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CHAPTER TWO: Enter Azula.

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"We've got to find Sokka and Toph!" were the last words out of Katara's mouth before a blaze of bright blue inferno shot straight at their faces. Aang spun and barely got a defense up in time.

"Azula," he groaned.

Katara swept a coil of water from the pool at her side, and, running parallel to it, built and guided a wave in Azula's direction. Clouds of steam billowed as Azula's own wall of fire collided with the water. Then the princess was running up the side of one of the large green crystals, firing at them the whole way.

As one, Aang and Katara dipped their hands in the direction of the pool, pulling a barrier of water up to counter the flames. Aang turned and his arms jerked and pulled, and the column Azula had landed on trembled and fell. The princess herself dropped to a spot conveniently between the two benders, her stance poised and ready. Her sharp eyes shifted from Aang to Katara, and back to Aang.