This story begins during Zuko and Azula's final Agni Kai, and is cartoon compliant (I did not finish the live action.) I have always been interested in how Zuko's reign as Firelord progressed and how the Fire Nation reacted to him - it can't have been easy turning a nationalistic/militaristic regime into the FN we see in TLOK. In this fic, I will be using the Reader as a sort of gateaway into how the FN could possibly move away from its deeply ingrained superiority complex, and become more accepting and open to others. As such, this fic will take place over years. As this fic also deals with the consequences of war, mature themes of imperialism/genocide/propaganda will be present.

Secondly - this is a Zuko/Reader romance, however it will be quite a slowburn! The rating may go up. As of this chapter, Reader is some 3 years older than Zuko. There will be no character bashing in this fic (except maybe for Ozai...)

"How much longer will this take?"

You didn't look up from your work as you rebandaged the leg acros your lap. "At least a few more weeks, Captain."

Captain Li let out a frustrated growl and tipped his head up to stare at the red sky through the high windows of the infirmary building. "I should be with them now! The Fire Lord needs me!" It's a slip of the tongue - not even three days ago, Ozai had been anointed as the Phoenix King, resplendent in gold robes and armour. The ceremony had taken so long that you had almost been sunburnt for the first time in years.

"Phoenix King Ozai appreciates your loyal service I'm sure," you answered. "But today of all days-"

"Today is the day that every faithful man and woman should be at his side, marching proudly across the shores of the Earth Kingdom!"

You were careful not to sigh as his abrupt movements caused the bandages to slip. You have to quickly rewind them. "Indeed Captain."

The veteran grumbles himself into silence. Just as you finished tying the fabric around his knee, he spoke again. "Who is that?"

You followed his pointing finger across the ward, where a soldier sat huddled in bed. A nurse was trying to force a ladle of water to his lips but the man only sweats and shakes, gesturing wildly away from her. "He is one of the few who came back from the Northern conquest," you replied hesitantly.

Captain Li frowned. "Well what's wrong with him? He looks deranged."

"Soldier's sickness, Captain. Water makes it worse for him."

The captain snorted. "Soldier's sickness," he muttered scathingly. "Strong soldiers recover quickly, they don't lounge around in bed for months!"

You decided not to answer him. It's far from a common sentiment after all, but you have worked in the royal infirmary long enough to know that there are plenty of soldiers who come back sicker than they had left - sicker than they should be, according to their leaders like Captain Li, Admiral Zhao, and Fire Lord- Phoenix King Ozai, you corrected yourself hastily. After all, by this evening Princess Azula would be the new Fire Lord. One of the younger nurses had spied the sages on their way to the palace on her break at midday.

It was odd. Usually events such as coronations called for public holidays and compulsory gathering. But in all the rush and splendour of her father's mission, the Princess' ascenscion seemed like a mere footnote.

You didn't mind that so much; Princess Azula always seemed to be watching, even more so than her father. You doubt you would get away with being slow to recite the national prayer of fortune if there had been a public coronation. But it was such a long blessing, the middle stanza never seemed to stick in your mind.

Thunder rumbled mildly outside. Odd, you mused, rinsing your hands in a bowl of clean water. The sages had said that summer storms shouldn't roll in for weeks yet.

"Wait a moment."

You turned back to Captain Li, who was sitting himself up again, ignoring the pain that must be shooting through his calf. "You are Trade Minister Cai-Chen's daughter, yes?"

You bowed. "Yes, Captain Li."

"I thought I'd recognised you," he said knowingly, "I recall your brother... Tao was it?"

"Tanto, Captain."

"Tanto, that's it. Yes, yes - a tragedy of course, he was a promising recruit. Ah well. Worse things to die for, eh?"

You kept your eyes down as you bowed again. "Yes Captain."

Captain Li stroked his beard for a moment. "Anyway, I want you to pass on a message to your father for me - tell him that the Phoenix King mentioned that the new trade lanes to Ba Sing Se may soon be untenable. I don't yet have details, but he'll appreciate the forewarning I'm sure."

"I'm sure he will Captain. I will pass on the message. Thank you."

With that you stood and dusted off your hands on your skirt. Glancing at the windows, you noted the sky had darkened. Red clouds had rolled in. At midday?

"Have you taken your break?" The head healer, Jazo - a thin, severe man who never spoke unless it was to bark orders - addressed you. You shook your head.

"No sir."

"Go-" A clap of thunder sounded, drowning out his words. The two of you turned to the window in surprise, as a flash of lightning appeared overhead. Blue lightning. This time even Jazo frowned, but then he continued. "Go take it now. Come back this afternoon; you will be needed for tonight's shift."

You bowed and he moved on. As you went to the nurses room to remove your apron and wash your face and hands, blue lightning flashed again. By now everyone in the infirmary looked uneasy, gathering at the windows. Whatever Princess Azula was doing at the palace, none of you knew.

But you all knew better than to question.

You noted several of the other nurses quickly collecting their things as you left. Outside was hot and balmy and dark - the deepening red sky felt wrong.

Having prominent parents meant that the Royal Infirmary was not far from home, and so you wasted no time rushing through the streets of Caldera till you got there. Everywhere people had come out to watch the random blue flashes of light coming from the palace plaza; ladies whispered to each other behind their fans, and even the soldiers had no answers, only gawking at the sky in confusion.

When you reached home, both your parents are watching from a window.

"... a fine display of Fire Lord Azula's prowess, I'm sure," your mother was speaking. She glanced over her shoulder as you entered. "Any news of our new Fire Lord's coronation?"

"No, Mother," you replied.

"Jia, I'm telling you, this is most abnormal," your father said, still peering at the sky. Your mother only rolled her eyes.

Within the hour, the blue flashes of lightning had stopped. You had just finished a bowl of rice when a sudden hammering came at the door.

You do not need to be in the hallway to hear the news.

"By decree of Fire Lord Zuko, all members of his ministry are to stay in their homes until further notice!"

Your head snapped up. Had the messenger misspoke? You could have sworn he'd said Zuko.

Mother and Father spend the rest of the day shut in the study; only appearing to tell you not to return to the infirmary that night. Even Jazo would not defy your mother. She had earned too many medals in service to the nation. Still, you wished you could be there, doing your duty and helping soldiers rather than being shut in at home. Nobody would argue that there had been some strange and unusual goings-on in the royal palace over the past year - but it had never before affected your life.

You spent the rest of the day instead watching Min, your sister, practice her firebending in the garden. Her giggles floated through the blossoms - the only sound of normality in this increasingly tense day. She is a happy child, forever chafing under her tutor's instructions, and your parents have long been anxious to install a sense of discipline in her.

It was well past sunset when someone knocked, quieter this time, at the door again. You heard rapid whispering from the hallway before the visitor scurried out again. Within minutes, you are called downstairs.

Your father was standing at the table, reading a piece of parchment over and over. He only set it down once you entered. "My daughters," he said nervously. "Listen well. Everything is about to change. Fire Lord Ozai is... gone. As is Princess Azula."

Min yawned sleepily. You stared at him. "Gone?" you echoed. "To the Earth Kingdom?"

The apple in your father's throat bobbed as he swallowed. "Deposed. Most likely dead-"

"Most unlikely," Mother's sneering voice came. She swept in to stand beside him. She had already added her hair ornaments and pristine makeup. "Nothing has yet been announced. We are going to the palace as soon as you are both presentable."

This made sense to you; but Min whined, "Why? It's dark!"

Lady Jia frowned at her and came forward to pluck the comb out of her hands. "Because we must. And do not argue with me." She began combing Min's hair into two tight braids.

"But why?"

You however, had more pertinent questions. "Deposed by who?" you asked your father faintly. It made no sense. Who could possibly beat Ozai or Azula?

Your father's face seemed to go through a myriad of expressions before he finally answered. "The Avatar-"

"Ow!" Min cried as her hair was twisted into a high bun.

"-and Prince Zuko."

"Prince Zuko?" You couldn't help exclaiming. "But-"

Surprisingly, your mother didn't tell you off for questioning. "I know, it is unexpected. But you must control yourself. We will go to pay tribute to him now."

"And pray the Avatar isn't there," Father muttered, "Else he kills us all."

"What!" Min cried.

Your father ignored her. "Shouldn't they be wearing white?" he questioned his wife.

Lady Jia shook her head as she finished fixing Min's hair. "No, red is best. We don't want toappearovertly sympathetic," she said curtly. She bent down to where Min was stood in terror. "The Avatar is a bitter person, who seeks to assert his power over us," she told her youngest softly, wiping the tears from the girl's cheeks. "But you won't be afraid Min. Because we are Fire Nation - and we are blessed with strength and fortitude in abundance. Like Tanto. Now,are you afraid?"

The girl's eyes moved to you uncertainly. "No," she answered tremulously.

"And what will you be?"

"Brave, Mother."

As Min was fussed over, Father passed you the note he was holding. You read it quickly, and your head jerked up to stare at him. "House arrest?"

"Temporarily," he assured you tightly. "But you won't be; if anything the medical wings will be full. Tomorrow, you are to go about your business as normal, but keep your ear to the ground," he instructed. "Who knows what the Avatar plans next?"

As the ostrich-horse carriage rolled to a stop in front of the palace steps, Min sniffed and tugged your sleeve. "I don't like it!" she protested quietly, her dark eyes wide and fixed on the huge doors.

The carriage door opened as Mother looked at you both sharply. "Shoulders straight, keep your eyes down. Copy me exactly. He will not address either of you. We are loyal citizens and we have nothing to fear." She would be the very picture of composure, with her high glossy bun and painted lips, if her hands were not trembling. Her fingers clenched and unclench around a gilded fan before drawing further into the sleeves of her red kimono.

"Yes Mother."

Lady Jia spread her fan. "And remember: his title is Fire Lord now, not Prince. Min stop crying! And don't hold your sister's hand once we are in the throne room. Behave properly." With that, she climbed out after your father. A small group of anxious and angry nobles had already begun to gather in the plaza.

Tugging your sister along, you squeezed Min's small hand in yours, following your parents up the wide steps and through the heavy metal doors until they came to a second, even larger set. These were richly oiled and carved with matching dragons. The guard bid you all wait, and your family stands in tense silence.

Behind her large fan, you thought Mother's lips were moving, but you were too distracted by Min's fidgeting to listen. "Remember what Mother said," you whispered to your sister, still clinging to your hand. "Eyes on the ground and bow to the floor."

"Okay," Min whispered back.

Then the grand doors opened; the man who shuffled out, still facing forward, seemed passingly familar to you. He turned, caught Father's eye with a fleeting expression of recognition, and nodded. Father returned the gesture.

"Enter," the guard declared - and without missing a beat, both your parents straightened their backs and walked in uniform through the doors, the two of you following them.

You released your grip on Min's hand and kept your gaze low. You had never actually been presented to Fire Lord Ozai, only glimpsed him from the sidelines at state occassions, and even then he had seemed far too above you to properly look at his face. You did remember his sleek black hair and sharp cheekbones though, and as you folded your knees to the floor, pressing your forehead against the warm wood, you dredged up every memory you had of the previous Fire Lord to prepare yourself to look upon his son.

"My glorious Fire Lord," you heard Father say. "I am Minister Cai-Chen. I have come with my family to assure you of our fealty and congratulate you on your most deserved and welcome ascension to the throne."

The voice that answered him with quieter and softer than you expected. "Rise."

Hearing the swish of silks, you glanced up and then nudged Min to copy your parents as they raised their heads from the ground. The light of flames surrounding the Fire Lord's throne caused you to squint before focusing, but all you could make out was the golden headpiece on the Fire Lord's topknot.

"Minister Cai-Chen," Fire Lord Zuko said, "You were... Minister of Trade, yes?"

"Yes, Fire Lord," Father answered proudly. "I oversaw colony shipments and army provisions to our brave soldiers on the front line. I will of course, be honoured to continue to serve you."

A pause. "I see. Thank you for your service." Another pause. "I have not yet decided on my new cabinet."

You felt rather than saw your father's surprise.

"I- Of course, my Fire Lord. I would not presume to know your mind," he replied hurriedly.

"And yet..." Your eyes flew to her mother as she spoke up. "After many years of good service, we would be distraught not to continue be of aid to the crown." Fire Lord Zuko's topknot turned towards your mother. "Lady Jia, my Lord," Mother added, bowing her head graciously. "Sadly not all of my surviving children are firebenders, but both have their merits. Our eldest son died in the siege on the water tribe - such is our family's devotion to thegreatnessof our nation."

Father's head nodded rapidly in anxious affirmation.

"Your son's death was a tragedy," the Fire Lord's voice answered. "I can promise you, Lady Jia, that you will lose no more of your children to senseless violence."

You blinked in confusion. Senseless violence? Tanto had died with honour for the nation.

Clearly, Mother had not expected that answer either; she stumbled over her words as she replied. "Thank you, Fire Lord. I have been blessed with two more children-" she moved aside slightly, and you suddenly felt her hand on your back pushing you to shuffle forward. You balked in shock before doing so. "My eldest daughter is a trained and talented medic. If you are ever in need-"

"I don't need a healer," Fire lord Zuko interrupted. Mother's hand curled against your spine.

"My Lord," your father interjected quickly. Fire Lord Zuko looked back at him, and this time you got a clear look at him. He was young, was the first thing you recognised; younger than you by at least a few years. The second thing you noticed was his scar, red and raw, almost obscuring one golden eye. You couldn't help staring in confusion. How could this- thisboyhave bested Princess Azula? "Forgive my impertinence, my exalted liege, but may I ask when the funeral rites will take place? So that we may prepare appropriately."

The Fire Lord frowned uncertainly. "Funeral?"

Father blinked as an uneasy silence fell. "Yes, Fire Lord. For... your predecessor?"

He was prying, gently. And Fire Lord Zuko seemed to know exactly what he meant. "My father," he answered stiffly, "is not dead. Nor is my sister."

Your father paled slightly. "Apologies, Fire Lord," he replied. "I-"

"Thank you, Minister and Lady Jia, for your loyalty. You may go."

It was clear your audience was over; with murmurs and bows, the family stood and retreated. As you did so, you risked another glance at the Fire Lord's face - but all you could see was flames.

Finally you were back in the carriage, Min happy enough now that the worst was over. But your parents had changed. You could see the anger in your mother's eyes and the anxiety in your father's sudden restlessness. "He won't pick me!" he exclaimed to his wife, "Did you hear how he reacted?"

"Of course I heard Kaido!" Mother snapped tersely. "You'll have to go back and offer your services again."

"Yes, but-"

"Though I suspect," your mother continued, "the boy lord is heeding advice from his uncle."

Your father shook his head slightly. "Iroh? I doubt it... But he is at least a proper-"

"A cowardly turncoat, lazy and fat you mean!" She chuckled sourly. "I'd be surprised if Iroh wasn't the one who planned this; no Fire Nation man gets to that age in that family without thinking ahead." Your eyes moved between them. "No, Zuko's just a figurehead. Who ever heard of a burned Fire Lord," your mother added with disdain.

"But if he won't last, then better to throw our lot in with Iroh then!" Father replied. His breathing seemed erratic. "I don't know how we're supposed to finish the house on Ember Island without the wages."

Your mother's eyes went bright with outrage. "And then we all get banished when the true Fire Lord returns? Don't be a fool Kaido! We mustn't do anything yet. Besides," she added spitefully, "Zuko may not even reach his coronation day. He's too weak."