Chapter 2: Assassination

Today there seemed to be an air of celebration throughout the whole palace. Magnus saw that his maids all looked very happy today with wide grins plastered on their faces as they kept giggling to each other.

The senior maids had to reprimand them numerous times during the day, but he could see there was an air of liveliness in them as well. His wet nurse babbled all day long in excitement, and fed him more than necessary as if he would be busy all day long with other stuff.

The guards through the palace also seem to be a very lively bunch today, instead of the usual steely visage he always saw, smiles occasionally appeared on their faces. The servants that ran about through the hallways of the palace looked to be in very good spirits as they tried to finish their tasks as quickly as possible.

His mother, when she came around to visit him, had a big smile on her face. "Is my baby ready for his big day?" she asked while tickling him and pinching his cheeks lightly.

Even his father, who you would never expect to be anything but stony cold, was very chipper today when he came by for one of his very rare visits. In a stern voice that really wouldn't have worked for a newborn, he said, "Be prepared today. This is a very special occasion."

Waking up from one of his numerous naps in the afternoon. Magnus sighed. He really couldn't do anything about it. Babies were just too hardwired to nap all day long, wasting away the hours.

Maybe, he thought, it was just a way to keep the encroaching madness away, because being stuck in a crib wrapped inside a bunch of fur really wasn't a way to spend the whole day.

Looking around, he saw that his maids had a very expensive and lavish piece of clothing laid out for him in the typical blue, purple, and white colors that his people loved so much. He also saw some gaudy tribal decorations that it seemed like he would have to swear.

He wondered for the hundredth time that day, what was going on? From his observations, everyone was looking forward to something big and exciting, and it was all centered around him.

Allowing his clothing to be put on, since there really wasn't any way he could resist it, he also had a headset put on for him, and some trinkets and baubles. Finally, after long hours of being fussed over by countless maids, he was finally prepared to head out.

At that, his mother walked inside his room alongside his father who was flanked by his usual compliments of guards.

"O, look at my baby boy!" His mother said excitedly when she took him from one of the maids and stared down at him in his ridiculous outfit.

Scowling up at her, his eyes said it all. He really felt like hiding his head in shame.

"It looks like someone doesn’t like his clothes," his father chuckled.

"It's only for the day," his mother reassured him. "You have a lot of important people to meet today."

Heading out, they walked through the palace hallways where Royal guards stood at attention at their posts. They saluted respectfully and banged their spears against the floor as they passed by.

Picking up a loud sound from far away, they headed in that direction as the noise got louder and louder until they came up to a large double door where ten guards were posted. Respectfully opening it for them, they came to a balcony that opened up to the grand city of Agna Qel'a.

Looking down at the many tiers that made up the great water tribe city, Magnus saw hundreds, no make that thousands, tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands of people filling the streets!

They were all packed everywhere; from the streets, to the rooftops, down the alleyways as he could only see a sea of white, blue, and purple. Their small chatters made a cacophony of noise and when he and his family walked out, they all began to point and cheer.

Then two waterbenders step forwards as they bended water out of the two large vases on the balcony of the palace. They begin to make a screen over their heads. Craning his head up, Magnus could see their faces appear on the shimming screen.

After that, a third waterbender came up to his father and bended some water into a log funnel shaped tube, and presented it to him. Clearing his throat, his father began to speak through it. The water contraption amplified his voice until all could hear him from down below.

"Welcome, my citizens." Chief Arnook greeted as he waved his hand magnanimously, followed by his mother who gave a queenly wave to her people.

"Today is a special day," he announced. "The birth of my son, the crown prince of the water tribe, my heir apparent, Magnus Kuruk!"

[A/N: Yea, I decided to make him the descendent of the previous water Avatar. It would give his bloodline more divine right or whatever.]

Going absolutely bonkers once his mother brought him forth, the people began to chant his name.

"Magnus, Magnus, Magnus!!!!"

Magnus really did not know how to feel about this. He never been one that was idolized, he was just a regular person on earth. But now here he was being adored by countless people... his people.

It felt weird, but he couldn't deny he did not love it!

Why wouldn't he?!

Countless souls adored him like he was some super celebrity.

Continuing speaking, his father shouted. "Rejoice now for today is a day of celebration and festivity. Eat, drink, feast, and toast in the name of my son!"

Once again the people went absolutely wild. They were shouting and screaming and even chanting his father's name this time.

"Arnook, Arnook, Arnook!!!"

Giving the people one final wave, the man begin to head back inside with them and the guards right at their heels.

Magnus could still hear all the noise coming from outside as the festivities seem to be on their way.

He thought they were going to call it a night, and head back to their quarters since it really was beneath a royal to party with their common man. You know, keeping up their image of royalty, and acting aloofness, untouchable, and beyond human.

Not taking a left to his quarters, they instead continued down the hallways, up some turns, and before long he was too lost to keep track. The only places Magnus knew so far inside the palace was his room and the terrace outside of it which his mother liked to hang around at.

Coming to two large doors that could allow in a giant or a whole crowd of people, they walked in on a gathering with countless richly dressed people gathered around.

Immediately as they entered a herald announced their arrival. "The Chief and his royal family have arrived!"

Instantly everyone's head swiveled to face them, and once they spotted them, they all bowed deeply. Magnus could tell from everyone's curtsy what sort of position they held in the royal court. Some bowed from only their head, while others from their waists, and got on their knees.

Nodding his head, his father led the way to the center of the room where a throne-like chair was set up, and a smaller one to his right. Taking their seats imperiously, his father gestured with his head, and everyone got up.

Soon the party was back on track as people began to mingle and talk. A few people came up to his father - close advisers and what not, and chatted with him. Some ladies in waiting that belonged to his mother also came to fuss over him and declare how cute he was.

After a while of this, his father nodded to a man standing next to a gong, and he smacked it to get everyone's attention.

"Thank you." His father said as he held up a drink that a servant brought to him.

"First of all I want to thank you all for arriving today and heeding my calls. It brings me great joy to see all of our most esteemed subjects gathered here; from our Great Tribes to our Noble Families.”

“Our hopes and dreams have been finally answered. My heir, Magnus Kuruk, has been born!"

A cheer went up at that announcement, much tamer than the wild exuberance of the common folk had shown.

Plus even though Magnus was born a couple of weeks ago, he guessed his parents wanted to hold the news back after his complicated delivery. Now that he was doing alright, and seemed to be a bright enough child with no more complications. It was time to herald his birth, he guessed.

"My son isn't any child," his father continued. "He is one blessed by the Ocean Spirit himself!" he shouted.

Loud gasps echoed throughout the great hall, as whispers went up, and people began to discuss this new development in low tones.

"Yes," his father said proudly. "He will be a great prince, and an even better CHIEF!"

This time the cheer that went up was much more lively. Magnus never knew what sort of position that spirits held to these folk, but the Ocean and Moon spirit were held in great reverence. And to be blessed by them, it was like he was a holy child that promised a bright future ahead.

"Now, let the gift ceremony begin," his father announced as he sat back on his throne like chair made of animal bones.

One by one people begin to come before them, bowing and offering different gifts. They were all presented to him and then set aside for now, most of them were just baby toys and held no interest to him, but he got a good look into his father's personal court.

The herald right next to them kept on announcing everyone and he could just tell from how gaudy their titles were which position they held.

"Introducing the Great General Zoanok. Hero of the Battle of Mists. Defender of the Frozen Wastes. Champion of the people, and leader of the Great Water Tribe Army!"

Craning his head to look at the large stoic man that stepped up before them, Magnus was quite interested in him. From his numerous titles he was someone of importance, and most importantly the leader of the whole Water Tribe Army.

As the man came up to his father, he showed one of his rare smiles, as he got up from his throne, and greeted the man. "Zoanok, my friend, it is so good to see you!"

"My chief," the man said with a nod of his head, his face expressionless. "I came here bearing gifts for the young prince."

"It's too kind of you," his father said with a nod of his head, and he waved at the servants bearing gifts to come forward.

"The first gift I bring to you," the man announced as a servant ran up with a cage. "Is this Wolfshark pup," he stated as he pulled out a young pup. Just like its name it was a mix of a wolf and shark, it had the head of a wolf with the sharp teeth of a shark. With shark fins running along its spin, and jutting out of its leg. It had the tail fin of a shark as well, but the body of a wolf with 2 pairs of legs and sharp gleaming eyes of one too.

Magnus totally forgot about the hybridization of all the creatures in this world. Gazing at the cute little beasts before him reminded him of the weird life forms here.

"Is it safe?" his mother asked in concern.

Magnus so wanted to scream at her, but all he really was good for was baby gurgles, and they were just undignified. Once his eyes met the little pup, Magnus didn’t want to part from it forever, no matter how vicious it would grow up to be.

"Don't worry, your majesty," the man said. "At such a young age, they would imprint themselves on the closest person."

"How did you find one?" his father asked in pure wonder. "Aren't they very rare and difficult to find."

"I found it from a dead she-wolfshark," the man answered simply.

"Well it is a fine gift," his father said with a nod of his head.

"I have one more," the man said as something long and wrapped up in a piece of cloth was brought to him. Unwrapping the gift, a black spear that seem to suck up all the light was presented before them, "This is a spear I collected off the corpse of a Fire Nation Admiral, a worthy gift for the prince."

"Wonderful, wonderful," his father said with a nod of his head.

Magnus couldn't help it as he let out a squeal of delight when he saw the gift. It... it was just so amazing.

"It seems like baby likes it, huh?" his mother smiled softly at him.

"He will be a great warrior and a powerful bender," his father remarked.

"Thank you Great General Zoanok," his father stated.

Nodding his head, the man stepped back and more courtier came forward with countless gifts. Soon they began to pill up on the side and most had to be hauled away since they were almost taking up the whole room.

Then a very familiar face stepped forward, Master Pakku. He was much younger than he was in the animated tv show as his hair was only greying in part, and he hadn't begun to bald yet.

"Master Pakku," his father nodded his head to the man.

"My Chief," the man said with a bow, signaling with his hand a servant brought a box. "I have brought many rare waterbending scrolls for the young prince."

"We thank you," his father said with a nod.

After that, Magnus saw no more familiar faces, but he noted a few people of great significance. Finally, it was time for the feast, many dishes were brought out, and the drink began to flow freely, none of course was for him, but he still enjoyed the atmosphere.

A few more cheers, and congratulations were given in his name, but other than that he saw that this was a time for people to make alliances with his father, get raises and demotion, agreements and pacts, and all the good stuff you would want from a monarch.

Yawning, Magnus felt like his baby nap time was approaching, his mother seemed to sense that as she smiled down at him. "Is baby tired?"

Looking up at her with lidded eyes, Magnus knew there was nothing he could do about his body functions. Waving over a maid, she handed him off to her, and whispered some instructions to her.

With that, he was carried off, and soon the celebration in his honor was right behind him.

Being changed into some less formal clothing once he arrived in his room, Magnus had his diaper changed which was still of great shame to him. Then he was breastfed by one of his more comely wetnurses that he didn't mind one bit drinking from her breasts. After that he was put to bed, and soon he was out like a light bulb.

***

Deep within the night, with the howling wind and bright moon as the only companion. Magnus laid peacefully in his crib. Only an old granny who was one of his maids stood guard over him in his room, she sat in her chair with her head bobbing in and out as she fell into sleep.

The guards at his door stood drunken at their post thanks to all the celebration going on tonight.

Silently some one cloaked in close fitting dark clothes sunk inside from his open shuttered window. Their eyes glanced about the place making sure nothing was out of place, then he silently made his way over to the old nurse.

Pulling out a dagger, the cloaked man inched forward with silent padded feet. Once he was upon the old woman, he timed his struck with the slow rise of her chest and left a bloody smile across her neck.

A low gurgle echoed mutely across the room, and none of the guards outside noticed anything.

Waking up groggily, Magnus did not know why he had awakened most likely to get a change of diaper or to be fed he thought.

However he came to a pause as he noticed a shadowed figure from the corner of his eyes.

Looking around in confusion, Magnus spotted old Nanny on her rocking chair, if you looked at her from there she looked like she was just peacefully sleeping, however with the moonlight drifting in he could see the ghastly sash across her throat.

Heart pounding in his chest, Magnus watched as the figure came up to him. He remained absolutely silent, deep down he knew if he tried to call out to the guards outside the assassin would just slash his throat like he did Old Nanny and be on his way.

However he could stop the fear from spreading all across him, as he could feel the blood pumping in his ear and the sweat rolling down his face.

Staring face to face, he could see those familiar blue eyes staring back at him, eyes that belonged to one people, the Water Nation. He wondered what the hell a Water Nation assassin was doing here. He would have figured a Fire Nation assassin would come after him, but one of his own people.

Tilting his head to the side, the man peered at him as he brought his blood stained dagger out.

Magnus just couldn't believe it, he was just reborn a few weeks ago and now here he was about to die before he even hit his first year in this new world. He couldn't help but find it unfair. What did he do to deserve this? What sort of vicious god did he anger to get this kind of fate?

Anger slowly bubbled up to the surface and he railed against the injustice of it all. He could do nothing as the man pulled back his blade for the strike, and whisper to him. "The Blood Clan sends their regards."

Then the blade came plunging towards him. Magnus held out his little stubby baby hands, somehow trying to prevent it and he was startled out of his frustration and anger as pitch black water droplets started to coalesce in mid-air.

The man was also just as surprised as he reacted too slowly when the black water transformed into a sharp edged blade and flew at him. Magnus watched as it tore into the assassin's neck and sent blood spraying into the air as some even landed on his face and cheeks.

The man silently fell to the ground, as his blood pooled on the ground.

Suddenly Magnus felt so very tired, as if that manifestation of bending took everything out of him.

Slowly he closed his eyes, and fell back to sleep without alerting the guards of anything.

It was only during the next morning as a maid came in to change him and clean up his room, that last night's escapade became known. The poor woman’s scream was heard throughout the whole palace.

Magnus on the other hand, just slept through all the wild mayhem that went on while two dead bodies laid inside of his room.