A/N: And so after long await the final chapter. But don't you worry! If you do like this story check out its sequel, mentioned at the bottom of the page. Hope you enjoy this chappie! Thanks for being great reviewers! I hope to see you reviewing the sequel!
The question of returning to Heilong City was eating away at the Fire Nation crew. None of them knew if Zhao would be there, waiting for them. The risk of remaining in their present position was also too high for comfort, with the city crawling in Earth Kingdom soldiers. The familiar group of rogue boys marched alongside the grand troops through the town, grinning like they had single-handedly won the war. Prince Zuko could have spat on their heads if his uncle hadn't pulled him away from the window to talk. Uncle Iroh seemed just as puzzled with the situation as everyone else. Every time Iroh would ask a question, Zuko cared not to pay attention. He was too busy studying one of the hundreds of dragonflies flooding the town. He knew he couldn't think of a good enough answer, so why embarrass himself?
The prince was tired of playing hide-and-go-seek with that snotty admiral and enemy troops. He clenched his hands into fists, temper rising, and wished he could squash Zhao once and for all like the bug he really was. He kept glancing over to Kaida, who sat laughing with a small gathering of deckhands joking around lifting each other's spirits. Her pale honey colored eyes met his, she smiled and turned back to the men still laughing at a couple clever insults towards Zhao. The admiral had become a common enemy within his own nation. That was pretty low.
The prince reminded himself, to ward off any straying thoughts, that Kaida was a lady, and needed more protection than those nitwits he called deckhands, who needed protection from themselves. Of course, if he had mentioned that to any of the female soldiers who had readily enlisted, he would probably be charred, punched, kicked, yelled at, and slapped in a most undignified manner. He kept his mouth shut. Something he learned a couple years ago, silence was and is golden.
Zuko looked up at his uncle and merely replied (and interrupted), "Uncle. We will return to the city in the evening."
Iroh looked a little surprised at the comment, seeing as his nephew had been quiet all morning, which was surely just as surprising. "Are you sure that is wise, Prince Zuko?" Iroh reset his sage-like appearance, trying not to look shaken in the least. "Of course, I do dearly miss my tea and Monchan."
"Monchan? What in Agni's name is Monchan?" Zuko questioned the man.
"That handsome ape statue we found in that Earth Kingdom harbor down there a little while ago. You remember?" Iroh did his little monkey impersonation, which did jolt Zuko's memory of the scary, dreadful thing.
"You named that THING Monchan?" Prince Zuko asked again, a little embarrassed at him.
"Indeed, and I think it is a fine name. Don't you?"
"I choose not to answer that question."
Nightfall was a little ways away as Zuko rallied his troops together and left the inn. They snuck about the streets as quietly as they could, knowing most people were either inside or at a tavern at this hour. Kaida held up a lantern from her place at the very back, Iroh held one for the front for something to do. Looking around meekly, Kaida kept from jumping at the strange shadows that snaked through the trees as they made their way to the clearing to ready themselves in their armor again. Zuko was glad to be rid of that repulsive hat at last, although Iroh was rather fond of his, but his too had to go (Zuko's orders).
The small group laughed when one of the captains along with them shrieked at the moment a small branch caught him by the ear. It was good to laugh at something in the midst of the serious aura surrounding the grave trek. Their laughter, however, was cut short by twigs and dry leaves cracking nearby in the dark. Each of them froze, slightly hunched and rigid like a cat, listening to the quiet that followed the disturbance.
A deep chuckle with an all too familiar tone to it rang through the woods, followed by a series of underbrush cracking and crunching. With a flicker, a small hand-conjured flame lit up the smirking face of one Admiral Zhao. His laughter continued at their expressions, each terrified instantly with horror-filled eyes and mouths agape.
"Out a little late, aren't we gentlemen…and little lady," Zhao added and nodded to the withdrawn form of Kaida shrinking in the back of the line.
How the chase began was yet a blur to all of the fleeing soldiers running swiftly through the winding paths to Heilong City. Each of them focused only on patches of dimly-lit up sky showing through the end of the treacherous trail. None looked back, for they all knew what they would see: a group of enraged and hate-fueled followers of a wicked soul sprinting at their heels to steal their soul and freedom.
Kaida had long since left the lantern behind, throwing it at the admiral before taking off with the others. She was surprised how well Iroh was keeping up with his nephew and the rest. But she had no time to worry about that now, what she needed to concentrate on was getting through that clearing. She was running so fast it stung her eyes; she didn't think when she closed them. She didn't need to think, she needed to keep running. Running away from the clawing branches of trees, the itchy traps of weeds and bushes, the shouts and curses flying amongst the pathways, and far, far away from the demon they named Zhao.
A whip of fire caught her by the ankles, sending her into a tumbling trip bursting through the last of the trees and onto the soft grassy field that began Heilong. She at last stopped rolling and found herself facing the sky. She lay frozen from fear, shock, and exhaustion merely watching the distant stars shine from places where unfeeling, merciless gods watched over the world with hard eyes and hearts of stone. Would not even Agni save them from the wrath of the Fire Lord when the time came to tell truth?
The wretched, twisted face of Admiral Zhao peeked over and blocked Kaida's view. He grinned and snatched her up by the front of the collar. He hissed harsh words in her face, but she let them pass through her ears without listening. Kaida was too busy watching the most amazing and terrifying thing streak across the sky. Her eyes had drained of all color and matched the ghostly moon's glow as they reflected what she saw. Zhao dropped the girl as his attention caught the form in the sky.
"What are you-…Great Agni," exclaimed Iroh, slowing his gait and stood watching. His face was a mask of so many mixed emotions as the rest of the Fire Nation spectators frozen on the field.
Zhao's own hate filled grimace had melted away with the white hot object falling in the sky. Kaida scrambled up from the grass, still watching the celestial orb hurtle across the horizon. She felt herself shaking, imagining all of the horrible events that were to come if that truly was the horrible symbol they were all holding their breath for. She felt someone hold her in a protective embrace. She couldn't help but feel so powerless, so childlike at a time when bravery and honor would count most. She was lost for words, thought, and hope. Zuko didn't feel the least embarrassed but continued to watch the sky and the others around him. His father would be mad with power and ignorance. He held Kaida tighter as she buried her face in his chest at Zhao's regained laugh. Was this Sulsan's comet, here to ruin the ever-fading balance and order of their world and claim more lives until there was not a single soul left? Only he could see over the misty horizon, past the ships and sea, there was a storm rising.
And finally, The End. But wait! The adventure isn't over yet! Catch the next chapter in the Storm Rising series in the next sequel, Incandescence. Troubles don't stop with a comet and a mad admiral!