My first fanfic ever, I really hope it isn't too eye-burningly awful! While the Gaang is traveling about, they meet some of our old friends. I also have several OCs thrown into the mix. Hopefully their appearances won't become the focus of the story.
Azula and Zuko run into their share of problems, and even Azula's mad ruling skillz aren't prepared for some of the bizzare issues that come with taking over a large city.
As far as shipping goes, there is a bit of Maiko (MaixZuko) and a few one sided mentions of Kataang (KataraxAang), Tokka (TophxSokka), and JinxZuko.
It goes without saying that I don't own Avatar and I don't make any money from this.-
"Come one, come all, come see the amazing Yin Yang, master of Water and Fire!" A man holding a sign bellowed.
"Ooh, ooh, can we go see the show?" The Earth King asked, practically bouncing on his heels.
"No." Sokka said flatly, "This isn't exactly the best time to be visiting a circus. Besides, bending one element is crazy enough. Bending two is completely impossible!"
"Seeing is believing," the announcer offered.
"Oh really? And how much does seeing cost?" Sokka asked suspiciously.
"Two copper pieces a person and the show starts at sunset!" the announcer beamed.
"It could be interesting," Aang offered.
"Yeah, but I don't buy the whole "double bending" thing," Katara mused. "I don't think anyone but the Avatar can bend more than one element."
"Aw, but it'll be fun!" the Earth King said.
"Have you all lost your mind?" Sokka yelled. "Ba Sing Se has been taken over by the Fire Nation. In case anyone here missed that, that means the Earth Kingdom has fallen. It's only a matter of time before the Fire Nation encompasses all of the land! We don't have time for crazy magic tricks at a circus!"
"I think our first priority should be getting Aang to a healer of some sort. I can only do so much." Katara said. "Then maybe if we have time we can come back."
Sokka groaned as the group began to walk away from the hopeful sign bearer. They traveled a bit into the village the circus had set up by, now on foot with Appa in tow. They approached a building with a sign that pointed toward some sort of medical care.
"Excuse me, miss?" Katara approached a young woman with a long, black braid. "Do you work here?"
"Yes, I do. What seems to be the problem?"
"Our friend here is the Avatar" Sokka said motioning towards Aang, who had begun leaning on Toph for support. "He's been hurt really badly."
"Oh, the Avatar!" The woman quipped. "I'd heard of his return, but I never thought I'd see him with my own eyes! Yes, come in! Your bison can wait out here."
They followed the woman inside where they passed many rooms separated by elaborate screens. There were many people being treated or, in some rooms, merely pampered.
"My name is Song," The woman said as they approached a room. "I'm a healer here, and I know many remedies that might be able to help." She sat Aang on a table. "What are your names?"
"I'm Aang," Aang said with weak enthusiasm. He was still hurt and groggy, even after his rest during the week long journey on Appa. "And this is Sokka, Katara, Toph, and the Earth King."
"It's a pleasure," the Earth King said as he stared around the room in awe.
"Oh my, what is the Earth King doing traveling with you," Song asked.
"Well, we don't exactly come with great news," Sokka said. "Ba Sing Se was infiltrated by the Fire Nation. We lost the city to them."
Song almost dropped her bag of herbs. "What? But that means…"
"Yes," Katara finished. "The Earth Kingdom has essentially fallen. Soon they'll posses all of the Earth Kingdom."
"Oh, that's awful. I lost my father in a Fire Nation raid. I can't imagine what it will be like when they control the whole country."
"We lost our mother. It's a scary thought." Sokka said.
"Well Aang seems to be alright except for a lot of bumps and burns." Song said, hoping to change the subject.
"I've been trying to heal him with my waterbending, but he doesn't seem to get any better. He only lived because of a special healing water. I don't know how he could be even close to O.K." Katara said.
"I just feel… really weak," Aang whispered.
"Maybe it's just shock," Toph suggested. "I mean you were shot in the Avatar State, and the Earth Kingdom fell. That's a lot to go through."
"Maybe some rest and fun is what he needs," Song said. "You know there's a circus nearby. If Aang is feeling alright by then, we could all go."
"Yes, I could pay for you all!" The Earth King beamed.
"No offense lady, but you must be crazy!" Sokka exclaimed. "Did you not hear the nightmare that just happened? We have to do something. We need to stop Azula and Zuko from taking over the rest of the continent. We need to develop a plan. We can't just go to a circus!"
"Sokka, I think what Aang needs right now is just what Song said, a little rest and fun. Then we can come up with a plan." Katara suggested.
"They're right, the circus sounds like fun." Aang said. "Besides the man said there was a person who could bend water and fire. Even if they can't really bend two elements, they might be able to bend fire. And I do need to look for a master, now more than ever."
"Fine, fine, fine, no one listen to me, lets just go to the circus," Sokka complained. "While we're at it, why don't we just get a massage and stay a week not doing anything while the Earth Kingdom falls. Brilliant plan."
Zuko stood next to Azula who was sitting on the throne that once belonged to the Earth King. He felt an empty pit in his stomach that he couldn't quite explain.
"Look at this Zuko," Azula said, her head up in a regal fashion. "The greatest of Earth Kingdom cities has fallen. The Earth Kingdom now belongs to the Fire Nation. Our possession the world is practically a reality."
"A wonderful victory for the Fire Nation," Zuko mumbled.
"Why so glum Zuzu? Are you still upset about Uncle?"
"I betrayed him."
"Honestly Zuko, do you really think that Uncle ever cared for us, or this nation?" Azula said. "The only reason why Iroh went on your search for the Avatar was to turn you against Father. He poisoned you with lies and got you exiled. Besides, it's his fault that you were banished in the first place. He let you into the war room despite the fact that you weren't ready. You shouldn't worry about betraying a man like that, a man against his own country and family."
"Still I just feel-"
"Princess Azula," A Dai Li member strode up the aisle to the throne. "The prisoners are all locked securely; General Iroh is under extra heavy guard.
"Good, good."
"What is our next plan of action princess?"
"Hmm, I think a meeting is in order," Azula scratched her chin in thought. "Call Mai, Ty Lee, Long Feng, and our most important Dai Li members to the war room. Zuko, I suggest you clean up and dress yourself as royalty. After all," Azula turned to face her brother. "You've finally proved yourself as such."
"Yin, are you ready?" The announcer, Piang, called into the small tent.
"Piang, the show isn't for at least an hour," Yin responded. "But yes, I'm in costume and ready to go. All I need done is my hair."
"Lovely, I'll get a dresser on that," Piang ducked out of the tent, and almost instantly a young woman came in and began to arrange Yin's hair. She sat still as the woman pulled her hair into braids and secured a fancy bun in a golden comb. It was almost time for another show. Soon the crowds would fill into the tent. After her hair was done, she'd have Piang check the water pumps behind stage to make sure there were no issues.
The woman finished her hair, bowed, and exited the tent. Yin looked at herself in the mirror. She looked, despite unorthodox clothing of red, blue, and purple, every bit as royal as she did when she left the Fire Nation.
"Piang," she called. "Come with me to check the water pump."
"I can't believe we're going to a circus."
"Sokka, you've been saying that for three hours," Toph said.
"Wow, it's amazing up here!" Song said, looking out from Appa's saddle.
"It was wonderful of you all to bring us to the circus," Song's mother stated calmly.
"It's no trouble," Katara said. She hadn't left Aang's side since the accident. "Thank you very much for helping Aang."
"Well we haven't done much but give him some tea," Song shrugged.
"I am feeling a little better though," Aang said.
"So, how did you wind up here?" Song asked. "Our town is so far from Ba Sing Se, you must have traveled an awful lot to get here."
"We flew for almost a week straight," Sokka called from where he was directing Appa. "We were headed for Omashu to see if King Bumi had successfully taken back the city, but it was too far and Aang really needed rest."
"I see," Song said gravely. "The circus should do us all good, then. It's important to relax every now and then."
"Yeah, yeah, relaxing is great when the world needs saving," Sokka muttered as he landed Appa near the brightly colored tents.
A/N: First chapter is complete! I'm hoping I didn't completely butcher the cannon characters. If I did, PLEASE tell me! There will be more of Zuko and Azula in chapters to come, as well.
As you can see, Yin is my first random OC insertion. She's getting the most time out of all of the ones I'm puting in, so don't panic, this won't become a breeding ground for all my OCs. I'm hoping she won't turn out to be a sue because I really like her. As for Piang, he isn't really an OC, he's just sort of there. Anyway please RR (that is read and review, right? I'm a fanfic newb)!