The strong breeze echoed through the now empty halls of the Fire Nation Naval Academy. Zhang's attack had been so sudden and so ruthless that the island's garrison had been forced to surrender. Fortunately for Zhang many of the garrison officers were former acquaintances of his. The Academy's instructors were also against the new order and were more than happy to join his fleet. Their students, however, were not so quick to join. In fact some even went as far as to challenge the Commander…needless to say they weren't around long enough to argue. But many other students were children or relatives of former Fire Nation generals (Ozai's supporters had been arrested and were all serving life sentences in the Boiling Rock). They harbored resent for Zuko and the Avatar and saw Zhang as the hero that would restore their nation, and their pride. And so with his ships fully crewed and his army ready, Zhang sailed off for his newest target. One that would give him the edge he needed to win…

Fire Lord's Palace

"Zuko you should take it easy. Come on sit down, relax." said Mai.

"I can't!" screamed Zuko "Not with Zhang sailing around unchallenged! Where's my Uncle?"

"What you mean Mr. Tea party? He went with his old buddies for a drink." said Mai "Why do you need to talk to him?"

"Because he's the only experienced advisor I have. All the others are rotting in the Boiling Rock for sedition"

"Oh yeah, my Uncle sent me a messenger hawk about your sister."

At the mention of his insane sister Azula, Zuko stiffened. He had visited her only once in prison, and he would never go there again. The sheer sight of her crazed and demented eyes made his heart stiffen. The cold glare of bottomless hatred he saw in those merciless eyes was overwhelming to say the least. Even though she was imprisoned, Zuko still feared her for the monster she truly was. Her brief stay at the Fire Nation's mental clinic had proven that. The horrific carnage she had caused forced Zuko to move her to a more secure location. And even there she was still a threat.

"How is that monster?" asked Zuko.

"Regrettably, still alive. My Uncle says she attacked another guard. They've had to restrain her again."

"As if I didn't have enough to worry about." Zuko motioned for a guard and told him "Bring my Uncle here."

"It will be done my lord." said the soldier, then bowing he hurried off.

"So tell me Mai how are we going to get this guy?"

"Who Zhang? It's simple really" said Mai.

"Really. Then tell me."

"Oh so the great Fire Lord Zuko is baffled." said Mai with a smirk.

"Enough with the jokes Mai! Tell me!"

"Make me." said Mai in a taunting voice.

"Ahh! Come here!" said Zuko as he tried to grab her.

To his frustration she jumped out of the way and he fell face first to the floor.

"Wow Zuko you're clumsier than usual." said Mai

"Ugh, why do you have to torture me!"

"Because you're so cute when you're desperate." said Mai as she cupped his face.

"Ah-ha." said Zuko as he flipped her over "I gotcha!"

"You just had to spoil the moment."

"No, I was just getting into a more comfortable position" said Zuko "Now about that plan."

"It can wait." said Mai as she kissed him. To his surprise she was more forceful than she usually was. Zuko was soon being dominated as she threw off his vest and began to remove his shirt. It was at this moment that Iroh walked in.

"Zuko, I heard you needed my advice on something so I came here as soon as I–" the sight before him made the old man redden. "Um, yes well...if you need me I'll be in the tea room."

"Uncle wait! I need your advice!"

"No it's okay Zuko, from the looks of it you're doing fine."

"No not on this! I need your advice concerning the rebel fleet." said Zuko as he quickly pulled his shirt back down.

Zuko told his uncle about the recent attacks, and how almost every fleet that he had sent after Zhang had been destroyed.

"Hmm, Commander Zhang. That man is very clever. To have outmaneuvered a fleet three times the size of his own is remarkable."

"Then how do I defeat him Uncle?"

"I advice patience Zuko. Do not rush into anymore naval battles. He clearly has the upper hand, now that his fleet is fully armed I don't think defeating him will be easy." said Iroh "We should wait for Aang to return from the Earth Kingdom before we engage Zhang. In the meantime I advice you convene a military council. You will need the full cooperation of the Earth Kingdom, as Zhang may well be in their territory by now."

"You know that it will be difficult to get the Earth King's approval. His people still don't fully trust us. And Zhang's fleet is only making it worse" said Zuko.

"We must send ambassadors none the less. And until we determine Zhang's motives we should not take any definite course of action. Increase the patrolling of all isolated islands and bases. We can't have him looting anymore supplies. If we can cut him off from resupplying his ships, eventually he'll be forced to show up somewhere. And by then we will be able to strike."

Earth Kingdom Waters, Aboard the Flagship Sozin's Malice

Zhang and his officers were drinking tea in the meeting hall aboard the flagship. In addition to his original staff he had two new officers. One of them General Xiu, was an accomplished naval tactician. He had published several books on naval maneuvers and fleet formations. The second man was General Muzo, he was the director of the Fire Nation Naval Academy and a distant uncle of Colonel Su. He was also a favorite of Fire Lord Ozai and was party to many state secrets.

"Splendid tea Captain, give my best regards to the chef." said General Xiu.

"You give him too much credit, my lord, the tea is second rate at best" said Captain Tsao.

"Nonetheless it is splendid." said General Xiu.

"Yes Commander. It is wonderful to be aboard a ship still loyal to Fire Lord Ozai." said General Muzo.

"I'm afraid that my ships sail for the Fire Nation. But not for a crazed lunatic who nearly doomed us all." said Zhang.

At such a bold statement Zhang received cold stares from some of the men.

"I don't understand you Commander." said General Xiu.

"I think what the Commander is trying to say is that in terms of leadership Fire Lord Ozai was lacking." said Colonel Su.

"What?" exclaimed Muzo "I will not hear such treachery!"

"Calm down, Muzo." said Sheng "What Colonel Su says is true. Through his inadequacies Fire Lord Ozai nearly doomed our nation. It is because of his weakness that his traitor of a son is now in control."

"But still…when we rebuild the government we will need a leader. And surely you don't intend to…?"

"I think you're rushing too far ahead General Muzo." said Zhang "Before we even get to that point we have several obstacles in our way. First and foremost there is the Avatar. His power would destroy our entire navy, and as of yet no one has been able to defeat him. Secondly there are the three nations, whose combined armies would easily overwhelm us. And lastly, as General Muzo pointed out, there is the question of succession. If Fire Lord Zuko is deposed who will rule?"

"You know you have our full support Commander Zhang." said Sheng "When the time comes you will be the new Fire Lord."

"This is blasphemy! This is sedition!" shouted Xiu.

"Calm yourself General. I would never dare accept such a position." said Zhang.

"Then may I propose that we make Princesses Azula the new Fire Lord." said Colonel Su.

"What?" screamed Muzo "That crazed woman as our leader? That is out of the question!"

"But Ozai is too weak to rule, so Azula is our only option." said Zhang.

"But that lunatic is unfit to rule! She's proven that all to well." said Muzo.

"Perhaps she can co-rule with Commander Zhang as her Regent." said Colonel Su.

"Yes, that would ensure that a descendent of the Fire Lord rules, and Commander Zhang could supervise her." said Sheng

"But this is a dangerous undertaking General. How will you control that lunatic?" asked Muzo.

"I think she can be reasoned with. We just need to learn what she wants. Even the insane still have goals. Perhaps if we were to hand over Zuko she may be pacified." said Zhang.

"Perhaps. But I think we have some other things to discuss. Commander?" asked Colonel Su.

"Yes. My Lords, I have a plan for defeating the Avatar. Thanks to General Muzo's knowledge of Fire Nation secrets I have found the ultimate weapon." said Zhang.

"A weapon?" asked Sheng.

"Yes general. A weapon in the form of a firebender, whose strength is so great that the Fire Lord had him put in a special prison. One that until today I did not know existed. A prison located beneath the island of Tianshui." said Zhang.

"And how are we supposed to get there. That island is deep within Fire Nation territory" asked Xiu.

"Colonel Su?" said Zhang.

"My airship can fly at high altitudes and thanks to our newest chemists we have designed a smoke screen. This new device aught to make my ship undetectable and the rest is quite simple…"


A/N: Please review. I'd like to hear your comments and opinions.