Ten years later…
Zuko
X
The first case I ever worked on involved five victims, three were high ranking military personnel and the other two were tycoons who had investments in the Earth Kingdom. They were men and women of influence and had contributed greatly to the Fire Nation. Their assailants, did not make effort to rid the bodies.
The victims were shot down by arrows which had their heads dipped in a poison made from the sap of Poison Stigma. Poison Stigma is a kind of plant that forms toxic sap that can be deadly even when administered in small amounts. It has long been used to assassinate people of political authority and is native to the Earth Kingdom.
During the time, I was just a young lieutenant, at twenty and had not yet ascended the throne. I worked under the hand of a woman, Captain Sui who had nothing less than an iron fist and a hunger for justice. She had worked hard on the case and sought the men and women who were responsible for the deaths of these Fire Nation citizens. After months of work and investigating every murder that was reported to the local police, we managed to classify these five incidences under an umbrella.
It was then that it became painfully obvious that these five murders, dubbed by the press as the 'Stigma Executions', were linked to each other. Two other slayings, the murder of retired Captain Hiroshi and oil Tycoon Ming Wei, were initially linked to the same culprits. This was despite the fact that the modus operandi differed. After intensive work, these two cases were dismissed when investigations came out empty.
While examining the 'Stigma Executions', a particular religion was singled out. Tu Di Zhong is an olden Earth Kingdom belief which name translates to 'Earth Loyalty'. The religion, created based on the writings of an ancient rebel, Li Jin, as he lay in prison, is now one of near obsolete beliefs in the Earth Kingdom.
It preaches the fight for freedom from oppression, promotes violent actions against those that harm nature and worships Li Jin. It was once a rising belief, capturing enough people for it to be acknowledged by the Earth King at the time in his yearly address.
Although, about five hundred years ago, after the monarch legalized the deforestation practice of 'slash and burn', the palace was attacked. The attempt at the assassination of the King of the Earth Nation caused Tu Di Zhong to be condemned and it's believers put to death. More than a thousand people were slaughtered.
However, it was rumored, although not confirmed, that the religion had survived its tribulation and had in fact begun to recruit others. We offered rewards and encouraged anyone with information on these murders to come forward. We guaranteed their safety and assured them that they were doing the right thing. No one came to claim the reward. It wasn't until months later, when the case was nearly put in cold storage, while I was looking through Mai's case files, that I found a link between her murders and theirs.
As it always is, the pain that ensued when I read those papers was nearly paralyzing. That was when I chanced over a particular verse in the document that brought my attention to the lead physician's report. It stated that the arrow that shot Mai down was laced with Poison Stigma sap, something that was consistent with those that shot the five Fire Nation citizens. I brought this up to my superior and a whole new world of evidence was brought forward.
The growing of Poison Stigma is prohibited in parts of the Earth Kingdom where the Fire Nation has conquered. But there are a few places, where the plant grows wild. They sit atop the mountains in the countryside, which are only accessible to the shepherds in the area. This narrowed down the suspects to a select few. Sui tasked exactly twenty men, with me as the officer-in-charge, to raid the homes of the ten listed families of that profession.
In two out of these ten homes, hidden ornaments, representing Tu Di Zhong, which were a little over five centimeters high, had been discovered and seized. Members of both families were questioned and put on trial. The evidence brought forward was so strong that six members of each home were executed. I pitied them but was too busy celebrating the fact that the bastards responsible for Mai's death had been executed.
And, as time progressed, I did feel a little pang for the people whose lives became desolate after the trails resulted in death. But, with the criminals related to Mai's death, sent to Hell, with a badge of honor on my chest and a raise in the ranks on my shoulders, I was contented. Suddenly, their sufferings didn't seem to matter anymore.
I sit in my makeshift office located in the heart of the latest district occupied by the Fire Nation and ponder over the case that brought me military success. I wonder, I wonder if what I have done is right, as I stare down at new pictures, new cases of murder and a lone painting of a blind dragon being rode by Li Jin. The piece of paper was pinned to the door by an arrow which bore Poison Stigma sap. The words bellow are threatening- your move Colonel. That is all it takes for me to rage.
X
I have heard much about the recruits of Squad Inferno. The men, young as they are, ranging from the ages of sixteen to eighteen, are the latest trainees under the Fire Nation Military's commando program. I walk through the camp and nod at the soldiers who greet me with respect. Despite being Fire Lord for nine years and a military officer for ten, I am not accustomed to the pomp and circumstance that comes with these positions. The prestige of these posts has never appealed to me, but the honor, is what keeps me coming back for more.
I walk towards the training site of Squad Inferno. After hearing praises for these men, I have come to see the trainees that all my senior soldiers are buzzing about. It's said that Squad Inferno is the most potent set of recruits since Sozin's time. I have my doubts about this, after all, the Fire Nation Military under the hand of Sozin was strong enough to wipe out an entire nation. For a section to be compared to the legendary military force of yesteryear makes me slightly skeptical.
"Attention!" the sergeant shouts as the men shift from a firebending stance to one that is rigid and firm. "Manners!" he announces and the men greet me.
"Good morning Colonel!" they say in unison and I nod at them. Well, they can certainly shout loudly, I think as I observe them.
"At ease men," I say and they shift positions again, such that their hands are now behind their backs and their feet apart. I weave my way through the group of men, inspecting their uniforms, their facial expressions, the way their arms are placed. All I see is a group of boys that are probably inspired by Love Amongst the Dragons and think the war is a game of romance. I don't know what my men were talking about when they sang praises for these boys but I sure as Hell am not seeing it.
I spot a stain on the shoes of one of the boys and bend down to touch it.
Paint.
Don't these soldiers know that wet paint is not for touching? I shake my head and casually notice the sergeant's face pale. Above the standards of most recruits in their teens they may be but excellent they are not. I send a stern look at the commander of this squad and call him over.
"Base One," I say softly and the sergeant nods. I want to see how strong in their basics these men are. Base One is the simplest of forms in the training program set by firebending masters for the military. I assume my position in front of the squad and watch as they go through the exercise. My eyes train on every detail, from the distance between their legs to the smoke coming from their mouths. Mildly impressed with their performance I decide to up the tension.
"Base Fifty-eight," I announce and imagine the panic in these boys even though they do not show it. I look on with interest as they spread out and with a shout, blast fire out of their clenched fists. Base Fifty-eight is the most advanced of the military forms and I watch as these soldiers somersault and shoot blow after blow with deadly potency. The fact that their movements are of near perfect synchronization is indeed impressive. Now I can see what everyone is talking about.
For the first time in many moons, a smile spreads on my face. This is indeed a very impressive showcase of excellent firebending. Their precision in wearing the uniform and their foot drills could definitely use some work. However, their abilities at the art of bending is exceptional.
Though there is one… a boy, who looks to be barely old enough to join the military stands out. All of them display exemplary firebending, but he is a cut above the rest. His face is still smooth and his lips… it can't be.
Tom-Tom.
"Stop!" I shout just as they complete the form. "Stop," I breathe and I can feel my heart constricting as I stare at the boy who must be Mai's brother.
"You… it can't be," I say as I stare into the face of the boy I once knew. "Mai…"
"Fire Lord," he says after pausing slightly and that is enough to stop my heart.
"Tom-Tom," I whisper as I back away from him. Have I imagined the entire thing? Have I gone completely mad? Am I missing Mai so much that I cannot even have a moment of sanity?
"At ease men," I say as I try to calm my heart. "What is your name?" I ask the boy and after a moment of silence, he looks at me.
"Recruit Tom-Tom, Sir" he tells me, even though he doesn't meet my gaze. "Son of Governor Nakanishi and Lady Azoro…" he pauses a moment, weighing the consequences of continuing. "Brother of…"
"Don't," I cannot believe how far I've fallen. In a split second, with just a few words, he has reduced me into a mass of emotion. "Don't say her name," I can barely feel anything but the sensation in my heart. "Just don't," I say as I signal to the sergeant to dismiss the boys.
I move to the main office of the camp and try to regain my composure. I fish out the ring I had bought with the one I gave Mai for her birthday as it hangs from my neck and look at it. It shines in the light as I bring it to my lips. Ten years without Mai, a decade with nothing but the keepsakes I have of her to remember the love of my life by. And now… I have found her brother. I stand from my seat as I realize that the tingling in my heart, the feeling that shot through me, is longing and praise Agni, hope.
Katara
X
I sit at her bedside and watch with notable pain as the only person who ever cared this much for me deteriorates before my eyes. After eight years of being ill, I fear that this might be the very last chance to see her alive.
The lump located in Mammy's breast has proved to be malignant. Initially, when she first discovered it, she was smart enough to go to a physician. The man who saw her spoke with such certainty that the tumor was not harmful to her. He had spoken of how most breast lumps didn't result in anything untoward. Mammy was reluctant to heed his words but she trusted him nonetheless.
And now… she lies on her bed and cannot move more than her head. Bedsores have formed on her hips. She is obviously in pain and her plight is not something to celebrate. It pains us to witness her kind soul break. All her hope, all the faith in the gods that she have been praying to, could not save her from her present condition.
I turn around when I hear a sound coming from the entrance to the room. Tia, a 'sister' of mine comes in with a bowl of soup. She, me, along with the other girls come to Mammy's rooms at least twice daily. We take turns to accompany her. When the spirits are kind, there will be at least two of us and we can manage to lift Mammy into her wheelchair, bring her around and let the pressure be spread to a part of her body other than her hips.
Tia takes a seat beside me and passes me the soup. I move to prop Mammy on some pillows and proceed to feed her. She opens her mouth and receives the soup. But when she tries to swallow the liquid, it comes back up and through her nose. I can feel Tia's heartbreak just as mine does. How can the spirits choose to end the life of the only person who has ever cared about my health and safety, who has been my benefactor and provider for all this time?
"Mammy," I say as I hover over her. Tia moves in position, ready to move her to the wheelchair. "You want to go for a walk?" I ask and wince when she takes great effort to shake her head. "It's good for you," I tell her and a small smile breaks over her features.
"No walk," she says finally and settles into bed. She shuts her eyes, and after watching her for a half hour, we leave her to rest. When I come to feed her breakfast the next morning, her eyes do not open. And that is when I know… she has gone to the land of the saints.
A/N: Hey everybody! thanks for reading! please do review! and thank you to Just a Crazy-Man for his input! also special thanks to babyvfan for talking with me so much and writing her story- Alluring Game of Wit and Lips and dedicating it to me (along with some others). this is dedicated to you two! thanks :)