6 Chapter II
"Kai Joeng! Suki sent us to give you a left!"
"I know! Escort us back." Kai replied.
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On Kyoshi Island, a rumor of the Avatar spread like wildfire, eventually making it to Prince Zuko of the Fire Nation's ear. But it also found it's way to commander Zhao.
Commander Zhao had put out spies to find the Avatar after receiving a report claiming that Kai Jeong used both water and fire after entering an avatar like state that was mistaken as the real thing.
"Set course for Kyoshi Island." Commander Zhao ordered.
'It's been years, boy. But this time, I will have your head.' The commander cursed in his heart.
In the fire nation capital, a falcon had arrived at the royal palace, addressed to Princess Azula. Two older women named Lo and Li, two advisers to the princess Azula and her firebending instructors, stood behind Azula as they read the note.
"Hmm, it has to be him. The Avatar is dead. But rumor says he has dual bending abilities. To commoners, he may look like the Avatar. Lo, Li, prepare my ship…" Azula ordered.
Lo and Li bowed in respect. The moment they opened the doors to leave the courtyard. Fire Lord Ozai appeared and waved them off.
"The matter is being handled. If you go after Kai Jeong, do not ever return. I will banish you like your worthless brother." Ozai spoke in a calm tone and without expression.
Azula jaw tightened, and she clenched her fist as she bowed. "Yes, father," she replied.
"Lo and Li. Take Princess Azula to ember Island. She needs to unwind. She isn't allowed to receive any falcons." Ozai order before turning to leave.
Azula lost her cool the moment her father left. She spewed blue and violet flames to vent her frustration.
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"So, how did a faction of firebending rebels end up on Kyoshi Island.��� The Ambassador asked.
"When we become friends, I'll let you know. But let's save the conversation until all parties are present." Kai replied.
"All parties?"
"Yes, The leader of the Kyoshi Warriors and the village leader Oyaji. From there, I'll be taking you to the southern water tribe. to speak to Elders and Sokka, Hokoda's son."
"That sounds good. But I must inform you that even before your as a firebending was exposed, I was hesitant to get into bed with you. Though the benefits are generous, the risk is enormous to my northern water tribe."
"I understand that Ambassador. And please don't think of this as a side negotiation. As a Waterbender of the southern water tribe and though exiled, of high birth in the Fire Nation. Even if I have to propose to Princess Yue, that is what I will do."
"I thought you wanted to restore balance?"
"That's the Avatar's job. I want the fire nation to stop bathing the world in fire. If we intermingle and coexistence by sharing blood and land, is that not peace, balance? Four Nations aren't needed to maintain the balance of four elements. We are fire, water, earth, and air. Not the nations we create." Kai explained, for the first time, revealing a glimpse of his plans for the future.
"In other words. As long as the fire is not trying to subjugate water, there is balance. Whether or not water has a home in a pond, lake, spring, or ocean." The Ambassador seemed to realize Kai's view and subconsciously resonated with Kai though he refrained from showing his approval.
"Correct. This war has gone on for nearly 100 years. The Fire Nation has colonies all over the Earth Kingdom. People have parents with different bending abilities, though no one will never know due to bending suppression laws. The world has already begun to change. My existence is proof that fire and water and coexist."
"What is that you want to do, Kai Jeong?"
"I want to do what should have been done years ago. I want to become Emperor."
"Of the Fire Nation?" The Ambassador asked.
"The Jeong Dynasty!" Kai replied with force. "A dynasty that embraces all four elements, a place of peace and prosperity, while allowing people to maintain their ancestral traditions."
"Lofty dreams those are. A dream even the Avatar might oppose."
"Ambitions, goals, not dreams. But regardless of what any of us want, Nothing can be down if Fire Lord Ozai is still in power." Said Kai.
"Hmm," the people silently listening to Kai's conversation agreed.
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As the ships arrived in Kyoshi Bay, everyone watched in horror as the plums of black smoke covered the sky.
"Lord Kai, you should go ahead. "
"Hmm, you should also come quick," Kai replied as he launched from the ship's deck into the air.
Kai rocketed through the air with all of his power; as he got closer, he could see a white-furred flying bison fleeing the Island.
His eyes looked on to the beast, and anger seethed from his body.
'Let them go, Father. They are not the enemy.' An androgynous voice entered his mind.
'But they flee like cowards while my Island burns!'
'Don't condemn others for not taking care of your responsibilities...'
'Tsk, stop talking back and get here, Aumi.' Kai ordered his daughter.
A moment later, an eastern blue dragon erupted from the depths of Kyoshi bay and rushed passed the flying bison, startling its riders.
"Wow! What was that!?" Sokka asked.
"I think it's a dragon," Katara replied as they all watched the moderately large dragon collide with a ball of fire.
A moment later, Katara's assumptions were proven right when the dragon twisted in the air and sped towards Kyoshi Island with a man standing upon its back.
"That's not good!" Said Aang
Without any hesitation, Aang lept from his flying bison followed and used his glider to return to the village.
"Aang!" Sokka and Katara called.
Katara rushed to the reigns and turned Appa around.
Above the village, Kai frowned at the fire nation soldiers. His eyes flashed milky white, and in a series of harsh movements, the fires that scorched the Kyoshi village was snatched to the sky—bending the flames into a massive ball of fire. Kai extinguished the flame.
On the deck of the fire nation ship, an older man stares slack-jawed at the blue dragon. Suddenly the safety of his nephew worried his heart as he rushed to Kyoshi village.
"Prince… No, Zuko. long time no see." Kai spoke from the back of Aumi.
The Prince looked up with hate in his eyes. The Prince never liked Kai. Kai was the only person that Zuko disliked more than his sister, Azula.
"You think you can burn my village and leave as you please!" Kai shouted and then produced a whistle that covered the village.
Soldiers in blue and crimson uniforms appeared and attacked Zuko's soldier with flames of vengeance.
"When the Fire Nation comes, my men do not act without my permission. If they had, you would have been dead the moment you made shore."
"Traitors! All of you. I will let my father know of this place, and you will die by fire!" Zuko lashed out
"If I find out that you hurt any of my people. You will be the one to die today." Kai's voice became soft and chilly as the White Dragon Army surrounded the Prince's troop, and he lept from Aumi to find Suki.
When Kai landed on the ground, Suki had already thrown herself at him. Kai wraps her in his arms, holding her until his heart became steady and mind serene once again.
"Is everyone okay?" asked Kai.
"Yes, they only burned buildings to snuff out the Avatar. But he's long gone now." Suki replied.
Thud!
Aang landed in the middle of the commotion, prepared to fight to the death. Kai raises an eyebrow at the flying boy and the long-forgotten nomadic tattoos that adorned his body. Kai then internally curses Avatar Roku and Fire Lord Azulon.
"Avatar…" Zuko growls as he takes a step but finds his path blocked.
"If the banished Prince moves, kill him and his men," Kai ordered.
Aang was shocked by the orders.
"Avatar." Kai bowed. "Avatar Roku said you would return. Too bad, you're too stupid to hide before being properly trained."
"Haaa. You know Avatar Roku!?" Aang shouted in surprise.
"Something like that. But it would be best if you left now. These are my people and my responsibility. We will meet again--"
The flying bison's roar interrupted Kai as it landed, and Katara and Sokka jumped to Aang's side.
Kai chuckled. He couldn't help himself. Katara and Sokka looked at Kai, and they studied his face for a moment before they gasped.
"K-Kai!" said Sokka.
"Sokka… I was making plans to visit your tribe. I had no idea; I would see you two so soon."
"It's a long story, but we're traveling with the avatar now," Katara spoke. Kai smiled at her and took in the blossoming beauty of the once shy water tribe girl.
"I would love to hear it when we meet ---"
"Hey!" Zuko shouted as he bent his ferocious flames to incapacitate three white dragon soldiers.
"In the Fire Nation, you were the grandson my grandfather always wanted, the only person that could rival my father for my sister's love. They planned to make you the Prince Consort. You looked down on me. Me! The Prince of the Fire Nation! And even exiled, you think yourself above me!"
"I am above you, Zuko. And here, you have no power, and I am in control. Now take your loss before you get your man killed."
"Prince consort? You were apart of the royal family?" Sokka asked.
"Hmm. I was engaged to Princess Azula. The next Fire Lord, whether or not this waste of space is in exile or not. " Kai replied. "Hurry and leave. I will handle Zuko."
The tension between Zuko and Kai grew thicker. Katara pulled Aang away with urgency. The trio climbed their flying bison and took off.
Zuko moved again, forcing Kai to retaliate. The streams of fire collided, and the two benders went blow for blow.
"Better, but I'm sure my wife can still kick your ass." Kai taunts mindlessly.
His words enrage Zuko and hurt Suki.
"Wife? My sister will never marry a traitor."
"Tsk tsk tsk… We'll see." Kai replied, and they began to show Zuko just how much he was lacking.
Kai flames burned hotter as they took on a myriad of colors. His strikes became loud and more aggressive. His speed doubled, and Zuko found himself on the defense, only slightly managing to protect himself.
Kai stamped his foot on the ground, blasting himself into a frontflip. Gliding over Zuko, Kai bent his flames into a pressurized ball of white fire.
Zuko looked on in fright as the horrific attack streamlined to his chest.
Boom!
The fire exploded, but everyone watched slacked jaw as the flames warped and pushed towards the sky.
Kai's jaw tensed when the fire cleared.
"I think we are finished for today. Prince Zuko, we have an avatar to catch."
"General Iroh." Kai bowed with sincerity and respect for the old dragon
Iroh looked at the boy who was supposed to become his student. He then glanced at the young dragon, Aumi, and thought about Kai's control and power over his firebending.
"Hmm, so they thought you were worthy." Said Iroh, referring to the ancient sun warriors that he once encountered.
' Even I was not entrusted with an Egg,' Iroh thought in his heart.
"There would be no they, without you, General," Kai replied and gave a more profound bow as he recounted the story the Masters Ran and Shaw shared with him about a Young Iroh.
Iroh laughed and walked to Kai. Iroh gently lifted Kai and said, "Be patient with my nephew. He is all that I have left. And when he finds himself, he will need a brother like you."
Kai remained silent and nodded his head in understanding. He can remember when he watched Zuko during his youth, The magnificence that hid within his flame. Kai realized that Iroh could see the same brilliance and knew that Zuko had yet to become the person he was destined to be.
Kai steps to the side and directs his voice to Zuko, "Be mindful of where you sling your flames. The General won't always be here to shoulder your responsibilities."
