Technology is a useful servant to a competent master

It seems that the fallout of Zuko's clash against Combustion Man had been more chaotic than he had anticipated, despite avoiding casualties and destruction, the explosions he directed to the sky were heard by the entire city.

By the time Zuko was being showered with applause and cheers, he noticed that Mai and Ty Lee had bear witness to his foe's public execution.

They lead the entire group of Yuyan archers and Suki, who were obviously shocked by his recent display of power.

However Zuko began acting as nothing relevant had really happened, and made his way towards their transportation.

All the way back, he noticed impressed looks being shot at him, be it by his archers or the girls following him.

Obviously they wanted to ask him how he was capable of performing such actions, the pillar of pure lightning, the deflection of that man's devastating attacks, and his impressive speed.

But the thing that they wanted to ask the most was…

"Eh, why are you carrying that woman?" Asked Mai.

"Well, it's because she's unconscious." Zuko replied casually while patting the raven haired woman in the butt. "We don't have time to wait until she recovers."

"That's not what I meant." Mai said. "I asked why are we taking her with us?"

"Because she attempted to kidnap me." Zuko stated. "Not only that, she even threatened to take my life."

Mai almost signed seeing where things were going. "So instead of leaving her in a cell you wish to bring her with us?"

"Precisely." Zuko nodded before removing June's mask and raising her head by the chin. "I mean, she is a diamond in the rough. Not only well versed with poison, but also very pretty."

Mai inspected June's face and replied. "I suppose you are right."

"Don't worry my dear!" Zuko let go of June's face and grabbed Mai with his freed arm. "No matter how many pretty women I take as mine, none will compare to you."

That did manage to make the pale Mai blush a little. "Thanks… I guess." She thought about something before speaking again. "Hey Zuko?"

"Yes?" He turned to look at her.

"When will we be able to have some time together?" She asked a little flustered about the situation. "I mean, I know we already are… but… I…"

Zuko aided her. "Don't worry my dear, our next stop will involve a spa. I'm confident that we can enjoy each other's company there."

Mai nodded in agreement.

Behind them, Ty Lee was speaking with Suki. "Look, Zuko really can't get enough of the opposite sex." Ty Lee chuckled as Suki blushed.

"I wonder if Z-I mean, master is considering making her his concubine as well." Suki thought out loud.

"Absolutely!" Ty Lee said. "His aura is very warm and energetic."

Suki cringed a little realizing that she had just voiced her thoughts. "Heh, what do you mean his aura?"

"I already told you, I can feel certain types of feelings coming from other people." Ty Lee crossed her arms behind her head. "I can sense faint impressions of people's inclination and emotions."

Suki remembered hearing this talk about aura and chi from the time the two of them were visiting Zuko's animal collection.

But honestly she didn't really believe in that story, Ty Lee was the kindest person to her since she left Kyoshi Island, but more time than not she behaved as an airhead.

"I can feel that you have doubts, especially in regards to my ability." Ty Lee pointed out to Suki, who instead gestured that it was true. "Don't worry." Ty Lee interrupted. "You're not the only one." She turned to look at Zuko. "He has been the only one to believe in me."

Suki turned to look at Zuko as well.

"Can you believe it? I had all my twin sisters visit me in the capital, and Zuko was still able to tell who was who?" Ty Lee's eyes shined with adoration. "Not even our parents were capable of doing it."

A few steps behind, the group of Yuyan archers discussed amongst themselves about their emperor power. Never had they seen such absolute demonstration of someone's bending might.

The only one silent was their commander, Han'i. But the bulky woman's mind couldn't have been noisier.

She had already witnessed Zuko pouring life into simple energy, and now, each absurd rumor she had heard was now not sounding as absurd as she once thought.

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The emperor's group eventually reached their transportation.

Only unusual thing was when a Shirshu attacked them, but Zuko casually dealt with the beast.

Since they couldn't capture the animal due to its size, and Zuko wouldn't risk killing a rare animal, they were surprised again when their emperor lashed the beast with his golden chain of lightning.

The beast resisted more than he had anticipated, but after slightly increasing his lightning voltage, the beast bowed to Zuko.

Being faster than their regular carriages, Zuko decided to mount the Shirshu with Suki and the still unconscious June.

Technically she would have awakened already, if Zuko hadn't decided to let her rest until the end of the journey by simply giving her a small shock treatment.

Hopefully she won't have health issues with that.

And after some time on traveling through the forest, Zuko arrived at the village resort.

The village resort was a lavish recreational center on the Su Oku River, located near the previously occupied western coast of the Earth Kingdom.

Originally a retreat for Earth Kingdom monks, the resort fell under Fire Nation control during the Hundred Year War

The main resort is built on pipes and several large rocks in the center of the Su Oku River, and is connected to both shorelines by large wooden bridges.

The main spa holds several massage parlors and relaxing pools, while the shorelines are home to small cottages for guests as well as many natural hot springs.

The village is located in a mountainous region near the ocean, where it hosts its own wharf, and west of the spa is a large waterfall where the river meets the ocean.

The area is surrounded by gorgeous cherry blossoms, creating a lasting appeal for its visitors.

Surrounded by beautiful scenery and home to some of the finest spas in the Earth Kingdom, this resort town is a true paradise.

It is a place where travelers can receive relaxing massages and other treatments that soothe aching muscles.

The masseurs at the village are friendly and the town offers free robes to visitors.

It is considered one of the most welcoming locations in the entirety of the Fire Nation colonies.

Truly an amazing place to spend some time relaxing.

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'What is this feeling?'June thought as she slowly opened up her eyes, before her were another set of eyes, unlike hers however these were shining gold and belonged to Zuko.

The feeling that awoke her from her slumber was Zuko pressing his lips against hers.

"Motherfucker!" June questioned as she pulled away from Zuko and sat on the bed.

She hadn't even attempted to attack him, since she obviously wasn't a match for him.

He could stun her with a mere touch, or speak his warm words and she would find herself awaking again with a kiss.

Not to mention her metal shackles that resembled luxurious bracelets.

They had arrived in some sort of resort yesterday and she had spent most of the day recovering.

The townsfolk most likely received their life's greatest shock when the Phoenix Emperor Zuko arrived before schedule.

Zuko's eyes skimmed over her form covered in her night rope. "Don't lie, you love my morning kisses. Before you wake up you moan so cutely, especially when I grope your cute butt." Zuko smiled, before he grabbed her arm and pulled June back down on his chest.

"If it were me, I wouldn't like being woken like that." Suki stated firmly, though unable to avoid blushing as she began to pout.

"Don't worry my dear, I won't be forcing you, I'm a man of my word." Zuko smiled to Suki as he caressed June's long raven hair. "However, my newest concubine won't receive the same courtesy since she threatened my life."

"Hey, I did challenge you to an Agni Kai, didn't I?" Questioned Suki without realizing what she was implying.

But Zuko only laughed. "Yes yes, indeed you challenged me."

"What's so funny?" Asked Suki.

"I'm not laughing because of something funny." He smirked. "It's just that you are so cute when you get so fired up."

As Suki stuttered trying to say something, June spoke. "Well, lovely couple, I can assure you that I will make you regret this."

Instead of immediately replying to another threat of her, Zuko kissed June's forehead and hugged her.

She noticed he was appreciating her perfume.

June gritted her teeth.

She didn't know how much she would be able to endure such humiliation.

For spirits' sake, she had overpowered bigger guys than Zuko. Her name was well known as someone who shouldn't be messed with.

But after he told her that he had baited her by anonymously offering a massive bounty for anyone capable of capturing him, she had completely lost her ground.

And now, noticing how impossibly powerful was his bending, she had no option other than to accept her fate for now.

Still…

It really sucks to be handled and fondled as if she was a lowly slave, even more by a kid.

Him being an emperor was just the biggest reason why she had never gotten involved with politics.

But the bounty was too good to pass.

She should have guessed that it was too good to be true.

Her frustration only increased as she felt the kid emperor groping her butt.

June won't stand for another spanking.

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Whenever he wasn't having fun with his newest concubine while teasing the other, Zuko shared his time with the other girls.

He convinced Ty Lee to give a try to meditation and she completely loved it. Not to mention her appreciation for the services being offered by the workers of the spa.

Zuko had been lucky enough to convince her to practice on him. And believe it, she learned the way of massage very quickly and with great skill.

Her knowledge about the human body and its flow of energy was visibly improved by it.

With Mai he had a different relationship, although she enjoyed cuddling, Zuko obviously had lit a fire inside her that made her carve for being useful to him.

From time to time she questioned him in regards to some stupid notion or measure in vigor over his army.

She wasn't one to build war machines nor cared for propaganda, but she had a way of discarding what wasn't working without ceremony.

And if he was being honest, Mai seemed to be the only one that was really interested in the way that he viewed the world and how he justified the current war.

Zuko even found some time to spend with Commander Han'i while the rest of the Yuyan archers enjoyed their stay at the resort.

Her skill with the flute was just as impressive as her way with the war bow.

And despite not being nearly as attractive as he would like, Han'i seemed very reliable and competent.

Exactly the kind of people he wanted to incentivize to grow and prosper in his empire.

But the resort wasn't meant to be their final destination, only a temporary stop before facing the mountain ranges that surrounded the northern air temple.

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After a few days of riding their mounts through the valley in between the mountains, Zuko's party eventually reached their destination.

The Northern Air Temple was one of the four original temples that belonged to the Air Nomads.

Located in the mountains along the northern coast of the Earth Kingdom continent, this temple was one of the two temples that exclusively housed male airbenders, the other one being the Southern Air Temple.

Its original population, however, was wiped out at the beginning of the Hundred Year War, during the what was known as the Air Nomad Genocide.

The temple had ever since been inhabited by a group of Earth Kingdom refugees led by the mechanist, who settled there after their own village was destroyed by a flood.

It was extensively modified from its original state to accommodate the lifestyle of the new residents.

As the mechanist added new inventions, the temple underwent many technological upgrades, which often required the destruction or expansion of many original structures.

The mechanist eventually used the airbender staffs he found within the temple to make his own gliders and give his paraplegic son Teo a new life in the air.

During the years the refugees lived in the temple, some were eventually seen gliding around it by other Earth Kingdom villagers, who came to call them "air walkers".

While searching for signs of the Avatar, the Fire Nation eventually discovered the temple's established refugee population and threatened to destroy their new home.

However, the mechanist was able to make a deal with the military, in which he would design weapons for the Fire Lord in exchange for letting his people live in peace.

The Northern Air Temple was the site where many important technological advancements in the world took place.

Especially under the banner of the Blaze Empire.

War minister Qin had shown him the passage he used to contact the Machinist, and Zuko went alone to speak with the man.

Located on a quiet wing of the air temple, the mechanist's workshop was a place where he created and experimented with his newest inventions.

The room was filled with all sorts of contraptions, ranging from prototypes of the gliders and a hot air balloon to blueprints for various vehicles, among which was a giant drill in its early stages.

If Zuko's memory was correct, the workshop was also equipped with an alarm that was triggered when anyone entered the temple's inner sanctuary.

Not that it would prevent anything anyway.

Waiting for him as soon as he came through the trap door was a bowing man. "Your majesty."

"Rise." Zuko said shortly. "I've come in good faith to make a better deal that I believe will be even more beneficial for both sides."

He could see that the mechanist wasn't expecting that Zuko would be just as young as he was, but to the man's credit, he kept a respectful tone and gesture.

"I-I'm ready to hear it." The man said, a little unsure about Zuko's nature.

"As Emperor of the Blaze Empire, I officially invite you, your family members and friends living here to become full citizens of my empire." Zuko announced while offering the man some scrolls he had brought with him. "There you will find the proper paperwork for such a process and also a vast land property in the capital city. You won't have to deal with food shortages of harsh weather ever again."

That had obviously caught the machinist by surprise.

"My sources have informed me of your flammable problem." Zuko lied, not caring how much more the man in front of him could continue to show even more surprise. "As I said, our new deal is going to be mutually beneficial for us. You and your people will be allowed into the most wealthy and prosperous city in the world while my empire gains a new reserve of natural gas."

"I-I… I do agree that would certainly be beneficial." He said while holding the scrolls tightly. "I'm honored to accept your offer."

"Excellent, but that's just the first segment of our deal." Zuko continued. "It isn't bound to you accepting my next offer, but I believe you will find it even more interesting."

The man nodded in respect as he waited for Zuko to continue speaking.

"I've been informed about your impressive work in building machines for the fire nation. Well, I came to offer you an official position as Engineer Minister." Zuko said as he approached the man. "If you accept, your work will basically be the same as what you were already doing, but with infinite resources and capable assistance. Not to mention you will be paid for such collaboration and contribution."

Before the machinist had time to give his answer, Zuko added. "In return, I will heal your son."

Perhaps Zuko had exaggerated his offer, but he knew that the Machinist had conflicted feelings about aiding the fire nation. By curing the man's son, Zuko would not only certify that the man would continue working, but that he would feel eternally in debt to him.

Plus, he can finally put to use all his research about healing.

One would not believe everything that was being kept in the Fire Lord's private records before Zuko came and took everything for himself.

He had studied the healing process and nature of water bending and even practiced the energy reading passed down by the generation of sages.

"Please…" The machinist fell to the ground in tears. "I beg you… please, help my son walk again."

Zuko only nodded in response.

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Despite being three years younger than he had been during the original cartoon series, Teo had already defined his personality.

A kid with great adventurous spirit and passion for flying.

He had initially been shocked when he saw someone as well dressed as Zuko, but after showing him the trick with the lightning golden birds, he quickly opened up to him.

Teo had yet to properly see fire bending, but after witnessing what seemed to be living beings made of electricity, he was immediately fascinated by what Zuko could do.

The boy was a little confused when Zuko scanned his body with his palms on fire, but when the bright light and a totally new feeling came, he was speechless.

Teo's father aided him to get up, and with tearing eyes he watched his son walking his first steps.

The rest of the refugees praised Zuko, chanting his name as if he was a benevolent spirit that had come to help them.

And with that, Zuko had completed his part of the deal, the only thing left was for the machinist to complete his.

Alright, Zuko still helped him in figuring out how to control the balloon by suggesting a small valve on top of it.

Now his Empire could finally claim rulership over the skies.

If the fire nation had built multiple war balloons and airships from studying the first design of the machinist in such a short amount of time.

The next couple of years will prove to be even more fruitful.

Toph and Boulder were aiding his ground forces by training the group of earth, and hopefully metal, benders from the prison rig.

Zuko had the ground covered as well.

His warships were already capable of conquering the sea, imagine after he got his hands on obedient water benders.

Perhaps he should continue providing ideas to speed the creation process of the Mechanist.

With metal benders and lightning benders, his Empire future is brighter than ever.

Suddenly, Zuko noticed that Han'i was approaching him with an apologetic expression, she was probably sorry for interrupting him.

"Yes commander?" Zuko said with a friendly smile.

She bowed while handing him a message that had just arrived by a messenger hawk.

After unrolling the piece of paper, Zuko smiled in complete satisfaction.

On the paper, the words said. 'The traitor of the empire has been apprehended.'

Zuko's luck continued to impress him.

'Better send a letter for Azula, my return will be postponed.' Zuko thought while preparing to settle things in the northern air temple.

He will have to send a letter for the preparations to extract the natural gas to begin.

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(19/12/2020)

*Hope this chapter is of your liking. Anything you wish to ask, feel free to do so.

Thanks as always for your attention and please be safe.

Any problems with my writing, just point them out and I will correct them as soon as possible.

** Please don't hesitate to tell me if the quality is dropping. I really wish to continue trying to update fast, but I don't want to make it reflect badly on my writing.

*** Question! Would you rather have a time skip to when Aang is freed from the ice or have me explore in between years?

Honestly, I'm almost done with everything I wanted to mention before Aang. The poles, omashu and Ba Sing Se will be important segments for the future of my fic.