Avatar: Macai's Journey

Chapter 60: The Greatest Statement

As the 31st investigates a suspicious company that has been suspected of aiding the DOJ; several members in the Disciples of Justice gather less than a day's trip outside of the Fire Nation capital in a hidden camp at night. Karanga arrives in her dark uniform, Beruto emerges beside her, and several other troopers with dark grey armor and orange stripes stand around them. The team waits near a campfire.

Beruto: "While Voren, Haresh, and Tufen have prepared their distraction; our main team will move in and sack the Fire Nation Capital. Everything is in order for a swift sustained attack. Our spies have monitored Fire Nation movement and will make sure there is a hole in their defenses when we strike. It will take them some time before they can hit us in full force."

Karanga asks, "Is the distraction ready?" Beruto shakes his head.

A shadowy yet tall figure responds from the distance, "Excellent, our moment of triumph is at hand. We will make a great example out of them which will trigger a chain of events that will end will the collapse of the current system." The man has a wise yet intimidating voice.

Breakdown

It is a sunny day and several people of all ages travel throughout the bustling Fire Nation capital. Troopers wait outside and several stand on rooftops for the usual security. A man writes a portrait of a woman and another man plays the trumpet in hope of coin. An old lady sips a cup of tea as she sits at her front porch. Several people suddenly kneel in respect as the Firelord and his escort travel back to his palace after a long meeting.

A fatigued Zuko salutes the people as he walks with four Fire Nation troopers. General Mak strolls alongside Zuko while the Kyoshi warriors Suki and Ty Lee follow behind them. Suki holds her deadly battle fans and Ty Lee waves at citizens as they follow Zuko to his palace. Two guards stand at the palace and salute Zuko as he heads toward the front door.

Zuko salutes the guards back and the team enters their palace. Zuko scowls, "These people really are stressing me out. They make the most mundane negotiations feel like a complex math assignment and I always hated math." The team walks through the eloquent palace halls.

Mak nods, "You know Macai didn't particularly like math either, can you believe that?"

Zuko: "I would have thought he'd be a wiz at that since he's a master at nearly everything else. Azula was a math machine."

Mak: "No surprise there. I'm ok with math. But anyway, I think things went well. The Water Tribe just needs to ease into trusting us more. We will just have to take several more small steps like this."

Zuko: "And if we mess up, everything we worked for will be derailed."

Mak replies, "That's why we have to be on it."

Zuko: "Well, maintaining long-term peace is of the utmost priority. I will not stop until we get there."

Mak: "We will Zuko, but you must not let it stress you out. In a job like this, tensions are bound to come and go. The best thing you can do is be patient and wise like your uncle. Otherwise, you will not survive this job and not because of assassins but because sometimes stress kills faster than a knife."

Zuko stares at Mak, "Such wisdom, looks like everyone is more like Iroh than me. I've got to work on making memorable quotes."

Mak shrugs his shoulders, "Thanks, it comes naturally for me."

Zuko growls, "Go ahead and rub it in."

Ty Lee shouts across the hallway, "This hallway is so beautiful but I can make it look better! You should let me help renovate it."