masterghandalf

Chapter Thirty-Three

We open with a brief author note. A/N: Warning, Azula in this chapter. The chapter proper begins with Tingzhe Wen reading some earthbending scrolls the Dai Li apparently had stashed away, while feeling like something isn’t right. He looks around and sees Jinhai meditating with Shirong, Jia and Suyin going over old histories with Huojin, Luli reading to her children, and Meixiang working on her knives, making sure they’re sharp enough. Tingzhe asks Meixiang if she knows what’s wrong and considers doing some meditation himself – she thinks it’s because Min is being held captive, but Tingzhe’s not sure. He’s read a lot of history, but he doesn’t have any experience with this sort of battle himself. Meixiang and Huojin remind him that he’s got lots of people around him who do know and to listen to them. Meixiang assures him that they’ll get Min out – her grandfather was a Fire Sage, so she knows the spirits are watching out for their family. Shirong, who overhears, thinks that someone so in touch with the spirits should know the war is wrong, no matter what Kyoshi did to the Fire Nation. Apparently, the Earth Kingdom’s official histories don’t mention much about what happened, but Tingzhe knows that about three hundred years ago, Fire Nation pirate attacks suddenly stopped, and Kyoshi was somehow involved. Meixiang is surprised – she thought everyone in the Earth Kingdom knew that. Tingzhe admits he never wanted to pry into the facts missing from the official histories for his family’s sake; Meixiang gathers everyone together and tells them the story of what Kyoshi did. Once she’s done, everyone is stunned. She relates how Sozin’s father, when he was a prince, went to beg Kyoshi in her old age to release her decree, but she never did – and Sozin must have hated the indignity of his father being forced to beg. He might have asked Roku, but Roku didn’t leave his training for the Fire Lord’s funeral, which was a terrible insult. And of course, nobody else could break the decree, since if you break loyalty you die, and everyone had to be loyal to the Fire Lord. Tingzhe wonders why people didn’t just leave the Fire Nation. Shirong reminds him that Zuko was exiled and had no choice – that’s not the same thing is disloyalty. Beyond that, it was the Avatar who ordered everyone to swear to the Fire Lord. That means the decree has the full force of the spirits behind it, and the sprits will turn on anyone who defies it. On the other hand, carrying out the war doesn’t hit the Fire Nation with spiritual misfortune for the same reason – technically, they’re following the Avatar’s orders.

Tingzhe realizes that so long as the Fire Lord wants the war to continue, it will, and nobody can oppose him. Shirong explains that at a Fire Lord’s funeral, it’s customary for all the great names to attend or send proxies to confirm their fealty to the new Fire Lord. Roku must have been a great name, to be allowed to be friends with a prince – by not coming or sending someone, he was essentially saying that his role as the Avatar was more important than his role as a subject of the Fire Nation, and since Kyoshi had already refused Sozin’s father, Sozin had no reason to believe Roku would think differently. Shirong thinks that Sozin was evil, but he might have given up too, in his place. Huojin realizes, though, that Iroh broke loyalty to Azulon, and then avoided having to swear to Ozai – he’s been free for years. But he still had loyalty to his nephew, so he stuck around for Zuko’s sake. Shirong suddenly starts laughing – he’s realized that Zuko’s an exile, so he’s technically outside of Kyoshi’s decree. He can do whatever he wants. Meixiang realizes that Zuko can set up his own independent domain, and already has the people to do it. Huojin wonders if anyone in Ba Sing Se is still loyal to their old lords back in the Fire Nation – Meixiang says Zuko’s descended from Byakko, which is as old a domain as they get, and he’s a powerful firebender and he has a lot of dragon blood; he can shield them, especially since he’s a healer. Other healers can’t touch loyalty sickness, but fire healers can. They wonder about earth – and point to an old scroll Jia has. But somehow, nobody else seems to be able to see it… Amaya and Shirong capture… something from midair and have Jinhai burn it. This was a spirit’s influence; everyone surrounds Shirong, and he admits he saw that scroll before, but never seemed to be able to remember it. They start discussing healing, and how it differs from regular bending. Jia wants to learn, if it can help get her brother back. Tingzhe is proud of her, and of his family – he thinks they’re going to be fine. Of course, there’s still one enemy in the way… Azula.

We cut to Azula as she tries and fails to bend hot water. She recalls that Iroh studied waterbenders but can’t figure out why. She thinks fire is the superior element, but still… if Iroh learned something useful, he should have shared it with someone who could use it, like her. She wonders how long Iroh has plotted against her father, but vows that he won’t hurt him – Azula is strong, she’s Ozai’s heir, she’s loyal. Everything Zuko isn’t. She remembers Ursa telling Zuko to protect her but thinks that’s foolish… she doesn’t need it… and besides, who’d protect a monster, anyway… Azula reflects on how she’s spent years building up to her current victory. Zuko’s only alive because their father wanted to teach him a lesson – and give her a reminder of what happens if she should fail. As if she ever would… can’t he trust her? But a Fire Lord always has people plotting against them… but after Azula took Ba Sing Se without a single soldier, nobody will ever dare plot against her again. She thinks she needs to focus on maintaining the Dai Li, who are too useful a resources… though she’s not sure how they let those spirits get into the palace. The Fire Sages wouldn’t stand for it. She might need to get some of them assigned here. She turns her thoughts to Mai, wondering at how Mai dared betray her when Azula did so much for her, including covering up her relationship with the royal family to give her a shot at a relationship with Zuko. Of course, Mai’s great-grandmother and Azula’s grandmother were sisters, which can cause complications. Apparently when people descended from sisters marry, the resulting children can be… monstrous. Not that Azula disapproves of firebenders born without sentimentality. And maybe she still has a chance to find out for herself – even if Mai and Zuko won’t have any children, she can always wait until Tom-Tom comes of age and marry him herself.

Meanwhile, Mai herself has arrived with messages. The top one is from General Gang, which the Fire Nation had intercepted. She can tell something was going on with him and wonders why he wanted to send word to Ba Sing Se so quickly, Still, it’s a moot point now. She also sees that Suzuran is due to come into port tomorrow. She knows it’s a dumping ground for malcontents and incompetents, and also that Captain Jee is in command – and Jee has a history with Zuko. She drops a few hints, hoping Mai will pick up on them, and also laments about Yakume’s behavior earlier and how he was clearly one of Iroh’s soldiers. She wonders what her father was thinking, leaving Zuko with their uncle. Mai thinks he needed to at least have a show of someone training Zuko, a potential heir, and nobody took Iroh seriously anymore anyway. Meanwhile, Azula wants to know what to do about this potential insurgency. Mai suggests watching and waiting. Azula is amused and looks forward to crushing them – she starts to weave her plans. She thinks about how she’d made previous crews under Zuko mutiny, though Zhao ended up derailing all of that with his own plans; Azula’s glad he’s dead. But now, the world will bend to her will.

We cut to Aang and his friends coming up on shore, Toph thrilled to be on land again – and how the spirit Zuko sent, which Toph has named Boots, is apparently helping her goad Aang into actually practicing. Aang isn’t happy about letting the world thing he’s dead, but Sokka convinced him it was tactically smart. Zuko knows Aang’s not dead, though, and Toph wonders what he’ll end up doing. She knows Zuko chased Aang across the world, with a level of determination beyond sanity – or even humanity. But that doesn’t bother her – she thinks he’s a decent person anyway. Still, Aang crossed lines with him, and Toph knows he won’t be able to give up on revenge. Meanwhile, Sokka is trying to talk Aang into practicing deflecting projectiles against his boomerang. Aang remembers the Yu Yan archers, and Sokka wonders why they’ve never seen them again. They know someone broke Aang out without using firebending – the Yu Yan aren’t firebenders either, and neither are Mai and Ty Lee. Just because they’ll be hitting the capital during the eclipse doesn’t mean it won’t be dangerous. While they’re working, Katara takes Toph aside. Toph wants to know why Katara isn’t pushing Aang to learn air healing. Toph herself is a great fighter, but she has no idea how to heal using earthbending and doesn’t have the right attitude. Katara wonders if Haru might be a good choice for an earth healer and shares the story of the prison barge. Apparently Zuko already told Toph about tracking Katara using her necklace, with angers Katara. Zuko had admitted it wasn’t very honorable – but when tracking an enemy of the whole Fire Nation, any method goes. Anyway, Katara knows the Air Nomads were peaceful – so why did the healer from her vision have a sword? Toph thinks maybe she needed to defend herself – healing takes a lot out of you, more than normal bending. Katara thinks bending is a gift from the spirits, and they have to respect that, or they’ll end up like the Fire Nation, burning whole forests for fuel. Toph backs up – the Water Tribes use swords, made from teeth and bone rather than metal, but still swords. Would Katara use one if she lost her bending? Katara thinks this doesn’t have anything to do with spirits, so Toph reminds her that her people use water for everything – they even build with ice. So what’s wrong with the Fire Nation using their element and burning things for fuel? Katara thinks it’s not the same, and none of them have any honor, including Zuko. Toph wonders if she might try healing after all – it might help with her headache.

Toph wonders if Katara is so mad at Aang and Sokka and indicates she’d be willing to help; Katara says she’s not angry at Aang, but he doesn’t seem to care about her mom, even though he was so angry when he found Gyatso’s skeleton that he nearly blew them off the mountain. Toph reminds her that Aang didn’t have a mom, he had a teacher… he might expect Katara to feel the same way about Pakku. Toph’s reminded that Katara is also Aang’s teacher, and he has a crush on her, and thinks that won’t end well. Out loud, she reminds Katara that they’re all from different places and have different values, but they can work together to win, and then fix things. Katara thinks she sounds like Sokka, which Toph doesn’t mind. She thinks Katara does need to calm down before she goes back to work with Aang… maybe she’d like to help Toph try some experiments with seawater? We cut to Iroh and Zuko as they wrap up practicing. Zuko thinks he’s not good enough, but Iroh thinks he can pass as an ordinary firebender long enough to get into Ba Sing Se unnoticed, even if he couldn’t fool Azula herself. Zuko says Azula missed him in the palace, and Iroh is impressed. Zuko’s used to hiding from Azula – he knows how not to be found. This gets the attention of Sergeant Kyo, who asks Zuko to demonstrate – and suddenly the sense of his inner fire seems to vanish. Zuko’s blending his own inner fire into the heat around him, camouflaging it. Apparently, he was inspired by a book Iroh gave him as a child – Iroh hadn’t realized he’d take it that seriously. Kyo thinks the book’s not a bad place to start – and anyone who can hide from their crew, including Teruko, is clearly doing something right. Iroh is amused that he’s treating Zuko like a newbie marine. Kyo says it’s all about the state of mind, and not everyone can do it. Zuko knows Azula will have the Dai Li with her, though, so they’ll have to be extra careful. Meanwhile, Zuko notices that the refugee ferries are gone; no more refugees are coming to Ba Sing Se these days. He wonders if they could find them, and if Teruko might be up to playing pirate. With Amaya’s connection, Zuko might be able to get crews. But Zuko will have to be the one to present this plan to the Earth King in person – Zuko doesn’t think Azula has him. He must be in hiding, so Zuko will have to get to him and persuade him. If he can’t, he’ll have to try his luck with individual captains. Teruko says she’ll need plans for the harbor, which she thinks Iroh must have. He admits he does… and is amused that if they’re breaking Kyoshi’s decree, they’re going all the way, and are becoming pirates indeed.

We cut to Langxue and Saoluan, docked near a delta and watching Fire Nation ships through a spyglass. She thinks they look too good to be pirates and asks one of the sailors they’re traveling with if he knows who they are. The sailor, Shu, starts rambling about how they’re near the Foggy Swamp and there’s waterbenders here, but after some prompting says he thinks the Fire Nation guys are from Byakko – Byakko’s not too bad, as Fire Nation people go, even if they do eat bugs. Langxue doesn’t care what they eat – he just wants some real food. Meanwhile, the ship’s captain is arguing with the swamp man he’s been trying to trade with. The swamp guy has a message from Hue, who knew Langxue and Saoluan would be coming; the Moon told him. Langxue introduces himself and Saoluan, says they’re already doing what the spirits want. The captain already has enough problems, so Langxue and Saoluan get in the boat with the swampbenders and head off with them. They bring them over to dock with the Byakko ship, where they’re met by an older Fire Nation nobleman who Saoluan finds very intimidating. She feels safe in his presence, though, even though he’s Fire Nation, and she doesn’t know why. Langxue thinks he’s being very obvious about something – he’s not even sweating. The old man comments that he’s old enough to do as he wishes, calling that a “custom” which Langxue corrects to “human custom.” But Langxue thinks the old man is here to help them – Yue and Hue wouldn’t have sent them to meet him if he was a dark dragon. The old man introduces himself as Shidan of Byakko and says that his grandson will need their help. Saoluan is put off by his attitude, and Langxue tells her the truth – Shidan is a dragon. Saoluan is stunned – she thought all the dragons were dead. Shidan admits many of them are, and the survivors have gone to great lengths to make sure the world thinks they’re extinct. But they have common enemies – Shidan hopes he won’t have to help them take on the whole Fire Nation, but for now they have to leave, before Makoto finds them. Langxue realizes his past life knew Makoto – but that was a thousand years ago. How has no one killed her? Shidan says many have tried, and died trying – apparently, she was nearly killed centuries ago, before Kyoshi came and ruined things. A century ago, she found a new tactic – she took human form, and married Fire Lord Sozin and became the mother of his heir. Saoluan realizes that Ozai isn’t human and is shaken.

She tells Shidan that Azulon is dead, which he knows, and he says Makoto will never forgive his clan for that. More than that, she knows the yaoren and hates them, though Shidan has managed to keep her off Zuko’s trail so far. Worst of all, she’s been Koh’s ally in the past, and may be again. Shidan and his wife have managed to keep Makoto out of Byakko so far – and Shidan’s parents died doing it - but she’s old, powerful and evil, and he can’t fight her head on forever. Especially since Shidan assumed human form to marry Kotone, and he’s tied to that form until she dies. Fortunately, his current mission gives him a chance for some action and to help the Moon Spirit, so he’s very committed to it. He offers them aid, and his ship. He can get them through Fire Nation blockades – and he knows Langxue is like his grandson. Shidan felt Zuko drown and be brought back and decided to leave home to seek him. Byakko has connections with the Foggy Swamp already, so… here he is. Saoluan doesn’t trust him, but Shidan assures her that his kind my be ruthless, but they are honest and forthright. Saoluan says he’s wearing blue, even though he’s a Fire Nation noble, and Shidan says that’s not a lie – Byakko is located at a mountain now, but they were originally a wave clan. They’ve kept their healing knowledge hidden, since it can save a person from dying from broken loyalty… and the Fire Lord won’t allow that. Langxue remembers all the wave clans are healers and can’t believe that the Fire Nation would wipe out half their own people – and then he and Saoluan both realize what Kyoshi must have done. Again, Shidan offers temporary alliance against common enemies. Langxue and Saoluan accept. For the moment, though, Shidan has an errand of his own – he needs to assure his clan that their line is secure. There aren’t dragons in the Foggy Swamp… but apparently something of that sort. They need to stop by Pohuai Stronghold, which, conveniently, is on the way to Gaipain. Saoluan wants to know what they’re waiting for.

We end with an author note: A/N: If you're wondering what's up with firebenders and genealogies, besides just trying not to have too much dragon blood, the interested reader might check out human mitochondrial genetics on Wikipedia. Especially the facts that the mtDNA passed to kids from the same mother can vary remarkably, and have differing effects depending on the nuclear DNA involved. Mixing two species (and their mitochondria), even with the spirits taking a hand, isn't exactly something that's always going to have good results. Given the Fire Nation doesn't have genetic testing to figure out what the problem is, they go by a rough rule of thumb: do not marry descendants of sisters. Even so, this doesn't catch everything.
And yes, theoretically speaking, Mai and Zuko would be fine. They don't know that. Plus, they know Azula's involved. Assuming whatever Azula's involved in will screw you up royally (pun intended) is a survival trait.
"Dragon-child" doesn't have to refer to a direct dragon descendant; it can also refer to anyone who exhibits enough of the traits to show there's a lot of dragon in their background. And it can skip generations. (However, Teruko does come from a long, long line of tavern-burners...)
Akuma komainu-ko - roughly, "devil stone lion (or lion-dog) cub". The stone lions are protective guardians outside temples.
Shidan's outfit - think Piandao's robe, with a belt and a haori on top. Yes, the "mountain stripes" were inspired by the Shinsengumi. (Does anyone know what Piandao's outfit is officially called? As far as I can tell it's either some kind of changshan or Manchu-type robe, but I can't track down a positive ID.)
For those who are wondering - don't worry about Sokka and Suki. Those two, in canon, understand each other enough to know they've got cultural differences to work out. I think that's the most grounded, plausible, working relationship in the whole show. (And one of the cutest. Sokka's Look of Awe when Suki goes after the Warden in Boiling Rock... there's a guy secure enough in being a warrior to appreciate her!)
And a reviewer pointed me to the TVTropes page on Embers.
...You guys are awesome. (Yes, even those of you who think I like Zuko too much. And that I did everything wrong. That page is cool!)

MG’s Thoughts

I don’t have nearly as much to say about this chapter as the previous ones, but it actually contains a fair bit that I like, and most of what I don’t like is more minor. While I have my qualms about how Vathara writes Azula, the way she depicts her internal monologue here – full of arrogance and ruthlessness, but with a core of insecurity that bubbles to the top at unpredictable moments and that she never lets anyone else see – feels very genuine. The scenes with the Gaang also work better than a lot of what we’ve been seeing from them lately, since everyone’s calmed down enough that they’re allowed to just be people for now, though elements like “Toph Knows Best” and “Katara Is Irrational and can’t see beyond her own culture” still crop up. I’m of two minds about the bit with the Wens – I probably like them the most of Vathara’s various OCs at this point in the fic and enjoy their dynamic, but we get yet another chance to talk about how Kyoshi ruined the Fire Nation (this time, giving Sozin – who the fic in general, to its credit, does usually depict as evil – a few inches of whitewashing), and I really don’t see how Meixiang (who has lived in Ba Sing Se for decades, is married to an Earth Kingdom man and raised four Earth Kingdom children) remains this ignorant about what is and isn’t common knowledge in the Earth Kingdom. And I still don’t like how much of what’s going on with the Fire Nation refugees is bound up in the loyalty stuff.

This chapter also sees the official introduction of Shidan, and the fic’s second main antagonists – Makoto aka Sozin’s dragon aka Sozin’s wife, who’s been foreshadowed so far, but only a little bit (I’m not sure if she counts as an OC or not; very technically, she’s not only a canon character but two can characters but taken in a direction radically different from anything canon ever established about them). Frankly, this falls into a lot more of the “this stuff would be interesting in an original work, but I don’t like it as part of Avatar specifically” category that I’ve mentioned before. It also plays into what I think is one of the core tensions of the fic – Vathara is trying to do something that’s more gritty and “realistic” than canon with its emphasis on sociology and politics, while also cranking the high fantasy elements of the setting up to eleven in ways that make the story fundamentally less grounded and realistic. I don’t think it’s a needle that’s impossible to thread… but I’m not sure Embers actually manages it.