Zuko
When I wake up the next Day, Katara's not in the bed next to me. Either I slept through her sneaking in and getting up, she didn't have any nightmares, or she just didn't think it was worth the risk getting caught slipping into my room with Sokka and Hakoda staying in the same hall. Whatever the case, I hate the bed being empty where she's slept the last few days.
I get up and stretch, smiling at the tray of tea and breakfast with a note on it.
Good Morning Fire Prince,
I love you. Peace Summit starts at noon. I'll back any decisions you make in there. See you soon.
Love , Katara
I smile and look at the sundial on my windowsill. It's almost 10, which sends a shock through me. I used to never sleep this late. I'll need to instruct the servants to start waking me up at dawn. Whatever the case, I hurry to eat, do a workout, shower, and then get dressed in my best clothes. Since I'm technically not Fire Lord until after my coronation next week, I'm the Fire Prince Regent, I use the hair Piece Uncle Iroh gave me instead of the Fire Lord's piece. Once I'm satisfied I'm presentable, I see it's 11:45 and I head to the War Room where the summit will take place. Servants are busy getting everything set up, and I see the whole Gaang minus Aang, plus my Uncle Iroh and Katara's father Hakoda. Katara notices me first, and gets up to give me a hug.
"Nice of you to finally join the party, Zuko!" Sokka says to me. "Would have said hi yesterday but Katara said you were still on bed rest."
"Healers orders, not my choice." I chuckle. "She's pretty stubborn." I finish, and Katara lightly hits my arm.
"Hey, he got struck by lightning to save me, I just wanted to make extra sure he was completely healed. At least this time it only took a few days instead of several weeks."
"You've healed him from a lightning strike before?" Hakoda asks. I nod, but Iroh answers him before I can.
"Yes, several months ago when she was a guest on our ship before we switched sides in the war. Katara was on deck during a storm and Zuko sensed the lightning coming, pushing her out of the way and getting struck himself. Katara was already a capable healer, but without training it took her several weeks to heal him. We were very grateful to her."
"Anyways, I'm excited for you two, but I do have to issue the Big Brother warning. Hurt her, and Fire Lord or not I'll kill you. Understand?" Sokka tells him.
"Father's warning too." Hakoda winks and raises his glass to me. I laugh as Katara blushes.
"Understood."
"I just want to say I've known about them for weeks and kept my mouth shut." Toph announces.
"You knew we liked each other, Toph. We didn't get together until a few days ago." Katara rolls her eyes.
"Whatever you say, Sugar Queen."
"I'm glad you two are together." Suki says. "I've thought you'd be good for each other ever since Sokka and Zuko busted me out of prison and I saw how you two acted around each other."
"Yeah, she's always had an eye for what works well together." Sokka says and puts his arm around her. I used to be jealous of how easily they're together around everyone, but now I don't have to be anymore.
"Would you like some Jasmine Tea, Prince Zuko?" Uncle Iroh asks me. I smile and nod and he pours me a cup. As I take a sip one of the Palace administrators, Yen Lee, comes up and bows.
"Prince Regent Zuko, The Earth King And the Northern Water Chief and Princess have arrived. May I show them in?"
"Of course, Yen Lee." I say and return his bow. "Do you know where Avatar Aang is?" I ask.
"Yes, my Prince. He asked not to be disturbed until the meeting started."
"Well, send for him as well. The summit is starting."
"Yes, Fire Prince." He bows again and hurries off. I turn to everyone and they're all looking down. Sokka takes a deep breath and puffs his cheeks out when he releases it.
"So…Aang knows?" Suki asks. I nod.
"We didn't get to break the news as gently as I'd have liked." Katara says quietly. "He…Kind of walked in on us when Zuko kissed me goodbye yesterday."
"Ouch." Toph winces.
"I talked with him after." I say. "He was angry and hurt, but we had smoothed things over by the end of it. I may not be his favorite person, but we're okay."
"Good." Hakoda says. "Now would be a bad time to not have the Avatar on your side."
"I agree. Now lets get seated and welcome our guests." Iroh says. We all take our seats, me at the head of the table with Katara on my right and a seat and Uncle Iroh on my left. Chief Arnook and King Kuei come in and get seated along with their own advisors and warriors, and eventually Aang, who sits at the opposite side of the Table from me. Once he's seated, I Nod to the servants to close the doors. We all bow to each other, and I clasp forearms with Hakoda and Arnook. Sokka comes in a minute later with Yue and sit between their fathers, and from the blush on Yue's cheeks I can guess it was a warm welcome between them.
"As the host, I'll get things started." I say. "The First thing I'd like to do is apologize on behalf of my nation and ancestors for the last century of war. I know it was my great grandfather Sozin who started it, wiping out the Air Nomads. It was my grandfather Azulon who put all the Southern Waterbender in Captivity. And it was my Father who tried to annihilate the Earth Kingdom. But I am not them. My lineage on my Father's side gives me claim to the throne, but it's the lineage on my mother's side that I'm choosing to embrace. She was the granddaughter of Avatar Roku, and as the descendant of the last avatar I'm pleased I get to help bring the world back into balance. That being said, I'm prepared to make reparations for the devastation my people have caused. However, I would like to remind everyone we didn't lose the war. We won, and I'm choosing to take a different path, but my military and country are still fully operational and loyal. My nation will help rebuild the world, but I will not have my people punished. Only war criminals. Is that understood?" I say, looking at each leader in the eye. Other than Hakoda, they all get a tight look on their face, but no one disagrees. "Very well. I'll hear from the Southern Water Tribe First." I say and Gesture to Hakoda.
"I think the first order of business is obvious. You've had all of our benders in captivity for the last 60 years. From what Katara tells me she learned from an escaped prisoner named Hama, they were not executed, but have had beyond harsh living situations. I would like those who have survived to be released immediately, and we will take them home." He says. I nod.
"I'll find where they're being kept, and those still alive will be released by the end of the day." I assure him.
"Beyond that, Our Sister Tribe in the North has decided to help us rebuild our tribe." He says, nodding to Arnook. "We thank you for your support. But I'd like The Fire Nation to set up a messenger Hawk nest in Wolf Cove, the capital of the South. That way if we need any assistance the Fire Nation can help with, we can communicate swiftly and the help will come free of charge."
"It will be done to the limit of putting our own economy under." I tell him. "You're not the only nation that needs help rebuilding, and if we go under then we can't help the others as well. If it starts to hurt us too bad, we'll need to charge for it. But we'll do so as cheaply as we possibly can." Hakoda nods at me, accepting this as fair.
"King Keiu?" I prompt.
"The first thing I'd of course like to say is that you need to move your soldiers out of Earth Kingdom Territory, effective immediately. I want all of my land and territories back and under my rule."
"We'll have to do that in stages. The Earth Kingdom is too large for a massive evacuation all at once. We'll start at the center and pull out as you replace my soldiers and police with those of your own. Otherwise there would be anarchy left in the void."
"A good start, Prince Zuko." The Earth King says grouching. "Past that, I expect financial help rebuilding all that the Fire Nation has destroyed in my kingdom. And manpower if we need it in rebuilding."
"Same as with the Southern Water Tribe, I'll provide it for free to a point of it hurting my own Nation. Past that, I'll make it as affordable as possible."
"I wouldn't mind your economy hurting a little bit." He responds, to which I shoot him a look. "But as you have so graciously reminded us, you didn't actually lose the war. Which means, regrettably, you get to set the terms."
"Correct." I say flatly.
"Then this satisfies me. For now. We'll talk about the logistics of you removing your troops later."
"Agreed. Chief Arnook?" I prompt, looking to him.
"Our people are fine. Your war didn't hurt us as a nation much. Our architecture is made from our bending, so we were able to rebuild quickly. However, many brave warriors still died during the failed invasion this past year. 52 to be exact. Money won't end their families grief, but it may help their suffering. I request a sum of a hundred gold pieces be given to each of those families. Our community does our best to support them, but that's about a years wages, and would give them a year to grieve before having to return to life out of necessity instead of because they're ready."
"I understand. And I agree. Now, I can't do that for every soldier who's fallen at Fire Nation hands-" I say, looking to the Earth King and Hakoda. "-That would bankrupt my nation. I'll do it for the North since the request is manageable, and there was the least amount of war between our two nations."
"Thank you, Prince Zuko." Arnook says with a respectful nod. I look to Aang.
"Aang? We'll talk to you as the avatar later. But right now, as the only surviving member of the Air Nomads, is there anything that we can do to help you in your journey to rebuild the Air Nation?" I ask. He sighs.
"I won't be able to put my full focus on that until the world is back in Balance. As much as I want that to be my first priority, the past avatars have spoken to me and reminded me of my responsibilities as the current Avatar. For now, I'll present two requests: Oversee the reparations of the four air temples. Make them exactly as they were. And I ask that the Fire, Earth, and Water nations all ask their citizens to track their genealogy, find those that have air nomads in their ancestry. I've discovered the ability, unique to the Avatar, called energy bending. I learned this wisdom from a very wise Lion Turtle. Energy Bending allows me to give or remove bending. So those who are descendants of Air Nomads, should they be interested in joining the Air Nation, Once my I'm able to put my focus on the Air Nation, I'll grant them Air Bending. That's all I'll ask of you as an Air Nomad." He says, and the rest of us sit in silence at the revelation of what he just said, until Hakoda clears his throat.
"Aang, just to make sure I didn't mishear you, you said you have the ability to give and take away bending?" He asks. Aang nods.
"Yes. It's a great power I will do my best never to abuse."
"And you want us to find descendants of Air Nomads?" Keiu asks. "I wasn't aware there were any. And even if they do exist, why would they be in our kingdoms?"
"The air nation was wiped out by Sozin a hundred years ago, yes. But my people were nomads. We traveled. Most were at my home in the Southern Air Temple to watch the comet as it passed. Every hundred years the host rotated. But some, maybe a few dozen, were visiting friends in other nations. They would have gone into hiding after the genocide, hiding their identities as best they could. Their tattoos would have put a target on their back. But I'm sure some would have been able to hide, and maybe found new families. If any of them had children, those stories would have been passed down in their families. And even before the war, my people were not a celibate one. They could have had children they never knew about in the course of their travels. Even if it's not a lot, I'm sure there are some." He tells us. I cough, an old rumor coming into my head.
"I actually might know one of them. You do too, Aang. Ty Lee. It's long been rumored that her father was not the legitimate child of his parents, but the bastard of his mother and an Air Nomad. His parents always denied it, of course. Ty Lee's grandmother is elderly, but still alive. If she knows it won't lose her family's noble standing, she might confirm if the rumor is true or not. I'll speak with her privately as soon as these meetings are over. As well as send an edict out throughout the nation asking any who are willing to come forward."
"Thank you, Zuko." He nods to me.
"I'll inquire of my tribe." Hakoda says. "But I wouldn't get my hopes up."
"I will do the same." Arnook agrees. We all look to Keiu. He takes a heavy breath.
"The Earth Kingdom will be more difficult, because it is more vast. But that means if there are any descendants, they will probably be located deeper into my territory, which at the time would have been far away from the Reach of the Fire Nation. I'll send edicts to every city and town. If any come forward, I'll release their Earth Kingdom citizenship so they may join the Air Nation."
"May your people become strong once again." Arnook tells him. Aang bows to each of them.
"Thank you all. Now as Avatar, I must ask Zuko what his plans are for the Fire Nation moving forward." Aang says, and everyone looks to me. Katara squeezes my hand under the table and smiles at me. We've talked about it a bit over the last few days. I look to Uncle and he winks at me. And hearing what Aang can do about energy bending, an idea comes into my head regarding my sister.
"First, I'd like to ask you a favor, Aang. I haven't been sure what to do with Azula. She's too powerful to keep here on house arrest, but I don't like the idea of sending her to The Boiling Rock. At the moment, that's the only place that could hold her on a long term basis. But, her power comes from her bending. If you were to take that away from her, we could keep her here under house arrest. And maybe over time she could get better. Maybe even find redemption like I did. But even if not, she still couldn't hurt people with her bending. Or, at least not as easily."
"You want me to take your sister's fire bending?" He asks. I nod.
"It's either that, the Boiling Rock, or execution." I tell him. He blanches.
"Sure. I'll go see her when the Peace Summit ends."
"Thank you." I nod at him. "Now to answer your question. Before my great grandfather Sozin, the Fire Nation was different. We didn't seek to dominate the world. Our fire came from the sun, not our anger. Fire brought life, not destruction. I'm going to start with the schools, teach the true history of the war, not the propaganda my father and ancestors taught. And the training centers for fire benders, I'm going to make sure the masters there teach their pupils to draw their power from the sun and not their anger. Make us a nation of great people again, not just powerful people."
"I think that is a wise start, Prince Zuko." Uncle Iroh smiles at me.
"Me too. When we were in hiding before the Day of Black Sun, I went to a Fire Nation school for a few days. We lived among those in the nation. They're not evil people, they're just…wrong. They've been taught wrong. It won't be easy to undo a century of propaganda, but this sounds like a good place to start." Aang smiles a small smile at me.
We go on talking for the next few hours about logistics of everything. It's Five O'Clock when it seems like everything's been discussed, except one thing. I've been dreading bringing it up because I know Aang won't like it, but in the end I don't have to because Sokka brings it up instead.
"So, Zuko, before we wrap up. What do you plan on doing with your father and the other war criminals from your military?" He asks.
"I'll request that all war criminals, from all nations including my own, have public executions. Targeting civilians and killing soldiers who've surrendered honorably, no matter how much footing it may get in war, is never acceptable." I tell everyone. Then I turn to Hakoda, Sokka, and Katara. "This includes Yen Ra. He was the the man who killed your wife and mother. Kaya deserves justice, as do all the victims of the war." Hakoda gets a hard look on his face, but nods at me. Katara and Sokka look at me with slack jaws.
"Zuko, No! How could you even consider something like that?!" Aang protests.
"I disagree with the Avatar." King Keiu states. "This, to me, seems entirely necessary and fair. I'll do an investigation over the next year. Any of my men who have targeted civilians or killed already surrendered soldiers will be tried, and if found guilty, executed."
"I can't say I have any war criminals in my tribe since we have not engaged much in the war, but I agree with the notion. Accountability needs to be held. History needs a president for those who commit such horrible acts." Arnook states.
"You will also not find any such criminals in the South to my knowledge." Hakoda states. "But I also support the idea."
"No!" Aang shouts. "The precident we set to end the war can't be one of more violence!"
"I'm sorry, Aang." Sokka tells him. "I know you don't like it. You found a way out of having to take the Fire Lord's life yourself. But this is a reality of life and war. In this case, it really is not about Revenge, but justice. I know I don't have an official vote here, but if I did, I'd cast it in support."
"Katara, surely you can't support this!" Aang pleads with her. She looks to me, then the ground, then back to Aang.
"Yes, I do."
"I understand this is difficult for you, Avatar Aang. Executions hurt my heart as well. But I am also in Favor." Yue says gently, speaking for the first time, squeezing Sokka's hand tighter.
"This is unbelievable! The whole reason I didn't kill Fire Lord Ozai is to avoid this kind of bloodshed!"
"Speaking of Fire Lord Ozai, Prince Zuko," Keiu says, turning to me. "What is your plan with your father?" I take a deep breath.
"It was his plan to use the comet to burn the Earth Kingdom to the ground, no survivors. He was going to be at the front of that attack. He'll be executed with the rest of the War Criminals."
"No!" Aang shouts. "If you do this, none of you are any better than him!"
"Aang, Please." Katara says quietly.
"Why be willing to spare your sister but not your Father?!" Aang pleads with me.
"Because my sister is fourteen." I say to him tightly. "Azula has always been horrible. She took after my father, and it was awful growing up with her. But if we remove my father's influence from her, maybe she can get better. I did."
"Fine. If you all want to keep perpetuating violence, then what do you even need an Avatar for?" He says, getting up. "I'm leaving!" He stalks out of the room and slams the door, making me wince. We're all quiet for a minute.
"He…does know that he's killed people before, right?" Arnook says after a minute. "I saw him at the siege of the North Pole. Even before he joined with the Ocean spirit, he was sinking ships left and right. There were a lot of Fire Benders who died in the North Sea."
"Yeah..We noticed after a while he somehow didn't realize that killed people." Sokka says. "And then we found out he has this whole moral dilemma about killing. We've been scared that if we tell him, it would break him."
"Now that the war's over, it might be time He knew." Suki says.
"IF we tell him," Toph says. "I suggest it be Sugar Queen that break the news. And that I'm there too, so I can put him in the ground if he loses it until he calms down. Or maybe in a metal slab. Even in the Avatar State, I don't think any of them knew metal bending."
"That's something personal. We can talk about it after the Summit ends." Katara says. "Is there anyone else that has a grievance to share, a question to ask, a proposition to propose?" She asks, looking around the table. No one says anything.
"Then we all thank you for coming. Enjoy our hospitality as long as you like, then enjoy your journey home." Iroh tells them, getting up to bow. I do likewise.
"Thank you for all coming. Let's hope the world we make is a better one that we've endured."
…
Hours later, I stand alone in my room pacing back and forth, trying to get the nerve to talk to Hakoda. I get jarred out of my thoughts when someone knocks on my door, and then Uncle Iroh sticks his head in.
"You did well today, Prince Zuko. I'm rethinking waiting a year to go back to Ba Sing Se."
"Heh. No, Uncle. I may know how to lead a ship, but I'll need some help leading a country. I appreciate your guidance, and agreeing to help me the first year until I get a feel for it."
"Of course, Nephew. It's my pleasure." He says and sits down. Now, everything went well today. So please tell me what bothers you so."
"How do you know something's bothering me?" I ask.
"Because you've worn a path in the carpet from your pacing." He laughs. I look down and feel my face heat up, seeing he's right.
"Oh. Well, I'm nervous about talking to Hakoda. About asking for permission to Marry Katara."
"Well that's wonderful news!" Iroh says, getting up to give me a hug. "And about time. You've been in love with the young lady ever since she boarded our ship. Back then I simply hoped she would distract you away from your obsession with capturing the Avatar. Now I'm thrilled to see you join your life to her."
"But what if her dad doesn't agree? I mean it'll be hard enough to get the Fire Sages to agree to a marriage, but I also have to get Katara's father and entire tribe to agree!" I say, and sit down on the bed with my fingers rubbing my temples. Uncle Iroh Sits down next to me and puts his hand on my shoulder.
"You don't have to convince her tribe. Only her father. Hakoda is a strong man and leader. You convince him, he will convince the tribe."
"Honestly I think I'd rather face her tribe than her Father." I groan. Iroh chuckles.
"That's because he, more than anyone else, gets to decide your fate. But I have no worries about his answer. You're a fine young man, and will make both a good Fire Lord and husband. So stop pacing. I saw him by the duck pond with Sokka." He tells me. I sigh and get up.
"You're right. Thank you, Uncle." I straighten my shirt and head out to the gardens. "Spirits, let this go well.
I catch up to Hakoda and Sokka right before they go inside.
"Hey, wait!" I call, and they turn to me.
"Yes, Zuko?" Hakoda asks.
"What's up, buddy? Going to ask if we'll take Katara back from you already? No such luck, she's your problem now, Jerk Bender." He laughs and slaps his leg.
"Uhhhhh…no. Kinda the opposite. I'm glad you're both here." I say, and take a deep breath to calm my nerves. Best approach is probably the direct one. "I want to talk about marrying Katara." I tell them. Sokka stops laughing.
"What?" Hakoda asks.
"Already?" Sokka chimes. I fight the anxiety from rising up in me.
"I want to Marry Katara." I repeat. "I love her. And I want her by my side every day the rest of my life. And she's made it clear to me she wants this too. On my end of things I need to get the approval of the Fire Sages, but I know that in the South Pole I also need the whole Tribe's approval. I thought the best place to start was with her father and brother." I look both of them steady in the eye the whole time, trying not to let my nerves take over. "Of Course as Fire Lady, she'll always be comfortable. And I believe she'll make an amazing leader for my people, helping them to face the changes we'll be making in our society. But this wouldn't be a political marriage. As Fire Lady she'll know purpose and comfort, but as my wife she'll always know what it means to be truly cherished. I promise. So please, can I count on your blessing to marry your daughter, Sir?" I ask Hakoda. "And your sister?" I turn to Sokka, who's staring at me a little slack Jawed. Hakoda just rubs his chin and is silent for a minute, walking over to sit on a bench. Finally, after what seems like an eternity but is probably only a few minutes, he comes back over to me.
"Thank you for respecting our tribe's customs, Zuko. I'll grant you my blessing and convince the tribe to do the same." He sticks his hand out, and I lock forearms with him. My heart beats faster with excitement. He gave his blessing, this is really going to happen now. "But-" He starts, and my spirits fall a bit. "-Not right away. In the Fire Nation it may be different, but in our tribe women are not old enough to be betrothed until sixteen, and the engagement lasts a year. Katara only turned 15 two months ago." He tells me.
"Wait her birthday passed?" I ask, looking to Sokka. "After I had joined up with you guys? Why didn't anyone tell me?"
"She doesn't like a fuss about it." Sokka shrugs.
"The point is, Zuko, it'll be another ten months before she can be betrothed. Selfishly, I'm glad for that. I've missed the last two years of her life, I don't want to miss any more. You have ten months to convince your Fire Sages. I'll work on my tribe." We lock arms again and shake. "You're a good man. You'll make a fine husband."
"Thank you, Sir." I say and let go.
"Let's go, Sokka." Hakoda says, and they both walk off. "So, you really think the North is trying to-" They get far enough away, I don't care what he was saying. When I'm sure I'm alone, I whoop and holler. It may take another two years, but I've got the first blessing of many that I need.
Katara's going to be my wife.