Chapter Text
“You’re hurt.”
“I’m fine.”
Katara rolled her eyes as she pushed Zuko back to the ground, “You’re not fine. Stop being such a guy about this. You were just struck with lightning.” Katara ran her water-covered hands over the injury and Zuko winced.
“It’s not that bad,” Zuko insisted.
“Are you the healer?”
“I—”
“No, you’re not. I can feel the injury itself. Besides the burn, you have internal injuries.”
“We have to deal with Azula,” Zuko argued.
“I thought I already did that,” Katara said, focusing her eyes on the wound.
“I was thinking something a little more permanent.”
“I’m open to any suggestions that involve you lying down in a bed where I can heal you.”
Zuko glared at her. Katara pretended not to notice. She’d had an older brother her entire life. Zuko wasn’t any more stubborn than Sokka.
Zuko glanced over to the edge of the field, Katara followed his look. The Fire Sages that had gathered to watch the Agni Kai were arguing in low voices with each other, glancing back and forth between Zuko on the ground and Azula, still writhing in her chains and shouting, spitting fire as she fought.
“Will they help us?” Katara asked.
“Time to find out,” Zuko said grimly. He summoned them over with a wave of his hand.
“You have got to stop moving.”
The Fire Sages came over. The Great Sage glanced at Zuko, hesitated, then gave a shallow bow. “Prince Zuko, can we assist you?”
Zuko pushed himself up to seated. Katara ground her teeth and resisted the urge to shove his chest back down.
“Sages, as you can see, my sister has been defeated in an Agni Kai. She agreed to terms where the winner would take the throne. Will you recognize my right to become Fire Lord?”
The Sages glanced at each other, “Prince Zuko, the situation is complicated.”
“It is simple,” Zuko corrected them. “My sister has been defeated. My father is absent and will soon be defeated by the Avatar, if he hasn’t already. My uncle has renounced his claim.”
One of the Sages behind the Great Sage jumped in, “It was not a true Agni Kai. You did not defeat Princess Azula. The Water Tribe girl interfered. She was the one who defeated the princess.”
Zuko acknowledged the point, “Yes, she did. Are you proposing that we make her Fire Lord?”
Katara shot him a look. Zuko seemed to be suppressing a smirk. She was not in the mood for this kind of joke. She would rather be lost in the Si Wong desert again without water than rule over the Fire Nation.
“Of course we aren’t,” the Great Sage jumped in, “He’s merely saying—”
“If we’re not proposing that Master Katara take the throne, we are back to the same problem. I will also point out that Master Katara only ‘interfered’ as you said, once Azula attacked her, unprovoked. I’m sure you’re aware of the rules of an Agni Kai. Bystanders are not to be targeted.”
“Yes, we are awa—”
“And besides that, are you truly recommending that my sister take the throne right now?” Zuko gestured towards Azula, who was still thrashing against her chains, sobbing.
All of the sages looked uncomfortable. “There’s still the matter of your father—”
“My father renounced the throne when he left. He gave the throne to Azula, who was defeated by me. I understand your concerns, though. I assure you, in the unlikely event that my father returns triumphant from his battle with Avatar Aang, I will abide by the judgment of an Agni Kai between us.”
Katara shot him a look, but didn’t interrupt.
“Now, are you willing to recognize me as Fire Lord on this provisional basis?”
The Sages looked at each other. The Great Sage glanced at Zuko, meeting his eyes, “Your uncle has renounced his claim?”
“Yes, in my favor.”
Katara held her breath for a moment, but the Sages nodded. “Very well, we will recognize you as Fire Lord, pending further developments. What are your orders, Prince Zuko?”
“Who is the highest-ranking general still in the Fire Nation?”
“General Chen, Your Highness.”
“Have him brought to me—”
“Ahem,” Katara said.
Zuko met her eyes and sighed, “—in my bedchamber. In the meantime, will you and your brethren escort Princess Azula to the prison?”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
“Master Katara will accompany you,” Zuko added. The Fire Sages didn’t protest and walked over to where Azula was chained.
Katara helped him to his feet, “You are going to let me work on healing you.”
“Yes, after you make sure that they lock Azula up.”
“You don’t trust them?” Katara asked.
“Not like I trust you,” Zuko said.
Katara nodded. There would have been a time when that statement would have been truly absurd. Zuko trusting her? Her trusting Zuko? She had decided that time was over after she had faced Yon Rha, but she knew that it had truly ended the moment he had thrown himself in front of Azula’s lightning for her.
“I’ll make sure she’s secured. Do you—do you know when we might be hearing news?” Katara bit her lip.
“The comet is starting to fade. A messenger hawk could get to us in ten or twelve hours. The airships that the army used are faster than almost any other method, one could get here in less than a day. One way or the other, we’ll know what happened in the next day or two. I’m sure they’re all right, Katara.”
“No you’re not,” Katara chuckled.
“No, I’m not,” Zuko gave her a wry grin, “Without Aang here, I thought I might try the optimism route. Wasn’t convincing?”
“Not very.”
“Sokka and Suki are strong and determined. Aang is the most powerful bender on the planet. Toph is the greatest earthbender in the world.”
“Of all time,” Katara corrected, “She’s been angling for an upgrade.”
“If anyone could beat the odds, it’s them,” Zuko gave her a reassuring smile.
“Your uncle will too,” Katara offered.
“I hope so,” Zuko said.
“So, if—if Ozai really does return—”
“Let’s not think about that, right now,” Zuko said. “I’m going to my bedroom. You can heal me there when you’re done.”
“Don’t overexert yourself,” Katara said, before walking back over to the Fire Sages. Zuko was right. They were going to be fine. Aang wasn’t perfect, but he’d never let her down before.