Chapter 6: A New Beginning
The ship was on course for Ba sing Se, the last safe haven on this earth. For Many it was a chance for a new start after the war ravaged their lives. Itsuki considered himself as one of those, though not ravaged by war but by time and guilt he perceived. It took only two days but the stolen ferry had made it to the continent without any conflict. Just as the walls could be visible through the fog, it felt like the walls towered over the worries of everyone on-board. While many gasped in amazement Itsuki shrugged. He recalled back to a time where he saw much larger feats of creation.
"It's magnificent isn't it?", said Jet.
"Sure."
"Look I know you gave me your answer before, but I hoped maybe you changed your mind."
"If you knew how long I fought you would know why I still say no."
"We all fought for what we need to survive and get what we want. And it never ends."
"You have no idea how right you are. But trust me in my case I'm choosing to end it here. Let the war end with whatever outcome it turns to. I only want to be left alone."
"It's thinking like that, that'll leave the fire nation in power."
"Keep fighting then. I'm too exhausted to continue without a real reason anymore.", Jet reluctantly left Itsuki alone leaving him to his thoughts.
Finally the ship made it to port safely as Itsuki planned they made it before word could be sent of their commandeering. Everything went smoothly and everyone on-board managed to get into the city safely without any incident. Itsuki simply blended in and avoided the checkpoint having no real documentation to give. He took the first train to the city where he figured he would spend his time in the lower ring to avoid being publicly noticed. Soon as he got off the train the lower ring was less than stellar and filled with shady spots to get jumped or robbed.
From there he walked around town hoping to find a place to properly stay and work. Itsuki wandered around town but didn't like most of the area or most of what was being offered. He found it hard to find work given his skills were those akin to battle. He then caught eye to a small shop selling weapons to typical street thugs.
"Get your knives! Knives and other stabby things right here! Want a rob someone I got the tools though I have no legal stance regarding any crime unless I sold ya the best!", the vendor was shouting.
"I want a job.", Itsuki said.
"Oh? Well look I got this covered for the most part. I mean can you call in customers?"
"No but I know enough about weapons."
"Well from what you must be carrying I imagine so. Lemme see what you're packing." Itsuki handed him his twin swords, unknown to the vendor he had no idea of how Itsuki forged them. Literally out of thin air. "Ho! These are ridiculously light. I bet they can't slice up bread!", he laughed.
Itsuki took out his one and sliced through one of the knives a customer recently paid for. The knife split in half to his and the vendor's shock. "Want quality, hire me."
"Your hired! C'mon out now folks! My newest assistant- what's your name kid?"
"Itsuki."
"Itsuki will craft you a fine weapon the finest in not just Ba sing Se but the world! No lie! If I am lying then I ain't sellin!"
Naturally he could't craft the same quality like he did with those swords but he could tell between good from bad after having learned from the best swordsman in The Order the makings of quality steel. It didn't take long for business to start booming ever since. In only a week Itsuki was giving popularity to his job. And then one day...
"Hi I would like to buy a sword."
"Cost is 200 silver for a typical one, 100 gold for good quality.", Itsuki answered.
"Maybe you could give one of the house?"
"Hey Jet."
"I see you're doing just fine out here in the big city. Ya know it wasn't easy tracking you down when you up and snuck into the lower ring."
"Didn't know I was going to be missed. What do you want?"
"I just gotten word that there is a protection racket going on around here and is working its way to this part of town."
"Too bad for the others around here."
"I was hoping you could help me bring them down."
"Not interested Jet."
"But this is your job don't you want it to stay afloat?"
"Anyone who wants a fight will regret it. But I'm not seeking one. Last time Jet I won't join your group."
"Just giving you a warning."
Meanwhile...
Princess Azula was with her companions and had been in anticipation for the fire nations next major strike against the earth kingdom. After years of engineering their next greatest weapon of destruction was 'The Drill'. A mobile weapon on its way to the wall of Ba sing Se which, when making contact, would break through the wall and allow their superior forces to invade and conquer the great city. Azula sat at the helm of the bridge with her friends Mai and Ty Lee.
"In just one more day Princess this drill will pierce the wall and the 100 year war will be won by the fire nation."
"War minister I don't care for your calculations. Just give me the results, then I will gloat over our victory.", Azula replied.
"Yawwwn. This is so boring Azula can't we just sleep it off until tomorrow?", Ty lee asked.
"I'm with Ty Lee. This place reminds me of home and I'd rather start bothering to care when we actually start getting attacked.", Mai replied.
"I suppose now would be the best time to regain our energy for the inevitable battle ahead. I will return at dawn and expect to see this project bear fruit of your labors war minister."
"I won't disappoint Princess Azula."
Later...
"Azula please tell me we will get to do something. I don't want to be stuck in this thing all day tomorrow."
"Don't worry if we meet any resistance I will have you and Ty Lee go and deal with it. I'd much rather savor their defeat by literally watch their world crumble before them."
"Do I have to be stuck babysitting her whenever we do the dirty work?"
"Of course. We almost lost her a while back remember? She's not stupid just in her own little world and that can sometimes make her a little naive to danger."
"Ugh. Fine."
"By the way Mai, did she ever mention exactly how she got through that storm on her own?"
"Just said she found shelter and made her way back. All I need to know."
"Not me Mai. I think she had help."
"By what a local bystander who didn't know who she was?"
"Maybe but I am just a little curious. When I get the chance I wonder how good a story teller she is when I ask her about it."
"Whatever Miss Paranoid."
Back to Itsuki...
Itsuki spent the night in the back of the street vend. He often looked up at the sky thinking how he got to this place. Every night he would continue thinking he was back in The Order. A new mission was given to him. And no Kazuko. But when he woke up it was different, dirty, and smelled very foul. Itsuki was just too melancholy to want to figure out a solution again. Itsuki thought back on why he chose to so desire to return to the fight he was in the middle of. For all he believed that battle had to have ended without him. He thought everyone involved thought he was dead. He almost considered he might actually be.
"I hated Kazuko for ruining and dismantling all of my legacy that I worked for. He just somehow managed to enlist the help of an operative who worked within the mobius strip and like that had all the evidence needed to ill-legitimize my cause. I never considered it probable but my focus all on Tristain was what blinded me to not seeing defection within my own ranks. Zonic. He wasn't part of my schemes but he opposed my methods in the past and could have been stopped had I paid any attention to people who might help my brother. The last thing I remember was that blast from the chaos weapon I used on him. It must have destroyed the ship. But nothing else was caught up in it I know for sure.", Itsuki thought to himself.
"Or so I thought."
A day later after the drill making contact with the wall...
The city was in a state of relief after the Avatar had saved Ba sing se from the fire nation. From what I heard it was quite a heroic feat. At that point in time I was making a steady living working at the weapons shop. The vendor was nicer to me and treated me like royalty except pay me like it, but it was decent pay. I kept living in the back seeing how I had nothing better than just tend to my job and continue this mundane life. But naturally trouble found its way to me again. And after I said time and time again to let me be. I'd say things returned to what was really my form of normal when Jet came to me again with startling news that surprised myself. But not long after the drill Azula wasn't so easily beaten and like me quickly went looking for another way to seek victory like I always do.
