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Chapter Text

Princess Azula flicked a strand of hair from her eyes, having just told the captain that she didn’t care if the Tide was not permitting them to move, to go ahead regardless.

Looking out she thought about how to get her prisoners, her stupid and weak brother with their fuddy duddy uncle. Zuko will be easy to persuade, he craves their fathers approval so if she lies and spins a story how he revoked his banishment (which she knows would never happen) he will surely come crawling back. Uncle Iroh would be harder to fool though…but he is so protective of her brother. Where Zuko goes, he will surely follow.

Focusing back on the sea, breathing in the salty air with a gentle sigh. Yes. Her mission will be over soon and when it is she will finally be able to go after the Avatar and that Traitor with him. Actual work, that will be worthy of her time.

Chapter Text

It was a few days before they were to separate from the Northern Tribe’s water benders, standing as Pakku decided to give them some parting gifts for their journey ahead.

“Katara, this vial holds water from the Spirit Oasis, it’s healing properties have yet to be fully discovered. Use it wisely.” She bowed, thanking the man before putting it on. “Aang, this is a relic from a hundred years ago, gifted from your people. It is time to return it.” Aang was given a box which had patterns painted on it, bowing low Katara wrapped an arm around him gently. “Avatar Zuko, these scrolls, although will never replace a master, I hope will help you master Water Bending.”

Looking at them he nodded, closing the box and bowed lowly. “Thank you Master.” Standing with Aang and Katara the pair looked at the scrolls, Katara adding the scroll they had bought from the pirates so long ago.

When they were in the air Zuko rubbed Appa’s fur, on their way to an Earth Kingdom Base.

When they landed a man with two soldiers walked up, “Welcome Avatar Zuko!” The prince turned, “I am General Fong, and I welcome you great heroes! Strong Zuko, Wise Aang, Brave Sokka, the Mighty Katara.” Turning there were Fireworks, Zuko turned back to General Fong and followed him and his men inside.

After the tour of their room and the base they were taken to the War Room, sitting Zuko’s mind flashed to the last time he was in one of these rooms.

“Avatar Zuko, I had heard of what happened during the siege of the North Pole. It was incredible.”

“Thank you…” The General Fong didn’t seem to hear his uneasiness.

“Taking out entire fleets of Fire Navy Ships within a single night, not even! Avatar Zuko, you’re ready to face the Fire Lord.”

“What!? No I’m not!” Sokka stood to rest a hand on Zuko’s shoulder, Katara standing up with them and Aang.

“Zuko hasn’t yet fully mastered Air or Water bending, not to mention Earth! How can you even think he’s ready to face anyone, let alone the Fire Lord!?”

“With Avatar Zuko in the lead when in the Avatar State we will be unstoppable!”

“General I don’t think you understand, I wasn’t in control during that.” Zuko spoke the same he did with Zhao, gently yet with a level of authority that gave away that he has been in situations similar to this. “The Avatar State is when my Past Lives are able to impart both their knowledge and their skills, so even when I am in the Avatar State the past Avatars are the ones who take over, I’m not in control.”

General Fong didn’t seem dissuaded, and that scared Zuko. “…Avatar Zuko, a word?” Hesitantly Aang followed them, where Zuko looked down to see soldiers burned, bandaged to high heaven. “Each day, hundreds of soldiers go out against the Fire Nation, those are the lucky ones.” Zuko’s hand clenched, nails digging into his skin. “It’s getting worse the longer this goes on, people are dying Zuko! I’ll let you choose.” Zuko stood there, looking down at the wounded soldiers.

◊◊◊

When Zuko entered the room he immediately laid down on the bed ang passed out. When waking up Aang was waiting, curled up on the edge of his bed. “Aang?”

“…can we talk?”

“Mhmm, sure.” Standing he stretched before following Aang onto a rooftop with air bending, “Whats up?”

“…maybe…we should give Fong a chance…”

“What?”

“Just…I’m meant to teach you Air Bending and the Spiritual stuff but…honestly I don’t know how to help you control when and what you do in the Avatar State…so maybe…we can find out?” Swallowing Zuko looked at the horizon, now that he was fully awake his mind recalled the date.

“…Aang…” Looking at the kid though, seeing something more in his eyes, made Zuko cave. “…if you think so, you are my Spirit Guide after all.” Aang was smiling, although a little guilty, and ran back down.

Zuko stayed up, his mind recalling three years ago, his hand absentmindedly going to the scar which burned in the memory…

◊◊◊

“This herbal tea is known to aid our men to give immense energy,” Zuko watched an older man put a pinch of dried leaves and petals into a pot of water before pouring it out and offered a cup. “Perhaps it will encourage the Avatar State.”

“Immense energy…?” Carefully blowing on the steaming tea Zuko sipped it, it was rather sweet for his preference but didn’t spit it out. Putting the cup down, he didn’t like the staring but soon his knee began to bounce, fingers tapping his knee.

In mere minutes he was pacing around air bending spirals of wind and trying to burn off all this energy in him.

“Yeah, I don’t think Zuko is going to go into the Avatar State thanks to that tea.”

“That tea was too sweet for me, please don’t give me more.” He muttered faster than he usually would say it but softly, Fong seemed disappointed that this wasn’t working.

◊◊◊

“What you are wearing is ceremonial garments from each of the four nations.” He was, a pair of Air Nomad bracelets, Earth Kingdom shirt, Water Tribe headpiece and Fire Nation pants. “Now we shall combine the four elements into one! Water, Earth, Fire, Air.” He was mixing them inside a shallow steel cooking pot. “For elements together as one!”

Then it was thrown onto Zuko, glad it wasn’t his clothes but upset it was ruining said clothes he glared. “This is just warm mud!”

“So…do you feel anything?” Deciding to get them all back he took a deep breath, then sneezed with Air Bending.

He was clean, everyone else got covered in mud.

◊◊◊

Sokka stood in front of Zuko, “Maybe I can scare you into the Avatar State?”

“You know my history Sokka, you can try.” Katara covered his eyes, in a few moments he saw Momo’s head on Sokka’s body, the lemur screeched. He did jump back, hand to his heart, but other than that nothing much. “I don’t think that worked…?” He then watched with a chuckle at Sokka loosing balance and falling over, Momo flying over to rest on Zuko’s shoulders.

◊◊◊

Zuko was leaning against the railing, sighing deeply. Katara came out, “You OK?”

“…I really didn’t want to do this Katara…but Aang…” He sighed, looking at the sky. “…I’m going to tell Fong that I don’t want to continue, that it wouldn’t be wise. Anyway, I don’t want to go into the Avatar state ever again…I don’t like it.” She nodded, resting a hand on his shoulder.

“Whatever you feel is right Zuko, want me to tell the others?”

“No, I will.” Nodding she left, following Zuko entered the room.

“Hey, everything alright?”

“Yeah…we aren’t continuing tomorrow, doesn’t feel right to me.” He purposefully looked at his bed, away from Aang.

“Well, if you feel like it isn’t right then it’s OK…did I at least startle you earlier?”

“I’ll admit, you caught me off guard considering how little time you had.” Sokka pumped his fist, “How did you even get Momo to agree?”

“I gave him peaches this morning and at dinner I gave him apples.” Zuko smiled but let himself fall asleep.

Chapter Text

“I see.” Zuko was seated in General Fong’s War Chamber, the room was dark without the torches lit. They were alone as Fong was stroking his beard, “Are you certain?”

“Yes, the only way to trigger the Avatar state is in extremely high-risk environments.”

“I see…” Suddenly the man’s earth table came shooting at him, air bending a shield he flew out the door and landed on the training fields. “MEN! ATTACK THE AVATAR!”

“WHAT!?” Fong came down, a wave of Earth at his feet. “I DON’T WANT TO FIGHT!” Zuko managed out as he leapt over the attack.

“I’m afraid you’ve given me no choice on the matter now.” Taking stance he swallowed his nerves, surrounded by Earth Kingdom Soldiers who raised Earth against him.

Air bending to avoid their attacks was the best Zuko could do, water bending thick ice on some of their hands and feet. But when one cut his cheek he took a deep breath, although he swore to himself to not fire bend in front of them he had no other way out.

Using fire whips he knocked out three men, turning to Fong. “This is your last warning! Stop this now Fong!” Spotting colours that weren't tan or green in the corner of his eye was a slight relief, hearing air bending as Fong faced him completely.

“I won’t.” He rushed him, Zuko sending out fire beneath his feet before a giant wall of flame.

Hearing soldiers stutter Fong screamed at them before turning back to Zuko, “You’re of Fire Nation!”

“I’m the Avatar! I can bend all four elements!” Hearing a silent huff Fong continued, but after a while and finally getting all the soldiers to leave he turned. “KATARA!” Beside Fong was Katara, she was knee-deep in Earth. Fong had several cuts from her ice but held a hand that slowly closed into a fist. “LET HER GO!” Air bending Fong merely raised a wall, Katara sank lower.

“You could save her if you were in the Avatar State right now!”

“I’m trying!”

“Zuko! I’m sinking!”

“You don’t need to do this!”

“Apparently, I do.” Katara fell under, her braid disappearing. Zuko didn’t see Katara for a moment though, instead seeing ebony black hair, amber eyes and the flickers of blue. His mind went blank, seeing how easily he lost Azula to their father’s control, and he couldn’t protect Katara…

How could he protect her from their father? How could he save her…? He couldn’t, she was gone…

Gone…

Aang stepped back, grabbing Sokka and air bending back when seeing Zuko’s form sag. Head down, suddenly flames of gold surrounded him as he raised his head and turned to the man responsible.

His eyes, glowing with a blue hue.

“It worked…IT WORKED!” The winds churned, flames flickering, Fong realised too late he was the one Zuko was fixating on. A jet of white-hot fire blasting him back.

In a mere movement a tornado of wind and fire held him up, the flames licking everything it could touch. “AVATAR ZUKO! CAN YOU HEAR ME!?” Zuko’s face was just a mask of rage, “YOUR FRIEND IS SAFE!” Katara was returned to the surface, taking giant gulps of air before looking up and looked genuinely terrified. The winds taking her away, Sokka held her close. “I USED HER TO TRY AND TRIGGER THE AVATAR STATE! AND IT WORKED!” Zuko slammed down, the Earth rippled under him. With a circle of flames around him though, Aang saw a faint shimmer.

Zuko felt his body disappear beneath him, looking down at it. Seeing Roku and the dragon, he turned to the younger Avatar. “It’s time you learned.” Raising above the clouds Zuko saw his past lives, “The Avatar State, as you have been taught you know it is when you are at your strongest, but also at your most vulnerable.”

“I never understood that…”

“The Avatar State is when the Light Spirit has control, we are merely allowing her to use our knowledge, our skills into your body. But if the Spirit is ever harmed, if we are killed in the Avatar State the cycle will be broken.” At that Zuko was sitting alone, turning to see a long line of past lives. With three Avatar’s between them was Roku, “And the Avatar will cease to exist.” He faded, with Ange, Ratayi and finally Sing.

Swallowing he felt as the dragon dived, returning to his body he fell immediately to his knees. Although he didn’t pass out which was a good thing, there was one terrible thing to witness.

The damage.

Turning he saw the ruins he had left, feeling his eyes string he curled up in a foetal position. Immediately hearing Sokka, Aang and Katara run up. “I never want to do that again.”

“Come on, let’s go.” Sokka helped him up, “You need some rest.” Katara took him, hands on his shoulders as she leaned against him.

“Rest! Are you kidding me!? That was incredible! If only we could find a way to control you when you’re like that…”

“Try to and I will not hesitate to burn you alive in a way that will make the Fire Lord happy.” He growled, but Sokka knocked him out.

“Any problems with that!?”

Everyone shook their heads.

One brave man came forwards, “Would you still like the escort to Omashu?”

“I think we’re set.” Katara told him, making Zuko nod. Being given more supplies they took off, laying down he sighed.

“Oh this has been bad day after bad day…” Aang sat closer, guilt lining his face.

“I’m sorry Zuko…really.” He sighed, sitting up.

“It’s OK, I learnt more about the Avatar State though…which makes sense when you think about it…but I have not been having a good few days oh spirits…” With his treasured red blanket around his shoulders he looked younger, the usual level of maturity he had was gone.

“…wanna talk about it?” He glanced at the distance, then turned.

“…three years ago today my father banished me, burning my face with no humanity. He told me that banishing me was his mercy…I can’t believe I believed it once…” Refusing to look at them he looked down, “I had to have a bandage for three months, it was a miracle that I can even see or hear from the burn…all because I spoke out of turn in a war meeting and refused to fight my father.”

The others were silent, “…you were thirteen?”

“Yeah…great parenting am I right?” Zuko didn’t even laugh, “…sending out his son, to fight a master knowing it could either get him killed or so badly burned that they can’t move…then revealed himself and disfigured them.”

“…Zuko…”

“…you know whats worse…my little sister is still with him, she is with him day in day out, pressured and forced into the image of perfection in his eyes…I was never cut out for it, but it was less with me there…I just hope she’s OK now that I know just how bad he's probably been treating her.”

◊◊◊

“Uncle, I’ve wondered where you were.” Azula spoke lightly, knowing there was a low chance he would fall for her. “Where’s Zuko? I’ve got a message from father for him.” She idly checked her nails, long and healthy and sharp.

“I’m afraid I don’t know, your brother is rather difficult to find these days.”

“Wouldn’t he be at your feet like always?”

“No, I haven’t seen him in weeks in fact.” Admiring his shells Iroh smiled at her, “Have you seen my collection?”

“Admirable Uncle, but it’s Zuko I want to talk to.”

“He isn’t here, and I don’t know where he is going.” Azula frowned gently, “Please, why don’t we enjoy a cup of calming tea?”

“…what happened in the North Pole?” Her curiosity burst forth, “No one gave clear stories.”

“Well, the Avatar defeated the fleets, with aid of the Moon and Ocean Spirits. I however kept a safe distance.”

“Yes, your journey into the Spirit World. I could see why you kept away.” Sitting she took her uncles tea, admittedly she enjoyed it better than any other tea maker in the Fire Nation. “So you made your way here?”

“Yes, after drifting away I was taken here. Such luck, isn’t it my niece.”

“Father will be glad your safe.” The lie was familiar in her mouth, washing it’s rotten taste with the tea.

“Oh, I’m not sure your father will be. But I will not return to the Palace, not yet.”

“Why the hesitance?” Iroh smiled at her.

“I have been given a new outlook on the world, a traveller. I wish to follow it through my niece.” He told her, “Are you still continuing your forms?”

“Finished them, I’m now practising lightning.” He hummed, nodding.

“Yes, I always saw you the one who would be able to summon lightning. I wish you well, my niece, but I am an old man, and this old man needs his afternoon nap.” Nodding she stretched, planning to capture him in his sleep. That was one prisoner.

When she and soldiers returned her uncle was gone, getting an image of him and ordering by royal decree he was to be captured alive.