Fight 46: Learning

Chenlian was fighting in a forest. The rain and wind were roaring and beating her down. Lighning sometimes illuminated her opponents. Fire Nation, Earth Kingdom, bandits, assassins, bounty hunters, mercenaries... they were all the same. They all wanted to take her down. But she didn't kill them, and only incapacited them. Why? She had forgotten already. They were so many, coming relentlessly, and coming back even after she had defeated them. There was just no end. Was she bound to fight until she died? Even though she was so worn down... If only she could take their lives... it would be so easy... but then she remembered her parents' death... It was so heavy, the feeling of guilt, the burden of solitude, the insanity, the remorse. Life itself, was so heavy. She looked at her bloodstained sword, her bloodstained hands and clothes and at her sword again, looking at the reflection of her bloodshot eyes, and slowly approaching the blade from her neck... Suddenly, moments of her happy life with her family flashed on the blade, moments of happiness with Zuko and Aang, Katara, Sokka, everyone... and then the face of Fire Lord Ozai. Her eyes widened, and she planted her sword in the ground and howled a blood-curdling, heart-rending scream. The girl woke up in her cell. Right, this was reality. She couldn't run away. She couldn't give up. She had to fight! She won't stop fighting, ever! As long as that man was on the throne, as long as she hadn't erased all trace of his influence in this world, she would never stop fighting!

In his bedroom in the Fire Lord's palace, Zuko was tossing and turning, unable to sleep. He rose and put on a hooded cloak, and left. He slipped by an unguarded path over the crater's rim and made his way to a prison tower embedded in the slope of another, nearby volcano west of the city. As he stood in the prison courtyard, looking upward, a guard spotted him and asked who was there. The prince turned heels and made his way back without a word.

At morning, a mysterious cloud was scudding rapidly over the water. As it approached one of the outer islands of the Fire Nation, voices emanated from it. Aang thought he saw a cave below and Sokka told him to keep quiet. The cloud dispersed and Appa landed. The Water Tribe warrior dismounted and began a furtive reconnaissance. The benders had done a great job with the cloud camo, but next time, he wanted them to disguise as the kind of cloud that kept its mouth shut.

"Yeah, we wouldn't want a bird to hear us chatting up there and turn us in." Toph sarcastically agreed.

"Hey! We're in enemy territory. Those are enemy birds." He pointed upward at the four puffin-like enemies perched on a rock just behind him. A particularly friendly one hopped down onto his head and squawked. The children laughed. Only Sokka didn't since the Universe had yet again proven him wrong and ridiculed him. The group walked toward the cave, the warrior lurking behind to protect the rear, before, all of a sudden, leaping over their heads to ward off some entirely imaginary threat. Then he peered suspiciously about, and dashed into the cave, followed by the rest of the gang. "Well, this is it. This is how we'll be living until the invasion begins. Hiding in cave, after cave... after cave... after cave..." He slumped more and more dejectedly with each repetition of the word. His sister and Aang reassured him. They didn't need to become cave people. Blending in was better than hiding out. With Fire Nation disguises, they'd be just as safe as they would be hiding in a cave.

"Plus...they have real food out there." Toph pointed out. And that was a crucial argument. "Does anyone wanna sit in the dirt and eat cave-hoppers?" She punched the cave wall and several scared hoppers hopped out. Momo caught one and chowed down. The kids appeared revolted. Since Momo and Sokka were outvoted, they all went to get some new clothes.

"So Chenlian, you've already come back. I must say I expected more of you. You were a firebending and sword prodigy. Your deserter of a grandfather and firebending master has escaped justice for ten years. And your other master Piandao, who also deserted, disappeared for years, and single-handedly defeated all one hundred soldiers who had come to arrest them. And yet, look at you. Did you miss this place so much that you had to come back after a single year?" Warden Poon came to ridicule his tenant. It was like every pore of his skin was perspiring contempt for her.

"Hey, Warden Loon, it's been a long time. You seem well." She wasn't fazed the slightest bit. On the contrary, it was like she was greeting an old friend or some nagging relative.

"It's Warden POON not Loon!"

"Poop? Anyway, to recover, I need a well-balanced and nutritive diet, high in protein, with carbohydrates, lots of vitamins and minerals, and fat, but not too much." Chenlian ignored him again and went on. "Meals must be small but frequent, and good snacks too. Ingredients would be dairy products, eggs, fruits and vegetables, poultry, fish and meat, sometimes lean, sometimes fat, but not only the muscles, the liver too. And of course rice and noodles, and buns. For drinks, water and fruit juice, or sometimes fruits with milk. And don't forget the flavoring with spices and herbs good for the body like rosemary, garlic, mint, basil, cay-"

"Who do you think you are?!" He suddenly interrupted her. "Did you forget what this place is and who I am? Should I remind you of your station and the rules here before you start making demands?" He threatened her. The girl scoffed. The man had barely moved that two long swords of fire were crossing before his neck, stopping him dead in his tracks. A single wrong move and he would be decapitated.

"Yes, what a good idea. Let's properly establish the hierarchy between us. Please come closer, so we can speak eye to eye." She quickly shifted the blades of fire so they'd cross behind the jailer's head so he couldn't escape, and she slowly shortened them, forcing him closer. And the closer he was, the best she could see his sweat and fear... and enjoy it. "I'm still a firebending prodigy, you see? But that isn't the reason you should be scared. You just don't have a clue, do you... about how terrifying someone who's got nothing left to lose can be... Shall I teach you, then? You must understand now that it's not because I'm dimished that I'm helpless. I can still run wild and go with a bang. I can still cause lots of damage. I can still escape. And I could take you hostage... though I don't think that rotten self-serving bunch would give any value to your life. Even as a hostage, you're simply worthless. Then it'll be your responsibility, right? And your life will be over, right? What would the higher ups do to an incompetent fool who couldn't even properly monitor a crippled girl..."

"Y-you think you can get away..." He stuttered frightfully.

"You're right. It would be difficult. This body would pay a heavy toll. But to me, there are things more important than my life. I told you, I've got nothing left to lose. To accomplish my goal, I don't care if I have to kill you or anyone for that matter. If you won't give me what I need, I'll take it myself. So look into my eyes and tell me, do you think I'm bluffing?"

"N-no, you're not." Her eyes, although seething, felt cold enough to freeze one's blood. Just those eyes were enough to hold him hostage. It was like staring right into the face of danger, like he had never known the true meaning of 'fear' until then. He was just a frog before a snake. He couldn't move or think. He couldn't defy her. He could never escape from her, from those eyes, not in a lifetime. If he didn't do as told, then...

"So, will you give me what I need? Yes or no?"

"Yes."

"Good. I'll be giving you a menu everyday. And there might be times when I'll need your help for my training. Can I count on you then?" Chenlian approached the blades from the nape of his neck. He felt the searing heat from the cutting edge just a single pica away. He sweated more profusely and his throat constricted.

"Y-yes."

"Great." She stopped bending, and held out her hand for him to shake. His trembling hand weakly grasped hers, fear having robbed him of his strength, and utterly crushed his will to resist. "That seals the negociations. Don't worry. I don't kill people so easily. If you're a good host, I'll be a good resident. But if you try to harm me in any way or betray me, you know what'll happen." She squeezed his hand tighter and increased the temperature of his arm, his blood heating up like she had injected acid into his veins.

"Ye-yes!"

"Alright. It'll be fine as long as you understand. Now that everything's settled, please bring me writing tools so I can write the menu." The girl freed Poon who started leaving, still visibly affected. "Warden Poon, we might have started off badly but let's get along from now on. Since I'll be under your wing for some time, please take good care of me." Chenlian smiled so sweetly... and so poisonously.

Team Avatar found a laundry nearby. Hiding behind some rocks, they surveyed the scene and looked at the items of clothing hanging on lines outdoors, suspended over steam vents. Aang didn't feel well about stealing other people's clothes, but Katara called the silk robe and ran for it. She snatched what she wanted and broke away. And the monk, as it was essential to their survival, called the suit and did the same. The others imitated them, though Sokka took more time as he had trouble finding his favorite. And while the plunder continued, the laundry's lone attendant was taking a nap in the doorway, completely oblivious. The children headed to a secluded beach close by and tried their new outfits.

The Avatar was in a uniform and tied the belt around his forehead to hide his airbender arrow. He was happy to look just like a normal kid. Toph was wavering. She knew she should wear shoes, but then she wouldn't be able to see. So she popped out the sole with her foot, propelling it into Sokka's face. She stood up and evaluated her new stylish shoes customized for the blind earthbender that she was. Katara asked how she looked. Aang blushed, smitten by the ravishing 'Fire Nation' beauty before him until he noticed the one false note, her mother's necklace. Chagrined, she reluctantly removed it since it was pretty obviously Water Tribe.

The children went to a bazaar in a nearby town where Katara bought a new chocker. Toph chose a new golden headband and Sokka a fire-themed topknot clasp. Aang smoothed down Momo's ears and tucked him beneath his coat. The Avatar who used to visit his friend Kuzon here a hundred years ago told everyone to follow his lead and stay cool, or as they said in the Fire Nation - "Stay flamin'"! Apparently it hadn't occurred to him that things could have changed in a hundred years.

"Greetings, my good Hotman!" He waved at a man eating a kebab on the sidewalk.

"Uh, hi." The surprised citizen replied. "...I guess?" He added after a time, an eyebrow raised. The boy failed to notice the outdatedness of his argot. Sokka led the way to a butcher's shop. Being a vegetarian, the airbender didn't feel good about it, but as the food (and especially meat) lover pointed out, everyone here ate meat... The Avatar made his comrades go on ahead while he'd just get some lettuce out of the garbage. The three entered and Aang turned around and started dispensing affable 'hotman' to every passerby who looked at him. But then, three officers approached him, an older male, a young man and a young woman.

"It's over, we caught you." The elder glared down at him. "It couldn't be more obvious that you don't belong here." The official continued. The boy cringed, expecting the worst. "Next time you play hooky, you might want to take off your school uniform." He advised. Aang looked at his own clothes, and back at the man before laughing sheepishly. The child was grabbed and brought to a school built against the side of a cliff and whose courtyard was dominated by a large statue of Ozai. Inside, he was thrust in a classroom. He and his new classmates stared at each other in mutual astonishment.

"Oh! Is this a new mind ready for molding?" The teacher, Ms. Kwan, inquired.

"That's right. Let the molding begin." Aang knocked his own head, demonstrating how empty it was. The officers started to leave.

"Wait a minute." The professor gasped as she realized something. The soldiers stopped and turned around. "You're not from the Fire Nation!" She exclaimed and approached the new fearful student (who was once more expecting the worst) with a critical eye. "Clearly you're from the colonies." She guessed. Relieved, Aang went along with her. Yeah, the Fire Nation colonies in the Earth Kingdom... of course. The soldiers left. "Your etiquette is terrible. In the homeland, we bow to our elders. Like so." She demonstrated, bowing her head, making a fist with her right hand, fingers towards her body, and placing the base of her left palm atop the side of her fist, her left hand open and pointing upward. This greeting made the joined hands look like a small flame.

"Sorry ma'am." The child apologized and attempted the salute but he reversed and wrongly positioned his hands. Ms. Kwan tapped his fist with her ferrule, obviously disapproving. He looked around for help and a girl in the front row, On Ji, caught his eye and showed him the proper technique again. Aang smiled gratefully and imitated her. Next the teacher tapped his head with the ferrule and instructed him not to wear head coverings indoors. "Um, I have a scar. It's really embarrassing." He lied to hide his airbender tattoo. She granted him that and asked his name, suggesting 'Mannerless Colony Slob'. "Just 'Slob' is fine." Aang chuckled good-heartedly, but then he noted the woman's expression. She didn't seem to be fond of jokes. Though he knew a few exceptions, why were the Fire Nation people so serious? "Or, uh... Kuzon." He took on his deceased friend's name and turned to face the class with a friendly smile.

When class ended and the bell rang, the children streamed out the doors. Aang slightly pulled his jacket open and whispered to Momo that they had made it through the day... and that he had found it pretty fun!

"Don't let the headmaster catch you with that monkey." He heard On Ji say from behind. The monk concealed his lemur, turned to face her with an innocent grin, and played dumb. "Don't worry, I'm not a tattletale. My name's On Ji. I like your headband, by the way." She complimented. 'Kuzon' smiled, when he was jostled from behind by a tall and somewhat brawny Fire Nation boy called Hide, who walked past him to stand by On Ji and wrap a possessive arm around her shoulders while his other hand rested on his hip for a very arrogant pose.

"On Ji, you don't have to baby-sit the new kid." Hide said contemptuously, his expression just as haughty. The Avatar amiably greeted him, bowing, and guessed he was one of those popular kids. "That's right. Now listen, friend... I know you're from the colonies, so I'll say this slowly. On Ji...is...my...girlfriend. Don't forget it." He carefully enunciated, getting in Aang's face as he did and poking his perceived 'rival' in the chest. Momo stirred and complained beneath Aang's jacket. Aang smoothed him down and grinned sheepishly at Hide's suspicious glare. As he turned to walk away with On Ji, Hide pointed at his eyes and then at Aang to indicate that he was going to keep an eye on him.

"It was nice meeting you!" The airbender politely waved at the one who had threatened him before a small pupil, Shoji, approached him and voiced his amazement... Hide didn't beat him up, not even a little! "I guess I'm just lucky." Kuzon replied modestly. Shoji offered him to come over with him and his friends to play hide-and-explode and Aang happily agreed.

It was night when Aang returned to the cave. His companions were already seated around the fire. Katara asked where he had been. They had been worried sick! Covered in mud splashes, the Avatar answered that he had been invited by some kids to play after school.

"After WHAT?" Sokka stood up, perplexed beyond description. His elated friend explained he had enrolled in a Fire Nation school, and he was going back tomorrow. "Enrolled in WHAT?!" The warrior fainted.

A door opened to Chenlian's cell. It was not the door though but an earthbended slab of stone. The girl looked up at her visitors. It was Linshen, flanked by two members of the Dai Li. She made no motion as he approached to kneel close to her but she was glaring like a cornered and wounded tiger carefully observing the moves of the hunter who had come to finish it off. If he tried to touch her, she'd pounce on him and rip his throat. He was flanked by Dai Li agents. Dai Lis served Azula, and were experts at intelligence gathering. There was no way for him to be ignorant of Azula's doings in the Earth Kingdom. She would not put it past him to even have had a hand in it.

"I told you that when you'll be at the end of your rope, all alone with no one to rely on, I'll be there for you. And I said that I'd tell you everything once you were ready to start walking again." He gazed straight back at her, withstanding the fierceness of her golden orbs. It was only natural that she'd react that way towards him.

"Weren't you one who helped to push me over the end of that rope? You knew everything, didn't you?"

"Indeed, I was, and I knew. I knew that the Avatar was in Ba Sing Se and trying to get the Earth King to throw his troops into the war. I knew that Long Feng, the Grand Secretary and actually one of my underlings, was giving him trouble even though I didn't ask him to. I was the one who put him in that position since I wanted to use him as a cover and as such, I lent him the Dai Li who are actually under my control. But it seemed he ended up thinking that he had achieved all of that all by himself and mistakenly thought he could double cross me. And he also thought he could double cross Azula. He drowned in his own little schemes. When Azula came, I lent her the Dai Lis... even though I knew of her plans... though I must say I didn't expect a number of them to become truly faithful to her. I allowed the coup to happen because I wanted to drive out all the pus festering in Ba Sing Se... those rotten and oblivious nobles, that ignorant and incompetent king... This city needed to die once to resurrect. Then, when the time is right, I will free the city. I am currently trying to contact some common allies. It was so this time, I could claim a top position in the new Ba Sing Se and help you build the world you desire. And I wanted to make you remember that this time you were enjoying could not last forever. It was time to make a choice, for both you and that man. You, or his family. Him, or this world... It was time to remind you two who you truly were, and what you truly wished for..."

"I see..." Chenlian lowered her head and smiled in self-derision, her murderous and implacable expression fading into great weariness. "That was one harsh wake up call... but... I guess I did need something of that level..." Or else she might have still hold onto that thin thread of hope, lured by that poisonously sweet scent, until it lead her right into the spider's nest. It was best to let go, embrace despair, and reality, and climb back with her own arms and legs on the other side. "I understand... Linshen, thank you... for opening my eyes, and giving me what I truly needed." It was a simple 'thank you', without any adornement, but it came from the depth of her aching heart. He was right. Continuing to live in an illusion would have been wrong. Zuko was the Crown Prince of the Fire Nation, he wanted his father's love, and to succeed him on the throne. She was her father's daughter, a friend of the Avatar, and she wanted to end that war and build an era of peace. From the start, they were looking at different sceneries, different futures. What they were and wanted was too different, and incompatible with the other.

"You're welcome." The young man smiled, and gently petted her head. He did not breathe a word about it, but he had actually hoped, or more like tabbed on the fact that once she realized the truth about Zuko, Chenlian would escape with Aang and Katara. That was what she should have done, what she would have normally done, because that was what reason commanded her to do. Staying alone at that time was completely reckless. She wouldn't have had to be injured like this, or to face death like she did. Although he did consider this possible, her love for that prince was greater than anticipated. That was his greatest miscalculation. "Actually, I've got a special medicine for you. Want to try it?" Linshen produced a wooden container. The girl turned her back to him, het him lift her shirt and apply the healing balm. "By the way, I heard you've already taken control of the place. But would you really kill that warden if he acts up?"

"Who knows? I'm leaving it to your imagination."

Zuko was walking down a corridor of the prison tower, once more wrapped in his hooded cloak. The same guard from before heard his footsteps and turned around. He saw the same hooded figure as earlier and menaced him until he recognized his crown prince who grabed him by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

"I'm going in for a visit. You're gonna stand guard here, and no one is going to know about this." The scarred young man threatened him insolently. When things were clear, he went to Iroh's cell. It was bisected by a wall of bars so that one half was accessible from the door and the other half served as a cage. Iroh, unkempt and dressed in rags, was seated crosslegged on a mat, facing the wall to the right of the cell door as one entered it. Zuko walked in and up to the bars. "Uncle. It's me." He removed his hood. But his uncle turned away to face the back of his cell, scowling. "You brought this on yourself, you know. We could have returned together. You could have been a hero!" Zuko stood before the bars of his uncle's cell. Iroh turned his back to his nephew, preferring to face the wall. "You have no right to judge me Uncle. I did what I had to do in Ba Sing Se, and you're a fool for not joining me." The prince went on. But again, the prisoner remained silent. Zuko had never listened, why would words get through to him now? "You're not gonna say anything?" The enraged child kicked a stool and bended a blast of fire at the wall. "Ahhrr! You're a crazy old man! You're crazy, and if you weren't in jail, you'd be sleeping in a gutter!" He stormed and left, slamming the door behind him. Iroh hung his head and closed his eyes. There was nothing to say at this point, nothing that could reach the heart of his nephew.

At the door of the prison, the prince suddenly stopped as an image of Chenlian flashed in his mind. When coming here, he had initially thought about checking on her first but when he'd recall her words and expressions on that ship bringing them home, he had decided against it. She said she'd be better off dead than seeing his face... then so be it! Besides, she was certainly going to ignore him too! And even if she didn't, he knew what she was going to say! But... he still couldn't take that step forward... after all... he looked back with a very conflicted expression. He hesitated, and then he tightly shut his eyes and fists and walked out, returning home.

Sokka tried to be mature and not immediately shoot down Aang's idea... but still bluntly said it sounded really terrible. Toph agreed. They had their outfits, where was the need for him to go to school? However, every minute Aang spent in that classroom, he was learning new things about the Fire Nation. He already got a picture of Fire Lord Ozai that he showed them, as well as the one he had made out of noodles. Sokka admitted it was impressive but still thought it was too dangerous.

"I guess we'll never find out about the secret river then. It goes right to the Fire Lord's palace. We were supposed to learn about it in class tomorrow..." The devious Avatar trailed off. And since the warrior and stratego was a fan of secret rivers, he relented and accepted to stay a few more days. "Flamey-o, Hotman!" Aang yelled and ran off in excitement.

"Flamey-o?" Sokka quizzically looked at his sister who shrugged, just as clueless as he was about the meaning of that word.

Ms. Kwan entered the classroom and the children rose. She greeted them, sat down at her desk, and told them to recite the Fire Nation oath. They turned to the larger-than-life portrait of Ozai that dominated the room's rear wall, bowed, and started reciting. It was about completely devoting one's life to the country and fighting for Fire Lord Ozai and their ancestors. Aang imitated them awkwardly, a few beats behind everyone else. Since he didn't know the oath, he just said a few words he heard or that could fit and some 'blah blah blah', causing a few students to giggle and make their professor scowl. When they finished reciting, they sat down facing their professor who decided to begin class with a pop quiz on their nation's Great March of Civilization since it was obviously hilarious to mock their national oath. The students groaned and took pens and paper in hand.

"Question one: What year did Fire Lord Sozin battle the Air Nation Army?" The teacher started the quiz. Aang raised his hand. She acknowledged him suspiciously. "Kuzon?"

"Is that a trick question?" The boy rose to his feet. "The Air Nomads didn't have a formal military. Sozin defeated them by ambush." His answer caused the entire class to stare openmouthed at this brazen heresy.

"Well, I don't know how you could possibly know more than our national history book. Unless you were there a hundred years ago..." The flustered Ms. Kwan retorted. The Avatar thought better than arguing on that point. He couldn't reveal his identity now. He sat back down and decided to write his best guess.

Next, it was in music class that Aang caused problems. The members of the amateur orchestra functioned like the well-oiled cogs of a machine. Suddenly, Aang blew a storm in his tsungi horn and started dancing in place, destroying the harmony. Dumbfounded, his startled classmates stopped playing. The music teacher said his name and 'Kuzon' stopped playing too and apologised for being a terrible Tsungi hornist. The professor was more curious about the child's hullabaloo going on with his feet. Was that a nervous disorder?

"I was just dancing. You do dances here in the homeland, right?" The child questioned. But Shoji next to him contradicted him.

"Dancing is not conducive to a proper learning environment. Young people must have rigid discipline and order." The instructor explained, walking to the window.

"But what about expressing yourself?" The Avatar argued. That love for rigid discipline and order strongly reminded him of Chenlian and her grandfather Jeong Jeong.

"I know sometimes we're so moved by our love for our nation, that we can't control our own bodies." The teacher returned to his desk. Overcome with emotion, he clapped his face with his hands and reconsidered. "If you must, you may march in place quietly next time the urge hits you." He compromised. The orchestra recommenced, and although clearly discontent, Aang marched quietly as directed.

The kids scattered about the school courtyard for the recess. Many were staring at Aang and whispering. He had evidently caused a sensation. Only On Ji approached him and told him her impression. She had really liked that crazy dance of his. He thanked her and offered to show it to her again but before she could give a reply, a small blast of fire hit him from behind and scared him. It was Hide.

"What'd you say, colony trash? You're gonna show her something?" He menacingly approached them. The unfazed monk answered it was just some dance movements. "Nobody shows my On Ji anything, especially movements!" Hide lunged at Aang, who neatly stepped out of the way. A circle of onlookers gathered around them. For a time the 'popular kid' did his best to land a blow on Aang who was too quick and agile to be caught. The difference in their level was glaringly obvious. At last, Hide was propelled by his own momentum onto the ground. At this unfavorable juncture, the School Headmaster entered the scene, and naturally assumed that Aang had been bullying Hide, rather than the other way around.

"Picking fights on your second day? We need to have a conference to discuss your punishment. Bring your parents to my office after school." The schoolmaster ordered. The boy tried to protest but was interrupted. "Don't be late." He turned and left, followed by a smirking Hide. Aang was momentarily crestfallen... he had no parents to bring! But he had an idea...

Disguised, Katara and Sokka were posing as Aang's parents, with their 'child' in the middle. Sokka was wearing a fake moustache and beard and his sister's hair was tied up in two buns on either side of her head, and her waist had been padded to mimic pregnancy. Sokka introduced himself as Wang Fire, and his 'wife' as Sapphire Fire.

"Mr. and Mrs...Fire," The headmaster started dubiously. "Your son has been enrolled here for two days, and he's already causing problems. He's argued with his history teacher, disrupted music class, and roughed up my star pupil."

"My goodness! That doesn't sound like our Kuzon." Sapphire exclaimed incredulously.

"That's what any mother would say, ma'am." The old man admitted indulgently before his expression and voice grew hard again. "Nonetheless, you're forewarned. If he acts up one more time, I'll have him sent to reform school... by which I mean the coal mines. Are we clear?" He menaced them.

"Don't you worry, Mr. Headmaster. I'll straighten this boy out somethin' fierce." Sokka reassured the principal before turning to Aang. "Young man, as soon as we get home, you're gonna get the punishment of a lifetime!" He blustered in his face.

"That's what I like to hear." The headmaster approved with an air of subdued sadism. The teens rose and left, Sokka swaggering proudly... He had always liked acting, but the role of the overbearing father just seemed made for him.

Zuko and Mai were enjoying a sunset picnic and a chance to canoodle in private. They were on a sheltered little plateau on the rim of the royal volcano overlooking the port and the sea. The girl said how orange was such an awful color. Zuko snickeringly commented she looked beautiful when she hated the world.

"I don't hate you." Mai remarked

"I don't hate you, too." He replied. They tenderly gazed at each other and kissed. It was then Azula interrupted them. The two looked up at her in irritation. She wanted to have a word with her brother. "Can't you see we're busy?" He refused her and he and Mai resumed their 'business'.

"Oh, Mai...Ty Lee needs your help untangling her braid." Azula said, not put off in the slightest.

"Sounds pretty serious." Mai complaisantly stood up and left. She knew it was just an excuse. She also knew not to anger the princess or be in her way. But that didn't stop her from shooting a quick glare at Azula behind her back.

"So...I hear you've been to visit your Uncle Fatso in the prison tower." The princess probed.

"That guard told you!" Zuko bolted upright, fuming.

"No, you did. Just now." His sister smugly replied. "Although it's good to see you've finally gotten over Chenlian." She smirked... even more so when she saw him twitch and look away. A glimpse of his time with Chenlian seemed to have flashed through his mind and pricked his heart... as intended.

"Okay, you caught me. What is it that you want, Azula?" The frowning prince sat back down.

"Actually, nothing. Believe it or not, I'm looking out for you. If people find out you've been to see Uncle, they'll think you're plotting with him. Just be careful, dum-dum." She was being so unusually solicitious that Zuko was actually suspicious of her. "And of course, don't betray your current girlfriend by going to see your ex." She just had to add.

"That settles it. No more school for you young man!" Back at the cave, let alone his disguise, Sokka had not even stepped out of his role and was snarling in Aang's face. Then he straightened up and stroked his beard imperiously. His opinion was understandable though since it would be bad if the Aang kept causing problems and drawing attention. "Don't cause trouble when your good sister Chenlian isn't here to get you out of it. We can't ask her about the proper Fire Nation ways." Those blurted words caused a heavy and oppressing silence to weigh upon the group. They missed her so much... even if they didn't openly show it. Because she was always somewhere in their mind, her absence was keenly felt when spoken about outloud. She was especially needed now, not only as a friend, and a support, but because she was Fire Nation, and could tell them about this country, its people, its ways, and help to prevent mishaps. The Avatar didn't want to leave though.

"All the more reason. I want to know more about Chenlian's nation, and her people." And he was having fun for once, just being a normal kid. Sokka couldn't know what it was like... since he got to be normal all the time. Toph laughed mockingly, making the warrior scowl at her. "Listen, guys, those kids at school are the future of the Fire Nation. If we wanna change this place for the better, we need to show them a little taste of freedom. And just like Chenlian, they need someone to tell them it's okay to loosen up, and give them a chance to do so." The monk exposed his intentions. He wanted to do something for them, for those children's own sake, for the future, and for Chenlian. However, the Water Tribe boy had no idea what his friend could possibly do for a country of depraved little fire monsters – except for Chenlian. "I'm gonna throw them... a secret dance party!" He did a quick tap dance flourish. His companions were stunned. Sokka was first to recover.

"Go to your room!" The warrior pointed, returning to his strict father performance... and clearly expressing his opposition to that absurd idea.

And yet, some time later, Toph earthbended a bandstand from the cave floor while Sokka was arranging candles. He still couldn't believe they were having a dance party. It seemed so... silly. Aang told him to think about it as a cultural event celebrating the art of fancy footwork and demonstrated his 'fancy footwork' as Katara bended beverage into an earthbended punchbowl. Toph felt the Fire Nation children coming and warned everyone to stop bending. The airbender apologized to his furry buddy and made him enter the tunnel at the back of cave. Appa grumbled but still obeyed even though he disliked caves and tunnels. Soon, a band was playing a lively, rousing beat. Aang leapt in front of them exultantly and, facing them, spreaded his arms wide.

"Ladies and gentlemen, The Flamey-os! Yeah, this ought to get everybody moving." He turned around but the kids were still standing, huddled together and uncertain. They asked what to do and feared their parents' reactions should be they discovered. "Oh, boy. Listen, guys... dancing isn't something you think about. It's a form of self-expression that no one can ever take away from you."

"Maybe it was different in the colonies, Kuzon. But we don't do that here." Shoji argued.

"Sure you do. You have for generations. It just so happens that I know several classic fire nation dances. A hundred years ago, this was known as 'the Phoenix flight'." He showed them and the students voiced their amazement. Then he did the 'camelephant strut'. After a somersault he landed in front of two girls who giggled, embarrassed. He somersaulted backwards and landed expertly on one foot, bowing, filling the spectators with awe and wonder. The male students made incredulous and envious expressions of the popularity 'Kuzon' had just gained with the girls. Toph and Katara were sitting to the side, drinking. The blind child was surprised that 'Twinkletoes' could dance. The waterbender smiled.

"I brought you some komodo-chicken. I know you don't care for it, but I figure it beats prison food." Zuko knelt and passed a packet of food through the bars of his uncle's cell. But once more, Iroh kept his back to him and did not speak a word. "I admit it. I have everything I always wanted, but it's not at all how I thought it would be. The truth is, I need your advice." He clenched the bars. "I think the Avatar is still alive. I know he's out there. I'm losing my mind! Please, Uncle, I'm so confused! I need your help." The boy desperately cried out to the only one who had always stayed by his side and earnestly helped him without any hidden intent... but not this time. Iroh did not budge a single muscle or utter a single sound. Zuko should know by now his uncle's opinion on the Avatar, given the fact he had so often tried to make him understand that the Avatar was not an enemy that he ought to defeat. And even then he actually had the impudence to ask his uncle for advice after what he had put him through. It was like he didn't have a conscience. Morever, being given the silent treatment even though he was desperately 'begging for help' enraged him. "Forget it! I'll solve this myself! Waste away in here for all I care!" He marched to the door and opened it, turning back for just a moment, and then quickly slammed the door. A single tear rolled down Iroh's cheek.

"It'll be alright. I'm here for you."

Zuko suddenly stopped. He couldn't take a step further. His body wouldn't listen to him. "It'll be alright. I'm here for you." How many times had those words of Chenlian saved him? No matter how many times and how deep he was sinking, she had always smiled encouragingly, reassuringly, and held out her hand to him. That smile, those words... were his only salvation. He needed them. He needed her. "I want to believe that the bonds I have with those I love shall never break. Zuko, surely it is like that between us too... even if we're apart, we're still connected and bound to each other, always..." Right, Chenlian was the only one who could and would help him, his only hope, his only salvation. Even if he couldn't ask for advice about the Avatar and how to deal with the situation, he should be able to gain something from talking to her. If it was Chenlian...

"Here, I brought you meat and fruits. I heard those are good for the body when you're recovering from burns." Zuko placed the food down inside the cell.

"What a strange prince you are... offering food to a prisoner. Thanks but no thanks. If it's an act of kindness and mercy go offer it to some other prisoner. I don't need any comforts kindness or mercy, nor do I want them." Chenlian sounded unusually mocking and scathing. "But... that doesn't seem to the case..." She added after a few seconds, studying his expression. "You don't seem to be foolishly trying to make amends either..." She pondered.

"I've ordered the prison cook to give you proper meals." He ignored her tone. Now was not the time to fight. He didn't come here for that, especially since she was actually talking to him, which was more than he could have hoped for.

"So that's really how it is after all. The fact that you only bothered to do something like that now means you want something from me, right? If you want to consult with someone over a meal you should do so with your girlfriend Mai, your sister, or your father. You shouldn't be here. It'd be bad for you if it was known that the crown prince was discussing with traitors. You wouldn't want to lose the life you fought so hard to get back because of something like this, right? It'd be a joke if you were getting cold feet now." She smiled cynically at the ridiculous thought. But then she saw him avert his eyes. Not only she had been spot on about his reason for coming, but she had also warned him the same way Azula had done. And that made him recall how Chenlian and Azula had used similar phrasings right after the events at the North Pole when he and Iroh had nearly been tricked into getting captured. Back then, he had let her go, and she had returned to him. Now... "Eh? I was right?"

"Zuko, don't forget. This fight, this... this is what you wanted. So don't ever regret it."

"NO! I'm as happy as I can be! How could I not?! I have everything that I ever wanted! I redeemed myself!"

"Really? Then why are you here?" Chenlian questioned. But Zuko kept quiet. He couldn't answer after all. She insisted. "Isn't it because you're disappointed that things were not as you imagined they'd be? What did you expect when you came here? What did you want me to do or say? Did you think I would pat your head and praise you or reassure you? Did you think I would say that everything was going to be alright? Well, I won't. If you're going to ask for help and advice from the one you cast aside, there should be a limit to absurdity and selfishness." The girl added icily. That was exactly it. But he really couldn't say it and hung his head. "And aren't you mistaken about something?"

"What do you mean?"

"Do you truly feel that you needed redeption for what you did? Is it the right thing to exile your child just for having spoken out of turn? Is it a crime to be kind and want to protect people? Do you believe that the weak and all those who disagree with you or just think differently should be purged? Honor is not something that can be given but that is earned and deserved by doing the right thing. You should know it."

"I just wanted to regain everything I had lost! What's wrong with that?!" Zuko yelled, his anger and frustration rising. Why won't she understand him?! But also, he was feeling the familiar pricking in his heart that her words often caused whenever they would argue, ever since they had reunited after the North Pole. They hurt and stirred things that he did not want to be touched. She might be right but... he just couldn't admit it... He simply could not bear having the reason he had fought so desperately until then be invalidated.

"You and your self-pitying delusions... you never lost anything since nothing belonged to you in the first place: the status given by your parents, the wealth given by your parents, the servants, the ship given by your family, the revocable birthright... your father always treated you with contempt, and your sister with cruelty. You never got anything on your own. You're really such a joke to get so hung up on those things. Or more like a child. To want to be loved is understandable. And I don't blame you for that. But if you keep clinging, you'll never grow into your own man."

"You've always been loved and treasured by your parents! You can't understand me!" The prince raged, gripping the bars. She was trying to make him see, feel, and understand things he did not want to. And all he could do then was explode at her. However, the opposite was also true. "But despite that... I wanted you by my side! This is your place! You're a noble of the Fire Nation! You should have been the one at my side! I wanted to share this with you more than anyone! I wanted you to regain this life together with me! But you didn't! This is your own fault! Then you wouldn't be in this situation! You're such a fool!"

"You're speaking as if I regret my decision." Chenlian scoffed. "I have no regrets, or maybe only one, that I could not save you. Even if time could be turned back, no matter how many times, I would choose the Avatar... because he would save this world while you would sacrifice it. That is MY pride, and MY path as a noble, and I'll walk it no matter what is to happen to me, no matter how painful and difficult it is. As long as those are my decisions I won't have any regrets, I'll make it so, because I'll turn all my wounds and regrets into lessons." Her eyes were burning intensely with a fierce determination. "Also, it seems you've forgotten something. A true parent is someone who loves you unconditionally. Your father destroyed your family by having your grandfather killed and your mother, who truly loved you, banished. That left only Iroh and I, and you discarded us. And why did your father destroy his family? Because of his obsession for the throne, just like your obsession destroyed us. As long as only you are happy, you don't care about the suffering you cause, as long as you're in control, you don't care if everything else is destroyed. That's why I will never acknowledge you or your family." Then her seething anger slowly boiled down to a profound sorrow. "But you're right, I am a fool. I'm a fool for having believed in you, for thinking that you were different from your family, for thinking that you had learned your lesson. I'm a fool for thinking that you were strong, smart, and kind enough to see and choose the right path. You're right, I'm a fool, but... but... you know, I really loved the kind Zuko who spoke against a plan to sacrifice people, I loved the Zuko who'd rather starve than steal from a pregnant woman. Because you could be like that, because I knew you capable of such goodness that you'd take the pain onto yourself rather than inflict it on others... I hoped I could always watch over you and protect you, I wanted to be your support but... but... you have chosen a different path. You've become one who will sacrifice others for his own ambition... Fire Lord Ozai's proud successor... Congratulation... you've become your father's son." She smiled softly and sadly.

"I don't know who you thought I was, but I've always been my father's son. I've always been me." Following her, Zuko had also quietened a lot. What they understood now was that they could not understand each other, they could not see eye to eye. It was impossible after all. And all that was left to do was to accept it.

"Indeed, just because you were different by a hair breadth, I kept pushing my ideals onto you. Sorry. I was wrong." The young woman acknowledged and apologized.

"Yeah..." The prince started leaving.

"Wait. Take that as a memento." Chenlian threw her hairpin he caught it. Because he knew that lotus hairpin was one of her most prized possessions, he had made it so she could keep it. And she was giving it to him... but as a memento?

"You're not dead." He reminded her, looking back at her. Don't say something so inauspicious. Because her words had reminded him of the bottomless fear he had felt whenever he thought she was going to die... and they stoked that fear and that anger caused by dread that had apparently never been entirely put out.

"It's the same. I should have been killed by Azula. I WAS killed. But for some reason, this body is still alive. It was kept alive at a great cost. So I won't waste this second life. It's foolishness to cling to something that is no longer there. This is a relic of the person I once was. Feel free to throw it away." She looked straight at him with eyes that were asking him to throw it away. The young man clutched the ornament and left without a word. A memento... more than giving a precious object to a precious person so part of her would always be with him, it seemed like she was trying to part from everything that was once her, to sever all ties to her past, discard everything she didn't deem necessary... Even she was rejecting him. Then...

Aang landed in front of On Ji who looked away bashfully. A friend nudged her and she looked up at Kuzon who extended his hand to her. She blushed as he led her out to the dance floor. He demonstrated how people danced in the ballrooms of Ba Sing Se and she emulated him. Sokka commented those two pretty good together.

"Eh, if that's what you like." His sister dismissed him and looked away before stealing a jealous glance at the couple. More children joined Aang and On Ji and started loosening up, pleasing the Avatar who then told them to go freestyle. One of them followed his instructions to the letter and lost himself in a particularly animated dance. The others were slowly getting their groove on. Then Aang came to invite Katara who didn't feel so sure about it. The airbender simply (and masterfully) told her to take his hand. She complied and he led her to the center of the floor and whispered in her ear. They stretched out their arms and touch wrists, circling around the axis thus formed. They caught the attention of the other dancers who stopped to watch, feeling that 'something' was going to happen. "Aang, everyone's watching." The self-conscious girl breathed.

"Don't worry about them. It's just you and me right now." He encouraged her. His self-assured and seductive gaze made her blush and gave her confidence. They began an elaborate dance that included cartwheeling through the air, somersaulting, crouching, and kicking over one another's heads. The crowd was entranced. When the pair finished, they were panting and sweating, but happy. They didn't know that some distance away, the scowling Headmasted, accompanied by Hide and four officers, were observing the entrance of the cave and listening to the music.

"It IS a dancing party. You did the right thing by telling me, Hide." The old man said.

"Anytime, Headmaster, sir." Hide bowed. Inside, the party was in full swing. A boy noted it was incredible, like his inhibitions just disappeared. But then he saw the Headmaster and his entourage enter the cave. Everyone froze under his glare, their inhibitions back again. Aang, oblivious, danced across the two groups. The principal pointed at 'Kuzon', designating him as the one with the headband. Alarmed, the Avatar ran for it, followed by the truant officers. One grabbed a figure whose back was turned to them. It was Shoji who had tied his belt around his head in imitation of his friend. They all searched for the trouble-maker but more and more students suddenly appeared to be wearing headbands. On Ji was one of them. The disoriented soldiers backed into a small cluster in the middle of the cave as the children encircled them. The entire student body was now wearing headbands. At the back, Aang and his friends were escaping down the tunnel Appa had disappeared into earlier. Being last, Aang turned to Shoji, who winked at him. The Avatar bowed Fire Nation style and ran down the tunnel. Two walls of rock abruptly slammed across the tunnel's entrance, sealing it off. Shoji gaped. Kuzon had... earthbended?! The Headmaster was still fuming in the center of the cave, flanked by his officers. Two female soldiers were discreetly (though one more than the other) swaying to the music (which was miraculously still playing). He admonished them and they quickly stood to attention.

The Avatar's party was flying away through the night sky on Appa. Katara told her brother to take off the moustache since they were safe now. He smugly refused, or more like he couldn't as it was 'permanently glued to his skin as he put it.

"Way to go, Dancypants. I think you really did help those kids. You taught them to be free." Toph complimented the airbender.

"I don't know. It was just a dance party, that's all." Dancypants humbly replied, scratching his head and shrugging.

"Well, that was some dance party, Aang." Katara leaned over and kissed his cheek, making him blush happily.

That same night, a hooded Zuko was walking into yard of a seedy industrial quarter somewhere in the Fire Nation's main island. He removed his hood when he heard a clanking noise behind him. That noise was caused by the metallic prostheses serving as the right leg and arm of the gigantic and muscular man to whom they belonged. That man was bearded but bald, and had a third eye tattoo on his forehead.

"You're sure you weren't followed?" The prince questioned, but did not receive a response. "I've heard about you. They say you're good at what you do, and even better at keeping secrets. The Avatar's alive. I want you to find him... and end him."