Disclaimer: I do not own the rights to Avatar: The Last Airbender. They belong to Nickelodeon
Chapter 12
I Really Have Changed
When Katara opened the door and so who it was, her face was a face of shock, followed by anger.
"You what do you want?" the Water Bender said angrily.
"I need to talk to my uncle" ZUKO said.
"Really" Katara said sarcastically. "Look who it is you guys."
Aang and Sokka both gave angry grins when they saw Zuko. Toph had little reaction.
"Toph you should wake Iroh. Tell him his so called nephew is here" Sokka said. Toph went to get Iroh, upon hearing the yelling, knowing it was a friend Mai and Ty Lee decided to pop out of their hiding place.
"Hi there, great to see you Zuko" Ty Lee said as she gave the unsuspecting Zuko a big hug. Mai just stood there in silence.
Zuko was puzzled as to why Mai and Ty Lee were here with the Avatar and his friends, but since they were here, they must had a falling out with Azula, not withstanding Zuko was glad they were here, as the Avatar and his friends had cold feelings towards him, and Zuko thought he probably deserves it. It was helpful to have them here. Iroh entered the living room.
"My nephew is finally here" Iroh gave Zuko a big hug. "So how is your mother?"
Zuko put his head down in sadness, Iroh knew what that meant.
"Mother is gone, I want to see her, I went out for a moment when I returned Fire Benders had been there and they killed mother. Father found out I went to see her, and he had her murdered."
"I am sorry nephew."
"How did your father know about this?" Sokka asked. Mai ran into the girl's room and slammed the door. Katara slapped Sokka on the head for asking such a dumb question.
"I better go talk to her" Ty Lee said. Katara grabbed her.
"No let me, I know what she is going through" Katara said.
Zuko ignored Sokka's question and continued, "I know what I have to do, we must end father's reign, and as hard as it is for me to ask, I want to help the Avatar."
"Good because I need a young Fire Bender" Aang said.
Katara entered the girl's room, Mai was crying.
"Leave me alone water tribe girl" Mai said.
"Listen I know what is like to be sad over losing someone. You upset Zuko lost his mom, I know about that pain when I lost my own mom."
"You don't understand Zuko's mother is dead because of me."
"No it is not your fault; you can't blame yourself for that."
"Well it is true, I told Azula that Zuko went to see his mom, she told Ozai, if I only kept my mouth shut" Mai said, as she started to cry harder. "Zuko is going to hate me."
"No he is not going to hate you" Katara said, She really likes Zuko, poor girl torturing herself like that.
Aang, Iroh, and Zuko were talking about strategy when Katara and Mai returned. Mai looked at Zuko
"Hi there, are you okay?" Zuko asked.
"Zuko I am so sorry what happened to your mom. I hope you don't hate me."
"Why would I hate you?"
"I told Azula where you went, she probably told Ozai, it is all my fault. You hate me now don't you" Mai said trying to fight the tears.
All eyes were on Zuko, and to everyone's surprise he was not angry, "I don't hate you, I have had enough hate in my life, to hate one more." Zuko said.
"Zuko I am sorry" Mai said. Zuko hugged Mai.
"We are one day till black sun, how are we going to beat our enemies without Fire Bending" General Lee asked.
"Don't worry about that, we don't need to beat them" Ozai said.
The Generals all gave a puzzled look.
"All we have to do is survive, we fend them off with archers, and weapons, and with help of some of my new friends" Azula said as some of the Dai Lee agents walked in. "We just need to survive, when we do Suzon's comet will arrive, and will give us unlimited power, soon we will finish the war, the rest of the world will surrender. And than I will have fun punishing 4 enemies, and 4 traders."
"So that is the plan, when I have the Fire Lord reeling, Katara, Toph, Zuko, and myself will finish him off" Aang said.
"Are you sure you want to be part of this plan, after all he is your father" Iroh said.
"I am sure I will avenge mother."
Sorry for the long wait, but I had writers block. I wanted to make this the best story possible, so I am not going to rush though and write what I feel is a bad chapter. Hope this was worth the wait.