A/N: It's been nearly three years since I've updated this story. I'm truly sorry for letting down everyone who kept up with my little fic, and those of you who I had exchanged ideas with through IM. After such a long time you guys deserve an explanation for my long absence, and If you'd like to read it I've detailed it in the next paragraph.
A/N2: Not many of you know me well, but for a while I was living in the U.S., in Illinois to be more precise. Then early in 2009 I was detained and deported back to my country of origin. Since then I've worked to adjust and piece my life together. I'm doing alright for myself now, but working on this fan fic was far from my mind for some time. After being away for so long, I've actually forgotten the passwords to my old e-mail and IM accounts, but luckily I had a simple one for my account. I was unsure whether to continue this story or not, but I'd rather not leave it unfinished. Besides, some people have continued to show interest.
Ch 14: Eve of the Siege
"So then, Suki made him dress up like a Kyoshi warrior!" the Avatar smiled widely. His friends burst laughing, Ty Lee's giggles clear over the outburst. Even Mai gave an unnoticed chuckle or two.
"I'm sure Sokka will be glad to know you're sharing all these stories with us when he and Katara get here," Zuko teased.
"Oh, I don't mean to," the Avatar raised his hands defensively. "But he sure did land himself in a lot of funny situations. This one time..."
Azula stepped in at that moment in regal posture, hands folded at her straight back. Aang fumbled a little with his fork. Azula smirked. They were no longer enemies, but over the days she had made it a point to show that she was far from a friend. To her left Ty Lee waved a flighty hi, which Azula pointedly ignored as she focused on the central group.
"Why, good morning, Miss Sunshine," Toph called from the kitchen table. "Have some breakfast. Iroh might be good with tea, but he cooks some mean cow-pig bacon too."
"Miss what – ?" Haru snickered as he looked up from his plate of sausage links and egg. Azula offered him a raven-viper stare. He nearly dropped his tea.
"Sorry to bring your merry little train to a halt," Azula feigned sincerity. She held up a scroll with green trim before placing it on the table. "General Kuma and his advanced troops reside 10 miles from the city. Since the port entrance has been blockaded by Fire navy, I highly doubt the water peasants will arrive in time to be of any use."
"It's finally going to begin," the Avatar's gray eyes became steely.
"Don't be so dramatic. We can expect the siege to begin in a couple of days. Final preparations should be made now." Her words sounded more like a suggestion than a command, to her displeasure.
"You talk as if you were in charge," Mai monotoned beside Zuko. Stupid girl. She could act defiant, but only among her allies where Azula couldn't easily burn the even, condescending tone from her voice. She thinks her indifference makes her so superior, but really she's just a pathetic donkey-sheep always in need of a leader. First it was me, and now Zuko.
"Not at all," Azula bowed sarcastically. "I do, however, require Haru and the dirt bender for a final meeting with the Dai Li."
"Her name is Toph," the Avatar sounded irate.
"And she can answer for herself," Toph spoke to him. "Seriously though, Miss Sunshine is just bent that she still hasn't come up with a half decent nickname for me."
"I'll wait outside," Azula turned to the door.
"Wouldn't you like some breakfast first?" Uncle came in carrying a plate and tea for her.
"No," a layer of dust blew off the front door frame as Azula slammed the door shut. It's hardly surprising Generals Howe and Shue have taken charge of most preparations. How can these idiotic children expect to be treated like warriors with such conduct? Laughing away at stories, while the enemy encroaches upon us.
A couple of kids were playing windup toys right outside before Azula plowed right through, making sure to crush their silly flying bison figurine. She leaned against a post and crossed her arms. A crowd of mangy haired, barefooted commoners stood just inside the shop's courtyard. They do know he's the Avatar right, not some sort of charity house patron? Toph and Haru arrived soon enough, relieving her of their bumpkin stares.
The Dai Li continued under close surveillance. They had to make the long trek to the Earth King's dungeons before doubling back to the dusty, flat training grounds. The place looked more like an unkempt zoo exhibit to Azula, but at least there was space. Toph immediately went over to a group of veterans at practice; no doubt ready to show off. Her little entourage had stopped guarding her like a dragon-hawk after it became clear she wasn't directly involved in the Dai Li's training. What expertise could she offer in earthbending after all? More than anything, letting the Dai Li out of their cages reminded them that she was their commanding officer; they must be loyal to her. She was 'walking the hyena-dogs' as the blind earthbender put it.
Further away, Haru dropped low, levitating a man-sized boulder. He broke it up, grinding the stone to dust before solidifying as much as he could. A lot of dust scattered, and he only formed a jagged melon-sized rock. He smashed the rock, and was about to try again before a younger group in careworn uniforms walked over. More novices. It was the same every day, they wouldn't let him get a moment's peace with their constant badgering for earthbending advice. Azula looked on as if he were a fly-swarmed carcass, really at marrying age, and he doesn't even know how to say 'no'. She went to watch some of the more experience benders. Even without seeing them battle, Azula could tell which of them were most skilled. There was a slight hesitation, a mental pause, before most of them started bending; they had to get in the right mindset. Only a few like the blind gnat-fly, carried the personality of their element with them. They could strike in an instant. It was the same with firebending.
Azula's attention left the earthbenders as she approached a far corner near a fig tree. She could do a little training as well; her favorite sparring site now inaccessible since the outer ring repairs were completed. Nothing too elaborate, simple katas and exercise routines were her main occupation with a little firebending for flair. As the afternoon wore on she broke into heavier exercises, not stopping until she was thoroughly showered in sweat.
"Hey, Miss Sunshine isn't that like your five thousandth push up?" The squat earthbender left a group of soldiers and walked over. "I thought you might want to do something a little more fun."
"Not really." She completed her push up with one hand, wiping sweat from her brow with the other.
"Alright then." Toph stomped on the ground, using the earth to push Azula to her feet. "See those soldiers over there," she motioned with her chin. "They don't believe a firebender can break through their triple barricade. Care to prove them wrong?"
Her eyes narrowed at the earthbender before she had a thought. "You've settled some sort of wager with them, haven't you? Whatever you're getting in exchange, I expect a share."
"What gave me away?" Toph pouted.
"Please, as if I would let you exploit my talents." She walked towards the group, "very well then."
"Alright boulder brains, prepare to lose." Toph stomped in, grinning widely. Azula stood in front of three challengers. In unison, they crouched low before their upturned palms flew up along with three man-high stone barriers.
Is this supposed to be a 'technique' ?Honestly, they should leave bending formations to their superiors. Azula made a big show of it, circling her arms in wide arcs before flourishing an outstretched arm and moving two pointed fingers to her center. A blue flare jettisoned into the walls, scattering rock, and leaving a few scraps in place. The three earthbending troops had been thrown back several feet. One clasped his shoulder while another inspected a gash on his arm, but they were unharmed.
She stepped closer, inspecting the rubble. A few of the rocks still aflame, though they were burning out. "That was cool," Toph gushed. "Alright, now pay up." One of the men dropped a sack of coins into her outstretched hand. She weighed the bag up and down to a satisfying clink.
"Perhaps I should count them for you," Azula teased. "We wouldn't want to be short-changed."
"As if. I can feel the metal just fine. Here's your share." She offered Azula a handful of the coins, roughly half. "You sure went overboard. Some of the pebbles are still on fire." She merged the burning fragments into a head-sized rock. "Hey lookout, it's a Fire Nation catapult!" With a quick arm thrust, she crashed the flaming boulder directly behind the three earthbenders from before. They scrambled hurriedly before noticing Toph's jeering laugh.
Azula hit a point of inspiration. It was one of those ideas that seemed so obvious once you'd seen it. If those paranoid earth generals would listen to her, they might have a secret weapon on their hands.
/***/
She sat at one of the tables of the Jasmine Dragon. Zuko and his little friends had gone off for one last tour of the upper ring. She'd found an old Pai Sho set to keep her occupied. Clack, she placed a tile at the north east side of the board.
"Hmm, two red dragon moves so early in the game? You're clearly not the master strategist everyone – achoo! Oh, excuse me," Uncle dropped his feather duster. He was the only one who stayed behind. every now and then he would flit about with a dustpan or a rag. Why he bothered to clean the broken down tea shop at all was beyond her.
Azula growled in response. Scrolls and parchments were huddled around the board; earthbending texts. There might be a snide comment or two from that blind badger-mole later on, but necessity dictated that she know the extent of the earthbenders' capabilities. With any luck, Shue and Howewould realize how fortunate they were to have her, and she might command more than a few Dai Li. And then we might actually survive this siege.
Screeeech. Screech. Agni, Iroh was wiping down the windows now. "Uncle, haven't you something more worthwhile to do than playing house maid? I thought you would be drilling the firebending troops with that deserter Jeong-Jeong."
He set down his rag, "I almost didn't think I could get you in a talking mood," Uncle smiled. "If you must know, I'm fully confident in the old admiral's ability to handle a couple of squadrons. Besides most of those men are old comrades of his." Iroh went to sit across from her, "as long as we're speaking there is something I'd like to discuss, however."
"So long as it's something of importance, I suppose," Azula pushed away the Pai Sho set. " I told Zuko I'd be civil around all of you, not that I would endure the pleasantries or musings of an old man."
"Fair enough." He rubbed his beard a bit before continuing. "During your fight with the Avatar and his waterbending friend, at the crystal catacombs, you struck down Aang just as he was about to enter the Avatar State, but you don't understand the severity of what you did."
"Here we go. You're going to start with some hogwash about disturbing the spiritual balance, or something aren't you?"
"Not at all, " Iroh became graver. "Despite whatever malice was behind your attack, it probably saved the lives of everyone in the catacombs. The Avatar could not properly control his power yet. Since that time, however, Aang has been unable to enter the Avatar State at all..."
He was just short of accusing her, the way he trailed off. "Why are you even telling me this?It's not like I can do anything to fix it? And why would I even want to? He was Zuko's accomplice in Father's murder, your own brother. Losing his Avatar State is a minimal price to pay."
Iroh sighed, "It may seem difficult now, but you must learn to forgive those you feel wronged by; and accept their forgiveness in return. Azula turned back to the Pai Sho board, one hand playing with a tile. Her Uncle's wrinkled, dusty hand clasped her own. "You are so young, and freer than you have ever been. Free to become whatever person you choose."
"Enough, Uncle," She pulled her hand away. Had he forgotten who she was? What made her Uncle and Zuko think that they could mold her, like a clay figurine, into whatever shape the wanted? Fine, she didn't have any ultimate goal at the moment, but she would decide on her own terms. "Despite what you said earlier, this is becoming another long-winded lecture."
"Not quite," Uncle beamed. "There actually is something you can do to help Aang with his problem."
/***/
A couple of hours later Azula found herself climbing down the winding passages hidden beneath the city of Ba Sing Se. The dark, humid earth surrendered to the vibrant jade of the crystal catacombs. The Avatar followed on her left as they stepped into a scarred and rubbled courtyard. A decorative fountain still gushed at the center.
Azula's eyes traced the length of the room, her thoughts retracing Zuko and her battle against the Avatar and that waterbender. "Do you even have any idea if this is going to work?"
"Your Uncle doesn't know enough about the Avatar Spirit to be sure, but he's given me some good advice before. Being in the catacombs again should put us in the right mood too."
"Well, let's get this over with," Azula sat cross-legged by the fountain.
Aang hesitated for a moment. She was certainly being cooperative. Could his friends be right? She might be planning to kill him and ditch the body among the ruins. No, he had to trust her for this to work."Ok. So your Uncle and I think that my broken Avatar State is because of a deep rooted grudge I have against you, " Aang faced Azula's expressionless stare. "It's against my teachings as an air nomad to hate or despise anyone, but I can't help this negative reflex I have toward you. I don't even know if it's my mind or the Avatar Spirit within me. I had never been that close to dying since you shot me in the back." Her eyes never left him, but she was silent."I know it sounds weird, or even crazy..."
"Beyond that. I think the two of you have been on one too many cactus juice fixations." Azula interrupted.
Aang chuckled a little "...but Iroh thinks that if I connect to your soul, I may be able to, I don't know, see something that might help me use the Avatar State again. I'm not wild about the idea either, but I do think it's worth a shot."
Azula nodded , "you may begin." The Avatar gave her one last look before his right arm extended toward her head. An outstretched index and middle finger pressed into Azula's forehead. The blue tattoo on the Avatar's hand glowed. The luminescence crawled up his arm before igniting the arrow at his forehead and then his eyes...
A thick whiteness overcame Azula, only Aang's glowing eyes within her vision. Then she was outside of herself. Azula felt like she could look in all directions at once. A hazy blue shape appeared in the distance, perhaps it was an illusion.
Some moments drifted by before Azula felt a thin veil of mist tingle against her face, tickling her nose. A clear, blue peak sailed toward her through the curtains of mist where the mirage had been before. It wasn't a single mountain, but a small range; it's movement made her feel even more disembodied. What is going on? The range approached quickly, threatening to march through her.
Now in full view, the peaks halted in front of her. Only then did Azula notice the ivory spires, wound in blue trimmings and roofing, which crowned the closest mountain. A snaking path appeared before her; she noticed her legs and arms for the first time as she made her way toward the larger central spire. Smaller stone huts snuggled against the mountainside, fitting well into the rock scape. "This is must be one of the airbender temples."
A red orange hue tinted the blue tip of the tallest spire, the same color soon painted the sky behind the mountain. Sunrise. But it couldn't be, the color spread cancerously across the sky, swallowing it whole. A rushing blaze vaulted over the sky as if Agni had launched a tiger stance fireball. "No, it's Sozin's comet." She had reached the heart of the air temple. A thunderous, reptilian growl shook Azula to attention. Turning behind her, a company of 20 dragons formed a V-shaped attack pattern; Fire Nation banners whipping the air. Each beast carried ten armored soldiers within a long, black harness, accenting its shining carmine scales. They swooped overhead, air lashing about wildly.
Boom! A long squat building went up in rubble and flame, close enough to knock Azula off her feet. Something bellowed loudly amid the fire's roar. "They've taken out the air nomads' transportation." The far rock wall tumbled and crashed. The building is collapsing! No, a mother bison had barged through, a carpet of fire consuming its back. Three little calves bayed wildly at it's feet, scrambling out of the building. One of the little ones made some distance before another flaming torrent swallowed the bison family in despairing howls. The nearest youngling, rolled in a heap at Azula's feet. Her stomach turned, and she walked away.
Half the Fire Nation troops had dismounted, pillaging on foot. Yellow and Orange robed monks ran out of every building. Some herded the children to safety, others fought the blazes ravaging their collective home, those left resisted the firebenders. The latter group bore the blue arrow of an airbending master. They waved and flourished their arms parting the air and making wave after wave of fire disappear.
It wasn't long before, sweat and strain marked their faces. The firebenders did not relent, and still the nomads made no effort to counterattack. Fools, why don't you strike back? Great-grandfather Sozin's glorious campaign against the airbenders was of legend. In its three week duration, there were no more than forty Fire Nation casualties; one for every 300 air nomads dead. Yet, she wouldn't even call this a battle; it seemed more like they were putting down a lame ostrich-horse.
A handful of skull-masked soldiers marched up the temple. Azula followed. No one seemed to notice her, though the crash and heat of the flames felt real enough. Hurried steps sounded between their heavy footfalls, as the troops made it into a cobbled courtyard.
"Quick, get into the Avatar sanctuary!" Two older monks herded a group of children toward a large door ornamented with a winding horn.
"Hold, it there!" A wall flame rushed forth, blocking the door. The two airbending masters in the group turned toward the voice. Before their alarm fully registered, flames erupted upon them from every side. The monks' agonized screams blended with the roaring fires in wicked harmony. Seconds later, their charred skeletons splashed against the thick fleshy stew crawling along the stones. A foul nauseating smoke filled the air; Azula felt bile rise in her stomach.
Horrified, the monks in training scrambled backward. Those at the front pulling at the children behind them, trying to hide. Those at the back struggling to avoid being pushed into the flames cutting their escape. A half-circle of firebenders now faced the children – sobbing and weeping, some too terrified to do even that much. "Don't worry, it will all be over soon," a muffled, metallic voice promised behind a skull mask. The soldiers' arms flew outward then lunged forward. Raging tendrils consumed the children in a whirlpool: crashing, raging and hissing. Their faint cries squelched by the searing hiss of burning flesh. Not a trace was left when the flames cleared.
"This cannot be. By the spirits, they were innocents!" A retreating monk ran forward, half-lidded eyes brimming with tears even as he glared hatefully. A beaded prayer necklace, with three airbending symbols, revealed his high rank. They ran to encircle the lone monk, bringing their arms forward. The airbender simply inhaled; deep and serene as if his left arm weren't completely charred and bloody. Bringing his palms together in prayer, he stopped short of exhaling. Azula's eyes locked on the troops. They should have burned the monk to ash by now. Heavy seconds passed, before the lead firebender rotated his arms inward then shot them forward. Two stray sparks danced out of his open palms where Azula had expected a pillar of flame. The other benders broke their stances. One staggered and fell, arm reaching out weakly. Another threw down his skull mask; his face, a ripening purple and gasping for air.
Dropping to his knees, the monk bowed his head to the firebenders' bodies. Wet tears streamed down his eyes, wet sobs muffled by the hands covering his face.
"He was a dear friend, Monk Gyatso." An elderly man in wine red robes walked toward her. He had a long, time worn beard like the wizards of children's stories. But clearly he was not; the head piece of a Fire Nation prince sat on his head. Her ears sharpened at the faint crackle of electricity. A jagged lightning bolt split the air. The airbender crashed back, never seeing the admiral who struck him down in his grief.
"It's possible he hated himself more for having taken a life, than the firebenders who destroyed his people."
"Who are you?" She turned to him. The first person to acknowledge her presence. For a moment Azula hadn't been sure the man had even spoken to her, but his voice was deep and ethereal, impossible to ignore.
"My name is Avatar Roku, but I am also your great-grandfather. " His wrinkled face smiled.
"Nonsense," Azula protested. "I think I would know if I shared blood with an Avatar."
"It doesn't surprise me that you are unaware of our connection. I was less than a source of pride for our nation in my time, and became much forgotten after my passing." He turned once more to the fallen monk. "As you have begun to see, our nation's war is veiled in lies and deceit. There is a great disparity between the struggle for a global renaissance and the senseless genocide you just witnessed."
"You are wrong. There were no lies behind the war. It is our mandate handed down by the Great Agni himself to bring the world to a new era of prosperity. To supplant the mysticism and superstition of the old world with rationality and forward thinking."
"And is that what you have witnessed here?"
Her eyes narrowed. "Anyone who believes victory can be achieved without sacrifice is a fool. Especially when faced with the obstinacy of the three lesser nations. We would not have resorted to such measures if they could have been avoided." He made no retort, so she filled the silence. "How could they not see it, our greatness? The Fire Nation was never blessed with prosperous farmlands like the Earth Kingdom, or a bountiful fishing trade like the Water Tribes; our lands are unforgiving, resources are sparse. But if we could make of ourselves the most prosperous nation when we had so little, imagine what we could do with the rest of the world under our governance."
"You have not answered my question. Your Uncle and brother may be fooled, but I am not. Your aura is gray like a settling storm cloud, caught between sunlight and rain, confused and uncertain. You do not believe your own words." The bright of the comet faded to a swirling overcast, punctuating his words. "Is this not why you spared your brother after he came to Ba Sing Se?"
"I don't know. Why are you even telling me these things? The War is over, Firelord Sozin's extermination occurred long ago. It has nothing to do with me."
"It has everything to do with you," his words heavy, binding her in place. "As the only descendants of both Sozin and myself, its yours and Firelord Zuko's duty to restore our nation's honor."
"Our nation? As an Avatar you have no nation; by nature, your loyalties lie outside of the Fire Nation. And as a banished royal, I have no nation either. Besides, in case you haven't noticed, the Avatar and Zuzu are doing a commendable job as it is, " she snickered.
"Firelord Zuko and his friends have their hearts in the right place, but they lack the political craft and decisiveness to hold the Fire Nation together through this new era. They need someone of your talent to lead them through this brewing conflict. More hangs in the balance than an opportunity to lift your banishment or regain your lost position."
He thought he was wise, but she understood his true motive, she understood perfectly. "So you would advise me to help Zuko regain the throne he forcibly took from our father. The throne I was destined to inherit."
"I am afraid it was never your to inherit. Through you, the same devastation that we just witnessed would have befallen the remaining nations." His eyes searched her accusingly; almost like her mother's used to. "What Prince Zuko lacks in political grooming, he makes up for in compassion and concern for his people."
"Nonsense. In my brief tour of the Earth Kingdom, I captured several rebel forces without casualty to either side. My crowning achievement, the capture of Ba Sing Se, was a bloodless coup. Even goody-goody Iroh wasted the lives of many good men in his six hundred day siege. I am far from a bloodthirsty monger. Through efficiency, decisiveness and intimidation, I was able to achieve these victories."
"But these qualities cannot stand in place of genuine concern for others. If that is all you have, you will be capable of truly monstrous things in a desperate situation. Soon enough you will understand." He sighed. Their conversation hadn't gotten anywhere yet. "If you cannot yet accept your destiny, then this is all I ask: commit to ending this conflict with the same dedication and vigor you demonstrated under Firelord Ozai."
"How could you suggest –"
"For the time being they are your allies. In providing you a commanding post above the Dai Li, they have shown you good faith. In return you must show them that their faith has not been misplaced. In time you may even make amends with –"
"They don't trust me!" If he could be rude enough to interrupt so could she. "I am useful; that's the extent of their trust." She kicked a piece of rubble, motioning at the fallen temple with wide arms. "How could anyone forgive this? If we had won the war, everyone would have seen our true legacy not the bitter loss we have caused the world in vain."
"As terrible as their loss may be, the air nomads are not the first culture lost to war. Each of the four nations has wrought conflict in its turn.." Roku's attention left Azula, focusing on the wreckage of the air temple. The fires flared away, the pounded and scarred buildings began to heal like they were living things. The whole world seemed to turn backwards like a windup toy stuck in reverse. The greenery of the courtyard returned, and young monks-in-training skipped and played once more. "But that does not mean that they are gone forever. Harmony and balance, so fleeting and tentative in the physical world, comes naturally in the Spirit World. Here is the last sanctuary of history's lost cultures."
Azula surveyed the renewed world, forgetting about Roku for a moment. Things were too still, too serene. It was peaceful, but it was suffocating too; she almost couldn't believe such a place could exist. Yet she could feel the billowing wind as three young monks took off on air gliders. As she looked on, a red dragon swam through the air in their direction.
The beast wound itself like a coil of rope before Roku, and looked at him intently. "Fang," Roku placed a palm on the steed's curved nose. He turned back to Azula. "It seems Avatar Aang has found what he has been searching for. The time has come for us to part ways." He was now atop the dragon looming over her.
"Wait! If this is the Spirit World, then surely I might have a moment to talk to dad – or even mother?" The Spirit World began to fade around them, evaporating into the air. Roku's presence too receded quickly, only his chest and face were left now.
"I am sorry. If their guidance is what you seek, they will not be able to provide it. The Spirits believe no one is beyond salvation, but Fire Lord Ozai is not yet ready to join this realm. As for Ursa, she is still among the living." His last words echoed in the white vacuum, "you have all the strength and cunning of Sozin, use it to help Aang and Zuko."
A/N: I had some of this written a while back, but most of it was written over the last couple of weeks. I haven't really spoken/written in English for a while, so it took a little extra effort. Currently, I expect to update about every two weeks. I may be a little late since I'm working out of my friend's computer.
Next chapter the siege begins !