Chapter Text
Zuko woke up and immediately started coughing and retching.
There was sand in his mouth. In his hair. Everywhere.
He got up onto his haunches and coughed until there was nothing left, then rubbed his mouth and stood up.
He was on a beach. There was a forest in the distance. The weather was clear and crisp. The sand was a perfect white, the ocean a perfect blue. However, the beauty of it all was marred by the flaming debris, pieces of metal and canvas, that dotted the shore.
There were also bodies. Burned and blackened beyond all recognition.
Zuko swallowed. His mind was blank. He couldn’t remember how he’d gotten there, or how long he’d been there.
Wait. I remember one thing. There was a massive flash of light. I was with-
A loud groan came from further down the beach. Zuko ran towards it.
He found Sokka lying behind a large piece of jagged metal, curled in on himself.
The Water Tribe boy noticed his approach and feebly raised his head. “Zuko!” He slurred, pointing at his lower half. “Help!”
Zuko winced. One of Sokka’s legs was twisted at an ugly angle. “Brace yourself.” He leaned down and hoisted Sokka up over his shoulders, making him seethe in pain as his injured leg briefly dragged against the sand, before carrying him up the beach and into the forest.
He kept going until they found a large tree and then dropped him in the shade.
“Thanks.” Sokka said, huffing and leaning against the trunk. “Where are we?”
“Somewhere in the Fire Nation.” Zuko replied. “One of the smaller islands.”
“Great.” Sokka muttered. “Maybe some of Ozai’s soldiers survived the crash and will try and “light” our day up.”
Zuko recalled the bodies on the beach and shuddered. “I don’t think so. I think they’re all dead.”
“Are you sure of that?” Sokka sounded sceptical.
Zuko nodded. “We need to try and find the others. Explore the island for some sign of civilization.”
“I hope we find Suki.” Sokka said wistfully. “I hope she’s okay.”
“We’ll look for her first.” Zuko said. “Now, brace yourself, I need to carry you again.”
“Zuko, you can’t carry me all the way around the island.” Sokka glared at him. “Besides, I’m sure I can hobble around. If you just find me a large enough stick- “
“Sokka, that’s not going to work. I’m strong enough. I can carry you a fair distance.” Zuko said, returning the glare. He really can be too childish sometimes.
“Fine.” Sokka crossed his arms and pouted.
“We’ll look for a vantage point. Like a hill. Somewhere where we can see the rest of the island.” Zuko scanned the trees but couldn’t see anything.
“Let’s get going.” Sokka said minutely.
Zuko nodded, picked him up again, and started walking.
The island was a wilderness. A flat wilderness. There were no hills or ridges or anything. Just more trees.
They did spot some animals, primarily Squirrel Toads and Koala Sheep, but no people, or any signs of civilization.
Zuko did take breaks every now and then, putting Sokka down so he could recover his strength. But not for too long.
Less than an hour after setting out, they arrived at the other end of the island. Walking out of the forest, they emerged next to a little jetty and a cottage.
Zuko’s heart rose, and he grinned triumphantly. Hopefully they can help us. He thought.
Sokka was less enthused. “That’s it?” He complained.
“Sokka, we can ask them for help.” Zuko grunted. His arms were beginning to hurt. He wouldn’t be able to carry him for much longer.
“Zuko, they’re Fire Nation.”
“I know. But we’re stranded. We need their help.”
“I’m not sure if you’re aware, but a war is going on. And I’m Water Tribe. I’m the enemy.” Sokka said sarcastically.
“We don’t have any other choice.” Zuko countered.
“We do.” Sokka snorted. “Build a raft and sail to the Earth Kingdom.”
“Brave the vast ocean with no supplies or any means of navigation?” Zuko deadpanned. “Really?”
“Hey, when you put it like that it sounds stupid.” Sokka shook his head. “I’d rather take my chances with the raft than some stranger.”
Zuko rolled his eyes and started walking towards the cottage.
“Zuko, what are you doing? ZUKO!” Sokka started flailing around, only to hiss in pain and stop.
Zuko stepped up to the cottage and knocked on the door.
“Zuko, we don’t have to do this.” Sokka pleaded with him. “We can still hide.”
The door was answered by an old woman. She wore red robes, an apron, and fluffy slippers. Her hair was in an untidy bun. “Zuzu!?” She said, her eyes going wide.
Zuko recognised the voice immediately, almost dropping Sokka out of shock. “Azula???”
Sokka was silent, staring at the woman with almost as wide eyes.
“But you- you’re so young- I shouldn’t be seeing you.” Azula muttered.
“I…I…” Zuko didn’t know what to say.
The older Azula narrowed her eyes at them and slammed the door shut.
After a few moments of stunned silence, Zuko took a deep breath and knocked on the door again. “Hey! We’re not a hallucination! We need your help!”
He stood back. The door didn’t open.
“What the fuck.” Sokka finally spoke. “Why does Azula look older than Gran-Gran?”
“I don’t know!” Zuko huffed. “But maybe she can help us.”
“The last time I met an old lady in the middle of nowhere, she turned out to be a bloodbender.” Sokka said. “Can we please leave?”
“Wait.” Zuko knocked on the door again. “Azula, please open up. We need help. Sokka’s injured. I don’t know what’s going on, but- “
The door opened. Azula scowled at him. “You’re not real.” She swallowed nervously. “You-you can’t be.”
“Hey Azula.” Sokka cut in. “We’re real. I can prove it to you.” After some struggling, he took off one of his shoes and threw it at the door next to her. It struck the wood and bounced off.
“Sokka…” Zuko shook his head.
“What?”
“Nothing.”
Azula stared at the fallen shoe and then crouched down to pick it up. As soon she touched it, she recoiled it as if it had burned her. Then she picked it up. “It’s- you’re real?”
“Yes.” Zuko insisted, his arms throbbing.
“You’d better come in then.” Azula nodded at them and turned on her heel.
“Wait, give me my shoe back!” Sokka demanded indignantly.
“I forgot how annoying you were.” Azula glared at him, but duly handed back his shoe, before going into her cottage.
“Umm, Zuko, can you help me put it back on?” Sokka requested, turning red.
“Once we’re inside.” Zuko said, following his sister.
Sokka whined but didn’t argue further.
Zuko blinked. The cottage was tiny.
The first floor consisted of a kitchen and sitting area, while a flight of stairs led to two closed doors on the second floor. He suspected it was the bedroom and bathroom.
The furniture was all made of metal. It didn’t look like normal Fire Nation furniture. It was far less extravagant. More suited for a simple peasant than a member of the Royal Family.
“Put him on the sofa. Don’t worry about his shoes.” Azula yelled from the kitchen.
“Okay.” Zuko called back. He gently deposited Sokka on the Sofa and put his shoe back on.
“Woah.” Sokka sighed and leaned into the cushions. “It’s sooo comfortable!”
“I’ll take your word for it.” Zuko said, remaining standing. Aside from the sofa, there was only one other seat-an armchair. Azula was old. She needed it more than he did.
Azula came in from the kitchen and frowned at him. “You can sit down, you know.”
“I don’t mind standing.” He assured her.
“Neither do I.” Azula huffed. “In fact, you’re my guest. So-”
“Azula- “
“Zuzu- Zuko, I’m not fragile.” Azula said. “Sit down.”
Zuko sat down.
“I have no idea what the two of you are doing here, but it’s been about seventy years since the war ended. You- “She pointed at Zuko with a trembling finger. “-became the Fire Lord.”
Zuko recoiled. “I- What about Uncle- “
“He didn’t want the throne.” Azula said. “He retired to Ba Sing Se and reopened his tea shop. He wanted to serve tea and play his Tsungi Horn all day.” She shrugged. “Personally, now that I’m oldmyself, I don’t blame him.”
“Are you really Azula?” Sokka questioned.
Azula rolled her eyes. “We first met in Omashu. Mai’s stupid little brother had wandered away and you guys found him. We arrange a trade for the King of Omashu. But when we met up, I changed my mind. I commented that it wasn’t fair to trade a two-year-old child for a powerful earthbender. I chased the Avatar, and my two friends fought you and your sister.” She chuckled. “Is that enough detail for you or do I need to talk about all the times my friends and I kicked your butts.”
“No, no. I get it. You’re Azula.” Sokka said, mortified.
“But I-I wasn't ready to become the Fire Lord. So, why did I, so quickly after the war?” Zuko asked.
“You- or rather, our Zuko, was ready.” Azula said.
“ Your Zuko?”
“It’s quite clear you’re not the same person.” Azula smirked. “Our Zuko is an old man. He’s also retired. His daughter became Fire Lord a few years ago.”
“Daughter?” Zuko’s jaw dropped.
“Yes. You- he had a kid. It’s not that surprising. He was a ruler, and he needed an heir.” Azula snarked.
“What about me?” Sokka said, then frowned. “Wait, don’t answer that. I don’t wanna know. At least, not yet.”
“I wouldn’t tell you anyway.” Azula chuckled. “You led a very boring life.”
“No need to be so rude.” Sokka muttered.
“Sokka, I’m letting you stay in my house out of the kindness of my heart.” Azula gave him a pointed look. “Don’t make my change my mind.”
Sokka gulped. Even as an old lady, Azula was still threatening.
“What else happened?” Zuko pressed ahead, trying to defuse the situation.
Azula sighed. “You guys won, and you changed the world for the better. That’s it.”
“ How did we change the world?”
“I’m too tired to explain all of it right now.” Azula snapped. “Tomorrow is my weekly checkup. My nurse will be able to help you.”
“Please, tell us.” Zuko said.
Azula gritted her teeth.
“Zuko, she’s an old lady. She’s probably very tired.” Sokka quipped.
“I’m not tired!” Azula glared at him. “But fine. I’ll answer some of your questions. But after I-”
“Is this place a prison?” Sokka asked bluntly.
“No.” Azula said sharply. “I’m here of my own volition. I was sick and tired of being in the city. I wanted some peace and quiet in the last few years of my life.” She took a deep breath. “Now, as I was saying before I was so rudely interrupted, I’ll answer your questions after I get my first aid kit and treat your leg. Okay?”
Zuko nodded. Sokka just shrugged.
Azula went upstairs and disappeared into one of the doors.
“I hope the others are okay.” Sokka said, once she was out of earshot.
“Our friends are very capable. If we survived, they survived.” Zuko said. “Plus, Aang is the Avatar. He could’ve just gone into the Avatar state and saved them all.”
“Hmm. Fair point.” Sokka cocked his head. “Zuko…the bodies on the beach…who were they?”
“I think they’re Fire Nation soldiers.” Zuko murmured. “From Ozai’s airships.”
“They were so scorched…”
“I think the airships blew up. It’s the only thing that would explain their deaths.” Zuko said. “We need to explain this all to Azula.”
“Do we have to?” Sokka complained.
“She’s trying to help us.” Zuko argued. “But yes, I’m not comfortable with it either.” He paled, remembering the look of madness on her face after Katara had chained her to the grate.
“Zuko?”
“I’ll tell you later.” Zuko nodded at the stairs. Old Azula was back, and she was carrying a small box.
“I haven’t used this in ages.” She admitted. “But I should still be able to make a rudimentary splint.”
She treated Sokka’s leg, then stood back. “You’re lucky. It’s only badly sprained. Not broken.” She said, yawning.
Zuko got up. “Please sit down.”
Azula nodded and sat down, surprising him as he’d expected her to put up more of a fight.
“So, any questions?” She asked.
“What happened to me?” Sokka piped up. “I’m ready to know now.”
“You died.” Azula revealed.
“W-what?” Sokka stuttered. “Th-that’s…”
“Are you messing with us?” Zuko said, unamused.
“Lots of your friends are dead.” Azula said. “You’ll need to accept that.”
“My sister…?” Sokka asked desperately.
“She’s alive.”
Sokka relaxed sightly. “Tell me what I did…before I died.”
“You went into government.” Azula said. “You were a councilman in Republic City for several decades.”
“Republic City?” Sokka frowned. “What’s a republic?”
“Oh boy.” Azula groaned. “Well, listen closely, I’m not going to repeat any of this.”
She told them about Republic City, the council, the current state of the Earth Kingdom, and about Avatar Aang and his family.
“Aang married my sister? Well…I’m happy she married him rather than some firebender.” Sokka nodded in approval.
“What about the Fire Nation? Does the other me…have any grandchildren?” Zuko asked reluctantly.
“I’m not going to talk about that now. It’s getting late.” Azula grumbled. She got up, her knees creaking. “I still need to make dinner and get some sort of bed ready for you. I think I have an old sleeping bag somewhere. Don’t ask why.”
“…okay.” Zuko said. “I don’t mind sleeping on the floor.”
Azula nodded and went into the kitchen.
“Zuko.” Sokka said, struggling to rise.
“Let me help you.” Zuko approached him.
“Thanks.” Sokka smiled.
Zuko settled him against the cushions and then grabbed another cushion to put under his injured leg.
“You don’t need to that.” Sokka waved him off. “I can do that. I’m not completely helpless.”
“Yes, you are.” Zuko joked.
“I’m not!” Sokka looked affronted.
“At the moment you are.” Zuko laughed.
Sokka glared at him.
They heard a snort from the kitchen, Azula was watching the two of them with an odd smile.
“What?” Sokka snapped.
“Nothing.” Azula smiled. “It’s just...” Her expression became sad. “…I haven’t seen my brother in months. I miss him.”
“Do you need help with dinner?” Zuko offered, in an attempt to make the situation less awkward.
“No.” Azula shook her head and turned away.
He and Sokka shared a look. They had to tell her about the airships but didn’t know how. Because if they did, they would have to tell her the rest. About Ozai, the battle, and the crash.
And her mad breakdown.Zuko thought darkly.
Azula brought two plates over. She had cooked a ramshackle meal of fish, noodles, and assorted vegetables.
“It was the only thing I could make at such short notice.” She said.
“It’s fine.” Zuko smiled. “Thank you.”
Azula grunted and got her own plate, then sat down in the armchair.
Sokka scooted back, so Zuko could sit on the edge of the sofa.
“Azula…” Zuko started.
“Yes?” Azula said, raising an eyebrow.
“We…” HE took a shaky breath. “It’s nothing.” He wasn’t ready. He couldn’t tell her. Not yet. I’ll tell her tomorrow.
“Okay.” Azula shrugged and went back to her food.
Sokka gave him a worried look.
The rest of the meal passed in silence.
Afterwards, Azula got out the sleeping bag for him and a spare blanket for Sokka, and then went to bed.
Sokka drifted off with an hour, while Zuko just lay there, twisting and turning in his teeny tiny sleeping bag. Half of his body was on the floor. It was very uncomfortable.
But that wasn’t the problem. No, the problem was the storm in his head. He was trying to process everything that had happened that day, everything he had learned.
I became the Fire Lord. I had a daughter. Probably grandkids too. This life…it’s not mine. My life is mine. Whatever I decide to do with it. He thought, shaking his head.
Eventually, his eyes did start to droop, and he curled around his pillow.
Then, he stiffened, dread and fear swirling around his stomach. The room was getting hotter. The heat was coming from outside the house.
Firebending.
He crawled to the sofa and grabbed Sokka, who jolted awake and tried to shove him off, and dragged him to the floor just in time.
The front door was blasted off its hinges by a massive ball of fire.