Before anything else, I own nothing but the original characters, and content therein related to them. Avatar: The Last Airbender is owned by Nickelodeon, and any mentioned creator's work belongs to them, and them alone.
Chapter 5 The Hunt Begins.
In the icy north, just two days after the Fire Nation's invasion, The Northern Water Tribe had begun to rebuild. Walls were reformed with water from the sea, frozen by benders. Homes were recreated from fresh snow, the defensive fields which had seen the worst of the fighting were cleared of the dead, and shortly thereafter picked clean of the spoils of war…
The Northern Water Tribe knew of it's own limitations. The frozen north was one that demanded much to survive, giving little time for advances in technology, and despite the tribe being a great civilization despite this, the recent invasion had put into perspective for Chief Arnook just how much of a gap there was between his nation and the others. The Water Tribes would need to unite once more, become strong again, take back the seas that surrounded their home, and as it appeared The Fire Nation had left them with just the tools to do it…
Among the ill gotten gains, paid for at such a high cost in human life, there were Fire Nation "Thundersticks," crates full of the black powder, balls of lead, and paper. There were tanks, cannons, even ships that had been abandoned, damaged, or outright captured. It was as if the spirits had answered their prayers for strength, and delivered sevenfold.
Just past noon, two weeks after the night sky turned red, a series of messenger hawks from the northern invasion force arrived at the palace explaining what had happened. The War Council was swiftly summoned by Lord Ozai to discuss the matter.
Once the board members had bowed in greeting to Ozai, they took their seats at the table, and Admiral Chan was the first to speak. "I believe we should address the elephant-koi in the room. The Siege of the North has failed."
"And why might that be, Admiral?" War Minister Qin asked provocatively.
General Hun spoke plainly. "The spirits of the north were heavily involved to my understanding, Minister. Had Admiral Zhao not angered them, our victory over the north would have been all but absolute. You read the report I assume?" He asked.
Minister of Logistics Kano rubbed his temples. "We all read the report, General. Between the fantastic explanation that the ocean itself was against us, and the conflicting stories from soldiers bragging about the fight being nearly sport, it's safe to assume that the blame for the loss sits squarely on Admiral Zhao, who rest his spirit, died in the conflict, and could not command his forces to victory."
"Had General Iroh not been present Zhao would have succeeded in slaying the spirit, according to the Admiral's personal guard, and we would not have left behind a yet uncounted amount of Ban in equipment." Minster Qin added.
General Hun crossed his arms. "Toying with spirits brings nothing but trouble, Minister. Regardless of who is involved with them, they should have been left alone amid the invasion."
Princess Azula stopped herself from growing a smirk. "If I may? This loss was not a true defeat. The snow savages may have been able to repel the invasion, but at what cost? Their walls were broken in a day. Their city is in ruins. Their warriors suffered exponential death and injury, while most of ours returned to their posts… And more importantly, I believe this battle has proven that the Fire Nation now possesses an advantage over the Earth Kingdom. If five Fire Navy cruisers, six hundred some cannons used in total, can crack the walls of Agna Qel'a, what could Ba Sing Se hope to do when faced with the thousand cannons the Army is receiving this month?" Azula asked rhetorically.
War Minister Qin scoffed. "Ba Sing Se is more than it's walls, Princess. The drill has been completed, and is fully capable of penetrating the walls of Ba Sing Se, without unnecessarily putting soldiers at risk when they will be needed to hold the city afterwards."
"What risk is there? It's not as if the stone chuckers can contend with cannon fire better than the snow savages. Omashu falling in a day proves this." Azula said with an eye roll.
Qin narrowed his eyes at Azula. "If I remember correctly, their king gave his army no orders, there was hardly a siege."
General Hun rubbed his nose between his fingers. "Prisoners of war from Omashu were quite adamant that their defeat had little to do with their king's incompetence. The city's surrender was in large part thanks to the bombardment. Cannons fired into the city from across the surrounding valleys uncontested. There was nothing they could do to stop us. Eventually we would have the city, in ruin or intact."
"As I do believe the phrase goes; the spirits side with who has the longer spear." Azula said with a smirk. Minister Qin quietly scoffed.
Admiral Chan sighed before continuing. "I would like to highlight that while the invasion itself failed, and Admiral Zhao is ultimately to blame, his plan for ship diversification was actually one that is quite sound… His specified modifications and updates for Fire Navy vessels tailored for the invasion were… Well, nothing short of a stroke of brilliance, if not madness."
"Something to do with the cannon's I assume? I heard he had men strap them to tanks before the battle as well?" General Hun asked.
"Since the turreted tanks were not delivered in time, Zhao had his men make due. It served its purpose as mobile field artillery for the time." The admiral said.
Hun almost chuckled. "Bet the sea-dog wanted a ship with a big old gun popping out the top too eh?"
"Zhao was quite adamant, even before the cannon's adoption, that cruisers were beginning to experience what he called; mission creep, and though a stopgap solution, gunned ships worked." Chan said.
Fire Lord Ozai was intrigued by the term mission creep. He didn't know how to run a navy, that was of course why he appointed admirals who did. If Zhao, despite his failure and death, saw a flaw and had devised a solution, Ozai was willing to believe that it was worth hearing about. "Pray tell, what was the late Admiral's belief regarding the Fire Nation's cruisers?" Lord Ozai asked.
Admiral Chan cleared his throat. "Well your majesty, Zhao thought that the cruisers were beginning to suffer in mission performance. Far too many outfittings for separate tasks, such as amphibious landings and coastal defense, in addition to their original intended role of ship to ship fighting from over 100 years ago. In attempting to make ships that can do everything asked of them, they can only perform the tasks given in half measures. Statistically, over the course of the war as the cruisers began taking on more roles, becoming more expensive, they've also been losing increasingly. Zhao believed the solution was to further diversify and specialize the fleet from our current three warship types. Given the initial successes of the Siege of The North, I'm inclined to agree with him, My lord." Chan said, momentarily glancing around the room.
Fire Lord Ozai hummed to himself silently. "Admiral Chan, assemble the Naval committee, this requires further discussion. In the meantime, I shall talk with the court. The War Council is adjourned for the day."
Shortly after the meeting, Azula was requested in private by her father. After the throne room had been cleared of the court, she knelt before the Fire Lord, awaiting his word.
"Iroh is a traitor, your brother Zuko a failure, and Zhao a disgrace to our nation… I have a task for you." Lord Ozaid said, looking down at his daughter, bowing before the throne. "Capture the treasonous members of our family, and the Avatar in Zhao's place… You will have my full authority and support in this endeavor."
"It will be done father." Azula said with a small smile.
As the Avatar and his friends prepared to take off from the Northern Water Tribe ship that had ferried them south to the west coast of the Earth Kingdom, the team said their parting words to Master Paku, and received gifts to aid them in their journey. Katara was given water from the spirit oasis, Aang water bending scrolls for practice, and Sokka, when he finally stepped forward, was given a stern look from Master Paku, before the old man gave a half smile. "Sokka, your experience fighting the Fire Nation is in large part a reason why we stand a chance against them now. For this, I give you a gift befitting a warrior."
Master Paku turned to the tribesman behind him, then again to face Sokka, holding out in his hands for the young man to take, a Thunderstick, and a sack with several of it's amenities. "A devastating weapon, as you surely know. Use it well." Master Paku said.
As Sokka took the weapon, he gave a resolute nod to the water bender. "I hope I never have too."
The door to Connor's room was knocked on twice, and one of the messengers stood at his door. "The princess requests you pack your belongings for an excursion to the colonies, and that you meet her at the palace gate." The messenger said, before he shuffled away.
"What-a… juː kʊd æt liːst stɪk əˈraʊnd tuː ˈɑːnsər ə ˈkwɛsʧən ɔː tuː." Connor said to himself.
Not having much in the way of possessions, Connor stuffed two pairs of clothes into a shoulder bag, took what he assumed would be enough gold Ban coins for about a week's journey, and set off towards the main gate. He assumed he was on time, given that there was a small formation of Imperial Guard soldiers accompanying a palanquin and it's carriers. Azula was sitting on the moving platform's cushioned seat.
"You're early." Azula commented.
"Didn't have much to pack, princess." Connor said, as he looked at the formation. "You're messenger didn't tell me much more than I'm going to the colonies… Also, did you ever find out why the moon went away?"
"I did in fact, and it's part of the reason we're leaving for the colonies today." Azula said. Connor felt his blood run cold. "Admiral Zhao managed to temporarily kill a spirit… That was why the sky went dark… Oh, the cannons the Navy employed made fantastic work of the North's fortified walls, and the city of Omashu. I'm hopeful you feel a sense of pride that your contributions to the Fire Nation have had such an impact… However, the Avatar foiled the invasion with some monstrous wave according to what I've been told, and relit the moon." Azula paused to give Connor time to process the information. Connor had to blink a few times to get the image in his head of a demon tossing a sea at someone to make sense. "In any case, both my brother and uncle betrayed the Fire Nation during the invasion, and with Zhao dead, rightfully so if you ask me, I've been tasked with capturing both my estranged family, and the Avatar in Zhao's place… Naturally I want to bring my servants. You don't happen to have any brilliant ideas that need to be aired out with the War Ministry first do you?"
"No… I'll need to get a few more things though." Connor said.
"Well then, you'll find my sloop docked in the bay… We set sail at dusk. I have a schedule to keep, and the ship will leave without you." Azula said. Connor gave a nod, before he turned and left.
The next the two would see each other, Connor was ascending the docking ramp of the royal sloop, an assortment of pouches held in place by a brown leather belt and chest strap, with what looked like a hippo-cow horn hanging from a string. His pack was stuffed full, and a musket slung over his shoulder. A pistol was tucked into his belt, and one of the many short swords from the store house was in a leather sheath beside it.
"You're just in time." Azula said, as Connor stood before her. "Captain, set a course for the Colonies." Azula said, as she walked away from Connor.
"Bit rude." Connor said to himself in english, as he went to find the room he'd stayed in last he was on the ship.
Admiral Chan had the privilege to personally write the change of police, the Naval procurement notice, and the new general order that had been passed down by the Fire Lord following the naval committee meeting. Zhao might have seen the future, but he would not be remembered for his contributions towards it. Chan chuckled to himself as he wrote. The Navy's decades-long cruiser problem, and it's organizational issues were about to be remedied, with his name on the letter.
Sealing the scroll, and sending it to be reproduced and distributed by hawk to the entire Navy, Chan smiled to himself. "And who says nothing ever gets done in the palace?"
Aboard a cruiser in the South Sea, Captain Akira stood beside his helmsman and first mate in the bridge when suddenly a messenger hawk landed on the conning tower balcony railing. The captain stepped out to retrieve the attached scroll, and once he unrolled it, his eyes went wide.
"What is it, Sir?" The first mate asked.
Captain Akira turned to him. "We're being recalled from patrol, under order of the Fire Lord." He said, gently lowering the letter.
"What?!" Both the first mate and helmsman asked in surprise. "Is… Is the war over?" The helmsman asked.
"No, it's not. The Navy's retrofitting… All ships not participating in the upcoming invasion of the Gaoling province, and a vestige of the home fleet are… We're all required to make port at the nearest Naval yard for modernization." The captain said.
"Modern-what?" The First mate questioned.
"Upgrade packages of some sort." The Captain said, glancing at the message again. "And there's a new policy. The Navy's changing how we conduct patrols, amphibious attacks, ship to ship combat and boarding, almost everything, with instructions to follow once we reach port."
The Helmsman and the First mate looked between each other. "Sir, with that much of the Navy being recalled, who's going to keep piracy in check? Or prevent The Water Tribes making advances towards the equator? Or stop the Earth Kingdom from taking back it's rivers, lakes and bays outside of the colonies?" The first mate asked. "Respectfully, has The Fire Lord lost his mind?"
"Hold your tongue sailor!" The Captain said loudly. "There must be a good reason The Fire Lord would pull the Navy away in the middle of the war. Just because we don't understand or know what that reason is is irrelevant. Either way, this change must have been seen as worth the risks it obviously presents."
The Helmsman looked out to the starboard side, finding another Fire Navy Cruiser steaming along on the horizon beside them. "For our taxes sake, Sir, I hope so."
After two days at sea spent mostly in the lower floors of the ship, Connor found himself wanting fresh air. It was drawing close to sunset by the time Connor came back above deck. He found only three people there. Two elderly women sitting near the door of the tower built into the ship, a feat of engineering Connor still couldn't understand, and Azula, standing about halfway down the deck. As Connor approached, he stopped after only two paces, seeing Azula create a circle of glowing blue, which arced between her fingers, before there was a burst of light, and a clap of thunder. Connor jumped and shielded his head, before seeing that Azula was still standing. "wɒt ɪn ðə ˈfʌkɪŋ hɛl wɒz ðæt?!" Connor asked in a shout.
Azula looked over her shoulder as found Connor giving her a baffled look. But of course he would not know what lightning bending was. "Have you not seen lightning before?" Azula asked, as she stood, finding a hair having fallen out of place in front of her eye, which she quickly brushed back into place.
"I… Yes, during storms, but never on a clear day." Connor said, walking closer.
"It is a bending form that only members of the royal family have been permitted to know the secrets of." Azula said. "I bet you would love to know how it works."
Connor looked out to the horizon where the bolt of lightning had been directed, and held his chin for a second. "Positive and negative charge to create a bunch of energy…"
Azula's eyes widened for a moment. "Your people have an understanding of lightning?" She asked.
"Aye, a man from my country captured it in a jar. It's the same thing as ɪlɛkˈtrɪsɪti." Connor said.
"Elec… You mean static? That thing that makes tiny little sparks when cloth has been rubbed?" Azula asked.
"Aye… Impressive that you can create it though." Connor said, resting a hand on his belt.
Azula shook her head. How could Connor's people be so backwards that they had not created successful steam powered ships, yet could put lightning in a bottle? "Yes, and I would like to continue creating it. I advise you to take a few steps back, unless you wish to die in horrible agony." Azula said, before Connor bowed out, and walked over to where Li and Lo were seated to observe Azula's lightning bending from a safe distance.
Once the ship had reached the small port of the western Earth Kingdom colonies, Azula was quickly informed of both Iroh and Zuko's wearabouts by the local authorities. It would take only a short walk for Azula, Conor, and two other Imperial guards to arrive at the apothecary's and their inn upriver from the port. Once there, Azula only had to ask which room her family was staying in, and wait for their return.
Azula sat in the chair near the back wall's window, and Connor, according to Azula, was best suited to sit in the corner near the far wall.
Not long after their entrance did the former General Iroh come into the room. He spoke about sea shells he'd collected that day, before the banished Prince Zuko entered behind him. Both were unaware of Azula and Connor's presence, cast in shadow and out of view.
"Hello brother… Uncle." Azula said, catching their attention.
"What are you doing here?" Zuko asked, stepping further into the room.
"You know, in my country we exchange a pleasant "hello" before asking questions…" Azula stood from her chair, and approached her brother. "Don't tell me you've become so uncivilized so soon Zuzu."
Connor couldn't help but chuckled at the nickname Azula had for her brother, causing Zuko and Iroh to turn and finally see him. Zuko's good eye went wide, and Connor cringed when he saw the prince's scar. "Who… What is that thing?" Zuko asked Azula, still looking at the large ghostly pale and fiery haired man before him.
"Don't be rude, Zuko. Connor here is my newest personal bodyguard for when I'm abroad, and he is perfectly capable of understanding you." Azula said, before turning to her uncle Iroh.
"I can imagine a man his size is well suited to such a position." Iroh said. "But, to what do we owe this honor, Princess?"
"It must be something that runs in our family. So quick to get to the point…" Azula crossed her arms. "I'm here with a message from home. Father's changed his mind. Family has become important to him. After Zhao's failure in the North, and several whispering plots of usurpation, he feels as if he can no longer rely on incompetent generals and the ministries. After all, family are the only ones you can really trust." Zuko turned to look at Azula, trying to assess her words. "Father regrets banishing you… He's come to believe that you should have had a place among the War Council… After all, fresh blood and good ideas are so hard to come by in such circles." Zuko turned to face the window. Azula glanced at Connor when she noticed Zuko didn't seem particularly happy to hear the "good news," and Connor pointed to the pistol on his waist. Azula gently wiggled a finger under her arm so that only he would see.
"He… Regrets?" Zuko asked no one in particular.
Azula rolled her eyes. "I'm not a messenger you know? I didn't need to come all this way for you. I did so because I wanted to tell you this news myself…" Azula turned from her brother. "I can see that this is all weighing upon you heavily. If you wish to return to the Fire Nation, my ship will be here until dusk tomorrow, and you are more than welcome to come with me." Azula said, as she started walking toward the exit. "Come, Connor."
"Aye, Princess." Connor said, as he stood from his chair, and followed Azula out of the room.
On the walk back, Connor had a grin practically pasted to his face, and Azula noticed. "What's got you so happy?" She asked.
"You're a sneaky one, princess. An old man, and a boy with one good eye. We could have taken them, but you spun a yarn, and now they're gonna walk right to the jailer." Connor said.
"Don't be so easily fooled by appearances. My uncle might be a kooky fatso, and Zuko might be dumb and half blind, but both of them are passable fire benders still. I'd rather not have a scar to match my brother's and I doubt you would survive a pitched fight with either of them." Azula said.
"Oh… Well at least I got to meet them before they go to jail." Connor said with a shrug.
Once back aboard the ship, the procession waited until the morning to set the stage for Prince Zuko, and Iroh so to speak. Azula stood on the deck, near the ramp that connected the ship to the dock, and greeted her family quite literally with open arms as they approached. Connor stood to her right, musket planted butt to deck, at rest.
"Are we ready to depart your highness?" The Captain said, half stepping onto the ramp of the sloop.
"Set a course for home, Captain." Azula said, before both the captain and the two members of the royal family behind him started walking up to the ship.
"You heard the princess. Raise the anchors, we're taking the prisoner's home." The captain realized his mistake almost instant, as both Azula and Connor looked at him in utter disbelief. Azula's expression quickly changed to that of anger, as the Captain attempted to correct himself. "You're highness, I…"
Connor sighed, as below him, Iroh had entered a brawl with the Imperial Firebenders, and Zuko kicked the captain over the side of the ramp into the bay.
"You lied to me!" Zuko shouted.
"Like I've never done that before." Azula said, as she turned and smiled at Connor. "Deal with him please." She said in passing. "Oh, and I'd rather he be alive."
"Fʌk.." Connor muttered, as Zuko charged up the ram towards him, fire streaming behind his hands. Connor attempted to strike Zuko with the muzzle of his musket, but could not pull it up in time, and the prince sent a kick into his gut, causing him to fall backwards. Rolling over, Connor tried to aim at Zuko again, only to find that both he and Azula were fighting at closer intervals than Connor was comfortable shooting into, then cursed to himself, as he dropped the musket to heed Azula's orders of taking the boy alive.
Running up from behind, Connor grabbed Zuko around the waist, and rather easily was able to pick him up and toss him to the side. Zuko hit the metal deck of the ship, and rolled twice before he was able to get to his feet. "Too scared to fight me by yourself?!" Zuko shouted at his sister.
Azula shrugged. "He is my bodyguard."
Zuko rushed back in towards Connor, and despite the spry fire bender tossing smaller blasts of flames at the Irishman, Connor for his size was nimble enough to duck two of the attacks, before the third one winged him in the right shoulder. Conner wasn't expecting the attack to do anything more than be a little hot, but he was mistaken, the attack had a little bit of force behind it, and to that end Connor fell flat onto his ass.
Zuko closed the distance between them, grabbed Conner by the collar of his shirt, and held his fist cocked back, before the two's attention was taken by Azula. "Bravo Connor." Azula said, having taken the time given to her to begin the process of creating lightning, her complement being the only form of warning she'd given to her servant.
"əʊ ʃaɪt." Connor muttered, as he shoved Zuko off of him and rolled away as fast as he could, not wanting to be anywhere near Azula's line of fire. Though it seemed he had other things to worry about, as before Azula could complete her strike, Iroh had run up from the dock, gotten his hands on Azula and with a kick sent her flying over the edge of the ship. "Azula!" Connor shouted, ignoring the two escaping prisoners, as he dropped his belt and powder horn, before jumping over the side of the ship. Landing feet first, Connor sank a good six yards into the bay, before he landed near Azula on the rocky bottom. She was back down, struggling to move, hands around her armored shoulder pads.
Grabbing Azula by her waist, he pulled away the armored neck and shoulder pad that was weighing her down, and pushed off the floor of the bay, hard, carrying them both toward the dock as the other Imperial Guards were climbing out of the water. Once he had a hand up on the dock, Connor let Azula go, as she seemed capable of swimming on her own now. Connor meanwhile gripped the dock and pulled himself free of the water, before offering Azula a hand, pulling her to safety.
Connor fell onto his back once Azula was on the dock with him, and gave a jovial "WOO!" with a raised fist before speaking. "əʊ fʌk miː, aɪ æm nɒt ˈdu(ː)ɪŋ ðæt əˈgɛn… Not a bad rescue for a man who can't swim, eh Azula."
Azula shot her attention towards him. "You can't swim?! You idiot! Why in the world would you jump overboard to save me if you can't swim?" She asked in irritation, before realizing how worked up she was getting over what should have been nothing. "Never mind… Guards!" Azula shouted. "It looks like we're staying in the colonies a little while longer… And Captain…" Azula said, as the man in question dumped out the water in his helmet, stopping once he heard his title called. "I do hope you understand that a punishment is in order for causing this mess."
Connor sat up. "Aye, go easy on him, princess. Only twenty or so whips to the back sounds fair to me." He said. The Captain looked horrified.
Azula raised an eyebrow. Twenty lashes? She was just going to have him demoted, though the idea of corporal punishment, draconian as it might have been, sounded fitting as well. "That won't be necessary. Enjoy the title of Lieutenant again, your second's just replaced you." Azula said, standing, before walking back to the ship.