Author's Note: Hey, y'all, hey! I finally got to finish yet another chapter that is the introduction to the next arc. We will find out who is behind all of the chaos in the Fire Nation and we will see some sort of resolution to the stalemate/cold war with the Earth kingdom. Sokka will have to deal with some real mess in this chapter, unfortunately (poor baby). I am actually very glad that the gaang minus Aang was able to rescue Captain Nishikawa. I'm also glad he's not a bad guy. I don't think this will be the end of his tale in this story. Definitely more to come. Let me know what you think and give me a comment, favorite or follow if you are so inclined. Happy Reading!
Disclaimer: Is you is, or is you ain't my baby? Don't let your daddy keep me away from yooooou (scats in a Louis Armstrong voice)!-Prince Sokka of the Water Nation
Chapter 20-A Grand Escape
Figuring out how to get the recently "departed" Captain Nishikawa back into the Fire Nation before their ship left for the Caldera was turning out to be more difficult than previously believed.
Iroh reminded them that the protocol was to inspect all baggage and cargo once they returned to port after the attack on the capitol, so putting Nishikawa in the cargo hold was impossible. The band of heroes racked their brains for a way to get the captain back to the main island without him being recognized when Zuko got an idea.
"Ako," she began.
"Does your network happen to include Madame Hachi on Hashimoto Island? I think there may be a way to get the captain back to the main island without being detected." Ako raised an eyebrow.
"But every boat that comes to port must be inspected before unloading," he said.
Zuko smiled raising her one remaining eyebrow. "Yes, that's true with one exception..."
Ako and the captain immediately knew what she meant. Captain Nishikawa once again marveled at how smart and cunning his nation's princess is.
"Madame Hachi's Island is a part of the free waters. Because it's so remote they leave it to her and her employees to inspect the ships that come their way, but they only have ships bringing young ladies for the school or small-time fishermen to port." the captain said with a dawning understanding of the plan.
"By now Hilda would have arrived at your family's estate assumedly for a period of "mourning" and to establish the ancestral altar," Zuko suggested. Ako smiled at the brilliance of the plan.
"No one would expect for Hilda or her husband to leave the property in Hilda's condition, but it wouldn't be unexpected for her to receive visitors at this time," he added. The captain smiled at this.
"Especially not a former teacher and well-respected mentor that my daughter still speaks of highly. The question now is how do I get to Madame Hachi's estate so that I can get to my daughter?" he asked.
Zuko gave a broad knowing smile and made a beckoning gesture to her Water Tribe friends. A while later, Ako, Muta, and Ako's elderly "father" boarded a small fishing vessel now rented for an emergency trip to Hashimoto Island.
The elderly father needed a treatment that could only be found there and the environment of the remote and sparsely inhabited island would give him the perfect backdrop for healing or at least that was what the fisherman was led to believe.
Ako and Muta had no living family to speak of except for Muta's mother and stepfather, but Ako's family status was unknown. If anyone questioned the presence of Ako's father on the ship it wouldn't matter because there wasn't anyone to challenge the story. Ako was an orphan and very little was known about him prior to his joining the Royal Navy. The only person who knew this information was now pretending to be his father.
This was the perfect setup for getting the captain back to the Fire Nation. Sokka and Katara who knew a thing or two about blending in and changing appearances gave the captain a well-made disguise.
The false mustache and beard and drooping clothes gave Nishikawa the ideal cover for stooping low and pretending to be a bent-over old man well in his seventies or eighties.
The young couple didn't stick out with the elderly passenger, because traditionally many men in the Fire Nation had children well into their older years. Not a few citizens took younger wives and concubines once their wives of youth were up in age and use.
The fisherman didn't question anything beyond the realness of the gold pieces he received and whatever the small family's business was beyond what they told him was their business alone. He was glad to have a boon since the fishing had been pretty sparse these days following the war.
Naval fleets overfished the waters and drained the sea of precious resources and the livelihoods of the fishermen who attempted to bring hauls to market for the common folk. Fishermen were having to go farther and farther out to sea to meet even a minimum for their localities.
The seafood demand for the sailors and soldiers was so great prior to the Siege of the North, that it will take years for the fish to fully recover from their dwindling numbers if they haven't been fished to extinction already.
Ako promised that he and Muta would send a missive as soon as they arrived and give them progress on their mission. Zuko leaned in to give Ako a hug and whispered in his ear.
"Ako, I am so glad to have you on our side. It's hard to trust people when so many things have happened to destroy that for me, but I'm glad I can trust you." She stepped back and spoke in her normal tone.
"Please have a safe journey with Muta and your father and contact us as soon as you can." She said in an uncharacteristically maternal way. Zuko was fond of Muta and she felt that Ako was showing himself to be a kindred spirit and friend. Ako smiled.
"I will do everything in my power to continue to maintain that trust, your Highness. It is precious to us. We will reach out as soon as we can." he said.
Muta said very little, but gave the princess a tight hug and took in a deep inhale as she rested her head on her friend's shoulder. She hadn't left the princess's side in months since they were reunited and she wasn't looking forward to the separation now, but she did look forward to helping the captain get back to his family and serving the princess who risked her life on her own birthday to save him.
The "elderly" captain smiled, muttered something unintelligible, and gave a toothy wave as he was gently led by Ako onto the fishing ship staying in character until they eventually arrive at Madame Hachi's Island. Zuko and the others had no doubt that they would succeed.
Once the small vessel had taken off and was well on its journey, it was time for Zuko and her companions to return to the Caldera. Though the trip had proven to be stressful it was also fulfilling and gave Zuko confidence that they would get to the bottom of what was happening.
Unfortunately, one turn usually deserves another. Whoever was in charge of this coup and undercover rebellion was obviously not pleased with Nishikawa's escape.
His "passing" would put a damper on their plans and shatter the illusion that everything was well on his ship. A new captain would be sent out by General Iroh immediately to gather a full report with additional sailors effectively staunching any plans for that ship.
Would the leader of the rebellion dare kill the new captain and try to take over again? Would they even let the rebel Lord Hondo live after this? Though Zuko wasn't one hundred percent sure of the consequences of her actions, she was now potentially put in the crosshairs of the rebel leaders if they ever discovered it was she who aided the former Naval captain.
She had a feeling that Takeshi Hondo wouldn't dare admit that he was foiled by his now blind former fiancé once again. He would never be able to live down the unbelievable shame and poor luck of such news. Zuko figured her best course of action now was to pretend that nothing happened on her trip and to play the aloof and disabled royal for as long as possible.
As they boarded the ship to return home Iroh stood with his niece her arm in his. He was so proud of her though they hadn't had much time to talk about the successful mission.
He also had no doubt that the young leader of the New White Lotus would do everything he promised and more to ensure the captain's safety and return to Hilda. He only hoped that no one would make the connection to the princess's birthday trip and the sudden loss of the captain. Sometimes it was easier to create conspiracies out of the truth misconstrued rather than an outright lie.
Zuko was working out early the next morning in her training field. The trip back from Ember Island was uneventful and gave Zuko pause.
Was this the calm before the great storm or the deep breath before the plunge?
She didn't know and it bothered her to no end. The princess was completely out of control of this situation. Training in her arena allowed her to take her mind off of her worries and focus on the things she could control like her heat bending and honing her skills as a warrior and swordsman. She began to fence with swords practicing the positions she learned so many years ago with Master Piandao.
She started in her first position and breathed in and out moving her body and sword as one. She smiled as she detected a warm presence nearby. The tall and nimble figure made a bow and a hand gesture Zuko recognized as a greeting and show of respect.
Zuko assumed it was Sokka who occasionally would surprise her and spar with her when there was no one else around. It allowed them to truly unleash their abilities and meet one another as equals.
They didn't hold back from each other which Zuko respected immensely because Sokka didn't treat her like a fine porcelain doll or some other fragile object. He saw her as his match and sometimes as his better.
Zuko smiled again at the thought and returned the bow. She didn't speak as she knew that they were about to practice. It was understood between them that they were glad to see one another. Also, it was just less awkward overall to fight rather than talk.
The princess launched into her assault immediately. The figure only took microseconds to respond and countered her strike sending her back with the force of his blow. Zuko gave a small guffaw of surprise. She didn't expect Sokka to fight back so aggressively at the onset. Okay. Let's see where this goes...
In moments, Zuko was on the offensive again and struck with a force and fury she hadn't used perhaps ever. She wasn't sure of what had gotten into Sokka today, but she knew it was exhilarating and a refreshing change of pace.
Strangely this battle with Sokka was different he seemed to move more defensively, avoiding her hits and trying to wear her down which only served to frustrate her instead. What is he up to today?
She wondered if perhaps he had been practicing with someone else. But who would he possibly want to spar with other than her? A jealous niggling feeling crept its way up her spine and rose the fine hairs on her neck. What if he was meeting with some pretty badass warrior chick that didn't have a huge facial scar with perfect vision and now, he's just toying with me...?
Zuko launched into an assault that nearly nicked Sokka's head and that's when the battle changed. Before Zuko could strike out again she felt her feet get swept under by a strong wind. She landed squarely on her bottom and slid back several meters which felt reminiscent of another time she was bested by someone close to her.
Suddenly it all made sense: evasive maneuvers and wind? She wanted to chuckle aloud because she realized it was her former pupil and friend the Avatar, she used to train in fire bending. However, no one was supposed to know that they actually knew one another that well. It would be too suspicious and lead to questions she dare not answer.
Princess Zuko continued to pretend not to know who he was in case someone was spying on them which she suspected if the two crouching spots of red-orange heat behind the pillars of her arena were any indication.
"Who…who are you? She asked with more curiosity than nervousness. She sat up and allowed her weapons to drop to show she was done fighting. Soft footfalls landed before her and a deep voice gently replied.
"Avatar Aang at your service, Your Highness." Zuko hurried into an honorable bow to the Avatar breathless with excitement and her workout.
"It is good…to finally make your acquaintance personally Avatar Aang," she said still breathless. Aang grinned widely.
"I have heard many good things about you as well Princess Zuko. Though we never met on the battlefield during the great war, I heard of your deeds in helping to end the conflict. I consider you a friend." He said humbly. Zuko gave a beaming smile.
"As do I Avatar Aang. Though I perceive that you did not come just to spar with me," she said with a smirk. The Avatar laughed.
"And they were right about your intelligence too. No, I did not come to spar. I came to play Pai Sho!" He said happily. Zuko smiled brightly. Finally, a worthy opponent she thought.
"I would be honored, Avatar. Though I wonder if you would mind if we play with my special board?" she asked. Aang hummed in intrigue. "Be it far from me to play to your disadvantage, your Highness." Zuko laughed grabbing her towel and encouraging the Avatar to follow her out of her arena to the veranda where her special sunstone pai sho board sat.
The spies sent to follow Avatar Aang noted that Zuko had found favor with him. To anyone watching, it was just two national leaders taking an opportunity to play a common and time-tested game, which for some was the great equalizer on the world stage. They were still none the wiser about the true nature of the friendship between the most powerful man in the world and their Princess. The Fire Lord would more than likely be bored by their report this week.
Fire Lord Ozai resolved once his daughter returned from her birthday trip, that he would work to secure an heir through her. His time was running short and he felt that now was the moment to make his move before his health declined to the point of no return. Ozai was thoroughly annoyed, however. He was having the worst luck in finding a suitable mate for his daughter Zuko.
Suitor after suitor found some reason or excuse for not being available or capable of being the princess's husband. Some of the reasons bordered on the absurd. Who has to go and buy cattle to live on volcanic land so they are not available to get married to a princess? He thought shaking his head. It was probably for the best that some of these idiots didn't spoil the line of Sozin through their stupidity.
He was almost offended at the thought that these men were rejecting his daughter, a princess, a war hero, and a national hero. Then he remembered the scar and the drastically altered appearance of his once beautiful, albeit naïve and impulsive daughter. Though none accept an offer to take Zuko as their bride no one was opposed to the possibility of Zuko taking the throne after her father.
Noble after noble made subtle hints and observations about his daughter and her way with the people. Many heard how she went to visit with Nishikawa's daughter, a former schoolmate, after his death and brought poor Hilda great comfort. She was even able to be present for the birth of the deceased captain's first grandchild. The rumors spread like wildfire and made a positive impression amongst the nobles, merchants, and common folk.
Ozai tired of hearing one thing after another about his older daughter even though she was being touted as a hero for saving Azula's life and the lives of the other nobles during the Earth Kingdom attacks. Her bravery during that time only amplified his weakness as he was hidden away deep in the caverns despite it being protocol to do so.
Murmurings of Ozai's failures and apparent impotence as a leader were starting to wax stronger and all the while the people praised his daughter. Many admired her kindness, bravery, and wisdom in her judgment. Ozai scoffed at that. There were a few souls loyal to him who voiced displeasure at the possibility of people being open to having a disabled Fire Lord.
Interestingly enough, none of the other nobles cared that she was blind. Most of them remembered the terrible artillery blast, the powerful flash of light, and the fact that it was the princess, not the Fire Lord, who kept that mortar from destroying the entire line of Sozin. That was not the feat of a weak or incapable royal.
Supporters made it clear that her level-headedness and bravery were what kept them all that day and they didn't think it stopped because she was injured. It came to light that the princess saved even her cantankerous younger sister that day. Stopping at her own peril to rescue her sister trapped under fallen rubble on a second-floor veranda.
The more about that day that was revealed, the more people understood that Princess Zuko was a dynamic and courageous leader. Greater than what she was portrayed to be by both her father and sister, who some suspected was out of less than honorable intentions.
Not a few were both surprised and happy to see how quickly Zuko recovered and found a way to live her life as normally as possible despite losing her vision. Some would say that she was more skillful now than before she was injured.
The Fire Lord couldn't stand the thought that Zuko received any attention outside of pity. What was it about this girl that seemed to make the entire country smitten over her? This isn't a new feeling despite the events that led to her current status either.
Ozai frowned deeply. Zuko shouldn't be lauded at all in his opinion. The foolish girl was captured by the enemy when she defied his orders to stay in the Caldera when her cousin went missing in action. She even befriended the foreigners! How is that alone not treason?
Ozai clapped his hands over his face and pulled them down as if to wipe off the shame that burned under his skin. If Zuko hadn't gone, he wouldn't have had to send out bounty hunters and assassins who all somehow succumbed to their battles with the Avatar and his allies.
He couldn't help but feel that the turn of the tide in the battle occurred because of his daughter's wild card behavior. Although Zuko was nowhere near the battle between himself and the Avatar, he wondered if perhaps...
No, Zuko had nothing to do with the battle. He admitted. She's intelligent, but not strategic. Not like Azula anyway...She was miles away as a prisoner of war. Ozai had no one to blame but himself that day. He underestimated his young airbending opponent and never suspected the Avatar had the ability and power to remove bending.
"Ozai clutched his chest as a fleeting flash of that moment passed before him. He struggled not to hyperventilate as images of his waning powers skipped through his mind like a reel of film. He never felt so weak and helpless before as he watched his Spirit-given ability return to the spirits at the hands of a boy. Even now he still feels helpless as he watches his kingdom fade from him the same way.
His brother Iroh, was gracious and wise enough to recognize that to remove Ozai from his throne would be political suicide. The peace has already been so fragile and tentative and to do anything as drastic as ratting Ozai out would plunge the country into a political free for all which could lead to the ruin of the entire line of Sozin and the nation.
No, he had to do something to preserve his father and grandfather's line on the throne. Though he knew he could not be that long-lived fixture like his father Azulon, Ozai would have to use what was around him to make it work.
Zuko could not be a part of his plan unless it was to bear a child for the royal line. He suspected that there were some who had hoped to use his daughter as a puppet on the throne which is why they encouraged such foolish thoughts of her leadership in the first place. She would never sit on his grandfather's and father's throne while he lived, Ozai declared to himself. She is supposed to be a vessel for the greatness of the Fire Nation!
Zuko was a daughter of Sozin and her blood and ability would allow her to produce strong and capable fire benders for the royal line. It was with this thought Ozai got an idea. He smiled to himself as he poured a glass of fire whiskey. The amber liquid sloshed as he pulled on the cord summoning his attendants.
"How may we serve you my Lord?" the servants asked appearing almost immediately quietly and humbly. The Fire Lord smirked. "Go fetch the Water Nation prince. I need to speak with him," he said deceptively relaxed and calm. Ozai would devise a plan to get rid of his daughter if not by physical then by political homicide and he would do it with the one closest to her.
It seemed strange to Ozai that not one nobleman or nobleman's son could look beyond Zuko's scar and see the person she is with one very "unworthy" exception. It bothered the Fire Lord to no end that the Prince of the Water Nations had an unwavering affection for his daughter. The young man asked three times. Three times this foreign prince asked for the hand of his daughter, and every time Ozai soundly denied him. Yet, Prince Sokka persisted.
Ozai wondered if perhaps the two had been physically intimate and created a bond between themselves that was hard to break, but Ozai knew better. Sokka was as solid as a rock and had the honor to surpass even his greatest noblemen. No, Sokka respected his daughter to a fault. The fool was truly in love with her!
The man chuckled at how love could make one do even the most humiliating things. Ozai's lips curled at the sound of a knock at the door. "Come in Prince Sokka," he said with his voice practically dripping with pretense. Sokka knew something was up. His antenna was registering all the signals. Whatever the Fire Lord wanted with him was going to make him mad. He sensed it in his bones. He felt it. Sokka was certain it had to do with Zuko.
"Have a seat," Ozai said almost carelessly as if he was sure this encounter would be nothing more than entertainment. Sokka was too wary to even think about that and sat carefully his brain on high alert. Whatever the Fire Lord wanted was a strong 'no' from him already. He was fully aware of the talk amongst the nobles about needing one of the princesses to marry and produce an heir for the line of Sozin. The prince was not ready for this conversation.
Ozai smirked. "I'm sure you've wondered why I called you here today," he said easily, almost amicably. Sokka remained silent. He wasn't convinced his voice wouldn't betray him if he responded. The Fire Lord overlooked it knowing that the savvy prince already had an idea about what he was going to ask.
The Fire Lord sighed in boredom. "I'm sure you're aware of what is currently going on with the marriage search for my daughter Zuko, aren't you? Sokka cleared his throat carefully. He took a slight breath and spoke slowly.
"I am your Highness. You are seeking a nobleman to marry Princess Zuko and continue the line of Sozin," he said cautiously. Ozai nodded. He really had to admire the strength and honesty of the Water Tribe. If they weren't such an inferior nation to him, he had no need for Zuko's bloodline to remain pure, and there was no international treaty, he would have allowed Sokka to have his daughter two years ago.
Ozai took a deep breath. He figured a little bit of honesty would bring down Sokka's defenses so that he could pick his brain. "I'm in a bit of a quandary, Prince Sokka. None of the noblemen want to marry my daughter, not even for the potential of a throne. It seems that beauty is in fact valued over brains. Zuko deserves better than that don't you think?" he said sadly in a rare show of pity and disappointment.
Sokka froze. What was Ozai's angle? The Fire Lord never spoke this way about Zuko before, and certainly not to him. What is he up to? Sokka wondered as he resisted the urge to squint suspiciously. He decided to play along.
"I agree my Lord. She does deserve better. She deserves the world, but what can we do against the very nature and prejudice of man?" he said sincerely. The Fire Lord's eyes widened unintentionally. He really wished he could just let Sokka have the girl!
Ozai frowned. He couldn't allow Sokka to throw him off track. "It appears that the line of my father and grandfather will end with Zuko and her sister if we can't find some way to produce an heir," he said in another rare show of honesty. "I need your advice," he said simply. Sokka huffed softly.
The Fire Lord is an asshole. The man truly is a sadist and has no scruples. Fuck him, Sokka thought to himself. He swallowed hard. He needed to remain neutral. "How can I help? I—I don't feel very qualified to give the Fire Lord advice. Especially on such a... sensitive matter?" Sokka broached gently.
Ozai gave a little smile. He had to hand it to the young prince; he was a true diplomat. Sokka could probably beat the pants off of his brother Iroh in Pai Sho.
"I know for a fact that you spend hours upon hours in the law library and archives reading up on Fire Nation legislation and tradition. You have extensive knowledge already of all things Fire Nation and the nobles come to you first for your expertise even over my scribes and lawyers. Don't underestimate your abilities." he said looking Sokka squarely in the eye.
Sokka lowered his head and chuckled softly. Ozai was definitely more aware of him and his dealings than he let on.
"What would you like to know?" Sokka asked quietly. Ozai quirked his eyebrow and took another swig of his whiskey.
"I want to know which precedents were set in the laws, even the old ones, to produce a legal Fire Nation Royal heir without a marriage," he said simply.
Damn. Would Ozai really stoop to this level just to get what he wants? He is willing to prostitute his daughter to make a new heir? That is cold. Sokka would rather die a thousand horrid deaths before he told Ozai even a partial way to get Zuko pregnant by someone else. He wouldn't lie, but he definitely wasn't telling the Fire Lord shit.
"Well sir, I can't say that I've actually discovered anything of that nature in my readings," he said not to Ozai's surprise. Well, it is the truth.
"However, I can say that there are documents that may be available in the early records, Pre-Sozin, but those are with the Sages in the temple I believe. It's a lot of genealogies and pedigrees, but perhaps there are tidbits here and there that could help, your Highness. I'm afraid my knowledge stops at architectural design and building code rather than Fire Nation familial structure." Sokka said cringing inwardly at the somewhat untruth.
Ozai sighed deeply. He didn't have the energy to be upset with the prince for lying. Sokka was in love with his daughter, after all. The prince would never willingly tell Ozai how he could impregnate Zuko without him. The poor sap. Or maybe it was the whiskey dictating the Fire Lord's mood tonight. Anyway, He'd find the information about what to do with or without the prince.
Ozai decided to let the young man off the hook. He'd tortured him enough. "I appreciate your willingness to help, Sokka. I will take your advice and look into the records with the Sages. Perhaps you are right: we must look to the past to find and follow the maverick path into the future." he said.
Sokka blinked. That is not what I said at all, he thought. In fact, that's probably a terrible idea because Ozai won't learn from the past, he'll just repeat it. The young man kicked himself inwardly. He didn't help anything. He may have just made things worse! Sokka blinked again and forced a smile as he prepared to leave. He almost choked on his final words.
"I-I am glad I was able to help- even a little. Is there anything else I can do for you today, Fire Lord?" he said with some difficulty. Ozai huffed in amusement.
"No, thank you. I do appreciate your help. Your insight has been most enlightening. You may go." Sokka bowed deeply and hurried out of the office to get fresh air. He felt his lunch coming back for a visit.
Unwilling to leave this task up to chance or jealous boyfriends, Ozai summoned the temple sages in charge of the sacred archives to ask for the pre-Sozin records. Though the Water prince tried to evade his request, his suggestion to search the temple archives was actually quite unintentionally brilliant.
Ozai felt that he could perhaps find a tradition or other ritual that would meet his need since his daughter was unmarriable now. If he was willing to seek the answers from the old ways there was a chance Agni would show favor and give him an honorable answer to his dilemma.