OOOKKKKKK new episode here and… no comments or new people… QwQ

Anyway, just wanting to tell that for now my upload of new chapters will have it's rhythm reduced, normally I did 2 chapters per week but for now I will do 1 chapter only, due to issues with my job

That's it for today, enjoy the chapter!

Warning: Major Character dies

…..

Chapter 14: A King Last Hurrah

While still being on water, Sokka was really bored, traveling alone was bad enough due to his own decision, but taking so much time due to going on a ship? And it is not like he was a really good friend with the fire nation soldiers, so the best thing to do for him was to stay aside, and rest on the outer side of the ship

"If only I took Appa or Druk to come faster, but I had to come with the soldiers… brrr and it is starting to get cold here." As he got inside, he was offered a coat and a tea from the soldiers "It is still pretty strange for me to be part of a team with all of you" Sokka just received a nod from the soldier

"Mr Sokka" another soldier arrived "The northern water tribe is now visible on the horizon."

Realizing that, the warrior had some memories from his past, specially one person came to his mind

"Well… here we go."

…..

As the time was passing, the swamp was conquered by the Blue Fire Raiders, Shaina was laughing, as she didn't even had the need to use her armor, just with a good amount of soldiers was enough, her physical and psychological torture against the swamp villagers finished as she had an objective in mind

"The central tree…" once she arrived, touched the gigantic plan "I wonder if something will happen here."

"I advise you to stop right now, Shaina."

That voice, while not recognizable, she had only to turn back to know who talked to her

"You're the previous avatar from the fire nation before me, Avatar Roku, is a pleasure to meet you for the first time." She even made a reverence

But Roku was not pleased "I wonder if on your time, we didn't meet each other."

Shaina negated it with a head movement "As far as I know, no, apparently the avatar coming after Aang is going to be so pathetic that the spiritual connection with the previous lives will be broken, as far, I was barely able to contact 2 previous lives."

"So how did you recognize me?"

"Oh, that's the easiest thing, Roku, the greatest avatar that the fire nation has ever had, your legend transcends time."

"Then maybe I'm the best option to tell you this, avatar Shaina, stop what you're doing right now, and let the spirits to take you back to your right time before is too late."

Something that of course, didn't please Shaina at all, becoming angry with Roku words "The spirits are hypocrites, they didn't help me when I needed them the most, and now they want me to stop because what I'm doing is bad? Bullshit!"

"Reconsider your actions now, your interference is not only affecting the lives you're surrounded now, the collective consciousness, the time fibers are always connected and connect people, as we are one because of this, every person has an influence over the entire world even with the minimum action they do, now think if you traveled back in time, imagine how much of an influence would you make.

But she was not willing to hear anything "Stupid ideology."

Her ancestor was frustrated by her attitude "Is not stupid Shaina, your actions have altered everything! From a bird having two eggs to not have any eggs, from a flower blossoming to being crushed by a bird horse, from a cabbage seller who now decides to sell fruit, your actions are turning the collective consciousness into someone totally different as it should be!"

"Then what? I don't care, if those results end on my country getting saved, I'm capable even to pay the ultimate price!"

Looking at her was not something to be angry, but to be worried about, Roku noticed that after looking at Shaina, who was having tears on her eyes "That's not how an avatar should be, Shaina…"

"That's the problem, the avatars are a curse, and also a curse for the world, as that we are making people to not solve their own problems, just to wait for a savior as they will never realize how much power they truly have."

It was a lost case "I realize that you misunderstood everything Shaina, that's not the role of the avatar, and it will never be."

"Then tell me, what's the purpose of the avatar on this fucking world?!"

As the blonde one was totally angry, Roku just stepped back "Learn…"and disappeared

Frustrated and angry, she hit the tree "He is not different…Time to prepare the invasion to Omashu…"

…..

One full month have passed since Jin stayed on Omashu in order to train under orders of King Bumi, but as she was training on the lower ground of the training camp, on the upper side, the king received a letter

"As the explorers didn't came back, we must assume that the enemies will attack at any moment" he sighed, then coughed "Now they are more dangerous than ever."

His student was already gasping due to the exercise "Now what, King Bumi?"

"Prepare 100 squats, 100 frog jumps and 100 resting position ab exercises, I will come back in some moments."

Hearing that annoyed Jin "More exercise? But I need to make bigger rocks flying!"

"Then I guess that you still didn't figure out at all what is necessary to become a full earth bender."

"What, but then, what can I do?"

"For the moment, exercise, as I told you I will be back…"

Moments later and after Jin finished her exercise routine, she was totally tired, the king sat in front of her

"I still can't figure it out, Bumi."

"Is ok, with time we start comprehending even the things that are basic for us."

"Then, why I'm still not a good earth bender"

"You were just starting from a little more than a month" Bumi said, but then added "There is more Jin, bending in general is not about objectives, is about letting your emotions, your senses flow with naturality, in earth bending case, is more about feeling the stones, the rocks, the sand, everything related to the element that give us life, is not only about what your eyes see, is about feeling that something will answer to you."

"How can this be?"

The king was taking his chin with a hand "Well, think about it, the best earth benders are those who not only fight and maintain a strong position, but those who can read their opponents intentions with their senses and consciousness…" some seconds on silence until Jin realized it "Here it goes!"

Coming from her side, she used her skills to destroy a rock and turn it into dust, but apparently not with enough time as she took her hand with pain

"Ouch, that hurt!"

-"The last time it went to your head, you're improving" Bumi laughed "Next time you need to do it without your opponent telling you anything Jajaja… Cof, cof…!"

Then the cough, a really strong one as Bumi was feeling terrible "Bumi!"

"I'm fine dear Jin, Cof, cof!"

As his coughs were turning very violent, Jin stood up and helped him to go outside of the training arena "No, you're not, Guards, we need help!"

Moments later, a guard, alongside a doctor who gave the king something to drink were examination him, Jin was just looking to what was happening without knowing what to do, once done, the doctor told both the guard and Jin

"I'm afraid to say this, but is possible that the king will not make until his next birthday, sorry."

After receiving those news, Bumi just sighed "Is ok, the doctors were telling me the same for already some time."

But then a messenger came "King Bumi… sorry to tell you but this is the information from the explorers."

As the king took the paper to read it, he smiled "Look at this, they're coming and pretty fast."

"What's the plan now, king?" the guard asked

The king, as a strategist he was, just said "Maintain a stalemate near the entrance, and tell the leaders of those invaders, that they're invited to a feast."

Again, one of his crazy ideas "What, you…? Well, not questioning anything after you alone set this city free" the guard said "But then, what is going to happen with the invaders, are we going to defend ourselves this time?"

"Yes, you will, but wait until I send you a signal" Bumi smiled "You will recognize it really easily, now please I want to talk with Jin, alone."

"Oh… for sure, with your permission."

As student and teacher were alone, Bumi asked Jin "I will tell you my plan, come close."

She did it, and received the plan directly to her ear, something that caught her totally off guard, even some tears were starting to appear

"Bumi no, don't do that, is absolutely nuts!"

"I know that, jajajaja…" Silence for some seconds "But still dear Jin, is for my people that I'm doing it, and to give you another chance, you must leave Omashu from the emergency exit."

"What, to leave?" Bumi nodded "But I can fight now, I can send stones flying, making little quakes, I can help!"

Bumi negated it with his head "But you will be on risk of death Jin, and I promised Zuko that you will be fine, besides, your abilities still need work, and unfortunately, I won't be the one that can finish the job."

Jin started to cry "Is not fair Bumi, I don't want you to do that, why it has to be like this?"

"Dear, life is unfair sure, but it is in our hands the way we want to manage with this- the king approached to a little table, there was a little map and a little card -Take Flopsy with you now and escape using this route, you will be safe if you travel from there."

As Jin took the map with her hands, she hugged Bumi "I will miss you, my friend."

"I will miss you too, but before you leave, can you promise me two things?" Jin nodded "First, promise me that no matter what, you will use your earth bending wisely."

"Of course, and the second one?"

"Please tell Aang that, even after death, he will always be my friend…"

…..

As expected, outside there was a huge group waiting near the gates of Omashu, the generals and some soldiers were waiting for them, but then a soldier approached

"Sir, there are two little groups coming from the sides."

"A trap… Our king is a mad genius."

As that, the enemy soldiers, now using black and blue suits, were directed by Shaina, using her black armor, and Ozai, who were curious of seeing the passive attitude of Omashu's defense line, then the general approached

"I'm general Moku, as a direct order coming from King Bumi, he wants to talk with the leaders of the opposite side to his castle."

Ozai just baffled "Are you crazy? Like we are going to accept something like…"

"We're going" Again, Ozai was interrupted by Shaina, something that made him really angry "Let's go Ozai."

But Milly asked "Wait, but is an obvious trap!"

"I know, still, the king doesn't know what to expect from us."

Once inside the castle, the two enemy leaders took seat in front of Bumi, who prepared a really delicious feast

"Come on, there is no poisons in the food."

Ozai didn't take a bite at first, but Shaina opened the inferior part of her helmet, ate a piece of chicken without any problem

"It's true, and it is delicious" her partner did de same, without having any confidence "Why to invite us on something like this?"

"To know you, black avatar, a little more, because I already know Ozai, he is a bastard."

"Stupid old hag" the phoenix king said

"Not too much to talk about me, to know which are my intentions is enough, and as far as I'm concerned, you know what I'm trying to achieve"

"Yeah, people like you are the type who doesn't care about consequences, just to do what they think is good for them."

"Good for the world" she said

"Why?"

"To avoid the destruction incoming" Shaina added

Bumi just laughed "Avoiding the destruction by causing destruction, even at my 115 years I'm unable to understand it."

"And you will never be" she said

"So, you want to become queen of everything, by dealing as much damage as possible and using this enemy of the world as a puppet."

"A puppet…" something that Ozai started to analyze

"Even if you look old, your mind is as young as a 20 years old warrior" Shaina added "It would be an unnecessary battle here Bumi, join us on our conquest project, and you will have any territory that you want, maybe even Ba Sing Se."

The King stood up "Tempting, but I refuse."

Something that frustrated Shaina, noticeable on the tone of her voice, then Ozai interfered "Only an idiot could reject an offer like that, old man."

"Said the same person who is now reduced to be the mascot of the true enemy" Bumi laughed and snored, making Ozai really furious "So yeah, I refuse."

The avatar was not satisfied "Reconsider it, is your last chance, don't you want to die already?"

"My destiny was sealed this year, my lungs are infected, my throat doesn't stand the pain due to all my years as an earth bender, whatever happens today, my death is near…"

As Shaina noticed his words, then realized something "So that's why…"

Ozai even knew that something was wrong "And you invited us just as a distraction!"

"Ozai, you idiot" But the avatar knew, it was something else, something wose

"Maybe you know it, but is already too late" then the king smiled "You're coming with me… JAJAJAJAJAJAJA!"

Then the biggest earthquake anyone could have ever felt

As outside, Omashu's defense line noticed a huge explosion coming from the top, it was Bumi's castle

"The castle exploded!" A soldier screamed

"King Bumi was still inside!"

But then General Moku noticed it, it was all the King's plan, even if the soldiers were affected, also the raiders as they were confused on what to do

"It was his plan… it was his plan!" the general then gave order "Soldiers, King Bumi wants us to defend this city to all cost, and he wanted to be the cost, so we have nothing more to lose!"

Now realizing that they were on disadvantage, the raiders tried to escape, but a huge earth wall appeared behind them

"Is our chance now, attack!"

As that, Omashu was ready to make the Blue Fire raiders feel their wrath, but already far from all the disaster, Jin looked to all of what was happening, on Flopsy's loin, using the animal as a horse, Flopsy was heartbroken, trying to return but Jin had to force the animal to not do that, using her own earthbending

"I know Flopsy I know, but you can't do anything by now!" Flopsy was crying but Jin hugged the animal "Please understand, I didn't want this to happen too"

As Flopsy was calming down, Jin looked back to the city once more, heartbroken as her new comrade, she continued back to the road "Goodbye, my friend, let's move Flopsy" and the beast obeyed

But as the battle was developing, what was happening on the ruins of Bumi's castle? Shaina somehow managed to survive without any damage, not noticeable by her armor at least, but Ozai had an injured arm with blood pouring

"Bumi is a stupid!" the phoenix king yelled

"But his plan was almost successful, almost, as I said he didn't knew what I was capable off…" but then she realized it, her entire body was hurt "Dammit… but still I have to fight…"

As the two were looking that the battle was being lost, Shaina started to fly "Time for the counter attack."

The defense line, specially Moku realized what just happened, as Shaina was approached them at full speed

"No way… the king's plan, was unsuccessful…"

…

At night, Omashu became part of the conquered territories, the raiders celebrated the hard fought victory while keeping the soldiers captive

"Today, we can finally say that we conquered our first important victory, soldiers, months ago we were just 50 hopeless idiots without any route, now we can call ourselves a true nation!- and everyone started to celebrate -Now we have the resources, we have the army, we have the infrastructure, now all nations must tremble in fear!"

As Shaina was giving those words to her army, Ozai just looked to all of this without any confidence, then he just stepped back, something that Shaina noticed

"What's wrong Ozai?"

"You get the entire credit for it, don't you realize that? if it wasn't for me, the raiders could have never be at your side?"

"Oh don't worry dear, in fact, I realized something, I need you, and you know that."

"And need me for what, to be your puppet?!""

"To conquer…" something that interested him "Our soldiers will be enough to protect our lands, but we still need to distract the nations to send reinforcements to help on any place."

"…I listen."

"Well thinking about that, while Milly coordinates the defenses, you and Ty Lee can go to Ba Sing Se with another group, contact Azula there, she will be happy to see you again, and if not, at least she would want to help taking Ba Sing Se down."

"Yeah, that could probably happen" Even when he remembered what he said to her before escaping on the first assault "What about you?"

"I have to do something to give you time to do all of this, the fire nation is really dangerous, don't you think?"

As both laughed a little, the night started to become darker, at that time, Jin was going to a specific place on the map.

"The Lovers caverns, sounds really romantic, don't you think Flopsy?" the beast just snored "Well, but on the other side, this thing looks really dangerous, so I don't know."

As she lit one torch on fire, both her and Flopsy went inside of the cavern, as expected, pretty dark, not any sight of life anywhere

"Why would Bumi sent me to a place like this?"

As she was travelling on the darkness, looking to all the places inside a cavern, walls, shortcuts, and even double tunnels, then she realized something

"We are lost, Flopsy" the beast snored again, but really sad, as that, Jin screamed, very angry "WHY, WHY SOMETHING LIKE THIS MUST HAPPEN TO ME?!"

And then she sat on the floor, trying to contain the tears

"Why every teacher that I have must suffer? First Toph loses her earth bending, and then Bumi sacrifices himself, Am I a curse Flopsy?" The animal just sat near her –"Maybe Zuko was right after all, even if he supports me… maybe my destiny was never meant to be an earth bender… and maybe it was never meant to be to help Zuko on the battlefield…"

But then Flopsy noticed something, and became alert, as Jin looked to all of this, she stood up, the animal started to make sounds really angrily

"What's happening now?"

Then the two noticed it on the two sides, two gigantic Badger Moles appeared

"Oh shit!"

Flopsy started to scream, trying to make one of the moles to step back, but to no avail, on the other side, the animal was approaching to Jin menacingly, the girl was so afraid of watching them that even forgot to defend

"Ok, now I know it, I'm gonna be mole's food, it is my end… if only I had one more chance to talk with Zuko…"

But then she noticed it, and even took Flopsy by surprise when the mole licked Jin on her face, the giant animals were friendly, and had good intentions with the two

"Why?... Hold a second…"

The animals started to move parts of the stone walls in order to move, then she realized it

"Those animals can earth bend too, so that's why Bumi wanted me to come here" then she talked to Flopsy "Maybe I have my chance after all if I watch them."

As that, Jin decided to follow them and stay inside the cavern for some time, maybe taking the chance of her life to become the bender she wanted to be…

But things on the horizon looked dark, specially on Ba Sing Se where certain powerless princess was looking to the moon while resting on her bed, then she noticed the door of her room being knocked

"Go in."

It was the old lady, Lena "I prepared some tea, do you want some?"

Tea… like her uncle favorite beverage, normally it wouldn't matter for her, but this time, somehow, hearing that word hit her a little

"If you don't answer it will become cold."

"You can leave it on the table" it was a little one near the door

"Ey, if you want to talk about something…" but no answer "Is ok, I'm leaving."

But as Lena was leaving the room, she heard a little "Thanks" coming from her guest, something that was enough to make the old lady happy

Realizing that changes were happening that fast, Azula just wanted to sleep, but somehow, deep on her, knew that something was coming, like her challenge to recover her power was not the thing that she had to worry about the most

"But why, why it has to be like this?"

As she wanted to sleep, images came to her mind, from her father leaving her, the Blue Fire raiders not being near her…

"Traitors, I'm always surrounded by them…"

But then another image, Mai and Ty Lee, until 3 years ago, the three were the best friends ever, but then, the clash on the boiling rock, the three separated their ways

"Why… why everyone has to go far from me?"

But then… the avatar, Aang approached to her, asked for help and she agreed, even if her intentions were to have vengeance over her father, somehow that time wasn't that bad, then the water bender, Katara, she looked worried, even if angry at first she decided to stay alongside the one she loved, so strange, so weird, and then that dinner with the three together, she was a little far from the two while they were talking so happily until

"Do you want some bread?"

"Eh?"

Aang offered her a piece of bread "For my lightning bending master."

Doubts at first but then she accepted it, without saying a word she ate it

"Why he is like that, why is everyone around him like that?"

"Azula…"

Then she realized it, it was a dream, but a realistic one, as someone was calling her

"What, who are you?"

"It is time for you, to know how things are starting to change…"

"Where are you? Explain to me…!"

"Your older brother has passed for the same Azula, now is your turn, decide by yourself and not because anyone else influence you…"

Then she turned her attention, the space was on totally darkness aside of one thing, a person surrounded by light

"Uncle Iroh?"

"It is your turn Azula, my niece, is your turn to decide."

"How can you tell me that?! You always preferred Zuko over me, I won't hear you, you have made nothing for me!"

"That's true… but maybe you can hear someone that made something for you…"

As she was dreaming all of that, on her eyes tears started to appear