Two days have passed since the death of the fallen soldier. Azula's troops were getting tired from the long days of traveling. They were on their way to some abandon ruins called Taku. Miku said no one has traveled into that area because it was just abandon land that wasn't properly mapped out. So Azula thought it would be best to travel there and take a three day break on that area.
It was already late in the evening and the General took off ahead checking the area to see if any of the enemy was hiding nearby. She scanned the area and it was clear, once her troops caught up with her. She ordered to make camp there and rest. Everyone unpacked their things and started setting up camp. Azula hears a noise and looks up at the sky, she smiles seeing her hawk come back.
"Hey buddy" she greeted her pet who landed on her shoulder
"Azula" she looks to see Miku walking up to her
Pets her hawk "Yea?"
"Your tent and everything is set up" she informed
She nods making her way to the tent "Thanks"
Miku walks with her "How are you feeling?" she quietly asked
"I'm ok I guess, it still kind of hard losing a good friend" she said starting to slow down her pace
"I know what you mean but don't let this bring you down Sir; we need you to be at your best." The Colonel said "So that way we won't lose anyone else" she pointed out
The prodigy lightly grins "Don't worry, as your General I will continue to be leader that you need" she said with confidence
The firebender grins and punches the General on the arm "That sounds better now get back in your quarters and think about our three day break" she said
Azula chuckles "Yea I'll do that" then carefully takes the letter out from the container and waves it in front of her friends face "After I read my letter" she said
"Oohh a letter you say" grins and tries to take it but fails "Is it from Katara?" she asking wigging her brow
The General gives her a disapproving look "Yes it's from Katara and no you can't read it" she quickly answered
"Why is it dirty?" she asked giving a toothy grin
The General lightly blushes walking away in fast pace "Shut up Miku"
"Oohhhhhh it is a dirty letter" the Colonel asked keeping up with her friend "getting cold nights Azula" she said lightly nudging her
"Shut up" she opens her tent then looks back at her "For your information I don't get cold nights because my last day at home will keep me warm for many nights" she informer
"So the Ambassador and General had the big bang?" Miku asked chuckling
Azula grinned "And you didn't?"
The Colonel places her hands behind her head "Maybe, mine was like the bang of the universe" she said giving a toothy grin
Azula chuckles and shakes her head "You're an idiot"
"Hey this idiot is your second in command and friend" she said lightly pushing her
"Yea, keep telling yourself that" then walks into her tent
Miku pouts a bit "Dude not cool"
"More fun for me." was all that was heard from the other side of the tent.
The firebending prodigy walks into her tent. The first thing she does and perch Xorshiid on his resting place so he could eat and drink. Once he was settled in, she walked over to her table and sat down opening the letter starting to read.
Katara smiled finally receiving a letter back from her lover, she walked into her and Azula's studies and spotted Xorshiid already eating and drinking. She sits down at the desk looking at the small vase in front of her which carried the two panda lilies she received.
She opens the letter and starts to read, she eyes turn glassy wanting to cry from the letter. She placed her hand over her heart.
"Azula" she quietly whispered then carefully took out some paper and ink. Then started writing back to her lover.
Azula first let me say that I am sorry for you lose but please don't let this mess with your leadership. Like you said before those troops need you and now they need you more than ever after a battle like that. Understand me as I understand you.
Don't be ashamed of your firebending my love, you have a great gift just like me. I was once told that fire doesn't always cause destruction. It also brings life, energy, and harmony. Don't ever doubt yourself with your firebending. What you're doing right now is trying to help your brother create balance between all nations. And for that I can say I'm very proud of you my firebender.
Don't let this war get to you, be strong like you have always been and keep stepping forward. The stronger you are the faster you can end this nightmare and come back home to me just like you promised. I love you too and I miss you dearly.
-Your Ambassador, Katara
Azula lightly smiles at the letter and slightly nods understand what her waterbender was saying to her. She leans back in her seat and closes her eyes hearing her lover's voice in the letter.
"Katara" she lightly whispers
A voice speaks out "Uhhh am I interrupting something" causing her to fall back on her seat Miku pokes her head in "Holy shit you ok?" seeing her General on the floor
"I'm Fine!" she snapped getting off the floor "What is it?" she ask in a sharp tone rubbing the back of her head.
Miku chuckles and walks in with a tray of food and a letter "I got your stuff and a letter from the Earth Kingdom"
"Excellent they must have gotten the letter I sent out." She said sitting back down
"What letter did you sent out Sir?" Miku asked setting the tray down
Azula grabbed the letter from the tray and opens it "I informed them that we will be making our way more into the western part of the Earth Kingdom." She starts to read the letter "I even described the different colors and uniforms we have wearing so we won't be killed by them." She informed her second in command
"At least we won't have to worry about that part." The Colonel said a bit relieved about that information.
"Yes, the Council of Five said they grateful that we stepped in. The Fire Nation rebellion seemed to be getting out of hand." The princess said smiling about that information
The Colonel looks at her and spoke up "General is it true about the Main General who controls all Generals of the Earth Kingdom has stepped in on the battle field not too long ago like you?" she asked
Amber eyes looks away from the letter "Yes there is a rumor like that going on" she leans back in her seat a bit "They said he appeared about a year a couple of months ago." Then rubs her chin in thought "Once he showed up some of the rebellion was forced to move out into a location called Si Wrong Desert"
"Also known as Desert of the Dead" Miku said interrupting the General "Seems ruthless for a General of his status" looking at her friend
The warrior looks at her "There's more too it Colonel, before that there was a great battle between them. Since it was this General's first time on the battle field he didn't know how to perfectly out match the enemy." She informed defending this Earth Kingdom General
"So he pushed them out to their own death" the Colonel concluded
Azula lightly chuckles "Pretty smart huh?" she sits up and starts to read the letter again "Didn't even have to get his hands that dirty" she mumbled while reading
Her friend sat down on her cot and started thinking about something "Your know Sir it's a bit strange" she quietly said
"What is?" she asked
"How the Earth Kingdom just created a General like that. If they did then he must be very powerful. Just like you." Miku informed
The firebender looks up from the paper for a moment "A prodigy earthbender" then grins looking back at her friend "Reminds me of a friend I haven't spoken too in a while"
Miku said a brow curiously "Who?"
"Toph Bei Fong" she said grinning
"Oh! I have heard of her!" she said speaking out loud "She is the great Blind Bandit" she informed happily
Azula now fully turns around looking at her "How do you know that?" She asked
"I was once stationed up around southern part of the Earth Kingdom near a town called Gaoling. I would dress as a citizen just so I can walk around and have a bit of fun." She informed "I overheard about an earth bending tournament and I went to see it" she said smiling
"And that were you meet her?" the prodigy asked
She nods "Yup, she's really skilled for a young girl. I was amazed by it." She said
"Yes, I was amazed by her skill as well when we used to be enemies. I used to laugh at Ty Lee because she could never sneak up on her during our battles." She chuckled remembering the old times
"Your other childhood friend right?" Miku asked
"Yup" grabs the letter waving it in front of her Colonel "well it seems to me that we are more than on good terms with the Earth Kingdom" she informed
"Why is that Sir?" looking at her
She relaxes a bit and smiles "They wish us luck and are sending supplies this way in about two days." She informed with a light smile
"Thank Agni we could use a bit more medical supplies." Miku said standing up
Azula turns back around in her seat and pulls out some Earth Kingdom Maps carefully looking over the locations "Now let's see" Miku walks over to the General standing right next to her "were right here, if we keep moving at a good pace we can make it to the ruins before the sun goes down." She informed looking over at her measurements
"Plenty of time to make camp and everything General" agreeing with her friend
They talked for a while about how far they were going to travel and for how long, Azula explained that it might take a while because the land scape is a bit rough but they would manage to get there within a week or so. Miku informed that maybe the General should ask if there was a meeting point of the Earth Kingdom troops that were giving them supplies. The prodigy informed that there was already a place picked; it was a further ahead near the river side that they were traveling up too.
The two days quickly came and Azula's troops were already moving going further along the river side. A whistling sound was made and everyone stopped, the General raised her hand and made the signal to stay fully alert. She got off her komodo rhino and unsheathed a sword, Miku got off as well and got into defense mode.
An Earth Kingdom solider step forward from behind the large trees and shrubs with his hand in the air as of surrender "Who does your loyalty belong to?" he asked from afar
"My brother Fire Lord Zuko. Are you sent from the Council of Five?" the General asked
"Yes we bring the supplies for your troops" he informed
Everyone drops the guard and Azula steps forward with Miku right behind her. She lightly smiles and reaches her hand out for a hand shake.
"Glad you came, we could use more medical supplies for my troops" The General said
The Earth Kingdom solider smiled giving a hand shake "We will be very happy to help for the new Fire Nation peace makers" he stepped back and slightly bowed "Names Nobu"
"Nice to meet you Nobu, I'm Azula and this is my second in command Miku" the General informed.
The Colonel and Earth Kingdom solider shook hands and everything. Azula asked where the rest of his troops were, he informed that they were settled on top of a hill not too far from where they were at. The General informed her troops that they were following Nobu to gather the supplies, as soon as they got there everyone relaxed a bit seeing some alliance welcoming them.
"Who's the leader?" Miku asked Nobu
"Oh our leader is Riku one of the Earth Kingdom's royal guards" he informed
"Can we meet him?" the General asked
"Of course just follow me, your troops will be safe here and should relax for a bit" The brown eyed man said
Azula nodded in agreement and followed the earthbending solider with the Colonel by her side. They walked over to a large tent and stepped inside. Five earth benders were already sitting down looking over the map. Two on the right side, two on the left, and one man sitting at the head of map, they all stood up quietly.
Azula looked at the man; he had green eyes, thin beard, and was somewhat tall. He smiled and bowed his head.
"I finally get to meet the new Fire Nation peace makers" he steps forward "tell me what I can do for you?" he asked
"I am General Azula and this is Colonel Miku, we were wondering if your troops have encountered any of the Fire Nation rebellion" she asked
He nods and sits back down on the ground along with his men "Yes we have, we were just discussing about that."
"May we see what you have and compare it to ours, we like to make sure we have all the battle grounds updated for records" Miku quickly spoke up
"Yes of course, sit and we will discuss this." As they sit down he looks at Nobu "Do you think you can make some tea for us" he asked
"Of course sir be right back" then walks out
The Firebender pulls out her maps of where she has traveled and fought "Here what we have so far" she places the first map in the center of the patters they have traveled "within the past five months we made our way from the Northwest part of the Earth Kingdom, we have been spreading out to as much as possible" she informed
"We entered Abbey and nothing was there but discovered that there was some rebellion troops there" Miku informed "Then we made our up more northwest hitting a village called Makapu, we were informed there that the rebellion did hit that area" she said
"As soon as we discovered this we made our way hitting a Fire Nation colony that was abandoned thanks to the rebellion, there we encountered a large gathering along with two tundra tanks." The General continued
Riku looks at them "How was the outcome of the battle?" he asked
"They weren't prepared for our attack, it ended quickly but sadly we lost one of our men" the Colonel said in a somewhat sad tone
"I'm sorry to hear" one of the men said
"Don't be. One of the rebellion soldier's set off a large blasting gelignite bomb that was hidden in one of the buildings. We managed to gather some information from him but it wasn't very useful" Azula informed in a strong voice
They nod "I understand" they started looking at the Earth Kingdom map "we came from Ba Sing Se" Riku pointed out then trailed his finger down "we made our way down the northeastern area along Serpents Pass, then we traveled down to the Great Divide there we discovered a hidden group of rebellion" he said
"It wasn't very large so we easily took care of them, but we found out that some of them bombed themselves causing us to lose some men" the other man said that was sitting on the right side
A green eyed earthbender spoke up "Tell me General have you had that same problems?" he asked
"Yes we have, in our first battle against them I made a mistake by turning my back on them thinking it was a normal arrest. As soon as I did I lost two men that day." She informed
Miku speaks up "Now we know better, the rebellion will do anything to keep Ozai's dream going at any cost."
"We understand" the leader said and pointed out the next area they travel in "after we left the Great Divide we went west for a bit hitting a village called Senlin there nothing there and the village had not been touched by the rebellion" he informed
The firebending General nods "That's good"
"Yes we made our way more northwest meeting General Fong's fortress; one of our alliances. He informed that he was taking care of the rebellion that why nothing was hit at that other village" The man on the left side informed
"He also informed that the Mining village not too far from there is stable once more and the citizens are living a normal free life more." A brown eyed man said sitting on the left side
"That's good, we were planning to go there and help out as well. But it seems we are not need in that area which is very good to hear" The General said watching Miku for a bit update their map to the Earth Kingdom map
"After we informed General Fong we were heading your way to give you the supplies he happily supplied us as well along with two ships to travel along the river side to get to y'all" Riku informed
The prodigy smiles and looks at her friend "I should send a letter thanking him as well" she simply said
"Sorry to change subject but where are you and your troops heading too next General?" one of the men asked
"We are heading towards the Ruins of Taku and rest there for a while; since no one has settled there we figured we should." Azula informed
Riku slowly stands up with a smile "Why not rest here for a bit here General; we would be grateful in helping you and your troops." He pointed out
"Yes stay, eat, and sleep here. With us combined no rebellion will dare attack our forces" another earthbender said
Azula looks at her friend "Colonel what do you think?"
"I think we should. A couple of our men could use more sleep and more medical checks" Miku informed
She nods "Alright then" she looks at the men "We'll stay, does three days sounds fine?" she asked
"Stay as long as you want General, we will be very happy to help our alliance" the leader happily informed
The General and Colonel bowed their heads "Thank you" and was about to leave to tent till the leader spoke up
"We will be having a feast soon as a small celebration of our Nations finally uniting as one. I was hoping you will join in?" he asked
"Again I thank you and we would be happy to join the feast" Azula said smiling
He nods smiling back "See you soon"
Azula and Miku walked out of the tent and informed their troops that they would be resting there for a while till everyone was in better health. The General also informed that a feast will take place soon in celebration as two Nations sit together as one. The men cheered hearing such wonderful news and were very grateful for the Earth Kingdoms help.
Time passed and there were several camps fires made, earthbends and firebends were together eating and drinking. There was laughter in the air and once in a while cheers for celebrating such an occasion. Azula smiled watching some of her men getting along with the earthbenders who were acting like old time friends that haven't spoken in a long time.
"Here's to a brighter future!" Riku stated holding up a cup of wine
Everyone cheered holding there cups up for a moment then drake a bit. Riku sat next to Azula on her left side while Miku sat on the right side.
"So how is life like now back of the Fire Nation?" he asked
Azula drank a bit then spoke "A lot better than what it used to be"
"I agree more freedom and more welcoming." Miku said smiling
The earthbender nods smiling "That's good to hear, I was hoping to go to a place over there for my wife and son. Know any places I can go?" he asked the firebenders
"Well how old is your son?" the prodigy asked
"He's five going to be six soon" he informed with a prideful smile
Azula thought for a moment then spoke "Ember Island is a good place; there are beaches, games, shopping places, and nice restaurants." She said then takes a drink from her cup
"That does sound fun" Riku said rubbing his chin
"Watch out for the plays though" she quickly informed
He looked at her a bit odd "Why?"
"The acting sucks, it's all I can say. They butcher "Love amongst the Dragons" every year." She said bluntly
The leader laughs "I'll take your word for it, ok no plays but the rest sounds fun" he said then eats a bit
Miku grins nudging her friend "Hey General"
"What?" taking a big bite of meat
"You should do a speech" she said
After swallowing her food she looks at her friend "Why?"
"Because it sounds like a perfect time to do it" she said nudging her friend more
"I think that drink has gone to your head" the prodigy chuckled nudging her back
Miku laughs "Oh come on, you scared" daring her frien
"That's absurd, I am not." She defended
"Speech, speech, speech" the Colonel starts to chanted catching everyone attention
Azula panicked a bit and hits her friends arm "Miku shut up"
One of her men stood up and shouted "I agree with Colonel Speech!"
"Yea speech General!" another firebender shouted smiling
Azula rubs the back of her neck not really prepared to do a speech then she looked up feeling a hand on her shoulder "Don't worry I'll join you" Riku said smiling
She smiles back "Thanks" then both of them stand up
"Whooooo we love your General!" one of her troops shouted
Everyone laughs "Uhhh I love you guys too I guess" Azula said a bit surprised by that
The leader keeps laughing till he heard "We Love you too Riku!" an earthbender shouted
He rubs the back of his neck "Uhh ok no homo love y'all people too" he said as everyone laughs again
Azula quickly thinks of something and speaks "Alright y'all wanna speech?" everyone cheers her on "I got one" she clears her voice "Over the past five months we have been battling with Ozai's rebellion that has been terrorizing the Earth Kingdom and our Nation. They will do anything to make his dream a reality by putting fear in all of us but I say it not going to happen" she stated in a powerful voice
Everyone cheers with pride
"We will take back everything we lost and defeat the rebellion of Ozai" she said making everyone cheer on "I promised my brother I would make things right and have a brighter future for all our nations and I will do all I can to make things possible for everyone" she continued
Riku steps up and speaks in a strong voice as well "And together as a united force we will defeat them and finally begin an era of peace and love" he said making everyone cheer on loudly
Azula and Riku raise their cups in the air "For a brighter future!" they shouted
"For a brighter future!" all the troops shouted back
As the night when on everyone ate their meals and laughed with each other. For the first time in a long time the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation sat together as one. Azula smiled watching everyone get along, this was something she will hope to see in the future and just like she promised she will do all she can to make this possible.
