Author's Notes
This bonus chapter contains initial plans and ideas that I had for the plot of "The Concubine's Apprentice" that didn't actually make the "cut". Like, I wanted a LOT of things to happen but:
1) They're too cliché.
2) They don't fit the plot too much.
3) It's hard to create a good development with them.
and Etc.
So anyways, in memory of these ideas, I wanna put them into writing and share them with ya'll coz:
1) Ya'll awesome!
2) Ya'll rock!
3) I'm awesome too. *gags*
Let me know what you guys think! XOXO
-TheGreatestConWoman-
*spoiler alert* There WERE chapters when Zuko and Chiyo were supposed to meet BEFORE Chapter 43.
Idea #1: Suiren was supposed to be content with being a concubine.
But you know me, I LOVE the drama. I LOVE the tragedy. So I had to make her bitter. I wanted her to be a strong character that will shape Chiyo, not some docile wallflower content with dancing and singing for the Fire Lord.
Idea #2: Suiren was supposed to be a villain.
In connection with #1, or rather in contrast with it, Suiren would want to be the Fire Lady. Someway somehow, she was to become power-hungry and attempt to stop Ozai's abdication to Azula. This greed will now force Chiyo to turn away from her mentor.
This ALMOST happened, but I thought this would make Chiyo lose her character (a loving apprentice to her mentor). Also, full-fledged entertainers cannot, under law, hold any government office. *OOPSIE* Therefore, no way to Fire Lady Suiren.
Idea #3: Chiyo was supposed to sneak into Zuko's ship upon his banishment.
It was young love. But upon thinking about it, she was just a kid. And most, if not all, kids (particularly Asian) have a hard time parting with parental figures (I'm 23 and I still live with parents.) Also, Sire00 also said that their separation was essential for Zuko's character development, and later on, redemption arc. Also would've led to cliché retelling of Book 1.
Idea #4: Chiyo was supposed to join Zuko and Iroh in running away from Azula.
Cliché. Then again, Zuko had to go through suffering and pain for his character development and redemption arc.
Idea #5: If Chiyo didn't join Zuko and Iroh, she would've run away from Azula.
But still, Suiren would've put up the 'missing persons' posters that Zuko would later find. And Zuko would think that Azula had imprisoned or killed her.
Idea #6: Chiyo wasn't supposed to lose her memories.
Yep. I just wanted to use the accident on the ship as her escape so she can go her way and find Zuko. But the amnesia route had this fascinating appeal. And like a hungry woman staring at pizza, I dug in.
Idea #7: She was supposed to be found by Team Avatar after the accident.
But that would make it all too easy for Zuko and Chiyo to meet, right? *cackles like a crazy witch*
Idea #8: She would've been Sokka's love interest as well.
In connection with #7, if she did join Team Avatar, this would've happened. But I'm a SukiXSokka fan.
Idea #9: I'mma list down ALL the instances where Zuko and Chiyo should've met.
~Full Moon Bay (while getting their passports checked for tickets)
~Monorail (while they were with the refugees and baby Hope)
~Lower Ring (while she and Kai were being chased, Chiyo was supposed to help Uncle Iroh up)
~Fate at Work (while he and Jet were fighting)
~Tale of Iroh (she would've heard him sing and Iroh would've seen her)
~Tale of Zuko (I know a lot of ya'll wanna kill me for this. Sorry.)
~Tale of Kai (Chiyo would've chased Kai and she would accidentally bump into Zuko who coincidentally was running away and BAAM reunion time!)
~Tale of Lily and Reiko (YES. It was supposed to be Zuko who found her dancing near the fountain. I was 50-50 on this actually.)
~Back to the Fire Nation (Suiren would've not kept Chiyo's return a secret, but her motherly instincts kicked in)
~Helplessness (if Chiyo did not agree to the bethrotal, she would have been thrown in Capital Prison, and who else was there? Uncle Iroh. And who visited Uncle Iroh often?)
~Vacation in Ember Island (if Chiyo existence was successfully hid from Fire Lord Ozai, Suiren might hide her in Ember Island. And from there, the royal siblings might see her either at Chan's party or while they were sending off their memorials)
~After the war meeting before the Day of Black Sun (that time when Suiren and the others are going to the underground chambers, Zuko and Azula would've seen her)
~The Day of Black Sun (Now this is juicy! So ya'll proceed to Idea #10 for this.)
Idea #10: What should've happened during the Day of Black Sun?
Scenario 1: Chiyo and Suiren would've been with the Fire Lord having tea and whatnot when Zuko enters for his scene. But he would've lost track of what he was supposed to do if Chiyo had been there.
~Suiren would attempt to kill the Fire Lord with a hidden knife while he was powerless but she would fail. Then as punishment, Ozai will kill Chiyo for her actions.
~Zuko would save her and badabing badaboom lightning redirection scene and they would escape together.
Scenario 2: Chiyo would've have failed to disarm the soldiers earlier and she would be brought in to the Fire Lord's bunker DURING Zuko's confrontation with Ozai.
~Zuko will see her there and he would have a semi-breakdown and eventually use lightning redirection to escape with Chiyo
Scenario 3: While running away after the confrontation, he sees Chiyo fighting with the soldiers. And in that momentary distraction, she would be injured badly. Then he'd use firebending to kill/disarm the soldiers and take her with him to escape.
Idea #11: It was supposed to be Azula who Chiyo bumps into while making her escape from the isolation cells in Boiling Rock, not Zuko.
Zuko ain't the only one with golden eyes, right?
Idea #12: If Chiyo lacked the strength to escape, the council and the Fire Sages would've brought her back to the palace and insisted on going through with the ceremony.
After all, the idea of the Phoenix King was half because of her. And these old scums are hell-bent on putting someone they can control into power, and that is Chiyo.
Idea #13: The ceremony should be held before Ozai's departure for the Earth Kingdom and Azula becomes heir apparent. From there, Chiyo would plead with Azula to spare her.
I didn't go through with this route because I don't know where to go from here. I don't think Azula would actually help her because to do so would make her father turn on her. But she does hate the idea of Chiyo becoming her semi-stepmother.
Idea #14: Backtrack a bit, remember that scene in the Western Air Temple where Azula attacks Team Avatar?
The princess would've spotted Chiyo while they were running away. That would've been one of the catalysts for her spiralling into madness because she would think that she was seeing illusions. (Like seeing her mother in the mirror).
Idea #15: Fast forward to final battle between Azula and Zuko, then Chiyo. Azula would have successfully struck Chiyo with lightning but the latter would not die. By some cosmic force, as Sozin's comet passes over their heads, she takes on the lightning.
At that same moment that Aang was taking away Ozai's firebending, Chiyo would gain Ozai's powers. (Idk, sounded like a great idea initially. Why did I not go through with this?) Later on, she would now become a firebender.
Author's Notes
I have more of these ideas and such. If I remember them, I'll plug them in eventually. Feel free to comment your questions, ideas, "whatshould'vebeen's" and violent reactions. I'd love to hear them!
-TheGreatestConWoman-
Book 2: The Apprentice's Choice
Please check it out!