hapter 4:
The First Council Meeting
"Gentlemen, Ladies, Sages, Officials, and Officers of the Fire Nation. You are gathered here today to ascertain the current global situation, and determine the Fire Nation's future."
Azula suggested that Zuko needs to present himself as a strong figure to keep their nation together, and the best way to do that is to control the Fire Nation Council by himself. Tha'ts why he is starting the meeting by speaking first. They're lucky that the Fire Nation government works as an Absolute Monarchy with the Royals having nigh unlimited power. It has worked wonders in the past where a Firelord died suddenly and only had a toddler as an heir. It kept most of the powers with the child Firelord and his regent elected by the Council, with the whole Council itself only being able to propose and allocate budgets.
"Now our first agenda is-" Zuko attempts to start.
"TO CHOOSE A NEW FIRELORD!" One of the military commanders interrupts.
As expected, it won't be that easy. They knew there was gonna be resistance, especially from Ozai's supporters in the military. Never has an Heir murdered his own father so publicly in order to ascend the throne. It is simply not done. You may assassinate your own father, feed him with poison, push him off a building, as long as it is not done it public. Yet to decapitate your own father in front of hundreds of people is unthinkable. So again, the resistance is expected, the opening salvo is not, they did not expect someone to challenge Zuko's claim so openly right from the beginning. Luckily, Zuko has spent three almost four years in exile, he is no stranger to things happening not according to plan. It's how he got here in the first place.
"And who are you to speak out of turn in a Council meeting?" Zuko asks the commander, knowing that to identify the threat is to step closer to defeating it. Its one of the things he learned from Uncle Iroh after all, especially when he got himself poisoned by a leaf he thought was good for making tea.
"The only one speaking out of turn here is you, boy! You speak to General Shen of the 9th Army stationed in the Earth Kingdom!" General Shen sneers at Zuko. The other attendees of the Council only sit and watch the spectacle, waiting to see what would happen.
"Oh? General Shen, do you not know who you are talking to?" Azula finally speaks up from beside Zuko. Sneering in that way that only Azula can do.
"I know enough girlie! Now why don't you leave and let the adults talk!" General Shen continues to shout.
"Then if you know enough, then you know this person you call boy defeated Firelord Ozai in honorable Agni Kai. Does that not make him our Firelord?" Azula smirks back, knowing the full extent of their law and traditions.
While they were lucky in this case to live in an Absolute Monarchy, they are infinitely more lucky that they have an honorbound warrior culture. Duels are seen as sacred, the Agni Kai especially so. To challenge the result of an Agni Kai is to challenge Agni himself, for it is seen that to win an Agni Kai is proof you have Agni's blessing.
"He killed his own father in broad daylight!" General Shen responds, smart enough not to call out the result of the Agni Kai but throw out another issue to contend with. Patricide.
"After he tried to attack Zuko behind his back. He was killed for acting dishonorably by refusing to accept the results of an Agni Kai. Are you refusing to acknowledge the results of the Agni Kai, General Shen? Do you want me to demonstrate how my brother won? It would be easy, I can play as my brother and you can play as my father." Azula fires back, she smirks victoriously, knowing she has General Shen on the backfoot.
General Shen winces at that but is still not willing to back down. He stands up and points to Zuko.
"HE IS A TRAITOR TO OUR PEOPLE! HE GOT HIMSELF BANISHED BY SPEAKING OUT AGAINST MY FATHER'S IDEA YEARS AGO! HE IS WEAK! HE BEGGED ON HIS KNEES!" General Shen shouts out. Finally. Finally speaking out the reason why he is so against Zuko, their lives have been intertwined even since before Zuko knew of the man.
Before Azula speaks out to correct the man that the previous Firelord himself forgave him, Zuko raises his hand and looks at Azula.
"Azula." That's all they needed. One word, and a look to communicate. Zuko is the one who will be taking this one right now. It would not do for the other Council members to see him cower behind his own little sister's skirts. Azula nods at him and proceeds to step back again.
Gathering his emotions. Zuko feels hatred for the man. Hatred for the man's father. Both men are the type not to see other people as human beings if it means advancing their own agenda.
"General Shen, you call me a traitor but it is you who is the traitor in this room! You announced yourself as the General of the 9th Army in the Earth Kingdom, but why are you not with them right now?! How many Sons and Daughters of the Fire Nation have you left behind during this Day of the Black Sun?! I begged on my knees because I was a 13 year old kid about to fight my own father! What kind of son would I be if I fought him back then?! What kind of father was he?!" Zuko says slowly, but gaining traction and volume as he continues to let out all his pent-out emotions on the unfairness of the world, his family, his father, his people.
There is silence after that. Zuko and General Shen lock eyes with each other. The other attendees sit still and silent, not willing to break the strange tension in the room.
"What kind of son are you now?" General Shen says darkly. Circling back to the issue of Patricide.
"A son my mother would have been proud of." Zuko replies, shaking the entire room with his resolve and his answer.
Zuko breathes out, now that he has released his pent-up emotions and thoughts, he manages to regain his calm.
"Guards. Arrest General Shen for the charge of abandoning his post." Zuko breathes out slowly.
There is silence again at that. The whole room froze at the sudden order. There was a moment Zuko thought that the guards would not obey and all of their plans and efforts would be for naught. Luckily, Captain Shizuka moves first. She approaches General Shen and apprehends him from behind. That shocks him into motion.
"You can't do this! You can't!" General Shen shouts
"Take him to the prisons." Zuko announces.
"Sir, the prisons are still damaged from the invasion." Captain Shizuka replies, not announcing out loud the fact that it was his uncle who did it.
"Then bring him to the Royal Dungeons underneath the Palace until he can be brought to the Boiling Rock." Zuko responds.
General Shen's eyes widened in horror. It is publicly known to the upper ranks of the government that the Royal Dungeons are reserved for the most horrible criminals to the Royal Family. Cells so small that you couldn't form a stance to bend, no windows at all to even give you a light source, and it would be worse if you were actually chained to the wall. No freedom to move or stretch, the only thing you can do is talk and listen to any sounds that might form in the darkness. The only source of light and sound would be when the guards came to give you food at irregular times. After all, it was designed to make you suffer, not die quickly. A full day inside the dungeon could push a weak-willed man to insanity.
"No! You can't do this! You won't get away with this!"
"I just did. You are hereby stripped of your position for abandoning your post, treason, and disrespecting your Firelord. You will be sentenced to life in the Boiling Rock unless I change my mind. Don't worry Shem you'll only spend a day in the Royal Dungeon, I'll have you shipped to the Boiling Rock tomorrow. And if you're good over there, I might even call you back here. Now take him away!" Zuko finishes his proclamation.
"NO! PLEASE! I BEG YOU!" Shen begs as he is taken away from Captain Shizuka by the other Royal Guards.
The doors are closed on his screaming, and again there is silence on the table.
"Are there any other interruptions before we finally continue?" Zuko asks, looking at the Council. The attendees sit still. Without anyone answering his question, he continues.
"Now then back to our first agenda. Seeing Shen's...let's call it ignorance, it has come to my attention that we may need to announce to everyone the clear sequence of events to our rapidly changing situation. Any suggestions?"
The Council is still frozen at that question. Not willing to anger the new Firelord. Sighing to himself, Zuko speaks to the Council.
"Suggestions people. I called this Council meeting so we may speak on our issues. I seek your counsel on the state of our glorious nation. If you do not speak to me, then what are you here for?" Frustrated, Zuko sighs to Council slowly.
Finally, with that question, people are starting to get themselves out of their frozen state. The first to speak is one of the sages.
"Firelord Zuko. If I may be so bold. Might I suggest we announce to the whole nation the events of the Fated Agni Kai and schedule of your coronation? It is traditionally held to present the new Firelord to the nobles and the masses." The sage bows to him.
This is a huge thing. Number one, because someone other than Azula has recognized him as Firelord. Number two, it is a sage himself who called Zuko Firelord even before his coronation. This all but validates him in the secular and religious sect of Fire Nation society as their new Firelord.
"Hmm. That's a good idea. Thank you…? Excuse me, I don't think I have your name." Zuko replies.
This is another huge thing. Number one, because the Firelord himself is thanking someone else, the Council has never experienced that under Ozai. Number two, the Firelord himself is asking for someone's name. The sages have always been used to being forgotten by the Firelord and his more militaristic supporters.
Unknown to Zuko, he has just secured the sages as one of his supporters. It remains to be seen if they will publicly support him, but in this, the sages support his more respectful and humble views.
"..I am Sage Chang, my Lord. Representative of Head Sage Shu of the Fire Temples." Sage Chang bows, introducing himself to the Firelord Zuko for the first time.
Seeing Sage Chang's success in suggesting a course of action and not getting punished, the other members of the Council race to regain their confidence and have their own words heard by the Firelord. The next one to speak is one of his father's war ministers.
"Firelord Zuko, I am Minister Jin of the War Department. I propose we add to our announcement that Firelord Ozai begged for your mercy, and when you spared him, he attacked you from behind which led to his execution. It will surely inspire our troops to fight better if they see that they have a better and stronger Firelord than before." Minister Jin adds.
Better and stronger? Zuko could see how he would be better than his father for the Fire Nation, but he does not think he could ever be stronger. And to lie to his own people to make himself look better? He will not do that. Especially when that lie will be used to make the fighting fiercer.
"Minister Jin, was it? Which Division do you lead in the War Department?" Zuko asks.
"The Public Information Division, my Lord."
Ah. The news writers who bring news from the frontlines back home. Often exaggerating victories, and diminishing the losses and suffering of our soldiers. It isn't strange for them to use misinformation here.
"No. I will not lie to our people in my first announcement to them. Tell them the truth. That an Agni Kai took place, and I defeated him but he did not beg. His dishonorable conduct after the duel led to his death. That will be all we will say in terms of the Agni Kai. Now for the coronation. The sages will confer with my Heir, Crown Princess Azula as to when it should take place." Zuko announces, frowning at Minister Jin's proposal, then looking at both Azula and Sage Chang.
This is another huge thing. Zuko and Azula both agreed that they needed to make the succession clear. While they are both the only Royals currently in the Palace, their uncle still lives and was seen to break out from prison and flee the capital itself. If they do not clear up the succession, they risk dividing power between Zuko and Uncle Iroh, with Uncle Iroh gathering more supporters. To secure the succession is to show that you are strong enough to be gone and have the country still working in your vision. And that is their goal in this move.
"Yes, Firelord Zuko." Both Sage Chang and Minister Jin bow. Sage Chang, happy that his suggestion was approved, and Minister Jin, cowed and disappointed his proposal was rejected but thankful that he was not punished.
With that, Firelord Zuko has just made his first order to the Council and they followed. This sets the tone for every other issue they will tackle, and every Council meeting they will attend in the future.
When General Liu of the Home Guard answered the summons to attend the Council Meeting, he did not expect how it would start. Not even one minute after starting the meeting, General Shen challenged the Firelord and promptly got arrested and stripped of his position. They haven't even started with their first agenda and already, one of them has been arrested.
General Liu is both worried and impressed. He is both worried and impressed by Firelord Zuko's decisiveness in punishing Shen. Worried because to confine someone, especially a firebender like Shen, even for a day inside the Royal Dungeon is a horrifying prospect. A powerful display of strength showing his authority if the Royal Guard followed him. And the Royal Guard did obey his orders, cementing his place over them.
At the same time, he is impressed because he agrees that Shen needed to be punished, not just because he challenged the Firelord's authority right after winning Agni Kai, which is foolish by the way, but also because Shen did abandon his army. The 9th Army was stationed to defend Omashu, recently named New Ozai, and its surrounding lands. Shen left command of his army on the Day of the Black Sun to flee to the capital and seek its safety. Which led them to the current issue they have right now.
"Now that we have decided on our first announcement and the particulars of my coronation to be discussed by my sister and Sage Chang, let's move on to the meat of our meeting. The War. What is our current situation?" Firelord Zuko asks.
The first one to answer is General Ryuu of the Air Force. General Ryuu, another of Ozai's supporters. A relatively young ambitious man who rose through the ranks by being one of Ozai's most bloodthirsty officers and kissing ass.
"Sir, General Ryuu of the Air Force. Once we repelled the invasion here, I have ordered the air fleet to chase the stragglers off up until the coast of Rojuno." General Ryuu reports, being careful to avoid saying Firelord Zuko's title.
That gets a reaction from the Firelord.
"Did you not receive my order to chase them up until past the Black Cliffs only General?" Firelord asks, confused at General Ryuu's report.
"Sir, I assessed the situation and believed that it would be wiser to pursue the invaders as we can." General Ryuu answers. Subtly calling out Firelord Zuko's order as unwise.
It seems another challenger has appeared. Wise enough not to directly challenge the Firelord, but still willing to doubt and sabotage his orders. Firelord Zuko gives out a sigh and massages the bridge of his nose as if dealing with a headache.
General Liu cannot blame him, he always hated it when one of his lieutenants was a contrarian or did not follow complete instructions.
"General Ryuu, perhaps you believed your course of action to be wiser, but did you not think that the Firelord had plans for the Air Fleet?" Princess Azula asks, smiling coldly at General Ryuu.
General Ryuu can only remain silent and look coldly at the Princess at that.
It would seem that the Royal Siblings are united in this generation unlike their father and uncle. This is another thing that impressed General Liu. When Shen challenged Firelord Zuko earlier, it was Princess Azula who went to his defense first. It only took the Firelord calling out her name and locking eyes with her for them to communicate, and for Firelord Zuko to take command of the room. It would seem that it would again be Princess Azula's turn to defend her brother.
"Tell us General, where will you dock the airships to resupply?" Princess Azula asks while looking disinterested by watching her nails.
"They do not need to resupply, they have firebenders. They will return to the capital once their mission is done." General Ryuu replies smugly, thinking himself smart for his answer.
"Ah, they have firebenders do they. Have you ever tried fire bending from the capital to the coast of Rojonu and back, General Ryuu?" Princess Azula asks again, taking advantage of General Ryuu's opening.
"...No. I have not." General Ryuu grits his teeth as he replies, realizing he cannot argue against Princess Azula's point. To be fair, the formation of the Air Force is a new addition, and it would be a high bar for anyone to immediately be a master at using it in warfare. It speaks well of Princess Azula's genius if she is already able to think of the logistics of having an Air Force.
"Call off the pursuit. Send a hawk immediately to tell the airships to turn back once they have chased the invaders past the Black Cliff's. It will be the Home Fleet's job to safeguard our waters as the invaders pass through them." Zuko finally orders. Giving General Ryuu some respite from Princess Azula's merciless attack, while looking at General Ryuu and Admiral Takumi of the Home Fleet to relay his order.
"Yes, Firelord Zuko."
It would seem that the Royal Siblings have each taken a role in securing their position. Princess Azula will offer the claws to anyone who deems to challenge them, and Firelord Zuko will extend the palm to smooth the feathers and calm the room. An unorthodox arrangement, but one that seems to work well for the siblings.
"Now, that is only for news on our capital. What about the rest of our lands? Surely the enemy also attacked other territories other than our capital. What is the situation?" Firelord Zuko asks, commanding the room once again.
General Liu cringes. Ahh, the bad news. Who would be brave enough to share the news to Firelord Zuko?
"Firelord Zuko… I regret to inform you that there has been fierce fighting in Ba Sing Se, our garrison forces are currently holding but their position is precarious. And….we just received news that New Ozai has fallen to local Earth Kingdom Forces." Minister Jin from the War Department's Public Information Division reports. It would seem he would like to redeem himself from his earlier mistake regarding his advice on the Firelord's first announcement.
"Ba Sing Se…. Azula." Firelord Zuko frowns, only saying one word in response.
"I will have the Dai Li reinforce our forces brother. They held the city for decades, I'm sure they can handle a few troublemakers." Princess Azula answers immediately with a smirk.
"Will they be loyal?" Firelord Zuko asks a valid question with his unscarred side furrowed.
"They will be, they know what's good for them". Princess Azula assures her brother.
The cooperation between the two of them is so smooth that they fly through issues resolving them as they crop up.
"Good. New Ozai however…."
"That's Omashu now again, big brother."
"Yes, Omashu. Mai's family?" Firelord Zuko says worriedly looking at Minister Jin.
"Governor Ukano, Lady Michi, and their son Tom Tom." Azula clarifies for the confused Minister.
"Ah…They managed to flee the city with the 9th Army to the south, my Lord." Minister Jin says absently, blindsided by the fast response from the Royal Siblings.
"Where are they situated now?" Firelord Zuko asks seriously.
"Latest reports from the 9th Army tells us that their forces are scattered around the city. They plan to journey south to Gaoling soon in order to avoid the Earthbenders from the North and East."
"Bring me a map of the area now! Tell them to head to the sea to their west. If they move south, they'll have to cross the Mystic Swamp. No army would survive that journey. And a breakthrough to the east would just land them in the Si Wong Desert." The Firelord shouts, shooting out orders for the War Department.
"But sir, that would let them be surrounded by the earthbenders and the sea…. I APOLOGIZE FOR MY PRESUMPTION!" Minister Jin argues back, but realizes he is arguing against the Firelord who killed his own father and apologizes immediately with his head bowed hoping to avoid being punished.
Firelord Zuko looks at him strangely at that. Confused at why Minister Jin is apologizing suddenly.
"Don't apologize for voicing your concern, Minister. It is why you are here after all. To address your concern, they won't be surrounded if they have the Home Fleet to carry them home." Firelord Zuko responds.
"Admiral Takumi of the Home Fleet, my Lord. We would be happy to help Governor Ukano and the 9th Army but we do not have enough ships to defend both the Home Islands and ferry the 9th Army home." Admiral Takumi finally manages to introduce himself. Another old man in the meeting other than General Liu.
"What happened to the ships?"
"Admiral Zhao took more than half of the fleet for his invasion of the North Pole last winter. All we have are retired obsolete frigates, and destroyers. We can't even sail every single one of them because we lack the crews." Admiral Takumi responds somberly.
"Fucking Zhao… even dead, you annoy me." Firelord Zuko says as quiet as he can yet still heard by most of the attendees.
General Liu's eyebrow raised at that, it seems there was some interesting history between the Firelord and the late Admiral Zhao.
"What about the ships that survived the North Pole?"
"...Only 40% of the fleet managed to return Firelord Zuko. And they're crews were imprisoned in Boiling Rock for their failure by Firelord Ozai."
"WHAT?! Send me their names, and have them released at once! We need every willing soldier we can get." Firelord Zuko shouts.
"I'm afraid they might not be so willing anymore dear brother. They've been imprisoned by their superiors, I'd be surprised if they still wanted to serve the Fire Nation." Princess Azula pipes up from beside the Firelord. It's a valid point, General Liu agrees with Princess Azula, perhaps it would be better to leave them in the Boiling Rock.
"Then I will talk to them." Yet the Firelord will not be swayed as he glowers at his sister.
"Suit yourself. But what about the 9th Army? They can't wait for you to talk to prisoners before they are overrun by the earthbenders." Princess Azula is unfazed by the Firelord's glower as she points out another issue.
The Firelord's eyebrow furrows at that. Scar glowing angry red as he looks at the map seeing something none of them can see. The Council falls silent at that, not willing to be the Firelord's target and letting Princess Azula bear the brunt of his temper, for it looks like that she's the only one willing to openly take it.
"What about the Southern Fleet?" Firelord Zuko suddenly asks
"The Southern Raiders, my Lord?" Admiral Takumi responds.
"Yes, them. There's nothing to raid in the South Pole anymore, I've been there. If you pull every ship from the Southern Fleet, do we have enough ships to ferry the 9th Army."
"We'd have to pull out every ship from the Home Islands too. Who would protect the Islands?" Admiral Takumi asks, wanting to know the Firelord's solution.
"The Air Force will do it once they resupply." Firelord Zuko looks at General Ryuu at this. General Ryuu gulps as he sees the Firelord's expression.
"See General Ryuu? The Firelord has plans for the Air Force that are wiser than your own. Have faith in your new Firelord." Princess Azula teases vindictively.
General Ryuu can only nod to that.
"Now are there anything else you would like to bring up before we move on?" Firelord Zuko asks.
This is the part General Liu dreads the most. He is about to bring up a topic that is his main reason for accepting the summons.
"Yes, my Lord. I am General Liu of the Home Guard. I have something to bring up." General Liu brings up shakily with his raspy voice.
"What is it, General Liu?" Firelord Zuko looks at him together with Princess Azula.
"What is to be done with your uncle, my Lord? He was seen escaping from the capital aided by waterbenders, earthbenders, and even some firebenders. Do we declare him a traitor?" He asks.
At that moment, General Liu sees a shadow of Ozai on Firelord Zuko. A visage that terrified people into submission. He sees the Firelord's unscarred golden eye glow brightly as he looks at him. General Liu rubs his lucky white lotus Pai Sho tile for luck, hoping to survive this encounter.