Fire Meetings
"This is important news about Zuko." Azula crossed her arms and glared at the guards in front of her father's suite, wishing she had taken the time to put on some makeup and perhaps a touch of combat armor. Making people fear for their lives was all about the proper presentation. "My father needs this information."
The guard, for his part, utterly failed to be impressed by a fifteen year old girl in a robe and ponytail throwing out orders hours before dawn, despite the fact that- and Azula was quite sure on this point- the fifteen year old girl in question could kill him. "I am sorry, your highness. Prince Ozai's orders are very clear. He is not to be disturbed by anyone until he announces in the morning that he is ready."
Azula really did consider killing the man his affront, or at least incapacitating him and stepping on his face a little. She had already cut down loyal Fire Nation warriors in the process of freeing Zuko from Zhao's prison, and one more certainly wouldn't trouble her. However, this particular warrior was operating under Father's orders, and if Azula went against those orders, Father might be upset with her. Azula did not want her father upset with her. This was urgent news, news that demanded immediate attention even though it was still several hours before dawn, but she always did everything that her father commanded.
But Father might also be upset in morning when he found out that Azula had not woken him up to hear this news. Whether she let the matter rest until he could deal with it, or tried to take things into her own hands now, she ran the risk of being disappointing.
This was a dilemma.
Azula normally cherished dilemmas as a chance to exhibit her true genius, but not in the dead of the night after being woken from a dream by a messenger. If only there was some other avenue to Father's-
Oh.
There was indeed someone. This would not be fun, but Azula refused to become a disappointment.
Without a word to the guard, she spun on her bare heel and stalked down the hall of the palace's residential floor. This high up in the tower, only the Royal Family was supposed to be living in the various suites, but as a practical matter, it was helpful to keep a few important servants close at hand. Azula headed for these rooms, almost all unoccupied given the minimal amount of Royal Family available these days, to one particular door.
It was locked, of course.
Azula did not let that stop her, of course.
However, she made a tactical mistake, no doubt due to the obscene hour. The flaming kick that destroyed the door also ruined her night vision, and when the blue fire faded, she was blind for a moment. In that brief time, there was the sound of movement within the room, the whisper of air being sliced by something sharp, and then-
Azula felt the tip of a sword pressed lightly against her throat. She held very still. "It's me, you clod."
"Princess Azula," Piandao said from somewhere in the darkness. "My apologies. You startled me." The blade was removed from Azula's throat. "Detonating my door made for a rather tense awakening, as I'm sure you can imagine. How can I help you at this late hour? Or perhaps early hour?"
"I'm so sorry an old man like you can't get a full night's sleep, but a messenger woke me up with news that Zuko is going to be fighting an Agni Kai at sunset today against a Weapon of the Fire Nation. Father's guards won't let me pass on the message, and so here we are. Are you going to help me deal with this, or shall I inform my father that you're being even more useless than usual?"
"Consider me at your service." Light exploded into the darkness, revealing Piandao leaning over a small lamp with a pair of sparkrocks. He was like a living shadow in his dark robe as he gestured her into the space. There was little furniture, besides the cot, but the walls were decorated with paintings, and a few shelves on the wall boasted such oddities as a rock, carved wooden trinkets, and even a glass bowl full of what and what seemed to be swimming minnow-frogs. "Who is Prince Zuko's opponent?"
"Lady Caldera Yu Gerel." Azula came in, kicking charred pieces of the door out of the way with her bare feet. "According to a wire from your spy at the Zenmatsu gathering, Zuko went out on a mysterious jaunt with Suki and the Avatar's sky bison. Gerel disappeared at some point while he was out. Zuko came back claiming that he had an official duel, and Gerel confirmed it when she returned. I have no doubt that Zuzu will lose, but we have to keep him from real harm."
"How kind of you to look after your brother."
Azula frowned. "This has nothing to do with kindness. Father will be displeased if Zuko is so much as injured." If only she could speak with Father right now! She'd never tried to visit him at such an hour, and so had never before been refused access. She didn't like it. "How quickly can one of us get transport to Zenmatsu Island?"
Piandao frowned in the lamp light. "I'm not sure. It would certainly be a race, even if a sufficiently speedy watercraft is readily available. But what would we do when we get there? Did Prince Zuko issue the challenge, or Lady Gerel?"
"It was Zuko." No, Piandao was right; Zuzu would never give up a challenge of honor. "Then whoever goes will simply have to kill Gerel."
Piandao barked a laugh. "Just kill one of the greatest Firebenders who ever lived?"
"What, you don't think you can?"
"Oh, I think I would probably win such a fight, but it would not be a quick or easy thing. And then someone would have to explain why a known agent of your father is trying to murder a respected national hero."
Hm, that was a fair point. But if it was a matter of known agents of Father-
Piandao nodded at something in her expression. "I thought so. Prince Ozai was the one who had the Disciple of the Third Eye attack the Avatar."
Azula inhaled sharply in surprise. How did he- "Ah, Lord Zhao. You got a copy of his report."
"Well, he was my friend before he became our spy. But he couldn't tell me why Prince Ozai wanted the Avatar dead."
Azula considered telling him to shut his servant mouth, but really, if he knew this much, a little more information would hardly be a problem. And Piandao already knew many dangerous things. "The Avatar, as well as this runt Earth King and Mai-" She took a moment to forcibly unclench her jaw. "All of them are complicit in this scheme of Uncle's. It's endangering Zuko, so Father decided that they needed to be punished. When we heard from Lord Zhao they were going out without Zuzu, it was too good an opportunity to pass up. Unfortunately, it didn't work, but we'll just have to try again sometime."
Piandao's eyebrows rose at that.
Azula said, "Do you have a problem with Father making use of another Weapon of the Fire Nation?"
"Of course not, your highness. To be honest, my real worry is Prince Ozai's need to punish everyone who so much as looks at Prince Zuko with less than complete fawning. Killing the Avatar might not be the best idea, given what we're hearing about the Spirit problems in the Earth Kingdom. We don't want the same thing here in the Fire Nation. And according to the report I saw, this attack was sloppy. A village was endangered, Governor Hige injured, and the targets all escaped. That is not the type of activity that will be tolerated by the Fire Lord, and it could turn other powers against us."
Azula scowled. She didn't like to hear criticism about Father.
But what Piandao said was logical.
But Father was always right.
But Azula couldn't think of how Piandao was wrong.
So, clearly, both Piandao and Azula were not wise enough to see how Father was, in fact, perfectly correct about the matter.
Then what was the point of even discussing the matter of saving Zuzu from his stupid desire to fight an Agni Kai? If they weren't smart enough to do anything by themselves-
Azula realized that Piandao was staring at her with one of those calculating expressions. She snapped her fingers. "We're getting off topic."
"Well, even the Disciple of the Third Eye might find Lady Gerel a tough target." Piandao looked down at the lamp in his hands. "Her eyes work fine, but she's worn that blindfold for decades. It's allowed her to develop her Firebending so that she can sense all heat around her, and even manipulate it to a certain degree. Again, I think she'd probably lose such a match, but it would not be sure, and it would not be quick. If you could even get in touch with that brute so quickly. However-" Piandao abruptly quieted, staring off into the shadows and stroking his goatee.
"Yes?"
"Well, you're thinking of brute force methods. Prince Ozai favors them, but maybe we can do something more subtle. Just as the Disciple did yesterday, Lady Gerel once did some kind of favor for your Father- maybe half a year after Zuko was banished- although I don't know the nature. Perhaps she can simply be ordered to forfeit, or blackmailed."
"Unless she's already doing this on someone's orders."
"Well, yes, unless that."
So, Father once made use of Lady Gerel as well? Odd that Azula hadn't known when she had been part of arranging the hit with the Disciple of the Third Eye. But Piandao was aware, even if he didn't have the details. Unless Piandao was lying- but no, he was terrible with falsehoods. He could avoid saying things like a professional, but he could never get an active falsehood past Azula.
So did Father not completely trust her?
But she always did everything he commanded.
Yet, there were times she wasn't even allowed in Father's suite, and she was never offered an explanation. She was stuck here, brainstorming with Piandao while Father was locked away beyond her reach until morning.
Azula's stomach hurt. "We'll just have to be ready to give Father all the options. See what kind of transportation you can arrange. Find out if your contacts know who might be controlling Gerel. I'll look into contacting the Disciple again. If you think of anything else, send word to me. No one sleeps until we talk to Father."
Without waiting for acknowledgement, Azula turned and stalked back to her suite to get dressed. She would just have to prove to Father that he could depend on her and trust her with his secrets.
She had no doubt that she would succeed. Less than perfect was less than acceptable.
Sokka was less than thrilled with how breakfast was going.
He didn't like mornings in general, but when he did have to deal with them, he liked a mix of food and peacefulness. Silence was always good, but a nice conversation like describing dreams or planning the rest of the day could be a good way to get his brain loosened up and ready for a day of being the solitary logical thinker in the group.
This morning, though, was not peaceful. He was eating his Fire Nation fruit bowl at a 'team meeting' out in the atrium between their rooms in Hige's mansion, seated on the edge of the fountain. He swatted Momo away from his fruit while Mai and Suki stared each other down in front of the fountain.
"I can't believe you're going through with the Agni Kai," snarled Mai. Her participation in this chaos was especially hurtful, since she usually sided with Sokka in his hatred of mornings.
Seated on Sokka's left, Zuko sighed.
"Well, " retorted Suki, "he wouldn't have to if all this stupidity with you Weapons wasn't causing so much trouble." Where, oh where, was that calm and collected demeanor of a Kyoshi Warrior?
Seated on Sokka's right, Aang sighed.
Out past Mai and Suki, Commander Zhao paced back and forth. "Really, backing out of the Agni Kai would only have political repercussions. Zuko's banishment would still be over, and he'd still be a prince."
"See?" Mai brushed at the long fringe hanging just short of her eyes. "Zuko is just being stupid for sticking with this."
"Oh, now we're listening to Zhao?" Suki snorted. "He's our best friend all of the sudden?"
"Hey!" Mai pointed a finger straight in Suki's face like it was a knife. Maybe Mai thought it was. "You were there when he lit my stomach on fire, remember? I'd gladly shove needles in his eyes, but for now I don't want Zuko to get himself killed."
Suki batted Mai's finger out of the way. "No one wants to see that, but screaming at him isn't going to do anything! You heard Zhao, things are all full of politics now! Your crazy Weapon friends are getting everyone in trouble, and if Zuko backs out now, none of the people we need on our side will respect him! This is your fault!"
Zhao stroked his chin. "Fault is beside the point, but it's true that everyone will think Prince Zuko a gutless worm. Still, as I always say, survival first and then reputation. It's kept me alive, so far."
Mai and Suki ignored him, choosing instead to go back to expounding on Zuko's stupidity and cursing everyone who worked as a Weapon, respectively.
Sokka, Aang, and Zuko all sighed together.
King Toph stomped over from where she had been sharing her breakfast with Appa and kicked the shin of Sokka's boot. "Those two are just going to keep going at it. Either one of you stops them, or I stop them."
Aang and Zuko both stood up, but Sokka popped a square of papaya into his mouth and yanked them both back down to the edge of the fountain.
He stood up and went over to stand between Suki and Mai. When they paused in surprise, he said, "Before we decide who deserves to die for this whole situation, I have a question. What is an Agni Kai?"
Everyone stared at him.
Mai said, "We went over it last night-"
"No." Best not to let anyone else build up talking-momentum just yet. "Everyone's been throwing the words around, and yes, context has made it clear that we're talking about a Firebender duel of some kind, but some of us grew up with enough War in our lives that we didn't need to go inventing extra excuses to kill other people. What is an Agni Kai, why don't we think Zuko's is likely to survive, and why is it such a big deal to give up on the whole thing that Zhao is the only one taking it seriously?"
Silence continued to reign.
The best part was that it was an honest question! When Zuko had come back from his jaunt out to find his mother's grave or whatever, it was Suki who broke the news about Gerel and this 'Agni Kai,' but with everyone so tense after the Sparky Sparky Boom Man who had tried to kill Aang, Mai, Toph, and Governor Hige, there had been a dearth of things like rational discourse or helpful details.
Finally, Zuko stood up. (Good. He hadn't shouted all morning. He was on Sokka's mental Approved List.) "An Agni Kai is, at the most basic level, a meeting between two Firebenders governed by the spirit of Fire. It takes the form of a combat trial. In the Fire Nation, a clear victory means a fight to the death, but the winner only needs to prove the opportunity to kill the loser. Death isn't actually required."
Zhao harumphed. "But choosing to spare the loser is a message itself. It could be that the victor is too weak to take the kill, or else he is insulting the loser by treating the kill as unnecessary. When I fight an Agni Kai with a subordinate over a contested demotion, it's actually expected that I let the loser live so that he can suffer the indignity."
"Everyone makes a big deal out of an Agni Kai," Mai took up. "People actually think it's a way to resolve feuds, and that's about as tiresome as it sounds. When two Firebenders are mad at each other, they of course need to prove to the world who's better, or just want to fight it out and don't want to be charged with criminal activity. Putting conditions on the outcome isn't unheard of, but it's not all that common. Which should tell you how pointless it is."
Zuko shook his head. "It's not just about legal murder. When conflicts of honor or loyalty arise, an Agni Kai is a way to test which side is most in balance with the element of Fire. That's why only Firebenders can duel. Those who can't Firebend have their own culture of formal trials."
Mai twirled a blade around her finger, and very loudly said nothing.
Sokka decided not to pursue it. He turned to Zhao. "And you said something about political messy stuff?"
"Yes, Tribal, I did. Your whole purpose for being in the Fire Nation is to forward Prince Iroh's plan. Prince Zuko is a needed part of that, but if he backs out of an Agni Kai challenge that he issued, it won't exactly improve his reputation. But he'll still be alive, and just having a representative of Prince Ozai visibly supporting the Avatar is valuable enough by itself."
Sokka nodded. "Don't call me a Tribal. Anyway, it sounds like an easy solution. Zuko drops out, and we get on with our lives of overthrowing tyrants and nearly getting blown up by weird people with metal arms."
Toph pulled a finger out of her nose and examined the tip. "Not that you got blown up yesterday."
"No, but I have a sad feeling it's just a matter of time."
Zuko snapped his hands in a dismissal that left flame trailing through the air. "No! I won't back down. I don't care if I'm risking my life. Even if information about my mother wasn't at stake, Gerel burned down a village of our own people. Lives were lost. She needs to answer for that, or at least the person who gave her the order."
Mai's hands tightened around her blade. Suki groaned. Zhao gave a laugh that was mostly a grunt.
Sokka sensed that he was losing the crowd again.
That's when Aang stood up. "I understand. It's your duty as a Prince to look after your family and homeland."
Well, it was as good a lead-in as any. If there was one thing Sokka was clear on, Zuko was never going to back down no matter how much everyone screamed, so it was a matter of finding the least stinky path through the whole mess, a path that would get everyone calm again. "Hey, Zhao, you're not busy today, right?"
"What? I'm in charge of this whole group's security, Tribal. I'm always busy."
Sokka held up a finger. "One, that is a highly offensive term and I ask again that you not use it." He held up another finger. "Two, if you don't, I'm going to hide a strawberry in your armor and send Momo to find it." He held up a third finger. "Three, you're a big bad Firebending master who's fought duels, aren't you? You should be giving Zuko tips, because you've somehow managed not to die despite how much everyone here had been hoping for it at times. You must be good at not dying."
"Me?!"
"Sure. Keeping Zuko alive is part of your security duties, right? Well, making with the securing."
While Zhao stared, Sokka saw everyone else losing their tension.
Suki said, "I could teach some helpful footwork."
Aang raised his hands. "Appa, Momo, and I can cheer you on!"
Sokka clapped his hands. "And I can finish my breakfast! Go, Team Avatar!"
Everyone was still talking as he went back over to the fountain and retrieved his fruit bowl.
It was empty, and Momo was lying in it with an obviously full belly.
Before Sokka could give a proper long-suffering sigh, a blueberry bounced off his head. He caught it before it could fall to the ground, and looked over where Toph was still sitting in the grass.
She held up her own fruit bowl. "I'm done anyway. You earned it, Chief."
Well, how about that?
Unlike poor Zuzu, Azula had no problem with just waiting around for something to happen- provided, of course, that she knew something was indeed going to happen.
She was currently kneeling in the foyer of Grandfather's- Fire Lord Azulon's- suite, waiting for her appointment.
She was fairly certain a happening was about to go.
It had been a busy morning. By the time Father was up and ready to receive visitors, Azula had a full presentation (complete with visuals she could hang from a stand) on the various options they had for saving Zuko from himself. As Piandao changed the various maps and blueprints displayed on the stand, Azula had gone through each option for either trying to reach Zenmatsu Island by sunset or organizing some kind of assault using local forces (including itemized lists of costs). Being able to provide such thorough information to Father was its own reward.
And yet Father had chosen none of those options.
"You did an excellent job, Azula. You've obviously put much thought into this, and I'm proud of how hard you've worked to find a way to help your brother," he had said. But there was no pride his face, just a tightness she hated to see. "Yet I'm afraid that even the best of these options seem tenuous, and this Agni Kai isn't an isolated event. If we interfere with haste, we might be putting Zuko in even greater danger. As much as I ache to help him, we'll have to trust in his perseverance and prepare for what comes next."
Azula had wanted to ask, with a deadpan tone, if she should go ahead and assume she'd be an only child by tomorrow, but the look on Father's face had stopped her. He was plainly worried.
And Azula had failed to help.
But Father was strong, and so he had stood up and said, "We have to identify our enemies and break off their ability to influence events. And we need to bring Zuko back here as quickly as possible. That might bring us into conflict with Iroh's forces, so we need to prepare for that, as well. Piandao, we have much to discuss. Azula, you've been up for hours, forced to deal with this stressful situation without guidance, and I apologize for that. You should take a nap. You know you need the proper amount of sleep to stay healthy."
On the one hand, it was nice to have Father acknowledge the sacrifices she had made for Zuzu.
On the other hand, Azula had been dismissed while the grown-ups talked about important matters.
She needed to do something to help. She needed to prove to Father that she could be included. She needed to find a challenge that would force herself to grow as a person, princess, and destroyer.
So, naturally, she had gone straight to make an appointment to see the Fire Lord. And had waited. And waited. And waited. Grandfather was, presumably, a busy man.
The door at the far end of the foyer finally slid open, and Azula looked to find a man walking into the room, followed by the old women Li and Lo. The man wore servant robes, revealing only the skin of his face and hands, but even that much was all covered in blood-red writing. The tattoos were very fine, and Azula recognized on his cheeks a portion of the text of the Nawaphon Hnangsux- specifically, the passage about how all other elements bow to Fire, and even the bones of the earth can melt.
Ah. This would be Mutan of Lower Hu Sin, then.
A Weapon of the Fire Nation and Grandfather's personal advisors. Well, even if she was being screened, at least she was being taken seriously.
The old women kneeled down side-by-side across from Azula, while Mutan took a place standing at attention with his back to the far wall. The Weapon was acting as a guard, then. Azula glanced around the room, and spotted several decorative pieces- a statue here, a vase there, and so on- that could be made of stone, all potential ammunition for an Earthbender. Yes, she was indeed being taken seriously.
Li (or Lo) said, "Princess Azula."
Lo (or Li) said, "What brings you to the Fire Lord?"
Azula smiled. "Oh, I just wanted to talk about this matter with Zuko. It's obvious that Grandfather is behind drawing him into the Agni Kai, but honestly, all these complications are just making trouble for everyone. Wouldn't it be better to reach an accord so we can all get on with our lives?"
Li (or Lo) said, "What makes you think Fire Lord Azulon has anything to do with Zuko's duel?"
Lo (or Li) added, "The Prince has a history of burning in his own fuel."
Ah, a reference to the hilarious 'friendly-fire' incident that got Zuko his scar and ended Father's military career. These sycophants thought themselves so clever. "Please, don't insult me. I'm not here to argue or deliver some kind of formal legal charge. I just wanted to ask what we can do to resolve this without further difficulty. There's little gain in continuing to antagonize each other, especially with so many Weapons involved. Things could easily get out of hand."
Li and Lo didn't so much as glance at each other, but Azula was sure that the twins would be on the same page. One of them (the one on the left) said, "Prince Ozai was the first to make use of Weapons."
The one on the right continued, "He requested the service of Piandao when he resigned from the Fire Army. Checking his ambitions has led to escalation."
Azula snorted. "Please, you act like Father is planning treason." Why bother when Grandfather was so old that a stiff breeze would probably kill him? Considering Uncle's plan for the Avatar, perhaps it even would be a stiff breeze! "He just wants Zuko back, so that we can serve the Fire Nation as the Royal Family is supposed to, compared to traitors like Uncle Iroh."
Li (or Lo) leaned forward. "That is escalation, too. Assembling a stronger faction here in the Capital, using the son who Ozai burned and let be sent away?"
Lo (or Li) leaned back. "Since when does Prince Ozai care for his son? The Fire Lord thinks it a falsehood meant to lead him astray."
Azula concealed her surprise. She didn't know how to answer that. She couldn't explain how Father had changed his mind about Zuko- how Father had changed so much in general since the banishment. He became more verbal, more willing to offer praise for things other than achievement. He became interested in things besides strength and Firebending. And he decided that he wanted Zuko back, safe and welcome.
Or was it just part of Father's plans? According to Piandao, there were things going on that even Azula didn't know. Could-
Could Father's behavior be part of that?
Was he manipulating everyone?
Was he manipulating Azula?
Well, if he was, then he surely had a good reason. Perhaps she wasn't strong or clever enough. She would have to prove herself, or allow herself to be destroyed in the attempt.
It took a moment before Azula was confident enough to speak again. "Then perhaps what is needed here in the palace is some de-escalation. Surely, a path can be negotiated where Zuko can return and the Royal Family as a whole grows in strength."
Li and Lo both narrowed their eyes. The one on the right said, "The return of Zuko would come with a considerable price."
The one on the left added, "The Fire Lord is eager to learn what you have that will entice."
Azula shook her head. "I am not here to work out a deal just yet. But it is good to know that the Fire Lord is open to such-"
"Azula!"
The sound of Father's voice jolted her spine like a fizzled attempt at Lightningbending. She froze and tensed, her combat instincts coming into play, but the heavy sound of Father's footsteps behind her cooled her Inner Fire.
Father's hands clamped around her right arm and dragged her out of the room.
He only let go when they were back out in the hall. Azula stumbled to her feet (she would meet the punishment that was sure to come with strength and obedience) and glanced around. There were the Crimson Guards in front of Grandfather's door, of course, and some servants moving around on business. She wished they would all go away.
The guards slid the doors to Grandfather's suite shut as Father whirled on her.
Azula forced herself not to cringe.
Then she saw Father's expression.
He wasn't mad.
He looked terrified.
He pulled her into a hug. "Are you all right? I came as soon as I learned where you were! What were you thinking?"
"I-" Azula blinked. Talking while being hugged felt strange. And she didn't like how the guards and servants could see this. She whispered, "You said we had to prepare for what is going to come next for Zuko. Negotiating an end to hostilities with Gra- Fire Lord Azulon struck me as the most efficient course of action."
Father leaned back so that she could see him smile. "You're such a good sister, trying to take care of Zuko like this, but you shouldn't have risked yourself." He lowered his voice and added, "Those old spider-snakes are monsters. I don't want you anywhere near them."
This-
This was because Father was worried about her?
Did he think Azula so weak?!
Or-
Was there more going on than Azula was aware?
More than Father didn't want her to know?
Azula hated having these thoughts.
But she knew she wouldn't be able to serve Father properly until she managed to defeat her doubts. And, in the end, that was all she wanted: to be the best daughter in all of history. "Yes, Father. It will be as you say."
"Good." He finally let her out of the hug, but kept a hand on her back as he guided her back to his own suite in the palace. "I have some thoughts on how we can quickly get Zuko back here, once this business with the Agni Kai is done. I need your opinion on some aspects of the plan. Do you feel up to it?"
"Of course."
She always did everything that her father commanded.
Always.
Sometimes, it seemed to Mai like she was the one who always got stuck cleaning up after all the stupid people in her life.
Always.
She leaned against one of the columns that formed the colonnade circling Governor Hige's whole mansion, watching the small stream of people headed for the large courtyard at the rear of the grounds. It was there that, in about half an hour, Zuko and Gerel would have their Agni Kai. The sun was dipping towards the horizon, and Hige's guests- the other Outer Island governors and staff members and whoever else was currently freeloading- were trading whispers as they hurried to get a good seat.
At least they weren't smiling. The morons were smart enough to know that there wasn't going to be any good outcome to this particular Agni Kai. Even those who might immediately benefit from having either Zuko or Gerel shamed- or worse- could get rolled over in all the drama that was sure to follow.
Said drama could even include a civil war, just because this was the Fire Nation.
Finally, Mai spotted the person she was waiting for. It wasn't one of her friends, or even one of friend-adjacent allies who were part of this conspiracy of Prince Iroh's. No, those were all helping Zuko get ready in some form or another, right down to King Toph advising him that the key to winning a duel was to win, not lose. Mai had quietly excused herself from that, leaving it in Sokka's more or less capable hands to make sure Zuko was on time. And, yes, Mai was trusting Suki to manage things as well. She may not exactly like the Kyoshi rebel, but Suki was competent enough.
No, Mai was waiting for Heiyaoshi.
And Heiyaoshi was passing by, walking all by herself to the Agni Kai, none of the other Weapons in sight. Gerel, of course, would be preparing for the fight, and it seemed that Bangfei didn't feel the need to hang around with the others all the time. Smart of him.
Mai straightened, went over to fall into step with Heiyaoshi, and said, "If Zuko dies, I'm going to turn you into the world's tackiest pin-cushion."
"Tacky?" Heiyaoshi looked over with a frown. "Black is the sacred color of the Blademasters of Kilauea, the color of volcano glass. Volcanoes are what formed the islands of the whole Homeland. They are our ancestors, in a way."
Mai didn't feel the need to get into a theological argument about how elegant styling and a dash of color could enhance the impact of wearing black and that Heiyaoshi looked a walking ink stain. "I'm serious. Your life is on the line with this Agni Kai."
"And what exactly would that accomplish? There's no need to make this personal. I was just doing my duty as a Weapon of the Fire Nation. I am quite fond of Prince Zuko, but a weapon does not choose how a warrior chooses to use it."
"What makes you think this is personal?" Mai didn't even miss a step. "I am a Weapon, too, and everyone knows I don't care about anything."
Heiyaoshi actually smiled. "Then why warn me? If retaliation against me is your duty, then giving me notice will only make it harder for you. A Blademaster of Kilauea thrives on long-term planning."
Hm. Mai hadn't thought about that.
Her thoughts had been wrapped up in the danger Zuko was in and how she was supposed to feel about it. The whole situation made her angry, but she couldn't identify the reason. Sure, Zuko was a necessary part of this whole conspiracy they were running with Iroh, and Aang believed that it was their best shot at starting to fix the world.
But having that threatened shouldn't make Mai actively angry.
The obvious answer, of course, was that she cared for Zuko on some level. That's why she got started on this whole mess, after all, all the way back in the South Pole. But then she formed a real friendship with Aang and Sokka, and later Suki (kind of) and Katara and now maybe even King Toph. And her reunion with Zuko had been terrible, leaving her disappointed in him and angry at how he'd changed. She could work with him for this scheme as long as he wasn't being a jerk, but she knew that her old attachment to him- whatever it was- was gone.
So why was she angry?
Was caring about people not something you could turn off once you started, even if you didn't particularly want to be a part of their lives anymore?
Ugh, that would be the worst.
Of course, Mai wasn't about to share that with a woman who lied and killed for a living. "I'm telling you so that when you start looking over your shoulder every waking moment to see if I have a line-of-sight on you, your employers will be aware of just what a stupid mistake they made. And I'm telling you now on the off chance you can actually do something to stop this, as useless as you probably are. It's not like I had anything better to do."
"Ah. I hope that on some level I don't disappoint you."
Mai stopped, and let Heiyaoshi continue on to the courtyard. Stands had been erected for the audience to sit and observe, and the center of the space was staked off to form a field of battle. Zhao's guards were stationed around the courtyard, although there weren't a lot of them. Zhao was running low on soldiers after the attack of the Disciple of the Third Eye. Would Iroh send more as reinforcements?
Mai felt a wind whip at her clothes. She turned and found Aang coming in for a landing, his glider snapping back into a staff, just outside the colonnade.
He trotted over to her. "Was that Heiyaoshi? The Weapon who sent Zuko to Hira'a?"
Mai nodded.
Aang looked over at the makeshift arena, and then back at Mai. "How come you were talking with her?"
Mai shrugged. "Just preparing for the Agni Kai in my own way."
"Oh. Um, were you threatening her?" Aang actually blushed. "It's just that it seems like something you would do."
Mai felt an absurd urge to smile, but successfully denied it. She didn't want to antagonize Aang like that. "Yeah, I told her I'd kill her if Zuko dies. And yes, I was serious. I don't like when people go after my friends, or friend-adjacent allies. Knives are very good at hurting people back, and I'm very good at knives."
Aang looked back over at where Zuko would soon be fighting an Agni Kai. "I know not everyone thinks life is sacred- or, you know, sacred enough not to sometimes want to kill- but trying to hurt other people can hurt you, too. Look what Prince Zuko has gotten into."
Mai blinked. "But earlier you told him you understood why he had to do it."
"I do. But that doesn't mean I don't wish I could change the way he thinks. I just know I can't. But with you-" He turned to her with eyes that seemed to be softer than even his disarming usual. "I really don't want you to get hurt. And I know you can change if you really want to, even if it's hard and kind of messy."
Wow. Quite the commitment he was asking of her. Mai shrugged. "Well, we're on a path that's going to bring us against lots of different enemies. I have an aversion of getting hurt, myself, but I'd rather it be me getting hurt than my friends. And friend-adjacent allies."
Aang sighed. "Yeah. I understand that, too."
And Mai knew he did. "Come on, let's go give Zuko some last words of tiresome encouragement or whatever he thinks he wants from us."
Zuko kneeled on the northern end of the Agni Kai grounds and prepared himself for a fight. He breathed and focused on the feel of the setting sun on the bare skin of his back and arms. He let the silk bolt resting on his shoulders remind him of his status as a recognized Firebender warrior. He let his sister's words, the talk of strategy and strength she had imparted when training him to fight the Avatar, run through his head.
But mostly, he tried to avoid thinking about how worried his friends and allies had looked when they wished him luck and let him go to his battlefield. Suki could barely even talk, she was so clamped down with (presumably) fear.
But Zuko had to fight this duel. He had to avenge his mother's home village. He had to learn why Lady Gerel had been sent to make war on their Homeland, and who had ordered such a thing.
A gong was struck.
The duel had begun.
Zuko inhaled sharply and moved in a rising spin that brought him fully to his feet and gave him enough power and momentum to snap out a punch that blossomed with flame. It wasn't the most respectful or honorable way to begin a duel, but it was probably his only way to win.
He had a brief glimpse of his opponent before the fire consumed his line of sight, and she had only begun to turn to face him. He noted that her arms- surprisingly solid for such an old woman, but not for a Weapon of the Fire Nation- were still at her sides, and while she was wearing the typical female attire for an Agni Kai, she hadn't taken off her blindfold that blood-red cloth with the character 'Dragon' painted on it.
But for now Zuko could only see the fire, and he quickly slid to his right along the edge of the battlefield, hopeful that with flames between them, Gerel wouldn't be able to sense his body heat-
A fireball like a comet came out of nowhere to explode on the ground at his feet. Zuko jumped away from the riot of sound and light and heat, wondering if the fireball had been crafted to be louder and more explosive so that Gerel could keep track of it, or perhaps flush Zuko out of hiding-
No.
Wait.
The fire wasn't fading. Gerel must be maintaining it.
A second explosion came from Zuko's other side, filling his world with fire. It was intimidating, but it hadn't come close to hitting him, and although these fires were being maintained as well, he had little to fear from them. Yes, even a Firebender could be burned- his scar and missing eye were proof enough of that- but not if he worked to prevent it. A simple motion was all it would take to assume control of any flames that got too close, and then he could handle them without fear of injury-
-just like Gerel was doing now as she advanced through her screen of flames. Zuko ducked to execute a sweeping kick that would send his own fire at her feet in a bid to turn her approach-
-but Gerel breathed and the flames around him grew, cutting her off from his sight-
-and Zuko was forced to roll clear as the flames shifted, undulating and whipping around unpredictably. Zuko stood back up and raised his arms in preparation to defend himself from the growing flames, but then they suddenly drew back, only to pulse forward again in certain spots, and then those spots retreated back while others flared and the flares whipped around chaotically before dying to let other sources flow into the same space in the air-
The fire undulated around him, and Zuko felt like he was trapped in a bag while unseen enemies on all sides beat on it with fists and sticks. How could anyone be controlling this with any level of precision? It was too chaotic. His whole world was flames and already he could feel them searing the skin on his arms and shoulders and back and chest and-
Gerel burst out of the fire, twisting and ducking to avoid her own conflagration. Zuko quickly punched a fireball at her, but she twirled just enough to avoid it and continued in her approach, moving quickly despite having to avoid the twisting and lashing inferno-
The Avatar.
She was moving almost like the Avatar, quick on her feet and holding her body in a way that let her turn in an instant while still maintaining full control. It wasn't quite Aang's style; Gerel wasn't holding a solid stance, instead almost weaving like a drunk in a way that would have looked sloppy if not for the fact that every movement kept her just out of the dangerous reach of another flame.
She-
She could see. Or something like it.
Zuko realized that she wasn't controlling the conflagration. She had unleashed the full fury and unpredictability of fire, and she was somehow seeing- or- or sensing each bit of the flames, and reacting to them.
He also realized just how in over his head he was here.
As Gerel approached, Zuko decided that his only hope was to end this as quickly as possible. He jumped at Gerel, summoning his Inner Fire to his left foot and snapping out a kick that would-
-Gerel leaned forward, catching his foot with her right hand even before he could build up any flame, and pushed with just enough force to make him land in a backwards stumble-
-a gout of flame lashed at his back, and Zuko couldn't stop himself from crying out-
-an open palm smacked against his head, spinning him around and he couldn't keep his balance and he felt a new heat covering his sweating body-
-flames stabbed at the skin of his bare feet-
-he screamed-
-he fell-
-fire all around him-
-had to find Gerel-
-didn't even know where he himself was on the battlefield-
-too bad he wasn't fighting her in the rain again-
-pain on his arm-
-another whip of fire-
-roll away-
-hands-
-his hands were in the flames-
-he couldn't win-
-he couldn't survive-
-forfeit the match-
-too busy screaming to find the words-
-help-
-enough-
-enough-
-wait-
-someone was screaming, "Enough!"
An explosion of cool air washed over Zuko, dampening his pain for a blissful moment, and he beheld a brief image of a blue glow that was at once searing and comforting, a glow in the shape of an arrow pointing down to two eyes narrowed in anger-
-and then everything went dark.
Aang couldn't not intervene. As soon as he saw Zuko disappear into that storm of flame, and heard the cries of anguish echoing across the courtyard, fear pierced his heart. It was fear for Zuko, yes, and also fear for what Mai would be forced to do if the prince didn't survive. The fear lanced deep enough to carve a path straight into the deepest parts of his self.
And in those deep parts, Aang's past lives could be found.
It was Avatar Roku who screamed a denial of Zuko's suffering, and in that moment, Aang agreed completely. He didn't want to see anyone hurt, not Zuko or Mai or Sokka or Suki or anyone. Yes, he had struggled with hate for Zuko, when he thought Zuko's sister might have killed Appa, and he remembered all too vividly the ambush on Crescent Island. But even hate wasn't enough for Aang to want someone to get hurt.
He didn't need a plan or any fancy tricks. Roku provided the power, and all Aang had to do was slam his hands together and imagine the winds that used to blanket the Southern Air Temple. With the full force of the Avatars of the past behind it, the result was an explosion or air that knocked everyone in the courtyard to the ground and strangled the fire.
Then Aang leaped out over the battlefield, riding the winds to a landing right beside Zuko. The prince didn't move from the ground, and the skin of his bare torso was red and ragged and wet.
The sight shocked Aang straight out of the Avatar State, and he was left as just the last Airbender, the center of attention at a well-attended Fire Nation death-duel.
The whole courtyard was silent except for Zuko's ragged breathing.
Then Lady Gerel crawled forward, lowering her head into a kowtow. "I accept the Avatar's declaration of the Agni Kai's conclusion. I decline the opportunity to take further action against my challenger."
Aang blinked. That- that was convenient.
He heard footsteps behind him, and turned to see Suki running over to Zuko, leading a man and woman who were carrying bags of supplies. They kneeled around the fallen prince, and as they began to work, Aang realized they were healers. Maybe Zuko would be all right, and they'd avoided disaster and all kinds of bad things! Sure, it wasn't good for Zuko that he had lost, but-
"Is this what we're being asked to support?!" The call was loud and dripping with anger. Aang looked to the audience, and found one man- the governor of Hantaino Island, Aang remembered from the welcoming ceremony and introductions- standing. The old man looked around at the other spectators scattered and knocked down by the wind blast. "Even if we take the Avatar's action as legal, is this who we're to count on to save the Fire Nation? A boy who doesn't have the strength to control his power? A child who will fly into a- a glowing cursed rage whenever one of his friends is hurt?"
Aang shrugged. "Well, who doesn't want to help their friends?"
Apparently, a lot of Fire Nation big-shots, because the various governors, politicians, and important people all looked less than convinced as they untangled themselves from the stands.
One woman in some fancy clothes said, "He couldn't even protect Governor Hige, despite his power! At least we know the limits of the Fire Lord's strength."
Another voice added, "And the Fire Army is exploring those new metals for use in the colonies-"
"My esteemed countrymen," Lord Zhao interrupted, hurrying over from where he had been observing with the guards. He was still straightening his robes as his steady voice carried clearly over the courtyard. "I heartily encourage discussion about the opportunities available to you, but this is not the place. A glorious Agni Kai has been fought here, and as- ah, unorthodox as it may have ended, we should respect that. The governor's staff tells me that dinners will be available to be served in your rooms, soon, and it will be much more comfortable to meet in smaller, more orderly groups. Please, let us retire from this place with respect and decorum."
Aang heard some grumbling from the spectators, but it quickly faded and they all began leaving, filing out of the courtyard and into the colonnade that would lead them back to their rooms. He glanced back and saw that Zuko was being carried away on a stretcher, observed by Lady Gerel, but before Aang returned to his friends, he hurried over to Lord Zhao. "Um, thanks for that. It seemed like it was about to get ugly."
Zhao the Younger approached from behind Aang, and it seemed like he was sneering less than usual. "Yes, Father, that was well done. It seems that you're not completely compromised."
Lord Zhao's face was as expressionless as Mai's usually was. "I have my own ties, but I am still responsible for organizing this gathering, and I will not accept a riot on the field of an Agni Kai. Thank you both for your appreciation, but if I may be so bold as to offer a bit of insight, you have much more important things to worry about."
Commander Zhao nodded. "True. At this rate, we're going to have the leadership of the Fire Nation completely turn against us, and I'd say we're about a week out from the first assassination attempts from the governors. I dread the report I'm going to have to make to my commanding officer."
Aang knew that the younger Zhao was referring to Prince Iroh.
By saving Zuko, had he completely messed up his whole reason for coming to the Fire Nation? To the point that more people were now going to try to kill him and his friends?
Oops.
TO BE CONTINUED
