Sequel to Komodo General
As Senzin Zhou led a small contingent of Fire Nation soldiers through the maze that was the Caldera Bunkers, one thought continued to plague the young general's mind:
Azula must die.
The army conspiracy was a plan of several months already, initially spoken of in hushed whispers as a last resort. However, as the war progressed in the Fire Nation's favor, the army high command saw the writing on the wall – peace was not going to be as easy to achieve as victory. Senzin only hoped that when the time came, the princess might be spared.
Unfortunately, it was not to be. The Firelord has forced the army's hand with his grand and terrible plan for the Earth Kingdom when Sozin's Comet arrives. An atrocity far surpassing the Air Nomad Genocide in sheer numbers could not be allowed to pass again. And Princess Azula, Senzin solemnly remembered, readily assented to the plan.
If only Azula showed hesitation at that moment, even a bit of restraint, Senzin might have held out for the hope of her blossoming empathy. She may have shown slight shame afterwards, but only after he glared at her. Shame due to disagreement was a weak foundation for a ruler's empathy and was simply not enough.
She reminded him of Mai, funnily enough. At least, Mai from before his exile. Azula was young and full of potential, but was also full of uncertainty and self-doubt, no matter how well hidden it was. He saw in her what everyone else saw in her: a desire for power and perfection. But underneath that, he saw that much of her ambition and arrogance was born from a deeper yet simple desire for acceptance. She craved it from everyone, but primarily from her father, and Senzin could see that due to that, she could not recognize the acceptance offered to her by others. Senzin desired to help her see the others around her, initially to simply weaken the grasp of the Firelord over the Crown Princess. However, as time progressed, Senzin could see and appreciate the amazing woman that was slowly emerging. Senzin wanted to see her grow beyond her doubts and the control of her father and see her become a better Firelord than her father was. Sadly, she did not grow fast enough.
"General, the Royal Procession." Senzin heard the voice of Colonel Cheren warn from behind him.
Senzin broke out of his thoughts and saw that like what Cheren said, the Royal Procession was stationed just outside the closed door of the Firelord's bunker.
'What is the Firelord's guard doing away from the Firelord, especially during this eclipse?' Senzin silently wondered as he signaled his soldiers to stay alert and follow his lead.
"Guards!" Senzin called out, causing the six guards to focus their attention on him.
"Can anyone tell me why you're out here and not with the Firelord?" Senzin questioned as he stopped just in front of the first two guards.
"The Crown Prince is with his Majesty. His Majesty wished not to be intruded upon." One of the guards answered gruffly, still maintaining his stiff stance with his polearm.
"Is that so?" Senzin said as he processed the information.
'So Prince Zuko is with the Firelord right now. It's not exactly how we planned this but its fortunate, this change makes everything easier. The Royal Procession are separated, and both Ozai and Zuko are in the room.' Senzin thought as he signaled his soldiers once again to be ready.
Without any warning, Senzin dropped down to sweep the legs of the pair of guards in front of him. The two fell down, while the rest stood in shock for a moment. A moment was all Senzin's soldiers needed however, as two pair of crossbow bolts struck the four down quickly.
"What are you do-" One of the guards on the ground began to ask as he tried to stand up but was cut down by Senzin's sword. The other guard on the ground didn't even get the chance to stand up as Cheren drove his own sword into the man's chest.
"Prepare yourselves. The Firelord and the Crown Prince are both inside." Senzin stated as he readied his bloodied sword in his right hand.
But before Senzin could fully open the door to the bunker, he heard the voice of Zuko speak.
"But I've come to an even more important decision. I'm going to join the Avatar. And I'm going to help him defeat you."
Senzin narrowed his eyes at the statement and held out his hand to pause the attack.
'The Avatar? So, he is still alive. I had my doubts, and it seems they were correct.' Senzin thought, intrigued by the conversation.
"Really?" Senzin heard Ozai reply in his usual arrogant tone.
"Since you're a full-blown traitor now, and you want me gone, why wait? I'm powerless, you've got your swords, why don't you just do it now?"
Loathe as he was to agree with the Firelord, Senzin could not help by think the same. Why wait if it can be finished now, especially something as important as this?
"Because I know my own destiny. Taking you down is the Avatar's destiny." Zuko answered.
'Foolish. What does it matter whose destiny is what? The soldiers will die, and the people will suffer regardless of destiny, as long as the war continues. Especially with the plan Ozai has.' Senzin criticized silently.
'Still, this presents a unique opportunity.' Senzin realized as his grip on the door's handle tensed.
'If Zuko is determined to turn traitor to the Fire Nation, then we can simply blame the assassination at him. With both him and the FIrelord gone, only Azula would be left to rule the Fire Nation. And as strong as she was, she was still young and would require guidance from her advisors, who would temper her as time passes.' Senzin thought.
'With that, we can preserve the traditions of the Royal Family and ensure the legitimacy of government. Far better than just a military takeover and the disposition of the monarchy.' Senzin reasoned, steadily accepting the line of thought.
"Change of plans, let the prince escape." Senzin told his subordinates.
He could feel them tense at the sudden change, but otherwise they did not protest it.
"Your penalty will be far steeper." The tone of Ozai's voice when he said that made Senzin suspicious of what would happen next and readied himself to jump into action.
Suddenly, Senzin heard the familiar crackling of lightning fill the air. Senzin opened the door, just in time to face an explosion inside the bunker.
As the smoke cleared out of the room, Senzin saw that Zuko was nowhere to be found and that Ozai was on the ground, slightly disheveled.
Senzin wasted no time and approached Ozai, sword gripped firmly in his hand.
"What are you waiting for? Get hi-" Ozai angrily gave out his order before suddenly falling down on the ground, choking on his blood.
Senzin stood over Ozai, blood staining his armor, sword, and face. He stared at Ozai's dying body, a million thoughts running quickly through his mind.
"Keep him just alive." Senzin suddenly ordered to his soldiers. He could feel the looks of surprise and shock at the order, but he nevertheless continued, undeterred.
"Princess Azula will take over the Fire Nation. A grieving princess would be reckless and unstable." Senzin quickly explained, which was enough for his soldiers who rushed to treat the Firelord.
Though as he watched them work on the wound, Senzin knew that all his reasonings were too flimsy and his plan was very risky. It was simply too hard to bring himself to kill or hurt Azula.
'No matter. I'll just have to make this plan work. For all our sakes.' Senzin assured himself as he saw the other six guards of the Fire Lord rush in the bunker, ready to fight.
Senzin stared back at them, sword firm in hand and a fire coursing through his veins.
'There is much work to be done.'