in the tall mirror.

SOKKA: No? I can do it on my own!

He tries, and very much fails, doing it on his own. Predictably, the girl uncrosses her arms, tossing one of those rare smiles only reserved for Sokka.

MAI: Rhetorical question. Here, let me.

She snuggles up to him rather intimately, tying the knot slowly while his features loosen up. As the task is completed, she does not back away, instead giving him a few slow pecks on the cheek. His face turns to a soft red, as does hers.

SOKKA (quietly, blushing): Thank you.

She leans her head onto his shoulder, her left hand stroking his chest as her right one is placed on his hip. They admire each other in the mirror for a few more seconds, the apparent romance of the situation carrying with it a rather depressing shade of melancholy.

SOKKA: We've been very lucky.

Her brows furrow just slightly.

MAI: Sokka, don't-

SOKKA: I know. Katara is gone. I've lost almost all of my friends. But... I mean, I have new ones now. Plus... I have you.

As his head moves to the side and their eyes meet, she lets out a scoff.

MAI: You seem pretty untouched for someone who went through this much trauma.

SOKKA: And there you thought you're the only one able to shut off your emotions.

A playful smirk, a headshake, then a very long kiss, after which Mai separates from her boyfriend again, tackling the harrowing task of folding laundry on their shared, red bed.

MAI: You're not shutting them off. I know what that looks like.

He lets out his provocatively playful nature a bit.

SOKKA: Really? What am I doing then?

MAI: I'm not sure. You just... don't seem worried. Everyone else is.

SOKKA: You're not.

She casts a seriously sharp look and his blood freezes.

MAI: Of course I'm worried.

Going back to her chore, Sokka puts on a more serious tone.

SOKKA: I don't know how to say it. I just... I guess... I'm optimistic?

MAI: That I know. But... after everything? After losing all of them?

He takes a seat, sighing with a heavy heart.

SOKKA: Maybe I'm pushing it aside too much...

She interrupts her work to sit down next to him, her hand wandering over his immediately.

MAI: That's not it either. You've opened up to me about all of this very early on.

He nods, thinking back to that first week. He had seldom cried this much in his life. When getting together with Mai, everything broke down. Sokka had talked about losing his friends, his sister being evil, turning his back on his people, the death of his mother. More than a little held back baggage that finally got to be talked about.

SOKKA: I will always owe you for being there for me. I hope you know that.

She rolls her eyes, half-flirtatious, half-actually-annoyed.

MAI: Of course I know that.

They share a few seconds of googly eyes before Mai continues.

MAI: I think it's brave of you. That you still hold on to hope, despite how bad things are.

He shrugs, coming off as only somewhat sure of himself.

SOKKA: I guess. My thought process is this – this is all Avatar stuff, right?

MAI: Avatar stuff?

SOKKA: Well, what I'm saying is, all of this stuff with the other world and Aang and the Avatar – it's all very much outside our grasp. We can't possibly do anything about it right now, so we just... have to focus on each other.

The girl nods, surprised at herself for agreeing with his reasoning.

SOKKA: That reminds me. Did Zuko-

MAI: Yes, he did. I caught him last night.

A sense of dreadful worry expands within the confines of their tent.

SOKKA: I think we need to confront him.

MAI: No.

He reacts with comedic befuddlement.

SOKKA: No?

Mai gets up, clearly uncomfortable to turn this into a discussion.

MAI: Sokka, we've been over this-

The prince gets up too.

SOKKA: He needs our help. I don't want to have to wait much longer.

MAI: He's in a dark place. A very dark place. If you put it on yourself to lift him out of there, he will just pull you down as well.

Frustrated, and unable to find a rebuttal, Sokka throws his arms up.

MAI: It's like when someone is drowning. You can only save them if they want to be saved. If they don't-

SOKKA: They'll drown you too, yes, I know.

Defeated, he places himself down on the bed once again, Mai joining him.

MAI: I know what you're thinking, but you've already done everything you could. I mean, Agni, you've told him like a hundred times that you're "there for him" or whatever.

As he sulks into the ground, she gently grabs his head, redirecting his gaze to meet hers.

MAI: We will be there for him when he needs us. But he needs to be the one to take the first step.

The conflict resolved and Sokka nodding, they embrace in a hug that lightens his mood at least a bit.

SOKKA: Sometimes I feel like I don't deserve you.

As they un-hug, Mai forms a grimace.

MAI: Ugh, you're way too sweet. Shahar would be puking already.

While a charming response, the comment itself also carries a hint of dread. Mai lost two of her friends as well.

MESSENGER: Prince Sokka?

He turns to find a young soldier of the Earth Kingdom at the entrance of his tent.

SOKKA: Coming!

He jolts up, rushing to the messenger, Mai behind him at a much slower pace.

MESSENGER: An important message for you. General Bumi sent it.

Not a typo, it's just General Bumi now, as the disjointed warlord state has since been abolished and the country centralized. Sokka opens the scroll curiously, both his and Mai's eyes widening as they read its contents. After doing so, he thanks the soldier with a nod.

SOKKA: Tell the General we'll attend the War Council session later.

MESSENGER: I will.

The boy leaves, allowing Sokka and Mai to share a worried glance.

MAI: I can tell by your look that this is bad news.

SOKKA: We'll see. But from what Zuko and Azula told me, it is.

He puts the message onto a wardrobe before staring back at Mai.

SOKKA: I'll let him know myself. You go and start breakfast with the others.

The two commence one final kiss before separating once again.

MAI: Who knows? Maybe you can get him to join us this time.

Sokka nods his head backwards obnoxiously at her suggestion.

SOKKA: Wow. Is that some of my optimism rubbing off on you?

Mai, what else, crosses her arms and rolls her eyes.

MAI: Don't ruin it, nerd.

He cackles heartly, finally leaving their tent. While Mai has not yet let go of her biting remarks, they are always coated in a lair of joy when talking to Sokka.

---

Zuko's tent, among the many others, is actually very easy to spot. For one, in stark contrast to all the Earth Kingdom colors, his is a deep, crimson red, scarlet mixed in between. The other thing was the smell, a pungent olfactory cocktail consisting of sweat, incense, and just plain smoke. It's also relatively small and at the edge of camp, the furthest away from water.

As Sokka enters, he comically expresses his dislike of the stench, successfully managing to stop himself from making any sounds of distain. The swordfighter's tent, or simply room, is a whole big mess, with random stuff just kind of lazily plastered around, a rather stark contrast to the previously orderly Zuko that Sokka had grown to like from his imprisonment to the eventual friendship and admiration he carried for him. Well... carry, not carried – he still has it. It is a limited sensation at the moment.

ZUKO: Why are you here?

The question was uttered with a kind of reserved sharpness that Zuko never really had before. He was the ever-optimistic, fluffy, kind spirit that balanced Team Avatar with a reasonable center. That Zuko died in Ba Sing Se.

SOKKA: Hey... Zuko.

Sokka finds the swordfighter without a shirt, an increase in muscle mass further painting a picture of distortion. He is sat in a lotus position in front of a low wardrobe upon which four candles shrink and grow in perfect synch with Zuko's breath. He grew out his hair to about shoulder length, letting it sit inside a modest headpiece, though rather than an elegant top knot they fall out of it like a ponytail.

ZUKO: You're here with news.

His tone resembling a snarl in nature, Sokka is strangely reminded of Bato.

SOKKA: Uh... yeah, you're right. I also just wanted to swing by, see how you're holding up.

The candles briefly grow to ginormous size as Zuko controls his apparent anger through a sigh.

ZUKO: How do you think I'm holding up?

Turning half his head, Sokka gulps quietly at one side of his face, Zuko's expression a sharp frown, almost as if it had been carved onto him. In that moment the prince wonders if the other Zuko from Aang's world was ever this... pissed.

SOKKA: I'm just trying to be a friend, Zuko. We're all still here for you. And we'd love to have you around during a sparring session. Yue has gotten pretty good with those throwing knives.

ZUKO: Pleased to hear that.

Which means "I couldn't care less". Sokka's shoulders slouch in frustration.

SOKKA: Come on, Zuko. We're just trying to help you. You're our friend. You're my friend.

ZUKO: You're helping me by staying out of my way. Now tell me the news and then get. Out.

The prince surrenders with a sigh. Zuko's breathing has meanwhile gotten a little less stable, the candles in front of him reflecting that, four flames continuing steadily to move alongside his lungs.

SOKKA: Your dad is coming.

Within the span of two seconds, all four flames die out at once.

---

Act II. – New Vice, new me

---

Zuko jolts up from his seated position, his golden eyes frantically jumping around the tent as his mind races with panic.

SOKKA: Are you okay?

It is this tone of compassion of... weakness that recenters the firebender's attention towards the prince.

ZUKO: When?

SOKKA: Later today. We're all going to attend the War Council meeting.

With unstable breath Zuko lets the information sink in. Sokka carefully weighs his options before following it up with something else.

SOKKA: You don't have to go if you don't want to. I know how you feel about your father. You've told me-

ZUKO (angry): Don't claim to know how I feel! You have no idea!

The prince can physically register the frustrated heat emitted from the boy across.

SOKKA: I understand.

That's as much as Sokka felt like giving back. Mai remains right and he hates it, not for any competitive reasons, but because it means he can't help his friend yet.

In reality, Zuko's internal dialogue is hellish back-and-forth between his more compassionate side and a rougher, darker edge that he thought he had overcome years ago. But alas...

ZUKO: With Azula and Ty Lee gone, I don't have that much family left. It's time I face my father.

He turns with the frowned intensity of a scarred boy.

ZUKO: You wouldn't understand. Katara is still out there.

Though it's probably not the right moment, Sokka still feels inclined to speak the following.

SOKKA: And Azula is out there too. I know she is. We just have to-

ZUKO: She's dead.

Sorrow haunts them both as the firebender averts his emotionless face.

ZUKO: It's time to move on. Maybe my father is the way forward.

Worried beyond anything, the Crown Prince can merely nod.

ZUKO: If there's nothing else, I'd like you to leave now.

Sokka sighs, deciding he may as well try and be disappointed a final time.

SOKKA: Do you wanna join us for breakfast? We'd love to have ya.

For a split second the boy's trauma is mysteriously washed away by the warm memories of their travels. Breakfast with his sister. With Ty Lee, who at one point he dreamed about marrying when they're older. With Sokka, who appears to ache for his friend to go back to his old self.

And with the Avatar that took it all.

His muddled feelings exit via his nostrils.

ZUKO: I'll think about it.

As Sokka nods and leaves, Zuko remains quietly in the center of his tent, arms crossed as his heart and mind race all over the place like two toy cars on a Hot Wheels track.

He looks to his wardrobes, the Dragon Blades gifted to him by Master Piandao hanging above it, now being used as nothing more than dust collectors.

---

The firebender did not join them. Sokka had already accepted his failure to be of help. His hope is briefly reignited as Zuko enters the stacked tent. Surprisingly, the boy looks to his friends first, Sokka, Mai, and even Yue and Akari greeting him with a smile. Then he looks to find the rest of the attendees.

ZHAO: Someone needs to pinch me right away – I think I'm seeing ghosts!

Despite appearing more reserved (and more physically fit) in his scaly armor, their old friend from Twin Island engulfs Zuko in a hug that feels more like going through the motions than anything. As they separate, Zhao's face takes on a somber note.

ZHAO: I heard what went down in Ba Sing Se. I'm sorry to hear about your friends. Especially your sister.

Zuko's nod speaks both distance and appreciation. Sokka and Mai briefly share a concerned expression as this is going down.

ZUKO: Thanks. Where's father?

As soon as the question is uttered, another figure enters his view. A Fire Nation man suited in scaly armor as well, though he is much older, grey, long hair hanging down from a top knot with a thin mustache falling down both sides of his face with a goatee rounding it up.

TAKEI: The Supreme Chieftain is currently setting up camp with the rest of the Resistance Militias. You may speak with him later.

The boy blasts a glare at the weirdly strict figure before he and Zhao return to their post at the right side of a large table depiction troop movements across the Earth Kingdom. In the center of the table stands every notable White Lotus member, not wearing their robes for now. Iroh gifts his nephew a warm smile that the boy reluctantly accepts. On the table's left, some Earth Kingdom militaries, the highest-ranking member one General Baoba, who miraculously survived the mutiny at Omashu unscarred.

BAOBA: Well, suppose with Team Avatar fully present, we shall start.

The impolite Takei raises his eyebrows immediately.

TAKEI: Pardon my interruption, but I was not aware that the Avatar was within our presence.

Performing the Fire Nation salute, it takes Akari a few seconds to realize it is directed towards her.

TAKEI: It is an honor, Avatar...

Expecting her to finish his sentence with her name, the athlete is unable to come up with a rebuttal.

AKARI: Uh...

ZHAO: That's not the Avatar.

Takei's expression morphs quickly from embarrassment to upset.

BAOBA: From what Prince Sokka and the rest of his friends have told us, the Avatar has been something of an imposter, actually.

None of the leftover Dream Team liked it, but of course they had to spill the beans at some point.

BUMI: The Avatar as we knew him came to us from a different world. Being the Avatar there, he attempted to perform his duties here and deal with the war.

Zhao and Takei exchange more than baffled expressions.

ZHAO (addressing Zuko): I suppose he was a charlatan after all. And I thought you kids had learned your lesson when I stumbled over you in that spa.

ZUKO (cold): Guess we didn't.

Some of the folks present show their compassion for the clearly hurt kid.

ZHAO: What about the Avatar of this world then? Do we even know who it is?

Baoba shares a reassuring look with Sokka, who shakes his head.

BAOBA: No. We are rather clueless on the Avatar front, I'm afraid.

Awkward silence wanders through the tent. Sokka takes a moment to stare towards Zuko, though the firebender doesn't reciprocate.

ZHAO: Well, that sounds like we're forced to deal with the Water Tribe as we have been the past one hundred years.

BAOBA: Correct, Captain Zhao.

Zhao's forehead briefly turns red, some veins visibly showing.

ZHAO: It's Commander Zhao.

BAOBA: Apologies. Anyways...

Baoba points to an overly expressive Bumi, who seems to be more or less in charge for now. The cranky earthbending master also appears rather distraught when reflecting on the news on Aang.

BUMI: Thank you. So, here's the situation...

He showcases Chameleon Bay with the appropriate number of troops depicted via little figurines. A red one slides in to join them.

BUMI: The Fire Nation Resistance has officially joined the Earth Kingdom's forces. Supreme Chieftain Ozai and Governor-General Fong have met for these purposes a while back.

Sokka grimaces ever so slightly at the term "Supreme".

BUMI: While the civil war has caused us many casualties, ultimately our army stands tall. With Gaoling secured in the south, only Omashu remains as a bastion of the Water Tribes on the continent.

ZHAO: So when are we attacking?

Bumi and Baoba exchange a weird look.

BAOBA: We won't.

Zhao almost bursts at this.

ZHAO: We won't?!

BAOBA: Our short-lived siege of Omashu has shown us that, while the city is impenetrable, it is ultimately no threat to us. So long as we disrupt their supply they are more or less sitting turtle ducks.

TAKEI: Wouldn't that be an ideal time to attack then?

BAOBA: We have a different target in mind.

As Bumi's boney, jewel crested finger taps the capital of the South Pole, some gasps erupt. Sokka and Yue briefly share a look that speaks an ounce of dislike, though both royal deserters ultimately accept it.

ZHAO: You want to attack the Great Cove? Are you mad?

BUMI: I indeed am – AH-HA-HA – SNORT!

BAOBA: Team Avatar has provided us with two crucial dates. They will be the decisive factor in winning this war.

Now Zuko dares to look back at Sokka, the latter smiling while the former only pouts. For all the pain and loss, at least their little adventure to the Astronomy Tower made a difference.

Maybe that was the entire purpose of Aang switching worlds.

ZHAO: And those dates are?

BAOBA: The return of Ogro the Leviathan.

Louder gasps echo through the tent.

ZHAO: The spirit beast that helped the Tribe launch their war?

TAKEI: And it will... return?

BAOBA: Indeed. The other date provided to us is a new moon that will take place a few days before. We will launch a full-scale invasion, utilizing the weakened state of their waterbenders as we smash their capital. Whatever the Great Chief is planning, we will prevent it.

KANNA: And with it, calm the Leviathan so that he will not wreak havoc on the planet again.

Zhao and Takei show clear distain for the Water Tribe elder, though Kanna can pretty effectively poker face it off.

ZHAO: That will require a lot of firepower.

BUMI: Which we have plenty of.

He points to the map and figurines once again. It includes plenty green, a few yellow, one blue, and one red. There's also a white one.

BUMI: The Earth Kingdom's army will form the main body of attack. With support from Dibuang troops, Water Tribe deserters, the Fire Nation Resistance, and the White Lotus, we'll have more than enough knock at the Great Chief's door.

Zhao strokes his chin as Mai's hand grabs Sokka's, the girl sensing that the destruction of his home is, despite everything, still not something the prince is very fond of.

ZHAO: Those bison from Dibuang will be especially vital in battle. I believe our Supreme Chieftain will be pleased to hear.

TAKEI: What about after the battle? What will become of the Confederation?

As the question is uttered, all heads, at different intervals, wander over to Sokka, the boy clearing his throat, trying to speak in a serious manner.

SOKKA: That's when I come into play.

TAKEI: And you are?

SOKKA: Crown Prince Sokka.

A few less gasps, though the Fire Nation militaries do seem more than surprised.

ZHAO: You're the Crown Prince? The one banished by his own father?

SOKKA: Not officially, but... in essence. I have been fighting alongside the Avatar and the Earth Kingdom for a while now. After the war is over, I plan on fixing this mess.

Zhao very overtly scoffs, though it seems Sokka is not folding under the pressure for now.

ZHAO: And how will you do that?

SOKKA: I will dissolve the Confederation.

Gasps, this time more overt. He shares a quick look with a smiling Yue.

SOKKA: The union between North Pole and South Pole is unjust and unequal. The north should rule itself. Also, the colonies need to be abandoned and returned to their inhabitants.

Strong words that seem to find a lot of footing. It is what Sokka had been thinking of for months at this point, especially in the last three. He shares a brief look with a very proud Mai.

ZHAO: Very well. We will inform the Supreme Chieftain of your plans right away. We are glad to be working together to finally end this terrible war.

As greetings are exchanged, Sokka can't help but to think that this Zhao character comes off as pretty insincere.

BAOBA: Likewise. If there is nothing else, this meeting is adjourned. I suggest we meet again tomorrow with the Supreme Chieftain present.

ZHAO: Sounds like a plan.

Slowly but surely, like at the end of church, all present relax a little as they find their way to the exits.

BUMI: You kids wait a second!

The Dream Team stops as they look towards each other, none of them knowing the meaning of this. As all of the military staff is gone, only the White Lotus elders and Team Avatar remains.

SOKKA: What is it?

BUMI: That was a fiery speech Sokka – AH-HA-HA-HA – SNORT!

KANNA: It is however not the reason we're keeping you here.

Insecurity is expressed by the youngsters, all except for Zuko and Mai.

MAI: What is it then?

PIANDAO: We have a mission for you.

Now it's even more insecurity. After having been on break for months, it's their first time met with a mission again. Or a purpose of any kind. Zuko seems, once again, the least invested in this.

JEONG JEONG: When Zorak made a call for all of the White Lotus to gather, we came to his aid, protecting Gaoling and helping to organize a retreat from Omashu.

Akari and Yue share an uneasy look, as they weren't aware of that detail yet.

SOKKA: I thought Zorak was dead.

KANNA: He is. What we are trying to tell you is that our loyalties now lie with the United Front, and that we need to organize the White Lotus in order to make it a proper military arm.

PAKKU: Some members are against this, though we have it under control for now.

Zuko makes the guess that the old master is downplaying something.

SOKKA: So... we need to help with that?

MAI: No. It's something else.

The old folks all seem impressed by Mai's wit.

BUMI: Now that we have paperwork and such, there's some... loose ends we need to deal with.

KANNA: One in particular.

SOKKA: And that is?

BUMI: Vice-Chief Puwati.

Everyone but Zuko and Mai reacts comically.

SOKKA & AKARI & YUE: PUWATI?!

PAKKU: He was briefly a member of the White Lotus, though we threw him out.

PIANDAO: Not before he tricked me into making him an indestructible weapon.

The kids find their serious side again.

SOKKA: And you want us to find him.

PIANDAO: Talk to him, capture him if needed. It seems he has abandoned the Water Tribe alongside you and Princess Yue, though it might not mean that he's on our side.

Mai is once again smart enough to figure out what they're being asked here.

MAI: But he might be.

Similar reactions from the White Lotus.

KANNA: He had strange tendencies. I suspect it could be possible.

BUMI: Which is what we want you to find out.

Expecting jubilance, they are instead met with hesitation.

SOKKA: Uh... yeah. I'll do it.

MAI: Me too.

The rest? Well...

YUE: I'll... come along. Sure.

Zuko and Akari remain ambivalent, causing Iroh to intervene.

IROH: We'll let you sleep on it for now. You can give us your answer tomorrow.

---

Appa blows some wind in her face as Yue lets out a giggle. The bison and Sledge had been given a small little enclosure up the cliffs overlooking camp. Though it's not like he and Flumau couldn't just fly off. They would return to this spot regardless, wherein the Doedicurus Mastiff remains the only one not physically able to escape.

Right now the mutt is left with Sokka though, Yue allowing herself to find some quiet time with the airborne beasts. She was never much of an animal person. A part of her suspected that it required one specific animal to fill that need, no such creature ever entered her life though. Appa and Flumau are the closest bond she'll probably ever get. And it's a surprising development, seeing how neither creature was used to her, nor the other way around. Even more surprising considering Appa is the Avatar's animal companion.

Something odd about this Avatar. She had only met him that one time on her escape attempt at the Ba Sing Se attack, and she certainly didn't meet his bison back then. Though now she and the flying colossus share something of a bond.

The girl gently nudges her head against the massive skull as Appa lets out a quiet growl, Flumau's lack of jealousy a welcome attribute of her animal visits.

PAKKU: He seems to have imprinted on you, princess.

Out of all the people in camp, it was really only ever Kanna and Pakku who addressed her in this manner, Akari doing it on occasion in a provocative fashion.

PAKKU: Perhaps with the Aang gone, you might take care of it.

She briefly looks to read Appa's reaction and, while not possessing zoolinguistical capabilities, Yue does make out his energy turning dour from the comment. The big, furry thing removes himself from her grasp, walking over to Flumau in order to rest next to the smaller bison.

YUE: That is if he is gone.

PAKKU: Which you believe he isn't.

The old man has in the meantime cleaned up his swamp hermit look, stubbles replaced for a nicely trimmed beard and a poncho switched out for elegant but subtle Water Tribe fabrics.

YUE: I don't know what to believe. I only heard second-hand stories. He was a... weirdly quiet kid with lots of secrets. One day he snapped.

PAKKU: And you believe that is the whole story?

YUE: I believe that is as much as I need to know.

A clearly repressed level of anger is drowned in her sigh.

YUE: Back home I was always told this and that. My whole... life revolved around things I didn't want to be doing, but doing them regardless because it's my purpose, or because I owe it to my people, or because the darn spirits demanded it!

In Water Tribe law this would be considered a punishable offense.

YUE: So yeah, I don't need to give that story a meaning. I'll follow my own path regardless.

The old master eyes her closely, though with clear compassion.

PAKKU: You don't ever think about returning home?

The young girl lets out yet another scoff. With a somberness in her voice, she recalls the promise Shahar gave to her, that the two would visit Agna Q'ela together.

She had pictured so many things that the earthbender and her could do after the war. The entire folder of potential plans now seems distant and faded.

YUE: I wanted to show it to Shahar. Go there with her. Now Shahar is missing. I don't have a reason to go.

Pakku's brow furrows as he pets Flumau a bit.

PAKKU: This Shahar was... special to you?

Yue's quiet nod confirms his question. A bittersweet smirk forms on her features.

YUE: Of course I miss home. I miss when life was simpler. When I didn't have to think too much about my future. Or what I want. Now that I've been away for so long... why should I force myself back into that role?

PAKKU: You can't.

The old man rises as his gaze watches over the sea.

PAKKU: I miss the Water Navy from time to time.

A surprised reaction from the northern princess.

PAKKU: Similar reasons. It was a simpler time. Life seemed hopeful, and full of possibilities. I still had my son.

Upon hearing those words, a massive weight drops within Yue's stomach.

YUE: Oh. I'm... sorry to hear.

A brief nod tells her it's okay to be curious.

YUE: How did he die?

PAKKU: The Blue Spirit.

Now a shiver runs down her spine, as the answer is, more precisely, "Katara", a person she very much knew. Or at least she thought she did.

PAKKU: Ae' Kiki was a cruel man. He and I had been drifting apart long before his death. Yet... still. I suppose that's what I miss so much.

He turns back to her, a singular tear streaming from his face, though the girl wasn't able to determine this based on his voice.

YUE: The time you missed with him.

At the inquisitive look Yue begins to understand what the purpose of this conversation is.

PAKKU: Seeing your father right now would certainly complicate things for the both of you. However, once this is all over, I'm sure he'd love to have his daughter back.

He plans to leave her on that note-

YUE: He will never "have me back".

The profound spirit of rebellion does get a reaction out of him.

YUE: If he can accept me as his daughter, exactly the way I am, then I will allow him to be a part of my life. But I won't be subjugated ever again.

PAKKU: And you believe Shahar would convince him of your newfound independence?

A cocky smirk is displayed by the princess.

YUE: She'd certainly help, yes.

Pakku nods, finding Yue's sense of self more than a little inspiring. He is briefly reminded of Azula, at least on that one occasion he met the girl.

PAKKU: I suppose you ought to find her then.

From that particular piece of advice, the girl crumbles slightly.

---

Another bark finally gets a reaction from Malu, the beast snarling with some kind of strange dinosaur-esc noise that Sokka had never heard before.

KANNA: Sledge is a rather lively being.

Sokka agrees with a simplistic nod. The two have embarked on a short ride near camp, something the grandson and his gran-gran have done quite a few times.

KANNA: It is funny to think. I remember your attempts at taming a buffalo yak as a child. It's quite a leap from that to this.

The prince reacts strangely humble, rather than embarrassed.

SOKKA: Well, those things weren't exactly Sledge.

Sledge briefly barks again.

SOKKA: Precisely! Good boy.

The old woman chuckles. Of course, how each person got ahold of their pet was already shared, meaning that, as a conversation topic, it is out of the question. Though today their collective minds were stuck with something more serious regardless.

KANNA: You worry about Zuko again.

SOKKA: And Akari. I'm not sure they'll stick around.

The old woman listens carefully, already having a hunch as to where this exchange might go.

SOKKA: It's just... they're not on good terms. Zuko and his dad. They haven't seen each other in years. He... openly resents him. That's a lot of factors all coming together after this many years. What if he can't take it?

He crescendos his concerns with a pained exhale.

KANNA: You are not just simply talking about Zuko here, are you?

SOKKA: Of course I'm not.

Despite the nature of their conversation, Kanna does show a brief smile. Her grandson has matured a great lot in the past few months. Ironically, his failure to capture the Avatar was the best thing that could've happened to the boy.

SOKKA: He's just meeting him. I'm... actively planning on overthrowing my father. How will I react to that?

She briefly ponders before they both halt, the ocean now only barely visible, telling them it's time to turn around again.

KANNA: Perhaps your answer will be the same as Zuko's.

He scoffs, Sledge briefly halting to admire a stick.

SOKKA: That's pretty smart actually. Maybe whatever Zuko will take away from a meeting with his father will help me out as well.

KANNA: Plus you may help the boy when their encounter turns out to be bad.

While trying to stay positive, Sokka can't hold himself back from showing an uneasy grimace.

SOKKA: That's only if he'll actually talk to me.

---

He enters with a sense of dread. Looking back, Gudgeon gifts him a cold stare. Not much for the reassurance Arnook had hoped for.

In the horribly uninviting hallway leading to their War Council chamber, of course both of these made from ice, echoes from the other Chief Militaries can be heard by the High-/ and Vice-Chief all the way back here.

POLA (in the distance): Until the Great Cove has been fully fortified, we are vulnerable. The United Front has greater numbers than we anticipated. They are more dangerous than you realize.

VYKE (in the distance): Dangerous to your fleet, Chief-Admiral, not to the South Pole.

POLA (in the distance): The threat of invasion will continue to stir tension within the High Chief Council-

ARNOOK: The High-Chief Council will no longer be of any concern to us.

Both he and Gudgeon enter abruptly, a room made of ice, with some wooden pillars and an oval table, upon which all important Chief Militaries are seated. They share looks of surprise and concern at the news.

ARNOOK: The Great Chief has just informed us that he dissolved the council permanently. The last remnants of the old tribal system have been swept away.

As they circle to the front of the table, Vyke shoots a deadly jealous glare at Gudgeon, the woman still clad in her Dracula coat, though no longer requiring a hood. She seems to show little interest in the man's antics as Arnook takes a seat.

POLA: That's... quite the news. How will the Great Chief maintain control without the bureaucracy?

ARNOOK: The regional governors now have direct control over their territories. That includes our colonial holdings in the former Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom.

KAYURULE: And wha' of the United Front? Our spies tell us that their numbers increased significantly. Even the Great Chief's son is on their side now.

GUDGEON: You are referring to a problem that will soon be dealt with.

Her sudden input, despite not possessing a very intimidating voice, still freezes everyone's blood in an instant.

VYKE: Any United Front attack against the South Pole would be a useless gesture, no matter what intel they have obtained. Let us not forget about Ogro's return.

The mention of this seems to hit some kind of nerve, Gudgeon eyeing the scarred Chief closely.

VYKE: With him on our side, the Water Tribes possess the ultimate power in the world. I suggest we make plans how to use it and win this war once and for all.

GUDGEON: Don't be too proud of the military power you've obtained. The ability to control the world's oceans is insignificant next to the power of the Spirit World. We should be more than careful when meddling with such matters. After all, there is still an Avatar out there, and the bridge between our worlds could greatly diminish any such spiritual terror.

VYKE: Don't try to frighten us by mentioning the Avatar, Lady Gudgeon.

She carefully raises an eyebrow at that, not showing any more of a reaction for now.

GUDGEON: That's still "Vice-Chief Gudgeon" to you.

Vyke scoffs, then spits on the table, which does get a reaction from everyone else, though the only woman present seems to be unaffected, slowly approaching the much taller man.

VYKE: Suddenly having a dame be in charge will not help us conjure up enemy battle plans. Or tell us a way to deal with the Avata-

At first, it seems as if the Chief-General is chocking on something, his malice perhaps. Then, upon seeing Gudgeon's hand reach out, it becomes clear, and rather disturbing. Her index and thumb alone appear to be manipulating something withing Vyke's body, his throat to be more precise. Artery, vein, lymphatic system, saliva – it all seems to suddenly stop in its place, squeezing the man's throat as his head slowly takes on a crimson shade, his one eye reeking of desperation as the Vice-Chief keeps perfectly still, perfectly cool, as if her face was a carved mask.

GUDGEON: I find your lack of faith disturbing.

Pola instinctively grabs his own throat in fear, Kayrule refusing to take another sip from his smoke pipe, while Hias lost all color in his face. Arnook is eventually the one to speak up.

ARNOOK: I think you've proven your point, Vice-Chief. Release him.

The woman lets Vyke gasp for air a few more seconds.

GUDGEON: As you wish.

Finally letting go, her arm wanders back beneath her cloak as Vyke's upper body slams down on the table, the man's lungs furiously pumping his system with air as if it were a camel absorbing enough moisture. None of the other Chief Militaries even so much as look at Vyke from this point on.

ARNOOK: This bickering is pointless. Vice-Chief Gudgeon will have dealt with the Crown Prince and the Avatar by the time the enemy enters our waters. We will then crush the United Front with one swift stroke.

Finally, on the largest, tallest, and darkest-colored chair, Gudgeon takes a seat.

POLA: How do you plan on dealing with the Crown Prince and the Avatar, Vice-Chief?

As her head turns and her burgundy eyes meet his, a hint of a smirk melts across her face.

GUDGEON: Let that be my concern.

---

Zuko takes a deep breath.

ZUKO: I'm ready.

He enters with an enormous weight pressed against his shoulders, made heavier by the guilt woven into his heart.

Ozai's tent is one of the lavish variety, more extravagant than that of Baoba or Bumi. Or anyone. It is still a tent, a crude construction from wood and fabric, an easy to pitch, easy to dismantle apparatus. Yet, in every capacity possible, from the wall decorations, to the streaks of golden color, to the expensive-looking items stashed from his travels – it was as if the Supreme Chieftain, as he is now apparently known, made a deliberate effort to disguise his temporary sleeping option as akin to a palace – worthy of royalty.

Zuko's heart practically somersaults from his chest cavity, after which it would flop around on the silk, crimson carpet upon which Zuko's boots trample. Despite all his changes, all his hardships and his loss, despite his appearance having transformed drastically throughout the last three months – the boy is still clad in his measly, simple, peasant, Fire Nation outfit, one dominated by soft, dark reds, a hint of black maybe here or there. This was what he wore when father left, when his old man came to visit on occasion. He always dreaded the visits – always vented his frustrations to his uncle and his sister, the latter of whom only shared his plight to a certain degree.

Ozai never hid his disdain for his offspring. His eldest was a soft weakling, a non-bender taking too much after his uncle and his mother. His daughter, while gifted with the ability to manipulate fire, was strictly forbidden from doing so, causing him to push her away further and further, the girl eventually growing to prefer uncle and mother much the same way.

And now there he is. Ozai is seated behind a handcrafted desk, a one of a kind, most likely, scribbling down on some sort of report or other. The relatively young man is wrapped in expensive Fire Nation clothing, with the typical scaly armor going over, though his seems just a tat bit extra grandiose, almost as if it had never been used in combat, certainly a lie.

Zuko stands there frozen for a few more seconds, the intensity of the situation unfolding like a cosmic crossroads of a thousand strings that came blending all together at once.

The man's long, raven-black hair kept in a silver headpiece, Ozai finally bothers to look up from his paperwork, the long goatee softly dangling from a pronounced chin.

Ozai's ember eyes hold Zuko in contempt for a moment, the boy not having decided yet what to say. A sense of burning passion, like a wildfire fueled by kerosene, finally manages to overcome him.

ZUKO: Hello, father.

A complete and utter act of disrespect, one that Ozai very apparently takes note of with a scoff.

OZAI: You've been away for a long time. I see the weight of your travels has changed you.

Zuko stands his ground as Ozai rises from his chair, hands folded behind his person as he begins to prance around his table and towards him.

OZAI: When I left, you were but a meek peasant, toying with swords and wasting your time with ghost stories told by my brother.

Like a cat and, much to Zuko's displeasure, a lot like Azula, the Supreme Chieftain begins to pace around the swordfighter, a fierce expression in his eyes that refuse to look away for even a millisecond.

OZAI: And now?

Just as Zuko is about to conjure up his meanest glare, he is instead forced to show his surprise.

Ozai is not one to smile, but a smirk of pride is the closest thing to it.

OZAI: You have redeemed yourself, my son.

The boy can hardly believe his ears, feeling the need to bow down as a traditional showcase of respect, though he chooses to stand upright for now.

OZAI: I am proud of you, Zuko. I am proud because you and your sister saved Ba Sing Se. I am proud because when your loyalty was tested by the Avatar, you did the right thing and turned your back on the traitor.

Zuko's brow briefly twitches at how much his father is aware of, and how casually the man is able to mention his supposed dead daughter.

OZAI: And I am proudest of all of your most legendary accomplishment – you have become a firebender.

Not much shock there, as word got around pretty quickly. If anyone would be exhilarated to hear the news, it would be Ozai.

To his own amazement, and a fact that frightens him very much so, Zuko finds himself happy at his father's approval.

ZUKO: What did you hear?

OZAI: I have a way of getting what I want, especially when it comes to information. Many times you were praised for you firebending abilities, from the Battle of Gaoling to the Defense of Ba Sing Se. Even the Governor-General told me he was impressed by your power and ferocity.

Zuko tries to think back to when Fong even saw him bend fire.

But alas, it seems of little concern now. Only one topic remains, and it is one that almost brings the boy to tears, an emotion he finds crucial to conceal from his father.

ZUKO: I lost Azula though. And my girlfriend, Ty Lee.

Taking a deep breath, Ozai meanwhile saunters back towards his wooden chair, appearing just ever so slightly disappointed that his boy even bothered to bring this up.

OZAI: Yes, it was heartbreaking to read the news. My only daughter slain by the Avatar that she swore to protect. It is not a loss than can ever be replaced.

Unrest begins to fester within Zuko once more. Turmoil clashing within the depths of his soul – the love he is finally receiving from his father versus the grief he feels from having lost the two most important people in his life.

OZAI: Very tragic, indeed.

His seating option makes a painful screeching sound as he pulls it closer to his desk again.

OZAI: However, mourning her loss for eternity will not help either of us, or anyone in our family.

This sounds a lot more familiar to the Ozai Zuko knew from his childhood.

OZAI: The truth is that the events that unfolded in Ba Sing Se have provided us with a unique opportunity. Or should I say, provided you with a unique opportunity.

Just as a grimace appears on his features his father brings forth an unexpected item, though not an unfamiliar one in the slightest.

OZAI: This headpiece was retrieved from your sister's possessions. I understand she wore it for a long time, and that, until now, you lacked the hair to make use of it.

The boy nods quietly, having an outline of an idea about what his old man might propose next.

OZAI: If reports from Dibuang are true, then your sister won in an Agni Kai against the heir to the Fire Nation.

Hurt additionally by Adithya's loss, Zuko crosses his arms.

ZUKO: What are you trying to say?

OZAI: That you are the rightful heir to the Fire Nation.

Even when he saw all of this coming from a mile away, Zuko is still startled by the thought spoken out loud.

OZAI: Our bloodline has a stronger claim to the throne than Delphi or Adithya ever had. You are my first-born son and now also a firebender. There is no one more suited to rule than you, Prince Zuko.

For a moment he pictures himself as just that, "Prince" Zuko, the way Aang had always described him. Colder, sharper, more aggressive, and with a gaping scar.

OZAI: We are stuck hundreds of miles away from Dibuang or the Fire Nation, so there is no hurry. But I have a feeling that you will not disappoint me, son.

The Supreme Chieftain rises from his seat yet again in order to hand the headpiece to a reluctant Zuko.

OZAI: The two of us meeting like this was destiny, Prince Zuko. Do not fail to fulfill your own destiny now that it is within reach.

And with that, the boy is released from this interaction, which was, in hindsight, one slimly, power-hungry monologue, rather than a father and a son reuniting and sharing their grief for a lost daughter and sister.

What angers Zuko the most, what stirs the conflict within him, is that what his father said... didn't sound so bad.

It didn't sound bad at all.

---

He waited until the sun was conquered by darkness before sneaking out. Getting past the guards wasn't terribly difficult, the Red Spirit having briefly been trained by the talented Crescent Warriors, if only for a very short time.

The figure moved like a shadow when scaling the steep cliffs protecting Chameleon Bay, making its way up to the grassy plains that grew into the Earth Kingdom's disputed territory. Si Wong could be reached within a day or two on a flying bison. For now, the Red Spirit planned on moving further south, hoping to stumble over another lost Water Tribe unit, from which stealing intel would be as easy as taking candy from a baby. He could once again leave a message on Baoba's desk, the general not yet having questioned how the additional scrolls materialize overnight.

Warm summer winds blow through a series of trees when he suddenly stops. Whoever or whatever tried to sneak up on him did a good job, but ultimately gave their position away when a branch cracked ever so slightly under their weight.

A knife hisses threw the night, the Red Spirit blocking it with its sturdy steel wrist protectors, before making its way to be the target of a tense chase. He cannot be caught by the figure, for his identity needs to be kept secret. Forced to halt at a dried-out creek, he stops once again to kick away a series of darts, a deadly shuriken followed after crashing into wrists again, allowing the figure pursuing him to charge for close combat. A few jabs and punches are exchanged, neither one managing a hit as they are both relatively evenly matched in terms of skill. For some time at least – eventually his pursuer can land a mean strike before kicking his chest, causing him to stumble a bit as her hand reaches for his mask. In a desperate effort, a flame bursts from his fist, causing Mai to jolt back and fall over. She hasn't made out who it is yet – perhaps he can still get away undetected. How in the world did she even catch onto him?

The Red Spirit sets the road in front of her on fire, hoping it would discourage the girl from going after him. Turning to a sprint, he hurries down into darkness with-

MAI: Zuko!

The boy's movements stop more or less abruptly, forcing him to stay frozen on the spot, the only sound and light both coming from his red flames, Mai behind them finally rising with a painfully frustrated grunt. Neither says anything for a moment, Zuko refusing to turn towards her.

MAI: Can you at least come closer so that I don't have to shout?

After a few seconds, the boy slouches over in shame, walking closer to her as he removes his mask, insecurity and anger plastered all across his features.

ZUKO: How did you know?

MAI: That a masked figure with your height and firebending is in fact you? Wouldn't have been very hard. But I caught you sneaking out like this back when we were still in Ba Sing Se.

He ponders the implications of this, a subsequent thought rushing to his head in that moment.

ZUKO: Do the others know?

MAI: Sokka and Yue. Akari, I'm not sure.

Zuko nods, his anger and shame from earlier today multiplying tenfold.

ZUKO: I'm not going to justify myself.

MAI (cold): Good. Because I don't care.

Her voice takes on the same sharpness that her throwing weapons possess, the low lighting of his fire casting a sinister shadow upon her.

MAI (angry): I'm frankly tired of you, Zuko. We've all suffered. We're all dealing with loss and grief. And yet you're the only one refusing to accept anyone's help. Sokka talks about nothing else. He is losing his mind at the thought of not being able to help you. And what's your way of dealing with it? Sneaking out at night to beat up lost Water Tribe recruits? To make yourself feel stronger? Better? Did you feel good when you scarred those soldiers last night?

Her words only reach him halfway, enraging Zuko more than getting to his soft side, if that side even still exists.

ZUKO: What do you want me to do?

MAI: Come back with me to the beach. Sokka, and Yue, and Akari are still up. We need to talk about this mission from the White Lotus.

Picturing the sudden pride from his father, remembering his words of encouragement, Zuko turns his back on her again, grunting alongside it.

ZUKO: I'm not coming along for that stupid mission.

Finally, at this consecutive outburst, Mai gives up.

MAI: Show up or don't. It's your choice.

She turns away from the warmth and light of the flames, disappearing into darkness.

---

He finds Sokka poking a partially charred stick into a pool of embers that seem to be on the edge of dying. Yue and Akari are also seated on tree trunks like the prince, Mai tossing a glare over to Zuko as he finally arrives, though remaining quiet for now.

AKARI: Woo-hey, look who showed up.

Team Avatar's reaction to Zuko's arrival could be described as a very crass mix, Sokka and Mai representing two polar opposites of the joy spectrum, the boy jolting up at the sight of the swordfighter.

SOKKA: I'm so glad you could make it. Sit down, we need to discuss this mission.

Yue scoffs audibly with her arms crossed as Sokka sits down again.

YUE: Yeah, we've only been waiting for a few hours...

As Zuko places himself on an empty log, his fiery disapproval returns almost immediately.

ZUKO: I'm not gonna waste your guys' time on this. I'm not going.

SOKKA: What?!

YUE: No big surprise there.

SOKKA: You're not coming?! But- but... you're on Team Avatar! You're one of the founding members!

Zuko grunts as a second voice cuts in.

AKARI: Um... actually, now that we're at it, I was going to say that I won't be going either.

Now this gets her a strong reaction from Yue and Sokka, Mai remaining quietly on the sidelines, as she correctly saw all of this coming.

SOKKA: But... Akari...

Hearing the defeat in Sokka's voice? Now that does get Mai to react a bit now.

AKARI: Look guys, I'm sorry, but... I don't see why. I for one am not a part of Team Avatar. I did the right thing by defending Ba Sing Se and... that's pretty much it for me.

She shrugs, Yue nodding in acceptance while Sokka is on the verge of tears.

SOKKA: Bu- of course you're a part of Team Avatar!

The athlete seems somewhat shocked by this.

SOKKA: Everyone here is, Yue too! All of us fought the Water Tribe and helped defend Ba Sing Se. Sure, me and you two started off on the wrong side, but we changed. Isn't that the whole point of Team Avatar? Forgiveness?

While Sokka was rambling about, the anger inside Zuko only grew brighter and louder, until it eventually explodes.

ZUKO: STOP SAYING TEAM AVATAR!

The boy jolts up from his seat, the dim embers casting quite the spooky light onto his sharp features.

ZUKO (angry): Team Avatar was never a thing! It was always just Aang doing whatever he likes and dragging us along for protection – dragging me along because of some other Zuko in some other world! We saw what happened to Team Avatar – the Avatar is gone! He killed my sister! He released a demon that took Ty Lee! You might have found forgiveness and salvation – but I feel none of that!

Tears in Sokka's eyes, Mai rises (literally) to the occasion.

MAI (firm): Stop shouting at him, Zuko. That's enough.

ZUKO (angry): I AM NOT DONE YET!

A stern, cold warrior, Mai flinches slightly at this. The tears now show up on Zuko's features as well, painting quite the picture.

ZUKO (angry and in tears): Forgiveness isn't going to make things undone! Finding this Puwati guy isn't going to make things undone! It's OVER! We need to GROW UP and accept what happened! Team Avatar DOESN'T EXIST!

Having noticed his outburst in emotion, Zuko finally storms off. Akari, not feeling equipped or close enough to anyone to really help out, leaves not long after. Mai and Yue remain on the beach, comforting a broken prince, embers now pretty much dead at this point, although they did flare up during Zuko's yelling.

---

The swordfighter found himself a little patch of grass far away, a part of a cliff poking out the side, a ledge allowing him to wallow in his pain as he stares out into dark waters, the deep, sinister ocean stretching for miles. He is reminded quite easily of home. He'd sometimes go out at night and watch the waves as the crept onto the beachhead, pulled back just as quickly right after. An image takes shape in his mind, like a series of memories grown out of nothing. He pictures himself and Azula, having stayed on their island. Aang never came into their world and the real next Avatar revealed itself. Whoever that was meant to be. He scoffs at the thought. Maybe Ty Lee and her travelling dance group would play at a nearby village that they could visit. He could've met her that way... and...

His mind stops, a thought plucked into his fake visions that doesn't seem to leave.

The real Avatar. Whoever could that be? Certainly the airbender meant to be next couldn't have survived for a hundred years. Someone must've been born after their passing. But who...

IROH: I hope I'm not bothering you.

Zuko's head frantically turns to the right, his uncle holding up a lantern and backpack, that everlasting smile carved into his face like a rock.

---

Act. III – On the beach at dusk

---

After a day such as this, Zuko has zero idea what to say to his uncle. He would forever be grateful that the old man sat down across from him.

IROH: With your permission, I will sit down here and make some tea. You are welcome to have some as well if you like.

The cold fire returns to his heart as his gaze is averted, staring back out into the sea. Iroh persists regardless, lighting a small fire as he sets up his kettle.

ZUKO: It's pretty late for tea.

IROH: Suppose it is. But, from my experience, life can only be enjoyed to the fullest if you live in the breath. I felt like making tea, so I went ahead and came here.

ZUKO: You came here to talk to me, Uncle. Don't think I'm stupid.

Iroh takes the accusation to heart, proceeding very carefully.

IROH: I don't think you are stupid. Two things can be true at once, Zuko. But yes, I wanted to see how you're doing as well. I'm sure meeting your father after all this time was quite the experience.

A part of Zuko wishes to end this conversation, return to his tent, and tell his father tomorrow that he'll be joining the Fire Nation Resistance. But the same part curious as to the question of the real Avatar forces him to stay seated and speak truthfully, from the heart.

ZUKO: It wasn't at all what I expected, Uncle. He wasn't harsh or cruel like in the past. He... seemed to be happy to see me. Happy to have me here. And... I was happy to have him back too. He was happy to finally have a firebender for a son.

Iroh successfully suppresses a sigh as he stirs the tea water.

IROH: I am happy that meeting your father was something pleasant. And I truly mean that.

Alas, a hint of guilt persisted within the back of Zuko's mind throughout the whole day, the boy finally feeling strong enough to utter it.

ZUKO: He... he didn't talk about Azula with me. I mentioned it but... he brushed it aside. It... didn't seem important to him.

His suspicions confirmed, Iroh remains as stoic and impartial as ever.

IROH: Can I ask you something, nephew?

Zuko quietly nods, his head feeling lighter after having shared this.

IROH: Do you think they are dead? Azula, and Ty Lee, and your friends?

He earnestly simmers on the inquiry before responding.

ZUKO: I... I don't know. But...

IROH: You don't want to hold out hope in case they are not.

Ashamed to feel the tears coming up, he shakes his head.

ZUKO (teary): I'm just... so angry, Uncle. I'm so angry at father for not being a real dad. I'm angry at Aang for hurting us so much. I'm angry at Mai for... for...

IROH: Are you angry at yourself?

That's when it finally clicks for the boy, truly this time.

ZUKO: Yes. Of course I am. I trusted Aang without a second thought. I forgave him too easily. I...

He takes a moment to stabilize his breath as Iroh pours hot tea into two separate cups.

ZUKO (teary): I pushed Ty Lee too hard. I wanted her to trust Kenora when I should've given her the space she needed.

As he erupts into full-on sobbing, his uncle comforts him.

IROH: Admitting your own faults is the first step, and you should be proud of yourself for having taken it. The next step is not to wallow in your faults. Allow yourself to feel the pain, but do not allow it to consume you, for you will surrender to your lowest instincts when you do so.

The boy pulls himself together enough to respond again.

ZUKO (teary): I want to believe that they're still out there. But how do I do that? How do I keep my hopes up?

It is the simplest and most honest of smirks that casts a light upon Zuko.

IROH: In the darkest of times, hope is something your give yourself. That is the meaning of inner strength.

His uncle waits until Zuko nods, then proceeds to hand him over a cup of tea, the two spotting the first few glimmers of dusk shining upon the horizon.

As they sit quietly, Zuko lets everything pass in review, starting from the moment he lost Azula and Ty Lee, all the way to his outburst at the campfire. Just how exactly is he going to find that spark of hope? It has to be something he can latch onto, finding meaning in. Sure, it could simply be his guilt for Sokka and Mai, though he feels as though doing it for someone else's happiness is not the way to go. Just how exactly...

The thought from before reemerges. So, airbender Avatar dies. Then what? Does it stick with Aang now? Does he get to keep all these Avatar powers until he returns to his world? Suppose then the next element in line is...

Fire. Iroh allows his nephew to quietly ponder, though he obviously catches wind of something racing through Zuko's mind.

Fire. The next Avatar would be fire. Either after Aang leaves or because there is someone already-

What are the Avatar's powers again? Well, besides the four elements, of course. There's the Avatar State, which includes glowing eyes-

Like Azula had. Back in Dibuang. She was dragged into the Spirit World to find the Shishi-

And before that too – in that forest with the Sōjōbō. She went along with Aang to the Spirit World, or something akin to it. She saw Kaiyuko's vision regarding Ogro's return-

Kaiyuko. She met Kaiyuko! How many can claim that a past Avatar visited them? Unless it's Pakku, of course, but that was in a dream. Azula spoke to him – in person.

And back on Twin Island, all those months ago, she climbed one of the Sisters. All for a rodent, supposedly, but it's like she was pulled there. Drawn to find Aang. Drawn to discover the...

ZUKO (quietly): ...the Avatar.

A bright expression in Zuko's features, his uncle is unable to decipher exactly what his nephew is thinking right now. It must be something big though.

IROH: Are you feeling better?

For the first time in over three months, Zuko smiles.

ZUKO: I think so. I need to speak with someone first.

Which was just about the thing Iroh was hoping to hear. It seems his wish was fulfilled.

---

Like I've said plenty of times before – Water Tribe architecture is unique. Anything remotely on the outside, from hallways to courtyards etc. – that stuff is freezing. But, once you're actually inside, it gets to be about as cozy as any old regular room. It's not like a little fireplace would have the capacity to instantly melt solid blocks of ice with a diameter of two feet or longer. It's just not how it works. Makes the Great Chief's palace one hell of a stuffy affair, a hint of sweat ever-present, but, you know, it allows you to sit comfortably. Take your parka off. Maybe just a shirt.

Which is what Hakoda is currently rocking as he enters his imperial chambers, servants having already removed his ceremonial armor and such in a little foyer prior. His bedroom is stacked with a massive king-sized bed, layers upon layers off expensive animal furs, mixed with some rare materials like silk or cotton. It's like falling into a fluffy cloud. And, after a long, exhausting day such as this, the Great Chief would like nothing more. Once the doors to his room are shut, Hakoda walks a few paces, halting with a smirk just as he passes his personal desk, right next to a bookshelf.

HAKODA: I do not recall another council session at this hour. Vice-Chief.

His head finally turns, the playful expression persisting as he spots Gudgeon, still in her signature coat, her face reflecting a relatively equal level of excitement, if slightly more reserved.

GUDGEON: I will be leaving tomorrow morning. There are still a few matters I wanted to discuss with you first, Great Chief.

Hakoda crosses his muscular arms as Gudgeon rises from the desk, taking a few steps closer before coming to a standstill.

HAKODA: Are those matters of importance?

His question is promptly answered as the Vice-Chief reveals herself from beneath her coat, only wearing the Water Tribes version of lingerie.

Suffice it to say that his excellency, face turned to a scarlet shade, is all over Gudgeon within a few seconds, the woman jumping onto her Great Chief as he carries her over to his imperial bed.

Two bodies fall and enjoy the sensation of fluffy, cloudiness. Not elaborating further.

A good while later the flames of his fireplace have turned to measly embers, the two most powerful people in the Water Tribes forced to draw warmth from each other and their dozens of bedsheets. Hakoda is left to stare at the icy ceiling, Gudgeon snuggling up to his exposed chest, pulling up a silk blanket and two furs in order to cover the both of them.

HAKODA: How did they take it?

GUDGEON: Hm?

HAKODA: The other Chiefs. I'm sure there were some dissenting voices.

GUDGEON: With their new Vice-Chief?

The man nods, his joy transferring onto Gudgeon, the two forced to share another kiss before she can answer his question.

GUDGEON: Vyke is upset. Most likely he wanted the position for himself.

Hakoda's snort adequately communicates his feelings on that.

HAKODA: Vyke. Like I would choose some walrus bear.

She nudges her head to the side, countering his claims.

GUDGEON: You did choose Puwati.

HAKODA: Puwati's looks have always been deceiving. The man might be a brute, but he is far from stupid. If he ever decides to turn against the Water Tribes, we need to be prepared.

GUDGEON: Do you think that will happen?

A long exhale blows softly over her head.

HAKODA: He wasn't too happy about my decision to abandon Gaoling. I thought if we stretched their armies wide enough, the civil war would tear them apart. But the Earth Kingdom was able to defend the city.

His hand wanders over to his eyes, massaging them in frustration once they're closed.

HAKODA: And now I lost it. Alongside Katara.

A second, more pained sigh is emitted by the Great Chief, his Vice comforting him with some cheek kisses.

GUDGEON: You haven't lost her. She's still out there. Maybe she found a way to rid herself of that spirit.

HAKODA: It's all my fault. I never should've let it take her over. I never should've used her like that...

More guilt manifests itself on his features as Gudgeon counters it with even more intimacy.

GUDGEON: Hey, look at me.

Getting his head to turn to her calms the man somewhat.

GUDGEON: You did everything you could to rid her of that thing. She wanted to keep it. And she made the best of it. She's still out there, which means we can find her and bring her back. Just like Sokka.

It has been years since Hakoda lost Kya and, for a long time, the Great Chief thought he would never be able to get over her, a loss that plagued him enough to allow his son to leave, pained him so much that he allowed a dark spirit to take control of his daughter.

All those worries have started to wash away ever since Whakamaikuku came into his life.

GUDGEON: I'll take care of everything. We'll get someone to bring back Sokka and the Northern Princess while I'll try to find Katara.

Feeling at peace, Hakoda nods. A kiss is shared, before Gudgeon lies back down on his torso, the sound of his heartbeat ringing in her right ear.

The truth is, while she does love him, Gudgeon isn't stupid. Sokka, as a traitor and a non-bender, has practically no claim to the throne, while Katara is automatically disqualified owed to her assigned sex. A cruel practice that wouldn't be fixed within a few years. It would take at least more than one generation to bring forth true emancipation for the women of the Water Tribes, even if the first female Vice-Chief is a historic step.

But regardless, the bottom line is – Hakoda has no real heirs. She would never harm his children, but once they are returned, she would finally be able to gift him her own. They wouldn't have to hide anymore, though she would lose her post as Vice-Chief. It will be worth it though.

For Hakoda, she would do anything.

---

A thought had started to fester within Akari. Not a particularly dark one, but a... nasty one regardless. I mean... Aang and Adithya are gone, and "Team Avatar" will hardly require two flying bison, right? Plus, she met with the beasts plenty of times in the last few weeks. They both seem to like her. Then again, so do Sokka, Mai, and Yue. And now she's leaving them behind.

It seems neither road makes a whole lot of sense.

PIANDO: You lost?

On a path leading away from the beachhead, soft, warm grass merges with white, sparkling sands. It leads up to the cliff tops, the athlete located at the bottom with a shoulder bag and her staff, though the weapon has seen better days. The old sword master meanwhile remains in sand, his dark robe waving in the ocean winds.

AKARI: Uh... no. I mean... sort of.

The girl scratches the back of her head, unsure if her encounter with Piandao is coincidental or not.

AKARI: I don't know.

PIANDAO: You don't know if you're leaving or not?

Her back turned towards him the girl is unable to leave the conversation so early.

AKARI: Sorry, but I won't be helping with the Puwati mission. I'm sure the others can manage without me.

PIANDAO: And they can manage with just one bison, right?

Akari's blood freezes, not in a spectacular fashion, though somehow the airbender isn't very surprised.

AKARI: Okay, well... let me be clear – I wasn't... set on stealing a bison. I considered it. There is a difference.

PIANDAO: There is indeed.

The old master kneels down on the sand, taking off his elongated parcel wrapped in cloth and his very expensive-looking sword sheath, the blade inside most likely even more impressive. Akari merely finds the strength to cross her arms, unsure how to proceed.

AKARI: Okay. Guess I'll... go then. I... won't steal a bison. I promise.

PIANDAO: Would it really be stealing, though?

A sigh escapes her mouth.

AKARI: Can you stop with the cryptic questions, please? Just say what you want.

PIANDAO: You want me to be... direct?

AKARI: Uh... I don't know. Yeah? Please?

Piandao ponders on that while the athlete steps a bit closer, still not having reached sand yet. In the distant horizon, a change in color indicates approaching dusk.

PIANDAO: Would it really be stealing? You are an airbender, after all.

Too curious to depart and with salty winds blowing through her bangs, Akari considers his thought process.

AKARI: You're not totally wrong. But, you know, those bison belong to other people already. Even if one is presumed dead and the other an Avatar on the run.

This time the old master doesn't poke her further with questions, allowing her to dig deeper.

AKARI: But I think I want one. I mean, I am owed one, I think. Pretty sure all airbenders get a bison. It'd be cool to have one that's mine.

A treacherous smirk grows on her features as Piandao glances over to her.

PIANDAO: It would be wise to head to Dibuang then.

She nods, finally having been given a goal. But still... it doesn't really seem to fit yet.

AKARI: Sure. I guess. I don't know.

A grunt tumbles over her lips as she considers her own words.

AKARI: I must be frustrating to listen to...

Piandao chuckles, which reassures the girl greatly. His aura had been intriguingly open from the start, at least part of the reason why she has been engaging in this conversation thus far. The other reason...

AKARI: I don't really know if I want to go. The others are having a bit of a feud right now and I just... feel a bit misplaced. They've been incredibly nice to me the past three months but... I don't know if I would consider them friends yet. My only real friends are either missing or have been absorbed by black goo.

She doesn't utter it, and she's probably wrong to assume this but, she does consider Ty Lee as a friend when describing her situation.

PIANDAO: We all go through periods of time when we're lost, drifting through the air with no real footing. It is not a shame to not know.

AKARI: I guess.

Finally stepping back onto the beach, she sits down next to him.

AKARI: To be honest, life has always been like this for me. I've never had real footing. Never really felt like I had a focused goal. The Huoshan Tournaments were always fun though.

PIANDAO: You were always formidable there, even without utilizing your bending.

Akari is forced to think for a second before remembering that the man next to her was Huoshan's mystery organizer.

PIANDAO: That reminds me, I wanted to give you this. You did win more than once, and I thought you are owed a little gift.

AKARI: Gift?

He hands her the strikingly interesting package, Akari unwrapping it with curious eyes, eyes which widen at the contents revealed inside.

PIANDAO: I couldn't help but to observe you and your friends during training sessions. I made this special airbending staff akin to your current one.

Akari snickers as she pulls up her new toy, the walnut brown stick possessing strikingly beautiful carvings depicting the swirly airbender symbols here and there, as well as bison and other stuff, though none of the art is too pronounced to offset the weapon's balance.

AKARI: You mean my old one.

Piandao tosses a smile that goes unnoticed by keen, grey eyes.

PIANDAO: It's reinforced to withstand hard steel weaponry. You can also split it in half.

She does so after twisting it, surprised by the light weight of both halves. Upon putting them back together, the girl spots a weird mechanism two thirds of the way up.

AKARI: What does this do?

Upon activating it, Akari screeches, the staff in her hand transforming into an authentic glider, much like she saw on Ty Lee and the Avatar. The color of her wings is a dark sandstone shade.

AKARI: Woah.

PIANDAO: It also does that.

It takes the athlete another second to close the glider again.

AKARI: Thank you, master. I uh... don't know how to really use it, though.

PIANDAO: You should go find out then.

A nod acts as his blessings, telling Akari that it's okay to get back up again, an aura of uneasiness still lingering around her person. Notably, she left her old staff right there in the sand.

AKARI: Yep. Guess I will.

PIANDAO: How do you plan on finding out?

Despite his gaze being directed towards the sea, he can still somehow tell that the girl smirks ever so slightly.

AKARI: I don't know.

---

Zuko takes a deep breath, though not nearly as dramatic as he did when visiting yesterday. This time Ozai looks up from his deskwork right away, implying that he noticed his son in their last encounter as well, but purposefully forced him to wait.

OZAI: Well... you are up early, I see. You take after your father.

Only now does the swordfighter realize that Ozai's tone and cadence is very much the same as it was back when he was younger. Back when that man emotionally manipulated and abused his entire family. Notably, Zuko is now carrying his broadswords again, something he hasn't been seen doing for a long time.

OZAI: I see you have brought your blades. I assumed you would've gotten rid of them upon unlocking your firebending skills.

ZUKO: I wanted to say goodbye. I'm leaving later with my friends.

No point in trying to make this a thoughtful, empathetic conversation. His father is most likely incapable of sympathy, or he unlearned it at a very young age. Either way, Zuko is forced to go back to his trained habits of engaging with his old man at a distance. It's the only way how.

And, almost on cue, Ozai's features form a stern frown.

OZAI: What?

ZUKO: We've been assigned a mission by the White Lotus. But also... we'll be out looking for our missing friends. That includes Azula.

Any normal father would be in tears to hear that their son is out to look for his sister believed dead. Ozai jolts up angrily from his seat.

OZAI: Your sister is dead, boy! You are to stay here with my troops and support us in the South Pole invasion, if you know what's good for you!

ZUKO: We will support the United Front with the invasion. But until then, we're out doing this.

The boy reveals the headpiece from his pocket, the item's smell consisting mostly of metal, though also with a hint of Azula.

ZUKO: This is her headpiece. I'll be giving it back to her. And also – once Adithya returns, she will claim the throne, not me. I have no desire to rule the Fire Nation.

OZAI (angry): You will obey me, or this defiant breath will be your last!

Somehow, a tiny part of Zuko was hoping his father had changed, that this conversation would be a heartfelt departure. But alas, while everyone deserves a second chance, some people simply cannot change. Why be mad at sharks for wanting to bite you?

In another world, perhaps as another Zuko, he might be more worked up here. But upon looking at his pathetic, angered father, the swordfighter instead finds himself at peace.

ZUKO: For so long, all I wanted was for you to love me, to accept me. But... I realized, thanks to Uncle and mom, and Azula, and...

A smirk appears where before was only dread.

ZUKO: ...and Ty Lee. They taught me love isn't something I need to earn. If you are only interested in me as a son because I'm a firebender and a claimant to the throne, then that's not really love from you.

Ozai scoffs in defiance.

OZAI: You're a weakling. You've always been weak.

Zuko sighs, not in anger, but just... mild annoyance.

ZUKO: Bye, dad.

Just as he is about to leave, the sound of Ozai dashing around his desk and drawing his jian sword forces him to stop. Zuko turns around to see his father ready himself for combat with his son.

OZAI: Coward! You will stay here, or suffering will be your teacher.

In one swift, smooth, and incredibly cool motion, the boy draws his Dragon Blades, igniting them in a bright fire as the heated blades stand opposite a shocked Ozai. This occurs for a few seconds before Zuko can make out his father's bluff, turning his flame swords off and sheathing them again.

Some things never change. Some people never change. Zuko is only glad that he himself is able to do so.

---

Out by the Great Cove's harbor, the first sunbeams are showing themselves, illuminating a cloaked figure off in some dingy alley, buildings mostly made from ice, though occasionally wood and even steel are present in their architecture.

The person Gudgeon sought has finally arrived with unexpectedly quiet footsteps. She stares into the face of a pale man, an almost featureless visage with no discernable hair, not even eyebrows. Though this younger lad appears to carry a strange tattoo on him – a series of circles, lines drawn from across his eyelids, growing upwards where they would presumably get smaller and smaller, perhaps ending in a dot on the very crown of his skull. Gudgeon wouldn't be able to tell, with the man in shiny, black armor towering over her.

GUDGEON: Were you followed?

A lack of an answer is more than sufficient to the Vice-Chief. The woman left Hakoda while he was still asleep, having already said her goodbyes before. Though she misses him dearly already, regardless.

GUDGEON: Good. I've heard about you. They say you're good at what you do, and even better at keeping secrets.

The mysterious, ringed, bald man responds with a barely noticeable smirk.

GUDGEON: I need you to find Crown Prince Sokka and Princess Yue. They are most likely travelling together with a group of capable fighters. Bring those two back – alive – ideally unharmed. You are to deal with the others as you please.

With that, the figure nods, then departs, disappearing easily into darkness. A servant character walks up next to Gudgeon, almost on cue.

SERVANT: Vice-Chief, we are leaving soon.

Gudgeon takes an audible breath, her thoughts dwelling on her beloved.

GUDGEON: Good. Set course for the colonies. Former Fire Nation.

The servant raises his brow as he is forced to walk after a brisk Vice-Chief.

SERVANT: Uh... I was under the impression that we are to retrieve Princess Katara. Is she not in the Earth Kingdom?

GUDGEON: Might be. I have a hunch as to where she is. But to be absolutely sure, we need to find someone else first. Someone who most likely saw her before her disappearance. And someone who most likely knows where the Avatar is.

SERVANT: And... who might that be?

Gudgeon stops just as she reaches her ship, a mighty but slim ironclad war vessel.

GUDGEON: We'll just ask a different waterbender princess.

---

Mai is first to spot the returnee, getting up as Sokka and Yue spot him next.

MAI: Don't think you can just waltz back here and hurt Sokka again.

Zuko puts up his hands in defeat, a much different aura surrounding the boy this time.

ZUKO: I won't. I promise.

Speaking of aura...

ZUKO: Akari?

AKARI: Hey, Zuko!

ZUKO: I thought you were leaving.

AKARI: Well, I thought you were leaving.

Mai finally sits down again, with the other three seated and Zuko standing. At this point the campfire embers are nothing but charcoal, yet the first beams of sunlight are enough to cast warmth across the beachhead. He sighs with might as Sokka finally looks up at the boy again.

ZUKO: I want to apologize. Not just for shouting earlier, but for how distant I've been the last three months. The truth is that all of us lost friends and loved ones.

Most notably, Yue, whose girlfriend was swallowed by goop.

ZUKO: It wasn't fair of me to lash out against everyone. I just... I didn't know how to handle it. I'm sorry.

While Mai is very clearly glaring, it still a relatively mild expression by Mai Standards. Sokka meanwhile erects himself from his log, waddles over to the swordfighter, and embraces him in a hug. Once separated, the prince repeats a set of words that Zuko once spoke to him.

SOKKA: I knew you'd come around.

With the sun peaking ever so slightly in the back, Sokka immediately makes himself the main presenter, with a relieved Zuko by his side.

SOKKA: Would anyone else like to say something to Zuko?

AKARI: Nah, I'm good. His aura tells me he's being honest.

YUE: It's normal to need space sometimes. I'm just glad he's back.

MAI: You're a jerk.

Mai's comment did go a bit unnoticed in the combined responses there, though it wasn't meant to be very spiteful regardless.

ZUKO: Does that mean I can be part of Team Avatar again?

The others share some weird looks that make the boy nervous.

AKARI: Yeah. It's just that...

MAI: We've decided not to call it Team Avatar anymore. Since, you know, no Avatar.

SOKKA (to Zuko): If you're okay with, we'll call it the Dream Team instead.

Zuko smiles as he remembers who came up with the term.

ZUKO: Sure. It's what Ty Lee called us.

That's when a slightly more serious tone emerges. After all – there is a specific reason for his sudden shift tonight.

ZUKO: Speaking of that – I wanted to suggest something. An amendment to our mission.

MAI: That we're not just going to look for Puwati but that we're gonna find everyone else too?

Sokka crosses his arms as he smugly looks over to the firebender.

SOKKA: We're already five steps ahead of you.

Surprisingly, Zuko doesn't seem to be quite satisfied yet.

ZUKO: Yes. We need to find the others. Especially Azula.

Now this gets him some weird looks from the others. Though only one Crescent Warrior has the brains to ask the right follow-up question.

MAI: Why?

ZUKO: Because Azula is the Avatar.

---

Her eyes snap open rather suddenly. The first sensation causing pain is the sudden influx of light, telling her that her eyes haven't been used in quite a while. Upon trying to sit upright, a striking pinch hurries through a spot just slightly above her stomach. She looks down, spotting bandages wrapped all around her torso, her pink-crimson fit ripped and scorched in certain spots.

Azula tries to get up regardless, why and how she made her way into this bed remaining an enormous question mark. She does remember weird dreams. The Blue Dragon, Katara, a strange fight against Kenora that she doesn't recall ever having taken place. Then, darkness, then... a voice. Someone calling to her. A familiar feeling. Strange.

The raven-haired girl stumbles on her feet, walking shaky at best, more accurately her state of motion can be considered reeling. Her right hand massages her forehead, an unbelievable thirst commanding her brain to move. This is also when she takes note of her hair, which has grown back to shoulder length, wild and unrestrained by her signature headpiece.

Looking back at her bed, Azula's vision finally sharpens. This is also when her heart starts thumping like crazy, as above it, a flag hangs down her cabin's ceiling.

A Water Tribe flag.