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21. Windows to the soul
Three days had passed since the gang had left Ba Sing Se with Iroh "There it is guys" Aang called out from atop Appa's head. Once again Serj was on his knees looking towards the city palace admiring the architecture "you guys really like your buildings big huh" he said aloud.
Within a few minutes they were directly above the city markets "hey guy's is that a market" Serj asked "Yes the finest in all the fire nation" Iroh answered "Hey Aang drop me off here I'll meet you guys later on I wanna spend some of my money"
"But were supposed to meet with Zuko and Katara" he replied "I'm sure you guys don't need me to hold your hands when you tell Zuko scary stories" Toph laughed "don't worry Aang we'll protect ya" she said, Aang lowered Appa so he was just a few feet from the ground, a large crowd of people had circled Appa "Look it's the Avatar" one man called "he's not the only one look General Iroh has returned" another cried.
"See ya later" Serj grabbed his bag, kissed Li Mei's cheek and jumped off "will you be able to find your way" Iroh called out "Yeah look for the biggest building with hundreds of guards" Serj replied. Serj watched as Appa flew off towards the palace "ok let's get to making my outfit" he said to himself.
Serj wandered through the market amazed at what was on display when he finally stumbled across a clothing store, walking in he began to browse the shop. After half an hour the clerk approached Serj "Looking for anything in particular" he asked Serj nodded "actually yes do you have attire for stealth like missions, I'm looking for a dark grey or black set of pants and long sleeve shirt with a large hood that covers most of the face" Serj explained "for what reason do you require these pieces" the man asked suspiciously.
Serj could see that his choice of clothing was bringing to much attention so he said the first thing that came to mind "It's my friend's birthday you see and he's having a dress up party and I want to go as the Chufen Dai" the man cringed when he heard the name but seemed to believe Serj's lie "luckily for you we have one piece that suits your needs", the clerk disappeared into the back leaving Serj to wait.
Minutes passed when finally the clerk returned holding a small box "this is it, I had to put it away since no one every asked for something like this, the last one to ask for something like this was five years ago" Serj opened the box and looked at the clothing he picked it up and felt the cloth, it was surprisingly soft but sturdy at the same time "I'll take it"
"Ok that will be five gold pieces thank you" Serj took out a small pouch and took out the required money "Here you go thank you for your serves" Serj put the box into his bag and left the store. Once again he began wandering the market, he needed shoes, shoes designed for stealth and designed to last a long time. As he passed each store looking for a shoe shop he passed an armor shop catching a glimpse of an unusual looking gauntlet he stopped and walked towards it and picked it up.
It was light but strong and the fingers pointed into claws, but what really attracted Serj's attention was that the whole gauntlet was black save for the pure white skeletal arm carved into the top of the gauntlet "what's a nice looking young man such as yourself looking at such a horrid thing like that" asked the elderly store owner "it would be a great addition to my costume to my friend's birthday party" Serj lied "how much is it"
Without missing a beat the owner answered "ten gold pieces and five silver pieces"
Serj pulled out his pouch and handed the owner fifteen gold pieces "this is too much money" Serj shook his head "money comes and goes plus you look like you need it more than I do" the owner went to hand back the excess coinage "I cannot" Serj smiled "I'm sure you have grand children" the owner nodded "well buy them something nice" Serj picked up the gauntlet and bowed "oh one last favor if you may" the owner smiled "anything"
"Could you tell me where the nearest shoe shop is" Serj asked "it is close maybe five or six shops down, thankyou young sir" Serj smiled and left the shop.
He walked down the street counting the shops as he passed as he came to the sixth shop he saw that it was the shoe shop "Welcome to my store shoe's to suit your requirements" Serj walked in "I'm looking for something designed for moving around quietly I'm a scout for the fire lord you see and it is essential that I acquire shoes designed solely for comfort and stealth"
The owner nodded "yes I can make shoe's like that but it will take some time come back later within two or so hours I will have them done by then"
"How much will they be" Serj asked
"for the scout of the fire lord ten gold pieces" Serj took out twenty gold pieces "I'll give you twenty if you have them done in an hour" The shoe maker's eyes widened at the sight of that much gold "within the hour and I will make sure it is my best work yet" Serj handed the man ten gold pieces "Ten now ten when I pick them up in an hour no later" the shoe maker nodded.
Serj walked outside "what can I do for an hour"he asked himself as he walked further down the street, Serj began to feel as if someone was following him so he stopped at a weapons shop and picked up a polished sword, he lifted it up as if inspecting but used it as a mirror and noticed a man in robes staring at him. Serj put the sword down and continued down the street turning into a alley way which led to a small court yard, where kids were playing a game.
Serj pulled out three gold pieces "hey kids I'll give you a gold piece each if you leave this place now" the kids quickly agreed and hurried off with their gold pieces. He fumbled for his sword but remembered he never actually took them from the goddesses "Shit" he cursed.
Suddenly his sword and knife materialized in front of him with a small note which read "forgetting your weapons is a bad start" Serj laughed not expecting a sense of humor from the goddesses he strapped the weapons to his body and hid behind the wall.
The man following Serj soon came into the court yard sword drawn and ran in, Serj tripped him over and attacked the man deflected the blow and scrambled back onto his feet, returning Serj's attack with his own.
Serj had to end the battle quickly he knew that he wasn't much of a sword fighter yet so he quickly swept the man's feet from under him and knocked the sword from the man's hand, the man held his arms up in surrender "on your knees" Serj ordered the man complied.
"Who are you and why did you try to kill me" the man began to sweat "p…p…please don't kill me I have a family, a child" he begged "maybe you should have thought of them before you tried to kill me" Serj replied lifting the man's chin with his sword "talk" the man began stuttering "I…I was sent by a man uh I believe his men called him Jangbu" Serj cursed under his breath "why did he want me dead"
"Actually this was meant to be a warning he knew my skills were not enough to defeat you, he knew that I would be killed by you" Serj looked puzzled "So why did you take the job" the man looked down "he threatened my wife and son, he said if I didn't do it he would kill my family in front of me and kill me last, he said that if I done this he would give my family gold to last them years" Serj pushed the sword closer to the man's neck "P…p…please spare me I only did it for my family, surely you would understand"
That last comment hit a nerve Serj lowered his blade "Don't make me regret this" Serj walked away from the man "T…Thank you" "where is your family now" Serj asked "Being held captive at home" the man replied "come with me" Serj ordered "pick up your sword, let's go free your family"
Excited the man led Serj to his home
"Stop" Serj spoke suddenly "there are three guards one inside with your family and two outside guarding the door,now tell me which one is Jangbu" the man shook his head "none of them, he is not there he must have left" Serj saw a small group of shady looking men Serj called one of them over "hey I'll give you ten gold if you draw the attention of those two men over there" the thief smiled a toothless grin "pay up front"
Serj put the gold in the man's hands "just keep em away long enough for me to get inside ok" the thief nodded and ran off, Serj watched as the man grabbed one of the guards coin purse and took off. The two guards yelled and gave chase "ok lets go" Serj and the man ran towards the house, Serj opened the door and charged in "Free your family, I'll deal with him" Serj drew his sword.
"Where is Jangbu I believe he wanted to send me a message, well I got one for him, if he wants a fight he's got one so I'll be coming for him you let him know" Serj grabbed a handful of soil from a pot plant near him and threw it in the guards eyes blinding him Serj quickly slashed at the his arm cutting him deeply causing him to drop his weapon "be a good sport and deliver my message"
Serj faced the man and his family "grab anything important we have maybe five minutes before they come back" the wife and son began grabbing clothes and supplies "I cannot thank you enough" Serj smiled "Take your family and leave for the palace I will meet you there if you are denied access just say Serj sent you and you have information regarding Jangbu, I will meet you shortly after I need to pick up something" the man nodded.
Serj began walking away "What's your name" he asked "Xaio"
Serj quickly ran back to the Shoe store "Are your back and just in time I finished your order" Serj quickly pulled out ten gold pieces and handed them over "thanks" Serj grabbed the shoes and ran outside and ran towards the palace.
"You did the right thing by not punishing him Serj" Serj stopped "Shén nu zhuān" he questioned, the two goddesses appeared in front of Serj "By sparing the man and saving his family you have provided them with a happy future, and what impressed us was that you done it on your own" Shén nǚ xié è added "but some will be more difficult there are a lot of good liar's out there so we will help you" Shén nu zhuān touched Serj's eyes releasing a blinding light"
Serj's eyes began stinging "Argh" he cried "Remember Serj the eyes are windows to ones soul" with that said the goddesses vanished. Serj shrugged not fully understanding the power that had been granted to him; Serj rubbed his eyes and headed for the palace.
"Of all the times to go shopping he needed to go now, he could have waited" Zuko began pacing in the throne room "Sorry Zuko if we knew that Azula was part of the reason we would have brought him" Aang replied.
"Lord Zuko" A guard walked in bowing deeply "there is a man and his family outside in the court yard, he says that Serj sent him and that he has information regarding Jangbu, whoever that is shall I send him in" Sokka jumped up "Yes send him in" The guard looked away and faced Zuko "My lord"
"Send them in"
"What the hell is Serj up to" Toph questioned everyone shrugged and waited for the man to be brought in. "Lord Zuko, we have the prisoners" the guard pushed Xaio forward
"What is your name" Zuko asked Xaio bowed "My lord I am Xaio and this is my wife and son"
"Tell us what you know about Jangbu" Sokka broke in Xaio nodded and began telling them what had happened and how he was forced to attack Serj "You what" Li Mei shouted. "It wasn't my fault they said they would kill my wife and son" Xaio explained "he defeated me, listened to what I had to say then he helped me rescue my family"
"So much for shopping" Toph huffed
Serj ran into the throne room with ten guards chasing him "Stop or we will fire" one of the guards shouted "Zuko buddy your guards are clueless" the guards lowered their hands. Zuko stood up "it is alright men this is Serj" Zuko dismissed the guards and faced Serj "So what have you been up to, you're in my city for a few hours and you wreak havoc"
Serj shrugged "I like having fun" a loud here here could be heard coming from Toph's direction, he noticed Xaio "Xaio you made it" Xaio bowed "thanks to you"
"Have you told them what happened" Xaio nodded
Serj faced the gang "Yeah so Jangbu is trying to send me a message trying to scare me, don't know why maybe it has something to do with what Okina mentioned about the all seer or whatever"
Katara ran in "Zuko she's out of control we have to do something" Zuko jumped up "Serj I was told by the goddesses that you could help my sister, I beseech you, please help" Serj nodded I'll do what I can "Zuko she's fire bending like crazy the whole room has become charred"
"Sedate her or something" Zuko ordered "No don't do that, if we're going to help her she has to be capable of defending herself mentally and physically" Serj countered "Take me to her"
Serj was led to a large room which had been locked up tightly "Azula I am coming in so calm down" Zuko yelled, the guards opened the door and watched as the group walked inside Serj saw Azula she had smudges all over her face her posture was one of a crazed person and her hair was all messed up and slightly burned. She looked confused, hurt and in pain Serj stared shocked underneath the pain and confusion she looked somewhat beautiful.
Azula stopped fighting when she saw Serj.
Their eyes met and Serj found witnessing some strange visions
Serj looked around he was still in the palace but something was different he turned around a noticed A man looking over a small crib, his face beaming "Look at her she is a prodigy in the making" the man hiding his evil smile.
The scene soon changed Serj found himself outside in the court yard where he saw a young Azula running towards the man "look daddy" Azula holds up a painting of rainbows, flowers and small animals only to have it burn in her hands leaving Azula confused and hurt.
The vision soon blackened and Serj found himself face to face with the man once again as he trains Azula vigorously "Again" he roared Serj noticed that this time he was seeing things through Azula's eyes, he could feel what she felt, at first sorrow and pain from the harsh training but soon he felt pride when he heard the man's praise when successfully completing a series of movements flawlessly.
The scene changed again this time a young boy is there Serj see's that it is Zuko as a child, He watched as Azula stalked Zuko saying hurtful things like that he was a mistake and that he was lucky to be born, what shocked him the most was that she was smiling the whole time as if she had been taught that it was the right thing to do.
Soon a woman walks in and notices the two children "Azula what are you doing" Serj notices that he now is in Azula's body again "Azual what are you doing" The woman demanded "Just playing with big brother" she replied sweetly only to hear her mother call her a monster. Hurt and upset she ran, her own mother calling her a monster.
The scene changes to a teenage Azula speaking to a large squadron of soldiers striking fear into their hearts, Serj feels that this is the way she has been brought up by her father to earn respect by having everyone fear her.
He also caught small sights of her conquest of Ba Sing Se, attacking Iroh, Killing Aang and many other visions all of which she done for her father's love.
The flash backs ended and Serj was left standing with tears running down his face everyone even Azula stared at Serj "I think Zuko was the lucky one" he said confusing everyone "You ok" Suki asked.
Serj wiped his tears away "I want to talk to her alone" Everyone looked at him if he was crazy "Look you want my help well this is helping so get out" Zuko nodded and left taking the others with him "No matter what you hear in here don't come, I'll open the door when the time is right" Serj ordered
Serj closed the door "Shén nu zhuān, Shén nǚ xié è protect me from her fire"
He walked over to Azula "My Name is Serj please take a seat" Azula laughed "please, what is this some friendly chat between strangers" Serj stared at her "It can be if you want it to or you can attack whatever you want but you will leave this room a different person" he replied. Azula burst into laughter "I'll choose the second option" She shot a large burst of blue fire towards Serj.
Serj stood his ground Azula smiled evilly as she watched her blue flame engulf Serj's body She laughed maniacly "What a fool To weak to even defend himself" She waited for his screams of pain and the smell of his burning flesh, but all she saw was Serj walk through the fire towards her.
"How is this possible" she demanded "I am protected" Serj replied "since you chose to attack you will be forced to listen NOW SIT"
Serj imitated the man's voice from the visions and watched as Azula broke down "F…fa..ther, Fire Load Ozai" she cried as she remembered Ozai.
"Who are you" he questioned using his impersonation Ozai
"I am Fire princes Azula and Heir to the fire nation, a leader of great skill who is feared by all" she replied
"Is that who you really think you are" Serj asked using his own voice
"Of course who else would I be" She stood up and faced Serj looking at him with fire in her eyes, Serj smiled not intimidated by her in the slightest, he pushed he back on to the chair
"Who are you not in your mind but in your heart, who are you, not what are you and what your father turned you into"
Azula grew confused "what do you mean what he turned me into"
Serj stood in front of her, causing Azula to jump up and attack she created a large wave of fire which pushed Serj back, Serj stood a few feet away from Azula smiling "Your fire cannot harm me, it is useless so don't waste your energy"
"All those years you thought that he was your ally when in truth he was your greatest enemy"
"What are you talking about" She demanded
"Your past" he replied "I am talking about your past, remember your child hood remember your father's supposed love the things he taught you, the things he made you do and for what his approval"
She looked Serj in the eye "what do you know of my past"
Serj began recalling the scenes he had witnessed earlier as the list grew Azula became more and more unstable
"He treated you like a soldier he only showed you appreciation when you performed tasks flawlessly, any father should love his child no matter how many mistakes they make, he said he loved what he turned you into, but not who you truly are, he played you, you were simply a tool for his ambitions he used you Azula, feeding you a false love "
Azula began screaming "NO YOUR LYING, HE LOVE'S ME, my own mother called me a monster" Serj stood tall "Are you sure"
Azula looked up Serj began speaking again "As I recall she said that her monster of a husband had changed you for the worse, but you ignored everything except the word monster, she loved you Azula but your father took away your childlike innocence and replaced it with a cold hearted killer"
Azula began banging the ground "STOP IT STOP TALKING"
"NO I told you, you were going to hear everything I have to say" Serj picked Azula up and sat her on the chair.
"Your father taught you that the only way you gain respect is by having everyone fear you, so tell me how'd that work for you, tell me how much respect did you receive"
"Everyone feared and respected me, all the soldiers all the people" She replied
"Are you sure you're not confusing respect with fear itself huh no one respected you they were all scared they had no love for you or your father they just blindly followed, but I don't care about the people tell me did your friends truly fear you or were they just really good friends who finally had enough"
Azula shook her head "they left me the traitors"
"Why do you think they left you, you know why because they didn't fear you they loved you but when they saw that you had no love for them no true respect, tell me what did the gloomy girl say to you before you had her arrested"
"That she loved Zuko more than she feared me"
"What does that tell you?"
Azula rose from the seat
"Why do you care, why are you questioning me, how do you even know about my past" She began beating her fists into Serj's chest.
"Answer the question" Serj yelled
"It tells me that my father was wrong, that he only cared for himself and his ambitions"
Serj grabbed her arms "he used you Azula he couldn't use Zuko because Iroh introduced goodness into his heart, so your father burnt and banished him sending your uncle with him leaving no one with a pure heart to be there for you which left you alone and this allowed your father to turn you into a tool of war"
Azula began crying, Serj couldn't take it he pulled her in and hugged her tightly "It's ok Azula, you're not alone anymore you have your brother, your uncle and a friend" Azula cried into Serj's shoulder.
"All my friend's left me" she sobbed
"You can mend your past friendships and you have me now as a friend, anything you need, you want to talk come see me, we're here for you Azula, don't rely on fear anymore"
"I still don't understand why this happened, why my father used me, I don't know what's happening anymore"
Serj began reciting a scripture he once heard "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, the powers against the world's forces and the dark spiritual forces"
"What is the message hidden in that verse" she asked
"You tell me" he replied
"I believe that we have to shield ourselves so we can stand firm against the schemers of evil"
Serj continued the scripture "And not only this but we must also take pride in solving our problems, know that our problems bring perseverance and perseverance builds character and character builds hope, and hope doesn't disappoint"
Toph began freaking out "NO WAY" everyone jumped "Whats going on Toph can you feel what's happening" Aang asked. Toph nodded slowly shocked at what she was feeling "He's hugging her and she is actually letting him" Zuko took a step back "WHAT"
"That's not the only thing she's crying and not out of frustration but out of sorrow it's like she is actually crying over all the things she's done over the years" everyone was stunned at what they were hearing as Toph began telling the others some of the things she managed to hear.
"I…I can't believe it the goddesses were right Serj did help, he brought back my sister" Zuko practically jumped. Iroh came running in "I came as soon as I heard, where is Serj it's not safe for him to be alone with Azula" he warned
Serj hugged Azula tightly "Azula our lives are a constant battle some of us just take what happens and we don't even try to fight back, it's exactly what happened to you, you didn't fight back, so fight reclaim your life as your own and break all the barriers your father has built over the years, I know it will take time but you have Zuko, Iroh, me and probably the others as well, we got your back"
Azula finally returned the hug "now as I recognize all my faults and wrong doings, I…I feel so insignificant" Serj smiled "Believe in yourself and what good you can accomplish and you will never feel insignificant"
"Your life is yours to live Azula now that you have discovered that you have good in you, you are free to make decisions that you thought were only for the weak but you have to know that showing compassion is not a sign of weakness but a sign of inner strength, it's not going to be easy I'll tell you that now but since your eyes have opened to the truth I'm sure you'll do the right thing"
Serj broke the hug "Let's go see your brother and uncle", Azula nodded and followed Serj to the door.
The gang watched as the Iron door opened slowly revealing a smiling Serj "She's herself again" Serj said as he walked outside everyone looked at Serj and noticed Azula standing behind him hiding her face shamefully.
Zuko ran to Azula and hugged her "Azula my sister" Azula began crying once again "Big brother"
I know that Azula is out of character but i wanted to show that she wasn't always a spawn of satan, she became what Ozai wanted her to be a tool of war with no feelings, no emotion just a tool in the later chapters Azula will still have her intimidating aspects and wit she'll still be the same Azula only this time she's conquered her past demons.
As for Serj and his role as the chufen Dai well this was his first real test, he can punish people the way he see's fit whether it involves swords or words. he chose to reveal the truth to Azula showing her that she had always been used by Ozai.