I do not own Avatar
Shadows
Chapter 3 Slicing Shard
At the gates of Omashu two Fire Nation soldiers stood guard. They looked to see what looked like three giant spiders with riders marching toward the city.
"Canyon Crawlers? They never come this far from the Great Divide." Said the first soldier.
"There are riders on them. Is it possible to tame them?" the three riders came to the gate. The guards stood in front of the gate. "
"I am afraid I can't let you pass without permission from the governor."
"Sir it is obvious that we are…" said Kazan
"…Fire Nation; so let us pass…" said Yougan
"…before you anger our commander."
"And just who is this commander?" asked the second soldier.
"I am General Kurai Kage the Slicing Shard of the West; leader of the Fire Nation's Earthbender unit." Said Kurai
"Like we would have an Earthbender unit. I don't believe you." Kurai jumped down from his mount.
"Actually it doesn't matter if you believe me or not, you see you now know too much. Tell me what your names are?"
"Igi sir."
"Cho sir."
"Good." Kurai only twitched his finger slightly and the two soldiers were sucked under the ground before they could make a sound. Two stones rose from the ground where they stood bearing their names. "I've always believed in giving a proper burial to those who cross me." He turned toward his subordinates. "Take the Crawlers somewhere away from the city they'll draw too much attention. I'll meet you at the palace." And Kurai entered the city.
With Kumori
"What do you mean I can't come?" shouted Aang at Kumori. "I have to save Bumi." Kumori sighed.
"Aang the challenge was set to me, they know who you are. I can not risk your life. I am but a small part in this world, but you are the Avatar, if you would die the next cycle is water but it would take too long and it would be too late to stop Ozai." Said Kumori
"Avatar or not you can't just say stay here." Said Katara
"Stay here; there I just said it." Kumori turned his back to them. "King Bumi is to be executed at noon I must get there to stop it."
"Hey don't you walk away from me." Katara made a whip of water and hit Kumori on the back, he turned and with inhuman agility and speed he had his kukri at Katara's throat. Fire shining in his eyes.
"A little advice Miss Katara. It is not wise to sneak attack a member of the Order." Kumori heard the cackle of electricity as a bolt of red lightning passed between the two of them but still closer to Kumori than Katara.
"Kumori enough." Said Kagemaru lightning still sparking. "They are going with you." Kumori started to protest but Kagemaru held out his hand. "You need them to help you. Did you see what I just did; Azula can do that too, this is no run of the mill Firebender. And Shadow Silk while fireproof, waterproof and nearly indestructible. It will not protect you from lightning. In fact if you truly want my opinion let Aang and his friends handle this. Because as you are now you can not win. Now if you were like you used to be you would…"
"No more grandfather; I know how I was and I will never be that way again." Yelled Kumori the torches in the room flared and turned blue for a second before turning normal. Kumori put on his mask and pulled up his hood. "Let us go." And Kumori left the confused looking Gaang. That followed quickly after. Kagemaru sighed.
"Kumori no matter how hard you try you can not deny what you are; I just hope you will realize it before it is too late." Kagemaru sat down on the throne and sat in silence for several minutes. "I do not know how you got in here but know you will not leave alive." Kagemaru opened his eyes to see two men dressed in the cloaks of the Order.
"Well it looks like…" said Kazan throwing off the cloak.
"…We have been found out. But you really should…" said Yougan removing the cloak as well
"…Have changed the password, Thanks to General Kurai…"
"…We got in easily."
"So Kurai has returned to take revenge. Where is he? Or is he afraid to face me?"
"Kurai has gone to deal with…"
"…Kumori but imagine when…"
"…He finds the Avatar, Kurai has always wanted…"
"…To fight an Airbender."
"Kumori! Out of my way before I call every member of the Order in this base to destroy you."
"Do what you wish…"
"…We need the challenge."
"Then you shall parish." And Kagemaru rang the alarm bell next to him and with in seconds Kazan and Yougan were surrounded by 30 members of the Order all of them benders of the three nations.
With Kumori
Kumori and the others were near the palace. Kumori was looking through what looked like a miniature telescope.
"Can you see Bumi?" asked Aang.
"I see a metal coffin King Bumi is most likely in there, Azula and her friends are there as well."
"So what's the plan?" asked Sokka
"Okay, Aang you are the only one who can cut the chain on the coffin. Sokka you take Ty Lee."
"Which one's that?" Kumori handed the scope to Sokka.
"The one wearing pink."
"Hey she's kinda cute."
"Give me that!" said Kumori and took the scope back. "Can you focus for a minute, and besides what about Yue?" Sokka suddenly sulked. "Sorry I did not mean to hurt your feelings."
"How did you know about her any way?" asked Katara
"We have members of the Order all over the world, some official some honorary."
"Honorary?" asked Aang
"There are many outside the three families that understand the importance of the balance. King Bumi is one of them; which is why I will save him. Now everyone knows the plan?"
"I free Bumi." Said Aang
"While Sokka and I take care of Ty Lee and Mai." Said Katara
"And leave the princess to Me." Said Kumori smirking behind his mask.
With Azula
Azula, Ty Lee and Mai stood in front of the metal coffin.
"You think he'll show up Azula?" asked Mai
"I know he'll come." Said Azula confidently. A shriek was heard and Kuro flew past them The Demon of the Twilight landed on the ground before them and Kuro landed on his shoulder.
"Well he certainly knows how to make an entrance." Said Ty Lee. A panting Sokka and Katara followed seconds later they stood next to him breathing hard.
"You could have…at least waited for a few minutes." Panted Katara
"Yeah we can't jump from rooftop to rooftop." Said Sokka panting as well.
"You could have at least waited a few minutes you ruined my dramatic entrance." Yelled Kumori
"What's this? Too scared to come alone?" asked Azula
"Sorry about this but my friends wanted to come. I would have gladly fought you alone. But you are still my target princess they are just here to keep your friends out of my way."
"You really think you can take me on alone, I am no ordinary Firebender. I am Princess Azula daughter of Ozai the Fire Lord." Azula sent a blast of blue flame at the group. Sokka and Katara scattered. Kumori just stood his ground and wrapped his cloak around him and faced the flame head on. The cloak blocked the fire but the heat was still intense. He unfurled his cloak to be face to face with Azula coming with flaming hands. He ducked aside and jumped back and launched needles from the contraption on his wrist. The needles melted before they reached her from the intense heat.
While this was going on Aang had quietly glided over to the metal coffin.
"Don't worry Bumi I'll get you out of here." Said Aang as he looked into the small window. He gasped. "You're not Bumi!" Aang was launched into the air by a section of earth he landed next to Kumori who was busy grappling with Azula who he had drawn into hand to hand combat. They had been unable to land a decent blow on each other. But something about the way she fought was strangely familiar too him he kept having vague memories that they had fought before. Azula looked at the surprised Aang and smirked.
"Looks like the Avatar found our friend." Said Azula
"Aang what happened?" shouted Kumori
"That wasn't Bumi." Said Aang. The metal coffin burst open a cloaked figure jumped out and landed near them. The second his feet touched the ground the entire building shifted and transformed into diamond. Even with the mask over his face Kumori saw the cold crystal blue eyes behind the mask. Eyes he knew all too well.
"Kurai!" said Kumori, he quickly launched needles but they stopped in midair. Kumori felt a tugging as all of the needles on his person and even his scope and kukris were taken before being bended into a puddle of metal.
"Now there won't be any need for toys will there." Kurai removed the mask and took of the helmet. Showing a very pretty face, if it weren't for the voice you might have thought he was a she. He had long black hair that was shoulder length; a topknot braid adorned his head. He looked to see Kumori starring at him in shock. "Shocked by my appearance, well it has been 10 years since we've last seen each other, and I always did take after mother isn't that right little brother."
"You are not my brother Kurai, not since you betrayed us and especially since you killed mom and dad!" Kumori charged toward him. "I will kill you." Kurai just looked at him and smirked slightly, this small movement was enough to make a spike of crystal rise up in front of him blocking his path.
"Now, now it's not nice to disappoint a girl, Azula still wants you all to herself you're a lucky man Kumori."
"Kumori!" said Azula surprised. "I remember that name; you're the little brat who upstaged me by beating me in an Agni Kai when you were five, you could even bend lightning." Blue flame surrounded her hands.
"No offense princess but I have never met you before now, besides I do not bend." Said Kumori.
"What's this? So the great Crystal Blaze has truly lost his will of fire." Said Kurai. "Did my killing mother and father hurt you so much? Well you should know they deserved it, they couldn't even fight back, no matter how much I prodded them they couldn't bring themselves to fight their son."
"Shut up, I will never use the element that corrupted you and killed my parents; I will never bend again."
"Then I shall make you." Kurai raised his hand and countless diamond shards rose into the air and hovered in the air in front of him. "Marvelous isn't it. I have mastered Earthbending to its limits. I can bend with only the smallest movements. Imagine if I were to move my whole arm. Oh I know something like this." Kurai pointed at Kumori the shards flew at him. "Shadow Silk won't save you now."
"But I can." Shouted Aang jumping in between them blowing the shards away and back at Kurai. Kurai didn't even move as the shards hit him. They pierced his cloak and armor and even hit his unprotected face but his skin showed no damage.
"Oh I completely forgot about you Avatar Aang. I was too busy catching up with my little brother. But no harm done." Said Kurai, two oofs were heard as Katara and Sokka landed next to Kumori and Aang. Mai and Ty Lee stood next to Azula. "Looks like you friends are pathetic Avatar, I heard such good things about the Water Tribe girl; she even bested Zuko."
"Anyone can best Zuko Sifu Kurai." Said Azula full of pride
"Right you are Princess."
"What are you doing here Kurai, you know just as well as I do I can tell how good a fighter someone is just by looking at them. You could have killed us all long ago." Yelled Kumori
"If you must know I'm waiting."
"For what?" the Earth began to shake and pillar of rock shot up next to the building, Kazan and Yougan standing atop it. A man was slung over Kazan's shoulder.
"We have brought…" said Kazan
"…Him General Kurai." Said Yougan, the tower moved to the building and stood next to Kurai.
"This is what I have been waiting for Kumori." Kazan threw the man to the ground where he slid across the diamond surface stopping a few feet in front of them. Kumori's eyes widened behind his mask.
"Grandfather!" Kumori ran to him. Kagemaru was burned and bruised. His one eye was swollen shut.
"Kumori." He groaned
"I am here grandfather." Kagemaru sat up struggling the whole way. "Stay down please." Kagemaru gripped Kumori's shoulder tightly fear showing on his eyes.
"Run Kumori they destroyed the base, run before it is too late. All dead." He said worrying. His grip on Kumori's shoulder slackened and he fell back his eyes lifeless. Kumori slipped off his mask and pulled back his hood.
"Grandfather." Kumori shut his eyes tightly tears flowing from them. He clenched his fist blue flame forming around it.
"Yes let your rage burn, seer me with you hate, let loose your anger and strike me with your flame. The Crystal Blaze shines again." Said Kurai enjoying the sight in front of him. Kumori got to his feet his eyes blazing the flame around his hand dissipated.
"No! I know that in order to beat you I will have to break my vow and Firebend. But I will not do it because you told me to." Kumori ran at Kurai. Azula stood in his path. She shot a blast of flame Kumori blocked with his cloak. "OUT OF MY WAY!" Kumori ran into her taking her completely by surprise and with a sharp jab to her hip rendered one of her legs useless and she fell to the ground. He reached Kurai and raised his fist, he saw him smirk and his eyes widened in realization but it was too late to stop the punch. Kumori hit Kurai square between the eyes, the crack of bones was heard but they were not Kurai's. Kumori reeled back holding his bleeding knuckles.
"Did you forget the diamond shards that bounced harmlessly off of me? That is how strong I have become; I have formed over my skin the thinnest level of diamond possible, thin enough to be pliable so I can move, but still just as hard." Kurai twitched his finger and a shard of diamond moved to his hand. Now show me your fire." He slashed towards Kumori's face Kumori only had time to back away slightly as the shard sliced him over his right eye. His slight evasion saved his sight but left a long slash over his right eye. Kumori fell back on the ground holding his eye. Kurai picked up Kumori by the collar of his shirt and brought him to eye level. "Will you still not use your fire?"
"I will not do want you? I will Firebend but only when you stop ordering me to." Kurai threw Kumori away and he landed next Aang and friends. He looked up into Aang's eyes. "I tried." He said with tears flowing before he passed out.
"Pitiful little brother you're a disgrace to the name Kage, you refuse to use the gift of fire while I am stuck with lowly earth." Kurai turned around. "Kazan, Yougan let's go; we're done here, I want nothing to do with this failure, he doesn't even deserve for me to kill him." They all rose up on a platform of earth and began to float away. Aang ran to chase after them.
"Aang wait!" called Katara. "I know you want to stop them but we need to help Kumori first.
"Alright." Aang reached into his pocket and blew a whistle and minutes later a giant bison flew down and Sokka and Aang helped lift Kumori onto it.
Later
Kumori opened his eyes; it hurt to open his right one. He looked up and saw the sky above him. It was moving. He sat up and immediately got a headache.
"You're awake." He looked over and saw Katara sitting nearby. Aang and Sokka were asleep. "I healed your hand, but I didn't want to risk hurting your eye, but I can still heal it if you want." Kumori felt the cut starting an inch above his eye and ending at the top of his cheek.
"No, I will not heal it until my brother is defeated. Where am I anyway?"
"On Appa our flying bison, we felt it was best to get out of Omashu while we could."
"But grandfather, the base. I need supplies and Kuro." As if on cue the crow-bat landed on his shoulder.
"He followed us here, we went back to the base it was destroyed we got what little we could, we found this in your grandfather's chamber." She handed him a box and inside were two kukris and two dozen needles.
"These were grandfather's kukris, I'll cherish them forever." Holding the blades carefully.
"I'm sorry we couldn't stay and give your grandfather a proper burial but we had to leave."
"I know." Kumori put the blades back in the box and lay back down and fell back asleep.
Omashu
Azula sat in her bed her leg still useless. She was staring at the Oni mask in her hands.
"He beat me again. And he doesn't even remember the first time. But next time I won't get caught by surprise. I will be perfect, I will be the best. Besides I'll get you back for what you did all those years ago." She put the mask on the table and huffed. "Just as soon as I can move my goddamn leg."
Well I'm done, so Kumori is a Bender. And what happened between him and Azula when he was 5? I'll try to update soon. And the reason I didn't do Kazan and Yougan's fight is because I want to keep their power a mystery.