One year after the signing of the Peace Accords...
Morishita Kori waited anxiously in the city square as it was crowded and difficult to move around. A few minutes before she had lost sight of her friend Yumiko whom she had met in her home of Yu Dao. They quickly became fast friends as they were both Air Nomads. She later met more of Yumiko's friends; a tall handsome boy named Hajime, a strong silent type named Long Heng, and a girl named Chigusa. All three of them are directly involved in a small war against bandits that Hajime's uncle Lord Takeda had successfully suppressed. Her father warmly greeted Hajime referring to him as the young lord. Her father liked Hajime so much so that he tried to steer she and him together. But neither of them would have of that. Kori have yet to tell her father about her relationship with a boy named Sneers.
So Kori decided to put some distance with Hajime, no matter how dashing he appeared and became friends with Chigusa. Then one day her father had decided on his own, that he and his family would go on a sightseeing trip to Yu Dao's sister colony SinKiang. Chigusa told her that her big brother would also be there. But now she was now admonishing herself, for letting herself be talked into sightseeing with her new friends after they were told that the streets would be so crowded.
Come with us it'll be a lot of fuuun! It'll be a blast! What part of fun is this being squeezed by all sides? Ew! Did someone just grope my butt?
"Oh, you must be Morishita-san!" a voice called out to her. She turned to look at the young man standing beside her, her heart leapt when she saw him, and felt her cheeks blush.
Snap out of it girl! You belong to Sneers!
"Hajime is looking for you," the boy said.
"Oh, is he? It seems as though we've lost each other. Do you know where he is?"
"I told him to get a table at the cafe at the corner over there, see?" the young man turned and pointed at the cafe where the trio were sitting outside of.
"Oh thanks. By the way, what's your name?"
"My name is Hojo Mao."
"Oh, you're the one Chigusa has been talking about. Her ni-sama or big brother? I'm glad to have finally met you, my name's Kori."
She stretched out her hand, Mao smiled warmly as he bowed over the offered hand, and lightly pecked her knuckles. Kori's hand instantly felt a tingling sensation.
"The pleasure is all mine," he said warmly.
Kori felt her face turn scarlet smiling nervously as she allowed him to lead with her hand at the crook of his arm; shielding her from drunk and boisterous men, as navigated their way through the crowd, which seemed ever more crowded.
"What's so important about it that you made me come all this way to SinKiang?" she asked trying to make conversation.
"SinKiang is very similar to your homeland, Yu Dao. Both were originally an Air Nomad countries before the Fire Nation came."
"I know that. But why is this colony so special?"
"Because SinKiang has a representative government, and tonight they are voting on whether or not to ratify the Harmony Restoration Movement."
When they finally sat down a young woman ran breathless out of the parliamentary building, as the city folk were anxious to hear her give the news. After catching her breath she cupped her palms around her mouth and shouted, "68 to 3! The Harmony Restoration Movement is rejected! SinKiang is now, and forever will be, free and independent!"
The city square erupted with a wave of euphoria at the news. People started to sing and dance to a popular song that was sure to become the new country's national anthem. Musicians joined in the chorus. Bartenders opened up the bar passing out free drinks. Everyone was caught up in the excitement, as residences from their windows threw confetti from above. The Waterbenders from the roofs actually made it snow lightly, while the Firebenders shot fireballs into the air, making them explode in midair.
"Oh SinKiang! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command..."
"They decided to become an independent country?" Kori asked incredulously.
"Yep," replied Smellerbee.
"But they're Fire Nation."
"And they're Earth Kingdom," replied Jet.
"Not to mention Air Nomads," added Mao.
"Are you all Air Nomads?" asked Kori.
"Yep!" Smellerbee smiled brightly.
"The reason why we brought you here Kori," said Mao, "is because you need to see for yourself, that the colonies have the right to shape their own destiny. They don't need some king or a lord to make all their decisions for them, especially one that destroys their livelihood. After all, the people have a right to say that their ruler is making a bad decision, without fear of punishment or reprisal."
"What about the Fire Nation citizens who want to stay in SinKiang?" asked Kori.
"Well they will stay here and be SinKiang citizens," replied Jet. "In Kanto, the colonists consider themselves to be citizens of their adopted country."
"But what if the colonies do not want to become part of their adopted country? What if they want to remain part of the Fire Nation."
"I'm glad you asked that question," said Mao with a disarming smile, "the colonies are allowed to govern themselves and are treated equally as their provincial governments. In Kanto, such a union is called a commonwealth."
Kori studied her new friends, her thoughts wandered about her homeland, and how Zuko was forcing the Harmony Restoration Movement on them. The people of SinKiang decided to break away from the Fire Nation and reject the Earth Kingdom; why not Yu Dao? She watched as the Earth Kingdom Flag was taken down and was ripped to shreds by some drunk men. In its place, the the flag of Kanto was hoisted up to fly alongside both the colonial flag of a white flower on a red banner, and the Fire Nation's red and black flag.
But at the docks there was a somber moment of sad parting.
"I am very sorry that you have to leave my old friend," said the new Prime Minister as he was fighting back tears.
"Don't shed tears for me, darling- I mean...Prime Minister," said the former Madam Governor.
"But I will see you again, right?"
"Yes."
The Prime Minister hugged the Madam Governor unexpectedly who blushed. She fought with herself as she reluctantly pushed him away.
"May the Great Spirit watch over you. May Wan Jiu, Spirit of the Avatar guide you. May you be wise as Wan Shi Tong, Spirit of Wisdom and Knowledge. May your actions be as fair and virtuous in the eyes Pan Ding, Spirit of Judgement. May you be compassionate as La, Spirit of the Moon. May you be strong and steadfast as Da Di, Spirit of the Earth. May Agni, the Spirit of Fire light your way, even in the darkest of times. May Feng, Spirit of Air, bless you and your country forever."
"Thank you. May La make the ocean calm on your voyage to your new home."
The Prime Minister kissed the Madam Governor as they passionately embraced each other.
"Ahem," grunted the captain of the ship, "Madam Governor. I'm sorry, but the Avatar asks that we disembark immediately."
"Yes. Yes of course. I must leave you now my love."
The Prime Minister took out a rosary and pressed it into her hand.
"I will return to you, I promise," the Prime Minister whispered.
As the boat pushed, the two lovers watched each other with forlorn eyes from afar until she disappeared from view, the ship sailing toward the western horizon.
A week later, after many sleepless, lonely nights, the prime minister presided over the parliamentary floor. He missed the Madam Governor. The memory of her warmth, her touch, her perfumes, and their secret and intimate rendezvouses became precious to him. He wanted to get up and leave for the Fire Nation, making up some sort of excuse of why he must abandon his position and status. Even if it was simply out of love for a woman, for whom that everyone now knows about their secret affair. So it no longer mattered if he proclaimed his love to the heavens in the city square.
But no, his lover would not approve of his foolish actions. Not only that, today was another monumental moment at the parliamentary building, as the fledgeling democracy would officially become a new member of the Air Nomad Co-Prosperity Movement. What the Prime Minister did not know however, is that the Earth Kingdom army that was there, supposedly as a peacekeeping force, had begun an assault on the city. The assault came with without warning, and it was so sudden, that the entire city garrison was captured without resistance.
Meanwhile outside parliament...
Lt. Bae of the Earth Kingdom Imperial Guard was loitering in plain clothes at the city square. Underneath, he was wearing the uniform of the Earth Kingdom Imperial Guard. He was there when that girl made the announcement, and he was filled with nothing but contempt for the girl and those fools in parliament. Those pompous politicians had the gall to declare independence. Soon he would teach the upstarts a lesson, that no one defies the Earth Kingdom and gets away with it. He also has his personal reasons for such treachery. SinKiang is his homeland, and he did not sacrifice so much to not have the satisfaction, nor the glory of liberating it from the vile Fire Nation.
He was just a dozen yards from the front door. The guards at the door were completely undisciplined, as they began idle chit-chat, and were smoking imported Fire Nation cigarettes at the door. Storming the building was going to be a simple matter. Some fireworks burst in the air, indicating that the garrison had been neutralized. He turned to his fellows who were meandering nearby and gave the signal. Throwing off their clothes, they drew their swords as they ran at the door. The guards turned to face them, dumbstruck, and did not even react as the intruders dispatched them. They ran straight for the offices that they knew where the higher government officials would be, including the House of Commons and House of Lords, for good measure. Bae and a dozen of his fellows burst through the door of the House of Commons their swords at the ready.
"Who are you? What is the meaning of this?" asked a minister.
"By royal decree of Earth King Kuei, the Earth Kingdom reclaims the former Fire Nation colony of SinKiang!" shouted Bae, "Fire Nation Colonials who remain in the city are hereby declared criminals, and shall be arrested on sight! The Harmony Restoration Movement shall be completed on this day, with or without colonial cooperation! All colonial government functions are to cease, and the Fire Nation Parliament of SinKiang is hereby dissolved! It may reconvene once a new governor and ministers have been appointed!"
"We are the duly elected leaders of SinKiang! We shall not intimidated to bow to down to a tyrant!" shouted one of the ministers.
"Remove them!" shouted Bae, as his fellows waved their swords menacingly. Fearing for their lives, the ministers were herded out as a crowd was gathering at the city square, curious as to see what was happening.
"What's going on?" someone asked.
"Oh my God, has there been a riot?" another asked which started more gossip.
"No wait, those men are wearing Earth Kingdom uniforms," said Jet loudly. Everyone had a look of shock at the news. Then an ominous sound started to reverberate in the city square, as more Earth Kingdom soldiers came from all sides, effectively surrounding them.
"Be ready for anything," said Mao to his friends.
Smellerbee placed her hands on the hilts of her dual short swords, as everyone else placed a hand on their weapons.
Bae stood underneath the flag poles with the prime minister kneeling at his feet. He then reread announcement that he gave to the ministers from before. Everyone was not happy as they taunted and jeered at him.
"SinKiang has been liberated!" Bae shouted over the taunts and jeers. "Martial Law shall be enforced in order to keep law and order! Anyone who defies this decree and harbors the criminals will be branded outlaws!"
The prime minister rose to his feet. "SinKiang is a free and independent country! We will not bow down to a tyrant!"
Bae backhanded the prime minister. "Silence! Fire Nation scum!"
"I am Prime Minister Kurashina Saburo and an Air Nomad! Duly elected by the people to be the head of the Parliament of SinKiang! The legitimate government of our country!"
Bae was shocked at the realization that the prime minister was not Fire Nation but a lowly nomad. "Then you have compounded your crimes! You are a collaborator and a traitor to the Earth Kingdom!"
Just as Bae had made that declaration, Dong Zhuo rode up to them.
"What's going on here? Who is this man?" asked Dong Zhuo.
"This man is the Prime Minister of SinKiang. I had just arrested him."
"Hmm, good work," complemented Dong Zhuo.
"General," said Saburo, "why has the Earth Kingdom invaded SinKiang? We are an independent country."
"Insolence! SinKiang is not an independent country but a province of the Earth Kingdom, which we have freed from the evil Fire Nation!"
"SinKiang is a member of the Air Nomad Co-Prosperity Movement!"
Dong Zhuo struck Saburo with a riding crop.
"Ignorant peasant! Kanto is a rogue province of the Earth Kingdom. Why this man beside you has a family estate twenty miles from here. And many of the soldiers that you see before you have ancestors buried in your country's soil. All we are doing is returning home, taking back what is rightfully ours. But I am in a forgiving mood. Take down those flags and I will consider you repented." Dong Zhuo pointed up at the flags that are still flying over head.
Saburo glared at Dong Zhuo. "No!" he shouted defiantly.
Dong Zhuo drew his sword and pointed it at Saburo's chest. "Take them down, or you will hang with them!"
Saburo eyed the sword warily, he never felt so afraid in his whole life. He backed away Dong Zhuo and made his way to the crowd, but he was restrained by more soldiers.
"Take the flags down," growled Bae as his face hardened.
Saburo regarded him and looked out toward the crowd, seeing the faces of the people whom he had sworn to serve when he became Prime Minister. He turned to look back at Bae, and with all his mental strength shook his head to say no.
"Oh, SinKiang," Saburo began to sing, his voice wavering, "Our home and native land."
To Saburo and Bae's amazement people in the crowd joined in, giving him strength.
"True patriot love in all thy sons command. With glowing hearts we see thee rise, independent, strong and free!"
At that point it seemed like everyone in the square was singing. Dong Zhuo plunged his sword into Saburo who cried out in pain. The soldiers roughly grabbed Saburo he while was still alive, dragging him over to the flag pole. Everyone in the square watched in stunned silent. Then followed by screams of wild hysterics from the sight of Saburo being hanged from the flagpole, partially covered by the flag of his beloved country whom he served up until his last moments.
Mao hung his head, shocked and appalled. He wanted to plunge his sword into Dong Zhuo, but knew that he could not do that and get away with it, there were too many soldiers. He turned to glance at Jet, who was simmering with barely controllable rage. Long Shot sensed his cousin's subdued anger and placed a hand on Jet's shoulder, giving him a knowing look. Smellerbee looked like she was about to collapse. In an effort to comfort her, Mao hugged her as she buried her face into his chest. But Kori was oddly calm, as though she was taking in everything that she could.
"Kori?" asked Mao. Kori shot Mao a surprised glance. "Are you alright?"
Just as Kori was about to answer, a tiny voice cried out, which attracted the attention of Dong Zhuo, who ordered the soldiers to search out whoever was singing. Dong Zhuo joined in, roughly pushing people aside. Mao waded through the crowd to find the child before the soldiers did. All the while someone was sushing the child to stop singing.
"Oh SinKiang! Our home and native land! True patriot love, in all thy sons command! With glowing hearts we see thee rise, independent, strong and free! From far and wide, oh SinKiang, we stand on guard for thee! God keep our land glorious and free! Oh SinKiang, we stand on guard for thee! Oh SinKiang, we stand on guard for thee!"
Mao reached the boy and a young woman just as the Dong Zhuo and the soldiers did.
"General," pleaded the young woman, "please forgive the boy. He's just four years old, he doesn't understand what he's saying."
Dong Zhuo glared at the girl and then back at the boy who was hugging a leg. Dong Zhuo raised his sword over his head. The soldiers weakly protested.
"No!" cried the young woman shielding the boy.
Mao's arm shot forward as he tried grabbing Dong Zhuo's wrist, but he was beaten to it by Bae, who grabbed Dong Zhuo's arm.
"My lord! Don't do it!" shouted Bae.
"Unhand me! I will kill the little bastard and anyone else who dares to defy me!"
"My lord, please think of what you're doing! My lord, look at him! He's just a boy, he's hardly worth the trouble. My Lord, spare him. He's not worth the effort."
Dong Zhuo stop struggling and grunted as he sheathed his sword.
"Next time I see that boy, I will kill him and hang him by his ankles," Dong Zhuo growled dangerously before turning to walk away.
A few days laters...
Sun Tzu was making his way to the throne room as ministers milled about the lobby. The guards and the palace attendants allowed him to pass without a second thought. A few ministers have noted this.
"It seems that His Grace has been seeing His Majesty a great deal."
"His Grace, the Duke has been making his voice heard. He is the only voice of reason to the young Fire Lord."
"And how does the Fire Lord feel about His Grace?"
"My good fellow, I am not the Fire Lord, so it is quite difficult to speak for someone who is too young and inexperienced."
Sun Tzu approached the door leading to the throne room, he was stopped by one of the guards.
"I am sorry Your Grace, His Majesty has asked that no one enters until after his speech to the delegates of ANCO."
For whatever reason Sun Tzu turned to see foreign dignitaries approaching. A few of them looked very crossed and were walking towards with an intense gaze. Evidently they had just received some disturbing news from the former colonies, and were on their way to inform the delegates. Diplomatically it would be better for the ANCO delegation to hear the news from Fire Lord Zuko first as he is their host.
"I must speak to the Fire Lord, it is urgent."
The guard bowed to the duke and quietly entered the throne room. As the doors opened briefly Zuko's voice could be heard from within.
"The Fire Nation will no longer be known as a conqueror of nations, but a champion of peace and prosperity-"
Now is not the time for giving speeches, thought Sun Tzu.
The guard returned and said, "the Chief Minister asks that His Grace waits until His Majesty has finished His Speech."
Confounded proper protocols, "Then I will speak to the Chief Minister," Sun Tzu said automatically.
But just the guard was about to reply the doors to the throne room opened abruptly, as the delegates walked backwards while bowing towards the Fire Lord, turned and exited the throne room.
"Pardon me," Sun Tzu nodded to the delegates and entered the throne room and the doors closed behind him. "Fire Lord," Sun Tzu bowed to Zuko who was already moving to the next order of business and did not look up to regard the Duke of Ember Island.
"What is it Your Grace? Do you have another complaint about my decisions as Supreme Warlord?"
"Not this time Your Majesty. I thought it was urgent to inform His Highness that the Earth Kingdom have invaded the colonies. And they are forcing the Harmony Restoration Movement on the Air Nomads against their will. SingKai is under military occupation and the Air Nomad countries who are now embattled with the invaders, have been declared to be in open rebellion by the Emperor of the Earth Kingdom," Sun Tzu said calmly without any effort to hide the barbs in his words.
Zuko stopped in mid motion as he was about to pick up a scroll as though caught off guard. Sun Tzu waited for Zuko to respond to the news that the Earth Kingdom have committed an act of war. Unless he takes immediate and decisive action, how the Fire Lord reply to the Earth Kingdom's invasion of his allies may very well decide the fate of millions.
"Has the Earth Kingdom armies harm our imperial subjects or our citizens?"
"No. They have been evacuated."
"Then there is nothing to worry about."
"Your Highness, you must take this unprovoked invasion seriously," Sun Tzu said with exasperation.
"Our country have just finished fighting one war, I will not have us fight another!" bellowed Zuko.
It was at that moment that the Lord of Navy Zhao appeared and bowed at the door before entering, walked up and stood beside Sun Tzu and bowed again.
"Your Highness, your loyal servant has come to inform you that the Earth Kingdom has invaded the colonies. The Ministry of War stands ready to protect Your Imperial Subjects, defend the Fatherland to the last, and to aid Your Allies. Fire Lord what will you have us do?"
Zuko paused before answering, "You ask me to choose lead our nation, no our people, to war. I have seen war with my own eyes. I have seen the hatred and destruction that it has caused. And I deeply believe it was all pointless and unnecessary. I made a sacred promise with my friends as well with the proud nations of the world, that I will keep the peace. Not for personal gain, but so that we may have peace in our time. I have received a personal letter from the Emperor of the Earth Kingdom."
Zuko took out a folded paper from his robes and held it up for everyone in the throneroom to see.
"He has wrote a personal letter explaining his nation's just actions in enforcing the Harmony Restoration Movement. So that his country may have peace with honor. The Air Nomads will be better off under the protection of the Earth Kingdom, their rights will be respected Earth King Kuei has promised me. They will be treated better than how the Fire Nation have."
Lord Zhao, the most logical one to advise against such complancency - which is tantamount to appeasement - did not speak out. Politically Zuko is the Lord of the Navy's Supreme Warlord, who has the ultimate authority over the admiralty as well as the army.
It was Sun Tzu who spoke up, "Firelord, we must carefully examine all considerations. Public opinion is against the Earth Kingdom and are advocating that your armies to the Earth Kingdom. A good number of Your Imperial Subjects are Air Nomad. And they have grown influential in the Fire Nation. They are calling the recent events as the start of a revolution, a war of independence."
"Then let them have their revolution," said Zuko with unveiled cynicism. "Why should we be concerned with what is happening in a country over there that have no effect on us?"
Edited by Avatar Amaya