"I'm sitting in a chair, but in the future it's a throne"
~Drake
Firelord Iroh sat atop the royal stage, overlooking the throne room. He chose not to have his flames shield his face from the council to reduce intimidation. His reason being that he just administered new officials to represent their nations and end Azulon's
regime.
It hadn't been too long since his coronation and this was his first meeting. Both sides of the court were on the edge of breaking into another war with each other, right in his throne room. He knew he was taking a risky move assigning Earth Kingdom officials and ambassadors to take part in the meetings or let alone enter the Fire Nation. It was also quite insulting to his late father's legacy by inviting Master Pakku of the Northern Water Tribe.
He took note of the old tribesman sitting far away from everyone else with his eyes cast down. Iroh's face softened, thanks to his father, his title of Firelord was now considered to be "conqueror of the world", but Iroh wanted his reign to be a democratic one. Pakku had been a close friend of his and he could not betray him for a title he didn't think he owned or even deserved. In his negotiation with the North, he convinced Pakku to make it look like his tribe surrendered willingly by coming to this gathering. In return, Iroh would ensure their safety and avoid Fire Nation withdrawal from pursuing the Northern tribe.
Interrupting his thoughts, Lord Min, one of the new ambassadors rose up to speak.
"Your majesty we humbly request that the so-called colonies of the Fire Nation should be reinstated and be seen as Earth Kingdom territory."
Murmurs and annoyance immediately filled the room. Especially amongst the Fire Nation officials.
"Your majesty! These ambassadors asking back for their lands is outrageous. The people of the Fire Nation who are now settled there can't simply move away from where they now call home!"
"Lord Min are you forgetting who is in control of the world. First the request to lower your taxes now this. You haven't been here for less than an hour and are already making unreasonable requests!"
Min turned to the men in response
"What exactly is unreasonable in asking for what is rightfully ours? If you were able to originally settle in our territory, then I am sure you will have no problem settling back into your homelands"
Another ambassador named Wei spoke up.
"Instead of talking to us that way, you should be thanking us for allowing you fools stay here so long. Your majesty, what we are trying to say is the people of the earth and fire simply cannot live together. The Fire Nation view themselves as elites while treating us as second class citizens in our own home!"
Wei and Min were former ring leaders of The resistance in the now captured town of Yi. Their goal to claim back their home had been their major motivation when invited to set his foot in the Fire Nation. The only earth Kingdoms left were Omashu and Ba Sing Se and they prayed their resistance could still hold on until negotiation was reached.
Fire Colony governor Xie Lou of the Yi state, shot a pointed look at Wei then at the Firelord.
"Your majesty, how are we supposed to make peace with these people, if they keep terrorizing and causing confusion. A new rebel group just formed and they call themselves the freedom fighters, they vandalize, steal and even sometimes assault our people. Knowing the history of these men Wei and Min, they are probably responsible for these new uprisings. Either you make a decree or we will drive out the Earth scums out ourselves!"
Echoes of chanting and agreement filled the room. Urging the Firelord to refuse to the Earth Kingdom's endless requests.
Iroh lifted his arm calling for silence but the men were too far gone. He began muttering to himself, trying to weigh his options.
If I listen to the Fire Nation officials, the Earth Kingdom ambassadors will turn on me and fight for another war, this same thing will occur if I listen to the Earth Kingdom.
"Master Pakku what do you suggest."
The words had flown out of his mouth before realizing it. As soon as he ushered for Pakku to speak. The room fell silent. It was as if everyone else Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom alike, suddenly took notice of the presence of a Water Tribe in their midst. Although the Earth Kingdom and water tribe had no major recent conflicts with each other, the Water Tribes were one of the reasons they were put in such an unforgiving position.
Pakku cleared his throat to speak. "Your majesty I do not believe a tribesman such as myself to have a say in the matter."
"No master Pakku, please speak. You have all the say." Commander Zhao spat.
He and Pakku were the only men who had refrained from speaking throughout the entire meeting. He sat directly across from the tribesman looking at him with hostility. He had been the commander of the army set to wipe out the Northern Tribe, before Azulon death. Knowing that this old fool was the reason for his demotion from Admiral to Commander because Iroh's compassionate spirit, made his blood boil. This man and Iroh were the obstacles in his path, if his younger brother Ozai were Firelord, the former admiral would have gotten his way.
Pakku narrowed his eyes at Zhao. Sensing the General's eagerness to manipulate his words, he turned back to Iroh.
"Your majesty, I believe this is a matter for the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation to settle on their own."
"Ah, but if it weren't for your people Master Pakku. Would the Earth Kingdom be in this mess" Commander Zhao smirked.
Pakku's frown deepened
"Commander Zhao, I am quite certain that even though my tribe is responsible for the incidents occurring during the day of black sun. The Fire Nation had possession of certain Earth Kingdom lands even before then."
The room fell back into chaos, with different sides beginning to point fingers as to why they were in such a mess. Zhao and Pakku continued scowling at each other. While Iroh internally groaned. He hoped his brother was having an easier time with the Earth King than he was with his council. He had a long way to go if he was to fix his father's mistakes.
"It has been too long Prince Ozai."
A mocking voice called from behind, as Ozai emerged from his current guest room. He turned around to see who the voice belonged to.
"Long Feng" he frowned and slowly approached the man.
The earth kingdom man smiled and bowed to the prince.
"For a moment I had thought you wouldn't be able to recognize me"
"How could I forget the cousin of my Lihua."
There was a pause and the Fire Prince returned Long Feng's smirk, placing a hand on Long Feng's shoulder.
"Now why don't we make our way to the Earth King to pay my respects and get started on the negotiation"
Ozai did not want to spend more time alone with this man than he wanted to. They were alike, both schemers, and that is what made him weary of him. Not that he would let that show. As he dropped his arm and started to leave, Long Feng turned his head to meet Ozai's gaze. His eyes held a look of secrecy with tinted mockery.
"But there isn't an earth King."
Ozai's paused, eyes narrowed. He then laughed as if he had just heard a silly joke.
"Please Long Feng, what kind of joke do you take me for?"
Long Feng's smirk grew wider.
"Fire Lord Ozai"
Ozai froze at the title he had just been called by.
"Long Feng what you've just called me is an act of treason."
"Ah yes, but I quite like the sound of that title" he smiled meeting Ozai's gaze "Don't you Fire Lord Ozai?"
Ignoring the Prince's shocked composure, he continued speaking.
"The Earth King passed away, the same time as your father. The next earth King Kuei is still too young for the throne. To avoid chaos between the two nations, We the Dai Li have managed to convince the people that the earth King still lives, while we rule from the sides."
Ozai scanned the Earth Kingdom man, searching for traces of lies or deceit in what he had just said. If the Earth Kingdom were using some type of propaganda to settle down the people, why was he of all people being told all this?. Ozai decided to play innocent in response to Long Feng's reveal.
"And you tell me all this because?"
Long Feng's smile seemed to grow wider and wider with every sentence that came from his mouth.
"Well, I just wanted to let you know who you would be negotiating with during your stay here."
He placed his hands behind his back and walked towards the Prince. And whispered to him
"Who knows we might be able to give you, what even the Fire Nation can't ."
Ozai knew the sole purpose for Iroh to send him to the Earth Kingdom wasn't just to send an intimate message to the people, but to make sure the transition for him as Firelord was smooth. And what better way to do that, than to put your ambitious brother as far away from the throne as possible.
Yes, he wanted the throne, and he was willing to use anybody as a means to get him there. Long Feng though, was quite a questionable option. He was sort of his "family" and a very untrustworthy one. Him offering to help put Ozai on the throne, meant that he must want something in return.
Soon he heard footsteps approaching, and spun in its direction. It was none other than his wife Princess Ursa. He took notice that she had changed into lighter robes, but still had her crown in place.
Long Feng was the first to speak in acknowledging her presence.
"Lady Ursa. What a pleasure to be meeting with you again" he smiled at her and gave a courtly bow.
"The pleasure is mine, Long Feng." She lifted her chin in defiance, refusing to bow to the relative of the whore who stole her husband's heart. As if raising the bastard child wasn't enough torture.
She tried hard to show Azula some love, but that child always reminded her of her failure as a wife. Azula's bending abilities also overshadowed her son's, making Ozai become even more pleased with the girl.
"I will leave you both. We will continue our conversation in the meeting room. Prince Ozai" Long Feng gave a curt nod and took his leave, leaving the couple on their own.
Ozai looked skeptically at his wife, trying to decide if any of their conversations had reached her ears. Ursa shot him the same look of suspicion. She had not overheard anything, but judging from the hidden language something had to be going on.
She decided to leave him for the time being and go to her assigned chamber. As she turned to leave, she felt a hand grab her waist and pull her back. Immediately warm lips kissed her neck from behind. Ursa was in shock, but still secretly pleased. As much as she would've loved to bask in the affections he had not given her for quite a long time, she knew this was Ozai's plan in finding out if she had heard anything between him and Long Feng.
"Ursa". He whispered in her ear. His voice was so sickly sweet, but deadly as poison. Ursa slowly reached for where his hand grabbed her waist and removed them. She turned to face him, his face frowning at her rejection.
She gave him an apologetic smile and left for her room.
As she left, Ozai's gaze followed her back. The prince seethed with anger at how the woman called his wife had rejected him so easily. It wounded his pride just a bit. However she always sought to counteract the games he played, and he refused to have none of it. If Ursa had overheard their conversation he promised himself to make Ursa be on board with his future plan to take the throne from his brother, no matter what.
So this chapter was mainly political. I apologize if you don't like politics, but it is the only way I can set up this story.
Please, I'm quite new to fic writing, your feedback and constructive criticisms are very welcome!
Cheers!