Chapter Six – The Best Laid Plans
One day could not contain the celebration of Zuko and Mai's first wedding anniversary. It wasn't just the Capital that wanted to celebrate – to Sokka, it looked like the entire Fire Nation was using it as an excuse for yet another party.
And yet again, he was assigned to security.
It was the first night of festivities, with six more to follow. So far, it was all pretty tame, but Sokka new the reality of the situation. Things start out fine, but by the last night of the gala, his holding cells would be full of inebriated and bloody partygoers.
Sokka walked through the central square of the city, watching for any disruptions. His hand stayed on the hilt of his sword, sheathed and strapped to his waist for the night, rather than his back. For that night, at least, everyone behaved themselves.
*****
On fourth night of the festival, Sokka had a feeling that something wasn't quite right. The air was too still, the night too quiet, despite the revelry going on around him.
Sokka always trusted his instincts, and he wasn't disappointed.
Just after sunset, he was on a regular patrol of the plaza square. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted Piandao, obviously trying to get his attention without being noticed by anyone else.
They both made their way to a small alcove set back from the plaza, away from prying ears.
Sokka bowed to his master. "Do you have news?"
Piandao nodded in return. "More of a situation, really."
Sokka didn't need to be told who the "situation" revolved around. "Shun," he whispered.
"Indeed. We received word an hour ago from the Grand Lotus. Shun broke Azula out of her prison last week. She's in the city now, and I don't have to tell you who she's going after first."
Sokka's thoughts immediately went back to the final battle on the day of Sozin's Comet. Seeing Azula chained and broken was a disturbing image, and there were only two people she could blame it on.
Zuko and Katara.
And both were in the Capital City.
Without another word, Sokka spun on his heel and ran through the crowds, searching for his sister with desperation. He searched the entire plaza without finding her, so he made his way toward the palace. Hopefully she was there, surrounded by guards with Aang and Zuko with her.
He ran into the courtyard and saw her. Katara was talking to Mai and Zuko, her arm linked with Aang's. Sokka strode to her and gave her a tight hug.
"Sokka?" she asked, smiling. "Are you okay?"
He didn't let her go. "I'm just glad you're okay."
Katara's smile faded. "What's wrong?"
He took a step back from her and looked at his friends gathered there. With a heavy sigh, he told them the situation with Azula. He watched as the colour drained from their faces. Aang put a protective arm around Katara's shoulders, and Mai moved a little closer to Zuko.
When Sokka was finished, Aang was the first to speak. "Well, as long as we are all here, we're all safe," he said. "We all just have to stay together until Azula and this Shun guy are found."
"Is there room for me in this party?"
They all turned to the speaker. Sokka couldn't believe his eyes. Could it really be? After so long?
"Toph!" Katara ran to hug her friend. "What are you doing here? I thought you couldn't come?"
"I never could say no to a good party," she said and jabbed Katara in the arm. "Besides, I thought you guys could use a little help."
Sokka wanted more than anything to run to his friend and hold her and never let her go.
Azula chose that moment to enter the courtyard.
Suddenly, Sokka and his friends were alone. He pulled his sword and boomerang from their sheaths, Mai had a stiletto in her hand, and everyone else took up bending stances. Azula was surrounded.
Toph made the first move, encasing the fallen princess's feet in the ground below.
Azula tried to move, but was stuck. Zuko took a step forward. "Give up quietly, Azula," he said. "We don't want to hurt you."
She looked at the group encircling her. With a sigh, she raised her arms. "I know when I'm beaten," she said. "You got me. A princess surrenders with honor."
Sokka had a horrible feeling of déjà vu. Somehow, he knew what was going to happen next.
Azula raised two fingers toward Toph. Sokka dove to try to get her out of the way, but he knew he was going to be too late. A cold, blue light filled his vision.
Sokka woke with a start. He sat up in his bed, willing his heartbeat and breathing to slow down. "It was only a dream," he told himself. "Toph is in Ba Sing Se, she's safe." It had become a familiar speech for him. He repeated it over and over again until he calmed down.
He threw his legs over the side of the bed and rested his elbows on his knees. The nightmares were continuing to get worse and were happening more often. He hadn't gotten a decent night's sleep in two months.
He shook the last remnants of the dream from his head and stood up, grabbing a nearby tunic. It was time to do something about it.
*****
Sokka pounded of the door of Zuko's private study. It may have been a bit early in the morning to have a meeting, but he'd looked everywhere else; Zuko had to be in there.
He was about to beat on the door again when it was flung open by the Fire Lord. "This had better be good, Sokka. I'm meeting with the Ambassador." Sokka looked over Zuko's shoulder to see the Earth kingdom Ambassador seated in a chair, looking only a little upset by the interruption.
Sokka pulled Zuko into the hallway. "I have to go," he said.
Zuko pinched the bridge of his nose and sighed. "Okay, I'll bite. Where do you have to go, and when?"
"To Ba Sing Se, and I have to go now."
Zuko just looked at him. "Well, it's about time," he finally said.
"Excuse me?"
"Well, Toph's been gone for almost nine months now, and you haven't even tried to visit her. Have you even sent a letter?"
"And how exactly would she read a letter?"
"She lives next to my uncle. Unless you don't trust him?"
Sokka cleared his throat. "Of course I do. It's just..." He trailed off. How could he explain what had happened between himself and Toph when he wasn't even sure himself?
Zuko held up his hands. "No, don't try to explain. It's obviously between you and her, and I'm not getting in the middle."
"So, does that mean I can go?" Sokka tried not to sound too hopeful.
"Sokka, technically you're not a Fire Nation citizen. You're a volunteer in the army; you just have the added perk of getting paid. You can come and go as you please." Zuko looked him in the eye with a slightly pained expression. "That being said, I would like to request that you stay through the end of the celebration. I don't trust anyone else the way I trust you."
Sokka wanted to protest, but found that he couldn't. He couldn't say no to one of his best friends asking for his help. Instead, he just shrugged his shoulders. "Well, I suppose another few days won't hurt. I'll leave the day after the festival."
Zuko smiled. "Thanks Sokka."
Sokka flipped his hand. "After all, it's been almost nine months. What could possibly happen in three days that would make a difference?"
*****
Shun walked into the safe house, grinning from ear to ear. Yoshe smiled back at him. "You look like the cat owl that just ate the sparrowkeet. What's happening?"
"Our futures are happening," he said. He spread his arms out wide. "By this time tomorrow, the Fire Nation will be ours."
Her smile vanished. "Now?" Yoshe couldn't believe what she was hearing. "As in we're attacking tonight?" This wouldn't end well. "Why now?"
"Everyone is in place. The time to strike is tonight."
Yoshe shook her head. There couldn't be a worse time to do this. The city was full of people to celebrate Zuko and Mai's anniversary. Shun would never be able to get him alone.
"There are too many people here now. Even the Avatar is in the city." She took his hands in hers. "Tonight is the last night of the celebration," she reasoned. She placed a small kiss on his lips. "Just wait a week. We've waited almost a year for this, what're a few more days?"
Shun sighed. "Perhaps you are right," he said.
She threw her arms around his neck with relief. "Thank you, Shun," she whispered into his ear.
Shun pulled away from her and picked up his jacket and sword. "I'd better let everyone know the change in plans." He turned back to her. "Yoshe?"
"Yes, My Lord?"
She never felt the sword enter her abdomen. She just knew that somehow it was suddenly there. She looked down to see the gleaming blade protruding from her stomach, Shun's hand on the hilt. A few trails of red ran down it. It would almost be beautiful, if it weren't coming from her own body.
She looked at Shun, wanting to ask why. Only a weak cry escaped her throat.
He glared back at her. "You will never question me again."
Shun jerked the sword out in one rough movement. It seemed to be the only thing holding her up, because she immediately fell to her knees. Her hands went to the wound, trying in vain to somehow keep her life's blood in her.
Light flashed at the edge of her vision. The sight of Shun staring down at her was the last thing she saw as her strength finally gave out. She slumped to the floor, darkness taking her.
*****
Shun wiped his blade on a clean piece of Yoshe's tunic. Leaving it would only cause rust.
It was a shame to lose Yoshe, but better now while they still lived in relative obscurity. If she suddenly vanished after he had risen to power, it could have been disastrous for him.
And she had signed all her finances over to him, just in case of such an eventuality.
He gave Yoshe's body a small kick, just to make sure that she was, in fact, dead.
Satisfied, he strode out into the night, ready to meet his destiny.
*****
More than anything, Sokka just wanted the night to be over. He had already booked passage to the Earth Kingdom on the first ship to leave in the morning. He wasn't sure if he was excited about the trip, or terrified. Either way, he was still leaving in the morning.
"Captain Sokka!"
Sokka turned to the direction of the voice. Zhan was running to him at full speed. He almost crashed right into him, but Zhan managed to stop, albeit somewhat ungracefully.
"What is it Zhan?"
Zhan bent over, panting, resting his hands on his knees. "It's...Shun..." he said between haggard breaths. "I just saw him...headed to the palace..."
Sokka's eyes widened in alarm. "It's happening," he whispered. He returned his attention to Zhan. "Did you see anyone else with him?"
He nodded. His breathing had slowed and he straightened himself. "I estimated about thirty people with him, but there are probably more."
Sokka cursed. Thirty was more than he could hope to take on. The only thing to do was to gather as many people he could and make a stand at the palace. "Zhan, you're a firebender, right?" He nodded. "I know it's asking a lot of you, but I need your help."
Zhan nodded once more and stood to attention. "I am still an army man, sir. I place myself under your command."
"Good," Sokka replied, and clapped him on the shoulder. "I need you to gather as many troops as you can find. Soldiers, security, even any of your old army buddies. Anyone you think could be helpful." He unsheathed his sword and used it to point to the palace. "Get everyone you can to the palace, and quickly. Shun can't be allowed to reach Zuko."
Zhan bowed. "Understood, sir," he said, and without another word, turned and made his way to the plaza, looking for anyone who could help.
Sokka preferred a more direct approach.
He grabbed a lantern from the plaza and ran to an alleyway not far from the square. He stared at the wall in front of him, and then glanced around to make sure no one was watching. Satisfied he was alone, he pushed on a brick at eye level. For a moment, nothing happened. Then, slowly, the whole wall began to move. A crack opened, just big enough for him to pass through. Sokka stepped inside the wall and into the passage.
Once inside, he pulled the lever on the wall, closing the wall behind him. He held the lantern up to illuminate the way. Zuko thought that building the secret passage to the palace had been a waste of time, but at that moment, Sokka was glad that he hadn't listened to the Fire Lord. It had taken Toph a month to carve out the tunnel, and Sokka another month to create the levers that opened and closed the entrances.
Finally, after what seemed an eternity but in reality was more like a few minutes, he'd reached the end of the tunnel. Pulling a final lever, the wall he was facing opened, and he found himself in Zuko's study.
He wasn't alone.
"Sokka, what's going on?"
He sighed in relief. "Mai, thank the spirits." He listened and heard shouting getting closer to them. Shun must have gotten inside the palace. He hoped Zhan was close behind. "There's too much to tell, but I need your help. Let's just say we have to take out the bad guys."
Mai nodded her understanding. In a flash, she had two stilettos in each hand and was making her way to the main door of the study.
There was a shout outside the door, followed by a loud, hot blast as the door was blown off its hinges. Sokka raised an arm to protect his head and looked to Mai, expecting her to be ready to take out whoever had destroyed the door. Instead, he saw her hunched over slightly, unhurt, but both arms curled protectively around her abdomen.
"Oh, sweet Spirits," he said, and hurried to place himself between the Fire Lady and the intruder.
Sure enough, the rebel came through the smouldering remains of the door, sword in hand, ready to attack.
Sokka took advantage of the smoke cover. He raised his arm and smashed his elbow into the firbender's face. He fell without a sound.
Sokka grabbed Mai's hand and dragged her to the secret passage. "You need to go, now," he told her.
She pulled her hand away. "No, I don't. I can fight as well as anyone else, you know."
He rubbed his forehead with his free hand. He didn't have time for this. "Look, Mai, I know you can fight, but you have to go this time."
"Why?" She crossed her arms over her chest in defiance.
"Because," he explained, leaning close to her, "if anything happens to either one of you, Zuko will kill me."
If it was possible for Mai to grow any paler, she would have. Her eyes widened in surprise, and her mouth opened, as if to deny what he'd just said. Instead, her shoulders slumped in defeat. She knew Sokka was right.
"This passage comes out near the plaza," he explained. He handed her the lantern he discarded earlier. "Stay hidden, and stay safe." Mai nodded, took the lantern, and headed into the tunnel. Sokka pulled a sconce on the wall, shutting the door.
"Well, well, who do we have here?"
Sokka's back stiffened at the voice. He knew very well who was speaking.
He turned slowly. He wouldn't give the satisfaction of showing anything but contempt. "Shun."
"I was hoping to find the traitor, but you'll do." Shun raised his sword and charged.
Sokka barely had time to block the attack with his own sword. The ricochet reverberated down his arm. He pushed Shun back and took up a defensive stance.
"Not so tough without your little earthbender, are you?"
Sokka knew mocking when he heard it. He just smiled at Shun. He'd been taunted by the best; Shun was a poor comparison. "That 'little earthbender' and I managed to take out how many of your men?" He went in for a quick attack, but was blocked.
"Do you really think you could have taken anyone out had I not let you?" Shun attacked again, but quicker this time. Sokka wasn't going to admit that Shun was getting the better of him, but he was a better swordsman than he'd given him credit for.
"Isn't that convenient? And where are they all now?" Shun's eyes narrowed. "You're here alone, and the Avatar is out there." Sokka pointed to the window. "Not only the Avatar, but some of the best benders and warriors in the world. Do you really think you stand a chance?"
"I don't need to get the Avatar yet," he explained. "All I have to do is kill you and that imposter who dares call himself 'Fire Lord.' His grief will do him in, and then killing him will be easy"
Sokka laughed. "Then you obviously don't know Aang very well. He won't grieve, he'll get angry. And you won't like him when he's angry." He thought for a moment. "You really do need to do your research, you know. You'll get my sister pretty angry as well, and that's something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy." He glanced at Shun. "I may wish it on you, though."
Shun yelled, a guttural sound that came from deep in his throat. Before Sokka was sure what was happening, a ball of fire formed in Shun's fist and sped toward him.
He managed to duck behind Zuko's desk in time for the flames to fly harmlessly over his head. "So," he said under his breath, "I was right. You are a firebender."
He heard footfalls getting closer to him. "Come out, come out, wherever you are." Sokka held his sword close to him, ready to jump at the last possible moment.
He saw a foot to his left, and chose that moment to attack. He went at Shun with everything he had. Every technique, every form, every offensive move he'd ever learned was thrown at his opponent. He even made up a few on the spot.
Shun countered every one.
Frustrated, Sokka swung his right arm back in a large arc, preparing to bring his blade down near Shun's neck. What he didn't expect was the searing pain he suddenly felt on his left forearm. He looked down to see his tunic on fire.
It was the distraction Shun was waiting for. With Sokka's attention on his burning arm, he knocked the sword out of his hand. All he could do was watch as Shun crouched low and swept Sokka's legs out from under him.
He landed with a hard thud. His sword was out of reach, Shun's blade hovered just inches from his neck. "Well, well. Isn't this a switch?"
Sokka backed up as far as he could. He leaned back against a wall. "What are you waiting for, Shun?" He raised his head, exposing his throat. "Do it, if you think you're man enough."
Shun grinned at him. "If you insist." He pulled his sword back and plunged it at Sokka with all of his strength.
He saw the blade coming toward him, aimed directly for his heart. At the last possible moment, he shifted slightly to the right.
Sokka felt a pressure in his left shoulder as Shun's sword sank into it. Surprisingly, he felt no pain, but numbness had fallen over him. He couldn't move any part of his body. He felt like his head was stuck in a cloud.
Shun may have been surprised by the turn of events, but it didn't faze him in the slightest. His hand still on his sword embedded in Sokka, he leaned in so their noses were almost touching. "Does that hurt, boy?" he asked. Sokka just stared at him. "Well, if you think you're in pain now, just imagine what I'm going to do to that pretty little earthbending muscle of yours."
Suddenly, Sokka's mind cleared. His sword was several feet away, but he wasn't without a weapon. Time seemed to slow as he flicked a latch on the inside of his right gauntlet with his middle two fingers. The knife hidden inside sprung into his hand. Before he had fully curled his fingers around the hilt, he plunged the small blade into Shun's heart.
The look on Shun's face was worth any pain Sokka was feeling. First disbelief, then surprise, and finally shock all washed over his features. Sokka gritted his teeth. "You. Won't. Touch. Her." The words were all separate and distinct, spoken directly to Shun's face. With one full twist of his wrist, he pulled the knife out of Shun and kicked him away.
Shun pressed a hand to his chest briefly and opened his mouth to speak, but no sound came out. He collapsed by Sokka's feet. He was dead before his head hit the floor.
Sokka looked down to the small space knife in his hand and laughed, despite the sword still buried in his shoulder. Toph had come to the rescue after all.
He leaned back against the wall and waited for death to take him as well.
A/N: What's this? Less than two weeks between updates? What's the world coming to?
Lots happened this time, huh? As delicious and evil as Shun is (you just had to kill Yoshe, didn't you?), who didn't give a little cheer when Sokka did him in?
Sorry to leave Sokka dying on the floor like that. (Walk it off, Sokka! It's only a flesh wound!)
Go Zuko and Mai for the Maiko spawnies!
And because sometimes I feel like I have to be as subtle as a sledgehammer, I'll explain one thing:
Who remembers Sokka grabbing at his wrist all the time? Well, way back in Chapter Two, Sokka showed Mai the knife. She helped him design a special gauntlet that would hold the space knife and keep it hidden, but be able to use with a very small movement.
So every time he clutched his wrist, he was clutching Toph's bracelet/knife.
Thanks again to AKA Arashi/Capt-Ba for the beta, and to thephoebster for keeping me motivated on this chapter.
Savage!