-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-

In a small corner of the almost empty grand teahouse, Iroh poured himself a small cup of tea as the children gathered around his feet nibbling cookies

"It had been about 5 months since Avatar Aang defeated the so called Phoenix King Ozai." he started "With his defeat, the new Fire Lord, Zuko, promised the remaining nations a new era of peace and love. However it was not to be..."

"What happened?" asked Tai

"Ozai is what happened"said Iroh "Despite losing his bending, he was dangerous now then he was when he was the Fire lord. Hate, anger and a desire for revenge can be the most powerful motivators. You have to understand, in the beginning months of Zuko's rule there were many in high places who resented the young Fire Lord's decision to end the Great War.

"Why was that?" asked Hui "I mean, the war caused so much hurt and pain. Zuko was right to end it."

"While I agree" said the kindly tea shop owner "There were many nobles and high ranking officers, still loyal to Ozai that did not. They felt that his ending the war and bringing the soldiers home was a sign of great weakness. So a plan was hatched to overthrow Zuko"

"But Zuko and Aang could handle it right?" said Hui hopefully "They beat him before"

"But this time, it was different" said Iroh "They were not prepared for the attack that night nor for what they were about to face. If that wasn't the worst of it, their best advantage, the Avatar, was in no condition to fight.

What was wrong with Aang?" asked Kanna

"Since defeating Ozai, The Avatar found his strength waning, his abilities weakening and even unable to enter the avatar state." explained Iroh "It was a strange illness, all attempts to heal it were to no avail. Fear or maybe a just bit of pride caused him to keep it a secret from those close to him. With the whole world looking to him for guidance, he couldn't let on that he was weakening"

"Oh please" sighed Hahn "I mean seriously, the avatar falling victim to a mere disease? That the most ridiculous thing I've ever... -Whap- OOOOOOOWWW"

Hahn glared at the young earth nation girl while rubbing his arm in pain. Realizing how hard she could hit, the water tribe boy smartly decided to keep quiet...for now

"So what happened next?" asked Lan, pausing to quickly glare at Hahn

"The Fire Nation would fall..."

Chapter 1

The Black Phoenix

It started as a peaceful night in the Fire Nation Capital City. While most of the residents turned in for the night, there were a few stayed up a bit later than usual. One of such was the newly crowned Fire lord, Zuko. Unable to sleep, he walked the palace deep in thought. While he put on a very brave front for the people of the Fire Nation, in private he second guessed himself. A nagging thought that was constantly on his mind was wondering if he was truly worthy of the crown.

As he walked past Azula's old room, he thought of what her opinion of his rule might be. Though he pretty much guess that she wouldn't think too highly of him. Not that she ever spoke to him much during his visits to her. More often than not, he was meet with a cold icy glare and uneasy silence. She was almost like a caged feral animal.

One time during his visits, he had offered that when she got better, he would restore her status as crown princess. It was one one of the few times she had responded. She laughed...

It wasn't a joyful or happy laugh but more a sad bitter one with a twinge of paranoid insanity.

"I can see through your tricks, Zu Zu" she spat in disgust "I know what you are thinking, you see me as a threat to you. As well you should! Perhaps you wish to see me break down once more for your amusement? Well, that will never happen! NEVER! Now leave and never visit me again!"

It was truly a sad sight to see Azula slipping deeper and deeper into paranoia. He had hoped that the time she had spent on the island would help her get better and perhaps even reflect on her actions. However that was not the case, instead according to the healers on the island, she had been progressively getting worse and worse. It was to the point where even the healers who were the best in all the fire nation had suggested that she be "put out of her misery"

That option was unacceptable to the young firelord. Despite all she had done to him, she was his sister and he did truly care for her. So he had faith that with the right motivation she could get well. One could hope anyway.

As he walked out to the edge of the Royal terrace with an amazing view of the bay, a messenger hawk with a black ribbon landed on a nearby perch. A smile formed on his face as he retrieved the rolled up letter knowing it could be only from one person, his girlfriend, Mai. She was at the moment on a diplomatic visit to Kyoshi island to improve Fire Nation/ Earth Kingdom relations or so she said. Zuko surmised that Mai actually missed the cheerful little circus freak, Ty Lee who had relocated there.

My Dearest Zuko,

-Sigh- Kyoshi Island is for the most part utterly boring. But Ty Lee and the Kyoshi warriors have done their best to make me feel at home. I can only imagine what you're doing right now. If I know you and I do, you're probably moping about as always wondering if you fit to be Fire lord.

You are... I believe in you

I will be home soon and I miss you

Love

Mai

P.S. I would have written a longer letter but Ty lee is hovering over my shoulder, and not going to give her any more ammunition. Remember when you got me to smile in public, she wouldn't shut up for a week.

"She knows me so well" Zuko chuckled to himself

As he enjoyed the view of the bay he noticed pitch black thunder clouds slowly rumbling loudly as it rolled in from the from sea. It was oddly beautiful as the flashes of light jumped between the clouds and the occasional lightning striking the ocean It was if the spirits were waging war on themselves. The superstitious would argue that a violent night like this was an ill omen of things to come. Tonight the superstitious would be right.

From the angry black clouds emerged a large fleet of airships and war balloons, a sight not uncommon for the Fire Nation as Zuko had called for a complete removal of fire nation troops from Earth Kingdom lands. Yet upon closer inspection, the fleet bore not the fire nation insignia but instead a single black phoenix mark adorned each ship in the vast armada.

Inside the lead flagship sat Grand General Lo Pan. He was many things, a master fire bender, a brilliant strategist and one of Ozai's most loyal soldiers. He was a large bland hulking brute of a man. His steel gray eyes commanded ultimate respect and sent waves of terror to anyone one that was foolish enough to cross him, which weren't many. His reputation for cruelty rivaled that of Ozai or even Princess Azula.

A cruel smile crept across his lips as the sleeping royal fire nation capital city came into view. 4 months of meticulous preparation and relentless planning led up to this very moment. Rallying loyal supporters wasn't the hard part, oh no, there were plenty of disgruntled admirals and generals who rejected Zuko's foolish plan for peace. To think that the Fire Nation would so easily move into peace with the other remaining nations...the bald general almost laughed at the young Fire Lord's naivety.

"In a little less than a few hours,we retake the fire nation capital from that sniveling brat and place the true FireLord on the throne " he thought to himself

"Sir! The target is in range and everyone is standing by" the flagship helmsman said "Whenever you're ready"

Stepping onto the outside bow of his airship, Lo Pan surveyed the quiet royal city below him, like a wild armadillo lion seeking the weakest prey. With a deep breath and a simple point of his finger, he fired the first shot of the invasion. A searing column of white hot flame engulfed the largest building in the city, reducing it to a pile of ashes in mere moments. The other air ships followed suit, blasting every tall building to rubble and igniting the unsuspecting city into a firestorm of chaos and terror.

As the air ships landed, Lo Pan's soldiers stormed into the city in great numbers. They were huge warriors with spiky raven black armor, a frightening sight to behold. Their faces covered in a horned skull shaped helmet, twisted in a evil smile with sharp pointed teeth, their dark empty eyes conveying nothing but death. But the most frightening, was the fact that they never spoke a single word. Instead they howled this fiendish sound, mix of a primal roar and ultimate suffering. It was a sound that no human could ever make nor should ever have to hear.

Anyone who resisted was dealt with severely. Women, children, the elderly; it didn't matter... They cut them down with no honor, no compassion and no mercy.

It was a rude awaking, jumping from a comfortable sleep to into an outright chaotic battle. It was merely an hour before that Aang was cuddled in a warm bed with Katara sleeping quite soundly after a romantic night on the town.

Breathing heavily with beads of sweat dripping off his face, the Aang valiantly defended steps of the fire palace with a small garrison of fire palace guards, defeating wave after wave of these unknown armored soldiers who kept getting up no matter how many times they got knocked down. He fought tooth and nail with Zuko about having them, he scoffed at the mere thought of needing protection .Now he was more than glad to have them because he knew something was wrong, very wrong. He tried twice to enter the avatar state with no success.

Using water from the palace fountains he blasted back a huge group of those things, the action taking a huge toll on him. Gasping for breath, it was just a sheer force of will that kept him on his feet. Never in his life had he ever felt so tired but he held his ground. He had to; too many people were depending on him.

Katara was up in the air on Appa frantically trying to put out the many fires that had engulfed the city. But the more she put out, more started with no relief in sight. The effort was made even more difficult due to the many small war balloons attacking them from the air causing Katara to take evasive actions to keep Appa from getting hit. But she wouldn't give up not with people's lives at stake. Even if it was all in vain she continued putting out as many fires as she could.

Sokka and Suki were on the ground evacuating as many people as they could, guiding groups of people to an escape tunnel, while trying to avoid the mysterious armored fire benders. They both had to choke down their fear and sadness as they passed the bodies, unfortunate victims of the violence. Unarmed men, women and children cut down in cold blood. As an unholy howl pierced the air behind them, they both spun around their weapons drawn. Even if it cost their lives, they would make sure that no more innocents would be lost tonight.

Toph was using every ounce of her earthbending strength trying in vain to keep the black tanks from advancing to the palace. But for every one she destroyed ten would take its place. The young earth bender relished the challenge, the world's greatest earth bender needed to be tested every now and then. No matter what, Toph vowed, none of those tanks are gonna make it to the palace. She'd never admit it but she'd willingly sacrifice her life to save those she cared about. Stomping the ground in an act of sheer defiance, Toph sent out a massive wave of earth destroying a group of tanks.

Zuko was on top of the palace shooting down as many of small war balloons as he could, trying to give Katara much needed cover. It was ironic, not more than a year ago they were sworn enemies and now here he was, protecting his friends and city without a second thought to his own safety. And he'd do it again and again. But it was clear to Zuko and the rest of his friends...

They were in trouble... Big Trouble

Inside his cell, Ozai relished the sounds of destruction and chaos happening outside. The death of a paltry few fire nation citizens was a small price to pay to regain his throne. While the avatar may have sealed his bending, Ozai still had his sharp mind. His careful planning and cunning had lead up to this very night. With the help of his most loyal generals, and an artifact of unimaginable power, Ozai would once again be Firelord.

"No" he thought with a sinister grin "I'll be the Phoenix King once more"

Outside his cell he heard the unmistakable sound of a guard in pain, followed by a sickening wet snap which he could only assume was the guard's neck. Ozai smiled evilly, He had chosen his allies well, Lo Pan was his most efficient and capable generals. Never once did he ever fail his Fire Lord, no matter what the task. When he regained what he lost, he would make sure to reward him generously.

The heavy wooden door creaked open as Lo Pan entered, bowing respectfully.

"It is done, your highness. The Fire Nation has fallen" Lo Pan reported "By sunrise it will be in our grasp"

"Excellent, and what of my dear son?" asked Ozai sarcastically

"He is putting up a pathetic attempt at a last stand. But he'll fail" said Lo Pan "We have seen to that"

"I want him gone! Destroyed for his betrayal" demanded Ozai

"It will be as you wish, Fire lord Ozai. What should be done with Princess Azula?" asked Lo Pan smiling fully knowing the answer

"She's a failure just like her brother. She's of no use to me anymore, I want you to end her as well" stated Ozai coldly "I can always make another heir"

"As you wish Fire Lord Ozai" said Lo Pan

"And the artifact?" asked Ozai "Do you have it?"

"It is safe" said Lo Pan "I have seen to that"

"Give it to me!" ordered Ozai

"No... "Lo pan said softly "I will not!"

"WHAT!? YOU DARE DEFY ME?"

"I do dare Lord Ozai. The plan has unfortunately changed" replied Lo Pan acidly "You see, I've had a bit of time to think about things. And I've come to a conclusion...an epiphany if you will. I realized that you are unfit to lead us to our destiny. You've proved yourself to be weak and incompetent when you were defeated by the avatar. Our great, 'Phoenix King' having his bending stolen from him by a mere child! Embarrassing!"

"But with the artifact I can regain my bending" argued Ozai "I can regain my honor"

"It is much too late for that" said Lo Pan "You had your chance and you failed. It's clear to everyone that you are unworthy to rule the Fire nation."

"And who will take my place?" questioned Ozai "You!?"

"Indeed, It's time for a new age and a new leader to arise" said Lo Pan "But I'm not without mercy, swear your undying fealty to me here and now, and I will allow you to become one of my generals"

"Hahahaha!" Ozai laughed "You are neither royalty nor a noble. What makes you think anyone will follow you? Now give me the artifact. Release me and I might overlook your insolence"

"I'm afraid I cannot" said Lo Pan "As you can see I've grown quite attached to it".

Ozai eyes widened in fear as Lo Pan opened his armor breastplate. Embedded in his chest, surrounded by seared, skin was the Crystal Phoenix of Shi, pulsing like a heartbeat with a blue glow of seemingly limitless power.

"People follow me due to two things, power and fear". Lo Pan growled in anger "And as for releasing you..."

Ozai felt a small tap in his chest, looking down he realized in horror that there was a small hole where his heart should be. Reaching through the bars Lo Pan pulled his dying fire lord close

"Consider death a release" Lo pan whispered into his ear "Take comfort in knowing that my rule as Phoenix King will last considerably longer than yours"

"You... fool" Ozai gasped "You only... have two...pieces"

A condescending smirk crossed the face of the former fire lord as the cold embrace of death took hold.