Hey, hopefully I can make the chapters longer in the future. If you got any suggestions to help it would help greatly.
It had been about a week since he had met Zuko and Iroh in the tea shop. Against his better judgement he had not told anyone about them being there. Still he had checked up on them watching for any evil plans but their only crime was buying so many spices, seriously how many spices have they gotten?
Sokka now had his toughest mental battle yet, he stared down at his Father's note detailing his location for a meeting. Don't get him wrong, he would fight a platypus-bear to get the chance to see him. Though if he left he would leave Zuko and Iroh unguarded.
He could tell Katara about them, but she would lose her mind. She would probably just tell the Earth King about them and get them thrown in a dungeon.
Groaning loudly he gripped on the note tighter causing wrinkles as he held his fists over his face. Eventually he heard a knock on his door, followed by it being slammed open.
" Captain Boomerang, we are waiting on you. Are you ready to go ? " Toph stood at the doorway holding it open staring blankly in the room.
" Yea Yea I'm ready. '' Sokka groaned as he grabbed his bag and pushed himself off the bed.
Toph could apparently sense his turmoil as she reached grabbing onto his arm. " Look if you wanna rest more before I can give you about ten more seconds. "
" No no it's ok Toph. " Sokka walked as Toph held onto his arm walking beside him, " I just am thinking, if I should leave to meet Dad or stay here. "
" Why would you wanna stay though ? " Toph asked, " Is it because of where you disappear to every day ? "
Sokka went quiet only confirming Toph's question, " Look Sokka I don't know where you're going or why you disappear, but if you feel like things will fall apart if you go then stay. "
Sokka mulled over that thought. Still something in his mind was telling him to stay, if he believed in what Aang or Aunt Wue does he would call it destiny or whatever. Eventually he nodded as he looked down at Toph, " You know I think I will stay here and guard the king, even see Suki again. "
Toph just nodded, not looking up at him just looking forward, " Ok if you say so. '' After some moment of silence, Toph and Sokka stood outside the living room where Aang had his bag packed. Before they stepped in Toph let go his arm, " When I get back I'll demand an explanation on where you disappear. "
Before Sokka could argue against her she walked forward alerting Aang and Katara of their presence. Katara smiled as she stood up holding the maps she needed for the king's meeting, " Finally you two are up, I was wondering when you would be ready to go. "
" Actually Katara, I'm still not ready to go. " Sokka admitted as Katara sighed loudly at that.
" Then go on and get ready ! Come on, you don't wanna be getting to dad when it's dark. "
" Actually I think I should stay here while you go. "
Katara was caught off guard by her brother's words, Sokka would never throw away a chance to meet their father. Katara frowned as she walked to him, carefully holding the maps with one arm. She reached out and held his shoulder, " Sokka are you ok ? " She was tempted to feel for a fever.
Sokka just reached and grabbed her hand, " Yea I'm fine I just think you should see Dad. Besides I wanna work on the King with battle plans and make sure Suki is ok. "
Katara still frowned, she accepted the explanation though. She had wanted to talk to her Father about many things, also she had to admit she wanted to help her father too with battle plans. Still she looked up at him, " If you are sure about it ? I know you wanted to see Dad. "
" I'm sure Katara. " He smiled, " Now go get packed so you can go. "
Katara smiled and let go of Sokka, she passed him the maps he would need. She walked past him, quickly, to her room to get packed.
Aang held his bag as he looked back at Sokka, " That was sweet of you Sokka. "
" Thank you Aang. " Sokka smiled as Aang just gave him a thumbs up. Eventually after some waiting Katara came out with a bag over her back as they were ready to go. Stepping out of the house they went to the palace one more time to say goodbye to the King and drop the maps off before the meeting. Standing in the big courtyard, Aang and the King talked as Sokka stood petting Appa.
" Well I'll see you later. " Sokka told Appa as Appa just let out a soft roar and tried to lick him. Sokka just tried to jump out of the way but the bison covered him in spit. Sokka groaned loudly as he quickly shook himself off, suddenly a blast of air hit him, getting all of the spit off. Aang stood in front of him with a big smile. He ran forward hugging Sokka, " Good luck here. "
" You too, you master this Avatar stuff ! " Sokka told him as Aang soon let go. He looked up at Katara and Toph.
Toph walked forward and smiled " Well see you three later.. no Actually I'll meet you guys later. " She joked before walking off to meet her parents.
Katara eventually was the last one to part him goodbye. With one last hug she asked Sokka to say hi to Suki for her. He promised he would as he watched and waved bye to them. He watched as they slowly disappeared into the distance. Urgh only one second in and he missed them.
He assured himself, this wasn't forever it's just a couple of days. Sokka turned back to the direction of the town, he had time for a tea break.
Zuko felt blessed by this slow day, they had only had three customers today. Yesterday had been a challenging day, with about a hundred customers all with different options on tea. Cleaning the tables he glanced up seeing something blue in the doorway, he recognized that shade of blue. Zuko sighed as he looked up, " Back for the free tea ? I thought I saw you leave the town ? " He asked, remembering seeing the Avatar flying out of the town.
" No that was my friends, I'm staying to keep an eye on you sparky. " Sokka did a watching you motion as he kept eye contact while walking to the back.
" Don't call me sparky ! " Zuko shouted at him as he just disappeared to where his Uncle was. Zuko continued to clean the tables and sweep the floor as he spotted another figure in the door. Looking up he noticed it was one of those creepy Dai Le agents. He really didn't trust these guys, after Jet's disappearance and that lake. His grip tightened on the broom as he called for his Uncle.
His uncle stepped out as Sokka followed, holding a cup of warm tea. The Agent just smiled as he held out a folded up paper. The paper had a small golden stamp that showed the Earth Nation symbol. Iroh carefully grabbed it and unfolded it. He let out a gasp as he read the contents, turning to his nephew he held it up, " Nephew we have been invited to serve the King tea ! "
Sokka promptly choked on his tea as they glanced back at him. He just put his hand up to show he was ok.
Zuko nodded his head as he couldn't help but smile seeing his Uncle so excited by the realization. The Agents just congratulated them as they soon left. Once Zuko deemed it was safe he looked back at Sokka, " Now this better not be some trick ! "
" No no I swear it isn't ! " Sokka put his hands up after putting the tea cup down, " I didn't even know the King would invite you ! "
Zuko's eyes narrowed as he accepted the reply. He was being honest. He turned back to his Uncle who smiled wide, " We are going to need to get ready. "
" Of course. " Iroh looked back at Sokka, " I take it you will be going with us to the palace. "
" Yep ! Besides I'm heading over there for a meeting soon. So might as well go with you guys have some tea and relax. " Sokka hummed as he leaned back in the chair.
" Hopefully you have money, you only get one free tea a day. " Zuko commented as he glanced at Sokka tea and went to the back to get the fancy robes.
Sokka just gasped in disbelief, " I swear, he is so rude. "
Iroh just laughed a little as he went to get the robes as well.
Sokka waited at the table with the now cool tea. He realized it did kinda make sense, this place had good tea. He even liked the tea and he usually hates it ! But still he couldn't help but feel dread, like something bad was just about to happen.
Eventually Zuko and Iroh stepped out in the fancy robes. A dark green that had yellow string woven in making a straight line on each end. Under it they wore a simple brown outfit like they wore before.
Zuko looked back at Sokka, " Well are you ready to go ? We will leave without you. "
" Ok ok calm your horses. " Sokka stood up. He followed them out of the tea shop, leaving the tea on the table. The tea would soon grow cold from being alone.
Each of them had a bad feeling about this, they had gotten to the palace. They sat in the quiet room waiting for the King. Sokka could tell the two Firebenders had their guard up, he had to admit he felt something off. He was pushing those thoughts down though, maybe the king was busy with some generals or with the Kyoshi Warriors.
Still these Dai Li agents around them didn't ease him. They just stood staring forward, even though they stared forward he felt like they watched him.
Zuko mumbled under his breath " Hey, tell them we got to go. "
Sokka looked back at him, " Wait why me ? "
" You were the one bragging about knowing the king. " Zuko pointed out as he looked at him.
Sokka cursed his big mouth, he eventually raised his hand waving slightly making an agent look over. Sokka smiled slightly at that, " Hey, it's been some time, can we go ahead and leave ?"
The Agent just gave him a blank look like he wasn't amused by Sokka's question, he shook his head slowly, " I promise the king will be here soon, just wait. "
Sokka sighed as he sat back down by Zuko who only glared at the table, Iroh kept himself calm still watching like a hawk. Soon enough the door quietly opened as four agents stepped in first in order, turning on their heels and they faced forward staring at the occupants of the table. The last person walked in closing the door, seeing that person made each of them freeze. Those fiery calculating eyes watched her newest victims of her trap. She had a wide sly smile, " Well well would you look, it's tea time. "
Each of them shot up to a stand, Zuko just stepped forward about to jump over the table, " Azula ! ". But before he could he saw all the agents step closer just daring Zuko to do anything.
Azula smirked at the agents, she motioned her hand out, "Have you met the Dai Li? They're earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's so firebender. " She soon spotted Sokka as her amusement grew even more, " O if it isn't the weak peasant, Zuzu I knew you were a traitor but friending the Avatar's buddy is a new low. "
Sokka and Zuko both glared at her as Iroh stepped up with a smile, " Azula, have I ever told you how I got the title, " The Dragon of the West ?"
Sokka didn't miss the look Zuko and Iroh gave each other, they were planning something. Sokka felt as Zuko carefully grabbed his wrist. Azula just sighed as she loosed up, clearly annoyed, " I'm not in the mood for a lengthy anecdote, Uncle. "
Uncle Iroh just smiled, " Actually it is a demonstration. " Before Sokka, Azula, and the agents could process his words, Iroh chugged the tea and took in a deep breath. Sokka was suddenly pushed by Zuko to stand between them, at that moment Iroh let out a huge blast of fire from his throat like a dragon as Zuko let out a steam of flames. Sokka felt glad he stood in the middle and not in the way of the fire. They quickly circled making any Agent guard themselves with Earth, at that moment Iroh ran forward to a wall connecting to the hallway and blew it up.
Sokka and Zuko followed close behind as the hallway behind them filled with smoke and stomps from someone following. Zuko found himself up front as he noticed they were heading for a dead end. Raising his hand he threw it forward blasting a huge holw in the wall. Fire slowly burning the rest of the wall, Zuko and Sokka quickly jumped out of the hole into the bushes.
Zuko quickly stood looking back at the hole not seeing his uncle following. Zuko's heart froze, no, Uncle was following them ! Where did he go ? " UNCLE ! " he shouted, cupping his hand over his mouth hoping for a reply but didn't even hear a reply. Before he could run in there and find him, Sokka grabbed his shoulder tightly, " Let go of me, I've got to find my uncle ! "
" No. " Sokka said firmly, " We will come back with help from Aang, we can't fight them alone !"
Even though Zuko wanted to argue against it he couldn't, they wouldn't be able to face them alone. He turned to Sokka and just nodded, before they could talk about where they should go next, a small throwing knife flew past Zuko and cut into his arm. He let out a hiss quickly gripping onto the bleeding arm, he looked up to see Mai and Ty Lee standing in the first floor window stepping out. Before Zuko could say anything to the familiar faces, Sokka grabbed his arm and bolted down the street.
They ran through the crowd as Mai and Ty Lee followed on the roofs. They shouted and cursed as Sokka and Zuko pushed through them. Sokka took a sharp turn into an alleyway, running past a few crococat who hissed loudly. They got to the end, a big canal leading to a catacomb of rivers that either lead outside of the wall or to an even more dangerous canal, they couldn't get to the other side since the bridge was destroyed, they stood on the edge. Sokka stared down at the roaring water blow, the water was about five feet below them and no one could guess how deep it was.
Zuko just stared up watching as Mai and Ty Lee approached jumping from roof to roof, he heard Ty Lee cheerly ask him to stop running please. But he would do that over his dead body, before he could get ready to run or fight Sokka stopped him. Sokka held his shoulder tightly, " Zuko, I know we aren't close, but do you trust me !?"
" What ?! " Zuko jerked his head over to his direction, " Why are yo- "
" Just answer it ! " Sokka shouted as he glanced to see Mai and Ty Lee jumping off the roof.
" YES ! " Zuko shouted as that's all Sokka needed. Grabbing Zuko in a hug he held onto him tightly and fell back right into the canal of flowing water. He didn't miss Mai and Ty Lee shouts calling out to Zuko as they plummeted into the icy water. They both sank as the water took them quickly downstream, Zuko moved wrapping his arm under Sokka arms and pulled them up to get air. They both coughed up a tiny drops of water, but their problems did not end there. As Sokka opened his eyes he spotting a fall coming, his eyes widened as he turned to try and fight against the roaring waters but that was just an uphill battle. They soon found themselves falling into a catacomb of water tunnels that could lead anywhere.
Mai didn't know how to feel, she stared down into the cancel of dangerous waters that she just watched her friend and peasant jump into. Ty Lee looked equally in shock, " O no ! We have to follow it downstream to see if they are ok !" she sounded so worried for someone who had chased them into jumping.
Mai shook her head, " We have to tell Azula.. Then get the Dai Li to find them, they know these canals better than we do. " she stared down at the river still. She might not have shown her emotions like Ty Lee did, but she was worried. Hunting him or not, she didn't want Zuko to die. Ty Lee could sense the emotions and she held her shoulder, " Don't worry, we will find him and Azula will convince him to join back to our side ! Then we can hang out like we used to as kids ! " The childish smile just made Mai rolls her eyes, but she secretly smiled. Yea, Zuko was tough, there was no way he would die by drowning in a canal. She held that secret hope as she turned looking down into the canal, then followed Ty Lee to quickly grab the agents to find him.