Hello there, we have again another chapter to this story and now the beginning of part three! Yay. Ok, this part, very Zutara fluffy, it goes back to Zuko's illness. Yay, illness. Sorry, I think I might be sugar high… maybe I'm always sugar high…….
PART THREE I.
Mooshi smiled faintly as he opened the door. "Hello, Miss Lee Ang." He looked exhausted.
"Hello, Mooshi. I heard that Li was sick."
"Yes. It is a strangle illness. Would you like to come in?"
II. Aang and the others stormed the palace. Rocks and other projectiles flew through the air, but they had made it somewhat safely into the throne room. They saw the Earth King in detail for the first time. He was thin and had a small set of spectacles. He wasn't a particularly striking individual. Just… ordinary. Long Feng stood beside him, glowering at the four youths. His gaze spoke volumes.
"Why should I believe you?" the King demanded.
"Well, for one, we can prove that Long Feng is lying. He has heard of flying bison. Appa bit him."
Aang revealed a bite mark on Long Feng's leg with some clever airbending.
"See! It matches the teeth marks."
The King stroked his chin thoughtfully. If he had a beard, he might have stroked that, but he didn't, so he couldn't. "Hmm… Maybe this is worth looking into," he mused.
"Let us take you to Lake Laogai," Sokka pressed.
"And leave the palace? I've never left the palace."
"Please?"
"Well…"
III. Dyoko was slowly learning the names of Hakoda's men. There weren't too many, somewhere between twenty and thirty. And apparently, half their fleet was elsewhere. Dyoko had never been very good with names. So far he knew Hakoda, his bestfriend, Bato, first mates, Tashik and Luco, and the cook, Calypto. All of them good men.
Today, Hakoda wanted to learn the extent of his skills. In truth, Dyoko had been trained in swordsmanship since he was six. He had gotten ten years of intense training before he had been forced to leave home. He was indeed, highly skilled. Back in the day he had had only the best.
There was another swordsman among the Water Tribe men. His name was Colbo. He was a quiet, unassuming man, as goes the combination of traits. He was observant which most likely proved well in combat as an ability to anticipate his opponent's next move.
They stood on the beach, each with a wooden sword ready. Their muscles tense in anticipation.
"Are you ready?" Colbo asked.
Dyoko smiled the thinnest of smiles. "Whenever you are." The muscles launched into action, smooth and graceful with the swords, both men used to long hours of practice and patience.
IV. Aang met the others on the dusty beaches of Lake Laogai. "You're about to see where the Dai Lee have been brainwashing everyone," Sokka was saying.
Toph earthbended up the entrance, but it was a mass of rubble. Their hearts fell. No proof for the King.
"They must have come here first," Sokka insisted. "You have to believe us."
"What I don't believe is why I wasted so much time. I'm going back to the palace."
"Wait! The wall!" Aang shouted.
"They can't have cleaned that up in time!" Sokka cried. "Wait! Your Majesty. Please we can prove this war is real. Please come with us to the Outer Wall!"
"No Earth King has ever been to the Outer Wall," he retorted in disgust. He continued to walk away.
"Id you come with us, this time you can ride on Appa."
The Earth King smiled and prepared him for the most exhilarating and terrifying ride of his life.
V. Lee Ang dabbed a wet cloth on Li's forehead. She agreed to watch over Li while Mooshi went to help out at the tea shop for awhile. His eyes flickered open a little and he grabbed her wrist. "Lee Ang?"
"Yes, it's me."
"Where's Uncle?"
"He had to go to the shop. Relax."
"I need water."
She handed him a cup of water.
Li started to slip back into unconsciousness. He struggled to stay awake and clutched her arm tighter. "Katara," he gasped. "Waterbend—" He passed out.
"When Mooshi comes back, I'll go find her," she told his sleeping form.
Zuko barely got out Katara's name before he fell into a strange, twisting dream. He could see Katara tied to a tree, like when he had tied her to a tree not so long ago. A great beast stood before here, speaking with his voice, making the same demands he had once made. He wanted to scream out. He wanted to save her. But he could move or speak. He could only think. "Katara. Please, Katara. Be alright."
The scene around him melted into darkness. A blue dragon materialized. It used Azula's voice. "Give her up. You'll only hurt her. Or use her. Yes, use her. She is nothing."
"I can't. I care about her," Zuko told the dragon.
"Pathetic. She is a filthy water peasant. You are a Prince. You deserve royalty."
"She is a Princess in my eyes."
"You are a fool. Only fools love like that."
Lee Ang watched him in his trouble sleep. "You remind me of my brother," she said to the unconscious boy. "I miss him. He was reckless like you. You would like him."
The door creaked slightly as Mooshi entered. "How is he?"
"Still the same. He woke up asking for water. Before he went out again, he said 'Katara waterbend.'"
Mooshi stroked his beard. "Perhaps she has healing powers?"
"I wouldn't know, but I think she should come. I'll go."
"Very well."
VI. Appa settled comfortably with them on the wall. Aang pointed down at the drill. "You see. Not so long ago, the Fire Nation was here, trying to break through your walls. There is a war. It's been happening for a hundred years."
The Earth King blinked as tears reached his eyes. "I can't believe I never knew. All this time." A white hot flame started to grow inside the King.
"Your Majesty," came Long Feng's voice as he joined them on the wall. "I can explain. This is a construction project."
"What about the Fire Nation insignia?" Katara demanded. She was sick of this. All of it. Damn it, she wanted to take a nap.
"It's imported. What? You believe these children over your most trusted advisor?"
"Dai Lee, arrest Long Feng."
"Looks like Long Feng is Long GONE. I've been waiting to use that one," Sokka said.
"He's not very funny, is he?" the Earth King whispered.
And I suppose I shall leave you with that little bit of Sokka humor. So anyway, I hope you liked this chapter, let me know what you think. Toodles.
