"Why don't we start with Kuei's letter?" she suggested.
He read it aloud.
Dear King Kuei,
From one sovereign to another, I offer my sincerest apologies for the murderous tragedy at Senlin Village. I wanted to inform you that each of the Rough Rhinos has been captured, and they are all in custody.
Should you wish them extradited to your territory, we will arrange it at your earliest convenience. Else, we will try them in the Fire Nation for murder, conspiracy, and any other crimes they committed.
In addition, their assets in the nation have been seized should the victims or their families wish to sue them civilly. We also have a settlement offer for each victim to help with burial costs, rehabilitation for the injured and support for the families who are now missing a loved one.
I know that money cannot bring the victims back or undue their suffering, but I do not have any way of truly making them whole.
I also understand that your sovereignty has been violated and there must be appropriate consequences for that action. In response to this tragedy, the Fire Nation will require all bounty hunters and mercenaries to be licensed.
They will only be permitted to work in territories covered by their license, so any extra-national work will be illegal, and if they are caught operating in another country without either a license or expressed written permission from that country's sovereign, they will be subject, in the Fire Nation, to jail, fines, and having their domestic license pulled.
I hope that we can work together to ensure that such harrowing incidents do not happen in the future.
Sincerely,
Fire Lord Azula.
"How did she respond so quickly?" Hahn questioned.
"I'm sure she had a provisional government operating before she returned to the Fire Nation," Mai said. "They heard about the tragedy and started making plans, so that Azula could act the day she got the crown."
"What does Zuko's letter say?" Aang questioned.
Zuko read it and started to get a fiery hand he was so angry. Mai took it from him.
"Dear Zuzu,
I'm sure you realize by now that your terrible reign is over. Trust me when I say it is for the best. You, my brother, are an idiot.
You signed treaties promising money that we couldn't afford to pay. Instead of admitting you made a mistake, you taxed out people money they didn't have.
Since they couldn't afford to pay your taxes, they went to the black market to work, and instead of realizing 'maybe I should just tell the world leaders I made a mistake,' you raised taxes again so you could hire police to search in vain for the tax money you never got.
The crime rates went up as people were poor, desperate, angry and agitated and instead of directing all of your police to violent crime, you said why not look for tax cheats since when you catch them you can take their money, allowing people to rape, pillage, and burn the country down without impunity.
This is why our people hate you. This is why I didn't even have to fight to take the country back. I walked in the palace door, and your guards hugged me! They were pissed that you haven't paid them in three weeks, since your butt is broke! I just paid them all.
You're the kind of man who pours grain alcohol on a flame to put it out. This is why you aren't Fire Lord anymore. In reality, you never were. You had your peasant whore cheat the agni kai because you couldn't even fight me when I was crazy.
You sir, need to stop hiding behind women and learn to fight your own battles. When is the last time you earned something yourself?
Fake Fire Lord Zuzu screws sisters."
Aang and Sokka were balling by the end of the letter.
"Damn, she disrespected you," Aang laughed.
"Do you realize how smart she is?" Sokka said. "Zuzu screws sisters. It's funny because you screwed her over, and she's your sister, and you're screwing Mai who is also a sister."
"And it refers to Katara who she alleges you are screwing who is a sister," Aang added. "And it also ties into the rumor that you're screwing Suki, who is also a sister. She just dissed you in like four different ways!"
The two boys kept laughing.
Zuko was trying not to set this room on fire, mainly because it wasn't his room.
"I think we get the humor," Iroh said sternly.
"But on the bright side," Hahn said, "We don't have to look for her. We know exactly where she is."
The three boys all started laughing.
"She's probably dancing naked on Zuko's throne," Aang said.
"She probably set fire to all his stuff," Sokka added.
Arnook started laughing. "I'm sorry. This is just so absurd. I don't even know what to do. I wish I had stayed home and never learned any of this!"
Bumi remarked, "Azula was always my favorite villain. I could see her telling interesting stories if we got drunk together, but Ozai, he was just nasty, and Azulon seemed kind of uptight and boring.
Azula's a class act. She is intelligent, good looking from what I hear, my eyes aren't too good anymore, narcissistic, appreciates dark humor, shows blatant disrespect for everybody else, but shows small glimpses of humanity. She's like an amazing anti-hero."
"We still don't know what was in Toph's letters," Katara pointed out. "And she can't read them."
Toph wasn't sure if she wanted everyone to read them. Iroh could see how uncomfortable she looked.
"Do you want me to read it to you privately?" he asked.
She nodded.
They went into the next room.
The first letter was a certified document from the court. "These are emancipation papers," Iroh told Toph. "They were signed by your parents and mean that you are legally an adult in the Earth Kingdom. They can't try to take you hostage or assert any control over you anymore."
"What?"
"I'll have them check with the city to make sure they are valid, but it appears that Azula made them sign it some how."
She got my freedom?
"Do you want me to read you the other letter?"
"Yes please."
"Dear Toph,
I'm sorry that I didn't tell you what was going to happen, but I wasn't sure if I would succeed. If I failed, I would be jailed for treason, and if you knew and didn't turn me in, then you could find yourself in jail for war crimes. I decided that I would rather you be angry with me and safe than possibly facing peril because of me.
I'm sure you're wondering why I did this or maybe when I decided to act. It was in June when Lo and Li visited me. They told me how bad things were, that my country was on the verge of civil war and ruin. I felt terrible about it, but I didn't think there was anything I could do.
I was a fugitive. I had no power, but they reminded me that the right to rule is in my blood, and if Zuko can't handle the country then it's my responsibility to step up. I wanted to be Fire Lord before for all the wrong reasons, but now, I just want my people to be able to eat, work honestly, and to live safe lives.
I had to risk everything because I didn't see another way. Zuko would have never let me help him as an advisor. He fired everyone who had been there before him and refused the advice of anyone who had ever worked with my father or me.
Unfortunately, that meant he acted without counsel of those who were the most knowledgeable of our country's affairs, and he made of mistakes, very costly ones. He got to the point where he was drowning, and even the suggestion that I might return would have been enough to end things for him.
Why else would he have sent some of the most dangerous men alive after me? He made the wrong move. Instead of trying to capture his competition, he should have stepped up his game, but he didn't; he probably didn't know where to start.
You once told me that the relationship between his king and his people is a social contract. When the king fails to live up to his end of the deal, the people have a right to rebel and seek a new one. Zuko's day came for him. I know he didn't mean to be a tyrant, but he was ineffective as a leader, and it showed. The time to rebel was now, and I took advantage of it.
I didn't want you to think that my feelings towards you were any less than I indicated they were. I meant every word I said to you before I left, and I understand if under the circumstances, you don't wish to see me again. If you do, you know where to find me.
Sincerely,
Azula.
Iroh realized that Azula's relationship with Toph had likely been a romantic one. Iroh hadn't thought about that, but it really wasn't surprising. They had been isolated from the world for months. They were both mature enough to seek an adult relationship. It was pretty clear why Toph didn't want the letter read out in public.
"How about we just show them the emancipation papers?"
"Thanks Iroh." Her girlfriend just deposed her brother and stole the country. What the fuck was Toph supposed to do with this?
They came back to a chaotic room. Zuko was throwing a temper tantrum. Mai was trying to calm him down. Zuko produced a flame. Katara doused him to make sure he didn't burn down the room, and he got even angrier.
Sokka and Aang though this was hilarious, mainly because it was easier to find this funny than it was to be scared by the real possibility of a war with Azula, and Hakoda looked to be asleep.
"I think we should take a recess," Iroh said. "It looks like people need to calm down."
Azula made some unprecedented moves to get her country out of its recession as quickly as possible. Instead of throwing a coronation party, she made a public announcement in Capital City where she announced new measures.
"Hello everyone! Thank you for coming out today. I wanted to make sure everyone was informed about the new actions I will be taking to improve the Fire Nation.
First of all, starting tomorrow, we will be offering an expanded food program, where each family will get a supply of starches, vegetables and proteins, either meat, fish or tofu depending on dietary needs and availability.
Effective Monday, there will be a rebate available to everyone who has paid taxes in the past year. I know the tax rate was too high and we are working on a new system to lower it for everyone, but that will take time and people need money now.
I know the line will be really long on Monday, so we will have as many tellers there as we can, but if people could come on different days this week or perhaps next week, that will help with congestion. You just need to provide identification and you will be given a rebate based on how much you have paid in taxes.
We are also working on a bill to give tax incentives for people to open businesses, whether they are new or had to be closed because the economy. We will also offer incentives for those who hire additional full time employees to help get people back to work.
Other areas of concern are crime, particularly violent crime, cleanliness of the city, more lighting to improve safety, and education for our children. We are working on having after school programs, so that children will have a safe place to go after school and before their parents can pick them up from work. All children may attend, but this is geared towards those who cannot afford babysitters or nannies to be in their home.
I know it's been a really rough three years. I'm sorry I didn't get home sooner, but I'm here now, and I'm trying to get us to the light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you!"
The people ate every word. They just heard food, lower taxes and jobs. Sure there were some other good things in there, but who the hell cares. Their main concerns would be answered. They finally had a Fire Lord who would respond to them.
That evening, Azula had dinner with the leading mob bosses. One of them was Qin's father. Another was Ty Lee's great uncle and the rest were people whom Azula had heard of but had never seen before.
"My Lord, I must say it is not every day that we get invited to the palace," Qin's father said to her.
"I suppose I can say the same thing."
They laughed. "How may we be of service?"
"I believe we have some common goals. My brother tried, pathetically, I might add, to stamp you out and get your money. As a result, he left out nation broke. Like my brother, I don't want crime in my streets, but unlike my brother, I have different priorities as to what crimes I want to stamp out the most.
He targeted tax evaders and money launderers. I care more about getting rid of rapists and kidnappers. If I can clean up the streets from visible crime, then I will scale back the police force considerably as it is costly. If I however, cannot get rid of these thugs, I will have to consider more drastic action."
"And you think we are the ones to get rid of the crime," Ty Lee's great-uncle stated.
"I'm a realist. I know that you all have divided the city into regions for control and realistically, people will tell you what happened after a violent crime on your turf before they will tell my cops.
Obviously, you are not the police and have not been tasked with dealing with these issues, but if these issues were to be resolved, I think you would find things better for your business. I hope I am making myself clear."
"Crystal clear, my Lord."
"Perfect. I hate repeating myself. Continuing this idea of common interests, I have some progressive ideas on how to deal with illicit drugs. My brother tried to get rid of them, but again for the wrong reasons. He was annoyed that taxes weren't being paid. I'm more concerned about drug overdoses and murders that happen over territory disputes and unpaid bills.
I know that drug use is ubiquitous in the Fire Nation. It's likely ubiquitous in the world, except for the water tribes where they can't grow, and the community is too insular to really smuggle them in, but not all drug use is equal.
Some drug use, occasional, recreational inside the house, I can deal with. When it's showing up on the street corner outside of a school or I see a hooker overdosed in the street, we have a problem.
Some drugs are more likely to lead to trouble than others. Some might even have a shot of being legalized and taxed so that my city can make some money and spend less effort policing it. This all depends on whether or not the people can behave themselves and often people will do whatever they can get away with.
Are we all on the same page."
"Yes My Lord."
"Very good. Then why don't we go to dinner? My chef is preparing one of my favorite recipes."
Azula was always one for power plays. Now, the crime syndicates would police themselves and their streets to get rid of the violent crime. Azula could scale back the police force and save money, and the criminals now had an incentive to regulate their own conduct.
Instead of just selling as many drugs as they can, they will be more considerate when there are signs of addiction. They will restrict their own supply to prevent problems. They will actually care about moral hazards. If she can't beat them, then she will reform them.
In addition, everyone knows that the black market does what the crime bosses tell it to do. Everyone will play by the rules or be forced out of business and the crime bosses had a reason to protect Azula from any efforts made by her brother or his friends. They had a personal stake in her reign, and they controlled the assassins, so Azula had a pretty generous advantage over her brother.
Some of these were ideas she had before the war ended, but now she had a chance to improve them. Fire Lord Azula. Damn, it sounds good!
