The following is a disclaimer: I own no part of the Avatar series. They are copyrighted by Nickelodeon; this is merely a fanfiction.
Now that I've got that out of the way, here's the scoop. The Avatar series has ended happily, but I always felt that there should have been a Book 4: Air. Well, I decided to go for it and write one myself. Here's my interpretation of the 4th book. Enjoy guys, and let me know if you like it!
…
Book 4:
Air
Chapter ten: The Double-Cross
…
"Here we are … the Western Air Temple." The group had been traveling for several days since their visit to the North Pole. Aang had had enough weirdness looking for these crazy map pieces, and he just hoped that this trip would go smoothly. No Bloodbenders, no thieves or whatever other weirdoes there were in the world.
Just let this trip be easy.
Of course, now they had a timetable to deal with. If Koh was right, the Dark Avatar would be waiting to make his move when they found the fifth air temple. And if he wasn't defeated by the Autumnal Equinox … well, let's not think about that right now.
"Oh good, we're here," Sokka yawned as he lazily slid off of Appa's back. He stretched furiously as he gazed at his surroundings. "Yup, nothing's changed."
The Western Air Temple was just as they left it. The group had stayed here several weeks ago after the failed invasion of the Fire Nation during the Day of Black Sun.
"So where should we start looking," Katara asked.
Aang shrugged. "If I remember the layout of this place, there's a library two levels below. If the Air Monks hid the map piece here, that's probably where it is."
…
Aang sat at a desk in the library, his head on the tabletop, his eyes bloodshot and tired. "We've been searching for two hours," he murmured. "And no sign of it anywhere."
Katara snorted. "Well my fingers are getting all calloused thumbing through all these books."
Sokka woke up from the nap he was taking on the floor. "Find anything yet," he mumbled.
"No," growled Katara. "Maybe if you helped us, we might find it faster."
"I am helping," protested Sokka. "It's not my fault that rifling through papers bores me and puts me to sleep."
Katara rubbed her temples in frustration. "I can't believe you're actually complaining. After everything we went through at the North Pole, I'd think you'd be happy to be doing something non-dangerous for once."
"You call looking through papers 'non-dangerous'? Look at all the paper cuts I've gotten." He shoved his fingers in her face.
"Eew, get your stinky hands out of my face. I haven't seen you wash them once today!"
Sokka shrugged. "Whatever. I gotta go to the bathroom, I'll be right back."
"Hurry up," his sister called after him. "And be sure to wash your gross hands!"
…
Sokka stood on a ledge outside the temple. The entire structure had been built inside of a giant crater, the edge of which Sokka had decided to relieve himself on. Momo, bored with Katara and Aang, decided to join him.
"No peeking," the warrior boy warned the lemur.
Sokka fixed his pants, humming gently to himself. He was about to turn around and return inside the temple when a searing fireball blasted the ground just inches from where he stood.
"What the …?" Sokka scrambled out of the way as another jet of fire shot his way. He looked up and gasped as a Fire Nation airship hovered above. Dozens of Imperial Firebenders were grappling from the ship to the temple and they immediately surrounded him.
"You're under arrest," one Firebender growled behind his mask.
"What? But I'm a friend of Fire Lord Zuko. You can't just -."
"Fire Lord Zuko is no longer on the throne."
"What do you mean?"
"I think I can adequately explain it to him," said a cold voice – one that sent shivers up his spine. Sokka could only stare in horror as the Imperial Firebenders parted to make room for the speaker, who addressed Sokka with an arrogant smirk.
"Azula," he stammered.
The Fire Princess cackled. "I knew that you and your peasant sister would show up here with the Avatar sooner or later."
"Azula! What's going on? I thought you were locked away in the wacky-shack!"
Azula clenched her fist. She didn't like to talk about her … trip to the Fire Nation's mental asylum. So she had a complete breakdown, so what? She was as sane as ever now. "Let's just say that the Fire Nation has gone through some major improvements since you left."
"I don't understand."
Azula laughed in his face. "Dear little Zuzu is in exile all over again. Soon my father will be ruler of this world – and I shall be Fire Lord."
Sokka grit his teeth. "You won't get away with this! Aang will stop you and him – again!"
"I highly doubt that. You see, my father has recently taken an interest in these air temples. Particularly the legendary 'fifth air temple.'"
Sokka gulped. So they knew. "What could your father possibly want with this air temple?"
"Nothing really. He just wishes to find out if any Airbenders survived the purges a hundred years ago. If they have, they've probably been reproducing like vermin. And like any vermin, we must stamp them out."
"So Ozai's going to kill any Airbenders left?"
Azula's lips curled into a sadistic grin. "Now you're getting it. I will find any remaining Air Nomads – and I will finish what Fire Lord Sozin started. And it won't just end with them, either. Earthbenders, Waterbenders – we'll rid this world completely of their filth, until only Firebenders reign supreme."
"You're insane," he shouted. "How can you even justify mass genocide?"
"Genocide? Please." And here she started laughing. "I mean … it's not like we'll actually be killing anything of value."
Sokka could barely contain his temper. Azula was inching closer to him. "I can see that you're becoming furious." She drew close to him, so that they were face to face. He stared into those cold, soulless eyes. "You must really want to kill me, don't you peasant?" She spread her arms wide. "Well here I am. Come at me!"
The warrior clenched his fist in frustration. Azula was baiting him. She wanted him to attack her. And he knew the moment he did, he would be facing a jet of blue flames.
Azula watched as his shoulders relaxed. "I knew it. You're not man enough to strike me. But I can strike you. I can crush you as easily as a bug. Here, I'll give you a demonstration!"
She began waving her arms, attempting to separate her positive and negative chi. Once enough energy was built up, Sokka knew that a bolt of lightning would be heading straight for his gut.
Azula never got the chance to strike. Momo suddenly swooped in and landed directly on Azula's face, blocking her vision. "Aargh," she screeched. "Get this thing off of me!"
An Imperial Firebender moved to pluck the lemur off the Princess, but Momo detached himself and glided up into the air once more.
"Momo," Sokka shouted. "Get help! Get Aang and Katara!"
The plucky little lemur chatted something, then flew towards the entrance of the temple.
"Don't let that disgusting creature escape," Azula snarled. One of the Firebenders took off, following the lemur back inside. She turned to face Sokka. "And you -."
But Sokka was already in action. With a flick of his wrist, his boomerang soared through the air, heading straight for the Princess' head. With a yell, she ducked, the weapon missing her by inches. She stood up, her face filled with rage.
"What chance do you think your toys have against the most powerful Firebender in the world?"
Sokka shrugged. "You tell me."
The boomerang changed course, and struck the unsuspecting Azula squarely in the back of the head. Cursing, she rubbed the sore spot, before unleashing a jet of blue fire at the boy.
Sokka was gone, sliding out of the way, his sword unsheathed. It wasn't his old space sword, but Sokka had kept this new weapon with him, knowing it would one day come in handy.
He kicked out the legs of one of the Imperial Firebenders, before leaping to his feet, sword in hand.
"Don't just stand there," Azula threatened as she pushed two Imperial Firebenders forward. "Get him!"
The two soldiers charged, but they didn't expect the boy to be as agile as they were. The blade of Sokka's weapon found the foot of one soldier, who began hopping up and down on one leg, screeching in pain. He avoided the attack of the other soldier, before bringing the butt of his sword down on his head, knocking him clean unconscious.
He turned to Azula, who had long ago lost her patience, and stuck his tongue out at her mockingly. "You dare?" Her fury was building and Sokka was suddenly faced with more blue fire.
Darting out of the way, he prepared to attack, but Azula was there instantly. She got under his guard, and with agility that surpassed his, she gripped his forearm and twisted, until it was brought up, behind his back. Sokka screeched as his arm was forced into the unnatural position. He was forced to drop his sword. Azula then proceeded to kick him in the back, driving him to the ground.
He looked up at her helplessly.
"What, no sarcastic remarks," she taunted. She lowered herself, so that her lips were right next to his ear. He could feel her warm breath in his ear as she whispered to him.
"That lemur will lead your friends right out here. And while they're distracted with me, my men will find and take the last map piece from the Air Sanctuary." She ruffled his hair. "Enjoy the last moments of your pathetic existence, peasant. You'll only live long enough to see me snuff the life out of your friends."
…
Momo's eyes were wide as he glided through the halls of the air temple. "Come back here," a voice yelled, and suddenly the hallway was filled with flame behind him. Momo flapped his little wings as hard as he could, missing the spurt of fire that was unleashed after him.
The little creature spun directly into the library, where he collapsed on the floor exhausted. Aang and Katara, who were still sorting through papers, stopped and stared at him. Then their eyes caught the Imperial Firebender staring in the doorway.
"Hey look," Aang beamed cheerfully. "It's must be one of Zuko's guards here to welcome us back to the Fire Nation!"
"Uh, you might want to think again," Katara bellowed as the room was lit up with flames. Using her Waterbending, Katara put out the small fire that had been started, and Aang blasted their foe up against a wall. His helmeted head struck the stone wall, before he slumped to the ground, unmoving.
"Okay, what was that about," a surprised Aang questioned.
Momo was suddenly jumping up and down, waving his flapped arms and pointing furiously to the door.
"What's he saying," asked Katara. "Do you want a treat Momo?"
Aang's eyes were wide. "No, I don't think so. I think Sokka's in trouble!"
The lemur chattered furiously in acknowledgment. Scooping the little critter up, Aang and Katara burst out of the library to help their friend.
…
The palace in Ba Sing Se was abuzz with a great party. It was a coronation ceremony of the new Earth King, Long Feng. All of the rich, powerful socialites from across the city were there to honor their new king.
All of the patrons were buttering up Long Feng, eager to get in good with the new ruler. Long Feng soaked it in with feigned humility.
"Oh no, no. Actually, it came as quite a shock when Earth King Keui stepped down and appointed me in his place. A pleasant shock, but a shock nonetheless.
Three patrons stood far away from the main festivities in the throne room. All of their faces were painted to appear as rich, social elites. "I hate this," Mai grumbled. "Why do I have to wear makeup?"
Ying shushed her. "Remember why we're here. We've got to be on the lookout while your boyfriend, his uncle and the blind girl sneak in and rescue the Earth King."
"Yea, well, this lipstick is really burning up my lips."
"Suck it up, Mai," Jin retorted. "It would do you good to wear some makeup from time to time. Maybe then Zuko would find you more appealing than me."
Mai's hand found a stiletto, and she was seriously contemplating using it on that girl. Ying forced her hand into her pocket. "Don't even think about it," he warned.
Mai rolled her eyes as she watched Long Feng laughing and partying with the other patrons. "So for how long are we doing this?"
"We have to watch until Zuko gets the true Earth King to safety. Only then can we leave."
"Well I would much rather have Toph waiting here with us than Jin. It would be fun to try to force her to wear these girly outfits."
…
Two Dai Lai agents were patrolling the grounds of the Royal Palace, bored out of their minds. As they approached an alleyway, they suddenly found their feet encased in rock. The ground started moving, pulling them into the darkness of the alleyway. Then came the sounds of punching, beating, boulders flying, and several girlish screams.
Then silence.
From out of the darkness, two Dai Li agents appeared, with their "prisoner," a blind young girl.
"Ha, that was fun," exclaimed Toph. "Those guys had no idea what them."
"Now does everyone remember the plan," Zuko asked from under the wide brim of the Dai Li hat.
Iroh, the second "Dai Li agent" nodded. "We sneak into the palace pretending Toph is our prisoner. Then we find and rescue the Earth King."
"Yea, let the buttkicking commence," Toph relished.
"No," admonished Zuko. "No buttkicking. We get in and out without a peep, understand?"
"I never get to have any fun," Toph mumbled.
…
Two Dai Li were patrolling the basement of the Palace. They suddenly saw two fellow agents, leading around a little girl. "Hey," one of the Dai Li shouted. "You're not supposed to be down here! We're on basement detail!"
Zuko gulped, bringing his Dai Li hat further down to cover his eyes. "Oh, uh, sorry," he replied, trying to muster a deep voice.
Iroh cleared his throat and pointed at Toph. "We're just … uh … leading our prisoner here to the prisons."
"Oh. But you're in completely the wrong place," one of the Dai Li answered. "The prison is two levels up."
"Oh, uh, silly us," Zuko replied, forcing a stuttered laugh. "We'll just be going now."
"Not so fast," one of the Dai Li ordered, and Zuko gulped. Were they caught?
"You must be the new recruits we've been hearing all about."
Zuko breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh yeah, that's totally us. Yea new recruits, new as you can get."
"Fresh out of training," Iroh added.
"Well you be careful, new guys. A lot of strange folk have been running around lately. We especially need to keep a good eye on the old Earth King."
"Oh yea, him," Zuko stammered. "Uh, if you don't mind telling us, where exactly are we keeping him?"
The other two Dai Li started laughing. "Ah, newbies. Got to love how clueless you guys can be. The old Earth King is being kept in his bedroom."
"Oh, well, thanks for the info."
"Hey, anything to help out some new guys. Us Dai Li have to stick together, you know. By the way, we're putting together a union if you guys are interested …"
But before he could finish, Zuko, Iroh and their "prisoner" were gone.
…
"I think it's this one," Zuko replied, opening a bedroom door. The sound of a woman screaming and a harsh slap rang out through the dark corridors. Zuko stumbled out of the room, holding his stinging cheek. "Okay not that one."
Iroh was trying to peer inside that room. "I'll come back here later…"
Toph shook her head. "Aren't you guys forgetting I can sense everything through my feet?" She wiggled her toes, and suddenly she pointed at a large oak door down the hall. "The Earth King is in there."
Unfortunately, that door was blocked by two other Dai Li agents. "Play it cool," Zuko told the others. They approached the door and Zuko cleared his throat. "Uh, we're here to relieve you guys of guard duty."
"Finally," one guard sighed. "My feet are killing me!"
The other Dai Li wasn't so trusting. "If you're relieving us, than what's with the girl?"
Zuko's eyes widened, trying to think up a reasonable explanation. Finally, "aaw, the heck with it." He and Iroh twirled their arms, blasting the two Dai Li through the bedroom door with Firebending. Toph broke off her "handcuffs" and forming two boulders, knocked the Dai Li out.
The trio entered the bedroom and there, sitting on the bed with his legs crossed and eyes glazed over was the Earth King. Iroh moved to inspect him further. "He's been hypnotized."
"Not only that," Zuko replied. "Look!" The Earth King was plugged into some kind of machine, and his hair was standing wildly in all directions. Currents of energy passed through his hair.
"Are they giving him electro-shock treatments?" Toph was aghast.
"Well, let's destroy this infernal machine," Zuko answered.
"Allow me." Iroh twirled his arms, gathering energy and sent a small electrical bolt into the machine, short-circuiting it. Using a small blade of fire, Zuko severed the wires, freeing the King.
The Earth King still sat there, eyes glazed over. "He's still hypnotized."
"What do we do," Toph asked.
"We have no time to figure it out now," Zuko answered. "We can figure something out later, but for now, we have to get him out of here." He picked the Earth King up, hoisting him up on his back.
"How come you never give me piggy-back rides," pouted Toph.
"Not now," Zuko grit his teeth.
"She's right, Nephew," said Iroh. "If you're giving out piggy-back rides, I want one too."
Zuko shook his head. This was going to be a long day.
…
Mai, Ying and Jin waited impatiently. Suddenly, Mai was struck in the jaw with a floating pebble. "What the -." She looked around, and saw a Dai Li agent. He stuck his fingers in his mouth and let out an odd bird call.
"Guess that's the signal," Ying said.
"Finally," replied Mai. "If I had to wear this corset a second longer, I was going to kill someone."
Ying and Jin really doubted she was exaggerating.
…
When Aang and Katara came outside the temple, they found Sokka lying on the ground, bound and gagged. When he saw them, his eyes went wide and he began shrieking behind his gag.
Aang rushed over to him and pulled the gag loose.
"You idiot," Sokka screamed in his face. "It's a trap!"
Dozens of Imperial Firebenders appeared in a puff of smoke. They then began launching simultaneous fire attacks.
Aang twirled his glider, deflecting the attacks with Airbending. "I don't get it," he shouted. "Why would Zuko send Firebenders after us?"
"Because Zuko's not behind it," Sokka answered.
Katara's stream of water effectively cut off the fire attacks, and Aang batted his staff at a group of Firebenders, blowing them high up into the air.
As the Imperial Firebenders were forced into retreat, Katara cut her brother free. "That was too easy," she commented.
"Of course it was too easy! This was all a distraction!"
"What do you mean?"
"Azula's here, and she wanted you outside the temple so she could get inside and get the map piece!"
"Wait," Katara stammered. "Did you say Azula?"
"Yes! Princess Psycho is here!"
"We have to move fast," Aang breathed. "We can't let her get the map piece! Do you have any idea where in the temple she went?"
Sokka paused to think. "She mentioned the Air Sanctuary!"
"The Air Sanctuary? But how can she get in? Nobody but an Airbender can open those doors!"
"Well apparently she found a way! We have to move! Now!"
…
The trio approached the large, oak doors leading into the Air Sanctuary. Please don't let me be too late, Aang thought as he blew air into the funnels attached to the door. There came a humming sound, and the doors slowly creaked open.
The trio entered the dark room, and Aang was amazed at all the statues of his previous incarnations. He had never been in the Air Sanctuary of this temple before.
"I don't see Azula," Katara said.
"Maybe that's because she's behind you," came a cold voice. The trio spun around to see Azula smirking at them.
"Thank you for opening those doors for me, Airbender. I would have had a real difficult time opening them myself."
"You…," Aang growled. Azula had played them all for a fool. Again.
The Princess was suddenly joined by dozens of Imperial Firebenders. She lazily strolled past the gang, and took a sudden interest in all of the Avatar statues. She began listing off the names of the most recent ones. "Avatar Kuruk. Avatar Kyoshi. Avatar Roku … ah but here's a new one."
Aang looked in surprise to see another statue after Avatar Roku. It was that of a young Air Monk, a broad smile plastered on his face.
"And Avatar Aang," Azula concluded.
Aang looked at the statue with his likeness. "The monks here must have built this last statue shortly before they were killed."
The statue suddenly exploded as a surge of lighting pierced it. Aang shrieked in surprise and stumbled backwards. The smiling statue smiled no more.
"Target practice," Azula smirked, smoke pouring from her fingers. She stepped past Aang towards the remains of the statue. She bent down and picked up what appeared to be a small chest.
"Just as I thought. Those monks were clever, though, not too clever for me." She held the small chest up. "Hidden inside that statue the whole time." She opened the chest and there, now clasped tightly in her hand, was the final map piece.
Azula could see the gleam in Aang's eyes. "I can see how badly you want this, Avatar. But you can't stop fate. This map piece was destined to be mine – just as your people were destined for extinction."
Aang sprung up from the ground, prepared to attack Azula. She simply knocked him away with a blast of superheated air.
"Really, Avatar, haven't you learned by now? I am the supreme Firebender. No one can defeat me."
"I wouldn't say no one," Katara announced, water streaming from her hands.
Azula cackled. "Oh peasant. The only reason you defeated me was by trickery and my own miscalculations. I got a little … carried away that night. But now my mind is as focused as ever." She sent a little electrical charge at Katara's feet, causing her skitter away a few paces.
The Fire Princess began making her way to the exit, map piece in hand and a triumphant grin spread across her face. She peered over her shoulder at the Imperial Firebenders.
"Finish them."
She left the Sanctuary, but her cackling still careened around the room as the Firebenders began to spread out.
…
"Hmm, he's been brainwashed but good."
The Earth King sat on a pillow in the Jasmine Dragon, his mouth slack and his eyes vacant.
"Is there any way to fix him," Iroh asked.
Joo Dee continued her examination of the Earth King. "Well … I suppose it's possible. But it will take many, many hours. It took weeks for them to deprogram me!"
"Umm, not to alarm anyone," Toph suddenly said. "But I don't think we have that long!"
The door to the Jasmine Dragon was torn clean from its frame and thrown to the side, revealing dozens of Dai Li agents.
"Surrender the Earth King," the lead one ordered.
Zuko, Iroh, Toph and Mai lined up to create a human barrier between their enemies and the Earth King.
"We'll go through you if we have to," the Dai Li said.
"Try us," Zuko taunted, until a jet of fire missed him by a few inches. "Huh?"
"It would be best to listen to them," Ying said, his fists pointed at him. Zuko merely gaped. The old vagabond was doubl-crossing them.
"Ying? But why?"
Ying laughed. "You were always too trusting for your own good, 'Fire Lord.' You as well, General Iroh."
"Ying…" Iroh shook his head sadly. "Why are you doing this?"
"Phoenix King Ozai is giving me a nice cushy position as Admiral. There seems to have been a vacancy for that spot since old Admiral Zhao kicked the bucket."
"You're doing this for power," Zuko asked incredulously. He couldn't believe this was happening. "But … but … you helped me escape from the Fire Nation!"
Mai seemed thoughtful. "Did he Zuko? Or was he leading you away from home and into the open where you would be an easier target?"
Zuko thought about it. Ying had persuaded him to leave the Fire Nation, thus leaving behind his throne as Fire Lord, allowing Ozai to regain that position. And then, more pieces were added to the puzzle as Zuko put two and two together.
"You sent the Combustion Man after us!"
Ying nodded. "Yes. But that oaf failed me – again!"
"Again?"
"Why do you think he continued attacking the Avatar at the Western Air Temple, despite your orders for him to stop? When you originally sent him to hunt the Avatar all those weeks ago … he was never truly working for you. He was my agent from the beginning."
Zuko allowed this all to sink in.
"Are we done talking," Ying pressed. "Good. Now, back to the business at hand. Surrender the Earth King, and I might let you all live today."
"That's not going to happen," Zuko answered defiantly.
Ying shrugged. "Have it your way." He punched two fists forward and flames propelled from his knuckles, searing straight for the boy.
And it was blocked by a wall of flame. Iroh stood there, his eyes shining with fury. "Really, General Iroh, this is quite foolish of you. A seasoned warrior like you should really know when he's outmatched!"
"Outnumbered? Perhaps. But outmatched? Well … we'll just see about that! There is a reason I am referred to as the 'Dragon of the West.'"
"What are you rambling about?"
The answer was given as Ying was thrown off his feet by a fire blast and sent crashing into the wall. Iroh leaped after him, but the cutthroat was already recovering from the attack.
As Iroh and Ying started to duel, the others turned their attention to the Dai Li. What ensued was sheer pandemonium as boulders and flames sprayed everywhere. Tables and chairs were overthrown; windows were shattered as the entire Jasmine Dragon was torn apart.
Jin had taken up hiding behind the counter. A Dai Li agent came for her, attempting to capture her. Thinking quickly, she grabbed the tea pot she had been preparing, opened the top and threw scalding tea right into the Dai Li's eyes. He screamed as his face was boiled, and Jin simply knocked him out with the teapot.
On the other side of the shop, Zuko and Toph were going head to head against four Dai Li agents. A mixture of earth and fire exploded all around them.
Ying and Iroh continued to go at it. The fighting was fast and intense as neither could overpower the other.
A stray burst of flame licked wall of the tea shop, and in an instant, the entire Jasmine Dragon went up in flames.
They were trapped in a growing inferno.
There was a pause in the fighting as everyone realized their predicament.
Toph was the first one to react. She created a rocky wall, and slammed several Dai Li with it, before opening a fissure in the earth. She motioned for everyone to go in. Jin, Mai, and Bosco the bear, carrying the hypnotized Earth King, were the first ones through.
Enraged, Ying continued his assault on Iroh. Zuko lashed out at his former ally. Together with Iroh, they drove Ying back. With an unrestrained fury, Zuko crashed into Ying, throwing him clean through the wall.
With that, Iroh and Zuko leaped through Toph's fissure. The blind Earthbender knocked back any approaching Dai Li, before leaping in herself and sealing the hole shut behind her.
…
"A little help here," a disoriented Sokka shouted as a jet of fire whizzed past his head. He took shelter with Momo behind one of the Avatar statues. "I think we'll be safe just hiding here," he told the lemur.
The head of the statue suddenly exploded into dust, and Sokka dashed away, his eyes wide with terror. "Sometimes I hate not being a bender!"
Three Imperial Firebenders moved in on Katara, who streamed more water around her body. Out of the corner of her body, she could see Aang battling an even larger group of benders. Katara morphed the water around her, creating numerous water tentacles like an octopus. One Firebender moved tried to get in close enough to attack, but was thrown to the side by a tentacle like a rag doll.
His partner prepared to punch his fist forward when one of the tentacles snaked around his ankle and tossed him high up into the air. He hit the wall with a thud, before sliding down into in a semi-conscious daze.
Aang was a wonder. Having mastered all four elements, none of the Firebenders could touch him. He danced around the room with a dazzling grace, his staff not a weapon but an extension of his being. When a surge of fire pulsed towards him, he created a wall of flames to absorb it. Then he morphed his flaming barricade into an arcing attack, driving the Firebenders back.
Afterwards, the Avatar twirled his staff like a marvelous dancer, and a gale surged throughout the temple, throwing the Firebenders even further back. Aang leaped into the air, and when he landed, he brought his staff straight down, penetrating the rocky floor. The crack grew, snaking toward the Firebenders, before a gaping fissure appeared beneath their feet, dropping them below.
The Firebenders were beaten, but the battle was far from over.
"We have to stop Azula," Aang exclaimed.
Katara shook her head. "Dang her. She's probably way ahead of us by now!"
"Well what are we standing around here for," questioned Sokka. "Let's move!"
The trio raced through the numerous corridors and outside the air temple. Up above, they could see the Fire Nation airship beginning to lift off into the air. And there on the deck, mocking them, was Azula.
"We're too late," Sokka murmured.
"I don't think so!" Aang suddenly blew hard on his bison whistle, and with a growl, the mighty Appa appeared. In a flash they were on his saddle and Aang grabbed the reigns. "Yip-yip!" The bison took off after the fleeing airship.
"We have trouble," Sokka squealed, and Aang saw more Imperial Firebenders lining up along the railings of the airship. Dozens of jets of fire shot out at them from all directions.
"Everyone hold tight! This is going to be a bumpy ride!" Aang pulled on the reigns, and Appa spun past the flaming barrages.
Azula was watching the whole thing, getting more agitated by the second. "Can't anyone bring that darn beast down?" She pushed aside one of the Firebenders, and the next thing Aang knew, a bolt of lightning was racing right for them.
"Sokka, grab the reigns!"
"But I-." Cursing under his breath, Sokka took over while Aang sprang up into the air on his glider and in the direct path of Azula's lightning. He outstretched one of hands, allowing the lightning to flow up his arm and into his stomach. It was almost impossible for him to breathe deeply, evade the Firebenders, and fly at the same time. He allowed the lightning to travel up out of his arm again, effectively redirecting it. He then flew straight for the deck of the airship.
Firebenders lined up immediately, prepared to prevent him from landing.
"We've got to make sure Aang gets on that ship! Get us closer," Katara demanded.
"Closer?"
"Sokka just do it!"
The boy brought Appa up closer to the deck of the airship, and several of the Imperial Firebenders were knocked clean off their feet by an arc of water. With incredible agility, the Waterbender soared off of the bison's saddle and landed gracefully on the deck of the airship. The Firebenders diverted their attention to her and began advancing.
Aang landed hard on the metal deck, his glider twirling. Azula was there almost immediately, blue fire erupting out of her hands. Aang barely dodged it, before countering with some Airbending.
"Impressive show, Avatar, but as you know, it'll take more than a little wind to defeat me!"
"I'm well aware of that Azula," Aang spat, deflecting more fire with a spin of his staff. "But if I could defeat your father, I can certainly defeat you!"
Azula's eye twitched. "How dare you talk about my father!" Flame daggers appeared out of her fists and she charged. Aang spun into the air, landing behind her as light as a feather.
"What are you trying to prove," Aang asked. "The war is over. Your father has been defeated. Why still cling to all your rage and hate?" He ducked as another fiery jet flew over his head. "You can have a totally different life. Settle down, meet a nice boy, have a family…"
Azula stopped. "F-family?" Her eye was twitching even more. "What do you know of family," she spat as she produced more fire.
Aang gently glided out of the way. "More than you think Azula. Zuko told me all about your childhood. How your father forced you to fight and kill others. What kind of father does that? That's no family life!"
"Don't you dare try to mess with me, Avatar. I had a wonderful childhood!"
"Your father made you fight all the time! What kind of childhood is that?"
Aang seemed to have struck a nerve, as the intensity of Azula's attacks become more fierce. Note to self, he thought. Next time you face Azula, try not to anger her.
Aang rolled out of the way, and generated some Firebending of his own to counter hers. Flames roared in all directions.
Azula and Aang continued their fierce combat. They were interrupted when one of the Imperial Firebenders went sailing past them, unconscious. They both looked up to see that Katara had made short work of the Firebenders and was now moving to join their fray.
"It's over Azula," Katara commented. "Don't drag this out."
"Don't tell me what to do, you filthy peasant!"
"Azula, listen," Aang pleaded. "You're outmatched. Give up. Stop this now before someone really gets hurt!"
Azula cocked her head. "You're hilarious, Avatar. You think that you can really lay a finger on me?"
"Let's not have a repeat of Sozin's Comet," Katara reminded her.
Azula gently back up, away from them. She reached into her battle armor, and withdrew the map piece. Aang thought that she was presenting it to them as a declaration of surrender, but no. She held her open palm under it, and a small blue flame materialized.
"It appears the tables have turned," she grinned. "The ball is in my court, now Avatar. So why don't you two consider surrendering?"
Aang and Katara stood there, unsure.
"Surrender now, or I'll burn this map piece!"
"What do we do," Katara asked. Aang didn't seem to hear here. His gaze was fixated on the map piece.
"Drop your staff, Avatar!" Azula moved the flame closer to the parchment, and the edges already began blackening. "I'm not kidding with you anymore, Avatar." Her voice was deadly serious. "Drop. Your. Staff."
Aang was seriously considering it, when he saw Sokka's boomerang headed right for the back of Azula's head.
The Princess ducked at the last second, as she saw the bison fly by. "How stupid do you think I am that I would fall for that old trick twice?"
The boomerang arced backwards, towards Azula again. Rolling her eyes, she sidestepped it. "You're going to have to come up with some new tricks, peasant," she called at Sokka. "And as for you, Avatar, this is my final warning!"
A small dart suddenly appeared in the center of the map piece. A dart with a very long piece of fishing line attached. Azula was caught by surprise. "What?"
It was Sokka. He yanked on the fishing line, completely pulling the parchment free of Azula's grasp and into Sokka's hand. "Yea! How's that for new tricks?"
Azula was seething. "You filthy peasant!" She was preparing to fry Sokka with some lightning when a blast of air knocked her feet out from under her. She landed on the metal floor of the ship with a loud crack that made even Aang wince.
The Princess staggered to her feet, holding her head. She had hit the floor harder than she thought, and her vision was swimming. Her eyes went into and out of focus as she staggered around.
Aang saw the danger too late. "Azula!"
The Princess lost her balance and fell over the railing, beginning a plummet hundreds of feet below.
Enemy or not, Aang was not just going to let her die. He dove off the airship, opening the wings of his glider. Spinning downward to pick up speed, he reached out with his free arm, looping it around Azula's waist.
The combined weight of both of them began to take its toll on the glider, which began a rather quick descent.
Sokka was there in a flash with Appa, and Aang gently alighted with the now unconscious Azula on the bison's saddle.
But now there was another problem. Katara was calling his name. Aang had forgotten about her – she was still on the airship.
"Aang," she screamed, and there was genuine panic in her voice. "I accidentally knocked out the pilot! There's no one steering this thing!"
Aang turned to Sokka. "Watch Azula!"
"Why do I get stuck with the psycho Princess?"
"And don't get any funny ideas," Aang winked, before taking to the air again. Sokka looked repulsed.
The airship was on a collision course with a large mountain. Katara was holding on to the railing, her knuckles whitening. She was only a few meters away from instant death.
Two meters.
One meter.
The airship crashed in a fiery explosion.
But Katara was not on it.
She was holding on to Aang for dear life as he flew back towards his bison. She felt Aang's body, and mentally took note of how hard his abdominal muscles had become. Lucky me, she thought.
But when they landed on Appa, things had taken yet another spin in a wild direction.
"Uh … help," was Sokka's weak request. Azula had her forearm around his throat, and two fingers on her other hand were pointed at his skull. A small blue flame appeared at the tips of her fingers.
"And now the tables have turned yet again, Avatar," she sneered. "Now surrender yourselves into Fire Nation custody, give me the map, and fly this thing back to the Royal Plaza, or your smelly friend here will have his brains incinerated!"
"Hey – I am not smelly," protested Sokka.
The Princess tightened her grip. "If you value your friend's life, I suggest you listen. Perhaps if you come quietly, I'll persuade my father to spare your life. Perhaps."
"Fine Azula," a resigned Aang stated. "You win."
"Wait – what?" A surprised look appeared in her brow. She had been expecting the Avatar to give her a little bit of resistance. But the sudden surprise quickly melted into pleasure. "Good. Now fly this filthy beast to the capitol right now!"
"As you wish."
"Are you serious," Sokka exclaimed. "Aang, I'm not worth it! Just take Azula down and forget about me!"
"Silence peasant," she hissed.
"Oh, first you call me smelly and then you call me a peasant? That's it!" Sokka suddenly jabbed two knuckles into Azula's neck. Sokka may not have been a bender, but he did know a thing or two about human anatomy.
He had struck a pressure point in Azula's throat. The Princess loosened her grip, and Sokka elbowed her in the clavicle. She sputtered, lost her balance, and then once again, disappeared over the edge of Appa's saddle, into the fog below.
"Not again!" Aang opened his glider and took off into the thickening fog.
Katara stared at Sokka incredulously. "Where did you learn those moves?"
"Suki," he replied.
"And where did Suki learn them?"
"I dunno, Ty Lee?"
Aang reappeared after a few minutes and landed, his eyes glistening with tears and his face deathly pale. "I – I couldn't find her you guys." He landed flat on his rear. "She's – she's gone."
Katara knew how much Aang valued life, and so she put her hand on his shoulder. "I'm sorry Aang. But it's not your fault. You did everything you could."
"Yea, besides, it's Azula," Sokka said. "Trust me - things are a lot better off with her out of the picture."
"Sokka," snapped Katara. She turned back to her boyfriend. "Besides, Aang. We have all four map pieces now! We can finally locate the fifth air temple! And maybe there'll be some of your people there!"
Aang nodded. "Maybe." He turned his back and grabbed Appa's reigns. He didn't speak another word for the rest of the day.
…
Zuko, Iroh, Mai, Jin, Toph, Bosco and the hypnotized Earth King emerged from underground in one of the Lower Rings of Ba Sing Se.
"Okay," Jin snapped. "This has been the second time this week my life has been in danger! I'm getting sick of it!"
"Yea," Zuko replied. "Just try having your life endangered every day! Then we'll talk."
Iroh rubbed his temples. "It seems I must rescue Ba Sing Se – once again!"
"Uncle, what should we do?"
"I will re-gather the leaders of the Order of the White Lotus. We'll take this city back."
"But what about us," Toph asked.
"You must find the Avatar. Only he can stop this before it erupts into another full-scale war."
"But Uncle, I don't want to leave you alone again!"
"I'll be fine, Zuko. You forget I am a very capable man. I will punish Long Feng and Ying." His eyes misted. "They have destroyed my tea shop – my very livelihood."
Zuko nodded. He knew how much the Jasmine Dragon meant to his uncle, and how hurt he must be over its destruction and Ying's betrayal.
"So … I guess I have to find the Avatar again," Zuko mumbled. "But he could be anywhere!"
"So you better start searching now, Nephew."
Zuko groaned. "I've been hunting the Avatar for three years. Now I have to hunt him down all over again!"
"Don't worry, Sparky, I'm there with you," Toph gently asserted.
"Yea, I'll come too," Mai said.
"Me three," Jin piped up. "Besides, Zuko left my life once – I'll see to it that he doesn't do so again!" At this, Mai rolled her eyes and folded her arms. This was going to be a barely tolerable nuisance.
"The Earth King is also in much danger," Iroh warned. "You should take him and Bosco along with you. Besides, in his state, the Earth King is just as much a danger to himself." The Earth King stood there, staring into space, with a sliver of drool escaping his slack mouth.
Zuko was incredulous. "You want me to take a near zombie and a bear?"
Bosco roared and then gave Zuko a very wet kiss on the cheek.
Iroh laughed. "See? He likes you!"
"I guess that's it then. I'm going to miss you, Uncle."
Iroh beamed at his nephew. "I am very proud of you, Fire Lord Zuko. It was always your destiny to help the Avatar bring peace to the world. It is your destiny to do so again."
Nephew and Uncle embraced in the setting sun, as they went their separate ways.
Toph could barely contain her excitement at seeing Aang, Sokka and Katara again. "Look out world," she declared. "Team Avatar is coming back!"
…
Long Feng was sitting on his throne sipping tea, when that Fire Nation General, Ying appeared and bowed before him. "What is it this time," the new Earth King demanded. "Can't you see I'm enjoying my tea?"
As he moved to take another sip, Ying shot a tiny ball of fire at the cup, superheating the tea. "YAAARRGGGH!" Long Feng squealed as the tea seared his mouth. His tongue hung out as he desperately tried fanning it.
"I have orders from the Fire Nation. You are to leave Ba Sing Se and go to the Fire capitol."
Long Feng was taken aback. "Leave Ba Sing Se? Leave my throne? Are you insane?"
Ying smiled. "The Phoenix King has a very special task for you there. Trust me, you will be richly rewarded."
"This is absurd! I just manipulate my way to becoming king – under your orders – and you want me to leave just like that?"
Dozens of Imperial Firebenders suddenly appeared and Ying smiled triumphantly. "You don't exactly have a choice."
"Oh really? My Dai Li will stop you!"
"You still trust your Dai Li, Long Feng? Look."
The Dai Li appeared from the shadows. But instead of siding with their leader, they once again sided with the Fire Nation. "You traitors," Long Feng screamed.
"What can I say," Ying chuckled. "The Fire Nation pays better than you do."
Long Feng lowered his head. "What must I do?"
"Go to the capitol. The Phoenix King will give you further instructions once you arrive."
Muttering and cursing under his breath, Long Feng departed from the throne room in a hurry. Making sure he was gone, Ying flopped himself onto the Earth King's throne.
The Fire Nation was once again in charge of Ba Sing Se.
…
An airship lumbered forward in the sky. A figure stood on the deck, holding a telescope. The Avatar's bison was in her sights.
Azula lowered the telescope and smiled. "You think you're rid of me, Avatar … instead you'll just lead me straight to the fifth air temple…"
…
Next Chapter the gang finally finds the Fifth Air Temple!