While the Capital City was secured in little time, it took days longer for the islands at the edges of the Fire Nation's boundaries to reaffirm their loyalties to the new regime. In several cases, the noble houses were forced to surrender all claims to their larger island holdings as compensation for their involvement with Fire Lord Ozai's incompetent rule. Those islands were then promptly handed over to formerly ousted families that now returned to serve Fire Lord Iroh.
It was one of the more overt and expected moves for the new Fire Lord to rectify the imbalance in his court. The less obvious actions, enacted by Azula's loyal and diligent agents, saw many new and younger family heads presenting themselves to court. Practically all of the ardent traditionalists who constantly opposed her before were absent; either killed in a myriad of unsubtle circumstances, or lucky enough to abdicate their positions in both family and court.
In the same vein, a series of internal and external takeovers plagued the mercantile dynasties of the Fire Nation, while all but one of the Fire Sages were replaced, and of the returning commanders from the continent barely a third would get to retain their ranks, including High General Shinu. The others would be put through a rigorous training regime to determine their suitability.
Azula had forcibly turned the Fire Nation over a new leaf, as a parting gift before she gave up all claims and severed all ties to it.
Even from the outside, Aang understood how much of a path she had blazed through towards unobstructed reform, but he couldn't help but taste something bitter about the ruthlessness of it all. Azula was determined to purge what she saw was utter incompetence and corruption within the Fire Nation's court, and use its ashes to fertilize a better system. She afforded the courtiers involved no compassion, and through the reign of terror sown by her agents, the survivors were in no position to negotiate for a compromise.
It was, from a certain political view, a regime change that would bring the least amount of suffering to the populace. So long as Iroh and Zuko remain benevolent, of course. But the price of blood that had been paid for this to happen…
Aang didn't like it, but he hated that it was the option that made the most sense right now. From his lessons from Bumi and Iroh, a smooth transition of power, even if lubricated by blood, was better than one that faced resistance and insubordination. Especially in this case, the Fire Nation needed to be united so that a definite peace can be forged and the long war could be brought to a close at last. Any resistance against it, any splinter faction seeking to continue the fight, cannot be allowed to exist, for the sake of the greater good.
Just as how Aang would soon have to deal with the divide in the Earth Kingdom before it fully blows up into a civil war of its own. King Kuei - or more accurately his regent, as Xing, Iroh and Bumi would say - was slowly but surely building up supporters to solidify his legitimacy. Bumi had been unperturbed, and Xing even more so. From the short talk Aang had with them back in Ba Sing Se, the Water Tribes would supposedly refrain from involving themselves in any civil war on the Earth Continent, but that was only their official stance.
Now that he knew how to read between the lines, it was clear that both North and South Poles were hedging their bets on Bumi. Whether that'd mean discreet support though, Aang wasn't sure. What he was certain of though was that Xing and Bumi had an agreement between them, and the odds were not stacked in any way to King Kuei's side. The Avatar could only hope that the ousted king (or his lackeys) would not make a move any time soon. The Fire Nation still needed some tending before Aang move onto other tasks.
Though if he was lucky, the whole internal Earth Kingdom issue would resolve itself quickly, and it'd allow Aang to skip straight to reconnecting with his people in the Village of Hidden Clouds. The older folks might be stubborn, but Aang might be able to make some headway with the younger generation there. Xing and Bumi had promised their aid in rebuilding the Northern and Eastern Air Temples respectively, so it was only a matter of figuring out which home to relocate to and rebuild the Air Nomad civilization.
Hopefully the surviving airbenders wouldn't mind moving into the air temples. Aang didn't like to have to constantly visit Ba Sing Se just to reconnect with his people.
He already owed Xing too many favors, and for how much he now tolerated the guy, Aang didn't look forward to the day when the Scorpion came to collect his debts.
Speaking of favors… Aang sighed as he saw the procession approaching the Fire Nation palace. He could make out Chiefs Arnook's and Hakoda's parties as being a smudge of blues and whites at one edge of the assembly of greens and yellow. The Earth Kingdom representatives looked to be a small army in and of themselves, but in truth they came as individual and independent groups. Bumi and his allies took the center of the procession, a variety of small banners rallying under the larger one of Omashu. Aang wasn't sure of the identities of the other banners, but judging from how they seemed to form separate clumps, he'd have to guess that they belonged to Earth Kingdom states from the newly liberated north and west.
And then there was the dark-green and yellow yuan of Ba Sing Se, standing a bit more alone than the others. King Kuei's representative was marked out simply by how their peers were avoiding them. Aang felt a headache coming on as he sensed the coming debates.
As Avatar, Aang was supposed to sit in as a not-so-neutral arbiter, but with most of the deals already hashed out in Ba Sing Se, this meeting in the palace was mostly to brief those not in the know, like Zuko, the independent states, maybe the Southern Water Tribe, and Kuei. Xing had ensured that there'd be some room for compromise and improvisation, but beyond that, the general terms were all but set in stone.
Thanks to King Kuei's faction making an appearance, now it was just a matter of how much inevitable protesting everyone could take before the hammer was dropped. Well, it was a good thing Xing, Bumi and Arnook had their attack dogs prepared for the occasion so that Aang could stay out of most of it…
The Avatar watched the procession for a bit more before descending the palace to meet them at the throne room. The Water Tribes were respectful in their greetings with Iroh, and so were Bumi and his people. The lords and ambassadors of the northern and western states looked stiff and conflicted in exchanging their courtesies, while Kuei's delegation were clearly torn between smug triumph and annoyance at not being the main stars.
Everyone bowed deeply when Aang made his appearance, and the young airbender just swallowed the trepidation from the overwhelming attention he got and willed himself to offer a formal greeting as Zuko and Xing had coached him.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this summit. As Avatar, I seek a restoration of balance to this scarred and war-torn world of ours, and I am keen to hear all your thoughts on what the future might hold for all of us. We shall begin our meeting as soon as you are all ready."
With his performance done, Aang watched as the delegations were sent off to their accommodations before giving Iroh a curt nod and leaving to prepare himself for the great burden that was politics.
On the next day, the representatives were gathered once more in the throne room, this time seated in curved tables that formed a vast circle with Aang inside. There was bound to be some symbolism in the whole setup, but the Avatar was too annoyed at his task to bother right now.
Iroh and Zuko sat on the 'head' of the circle, closest to the throne, with a gaggle of officials standing behind them with pen and scrolls ready. On either side of them were the Water Tribes, Arnook to their left and Hakoda to the right. The rest of the circle was taken up by the Earth Kingdom states.
And Xing and Azula representing Ba Sing Se, seated directly opposite of Iroh and Zuko. Bumi was somewhere in between, with Siang, King Kuei's official, directly opposite of him.
Again, symbolism, but Aang really just wanted to get everything done with.
Aang rapped his staff on the stone floor to catch everyone's attention. "Now, the long war is over. That much is assured. What we do now is to find a way to restore balance and peace to the world. The Fire Nation has done much against the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes, but we must not be unjust and oppressive in seeking reparations."
There were nods and a murmur of assent from the assembly, which made Aang feel rather proud of being able to pull off his 'formal authority' voice. But then Siang had to rise up from his seat and stab a finger at Xing's direction. "Then we can start by having those oppressors evicted from Ba Sing Se!"
The murmurs died down, replaced with a cold, anxious silence as those states more familiar with Xing shrunk into their seats with grim, fearful grimaces. Bumi's eyes lit up with amusement, while the chieftains of the Water Tribes were shaking their heads ruefully. Aang too wanted to join them, but alas, he was stuck out here in plain sight.
"Well, might as well go straight to it," Xing said, giving Siang a polite nod. "I take it that King Kuei will be returning once we're gone?"
"Of course! It is only right to restore the Earth King to his capital city!"
The smirk on Xing's face sent a shiver up Aang's spine. "His right?"
The representative scoffed and folded his arms with disdain. "King Kuei comes from a long line of rulers who hold the rightful claim to rule over Ba Sing Se. The Earth Kingdom will not tolerate a Fire Nation tyrant oppressing its people, especially in the very heart of its capital city!"
For all the conviction the words were delivered, only a small group of Earth Kingdom states murmured in agreement. Many others were already wincing and bracing themselves.
"Is that so?" Xing gave a glance to Azula, who nodded like a satisfied predator, and then returned his attention to Siang. "Would you like us to re-brainwash your women then?"
Siang sputtered, Bumi let out a strained but audible cackle, and not a few lords and ambassadors sighed.
"The Joo Dees, Ambassador Siang. Would you like us to return them back? After all, one of the first thing us oppressive tyrants did was to liberate the hapless brainwashed women of Ba Sing Se from the predations of the Dai Lee. The Earth King's most trusted servants."
"Th-That's…I mean…his highness was not aware of such a thing…!"
Azula spoke up, wearing a dark grin all the while. "Ah, but it happened nonetheless, did it not? Hundreds of women oppressively freed from under Lake Laogai, to be tyrannically broken from their conditioning. Hundreds of women who were forced to act as spies, seductresses…gifts." The venom in which she uttered that last word made even Aang take a few steps back.
"We only got our tyrannical hands on hundreds of women that day. But do you know how many thousands we've missed? How many thousands had already been kidnapped, conditioned, used and discarded during the tenure of your king's rightful rule?"
"King Kuei had nothing to do with the Dai Li's insidious schemes!"
"As he had nothing to do with anything in regards to Ba Sing Se, or the Earth Kingdom," Xing retorted with an unfriendly smile. "Kuei might have claim over the city, but with the utter dereliction of his duties as king, be it of Ba Sing Se or over the Earth Kingdom, I'd say he lost any real right to rule."
"Here, here," Bumi said with a slow clap, before rising up to butt in. "Maybe it's my age acting up, but I for one don't remember a time when Ba Sing Se under young King Kuei ever sent real aid to Omashu or its neighbors."
"Only demands for men and taxes," one man a few seats down from Bumi, a lord of some sort, huffed. "Na Fang only ever got shipments of weapons to arm our men with…so that they may be sent to wherever the king…no, the Dai Li wished them to go."
"The Dai Li had no involvement or control over the war effort," Siang replied, but Xing raised a lazy hand, and a handmaiden stepped forward to present a thick and weathered tome. He picked it up, and then slid it over to the lordling next to him.
"The ledger of Joo Dees here says otherwise. The previous war minister was already…gifted three of them for his loyalty, while blackmail through seduction was used to keep a leash over several commanders. At least two had their daughters' minds threatened. Oh, we've got copies, if anyone wants."
And then more servants stepped forth, producing newer replicas for the rest of the table to peruse.
"Where was I? Right. The gist of it is, the Dai Li subverted the Earth Kingdom military to ensure that all approaches to Ba Sing Se itself would be unassailable. Men were thrown to rebuff any advances towards it. Everywhere else?" Xing finished the question with a shrug. "During my time in the Fire Nation's military, I don't recall the south or the north putting up much of a fight…"
"Cheeky brat," Bumi sniped without any heat to his words. "But the point stands, the young Scorpion is right. Right enough that I agree with him without reservation about this fact. Under King Kuei's rule, or more accurately lack of it, the Earth Kingdom not in the way between Ba Sing Se and the Fire Nation had to fend for themselves."
Surprisingly, Chief Arnook also chimed in with his thoughts. "The Northern Water Tribe used to have treaties of cooperation with Ba Sing Se, treaties that ensured the safeties of the seas between our realms. For more than a decade already, Ba Sing Se has not fulfilled their end of the treaties, forcing Agna Qel'a to withdraw its influence and support of the Earth Kingdom."
Many unkind eyes turned towards Siang. "K-King Kuei is aware of the many…oversights that has-"
"Failures," Azula bluntly corrected. "The many failures that were allowed to take place during his reign, ambassador. If you can call his idleness a reign."
Every head bar Siang a few of his people were nodding to the princess' harsh words. It then dawned on Aang that this was the true intention of the meeting. They could've made the negotiations all those days ago in Ba Sing Se official, drawing in delegates from across the continent and working there and then to earn their approval.
But instead, they - Xing, Azula…maybe even Bumi and Iroh - wanted to use this moment, this event to draw in and set up Kuei as a (rightful) target of discontent, to tarnish any return of Ba Sing Se as the throne city and strengthen, even legitimizing Xing's claim to it.
They knew Kuei's faction would want to be involved in any post-war discussion after a victory, to regain legitimacy and prestige, and had prepared to deal the opposite instead.
"It's a farce, that's what it is," an official from a northern city agreed with a heavy thump of his fist onto the table.
Aang felt a sudden wave of pity for poor Siang as ambassadors and barons and dukes began speaking over each other to lambast Kuei's lack of rule.
"Where were reinforcements when the Fire Nation seized Omashu?"
"Our ports were open and the north coast uncontested, so where was Ba Sing Se's aid?"
"So we emptied our cities of men to feed the war effort - which only served to protect Ba Sing Se and nothing else - and when we had to flee, our refugees, already poorly settled in the slums, also had to become prey to the Dai Li?"
Aang mutely watched as the torrent of abuse from the Earth Kingdom states unfolded against Ambassador Siang. It was bubbling resentment that finally spilled over, he realized. It was an anger that was years in the making, and the Avatar saw then the dangers of misrule. King Kuei was barely worth calling a king after what had transpired beyond his severely blinkered attention. And because of his obliviousness, because of the Dai Li's corruption, the Earth Kingdom as a whole suffered. It was the opposite of Ozai's delusional tyranny, but it was just as damning in its consequences.
Aang looked to a rather pleased Xing, who only gave him a slight nod. It was a cruel way to present the lesson, but an effective one nonetheless.
Elsewhere at the circular conference, Bumi was cackling contentedly while most of his followers either grinned along or chimed in with their own issues against Ba Sing Se. Arnook and Hakoda took in the ruckus with weary disappointment, while Iroh watched impassively and Zuko seemed appalled by the whole thing.
"That's enough!" Deciding that he's gotten enough of the noise, Aang slammed his staff on the floor to return the meeting into order. The sudden silence was very satisfying. "Look, I know there's a lot of issues that need settling with Ba Sing Se, but maybe we can do that later, once everyone's calmed down. Right now, let's focus on easier tasks, alright?"
Heads bobbed in agreement all around Aang, especially that of the beleaguered Siang. "Great. Now, Fire Lord Iroh. Let's go over the simplest thing first: the colonies."
Iroh nodded gravely. "The Fire Nation is prepared to give up all claims on the Earth Continent. We only ask that our people be allowed to return to the Fire Islands, or be fairly treated as subjects if they chose to remain under Earth Kingdom rule."
"That sounds fair," Chief Arnook muttered, which got a lot of heads nodding.
Aang gave Siang a glare before the man could speak up. "Ba Sing Se is recognized to be a different entity, and will be dealt with later, Ambassador Siang."
"On a related note," the duke of Chenbao chimed in, "While we all agree that Fire Nation imperialism is on a whole detestable, I must, however begrudgingly, admit to admiring the administering practices of its last colonial minister."
Aang didn't even need to turn his head to feel Azula preening from the praise.
"It is sad to say this, but under her oversight, our city has seen growth and prosperity as a faux-protectorate that is…surprising." The duke gulped as he turned to Azula and Xing, giving them a respectful bow (overly so, in Aang's opinion). "If possible, as part of reconciliation, I'd like further insight into the methods in which Princess Azula tended to the Fire Nation's Colonial Ministry, that Chenbao might continue its growth while remaining independent."
"It's good to see my work being appreciated," Azula breezily replied, grinning a bit too widely. "I can send over some staff to advise you, if you'd like? Or would you prefer a treatise be made?"
Another man raised his hand. "Bailing too, wishes to discuss the maintenance of infrastructure set up by the former colonial minister, particularly the farming vehicles and-"
Aang sighed and cleared his throat. "Ba Sing Se is recognized to be a different entity, and will be dealt with later," he echoed. "Any dealing with Princess Azula and Prince Xing will be conducted later alongside the fate of the city."
Only as he finished the sentence did Aang realized the trap he'd set off. The duke of Chenbao was not the only one looking to Azula with begrudging respect. Some of the northern officials were clearly less begrudging about it too. They had a high enough opinion of her, and Azula was, for the moment, officially part of Xing's independent realm of Ba Sing Se. The lords and ambassadors would have to appeal to the couple and their Ba Sing Se if they wanted anything from either of them. It could very well mean they'd further reject Kuei's claims on the city, just to get on good terms with Azula.
"Stupid politics," Aang sighed softly, but not softly enough that Xing clearly picked it up and grinned at him.The main essence of the first international summit in more than a century was done with faster than most had expected. King Kuei's loyalists in the eastern Earth Continent were basically outshouted by their fellows from the south who overwhelmingly chose to band with Bumi's Confederation of Southern Earth Kingdoms or those in the west and north who were considering whether to join Omashu or form their own factions.
Those were matters that those involved agreed to discuss once they returned home. Zuko was rather glad for that, he couldn't take any more of the constant verbal lashing hurled at Ambassador Siang and his unfortunate colleagues. After the first showing, and with some egging from Bumi, the other Earth Kingdom states seemed to only need the simplest excuses to begin a tirade that blamed Kuei and the Dai Li for whatever the current topic was.
And apparently, depressingly, more than half of those accusations had more than a grain of truth in them.
It was because of their Joo Dee project that barons and counts, who had bade their people flee before the Fire Nation onslaught, were outraged at the absence and violation of their people. It was thanks to the Dai Li's insular focus that the states far south of the Si Wong Desert were forced to fend for themselves and eventually look to Omashu for leadership as almost all armies under the crown were concentrated around Ba Sing Se. And with the Dai Li dabbling into military affairs to ensure their own interests, many generals and commanders found themselves hamstrung by severely defensive orders.
And then there was what some considered the most irreverent violation. The Dai Li captured, tortured and were about to subvert members of the venerated Kyoshi Warriors into Joo Dees. Suki's personal account of her ordeal before the gathering, clad in the traditional face paint and armor of her order, had riled up quite a few of the southern lords in particular.
"For them to stoop so low!" one ambassador exclaimed with disgust, her hands actually trembling.
"If they hadn't been stopped, who knows what the Dai Li might do," one lord sneered. "They hold nothing sacred, I bet they'd have the impudence to try subverting the Avatar as well!"
"And all while our 'rightful king' remains oblivious!" another lord added, glaring particularly at Siang.
It was quite the surreal experience for Zuko. He had expected to endure a tirade from the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes over the atrocities committed by his father, grandfather, and great grandfather. Yet instead he was now staring back and forth like a spectator by a cuju court as the Earth Kingdom states took shots at their ousted ruler. On the opposite end of the conference circle, Xing and Azula had the courtesy to hide their amusement, while Aang in between them looked utterly worn.
"But it was the Fire Nation that slew your men!" the poor ambassador appealed to the duke of Chenbao. "The Scorpion himself was responsible for your brother's crippling!"
"Wenli's fate was of his own idiotic making!" the duke roared right back. "The Fire Nation were enemies, and it is a poor shepherd that blames the rabid wolfbats for mauling his unguarded flock." Every member of the Fire Nation wisely ignored the insult and let the man continue his tirade. Zuko found his uncle beside him almost spilling his tea.
"But what of my supposed king? Where were the rebuilt grand armies that were supposed to push the Fire Nation marauders back? Where was Ba Sing Se's royal armada to help contest the sea and secure an evacuation route?" The duke slammed his hands on the table as he seemed ready to froth at the mouth.
Zuko bit back a sigh.
Rabid indeed.
"And to add to insult? To make things all the worse for us? Our 'yoke of oppression' was the best years for Chenbao. My realm was prospering because of trade roads the Earth Kingdom did not think of building, paying an annual tribute that was less than half of that demanded by Ba Sing Se, and my subjects were not forcefully conscripted to be turned into fodder!"
"Now, now. Save your vitriol for when you really need to use it. Besides, the young king's not here right now, and it's only polite and honorable to yell your issues right to his face."
As it usually happened during such outbursts, it was King Bumi that intervened and calmed things down, and redirected everyone back to the original topic. Zuko understood that it was a simple ploy to contrast the Mad King against Kuei and make Bumi look far more reasonable and approachable. And it was working, too. Zuko had to admit a growing liking for the ancient earthbender and his casual air.
In the end, the scourging of King Kuei ensured the fracture of the Earth Kingdom.
Ba Sing Se would be considered an independent, sovereign state until the next internal meeting among the Earth Continent's states. And thanks to exploiting the bubbling resentment against the ousted Earth King, Xing managed to have his offer of an oversight council in Ba Sing Se be heartily rejected by the lords and ambassadors. The Scorpion Prince and Phoenix Princess had dark reputations, it was true, but they also had a reputation for competence. With careful wording from Azula in particular, the rebellious states spitefully declared that they rather place their trust in the young couple with the jewel of the continent, rather than give Kuei a chance at redeeming himself.
Omashu would be the leader to the newly ratified Confederation of Southern Kingdoms, basically a forming new nation that no longer recognized the authority of the Earth King. King Bumi and his compatriots promised to spend time after the summit to discuss trade and other matters with the Water Tribes and Fire Nation.
Meanwhile, a host of states also declared their independence from the old monarchy, particular those in the north and west of the continent. The former Fire Nation territories would be divided up based on pre-conquest state borders. Ownership of the restored states would be granted to the original noble houses that fled the Fire Nation's expansion and until now lived in exile, or handed over to new families based on the agreement of the other northern and western states.
King Bumi had volunteered to omit his coalition's involvement in what he deemed as a matter beyond the business of the Southern Kingdoms.
Ambassador Siang and his outnumbered followers were shouted down into silence.
The borders were quickly laid out for the divided Earth Continent, and reparations was redistributed based on the Fire Nation's influence on the affected regions. Therefore, a bulk of the payment would go to the as-of-yet independent kingdoms of the north and west. The Southern Kingdoms would see the most of the rest, while King Kuei's loyalists would find a relatively pitiable sum owed to them, due to how unaffected their realms were throughout the century of war.
Along with paying out the Water Tribes, the Fire Nation would nearly empty out its treasury. It would also be forced to shrink its military both as a gesture of penance as well as to fit into a new, tighter budget.
Thankfully, some discounts could be found to alleviate the high price of peace. The Water Tribes and a few independent coastal states would accept some of their payment in ships, ships that would soon not have a place in the Fire Nation's soon-to-be downsized navy. In a similar manner, military equipment could replace gold for the realms that needed to quickly rebuild their strength. Thanks to its popularity in the former colonies, many kingdoms were happy to waive off a bit more of the reparations in exchange for importing Fire Nation experts in growing kai-lan.
Zuko was surprised to hear that the ubiquitous vegetable had trouble growing on most of the continent, though from the way they talked about it, it seemed more like it was due to a difference in farming practices. It was also surprising how well liked the leafy green was. Zuko himself was indifferent to it, but King Bumi had to be reasoned with when he was about to sign off Omashu's entire portion of reparation just to secure twenty of the best kai-lan farmers for his city.
There were other, less material conditions that were imposed on the Fire Nation, treaties that required assurances not only from the Fire Nation, but from every faction present. Aang brought up a proposal to set up an international tribunal to bring to justice to any who had inflicted deplorable acts during the war. Xing somehow lost his mind and volunteered himself to be the first to be put on trial.
King Bumi shot that down almost instantly. "Boy, I've been burying armies alive, dropping mountains on them, and leaving smears across whole grasslands. If you're going to be clapped in chains, then so will I. And just about every bender that took part in the war. Siddown."
Heads were nodding all around the table with varying levels of agreement, and the heir to the Fire Nation realized that it was what Xing had planned for. The cruelties he inflicted with the 11th were novel, but they were far from unacceptable wartime behavior. From night raids to terror tactics, Xing was simply very successful in what he did with the 11th. To call his actions a crime would easily mean turning practically every commander on every side a criminal.
So instead, the tribunal would target only those who let the necessary cruelties of war spill over onto the innocent. Several names were immediately brought up, from both Fire Nation and Earth Kingdoms. The late High General Bujing's son was one of them, for having used a refugee caravan as bait years ago to distract and destroy an Earth Kingdom army. Zuko remembered that even back then, it was a reluctantly celebrated tactic, and only because of the staggering victory it netted the then colonel. Not many Fire Nation commanders were offered, simply because most of those that might qualify were already dead.
From what Zuko understood from his uncle before the meeting, the purpose of the tribunal was less of an inquisition to fish out the guilty, and more of a chance for the nations to exchange troublesome deadwood in exchange for good will. Quite unexpectedly, the dark idea was the brainchild of the Mad King.
The names of a few commanders from the northern states were meekly offered up for ravaging undefended settlements, while King Bumi looked to his people and dragged out a short string of names. Interestingly, both factions had commanders that preyed on their own people.
Even Chief Arnook provided some names of a group of warriors they've already been keeping behind bars for raiding Fire Nation fishing communities.
Unsurprisingly, Ambassador Siang and his people kept silent. That fact made the Mad King cackle, which gave Zuko the sneaking suspicion that they were playing into his ancient and loony hands.
"It's a good start," the Avatar said with a grateful nod and a grim smile. "Thank you for taking this big step towards returning peace and justice to our damaged world. I will make sure that the trials will be fair. With that, the purpose of this summit is concluded. The war is officially over." Zuko didn't miss the glance Aang gave to Xing before continuing. "Now, we'll have to work on ensuring that the peace we secured will be a long one."
With that heavy sentence, the meeting was over the day. There'd be a few more days worth of international meetings, but instead of feeling overwhelmed or bored, the prince found himself looking forward to it. Looking at it from a different perspective now, all this statesmanship and diplomacy and administrating was far more interesting than had been presented by the court tutors.
It also showed just how useless martial firebending was in exerting influence, which made his father's focus on the art - to the detriment of other lessons - almost a complete waste. Nobody knew nor cared that Azula had mastered how many firebending forms, they only cared that she had been an adept minister. Uncle Iroh's prowess was also ignored in favor of his calming way with words and leadership experience. Neither of the Water Tribe chiefs were benders, yet they were still highly respected.
Only Xing and King Bumi were outliers in that their reputation for fire and earthbending respectively was also acknowledged. But Xing was Xing, and the Mad King was an almost-insane centenarian who'd probably killed way more people over his lifetime than everyone in the summit combined.
Zuko was about to shake his head at the thought, but then he caught sight of a frowning Mai in the hallway. Not her usual, hate-the-world frown either. This was…different.
Which made the prince quite worried.
"Zuko," she beckoned, and he almost broke into a run to reach her. Up close, Mai looked mildly concerned, but it was clearly nagging her enough that she was actually standing near a crowd of strangers pouring out from the meeting hall. "Come…we have to talk."
"Uh…okay. About what?"
She fixed him with a glare before turning to lead him away. "About us."
Zuko gulped. That didn't sound good. But he kept silent until they were in her room. Mai regarded him with the same worried frown for a few more seconds before she sat on the bed and huffed aloud.
"Your sister…had a talk with me last night."
Shit. That definitely didn't sound good.
"She made some things clear…and…" Zuko tried not to stare too much at how Mai licked her lips. "And helped me make some things of my own clear."
"And…?" The word came out in a strangled, dread-filled whisper.
He then felt like she was looking through him for a moment, rather than at him. "I…if we were…you know. A thing. Would I be forced to smile a lot?"
The prince blinked. "I… Uh. Do you want to?"
"It's expected, right?"
"I'm not sure," Zuko admitted, giving in to the sudden urge to scratch the back of his head. "I mean…my father's not the smiling type. And Azula's more snarky smirks than smiles…"
"Good point. But the point being…there's…expectations on you. On me too, if we…get together."
"I guess?" He hadn't really thought much about it, to be honest. And then he felt the sting of knowing that his sister had preempted that.
Mai nodded slowly. "Well, Azula suggested that I make clear my expectations of…a…relationship…with you." Her eyes glinted differently somehow as she cocked her head to one side. "Assuming you want a relationship…?"
He blurted the answer out even before his mind fully processed her question. "Yes! I mean, of course! Sure!"
The edges of her lips tugged up into a smile that made Zuko smile dumbly along. She patted the space on the bed beside her, and his legs moved on their own to sit him there. "Good. Well, I guess… Spirits, I hate talking so much… I guess I should let you know a few things first before we get serious." Mai took in a deep breath, and again Zuko tried not to let his eyes wander.
Her dress did move prettily though when she exhaled.
"So, I rather not be forced to play a cheery, vapid girlfriend…"
Girlfriend? Did she say girlfriend? Zuko almost smacked himself at the back of his head for how juvenile his thoughts suddenly became. If this was the sort of talk that Xing and Azula went through, he'd be able to pull it off as well. He just had to be mature about things, and take things seriously.
"Zuko?"
"Yes! I'm serious!"
Mai rolled her eyes at his embarrassment. "You didn't hear a word I said, did you?"
"Um…not exactly?" he admitted.
Contrary to expectations, the answer made her smile. Really smile.
"Dum-dum," Mai lightly admonished, wielding Azula's nickname for him. Zuko didn't mind it when Mai used it. Not when she placed her hand on his, and leant in.
Understandably, they postponed the very serious topic about relationships to a bit later. As he learned in the meetings, it was better to enter a dialogue with a clear head instead of being distracted. Like, say, with kissing a girl that he really, really liked.The ascension of Fire Lord Iroh would have been a great thing if not for the circumstances behind it. The Dragon of the West would have made competent leader indeed…if not for the circumstances behind his rise to power. Practically all holdings on the Earth Continent was lost, the Capital City was invaded, and the Avatar made a show of defeating Fire Lord Ozai with the help of the latter's own daughter.
It was obvious that Iroh was placed on the throne by the Avatar and Azula's design. The Dragon of the West was at best an accomplice at the downfall of the Fire Nation, or at worst a mere pawn to help keep the Fire Nation collared and leashed. The recent news of peace and a return to normalcy spread by criers or pamphlets barely masked the bitter truth: The Fire Nation had ultimately lost the war, and with that, the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes would be coming to carve out their pound of flesh.
That the Earth Kingdom had fractured gave no comfort at all, as it meant that there were many more factions that would seek to milk the Fire Nation dry.
The effects of the coming reparations were already felt; even before Iroh took the throne, the chaos of Azula's ruthless campaign saw many noble houses culled down to obedient servants that accepted severe reduction in status and wealth in exchange for continued existence. What was given up to the throne was either gifted to loyal lackeys, or stored away as reparation payment.
Few were stubborn and foolish enough to resist, and none made it past Iroh's and Azula's 'negotiations'. The balance of power between the nobility and the throne had tipped overwhelmingly over to the latter, further enhanced thanks to the campaign of humiliation enacted by the spiteful princess to denigrate families by revealing supposed acts of incompetence, corruption and treachery.
She had the gall to lay the blame of the loss of soldiers on the commanders that led them, while conveniently glossing over the fact that her treacherous hands were the one responsible for slaughtering loyal warriors of the Fire Nation in the first place. She and her damnable Scorpion Dragon had wielded their rebellious knowledge to exploit the weaknesses of the Fire Nation, from standard doctrine to established defenses, resulting in the shattering of its armies and the invasion of the capital.
Like several of his peers, Count Isahara bent the knee to the new regime reluctantly, because the necessities of survival dictated it. If circumstances had been different, he knew he'd be glad to have Iroh as Fire Lord. But the consequences of defeat and the puppeting of the Fire Nation was unacceptable.
The count's family wealth and holdings, generations of carefully cultivated prosperity, was forfeit literally overnight, and he was forced to content himself with owning only a single island with barely enough people in it to form a fishing village. And it came at the cost of his sons, two who were declared killed on the continent, while his eldest and heir was a victim to Azula's terror spree. Isahara's wife had divorced him to seek a newer, more profitable union with one of Iroh's new sycophants, while his only daughter had betrayed the family and fled to Ba Sing Se.
It was a severe understatement that Count Isahara wanted to reverse his current fortunes. It was also why he quickly linked up with his old friends, friends who had all suffered the same humiliation as he did. And it didn't take much for a simple plan to form among them.
All of them remained in the capital to attend court, rather than further depress themselves by tending to what's left of their wealth. They bowed and scraped before Iroh, tolerated the haughty bitch Azula's smugness, and played along to the Avatar's naive ideas.
But at the same time, Isahara and his friends listened. They listened for the signs of fellow comrades who shared their resentment, and cautiously recruited them. The new and returned nobility could not be trusted, but old houses like Isahara's had to be vetted, especially those that had their old patriarchs or matriarchs culled and were now led by heirs.
They listened to what was unfolding within the Fire Nation, seeking opportunities. Iroh's rule was impressively airtight against infiltration, mostly due to the palace staff being completely replaced. The military would prove no simple font of information either, with how many of them had been elevated by Iroh to fill the top ranks. They'd be loyal to him…for now at least.
But that didn't mean that all hope was lost. The 'peace summit' was only made tolerable because of how it took up the throne's attention, allowing the count and his friends greater freedoms. Simply being in court and feigning obeisance had allowed the disgruntled nobles access to the off-handed conversations between Iroh and Zuko. They also got to pick up on whispers that inevitably drifted among those officials who served within the Fire Lord's inner council.
Among the rumors of particular note was the fact that Azula and Xing would be returning to Ba Sing Se after the summit was done to begin their so-called exile. And Iroh would be transferring Ozai out of the palace dungeons shortly after that, either to be sent to the Boiling Rock facility, or to be put on public trial and summarily executed during the height of Sozin's Comet. The Avatar would not be sticking around either, as he'd be heading off to arbitrate the infighting within the Earth Kingdom.
It'd be a grand gesture indeed. Ozai might be a powerful firebender, but would be just as powerless as everyone else if he was wrapped in chains. Supposedly, one of the ways they would be keeping him docile was to dunk the ex-Fire Lord into a vat of blasting jelly.
It was an…effective method, Isahara and his friends begrudgingly admitted. It also had the nasty benefit of making any attempt to break Ozai out a lot more hazardous.
But yet it was an opportunity. A slim opportunity, but an opportunity nonetheless.
Ozai was the disgraced nobles' ticket back into prominence. He was a poor Fire Lord and had been the ultimate cause of the Fire Nation's downfall, but he was still a potent rallying point nonetheless for those resentful against the terms being imposed by the Avatar. If they managed to free him, the Fire Nation would likely be split between the royal brothers.
It would put the pitiful peace that the Avatar sought in jeopardy, which, if Isahara's clique played their cards right, would allow for compromises to the peace plan. Ozai would be their bargaining chip to force Iroh to undo the changes to the upper class' status quo. If they could not regain the colonies, then at the very least the old houses would see a return of their stolen wealth.
Or, if they could somehow manage it, Iroh could be taken out of the picture completely and replaced. Ozai would be made to understand the debt he owes his loyal houses, and the balance of power between the throne and the nobility would be shifted to the latter's favor.
It would be preferable to install the more stable but still pliably young Zuko, but like Iroh he would have far too many supporters already for Isahara and his friends to make a puppet of him. The clique did not have access to highly trained assassins like Azula did for that kind of play to happen.
So they had to settle for Ozai, then. Free Ozai, and, if possible, assassinate or oust Iroh. From there, use Ozai as a negotiating piece, or support his reascension to the throne.
It was an ambitious plan, but considering how weak the Fire Nation was right now, the plan was still achievable. Iroh's supporters were still establishing themselves on their undeserved holdings, and the palace staff was still under half strength. Meanwhile the conspirators had sons and brothers returned from the continent with just enough of their command to provide the manpower needed.
So long as Azula and Xing, and their potent military escorts, were absent, Isahara and his friends had a shot at this. A few of the more mercantile minded nobles ran through the estimates, and they all agreed that it would be a close thing. With the arrival of Sozin's Comet every firebender would find their powers multiplied, which might make things a stalemate in a fight within the Fire Nation if not for the fact that it would greatly amplify the advantage of surprise.
A firebender caught off guard was just as helpless and vulnerable as a nonbender, Sozin's Comet or not.
Plans were meticulously crafted, and Isahara endured browning his nose just to gather every scrap of detail that he could to contribute to the cause. They needed to know the whens and wheres, the hows and whats. The count spent days swallowing his intolerance to carousing with Iroh's lackeys. He put up a mask of unconditional friendliness, while expertly plucking at whatever strands he could loosen.
Through the necessary ordeal he learned that Ozai's guards were earthbenders, loaned from Xing, and already a metal carriage packed with blasting jelly and fire powder was ready to transport him. Iroh was planning to put his brother up on trial as soon as the summit was over, the results of which would decide whether Ozai would be marched to the chopping block or or be humiliated in a rigged duel before being sent to the Boiling Rock prison island come Sozin's Comet.
Just as interestingly, Isahara's friends learned that Zuko, the heir, would be announcing his betrothal to Ukano's girl, Mai. The disgraced former governor was rendered a destitute vagrant after the chaos, having been disowned by his wife and daughter. With some conjured promises, he was roped in to offer insight that might help the clique gain access to Mai. Unfortunately that investment was unfruitful, but Ukano was retained within the clique, just in case.
Count Isahara and his fellow conspirators spent two weeks hammering out the details of their ambitious uprising. The summit was over by then, with the Earth Kingdoms and Water Tribe trespassers finally leaving, and the young rulers of Ba Sing Se along with them to attend to their city.
The Avatar was taken on a tour of the Fire Islands by Zuko. Whispers suggested that he was helping find the prince's missing mother, though nobody truly believed that preposterous excuse. The more plausible reason was that the Avatar might be making his presence clear throughout the Fire Nation, to keep the population cowed.
Regardless, so long as he was out in the islands, so long as Azula and her Scorpion remained in Ba Sing Se, the conspirators would have an easier time in the capital city when the day finally came. After that, once they succeeded, then they'd have enough political power to make even the psychopathic princess talk on their terms. It was that or risk the stability of the Fire Nation and the new, nascent balance of the world.
The big day finally came, and neither Avatar nor bloodthirsty princess returned to the capital, by ship or by air. Those courtiers still in court sent word that Fire Lord Iroh was leaving the palace with a heavy escort. Too heavy to attempt an assassination.
No matter. A secondary objective was a bust, that was all.
Other compatriots rushed to the rendezvous points to confirm that Ozai was transferred into the prison carriage, and that a crowd was gathering in the Capital City's main square.
The window to seize the reins of fate had opened, and Count Isahara and his fellow conspirators began to march out of the few manors left to them. Those with large enough estates saw dutiful soldiers, hosted under the pretext of processing their compensation and post-war fates, stream out of the tent villages in their full kit. Others poured out from fully-booked inns and, taking a page from Azula's playbook, abandoned buildings. In little under an hour, under the increasingly orange morning skies, no less than a thousand loyal and dissatisfied Fire Nation warriors marched through the streets in multiple, hundreds-strong groups. Eyes were kept to the glowing skies, and to everyone's relief it remained clear of dragons and flying machines.
The confused citizens wisely kept out of the way, while those few city guards who took their duties too seriously had to be chased down and bound up so as to not give up the game too early. Their destination was not the city square itself, but the main road Ozai's carriage traveled on.
Isahara could feel the chi in his veins grow warmer as the comet approached and he joined his comrades in storming the road as the carriage came into sight. The city guards along the road were quickly overwhelmed and overpowered, and gratifyingly, the meager carriage escorts fled rather than put up a fight.
As the comet became visible overhead, the small army took defensive positions in and around the road, while Count Isahara and the core group of nobles had the privilege of opening the carriage to rescue Ozai.
They found the former Fire Lord, sat in plain and clean robes, staring at them with surprise, and then disgust.
Typical of the clueless and unsubtle idiot.
"Fire Lord," Duke Fuzhi greeted with some haste, "we've not much time. Hurry, let us get you out of here."
"Fools. You damn me with your stupid act."
Lord Mitsuo stepped up to immediately reply, putting up a smooth and calm act as easily as ever. "There is no foolishness, Fire Lord. We've a sizable force with us, and we can keep you safe and free. But time is short, and the power brought by Sozin's Comet will wane soon."
Ozai actually looked conflicted, and he stared at them for a moment before sighing. "No. They have no doubt made preparations for this."
"With all due respect, Fire Lord," Isahara cut in, his patience straining, "we've taken all precautions. Your daughter and the Scorpion are not here. The Avatar is not here. Your brother might just be made aware of this, but rest assured that we are ready to hold off his retaliation. But we can only stall him for so long. You need to come with us. Now."
The words seemed to finally break through Ozai's dense head, and he looked ready to rise up.
And then Isahara saw his breath frost, and felt his skin prickle from a sudden, intense chill. Pangs of cold stabbed into his lungs. He saw, with much confusion, his colleagues breaking into shivers just as he did, with some going pale.
Then the ground beside the carriage rose up and fell away like a hatched shell. The count recognized the smirking prince and princess, and the Avatar's blind companion, the two girls dressed in heavy furs.
Xing's voice was far too smug. "Why, hello there. Cold weather we're having, isn't it?"
His answer came in the form of nearby nobles and soldiers punching and kicking out, but to Isahara's surprise, the flames came out in pitiful puffs before the cold fully snuffed them out. And then the air became colder, and Isahara was not the only one who dropped to the ground wheezing painfully, unable to scream as his skin and lungs and mouth were stabbed by a million icy needles. His vision blurred, it hurt to even blink, and his hearing became muffled.
"You know, I was expecting this to hurt a lot," the boy continued, ignoring the fallen, shivering men around him trying to firebend more than small licks of fire as he shrugged. "Thank the spirits I guess. My princess?"
While the count fought to stave off the stabbing cold, Azula grinned darkly and slowly turned her head to regard the shivering mob around her. "On behalf of my uncle, Fire Lord Iroh, and with the Avatar's companion as witness, I hereby charge all of you with treason against the Fire Nation."
As the comet soared overhead, Isahara and his comrades were left at the verge of a cold death, the manyfold increase in firebending that the celestial occurrence brought doing nothing at all to stop eyes and tongues and throats from freezing over. Having Iroh's men collect them was a blessing, as it meant that the cold finally let up. The comet's effects were still felt, but left almost blinded and deafened, and tasting melted blood with each excruciating breath, the conspirators were in no shape to put up the fight they'd planned for.
"We really should've brought some healers over," Isahara barely heard the prince say through his warming ears as he was dragged away.
The princess was cruelly indifferent in her response. "We're following the letter of Aang's and my uncle's agreement with us. The Fire Nation asked Ba Sing Se for our aid specifically. The Avatar allowed the exception to our supposed 'exile'. They didn't mention healers, so it's their oversight."
Isahara's last, blurry sight was that of the princess' form staring at her father's, who was still sitting in the carriage. He couldn't hear the words exchanged, but there was no mistaking the smug, triumphant pose she held over Ozai's resentful but powerless hunch.