Power

Ozai waited impatiently at his desk. He had sent for the Lieutenant, saying it was urgent, and when the FireLord sent an urgent message to someone, he didn't appreciate having to wait.

Luckily for the Lieutenant, he was crucial to Ozai's plan. Had Azula been a boy, Ozai could simply have named her his successor, citing her superior skill and power at fire bending as the reason he picked her over his first born. But Azula wasn't a boy, and the generals who had been loyal to Azulon would never accept a female as the future FireLord, no matter how powerful and intelligent she was. Therefore, he had to get Azula in line for the throne through a series of steps.

So Ozai had begun plotting in earnest when Azula had proven herself by producing the blue fire.

What Ozai needed was someone power hungry enough to agree to his plan, someone self-centered enough to think he deserved it and therefore not suspect Ozai, and also someone powerful enough that his Father's former generals and advisors would not question Ozai's decision.

Ozai found the man he was looking for in a recently promoted fire navy Lieutenant. The man had proven himself in a battle against a Water Tribe fleet. He had fought ruthlessly, and taking down Water Tribe ships was no easy feat; they were in their own territory, after all.

So the man earned himself a promotion to Lieutenant in a ceremony over which Ozai presided. The man bowed deeply when Ozai addressed him.

"Congratulations, Lieutenant. You fought bravely, you deserve this" Ozai said for the benefit of onlookers. He could care less about one fire navy battalion taking down a few Water Tribe ships.

"Thank you, Prince Ozai," the man replied with another deep bow. The arrogance in his voice is what caught Ozai's attention. He then noticed a smug smirk. Perfect, the prince thought.

All he had had to do after he became FireLord was wait for the man's battalion to come back to the capital.

Presently, the man was finally led in by a servant, who bowed. "Are you new to Capital City?" Ozai asked, casually.

"Er…no, My Lord. I've been serving you for years…I-I was there when Prince Zuko was born," the man replied, he sound confused.

"Then can you tell me exactly why you had such a hard time finding the Lieutenant's ship?" Ozai asked coldly. The servant, whose name was Jin and whom Ozai did indeed know, fumbled with his words, so Ozai addressed the Lieutenant directly, "Did you move your ship?"

"No, Sir," He replied.

"Hm," Ozai said, staring coldly at Jin while the servant tried to find the words. "You're dismissed," Ozai finally said after reveling in the man's discomfort.

Jin stepped out of the room, looking relieved to be gone, and the Lieutenant stepped forward, bowing deeply.

"Have a seat," Ozai said, gesturing to a chair across from his desk. The man didn't need to be told twice, he settled himself in the chair, a hungry look in his eyes. Ozai knew he had chosen the right man.

"How old are you, Lieutenant?" Ozai asked.

The man quirked his brow then replied, "Thirty-one this summer, My Lord?" Ozai smiled, that was good. He was young enough that no one would think it strange, but old enough that when he became ill and died, no one would be suspicious.

"Are you married?"

"No, Sir," he said slowly, his face a mask of confusion. Ozai's smile widened, and even the arrogant Lieutenant was unsettled.

"As you know, in a few years, my daughter Azula will be 16, and of marrying age," Ozai paused to gauge the man's reaction. He was not disappointed when the other man's eyebrows shot up. Ozai could see the man's lust for power.

"Yes, FireLord," he replied. Ozai laughed inwardly.

"Now…no daughter of mine will marry a Lieutenant," Ozai said. "But…if you continue to prove yourself on the war front, we may be able to come to an agreement over titles," he continued, coldly. The man was on the edge of his seat, he was every bit as ambitious as Ozai had hoped.

"Of course, Sir, I'm honored you would even think of me," he said, trying to hide his widening grin. About time someone recognized my talents, he thought greedily. The princess was the ultimate prize. Marrying her would get him in with the FireLord, he would hold sway in the war room, people would give him the respect he deserved, and she would surely be as beautiful as Ursa was. Not to mention, if something happened to Prince Zuko...he smiled again.

"I'm very glad to hear it, Lieutenant," Ozai said, "You may return to your ship now." He dismissed the man with a wave of his hand, who stood up and bowed even deeper than before.

"Thank you, FireLord," he said excitedly then began to back out of the room.

"Lieutenant?" The man met Ozai's eyes, "It would be better if no one heard of this."

"Of course, Sir." And obedient too, Ozai thought with another disturbing smile as the man exited his study.

A/N: Another Ozai mini-chapter! I have a lot of trouble writing him for some reason, so I apologize if he's a little out of character. I'll probably have a real chapter up later tonight. =]

I'm sure 98% of you can guess who the Lieutenant is, but SHHHH, wait for my big reveal! ;]