Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 35: Priority Target

After the crushing defeat during the Siege of the North, Fire Nation forces have pulled out of the Water Tribe territories. Now more forces have committed themselves to the Earth Kingdom. Many Fire Nation forces still benefit from the earlier victories the 31st paved for them. Ozai deemed his son Zuko a failure.

Now, Princess Azula has been tasked with the honor of hunting the Avatar. She has gathered her childhood friends Mai and Ty Lee to assist her on her quest. In a cell within the Descending Wrath (Director Goshal's heavy cruiser), Macai sits with Rosh, Basin, and Dade as they discuss the war. They are sitting in one of their own cells, as two intel troopers wait outside of it.

Rosh scratches his head, "Wait what happened to Zuko?"

Macai replies, "He has been deemed a traitor to the Fire Nation."

Dade asks, "Why?"

Basin confirms, "Because he left with his uncle Iroh who betrayed Admiral Zhao."

Rosh: "But how did Iroh betray him?"

Macai: "My sources informed me that Iroh wanted to stop Zhao from killing the moon spirit. Zhao did it, turning the sky red and disabling the waterbender powers. This attack aided our forces but Iroh feared it would have disastrous spiritual implications. For this reason, he attacked Zhao's squad and forced him to fall back. The Water Tribe Princess Yue sacrificed herself to save the spirit."

Basin: "Then what happened to Zhao?"

Macai: "Zuko pursued Zhao. They had a rivalry, so it makes sense."

Rosh: "I get the feeling if Zuko killed Zhao for the sake of their rivalry alone he would have gotten away with it. But now because of them going against a Fire Nation victory, Zuko is a traitor."

Macai responds, "I don't know all of the details. I believe Zuko continued his hunt for the Avatar after that. But he was weary and injured. He came close to catching the Avatar but was fended off."

Dade asks, "Do you think the Prince can redeem himself?"

Macai: "I think it's possible. I also don't think Zuko will stop looking for the Avatar. He might try to beat Azula to it."

Dade: "Do you honestly believe he can pull that off?"

Macai scratches his head, "Not likely, Azula is more skilled. Zuko also doesn't have a team anymore but Azula has Mai and Ty Lee who are excellent non-benders. On the other hand, Zuko might grow stronger in his determination. My father once told me to never underestimate the man who has nothing to lose."

Rosh nods, "That's a wise saying. We'll just have to wait and see."

Macai grins, "Maybe we'll get a shot at the Avatar and ruin all of their plans."

Basin: "Imagine that, it would be an honor for the 31st."

Macai: "We'd have to break our team up for a fast and swift response. We are set up for smaller battles than Ozai, Zhao, or Eyre's forces. However, our team is used to much bigger fights than what Zuko has been doing and what Azula's team will be trying."

Rosh: "Do you think Azula can handle the Avatar?"

Macai leans against the wall, "I don't know much about the kid. I think she is one of the best people for the job, if not the best person for it. Her strategic brilliance will outweigh anything the boy and his crew can muster. She is a great combatant who can at least rival his skills. I hear he is quite the prodigy but he's still young and inexperienced even compared to Zuko and Azula."

Dade smiles, "We have more experience than them though."

Macai: "That's true, we've fought for an entire year before Zuko even FOUND the Avatar. On the other hand, Zhao should be more experienced and look how that worked for him."