The Dragon's claws

Chapter 8 Journeys

Author's notes: I don't own Legend of Korra. All I own is my OC's, the Tzhang family, Earth King Jall and my main antagonist Ka Chein.

There are some Game of Thrones references in this fic just so readers know.

I want to apologize for the wait for this chapter, damn writer's block.

Well that's enough of an author's notes on with chapter 8.

Ember Island

Lord Anaka woke up in the middle of the night as he heard loud noises, shouting and sounds of fighting from inside the manor.

Two of Anaka's guards entered the bedroom and he asked them "What's going on?"

One of the guards replied "We're under attack. Soldiers arrived saying you're a traitor to the nation and arrived to arrest you. The others are holding them at bay for the moment. We must get you to safety. Follow us."

Before Anaka could say anything suddenly the loud noise stopped and the three men left the bedroom where a squad of Fire Nation soldiers were waiting for them, as the guards were murdered, Lord Anaka was brutally knocked down with a punch to the face as a loud voice said "Take a hold of him. Stand him up. Stand him up straight."

The man who gave the order emerged from behind the soldier's revealing himself to be Lord Aquisis's Tzhang's top bodyguard Kalo Chi as Anaka was dragged to his feet by two soldiers.

Lord Anaka was petrified as Kalo punched Lord Anaka so hard his nose was broken and took out a dagger to slit the traitor's throat.

With Anaka dead, Kalo turned to the bodyguard who informed Lord Aquisis of Lord Anaka's treason and said "Lord Aquisis Tzhang thanks you for your loyalty to the nation. He'll ensure that Fire Lord Izumi names you the new lord of Ember Island."

The man smiled as Kalo and the troops left the manor.

Republic City

Lin was shocked as she learned President Raiko had been killed in a bombing, but that was nothing compared to the shock when she was named the interim President of Republic City, until the next Presidential election. There was no doubt in her mind who was behind the murder, the Red Lotus.

Lin ordered the city be locked down, until the Red Lotus was dealt with. Tenzin soon arrived with Team Avatar and Lin told them what happened to Raiko and they told her about Ka Chein.

She was shocked, with all that had happened in the last few years, the Equalists, the Water Tribe Civil War, Harmonic Convergence, The Red Lotus, the chaos in the Earth Kingdom, the rise of the Earth Empire and the attack on Republic City by Kuvira and her army. What was going on in the Earth Kingdom now and a new threat was now out there, waiting to strike.

'All these constant threats to the world are beginning to get repetitive.' Lin thought to herself.

Lin ordered preparations be made for the journey to Ba Sing Se to attend Earth King Jall's coronation as all world leaders would be there for this conference Jall wanted to have to discuss world affairs.

Kuvira would be handed over to the Earth kingdom for trial and the body of Jall's cousin Wu was already back in Ba Sing Se for a royal funeral Jall wanted to hold for his cousin.

Ba Sing Se

Jall had tears in his eyes as the coffin containing the body of his cousin was placed in front of his throne with the Earth Kingdom flag draped on it.

Earth Kingdom military officers saluted the coffin of former Earth King Wu, while he was only king very briefly after the fall of Kuvira and before he announced he was abdicating, he had still been Earth King and was worthy for a royal funeral.

Earth Kingdom governors and their families were there as were upper class citizens once the rings that were once an important part of the city, were put back up by Earthbenders. Dividing the city by social status, upper class, middle class and low class. Like the city had been for centuries.

Jall began his speech by saying "My cousin Wu, was not a man most would want for king. He showed leadership organising the evacuation of civilians from Republic City before Kuvira and her army attacked. He had potential to be a good king, but decided not do that. For showing himself as a man of peace, he was repaid with treachery, stabbed to death in his sleep by loyalists of the dictator Kuvira. Shall we let this nation die like my cousin? Or will we do what is necessary. What is hard, to save the monarchy we all love? I for one will not let this nation fall into chaos. Not while I draw breath. I will not fail you, my people!"

Everyone applauded Jall, as Wu's coffin was brought to the crypts by servants.

Jall went to the crypt later on in the evening and swore to Wu that he would avenge his murder and wipe all those in his nation who were loyal to the Earth Empire.

Jall soon meet with Dalzic, his son general Kanick and the Earth Kingdom generals to discuss the civil war. It seemed sending the heads of the guards from the liberated prison camp was already having the desired effect, the other prisons were shut down, with the inmates released. The Earth Empire loyalists were afraid, as they should be.

Meanwhile the democrat leaders were meeting in Zaofu to discuss forming a united army with their forces and made it clear they would never bow to an Earth Kingdom monarch again.

Overall Jall's loyalist forces had 10,000 men and dozens of tanks, vehicles and airships. The Fire Nation had 60,000 troops in the city dozens of ships, and airships along with hundreds of tanks, 10,000 men had already volunteered to head out with the Earth Kingdom forces when they moved out to reclaim their nation.

The Earth Empire forces were spread out and leaderless, while the democrat forces had begun to organise an army of their own and had at least 7,000 troops from some reports.

'The war would be long and hard fought, but no matter what' Jall thought to himself. 'Victory will be mine.'

The Fire Nation Royal Palace

Lord Aquisis Tzhang, his granddaughter Mya arrived at the palace for dinner with the royal family. Aquisis and Mya were led to the dining room where former Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lord Izumi, Prince Iroh and his sister Princess Ursa were waiting for them.

Pleasantries were exchanged as Aquisis has one of the servants brought with him, present of a bottle of the finest wines from the Dragon Island cellers.

Aquisis soon began the conversation saying "Lord Anaka of Ember Island was revealed to be in league with the violent democrats in the nation by one of his guards. The local police went to apprehend him. But he died resisting arrest. I suggest that the guard who reported the treason is made the new lord of Ember Island"

Izumi agreed with Aquisis and would make the arrangements later on in the night. The conversation soon turned to the proposed marriage between Iron and Mya, as Prince Iroh asked Mya "Is this what you truly want Mya? Do you want to marry me?"

Mya answered truthfully "With all my heart Iroh, Ever since we were children, I knew I felt something for you. Hearing of your bravery in the military both for our army and as part of the United Forces, made me realise my feelings for you. I have come to love you from afar."

Iroh blushed as he said "I feel something for you as well Mya. I'll happily marry you, with your approval mother."

Izumi nodded and said "We'll have the marriage take place in 3 months' time. Plenty of time to get things ready."

Aquisis proposed a toast to the upcoming wedding and everyone else joined in, as Aquisis was happy to see Iroh wanted to marry Mya.

After dinner, Zuko asked Aquisis if he would go for a walk with him through the palace gardens, Aquisis happily agreed.

As they walked around the massive garden Zuko asked "Did you hear about President Raiko's death in Republic City?"

Aquisis nodded as he said "Yeara ago when the Water Tribe Civil War was going on. Prince Iroh offered to help Avatar Korra get aid for the Southern Water Tribe rebels against the Northern Water Tribe military, but Raiko found out and threatened to court martial the Prince. He was a weak willed man, Republic City is better off without him. Maybe now the Council that once ruled Republic City can rule, with a single chairmen in charge. End this role of an elected leader, clearly democracy has failed."

Zuko asked "What would you suggest?"

Aquisis said "Restore the council who once ruled Republic City. Allow one rep from each nation and 2 additional seats for non-benders from Republic City to give them a voice. Have each rep appointed by world leaders, not in elections."

Zuko was silent, he knew himself that he didn't like Raiko. The man was weak willed, he threw blame on others. He banished Avatar Korra from Republic City following Harmonic Convergence saying she was nothing but trouble, it was only after she nearly died fighting Zaheer and him being imprisoned that Raiko lifted the banishment, as well as the fact he was facing condemnation from the Southern Water Tribe, Air Nation, Northern Water Tribe and Fire Nation for his actions in banishing the woman who saved Republic City from Amon and his Equalists and defeated Unalaq and Vaatu when Raiko did not heed her warnings about Unalaq or Vaatu.

Zuko said "The other world leaders would have to be asked how they feel about this plan, as well as Avatar Korra herself. But I am in favour of this, the council should never have been got rid of the first place."

Nothing else was said as both men re-joined the others in the dining room.

Izumi decided to ask Aquisis "What will Jall do to Kuvira if she is handed over to him?"

Aquisis replied "He'll execute her for her crimes against the Earth Kingdom and the crimes of her Earth Empire regime. A fate she deserves for all of our fellow citizens killed in her prison camps."

Izumi was silent as Aquisis told her of the recent letter he got from Dalzic in Ba Sing Se. Kanick had led an attack on a nearby prison camp and liberated those there, Fire Nation citizens among them and sent the severed heads of the guards to the other prisons, warning them to free those imprisoned there or suffer a similar fate.

Aquisis said "The warning worked. The other prisons have freed the inmates they were holding and the guards surrendered to the inmates. Kanick is covering himself in glory already and the fighting has just started in the Earth Kingdom."

Iroh said "The fighting will last a long time. The people of the Earth Kingdom are very proud and some will fight to the end than bow to Jall."

Aquisis said with a smile "Than they'll die as traitors to their nation. The monarchy has always ruled the Earth Kingdom and always will. Allowing the commoners to have a voice and plunge a great nation back into chaos. We cannot allow that to happen."

Iroh said nothing else as dinner continued.

Republic City the next day

Lin Beifong watched as the airship ready to go to Ba Sing Se was being loaded and Kuvira in platinum restraints was put into a holding cell under heavy guard.

Tensin and his three eldest children were already on the airship as Korra and her friends arrived to get on board.

The other world leaders were already heading to the Earth Kingdom in airships of their own, for Earth King Jall's coronation and this conference among world leaders to take place afterwards.

Lin thought to herself 'These next few days will be interesting.'

Author's notes well that's chapter 8 completed please let me know what you think of it read and review no flames though OK.