Chapter Text
Zuko doesn’t know how long it’s been since the invasion of the Northern Water Tribe. Word is already spreading about the event- he’s heard it referred to as the Battle of the Churning Sea . Such a name is an understatement of the godlike power the Avatar revealed during the encounter.
Zuko and Iroh left without a word. He could feel the tension around the Avatar and his friends. He saw them as Aang, Katara, and Sokka for the briefest of moments…but how could he any longer? The Avatar used the true extent of his power, and what’s worse, Zuko’s secret was out there. He was a prince. They knew . They would never trust him again.
Zuko left with his Uncle during the confusion. They sailed for weeks with nothing but what they could hunt for, either by fishing or Zuko shooting a bird out of the sky with firebending. They eventually found their way to shore, and to a Resort. They’ve used what little riches they had left and the influence they had as their identities to enjoy themselves one last time…after all, everything was gone. The ship. The shop. Probably even the crew…it would take a miracle to survive the full, unbridled wrath of the Avatar and the Ocean.
“It’s the anniversary, isn’t it?” Iroh asks, snapping Zuko out of his trance as he watches the horizon.
“...three years ago today, I was banished.” Zuko says softly, hatred dripping from his voice like blood from one of his blades. They went down with the ship, too. “I lost it all.” he looks up, seeing the sun in the sky. “I want it back. I want my honor, my throne. I want a family that doesn’t think I’m a failure.”
Iroh gently places his hand on Zuko’s shoulder. “ I don’t think you’re a failure, Prince Zuko.” Iroh smiles kindly.
---
It had been three years since Azula had seen Zuko. She had heard the tales, the gossip around the castle. She knew to take anything that the commoners said with several grains of salt…but she also knew that she and Zuko both were meant to become the most powerful firebenders the world had ever seen. Father had simply assumed this fate had forgotten Zuko, and so he has also forgotten Zuko, considering him nothing. Azula is not quite so naive.
Iroh is a traitor, that much is certain. But if she can drag Zuko back to the Fire Nation, she can make sure he learns his lesson. She can see his power in action. And, if even one of these stories are true, it means that she’ll have an ally again.
The castle has been lonely without him, without Ty Lee and Mai, without…
NO.
She cannot, she will not allow herself to have thoughts of weakness. Thoughts like this are why she is a hair off while bending lightning. She will not allow any delays- she had heard the tale of the Avatar’s power, but she will not let something as paltry as a Water Spirit shake her determination.
She’s made sure the Captain knows of her opinion of these tides . She fears nothing.
---
Katara was…distracted. She’ll admit that much. They haven’t talked about it, refused to talk about it, but they’ve all been thinking about Zuko. No one saw him since he went off to fight Zhao…Iroh disappeared into the night, as well. The truth of their identities rattled everyone, and now that Aang is deadset on mastering the Avatar State, Katara is afraid .
She doesn’t know what to think. She doesn't know what to do. When she looks at the moon at night, she used to feel the chilling comfort of night empower her…but now, the moon is different. She’s not sure many of noticed, but it’s not quite as bright as it once was. It’s duller. Yue isn’t as powerful as Tui was…and Sokka may not be saying it, but she knows her brother. If there’s any chance that Zhao’s alive, Sokka wants to march into the Fire Nation and avenge Yue’s sacrifice himself.
But General Fong rubs Katara the wrong way. Aang has the power of a God, but he’s a kid . He needs to master the four elements…if he doesn’t, how can he ever hope to control something as mighty as every avatar at once?
---
Zuko and Iroh are staying in a small shack on a beach. While Zuko meditates in a corner, Iroh pours a bag of shells he had just spent the past few hours finding onto a table.
“Look at these magnificent shells!” Iroh chuckles. “I'll enjoy these keepsakes for years to come.”
“Don’t expect me to carry your bag of shells for you. We need to carry everything ourselves now.” Zuko remind his Uncle, but as he turns, they both see a silhouette in the doorway.
“Hello, Brother. Uncle.” Azula says. Zuko, astonished, stands straight up.
She’s grown…looks like she’s been fitted for armor at last.
“Azula. What are you doing here?” Zuko asks. If there’s one thing he’s learned, it’s that Azula always has motives.
Azula walks into the room, picking up one of the shells in her hand. “You know, in my country, we exchange a pleasant ‘Hello’ before asking questions. Have you lost your civility so soon, Zuzu?” she asks with the smallest of smiles.
“Don’t call me that. We aren’t children anymore.” Zuko says with a scowl.
“To what do we owe this honor?” Iroh stands in front of Zuko, his face showing a brief lack of patience.
Azula clicks her tongue at what Zuko said, but turns to her Uncle. “Both of you, so quick to get to the point…” her grip on the shell causes it to crack. “I’ve come with a message from home. Father’s changed his mind. Family is suddenly… very important to him .” she rolls her eyes, as though finding the very idea ridiculous. “He’s heard rumors of plans to overthrow him; treacherous plots. Family are the only ones you can really trust.” she takes a deep breath, visibly contemplating her next words. “Father regrets your banishment. He wants you home.”
A silence follows, and Azula’s eyes narrow at the lack of a response.
“Didn’t you hear me?” she asks. “You should be happy. Excited. Grateful . I just gave you great news.”
“I’m sure your brother simply needs a moment-” Iroh begins, but Azula clicks her tongue.
“ Don’t interrupt, Uncle! ” she scolds, then turns to her brother. “I still haven’t heard my ‘Thank You’. I’m not a messenger- I didn’t have to come all this way.”
“Father…regrets?” Zuko asks, hope beginning to return to his eyes, return to his heart. “He…wants me back?” he asks, his voice cracking. Such a thought was foreign to him, he felt such hatred for his Father…but if there was a chance, even a ghost of a chance that his Father regretted his actions, that maybe Zuko could return, regain all he lost…shouldn’t take it? Shouldn’t he try to rejoin his family?
He misses everyone so much. Three years of sailing, three years of training, three years of waiting…was it all worth it in the end?
“I can see you need time to take this in.” Azula says, turning her back to them. “I’ll come to call on you tomorrow. Good evening.” she says, leaving the two of them with the information she has left for them.
Hours pass after Azula leaves. As night falls across the shoreline, Zuko is eagerly packing his belongings.
“We’re going home!” Zuko says, joy overcoming him. “After three long years, it’s unbelievable!”
“It is unbelievable.” Iroh says, contemplating as he looks out the window. “I have never known my brother to regret anything , no matter how poor a decision it was.”
“Didn’t you hear what Azula said?” Zuko asks. “His life is in danger! This is our chance to make things right! This could finally make him realize how important family is to him. He’s finally realized he cares about me!”
“ I care about you!” Iroh turns to Zuko, desperation in his eyes, but he takes a deep breath. “If Ozai wants you back, I think it may not be for the reasons you imagine.”
Thoughts race through Zuko’s mind. Thoughts of destiny, of his own power, of his knowledge of the Avatar’s travel patterns, of Ozai wanting a weapon. He shakes his head, chasing these thoughts from his mind.
“You…you don’t know what you’re talking about.” Zuko says, turning his back on his Uncle.
Father cares about me. He finally cares about me. I can’t deny this, if there’s even a chance…
“Zuko…” Iroh places his hand on Zuko’s shoulder. “I only meant to say that in our family, things are not always what they seem.”
More thoughts race through Zuko’s mind, thoughts of snapping at his Uncle for not understanding, for never understanding…but Zuko bites his tongue. He knows his Uncle only ever wanted to help him. Zuko hasn’t been filled with anger like his youth for years now, and so Zuko just says nothing.
He walks out of the shack without a word, leaving Iroh behind him.
---
As the sun rises the next day, Zuko descends the stone stairs, carrying his bags. He knows that Uncle may not want to return, but…he doesn’t want to make him do anything he doesn’t want to do.
“Wait! Don’t leave without me!” a voice calls, and Zuko looks back in shock as he sees Iroh running towards him.
“Uncle!” Zuko smiles wide. “You’ve changed your mind!”
“Family sticks together, right?” Iroh smiles, and the two walk together towards the shore.
“We’re finally going home.” Zuko smiles as they approach Azula’s ship.
---
Azula keeps her armor straightened. She’s been rehearsing her lines in her head for hours now. Everything has to go perfectly . Zuko’s spent three years among commoners, there’s no telling how much he’s changed. She’s prepared a full course of servants to pamper Zuko as soon as they return, followed by a healthy dose of propaganda while she will make attempts to keep Iroh’s imprisonment from him as long as possible. If all goes well, she’ll get him a position on the front lines by next month.
Things were going well. The Royal Guards stand in perfectly perpendicular lines, saluting as she instructed as Zuko and Iroh make their way to the ship.
“Brother, Uncle, welcome! I’m so glad you decided to come.” Azula smiles her most genuine-looking smile to the two of them.
“Are we ready to depart, your Highness?” the Captain asks her.
“Set our course for home, Captain.” Azula says.
“Home…” Zuko says wistfully, and the two begin to walk up the ramp to the ship.
Perfect. Just the reaction I was looking for. At this rate, everything will go exactly as planned…
“You heard the Princess, raise the anchors!” the Captain orders, just as Iroh and Zuko are halfway up the ramp. “We’re taking the prisoners home!”
Time seems to slow. The Captain realizes his mistake instantly, and Azula’s face contorts into one of rage.
“Your Highness, I…” The Captain begins, but a wave of heat erupts from the gangplank as the royal guards she had placed to give Zuko nostalgia are all blasted into the water by the Dragon of the West and his apparent apprentice.
“You lied to me!” Zuko accuses, snarling with rage as he stomps onto the deck, fire surrounding him as the battle erupts.
I can make this work. If I can’t bring you back of your own volition, Zuzu, I’ll take you back by force.
“Like I’ve never done that before.” Azula grins, and the siblings do battle.
Azula is not nearly naive enough to believe Zuko has learned nothing after all these years- indeed, his firebending skills have improved. She firebends against him, the both of them keeping each other at bay. She deflects his attacks, he deflects hers.
But there’s one thing she can do that Zuko can’t .
“You know, Father blames Uncle for the loss of the North Pole.” Azula taunts. “He considers you a failure for abandoning your search for the Avatar!” She backflips onto the upper deck. “Your only hope to come back home out of chains is me , the one who can lead you down the path of no longer embarrassing him!”
Zuko growls, the fire daggers he was wielding against her sparking with greater heat as he lunges for her! The two of them combat each other, and she manages to push him back. He’s disoriented, and now’s the moment to strike .
Performing the movements, Azula begins to generate lightning in her body. Her lungs fill with ozone as she points her fingers towards Zuko, her heart rate spiking as the sheer force of power courses through her veins! She feels alive .
But in the tunnel vision of her shot on her brother, she fails to see her Uncle coming for her until it’s too late. Iroh grabs her wrist, and as the lightning travels to her fingertips, Iroh rends the lightning from her body and into his own, shooting the lightning into the sky! He takes advantage of Azula’s disdain and disbelief by throwing her overboard!
Azula lands in the water with a splash, and by the time she gets to shore, her Brother and Uncle are long gone. She digs her nails into the sand, growing in anger.
You can run, Zuzu, but you can’t hide. Not forever.
Azula stands up and takes a deep breath, straightening herself out.
You want the throne as much as I do. Sooner or later, you’ll come back.
---
Miles away from their location, a Sky Bison takes to the skies. And in a riverside glen, Zuko and Iroh cut their hair, to leave their past behind…but the past can’t be so easily let go. Even as the hair flows downstream, Zuko places his crown within his travel bag.
Zuko has hope, and he will not let
anyone
take it away from him.