Fight 31: Wanderings

"What I'm going to tell you will be the truth. But you don't want to hear it, you'll regret it. Even so, I want you to listen, without interupting, even if you want to scream and call me a liar or deny everything. It's alright if you don't believe me immediately. Just think about it and don't reject me now. I'm telling you because I want to be able to trust you, and that you've become strong enough to accept that truth and me. " Chenlian warned, stalling for time. She finally understood Aang's habit to stall. Because Zuko's opinion mattered so much to her, she was scared and had such difficulty finding the courage to believe in him. She had already suffered enough. She was doing her best not to show it, but she was so terrorized that her face wasn't as straight as she hoped it to be. Although she could keep her voice from quivering, she couldn't erase the fear inside. And also, the more she tried to keep things, the more she would tremble. One of Zuko's arms encircled her reassuringly but he did not utter a word. She smiled gratefully and touched his arm. She closed her eyes, took a deep breath. "After I'm done, take your time to think and decide what you want. Then act and see things through." She looked back at him with a more confident smile and started recounting.

After Ozai's ascension, the war councils changed. New heads appeared, overly zealous close to the new Fire Lord, the opinion of the old ones were crushed, all those who spoke differently from his views were dismissed one way or another. Military cruelty became common place. Her father has risen against all those practices and he also believed that Ozai had a hand in Azulon's death, and Iroh's ousting. It had all happened too fast and unnaturally. And she supported him. And so did her mother. They had simply wanted the Fire Lord to correct the deviations. Now that he was on the throne, that he had what he wanted, it should have been alright to end the malpractices. It was true they were rallying support but only so their voice would be heard. But because of that, they were considered dangerous. Because her father, Zhong, was an important and well-liked figure, he couldn't be dispatched easily. So Ozai used fear to get the supporters to betray Chenlian's father, testify against him and her mother who had also considerably used her influence for his sake. Her parents' position had also been greatly weakened by her grandfather Jeong Jeong's desertion.

That was how they had been framed... and exiled. And they were killed because even in exile, her parents were dangerous. Her mother could use her brother-in-law's connections. Her uncle was a properous merchant after all. And her father, due to his righteousness on the battlefield, had gained even his enemies' great respect, and the fierce loyalty of his men. Why were people of power so afraid of having the truth be known? It would be so nice if there was a world where everyone could know the truth and speak their mind with freedom, without having to fear for their lives.

She also told him how at that time Ozai, trying to establish his authority, sought more 'power', a strong-arm tactic to subdue all enemies in one go. The idea was to fuse the spirit of a dragon, with a human under their control. Because that power didn't come from this world, their bending would be stronger than a human's, and not bound to the sun. But because it was a dangerous operation, they couldn't use just anyone. It had to be someone they could discard in case something went wrong, and still someone with strength. And he preferred keeping those faithful in reserve. Well, there were lots of ways to try and control people. And they had the perfect guinea pig at hand, with the perfect excuse to justify their doings: 'redeem yourself and your parents'. She revealed the Fire Lord's plot which through deception, resulted the dragon merging with her, causing this scar on her chest he had been so curious about, followed by Guang's rampage and their escape.

From then started her – their – life as fugitives. Because she was a precious experiment, the pursuit was always hot on their trail. And because she was a firebender, she had no ally. She and the dragon, Guang, learned from each other, and from the world. They saw the reality of war, the truth behind the Fire Nation's so-called greatness. They saw the world being reduced to ashes, thousands of people dying, fleeing, losing everything they cared about, the cruelty and oppression of the Fire Nation army. And they resolved to end that. They had lost their faith in the Fire Nation's upper echelon who would sacrifice their families, their people, and the world for their ambition. The Fire Nation did not need to trample on others to be great. Someone had to put the Nation back on the correct path. And Chenlian was too partial. That was when they had chosen to help the Avatar should he reappear during their lifetime. Thanks to Guang, she had awoken to spirituality. That was how her spirit could visit parts of the world, or the Spirit World. That was how she could talk to Avatar Roku. She also told him Roku's prophecy. Upon the return of Sozin's comet by the end of the summer, Fire Lord Ozai was going to use its power to finish the war once and for all, just like Sozin had used its power to wipe out the airbenders. If he succeeded, even the Avatar wouldn't be able to restore balance to the world. But the girl did not pipe a word about how much she had suffered then.

"Zuko, I know you love your father and want to believe in him, that he can be good. And I must seem horrible for saying those things to you. But I fell in love with you, and I want to believe in you too. So if you love me, won't you try to believe in me too? Surely, you must have seen, heard things to support my claims... I know it's hard... but... so..." Chenlian had managed to keep her voice neutral until now. She had already put that past behind her. Thanks to Aang, Katara and Sokka, after traveling with them, her hatred had been fading away before she noticed and she had gained distance and composure. If you could breathe, and walk and meet people, if you could love someone, then hate will disappear. Hate cannot last. Nothing can be created from hate. She had learned that.

But only Zuko was different. When it came to him, she was always at a loss. Because she cared so much, she'd grow impatient, angry, upset, and blunder. Because she loved him so much, she was so anxious and desperate. She just wanted him to turn to her, to see her for who she was, and accept her, love her. As a noble of the Fire Nation, as her parents' daughter, she would fulfil her duty whatever the cost and protect all those who had their backs against the wall. As an individual, she was tenaciously loyal to her friends. But as a woman, Chenlian didn't care about anyone but Zuko. And now that she was facing imminent rejection, that desperation overflowed from her voice and from her bowed, trembling, and frail-looking back... to the extent the young man could not help but hold her tighter despite how confused he was inside.

"But... even if you don't believe me now, I'll keep trying until my feelings get across." However, even though there was fear in her tone, there was also a strong resolution. Zuko was saturating. It was too much. What she had said was indeed very hard to believe. He might admit the truth of some elements as he recalled particular events and words, like what he had seen at the North Pole. But although he couldn't remember an instance when Chenlian had lied to him, even though it was plainly impossible that she was lying to him given the state she was in... his heart still couldn't accept what she had said. He couldn't accept that his father could be the man she had described, and that he could have done such things to her. Zuko loved Chenlian, and his heart ached so much at the thought of what she could have endured. But she had to be wrong! There must be a mistake!

The young man let her lean against him. They simply stayed like this, holding onto each other, without a word. Exhausted, the girl fell asleep. Later, they arrived at an abandonned village. All the houses had been damaged. But he managed to spot a bed that was still in passable condition through a broken window. Zuko dismounted very carefully and slowly took Chenlian in his arms as to not wake her up. He carried her inside and very gently put her down. He stared at her sleeping face for a time and tucked a few strands of hair away. Then the banished prince cupper her cheek, leant in and kissed her lips. Seconds ticked by and by. Her eyes did not open. He left, climbed back on his mount and rode away. Chenlian stood up and walked to the window where she watched Zuko moving further and further away from her until she could no longer see him. She punched the wall.

"He's really left me, that idiot!" She touched her lips and smiled faintly. "But..." She couldn't leave him after all. Then she felt Guang's sullenness. He was discontent with her choice. But he was also supporting her. Her smile broadened and she touched her chest. "Sorry, and thank you."

In the wilderness, Zuko rode the ostrich horse over a suspension bridge. Because it was old, a plank gave way and the animal almost lost its balance. Zuko acted quickly to right the animal and continue crossing the bridge. There was barely any vegetation except dead trees and patches of short highly resistant grass. The vagrant stopped his mount when he smelled something. He saw a piece of meat cooking over a campfire and clutched his grumbling stomach. He moved his hand to the hilt of his broadswords. But then he noticed the man kneeling down before his pregnant wife who was resting against a tree. He lovingly rubbed her belly and smiled at her. Zuko released his grip and hung his head in resignation before riding forward. He might have stooped low but not so much that he'd steal from a pregnant woman. And since he had no affinity to the Spirit World, he was unable to see the dragon spirit and ridden by a young woman with mahogany hair hovering above him.

He rode across a field, almost asleep in the saddle. The mental and physical exhaustion, the hunger, the thirst, the heat... were taking their toll on him. He tried to take a drink from his water skin but it is empty. The landscape was strewn with large earth coins embedded in the earth. A number of them were partly broken. Such an unnatural setting was a clear sign that this place had once been a battlefield. And judging by their weathered state, it seemed to have occurred a long, long time ago. The fatigue often caused his eyesight to blur, his eyelids to fall, still he fought sleep back and jerked himself awake. He was swaying again when he had a vision of a beautiful woman with long dark hair wearing visible Fire Nation clothing, turning her back on him and disappearing in the darkness. He woke with a start.

He arrived at a village. Several Earth Kingdom soldiers were playing a dice game. When the one rolling got the right combination, he cheered a bit too much and his compatriots hit him in retaliation. The soldiers watched the stranger who warily looked back at them and stopped at a stall. The teen dismounted and asked for some water, a bag of feed, and something hot to eat. He showed the two coins he had. That was not enough here for a hot meal. The merchant could only get him two bags of feed. Zuko looked down in despair, the gambling soldiers returned to their game as the young man glanced to the side at the sound of some laughter. A few kids were peeking from around the corner of the stall. A child handed his friend an egg, who threw it at the gambling vigilantes. It hit a player on the head and the kids ran off. The soldiers got up and looked over to see Zuko's back to them, the street otherwise empty.

"Hey! You throwing eggs at us stranger?" The leader, Gow, more richly dressed than the others, accused him.

"No."

"You see who did throw it?"

"No." The exiled turned and put his hand on his sword hilt.

"That's your favorite word, 'no'?" A soldier got angry at him.

"The egg had to come from somewhere." Gow reasoned.

"Maybe a chicken flew over." Zuko cracked with a straight voice and expression as he turned back to the merchant. A soldier could not help but laugh, however, he was instantly silenced by a look from his leader. The vendor put two bags of feed on the counter. Gow grabbed them before Zuko could touch them and threw them to one of his men. Although it was punishment for his smart mouth, that was still thievery.

"Thanks for your contribution. The army appreciates your support. You better leave town. Penalty for staying is a lot steeper than you can afford stranger... Trust me." The bullies' boss tapped the war hammer hanging from his belt. And so, the banished prince those people get away just like this. It was smarter to keep a low profile. The merchant complained about those soldiers. They were supposed to protect them from the fire nation, but they were just a bunch of thugs.

Zuko walked back to his ostrich horse. A bright eyed boy appeared on the other side as he is about to hop up and thanked him for not ratting him out. Without a word, the scarred young man got on and started riding away. The child looked disconcerted then smiled a second later. He got hold of the animal's bridle.

"I'll take you to my house and feed your ostrich horse for you. Come on, I owe you." And without waiting for an answer that didn't come anyway, the kid led the Famished Prince (who grabbed his noisy tummy) away.

They arrived at a farm. A variety of hybrid pigs were oinking. The little one noted no one could even sneak up upon them. Well, no kidding. The child took the beast in a small barn while his father, Gansu arrived to greet the new comer. He asked Zuko if he was a friend of Lee's? Lee came back all excited and told his dad how this guy just stood up to the soldiers. By the end, he practically had them running away! His mother, Sela, came over and wondered if this guy had a name. When 'the guy' stammered, her husband replied he didn't have to say who he was if he didn't want to. Anyone who could hold their own against those bully 'soldiers' was welcome here. Those men should be ashamed to wear Earth Kingdom uniforms.

"The real soldiers are off fighting the war, like Lee's big brother Sen Su. Supper's going to be ready soon. Would you like to stay?" Sela inquired. Zuko turned her down but she wasn't easily put off. If he was too proud to simply accept kindness, there was always a way... "Gansu could use some help on the barn. Why don't you two work for a while, and then we'll eat." She smiled. The scarred one assented.

The two older men were nailing shingles on the roof (Zuko doing a very poor job) while Lee kept questioning the mysterious fellow from the ladder. He didn't seem to be from around here, from where then, where was he going? The traveller replied evasively until Gansu told his son off for asking such personal question. The little one looked dejected for a moment then he brightened up and asked when he had got that scar. Zuko slammed the hammer into his thumb at this and stifled a cry of pain through gritted teeth.

"It's not nice to bother people about things they might not want to talk about. A man's past is his business." The farmer chided his child.

As the Fire Lord's son hammered once again, his mind was taken to a faraway time in a faraway place... an ordinary moment of happiness that belonged only to him and his mother... At the pond of the palace, she was feeding a baby turtle duck. More came, hoping for food.

"Hey mom, want to see how Azula feeds turtle ducks?" The very young Zuko threw a stone at a baby that disappeared in the water.

"Zuko! Why would you do that?!" His mother exclaimed, shocked. The lil one bobbed back up to the surface unhurt, its shell having protected him from the rock. Its mother swam to its child to make sure it was okay before biting Zuko's foot. The young prince yelled in pain. The woman, Ursa, removed the angry turtle duck and dropped it back into the pond where it swam away, babies in tow.

"Stupid turtle duck, why'd she do that?" Zuko sullenly hugged his knees. His mother sat down next to him.

"Zuko, that's what moms are like. If you mess with their babies, they'll bite you back." She hugged her son and made a biting sound for effect. They laughed together.

In another part of the garden, Azula and Ty Lee were practicing their acrobatics. After a cartwheel and a flip, the princess fell. Then Ty Lee perfectly executed a significantly more complicated sequence with grace. Her 'friend' knocked her over and laughed pointing at the fallen girl. Simple prank or retribution for having done better than the princess? Whatever the case, Ty Lee wasn't one to hold a grudge or be angry for something like that. Mai was there too, sitting with her back to a tree. She spotted Zuko and his mother walking down the path across the courtyard and looked away, blushing slightly, a small smile on her lips. Azula noticed and in Ty Lee's ear, ask her to watch. She went over to her mother while her friend giggled quietly.

"Mom, can you make Zuko play with us? We need equal teams to play a game."

"I am NOT cart wheeling." Her brother emphasied.

"You won't have to. Cart wheeling's not a game..." She then added under her breath "Dumb dumb."

"I don't care. I don't want to play with you."

"We are brother and sister. It's important for us to spend time together. Don't you think so, mom?" She looked at her mother with a sickeningly sweet expression. She always knew exactly what to say and how to act to have what she desired. Ursa agreed and told her son to go play with his sister. However, since he was still reluctant, Azula gave the finishing blow. "Actually, we're still waiting for Chenlian. But since she'll be sleeping over I was told she couldn't come until she finished her drills."

"Chenlian?" Zuko inquired, like an animal biting on bait and happily chewing while the trap closed around him.

Ursa left and Azula picked an apple from a tree and placed it on Mai's head. Mai was standing right before the fountain with an unhappy expression. They had to knock the apple off the other person's head. The royal daughter demonstrated by shooting a bullet of fire at the fruit, but before the flame reached, it was smothered by another. The newcomer took the apple and crunched on it.

"Now, even if it's you that was dangerous Azula. For such games you need to choose your opponent more wisely. Unless maybe your aim was somewhere else?" Chenlian commented matter-of-factly. Her tone, tinted with simple curiosity, was utterly devoid of defiance or calculation. Of course, Zuko was reassured that Mai was safe but there was more than that. His sour expression had instantly brightened up into one of candid happiness. However, his sister wasn't pleased to have her plan thwarted and her fun spoiled. She was very adaptable though and changed tactics. It was Chenlian's fault for being late. She should show them how she had improved and asked Zuko to be her sparring partner.

"It's fine since you would be actually practicing to fight and not playing. It's your chance to show your manliness, right?" Azula provoked her sibling. When it came to firebending and fighting ability, she and Chenlian were always competing for the top spot, and although he was older and a boy, Zuko's level was significantly lesser. He had always had a complex about it. He always worked hard to impress her but that was never enough. And Chenlian had always defended him. He was the only one for whom she showed actual concern and care. That was why Azula wanted to embarrass Zuko, so he'd once more feel shame as he'd experience the gap between them, and he wanted Chenlian to make him feel that so she'd hurt for having hurt him emotionally. Because they had no reason to refuse, they accepted. The goal was to knock the other in the fountain, and they could only fight on the ledge.

And although he defended himself well, indeed the difference between them was too big, and she successfully made him fall in the water. But a second later, she pretended to trip and fall too. Of course, the girls laughed at them, which made Chenlian splash them too and laugh. It was the bright, clear and innocent laugh of one who lived high in the sky, untouched by darkness, baseness, who didn't know pain or sorrow, who didn't need things like premeditation or affectation... This led to a water battle. Chenlian wasn't the type to lose on purpose and she didn't, yet she still protected zuko's pride. Although that wasn't in her plan as she wasn't even thinking about it, she still didn't let Azula have her way. She had just felt that it would be good if everyone had fun together.

Not long later, Ursa returned saying Iroh had sent them a letter from the front. Everyone stopped playing and changed. Mai and Ty Lee left. The three children joined the woman who was sitting at a small round table in a large room. She read the letter: 'If the city is as magnificent as its wall, Ba Sing Se must be something to behold. I hope you all may see it someday... if we don't burn it to the ground first.' The royal siblings laughed at this but not Chenlian. She certainly considered those walls as something to destroy but she was against the taking of too many lives or war cruelty. After all, those people would one day become citizens of the world united under the Fire Lord's rule. As much as possible she was also against destroying something entirely to build a better version. Wouldn't it be good to save the things that could be saved? Wasn't it better to integrate something to evolve?

'Until then, enjoy these gifts. For Chenlian, a box for your future jewelry... if you can open the secret drawers that is, for it is also a puzzle box.' Chenlian took the box and started handling it. Well, she had been warned in a previous letter that she'd receive something in the same time as those two, and the day of the arrival of the letter had been calculated so she'd be there. 'For Zuko, a pearl dagger from the general who surrendered when we broke through the outer wall. Note the inscription and the superior craftsmanship.' Zuko took the dagger from a tray held by a servant and unsheathed it, reading the words engraved on the blade "Never give up without a fight." He hadn't noticed his sister's envious look. His mother continued reading. 'And for Azula, a new friend. She wears the latest fashion for Earth Kingdom girls.' The princess picked up a doll from another tray and made a disgusted face.

"If Uncle doesn't make it back from war, then dad would be next in line to be Fire Lord, wouldn't he?" She remarked as her older brother ran around swinging with his new blade.

"Azula, we don't speak that way. It would be awful if Uncle Iroh didn't return. And besides, Fire Lord Azulon is a picture of health." Disappointed, Ursa gently chided her daughter.

"How would you like it if cousin Lu Ten wanted dad to die?" Zuko argued.

"I still think our dad would make a much better Fire Lord than his royal tea loving kookiness." The princess contemptuously eyed the doll and made its head burst into flame.

Zuko was sleeping on the hay in the barn. It was night. Lee snuck in, took his guest's broadswords, and crept away, unaware that his presence had been detected and awoken the sleeper. The child was practicing in a sunflower field and fell backward in surprise when the one he had stolen from suddenly spoke, saying he was holding them all wrong. The boy got up looking ashamed and returned the swords. Instead of taking them and getting angry, Zuko put his hands over Lee's and gave him advice.

"Keep in mind, these are dual swords..." He took the swords and demonstrated moves. "...two halves of a single weapon. Don't think of them as separate, because they're not. They're just two different parts of the same whole." He gave the weapons back to Lee who practiced a bit, then looked back at his nameless friend and teacher. His arms folded, Zuko had an uncharacteristic and appreciative smile on his face. The boy laughed.

"I think you'd really like my brother Sen Su. He used to show me stuff like this all the time." The little one commented as the two returned home under the full moon.

The next morning, Zuko was ready to depart. The whole family was there to see him off. Sela offered him a package that ought to get him through a few meals. They heard a noise. Gow and his soldiers were riding up the road to them with speed.

"What do you think they want?" Gansu wondered.

"Trouble." The older teen replied without the slightest doubt. The soldiers stopped before the family. The father asked what they wanted.

"Just thought someone ought to tell you, your son's battalion got captured." The leader smiled maliciously. "You boys here, what the Fire Nation did with their last group of Earth Kingdom prisoners?"

"Dressed them up in Fire Nation uniforms and put them on the frontline unarmed, way I heard it." One answered, spitting on the ground. "Then they just watched."

"YOU watch your mouth!" Gansu pointed menacingly. Gow moved his ostrich horse forward in the threatening manner, but the scarred young man rode in between and blocked him.

"Why bother rooting around in the mud with these pigs?" The soldier snorted and left with his men. And as the thugs departed in swirls of dust after the announcement of those terrible news, Zuko was reminded of another day, long ago, when he had heard similar news... He and Azula had been playing in the garden when a servant had approached their mother with a letter. A tear had rolled down her face and her son had approached her. Iroh had lost his son. Their cousin Lu Ten had not survived the battle. Gansu and Sela hugged. Lee asked what was going to happen to his brother. The man informed his wife that he was going to the front to find their son and bring him back. The couple walked away. The woman was weeping. The child ran to Zuko.

"When my dad goes, will you stay?" He looked so hopeful.

"No. I need to move on. Here." The nameless traveller gave his dagger to Lee. "I want you to have this. Read the inscription." Following his demand, the little one unsheathed the dagger and read 'Made in Earth Kingdom'. "The other one." The blade was turned to 'Never give up without a fight'. Zuko galloped away.

Traveling high in the sky, while en route to join Iroh, Chenlian noticed a town, more prosperous than others. Thinking she'd need to buy a little food she descenced and noticed a commotion. Several men were mistreating a large green beast struggling against its bonds. They were obviously trying to get it to obey. She got closer. It was... an eel hound! She landed away from sight and ran into the town right to them and stopped them, asking why they were going so far. Apparently, the young master, having trouble taming it, had got bored and asked them to do something about it but it was really difficult and now he was starting to think about getting rid of it unless someone tamed it. She complained about how childish and irresponsible it was. Suddenly, someone came out of a rich-looking house and told her she could have that eel hound for free if she could get it to obey her. Certainly, since she had thoughtlessly gotten involved and insulted the young master, she could do it easily.

She wanted to turn it down, knowing just how challenging it was to train such an animal, and she didn't have time to spare. But it was to be disposed of, she could at least take it away and set it free. Anyway she first needed to do her shopping. She asked them a bit of time to think. She'd return in half an hour.

Like Chenlian had given away one of her precious keepsakes to Song and her mother for their kindness and the ostrich horse he was riding, Zuko had given that knife away. As a child, he'd always play with it, pretending to battle imaginary enemies, and sometimes getting hit and pretending to die. Azula would complain he was wasting all his time playing knives even though he was not even good... just like that time...

Chenlian was there too, playing with him, and she had again defeated him, or rather he had let her defeat him... Then he had stood up, his cheeks flaming, and suggested Azula put an apple on her head so they'd find out how good he was. She clearly didn't believe that he was actually letting Chenlian win (though she was right). She ignored him and informed him that their uncle was coming home...

"Does that mean we won the war?"

"No. It means Uncle's a quitter and a loser."

"What are you talking about? Uncle's not a quitter."

"Oh yes he is. He found out his son died and he just fell apart." Azula turned around a pillar before leaning on it. "A real general would stay and burn Ba Sing Se to the ground, not lose the battle and come home crying." She raised her eyebrows and smiled in contempt.

"How do you know what he should do?" He snapped, angered by his sibling's cold-heartedness. He looked down, sadly. "He's probably just sad his only kid is gone... forever."

"Azula, aren't you mistaking sadness for weakness? They're not the same." Chenlian questioned. She usually avoided taking part in family talks, but sometimes when she felt that something needed to be said, she would say it, without fear, regardless of who was in front of her, the time, place, or anything else. "Don't you have someone you care about, someone you don't want to lose?"

A moment later, Ursa came in and told them Ozai had requested an audience with Fire Lord Azulon and they needed to come, and Chenlian too. The latter was quite surprised and did not want to intrude on this family thing. But the Lord had asked for her. If Zuko and Azula came, then so should she. Well, Fire Lord Azulon had always favored her. Part of it was because she was greatly favored by Iroh, his wise first-born. Another part was because her maternal grandfather, Zheng, had been his closest and most trusted advisors due to his distinguished services and tactical skills. Another was that she had proven that she had the potential to become a key person of his army and government... and maybe his family according to some reports. There was also no problem with her lineage. In that case, it was better to get her used to the workings of the palace fast. However, Chenlian had only guessed at Iroh's and her grandfather's influence. And she didn't think they were that great. Whatever the case, if it was an order from the Fire Lord she would discard her doubts and obey.

"Fire Lord Azulon. Can't we just call him 'Grandfather'? He's not exactly the powerful Fire Lord he used to be. Someone will probably end up taking his place soon." Azula wondered carelessly. Such little regard for family shocked her female classmate who nonetheless kept quiet.

"Young lady! Not, another, word." Ursa scolded her daughter who ran past her. "What is wrong with that child?"

In the throne room, Ursa, Ozai, Zuko and Azula were sitting on their shins before the Fire Lord. And further in the back, Chenlian was sitting in the same, although slightly humbler position. The chamber was filled with dark, ornate pillars holding up the roof. The center aisle leading up to the dais where the ruler of the Fire Nation was sitting was clear. The dais area was elevated and separated from the rest of the hall by a trench of fire.

"And how was it Great Grandfather Sozen managed to win the battle of Han Tui?" Ozai questioned.

"Great Grandfather won, because...?" Zuko struggled.

"Because even though his army was outnumbered, he cleverly calculated his advantages. The enemy was downwind and there was a drought. Their defenses burned to a crisp in minutes." Azula answered unhesitatingly with a touch of pride.

"Correct my dear. Now, won't you show Grandfather the new moves you demonstrated to me?" Her father coaxed. The girl stood and skilfully performed a series of firebending moves. Ozai's stony countenance turned to a slight satisfied smile while his son looked on, an uncertain expression on his face. "She's a true prodigy. Just like her Grandfather for whom she's named." He blandished his father, praising his daughter who returned to sit next to him.

"Humph, if it's only this much, Chenlian can do it too. Right, Chenlian?" The Fire Lord induced, not impressed by such obvious wheedling. Surprised to be thus implicated, Azula's 'friend' nonetheless stammered her assent and did her own performance. The sequence was different but also entailed a high level of martial prowess and firebending for her age... and was just as brilliantly executed... much to Ozai and Azula's displeasure. She was a nuisance after all. There could not be two stars with such éclat. A dragon with two heads would only invite division, and that could not be allowed. However, Chenlian was far from such concerns. She had been offered a chance. She simply wanted to do her best. She wanted to be recognized. She went back to her place.

"You'll never catch up... to me, or to her..." Azula whispered to her brother, once more showing off her adaptability and capacity to make use of any situation, even bad ones, and somehow gain something from it. And just as she had predicted, Zuko, stung, asked to do a demonstration too. His father frowned even more. The boy tried to run through some of the same moves as his sibling but with evidently less skill. After a few moments, he choked on the routine and fell on his backside. He recovered and finished by falling on his behind as his mother and his friend looked on in concern and his sister rejoiced at her sibling's failure and shame. At the end, Ursa and Chenlian rushed over to him.

"I failed." He said dejectedly. His mother turned him back and he sat on his shins before her.

"No, I loved watching you. That's who you are Zuko. Someone who keeps fighting even though it's hard." She comforted him.

"That's right. Someone with the courage to keep standing and doing his best even after falling can't be a failure." Chenlian knelt at their side and smiled encouragingly. "Doing that may require even more strength than simply succeeding."

However, all of this was still nothing more than that man trying to exhibit his daughter and her prowesses. It was just a pointless show that annoyed Azulon. He demanded why Prince Ozai was wasting his time with this pomp? He dismissed the others for his son to tell him what he wanted. But as they were about to exit the chamber, Azula grabbed Zuko and Chenlian by the hand and took them behind some curtains. She silenced them when they were going to ask what that had been about. They peeked in to see the exchange between the Fire Lord and his son.

"Father, you must have realized as I have, that with Lu Ten gone, Iroh's bloodline has ended. After his son's death, my brother abandoned the siege at Ba Sing Se, and who knows when he will return home? But I am here, father, and my children are alive." Ozai attempted to broach the subject with a minimum of tact. At this point his aim was pretty obvious, and still so unthinkable given the current circumstances that one could not help but push those thoughts away.

"Say what it is you want."

"Father, revoke Iroh's birthright. I am your humble servant, here to serve you and our nation. Use me." The Prince requested frankly. Although it was hard to imagine someone with so little regard for family as his father's 'humble servant'. Azulon leant forward and pointed an accusing finger at Ozai, who was now kneeling before him.

"You dare suggest I betray Iroh? My first born...?" At this the fire in the trenches rose up in response the Fire Lord's anger. "...Directly after the demise of his only beloved son? I think Iroh has suffered enough. But you, your punishment has scarcely begun!" His sheer wrath caused the flames to flare up again and scared Zuko who broke into a run and fled. Chenlian wanted to stay and watch and hesitated, but worried about Zuko, she chased him. Azula looked at them and stayed, turning back to the spectacle with a cruel smile on her face.

As expected, Zuko had found refuge in his room. When Chenlian arrived, he was all curled up on the bed. She sat down and petted his head.

"You don't need to be that scared. I promise that whatever happens, I'll protect you and stay by your side." She smiled. The boy's cheeks flushed in both happiness and embarrassment and he bolted upright as he swatted her arm away.

"I'm not scared! And I don't need protection from a girl!" He was older, and he was a boy, how could he let himself be always defended by her? He wanted her to see him as an equal, as a man, and not as a little brother she should protect. He had to be the one who could protect her, or he'd never truly gain her recognition! He'd never be worthy! But she knew nothing of his feelings.

"Oh, really? Then I must have imagined you running away just then, and surely, you were not cowering in your bed just a second ago. You can't keep running away from problems, from people. If you don't face things head on, you can't win, advance, and become stronger..." She kept teasing him.

"Then I'll show you!" He suddenly pounced on the girl, surprising her. They both tumbled down in a heap without any control. They stopped. Their heads hurt. As they recovered slightly from the fall and Zuko was raising himself, they opened their eyes and froze, shocked. He was lying on top of her, and their faces were so close to each other... Their cheeks burned, but they couldn't move, and just kept staring. Chenlian was first to avert her eyes.

"How long do you intend to stay here?"

"Oh, sorry." He stood up and helped her up. She dusted herself. An uncomfortable silence settled in.

"I think I should leave." She broke it and started leaving when the prince suddenly grabbed her hand, stopping her. He turned to him but he looked the other way.

"Stay. You promised, right? Or are you going to break that promise already?" He said awkwardly, his ears red and squeezing her hand tighter. He had acted impulsively, instinctively sensing it was one of those moments in which he must not let go.

"Zuko..." She whispered. Suddenly, the door opened and Azula was leaning against the doorway. The two quickly let go.

"Chenlian, if you don't want to go down with him, I suggest you leave him and stay with me instead. You know I greatly value your skills. Things would be so boring without you." The princess suggested. Naturally the two wanted to know what she meant. "Because dad's going to kill you, Zuzu. Really... he is." She turned to her brother with a leer.

"Ha-ha Azula. Nice try." Zuzu shot back. Chenlian said nothing. Even if it was Azula, that was a rather horrible joke. But then what was that fear growing in her? She didn't want to consider it either but could she be telling the truth? She only ever told the truth when she could hurt someone. Both Azula and Ozai didn't seem to have the slightest regard for family or even know the meaning of love... but would... could they really go that far?! Why?!

"Fine, don't believe me, but I heard everything. Grandfather said dad's punishment should fit his crime." Azula started imitating her grandfather. "You must know the pain of losing a first born son, by sacrificing your own!" She declared.

Chenlian's blood froze in her veins. Although it made sense in a twisted way, that was still totally absurd! How can you kill someone you love? Ozai had always regarded Zuko as a failure and treated him coldly. He never seemed to have truly seen him as his son. Maybe he wouldn't think twice about killing him after all... shouldn't the Fire Lord know that? Know the pain of losing a first born son... how could Ozai know that if he didn't even love his son and considered him as such?! And the Fire Lord... was he really seriously intending to sacrifice his grandson? No, there were times when in order to accomplish something great, sacrifices were necessary. And it was true that Ozai should be punished for his behavior. But why did Zuko have to die for his father's ambition? And even though the Fire Lord had lost a grandson already, was it worth to have his last grandson killed in order to punish his son? In that palace, was there really no one who thought of Zuko? Disobeying the Fire Lord's orders meant treason. But those people could so easily sacrifice their family. If they could do that, what care could they give to the world? Must they continue to obey? Must they sacrifice everything for that? What will be left then? She had always fought, intending to do her best for her nation because she believed in a bright future for everyone. They were so close to unifying the world. Then, after the borders disappeared, they'd build an era of peace and prosperity. That was what she had envisioned. But now she could only see darkness.

"Liar!" Zuko yelled.

"I'm only telling you for your own good. I know, maybe you could find a nice Earth Kingdom family to adopt you. Chenlian, would you still go with him? Well, it's true he can't do anything without you."

"I..." Chenlian stammered. Right, Zuko was different. No matter how harshly he was treated, he still loved his father and sister. He knew love and compassion. He had always defended those weaker than him even if he didn't have much power himself. He thought about others. That was why he had to live, and inherit the throne. She had made that promise because she believed in him. But when she'd think of everything she would have to sacrifice and realize the strength she'd need to do that, her knees would start giving way. But thinking of Zuko gave her strength... if it was for him... maybe...

"Stop it, you're lying!" Zuko shouted again. Right. He must be right. "Dad would never do that to me."

"Your father would never do what to you? What is going on here?" Ursa questioned as she entered the room. Azula replied innocently that she didn't know. "Chenlian, you stay with Zuko, and you, young lady, it's time for a talk." The woman grabbed her daughter's hand and took her away. Anxious, Chenlian took Zuko's hand while the other brought his head against her shoulder and she petted it. He was first going to reject her thinking she was teasing him again and treating him like a kid, but stopped himself, feeling she was different from before. She was like a normal girl who needed reassurance too. And to reassure herself, she was reassuring him. He hugged her before he knew what he was doing.

"Well, you know how it always is with your sister, right?"

"Yeah... she always lies."

"Right. Azula always lies."

"Azula always lies. Azula always lies." Zuko repeated, almost like he was chanting, convincing himself, as he was lying on the grass in the Earth Kingdom. He sat up when he heard a cart coming. It was Sela. She seemed so distraught.

"You have to help! It's Lee! The thugs from town came back as soon as Gansu left. When they ordered us to give them food, Lee pulled a knife on them. I don't even know where he got a knife! Then they took him away. They told me if he's old enough to fight, he's old enough to join the army. I know we barely know you, but..." Desperate, she started weeping again. She didn't know if she could rely on him, but he was the only she could go to. The young man stood up.

"I'll get your son back."

Chenlian returned to the house to be shown the beast. The men from earlier took it to her. She wanted to try something first. If it didn't work, she'd just say 'leave' or 'run away' and let go. It would escape and since the animal would have 'obeyed', she wouldn't have to pay. The girl showed her palm she slowly raised before catching the reigns flying about and firmly holding them. She kept its head at her level, staring it straight in the eyes. Minutes passed and it slowly calmed down. She asked for food and they gave it to her. While Chenlian fed eel hound, she freed it from its ties. Still, it was truly bewildering how easy it was. That definitely wasn't normal! There was something going on! Even after eating, it the beast stayed calm. She tried to climb it and it let her. That really didn't make sense at all. How could she, in a few minutes, tame an animal that should take weeks, months, if not years to train? However, she had no time to question that absurdly unnatural stroke of luck. As per the agreement, she was free to keep it, and she did. Chenlian left to search for Iroh after having thanked those people.

"Is it really alright, Master Senya?"

"Of course, if it's for her and a poor elderly." Senya appeared and leant against the door frame.

"Even though that elderly is-"

"It doesn't matter really."

"Surely she can't guess that it was you who tamed that beast and got it accustomed to her scent. Even though eel hounds are usually very obedient once trained, this one still wouldn't let anyone ride it but you."

"She doesn't need to know. And even if she found it strange, right now her head is too filled with that scarred young man to think properly." The young master of the Qi family replied. The servant asked how he could have obtained something from her. "I swiped a ring from that pouch where she hides her precious treasures. How? That's a secret. Now enough questions, prepare the carriage."

When Zuko returned to the village, the sun was setting, bathing the world in gold. Lee was tied to a post. His head snapped up at the sound of his savior's approach.

"Hey! There he is! I told you he'd come!" He interjected with smug insolence. Gow and his underlings emerged from the shadows. Zuko dismounted and took off his hat. The men approached. The scarred teen threatened them to let the kid go. Gow laughed mockingly.

"Who do you think you are? Telling us what to do?" He asked equally menacingly.

"It doesn't matter who I am, but I know who you are. You're not soldiers. You're bullies. Freeloaders, abusing your power. Mostly over women and kids. You don't want Lee in your army. You're sick cowards messing with a family who's already lost one son to the war." The nameless and contemptuous one disparaged them.

"Are you going to let this stranger stand there and insult you like this?" The leader piqued his men after a pause. A soldier brandished his spear and stepped forward. Zuko pulled back as the thug lunged, then drew the handle of his swords right into the footman's stomach, knocking him backwards. The guy got up and ran away. Another roared and tried his chance. The exiled prince deflected the weapon with his elbow, closed in, caught his opponent's face in his palm and slammed him back on the ground. Zuko stood up and the bully ran off. The last one charged... and got his spear broken by a kick. The bully dropped the useless stick and ran too. Lee laughed with delight. A crowd had gathered, Sela among them.

However, Gow was made of tougher stuff than his lackeys. He drew his two war hammers and adopted a bending stance. Zuko unsheathed his broadswords in response. The Earth Kingdom soldier used his weapons to earthbend rocks at the scarred youngster who shattered them with his blades. But because of the too rapid rate, Zuko was hit in the guts by a stone. He recovered at charged at Gow with his blades. An old man cheered. The swordsman sliced more rocks until he missed one and was thrown back again. He staggered. Lee and the old man yelled warnings. This time, Zuko was pushed back by large boulders hurled from below. Finally, Gow raised up a shock wave of earth to his opponent. A huge rock erupted and struck the banished prince in the chest, throwing him to the ground. The crowd gasped.

Young Zuko felt a hand on his shoulder and woke up slightly.

"Mom?" He asked groggily.

"Zuko, please, my love, listen to me." Ursa tightly hugged her child. "Everything I've done, I've done to protect you. Remember this Zuko. No matter how things may seem to change, never forget who you are." She said and let go. However, the noise had woken Chenlian up too. She had fallen asleep on Zuko's bed. Their tiredness had suddenly overcome them and they had passed out together just like this after Azula left. She sat up and looked at him. He was going back to sleep. Ursa skirted the bed to sit next to her and hold her face in her hands.

"Chenlian, I'm sorry. Because of me, of my decisions, you will have to suffer greatly. I'm sorry for forcing you to bear such a burden that you should never have to bear. But... I didn't know any other way. Even so, I hope that you won't give up, and that you won't abandon my son either. You don't have to forgive me, just listen to my request. You're the only one I can ask. Please, take care of Zuko, stay by his side, and protect him." The woman kissed her forehead and tightly hugged her too before walking away and disappearing into the darkness of the hall outside the room. Zuko fell back asleep but Chenlian was still trying to make sense of what she had heard, and failing. The only thing clear was that Ursa had entrusted her son to her, she had asked her to protect him and stay by his side. Well, that had been her intention from the start. But the way that person had phrased it induced indicible fear and dread in the young girl's heart. Still it was impossible for her to understand now. So she also returned to sleep.

Zuko lay flat on the ground. The dust from his fall was still settling. Gow approached. Lee desperately whispered at his rescuer to get up. The young man opened his eyes and screamed in fury. As he stood up, he spun a circle of fire around him. The Earth Kingdom soldier dropped his hammers but before he could earthbend a protected, he was blasted away. The banished prince was wreathed in fire, wrath etched onto his face. Lee looked on, with an appalled expression. Gow got up and stood his ground, assuming a bending stance. Zuko charged him, shooting several fast balls of fire from his blade. One hit and the thug was thrown back into a wall. Part of it collapsed on him though he didn't suffer much from it.

"Who, who are you?" Gow questioned weakly.

"My name is Zuko. Son of Ursa and Fire Lord Ozai. Prince of the Fire Nation and heir to the throne." The scarred young man declared confidently as he sheathed his swords. Lee was shocked frozen. That claim had also got to the crowd.

"Liar! I heard of you. You're not a prince, you're an outcast! His own father burned and disowned him." The same old man who had previously encouraged him was now pointing an accusatory finger at him. Their attitude had taken such a 180° turn as soon as he had revealed himself as a firebender. Zuko ignored the elderly and went to Gow, who cowered at his approach. The Fire Prince bent down and took the dagger back that had apparently been taken from Lee. He walked over to Lee that Sela was untying. She quickly finished and moved in front of her son, shielding him from the firebender and prince of the enemy nation that had taken so much from them.

"Not a step closer." She commanded. Zuko knelt down and offered the dagger back to Lee who peeked out from behind his mother.

"It's yours. You should have it."

"No, I hate you." The child refused, his voice tainted with anger, loathing, and the bitterness of betrayal as he turned away from the man he had once regarded as a second older brother. He walked away with his mother. The crowd had assembled behind Zuko.

Little Zuko woke up in his bed and noticed Chenlian was gone. And he also remembered his mother leaving. Worried out of his mind, he bolted out of the bed and went to look for them. He didn't notice Chenlian sitting on stairs, trying to open Iroh's gift, but she noticed him. Distracted, she accidently triggered a mechanism without looking, and the top suddenly opened. There were compartments, empty of course. A mirror was under the lid along with a quote 'Real treasure lies not in a treasure box but within your heart.' She didn't really get it but somehow, felt she did. Still, that kind of obscure riddle-like quote was just like Iroh. But now was not the time to think about that. She put the box down and ran after Zuko. He was calling for his mother.

Azula was playing with Zuko's knife. She hid when she heard someone arrive and stepped out when she saw it was her brother. Chenlian stopped a distance away and watched. Slightly panicked, the boy asked his sister where their mom was.

"No one knows. Oh, and last night, Grandpa passed away."

"Not funny, Azula. You're sick. And I want my knife back, now." He tried to snatch his knife back but she dodged and held it out in front of her, taunting him.

"Who's going to make me? Mom?"

"I can... if you're not mature enough to stop on your own..." Chenlian intervened. Azula glared slightly at her but nonetheless let Zuko grab his knife and run out of the room. The mahogany-haired girl turned to the princess. "And why aren't YOU worried? Don't you care what happens to her? Isn't Ursa your mother too? She loves you. She really sincerely deeply loves you, no matter how cruel you may act, because that's how mothers are. Are you really alright with that? Can you really be alright that something like this happened to one of the very few if not only person who truly loves you and not just your firebending skills?"

"So what if I am? That doesn't concern you, does it?"

"It does concern me. As a noble's daughter and part of this nation, I'm concerned about what type of people stands at the top. That's why I hope and pray that you aren't the heartless person you're making yourself out to be. I'd feel sorry for you, and for everyone."

"Why, thank you for your concern. But whatever happens in the royal family, whoever stands at the top, the ones below have no choice but to shut up and obey, right? Also, shouldn't you worry about yourself, and about my dear brother? You're the only one left now. I wonder how long you'll last. Please struggle as much as you can." Azula taunted before leaving.

Zuko ran to the garden where Ozai was looking out over the pond. Again, he demanded to know where his mother was. But his father's silence was a clear enough answer. The boy looked down in despair and slowly made his way back. In the palace he looked up and saw Chenlian waiting for him. She smiled sadly, encouragingly. Because of that smile, he let go of his pride, his guard... everything, and took her in his arms, squeezing her tight, so she wouldn't slip away from his side like his mother. And the girl held him back comfortingly, recalling Ursa's last words to her.

On the ceremonial plaza of the palace, the Fire Sage, presiding over the ritual, was pronouncing the eulogy for Fire Lord Azulon's funeral. Behind him there was a dais on which stood a gold sarcophagus where the deceased lay for his final rest. Ozai, Azula, and Zuko, dressed in white, were standing on the side.

"Azulon, Fire Lord to our nation for 23 years. You were our fearless leader in the battle of Gar Sai. Our matchless conqueror of the Hu Sin provinces. You were father of Iroh. Father of Ozai. Husband of Ilha, now passed. Grandfather of Lu Ten, now passed. Grandfather of Zuko and Azula." The Fire Sage turned and approached the sarcophagus. He reached in and took the Fire Lord's diadem. "We lay you to rest." At these words, Ozai walked forward and knelt down before the audience and two firebenders ignited the sarcophagus. With the fire of the funeral pyre burning behind him, the Fire Sage crowned the new Fire Lord. "As was your dying wish, you are now succeeded by your second son." He placed the diadem on Ozai's head. "Hail Fire Lord Ozai!" He declaimed. Fire Lord Ozai stood up. The spectators bowed low. On one knee, Azula was smirking cruelly. Zuko, sitting on his shins, his back bent, looked over at his younger sister in fear, before looking ahead with the same frightened expression.

Zuko rode out of the village on his ostrich horse, his conical hat back on his head. Each side of the street was lined with townspeople. Many were holding farmtools but given the latent hostility, it felt like they were holding weapons, ready for use. They all, including Lee, stared down at him with hatred, contempt, silently condemning him, rejecting him. The banished prince continued his journey, riding west, into the sunset.