I'm back you amazing mofos ;)
Disclaimer: I don't own Percy Jackson or the ATLA universe because I'm a broke-ass college student. Sue me, you won't get anything.
Previously:
"We have a lot more in common than I thought when I first met you," Katara said.
"What do you mean?"
"Well, we're both teenagers fighting in a war. We've both lost our moms and it haunts us. Neither of us have seen our fathers in years, you because of your banishment, me because of the war. We're both strong benders and have a sibling in our families. While we may bend opposite elements, our trials and personalities tie us together. We have a lot in common."
Zuko stared at her for a long moment, "Yeah, I guess we do.
( - )
General How walked through the Earth King's palace, unaware of the shadows slinking between the columns alongside him. Suddenly, before he could react, two Dai Li agents leaped out, shooting linked chains towards him that wrapped around his wrists.
How groaned as the agents pulled tightly on the chains, locking his arms out to the side and pulling him to his knees as another agent moved in front of him.
"What's going on here?!" How roared at the man in front of him.
"You're under house arrest by the orders of the throne," the agent replied with a small smile at his captive in front of him.
( - )
General Yan casually strolled over a vent in the streets of the upper ring before he was yanked to the ground, bound in chains that shot upwards from beneath him. He peered wide-eyed at the Dai Li agents lurking in the vent as they moved to restrain him even further.
( - )
General Sung was pulled into an alleyway with a loud yell as he tried to fight the surprise attack, attracting the attention of another passerby who ran after the yell before coming to a halt suddenly as a Dai Li agent blocked his path down the alley. The man swallowed before backing away slowly, turning and fleeing when he was 10 yards away. Everyone in Ba Sing Se knew that to cross the Dai Li would result in severe repercussions.
( - )
Generals Daman and Diu stood in the council's war room overlooking their war map as they discussed the most recent skirmish results on the eastern border, blissfully unaware of the Dai Li agents creeping into the room from above, sticking to the ceiling with their earthen gloves and boots.
The general's conversation died suddenly with yells of surprise as they were yanked upside down by the chains now around their ankles as Dai Li agents quickly filed into the room, surrounding them as they dangled from the ceiling.
( - )
Long Feng marched into the throne room with a cold, firm look on his face. He was followed by over a dozen Dai Li agents. Azula lounged upon the gold and green throne of the Earth Kingdom lazily, not even batting an eye at Long Feng's arrival. Percy stood to her right, playing with his dagger, a bored, nonchalant expression on his face, with Ty Lee & Mai both rising to their feet at the bottom of the stairs to face the throne, Mai's hand creeping towards her cache of hidden daggers and shurikens upon her.
Long Feng gazed upon them all for a moment as he came to a stop 10 yards in front of the throne, "Well, Princess Azula, it seems our plan has gone smoothly, yet I have heard nothing of King Kuei. Where is he? Is he dead?"
"My plan, you mean," Azula corrected, straightening up in the throne as she gazed down at Long Feng, "And King Kuei has been dealt with as was agreed upon. You won't be seeing him anytime soon," she said smoothly.
Long Feng regarded her a moment, looking for any signs of deception before he relaxed as a small smile played across his face, "It seems our partnership has worked out wonderfully then, now—"
"Not exactly," Azula cut in, "We still have yet to gain our prize as promised."
"Oh, yes, the Avatar, well, unfortunately, this is where I double-cross you. You're far more important to me as leverage, princess. Dai Li, arrest her."
He was taken aback by Azula's laughter ringing throughout the throne room, "Long Feng, a word of advice. If you seriously want to capture me, then you're going to need to bring a lot more men," Azula said. Neither the princess nor her allies had moved an inch at Long Feng's threats, if anything, the princess and her bodyguard seemed amused at his threats as small smiles snaked across their face. A long moment passed as Dai Li did nothing, remaining standing still behind Long Feng.
The Dai Li remained in their position as Long Feng whirled around on them angrily, "I said, arrest her!" he yelled pointing at Azula.
Again the Dai Li didn't move, "What is wrong with you!" Long Feng bellowed in frustration at them.
"It's because they haven't made up their minds yet. They're waiting to see how this is going to end," Azula said as she stood up from the throne, walking to the top of the stairs.
Long Feng turned back towards Azula as he growled out, "What are you talking about?".
Azula ignored his question as she continued onward with a smile, "I can see your whole history in your eyes. You were born with nothing, so you've had to struggle and connive and claw your way to power. However, true power, the divine right to rule, is something you're born with. The truth is, they don't know who's going to be sitting on that throne, and who will be bowing down. But I know, and you know," Azula said confidently as she turned and sat back down atop the throne.
"Well?" Azula asked as she stared down Long Feng, her golden eyes boring into him as he shifted uncomfortably before looking away towards the floor. Azula smiled as he dropped to a knee in front of them.
"You've beaten me at my own game," he muttered in defeat.
"Don't flatter yourself, you were never even a player," Azula smirked as she reveled in her triumph. She turned her gaze towards the Dai Li agents behind Long Feng who quickly followed suit as well.
"Damn, Azula, you really didn't have to do him like that," Percy leaned over to whisper in her ear from the side.
Azula shot Percy a brilliant smile before turning her attention towards the Dai Li agents assembled on their knees in front of her, missing the blush that crept onto Percy's face.
"Dai Li, please return Long Feng to his cell. I can't be distracted by attempts for him to seize back any of his power tonight," she commanded with a wave of her hand.
Four Dai Li agents quickly restrained Long Feng as he fought against their grip, "What? No you can't do this! Unhand me at once! I can get you whatever you need!" he tried negotiating with Azula.
"No, no you can't. I very much doubt you can fight and defeat the Avatar for me. I control the Dai Li now, you make empty promises you cannot keep. The Dai Li have seen your incompetence on full display, it's why none of them told you that I didn't kill the Earth King," Azula commented as she watched the struggling figure below her.
"What? You said you took care of him!" Long Feng shouted as he was wrestled into submission by his former employees.
"I said I dealt with him, I didn't say I killed him. You really should be more careful of who you make deals with minister," Azula said as she flicked her hand dismissively at him. Long Feng was dragged out of the throne room he had once controlled a few days prior.
With Long Feng taken care of, Azula turned towards her friends, "I do believe we just took control of this city, and we haven't even had lunch yet. Well done!" she praised her friends with a smile.
Immediately after her statement, Percy's stomach growled.
"What? It's nearly lunchtime..." he tried to defend himself weakly as the three girls burst out into laughter at him.
( - )
Percy had never been a patient person. Being a demigod with ADHD certainly didn't help, but he was always much more comfortable sparring for hours than trying to sit and meditate. It had been worse when he was younger and he smiled at an old memory of Piandao trying to get him to be still for meditation in his early years. He was surprised that his father's hair hadn't turned white from all the stress he had caused him.
He turned again as he continued his pacing back and forth in front of the ornate throne Azula sat upon. Her eyes were closed as she breathed evenly, showing no outward signs of anxiousness like him. He paused in his path, eyeing her appraisingly. She was still in her earthen garb from her morning speech with the Dai Li. Despite being very different from her usual red and black outfits, she remained breathtakingly beautiful. He was broken out of his thoughts by her voice, "You know you're staring right?" her voice rang out with an amused tint.
He gaped at her as she remained completely still on the throne, her eyes still closed. "What? How? No, I wasn't, I mean—" he stammered before Azula laughed good-naturedly.
"Please Perseus, you've been pacing for nearly the last hour. Unless you've stopped to look at the decorations you're looking at me."
"My apologies, your highness, you are, of course, right as always," he smirked as a grin formed in anticipation.
Azula frowned as she opened her golden eyes to look at her bodyguard standing below her, "Stop that! You know I hate it when you act formally around me," she ordered with a hint of anger seeping into her voice.
"Stop that! You know I hate being called Perseus, my lady," he shot back as he turned quickly, hiding his smile as he felt her glare upon his back. He was playing with fire after all, but teasing Azula was too fun to pass up. Besides, he was bored.
"I'm sorry, but it sounded like you wanted to get demoted to bathroom duty when we get back home," Azula replied sharply.
Percy couldn't contain his mirthful laughter as he quit his pacing to walk up the stairs towards Azula, he knew she would threaten him, he knew her better than anyone.
She glared, but with no real heat behind it, as he came to a stop beside her. His laughter brought an unbidden smile to her face.
"Relax Azula, you know I'm just messing with you," he said with a smile as Azula composed her expression while looking at him.
"If you play with fire—" she started before Percy cut her off with a dismissive hand wave.
"Yeah yeah, going to get burned, I've heard it before, too many times. It comes with being a waterbender in a Fire Nation," he said nonchalantly, smiling as she shot him another warning look at his remark. He was unfazed as he continued beside her, "Besides I didn't say anything that bad."
"My name is Azula, not my lady or any other ridiculous title you can think of. Think you can do that my little savage?" she shot back with a sickly sweet smile.
"I'm not sure little really fits with that nickname anymore," he said gesturing at his towering form beside her seated one. "Besides, you never seem to mind when I call you my princess, Zula," he leaned in, whispering it directly into her ear before pulling back to watch her reaction.
It took every bit of Azula's royal training to keep her blush down as she fought to maintain her royal facade. Unfortunately, she was trying to fool the person who spent nearly every waking moment with her.
Percy gave a cheshire grin so wide that the cat from Alice in Wonderland would've been jealous as he saw Azula's eyes darken when he whispered her nickname in her ear. Azula noticed his triumphant smirk which pushed her to quickly fight and regain control of the situation, standing abruptly to her feet.
"Percy, I'm sure you must be tired from all the pacing you've done, why don't you take a break, get off your feet," she said gesturing towards the now empty throne. Percy's smile quickly disappeared as he watched Azula carefully trying to gauge her new change in tone as she smiled at him, feeling like he was walking into a trap. Azula smiled at his hesitation, Percy was no idiot, despite what some of his funniest moments would argue otherwise. "I insist," she gestured again.
Percy gazed between Azula and the throne before moving around, gazing at the throne like it was going to come to life and eat him at any moment. After a quick inspection, he sat down in it, leaning against the golden backrest. Meanwhile, Azula smiled as she circled behind the throne, letting her hands drape on Percy's shoulders.
Percy shifted uncomfortably as Azula unbuckled his shoulder pauldrons, her fingers running along his muscled shoulders and lower neck before she began kneading the tight muscles as Percy let out a small groan.
"Wow, someone doesn't know how to relax before a big battle, do they?" Azula remarked offhandedly as she continued massaging Percy's lower neck and shoulders for a minute.
Percy groaned contentedly as Azula continued to loosen the muscles around his neck before suddenly, she pinched a knot in his traps causing him to squirm around in the throne as she bent down to whisper in his ear, "Now, you're not going to call me anything regarding my title again, are you?" she asked with a smirk as Percy squirmed around like a fish out of water.
"Are you?" she repeated, pinching his knot harder."Are you? This is your last chance."
"Alright, alright, fine. I won't call you anything related to your title," Percy caved, but not before he muttered, "Unless it's to piss you off or call you a nickname."
"What was that?" she asked as she jammed her fingers in his neck muscles.
"Nothing!" he squeaked.
Azula regarded him a moment before letting him go, for such a trained and battle-hardened warrior, he sure acted like a child sometimes. She returned to giving her massage as Percy crossed his arms and grumbled in the seat, "I knew it was too good to be true."
She smiled but ignored his words in favor of seeing the look of bliss on his face as she worked through the knots in his back. They were so distracted that it took a loud cough from Mai as she and Ty Lee stood in the room, regarding their friends with smirking expressions.
( - )
Percy walked through the palace, making his way towards the crystal catacombs. The sun was setting and darkness would soon descend, it was the best opportunity for Aang and his friends to try and rescue Katara. Azula would be right behind him with half of the Dai Li while Ty Lee and Mai remained in the throne room for the moment with the rest in case any remaining loyalist to the throne tried to make a play on it.
While his body was moving towards the catacombs, his mind was miles away, regarding the moment earlier between him and Azula. He had made previous, flirty comments before but she had never really flirted back, definitely not like that. Azula was undoubtedly attractive, of that he could admit easily. She cut an amazing figure with her relentless dedication to training and her silky black hair and golden eyes. But lately, he had realized just how much he liked Azula.
Not just because she was pretty, though, but because of everything she embodied. She was strong and ridiculously smart. She had a biting sense of humor but one he could find amusing. He liked how she wasn't scared of anything and would never ask him to do anything that she herself wouldn't do. He liked her smile, and her confidence was hot. At some point, he had developed strong romantic feelings for his best friend, the crown princess, Azula of the Sapphire Flame. And that was, well, worrisome to say the least. He needed to talk with Ty Lee about this revelation immediately, she would know what to do.
He was a trained warrior, capable of putting down a small army by himself if he was pushed to it, however, he admittedly had very little knowledge or experience with any type of romance.
( - )
When the sun finally slipped beneath the horizon, the Avatar and his friends finally made their way to the palace. Without Appa it was easy for them to sneak into the palace grounds, Toph's seismic sense was just as good at night as with daylight and they easily maneuvered around any patrolling Dai Li.
They reached the base of the palace stairs, moving around behind a wall as Toph crouched, putting her palm to the ground.
"Well, what do you know, there is an ancient city down there," she remarked quietly to her companions. "But, it's deep, we'll need to hurry."
She bent a large earthen hole that the group quickly filed into before covering it above them, leaving no trace of their intrusion. Iroh lit a small fire in the palm of his hand, giving light to Aang & Sokka, as Toph began to press further downward.
( - )
Katara watched as Zuko stirred from his sleep, giving a lazy yawn and stretching as he began to move about. It had been a few hours since their previous conversation, but it could've been even longer. It was impossible to tell within the catacombs how much time had passed.
Zuko rose to his feet, glancing at her as he noticed her staring at him, "What?"
"Look, I just wanted to apologize for earlier, I didn't mean to pry into your history or bring up any painful memories."
"It doesn't matter," Zuko brushed it aside brusquely.
"It's just, for so long now, whenever I would imagine the face of the enemy, it was your face," Katara spoke hesitantly.
"My face, I see," Zuko said as he reached up to touch the scar over his left eye.
"No, no, that's not what I meant," Katara tried to amend.
"It's okay," Zuko said, prodding his scar once more before letting his hand drop, "I used to think this scar marked me. It was the mark of the banished prince, cursed to chase the Avatar forever. But lately, I've realized I'm free to determine my destiny, even if I'll never be free of my mark."
"Maybe… maybe you could be free of it," Katara said uncertainly.
"What?"
"I have healing abilities," Katara remarked.
"It's a scar, it can't be healed."
Katara pulled out the vial of spirit water around her neck, showing it to Zuko, "This is water from the spirit oasis at the North Pole. It has special properties so I've been saving it for when we absolutely needed it. I don't know if it would work but…" she trailed off as she walked closer to Zuko, gently touching the scar with her fingers.
They stayed like that for a long moment, Katara gently feeling the scar as Zuko seemed to soften, and even lean into her touch.
They were interrupted as the boulder was removed and a person slid down into the catacombs.
Zuko quickly scrambled backward as the man stood to his feet. It was easy to recognize Percy from the broad shoulders clad in blue armor to the messy black hair splayed across his forehead. He smiled at Katara and Zuko, "So, you guys hungry? I brought some snacks," he motioned to the food wrapped in his arms.
( - )
Percy watched in amusement as Katara and Zuko tore through the food he had brought down for them. He was glad that they hadn't killed each other down here, he was half expecting to have to pull Katara off a bloody and beaten Zuko when he came down.
Percy sat between Zuko and Katara as they finished eating as Zuko looked up at him as he finished his food, wiping his mouth before speaking, "So, what's going on up there?" he asked motioning upward.
Percy paused glancing at Katara before shrugging, nothing he was going to reveal could benefit her in any way, "We've taken control of the city. Azula has lone command over the entirety of the Dai Li now. The five earth generals are under house arrest and being watched over by multiple Dai Li agents. The Earth King has presumably been sent out of the city by now. Nobody is opposing us right now besides Aang and his friends."
Zuko stared at him with wide eyes as he absorbed all the information, "Damn, a century of trying to take Ba Sing Se and you and Azula have accomplished it in just a week," he whistled lowly through his teeth.
"To be fair, it never would've been possible without the total corruption inside this city. The Dai Li were basically handed to us on a silver platter," Percy commented with a shrug.
Katara stared in horror as Percy casually commented on them conquering the capital of the Earth Kingdom, "How can you say that so casually? You're about to ruin all these people's lives forever," she exclaimed.
"And who would that be exactly? The lower ring is riddled with terrible poverty. The middle ring gets by, but they don't exactly seem to be living life to the fullest. The fucking Earth King didn't even know there was a war until a week ago when you told him," Percy snorted in derision, "The only people's lives that will change in this city are the upper ring elite who have been sitting on their gold plated chairs with fat bellies for a long time. They will soon learn what it means to have to work for a living."
Katara stared at him in disbelief, "You don't know that! All those people—"
"—Will simply be trading one ruler for another. The lower and middle ring will benefit from Fire Nation occupancy, no longer begging and fighting for the scraps left from the upper ring. We will bring balance and equality to this city under our rule."
"The people should get a right to choose their ruler," Katara argued.
"What choice are they given now? The monarchy has been in control for decades. Everyone else are just pawns, nobody even knew that there had been a war going on outside the walls for over the past century. There won't even be a battle. Ba Sing Se will be conquered without any bloodshed, the Fire Nation will walk into this city without a single person opposing them."
Katara shook her head in disagreement, "No, you're wrong Percy. Zuko, you agree with me, don't you?" she turned, pleading with the prince.
Zuko was hesitant for a long moment before speaking, "Percy, the Fire Nation isn't perfect. They've committed many atrocities—"
Percy waved his hand as he cut him off, "—of course they have, It's war, Zuko, what did you expect?"
Zuko paused for a long moment before speaking again, "And what makes you think that the Fire Lord is better than the Earth King?"
Now it was Percy's turn to be quiet as he thought before speaking slowly, "He knows how to run an empire. The Fire Nation is the strongest nation by far, we've been able to fight both the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom simultaneously. But, your father is cruel, abusive, and he doesn't care for anybody besides himself," Percy paused. "He can be replaced, or removed."
Zuko and Katara stared at Percy in shock, "Percy that's… that's treason you're talking about," Zuko said, staring at his friend.
"What am I talking about? I didn't say that I was going to do anything, I just think that should the Fire Lord be replaced by his children, they would do a better job than him," Percy replied gazing at Zuko intensely.
"In case you haven't noticed, I'm banished and imprisoned," Zuko spat gesturing around the catacomb.
"But, you don't have to be, the Avatar will come for her tonight," Percy said pointing at Katara, "Azula and I will tell the Fire Lord how you aided in his capture, he will welcome you back with open arms And, trust me, I know, from the absence of replies to my letters, that you were banished because the old Zuko wouldn't have left me hanging like that."
"Percy, wh-why I don't understand?" he asked, the guilt shining in his eyes.
Percy leaned forward, looking Zuko in the eyes, "Zuko, you're my oldest friend. I loved you like a brother and even when you tossed me away because you had grown tired of me, I never stopped missing you. Come home, retake your place in the Fire Nation."
Katara watched with panic as Zuko seemed to be considering Percy's words, "Zuko, don't, he's trying to trick you!" she called out rising to her feet.
"No, I'm not, I meant every word. I want the old you back, the Zuko who was strong, fun, and above all, my best friend. Come back home, by my side."
Zuko stared into Percy's sea-green eyes, "But, what about my father?" he questioned Percy.
"Your father will not live forever, Zuko, you don't have to live in fear of him," Percy reassured him.
Katara watched with no small amount of fear as Zuko who had seemed to be ready to make his own path, seemed ready to dive back into his old ways.
A rumbling was heard as once again the boulder blocking the passageway into the cavern was moved, allowing Azula and over 20 Dai Li agents to enter the catacombs.
Katara immediately began backing away as her hands came up defensively without thinking in Azula's direction.
Azula smiled as she regarded the scared waterbender in front of her before turning her gaze to Percy and Zuko, "Well, Percy, have you been able to bring brother dearest back into the fold or not?"
"Azula," Percy admonished with a hint of disapproval in his tone.
Zuko clenched his fists as he looked at his sister, "Percy said that you would vouch for me to father?" he questioned.
Azula shrugged, "If you help us capture the Avatar, then yes, I will vouch for you," she affirmed with a nod.
"And father?" Zuko asked skeptically.
Azula's eyes darkened as her lips pursed, "Let's just say that I am not the happiest with him at the moment. He will hear nothing of your escapades with Uncle from me."
Zuko's eyes widened at the information, however, he didn't have much time before the catacomb shook as Aang and his allies launched a surprise attack, scattering the Dai Li as they poured inside.
( - )
The journey continued downward in silence for the most part. Toph continued making steady progress as Aang and Sokka stood behind her, Iroh behind them, giving them light to see.
Aang hesitated before dropping back beside to walk with Iroh. After a moment of hesitation, he began talking in a lowered voice, "So, Toph says you give pretty good advice, and great tea."
Iroh regarded the young airbender beside him for a moment before lowering his voice as well to match, "The key to both is proper aging, you'll get there one day. Now, what's on your mind?" he asked the Avatar.
Aang frowned, "Well, I met with this guru who was supposed to help me master the Avatar state and control its great power. But, to do it, I had to let go of someone I loved, and I just couldn't," he said in a downtrodden voice.
"Perfection and power are overrated. I think you were very wise to choose love, it took me many, many years to figure that out for myself," Iroh remarked.
"But, what happens if I can't save everyone and beat Azula and Percy? Without the Avatar state, I'm not powerful enough to beat Percy right now," Aang admitted.
"You want to save everyone, but who's going to save you?" Iroh asked the young airbender.
Aang frowned at the question, "Nobody is going to save me. I'm the Avatar, it's my duty to save the world."
Iroh sighed deeply, "It shouldn't be. Nobody your age should have to carry the burden you do. One day, Aang, you'll learn that you can't save everybody, though Agni knows you will try too."
Aang's face darkened as he thought back on his previous failures but didn't comment.
"Sometimes, life is like this dark tunnel. You can't always see the light at the end of it, but if you keep moving forward, you will come to a better place."
They came to a stop as Toph held her hand up, "We're right outside a giant cavern," she remarked to the group, "But it's not just Katara and Zuko inside there. I can sense Percy, Azula, and at least over a dozen other people."
Aang looked at Iroh who gave him a reassuring nod as he took a deep breath before speaking, "We knew that it would probably be a trap, but we aren't leaving Katara behind. Everybody ready?" he asked the small group.
Sokka unsheathed his boomerang while Iroh's hands became engulfed in orange flames and Toph shot Aang a thumbs up.
"Alright, blow it," Aang ordered.
( - )
Percy & Azula were caught by surprise as Aang and his allies burst out from seemingly nowhere, forcing them back into the wide, open area of the catacombs where water flowed freely. However, it seemed the incursion of the Avatar and his friends had helped spur Zuko into making his decision as Percy saw him squaring off with Aang. With Zuko on their side, he didn't have to worry about fighting him anymore.
Percy noted that the Dai Li were successfully holding off Iroh and Sokka. He was confident that he could take anyone here, but he wouldn't underestimate Iroh or his lightning. Iroh hadn't been the most feared and dangerous general to walk the world for over a decade on reputation alone. He was battering the Dai Li with large-scale attacks but the Dai Li's numbers helped them withstand his power.
He refocused on his own battle as he stonewalled an attack from Katara as Azula and him continued playing defensively for a little while longer, making Katara and Toph keep advancing as they moved further into the wide-open area of the catacombs, "Your pick, Zula, who do you want?"
She smiled at him as she wrapped a ball of flame around them, blocking the earthen material shot at them, "The Water Tribe peasant," she said with a dangerous smile.
Percy summoned a giant wave as the ball of fire faded away, bringing it down on Katara and Toph. They both quickly moved aside to evade it and Percy followed up his wave by shooting a volley of ice spikes at Toph who quickly blocked with a wall of earth. Azula meanwhile went after Katara, firing a quick torrent of blue flames.
( - )
Zuko felt amazing, his inner fire burning like an inferno. Spurred on by once again fighting alongside Percy and his family. Percy's words about coming home and missing him danced in his head and fueled his heart. His chance to have everything back he'd lost was right now, he wouldn't waste this opportunity.
Zuko unloaded on Aang, a quick barrage of orange flames forcing Aang to weave through them before he leveled a powerful blast of air that caught Zuko, blasting him backward off his feet.
Aang leaped forward at the downed Zuko, bringing down a gust of air that Zuko dodged, rolling to his left and shooting an arc of fire forcing Aang to jump as Zuko flipped to his feet. He shot another bombardment of fireballs at Aang who jumped high into the air, perching out of range on a crystal pillar.
Zuko grunted as he focused before unleashing a powerful stream of fire at Aang. Aang tried to bend the crystals in a defensive wall but they were shattered by Zuko's attack as now it was Aang's turn to get sent flying.
Aang recovered gracefully atop another pillar as Zuko generated a pair of fire whips and lashed out at the Avatar, forcing Aang to jump away in evasion again as the fire whips sheared through the crystals he had been sitting on.
Zuko struck outward once more with his whips and Aang leaped away, kicking down a stalactite and following it, accelerating its fall with a powerful burst of air. The stalactite shook the ground causing Zuko to stumble from the impact as Aang regained his breath, preparing to go on the offensive.
( - )
Azula advanced slowly towards Katara, forcing her on the defensive with a bevy of well-placed fireballs that forced her to defend all parts of her body. Suddenly Azula unleashed a massive torrent of fire, forcing Katara to throw up a wave of water in defense as steam enveloped the two combatants from the elements colliding.
Azula used the steam to her advantage, moving in close towards Katara who just barely saw her in time, sending a wave of water rushing towards Azula who was forced to swiftly step out of the way as it rushed inches in front of her face, cutting off the left tip of her bang.
"Hmm, maybe you're not as completely incompetent as I had thought," Azula said before she dropped to the ground, spinning and kicking a powerful wall of fire at Katara. Katara was coerced into defensive action again, pulling water over herself in a protective dome that hissed and buckled, but ultimately held under Azula's powerful attack.
Katara bent a layer of water around her for extra protection as her arms became long tentacles. Azula glared at Katara before launching a fireball that was swallowed by one of Katara's watery appendages as she lashed outward at Azula's hand with the other. Azula quickly created her own set of fire whips and began trading blows with Katara. Long whips of fire and water hissing as they meet head-on as Azula forced Katara backward towards Aang and Zuko.
Suddenly Azula bolted towards Aang as Zuko came at Katara, jumping high in the air as he brought down a fire kick at Katara. Katara blocked it as she went on the offensive, striking at Zuko with her tentacles as he returned her attacks in kind.
"I thought you had changed!" Katara yelled in anger.
"I have changed, more than you can imagine," Zuko replied evenly as he sent a stream of fire towards her.
( - )
Toph stomped her foot on the ground, sending an earthen spike at Percy before he casually cut it in half with a water whip. Toph quickly erected columns of earth out of the ground that Percy cut down with his whip as he moved towards her. Unlike Katara's water whips that encased her arms, Percy's were like solid objects he used effectively as tools.
With a wave of her hands, Toph caused the erected columns to come tumbling down on the waterbender in their midst. Percy erected a water dome, letting the columns bounce off his barrier before letting it down.
Toph smiled as with another wave of her hands the rubble became dirty dust that obscured Percy's vision, "Welcome to my world Water Boy, let's see how you fight without being able to see."
"Who said I needed my sight to see?" Percy asked aloud, he knew exactly where Toph was, the water in her body was clear as day to him. He withdrew Riptide, cutting through two boulders sent at him as before bringing down a massive wave on Toph.
Percy stood, watching the spluttering and soaked earthbender rise to her feet slowly, "C'mon Toph, I thought you were the strongest earthbender alive," he teased his opponent with a smirk.
A low growl was his only warning before a dozen earthen projectiles were shot towards him, Percy danced out of the way, batting them aside with Riptide as Toph prepared to attack again.
In a flash, Percy hurled Riptide like a javelin towards the blind earthbender who barely rose a wall of earth in time. Riptide sank to the hilt before the earthen wall was sent barreling over the ground towards Percy, who in an incredible feat of athleticism, hurdled it in a high jump.
However, as he was jumping over Toph's earthen wall, she was bearing down on him. She used the earth to springboard herself upward, prepared to deliver a devastating punch with her rock-encased fist. Percy drew water out of the air forming a shield of ice at the last moment. Toph came down, making contact before she broke through it.
Her blow caught Percy hard in the left shoulder, luckily the armor took the brunt of the impact as a fist-sized dent was added to the scratches and blemishes on it, but his arm still tingled down to his fingertips. He ducked another rock-covered fist before he jumped and dropkicked her. Toph fell backward before quickly sinking inside the earth before Percy could follow up his attack. She popped up to his left and sent a dozen baseball-sized projectiles at him that rebounded off the ice shield he formed on his left arm.
Percy formed another water whip in his right hand. A flick of his wrist and he had it wrapped around Toph's ankle before he yanked her off the ground and flung her across the catacomb. Toph collided with the ground in a painful heap as she rolled across the ground.
Percy closed in for a finishing blow before he froze, completely immobile. He struggled but his armor suddenly started to groan before it began to squeeze him like a python as he was lifted off the ground.
Toph rose to her feet, blood trickling from her head and various cuts, "Percy… let me introduce you… to metalbending," Toph said with a smile before she clenched her hands into fists.
Percy's pained cry rang across the battlefield as Toph made his bracers collapse inward, with a loud snap his arms broke, leaving his hands dangling uselessly at his side.
( - )
Azula propelled herself forward towards the Avatar on twin jets of blue flame. Aang likewise covered himself in crystal armor as he charged towards Azula in turn. Azula came to a sudden stop, sending a powerful plume of fire at the Avatar. Aang crossed his arms to try and brace for the collision but was sent flying with a yell, slamming into a stone wall.
Azula quickly turned on her heel as she began sprinting towards Percy who was hovering in the air under the power of the blind earthbender. His arms were dangling uselessly at his side as blood poured down onto his hands.
She was caught by surprise as a column suddenly exploded from under her feet sending her flying away with a shout.
( - )
Percy stared at his arms as they hung at his side. He tried moving his fingers but his hands were completely unresponsive. He groaned again as the armor he had cherished and worn in countless battles squeezed him even tighter, making it hard to breathe. He reached out to stop Toph, to bloodbend her, and free himself, but he didn't want to and was anyways hindered by his hands being immobile. He looked at Toph as she stepped closer to him, "Don't worry, Water Boy, I'm not gonna kill you. I'm just going to make sure you know never to cross the greatest earthbender ever again."
She curled her fingers and the armor began to constrict, even more, there was a snap and Percy let out another shout of pain as a rib broke. Percy's shock over Toph's willingness to break his arms and crush him in his own armor quickly turned to rage. Toph grimaced but continued squeezing, not noticing the green glow beginning to build in Percy's eyes. Another loud snap rang out as two more ribs broke before Percy let out a primal roar and then the very earth shook in response to his pain.
Toph stumbled as the earth beneath her shook and tore itself asunder. It was unlike anything she had ever felt before, she always pushed the earth to do whatever she wanted and this was the opposite. It was like the earth was tearing apart itself, the entire catacomb shook before a section of the catacomb collapsed. A ton of earth, rubble, and stalactites falling to the ground as suddenly the night sky was able to see above them.
( - )
When Percy came too he was surrounded by a very different scene than before. A quarter of the catacomb was gone, completely collapsed, and in large piles of rubble. He swallowed thickly as he saw some crushed Dai Li bodies spread beneath the rubble, blood pooling around them.
He glanced down and saw his armor in pieces around him. He nearly threw up as he looked at his arms. From the elbow down they looked like they'd been put in a blender, the bones sticking out in places and blood everywhere. Percy rose to his feet before hobbling to a puddle of water, sighing in relief as he submerged his arms. There were a few quiet snaps as the bones popped back into place but compared to the pain he'd felt when they were broken it was inconsequential. After a minute he pulled his hands out of the water, revealing perfectly healed limbs. He clenched and unclenched his hands but felt no pain.
He looked around, seeing Aang and Katara standing together 30 yards as they moved over to the form of Iroh and Sokka sprawled out on the ground. He spotted a bruised but standing Zuko, however he didn't see Azula anywhere. He closed his eyes as he focused on the bodies around him, looking for her familiar heartbeat.
After a moment he turned and ran over to where a rock slab was currently laying atop Azula's arm, pinning her to the ground. He ran over as let out a deep breath he didn't know he was holding as he saw Azula looking at him. He crouched at her side as she looked at him intently with golden eyes.
"Hey, I'm gonna get you out from this, don't worry."
"I know you will," Azula said, as she stared at him.
Percy summoned water and sent it under the slab before steadily beginning to push the slab upward, off Azula's arm. Azula sucked in a breath before pulling her arm out as Percy let the slab fall back down. She cradled it to her body as Percy gently touched her arm and she felt the cooling sensation of water running along her arm before gritting her teeth as her arm clicked before popping back into place.
Percy immediately wrapped her in a hug as he pulled her into his body, "I'm so sorry," he repeated over and over.
Azula allowed herself to rest a moment against his chest before pushing herself out of his grasp, "Later, you will be telling me everything," she directed him sternly. Percy's eyes met her and he nodded in agreement.
She sighed as she rose to her feet, "But first, we need the Avatar."
( - )
Azula and Percy made their way over to Zuko who was on one knee as he caught his breath, watching Aang and his friends intently.
"What's going on, Zuko?" Azula asked him.
He looked upward at them, "Aang, Katara, and Uncle are all up and moving. Sokka is still out down there and I haven't seen any signs of the earthbender," he told them.
Azula nodded, "Ty Lee and Mai will be here any moment with the rest of the Dai Li after that commotion. We keep them here until they arrive, and then they'll be ours. Zuko you take Uncle, he'll hold back against you. Percy?" she questioned looking at him.
"I'll take Katara, but if Toph shows then she's mine," he growled in a low voice.
Azula regarded him a moment before responding, "I'll take the Avatar then. We cannot let them get away or this entire mission is a failure," Azula spoke sharply looking at Percy and Zuko.
( - )
Aang, Katara, and Iroh hovered over Sokka who began to stir below them, "Do either of you have any clue where Toph might be if she's under this?" Aang asked Katara and Iroh.
Both shook their heads in answer before Iroh pointed, "We've got company coming," he muttered under his breath. Aang and Katara looked as Percy, Azula, and Zuko who had been conversing began making their way towards them.
"We need to find Toph, we're not leaving without her," Aang ordered as they tensed in preparation, "I blew Appa's whistle he should be getting here soon. We only need to hold them off a little bit longer—"
He was cut off by the sizzling sound of lightning as the three of them scattered before it could come close to them. Practice was over, Azula wasn't messing around anymore Aang thought as he once again engaged the Fire Nation princess.
( - )
Iroh regarded Zuko with sad, heartbroken eyes as they squared off with each other, "Don't do this Zuko, you've come too far to go back down this path," he called, blocking a fire whip.
"What path? The path back home?" Zuko angrily questioned as he erected a wall of flame, sending it at his uncle in front of him.
"You don't belong there with them," Iroh said solemnly as he played defensively against his nephew.
Zuko roared in anger, "If I don't belong with my friends and family then where do I belong?!" he shouted with tears rolling down his face.
Iroh shook his head but offered no reply as he sent a fireball at Zuko who jumped out of the way and returned with a torrent of fire, forcing Iroh to erect a wall of fire in defense.
"Tell me then! Tell me where I belong! All your useless sayings don't change the fact I haven't had a place to call home since I was a young boy! Don't you understand that? I just want to go home!" Zuko yelled in pain as he unloaded a powerful torrent of flames at Iroh.
( - )
Toph groaned underneath the weight of the rubble as she held her dome in place, the only thing keeping her from getting crushed. She took a breath before sinking into the ground as the rubble above her came tumbling down on the spot where she'd been standing.
She popped out above ground and took in the battle occurring. Zuko and Iroh were battling back and forth, Aang was constantly one step out of reach of Azula's blows as she forced him to move constantly with the occasional lightning strike. Meanwhile, Katara was getting beat handily by Percy, unable to touch him.
She had inadvertently caused all this by pushing Percy so far that he'd dropped the entire roof on her. She had been so angry for being bested at the drill and resented the fact that she was deemed an inferior fighter to him in the eyes of her friends. Her rage and pride had truly blinded her in order to prove to everyone and herself that she could beat anyone. This time with Katara's help she would beat him fair and square. She rushed to Katara's aid, sending a boulder flying towards Percy who turned, cutting it apart with a water whip in his hand.
He eyed her angrily as he growled her name before it was Toph's turn to be immobilized against her will. She strained against nothing as her body refused to move before she was lifted off the ground. She looked on in horror as Percy displayed a feral smile, "Toph... let me introduce you… to bloodbending," he echoed her earlier words to him mockingly.
Katara watched wide-eyed as Percy lifted Toph off the ground effortlessly, she charged forward before she was hovering above the ground as well, struggling against an invisible force.
"You pushed me this far, Toph. This will be your only warning, don't ever try something like that again or I will end you," he threatened darkly before his fingers danced in the air and Toph shrieked.
Her body and limbs began twisting at unnatural angles as she screamed in pain even as nobody touched her. Katara was unable to tear her eyes away from Percy, as she watched him bend her friend's body to his will like a puppet.
"Don't worry, you little shit, I'm not going to kill you. I'm just going to make sure you know never to cross the greatest waterbender ever again," he mocked.
( - )
Everything was slipping away in front of his eyes, Ty Lee and Mai had arrived with more Dai Li agents. Iroh was quickly being overrun by the sheer number of the Dai Li as he roared fire, keeping them back for the moment. Sokka was awake now but surrounded by Ty Lee and Mai. Katara and Toph, we're being held aloft by Percy's new power. Unable to move or even bend within his grasp. The sight was so shocking to him that Azula nearly scored a hit in his distraction.
Another blast of orange fire came at him unexpectedly and Aang crouched on the ground, both hands outward pointed at the siblings. He stood, ready to continue fighting even with the odds stacked against him of beating both Azula and Zuko. He peered around one more time as the guru's words echoed in his mind, "So this is what it's come to… so be it." He turned, falling into a meditative position as crystals shot upwards from the ground, surrounding him in a protective tent.
Aang once again stared up at the giant glowing silhouette of himself in his mind. His tattoos began glowing a brilliant white light as he stepped into the swirling ball of purple energy held between his giant hands. It was just like before, he felt the elements waiting for his smallest command, and the raw, indomitable power of the Avatar state.
Azula and Zuko both stopped their torrent of fire over the crystal structure when it began glowing a brilliant white before it erupted and the full power of the Avatar was unleashed.
( - )
Percy dropped Toph and Katara to the ground as he turned and saw Aang with his glowing eyes and tattoos like back at the library. His full power was incredible to see as Aang wiped out nearly 40 Dai Li agents in a minute while simultaneously defending himself from Azula and Zuko's attacks.
Percy rushed into the action, shooting a powerful burst of water towards Aang. Aang's attention snapped to Percy as he was unable to return the attack as he did with the fire and earthen attacks sent at him. A plume of flame shot off the Avatar's hand as the wind swirled around in the catacombs. Percy batted the fire away and tried to summon his hurricane power like at the library. The crystal ball in his gut was shattered into tiny pieces from his newfound power earlier and the power inside him responded immediately at his call.
The wind picked up, circling him in a cyclone. Water swirled around him, but it wasn't quite like before. Like everything had been cranked down a few notches. Winds buffeted Azula and Zuko who stared at him in amazement and curiosity.
Percy rose off the ground in his own personal hurricane and duked it out with the full-powered Avatar. They collided in midair, their forearms locked in an X-shape as glowing green eyes stared into shining white ones. Their presence destroyed everything close to them as water, hail, and wind fought against fire, earth, and air for supremacy in their clash.
( - )
It had only been a few minutes yet already, Percy could feel sweat beading on his forehead as his movements slowed slightly. This wasn't like at the spirit library where the water had been juicing him even more and he was rested. He'd just been fighting Toph and Katara and he wasn't exactly at full capacity. The good thing was that Aang seemed to be just as gassed. Azula had been taking potshots at him when the wind lessened around them as Percy covered for her whenever she made a move. He appreciated her efforts, but she was forcing him to restrain himself to avoid putting her in any type of danger from his own powers unleashed.
The truth, though, was that Percy and Aang should have been done after a minute of this type of battle. Mortals weren't supposed to be able to use powers like gods for any type of suspended period of time and yet here they were.
Azula let loose another lightning strike towards the Avatar before attempting to duck back undercover, however, this time she wasn't quite fast enough. She blasted by a gust of air and slammed into a stone pillar, her shoulder dislocating with a pop as she bit her tongue hard enough to draw blood, doing her absolute best to mute the scream. If there was anything the two old crones who made her life miserable had taught her, it was to not show weakness, and Agni could damn her if she would let go of that ideal today.
( - )
Percy saw red as Azula went flying and reached out with both his hands before he found what he was looking for and clenched his hands into fists. At first, it was easy, as if he was controlling water, but only for less than a second. Then, suddenly, it changed from the basic feeling of hydrokinesis, to trying to hold back a wave with his bare hands. Aang fought his grip like a tornado as every muscle in Percy's body burned, but he did his best as he tried to concentrate on his breathing. If he could just keep Aang immobile with his bloodbending for a few more seconds, then Azula could finish him. Aang slowly moved in his grip, getting closer to Percy, his glowing white eyes glaring at him.
Suddenly, an unknown voice echoed inside his head painfully like someone had just released an elephant inside his skull. "Let go of me you, filthy godling! My host is tainted to even walk in your disgusting presence."
Percy's grip on Aang slackened as he put one hand to his head which felt like it was going to burst from the disembodied voice yelling at him, "Shut up you, stupid spirit! Aang doesn't need or want you, you've caused him nothing but pain. I'm busy right now, bother me some other time between the 7th of never to the 15th of ain't gonna happen!" he grunted as Aang continued to move closer towards him.
"You stupid, ignorant mortal, I will—"
Then, the voice was cut off by the sound of lightning booming in the cavern.
( - )
Azula watched through hazy eyes as she stood to her feet, fighting against the wave of pain assailing her from her arm. The Avatar was getting closer to Percy who looked to be under immense duress. One hand clenched to his temple as another hand tried to ward off the Avatar's wrath, all while hovering 15 ft off the ground in a storm made of his own power. It was a miracle he had any strength left to fight.
Azula's heart seemed to beat out of her chest as she watched the Avatar slowly raise his hand above his head. Fire, earth, and air seemed to be forced to twist and compress together as a long, whip-like structure hung in the air, and it's intended target was clear to see.
Tears streamed down her face as her body moved forward under its own might as visions raced through her mind. She saw her and Percy pranking the palace guards as young teenagers. She remembered the first time he saved his life, sweeping her captors away as he tucked her into his arms and knew it would all be okay with his arms around her.
She remembered how everything seemed to shine just a little bit more brightly from his presence. All the happiness he had brought her without ever asking for anything in return, the way her stomach did flips at his stupid smirk, and now the Avatar was trying to take it all away from her.
Azula saw bright, extremely light blue, like her fire had reached another level of heat that bordered on turning white from her emotional turmoil. She was not going to stand there helplessly and let everything she'd secretly dreamed of get taken away by some bald teenager in yellow. Then, the lightning came. Electricity started pouring out of her fingertips as she charged her lighting with only one arm, wielding the element like how Percy did with water, with the absence of a kata. All her fury, desperation, anger, and hope lending themselves to her in spades. What seemed like minutes was only a few seconds as the largest bolt of lightning ever conjured by a mortal was made as Azula yelled from the bottom of her lungs, "Stay the FUCK away from him!"
And then the lightning that had been circling her like a serpent, was blasted outward, knocking the Avatar out of the sky in a brilliant flash.
( - )
The force Percy was trying to hold back disappeared as Aang fell out of the sky like a star, smoke wrapped around his clothes. His heart wasn't beating and Percy felt the guilt assail him immediately, he had just killed his friend.
He noticed Katara riding a wave with her friends as she rushed towards Aang's falling body. Percy put up a hand and suddenly, the wave was huge, rushing over nearly everyone as Katara caught Aang before the water shot upward like a geyser, blasting them up and out of the catacombs. Katara watched in suspicion as she shot to the surface under Percy's power, noticing the tears streaming down his face as he brought them to the surface.
Percy closed his eyes and dropped his hand tiredly as he let the water fall back down as the Avatar's friends escaped into the night. Now, at least Aang could be given a proper burial by his friends. The stars twinkled above, but they seemed far more dim tonight than usual.
He turned, regarding everyone remaining in the catacomb. Ty Lee and Mai were soaked from Katara's wave but unharmed. Many of the Dai Li were rising to their feet as well. Zuko stood about 10 yards away from Iroh who sat on the floor with crystals up to his neck locking him in place. Azula ran towards him, bloody and bruised, but as beautiful as ever.
( - )
Azula sprinted towards Percy as he turned towards her. She crashed into him in a breathless tangle of limbs as she hugged him tightly with her one arm. It didn't matter to her who was watching right now. The months on the road that led them to Ba Sing Se. The manipulation of the Dai Li and taking control of the city, it all meant nothing if Percy wasn't there beside her for it.
She felt his arms pull her into his chest as he traced patterns on her back before the cool touch of water was felt as he healed her dislocated arm. It popped back in painfully but Azula didn't care, bringing it up to wrap around Percy as she held him like he would disappear at any moment. After a long while, Azula leaned back and gazed into his beautiful sea-green eyes.
"Percy?" she asked.
"Yeah?" he responded.
"Let's go home."
( - )
The gang huddled around Aang's prone form as they flew away from the palace atop Appa. Katara held back tears gazing down at Aang's unconscious form as she removed the spirit water from her container. It swirled around in her hand before glowing a brilliant white. She pressed it to his back where it glowed before rushing inside his wound. His tattoos flashed white briefly before Aang stirred for the first time in minutes. His heart began beating again as he passed back into unconsciousness. Critically wounded, but still alive at least.
Katara cradled his form as they flew over Ba Sing Se in silence atop Appa. Kuei spoke up as they crossed the great walls surrounding the city.
"The Earth Kingdom has fallen," were the King's last words as he left the only place he had ever known.
( - )
Author Note - Alright everyone so this is the end of chapter 15 of Percy Jackson & The Sapphire Flame and I hope y'all enjoyed it. Give it a review or follow if you'd like to stay up to date on this story. A few things I'd like to address.
- First and foremost I want to explain why this chapter got delayed so much. So to start February my first cousin gave birth to her second kid but she ended up having a blood clot and some other complications so I got pulled into babysitting my nephew on and off for about a week. Also, I picked up around 20 hours a week at my summer job to make some money. AND both my brothers started basketball so I was getting pulled between two different conflicting schedules with them and games every night. Basketball is coming to an end so that frees me up a little. While I'm still taking all my college classes and working I'm hoping to get back to some sort of normal pacing like before. So thank you to everyone who reached out and for your patience with me. IT IS APPRECIATED :)
- Please let me know your thoughts on this chapter and your favorite part. I understand most of it is just action and fighting scenes so what did you like the best?
- What were your thoughts on the Percy & Azula scene in the throne room? That was completely unplanned but I was writing it and the idea just popped in my head and I can never have too much fluff for them.
- As promised from the poll, Percy used his Earthshaker abilities in this chapter. No promises that you will ever see it in use chapter because I prefer to focus on his waterbending and combative skills. Plus there isn't going to be such a large-scale battle for some time.
- There's always one person that tells me that Percy didn't change anything in this chapter and to you I say shove it. Percy is the person who sways Zuko to their side, forces the inclusion of Toph, Iroh, Sokka, and the Dai Li immediately unlike in the original battle. He literally pulls the roof down on Toph, and holds Aang so Azula can get the shot off to end the battle. If Aang dies here then there'd be no Book 3 events and Percy and Azula wouldn't get together in this story so relaxxxx.
- Stay strapped for some Percy & Azula romance next chapter XD
- As usual, I want to say thank you for the support y'all give. If you have any questions just send me a PM, hopefully, I will be able to get back to quick responses like before.
- My recommendation this week is a little different than before. It is, A Flower For The Soul, a Harry Potter fanfic instead of Percy Jackson but I have very much enjoyed it.
- Finally, please leave a review, guys! A follow or favorite would mean a lot for me too. I'm always open to advise on being a better writer and I'm looking forward to entirely new chapters from now on.
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B/N: Well, I apologize again for the delay, you could've gotten it about 3 days earlier, but I was moving, so I didn't have time, and my stuff was in boxes. A few recommendations, though.
Works:
Anything Metal Pen, but on a completely unrelated note, check out Tenacious: Dead Man Walking, by Don Socrates, from Olympia Publishers.
If you're cool with a bit of vulgarity and are cool with reading an M rated work with no lemons or anything but a decent bit of inappropriateness, check out Roanapur's Sea Devil by Delayed Inspiration
Breath of the Wilderness - KitKathy520 (I'm sorry if I said KitKathy250 somewhere, because I know I did)
Trouvaille - TheProfoundSilence
Flames of Destiny, a Percy/ATLA crossoverwork, by LaidEffect. It's great, give it a shot!
Bonus - Show AelloNikaia23 some love, guys, Tides of Change is back, and you'll see what happened to it if you read it. It's a great one, so stick around.
Books:
Aru Shah and the (End of Time) [Song of Death] {Tree of Wishes} |Pre-order City of Gold on Amazon today| - Roshni Chokshi (from Rick Riordan Presents)
Mark of the Thief - Jennifer A. Nielsen
Ready Player One and Ready Player Two - Ernest Cline
Good Omens - (The) Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchet (Watch the mini-series if you have Prime Video after you read the book)
Tenacious: Dead Man Walking - Don Socrates [If you didn't realize, he's our very own OG Metal Pen].
Something, something, totally not a llama?
- TheMeister7
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Duces