(an: this is a very simple AU in which the Fire Nation wins the final battles)

(an2: the prologue chapter is short; the others will be longer)

-::-

as the world falls down

-::-

(prologue)

-::-

` Mai did not know what waited for her behind the steel door.

It loomed before her, both foreboding and intriguing. She showed no interest; she showed no emotion. One guard opened it as the other two held her in place, not that she had the energy to struggle. She knew it would not be good but when she stepped inside her blood ran cold.

Mai had the initial instinct to bow, but fought it. She was a traitor now and embraced the title about a year ago when the comet passed and hope died.

Phoenix King Ozai—as he had apparently taken to calling himself now—sat on a plain metal chair like it was a throne, his hands clasped on a table that seemed larger than it was. Even the dank prison could not mute the radiating image of power.

She should have been afraid, but she had nothing to lose and so she was not.

The guards bowed, of course. Mai stood still. Ozai waved his hand but the armored men hesitated. It made his eyes flash and Mai suppressed her laughter.

"I think I can handle a handcuffed, bony little nonbender," he growled and they could not have left the room faster. They shut the door and Mai closed her eyes for a few seconds too long.

"You're my first visitor," Mai said, her voice hoarse from disuse. "To what do I owe the honor?"

She probably should not have been so sarcastic, but she could not help herself.

"I am giving you a choice," Ozai said. If Mai was not listening before, she certainly was now. "It is simple, so don't worry too much. You can stay here permanently, or you can leave with me today."

That was too simple. Mai knew there was a catch… or several.

"Uh…" Mai had a thousand questions in her head but she could not figure out how to voice them.

"I've put some thought into it. I own the world and should be able to take what I want." Ozai waited for something to click in her mind, but it never did. "You clearly would rather die than marry me, as you proved during your very traitorous display last year. But I thought it was worth it to see if you had reconsidered."

Mai blanched.

"What happens if I say no again?" she dared to ask.

"Then you remain here indefinitely, sacrifice a life of luxury and your boyfriend will die a slow and painful death, probably by gradual dismemberment," said Ozai.

One of those things was not like the others, thought Mai, but, as always, she held her tongue.

She should have known it was not a real choice, even if Ozai truly considered it to be. Royalty was like that, even Zuko. They all wanted to pretend that people really wanted to do as they said, even though that was rarely the case.

"When do we leave?" said Mai, as the word yes revolted her too much in this case.

He smirked at her.

Spirits, he was too much like his daughter.

-::-

Mai knew the road to Ba Sing Se—or Phoenix City—would be long. She was locked on a ship at the moment and was almost hoping they would crash and she would drown in this lovely cage.

Fortunately, she had not seen Phoenix King Ozai since they escorted her out of the Boiling Rock. As much as she liked it, she knew it would not last for long.

He walked into her room as if he owned it, which, honestly, he did.

"Zuko is alive?"

"Obviously."

"I'm checking because I'm not an idiot and I won't sacrifice anything to protect someone who doesn't exist," said Mai, hoping Ozai's reaction would not be violent.

It was not; he shrugged, clearly finding it reasonable.

"You can see him once we get to the city," said the Phoenix King. "He's being held there."

"Good." Mai sat down on her bed. She then thought about the bed and thought about what was bound to happen very soon and wondered if any of this was worth that. "Not that I expect much from it; I just need to know if you're telling the truth."

Ozai gave her an odd glance. She could not understand what it meant or where it came from.

"I don't think I'll have to use him against you," Ozai said, which Mai did not understand. "You'll like your new life much better than your old one."

Mai averted her amber eyes.

"Maybe," she said. It would be unwise to argue with him and she knew it; she was no fool, even if she was a traitor.

"Come here," he stated abruptly. Mai rubbed her lips together, contemplating being insubordinate, but she did as she was told.

He kissed her. It was sudden, unlike anything Mai had experienced. Zuko was very tentative and he was the only boy she gave the time of day.

She was about to pull away when he put his hand on the small of her back, pressing her against him. It was confusing and complicated but he did not share that feeling. Why would he?

He kissed her until she could not breathe and then broke for a split second and then kissed her again. She did not intend to fight it until he began to undress her. Mai pushed him away, well, pushed herself away with her hands against his chest.

"I can't do this," said Mai, not thinking about repercussions in her panic.

She did not like the look in his eyes.

He asked, "Why not?"

That stunned Mai. Ozai was not a patient or kind or understanding man. Maybe that statement came from none of those but, instead, genuine curiosity.

"I've… I'm not having my first time like this." She spoke the truth because she thought perhaps he could see through it the way Azula did. Mai never spent much time with him, so she decided to use Azula protocol with him.

"You must have slept with my son," he said.

Mai shook her head. "I never let him."

"Well, I want you to let me," Ozai replied. Mai wished again for drowning. "It doesn't have to be today. Occasions like that require some… decorum."

He left before Mai could say a thing.

-::-

Ozai did not know why he gave her up. The night was going to be uncomfortable.

Stealing that from Zuko was too good of a thing to waste on a hasty night on a damned ship.

He just wished he had someone else to use.

-::-

Mai entered her room in the Phoenix Palace and turned to the door just in time to see it shut and lock.

It was another prison cell, just a prettier one.

She had nothing to do but pace like she did in the Boiling Rock until the Phoenix King called on her.