Instinct's Info: Well, here's chapter two. The first chapter looks like it will be the norm so far as each chapter will have quite a bit packed in. Oh, and the dark themes that earned this story its title are coming, the stories a bit more gritty than most others too so that also helped the rating. As always, please review. This story needs the most love out of all of mine.
Disclaimer: I can't own Avatar since I don't have Chuck Norris' approval.
Chapter Two: The Tipping Point
Everyone in the throne room had hurtled from the palace as fast as they could, collecting Toph on the way. She and Aang were the only ones that didn't ride on Appa as five people was approaching his limit. Toph shot across the ground below, Aang in the sky. They were all hoping that they would get there in time to stop Azula from escaping. There was no doubt in any of their minds that she was the cause of the alarm. If she was out than there was no telling what she could do and the damage she could cause.
When they reached the institute there were already groups of police there, fires burning in their hands as they swept the grounds for escapees and clues. As Appa touched down the ranking officer of the police ran to meet the arrivals, as well as the head security guard from the institute.
Both their eyes widened when Zuko jumped off, "Fire Lord Zuko!" Both bowed past a point that was necessary and Zuko could've sworn he heard a couple of cracks from their backs.
"Where is she?" He didn't need to say more, they all knew who he was talking about.
The police officer glanced around uneasily before speaking, "She's still here, but...This was an outside job." By now everyone had climbed off of Appa and Aang and Toph were with them. As the words reached their ears shocked registered on every single face, even Mai's.
"Do you have the culprits in custody?" Zuko asked once the shock wore off.
"The only people we've found are already dead. Four bodies total."
"What happened then?"
"A patient" the word was forced out, "named Reido Mukei." He finished. It was apparent who hadn't heard of him as they exhaled. Zuko and Mai didn't though.
The fact the reaction wasn't mimicked by Mai and Zuko raised Sokka's curiosity, "What's the problem? You sister's still in her cushy cell and there's a guy in a strait jacket hopping around. No big deal, he'll be back here before tomorrow."
"He's in there because he blew up four schools that were filled to capacity. He was caught by chance. If he's out then we have a serious situation." The officer answered, angered slightly at their annoyance, his awe more than masking it though.
"Does it look like gang activity?" Zuko asked his fingers crossed. Some people hadn't been able to adjust to a peaceful life and there had been an increase in gang activity since the war's end. He was hoping that could the explanation, though he doubted it.
"We haven't ruled it out. He has a sister that could think she can use him. I believe you know her, Jun Mukei?" Zuko nodded confirmation. A few moments later another policeman ran up. He was holding a strait jacket.
"Okay, so there's a naked guy running around now." Sokka said, slightly disturbed by thought of a psychopathic nudist.
Zuko chose to ignore the statement, "Once you're done looking the area I'd be greatful for a report." The police would work faster on their own and Zuko knew it. The best thing they could do would be to leave so the search would be completed faster.
The Next Day
A little bell rang as the door to the Jasmine Dragon opened. Iroh looked up from the brew of tea he was making and left the kitchen to greet the newcomer. He always greeted his guests unless his shop was extremely busy.
The young man looked a little odd. He was just a little on the short side and had a slim frame. His short hair didn't appear to be able to make up its mind between blonde and brown and stayed somewhere in the middle that made him look red headed with the hair changing colour depending on how the light fell. His eyes were similar with gold and green somehow looking blended together.
His features were wolfish, appearing slightly ragged. The way he dressed and moved was the opposite though, with calm assuredness and precision. He took off a black coat that looked a little too big for him and laid a metal walking stick beside it. He was wearing a striped shirt that alternated between different hues and a pair of dark red pants with a pair of brown shoes.
Iroh was ready to greet him by the time his coat was off, "Good afternoon sir and welcome to the Jasmine Dragon Tea Shop. My name is,"
"Iroh, the Dragon of the West," The teen interjected then added, "and Grand Master of the Order of the White Lotus." The last bit set Iroh on edge. The teen was very young to be a member.
"Would like to play?" Iroh asked next, ready to greet a fellow member.
"No." Was the response less than a second later. "I would prefer to talk in private if that's possible." Iroh was on edge now and was ready to fight in the blink of an eye.
"Very well, there's a room in the back for special guests." Iroh didn't bother trying to keep up a facade of friendliness anymore since it was clear after one glance at the intense eyes that the teen wouldn't fall for it anyways. The door to the room for family and friends was shut quietly and Iroh turned to look at the one source of anxiety he had.
The teen seemed slightly impatient and began as soon as he had Iroh's attention, "No doubt that your nephew has told you about the escape of Reido Mukei from the mental health facility yesterday."
Iroh softened once he heard that. Only Zuko's closest security personnel were allowed to know about Iroh's position. They probably only wanted his help, "Yes, you're investigating the possibility of gang connections in the breakout."
"Don't assume I'm with the monarchy." Iroh's brow came back together. He heard some noise from the shop behind him, "My name is Naise and you should tell your nephew he is on the wrong track. Gangs played no part in that break in." Naise's voice had remained calm the entire time and it only made Iroh more worried.
"I think you should be telling this to Zuko, not me." Iroh moved towards him and Naise spoke out.
"If I don't walk out of here alone in the next fifteen minutes this shop will be blown up." Iroh stopped where he was, a frown now decorating his face. Naise held out a bulging sealed envelope with writing on the front, "Follow the instructions on it and your shop will not come to harm."
He started to walk right past Iroh and stopped beside him, "And don't make me earn your trust. I don't want to have to blow up any buildings around here to make you believe me." He continued past Iroh and out the door. Iroh followed him out and saw that were two nasty looking men at the door way. The shop's occupants were cowering at their seats.
Naise walked back to the door, picked his coat off the hook and slipped it over his shoulders. Then he picked up his walking stick and made for the door. Right before he reached the door way he struck out with the metal stick and struck one of the men in the jugular. Before the other could comprehend what was happening Naise drove his fist into his solar plexus and cracked his walking stick against the back of the man's head when he dropped to his knees.
Naise glanced at the two prone men at his feet and looked over his shoulder at Iroh, glanced at the envelope in his hands, then walked out the door as if nothing had happened.
Iroh took the hint and looked at the envelope for the first time. Written on it in neat writing was 'Bring my two guards to the palace and turn them over to the authorities. Tell your nephew about our encounter, then open up the envelope and follow the instructions there in order. None of them will entail anything illegal, I promise.'
Iroh snorted in disgust. As if anything Naise said could be trusted.
Reido hunched down in the back of the dumpster at the back of the police station. He conjured fire in his hands and read the next set of instructions Naise had given him.
'Blow up the people's shield to show them their pitiful defence. Do so one and one quarter days after a man with shaven forehead with a moustache and goatee knocks on the dumpster you will be in when you read this.' This Naise kid was on his wavelength. Blowing up schools had certainly infuriated the people and shown them how fragile their world really was, but it hadn't had a lasting effect. Taking down a powerful institution like the police would certainly show them how weak they really were. The only thing that concerned him remotely was that he'd somehow known he'd be in a dumpster. A moment after that there was a knock on the lid and he lifted and saw Long-Feng. His grin grew to demonic proportions and he picked up the shaped charges he'd found because of the instructions.
Instinct's Info: Well, infuriated by not knowing what Naise is planning? Well too bad, that's the point of this story. To add another hint: the plan's not the point of the story in the way that you first think it will be. Please review the story, they mean a lot to me.
