Zuko's POV
" So, how can a young man so…adolescent as yourself manage at such an advanced political position as the firelord" The elderly politician inquired
" Well, several ways actually" I answered as I picked at the little delicacy in front of me. " I have General Iroh help me with the difficult stuff, but since he's been living in Ba Sing Se for the last four months I usually look back at the ancient testaments of the great firelords from the dragon catacombs for guidance."
" Ah," another said thoughtfully " Very wise sir. As you know, history does repeat its self time and time again"
" Hopefully," I said, " we wouldn't have another terrible war like this ever again"
" That would be inevitable" One of the generals said
" It could be evitable," I corrected " but uncontrollable. If a tyrant comes into power again, spirits forbid, there could be another long war similar to this. But we also have to consider the fact that a tyrant could come into power in the other two nations. That's what this treaty is about. Sadly we can't help the fact that there will be wars, but we are going to try to put a limit on the span of the war. After the war so many of our factories have shut down, thus destroying our economy. During the war our economy thrived because we could sell the warships, weapons, armor, and other martial goods to our army, but now…" I didn't need to continue, everyone in the dining room seemed to understand.
" So" the first man asked " what do you plan on doing about that?"
" Well, to be honest, I'm no exactly sure. I am developing a plan, but it is in very early stages and I'd rather not share because there are still many loopholes."
" An what of your sister?" the General asked
My hand flew instinctively to my chest, where the dark red star was burned into my chest. For a second I was reliving that moment. Jumping in front of that electric blue lightening bolt trying to redirect it up into the sky away from my companion and letting the energy flow though my heart rather than my stomach. It was an amateur's mistake. If it weren't for Katara, I would be dead. " Azula… will never see the light of day again. She's locked away thousands of miles away on a secluded island, in a cell a thousand feet below sea level. The prison was built especially for her, by team avatar"
" And who would that involve" a young earth kingdom ambassador asked
" Master Earthbender Toph Bei Fong, Avatar Aang, Master waterbender Katara of the southern water tribe, Sokka of the southern water tribe, Kyoshi Warrior Suki, and myself" I answered then yawned as the waiters picked up our dirty dishes and refilled our wine glasses.
" Just one more question" the hostess said " how have things been going with your fiancé?"
" You," I said perplexed " you want to know about my love life?"
" Oh yes" the host said, " It is customary for the firelord to have an heir. Why else would Azulon have wanted to be succeeded by Ozai after the death of Prince Lu - Ten. Ozai did have two living and healthy children at the time as well as a beautiful bride"
" I have no idea what happened that night," I said thoughtfully. This was a subject I pondered over countless times. " But I believe Firelady Ursa or Firelord Ozai may have murdered Firelord Azulon and left a false will in his place. You are right about one thing though. The date is set. My wedding is only a few weeks away."
" Wow!" the hostess said, " it's midnight. I suppose its time we all got home. Thank you for coming Firelord Zuko"
" The pleasure is mine" I lied hardly even convincing myself. To be honest I just wanted to get back to the palace. I have missed out on too much time going to petty political parties and have found little time to work on the crap I should be. We all stood and traditionally bowed to one another. As I headed out the door, the hostess said " would you like an escort home firelord Zuko?" I looked at the long winding road that leads to the extinct volcano that cradled our city. The area was heavily wooded and secluded but it was quiet and if I traveled alone it would give me time to think.
" That is alright Lady Xi. Its only a mile's walk to the city." I answered
" That was torturous," I said to myself as I pulled the needle and solid gold band out of my hair and let the thick black mass fall over my face. Spirits I had so much to do. Back at home tons of paperwork were sprawled over my desk, I had twelve meetings this week, and the next morning my friends would be in town, meaning that I would have to be entertaining them as well. Then again they're perfectly capable of entertaining themselves. I was excited to see Aang and his friends; they're just a bit…rowdy at times. My head pounded and my eyelids seemed heavier than usual. I grabbed my duo swords and swung them from their sheath.
" Who's there?" I demanded, " show yourself" Silence. I ignited a flame and looked up in the trees where I heard the noise. " I could have sworn I heard something…" I muttered. That's why I nearly jumped ten feet in the air when I saw a baby rabbit - mouse pop its head out of the bushes. I relaxed and put my swords back. One of the causes of paranoia is sleep deprivation. I thought laughing at myself. Spirits, Zuko, you are the most pathetic wimp I have ever seen. I walked for a few more yards when I heard more voices, this time I could have sworn I heard words.
" Its him! It's the firelord!" a very reptilian voice said
" Shut up you moron he's going to hear us." Another very canine voice growled
" It's supposed to be a coup you morons we have to be quiet" the third seemed to chirp as if it were a bird
" We're supposed to be quiet you idiots. Look he's heard us! We might as well attack now" the second said
" Show yourself cowards" I demanded once again " I'm armed"
" So are we," the first hissed
" And we are very, very hungry" the third chirped
" Looks like this monarch has just eaten" the second growled " a regal feast for the nomadic cannibals" the voices snickered. Before I knew I my swords were back in my hands ready to defend myself at a moments notice. The "nomadic cannibals" jumped down from the trees. They all wore tattered clothing mixed and matched from the four nations. The first, who had spoken in the reptilian hiss, bent flames out of his fist. The second, who was obviously the leader, was from the water tribes, judging by her dark skin and light brown hair. The third that had the bird like voice was an airbender.
" So Aang isn't the last…" I muttered
" Yes he is" the airbender screeched, " I am no longer a human airbender, no, now I am something much different."
" But why would he care" the firebender said " the firelord will be dead by morning" He lunged at my throat, but I ducked his assault. He crouched and hissed. A gust of air slammed me into a weeping willow - palm tree. The leader walked through the hanging palm leaves. " This was hardly fun" she said, " then again you're just a mere mortal." She grabbed the collar of my shirt and lifted me to my feet. She was much shorter than me. She rested her hand on my face, and then ran her long spidery fingers down my neck. " You know" she said, " You're kind of cute. Too bad we have to kill you" she ripped the silk robe right off of me and lifted her lips up toward my face. At first I thought that she was going to kiss me of all things. But then she stopped at my neck and bit into it. I could feel the blood draining from my body into her mouth and tried to stop it. But my will to live didn't matter anymore. As my last hope for survival I grabbed a piece of the thick, sharp tree bark, and stabbed it into her chest. She released her grip from my neck and looked at her bleeding heart. She then looked up at me, her eye sockets hollow, and she disintegrated to ash. The airbender and firebender screamed viciously and ran away. I grabbed my neck and slid to the ground. I suddenly felt dizzy and it seemed like the entire world had gone black.
When I came to, my head felt like lead and I seemed even more exhausted than before. The acidic burning pain that nearly destroyed my mere existence vanished altogether. I slowly opened my eyes and examined my surroundings. Much to my relief, I was back in the palace, tucked snugly under the warm cotton blankets of my oversized bed. Many times have I wondered if any of the previous firelords had been so incredibly obese as to fill the entire bed. The curtains were closed tightly, but I could tell it was morning, though I wasn't sure how long I was out. Although I was wearing the pants I had on the night of the party, the night I was attacked, my feet and chest were bare, exposing my rock hard abs. I lay back down and rested my head on my hands. The hazy memories I had of the attack became vivid and my hand moved down past my marred ragged ear to my neck where I found that where the cannibal had bitten me had healed and was nothing more than a few raise bumps on my neck. There was a sudden rap at the door, and my fiancé, Mai walked in.
" Zuko" she whispered, " are you awake"
" Yeah" I said as my throat began to burn callously. I coughed.
" Are you alright?" Mai asked with concern
" Just…really…thirsty" I managed between coughs. She walked to my bedside and pored ice - cold water from a pitcher into a glass.
" So Appa was seen flying over Ember Island," she said as she dropped in a few ice cubes. " Our friends should be here by noon." She handed the glass to me " and last night an old man found you passed out under a tree. You really should be getting more sleep."
" I know," I said grabbing the glass from her. I took a sip and almost retched in disgust. The water tasted like vomit. I forced it down my throat fearing that I might retaste my dinner. " Holy crap! That was the worst water I have ever tasted"
Mai rolled her eyes then kissed me " stop being such a baby" she smiled. But my throat burned even more. The room seemed to have brightened up as if I had suddenly obtained night vision and I could almost smell, see, taste the blood in her veins, and it made my throat burn even more. I licked my lips and lunged at Mai's throat.