Avatar: The Book Of The Phoenix

Ba Sing Se

The imposing gates of Ba Sing Se creaked open, revealing a procession of Fire Nation warriors astride their fearsome Komodo Rhinos. At the forefront, Khan Rokkun, his own rhino adorned with intricate war paint, led the way. Chained to his mount was another rhino, upon which the captive General Fong sat stiffly, his battered face a mask of grim defiance, bruises purpling under the harsh sunlight.

The city guards activated their earthbending with a mighty heave, the massive gates swinging wide to reveal the bustling metropolis beyond. Dust swirled as the procession entered, the eyes of the Earth Kingdom citizens following them with a mixture of fear and apprehension.

Azula rode alongside Rokkun, her golden eyes sweeping over the terrified faces lining the streets. "Look at them tremble," she hissed, a cruel smile playing on her lips. "These Earth dogs haven't seen true power in a long time."

Rokkun glanced at her, his copper hair whipping in the breeze, his muscular frame steady on his mount. He remained silent, though her words grated slightly—his conquests were for glory, not mere cruelty. But he knew better than to challenge Azula when her fire burned hot.

The procession finally reached the grand palace, its walls soaring toward the heavens. They dismounted, Rokkun leading Fong up the imposing steps like a leashed beast, the general's chains clinking with each forced step.

Inside, the opulent hall was a sight to behold. King Xuo, resplendent in his emerald robes, sat upon his throne, Queen Kili by his side. A lavish feast, a testament to the Earth Kingdom's wealth, awaited them—steaming dumplings, fragrant rice, and spiced meats arrayed on golden platters.

"Welcome, Khan Rokkun, and your esteemed guests," King Xuo boomed, his voice echoing through the hall. "We are honored by your presence in Ba Sing Se." Though his words were polite, the tension in the air was thick, like the prelude to a storm.

Seeing Azula, King Xuo couldn't resist a sarcastic remark. "Ah, Princess Azula. It seems the Nomads have brought a dragon with them."

Rokkun, struggling to define Azula's exact relationship to him, replied with a cocky grin. "Well, your Majesty, she's more than a dragon—she's the fire that lights our way. But perhaps our... companions should get better acquainted while we talk business, huh?"

King Xuo, intrigued, raised an eyebrow. "Very well, Khan Rokkun. You may sit at my table."

Before they could be seated, Azula pulled Rokkun aside, her grip tight on his arm.

"I will not sit near that Earth Queen," she declared, her voice low and menacing, her eyes flashing with possessive fire.

Rokkun sighed, but his grin widened, his charm kicking in as he leaned close. "Come on, Princess, play nice for once. We need this truce—for now. But if she steps out of line, I'll back you up. Deal?" He gently kissed her cheek, his touch lingering with a hint of heat.

Azula blushed, a rare crack in her armor, her vulnerability peeking through as the gesture stirred unfamiliar warmth—and fear of losing control. She quickly composed herself, turning to face the Earth Queen with an icy glare.

She took her seat, her gaze sweeping over the assembled dignitaries with a mixture of disdain and amusement.

The feast commenced. King Xuo and Queen Kili ate quietly with their chopsticks, while Xuo's advisors exchanged hushed whispers. The Fire Nomads, unaccustomed to Earth Kingdom etiquette, devoured the noodles, dumplings, and rice with gusto, their hands replacing utensils, juices dripping down chins amid grunts of approval.

Queen Kili, intrigued by the enigmatic Khan, leaned forward. "Khan Rokkun," she purred, her voice laced with a dangerous charm, "how did you and... that fiery young woman meet?"

Rokkun chuckled, a rich, charismatic sound, taking a large gulp of tea. "Azula? Well, your Highness, Zuko and I go way back—palace brats causing trouble. Always had a soft spot for her fire. Fate threw us together again in Bin-er. Bumped into her—literally. Unexpected, but man if it wasn't meant to be." He shot a wink at Azula, his tone light but edged with possession.

Kili's eyes widened. "Bin-er? In the city?" she asked, her voice dripping with suggestive innuendo. "How... intriguing."

Azula, observing the exchange with growing unease, felt a surge of jealousy twist in her gut like a knife. Kili's flirtatious tone and the underlying current of promiscuity made her skin crawl, exposing a raw nerve—her fear of being replaced, of not being enough. Despite Kili's age, she still appeared young and beautiful, a threat Azula couldn't ignore.

"While our relationship is... unconventional," Azula interjected, her voice icy and laced with venom, "Khan Rokkun is my partner. My closest companion." She glared at Kili, then, with a swift movement, kicked Rokkun sharply under the table, her vulnerability masked by aggression.

Rokkun, startled, nearly choked on his tea, a brief wince crossing his face as pain shot up his leg. He shot Azula a warning look, but his grin returned quickly. "Easy there, Princess. We're all friends here... for now."

Across the table, Taijuk, ever the boisterous one, suddenly let out a booming laugh. "Did you hear the one about the Air Nomad who tried to bend a cloud?"

Oghuz, mid-sip of tea, choked, spraying the beverage across the table. The other Nomads roared with laughter, oblivious to the growing unease among the Earth Kingdom dignitaries, their crude jests echoing off the walls.

King Xuo, watching the spectacle unfold, felt a shiver down his spine. This was not the diplomatic visit he had anticipated.
The air in the hall, thick with the scent of unfamiliar spices and the lingering tension, was broken by King Xuo's voice.

"Khan Rokkun," he began, his voice steady despite the rising anger within him, "was the silver reward... satisfactory?"

Rokkun, mid-chew of a particularly large noodle, nodded vaguely. "Enough to keep us happy—for a spell."

King Xuo pressed on, "I trust this will be enough to secure General Fong's release?"

Rokkun, finally swallowing, nodded again, his grin sharpening. "Naturally. But for real peace? We'll need a bigger bite."

King Xuo felt a surge of irritation. "What more do you desire? You have my silver!" he exclaimed. "What else do you require to cease your endless carnage on my kingdom?"

Rokkun leaned back, a confident smirk playing on his lips. "I desire to hold onto the territory around my stronghold in the southwest. Call it a staging ground for our... future endeavors." He gestured vaguely toward the west, a chilling implication hanging in the air, his tone casual but laced with menace.

Xuo's advisors whispered among themselves, their faces etched with concern. King Xuo, after a moment of tense silence, spoke again.

"Very well, Khan Rokkun," he conceded, his voice tight. "You may retain that territory... but only if you pledge to end your 'activities' within my kingdom. No more raids, no more attacks. As of today, your pillaging of my kingdom ends. True peace."

King Xuo stood, his voice heavy but steady. " I will cede all conquered southern lands to the Nomads, in exchange for peace and an end to all raids on Earth Kingdom territory."

Rokkun, sensing victory, raised a cup of tea. "A good choice...to peace," he drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm, his eyes gleaming with unspoken plans.

Reluctantly, everyone else raised their goblets.

With a flourish, the Nomads unchained General Fong, who returned to his people with a look of weary relief, his chains leaving red welts on his wrists. Then, with a final, unsettlingly casual wave, they turned and left the hall, their laughter echoing through the stunned silence.

King Xuo watched them go, his gaze hardening. He knew this "peace" was a fragile truce at best. The Fire Nomads, it seemed, had other ambitions for the Earth Kingdom, ambitions that would not be easily extinguished.