Chapter 50 – Dash!

(Previously on the Last Avatar. Kuzo begins his training by merging memories with Kyoshi's spirit. Meanwhile, in Omashu and outside Ba Sing Se, great battles are being waged with Ozai's Air Bending Yuyan Archers.)

Three days have passed since Kuzo had been sealed in the mountain.

For the first twenty four hours of training, the Avatar relived his most tragic follies on repeat. The loss of Azula, the last moments of Iroh, his murdering of Touma, his contact with the past two reincarnations. All of them re-experienced until his heart turned to stone. When that finished, he moved on to the next phase of his training, which was merging his spirit with Kyoshi.

The Avatar faded in and out of consciousness with erratic rhythm. His sanity was split, put back together, only to be torn apart again. Though a few days had passed in reality, Kuzo experienced a time recognition of three life times. As excruciating as it was, he was not alone.

The exchange went both ways as Kyoshi suffered alongside the young man. The share of the burden gave him the will to carry on. In a sense, it was as if they braced each other's shoulders as they trudged through a harsh land. Their minds synched and Kyoshi's mental fortitude also became his. The trial was something that pushed both of them to their farthest limitations.

You did well, Avatar Kuzo, the voice echoed and receded.

*GASP!*

Kuzo breathed the air as if he had been on the verge of drowning.

He felt a huge wave of nausea and disorientation upon waking from his trance. Stomach acid spilled from his mouth as he struggled to stabilize his bodily functions. Once he was able to regain his bearings, he tried to take in his surroundings.

The chamber was pitch black. He had no idea where he was. The Avatar felt a sudden pang in his temples.

He reoriented his memories with agonizing labor. Kuzo remembered the beginning of his training and how he came to be in his prison. The young man felt like barfing again.

*CRRKK*

A portion of the wall had shifted, allowing a glaring ray of sunlight into the chamber. Through the opening came Lin, who quickly knelt beside Kuzo. She freed his chains and began supporting him towards the open air.

Upon reaching the outside, the Avatar collapsed to the ground. Lin didn't realize it when they were in the dark, but Kuzo was covered in wounds. The Kyoshi's armor that was pristine the last time she saw it, was now in complete tatters. Kuzo's physique was also much thinner and weaker than it was when he first entered. But that was not so surprising given that he barely ate anything during his incarceration.

What most disturbed Lin was his hair.

She felt her heart stop at how much Kuzo had changed. Although feeling the fluctuations of the pseudo Avatar State from outside the mountain, the transformations would always lessen during sleep. She had always assumed that he would be back to his "normal" self after the training was done...

But the alteration was permanent….

This was proven in his—

"Lin! Kuzo!"

Toph ran over with P'Li and Nomu.

The Water Bender quickly began healing the Avatar on the spot, while the other two tried to get him to take in food and hydration. Shortly after the preliminary treatment, Kuzo began going into a sort of shock, at which time they brought him to one of the village houses as quickly as possible.

(In the Kyoshi Warrior's Dojo)

Sokka read Mei's letter with a grim expression.

He immediately informed everyone of the situation in Omashu. Except for Kuzo, they had all gathered and listened carefully. The council of the Avatar Faction began discussing what they would do.

"They won't hold out much longer. And it'll take four days to reach them, even if we rode Lan on land, which not all of us can do at the same time."(Sokka)

"Four days... And how much difference would it make even if we arrived? I mean, Air Benders…We're not exactly skilled at long range fighting."(Ty Lee)

"We may have to consider telling Mei to abandon Omashu. Regroup our forces elsewhere."(Toph)

"I can still save the city, if I go alone! The Shogun had planned on using me for air battles so I've had training in it," P'Li voiced confidently.

But they all shook their head.

"As true as that may be, the numbers are simply too much. And with Kuzo's condition—"(Sokka)

The council was interrupted by the Avatar entering the dojo. His whole body was wet from cold water. The young boy dried his hair with a towel as if he had just taken a dip in a freezing tempered river. Which was probably exactly what he had done.

His eyes revealed a peculiar sharpness he did not possess before, as well as a demeanor that exuded an unyielding will. Although he was absolutely unbalanced a few moments ago, there was no trace of that dishevelment now.

Everyone turned in shock to his sudden appearance. Toph and Lin particularly grimaced. Their Vibration Tuning had revealed something not visible to the naked eye.

The Avatar's body had aged significantly. Under the constant stress of his berserker state, the young man had shaved off years from his life…

He would die much younger than he was supposed to.

What added as extra testament to the fact was his streaks of ghostly white hair. In between his youthful black strands, were eerie silver locks that granted him an aged look.

"P'Li and I will head to Omashu."(Kuzo)

"Just the two of you? And you're still—"(Ty Lee)

"I am in fair enough condition. With my newly acquired powers and P'Li's Combustion Bending, we will be able to turn the tide. Nomu will assist in the travel by boat, while Lan will transport us by land."(Kuzo)

Lin was about to object and argue for her own deployment, when Kuzo continued.

"We will take the least amount of people required to enable the fastest travel time."(Kuzo)

They all wanted to argue against the action in some way, but fell strangely silent under the piercing atmosphere of the Avatar. Perhaps they felt a bit of Kyoshi's presence in his composure. Only Ty Lee spoke against him.

"In allowing you to go, I am making an amendment to your proposal. Your primary objective is to guarantee the safety of Hiroshi Sato and Bumi. If that is done by saving the city, then so be it. But if the stronghold is on the verge of being lost, do NOT risk your lives or theirs. Agreed?"

"Agreed."

Ty Lee sighed.

It was a desperate measure, but a much needed one. They had no time for doubts. The situation called for decisiveness.

"Make the necessary preparations! Everyone else, we'll be following them as soon as possible, so get your butts in gear!"

The council scattered upon her orders.

A boat had been prepared. The Dash team's armor and weapons were readied and packed. They all met at the shore to say their good byes.

"Please save my dad!"(Asami)

"If I am able."(Kuzo)

Asami began to cry.

"Kuzo!"(Lin)

The Avatar adjusted himself and patted Asami's head.

"I promise…"

"Really?"

"My word is bond."

He turned to the boat and got onboard.

"Could it be that he has a soft spot for kids?"(Ty Lee)

"If he does, I wouldn't be surprised… He's doing all this for them, after all."(Toph)

"P'Li. You guys need to be safe above all else. Even if it means sacrificing Omashu."(Lin)

"I know, I know. I'll make sure our precious Avatar lives no matter what."(P'Li)

"Stupid. I'm talking about you."

Lin gave her a soft knock on the chest.

"Sorry. We're always giving you the hard jobs. And you're always the one at the front lines."(Lin)

P'Li stared blankly at Lin for a moment and then laughed heartily.

"Yes, Ma'am!" she said with a salute.

*Sigh*(Lin)

They bumped fists.

The sendoff was completed in haste and Nomu Water Bent the group towards the mainland with a furious pace.

Kuzo had offered to drink and assist in the Water Bending, but Nomu sternly refused. Although halfway through the sea travel, he was gasping for air, he responded,

"I can rest when we land. It's not like I'm going with you guys, anyway. You need to save your strength for the last leg of the journey and fight when you get to the city.

After a few hours of high speed progress, the group touched on land. Lan, P'Li, and Kuzo wasted no time. The giant Subun leapt off the boat and began her dash across the wilderness. Nomu tumbled out of the boat and began napping as soon as he hit the ground.

Even though P'Li and Kuzo were fairly used to Lan's speed, both of them had trouble holding on during the rabbit's mad run. It seemed the Subun had found a higher gear in response to the situation. The tight turns threatened to fling the passengers from their harnesses and fall off when astronomical leaps were performed.

As they neared their destination, the group could see faint traces of smog strewn across the skies. It looked like smoke residue caused by fires and explosives.

"Lan."(Kuzo)

The Subun increased her speed upon the voice.

Kuzo and P'Li took a moment to appreciate how intelligent she was. Intuitively, Lan understood how dire the situation was and pushed herself beyond her usual threshold.

Omashu slowly came to view. It looked like a massive swarm of bees were flying around a hive. Of course, the Yuyan Archers were attacking the city, rather than it being their home. Ordinance flew from the settlement constantly, trying to find homes for their bolts and flying rock.

The Battle to Save Omashu had begun.