Two days after Mai and Sho's attack, Aang and Zuko are in their meeting. It's unclear whether this more due to travel time or the length of the meeting, but it seems implausible for them to reach the Fire Nation so quickly from the Earth Kingdom.
Some Fire Senator says that the "traditions," (which vaguely qualifies as a set of Arc Words by now) against "inter racional" marriages exist for a reason, but doesn't specify why. Zuko says he doesn't see why they have to be in place (while not much of an argument, it's fairly understandable that he'd respond that way), and says that at the age of 20, he has to produce an heir (which he should have done with Mai).
Aang looks on with an expression that indicates a desire to be put out of his misery, as the person I will call Senator 1(with a small chin beard) gets down to brass tacks. Senator 1 concedes Zuko's points, and says people will not accept a child with a Water Tribe member, and accuse him of tainting "the blood line of Agni" (whatever that is). He even claims that, since the elements haven't been mixed before, it's possible that Katara won't be able to bear his child (and he seems to be wrong here).
Zuko has quite a few possible ways to approach this argument, but the first he chooses is the less than optimal way of reminding the Senate that he established them, and gave the people a voice. Unlike the modern day US Senate, the Fire Nation Senate sounds more like the Roman Senate, with a more exclusive membership and less of a status as a legislative body, meaning that Zuko is more likely to be able to ignore them (although whether he should is another matter). Zuko makes the better point that marriages like the one he's proposing are necessary to unite the world; I wonder if that's why the author made Katara a princess, so that she'd be an appropriately high-status person for a political marriage.
Senator 2 (with darker skin and a goatee), agrees, saying that it might be useful for forging an alliance with the Water Tribe. But Senator 3(with long eyebrows) says that it's "a double edge sword" which could end in success or ruin, (which misses the point that it should be an idea that has benefits but consequences). It's likely he's still talking when he suggests that he considers Zuko's well-being, but also that of his nation, but keeping the elements separate makes them "pure" and "strong" (which sounds uncomfortably like the "racial purity" arguments).
Zuko scoffs at that "silly" belief and says the Senate is not leaving any "roam"(an amusing accidental pun) for the nation to improve. He points out that Aang's the most powerful bender in the world, who controls all four elements and is powerful because of it (although Aang, along with his fellow Avatars, are the only ones who can do so)
Senator 4 (who has pale skin and what looks like a Skunk Stripe), says that Zuko had many chances to make an heir with Mai, and has many other Fire Nation women to choose from, which is a fair point. Senator 5 (who has long hair and a goatee), says Senator 4 is missing the point; Mai committed treason and doesn't deserve that responsibility any longer (but what about all the other women?). He then adds that the world worked together to preserve the Air Nomads, and the marriage is a good opportunity. Aang, who, in this comic, is not the last Airbender, agrees with the point, and Zuko agrees with Aang, saying he will do what is necessary for his nation.
Senator 6 (who's clean-shaven and short-haired, a bit like a young Zuko), agrees, but says Zuko must not only produce "a male air for the thrown" (as far as I heard, in canon, Zuko's daughter is Fire Lord), but also one who's a firebender. Senator 7(who looks like Senator 2 with lighter skin and paler hair) says the Fire Lord must be a firebender under the "sacred laws," (I concede that the kid might not be a firebender, like how Kya was a waterbender, but there's always the possibility for a non-bender, like Aang's son Bumi or Katara's brother Sokka) and that the marriage risks handing control of the nation over to the Water Tribe.
The Senate discusses it. Senator 1 and Senator 5 remain silent. Senator 2 thinks it could work. Senator 3 thinks it won't work and would "obstruct" their safety. Senator 4 asks Zuko to reconsider and take a Fire Nation bride. Senator 6, apparently in a shift of opinion, concedes that it's risky but might work. Senator 7 thinks Zuko's marriage won't work.
The Senate at this point is divided, but leaning against Zuko- two support it, three are against and two seem to have abstained, and we don't know what portion of the Senate this comprises.
Aang, apparently tired of all this, tells the Senators that it's not their decision to make, but Zuko's. He says it's impossible to go back to the way it was as a result of limiting themselves through the old traditions. He says that some things might not work, but rewriting traditions was the very reason the Senate was established, and nations weren't built on "fear and failed possibilities. He supports Zuko's move, as the Avatar and protector of the world, and as someone who fell in love with "an Earth Kingdom countess" (I'd like to point out that even if he got together with Katara, he's be having a mixed marriage). Aang confesses that he's afraid, but the fear is about losing Toph, rather than what people think of their union. He says that even if they won't let Zuko do it, he will, and people will follow suit. Aang concludes by asking them to take the right steps toward the future.
Zuko thanks Aang, but then is informed of Iroh and Ursa's arrival. After hearing the news about what happened at the Bei Fong estate, Zuko and Aang set out on Appa, with Zuko saying that they shouldn't have left the Bei Fong estate. Aang surmises that it was an "ambush" (which is a misnomer, since ambushes usually involve luring the target to a point and then attacking) meant to silence Azula, and that he hopes Azula will be fine. Zuko says that this might not be the case, and Aang concedes the point, telling Zuko to pray and think of the one thing to say to Azula that he'd never said.
Elsewhere, Katara treats Azula, who hasn't stirred. Katara waxes philosophical about the hatred in the world, which Azula had in the past, Mai had until the moment of her death, and Katara had when she killed Mai. Katara says she couldn't take it anymore, and now feels the same regret Azula did when waking up an amnesiac. Katara is also heartbroken at the idea of Azula, having achieved redemption (forced as it may be) being killed so quickly afterward.
Sokka, however, says Katara did the right thing, and saved his life after he failed to protect the others, and wishes he could have been that brave and fearless. Katara says that she couldn't kill the man who murdered their mother, but could kill Mai, and wonders what kind of person that makes her. Sokka says she killed someone, but it doesn't make her a cold-blooded killer, but a hero. Katara seems to agree, and says that's why she can't fail to save Azula.
Sokka apologizes for putting so much responsibility on Katara, saying that he's not ready to let Azula go. Katara says the same goes for her and the others, but she has to be prepared for the possibility that she won't succeed.
Aang and Zuko land on the ship, which seems surprisingly large. Additionally, it doesn't seem as though Katara and Sokka's last scene took place below decks, since it looked more like a bedroom.
Aang asks about the situation, and whether everyone's OK. Toph says they're all alive, but not OK, and she has difficult news for Sokka, which will also be difficult for Zuko. Zuko asks what it is, but Toph tells Aang to take over healing duty. Aang agrees, but asks Toph to get to the point- she is drawing this out quite a bit.
Toph starts out by establishing that there have only been three people besides Azula in that room, but she sensed a fourth heartbeat, and knows Azula is pregnant. Zuko's head jerks back in shock, and Aang asks Toph 1)if she's sure, and 2)when she'll tell Sokka. Toph says that 1)yes, she is sure, and Azula is three months along and 2)she will tell Sokka, even if she knows he won't take the news well.
That night, Toph keeps her word and goes to Sokka, informing him that she has something to tell him that he won't like to hear. Sokka then reminds her why it would be difficult for him to hear it, asking her how she'd feel if her time with Aang became "nothing more than a cold memory".
Sokka reminisces, saying that there was one time he found Azula around noon, asleep in the study, having wanted to hear more about the story from the previous day. Sokka wonders how she could have been the same person all those years ago, and I have to agree; I do find it odd that this is really Azula, to the point of thinking of them as separate individuals. Sokka mentioned how beautiful he found her, and how, at that moment, he had a Love Epiphany that would return to him whenever he felt doubt.
Toph says she felt the same way when Aang proposed to her, feeling weightless and able to see despite being blind. She felt as though nothing could ever go wrong, and even if it somehow did, she'd have him. As such, Toph knows what Sokka is going through, and how hard it will be to tell him what she's about to tell him (apparently, she's no more able to get to the point than she was with Aang).
Toph then mentions the other heartbeat again, and says that "Azula is with child." Sokka falls to his knees, and can't accept the thought of the woman he loves and their child dying, saying he'll die along with them. Toph says that none of them were prepared for Azula's pregnancy, and Sokka asks for a way to bring her back. Toph, whose expression has not changed all chapter, promises to do what she can to save Azula.
This didn't cover all that much ground, but there were many walls of text in this chapter, and I found it to be a good place to leave off. In the next part, we'll deal with what's happening with Azula.
What I liked
- Aang's speech.
- Katara showing remorse for her actions.
- Sokka's reaction to the prospect of losing his girlfriend and unborn son was genuinely sad.
What I didn't like
- Sokka convincing Katara that she was right
- Drawn out debate scene
