In welcoming the Kyoshi Warriors, the Earth King stood at a dais raised at the base of the palace steps, his royal guard lined in formation along the stone path. "In our hour of need, it is with the highest honor that I welcome our esteemed allies, the Kyoshi Warriors!" He raised his arms openly, a gesture to show his openness to help the efforts in ending the Hundred Year War.
Donned in their famed uniform and armor, as well as the traditional face paint, three warriors knelt gracefully on the ground, bowing deeply before the Earth King. "We are the Earth King's humble servants." Their leader looked up at the king, her golden eyes blazing with determination.
He was an expert, a true master in the art of brewing tea, but that was the extent of his skills in the kitchen. Iroh struggled with stirring the congee in the pot as he looked at it with worry. "It looks more like rice glue than jook..."
"What's that smell?" Zuko yawned as he approached his busy uncle. He had finally gotten out of bed after a few days of rest and he felt so much better, lighter even. It was the first time in a while that he had felt so... good.
"It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it—"
The prince had come closer and he stepped aside. He inhaled deeply, feeling the warm steam coming off the pot hit his face. "Actually, it smells delicious!" He grabbed a bowl and looked to his uncle with a smile. "I'd love a bowl, uncle!"
Iroh blinked twice, suspicion arising from within. But nonetheless, he scooped a ladle full of jook into Zuko's bowl. "Now that your fever is gone, you seem... different... somehow."
"It's a new day!" Zuko thanked his uncle and looked around the kitchen of their residence. "We got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new tea shop!" He sat at the table and slowly ate his jook. "Things are looking up, uncle!"
He couldn't help the unnerving suspicion that he felt, but he pushed it far to the back of his mind and smiled at his nephew. He wondered whether this new found optimism of his was the result of his so called metamorphosis.
"This is the happiest he's been in three years... I'm glad he finally found his peace here."
After days of travel, they reached the Western Earth Kingdom harbor. Quinta had sent a messenger hawk in advance to have a ship ready to take them back to the capital city of the Fire Nation as soon as possible. It had been a long time since Quinta had stepped foot there, Reiko had never been there before, while Chiyo had no memory of the place altogether. The three women wondered what to expect once they reached the docks.
Reiko stood at the end of the deck with Quinta, watching the handmaidens and soldiers load their belongings into the ship. "Why are we going to the Fire Nation? Shouldn't we be avoiding it at all cost with all this war going on?"
"Tut, tut." Quinta chastised her former student with a scolding look. "In this war, the Fire Nation is the safest place to hide. Think about it, when this war brings about destruction, and it will; the Fire Lord will not let his home, the Capital, be destroyed. He will bring the war out far and keep his subjects safe."
"Oh..."
"And besides, why did you come along? I know you've already built your life in Ba Sing Se. Why the sudden decision to join us?"
Reiko shrugged. "I want to see Suiren of course, but more so, I want to make sure Li—Chiyo is safe."
"You've grown attached to her, too, haven't you?" Quinta smiled knowingly and looked at the young apprentice who was trying to help a handmaiden carry a bag, much to the adamant refusal of the latter. Chiyo pouted and a few seconds later, the handmaiden handed her a light, small bag to carry. The apprentice had grinned widely and went her merry way.
"She has always had that effect on people, even when she was young. No one in the troupe could resist or put her down when she was a babe. It got to the point that Suiren had to schedule turns on who'll take care of her." Quinta chuckled at the fond memory. "Everyone wanted to teach Chiyo something, and she was like this sponge who absorbed it all."
"Indeed... the first time I saw her, hungry, at the side of the road, my heart went out to her. Like it couldn't bear to see her in such state. Right then and there, I knew I had this urge to take care of her."
The captain of the ship approached the ladies and bowed. "We are set to depart, my ladies."
"Thank you captain. Take us home."
The Jasmine Dragon was fully packed with nobles and high-ranking government officials on its opening day. Iroh and Zuko stood at the counter, admiring the busy tables manned by appointed employees by their investors. "Who thought when we came to this city as refugees that I'd end up owning my own tea shop?" He beamed as he saw a customer drink with delight and ask for another refill from the server. "Follow your passion, Zuko, and life will reward you."
"Congratulations, uncle!"
"I'm very thankful."
Zuko turned to his uncle with a grin. "You deserve it. The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city!"
"No, I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me." He put a firm hand on his nephew's shoulder. "It means more than you know."
His nephew's next move surprised him more as Zuko wrapped his arms around his uncle in a tight hug. "Now let's make this people some tea!" He said excitedly and half-ran to the back room to check the supplies.
"Yes! Let's make some tea!"
After the war meeting with the generals, Katara left with the scroll of the plans that needed the Earth King's signature. On her way back to the palace, she spotted the newly opened tea shop and she turned to Momo who was perched on her shoulder. "What do you say, Momo? A cup of tea before we get back to the king?"
Momo purred as if in agreement and they approached the entrance where she was greeted by two servers. "Table for two, please."
"Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green, and one litchi!"
"That voice!" She looked forward and saw Zuko holding a serving tray, calling out orders to his uncle who was brewing the tea. "They've infiltrated Ba Sing Se! I have to warn the Earth King!"
Without stepping forward any further, she spun on her heels and ran as fast as she could back to the palace. She almost took the steps two at a time and pushed the gigantic doors with all her might.
In the throne room, she felt relieved when she saw the Kyoshi Warriors there. "Thank goodness you're here, Suki! Something terrible is going on! The Fire Nation has infiltrated the city! I just saw Prince Zuko and his uncle. We have to tell the Earth King right away!"
"Oh, don't worry." The warrior whom she had called Suki stood and stepped forward into the light. "I'll be sure to let him know."
If the voice didn't do it for her, Katara stepped back as she saw golden eyes instead of Suki's blue ones. She opened the water skin at her waist, ready to attack, but Ty Lee was much faster. In a blink of an eye, Katara fell to the floor, unable to move her arms and body, the water spilling from the receptacle. The acrobat's jabs were very precise and quick, and the waterbender could only look on helplessly as they approached her.
"So... Zuzu's in the city, too?" Azula smirked with her hands on her hips, looking down at the paralyzed girl on the floor. "I think it's time for a family reunion."
Just as they were closing up the shop, a eunuch came in and approached Iroh with a scroll. "A message from the Royal Palace!" The eunuch announced and handed the scroll forward.
He took the scroll and unfurled it carefully, reading through with hawk-like eyes. "I... I can't believe it!"
"What is it, uncle?"
"Great news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King! Apparently, Lady Quinta had left in a hurry and the King needs the comforting tea of the 'new, excellent brewmaster of the upper ring'!"
Zuko smiled as he watched his uncle skip happily into the backroom to prepare for tomorrow's task. He had never been happier for his uncle, and for himself. This life of simplicity was perfect and peaceful.
Peace was something that he had long forgotten but now, it was what he finally had.
He resumed sweeping the front entrance with renewed vigor.
Azula stood in the underground war chambers in front of the Dai Li agents. After earning Long Feng's trust through manipulative means, she had gained control over them and she was set to stage the coup. She held her chin high and showed a fierce expression to strike fear in their hearts. "The Earth King and the Council of Five do not trust the Dai Li. They imprisoned your leader, Long Feng. Soon, they will turn on all of you and eliminate you!"
She stepped forward and looked the agents in their eyes as she relayed the plan. "Seizing power today is a matter of life and death. This coup must be swift and decisive! The Earth King and each of the five generals must be taken out simultaneously. Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government."
From her peripheral vision, she saw an agent flinch. She turned around and sauntered to his direction. "If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all..." She faced the agent with a fierce expression. "I will snuff it out."
She dismissed the agents and had them return to their positions to execute the plan. The fall of Ba Sing Se is near and the thought brought a wicked smile on the princess's lips.
They were out in the sea, the bright morning sun glaring down at the deck and crew, but they paid no heed to the heat. They worked and snuck a few glances as Lady Quinta brought out the coveted apprentice of the Fire Lord's concubine.
Chiyo wore a plain red and white cheongsam, courtesy of the tea mistress. The lady had also commissioned new rings to be put in her fingers, as well as new bracelets and anklets. She also wore the silk shoes given by Lady Reiko as well as the quartz pins.
"Suiren will be so delighted to see you, dear!" Quinta gushed as she kept fussing over her.
"The Lady Suiren... she's my mother?" Chiyo tilted her head. Up until now, she had no concrete answer of who Suiren was. She tried wracking her brain for any explanations or memories, but to no avail.
The lady sighed. "In all ways, except through flesh and blood. She was the woman who raised you, fed you, dressed you, taught you everything she knew..."
"Do I have a mother and father? A family?"
Sadness filled her face as she stroke Chiyo's short hair. "We are your family. Me, Suiren, Anita, Lee, and all the ladies of the Salinja Troupe."
She had a lot of questions to ask, but she knew better than to push the subject. "Thank you, Lady Quinta. I really look forward to seeing them."
That same morning, Zuko and Iroh had gotten off the royal carriage and were dropped off in front of the palace. They looked up at the magnificent structure and its numerous steps. They gazed up at the banners that held the Earth Kingdom's green sigil.
"Many times I imagined myself here at the threshold of the palace." Iroh mused as they walked up the palace doors. "But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror, instead, we are the Earth King's personal guests, here to serve him tea! Destiny is a funny thing."
The prince smiled in agreement as he contemplated their situation. "It sure is, uncle."
The royal guards led them to a private room where the Earth King usually meets his guests. While waiting, Iroh set to work on brewing his famous tea.
Half an hour later and the tea had gone cold, still no sign of the monarch. Patience was never really Zuko's strong suit. "What's taking so long?"
Iroh shrugged. "Maybe the Earth King overslept..."
The Dai Li entered the room and surrounded them, their heads bowed, faces hidden by their wide-brimmed helmet hats.
"Something's not right." Zuko whispered to his uncle as he looked warily at the soldiers.
"It's tea time!" Azula grinned as she walked into the room, facing her uncle and brother.
The prince stood up and clenched his fist. "Azula!"
"Have you met the Dai Li? They're earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's so firebender! I just love it!"
The retired general picked up his tea and heated it in his palm. He wanted a life of peace with his nephew, a fresh start here in Ba Sing Se, but it seems that the chance had been seized once more by his niece. "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname, "The Dragon of the West"?"
Azula stared at her nails as if bored already before he could even start. "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, uncle."
"It's more of a demonstration really..." He slowly sipped the tea, savoring it till the last drop.
The uncle and his nephew shared a knowing look before Zuko ducked behind him. Iroh strengthened his stance and released a stream of fire from his mouth, sending the Dai Li backward, avoiding the flames.
Zuko blasted the stone wall with a kick and they set off running. Azula and the agents chased after them through the maze of the hallways. As they turned to a dead end, the princess sent a streak of lightning towards them.
The lightning missed their heads and struck the wall ahead of them. Iroh leapt forward, screaming as he fell down the hole in the wall. Fortunately, he had landed on one of the numerous animal topiaries scattered about in the royal gardens. He looked up and found Zuko hesitating on the ledge. "Come on! You'll be fine!"
But the hesitation was not about jumping from the height. He and his uncle had always been running from Azula, avoiding the conflict. Knowing his sister, she will stop at nothing to capture them, even if it means having to spend their whole lives on the run. "No! I'm tired of running! It's time I faced Azula!"
He turned away from his uncle and came face to face with his sister. "You're so dramatic! What? Are you gonna challenge me to an Agni Kai?"
"Yes! I challenge you!"
"No thanks!" She quipped with a smile, taunting her brother.
Zuko raised his hands and breathed deeply. He released a massive ball of fire and sent it towards Azula who remained unfazed. Two Dai Li agents came in her defense, raising a portion of the stone floors and deflecting the fire. As the flames dissipated, they trapped Zuko's feet to the floor with the stone gloves they wore.
Losing his balance, he fell to the floor and a third agent tapped the hand that was supporting him. Zuko struggled against the hold, but it was no use. The trap wouldn't budge. He looked up and saw his sister turning away from him.
The agents took his arms roughly and dragged him away. The prince's futile attempt to break free lasted the whole journey as they reached the underground city of old Ba Sing Se. They threw him down a hole on the cave floor and he was shoved forward, helpless as he landed on the bottom.
The first thing he saw was several bright green crystals that were scattered everywhere in the cave. Then he heard the surprised voice of the waterbender that came with the Avatar. "Zuko!"