The Fire Lord's throne room remained ever so tinted by the dominant flames that surrounded him, intimidating all that entered before his daunting silhouette; but not Princess Azula, she gave up fearing the Fire Lord, her father, a while ago; not out of a lack of respect, but because she had grown to understand their relationship's nature. She would serve and learn and he would command, and one day when he gave up to the dust, she would take his place and do to her future children the same service. That was the nature of things, and knowing herself to be the one true heir of the Fire Nation, she had nothing to fear from the man that everyone else did fear.

"Father, I hear that you have summoned me this morning and I have come to you. What do you seek?" she introduced, her voice and tone formal and serious, however much she might have sought to take the simpler path of going straight for the question.

"Ah, my illustrious daughter; I hope that you would not be inconvenienced by my request, because it involves you travelling abroad."

"It is no worry father, I have little to do in the capital to begin with. What do you seek? Do you need me to berate little Zuko?" The Fire Lord laughed at her comment before returning to a more serious tone.

"I simply desire you to fulfil a diplomatic role to go to the formerly Earth Kingdom city of Ba Sing Se, and be my envoy- my eyes and ears in the city; I believe from some sources I have obtained that there is a growing desire for a revolt against my gracious rule, which is completely unacceptable. I have word that there is also the threat of former Earth Kingdom operatives in the city that might also seek to undermine my authority to gain power for themselves."

"So a 'diplomatic' mission to find rebels and threats to your rule in the 'great' city of Ba Sing Se." Azula commented, confirming what Ozai had just told her.

"The Fire Lord wills that you go to the city of Ba Sing Se as my representative, fulfil the customary duties expected of you and then you can crush whatever rebellion and or conspiracy that awaits you in there, and if this is achieved you will have greater respect from the highest ranked leaders in the Nation, which may give you more opportunities on the home front, which I know you would appreciate." the Fire Lord commanded, and the Princess bowed in response.

"I certainly would father; thank you for this opportunity to prove my abilities."

"You will leave by the weeks end, I will organise your Royal Barge to be stocked and supplied so you can go directly to the city without any unnecessary stops; I believe the quicker this issue is solved, the quicker we can return to focusing on the real issues that the Fire Nation currently faces, such as the threats from the Water Tribes."

"As you will" Azula curtly responded, turning from her father after bowing, and walking swiftly out of the throne room.

As the Princess walked away from the throne room she considered the situation at hand, being given an opportunity to prove herself to the Fire Lord and the cronies in power that still doubted her. With the threat of rebellion squashed, perhaps she could show the people of the Earth Kingdom a better path to peace and integration into the Fire Nation. Sure there would be resistance against such moves, but what choice would they have with no other hope? Would they turn to the Northern Water Tribe for help, who had remained holed up in the North Pole the entire war, and had done little to try and help the Earth Kingdom or their sister tribe, which had already been practically squashed by the Fire Nation, defeated in all but name, despite reports that their warriors continued to support Earth Kingdom insurgency, which she doubted would be of little help. What threat could they face to the Fire Nation's military might, let alone their grip on the Earth Kingdom?

Patiently waiting on an Earth Kingdom pier, the young Water Tribe Warrior was more excited than he had been in months; his father had supposedly gone to meet someone that would give their forces a prime target in the Water Tribe's war effort against the Fire Nation. For the past six months he had been with his father at sea, and they had been planning to return home for the southern summer when a causal night at an isolated tavern led to this great opportunity. It wasn't every day that people would publicly approach the Water Tribe warriors who were functionally outlaws in the eyes of the Fire Nation as long as they sailed in their jurisdiction. Supposedly a man from an anti-Fire Nation organisation had approached his father and given him details on a target that he believed the Water Tribe warriors could take down. Sokka could barely contain his excitement in front of his fellow warriors, who were far more uneasy about another mission at sea, for someone who seemed to be shadier than most the people that asked for their help, usually poor Earth Kingdom villages that had been harassed by the Fire Nation or remnant army groups of the Earth Kingdom which could use the arms and wits of the Water Tribe's men. Sokka turned to the highest ranking man at the pier, a strong sturdy tribesman called Gilak, whose booming voice usually intimidated his fellow soldiers, but Sokka respected him for his resolve and determination in battle, and decided to probe him for what he knew of the mission.

"So Gilak, got any ideas about out our mission?" he questioned, making the usually cheerful warrior turn his face towards the young man in distraught.

"I don't know Sokka, I doubt that the mission is as easy or beneficial as whatever this client claims; but Hakoda thinks that this is a good way to make a move against the Fire Nations resolve in the war. If our target is as high up as he's guessing, we could be striking down entire military and intelligence operations in one fowl swoop; this could give the Earth Kingdom forces that remain the opportunity to make ground they mightn't have the chance to make otherwise."

"Yeah I think if that's the case, it motivates me even further; I want to make dad proud, I guess you might empathise there." Sokka replied, making Gilak chuckle.

"I do, Hakoda is a hard man to impress. I've been hoping to show my leadership skills in future battles; perhaps I'll have a chance soon enough."

"Good luck on that Gilak!" Sokka grinned, patting the mans pack as if he was the superior and more wise warrior, but Sokka knew Gilak was far more experienced, but they had similar relationships with his father, trying to impress him and work under him studiously to become better leaders and warriors.

Turning around Sokka could see his father walking down the pier with his lieutenant and best friend Bato, then shouting out to them, "Dad! Bato!"

"Sokka, I see you waited patiently instead of snooping in on the meeting like last time." his father commented, patting his son on the shoulder.

"Hey!" Sokka exclaimed in embarrassment, "I was just trying to get into the mood of spying; I'm pretty good at finding and interpreting information."

"Yeah, Hakoda he's right; maybe he should become a private investigator instead of a warrior?" Bato quipped, making Hakoda and Sokka laugh.
Hakoda turned to raise his fist, immediately gaining the attention of his warriors, and Sokka turned away from their previous conversation without an afterthought: now was 'mission-time' for Sokka.

"My fellow warriors, today I have learned of an immense opportunity that awaits us; I have gained intelligence and backing from a client who says that a highly ranked Fire Nation official will be sailing through these waters in two days time, and as such we will intercept said vessel, which has been stated to be alone but filled with skilled guards for the officials status. This may bring a chain-reaction to weaken and disrupt Fire Nation's war-effort, which I believe is in the best interests of our tribe. As always, I will ask for majority support on such a venture before setting out, so my men: what will it be?"

Sokka and most of the men confidently called out "Yeah", although a number of them didn't respond, showing their disagreement.

"What seems to be the issue with this plan men?" Gilak questioned loudly, drawing attention of the disagreeing warriors.

One raised his arm, "We were meant to be going home today, back to our families and homes that we have missed for half a year. Isn't it best that we go as soon as possible?"
Another man raised his arms, nodding at the previous speaker, "We cannot get too absorbed into this conflict with the Fire Nation. What if we attack the wrong person and word gets out the Southern Water Tribe is a threat; the raids could start all over again. We could inadvertently doom our tribe!"

Hakoda nodded at the speakers, smiling at his men, "This mission is dangerous yes, but if we are not willing to make the sacrifice of our time as warriors, we may never see a Southern Water Tribe like we want to see it, prosperous and free from the threat of the Fire Nation. The war will wage on no matter what, but if we have the chance to turn the tide in favour of those who oppose the Fire Nation, we should do so without a second thought."

"This is the victory we have been waiting for!" Sokka shouted out, standing high on his feet, "Will you sail home while the world burns? Or may you fight like men and take down the monsters who burn our villages and kill our women and children? Those who destroyed an entire race of benders? What will it be?!"

The men shouted in fervour and Sokka grinned at his father, who smiled back before shouting alongside his fellow warriors.

"To battle!" they cried, "Defeat the ash-makers!"

Sokka knew his words had an influence and pushed their drive to save their people, and he knew even if he might have exaggerated the present threat to their tribe, the world needed heroes, and if they were non-bending warriors from the most desolate place in the world, so be it; they would drive a spear into the heart of the Fire Nation if that was what it took to stop the beast. Now was not the time for cowardice, he believed, Sokka saw it as a time of honour and bravery for the sake his nation and the world.

The orange clouds of a sunset laid upon the calm seas that a small Fire Nation vessel tread through, but it's captain was not nearly as calm as the seas that he sailed upon. Prince Zuko, who had been banished for five whole years now, ultimately had his fury guided towards one goal that entire time. The Avatar, the Last Airbender, someone who had been missing for over a century now, and Zuko doubted that he would ever find him. The War as a whole would depend on the Avatar remaining hidden and unable to conflict with the Fire Nations interests; Zuko at this point doubted whether that the Avatars hiding had benefited him at all, despite the frustrations that would have been abound if he had shown up. The Prince's Uncle stood by him, as he always did, holding his cup of ginseng tea, ever worrying for his nephew.

"Prince Zuko, you have been thinking a lot as of late. May I ask what is on your mind?" he asked, but this drove him further into his thoughts.

Five years had gone by, and what? The Comet had already past, the damage was done; Prince Zuko was no more, his title worthless in a world he had no place. His uncle called out for hope, a new outlook, something to keep his mind off the pain he had forced himself into; that would do no use, there was no hope, not of the good kind anymore; but for once, the Prince's anger and pain could finally be directed. Zuko had long prided himself on duty to honour and his desire to be an honourable Prince of his nation, but with the last strings of hope broken, he simply saw what he should have seen all along: an abused little boy, his face maimed by his own father, thrown from his home to wander the Earth for the rest of his life. He was expected to prove himself by bringing home a man no one had seen in a hundred years, and if he couldn't do that, he would do what he truly desired. Zuko was now for Zuko, and what did Zuko feel? Pain; Anger; Suffering at the hands of those who shouldn't have abused their power. Honour or no honour Zuko would set it right, he would make himself into the man his father wanted him to be, not because he wanted his worthless approval anymore, but because he wanted to return home and make his father would feel something for once, the same feeling he had felt when he knelt before his father, crying for mercy. He would tremble before his own son, and finally he would feel the power that his father claimed he had himself, the power of fear. Zuko left his trance of thought, and turned his head, looking at his Uncle.

"Uncle; I will do it." Iroh looked at his nephew confused.

"What do you mean nephew, by 'it'?" Zuko chuckled and pulled a smirk.

"What you've wanted me to do ever since you saw him sitting behind the flames." Iroh, taken aback, looked at his nephew in fear.

"Your father? What would I want you to do with your father?" Iroh stood looking confused, although Zuko knew it was just a mask to hide the truth he had slowly unveiled from travelling with his Uncle this entire time.

"Uncle, you left the side of the Fire Nation long ago, even if you are still called General and sit upon this ship chasing our nation's greatest enemy. It is about time I do the same."

"You mean to betray the Fire Nation?" Iroh questioned, "To oppose the Fire Lord is an act that will not go unnoticed, especially by his own son" Zuko turned back towards the orange sunset, speaking without a rasp, almost as if to cut out his emotion.

"I don't just mean to oppose the Fire Lord, I seek to destroy him and everything he stands for; I have sat for too long on this damned boat and done nothing while the world burns..." Iroh contemplated Zuko's statement before placing a hand on his shoulder.

"He is your father Zuko; at least consider that, before... Making a rash decision" Zuko chuckled at the last part, turning to his Uncle and hugging him.

"Uncle-" Zuko whispered, "you are more of a father to me than he will ever be."

His uncle broke the hug after a moment and held his hand on his nephews shoulder.

"I may be able to help you, Prince Zuko;" he conceded, "but it may take time to get the resources organised to achieve your goal."

"Patience, patience is always the key... That's the kind of thing you would say isn't it?" Zuko asked him, chuckling as he thought to be speaking like the very man before him.

"Perhaps nephew;" he chuckled. "I am just glad that you have not lost your way, and have chosen a new path no matter the detriments it may bring you."

A moment of silence passed between them as Zuko looked toward his own future. He knew what he had to do, but considered what he should do, now he was going down a path of no return.

"You know what Uncle? First things first, I'm going find that bastard. And this time I will show him the proper respect for a... What is he now?" Zuko asked his Uncle, who was somewhat confused by the rambling but understood the character he described.

"Admiral- Admiral Zhao. I see you don't let your grudges go as easily as I might like them to..." Iroh replied.

"That is true, but the man needs to first be taught a lesson of respect; one day he is going to be it seems, so I'd better do it myself before my father grows tired of his arrogance."