Obligatory Disclaimer: Avatar, and anything remotely associated to it is not mine. If it did, a lot of things would go my way.
A/N: Destiny's Edge...had that refit...and a new name. And the concept of a third faction didn't go as well as planned, so the tune-up. The deletion helped somewhat, though I never intended for that. Ugh.
Book 3: Fire
Prelude: Aftermath
For a hundred years, Ba Sing Se has earned the reputation as the greatest Earth Kingdom stronghold in the land. Behind its massive walls, a hundred and fifty thousand citizens remain untouched by the war, living peacefully, if somewhat in forced ignorance of the dire situation outside, in part of the efforts of Long Feng and the Dai Li.
Outside the walls, the dire situation was indeed, dire. Fifty meter high stone walls had hidden away from the populace a barren wasteland, a desert where once beautiful stretches of farmlands lay. A hundred years of intermittent battle and siege had left the dozens of villages abandoned, their residents having fled, or been captured. By all means, Ba Sing Se was in the brink of defeat, and only a precious few knew.
As it stood, Ba Sing Se had already fallen to the Fire Nation, and even fewer knew of that. However many did notice a few things out of the ordinary that night: the pillar of water rising from the underground, the weak tremors that could only disturb tea and rattle chinaware in the Jasmine Dragon. A few guards posted outside of the Outer Ring claimed they saw the Avatar's sky bison leaving the city but they had mysteriously vanished by the next day.
Had the guards watched more carefully where the sky bison landed, this whole mess of a story could have been avoided.
It was an abandoned farmhouse that the sky bison landed in, its former inhabitants having disappeared many years ago. It was old and in full danger of collapse, the scars of war clearly visible under the pale moonlight. A few pillars of earth was able to hold in place the derelict structure, where they made camp that night. It was homely, and still contained basic necessities, though lacking in unspoilt food. The owners had apparently left in a huff.
By the time the fire was lit using the old chairs and tables, things had settled down somewhat for the ragtag group, and they had began to make the most of their situation. A small well outside the house worked wonders for their injuries, but unfortunately, some injuries could not be healed.
"How is the Avatar?" Kuei asked, peering curiously at the scar that fanned across the unconcious Avatar's back. Katara swept another band of water across the scar. It seemed to shrink and fade from the water, but returned in full force when the water ran out.
"Not good." Katara shook his head. She laid Aang back to rest on a few blankets they had scavenged in the house, and wiped the sweat off her brow. "The scar runs deep. I don't think even the spirit oasis water could help."
"But he is alive." Kuei affirmed. "That's all we need to know right now."
Katara looked solemnly at Aang, then to a sleeping Toph, and felt herself grow more and more exhausted. The full weight of the day's events bore down on her, and the surge of energy from the battle was quickly running out. She yawned unconsciously. This Kuei noticed, as he handed her one of the old blankets.
"You should sleep now, you've had a rough day." Kuei offered. "I can wait for Sokka by myself." Noticing Katara's worried glance outside, Kuei quickly continued. "He's scavenging the house for supplies. Don't worry about tonight, Bosco and I could keep watch."
Katara smiled, and accepted the blanket with a word of thanks. She curled up next to the other sleepers, taking great care not to disturb the others. In moments, she fell asleep.
Kuei tried to smile, but felt just as exhausted as she was. He gazed sorrowfully at the fire, still contemplating their next moves silently in his head. The Earth Kingdom has fallen under his watch. No, only Ba Sing Se has fallen. There were still others who can carry on the fight. Kuei fed the fire more broken furniture, keeping himself busy long enough until Sokka arrived. There were things they had to discuss.
He looked in passing at the sleeping children, and found himself envious. Asleep, they looked so peaceful and innocent, as if the war had never reched out and pulled them away from their lives. He wished he could sleep that peacefully now, but such luxuries could wait. At least until they were safe and away from Ba Sing Se. The massive outer walls still loomed ominously in the horizon, a continuing reminder of the war that still raged around them.
Kuei was so deep in thought, that he failed to notice Sokka when he entered the barn carrying a small armload of firewood. He tossed a few into the fire to keep it burning, and left the others in the pile of broken furniture they had kept.
"No food." Sokka shook his head, shivering, exhausted of all energy. "It's all barren wasteland everywhere I looked. We have to move to other places by tomorrow."
Sokka sat slowly in front of the fire, holding his hands out to warm himself. "Can't sleep, huh?" He said without looking at Kuei. "That happens to me too. It'll pass."
"Where do we go next?" Kuei asked.
Sokka closed his eyes in response, and blew out a steady sigh. Conflicting emotions passed through his eyes, before he answered. "Chameleon Bay. My dad's fleet is patrolling the waters there. We can't do anything here. Right now, it's best to leave Ba Sing Se to the Fire Nation, at least until we've regrouped."
"I know a few small bases south of Ba Sing Se." Kuei pointed out. "We could stay there."
"Maybe," Sokka considered. "But we can't trust Earth Kingdom soldiers right now. We've seen what happened with the Dai Li."
Kuei had to agree.
Atop the Earth Kingdom palace, the once silent corridors was thrown into chaos and battle. Dai Li soldiers clashed with palace guards still loyal to the Earth King, and the Palace still rumbled with the distant echoes of earthbending. The highest areas of the palace remained untouched, where the triumphant captors of Ba Sing Se looked on towards the oblivious populace.
"We have Ba Sing Se in the palm of our hands now, and the Avatar on the run." Azula remarked, a grim smile forming in her lips. "And it's all thanks to you, Prince Zuko."
The exiled prince merely looked away.
"Why so glum Zuzu?" Azula taunted. "I'm sure father will be pleased by your sudden, change of heart. I have sent a messenger to the Fire Nation detailing your loyalty. Your much awaited honor shall be yours again, in time."
With no reply, the Azula continued. "If you're worried about our turncoat uncle Iroh, don't worry, he will be dealt with soon enough. As soon as we have secured the entire city, at least."
Azula laughed at the frigid silence given to her. "That doesn't work on me Zuzu remember?" She smiled cheerfully. "If not that turncoat uncle of ours, then it is the Avatar. If you are still worried about not having him, I can vouch for your loyalty. He will be captured another day. In the meantime, celebrate! The one city our ancestors could only dream of taking is now in our hands, brought down by the very men defending it!"
"Leave me alone, Azula." Zuko finally spoke, annoyed at his sister's antics. "I don't want to be disturbed."
"Suit yourself." Azula turned to leave. "I still have to deal with Ty Lee and Mai. Letting the king escape gave these insects hope..."
Her fading voice was drowned in Zuko's thoughts, as a single memory repeated itself, over and over, and over.
Azula always lies.
Azula always lies.
Azula always lies.
A/N: Can you say..remake? Some things I could still scavenge from my computer returned, but I had to slow things down. I don't plan to finish this before season 3 starts, so this will be AU by then. Oh well. I always knew he'd grow his hair out..ha!
And...review. I am fully determined to make this a keeper, at all costs.