[[Author's Note: I usually go out of my way to write "Original Flavor" style pieces and almost always prefer to write stories that match the tone and rating of the work they're based on. That said, I wanted to branch out a little on this one. More on that later.]]

Chapter I: Chief of the North

Mad genius comes in many forms. I have watched it breed industrialists, weapons of war and impressive abusers of legal systems. The spark of insanity present in the eyes of a select few individuals can ignite wars and snuff them out, all in an instant. I cannot even say I am much different. My aspirations are over a decade away, and yet I patiently await the alignment of fate to truly embrace the coming chaos.

But then there is the man sitting across from me at the Pai Sho board. Everything about him is methodical. He lingers, but when he has chosen his move, he doesn't take a second longer than necessary to move a piece. Even the way he drinks his tea has such an intense purpose to it, and if even a single of his short, slicked back black hair falls from its position, he fixes it instantly.

We were sitting in my private quarters, constructed just underneath the spirit oasis. It is the best place in the north to meditate, and usually one of the few places I can escape the screech of my children. Around the perimeter of the room is a currently stagnant rectangular river, which I bend when I need the ambient noise.

I am hardly paying attention to the game at this point. "So, what do you think of my proposal?"

"I think it's a very dangerous one," he replies, a small smile coming across his face as he sips his tea. "Some buildings might get wrecked. Some people might die… They got a chief down there?"

"His name is Sokka. Not particularly of note, except that he was the Avatar's brother-in-law," I replied, absentmindedly sliding a piece into place.

"Duly noted," he replied with another sip of tea. "Alright, so say I get my squad in there, are we playing for keeps or-"

My head jerks to the side as the door behind me slowly creaks open. My heart begins to pound as Malina walks in, innocently offering offering him more tea, which he accepts. The look in her eyes tells me she is suspicious of the overly polite man sitting opposite me. My own glare commands her to leave, and I try to force her to remember she swore not to interrupt.

"It's the best I've had in the north," he says, raising his cup in praise. "And it is good to have something warm amongst all this cold. You have a good wife, Unalaq."

"May I bring you anything else?" She asked, my stare continuing to insist that she leave.

"No. But the tea is excellent," he said again. With a hesitant, half-hearted smile, Malina begins to step out of the room before she freezes in place at the sound of screaming down the hall. I see another small smile come across my opponent's face as I scowl at her.

"Shut the door." I commanded. "And don't open it again until we're through-"

Two tiny bodies rush into the room, laughing and screaming as they make their way around the Pai Sho table and my hand in instantly clutching my temple in irritation.

"That's not fair!" Desna shouts. "You can't pass through dad's private room! It's off limits!"

"Yeah, well I just did!" Eska shouted back, pulling down one of her eyelids and sticking out her tongue. "I'm gonna make it back to base!"

"Well I'm gonna catch you first!"

"Eska, Desna please!" Malina shouts. "Your father is very busy right now, go play somewhere else-"

"You can't catch me!"

"That's because you're a cheater-"

"ENOUGH!"

With a stomp of my foot the water from the river bursts to life, trapping Eska and Desna firmly in place as it quickly solidifies into ice. Both are taken aback for a moment before looking worriedly at me.

"How many times have I told you to stay out of this place?!" I demanded.

Eska instantly looked down in shame. "We're sorry Daddy… We were just-"

"You were disgracing a sacred place with your infantile games!" I scolded. "You two both need to learn some respect for your father's work-"

"Unalaq that's enough!" Melina cries, the ice trapping the twins melting as she did, both of them looking on the verge of tears as Eska ran to her mother. "Come on you two. Let's leave your father and his friend be."

"You should be studying," I retorted. "Or meditating. Learning some restraint."

"They are only children." He replies, and in my frustration I turn to him, again slowly sipping his tea. "No need to be such a staunch authority… We don't like authority, now do we?"

With a scowl I sit back down and make my move. "Are you questioning my motivations?"

"I am only saying I find it ironic that a man who claims to be an anarchist is the much revered chief of the north," he replied.

"I didn't choose my heritage… And who better an ally could you have to ensure the return of the spirits in a few years' time?"

"I only hope that you remember that when the day of convergence comes," he replied, sliding one of his tile's over and remarking, "I believe that's the game."

"What?" I demanded, looking down at the board and seeing what appeared to be a red-stained white lotus tile sitting amongst his most recent harmony, sure it had not been there before. "Did you just place that piece while I was dealing with my children?" I asked.

"Did I?" He asked back. "Weren't you paying attention to the game?"

"You cheated," I retorted.

"Yes. I did. But you didn't know for sure. And what are you really looking for today, Unalaq? Are you seeking an honest man who knows how to accept defeat? Or do you want a cheater who wins?"

I glared at him and that smug look on his face. "… So you believe you can do it? You can bring me back my Avatar?"

"Of course we can," he said. "But there's no use trying to finish her off now, am I correct?"

"Indeed. She is too young to wield the Avatar state. We would only have to track her down all over again, somewhere in the expanse of the Earth Kingdom. And then we would still need her to open the portals. Bring her to me alive, and I will do the rest."

"Should we fail… Can I expect your assistance?"

"I will personally ensure your escape," I confirmed. "The four of you are in safe hands."

"Excellent." He said, taking a last drink from his cup of tea and getting to his feet. "Leave the rest to us."