A/N:
Ashley Barbosa: It was a great movie, wasn't it :) Azula and Aang's deal will be revealed shortly, so keep reading to find out. And yeah, Katara does have a suspicion, will it continue to grow or will it die?
phieillydinyia: Unfortunately, Zuko won't catch a break. This story centres around him and Aang, and just like Aang never caught a break during his past (which will be revealed shortly) so will Zuko. Yeah, I love dark Aang too, that's why I love writing him so much lol :) Azula's only getting started ;)
TheQuietReader23: Zuko's deal will be revealed shortly, but more so in Book 2, I'll drop hints in book 1 here and there so hopefully you catch on (to be fair, you always do). Azula's presence is quite literally to create chaos and doubt, so yes, she made that comment about Sokka to rile Toph up because Toph needs to be on the edge while she's around Aang. if she's relaxed, she may figure out what's going on because she can see a lot more than those with vision. Where is Suki!? Shit! I completely forgot about her! HA HA HA HA HA HA HA - oh well, too late now ;) You're asking the right questions buddy, but I will not answer them. Does Aang know Azula's planning on betraying him? We'll find out soon. "One off-hand comment could change the narrative." You don't know how right you are, trust me.
jonners2314: I'm glad you're enjoying it so far. I enjoy writing it greatly :) Yes, Azula's involvment will now grow and become crucial, you'll see. Yes, this is Book 1. There'll be a Book 2 and possible a Book 3!
Chapter 8: Applying Pressure
"How much time do I have?"
Councilman Zion sighed as he whispered back, "I'm not sure, Fire lord Zuko. The Council is losing patience. Every day another body is found, every day the public's support for Amon grows, and every day the councilmen and generals grow desperate to offer the Avatar complete autonomy."
Zuko sighed as well, growing ever tired of the situation he found himself in. It had been four days since he received Amon's warning – the killings hadn't stopped, the threats remained very much alive, and his personal life hadn't changed for the better either.
"Should we give it to him?" Councilman Zion inquired, "We all know what he's capable of. If anyone can stop this 'Amon' character, it's the Avatar."
Zuko thought it over; of course, he knew Aang could disable Amon's growing support and Amon himself – it was why Zuko and Katara requested his assistance in the first place. However, ever since Aang had arrived, Zuko found that his best friend had changed predominantly, and now was not the same man he used to be. Agni, after watching that mover of Amon murdering the former molester and murdered: Lazerus, Zuko's suspicion of Aang being Amon had only strengthened. Sure, it was still highly unlikely that the Avatar – no, Aang… the same Aang who wouldn't dare kill Ozai even when the world's freedom depended on it – it was highly unlikely that same Aang would then completely turn his back on his morals and begin murdering a bunch of government officials and criminals. 'But something about that laugh' – Zuko thought, it was the same one Zuko had heard from Aang on rare occasions. Of course, having the same laugh as someone doesn't make you guilty of anything, the Fire Lord understood that perfectly. However, having the same laugh as a deranged murder who was immensely cunning and powerful while also being the most loved and feared being in the world yourself… well, that is highly suspect – especially if you've been missing for the last 2 years or so. There was simply one question Zuko kept asking himself: 'Can I trust him?'
"My Lord?" Zuko was pulled away from his thoughts as Councilman Zion placed a hand on his shoulder for comfort, "We can trust the Avatar, can't we?"
'I'm not sure' – was what Zuko wanted to answer. However, he didn't want to go around throwing false accusations at someone when he had no proof reinforce them with, especially when that someone was both the Avatar and his fiancé's best friend and ex-boyfriend – yeah, he didn't want to be in the dog house.
"We'll worry about the Avatar later, Councilman. First we need to –"
"Forgive me, my Lord," Zion interrupted, "But we must do something and soon. If this keeps up, I fear that the Council will move to vote you off the throne and have General Fang assume control – he's been poaching them."
Zuko clenched his fists, 'Its bad enough that I have to deal with Amon, but now I've also got my own generals conspiring against me!' Just as quickly as he became angered, that same emotion fled with the same haste; he expected this. It was a knee-jerk reaction and one he was sure his Council would discuss further. Zuko had been under the thumb of his Council for quite some time now – it was part of the reason he asked Aang to return; to help him reclaim control or gain some leverage. And he was going to propose a partnership to the Avatar, but Amon's timing ruined everything. Now, he had to worry about Amon first – reclaiming his power and influence would have to be put aside for the time being.
"Like I said, we'll deal with the Avatar later," Zuko took in a calming breath before he continued, "First, we must address Amon publicly, and I need to have a chat with General Fang."
Councilman Zion nodded, "Not to mention Fire Lord, your engagement party is in a few days. The preparations have been made – congratulations by the way."
The Councilman patted Zuko on the back before he was dismissed. Zuko smiled at him in thanks and also took his leave. He respected Zion; the councilman was someone Zuko often confided in and trusted greatly. He was the one person on his Council whom he knew wouldn't betray him – so, Zuko kept him close. It also didn't hurt that Councilman Zion reminded him of his Uncle Iroh somewhat; old, wise, fat and told horrible jokes – Zuko chuckled while walking through the corridors – but loveable, nonetheless.
XOXOXOXOXOX
"Katara, do you really think this is a good idea?"
She didn't answer for a while as she was surveying the building thoughtfully. After a long discussion, Lenzo had finally given up the location of the Underground's base of operations, and rather than waiting for the Council's permission to raid it – which Katara knew they wouldn't give – she opted to take matters into her own hands. Well, her and the Avatar's, to be exact. Of course, she could probably take them on herself, she was the greatest Waterbender in the world after all, but she didn't want to risk it. Besides, despite Lenzo's insight, he had no real knowledge regarding exactly how many men would be present within the building, nor did he know exactly what they had locked up in their heavily guarded basement.
So, who better to take to raid a criminal base of operations than the most powerful bender in the world, who also happens to be your best friend… and ex-lover? Yeah, there's no way this could go wrong….
"The Council won't support us until its too late and by then, they'll have figureed out that Lenzo ratted on them, so they'll come after him. We have to do this now, Aang," Katara spoke determined, meeting his grey eyes as he nodded in confirmation and they both took several steps towards the building.
"Can you use your seismic sense to see what we're dealing with?" She asked as she turned to him.
Aang nodded and planted his feet to the ground somewhat hesitantly; he knew that this would likely drain him, but not the point where he'd have to worry. "Nine men on ground level," Aang answered, "I can't feel the upper level because its mostly wood, five guarding the door that leads to the basement and another ten in the basement itself."
"That's quite a lot," Katara's eyes widened slightly, though her resolve did not break.
Aang simply smirked at her. "No!" he exasperated in fake disbelief, "Is Sifu Katara afraid of some goons?"
"In your dreams, Avatar," Katara smiled at him as she moved towards the door, ready to knock it down with a water whip. "After we handle these ones," Katara motioned towards the ground level, "You handle whoever or whatever's downstairs while I check out the upper level, okay?"
"Sure."
Aang was prepared to enter, however, when Katara pulled water from the air and was about to water-whip the door down, he gripped onto her wrist and asked, "Uhh, what are you doing?"
Katara raised her eyebrow in confusion before she retorted, "I'm creating an opening… what else would I be doing?"
Aang simply shook his head and waved his finger in front of the waterbender as he gave her a playful disapproving look, "Tsk tsk tsk. Now, now Miss. Katara. We can't just barge in uninvited. They might have no manners, but we need to be proper."
"This is no time for games, Aang," Katara sighed.
"I'm not playing games," Aang moved to open the door by turning the handle, "I'm being proper. Why break the door down if they've already left it open for us?"
"And why would they do that?" Katara folded her arms across her chest in defiance, "they maybe be criminals, but they're not –"
Her protest died in her throat when Aang turned the handle all the way and the door clicked open. She didn't dare try to meet his gaze because she knew what awaited her: a shit-eating grin and his famous wiggling eyebrows of victory. Despite herself however, Katara couldn't halt the small smile that began to tug at her lips as Aang open the door, gesturing her to walk in first like the gentleman he was.
"You'd be surprised by how stupid and irresponsible some of them could be," Aang chuckled as Katara playfully shoved him before stepping in.
"Whatever," the Waterbender mumbled as she began observing the scene. Before them was a long corridor, followed by a staircase that led to the upper level that Katara would investigate and a back door at the end of said corridor. To their left, a few steps away, was the living room where multiple sources of laughter were originating from.
"Six of them are there," Aang motioned towards the living room, "two are guarding the back door." As Katara turned to meet his gaze, her breath hitched in her throat, though Aang hadn't noticed, "and the other two are standing by the stairs. How do you want to –"
His breath caught in his throat too when he noticed her staring at him due to their proximity. They were standing side by side, Aang was leaning over Katara as he was whispering into her ear – they were close, almost to the point where a slight adjustment would cause their cheeks to caress the others, not that they particularly minded, but now wasn't the right time.
Aang was the first to be knocked out of his haze as he stepped back and cleared his throat. After several short blinks, Katara followed his lead.
"We'll take out the guys on the stairs quietly, then the guys guarding the back, then the living room. They're the loudest so they won't be able to hear us," Katara suggested, then added as an afterthought, "hopefully."
Aang simply nodded and motioned for her to follow him as they began walking down the corridor towards the stairs. The floor was stable and not as creaky as the two benders expected it to be, so they were grateful for that because a squeaky floorboard would have alerted their enemies sooner than they would've hoped. The walls were a dark grey – Katara noticed, they reminded her of Aang's passionate, desire filled eyes whenever they were making love all those years ago. As they neared the stairs, Katara took a moment to admire the man beside her before she shook her head to brush off the pink hue left on her cheeks. She admitted, Aang was quite handsome, more so now than ever, mostly due to his hair and his height and all those muscles and that sharp jawline and that sweet smile and –
Katara shook her head again, 'No! Bad Katara! This is not the time and… what we once had is now over. We can't go back now; I am engaged to Zuko and there's nothing we can do to change that.' She was lying, of course; she knew she could end it just as easily as she had accepted his proposal, but something told her that would be the wrong move to make. She didn't know why, but she had a feeling that holding on for a little longer would reward her with the truth regarding what happened all those years ago, with Aang, with Zuko and her Father. Katara had her suspicions, but no evidence to support them. And she needed proof before she could do anything else. So, she waited patiently, she waited for a sign – then Aang came back to her. And now, he was beside her, getting ready to take down a possible drug operation – something she never imagined she would have to do herself as she hoped the authorities would. However, after seeing for herself how corrupt the Council could be, she knew she had to find another way. And then Aang showed up.
That's what she admired about the airbender; one way or another, Aang would always find a way to bring hope into Katara's life. Just when she thought the situation in the war could not get worse, Aang swoops in and saves the day alongside her and their friends. Just when she thought she had been betrayed by her father when he brought Malina into their home, Aang swooped in and offered her a new perspective, one that helped Katara accept Malina into her family and allowed her father to finally find love. Just when Katara thought the Fire Nation was doomed, Aang swoops in again and offers his assistance and guidance in reclaiming it. And now, just when Katara thought there was no way she would ever consider being with him or trusting him again, here he was, standing by her side, ready to attack criminals with her to defend the innocent – something she knew Zuko would never even consider because either he'd think it was reckless and dangerous, or the Council wouldn't allow it. He could have donned his Blue Spirit costume once more, but due to another play about the war, the entire Fire Nation was aware of the fact that Fire Lord Zuko was also once the Blue Spirit. So, if he did decide to become a vigilante, the Council would chew him up and spit him out once and for all. And despite hating the fact that Zuko all of a sudden had lost his backbone, she knew that he couldn't take the risk.
So, her gaze fell upon Aang and hope encased her spirit once again.
"They're both engaged in a conversation, if we're careful enough, we can take them out without making a sound," Aang suggested with his staff in hand.
Katara nodded and moved to cross the corner. Once she did, she came face to face with the two goons. They hadn't noticed her immediately, but by the time they had, Katara had already encased their mouths shut with a layer of ice. Next, Aang came into view and smashed his staff against both their heads using a soft cushion of air to lessen the damage. When they were both knocked out, their bodies fell onto Aang and Katara who laid both unconscious thugs down by the stairs.
Gesturing towards the back door at the end of the corridor, Aang motioned Katara to stay put while he ran towards it. Using his Airbending to glide through the corridor without making a sound, he pushed open the back door and leapt over the two unsuspecting men. Once he was above them, he held onto the few strands of hair on their heads and pulled them down along with him. Upon landing on his feet and crouching down, Aang slammed the two men's heads against the concrete ground, thus effectively knocking them out once again – he also used a cushion of air to soften the landing so no one would be alarmed.
Once he encased both men in earth to keep them in place – with some difficulty – he pushed open the door and strode over to the opening that led to the living room. There were two openings, Katara was positioned on the one on the far front door while Aang was positioned near the one beside the back door. Giving off the signal, Aang chose to distract the men as he strode into the living room casually. Once he walked in, he noticed that they were playing an illegal version of Pai Sho, one where they could make bets and bend the rules. So, deciding to blend in as most of them seemed drunk or tipsy, despite it only being midday, Aang casually strode over to the couch and sat down, stretching his feet out and planting them on the pai show table as he took a sip of the beer beside him.
"So, who's winning?"
Everyone stared at him dumbfounded, clearly distraught and confused as to why the Avatar just sat down on their couch, took a sip of their beer, and tried to make casual conversation while acting like he owned the place. Unknown to them, Katara understood Aang's intention and slipped into the room unnoticed.
"What? I love spectator sports," Aang shrugged as he took another sip of the beer before sighing and smashing it over the head of the guy beside him.
Right then, chaos erupted, flames encased the room, air destroyed the furniture and water flooded the floors.
When Aang smashed the bottle of beer on the unsuspecting man's head, Katara rolled her eyes before opening her waterskin and bending the water to send a wave towards the five – now four conscious men. As they made it to their feet, Aang grabbed onto his staff and sent a wave of air towards a thug who didn't see it coming. Upon impact with the wave current, the man was violently launched backwards, thus crashing against the fireplace behind him and knocking him unconscious as well. While that happened, the other men had recovered and began attacking Katara; punching and kicking several streaks and whips of fire towards her while she defended herself against them.
It had been a while since she'd been in battle, so she was a little rusty, needless to say. However, being the natural fighter she was, Katara got reacquainted with the thrill and the battle prowess she'd developed and felt right at home in no time – sending whips and waves of water to smack back the two men attacking her.
While the other two thugs attacked Katara with their bending, the remaining man was a non-bender. So, once Aang turned his attention to him, the man drew his handgun and began firing several bullets at the Avatar. Aang knew that he could try to use Earthbending to defend himself from the attack, but he also knew that it could fail or worse, it could further drain him – so, he opted to stay true to his native element. Since it was a closed and crowed area, Aang had little to no room to use his Airbending to dodge the bullets. So, instead, he spun his staff around and created a whirlwind around him – one strong enough to disrupt the trajectory of the bullets mid-air, thus they were swept in and carried away in the shield of air Aang had created. The man continued shooting until he had emptied the chamber, so, when he motioned to remove the clip and insert another one, Aang saw his opportunity and took it.
Meanwhile, after defending against the several streaks of flames coming her way, Katara used her octopus form to go on the offensive. She changed stances and created two tendrils which she later wrapped around the feet of both men. When the men whipped her tendrils into steam, Katara smirked and used her other tendril to whip them both away – she had been expecting them to go the defensive first, which they thankfully did. One was swung into a painting planted against the wall and the other was flung against the coach. Katara froze the water that she had previously used to drench the two men, thus rendering them immobile as their bodies from the head-down were encased in ice. If they knew the technique of the Breath of the Dragon, they could escape, but seeing the seething and grimacing look on their faces as they struggled to break free, she knew she didn't need to worry. Realising that they had been defeated, Katara turned her attention back towards her partner.
Aang leapt towards the man while he attempted to reload his gun. Once he was in range, Aang gripped onto the gun and flung it away. Next, he spun around, raising his staff in the air as he turned around, and in a circular motion, once he was facing the man again, he swung his staff upwards, thus sending a whip of slicing air towards the thug. The whip of air launched the man onto the roof which he collided against. Once he was falling back towards the floor again, Aang swung around again, only this time he stretched out his staff and spun it horizontally. When the man was at the required level, Aang's staff collided with the man's middle section. Thus, using another cushion of air, Aang shot the man towards the bleak, grey wall behind him. The collision knocked the thug unconscious immediately.
Katara stood there in awe, surprised by how effective the air element could be. Of course, she knew exactly how dangerous air could be; while they were dating, Aang had explained to her how he could suck the air out of anyone's lungs in the blink of an eye, this partly being the reason as to why his people were pacifists. So, of course Katara understood air was dangerous, deadly and effective, but seeing it in action now – being used for offense instead of defence – she had a newfound respect for both the element and its wielder.
She had no time to voice her admiration though, as they heard several footsteps echoing from both downstairs and upstairs. Nodding at each other, the two benders ran towards their positions, with Katara making her way to the upper level while Aang travelled underground.
Making her way upstairs, Katara was met with two men above her who immediately drew their guns, ready to rain down bullets upon her. The Master Waterbender however, reacted instantly and drew water from her waterskin – bending it into icicles, she shot them into the barrels of the handguns with pin-point precision. So, when the two men clumsily fired their guns, the draw back and blockage caused an explosion, thus injuring their hands and causing their guns to fall onto the floor. Using this to her advantage, Katara bended the water to wrap around their arms. When the tendrils were secure, Katara yanked them towards her while she began running up the stairs. Since they were on an incline, the men flew over Katara and collided against the wall behind her, one of them even went right through it. Either way, they either laid there groaning or unconscious while she made her way upstairs.
As she turned the corner, Katara was met with another man – this one was prepared as he shot flames towards her immediately, so she turned back around and took cover behind the corner she had previously turned.
"You're dying right here, water slut!" The man shouted as he shot another stream of fire towards Katara, attempting to either bait her out or melt away her cover.
Upon hearing his insult, and enraged Katara homed in on all the particles of water floating around in the air surrounding them. Once she had located them, she bended them behind the man and encased his feet in ice. While shooting his flames, he hadn't noticed the movement of water being bended behind him, but once his feet where trapped, he stopped attacking and tried melting the ice away. Katara, already aware of his attempt to free himself, bended the remaining water in her water skin into the form of a large boulder. When she turned the corner this time, she shot the boulder towards the unsuspecting thug who shrieked in fear and surprise before it collided against him. The impact knocked him unconscious, so when he fell on his back, Katara bended the water back into her waterskin, thus freeing his feet from the ice.
Sensing that no one else was around, yet still remaining cautious, Katara kept one of her hands encased in water as she surveyed the upper level. Kicking open every door dramatically, all she found was either garbage, a couple weapons, or contact numbers and locations for potential and current buyers. After analysing the maps and lists of numbers, she remembered that Aang may have needed her help downstairs. So, fearing she was already too late, she rushed downstairs, praying to the spirits that he was unharmed and alive.
Katara's worry lessened somewhat as she turned the corner; laying on the stairs, she found two men encased in ice, and after entering the corridor that led to the hidden room in the basement, she found several other men lying unconscious – they weren't severely injured, but they didn't look to be in the best of shape either. Hearing voices coming from inside, Katara opened the door, prepared to shoot icicles at anyone who wasn't Aang. Much to her relief, however, she was instead met with the image of the Avatar interrogating what appeared to be the man behind the operations of the Underground. The man was encased in earth from the head-down – panning her head around the room, Katara noticed that several men in this room shared the same fate as others; this seemed more like a one-sided domination rather than a proper battle. Almost as if Aang had just walked in, engulfed them inside a tornado and whipped them around the room like ragdolls with no real care – carnage was everywhere, needless to say. Some were even bleeding, but Katara tore her eyes away from them to find Aang smiling at her. Relieved that he was okay, she couldn't contain herself as she ran into his arms and embraced him tightly, sighing as she breathed in his comforting scent that reminded her of peaches and fresh linen.
The both of them forgot exactly where they were as they remained embraced for a while, that is until the man encased in earth spoke up, "Awww… what a touching display. Please, go ahead and start fucking, don't mind me."
Tensing slightly, Katara pulled away and glared at the smirking man before her eyes fell onto the stack of cocaine behind him.
"Oh yeah, you're a fine piece of meat," the man turned towards the Avatar as he eyed Katara with lust, "how about letting have a bite once you've had your serving?"
"Shut up," Aang slapped him across the face so hard it caused him to start bleeding from his nose.
The man grimaced, but his eyes grew wide in fear and shock when Katara spoke up, "Set their precious stach to flames, Aang."
Aang also eyed her cautiously, wondering if it truly was the best course of action. "Katara, this is evidence, we can't just destroy it."
"Aang," Katara sighed, "You know – "
"You better listen to him you water bitch!" The man interrupted, causing Katara and Aang to seethe, but they both kept their cool for once.
Choosing to ignore the thug, Katara turned back to the Avatar.
"You and I both know that if we allow the authorities to lock this up, it'll just end up back on the streets one way or another. We can't allow that," her face softening, Katara moved towards him and took his hands in hers, caressing his arrows with the pad of her thumb as she spoke, "we can't allow them to poison the world any longer, Aang. Do this…." Smiling softly, she reached up and cupped his cheek, brushing her thumb across his cheekbone lovingly as she whispered softly, "for me. Please."
Aang tried to steel himself as he knew this would do more harm than good, but after a while, he once again fell prey to that same sweet smile, warm touch and soft voice he'd fallen in love with. Sighing in defeat, Aang smiled back in return and nodded.
The man still encased in earth felt panic overtake him, "No! You can't! Do you know how much all that shit costs!? You'll ruin me! Don't do this, Avatar! I'll make sure that you and your water whore suffer!"
Aang paid the man no attention as he created a flame in the palm of his hand with some difficulty – but Katara didn't notice – and he set the large blocks of cocaine on fire one by one. Once it was done, ignoring the thug's cries and threats, Katara told Aang that she'd talk to the authorities who had just arrived outside. She suggested that he stay and watch the man he had detained, a request he more than willingly accepted. As she made her way upstairs, Aang turned to the man beneath hm and towered over him as he spoke:
"Now, if you value your ability to Firebend at all, you'll tell me everything you know about Lenzo."
XOXOXOXOXOX
The General continued walking back and forth in his office, waiting not so patiently for his ally to arrive – it was well past dusk, and Amon was supposed to arrive fifteen minutes prior, so naturally, Fang was somewhat distraught. It wasn't that he feared him… much – Fang was more concerned with someone else within his department seeing the two of them together again, especially when the meeting was unsupervised and unplanned.
The plan that Amon had laid out was being carried out smoothly so far; no complications had arisen and Zuko was beginning to feel the pressure, both from Amon and his own Council. The continuous build-up of pressure would either cause the Fire Lord to implode and act out irrationally or he'd be pushed off the throne due to indecision or the Council's lack of confidence in his abilities to lead.
"If you keep pacing like that General," a cold voice called out from behind him. As the General turned around, he was met with the distant black eyes, red smile and white painted face of Amon, "people will begin to think you're crazy."
The General noticed Amon's attempt to stifle his laughter, but it cracked out anyways, "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA…"
Fang winced; there was always something about that laugh that caused the General's insides to twist and turn uncomfortably. His laugh was distinct – sadistic, but distinct; it held such pain that Fang had never comprehended before, yet it also held such erratic playfulness that Fang felt this man was simply deranged, and that attempting to understand or empathise with him would do him no good.
"Amon," the General began, "the plan is going smoothly. The pressure is building and sooner or later, Zuko will – "
"Do you wanna know how I got these scars?" Amon suddenly interrupted him, hopping onto the General's table and dangling his legs off the edge playfully, smiling like a disturbed child.
"I'd rather not," the General answered.
Amon pouted, "Don't you like me General?"
To say that General Fang felt unsure and awkward was an understatement; Amon had always remained semi-serious and focused during these meetings, so when he suddenly began messing around and playing with the General, naturally, he didn't know how to respond.
"What? Do you think I'm crazy?" Amon continued threateningly, "Am I just a nutjob to you? Do I look like someone who would offer you the world, then just as its in your reach, I'd snatch it away and tear it apart just to laugh at the horrified look on your face?" When the General's expression transformed to something that represented dread, Amon began laughing hysterically. "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA… Oh relax, Fang." The General continued to stare at Amon's red, sinister smile with unease as he attempted to reassure him half-heartedly, "I'm just messing with you. I wouldn't give you exactly what you want and then take it away from you in that same instance, now would I?"
Fang took a moment to comprehend Amon's intentions; it could be entirely possible that Amon was genuinely messing around and 'having 'fun' with the General. However, something about his expression, or his tone, or his body language… or everything for that matter, it all told him he was playing mind games. Even still, if that was the case, it wasn't like Fang was in any position to do something about it.
"No," Fang lied, "you wouldn't."
"Exactly!" Amon cheered as he began clapping, "you know me so well, Fang. I'm not a monster…"
Fang didn't know why it seemed so, but Amon's statement sounded incomplete – he just hoped that what he had left out wouldn't completely fuck with his head as he tried to regain some control of the situation by speaking up. "Amon," he called out.
"Yes?"
"You haven't told me the next phase of the plan. What do you intend to do?"
At that, Amon began laughing hysterically again, "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA… forgive me," he barely managed to choke out as his laughter continued, "HA HA HA HA HA…"
As the general waited again, not so patiently, Amon stifled his laughter and spoke sternly, that wide, sinister, red smile still plastered across his lips, "Well, thinking about it now, I think I've been rather inconsiderate towards our beloved Fire Lord, don't you think?"
When the General shrugged in confusion, Amon chuckled as he elaborated, "The man's engaged, General. And… I haven't even congratulated him."
At that, the wheels began turning in General Fang's head, and a sinister smile akin to Amon's was plastered across his face too.
"I think its time I formally deliver our Fire Lord his engagement present…" turning around to face the General, Amon crossed his arms and smiled at him knowingly, "and what better place to offer my congratulations, than at his engagement party?"
The General's grin grew wider, and so did Amon's, "HA HA HA HA HA HA HA HA…"
XOXOXOXOXOX
"That stash of cocaine was evidence Katara! Evidence! You can't just go around destroying whatever you like!" Zuko yelled, pacing around the room while his fiancé stood her ground.
Katara and Aang had returned to the Palace some time after noon. Aang, knowing that an irate Zuko would be waiting for them, made a dumb excuse and trailed off – knowing that Zuko would do more damage to his relationship with Katara if Aang wasn't there for him to focus on instead. So, here they were, once again arguing as if they were already a married couple, albeit not an entirely happy one.
"You know full well that if we locked it up it would've been stolen, or someone would've paid the authorities off and reclaimed it, and it would've been right back where we found it! I did what I thought was right, Zuko!"
"Katara, are you fucking stupid!?" Zuko shouted, stepping up to his fiancé and speaking to her in a way she never expected him to, "The prosecutor can't get any fucking convictions now, nor can the judge deny them bail! And do you know why?!" Zuko stepped up completely as he glared at her, his stance unchallenging and outspoken, "Its because you decided to play vigilante and destroyed crucial evidence!"
When Katara tried to argue, Zuko interrupted her yet again, "And now, since the prosecutor can't convict them, they're gonna be back on the streets in no time. And it's all thanks to you… and that blasted Avatar!"
Upon hearing Zuko blame Aang for something he knowingly tried to avoid, Katara couldn't take it as she pushed Zuko away from her harshly, deeming him to be a little too close to her at that exact moment.
"Don't you dare blame Aang!" She screamed, "Aang had nothing to do with it!"
"Oh, so you're telling me that one of those other Firebenders willing said 'Yes ma'am, yes Fire Lady, I will definitely destroy the most valuable thing here and ruin my credibility and likely put a target on my back just because you batted your eyes at me and asked me nicely. Yes please, what else can I do, should I round everyone up, should I hold the drier while you comb your hair?'" Katara took several steps back, seething at her fiancé as he continued to hammer down on her, "Give me a fucking break, Katara! I know it was Aang who set that stash ablaze! You know, I even bet that he put that idea in your head because he knew I'd get berated if we lost the only piece of evidence required to put those men in jail!"
"H-How – How could you even say something like that?!"
"You're telling me he didn't encourage it?!"
"No!" Katara yelled, "he did the exact opposite as a matter of fact; he warned me that burning evidence would do more harm than good. But I didn't listen and –"
"That's just what he wants you to think!" Zuko interrupted her as he began pacing again, his fear causing his irrational thoughts to come into the light, "he made you think that it he was against it when in reality he was all for it. He knew that if he convinced you that you made him do it, you would defend him and fight with me. And in doing so, we'll grow further apart and he'll –"
"What the fuck are you even saying!?" Katara now interrupted him as she yelled in anger, annoyance and disbelief, "He would do nothing of the sort! He isn't a manipulative monster! And why would he even want us to fight?! He's happy for us, he told me so himself! And you're going off topic; blaming Aang for this is completely out of the question because he actively fought it! He told me that we should alert the authorities instead of barging in there like vigilantes and he warned me against burning evidence! So, he is not to blame!"
"I'm telling you Katara," Zuko continued, almost as if he hadn't heard a word she had uttered as he continued to voice his doubts and fears unknowingly, "he's dangerous. He's not the same boy you dated. He's changed, he's… he's –"
"He's Aang!" Katara yelled, outspoken and unyielding in her approach, "he might've changed a bit, but he's still the same Aang I've known. The Aang I've always known! The same Aang I've always loved!"
Katara gasped and covered her mouth with her hand as the revelation hit her, Zuko just stood there, dumbfounded. He may have ignored everything else she had stated, but he definitely heard that. They stood there for a while – Katara attempting to uncover if what she had said was only due to the heat of the moment or if it was the truth – Zuko meanwhile, attempted to fight off the dread and anxiety that had been slowly consuming him over the week and was now attacking him on all fronts.
"Well, well," came a bored yet amused voice that broke the silence and caught both their attention, "looks like the wedding is going to fall apart without my help, such a shame."
As Katara turned around, she immediately grew even angrier, clenching her fists and her jaw as she gritted those three, menacing syllables she hated:
"Azula…"