A/N: We are getting down to the wire and tying up ends and things. We get a couple of cool revelations and a confrontation or two that leads to ending the conflict in our story. Ang is the GOAT. I hope that I do him justice in this chapter. Baby Azula is going to finally find her safety and will soon be reunited with the true family that loves her and doesn't, you know, want to kill her... As always, Tophia is the best and I love how she and Zuko have cute sibling moments. Katara and Zuko got a kiss in the last chapter, but not this one. Sorry. I hope you're still with me and enjoying this story. I want to finish Blue Spirit Awakens by the end of this month as I said before. I love you guys! You make writing so much fun. If you have been following this story all along or at different points in the journey drop me a review so that I know you're still with me. Also, I am looking for ideas on what to write next. I may go ahead and work on my Lord of the Rings situation or even something from the Simarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien (which is more worldbuilding but gives great backstory).

Disclaimer: Once upon a time in a galaxy far, far away a Hobbit lived under a hill in the Shire. Fanfiction is for worldbuilding...

Chapter 17-Closing In (Part 3)

The night felt as if it drew on forever like a dark ribbon of despair. The gang that assembled in Hakoda's house sat down to finalize their plans. Tophia spoke first. "So, as you know I have vibration sense that allows me to "see" sort of, or at least detect things and get the lay of the land, right?" The gang nodded and hummed in agreement. "Good. I felt like something was fishy with Ba Sing Se High for a while. No school is that quiet or calm all the time. There was never any activity unless we were changing classes or heading to lunch. The kiddie cops or Dai Li or whatever they're called don't bother me when I wander the halls because they figure I don't know what's going on. I would allow myself to get "lost" and explore the campus." Tophia said using air quotes. Sokka was getting impatient. "Yeah, Ok. That's great and all, but what does that have to do with finding Asami?" Tophia sighed long-sufferingly. "I'm getting to that Snoozles." She said as she punched Sokka in the arm. He frowned as he rubbed the spot he knew was going to bruise later. Tophia continued. "The campus is sitting on top of a series of underground caverns and chambers. Some of them have been excavated into rooms. There is water there too; like an underground lake or something. I think it connects to Lake Laogai. If they were going to keep Asami anywhere it would be in that space."

The gang stopped and looked at one another. Underground caverns below the high school? Tophia heard their hesitation and added. "Don't just take my word for it; Ang knows about it too. He told me how he felt the drafts push up from the cracks in the walls and could feel air currents under the ground. He's not as sensitive as I am, but Ang picked up on the caverns with his earthbending too." The room froze. They were sure Tophia took one too many hits to the head with a boulder now. It was Zuko's turn to speak up. "Uh, Tophia I don't know a lot about bending, but I do know that people are usually given one type of bending and that results from genetics and spirit work. The only person in this world who can bend more than one element is the Avatar and he or she is a myth." Zuko said. Ang licked his lips nervously and cleared his throat. "Um, yeah, about that? I am the Avatar. My great-great-great-grandfather Bumi is the son of the Avatar Aang, the last airbender who survived the Hundred Year War. I'm even named after him. I found out about my bending while living in Republic City." Sokka interrupted. "Wait, Ang if this is true why hadn't we heard anything about this on the news? It should have blown up all over the world if that's the case."

Ang hung his head. "Because no one had seen an avatar in over 150 years, there was a lot of fear and skepticism surrounding my abilities when we found out. My father tried to educate people, but it just resulted in more fear. People tried to kill me. They said I was cursed and that I had been possessed by the spirits. That's when my dad started working on the Bender's Rights Bill to help people become more accepting of bending and to protect benders from superstitions that can be deadly in some cases." Zuko's eye went wide as he remembered Jee and his unfair and brutal death. He thought about the lengths his own mother went to protect him and Azula from being discovered. Ang added sadly, "That's why our family moved here to Ba Sing Se. It was safer. Dad took the Councilman's position to help get the bill passed here first. We want to make things better for all benders." He looked at his friends and smiled. "I know that I have these abilities for a reason. I want to help." He explained. Katara placed her hand on Ang's shoulder. "We believe you Ang. I think we all have a lot to talk about when this is over. Right guys?" Katara said. Zuko and Sokka nodded one with embarrassment and the other in solidarity. They each put their hand on Ang's shoulder in support.

Ang sighed in relief. "Thanks guys it means a lot, but we have work to do. Korra's depending on us. What's the plan Tophia?" Tophia smiled. "Ok guys listen up this is important…" she began. With a few adjustments, the plan was set. Sokka, Katara, Aang, Tophia and Zuko made their way to Ba Sing Se High school. The walk in the dark took 15 minutes. The streets were void and silent. The campus was dark with the exception of lights in the parking lot elongating shadows and making it easier for the gang to sneak up undetected. Tophia led the crew down behind the school to the football field. She stood on the edge of the field and stopped. The others looked at one another and waited. Tophia stomped her foot twice and barely lifted her hands in front of herself. A metal panel topped with grass flew open then off its hinges and landed in the adjoining field. Their mouths opened in shock as Tophia beckoned to her friends to follow her down a series of stairs that led underground. "Its dark down here. I can hardly see." Sokka whispered in annoyance. Tophia reached over and used her open palm to smack the back of his head. "Really? I hadn't noticed." She said flatly. Sokka whimpered lightly. "Aww come on Tophia! Everyone knows you have the advantage right now." Sokka whined. Tophia rolled her eyes and sighed. "Whatever Snoozles. Just know that—wait. Everybody step back!" Tophia whispered harshly pushing one wall of the tunnel back into a small cut out and closing it with a thin rock wall. Seconds later, a group of Dai Li walked past talking and joking.

"Do you think the detective will come? Long Feng seems to think so…" said one. "You saw how beat up she was. There's no way she's coming," replied another. Even if the police are smart enough to find this place, it will take forever to find us." The first boasted."Well somebody better come soon or that woman is toast," added a third. The Dai Li laughed as they continued down the hallway not aware of the bodies that waited in the hiding spot who came to do just that. "What is Long Feng up to?" Tophia wondered aloud. "Something's not right about this…" she whispered. Ang whispered back, "Yeah, why is Long Feng so intent on Korra coming? What does he want with her?" Zuko's breath caught. "I think it may have to do with my father's plan to take over the city. His biggest problem right now is the fact that we have a strong police force." Katara added, "What if—what if he were able to somehow turn the police force corrupt? What would it take?" Sokka snapped. "It would take breaking down the leadership. If he got Korra under his powers, he could use her to get the rest of the force. Long Feng could easily corrupt everyone, and the criminals could continue with no interference. I don't think this is just about Korra getting too close. He wants her mind. I think we'd better get moving." Sokka urged.

The Kuvira household was eerily quiet with the absence of the children. Iroh, Korra, Gran-Gran, and Hakoda sat in shock at the developments that took place shortly before the children left to find Asami. Korra broke the silence first. "Ang's the Avatar…that's crazy." She mused. "My daughter is the Painted Lady and Zuko is the Blue Spirit," Hakoda said with awe and confusion. Only Gran-Gran and Iroh said nothing. Korra noticed. "You two are mighty quiet over there. You knew this already, didn't you?" Iroh sipped his tea. "Well, not about the Avatar, but yes, we tried to keep the other two from going out in the city at night, but they were very determined." He explained quietly. Korra thought about it. She closed her eyes at a serious revelation. "Oh, my Gods, when you and Zuko came to my office—Oh my Gods!" Korra rubbed her face with her hands. She whispered, "He confessed to me and I let him go! I totally misunderstood his reasons because I thought I had the right man. Gods, there's an innocent man on trial! I'm going to have to quit my job!" she mourned. She sat up quickly wincing at the stitches of pain in her side. She contemplated further. "Why would Long Feng want Jiro to take credit for someone else's killing? That makes no sense! What purpose would that serve? Does he know about Zuko?" Iroh shook his head. "I don't believe so detective. There are reasons unknown to us as to his purpose. Korra, please realize Zuko was protecting Katara. It was never his intention to kill anyone; it was self-defense." Iroh explained hoping she would see it his way.

Korra sighed on the verge of tears. "I know Iroh. I realized it as soon as I thought back to that day. He's not a killer, but this is a huge, huge mess! I'm not sure how we're going to deal with this situation when things are over." Korra was nearly delirious with her next revelation. "Oh Gods, we just sent five high schoolers to do the work of the police force! When did my life go to hell?" Korra whined. Hakoda huffed. "Around the same time mine did—when I realized that my children were having sex with their girlfriends and hiding nighttime vigilante activities with their boyfriends from me. Have I been spending too much time away from home?" Hakoda admitted. Gran-Gran listened and sighed. She had heard enough. "You two need to calm down! Things were hidden from you both because they had to be. You didn't shirk your responsibilities any more than we did!" Hakoda and Korra grimaced at the rebuke. If Zuko were in jail instead of here, he'd be dead by now. His father would have seen to it. Zuko and Katara have done much to clean up the streets of Ba Sing Se. You got leads to Long Feng because most of those criminals were former students that had been "Re-educated." You were able to make the connection because of this." Korra slumped her shoulders. She knew Gran-Gran was right. Gran-Gran turned to Hakoda. "Son, these children all have remarkable abilities and skills that will protect them. They will protect each other. They are young and making mistakes sometimes are what the young do, but they work together to find solutions. You saw that for yourself. Most of all, our children are smart. They wouldn't put themselves in unnecessary danger." Hakoda nodded in agreement. Gran-Gran looked at Korra. "We sent these heroes, Korra, because your police force is compromised. Some of your own team tried to kill you tonight. There will be a time for all things being made right, but for now, we must trust the fates who have made their wills clear. These children will do their jobs and they will return with Asami. I don't just believe that I know that."

Gran-Gran smiled and patted Iroh's hand. "I think more tea is in order, don't you friend?" Iroh smiled and stood. "Yes, I think a pot of relaxing chamomile will do the trick." He said. As Iroh moved to the kitchen, Korra's cell began to ring. Korra eyed Hakoda and Gran-Gran nervously. Hakoda encouraged her to answer the phone. It could be about Asami. Korra took a deep breath and answered the phone. "Hello." She whispered as if asleep. Lao Bei Fong made a face for disturbing the detective's sleep. "Detective, I am so sorry for waking you at this time, but I have an emergency. This is Lao Bei Fong." Korra thought she would die at that moment. Lao Bei Fong? The Lao Be Fong whose daughter I just sent on a mission? She thought. She attempted to calm herself. "It's alright Mr. Bei Fong. How may I be of assistance tonight?" Lao sighed audibly over the phone. "It's about Ozai Azulon," He said gravely. "Well, more about his daughter Azula. She is currently at my home because her father has beaten her severely. She was found by the Councilman's personal driver, Andre, and he brought her to our home. Andre felt she would be safest here instead of the hospital." Korra gasped in shock. "Councilman Azulon attacked his daughter and she's now at your home?" She asked more to verbalize the concept than for confirmation. Hakoda and Gran-Gran eyed each other with surprise though they dared not speak.

Korra eyed Hakoda in warning. She turned on her phone's speaker. "Yes," Lao replied. Korra exhaled heavily. This is going to sound highly probing, but why did they come to you and not the police or the hospital?" Korra asked. Lao grew silent. After a long moment, he responded. "Perhaps because my blind daughter could see what we couldn't—that her friend was in danger and needed a refuge. Azula can't go to the hospital. Ozai would have found a way to silence his daughter before she could report him. I know that now. Deep down I think we all knew how unstable the Councilman is, but we didn't see any signs that Azula was being abused. No marks, no unexplainable bruises. Azula enjoyed spending time with our daughter and would grow terribly sad at having to return home. We thought that maybe she was just lonely and sad because her brother was gone. We never could have imagined that this would be the reason. My wife later told me of how Ozai spoke rudely to our own daughter and harassed Ambassador Kuvira's daughter the night of our ball when the girls had their sleepover. I never would have associated myself with a man willing to treat children this way." Lao explained mournfully. It took everything in Hakoda to keep from yelling out and asking his own questions. Ozai harassed Katara? What did he say or do? Why didn't his daughter say anything about it? Korra saw the look on Hakoda's face and gave him a sharp warning look. Hakoda took a long deep breath and held his tongue. Korra got back to business.

"Even though it's unorthodox, I'm grateful Andre brought Azula to you. I'm afraid that you're right; Azula wouldn't be safe in any other circumstances. Ozai would have had access to her. This isn't the first time he's hurt one of his children, I'm afraid. Does the Councilman know that she's there with you?" Korra probed further. Azula having a place to hide would be essential until they could get the Councilman behind bars. "No. Ozai doesn't know anything. In fact, there is a good chance he may have been wounded in the attack. Andre indicated that he heard a loud explosion from outside and a flash of light. He thought it was a gunshot. We don't know what became of Ozai yet." Korra whistled. "Ok, you think Azula may have shot him?" Korra asked. "Uh, I don't know," Lao answered doubtfully. "Azula doesn't have gunshot wounds anywhere. Just a lot of bruising and a wound in the back of her head where it looks like she was hit by or thrown into a large object. The doctor says she has a concussion and may have some damage to her eyes from the repeated…uh, blows to her face. If she did manage to shoot him, it was pure luck." Lao said with horror. Korra groaned with a shudder. She should have realized that Azula was as vulnerable to abuse as her brother. Azula wasn't a willing participant in her brother's injury or the cover-up. She was trying to survive—they both were. Korra sighed wearily.

"Mr. Lao, thank you for taking care of Azula. She doesn't have anyone right now. Her family is no longer living or available. I think many of us misunderstood her circumstances. Please do not disclose her whereabouts to anyone. No matter how innocuous it seems. Her life is at stake." She said seriously. "Mr. Bei Fong, I need to know if the doctor was able to take photographs of Azula's injuries. We need proof of their severity." Lao piped up. "Oh, yes! I called a friend who is a counselor and social worker that you know, Dr. Miranda Wu. She was able to get an emergency order for guardianship tonight and she helped us follow protocol for the report." Korra smiled at the knowledge of her friend. "Good, then that means Azula's in good hands. I will be sure to follow up with this first thing at daybreak." Korra promised. Lao made an audible sound of relief. "I'm so glad. I knew you dealt with the Azulon family before and I hope now you have what you need to keep those children safe forever. It's awful that some people don't realize the gift that their children are." He mused sadly. "Absolutely Mr. Bei Fong. Thankfully, there are people like you in the world who understand that. Please continue to keep Azula safe and call me if you need anything. Good night." Korra said kindly. "Good night," Lao said as he ended the call. Korra placed her hand over her eyes and finally released the tears she had been holding back during the call. She wept bitterly. Her tears not only fell for Azula but for all the people who were dealt a terrible hand in life: Zuko, Asami, her cousin Kya who was taken from the world too young, her work partner Lu Ten also gone too soon, and even for herself. She allowed her tears to flow as arms wrapped around her to bring her comfort.

"There. Asami is there in the next chamber," Tophia whispered. "She's bound by rock cuffs and I think she may have a broken bone or two in her hand, Katara." Katara hummed. "Ok." She said formulating a plan to get to Asami quickly. Tophia suddenly placed her hand against Zuko's chest whispering harshly. "Sparky, calm yourself. Your heartbeat is out of control! It won't do for you to set the whole cave ablaze before we can get the job done. We all care about Asami and we will help her. Stick with the plan." She ordered. Zuko breathed in and out and remembered his meditation forcing himself to calm down. The temperature of the spaced cooled significantly and Tophia and the others breathed a sigh of relief. "Sorry guys." Zuko whispered. "Forget about it. Take your frustration out on these criminals. Let's do this." Tophia encouraged. "Sokka you and Ang to the right. Zuko and I will flank left and Katara, you give them all the hell you can muster with the water from the lake up the center. On three? Two… One… Go!" she whispered.

As silently as they dared the gang ran into the cavernous room and began taking out the Dai Li who were standing guard. Zuko dispatched two guards easily with the hilt of his dual Dao and was on to the next. Sokka threw his boomerang to the amusement and then the shock of the guards when the weapon they thought he overthrew came back with vehemence knocking out a guard. Ang moved swiftly blowing guards over with torrential gusts and then trapping them in ice. Once some of the surprised guards recovered, they began to throw rock cuffs at the intruders aiming for their feet and hands. Katara used water whips to slice through the cuffs in the air. She returned volley after volley of ice spikes that hit their marks. Dai Li landed against the floors and rock walls pinned down by their robes. Tophia moved the ground from under the feet of unsuspecting Dai Li and buried them up to their necks in earth. Many of them were not skilled enough in earthbending to free themselves from their "jails." Katara managed to get to Asami and broke her the cuffs with a sharp ice knife. Azami cried out from the sudden release of pressure and the return of blood to her hands. Katara took water from the canteen she wore on her side and gloved her hands. She took Asami's hands in hers noting the bruising and swelling from the broken bones. Katara willed the broken hands to heal and the swelling and bruising to decrease. There was a long moment as she continued to hold the healing water on the injuries. Asami groaned in relief as the pains eased into a dull throb. "Thank you" she rasped.

Before Katara could respond, a rock hand lifted her from where she was kneeling and held her fast. The stone hand turned her to face Long Feng. Long Feng didn't hide his surprise at the angry face of his student rather than Korra Jiang glaring at him from her position in the air. "Where is Detective Jiang? Why would she send children to do an adult's job? I'm insulted." He sneered. Katara replied with venom. "Perhaps you weren't worth the effort and all she needed were children to defeat you!" she hissed. Long Feng nodded as if he was contemplating what she said. Katara knew she only had moments before his temper got the best of him. She moved water up her arm from her canteen to the rock grip that held her shirt. She rapidly froze and melted the water around it until it began to crack. The friction wore the rock down as in nature and just as Long Feng prepared to throw her with the rock fist, it broke apart and she fell to the dirt below. Long Feng howled in anger and called for reinforcements. To everyone's surprise, the reinforcements included Jet Liu who held two hooked swords and looked like he knew how to use them. Zuko sneered. He longed an opportunity to kick Jet's butt after that torturous detention and now his moment had come. "Mine." He stated simply not taking his eyes off Jet. Zuko's friends knew exactly what he meant and focused their attention on stopping the Dai Li who surrounded Long Feng.

The battle became an all-out brawl in moments. Jet and Zuko were evenly matched with their double swords and met blow for blow fighting around the cave using the walls as a springboard. Zuko tried taunting Jet who he knew was quick to get caught up in emotions. "Hey music boy: your guitar teach you how to fight? Your sword skills are just as bad as your playing." Zuko sneered. Jet didn't respond as he fought almost mechanically or robotically. It was as if Jet looked through Zuko rather than looking at Zuko. Jet's eyes held that same blankness he noticed in a friend who underwent "re-education." He quickly got an idea. Zuko called out. "Hey Tophia!" he shouted across the way. "Kinda busy," Tophia replied in a singsong voice. He continued anyway. "Same. Just wanted to know something. What do you do when you have a programmed device that won't work properly?" Toph heard the implication and smirked. "You give it a factory reset." Zuko hummed as he parried another strike. He ducked as a hooked sword swung at his head. "Yeah, I think this guy needs one…" He said as he lunged at Jet and brought both swords down aiming for his chest. Jet jumped back just in time for him to get in a perfect position. "Snoozles…duck!" Tophia shouted and Sokka moved just in time for the sizeable rock Tophia stomped up to hit Jet squarely in the back of the head. He went down immediately out cold. Zuko prayed Jet wasn't dead and that hit was just what the doctor ordered to break the mind control.

Long Feng saw that he was losing to children and began to tremble with rage. "I will not fail again because of a bunch of brats!" he screamed. He once again used a rock fist to grab Asami by the throat. He held her in the air and began tightening the rock little by little trying to choke the life out of her in front of the children. The cave began to tremble and shake and the fighting stopped. The lights wired through the cave began to flicker and go out. A bright blue glow in the shape of three arrows appeared: one over two glowing eyes and the other two on either side of the oddly illuminated figure. The room was a frighteningly pale azure hue that lit objects in an otherworldly way. The Dai Li had enough sense to scream and run away not wanting to be a part of whatever was happening next. With a move that could have only been the result of the ages of wisdom, Ang broke the rock fist and set Asami down with a cloud of air. It took no effort at all. Asami began to catch her breath and Katara moved to help her get to safety. Ang raised up from the ground and his voice took on the layers of many voices that echoed as he spoke. Long Feng dropped to his knees in fear and terror as the Avatar gazed upon him in anger and judgment.

"Long Feng Hua! You have proven that you are not worthy of the gift the spirits have bestowed upon you. You have once again taken up the forbidden arts of the mind and purposefully used your bending as a weapon of hatred and malice! From this day forward, your name will never again return to this world. When you die your gift will die with you and you will not torment this earth again." A large column of water moved like a serpent and swallowed a screaming Long Feng within it. He was trapped in a large air bubble enclosed in a cube of ice that was too thick even for fire bending to melt. After Long Feng was trapped, Ang lost his glow and fell gently to the dirt floor. Sokka and Zuko ran to him to make sure he was alive. "Ang! Ang! Say something buddy… You have to be alright!" Sokka called frantically. Ang moaned slightly as he opened his eyes. "I went Avatar super god, didn't I?" Sokka and Zuko chuckled in relief as Ang sat up. "Yeah, buddy. You definitely did. We totally believe you now…" Zuko said his eye full of wonder. Asami looked up at Katara and smiled. "Ang's the Avatar? Wow…" she said. Katara laughed. "I know, right? It's been a wild night. I think we need to get you home now. Someone's been waiting up for you." Katara said with a smile. Asami nodded as Katara helped her up from the floor.

Toph went over to where Jet lay and kicked him softly with her toe. He began to groan and grumble. "What the hell!? Where am I? Why do I feel like I have a hangover?" Tophia chuckled. "Well, just hope those pictures of you in that tub don't end up on Instagrabs. Not pretty at all. How would your fans react?" Tophia teased. "Whoa! What pictures?" he shouted. He turned to Zuko and Sokka. "What pics is this chick talking about guys? Oh no! I need to get home…" he whined. Jet got up semi-quickly and stumbled down the corridor of what has to be the weirdest rave he's ever attended to date. Long Feng saw that the children were all leaving. He was still stuck in the ice block and began to panic from being left alone. He pounded on the ice which was too thick for the children to hear any sound. They duly ignored him knowing that he would be a problem for the Ba Sing Se police department first thing in the morning. The teens and Asami felt they needed to get back to the Kuvira's home for a long overdue family reunion and some much-needed rest.

"We've got news boss." The man said seriously. Ozai lay in his bed his chest wrapped and bandaged. He had been unconscious for days after Azula struck him with lightning and his crews feared a turf war would ensue if he perished, but as Lao Bei Fong put so astutely, "a man that evil won't die from something as simple as a gunshot." That went for shots of lightning as well. His wounds only served to make Ozai more determined now than ever to follow through with his plan. Azula disappeared that night. He didn't have any desire to find her much less see her now. She was unimportant for the moment. If things continued to go according to plan, he would have her back where she belonged soon enough. Ozai grunted in discomfort. "It better be worth my time and sitting up." He growled.

The man nodded. "It is, boss. We were fighting with the Blue Spirit guy and his girlfriend in the red dress. You're never gonna guess who it is…" Ozai glared at the man wilting him even in his invalid state. "I shouldn't have to guess. Tell me or get out." Ozai demanded. The man stammered slightly recognizing that Ozai wasn't in the mood for delays. "Right. Uh, it's your son, Zuko. He's the Blue Spirit. The lady is Ambassador Kuvira's daughter. They thought we were out cold after our fight. He took off his mask and I saw the scar plain as day. They called each other's names." Ozai sat up sharply, regretting it the moment he was vertical. "Shit! Fuck all! Dammit!" he cried out from the sharp pains that attacked him. The man stepped back in shock from the vehemence of words coming from his employer's mouth. "Boss, do you need—" Ozai yelled. "No, I don't need anything! Just get the fuck out of here!" The man hesitated slightly seeing that his boss wasn't alright. Ozai picked up a heavy ashtray from the side of his bed. The man's eyes widened when he realized what Ozai intended to do. "I said go!" Ozai heaved as he threw the ashtray at the man who ran for his life out the door. He shut the door behind himself in time for the ashtray to crash against it shattering on contact and creating a cloud of filthy grey dust near the floor. Ozai fell back against his bed and groaned. He laughed incredulously at his luck and sighed. He spoke aloud more to himself than to the air, "So, little ZuZu picked up his cousin's mantle. Too bad no one told you how much it costs to be a spirit's avatar. You'll pay the price soon enough, boy." Ozai closed his eyes against the fresh wave of pain from his activity and tried to sleep it away. He didn't know that someone was listening to his rant on the other side of his door who knew that this information was more precious than any plans Ozai laid.