Prologue to Heir to the Throne
A/N: Ok, here it is; my first story, set just after the Episode: "City of Walls and Secrets". I scrapped the future story idea for a number of reasons. Anyway, I hope everyone who reads this enjoys it.
"He's dead" whispered Doctor Sozhu, head of the Royal Family's personal medical staff. "Have you determined the cause of death?" asked High Inquisitor Ususka, second in command of the Ministry of State Security, grimacing at the corpse on the massive feather bed before him.
"Well… ahh… it appears he died of some sort of poison… what kind though, I'm not certain of yet." replied the doctor solemnly. "Poisoned!?" shouted one of the eight Palace Advisors. A murmur ran through the group of officials crowded around the bed.
Kinzo, the Chief Advisor, stepped forward holding his hands up to quiet the group. "This… is truly a shocking thing. The Fire Lord has been assassinated. We must…" he was cut short as another advisor called out in a panic-stricken voice "Who will rule the nation!? We cannot hope to win the war without a strong leader!"
"There is Princess Azula, she will be the new ruler of the Fire Nation and surely bring us victory!" shouted Izamei, one of the MSS officials. "Fool! Azula you say!? With her greed and ruthlessness she'll bleed out nation dry for her own personal gains before you… any of you will have time to stop her!" responded the captain of the Royal Guard her fists clenched tightly.
"What is there to do? She is the only heir to the Nation's throne! We cannot stop her from taking what's hers!" another voice yelled, trying to be heard over the clamor. "Azula doesn't even know Ozai is dead! She's overseeing War Minister Qing's assault on Ba Sing Se. We still have time!" responded yet another.
The roar of men and women's voices locked in verbal combat filled the late Fire Lord's bedroom. "Wait! Wait! I have an idea!" shouted one of the younger advisors over the din of voices. The Guard Captain grabbed the man by the arm dragging him out in front of the crowd.
"Stop this shouting! What are we? A bunch of earth benders squabbling over a pebble?" roared the Guard Captain. The group gradually settled down, most starring at the Captain and the advisor she had by the arm. The young advisor cleared his throat and began. "I… have an idea. Do any of you remember Prince Zuko?"
"That spineless, coward son of Ozai's that was banished two and a half years ago?" asked Izamei a look of disgust upon his face. This spurred on a new storm of words that soon engulfed the room once more.
"Silence!" shouted the Guard Captain and Kinzo in unison. The group of officials froze, eyes fixed on the three in front of them. "Continue." said the Guard Captain nodding at the young advisor.
"As… I was saying, Prince Zuko, I believe… he could rule the nation effectively. He could lead us to victory!" said the advisor throwing a fist into the air, rather surprised at his own enthusiasm. A wave of applause followed the young man's words, only a few held looks of disgust.
Kinzo stroked his beard in thought "Yes, Zuko. He is a wise choice. I remember him well; banished for trying to save the lives of our own soldiers. He is honorable… unlike his sister." the old advisor surveyed the mostly agreeable looks of those present. "Zuko is first born, he will be Fire Lord… he must be. If Azula takes the throne there is no telling what she'll do."
The others nodded in agreement, those who did not only turned their backs. "It is a sound plan" said the Guard Captain. "there is only one problem I can see… we don't know where Prince Zuko or General Iroh are…"
The officials looked about from one face to another looking for an answer until a soft clunking sound from the back of the group drew their attention.
A tall man came forward wearing the black armor of an MSS agent. Probably in his middle fifties, the man had graying hair and stood supported by a pair of crutches, his left leg having been amputated just above the knee long ago. The group watched him, all curious to what he had to say, even those who had turned their backs watched carefully.
"I think…" said the man slowly, a smile crossing his face "I can help you with that problem."
Finishing notes: Well that's just the prologue. I should be getting to Zuko and Iroh in Ba Sing Se in the next chapter. And if you're wondering about the paring and such, just hold on, it'll all make sense in the next few chaps. Oh, and please review. Just no flames...