Hello everyone! Welcome to chapter 40 of Sparks Ignite! I don't want to talk too much before this chapter because things are about to get crazy! So buckle up! But I do want to point out that after this chapter and moving forward, this story will now be my longest to date! And that's not including Freedom! I'm so happy you guys are enjoying this story and are continuing to read! So thank you! As always, I do not own avatar or its characters. Onto the story!
Fate and Destiny are a funny thing. They are so permanent, but yet can be changed by the smallest thing. It can cause the moon and the sun to collide. Or the most opposite Sparks to Ignite.
Chapter 40: The Last Chance
It was only a matter of time before they were given the go ahead that the bunker was complete and that they could move him. Aang and Toph spent day and night building sculptures and tests that would keep Ozai locked inside. They weren't worried about him getting out. He didn't have bending and there was no way a non bender would be able to defy these obstacles. But somebody else getting in was the more difficult option.
Katara and Zuko had left their outfits laid on the armchair in their rooms for the past week, just waiting for the proper moment. As soon as they got the signal, it would be time to move. There wouldn't be time to waste.
As things drew closer, the group decided not to meet and discuss anything else. They couldn't risk being found out. It was like the plan didn't even exist. They all acted as such.
Breakfasts were always quiet nowadays. There wasn't much to discuss, only the sounds of their forks hitting the china.
"So where are the two lovebirds this morning?" Iroh spoke, the first one to speak since their polite good mornings as they sat down. Zuko shot him a look of warning. The older man had been making jokes about Aang and Toph for weeks, seeing a "connection" between the two. Katara looked up at him, "Oh they decided to eat later and take a flight on Appa"
"Oh how romantic!" Iroh chuckled deeply. Zuko rolled his eyes and tried his best to ignore it. Katara still hadn't said anything to Aang and as much as he tried to shove it down, it bothered him. He wanted to be able to announce he was courting her, officially. He wanted to be able to kiss her when he wanted and just be with her.
He understood that with relocating Ozai, there was more to worry about. But he at least expected her to start to drop hints to the younger boy. But she still acted like nothing had changed, going off with him alone and letting him flirt absentmindedly. It boiled his blood just thinking about it.
Zuko stood up abruptly, gathering attention from the table, "I have a meeting to attend to…"
He quickly fled the room, not looking back at how Katara gave him a small look, indicting she didn't quite want him to leave. They hadn't spent much time together over the past week. If he wasn't in meetings or in his study doing paperwork, he was in the arena, practicing. A few times she had gone and watched him, but not after long, he would tell her that she was distracting him.
She knew he was waiting for her to tell Aang and she wanted to, so badly. But there was so much happening, with Ozai's relocation and the threat of the rebels looming over their heads. He still didn't know about the masked man and she worried he may make an appearance. If he found out they all knew and he didn't, he would be furious.
Katara stood, "I'm going to go get some fresh air…" she walked from the room, not waiting for anybody's response, and began to walk down the wide-open hallways. She seemed to know this palace like the back of her hand now. It was just a short time ago when she would get lost in its corridors but now, she could find its rooms with her eyes closed.
Her wandering had led her towards the throne room, hoping to catch Zuko as he finished his meeting. But as she approached, she quickly jumped behind a pillar at who she saw standing outside the doors.
She leaned against the wall, hoping to catch a word at what they were discussing.
Zuko sat in his throne and looked down at his advisors, scowls on his face. The flames rose with every word they spoke.
"Sire, we told you two weeks, and that was almost 2 months ago" Advisor Chen spoke. The Fire Lord quickly cut him off, "If you hadn't noticed Chen, I was slightly preoccupied with trying not to die!"
The flames soared into the air, taking all of the advisors aback. "And that is exactly what we are trying to prevent Fire Lord" another advisor spoke, "The attacks on you and your throne will not stop anytime soon… If someone were to succeed…"
"You mock my strength?" Zuko spoke. Advisor Wan jumped in, trying to pick up the pieces his fellow advisors had left, "No sire, we would never test your strength. We have found a suitable betrothed for you and we would like if you would give her a chance"
"I will do nothing of the sort. Send her away, thank you" the Fire Lord commanded, he would not allow them to speak to him this way. He ruled over them, not the other way around.
But Advisor Chen turned to the servant, "Send her in. He may change his mind once he sees her"
A servant went to the doors and opened them, clearing conflicted with this command but followed the order once the Fire Lord didn't protest. The doors opened and Mai walked through.
As soon as the doors closed behind her, Katara walked closer to the door, hoping to get a better look.
"Mai…" he spoke. She bowed before him, "Fire Lord… It is good to see you after all these years…"
Zuko stuttered on his words, unsure what to say or do. Advisor Chen spoke up, "We knew of your previous relationship, so we reached out to her in a treaty. She comes from a powerful family as you already know. She would be a model Fire Lady for this country…"
Mai's father stood a step in front of her, her clearly following in line. He took another step forward and spoke for her, "My daughter would be honored to carry on the role that your mother left behind… We have also heard of Lady Ursa's return and we are so happy she has finally returned home"
Zuko bowed his head, "Thank you but"
The girl's father cut him off, "Mai would make an excellent suitor and a fantastic Fire Lady. We have trained her for this moment since the day she was born. She would be able to handle the affairs required and stand by your side, while also giving you the heir that you desire"
Zuko could see Mai blush at this. He felt a little sorry for her. Her father was standing her offering her up like she was a piece of meat. He tried to grant her a gracious smile but it was not received. She stood with her head down, doing what she was told.
Even though it had been a long time since him and Mai had been together, a part of him would always care for her. There was nothing wrong with her and she is a wonderful woman. But she wasn't the woman for him.
"Fire Lord, we do believe that Lady Mai is the best choice as Fire Lady of this nation and your wife" Advisor Chen spoke, echoing Mai's father's sentiments.
Zuko cleared his throat, looking for a way out, "Mai, what do you think of this arrangement?"
Outside, Katara was sweating in her boots, looking for a way out of this. She wanted to run in there and scream no, but if Aang found out she did, she didn't want to see the look on his face.
Mai looked up at him and spoke, "I do hold affection for you my lord, and I care for this country. And I would be honored to stand by your side"
He mentally cursed himself, hoping that she would have protested the union. But if he knew Mai at all, he knew she would not protest her father's wishes.
Mai's father cleared his throat, "And you Fire Lord?" looking to him for a response. Zuko sighed and spoke, "Well… I regret to inform you that I am already courting another suitor"
Everyone gasped at this, including Katara standing outside.
"Who?" Advisor Chen asked, shock written all over his face. Zuko cleared his throat and stuttered for a moment. Katara had told him to tell no one of their courtship. But if he didn't, that may mean that they wouldn't allow it. He was sure what to do in the moment "Well uhh… she is not ready to come forward yet" he spoke, trying to buy himself some time to at least go tell Katara about the advisors.
The advisors whispered to themselves for a moment, silence around the room. Mai kept looking to her father before her, seeming embarrassed about the display.
Advisor Chen stepped forward once again, "We apologize sir but we do not have time for this. If your suitor does not announce herself then we will have to take larger measures to put Lady Mai in place"
Katara herself was looking around, trying to decide what to do. If Aang found out, he may hate her. But if she waited, they may lose their chance.
Zuko stood, the flames rising in front of him, a resemblance of his own anger. But before he could open his mouth to speak, the doors burst open behind them.
"Me" Katara spoke, her heart practically in her hands.
Ta-Daaa! They just announced to the court! Not in the most conventional way, but now they know! Wait until next chapter to see their reaction! Until next time!
