Chapter 2: Journey to the Center of Disaster
Disclaimer: I own nothing except my OC.
"Good morning, Azula! Beautiful day for a trip, isn't it?" Aang greeted warmly from atop Appa's head.
Throwing her bag in front of Appa, Azula grunted, "Hmph. Be careful when you put my luggage on that shaggy beast of yours!"
"Why do you have to be so mean all the time?" Ty Lee asked upon approach, crossing her arms.
"Appa has feelings, too!" Suki added, moving to stand beside Ty Lee.
Leaning forward, Aang whispers consoling to Appa, "I know, buddy. It'll only be for a little while."
"Yeah! Move your own luggage!" Sokka tells her as he loads his and Katara's bags into Appa's saddle.
Walking over to Azula, Liling tells her, "I know you're not familiar with doing so, but you need to be a little bit. . . nicer. It's as hard for them to accept this as it is for you so we all need to make an effort to at least try and get along."
Huffing in indignation, Azula picks up her bag and mumbles, "If you insist, cousin."
Satisfied, Liling joins Ty Lee at her side and playfully nudges her ribs with her elbow. "Have fun guarding the palace. Without Zuko, Azula, and myself around, it's sure going to be boring around here."
Ty Lee turns to face her then and replies, "After everything that has happened, I doubt any of us will get a little boredom. I had no idea being a Kyoshi Warrior would be this exciting!"
"Ha, you're not wrong. But still, we could all use a little break. After we find Aunt Ursa, I plan on taking a vacation." Liling admits with a small laugh.
After a moment of silence, Ty Lee pleads in a quiet voice, "Just, please, be careful. Azula may be on our side now, but there's something off about her. I can't place it, but don't let your guard down. And Ozai is bound to have something planned for revenge of the betrayal by his two children and his niece."
Her face softening, Liling replies, "Of course I'll be careful. And besides, I'm traveling with a waterbending master, the Fire Lord, and the Avatar, as well as a boomerang master. If Azula tries anything, it will be five against one. I'm about as safe as I could be. But," she adds with a pointed look, "Iroh always taught me that everyone deserves a second chance and Azula is no exception to that. I have faith in her. I believe she wants to do good and we should give her the chance to do so."
"If you say so," Ty Lee tells her skeptically. "That's all I can ask for. Be safe and good luck." Ty Lee replies, pulling Liling in for an embrace.
Liling gladly returns the hug before saying, "You be safe, too. Just because Azula is gone doesn't mean my Uncle might not try to escape. And please watch over Iroh for me."
"I will," Ty Lee promises as the two slip out of each other's arms.
With one last look at Ty Lee, Liling glides over to Iroh and says, "Have fun taking over Zuko's job."
Upon noticing his daughter standing before him, he pulls her in for a hug and replies, "Don't worry about me. Be safe and good luck on your journey. I've got everything under control here."
After hearing Iroh's promise, Liling pulls out of his grasp and moves to join the group with whom she will be shortly departing with.
Katara moved to stand beside Zuko. "I still don't like this, Zuko."
Turning to her, Zuko points out, "You can keep an eye on her if it makes you feel better. Every moment of every day, if you must. But I trust her, and I know Liling does as well. And she trusts us in return. We should enjoy it while it lasts."
Her voice heavy with resolve, Liling joins their conversation. "Well, if worst comes to worst, there are five of us against one of her. But as Zuko just said, Azula has given us no reason to distrust her. I love my cousin, I truly do, and I believe we should give her the second chance she deserves."
"I'll take first watch!" Sokka volunteers, waving his boomerang around eagerly, having only heard the part about taking watch.
"Let's make it four against one, Liling," Katara murmurs as her brother volunteers himself to be electrocuted first.
With a dubious smile, Zuko says, "I appreciate the offer, Sokka, but maybe you should leave this to the benders."
"No, I got it covered. Mr. Boomerang and I didn't appreciate her "ignorant peasant" comment yesterday. We're going to show her what we're made of!" He turns to Azula and adds, "Time to go, Azula! And no funny business or else wack-a-pow!" Azula nonchalantly zaps the end of the boomerang with lightning, painfully shocking him. "Yeow!" Sokka cries, his hand throbbing in pain.
Katara, Liling, Zuko, and Aang attack her with their bending. "Sokka!" Katara cries out.
"I'm okay!" Sokka replies, standing up as if to illustrate this point.
Whirling around to face Azula, Katara snaps viciously, "Don't you ever touch him!"
Without a hint of remorse, Azula replies stonily, "Tell your brother not to wave his toy in my face!"
Approaching his sister, Zuko points out, "We made a deal, Azula! If we're going to do this together, you have to stay calm!"
"And in case you're wondering, that was not 'calm'." Liling pointed out, crossing her arms.
"Keep your merry band of misfits in check and we'll all get along fine," Azula promised in a simpering tone.
His eyes roving between the two Fire Nation siblings, Sokka admits, "I changed my mind. One of you take first watch."
"There will be no 'watch'," Liling tells them with clasped hands before turning to Azula and Sokka. "Azula, you should not have shocked Sokka. And Sokka, I know you mean well, but don't threaten Azula. We cannot get along if we continue with this petty bickering. It is getting us nowhere." With that, she boards Appa.
At last they all board Appa, who flies away. Suki, Ty Lee, and Iroh watch and wave at them from below before disappearing back inside the palace as Appa disappears across the horizon.
"Ahhh! The open sky above us, a daring mission before us, and friends all around! Just like old times, isn't it?" Sokka nostalgically reflects, leaning back and crossing his arms behind his head.
Cuddling closer to Katara, Aang happily replies, "Even better than old times! Before I always wanted to kiss Katara and now I actually get to do it!"
"Aw, sweetie!" Katara pecks Aang on the cheek at the comment.
Looking away in disgust, Sokka grumbles, "I for one could do without that part."
Pulling away from Aang, Katara surveys the group and observes dejectedly, "Too bad Toph couldn't be here."
"Well, instead of Toph, now we have. . ." Aang trails off, his face falling at the sight of Azula. At Aang's comment, everyone looks to Azula.
Glancing up at her companions, Azula asks, "So, tell me, kids. I've been dying to know. Which of you miscreants did she approach first?"
"What are you talking about?" Liling asks, her brow furrowed in confusion as she edges closer to Azula.
Ignoring Liling's question, Azula reiterates, "How did she convince you to help her ruin my life?"
Zuko thrusts his arm in front if Azula, cutting her off from everyone else. "That's enough, Azula!" he shouts, his fist hisses threateningly as steam emanates from his knuckles.
Looking down at her brother's fist, Azula says airily, "Put that away, Zuzu. It's just small talk."
As the two continue to fight, Sokka sighs. "I miss Toph."
"You said it." Aang adds, turning back towards Appa's reins, wondering how long this journey would last before they were all trying to kill each other.