((Next Chapter: Alister confronts Alexander one last time. Will he defeat him?))

Chapter Eleven: Azula's Mistake

News travels fast amongst the fragmented rebel army of Azula. Her once proud army was dwindling in both numbers and spirit. With each passing day her patience shortened until a bit of news from one of her spies sent her over the edge. She stormed through the mountain's halls towards Alexander's chambers. Her anger spilling over, she could no longer contain herself. She burst inside, her eyes locked on him.

"Alexander, what the hell have you done? First you use my army at your own leisure and now you deliberately attack the Fire Nation? If I didn't know better I have to guess you were trying to give ourselves and our plans away!"

"You needn't fret over such trivial matters, Azula. My plan is coming full circle. Soon we shall be blessed with the utter darkness of a New Moon and my full potential shall be realized. In one stroke I shall take the world as my own."

"I see, so that's were your loyalties lie. Well then, it seems I have no other choice. I'll simply have to kill you myself!"

Before she could begin her attack, Alexander had closed the gap between them. His hand firmly around her neck, Azula gasped for as he feet dangled inches from the ground.

"You just don't get it do you? You, like every one else here, was merely a pawn. You were the stepping-stones needed to realize my destiny. With the new moon just days away I will become more powerful than even my master. As such, I no longer have any use of you. I think it's time I sent you home. But not after I've had a little fun first."

Azula's screaming rang throughout the hallowed halls of the mountain. The torture she was put through was such that not even the wisest of men could begin to describe

Hours after they began digging, Toph and Aang managed to find Alister and Ty Lee amongst the ruins of his ancient home. Though they were questioned as to what happened in the darkness only Ty Lee answered with a small giggle and a blushing face. Having sent soldiers to reclaim the komodo-rhinos, Alister filled in a few gaps in their story as they flew back towards the Fire Nation capital. However, as the deceased into the palace courtyard, the group of Fire Nation was not a welcoming sight.

"Fire Lord Zuko, Fire Lady Mai, we have news of Azula," One of the soldiers said.

"Has she made an appearance? Is she attacking the capital?" Zuko questioned.

"I feel it's better that you see for yourself."

Confused, they followed the soldier down to the infirmary. Pointing to the last bed Zuko approached slowly before gasping in surprise. There Azula laid, conscious but not all there. Her eyes stared at the ceiling, almost as if she was daydreaming. It was hard to imagine that after all this time they would see her like this.

"What happened to her?" Zuko asked.

"We're not sure. We found her outside the capital's gates tied to a large post. This was hanging around her neck. We're still trying to decipher the language."

"Don't bother, I can tell you what it says."

"Really? What does it mean?" Zuko asked.

"It's written in the tongue of the ancient benders. Only masters of Light and Darkness were allowed to read and write it. It says, "With one worlds end another shall arise. From the darkest void I shall arise anew." In short, Alexander is proclaiming his rule over this world and he believes no one can stop him."

"Then we'll just have to stop him ourselves," Aang said.

"Don't be foolish, young avatar. You're still too inexperienced in your use of the four basic elements. You wouldn't last two seconds against Alexander. Besides, he's made it obvious that his power will soon grow."

"What do you mean?" Ty Lee asked.

"The dark void he is referring to is that of the night of a new moon. It's a time when a Darkness bender's powers are amplified just as the light of the same day amplifies a light bender's power. Within three days he will attack and I will be ready for him."

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