An Earth Kingdom Tavern A Couple of Weeks After Fire Lord Zuko Found Princess Ursa
"Well boys, since none of you guys have anything left to wager with, let's call it a night and meet up again when you have more money to lose, ok?" June told the tavern, causing them to loudly groan before raucously bidding her farewell.
And June in turn told them good-bye as she walked out of the tavern with her bags of gold and silver in hand, but not before handing the bartender one of her bags and proclaiming to the crowd that drinks were on her, causing them to cheer as she smirked.
After basking in their adulteration, June continued to make her way to Nyla, who was taking a well-earned nap after their busy week.
And after securing the bags, June grabbed a fat piece of meat from her meat sack and gently woke Nyla up before throwing the piece of meat at him, who quickly caught it in his mouth and briefly chewed it before swallowing it.
June then told him as she petted him, "How's my Snuffly-Wuffly?" causing Nyla to groan in pleasure before June then said, "I am sorry for waking you up, but let's find an inn so we can both get a good's sleep, as well get you the feast you deserve after all the hard work you did this week, ok?" causing Nyla to growl in understanding.
And so, after getting on his saddle, June and Nyla headed into the woods in order to find the nearest inn.
Now, was June so foolish as to think that traveling alone at night with several bags of gold and silver pieces did not make her a target for bandits and other lowlifes?
No.
So why did she still do so? Because between her, her whip, and Nyla, June was confident that any would-be attacker would easily be warded off and/or brutalized.
So instead of paying attention to her surroundings, June instead reflected on how profitable this past week had been for her, or more generally, how profitable the post-war period had been for her.
This was because families flocked to her after the war's conclusion in order to find their loved ones who they had been separated from due to the war, especially after the Avatar: The Last Airbender play made her a world renowned figure for better or for worse.
And so June and Nyla spent their days reuniting families with their loved ones, loved ones separated by the need to find work after their village was destroyed by the Fire Nation, the need to stay hidden from the Fire Nation for a variety of reasons, and/or because they were conscripted into the Earth Kingdom Army.
And while the payments were fantastic, what was even more fantastic was the fact that, for the first time in her life, she felt like she was making the world a better place, even though that was not her goal.
For as she looked into the eyes of mothers who reunited with their sons after they had spent years fighting in the war, or into the eyes of kids who reunited with their parents after their parents sent them away in order to avoid having their earthbending discovered by the Fire Nation, June felt just as good as when she got handed a fat sack of gold for her hard work.
Hmph! Who knew deciding to work with then Prince Zuko and his perverted Uncle would prove to be the best business decision of her life?
However, June's reflections were then interrupted as she and Nyla were engulfed by a massive cloud of smoke, causing June to say in between her coughs, "Calm, Nyla. Calm down."
For the smoke was thick enough that Nyla's breathing was negatively impacted, and thus he was half-blind at best. And June knew that Nyla hated nothing more than not being able to see, especially after the perfume incident in the abbey.
But unfortunately, June was never able to calm Nyla down.
For after spending twenty or so seconds trying to catch their bearings, the last thing the two of them ever comprehended in their lives was searing blue flames quickly engulfing them, so quick that they could not scream in agony before they were burned alive.
Capital City Prison Soon After Fire Lord Zuko Returned to Caldera City With Princess Ursa and Her Family
"You. I see you. After all these years, I finally see you, Ozai. You're just a small, small man trying with all your might to be big. Your heart is so small, you've no room for your son, or your daughter, or your brother ... or even yourself. Goodbye, Ozai." Ursa calmly, but sternly, told her ex-husband before nonchalantly walking towards Ozai's prison door so she could leave him behind for good.
"B-b-but -!" Ozai stammered before regaining his composure, rising to his feet and gripping the bars of his cell before then bellowing out, "D-don't you turn your back on me! Come back and grovel before me! Do you hear me?! Come back and grovel!"
But Ursa failed to respond to Ozai's threats and continued walking, only stopping to close the door after opening it.
And after it became apparent that Ursa would never come back, Ozai slumped to the floor, lamenting the fact that, with the peasant's return and Zuko's gang of misfits and traitorous Uncle keeping a closer eye on him, he no longer had any sway over his estranged son.
Which normally wouldn't be the end of the world since his allies on the outside should be plotting to help him escape prison and/or take down Zuko.
Except he had no real allies and there was no real movement seeking to restore him to the throne as far as he knew. Moreover, his retarded daughter, who he had foolishly put his trust in once again, obviously failed to kill Ursa and/or use the peasant's foolish letter claiming he was a cuck to start a civil war.
Agni! If the prison's guards gossip were to be trusted, Azula succumbed to her madness again and ran off into some spirit infested valley while Zuko, the peasant, the peasant's cuck, and their bastard child were welcomed home by a cheering crowd.
So shamefully, Ozai started weeping in his cell before going to sleep in an attempt to come to terms with the fact that this dank cell would be his tomb.
However, instead of waking up on his own, or by a guard giving him some prison slop, Ozai was awakened by the sounds of guards apparently choking on air, causing him to become both excited and scared.
For on the one hand, this could be loyalists finally breaking him out. But on the other hand, this could be benders from the other nations trying to punish him for spreading civilization, as well as trying to prune those who resisted his and his ancestor's efforts to better the world.
However, before Ozai could ponder any further, the door to his cell was violently opened before his cell was flooded with smoke, causing him to cough and struggle before quickly passing out.
The New Ozai Society Hideout in Caldera City a Couple of Weeks After Ozai Mysteriously Escaped Prison
"Yes my fellow patriots, I acknowledge the fact that attacking the palace, even if we have the advantage of surprise thanks to usurper failing to educate himself on the ins and outs of the palace, is a daunting task." Ozai proclaimed to a crowd of around two hundred young men, with Lord Ukano by his right-hand side.
"But I assure you that I would not ask you guys to undertake such a task if I was not sure that providence was on our side, just like it was when I miraculously showed up on your doorstep."
"For providence favors the righteous." Ozai said before dramatically pausing, making it seem like he was thinking of what to say, even though he had meticulously plotted out every sentence in his speech, before then adding on, "And while it is true that I, like our great nation, suffered many indignities due our misplaced trust in our fellow Fire Nationals, they are but a road bump in the path to glory."
"So now that our ranks have grown to sufficient size, I know that we can restore the Fire Nation to its former glory. And I promise on my honor that everyone here will be handsomely compensated for sticking by me and Sozin's dream when everyone else had abandoned or forsaken us."
"So let us begin preparing to take down Zuko and his cabal of traitors and weak-willed fools so that the righteous, and not the wicked, may inherit the Earth!" Ozai exclaimed, causing the New Ozai Society to break into chants of, "Power to The Fire Nation".
And after taking a moment to bask in his loyal followers' adulation, Ozai retired to his office so he could go over the plans to use the palace's secret tunnels in order to kill Zuko and his allies
Meanwhile Ukano settled the crowd down so they could do some training exercises in order to become more prepared for their assault on the palace.
However, Ozai's plans were changed once he reached his office. For after closing his door and reaching his desk, he found a letter that wasn't there before he left on top of it.
And after checking if it was poisonous, or a trap otherwise, Ozai opened and read it, with his eyes slowly but surely becoming wide with shock as he reached the end, with his eyes becoming wider after he took a good look at the list that was attached to the letter.
So what was inside the letter and list that caused such a reaction in the former Fire Lord?
That Lady Mai had stopped mulling whether or not to turn Ukano in and has told Fire Lord Zuko everything, and so he is going to lead a strike force here tonight to arrest all of them.
And that while Ozai would be right to question the letter's veracity, if it was not for "them", he would still be in a jail cell languishing. Moreover, it was "them" who kept giving the New Ozai Society money so that Ukano would not have to burn through all of his funds, as well as limit the money trail.
Not to mention, "they" eliminated Kei Lo before his unrequited infatuation with Lady Mai caused him to betray the cause by telling Fire Lord Zuko everything he knew about the New Ozai Society after finding out that Ozai was with them.
So Ozai should heed "their" warning and leave Caldera City with the rest of the New Ozai Society, only to return once he is certain that he can take on Zuko's forces and allies directly since they no longer have the benefit of Zuko and his allies being unaware of the New Ozai Society's existence.
That and take good care of the list attached to the letter since it contains a list of Fire Nation officials who on the surface are loyal to Zuko, but could easily be turned to their cause if the right amount of pressure was applied to them and/or due to having skeletons in their closet.
After calming down, Ozai initially balked at complying with the letter's demands, for he had no respect for spirits, even those who are helping him because they think Zuko is too weak to maintain the Fire Lord mantle.
(Obviously his benefactors were spirits, for who could they be if they were not spirits?)
But after taking a second to reflect, Ozai changed his mind since he remembered that it was his weakness in the first place that forced him to rely on spirits.
So Ozai was about to head back out in order to announce the change of plans when Lord Ukano entered his room and asked, "Sorry for disturbing you my Lord, but one of the recruits brought up an interesting point: how are we going to counter the Kyoshi Warriors' chi-blocking?"
"For you know as well as I do that-"
"Ukano, there has been a change of plans. We need to leave as soon as possible and leave nothing behind that could allow Zuko or his allies to find us."
"For I have had a…premonition that your daughter's loyalty to you has run out, and so Zuko will be attacking this hideout by nightfall." Ozai told Ukano while subtly putting the letter and list into his tunic, making sure that dopey nobleman didn't see them.
"What?! What do you mean by, "your daughter's loyalty to you has run out"? And what is this premonition you speak of? For I don't remember you ever having any connection to the spirits like your traitorous older broth-"
"Ukano, who is the rightful Fire Lord?"
"You are my lord."
"So when your Fire Lord commands you to do something, what should be your response?" Ozai sternly told Ukano while walking up to him so that there was little to no space between them.
Ukano then told Ozai, "Understood my lord. I will tell the rest of the group the change of plans and carry out your wishes."
"Good. Good Ukano. Let us never find ourselves having this conversation ever again, ok?" Ozai responded, causing Ukano to meekly respond, "I promise this conversation will never happen again." before quickly scurrying off to do Ozai's bidding, but not before giving him a deep bow.
The New Ozai Society Hideout in Caldera City, Several Hours Later
When Fire Lord Zuko, alongside a unit of imperial firebenders, a handful of Kyoshi Warriors that include Suki and Lady Ty Lee, and Lady Mai, marched into the New Ozai Society hideout, he expected a brutal fight between his forces and zealots loyal to his father and/or Sozin's ideals, a fight that potentially could have ended with his father's blood coating his swords.
But to his and his party's horror, there was no fight, only an empty hideout that had been thoroughly emptied of anything that could have provided any leads as to the New Ozai Society's current location.
After sweeping the hideout multiple times, Zuko was about to order the party back to the palace so they could decide what to do now that the New Ozai Society escaped along with his father, when he saw a sobbing Mai uncharacteristically punching a wall that had a giant painting of his father hanging from it while talking to herself.
So he rushed to her side, where he heard her keep saying to herself, "It's all my fault. It's all my fault." causing Zuko to cough and tell her after getting her attention, "Mai, it is not your fault."
"If anyone is to be blamed, it is your father, who rejected my offer to join my government in favor of trying to restore my father in hopes of regaining the power he once had as governor of Omashu, even if it meant destroying his family."
"Or more generally, if anyone is to be blamed, it is my father, who clearly has failed to reflect on why Iroh and I turned our backs on our forefathers' ideals, and why he got punished by Aang."
"So please stop mentally flagellating yourself Mai? Especially since as someone constantly tells me, "It makes you look ugly since the only thing you can do about the past is remember it so you can do better in the future."?" Zuko softly told Mai before trying to give her a hug.
However, Mai moved away from his touch before angrily telling him, "Zuko, I appreciate the support, but it really is all my fault."
"For I knew that my father was running the New Ozai Society for months, and yet I did nothing, even after receiving Kei Lo's suspicious good-bye letter in which he said he was leaving the Fire Nation because he found employment in one of the new independent colonies."
"I should have had the strength to turn on Ukano sooner like you had the strength to turn on Ozai. For-"
"Mai, I only turned on my father after having the fact that everything he stood for was utterly evil repeatedly slapped in my face. And the only reason why my fuck-ups didn't have any permanent consequences, consequences like Aang's permanent death or Iroh getting killed for committing treason, was due to sheer dumb luck and my family's overwhelming sadism."
"So the important thing is that you did turn on Ukano. And even if it does suck that we were not able to capture them, at least they are on the run, with all the struggles that entails, and so we will be able to capture them in no time." Zuko said.
After taking a moment to comprehend what Zuko had told her, Mai then told Zuko, "Ok, so maybe you are right. But it doesn't change the fact that I betrayed you and all of our friends and allies, especially Ty Lee considering I used our friendship to force her to stay quiet about the New Ozai Society."
"Yeah, that was pretty shitty of you. And to be quite honest, I do have some resentment towards you for forcing my hand like that. Though to be fair I am a grown woman who knows right from wrong and is capable of making her own choices, and so I am as much to blame for today as you are." Ty Lee told Mai as she walked to Zuko's right-hand side.
"But the important thing is that we have a chance to right our wrongs. For even though we should have turned on Azula much sooner than we did, the important thing is that we did turn on her before going to great lengths to disavow her and the actions we took under her command."
"So even if we failed to alert Zuko about the New Ozai Society in a timely fashion, we can take steps to rectify our mistakes, but only if we don't wallow in them."
"So are you going to help us put an end to the New Ozai Society and get Ozai back into Zuko's custody? Or are you going to wallow in self-loathing and pity?" Ty Lee asked Mai, who then quickly responded, "I will help you guys hunt down the New Ozai Society if it is the last thing I do." before hugging Ty Lee and Zuko, who hugged her back.
As the trio were hugging each other, the Kyoshi Warriors, including Suki, were looking at Mai with barely concealed resentment in their eyes.
For they didn't understand what it was like to have grown up thoroughly indoctrinated with lies, and they certainly did not know how they would react if they had to betray their fathers, even if their fathers were evil and needed to be stopped.
But it did not change the fact that they felt anger towards Mai, and to a lesser extent Ty Lee, since the longer Ozai is free, the more likely the New Ozai Society becomes a real threat to Zuko, and thus the peace they sought to uphold.
Several Months Later in An Inn in Cranefish Town After Liling's Failed Bending Supremacist Uprising
As he was petting Bosco in order to help him sleep, Kuei was going over the minutes of his meeting with the Council of Five earlier tonight in preparation of his meeting with Chiefs Arnook and Hakoda tomorrow.
And yes, the three of them had decided to hold a meeting on neutral grounds in order to discuss what their response should be to the fact that the New Ozai Society, or those loyal to them, had de facto control over most of the islands in the Fire Nation thanks to their guerilla tactics.
Tactics that were successful due to Fire Lord Zuko refusing to declare war against them since the bloodshed would cause his support to drop to zero, if the Fire Nation Army didn't turn against him first.
And while the three world leaders hoped that the Gaang would be able to take on the problem without forcing the other nations to get involved, it appeared that the situation was beyond them.
This was because, despite their best efforts, they kept failing to put an end to the New Ozai Society since they are just six people, and those who they arrest keep escaping prison, with the only evidence of the prison breakers' identities being the residue of smoke on the dead guards' bodies and on the prison walls, with the former also having cuts and burns consistent with fire whips and draggers.
Though to be fair, it was only the Water Tribes Chiefs who were against involving the other nations in the whole New Ozai Society mess, for Kuei and the Council of Five wanted to invade the Fire Nation and restore order since they (rightfully in their opinion) feared what would happen if Ozai was ever restored.
That and there were an ever increasing amount of Earth Kingdomers angry at the fact that only Fire Lord Ozai and Princess Azula were punished for the Fire Nation's actions during the war, along with the resolution of the Yu Dao crisis, and thus there was popular support among the Earth Kingdom masses for aggressive action against the New Ozai Society threat.
Especially if they managed to leverage the fact that Zuko would be beholden to them in order to, "Rectify some wrongs, starting with the oldest colonies." as General How put it during their meeting.
However, the thing that worried the Kuei the most was not the New Ozai Society threat, or even the possibility of Ozai taking the throne again, but instead the possibility of Princess Azula escaping.
For if the cunning and mad princess was as vengeful as Zuko, General Iroh, and her former "friends" Ladies Mai and Ty Lee made her out to be, then surely he would be one of her first victims if she ever escaped her asylum, a fact that literally made him pause when he was halfway to his bed after finally getting Bosco to sleep.
Though Kuei was able to assuage himself by reminding himself that Zuko had just as much to lose if Azula ever escaped.
That and the fact that Zuko has repeatedly sworn on his honor over the years that he would make sure that Azula would never escape.
A Couple of Years Ago In Kuei's Private Office Just After Zuko Agreed to the Harmony Restoration Movement
"Um, Zuko, thank you again for agreeing to the Harmony Restoration Movement. I can't tell you how much it means to me and my people." Kuei told Zuko, who then responded by saying, "No problem. It is my job as Fire Lord to do whatever it takes to heal the wounds my father left on the world."
"Though I am pretty sure that the Harmony Restoration Movement is not why you asked me to talk to you alone in your office."
"No, it is not." Kuei told Zuko before then telling him, "I understand that you have the right to handle your domestic affairs as you see fit, but can you please promise me monarch to monarch to make sure that Azula never escapes your custody?"
"Because I know that you have as much to lose as I do if she ever escapes, but I just want assurances that she will never be able to menace me or my Kingdom ever again."
"In fact, I am fine with you eventually putting her under permanent house arrest once her madness subdizes, if it ever does, if it means that she will never be a threat again." Kuei told Zuko in deadly serious tone while also shaking, which was due to inadvertently remembering the time when the vile princess held a super hot fire dragger inches from his throat, the closest he had ever been to dying in his young life.
Realizing that Kuei needed something more than a generic promise, Zuko then took off his crown and held it out before telling Kuei, "I know that I have severely wronged you in the past in part because I valued my sister over doing the right thing. But I promise you on my honor and on my crown that Azula will never escape my custody. And if she does, I will spend every waking moment hunting her down, and I will take full responsibility for whatever harm she causes."
"You promise?" Kuei softly asked Zuko, with the Fire Lord quickly responding, "Yes." causing Kuei to hug Zuko, who awkwardly stood there for a moment, unsure of what to do, before reciprocating Kuei's hug.
Several Months Ago as Kuei and Zuko Where Walking Back to Their Airships After Having Dinner in Kanna and Master Pakku's Hut
As they were walking back to their airships with their entourages, Kuei, remembering that he had to ask Zuko a very sensitive question, decided to break the silence by asking his Fire Nation counterpart, "Zuko, I am sorry for repeatedly telling you this, but thank you for saving me from falling to my death."
"Also, thank you for sharing with us your spicy fire noodles, they were delicious. In fact, do you mind writing down the recipe so I can enjoy it more often if it is not that much of a hassle?" Kuei asked Zuko.
"Kuei, I was literally honor bound to save you, so can you please stop apologizing, or I might be forced to not save you the next time your life is in danger?" Zuko forcefully asked Kuei, who nodded his head in understanding.
After making sure Kuei got the message, Zuko then told Kuei, "Now as for the spicy fire noodles, I am glad you enjoyed them, and I will gladly write down the recipe for your benefit once we reach our airships. Though I have to admit it is not my recipe, but in fact a family recipe passed down on my mother's side for generations." causing Kuei to nod his head in gratitude before they continued to walk in silence.
Or they would have until Kuei remembered the sensitive question he wanted to ask, causing him to sigh before asking Zuko, "Zuko, I hate to ruin the good mood, but there has been something I have been needing to ask you: is it true that Princess Azula escaped your custody and you have failed to find her, even though you promised me that she would never escape your custody?"
After hearing Kuei's question, Zuko quickly looked away, causing Kuei to quickly tell Zuko, "Ugh. My fault for giving those nasty rumors any weight. For even I despise her, I know that her prolonged fall into madness weighs heavily on you and your mother.
"I am sorry, and I won't give heed to such rum-"
"Kuei, there is no nothing to apologize for since you were being a good monarch looking out for you people by following up on any leads that could lead to untold pain and devastation. And to answer your question, Azula is still in the asylum getting medical treatment." Zuko excitedly told Kuei, who then responded by saying, "Thank you for assuaging my worries Zuko." causing Zuko to nod in understanding before the two monarchs continued walking to their airships.
However, Kuei's peace of mind was short-lived, for just as he was able to assure himself that Azula was locked up under the watchful eye of Zuko, his room quickly became flooded with thick smoke.
And as he tried finding Bosco, he heard the sound of fire draggers repeatedly stabbing thick flesh before seeing a fire dagger wielded by a hooded and masked figure slash his throat, thus putting an end to his reign.
Inside a Water Tribe Ship in the Docks of Cranefish Town Around the Same Time Kuei's Inn Was Getting Attacked
"Hakoda, I think we both agree that directly sending our forces to the Fire Nation would not be the best course of action considering we would just be proving the New Ozai Society right that Zuko is a puppet ruler."
"But don't you think it would be smart to send some strike teams made up of our best warriors on top of the clandestine monetary and weapons support we have already been giving Zuko's regime?" Chief Arnook of the Northern Water Tribe asked his Southern-counterpart, who then quickly responded, "Yes, I agree that directly sending our forces to the Fire Nation would be unwise, but I also think that sending strike teams would be equally unwise."
"Why is that?" Arnook asked Hakoda, who then quickly responded by asking Arnook a question of his own, "What are people going to think if they see a bunch of waterbenders fighting with Zuko's forces?"
"Good point. But what if we send in a strike team of our best non-benders?" Arnook retorted, with Hakoda responding by saying, "So what happens, La forbid, if one of our brave warriors fall in combat, thus allowing the New Ozai Society to realize that one of their assailants has dark skin and blue eyes?"
Arnook at this point was stumped, and so, after playing with his beard for a moment, deep in thought, he then asked Hakoda in an exasperated tone, "So that's it? We are going to have to hope that Zuko, what is left of his country, and the rest of Team Avatar pulls through?"
"Because I know you would trust Zuko with your life, but I don't have such blind faith in the boy." Arnook said with pain and anger evident in his tone and facial expression.
For yes, it was true that without Zuko's defection to Team Avatar, the world would currently be under the brutal yoke of the Fire Nation.
And yes, it was true that Zuko had helped free Hakoda from the Boiling Rock and had saved Master Sokka and Master Katara's lives several times over.
But it did not change that Zuko was directly responsible for, at least tied to, Yue's death.
For it was Zhao who murdered Tui and forced his daughter to sacrifice herself to maintain balance in the world.
But if Zuko didn't take Aang from Spirit Oasis, then maybe Aang, along with Sokka and Katara, would have been able to prevent Zhao from ever killing Tui, and so maybe his daughter would be here today, instead of watching over them at night.
After pausing for a moment, Hakoda then told Arnook, "Look, I understand that Zuko wronged you badly, and if I were in your position, I could never stand to be anywhere near him, let alone support him and his regime."
"But this isn't about you two, it is about the world we want our people to inherit. For just like our tribes can only heal if we work together, the only way the five nations can live together in harmony is by uplifting those who share our values."
"For there will always be those who think it is their nation's prerogative to subjugate the other nations, and so it is up to people like us to oppose them."
"But not by imposing our will on them, but instead by helping them stand on their own two feet."
"So let us help Zuko, not because we support him on a personal level, but because it is in the best interest of our tribes, as well as balance, to do so." Hakoda said, finishing his impromptu speech.
After taking a moment to comprehend what Hakoda had told him, Arnook then told Hakoda, "I guess it is settled; when we talk to Kuei tomorrow about what to do in regards to the New Ozai Society threat, we will tell him together that we should continue to give Zuko money and weapons, but nothing more." before then adding on after sighing, "Not that us having a united front will change the fact that Kuei will want to invade the Fire Nation considering how he and his people view the situation with the oldest colonies as an affront to everything decent and good in this world."
"Not that I blame them." Arnook silently mused to himself.
"Convincing Kuei to not view the New Society Society situation as a chance for revenge will be hard. But I am pretty sure between the two of us we can get him to change his mind." Hakoda said before adding on, "Well, considering we have come to an agreement on our strategy tomorrow, let's call it night, shall we?" getting up from the table and stretching out his right-hand so he could give Arnook a forearm handshake.
Arnook then got up and gave Hakoda a handshake while telling him with a smile on his face, "I agree, especially considering how we have been keeping our wives waiting."
"Malina is not my wife, she is my girlfriend." an exasperated Hakoda told Arnook, who then responded, "But she will be your wife." causing Hakoda to roll his eyes.
And so Hakoda eagerly left the war room in order to head towards his and Malina's chambers towards the bottom of the ship so they could talk about their day, as well as spend quality time together, something that had become increasingly rare as the situation in the Fire Nation worsened.
(Malina had been working on the weapons the Water Tribes had been sending to Zuko's regime, and had plans for more advanced designs that she wanted to work on with not only the Earth Kingdom, but also with Earthen Fire Industries. Hence why she was with Hakoda on this official diplomatic trip.)
However, before Hakoda could reach his chambers, the ship suddenly became engulfed in smoke, with the smell of burning metal and gas shortly following, causing Hakoda to panic, especially after he heard the faint sound of throats getting sliced, only for their wounds to instantly cauterize.
But not because he was scared for his own life, but because he was afraid for Malina's. For he had already lost one love of his life to a firebender, and he was not going to lose another, not when he could do something about it.
And so Hakoda started crawling, desperate to make it to their chambers and make sure Malina was fine before evacuating the ship with her.
But Hakoda failed, for just as he started crawling, the ship exploded, with him barely able to react as his body was engulfed in flames along with the rest of the Water Tribes leaders' parties.
Around the Same Time Kuei's Inn and the Water Tribes' Ship Were Burning in a Mansion Near Earthern Fire Industries
As Poppy was sleeping, Lao quietly left their bed to go to the balcony and reflect on how good life had been to him lately as he watched over the growing town that he had grown fond of.
For Earthern Fire Industries had grown to the point that it was one of the largest, if not largest, multinational firms in the world. All without having to sacrifice the ethical standards that Lao made sure to enforce after Loban's penny-pinching ways were discovered, or Earthen Fire Industries' commitment to paying a living wage for all of its workers, unlike a lot of his competitors.
Cranefish Town, while still struggling with class disparities, nationalist conflicts, and bender vs. non-bender conflict, had managed to stabilize itself and was on the road to becoming the largest and most prosperous city in the world, thanks in part due the chi-blocking police force that he backed with both his money and personal guards.
Lao and Poppy had reconciled after she had learned of his efforts to reconcile and make amends with their daughter. And while Lao could not predict the future with certainty, he was pretty sure that as long as he remembered that family, and not tradition, was what mattered in life, she would never leave him again.
And speaking of their daughter, Lao could not be prouder of the woman she was becoming, or more grateful that she found in her heart to forgive him. For she may have been born blind, but he was the one who was truly blind, ignorant to the fact that his daughter had greatness within her, and only needed guidance to reach her full potential.
In fact, despite her repeatedly showing that she didn't need to be hidden and protected from the world, as well as constantly rebuking his attempts to cage her, he failed to heed the obvious until his daughter managed to prevent a cave-in by herself, an Avatar-level feat in his humble opinion.
So after realizing the error of his ways, he made it his personal goal life to treat her the way he should have from the beginning, whether it be giving her metalbending school unconditional support, or making her a partner in Earthen Fire Industries so not only could she learn how to manage a business, but also build contacts of her own if she ever decided to start her own business.
And slowly but surely, they built the father-daughter relationship they should have had from the beginning, one built on openness and mutual trust, instead of the blind filial piety, or at least the expectation of blind filial piety, that had characterized their previous relationship.
Though sadly, he could not help her with the current situation she found herself in beyond sending supplies and weapons: helping Fire Lord Zuko put down the nasty New Ozai Society movement, which threatened to swallow whole the Fire Nation and the rest of the world.
To be quite honest, Lao was pretty certain that Zuko's regime was doomed. But Lao was just as certain that his daughter, the greatest earthbender in the world, along with the rest of Team Avatar, would find a way to beat the odds and win, just like she had done countless times.
However, before Lao could further reflect on life, he noticed smoke and flames coming from the industrial district, causing him to freak out due to the fact that his factory was likely one of the casualties.
And Lao freaked out even more as he noticed flames coming not only from where the prison was located, but also from the docks, where the inns were located, and where the other business leaders lived.
But before Lao could head back into his mansion so he could put on some more appropriate clothing and think of a proper response to the fires and (likely) tragedies that were happening, his mansion caught on fire, with thick smoke coming out of the windows, causing a frighted Lao to stand in place, for unlike his daughter, he was a coward at heart.
However, he loved Poppy more than he was scared of dying, and he was not going to lose her now, not when they had just gotten back together.
So despite his instincts telling him otherwise, Lao made his way to the balcony door. However, just as he opened it, he was forcefully grabbed inside by a figure shrouded by the smokey haze, causing the nobleman to scream.
Though not for long, for Lao quickly joined his wife, who had been killed in her sleep unbeknownst to him, in eternal slumber.
Meanwhile in the Cranefish Town Prison
Even though it was hard to breath due to the smoke, and she wasn't entirely sure if the assailants were here to break her out, Liling's spirits rose as she heard the prison guards and police officers try to stop their assailants, only to fail as they were unceremoniously killed by having their throats slashed by what sounded like fire draggers.
For she would die tonight, and therefore her pitiful existence in this wooden cage where she was served food fit only for pig-chickens would come to an end, or she would be freed, and thus able to enact her revenge on the foolish Avatar and his companions who failed to realize the natural order of things, as well as get rid of Ru, who had decided that standing up for non-benders was more important than family.
Though obviously she hoped that the assailants shared her values, and therefore were coming to free her since they viewed her as an indispensable part of the pro-bender movement, which was still going strong if the prison guards mumblings had any basis in reality, but not as strong as it was before the Avatar decided to get involved.
(Liling didn't really care if Yaling was freed, or even if she lived. Not when Yaling's overly trusting nature and desire for power allowed the Avatar and his companions to find their hideout. And not when she managed to stalemate Toph, only to shamefully get knocked out by a non-bender.)
Though Liling's hopes were dashed as she got the freedom she desired, only it was in the form of massive red flames covering her entire cell as she reflectively attempted to generate an earth wall to protect herself, only to remember as she was being immolated that her cage was specifically designed to prevent people like her from accessing their birthright.
Several Weeks Later in Omashu Just as Night Was Falling
As Iroh, who was wearing a cloak on top of his typical Earth Kingdom clothes, discreetly made his way to Bumi's castle, he reflected on the sorry state of the world that had forced the White Lotus' hands once again.
For the world had fallen into chaos again not only due to his brother managing to mysteriously escape prison and raise an insurrection thanks to that traitorous bastard of a noble Ukano and the New Ozai Society, but also due to both Water Tribe Chiefs and Kuei mysteriously dying the night before they were going to hold a meeting in Cranefish Town to come up with a response to the New Ozai Society threat.
That and Cranefish Town's political and economic leaders all perishing on the same night the Water Tribe Chiefs and Kuei died, with the only thing connecting some of their deaths being the residue of smoke found on the bodies that weren't severely burned or turned into ash.
The Water Tribes were in disarray due to a leadership crisis caused by the fact that all of the likely candidates who could have succeeded Chiefs Hakoda and Arnook were with them when they died.
But they were in perfect health compared to the Earth Kingdom, for the Earth Kingdom administrative state fell apart almost overnight due to Kuei dying without having produced any heirs, as well as lacking any close living blood relatives to take his place.
Hence, the Earth Kingdom had fallen into outright anarchy, with former soldiers, who were barely taken care off after the war's end thanks to the Fire Nation's reparations, reparations that were no longer reaching people due to the Earth Kingdom no longer having a functioning state, forming roving bands that raped and pillaged their way across the Earth Kingdom, bands that contended with mercenary armies hired by noble families and rich merchants.
In fact, the Earth Kingdom's chaos had gotten so bad that it, along with the Fire Nation's bullshit, bled into the oldest colonies, with the roving bands attacking towns and cities within the nominally independent state, and those who supported the hard-line Earth KIngdom, Water Tribe, and Fire Nation positions using it as an opportunity to relitigate the war and the early post-war years.
Especially since the mysterious nature of the Cranefish Town Massacre had caused wild speculation as to who or what was behind it.
(The Cranefish Town Massacre was what that ghastly night of mass murder and wanton destruction had came to be known as, though it also had other names as well.)
And to make things worse, Team Avatar can't really do anything about it since they are just six people, one of whom is the Fire Lord. Moreover, if they leave the Fire Nation, the New Ozai Society is liable to start launching terrorist attacks in Caldera City, or even try to outright coup Zuko.
For Iroh hated to acknowledge it, but his nephew can't completely trust that his forces would stay loyal to him if he wasn't there in person, especially if they thought the New Ozai Society was on the verge of victory.
So in light of these events, Bumi decided to call the White Lotus together to see what they could do in order to help. For just like Ozai's plan to genocide the Earth Kingdom forced their hand, the ruined state of the world had also forced their hand.
And Iroh obviously not only approved this course of action, but also had some questions that he knew could only be answered by the White Lotus working together.
Questions like why did they find find smoke on some of the murder victims bodies?
How did Ozai escape?
How has the New Ozai Society been able to essentially break out everyone who ends up captured?
How have the New Ozai Society been able to fund their operations without leaving a paper trail?
Are the Cranefish attackers tied to the New Ozai Society?
However, before Iroh could further ponder on the questions he wanted answers to, he was interrupted by King Bumi, who was flanked by guards, asking him, "Who knocks at the garden gate ?" causing Iroh to quickly respond, "One who has eaten the fruit and tasted its mysteries." before then taking off his hood and smiling.
Bumi then told Iroh, "It is good to see you my friend. We have much to discuss, so let us not waste any time." causing the two White Lotus Grandmasters to make haste, but not before Bumi told his guards to shut down the palace since he didn't want word of what was to be discussed to escape the palace's walls.
That and the fact that the palace currently had several, very politically connected men in it, and therefore a prime target for terrorists.
And so Iroh and Bumi quickly made their way to the palace dining hall, where the other White Lotus members were conversing with each other as they ate dinner, something that caused Iroh to smile since he was famished due to taking only a couple of breaks as he traveled from Ba Sing Se.
However, Iroh's joy was cut short as sounds of lightning and the sounds of servants and guards alike getting electrocuted to death echoed through the palace, causing Iroh, along with the rest of the White Lotus to try to save as many people as they could, as well as find out who their assailants could be since the only lightning generators in the world, notwithstanding the long missing Princess Azula, where Iroh and Jeong Jeong.
(Iroh had long taught Jeong Jeong how to generate lightning, as well as redirect it. However, Jeong Jeong refused to generate lightning, even when his life was in danger, since he viewed it only as a tool of destruction.)
But before they could exit the dining hall, they were engulfed by a thick cloud of smoke. And by the time it subsided, they found themselves surrounded by at least a hundred Kemurikage spirits, or at least that is what they thought initially.
For the spiritually attuned order quickly realized that they were not dealing with vengeful spirits, but instead firebenders who decided to co-opt the Kemurikage's visage for their own nefarious ends. And so Jeong Jeong, who was in between Iroh and Pakku, yelled at the Kemurikage imposters, "What do you want?!"
"Your destruction." one of the Kemurikage nonchalantly responded in a dark voice before they all unexpectedly generated lethal quick charge lightning that rivaled Ozai's quick lightning in his prime, catching the White Lotus off-guard, and thus unceremoniously killing them.
Well, all of the White Lotus except for Jeong Jeong and Iroh, who instead were targeted with two lightning spheres that were generated at the same time by the Kemurikage who had just spoken.
Lightning spheres that were moving too fast for the firebending masters to move out of their path, but not so fast that they could not redirect it.
However, to their horror, they found out that no, you can not redirect a lightning sphere since a sphere does not flow through one's chi paths like a bolt. And so the two firebending masters were killed just as easily as the rest of their order.
And so as night fell, the citizens of Omashu were treated to the sight of their monarch's palace in flames juxtaposed against the dark nighttime sky.