Nice

Fantastic story! After becoming Fire Lord, I'd imagined Zuko protecting his nation first rather than kowtowing to the demands of the whole world. There are always going to be issues with corruption and conspiracy, and people like Long Feng will try to wrestle back power.

This story feels like a logical continuation of Zuko's character. He isn't just going to give in. Mai was perfect for this story, I don't think any other romantic partner would've done what she did. After the Zuko/Ozai convo in the finale, I thought he would visit Ozai to hear his perspective and mend their relationship.

I like how you don't whitewash Zuko's character. He is Roku's great grandson, but he is also Azula's brother and Ozai's son. Also like the references to power being given vs earned.

It's fitting that Ozai reveals Ursa's whereabouts after he's satisfied with Zuko's leadership. The ways the conversation was framed was well-written

It's been over 10 years since you've shared this, and it still stands the test of time. I like this conclusion better than the comics. This is a well done deconstruction fic. The only thing missing is a partial reconciliation with Aang.

I would love to read more of this!

Woaw. Nice stuff you got there.

Very cool story, your portrayals of the characters is perfect. Perhaps a few commas were needed here or there, but overall really good!

very good

So intense 0_0... I like.

Oh, this was beautiful. The intrigue, and the tension of rebuilding a ruthless empire...I loved it !
Personally, I ship Maiko so hard. XD You've got their dynamicsperfectly.

For a fanfic that is but a one-shot, it has to be one of the best fanfics out there in the web. I love the political nature of the story, and how it reflect much of the politics in real life, on how sneaky and manipulative it can be, despite the good intentions you yourself might have.

I love the interactions between Zuko and Ozai, the debates and dialogues they've with each other, and how they're, despite taking place in Ozai's prison, still fighting a war after the end, but a war of wits and ideologies rather a battle of muscle and fire. And I love how you made Ozai into a magnificent bastard, a master of politics who even behind bars is still the controlling force of the Fire Nation, and how Zuko allows himsef to see the points of his hated father's ideals and slowly changes and adapts his own rule after them. It brings much chemistry between those two and, ironically enough, makes them closer as father and son than ever before.

And I love how you deconstruct the happy ending of the show, years before The Promise comics came out. On how you deconstruct it and play out the more likely realistic ending of the show, like on how distrusting everyone would become of the Fire Nation after the hundred years war, on how the corrupt members of the society would use Zuko's good intentions for their own greedy needs, on how the people would suffer from it, and how Zuko's friends and allies would indirectly turn against him due to their naivety and idealism, forcing him to become the machiavellian and ruthless leader his father was, once his greatest enemy in the war, now his greatest ally.

In short, this's a well done fanfic. The only problem is that it should've been longer, but other than that, it's perfect.

That was fun.

I've avoided this fic for the longest time; my mistake, it's beautifully written and wonderfully thought out. I love the thought of Zuko being more cunning, it's very plausible considering the state of his nation at the beginning of his reign.

The only thing I don't like is how he had to cast his friends off to the side. It doesn't seem like Zuko to do that, since I'd imagine he'd keep that overwhelming faith in his friends, Fire Lord or otherwise. But he had no choice and the ends justify the means. Power changes people. I only hope he reconnects with them later on (though this probably isn't something Aang will agree with if he's told).

Type your review here...

Great story! I really enjoyed it! A realistic and gritty portrayal of Avatar. Brilliant job!

Brilliant. Just brilliant. This is going straight to the favorites.

O_o Holy crap, how come I've never read this before? This was awesome! And you're right, Zutara wouldn't have worked in a story like this-but ohmygosh this was just shocking (in a good way) and it's kinda scary b'cuz I can see this line being crossed w/out much effort. It's realistic. Loved it!

I like it. Continue. I really want to know what the news about Zuko's mother is.