Here is the second chapter in Book 2 on time as always. The only thing to note here is that this story will be heavy on the Hermione bashing as she is the antagonist of Book 2. There were no questions to address here so sit back and enjoy the second installment in Avatar: The Tale of Harry. Book 2: Equality.
Disclaimer: As always I own nothing related to either of these two great works of fiction.
Chapter 2
"So, Avatar, are you going to tell us why you have called such an important meeting on such short notice." Came the deep baritone of President Shacklebolt. "Not that I have an issue with seeing our young, wise, and gifted Avatar or my fellow world leaders on such short notice. I know that it is well within your right, as it is within all of our rights, to call such a meeting, especially if it has something to do with the situation in the Fire Nation and Hermione's reign of terror there."
Harry gulped a little but nodded in appreciation to the President of the United Republic. Since his formal election to the Office of the Presidency of the United Republic Shacklebolt had taken to wearing clean crisp red suits with a gold trim and either a white, yellow or in today's case black shirts as he was no longer a part of the military. His clothes were always immaculate, likely due to his military career. The bald, broad, black man held himself straight, patiently waiting for an answer, as did the others gathered round the table.
It had been a week since Harry's decision to request such a high level meeting and now all the individuals he had wanted and needed to be present were here. Sitting around a table at the the top of the tower on Air Temple Island were himself, President Shacklebolt, Crown Prince Druzok who refused to use the title Firelord because he had not yet had his official coronation and was serving as leader of the Government in Exile, Chiefs Arthur and Sirius of the Water Tribes, Tobias had as usual politely declined the request as the Foggy Swamp Tribe rarely got involved in international politics, Archabbot Milo, Prince Zhan in lieu of his ailing father, Chief Robards and Ron. All wore their best formal attire cut in their nation's colors and styles, or in Robards case his full Dress Blacks complete with an array of medals for his long service in the RCPD.
As this wasn't a full war council meeting but rather a meeting to deal with an international terrorist and the aid he may provide the military and academic leaders were not needed. Robards was present due to jurisdiction and Ron because he had helped Harry come up with the plan, after a little convincing. A deal of the magnitude that Harry was suggesting could only be authorized by the consensus of all the World Leaders or their heir/deputy, minus the Chief of the Foggy Swamp Tribe.
The rest of Team Avatar was not present. Luna was on a week's long trip into the Spirit World to catalog the habitats of certain porcine like spirits and map an uncharted area of the vast realm, Ginny had an exam at the University and Neville was in the middle of an intensive undercover case.
"Yes I am sorry for the rushed request and having to use my position to accomplish it on such short notice." Harry said a little apologetically. Even after 6 years as the Avatar he was still uncomfortable with the power his position wielded in the world. "But you are right Mr. President it does have something to do with the Fire Nation and bringing down the mad bitch that murdered Iroh, usurped power there and subjugated her own people to what appears to be unimaginable horrors."
"Don't worry about getting us here you've done me a favor." Arthur said with a smile. "I've been a little bored in the South as of late, while it is peaceful down there I do enjoy getting out and into the wider world. Plus I have been wanting to see my first granddaughter again ever since Fleur took her back here a few months ago. It was her 1st birthday last week so I was already planning on being here in the near future, your call just expedited my trip."
"Of course, she was born on the 4th anniversary of the Battle of the Elemental Academy." Harry said remembering why Bill and Fleur had chosen the name Victoire, it meant victory in some long lost language. The second in line for the Chiefdom of the Southern Water Tribe had yet to show any bending talents but should she be an airbender and not either a waterbender or a non bender there would be a constitutional crisis in the South but that was a problem for another time.
"Yeah I'm glad to get away from the election and the fucking campaigns going on up there." Sirius said with a laugh. "They are worse than any battle if you ask me, when I accepted this job I never expected politics to be so fucking brutal. This year more so than ever as the old guard are trying to rally support behind Admiral Pucey's son Adrien to get another bender and a conservative one with known Purist sympathies onto the council. Then you have the majority of the nonbenders championing their candidate who is fortunately a moderate and lastly there's the candidate that is clearly a sympathizer to the Enlightened so the split vote is impossible to predict. At this point all 3 are flinging shit at each other like hog monkeys and seeing what sticks."
"Charming and eloquent as always Sirius." Shacklebolt said with a sigh. "But the battlefield of politics it is still better than Lucius' oligarchy that existed before."
"As much as I love catching up with y'all do you mind if we let the Avatar get on with his plan to liberate my people from a despot that makes Sozin look like a fucking pacifist saint." Druzok interrupted before turning to Harry. "Avatar Harry would you please continue with your plan. We can all catch up tonight over brandy in the Presidential suite at the Four Elements as we normally do when the majority of us are in Republic City."
"Thank you Prince Druzok." Harry said with a grateful nod to the Crown Prince as he began his prepared pitch for the World Leaders. "As you all know 5 years ago while our backs were turned ending Voldemort once and for all in the Battle of the Elemental Academy, The Enlightened stuck like the cowards that we know they are. We knew that they would strike at some point when our backs were turned to them but given the immediate and global threat of Voldemort we were forced to let them fester like a cancer while we dealt with the active madman in Voldemort. As such they ass raped us while our pants were down and when we were least expecting it. The coup cost the life of Firelord Iroh and led to the country being renamed the Fire Utopia and Hermione was named the Fire Empress in an attempt to legitimize her illegal rule. Since then she has become a tyrant and the worst oppressor in Fire Nation history despite her claims that the nation is one of equality and tolerance. That cunt is not the legitimate leader of the Fire Nation and we all know it. However between the military blockade of the Fire Nation hermiting it off from the rest of the world and us spending 4 and a half years cleaning up the dregs of the Purist Movement we have been unable to turn our attention to her evil until now. She is responsible for over 100,000 deaths that we know of, however, there likely is a lot more than that as reports from the Fire Nation have been sporadic at best. We also know that she is building up her internal forces and military power as a way of tightening her iron grip over the Fire Nation and all who oppose her tyranny there. We all know that she is not the champion of equality, tolerance and justice that she claims she is nor is she the savior of the citizens but rather the most dangerous threat to equality, freedom, and tolerance the world has likely ever seen. She must be stopped as soon as possible before her twisted views spread to other nations. We have already seen the Enlightened meddling in the civil war in Yi, the government of Malum and in the elections in the Northern Water Tribe. I know that as the Avatar I must be the one to bring her to justice. However we cannot get involved in another costly war so soon after the Purity Wars, the world is not ready for another war. In addition, this must be done from within as she has yet to act internationally, all of her actions have been limited to the borders of the Fire Nation. General Brown has a few forces here attached to the United Forces that were trapped following the Enlighten's Coup and pledged loyalty to the Druzok, but that is nowhere near enough to launch a counter coup against Hermione, even if we could get them past the blockade. That is why I have come up with a desperate and crazy plan that may work however it requires the consent of the World Leaders given what and who is involved. Defeating her in combat won't be a problem as I have already done so and that was using only firebending, not all the elements and without being a fully realized Avatar so I am confident I can beat her when the time comes, Voldemort failed to defeat me and he was a bender of unparalleled skill so what chance does a mediocre bender like Hermione have. The only problem is getting to the bitch hence the crazy plan Ron and I have concocted. As I said this is desperate but desperate times call for desperate measures."
"At this point I'll take anything." Druzok said with a note of desperation in his voice. "That cunt murdered my grandfather in cold blood, one of the kindest and nicest men I have known and a true believer in peace, freedom, justice, and equality just because he accepted the fact that a wide range of views was needed to make an informed decision on a matter, that compromise was sometimes necessary to appease as many people as possible, and he allowed a free market, capitalist society that unfortunately did exploit the poor at times but not on a systematic level but on an individual case basis and he always tried to help where he could and stop exploitative practices. Hermione also has my sweet, innocent, little sister locked up on charges that my sister would and could never commit. And that is just my family, the whole nation is my responsibility and she is subjecting to a level of oppression that not even Sozin or Ozai could have achieved."
"I agree with Druzok." Shacklebolt said slowly with a nod of his head. "At this point we will likely take anything that has a chance of ending Hermione's dictatorship. As y'all know I myself was born in the southernmost part of the Fire Nation to a poor, working class family before I joined the United Forces after I graduated from the local Royal Firebending School and I still consider the Fire Nation to be my homeland. I plan on returning there once I retire from public office to live out the rest of my days in the warmth of my birthplace but only if my homeland has been freed that is. Iroh was always seen as a fair and just leader and I admired him so much that I devoted my life and abilities to emulating him. I joined the United Forces because of his service with the United Forces and worked my way up from the ranks of the enlisted to General, albeit for less than a day in the end. I would do anything to see my home freed from under the boot of oppression and tyranny that is crushing the Fire Nation as we speak."
"I was hoping that you would agree that desperate times call for desperate measures but you may reconsider that when you see how desperate I feel we are." Harry said nervously as he nodded to Ron.
Ron reached down and pulled out a large duffle bag under his chair. Standing he hefted it onto the table with a loud thud, opened it, and began handing out a series of thick folders that they had compiled for the Council of World Leaders. Only Harry, Ron, and Chief Robards didn't need one as they had all already seen it though Harry had one anyway and flipped it open to serve as a reference for the upcoming discussion.
The front page showed a mugshot from the Royal Fire Nation Division of Correction and it depicted a handsome, clean shaven, dandy man with short black hair and keen, intelligent eyes. He had a small, knowing smirk on his lips and a confident stare as he gazed at the camera holding a plague with his name on it, despite the information that was listed below.
Name: Pyrites
Nation: Fire Nation
Bending: Fire, lightning generation
Convictions: Plead guilty to 1 count of terrorism, 1 count of conspiracy to commit sedition against the Fire Nation, 1 count of conspiracy to commit treason against the Fire Nation, 1 count of membership of a terrorist organization (Death Eaters), 1 count of treason (Fire Nation), 71 counts of accessory to murder, 83 counts of aiding and abetting the escape of criminals, 4 counts of felony destruction of property, 27,845,792 counts of espionage (all nations), 354,943,710 counts of political corruption through bribery, blackmail, and extortion (all nations), 55,832 counts of perjury (likely more but this was the amount we have found so far). It should be noted that all these counts for the last 3 crimes come from his own ledgers he provided shortly after his arrest and are the added counts of all the actions regarding those involved in his vast spy network and are constantly being updated as the evidence continues to role in. We are still reviewing his ledgers and constantly updating his counts, a task experts expect will take at least a decade to complete.
Sentence: Life imprisonment with supervised release when he becomes too old, must serve a minimum of 40 years. Currently serving his sentence in a classified location known only to the members of Team Avatar, Firelord Iroh, Earth King Wu and the 22 members of the Kyoshi Warriors who have sworn oaths to the Avatar to guard him.
Known Affiliation(s): Fire Assembly (formally, expelled upon felony convictions), Lord Voldemort (formerly), Death Eaters (formerly).
Notes: See attach file (aka 6 encyclopedic volumes on this fucker), there's too much on this asshole to put in a small section.
Harry waited until all the world leaders had finished reading the 1st page and a few had looked at the thick file that contained a summary of Pyrites' history prior to and during his tenure with the Death Eaters, his cooperation and deal. Once they were done Harry waited to see if any had questions regarding the former Death Eater.
"Also the file is the most condensed version we could create on Pyrites." Harry said. "We are still going through the ledgers and at this point an entire room in the RCPD headquarters, and a warehouse at one at the IBI headquarters in Ba Sing Se, have been filled with the evidence we have on him. There is a full inter agency task force dedicated to figuring out the full list, all are added to Pyrites convictions count as part of his plea deal."
"Are you fucking insane Avatar." Prince Zhan said, speaking for the first time. Wu's eldest son was a more built, lighter skinned version of his father with a neat well trimmed brown beard. Zhan was the first Earth Kingdom royal born with earthbending since before the time of Avatar Kyoshi and Harry knew that he was on the upper end of the power spectrum.
"I probably am." Harry said with a not. "But let me explain."
"Yes Harry while I trust your judgment this is a bit of a stretch." Arthur said as he closed the file. "Pyrites is arguably the most notorious Death Eater in history, certainly the highest profile Death Eater we have ever apprehended, even if most of the information on him is classified. Why would we trust him when he is a proven liar."
"I think it's brilliant and it ain't like the first time we've relied on a former Death Eater to aid us when we needed it." Sirius said with a bark of a laugh. "Remember my brother after all. Besides this was the fucker who allowed us to cripple Voldemort's information network towards the end of the war so we know he's willing to be truthful if the price is right or if there's something for him in return for his aid."
"Let's let the Avatar explain his logic." Robards said quieting the discussion. "He has already convinced me of the plan and I thought it was fucking nuts at first but given that we have tried pretty much everything else to breach the blockade of the Fire Nation and the fact that this makes sense once you understand it, I for one am willing to roll the dice on it."
"Very well but first answer this." Zhan said clearly thinking Harry had lost his marbles. "Where is he being held? I was allowed to know that he was the informant who had provided the information for the global raids 5 years ago that crippled Voldemort and turned the tide of the war in our favor and that he had received an isolated cell to protect him from Voldemort's wrath but not where that cell was. I presume that it is within the Earth Kingdom if my father was granted access to the information."
"Technically it is within and Imperial State but at the same time the prison is under the sole authority of the Avatar." Harry said calmly. "It was built by Avatar Kyoshi centuries ago to house Chin the Conqueror but seeing as he died in battle, well fell to his death due to stubbornness, it was never used. After Kyoshi's death it's secret was protected by the Kyoshi Warriors for the use by any subsequent Avatar providing the prisoner was deemed worthy of the isolated nature of the prison. This was why I didn't have to tell people who didn't need to know where it was, well that and the fact that we had to keep the asshole safe from Voldemort for as long as possible. I had given Pyrites my word to protect him from Voldemort and I did. After the war and in the last few years I have honestly forgotten that the traitorous asshole was there but I remembered last week, thanks to Jinora, that he had told me a situation would arise that would require his skill set and I believe that this is such a situation. Plus we're fucking desperate at this point."
"Yes yes but where is he?" Zhan said impatiently.
"Your highness I will tell y'all where he is but know this." Harry said a stern note in his voice. "The prison is under the authority of the Avatar and guarded by the Kyoshi Warriors and as such only I can send someone there. It will not be used to house any high profile criminals you wish to conveniently bury someday."
"I understand Avatar." Zhan said with a nod knowing not to test Harry. He was a strong willed and stubborn man but he knew reason, Harry felt he would make a decent king in the years to come when Wu finally passed.
"Good." Harry responded calming down. "The prison is located near the top of the tallest mountain in the Imperial State of Golguth on the eastern edge of the Earth Kingdom. Due to the height of the mountain, the cold at the top prison prevents him from firebending and the isolation was to prevent him from being killed by Voldemort. I felt he may have a future use if for no other reason than to explain why a sophisticated and educated person such as himself fell for Voldemort's twisted and evil philosophy."
"Yes Regulus has had to explain similar stuff as well." Sirius said with a nod. "Though in my brother's case it was brainwashing from an early age at the hands of our parents, from what I know Pyrites was self radicalized. Very well Harry what do you propose and why this particular individual."
Harry took a deep breath. What he was about to explain and subsequently ask for went against everything he stood for but at times enemies were forced to unite in order to defeat a greater threat to balance. Korra did so when she sought out Zaheer to aid her in defeating Kuvira, why couldn't he seek the aid of the only Death Eater he had had any real firsthand experience with to aid him in bringing Hermione to the justice she so richly deserved.
"After Pyrites surrendered without incident and cut a deal I knew that the man was different." Harry began. "I was the one he made the deal with, the only one he would talk too, and I got a good read on the man. It was a chilling interview to say the least. He's clearly charming, intelligent and a survivalist. The man may be dedicated to Voldemort's ideals, he showed no remorse or regret for his actions, but he would never die for them, rather Pyrites would find a way to survive. He also knew that the information and position he held within Voldemort's inner circle meant that if he was caught he was fucked as Voldemort would kill him to protect the vast amount of information Pyrites possessed. While we all know that Voldemort trusted no one, he allowed the spy network to be centered in one man likely because it would be easier to destroy that info by killing just one person, and those guarding him, should the spymaster get caught. That was why Pyrites had the ledgers, to use as leverage to survive should he be caught before Voldemort was defeated. However both myself and my friends, especially Ron, agree that the ledgers are certainly not his only intelligence assets. This man spent over 25 years building up a network of spies, contacts, dupes and other sources of information the size of which has never been seen before and likely won't be seen again, and that was all for Voldemort. What was to prevent him from simultaneously creating a secondary, backup, network for himself? One that only he knew of and a smaller one that would enable him to hide should he ever need too and travel across borders that have been enforced. Something that Pyrites likely created should he ever fall out of favor with Voldemort or should Voldemort fall, he be outed as a Death Eater and be forced into hiding. I believe Pyrites has such a network and it is one we may be able to use to get into the Fire Nation and destabilize it from within enough that I can take out Hermione and end her tyranny while it is still relatively young and the damage, while atrocious, isn't as bad as it would be if she reigned for 50 more years."
"What makes you think that he won't just use this network to disappear and fuck us over?" Zhan asked. "As you said, the man is a survivalist, a charmer who fooled the whole world into thinking he wasn't a Purist, let alone a Death Eater, during a time when Purist philosophy was at its peak. He could easily wriggle through even your fingers and disappear into the wind and we would be up shit's creek without a paddle while the Avatar is trapped in the Fire Nation."
"A good question your highness." Ron said taking up the explanation and nodding in appreciation of the Prince's forethought. "And one I myself asked Harry when he came to me with this plan last week. Together we came up with a solution. Harry has contacted Varrick Jr. or VJ as he instead we call him, and requested he and/or Future Industries, whom Harry has also contacted, develop a specific and high tech device that we have come up with. Our concept that we have left the genius's work on as it is beyond either of ours abilities is an electronic monitor that can be permanently attacked to a person, say in bracelet form, that limits their movement to certain area. Should they try to leave that are they will be shocked at a rate of a shock a minute and at a low enough voltage to cause discomfort and nothing more. This is a two part system with the device sending out a signal to a secondary device confirming that the suspect is within the range using radio waves. If the secondary device doesn't receive the signal from the bracelet then Pyrites get shocked. The range we had in mind was the Fire Nation, so long as the device was in the Capitol that is. During the mission Harry will have the relay device but after we succeed, should we do so, the device will be given to Druzok upon his return to the throne. In order to prevent the devices from being tampered with all components will be made of platinum and/or plastic, two materials that cannot be bent by benders."
"Why would the companies help?" Arthur asked. "Future Industries may be obligated to aid the Avatar due to Asami's will but VJ isn't and he's only in it for the money."
"You have hit the nail on the head Arthur." Harry said with a smile, "VJ knows that if he succeeds then he has revolutionized a system to track and maintain criminals from slipping away while on bail or parole and that tech would be worth billions to his already vast fortune."
"Agreed." Shacklebolt said with a nod. "That kind of technology could revolutionized law enforcement. Very well, I for one am satisfied with the ability to keep Pyrites within the Fire Nation for the duration of the mission but why would a convicted Death Eater help us?"
"Again President that is a simple question to answer." Harry said getting ready for the biggest ask of the day. "I propose offering Pyrites a deal. In exchange for him helping us not only get into the Fire Nation unseen but in establishing connections with rebel factions, sowing the seeds of dissent and helping build an internal force strong enough to launch the counter coup and take out the Chosen who are responsible for enforcing Hermione's views, as well as providing us material and financial support within the Fire Nation, we offer Pyrites his freedom."
Harry raised his hand to quiet the sudden outbursts from almost all the leaders, excluding Sirius who was still looking at his godson intently. After a moment, and a small burst of flame from his fist, the World Leaders quieted down so that Harry could continue.
"Please let me finish. This freedom will have very stringent conditions of course. He must aid us in all our endeavors to the fullest extend of his abilities, including getting us safely into the Fire Nation. Should we fail then Hermione will certainly have him publicly executed due to his views, we know she has done so with the Purists from the Boiling Rock, excluding the ones she through into the boiling water alive, so what chance does a Death Eater have, especially one as important as Pyrites at that. His execution would be very public, very graphic, very painful, and likely broadcast internationally as Hermione's twisted way of showing the world her special brand of justice. However, should we succeed Pyrites will be granted a lifetime parole as payment for his help. He will never be allowed to take off the monitor, never allowed to leave the Fire Nation, or a portion of the Fire Nation as the range can be scaled back if Druzok desires it to be, and he must report in every week with the White Lotus within the Fire Nation when we restore it to his former glory. Failure to do any of this and he will find his ass back in the freezing shithole its currently in and this time he will never leave it alive. That is my plan and given Pyrites status as a convicted Death Eater and the literally hundreds of millions of felony convictions he has I cannot make this deal without the consent of the Council of World Leaders. It is too great to do so without y'alls complete support."
Harry finished and looked around the room at the collected Heads of State. They were all speechless at his words and he knew it would take them a few moments to collect their bearings and decide whether or not to support his insane plan.
"I for one support this idea in its entirety." Sirius said almost as soon as Harry was done with a broad smile on his face. "It's crazy, risky, desperate and exactly the kinda bullshit, unthinkable, unpredictable, plan that would actually work. I have learned a lot about Pyrites and I agree, the man will do anything to survive and if given a chance to get out of prison after only 5 years for a set of crimes that should by rights keep him in prison for all eternity, if not executed for espionage and conspiracy to commit treason, then he will jump at it. Likely Pyrites foresaw something like this occurring as you said Harry and is just waiting for you to come crawling to him."
"I agree." Arthur said after a moment. "It's risky, crazy even but after seeing all the evidence that he provided on the spy network he had set up for Voldemort turn out to be true, and save my life from an assassination attempt, I believe that he would honor a deal like this so I support this plan even if I don't like sending my two youngest children off on such a dangerous mission deep behind enemy lines and into the most hostile nation the world has ever known."
"I know dad but we are part of Team Avatar this is what we do." Ron said softly. "Both Ginny and I have fought alongside Harry before and will do so again. We know the risks and are willing to take them to help Harry in his duty as the Avatar and to restore peace, freedom, and balance to the Fire Nation."
"Arthur you know your son has a point." Robards added in support of Ron. "I have already given him and Neville an extended leave to aid Harry in this mission and success will look great on his record with the RCPD, especially when it comes to his advancement. I am sure Ginny and Luna will get permission from their superiors as well to aid Harry."
"I know Robards that is why I am agreeing to this." Arthur said with a sigh. "Though Ron you had better call your mother after this and explain it to her, I'm not helping you deal with her opinions on you and your sister going into the Fire Nation that's for you and Ginny to deal with. She's already worried about Charlie being trapped there, which you two will have to look into when you get to the Fire Nation, so she won't be happy about two more of our kids going into harms way."
Ron gulped and paled at this but nodded nonetheless and Harry knew that for all of Molly's complaining and scolding, she would eventually relent to the issue. Being part of Team Avatar had its perks but it came with a great deal of responsibility as well and an expectation to always be at the forefront of any major threat to global balance.
"I see the logic in this plan." Milo said interrupting the conversation and speaking for the first time. "I too support it but I have always loved the outside the box, crazy, plans as they often are the best and this is a textbook Bumi plan."
Harry wanted to ask which Bumi before realizing that it likely applied to both Bumi's he had hear about. That being said there was actually a course at all military colleges and programs that taught Commander Bumi's plans to new officers and how to use them so Milo was likely referring to his uncle.
"It is my county and my people who are suffering under the boot a tyrant who believes all her actions are justified because she thinks herself to be enlightened." Druzok spat, the anger at Hermione clear in his voice. "I know this is desperate but at this point I will take desperate and we have seen in the past that enemies working together against a threat greater than their own has worked, even if that enemy is someone as vile as Pyrites. Though in this case Pyrites' help will only serve his own self interest, something I know firsthand is all the man really cares about. I wish I could go with you Avatar but I know that my place is here and not where I could get captured and publicly killed by an insane girl just because of my birth."
"As much as I am unwilling to see a criminal of Pyrites caliber go free." President Shacklebolt began. "I see the need for it and that at this point we are out of other, saner, options so I will agree to it as well."
They all turned to Prince Zhan, the only one who had yet to provide support for the plan. The man was clearly thinking heavily about it all before he finally spoke up.
"Remember I am only a proxy for my father." Zhan said after he had finished thinking. "I may speak with his voice but at times like this I feel it best to get his confirmation, this is a matter of such magnitude and significance that even as the Crown Prince I feel like I cannot make my father's decision for him. I would like to hear the Avatar's plan for once he retrieves Pyrites from his prison and takes him to the Fire Nation so that I can tell my father all aspects of this plan when I return to Ba Singe Se tomorrow. I assume there is still some time to get back to you and I will make every effort to be quick about it. For now though I know that my father trusts the Avatar implicitly so I will do so too and give His Majesty's approval pending confirmation from King Wu himself."
"Thank you all." Harry said with a mental sigh of relief that his idea hadn't been reject though now he likely had to go through with it. "Prince Zhan please tell his majesty that I intend to go to the prison in Golguth in 2 weeks to speak to Pyrites and make him the offer we have discussed today. I will be in Ba Sing Se in a week, so long as the device is completed by then but I trust that it will be, with the rest of Team Avatar to see my parents. I wish to see my family before such a mission as the rest of my team will get that chance before we go off and try to get behind enemy lines and into the belly of the beast that is Hermione's Fire Utopia. Should Pyrites agree to our conditions then we will travel on Luna's bison from his prison to the Western Air Temple, Pyrites will be shackled and fully restrained at all times in accordance with the laws regarding high profile prisoners. We will strategize more from the Western Air Temple, with the blessing of Marshal Milo that is, when we have more understanding of Pyrites's assets that may or may not still be available. Once we are at the Western Air Temple, though, no one will know of our plans just in case Hermione has spies planted amongst the monks there which I wouldn't put it past the Enlightened to do. Remember there is at least one Enlightened for each element and we know that the Air Enlightened is former Abbess Myrtle of the Eastern Air Temple, who knows how many she secretly converted over the years. After that, it is all down to Pyrites to get us into the Fire Nation and use his resources to aid us on our mission there. From there we will have to work with what we've got. I know it ain't great but it's the best we can do and frankly better than what we have managed so far."
"Of course you can use the Western Air Temple Avatar." Milo said with a small smile. "The Avatar and his friends are always welcome at any of the Air Temples, y'all live on Air Temple Island after all. Don't sweat the plan Harry I know for a fact that Korra went in with less of a plan in the past and still got results."
"Yes Harry from what I have heard the plan sounds solid and my dad should approve." Zhan said. "He will also be delighted that you are coming to Ba Singe Se again and want to throw a feast, if not a full holiday in your honor."
"He very likely will do just that." Harry said with a smile and knew Ron at least would be happy at the idea of a feast even if he wasn't. "I look forward to seeing him again, I know he isn't well so I don't know if I will get the chance to see my king again after this mission, if we survive that is."
That concluded what Harry wanted to talk about and for the rest of the meeting they all caught up on their respective nations events and promised to join Druzok for drinks later if they could. Seeing as most were staying at the Four Elements it wouldn't be hard to meet up with the Fire Prince in his suite. Harry was pleased his plan had worked but he was also nervous about the dangers of the upcoming mission. Pyrites he could handle, he had dealt with him before. No, it was the skulking around the Fire Nation that had him on edge. However if Aang could do it when he was only 12, Harry knew that he could do at the age of 20. They finally had a crazy and wild plan, worthy of King Bumi himself, to take out Hermione and lift the oppression she had subjugated her own kinsmen to and Harry intended to do all he could to make the plan a successful one. He had dealt with Voldemort and he was the best bender in the world that wasn't the Avatar, he could handled a sheltered, delusional, elitist, narcissistic, arrogant, bigoted, regressive, 21 year old girl with mediocre fighting skills. It would take time but Harry vowed to himself and to the world that he would restore balance to the Fire Nation and bring justice to those who had destroyed it, especially the Fire Empress.
Honestly there isn't much to mention here as this is a very administrative chapter that sets forth the plan of action for the upcoming story. As usual the next chapter will be released at midnight on Monday. The current release schedule time zone is GMT though that will change to EST in about 6-8 weeks. Keep letting me know what you think of my first sequel in reviews and any questions in reviews or PMs will be answered while constructive notes will be listened too. Until next week.
Stringdog
