General runner-up ASN drabble contest entry:

Theme: Sea

1. Write about a person or group of people and their interaction/experience with the high seas.
2. Creativity - This prompt might seem geared a lot towards the Water Tribe, but don't think that's all you can write about! Unless the prose blocks my understanding of your writing, creativity almost always gets priority in my list of things to look out for.
3. Emotion - I'm not saying make me cry per say, I'm saying make me feel something.


Ironclad

There is a reason why some scholars refer to the Fire Nation's modern era as "The Age of Metal." Even before they mastered the art of mechanical engineering, they were able to mine, refine, and work metal to a greater degree than the other nations had previously thought possible. This, coinciding with new focus on centralized rule for the full set of Fire Nation Islands, is what is largely considering to be the most important enabling factor in Sozin's thirst for conquest.

Prince Sozin was present at his father's side when Ji Shi, an "engineer," presented his designs to the Fire Lord and assembled military advisors. Many of the men scoffed at the idea, and while they admitted that the concept of an armored ship had merit, they simply could not believe that an entire craft made of metal could float.

"A man in armor sinks to the bottom of the ocean, not matter how hard he tries to swim," Admiral Baichi laughed. "You would do the same to one of the Fire Lord's Royal Vessels?"

Ji Shi was obviously an eccentric personality. He nearly went for Baichi's throat, before remembering the guards in the room.

After the meeting, Sozin made sure he caught up with the engineer, somewhere out of earshot of the others. Ji Shi was so preoccupied that he didn't even notice the prince until the conversation was abruptly initiated. "I found your presentation enlightening."

The engineer gave Sozin a skeptical look, but Sozin's face radiated earnestness. Eventually, he gave up and replied. "I have put years into the development of those concepts. Someday, perhaps, another man will dream them up again and find a sponsor to build them."

Sozin smiled. "Who says you're not that man? Did you know that there is a tradition surrounding the Crown Heir? Upon beginning his or her military service, the Crown Heir is allowed to choose which unit, or vessel, to serve with. I, as the Crown Prince, can even request a ship built to my specifications. After all, no one is more capable of fighting for the Spirit of Fire, save perhaps the Fire Lord."

Ji Shi's face was slack, but his eyes were calculating.

Sozin nodded. "How soon can you have it built?"

Sozin learned quickly that a common practice amongst true engineers is to change their time estimates, upward, at every inquiry. Still, there was no doubt that progress was being made. The difficulties were all in the manufacturing, but once completed, each device was a wonder to behold. When Sozin saw the prototype engine spinning its wheels and belching black smoke, he felt something akin to love.

His father thought the whole project a waste, but honored the tradition and gave whatever funds and resources were needed. Their family had always been paragons of Honor. Thus, Sozin didn't at all rub it in when he found a use for his new vessel.

The pirate stronghold, according to the briefing delivered to the Fire Lord, was unassailable. The island itself had a difficult landscape, and the only point where troops could be landed within striking distance of the fortress was a narrow bay. The pirates had somehow acquired long-range catapults, capable of striking anywhere in the bay, meaning that any ship that approached would have to run a gauntlet of flaming ammo. An invasion of the island would lead to unacceptable losses. A blockade was recommended, to starve the pirates out, and provoke them into striking back in more open waters, where the fleet could deal with them.

Normally, the Avatar would deal with problems like this, but he was still away learning to fly with the Air Nomads.

Sozin knew an opportunity when he saw it. "Let my ship solve the problem for you." The council was just as skeptical as they had been towards Ji Shi, so Sozin had to make a deal. "Go ahead with the blockade plan, but I will take my metal ship into the bay, and see if we can't land the necessary troops. If we fail, the blockade will still succeed."

The Fire Lord had frowned. "You would risk your own life on this... ironclad?"

Sozin actually hadn't planned on being with the ship, but he quickly realized that he had no choice. He nodded, and immediately after the meeting had gone to personally take over construction of the ship.

They had to step up the schedule, as Ji Shi's current predictions wouldn't have the ship completed until after the pirates had starved themselves to death. Construction crews worked all hours, pragmatic shortcuts were taken at every opportunity, and Ji Shi himself was giving up sleep to personally have a hand in all aspects of the project. The design was compromised, so that the ship would have just one trebuchet, but that would leave more room for troop transport, so the mission wouldn't be compromised.

The night before the ship was to set sail, Sozin met with his engineer. "You'll be sailing with us, tomorrow. If this ship sinks, you and I will sink with it." He expected an expression of fear.

The engineer just grinned, and punched Sozin's shoulder with all his strength. "I wouldn't miss it! I'm glad you have the strength to follow through on your beliefs."

They dubbed the ship The Future, and sailed out the next day. The ship not only remained afloat, it sped along the water like it had a sail and hurricane winds driving it. The black smoke rose above them, declaring their strength to all observers.

The battle itself was quite exciting. For every impressive feat, like when the pirate's catapulted fireballs simply bounced off the metal hull, there was a spectacular failure, like when the engine had refused to run in reverse. They had a brief skirmish with one of the pirate ships, which was no less spectacular for its brevity, and then they reached the beach and unleashed the Firebenders.

Even the Fire Lord had been impressed.

Sozin made sure to thank Ji Shi the engineer. "Someday, I will be Fire Lord. Before I die, I will see the whole Fire Navy made of metal. We will be faster than the Water Tribes, and sail further than the Earth Kingdom. The seas are now ours."

Ji Shi smiled with true joy. "I will need other engineers. Things will get... complex."

Sozin's voice was dark, and held nothing akin to joy. "You will have everything you need, and more."

END