Chapter 44.2- And so the Dragons Danced

“Of course. I merely meant that they would see it as Fire Lord Ozai having two heirs. The rightful one, the Princess Azula who has proven to be attached to you. And the Heir Presumptive, Prince Zuko who has been on exile from the Fire Nation for years and will be more open to being influenced. In that case, they might choose to submit to him with the hopes of having a Fire Lord they can easily control.”

“And assuming Prince Zuko got it in his head to end the war?” I asked, while tapping my fingers against the desk in thought.

“End the war? That’s what we’re all trying to do, isn’t it?” He asked in confusion.

“No. I mean end the war by giving back all that we have taken. Returning the Fire Nation’s army to its islands and suing for peace with those we have conquered.” Sung looked like he had been struck at those words.

“That is treason” he hissed, and I nodded. That was, indeed treason. To give up on all that generations had fought, bled, and died for was a betrayal of the highest order. I wondered how he had managed it in the canon universe. In this one, he would get assassinated in days. People had lost spouses, children, parents, lovers and more to the war effort with the idea that it was all a necessary sacrifice to fulfill glorious purpose. If he spat on all that by walking back on our gains, then there would be no fire nation for him to lead. At the very least, no military.

“If he…if he does that, then it’s no longer a choice.” Sung said with a flustered look at the very thought. I silently reminded myself that both of his parents had been killed in the taking of Yu Dao. He dropped to a knee right in front of Azula before bowing down completely, face to the ground.

“All hail, Fire Lady Azula” He said, and I watched the way her eyes lit up at the name. She turned to me, and I smiled before gesturing back at him.

“Thank you General Sung. Rise and be welcome to my service.” She said in her most imperious tone. I smiled again. I walked around the table until I was standing right in front of her. She gasped as I dropped to my knee as well.

“All hail Fire Lady Azula” I said, swearing my loyalty as well. I had married my fate to hers a long time ago. This was just cementing what we already knew.

“Rise General Natsu. Rise, my right hand, and destroy all my enemies” She said and I rose with a smile.

“Gladly” I said before accepting her outstretched hand and planting a kiss on her knuckle.

“Prepare a suitable escort, General Sung. We shall go see what these ships want. And if they were indeed sent by my brother, then I will take the pleasure of removing his head right there and then” She said