Chapter 13: Come Undone
Mr. Morishita paced back and forth in his office, trying to absorb what he had just been told. "My Lord… you say we are at war?"
"Unfortunately so, an army of Earth Kingdom soldiers have set up camp beyond the valley east of the City."
Morishita stared at the Fire Lord with a panicked expression. "How many are there?"
"They number at least ten thousand, maybe more."
The mayor's eyes nearly leaped out of their sockets, and he looked like he was about to faint. "Calm down father, you need to think clearly." Kori moved to help her father sit down in his chair. She glanced briefly at Zuko, and her expression was still remarkably grim.
Morishita began to wipe his forehead with a piece of cloth. "The Yu Dao city guard number only two thousand. How many men did you bring along?"
"I have five hundred currently in the city, and another five hundred waiting with Admiral Jee's fleet. I can call for reinforcements from the homeland, but that will take a week at best, possibly several. I'm sorry, but we were caught completely by surprise"
Morishita looked like he was about to weep, but he just barely managed to keep himself together. "What will you do now?"
Azula stood up and moved to join the conversation. "We could evacuate the populace and lure their army into the city, then have Admiral Jee's fleet shell the area."
Kori was the first to speak up. "You would have us abandon our homes and then obliterate our city?!"
"It would effectively eliminate their forces. You built this city before, and I'm sure you could do it again. But ultimately it isn't my decision."
Everyone turned to Zuko, awaiting his answer. "Father was right… I didn't act quickly enough and now I'm stuck in an awful situation. But this time there's nobody to bail me out." Zuko thought back to his father's advice. "He would abandon these people to save his own skin. But I'm not like him. These are my people, and I can't let them be stripped of their homes. I have to act!"
Zuko stood up and surveyed the room. He took a deep breath, and when he spoke he did so with the confidence of a true leader. "I will not abandon Yu Dao, and I will not abandon my people. I will fight to defend your homes, no matter what might stand against us."
Morishita seemed mildly relieved to have Zuko's support, and Azula seemed satisfied with his answer. Zuko glanced at Kori, who smiled at the Fire Lord for the first time since his arrival. However, Zuko also caught a hint of smugness in her expression, but he didn't have time to dwell on that.
"There is only one more thing to do. We need to inform the people about what is going on. Their support will be crucial to our success."
"Shall I prepare a speech my Lord?"
"No, I will address them personally. It's time the people heard from their Fire Lord."
"I will muster my friends and family…" Kori piped in, "they can help set up defenses." Morishita gave his approval, and everyone went straight to work.
When Zuko exited the Mayor's building, he came face to face with a large crowd that had gathered outside. They seemed unhappy, and perhaps a little worried. Zuko figured that they must have gotten wind about the dire situation, and had come to demand answers. "And answers they will get."
"Citizens of Yu Dao, I see that you have gathered here in large numbers, no doubt seeking answers." Several members of the crowd nodded in affirmation. "Then I will not delay. Word travels quickly these days, and I think I can guess what you have heard. I do not come here to lie or to speak soothing words. Instead I come to bear the unfortunate truth." The crowd grew slightly more agitated, eager for answers.
"Negotiations with the Earth Kingdom have failed. I do not deny that mistakes were made on both sides, and the people of the Earth Kingdom have many reasons to be upset. However, let me be perfectly clear. Their leaders grew weary of peace, and have come here with hostile intentions. Right now as I speak, an enormous legion of Earth Kingdom warriors is approaching Yu Dao." Several of the onlookers began to panic upon hearing confirmation of the rumors they had been exposed to, but most stood still, fixated on Zuko.
"I want it to be known that it was the Earth Kingdom that attacked us first, when they destroyed one of our bases. At the same time they are approaching Yu Dao, another army is marching towards Han Tui, and likely many other cities. I did not wish war upon our neighbors, but they have decided otherwise."
Zuko paused to take a deep breath. "I will be perfectly blunt… we are outnumbered. Your honorable city guards will fight to protect Yu Dao at all costs, as will I and all my men. We are up against seemingly insurmountable odds, and I will not force any of you to risk your lives. However, I ask that you fight by my side. Not as subjects, but as fellow countrymen. Only together will we be able to stand up against those that threaten to destroy us!"
Zuko waited for the audience's reaction. They seemed muted at first, but slowly, they began to cheer. Their cheers turned into chants, and their chants turned into thunderous excitement.
"I did it… I final broke through to them…"
Zuko turned around when he felt a hand on his shoulder. "Azula… how was my speech?"
"It was… passable. The people certainly seemed to like it, if that's what you were aiming for."
"It was. I'll need all the hope I can get to defend this city."
"Don't you mean we'll need all the help we can get to defend this city?"
Zuko smiled. "I'm glad you're here with me Azula, I don't think I could do this without you."
Azula smirked. "We'll have to see if that's the case."
Zuko paced around outside as he watched the last few rays of sunlight disappear behind the city walls. It would have been far too risky to preemptively attack the Earth Kingdom forces when they held the high ground. They had made full use of that advantage, waiting until the sun had set before they attacked. Firebenders were not defenseless under the light of the moon, but they were weakened, having to rely more on their inner chi to fuel their fire.
Dismayed, Zuko wandered into a tent that had been set up for his use. Azula was waiting inside, accompanied by Kori and General Mak. They seemed to be embroiled in some kind of disagreement, but they stopped when they caught sight of Zuko.
"I hope you are all aware that we all need to be on the same page when the time comes to defend Yu Dao. We can't afford to make many mistakes."
Zuko could tell that Azula was preparing to retort with some kind of snide remark, but Kori beat her to the punch. "With all due respect, what would you know about defending our city? Your flimsy foreign policy was the catalyst for this impending catastrophe."
Zuko's eyes narrowed and he bit back harsher words. "With all due respect…" Zuko mocked, "It's rather pointless to be assigning blame at this point. You do your job and I'll do mine."
Kori crossed her arms in protest. "I don't know what Mai sees in you."
The mention of his girlfriend felt like a bucket of frigid water to the face. Zuko had hardly paid the dour woman any attention since he had left, and he certainly hadn't expected to hear her brought up. Zuko vaguely recalled that the Kori was an acquaintance of Mai's, but that didn't give her just cause to use said connection against him. "I know that you don't like me, but keep in mind that I'm your Fire Lord. If you truly desire to serve your nation, then that means you will serve me."
"What makes you think I don't like you?"
Azula's laughter cut through the conversation. "Oh please, Zuko is thick-skulled, but he isn't that oblivious."
Kori frowned and gestured towards General Mak. With Zuko's approval they exited the tent, Kori casting a final dirty look in Zuko's direction. After they were gone Zuko moved to sit down, but one of his servants prevented him from doing so. "My Lord… Princess... you should change into your battle armor."
Zuko sighed and positioned himself in a way so as to give the servants the most ease. As they were fitting him for battle, Zuko turned towards Azula. The servants were preparing to equip the first layer of protection, but to do so they needed to remove Azula's current outfit. Without her somewhat baggy clothing, Zuko noticed just how tall and slender she had become. He thought she might have been even thinner than Mai, which didn't sit well with him. He thought both women could use a little bit of meat on their bones, if only to make them look less gangly.
However, as the servants continued undressing Azula, Zuko noticed that not everywhere was as spindly as the rest of her body. Nothing was directly visible under her garments, but Zuko could easily make out the ample shape of her chest. His eyes drifted upwards to her face. Her porcelain skin stood out in the low light, and it blended well with her lengthy chocolate hair. Such features had been making an increasingly frequent appearance in his dreams as of late.
As Zuko continued admiring his sister, she turned to face him. Zuko quickly averted his gaze, but he wasn't fast enough to escape Azula's notice. She bit her lip and smirked. "Like what you see?"
The servants stumbled slightly upon hearing her joke before hurriedly returning to their task. Zuko tried to calm himself down. Even in the dim light he was concerned Azula might notice the redness on his cheeks. "Nonsense… you must be imagining things."
"Hmm… I suppose that's always a possibly with me these days."
"Azula… I didn't mean it like that."
"Relax Zuko. I was just making a joke. You need to stop being so serious."
"Coming from you?"
"I suppose you have a point." The servants finished applying Azula's new armor. Unlike what she had worn during the war, this new outfit was a fiery red color with a golden trim. She looked almost like a streamlined Imperial Firebender.
"You look good."
Azula smirked. "Of course I do Zuzu…" Azula trailed off as she gazed upon her brother. The servants had just finished fitting his armor, and his appearance struck her on multiple levels. "It's just like in my dream…" she whispered.
"What? I didn't hear you."
"It was nothing." Azula tried to focus. The armor was a variation of the same thing her father had worn before he left to burn down the world. The pauldrons had been reduced in size for practicality and to better fit Zuko's smaller frame, but the helmet was nearly identical.
"Azula… are you alright?"
"I'm fine… you look good as well. It's just… that armor reminds me of what father wore the day the comet arrived."
Zuko scowled. "Oh… I didn't know that." He went to remove the helmet, but Azula grabbed his hand.
"Don't take it off. It doesn't mean anything just because he wore it. You're here to save people, not to destroy them."
"But it makes you think of him…"
"It does… I try not to think about that day. But that shouldn't deprive you from wearing it. Perhaps you can make a new meaning for that outfit, something greater than what came before."
"Well, as long as you don't mind. It is surprisingly comfortable."
Azula let a slight smile creep onto her lips. "Just promise me that we'll take whatever happens next together."
"I promise."
Just as Zuko felt himself being drawn closer to Azula, he was startled by a sound he knew all too well. "Earthbenders, brace for impact!"
A massive wall of earth erupted between Zuko and Azula, separating them. Zuko stepped forward, ready to destroy the wall, but he was thrown backwards by the ground shifting below him. Zuko just barely managed to roll to his side as rocks erupted from the ground and nearly pulverized him.
He took a deep breath and punched the ground, channeling fire into the surrounding earth. The earthbender began to lose control of his element as it became less solid, and he leapt out from below the surface, revealing his presence.
Zuko would have preferred to merely incapacitate the man, but his attacks proved far too violent to easily counteract. "I don't have time for this." With a renewed burst of strength, Zuko lunged forward and unleashed a powerful burst of fire from his fist. Within an instant his enemy's charred remains crumpled onto the ground.
The wall separating him from Azula had crumbled during the fight, but the princess was nowhere to be found. Zuko scanned his surroundings until a flash of lightning lit up an area in the distance. He moved towards the source, but was halted by a rumbling sound coming from below.
The pavement in front of him was torn apart, as several more earthbenders emerged. Zuko stoked his inner fire as puffs of smoke erupted from his nose and great tendrils of flame burst forth from his fists. He swung his arms forward in a powerful lash, causing the earthbenders to erect a stone wall to provide protection against the intense heat.
Using the momentary distraction to his advantage, Zuko dashed away into an ally and tried to maneuver his way into a different section of the city.
Along the way, Zuko passed an armory which still had several weapons hanging on the racks. A set of duel swords with an embroidered scabbard stood out to him in particular. "Considering the current situation, I don't think they'll mind."
Zuko grabbed both the sheath and the swords and proceeded onward. Along his way he caught a glimpse of a battalion of city guards, likely heading towards the rear city gates. By the time Zuko emerged into the open street, sections of the city were on fire and the sounds of fighting could be heard in the distance.
"This was very clever on their part. They waited until sunset, and sent men to tunnel into the city before their main force attacked."
Unfortunately Zuko was spotted by several Earth Kingdom soldiers, and they attempted to rush him. Zuko smirked. He was much deadlier with a weapon to guide him. When the soldiers got close enough Zuko whirled around and caused flames to burst out from within his body. The men who weren't caught immediately in the blast backed away, only to witness Zuko emerge from the fire. He thrust and cut with his blades, directing fire at all his opponents. Within moments the charred remains of his enemies littered the ground, and those that survived fled as quickly as they could. With them taken care of, Zuko noticed more in the distance.
However, he didn't see any fire being thrown, only rocks. As Zuko gazed more closely, he realized who was fighting. Kori was surrounded by a group of earthbenders, although their elemental alignment didn't seem to make her hesitate in the slightest. As the men got closer, she swung at them with a ball and chain. Most managed to dodge her attack, but one of the soldiers was struck in the head and promptly dropped dead.
Seeing their comrade felled inspired both rage and fear in the enemy soldiers. They were unbalanced, and Kori took advantage of the situation by slamming her fists into the ground and shifting the pavement. She pushed them away and retrieved a hammer from the body of their fallen comrade. A confident expression on her face, Kori used the weapon to raise several pillars of rock from the ground and batted them towards the soldiers. She was steadily winning, but as the battle progressed, Zuko felt an intense feeling of déjà vu. Every little movement and every little mannerism, they were all something he had witnessed before.
Just as Kori managed to dispatch the final combatant, she was struck from behind. Zuko hurled her against the side of a nearby building and placed his blade mere inches from her throat. Kori stared at him with an expression of bewilderment, and Zuko confronted her with a furious gaze.
"It was you! You were the one who attacked me last night!"
The young earthbender hardened her features, but she didn't deny his accusation. "You are correct. I am the one who assailed you and your men."
"Give me one good reason I shouldn't end you right now."
"I wanted you to stand by your people like a true Fire Lord, and to do so I needed to deceive you. I knew my father would blame the attack on the Earth Kingdom, and I hoped you would finally give up your illusions of peace." Zuko channeled heat through the weapon held dangerously close to Kori's throat, but the woman held firm. "I realize now that you would have stood by us… and I am sorry for attacking you."
Kori swallowed nervously before continuing. "I am not blind. I understand that I have dishonored myself. If you choose to end me I will understand, but I ask that you spare my family, as they had no part in my plan."
Zuko's expression softened, and he slowly released Kori from his threatening hold. She steadied herself on the wall of the building, sweat trickling down her forehead. "Why didn't you destroy me?"
"Because I understand how you feel. That doesn't change my opinion on what you did, but it does change the context. I intend to be a merciful ruler, though that mercy is not unconditional."
Kori stared at the Fire Lord, a curious lens to her expression. "What are your terms?"
"You will have to regain your honor, by fighting for me until I deem your service fulfilled."
Kori hesitantly bowed. "Yes my Lord, as you command."
"Very well, your first task is to escort me to the front lines. Then you will find General Mak and aid him in the battle." Kori nodded and began to lead Zuko through the deserted streets. The Civilians had been evacuated prior to the attack, but local militia groups and many partisans remained. As they travelled, Zuko glimpsed just how ferociously the people of Yu Dao were willing to defend their homes.
"I can hardly believe this is happening. I still don't understand why they suddenly attacked us, but I'm determined to get answers. Even if I have to march all the way to Ba Sing Se"
Zuko and Kori skidded to a stop at the rear gate of the city, or rather what remained of it. Despite the best efforts of the local earthbenders, the enemy had managed to topple several sections of the wall, and they were currently flooding into the city. A line of city guards and Fire Nation Soldiers rushed forwards and into battle, clashing with the Earth Kingdom army. Several tanks were positioned behind the sea of men, ready to strike down any intrepid soldiers who happened to wade through the muddle.
Zuko grimaced at the sight, and quickly barked orders at his companion. "I'll handle this, go find General Mak!"
Kori nodded rapidly and dashed off in search of the general. Zuko scanned the surrounding battlefield, and he once again glimpsed a flash of lighting. Running toward the source, Zuko came across Azula, who was ensconced in battle with several earthbenders. He rushed to aid her, striking the earthbenders with a vast whip of fire while their backs were turned. He wanted to move closer to his sister, but she had other ideas in mind.
"Zuko… duck!" The Fire Lord only had a second to react, as Azula sent a pinwheel of fire soaring in his direction. Zuko heard a shriek from behind him, and he turned around just in time to see an Earth Kingdom soldier be bisected by Azula's attack. The man's remains tumbled to the ground, and Zuko realized that Azula had just saved him from an enemy he hadn't taken notice of. But before he could thank her, they were surrounded by more men.
"I must admit Zuzu, its nice being back in the thick of things."
"That's why I thought to look for you here. You always did like to be the center of attention."
The two siblings worked their way toward the center of the battlefield, striking down enemy soldiers as they progressed. Most of their forces had unfortunately either retreated or been killed. A handful of Imperial Firebenders remained standing, and they formed a perimeter around Zuko and Azula upon spotting them. Soon they would be surrounded by more earthbenders than they could handle.
"Do you have a plan Azula?"
"Nothing that doesn't require more men… we're far to spread out."
That wasn't what Zuko wanted to hear. He needed to find a way to draw his troops to the focal point of the battle, and also eliminate the approaching earthbenders. There was only one thing he could think of, and it would require his allies to learn, very quickly.
"I have an idea, but I need you to follow my lead." Azula cautiously nodded, and readied herself for whatever Zuko had planned. The Fire Lord turned to his men. "I'll need fire, and a lot of it." The Imperial Firebenders executed his orders perfectly, creating a circle of fire around themselves and their master.
"It's going to get a lot hotter in here. Brace yourselves." Zuko turned towards Azula. "Follow my movements exactly, and make sure to clear your mind of any anger you might be feeling." Azula looked at him suspiciously, but she hesitantly agreed. Zuko got into position and began to move around the circle of fire in a manner Azula had never seen before. He was making smooth circular motions with his whole body, incorporating the occasional kick or punch. It looked almost like he was… dancing. "What on earth is that?"
Zuko let out a concentrated grunt. "I… I need some help over here… quickly if you don't mind!"
Azula brushed aside her doubts and leapt into action, mimicking Zuko's movements as accurately as she could manage. She cleared her mind of aggression, and tried to focus on the fire. Nothing happened at first, but slowly she began to feel more in control. The fire was submitting to her will, and she was urging it forward and making it grow.
Azula glanced at the fire she was developing, and she was mesmerized by what she saw. The bright orange flames were no longer uniform. Instead, more colors began to form. Orange was joined by red, then yellow and white, followed by blue and purple with hints of pink and green. The fire was truly stunning, and unlike anything Azula had ever witnessed. The flames didn't seem like normal fire, instead they seemed alive.
As Zuko and Azula continued their dance, the awestruck Imperial Firebenders fed the growing fire vortex with renewed vigor. With their contributions, the fire began to spin more rapidly and expand upwards. It rose far into the sky, surely visible throughout the entire city.
Kori found general Mak trapped in battle with a legion of Earth Kingdom soldiers. The man fought valiantly, but it wouldn't be long until he was overtaken by his opponents. Rallying some nearby partisans to her side, Kori lunged forward and attacked the soldiers from behind. It took them a moment to realize what was going on, but the new front had managed to relieve General Mak nonetheless. Together their forces united, and the Earth Kingdom soldiers were pushed back.
As Kori stepped forwards, she stumbled on the bodies lying beneath her boots. A local man, she could tell so by his manner of dress, lay on the ground, his body broken from rocks. Next to him were the remains of an Earth Kingdom soldier, as spear protruding from his gut. The sight was gruesome, but Kori found that she wasn't particularly fazed. Her friend Mai had regaled her with far more disturbing tales when they were children, and it made the carnage before her seem significantly less shocking.
Kori reminded herself that no matter how terrible things seemed, they were fighting to preserve their homes. She dusted the dirt off her red uniform and trudged forward, careful to avoid stepping on the deceased. She found an exhausted general Mak standing alongside his remaining battalion. He was clutching a wound on his arm, but he otherwise seemed in acceptable condition. "General, the Fire Lord told me to report to you. What are your orders?"
"Ms. Morishita, I should not be saying this, but I doubt it is worthwhile for you to follow my lead."
"What do you mean?"
"I'm sure you've noticed how poorly we are performing. The Fire Lord is very sensitive to excess casualties. It's only a matter of time until he orders a retreat."
"No… you're wrong! I used to think poorly of the Fire Lord, but now I realize that he truly does care about our city. He won't give up, not yet!"
"It's hopeless… no aid is coming right now, and there are still thousands of enemy soldiers waiting across the valley. We'll be wiped out for certain…"
"Do not despair General, the battle is not over yet. We still have a chance to turn this around. We just need to regroup and try to maximize enemy casualties."
Mak gave a pained laugh. "You have the trappings of ruthless general. Perhaps I should put in good word with the War Minister if we return alive?"
"You will return to your home general, I am certain of that."
Mak gave Kori a slight smile, but his expression quickly morphed into one of shock. Kori noticed, and she turned around. The source of the general's surprise quickly became evident. An unspeakably gargantuan column of colored fire was rapidly rising into the sky. She could tell that it was spinning, but the strange fire still managed to hold its shape. It climbed to what must have been at least a thousand feet into the sky, illumination the city in vivid light.
"I… I've never seen anything like it." Mak stumbled over himself in an attempt to vocalize his bewilderment. Kori knew that such a marvelous display had to be the work of the Fire Lord. She turned to look at the soldiers and citizen fighters standing beside her. They had just previously been demoralized by how the battle was going, but now they seemed to be awake once again, inspired by what they saw. It was then that Kori realized the purpose of the fire. It was a signal, a rallying cry meant to bring the warriors of the Fire Nation together. She turned towards her companions with a newfound determination.
"My brothers and sisters, our help is required!" They turned towards her and then General Mak, awaiting orders. Mak sighed and gestured to Kori.
"It's your call kid, this is your city."
Kori took a deep breath and raised her hammer into the air. "To the Fire Lord!"
As Zuko and Azula continued to expand their fire tornado, they began to struggle with containing it. Hopefully the men of the Fire Nation would be bolstered by the display, and those of the Earth Kingdom made weary. With the main purpose of his dragon fire fulfilled, Zuko intended to make use of it for one more thing.
"Azula…!"
"What?"
"Try to condense the fire! We… we can expel it towards their reserved troops!"
"Are you crazy? I don't even know if I could control this much fire, let alone you!"
"You're right… but we might be able to succeed… if we do it together!"
With that the Imperial Firebenders stopped feeding the mountainous column of fire, and Zuko and Azula began to wind down their dance. Some of the flames escaped from their grasp. But they were able to retain a surprising amount. Vast tendrils of colored flames separated from their source and coalesced into a pulsing ball of fire. Even with Azula's assistance, it took Zuko all of his willpower and then some to reign in the searing flames. "Azula… now!"
The two siblings joined together side by side and extended their fists forward. The giant pressurized ball of fire shot forth with remarkable speed, illuminating the sky as it soared across the valley. The air was silent for only a moment, until the fireball impacted the opposing hills. A massive explosion sent debris hundreds of feet into the sky, and the fire rapidly spread throughout the surrounding land.
With his attack successful, Zuko collapsed onto his knees. His breathing was labored and his face was covered in sweat. The exertion of that particular move had taken everything he had, but it was worth it. Azula was not as exhausted as Zuko, but even she could feel the strain that such a powerful display had caused. It reminded her of the first time she managed to generate lightning.
"What… was… that?"
"I… I call it the… dancing dragon."
"That… seems like a rather tame name for such a… powerful move."
"Well… it's my secret move."
"Correction… it was your secret move."
"Maybe… I'll teach you how to do it properly… one of these days."
"There really is more to you… than I gave you credit for."
Zuko and Azula were interrupted by the sound of metal boots against the ground, although neither of them had the strength to respond. "My Lord… princess… are you alright?"
"We're… fine…"
"We're just a little… wiped out… General Mak."
"That fire was incredible!" Kori said, "It's sure to send their armies fleeing!"
"I hope you're right…" Zuko turned around and was met with a vast sea of faces. There were men and women, mostly of Fire Nation extraction, but also those from the Earth Kingdom and those of mixed origin. Most were firebenders, but there were undoubtedly several earthbenders and nonbenders among their ranks as well. They ranged greatly in age, from those who sported a childlike appearance and physic, to those who were almost too old to fight. They differed in rank, all the way from Zuko's soldiers, to the Yu Dao city guards, to the simple militiamen and partisans.
But they all shared their weariness, their desire to preserve their homes and the homes of their fellow countrymen. But that wasn't all they shared. They were fighting for someone. They were fighting for the Fire Lord.
"My Lord…" Kori began, "what are your orders?"
Everyone gazed intently at Zuko. He could take the fast solution, by declaring victory and sending everyone home. It would look good abroad, assuming the damage caused by this conflict could be mitigated at the negotiation table. But Zuko would be doing a disservice to his people if he stopped here. If ten thousand soldiers could attack Yu Dao today, then they could do it again. To save his people he would have to lead them into more battles, till the safety of their homes could be guaranteed.
Zuko didn't like what his conscience was telling him to do. He was about to remove himself from the constraints of defense. He was about to retaliate against his foes. He was about to do what his father, his cousin, his uncle, his grandfather, and his great-grandfather had done. He knew deep down that his intentions were truly good, not merely twisted to seem that way. Unfortunately, he doubted the world would see what he saw. But he could not control what they thought, nor was it his responsibility to do so. His duties were focused on the present, and he would see them through to the best of his abilities.
Zuko glanced at Azula. Her expression wasn't cruel or derisive, nor was it smug or condescending. Instead she was genuinely smiling. Zuko took a deep breath and raised his arm into the air. "Advance!"
General Mak and Kori immediately understood their Fire Lord's orders. The men under their command organized themselves into neat groups and got into a loose formation. In total they numbered at least three thousand, possibly more. The remaining tanks and komodo rhinos assembled alongside them to provide support. With everything in order, the Fire Nation forces began their march outside the city.
Zuko's fire had devastated the enemy forces, but it would not burn forever. Even now the surviving Earth Kingdom soldiers were attempting to smother the flames with their earthbending. And considering how little vegetation occupied the landscape, they would likely find quick success. However, the fire provided surprisingly good cover while it was still active.
The enemy forces didn't notice Zuko and his army until they were already halfway up the hill. Trying to make the most of their superior tactical position, the Earth Kingdom soldiers attempted to roll boulders down the slopes and crush their enemies. But the Fire Nation's own earthbenders hastily counteracted their attacks. After this failed attempt, the Earth Kingdom troops began a reluctant retreat across the next valley.
Zuko's army pursued them well into the morning. Even with the cloudy sky obscuring the sun, Zuko could feel his fire burn hotter than it had during the night. Being on the battlefield and leading his people in combat felt so much more natural to Zuko than the grueling statecraft that had consumed the past year of his life.
Eventually their opponents reached a series of hills that were far too high for them to attempt a speedy climb, and they settled into a battle that Zuko was confident he could win.
But as Zuko moved forwards, he began to feel resistance. The wind had picked up considerably, and it was making it difficult for him to walk. The rapidly moving air felt like a barrage of tiny needles against the parts of his skin not covered in armor, and it sent a shiver down his body.
The sudden gust made Zuko feel uneasy. The hairs on the back of his neck rose, and his stomach twisted itself into an uncomfortable position. The breeze was so intense that it almost felt like a hurricane without the water. As Zuko looked around he noticed that he was not alone. Men on both sides were being affected by the howling wind, although they did their best to not let it distract them from the ongoing battle.
Zuko peered up toward the sky, and it was then that he noticed an anomaly. Something was moving against the current of the air. Whatever it was initially appeared to small to indentify, but as it approached, Zuko realized what he was looking at.
"No… I didn't want it to happen this way…"
The object in the sky revealed itself to be a swirling sphere of air. And it it's center, were a pair of glowing white eyes…
The Avatar did not hesitate or hold back. Instead he sent a powerful blast of air at Zuko. The Fire Lord was thrown backwards and sent tumbling across the ground. His armor tore up the grass and dirt, and his cape was reduced to muddy tatters. Zuko glanced up at his friend. Aang's kind and gentle features were entirely absent. Instead his face was fixed in a deep scowl, and his glowing eyes seemed to dominate his appearance.
Zuko removed his helmet and hailed his friend, hoping to reason with him. "Aang… it's me! I don't want to fight! Come down here and we can talk about this!"
Instead of the restraint he was hoping for, Zuko was met with another attack. The Avatar inhaled sharply and spewed forth a vast tidal wave of fire from his mouth. Zuko was forced to conjure a shield of fire in defense, parting Aang's own flames down the middle.
Not wanting to harm his friend, Zuko attempted a tactical retreat. He launched himself off the ground and propelled himself into the sky with great jets of fire. Properly maneuvering in the air was tricky, and Zuko was glad he had been practicing.
Unfortunately for Zuko, the Avatar was the only true master of the skies. The wind coalesced in between were they were positioned, and Aang formed a miniature tornado with his airbending. He sent it forth toward Zuko, who struggled to avoid it.
Thinking quickly, Zuko flew behind a nearby boulder that had been erected during the battle. It shielded him from the tornado, but not from Aang's other attacks. The Avatar coated the surrounding area with vast quantities of fire. Zuko hear the boulder begin to crack from the heat and was forced to abandon his cover.
One again airborne, Zuko turned around to glimpse the Avatar's next move. Unfortunately, he telegraphed a technique that Zuko had become acutely familiar with. Aang's face twitched rapidly as he extended his arm and pointed his first two fingers at his friend. The Avatar spun his outstretched limb in a circular pattern, causing electricity to crackle around his air bubble. Then he jabbed it forward, sending a bolt of lightning straight at Zuko.
Zuko stretched out his arm as well; catching Aang's lightning and safely redirected it into the sky. Following his attack, Aang seemed to slow down. Zuko was somewhat surprised, but he reasoned that because Aang was still new to lightning generation the attack must have depleted his strength.
Aang wasn't the only one who was seemingly running out of energy. Zuko hadn't felt this tense during a battle in a long time. Fighting the Avatar was exhilarating, and not in a good way. "I wonder if this was how father felt during their final battle."
Zuko used the lull in their fight to survey the battlefield below. That was when he spotted Azula, her eyes fixed on Aang, conjuring a bolt of lightning. Not wanting Aang to be injured, Zuko hurriedly sent a fireball toward Azula's vicinity. The blast impacted the ground several yards from where she was positioned, and it proved enough to break her concentration. Azula snapped her head toward where her brother was hovering in the air. He could tell that while she didn't approve, she wouldn't interfere either.
Aang recovered quickly, and Zuko was once again on the defensive. In an attempt to dislodge his friend from the air, Zuko blasted him with several massive streams of fire. The flames didn't even seem to slow him down, and Zuko was once again forced to retreat.
Evidently unwilling to let the Fire Lord escape, the Avatar used his earthbending to raise a series of rocky pillars from the ground. Zuko only barely managed to dodge them, but he was beginning to tire from the chase.
Landing on the top of one of the pillars, Zuko turned to face Aang. He sent an intertwined fire stream at Aang, and managed to knock him off balance. The Avatar briefly stumbled in the air before righting himself and landing on an opposing pillar.
Aang's expression shifted from rage to anodyne and back again. Seemingly deciding that rage was the correct option, he summoned what felt like all the wind in the world and sent it toward Zuko, who promptly fell backwards.
The air was moving too fast to properly breathe, and Zuko felt his vision dimming. Knowing that the rapidly moving air would extinguish any fire he could muster, Zuko resigned himself to the last option he could think of. Gasping for breath, Zuko pointed his arm at Aang with only two of his fingers extended. Zuko didn't know if Aang had enough control over the Avatar State to correctly redirect what he was about to unleash. He loved his friend dearly, but he didn't want to die here either.
"I can't die here. I can't abandon my country. I can't abandon my people. I can't abandon Azula. I don't have the will to cast aside our future…"
Zuko steeled his heart. A bolt of lightning escaped from his fingertips and hurtled toward Aang. Aang's expression softened and his glowing eyes dimmed ever so slightly. He hastily moved to catch the electricity and managed to redirect it out of his other arm, sending it back in Zuko's direction. The Fire Lord seized the energy, but instead of returning it to Aang, he sent it cascading toward the pillar Aang was standing on. The rock shattered, and Aang was sent hurling backwards.
Zuko slid down the pillar to pursue him, but he was suddenly caught by another gust of air. Aang rose out from the dust, his expression seemingly even harsher than before. There was little Zuko could do at such close range. Prepared for the worst, Zuko summoned what remained of his strength, ready to blast his friend with all the fire he could muster.
But just as the flames left his skin, Zuko felt himself being submerged in something cold and wet. Water began to seep into his mouth and nose, and he lost sight of the Avatar in the churning liquid. Zuko suddenly felt himself being slammed against the ground, and he quickly leapt upwards, coughing up water and gasping for air. But as he was doing so, the water became increasingly cold and difficult to move in, until his arms and legs were encased in ice.
Zuko furiously blinked away the water obscuring his vision and lifted up his head. He saw a massive sloshing orb of water in front of where he was restrained. He could just barely make out a faint white glow inside the water. The orb lazily lowered itself to the ground before the water rapidly rushed away, revealing the Avatar inside it.
Zuko tapped into his internal fire and burned through the ice before attempting to get up, fully expecting another round of combat. But his dread quickly morphed into confusion as he saw several tendrils of water entwine themselves around Aang's limbs, holding him against the ground. Then another tendril attached itself to Aang's face, further immobilizing him.
The source of all the water quickly became evident, as Katara rushed forward on a wave of water and wrapped herself around Aang, trying to coax him out of the Avatar State. She seemed to find success, as Aang's glowing eyes returned to normal and he began to cough up water. Cautiously deciding it was now safe, Zuko approached his friends.
If Zuko was expecting Aang to return to his normal friendly self, then he was sorely mistaken. Upon seeing the Fire Lord, Aang staggered to his feet and placed himself into a defensive position. Katara immediately placed herself between the two men. Zuko stood passively still, unsure how to proceed. Thankfully, it was Aang who decided to make the first move.
"How dare you…" The Avatar's words were laced with venom, "How dare you attack the Earth Kingdom!?"
"How dare I? They attacked us, not the other way around!" Zuko felt rage begin to build inside him. He had gone through hell to defend his people in the face of nearly insurmountable odds, and he wasn't about to be assailed for it by his own friends.
"You've restarted the war! You're doing exactly what Ozai did! I thought you were on our side… I thought you wanted peace!"
"I do want peace! I was merely defending my people!" Zuko and Aang both received another blast of water to their faces from Katara.
The waterbending master sported an indignant expression on her face. "Will you two stop it?" She yelled. "We're supposed to be on the same team!"
"Tell that to Zuko!" Aang glared at his friend and girlfriend.
"Aang, Zuko is our friend. Shouldn't we hear him out first before we start making accusations?"
"What is there to explain? Zuko's turned his back on peace and restarted the war!" Puffs of smoke escaped from the Avatar's nostrils, earning him a slight look of concern from Katara.
Zuko interrupted their argument. "I have turned my back on peace, but only because I was forced to." Aang didn't seem convinced, but Katara seemed more open to Zuko's reasoning.
"Explain…"
"I pulled my troops back from the border and came here with intentions to forge a new peace treaty. I even sent dozens of letter to Kuei. But I never got a response. And shortly after I arrived and army of earthbenders attacked Yu Dao. They've been intercepting our hawks for weeks now and cutting us off from aid. Many more cities are currently under siege as we speak. That is why we are at war."
Zuko decided not to mention his little kerfuffle with the Earth Kingdom emissary. He needed Aang and Katara on his side after all.
Aang still seemed suspicious, but Katara tried to reason with him. "Aang, those soldiers we saw leaving Ba Sing Se…"
"What about them?"
"They said they were just on a training mission, but given what Zuko said…"
Aang hung his head low. "They were already marching to war."
Just as Aang began to consider the possibility that Zuko was telling the truth, Azula took the worst moment to make her presence known. "Hello there Zuzu…" she paused, "and friends."
Aang immediately stood up. "You… this was your doing wasn't it!?"
Azula genuinely looked a little surprised at Aang's accusation. "Well if it was, then this has to go down as one of my best plots by far. I mean really, restarting the war to make you kill Zuko? I must say Avatar, not even I thought of something so sadistically clever."
"Azula…" Zuko's voice carried a worried tone.
She smirked. "Did I prod them too much?"
By this point Katara had stood up as well, and she was eyeing Azula suspiciously. "As fitting as it would be… I don't think there's any evidence to suggest Azula was responsible for this."
Azula was caught off guard by Katara's defense, but the waterbender quickly made sure to remind her that it wasn't out of any newfound fondness. "That doesn't mean she isn't a disturbed and dangerous woman, but it does mean she seems innocent… at least this time."
"I'll take that as a compliment." Azula cast a faux smile in Katara's direction, to which the waterbender tried to ignore. As their discussion was underway, Appa flew to the ground and Momo poked his head out of the bison's saddle. Curiously, they seemed weary to approach their master; instead opting to observe the situation from the difference.
"Enough!" Aang shouted to gain everyone's attention, before fixing his gaze on Zuko. "I'll go to Ba Sing Se and attempt to force a ceasefire from Kuei. Meanwhile you and Azula can order your armies to stop fighting and leave the continent."
"I'm sorry Aang, but that's not happening."
The Avatar narrowed his eyes. "Why…?"
Zuko took a deep breath. "I can't pull out my forces because I've decided to keep the colonies."
"What!?" Upon hearing Zuko's proclamation, Aang looked like he was about ready to explode. Katara had to grab hold of his arm to keep him calm. Although she appeared to be taking the news better than Aang, the displeasure she felt was clearly engraved all over her face.
"Zuko… how could you think something like that is okay?" Katara's tone was concerned, but Zuko also detected a hint of anger.
"My reasons are numerous and complex, but ultimately it comes down to protecting my people. There are millions of people living in the colonies. They aren't just the natives and new arrivals from the Fire Nation. There are the decedents of early colonists, and people of mixed background. To them, the colonies are all they known. It's their home. And I will not ruin their lives by handing this land back to the Earth Kingdom. It isn't a perfect scenario, and I'm well aware of that. But I firmly believe it's the right course of action, and I hope any concerns can be addressed at the negotiation table and not the battlefield."
Aang's face scrunched up in anger. "No, you're wrong! The four nations are meant to be separate! Peace can't be achieved until balance is restored!"
"What balance?!" Zuko trudged forward. "There is no balance, at least not the way you knew it! There aren't four nations anymore; the Air Nomads are gone and they're never coming back! I wish I could change how things have happened Aang but I can't! You need to realize that the world has changed! You need to stop living in the past!"
Zuko was surprised by the potency of his own rage, and Aang seemed to back down, a distraught look on his face. Katara shot Zuko a look of disgust and moved closer to Aang. Azula meanwhile was standing by, halfheartedly attempting to conceal the sheer amusement she felt.
"Aang… I'm sorry… I didn't mean to sound so harsh…"
"Don't apologize Zuzu, everything you said was correct for once."
Katara glared at Azula. "It isn't just about what you say, but also how you go about saying it."
"No…" Aang stood up. "It often escapes my mind that I'm a century removed from this world. Zuko is right, the world isn't what it once was… and it never will be." Aang hardened his expression. "But that doesn't mean I agree with your methods. I still think this land should be returned to the Earth Kingdom."
Zuko prepared himself for another round of verbal sparring, but Aang held up his hand. "Even so, we should strive to convince each other with words, not bending." Zuko relaxed somewhat, and Aang turned to walk away, sparing Azula only the briefest of glances. Katara's eyes lingered a little longer, but she soon left to follow her boyfriend.
"Well Zuzu, I must say that went better than I expected." Azula paused to look her brother over. "You look like a saber-toothed moose-lion's play thing."
Zuko ignored her comment and straightened his posture, trying to ignore the pain in his chest. "I'm not sure I even want to know what you would consider bad."
Azula smirked. "Probably not, but you must admit, part of you is eager to listen anyways, isn't it?"
Zuko swallowed nervously. "She's right. And that's the part that worries me…"
Katara followed Aang as he walked to the area Appa had landed. The massive windstorm he had unleashed when they arrived had scared off quite a few soldiers on both sides, leaving the battlefield much easier to safely navigate. Even so, Katara had more concerning things on her mind than accidentally being struck by a stray boulder.
When they left Ba Sing Se, their suspicions were already running high. Aang had decided to forego his plans with Iroh and opted instead to drop in on the meeting he knew Zuko was having in Yu Dao. Katara had been somewhat hesitant to show up unannounced, but Aang had assured her that everything would be fine.
The first sign that something was wrong came in the form of great clouds of smoke rising from the mountains surrounding Yu Dao. Things only got worse when they spotted the battle happening on the ground. Katara's first reaction had been confusion, unsure what was happening and why. But she wasn't given long to dwell on those feelings. Because as soon as they had laid eyes on the battle, Aang had entered the Avatar State and leapt from Appa.
Katara was overwhelmed by the sadness that always befell her when Aang tapped into the power of his past lives. But it quickly became apparent that this time was much worse. The expression of pure rage on his face betrayed the sinister fact that he wasn't in control. Most people wouldn't have noticed the difference, but Katara did.
And to think that he had nearly killed Zuko… who was arguably his best friend. Zuko was surprisingly easy to incapacitate, but it took nearly all the strength Katara had to restrain Aang, and she hated every second of it.
"Aang, wait! We need to talk!"
Aang came to a stop in front of Appa and turned around. "What do we have to talk about?"
Katara put on her best serious face. "Aang, I'm concerned…"
Aang's expression softened. Katara said she was 'concerned' instead of 'worried'. That usually meant he was in for a major verbal smack-down.
"Uh oh… what is it?"
Katara took a deep breath. "I thought you told me you were in control of the Avatar State?"
"I am."
Katara's eyebrows rose in anger. "Then what was that!? Are you telling me you seriously considered killing Zuko!?"
"I… no… I guess I wasn't in control…"
"That's a problem Aang, a very big problem. You know how much I hate to see you like that!"
"I know Katara… I'm sorry I lost control… and I'm sorry I attacked our friend."
"Aang, that's not all. I can't be the only one who's noticed that you aren't acting like yourself. I saw it in your face, your movements, everything really."
Aang tensed up. "You're right, that's what I wanted to see Iroh about. I haven't been feeling well lately, and I don't know how to fix it. I… I feel like there's something in my spirit, something that isn't supposed to be there, and it's eating me from the inside."
Katara seemed to calm down and moved to comfort her boyfriend. "That is serious Aang. I'm glad you told me, although I wish you had done so sooner."
"I didn't want to make you worry."
"By not telling me, you made things much worse for the both of us."
Aang nodded, before turning back to readying Appa's saddle. Momo flew down and landed on Katara's shoulder, cleaning his fur as he did so. Aang turned around and gave his furry little companion a weak smile. "Take care of Katara until I get back."
The waterbender immediately disliked what she had heard. "You're leaving alone? I'm not going to let you travel by yourself, especially when you're not feeling well!"
"I'm not alone." Aang gestured toward Appa. "And besides, I want you to stay here. Try to save as many lives as you can, and try to hold back Zuko as much as possible. Also, keep an eye on Azula, I still don't trust her." Aang levitated himself onto Appa's back. "I need to go to Ba Sing Se and get to the bottom of this. Then we can deal with the colonies."
"Aang… when you said the four nations are meant to be separate… what does that mean for us?"
"I don't understand…"
"I'm from the Southern Water Tribe and you're an Air Nomad. By us being together… aren't we doing the opposite of what you want Zuko to do?"
Aang's face fell instantly. "Katara… I… I'm sorry. How could I be so stupid?"
"That's okay… I understand, and now you do to."
Aang grabbed hold of Appa's harness and glanced back at Katara. "I'll be back soon, I promise. And when I return I'll fix everything." Aang turned toward the sky. "Yip yip!"
Katara watched Appa vanish beyond the horizon and reoriented her focus toward the battlefield she was currently standing on. It seemed that upon realizing the Fire Nation was going to put up a significant fight to defend their colonies, led by none other than the feared conqueror of Ba Sing Se and the Fire Lord himself, most of the remaining Earth Kingdom troops had surrendered. Katara normally would have been concerned for their well-being as prisoners of war, but she knew that Zuko was a kind man at heart, and they would be treated fairly.
Katara spotted Zuko in the distance. He was conversing with a soldier outside of what appeared to be a makeshift tent. Upon spotting his friend, Zuko gestured for her to join him. Once she stepped inside the structure, Katara spotted Azula alongside a Fire Nation General and a girl she didn't recognize. They all exchanged names, and Katara informed Zuko that she would be staying to care for the health of their soldiers. Zuko appeared pleased to simply have her company, and he motioned for everyone to pay close attention to a map displayed on the table.
"After a lengthy discussion, I've come up with a plan. If we remain here in Yu Dao it's likely that another army will come to finish us off. Therefore, I think the best course of action would be to mount an offensive strategy. I've already sent a letter back to the homeland requesting more troops and additional warships to reinforce our coastal colonies or retake them if they have already fallen." Zuko took a short break to answer any questions, but everyone seemed content with what he had said so far.
"That will take a while. In the meantime, we will push forward and try to carve a path through the colonies." Zuko pointed at a line on the map. "We'll take the Fire Lord's Road to Han Tui, then Garsai, and finally to Hu Xin bridge."
It was Azula who spoke up. "Don't you think that's risky? Taking the road will leave us exposed to enemy attack."
"It will, but we would face just as many problems if we tried to find a way through the bush. The forests are remarkably thick in this region and the terrain is very uneven. Our enemies from Ba Sing Se might be operating in unfamiliar territory, but so are our forces."
"It took our grandfather and great-grandfather many years to sweep through this very same territory. What makes you think you can accomplish what they did in record time?"
Zuko frowned. "I'm not doing what they did. Sozin and Azulon conquered and subjugated these lands when there were no people from the Fire Nation living here, and when there was far less technology available to them. We have at least a somewhat friendly population, and far more resources, especially once we are resupplied."
Zuko's response seemed to satisfy Azula, and she went about her business. Katara moved to leave, but Zuko stopped her just before she departed the tent. "What is it?"
"I'm guessing Aang told you to watch out for Azula?"
"And what if he did?"
"Then I understand where he's coming from. But I think he's wrong. Azula isn't the same person we fought during Sozin's Comet. I firmly believe that she's changed."
Katara raised her eyebrows in doubt, but let Zuko continue. "She's still rough around the edges, and I don't think that will ever change. But she's a better person now, and I want you to give her a chance."
Katara nodded and left to tend to the wounded, leaving Zuko alone.
Author's Notes
Firstly, I'd like to apologize dearly for the significant delay. Secondly, I'd like to once again thank DylanTheDemon, who helped me with the fight scenes in this chapter.
Also, for the title of this chapter, I was debating between 'Unravel' and 'Come Undone', but I thought the latter sounded cooler. Interestingly, they're both names of songs I like as well.
