Author's Note: Before we begin, I have a couple of things to say.

First of all, a certain reviewer said that they liked the present-day storyline in my original version of this fanfic. I want to know if all of you would want it too. Because I'm pretty sure I can make it work.

Secondly, I have a very important announcement to make. As you know, I had a big project last week that was delayed due to technical issues. It's all fixed, but I had to work extra hard to make up for it all. And after this past week, I realized that it left me pretty tired. So for the next few weeks, I'll be taking a break from fanfic writing to recharge my batteries. I hope you can all be patient until I return. Don't worry. It's only for a few weeks. A month tops.

Well, that's about it. Thank you, and enjoy the chapter. Any and all comments are welcome.

92 AG

"Tell me why I have to wear this again." I asked my dad as the tailor was stitching my red cape. It matched the fancy outfit I wore. It looked almost as ridiculous as my freshly-brushed hair. I looked over to the perch I built for Song and caught her snickering at me. "You see. Even the cat owl is laughing at me."

"I know this is excessive. Believe me, I would rather do anything than this." My dad said. "But unfortunately, it can't be avoided. We have a high-ranking member of the Fire Nation government joining us tonight to discuss the state of our city."

"Is it the Fire Lord?" I asked.

"We're not that important, son. No, our visitor is none other than the chancellor."

"What's he like?"

"Never met him personally, but I do hear he's a bit strange."

"A strange politician?" I chuckled. "Yeah. I can see this going well."

"I've dealt with worse. Just let me do the talking."

"Then why do I have to be there?"

"Well, since you're the right age, you'll have to attend these tedious events from time to time. The chancellor expects me to be there with my son, so I'll be there with my son."

I sighed just as the tailor was finished. I looked at my cape without a trace of interest. "So, they expect me to act like some kind of walking ornament."

"It's just for a couple of hours." My dad assured me. "I'll tell him about how our city's holding up, make a couple of small requests, and he'll head back to the capital, and we can get on with our lives."

"I guess we have no choice, huh?"

"Unfortunately, we do not. Just act hospitable."

"I'll try my best." I promised before turning around to look at myself in the mirror. I sighed at what I was seeing. "Well, I guess there are worse ways to dress."

Me and my dad waited at the front entrance of our home. We then watched as a red chariot was carried toward us by red horses. They stopped right in front of us allowing two men to walk out. I straightened my outfit out one last time before I got a good look at them.

One man was an old man with a golden ring at the tip of his long, thin beard. He wore a red outfit that seemed to come with a hood, but he didn't put it on. The man next to him was bigger and bulkier. He had very thin hair on his head and three scratch marks across his face. He wore a sleeveless red outfit that looked skin-tight. He also wore red metal bracers around his wrists.

"Welcome, Chancellor Daizo." My dad welcomed the man.

"You must be Governor Kuo." The chancellor greeted back. He then turned his attention to me. "And you must be his son."

"Yes." I replied. "My name's Arzon." I turned my attention back at the other guy. "So, who's your friend?"

"This is Korak." The chancellor introduced. "He's my most trusted confidant. So just as you're bringing your son to this meeting, governor, I'm bringing my most trusted friend."

"Honor to meet you, sir." Korak said shaking my father's hand.

"Likewise." My father replied. "Well, how about we get business over with over dinner?"

"Oh, yes, please. I am quite famished." Daizo answered.

With a gesture of his hand, my dad allowed the chancellor and his confidant into our home. We followed them right after.

My dad made sure the chef and his son and my best friend, Shuno, didn't spare any expense when preparing our afternoon meal. It was probably the most flavorful the two of them have cooked up all year. The four of us sat at the far end of the long table. My dad sat at the very end with me and Daizo beside him. Korak sat right next to Daizo.

"So, I take it things are running smoothly here at Azulon City?" Daizo asked.

"Of course." My dad replied. "The economy is stable, our trading goods are plentiful, and crime has dropped fairly."

"That's not what we heard." Korak said. "Apparently, there's a serial intruder behind your walls that your police have yet to capture. The… Red Prowler, I think they call him."

My dad and I exchanged looks and I could feel him judging me, and I didn't blame him. I just let him respond.

"Y-Yes, he has been a bother to us for quite some time. But it's not like he's hurting anyone."

"Not directly. Not yet." Daizo said.

I put down my spoon suddenly curious. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Simple cause and effect." Daizo explained. "The Red Prowler goes wherever he wants always evading law enforcement. Today, it's just him. What about tomorrow when even more people decide, all at once, that your grip over them isn't as firm as it looks? Then, your crime rates will go up and… Well, you get the point."

The chancellor's words repeated in my mind one time around for me to process what he said. "I had never thought of that." I thought to myself.

"So, what do you advise?" my father asked.

"It's simple." Daizo said. "Find the Red Prowler and make an example out of him. After that, I would recommend some tighter security out on the streets."

"More security?" my father asked. "Chancellor, you might as well declare martial law. The people are going to be afraid."

"Of what? Of change?" Daizo asked. "Sure, change is nerve-racking, but it's in the people's best interest to accept that some things are just beyond their control. Sure, we'll have some disturbances, but that's what the security is for. Once we have a tight enough grip, then everyone will understand and accept, even if they don't want to. Don't forget, governor, that we are the ones in control. We cannot just leave it in their hands, otherwise we'll be enabling chaos."

"That's an… interesting outlook." My father said nervously. "I'll have to think about it."

"I do suggest you consider it." Daizo recommended.

The sound of a meow-hoot echoed through the hallways interrupting our supper. We looked over at the next room where the sound came from. Song flew in and perched herself on my shoulder.

"Oh, Song. You little scamp." I said, stroking her chin and hearing her purr.

"Is that a… cat owl?" Korak asked, moving his hand to his nose.

"Oh, yeah. This is Song." I introduced. "I met her just the other day."

"Well, could you get that out of here?" Korak asked struggling and failing to keep a straight face. "I'm—ACHOO—allergic."

"Right. Apologies." My dad said. "Arzon, why don't you take Song back to your room?"

"Okay, Dad." I said before standing from my hair. Song stayed on my shoulder during the whole time as I carried her away.

Along the way, I passed by Shuno who was holding a bowl of fire gummies. He looked at me curiously as I was leaving the room.

"Is everything okay?" Shuno asked. "They didn't hate my cooking, did they?"

"No, no, no, Shuno." I assured him. "I just need to be away for a minute. I'll be back shortly."

"All right." Shuno said. I could tell he was relieved. Before you go, would you mind taking a fire gummy?"

"Oh. Don't mind if I do." I replied by taking a fire gummy and tossing it into my mouth. I thanked the guy and headed upstairs with Song on my shoulder.

"Sorry about this, girl." I said after bringing her to her perch and filling her food bowl. "I would have fed you earlier, but my dad had me busy trying on this fancy too-tight monkey-horse suit."

I took the time to loosen my outfit to feel more comfortable. I stood in front of the full-length mirror for a better view of myself.

After taking a breath, I had a moment to think to myself. "Is that chancellor, right? Is the Red Prowler really a bad thing to happen to this city? Should I really just give it up?" I gave my collar a little shake before peeking out the window. That's when I saw someone.

I paused to investigate the distance. I saw a suspicious figure running on the city rooftops. I squinted my eyes and leaned my head out the window to get a better look. I didn't see much about who it was; only that they were skinny and had a red hood over their head.

"What the?" I asked following their movements. "That guy's headed for the post office. No time to call security. I should check it out for myself. But first, I should slip into something more comfortable." I opened my dresser and pulled out the Red Prowler attire. I took a long look at it before sighing. "Well, might as well do it one last time?

After changing, I climbed out my window and jumped over the rooftops toward the post office. I found an open window where the hooded figure likely went through and followed.

Once I was inside, I looked around for the intruder. All I saw were shelves and shelves full of scrolls. There was even a coop where messenger hawks were perched. It wasn't until I peeked into the next room that I found my target.

Taking a better look at them as they looked over numerous papers on a table, I could finally get a better look at the intruder. It was clear to me then that the perpetrator was a woman, but not much else more considering most of her body was concealed by a red-hooded cloak with black linings across the rim.

I could hear her speak in a young voice. "The chancellor? And the sheriff? What could they have been…"

I took a step closer to hear her better, but that proved to be a mistake. I accidentally stepped on a loose plank. The creak that followed blew my cover. As soon as the hooded woman looked back at me with daggers shooting from her eyes, I was petrified with fear. I couldn't stop her from running toward me and pinning me on the wall.

One of her arms were across my shoulder while her hand was pointed at my face. That's when the blade came out. From her wrist, a small dagger blade poked out and it stopped really close to my eyeball.

"Whoa, whoa! Easy there, please!" I pleaded as I finally looked at the girl's face. She looked young and beautiful with blue eyes. Under her hood, I saw that she had short, black hair with a dark-red streak in it.

After a second of looking at me, the girl gave a silent gasp and released me. Her blade returned to the inside of her metal cuff, and she spoke. "You're the Red Prowler, aren't you?"

"Uh… yeah?" I answered not knowing what to say. It was clear that she had no idea who I was because of my mask.

"Sorry about attacking you." The girl said. "It's just my natural response to someone catching me in the act. But if you're against the law enforcement here in Ashura, maybe you can help me?"

"Rrrright." I said nervously. "Um, what's Ashura?"

"The true name of this city. Fire Lord Azulon renamed it since it was the first city, he's laid claim to after he ascended to the throne."

"Okay… Um, who are you?"

The girl removed her hood giving me a better look at her. "My name's Jade. And I'm here to figure out what my enemies are up to."

"Enemies?" I asked. "Okay, look. You're not making any sense."

"Something bad is going to happen to Ashura. I know it. The chancellor's arrival is enough indication. While looking through these records here, I learned that he's been in secret contact with Sheriff Brills."

"The chancellor and the sheriff?" I asked. "Why?"

"I don't know. I just know that they're sending letters to each other. Won't know anything unless I know what was in those letters."

"So, you think there's some kind of conspiracy?" I asked with a slight chuckle. "Jade, right? Look, I've known Sheriff Brills for years. Sure, he's got a bit of a temper, but there's no way he's some villain."

"You'd be surprised who can give into temptation." Jade warned. "Look, the patrol should be here any moment, so I should be leaving. Good luck. And don't get caught in the spiders' web."

I had a hundred more questions, but I couldn't say any more. Not before Jade headed to the nearest window. She leaped out the window and landed perfectly on an adjacent rooftop. As impressed as I was at her, I decided to follow her lead and leave. I returned straight home afterwards with my head filled with questions.

"'Don't get caught in the spiders' web'? What is that supposed to mean?"

It was no trouble for me to go back to my room. The window I left open was easy enough for me to walk right in. I removed my cloak and sat on my bed with my removed cloth on my lap. My cat-owl looked at me curiously.

"You would not believe it, girl." I said. "A hooded girl broke into the post office going nuts about some crazy conspiracy. I don't know what's going on in her head, but I think it's time I put away the Red Prowler suit for good. The chancellor's right. This guy's just asking for trouble…" I gasped jumping to my feet. "Bleeding hog monkeys! The chancellor! Dinner! I forgot all about it!"

I rushed over to my chest and forced it open. I hurried to stuff my hood in, but something caught my eye. When I removed my cloak before, my chest was empty. And now, there was something inside, something that's sharp and deadly. I pulled out a small, pointed dagger with a red hilt on it. The tip of the blade was already covered with a red stain of dry blood.

"What the…" I asked.

"AAAAAAAHHHH!"

My father's scream echoed from one floor above. I dropped everything I had and rushed on up to his room. My heart had beaten faster than the galloping of horse feet. I sweated heavily as soon as I reached my dad's room. I slammed the door open and ran right in, but I was far too late.

My dad laid down onto the floor facing upwards clutching his bloody chest. He had a terrible gash across his neck. The horrified look on his face left me breathless and weak at my knees. I dropped down to my knees and held up his head.

"Dad! DAD! HEEEEELP! MY DAD, HE…" I lost my breath when my hand brushed against his wrist. I felt a feint pulse. That's when I knew the horrible truth that I was afraid of knowing.

"No, Dad! Please!" I pleaded. "I'll go get help. Someone has to…"

"No." My dad struggled to speak. He held onto my forearm with a weak grip. "No. You… can't trust them. Just…" He coughed a few drops of blood. "Live, Arzon. Live."

Right before my eyes, my dad's head tilted back, and his light drifted from his eyes. I felt an enormous sense of grief and shock overcome my entire body. My eyes filled with tears trying to obscure what was happening before me. But I knew it was no use. My father was dead, and I saw his final moments. I let out a harrowing scream of despair that may have been heard across the estate.

The heavy sound of footsteps stomped to the doorway. The police broke right in and surrounded me. For the first time in a while, I was happy to see them, especially their leader.

"Sheriff Brills! I don't know what…"

"SEIZE HIM!" the sheriff ordered. The next thing I knew, two officers grabbed my arms and forced me away from my father's corpse. I was taken completely by surprise as they pulled me up to the Sheriff's dour glare at me. "You are under arrest for the murder of the governor!"

"WHAT?!" I yelled out trying to escape, but the guards kept me in place. "No! This is a mistake! You've got the wrong guy!"

"Oh, I don't think so… Red Prowler." My mind froze at the sheriff's last two words. "We just found your hood in your room alongside the dagger you used for the murder! Take him away!"

The guards proceeded to drag me out of my father's room. Once again, I tried to escape, but their grip on me was tight. I saw my father's body one last time before I was carried away.