Disclaimer: I own nothing in relation to Avatar: The Last Airbender
Oh Boy
"Ha…Lin, what have you got yourself into?" Iroh asks as we walk into the dark alley.
I just smile and tap my foot thrice at the spot Jin tapped hers. "Blue fish," I say giving the password. The ground opens and I look back at Zuko and Iroh who are standing in awe at what just happened.
"Well, are you coming or not?" I ask looking at them. They just nod slowly and follow me into the ground and soon we reach the club.
They follow me as I walk over the counter and sit down on a stool.
"Hey Tareo," I smile. "This is Lee and my Muishi," I say introducing Zuko and Iroh.
"Nice to meet you," Tareo says nodding in their direction while filling someone's orders. "So how was the grand opening?"
"Busy. I love it," Iroh says smiling.
"I know the feeling. The day this place opened I was off the wall," Tareo says giving each of us a drink. "On the house," Tareo kids.
"This place is completely free. You never have to pay for anything," I explain.
"That's nice," Zuko says sitting beside me. Iroh begins looking around and walks toward a pretty lady probably ten years his junior.
"Lin, Lee, when did you guys get here?" Jin asks coming toward us.
"Just now," I say smiling hiding my resentment.
"You wanna dance," Jin asks Lee. Zuko looks at me for a second and I look down playing with the food that Tareo just set in front of me. Before Zuko can answer Jin takes his hand and pulls him toward the dance floor. I look up into the mirror in front of me stuck on the wall. I watch Zuko glance back before they move out of my sight.
Once the song ends they come over and sit by me. Zuko strains to not look at me and I keep my jealousy locked up.
"Lee's a great dancer," Jin informs me.
"Is he?" I ask.
"Yeah, so what's new?" Jin asks.
Remembering that she was a great friend to me when she brought me here I be nice and try to savor our friendship that I knew was in peril due to my jealousy. "As long as Zuko's happy, I'm happy," I think attempting to make me believe this.
"Well, we had the grand opening today. It was fun. Being by all those people and the adrenalin that they gave was exhilarating," I say sounding really cheerful. Zuko looks up at me confused probably thinking that I was going to be somewhat bitter. "So what have you been up to?"
"Well, I've been here for hours and I'm tired, so see ya guys later," Jin says giving us each a hug.
"Are you mad at me?" Zuko asks as soon as Tareo gets out of earshot.
"Naw, I'm going home," I say getting up.
"I'll tell uncle," he says.
"Okay," I say heading toward the exit. Seeing nobody there I look around. "Hey Aden, a little help please," I shout to him. He smiles and earthbends and I can see a little light escaping from the ground. "Thanks," I yell back at him.
"Anytime," he shouts back smiling. We wave goodbye and I set off toward home.
"Wait up," I hear Zuko shout from behind me as I'm about to turn a corner. I stop sighing without looking back waiting for him to catch up.
"Are you really not mad at me?" Zuko asks looking at me.
"Why would I be mad at you? I just thought we may have had something earlier. I guess I was wrong," I say feeling tears about to form. Before Zuko can say anything I run with the help of airbending toward home. I arrive at my door and lay down on my bed under my silky smooth covers. Meili comes in and lies down on the rug in my room. Wiping the tears that were on my face I force myself to stop crying. I soon hear a door open and knowing it was Zuko from his steps I close my eyes pretending to be asleep.
"Haley, I'm sorry. I'm just with Jin because Uncle made me go on a date with her and tonight she asked me to dance so I did because we're supposed to be siblings plus she didn't give me much time to object. You have no idea how much I want to be with you," Zuko says through the door.
"So, you're just leading her on until we can be together. That's low, Zuko. You can't do that to her, she's a great person," I yell opening the door.
"Well, I don't know how to make her leave me alone. I don't want to be with her; I want to be with you," Zuko tries to make me feel better.
"You could at least tell her you'd rather be friends," I state slowly calming down. "Leading her on like this is just wrong," I say closing the door.
"Goodnight," I hear Zuko through the door.
"Goodnight," I say getting back into bed.
I wake to the smell of something cooking in the kitchen. I change into something elegant but moveable knowing what's going to happen today. Making sure I have my sais in my boots I walk out of my room and only see Iroh.
"Where's Zuko?" I ask Iroh.
"He said he had something to do before we left this morning," Iroh explains.
"I wonder if he's talking to Jin," I think as the memories of last night pour in my head.
I finish eating whatever Iroh made just as Zuko comes back.
"The ride's here," he explains looking out the window seeing a carriage coming nearer.
We all head out to the carriage. Iroh gets in excited as a little kid going to an amusement park. I follow sitting across from Iroh and Zuko sits next to him. Iroh watches outside at the people while holding his teapot close to him. I glance at Zuko and he smiles. I return it with one of my own.
"I hope Jin's okay," I suddenly think that I basically just ripped Zuko from her. Felling down I look out the window and realize that we're at the palace. We all get out and begin to head for the huge doors as our ride pulls away.
"Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace. But I always thought I'd be here as a conqueror. Instead we are the Earth King's personal guests; here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing," Iroh says as we approach the doors.
"It sure is uncle," Zuko says smiling down at his uncle then glancing at me.
A soon as we arrive in the doorway a guard comes to greet us.
"Follow me please," he says and leads us to a huge room with a throne. He then leaves and we kneel down on the floor.
"What's taking so long?" Zuko says after awhile.
"Maybe the Earth King overslept," Iroh replies as a man who looks like a Dai Li agent to me comes forward and more begin to surround us.
"Something's not right," Zuko whispers to Iroh.
"It's tea time," a girl who I know as Azula says walking in and eyes me suspiciously.
"Azula," Zuko says standing up.
"Have you met the Dai Li? They're earthbenders but, they have a killer instinct that's so firebender. I just love it," Azula says to Zuko. I watch Iroh from the corner of my eye as he takes a sip from his teacup.
"Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname the Dragon of the West?" Iroh asks as he and I stand up.
"I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, uncle," Azula says looking at her nails.
"It's more like a demonstration really," Iroh says taking another sip of tea.
Zuko smirks and quickly pulls me down behind Iroh. Iroh releases fire from his mouth at the Dai Li making them back up. He then blows up a wall which we run through. The Dai Li shoot earth at us but, it hits the wall just as we turn a corner. Iroh then blows up a wall and jumps out. Without thinking I jump out using my airbending to land softly. We look back up at Zuko who's just standing there.
"Come on, you'll be fine," Iroh shouts up at Zuko.
"No, I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula," Zuko shouts down at us.
"Zuko," I yell pleadingly but he already turned back. Iroh slaps his forehead and motions me to follow him.
Running down a street, Iroh pulls me into an alley and signals me to be quiet. A second later a Dai Li agent comes around the corner. Iroh firebends at him and somehow gets him trapped.
"Where are the Avatar and his friends?" Iroh yells at the man.
"In an apartment on the east side of the palace down a block," the man says frightened.
"Let's go then. You better not be lying," Iroh says angrily which surprises me.
"Come on, we'll cut through the alleys to not draw attention," Iroh suggests.
"Good idea," I say pulling out my sais.
We crept through the alleys until we reach their apartment.
"Guard him," Iroh orders me as he sets the man down on the porch. I nod and point my sais at the man.
Iroh goes to the door and knocks. "Glad to see you're okay," Toph says opening the door.
"I need you're help," Iroh insists quickly. "May I come in?" Iroh then enters and I'm left alone with the prisoner. I continue to point my sais at the man which completely terrifies him.
"Aren't Dai Li agents supposed to be tough?" I ask myself.
Suddenly Sokka, Phil, Toph, and Iroh come out of the apartment. Suddenly the ground shoots me up. "Hey," I screech.
"She's okay. She's our friend," Sokka says and I'm back on the ground.
"Sorry," Toph grins guiltily. She then surrounds the prisoner with earth to prop him up.
"Azula and Long Feng are planning a coup. They're going to overthrow the Earth King," the man says once Iroh takes the cloth out of his mouth.
"My sister, where are they keeping Katara?" Sokka asks pointing his boomerang at the man.
"In the crystal catacombs; in the old city of Ba Sing Se; deep beneath the palace."
After hearing this we all rush off toward Appa. "Sorry about attacking you. I'm Toph."
"That's alright, I'm pretty much use to it. I'm Haley, Phil's cousin and Jackie's best friend. Speaking of Jackie, where is she?"
"She stayed with Katara; so they're probably together now," Toph says as we get on Appa.
We soon land outside the palace and Toph get off and puts her hand on the ground. "Well what do you know there is an ancient city down there but, it's deep," she says as she earthbends a hole into the ground.
"We should split up," Sokka suggests. "Aang, you go with Haley and Iroh to look for Katara and the angry jerk; no offense," Sokka says to Iroh.
"None taken," Iroh shrugs.
"And Phil and I will go with Toph to warn the Earth King about Azula's coup."
We all nod and split up. Aang begins making the hole into a tunnel while Iroh holds up fire for light.
"So, Toph thinks you give pretty good advice and great tea," Aang starts warily.
"The key to both is proper aging," Iroh says. "What's on your mind?"
"Well, I met with this guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State and control this great power. But to do it I had to let go of someone I love and I just couldn't."
"Perfection and power are overrated. I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love," Iroh responds as we move deeper into the tunnel.
"What happens if we can't save everyone and beat Azula?" Aang asks looking nervous and sad. "Without the Avatar State what if I'm not powerful enough?"
"I don't know the answer. Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel but if you just keep moving you will come to a better place," Iroh replies as Aang blows back another chunk of rock. The suppressed air from the hidden city blows out the fire in Iroh's hand. We walk into the beautiful underground city.
Aang places a hand on the ground and listens for vibrations. "They're behind that wall," Aang says before blowing it back. Rushing inside Iroh and I follow him.
"Aang," Katara shouts and goes to hug him. Iroh rushes forward and hugs Zuko. Jackie comes to hug me.
"Good to see you again," she says.
"Yeah, you too," I smile back at her.
"Uncle, I don't understand. What are you doing with the Avatar?" Zuko asks Iroh while pointing at Aang.
"Saving you, that's what," Aang responds and Zuko lunges forward but is stopped by Iroh.
"Prince Zuko, it's time we talked," Iroh calmly states. "Go help your other friends; we'll catch up with you," Iroh tells Aang, Jackie
and Katara. Aang bows and Katara glances back at the three of us.
"Why, uncle?" Zuko asks.
"You are not the man you used to be, Zuko. You are stronger, and wiser, and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny. It's time for you to choose. It's time for you to choose good," Iroh says and Zuko looks up first at him than at me.
Suddenly the ground begins to shake and Iroh and I are trapped by the crystals. Zuko gets in a fighting stance as Azula and a couple Dai Li agents come forward.
"I expected this kind of treachery from uncle but Zuko, Prince Zuko, you're a lot of things but you are not a traitor, are you?" Azula says walking toward him.
"Release them immediately," Zuko orders.
"It's not too late for you Zuko. You can still redeem yourself," Azula assures and Zuko looks up at her.
"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you," Iroh assures Zuko.
"Why don't you let him decide uncle?" Azula cuts in. "I need you Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day; this glorious day in Fire Nation history, the only way we win is together. At the end of this day you will have your honor back, you will have father's love, you will have everything you want," Azula says convincingly.
"Zuko, I am begging you. Look into your heart and see what it is that you truly want," Iroh tells Zuko.
"You are free to choose," Azula says as she waves away the agents and walks down after Aang.
Iroh and I watch as Zuko begins to slowly make his way down the tunnel. I get angry knowing what side he's going to choose if I can't stop him. I airbend the crystals away from me with enough force that they pierce the ceiling and walls. I run after Zuko.
"Zuko," I shout grabbing his arm and turning him toward me. "Don't do this. Don't side with Azula. It's not right. Think about it; deep down you know it's the wrong thing to do. You can't tell me that you are going to actually betray your uncle for your sister who you know always lies. Zuko, I love you but, I can't be with you if you side with Azula. You know that I will help Aang no matter what even if that means if we have to fight each other."
"You say you love me so why would you side with Aang than me?" Zuko asks calmly.
"You have no idea how much I love you but, I have to do the right thing even if that means giving up you," I reply on the verge of tears of frustration combined with love. "So what is it gonna be? And you have to decide now and you can never go back on this choice," I say looking up at his eyes. "Azula or your uncle, who has been by your side through thick and thin?"
Zuko looks down thinking. I sigh and walk forward to help Aang, Katara, and Jackie. I see Katara get thrown back and Aang fly up to attack Azula. Jackie sends and earthbending attack at the same time. Azula falls back and I get in a fighting stance as she gets up. I use my sais to send an air attack at her. Zuko walks out throwing fire between us. We all stand in our stances looking at him. He looks at Azula then at Aang and then at me.
"Come on Zuko," I encourage him in my mind. He then throws a fire ball at his sister. I smile and we all attack Azula. Out of nowhere Dai Li agents start coming toward us. Katara, Jackie, and I begin attacking them while Aang and Zuko fight Azula. Sending some troops back I don't notice the couple behind me. I am suddenly thrown forward against the wall. Knocking out for a second I try to gather my thoughts as soon as I become conscious. Batting my eyes open I realize that rocks are coming down toward me. Not reacting fast enough the rocks fall on top of me. I touch my pounding head and look at my hand covered with blood.
Straining to keep my eyes open from falling unconscious, I look out through a space in-between some rocks. I hear Zuko shout something but it seems so far away and I close my eyes. Opening my eyes again I see Zuko pulling me from the rocks. I see his mouth moving but I can't hear a word he's saying and I fall back into unconsciousness. I open my eyes again as I feel something stinging me. I realize that Zuko's carrying me and as I look down I realize Katara's transporting everyone including Iroh on a frozen platform up the small waterfall. I comprehend that the thing that was stinging me was the water from the waterfall. I try to stay awake and once we get to the top Zuko sets me down. Katara comes beside me and uses the water from the waterfall to heal me. I sit up groaning holding my head. Even though it's healed it still hurts.
"We need to get out of here," Aang informs us. Zuko helps me get up and I lean on him.
"We can't just leave. If Azula conquers this city than we're screwed," I say.
"Where are we gonna go? This place is being watched everywhere by the Dai Li. There isn't exactly a place to hide," Jackie points out.
"Actually there is," Zuko says remembering the club.
"We'll meet you guys at our tea shop. Katara knows where it is," I say.
Acting like I feel better Zuko and I run back to our new apartment. Every time my feet make contact with the ground my head pounds. We quickly grab the new letter from underneath the mat. "Come on Meili," I yell inside as I quickly grab my book and she hurriedly comes noticing the urgency of my voice.
"Seal Purple," Zuko tells me as he reads the letter as we run to our tea shop.
We wait in the bushes waiting for the others to come. It doesn't take long and they arrive on Appa. Zuko and I lead them toward the club entrance. Tapping three times I say, "Purple Seal." The ground makes a hole and I shout down, "Aden, you have to make the hole bigger; we have a flying bison with us."
Suddenly the hole becomes very deep and as wide as the alley. After we descend the opening closes and we enter the club. A couple earthbenders widen the club giving Appa and everyone in the club more room. Aang leads Appa to the side and makes a hole big enough for him. After telling Appa to stay, Aang rejoins our group.
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Thanks for reading. Please review. I'll update soon.