Author's note: This is my first Avatar story, so feel free to correct me if I get anything wrong. However, I should explain that I am not a fan of the comics or Legend of Korra, so I am disregarding them. I understand if that's a tune-off, but it's mainly because I only watch The Avatar 2005 series, and I am not a big fan of the plot points of some of Korra's decisions. Second, this is not going to be like the show. I am a big fan of moral ambiguity and actual risks. Deaths will happen, as shown in this chapter. I don't know what the ships for this fic are going to be yet.

Chapter 1

Iroh was many things.

A fool was not one of them. The Dragon of the West knew of his brother's cruel streak. While Iroh had to implement cruelty in war naturally, it didn't mean that he'd particularly enjoyed doing so. It was merely to aid in the stability of the Fire Nation and bring an end to this war so his nephew, niece, and the future generations wouldn't have to worry about a war that had been occurring for a hundred years.

He didn't know what had happened while he was away from home. The Siege of Ba Sing Se was viewed as a terrible dishonor and failure for Iroh. As Iroh was returning home from the siege, his father, Fire Lord Azulon, died under mysterious circumstances, and Ursa was banished from the palace.

It had greatly depressed the warrior to see his nephew in such a state. The boy had lost much of his cheerful attitude, and perhaps in a moment of sympathy that his niece possessed and showing that she deep down did love her brother, Azula chose to leave him be.

"Despite your failure in Ba Sing Se, General, and... Fire Lord Azulon's untimely death," Ozai, the new Fire Lord, was speaking, his eyes sealed shut, "we will be able to recover from this blow, stronger and faster than ever. When the Sozin Comet arrives, the Fire Nation will recover from your failure and conquer Ba Sing Se at last, along with the Northern Water Tribe and any resistance that may come."

Perhaps Iroh should have let it go at that. Officially, the Fire Sage crowned Ozai Fire Lord as was Azulon's alleged dying wish. It devastated Iroh in every way... and so soon after his son's, Lu Ten, death. However, the death of his young son in a war was much different than the death of a father nearing the end of his life.

And now, with so many differences around the Fire Nation Royal Palace, Iroh found the grieving silence to leave a gravity on his choice.

And now, Dear Ursa was gone.

The official story was that Zuko and Azula's mother, Ursa, had committed treason.

It was possible.

Treason happened in the past.

However, Iroh had also known Ursa well enough to know that she didn't want power, and that was the part of the story when things began to derail. There was something off about the entire story. It led to him asking more questions than he should have. The fact that Ozai almost seemed... happy about the death of their father behind the closed eyes and small sighs. If his brother was truly caring about his children, surely, he would allow Ursa back into the palace, at least under heavy observation.

"Brother, I trust your judgment, but I'm unsure if your children will be able to thrive in the absence of their mother. I implore you to-"

"No!" Ozai's eyes lit with flames.

"But... it's dishonorable. To rob any child of their mother."

"Oh, perhaps the 600 days siege weakened you, brother," Ozai's sardonic eyes landed on him. "After all, how many children did you rob of their parents?" he held his chin up condescendingly.

It was a crushing blow, and it did leave guilt in his heart. However, Iroh spotted the deflection. "It was a shame what happened in that siege to all involved, however, their mother is still alive. Arrangements can be made," his voice lowered, "even in times of treason."

"No, you will obey. I am the Fire Lord now, Iroh. My word is law. That wretched traitor will never be allowed to grace our halls again."

"Why was she banished?" Iroh asked. "You haven't provided a reason outside of treason. What did she commit treason against?"

Ozai paused for a moment, "I need not to disclose such information. I knew her. I knew what she was plotting."

"Ozai," Iroh placed his hands on his brother's shoulder, "brother, I am begging you. At least, allow her to visit the children. She would never hurt..."

"I do not have to answer myself to you. You are a washed out soldier, who failed. All I have to do is..." Ozai smirked now as he turned around, discarding Iroh, "is win this war."

The older man wanted to continue the conversation, but he'd seen no convincing Ozai. If it was of any luck, perhaps he could decrease the blow their mother's absence would bring. If Azula did love Zuko, surely, a part of her did love her mother. Maybe he could place seeds and hope that they would break away from their abuser in the form of their father, the man who had long since lost his humanity.

"It is as you command, Fire Lord Ozai," Iroh punched his fist with his palm and bowed respectfully. "May I retire now, brother?"

"Of course," Ozai allowed, "I have business to attend to."

Iroh didn't have a wiseguy to know that his younger brother didn't want to be there in the first place. It was a simple formality to him.

He sighed and released his shoulders, beginning his walk outside of the kitchen before stopping, another thought coming now.

Iroh should have allowed it to end there. Ozai may have been ambitious, but surely, a moment of grief for their father wouldn't have been below him. A simple funeral wasn't enough. It took time. One thing was for sure: even in private, Iroh hadn't been able to smile for weeks.

While Ozai did allow for them to have a moment of refreshment together, nothing suggested that he was saddened. He knew his brother inside and out.

"Servants, clear the kitchen up. Guards, leave me be!"

Acknowledgment rang, but unheard to Iroh's ears.

Although Iroh shouldn't have thought about it as much as he did, he found that the timing was too... convenient. Ursa's banishment so soon after Azulon's death and Ozai becoming Fire Lord?

Something tugged at his intuition, and in a flash, a treacherous whisper traveled through his mind...

His father may have been old and fragile, but it didn't make sense for all of this to happen. Iroh didn't want to face the possibility. No, it was the betrayal of a deeper sort. Part of him didn't want to believe that his brother was capable of such a thing, not against one of his own bloodline, but he'd recalled the expectations that he placed on his children's shoulders, how he pretty much created a war between the two and alienated them from each other. The children felt like they had to live up to their father's expectations or be dishonored.

But he couldn't help it...

'What if Ozai killed our father so he could become Fire Lord?'

And the more he thought about it, the more he reflected on Ozai's past treatment of Ursa and Zuko.

Slowly, everything clicked into place.

Ozai's cruelty knew no bounds. It was likely that if suspicions arose which there hadn't been, he would fault it on Ursa. In young Azula, he already had a protegé for the throne, someone stronger than her brother. If Iroh's suspicions were true, and very likely they were, he would do the same to Zuko. He would convert the girl into a bigger monster. She would be the head of the Fire Nation. During Sozin's Comet, the Fire Nation would bring destruction to the world.

It wasn't about balancing the four nations and perhaps ushering a new era of peace but securing power for a dictator who wished to accomplish world domination. He would gleefully sacrifice his father, child, wife, and everyone for his sick games.

As if cruel irony was in front of him now, a knife was on the table as the servants' footsteps got closer.

Iroh gripped the knife and hid it just as they entered before leaving without even seeming concerned.

'Can I really do it?'

'You have to. He's not the brother you once knew.'

'But so soon...'

'If you don't, he could ruin your nephew and niece, and you may have to bury them together. You can do this but will have to be careful in the aftermath, there are no guards in the throne room; he dismissed them and none of them would dare to come in at any time unless summoned, Ozai alone and unsuspecting...'

No emotion could replace the anger rapidly forming inside of him. While Iroh leaned to the side of negotiation and peaceful outcomes, part of him was still that iron-cold General he was before his son's death. The thought of the monsters that Ozai could turn his children into, or the lost souls one of them could be, burned something hot within him.

Ozai was arrogant… and his arrogance blinded him to reality as their parents, especially their mother, pointed out multiple times in an attempt to curb his behavior. Spirits of the Islands, he thought himself above defeat in anything but the most glorified and epic of circumstances, and that self-given surety born of pride created a weakness.

He'd believed that all battles were direct, that he would have time to make contingencies or just outright win using weapons instead of words.

Their mother, Ilah, was somewhat like Azulon, firm in the ways and concentrated on the honor of the Fire Nation, but more affectionate towards her family than he was. Azulon had married nobility and someone who shared similar values and worldview as him due to his adherence to his father's standards. She was still loving in some ways but was completely strict and standoffish. Ozai was always jealous of the lack of attention from both parents. He hadn't shown much emotion for their mother's death either.

Iroh attempted to resolve himself...

He would have to do what must be done.

A memory of him holding a beloved baby boy close to his arms throughout a terrible thunderstorm flashed through his mind before it was also discarded. It was too late to change his brother. The man had no interest in trying to be a good father to any of his children or in any era of peace; he just wanted to use everyone like tools and gain unlimited power.

He followed behind him closely, unseen to the guards, staring at the back of his brother, just short of the throne he would soon sit in. The throne awaited, inviting the new Fire Lord back into his residence of power.

Part of Iroh wondered if he would fail. Part of him hoped he would. He wouldn't have to live with the guilt of knowing that he killed his little brother for what may have been simple overanalyzing. But no, reality struck quicker than ever before. As quick as Iroh, from holding the knife he was clutching, he dashed behind Ozai, aiming and stabbing him through the chest.

Ozai gasped, his eyes wide. Slowly, reality settled in for him. He looked down to see the knife, his eyes flickering to Iroh standing before him. His mouth was open, agape, blood spluttering. Agni, this was his brother, Ozai, the man who claimed to be the best firebender in the world, standing straight and domineering, a kitchen utensil stabbing through his chest. When it finally caught up to him, the Fire Lord doubled over and collapsed with Iroh lowering his body.

"Br... brothe..." Ozai spoke weakly, "...brother..."

"I'm sorry it had to come to this, Ozai, but you had to be stopped," Iroh spoke with sincere regret. "I've foreseen what you would do to this world, to your own children, and I will not abide by it."

A hiss escaped his voice. "I... you are a failure..." he coughed some more, "...and a... a traitor."

"Perhaps," Iroh acknowledged, a mournful sigh escaping him. "But I am going to protect my nephew and niece, even from their father if I have to."

"Oh so you've... figured it out?" Ozai breathed weakly.

Iroh was bemused but hid it well, knowing that subtlety would prevail here. "I have..."

"Fathe... was a unsuspecting fool. He deserved what was..." Iroh gasped. There it was: the admission. Now, it was no longer a theory. No one will ever find out. If Iroh tried to spread the word, no one would believe it.

To his credit, Ozai grinned one last time, basking in the expression of his older brother for a moment longer before the spark was gone from his eyes, and his head fell forward. And, within that moment, the greatest evil that the world almost ever witnessed was left unfulfilled, his wishes forever dying on his tongue.

Loss and grief settled in him briefly, despite the admission. It was one thing to witness or be told of a blood-related member of your family's death. It was another to be the catalyst, the one who held the sword even at the protection of the ones you care about. He'd supposed that there was not much of a difference between him and Ozai. As he had killed Azulon, Iroh had killed him. The claim that he did it to protect Ozai and Ursa's children would only be an excuse, as Ozai hadn't yet done what he was doing.

It was too late for second thoughts.

The deed was already done.

And Ursa's children needed their uncle eventually.

He checked himself for any signs of blood, finding none, and looked back at the corpse of his brother one last time before walking outside of the throne room.

Iroh needed a time away, taking a scroll, so he didn't stop to even visit his beloved nephew.

Iroh informed the guards that Ozai had authorized his departure from the palace, and none dared question it.

No one wanted to cross the Fire Lord.

Iroh merely proceeded to do what needed to be done. He took the time to mourn for his father, son, and now brother he'd murdered. The servants did as they usually did, none getting in the Fire Lord brother's way, but Iroh deliberately allowed himself to be seen, not wanting to raise suspicion.

As expected, the Fire Lord's lack of presence began to warrant concerns within 24 hours by the guards.

It was only 48 afterward when a brave servant girl entered the throne room, all but urged on by a few guards who wanted to see if the Fire Lord wanted his tea (a little known secret was that Ozai loved tea, just not as much as Iroh), none wanting to risk their lives. The poor girl shook along the way. It was only a scream that alerted the palace, but none thought of it until the girl rushed out urgently.

Iroh, expecting this, mirrored the mask of surprise and astonishment as he approached, pretending to rub at his ears in bemusement.

"What is the problem?"

The girl shrilled, "General! Guards! The Fire Lord has been assassinated!"

And pandemonium started...

"What?!" Iroh did a master performance of blanching before walking inside the throne room and allowing his jaw to fall as he regarded his dead brother. "Brother!" He rushed over and checked his pulse along with the guards. "No, brother..." Tears fell on the corpse for a moment before anger and determination flashed in his eyes, pain in his voice. "Secure the palace! Find Prince Zuko and Princess Azula and bring them to my chambers now!"

Even disgraced, no one wanted to cross the son of the recently deceased Fire Lord Azulon and brother of the now deceased Fire Lord Ozai. The guards in red and gold armor stood straight as if struck.

"Yes, sir!"