Prompt: Game of Thrones-inspired story with the ATLA character. Note, this is deviating more and more from both the Game of Thrones storyline and the ATLA storyline. Reading GOT is not required to understand the storyline.
See Chapter 1 for Appendix.
*warning* a ton of rated M violence ahead. Reader discretion is advised. I've raised the rating as well.
Part 2: Convergence Point
Mai
"Mai, Ty Lee we shall split up. I will go into the village to get the report from our sisters. Ty Lee, you go to the east grounds, and Mai go west. And should any of you allow the princess to escape, I will make sure your death is swift and merciless," Azula says coldly, and Mai nods, "Oh," Azula says, smirking over her shoulder, "And make sure to burn everything down to the ground. Agni knows what kinds of filthy bacteria this peasant hole has got in it."
Azula tosses Mai and Ty Lee a couple flints, and Mai catches them, her signature deadpan expression settling back into place. They nod, going their separate ways.
Ty Lee goes toward the right, solemnly walking without an ounce of her usual pep. Mai reminds herself to talk to her later – most likely Ty Lee is still shaken by Azula's treatment of Yue and the Queen.
An involuntary shiver runs through Mai's spine, but she ignores it. She slips a knife out of her sleeve, nimbly juggling it between her fingers. The familiar motions calm her significantly, and she sighs. Her breath forms a white mist in the air and she yanks her collar up a little higher.
There's a hushed rustling and a couple thuds coming from where the stables are, and Mai freezes, holding up her knife.
She slowly moves toward the stable, the ice crunching underneath her metal boots. There's another thud, another.
Shuffling and the sounds of hushed whispers coming from the barn. Definitely not a horse. Mai surveys the barn, and after surmising that the doorway at the front was the only exit, she eased herself against the doorway, knife clutched to her chest.
"Show yourself!" Mai barks, just peeking around the corner to catch a whip of dark hair flashing out of sight.
She held her knife up in front up her, arms outstretched. She rounds the corner, then another, checking each stall of the stable. Most of them are empty, save the few sleeping horses curled up in two of the pens near the front.
She pauses in front of the stall one door down from the last one. She hears the faint rustling, and now that she's closer, heavy breathing, and she flings the doors open. A petite girl with brown hair arranged in a braid is holding tight onto a boy of about the same age. The girl has her face buried in the chest of the boy, who is just beginning to show the defined form of a man. They both have to be around fifteen, maybe sixteen. The boy probably younger. His eyes are haggard and weary, a soft, stormy grey that seem to peer into Mai's own heart, searching her.
"...Please..." the boy croaks, and his voice is hoarse and grates Mai's already frayed nerves.
A sudden memory shakes through Mai at the single word, and she shudders.
Zuko moves beside her, stirring. Mai is wide awake, eyes wide open. Her parents would kill her if they found out what she just did. Her center is throbbing, and she shivers, her pale shoulder exposed to the stinging cold of the night. Zuko sits up suddenly, however, and Mai closes her eyes tight, feigning sleep. Zuko's back is turned to her, bathed in the moonlight flooding in from big window in Mai's room. Mai's half-closed eyes raked over the toned muscles of Zuko's back greedily, and eyes the thin scratch marks with a smug pride. Zuko stands up, sighing, and a dread floods through Mai suddenly. He turns back towards her and Mai closes her eyes again.
Zuko's calloused hands cup Mai's face, gently stroking the pale flesh of her cheek, ghosting over it. Mai fights the involuntary urge to shiver.
"...-ove you, please..." Zuko murmurs, and Mai is only able to catch a couple words.
Mai shakes her head, dispelling the sudden flashback.
"Please," the boy says again. The blue arrows on his forehead and arms give it away now.
Mai is no fool. This is the last of the Airbending Monarchs - this is the Avatar.
"You won't get away with this," the girl finally says, pulling her head up from the boy's chest. Her features are pretty, in a genteel, prim manner, with dark skin like melted milk chocolate. Her pink lips are puckered into an angry scowl, "Fire Nation scum like you don't deserve the boots you walk in."
"Please, let us go," the Avatar pleads. His voice is stronger now.
They're unarmed. It would be easy. Mai would take out the boy first, and then the girl.
Mai's never killed anyone before, but she knows how to. She'd apply a nice, concise cut to the boy's jugular, and then do the same to the girl.
It would be easy.
It would be very easy.
"Get up. Go out the front, then roundabout the castle. I'll drive them off, tell them I killed you both," Mai says tonelessly.
The Avatar and the girl get up, and shuffle towards the barn door, a large horse following behind them, keeping a wary eye on Mai the whole time before they reach the entrance way and dash out into the cool Northern breeze.
The Avatar helps the girl onto the horse, and then hops up in front of her. The girl's face is streaked with emotion, a mixture of shock, relief, and suspicion.
"T-thank you," the girl says breathlessly.
Once they're gone, Mai pulls the flints from her pockets, and hit them together once, and the fluttering sparks hit the dry hay lining the barn floor.
"Azula's going to kill you. The Avatar, lost in one moment of weakness," Mai whispers to herself. She pulls out a knife and draws it quickly across her arm. She hisses, but ignores it, throwing the knife onto the floor somewhere.
She staggers out of the barn, pretending to be limping.
Toph
Toph's fingers are warmed by the tea cup in her hand. And she can feel the hot moisture of the steam collecting and hitting her face. It quickly forms a spread of fat droplets on her chin, and she swirls the amber liquid in the cup around in an attempt to dispel the heat.
Zuko chuckles, wiping the moisture off of Toph's face with two quick swipes of his calloused hands, "You've seem to have collected a beard, m'lady."
Toph swats his hand away, her lip curling up, "M'lord, I do believe that I didn't ask you."
Zuko laughs again, and the sound echoes off the walls of Bumi's castle.
A scowl forms on Toph's lips, even though it only serves to make Zuko laugh harder.
Toph fumbles for a moment for one of the tiny pastries set on the table and when her fingers close around it she ferociously tears into it, jam dribbling down the sides of her mouth.
"Do you still believe I'm a lady, m'lord?" Toph asks, crumbs spraying everywhere as she says so.
Zuko laughs, and inclines his head in a mock bowing fashion, "Of course, m'lady."
Toph flicks the rest of the pastry towards Zuko, and it lands on his cheekbone, sliding down his face.
He pulls it off slowly, popping it into his mouth. He pretends to make a face, "I didn't know you tasted like rot. Remind me never to kiss you."
Toph's cheek color, "I never asked you to," she retorts sourly, "And I certainly don't want you to."
Zuko grins, pinching Toph's cheek as if she is a small child, "But of course, m'lady."
"My lady," a servant says as she rushes into the room, "King Bumi is ready to go through with the ceremony, if you will just follow me into the throne room."
"Of course," Toph says, standing and brushing crumbs off her dress. She holds her hand out, expectantly, and Zuko perceptively picks up Toph's cane from the bench beside her and places it in her hand.
All three of them go to the throne room together, the servant fretting with Toph's hair and dress as they walk. Toph swats the serving girl's hands away, scowling.
Bumi greets them in the throne room, and Toph is led to a regal looking chair next to Bumi's. Iroh, as Bumi's Hand, takes his place next to Bumi's throne and Zuko stands next to Toph, serving as her eyes.
"My people," Bumi says, addressing the crowd of people and the assorted lords and ladies that had gathered, "We have gathered for a very important and momentous event."
Zuko leans down to whisper in Toph's ear, "The Lord and Lady of Gaoling are present, along with their son."
Toph attempts to subdue her sneer.
"Calm down," Zuko says, his breath tickling her neck, "They look as displeased as you."
"It is no secret that I am getting on in my years. In order to maintain the order and peace of my kingdom in the event of my death," Bumi pauses artfully, "I am announcing my heir, the next Queen of Omashu and High Lady of the Earth Kingdom, Toph."
Toph stands, the crowd of commoners clap respectfully while the lords and ladies look aghast.
"What is her claim?" Lord Bei Fong asks, his voice outraged. Toph can feel the angered gaze of her mother and father.
Bumi smiles, "She is my bastard."
Whispers begin to go through the crowd.
"Silence," Bumi says, "She is my heir, and my only blood."
Zuko gently pushes on Toph's shoulder, signalling that Bumi had beckoned her forward.
Bumi takes Toph's hand, "Hail your new princess."
Aang
"Two, please," Aang says, lifting two fingers and holding out a couple pieces of copper.
The vendor hands Aang two brown-gold dumplings wrapped in a blue handkerchief, accepting the coins. Aang's hood slips a little on top of his head, and he pushes it back up with his elbow.
Princess Katara's eyes are red-rimmed and puffy when she looks up at Aang, but she manages a watery smile when Aang hands Katara a dumpling.
Aang bites into his, chewing silently. The dumpling is stuffed with deliciously aromatic pork and chopped pieces of vegetables but they eat their meager meal in relative silence.
Katara's head is lowered, some of her braids falling from her hood. Aang reaches out a tentative hand, awkwardly placing it on the curve of her shoulder. Katara looks up, tear tracks marring her face.
"I-I'm so sorry. I promise that once I ascend the throne I'll give you back your Kingdom."
Katara laughs, and it is humorless, much different from the lady Aang had been able to get acquainted with the week he had been at the Southern Kingdom before Princess Azula had invaded. Katara's face is filled with a stormy vengeance, turning the innocent, wide blue eyes into dark pools of hot anger.
"There is no Kingdom for me to take back," Katara says, "They've burned it all to the ground."
Azula
Azula's forehead barely scrapes the marble floor in front of her father's throne, her eyes closed in veneration.
"Rise," Fire Lord Sozin says, and Azula does, pulling back onto her haunches and then slowly standing. Her hair is tied back, two bangs framing her face.
"My lord," Azula says, behind her Ty Lee and Mai fidget slightly, "With the assistance of Mai and Ty Lee, I have successfully killed the last Avatar."
Fire Lord Sozin nods, "Well done, Azula. And I expect you should want a reward for completing such a task?"
Azula beams, and cautiously nods back and continues, "Since Brother is not coming back anytime soon, I was hoping that killing the Avatar would have finally given me enough honor to be named your heir to the throne."
The Fire Lord is quiet for a moment before he breaks out in a long chuckle, deep and grating, "My daughter, you cannot rule. You are a woman, weak, and incapable of taking the throne. In fact, while you were gone, I got to know your cousin, Lu Ten. He is a war hero, and a fine specimen for Fire Lord. You, however, are only fit to be a Fire Lady. The spirits borne you as a girl for a reason, but to be Fire Lord is not one of them."
Azula fights the urge to cry. She shoves it deep, deep down, swallowing it until she returns to her usual, analytical state of mind.
"Father, please," Azula kneels down to the ground, "Tell me what I can do to prove my loyalty and worth."
The advisor standing to the right of Sozin leans in and whispers something into Sozin's ear. A thoughtful expression crosses Sozin's face, and then he nods almost imperceptively.
"If you can conquer the Earth Kingdoms by the summer solstice, I will name you my heir," Sozin says, standing and sweeping his robes, "But fail, and you will step aside with grace for your cousin."
"You give me your word, sire?" Azula says, standing straighter.
"On the honorable throne of the Fire Lord," Sozin says, and he smirks.
Mai
"Ty Lee?"
The wooden floorboards of the Fire Nation palace creak under her feet. Oh, what a tremendous honor, Mai thinks spitefully in her head, Mother would be so proud.
In reality, Mai can't wait to hit the road again. She feels constantly under watch in the palace, and there is nothing she hates more than the prickle her neck gets when somebody is watching her.
She continues along the hallway, when a guard dashes past her. She whips around to see what is going on, and then continues in the same direction as another guard passes her in the same, harried fashion. She spots Ty Lee standing in the doorway of a room, seemingly frozen in place.
"Ty Lee?"
Mai picks up her pace slightly to see what Ty Lee is looking at.
"What is-"
Mai stifles a scream of fear.
Azula is standing over a body, her red cape's gold trim speckled with fresh blood. In her right hand, she holds a silver dagger. Azula turns to face them, and both Ty Lee and Mai flinch. Azula's chest is rising and falling rapidly, but besides that she looks perfectly serene. An expression of satisfaction is etched across her face. Azula sheaths the sword, and then makes toward the doorway.
"Get ready to leave in an hour, girls," Azula says."
Mai takes one hesitant step toward the body.
It is Lu Ten, Sozin's named heir. His long hair is damp with blood, his eyes wide open. A long slit runs across his throat, and his golden crown that used to perch atop his head at all times is gone.
Mai instantly turns, and catches a glimpse of Azula walking down the hallway. The new, golden crown atop her hair seems to gleam menacingly.
Toph
Toph is awakened in the middle of the night by loud noises outside. She rolls out of bed hurriedly, heart pounding. She pulls on a white robe, tossing the loose braid she had put her hair in before sleeping over her shoulder.
She scurries to the window, kneeling on the cushions by the window as she listens to the noises more closely, trying to determine better what was going on.
A sharp hand whips her back from the window, startling Toph.
"Miss, you must get away from there, Omashu is under siege! King Bumi has called for you right away," Toph's maidservant's voice is urgent.
Toph nods, and allows herself to be lead away.
After a couple blind turns and runs, they arrive in Bumi's chamber.
"B-bumi?" Toph croaks, her voice coming out timid and afraid.
Bumi is standing hunched over, facing the window. A hand is stroking his beard, another placed atop his crown which is discarded beside him.
She feels the familiar grip of Zuko's hand on her shoulder.
"Toph, you and Zuko must go," Iroh says from the corner.
Toph inclines her head to where Iroh's voice is coming from and she frowns, shaking her head, "I won't. I'm not leaving you two. We can take them. I'll bash their Fire Nation skulls in."
Bumi beckons Toph closer, a strange gleam in his eyes, "My dear, it's not about strength - but about wisdom. The Fire Nation is strong - stronger than me, but not stronger than you can be."
He presses something hard and circular into Toph's palm. It's a flat pai sho piece, with a leather cord strung through it, "Take this, child, it will help you in a time of great need."
Toph has no time to ponder the gift, but she runs her fingers over it, expecting the symbol on it to be raised, like all the other pieces in the special pai sho set Iroh and Toph use. However it isn't, it is, in all respects, a regular piece from the much played game across the kingdoms.
He then hobbles over to a chest, his crown held in both hands. He places the center-most jewel on the top into a groove carved onto the chest, causing a mechanism to whir and the box to pop open.
Inside is a golden key, with curves and grooves etched onto the surface. It dangles from a metallic chain, and Bumi smiles at it fondly, "Protect both of these artifacts with your life."
"We want to stay and fight with you Uncle," Zuko says passionately.
Iroh shakes his head, "No, my nephew. I sense destiny has another path in mind for you two."
Tears prickle Toph's eyes.
"Just because you choose your battles," Bumi says quietly, "Does not mean you are a coward. Wait, and listen for the right time - that's how you win a war."
Toph nods grimly, the tears spilling over the side.
Zuko pulls Toph slowly away, "C'mon, we have to go."
A rucksack is slammed into her hands, and they're rushed away through a secret passageway.
Toph trips, falling and scraping her knees. Her cheek slams into the ground, and the metallic taste of blood explodes across her taste buds.
Zuko picks Toph up and runs with her down the stairs, sprinting as fast as he can until they are well beyond the walls of the castle. They reach the exit, a wooden trap door behind an enclosed grove. Toph clenches Zuko's fingers tight, and feels splotches of water on his wrists. She reaches up, touching Zuko's cheek and she feels the warm tears running down his smooth cheekbone.
The key and the pai sho piece around her neck press into her chest painfully, and her heart thuds in her ears.
Toph momentarily pushes Zuko away and retches in the corner, and when her stomach is empty she begins to throw up blood until she is just dry heaving and clenching Zuko's clothes in a tight fist.
Zuko holds onto Toph like his life depends on it, sobbing into Toph's hair and allowing her tears to mingle with his own.
Sokka
"My lord, a message from Princess Katara," a scribe says, handing Sokka a tightly furled scrap of paper.
The paper looked to be once a flyer for a wrestling competition known as 'Earth Rumble 6' but on the other side was the familiar loopy script of Katara's hand, hastily scribbled onto the yellowed back.
Sokka - As I am writing this, I am fleeing from our home. The castle was under siege by women wearing Fire Nation armor. I am unsure of who was leading them. Gran-Gran and Yue are dead. The last Avatar, Aang, unexpectantly showed up at our castle a few nights ago and I am with him now. I believe he may be the key to ending these endless attacks by the Fire Nation on our people and others. I shall help him ascend the throne, if it is the last thing I do. We are headed to the Eastern Air Temple in hopes of finding survivors from the previous siege on Aang's home.
Sokka sunk to the ground immediately, putting his face in his hands. His breathing suddenly became rapid, a deep panic settling over him.
This can't be right.
But there it was, Katara and Sokka's secret symbol - the Chinese character for a polar bear. It guaranteed the letter's authenticity.
"Sokka? What is it?" Hakoda asks, pushing past the flap of Sokka's tent and making his way in, "Good news?"
Sokka laughs bitterly. He holds the letter out to his father, and then slams his fist into the ground, letting out an agonized cry of sorrow.
His father finishes reading it in three seconds, and then crumples the letter in his fist, "Come. We're headed home."
Aang
Katara proves be quite adept with a battle axe, and so she refuses Aang's offer to scout ahead by himself and elects to investigate with him. The surrounding village of the Air Kingdom is strewn with bodies in its streets, and though Katara's skin turns pale at each dead body, she remains level-headed. Aang has his sword out, looking for survivors or Fire Nation soldiers, and Katara hefts the heavy axe in her hand, held out in front her with a stricken look on her face.
When they get to the castle without being able to find any survivors, Aang puts a hand on Appa's neck and hangs his own head in sorrow, holding back the tears. Katara tentatively places a shaky hand on Aang's shoulder, a frown deep set into her face.
The level of decay for each body varies, some even gone so far that they are merely a pile of bleached bones, while others still have bits of flesh attached to their skulls. The stench is overpowering.
They get all the way to the castle without interruption, when they are suddenly Aang feels a sharp pain in the back of his head.
The world spins and he just manages to see Katara falling down next to him before the world fades to black.
Azula
The Earth Kingdom is very plain from this point of view. Bumi's severed head had been pinned to the wall by the spear that had killed him above Azula's throne, and most of Bumi's guards had sworn over their allegiance once they saw their former liege's remains. They had trembled like newly-born fawns, tear tracks on their faces.
The man on his knees before her, a man who calls himself Jet, has yet to convert. His hands are tied behind his back, and two of Azula's female warriors are standing behind him.
He has a condescending smirk on his face, and a stalk of wheat balanced between his lips. Two empty scabbards are on his back, the swords that occupied them in a huge pile of weapons to Azula's left. Mai is sitting near it, examining a knife with slight interest.
"Yei, take that stupid plant out of his mouth," Azula spits angrily, sitting forward, phlegm flying towards Yei, a small, fresh-faced girl who had just been inducted into the Artemesians.
Jet smiles, and spits it out onto the floor, "But of course, princess."
Fury seeps into every pore and she fixes Jet with a cold stare, "You will swear your allegiance or be executed."
"I can show you things that would make you swear," Jet sing-songs. He's laughing. What audacity.
Azula's face hardens, "You'll show respect to your new queen."
Jet smirks, "You don't have the key, you don't have the throne. And it will be a day of Black Sun before I swear my allegiance to Fire Nation scum."
Azula growls, "Guards, execute him!"
Both of Bumi's guards hesitate, and Azula snarls. She jumps down form the raised dais the throne is on, stalking towards the seized weapons. She snatches the knife from Mai's hands and advances toward Jet.
"The Freedom Fighters will save the Kingdoms!" Jet screams, his last words ringing through the room.
The blood running down the sides of Azula's wrists doesn't even make her flinch.
She smiles cruelly, "May the goddess show you mercy."
Katara
Katara wakes up to the feeling of old, weathered hands against her cheek, pressing a smooth bowl up to her lips. Her eyes flutter open, lashes hitting the swell of her cheek, and there's a chuckle.
"What a pretty lady you are."
Katara's voice is blurry for a second and she blinks hard twice to clear her vision. She holds her fists up defensively, and glances around, looking for some kind of weapon.
"It's alright, Katara, this guy is actually a friend," Aang says, placing a gentle hand on Katara's shoulder.
"A pleasure, Princess Katara," the wizened old man speaking to her has thick, bushy white eyebrows with wrinkles deeply indented into his face. He is holding a wooden bowl in his hands, sitting with one ankle crossed over the other in a meditative position.
"Who is this?" Katara asks, still wary.
"My name is Pathik," the man says calmly, "I was once the Avatar's closest advisor."
"How did you survive the siege?" Aang whispers, continuing their earlier conversation.
"I woke up out on the floor of the castle, an arrow protruding out of my abdomen and my right arm, well, gone," Pathik says, gesturing to his empty sleeve.
Katara gasps, taken aback by the missing limb. She falters, "Oh, I'm sorry for-"
"It is most interesting, isn't it? I had to completely reteach myself how to write," Pathik says, chuckling.
"I plan on ascending the throne, but I have no idea what I need to do to take the throne," Aang interrupts, an urgent tone pulsing in his voice.
"The ceremony is quite easy to replicate. Once it occurs, it is binding and incontestable. For a nation to go back on the agreement is said to be declaring war with the Gods. However, you'll need the ruler of each kingdom. King Bumi of the Earth Kingdom, and you are the king of the Air Kingdom. I also suspect the ruler of the Water Tribes will also be understanding, as you are traveling with his daughter. The Fire Kingdom monarch will be harder to persuade, however," Pathick says, trailing off thoughtfully.
Aang looks downcast at this news, "What does the ceremony entitle?"
"If you travel to the ruins of the Avatar kingdom, you'll find a garden that was once maintained by the Kyoshi Warriors," Pathik says, "But first, you'll need to assemble all the rulers of the kingdoms, Bumi, Sozin, Hakoda, and yourself, and have them use their tokens to unlock the sacred document which all of their ancestors once signed."
"Token?" Katara asks, brow furrowed in comprehension.
"Four keys used to unlock the vault, its how the kings of the Old Time agreed to limit the Avatar's power - if they felt the successor was unworthy, they simply wouldn't use their key to unlock the vault. Once the vault is unlocked, the other kingdoms have to recognize your rule. If a king refuses to acknowledge you, you hold the right to overthrow him and let his next heir ascend," Pathik says patiently.
Katara's eyes widened, "Wait, keys? Like...this?"
She pulled a cord out from around her neck, revealing a key made entirely of a pure blue diamond. Pathik reaches out to and Katara let Pathik him hold it. He squinted at it, examining it closely, "Exactly like this. I haven't seen this key in over eighty years."
"How did you get that? I thought your father was the ruler?" Aang asks.
"The Water Kingdom has had females secretly in charge of the kingdom for three generations now. When my mother passed away, my grandmother served as my regent," Katara says quietly, "My mother gave this to me before she died."
"Then you only need to convince the Earth King," Pathik says, "However, I am yet unsure what we will do about the Fire King, unless..."
"Unless?" Aang and Katara ask together.
"There is a rumor that the great Dragon of the West, Sozin's older brother and true heir to the throne, has the key to the vault - that's why Sozin was so intent on destroying the Avatar line," Pathik says, "It's a small chance, but I believe going to Sozin directly needs to be a last resort."
Katara sucks her breath in, "Do you really think we can do it?"
"My dear, anything is possible," Pathik says, he claps his hands together, "Now, rest, both of you. I will help you resupply so you may leave for Omashu tomorrow."
Mai
Her mother would be so proud. Her daughter. A Kyoshi Warrior. One of the elite, handpicked warriors that at one point train under the acolytes of Avatar Queen Kyoshi herself.
If only it was real.
The makeup completely transformed Mai's face, making her unrecognizable. Azula's plan to infiltrate Ba Sing Se required posing as Kyoshi warriors as they returned from a mission to scout out the troops of the Fire Nation. The Kyoshi envoy had been easily overpowered, and Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai had stumbled upon a lucky gem to discover they would be replacing the leader.
Azula forged a letter, ordering the Kyoshi warriors remaining in Ba Sing Se to travel to a remote village in the North on the outskirts of Omashu under the pretense that it had been struck by an earthquake. By the time they got there and realized it was a fake, it would be too late. Ba Sing Se would've fallen by then.
"Mai, we will meet the King now," Azula says, "Do not forget."
Mai nods, "Of course, Sunyoung."
Azula's smile is barely visible, a simple quirk of her lip, "I will see you soon, Eunsung."
Mai leaves her quarters in the palace to go down to the throne room, where the king is finally ready to greet them. Ty Lee, who resembled the Kyoshi's leader, Suki, the most, is posed in the center, head bowed down.
Ty Lee's a brilliant actor and liar when she needs to be. The lines Azula fed to her are recited flawlessly, and the king eats it up, clapping his hands dramatically.
"We detected no signs of the Fire Nation army, your highness," Ty Lee says smoothly.
"What wonderful news!" King Kuei says, petting his pet bear in glee, "Please, describe your journey."
Ty Lee falters, having not been prepared for more questions, "I-"
"We were mostly on foot, your highness, so were able to take in the beautiful Earth Kingdom landscape," Mai says, thinking quickly.
The princess, a pretty, perplexed looking girl called Yi Ming has a suspicious look on her face as she listens to the Mai and Ty Lee.
In the corner of her eye, Mai sees Yi Ming's gaze fixate on Azula, and Mai's heart is thumping loudly in her ears.
Yi Ming stands, "This calls for a feast. Please, if you are not too tired from your travels will you dine with us?"
"It would be our honor, princess," Azula says, bowing low to the ground.
Toph
Toph wakes up curled up in a ball next to Zuko's chest, leaves covering both of their faces. His left arm is thrown out, Toph's head resting upon it while his other arm is draped across Toph's torso. The morning chill had brought with it a light coating of dew, and Toph thanks the heavens that it is not yet winter.
Zuko's chest is rising slowly, in tune with the rhythmic beating of Toph's heart, and she merely curls out so his arm is spread across her waist and she is more comfortable. She reaches into her tunic, pulling out the key and the round coin Bumi had pressed into her hands. The key is smooth and cold, however Toph cannot smell the strong scent of metal or iron like most keys have. The round token, however, does give off a strong scent, a mixture of green tea and blood.
Zuko shifts, and Toph stills, waiting. He's sitting up now, and he gently rubs her back, "Are you alright?"
Toph shrugs, "Are you?"
"I'm the man, I should be the strong one," Zuko says quietly, his voice watery.
Toph runs her fingers over the key again, snorting. Her go-to weapon is sarcasm, as always, and she arranges her face into a shaky smile, "Who force-fed you that load of horse dung?"
Zuko brushes off the comment, instead reaching forward to finger the key that Toph is holding.
Toph instinctively tenses, whipping it away, "Stop it."
"Wait. Uncle gave me one like that, except it's orange."
"Orange?"
"Oh, erm, a different color," Zuko tries.
Toph rolls her blind eyes, huffing, "Lemme feel."
Zuko places a key similar to Toph's into her hands, and she can indeed tell that they are very similar, the only difference being the intricate carvings at the end. There are millions of tiny grooves and markings that are so numerous it would take Toph months to compare the two keys.
"What are these?" Toph asks.
Zuko shakes his head, "I don't know. But they're made of some sort of jewel."
Toph shakes off the sudden chill of fear, "I think we should go to the Kyoshi Lands."
"Why?"
"We'll be safe. They'll protect us, maybe they'll even let us figure out a way to save Iroh and Bumi," Toph whispers.
Zuko shakes his head, "They're dead," he says harshly, "I say we just go on the run, leave all the kingdoms behind."
Toph turns away from him, sucking in a sharp breath, biting her cheek, "What are we supposed to do, then? Where will we go?"
"We'll stay here, and recover. We will mourn, gain strength, and then take back Omashu," Zuko says, his voice filled with an idealistic conviction.
"How? We have no weapons, no army, how will we do it?" Toph asks, her voice thick with tears.
"I don't know, but we have to try," Zuko says, "We have a duty to the people, and Bumi, and my Uncle, to fulfill."
Azula
"Would you like to play chess with me?"
Azula looks up from her letter to her father, and she looks around, finding the source to be Princess Yi Ming. She nods curtly, "It would be an honor. Please give me a moment to dress more acceptably."
Yi Ming nods, "I will be waiting in the library."
Azula stows the unfinished letter in her trunk, wrapped in her spare bindings, and then she pulls on her armor. She locks her trunk. She has not once taken off the traditional Kyoshi paint, for she has met Yi Ming and Kuei before, as the Fire Lord's daughter, and she did not plan on being found out by a half-wit Earth prince and his odd daughter.
She had heard the rumors, of Yi Ming's dalliance with other women, and Azula ponders that as she pulls on the armor. A woman, lying with another woman? It wasn't proper, especially for the heir to the throne. How would her subjects view her? How would she produce a legitimate heir? How would she gain respect?
Yi Ming is waiting for her in the library, dressed in a light green frock with her hair down. Utterly improper. She makes Azula look horribly overdressed.
"You may be white," Yi Ming says, turning the board so that the white pieces are facing Azula.
Azula stares long and hard at Yi Ming, her eyes cold and calculating. She moves one of her pawns two spaces forward.
Yi Ming hums, "How interesting."
She moves a pawn forward, and the polished black marble piece clacks against the surface of the board.
Azula ponders her next move, taking in the whole board.
Yi Ming giggles, and Azula tilts her face up, scowling, "What?" she snarls, baring her perfectly white teeth. She nudges another pawn forward.
"You are very beautiful, when you concentrate, Azula," Yi Ming whispers. Yi Ming moves her knight forward.
Azula reels internally, but she maintains her cool demeanor. She glances to the side, but there are still no guards coming to take her away, no warning noises from Mai and Ty Lee. She moves the pawn.
Yi Ming giggles, "Do you remember when you and I used to play together? At those awful gatherings at the Avatar palace? You'd pretend like you were going to burn your brother while I held him in place," Yi Ming sighs fondly, moving her rook, "I used to be so jealous, because you were just so beautiful."
"My name is Sunyoung, your majesty," Azula says quietly, sending a prayer to Artemis. Azula moves the bishop forward.
"I won't tell your secret, Azula," Yi Ming says, "I missed you. You were my first and only friend. I trust you wouldn't betray me. Did you run away because of your father? Nobody agrees with his policies, and I would understand if you did. I'm glad the Kyoshis found you."
Azula's mind races, and a new plan suddenly formulates in her mind, "...I missed you too."
Yi Ming beams, and slides her hand over so their fingertips touch. The smile that flickers across Azula's face at the contact is not forced.
The guilt almost chokes her as she moves her queen forward, "Checkmate." She hides it behind a sly smile.
Yi Ming chuckles, "I should've known you wouldn't want to lose."
Sokka
Sokka pushes down the bile rising in his throat as he surveyed the remains of the Southern Water Kingdom. Scorch marks are apparent on almost all of the houses. The battered remains of the villagers are scattered everywhere, and the stench of burning flesh and blood have settled over the kingdom.
His father is continuing toward the palace, posture locked into a rigid position. Sokka jumps off and empties the contents of his stomach on the side of the path. Huge Fire Nation banners have been draped over the sides of the castle. Sokka walks in, pushing the broken wooden door of the castle open.
The walk to the throne room is agonizing. Guards are slumped over in various positions.
Yue.
Oh, spirits.
Sokka's pace quickens to a sprint, and he overtakes his father and caravan they had been traveling with. The throne room door is locked, and he rams into it with his shoulder. The door gives, and Sokka flies into the room, surveying the damage. He spots a familiar figure on the floor, and his throat closes up, like he swallowed a stone.
"Gran-Gran?" Sokka rushes over, kneeling down next to her.
Her eyes have glazed over a long time ago, and Sokka sobs, pounding the stone ground with his fist.
Sokka is pushed out of the way by rough hands, and he cries out, his head landing in something soft. His heart leaps into his throat, like a drum beating loud and erratically.
It's Yue, oh spirits. Oh spirits. The drum's tempo quickens, even louder. There is a roaring rage in his ears. Something in his chest tightens. He can't breathe.
Her once flawless face is irreparably scarred and Sokka gasps involuntarily, scooting away.
Oh spirits.
The room spins, and the last thing Sokka is conscious of is somebody lifting him up and carrying him out of the room as his vision fades.
Zuko
The tree has formed a small circle of shade over their faces, and Zuko strokes the soft flesh of Toph's cheek. He traces a calloused finger over her barely visible cheekbone, and then moves up along her face to trace the outline of her ear. She stirs, an expression of annoyance on her face.
"Stoppit," she murmurs, the words slurred by sleep and exhaustion.
She is so tiny, and the fabric of his cloak envelops her form whole.
"We'll have to go soon," Zuko says slowly, "A couple of Fire Nation scouts rode past here a couple minutes ago. I think a search party is out looking for us."
"Ten more minutes," Toph grouses, turning away from him.
Zuko sighs, "Alright."
A rustling in the trees has them both shoot up. Toph is wide awake now, and Zuko pushes her behind him. Two figures emerge into the clearing, a pale boy that can't be more than Toph's age and a girl with darker skin that seems to be also around their age. He would dismiss them as threats if they weren't both holding weapons up defensively.
The boy has a sword, and the girl has a sword on her back and an menacing looking axe in her hands.
"We don't want any trouble," Zuko says.
The girl glances momentarily at the boy, and then shakily says, "N-neither do we."
Toph pokes her head out slightly from behind Zuko, "Then put down the weapon."
"Princess Toph? Is that you?"
Toph sniffs, tilting her head a little, "That voice sounds familiar."
"It's me, Princess Katara."
Sokka
Sokka's stomach growls with hunger, but he ignores it, urgently pushing his horse forward, trying to reach the Earth Kingdoms as soon as possible. Somebody had to help. Anybody. Even that prissy King Lao's help Sokka would be so grateful for. His sister and the Avatar were on the run and the last communication they had sent had been nearly a week ago. He needed help.
The horizon line of Omashu came into sight, and a little weight lifted off of Sokka's chest. His heart drops when he spots the Fire Nation banners flung over the barriers. He pulls his hood up, his mouth settling into a grim line. If Azula was here...
He is stopped by Fire Nation-outfitted guards at the entrance to the city. He pulls a couple gold pieces out of a pouch from the side of his horse and drops them into the guard's hand. He is waved in without question.
He gets off his horse, and then waves over a peasant boy. He presses a gold piece into his hand, "Watch him for me, and wait here for me. I'll come back with another two if you can manage that."
The boy nods, "Go' it."
Sokka draws up his hood, to disguise his dark skin among the sea of pale, Earth Kingdom complexions.
He needed to get somewhere where he could find some information. He spots a tea shop, and he walks toward the Jasmine Dragon with a slight feeling of trepidation.
He steps into the shop, his boots creaking on the wooden floor. He sits at a booth, sighing. Now what?
He looked around the shop, looking for somebody who looked vulnerable enough to pump information out of, but loyal to the Earth Kingdom.
A matronly looking woman decked in finery - no, she was a noblewoman, and would sell her soul if it meant she could get more power. She probably sold her allegiance to the Fire Nation conquerors as soon as they had so much as stepped into Omashu.
The scarred army officer wouldn't do, he'd see through Sokka's attempts at getting information in an instant.
A fat old man, in traditional Earth Kingdom garb. Perfect. As Sokka approached the old man's table, Sokka felt as if he had seen him somewhere.
"May I join you?" Sokka asks politely.
"Of course," the old man says, "I always welcome members of the Water Tribe to my table."
Sokka freezes.
"My eyes may be unseeing," the old man says, "But I have many who serve in their place."
Sokka sits down slowly, "Who are you?"
"I believe I hold the upper hand, my boy," the old man says quietly, "And that you should introduce yourself first."
Something glints in the corner of Sokka's eyes, and the old man is clutching a dagger menacingly under his sleeve.
Sokka's frown deepens, "I am Sokka, lord of the Southern Water Kingdom," Sokka murmurs in a low voice.
"And what is the prince of the Southern Water Kingdom doing so far from home?" the old man asks, amused.
Sokka pauses a moment, "I came looking for my sister."
The old man leans forward, "Do you know who I am, my son?"
Sokka stays silent.
"I am Iroh," he says, his voice low so other patrons cannot hear, "The blinded dragon of the Fire Nation."
Sokka sucks in a surprised breath, "Where does your allegiance lie?" Sokka's heart is thudding in his throat. Should the answer be anything that resembles "the Fire Nation," Sokka had no doubt that Iroh would use that glinting dagger and then drive it through Sokka's throat.
Iroh smiles, his eyes twinkling, "With the Avatar, of course."
Sokka can't deny the wave of relief that washes over him, "Then we share a goal, Lord Iroh."
"I feel you and I have much to discuss," Iroh says, "Let us move to somewhere more private."
Azula
Yi Ming dashes into the throne room at the same moment Azula releases the arrow aimed for her father's heart.
Yi Ming lets out a strangled choke, running towards her father's falling figure.
"NO!" Yi Ming screams, and it's a horrible sound. Azula's face bears no emotion, not even her usual smirk.
There are so many dead bodies in the throne room. The stench of blood is thick in the air.
King Kuei goes still, eyes glazing over with his head in Yi Ming's lap. Both of them have blood stains blooming across their skirts. Yi Ming stands up, a fury filling her eyes.
"Why?" Yi Ming cries, her voice choked with sorrow. She looks betrayed, horrified, "I covered for you. I got a letter from Omashu a day after we talked. I hid it. I gave you the benefit of the doubt, foolishly believing that you were only being forced to follow your father's orders."
Azula shakes her head, sorrow hitting her in the face at the sight of Yi Ming walking towards her with that much hatred in her eyes.
"KILL ME!" Yi Ming screams, and the cry echoes off the walls of the palace. The sound curls and fills the room.
Azula shakes her head again, sobbing outright now. The bow and arrow fall to the ground, and Azula drops the scabbard with the sword in it around her shoulder onto the floor.
Yi Ming is so close to Azula that they could be touching noses if Azula jerked forward an inch. Azula can see every feature of Yi Ming's face, the wide eyes, arched eyebrows, high, regal forehead. Clear droplets of tears cling to the curve of Yi Ming's jaw.
Yi Ming kneels down, tugging the sword from Azula's discarded scabbard, "If not by your hand," she says bitterly, "Then by my own."
Azula doesn't have enough time to react.
Yi Ming crumple to the ground immediately, a gaping gash forming just underneath Yi Ming's left breast. The hilt sticks out of abdomen. She had missed. She falls to the ground, clutching herself, letting out strangled, pained gasps.
"Oh, Spirits," Azula whispers, falling down next to Yi Ming, fingers fluttering over the wound, "Yi Ming, please," Azula's face hardens, "Stop being foolish, Yi Ming."
"Eat, sleep, rule, right?" the Ba Sing Se princess says bitterly, and she smiles humorlessly, blood trickling down the side of her mouth, "We're all just playing the game."
Azula pushes down the bile rising in her throat, to hear her own cruel words coming out of Yi Ming's mouth.
Yi Ming locks her gaze with Azula's, brown eyes staring into wild yellow ones. She raises a bloody hand, cupping Azula's face, "We could've been happy without this."
Azula shakes her head, pulling away. Her eyes go cold, "Don't you hear what they say about you? They call you a queer. A mistake."
"We could've run away," Yi Ming whispers, smiling regretfully.
Azula recoils again, the tender feelings clawing away at something she cannot recognize, "I know you understand, you were born to rule, like me," she pauses, recalling their conversation. "Like you said, I didn't want to lose," Azula says firmly.
Yi Ming shakes her head, "It's not for you to decide, Azula. You gave up your right to rule the minute you invaded the Southern Kingdom. There are many different monarchs for reason, Azula. Not one person should hold all the power, and -"
She starts coughing, blood from her mouth splattering onto her clothes.
Yi Ming wipes at her mouth delicately before continuing, "War and domination are not the keys to power. Your people must also be one with you. A ruler that rules by fear is not ruler at all. That's a tyrant."
Azula feels sick to her stomach.
"I meant everything I said, Azula," Yi Ming adds quietly, "And I mean everything I say now."
Yi Ming coughs one last time, and whispers Azula's name once before her eyes flutter close.
Azula's lip trembles as Yi Ming's head lolls on her shoulder. She stands, rearranges her face into a more acceptable expression of calm, picks up her bow and arrows, and walks out of the palace doors.
Azula watches the crimson sun sink beneath the western horizon, pondering her next move.
end of part two