Focused Fire (ATLA)

“Watch where you run, Fan,” Ren cautioned with a chuckle as she strolled after her daughter.

The little girl acknowledged the advice with an excited shriek as her legs carried her tiny form down the hallway as fast as they could. The few training staff in the way expertly swerved out of the way, with a few using strategic arm and leg placements to redirect the child away from wall-mounted lanterns, shelves and other furniture or decorations.

Ren followed after the giggling wake, offering grateful nods to the people she passed and graciously accepting their sympathetic smirks.

Fan made a sharp turn into an office, her arms barely able to reach the door handle to push it open with all her might. 

“Pin-shess ‘Zula! Pin-shess ‘Zula-”

The giddy yelling stopped, and Ren caught up just in time to see her adorable daughter right at the entrance of Azula’s office, frozen still as she stared at the people inside that weren’t the princess. Fan’s head turned in silence to regard Azula for a second, then to the two other girls and an armored Zuko with her. 

“Uhm…”

Then the child slowly got to her knees and rolled over in a cute attempt at prostrating herself like any petitioner would. “Uh, g’eetin’, Pin-shess ‘Zula,” Fan managed to blurt out nervously as she tried to hide her lack of courtesy.

Ren managed to restrain all but a smirk at her daughter’s antics, but one of Azula’s friends, Ty Lee, let out a squee. “Aww, she’s so cuuute!”

Azula on the other hand simply shook her head with mock exasperation and walked over to Fan. “It’s alright Fan, they’re my friends. You can drop the formalities around them.”

Ren let out a chuckle as Fan’s head popped up first before the rest of her body followed. “F’ends?” She looked to Azula’s companions, and Ty Lee waved enthusiastically whil Mai gave a quick raise of two fingers.

“Pin-shess f’ends?”

Helping the girl up, Azula quickly sent a smirk at Ren before returning to the now-curious child. “Yes Fan, that’s Mai, and that’s Ty Lee. Would you like to meet them?”

There wasn’t time for an answer as Ty Lee shot forth to squat in front of Fan. “Hiya! I’m Ty Lee, what’s your name?”

Ren stood by the doorway, watching with a smile as Fan became fully engrossed by the newcomers. Azula walked over, and the captain greeted the princess with a nod and a cheeky smile. “Welcome back, Azula. And congratulations, though I’m surprised you’re still patient enough to wait out the engagement.”

The princess rolled her eyes at the teasing. “Please. There’s still a lot on our plates, and you know as well as I that me and Xing can’t do a quick wedding like you and Kai.”

“Oh, so work and the politics of it all is too troublesome to be worth locking yourself with Xing for a few nights?”

Surprisingly, Azula met her gaze with matching playfulness. “Who says I need to be wed to do that?”

Ren inhaled sharply, and then broke into a wide grin. “My, my, how the princess has grown… You’re worried about politics but you’re not afraid of a scandal?”

Azula rolled her eyes again. “We barely did anything.” Then Ren was sure that the princess’ cheeks took on a bit of color. “And as you told me before, we can’t be all work and no play.”

“Oho?” A quiet, vulnerable and shy Azula? Now this was rare. Very rare indeed. Ren couldn’t help herself, snapping a glance back to the office where Fan was giggling loudly at Ty Lee spinning upside down on her hands, while Mai and Zuko looked on. 

“What does your highness mean by ‘barely anything’, if I might ask?”

“You may not,” Azula curtly replied with a huff.

“Fine, fine. I’m sure you’re smart enough to use herbs if things get too…deep. Anyway, what brings you here? I thought you’d be stuck in the palace to organize things.”

The princess nodded in response. “There isn’t much to do. Xing’s the one who has to handle his paperwork and get formal briefing on his new duties as a landed lord. I’m here to inform you that the training grounds here will be closed down, and the 11th will be transferred to Ba Sing Se. So prepare to move as soon as possible.”

Oh. That was actually surprising. “We’re moving?” Ren asked to be sure.

“Ba Sing Se has more than enough space to accommodate the regiment. Xing and I agreed that it’s much more convenient to not worry about reinforcements filtering in from the sea, and it’d give prospective recruits another bonus in seeing the city.”

The captain gave a slight bow. “I’ll pass the word along.”

Azula nodded back, and then glanced at the child now on the floor in the middle of the office, laughing her lungs out as Ty Lee somehow cartwheeled in place. “I’ll do a formal announcement…after Fan’s tired out.”

Ren said nothing, merely enjoying the sight of her daughter’s glee. She also didn’t hide her relief that Azula didn’t use particular words in describing the move; they were actually moving for the reasons the princess described, not fleeing potential danger.

*****

As unexpected and decisive the capture of Ba Sing Se was, Colo- Prince Xing’s massive victory also brought up unexpected issues that until now have yet to be resolved. It was why General Bujing and the other high generals of the War Council were taking up most of the day after Xing’s elevation in discussion with the new prince.

“With how the Dai Li kept a heavy shroud of ignorance over Ba Sing Se to assert control, most of the city’s industries are focused on keeping it self-sustaining,” Xing was explaining. “So I can guarantee that given some time, the colonies and the home islands will have access to a sizable surplus of food and civilian goods. But for contributions to the military…”

The new prince shrugged and gestured to the scrolls unfurled on each high general’s table.  “As the reports will attest, the city is practically useless for the time being. Their forges are not as robust as ours, so transitioning from Earth Kingdom weapons and armor - which we all agree are of middling quality at best - to standard Fire Nation equipment will require time. Not only that, it’d require smiths from the colonies or home islands who actually know how to deal with the steel we want.”

That was the greatest disappointment about the whole thing. For all its massiveness and power, Ba Sing Se had relied so much on its neighboring vassal states to do its dirty work that it had grown complacent. The city’s defenses became totally reliant on earthbenders and refugee conscripts, and causing their military industry to languish as a result.

“And as for conscripting the populace, I have to agree with Crown Princess Azula’s assessment that the Dai Li infiltration has to be rooted out completely first before we trust anyone in that city, commoner or noble, to be deployed anywhere.”

Again, Bujing couldn’t fault that. He’d read the reports from the Fire Lord’s own observers, and what a dark picture it painted of the much storied city. With women kidnapped to be turned into hidden agents, there was a non-zero chance that the Dai Li might have done the same to the men, especially the higher ranked officials and nobility.

Ba Sing Se was a tainted place now, not to be trusted for manpower or critical goods for a while. Even the food that will inevitably be exported would have to be stringently tested just to be safe.

“So the greatest advantage the city offers us right now is a foothold to the seas east of the continent,” General Shinu remarked.

Xing shrugged. “And the massive symbolic victory the Fire Nation has by holding it.”

The members of the War Council exchanged glances before General Bujing spoke on their behalf. “It seems that you have earned quite a burden for yourself, Prince Xing.”

Admirably, the boy didn’t react much to the words. “It is a poisoned chalice, for sure, but one that I’m sure can be undone with time and sufficient manpower.”

Bujing sighed. “Even with your great victory, the battlelines still require fortifying, so we cannot provide you with additional men to garrison the city.”

Xing didn’t take that news too badly at all. If anything, he smiled. “Ah, that is understandable, which is why I hoped to attain the War Council’s permission to…employ prisoners of war to garrison Ba Sing Se.”

Now that was a very bold proposal. Potentially ridiculous, even. “Wouldn’t that risk a rebellion?”

The prince gave a slight shrug. “I’ll make it clear that if they push the wrong buttons, I will gladly raze everything within the Outer Walls to ashes. And I’ll mean it, too. Besides, the prisoner conscripts will not be unsupervised; they’ll be led and overseen by colonial enforcers. With that kind of dilution, we only need to spend a fraction of the manpower to maintain compliance, and there’d be less resistance from the locals if they know their own are being involved in keeping the peace.”

“You sound confident of this method,” General Wulong commented dryly.

“It could fail spectacularly,” Xing admitted, “but it’s about the best compromise I can come up with which involves turning Ba Sing Se into a productive holding as quickly as possible. Without resorting to methods that would compromise the massive publicity advantage we hold, or…anger the crown princess in her capacity as colonial minister.”

Bujing hummed in thought before begrudgingly acceding the point. “That is…unfortunately true.” The high generals shared another round of silent exchanges which resulted in all of them nodding gravely. Bujing cleared his throat as he once again spoke for them. “We’ll raise this with the Fire Lord, but short of some major issue we’ve all overlooked, I think it’s safe to assume you may begin preparations.”

Xing snapped off a sharp salute as he bowed. “Thank you, high generals.”

“Now, onto a related topic… Please enlighten us, Prince Xing, about this proposal of making peace with the Northern Water Tribe. The Fire Lord is most intrigued about it.”

*****

“You seem worried, brother.” Iroh fought to keep his concern out of his voice as he stood with Ozai by the gardens. It’s been a long time since the siblings met out of official functions, and longer still for Ozai to be the one who sent out the invitation.

The Fire Lord’s face morphed into a scowl as he stared out at the pond in the middle of the garden. “What is your assessment on Xing?” he asked, skipping through all the niceties.

This time Iroh frowned, though he was still careful to keep his answer neutral in tone. “He has proven to be a loyal and highly capable leader, both in the battlefield and out of it. His methods, while…unorthodox, are undeniably effective. His influence on Azula, at the very least, has made her a princess that is respected and loved by the people.”

Far more than either of us, Iroh didn’t dare add.

And disappointingly and unsurprisingly, it was the last part that made Ozai react, frowning deeply with something beyond disapproval.

“Let me be frank, Iroh. I have begun having…reservations about his abilities as a schemer.”

“Everything Xing has done was to the Fire Nation’s benefit,” Iroh offered. “He’s stopped Zhao’s madness from ruining us. Defeated King Bumi and captured Omashu in your name. Even now, he speaks with your War Council in trying to find a use for Ba Sing Se. Lesser men would have been happy to just sit back and play with such a prize.”

“Hnh. And yet it’s been brought to my attention that he has an interesting record when it comes to dealings with allies. There are whispers that Zhao might not have been the first to face his treachery.”

Treachery? On Zhao? That was an interestingly harsh word to use…

“It is no secret that Xing has poor views on the untested nobility, what with his own…personal experiences. His official complaints of incompetent commanders are publicly known.”

And another reason for some of the resentment against him.

Ozai didn’t seem persuaded though. “Yet it is also well known that he treats his prisoners with unusual care. Not a few petitioners have raised the point that the…Scorpion seems to value the lives of his enemies more than his own comrades.”

“But there are also commendations about his reliability from other forces, are there not?” Iroh countered. “Admiral Daeyang, General Hwa and other commanders are not directly affiliated to him, and yet they hold Xing in high regard.” 

He paused for a second before following up. “Perhaps it is Xing’s failing that he looks down on those he views as unreliable and incompetent, which in turn sours their views of him.”

Ozai actually kept silent for a few seconds before answering. “Perhaps…” And then the Fire Lord gave a mildly vicious smirk as he glanced at his brother. “I have to admit he handled Zuko satisfactorily. And his intervention for his…adoptive grandmother to spite you is proof of that, however you wish to be polite about it.” 

Iroh bit back his surprise at the realization for this meeting. Ozai was assuming that Iroh’s relations with Xing was barely warm. 

But then again, thinking about it now, how could he not? 

By all outward appearances, Xing remains formal (however warmly) with Iroh, while being known to display a more casual attitude with those close to him, like Azula and his officers. His grudge on behalf of Lidai is also well known, even if he doesn’t overtly act on it. Iroh’s little act to keep Zuko from being conscripted, and his continued avoidance of Lady Su-Wei in the palace, probably also further added to the perception.

Come to think of it, there was nothing to show Iroh and Xing interacting beyond their meetings with either Zuko or Azula present. The older prince’s official interactions with the 11th had mostly been with Azula and the soldiers manning the barracks.

So the courtiers were assuming that the Scorpion was using the princess as an intermediary to avoid Iroh?

Interesting.

Still struggling with the notion, Iroh quickly replied to his brother before his silence stretched onto being suspicious. 

“I’m told Zuko is serving as your daughter’s bodyguard.”

“A bodyguard for one of her friends,” Ozai corrected with vindictive amusement. “A creative method to keep my son out of trouble. I approve.” The amusement faded away, replaced with a frown as the Fire Lord returned his gaze to the garden. “Still, however loyal he seems, my concern still stands. However carefully you wish to present his achievements, I’m sure you understand my suspicions.”

“You fear he works against you.”

Ozai gave a grave nod. “As you said, Azula has changed thanks to his influence. With his elevation, Xing could use his influence to…misdirect her.”

Iroh had to stop his impulse from immediately speaking out. His brother misinterpreted his stunned look as he turned to him.

“You see now why I am concerned, Iroh?”

“I…do.”

“Good. I hear you have been invited to Ba Sing Se. I want you to accept, and…watch over my daughter. Ensure that the advice the new prince might give her does not hide any underlying intentions.”

“Some might consider this paranoid,” Iroh carefully but sincerely cautioned.

The Fire Lord did not seem perturbed. “If I’m proven wrong, then Azula would still have her uncle’s company. Otherwise, your presence would be of great help to her. And Zuko.” He turned to fix a hard stare at Iroh, and the prince realized how much his brother meant his words. “Look after them, Iroh. We might have our differences, brother, but I trust you to look after our family.”

Iroh nodded as resolutely as he could manage. “I will, Ozai.”

To further disturb the prince, Ozai actually gave a reassured smile.

*****

The Fire Lord left his brother hiding a satisfied grin. However unsubtle, the seeds of doubt had been planted in Iroh. While Ozai was far from deluded to think his brother to be weak-willed enough to take the whole thing, the consideration of potential danger to both Azula and Zuko should be more than enough to affect soft-hearted Iroh.

At the very least, Iroh’s caution would see him having to investigate matters personally. And if the Scorpion was as competent as Ozai thought him to be, the older prince would eventually be caught snooping around, potentially straining their relationship.

Some other methods would be required to…persuade Iroh of Xing’s true intent. Well, the young prince supposedly could bend invisible fires, a potent assassination tool indeed...

Ozai stopped by a darkened alcove along the palace’s less windowed halls. Producing a sheaf of promissory notes from the sleeve of his robes, he offered it to the shadows, from which a burly hand reached out to accept it. 

“When the first opportunity presents itself, do not kill Iroh. Just…unsettle him. Make it public. Only after that, you may make a proper attempt, if you value additional payment..”

Without a word, the shadowy figure bowed and slipped away, though not before betraying a glimpse of a vertical eye tattooed on his forehead.

How convenient then that Ozai had an invisible firebender of his own.