The Phoenix King

Seria's POV

"What did he do to you?"

I tear myself away from the ground and look up to stare at Tiro blankly.

"General Chen," he elaborates. "He obviously did something to you to make you react like that."

Some time had passed since General Chen's visit. I think it is night now. The ship seems peaceful with the heavy weight of silence lingering in the hallways outside, the quiet only broken by the occasional footsteps of a patrol walking past every hour or so. I think everyone must be asleep. Everyone but us.

What did he do to me? I turn the question over in my head, and then I laugh darkly.

"What didn't he do..." I mutter.

"Please," he says with surprising earnest. "I… need to know."

I stare at him in interest. "Why?"

He shifts and averts his gaze, keeping silent. After a while I sigh and let my gaze fall downwards, dropping my defences. I don't know why, but I don't feel that uncomfortable in telling him about what happened.

I told myself I can handle the memories better than before – though they still hurt. Of course, I could've just been delirious, with no sleep and little food in my stomach.

Or maybe it was trust. Just a tiny bit though. No, it's definitely the lack of food.

"I used to live in a village high in the mountains," I say quietly. I curse myself for being so timid and small, and raise my voice. "We thought we were safe and away from the war, but we were wrong…"

And so I told him. How Chen had killed my family. About the prison. The cliff. How he'd done everything he possible could to completely destroy me.

And did it feel good telling a Fire Nation soldier what his so-called 'respectable' superiors were really doing behind closed doors. What they really stood for.

When I finish, I watch Tiro carefully. At first there's nothing, but then there's a shift and for the first time, I see anger playing freely across his face, nothing restrained or hidden. It's evident in every clench of his jaw, every tight muscle in his neck and every grind of his teeth. He's actually furious.

I have to say I'm surprised. I took him to be the typical soldier boy that followed his orders blindly. Guess I was wrong.

I realise that Tiro's been quiet for a long time and I peek up at him. He senses me looking at him and meets my gaze, muttering a single word.

"Bastard."

I nod quietly in agreement, actually trying to bite back a wry smile. I can think of many other words that I could use to describe that man.

He opens his mouth again but there's a shout from outside the room. There must've been some kind of switch flipped as the boat is all at once alive again. The babble of noise begins to boil again, bubbling through the hallways until it filled the whole ship with activity. I straighten up as a herd of soldiers rush by.

We have arrived.

The whole ship shudders as the hull came into contact with the dock. A shiver ripples through the metal hallways and there's a pounding of feet as everyone rushes to the deck and engine rooms to turn everything off. Slowly, the vibrations of the engine still.

We wait until Captain Lau enters the room, a letter clutched in his hand. His face is coloured with excitement.

"We have been summoned by Firelord Ozai to attend his ceremony," he says in a rush, waving the letter in his hand at Tiro. "We are honoured guests!"

Tiro stares at him, surprised. "Us?"

The Captain nods. "General Chen requested our presence on our behalf." He smiles. "See? He isn't half bad after all."

Tiro glances at me and I see that he's not convinced. "What about her?" Tiro says gesturing to me. "Is she coming with us?"

"Yes, yes." Captain Lau says impatiently. "You will escort the prisoner and we will meet the General at the platform."

"He's already there?"

"He had some pressing matters to attend to." He raises an eyebrow at Tiro. "However, General Chen left clear instructions: The prisoner is considered dangerous and a threat to the Firelord. He says that the prisoner must be chained; both hands and feet. Plus, the mouth must be covered as well – in order for our Fire Lord to feel safe."

"Of course Chen said that!" I spit, unable to keep my emotions in check. The Captain looks at me in surprise. I guess he must've forgotten that I could actually talk. I guess things are a lot easier when you can pretend that the person you're keeping locked in a cage like an animal is an object.

"Doesn't that all seem a bit successive, Captain?" Tiro says sceptically, drawing the Captain's attention back to him.

"There can be no room for mistakes here," he says sharply. "I expect nothing less than the best from you today, Tiro. This is a huge honour to meet Firelord Ozai himself."

"Yes, sir."

"Well then, soldier," He flicks his hand at him; an impatient gesture. "I suggest that you get to it. And be quick about it too."

.:oOo:.

I stand at Tiro's side, watching in horror as two high servants place an elaborate crown onto Ozai's head. Flags rises up behind him, embroided with a golden phoenix against a deep red background. More flags rise up in front of the old Fire Nation emblems that lined the rows, each one covered in the same symbol of the phoenix. Great bouts of fire burst from two pillars either side of the flag, releasing long multiple streams of flame that hurls harsh heat and light to everyone in the crowd.

We stand at the very back, on some kind of raised platform so we can see above the crowd. Even from this distance, I spotted Chen's white-blonde hair down at the very front, applauding with enthusiasm with the others.

Azula stands by her father's side, smiling in a pleased way and following her father down the platform as he makes his way back through the crowd, arms still raised. Everyone around me bows low as he passes, the procession following him as he goes. I realise that I stick out like a sore thumb, with my bright yellow top among the dull reds of the nobles and the bowed heads.

It should be no surprise when I catch the eye of the PhoenixKing himself as he walks past, yet I can't help but react in a way that makes me freeze completely on the spot. His eyebrow rise slightly in mild surprise and I quickly look down at my feet, heat flushing my cheeks as my heart pounds. A man as powerful as him was not someone to be trifled with.

I keep my gaze there until the procession continues onwards and disappeared.

"Come on," The Captain says when they've gone. "We need to talk about a strategy plan with Phoenix King Ozai," he says the new name with a bit of fumbling, clearly not used to the new title. It was a bit of a mouthful to say. "General Chen says that he has an idea to propose."

Row by row, we were led away, directed by some of the palace servants to the banquet hall, where everyone had gathered for food and drink and to congratulate the new – supposed – ruler of the world.

However, when we reach the door guards block our way.

"What is the meaning of this?" Captain Lau says affronted, squaring up to the guard. "We are honoured guests–"

"You two may enter," says one of them, the voice slightly distorted through the helmet. It sounds bored. "But you may not bring her in."

Slowly, the Captain turns to me and frowns, as if it was my fault that I was there with them in the first place. I narrow my eyes at him.

"I'll stay out here and keep an eye on her," Tiro says eventually. "Go and have your audience with the Phoenix King, sir."

The Captain's face lights up. "Y-Yes! That would be marvellous, Tiro. Thank you."

Tiro shrugs and the Captain disappears inside. Tiro tugs me by the arm towards the side of the building and over to a window where we wait and watch the banquet take place. It's interesting how he hasn't pulled me by the chains once, always letting me go my own way or guiding me by the arm.

I peered through one of the windows. It looked amazing, no doubt, with a great chandelier full of candles on the high ceiling that cast its light on the gold plates and goblets below, little reflected pools of golden shadows playing on the walls. Everything is tinkling, the glasses and the laughter and the patter of voices.

It all seems so… superficial.

As I continue to watch, I spot the Phoenix King, stood right in the centre of the huge room.

Well at least he's donned the ridiculous helmet, I think dryly. There's a cough behind us and I turn to see that the nobles who pass us send haughty looks my way, their noses turning up at the sight of me before they turn to murmur to each other, occasionally glaring at Tiro.

"What's a prisoner doing here at this ceremony?"

"It does seem rather strange..."

"Who brought her here? They ought to be ashamed!"

I turn my mind from them and their petty superficiality. I don't care what they think. They don't live for anything more than these flashy banquets and pottering around in the latest silk robes and corsets. I shift my hands around to try and loosen the tight grip the shackles had around my wrists. I'm itching to Airbend a few of them away, but I know that is the worst idea with all these Fire Benders around.

And not to mention the Phoenix King, master fire benderhimself.

One of the nobles is brave enough to walk up to Tiro and ask him what exactly he thinks he's doing and begins to lecture him. The old snooty noble looks ridiculous, puffing out his chest and glaring at Tiro who still stands over a head taller than him. It as if a poodle-monkey is trying to pick a fight with a saber-tooth moose lion. Tiro ignores his ranting and eventually the noble slinks away, trying to cover up his embarrassment with a huff of indignation.

I sigh and rest my head against the wall. It's not long before I see Chen stride over to the eager crowd of nobles that had gathered around the new Phoenix King and Azula, cutting in front of them all to speak in to him. Even from here I can hear the 'humph' of annoyance from the nobles as the King nods and begins to follow Chen off to the side. Azula – who had been staring around the vast room with obvious boredom – swiftly follows.

They disappear for a moment until another door opens behind me and General Chen walks out… With Ozai and Azula right behind him.

My breath catches in my throat.

"It is a very intriguing idea I must admit, General," Ozai is saying as he steps outside in a swish of blood red material and a flash of gold. I blink. "I will take your proposition into consideration..."

He stops and looks to Tiro, ignoring the dozens of bowing nobles. The King openly stares at his missing arm and smiles.

"Are you Captain Tiro?" Ozai asks curiously.

Tiro steps forward and bows. "It's 'Lieutenant' now, my king," He says respectfully. "I'm not Captain anymore."

"Ah, yes," Ozai says. "Because of the unfortunate…" His eyes flick to his missing arm again and I see Tiro flinch slightly. "…Accident." He finishes with a smile.

There's some silence as Tiro clears his throat awkwardly. I feel sorry for him, being put on show like that.

Ozai suddenly notices me. "And what is this?"

Tiro looks to me. "She's an airbender, sir." He sounds like he still can't believe it himself.

"Ah," Ozai says smiling at me. "So this is the infamous little airbender that managed to take out a whole platoon of my soldiers. Nice to finally have met your acquaintance."

Wish I could say the same thing about you,I think sourly. The way his voice rolls in a sinister way implants a tiny bud of fear in my chest. I look away from him.

"How did you catch her then?" He asks. I can feel him studying me and my skin crawls as I keep my gaze turned down to my feet.

Captain Lau suddenly appears beside General Chen. "We captured her when she rescued the waterbender and Prince Zuko, sir," he states proudly. He shuffles his feet a bit. "She… gave herself up after they all got away."

Ozai nods and then turns to Azula. I breathe a sigh of relief as his gaze leaves me, expecting him to disappear into the party once again. But he's talking to Azula; "Didn't you run into her at the Western Air Temple a few days ago?"

"Yes, father," she says. "And I think I found something of interest…" Azula grins at me from behind him.

Ozai lifts his eyebrows. "Oh?"

"She's Zuko's – how can I put this? – lady friend."

Shit.

"Are you now?" Ozai says turning back to me, smiling in an amused way. He bends closer as I glare daggers at Azula behind him. "What does my traitorous son see in you, I wonder?" he asks curiously. I say nothing but switch my death glare onto him. He straightens, a frown on his face. "He's definitely gotten…. Soft. I should've drowned that boy at birth. He's been nothing but a thorn in my side for the past sixteen years."

General Chen nods behind him.

"Hmm…" Ozai murmers. "Zuko cares about her you say, Azula?"

"Yes, father."

Before Ozai can say anymore, Chen clears his throat and steps forward. "Shall we execute the prisoner, sir?" I splutter and then gag as the cloth wrapped around my mouth lands on my tongue. Ugh... gross. Chen continues. "She has committed the highest acts of treason as well as attempted murder. Maybe if we present the body to your son, it could work as a distraction…" He lets the sentence hang.

Slimy bastard! I want to shout. You've planned this all along!

The urge goes as Tiro whips around to face Chenr, just managing to catch himself from shouting at his superior when I turn to look at him sharply. Stay under control, I think at Tiro, giving him a warning look. Thanks to Zuko, I knew all too well how the Phoenix King responded to rebellious comments. Tiro sighs under his breath and steps back a bit.

We all turn to The Phoenix King as he looks at General Chen in thought.

"No… We can work with this," Ozai says and I breathe out slowly. He nods, seeming to have come to a conclusion. "Yes… " He turns to General Chen and the others. "My son knows about the plan we have for Sozin's Comet; he was present in the war meeting when we discussed it. I have a feeling that he hasn't wasted his time. Although he may be a traitor and disrespectful and hot-tempered boy, he isn't a fool. He may have some kind of plan to counter our attack, so we should tip the scales in our favour. Bring a new piece to the game, so to speak."

Chen's disappointment is written all over his face, but he nods. "If you wish, sir."

I look around in confusion. What does he mean?

Oh right.

Bait. I was going to be used as bait.

Ozai smiles, pleased with himself and turns to Tiro. "You shall bring the prisoner to the fleets and be the guard," he instructs. "I need a patriot such as yourself to help me fight this war."

"Me?" Tiro is flabbergasted. Behind him, I see Chen clench his fists. Obviously, this wasn't what he'd wanted to hear. I smile slightly.

"Yes," Ozai says straightening, some amusement flickering in his eyes. The sudden softness reminds me of Zuko and I am remember how it is that this evil man is Zuko's father. The one who gave him the scar. Ozai continues and I find myself grinding my teeth together. "General Chen will debrief you and then we shall board for the Earth Kingdom once the comet arrives."

There's a pause as everyone bows – with the exception of me of course. I will never bow to him. As everyone unfurls, Ozai's face darkens with wickedness and a malicious grin appears and I see a glimpse of the cruel and evil man within. "Gentlemen," He says pleasantly, spreading his arms wide like he did in the procession. "I must say that I have been looking forward to this day. Tomorrow, the comet will come. And tomorrow, we will win this war."

A/N – Hi guys! Merry Christmas! It's officially Christmas over here in England and I wanted to get this out for you as a Christmas present, so… ta-da! Sorry it's not an overly exciting chapter but things will pick up again the next update. Not long until the last chapter now! How sad…

The reviewers…

AerisCote – Aw thank you, I'm glad it came out okay ^^ Yes she IS stronger now since the fight with Chen on the cliff side and she CAN make a difference and help turn the tables for the Gaang in this war. My exam went very well thank you! I'm sorry this update awasn't the most exciting but we do need a couple of fillers to let the plot develop riiiiight? Haha anyway thanks so much for your comment and have a Merry Christmas!

Mira SeverusSirius Black-Snape – Yes. Yes she is. ;)

KJun – Yeees! Glad you like it! I am against all Mary Sues and didn't want Seria to be one at all, so thanks for saying that! I am glad you like Seria and her character! I've kind of just let her grow and develop on her own, I'm just the mean one who makes bad things happen to her Anyway thanks again for the review and I promise future action ;D

Sunflower13 – I did actually think about that! But then I didn't really want to give him too much power as, you know, he's just come back from the dead so that itself is enough ;)

Itachi-Uchiha-lover – It DOES suck! I find that when I create characters, they do what I say for about the first chapter but then after that, I have an idea and then realise I can't go through with it because my characters simply wouldn't do that so meh xD hopefully you liked this chapter and again, I swear that there's a showdown coming up soon so some exciting stuff there :D

Thank you for everyone who's favourite and followed both this story and Fire and Air: Beginnings. Hope you all have an amazing Christmas and I'll update again before the new year ;D

Love you all!

~Zozeebobs