The Shadow Ruler

Late morning light spilled into the open square outside the palace in Ba Sing Se. Fire Nation guards moved through the streets, urging citizens toward the gathering. Their voices rang out, insistent and loud, making it clear that attendance was not optional. Slowly, residents of the city—rich, poor, curious, and wary—assembled before a large wooden platform erected at the edge of the palace grounds.Atop the platform stood Joo Dee, wearing a carefully arranged smile and crisp robes. Beside her waited Long Feng, expression grave yet composed, flanked by Fire Nation guards in gleaming armor. Crates lined the back of the platform, each bearing the symbols of both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom—an odd sight in the occupied city. Off to one side, nearly invisible among the bustle, Kaiya hovered quietly with a tray of drinks, her head bowed, her presence deliberately insignificant."Citizens of Ba Sing Se," Joo Dee began, her tone even but deliberate, "today is important day. You learn truths. Truths hidden long time. Earth King—he not tell you. He keep walls around more than city. He keep walls around your minds."Beside her, Long Feng stood with an air of quiet authority, flanked by Fire Nation guards in gleaming armor. Behind them, crates lined the back of the platform, each bearing the symbols of both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. Off to one side, nearly invisible among the bustle, Kaiya hovered quietly with a tray of drinks, her head bowed, her presence deliberately insignificant.Joo Dee gestured toward Long Feng. "Now, Grand Secretariat Long Feng speak. He bring wisdom. He bring truth.""I am Long Feng, once the Grand Secretariat and head of the Dai Li. Many of you know my name. Some of you remember that I was raised in the lower ring, that I climbed through hardship to serve this city. I stand before you now to reveal a grievous deception."He paused, letting the silence weigh upon them."Your former king, Earth King Kuei, was corrupt. He hoarded wealth and kept you ignorant of the great war beyond these walls. While the Fire Nation and other lands clashed, your king chose to pretend that Ba Sing Se was untouched. He refused to invest resources in the defense of the realm or the welfare of his people. He treated his beloved pet bear, Bosco, with more care than any of you struggling in the lower ring."A restless murmur passed through the crowd. Some looked stricken, others skeptical. Long Feng pressed on, his voice rising."The Fire Nation, contrary to what you may have believed, has liberated Ba Sing Se from this corruption. They have opened your eyes to the truth. Far from seeking your ruin, the Fire Nation offers partnership—an end to war, a future built on stability and order under the guidance of Fire Lord Ozai. He demands no suffering, only peace and cooperation."A hush fell as Long Feng signaled to a line of identically poised women—other Joo Dees—who stood near stacks of supply crates. The aristocratic families present watched with narrowed eyes, while the poor leaned forward, eager to see what these crates might hold."Today, in honor of this new era, the Fire Nation provides aid to the lower ring," Long Feng continued. "These crates contain medicine, clothing, food—essentials that were once withheld from you. With the corrupt rule of Earth King Kuei ended, we share the wealth that Ba Sing Se always had, but you were denied."A ripple of astonishment passed through the crowd. Hope, however cautious, sparked in many eyes. The quiet clatter of crates being opened mingled with hushed whispers. Even the criminals lurking at the edges of the crowd—thieves, pickpockets, and smugglers—lifted their heads as Long Feng spoke again."Furthermore, Fire Lord Ozai, in his mercy, grants a full pardon to all who have committed crimes in the lower ring. You have a clean slate. From this day forward, we begin anew. But know this: with mercy comes expectation. Should anyone choose crime now, after receiving forgiveness and aid, the response will be swift and unyielding. There must be stability, and those who threaten it shall face the consequences."Long Feng's voice lowered, each word measured.

"Let us move together into this new world. Glory to the Fire Nation. Glory to the Earth Kingdom."

A surge of applause broke out, especially among those most desperate for relief. Many cheered, drawn in by the promise of goods and pardon. Others remained uneasy, unsure how to feel about these gifts from an occupying power. But the atmosphere of the crowd shifted—distrust mingled with new hope, cynicism softened by curiosity and hungry need.As Long Feng stepped down, he passed near Kaiya. The girl stood calmly, still holding her tray, her eyes lowered. Briefly, Long Feng's gaze flicked to her, acknowledging the author of the words he had spoken. Kaiya's amber eyes, lifting just a fraction, met his glance with a quiet, inscrutable calm.While the crowd clamored for the supplies, and the Joo Dees handed them out with carefully practiced smiles, Kaiya turned slightly away. She remained as she had been—quiet, unassuming, and very much present—while the city of Ba Sing Se, swayed by a carefully crafted speech, prepared to embrace a future shaped by Fire Lord Ozai's promises.* * *Behind closed doors, in a private chamber lit by a single lantern, Kaiya reclined on a low stool. Her hair, long and dark, fanned out into a large basin of warm water. Joo Dee knelt beside her, sleeves rolled back, carefully washing and combing each strand. The hush of the room made the soft swish of water against hair seem loud.Kaiya was expected to sit quietly, eyes closed, allowing the grooming to proceed without fuss. Instead, her lids remained half-open, a faint glimmer of mischief in their depths. She held one hand above the basin and conjured tiny flames that danced in silent patterns. Shapes flickered—triangles, spirals, perhaps a rough figure that disappeared almost as soon as it formed. Though subtle, these small displays of firebending tugged at Joo Dee's attention."Miss Kaiya," Joo Dee murmured, her voice careful but hesitant. "Please, no fire. Hard for me wash when you move."Kaiya sighed, letting the flame die. "All right, all right," she conceded, shutting her eyes at last. A faint laugh escaped her. "You sound just like my mother did whenever I bent fire at the wrong time. Mothers always know best, or so I'm told."Joo Dee allowed a tiny smile. "Mother always... know what best. Keep child safe. Teach well." Her hands continued their careful combing, and the tension in her shoulders eased now that the girl had settled.A quiet creak interrupted this brief lull. The door opened, and Long Feng stepped inside, shutting it behind him. His presence brought a new tension to the room. Kaiya did not straighten or apologize; instead, she greeted him as if perfectly expecting him at this moment."Right on time," she said coolly, chin tilted slightly, eyes still closed as Joo Dee combed.Long Feng frowned. "Could this not wait until you were finished?" he asked, voice clipped. "I fail to see why we must speak now."Kaiya shrugged, the movement gentle so as not to disturb Joo Dee's careful work. "I'm doing nothing but sitting here, so why not make productive use of the time? It's been weeks since we gave everyone a clean slate in the lower ring. I'm curious how your efforts are faring, Long Feng."He grimaced. "As you know, the initial goodwill worked—to a point. Most were grateful for the supplies and pardon. But a few well-known gangs have continued their old habits, stealing from citizens. I've no proper force to curb this. My Dai Li are gone—taken by Azula—and what remained are guarding the upper ring. The earthbenders who once served are either imprisoned or fled. I have no manpower to control the lower ring."Kaiya's lips curved in a thin, humorless smile. "I don't care to hear complaints. You are more than just a voice, Long Feng. It's time you prove that. I will provide you with a small force—nonbenders. With your knowledge of the lower ring's streets and corners, you will track these criminals, round them up efficiently."Long Feng narrowed his eyes. "And after we seize them, what then? Toss them in prison? Or perhaps you'd like to burn them all, in the style of your master, Fire Lord Ozai?" He said it with a sneer, as though mocking her supposed devotion to cruelty.Kaiya's eyes opened now, drifting lazily to meet his gaze. "You still haven't realized I have my own methods," she said, voice calm. "Lesser criminals can rot in prison. But the more dangerous ones, the ringleaders—" She paused, letting Joo Dee's comb slide through her hair with a soft hiss. "They must be made examples of. Publicly."Long Feng stiffened. "Examples, you say. Be more specific."She exhaled as if bored with the conversation. "Public disposal," she said quietly, "carried out by your Earth Kingdom enforcers. The Fire Nation will have no part in it. Let the people see their own keeping order. Think of it as cutting out a tumor before it spreads."The man's jaw tightened. "You mean to spill blood and keep your own hands clean. Is that it?"A low chuckle left Kaiya's throat. "Precisely."Long Feng's hands curled into fists. His eyes flashed with anger, but he said nothing. Kaiya tilted her head ever so slightly, reminding him with a delicate hint in her voice: "I know about your relatives, Long Feng. Their safety depends on your cooperation. You truly have no choice."Joo Dee's comb faltered for a heartbeat, her eyes darting around nervously. She remained silent, determined not to interfere. Long Feng, feeling the weight of Kaiya's threat, said nothing more. He spun on his heel, pulling the door open, striding away in stony silence.In his absence, the chamber felt smaller, warmer. Kaiya exhaled and rolled her shoulders, letting her head rest back again. "Things will be better now, Joo Dee," she said softly, her tone a curious mix of regret and resolve. "If I had my way, none of this would be necessary. I'd be in my sanctuary, practicing my bending, and there would be no war. Everyone would live in peace. But I'm not naïve. To gain something, we must sometimes give something else up, even if it goes against what we cherish."Joo Dee's voice emerged in a whisper, barely rising above the gentle slosh of water. "I hope we see peace soon, Miss Kaiya. Hope all suffering... end."Kaiya closed her eyes, saying nothing more. The combing resumed, steady and careful, while outside the quiet chamber walls, Ba Sing Se remained as complicated and uneasy as ever.