A/N: Everything still belongs to the creators.
Fire benders always rise with the sun.
Longshot wakes up before everyone.
No exceptions.
The group broke camp and continued their trudged to the hidden port of Full-Moon Bay. Though the sun had been out for a full day the sludge persisted.
Longshot took the lead, followed by Suhir, Avani, Jet, and lastly, Smellerbee. Avani quickly fell behind from fighting with the sludge oozing around her feet. Jet lifted her up and placed her upon his shoulders.
"When I get to Ba Sing Se, I'm going to eat a whole pot of spicy noodles. What about you Ava?" Jet was doing his best to start his second life. To make up for every fuck-up he's done.
"Rock candy!" An Earth Kingdom staple. Quite popular with most people and originated in Omashu. Idle chit-chat passed between Jet and Avani.
The Gemsbok Bull's meat filled their bellies for the few days they had to walk.
A deep sigh escaped ruby red lips as the tawny eyes focused on the cove that hid Full-Moon Bay. The two girls and Jet's crew looked akin to mud monsters than humans. Smellerbee found a place to wash themselves nearby. The women washed first, then the men. Feeling related to humans once again, the group worked their way to Full-Moon Bay's hidden port.
Jet skillfully convinced the earth bender guards, with Avani help while sitting on his shoulders, to let the group into the secret port. Azula's nose curled at the smell when the earth bender moved the last wall. People and animals had been living here for days. Tents were erected and many uprooted families milled about or waited in the endless lines.
A roar was heard before the Guard Platypus Bear destroyed something. Avani saw splinters of wood fly into the air.
"What's that?" Avani asked pointing towards the Platypus Bear wearing a posh green and yell hat with a matching shirt.
"A Platypus Bear." Sudhir stated. None of the freedom fighters had seen one before. Jet frowned, he did not want to tango with that beast. Less so since his adventures with the Gemsbok Bull.
"Wooow!" Avani gripped Jet's hair in excitement.
"I suggest you keep your distance." Sudhir warned as Smellerbee started to drift away from the group towards the posh creature. Even the way it was sitting emanated an aura of high-class. Jet and Avani confirmed Azula's orders by nodded in synchronization.
The group separated to wait in different lines. Hours passed before Azula and Avani reached the podium belonging to the Ticketmaster. It quickly became clear that the hard-ass Ticketmaster wasn't going to help them with their situation. Nothing could be done without an official passport. As the sisters walked away Azula muttered some choice words about the Ticketmaster.
The best one was about the Ticketmaster's mother being romantically involved with a robust Elbow Leech.
"Sudhir! Avani!" Jet called out from the boarding platform behind a wall. Other passengers walked pass him as he leaved over the rail waving at the sisters. "Aren't you guys getting on?"
"We couldn't get tickets. We don't have passports." Sudhir responded as Avani waved at Jet. Jet frowned. Smellerbee and Longshot were already on the ship and he couldn't disappear without telling them what he was up to. They would think he snapped and panic. With gusto, Jet pulled off his pack and threw it over the wall. Sudhir jumped up and grabbed the pack midair it was the freedom fighter's share of the Gemsbok Bull meat.
"Just hold on. Once we're in Ba Sing Se we'll find a way to get you across." Jet yelled as the guards shooed him onto the boat.
"Thank you!"
"Byee Jet!" Avani was waving using both of her arms. The two watched, tears blurring their sights as the ships sailed to Ba Sing Se without them. Azula petted Avani's head feeling her pain as they watched the grand ships sail towards the horizon.
Upon the next sunrise Azula set out to find a way onto the boats. Bureaucracy and earth benders thwarted every attempt and terminated every lead.
The sun set and rose once again. Azula was dejected fom her failures of the previous day. While wandering with Avani by her side, Azula overheard a important conversation.
"Don't worry, you'll get to the city safely. I'll lead you through the Serpent's Pass" Said a boy not much older than Avani with bright yellow and orange clothing. Upon his perfectly shaved hair a large sky blue arrow rested pointing somewhere. Avani gawked at the boy's appearance. The others surrounding him were colorful as well. The shortest girl wore clothes with similar colors of the posh Platypus bear, the tallest had a similar outfit to the countless guards around the bay, a family of three wore worn green outfits, and the last two chatted with ocean blue clothing resting upon their shoulders. Azula had missed the final companion of the group.
A flying lemur.
Avani's eyes remained glued upon the lemur as it watched her.
Serpent's Pass? Why did no one mention this before?
The teenaged boy with a partially shaved head and high pony tail loudly complained, "I can't believe we gave up our tickets and now we're going through the Serpent's Pass."
Miniature posh Platypus Bear replied to the boy's complaint, "I can't believe you're still complaining about it."
Joining the group was a Kyoshi Warrior in full attire. Avani's mind couldn't handle the contrasting differences between everyone's outfit. Azula was startled that the female warrior could move so quickly in her outfit. "I'm coming too!"
"Are you sure that's a good idea?" Sokka asked a strange tone to his voice.
"Sokka, I thought you'd want me to come." Suki sounded wounded from Sokka's question.
The boy attempted to recover from his mistep, "I do, it's just–"
"Just what?" The warrior pressed. Her lips tighten in a frown. Sokka was certain that if he messed up again that the warrior would throw him into the drink.
"Nothing. I'm glad you're coming." Silently, he wish that she wasn't going with him. Danger awaited around every turn for the Avatar Team.
The group walked towards the exit with Avani and Momo having a staring contest. Azula contemplated her options. Azula quickly grabbed Avani's hand and ran towards the mismatched group.
"Hey! We're coming too!" Sudhir yelled to the group with Avani struggling to keep up.
"What?!" Sokka complained. He silenced himself after feeling the glares from Katara and Suki.
"We would love to have you with." Katara welcomed the sisters. The gang had no idea that the young woman was Princess Azula. Who had not too long ago attempted to kill Aang and ordered her comrades to kill Toph, Katara, and Sokka.
Poor meals had thinned the Princess, long exposure to sunlight had tanned her skin, and a new haircut removed key physical similarities between Sudhir and Azula.
Katara introduced everyone as they walked to the Serpent's Pass.
"I'm Sudhir and this is my sister Avani."
"Hello!" Avani chirped walking next to Sudhir.
A strange ridge loomed before the group. It was tall and painfully narrow. Several members of the group wondered how it was staying up.
"This is the Serpent's Pass? I thought it would be a little more curvy, you know, like a serpent. Huh, I guess they misnamed it." Sudhir rolled her eyes at Sokka who failed to notice. Avani leaned towards Toph and Momo.
"His name's Momo. He's friendly." Toph stated petting the flying lemur perched upon her shoulder. Avani reached out to pet the furry creature. Within a flash Momo had changed his perch from Toph's shoulder to Avani's.
"Let's start walking. Sunlight is burning away." Sudhir stated walking pass the wooden gate. Ignoring the carving: Abandon hope. The Earth Kingdom family looked at each other then at Aang. Aang sighed, struggling with his loss of Appa.
"Sudhir's right. Let's go." The Avatar quickly followed Sudhir's steps. The group rearranged the walking order several times due to Ying's swollen belly. Aang was in the front, followed by Azula, Suki, Katara, Avani, Toph with Momo, Than's sister, Ying with Than, and ending with Sokka. A few hours of walking passed until Suki noticed the Fire Nation ship patrolling near their position. The group hesitates until Sudhir calmed them.
"I doubt they're looking up here. Why would they? I doubt anyone has dared to cross this in years." Aang silently thanked her for the reassurance. They didn't have time to spare to wait for a patrol ship to pass. He needed to find Appa as quickly as possible.
The ship glided closer and Suki had to open her mouth, "The Fire Nation controls the western lake. Rumor has it they're working on something big on the other side of it and don't want anyone to find out what it is." Azula rolled her eyes at the Kyoshi Warrior. After having reassure the family and Avani several times that everything will be fine, Suki-for an unknown reason- had to say that.
By the Spirits! Everyone's afraid and you talk about war rumors? Do you want them to panic as if they were Koala Sheep? Heated air blew through Azula's nose. Her eyes widened in a moment of fear then relaxed as she saw that Aang had not turned around. Sudhir's hidden fire bending skills remained a secret.
A few moments later a portion of the cliff gave way under Than's feet. Toph's speed and earth bending caught the man and sent him back near his original position before Aang or Azula could turn around.
"I'm okay!"
While Toph's skills were great, she failed to catch all of the tumbling rocks. With rocky zeal they clashed along the side of the pass and dove into the water.
Every one of them froze eyes wider than a Koala Sheep's.
Sokka and Azula were the first to spot the catapult's load igniting.
"They've spotted us! Let's go, let's go!" Sokka yelled as the ball of fire flew through the air.
Wind whipped around Azula as Aang launched himself at the fireball deflecting it back upon the ship. The impact destroyed a portion of the desk and certainly damaged the engines. The catapults were still functional including the second one that quickly launched another fireball at the group.
Katara lead the way down the treacherous path. Suki picked up Avani and bolted after Katara. Than and his family shuffled as quickly as possible. Aang couldn't deflect the second attack. The spine of the Serpent broke apart from the impact sending rocks down upon the group. Sokka gazed upon the boulders roaring downward. Sensing the danger honing in on Sokka, Toph quickly forced a wedge out of the earth to divert the rocks safely over Sokka.
The brave warrior stopped his girlish screams once he realized death had not come for him. Sudhir stared at the boy uncertain of how she should think of him.
"Thanks Toph." He squeaked as he ran by the blind earth bender. Toph was still processing Sokka's girlish screams. Azula snapped out of her daze first and followed the obviously embarrassed warrior. Azula's running reminded Toph that it was time to go. Aang brought up the rear of the troupe.
The sun sipped its feet into Full Moon Bat signaling to the group to set up camp. There was a small disagreement between Sokka and Suki. Heavy boots stomped towards Azula and Avani. Suki furiously threw her sleeping mat down then herself upon it. Azula's eyebrow disappeared beneath her bangs.
"What's wrong?" Avani asked. An heated huff was Suki's answer. Grassy eyes turned upon Azula. As if Azula would know what's going on between the make-up drenched woman and the overtly feminine screaming warrior. Azula's asnwer to Avani's question was a shrug then a motion for them to go to sleep.
The Sun successfully returned for another day. This time Azula was up first.
No one could see the damaged patrol boat. Tension was expunged from the group as the boat failed to return. Instead a new challenge appeared.
The path continued underwater. CURSE THE MOON! Azula screamed in her mind. She could feel fire desperately clawing its way out of her fingertips. Clenched fists halted the fire's progress. Being thrown into the bay was the last thing she wanted to do in her lifetime.
"Everyone single file!" Katara ordered.
Azula watched as Katara parted the water faster than Moses. Perhaps I have made a dire mistake.
Suki stepped in behind Katara and Sokka was next. Azula swallowed hard, her heart chipping away at her ribs. One step at a time. The first step was hard. The hardest step was when the bubble was fully submerged several feet below the water. Avani's head appeared to be rotating around as if she was part owl. Colorful fishes skirted around the group.
Momo was the bravest of them all and went for a jaunty swim.
A scaled monstrosity broke the bubble.
"BY THE ASS OF A SCORPION BEE!"
Azula swore. Sokka performed his top hit, "Girlish Screaming!" Avani squeaked with Suki and Momo. As one of the few who remained calm, Toph quickly elevated the path out of the water.
Sokka ended his popular hit with, "I just figured out why they call it the Serpents Pass!"
"Thank you, Lieutenant Obvious! I suggest we swim!" Azula yelled over the serpent's screech.
"Katara! Get everyone to shore. I'll distract the serpent!" The Avatar ordered his comrade. The water bender bent her knees, look a deep breath and froze the water into a table ice bridge. Once the bridge touched solid earth Katara jumped into the churning water. Using her command over ice she create herself a surfboard to go help Aang. Everyone but Avani and Toph had crossed the bridge.
Sokka called out to the girls, "Com on, it's just ice!" Avani tugged on Toph's hand managing to coerce the earth bender to touch the ice. The Blind Bandit retreated until the Serpent's tail crashed dangerously close to her. The two screamed in unison and flee onto the bridge.
"You're doing great! You can make it!" Sokka's poor attempt of pep-talk went unappreciated.
"You're not helping." Azula growled at Sokka before he could make another rallying speech. With Avani's help Toph managed to cross the bridge before the Serpent smashed through. Back in the bay the Avatar and Katara subdued the aggressive monster and sent it on its way.
The rest of the trip was smooth until Ying's baby decided it wanted to join the group. Sokka proceeded to flip out until Azula pinched a nerve knocking him out. Toph laughed with Avani.
"Is he always like this?" Sudhir asked setting Sokka's limp form down.
"Sometimes?" Katara answered with a shrug before assigning tasks to everyone. Ying was able to deliver her child without any complications. Suki said her goodbyes and Aang raced ahead to Ba Sing Se.
The final leg of their journey to Ba Sing Se was marred by the Fire Nation's new machine.
"What is that?" Katara asked.
"A drill." Sudhir remarked. Everyone looked at her examining every fiber of her. Sudhir bit her lip wondering how she knew. She knew the information was correct.
"How do y-" Sokka started until Aang shut him off "It doesn't matter. We need all the help we can get."
"I can help but-" Sudhir glanced at Avani, "I better not hear any complaints."
"Deal." Aang stated leaving no room for disagreements. Once upon the outer wall there was a small verbal scuffle with General Sung. A few minutes were spent watching the Terra Team be obliterated by a three man team of fire benders released from the drill.
"Terrible Team. Am I right?" Sokka joked. A glare from Katara, a sigh from Aang, nodding from Toph, and a chuckle from Azula were his bounty.
Thanks!