Edited by: Bieverdog AO3: GalavantingGoose

Book I

失衡

Act II: At What Cost?

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Chapter I

Zuko looked at the crowds chanting his name and applauding, but his mind just wasn’t there. He might have brought peace to the world, but it had only made the thoughts of his mother resurface–

An elbow to his arm made him snap out of it. Aang was smiling. “So, what’s in store for His Fireiness, Sifu Hotman?” But Aang’s smile faded when he saw the troubled look on his face. "I was just teasing, Zuko.” The Avatar held up his hands in surrender.

He sighed heavily. "It’s not that, Aang. Ever since the day of the Black Sun, I haven’t stopped thinking…”

”About what?” He raised his eyebrows

"My mother. She could still be alive after all these years…” Zuko's eyes trailed off, focused on a distant memory. His expression softened. "My father told me he banished her. I don’t think he told me the whole truth.”

"Maybe you could try speaking to him again?”

A soldier caught his attention. "Your Highness, pardon the interruption; your guests await you at the palace. Your coach is ready whenever you want to leave.” He nodded to the man, who resumed his post.

Zuko turned to his friend. "You go ahead, Aang. I’ll join you guys later at the palace.”

"What are you going to do?”

His eyes were filled with determination. "I’m paying my father a visit.”

(Guards dialogue)

The warm afternoon sunlight danced upon Zuko's path as he was led to his awaiting carriage. It was there that he found two men standing side by side in impeccable uniform. With a respectful synchrony, they bowed, lifting their helmets to expose a pair of earnest faces, both hardened by duty but softened by a tangible sincerity.

The elder of the pair, a ruggedly handsome man in his mid-thirties, had skin etched by years under the sun and dark eyes that spoke volumes of battles faced and won. He stepped forward, breaking the silence with a voice that echoed a deep respect. "Congratulations, Your Majesty. It's an honor.” He gave an inviting nod. “I’m Captain Saiko.”

His companion, a lean and youthful figure with piercing gray eyes that sparkled with dedication, promptly followed suit, saluting him. “Congratulations, sir. Lieutenant Mako, at your service.”

Zuko smiled graciously. “Thank you.”

They replied with a respectful nod. Saiko stood tall, a note of pride seeping into his robust voice. “Colonel Mak has assigned us to lead your personal bodyguards. It's a privilege to serve you, sir.”

Saiko cradled his helmet under his arm, the sun's rays glinting off the emblem etched into his armor. Opening the carriage door with a smooth, practiced move, Saiko took a step back, allowing Zuko to step inside as Mako ordered the other guards.

Saiko’s voice cut through the hum of cheers, a warm smile spreading across his weathered face. "It's a busy day, Your Highness, not a sight we've seen in quite some time."

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Zuko raised a curious brow. "Oh? Why is that?"

The guard let out a soft laugh as he took up the carriage reins, his eyes gleaming with subtle mirth. "Fire Lord Ozai, wasn't much for public appearances. To see their Fire Lord out in the open, it's a novelty for the people, a cherished one at that."

Zuko's lips curved into a thoughtful smile, his gaze distant yet gentle. "I'm... glad to hear that… After the ravages of the war, it's a joy we all need."

A note of somber agreement softened Saiko's features. "Yes... I'm grateful it's over. I was stationed in the Earth Kingdom for a time; it feels good to be finally home." He paused, his tone growing soft. "My family, they attended your coronation. I wanted to convey their thanks... We were all deeply honored… to be part of such a moment."

Zuko's expression warmed further at his words. "Thank you, Captain. I… I hope everyone found some measure of happiness in the ceremony."

The corner of Saiko's mouth lifted in a genuine smile. "We certainly did, sir. It's not every day the common folk get such opportunities. From what I've seen and felt so far, I believe you'll be a great Fire Lord, sir."

The praise hung in the air as the Fire Lord processed it. “I’ll do my best.”

With a smile etched on his face, Zuko sat back, the lightness of his mood slowly receding as he peeked through the window, spotting the Capital City prison in the distance.

The last time he had seen his father, Ozai had tried to kill him. Knowing that Aang had taken his bending didn’t ease his nerves, but at least he was no longer afraid of that man.

Outside the prison stood Warden Ming. Bowing, she escorted the new sovereign inside. Before parting ways, she gave him an encouraging nod.

The hallway wasn’t empty like his last visit. Guards were posted at every corner of the prison. Zuko couldn't give himself the luxury of being lax now; after all, the “Phoenix King” had ruled yesterday.

At the end was his father's cell. In front of it were a dozen soldiers. Ming was serious when he told her to ramp up security. The guardsmen opened a narrow path for him and opened the reinforced steel door.

His father’s shadowed face was hidden behind lank hair. “I should count myself lucky. The new Fire Lord has graced me with his presence in my lowly prison cell.”

“You should count yourself lucky that the Avatar spared your life.”

“Hmph.” He turned his back to him.

“Banishing me was the best thing you could have done for my life. It put me on the right path. Perhaps your time in here could do the same for you.”

“Why are you really here?” The disgraced Fire Lord sounded uninterested.

“Because you're going to tell me something.” Zuko leaned closer to the bars. “Where is my mother?”

The man smirked mischievously. “You ought to bring me some tea, Zuko. We'll talk while sipping from steaming little cups, much like you did with my traitorous brother. I'll give you advice on how to be a good Fire Lord. Wouldn't that be nice? Perhaps even the subject of your mother will come up.”

“I don't need this.” He turned around to leave.

“Do you think being Fire Lord is easy?!”

Zuko stopped.

“The throne comes with many pressures, and those pressures will change you! But if you can stand the heat, you'll become something more. Of all the people in the world, I have the wisdom you need: the wisdom of experience! Be honest with yourself, Zuko–do you really believe you can handle it all on your own? You'll be back. And I'll be here waiting for you, Son.”

Storming out of the room, Zuko’s fury thrummed under his skin. Even with his father confined behind iron bars, he despised that he could irk him– With an impulsive snarl, he punched a wall. Don’t play his game; he is just trying to pull you in. This is exactly what he wants. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. It would take time, but he would coax the information out of him. And if that didn’t work, he now had the means to search for his mother or at least clues toward what became of her.

But beyond this personal quest, Zuko had the responsibilities of a nation to attend to. Peace had been established, yet maintaining it was the larger, more daunting task. As Fire Lord, it was his duty to ensure that hard-fought tranquility lasted. Stepping outside, he found his entourage standing by, their faces etched with concern.

His guards, Mako and Saiko, approached him, their eyebrows furrowed. "Is everything alright, Your Highness? You seem… strained.”

Zuko heaved a sigh, the toll of his meeting evident in his eyes. "Yes, I just need a moment…”

The guards shared a look before Mako respectfully retreated, joining the others at a distance. The Captain, however, remained close by Zuko’s side. “Where to next, sir?”

Zuko straightened, tamping down his frustrations and worries. He had duties to fulfill; the personal could wait. “Take me to the palace.”

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A loud thud disturbed Azula’s rest. She had fallen asleep with her head against the broken mirror, passing out of exhaustion. She felt nauseating pain that blurred her vision. Trying to focus her sight on the broken pieces, she saw through the shards a group of maids entering the room where she was being held. Her body was barely responsive. It had become her prison. Each day, they fed her and bathed her while she could only watch her humiliation as she was trapped. She didn’t want to look anymore; she just couldn’t bear it.

Azula took a deep breath, trying to keep her thoughts away, her tired eyes fixated on the darkness ahead. For the past few days, she had been haunted by her mother. It had started as a whisper, then fading memories. But lately, she had begun to appear to her, and it didn’t take long for her to make her presence known again, for it was as if she fed off her misery.

“You are doing this to yourself, you know?”

She turned her head to see her sitting beside her and shot up. “Why would you even care?!”

Her mother’s voice was soft, hurt, but she knew it was all a ploy. “All I want is to help you, Azula.”

She rolled her eyes. "Oh, that's rich coming from you. “That's your thing, right? You are here to try to manipulate me to do your bidding, but I'm not your little Zuzu. Father knew you for what you were: a lying traitor. No wonder your pathetic protégé betrayed our nation; he learnt from the best!”

“I’m here for you. I only want you to be well…”

“Leave me be!” Azula hurled a fireball, and Mother disappeared into thin air.

Azula screamed in frustration, her head pounding like a drum. She pressed her fingers hard against her forehead to try and alleviate the pain, to no avail.