Okay this isn't out on Monday because I wanted to be a Jedi rather than type my story (but then the only reason it's out so soon is that I couldn't get past a certain part in said video game and thus surrendered myself to typing). Sorry for my laziness. I blame the computer game I stole from my older brother, except I didn't really steal it per se. He lent it to me, but it's much more fun to say I stole so there. Anywho, I'm done boring you with my boring life so enjoy a far more exciting Avatar story. Woo hoo season 3 this Friday. You know where I'll be.
XI. The cell that Jet was in was only large enough that he could lay out flat and stretch his arms and legs completely in all directions. It was smaller than Azula's room in their basement. And since he did not have sufficient room for pacing, he chose to lie flat on his back and stare up at the metallic panels that covered the ceiling.
Jet had not heard anything from his fellows since Smellerbee's angry screams and even she had fallen silent after awhile. She had babbled about skipping rope with Azula's intestines for a good hour after she had been capture, which truthfully was not an all together unpleasing image to Jet.
He stared up at the blank ceiling. The problem of being disconnected from his thoughts still seemed to plague Jet. He felt like his mind ought to be occupied by more than just reliving what Azula had done to him. She had betrayed him, broken his heart, and revealed that she had a suitor all along: that Falc creep.
Break… ten straight weeks of avatar, I'm giddy… Break
Azula had a great deal more room to pace than Jet did and she used her opportunities to her full advantage. There was still the large stack of scrolls waiting for her by the throne, but Azula did not feel like reading. The very idea wearied her, so she stalked up and down the long hall instead.
Falc interrupted her methodical pacing as he threw open the doors. "I've found you a scribe to write your letters," he announced.
"Oh, that's good," she said absently.
Falc took in her distracted manner and the large stack of untouched scrolls. The coiled parchment was starting to gather a thin layer of dust. "Are you… feeling alright, Princess?" he asked tentatively.
"Yes, I'm fine. Would you like to play paisho?"
"I'm sorry, what?"
"Paisho," Azula repeated. "You know how to play, right?"
"Yes."
"Would you like to play?"
"Um… sure." Falc regarded her strangely. "Are you sure you're alright?"
"Yes, quite," Azula replied.
"But… but you hate paisho," he protested.
"Well, I suppose I used to hate many things," Azula said.
"But not anymore?" Falc asked.
"No, I don't think so."
XII. The sun was shinning brightly overhead, and Iroh decided that it would be a good day for Aang to finally learn how to produce his own fire. And after he could do that and control it, well, then everything else would be simple for someone who had inborn talent for bending.
Iroh had cleared everyone away for Aang's practice so that it was just Aang, Zuko, and himself. The blazing sun and the already hot and humid air were beginning to make Aang sweat.
"Let's see your stance," Iroh instructed. It took Zuko a bit of thinking not to join Aang. He was so used to such commands that it was second nature to obey. And though he did not assume his stance, per se, his feet were noticeably further apart. "Wider, wider," Iroh was saying to Aang. "Good."
"Now tell me, what are the two sources of a firebender's strength?" Iroh asked.
"Breath and the sun," Aang said automatically.
"Correct," Iroh said. "Now breathe."
Aang inhaled deeply through his nose and exhaled through his mouth as Iroh had always instructed him.
"Good," Iroh said smiling. "Now I was you to close your eyes. It is a sunny day. Feel the sun beating down on your back. Feel its energy. Feel it within you."
Aang closed his eyes and breathed silently for a long time. He could feel it. The heat from the sun bearing down on him, warming him, and strengthening him if only he wanted to capture its power. "I feel it," he said.
"Now, the sun may strengthen your inner fire, but it does not control it like the breath. You draw energy from your breath and command your power. The sun's heat will make your power stronger. Do you understand?"
"I think so," Aang replied. The theory made sense, but he wasn't exactly sure how it worked.
"Zuko, show him."
Zuko nodded and slid into his stance. He breathed deeply and harnessed the energy of the sun. With steady control, he punched out an arm, releasing a quick burst of fire.
Iroh turned to Aang. "Did you see the motion?"
Aang nodded.
"Then try it."
Aang breathed deeply and, concentrating on the sun's energy around him and his breath, he punched out his fist. A humongous fireball many times larger than Zuko's blew forth. Aang's eyes widened in shock.
"Too much. You took too much of the energy. It does not take a lot. You see why fire so easily gets out of control, no?" Iroh instructed. "And focus more on you breath. Try again."
This time Aang drew in only a tiny fraction of the sun's energy and as he breathed out his arm punched forward releasing a small spurt of fire.
Iroh grinned broadly. "Good. Magnificent control. Now do it again, only stronger."
Aang practiced a few times more, until his blasts were nearly as strong and controlled as Zuko's.
"Excellent," Iroh was saying. "Now this time, I want you to aim for Zuko. He will block and return your blast."
"Wait, what if—"
Zuko laughed. "You can't hurt me."
Aang flushed a bit and slipped back into his stance. He was getting faster and smoother with his blasts and he sent a strong one at Zuko. Zuko used a simple blocking technique and returned the blow.
"Good," Iroh shouted. "Now trade blows. Agni, I wish I had some roast duck."
Zuko and Aang did as he said while Iroh occasionally shouted out corrections and encouragement. "Watch your control!"
XIII. When Hakoda arrived in the Earth Army Camp, he greeted Ajax and Dyoko like brothers. They settled into a long discussion of what had been going on in the war. Hakoda informed them that the two dozen ships he had were merely the Southern Tribe's contribution and that their sister tribe would be meeting them soon.
Ajax along with help from Lee Ang and Dyoko narrated the prison break, the fight for Omashu, and their own personal travels.
Hakoda naturally inquired about his children. They reassured him that they were doing well and were on their way to Ba Sing Se. Hakoda wasn't particularly pleased that his daughter was spending an exceptional amount of time with a certain banished Prince, no matter how reformed he was supposed to be. He was only placated by the fact that his son accepted the relationship for the time being and would be there to protect Katara.
As the sun finally set and the stars were rising, Hakoda, Bato, Ajax, Dyoko, and Lee Ang gathered around one of the numerous campfires on the beach.
"So, we're going to war," Ajax said at last. In his current state he was better able to go back to the old luxuries he so enjoyed and he was fumbling in his pocket for a pipe. "I've been in the army for over thirty years," he said, "but now it feels like I'm preparing for my first day on the battlefield."
"Let's hope you don't fight like it," Bato said, laughing.
Ajax finally found his dark wooden pipe and lit it with a spark from his fingers.
"Dad, you know I hate it when you smoke," Lee Ang said immediately. And she did hate it. She'd been trying to get him to quit for years.
"Ah, but you aren't a firebender, my dear. It does us good, right, Dyoko?"
"Personally, I think it's disgusting," Dyoko said truthfully.
"Bah," Ajax replied, waving his hand. "I'm a creature of habit."
"Disgusting habit," Lee Ang whispered, making Dyoko smirk.
"I heard that!" Ajax said. "The both of you, just because you're older you start getting sassy." He glanced at Hakoda and Bato. "Kids these days," he muttered to them, eliciting a snicker or two. "Are yours this bad?" he asked them.
"Hey!" Lee Ang and Dyoko said in unison, which was ignored.
Hakoda smiled a bit. "Sokka and Katara are quite brave. They make me proud. And incredibly worried. Tui and La, they give me ulcers, don't they Bato?"
Bato nodded, grinning broadly.
"What about you, Bato?" Ajax asked.
Bato's grin faded and he looked pained.
Hakoda, the true friend that he was, spoke for him. "Bato has no children. His wife was murdered in the same raid that took my wife from me. At the time, she was pregnant with their first child."
Ajax's jaw dropped. "I'm so sorry."
"You have nothing to be sorry for," Bato said, his normally warm voice sounding harsh. "I know who killed my wife and it wasn't you. His name was Fulazon. I heard the others cheering him on when he set her on fire. I'm going to kill him myself one day." He was oddly calm.
"I know Fulazon," Ajax said quietly. "He's one of the elite royal guards at the palace. Little bastard," he added.
Bato smiled grimly. "Good. He'll be seeing me and my spear very soon."
XIV. That night, when Appa was done flying, they decided to camp near a river. With the cool water taking some of the heat out of the air, it was a relatively pleasant evening. When the chores were divided up, Sokka and Ty Lee were left to go search for food in the surrounding forest.
"So," Ty Lee began awkwardly," not too bad a night."
"Uh… yeah," Sokka replied, inspecting a nearby bush to see if it bore any fruit. Sadly, it didn't.
"Do you suppose it'll get hot again tomorrow," Ty Lee continued, staring at Sokka intensely.
"Um… probably," Sokka said, shrugging. "Is there anything on that tree over there?"
Ty Lee tore her gaze away from his to check out the tree. "No. Try closer to the river, I think," she said.
"Really? I dunno about that."
"Are you kidding? Better things grow near a water source," Ty Lee said.
"Not in the South Pole," he muttered.
"Uh, Sokka, I hate to break it to you, but the South Pole is a chunk of ice. This isn't the South Pole."
"Hey," he began indignantly, "the South Pole isn't… ah, who am I kidding? It's a chunk of ice."
Ty Lee chuckled a little. Sokka entertained her a great deal. And in that moment she decided that she was going to kiss him tonight if she could manage it. Smiling, she followed him through the underbrush to the river.
Much to Ty Lee's satisfaction, large, fruit-bearing bushes lined the riverbanks. "I told you so," she said, smirking at Sokka.
Sokka plucked a fat berry off the bush. "Oh you did, did you?" he said, taking aim and throwing the berry at her. It landed with a splat right between her eyes.
"Ahg! You!" Ty Lee sputtered, grabbing a berry and launching it at Sokka.
The fruit came down right into Sokka's laughing mouth. He choked and spit the berry out. "Hey!"
"You started it," Ty Lee accused.
"And I'll finished it," Sokka said, throwing another berry.
Ty Lee duck and swiftly shoved him into the river. He fell with a terrific splash.
"Ahg!" Sokka yelled, wiping water out of his eyes. Ty Lee extended her hand, offering to help him up. Sokka took her hand, but instead pulled her into the river with him. Ty Lee landed on top of him. Their faces were close together and their eyes met. Ty Lee knew it was the right moment. She closed the last few inches between them and pressed her lips against his.
Sokka was shock at first and did not do anything, did not kiss her back. But as Ty Lee started to pull away, he put his hand on the back of her wet head and pulled her closer again. Ty Lee smiled into their kiss and Sokka felt a good deal happier than he had in a long time.
XV.
Is everyone afraid?
Is everyone ashamed?
They're running towards their holes
To find out
Azula did not know what force or power possessed her, but in the middle of the night, she got out of bed, put on a soft, red robe, and left her room. Her slippers made no noise at all as she crept down the hall.
Apocalyptic means
Are lost amongst our dead
A message to our friends
To get out
And in a few minutes she found herself standing outside Falc's door. She raised her first and rapped on the metal surface.
There's wages on this fear
Oh so clear
Depends on what you'll pay to hear
A few moments passed until the door opened, revealing a bleary-eyed and shirtless Falc. He was sculpted, not doubt about that. He owed it all to his rigorous military training. "Princess? Is everything okay?" he asked, somewhat alarmed. She never visited him at night.
They're bound to kill us all
In white-washed halls
The jackals lick their paws
"Yes, of course," she replied.
"Then what's the matter?"
"I want to kiss you," she said.
"What?"
"Just one kiss and then I'll go. I want to know," she said simply.
Please don't stop
It's lonely at the top
These lonely days
And will they ever stop
This doomsday clock
Ticking in my heart
Not broken
"O-okay." Falc stepped forward and cupped her cheek. Azula closed her eyes as his face came closer and his rough lips touched hers. It was not a bad kiss by any means. It was warm and gentle, but it was nothing like Jet's kisses. Jet had made Azula's knees go weak and her stomach flutter. And Azula hated to admit it, but it was Jet's face that danced before her closed eyes.
I love life every day
In each and every way
Khafka would be proud
To find out
Azula pulled away and took a few steps back. Falc looked dazed. "Good night, Falc," she said simply and turned to walk away.
"Goodnight, Princess Azula," he said and his door clicked shut.
I'm certain of the end
It's the means that has me spooked
It takes and unknown truth
To get out
Azula continued down the hallway. When she came to the stairs, she went down instead of up towards her room. Azula found herself in the intense darkness of the dungeons. The guards bowed to her as she took a set of keys off the hook on the wall. They jangled slightly as she proceeded to the bottom floor of the prison.
Jet was asleep and did not wake up as she entered his cell. With a casual flick of her fingers, she lit the small torches attached to the wall of the cell.
I'm guessing I'm born free
Silly me
I was meant to beg from my knees
Jet looked a bit haggard in the dim light. Rough stubble was growing in on his chin and upper lip. Azula kneeled down and rubbed her fingers against the bristles.
If this is living
Sakes alive
Well they can't win
No one survives
She bent over and kissed him gently. Her fingers ran through his soft hair. It was slightly greasy since it hadn't been washed in days, but she did not feel any sense of disgust.
Jet's lips twitched slightly against hers in his sleep, but she knew he wouldn't wake just yet. Azula moved a bit and kissed his forehead. It was warm.
Is everyone afraid?
You should be ashamed
Apocalyptic screams
Mean nothing to the dead
Azula felt an unusual moisture sliding down her cheek.
Kissing that ole sun
To know all there is
Come on
Last call
You should want it all
With horror, she realized that it was a tear. Panicking, she pulled away from Jet. She wiped the tear away and stood up again. She didn't cry, she couldn't cry, she was without mercy.
It's lonely at the top
These lonely days
And will they ever stop
This doomsday clock
Ticking in my heart
Azula opened the door, locked it again, returned the keys, and ran as fast as she could back to the safety of her room.
These lonely days
And will they ever stop
This ticking in my heart
Is everyone afraid?
But even as she fled, she had forgotten one thing: the brightly burning torches on the cell wall.
And that's the chapter. The song in the last bit is called "Doomsday Clock" and it's by the Smashing Pumpkins. Yeah, that last scene was just one of those bits that goes through my head days before I actually get to where I'm going to write it. Yup and there was a bit of Tykka fluff that I've been working towards for a long time. So yeah, pretty good chapter. I like it a lot and I would positively enjoy so reviews, you know, feedback, thoughts, etc. I could go on asking, but it doesn't seem to be working too well. But I will thank my loyal reviewers last chapter, I love you to pieces. And with that, enjoy the season premier this Friday. Me and my fellow addicts are rocking out with a party. Oh, and one more thing. I'm ridiculous overwhelmed with school work and extra-cirriculars currently, and I'm getting a bit sick, so I cannot completely guarantee that I will be updating at the usual rate. It may take me two weeks to get out the next chapter. But two weeks would be your maximum wait, so don't worry. Anyway, I will try to get things to work for a normal update, but if not I'm sorry. Enjoy the premier. Ta-ta.