Change of Hearts (Zuko X Reader) Book 2

Chapter 36

Previously on Chapter 35

I turn to look at my brother and nod my head. He nods back with a grin. "Watch this, everybody!!" He said. He jumps to a table and bend some water. He starts to put a show for the guests. Everyone starts to clap at the show he provides. Good one, brother.

-Something Is Wrong-

Y/N P.O.V

"Aang! Y/N! The Earth King!" Sokka said. I turn my head and notice The Earth King. Aang use his air-scooter while I walk towards him calmly. "Greetings, Your Majesty" Aang said. I bow respectfully at him.

"Hey, let me go!" Sokka said. I turn my head and see him getting escorted by the Dai Li. "Sokka!" I said. I can feel something wrapping around my arms. Then I got pulled away.

***

They throw us inside a library. Aang enters with Long Feng. Sokka take a step forward. He looks angry at the man in front of us.

"Why won't you let us talk to the king? We have information that could defeat the Fire Nation!" He said. Long Feng stares at us with indifferent face. "The Earth King has no time to get involved with political squabbles and the day to day minutia of military activities" he said.

"This could be the most important thing he's ever heard" my brother said. I nod my head, agreeing my brother. "Yeah! He needs to know. We can't keep Ba Sing Se in the dark forever. The Fire Nation will find their way in one way or another" I said, backing up my brother.

"What's most important to his royal majesty is maintaining the cultural heritage of Ba Sing Se. All his duties relate to issuing decrees on such matters. It's my job to oversee the rest of the city's resources, including the military" he said.

"So the king is just a figurehead" Katara said. "He's your puppet!" Toph said. "You're insane..." I said, glaring at him. "Oh, no, no. His Majesty is an icon, a god to his people. He can't sully his hands with the hourly change of an endless war" he said.

"But we found out about a solar eclipse that will leave the Fire Nation defenseless. You could lead an invasion..." Sokka said. Long Feng looks irritated by his comment. "Enough! I don't want to hear your ridiculous plan!" He said. "But..." I started. He lift his hand, shutting me up.

"It is the strict policy of Ba Sing Se that the War not be mentioned within the walls. Constant news of an escalating war will throw the citizens of Ba Sing Se into a state of panic" he said, cutting me off. I clench my hands into a tight fist.

"Our economy would be ruined, our peaceful way of life – our traditions – would disappear" he said. I turn to look at my brother. He turns to look back at me. Neither of us knows what to say.

"In silencing talk of conflict, Ba Sing Se remains a peaceful, orderly utopia: the last one on Earth" he finished. Katara takes a step forward, clearly angry. "You can't keep the truth from all these people. They have to know" she said.

"I'll tell them! I'll make sure everyone knows!" My brother said. Long Feng's face turns sour at what my brother said. "Until now, you've been treated as our honored guest" he said. He walks towards Aang and I. He bends down slightly to make eye-contact with us.

I just glare at him. "But from now on, you will be watched every moment by Dai Li agents. If you mention the War to anyone, you will be expelled from the city" he said.

"I understand you've been looking for your bison. It would be quite a shame if you were not able to complete your quest" he said. My glare flatter at what he said. Out of the corner of my eyes, I can see Aang looking scared. I hear footsteps, and turn my head. I can see a woman, the way she smiles reminds me of Joo Dee.

"Now, Joo Dee will show you to your home..." he said. He called this woman Joo Dee. I turn to look at the woman. But she's not Joo Dee. "Come with me, please..." she said.

"You're not Joo Dee..." I said. Katara walks forward. "What happened to Joo Dee?" Katara said, looking at her worriedly. "I'm Joo Dee. I'll be your host as long as you're in our wonderful city..." she said. She have a wide grin which looks artificial. Just like the other one. She looks... unsettling.

Time-skip

It's the next day. I'm just getting ready for the day. I don't know exactly what I should be doing. Guess I'll just walk around the town. See if I'll find any leads that will help me find Appa.

I make my way out of my room, the same time as Katara. We make our way to Toph's room, only to see her laying on her bed sloppily. Her hair is all over the place.

"Toph! Aren't you gonna get ready for the day??" Katara said. Toph slowly gets up, which makes her hair fly around. She spits into a nearby vessel with so much force that it spins around. She gets up on her feet and dust herself.

"I'm ready..." she said. I turn to look at Katara, since I know she's not having it. "You're not gonna wash up? You've got a little dirt on your... everywhere, actually" she said. I can see a look of disgust on her face.

"You call it dirt, I call it a healthy coating of earth!" Toph said. Katara turns to look at me. I just shrugs my shoulders. Not really knowing what to comment about Toph. It's her personality. So... I don't have much to say.

"Hmm... you know what we need? A girl's day out!" Katara said, excitedly. Toph groans at what she said. "Do I have to??" She whined. "It'll be fun! Right, Y/N?" Katara said. "I don't know. Never experience it before" I said, shrugging my shoulders. She places a hand on my shoulder. "It will be fun... trust me" she said. I let out a sigh and nod my head.

***

We ended up going to spa. "The Fancy Lady Day Spa? Sounds like my kinda place" Toph said. But I can tell she's being sarcastic. "Are you ready for some serious pampering?" Katara said, excitedly.

"Sure, Katara, whatever you say. As long as they don't touch my feet" Toph said. I let out a giggle. I can't blame her for not wanting her feet to be touch. That's basically how she sees the world. We make our way inside and begin the pampering. How bad could it be anyway? For us actually... I couldn't say the same about Toph.

They tried to scrape off the dirt from her feet. Let's say... it did not end well. Next we do a lot of other beauty treatment. It's quite relaxing to be honest. I feel refreshed. Especially after all battle we've been doing. Would I do it again? Maybe.

*to be continued*