Zuko
"I missed you so much, Mai." Zuko said as he held hands from behind the cell with his dark haired girlfriend whose hair wasn't apparent at the moment as she was cloaked so as not to be seen, Azula was standing guard outside as she brought Mai to visit Zuko. he thanked her for it, only for Azula to tell him that Mai have been bugging her like crazy for the past two months and she couldn't take it anymore, causing his girlfriend to blush at his sister's words, those were one of the rare moments that Zuko felt genuinely happy, he wanted to hug her, kiss her, feel her body against his, but the cold metal cell was preventing him from doing so, so he settled on holding hands with her from behind the bars.
"I missed you too, How are you faring ? I hope those guards aren't giving you the rough treatment, not that you don't deserve it but you know what i mean.." Mai made an attempt to joke, only to be faced by the grim look still on Zuko's scarred face, it's been nearly three months now in this prison, and this is the third time he's seen her, he tried to sound and look cheerful for her sake, but he couldn't, the current circumstances were just too overwhelming, Zuko noticed the odd look Mai was giving him after his silence, he turned his gaze to her once more attempting to smile this time.
"I'm doing good, How about you ? how's your family ?" Zuko asked attempting to dodge any question about his welfare, Mai took the hint and decided to go on with it, Zuko noticed.
"My family is doing fine, as a loyal servant of Firelord Ozai, my father has been promised to be the warden of Omashu once they take it from King Bumi, and once that happens we'll go with him to live there, that is unless Azula thinks otherwise, she still needs us in The Police Centre, you know." Mai informed her boyfriend,
Zuko's feelings were surprisingly neutral considering he just heard his father is about to conquer another big city, he's had enough surprises in those past three months that would last him a lifetime, but what intrigued him the most was that Mai might travel to a foreign territory where it might be filled with earth kingdom rebels.
"So, you might go with your father to a dangerous territory were you might be captured or worse ?" Zuko asked with concern.
"Gee, Thanks, Zuko, that made me feel so much better.." Mai said dryly.
"What i meant was, even if my father takes Omashu, you have to fight to stay here, who knows what could be waiting for you there." Zuko noticed Mai's face turn to a grimace as she took in his words.
"and what about my family, Zuko ? They're still going there, who's going to protect Little Tom-Tom ?" if Mai was angry with Zuko's suggestion, she made no effort to show it.
"I understand and i'm sorry, i just.. don't want to lose you." Zuko said keeping his gaze on the ground guiltily, and then he felt a hand under his chin, when he lifted his gaze again, he found that Mai has reached to him from behind the bars that separates them and regarded him with a loving smile.
"You'll never lose me, Zuko, we'll find a way, i think i can promise you as much." Mai said, Zuko had the faintest of smiles for a second before the sad look returned to his face, from the corner of his eyes he could see the pity in Mai's eyes, he needn't pity right now even if it was from his girlfriend, he turned his face away with a grimace and Mai must have noticed as the next question startled Zuko.
"What have they been doing to you here, Zuko ? and don't lie to me, Please." Mai urged, making Zuko think twice before his next words.
"I don't think i can tell you, Mai, it's too painful." Zuko informed still not facing her.
"Zuko, look at me, Please." This was probably the second time in her life that Zuko saw her plead, the first was seconds ago, Zuko realized his girlfriend was at pain of his condition just as much as he was, he hesitantly turned his face to her and made her see his downcast, hopeless amber eyes that lost their spark, he became a shell of a man filled with a scarred face, uncombed long hair and a not very long beard, Zuko saw the broken look on Mai's face as soon as she saw the broken side of him,
"What happened to you.. ?" Zuko heard the faint whisper from Mai, suddenly the blood boiled in Zuko's veins and he unleashed his rage.
"You want to know what happened to me ? Fine !" Zuko began with a shout, "I've been tortured in this wretched prison, I've been whipped, electrocuted and beaten up by filthy soldiers, and you know what's worse ? Those soldiers do it on my father's orders ! MY OWN FATHER !" Suddenly Zuko turned his face again as that was the only way to tell Mai the truth about his hopeless new persona.. "But that's not the worst of it, that's not why i'm in so much turmoil and anger.. it was my father's visit the other night." Zuko said calmly with tears gathering at the corners of his eyes.
"What did he tell you ?" Zuko heard Mai ask as his gaze was still on the wall away from Mai, Zuko hesitated for a couple of minutes but Mai waited patiently, until he finally said it.
"My father killed my mother." Zuko heard the loud gasp that escaped Mai's lips and at that tears fill freely from his eyes, he tried wiping them away but they just kept coming, he finally unburdened himself from this fact and talked to someone about it.
"I can't believe it.." Mai said with a low voice, Zuko turned around sharply to face her.
"What can't you believe about what i just said ?! My father is a monster, he is willing to do anything to keep the throne !" Zuko was now fully facing Mai and she had a frightened look on her face as someone might hear him and punish him for his words.
"Please, Zuko, lower your voice, a guard might hear you."
"And what if he does ? there's no greater damage than already done.." Zuko said calmly his gaze still on the ground, "You know, sometimes i hope i never get out of this prison, just because of the horrors i'm going to do to my own father once i'm out." Zuko informed with calm yet gruff and dangerous voice showing how much his personality has changed, he's willing to kill his own father for the sake of revenge.
"I'm sorry, Zuko. we'll find a way to get you out of here, but please, don't let revenge be your sole purpose in life." Mai said with concern.
"You know when My father told me the truth, he didn't just inform me that he killed my mother, he reminded me how weak i am compared to him, telling me in my own face that he killed my mother and i couldn't do anything, i'm not going to have revenge on father, Mai, i'm too weak to do it." Zuko confessed the hard truth.
"WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED TO YOU ?!" Zuko was startled and looked sharply at Mai who just shouted at him, he wasn't sure he was startled by the voice or by the fact that Mai was showing heavy emotions..
"HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN EVERYTHING YOU STAND FOR ?! HAVE YOU FORGOTTEN WHO YOU ARE ?!" Mai yelled at him once again, and Zuko was still speechless. "You're saying that what makes you so sad and hopeless is the fact that your father killed your mother, yet you don't even remember what your mother told you years ago !" Mai said in a high pitched tone once again, Zuko looked confusedly, his mother told him a lot of things.
"What's that ?" Zuko said with a low voice, still startled by Mai's outburst.
"When you came out of the war room six years ago, Don't give into despair, Zuko. now i'm reminding you of it. Please, Zuko, i beg of you, Don't give into despair, don't let your heart be consumed by hate and anger and don't forget who you are. you're the prince of The Firenation, your cheerfulness gives me hope.." Zuko remembered the conversation with his mother, tears gathered once more at the corners of his eyes, Mai reached a hand inside his cell once more and put it on his cheek to wipe away the falling tears, "We've been through so much together, and we've come out of it, consider this just another one of those situations, we'll come out of it, I promise." Mai finally informed and Zuko closed his eyes as she was wiping away his tears, and then another presence made itself felt in the place.
"I hope you've finished talking, Love birds, because the visit is over." Azula informed Mai and Zuko as she entered the room of the cell.
"It's alright, We're done here." Mai informed Azula, Zuko looked at Azula and saw that her eyes were on the ground and she looked like she was trying to say something but hesitating.
"Something wrong, Azula ?" Zuko asked with concern for his sister.
"Yes, there is, i don't know how to tell you this." Azula's words filled Zuko with so much concern, if this is too stressful that even Azula can't speak about, then it's something he might not be able to handle.
"What's it, Azula ?" Mai asked after Zuko and Azula went speechless, Azula was at a loss of words for a couple of seconds opening her mouth and closing it a couple of times, before she finally said it..
"Father sentenced Uncle Iroh to death, they will execute him in a week."
Silence. Eerie Silence ensued, two shocked faces from Zuko and Mai, one guilty face from Azula that found interest in looking at her shoes all of a sudden, a chill ran down Zuko's spine, but he just couldn't speak, They were going to execute the man he loves the most in this world, he just rested his head on the wall, still too shocked to speak, too shocked to make another move, before long Azula took a concerned Mai and got out of the room before someone sees them, Zuko heard Mai say some words to him before she got out but he was too shocked to comprehend it.
"No..." was all he could voice after a long time of just resting his head on the wall completely silent.
The Southern Watertribe
Councilman Voccak was taking his daily walk through the capital of The Southern Watertribe, he had his blue robes that was embroidered with The Southern Watertribe Sigil, he was still building trust between him and the people of the tribe and so far he was doing a great job, the man had his guards following his cart on foot as he was standing on the cart waving to the people, with loud cheers from left and right piercing through the usually quiet morning atmosphere, he was all waves and smiles that reached his eyes, he knew how to play the role flawlessly, he knew these people needed to trust him no matter the cost, so he did everything he could to build the trust of the tribesmen and women for the upcoming event, the event was.. his separation from The Firelord Ozai.
Yes, the man wasn't planning to stay that way forever he was hoping to seize the tribe for himself, and hopefully one day, the whole world.
he knew the world needed better leadership, the world needed better guidance and who is better to give it to them than him, he was an established politician but also he was raised among the common folk, he knows what the common folk need, they don't need empty promises, they don't need decisions that don't effect them directly, no, they want something physical, they want to put meat on their tables, that's how you earn their trust and love, you give them their physical needs, for you will always have the support of the common folk when you supply them with their needs not their wants.. what they need is filling their bellies and getting their cocks tickled, and the man knew how to supply them with just that, in just three months the man has made many effective and impactful decisions.
he reopened the brothels in the once traditionalist city, this decision took its big toll on the traditional folks, but there are no more than a hundred of them in the whole city, and the councilman knew how to deal with them, but the rest of the folk just wanted something to warm their cold weather, and where better to warm your body than with a brothel whore ? as for the next decision he ordered his men to deliver loads of supplies to the common folk daily, the city was more than happy, cheering for the councilman whenever he passed by, their cheers were like music to him, he loved every bit of attention regarded to him, he knew there was still a high ladder to climb for his plans to work, but that doesn't mean he doesn't get to savor every bit of enjoyment every time he climbs a step.
"Do you see that, head councilman ? The people love you." He heard his right-hand man Councilman Hedrick say as he was standing right next to him on the cart.
"I would like it more if you address me as new head chieftain, Councilman Hedrick." Voccak said with a solemn voice that disturbed the other councilman.
"I'm sorry, Head Chieftain, i meant no disrespect..." Before the right-hand man could finish he stopped abruptly as he heard The Head Councilman laugh at his stuttering.
"It was a joke, Councilman, there is no need to be flustered.." Voccak said as he turned his face to his right-hand man still chuckling, then Hedrick followed with an uneasy chuckle, Voccak turned his face to the crowd once more and kept talking..
"And yes, Hedrick, these people love me, but what about the other people ? I still need to gain everyone's trust in order to take full charge of the city, i know we will win the election but i don't want it to be followed with commotion and criminal acts." Voccak told Hedrick.
maybe Hedrick was his right-hand man but still Voccak couldn't trust him with all his plans, as far as Hedrick knows, The head councilman and future chieftain will always be under Firelord Ozai's wing, and Voccak wanted to keep it that way for some time, Voccak trusted no one, that was the first rule of The Head councilman, Never trust anyone with your future, even those closest to you, for that way nobody will have the ability to shape your future but yourself.
"Don't worry, Head Councilman, we have the support of the majority now, the minority can be stopped easily." Hedrick tried to reassure the head councilman.
"You'll never understand, Hedrick. it's always the minority that you should be fearful of, for those are the only people in the world with purposes, otherwise why would they accept to be minorities ? and nothing unsettles me more than a man with a purpose." The Head Councilman said his smile turning to a frown for a second before it rose up again to brighten the common folk's moods.
"I understand, Head Councilman, but all i am trying to say is you don't have to be afraid of anything, we have got your back, and before they reach you they'll have to go through us." Hedrick said with determination that put a genuine smile on the Head Councilman's face.
"And i thank you for it dearly, Councilman Hedrick, but we still have to be tactful, I don't want there to be violence as we will need every bit of help from the common folk, the majority and the minority."
As they finally reached the palace both the head councilman and his right-hand man exited the cart making their way to the palace still chatting and voicing quick thoughts for the upcoming plans, as they finally reached the palace, they found an unpleasant guest waiting for them.
"Hello, Head Councilman, I was waiting for you." It was Master Pakku husband to Lady Kanna and step-father to the deceased former Chieftain Hakoda, Voccak didn't even grimace as he saw him and kept his smile as he knew how to act very well.
"May i ask to what do i owe the honor of your presence in our humble palace, Master Pakku ?" The Head Councilman retorted with a question as he took Master Pakku's extended hand and shook it.
"It's not that humble come to think of it, Councilman, but who am i to talk ? I'm just a poor old man.." The Head Councilman and his right-hand man chuckled lightly at the Old master's joke, "As for what i am here for, well, maybe we ought to discuss it over a cup of tea if you don't mind." The Head Councilman hesitated for a bit before nodding his head with a smile.
"Of Course, Master Pakku. Hedrick, Order the servants to prepare two cups of tea, and then take your leave to finish our work.." The Right-hand man nodded his head, gave a respectful bow to the old master, which the old master returned, and then took his leave..
"Alright, Master Pakku, Shall we head to my office.. This way." Voccak motioned to the route they shall take to reach the office, when they reached the office, The Councilman seated himself on the main chair and asked Master Pakku to sit on one of the chairs at the front, after they seated themselves, a young female servant entered holding a tray with two cups of tea, she placed the tray on the table nodding her head to the old master and smiled at him before she left, for which the master turned his head confused towards the Head Councilman after the girl left the room.
"This is Miki, Sweet girl of Sixteen, she asked me to tell you that she'd like to be your student but my top priorities to the tribe prevented me from doing so." The Councilman informed with a smile on his face.
"Tell Miki that i'd be happy to train her and she's welcome to come to my class at sunrise, although i know your top priorities never prevented you from telling me so, you just didn't want to meet with me, Councilman." Pakku said calmly unsettling the head councilman.
"I don't think i have the slightest idea of what you are implying, Master Pakku." The Head Councilman replied just as calmly.
"Well, for starters i asked for an audience with you many times for the past month and you were no where to be found, may i ask why ?" Pakku asked.
"I think i just mentioned something about my top priorities to the tribe and.."
"And your top priorities never prevented you from meeting with your supporters, you even take a tour through the city daily just to wave hands and pose fake smiles." Pakku interrupted rather aggressively.
"Look, I don't have time for your quarrels, Master Pakku, so if you'd get straight to the point i'd be more than grateful." The Head Councilman retorted impatiently.
"You're right, i should get to the point.." Pakku started and the head councilman motioned for him to start as he took a sip from his tea, as Pakku did the same, he started "As you might well know The Firenation started taking full control over their colonies in The Earth Kingdom, that means they have officially declared war, and that means it's just a matter of time before they get to us, so do you have any plan in process of how to stop them ?" Pakku asked, and the head councilman took another sip of his tea.
"Of Course we have a plan, Master Pakku. The Firenation declared war ever since they killed the world leaders and the avatar, and ever since then we've been preparing for the upcoming war, but we're still facing a bit of a problem." The Councilman informed as he took the chance to try and lure Pakku to his side, his visit might be unpleasant but this was the perfect opportunity for him to try and seduce Pakku to join him and see the good in him.
"And what's that, Councilman ?" Pakku asked as he took a sip of his tea.
"The Councillors and I think we might be on the brink of civil war, There are still some traditionalists that refuse our new way of order and might destroy this whole city given the chance, we need your help to stop them." The Councilman requested with hopeful eyes.
"Traditionalists they call themselves, eh ? Pretentious name, don't you think ?" Pakku said, a taste of mockery to his words that unnerved the councilman.
"I don't think we're in any position to admire a group of outlaws, Master Pakku."
"I think you took a big gamble reopening the brothels in this city, Head Councilman. none of this would have happened had you followed the traditional way through to the end." Pakku told the head councilman his face dull and serious.
"I'm fully aware of the consequences that followed the decision, but i'm also fully aware of the merits, maybe reopening the brothels made me the villain for some outlaws, but it made me the hero for the majority of people." The Head Councilman said with a smile.
"And i fully respected your decision, you're the head of this city you do what you see fit, but that doesn't mean all people should accept it." Pakku replied.
"That's why i'm asking you for help, Master Pakku. I can't get to these people but you can, they will listen to you, convince them that the city will perish if we don't stand together to face our common enemy." The Head Councilman asked with a pleading voice that made Pakku's disgusted posture fade, and was replaced by a thoughtful one.
"And what makes you think they will listen to me ?" Pakku asked, Voccak could only chuckle and relax back to his chair.
"Come now, Master, you train half of these people's kids, almost everyone in the city knows who you are and everyone listens to you, i'm sure if you called for a coup, you'll be the chieftain of this city by tomorrow but you didn't because you know i am right, and you know we need each other to face our common enemy, so what do you say, Master ? Have we got a deal ?" The Councilman offered his hand for the master that was still in deep thought, he looked at him dead in the eye for some time and Voccak felt the urge to avert his eyes at the intense stare but he knew Master Pakku was checking his genuinity so he kept his eyes in place, until the master finally took his hand and shook.
"You have a deal, Voccak." The Master informed a now smiling Voccak as he took the last sip of his tea, pushed his chair backwards, bowed to the councilman and without any farther words he made his way to the door.
as he got out he was drowned in thought as to what he would convince the outlaws of this plan, but even more importantly how would he convince Kanna of this plan, the woman was still a wreck even after nearly three months from the ceremonies, she was still upset over her family even though she was still stuck to the belief that they weren't dead, she still had hope, As Pakku made his way to the outter door of the palace his thoughts were interrupted by a musical voice from behind him.
"Master Pakku !" He turned around to find the girl that served him the tea.
What was her name again ? he thought, he couldn't remember the name correctly but kept hoping he might remember it during the conversation, the girl was too sweet and beautiful to get her feelings hurt, her beauty could only be rivaled by Katara, she had deep blue eyes, Tanned skin and brown short hair that only reached the back of her neck with a side fringe, Pakku could only stare at her beauty in awe before he snapped out of his daze to listen to what the girl was saying as she looked very excited..
"I hope you liked my tea, Master." The girl said with a timid smile, Pakku smiled back as he finally remembered her name, and addressed her back.
"Oh, your tea was nice, Miki. And as for your request, I accept to be your master, only on one condition, I start my lessons at sunrise, If you arrive any second later then you lose the day, Got it ?" The Master asked with a faint smile, The girl looked to be holding her excitement in for the moment.
"Yes, Master, I swear i will never be late." Miki informed the master, he regarded her with a smile and then left the hall, before he left he could hear Miki squeal loudly, that only made him chuckle lightly as he exited the palace, this girl truly provided him with some happiness during such dark times.
Ba Sing Se
Tolan and his Dai Li agents were in hot pursuit.
They were strolling through the city during their night patrol when Tolan saw a man trying to steal food from a fruit stand, he tried to approach the man peacefully when suddenly the man took the fruit and ran away, Tolan ordered his agents to go the other way around to prevent the man from taking the alternative road while he went head on to chase the man, the man was so fast and agile, it was hard to keep up with him but Tolan kept up and even though the other Dai Li agents lost track of the pursuit, Tolan still followed the man until they reached what looked like an old junkyard, that's when the man stopped abruptly and turned around to look at Tolan, Tolan was panting heavily but he still took an Earthbending stance and started talking to the man..
"Surrender.. Now .. Scum !" He voiced out through heavy panting trying to recover while the other man stood tall without showing any trace of fatigue, Does this man even have lungs like the rest of us ? Tolan asked inwardly while still maintaining his Earthbending stance, suddenly the man smiled smugly and an uneasy feeling found its way to Tolan's spine, before a huge object hit him on the back of the head knocking him out cold. That was the last thing Tolan remembered from the night.
When he woke up, he was sitting in a chair while someone was holding what looked like a torchlight, he was also speaking softly to him..
"Wake Up, M'Lord. It's past sunrise, you're late for school." The man holding the torchlight sounded like he was taunting him, The blur on Tolan's vision started to clear, he realized that he was chained up to the chair he was sitting on, and he saw the man holding the torchlight, He looked to be in his mid-thirties, tall with an ugly scar on his cheek that terrified Tolan to the bone, and that wasn't even the most intimidating sight in the room, behind the man was a bald man with a beard, with a expressionless face but what distinguished him the most was the thing that looked like a third eye on his forehead, and his metal arms and legs, The man looked like a walking machine.
Tolan was now afraid for his life, but he dare not show it as those men would eat him alive if he did, so he kept a neutral face..
"Who are you.. ? and where am i ?" He asked tiredly as the effects of the hit were still present,
the man could only favor him with a smug smile as he said.. "The name is Ding, and this Lee Chan, also known as Combustion Man, as named by a water tribe scum whose name i forgot, and you're in an Firenation Ship on your way to safety, M'Lord." Ding replied making Tolan snap into reality.
a Firenation ship ? How long was i out ? Tolan thought not realizing he voiced his thoughts loudly to which Ding replied.. "You've been out of it for five days, My Lord, To be honest you were quite the chunk to be carried around but.. we had orders and we had to carry them out." Ding said smugly chuckling a bit.
"Orders from who ?" Tolan asked as he started to grasp the situation.
"Why, from The Firelord of course, M'Lord, You're to be held in our custody until your uncle carries out his end of the bargain." Ding replied from the chair he was sitting on opposite to Tolan while Combustion man was standing beside him..
"Wait, Combustion Man ? I've heard of that guy, he's a wanted criminal in The Firenation." Tolan said looking at the gruff face of the huge man, Ding chuckled a bit looking at Tolan.
"Both of us are wanted criminals, M'Lord.. The Firelord released us to carry out this special mission that he can only entrusts in criminals like us, as he always have." Everything started to view in front of Tolan's eyes as he heard Ding's words.
"So, The Firelord uses you to carry out secret missions, and he was the one to help Combustion Man escape prison a few weeks ago ?" Tolan asked, and Ding nodded.
"I wouldn't call it 'Using us', M'Lord, It's mutual benefit between us and The Firelord, although i'd call his relationship with The Pirates 'using them'." Ding said a hint of mockery in his voice.
"Pirates, Hired Criminals and Rebels.. This man is all sorts of Evil, isn't he ?" Tolan asked disgusted by the mere thought of the matter, making Ding chuckle once again.
"And 'Confidants' in other nations to which your uncle belongs, Don't forget them as well." Tolan found it hard to argue with his assessment, his uncle is a traitor to The Earth Kingdom as hard is it is from Tolan to admit.
"So, the reason for abducting me is in case my uncle doesn't go on with The Firelord's plans and decided to betray him, you'll use me to force his hand." Tolan inquired, and Ding nodded once again.
"You hit the nail on the head, M'Lord." Ding intoned with a wry smile.
"Well Played for the plan to lure me to your base in that old junkyard, and well played to the Firelord for thinking of using me to force my uncle's hand, but that's all for naught as my uncle is most loyal to The Firelord but he will stop being so after i escape from this ship." Tolan said confidently, making Ding laugh loudly..
"Escape from where, M'Lord ? We're near The Serpent's pass and from there we'll head right to Yu Dao where Lord Shun will be waiting us to transport you safely to The Firenation Capital, I don't know where your confidence comes from.." Ding lifted himself up from the chair, came beside Tolan and whispered in his ear.. "but don't worry we'll make sure it fades with time." Ding finished giving one last meaningful look at Lee Chan and then he headed for the exit, leaving Tolan with Lee Chan alone, but before he left the room, he gave one last look at Tolan.. "Don't worry, M'Lord, We promised The Firelord not to hurt you.. Much." Ding said with a smug smile and left the room leaving Tolan in the hands of Lee Chan.
"Well, I suppose he's the tongue and you're the arms.. I hope your arms are as lame as his tongue." Tolan said before he received a punch in the face from Combustion Man's fist, but that was only the beginning of the punishment, and Tolan realized in the end that Lee Chan's arms surely aren't as lame as Ding's tongue.
