CHAPTER TWO
A Funeral, A Resurrection, and A Wedding
It was a sad and solemn day for the citizens of the Fire Nation. They were mourning Admiral
Zhao who had died during the siege of the Northern Water Tribe. "It was all Iroh's and Zuko's
fault" everybody told each other. "They betrayed him and the Fire Lord." By now everyone had
heard what they thought had happened, but which actually didn't. The word had gotten out that
Prince Zuko was the infamous "Blue Spirit" a broadsword wielding vigilante and thief. Admiral
Zhao had once succeeded in capturing the Avatar the only one who was a threat to the Fire
Nation and who could stop it's glorious conquest of the other nations. But Zuko the accursed son
of Fire Lord Ozai stole into the impenetrable fortress where the Avatar was being held and helped
the Avatar escape.
Everyone knew that Zuko had been banished from the Fire Nation more than two years ago for
speaking out of turn against a General's plan in the Fire Lord's War Room. The Fire Lord
demanded an Agni Kai a Fire Duel in order to settle this dispute of honor. When Prince Zuko
found that it was his father whom he would be dueling he fell to his knees pleading for forgiveness
and refusing to fight. Fire Lord Ozai had justly punished his unworthy son by burning his face and
banishing him from the Fire Nation on the condition that he capture the Avatar who had been
missing for a hundred years in order to have his honor restored and be able to return to his
country and his throne.
Prince Zuko had failed in this mission, and not only that but he had hindered the Fire Nation in its
glorious war. He was not only a failure but a traitor and Fire Lord Ozai would never accept his
son back after what he had done. The Fire Lord had decided to make his daughter Princess
Azula his heir to the throne. After the funeral the only thing left to be done was to find his daughter
a suitable husband.
As for Iroh the Fire Lord's brother he was hated just as much as Zuko. Iroh was once a great
Fire Nation war hero. He was called the "Dragon of the West" he had won many glorious battles
for the Fire Nation; but all that had come undone when he abandoned the siege of the Earth
Kingdom Capital City Ba Sing Se. The reason for this was that Iroh had lost his son Lu Ten in the
Siege and was so grief stricken that he could not continue any longer. "What he should have done
was avenge his son's death, but instead he just quit" that was what everybody said about him
now. Fire Lord Ozai who was younger than Iroh had asked his father the great Fire Lord Azulon
to give him the throne. Azulon in his wisdom granted Ozai his wish and his dying request was that
Ozai be crowned Fire Lord. This version of the story though it sounds good is untrue, When Ozai
had requested that his father give him Iroh's birthright Fire Lord Azulon grew furious at the idea
that he betray Iroh. "You dare suggest that I betray Iroh after his beloved son has died, I think
Iroh has suffered enough but you your punishment has just begun."
The day after this conversation Fire Lord Azulon had mysteriously died and at his funeral Ozai
was crowned Fire Lord. Since his coronation as Fire Lord the citizens of the Fire Nation had
unquestionably followed their leader even to their deaths. Ozai was their greatest leader they said,
and Iroh who was once great was now a wandering vagabond. None of the citizens knew that
Iroh's treachery during the siege of the Northern Water Tribe had been in there best interests.
Iroh had tried to stop Zhao who believed it was his destiny to kill the mortal manifestation of the
moon spirit which was a koi fish. When Zhao killed the fish the moon had totally disappeared and
Iroh tried to revive it knowing that without it the world would be out of balance. Zhao and Iroh
had dueled and then Zhao and Zuko had dueled. The ocean spirit manifested through the Avatar
had decimated the fleet of Fire Navy Ships. Then in retaliation for killing the moon spirit dragged
Zhao into the watery depths of the ocean. Zuko had actually tried to help Zhao but Zhao refused.
Fortunately the balance of the world was restored when the moon spirit was reincarnated. After
the defeat of the siege of the Northern Water Tribe, Fire Lord Ozai gave his daughter the task of
capturing Zuko and Iroh.
The Fire Nation citizens were marching through the street in a parade procession for Admiral
Zhao they were going to hear a speech by the Fire Lord himself. The Fire Lord would be
delivering Zhao's eulogy. Even before the start of the ceremony and the speech there was not a
dry eye in the audience. "Admiral Zhao was an honorable man and soldier of our great nation"
Ozai began. "His death will be avenged, and we will fight harder then we have ever fought before.
This war will be over before the year is through. This year Sozin's Comet which gave my great
ancestor the power necessary to start the war and deliver the first strike will return and grant us
it's power once again so that we may end this war. Zhao's greatness came from his knowledge
and believe that no one's life not even his own is more important than service to our great nation.
Zhao died with honor and he shall be remembered for time to come. He shall be buried with full
honors despite the fact that we have never found his body."
Just as Ozai finished his speech a cry rang out "He's alive, Admiral Zhao is alive!" An awed
silence fell on the crowd. Nobody dared to believe it. Everyone looked wildly around and when
they finally saw him quite a few women and even some men fainted from shock. Ozai though
shocked quickly recovered. He began a new speech. "Citizens of this great nation fate has
decided to grant Admiral Zhao his life and has given us the great honor to be in his presence once
again." Admiral Zhao was tired, hungry, thirsty, and bedraggled but he swaggered with all the
pomp and ceremony he could muster. "Thank you for your kind words Fire Lord Ozai, the
eulogy you gave in my memory was beautiful" said Zhao bowing low to the ground. Ozai slowly
walked towards Zhao took out his sword and placed it on Zhao's shoulder as if he were being
knighted. "Admiral Zhao because of your bravery and selfless service to me and to the Fire
Nation I hereby make you the second most powerful man in my empire. What ever you want it
shall be done, and anyone who does not afford you the respect and honor you deserve they shall
be executed immediately."
Admiral Zhao tried to look humble but despite his best efforts he could not help smirking. "There
is nothing I want more than to serve you" Admiral Zhao began "however I do have one request."
"Anything you want" Said Ozai once again. "I would like your daughter's hand in marriage." "The
wedding shall be done today" Said Fire Lord Ozai grandly. "Citizens" began Ozai again "this was
a day of sadness, but now it is a day of joy. Instead of having a funeral procession we will be
having a wedding procession. Everyone is invited to the wedding of Admiral Zhao who is now my
new Grand Vizier and my daughter Princess Azuala, from the lowest to the highest. Everyone can
eat and drink their fill. I will have a great feast prepared, and now enough speech making let us
proceed with the celebrations." At these words everyone cheered, and carried Zhao the Grand
Vizier of Fire Lord Ozai on their backs on a curtained caravan towards the center of the city
where Zhao and Princess Azula would be married.