Water. Earth. Fire. Air.
My mother used to tell me stories of the old days, the days when my great-grandfather, Avatar Roku, protected the Four Nations, a time of peace, love, and prosperity. That all changed the day our country, the Fire Nation, attacked.
Now that my father, the Fire Lord, has been defeated by Aang, the new Avatar, I have been crowned the new ruler of the Fire Nation. The road ahead is long and difficult, and our newest enemies, the Fifth Nation, won't stop until they achieve absolute domination. But with Aang's help, we can get this world back on the right path.
Avatar
The Five Nations
Previously, on Avatar...
He sunk into the deep sea of the abyss. He plunged into the darkness. As he fell, he saw images of him and Zuko fighting at Yu Dao, Fire Lord Ozai pounding on a sphere of rocks and minerals with great streams of fire, and a man in Fire Nation armor approaching Aang and his friend sadistically. He did not recognize the man from any battle he had experienced.
A part of him regretted even existing. Was this how Ursa felt?
"No..." Ursa spoke, her voice twisted by sadness. "I failed her..."
She hugged the portrait, sobbing uncontrollably. She rocked back and forth, trembling like an earthquake.
"Come home... come home... please... my little girl..."
Suki, alone, lifted Toph up like a groom retreating from a wedding while joyfully carrying his wife. This, however, was no joyous occasion. She turned to look upon the horizon and gasped in horror as she saw several airships mercilessly launching flaming balls upon the cities from catapults appended to them.
They were firing upon the cities, approaching the Royal Palace.
A new war had begun.
The Water Tribe girl had her fist clenched. It was vehemently shaking in resentment and hatred. Hitomi immediately knew what was happening. He only heard about the technique in stories and rumors about a witch who attack citizens on the full moon.
She was bloodbending.
The girl turned around. Chills ran down Hitomi's spine. He had never seen such disgust and killer instinct behind a person's eyes. The pain intensified a thousandfold as she stretched out her hand. Hitomi lowered his head.
The girl hissed with poison in her voice, "Where... is... Ursa?"
"One day, I was walking through the camp. I... I started to earthbend. They saw me and were amazed at me. The soldiers were afraid to attack because they were afraid. Suddenly, a soldier came from their ranks. He was a colonel from the Fire Nation colonies. He was a powerful Firebender, a proficient martial artist, and a close associate of the Royal Family."
"Zuko..." Iroh stated. "Chu Zun is not so easily defeated. I know..."
Zuko and Aang rushed over. They saw the ailing body of an old man. Shock, horror, pity, and disgust overwhelmed Aang. He recognized the robes of the old man as Air Nomad robes, but they were a pale salmon and dark black instead of the traditional orange and yellow. It was nothing but a mockery of the customs of his culture.
He noticed the face of the man and recognized it from legends and pictures.
Why would the Blue Spirit give him food and water?
Zuko sighed, "I did research and pulled up old documents from the library at home. Your father, Xiao, was an Earthbender and an Earth Kingdom citizen. Your mother, however, lived in the colonies for a huge portion of her life. By birth, she is a Fire Nation citizen. According to my records, she surrendered her status as a citizen shortly before she met your father."
"...there must be... judgment."
With his promise of inflicting judgment, Chu Zun tightened his grip. Ty Lee winced in pain, hardly resisting the temptation to scream. She tried to punch Chu Zun. It was not a coordinated or thoughtful jab, but a rabid and mindless act of retaliation. He caught the fingers of her other hand and twisted both her fingers violently.
Yakone glanced upward and stared up in awe. He saw a boy in orange clothing with glowing tattoos. Air was swarming around him as if he were some deity from the heavens. It was everything General Fong told him about.
The Avatar State.
Yakone whispered, "Beautiful..."
"To bend another's energy, your own spirit must be unbendable, or you will be corrupted and destroyed..."
"If you help me," Chu Zun commented, "I can help your daughter."
"Azula..." Ursa whispered shakingly.
"Prepare the armada. We will strike the North next..."
A booming, monstrous voice echoed from behind the mask, "Don't flatter yourself, Zuzu..."
Zuko felt his stomach drop. He gazed upon the woman as she pushed back the hood and ripped off the mask, revealing a teenage girl with pale skin, golden eyes, a devious smirk, and perfectly trimmed bangs. Zuko's mouth dropped. He was not stunned by the perfect beauty of the girl. Rather, he was both relieved and horrified to see who it was.
"...With Uncle Chu Zun? You were never even a player..."
Ozai replied, "Foolish wife, I don't want him dead.
"I want the Avatar to serve his king...
"...his Phoenix King."
Chapter 1: The Fosterage, Part One
Forty-Eight Years Ago...
Crown Prince Iroh raced through the polished and refined streets of Yu Dao. He shook hands with the citizens of the Fire Nation colony. The men on one side of the street were happy and excited to see the young heir to the throne. The young teenage girls on the other side of the street squealed and foamed at the mouth, wooing over the handsome prince.
Iroh smirked. He reminisced on his life as he proudly marched through the streets. He examined the rigid cobblestone road. His eyes darted from the path to the beautiful buildings with green-tiled rooftops and ornate red curtains that obscured the insides of houses.
He smiled broadly, impressed by the unique blend of Fire Nation and Earth Kingdom cultures. Firebenders provided heat while the Earthbenders pounded the metal into solid pieces of steel. The cooks of Fire Nation descent served the best food to Earth Kingdom descendants. Middle-class Earthbenders knelt down to polish the shoes of socialite Firebenders underneath ragged tarps on the sidewalk.
"Prince Iroh!" A raspy yet powerful voice demanded from behind. "Stop fawning over the women of this petty settlement! Your mother needs you!"
Iroh sighed and replied respectfully, "Coming, Father!"
Iroh whirled around and raced over to the small battalion of royal guards. He brushed past the warriors, rubbing against their shining red armor. Finally, he caught up to his father, Fire Lord Azulon, and his mother, Lady Ilah, who were both walking majestically through the streets.
Azulon had long black hair and glimmering golden eyes. His expression was pale and laced with solemnity, lacking any form of typical emotion. His lengthy goatee extended to his chest. His thin body and long arms were covered in robes of dull crimson and extravagant gold. He wore the mesmerizing golden crown of his father, Sozin the Second, on top of his short bun. Standing by his left was his wife, Ilah. Ilah had long red robes with hints of silver and black. She had a cheerful face with golden eyes and red lips. Her long brown hair was tied into knots and decorated with a red crown. Her hands grasped a large, round lump on her belly, rubbing it smoothly. On her right hand was a golden ring with serpentine patterns engraved in black. It was the wedding ring Azulon gave to her the day the two were happily married.
"Father," Iroh stated eagerly. "Why aren't we being carried on palanquins? Wouldn't it be easier for us and my mother? She's in labor. Besides, you once told me we need to make impressions of power in a world of strife."
Azulon nodded and responded, "Yes. That is correct, Son. However, we are royal members of the Fire Nation. True power is never found in fashion or passivity. Rather, it is found in the drive and willpower to achieve our objectives. A true leader only exercises power when necessary. That is the meaning of our inner flame. That is what the element of fire is."
Iroh retorted, holding up his right hand in ignorance and wonder, "But, sir-"
Ilah held out her hand innocently and kindly said, "It's okay, Iroh. The baby won't come for another few weeks. Besides, I need the exercise!"
Iroh chuckled quietly, "I understand, Mom."
Ilah smiled gently. She lowered her hand and tightly grabbed Azulon's. Azulon hesitantly accepted. Iroh swore he could see the slightest smile creep across his usually bland father's face.
Suddenly, a kid shot out from the streets. He raced past the guards silently. The royal guards surrounding Azulon and Ilah were not prepared for the young colonist to bolt toward the royal family of the Fire Nation.
Iroh noticed the boy. He had rugged colonist clothing and seemed about seven years old. His hair was disheveled and covered in dirt. He had bare feet but pale skin. He was unhealthily thin and had silver eyes.
What an unusual eye color, Iroh thought as he prepared for the boy to make his next move.
The boy ran into Ilah. Iroh's mother jolted in surprise as the young colonist collided with her. She unleashed a small groan as the boy hit her stomach and ripped her fingers from Azulon's grasp. She firmly grabbed the boy with both of her hands and carefully examined him.
Ilah politely inquired, "What are you doing here, dear child?"
"Who dispatched you?" Azulon hissed, raising his right hand as he prepared to slap the boy across the cheek. "Are you a spy? An assassin?"
"Dad!" Iroh replied, clutching his father's hand to prevent him from striking the child. "He's just a kid!"
Azulon's blazing amber eyes met Iroh's gentle gaze as he twisted his head furiously. The Fire Lord gazed into the soul of his son with fury and determination, hoping to find some shred or inkling of doubt and regret.
Azulon could see none in Iroh's eyes.
Azulon firmly replied, "Son, release me at once!"
Iroh shook his head and stated, "I'm sorry, sir. I cannot do that."
Azulon furrowed his brow and sneered, "You will obey your father, boy. Release me so that I may inquire of this colonist!"
"Father," Iroh expressed, slowly relinquishing his grip, "this colonist is just a boy. Look at him! He hardly looks like spy material!"
Iroh smiled faintly, hoping to entice a laugh out of his typically serious father. Iroh saw a small smirk tug at the edge of Azulon's mouth and felt his heart drop. Relief filled the hole that was left behind by apprehension and suspense.
"You are in the right, Son," Azulon responded, nodding his head, "but you are grounded once we return home!"
Iroh nodded respectfully as he refrained from screaming, WHAT?!
Iroh released Azulon's fist, which swiftly dropped to his side. Azulon's gaze shifted from his son to the colonist boy who was being gently and kindly held in place by Ilah. The young boy looked up in horror as the Fire Lord approached him. The Crown Prince and the royal guards held their breath as they waited for Azulon's judgment.
"Run, boy," Azulon snapped patiently. "Run and do not consider looking back. If you do, my son will not be able to pacify my wrath so effortlessly next time!"
The boy flinched at Azulon's warning and nodded fearfully. Ilah knelt to the dilapidated brick road toward the boy. She brushed back the disheveled hair of the boy and beamed upon the child.
"It's okay, little one," Ilah whispered gently. "You can go. Have a wondrous day!"
The boy glanced at Ilah and nodded quickly, not saying a word. Ilah released the child from her arms. The boy took a step back, his eyes shooting from side to side. He turned and began pacing away. He caught one final glance at Prince Iroh of the Fire Nation before racing past the guards and into a dark alleyway.
Iroh sighed, "You just love children don't you, Mom?"
"I do, Iroh," Ilah chuckled, strolling over to her firstborn son. "But not as much as I love my own sweet boy..."
Ilah grabbed Iroh's head and plant her lips onto Iroh's head. She kissed his forehead as he waved his arms in alarm and confusion.
"Mom! Mom!" Iroh squeaked, giggling as his mother continued to plant kisses on her son. "Space! Please!"
Ilah laughed as she dragged her arms away from her son's head, "Okay, Iroh!"
Iroh smiled at his mother. As she pulled her hands away and marched back over to Azulon's side, Iroh could see his father gently smiling.
Iroh's smile wilted away as he caught a quick glimpse of his mother's hand. Her golden ring, the ring his father gave the day they were married, was missing.
Azulon announced to the guards, "We may proc-"
"Dad!" Iroh shouted, anxiety welling inside his chest as he grasped his right shoulder tightly. "Mother's ring!"
Azulon's eyes shot over to his son as he snarled, "Son? What did I teach you about respect?"
"I know, Father! I'm sorry!" Iroh continued, his heartbeat increasing every second. "Mother's ring is gone!"
Azulon paused and stared into his son's eyes, registering the information deliberately. After finally comprehending what his son declared, Azulon's blazing eyes surged with horror and shot over to his wife.
Ilah held up her right hand and glanced down at her hand. She gasped as her left hand covered her mouth. A single tear welled and fell from her right eye. She was not a collector of gold or hoarder of treasure, but she loved her ring. Azulon traveled to the ends of the earth to find the finest gold for her. It was more than a mere prize. It was a symbol of the love and trust they shared.
As her hand dropped, Ilah glanced at her husband and stuttered, "Dear... your r-ring... it's... its-!"
Iroh glanced off to the left and gazed into a dark alleyway. At that moment, he knew who was responsible for the disappearance of her ring, her reminder of the happiest day of her life.
Iroh bolted toward the alleyway, shoving past the royal guards in red and golden armor and the common peasants in green rags. He did not care if he shoved anyone over. He had no time to be his polite and generous self. This was time for someone to get to know a darker, more fierce side of the Fire Nation prince.
Hopefully, this would be his ticket to escape being grounded.
Iroh gazed down upon his tea as he sat by the crystalline lake, vague memories of his past flooding his mind. The surface of the tea ripped as he blew on it carefully. He was a Firebender, but that did not mean he could not enjoy the simple pleasures of life. Besides, he liked his tea at a certain temperature.
Iroh breathed in the fresh air as he welcomed the beams of sunshine from above. The quacking of turtle-ducks was like music to his ears. The rippling water glistened and reflected the light of the sun. There was not a cloud in sight.
There were certainly a few good things about this place, Iroh thought to himself, stretching his arm and yawning.
Kiyi was playing inside with a few of Iroh's friends. He only hoped he could please his niece. He failed once, and he wasn't going to fail again. Princess Kiyi would never replace Azula, but she was the niece who had not strayed away from the right path. That was what mattered to Iroh.
Iroh dropped his hand after stretching and grabbed the cup of tea with both hands. He lifted it to his lips, preparing to take a huge sip. Nothing could possibly go wrong on this beautiful day-
"FIRE LORD IROH!"
Iroh jolted upwards the royal guards called out to him. He spilled his tea onto the yellow grass. The dirt absorbed all of the liquid immediately. Iroh felt like crying. Spilled tea was no joking matter.
"Please," Iroh sighed, struggling not to explode in rage and bitter sorrow. "Call me Iroh! Fire Lord is too professional for my taste! Taste... Tea..."
Iroh sniffed in sadness and rubbed his nose with his left hand. The guards raced over to him and halted a few feet away from him. They held spears in their hands. They were quivering with some form of anxiety and apprehension. Iroh analyzed their body movements and realized that something was wrong. Iroh finally fixated his posture.
"What's wrong?" Iroh asked calmly, partially focusing on his spilled tea.
One of the guards, the leader of the battalion, stepped forward and answered shakingly, "We have received news from the Capital City Prison! It's about your brother, the former Fire Lord!"
Iroh felt his stomach drop. He could see the fear building behind the masks of the soldiers. They were obviously afraid of Iroh's wrath, but the retired general knew what they were going to say.
Iroh swallowed bitterly, "He's escaped..."
The leader of the guards slowly nodded and croaked, "Yes..."
Iroh shot up from his sitting posture and demanded, "Tell me what happened. Now."
The leader explained, "We found the guards of the prison dead. The last person to be seen entering the building was Lady Ursa, the mother of Lord Zuko. We found her unconscious in the hallways. She was the only one who survived. The prisoners and the guards were all found dead. They were all impaled, strangled, or had their necks broken. We assume that your brother killed the guards before escaping to the Royal Plaza.
"One of the ships from the docks, an older light cruiser, is missing. We have confirmation that he commandeered it after convincing its captain to turn against us."
Iroh bitterly nodded. Even without his bending, his brother was a fierce opponent. He still had the one thing that even the Avatar could not remove: his deceitful tongue. He could bring down entire nations with his cunning mind. He had to be stopped.
Ozai was his brother, but he was crazy and needed to go down.
Iroh asked calmly, "Where is Ursa?"
Ty Lee shot open her eyes. She sat up immediately and screamed in horror. She was resting on a black cot inside of a dark tent. She was now wearing white robes.
Ty Lee shook her head, trying to rid herself of the exhaustion. The last thing she remembered was Hitomi and Katara carrying her as fast as they could toward Appa, Avatar Aang's flying bison. Her vision was very blurry, so she could not see much or recall much information.
She gasped and breathed heavily, her heart pounding in terror as she struggled to remember the events at Ba Sing Se. The last thing she remembered before being carried was fighting...
Chu Zun. He grabbed her fingers and squeezed them tightly. He twisted her hands. A large crack reverberated throughout the Kyoshi Warrior's entire body. She fell to the ground in agony as the ringing in her ears contrasted with Hitomi's screams. She fell to the ground and passed out.
Ty Lee tried to move her hands from the surface of the cot, but her finger tingled with an agonizing sensation. She looked down upon her right hand and choked in blemish. Needles, acupuncture needles were protruding from the flesh of her bandaged fingers. They jiggled as she attempted to budge one of her fingers. The sensation would've made Ty Lee laugh days ago. Now, she could only feel panic and hysteria inside.
She glanced over at her other hand as she saw a similar sight. She gagged at the sight and coughed.
The fabric entrance of the tent was ripped back. Ty Lee whipped her head up to see Katara and Hitomi. Katara has long brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing her usual Water Tribe attire and carrying a blue flask containing magical water. Hitomi had dirty dark hair tied in a bun and clouded grey eyes. He wore black robes and green shoulder pads reminiscent of Earth Kingdom armor. He possessed a tarnished red chest plate that obviously emanated from the Fire Nation. The two began to walk over to the young girl and examine her.
Katara knelt toward Ty Lee and stated, "Are you okay?"
Ty Lee bit her lip and bitterly nodded, silently answering Katara's question. She fought the urge to cry. She did not feel like falling apart at what was perhaps her lowest state.
Katara clutched the flask in her hands and unscrewed the cap. She ripped off the cap and waved her hands gently. Water from the flask flew to her hands and engulfed her fingers.
"Here," Katara said, reaching out her water-covered hands, "show me your hands."
Ty Lee swallowed and fought back tears as she lifted her hands. The needles were like lightning surging through her fingertips. Katara grabbed Ty Lee's hands smoothly and telekinetically bent the water. The water surrounded Ty Lee's hands. A smooth sensation overcame the searing pain. Ty Lee breathed relaxedly.
"Hitomi," Katara exclaimed, twirling her head toward the young Earthbender, "whenever you're ready..."
Hitomi stepped forward and reached out his hands. He touched the red ends of the needles and closed his eyes, careful not to press on the needles or cause any more pain for Ty Lee. He breathed slowly and sensed the vibrations of her heart. A pattern of her entire skeleton was immediately fabricated in his mind as the vibrations reached his fingertips. He could see her fingers. They were slowly recovering. It would take at least a week for her to recover with Katara's spiritual water from the Oasis.
However, something felt off about it. The rest of her skeleton was bright, energetic, and connected to the spiritual chakras. The image of her fingers was dull and lifeless. It was almost as if they weren't a part of her very body.
Hitomi's eyes flew open and he stumbled back. Ty Lee noticed and swallowed.
Katara asked Hitomi, "What is it? What did you see, Hitomi?"
Hitomi rubbed his forehead with his right hand, groaning, "I... I don't know. It was weird. You are in touch with your spiritual self, but..."
"But what?" Ty Lee squeaked frantically. "But what?!"
Hitomi swallowed and sighed, "Your fingers seem to be cut off from your chakras. The nervous system has realigned. Her bones are fully healed now. She may need some work trying to strengthen her fingers again..."
Hitomi remained silent. Ty Lee looked up at him, expecting bad news from the young Earthbender as well. A look of sorrow and dread was molded on his face.
"What's wrong with me?" Ty Lee choked, fighting a wailing within her chest.
"Chu Zun seems to have disconnected your fingers from your aural path. I... I don't think..."
Ty Lee's body felt numb. She felt disconnected from her entire surroundings. She could no longer hear properly or see straight. It could only mean one thing...
"What?" Katara asked, staring at Hitomi in anticipation. "What?!"
Hitomi bit his lower lip and stuttered, "I don't think she'll ever be able to chi-block again."
Ty Lee slowly registered the words. She finally looked away from the two friends of the Avatar and pulled her legs to her chest. Wrapping her arms around her legs, she buried her head in her knees. Her lips trembled before the tears in her eyes flowed down her face, trickling onto her legs.
Ty Lee sobbed quietly. Her ability to chi-block was more than a skill to her. It felt like a part of her very identity. Ty Lee always wanted to be treated as unique. Without her ability to chi-block, a rare skill practiced by only a few people nowadays, she felt as if she had no worth.
After summoning the water back into the flask, Katara reached over to Ty Lee's shoulder and said, "It's going to be alright, Ty Lee..."
With tears glistening in her eyes, Ty Lee glanced up and asked shakingly, "Where's... Aang...?"
"Hurry!" Aang hollered to Toph as they rushed to the camp to intersect the approaching swordsman in a devilish blue mask.
They bolted over hills and boulders, vaulting over them with ease. They had to make it to the camp. The Blue Spirit had returned.
Aang stormed into the camp. He grasped Toph's hand tightly to guide her through the vast crowds of Earth Kingdom refugees. He brushed past several citizens of Ba Sing Se. He could hear their whispers of admiration and exaltation. He felt sick inside. He did not deserve this much praise. He was not a god. He was a human being.
A human being with a thousand previous lifetimes and the powers of the four elements, Aang thought to himself, correcting his presumptuous internal claim.
Still, that gave him no right to elevate himself above everyone else.
Toph tugged Aang's shoulder and cried out, "Look!"
Aang glanced straight ahead. The crowd moved away from a stranger standing in the midst of the camp. They shuffled backward quickly but continued to surround Aang and Toph in a wide circle. Aang stood in front of a man in a familiar devilish mask, the Blue Spirit. He stood in the midst of the camp, staring directly at Aang and Toph.
The Blue Spirit had a look that was similar to his original look when Zuko donned the mask. He had tight black robes and a single broadsword in his right hand. However, he had a black armored pad on his left shoulder. The mask was slightly darker than the one Zuko wore.
The Blue Spirit tilted his head as he gazed upon Aang. Aang clenched his staff, planting his feet firmly into the ground.
"Who are you?" Aang shouted. "What do you want?"
The Blue Spirit remained silent. He raised his hand and pointed his sword toward a tent. Aang whirled his head around to see a tent with tattered fabric. It was the place where they were holding the Fifth Nation soldiers who surrendered during the Battle at Ba Sing Se.
Twirling his head back to the Blue Spirit, Aang snapped, "We aren't giving up these prisoners! They surrendered willingly! Besides, we need them to find Chu Zun!"
"Also," Toph added, stepping forward, "Earth King Kuei is NOT going to be happy if we let his favorite guests be taken by some crazy guy!"
The Blue Spirit's breathing grew louder. He bent his knees and held his sword, preparing to swing and attack the Avatar. Aang prepared his fighting stance and squinted furiously at the Blue Spirit.
"Toph," Aang said calmly, "find Hitomi and Katara."
Toph whined, "But, Aang-!"
"GO!" Aang hissed. "I'll be fine!"
Toph stormed away and dissipated into the crowd. Aang glared at the Blue Spirit, gritting his teeth.
"He's mine..."
The Blue Spirit stared at Aang, holding his sword high. Aang tightened his grip in anxiety, preparing for the first blow of his opponent. The Blue Spirit darted toward Aang, gripping his sword. Aang planted his feet firmly into the ground as his opponent charged.
Katara stood quietly, rubbing Ty Lee's quaking shoulder gently. The Kyoshi Warrior was completely distraught, horrified at the possibility of being unable to chi-block. She had her face buried in her knees.
Katara whirled her head toward Hitomi and stammered, "Th-there's got to be something we can do! We can fix this, right? We can... get her to... someone who can fix her!"
Hitomi shook his head and replied bitterly, "This kind of damage is far beyond my repair or the help of anyone I know of..."
Ty Lee lifted her head up and sobbed shakingly, "You're lying... You're lying! I... I know you are! You have to be!"
Unexpectedly, a girl, Toph, darted into the tent, shoving back the textile entrance. Hitomi, Katara, and Ty Lee glanced at the earthbending master with wide eyes. She halted in her tracks and wheezed for breath.
Toph gasped, "Aang needs help! Someone is attacking him!"
After carefully registering Toph's abrupt news, Katara stated calmly, "We'll be there, Toph. Hitomi, go on and help Aang! I'll catch up!"
Hitomi nodded and stormed out of the tent. Ty Lee turned to Katara.
"I want to help," Ty Lee proclaimed.
Katara smiled gently and responded, "You need to rest, Ty Lee."
"But I want to help!" Ty Lee protested desperately. "Let me help!"
Katara shook her head and quickly wrapped her arms around the Kyoshi Warrior in a gentle embrace. After a moment of silence, Katara back away and pulled her arms from the Kyoshi Warrior. Katara marched over to Toph and raced with her out of the tent.
The Blue Spirit launched himself at Aang. Aang lifted his staff to his defense, projecting a surge of air as he swung his staff. The Blue Spirit rolled over to the left and streaked past Aang. Aang hurled his staff at the Blue Spirit, but the masked marauder swung his sword, slicing the staff into two fragmented pieces of wood.
Aang sensed a dark cauldron of anger boiling in his chest. That staff was an antique given to him by his students. Aang winced. He hoped that his Air Acolytes had escaped the destruction in time.
Aang closed his hands into balled fists and raced toward the Blue Spirit. Aang shot out his foot, unleashing a stream of fire toward the Blue Spirit. The Blue Spirit simply leaped backward, dodging the fire barely. The man turned around and dashed toward the tattered tent of the prisoners.
"No!" Aang shouted.
Aang pulled his right fist to his chest, summoning a slab of rock from beneath the Blue Spirit. The rugged rock slid backward, causing the man to stumble and roll forward. Aang launched himself into the air, using a huge gust of wind to propel himself upward. He landed in front of the Blue Spirit, staring at the man with a sardonic face.
"Had enough yet?" Aang asked furiously.
The man in the masked rose to his feet and shook his head deliberately. Aang and the Blue Spirit charged toward one another. Aang dropped to his knees and slid on the ground as the Blue Spirit swung his sword robustly. Aang twirled onto his feet and launched a stream of wind toward the Blue Spirit. The man simply ducked and avoided the air. He twirled around Aang, avoiding the Airbender's attacks of wind. Aang wildly swung his arms, projecting blasts of air repeatedly but missing as well.
The Blue Spirit fell to the ground and dragged his foot across the grass, swiping Aang's legs. Aang lost his balance. His legs flew into the air, and he gasped in horror. The Blue Spirit rose quickly and punched Aang in the gut with his elbow. Aang plummeted to the ground and slammed against the grass. Aang coughed and wheezed, stunned by the impact of the solid ground.
Aang groggily looked up and saw the Blue Spirit, standing triumphantly over the Avatar. He held his shining blade and positioned it against Aang's neck. Aang groaned in discomfort as the sword rested against his flesh. The crowd murmured and gasped in horror as they witnessed the event that had just occurred.
A huge stream of water suddenly splashed against the Blue Spirit. He tumbled onto the ground as the water collided against his body. The cool liquid shot back to its source, Katara, who was standing furiously with Hitomi.
"Leave," Katara hissed, ritualistically waving her hands. "My. Boyfriend. ALONE!"
Katara shot forth her hands, launching a jet of water toward the Blue Spirit. The masked man somersaulted forward, avoiding the attack of the Waterbender. Katara summoned the water back to her side and divided it into two whips. She shot forth her hands, propelling the water once again. The Blue Spirit rolled to the side, dodging the first whip as it slammed against the ground, and was struck in the chest by the second whip.
The Blue Spirit collapsed to the ground. He rolled onto his side, clutching his chest weakly. He placed his hands on the ground and rose to his knees cautiously. Hitomi stomped his foot into the ground, causing slabs of rock to erupt from the earth and encase the man's feet.
The Blue Spirit simply looked upward. He stared quietly at Hitomi. Tilting his head, the Blue Spirit analyzed the Earthbender of the Fifth Nation. Slowly, he raised his hands to indicate his surrender and placed them behind his head.
Aang rose to his feet and marched over to the Blue Spirit, standing a few feet away from him. Aang crossed his arms furiously.
"Who are you?" Aang asked. "What do you-?!"
The Blue Spirit immediately thrust his hands downward, ripping out a jagged knife made of pure bone attached to his back. He held it close to his chest, preparing to fling it at-
"Hitomi!" Aang shouted, racing over to stop the Blue Spirit from throwing the knife.
"LOOK OUT!" A voice cried out.
Hitomi's eye widened in horror as he cried out, "Don't-!"
A figure in white robes darted from the region outside of Aang's view. Aang gasped and jumped backward slightly to avoid the streaking person of white. The Blue Spirit flung his arm toward Hitomi.
"NO!"
The individual punched the Blue Spirit's arm. A screeching howl of pain was heard from the figure in white. The knife left the Blue Spirit's hand, but the hand's path slightly deviated from its intended course, causing the blade to fly toward the Waterbender next to Hitomi.
Aang could only unleash an untamed, feral scream as the blade flew toward the girl, "KATARA!"
Katara held out her hands, attempting to levitate water to her defense, but none could come to her defense before her vision went red and a bleeding red stump protruded from her left hand.
Katara sobbed in pain and fell to the ground, grabbing her left hand with her unwounded hand. She collapsed to the ground, blood dripping from the wound that was penetrated by the blade. Hitomi raced over to Katara and anxiously fell to his knees to examine the wound.
Aang gazed at the scene in horror. He whirled toward the Blue Spirit. The man stared at Katara with tense breathing. With a pounding heart and rushing adrenaline, Aang stormed over to the Blue Spirit. His vision blurred with rage as he breathed heavily. He could not focus on any of the screaming or howling. He could only focus on one thing.
Someone hurt Katara!
"You hurt Katara!" Aang roared as he balled his fist and smashed it into the man's face.
The mask of the Blue Spirit cracked from the impact of Aang's fist. His head whipped to the side, and he fell to the ground unconscious. Aang gazed down upon the masked man in fury. He was not so powerful now.
Aang slowly turned to the figure in white who was right behind him. He saw a girl with short brown hair and light skin. She was holding one of her hands, which was bleeding from striking the man. No sound came from the girl. Tears simply poured down her face and dripped to the ground.
Aang snapped furiously, "WHAT DID YOU DO?!"
"It..." Ty Lee whispered, shaking with sorrow and horror. "I... I didn't mean to..."
Ty Lee could not finish her sentence. She simply covered her mouth and ran away, sobbing intensely. She disappeared into the labyrinth of tents and vanished.
Aang sighed. He would handle Ty Lee later. Now, he needed to have a talk with the Blue Spirit.
Zuko and Azula stared at one another, waiting for one to make a move. The brilliant light of dawn was cracking through branches and canopies. They were clearly in a forest. Which one? Judging by the maps which hung on the poles of the tent, it seemed like they were still in the Earth Kingdom.
Zuko stared bitterly into the eyes of his sister. He wanted to both embrace her and punch her at the same time. He could find no reason to attack his little sister, nonetheless. He was tired and injured. She could put him down without even trying.
Zuko finally snapped, "What do you want, Azula?"
Azula smirked and scoffed, "You mean it's not obvious? I'm assisting the new Fire Lord in his steady recovery! I am your loyal servant, here to serve the power of the throne!"
Zuko paused. Ever since her mental breakdown during Sozin's Comet, Azula had been trying to kill him and Aang and take the throne for herself. After their mother was found, she posed as an evil spirit from the realm of the dead and tried to kill Kiyi. Ironically, her goal was not to take the throne. Rather, it was to manipulate Zuko into becoming just like her. This did not stop Zuko from searching for her.
She was still his sister, despite all of her torment and abuse.
"Why didn't you come home?" Zuko asked, his voice cracking with a building frustration and confusion.
Azula's smile faded away and her glowing amber eyes stared into Zuko's. The two siblings once again waited for one another to speak. A long moment of silence and suspense hung in the air.
Azula responded calmly, "Please, Zuzu. What home was there to return to? Besides, Mother already has the daughter she always wanted."
Zuko hesitated before stating, "I... I thought you were dead. Uncle thought you were dead! Mother was the only one who refused to even consider it! It nearly broke her! Why didn't you even think about that? I thought you wanted her to care!"
Azula's brow furrowed in anger as she expressed placidly, "Really, Zuko? Do you need to ask me that? I'm the monster, remember? Whatever I do, I'm nothing more than her little monster, the offspring of the man who fundamentally raped her!"
"She does care!" Zuko hissed impatiently, amazed and stunned by Azula's persistent delusions of grandeur. "What do you think she's been doing these past several months? She is worried sick for you!"
"Oh, really?" Azula snapped mockingly with her regal accent. "'Yes, Azula, darling, I'm sorry I was a neglectful, slothful, ignorant bitch. Come give Mommy a hug!'"
Ignoring Azula's insults, Zuko replied, "She never meant for any of this to happen to either of us!"
"Really?!" Azula screeched sarcastically, raising her voice in fury. "It makes SO much more sense why I am out here now! I am the outcast! The freak! That's what I've always been to you and Mother! That's my fate! My destiny! You've made that quite clear, thank you very much!"
Zuko swallowed. Azula might have recovered from her mental breakdown, but she still appeared extremely unhinged.
"You said you embraced your destiny!" Zuko stated furiously, raising his hands in anger. "Why do you hate me for something you've embraced?"
"I've embraced it! That doesn't mean I'm unquestionably thrilled with it, Dum-Dum!" Azula replied, rolling her eyes. "I willingly accepted it! Yes, I was happy for a time! But I now realized how hard it is! It's my destiny, but I never asked for it! I wanted to be Fire Lord!"
"Life is never easy!" Zuko barked. "I learned that the hard way! I learned that by standing by people who loved me! Why can't you?"
"Father loved me!" Azula hissed, narrowing her eyes.
"That wasn't love, Azula!" Zuko protested.
"He believed in me!" Azula snarled.
"He was sick, Azula!" Zuko calmly replied. "He needed to be stopped! You had to be stopped as well!"
Azula scoffed bitterly, "Really? You couldn't even stop me with the Avatar! There's no way anyone could during Sozin's Comet!"
"You were slipping."
"I was the one with Father's favor."
"He never loved any of us, Azula. He only wanted your power!"
"He was Phoenix King, and he decreed for me to be Fire Lord."
"He's not the ruler of the world anymore! Besides, it's not much of a title if he just throws away his old throne in favor of a new one!"
"I was the only person ready to be the next Fire Lord! It was a perfect choice! I was going to be perfect!"
Zuko pounded his right fist into the ground. Sparks flew from his hand as it made contact with the surface of the earth. Azula kept her blazing glare fixated on Zuko.
"Perfect?" Zuko said. "You banished your servants!"
"They tried to hasten my end with cherry pits!"
"You banished your guards!"
"They would've betrayed me! You would've convinced them! Just as you convinced Mai and Ty Lee to do so!"
"It was their choice, not mine!"
"They were my companions, not yours!"
"They were your slaves! Friends don't use fear against one another!"
"Fear is the only reliable way, Zuzu!"
"You were tearing out your hair! Some of the sages said you even cut yourself!"
"Do you really believe those crazy old men?"
"You could've seriously hurt yourself if we didn't stop you!"
"I was trying to be PERFECT!"
"YOU. WERE. SICK!"
Zuko bellowed the words at Azula, deliberately pronouncing each word. She did not flinch. She continued to glare at Zuko. Zuko heard a snap. He twisted his head violently and gritted his teeth. He balled his fist, summoning a small flame in his hand.
"Get back!" Zuko roared. "Stay away from us!"
Azula stated calmly, "Calm down, Dum-Dum! They're with me! Calm down for Agni's sake!"
Zuko lowered his fist, extinguishing his flame. Several hooded figures in tattered black robes erupted from the bushes. There were about seven of them. They had wooden masks similar to Azula's and bandages around their arms and legs. They surrounded Azula and Zuko.
Standing up, Azula callously asked the group in her regal accent, "Any luck?"
One of the hooded figures stepped forward and addressed, "We have found the nearest settlement. We can enter the town without drawing the attention of the Avatar or the Earth Kingdom. I suggest that we leave in three days, Princess Azula."
Azula smirked playfully, "Good work, Kali."
Zuko sighed. Once again, he was in the thrall of his little sister, Princess Azula of the Fire Nation.
Iroh stood before Ursa, who was seated on her soft red mattress. She looked down at the carpeted floor in shame, shaking her head gently. She had a small cut across one of her cheeks, but it was hardly noticeable. She did not seem to care about her injuries.
Iroh, however, cared about it more than her act of freeing Ozai.
Iroh calmly stated, "Are you alright?"
Ursa bit her lip and shook her head firmly in response to Iroh's question. She was not alright. She would never be alright.
Iroh said, "What happened, Ursa? Please tell me from the beginning..."
Ursa whimpered, "He was..."
Ursa choked before she could continue speaking. She struggled to clear her throat.
"Go on..." Iroh calmly replied. "You may take your time..."
Ursa choked, "He was going to hurt Zuko... and Azula... He said he would help me find her if I did what he asked..."
Iroh winced and nodded. Chu Zun had seriously threatened not only her but her entire family as well.
Iroh paused before continuing, "Did he... hurt you?"
Ursa shook her head and replied as she struggled not to cry, "No..."
Iroh stated, "And that is all I care about..."
Ursa glanced upward and gasped, "What?"
Iroh stepped forward and looked down at Ursa, noting, "You are a mother who loves and protects her children, Ursa. There is nothing evil in that notion. Nothing. If freeing Ozai was the only way to protect Zuko from Chu Zun, then I do not see any reason to condemn or despise you for it. A bear will do anything to protect its young."
Urs felt a lump grow in her throat. She felt a howling animal grow within her chest, clawing at the walls of her heart, desperate to be unleashed. What was wrong with her?
Ursa asked with trembling, "Iroh?"
Iroh smiled gently at his sister-in-law and replied, "Yes, Ursa?"
Ursa choked, "Am I a bad mother?"
Iroh's smile wilted away, and he asked, "Why would you even think such a terrible thought?"
Lowering her head, Ursa hissed with glistening eyes, "Just answer the question, Iroh! Please! Am I a bad mother?"
Iroh immediately responded, "No. You are not."
Ursa raised her head again and asked, "What?"
Iroh sighed, "You are worth more than fifty of the mothers I have met in Ba Sing Se."
With widening eyes, Ursa snapped, "Worth more? I abandoned my children Iroh! I abandoned them! I hurt Azula and left Zuko with that monster! How can you possibly-?!"
Iroh silenced her with a hug as he knelt down to her level.
"You raised two of the most wonderful children in this world. And you did it with the worst husband in the history of husbands," Iroh said as he stroked Ursa's hair gently. "That makes you worth more than anyone I have ever met, Ursa."
Ursa broke down, crying as she wrapped her arms around Iroh. She buried her face into her robes. Her tears soaked the fabric, but Iroh did not care. Ursa was home. That was what mattered.
"Azula..." Ursa whispered sorrowfully. "Azula..."
As Iroh hugged Ursa tightly, a guard raced into the room and announced, "IROH!"
Iroh slowly pulled away from Ursa. He reached out his hand and tilted her chin up. He placed both his hands on Ursa's cheeks and brushed away her tears smoothly. He smiled peacefully at the younger woman.
Turning to the guard, he asked, "Yes?"
"The Order of the White Lotus has arrived, sir! They are expecting you in the war meeting room!"
Iroh beamed, "Tell them I will be there soon. First, I need a change of clothes!"
Forty-Eight Years Ago...
Iroh ran down a dark and twisted alleyway, vaulting over obstacles and trash alike to pursue the young street urchin who stole his mother's ring. The boy was quick. He turned each corner with ease, desperate to lose the Prince of the Fire Nation.
"Stop!" Iroh roared. "Thief!"
The thief turned a corner immediately, vanishing. Iroh turned into the alleyway as well. he clenched his fists tightly. The boy would pay for robbing his mother's most prized possession. He would-!
Iroh paused and saw the boy kneeling next to a girl in a green blanket. He held his hand against her forehead. The girl wheezed and coughed. Iroh winced. She sounded sick.
Walking carefully over to the byo, Iroh announced, "I need that ring back, kid. Please!"
The boy stood up immediately and whirled around, shouting, "You don't understand! I need the money! She's dying!"
Iroh innocently held up his hands and replied, "Stealing is stealing. Come with me, and I can get your friend some help!"
The boy balled his filthy little fists and held them up, conditioned to fight.
"I won't let you take me from her!" The boy squeaked. "I'm all she has left! Her own family abandoned her!"
Iroh paused. This boy was not greedy. Iroh could see no hint of malice or deceit in the boy's eyes. Instead, he saw a glimmer. A spark. It was a light of courage, determination, peace, willpower, and beauty.
It was a spark of balance.
Iroh asked, "Where is your family, kid?"
The boy scoffed, "They're long gone!"
Iroh felt a lump within his throat as he stated, "Let's-"
He heard stomping behind him. Iroh whirled around to see four Earthbenders with maces and hammers in their hands.
"Well, well, well..." One of them, apparently the leader, chuckled. "Prince Iroh of the Fire Nation."
"Greetings!" Iroh announced cheerfully with a smile on his face. "If you can please give me a moment with this child, I will be with you guys in a second!"
The leader chuckled and replied, "Oh, no no no no no no... We can only imagine how much of a fine price your daddy will pay to see your sorry head again..."
An array of rocks shot from the ground and surrounded Iroh. They encased his entire body and dragged him over to the wall, pinning and trapping him immediately. Iroh groaned in agony as the rocks tightened around his body.
"Really, guys?" Iroh hissed. "Do you really have to do this?"
"We do!" One of the other Earthbenders giggled maliciously. "We want to!"
The Earthbenders all laughed sadistically as they tightened the stones and pebbles encasing Iroh. Iroh grunted and groaned as the pebble pressed into his flesh. This was going to be painful.
"Stop!" The boy shouted. "Leave him alone!"
The Earthbenders saw the boy with balled fists and burst out laughing. They clenched their stomachs and cried with laughter.
"Oh!" The leader shouted, rubbing his eyes. "Who's going to make us? You?"
The boy smirked calmly and sneered, "Yes."
He held out his hands and revealed a startling sight. Iroh gasped. He had never seen this in any type of bender before. His father was able to produce lightning and blue flames occasionally, but this was far different. It was far more unique.
The boy was illuminating white flames.
Iroh stuttered, "H-how?!"
The leader sighed, "This is boring. Kill him!"
The Earthbenders launched a giant slab of rock toward the boy. The boy swung his fists in a controlled yet robust manner, shattering the stone to pieces. The byo smirked as the smiles of the Earthbenders melted into fear.
"My turn..."
The boy clapped his hands together, propelling three separate jets of white fire toward the men. The fire slammed into the men, knocking them off their feet unconscious. One of them slammed into the wall of the alleyway and fell to the ground.
The leader narrowed his eyes as he stared at the boy. The boy stared back. The boy reached out his hands and made a gesture with his fingers, demanding the leader to come forward
The leader scoffed, "Another day, kid. Another day..."
The leader ran past the corner. The rocks encasing Iroh collapsed to the ground. Iroh fell to his knees, coughing for breath. The boy ran to the corner, prepared to chase the man, but Iroh grabbed his hand. The boy shot his eyes toward the young Prince.
"Let him go," Iroh demanded calmly. "You've won this battle, son..."
Iroh rose from the ground and smiled at the boy. The boy stared at the Fire Nation Prince.
"You're quite a talented bender, kid," Iroh stated truthfully, smirking. "Y'know?"
"Yeah," the boy replied. "I kind of had to figure that out on my own."
The two chuckled and laughed. They continued laughing until they heard coughing from the girl. They ran over to her immediately. Iroh stopped as the boy ran over to the girl, brushing her head with the back of his hand to check her temperature. His face melted into an expression of pure horror.
"She's dying!" The boy shouted, turning to Iroh. "Help her!"
Iroh paused before remarking, "The Fire Nation has supplies and medicines that can heal her. Come back with us, and we can help her."
The boy hesitated and shakingly asked, "You promise?"
Iroh nodded, "I promise. We'll help her. That's what we do."
The boy nodded and turned to the girl. He carefully placed his hands underneath her and scooped her up. He walked over to Iroh. The two began to traverse the vast alleyways, intent on returning to the Fire Lord and his Lady.
Interrupting the awkward silence, Iroh asked, "Where did you learn that, kid?"
The boy shrugged, "Some crazy old dude named Sai taught me how to realign my energy for the sake of my loved ones and the balance itself. That's how he would describe it at least."
The two chuckled.
Iroh asked, "What is your name, kid?"
The boy looked up at Iroh with his silver eyes and stated, "My name is Chu Zun, sir."
I have been dying to start this story! I have been eager to continue the story of Chu Zun!
I am excited to finally include Azula as a major character. She is one of my favorite characters in the entire Avatar universe!
I hope you guys are enjoying it! Please leave a review!