We'd been open for two weeks now and business was booming, our tables always being full however there was always a quieter moment during the afternoon where things seemed to settle down a bit. It was on one of these afternoons that I noticed a strangely dressed girl walk into our tea shop, looking around her in appreciation.
She had dark brown hair and bright blue eyes which was strange with the slightly darker colour of her skin, however she was nonetheless a very beautiful young girl. I walked over to her with a welcoming smile as she focused on the décor, a little lemur on her shoulder. "Hello, welcome to the Jasmine Dragon, can I interest you in a cup of the best tea in Ba-Sing Se?" I asked her and the lemur instantly began to chitter, leaping onto my shoulder and I giggled, reaching up to scratch its soft little head as it affectionately nuzzled my face.
"Yes please, I'd love some…" When the girl looked at me, her mouth fell wide open and her eyes widened in shock. "It's you!" I blinked.
"Me? I'm sorry, do I know you?" I asked her, still smiling as the lemur began to fly around us both, still chattering excitedly and I wondered what on earth had caused it to be so energetic all of a sudden. Suddenly the girl flung her arms around me and I stared down at her in confusion as she began to cry whilst embracing me around the middle with all her might. "Are you alright? What's wrong? Is there something I can do to help?" I worried as the girl tightened her grip on me.
"We thought you were dead! You were hit by Azula's lightning, then that building fell on you and we all thought you'd been killed!" She sobbed against me, anchoring my arms to my side as I frowned in confusion before my eyes widened.
"You know about my accident! That must mean you knew me before I lost all my memories!" I gasped with excitement, looking down as the girl pulled back with a frown, wiping her eyes dry.
"You lost your memories? Of course! That's why you haven't come to find us. You need to come with me right now, wait until Aang hears that you're alive, it'll make him so happy!" She said as she gripped my hand and tried to pull me out the shop but I quickly pulled my hand back.
"No…no I can't go, I have to work." I said, shaking my head as I took a step away. "Who are you? Exactly how do you know me? And who's Aang?" The girl's jaw dropped.
"You mean…you really don't remember anything? Thyra come on! It's me! Katara, don't you recognise me?" My mind remained blank so she stepped closer again to whisper in a fast and desperate tone. "Your name is Thyra and your little brother is the Avatar, Aang. You were both frozen in ice a hundred years ago but then Sokka and I found you, he's my brother. Don't you remember Thyra? The Fire Nation killed all your people in an attempt to keep the Avatar from being reborn, but you both escaped and now Aang's learning to master the four elements so that he can defeat Fire Lord Ozai and free the world!" My head began to spin, a painful throb starting to stab at my mind as I gingerly touched my brow. "Come on Thyra, you must remember!"
"I…I don't…I don't know…" I said then turned my head, calling out desperately. "Lee? Lee! Mushi!" Lee started to turn around, however the moment the girl, Katara, saw his scar, she gasped and fled from the tea shop before Lee could see her. "No wait! Please come back! Don't go!" I yelled in distress however my head then gave an agonising throb and it was enough to make me pass out.
"Saki!" Lee called out and quickly put down his tray, running to my side to roll me over however I was already out cold, unaware of him calling my name. More memories flashed before my eyes but they were all ones I had seen before, nothing new appearing and I yelled in frustration, clawing at my hair to try and force the memories to come back but the more I tried to reach out for them, the further they got away from me.
My frustrated yell passed into the real world as I woke up with an anguished cry, sitting bolt upright then gasped sharply, fearful eyes staring straight ahead of me as my door was flung open and Lee instantly came to my side. "Saki, it's alright. You're safe." He told me softly in his comforting tone however the moment he was drawing me into his embrace I kissed him, wanting to feel him closer and I drew comfort from his solid presence as his arms engulfed me. "Calm down, there's nothing to worry about." He murmured to me. "Can you tell me what happened?"
"I…don't remember. I just passed out I think. Memories." I explained shortly then turned my head slightly so that he wouldn't see my guilty expression. It was the middle of the night so Lee encouraged me to go back to sleep, however I didn't want to be alone so I persuaded him to stay with me.
He lay down next to me and instantly I wrapped myself over him, resting my head against his chest where I could listen to the comforting beat of his heart as he ran his fingers through my hair. I hummed my lullaby, my eyes never closing as I heard Lee easily drift back into sleep but I couldn't help but think about what that girl had told me.
My brother was the Avatar. The Avatar. And he was alive. I have to go find him, but where would I look? Who would I ask? I couldn't just walk around the streets yelling for the Avatar to find me, they'd lock me up and throw away the key thinking I was crazy.
Mushi wanted me to take the next day off but I assured him I was fine and continued to work, some of the customers who came back every day asking how I was and made sure that I wasn't coming down with an illness so I told them all that I was fine and just got a little overheated yesterday.
I could tell Lee was keeping a close eye on me for precaution, worrying over me so I sent him confident smiles and he'd relax a little before carrying on. Our day went on without any further deviations from normality, except for the very end of the day where a message came for Mushi with the royal seal on it. We'd been invited to serve our famous tea to the king himself. "I…I can't believe it." Mushi whispered as both Lee and I walked over, his hand on my shoulder.
"What is it uncle?" Lee asked and our uncle instantly lifted his arms high in the air in celebration.
"Good news! We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King!" He laughed then danced around the shop, grabbing my arms and swung me around as I beamed with him, joining his laughter before he skipped to the back of the shop, leaving me wobbling on my feet but Lee quickly twirled around the broom he was holding then slipped it over my head to then pull me against his chest, anchoring me down to hold me steady as I shook my head and snapped myself out of the dizziness.
"Thanks." I said to him and he smiled down at me.
"No problem." With the excuse of being already so close together, Lee reached down and kissed me, so I eagerly returned the contact, pushing my hand through the growing locks of his hair as he trapped me against his chest with the broom. When we heard Mushi's chuckle, we quickly broke apart with both our cheeks blushing but he merely waved a hand.
"No, no, please, don't let my presence interrupt you." He teased and I blushed further, hiding my smile as Lee continued to sweep the floors. We closed the shop the next day, apologising to our customers then together we walked up to the palace, uncle Mushi carrying his tea set in an ornate box. "Many times, I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace. But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror...instead, we are the Earth Kings personal guests, here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing." Mushi said and I frowned slightly. Conqueror? I wasn't too sure what it meant, however when Lee placed his hand in mine I quickly abandoned the thought, dismissing it as insignificant as he smiled.
"It sure is uncle." He agreed as we were met by some guards then shown the way. We were taken to a beautifully decorated palace room where a throne sat before us on a raised platform, a table already set out for us so Mushi began to boil the tea, making sure it was perfection as I stood, ready to serve it as Lee helped to prepare the herbs. However as the tea started to go cold, Lee frowned and looked around. "What's taking so long?"
"Maybe the Earth King overslept." Mushi suggested however just then, numerous uniformed guards entered the room, the Dai Li. They were silent and intimidating as they all boxed us in and instantly I shrank back behind Lee and Mushi as they stood me between them, protectively shielding me.
"Something's not right." Lee murmured in a serious tone.
"It's tea time." A mocking voice announced and a girl walked in, a little younger than I was however she had a vicious gleam in her eye that instantly made me hide back further.
"Azula!" Lee exclaimed, instantly becoming defensive in his stance as the girl smirked.
"Have you met the Dai Li? They're earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that is so firebender. I just love it." She announced before noticing me hiding behind uncle Mushi. "You. Stand where I can see you." She ordered and I nervously stepped to the side, lifting my eyes to meet hers. The moment we saw one another, our eyes widened. Hers with recognition, and mine with innate fear. "You! Didn't I kill you already?" She questioned and my hand jumped to my mouth.
"You tried to kill me?"
"Of course, you were in my way and I wanted you out of it. What do you expect?" She questioned before smirking. "Obviously I didn't do a good enough job. Next time I won't make the same mistake. This time I'll make sure you stay dead!"
"No, don't hurt her." Lee called, holding out an arm to shield me as he glared at the girl who stood in front of the throne who now wore a mocking expression.
"Ah, little Zuzu's got himself a crush. How pathetic." She glared as Mushi picked up a cup of tea.
"Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname 'Dragon of the West'?" He questioned in a casual manner but the girl just inspected her nails and spoke impatiently.
"I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, uncle." My eyes widened. So Azula was Lee's sister!
"Actually, it's more of a demonstration really." Lee turned his head to smirk at his uncle then quickly grabbed me to him, forcing me down and covered my head as Mushi suddenly breathed fire, forcing the entire Dai Li force to shield themselves.
"Let's move!" Lee called, grabbing my hand and ran towards a wall where he blasted it with fire, causing it to make an opening and Lee took my hand in his to pull me along with him, running into the corridor where I had to lift my skirts a little to keep from tripping over them.
As Mushi followed after us, two Dai Li agents used their earthbending to shoot small rocks at us at a fast pace and we ducked, glancing up to see them embed in the stone wall before Lee took them down with a quick succession of blasts. "This way, follow me!" Mushi called and I gasped, my heart hammering in my chest before I scrambled to follow after him.
"Lee!" I called for him, pausing slightly as he continued to blast at the Dai Li despite them retreating and I blinked at him, surprised at his ferocity but did not think on it. He turned around at my call and grabbed my hand again, dragging me along with him as Mushi suddenly began to form lightning at his fingertips. Upon seeing the electricity dancing around him, I cried out in fear and hurled myself backwards, terrified at its sight.
"Saki pull it together! It's okay, no one's going to hurt you." Lee tried to soothe me, pulling me into his chest and I clung to him as Mushi blasted through the wall, however when he leaped outside, I heard him yell before crashing into something and instantly I gasped.
"Uncle Mushi!" I ran forwards but stopped at the edge of the wall, looking down to see that he'd landed on a bush.
"I'm fine!" He called, rubbing his head before turning back up to us. "Come on, you'll be fine." I paused, unsure about the thought of just hurling myself over the side of this rather big drop, however Lee seemed to have other plans.
"No. I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula!" He declared angrily then turned around, looking to me. "Saki, go with my uncle. He can keep you safe."
"No." I answered stubbornly, narrowing my eyes at him. "I am not leaving you to deal with that…crazy girl all on your own! No way!"
"Don't argue with me! Just go!" Lee suddenly snapped, yelling at me and I shrunk backwards, unsure of who this person before me was, because he was nothing like the Lee I knew. He was burning with rage, his golden eyes narrowed to slits and I could feel the rage burning within him deeply. In an attempt to ease the storm, I reached out a tentative hand to touch his chest but he flung my hand away. "Just go! I have to do this on my own." Becoming angry, I glowered at him.
"But you're not alone! You have me, you have your uncle, Lee. There is no reason for you to have to do anything alone, I'm not going to leave you and that's final, am I understood?!" I shouted back at him, feeling sparks fly in my chest as Lee glared at me before gripping the back of my neck and pulled me into a sudden heated kiss, both of us relenting our pent up anger upon each other before all too soon, Lee pulled away.
"Please." He whispered, kissing me quickly one last time before running back down the corridor.
"Saki? Saki please hurry!" Mushi was calling as I stood there, dumbfounded. Quickly I shook my head then ran back to the edge where I looked down.
"I'm sorry uncle, but I can't leave him."
"You will be outmatched, there is nothing you or I can do for him now. Just come with me!" He held out his hand but I shook my head, a tear falling down my cheek as I turned and strode back into the palace.
I gripped the sleeve of my uniform and ripped it off easily, leaving my arm bare then did the same to the other. After that I took off the outer layer of my robes, tossing it aside so that all the extra weight and material weren't holding me back. I now stood wearing slippers, dark brown girl leggings and my beige tunic with ripped sleeves, and I'd never felt better.
Running after where I'd seen Lee be taken, I rounded the corner and instantly skidded to a halt. Everyone was gone. No! Powered by determination, I started to run through the palace, keeping out of sight of the Dai Li by ducking behind pillars, hiding behind doors and kept my ears opened. I don't know where the courage had come from, but I was sure that my intent to save Lee had something to do with it.
Passing quickly by a window something caught my eye and I stopped, skidding to a halt then returned. I could see Mushi standing with someone smaller than him, however they both disappeared underground where a tunnel had been made. Maybe he's already onto something.
Glancing around I stole out the window, dropping down to the balcony below then squeaked, wobbling as I fought to maintain my balance, however my foot then slipped and I cried out in alarm as I tumbled towards the ground, eyes widening open in fear.
My heart leaped to my throat in panic and I clenched my eyes shut, thrusting out my hands on blind instinct to try and break the fall, however I suddenly felt a rush of energy flow through me and my descent halted all at once, causing me to slowly open my eyes.
Instantly I was in shock, staring at the funnel of air that was keeping me lifted off the ground, spinning in a twister like motion before it guttered out and I slammed face first into the dirt, making me groan before I shook myself off. I just…I just airbended. I'm an airbender. I'm an airbender!
Leaping up with a smile at my hands, I ran into the tunnel after Mushi, however it quickly became very dark and I couldn't see a thing, so I placed my hand against the side of the tunnel and slowly felt my way forwards, breathing deeply as I focused on getting Lee away to safety. We'd have to leave the city, but that was okay. We just needed to get out of here.
When light began to flash at the end of the tunnel, I increased my pace, heading straight for the lights of gold and blue before finally, I could see a large cavern of crystals and rock, with four people battling inside. However, when I recognised their faces, my eyes widened in horror.
The girl from the tea shop, Katara, was using the water and bending it into two tentacle like shapes, using them to deflect the fire whips that Lee was attacking her with. No this isn't right, there has to be a mistake. Maybe she's one of the bad people. However as Azula leaped from a cluster of eerie glowing crystals, blue fire was blasted straight at the girl and she took the attacks two against one and defended by forming a shield wall with her water. She must be an incredibly powerful waterbender to hold off two fire attacks like that.
Lee formed a flaming arc and Azula blasted Katara with a blue fireball, this time making contact and the girl was flung backwards with a yell, smashing into some crystals, hair spilling free and she fell to the ground unconscious.
Suddenly there was the sound of thunder, a rumbling that turned all heads towards it. A figure leaped out into the open, flying high into the air and my eyes widened as I saw the tattoos on the boy's head, my mind instantly filling with a memory.
"Be careful Aang!" A girl's voice laughed, my own, as I held a tiny boy's hands and helped him to waddle towards a meditating old man. Monk Gyatso! The child turned his head around to beam at me, large grey eyes melting into mine as I smiled proudly down at him.
Gasping as the image faded, I gripped my head and shook off the pain, watching as Aang created a mound of earth and began to speed towards Azula and Lee, who both took their stances, ready to fight back however without warning, a Dai Li agent appeared and collapsed the huge earth mound with his own earthbending, causing Aang to fly high in the air then crashed into the ground and I had to clap my own hand over my mouth to stop from crying out in both rage and fear. I don't know who this boy is, but something just makes me want to protect him instinctively.
The boy picked himself up slowly as Dai Li filled the cavern, seeing that he and Katara were outnumbered then surrounded himself with crystal as a shield. That was when Azula spoke. "Break down that wall, and destroy that filthy little peasant." Katara! No! Just no!
A hurricane suddenly burst within me and I yelled in rage, causing all heads to turn towards me as I leaped forwards, spinning in an acrobatic flip however as I landed, I sliced my foot down and an arc of air shot out and blasted through the Dai Li, cutting down their ranks and they all instantly turned to me. "Fight me! Fight me if you're so cowardly to attack an outnumbered little boy and girl! Go on, DO IT!" I thundered and began to move, not knowing where my movements or my deep rage came from, however it felt as though I had known the sequences all along.
My hands swung around me before I kicked out and struck a stance, causing another blast of air to shoot out and knocked down three more Dai Li as they started to earthbend at me. "No! Don't hurt her." Lee ordered, holding out a hand and their attacks halted, but I did not.
With a roundhouse kick whilst rotating in mid-air, the front line of Dai Li were flung back and I began to move forwards as Katara stared at me in shock and awe. "Thyra!"
"Saki." Lee tried again as I blinked at him, relaxing my shoulders slightly.
"I don't understand Lee, tell me what's going on! Why're you helping that vain little brat?!" I demanded to know and Azula instantly took offence.
"You'll regret that, you pesky monk. And his name is Zuko, not Lee." She growled but Lee tried to calm me down.
"Just join me and everything will be alright." Lee told me gently, taking a step forwards as the crystals that surrounded the Avatar began to glow, however his attention quickly returned to me. "Please Sakiya, just trust me. I want to protect you." He said then held out his hand, however I hesitated to take it.
"You're going hurt them, aren't you?" I whispered, glancing to Katara who had surrounded herself with a water shield of whips, prepared to strike as a light burst out from the crystals and the Avatar rose up, eyes and tattoos glowing brightly and instantly my eyes widened, staring in awe. Aang…I do know him. I'm sure I do.
"Saki please, take my hand." Lee pleaded and I turned my eyes to him, trying to decide between what I knew was right and what I loved. Without warning I heard the crackle of electricity and instantly, my eyes snapped to where the Avatar arched his back in pain, Azula smirking as she struck from behind, like a coward with no honour, however as the bright blue lightning swallowed Aang, my eyes widened and with a flash, memories poured through my mind like a waterfall tumbling endlessly.
"Your name is Thyra…your little brother is the Avatar, Aang."
"What is that thing?!"
"This is Appa, my flying bison."
"Firebenders have landed on our shores! Girls, come quickly!"
"Monk Gyatso. He's the greatest airbender in the world. He taught me everything I know and Thyra everything she knows."
"So what does that mean?"
"It means that you are the only one who can change the patterns of the storm, the only one who could bring life from the destruction of fire or fix the wounds of the earth. You could do it in the blink of an eye without a second thought. This is what you are meant for. To lead the nations towards the horizon."
"Do not turn your back to me! I am Prince Zuko of the fire nation, son of Ozai and future Fire Lord! There will be consequences to your actions if you show such disrespect!" My mind filled with pain, however when I opened my eyes, the only thing I could see was a memory of a time long ago, where I was holding Aang close to me as we watched the sky bison flying around the air temple and I was singing our lullaby.
"I love you Thyra. If you ever forget everything you ever learned, I want you to remember that." Aang had murmured to me sleepily, making me smile as I shifted him closer into my embrace.
"I love you too, Aang. My sweet little brother. I'll always be with you, even if you can't see me. Just like mother and father are with us now." Then my eyes filled with the electricity of Azula, her lightning strike flying straight towards me and the pain struck my chest once more, causing me to cry out silently as I was flung backwards into roaring flames, Aang's voice screaming in horror.
"NO!" And before I knew it, his voice had melted into mine and I realised it was me who was screaming. Thrusting out my hands a huge cyclone enveloped me, forcing Zuko backwards and without warning, a powerful gale of wind burst out from me and knocked down all the Dai Li as Katara summoned a huge wave and washed them away, catching Aang as he fell and instantly I was racing towards them, slipping on the water however I kept my balance, scrambling to reach them. "Aang, Aang! Aang answer me!" I pleaded, skidding on my knees to Katara as she cried silently, holding Aang in her arms and I took him from her, holding my baby brother close. "Aang? Aang!"
Tears streaked down my face as I held my unconscious brother, however as I saw Azula and Zuko advancing, I quickly pressed him back to Katara to keep him safe as I stood in front of them both, taking up an airbending stance that I had learned over a hundred years ago, having learned and studied the art myself despite never being able to accomplish airbending back then. "Stay back, I'm warning you! The monks taught me all life was sacred, but for hurting my little brother I don't care if I kill you all!" I yelled in rage, turmoil cascading within me like a stormy sea as tears blurred my vision.
"You're as pathetic as you were before. No wonder my brother took pity on you." Azula said as she smirked. "This time, you'll stay dead."
"Oh I don't think so." I growled, focusing my energy before striking forwards with an acrobatic movement, slicing the air at their feet and they both had to jump, however I had already anticipated their movements and with a spin I had already struck the air again and knocked them both backwards. "You'll pay for this Azula. I swear, I'll make you PAY!" I thundered, punching the air in an uncaring attack, shooting blasts of air straight at them both, betrayal burning my heart. "And YOU! You lied to me, you made me believe that you actually cared!" I screamed at Zuko, unable to control my emotions as a twister started to form at my command, dragging them both closer.
"That wasn't a lie Saki, I swear! Please just listen to me, you don't understand! Sakiya!" Zuko yelled back, shielding his eyes as my eyes blazed and the twister increased in size, becoming even more powerful as it matched the storm that was thundering inside of me.
"My name…is…THYRA!" I bellowed, letting it all go however a Dai Li agent managed to bend the earth and took me down, hitting me in the side and I slid over the ground with a grunt, feeling the skin where I'd been hit burn but I was quickly back on my feet, however before I could attack there was a blast of fire from above, cutting both Zuko and Azula off from the three of us.
"You've got to get out of here! I'll hold them off as long as I can!" Iroh yelled to us as he jumped down and started to attack his niece and nephew, keeping them back as well as the Dai Li as Katara slung Aang's arm around her neck and helped drag him towards the waterfall.
"Mushi! You have to come with us!" I called out desperately, knowing that he was someone I could still trust but he shook his head, not saying another word so I turned and fled, running towards Katara who was already using the waterfall to escape, carrying Aang away. When I got to the water, however, I turned and looked back.
My eyes locked with Zuko's and instantly, I felt the thorns of betrayal and loathing stab at my heart, though the bittersweet taste of my feelings for him remained strong, despite me wishing I could toss them into the flames that burned between us. Before I could waste a second longer, I turned around and airbended myself up the waterfall, creating a twister to lift me up after Katara, and the moment we were at the surface, I gripped Aang close and sobbed freely.
"Thyra, we need to keep moving." Katara said to me. "I need to heal Aang and fast." Nodding my head I pulled myself together enough to stop crying. I carried Aang easily in my arms as Appa appeared out of the sky, carrying a bear, the Earth King, Sokka and Toph with him.
"It's Thyra! She's alive!" Sokka yelled with a broad grin but then it instantly fell when he saw Aang in my arms. "What happened?"
"Azula." I answered bitterly, jumping up with a lift of air onto Appa's back. "She struck him with lightning. Hurry Katara, he needs you right now." I let go of my brother and sat back, watching as she used the spirit water she'd been gifted by Master Pakku to heal the burn wound on Aang's back, however after a moment, there was no reaction and tears started to flow down my face again.
With a sudden flash of light at his tattoos, Aang groaned and Katara instantly stopped sobbing, pulling back to look down at Aang as his eyes gradually opened, blinking up at her as she smiled with joy then hugged him close, his own smile touching his lips before he fell back into a deep sleep.
I collapsed to my knees, letting everything go and I curled up in Appa's fur to cry, drawing every eye towards me. "Hey…what's wrong Thyra? Wait, how are you alive? We all thought you were dead." Sokka said but then his sister punched him at the same time Toph did, ordering him to be quiet.
The bear actually licked my cheek, trying to comfort me but it didn't help. I felt completely ripped apart inside. I'd almost lost my brother because of that fire princess, who'd almost killed me as well and then…Zuko. I had fallen in love with the prince of the Fire Nation.
Then I went and let him break my heart.