Sacred Pact

It is a foggy day in the coniferous forest. These landscapes are quite different from the standard subtropical forests of the Fire Nation that boast warm climates or the tropical islands of that nation. A cool breeze flows through the sky as several tall pine trees, rocks, and streams paint the landscape. A drill tank rises from the ground and emerges.

Alev steps out of left door of the vehicle and her hazel eyes shine in the sparkling sunlight. While yellow light still beams from the sun, the sky is relatively faint and less bright than what she is accustomed to. Alev: "This is the last place anyone would expect to find a Fire Nation general."

Hakon leaps out of the left side of the vehicle. His dark brown hair flows in the wind as he analyzes his surroundings. Gendall stumbles out of the right side of the vehicle a few feet behind Alev who is steadily walking forward. An inquisitive Cafri moves behind Hakon as the Remnant warriors advance.

Cafri comments, "It kind of makes sense, Eyre would want to be as far away from the Fire Nation as possible to avoid being detected. So he would want to go to somewhere with a climate different than most would expect but still within the reach of Fire Nation military forces." Cafri certainly has a point considering somewhere like the Northern and Southern Water Tribes would be virtually isolated from Fire Nation allies.

Ronin: "Where are we anyway?"

Hakon answers, "Boquera, a region located on the more frigid North-Central outskirts of the Earth Kingdom."

Alev looks at Hakon, "And this looks to be further north than even Nyarri."

Hakon: "It's quite a bit more north, it is about 500 miles further North. Nyarri is just the beginning of the Earth continent's North landmass anyway.

Gendall comments, "Every second you speak about this, I become more and more confused."

Hakon puts his right index finger on his chin, "Understandable, there is much more to this world than its surface." Alev notices a twelve-foot-tall light grey cave.

Alev looks back at Hakon, "Is he in there?"

Hakon shrugs, "We have no idea where he is, but spies suggest he is somewhere in this area. Some say he has been around this cave."

Gendall: "No use waiting around. Let's go." Gendall marches forward and Ronin creates a flame over his right hand to guide his friend. Alev generates her own light orange flame, Cafri generates an orange flame, and Hakon creates a bright red flame to led themselves through the cave.

As they walk, they notice several torches attached to the cave walls. Hakon comments, "These torches were recently lit, someone put them out."

Alev: "He knew we were coming." The team enters a large room where a stream of splashing water can be heard. They notice a board with writing on it, several books placed inside of wooden shelves within the room, and a man standing in the middle of the room. Alev enters her battle stance and lights up her hands.

Hakon and Cafri do the same while Gendall pulls out his sword. The man is relatively tall and extends his arms lighting the torches and illuminating the room. It is none other than General Eyre. His golden-brown skin shines in the light and this time he has a bit of a beard. Hakon: "General?!"

Eyre: "Why are you surprised? I needed somewhere to stay out of the reach of my new enemies. Unlike the remnant leaders, I knew better than to stay in the Fire Nation."

Alev: "In order to fight against your enemies, you must be close enough to them to strike a blow."

Eyre chuckles, "Strike a blow? I'm done with this pointless fighting." Eyre rarely laughs, this shows a great change in his character.

Gendall: "Wait, you don't want to fight anymore?"

Eyre responds, "No, I fought in the past for the honor of my nation. I fought for the image and reputation we had. Zuko has slashed that image and made a new one. A new nation that I don't represent. So I'm done because fighting in the shadows like a terrorist or barbarian is not my style."

Alev counters, "Well you're living like a barbarian right now. Living in a cave!"

Eyre: "This is not my home, it is my hide out and work room. I have a cabin not so far from here."

Alev: "Wow real impressive Eyre, living in a wooden home when you once had a mansion in the Capital!"

Eyre: "It will take more than that to convince me girl."

Alev: "Why? You had all the wealth of the Fire Nation and you're going to give it up?"

Eyre: "I had it for decades, it honestly got old to me. I'm not saying I don't miss it but it isn't my everything."

Ronin: "You care about your reputation but that also is in shambles. Zuko's nation and remnant alike hold you a coward."

Eyre: "And you think getting myself killed will change that? They have more resources, more leaders, the Avatar willing to assist if needed, and so much more. This isn't our type of fight."

Hakon: "We will fight whatever fight is necessary to achieve victory."

Eyre: "Victory is far from you."

Ronin: "If you won't do it for any strategic reason, do it for revenge!"

Eyre: "Revenge? I'm not Ozai or Admiral Zhao, that has never been one of my motives."

Ronin: "It doesn't matter! Eyre you have always lived for your honor, reputation, and family legacy. The people who get remembered are those to fight. Unless you'd rather write, read, paint, sit, and sleep in your cabin and cave! With a legacy that will be forgotten. Here stands Eyre, a man who was a general for a powerful Fire Nation. But you were not a Firelord, that alone will not make you remembered to the next generation."

Ronin continues, "You were competent, fair enough. But when Ozai fell, you fled and hid into obscurity. Perhaps that's the reason Zuko's administration hasn't caught you yet. Not because they can't find you but because you are no longer worth a serious chase. There are too many greater threats out and about. As a former General, I know combat wasn't your number one value, but you liked being involved and important. I know this bores you and it has only been three years; imagine the next ten. Imagine this for the rest of your days."

Hakon looks at Ronin astonished by Ronin's charisma filled speech. Eyre: "My son has made his choice to serve this new government just as Zuko has. And now if Azula also has, that is not my problem. I care for NEITHER of your sides."

Alev ignites a light orange dagger of fire in her right hand, "Would you then prefer to die, you old fool?!"

An unfazed Eyre glances at her, "Put your weapon down, that will not influence me one way or the other."

Hakon extends his hand as he cautions Alev, "Not now."

Alev evaporates her dagger and it goes up in steam, "Fine, but I'll go right back to these tactics if he wastes MY TIME."

Eyre replies, "Who do you think you're scaring? I worked directly under OZAI!"

Alev: "Oh yes, the one who was humbled by a twelve-year-old and you wonder why you're a joke. If you think I'm wrong prove it and help us punch a hole through the Fire Nation."

Eyre: "Zerrel has already done that, nothing we do will truly seem that special when you think of it that way. You want some mindless path of revenge and destruction when one tyrant has already shaken all the nations."

Ronin: "Forget about Zerrel, he's dead. The fact he made an impact only means our attack will hurt that much more when we strike. And you have a chance to confront your son. We all have a chance to make a legendary stand that will make us remembered forever and show the power of motivated Fire Nation individuals. We also heard of your spiritual knowledge, you may help us have a chance to actually topple the current Fire Nation government and build another lasting empire."

Eyre shakes his head, "After Aang defeated Ozai, the potential we had of an everlasting empire has been squandered. Our structure was forever hampered, high ranking officials were imprisoned. Many mentally will never be the same after this. The Avatar himself destroyed one of our largest fleets during the Siege of the North and another one of our greatest fleets was smashed during the final battle of the war. If we remobilized many of the members now loyal to Zuko and the Avatar would betray and rise against us; a divided nation cannot be a prosperous empire."

Ronin protests, "You're wrong. If Zuko, Azula, and Macai are killed the beacons of this new administration will be stomped out. Assuming we can get a new figure to return to the scene. One who would rally the people with unquestionable loyalty."

Eyre: "The only leader who could rally such a cause is a royal one. Without reaching Zuko or Azula there is no such option."

Hakon comments, "Ozai still lives."

Eyre raises an eyebrow, "Have you been living under a rock?! The Avatar removed his ability to bend." Bending of course, refers to Ozai's ability to control fire. 

Gendall: "But if the ability to bend can be taken away maybe it can be given back." Eyre looks back at Gendall in surprise.

Eyre: "It would take a different set of dark spirits to accomplish such a feat."

Hakon: "Eyre, we know that you have had the access to a lot of classified information while working as a General. Including that of cults and old groups within our nation. Groups that were not reported to the public or standard military officers. Have you seen or learned anything, that might be able to achieve this?"

Eyre ponders, "Yes, possibly. Golenchen, the dark spirit could possibly do it. But if he does, it will create a spiritual imbalance and I'm not sure what would result from it. I learned about the spirits from my job but I'm not a very spiritual man. Taking such a risk, would not be worth it."

Alev asks, "What motivates you General?"

Eyre: "I-I don't know anymore. I lost my real motives, now it is just to live. But I will not fight and kill more people in my nation, nor will I give you access to my knowledge. I will kindly ask you to leave."

Alev enters her battle stance, "Not happening!"

Hakon looks at Alev, "Are we doing this?!"

Alev shouts, "I'm doing this, with our without you!"

Eyre enters his battle stance and ignites his fists, "Very well." Gendall gulps and draws his blade.

Alev comments, "If you didn't want to be involved you should have dumped out or destroyed the traditional Fire Nation spiritual relics you kept. The fact that you are still harboring on to all aspects of our culture including the ones our empire once treasured shows me mixed motives. But as long as they are here, they will be ours for the taking."

Hakon shakes his head thinking Alev might give Eyre an incentive to destroy them. Eyre comments, "You're right, maybe things must change!"

Alev shouts, "No!" She immediately pumps two rods of light orange and yellow flames at him and Eyre rolls left. Several Fire Nation relics are blown to bits. Alev hisses, "UGH! You'll pay dearly for that with your life!" Cafri enters his battle stance but is reluctant to join the fight, he takes a few steps back as the others react.

Hakon thinks, This is such a mess.

Alev leaps forward and punches two swirling balls of fire at the old general. Eyre extends his arms as he raises a wall of flames that blocks the shots. Gendall charges at Eyre, "Awwwwwaahaaaa!" Eyre nonchalantly flicks a flame into the trooper's shoulder. Gendall falls over, "Oh!"

Ronin leaps ahead and punches three rapid flames at Eyre. The General rolls left dodging the first two flames then raises his right hand and enhances it with a fire gauntlet as he blocks the third flame. Eyre rotates his arms and shoots a stream of orange and yellow fire at Ronin. Ronin uses an enhanced fire jump to land several feet forward and right of the attack.

Eyre looks at Hakon and hurls a brick of fire at him. Hakon ducks, "Yep, I'm in this now!"

Alev lunges left of Eyre's position and howls, "Arrrraaahaaaa!!" Alev pounds a wave of flames at the veteran. Eyre crosses his arms and absorbs the shot but is knocked several feet back and hits a stone object with writings on it that is still intact. A loud crack is heard as Eyre hits his back.

Alev prepares to press Eyre from his left, Hakon looks at Eyre from ahead, and Ronin is ready to attack him from his right flank. Ronin: "It's over General stand down!"

Eyre rises and the three firebenders quickly fire at him. Eyre raises a wall of orange and yellow fire that is immediately smacked by Alev's bright orange and yellow flames, Hakon's red and white fire, and Ronin's orange and yellow (normal) fire. Eyre struggles to hold the flames back and his wall begins to cave in as the object starts vibrating.

The Remnant warriors stop attacking. Alev: "What's going on?!"

Eyre: "Oh no, our fighting must have activated one of the objects!"

Hakon sighs, "Oh great, the things I do for the Remnant."

A loud voice shouts, "Hold up there!"

Ronin looks at Hakon, "That sounds like an old man."

Eyre turns and prepares to shoot a beam of fire at the object. Eyre: "I've had enough of this." The deceased Firelord Sozin leaps in front of the object. Cafri leaps behind cover while the interaction takes place.

Sozin: "Stop!"

Eyre gaps, "Sozin."

Sozin: "Eyre, you must complete your mission soldier and take the fight to the enemy." Sozin touches Eyre's head and his eyes briefly glow orange.

Alev briefly winces. Sozin turns and looks at them, "Hello my friends. Do not be alarmed. Your moment of victory is at hand."

Ronin kneels before him. Hakon: "Ronin, what are you doing?"

Ronin (to Sozin), "Your highness, you need your assistance. I am seeking to make the Fire Nation Capital rain with the blood of those who betrayed our nation. My old friend and mentor Macai betrayed our nation. As did your descendants Zuko and Azula."

Sozin hisses, "I hate Zuko." Everyone looks in shock. Sozin: "I would have given him a chance to redeem himself and serve my nation but he was always different than us. He is the partial seed of Roku, he has Avatar blood in him. His blood is therefore tainted and he lacks the malice to do what is needed for our people to thrive."

Alev: "Then what must be done, sir?"

Sozin: "Eyre was misguided, but I have helped him see. He will gather the remnant of his unit and prepare a force when the time is right. Then you shall lead a glorious assault on the Fire Nation Capital."

Hakon asks, "And what will you do?"

Sozin: "I cannot fight anymore, my time is past. But if you BRING Ozai back here, I will make sure he is back in power. Now go, you are all dismissed!" Sozin disappears.

Alev looks back at Eyre, "So are you going to assist us?"

Eyre responds, "I will gather my men, let them know that a second chance is coming for glory. Then I will march down to the Fire Nation and share my discontent with all the power they have robbed me of." When Sozin's spirit touched him, Eyre was corrupted and his hidden longings for power took over.

Although whether or not it was truly Sozin's spirit is questionable. The spirit Golenchen is known for taking the form of past leaders, feeding off their passions, lusts, self-ambitions, and other evil nature then capturing and replicating their mannerisms. Such is the price of dabbling in the dark.

Ronin runs to the wounded Gendall, "Are you alright?"

Gendall nods slowly, "Yes I'll just need this burn patched up then I'll be right back on the field sir."

Cafri slowly emerges from cover and Ronin notices him. Ronin: "Were you spooked?"

Cafri: "Ugh, definitely. Don't pretend you weren't."

Ronin: "Without a doubt, my whole life flashed before my eyes. But moments like that make us. I still saw and took my opportunity, even in fear. That's what true courage is, taking a risk when you are vulnerable."

Cafri: "I see, I wasn't expecting to be hit with all this random wisdom."

Hakon looks at Cafri, "Enough chatter you two, let's link up with the others and get out of here. We have a lot of work to do."

Cafri asks, "So what is our next move? Will we immediately rescue Ozai?"

Hakon: "Not just yet, Eyre is still gathering his men. It would be best if we wait for that moment because the entire Fire Nation administration will be on our tail when that moment comes. I suggest we study our enemy to decide when the best opportunity will be. However, my plan is to make a statement before our big rescue to get their attention."

A MOVE TOWARD PEACE

Elsewhere, in the Fire Nation Capital, two guards stand in front of the Fire Nation palace. The door is opened. Firelord Zuko emerges with his trusted advisor General Mak at his right and Avatar Aang at his left. Zuko has elaborate Fire Nation armor with an extravagant cape behind it. Aang has simple orange robes.

It has been some time since Aang first meet Zuko. The Avatar is now sixteen years old and Zuko is twenty. Zuko: "Definitely, I look forward to seeing you at our next celebration."

Aang: "We'll have to also get Katara, Sokka, and Toph over when that happens."

Zuko: "How has Katara been?"

Aang: "She's been good, just tired with all the diplomatic relations."

Zuko: "How do you honestly feel with that new part of the job? It is so different than how you started."

Aang: "Oh Zuko you know me, I'm all about peace and harmony. I much rather do this than fight, but I will fight when I have to. Just because I'm good at it doesn't mean I want to do it all the time."

Zuko: "One day let's have a sparring session, every now and then I relish a good fight. Even if I lose."

Aang teases, "I'll try to go easy on you."

Zuko: "Careful now and I'm learned new tricks every day. But um, remind me about the event that's coming up."

Aang: "I'm attending an Earth and Water Collaboration Conference. I'll be meeting with King Kuei, Northern Water Tribe Chieftain Arnook, Hakoda from the Southern Water Tribe, some emerging business leaders from the Northern Water Tribe, some representatives from the Eastern Water Tribe, and business leaders from the Earth Kingdom."

Zuko: "Why not just include all the nations?"

Aang explains, "Because sometimes the Earth Kingdom needs to specifically negotiate the specific things they can work on with the Water Tribes. Especially regarding territories with mixed Water Tribe and Earth Kingdom history. But it won't be as big as when the Earth Kingdom worked with the Fire Nation." Aang is alluding to how the Fire Nation needed to assistant the Earth Kingdom regarding reparations and cede land back to the country.

Zuko pauses, "I'm honestly still adjusting to this world. Aang you know I'm not patient like you. I'm not into all the little details that matter in politics. These people squabble over little things. I grew up rich, but I had to fight for everything I had in my household. I have to attend pointless fashion shows, go through extra pleasantries, and do a lot of stuff that just doesn't matter to me. People's quality of life is on the line but these elites think it's a joke."

Aang: "I know Zuko but just meditate, reflect, and look for guidance on these matters. Guidance from the ones who love you, from your peers, from your uncle, and remember this is not a fight you can win on your own. We all are constantly learning how to get better and be examples for others. You will learn to be patient like me, you must just be willing. Do not always look at the negative side of things, always think of the positive."

Zuko briefly bows in respect, "I am amazed by your wisdom, my friend."

Aang: "See, you're already improving. You'll be a pro in no time. Possibly even better than me."

Zuko rises, "No way, that's impossible!"

Aang: "You'll see Zuzu."

Zuko grunts, "Don't call me THAT!"

Aang: "Looks like you need to still work on self-control." Zuko sighs. Aang pulls out his glider, "Don't worry you'll get there some day." The Avatar launches himself in the air with a gust of wind then flies away.

Zuko looks up in the air at Aang as the sun shines brightly, "I love that kid."

General Mak nods, "Me too."