Book 1: Civil War
Chapter 2: Family Divided
The crowd erupts with cheers and applause. Zhongfeng's eyes go wide, and he turns to Shiwang, who is standing with his mouth agape. They lock eyes, and Shiwang's face becomes hard, and it turns red with anger. Zhongfeng tries to walk to him, but is pushed forward by his father, who shoves him towards the crowd. As he is greeted by the guests and congratulated, he doesn't hear anything said to him, as his mind is racing about what has occurred.
This is why he made me stand next to him, and not Shiwang. He was never going to make Shiwang the crown prince. Did Master Bushi know about this, is this what he meant?
When he finally reached the end of the congratulatory people, he immediately began looking for his brother. He runs to the door where they entered the courtyard. He opens the door and looks around. When he sees Shiwang sitting on the floor staring into nothing and talking to himself, he slowly approaches him.
"Are you alright," Zhongfeng asks him.
"Why," Shiwang says without looking up, and sounding defeated.
"Because you don't seem alright, and I wouldn't blame you. You've had your entire future ripped away from you."
"Why did you have to take this from me too," Shiwang akss, his voice shaking.
"What do you mean? I've never taken anything from you. I had nothing to do with this," Zhongfeng's voice slowly rose as he spoke.
Shiwang shoots up, and jams a finger at Zhongfeng's chest. "You've taken everything from me," he yells.
"I've never taken anything. I've worked for everything I've gotten," Zhongfeng yells in response.
"You've taken everything. My birthright, my throne, my respect, and you've taken all of father's love."
"What are you talking about?"
"Ever since you've been born, father has given you everything. He gave you the best masters, took you on diplomatic missions, and only talks about you and all you've done. He doesn't care about me or Mienai, he only sees you. I can't believe I didn't see it sooner, that he was going to name you as the next Firelord. You're the only thing he cares about." Shiwang turns around and begins to walk away.
"That's not true and you know it, Shiwang."
Shiwang stops, turns around and punches Zhongfeng across the jaw. Zhongfeng turns back, eyes wide. Shiwang's face has turned into a snarl. He punches Zhongfeng again. Zhongfeng walks right up to his brother, and looks down at him, as he is nearly half a foot taller than him. Shiwang reaches back to punch again, but is blocked by Zhongfeng as he grabs his brother's arm. He punches Shiwang's nose. Shiwang staggers back as the tears flood into his eyes. Zhongfeng charges him and takes him to the ground.
Zhongfeng is on top of his brother, and rains down punches. Shiwang tries to block, but most of Zhongfeng's punches land. Shiwang then tries to push him off, but is unable to move him. Zhongfeng then elbows his brother right above his right eye. Shiwang then grabs his brother's arm and pushes up. Zhongfeng struggles in pain, and punches his brother in the ribs to get him to release his arm. As Shiwang lets go, Zhongfeng grabs his arm, pins it under him and pushes up. Shiwang screams in pain as he feels the muscles in his shoulder being stretched against his will.
The fight draws the notice of the royal family and the royal guard. The guards struggle to pull the brothers off each other. After a few minutes, they are finally separated. Shiwang kicks his foot out and flames erupt, but are unable to reach Zhongfeng, who in response, breathes fire towards Shiwang. Their father steps in between the two brothers. "What has gotten into you two," he asks.
Neither of the brothers respond, they just take hurried breaths, as they are tired from their fight.
"How can you fight on such a joyful day," Moshu asks.
Shiwang is the first to speak, "How can I be joyful when you've taken everything I ever dreamed of away from me?" Zhongfeng notices that there is a gash above Shiwang's right eye, and it is bleeding.
Moshu ponders the question. "Guards take them to their rooms. I want to see you two in the throne room in an hour. Hopefully, you will have cooled off by then," he says sternly.
With that, the guards drag them away to their rooms.
After the guards throw Zhongfeng into his room, he walks out to the balcony and lets out a yell with flames erupting from his mouth. He takes heavy breaths, and can feel the rage continuing to bubble up inside of him. The door to his room opens, and he turns to see his best friend, Fudo.
"Sorry I'm late, but I've been on a long scouting mission," he says with a wide grin across his face
Zhongfeng lets out a chuckle, "I know, I'm the one who sent you on it." Zhongfeng walks up to him and the two friends hug.
"I only wish I could have gotten a haircut and shave before I came, but I was in a rush to get here" Fudo says as he motions to his long brown hair that now almost touches his shoulders, and he had started to grow a scruffy beard.
Zhongfeng puts a hand to his goatee, "I guess you were trying to copy my beard."
Fudo laughs and puts a hand on Zhongfeng's shoulder. "So, you're going to be the next Firelord?"
Zhongfeng's smile fades, "I guess so."
Fudo removes his hand from Zhongfeng's shoulder, "I'm sorry about what happened between you and your brother."
Zhongfeng sits down on his bed, "He thinks I had something to do with it. He wouldn't listen to me. He said I took everything from him."
Fudo takes a seat next to him, "No, you earned it. If he would have put in the work you did, he would be the crown prince. The nation wouldn't have accepted him as the next Firelord with his past."
"That may be so, but it just doesn't feel right, to take his birthright from him."
Fudo gives him a reassuring look, "Everything is happening for a reason, and it's out of your control. Focus on what you can control."
Zhongfeng smiles, "So, did you learn anything of importance on your mission?"
Fudo sighs and pinches the bridge of his nose, "I did, but I didn't have enough time to fully investigate it." Zhongfeng raises his eyebrows, nodding for him to continue. "Jianchi gets his information and intelligence from someone inside the government, but I don't know who it is, or how high up they may be."
Zhongfeng stands up and puts his hands on his head, eyes and mouth wide with shock. "We have to tell my father immediately."
"We can't say anything with anyone else around. This informant could be anybody," Fudo warns him.
"Alright, I'll tell him after the meeting." As soon as he finishes the sentence, a royal guard enters.
"Your father has called you and your brother to the throne room," he says.
Zhongfeng nods to Fudo and walks out the door.
When Zhongfeng arrives, he sees that the rest of his family is already present. He also notices the sling Shiwang is wearing for his right arm, and the cut above his eye, which hasn't fully closed yet. His father was sitting on his throne, hands arched in front of him. His mother, Kongbai, sits next to him with an impassive look on her face. Mienai, his younger sister, sits on the floor by his mother, looking uninterested.
Moshu is the first to speak, "I understand that you two may be confused or upset by what has happened, but know that I have made my decision based on what is best for the Fire Nation, not personal feelings towards either of you. Shiwang, while you are upset, and you have a right to be, that was no excuse to start a fight with your brother. I did not speak to him before the ceremony, I made this decision without telling or conferring with anyone. I am very sorry I did not tell you beforehand of my choice."
Shiwang scoffs and says, "You've never cared about Mom, Mienai, or me. You've only cared about Zhongfeng because he's the avatar. You don't even see him as a son, you see him as a poster boy, a vanity project. You've only cared about yourself, and keeping your image up. The only reason you made him the Crown Prince is because he's the avatar, and it'll look better for your legacy if the avatar succeeds you."
Moshu laughs in response. "You really think that's the only reason I named him my heir. I couldn't have a disappointment, an embarrassment, on the throne of the Fire nation." Shiwang just bows his head. "You got kicked out of the Royal Academy. You got dishonorably discharged from the military. How could you expect me to name you the Crown Prince, after all the shame and dishonor you have brought our family," his father's voice was almost a yell.
"If you won't give me what is rightfully mine, I will fight for it," Shiwang says strongly.
"Shiwang, don't-," Zhongfeng is cut off by a stern look from his father.
"I declare an Agni Kai," Shiwang says, defiantly looking at Moshu. "I will fight Zhongfeng for the throne."
A grin crosses the face of Moshu. "You're a fool if you think you can defeat him in a battle of any kind."
"It's not about if I can beat him, it's about keeping my honor. I will not sit back and watch as he takes what is mine."
"You lost your honor a long time ago," Moshu says. "Nevertheless, I will allow this. Tomorrow at sunset, you will face Zhongfeng. When you lose, you are banished from the Fire nation, as tomorrow will be the last time you disgrace this family."
On the ship in the Eastern seaboard of the Fire nation, Jianchi stares into the waves. He can feel the tides shifting, both in the water and in the war. He senses that something big is about to happen, and it will change the course of the war. For 22 years, his men have fought valiantly. Unfortunately, he had lost a lot of good men and friends. Now he is the only rebel faction still fighting. He reassures himself that, soon, it will all be worth it.
He is pulled out of his thoughts by an out of breath Yiban. "Sir, I have brought good news."
Without turning to face him, Jianchi replies, "From our informant?"
"Yes sir. He said that there will be an Agni Kai tomorrow, between the sons of the Firelord."
Jianchi smiles, that is what he sensed. This is what he needed.
"Shall we plan an attack sir?"
"Begin readying the troops immediately. Set a course for the capital. We will strike in the midst of this turmoil."
"Very well sir. I believe this will finally end this war."
"I'm not sure about that my friend. However, I do know the tides are changing, and they are turning in our favor."
With that, Yiban runs off to give the orders. Jianchi smiles as he stares at his reflection in the waves. A lot has changed since he's been home.