Chapter Text
As Aang awoke on a beautiful island in the Fire Nation, at a time that Sokka would say is way too early to be awake he decided to meditate and reflect on his life after the war. Currently since ending the war Aang and his friends had been living in Zuko’s palace, after all it wasn’t like they had homes to go back to (apart from Sokka and Katara but they didn’t want to leave the rest of the gaang, and to be honest their wasn’t much for them at the Southern Water Tribe apart from Gran Gran and their dad, however with all the peace meetings and trade agreements he was often in the fire nation anyway so they didn’t see a reason to go back yet). However a couple of weeks ago the Gaang had gone to Ba Sing Se to help out with restoring the Fire Nation colonies back to the Earth Kingdom. Of course some had been to old to get rid of and so after some strong debating by Fire Lord Zuko and king Kuei as well as stuffy Noblemen they’d decided to leave the older settlements alone and let the Mayors and leaders of the Towns run the Cities rather than force the residents apart and return the Cities to the Earth kingdom as it didn’t feel right to separate families, especially when the Gaang knew how much it hurt to be separated from those you love.
However Aang’s meditation was cut short when the rest of the gaang slowly woke up and a low thrum of chatter slowly descended upon their little camp. Once everyone had woken up, well everyone apart from Snoozles, and had gradually moved to sit around the remains of last nights campfire they began to prepare for the rest of the day. However the first thing to do was to make breakfast which usually consisted of eating whatever they had leftover from the night before and whatever bread they had with them, and although it didn’t sound like much Katara’s cooking was never something you could complain about, Sokka’s on the other hand was a different matter however that’s a story for another time, talking of Sokka it was probably time to wake him up as breakfast was just being served and so while usually someone from the Gaang would gently wake him up, unless they were Toph, today was a different matter as Sokkas screams filled the air as he was launched 10 foot in the air causing chuckles from everyone other than Sokka who was unimpressed by his sudden wake up however he eventually dragged himself to the circle the Gaang had sat in.
Toph was the one to start the conversation in the group as she asked about their schedule for today. “So oh great schedule master what are we doing today.”
“Well we don’t exactly have any where to be as His Royal Flaminess is currently busy doing Firelord stuff.” Was Sokka’s reply.
“And why weren’t we allowed to help him with that Snoozles” questioned Toph.
“I don’t know it was something about not having experience in that area and that he’d be fine by himself.”
“Yes because last time Zuko made an important decision by himself he was struck by lightning but sure thats alright” whispered Aang to Suki as the others carried on talking.
Suki and Toph laughed from the unexpected sass from Aang which attracted the others attention.
“What are you laughing at?” Questioned Sokka.
“Umm… nothing?” Aang said but it was said more as a question than a statement.
“Aang?” Sokka said in what was definitely his big brother tone.
“What?” Aang innocently replied.
“Oh come on Aang why can’t you tell us?” asked Sokka a bit confused as that tone always worked, oh well he’d have to think of a new one to interrogate the young Airbender.
“No reason” Aang said while hoping someone would say something and divert the focus of attention from him.
Toph butted in “Twinkletoes isn’t saying his joke because he’s worried Sugarqueen might kill him for it.” Toph proceeded to cackle at the fear now present on Aang’s face.
“And why would I kill him Toph” Katara asked sweetly.
“You’d kill him Sugarqueen because Twinkletoes is sassing His Sparkiness and making comments that are too soon to be said.”
“Oh and what comment did Aang make Toph?” Katara once again attempted to find out.
“Nope I said nothing and anyway how did you even hear that?” Aang questioned Toph trying to divert everyone’s attention.
“Well just because you didn’t do science in school I did,” here Toph went into her snobby noble voice, “and it turns because I’m blind and helpless I have my other senses heightened.”
“That’s cool but we didn’t even have schools we had what to do in case we’re raided classes” Katara joked back in a tone probably considered to light for the comment she’d just made.
“Ahh so that’s why Snoozles is a dunderhead everything is suddenly so clear” Toph jested.
Laughter followed Toph’s joke from all but Sokka who just spluttered in fustration. Questions about Aang’s joke forgotten a peaceful silence descended upon the group. Which was eventually broken by Aang who had come up with a spirit forsaken idea which for some dumb reason they were agreeing to.
///
A week previously.
Meanwhile in the Royal Palace Zuko was almost prepared to finally see what his people were learning. “Councillor Lau.” Lau was a highly competent man who although had served under Firelord Ozai he seemed to be loyal to Zuko and that was good enough at the moment.
“Yes my Lord?”
“What is the current curriculum in schools at the moment”
“My Lord if you would allow me to go to my study I could retrieve the curriculum for you, however an overview would be: the children learn mathematics, writing, firebending or other martial arts depending on whether they can bend, they also learn history, geography, music and of course they make a pledge to you my Lord.” Lau answered rattling off his overview without hesitation.
“Hmm what does the pledge consist of Lau” Zuko questioned worried over what his countries young had been pledging as unfortunately schools were something that had yet to be changed from Ozai’s rule as he simply hadn’t had the time.
“My life I give to my country. With my hands I fight for Fire Lord Zuko and our forefathers before him. With my mind I seek ways to better my country. And with my feet may our March of Civilization continue,” recited Lau. “It was ordered to be changed from Fire Lord Ozai to Fire Lord Zuko when you ascended to the throne, of course my Lord.”
Zuko fought the urge to sigh not even minutes in and it’d already gone wrong. Well that definitely had to go but what could he change it to he wondered. After a moment of brief consideration he had an idea. With the fleeting thought that he should have consulted a poet before changing something children up and down the country would be saying he said “Lau I’m immediately changing the pledge to say uh, My life I forge for my dreams and my country. With my hands I try to better myself and my country. And with my feet may I humbly walk in peace through the world.” He quickly scribbled the pledge onto some parchment and stamped it with the royal seal and then handed it to Lau. “Make sure this reaches all the schoolmasters of the fire nation. It will be effective immediately.”
“It will be done my Lord.” Lau dutifully put the parchment in his pocket in preparation to send out copies of it up and down the country.
“Now about the curriculum, I’m going to guess that this would be the same as it was under Ozai.”
“You are correct my Lord.”
“Hmmm that won’t do”
“My Lord?”
“Lau I’m immediately removing all suggestions that the Fire nation is superior in any subject,” Zuko wrote an additional note and stamped it with the official seal and handed it to Lau. “Apart from that I think I need to familiarise myself with the curriculum like normal children do.”
“Familiarise yourself my Lord.”
“Yes Lau. Now what I’m about to tell you cannot be said to anyone at all.”
“Of course my Lord I won’t tell a soul.”
“Good now what school would you recommend deserves a surprise inspection?” Zuko asked.
///
Modern Day
A week since he’d asked for school suggestions he was finally ready to put his plan into action. He’d selected his school and had picked his guard. A man named Captain Sau Ren who was middle aged but highly loyal and competent.
“We’re ready to depart I trust?” Zuko asked.
“Of course Fire Lord Zuko. You have everything you need?”
“Yep I’ve got everything.”
“Shall we leave then my Lord.”
“Yes let’s go.”
Once the pair were safely in the carriage and on the move that would take them to the school he’d selected, Zuko went over the plan again in his head and once out loud in detail to Sau Ren. Zuko himself would be joining a school on an island and Sau Ren would be acting as his father. Zuko would be going by the name of Lee. He would be able to disguise himself easily as there had been no official portrait and on an island this far out no one would recognise him, so for once his scar wouldn’t be an issue.
Sau Ren would be called Minzu however he wouldn’t actually need to do too much apart from coming to one or two meetings and buying a uniform. Mostly he was there as an ally in case something went wrong as, if his travels had taught him anything it’s that something always goes wrong because that’s just his luck. Or maybe it’s Aang’s. Who knows?
He’d brought some Middle class clothes and some posher ones just in case he needed to look official for some reason. He’d also brought the official seal so that he could change the curriculum from where he was staying and in case something went wrong.
By the time they’d arrived their personas were drilled into both of them and they were now well rested and were ready to go. This was it. Firstly they headed to the house they would stay at, a fairly well kept house that belonged to the Royal family. Zuko had been there once as a child but that was it. Nobody lived in it now apart from the from the loyal housekeeper who Zuko had written to discreetly a few days before.
As Zuko knocked on the door it wasn’t long before the housekeeper Eva opened it and with a twinkle in her eye said “I’ve been waiting for you my Lo-.”
“Shhhhhh,” said Zuko as he quickly stepped inside the old home. “No one can know I’m here remember.”
“Yes of course I’m so sorry my Lord. No one will hear it from me.” The housekeeper said apologising for her mistake.
“They better not Eva or there will be consequences.” Zuko threatened trying to stop anything going wrong within his first 5 minutes of his plan because if they did he knew the Gaang would never let him live it down. He could already hear the jokes Sokka would make at his expense.
“Of course.” Eva responded.
“Good,” said Zuko. “This is Captain Sau Ren, my personal guard. But until I say so, outside of here or if anyone asks, I’m Lee and that’s my father Minzu, you are my aunt, and we just moved here to live with you from the other side of the Fire Nation. You understand, Eva?”
“Yes my Lord - I mean Lee.”
With that they went out to unpack the luggage from the carriage and after that Zuko went out with Sau Ren to enrol in the school.
///
“This is a terrible idea I mean who agreed to this?” Asked Sokka.
“You did.” The rest of the Gaang replied. Sokka’s fears weren’t completely unfounded considering what they were about to do. Once again Sokka was wearing his Wang Fire beard and would be posing as a parent trying to enrol five children into this school.
As they walked through the empty hallways on their way to the headmaster’s office Sokka felt himself bump into someone and quickly said in his Wang Fire accent “I’m so sorry.”
“It’s no problem.” The mystery person replied.
When they arrived outside the office they knocked and then waited for the man to open the door. After about five minutes the man opened the door and Sokka walked in immediately with as much confidence as he could muster.
“Hello Mr and Mrs?”
“Fire. Wang Fire and this is my wife Saphire but I believe we’ve met before.”
“Oh yes I remember you, your the father of that Kuzon boy.” The headteacher spat out the name like it was a deadly disease.
“Yes we were hoping that you would give him a second chance at school and as a token of good faith we’re willing to donate a sum of money as an apology for Kuzons previous behaviour.” Katara (Sapphire) asked.
“Well that is certainly generous of you however forgive me for not fully believing that Kuzon has changed his ways, talking of which where is the young man?” The headmaster questioned.
“That is understandable given his disappointing behaviour before however he understands that if he even steps out of line he will be in for some serious trouble. As for his current location I told him to wait outside as I understand that you may not want to see him after the stunt he pulled last time, Kuzon bring yourself in here.” Wang Gire demanded.
With that Aang (Kuzon) walked into the office his head bowed in mock shame as he tried to sell the idea that he was genuinely ashamed of his previous actions. “I’m so sorry of my behaviour last time Sir. I just wasn’t used to the teaching style here in the homeland however I promise I won’t make the same mistake again.” Aang begged.
“Hmm well I will give you one more chance. You had better not waste it young man.” The headmaster replied. “Now I believe that was not the only thing you were here to talk to me about.”
“Indeed, after the war my wife and I decided to move the rest of our family here and so we would like to enrol our other children if that is alright.” Sokka asked wondering whether he was testing the headmasters patience.
“Well considering the generous donation you made to the school I’m sure we can accept them into this wonderful school of course that is providing that they will be better behaved than Kuzon here.” The headmaster responded stroking his goatee.
“Thank you so much.” Sokka (Wang Fire) responded stroking his own fake beard.
“Now that is sorted let me hand you these time tables, on the back it contains a shop for school clothes.”
“Thank you kind Sir”
With that they got up and after some boring pleasantries they left.
Once they were safely outside of the school Katara asked Sokka “do you think Zuko will mind that we’re using his money to effectively bribe a school?”
Sokka responded “Oh I’m sure not after all his Flaminess has got more important things to worry about than what’s going on with his bank account.
///
Well Zuko thought as he got back to his house. That went well. I wonder who the man that I bumped into was.
“Sau Ren?”
“Yes my Lord.”
“Did you see who the man that I bumped into was?”Zuko questioned.
“No my Lord his face was covered in quite a large beard, in fact it was quite magnificent if I may say so.”
“Hmmm oh well” Zuko said. He wasn’t too worried about it as it was extremely unlikely that he would have met that man and his family before.
Ah thought Zuko to himself. Here comes Eva she must of been finishing up putting the rest of the stuff away. “Hello Eva how are you?”
“Very good my Lord, I’ve put all of your belongings in the wardrobe as you’ve said. Did your meeting with the Headmaster go alright?”
“Yes it did Eva he accepted our request to join and gave us the name of a place where we can buy stationery and uniform, which we bought on the way back as I have to be in school tomorrow.”
“That was very wise my Lord.”
“Yes well I’m going to have an early night as I’ve got to be up early tomorrow.”
“Ok then, well good night my Lord.” Eva bid farewell.
///
“Welcome back guys” said Toph which alerted Suki that the others were back.
“Oh hey guys” chipped Suki.
“Hey Suki” responded Sokka
“How’d it go?” Suki questioned knowing how bad their luck was.
“Well…. We’re in!” Katara said.
“That’s good then” Said Toph.
“Welllll” Said Sokka in the tone of voice that makes you know that something went wrong.
“Oh no what happened?” Said Suki, it seemed that she was ready for something to go wrong which wasn’t a surprising given their luck with most things.
“Well remember the headteacher that closed down our fancy dance party?”
“Yeah?” Suki questioned.
“Yeah well he’s still headteacher.”
“Oh no!” Said Suki as when Sokka had found time he’d regaled her of his adventures as Wang Fire and Aang’s adventure at the school and the funny story of how the Headmaster had put an end to their mischief.
At that moment however Toph burst into raucous laughter at their predicament. Once she’d recovered she said “oh well it’s too late to worry about now, besides I need some sleep.”
The gaang (as Sokka had cheerfully dubbed them) made varying sounds of agreements and settled down in the same cave from before. Eventually everyone was asleep apart from Aang.
Well tomorrow should be interesting he thought. Oh well hopefully Hide will forget about last time I was at the school. It will be nice to see everyone else again though.
///
Zuko turned up bright and early to school the next morning, his uniform laundered to perfection. It wouldn’t do to make a bad impression on his first day. As he walked toward the gated entrance of the school he noticed a group of school children walking toward the school. Oh well it wouldn’t hurt to make some friends he thought after all they might be able to tell him what it’s like. Unfortunately before he could get there the bell rang and signalled everyone to class.
///
“Um is it just me or did that student look a lot like Zuko there?” Katara questioned. Wondering if it was just her imagination messing with her.
“No I agree it did feel a lot like him Sugarqueen.” Toph said slightly confused.
“Yeah but that’s impossible right?” Katara said, “after all he’s doing important fire nation business right.
“Yeah I mean he did say that he was meeting with advisors this week.” Sokka butted in.
With that final comment from Sokka and agreement from the rest of the gaang they headed to their classes where they were met with the headmaster and the Zuko look-a-like boy. Perhaps they were supposed to get the headmaster to introduce them to the class. Oh well thought Sokka, he’s here now.
Inside the classroom he saw that the students were were stood in silence waiting to begin the national pledge. Thankfully though the teacher noticed them.
“Names please.” She called.
“I’m Kuzon” said Aang nervously as he recognised this teacher as Ms. Kwan from last time he was here. It turned out he was right to worry as her neutral face quickly changed to one of distaste as she clearly remembered him from last time. Casting his eyes around the room Aang realised that she wasn’t the only one who recognised him in fact he thought he saw On Ji and shoji towards the back of the classroom but he’d have to talk to them later as the others were now giving their names.
“I’m Wang” Said Sokka.
“I’m Ta Min” said Katara.
“I’m Jin and this is my sister Miyuki” said Suki covering Toph as well. Earning an elbow from Toph who was unimpressed with her given name.
It’s a good thing we thought of cover names on the way here thought Suki. They had also thought of cover identities. One for any friends they made while at school and one for the headmaster if they got in trouble and had to be parents.
Their child identities were that they were friends who had met and become friends during the war and had recently scrabbled together enough money to move here and start school, which was at least partly true considering that they were friends who’d met in the war albeit the circumstances were different to what the classmates would presume.
With Suki’s inner monologue over she heard the other boy say that his name was Lee as well. It wasn’t long before they were shown their seats and began the national pledge.
Aang fully ready for that fighting for forefathers rubbish was ready to begin but as it started he realised that he might have an inkling of an idea as to what Zuko was currently doing as the national pledge was now something completely new. Doing his best to mouth it and not get caught he looked over at the boy next to him and realised that the boy was smirking to himself. Suddenly the idea that this could be Firelord hot pants was becoming more and more likely to be real. Quickly glancing at his friends he was glad to see them mouthing it as well however that happiness was short lived when he glanced at Sokka and saw that he had begun bellowing out something that was definitely not the national pledge.
///
Zuko was pleased to see that his new pledge had already been adopted, even this far out, and he happily recited it along with the class, smirking at the thought that he was technically making a pledge to himself. Some of the others were stumbling over the words, forgetting the new ones and still trying to say the old ones but luckily the teacher was too busy with wondering why the new boy, Wang I think his name was, was currently bellowing out something completely different.
“Fuck you Sozin, Fuck you Azulon, No one likes you not even your grandson and lastly Ozai you little piece of ash no one likes you you egotistical backstabber!”
That pledge almost had Kuzon bursting out In laughter and Ta Min which was a rather old name, and his great grandmother’s, facepalming. Zuko had a many ideas of why the young man might hate his forefathers so much but it was probably warranted to be fair.
At the end of the pledge Ms. Kwan demanded that he come to the front to receive a punishment. It turned out that his punishment was having to recite the pledge to the class by himself and would have to stand at his desk for the rest of the lesson until she deemed otherwise so that he could be disciplined for shaming the fire nation.
Next was calligraphy and Zuko found the practice useful as three years out at sea had really reduced his writing skills. However that wasn’t the case for everyone or at least not for Kuzon and Ta Min who’s calligraphy seemed to swirl across the page as if they were bending the words themselves. Jin and her sister however had rather blocky writing and Wang wasn’t great either as his wasn’t flowing as well as the others.
Kwan was pacing the room Aang noticed as he looked around. As she passed Katara in the row in front of him he heard her say “Very good, Ta Min, your third stroke could be a little straighter, but otherwise, this is very high quality.”
“Thank you Miss.”
Kwan continued around the class shouting at people and ordering them to restart which felt wrong to Aang. Luckily the rest of the Gaang all managed to get by with some shouting apart from Aang who was apparently perfect even if it had been said grudgingly. Unfortunately Lee wasn’t so lucky and was shouted at and made to restart however as soon as Kwan had turned her back Lee’s hands had started smoking which further reinforced the belief that this transfer was actually the Firelord.
Well hello stranger thought Aang.
Aang risked glancing around the room and saw the worrying gazes of On Ji and Shoji looking at him nervously, so obviously they were surprised by his behaviour which Aang felt bad about however he couldn’t really do much right now to reassure them so he just remembered to make sure to see them at break.
///
After calligraphy, they worked at mathematics, which was pretty much the same, except that Zuko hadn’t forgotten how to do it, so there wasn’t anything that Ms. Kwan could find to criticise in his work, despite her looking for even the smallest error. The material was all stuff that he’d already covered, even with his time in banishment and helping to defeat Ozai, he couldn’t help but shiver at the thought. He couldn’t believe he had been so blind and actually wanted that mans love.
However it seemed to Zuko that Kuzon, the boy next to him got most of the criticism this time. The rest of the class was silent. Trying to avoid boredom, Zuko turned to observing the reactions of the pupils more closely, to see if there was anything he was missing but as far as he could tell, they looked like they found it pretty boring as well, the only surprising thing was that the new students seemed to be enjoying the work like it was a breath of fresh air from their usual lives. How odd thought Zuko.
Eventually the class was dismissed and he could finally get out and see what the students thought of everything
///
Meanwhile the rest of the Gaang were led outside by Toph after they realised they had gotten lost within the school. “Ahh what would we do without you Toph?” Sokka wondered.
“Get lost in different schools perhaps.” Toph snarked.
“That was a rhetorical- oh never mind.” Sokka couldn’t be bothered to argue right now.
“Uh guys is it just me or is anyone else seriously thinking that that guy is Zuko?” Aang asked finally airing the question everyone had on the mind.
“No I agree but we don’t really have any concrete proof that it is him so what can we do.”
“What If we follow him after school? Knowing Sparky he’ll have a nice house.” Toph suggested.
“That’s a good idea Toph but isn’t it i don’t know a bit stalker like?” Sokka questioned slightly frustrated that he hadn’t come up with the idea himself however he was unsure of the moral equation in the planning.
“Well if it is Zuko then I don’t see any issue with stalking him considering that he followed us round the world for 9 months, it will just be a taste of his own medicine.” Aang joked.
And with that the matter was settled.