Post by Caladbolg777 on Apr 29, 2008 1:13:53 GMT -5
Here's a link if you'd like to read it on fanfiction.net:www.fanfiction.net/s/3821139/1/Dissolution
I'll start with the prologue for now, but I have to warn ahead of time, the first chapter is dark. There's also PG 13 language but that subsides later on.
This is just a fair warning. I'd love to hear some feedback. Thanks and here we go.
Prologue
In the deep night a unique flying bison glided in the air away from the city of Ba Sing Se. The solemn crew said nothing; their worried eyes upon the near-death form of the Avatar.
“The Earth Kingdom…has fallen” a depressed, former Earth King muttered.
All of the members on Appa’s back, besides Katara, watched the disappearing Earth Palace forlornly.
Within the conquered palace and on the throne sat a proud Fire Nation princess with her brother standing next to her.
“We’ve done it Zuko,” Azula gazed ahead, It’s taken us a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se.
“I betrayed Uncle,” a remorseful Zuko said.
“No,” Azula said and Zuko glanced at her, “he betrayed you.”
“Zuko,” a pause and then Azula stood, “when you return home Father will welcome you as a war hero.”
The older teen grimaced with insecurity, “but I don’t have the Avatar. What if Father doesn’t restore my honor?”
Azula rested a comforting hand on his shoulder, “he doesn’t need to, Zuko. Today, you restored your own honor.”
The Prince looked away in troubled contemplation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Sire,” a panting man said as he bowed before the Fire Lord’s feet, “There is a message from Long Feng, the former Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se.”
The silhouette of Fire Lord Ozai raised an eyebrow, “Bring it here.”
The Messenger kept his head low and bowed in offering as he held out an ornate scroll.
A constant wall of fire surrounding Fire Lord Ozai simmered, and the Messenger felt the throne room cool a bit.
Two Royal Guards, staring at each other from across a red carpet, stood. Both were a little relieved from the usually constant heat.
Ozai opened the scroll and read it carefully. After a few moments he lowered the scroll and stared at the Messenger. “Hm…So this Long Feng wishes to bear gifts of gratitude for a swift and silent revolution. Is this correct Messenger?”
“Yes my lord,” the Messenger said a little shakily, not sure if he liked where the conversation was heading.
“And Long Feng admires my generosity in restoring my whelp of a son’s honor. Is this correct Messenger?”
“I…I’m afraid I did not read the message. I was told that the message was from Long Feng and that he wishes a healthy relationship between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation.”
“I see… perhaps you should become better prepared for such occurrences as this one,” the Ozai said.
“Y-yes my Lord. If I may…”
“No you may not, peon. You will speak when spoken to, otherwise you will remain silent.” The flames behind the Fire Lord shot up and shouted a bestial roar.
The Messenger bowed as deeply as possible, shaking in terror.
Ozai’s face remained dangerously calm, your fate is already sealed, fool. “Apparently my own daughter has the gall and audacity to claim her word more powerful than mine. I am wondering of a punishment. Do you have any suggestions Messenger?”
“Um…” the Messenger gulped with his nose touching the floor, “ground her?”
Ozai’s eyebrow lifted. “Ground her?” he asked in surprised disgust, “get out of my sight. Leave my palace with your tarnished hide. Now!” The fire boomed.
The Messenger, scared half to death, scampered out of the hall; his back never facing Ozai as he constantly bowed.
The flames calmed a bit and Ozai sighed, “Guards? Does that Messenger have a family?”
“The last time I checked, yes my Liege,” one of them said.
“Good. Gather a small group of my most ruthless soldiers. Four at most, and slaughter his family. Make sure he watches. Oh,” the Fire Lord smiled maliciously as he paused for a second, “and make sure he has a long and excruciating death as well. Dismissed.”
“Your will is our command Lord,” the other guard said. Both Soldiers bowed deeply as the left, their backs never facing Ozai as well.
The Fire Lord frowned after the guards left. I’m disappointed Azula. Perhaps a fireside chat is in order.
I'll start with the prologue for now, but I have to warn ahead of time, the first chapter is dark. There's also PG 13 language but that subsides later on.
This is just a fair warning. I'd love to hear some feedback. Thanks and here we go.
Prologue
In the deep night a unique flying bison glided in the air away from the city of Ba Sing Se. The solemn crew said nothing; their worried eyes upon the near-death form of the Avatar.
“The Earth Kingdom…has fallen” a depressed, former Earth King muttered.
All of the members on Appa’s back, besides Katara, watched the disappearing Earth Palace forlornly.
Within the conquered palace and on the throne sat a proud Fire Nation princess with her brother standing next to her.
“We’ve done it Zuko,” Azula gazed ahead, It’s taken us a hundred years, but the Fire Nation has conquered Ba Sing Se.
“I betrayed Uncle,” a remorseful Zuko said.
“No,” Azula said and Zuko glanced at her, “he betrayed you.”
“Zuko,” a pause and then Azula stood, “when you return home Father will welcome you as a war hero.”
The older teen grimaced with insecurity, “but I don’t have the Avatar. What if Father doesn’t restore my honor?”
Azula rested a comforting hand on his shoulder, “he doesn’t need to, Zuko. Today, you restored your own honor.”
The Prince looked away in troubled contemplation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
“Sire,” a panting man said as he bowed before the Fire Lord’s feet, “There is a message from Long Feng, the former Grand Secretariat of Ba Sing Se.”
The silhouette of Fire Lord Ozai raised an eyebrow, “Bring it here.”
The Messenger kept his head low and bowed in offering as he held out an ornate scroll.
A constant wall of fire surrounding Fire Lord Ozai simmered, and the Messenger felt the throne room cool a bit.
Two Royal Guards, staring at each other from across a red carpet, stood. Both were a little relieved from the usually constant heat.
Ozai opened the scroll and read it carefully. After a few moments he lowered the scroll and stared at the Messenger. “Hm…So this Long Feng wishes to bear gifts of gratitude for a swift and silent revolution. Is this correct Messenger?”
“Yes my lord,” the Messenger said a little shakily, not sure if he liked where the conversation was heading.
“And Long Feng admires my generosity in restoring my whelp of a son’s honor. Is this correct Messenger?”
“I…I’m afraid I did not read the message. I was told that the message was from Long Feng and that he wishes a healthy relationship between the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation.”
“I see… perhaps you should become better prepared for such occurrences as this one,” the Ozai said.
“Y-yes my Lord. If I may…”
“No you may not, peon. You will speak when spoken to, otherwise you will remain silent.” The flames behind the Fire Lord shot up and shouted a bestial roar.
The Messenger bowed as deeply as possible, shaking in terror.
Ozai’s face remained dangerously calm, your fate is already sealed, fool. “Apparently my own daughter has the gall and audacity to claim her word more powerful than mine. I am wondering of a punishment. Do you have any suggestions Messenger?”
“Um…” the Messenger gulped with his nose touching the floor, “ground her?”
Ozai’s eyebrow lifted. “Ground her?” he asked in surprised disgust, “get out of my sight. Leave my palace with your tarnished hide. Now!” The fire boomed.
The Messenger, scared half to death, scampered out of the hall; his back never facing Ozai as he constantly bowed.
The flames calmed a bit and Ozai sighed, “Guards? Does that Messenger have a family?”
“The last time I checked, yes my Liege,” one of them said.
“Good. Gather a small group of my most ruthless soldiers. Four at most, and slaughter his family. Make sure he watches. Oh,” the Fire Lord smiled maliciously as he paused for a second, “and make sure he has a long and excruciating death as well. Dismissed.”
“Your will is our command Lord,” the other guard said. Both Soldiers bowed deeply as the left, their backs never facing Ozai as well.
The Fire Lord frowned after the guards left. I’m disappointed Azula. Perhaps a fireside chat is in order.