I Don't own Avatar the last air bender.

chapter 46

Zuko woke with a start to discover that he was in the medical chambers of the palace. A look to the side revealed a black armor siting patiently on a stool. It would have been a little comic if not for the entire situation.

"Oh… I'm still dreaming."

"I'm afraid the dream had only started now." Sai said. "You fell unconscious after the pain of the burn was proven too much, the royal guards are currently carrying you back to the cell you were in before."

"If it's of any use, then they feel conflicted." The armor added.

"Oh Agni, it was all real!" Zuke held his head in distress.

Sai handed to Zuko a bottle of some kind. Knowing Sai, it was probably alcoholic. And yet, it said about the state Zuko was in if he immediately took a long swing at it.

"Spirits damn it, what is this stuff?" Zuko asked after.

"A bottle of fire whiskey." Sai answered. "And not the weak garbage you have today, I already swiped a few from the royal storage for important events and was massively disappointed. I mean the good stuff that they served when the first fire lord united the islands. 99% of pure goodness and metabolism killer, with the rest of spontaneous blasts of steam from the ears."

"How did you managed to swipe-Wait, what was the last part?" And Zuko felt the steam just as he finished the sentence. It was honestly not as bed as it sounded.

"For all of their crimes, the avatar's greatest was to forbid and outlaw the elemental drinks." Sai continued lamenting. "So what if some people had their heads blown off, or became frozen statues, or had their balls or breasts become solid rock and fall off. Pansies, all of them!"

Sai then took a long swing at the bottle, that seemingly never got empty. The armor of course had suffered no side effects. Loath as Zuko was to admit it, the avatar probably wasn't in the wrong in this case.

"Traitor!" Sai yelled as the black armor pointed an accusing digit at him.

Right, Zuko forgot that Sai was literally inside his head and could hear all of his thoughts. Usually, when a seven plus feet tall armor that was made for the singular purpose of destroying everything in its way did that, people will paint their pants yellow. Zuko, who was already used to his alcoholic partner, merely rolled his eyes.

"In any case, if was good that Xing was too far to hear your distress." Sai changed the subject. "It would have been disastrous if he would have stroke Ozai."

Right… Zuko forgot for a moment what happened. He only had one thing on his mind.

"Why…"

"You will have to be more specific, your highness." Sai said. "Why did you father burnt you again? Why did I forced you to act passive and didn't act as I usually would? Why is it good that Xing didn't interfere? Or why is Jasmine tearing your clothes to shreds right now?"

"Yes… Wait, what was the last one?"

"I will start from last to first then. In addition to the usual heat from the burn, I fix your body as much as I'm able given the circumstances. This act causes your body to heat up to what can be considered a dangerous level. Jasmine is now panicking and trying to cool you down by having you disrobed while the guards pour on your move less body gallons of icy cold water. You will probably feel it when you wake up."

"Great…" Zuko mumbled. "Out of curiosity, how hot is 'dangerous level'? 42 degrees? 43?"

"Try 68.3"

"Damn…" No wonder everyone is panicking. "By your reaction, I guess that I don't need to worry?"

"Absolutely." Sai assured. "I redesigned your body for this exact purpose."

"Now if Xing got involved, he would have attacked Ozai no questions asked. Even in the best and most unlikely scenario where Xing manages to assassinate the fire lord, it will cause severe political implications that will blame you for kin slaying and will throw us to a bloody civil war and a fragile situation for generations to come."

"At worst, and the most likely scenario, Ozai will kill the hellhound. It would be a child's play with the stone empowering him even if he wasn't already a ridiculously powerful fire bender. He then would have blamed you and would have killed you on the spot for attempted murder."

"Now there is something you need to understand. As things are now, your father is far, far, stronger then us. Any confrontation would lead to us escaping by the length of a hair at best. I may have been able to pull us out but you would have been far worse then what you are now, and you could forget about savings the sand siblings. And again, the civil war."

"Which is also the reason why I have acted so passively. You hadn't noticed it, but Ozai was ready to kill you. This line of actions had the best results out of over two thousand simulation I ran. When Ozai got to a fist range and started his burn, I could have acted. I could have easily stunned him with a good hit at the laryngeal prominence and then broken his neck."

"But as I said before, the people would likely see it as a usurpation attempt and not self defense. Besides, you wouldn't have been so kin on killing your own father yet. You would have resisted and it would have caused a fraction between us, something that cannot be allowed."

Zuko didn't like the "yet" part.

"And now for the main question. By the thinking of your father, he had marked his dominion over you with that scar. The fact that you got rid of it was taken by him as a rebellion, a defiance against his will that cannot stand. He had marked you for all to see . And now that you healed, you are parading for all to see that you went against him and beaten his mark."

"There were other reasons most likely, like paranoia over the support you gained from various factions, but they weren't prime concerns. A dragon cares not about what the sheep think, only how they taste. The healing of the scar, however, showed everyone that the all powerful dragon wasn't so all powerful. To the sheep, but most importantly to the dragon itself. And for that, for daring to make him know shame on himself, you had to burn."

That's… that's was crazy, there was no way dad could actually think that.

"I'm afraid that the results speak for themselves, your highness. Whither you like it, or not." Sai countered his thought.

"But there must be an explanation, he's still my father!" Zuko tried to bargain. "I-I…"

"You are completely delusional when it comes to him." Sai finished for him. "You didn't even consider that your father's pass time is burning people."

"What?!"

"Think, Zuko, think! The used pyres at the yard, the fearful gazes of the people the closer we got to the palace, you can't ignore it."

No, it can't be, death by burning on stake was only for the most terrible of criminals. A capital punishment that even with the war had been used a single digit number. Zuko didn't want to believe it, and yet…

No, he couldn't deny it. The proof was literally on his face. His father was burning the people of the fire nation, but what Zuko could do? No, there was one thing Zuko could do, but he wasn't sure he was strong enough. His entire life, Zuko wanted one thing above anything else, to make his father proud. Standing up was an almost impossible task as it was, but this…

"You don't have a choice." Sai left no room for arguments. "If you want to save your people, you will have to get rid of your father. One way or another."

"You're talking about treason!"

"I'm talking about justice!" Sai yelled back. "Is it treason to protect the people that swore to you? Is it treason to rid of a tyrant for a better future? What treason is worse, rising up against an abusive father, or letting your people get massacred when you had the chance to do something?"

"I.."

"The blood on your hands is not something you can choose, your highness, it is only who's blood paints your hands crimson that you have control over. You know what you have to, what you need to do. Stop hesitating, he ignored everything you have done for him and literally would have killed you for some imaginative provocation. You own him no loyalty nor love, sons had justify killed their fathers for less. Now it is up to you to step up!"

"I can't!" Zuko yelled as he began sobbing. "I can't…"

There was silence for some time, Sai allowed Zuko to cry it out.

"All my life I just wanted to make him proud, I can't just… It's pathetic. After everything I did, standing tall and defeating all kinds of foes from ruthless sand lords at the desert to nightmares made manifest in the deep of the pole, a few words from dad and I'm a kicked puppy."

"And there is no shame in that." Sai put a supportive hand. Considering the fact that Zuko knew said armored hands could make reinforced steel act like an over bloated grape, it was downright gentle. "There is nothing wrong with wanting to make your father proud, but you also need to take care of yourself."

"You are among the best people I have known, never let anyone say otherwise. You are strong, you are smart, and you have one of the biggest hearts I know. And you're not here alone. You have friends who will go for you to Vaatu and back, people that will die for you, and of course me. I said it before, you're not getting rid of me. We will support you, all the way through."

"Thanks, it means a lot. Really." Zuko said honestly. "I can see why Yur was smitten with you."

"I'm trying to help you, don't be an ass."

Despite the situation, Zuko couldn't help but laugh.

Mai was using everything she had to act naturally. The fire lord, her "father" for the duration of the trail, ordered his "daughter" to stand in a room nearby hidden from view as he did what he did. It was horrible.

She barely held himself together as the guards rushed in and took Zuko's unmoving body, and nearly yelped when the monster in human form called her. And yet, she held herself and her disguise together as she stepped silently but surely to the maw of the dragon.

"Lord father." Mai said evenly as she bowed.

"Rise, daughter." The absolutely despicable man said, as if he didn't just burnt and maybe killed his own son. "What are your thoughts?"

Damn it! The wrong word and she'll be smoked. What would Azula say in a situation like this?

"A great show of dominance as ever, father." Mai said as she mimicked Azula's voice. It's a skill they worked on a lot, and Mai was sure that she would screw it up from the stress, but if the fire lord noticed then he had given no sign. "Although didn't people already seen him scar-less? Question may rise."

In response to her question, Ozai merely scoffed.

"Let the sheep think what they want, it is of no consequence to us. It will only strengthen their fear of us and banish any thoughts on rebellion. It is our right to rule, and their duty to follow. Even if we have to put this charade of a trail."

"Why the trail then, if all was already decided?" Mai asked. "Wouldn't it be easier to just cut it to the punishment?"

"One could say that, and it will be much more preferable for me." The fire lord agreed. "But the trail is a punishment on its own. Zuko needs to be humiliated and discarded by the public, to ruin his image so it could never be repaired. For that, a trail is needed."

"One more thing, daughter." Ozai said as he looked at her. "You saw what happened to your brother, to anyone who thinks of going against me. Any accomplishment he achieved was notwithstanding once it came to me. Remember that you are not above judgement. Act against me like he did, and you'll end up the same. Do you understand?"

"Yes father." What else could she say?

"Then swear yourself to me, for now and for ever." The 'or else' was very much present.

Mai went to her knees and bowed. What else could she do?

"I Azula, princess of the fire nation, swear my allegiance, for now and forever, to my father, fire lord Ozai. May Agni take by bending."

"Good, now go."

Mai rose and stepped as fast as she dared without rising suspension and left the room. It was only when she entered Azula's room and closed the door that she allowed herself to shake and let out small sobs.

"Mai! A- I mean. Azula! What happened?" Ty Lee, who had stayed in Azula's room after Mai was called asked in alarm.

Mai didn't see and reason to keep what happened quiet. Heck, even the fire lord didn't demand her silence. So she told Ty Lee, she told her everything. Needless to say, the other girl was very much shocked.

"Oh Agni! I'm so sorry!" The acrobat gasped as she covered her face in horror. "How can I help you?"

"I… don't that that there is something. I think that I need some time to take it all." Mai answered.

"At least Azula escaped in time." Ty Lee said. "Agni knows how she would react if she had to see all of this."

Mai had the feeling that Azula wouldn't be as much affected as Ty Lee thought but kept quiet. The chi blocker was always an optimist and saw the best of people, naïve even. Mai didn't think her friend understood the complicated relationship of the royal siblings, or Azula in general.

"Don't worry." Ty Lee tried to cheer her up. "Zuko already gone through this once before, he should be able to go through this again. Right?"

Mai appreciated the attempt, but it really wasn't helping. Agni damn it, Mai just realized that she had to put the charade as if nothing happened through the entire trail, in front of everyone. Azula owned her so much when she gets back.

Azula entered the town of Hira'a at the next day. Ironically, her stupid brother helped tremendously by having the roads upgraded. All Azula had to do was ride through the night until she got there. The builders were even nice enough to put signs that illuminated at night every few miles directing her, she will have to put a good word for them.

She asked people around about the old home of her mother and asked about the theater. It still was hard to believe that mother used to be an actress, and a successful one at that, but it probably explained how she caught father's attention. As well as why the noble clans didn't protest much about the lower birth of mother.

Acting as if she was sent to study the arts of acting, put intended, Azula easily managed to find the house. As she got closer, however, she hesitated. Why? What was this tingly feeling in her stomach, why did she suddenly found it hard to move forward?

She couldn't be scared, it's stupid. She's the crown princess, and one of the most powerful fire benders in the world! Why would a damn house scare her!? Or… it wasn't the house, it was the owner. What if mom was the one to open the door? What would Azula say? What could she say?

Shaking her head from those thoughts, the daughter of Ozai strengthened her resolve and knocked at the door. A second passed, two second, and the door was opened by a woman who was by no means her mother. Thank Agni for that.

Yet remembering Zuko's suspicions, she couldn't discard the fact that the woman in front of her my be wearing a disguise. Azula however didn't notice any recognition in her eyes, so the woman may very well be unrelated.

"Hello dear, how may I help you?" The woman said. The voice was nothing like Ursa's.

"Hello, sorry for the sudden interruption." Azula said. "Are you perhaps Noriko? You see, I was searching for lady Ursa's old house, is it?"

"Well, yes." The woman admitted. "But my I ask what business you may have here?"

"Nothing much, I just wanted to ask a few questions about mom's old house." Azula dropped the figurative bomb. There was no reason to dance around the subject. "May I come in?"

"O-of c-course, your highness!" The woman stuttered, as she should. "Please forgive us, but we didn't expect any visitors. I'm afraid that the welcome will be rather poor."

"No offence taken." Azula said calmly as she raised a basket she carried with her. "I have brought my own gift, for the inconvenience."

"I'll tell my husband right away!"

The lunch went just as well as Azula expected it to. The two adults were stressed, of course, and the little girl Kiyi didn't know what respect and personal space meant. Azula did, however, noticed that the man was much more stressful than his wife, he obviously had something to hide.

"You're pretty!" The little girl said with the honesty only small children can. "I want to be as pretty as you when I grow up."

"Thank you." Azula replied. At least the little gremlin knew to recognize greatness.

"So princess." The man, Noren, started. "What brought you to this humble abode?"

"Well, as you probably know, thinks at the capital are too heated for my taste right now. So I thought about clearing my mind for a little while." Azula answered. "As pains as it is to admit, I know very little of my mother's life before her marriage, so I decided to cut loose ends, as they say."

The man tried to look calm, but Azula easily dissected the fear in him. He was clearly afraid of her, and her choice of words. Unfortunately, before Azula could press on, Noriko talked.

"An awful disaster, all of this. I can't even begin to imagine how you're feeling right now." She said kindly. "If there is anything we can help with, please, let us know.

"Right…" Azula faked concern before addressing the husband. "I'm a bit embarrassed to admit it, but I know very little about Mom's life at her youth. I know that she was an actress here at the theater, but beyond that not so much. Can you tell something about her, as the current director of the theater?

"I… Well, she left way before I even arrived in town." Noren said. "But from what I knew, she was one of the best actresses there is. She used to play in the most important female leads, like the 'dragon empress' in the 'Love Among Dragons'. There was no one who didn't love her performance."

Okay, Azula detected a bit of nostalgia there. Either the man was a big fan, or there was something else going on.

"But again, I unfortunately haven't met her." He repeated. "So that's all I know."

"I see, thank you for the information." Azula said as she caught the man's lie, she knows that he met mom according to the information her brother provided. Usually, she would doubt anything that came from him, let alone depend on it. But as much as her brother changed, she could always count on his will to find mom. He wouldn't use it to send her to a trap.

"But there is something I don't quite follow." Azula asked in a fake confused tone. "I was told by reliable sources that my mother was last seen here, talking to you. Afterwards, the two of you disappeared, with you returning after a few months. Without my mother. Care to explain?"

"I – w-well…"

"Honey?" The wife asked in concern, it appears that she was unaware of this little detail.

"I'm waiting." Azula crossed her arms as she raised her eyebrow, showing that her patience was running out.

In the end, the man relented.

"I did meet your mother." He admitted. "She asked me for directions to some place, a valley. She and I had the same direction at the start, so we went together, but after we separated I had never seen her again. It's the truth, please believe me princess."

Actor he may be, but Azula could clearly call bull. It was, however, close enough for what her brother told her to reinforce his words. In any case, she got everything she wanted for now, it would be much more productive to go to that valley for now.

"And where is this valley exactly?" Azula asked. And Noren, who had no other choice since he already admitted, signed as he told her.

When Zuko woke up, he indeed felt the icy water that they poured on him. He had little time to grumble over it, however, as he was immediately crushed by a bear hug. It took him a moment to notice that it was Jasmine, and not her brother, who is crushing his ribs right now. Zuko guessed that she did inhered some of her father's strength after all.

"I'm fine! I'm fine! No need to break my ribs too!"

"You absolute idiot, do you know how scared we were?!" Jasmine yelled. "By all accounts you should already be dead!"

"Clearly there was some miscommunication." Zuko said.

"Miscalculation my ass, you burnt like an oven from the inside!" She continued her yelling as she shook his shoulders back and forth. "It's not normal, even for royals. We asked the guards!"

"Is this why I feel like I just had a dip in Katara's backyard pool?"

"It was the only way to treat someone with heatstroke! You're lucky those guys came back in time!"

"I see…" Zuko said. In truth, he was never in any real danger according to Sai, but it's the thought that counts. He put a hand on her cheek to calm her down. "Thank you, for everything."

She took exactly two seconds to look in his once more disfigured face, before she buried her face in his chest while weeping. Zuko patted her on the back, not knowing what else to do.

"Thank you too as well." Zuko said to the guards. They were the ones who rushed to bring the water after all, while well aware of what dad's reaction may be. They stayed emotionless as ever, but Zuko thought he detected the slightest nod of recognition.

"Glad that you're alive, boss." Mi-Dved said at last. "You had us all scared for a minute."

"Sorry about that." Zuko apologized. "On the bright side, I managed to get Jasmine and Katara out of it."

"really?!" The two asked surprised.

Zuko then explained the entire situation, from how his meeting with his father started to the part where he lost consciousness. They were less then amused.

"Are you a complete moron?!" Jasmine yelled. "Men die from a two digit number of lashes at best! You're talking about a four digit number!"

"And it's something I'll have to endure."

"You're old man tries to kill you." The big guy stated.

"Not the first time I disappointed him." Zuko stated that as a fact, which it was.

"You're dad-" Zuko stopped the earth bender before anything else was said.

"My dad is a great man. A great man to whom those gentlemen outside are duty bound to report everything they hear." The message was clear, now is not the time.

"So what do we do?" Mi-Dved said instead.

"We wait." Zuko said. "Since the punishment had already been decided, now it's all about maintaining image. Right now we should focus on what may be said against us and what we can do to combat it, I do wonder who's going to be our defense, though."

Iroh would be lying if he said that he didn't want to commit kin slaying right now. When he heard what his brother had done, again, Iroh had half the mind to go to the throne room himself and remind his little brother who was a general and who stayed home.

He calmed himself, however. Ozai will get what he deserves, it was only a matter of time, but Iroh wouldn't put his nation through a civil war for that. Besides, even the death of Ozai will just treat the symptoms, not the cause. The entire culture of the fire nation is rotten to the core, thanks to Sozin. The war only muddled it so much that it was nearly impossible for the citizens to separate truth from propaganda.

Iroh was frequently asked by the other members of the order why he doesn't challenge his brother for the throne, and he understands them, he really do. But it's not so simple. Any move he will make will be seen as a political play and will only fuel the disconnect. People will see him as a usurper and may revolt if he declares the stop of the war and the return of the colonies.

No, having the avatar dethrone and replace the fire lord with someone else was the only right choice. It hurt Iroh to harm his nation and people like that, but he that it's the only way for it to get better and to bring back the peace and harmony the world lost.

Iroh shook the thoughts, now that wasn't the time to get nostalgic. He rose to the stadium where the trail is being held as the defense, took a look at the many (most of whom unwilling) participants of the crowd, and prepared himself.

His brother was sitting on a throne, the highest sit around. Looking as regal and powerful as ever, although Iroh noticed a dangerous glint in his brother's eyes that wasn't there before. It was concerning, especially the glowing stone Ozai wore on his chest.

To Iroh's opposite sat the royal accuser, a man around Iroh's own age who's entire purpose was to condamn people according to the fire nation law. His duty forced the man to be ruthless without a shrad of mercy, or compassion.

With fire bursting from his chair, Ozai silenced everyone and ordered the trail to begin. Oh, his little brother was always such a drama queen.

"Bring the accused!" Ozai declared.

The royal guards brought his nephew, as well as the sand siblings. All of them in chains and prisoner rags of course. Iroh olso noticed that Zuko had a small tiara like thing on his head, so thin it was almost invisible. Undoubtedly this demented helmet was still whispering to his nephew's ears, which Iroh didn't know if it was good or bad in this situation.

What did surprise the retired general was the fact that the other crew members were brought in chains as well. Looking at the surprised looks of the sand siblings, and the frawn on Zuko's face, it wasn't something they expected. To be honest neither did he.

"Let the judgment begin!"

At the fire lord's words, the royal accuser began his part. "The accused are judged for harboring illegal benders, giving sanctuary to enemies of the nation, attempted murder of an officer, corruption, cooperating with enemies of the nation, tax evasion and betrayal. Hiw do you plead?!"

"Innocent!" Zuko immediately yelled without hesitation for all to hear, yet not like someone who is desperate. His tone was as if he was stating a fact, the same why one would say that the sun rise from the east or that water are wet.

"We shall see." The royal accuser narrowed his eyes. "The first accused are the members of the crew. They are guilty of giving refuge to outlawed and none sanctioned benders as they gave hospitality to the water bender Katara, earth bender Mi-Dved and air bender Jasmine. All of whom are the direct descendants of major enemies of the nation."

"In addition, there were numerous accounts of interference in military matters which put soldiers at risk. Some good examples would be the assault on the pirate islands where captain Zhao was gravely injured along with scores of his man. Or when the men resisted the air bender's arrest followed an accusation of poisoning of an officer."

There was muttering in the crowd as they whispered to each other. The royal accuser did a fine job at painting them at the worst light possible as Iroh finally understood why exactly did his brother brought them. It was a mockery to his son, the inability to save the little soldiers just like happened with the 41th. Truly the pettiness of his brother hasn't diminished.

"Very well, what does the defense have to say?" Ozai asked in a barely concealed bored tone, as if he already decided what to do. Which honestly may be the case.

"Addressing the first accusations." Iroh began. "As admitted in the interrogations, in no point of time did the crew suspected any of the young women of being benders nor was their parentage revealed until after the fact. The law clearly states that those who are ignorant of their guest's true nature are to be pardoned and go through a course to educate them about how to spot different benders."

They weren't monsters after all, if a person offered shelter for someone without knowing that said someone is an enemy of the state, there was no reason to punish them. It is only when a person porously hid someone that the law takes effect.

"As for Mi-Dved, according to the Azulon reform of 86 it is legal to hire earth benders even for martial purposes, as long as they are reported to the authorities and got a permission depending on their role. At most, Mi-Dved can be considered a squad leader in the military sense and an additional stuff of the prince, both of which were approved by commander Shen and myself as Zuko's legal guardian respectively. Therefore, Mi-Dved is a sanctioned earth bender."

"As for your second point, let me remind the audience that each operation that the offence had stated was discussed and approved by the local military command of the time. Zuko's part at the assault on the islands, even ignoring the introduction of the eye, not only assisted the effort, but managed to rescue slaves without straining the army resources."

"In farther inspection, it was found that the pirate leader died in that very same battle. One may wonder, however, why did the esteemed commander Zhao suffered so many casualties while he had the full support of the fire army, when the yet to be battle proven prince got better results while keeping all his men alive at the same breath. In either case, Zhao's injuries were his own and had nothing to do with Zuko."

"As for the assault and arrest resistance, those things were already discussed at previous date and it was stated that the esteemed commander Zhao was in the wrong. Nothing had changed on that front and therefore this argument is disregarded like it was before."

And there it was. Iroh had hermetically closed all the accusations against the crew members. The royal accuser had no farther arguments, and by right the crew should be off with a warning. But in the end, it all depended on the fire lord's decree. And Iroh didn't couldn't on his little brother to not just condemn those men out of spite.

"An interesting problem we have ourselves here." Ozai pondered. "On one hand, a capital offence had been committed, there is no denying that. But on the other hand, those men were completely ignorant, and are loyal citizens of the nation."

"I have reached a decision." Ozai called after a few minutes. "The men will not be punished as is written by the law."

There were some relief whispers across the crowd, notably from the area where Iroh recognized some family members of the crew. Was his brother really that petty? Iroh knew the answer, which was yes, and therefore he knew to not celebrate just yet.

"However, they still must face punishment." Ozai continued. "Their inability to recognize such dangers makes them unequipped to continue their mission. I hereby terminate their part in my son's redemption as well as their service in the army, there is no need for such deem witted men there. They will continue on with their civilian life carrying this stain."

That was… not the worst outcome. Ozai had basically made Zuko's already impossible trip a hundred times harder than before as he had taken the crew and ship away, but it could still be salvaged. The men also had enough spoils from their job to leave a relatively decent life even if no one would hire them.

All in all, it wasn't such a bad deal for the crew, as their banishment is officially over and they can be back to their homes.

"Continue the trail." Ozai ordered.

After this day was over, Toph decided that she had enough of doing nothing. She already had shown some uncharacteristic patience when she sat there silently in that sham of a trail.

No, seriously, what the heck was this thing?! Blaming Zuko? Really? This must be the stupidest thing that she had ever heard. Mom and dad had to forcefully hold her so she wouldn't just storm out there and give a piece of her mind. Causing an international accident that will make life for both Zuko and her parents harder did held her back.

Once they were in the safety of their own room, however, Toph finally had enough.

"What was that thing?!" She exclaimed once the doors were closed and she senses no other person around. "Are they insane or something?!"

"There isn't anyone around, I checked." Toph added as she saw her parents look in concern at their surroundings.

"You should still be careful when you say such thing, sweetie." Her mom said. "Wrong words at a safe place are often repeated in a less safe one in time."

"But why they are doing it?" Toph tried to understand. "Zuko is risking his life for them and they just…"

"I wouldn't dare to say that I understand what the fire lord thinks." Dad started. "but it appears like the rumors about the tense relationship between the father and the son were more then true."

"That's it?" Toph said unbelievably. "All of this just out of pure spite?"

How the heck was the fire nation so successful in the war if its leadership was so self destructing? Oh wait, Toph knew the answer. The earth kingdom had it much, much worse. Now that's a depressing thought.

"Among other things, but yes." Dad agreed. "I personally think that the fire lord may think that his son is preparing for a usurpation."

"Well, maybe Zuko should!" Toph yelled.

"Please don't say things like that, even if it's safe." Mom whispered a yell. "Although even I must agree that the fire lord is much crueler than I imagine, to do things like that to your subjects and to your own son… I expect it from a bandit like Mi-Sha, not from 'the leader of the civilized world'."

"What?" Toph was confused. "What did Ozai do?"

What was she missing?

"Daughter." Dad began. "Don't take it as us treating you like a child, but those are not for your ears. Your mother and I would say the same to anyone who asked, as those things are just… we don't want to talk about it."

Okay… Toph was still a bit miffed, but at least it wasn't because her parents treated her like a helpless blind little girl again.

"Perhaps we can set a meeting between you and the princesses." Mom pondered. "It's as good excuse as any to avoid the trail. Besides, you may even be able to get to talk to Zuko. It certainly can't harm our political stand."

"Azula as 'evil taken form with spiders instead of blood' sister Azula?" Toph wanted a clarification, because Zuko had a lot to say about his sister, and little if any of it was good.

"I know, it's far from ideal." Mom admitted. "But you can use your abilities to get a better assessment of her. Besides, you can always play the blind girl card if things get hot."

"I'll see what I can do." Dad said before turning to Toph. "In any case, you can use it to gain some information about Zuko and the situation."

"Fine…" Toph reluctantly admitted.

AN

Hey, sorry for the shorter chapter. I had to take some time off after the last chapter.

now for the reviews:

deniswanheda :

thanks

While not so extreme, things will be complicated at the south. Sokka, Katara and their parents will have to tread through eggshells there.

It was successful, but it still needs a one final push. As of now, Zuko is still reluctant to kill his father (daddy issues runs deep in this one). Things will change however when Azula returns, for better or worse.

That it will do. Honestly, Sai was expecting something like this, but the fact that Ozai went right to the burning even before the trail was a surprise even for it. Ozai really shot himself in the foot in this one. And people will start question Zuko's original banishment, as you said.

You actually gave some very good questions regarding Hama, honestly with all times I had to write and rewrite here I forgot all about her.

02cjd :

thank you

Zuko will have no need to go to the archives, especially to know about his relation to Roku. And as things are now, he wouldn't even care so much like he did in the show. There, Zuko had two dragons fighting inside him with one one clearly good and one clearly evil as Zuko had to choose sides, the Avatar or his father. Here Sai is choking both dragons as was shown in the nightmare Zuko had all this time ago and Zuko walks his own path.

Lava bending Mi-Dved is an actually neat idea.

as for the confrontation, it was by far the hardest scene I had to write. I had to place myself in both Zuko's and Ozai's place and dive deep in the abusive and neglectful relationship the two have more than a few times to catch the moment more or less right, it was painful. I'm not surprised if it felt a bit rush, I certainly wanted it to be over.

As for the last part, yes but not right now.

Engineer1869 :

I'm glad you liked it.

I probably wasn't clear back then. Zuko just had his face burnt, the whipping will come after the trail as Ozai passes his "judgement" to "test the conviction" of his son. And yes, Sai is certainly a life savior here.

Mai usually wouldn't mind being close to Zuko, but now it's anything but usual. As for her being with Jasmine... No, it's probably not a good idea, but it will sure as hell be a fun one to right.

Hakoda is in a very uncomfortable position right now, he and Kya. I wish them the best luck too because they are going to need it.

Gran-Gran certainly appreciate Sokka's maturity.

deo-thorsen138 :

Thank you! I'm happy to hear.

FF8cerberus :

The stone is influencing Ozai very hard, especially since he doesn't have very strong morals that will clash against it. As for Sai, he did know better, but he also needed Zuko to get that flaming slap of a reality check. That is why Sai let things play out as they are. Was it the right choice? Maybe not. But any influence from Sai could give Zuko some excuse to keep his delusions.

As for Azula, it's funny that you wrote it because I did plan for Mai (the Azula stand in) to be there, but in the end, Ozai's character wouldn't allow him to "share the glory" so to say. Therefore, he had her hidden so that she'll treat it as a lesson and a warning and not as a prize.

I figured that many will be upset because of that, but I tried to write it as someone with Zuko's conditions may act. I (thankfully) don't have this kind of experience, so mistakes were probably made. Sai also explained his reasoning to why it did what it did, was it right or not is already another question. I also have the Scar as a representation of Ozai's influence on Zuko. while with Sai and away, it gradually went away. Right now, it's back in full force. in the end of the arc... you'll see.

There is over a year gap between the establishment of the greenhouse and the start of the working and present moment. the advancement to Amora took more time then one may think.

Adolfo Hidalgo :

Thanks. English isn't my first language, so there are probably errors here and there. After this arc, I plan to go back and check.

Ezequiel Goni :

In anything that concerns his dad, yes Zuko is an absolute moron. That is what the previous chapter was about. from here it's about him stepping out of his delusions.