AN: I'm trying to update quicker! :) I hope you like this chapter! This chapter is inspired by one of my favorite "Breaking Benjamin" songs, "Give me a sign". If you haven't heard it, then listen to it after you read this chapter. It will make a lot of sense if you do. But don't listen to it while you're reading because the lyrics are spread out. Not much to say except for that this is where things get interesting…ENJOY! UPDATES COME QUICKER WITH MORE REVIEWS! *hint hint*
DISCLAIMER: ATLA AND ITS CHARACTERS ARE NOT IN PROPERTY OF ME, BUT THIS STORY PLOT AND MADE UP CHARACTERS DO BELONG TO ME. I REALLY HATE SAYING THIS EVERY SINGLE CHAPTER.
Bleeding Blue Fire
Chapter 10
Written: September 10, 2010- September 12, 2010
Posted: September 12, 2010
Narrator POV
Katara, Kar Mae, and Aang had all awoken in shock. Black was what their eyes adjusted to as soon as they flickered open. They squirmed in place; unable to move.
"Aang, Katara? You guys there?" Kar Mae questioned; obviously free to move her mouth.
"Yea," Aang responded.
"Where are w-" before Katara could finish, she was interrupted by a deep male voice.
"Who are you, and why are you here on Kyoshi?" the man questioned.
"I'm sorry. We came here to ride the Elephant Coy," answered Aang.
"Likely story. How do we know you're not Fire Nation spies?"
"Look. I don't normally play this card, but I'm the avatar." The man removed Aang's blindfold, and stared at him intensely.
"That's preposterous! The avatar died over one hundred years ago!"
"I was trapped in an ice block; not dead. I'm fully alive, can't you see?"
"Warriors! Throw the imposters to the Unagi!" Within an instant, a group of females withdrew their fans, and held them to their face coming closer to Aang with every step.
"Aang, do some airbending!" Kar Mae hissed, still unable to see. Aang shot air from his knuckles to propel himself upwards and the ropes that tied him up snapped. He flipped around the statue he was tied to in midair, and landed softly onto the ground. He watched as the man, warriors, and entire village gasped in amazement.
"You are the avatar," the man gaped. "I am Oyaji, the governor of this island. Please forgive me for threatening you. I was unaware."
"No problem! Now check this out!" Aang cheerfully took out two marbles from his shirt, and bended the air around them so that they would continuously spin in the palm of his hand. The crowd cheered, but the excitement was too much for one villager in particular. He wailed and flung his arms around hysterically; white bubbles began to fall from his mouth, followed by audibly disturbing gurgling sounds from the back of his throat.
"Hey, sorry about that," one of the warriors said to Katara. "I'm Suki, the head of the Kyoshi warriors."
"I'm Katara, of the Fir-… Southern Water Tribe. Nice to meet you."
-OOO-
Ozai POV
As I meditated in my royal garden, I could tell someone was approaching me from behind. I was prepared to attack, when a small voice spoke out.
"You're Majesty?"
"What do you want? You know that no one is to disturb me when I am meditating. It better be good, or you might want to start scrubbing the palace floors, tile to tile."
She gulped, and spoke again, "Um…there is news of Prince Zuko's death. He…he died sometime last night. He was…" she struggled to say the next words, "…blown up." I grinned evilly to myself, and put on my best sorrowful look.
"Aww what a shame. My little Zuko blown up? Who could have possibly done such a thing? Oh well, nothing to worry about now. We'll have a ceremony in the Great Hall, say he was a good kid, and move on. I have bigger things to worry about besides mourning over a disgrace." I stood up and patted the girl on the head. I strode across the garden to the halls, when I noticed Azula walking in the other direction.
"Azula!" She turned around, walked over to me, and bowed.
"Hello, father. Lovely day, no?"
"Quite. May I speak with you in private?"
"Why of course." We walked in silence until we reached the throne room. I sat down on my throne, and Azula kneeled before me.
"I need to ask a favor of you, my darling daughter."
"Anything."
"I have had your brother assassinated. He tried to ruin our chances at winning the war. He was a traitor, but you. You my sweet, are perfect. My sources tell me that avatar is alive. You will find him, and end him."
Azula POV
So, my father wants me to kill the avatar? I knew I deserved a job like this. Hmph. Serves Zuko right for betraying his country, I'm ashamed to call him my brother. Hmm…it would be awfully dull to go on this adventure alone… Mai and Ty Lee will make good company. I made my way across the palace to Mai's house, and knocked on the door. A look of shock spread across her face as she saw me standing in her doorway.
"Azula? What are you doing here?"
"Well you know I'm not one to stall, so I'll just get right to the point. Poor Zuzu went and got himself blown up last night, and since he's dead, you have no reason to stay in the Fire Nation anymore, correct? Well I have been assigned to kill the avatar by my father, and would like assistance. Are you interested?"
"Z-Zuko…is…dead?"
"Yes, yes he is. I understand you had feelings for him, despite the relationship with the peasant, so you have 24 hours to mourn. I'll be arriving at dawn to fetch you. Please be packed and ready by then. Good day." As I walked off, I heard her close the door and weep hysterically behind it. Mai down, Ty Lee to go. Suppose I could deal with her later on today.
-OOO-
Narrator POV
After the gang had gotten accompanied with the Kyoshi Warriors and the village, Katara and Kar Mae decided to go take a walk with Suki on the beach while Aang showed off for the girls of the village.
"So, did you guys have boyfriends?" Suki asked eagerly. Behind the warrior paint, she was just another teen girl.
"Nah," Kar Mae replied casually.
"Actually, yeah I did," Katara said nervously.
"Oh! What was he like?" Suki was now jumping up and down. Katara bit her lip, and sighed heavily.
"Suki, sit down, I need to tell you something important. But first, you must PROMISE not to tell anyone, or jump up in awe or run away for help. I WILL NOT HURT YOU." Suki, with a confused expression, nodded, and sat on the sandy shore. Katara explained to Suki about how she was stolen from her village and grew up in the Fire Nation, how her best friend was the Fire Prince, and began to feel for each other. She then explained the Firelord's evil plan, and how he sent her to war. She concluded the story with reuniting with Kar Mae on the island, and becoming a traitor to the Fire Nation: for she was going to teach Aang waterbending. As she waited for Suki to say something, she became sorrowful with the thoughts of never seeing her Zuko again.
"Wow," Suki huffed. "But you STILL didn't answer my question! What was your boyfriend like, considering he's the Fire Prince."
"Zuko is awfully handsome and charming and-" Katara was interrupted by a Kyoshi Warrior rushing towards them.
"Suki! Suki! We've spotted bodies in the water! I think they're dead!" All three girls immediately jumped up, and followed the warrior. Katara's eyes went wide as she saw the bodies that the warriors were dragging out.
I'm all out of breath
My walls are closing in
The Kyoshi Warrior eyed the bodies cautiously.
"Suki…are they…dead?" A warrior asked. Kar Mae looked at one particular body with awe. It was Sokka. Everyone jumped when Katara burst into hysterical tears. She flung herself over two of the three bodies.
"NO! NO! NO! WAKE UP! WAKE UP NOW!" Katara screamed from the top of her lungs.
"You know them?" Suki asked quietly.
"It's her brother, and I'm guessing by the looks of her reaction, that's Prince Zuko," Kar Mae replied between sobs. She once had a little crush on Sokka. Katara retrieved water to her hands and placed them over her brother's chest. Her hands grew a faint white, and slowly, water slipped from the boy's throat. He began to cough violently, and Katara sighed in relief. Her had severe burn marks all over him, followed by scorched clothes, and a bloody cut across his head. He opened his eyes slowly, then tightened them back; wincing at the unbearable pain.
"It's ok, Sokka. Shh it's ok," Katara cooed. She looked in one of the warrior's direction. "Could you take him to the infirmary, please? He needs medical attention, and I need to help these two." Her voice was cracking with every word. The warrior nodded, and with the help of another, they carried Sokka towards the village. Katara then moved to Iroh; having to literally punch his chest; the water was very resistant to come up. When he began cough and thrash, she had three warriors carry him off.
It was only her, Kar Mae, and Suki; just enough people to carry of Zuko when Katara finished. She leaned over his body, and silently kissed his forehead. She concentrated all of her energy and pulled streams of water from Zuko's mouth, just as she had done with Sokka and Iroh. The only difference was that…Zuko gave no reaction.
I can feel you falling away
Katara gasped, and parted her lips; concentrating more then ever. More water emerged, but he still did nothing. Angrily, Katara pounded her fist on his chest and demanded him to wake up. When he didn't she anxiously put her head down on his chest. No heartbeat.
And I can see you starting to break
I'll keep you alive
If you show me the way
"ZUKO, DON'T DO THIS TO ME!" Katara screamed as loud as she could; staring at the boy's motionless face. New tears leaked down her face, and she thrashed violently. Suki and Kar Mae gasped, and immediately ran over to pull her off of her dead boyfriend's body. She kicked and screamed until finally, she bended a water whip on them, and she clung to Zuko; screaming his name into his chest.
-OOO-
Ty Lee POV
I was walking through the royal courtyard when I overheard a sobbing servant.
"His highness will be missed dearly! I suppose the water tribe boy deserves a ceremony as well. I wondered what Sokka had done to deserve a ceremony…
"Excuse me, ma'am. What has Sokka done to deserve a ceremony? And do tears trickle down your pink cheeks?" I asked cheerfully. The woman looked at me funnily.
"My dear child, Sokka has done ABSOLUTLEY NOTHING to deserve this ceremony!"
"What do you mean?"
"Sokka has died, along with Prince Zuko. They drowned at sea," she said with another sob. I felt my world go black, and air retreat from my lungs. Suddenly, I awoke in my room. I don't remember being here. How did I get into my room? I was at the palace…I was walking…I was talking to a crying maid because…and then it hit me. I immediately broke into tears. It felt like I had been crying for hours…which I probably had. I felt alone, and scared. I saw nothing; as if I was in a damp corner in the dark.
Forever and ever
The scars will remain
I'm falling apart
Leave me here forever in the dark
I was a wreck. We finally had worked out our problems, and he died at sea. I cried uncontrollably, and heavily, when a knock came onto my door.
"Ty Lee, sweetie? There's a friend here to see you," I heard my mom's voice say.
" Who is it?" I said shakily.
"It's Azula."
"Come in." Azula waltzed in, not in her usual witty mood.
"You've heard, I suppose?" she asked, not even bothering to ask if I was okay. I nodded, and she continued. "Shame, isn't it? Well, I am aware that you and…what's his name…Sokka were a thing, so I find that there is no reason to stay here. My father wants me to find and kill the avatar, and I would like assistance. Mai has agreed, and I have given her 24 hours to mourn her loss for Zuko. I would like the same from you." I thought long and hard. Azula was right; without Sokka, why stay?
"Ok, I'll go, but I want 24 hours as well." She smiled.
"Of course. Mai and I will be here at dawn to retrieve you. Be ready by then." And with that, she sauntered out just as she had come in.
-OOO-
Narrator POV
Daylight dies
Blackout the sky
Carefully, Suki and Kar Mae dragged Katara away from Zuko's body as the sun began to depart. When she was a secure distance away, they went back to him. His body had been more severely burned than both Iroh and Sokka. One whole side of his face was nothing more than a huge, red gash. He had scars and burn marks lined down his arms and circled his good eye, which was going bad as well. His shaggy raven hair, was sprawled onto the shore; his face glistening from the water that dripped down the sides of his face. The two looked down at him in sadness and pity.
"He's actually rather beautiful," Kar Mae concluded after moments of staring at the dead prince.
"Yea…poor Katara...we should bring him into the village. We'll have a proper burial service tomorrow," said Suki.
"I don't know. Katara's crew should be returning tomorrow with her water skin."
"No, they should be delayed, for I told them not leave until they've found it, and the thing is, I never left it there. It's been here with me the whole time," Katara said, her voice still shaking.
"Well, a proper burial tomorrow, it is," Suki concluded.
"I just want to know how…how could he die, and why was he here?" Katara pondered for a moment, when reality had slapped her in face once more. She burst into new tears, and moaned in sorrow. "He came to find me! OHHH AGNI, WHY!" (AN: yes, she said Agni, but she grew up in the Fire Nation, remember?)
"Come on, Katara," Kar Mae told Katara to go to the village while she and Suki carried the Prince to a special healing hut, even though he couldn't be heeled. They gently laid him on a cot, and left the room in silence.
-OOO-
Does anyone care?
Is anybody there?
Take this life
Empty inside
I'm already dead
I'll rise to fall again
UNKNOWN POV
"He didn't deserve this! Why would you do it?"
"Who are YOU to question MY actions?"
"I am sorry, my Lord, but why?"
"I will tell you this. Even though his life has ended, it is not over."
AN: SOOOOO DID YOU LIKE IT? SORRY, I'M RUSHING SO I CAN'T GIVE YOU A PREVIEW! :'( BUT PLEASE GIVE SOME NICE REVIEWS! HOW ABOUT I GET ATLEAST 7-10 MORE REVIEWS? MOST PEOPLE ASKE FOR LIKE 15 OR 17 AND STUFF LIKE THAT, BUT LIKE TO START SMALL! I REALLLLLYYYY HOPE YOU LIKED THIS CHAPTER! GO LISTEN TO "GIVE ME A SIGN"! AWESOME SONG! LOVE YOU GUYS!
:D