Everybody was just beyond shocked. They were absolutely flabbergasted. The heavens could've plummet from up above and they wouldn't even have so much a twitched a single eyelash. They just stood there still as stone.
Etched across the young boy savior's face was an expression equal of pure repulsion in addition to disbelief at this unanticipated news. He was paler then artic snow and scarcely breathing as he swallowed hard and ran. He ran so fast he was just a blur. He didn't slow down he just did some Airbending and ran within the Sanctuary and sealed the entrance with a bluish white glow.
"Aang! Katara! Get up! Help me!" cried Zara as she shook the unconscious Waterbender.
"Oh my head. Huh? Where is he? Zara?" asked the brunette as she massaged her temples.
"He just ran! I don't know where but I think it was down that corridor near his father statue."
"The Air Temple Sanctuary! Come on!" she cried as she also took off at a blazing speed.
"What is this Sanctuary? Why is important?" Zara asked as she took a spill on the sleek stone floor.
"It is where the statues honoring past avatars are located. They're a well over a thousand. Aang must be trying to contact their spirits and seek their guidance. I mean when you're petrified, injured, in a dilemma or even doubtful whom do you go for advice? Your parents, family or friends, right!" she said as they came to a striking halt and slammed face first into the door.
"Yeow! That hurt!" moaned Zara as she got up.
"Great he's inside! And only an Airbender is capable of opening this door. He can't come unglued, not at this time. I know that the comet wasn't to come for another ten weeks but he can't loose it right now." Katara said unmistakably aggravated as she began to heal her bruises.
"I know that Aang has had more then enough pressure to deal with, but I still have faith he will save us." Zara told Katara as she laid her ear to door and listen.
"What are you doing? Zara?" she asked before she shushed her.
"I can hear countless voices, in addition to I can sense a wave of overwhelming emotions and feelings. Two personalities stick out. Both are serious, calm, caring and full of love. I think those are his parents. We ought to go to sleep. It's late; furthermore Aang has to help himself for once. He possibly will not have to battle single-handedly, but he does needs to discover himself on his own. Come we will retire for the night." Zara told her in a wise mature voice as she lead the older girl away.
"I could feel Alake's concern. She is petrified, at the same time as is her brother. I can feel just how much they had to risk giving us this solitary little glimmer of hope to be triumphant in this struggle. She is valiant and strong nevertheless she knows that she must count on others to help her." Said Katara as she laid her right hand on her chocker and gripped it tightly.
Footsteps approached them form up head in the darken passage. Katara got in front of Zara and got ready to attack whoever was approaching them, then as the shadows came to pass over them she allowed to run free her spiritual power.
"Ahh! Katara bring to a standstill this! Stop it at this instant!" cried a pair of barely audible voices.
"Uh! Suki! Ah Wyanet watch where you point that thing!" cried Katara in surprise as both warrior women were poised and ready to exchange blows.
"Why do you attack us, Waterbender?" asked Wyanet refusing to lower her sword and sai. Being ambidextrous did come in handy every now and then.
"Look, Wyanet it was an honest mistake. We are all on edge after being forced from Nuriel and only moments ago receiving news that the end of the world is coming sooner the anticipated. We have to be on our guard at all times."
" Look Akiko has ordered us to sleep for the remainder of the night and we will initiate the contingence plan at the break of day. Right now we can't afford to be trounce cause we are exhausted so lets go to sleep. Alright?" said Suki as she lowered Wyanet's weapons cautiously.
"Humph!"
"We will see you in the morning. Come Zara you look like you could fall asleep right where you stand! I'm so sorry." apologized Katara at the same time as she ran exceptionally fast without looking back.
"Uhg! That was absolutely uncalled for! If I yearn to a have a bath I would gone to the bathhouse! This is so…Grr!" grumbled Wyanet furiously as she used some firebending to dry off. She shook her wild mane of ebony locks out violently and continued her ranting and raving.
"I know we are all on edge, but we should have expected this! It is the Fire Nation after all! A sadist for god sakes rules over them! Of course he is going to play dirty. You do realize the only reason he wants Aang alive is because of his continent sized ego! Men just have to gloat their accomplishments in someone's face to feel that they are superior. He wants Aang to witness that he failed in his duty as Avatar, to shatter the spirit of the Avatar once in for all! To eradicate hope forever! That is the only logical explanation of why they haven't slaughter him yet!" she screamed wrathfully.
"You know despite the fact that you are behaving like a madwoman right now you do make a lot of sense. Even when they believed he was dead they still felt conquest would taste so much sweeter if they could see the look on the Avatar face when he fails in his duty. The Avatar for which my home is named for by no means backed away from a fight. But then this is the first time we ever have had a child be the avatar isn't?" spoke Suki as she finished wringing out her sable locks.
"You really seem to embrace the traditions of Kyoshi, don't you Suki?" remarked Wyanet as they began to ascend a flight of twisting staircase to their rooms.
"She is the one who made sure we would be safe from invaders. She taught us that women aren't helpless. She was beautiful, intelligent, and valiant beyond measure!"
"Plus she had an extremely sophisticate taste in fashion. She was an inspiration to all! I'm proud as well as honored to be one of her warriors." She proclaimed proudly with a very big smile.
"You should be in high spirits that you're a warrior of Kyoshi. I'm swollen with pride that I'm Avatar Roku descendent why shouldn't you be contented that you have lived up to everything your ancestor stood for? I mean you look just like her when she was a teenager." Wyanet compliment her thoughtfully.
Suki stopped abruptly and little by little turned to face the wild young woman.
"What did you just say? I think I still have water in my ears. I thought you said Kyoshi was my ancestor? But you must be joking to even utter such gobbledygook." Suki said in utter disbelief.
"Believe me I don't jest, I don't possess a sense of humor. I know you have Kyoshi's jeweled blossom brooch. The one her parents gave to her as soon as she was born. I also know when she breathed her last breath she bestow it too her daughter who passed it on through the ages from one daughter to the next. So don't lie. Fess up!" she said with her arms crossed and her golden amber eyes narrowed at her.
She just stood there for moment followed by sighing, she reached a hand into her warrior gown and a small click was heard as she revealed a large attractive emerald and gold brooch.
She looked at her still confused and then said quietly. "How long have you known?"
"Forever! Ever since the first time we met. I may have been a difficult apprentice but I'm a clever as well as a crafty one."
" After one of are more heated spats I snuck into your pavilion to find out more about you and I found that. Now Hadwin had taught me all about history as well as great deal on the subject of each and every avatar so I would understand my heritage better. Why are you ashamed to admit that Kyoshi was your ancestor? And why don't you have a problem looking at Aang?" she asked inquisitively.
"For the reason that I thought if I told anyone I won't be special any longer. I thought if it was my secret then I was out of the ordinary. I worked harder then anyone else since I was eight years old to be a warrior."
"My mom told me our tale when I was four. She departed this life shortly after I turned four. She said to me I had to commit to memory what Kyoshi stood for, women empowerment."
"She loved her people so much that she made us a home where we are safe. She also was a just like anymore woman she require love. Its not well known back home but she did have a lover. It was one of the few things about her life she was able to keep private."
" He was poor as well as perfect. He had eyes as green as first grass of spring and hair as dark as the bark on the oak trees. His name was Otu furthermore she was totally, helpless, in love with him." Suki said as she concealed the brooch once more.
"After her death her daughter started the warrior's school up. She modeled everything after her mom. She demonstrated that women who couldn't bend could still hold their own in a fight. No one since Kyoshi has been able to bend. I just want to honor my ancestry just like you want to honor yours. But when I look at Aang I just see a boy and yet I still feel something inside me when I look at him.
"He doesn't need to know. Not now. It's really funny. We think of the Avatar as this divan being, completely devoid of flaws or desires. That we absolutely fail to remember that they are human as you or me and they to need to feel alive and loved. There have been over a thousand Avatars. I will bet that each and every one of them had friends and a lover," concluded Suki as she opened the door and fell on top of the bed.
"You are right but we will continue this in the morning. Lets sleep." Said Wyanet as she fell into her own bed.
"Would you two be soundless? Gezze we just got the rest of the natives to calm down! Now lights out and sleep!" barked Crimson as she finished the bed check. She glared at them for moment then stormed down the corridors to her own room.
No one really slept well that night everyone was more like half dead to the world. They all knew that the end was coming, but could a group of kids, children, bring to an end the end of the world?
The crack of dawn came more rapidly then anyone wanted. But still everyone woke and not one was without a complaint of some kind. No one had slept soundly one and all were just so sore and fatiguing it was pitiful. They walked like zombies out of their rooms and got together in the Monks Council Chamber to discuss things. Every single one of their eyes was bloodshot and they all just look like crap. Everyone single person in the rebellion had aches along with pain that had even further aches as well as pains. It beyond doubt was a pathetic position for them to be in, however at the moment it couldn't be helped.
"Thank you all for showing up. I know without even looking that we are in trouble. None of us were expecting that news. It was right out of the blue. But we can't give up now. We are all needed. Look we know that the Fire Nation doesn't consider anyone not even the Avatar to be a formable threat."
" But they must have gotten impatient so however they pulled off this we must stand united and strong. I believe we can win. They aren't expecting us to strike they are over confident that they have the power as well as the element of surprise. That will be the flaw that we will use to thwart them and undo them. But we can't do it alone." Akiko said as she sipped a little ginseng tea at the same time she passed it around in the direction of everybody else.
"Help? Are you implying we aren't strong enough, Akiko? You know that all 1600 of us have work our butts off and your saying we aren't strong enough?" Crimson fumed, her teacup shaking uncontrollably in her hands.
"Its true our forces are very well equipped Crimson. We have trained everyone to work as one. They are an incredible force to be reckoned with, but I think Akiko may have point. The only reason we have had as much success as we have is because we have so many different people working together as one."
" Like the noble wolf he does not pursue his quarry without help, he works simultaneously with his pack, his brothers and sisters to bring down the prey. Remember only fools' declines help when needed. We mustn't let our pride be our downfall like it will be Ozai's ruination you comprehend?" Luke responded to Crimson question as he flicked his fair-haired braid over his shoulder.
"You once again display great wisdom, gypsy boy. Perhaps you be able to go ask your charmed bonfire if we are going to live to see tomorrow sunrise!" Sokka muttered dryly under his breath.
"What's your problem, Boomerang Boy? You know that I that I'm not a witch boy. I'm humble apprentice of the ways of mysticism. It's not the supernatural! Its linking spirits with others spiritual energy! So what do you have to pronounce out of that wide open trap of your that so damn significant?" Luke asked Sokka as calmly as he could manage.
"Look, I'm one of the few people here who got no magic power! I've trained very hard to improve my own skills and techniques and if you forgot the Spirit of Death took over my body! You have no idea what that like. I've seen the broken pieces of his mind and part of it still lingers in my head! I can tell you without restraint that we are in for one hell of a journey! I'm just trying to be the practical one ok!" he screamed so loud you swear steam was erupting from his ears.
"Cool it! Please everyone, we are just feeling fatigued." exclaim Katara as she inadvertently cause it to rain heavy indoors. "Oops. Sorry." She said as she flushed at the same time as her long dark hair began to become plastered to her body.
"Katara! I'm so sick of being drenched by you! Get a grip! I thought you were a master not a neophyte!" Screamed an agitated Wyanet as she unleashed her whip and tied up Katara who looked very petrified. She loomed over her ready to eradicate her.
"Wyanet! This is not honorable way to honor Roku. Don't make a mistake. We are just tried and afraid. So lets take a small break and calm down." Suki said as she unwound the whip.
"Sorry. No one slept well at all last night."
"You people do realize something of great importance don't you? Otherwise you all have overlooked this critical fact?" Haru spoke up all of a sudden.
"Well don't leave us hanging! What do you got to say?" Sokka yelled hysterical at him.
"Well even if by some miracle we do beat the Fire Lord that is only half the battle." He started to explain till he was interrupted.
"What exactly are you getting at, Haru? What do you mean 'only half the battle?" asked Katara confused as she gazed at her boyfriend.
"He means young maiden that simple getting rid of my brother won't resolve the whole thing. The Fire Nation has been for a hundred years under the authoritarianism of insane, sadist tyrants. Individuals who have tasted power once are twice as lethal. From time to time being charismatic and knowing the right words can be a very fatal combination. My brother will bring Hell to this planet before he would ever accept defeat, and he won't back down to a child whither he is the avatar or not." Iroh explain gravely.
"That is true. People will be passionate about a breathing leader, but they will absolutely worship him forever once he becomes deceased. Legends are committed to memory eternally they don't die."
" The sun may rise after this rain but it will be a long time before it can break through the clouds. There is no denying the fact that our people are born to think that they're superior to the rest of the world and it's going to be hard to make them see reality of what they done. Most people don't have as much clarity as a small number of of us possess." Zara replied miserably whist hanging onto her necklace and doll so firmly her hands to colorless.
"The children don't realize just how much blood and dirt has tainted both their souls and skin. It may not be visible on the surface to the naked eye, but its there. I wasn't able to see it before but now I see. My eyes aren't blinded by deception any longer they see the reality. It sickens me to see what my people have become in a century's time. We aren't superior beings, we aren't gods, we are just savages, demonic savages. Not even human any longer. Its despicable." Concluded Zuko acrimoniously as he gulp down his tea in one guzzle.
"I never thought of that. It just didn't occur to me or anyone else for that matter. This does present an even bigger problem doesn't it?" Katara said as she sipped her ginseng tea bit by bit. Her face lost a bit of color with each sip of the hot liquid that passed her lips.
"Yes we may perhaps just end one confrontation to only start one more, a civil war. The only thing we can be in agreement on right now is that the Fire Nation's has a long way to go be for we can fix all the damage that its has inflicted upon the rest of humanity as well as within itself."
"The whole human race as been for a hundred years been blinded by a cloud made up of loathing as well as prejudice .We have become very narrow-minded people. We only allow ourselves to see only in black and white and forgo looking for the shades of gray."
" I grew up away from this war. But we know for a fact that the Fire Nation are so far into this madness they won't allow anyone not even one of their countryman stop them. When is humanity going to realize that war is stupid? Must we continue to fight our brethren in pointless battles till we wipe out the planet in genocide?" Wyanet said in defeat.
"I think we all have the same opinion there is much work left to be done. But you have to remember we aren't just fighting for our future. We are fighting for future of all yet to come. We just can't stand by and let this breathtaking world of life, love, and beauties perish within the flames of lunacy. So we are going to need help. I believe the time for us to call in our allies is upon on us." Akiko stated seriously while looking at her reflection in her blade.
"Who are we going to call? I mean we know of no allies. I mean who gonna take a bunch of kids seriously? You know very well that adults don't consider children to be competent enough of anything much less worthy of even fighting in a war? So what allies are you talking about, Akiko?" asked Haru in disbelief of her words.
"I'm with him. No one is going to take us seriously. They just laugh in our faces and say we are just in over our heads. Not to mention of who you are will they take you seriously. I highly doubt that they will even take what you have to say into considerations at all. I'm sorry." Crimson commented despondently with everyone else nodding in agreement.
"I know that, dear child. I'm well acquainted with those particular specifics. But we can't let pride get in the way of what best for the whole human race. We will gather a defense force that in everyway that matters will be the greater equal of Ozai's. I refused to live in the kinda of world he trying to fashion. We will recess for now and continue this discussion after lunch. We will find a way to get help. And would someone please go sometime today and see if Aang coming out? This won't work with out him. Dismiss." She said with a sweeping movement.
"The world has known for sometime that its end is coming. A civil war is almost inevitable. Once the Fire Lord claims the world as his, what is going to stop a power struggle within his own country? How many more lives, Uncle, are we going to have sacrifice to appease his monstrous appetite for power and dominate?" asked Zuko with a very stony expression as they walked out of the chamber together. Zara was ahead of them by two feet but her face shared an identical expression.
"I wish I knew, Zuko, but I have no answer. This wasn't something I was expecting to do. I never thought I would be part of a plot to end the evil regime that we have created. Still we can't allow this madness to persist. Still I hope we can have the strength to win this fight. It's not going to be as easy as pouring a cup of tea you know, Zuko." Yawned Iroh as he leaned against the wall.
"Uncle, you could do with a little rest. You are one of our most essential assets and we need you at your best. Zuko could you talk to his chambers I think he going to keel over right here and now if someone doesn't help get to bed. I've got to go check something in my room." Zara said compassionately at the same time as helping get their uncle on her brother's strong shoulders.
"What's so important? What the big secret, Little Phoenix?" he inquired with a small smile curling up on his lips.
"I can't tell you! It's a secret! Your welcome to come by in a while though!" she said with a pleasurable giggle and ran till she disappeared within quickly flooded corridors.
"Zara. Come on Uncle ugh! Lets get you to bed. Man! You really need to consider starting to watch your waistline. You're as heavy as a boat loaded of tea!" he said in an unmistakably overwrought tone of voice, as he little by little made his own way through.
Zara made it too the room and opened the door slowly glancing from side to side to make sure no one was looking. She went inside and breathed a sigh of relief.
She slowly moved stealthily to where she had draped her handbag. It was beautiful, with its gold and scarlet braided strap along with its phoenix fire embroider on it with its gold flame buckle.
Smiling she began to remove the contents of the handbag till she at last came to a red jewel the size of a loaf of bread. She began to move just so slightly that it would catch the light of the rising sun.
" What an awesome sight! Pure beauty. One of my most valued treasures!" she whispered to herself. She was so immersed with the gem she didn't take notice of the door creaking open.
"Zara?"
"Oh! Ahh! Zuko! Don't scare me like that!" she flushed angrily red the same as her hair.
"Ha Ha! Sorry sis, what is that?" he asked curiously s her pointed to the precious stone.
" It is nothing that is any of your business!" as she stuffed it back in the bag in a great haste. Then narrowing her amber eyes at him she become aware of something.
"What that?" pointing to his right hand where a lovely red cloth bundle was clutched tightly.
He went red in the face with an even fiercer shade of red then her along with quickly concealing the bundle within his pocket. "Its nothing you need to worry about ok? My god! Look at the state of your hair! Mom wouldn't like it to look like a rat nest. All tangled up along with sticking up all over the place. Here you go. Why don't you brush it?" he said as he handed her brush.
"Thanks, I do have a question for you brother." She told him as she undid her braid and shook her long scarlet locks out.
"What?" he said as he laid out on one of the beds.
"You seem deeply troubled about something. I can see it in your eyes. I haven't seen this face since…" she stopped abruptly wondering if she should continue.
"From the time when Ozai burned my face?" he supplied.
"Yes. You and I have been for the longest time struggling to figure out who we are. It hasn't been a very effortless journey. I wish I knew how you were so strong." She said as her hairbrush got caught in a knot.
With a light chuckle he got up and freed the brush and began to brush out the snarled mess.
"Well I had gone astray for a long time. I was ensnared within a silent dark world then out of the darkness, I relearn, to see as a new song of life surrounded me."
" There are several people I have to thank for it, you, Uncle, and most of all Aang. You all help save me. Now I want to return the favor. Tell me, why, did you kiss Aang? I mean back on Avatar Isle?" he asked intriguingly as he got out the very last knot and began to smooth out the rest.
Chuckling to herself she remarked sarcastically "You aren't has good with hair as mom was. I could almost could certainly put together a wig from every one of the hairs you yank out in the last ten minutes!"
"Zara you're evading the question." He said as he used his free hand to set ablaze all the hair he had yank out. His nose started to crinkle at the foul odor given off by the denigrated hairball.
"He saved me." She replied simple as she looked out the window to the courtyard were a number of the children were frolicking.
"Yes he saved you like he saved me." He agreed with her then he looked at her bizarrely. "Do you wish for it back in a ponytail or something new? I think we should style it in a different way, Hmm. Let me think." He contemplated at the same time as he began to struggle to figure out what to do by means of her, lengthy, silky, scarlet tresses.
"No" she said simple.
"No you don't desire you're for your hair to be styled or do you wish for it back in the ponytail?" he asked her puzzled.
"No not the hair, silly! I will get back to that in a minute. I meant he saved me before we met." Zara said with a faraway look on her pretty face.
"Hold on! How could he save you, before you met?" he asked confused that he didn't realize he had unintentionally yanked on a handful of hair.
"Yeow! Zuko!" she screeched wrathfully at him as she snapped her head at him in antagonism.
"Sorry, Little Phoenix! Please, allow me to make it up to you by styling your hair. Mom and Akiko did give me a small number of guidelines. Please, make my day?" he said with puppy dog eyes.
"You don't have to do that, Scarlet Dragon. Sure astonish me with something unique." She told him wispily, then continue to enlighten. "He saved me long before I just about died of hypothermia, or in the fire or even falling off a sea cliff. He saved me on the night of my twelfth birthday at what time my nightmares threaten to terminate me."
"For has long as I can remember I've had this gift/curse of clairvoyance along with empathy. Before that night it had done more destruction then good. I was just a fragile child. I was barely living for the very reason that of how Ozai had abused my gift."
"I was acquainted with the knowledge that my duty was to my nation. But as soon as I first gazed into those beautiful gray eyes I was at last living all over again. When I met him in the flesh I knew at that moment my duty was to my heart in addition to what I believe is right. I was lost till he found me and showed me things I thought were only real in dreams. Through those eyes, his eyes he set me free from the spell that enslaved me. I know I can do anything because of him. I maybe just 12 years old, but I do know what true love feel like. And I won't trade it for anything, ever!" she said as she open her eyes from all wonderful memories she had obtained since she first encountered this extraordinary boy.
"Yes he is special. I see why you love him so. Just a moment, ah, there done. What do you think? He said as he finished working on her hair.
It was an intricate assortment of exotic buns and braids, it seem to accent her features rather adequately.
"I love it. Thank you, Zuko. You be capable of being pleasurable when you want to be. So what's on your mind?" she asked him thoughtfully as she spun around gaily.
"I have something rather important on my mind. It's rather personal and if it's all the same to you I really don't want to discuss it with you." He said mysteriously as he touched his pocket.
"It has to do with that bundle you're concealed in your pocket doesn't it?" she asked him.
He nodded. He got up and hugged her tightly. "Look you are one of the most important people in my life. Don't ever forget that. But I can't discuss this matter with you, alright?" he said as he held her tightly.
"I understand. I know that you also don't wish to talk about this "matter" whatever it is, with Uncle Iroh either. Look we have about four and half hours till the next conference. I'm going for a walk. Still I hope you can find someone to help you deal with whatever troubling your heart. See you later." She said as she walked to the door only pausing for a moment to smile at him.
Smiling he got up but on his way out something rolled up against his foot. "Huh?" he picked up the object at his foot. It was the large gem Zara had been hiding. It was like deep crimson glass curved into an elliptical form. He in addition noticed tiny specks of gold in the midst of the vibrate crimson. It felt very cool at the touch.
"I wonder why this is so important. Or where she even found such a peculiar object. I ought to put it back. But I think I will go polish this for her. It is extremely grimy. She'll be thankful for it." He said quietly to himself at the same time as he pocketed it and walk down about three doors to his room. He also glanced apprehensively to each side before entering the bedchamber and locked the door.
He sighed heavily and slumped to the floor. Pulling out the silk bundled he looked at with an unreadable expression on his face. Then his handsome face was painted over with a look of frustration. "Ah, ugh!" he grumbled as stuffed it back into his pocket.
He walloped his face in aggravation in addition to groaning. "This ought to be so uncomplicated! Why can't I figure this out? Ah! Well maybe cleaning this item up will calm me down. The last thing we need is my rage to go off like a volcano!" he whispered as he began to make the gem spotless by light of his out of the ordinary candle.
He made the precious stone spick and span as he worked very hard on it, for half an hour afterwards he laid it on a desk. Then he collapsed on the bed hard face first into the pillow.
He started to scream. "This is just so huh! I wish you were here mom. I could really use you right about now. I need you." He thought out loud. He held his zircon dragon pendent tightly in his hand. He squeezed his eyes shut and tried to stop the tears from falling. He succeeded with the exception of for one that fell on top of the dark red dragon-shaped jewel.
The moment the tear landed on the gem. Its seemed to laugh silly for split second as it began to glow vibrantly. Followed by the candle burnt out flare ignited into a huge burst into flames.
"Ahh!" he said as he backed away apprehensively eyeing the flame. He just kept staring at the flame till a silhouette of a human being emerged from within the glistening embers.
He approached the fiery figure cautiously, shielding his amber eyes from the intensity of the bright blaze he called out to the flame. "Who is there? Show yourself and tell me what you want! Come forth!" he said while trying to sound demanding. But you could distinguish the trepidation in his voice.
He was surprised to hear a familiar laugh. As the laughter intensified the figure began to become more detailed. At that moment a velvety voice spoke from the flames.
"Do not be troubled, my Scarlet Dragon. I've only come for the very reason that you desired me. Oh you seem to be so handsome, Zuko. Come let's have a conversation. After all, this window of opportunity will close soon. So time is short and there is much to discuss. So take a load off your feet." Said a sweet voice from the flames.
"Mom! I want to see you. But how is this possible? Have the Spirit World and ours become one again?" asked the bewildered prince as he helped her down. She took a seat next to him and began to run her long delicate fingers throughout his coal black hair.
"No, my son, they haven't. I'm solely here for one purpose and that purpose alone. You are about to make a very important decision. One that is going to and will have countless possibilities as well as consequences. I sensed you were in need of a little guidance. So lets have a discussion. We have no more than an hour time." Zalika whispered into his ear, at the same time as embraced him as well as kissed his brow affectionately.
"Mom you never change do you?" he said with a half a smile.
"I will always be there for you my son. Just because I'm gone doesn't mean my love and guidance, are gone as well. They cannot die; as a result they live inside you. Within you're very skin. A mother's love never dies; it is one of a small number of things that are immortal. So lets talk. Oh by the way love what you did to your sister's hair." She whispered to him in a soft but elated tone of voice.
"Well, ok here it goes. You in all probability by now know being acquainted with the Spirit World, and all. But Anto and Alake visited us last night." He said looking away form her with a look of despondency along with melancholy written all over his handsome face.
"I don't even require to look at your face, to recognize that their memorandum was not welcoming news. It's impending, is it? The End?" she said firmly as she massaged his shoulders.
"Hmm that feels good. Yes we only have 14 days left to save the world. A millions things are going through my head. It's like trying to navigate from beginning to end a rampant river chock-full of rocks as well as white water! It's overwhelming! A little more below my neck, ah that the spot."
"Well, I can't really blame you for feeling like this. If its any constellation the Spirit World in uproar as well. There is major turmoil on both sides of the line. I can tell this is only one of countless reasons that is making this choice you are about to make is therefore wearisome." She replied soothingly.
He looked at the window as if try to see beyond the world for answers to what was threaten to tear his soul apart. He closed his hand tightly around his pendent. With his face turned away from his mother's spirit he got extraordinarily quiet. "Mom, am I evil?" he asked her all of a sudden.
She sucked in a breath, totally caught of guard by the question. Her beautiful features went to from affectionate to serious. "Zuko why would you even consider asking that question. You passed the test didn't you? When you faced your demons, furthermore if you look at the mirror on the wall you will see your reward for it."
"I know, Mom, that I passed that test. But what if I can't escape what seem to be all citizens of the Fire Nation's fate? Looks what we have done for a hundred years? Who to say I won't become Ozai? What if my heart is black?" he asked apprehensive.
"Listen, to me, Zuko, everyone one is universe is born with a seed of evil inside them, but they are also given something of greater importance. Free will. The ability to choose their own fate wither with the intentions are used either for good or else ill."
"Everyone can either be good or evil its up to the individual themselves. Just because one of the people who created you is evil doesn't mean you will be. Yes you have done bad things, things you regret. Well so has everyone who ever lived and will live. I know you, my son. You're ten times the man Ozai's will ever be. Don't worry you are good." She said as she took his hands to her face. She cradled her face in those strong hands and smiled.
"You were until the end of time be the one with insight in the family. I do have other things on my mind. Mom have you ever been in love? I know you had no love for Ozai but have you ever been in love?"
Zalika blushed as if she was embarrassed by the question. "No one has asked me if I was in love before. Not even my own parents."
"You have never been in love?" he asked apathetically.
"I didn't say that. I was on one occasion in love. Summer love. I was just about your age. My family was vacationing at a seaside resort. The cherry blossoms were going to bloom for the first time."
" I woke before the sun so I could watch. As the sun raised the blooms opened it was one of the more beautiful sights I ever witnessed, I thought I was alone. But I wasn't. I heard a noise and I looked up astonished to see a young boy sitting on a far above the ground tree limb. His hair was black as coal in addition to being very messy. He was extremely filthy but he had a breathtaking smile. His amber eyes pierced my heart." She remembered affectionately.
"What was his name? Why was he hiding in the foliage?" he asked intriguingly. A soft gentle wind swept the room. Her long semi transparent veil started to sway in the light wind. The golden light caused to it glisten like a million stars.
"I don't why he was concealing himself. But he leapt from his hiding spot to ground, with an astonishing velocity as well as agility. It was then I got a good look at him. I observe something that the blooms had hid from me. He had only one arm. He wore a faded, ragged, colorless, tunic with a pieced together cloak along with a worn to shreds hood."
"I introduced myself and we gradually became friends. He never gave me his name. He was a drifter. I admit he was a man of impeccable character in addition to he was very enlighten. He didn't really like people as much as he loved the natural world. By the end of the summer we were very much in love. He was the only I told my secret too. He helped me see many wonders. As the summer began to wane I knew we never see each other again. We were reluctant to say farewell. But he had to return to his journey at the same time as I had to return home."
"I fear, that our path will never cross again. If they hadn't crossed now, I would never have known this, true love. I've only known you for three free from care months. What will I do now that we have to go different ways from one another? You know, you shouldn't have to journey alone in life. You could come back with me." I told him.
"Listen Zalika. You are one amazing young woman. I have no doubt that you will do great things in your lifetime. But I'm not alone. I have the world. I don't need a place of wood and stone to call home. The world is mine. Like I don't require money or earthly possession I'm happy with I got. Myself. But I won't stop thinking about my first and only love. Here I made this for you." He said as he gave me a beautiful red and gold silk handkerchief.
"Thank you. I won't be able to stop thinking about you either. But I still don't know your name. Please we leave at daybreak, I have got to be acquainted with what it is." I pleaded with him.
He smiled his dashing smile at me and adjusted his pack and told me. "I don't have a name. I've wandered this world for a long time. But I have never owned anything not even a name."
"Then I shall give you a name. That will be special as well as worthy of you. From now on your name shall be Zorba, which means " live each day." Do you like it? It was my great grandfather name." I asked him with anticipation.
"Yes I love it! For what it means and who gave it to me. Good-bye, Zalika. I love you." Zorba said as he held me close in his arm.
"I love you, too, Zorba." As we kissed in at the same time as the twilight along with it rained down flower petals all around us.
"That is really sweet, Mom. I wish you told me that sooner." Said Zuko with a smile.
"I see the way you look at, Akiko. It's the same way I looked at Zorba. You truly love her for all that she is. All but Ozai knows what it means to be in love and how wonderful it is."
"I will admit freely that love comes with both its pleasures as well as pains. You and Akiko have come very far. You have both faced the storms and continue to exist. May I see the bundle please?" as she held out her hand.
He passed the bundle, which she sneaked a quick look at its mysterious contents. She smiled proudly with tears welling up in her eyes. "Its stunning. I can tell you worked hard on it. But it's still not over and done with. You still need something red. Maybe you could use that precious stone on the desk? I'm glad you have kept that. That is the same cloth Zorba gave me," she said as she hand it backs to him.
"That Zara's! I was only cleaning it for her." He said excitingly.
"Hmm well I keep a close eye on it." She whispered with a devious grin. "Tell me how is your sister doing at any rate?"
"She's fine. Exhausted nevertheless in good health. She worried about Aang, as am I. He locked himself inside the sanctuary room and since he the only one who can open the door he unreachable. I hope he all right. For all of our sakes."
"Well I can tell you this. After Anto and Alake delivered their memorandum all the avatars before Aang eyes lit up. As if the Avatar State had been initiate. It was like this call had been sent out. Followed by Gyasto and Akanke abandoning our game of pie sho and I've not seen them since." Zalika reported to her son.
"I see."
"Scarlet Dragon. Trust your heart. You can do this. Let me tell you this. Life is not meant to be lived alone. There is nothing better, then to know at the end of the day, when all hell as been thrown at you there is someone you love waiting to welcome you home." She said sweetly. She quickly cocked her head to the side as if she heard something.
"Mother?" he asked uncertainly.
"Time is short we have about only ten more minutes left till I have to go back. Do you feel confident?" she asked him quickly.
"Yes I do!" he proclaimed proudly.
"That's my boy. By the way I love the new look. That body armor didn't go with you nearly as well. Turn around for me so I can see." She requested contentedly.
He got up and started to rotate bit by bit. He was satisfied with the new outfit. Red leather boots, black leather pants. A bright red shirt with a scarlet dragon insignia on it as well as red leather vest. Red fingerless gloves in addition to a sweatband on each upper arm. His zircon pendent pulled it together adequately.
"You look rather attractive." She complimented him.
"Thanks Mom, Zara and the other girls made some new clothes for everyone awhile back."
"I've got to go, Zuko, I will see you soon. Remember you do have allies. Humans, Spirits, and Dragons. I foresee that you will have a great and vast army at your disposal also I thought you like to know. Everyone who was present during you visited to celestial heavens of the Spirit world is offered a certain amount of protection from evil. I hope it will be useful in the coming battle!" kissing him one final time. She stepped back into the flame of his candle. She disappeared with a smile and tears.
"Good bye, Mother. I love you." He whispered to her as she vanished in the embers of the candle.
As the intense flare began to die away an unfamiliar sound was heard. He scanned the room trying to determine the source of bizarre hum. He was shocked to find out that it was coming from the gem.
"What in the name of the Avatar?" he said as he hesitantly comes within reach of the gem. As soon as he touched the gem he yelled in pain for it was boiling hot. "Yeow! That's smarts! Oh my what going on now!" he said panicked as he stared at the gem which began to vibrate violently back and forth as wells as shine vibrantly. Then in a blinding flash it exploded sending shards all over the place.
Zuko stared in disbelief as he waited for his eyes to adjust. When he at last he could see again his jaw fell wide open. Where the gem used to be was a being of some kind.
In what was left of the gem sat something no larger then his forearm. It was a vibrant shade of polished scarlet and gold scales. It had big express reddish gold eyes with gleaming pearly white teeth. It had also had a pair of splinted double leathery wings. It had five glisten golden talons on each of its four tiny feet and a jewel that match the gem encrusted between it eyes. It had a set of protruding twin horns curling upward the length of its cat like ears. Two thin whiskers draped from its snout playfully.
"A dragon!" he whispered out loud in pure astonishment. The hatchling hearing a voice flexed its wings trying to allow the sun to dry them, and then turned and gilded over to Zuko and began to massage its head alongside his chest. It was making a sound that was a cross between purring and singing.
"Oh no! I'm not your mom! Oh Zara is going to kill me! That wasn't a gem it was an egg! But where she even get one? Dragons have been wiped out for a hundred years!"
The dragon fledgling looked at Zuko intensely and began to bawl! It was one of the worst noises he had ever heard. On the other hand he knew what it meant. He had been able to commit to memory what it was like when Zara was a newborn.
"You're ravenous aren't you? Well let's go ask Akiko. She is the specialist on dragon lore. She knows so much about your kin that I wouldn't be surprised if one way or another she was part dragon!"
The baby chortle happily as it began to fool around with his hair.
"Stop that! Stop it… Ow! Stop it! Bad dragon baby!" he yelled as it sank its razor sharp teeth into his right ear.
He finally reached Akiko who was at an outdoor balcony polishing her sword. She heard strange noise coming from behind her. She spun around and started laughing herself silly.
"Zuky! What in the name of great Emperor Solar have you got there? You look so hilarious!"
"It's a dragon hatchling. And its tearing my new clothes to shreds." He said as the hatchling began to worm its way down his shirt. He started to make extraordinarily bizarre faces due to this.
Rushing up to him she gently removed the infant from his shirt and began stroke it soothingly to calm down the frighten newborn.
"Well where did you find him?" she asked him as she giggled, "I mean I haven't even used the sword to revitalize the Dragons Clans yet. Where did he come from?"
"The dragon came from a gemstone my sister had. I polished it for her and it just hatched! I don't know where she got it! Oh furthermore its a her, and her name is Zuka." He said proudly.
"Wow named after you that is an honor. Especially for an imperial dragon." She said jubilant by the news.
"Imperial! You in no doubt she a princess dragon?" he asked stunned at the same time as he snatch a live mouse off the terrace.
"You can tell by a few things, such as her birthstone in addition to her five golden talons. I can tell you everything there is to tell you on the subject of dragons. If I'm not mistaken she is Prince Ravi youngest in addition to only existing progeny." She said as Zuka enthusiastically wolf down the mouse whole.
"The Crown Dragon Prince? How is it even possible?" he asked her as they started to walk without really knowing where they were going.
"Well the only logical thing I can come up with is this. The Citadel of the Dragons is where my father Zhao held your sister prisoner in a desperate as well as cowardly gambit, to get you and Aang. You and I both are on familiar terms with the knowledge that place used to be were the Dragons nested and had their offspring."
"The prison cell used to be the rookery or the incubation chamber before we got even more greedy!" she bellowed in an aggravated voice.
"Yes we weren't satisfied enough with the incredibly power of Sozen's comet alone could grant us, we needed even more power! So we went look for it. We went after the Dragon's sacred flame. All but the three of the most powerful dragons perish in the bloodbath. Just like all of Aang's people died at our hands. Complete and total genocide. Those two acts alone would fill the sea up with enough blood without end!"
" So how is it possible? I mean I've been in that chamber it's a cold as our father's hearts are. How is it even remotely possible for an egg to survive in that environment? Let alone a hundred years!"
"Well on one occasion while I was having a conversation with Ravi. He was telling me all about the final battle they had prior to when they were forced to retreat to their current resident in the Spirit World. He and his mate Oona had laid about dozen eggs. At some point in the conflict each and every one of the eggs where thought to have been destroyed."
"Form what I could tell those eggs aren't easily destroyed." Commented Zuko as he took Zuka back and began to play with her.
"They aren't so easily able to be shattered. In fact it's more or less impossible. The only thing that can shatter a dragon egg is a diamond tip blade mixed with the powder residue of an old egg."
"Point is all the eggs are as you notice extremely durable as well as almost invincible.
I think maybe just maybe one egg was overlooked at it could have found a small still active heat vent. I think when Zhao threw her into the pit she knew she needed to stay warm even if it would cause the blue fire to spread. She must have found the egg and thought it just was a gem therefore she nicked it."
"Good hypothesis, but that doesn't explain how Zuka could emerge following a hundred years?"
"Dragons are resilient creatures. They possess numerous remarkable traits. One is that they are great survivors. Their eggs while the babies are still within them are able to sense if it's save to emerge from their shell. So if they are in danger or food scarce or something the embryo can stay in there till they are safe to emerge. Normally the incubation period last for about seven months. Seven is an important number to a dragon." She explained to Zuko as she feed Zuka another mouse.
"Why is seven consequently significant?" he asked as he wiped the drops of blood off her snout. "There you go! Wow she really famished!"
"Ha, Ha! Babies are always hungry! She is going to need a lot of love and affectionate. This would be an excellent time for you to practice being fatherly, Zuko."
" To answer you inquiry. Seven is significant for it's like their marker number. At seven weeks they start to learn an assortment of ways of communication, seven months they can breath fire, seven years they grow to be sexual active, the experiences sexual desire seven times a year and become an adult at 14 years of age. Which is seven doubled." Smiling at Zuka's larking about in an equally playful mood.
"She still is going to need a lot of attention." He said as she yawned sleepily. Beginning to turn around three times before falling sound asleep for a nap in his arms.
"Well I'm sure we can do an adequate enough job of take care of her. We will be seeing her parents soon enough. Come lets go find Zara, then have lunch, all right?" She told him sweetly as she kissed him. Then with a gay laugh she ran her long delicate fingers through her ebony silk locks.
She walked about a foot in front him and he just smile. He could still feel the bundle in his pocket. He would finish it tonight. That he was sure of. He had swept up the remaining shards of the egg, but had kept one that was in an almost flawless flame shape.
Just as they were about to take the corridor that conjoined with the one with to the Sanctuary, they heard a bizarre racket. They looked up with surprise to witness Sokka, who was falling down the side stairwell flipping over and over till he land at their feet with his azure metal boomerang hitting him on the top of his thick skull.
They trying to keep from laughing but they just burst into tears. "Oh Sokka! You are so funny!" Giggled the young lovers.
"Oh! Go head! Laugh it up! What do you expect from people who got ashes for brains!" he grumbled sarcastically, at the same time as he began to get up and dust the filth off his light indigo garments.
"Sorry, Sokka. Its just we all really need to laugh at this moment. I know we must be serious but we have to be a little loose too. Too serious you can do nothing. We must be flexible!" snickered Akiko as she tried to hide her lips.
"Well, for your information I didn't come down here looking to be laughed at!" he screamed with his eye beginning to bug out of their sunken sockets.
"Ok what were you looking for before you came down the stairs in such an unorthodox method?" asked Akiko inquisitively.
"I was looking for a thief! Momo! Where is that flying rat! When I get my hands on him I going to put together a lemur sandwich!" he screamed as he started to massage his head.
"That gonna leave quite a shiner for a while. So why you looking for Momo?" asked Zuko as they continued to walk down the darken corridor.
Sokka groaned as he picked up his boomerang, which he slides back to its sheath.
"Ok I was with the kids making lunches for everybody. For those who can't see, hear or speak evil they sure put together excellent food. At any rate I had just finishing put together a colossal sandwich. It was full of enjoyable lip smacking meat and highly spiced veggies and mouthwatering sauces. I left my sandwich on the corner of the table as I left to get something to drink, when I got back my magnificent sandwich was gone!"
"Well I looked everywhere till I found a strange trail leading to an old broom cupboard where I discovered that Rat eating my sandwich! Well I chased this far I don't intent to loose him now! He will be caught and punished! Now where is he now?" he said with an insane grin upon his face as he removed the boomerang and got ready to fire.
They all stood silent for a moment then from a dark niche in the rafters came a small burp. They looked up and Momo came crashing down with some of sandwich still in his mouth. He landed on Sokka face and they both screamed!
He flung the boomerang hard and fast at the little lemur. Then to everyone complete and total astonishment Momo jumped onto it and began to hang ten on the thin azure piece of metal. He did some pretty fancy acrobatics then dismount just as Sokka who got hit in the head again.
Everyone around quietly snicker at the incident. All the laughter shook Zuka awake. Seeing a potential playmate she wiggled free of Zuko arms and jumped on Sokka head, doing so completely tearing apart his "warrior wolf tail" and began to take part in a game of in-flight tag with Momo.
"What is that thing?" Sokka as struggled to fix his ponytail.
"That, Sokka, is Princess Zuka, only living hatchling, of Crowned Prince Ravi and his mate Princess Oona. She was hatched an hour ago. Come I will make you another sandwich after we pick up Zara and Aang." Explained Zuko who couldn't help but laugh at Sokka whose head was more of a bruise at that moment rather a skull. Good thing he had such a thick head otherwise that boomerang would have taken out his brain.
They finally reached the Sanctuary chamber where Zara whom had fallen asleep at the foot of the large wooden door.
They all smiled gentle at her. Then a hissing noise forced them back as the doors slowly creaked opened. The steam and light aroused Zara as she backed up in fright.
For a few lingers seconds they could hear what sounded like an infinite collection of voices, then silence. Bright glows blinded them, and then gradually fade till they found Aang. He was sound asleep curled up at the foot of Roku's statue with his left thumb in his mouth while holding Akio close to his heart.
"Oh man! That so not fair! Why should he be the only one who gets a decent night sleep? Everyone else is like zombies and he sleeping like a baby! That just not right!" bellyache Sokka cynically.
"Sokka! We have long road ahead of us. It's best not to complain. Come lets us wake the Avatar and eat lunch. Come Zuko gather him up. He has the most difficulty path of all. It be best if he could sleep for an hour or two." Akiko said as she clicked her tongue and Momo and Zuka followed out of the Sanctuary.
"Ahh! Get off me! You slimy lizard thing! Ahh, huh?" Sokka asked as Zuka leaped at his head. Her eyes and jewel glowed for a moment then the swelling bruise dissipated. With a yawn she jumped and started to go back to snoozing on her namesake right shoulder.
"Ah! She just a little prodigy! She is going to be so wonderful when she grows up! Oh Zuka!" Zuko whispered quietly.
"That I will agree with you on, Zuky. Sokka please could you make her something to eat? She only had two mice and that not really anything more then a small snack!" Akiko asked the water boy as she adjusted Zara who had fallen asleep again.
"Ok what do these things eat anyway?" Sokka asked curiously as they arrive at the lunch hall.
"Various assortment of red meat, diced up really small, mixed with some fresh fruits and vegetable. And about an ounce of blood mixed with honey and milk. It should be semi liquid. Can you make it?" Akiko asked as they took a seat at the end of long, aged, fractured stone table covered in dust.
"Ok! I will make her that!" he turned and walk three steps before shuddering and mutter "Why me?"
Almost immediately everyone was gathered together and enjoying a pleasant lunch. Aang woke up and began to shove food in his mouth so fast it's seemed like he was scared someone one was going to take it from him.
Soon however came the time for them to resume their strategy meeting. Everyone reluctantly got up and threw his or her dishes into old stone basin filled to the brim with dirty soapy water. Then proceeded to the Council chamber. After a few moments to fluff their cushion and pass tea around before they were ready to resume the meeting. First they recapped what they had spoken of that morning to Aang before continuing.
"So you see, Aang, we can't be triumphant in this struggle on our own. What did your past lives reveal to you?" asked Akiko to the young boy. He noticed that everyone was staring at him funny.
"I really couldn't tell what I experience last night. Some of things we talked about are only privilege to Avatar's ears only. What I can tell you is that I'm willing to give it all I got to restore balance to the world. I'm willing to make any sacrifice essential to insure peace and stability for the present and future generations of mankind. That is a promise I will keep." He said in an eerie tone of voice. He looked so solemn and grown up.
Zara glanced at his gray eyes and began to wonder what he had meant by "any sacrifice essential?" How far was Aang willing to go to fulfill his duties? The thoughts that were trying to enter her mind were too horrible to image. So she force them away from the gates that gave accuse to her mind and heart.
"Now back to the point we brought up this morning. We need help. We know even with the Avatar on our side we still need a miracle to win this fight. We must summon forth our allies. Then we must conceive a plan of action. Then proceed with it. We must also remember to have faith within ourselves as well as each other. We got to believe we can win this fight! Now list our allies!" Akiko said seriously.
"Well we can count on the Spirits to help. That I can assure you of." Replied Katara as smoothed out her brunette tresses.
"Yes I believe its time I called upon my old friends from the Spirit Valley. You know they'll want to help. Hadwin and Anselm will wish to fight. Anselm alone has been waiting a long time to call the spirits animals to war. He will have to brush his glossy mane for a whole day just to get ready for the occasion." Laughed Wyanet as she glanced at her blood red tattoos.
"All most all of us present are bond with a very powerful spirit creature. We have for a long time mastered their abilities now its time for us to become one and strike back!" Zara proclaimed as the insignia of the Little Phoenix lit up on her right palm.
Following the suit all whose palms were marked lit up with furious intensity along with their eyes. Power was growing exponential inside them.
"So the plan is to summon all the Spirits who are willing to fight us against impossible odds?" asked Sokka sardonically
"Yes"
"Ok, Just so I don't think I'm strange."
"I will awaken the Dragons Clans at the same time as your doing that. That is two-incredibly forces to be reckoning with. The Fire Lord won't be expecting them. So that gives us a slight advantage. Although I fear it's still not sufficient enough to fight in this battle." Akiko whispered disconsolately.
"Are you always this depressing?" inquired Sokka bitterly to her.
"Sokka! She does have a point. What to we know to be most true about our opponent?" remarked Suki in a frenzy at him.
Sokka just shrugged.
"Its that Ozai will never give up. He has no emotional weakness; it's more or less impossible to damage him in a physical manner so it's almost like fighting a supernatural being. Furthermore "He" will do absolutely anything, as well as everything to win. Doesn't matter who caught in the crossfire. He is willing to murder a billion of his own people if it would mean victory. I know the demon better then anyone else. He did create me and you know what he did all who had a tie to him. He snapped the threads that bound us together." Replied Zuko in a sinister way as he nourished Zuka by means of a bottle.
"Yes he refuse to let his brother experience even the least hint of happiness, murder his own wife, burned his own son's face, made his home a scorching prison cell for his daughter. He has emotionally in addition to physical abused all who had some correlation to him for years. That what we are facing a monster." Zara spoke in her own sinister tone.
"One thing we know for certain we can't defeat him without the world acting as one." Spoke Aang quietly as he stroked Momo big ears.
Everyone started at him in awe. He continued. "Look the only way that this pointless bloodshed will end is if the world act as one. Look to your neighbor and tell me what do you see?" he asked.
" I see a girl in red armor." Responded Luke.
"I see a young man in the company of a dragon baby." Said Katara.
He let them continued to answer for a few moments before he raised a hand to silence them.
"Nice answer, now do any of you care to tell me what you really see?" he asked the bewilder crowd.
Everyone just glance at one another then Iroh asked the boy hero. "What do you really mean to say young Avatar?"
"I mean to say this. When I look at each of you I don't see many people from different countries." He started to say before he was interrupted.
"What do you see, Aang?" asked Katara.
"I see humans. All of us have mothers and fathers several have brothers or sisters. And each of us is the son or daughter of someone. We are ONE race and that mankind. We each are born different and unique but all wish to be free in this world as well as thrive. We are a race of humans, it's doesn't matter where we were born or to who. What matters is what we do with the gift of life." He said quietly.
"One race, just live in different places. Never thought of that." Spoke Wyanet.
"Look, its gonna take the world acting as one to end this war, so it may not have to end with someone paying with their blood for peace. We can all agree on this. What we all seek is freedom. That is all we want. We have waited for this dream so patiently it is time to make it come to life. We need people from all the nations working together. Only working as one can we defeat Ozai. His song been sung, his days are numbered. Now its time to help Anto fulfill his duties and carted away this evil creature!"
"Yes it won't be easy. After all they world eyes have been clouded by hate for a century time. But we must get them to help. Iroh you must go forth and prepare our troops. Let them know what is going on." Ordered Akiko to the old general.
"As you wish." Replied the old man as he got up and stretched. His back creaked like an old rocker. "I'm getting too old for this kind of work. My old bones can't take much more of this!" he groaned.
"We will administrate some massaging and acupuncture to you tonight, but, for know you have your assignment, General Iroh. Now go forth and do your duty." She said as laid a hand on his shoulder and smile sweetly at him.
"All who have Spirits or know ways to contact them go to the most spiritual spot you can find and gather them up. We need them."
"Luke you along with Crimson must send word to the other nations about secure rendezvous points and what time they can be expect to pick up. Make sure they can translate the memorandum but our nemesis cannot. Go. I have got to go summon the dragons." Akiko told everyone.
"You sure your up for this Fire Lily? You just got over your pneumonia you should take it easy, don't you think?" asked Zuko as he walked over to help her up.
"Humph, Thanks Zuky. Listen, Zuky, I appreciated your concern, it is well noted. But we don't have time left to be taking it easy. We have to win this war. The world knows that it time is short. We must act now. Go get reinforcements. I shall call the Dragons to war. We are defiantly going to need them." She smiled attractively as she batted her jade eyes at him.
"Alright. Just be careful. We can't lose you, nor can I" he replied as he kissed her.
She went to the left and walk rapidly to the highest point in temple. Zuko only paused a moment to look back at her with a fleeing look. His hand clamped hard on his pocket. Then join the others out on the largest lanai.
"Ok how are we going to summon these Spirit thingies? I mean its not like we can just send them an epistle inviting them over for a barbecue!" Sokka said irritably as his mouth watered at the mere mention of cooked beef.
"Uh, Sokka. Do you every stop being so … you?" asked Suki
"He been nothing more the a sarcastic meat lover forever. It's like his whole identity. Still he can be actually smart when he wants to be." Replied Katara with a sly smile.
"Humph!" he snorted.
"Oh, Guys lets not fight each other! We have to summon the spirits. Look I'm the bridge between worlds. I can open a doorway for the spirits to be able to cross over." Aang said as get into a meditation positions.
"Aang you know that the Spirits can once in a blue moon cross over in less it's the time of the summer or winter solstice. They only are able to cross over if there is an extreme cause for them to leave their realm. I only say this, because what you are about to attempt to do would require you to you use a lot of energy up and leave you weaker then when you leave the Avatar State. We can't have you conked out for four days again." Wyanet warned him.
"That is why when I cross over, I want you by my side." He replied.
"Me? Why me, boy?" asked the stunned anemic skinned woman.
"You are the ward of a Spirit are you not? You grew up in the valley of the Spirit World. You know the terrain better then I do. You'd be my greatest asset. So, please come join me." He asked her selflessly.
She seems to ponder that for a moment then cocked her head and smiled wickedly.
"You are right about that Avatar Boy. I know the true name and nature of each and every spirit. I know his or her strengths along with weakness better then anyone. I even know a few we should be wary of. One in particular is Koh the Face Stealer. I think the name says all. There are a small number of others to be cautious of, but at all cost we shouldn't engage Koh. Come we must cross over." She said as she sat in front of him in a mirror image stance.
"Guard our bodies careful, friends. They are anchors back to the physical plain. If anything happens we will get stranded permanently in the spirit world." advise Aang as he took a deep breath and concentrated.
In a moment both of their eyes were glowing brightly. They all stood still scarcely breathing at the same time their right palms lit up with equal intensity. Their insignias seem to come to life and with that spark of life came a great power that would make any corporeal man tremble in his boots.
While this was going on Akiko had finally finish ascending the stairs. She let out a long-winded breath as she turned to face the steps she had just conquered.
"I can't believe how high this tower is. Sheesh! Who would have thought it would take me forty-five minutes to climb up them. Then again who thought there be 1500 stairs! Whoa! I need to sit for a minute." As she slumped to floor in tiredly. She jump back up almost at once when she realized she had sat on something alive.
Turning she looked at what she had been sitting upon she realized it was a mother chinchilla along with her three tiny offspring.
'Oh, I'm sorry! Here have these." She said as she reached in her pocket and withdrew a number of seeds.
The small family eagerly gobbled up the tasty seeds. She laughed as she stroke their silky silvery gray fleece.
"Now to summon Solar and his kin. Mother please help me." She said walked slowly to the edge. Taking a deep breath she unsheathe her blade. Letting the sunbeams seeping out of the clouds glisten on extraordinary blade.
Raising the blade high over her head she began to swing it in a circle while chanting in dragon's tongue. The swinging blade sent the song out all over the world. At the citadel the ground beneath the soldiers feet began to quake as the dragons roar to life. In the Spirit World the Dragons were all singing and one by one vanished and reappeared in the physical plain. Like a living rainbows they flew at such velocity they were nothing but a vague blur.
They came and soon in great numbers. Emperor Solar led his people to source of the song. Along side of him was his family. His ravishing mate flew gracefully along with his six sons and six daughters along with their offspring. Each and every one of the dragons was singing as well as letting lose a dazzling and extravagant demonstration of flames and aerial aerobatics.
They were so much more imposing in the flesh then when they were mere spiritual energy.
Slowly she extended her right hand to touch the golden snout of the Emperor. She could feel his hot breath as she reached. Then she touched the scales and looked perplexed.
"Something wrong beloved child?" he asked at a complete loss by means of her reaction to him.
"No I just didn't think that scales would feel like this or do truly hear your voice, it like you where living with in a dream, and now you can walk along side shores of reality. It's in other words incredible. Welcome most honor creatures. We have much to do and short time to accomplish it. I think you are going to have um… got a bit smaller. Right now you are as big as the mountains themselves." She said with a short blush.
With a roar they all got smaller till they were about the size a little smaller then Appa. But the imperial family assumed human form. They all looked like beautiful enchanting aristocrats. No finer silk in more radiant colors could be found in the world. Even their ornaments sparkle of important. You forget quite easily that they were dragons instead of humans. Still it was minor things you perceive that could tell you their true from.
As she showed them down the flight of stairs to get food she stopped Ravi.
"Prince Ravi, I don't mean to be imposing, but it imperative that you along with your wife get together with me and Zuky, before the next meeting. You should probably bring your parents. It concerns them as well." She told the handsome youth in the embroidered scarlet ceremonial dress.
He looked at her with his big black eyes in surprises.
"What is the nature of this mystiques thing? Why does it concern my lovely mate, Oona or me? She in her yearly time of grief." He said as he looked at his human brethren. He smiled at her as he gently strokes her face and wiped the soot of her cheeks. He wasn't allowed to reveal to Akiko till she came of age the truth about her bloodline.
"Yearly grief?" she looked as a ravishing young lady in a lavender and periwinkle kimono walk down the hall on pausing to look at the horizon. Tears were in huge almond shape honey eyes. She lowered the veil on her silver headdress low over her face and walk on.
"Akiko do you know what happen almost a hundred years ago to this day?" Prince Ravi asked as the walk together down the dim hall.
"Yes the first wave of war. The mass massacre of the Air Nomads soon followed another massacre when your people were force to flee to the Spirit World many of you kill and entire generations children destroyed before they even began to live." She said she hung her head sadly.
"Yes our children all gone. If truth were told the most tragic thing about the ordeal is that Oona could only be pregnant on one occasion, shortly afterwards she became barren. As eldest son it's my duty to have an heir and I don't. People may not wish to remember the times of pain and grief, but if we don't remember the past both good and bad there now way to build a better future is there?" he said wisely.
"Yes that is correct. And if we don't united and act as one there is going to be another massacre. This one won't kill one or two races, it will obliterate the entire human race as well as the entire world forever." She said gravely to the young dragon prince.
"Come we are hungry. I would like to eat some rice and noodles. Do your perchance have any rice wine?" he asked as his long dark hair glisten in the golden sunrays.
"Yes we do. We in fact manage to pilfer it from the Admirals Ceremonial Banquet a few weeks back. Zhao was being honored at the time. Hmph! Like that monster should be honored for anything!" she replied bitterly.
"I see we still have some "Daddy Issues" don't we?" spoke up Solar as he and his wife came up from behind.
"Let forget it and go find you something to eat. I'm sure Appa would be glad to share the old stables with your kinfolk."
"Akiko! Akiko!" cried a voice from down the opposite end of the corridor.
She turned at saw a massive wave of people as well as beings in every from imaginable as well as some unmanageable. They were all hurrying towards. Though she notice two things. One was Aang look very frail and weak. The other was a young tall man in flowing robes of turquoise in the company of a great lion were nagging Wyanet.
"Wyanet, my dear you seem to have changed greatly in this last year since leaving home. Why do you wish to look so fearsome?" asked the man to his ward.
"Hadwin, please. I only wish to strike terror in the hearts of my enemies. Please don't treat me like a little girl not in front of my friends." She told him.
"Well it looks you were successful. Welcome all to the physical world. I'm Akiko the leader. I'll like to thank you all on the behalf of our world for helping us in the coming battle."
"It is an honor, young one, but we fight because we have a stake in this battle as well."
"We have wanted this bloodshed to end for a long time! I will train the animal spirits in the ways of battle. Our loyalty is to you and these people. We will fight till the bitter end." Said Anselm with a mighty roar!
The others cheered along with him. They sound so full of enthusiasm, full of life and hope and faithful optimism. Wyanet had known the creatures since she was a babe. She knew that they could help tip the scales of war. Still she feared greatly for the ones that had help saved her life when she could have died.
She gently stroked the white lion bushy mane and hoped he had realized if he hadn't saved her then the proud linage of Avatar Roku would have ended right there and then.
"Please let me get you settle. We are having another meeting at dawn tomorrow. Let me show you around Hadwin. Come," she told him as she yanked him about to show him to his quarters.
"Is it me or is she looking awkward about those spirits being here?" asked Aang as he struggled to stay awake.
"Well Aang they did raise her as one of them. I'm sure she has a great respect and love for them," said Katara to the arrowhead boy.
"She'll be fine. We on the other hand better get ready to sound the drums of war!" replied Akiko as she whispered something to Zuko.
"We'll have twelve days remaining when the break of day happens over the mountaintops. Are other guest will be arriving throughout the night so we take shifts in greeting them. Sokka you and Suki better start prepare a lot of food for them. Everyone else there are many other household task needing to be done in order to make our all guests feel welcome. So hopped to it!"
Everyone quickly scattered to do what he or she could for soon arrival of the human factor. Akiko just looked like she could pass out.
"Akiko, my love you can't keep doing this. You are one stubborn piece of work. Your hardheaded and you by no means take a break. Come on you need to loosen up. You aren't going to win the planet back its freedom if you work yourself to an early grave. I don't want you to get sick again. Please go and take a nap. For all our sakes." Zuko said as he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to their room.
"Please Zuko, I know you care but I think I know what best for m…" she start to say be he silenced her.
"Listen if there one thing I know to be trues its this. Neither of us are very good at take other's people advice or help. We can both be too prideful. But believe me I see you know and you are still beautiful but also need to take a break. We have a big day tomorrow and you need to be at the top of your game. So please just go to sleep. I'll wake up later when we go to bring back together Zuka with her family all right? Now go to sleep, my fire lily." He said as he tucked her in and stayed till she fell asleep.
The day just at a snail's pace ticked by prior to the end of the day Zuko awoke Akiko.
"It's time, my love. We must do it now before things get really crazy tomorrow. Come."
Yawning she got up and stretched. "We should take a moment to make ourselves decent. This is the Imperial Family were are talking about." Akiko said as she ran a brush through her ebony silk locks.
"You would look like a princess if you dressed in rags and covered in mud. You are so beautiful too me." Zuko said as he kissed her with his hands on her shoulder and just above her butt.
"You are moving very fast. I only wish to make this moment last forever. So be slow." She cooed into his ear as she draped her arms around his neck.
They would have stood there all day if Zuka hadn't started crying.
"Oh Zuka! What the matter? Zuky I think she wants her bottle. Do you have it?" she asked as she rocked the hatchling slowly.
"Oh here it is. Let me take her. There you go eat up. You think dragons can be colic? She seems to be like Zara was as an infant." He said as a small smile lit up his handsome face.
Akiko just smiled at the whole thing. She knew Zuko had done some bad things, but she also knew so had everyone else. She looked into his amber eyes and she saw a breathtaking as well as vigorous soul of purity and love looking back at her. He had saved her life and she had returned the favor.
"He will be an excellent father one day. He can be of assistance in leading our people out of the darkness into the light. He has witness the war on both sides of the line. Others have thought he was evil; some a failure, but that couldn't be so far form the truth. I see a person worth more then all the gold in the world. There are no words that could accurately describe what I feel for this man who save my life in more then one way." She thought with a chuckle.
"Come along, Zuky we have to go a return her. It will be more rewarding then working all night trying to figure out what to say to those chauvinist and racially prejudiced people tomorrow. A room jam-packed of old war men listening to me. Not exactly going to be a picnic tomorrow." She said in a defeat tone of voice as she put the Dragon scale blade in its sheath and buckled it to her hip.
"Just got to let the air out." He said as he rubbed her a bit.
With a huge belch she giggled happily and went to sleep. They had no trouble warping her up in a beautiful blanket.
"Come on we mustn't dawdle. Ravi been very tolerant up till now." She told her love as she walked at the same time as holding his hand.
"Fire Lily you be an excellent mother. You're kind and loving and understanding. But you have first got to master your temper. And I think you could learn to be a bit more flexible." He said as he hugged the bundle close to him.
"Well I've had a lot of practice. Anyway we're a little too young to be talking like this. Ah here we are I told them to meet us here in Council Chamber." She said as she quickly turned her head to hide her blushing and a tear.
"Oh right. Well we mustn't keep the Emperor or his son waiting." He said sadly. He seemed disappoint about something.
They cross the threshold into the assembly room where four people sat with questionably looks on their faces.
"Hello Prince Zuko and honorable Akiko we are most honored by you two, we are wondering why you called us here tonight?" welcomed Solar as he escorted them to a seat.
"Yes what is so important dear child?" asked Lunar as she nibbled on some thin slices of fruit.
"We know young one that you and the rest of the group must be ready to get done. The hundredth anniversary of the beginning of the war is going to be in 12 day time," remarked Ravi as he cradled his wife in his arms gentle.
"War? Why must such a malicious thing even exist at all in this world?" Oona whimpered into her husband chest.
"I think that is why the comet was somehow brought closer to our planet. To end the war on the very day my great grandfather began it. That day is known as Sozen's Day in my culture and it like one big party when it shouldn't be. It not something to celebrate it something that should be abolished!" Zuko cursed acrimoniously.
"I think we can all agree that war is hell. That is done terrible things to everyone. I mean everyone that includes the Fire Nation. Nothing in life is that black and white. Many have let their ignorance and hatred blinded them. I won't be one of those."
"In saying that I know that all in this room has lost something or someone to the war's insanity. Some have lost more then others. But I will remind you of an old saying."
"Though tragedy may strip the land barren of its natural beauty and splendor all we need to is blow the ashes away and let new growth emerge if we can give it the chance." Akiko said wisely
"Very good, Akiko. But you must tell why you gathered us here?" Solar said intolerantly as he tapped his fingers.
"Prince Ravi and Princess Oona I love you both so much and I hate to see you, down in the dumps, with so much heartache. You deserver some happiness after all you been through and well here it is. Zuko?" she said as she got on the ground and talked to them kindly.
He walked slowly over to them and places the red and gold cloth bundle in Oona arms.
They looked over each other not entirely sure they understood what was going on. Slowly they unpeel the blanket away and gasped. Curled up sound asleep was Zuka who actually had between her forefeet a tiny makeshift doll.
"I don't understand. Where did … who is… what going on?" asked Ravi as he looked over the baby.
"Prince Ravi and Princess Oona say hello to your daughter, Zuka," said Akiko as she smiled warmly at them.
"OUR DAUGHTER?" they said in utter disbelief but they was no mistaken how much she looked like her father.
"I have a granddaughter?" Solar said as he and Lunar walked over.
"Yes you have new grandchild. Her name is Zuka and she perfectly healthy. She is full of liveliness, inquisitive, full of life. She is also very tactful and intelligent. She seems to be a prodigy. She a very good child." explained Zuko patiently.
"You named her after you didn't you? You were the first person she saw weren't you?" Oona said looking at the boy.
"Uh yes. I hope its good enough. I mean I just knew when she looked at me she was a girl. I just thought it would be good." He said as he looked at his feet.
"I think it a most honorable namesake. I love it. A prince naming a princess after himself is a great honor. I was hoping you two could be her godparents?" asked Oona as she began to feed her baby for the first time.
"That would be an honor. We'll leave you alone to get aquatint with her. We have more pressing business to discuss." Akiko told them as she and Zuko left. Closing the door quietly she let out a long sigh.
"You feel you lost something you never had as well?" asked Zuko as the walked away.
"I never thought much of it before. I mean I've been leading a rebellion for the past two years and then before that there was training. But know after looking at Zuka I only wish it was I holding my baby for the first time. I wish I could see myself in my own daughter's eyes. It really silly." She said shaking her head as to dismiss the idea.
He spun and faced her and placed his hands on her shoulders. "No listen, it's not stupid to want to be a mother. It is stupid to want to have a kid just for sake of having a kid. You should want to have a kid because you want to be a parent and you want to help them exceed their own potential and pass their limits." He said.
"Zuko, again you show wisdom beyond years but I'm just sixteen. I don't want to lose my virginity till I'm a real woman and that still many years from now. Still having a kid one day would be nice. I have my children names picked out already." She told him as she gazed out into the twilight skies.
"What would you name our children and why would you chose those names?" he asked quietly as he joined her looking out to reddish pink and purplish-blue skies with the stars just starting to emerge.
"I would name our girl Ryo because it means "Dragon" as well as being one of my ancestor names. I would name our son Rory which name mean "Little red king" he would after all be of royal blood would he not and isn't our color red?" she said as she gazed out to the horizon.
"I imagine we'll get that wish sooner or later." Zuko said as he hugged her.
Sitting on the roof of one the temples spires was Aang and Zara. They both looked up at the endless heavens but neither one would tell the other what was bothering them. Momo was scampering around chasing moths for a late night snack.
"Look up there! That is the constellations of Qamar and his sister Qamra the moon stars twins. See how they dance always together?" he told her as he point to twin blue stars in close proximity to the moon.
"Yeah and look to their left are their cousins the twin sun stars. Ha, ha. Err. Aang we have to talk," Zara said as she tried to sound serious.
"What about?" whispered Aang to he as he continued to still stargazing.
"Look, Aang the time of innocence is gone, lost to the winds. We have to be serious if we are to win the coming battle. You have to be ready. You are the only one can save us. Look I can feel everyone emotions and they have gone through the roof! Everyone in our group is concerned about their relationship. And I'm concerned greatly about our relationship. I've dreamed of this coming day since I was four years old! I have been in love with you since we met once upon a midnight dream. Do you understand?" she asked him taking his hand.
"Why are you so worried? We are going to win! I know it. Why are you so petrified as well as you look so sorrowful. What really troubling you?" asked the boy Avatar as his gray eyes gazed into her ambers.
"Us. I'm worried about us. We have been in a forbidden love and it's been one wild ride. I'm worried that in the battle to come that when the fallen are listed you will be in the midst of them. Aang I love you and I can't see how I could live if you died." She admitted tearfully.
"You worried I'm going to die?" he asked her surprised "But if I die I will be just…"
"You will only be reborn if you don't die in the Avatar State. But you won't be the same. The spirit yes will be same but the little boy Aang who saved me will die. I can't deal with it. I can't lose you. I just have a gut feeling. It has been there for sometime"
"What this feeling telling you?" he asked hesitantly. He was shaken by her cryptic words. She seemed like she was holding back something, something critical.
"That you will breath your last breathe, and so will end the legacy of the Avatar. This battle is something that no one is sure of what its conclusion will be, but I've dreamed for such a long time that the outcome will be ghastly. Now I sense it will be bittersweet. No matter how much positive that will come out of this there without doubt is going to be an equal amount of negative," Zara replied sorrowfully.
"How you can you be so sure? You said it yourself, that your visions are nothing more then cryptically metaphors. That you have to really pay attention to each thing and try and translate its significance."
"Aang I just know this. I fear you will die, and I don't want to lose you."
"Look part me is alive within you. It will be there for rest of your life. I promise you I will love you for the rest of mine, so if you die I will never love another. And you will do the same."
"Kiss me."
At that moment everyone who was in love kissed their lover at the same time as a shower of falling stars tumble down from the pale blue heavenly skies. Love was important as well as the gift of life. They were treasure that could never be replaced after being lost. All had learned that in an incredibly short time.
All throughout the night several different people from all around the world arrived. Crimson and Luke worked their butts off all hours of darkness trying their best to be tolerant and compassionate with them. Getting everyone of them comfortable nevertheless it was a total nightmare.
The people who had been in the rebellion before, the original 1600 were a little more the ornery with the newcomers. They all knew what they could and were ready to fight but they knew also that the humans were going to be the hardest to get to work with them. Still no one could win a battle alone. The gang was eating very thin runny porridge for breakfast the next day. All the good food the soldiers had already taken for themselves.
"This is ridicules! We have been fighting just as hard as those greedy pigs and they steal the bacon and eggs and all the other good food is gobbled up in those gluttons' wide-open traps! Ugh!" Sokka yelled at the group bitterly.
"I hear you, Sokka, but we need them and guests should be treat with respect. Still I wish we had more to eat then this?" retorted Katara as she watch the porridge drip off her rudimentary wooden dollop. Her face gave a look of pure repugnance and foreboding.
"Let just eat this um is this even fit for human consumption?" asked Suki unsure at the food.
"Ahh! You get back here, you thief! I don't care if you're a guest or not you're not stealing our provisions or our finest rice wine so you can party with your buddies!" roared a woman voice.
All the heads in the cafeteria snapped around and saw Wyanet with her sword in her left and whip in the right. She looked like a demon with that evil glare in her eyes. The source of her fury was a young scrappy looking cadet in a pale green uniform. He had been trying to nick some dessert cakes and a burgundy glass color wine bottle of the finest rice wine.
"You better run, we can't always keep her under control. She a wild woman," whispered Zara to the boy who was as still and cold as stone.
"I will give you to the count of three too return what you have stolen otherwise," she said she snapped her whip and it smashed a chuck out of the nearest table. The boy's green eyes were huge as all color drained from his face.
"You will pay! One… two… three! Hiyah!" she said she leapt at the boy who chose at that moment to cut and run. The chase was on and food was ancient history.
"So what do you guys want to bet?" asked Sokka as the group started betting ring when Wyanet would get the boy. That was till Akiko appeared in the company of the leaders of the other two fractions.
"Uh what is going on here? Why is the cafeteria in shambles?" she asked with her eyes narrowed. She looked like she could kill with just one look from those eyes.
"Well some cadet, a scruffy looking fella snuck into the kitchen and nicked some food and a bottle of the finest rice wine. Oh the one you were saving for when we win." Haru started to explain glancing at the others for help.
"Yes if you look to your left you will see it." Replied Suki as she bent down and scooped up the bottle. Akiko snatched the bottle from her hand and looked it over.
"Hmm. So who destroyed the table and why is the mess not clean it up and so many other questions left unanswered?" she asked them unsympathetically still giving them the evil eye.
"Uh Wyanet had gone into the kitchen when she heard a noise. The boy had stolen some desserts. She announced the call of the hunt and chased his sorry hide out of the room. After she smashed a table up." Replied Katara glanced around nervously.
"Why don't you tell me what you children where doing after the beast went after its prey?" she pressed them.
"It was Sokka! He started a betting ring going on and we had to place a bet on anything about the conclusion of the chase. We are most sorry don't punish us!" whimpered Zara.
"Why you little snitch! You couldn't keep a secret?" he screamed at her till Zuko shoved him.
"Don't yell at my sister just cause you want to save your sorry behind!"
"Enough is enough people! I'm sick of us fighting like animals in a cage. The most important battle ever will take place soon and we can't be fighting amongst ourselves! Now I want all my generals and lieutenants to join me in the Council Room in fifteen minutes sharp! Do I make myself clear?" Akiko thundered.
"YES MA'ME!"
"Good then. I'll see you all shortly," Akiko told them. With that she marched off towards the Council Room followed by Crimson and Luke.
Fifteen Minutes later all of her lieutenants and generals were seated at a table waiting patiently for her to speak. Akiko stood up and cleared her throat before speaking. "As you well know our resistance army now contains more then five hundred benders, at least three thousands well trained soldiers, all members of the dragon race and at least two thousands spirits. Not to mention we have the Dragon Star and its weapons and hidden treasures, but most importantly we have you. The members of my elite squad of heroes and of course our greatest member, Aang the Avatar. However I fear that are army is small compared to the vast resources of our opponent, the dreaded Fire Lord Ozai. In order for the final phase of our plan to work we need to triple our forces within the next two hours. Now I am all ears for any ideas you might have."
"This isn't much of challenge Akiko. The only way our little plan is going to work is if no one messes it up right? Well we can count on our resistance movement not foul it up but what of the armies of the Earth Kingdom and Water Tribes still fighting?" Wyanet said.
"But how could they still interfere with our plans? We brought them here so they remain safe!" Luke protested.
"Yes, but just because their here now doesn't mean they will follow Akiko. They have their own leaders and ways of doing thing. We can't force them to bow down to us," Crimson replied.
"But if they were to join us we be unstoppable! We outnumber Ozai's forces two to one. Somehow we have to convince the leaders of the Earth Kingdom Army and the Water Tribes to unite under one rule," Suki said. Haru nodded his head in agreement.
"I think you guys are forgetting one major problem. Incase you haven't noticed our guests are a little less then enthusiastic to be here with members of the Fire Nation. I mean am I the only one who's had to break up fights between our nations in the last day?" Sokka asked.
"Sokka right. You are a great leader Akiko, but I can't see any member of the other nations army letting you lead them let alone speaking to you," Katara admitted sadly.
Akiko glanced over at her fellow Firebenders. She fingered her weapon thinking hard. She needed more advice before she made a decision on how to handle this delicate issue. "General Iroh, you have lead an entire army before. I've read all about your military campaigns and I have watched you raise Zuko and Zara as if they were your own."
"Yes that is correct my lady."
"Then I ask you now to give me advice. I know that you once sat down and drew up a compromise between an Earth General and yourself. I also know that you spent time with the Water Tribes and learned to use their methods on Firebending. You have also study the history of the Airbenders in effort to keep them alive."
"Again all correct my lady. But I fail to see what this has to do with the situation now," Iroh said confused.
"It has to do with everything. I need a way to bring the other nations together and the remaining members of our people into our resistance. How would you go about securing their trust and allegiance?"
"Akiko what are you getting at?" Aang asked.
"Yeah you can't possibly believe that their leaders will listen to you. You're a teenager and female!" Zara exclaimed.
"They will not meet with Akiko daughter of Admiral Zhao. They will meet with the Red Spirit and its council including the members of the royal family, the Avatar, Master Katara, Master Haru, Crimson, Luke and of course my best soldier Wyanet."
"You really think they'll listen to you as Red Spirit? I mean you're an inspiration as that character, but you'll need to tell them the truth eventually," Zuko pointed out.
"Not to mention we should have at least one member of the spirits and dragons," Wyanet told her.
"I know and trust me there will be. If we are to have this meeting we must fetch the leaders. All members I named stay here and prepare the room for negations, the rest fetch the leaders, and I will go prepare myself. We meet back here in twenty minutes," Akiko said dismissing them.
Akiko went into her secret room and slipped on her Red Spirit outfit. She took a deep breath and let it out. This was an important moment and she wouldn't ruin it. The Resistance needed this alliance or everything would fail. With that in mind she stepped out of her room and entered the Conference Room.
Seated on the right side of the table were Zuko's family, Emperor Solar and Emperies Lunar in their human form, and the spirits Hadwin and his companion Anselm with Wyanet. On the left side sat Katara with the leader of the Northern Water Tribe leader Acnook and Master Pakku. Next sat Haru and King Bumi. Aang sat next to him. Crimson and Luke stood waiting for her.
"Greetings fellow leaders and masters. I am the Red Spirit. May I introduce you to my bodyguards Luke and Crimson. I'm sure you've all met each other so there's no need for an introduction. I have asked you here today in hopes that we can form a sort of alliance."
"How can we trust someone who hides behind a mask?" Acnook asked skeptically.
"I assure you my mask serves no other purpose then to protect me and my resistance from being found. I know that you have great reason to distrust me, but let us try to work past that."
"Please let us begin. We all want the same thing. To see the end of my brother's tyranny. If we work together we can accomplish this goal. So lets put all the chips on the table and start talking," Iroh suggested pleasantly.
For the next several hours the parties talked endlessly. The spirits and Solar offered their services to the other armies and Wyanet agreed to share command duties with other soldiers. Zuko and Zara agreed to keep their fellow Firebenders away and lead the attack on the palace. Iroh agreed to have members of all the nations aboard the Dragon Star and her properties. Katara and Haru would lead the benders while Luke and Crimson along with the rest of their friends would assist all the nations. Everyone agreed on Aang's role so now there was only one thing left to do in order to seal the deal.
"This compromise we've come up with is a good one. But in order for the three of us to share leadership equally among our people there must be no secrets between us. Therefore I will no longer be the Red Spirit," she said gently removing her mask and letting her hair cascade to the floor. They gasped at the sight of a teenage girl before them.
"My name is Akiko. I am the daughter of Sakiko and Admiral Zhao of the Fire Nation. I have been the leader of the Fire Nation Rebellion for over two years now. I am the owner of the Dragon Scale Blade, chosen child of Emperor Solar and Empress Lunar. I am the lover of Prince Zuko. The spirits of the world have granted me with some of their powers. And lastly I'm one of the greatest fighters both in bending, weapons, and hand to hand you'll find anywhere. That is who I am! Now what do you say to signing this document?"
"Sign this document! Are you nuts! Why should we sign anything that was written by the daughter of a murderer!" Pakku shouted enraged at her proposal.
"You are a mere child! What do you understand about politics?" demanded Acnook.
Bumi remained silent. He eyed her with and gave her a crazy look. "I think that she's a great kid. I mean look how well she's been doing. Why not agree?"
Akiko smiled at him and silenced the Water Tribe. "I have something for you two to consider. Just consider it for a moment please. The world is not black and white. There are several shades of gray and I am one of them. War is hell and both sides have victims. We can choose so much in life, but some things are out of our control. Such as the people who give us life, our abilities, and which country we are born into. You can't judge me on the basis of my country. I am an individual so judge me for me. We are giving a choice between being good or evil and I have chosen good. Will you allow your anger for others to ruin our one chance to free us all?" Akiko asked them.
"She does have a point. We can permit the toxin known to us as antagonism and detestation corrupt us from within or we can work together for a new and better future for one and all. Look I'm not just fighting to give back the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom future. I'm trying to save everyone! That includes the people of the Fire Nation. Like my friend Akiko just told you. There are victims on all sides of war. Everyone is innocent till they make the choice to do evil. Even then the line can be blurred. So we are fighting for everyone who breaths air, who walks this world soil. Everyone, every man, woman and child who lives and breath and has a dream is who I'm fighting for. I plan to give the world back its hopeful future and I swear on souls of my parents and all the Avatars before I will keep my promise," proclaimed Aang with such certainty and compassion you could tell that he meant every word.
"Then all that left too do is agree to an alliance with you. We all have the same goal. We should work together to make it happen," said the old Waterbending Master.
"Thank you men. Your help will be need in the coming battle. We have learned from the Spirits of Life and Death themselves that the weapon that was used to start the war a hundred years ago is returning on the night of the anniversary of the war. We must defeat Ozai before he can use Sozen's Comet. And believe me what the Fire Nation has done in the past will seem minor compared to the devastation of mayhem and havoc that they will unleash if they get the Comet to power them up. Even Aang won't be able to defeat them," replied Zuko gravely as he looked at the boy he called his brother.
"I have a question for you, dear fire prince. If you would be so kind to answer with us being so honest and all?" inquired Pakku eyeing the boy with a strange look.
"What do you wish to know?" asked Zuko ready to answer.
"Why would the son of the Fire Lord want his father dead other then he wish's to seize the throne from him? What are your intentions? Why are you and your family here supporting a movement that would eradicate someone you are related to? What are your reasons?"
"Yes I agree, we heard that Fire Lord banished you but last we heard you were like a wolf trying to get your prey, him," Acnook pointing to Aang. "What could possible make you want to turn against your father?" asked the Chief of the Northern Water Tribe.
"I have no father. Ozai merely sired me and yet he never was a father to either of us or his wife or brother. He never loved anything other then power. He murdered his own wife when he thought she was becoming "out of control." He stole my mother Zalika from Zara and me when I was only eight and she was four. He didn't even give his sister in law a proper funeral. He made his own brother suffer endlessly. He has for all our lives physical and emotionally abused us. He burned my face for speaking an opinion! I was sent out in exile on an impossible quest. He tortured my sister and abused her gifts of clairvoyance and empathy for his own twisted personal gain. So that who Ozai is and he not my father for I have none. For like Akiko here said we can only choose so much in our lives."
"Yes I want the Avatar because I believe it would prove I wasn't insignificant and I would have my honor back. But then something's happened that changed everything." He glanced at Zara who knew what to do.
"I was a prisoner in my own country in the palace. I was a very different person back then. One night when I had a recurring nightmare a boy with gray eyes saved me. Shortly afterward I joined my brother. Then I met the boy whom those eyes belong to. He saved me again. Then before my brother could hurt him I stepped in and saved him. Then I gave him a kiss. That boy is Aang. My love." She replied.
"The Fire Nation Princess is in love with the Avatar!" exclaimed the watermen in total shock.
"Yes it was a long time before I realized my place was with him. Then Zhao who tried to freeze me with cold fire kidnapped me. Aang and Zuko saved me but I died." She started to explain.
"If you died how are you right here?" they asked at the same time in confused.
"Because I gave her some of my life. I saved her. Just like I saved Zuko when he rescued me from Zhao. I will always save a person in need no matter what they done in the past," Aang replied.
"It then I saw him as the one thing I never had in my life. A friend. Someone who really cared about me. We had some more adventures, but I didn't return the favor till Aang was trying to deal with the loss of his parents. Who he just found out who they were. We are now brothers. He has saved me. Now I want to help him save the world."
"I don't want power, I just want to rescue the souls of my people. To help restore the Fire Nation to the side of good again. I want my country to have its honor back. I was blind. Blind to the truth. But Aang he help me see and with his loving heart he shall set free the human race I have no doubt about. He is the kinda of person we need, the whole world needs to save it," finished Zuko as the boys hugged and then Zara kissed him.
"Well that convinced me. I have no doubt of his words," said the Master Waterbender.
"You should have more faith in people. People can change if given a chance to prove to themselves and others," Katara replied to the man.
The next twelve days flew by fast till it came to the morning to set their plan in motion. Everyone woke an hour before dawn to see the sunrise only hoping it wouldn't be his or her very last. No one spoke at the breakfast they just quickly ate their food and got ready. The tension was so high in the rooms a needle would have popped it.
Zuko himself was a bit more nervous then anyone else. He had complete whatever was in that cloth bundle and he was getting ready to put his own personal plan into action.
He found Akiko going over final detail of the battle plans with all the officers. Taking a deep breath he swallowed hard, "Ok Zuko you can do this. Mom please just be with me." He whispered quietly.
"Hey Zuko! What that in your hand?" said a voice from behind him.
"Ahh!" as he unintentionally let loose a spell of rain of flames.
"Aang! Don't you ever sneak up on me again! You hear me?" he said as he tried to slow his heartbeat.
"I'm sorry Zuko. Everyone getting final debriefing and then I assuming people wants me to make a speech. I don't what to say however. I was hoping to get your help. Everyone of our family waiting just outside," he said to him while looking at his feet.
Zuko just hugged the boy tight. "You are special Aang, you were chosen for a reason to be the Avatar. You see good were others do not and light the path for those to follow. You have a heart of gold of such purity its light would be ten times brighter then sun. I know you are ready to face your destiny. I love you my friend, and brother." Zuko said in such a strange tone of voice.
"Zuko are you alright? You're acting a little out of the ordinary," said the tattoo child.
"I will meet you by the south wall in twenty minutes I promise not a minute later," he said to Aang as he hugged him one more time.
Aang got the notion that something fishy was up. He quickly gathered everyone and led them to a hiding spot near where Zuko and Akiko were walking along the courtyard. They could hear every word that was being said because of the echo in the area.
"Zuky we have to get back. The final meeting is in only a half an hour then, Aang will give his speech and we go. The final battle for world will begin and it will end one way or the other by the time the new moon is in the center of the night sky. So what so important that you have to talk to me alone?" Akiko asked looking at her beau peculiar.
"Ok, Akiko this isn't easy. But ok. I have only in my life loved three women. My mom, Zara, and finally you. But I know I will never love another woman other then you. I didn't love one before you nor will I love another after you. We are so much alike. You are the song I sing. It your voice that gives wings so I can fly and dream. You are so beautiful inside you outer beauty doesn't come close. I never have met anyone who love me like you."
"Zuko? What are you getting at? What are you trying to say? I don't understand," she replied confused by his words.
"The war has had countless victims over the hundreds years of it reign. You and I are both lucky. We are one of few victims of this war that aren't dead. But that brings me to my point," he said to her.
"What point are you trying to make?" she asked baffled still as a result of her boyfriend puzzling words. What was going on?
"In the battle that is mere hours away. There is no avoiding the fact that it will bring much grief. Countless will breathe their last breath. It is in that reality, that little fact is the reason why I must now act on my heart whim. I want you to know this first. If you die I will love you for the rest of my life. I only hope you will love me for the rest of yours if I die," he said as he took her hands into his.
"Zuko, I never loved any man other then you. I will love you forever and always till the end of time and creation. I will love you." She told him as she stroked gently his face over the spot where the scar had been.
"Knowing that I can now ask you." He said as he slipped his hand into his pocket.
"What do you want do ask me?" she said not sure where he was going.
He removed a red silk bundle from his pocket and got down one knee.
"Zuko?" she asked him but he silenced her with a glance.
"Akiko, daughter of Sakiko, would you take me Prince Zuko son of Zalika, and be my wife?" he asked her hopeful as he undid the bundle to reveal a gold hair comb with a red flame made from Zuka's egg shell in the center.
"Oh Zuky!" she stared at the engagement gift. It was at that moment everyone fell out of his or her hiding spot.
"Busted," said Aang as he helped each person get up and the couple stared at him.
Soon everyone was yelling out overlapping question then Aang silenced them with his powers. "Give them some air! Let them breath! What your answer Akiko?"
She looked at everyone and then in her love eyes. Smiling she took the comb and at placed it at the base of her ponytail and kissed him.
"I think we just got our answer. I'm going to have a sister-in-law!" Zara cried happily.
The tender blissful moment ended all too quickly for they were forced to go over their battle plans once more. But still everyone want someone to reassure them that this wasn't going to be a hopeless fight against the human reincarnation of the devil.
Finally it was time to go but everyone turn to look at the small child expecting him to say something, anything. Aang swallowed hard and unfolded his gilder and flew to the highest spot so all could see and hear him. Taking a deep breath he spoke to all the people.
"I have just finished talking to the past Avatars and have finally learned how to bend the four elements. I see that there are a lot of you willing to fight the Fire Nation, but know this now, a lot of you will go in but not everyone is going to come back out alive. Some of us may die while a lot of us may see our loved ones die. This is a war and it's hardly every pretty, if any of you want to back out now would be the time."
A great silence past over everyone. Aang could tell by the pure determination on their faces that none of them were going to back out.
"Very well then. The Fire Lord thinks he has nothing to worry about, that conquering the world will be a piece of cake. But there's one thing he going to have to learn, if he wants to do that than he'll have to go through US first!" proclaimed Aang as he leapt in to the air and flew over the heads of the roaring crowd below. All their cheers rang and echoed through out the forgotten mountain range.
Within moments they were ready to launch. Crimson and Luke got to the front of the army and flung the portal key disk out and began to chant the ancient spell. Within mere moments the portal that would take them to the Fire Nation front door was open. Everyone swallowed hard and leapt across the threshold in the waiting jaws of death only praying that they would not be slaughter in this battle.
In next to no time they had arrived just a few yards form the Fire Nation Harbor right outside the Palace. All had this unbreakable stare of determination on their faces. It almost looked like no one was breathing. Each of the children held the hand of their true love tight. They stole only a mere second to kiss their beloveds face before returning their gaze to their target.
Akiko turned to Luke who was on his knees with two bowls in front of him. One of fire the other of water.
"What do you see, Luke?" she asked to the mystical gypsy young man.
"The water tells me that the whole armada is in front of us. But the fire tells me many are not that faithful to the Fire Lord. It also says that no one is watching the skies. The earth tells me that there are at least 200 hundred men guarding the palace gate but the air says many would with pleasure desire to put an end to this madness," he reported to his mistress as he got up and unsheathed his saber.
"I know many secrets that those pompous fleabags aren't even aware of! I will with Luke lead out troops into them while you'll be keeping the people preoccupied out on the forefront. Just give us at least twenty minutes to get inside. I will shoot off some fireworks to let you know we are inside," Crimson said as she twirled her galvin till it shined.
"I will be leading the ground troops on top of my mare Cho. Anselm and my other animal spirit guardians will cover my back while Sokka takes Appa and Momo to use as backup muscle and leads our non-benders in the attack. Suki you'll ride with me. I'll need you to look after my backside," replied Wyanet as she outlined her plan of assault.
"Me and Haru will lead the benders, we worked with them all so well they have become better then those Yu Yan Archer boys. That should give the rest of you enough cover to get Aang into the palace," Katara said, as she looked over to Aang with sadness in her eyes.
"Iroh your in charge of leading the frontal assault. Keep it going. This is your element. Use what you can to your advantage. Please keep it going. Don't hesitate to sink a few ships," Akiko told the old general as she finished putting on her Red Spirit armor.
"What will you'll be doing Zuko?" asked Iroh to his nephew who had been the closest thing he had to a son. He also glanced at his niece who he loved like a daughter. She looked more trouble then anyone else on the Dragon Star.
"Our job is to protect Aang and get him to Ozai," Zuko told Iroh. His amber eyes glazed over with tears as he rushed up to his uncle and hugged him tightly.
"Don't you breathe your last breath? You hear me? You are the only father Zara and me have ever had and I want you there when I tie the knot with Akiko. So don't kick the bucket. I love you so much." He said with tears dripping down his face.
"Oh Zuko. I promise." He said as he hugged him and Zara. "Don't you die either? You and Zara are the closest thing I have to children and I want to see you be happy. Come lets go kick Ozai butt!"
"We have arrived. It has begun, the final battle for the world begins now," spoke Aang so softly you had to strain to hear him. He then thought silent in his mind as he gazed at what was his destiny "Even if I were certain that the world would end tomorrow I would still plant a tree this very day," (Martin Luther King Jr.)
The Waterbenders and Firebender start to make a very thick cloud of fog. The Fire Navy Fleet couldn't see two feet in front of them. They couldn't even see the tip of their noses.
Admiral Zhao was standing unaccompanied on top of the tower of his ship. Something told him that this wasn't an ordinary fog. Just then an abnormal noise was heard and then falling form the skies were huge wads of fire and stone!
"Ahh!" was all he had time to scream as a third of his ships were sunk in one swoop. He ran below and watched as the damage was getting greater every second.
"What in Ozai name?" he asked as he realized that his ship was flooding. His crew was screaming for help but he ignored them and took the only good lifeboat to safety.
In mere moments the harbor was under siege. The Dragon Star arsenal was a thousand times more powerful then all the ships put together.
Even before the Fire Nation could plan a counterattack the aerial assault began as the gliders and balloons in the company of any spirits that could fly and many dragons began to rain down on the people below.
"Perfect timing. Its wonderful isn't, Zuky?" asked Akiko as she slipped on her mask.
"Yes it a powerfully ally. Let go! Aang Zara we have ten minutes till departure. Get ready!" he called over to them.
Zara was yelling to the others her visions and Aang was use a limited amount of his power to aid his friends. They didn't want to task him yet.
They almost immediately landed on the shore and with a mighty roar Wyanet lead her strike team in to battle. She moved so swift and with such ferocity and fury you think she was a demon. Suki women warriors were holding their ground and with Sokka help they had a fighting chance.
Like they said they worked together so well it was like one being. With such precision and timing flawlessly and they had run every simulation of this battle they were ready.
The Fire Nation knew how to fight humans and knew how to prevail over bending to a decree and they were having small victories but the couldn't fight against the sheer willpower of the people of the world. They also didn't expect some of their own to turn on them and aid the enemies but they did. A dazzling spell of colored rain of fireworks went off and that was their cue.
"Ok ready? Aang ready for your destiny?" asked Akiko as she and Zuko ran to Solar as he and Zara got on Lunar.
"It doesn't matter if I am ready or not. I just have to do it. I've got to win this fight no matter what!" he said he jumped in the air and used his powers to tip the battle a little more in the units favor.
"Lets go, Avatar! You must save the world," the dragons replied together. And they were off.
They had to interweave and revolve and every now and then had to soar upside down to steer clear of the conflict. Not that riding a gigantic bucking dragon as they undulate isn't entertaining, it just not as enjoyable when a fireball is aimed at your head!
"Wow that was way to close!" exclaimed Zuko as he hugged Solar horns tightly.
"As far as I can see only one man is insane enough to try a shoot a dragon down, my prince. He wild and has no self-discipline and he doesn't care if he hurting his fellow men either as you can see. Ahh!" Solar told him as he banked hard to the right.
"Are you all right my beloved?" called his mate as Aang used a combo of air and fire to protect them with Zara help.
"This guy is really insane I don't understand how he keeping up. I'll try water and earth. Maybe that will stop him." Aang said as he coughed hard and formed a pit of quicksand below. It caught a lot of bad guys but not the one they were after.
"I wonder how the others are doing. We know that the spirits inside our members give them extra power and protection and we are doing very well. But we can't get cocky or overconfident. I just saw Sokka back there. He just cut off a guy hand with his boomerang to save another life," cried Zara as she winced in the pain she felt.
"I know who brainless enough to fire at us. He desires Aang. I'm the only one who can bring him to an end. Just hope I can survive a plunge from this altitude," said Akiko grimily as she got ready to do a swan dive off a dragon.
"No! No! Don't do it! I know you despise him! But I still hope to see us get married! Don't commit suicide!" begged the poor prince as he tried to stop his fiancée but she turned to looked at him. She removed her mask and looked into his eyes and said simply.
"I know we will tie the knot. I won't die, but rest a sure I will have to eradicate my sire for the benefit of mankind. Trust me, Zuko I will see you inside. Crimson and Luke are waiting. Look for a flare to locate them. I will be with you shortly." Kissing him gently she put the mask back on and did a flip and in next to no time was diving down to meet her destiny.
"She is quite a woman. But how she going to survive a fall from up here?" asked Zuko to the Emperor
"That blade she carries will insure her well-being. Don't you worry but we have to get to the palace let's go!" replied the emperor as he used his massive wings to generate stormy weather conditions to destroy the palace outer defenses.
Akiko's blade did indeed save her. It came alive a turn into a mini dragon and made sure she land safely. Now she was face to face with him. Her father Zhao. Growling at him intensely she got in fighting stance. She want too trounce him by means of all the skills she posses.
"So who is this they send to exchange blows with me? Admiral Zhao, the most powerful man in Fire Nation Army? Who are you behind that mask?" he asked as he sneered at his opponent. Who ever it was going to die. He started to laugh insanely.
The Red Spirit remained silent. She rush and using all she had learned over her young life began the duel. She landed the first blow as she kicked high square in the jaw. Then punched him in the abdomen.
He looked her in disbelief as he whipped the blood of his face. He unleashed his firepower on her. But he was astonish when she vanished a split second before and appeared from behind and with three quick swishes of her blade cut off his knob and sideburns.
He began to become even more out of control and flustered with this Red Spirit who seem to know his every move. He finally mange to sucker punch her in the stomach when she was trying to attack. Then she revealed that she could also wheel the power of fire.
"You are Firebender? You traitor! When I hand you over to Ozai he will make you wish you were never born." He screamed as they began and Ag nee Kai.
She kept going at him till he threw a massive fireball in her face she was on fire. She quickly stop dropped and rolled but her armor was too badly damaged, she flung the smoldering remains at him even her mask. He caught it and crushed to dust. Then turn to look at the face of his opponent. She was in a heap on the ground; he kicked her hard in the stomach and threw fire everywhere but she mange to escape. She then using her sword for support got up and faced him for the first time in her 16 years of life.
He went pale like he seen a ghost. He was totally flabbergasted at seeing her. His heart even skipped a beat or two.
"Akiko?" he whispered in shock.
"Hello, Father, I'm amazed you even know my name since you never even looked at me or acknowledge me since I was born. But yes I know you got the letter that Mom died and you couldn't care less. No you rather be a drunken murderer then a father to your own daughter! Well I'm sorry but I am going to have to kill you!" as she kicked it up a notch.
"You fight well, I'll give you that. You look like her too. But she didn't know her place!" he said as he shot wildly at her but she just dodge them and hit hard and fast with all her power. The fires that shot out from their hands was only match their fury. She kept swing her blade with fire trying to clear her mind long enough to make a surprise attack.
She rushed at Zhao then he surprised her by gripping her blade not caring that his hands where sliced wide open and blood dripped down. He snatched it from her hands and shoved her to the ground hard.
"Ahh, uhh," she moaned quietly as she tried to get up regardless of the pain. He leisurely walked over to her and then he got a bizarre look at he eyed her bizarrely.
"This weapon is in deed wonderful as well as peculiar. But I find more peculiar is that you have an engagement comb in your hair. Who would want you as a wife?" he said evilly as he start fooling around with her weapon.
"Only one man has ever loved me, he more of man then all who dwell in our country. He cares about the people and our future and he knows that I'm no more worthless then he is. I love Prince Zuko and I shall be his wife!" she yelled at him as she grabbed the tip of her blade and focused. Whitish blue lightning ripped through the blade up into Zhao arm and blew him twenty feet away.
She quickly fell into praying stance as he quickly recover from having ten thousand volts going through and ran to finish her off. She looked up and her eyes were glowing with one glace so were his.
"Huh? What in hell name going on?" yelled Zhao as he tried to bend but couldn't. He just realized he was light blue and partially translucent.
"Welcome to the Spirit World, Father. You really should have learned to fight without bending. I have!" she smiled wickedly as she ran and leapt. She then impaled him and thrust her sword out of Zhao spirit's body and with it his still beating heart. She then constricted it till it broke.
"Nooooo! Ahhhhhh!" he screamed out as his spirit smash to smithereens like pieces to a mirror.
She return to her body and watch as Zhao soulless body fell before her feet. She flipped him over and saw with her own eyes that his heart was literally broke. She set the empty shell into a burst of flames and ran to catch up with the others. They had to complete the final phase of the plan.
The imperial dragons smashed to smithereens the outer wall as the others slipped off and starting running. They found Crimson and Luke up to their necks in trouble. Luke had mange to rally with them a third of the guards but they still couldn't seem to get inside the palace. They were fighting all over. Zara ran to the gardens and unleashed all the birds and animals that gladly sic it the evil people who mistreat them.
"We need to get inside! I can take maybe ten of these brutes at once but Crimson you need to get Aang's group inside! Duck!" shouted Luke as he sliced weapons in half.
"I know of a secret entrance underneath the old ash tree to the right! Hiyah! But it's safeguarded by at least six men." Crimson said as she impaled three men and flipped them over her shoulder.
"I will clear the way! Zara you cover the flank! Crimson you are with me in front. Aang your in the middle. Lets go!" screamed Zuko as he led the charge. He single handily thwarted the six men without using his bending.
Finally they were inside and thanks to Crimson's knowledge of the hidden secrets of the building lay they made almost undetected until they ran into an unanticipated predicament.
Even during this hell on earth, there were servants doing their duties normal as usual. To cross one corridor to get to Ozai chamber they had to get past a handmaiden who was carrying wine. She was very pretty and looked very familiar.
"Oh crap! We have to get past her to get to Ozai! So lets just knock her out." Said Zuko.
"Zuko you can't hurt her!" said Crimson
"Why?" asked Aang "You said the shortcut to Ozai is just behind that pillar she in front of."
"She my mom! That why. I will distracted her you make a run for it. Zara and Zuko can lead you the rest of the way!" Crimson replied.
Biting her lips she ran knocked her mom to the ground and held her fast.
"What the? Callista! My daughter you have return!" cried Saffron as she struggled to get up.
"Just run!" she ordered her friends. They didn't need to be told twice they ran and they ran to the hidden passage.
"Callista! Get off me! Where have you been for months? What did you do to your exquisite tresses? Why are you trying to slaughter our leader?" she yelled at her daughter in irritation.
"MOM! Wake up! This is the reality and you got to see it! Ozai is trying to murder the entire world! We are slaves doing the bidding of a madman! For god sakes, Mother! Admiral Zhao put to death your son! The Fire Nation willing to slaughter anyone or anything to win this scene of carnage! You are dispensable. Once Ozai gets what he wants, you and everyone else on the planet will perish in flames. That the truth! And "Callista" doesn't existence any longer! I'm Crimson! That who I am! I fight to save from harm those I love! I fight for hope, and dreams and the future of this planet!" she screamed at her mom as she continued to wrestle with her.
"Your out your mind!" cried her mule of a mother.
Then some soldiers came and she was force to let go her mom and fight. But they soon overwhelmed her. Pinning her the wall they got ready to execute her. One was holding her galvin. All had evil smirks Her mom was watching from the curve. The look on her delicate face was one of disbelief.
"What… What are you going to do?" she cried in terror.
"We are going to kill her right here then will kill the Avatar," said one of soldiers like he was talking about the weather. There was no feeling behind those words. He was just going to kill her and not give it a second thought.
"If this is the only way for you to see the truth Saffron so let my death be," said in an impassive tone of voice Crimson, as she got ready to die.
"No!" cried her Mom who attacking the soldier cause enough of a disturbance so Crimson got free. There was a brief struggle. The galvin was going in all direction. Crimson didn't see someone come up from behind her but her mom hit him with a bottle of wine knocking him out cold.
"Mom!"
"I'm all right. Go help your friends. Save the world my darling," she said as she got up. With a brief hug she ran not hear her mom say "Good luck, my little red star, Crimson."
The whole palace was at this moment invaded. The rebellion plan was working wonderful. Iroh had been the victor at the battle at sea and Luke had almost finished outside. With the all the others bringing up the rear and as the Fire Nation lost more and more ground the stronger they became.
"Come on! We are almost there! Wow hold back a moment," Zuko said as he paused for a moment listing to the silence.
"Zuko! We have to keeping going. I can sense Ozai is just at the end of this hall and up those stairs. What are you waiting for?" cried Zara impatiently at her brother.
"They are coming," he said simple as he clutched his twin broad swords. He quickly unsheathed. Turning to Zara and Aang he spoke quick.
"The elite red guards are approaching. You know that they are toughest of the palace ruffians we got. They are guarding Ozai's chamber. I will face them, alone," he said, as he got ready to fight.
"NO! Zuko it's too dangerous! Let me stay and be of assistance," cried Zara as she hugged her brother tightly with tears streaming down her face.
"Yes let's me help! You are too important to lose. We need you; your country needs you to save it. Let me help!" pleaded Aang as gripped his staff and got ready to fight.
"No! Don't be foolish! Aang you got to face Ozai. That your destiny, mine to help in anyway I can. Now on the count of three, I want you to run like the wind while I fight. Don't look back just keep focused, you hear me?" he said as his eyes narrowed into tiny silts.
"Zuko?"
"Shush, one…two… three!" he yelled as four men in some fancy and elaborate red armor came rush at them. Zuko ran full speed combining his bending in the company of his swords.
"GO! Run! Save the world!" he said as he knock one guy out.
Not needing to be told twice they cut and run. Zara lead the way to the chamber as they flew up the steps. Pausing a moment to catch their breath they gazed upon the ominous looking entrance. It was a gigantic black door with a massive red flame engrave on it.
"This is it. Now it is time for you to fulfill your destiny. Go do it," Zara told while gazing into his gray eyes.
"Zara aren't you coming in? I can't fight him by myself," Aang replied with a hint of doubt in his voice.
Smiling at him bravely she embraced him closely and said to him. 'Aang you are never alone. All lives that you have touch and all who care about you are in your heart. They will give you the strength to beat this abomination. I believe in you and as does everyone else. You can do this. I know you are can win this fight."
"How can you be so sure?" he said as he looked at her, remembering the first time they had met so long ago in a dream. She had grown, as had he so much since then.
"Because I know you and I believe in you. You are Aang, my best friend, my true love and you are the Avatar. I can tell you were chosen to house the Avatar Spirit for a reason. You have a heart of gold and you care more deeply for your fellow men then I even know for another. Now go and do what you were meant to do. I know can do it for you have done it before. I love you. I will be waiting," she said as she kissed him.
Smiling he sucked in a breath and open the door and vanished inside the Fire Lord Chamber.
The whole room was sinister and ominous. It was absolute noiseless. All Aang could hear was his own heart beating louder then an uncontrolled stampede. He gripped his staff tightly. All at once the fire troths lit up at once and Aang could hear ominous chortle. Turning to face his opponent he watched as Ozai walked through the flames he had been hiding behind. He was still in entangled in his own sinister shadow. Aang stared at him and what surprise he wasn't afraid.
"So this is the Avatar I've heard about all this time. The one my failure of son failed to catch. Then one my treasonous daughter betrayed me for. You're the last Airbender, the Master of the Elements? You are just a stupid little boy. You really think you can beat me?"
"I don't think I can beat you, I know I can. You have hunted my dream since I was born and I won't allow you or you followers to continue to destroy the only world we'll ever know. Let's fight!" he said, as he struck hard and fast with air which flung the tyrant into the wall.
Ozai just got up and cracked his neck and started his own attack. Aang remembered the wise words of his old friend King Bumi. "Open your brain to the possibilities, you need to think like a mad genius."
Aang kept using all he learned over his journey utilizing all he knew. Both he and Ozai were evenly matched. Then Ozai used his breath of fire that Aang was ready for and knocked him to the ground his staff was four feet from him.
"Well Avatar here how it ends. You and your pathetic band of rebels will breathe your last breath tonight and I will rule over this world for all eternity. You have failed! Time to get rid of the last Airbender!" he said as he got ready to slaughter him.
"SCARLET DRAGON! LITTLE PHOENIX!" yelled someone from the shadows. The two creatures made up of the most beautiful of fire got between Ozai and Aang.
"What in Hell name? What is this Ahh!" cried Ozai as the dragon and phoenix attacked with such ferociousness that he couldn't see anything. When they finally vanished he was shocked at who stood before in the middle of him and Aang.
"Zuko! How dare you return! You are more of a failure then I thought! You are just a worthless bag of bones. Why do you further dishonor yourself by teaming up with this boy! Do you wish to dishonor your father further?" he bellowed.
"Let's get something straight here and now! You aren't my father! You have no children! A father is a good man who loves his children and encourages them. Any flea-bitten mongrel that rolled in the sludge after chasing skunks in the woods can go and knock up some bitch in a back alleyway and have a litter. That doesn't make them a parent! You don't know anything about being human or love so you aren't a father. So I don't have a guilty conscious about leaving this poisoned nation you and all before you have brainwashed! So I will with pleasure stand by my brother! He loves me when no one else did," yelled Zuko as he began to unleash 16 years worth of bottle up fury. He was soon joined in that with a Zara 12 years of fury.
Aang smiled as he grabbed his staff and kept Ozai off balanced. Then Ozai unleashed an inferno. Everyone was blown in three different directions.
"I won't be bothered by you insignificant weak worms any longer! I let you live before with your worthless life. Now you are going to breathe your last breath! Hope you see that pitiful woman who gave me such valueless offspring in hell!" he said, as Zuko was about to get his scar back. Then "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!" Screamed Ozai in pain as he struggled to get something small off him.
"Zuka! You go girl!" cried Zuko as his little namesake continued to dig her talons his into the tender flesh of Ozai leg and was biting his groin with her razor sharp teeth.
When he raised his hands to try and remove her, his cries of pain only increase. "Ahh!"
In a few short moments Wyanet had arrived and even the odds. She had impaled his hands with her Sais, broke his arms by using her whip to twist them till the snapped. She used her sickle to cut him around the neck, and followed by using her sword to cut his hair. Finally with Haru and Katara, they trapped his feet with arrows and frozen quicksand to the ground. Soon the whole group was present.
"You really thought we let you take this jerk on alone?" asked Sokka as he tag teamed with Suki and deliver more crushing blows to the evil king.
"We are team we are going to finish this together!" cried Akiko as she and Luke and Crimson with Iroh arrived and encircled Ozai who still was trying to fight.
"You won't win! You traitors, and stupid children!" he yelled as he still tried to fire his bending.
"You're the one who failed Ozai. You and your kind have taken everything from me!" Aang start as he used all the Waterbending he knew at once. He went on and said, "Your people murder my people and destroyed my home, my friend are dead because of your war. I've lost it all even my own time!" with each word he spoke he used a different bending art.
"I pity you and your kind for you fail to see the truth. That we all are meant to share this world because no one man can own it! Your time has come, Ozai your song has been sung!" he cried as the others start to sing the song.
"An awful, awful man, not well breed no respect for anyone not even the dead. An awful, awful man not well breed no respect for anyone not even the dead."
"Stop singing!" he yelled. Aang looked at him and took a deep breath as he rose into air. He had a thin aura light surround, first blue, then green, then red then silver.
"Everyone at once! With me fire off your power at once with me!" he cried at that in echoing voice. Then they all unleashed at once their power and Aang unleashed all the elements at once.
"NO! It can't end this way!" cried Ozai as he was blown to smithereens. As he was dying he saw two figures. One was a beautiful Elvin woman in a flowing white evening dress with out of the ordinary styled tresses. Next to her was a beast. He was black all over with steely blood red eyes. He had a long thick snake tail, a man chest with nine inch nails, large leathery wings, dragons head with bullhorns.
"Huh?"
"Let put end to his life, dear brother," spoke Alake
"Agreed!" Anto hissed as the removed Ozai "Soul" and went to hell. They were back in a moment though.
"It over he gone! We won the war!" cried Katara has she hugged Sokka tenderly.
Everyone was celebrating, that is everyone but Aang. He was looking very solemnly at the skies he saw he could make a tiny red speck. Swallowing hard he gripped his glider and got ready to go.
"Aang? Where you going we won! Let celebrate! Aang?" asked Zara questionable to her love.
"It not over. Not yet. There still one piece to be done," he told them seriously. His words end everyone good cheer. They stared at him not knowing what to expect.
"The little glimmer above our heads is Sozen's Comet. If it does pass in the next few hours all that was done tonight will be for nothing. It got to end tonight. That comet must be destroyed. I have to do it. I'm the only one who can. I will miss you all," he said, as he got ready to fly.
"Miss us? You're going to kill yourself in the Avatar State to destroy the Comet! No you can't Aang don't do this!" cried Zara as she pleaded with him.
"You can't leave alone. We can't rebuild the world without you! Your needed, we need you! Not just has the Avatar but as our friend!" cried Katara as she held him tight but he brushed her off.
"Listen this the whole way. I understand perfectly what I'm doing. I know the consequences of what I'm going to do and I'm ready. But it must be done. One life must be paid in blood in order to spare the billions of lives yet to be. I will always love each of you. All I as of you is teach what you've learned to your children and make sure that this isn't forgotten. That the world always remember what was done to save it," he said as he hugged each of them and then kissed Zara for a moment.
Then with a wave he bolt into the sky becoming only a vague blurs. Soon he was out of the atmosphere and was in space, he could see his planet and the moon and saw the approaching comet. With a look of absolute peace on his face, he summoned his Avatar Spirit one finally time. He then rammed the comet in a grand explosion destroyed it and himself.
Down below on the planet the skies and become bright as day and it was like watching the Northern Lights go supernova on themselves. Everyone in the world was in shock for a few moments. Then it began to rain as everyone ran outside. It was very apparent that no could tell the difference between the rain and tears. But it was obverse that no one though any good would come of this pain.
A number of the Fire Nation soldiers who had on moment ago been fighting for their lord actually stopped and fell to ground in tears. There were a few who were disrespectful. But Zara silenced everyone.
"Do none of you comprehend what just happened? A little boy just sacrificed himself for the world! Every one of all nations! Water Earth and Fire! He gave up all that was important to him to save our future and he also chose to end the Avatar Cycle. Now it is truly broken and the Avatar is gone forever!" she screamed at everyone.
It only took a few moments for that too sink in. The Avatar finally act had open the eyes of the world. With his last act of kindness he had set free the human race at the cost of his life and existence
People were staring at Zuko and he looked up and said, "What do you want of me?"
"You are the next Fire Lord we have no choice but to obey your wish. So what is your wish Fire Lord Zuko?" said a Sage as he hand him the Golden Flame.
Looking at everyone and his bride to be he took it and placed it in his ponytail.
"First order of business is this. This day of Sozen's is officially abolished. Now this day will be know to world over as Aang's day. No one shall work or anything this day to remember what the Last Avatar did. The Legend of Aang shall be told to all the people in the world and a statue to him shall be built. Secondly we will all pitch into rebuild the world after we have cleansed our souls. Is this understood?" asked Zuko to the crowed.
Who all cheered in agreement and then started to help clean up. Zuko walked over to his sister who was sitting alone in the garden.
"Hey Zara you going to be ok?" he asked her as he stroked her back gently.
"No. I've dealt with pain all my life my no word can heal a broken heart and none shall describe the tears I've shed. He sent me free he saved me. I loved for him. Now I've no one."
Before Zuko could say and thing a cold wind blew in a thick fog.
"Huh what going on?" he cried as he tried to get rid of the fog. Everyone from his or her group came running to find them and then got in a tight circle.
Just then a figure approached them inside the fog followed by countless others. Katara gasped as she realized whom it was.
"It's the Avatars! There'll all here and look our loved ones are with them!" she cried pointing. It was true. Avatar Roku was escorting Gyasto and Akanke to them. In Akanke's arms was Aang!
Everyone fell to his or her feet. They dare not even looked at the great benders.
"Please rise. We have much work to do and a very short time to do it," replied Roku.
Wyanet just gazed up at the man in awestruck. He looked at her and smiled.
"What do you mean time is short?" asked Wyanet to her ancestor.
"We need your help. All you and the rest of the world," spoke Akanke softly as she held her son close.
"What do you require?" asked Zuko as he gazed upon Aang lifeless body.
"We need you and the world to give up on moment of your lives to replenish our son. It's the only way he will live." Gyasto said sadly.
"We would do it in a heartbeat but I don't think it would enough from just us," replied Akiko.
"Maybe if the whole world to so that be enough! Ask the world!" cried Zara.
The Avatars disappeared for a moment to speak to the world, when the came back they nodded.
"Have they accepted? I'm ready to restore life to the child if you say so," replied Alake
They all nodded a small ball of light from every living thing on the planet escaped its owner's lips and became a star. It then fell into Aang's mouth and he glowed for a moment.
Then he stirred and opened his eyes and looked at his mom and hugged her tightly.
"I must be dead now if I'm with you,' he said
"No the world who's future you just save gave you back your future my little wind rider. We human spirits are being allowed one-week visits. I wish to know all about you and your life my son," she told.
Everyone swarmed over him and was happy. At long last the war was truly over.
