Gladiator

by Seyary-Minamoto

In a world where the Avatar wasn't found, the Fire Nation took over two nations and they strive to overcome the last one. Water Tribe warrior Sokka seeks to fight for his people's rights, but he's captured by his enemies. His life is no longer in his hands as he fights as a Gladiator, and his fate will eventually depend on the Fire Nation Princess, who needs him for her own ends...

132. Chapter 132: Sokka's Student 1

Sweat rolled down the bridge of his nose as he pushed himself up and down with the power of his arms. His muscles were tensed, still not as toned as they used to be, but he wasn't dissatisfied by that. He already had a lot more strength than what he'd had a month ago.

Sometimes Sokka wondered if, whenever he got beaten up by someone, he would become more resistant and resilient than he had been before. Song was impressed by the quick pace of his recovery ever since he had started working out again, but while she seemed to have no theories on how he achieved such quick comebacks, Sokka had come up with a few of his own.

His favorite theory, though, wasn't that he'd heal faster whenever he was dealt a lot of damage. No, his favorite was a very wishful theory, no doubt, and it was terribly convenient for him, too… yet, if proven true, it would justify him spending lots of time with Azula, since he firmly believed that her very company was healing for him.

She had frequented his house more often these days, something he was stoked about. She would coach him through his recovery with mild exercises at first, with the occasional teasing menace of how much rougher she'd become if he got lazy; naturally, he knew she was bluffing. Most their exercise sessions ended with the two of them relaxing together on the couch, sipping juice to cool off after working out for most the day. And for each of her visits, Sokka would always have her necklace ready for her to wear. The sight of it decorating her neck always seemed to take his breath away.

Azula hadn't arrived yet today, but Sokka intended to work on his fitness all the same. He knew she'd drop by sooner or later, so he kept himself busy with the usual exercises Azula recommended.

His strength was returning, though, to the point where he could pick up his sword and practice in the backyard if he wanted to. So, after finishing his pushups, he picked up Space Sword and began working on his swordsmanship.

Halfway through his shifting between stances, as droplets of sweat rolled down Sokka's bare chest, a large shadow appeared overhead. Sokka raised his gaze and smiled brightly as he watched Xin Long descending on the backyard. On his back, Azula smirked, watching him approvingly.

"Well, well, what do we have here?" she asked. "Are you going to dump a bucket of water over yourself again, by any chance?"

"Heh, I get the feeling you'd like that," Sokka said, winking at her as he approached her. Azula jumped off the saddle, failing to hold back the smile that spread over her face.

He stepped closer but held back from full contact even as he leaned down to kiss her. The Princess wore her golden armor today, the mark of an important occasion, and Sokka had the feeling she would rather not have her immaculate appearance marred by any of his sweat stains…

Yet it was Azula who pulled him closer, kissing him deeply and letting her hands caress his chest and back. She hummed approvingly even before the kiss ended, delighted by the sensations of his skin against her own.

"I guess the training really is paying off," she said, with a mischievous smirk. Sokka laughed.

"I'm glad you seem pleased," he said, caressing her face. "Here I thought you wouldn't want to deal with a smelly, sweaty guy when you're looking so beautiful and neat…"

"Well, I certainly didn't expect to find you like this," Azula confessed, her hands traveling over his arms now. "But I'm not one to complain over such pleasant surprises. Though I really shouldn't get much of your sweat on me…"

"Really, now?" Sokka asked, stroking her hair now. "Is it just because you're trying to tease me for being a yucky, smelly guy?"

"As fun as it could be to tease you about that, I'm afraid there is a reason why I can't be unkempt today," said Azula, with an awkward smile. "My father wants to talk to you."

"Your… father?" Sokka said, and with those words, the hypnotic situation as their bodies swayed so close to each other ended abruptly. "What for?"

"He wants to talk about what you saw, what you heard… everything you can give him on the White Lotus," Azula said, sighing and shrugging. "And, uh, clearly you can't expect to show up in the Palace looking like this, can you?"

"Oh, why's that? Will everyone be jealous because they're not as handsome and fit as I am?" said Sokka, smirking and curling up an arm. The muscles tensed on it, and he smiled wildly. "Hey! I actually was just going for a bad joke, but I guess I really can do that properly now…"

"Of course you can," said Azula, smiling fondly at him too. "And while I doubt they'll be jealous, they should be. You are quite a sight to behold like this, I'll say."

"Hey, now, Princess, if you keep saying that sort of stuff, I'm going to end up postponing this meeting with your father for a couple of weeks or so," Sokka said, biting his lip. "The two of us have some private, pressing matters to tend to, and I'd prioritize those above your father's…"

"Tempting, but we really don't," said Azula, smiling. "Nothing is as urgent as what the Fire Lord wants. So, you're going to clean up, and then we'll take off. We have quite the hectic day ahead of us."

"We do? Do you think the conversation will drag on?" Sokka asked, as the two of them filed together towards the house's external bathroom.

"I can't be sure, but that's not the only thing in our schedule," said Azula, with a curt smile. "Turns out the aircraft factory is finally operational. My father means to officially inaugurate it today, right after he's done with questioning you."

"Oh, goodness," said Sokka, gulping. "And… are we expected to be there?"

"As a matter of fact, yes," said Azula. "He thinks you deserve it, after your displays of courage and loyalty, and after playing such a vital role in the development of the aircrafts. Consider this my father's special brand of rewards for his favorite subjects…"

"Wait, I'm his what, now?" Sokka asked, as they stopped at the bathroom's threshold. "You're kidding, aren't you?"

"I was, but… actually, maybe he does like you a lot better than expected," Azula mused, raising her eyebrows. Sokka gulped, but soon smiled.

"If that's the case… do you think he'll let me marry you?"

"Not a chance."

"Damn it!" he huffed, scowling childishly, as Azula closed the door behind them.

A few minutes later, a frowning Rui Shi glanced out at the backyard: Xin Long stared right back at him, his glowing eyes bright with mischief as he wondered what sorts of entertaining teasing he could enact on the Captain this time around. Rui Shi winced and stepped back inside, returning to Song's side again, in hopes of avoiding the troublemaking dragon.

The amount of time Rui Shi spent with Song increased every day. He would arrive early in the morning and leave late at night, so long as he had no other responsibilities. Their relationship remained chaste and blissful as it was, and spending time with her was the perfect way to feel peaceful and weightless for the royal firebender.

Song had been upstairs, making Sokka's messy bed. She smiled at Rui Shi as he asked if she needed help, but she rejected his offer and finished fixing the bedroom as much as she could.

"He's quite sloppy," Rui Shi commented, as Song picked up a dirty shirt and dumped it in Sokka's laundry basket.

"Oh, well. It could be worse," said Song, with a small smile.

"Do you plan on doing laundry?" Rui Shi asked. "I could help you with that, if you need me to…"

"You don't have to busy yourself with this nonsense," said Song chuckling. "Laundry is not a couple's thing to do."

"Why not?" he asked, with a lop-sided smile, as Song stepped out of Sokka's bedroom, closing the door. "I do my own laundry. I could help…"

"You're a Royal Guard," she said, with a soft laugh. "I won't have you washing Sokka's smelly shirts if I can help it. O-or my underwear, for that matter… that'd be inappropriate, huh?"

"I guess so," said Rui Shi, gulping and blushing. "It's not the worst thing, though. I mean… I can understand why you'd be apprehensive, but it's just clothes, right?"

"Of course," said Song, biting her lip and smiling. Rui Shi looked away.

"I understand if you're not comfortable with that idea, though. We can't all be like… uh, like those two."

"Who, the Princess and Sokka?" Song asked. "You mean we can't all leave our laundry for others to wash? Why, yes, that's true. If you think about it, Sokka definitely has that part of being a royal down to an art, huh?"

"Somehow," said Rui Shi, with a soft chuckle. "He doesn't put on airs or anything, but he certainly needs someone to look after him. He's lucky he fell in love with a Princess, despite it all."

"In those regards, yes," said Song, as they walked down the stairs together. "If everything pays off for them, he'll be happy to live without a care in the world with all those servants doing their chores."

Once they reached the first floor, Song glanced out through the back door to find Xin Long lying down on the grass, setting a few blades on fire just for the fun of it. He greeted her with a groan, and she blinked blankly.

"Wait, where is Sokka?" Song asked Rui Shi, perplexed.

"My guess?" the firebender retorted.

With that, he pointed at the closed door to the bathroom. Song blushed upon noticing the steam pouring out of the vents of the house's outdoors bathroom.

"Hmm. I guess someone's feeling that good already, huh?" she said, with an awkward grimace.

"Maybe we should go out," said Rui Shi, biting his lip, gazing at Song with hopeful eyes. "I'm sure there are many things in the city you haven't seen yet, and… well, it's better than overhearing those two, even if they're not being loud."

"Well, even if they're not being loud, they're probably being lewd," said Song, chuckling. "Ah, I guess it's not a bad idea. I really don't know what else there is to see. I mainly frequent the markets, and the bookstores…"

"There are many things you can do other than purchase goods," said Rui Shi, with a soft smile. "There's a fishing pond, actually. If you have any skill for fishing…"

"Um, I really don't," she confessed, with a sad smile. Rui Shi chuckled.

"That's fine. There are other things, such as restaurants, or even museums… we have some exhibits on Fire Nation art, if you'd like to see them. Many of them are from before the war, too, so you may enjoy them all the better…"

"That does sound nice," Song reasoned, smiling at Rui Shi.

"Also… theater," Rui Shi said, clearing his throat. "Are you interested in it at all? There's a very good company, the Royal Actors, and they've put on remarkable performances of very interesting stories. That is, if you like theater, of course. I know it doesn't really appeal to everyone…"

"Oh, I like it. I just don't like being the performer," she said, giggling. "Back when I was a kid, we'd have these puppet plays in town. The children took turns at putting them on, usually, and I was so eager for my turn… but when I had to perform mine, oh, goodness. I had no idea what I was doing. It was so confusing, so difficult to carry out a storyline… I kept mixing up the puppets and dialogues, and in the end, everyone was laughing, despite I wanted to make it a dramatic story."

"That's too bad," said Rui Shi, sympathetically. "Well, you won't have to worry about that this time. We'll be watching professional actors, after all…"

"Can we do this, though?" Song asked, glancing at Rui Shi with a hint of nervousness. "I mean, it sounds amazing, but I was just wondering, well… if it's alright for us to do that sort of thing?"

"What do you mean?" Rui Shi asked. "If we're together, well… isn't that what people do when they're in a relationship? Um, excepting those two, that is. But they're hardly a frame of reference for normal relationships…"

"Of course they're not," said Song, chuckling, but her apprehensive eyes returned before long. "The thing is, we could be judged because of who I am, and because of who you are. Won't people give you a hard time for being with me? I mean, I figure a lot of Fire Nation people have gotten entangled with slaves, but I doubt they're open about it…"

"Hmm. Some are, though. Then again… not people with the best reputation," Rui Shi reflected. Yet he sighed afterwards and shook his head. "Let them say what they will. Only the Princess has the authority to do anything about my position in life, and my reputation hinges more on her opinion of me than it does on my personal life. Therefore… I'm not scared. You matter more to me than whatever others might think of me."

"Rui Shi…" said Song, smiling warmly as her cheeks reddened. The Royal Guard was flustered too, but proud enough to hold her gaze regardless.

"So… if you'd like to do this, I'd gladly accompany you," he said. "Besides, it wouldn't be the first time we're out together. Surely you remember that when these two started out…"

"Oh, yes. It would have been a better evening if you hadn't been as upset as you were," said Song. "It's a true miracle, isn't it? That things somehow are still working out for them…"

"It certainly is. Those two are very fortunate, all things considered," said Rui Shi. "But as we don't need as much good fortune because the destiny of a nation doesn't hinge on our love life, I'd say we can try to have, uh, a normal date, if you're willing."

"Well, if you really don't mind the consequences, I guess we can do it," she said, beaming. "We can even go fishing, if you want to."

"Oh, I honestly don't," Rui Shi confessed. "I merely brought it up in case you might like it, but I have no genuine interest in it."

They laughed together, and Song's smile widened as she moved closer to Rui Shi. She dropped her head on his chest, and he embraced her gently. The warmth he radiated had comforted her ever since he had first held her, when he had told her of her mother's fate. In moments like these, she couldn't be more grateful for his gentleness and companionship. He wasn't like this with everyone, Song knew as much, which made her appreciate their relationship more. Her life had become much brighter thanks to him.

Peaceful and comforted as she felt, however, she frowned slightly as she noticed that, unlike how it usually was, she couldn't hear any sounds out of the ordinary from those two. Were they using the bathroom for its actual purposes, by any chance…?

"It's strange that they're not as loud as you'd expect, though," Song whispered. Rui Shi raised an eyebrow. "I wonder if they're actually… well, it's unlikely, but maybe they're not as reckless as we think, right? Maybe they're not going overboard…"

"They're still, most likely, naked together. Staying within the house's premises while that happens isn't wise," said Rui Shi, with a small smile. Song chuckled.

"Very well, you're right. We're better off not knowing anything about whatever they're up to."

Rui Shi cupped her face and kissed her brow softly, but Song pushed herself up, so she could kiss his lips instead. She stood on her toes to do so, and Rui Shi smiled as he held her close, leaning a little to make the joining of their lips far easier…

The door of the bathroom rolled open, and they were startled by its sound. Rui Shi and Song jumped out of each other's arms in impulsive panic and glanced outside: Sokka filed out of the bathroom wearing only a towel around his waist. Unlike him, Azula was fully dressed, still wearing her armor: Rui Shi frowned upon detailing that she wore the gold one today.

"… You'd better pick a decent outfit, then. Don't make me go up there and tear up your closet to find something good," Azula was saying. Sokka chuckled, sliding a hand over his wet hair.

"I'll manage. You can trust my fashion sense, Azula," he said, grinning as they entered the house again. He froze, though, upon noticing Rui Shi and Song stared intently at them. "U-uh… I'll go dress up, yep."

"Good call," said Azula, smiling at him before addressing Song and Rui Shi. The guard's stern stare wasn't too surprising: he surely would guess what her golden armor meant. "Did we interrupt something?"

"N-no, no, you really didn't…" Song said, smiling politely. Azula smiled back.

"If we ever do, feel free to ignore us," she said. "You two deserve as much."

"What's the occasion?" Rui Shi asked, finally. Azula breathed out.

"My father would like to see him, that's all," she said.

"I assume you're not trying to introduce him as your fiancé, or are you?" Rui Shi asked.

"Of course not," said Azula, looking at Rui Shi skeptically. "My father has wanted to have a word with him for some time now. Though… another thing has come up, too. In fact, I'll need you for it."

"What?" Rui Shi said, disheartened. Azula blinked blankly.

"Rui Shi?"

"J-just… what sort of thing?" he asked, trying to hold back his disappointment. The Princess raised an eyebrow.

"My father intends to inaugurate a factory today, he needs me there, and as this is such a pompous occasion, he wants the palanquins and the full Royal Procession. I realize it's an unnecessary exaggeration, but I cannot say that to his face, can I?"

"Of course not," said Rui Shi, lowering his gaze.

"You'll be back here before you know it," said Azula. "I'll even give you a day off in exchange, if you're that displeased by this. We both know you never take your mandatory leaves as it is, I owe you quite a lot of vacation time."

"Uh, true," said Rui Shi, frowning a little but nodding. "I guess you do. Well, I'll go back to the Palace on foot. I don't think your dragon could lift the three of us."

"I suppose. You also don't need to rush there yet," said Azula. "My father's meeting with Sokka may take some time."

"I'll be there when you need me to be. As always," said Rui Shi, bowing his head towards Azula just as Sokka showed up in his bedroom's threshold, wiping his hair with the towel.

His choice in clothes had been a simple, dark blue changshan, with highlights of gold. While Sokka always favored blue clothes, it wasn't the most popular color for sale in Fire Nation clothes stores.

"Ready?" Azula called out. Sokka nodded as he finished drying his hair to the best of his ability, while walking down the stairs.

Song took the towel from him, and once his hands were free, he tied up his hair in its usual wolf's tail. He looked far more formal than his roommate expected him to.

"Have a good, uh, interview," said Song, with a small smile.

"Heh, I'll try," said Sokka, shrugging and smiling back. "We'll be back soon."

The Princess and gladiator made their way to Xin Long again, leaving behind a disappointed pair. As the dragon took off, Rui Shi and Song sighed in defeat.

"You hadn't been called into duty like this until now," Song said, with a small smile. "We had been too lucky so far."

"Indeed," said Rui Shi, looking at her apologetically. "Maybe tomorrow, then? I definitely can take up the Princess on her offer for a day off…"

"I'd like that," said Song, smiling warmly, leaning closer to him: he didn't waste her invitation for another kiss.

They indulged in their privacy and intimacy for a few minutes of careless bliss, despite knowing Rui Shi would have to leave sooner than later… but they would make the most of each other's company while they could, for as long as they might have a chance to be together.

---

The flight was as comfortable as ever, and Sokka got away with embracing Azula happily as they progressed through the skies. Xin Long could have reached their destination much more quickly, but there was no urgency to his leisurely flight. He enjoyed flying with his rider plenty, and he gave the obnoxious pair on his back the opportunity to sneak a few last-minute caresses and words before they had to shift back to keeping appearances, as usual.

"Ready to behave yourself?" Azula asked Sokka, after a long kiss. Sokka sighed and pouted.

"Do I have to?"

"Absolutely," she said, smiling. "Be a good gladiator now and…"

"Nah, me? A good gladiator? Who do you take me for?" Sokka teased her. Azula chuckled as she turned her face forward, hoping her makeup would not have been too damaged after so many kisses.

They landed on the Palace's courtyard, right outside Xin Long's refuge. As Azula was rightfully worried about her makeup, they rushed to her room quickly, and Sokka begrudgingly agreed to wait outside until she had fixed her appearance completely. He stood by the door, pondering whatever would happen once he was under Ozai's scrutiny… he didn't mean to break in any way, or say anything incriminating, but it was hard to stay calm while knowing he'd be alone with a man who could have him executed for the well-known state crime of defiling a certain Princess's purity.

"There. All finished," said Azula, smiling as she opened the door a few minutes, her appearance spotless now. Sokka smiled as he admired her. "I'm a little disappointed, though."

"Why?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow as she closed the door behind her. "Is your makeup not of the same quality as usual or something?"

"No, I just really hoped to find you confessing your love to my door again, is all," said Azula, smirking. "Your affair has certainly been very hard to carry out…"

"I… oh, blast it," said Sokka, as Azula laughed. "You know full well I had no intentions to make any love confessions, especially not to doors!"

"I don't know, Sokka, I really don't know," she said, as they restarted the walk to her father's study. "You kept saying you thought it was beautiful, and that you wanted it to be happy… wasn't that it? Now, you certainly won't take it all back, will you? My poor door has been pining over you for so long, you'd break its heart…"

Sokka snorted and laughed too, finding no good ways to answer her outlandish claims. Azula smirked proudly, bumping gently against his side and letting their hands touch briefly. Sokka responded with a warm smile of his own and continued to follow her as they paced through the long and dark corridors of Azula's home.

"Are you ready, then?" she asked. Sokka gulped.

"Is anyone ever ready to face your father?" he asked, shrugging. "I know what not to say, if anything…"

"It's the best I can hope for, as we are," she sighed. "Just be as truthful as you can be. Your story shouldn't contradict mine as long as you do that."

"There's no lying to Fire Lord Ozai, is there?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow. Azula gave him a shifty stare.

"Of course not. Here I thought you'd know that," she said, simply. Sokka smirked.

"Right," he said. "You know, I have to say I missed this place. I haven't been here in quite some time, huh?"

"Indeed," Azula said. "Though I never thought you'd miss it. Your first times visiting the Palace weren't very pleasant, were they?"

"Heh, well, the first one was fine. I ate so much the kitchen staff looked genuinely worried about running out of food," Sokka said, chuckling mischievously. "And I won an argument against you for the first time, too. Stinky wolves have some wit about themselves, don't they?"

"So it seems," said Azula, smirking as they turned around the corner that would lead to Ozai's office…

But the passageway wasn't empty. Azula's eyes narrowed when she spotted two men a few feet away from the door, speaking to each other. One of them was Admiral Zhao.

"He's back?" Azula whispered. Sokka eyed the two men as well: he had seldom seen Zhao, but as ever, the large sideburns were enough for Sokka to recognize him.

"Side-… Zhao?" he said. Azula gave him a quick glare.

"Please refrain from calling him that in his presence, if you will. It's only likely to boost his ego and make him feel manlier," she said, smirking dryly as they approached Zhao.

The man he spoke with was a stranger, though. As they approached, his appearance became even more inexplicable: he was clad in Fire Nation clothes, but even before noticing the blue of his eyes, Azula had the feeling he was a foreigner. His chin was unusually wide, his nose was well defined, yet somewhat crooked. He wore his hair parted at the center, and most of it was held up in a half-knot.

A sense of unease struck both Azula and Sokka as they contemplated the unknown man. He seemed very tense, while Admiral Zhao smirked. It wasn't long before Zhao noticed their footsteps, however, and realized they weren't alone anymore.

"Ah, Princess… and the gladiator, is it?" Zhao said, smiling. "I believe Ozai was expecting you, yes. It's good to see you again, Princess."

"I'm surprised you're back so soon. I thought your trip to find your, uh, resource would take longer." Azula said, raising her eyebrows. "Did something go wrong?"

"Oh, not at all. I was actually only collecting a package, you could say," said Zhao. "It was your birthday not long ago, wasn't it? Quite the shame that I missed it, unforgivable of me, I dare say… perhaps I should make amends by offering you a gift you may enjoy."

"A gift?" Azula said. Zhao smirked and gestured at the man he was speaking with. The stranger jumped.

"As you have already proven to be a competent sponsor who can raise a Southern Water Tribesman into a remarkable fighter, I decided to gift you one from the North now. Here, now you can have two Water Tribe gladiators."

"What?" Azula's eyes widened. Sokka flinched too, and the stranger was certainly the most appalled of the three of them.

"Did you just…?! That's not the deal we made!" he exclaimed, with a demanding voice. Zhao's laughter boomed through the corridor.

"Ah, truly, you need to stop taking jokes so seriously," he told his outraged companion, smirking before turning to Azula. "Princess, this man here is the very resource I collected."

The Princess's confusion certainly wasn't dispelled by that, nor was the indignation of Zhao's so-called resource. Yet Zhao might reveal more about his new friend in time, if she asked the right questions…

"A northerner, then. No wonder I had the feeling he wasn't from around here," said Azula.

"Your father would not meet with him yet, though," said Zhao. "He seems quite set on speaking with your gladiator instead, so I haven't introduced him."

"Technically you haven't even introduced him to me," said Azula, smirking. Zhao winced.

"Oh, where are my manners? Princess Azula, this is Hahn, from the Northern Water Tribe," he said, gesturing at Hahn.

At last, the man's mouth curled into a smile, an unpleasant one that unsettled the three others in the corridor.

"It's my pleasure to meet you, Princess Azula," he said, and to Azula's surprise, he made to reach for her hand. She jerked away just in time to avoid his fingers to graze her skin.

"What are you doing?" Zhao asked, looking at Hahn in confusion.

"Well, in the Water Tribe we tend to greet each other by clasping our forearms," he said, smiling. "It's tradition."

"Is it? You didn't do that with me," Zhao said. Azula grimaced and inched away from Hahn just as Sokka's unease increased exponentially. Hahn laughed.

"I can't be blamed for it, Admiral. I am sorry to disappoint you, but the Princess is being far less hostile than you were when we first met. Is it so bad that I'd feel a, uh, connection with her because of that?"

"Yes, it is," said Azula, an eyebrow twitching. "You may need to learn to mind your boundaries in the Fire Nation, Hahn… that is, if you didn't have to mind them back in your Tribe."

"Yeah, you wouldn't be all that reckless and touch the Water Tribe Princess that way, would you?" Sokka blurted out, joining the conversation impulsively. "Makes no sense that you'd try to do it here…"

"Uh, well…" said Hahn, with a smirk. "I guess you mean Princess Yue, as there are no other princesses in the Water Tribe. I suppose you'd be surprised to find I've actually touched her as I've pleased?"

"Y-you… huh?!" Sokka said, his face contorting into a confused scowl. "Are they that liberal up there…?"

"No, they aren't," said Zhao, looking at Sokka almost apologetically. "He just likes being enigmatic. The man you see in front of you happens to be the Princess's husband."

"Wait, what?!" Sokka exclaimed. An unsettling chill rushed down Azula's spine, as Hahn crossed his arms over his chest and smirked proudly.

"You… did he get captured?" Azula asked Zhao. Hahn chuckled.

"He did not," said Zhao, a nonchalant look on his face. "He decided to give himself up, basically. I had heard he was captured, but as it turns out…"

"It was a difficult decision, but one I made for the right reasons," said Hahn, nodding.

"The right reasons?" Sokka repeated, looking at Hahn in disbelief. "You abandoned your home and wife willingly to turn yourself in to the Fire Nation? How would there be right reasons to do such a thing?"

"A real headscratcher, isn't he?" Zhao asked, with a disapproving smirk. Hahn's conceited attitude dwindled quickly at that.

"N-no, I mean, I… you don't understand. Besides, you're here too, why are you allowed to be here while I'm not?" Hahn asked, raising his chin and looking at Sokka disdainfully. Sokka scoffed.

"I gave up my freedom to give my warriors a chance to flee," Sokka growled. "I'm lucky enough that my life has brought me to where I am now, but believe me, I didn't abandon a wife or anything similar…"

"Probably simply because you didn't have one. If you did, you surely would have done the same…" said Hahn. Sokka's irritation only increased.

"Did you just…?" he said, his face reddening with anger. Azula stretched an arm in front of him, and Sokka fell silent immediately over her gesture.

"Many marriages end in separation, gladiator," explained Zhao. "And sometimes it'll be for the better. If anything, I trust Princess Yue will be much happier without him."

"Exactly, I-… what?!" Hahn exclaimed, his voice high pitched. Azula actually smirked, as Sokka's irritation decreased over the Admiral's last comment.

"Oh, truly, you just can't take jokes," said Zhao, smirking. Hahn's irritation softened just in time for Zhao to say. "And you also can't tell apart jokes from actual jabs…"

"I…! What exactly did I do so poorly, Admiral, that you keep doing this to me?!" Hahn exclaimed, as Zhao laughed.

Just then, the door to Ozai's office opened. Hahn gasped, his face paling instantly upon spotting the regally dressed Fire Lord, with that golden hairpiece on his head. He didn't look too pleased.

"Here I was wondering what this racket was," he said, but he smiled at Azula. "Ah, you brought him. Thank you, Azula. This won't take long. Gladiator, if you would…"

"Sure…" said Sokka, eyeing Azula with unease. Couldn't she come in with him? But the Princess merely answered him with the jerk of her head. Sokka bit his lip and followed Ozai inside before Hahn could conjure a single word.

The three who remained in the hallway stared at the closed door a few moments after it had closed behind Sokka. Hahn sighed in defeat but smiled at the Princess again.

"Uh, well, either way, I am quite honored to be here in the Palace," he said. "I frankly did not expect that Admiral Zhao would bring me to its premises yet… we arrived today, no less."

"Ah, fresh off the boat?" Azula asked. Zhao nodded. "I take it you wanted to be here for the aircraft factory inauguration, then."

"Indeed. I figured Hahn would enjoy it, too," said Zhao, smirking. "It's why I brought him, instead of locking him up somewhere safe and sound, where he'd be in no risk of behaving inappropriately. Well, that and that he has it in his head to speak with the Fire Lord directly…"

"Bold of a man who's only just arrived," said Azula, raising an eyebrow. "Not many obtain hearings with my father on demand just like that…"

"Well, in my defense, others wouldn't have the amounts of information I can offer," said Hahn, smirking. "I'm confident the Fire Lord will understand how vital my information can be for his purposes, as soon as we finally speak…"

"Then you doubt that the Fire Lord understands the value of the information you may have to offer before you reveal it to him?" Azula asked, raising her eyebrows. Hahn tensed up. "Hmm, curious. For a man who turned himself in, no doubt upon realizing that there's no way your nation would defeat ours, you seem to underestimate my father quite a bit…"

"I… n-no, I'm not underestimating anything!" Hahn said, grimacing and trying to save face. "I'm only saying…"

He was interrupted when Azula started laughing. Zhao smirked approvingly.

"It's even easier to mess with him than with my gladiator, imagine that," said Azula, looking at Zhao.

"Indeed, and you haven't even heard the best story yet," said Zhao, eyeing Hahn with mischief. "Curiously, my first encounter with Hahn wasn't all that different from the story you told me about you and your gladiator…"

"Is that so?" Azula asked, surprised. "Did he want to abduct you too?"

"Oh, no, he was out to kill me," said Zhao, beaming. "An assassination attempt. He infiltrated my ship, came rushing in to take me down… I merely stepped aside and shoved him overboard. For all these years I've been quite impressed, he fell in freezing water and found his way back to shore without losing limbs to frostbite. If I will say something in his favor, it's that his resistance is remarkable."

"Endurance certainly seems to be a trait in Water Tribesmen," said Azula. Hahn nodded.

"Indeed, which is why I won't rest until I have had my chance to speak with the Fire Lord," he said. "I'm sure that, before we take off to that factory…"

"I highly doubt he'll want further setbacks. You may need to be more patient," said Zhao, raising his eyebrows. "Besides, we should tell the Princess all about our war stories, shouldn't we?"

"Uh, why should we…?" Hahn asked, his eyebrow twitching, but it was too late.

The Princess smiled widely as Zhao proudly began recounting the many embarrassing instances where Hahn's warrior squad had been crushed thoroughly. The Water Tribesman frowned, irate over whatever brought his two current companions to behave this way.

He didn't know that, while Azula and Zhao had many differences, there was one thing they could not quite tolerate, and Hahn seemed to be the proud embodiment of it: a man who willingly turned his back on his own people, whose loyalties were not reliable, wasn't going to earn their trust as quickly as he had hoped to. It was clear, too, that Ozai's reasoning would be the same as his daughter's and his best friend's. It would take some time for any of them to decide Hahn was a worthwhile ally, if they ever did.

Meanwhile, Ozai held next to no reservations regarding the man sitting across him in his study right now. Sokka tried his best not to betray how nervous he felt, but he couldn't control the twitching, tickling feeling in his stomach, reminding him that every bit of trust Ozai had given him could be taken away in a heartbeat… still, he recounted his tale to the best of his ability, forcing himself to remember most the words exchanged between him and the Deserter.

"Then, after having the beast attack you, they simply melted into the shadows and disappeared?" Ozai said, frowning. "Have you had any suspicions of them following you afterwards, perhaps?"

"Strangely, no. I did think they might do it, but for some reason they haven't struck again," said Sokka. "Maybe the rest of the White Lotus leaders told Jeong Jeong to leave us be. I doubt he had their approval for this operation, in the first place. Going by what he said, he didn't."

"Yet he was capable of assembling such an army," said Ozai, frowning. "How?"

"I don't know, but I do suspect the people working with him are the radical ones. The rebels who don't care for what the White Lotus's organization really stands for. All they want is to use them as tools to defeat the Fire Nation."

"Huh. Rebels, then," said Ozai, raising his eyebrows now. "Men and women from the colonies, who defy my rule?"

"I suppose so," said Sokka. "People who probably suffered a lot during the worst years of the war, and who refuse to relinquish their pride. I guess they think fighting for revenge can help them regain what they've lost, somehow…"

"Yet it seems counterproductive to take revenge on the Fire Nation by killing a Water Tribesman," said Ozai, raising an eyebrow. "Will they butcher every last person who decided to live by accepting my rule, I wonder? Easier said than done…"

"They took it personal on me because I've helped the Fire Nation before," said Sokka. "I doubt they'd be the same with others. Slaves or honorary citizens who are willing to turn on the Fire Nation won't be targets of the White Lotus."

"And why, if I may ask, is it you won't do what they want you to?" Ozai asked. Sokka tensed up. "Pardon my curiosity, but it truly gnaws at my mind ever since you first showed your loyalties. When they first attacked, you said you disagreed with taking down the Fire Nation as they wished to, but do you truly believe the White Lotus is utterly misled? If that's the case, as a man who doesn't necessarily support the Fire Nation completely, have you sought to find another way to change my nation? Are you planning on avenging the fallen in a more astute way, perhaps…?"

"I… I'm not," said Sokka, blinking blankly. Ozai raised his eyebrows. "I get that it may be hard to believe, but I honestly am just tired of the war, and the fighting. I've killed enough people with my own hands as it is… all I want is for it to stop already."

"Yet you know that cannot be, don't you? My father's actions, and those of his forefathers, have condemned the Fire Nation to wage this battle to the bitter end," said Ozai. "Even if I were to agree with you, and I meant to put a stop to the war, rebels like the White Lotus would still assemble for revenge. The Northern Water Tribe might seek to attack us as well. If I don't do what I'm doing, gladiator, the cost would be far worse for my nation."

"I suppose you wouldn't be open to compromising in any way," said Sokka, frowning and shaking his head. "Well, I figure you didn't want me here for political advice, did you?"

"No, certainly not," said Ozai. "But any information you may have on the White Lotus, anything else, is crucial. Perhaps anything you discovered before this incident? Anything regarding Piandao, perhaps?"

"Uh, Piandao?" Sokka repeated, frowning. "It feels like that was ten years ago, truth be told… but anyways, uh, I guess all his mansion was covered in White Lotus symbols. He even engraved it into my sword's pommel, and I had no idea what it meant. I remember the Captain of the Princess's guards suggested asking your brother if the White Lotus tile Piandao left for me had any secret meanings, but the Princess refused to do it…"

"Unsurprising. She holds no love for her uncle," Ozai said. Sokka nodded.

"Other than that? Uh, well, maybe… you know that one of the captives you took from the attack to the Capital was a sponsor in the Gladiator League, right? He was doing it to fund their rebellion through the profit he obtained through fights… so clearly, they're finding their resources wherever they can. They're probably not in a good place, economically speaking."

"I see," said Ozai, frowning. "They will seek funding wherever it's available, then. Perhaps some of the Earth Kingdom nobility who still have power could be helping them. Who knows, perhaps they even hide in their estates…"

"If you want to search for them that way, go about it subtly," said Sokka, biting his lip. "Don't send full battalions to storm every estate of Earth Kingdom lords. If word reaches the White Lotus about that kind of operation, and they were hiding someplace of the sort, they'd leave immediately."

"True," said Ozai, stroking his beard. "It is a matter worth pondering. Do you believe they may have infiltrated the Fire Nation any further than they already have?"

"Other than that spy hiding in your highest circles?" Sokka asked. "I can't say for sure. But I suspect the majority of the group would be in Earth Kingdom lands. That's what they'll want to take back, to begin with."

"Very well, then. I'll keep all this in mind," said Ozai, breathing deeply. "We don't have much to go on, but it should do."

"Will you keep your daughter on the sidelines in this matter?" Sokka asked. Ozai nodded.

"Haven't you seen her?" said Ozai. "As strong as her wish to take revenge may be, she is in no condition for it. I won't risk losing her to those bastards if I can help it."

"Keeping your heir safe, then," said Sokka, smiling. "Well, that's a good thing. I do hope she never has to worry about them again, though. They've caused her enough anguish as it is."

"Very true," said Ozai, standing up. "At any rate, I appreciate your cooperation, gladiator. A man like you could have easily chosen to side with the enemy, but you haven't. Your loyalty to my daughter is well prized by all of us."

"That… I'm glad to hear it," said Sokka, with an awkward grin. Ozai walked around the desk as the gladiator stood up too.

"Continue recovering, if you will. The Gladiator League surely misses having you in it," he said. Sokka chuckled.

"Yeah, without me it's bound to be oh, so boring," he said, smirking sarcastically. "Not enough chopped off limbs or stink bombs for the crowds to be pleased."

"Indeed, how would any fights be worth watching without such factors?" Ozai replied, smirking as well as he opened the door.

Azula and Zhao seemed to be laughing again as Hahn reacted with irritation at whatever they'd said. Clearly, he held back from reacting too explosively, knowing he could not displease either of them if he wanted a chance to speak to the Fire Lord, but he was nearing the ends of his patience.

"Ah, Father. That took some time," said Azula, smiling at Ozai before letting her eyes shift to Sokka. Hahn tensed up again, looking at the Fire Lord. "Is everything alright?"

"Yes, he was as helpful as he could be," said Ozai, nodding. "Now, we must be off to see the factory. Your Procession should be waiting at the front gates by now, Princess. Shall we?"

Azula nodded, and the group took off. Ozai walked at the front, with Azula at his right hand and Zhao at his left. The two men from the respective Water Tribes were behind them, and one of them fumed as he glared at the Fire Lord's back.

"Do you know him well?" Hahn asked suddenly. Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"Why would you think that?"

"Because he'd meet with you, but he hasn't even spared a glance at me. Is he always like that?"

"I can't say I know, but truth be told, he's got little reason to behave any differently," said Sokka, shrugging. "You're a new guy, a foreigner, who has yet to prove his worth to him. You don't think he was always eager to talk to me, or do you? The only reason he paid me any mind was because he was curious about his daughter's gladiator."

"So, what, am I supposed to prove I'm worthy of his attention by fighting in a filthy sand pit?" Hahn scoffed. "Pointless. I don't understand, he should be groveling at my feet, begging to hear what I have to say, but instead he's keeping me at bay like this? It's insulting!"

"Yeah, I'm pretty sure that's what they're trying to do. Insult you, that is," said Sokka. Hahn huffed.

"Yet they treat you like you're some sort of glorious hero? You're even a slave!" Hahn retorted. "How do they have more respect for a gladiator than for the husband of the Northern Water Tribe's Princess…?"

"That may be because you no longer count as her husband," said Sokka, raising his eyebrows. "You left, willingly. While you hold information, your position and privilege in your tribe must have been erased when you abandoned them, as you're just going to sell out their information as you please. Unless the North is actually so forgiving that they'd want you back regardless of your betrayal?"

"Does the South want you back, considering you're the Fire Lord's favorite slave?" Hahn asked. Sokka frowned. "Yeah, I figured."

"Either way, you can't really boast about being a princess's husband anymore," said Sokka. "You closed that door on your own."

"You aren't any princess's husband either. I don't see why you get better treatment than I do," said Hahn.

"I've saved Princess Azula a few times. Perhaps that's more important to them than having a good social position in a Water Tribe."

"You seem to think absurdly highly of Fire Nation people if that's the case," said Hahn, scoffing. "Do you really think they care about any one person? These people are vying for power, always have been. You'd be a fool to forget it."

Sokka snorted, letting his eyes travel to Azula's straightened back. Her hairpiece glowed on her topknot, and she moved with her head held high. He smiled as he looked away.

"Whatever you say," he whispered evasively. Hahn huffed.

The royal palanquins waited at the front of the Palace: Sokka couldn't help but notice Ozai's was larger than Azula's. He crooked an eyebrow at the evident display of superiority but held back from remarking on the opulent adornments decorating Ozai's vehicle, far more embellished and outlandish than those on Azula's.

"We shall take carriages," Zhao told Ozai, with a nod. "We'll meet you there."

"You'll likely arrive sooner than we will, then," said Ozai, with a soft chuckle. "Until later, Zhao."

Azula spared one more glance at Sokka, who offered her a small smile, before climbing on her palanquin. Her bearers were in position, and Sokka spotted Rui Shi, in his full uniform again, organizing the rest of the guards. The gladiator bit his lip, hoping Song wouldn't be too upset that Rui Shi hadn't been able to stay with her today.

"Very well, then, we should take off too. I'm sure the other nobles who will take this tour with us are already waiting at the factory," Zhao commented to Sokka and Hahn. "Come along, then…"

"As you wish," said Hahn, with a hint of bitterness in his voice.

They walked outside the Palace walls, to where a small carriage awaited. The driver sitting at the front was a fully grown man, perfectly accustomed to ferrying Zhao about anywhere, it seemed – he greeted Zhao with a strong bow. Zhao nodded towards him and turned to Sokka and Hahn.

"I'm afraid there's not enough room for three in my carriage, though," he said. "I'd gladly give you both a lift… but I suppose it's not to be."

Sokka stiffened, looking at Zhao with uncertainty. He wouldn't mind finding another carriage for himself, if he had to, but he had no idea where the factory was. Still, considering how lowly the Admiral was bound to think of him, he might want to keep Sokka from reaching the factory on time…

"Well, that's a true shame, isn't it?" said Hahn, smirking and walking to the carriage door. He opened it and sat on one of the two seats, crossing his arms quite proudly.

Zhao watched him go, skepticism in his eyes. He glanced at the carriage driver, who stiffened.

"Just to confirm, you know where we're headed, don't you?"

"Yes, of course, Admiral," the driver said. Zhao smiled.

"Very well, then."

Hahn relaxed on his seat, closing his eyes proudly. He heard the door closing, and the carriage began moving, leaving behind the Palace.

"A shame your carriage wasn't large enough for three, but who needs that sorry slave anyways, right Admi-…?"

As he opened his eyes, Hahn froze upon realizing he was talking to himself. There was no one in the seat across his own. He yelped.

"Admiral?!"

Zhao smirked as he stood on the sidewalk, watching the carriage go. Sokka gaped at him in confusion until the Admiral finally turned to him and chuckled.

"Serves him right for being so forward, doesn't it?" he said, before lifting a hand to call for a common carriage to rent. Sokka's eyebrow twitched.

"Y-you didn't have to, though, you could've gone with him…" he said.

"And bear with his airs of self-importance and all the boasting over having betrayed his own people? I'd rather not, mind you," said Zhao, as a carriage finally stopped. "I would have a word with you in private instead."

Sokka gulped, unsure if he was supposed to find that declaration as ominous as he did. Nevertheless, he climbed on the carriage, and Zhao followed him once he had told the driver where to go.

"Ah, it feels so good to be rid of him for the first time in weeks," said Zhao, rubbing the bridge of his nose and shaking his head. "Never had I expected the Water Tribe to produce a man like that. Aren't your people supposed to be community-oriented, faithful to your own, humble and whatnot…?"

"Mine, maybe. I doubt a Princess's husband would know much about humility, though," said Sokka, shrugging. "Honestly, I have no idea how the North operates these days. Most of what I know about them is from books I've read here."

"I suppose it's impossible to maintain relations between the tribes in the middle of the war," Zhao said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Still, it's odd how you have set such an unfair standard regarding what Water Tribe people would be like. The story the Princess told me of how you first met at least painted you in the light of a competent fighter, and what I saw in the Arena evidenced as much… despite you lost, of course."

"I don't recall you saying the same that day, though," said Sokka, raising an eyebrow. "You told Azula to – I mean, the Princess, to replace me…"

Zhao chuckled and shook his head. Sokka grimaced.

"No need to worry, I won't tell on you," he said. "Ozai has been a friend of mine for very long, I as well tend to forget I should use his title when I speak of him with others."

"Huh, well… anyways, my point still stands," said Sokka, pouting a little. Zhao smiled.

"I did say that, though. I told the Princess not many non-benders can reach the fighting level you've acquired. I merely warned her that if she means to defeat enemies such as the Blind Bandit and even my own gladiator, another gladiator would have better odds. Then again, you never seem to cease surprising people, do you? You defeated the Millennium Dragon, a feat only Combustion Man had achieved before…"

"It wasn't as glorious as you might be thinking," Sokka said. "Truth be told, I didn't win in the most ideal of ways…"

"Do you need more than that?" Zhao asked, amused. "If you broke no rules, which you obviously didn't, or else the judges would have disqualified you, then you won fairly. Whatever the manner of the victory, it is still victory. You should be proud."

"Uh, thanks," said Sokka, gulping and raising an eyebrow. "I'm surprised, though. I mean… I thought you didn't care for me, and it made sense that you wouldn't, so… why are you holding a casual conversation with me now?"

"What, is there a reason why I shouldn't?" Zhao asked. "If Ozai and Princess Azula do it, why is it so strange that I might do it too?"

"I don't know," said Sokka, shrugging. "The Fire Lord didn't think much of me when he first met me. He probably just thought I was an insolent smart-mouth until I helped with the White Lotus for the first time…"

"Do you ask these questions whenever any man of high standing speaks to you?" Zhao asked. Sokka snorted.

"No, because in general, they don't unless they're part of the royal family," he said. "Last year in the Princess's birthday I offended a few people for daring speak to the Fire Lord directly. The Princess even told me to keep quiet the whole time to avoid trouble… and as you're a highly ranked military officer, I figured you might be like those noblemen. Aren't you?"

"Not as much as you may think," said Zhao, with a small smile. "I have more humble origins than you might have expected. There's an obvious reason I'm a military man instead of a noble one."

"There is?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow. Zhao nodded.

"I wasn't highborn. I was the son of firebenders: my father was a captain of the Fire Lord's army," said Zhao. "My family had relocated to one of the newer colonies, in the Earth Kingdom. I was but a boy when an Earth Kingdom raid rushed in to reclaim the territories that had been taken from them. The fight that ensued was gruesome, and many died. A lot of strong soldiers, and many civilians. Neither of my parents survived."

Sokka looked at Zhao apprehensively. The man closed his eyes.

"It was quite a shock for me, to the point where I did nothing to get to safety after it happened. When Fire Nation soldiers found me, though… I should have never done what I did. I realized the gravity of my actions after the deed was done, but driven by rage and fear, I… I struck them down."

"You what?" Sokka asked, his eyes wide now. "How? You were just a kid, weren't you?"

"I was, and I barely knew how to control my bending," said Zhao, staring at his right hand. He opened and closed a fist a few times. "So, I didn't. My emotions ran away with me, and… the barrage I unleashed was terrible. I was restrained by other soldiers and dragged to await Fire Lord Azulon's justice."

"Did it matter to him that it was an accident?" Sokka asked. Zhao shook his head.

"Not at all. He would have had me executed, and I was ready to face my death. But… Prince Ozai intervened."

Sokka frowned. Zhao smiled.

"He asked Fire Lord Azulon to give me an opportunity to prove my worth. He said I could be useful if I learned how to properly control my bending," Zhao whispered. "He took a chance on me, one that could have cost him dearly, but I suppose Fire Lord Azulon either wanted an excuse to punish his son once this backfired, or he really did see the potential in me. Either way, he relented: Ozai had his way. And I was packed off to the military academy, where everyone else in my class was terrified of me for the awful things I'd done. It's been a long time since then…"

"He had his father spare you? Because he thought you'd be useful somehow?" Sokka asked. "That's… well, not too different from what happened to me."

"Is that so?" Zhao asked. Sokka shrugged.

"The Princess spared me to turn me into a slave, not a military man, but still… I had expected to die, and yet I was granted mercy," he said. "At the time, it certainly didn't feel like mercy. But maybe I had to put up with those two years in the Amateur League to achieve what I have, after all…"

"I won't lie to you, gladiator, I truly had no trust or faith in you until recent events," said Zhao. "But knowing my old master targeted you for your loyalty to the Fire Nation… it certainly made me rethink my opinion of you. If you're loyal enough to rile up Jeong Jeong, you're more intriguing than I expected. And, perhaps, a better ally to the Fire Nation than I assumed. But, more importantly…"

Zhao sighed with exasperation and shook his head. Sokka raised an eyebrow.

"Meeting and enduring Hahn all through our voyage, and knowing I'll be responsible for him while he stays in the Fire Nation, has shed a lot of light regarding why you're well-liked by the Princess and Ozai. I definitely would rather have had you as an informant, rather than this fool…"

"Did he truly abandon his wife?" Sokka asked. Zhao snorted and nodded.

"Boggles the mind, doesn't it? He should have been living in great conditions, even while under siege… and yet he seems convinced the Water Tribe stands no chance against the Fire Nation. Why, I asked? He wouldn't say. He merely hinted at a weapon we may be able to obtain if he tells us where to look, apparently…"

"Odd," said Sokka, frowning. "Why don't they use this weapon against you guys instead?"

"Perhaps it only works against the Water Tribe," Zhao said, shrugging. "I have… a few ideas on what he'll say. If he delivers information I already have, I'll simply offer him as a gift for the northerners to butcher once I return to the siege. I doubt your culture takes too well to traitors, regardless of which tribe they hail from."

"No, we certainly don't," said Sokka, nodding.

"Suffice to say, I am far from fond of this man. He makes me uneasy, in all the wrong ways," said Zhao.

"So, you mean to use him until you've obtained all you need from him?" Sokka asked. Zhao shrugged.

"I mean to discover whether he's of any use for the Fire Nation, to begin with. I have no doubt he's planning on reaching our highest circles, and… well, you saw how he leered at the Princess, didn't you? I wouldn't be surprised if he tried to court her."

"It'll never work," Sokka blurted out. Zhao nodded.

"Ozai would never allow it. Regardless of how useful he may prove, I doubt the Fire Lord would agree to marry off his heir to a foreigner," said Zhao. Sokka's heart sank, despite having known as much already. "As far as I know, it has never happened in the history of their dynasty."

"Well, mixed marriages are a pretty recent thing, aren't they?" said Sokka, with a weak smile. "Of course it wouldn't have happened before…"

"Which is why I doubt it'd happen now, regardless of what some of her suitors might hope for," said Zhao, glancing out the window. They were already outside the crater, close to the industrial area of the bay. The factory wouldn't be far. "There's no shortage of men who might set their sights on the Princess for social advancement…"

"Do you know any of them?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow. Zhao sighed.

"He hasn't made his move yet…" Zhao commented. "But that leech, Aonu, isn't unlikely to do it once he has the opportunity. No doubt you defeated his gladiator, but if he does think it was by sheer luck, he might try to take revenge and seek an engagement with her, while he's at it…"

"Woah, the Millennium Dragon's sponsor?" Sokka asked, his eyes wide. Zhao frowned.

"He was born the bastard of a highly ranked noble of Azulon's time. Aonu was acknowledged by his father but still frowned upon because he's an earthbender, not a firebender. His mother was of Earth Kingdom descent, and his father agreed to raise him regardless. But while his older brother is widely respected and acknowledged as his father's heir, Aonu has struggled for a long time to earn any respect at all. His bitterness about the situation is, on great measure, what makes people drift away from him…"

"Heh… I had no idea. I didn't see much of him," Sokka reflected. Zhao smirked.

"Well, I didn't meet him many times, but I saw enough when I did. I only sponsored Combustion Man personally for a year before I was sent to siege the north indefinitely, and in that year he challenged me about ten times. He was crushed on every single opportunity. His anger only increased with every each. Lieutenant Zhen told me he has not changed much since."

"Well, his gladiator isn't unpleasant, at least," Sokka remarked. Zhao shrugged.

"His gladiator isn't likely to be a large accumulation of pent-up frustrations," he said. "But whether he's nice or not, I wouldn't know. My gladiator isn't one for socializing…"

"Huh… come to think of it, I know next to nothing about Combustion Man," Sokka reflected, raising an eyebrow. "Just that he kills his opponents sometimes? I think Azula said something about him blowing things up, which suits his name…"

"You've never heard of combustion bending, then," said Zhao. "It's a dangerous, deadly technique. Not befitting the assassin my gladiator used to be, I'll say. He's a hazard for anyone around him, and he's far from stealthy. It's why he was quick to become my partner when I offered him this job…"

"An assassin?" Sokka repeated. "Does he kill so many gladiators because of that? Is he… used to it?"

"Well, sometimes it's because he's used to it. Sometimes it's because it's necessary for him to kill," said Zhao.

"Because if not, he'll be the one killed?"

"No, usually it's because the sponsor of the gladiator in question has done something or another to displease the Fire Lord, actually," said Zhao, with a shrug. Sokka's eyes widened. "The Gladiator Business has many complex layers. It's not merely about the fighting of powerful combatants, but about the subtle, less apparent fighting between sponsors…"

"Well, yeah, the Princess does that sometimes, with some sponsors… but she's never done it for her father's sake," said Sokka, frowning.

"Because she's not in the league to keep Ozai's authority unchallenged," said Zhao. "She has no need to do Ozai's dirty work. Meanwhile, Zhen and I have had to do it for quite some time now."

"Sounds like a drag," said Sokka. "But I take it Combustion Man won't settle for only killing the gladiators with troublesome sponsors, or does he?"

"Not really," Zhao said, shaking his head. "He's a loose cannon when he wants to be. I don't care to hold him back, admittedly, so he gets carried away by fights sometimes. In a sense, he's much like myself."

"Have you returned to sponsoring him yet?" Sokka asked. Zhao raised an eyebrow.

"Well, not quite. I'll ask Zhen about his schedule. Perhaps I'll be able to return sometime soon, once I can shake off Hahn, that is," he said, sighing.

"I hope you'll be rid of him soon, then," said Sokka, smiling weakly.

"How about you?" Zhao asked. "When will you return to the fighting ring? You're not close to the drop-out time limit, are you?"

Sokka frowned and stopped to ponder Zhao's question. The man eyed him with curiosity.

"I think I have a month to go, give or take. I fought briefly before the mess at the Stronghold began," Sokka explained. "There's still some time…"

But Zhao had asked an important question. When were they going to find another fight, schedule a new challenge? Was it ever going to happen? Just thinking of asking Azula that question made Sokka's heart sink. She wouldn't want to hear of it, she wasn't ready to see him off into the Arena's sands, not even now. She was feeling much better, it was clear, and the bags under her eyes were disappearing… but would she regress back to square one if he brought this up?

The carriage didn't take long to reach the factory. Zhao climbed off first, paying the driver quickly, and Sokka followed. The gladiator eyed the people gathered at their destination, immediately noticing their opulent clothing and pompous demeanor. Behind them stood a tall building, dark and industrial, where he knew the airships were being built. Sokka breathed deeply as he took in the daunting sight before him.

"It's somewhat menacing, isn't it?" Zhao asked Sokka, as a familiar carriage pulled up beside them. The admiral smirked once he noticed it. "Oh, I suppose our lonely friend had lagged behind us."

Sokka bit his lip and glanced at the arriving carriage just as Hahn pushed the door open and glared at Zhao furiously. The admiral couldn't seem more pleased with himself.

"What was… what was that for?!" Hahn asked, his eyes wide and jumpy. Zhao laughed.

"For getting ahead of yourself, naturally," he said. "If you had waited until we reached a compromise, perhaps I wouldn't have done what I did. You offered me the perfect opportunity for it, though. Still, you're here now. What are you so upset about?"

"Y-you abandoned me! I was alone in there and…!" Hahn exclaimed.

"And the very important northerner is incapable of being all by himself for thirty minutes!" Sokka said, smirking. Zhao laughed again as Hahn glared at the gladiator.

"You be careful with how you address me, you…!"

"Admiral!"

Hahn's words were lost when both Sokka and Zhao turned towards Zhen. The Lieutenant, another guest in today's tour through the factory, rushed towards them, beaming.

"I had no idea you'd be back in time for today's tour: it's wonderful that you are! And… the Princess's gladiator?" he asked, looking at Sokka with bright eyes. "Good to see you again!"

"Uh, likewise," said Sokka, with a small smile.

"I'd heard you were in quite some trouble," said Zhen. "Many ugly rumors spread, but oh, I knew you were a tough one! I figured you wouldn't fall that easily, if your fabled swordsmanship skills are so remarkable!"

"How remarkable could they be…?" Hahn growled, glaring at Sokka. Only then did Zhen notice him.

"Oh? You found a new slave, Admiral?" Zhen asked. Hahn's face contorted with outrage as Zhao laughed.

"A slave?! I…!" Hahn said, gritting his teeth, but his anger would be interrupted by the voice of one of the nobles behind them.

"The Fire Lord arrives!"

Sokka forgot Hahn's outrage as he glanced at the palanquins approaching down the road. The presence of Ozai's imposing palanquin had served to silence Hahn, and the smaller palanquin behind it lifted Sokka's spirits instantly. There she was…

Ozai stepped off his palanquin once it was carefully set down on the ground. The bearers were in synch, therefore, father and daughter stepped out almost at the same time. This enabled Sokka to bow clumsily, but in Azula's direction rather than Ozai's, most unlike all other noblemen. Hahn was left looking around himself in unease, trying to imitate Zhao and Zhen with uncertainty, but only managing to fumble his reverence until Ozai finally commanded everyone to rise.

"I am pleased all of you were able to come at such short notice," Ozai said, smirking. "Shall we enter the establishment, then? I understand there's much for us to see, and time is of the essence."

The nobles mostly spoke in agreement, and they flocked quickly towards the Fire Lord. Azula lingered back with her procession, stopping to talk to Rui Shi briefly, as Sokka was distracted by another of her guards.

"Yo, Sokka!" Fei Li called him, smiling under his mask. "You up for another Mahjong match sometime soon?"

"I'm ready when you are," Sokka said, smirking.

"Stay here, keep an eye on everything," Azula told Rui Shi, who nodded. "Hopefully this won't take too long."

"We'll be here, Princess," he said. Azula nodded too before turning to Sokka.

"Let's go then, gladiator," she said, looking at Sokka and jerking her head towards the building. "We don't want to lag behind."

"Wouldn't dream of it," Sokka said, smiling happily.

The two rushed to follow the nobles, who had already entered the building, following Ozai's command. Fortunately, the entrance was wide enough for them not to be cramped, but Sokka and Azula were left at the end of the group regardless.

"Did he really need these many nobles to do this?" Sokka asked Azula.

"If he wants to keep them pleased, yes," she said. "Politics work that way. This is what you would call my father's closest circle in high society."

"Oh dear. So, these guys… are the ones who want to marry you? Or who want their sons to marry you?" Sokka asked, pouting a little. Azula smiled.

"Some of them, yes. How did it go with Zhao, though? Seems to me you had to bear with him through the trip…?"

"I have to say, for a highly ranked military man who seemed to think so poorly of me, he acted surprisingly smoothly," Sokka said. Azula scoffed.

"It's Zhao. That's what he does best. Plays at being friendly only to stab you in the back later," she said. Sokka grimaced.

"You're sure? I mean, I know that's what he did to you, but… did you consider that what he said after the war meeting may have just been to appease those other men?"

"He's still a fool for not defying their precepts instead of accommodating to them," said Azula. "Whatever the explanation, he'll have to work harder if he hopes to get back to my good side."

"Even though you two were having so much fun at Hahn's expenses?"

"That's different," said Azula, sighing. "This northerner… he's bad news. You can tell, can't you?"

"Do you think he's here as a spy?" Sokka asked. Azula shrugged as the group in front of them came to a halt. There was a man, in an opulent soldier's uniform, standing in front of them.

"Maybe. It's hard to say just yet. Either he's a spy, or he's really that deplorable a man, huh?" said Azula, crossing her arms as they stopped to listen to their factory guide's speech.

"It's our greatest honor to host so many admirable guests today!" he exclaimed. "My Lord, I am pleased to have the privilege of directing this factory and introducing these wonderful inventions for our nation's use…"

"Huh… he's military?" Sokka asked, staring at the man's outfit with curiosity. Azula nodded.

"Many of our technological facilities are managed by military personnel," said Azula. "It's part of a policy established since Azulon's times."

"Do they know anything about the science and engineering involved in these factories?" Sokka asked. Azula smirked.

"Usually? No."

"Thought so."

The military officer continued to talk, and many nobles praised his aptitude for the job. Ozai asked questions, Hahn yawned, and after around five more minutes of pleasantries, it was time for the tour to get going. By then, Sokka was growing very curious over the finished products: had the hot-air balloons been built the same way they had designed them? Had they been altered, somehow?

"Shall we move on, then?" Ozai finally asked. The officer nodded promptly.

"Just say the word, my Lord, and…! Oh, well, you already have… follow me!"

Sokka raised an eyebrow at the man's awkwardness. He didn't seem nearly as disciplined as Rui Shi and Azula's other guards.

"He rambles a lot, but he is a bit funny," said Sokka, smiling and looking at Azula as the group resumed the walk through the factory's corridors, with their guide often explaining anything his eager crowd asked about. But Sokka noticed the Princess was unusually silent right now. "You okay?"

"I'm just wondering… well, hoping, rather, that this factory won't end up like the one we saw in Yang Hui river," she said. "I'm not sure how the waste could be handled for the better, but… there has to be a way to avoid damaging our people over technological advancement. Right?"

Sokka smiled and nodded. His hand brushed hers lightly again.

"Right," he said. "I'm sure you can ask your dad about that. He should consider investigating new ways to…"

"Ah, so you did come!"

Both Azula and Sokka stopped on their tracks before turning on their heels to look at whoever had called out to them. Azula's eyes widened as she looked at the man, his arms full of blueprints, his clothes dirty with dust and grease. Sokka struggled to recognize him, unsure of where he had met him before.

"Do you remember me? Maybe not, you've been very busy after all, but when we heard the Princess would come to the factory today, I…" said the man. Azula smiled.

"We have been busy, but I do remember you," she said, cutting him off. "Has your oldest son learned to respect royalty yet?"

"Oh, he's going to school and everything! Though, uh, he's not that respectful still, but I have hopes that quality education will fix that," the man said, laughing. "It's wonderful to see you again!"

"Likewise," said Azula, surprised by how genuinely pleased she was indeed. "You've moved out of Shu Jing, then?"

"Yes, yes," said the man. "As I'd told you, jobs were opening for this factory and I was lucky enough to secure one. My family is finally getting back on its feet."

"And you needed no charity to make that happen. I'm pleased," said Azula, smiling. "I hope your family stays well. Good luck with your job."

"Thank you, Princess, thank you!" said the man, beaming. "Ah, if you excuse me, the head of development wanted to inspect these… have a good tour through the factory!"

"Thanks," said Sokka, as the former resident of Piandao's home rushed through a different corridor from the one the tour had taken.

Sokka and Azula watched him go, but soon enough the gladiator turned his gaze towards his lover. The smile on her face made him grin too.

"Didn't think you'd be that happy to see a commoner," he said teasingly, startling her. They resumed their walk, heading down a flight of stairs. "What's next? Will you hug that hobo we met during our hike, all those ages ago?"

"Oh, sure, you're hilarious," said Azula, rolling her eyes as he chuckled. "I'm just glad he's survived, truth be told. I didn't remember he had talked about this factory until just now…"

"Seems he's getting by quite well," said Sokka. "The factory is being inaugurated officially today, but it has been working for some time, hasn't it?"

"Yes, around five or six months. They had to start working before the Fire Lord graced them with his visit, so they'd have something to show him," Azula explained. "My father started building this place over a year ago, they were merely waiting for the Mechanist to finish his designs. Once that was done, they just needed to gather enough workers to start production."

"Heh, I see," said Sokka. Azula sighed.

"I keep thinking of what happened in Jang Hui, but at the same time, I'm glad this factory offers some people the chance to get by. Though, if we think about it… you're the one to thank for his job, all things considered."

"What?" Sokka said, smiling a little. Azula smiled back.

"You're the one who worked with the Mechanist to finish the aircrafts. Without that, this man's family might still be in trouble today… so yes, on some level he owes his job to you. What a helpful man you are, huh?"

"You really mean that?" Sokka asked. Azula shrugged.

"What do you think?" she whispered enigmatically.

They had been distracted by the factory worker for long enough to lose sight of everyone else. As they talked, they walked through the paths that the others had likely taken, but they weren't entirely sure of which direction they had picked despite it all. As they found themselves in one of the lowest floors, amid working steam machines that left the air around them thick with white fog, they came to an obvious conclusion…

"We went the wrong way, didn't we?" Azula said, with a dry grin before sighing. "They probably didn't even take that first staircase back there. Such hopelessly clumsy pair we make, huh, gladiator?"

Sokka only gave her a gentle smile. Azula raised her eyebrows, recognizing his expression quickly.

"Sokka?"

His hands reached to bring her closer to him. Azula was instantly alarmed, terrified of what could happen if anyone intruded on them just now, but the hissing sounds of the steam machines reminded her that they wouldn't be that easy to spot…

She allowed him to steal the kiss as he pleased, melting into his embrace as he held her close, one hand resting on her neck, the other by the small of her back. She closed her eyes and felt the heat rising around them and inside her. His bold move, doing something so dangerous at such an inconvenient moment, was both appealing and horrifying at the same time.

Her heart raced, her body trembled, and yet she couldn't pull away. Not from his lips, not from his hands, not from the man who had doused and destroyed all shreds of common sense she had ever wielded. Why he was so irresistible to her, she'd never understand it. Reasoning with it had never worked. But even after all this time, after their relationship had been physical for many months, a wild, genuine kiss was enough to set her heart ablaze, just as his old haiku had once said…

He gave himself the freedom of trailing kisses down her neck. She felt pearls of sweat threatening to develop on her skin and could feel him growing hotter and wilder too. But this was all they could risk, and he knew that. One instance of brief recklessness would have to do.

He pecked her lips one last time before pulling away, smiling proudly and apologetically simultaneously.

"I… I know I shouldn't have," he said, his hands on her shoulders now. She laughed and shook her head.

"You incorrigible, cruel man," she said, smiling and swiping his lips clean with her thumb. He grinned. "Whatever shall I do with you…?"

"Honestly? Whatever you want, Princess," he said, beaming. "I'm yours to command."

"Lies," she said, smirking. "You only obey when it suits you."

"Heck, I said I was yours to command, I didn't say I'd always listen," he said, smirking.

She laughed again as she pulled out her hand mirror to check on her makeup… to find it wouldn't work in the steamy room. She sighed.

"We should stop frequenting places full of steam," she said. "Let's go back. We should find the rest of the group."

"Yeah, but say, if we don't find them, we can just come back here…" Sokka said, smirking. "Looks like no one's working around these parts."

"One mad escapade is enough for one day, thank you," she said, smiling and yanking him by the wrist towards the stairs. "Let's go."

She fixed her appearance quickly once they were back upstairs before they rushed through another corridor. In due time, they caught up with the others at an assembly line, where the factory's director did his best to explain the workings of the multiple production lines to the Fire Lord and his companions.

As they were coming up late, Azula and Sokka nonverbally agreed to separate: he flocked to one side of the group while she moved to the other: if anyone had noticed their absence, they might not suspect they had been together.

"… Most the machinery produced here will be part of the armored airships. The last production line of this hall is for the hot-air balloons, which need less mechanisms," the director explained, as Ozai nodded. Zhao was by his side now, with Zhen behind them. Hahn kept trying to inch closer to them, but the group of nobles was rather tight near the Fire Lord.

"You haven't started producing the airships yet, have you?" Ozai asked. The director shook his head somewhat cautiously, scared of saying anything that would displease the Fire Lord.

"We plan on beginning soon. As it is, we are holding test runs to ensure the factory can produce the airships, first of all…"

"I assume those test runs are moving along smoothly as I commanded, then," said Ozai, raising his eyebrows. The director grimaced.

"Of course they are, my Lord."

"Good to know…" said Ozai, as his eyes followed someone who had approached the only functional line, the one dedicated to the hot-air balloons.

Sokka had moved there of his own accord, curious about how the production line assembled the hot-air balloon's engines. A few men were working there, and Sokka stayed clear out of their way as they composed the mechanism: the gladiator remained blissfully unaware that he had drawn the tour's full attention to himself, due to the Fire Lord's staring. Azula grimaced as she eyed Sokka, and she waded through the group of nobles to reach her father. Unlike how they seemed to tighten to keep Hahn from reaching the Fire Lord, they moved out of the way instinctively when the Princess walked among them.

"Does everything look right, gladiator?" Ozai called out. Sokka flinched and turned with an awkward smile: his stomach twisted anxiously once he found so many eyes upon him.

"I'm… just surprised by how efficient this process is," he said. "These engines look a lot nicer than the one we built in the Air Temple…"

"As they should," said Ozai. "There's no room for failure here."

Sokka nodded. In truth, the blueprints he had designed with the Mechanist had been followed to perfection. He couldn't find any flaws in these products.

Not far from where Azula stood, Hahn let out a tsk sound. The Princess glanced at him: his outrage at being ignored by Ozai, and seeing Sokka favored constantly over him, might be his undoing, at this rate.

"Well, then, if you approve…" said Ozai to Sokka, smirking. "I had ordered something for you, gladiator. Perhaps we should move this along to the hangar, director?"

"Oh yes! Right away, your request was finished on time, yes," said the director, and they resumed their tour.

Ozai ushered Sokka to walk closer to him, and Sokka glanced over at Azula, panicking slightly. He looked at her questioningly, but Azula only smiled. Did she know what her father was up to?

The hangar was immense. It opened to the outside, and only half a dozen completed hot-air balloons sat within its walls. The balloons were static but already filled with hot air: they had been crafted out of crimson fabric, with the Fire Nation's black symbol emblazoned over it. Ozai treaded towards the vehicles, following the director, who stopped at one of the hot-air balloons.

"This is it," he said. Ozai glanced at Sokka.

"Do you see anything wrong with it?" he asked. Sokka frowned, wondering if it was a test of some sort.

"Huh. I guess I should inspect it more closely," he said. Ozai nodded.

"Go ahead."

Sokka climbed aboard the hot air balloon, studying it carefully. The engine seemed fine, the balloon was well sewn, the directional flaps were in place, as was the lid. He moved to check on it, pulling it to the different settings and poles he had developed. They worked perfectly, as did the flaps. By the time he was done testing each possibility he could think of, he smiled at the group of onlookers again.

"Well, it seems to be responding right," he said. "It should fly well."

"Have you conducted test flights yet?" Ozai asked the director, who nodded nervously.

"Of course, sir."

"In that case, you can take it home with you whenever you please, gladiator," said Ozai. "It's yours."

Sokka stood where he was, the lid's rope still in his hands. He pulled it a few more times, just to try to snap himself out of his confused daze as a gasp of surprise coursed through the nobles behind Ozai.

Had the Fire Lord just given him a gift?

"I… mine?" Sokka asked. Ozai smirked.

"Loyalty deserves its reward," he said. "I was quite pleased that you survived your dangerous encounter, and that you didn't turn your back on the Fire Nation, even at the cost of your own life. Allies like yourself are hard to come by, but important to preserve. Take this as a token of my gratitude."

Sokka swallowed hard and looked at Azula. She smiled proudly, with a hint of malice that he had no doubt she was putting on for show. Many of the nobles were glancing between her, Ozai and Sokka as it was. Sokka swallowed and smiled too.

"I… don't know what to say," he finally spoke. "But, uh, it should be pretty useful, yes. Uh, thank you. It's… I never expected this."

"It was only right," said Ozai, smirking. "You helped create these aircrafts, and you proved your worth. I would say you have earned your dues."

Sokka swallowed hard and smiled, taking in his balloon in surprised appreciation. He had no idea if he'd ever use it – he would have gladly chosen a different balloon design if he'd had a choice, but he'd do best to not be picky. Regardless, he had been pleasantly surprised that day: finally he understood why Ozai had wanted Azula to bring him to the Palace and the factory today.

Yet he was using him not only as an example of loyalty in front of his usual subjects, but in front of Hahn too. As everyone clapped politely and nodded approvingly, Hahn was the image of despair: Sokka was in the exact position he had wanted to acquire upon arriving in the Fire Nation.

"Well, then… I guess I'll just take it home today and be done with it," said Sokka, with a weak smile. "But I should try it out again now, to make sure it'll fly well…"

"Do go on ahead," said Ozai, nodding. "It's fitting for our visit to end with a demonstration."

"Good to know," said Sokka, smiling. "If anyone wants to come along…"

"Can we?" Zhen asked, beaming and stepping forward with bright eyes. "I've always wanted to know what flying feels like!"

"Sure," said Sokka, with an awkward smile. He had hoped for a certain someone else to step forward, but he wouldn't back down on his offer now. "Anyone else wants to come?"

"It's best if only two people fly," the director recommended. "The balloons are safer with a crew of two."

"Alright, then!" Zhen exclaimed, jumping inside the hot-air balloon's basket. "Lead on, good sir!"

Sokka smiled and readied himself for the flight. He stirred the engine and Zhen watched the process with amazement, as did the rest of the observing public. Sokka closed the lid quickly, and mere moments after he did, the basket began to hover. The balloon was floating soon enough, as the gladiator maneuvered to steer the vehicle carefully. Zhen was ecstatic, laughing as the two of them flew out of the hangar.

"It's amazing! It's truly amazing!" he exclaimed, gazing about himself in wonder. Sokka chuckled.

"Yeah, it is," he said. "You should get one of these for yourself. You'd travel faster everywhere, you know…"

"No doubt!" said Zhen, beaming. "Honestly, though, you have it all, don't you, gladiator? Accomplished swordsman, inventor, what can't you do…?"

"A lot more things than you imagine," Sokka confessed, laughing. "And I wasn't that much of an inventor, the Mechanist did most the work here…"

"You're still pretty impressive, though," said Zhen, chuckling as the wind buffeted against them. "Ah, this is so surreal and wonderful… I really do want one of these. My son would love a ride in one."

"Yeah, no doubt a kid would love it," said Sokka, chuckling. "I always wanted to ride with my dad on the boats back in my Tribe, I learned all about sailing with him… uh, well, I doubt you want to hear about that."

"Now, why wouldn't I?" Zhen asked, beaming. "It sounds like you had a nice dad. I hoped to be one too for my Huiwen, but I'm afraid I can't teach him everything he asks of me."

"What do you mean?" Sokka asked, raising an eyebrow. Zhen sighed.

"He really has a thing for swords… I can't help him with that kind of combat. I'm a firebender, he's a non-bender, so it's tricky…"

"Huh, I get it," said Sokka, smiling sympathetically. Zhen's eyes lit up as he looked at him.

"You know… you could, maybe, give me some advice for him," he said. "I'm sure he'd appreciate that. He's seen you fight, I bet he'd love some pointers from you."

"Oh, well, I could give him some advice if you want," said Sokka, smiling a little. "Does he have basic knowledge of fighting, at least?"

"Absolutely not!" said Zhen, beaming. Sokka's eyebrow twitched. "He's a kid, he hasn't had any formal training. I thought it'd be for the best if he had a happy childhood, but now he's older and he decided he wants to join the army like his dad… a sweet thing, isn't it? But I don't know how to help him, not entirely."

"You should hire a swordsman to train him then," said Sokka, shrugging as he maneuvered with the air balloon. "It'd be better for him, likely. Advice won't do much good without actual instruction."

"Really? Uh, but the best master was Piandao…" muttered Zhen, pouting. But the glow of an idea reappeared in his eyes soon enough. "Wait… weren't you taught by him?"

"I was, yes. For three months," Sokka said. Zhen's smile widened.

"Then you should teach him!"

Sokka froze, with the ropes in his hands again. He raised an eyebrow, confused.

"Me?" he said. "Uh, I'm not sure I have the time for it. I should be getting back in shape for the Arena, you see…"

"Oh, I won't take too much of your time! It can be just one day of the week, and you won't have to worry too much! If you're too busy we can cancel the sessions, so we won't inconvenience you," said Zhen, looking at him with expectation. "I'd even pay you!"

"That… oh, goodness. I think you'd have to talk to my sponsor about that," said Sokka, with an awkward smile.

"Well, then, I shall!" said Zhen, smiling. "But, say, if she agrees to it, would you want to do it?"

"I… will do whatever she tells me to do," Sokka said, gulping. He hoped Zhen wouldn't read too much into the truth of that statement.

"Still evasive, but I'm not hearing a 'no'," Zhen said, grinning. Sokka sighed and smiled weakly, continuing to handle the hot-air balloon as his companion enjoyed the scenery.

Sokka flew with Zhen for some time, but once the sun started to set, he landed again. There wasn't much left to see in the factory, and the rest of the nobles spent their time eyeing the other airships in the hangar with delight. Ozai was speaking with a few nobles, and Zhao stepped up with a smirk as the aeronauts landed.

"I hope you enjoyed your flight, Zhen," Zhao said. "Still eager to pilot these things, then?"

"Very much!" Zhen exclaimed, as he and Sokka stepped out of the now static air balloon. "The trip only convinced me all the more!"

"I guess the experience outdid the expectations," said Zhao, with a chuckle. "Fair enough, I'll offer you as a candidate for the Air Forces."

"Yes! Thank you, sir!" Zhen exclaimed before turning to Sokka. "Thanks for that trip, gladiator! Shall I ask the Princess about my request now, then? Seriously, if you think it's too much of a nuisance, I won't do it…"

"Request?" Zhao asked, looking at Zhen in confusion.

As Zhen explained, Sokka allowed his gaze to drift towards the Princess. She was speaking with a few nobles too, unaware of this conversation. Perhaps she would tell him not to be so foolish and to not spend more time with children than strictly necessary. Or perhaps she would say that he ought to do it, for she had to establish steady, stable social connections with military officials to strengthen her claim to the throne. Zhen perhaps wasn't too highly ranked yet, but he was ranked highly enough to be here right now, wasn't he?

Sokka swallowed hard, but he smiled at Zhen as his resolve built at last. All be it for her sake…

"I'd be fine with it, as long as she approves."

"You would?! Yes!" Zhen exclaimed, throwing a punch in the air in celebration. A puff of fire burst from it, too small to be dangerous. "I'll ask her right away!"

Sokka sighed as Zhen rushed away, leaving him with Zhao. The admiral glanced at the crowd, taking in the sight of Hahn, standing away from the group and no longer trying to reach Ozai. He smirked.

"Well, the lesson may have been learned, from the looks of it," he said. "You were rather helpful today, gladiator."

"Does the Fire Lord know about how fickle Hahn's loyalties might be?" Sokka asked.

"Why do you think he's ignored him all along?" said Zhao, smirking and looking at Sokka. "I told him about Hahn through a letter, he knew better than to trust him blindly. The Fire Lord made an example of you today, even if he truly is grateful for your loyalty. He hopes Hahn, and the rest of the nobles, will understand that true loyalty can come from anywhere, and that they had better not take their places in the world for granted. You've come very far since the Princess found you. You may yet go further."

"How much further, exactly?" said Sokka with an awkward smile. Zhao chuckled.

"Only time will tell, I suppose," he said, nodding in his direction.

Sokka watched Zhao approach Ozai, who clearly was ready to leave by now. Sokka stood where he was, beside his recently landed hot-air balloon, watching the two men. Loyalty, they'd said: Ozai had been grateful, Zhao had been curious. Both of them had a concept of Sokka that would disappear so easily if only they knew…

But what did Sokka think of them by now? While he certainly didn't like Zhao, thanks to Azula's conditioning of him, something told him he had to hold back before passing judgment on the man. And Ozai had spoken of many things today that had surprised him: his concern for his daughter's safety, paired with their conversation regarding the war, had led Sokka to wonder if maybe Ozai was tired of it, too. One hundred and eight years were far too many for the waging of a single war, weren't they?

Perhaps Zhao and Ozai were masters of deception and suggestion. Perhaps they had known exactly how to get to him. Sokka had no intention of dropping his guard around them, but if there were any chances they might change their minds about the war, Sokka would gladly make the most of that.

As he reflected on those things, a frowning, confused Princess approached him. Sokka jumped upon sensing her presence.

"H-hey, what's up?" he asked. She huffed.

"You agreed to teach Zhen's son? You seriously did?" she asked. Sokka gulped.

"I said I'd do it if you allowed it, but I figured you needed some good relations with the people you may rule over, so… I thought why not? I mean, I'm not going to start training a lot yet, or am I?"

"Not quite yet," Azula admitted. "But I didn't think you'd choose to kill time by training a child… still, you're not wrong. It could be useful."

"Is it too inconvenient?" Sokka asked, looking at her in concern. She sighed and smiled a little.

"Only in the ways you know it is," she said. Sokka bit his lip. "Zhen means to bring the brat as early as tomorrow morning. We'll have to be ready for them."

"Woah, that's fast," said Sokka, eyes wide.

"Indeed it is," said Azula "But you brought this on yourself, huh?"

"I guess so," said Sokka, with a weak smile. "Um, say… do you want a ride? At least over the building and to your palanquin? Or even to the Palace, the Procession could return at their own pace that way…"

"I'd rather not risk it," said Azula, with a small smile. "I can try flying with you eventually, I suppose. Not tonight, though."

"Alright, alright," Sokka said, defeated. Azula's smile widened.

"Don't be so downcast and focus on your fearsome fight of tomorrow instead. You'll face a deadly eleven-year-old, after all," she said. Sokka sighed.

"Yeah, what a terrible fight that will be," Sokka admitted, with a weak grin. Azula chuckled.

"I'll see you tomorrow morning, then. By dawn," she said. "Don't sleep in."

"I'll try not to," he said, smiling warmly at her.

The nobles and military members were leaving, and Azula made sure to join them, but not before glancing at Sokka once last time. He waved at her and sighed, climbing on his new air balloon and taking flight on his own.

He floated in the sky for a while, gazing out at the stars as they slowly started to twinkle in the darkening skies, thinking of everything that had happened today. The challenge tomorrow posed for him could not go ignored, naturally: he hadn't tried teaching anything to any children in a long time. Would this be a catastrophe? It certainly had the potential for it.

He chuckled and shook his head: it didn't matter. Whatever the kid was like, he'd bear with him, all be it for Azula's sake.