Avatar: the fall of a warrior, the raise of a demon

The grand hall of the Fire Nation Royal Palace glows under the warm light of a thousand lanterns. Ten years. Ten years since the end of the Hundred Year War, and the Fire Nation has never looked so vibrant. Suki scans the room, her Kyoshi Warrior armor gleaming softly amidst the revelry. She stands a few paces behind Fire Lord Zuko, ever ...

The grand hall of the Fire Nation Royal Palace glows under the warm light of a thousand lanterns. Ten years. Ten years since the end of the Hundred Year War, and the Fire Nation has never looked so vibrant. Suki scans the room, her Kyoshi Warrior armor gleaming softly amidst the revelry. She stands a few paces behind Fire Lord Zuko, ever vigilant, her senses sharp despite the joyous atmosphere. The air buzzes with music, laughter, and the clinking of ceremonial glasses. Tonight, however, Suki's attention is divided. Her eyes dart across the room, searching for a familiar, disheveled figure. It doesn’t take long. There, slumped against a pillar near the refreshment table, is Sokka. Again. He's got a goblet of some fruity Fire Nation concoction in his hand, but judging by the way his eyes struggle to focus, it isn't his first. Or his fifth. Suki sighs inwardly. It wouldn’t be a celebration without Sokka finding a way to overindulge. She excuses herself from Zuko's side with a respectful bow, murmuring something about ensuring the perimeter is secure. The Fire Lord nods, his brow furrowed with concern as he glances in Sokka's direction. Zuko trusts Suki implicitly. She has been his shadow, his protector, since he took the throne. Suki weaves through the crowd, her footsteps light and purposeful. As she approaches Sokka, she can hear him muttering to himself, something about "boomerang diplomacy" and "cactus juice." "Sokka," she says, her voice firm but laced with amusement. He looks up, his eyes widening in recognition. A goofy grin spreads across his face. "Suki! My favorite warrior!" He slurs, nearly dropping his goblet. "Careful there," Suki says, steadying the cup. "Wouldn't want to spill that on your Water Tribe attire." "This?" Sokka gestures vaguely at his tunic. "This is... uh... formal wear. Very dignified." He hiccups, then leans in conspiratorially. "You know, Suki, I have a brilliant idea. We should teach Appa to firebend! Imagine—" "Sokka," Suki interrupts gently, "I think you've had enough. Come on, let's get you some water." She tries to steer him away from the refreshment table, but Sokka resists, planting his feet firmly on the ground. "No, wait! I haven't given my speech yet. It's about the importance of meat and... and friendship!" Katara appears at that moment, her expression a mix of exasperation and fond amusement. "Sokka, you promised you'd take it easy tonight." "Katara! Perfect timing!" Sokka exclaims, throwing an arm around his sister's shoulders. "You can be my translator! I have so many important things to say!"

Suki takes Sokka firmly by the arm, attempting to guide him away from the bustling crowd. "Come on, Sokka, let's get you somewhere less crowded," she urges, her voice laced with concern. Sokka, however, stiffens, his eyes flashing with anger. "Oh, don't want to upset the great Fire Lord now, do we?" he sneers, his words slurring slightly....

Suki takes Sokka firmly by the arm, attempting to guide him away from the bustling crowd. "Come on, Sokka, let's get you somewhere less crowded," she urges, her voice laced with concern. Sokka, however, stiffens, his eyes flashing with anger. "Oh, don't want to upset the great Fire Lord now, do we?" he sneers, his words slurring slightly. Katara steps forward, her expression hardening. "That's enough, Sokka," she says sharply. Sokka ignores her, his gaze fixed on Suki. "Please," he says, his voice dripping with resentment. "She spends more time with him than with me anymore. One excuse after another." Suki sighs, her heart sinking. "I'm not doing this, Sokka, not here," she says, her voice low and controlled. "When you sober up, then we can talk." Sokka opens his mouth to retort, but the words never come. His eyes roll back in his head, and he collapses to the floor in a heap. Katara kneels beside him instantly, checking his pulse as he passes out. Suki watches them for a moment, her face etched with worry. Turning away, she walks towards a quieter corner of the hallway. Leaning against the cool stone wall, she closes her eyes and sighs, trying to regain her composure. Just then, a retching sound echoes from behind a potted plant nearby. Suki recognizes the distinct noise immediately. "Mai, are you alright?" she asks, approaching the plant cautiously. A figure emerges, her face pale and drawn. It's Mai, Zuko's wife, her usually stoic demeanor momentarily cracked. Mai nods weakly. "Yeah," she croaks. "Just the kid getting restless again." Suki glances at Mai's small but noticeable baby bump, a gentle smile gracing her lips. "You look great, Mai," she says sincerely. "Motherhood suits you." Mai scoffs, a flicker of her old self returning. "If you ask me, being pregnant sucks," she deadpans. Suki laughs, the sound light and genuine. The two women fall silent for a moment, the festive music from the hall mingling with the unpleasant sounds of Sokka throwing up outside. Mai grimaces. "Drinking again, I presume?" she asks, her tone dry. Suki simply nods, her gaze distant.

Suki sighs deeply, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. "I'm not sure if I can stay with him any longer," she confesses, her voice barely a whisper. "I thinking about divorcing him." Mai places a comforting hand on her shoulder, her expression softening with sympathy. "Sorry to hear that, Suki." She pauses, then contin...

Suki sighs deeply, the weight of her responsibilities pressing down on her. "I'm not sure if I can stay with him any longer," she confesses, her voice barely a whisper. "I thinking about divorcing him." Mai places a comforting hand on her shoulder, her expression softening with sympathy. "Sorry to hear that, Suki." She pauses, then continues, "Listen, I'm headed up to see Iroh upstairs. He says he has some tea that helps with morning sickness." Suki raises an eyebrow, surprised. "I thought you hated tea." Mai wrinkles her nose. "If it stops me from puking again, I'm all for it." She offers a small, weary smile. "Coming?" Suki nods. "Sure." As they turn to leave, Suki spots Ty-Lee across the room. She waves, signaling that she's in command. Ty-Lee, ever cheerful, waves back enthusiastically, her aura practically sparkling. Suki and Mai are about to make their exit when Suki's breath catches in her throat. She sees a figure standing near the entrance, someone from her past she never expected to encounter again. "Biyu," Suki gasps, her voice barely audible. The woman turns, a slow, predatory smile spreading across her face. "Well, well, long time no see... sis," Biyu says, the last word laced with venom. Suki's face hardens. "You're not my sister, not anymore." Biyu shrugs, her smile unwavering. "Still holding grudges, I see." Mai, sensing the tension, steps forward protectively. "Who's your friend, Suki?" she asks, her voice cool and assessing. Suki's eyes remain locked on Biyu. "Biyu was a Kyoshi Warrior," she explains, her voice tight. "Until she betrayed us." Biyu chuckles softly. "Yeah, then we met again on the Boiling Rock. It´s funny how destiny repeats itself. " Suki clenches her fists, her knuckles turning white. "And I trusted you, only for you to betray me again." Biyu's smile widens. "Funny times, indeed."