A/N: Here is the second chapter of "Darkest Before Dawn." And, with it, I bring you Crazy Zuko. This installment serves as a glimpse into his state of mind. And, like Crazy Zuko in Artemis Rae's "Gauntlet" series, it is not pretty. Then again, I really do not know how well I have presented him.
No offense to Zuko fans, of course. It's all in good fun.
Darkest Before Dawn
Chapter Two: Inner Demon
A crisp breeze flitted past the open balcony and into the hot, ruby-adorned chamber, located high in the Fire Lord's palace. The land of fire was very much like the desert. By day, it scorched, burned, roared like an eternal, ravenous flame. But when night cloaked all in its heavy pitch, the chill wind howled, and the cold crept, almost unawares, into the Fire Nation as Agni slept.
A storm was brewing. Clouds darkened the sky, usually stained by an array of crimson and orange hues. Thunder rumbled in the distance as the thunderheads boiled, shoving against one another, each heightening to a dangerous pitch that resembled a wild animal preparing to bounce. The air smelled of smoke.
The war room was silent. Save for the one soul still in the throes of thought and contemplation, it was a stark contrast to the meeting a few hours before.
Fire Lord Zuko, ruler of the dominant nation and self-proclaimed Dragon of the West, poured over the maps and letters sprawled across the table. Firelight doused the sweltering room in hues of hot red and burning orange. Sweat ran down the small of his back. It was ignored. His golden eye, the other clenched half-shut by the fearsome, infamous scar, scanned over the newly arrived missives from the north.
His fists clenched. Chewing at the end of a cigar, a habit of his that had become fashion amongst the elite, Fire Lord Zuko cursed. For a small band of ragged peasants, the rebels had proven talented adversaries. His patience was wearing thin.
Will you not retire soon, my Lord?
The voice whispered past his ear, from behind. Hot breath touched his neck. Comforting coils slithered around his shoulders.
"I am not tired," he said. "And it does not matter. I have work to do."
Work, my Lord? Blue scales came into view, as did the flinty eyes of the beast. Its snout curled up in a half-sneer, half-smile, revealing jagged, white fangs. The blue dragon drew close to the Fire Lord and nuzzled him. Have the rebels made your life difficult once more?
"They have always made my life difficult," said Zuko. "They always will."
Had it only been little over a year and a half ago that they had started their campaign against him? Once, they had been little more than a nuisance. Now, however…
His hand spanned the numerous missives and maps. "Another factory has been destroyed. They liberated the entire work force. The northeastern province is crawling with dissenters." He kneaded his brow and sighed wearily. "They seem to take pleasure in defying me."
And you but wish to make this land great once more. To bring the Fire Nation back to its former glory…
"A glory my father was too weak to grasp. But one I will bring to a head." The Fire Lord took in a whiff of the cigar smoke. It burned in his nose and he huffed. Heat escaped his clenched teeth and lips, sizzling in the air. The dragon hummed as it continued to swirl about its master, almost hypnotic in its movements. "It is my destiny."
One which they wish to destroy, Fire Lord Zuko. They care nothing for your dreams, your destiny. Just as they cared nothing for your uncle.
The reminder of his uncle, his dear, beloved uncle, made Zuko's chest heave. Grief made tears bite into his eyes, even the scarred one. The familiar ache of loss echoed into his being. Rage slashed across his features. A snarl twisted his lips.
"They will pay. They will pay," he said in a low murmur.
Yes. The hiss reverberated. A tail brushed his cheeks, turning his attention back to one of the maps before him. Some more than others, yes, my Lord?
The map was of the entire reach of the Fire Nation, from the eastern shores to the western reaches. Cities and small villages alike were named, as were key forts and a patchwork of provinces, forges, and factories. Small blocks and figurine pieces lay across the drawing, symbolizing the opposing forces of the Fire Lord and the insolent rebels.
Only a few of the pieces held life-like features. They were lined across the drawing of the northeastern province, the area of the Fire Nation he could no longer truly claim to be under his direct control. Although small in number, this one group, they were his greatest enemies. It was they who had started, and now led, the rebellion against his leadership of the Fire Nation. He despised them all and their faces were plastered on wanted posters throughout the Fire Nation.
But one figure in particular commanded his most intense hatred and revulsion.
Fire Lord Zuko seized the small figure. His knuckles whitened as he gripped the carving. The smell of burning wood spread across the chamber. The paint, light and at odds against the crimson stains of his nation, darkened and shriveled. Utter pleasure came to the Fire Lord's twisted features now, as if he were burning, hurting, destroying the person who had ruined everything and stolen all that was precious to him.
"You took him away from me," he said. His voice, although calm, was thick with murderous intent. "You took him away from me. All my pain, the rebellion, all of this…it's your fault!"
Zuko flung the figure across the room. It struck the far wall and broke into pieces. His breathing was shuddering now. Tears had come to him, finally, but his handsome face had devolved into something mad and truly terrible.
"I…I hate…I hate you…" he struggled. His callused hands clenched and unclenched, flexing powerfully. The weapons were searching for a neck to break. Sparks danced at his fingertips. "Curse you. Curse you, filthy peasant! Little bitch! Insolent brat! I'll kill you!"
Peace, Fire Lord Zuko. Peace. The dragon soothed his hurt and loneliness with a gentle caress of its tail. You will have justice. The rat will suffer ten-fold for putting you through such misery…
He murmured something unintelligible. Yes, yes, he would make her pay. Just as she had destroyed his life, so he'd destroy hers…He'd break her, physically and mentally, and bask in her pain. Justice would be served.
The blue creature curled around his shoulders, resting its magnificent head on his upper arm. Flinty eyes gazed up into his own. Fire Lord Zuko fell deep into the yellow orbs.
You will see your dream come to pass, it said. Its silky breath, so hot, so alluring, stole past his ear and trickled down his neck. You will create a utopia. A utopia none before you had the strength to make more than a dream, a vision. You will truly make the Fire Nation the superior kingdom in this world. You will rule all…
"Yes. Yes, I will," he said. The blue dragon slithered away as he stood. "The rebels are nothing. I am the acknowledged ruler of the Fire Nation, the greatest of the nations! I am the Dragon of the West! Their insolence will not stop me from doing what my destiny calls me to."
There came a knock at the door. Fire Lord Zuko turned. "Enter."
A man came in. He was dressed in the crimson, gold embroidered robes that signified him a servant of the Fire Lord's palace.
Fire Lord Zuko did not grace him with a glance. "I believe I told you not to disturb me while I was working."
The room, already hot, grew hotter still. The servant shuddered. The Fire Lord was a dangerous, unpredictable man. "Forgive me, Fire Lord, but a messenger hawk arrived just now. There is news from Hi Do. From General Shin."
"Hmmm? News?" Interest made Zuko turn on his heels and face the sweating man. "What news would that be?"
"The woman has been captured, Fire Lord. General Shin has her detained at the Agni Tachi headquarters in Hi Do, the Byakko Fortress."
A smile slithered onto the ruler's face. "Excellent. Some good news at last." He smoothed his robes and clasped his hands beneath the sleeves. "I shall go and speak with her personally."
"My Lord? Are you certain you should leave the capital? With the increase in rebel activity-"
"No questions asked. Mai will see to palace affairs during my absence." Mai was the favorite of Fire Lord Zuko's wives. He trusted her far more than any of his council of military leaders and advisors. "This requires my attention. Unless you think my decision foolish…" His one good eye glinted dangerously in the half-light.
The man blanched, paling visibly. "I meant no disrespect, Fire Lord Zuko." He bowed quickly and backed away. "I will see to it that your mount and couriers are ready by dawn."
"Good. Now leave me. Notify the cook to send my dinner here."
Once the messenger had scrambled from the war chamber, Zuko peered up at the far wall. A vast mosaic sprawled the length. The Fire Lord had had it painted personally after the first year of his ascending to the throne. It was a celebration of the strength and superiority of the land of fire. He smiled.
The rebels had challenged this picture of a utopia, his vision of a better world. But soon their impudence would be no more. He now had within his grasp the means to destroy them forever.
His uncle would once again smile down on him.
A/N: Crazy Zuko is fun to write. I do not know if he is much fun to read, though…I promise there will be more Sokka and Toph in the next chapter, however.
In case you have not noticed, I have modeled the Fire Nation very much after Japanese influences. Have you caught them yet?
And points to you if you can say what the heck the blue dragon is about.
Until next time, thanks for your support, and thanks for any and all reviews!
Sifu Toph