Chapter 15: The Bronze Table
It is a muggy day. The sky is yellow and a few thin white clouds float about. Multiple soldiers proudly march around Zenego in brown boots and their classic red and brown Remnant uniforms. Unlike the 31st forces during the Hundred Year War, Remnant warriors do not wear masks. Instead, they have helmets that dome their heads but leave their faces uncovered.
In the past, masks were often used to instill fear in enemy forces and to force the troops to assimilate. But they became an unnecessary extra provision to many Remnant officers when the war ended. Deep within a wide brick building, Ozai sits in his new throne room. It is dark, bleak, and multiple scattered torches give it some light. The ousted Firelord didn't waste a lot of time decorating it, but a few pictures of past warriors were mounted on the walls.
His new seat is silver, making it bright than much of the area around him. He often would read books about war, power, and manipulation in his past. But now, things are different. Having learned almost everything there is to learn in those areas, his attention has shifted. Two Remnant troopers kneel before him and hand Ozai background information pertaining to Avatar Aang and his team.
Ozai specifically reads information about his lover Katara, he circles her picture. But he also reads about his relationship with Zuko, Toph, and Sokka. Ozai reads about each character's relationship with each other as well. Ronin steps in the room. Ozai glances at him. Ronin salutes Ozai, "Sir."
Ozai: "I haven't requested you."
Ronin: "I know sir. But I just wanted to make sure I understood your war strategy. We need to be prepared if we want to make a dent in our enemies. With your might, we could take the Capital next. Once you kick Zuko off his throne, thousands more will rally to our cause."
Ozai dismisses the soldier's gesture, "No! Ronin, I admire your loyalty and ambition. But I have my own plans and the members of the Remnant must follow MY WILL."
Ronin: "Your majesty, the Capital defenses are weak. We can take them."
Ozai: "I care not about if we can take them. I said go!"
Ronin: "But surely for my loyalty, will you explain to me what we are waiting for?"
Ozai: "You surely have gotten bold."
Ronin: "We put everything on the line for you sir. But we've been waiting for weeks now. Training with no update on our direction. And as we speak, Hepeski continues his search for us."
Ozai stands up, "Don't worry about him, I'll handle him. But if were not for your contributions, I wouldn't be so kind to you." Ronin kneels. Ozai: "Rise." Ronin stands up. Ozai: "If we attack now, our victory is guaranteed over my people. I'm not worried about them. I've ruled my nation much longer than Zuko, I understand how it works. I know how the people think, their weaknesses, and how to control them."
Ozai continues, "I ruled with an iron fist until that Avatar stopped me. And if I take over again, he will always be there. As long as he lives, what I have will be compromised. If we get too comfortable, he will strike when we least expect and take everything away from me again. If we wish to win this war, I must win. And if I am to win, I need my subjects to be completely obedient trusting in my will. Think of the Remnant as a body, you are all like cells and I am the brain. The body cannot function unless we move in unison."
Ronin nods, "I see."
Ozai: "If we are to kill Aang, then we must strike him in a vital organ. The Avatar is hard to beat in a direct fight, not because of his skill. But because of his cursed Avatar state. When fighting him like that, I'm fighting every Avatar before him. Even with my powers restored, I don't have that kind of help. If I want to win, I'll need to take that away from him. Just as he took my bending away."
Ronin: "How do you intend to do that?'
Ozai: "He is limited by his sense of honor."
Ronin: "But sir, wasn't our nation built on honor?"
Ozai: "Our enemies threw honor out of the window when they relied on traitors and spies to take down everything we had."
Ronin: "But sir, didn't we use both of those things?"
Ozai: "Not to the extent of them. And I've learned that honor does nothing for the defeated or dead. The victors set the standard and after we win WE DECIDE what honor is." Ronin's eyes widen. Ozai: "You will find many surprises as you take in my wisdom. If you heed it, you will become one of the most powerful men in the world. If you ignore it, it will be to your own detriment."
Ronin steps out of the room and looks back. Alev waits on the other side of the hall. Alev: "So you shared your opinions with him. What was it like?"
Ronin: "Honestly, I've never felt anything like it. Being in his presence, I've never witnessed so much raw power. I can hear it in his voice and see it in how he moves. It makes you wonder, how special the Avatar must have been to defeat him."
Alev snarls, "No matter, their time is over. It was merely a test of the faithful. Our breakthrough is forthcoming. I almost feel bad for our enemies, they will soon face the full might of Ozai."
Divisions
General Hepeksi marches into the camp with a massive army of Remnant soldiers. His troops look different from the one's in Alev's command. These troopers have armor that is mainly crimson red but with dark brown instead of the lighter brown markings that Alev's troopers have. Hepeksi has personal bodyguards that surround him.
Hepeksi's guards have black metal masks that cover their faces and black hilts with their weapons. Alev steps out of a building with Ronin beside her. Kedo watches in the distance with Cafri and Gendall beside him. Gendall looks at Cafri, "Can you believe this? Hepeksi finally caught us."
Kedo crosses his arms, "It's too late now. Ozai is on our side. I can't wait to see the look on his face when he finds out." The Remnant force in the facility is around 300 troopers. Many are scattered but multiple defenses are scrambled by officers to meet the visiting war party. Hepeksi's unit consists of 5,000 troops, an insanely high number for a Remnant unit.
Hepeski ignites his arms with orange flames. Alev: "Overcompensating again I see. What a waste, sending this many troops here just to scold me."
Hepeski: "I wanted to make sure I kept you in your place. To prevent a risk of an attack. I've brought 5,000 troops. Originally it was going to be 1,000 but I doubled it every week it took me to find you!"
Alev: "Now come on, we know that's not the real story. With even 2,000 troops I would have taken my chances and probably won. But 5,000 is pretty ridiculous."
Hepeksi: "Good, I didn't want to have to kill anyone else. So, you alone will face an execution for this. Be humble for once and accept your fate."
Alev: "Do you really think Ozai will allow that?'
Hepeksi: "Ozai has some influence but he can't challenge me. He is not a bender anymore. If he disagrees, I'll put him on house arrest and if that isn't enough then I'll teach him some manners. All he respects is brute force, so if he wants it, he'll get it. Times have changed, I'm the new face of the Remnant."
Ozai interrupts Hepeski as he steps between Ronin and Alev, "Oh really? You believe you are the voice of the Remnant. A Remnant that branches off MY LEGACY."
Hepeski adds, "And now mine."
Ozai smiles, "Is that so?"
Hepeski smiles back, "It is. And any allies you think you have will also crumble before my greatness. I have the largest current Remnant army and a lot of people owe me money. So please play good and I'll also make it worth your while. What are you doing protecting this little girl? She isn't worth the trouble."
Ozai: "You are a disgrace. Cowering beneath Zuko's Administration, the Earth Kingdom, and our enemies. Avoiding major fights, sticking to minor winnable battles, and you know what I wouldn't even have cared if you at least had the ambition to bust me out."
Hepeski looks at Alev. Ozai: "That's right you fool. You think she wouldn't tell me."
Hepeski: "She's in it for herself. She's biased against me."
Ozai looks at the massive army around him, "I know better. You risked an absurd amount of Remnant resources just to stage this flex. I know you don't have the Remnant's best interest at heart. Only I would justify such a move like this, you seem to see yourself as a monarch. But the Remnant is mine now!"
Hepeski: "You were also a moron. And honestly, it will be a pleasure to silence you. You should have taken my offer when you had the chance. But now YOU, will witness my ruthlessness!" Ozai grimaces. Hepeski's guards draw their weapons as another two step forward with flames engulfing their hands.
Ozai leaps forward and an aura of red, orange, and yellow fire floods around him. It happens within less than a second. The speed of Ozai's flame generation is faster than ANY other firebender. Hepeski's eyes widen and his guards gasp as they notice Ozai still has his powers. In an instant, a dark orange rod of fire is hurled into Hepeski's body. The fire is so volatile that the General disintegrates.
The fire immediately implodes and vaporizes the General's guards. Their armor and helmets collapse with black charred markings throughout. Parts of the metal are even melted and steam flows from their armor. Ozai steps forward, "Hepeski is no more! Does anyone else wish to oppose me?!" Hepeski's army kneels before Ozai.
Ozai relishes in his victory. Ozai: "Good." Alev grins and Ronin is elated. Kedo huffs, Gendall nods, and Cafri is in disbelief. Ozai steps forward, "Rise!" The troopers rise to their feet in unison.
Ozai: "My brothers, my sisters, our moment of victory has come. Many have turned their backs on us. Some of us were betrayed by our blood brothers, sisters, children, spouses, and whatever else. But starting today, we will CLEANSE our households of any impurities! Starting today, will bring victory to our nation! Starting today, we will no longer bend over to the WEAK!"
Ozai continues, "Today is the day that the strong prevail against their obstacles. Today is the day that our enemies kneel before us. Today is the day, an Empire is REBORN from its ashes. A legacy that has been passed on from generation to generation, will not be ended so easily. Not without a great fight! So ready yourselves for battle, for retribution, for vengeance! Never give up to the enemy."
Crowd: "Ura!"
Ozai: "Fight until you can't fight anymore."
Crowd: "Ura!"
Ozai: "And if you can't live to see the day our enemies rebuild our thrones, then make sure you take down as many of them as you can. For if you fall in glory, you will forever be remembered as a valiant fighter! And I'd rather die fighting than live a coward!"
Crowd: "Ura!"
Ozai: "So train, I'm going to gather every Fire Nation Remnant faction I can. So that we have the resources for an ambitious strike. Anyone holdout faction that refuses to join me, will be hunted down and destroyed. But perhaps not yet, we must choose our battles. When the time is right, we will hit our enemies while they are still caught off guard and before they recognize our ability. Speed and mystery is on our side but it won't be for long."
Love Is In The Air
It is a sunny day in Keplo, a bustling Earth Kingdom city. This was a medium-sized town before that has taken advantage of the new global trade that has started between the Earth Kingdom, Fire Nation, and Water Tribes. It also hosted an international peace collaboration conference bringing together influencers from all three nations.
Aang pats Katara on her back. Katara is wearing a light blue dress with several dark blue highlights. Her long dark brown hair is rich and wavy. Her light brown skin shines in the sunlight. Aang looks into her deep blue eyes. Aang himself has fresh orange robes with tan and dark brown markings. But these robes are fancier than what he wore when he was younger, representing his improved standard of living.
Katara: "I can't wait for the Reunification Celebration. It's going to be huge this year." The celebration she is mentioning unites members from the Southern, Eastern, Western, and Northern Water Tribes. It is a moment that represents when all the tribes were once unified. It is particularly important due to the famous separation that has existed between the north and south.
Katara: "For many years, the Northern and Southern tribes could not agree enough for it to be hosted. During the Hundred Year War, they only gathered a couple of times when looking to stop heinous Fire Nation plots. And after uniting, the divisions came right back. Thanks to our team, my father, Malina, and Maliq we've been able to do something that has not been done in decades. You HAVE TO BE THERE."
Aang sighs, "Katara it is seven days. I told you, I'll make sure I'm there the last four days. But the first three, I can't promise it."
Katara throws her hands in the air, "UNBELIEVABLE!"
Aang: "I know, I know."
Katara: "I don't want to hear it Aang. You are being so selfish."
Aang: "Katara please. The Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation are going to sign a paper that will officially demilitarize the borders between them. It is VERY important because it will reduce fears that exist between the Earth Kingdom public that our nation will attack again and make trade between both countries move more easily. It will alleviate some minor economic setbacks the Fire Nation is facing right now."
Aang continues, "King Kuei insisted he will not attend the event any other time in the next couple of months and if we put it off it could happen a year or years later. He has a major function going on next and Zuko says he will also be busy in the near future. There are matters he has been putting aside."
Katara: "That is even more disturbing, Zuko should KNOW BETTER."
Aang: "He will also attend the last four days. And the meetings are very important. I know it sounds silly, but politics are different."
Katara: "Weren't you a peacekeeper? Weren't you an activist? Weren't you someone the world could depend on? Now you've changed, into a glorified politician. Those are their affairs, not yours."
Aang huffs, "I'm just trying to make a difference. Before it was big missions against an Empire but now it's smaller meetings that have a big impact. Believe me, I wouldn't do all these things if I didn't think they were important. It can be really boring sometimes. And I'm still just fifteen now."
Katara smiles and pecks his cheek, "I know, and you still have a lot to learn."
Aang: "Then I'm glad I have a wise and patient teacher." Katara sighs and Aang hugs her. Aang: "And besides, Ozai was busted out of the palace. He has some serious work to do."
Katara asks, "Think he'll need your help?"
Aang: "No, he'll be fine. I took away his bending remember and Zuko is a lot more powerful than he used to be. Azula isn't an enemy anymore. Everything will take care of itself. I just need to attend this meeting to make sure everyone gets along. You know Zuko can be hothead sometimes and Kuei has fallen out with him before. I must make sure the transition is smooth but eventually they won't need me to do this."
Aang rubs his fingers through Katara's hair, "And when I get back, we can catch up. We can forget about all these politics. Afterall, I'm a peacemaker, I don't like fighting all that much. I'm trying to teach Zuko to do the same, but I won't know how good of a teacher I am until I let him do it himself."
Katara rapidly kisses Aang's lips, "Then let him."
Aang puts his finger over her lips, "Not yet. This is too big to risk."
Katara puts her hands on her hips, "Ok, but Sokka will also be disappointed."
Aang: "Then I'll catch him a steak."
Katara: "He can do that himself."
Aang: "Well, fine, I'll get him a new boomerang."
Katara: "You know he has a special attachment to his."
Aang: "I know, but he'll need a backup in case he loses it. It's a miracle he never has."
Katara: "He could always make his own."
Aang: "But that won't be as special will it? I'll make sure this one is designed with a special Avatar flare. I'll put a little Aang with it so he can remember me even when I'm not around."
Katara: "Oh, well that is interesting."
Aang raises his eyebrows, "Isn't that the point of a gift, to make things interesting. You know, every day I've been with you is always interesting. I hope it never changes."
Katara laughs, "Oh Aang, your cringey jokes never get old."
Aang: "Hey, it's the thought that counts baby. But before you leave, let's go for a ride you and me."
Katara asks, "With Appa?"
Aang leans in, "Just you and me this time." Aang soars through the sky on his glider with Katara on the other side. They spin around as they soar in the air across buildings.
Katara screams, "Aaaaaahhahahahahaahaaaa!!! You're going to get us killed!"
Aang: "HEEEEEY, at least we'll die together!"
Katara: "Good point." The duo soars down toward the ground.
Aang & Katara: "Aahahahahahaha!" Aang uses his airbending to control their descent and they smoothly hover over the several people's heads. People look up and point.
Man: "Hey!"
Boy: "Look it's HIM!" Aang raises the couple in the air and they glibly buzz through the sky. Aang glides the pair past multiple buildings and onto a beach. Aang smiles and Katara does the same. The duo kiss passionately for five seconds then they both lay in the sand and laugh.
Appa soars and lands directly in front of them. Sand covers both of their clothes. Aang gasps. Katara: "Awww Appa."
Aang blows the sand off both of them, "Well you know what that means, time to go Katara. I'll link up with you guys after the meeting. But his royal highness (Zuko) will have to find his own way there."
Katara: "I'm sure that will be no problem for him, he has his own cruiser. Take care of yourself."
Aang: "You too." Aang and Katara run at each other and lock lips again. Aang: "I love you."
Katara makes a heart symbol with her hands. Katara launches herself onto Appa with a gust of water, "Even Toph will be there on time. You know she's going to have something to say when you arrive."
Aang: "I know, but she's just jealous she can't move like me." Appa nods his head at Aang in respect. Katara blows a kiss at Aang as Appa takes off and Aang salutes her. Aang: "Love you both, take care."
A Madman's Declaration
Ozai sits at a bronze table within Alev's headquarters in Zenego. General Eyre, Major Alev, Captain Ronin, Captain Ardo, 1st Lieutenant Kedo, and several other officers sit at the table. Ozai eats a large turkey leg while talking to them. Ozai takes a deep bite into the turkey leg and chomps down on it. Ozai: "Emmm, WOW, this is amazing."
Eyre looks in disgust. Alev: "So sir, what is the new strategy you wanted to share with us?"
Ozai tosses the turkey leg aside and swallows, "Well, I'm going to be focused on one target, Aang. But to get to him, I must hit where it hurts. Remnant spies have informed me that Katara will be at the Northern Water Tribe to celebrate a Reunion event. It seems Aang has already committed to a political event between my son's mockery of a government and the Earth Kingdom. I won't need a full army to hit the Northern Water Tribe, their borders are also less guarded since it's peace time and a celebration no less."
Ozai referring to Zuko as his son is actually a sign of respect. He often referred to his as Zuko instead due to his disappointment with him. While Ozai still fundamentally disagrees with Zuko, he at least has come to respect that Zuko was able to become a Firelord and forge his own path. Alev: "This will devastate them and give us eternal enemies; their culture really reveres that day."
Ozai: "I don't care. All that matters is my day, of restoration." Ozai holds up a paper describing Macai and another describing Azula. Ozai: "And I must remember how my enemies function. I thought I understood these two inside out, but I was wrong. Azula faltered due to her desire for friends and family which she accepted through strangers rather than me." Ozai feels a sting in his chest from the statement.
Ozai: "The worst part, is I don't 100 percent know how to take that. And Macai, shifted because he himself wanted revenge. He was too weak to accept his mother's death as a key step to the success of our nation. He didn't make the decision that I was once willing to make with my son."
Ronin asks, "Would you still be willing to make that decision if need be?"
Ozai: "Absolutely, if they leave me no choice, they'll be destroyed. However, I will try to capture them. They are still my flesh and blood. I was an expert at dealing with different personalities. I will eventually get to them. After their friends are slaughtered, they will have no choice but to listen to me."
Kedo asks, "And what about Macai? Can he not be redeemed and used as a tool for us."
Ozai: "Unfortunately I gave him that offer before the Hundred Year War ended and he turned it down. He staged an operation that helped enable my treacherous brother to retake Ba Sing Se. I can't tolerate that. He is also a key to Azula's defection, he will need to be dealt with."
Eyre: "But killing him will mean that Azula will be more motivated to rebel against you."
Ozai: "Perhaps, but do not let your feelings for him cloud your judgment, general. I too would kill my son if I had to. But you, know you've received a HIGHER calling. Do not ignore it." Kedo uncomfortably exhales.
Ozai: "There is another thing, I suspect there are a few traitors in our ranks."
Ronin: "Why do you suspect that?"
Ozai: "Because I've noticed that for that base to have been discovered on Tesero, someone had to leak information on their location. I've spoken to some Remnant officials in private, analyzing everyone here as well as regulars. And we know a couple of moles would have gotten into this camp. Fortunately, three of them are being executed as we speak but one rat still lives. After he is killed, then we can continue this discussion, but I need to make sure our trail is clean before we get started."
The officers look around at each other. Ozai: "He is NOT in this room. But some of you know him."
Kedo asks, "Like who?"
Ozai answers, "Like you and Ronin. Think of someone you both know." The next day, Ronin walks with Kedo and Alev. Alev raises an eyebrow. Gendall, Kip, and Cafri are chatting.
Alev puts her hands around her back, "Gentlemen, Ronin would like to make an announcement."
Gendall looks up in surprise, "Buddy, what's going on?"
Corporal Kip also looks, "Yeah what gives?" Cafri frowns.
Ronin points at Cafri, "Why don't you tell them! What you've been doing, how you are the reason all those men died at Tesero!"
Gendall looks at Cafri, "No, how could you?!"
Cafri: "I'm sorry Gendall, I'm sorry Ronin, and Kedo. But I had to. I was a sworn loyal officer of Zuko's administration. I was undercover and just doing my duty like all of you. How can you be angry with me? We are still of the same nation. We still have the same culture, history, similar struggles."
Ronin: "Your struggle is nothing like ours."
Cafri protests, "Are you kidding me? I struggled and labored with all of you. And I saved your life Ronin, I didn't have to. As a spy, I could have just let you die. So how about a life for a life?"
Ronin extends his right hand and shoots a fireball through Cafri's chest. A black hole burns through it and his body becomes stiff. Cafri's toes become cold, and he falls. Gendall starts crying and a tear rolls down Ronin's left eye. Ronin evaporates it with heat. Kedo looks down and Alev doesn't react.
Ronin: "All traitors face the same fate, so states the code. And being a traitor, he gets no burial. Dump him in the woods, let his body rot. Being a spy is a dishonorable profession anyway, it pains me that the Remnant even employs them. But it's not my fault Zuko's spineless servants don't punish their traitors adequately. Cafri, I thought I respected you but now I do not. What admiration I once had for you is gone."
Ronin commands, "Gendall be strong! These are the same people who imprisoned us for doing our duties. They deserve no sympathy. And I swear I'll do the exact same to Macai, to Kanna, to Azula, to Zuko, to every swine that dare turn their back on WHAT WE HAVE DEDICATED OUR LIVES TO BUILD!!"
The officers regather with Ozai, Eyre, and others at the bronze table by midday. Ozai: "Ah, look at that. The sun shines its brightest now. We should travel by morning and strike two hours before this time during the celebration, that way as time passes, we'll only grow stronger. And even when if we pass that time, we'll still be reasonably amped. The Northern Water Tribe is a distant and cold environment. We will need everything we can manage to be powerful there."
Ozai: "Now, let's analyze the size of our army."
Eyre: "I have about 1,500 men under my command. But another two thousand men will join the Remnant ranks and link up with us after hearing about your return."
Ozai: "And we gained around 5,000 from that fool Hepeski's army. So that means 8,500 troops here."
Alev nods, "Yes. Among those two thousand men includes Captain Ardo's forces and people we personally knew. We could do some damage with such an army."
Ozai: "And sending in 8,500 soldiers would make us far too easy to detect. It would give Katara time to escape. No, I want to take my personal cruiser for a deadly strike as well as some patrol ships to dish out major damage against whoever comes our way. With the laxer defenses, the big guns of my main ship could keep them at bay from a distance. The lighter and faster ships would need to him them quickly to take their attention."
Ozai continues, "It's more than enough time for us to damage. I only require about 2,000 men for this strike. The other 6,500 can wait on standby. When the moment is right, we hit the capital directly. I want General Eyre to lead the Capital strike. Our forces will likely link up for that great attack then everything will fall into place. Alev, Ronin, Kedo, I'd like all of you to join me for my stunt. You make take a couple of warriors that you value with you on this mission but decide quickly. We sail by tomorrow morning."
The three Remnant officers look at each other. Kedo: "Well, this is going to be one wild ride."
Ronin: "Good, we must strike while the iron is hot."
Alev: "Just another chance for me to improve my battle resume. With Ozai by our side, I'm liking our chances."
Weekly Power Status
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