CHAPTER VI

Burned

Fire Nation

EARTH KINGDOM DIVIDED.

Aria's eyes paced over the headline in calligraphy before setting the parchment aside, taking another sip of her steaming cup of tea. The shop was long empty, long closed, and the moonlight was all that illuminated the darkened streets outside the window she peered through. This had always been her favorite spot to escape to when she wanted to be as far away from her family, servants…the entire package. Here she felt like just another Fire Nation citizen…even if she had to come in when everyone else was in their homes, and the sign at the door read closed.

Being a princess had its perks, but she didn't need to be royalty to be allowed into an establishment after-hours. That was merely knowing people, and she'd established a network of connections throughout the Fire Nation capital…or just a fancy way of saying she'd made some friends before she left with Aang. It wasn't all that impressive, but she knew how to talk to people, even how to back them into corners when need be, but truly only for their benefit. Having a princess who owes you a favor is about as good as it gets in the Fire Nation.

This little gig, however, was just a matter of knowing someone's father who owned the tea shop. Nothing more, nothing less…and they finally came through the door.

"Elana!" Aria's chair screeched along the floor as she scooted out of it, slightly jogging to the wonderfully dressed girl of equal age who looked more than elated to see her. They were both in each other's arms before long, sharing a hug Aria had imagined for a long time…and was extremely embarrassed it had taken so long to happen.

"Finally had the chance to visit peasant fodder like me?" Elana joked, her certainly unnatural blonde hair brushing up against Aria's cheek before they finally pulled away. "Look at you…you've been cooped up in that palace too long!"

"Believe me, I know," Aria agreed, taking her seat back while Elana took the one across from her. "What's with the gold hair?"

Colored hair in of itself was a rarity. Most natural hair colors were black or brown, with very few others, and most of the time those others were results of hair dye or…deformities, as some were referred to. Elana had natural black hair, but blonde was a choice rising in popularity since Aria was much younger, especially in the Fire Nation. It was a sign of beauty, but more commonly it was associated with status, as such applications of dye was mostly developmental…and hardly cheap.

Elana cocked her head in confusion, but eventually recognized the issue. "I had it done not long after you left. It's been four years remember?"

Right…the last time they'd seen each other, they were barely hitting their growth spurts and learning what a "passing" was. As she had learned recently, a lot could change in that time.

"Yeah, four years ago I was finally being met with silence instead of thrown vegetables and wads of spit when I came out in public," Aria grimaced. "Now I'm being worshipped…I don't get it."

Elana smiled shrugged. "If I had the answer to that, I probably would've considered becoming a mystic."

Aria chuckled at that. "Might be in need of one of those. You have no idea what I've had to deal with since I got here."

"Hey! That's what I'm here for," she gestured for her to progress. "If you need to have girl talk, then let's have girl talk."

"Girl talk" was another word for "vent" in their case. Aria was a girl, but she never felt like a "girly girl", never caring much about cosmetics other than lining her eyes for the most part. Most of her time had been spent around men, the only women being Katara and Toph when she was learning each respective element, and all they focused on was her training.

Elana was about the girly-est friend she had, and that wasn't saying much, but more importantly, she was the only friend she had that wasn't either twice or half her age…which meant she was the only person she felt she could really talk to.

Even so, she shook her head. "I think I've focused enough on my problems. I want to know about you."

Elana shrugged, letting her head bow for a moment. "Nothing exciting really. I can't decide if I want to keep working for my dad or start training with the intent to enlist in two years," she revealed, and then leaned in atop the table as her eyes wandered to the window beside them. "Mom doesn't want me fighting, and I know Dad needs the help…but to be honest…I just don't like it here."

Aria cocked her head in wonder, taking a sip of her tea. "Why not?"

She sighed, and Aria detected a hint of mental exhaustion in her posture, her body rigid and still, but her eyes stuck open almost against their will. "This place…I don't know if it's just me, but it feels like the world is getting better around us and we're not catching up. I don't want to be stuck in the Fire Nation my whole life, which is partly why I want to enlist."

Aria had been around the world and knew that wasn't really true, but Elana wouldn't know any better, and words of assurance wouldn't change that. "If you could enlist today, where would you want to be stationed?"

She saw her eyes gleam as a blissful smile formed. "I'd want to work at the embassy in the Northern Water Tribe…where it snows year-round and the northern lights dance across the sky."

Aria popped her brow in slight revulsion. "You might change your mind once the cold sets in."

Elana huffed. "It has got to be better than this dry heat eight months out of the year."

"Don't say I didn't warn you," Aria shrugged. "Citizens of the Fire Nation are spoiled when it comes to weather."

"Bullshit. I don't believe that."

Aria held back her laugh, and then pointed. "See what I mean?"

Elana smiled back, giving her a wink. "I still want to go."

She didn't drop it so easily, pretending to shiver furiously. "Ugh…I w-wish I…h-had…l-listened to…A-Aria…"

"Oh, stop it," Elana protested, kicking her shin lightly underneath the table, prompting Aria to let out a mock gasp.

"You…I could send you to the coal mines for kicking me, you weasel! How dare you!" she scolded her, only making the both of them share a laugh.

"And I thought you hated being royalty," Elana giggled. "But I like that you seem to be settling into it."

Aria swallowed, clearing her throat as the banter passed. "Don't get your hopes up."

Elana recognized her drop in tone…only she and Zuko ever would…and reached out, gesturing Aria to place her hand into hers. She did so, and her childhood friend squeezed. "I noticed you looked a little down before I came in. Did something happen?"

Aria sighed. "I…don't know how much I can tell you, but what I can say is that it's been an emotional several weeks for me."

"Any issues with your training?" Elana asked, keeping her hold sincere.

"A few. I was finally starting to learn waterbending…but then I was…" she bit her tongue, choosing to avoid telling anyone that there had been a kidnapping attempt on her. "…I was forced to come back to help deal with the whole Earth Kingdom thing."

"Oh…" Elana recognized. "And you didn't finish your training…"

Aria shook her head. "I understand the need to be here, and I want to help protect my country…but…"

"You feel like you're not improving yourself," she finished.

"Yeah…or that I could be more useful out in the field instead of a palace."

Elana thought for a moment, and then let her amber-orange eyes meet hers. "I'm guessing you've already talked to the Fire Lord about this."

Aria shook her head again. "Not yet."

"Well…maybe you should. Make a suggestion. I know he values your opinion."

Aria scoffed, and let a distasteful edge sharpen her tone. "Yeah, when my opinion is convenient enough for him."

Her friend cocked her head in confusion, only making Aria roll her eyes to herself.

"Never mind. I just…think he's hiding something from me."

"He's the Fire Lord," Elana reminded her. "It's kinda his job."

"No, not some political secret or tactical plan," Aria bit her lip in wonder, peering out the window at the crescent moon. "The only thing I know about my mother is that she was from the Earth Kingdom, but after speaking to Mai and learning more and more about being an adult…Dad wouldn't do that…it's just not in his character."

Elana furrowed her brow. "You also look entirely Fire Nation."

"I know, but that doesn't really mean anything. It's…the way Mai sometimes looks at me. There's this glint in her eye as if she recognizes something…something that terrifies her," Aria continued to ramble on. "But I don't know. It could be nothing."

Her friend smiled. "My dad always tells me, 'Sweetheart, if you feel it in your gut, then there's a partial truth to it'. I always wonder if that's why he always knew when I was sneaking out of the house."

Aria winked. "Or maybe it was just because your version of sneaking around was equivalent to that of a sky bison."

"Ha, ha," Elana rolled her eyes and pulled her hand away. "You're hilarious."

"So I'm told."

Earth Kingdom

Aang's focus broke once more, leaving him with nothing but frustration and a shake of his head in futility. Even atop the peaceful saddle of Appa, he couldn't manage to bring himself back to the vision he continuously experienced, hoping to finally interpret its whole meaning.

I promise. She will be safe.

"She will be safe…" he whispered to himself. "Who?"

His first and still plausible theory was that "she" was Aria, but with all of the cryptic signs and now Sokka's own interpretation…it could be anyone. It was a puzzling enigma, one that continued to plague his dreams and torment him at every turn. He could still feel the excruciating heat from that dragonfire burning away at his flesh, bones…essence.

Why am I seeing this?

For the first time in a decade…Aang needed guidance. He needed someone to help him make sense of all of it, to keep things clear…

Aang saw his children in his eyes, and by then it was too late. His heart sank, draining his will to press on, and he knew only one remedy could restore his strength.

Only now did he realize how badly he missed Katara. The weeks away were beginning to feel like months; waking up to no one beside him was beginning to break his spirit, make him feel more alone than ever…even with Sokka to support him.

If only he could wind back time…back to when things were simpler, back to when Fire Lord Ozai was the only threat he cared about ending…and when he had all his friends beside him.

But those days were gone.

"Aang…" Sokka called from his side of the saddle, his voice grave with worry, and immediately the Avatar felt himself snap into action. His friend was looking over the side, down into the clouds. "You need to see this."

Crawling over to his side, Aang had to hold in his gasp as he peered over the edge. An army, the largest he'd ever seen, continuously marched below them. While all they could see was the dim light of torches, they both knew what this meant.

"We've got to warn Republic City," Aang said, scrambling to Appa's reins. "Appa, yip, yip! Double time!"

The sky bison groaned as their speed increased across the sky, and Aang had already forgotten all about his family.

Fire Nation

"We have them logged on a direct course to Republic City, by our estimates it is an army three hundred thousand strong, about a third more than our total ground forces spread out across the world."

Aria watched from her cross-legged seat beside her father as the Earth Kingdom's movements were displayed on the large map at the base of the throne room. After spending another hour with Elana, she was planning to get some shut eye when the alert was sounded across the palace, and soon every general was pulled from bed to attend this emergency war meeting. Tensions were already high, but everyone's groggy grumpiness was only fueling everyone's agitation.

Not to mention this absolutely unprecedented event.

"How many of the Earth Kingdom's leaders have sided with Nikuya?" Zuko inquired, the only one looking fresh in the room.

"All those that matter, my Lord," the same man continued, looking as if he'd just escaped a cyclone. "King Kuei holds Ba Sing Se, but if enough political figures start to get behind her claim, then her declaration as the new Earth Queen will become reality."

Aria still didn't know much about this Nikuya, but it was quite obvious she knew what she was doing, and her threat to the world's stability was a real one. How she had drummed up so much support and be only five years her senior almost frightened her in a way she couldn't describe. Would she grow to become such a danger to everyone around her? What could possibly make someone so hell-bent on conquering the world?

What the hell was the point?

"Has she made any demands?" Aria inquired. "Other than what the Avatar told us?"

The general shook his head. "No, Princess, she has not made her intentions entirely clear to us yet, but this cannot be taken lightly."

"I agree," another nodded. "After all the trouble she has caused, I think it is best that the Fire Nation formally step in and end her threat."

Aria blinked. "Well, that isn't what I—"

"Direct conflict will be a last resort," Zuko affirmed, his tone that of finality, and then turned his gaze to Aria. "Continue your point."

She swallowed, shaken by the interruption, but nodded. "Yes…what I was going to say is that I agree with the Fire Lord. I suggest we decipher Princess Nikuya's motives before engaging her head on. Not only will that save lives, but this woman seems to have planned this for some time, and if her reputation is any indication, then she must've planned for a Fire Nation—"

"We don't want to become too rigid, however," Zuko corrected her. "Conflict may be a last resort, but it is a resort. I'd like to first consolidate all Fire Nation forces near Republic City to prepare for its defense…"

Aria hid her annoyance at the inability to finish speaking, turning her head away while Zuko continued to address the others with his plan. This was certainly not a first occurrence of this behavior, and while she hadn't let it get to her before, this time it felt especially draining. If he couldn't trust her to speak her mind during an emergency crisis, then what good was her voice?

"…anything else you'd like to add, Aria?" Zuko asked, to which she looked his way again.

She shook her head. "No, Father."

"Very well. Now, let's move to the home front…"

Aria was the last to plow through the velvet curtains with a chip on her shoulder, not bothering to adjust her frown and sullen eyes. She thought a full day's training was exhausting…but she was quickly learning that had nothing on an hour of listening to old men talk. The princess could feel the bags under her eyes, her forehead aching from holding them open for so long…and her sixteenth yawn escaped her mouth.

"That armor looks amazing on you," Elana greeted her just outside the crossing hallway, waiting next to a large painting of Fire Lord Sozin. "I remember you always talking about it."

It took a moment for Aria to focus and confirm it was actually her. Rubbing her eye, she cocked her brow. "Elana…uh…not that I'm not glad you're here…but…how did you get in here?"

Elana looked confused, but quickly her expression flashed with recognition. "Oh! The Fire L-, your dad pays me to watch Izumi sometimes. He asked me not long after you left with the Avatar to start your training."

Aria rubbed her eye again. "But…it's like…an hour past midnight. Izumi was asleep just before I left the palace to meet you."

Elana smiled. "What? Am I not allowed to make sure my best friend is alright?"

The princess let out a weak laugh. "Well, no, but I just thought, Royal Palace and all—"

"Elana," Zuko's voice sounded off behind them, and the golden-haired woman repositioned to stand at attention. "Thanks for coming at such a late hour."

"Fire Lord," she bowed, just as Aria figured it was best for her to merely slide out of the way. "Hope your war meeting went well."

"I think so," Zuko mused, but then seemed to turn to Aria for a stamp of agreement.

She was still somewhat bitter about his short leash on her but didn't press the issue. "Yeah…went well, totally."

Elana flashed her a concerned look, but then returned her gaze to Zuko. "I've decided to accept Admiral Matsuo's offer for his apprenticeship program."

Apprenticeship?

Aria cleared her throat before her father could speak. "…apprenticeship?" she asked, implying she needed clarification.

"Yes," Zuko nodded. "Elana is one of our best students at the academy and caught the eye of one of our senior Admirals. He's offered her a chance to shadow him on patrols and gain some firsthand experience."

"I see," Aria mused, and then watched Elana's head droop with slight embarrassment.

"Sorry I didn't tell you. Mom would freak if she found out, and I didn't want to risk my dad hearing. I-I didn't mean to—"

"Elana, it's fine," Aria waved it off. "Really. I'm glad. This is a serious opportunity."

One I couldn't be more jealous of.

"I'd like to talk to you before you head off to bed, Aria," Zuko requested, and then took his leave. "The Admiral will send you the details, Elana. Make sure to arrive on time."

"Of course," Elana bowed once more, just as he disappeared and left their earshot.

Aria tried to contain her inner frustrations, but her exhaustion had them leak through. "I wish I could go with you…all this sitting around is driving me crazy."

Elana sank somewhat. "I know we just caught back up…but I've been waiting my whole life for something like this. Practically sold my soul just to get on the good side of these cranky old men," she whispered the final sentence. "Think about it…I'll finally be able to be with you, out there in the world."

Aria sighed. "Look, Elana…I want you to do this, really, I do," she admitted, which instilled more joy in her friend's posture. "It's just…things are getting really bad right now…and if you're on the wrong ship at the wrong time—"

"I'll be fine, Aria," Elana half giggled, grasping Aria's hands. "I promise I won't try to be the hero…that's your job."

"You're damn right it is," she assured her, and hardly in a joking manner. No one really knew the full extent of the danger the Earth Kingdom currently posed outside of that war room. Various parties and groups were already hard at work downplaying it to 'loosen tensions' and 'promote the continuation of unburdened commerce'.

Like commerce would matter once the Earth Kingdom armies began marching through the streets of the capital city.

Elana winked. "You worry too much."

"This isn't a game, Elana," Aria's grip upon her hands tightened to a point in which Elana winced in pain. "You paint combat like it's some kind of art or…adventure. Nothing about it is fun and games."

"Aria…" Elana winced again, this time developing a hint of anger in her eyes. "Let me go, dammit!"

"You're not listening to me!" Aria yelled, and that's when Elana's eyes went as wide as they could…and she screamed in pain. Frantically looking down, Aria watched her hands glow blue in a vice grip around Elana's skin, and immediately pulled them away. Elana cried out, her hands shaking with pain as she tried to rub it away with her thumb, but she only cried out again.

Aria had cold sweat down her face as she felt her face drain of all color, and her heart sink into a cesspool of guilt and regret as her hands finally ceased their glow.

"You…you burned me!" Elana gasped, holding back tears.

Aria's chin shivered as she tried to advance. "Elana, I'm so sorr—"

"Get away from me!" she swiped her hand away and ran off in a fit of tears, leaving the princess to merely reach out with frozen feet…held down by the knowledge that she had lost control… And hurt someone she cared about.

Letting her tears fall down her face, she looked back down at her hands as they collected the salty liquid.

What am I?

Republic City

"I thought I told you to let me take care of my city, Aang. Do I have to beat that into you?"

Aang furrowed his brow while Sokka chucked just behind him. "This is serious, Toph," the Avatar insisted, his expression showing no sign of leniency. "The Earth Kingdom is about to march on Republic City, and if we don't act soon—"

"If you're talking about that distant marching I've been feeling for the past day, then you still aren't telling me anything new," she retorted, turning her back to him as she paced her office, sliding into her seat. "We've taken our precautions and raised what defenses we have. If you want to help out, then great. Just tell me how many men, and we'll adjust accordingly."

Aang sighed heavily, resisting the urge to clench his fists. "It's three-hundred thousand men, Toph."

Just by being able to sense the hydration of the room, Aang felt the sweat that began to emerge from Toph's skin…not to mention her stricken, unseeing eyes. For the first time in many years, he watched his friend freeze in place, unable to form words in her mouth.

"Three—" she stammered, and then removed her cap and placed it on her desk. Leaning forward, she rubbed her eyes with her fists, and then buried her face into her palms. "You're shitting me."

Aang shook his head. "I wish I was."

He granted her all the silence she needed, and then turned to Sokka.

"How many men can we pull together?" he asked.

"Without the Fire Nation or Water Tribe…three thousand," he gravely admitted. "Alone, we have no chance of repelling this invasion. It would be best if we start evacuating."

Toph suddenly surged with a burst of energy. "I'm not abandoning this city!"

"I didn't say that" Sokka eased. "But we need to minimize as many civilian casualties as we can before any fighting starts."

"We'll need more time," Aang mused. "Toph, you need to get your police force mobilized and begin an evacuation. Sokka, send messenger hawks to the Fire Nation and Water Tribe. Tell them the Earth Kingdom intends to begin their first attack."

Toph pinched the bridge of her nose. "Even if we could get people out, they have nowhere to go, and some may not even care. Are we really ready to drag people out of their homes when they don't want to leave?"

It was a fair point, one Aang wished he had considered beforehand. "Then we need to find a way to slow them down enough for Fire Nation and Water Tribe armies to get here."

Sokka nudged him from behind with his elbow. "Well, Mr. Avatar…got any bright ideas?"

Aang nodded. "A few, but I'll need your help, Toph, and a few of your best men."

The Chief of Police reclaimed her cap and rose to her feet. "Lead the way Twinkle Toes. I've been itching for some real action."

Short but sweet (maybe "sweet" is the wrong word), likely because the next one will break the 5k word cap and finally bring you guys some combat. Trying to get a new gang together while also reassembling the old.

Gah…so much to do!

Let me know your thoughts thus far, good or bad. In fact, I'll leave a challenge in this one. I would really appreciate it if you could tell me one or (any number) of things that you think need improvement (i.e. pacing, character dev, setting). I think the dialogue so far has been this story's strong point but let me know if you feel otherwise!

One more thing regarding the review complaining about Azula being considered a war criminal - one, it's just a thing the antagonist said, which means it doesn't necessarily have to be true. Two, posing as the enemy is a form of "perfidy" which is a direct violation of Article 37 of the Geneva Conventions. She also hinted to mistreating POWs, Suki for example, which is also a war crime. Doing something without killing people doesn't absolve you from being a war criminal.

So, yes, Azula is certainly a war criminal when put up against those statutes. Of course, the Geneva Conventions don't exist here, which just goes back to my first point...it doesn't have to be true anyway.

Stay safe and stay tuned! The Avatar's true power is about to be unleashed...