Hey everyone.
Once again I want to thank all of you who reviewed, favorited and followed since the last update.
And as always, if you are enjoying the story. Please considering doing so as you follow along.
And lastly, please read below if you are curious about some of the edits that I made recently.
The Advent of the Emperor - Chapter One Hundred-Seven
"I'll be taking my project back now. And your little friend as well." Nero stated remarked in a monstrous voice as he advanced forward while Elle shook in renewed fear.
"Princess…" Elle mumbled as she shivered while Azula pushed her behind her tall armored back.
While the ruthless princess coldly stared the smiling scientist and his squad of soldiers down.
All the while as the three noblewomen stood defensively in the blazing ruins while they never took their eyes off the approaching man.
While the bomber glanced about with an unpredictable look in her eyes.
"Your little experiment lost. We won. That means that both now belong to me." Azula spoke in a victorious voice while she glared up at Nero while he just smiled back at her.
"Be careful Azula…he is stronger than he looks." Mai stated in a quiet voice with her blades in hand while her leader stoically stared the man down.
"It is difficult to find worthy test subjects in a land where infants are not born with awakened energy. Or as you call it chi. However, I devised a scientific method to awaken it with my invention." The geneticist announced in a vastly proud voice with his malevolent eyes gazing back at the bewildered faces of Team Azula.
"Your invention?" Zoe questioned with her golden eyes widening in revulsion while she turned to gaze back at Katsu.
While Mai and Ty Lee stared on with a look of growing horror in their eyes.
While the princess listened with her hardened golden eyes expressing little pity for the man's unfortunate test subjects.
"Y-you! You did that to Katsu!" The handmaid hollered with unnatural anger in her voice while the man smirked back at her.
All the while as her friends stood glaring the insidious researcher down.
"That scar is the mark of my core implant! Once implanted it is a device that forcibly awakens the depths of one's inner potential. The only flaw is that most of my subjects do not survive the surgery." Nero declared as he stalked forward while the group listened with horrified expressions in their eyes.
It took a great deal to render the entire team of ruthless women speechless.
And it went without saying that hearing this demented man boast of twisting what they saw as a natural aspect of birth into a twisted scientific experiment managed to do just that!
While Katsu stared on with her feral golden eyes almost seeming as if she was untroubled by the man's admission.
"The surgery is so intense that the weak are weeded out and only the strong survive. To date…I have only had four children survive the procedure. The agony is so great that even the strongest willed of individuals have a tendency to bite their own tongue out." The geneticist explained in a monstrous voice as he encircled the stunned Team Azula with a savage grin on his lips.
While his heartless crimson eyes still gazed back at Elle's young horror-filled face.
All the while as the older girls slowly but steadily recovered from their state of shock.
"Monster!" Ty Lee called out with her brown-gray eyes glaring back at the man as she watched him carefully.
"H-he's…pure evil. Just…just like Felix." Elle stammered with emotion flashing in her sensitive amber eyes while Mai also glared at Nero.
Just as Zoe took a step forward while she coldly stared back at their new enemy.
While Azula turned to glance at her warrior with golden eyes once again expressing surprise to see the woman show fury at the mention of children facing torture.
"You depraved freak. You hunt children because you lack the strength to go after those old enough to fend for themselves. I bet that's why you never came after me. Does that sound about right to you?" The captain spoke with her katana pointing back at the remorseless scientist while her golden eyes took on a focused death glare.
While her companions listened with their eyes also never leaving the monstrosity of a researcher.
All the while as the ominous man still smiled cruelly back at them.
Before the princess let out a dismissive scoff while she unfolded her arms from her plated chest.
"So, you cut into defenseless peasant children. So what? That doesn't make you strong." The princess scoffed in a callous voice with her tyrannical eyes staring imposingly back at the smirking man.
Although inwardly she was unable to deny that it was astonishing that this man was able to create such a mighty firebender.
Even though the girl was as dull as an unpolished sword.
She was still one of the most powerful firebenders that she has ever seen.
And to think that the girl was a combustionbender on top of that!
And not a second later after that she was pulled from her thoughts when she gazed back at the researcher's injured face.
It was right then at that very moment that the entire team stared on in shock when they saw that the wounds on his face were slowly healing!
Azula's golden eyes widened ever so marginally in disbelief while she watched a visible cut vanish from Nero's smirking cheek.
All the while as he let out a sadistic cackle while he continued to stalk around the stunned group with his crimson eyes still gazing back at their surprised faces.
"H-his face…the wounds that Katsu gave him are closing up!" The handmaid exclaimed while her princess gazed on with her golden eyes agape in incredulity.
"I may not be the strongest Azula. But I am much older than you and with my enhancements I am more than capable of taking down three exhausted firebenders whose flames are burning out like a fading candle!" Nero replied in a malicious voice as his crimson eyes flashed with sadistic intent while the princess glared furiously back at him.
While the three noblewomen readied themselves for battle alongside their leader.
All the while as they gazed between the predatory researcher and his approaching soldiers.
And then right back to the bomber in uncertainty while the wild girl watched the squad move forward.
"We'll just see about that! You're a fool if you think that my flame is anywhere close to burning out!" Azula hissed in a murderous voice with her boots sliding back in the rubble while her young admirer shivered behind her.
While she glared all around her at the encroaching soldiers with her teeth ground together in a domineering snarl.
And then not even seconds later the team turned around in surprise when a blast of combustionbending went off behind them.
All the while as they now watched a soldier fly away screaming in pain after a green bomb detonated in his face.
Yet it did nothing to deter the researcher from smiling viciously as he stalked around them in an unnerving circle.
While Katsu rubbed a finger against her ear as she smiled back at the frightened soldiers.
"Blah blah blah! More big words! Like fire lady, you talk too much. Thanks for the power that you gave me but I don't want or need you anymore. I already have all that I need." Katsu spoke with a bored growl while the highborn women gazed back at her in bewilderment.
All the while as the princess cruelly rolled her eyes in poorly hidden mockery.
"Ugh! Those aren't even big words you idiot!" The princess snorted with another roll of her haughty eyes while her childhood friends cast her exasperated stares.
Only for her elegant brow to raise in interest when the bomber generated another glowing light in between her cupped palms.
All the while as Katsu began to grin wildly with her face taking on an increasingly frightening green tint.
"And that's bakudan!" The bomber yelled out as she sprang into the air with her palms alight while the flames from the fires accented her visage.
While Team Azula exchanged wary looks with each other before they sunk into combat stances.
All the while as they locked eyes with the grinning researcher while he cackled maliciously once more.
Before they watched in alarm when a dark aura flared from the man's uniformed body while he gazed back into Elle's fearful amber eyes.
And then the scientist jumped into the air with his ghostly white hair blowing in the wind before his bloodthirsty red eyes.
All while as the highborn women glared furiously back at him as they all sprung forward into battle!
Only to find themselves gazing on in surprise when the scientist unexpectedly froze in his tracks with his palm extended before the princess's taken aback face.
While the puzzled team listened to the sound of a high-pitched beeping that was coming from underneath the man's coat.
All while they watched in confusion as Nero gazed down at the source of the sound with his crimson eyes seeming to widen in apparent alarm.
While Azula still glared back at the researcher's strangely aggravated face just as she heard an explosion go off in the far-off horizon.
Just as all of Team Azula turned around to gaze up into the sky only for their eyes to widen when they saw what appeared to be two separate armies approaching from over the snow-covered landscape!
While the sounds of weapon fire continued to rumble into the air as the clashing forces fired upon one another!
All the while as Katsu landed on her feet as she gazed around with a confused look in her wild golden eyes.
While the soldiers observed the engaging armies from underneath their helmets with fear in their eyes.
And up above them Naoki stood with her right gloved hand lingering over her sheathed sword.
While her scarlet hair blew before her eyes as she halted in her attack.
Only for her brown eyes to marginally widen in recognition when she turned to stare back at the two battling military forces.
"Rieko." Naoki spoke under her breath as she stood with her clothing blowing in the northern winds.
While Team Azula stared off into the distance with weary expressions in their eyes as they shared an uneasy glance with each other.
"That…is a big army." The markswoman muttered while she warily gazed out at the approaching air force.
"Azula…this doesn't look good." The acrobat stated in a worried voice as she shivered in the winds.
While the princess turned to scowl imperiously back at the face of their new distracted enemy.
All the while as they continued to listen to the foreboding beeping that only grew louder and louder.
While Nero still stared down at the device with his red eyes conveying a sudden sense of urgency as he seemed to completely ignore his puzzled enemies.
"There is only one person I know with that energy reading! It has to be…" The geneticist exclaimed with something akin to fear in his voice while the team listened in grudging interest.
All the while as the princess and the captain's eyes now shone with curiosity as they studied the man closely.
And not a second later they watched in surprise when sparks erupted from the device hanging from the researcher's coat.
"Rieko!" Nero hissed with frustration seeping from his voice while he clenched his gloved fist before his incensed face.
While the Fire Nation women recovered as they gazed on with rising intrigue in their eyes.
As Elle's amber eyes now grew wide while she stared up into the cold skies with her golden hair sweeping about before her shivering face.
"H-Heika…Heika's coming." The handmaid stammered in an apprehensive voice while her princess gazed on with glowering golden eyes.
While the group listened in bewilderment as the soldiers began to murmur and mutter amongst each other.
"T-the God Emperor is approaching!" A soldier hollered in a frightened voice while his fellow soldiers quickly grew equally alarmed.
While the highborn women stared on with disbelieving expressions in their eyes to hear that the enigmatic woman that they have heard so much about was dubbed the 'God Emperor'.
Just before they all turned to their young friend's fretful face for an explanation.
"Elle…they call this monarch the God Emperor?" Zoe questioned in a fascinated voice as she gazed back at the younger girl's shivering face while the teenager nervously bit her lip.
"T-that's one of her titles. She earned that title because no one has been able to halt her conquest to this day." Elle explained in an anxious voice with her amber eyes peering up into the distant sky while her friends listened keenly in growing interest.
All the while as the princess's ruthless golden eyes flashed with another lip of intrigue as a cold wind blew through her hair.
"Really? Is that so? How unfortunate for her then. Because I look forward to showing her the power of a true conqueror." Azula spoke with a proud smirk forming on her regal lips while she gazed ahead with domineering golden eyes.
All while Ty Lee and Mai shared an uncertain look as they shivered in the chilling arctic winds.
Only for her merciless eyes to spark with a trace of renewed fury when the researcher let out a derisive scoff.
Before her frigid eyes glared on in slight surprise when the scientist turned away to glare up into the horizon.
"A-and that's not all Azula-sama. They also call her the world's strongest aberrant." The handmaid admitted in an unusually serious voice while a profound look of shook over took her four friend's eyes.
And that was all it took for Team Azula to stare back at their young friend with stunned expression in their widened eyes.
And even the bomber tilted her head with a look of childish interest flashing before her golden eyes.
"The world's strongest Elle?" Ty Lee inquired in an astonished voice while her little sister quickly nodded her blonde head.
"That's so oneesan. As in widely considered to be the undisputed most powerful fighter on the planet." Elle stated with an uncharacteristic graveness in her voice while the older girls stared on in awe.
All the while as the princess and her captain now stared on with an unmistakably competitive gleam in their eyes.
"How dare she intercede in my research! She must seek these firebenders as Apostle recruits. She has some gall to think that every resource in the world belongs to her!" The geneticist ranted with anger seeping from his voice while he gripped a gloved fist at his hip.
While the firebenders in question glared back at him for daring to state that they were resources.
"Apostle recruits?" The captain pondered in a searching voice as she watched with guarded golden eyes while the soldiers were distracted by the arrival of the approaching armada.
"The Apostles. The emperor is creating an elite fighting force composed of only the world's strongest warriors." Nero answered with a snap while his crimson eyes turned to eye the astonished group while another cold wind swept through the air.
All the while as the Fire Nation women stared on with piqued expressions in their eyes.
While Elle's innocent eyes flickered with recognition as she recalled the words that Rieko said in the recording that she listened to back on the island.
I will show you how to get rid of the rot…and together with my Apostles. We will build a better world.
"She…she mentioned the Apostles in the recording that she left me." Elle muttered in a mousy voice while she stood behind her princess's tall back.
All the while as Azula's cold eyes gazed on with noticeable captivation in her eyes as she mulled over her young servants' words.
'An elite fighting force comprised of only the strongest benders…' The princess thought with her callous eyes taking on a calculating stare.
Only for her tyrannical eyes to narrow once more when she saw Nero turn to regard her girlfriend with a sadistic gaze.
And then seconds later the entirety of Team Azula tensed up while they never once took their eyes off the seemingly inhuman man as he started to stalk towards them once more.
While they held their ground with the small girl shivering in anxiety behind them.
All the while as each of the four older girls glared at the monstrous man while his hesitant soldiers flanked him from behind.
"But that doesn't matter right now. All that matters is that you are coming back with me." The geneticist commented in a malicious voice as the teenager's eyes flickered with fear.
While the highborn women glared daggers back at him.
"No, she isn't." Mai stated in a determined voice with her cold knives in her tightened fists while her companions sunk into combat stances.
While Azula now stared back at Nero with terrifyingly imposing golden eyes that made the soldiers hesitate in their steps.
"You're scared of Heika…aren't you?" The handmaid inquired with a sudden spark of bravery in her voice.
While the four highborn women now turned to their petite friend in surprise by the unexpected taunt.
All the while as the researcher now halted in his tracks with a simply furious glower now adorning his pale complexion.
"What did you just say to me brat?" Nero responded with venom in his voice while his crimson eyes honed in on the girl's shivering face.
While the teenager tried her hardest to refrain from showing any sign of fear.
"It's just as I said. You seemed so content to take your time toying around with us and ever since you noticed that she is approaching all of the sudden you are in such a hurry to leave." Elle quipped with a nervous expression on her uncertain face while her friends stood quietly studying the now enraged man closely.
While Nero took another menacing stop forward as he stared the small girl down.
All the while as the princess and her subordinates cast cold glared back at him and his soldiers.
While Azula listened attentively to her young servant's words while her frigid eyes never left the man's outraged face.
All while she held her burning fists at her hips with her lips entrenched in a ferocious scowl.
"If Rieko is the strongest where does that put you? I'm guessing that you aren't number two or three judging by that underhanded stunt that you pulled on Ty Lee." The handmaid spoke in an uncharacteristically firm voice while she met the scientist's infuriated gaze.
While the older girls stood speechless by her show of bravery.
All the while as the wild bomber stood on the sidelines with her golden eyes gazing back at the younger girl in surprise.
"Strong enough to rip your and your exhausted friends apart! You little whelp!" The geneticist hissed in a monstrous voice with his evil eyes glaring into the teenager's wavering amber eyes.
Only for the princess and the captain to take a warning step forward while they glared back at his enraged countenance.
All the while as the teenager clutched the straps of her backpack with another flash of bravery overcoming her eyes.
"I bet if you tried to use that stun gun on Heika she would break everyone bone in your freakish body! Am I wrong or am I right?!" Elle shouted with her voice carrying over the cold winds while Team Azula stood in a taken aback silence in front of her.
While Nero stood with his teeth clenched together while he trembled in unfathomable rage.
All the while as it became apparent to each of the Fire Nation women that the man would have long since attacked the girl if they weren't present to protect her.
"You are not Rieko! And you do not possess the power of Subzero! You have no comprehension of the agony that is in store for you if you continue to run your little mouth! I'll show you that your brother's games are but a trifle compared to the torment of my laboratory!" Nero snarled as he stalked ahead with his malevolent crimson staring mercilessly back into the girl's shaken eyes.
While the faces of the three noblewomen contorted into that of immeasurable disgust over the horrific threat.
All the while as the mighty princess held out two fingers with lightning beginning to generate at her fingertips.
While the soldiers hesitated in fright as they lingered beside their deranged leader.
'The power of Subzero….' Azula thought with her elegant brows furrowing in contemplation.
While she glared Nero down with her icy eyes studying her new enemy closely.
While it was clear that the man was by no means a normal human.
It was already apparent that this Rieko was an even greater force to be reckoned with.
Only to find herself turning back to her girlfriend once more with her golden eyes flickering in astonishment when the girl's energy faintly sparked to life at her clenched fists.
All the while as the team stood gaping on with expressions of pride in their eyes.
"Well what are you waiting for then! Come and get us!" The handmaid called out as she shook a small fist in the air while her friends gazed at her in bewilderment.
While Nero's red eyes brimmed with murderous wrath as he stood glaring back at the emboldened girl.
All the while as the acrobat placed a supportive hand on the teenager's shivering shoulder.
"You go Elle! You want us! Here we are!" The acrobat yelled out with her braided hair blowing behind her.
"My sentiments exactly." Zoe stated in a stony voice with her ruthless golden eyes glaring at the scientist.
"Mine as well." The markswoman agreed in a scarily protective voice while she stood eying the man's snarling face.
All the while as the princess's lightning crackled before her terrifyingly possessive face.
While her golden eyes took on a horrifying death glare that made the researcher hesitate to come any closer.
"Yes, please do. I look forward to seeing how your enhancements handle my lightningbending!" The princess bellowed in a voice that was as frigid as the winds while her eyes narrowed into bloodthirsty slits.
Just before the entire team turned around when another loud combustion blast made their ears ring once more.
While Elle peered back at the bomber with a moved expression in her eyes to see Katsu's fists glowing brightly.
All the while as the bomber stood with her brown hair blowing wildly about as the feral girl stared back at the intimidated soldiers.
And right into the seething face of the scientist as he glared back into her rebellious eyes.
"I am free now! Free to pop your head like a grape and make you go boom!" Katsu announced in a delightful voice with her palms glowing before her face as wicked grin pulled upon her lips.
While the researcher sneered back at her with a cruel look in his eyes.
All the while as he gazed from one target to another before he turned back to Elle's defiant face.
Before he started to take another step closer as he raised a threatening hand in the air while the Fire Nation women glared a hole through his skull.
"Fool! But you won't survive long enough to gloat about it! I am going to cut you apart one atom at a…." The geneticist threatened only to trail off with his crimson eyes when he felt an unspeakable chill travel down his spine.
And just like that he felt a titanic aura wash over him while he turned to peer over his shoulder.
Only for his eyes to grow even wider in pale realization when he saw a war plane approaching over the distant sky.
While the highborn women and their young friend froze up as well as they turned to gaze in the direction of the plane.
All the while as the older girls stared on in awe over the sheer difference in architecture in comparison to Fire Nation military machinery!
While Elle's amber eyes grew as wide as can be when she realized that she was able to sense a tremendous source of energy from aboard the plane.
It was just like before when she was able to sense the location of the sage.
But this…was a much bigger power than that of Mava!
There was no doubting that it could only be Rieko!
"I-I can sense Heika…she is on that plane." Elle stuttered in a meeker voice while her friends gazed in the direction of the plane in fascination.
"You can sense her Elle?" Ty Lee questioned in an unnerved voice once more while the teenager numbly nodded her head.
While Azula glared in the distance with her brows furrowing in thoughtfulness.
It was just like when the girl located the old hag.
'Elle can sense the location of powerful chi users before they arrive?' Azula thought with her lips while a look of curiosity came over her cold eyes.
Only to find herself turning to Nero in surprise to see that the man was raising his hand in the air for his soldiers to desist.
And that was all it took for the team to watch with disbelief in their eyes as the evil researcher shook his head in aggravation.
"I will not be baited into wasting anymore of my time quarreling with a diminutive teenager. Let's go." Nero snapped with a scowl as he turned away while the older girls stared at him in astonishment.
"I-I'm not diminutive. I'm just a late bloomer…" The handmaid mumbled in an adorable voice as her shoulders slumped while the acrobat fondly patted her shoulder.
While her friends glanced at her with momentarily humored looks in their eyes before they turned to glare after the retreating man.
"That's it then? You're leaving? How pathetic." The princess sneered as she placed a fist on her womanly hip while she stared coldly at the researcher's back.
"I have no more time to spend on lesser threats. The emperor demands my full attention. Besides…" The geneticist stated in a cruel voice as he briefly paused in his step while the princess and the captain stared on with their eyes boiling in offense.
'Lesser threat! He dares call me a lesser threat!' Azula thought with absolute rage taking over her tyrannical eyes while she gritted her teeth in her fury.
Although as much as it enraged her to admit it.
She knew well enough that even the strongest firebender would be rendered weak the very moment that these fires died out.
And then in that very instant the seemingly inhuman man turned to smirk deviously back at the guarded faces of the group.
All the while as his predatory eyes passed over from fighter to another before his unnerving gaze finally settled on the trembling Elle once more.
"Time means nothing to me. I can wait to dissect you girls another day. Be it one year…two…five or even ten. If one of you should prove optimal for my purposes…I will return for you." Nero spoke in a sadistic voice as he gazed back at the stunned faces of the group.
And it was all Ty Lee and Mai could do to shudder with returning fear traveling down their spines.
'Dissect…by Agni what a beast! He really is serious about experimenting on benders!' Mai thought with her tawny eyes taking on a revolted countenance.
While Azula and Zoe now glared back at him even more murderously than before as they clutched at their weapons.
All the while as they shared a calculating look through the corner of their eyes.
"What makes you think that we are just going to let you leave?" The captain demanded in a glacial voice with her golden eyes glaring daggers back at the smirking man.
"What choice do you have?" The geneticist chuckled as he stood gazing back at the two furious firebenders.
While Zoe and Azula warily watched the two armies continue to clash in the distance.
All the while as one side rapidly began to dwindle as many burning aircraft plummeted from the skies.
And it began to become increasingly apparent which side was going to come out on top.
"In any event…you and I will be meeting each other again in the future Elle Turner." The geneticist purred with his crimson eyes staring back at the young girl's quivering face while the older girls stared furiously back at him.
"M-meeting again?" Elle squeaked as she swallowed with her sensitive eyes staring after the smiling man.
While Azula stood at the front with her savage gaze never leaving the man's deviously grinning face.
"One day you will come to me in search of knowledge that only I can give." Nero commented in a purposefully ambiguous voice before he turned to walk away.
All the while as Elle stood there with a baffled look on her young face while her friends stared after the man's back with boundless distrust in their eyes.
"C-come to him? Why would I come to him?" The handmaid asked in a confused voice while the princess cast a monstrous glare after the scientist's retreating back.
While the four Fire Nation women stared after the man with looks of profound violence in their eyes.
And it was clear from their gazes alone that if not for the frigid arctic climate that they would fight until they were certain that the man was destroyed.
"What else for but to find the Primordial One." The geneticist spoke over the roaring winds while the team stared after him with speechless expressions on their faces.
All the while as Elle's innocent eyes grew wide in returning fear at the mere mention of the mysterious creature's name.
While the older females stared after Nero with disbelief in their widened eyes as they realized that the man knew more than they thought.
Just as Azula pursed her lips into a frightening scowl before she imposingly stomped her boot into the smoldering rubble.
"Come near the girl again and I will personally torture you in a dark cell for the rest of your days!" The princess roared much like a raging dragon while the teenager shook in appreciation.
All the while as Nero just chuckled while he sauntered away with his soldiers through the waning inferno.
Until they soon faded from sight and the unsettled team could see them no more.
"Azula-sama…" Elle whispered as she held a hand over her heart while a shy smile returned to her lips.
While the older woman turned to scowl down at her with her arms folded imposingly over her armored chest.
All the while as she found her fears swiftly fading away under the beautiful woman's dominating stare.
And soon enough her heart began to flutter pleasantly once again while the princess snorted a puff of fire from her angered nostrils.
All the while as the princess glared through the corner of her eye at the army approaching over snow-capped horizon.
"We should get going princess." Zoe stated with a trace of unusual urgency in her stony voice while Azula scowled deeply in agreement.
"Zoe's right. I think we really need to hurry." Mai commented in a wary voice as she shivered in her robes.
While her cold tawny eyes still glared after where Nero had vanished.
All the while as she wondered what the man had meant.
And how he knew about this supposed creature to begin with.
"That…sounds like a good idea." Ty Lee muttered as she held her arms over her chest while she too glared after the vanished man.
Before Azula just shrugged her plated shoulders while she briefly regarded the bomber whose face now looked like that of a disappointed child.
"Fine. We're finished here for the time being anyhow." Azula spoke in a dignified voice as she removed the map from her pocket while she began to walk through the encampment.
While her subordinates moved to follow after her.
All the while as Elle turned to gaze back at Katsu's lost face while the combustionbender's eyes adopted a bummed-out gaze.
"So…. does that mean that we're not going to play again?" The bomber pondered in a clueless voice with her disheveled hair blowing in the wind behind her.
While the highborn women stopped to gaze back at her and their lingering young friend.
All while the princess and the captain stared over their shoulders at the girl in surprise that the girl was already craving another round.
"Come back with me Katsu, and serve me in my royal army. And I will play with you as much as you like, all you have to do is obey my every command." The princess purred with a smirk returning to her lovely lips while she gazed back at the bomber's excited face.
While her two childhood friends shuddered in pity for the wild girl's wellbeing.
All the while as the captain also smirked back at the teenager's oddly eager face as the girl gazed from one face to another.
Before Katsu turned back to Elle while the small girl smiled up at the much taller princess's confidently smirking visage.
While Elle's smile grew even wider as she gazed back at Katsu's excited face.
Only for all five members of Team Azula to gaze on in surprise when a scarlet blur dropped down in front of the bomber.
And that was it that was required for Azula's smirk to transform into a furious glower once more.
The redhead landed with her right arm held out in front of the bomber while she now gazed back at the princess's already scowling face.
While Elle once again felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach as she gazed back into Naoki's machinelike brown eyes.
"That is not going to happen." Naoki spoke in a nearly mechanical voice with her brown eyes gazing back at the taken aback group.
"Naoki!" Katsu exclaimed with recognition in her voice while Naoki gazed back at the group.
"It's time to go Elle." The assassin remarked in an unfeeling voice while the princess golden eyes now grew wide in boiling rage.
While the three noblewomen stared back at the girl with hardened looks in her eyes.
Only to turn to their young friend when they saw the petite girl push her way past them
"C-come friends. We need to get out of here before Rieko shows up." The handmaid stated in a shaken voice as she quickly walked away while her friends immediately moved to follow after her.
All the while as she felt the redhead's haunting gaze continue to pierce her back.
And not to mention once again the saddened stare of the bomber.
"Elle! Wait! Come back!" The bomber cried out in a distraught voice while the redhead coldly stared after the blonde's retreating back.
While the princess stared over her armored shoulder with intimidating golden eyes.
All the while her murderous gaze conveyed a possessive gleam that served a silent promise of the pain that was to come if the girl tried to take her companion.
Before she turned to stomp through the rubble with her fists clenched at her hips while she kept a close watch on her young girlfriend through the corner of her ruthless eye.
While the three nobles also gazed warningly over their shoulders at the face of the emotionless prodigy.
"Sumimasen Katsu." Elle mumbled with sadness in her voice as she shivered underneath her coat while her big sisters gazed at her in concern.
"Get back here Elle." Naoki ordered in a merciless voice with her icy gaze watching while the small girl padded off.
While as the princess glared back at her with a violently narrowed glare.
All the while as each of the four highborn women each walked on a different side of their sensitive friend to ward off any attacks that the redhead may make.
Until the dainty blonde disappeared in the smoking flames with her four aristocratic friends vanishing alongside her.
All while Katsu gazed on with an uncertain expression in her vibrant golden eyes.
And Naoki stared into the direction that the blonde went with a strikingly chilling look in her eyes.
Mere minutes later…
A painful wind blew through the burning military encampment while the exhausted girls made their way through the increasingly blinding landscape.
All the while as they shielded their faces behind their elbows.
And soon enough even the ruthless princess and the stoic captain were starting to shiver.
"I…I think I see what looks to be a garage up ahead! There has to be vehicles inside! There is no other way that Felix would have been able to escape this place on his own!" The handmaid exclaimed over the winds as she stumbled with her teeth chattering violently.
And just before she hit the ground she gasped when two mighty womanly arms seized a hold of her!
While she fell forward with her face pressed into the underside of her princess's armored chest.
All the while as she felt the older female wrap what remained of her coat over her shivering body.
And then the princess began to make her way through the cold with the smaller girl carefully cradled against her breasts.
While Azula glared ahead with viciously protective golden eyes as she felt the teenager cling to her body.
All the lips as her unforgiving lips pursed into an imposing scowl.
While the three noblewomen stared over their shoulders at their Crown Princess with stunned expressions in their eyes.
But they knew better than to comment on their leader's show of romantic affections.
Most definitely not when they knew that the young girl could die if she were to succumb to hypothermia.
And soon after that the sound of a collapsing door being broken down resonated into the air.
All the while as the five increasingly frantic girls gazed into a progressively burning military garage to see many vehicles caught afire.
Only for their gazes to be drawn to one in the corner that looked as if it had not yet joined the blaze!
"Over there!" The captain bellowed as she bent the flames out of their path while her fellow nobles rushed after her.
"Will that one do Elle?!" Azula shouted in a commanding voice as Elle surveyed the military truck while she stormed towards it.
"I-I think so. We just need to find a way to break the door lock." Elle answered as she held onto her girlfriend while the statuesque woman advanced toward the armored truck.
And not a second after that the sound of a padlock being cut in half resounded into the air.
All the while as the rest of the team watched the captain break the lock in half with one swing of her katana.
While the four Fire Nation women shared a quick glance as they each made their way to hop into the foreign vehicle.
While Azula moved to seat herself in the driver's seat as she gazed down at the controls with amazed golden eyes.
And Elle scrambled in to sit down beside her.
As Zoe sat down on the passenger seat before she closed her door behind her while Mai and Ty Lee did the same as they quickly seated themselves in the back.
All the while as the three noblewomen now also gazed at the controls in wonderment.
"How do we operate this thing Elle?" The markswoman questioned from the back with her fascinated tawny eyes still glancing the interior of the military truck over.
"I'll give it a try! Move Azula-sama!" The handmaid ordered as she pushed her annoyed princess aside.
While Azula's golden eyes flickered with displeasure over being given an order by her own serving girl.
All the while as the nobles watched from their seats in shared amusement.
"I suggest you remember that you are our servant Elle! Not the other way around!" The princess huffed as she sat in the middle seat with a scowl on her lips.
Only to glare over her through when she heard her subordinates snicker behind her.
"It would seem as if you have been dethroned princess." Zoe commented with mirth in her voice while Azula turned to cast her a venomous glare.
"Since you four haven't familiarized yourselves with nonbending vehicles yet…it's better if I operate it." Elle explained in a rushed voice as she hurriedly turned the ignition switch.
While the sound of the engine cranking resonated into the air.
And not even seconds later the large truck starting up while the motor rumbled into the awestruck ears of the four highborn women.
Just as the teenager flipped another switch to turn the heat on while they watched in fascination as the windows began to clear up.
"Amazing Elle! And you say that it isn't powered by bending right?" The acrobat conversed from the backseat while her little sister nodded her head.
"That's right oneesan! No bending!" The handmaid answered as she hit the gas pedal.
While the powerful princess surveyed the vehicle with a hidden impressed gleam in her cold golden eyes.
"I wasn't aware that you had mechanical expertise Elle." Azula remarked with her arms folded over her breasts while she observed in fascination as the truck began to move.
All the while as her ruthless eyes kept a close watch out through the window as the two armies engaged in the distance.
While the three noblewomen watched with a mutual expression of intrigue in their eyes when the truck pulled out of the burning garage with its rumbling motor still emanating into their ears.
"Oh! I don't! I have never done this before!" Elle confessed in an adorable voice while her four friends fell back into their seats in comical disbelief.
"What do you mean you have never done this before?" The princess inquired with an aggravated edge to her voice just before she was flung back in her seat when the girl accelerated the truck.
While her eyes began to twitch when the large truck began to swerve with poor control throughout the blazing encampment.
"I mean that I have never driven before! This is my first time driving Azula-sama!" The handmaid cried out with excitement in her voice while she steered the truck.
All the while as the four older girls sat gazing at their young friend with comically uncertain looks in their eyes.
"You mean to tell me that you have never operated a machine like this prior to today?" The princess demanded in a moody voice while she glared down at her companion's grudgingly adorable smiling face.
"No, I haven't Azula-sama! But I have played Mario Kart! Which is close enough to the real thing!" Elle chirped as she bit her lip while her friends gazed on comically in their seats.
And Azula now held her hand over her annoyed forehead as she groaned under her breath.
"Elle. Give me the controls." Azula commanded with her strict eyes gazing on in irritation while the girl made a poor effort to steer the truck.
"B-but I want to drive Azula-sama." The blonde-haired protested in a timid voice only to let out a lovable squeak when the princess shoved her aside with her hip.
"I said move peasant!" The princess barked as she seated herself with her hands on the wheel while the teenager sunk into a pout alongside her.
"Azula. You don't have to be so harsh on the poor girl." Ty Lee chided in a sisterly voice while Azula rolled her golden eyes from the front seat.
And Mai just let out an exasperated sigh as she sunk back in her seat.
And Zoe for her part just gazed on with her usual stoic expression in her golden eyes.
"I-I was really hoping that I would get a chance to learn to drive for real…" Elle mumbled while Azula rolled her eyes once more.
"I'm sure you'll get other chances to learn kid." Mai assured with her arms folded over her chest while Elle perked up with a smile on her lips.
Just as the princess withdrew the map once more while she gazed down at it with icy golden eyes.
While the captain studied it from where she sat on the other side of the teenager's shoulder.
All the while as the princess quickly took to steering the armored truck away from the blazing encampment.
"It appears that the gateway is that way princess." The captain stated as she pointed at the map while her ruler scowled in understanding.
"I see that Zoe." Azula spoke in a cold voice with her golden eyes staring down at the various controls in still present fascination.
While she maneuvered the truck towards the hills along a previously driven path.
All the while as the vehicle effortlessly plowed through the snow.
While tall flames from burning underground gas lines burned for as far as their eyes could see.
And in the far distance they could see a faint familiar light emanated over the frozen landscape.
'That has to be the gateway.' The princess thought with her regal brows furrowing as she relaxed in her seat.
Just before she gazed over her shoulder when she heard the sound of distant gunfire explode in the skies behind her.
While the three noblewomen and their young friend quickly followed suit as they gazed over their shoulders in worry.
Just as more burning planes crashed into the snowy landscape.
While they watched as the apparent larger force now completely overwhelmed the smaller force.
All the while as they warily listened to explosion after explosion pepper the distant skies.
"It's a shame that we can't stick around to fight with this Rieko. It sounds like she would make for a worthy opponent." Zoe remarked as she leaned against the window while Azula smirked in agreement.
While Mai and Ty Lee stared on with uncertain looks in their worried eyes.
"Yes, I suppose it is. I must admit that I am curious to see if she lives up to her reputation." Azula commented with a confident smile on her crimson lips.
While she savored the warmth of the heat vents that served to allow her muscles to recover from such a long time in such a frigid climate.
Only for her golden eyes to turn to her young girlfriend in annoyance when a look of fear overcome the girl's face once more.
While the others gazed on in concern at their little sister's apprehensive expression.
"T-trust me friends. You don't want to face her in the Greenland climate. It would be suicide. If you must face her. Force her to come through to the other side. But no matter what do not do it here." The handmaid advised in a meek voice while her highborn friends listened closely.
"Elle makes a good point. If this woman has power over the cold. Then this is the worst place for a firebender to fight her." The markswoman stated in a monotone voice while the acrobat nodded beside her.
While the two firebenders just gazed on with prideful looks in their eyes.
But they both knew that the girl spoke the truth.
And not a moment after that the royal woman was snapped out of her musings of war when she felt a pair of lips kiss her on the cheek.
While the princess turned in surprise to find herself gazing back in her young girlfriend's bashfully retreating face.
All the while as she swiftly fought to squash the sliver of a blush that was forming on her regal cheeks.
While the acrobat now let out a gush from where she sat in the backseat.
"A-arigatou gozaimasu Azula-sama…for warming me up." Elle stammered as she leaned into Azula's much taller body while the woman released a haughty scoff.
"Aww! Now that is pink Azula." The acrobat spoke with a smile on her lips while the princess rolled her eyes.
"Don't overthink it peasant. The only reason I carried your pitiful body is because the last thing I need is you having one of your little breathing spasms in the snow." The princess snorted in a tone of feigned cruelty while a tight scowl graced her lips.
All the while as the teenager still smiled sweetly as she sat with her face now resting in the older female's ceremonial armor.
While the three noblewomen stared on with unconvinced looks in their eyes.
"You are such a natural romantic Azula." Mai remarked with a snort while Ty Lee still grinned from where she sat beside her.
"I understand princess." The handmaid responded in a soft voice as she hugged the older female's belly while her princess glared through the windshield.
"This weakness will not stand Elle. I am going to train you to become stronger." Azula announced in a tone of absolute authority with her ruthless eyes gazing ahead.
While she gazed around in interest as she took in the vast mountains that began to become visible upon the horizon.
All the while as the fires from the broken gas pipes still blazed all around her.
"Yes, Azula-sama." Elle agreed in a devoted voice as she held onto Azula while her girlfriend gazed down at her with cold golden eyes.
But the aloof princess did not push her away.
And so, she allowed herself to momentarily push her worries aside.
And simply take solace in the warmth that was coming off her caretaker's body.
And with that the military truck drove across the snowy pathway and towards the faint light of the gateway that served to guide their way.
Meanwhile.
Naoki stood staring into the distance with an utterly emotionless gaze while resisted the urge to curse the pacifistic girl.
"Elle!" Katsu called out as she broke out into a run while the redhead watched her run off with machinelike brown eyes.
While the prodigy held her scarf over her mouth as she moved to follow as she trudged through the rubble.
Only to find herself pausing in her footsteps when she heard the sound of footsteps behind her.
All the while as she turned to gaze over her shoulder with expressionless brown eyes to find herself gazing back at a woman in a brown uniform.
"Greetings Naoki. I am Communications Commander Victoria Cromwell of Lord Rieko's battalion. I have been sent to speak with you by the Lord herself." Victoria greeted in a businesslike voice with a smile on her lips while the teenager briefly stared back at her.
While gun shots echoed throughout the air as the emperor's soldiers fired upon what the overwhelmed enemy army.
"Whatever you have to say. I am not interested." Naoki responded in a curt voice as she began to walk away while the woman smiled back at her.
"Lord Rieko would like to offer you a position in the Apostles as her student." The communications commander announced in a proud voice with her hair swaying in the wind behind her.
While the redhead's brown eyes flashed with slight surprise to hear that the emperor was offering to train her.
"I already told her that I had no interest in joining her group." The assassin spoke in a frigid voice as she continued to walk away while the woman briefly lost her smile.
But the officer was quick to compose herself.
"What if I told you that we could help you find Sayomi Saito? And Strados as well?" Victoria questioned in a smooth voice with her smile returning to her lips.
Before she watched in delight when the supersoldier paused in her step.
While Naoki now gazed on with her brown eyes marginally widening in recognition.
All the while as her gloved fists hung at her hips as she stood unmoving in the cold air.
Just as she turned to gaze back at the woman's smiling face.
"I have no need for your group. I am more than capable of finding my targets on my own accord. Now if you'll excuse me, I have more important matters to attend to." Naoki stated in a dismissive voice as she turned away once more while she swiftly strode through the snow.
All the while as the officer still gazed after her with a small smile on her lips.
"Of course." The communications commander replied in a cool voice as she held her head high with a smirk adorning her lips.
And then not even seconds later the girl vanished in a flicker of a red blur.
While she smiled all the while.
All the while as the two forces continued to savagely engage one another.
And on the other side of the camp…
Tanks and armored trucks were gathered in the snow while several helmet-covered soldiers were seen pulling a man from the burning rubble.
While they now gazed down in disbelief to see that their commander had seared off the burning stump that used to be his right hand.
All the while as Reynolds knelt with his unimaginably enraged blue eyes glaring down at his now deformed arm.
Before he slammed his furious stump into the pile of debris while his lips shook in a vengeful snarl.
"They will pay for this! All of them! Get them all! But above all! Get that little shit Number Three! I want that monster dead!" Reynolds roared in a livid voice as he leaped to his feet in a frenzy while his soldiers hurriedly nodded in terror.
While he stormed his way towards an armored truck as he ground his teeth together in his rage.
All the while as he listened to the sound of the emperor's rapidly advancing army.
'I may have lost my right hand! But I will not be defeated! My plan will succeed! As of this moment I may be on the losing side of this war! But there is still time for me to change sides! I will recapture them all! Then I will offer them to Lord Rieko as a show of my loyalty just as I planned to do right from the start! And then I will negotiate a position of high rank at her side!' The colonel thought with the veins in his eyes almost bulging out in his fury while he jumped onto the back of the armored truck.
While his blue eyes now had grown wide in an expression of borderline insanity as he pulled himself up with his only remaining hand.
And then he leaped in with his soldiers jumping in right after him.
And soon after that the heavily armored vehicles rolled into the snow while the sounds of continuous fire rumbled into the air as the battle for the gateway raged on.
While many military vehicles from the opposing army were now rolling into the encampment.
Just before they came to a stop while a lone woman now stood in front of them with her arms held up over her head in a show of surrender.
"Don't shoot! I surrender!" Cynthia shouted in a frantic voice while she stood motionless as soldiers leaped out to apprehend her.
And not long after that the emperor's soldiers surrounded her.
While the former aide now walked silently with her hands behind her back.
All the while as she continued to listen to the sounds of gunfire as those that refused to surrender screamed as they were killed in retaliation.
Elsewhere.
The stolen military truck now sat parked at the base of a looming mountain of ice.
All the while as frigid winds swept through the mouth of the ice cavern.
While the light of the portal cast a blue glow upon the walls of the cavern as Team Azula made their inside together.
Only to find themselves freezing in their steps as they gazed up at the shining portal in disbelief.
Standing at the top of the hallowed stone steps was none other than Naoki!
Naoki now gazed back down at the stunned group with an utterly heartless expression in her emotionless brown eyes.
Before her gaze settled on Elle's stunned face while the small blonde shook beside her now enraged friends.
While Azula took a step forward in front of the younger girl.
All the while as she stared back up at the redhead as her golden eyes transformed into an unbelievably wrathful death stare.
While Zoe hardened her golden eyes in a stare of her own as she stepped up beside her princess.
While Mai and Ty Lee took on defensive stances on each side of their shocked little sister.
All the while as Naoki still gazed back down at them with a chilling gaze.
And with that all four Fire Nation women once again steeled themselves for yet another battle.
And back at the ruins of the destroyed fortress.
Nero stood frozen in the snow with his crimson eyes widening as he stared up at the person gazing down at him from atop an overlooking hill.
While the few soldiers that remained began to back away in pure unadulterated terror.
All the while as Rieko gazed back down at them with her hair swaying in an elegant pony tail behind her.
While the emperor now stood head to toe in a black plated combat armor.
All while her blue eyes gleamed with a predatory stare as she surveyed her cornered prey.
While the inhuman researcher took an intimidated step backwards as an expression of fear flashed before his monstrous eyes.
All the while as the emperor's lips curved into a cruel smile.
"Lord Rieko." Nero spoke at long last as he mustered up his usual smile in an attempt to disguise his fear while the tyrannical woman gazed down at him.
"Nero. What an unexpected surprise meeting you here." Rieko remarked in a voice of limitless confidence with a domineering smirk pulling onto her lips.
While she let out a soft chuckle that betrayed her sadistic intent as she took great delight in the scientist's fear.
And that was all it took for the cruel researcher to know that this encounter would not end well for him.
AN:
I uploaded a second round of edits recently. I suppose it is just the nature of writing such a massive epic, but I feel the need to correct things from time to time.
I changed the name of Naoki's speed technique, as I didn't feel like thunder sounded like it referred to super speed. It may change again if I think of something better. Just please bear with me as I work the details out, as this is a huge story and my brain can only think so fast.
Also, I 'fixed' the eye color of several characters. I feel like I had most of the characters eye color right. But after reading that mainly firebenders and royalty had golden eyes. I changed Nako's eyes to brown, as she is a nonbender and of common birth.
I also changed Silah's to green, which has to do with her origins. And Katsu's to golden, to signify her similarity to Azula and Zoe as a powerful firebender.
I decided to keep Naoki's eyes brown, as Jinora had brown eyes despite being an airbender. Plus, it stands to reason that genetics with bending and eye color would be different in Naoki's world, and that it is therefore not far fetched for an earthbender to have an eye color other than green.
Elle and Felix, have (and still do) had amber eyes throughout the entirety of the story. But that is not because they are firebenders, it is because of the history in their heritage.
As for the afterword.
In this chapter we got to see that Nero is not only monstrous in personality, but in ability as well. Due to his enhancements, he is able to regenerate to a degree, which is a major part in why he is so durable.
Also, we learned that despite his tremendous cruelty and disregard for all life. He was able to call it a day with Team Azula in favor of handling what he perceives to be a greater threat.
We also learned about Rieko's upcoming fighting force, the Apostles. Rieko mentioned the Apostles in her recording to Elle way back in chapter 45, Wounds and Encampment. I can't say much about the Apostles right now, but they will be major antagonists in the future alongside their leader, Rieko.
In addition to this, we learned a crucial piece of information. And that is that Rieko is widely considered to be the worlds strongest aberrant. This has huge implications for Rieko, as if the Avatar in the Avatar State has long been considered the strongest human in the Avatar world. In Elle's world, Rieko is the one who is considered to be the most powerful.
Also, we learned that Nero is aware of the existence of the Primordial One and that he has more knowledge of ancient beings than most people in either world. As this makes him the second character after Mava to reveal that he knows that a mysterious entity called the Primordial One exists.
I also hope that everyone enjoyed Elle's moment of bravery when she stood up to Nero and called him out. We also learned that Elle is able to sense Rieko's power without a device of any kind.
As the characters from the bending world master their abilities, they are able to learn to sense the chi of powerful beings when they are close by.
While Team Azula are adept at this. Elle is by far the best at sensing energy, with Ty Lee at a close second.
Elle's ability to send energy actually has little to do with the Component itself, and more to do with her sensitive nature as a person. Component or not, she is simply more attuned to her surroundings than the average person. Which is why she is so skilled at sensing the presence of mighty beings.
We also saw that Naoki isn't keen on Azula recruiting Katsu. Which presents a problem for Azula, as while Katsu is friends with Elle. And while Katsu is interested in both Azula and Zoe. Katsu views Naoki as both her friend and leader.
And as soon as Naoki reappeared, Team Azula lost their chance to convince Katsu to come with them.
Furthermore, we also learned that Reynolds is still alive. Maimed, disgraced, borderline insane and furious beyond reason, but alive.
And also...Rieko has finally set foot on the Greenland battlefield. It goes without saying that Rieko's presence is a game changer.
And we saw at the end of the chapter when Nero was confronted by Rieko that Elle was correct when she deduced that he was afraid of Rieko.
Rieko is one of the few beings that Nero fears, and the two are now about to clash.
And finally, at the end of the chapter Team Azula made it back to the World Gateway...
Only to be shocked to find Naoki standing in the way of their passage home. This essentially means that while on foot Naoki kept pace with the military truck.
And while the truck had to go over obstacles that Naoki was able to go around, this is a huge feat of speed.
I also want to elaborate on Naoki's refusal to take no for an answer. Once again, I will say that Naoki holds Azula no ill will.
It's just that right now, Azula and Naoki are two people walking in different directions. And neither one is willing to put their own goals aside in favoring of prioritizing the other's.
Naoki simply feels that going away to live in a land that is further behind in technology to be a hindrance.
And Naoki confronting Team Azula at the end of the chapter really serves to illustrate just how stubborn Naoki is as a person. The same can be said of Elle.
Throughout the whole arc, Elle has continually tried to convince Naoki to reconsider her path and Naoki from her standpoint, has given Elle ample chances to come with her willingly.
And now, the moment that the arc has been building up to for all this time has finally come, the first encounter on the cliff was just a skirmish.
Things are different now, and words may no longer be enough to avoid conflict with Naoki.
Now, Team Azula need to make it past Naoki before Rieko arrives. And conversely, Naoki feels that she needs to convince/take Elle before Rieko arrives.
I just want everyone to understand that while Elle and the others urgently want to make it back to the Fire Nation. That Naoki feels that it is just as urgent for her, to leave with Elle.
We'll see how it plays out next chapter as we continue to approach the tail end of the Porta Base Arc.
That will be all for now though.
Stay tuned for next time.
For chapter one-hundred-eight! The Crossroad!