A/N: Alerts seem to be messed up or something strange happened. Re-posting chapter until it actually appears.
Okay I looked into it and it seems deleting and reposting is not how to solve it. Everyone is saying you just have to wait it out more or less... Sorry if anyone got annoyed by getting another notification. I've never had this happen to my stories here before, but it seems it is a problem that pops up every now and then. Guess I've just been lucky in the past or didn't post enough to encounter the problem before.
Chapter 14: Tempers and Tank Trains
Katara was very angry and frustrated as she prepared part of their dinner. Sokka was handling the rest, but needed some help. Katara easily volunteered thinking it would show Toph. The problem was Toph didn't really seem to care.
Aang let out a mighty yawn as he got Appa ready for the night. It wasn't all that late really, but the way the girls kept going on was really cutting into their sleep. He also didn't like how his two friends and Bending Masters were at each other's throat.
"That insufferable annoying Little Girl!" Katara grumbled to herself.
Sokka gave a yawn. If Toph was a couple of years older and Katara wasn't his sister. And they were sexy fighting in mud. It might at least be somewhat entertaining. In reality, it was getting pretty bad. He had a feeling things would come to a head sooner rather than later. He only hoped Harry's magic could save them from a very disgusting end involving mud from the Earthbender and Waterbender clashing.
Usually Katara's remark was something Toph would overlook. Being called insufferable wasn't something that got to her. Usually, she might even see it as a compliment.
However, this wasn't 'usually'.
"What? Did you call me? Sugar Tits?" Toph called back.
"I called you insufferable! No good! Annoying Helpless Little Girl!" Katara roared.
"Helpless?" Toph almost screeched in her anger.
"Yeah. Since you can't even lift a finger to help anyone… You must be just as weak and helpless as your parents thought!" Katara said as it seemed like steam was from coming from her ears.
"You… You… Bitch!" Toph cried out as she sent a rock flying at Katara.
Katara countered it easily and smirked. Toph was seething. Both girls were looking to each other waiting to make their move.
Before they could, both were blasted back by Aang's Airbending. "That's enough!" he said to them both.
Katara and Toph both launched bending attacks despite Aang being in the middle. Aang was able to counter them both, but it wasn't making a difference to them.
They were about to fight again when suddenly Harry's voice came out and echoed in the area. "Cut it out!" he shouted thanks to a Sonorous charm. He deactivated the charm and stared at the two girls.
They were distracted by his shout, but their tempers were still burning hot. Instead of listening to him, both looked to him and dangerously said, "Make us."
Harry quickly sent a silently cast Full Body-Bind at Toph and one at Katara, just as she was about to laugh and claim victory. The two girls looked to him caught off guard. It was as if they momentarily forgot Harry was able to do more than Airbending.
"I didn't want to do that, but it was clear neither of you would listen otherwise. Now… Don't make me silence you both as well," Harry said with a slight edge to his voice.
"He can do that?" Toph asked in surprise.
"Yeah," Katara replied neutrally.
"Toph," Harry started evenly.
Toph didn't like hearing him use such a tone. She seemed to realize she was partly responsible for him using it. Of course, Katara was more responsible clearly… in Toph's mind at least.
"I know you just started travelling, but you're part of a group now. You aren't alone. That means you have to contribute. And stop taking 'pulling your own weight' so literally. That phrase doesn't mean to just help yourself. It means we all pitch-in in some fashion. It isn't even by much… My magic really helps out with setting up camp," Harry said.
"What does anyone need to do then?" Toph asked a little defiantly. Harry could tell some of the heat was gone from her at least.
"Katara helps where she can. A lot of times it is by keeping our water supply topped off and clean. She also pitches in when needed. She's also Aang's Water Bending Master. Aang takes care of Appa, helps when asked, and he teaches me Air Bending," Harry said.
"What about Sokka then?" Toph interrupted. She didn't like that Harry seemed to be proving his point.
"Sokka acts our Quartermaster and usually takes to preparing meals. Mostly because he feels I would just use vegetables," Aang said.
"Hey!" Sokka said with an exaggerated frown.
"Thus, proving my point," Harry said ignoring Sokka's outburst. "He isn't a bender, yet he still helps out a good bit. He's also the man with many plans usually."
"Oohhh…" Toph said. Katara had been sort of saying that to her, but the way Harry and Aang said it seemed to reach her better.
Katara was about to something smug in victory.
Harry turned to her and spoke. "Katara," he said evenly.
Katara eeped at almost getting in trouble and stayed silent.
"Toph has never been outside of her family's home, apart from outings as the Blind Bandit. She's barely tasted even the most remote sense of freedom before joining us. She needs to get used to being part of a group, even if she comes off a little rough," Harry said to her.
"It isn't easy getting used to a completely different and new lifestyle. I would know considering I had to go from being just a good Airbender to the Avatar. Then there was how everything changed while I was frozen in that iceberg," Aang added.
"Do you two understand?" Harry asked.
The girls sighed almost completely in sync and nodded as Harry eased up the spell.
"Can you two at the very least not fight so much and not get everyone else involved?" Sokka asked.
"Yeah… I guess," they both replied.
"Great!" Aang said cheerfully before giving a yawn. "I'm really looking forward to eating and getting a good night's sleep."
Harry looked the two girls over and released them.
The group settled in for a slightly uncomfortable meal. Katara and Toph weren't fighting, but they were clearly both upset with the other. The guys hoped maybe they would save their next bout for tomorrow.
[-] [-] [-]
As the group finally settled in for the night and were almost within the wonderful realm of dreams, Toph woke them up. "Something is coming!" she said in alarm.
"What is it?" Aang asked.
"I can't really tell for sure. It's like a stampede of metal," she replied as she placed a hand on the ground. She had never stretched out her senses this far before. It really said something regarding what was coming if she was already feeling it.
It wasn't saying anything good.
"I'll look for it. You guys pack up camp and get Appa ready," Aang said as he took to the night sky.
As Aang left and the others got to work, Harry said, "Toph. Keep track of it."
She nodded as she kept her Earth Sense going. She was trying to see if there was a way to gauge the thing's speed.
[-] [-] [-]
Aang soared over to the direction Toph was sensing the… whatever it was. He couldn't make out too much in the night sky. He did eventually get close enough he could smell smoke of some kind. He then noticed a large metal something seemed to be shining a little under clear night's sky and full moon. He frowned and turned back.
Once he returned, he told them what he saw. "It was this weird thing that was a mix between a train and a tank," Aang said as they hopped on Appa's saddle.
"That's difficult to imagine…" Katara said.
"It's enough to know it's Fire Nation," Sokka said. "Earth Kingdom tanks don't have smoke. They also don't have some kind of tank train thingies either."
[-] [-] [-]
Azula gave a sigh as she sat with both Ty Lee and Mai. They actually sighted the Avatar and his group. One of their lookouts barely made out the orange and yellow the Avatar loved to wear. "Really… Those colors are so easy to spot, even in the night," she thought.
Ty Lee was smiling as she laid her head on Azula's shoulder. "We're really catching up to them! It was such a good idea to rest earlier today. I can't wait to fight them again! I bet even Mai is excited," she said shooting her tall friend a grin.
"I wouldn't say excited… I'm definitely not bored at least though," Mai said in typical Mai fashion.
"Girls, remember to keep focused. If we are lucky, they will be tired when we finally catch up. If we aren't lucky, they will be rested as well. We need to be focused and ready," Azula said calmly.
"Of course, Azula," Mai and Ty Lee said together.
Deep down, Azula was excited as well. She would be facing off against them again. It was also a chance for her to get back at Harry. "How dare an Airbender get me confused like this," she thought to herself.
[-] [-] [-]
"Again?!" Aang said once Toph reported the thing was close once more. They had just gotten ready for the night. This tank train was doing a good job of tracking them, and making good time.
"I did say it was like a metal stampede. That includes a lot of speed," Toph said.
"Let's get going," Harry said with a yawn.
The others nodded and they once again took off into the sky.
[-] [-] [-]
"Ugh… Can't they just stop running already? They're just trying to make things boring again," Mai said as their lookout reported the group took off once more. It was surprisingly easy under the full moon to make out their silhouette.
"We'll catch up to them soon enough," Azula said. It was getting to be a bit obvious she was itching for a fight as well.
[-] [-] [-]
"It's back… How?!" Toph asked. She was thinking how the thing kept finding them. She had one theory, but she didn't think it would be enough in the night.
"You have got to be kidding me…" Sokka let out in a long sigh. "We were finally about to have one night, in who knows how long, to peacefully sleep."
"How are they finding us?" Katara asked.
Toph was about to point out she just asked that, but Aang got them all ready to go. "Let's get going again. This time I'll make sure they don't follow us," he said.
When Aang later took them to a mountain top, Sokka immediately threw his bedroll to ground and tiredly said, "No camp… Just sleeeeppp." He gave a mighty yawn as he tried to make himself comfortable on the ground.
"Toph probably wouldn't have helped anyways," Katara said in a huff. The constant running and being forced to miss out on more sleep, was getting to her.
"What?!" Toph yelled at her in anger. "You got something to say to me? Sugar Tits?" she asked.
Katara took up a bending stance despite swaying a little from her tiredness.
"Don't make me stun you two," Harry warned tiredly. His tired voice came off as even more dangerous.
"He can do that?" Toph asked.
"Y-Yeah…" Katara said with a gulp.
Toph was starting to think Harry just might be the most dangerous of their group, even though he wasn't a master bender.
[-] [-] [-]
"They're on top of a mountain. How do you wish to proceed, Princess?" the lookout asked.
Azula couldn't help but smirk as she said, "They think a mountain top will save them? Let's put the climbing harpoons to a test."
Ty Lee let out a cheerful giggle. "We are supposed to be testing this thing," she said.
Mai was already getting her knives and arrows ready. "Finally! At last, a brief stop to the endless boredom," she said.
Ty Lee gave Mai a surprise hug, much to Mai's blushing embarrassment. "It's been a while since I've seen you this excited," she said.
"I don't do excited," Mai said.
Azula let out a laugh. "Don't forget, Ty Lee. She did tell us she was just not bored," she said.
"You're right!" Ty Lee said in a bouncy fashion.
[-] [-] [-]
"Even up here?! How?!" Sokka whined as the group saw the tank train far more up close than they ever wished to see it.
"We should face them," Toph said.
The others nodded in agreement and lined up along the ridge ready to fight.
A side door to the tank train opened and they saw three familiar, but unwelcomed, faces. Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee looked well rested as well. They were even sitting on top of Mongoose lizard mounts. They were staring at the group.
"We can do this… Four and a half versus three," Toph said.
"There are five of us," Sokka said.
"Oh… sorry… I only counted you as half. No bending, you know," she said with a slightly mischievous grin.
"I can still fight!" Sokka defended.
"You know what. Sokka's right. It is five on three," Toph said.
Sokka grinned to that.
"Harry has his magic and bending. He counts as one and a half," Toph said smirking.
Sokka blinked for a moment as his tired brain tried to make sense of what she said. "Hey!" he finally said after he got it. Toph giggled at him.
The Fire Nation girls started charging the group at that moment.
The benders started attacking. Toph started them off with a cascade of earth pillars to impede the chasing trio. She was dismayed when they easy climbed the earth pillars and continued their approach.
Harry and Aang sent out Air blasts, which the girls easily evaded. Their mounts could climb along the side of the mountain with ease.
"We should go!" Sokka said. They weren't in any condition to fight a fully rested Azula and her two friends.
Toph erected a mighty earth wall at an angle to block the mounts. The others jumped on to Appa. She was completely shocked when she felt the leader of the group generate lightning with ease and blast a giant hole in the wall.
"Come on," Harry called to her.
Toph jumped up and Harry and Sokka pulled her in as Aang took off.
"Awww… They ran away," Ty Lee pouted.
"True… but dawn is approaching. Tracking them won't be an issue," Azula said. She was keeping in mind something she noticed as the air bison took off again.
"While I don't think this is boring… It is getting a slight bit annoying," Mai said as they returned to their transport.
[-] [-] [-]
"I think we could have taken them…" Toph said with a pout.
"With the crazy blue fire and lightning? I don't think so," Sokka said.
"Plus, there's the girl in pink… She can do something that disables bending," Katara said in fear.
"Sokka's also right because we're in no shape to fight them at their best," Harry said with a yawn.
"We'll keep going… We can't land any time soon, or they'll find us," Katara said.
Aang frowned in worry as he said, "Appa's going to need rest at some point."
"What about those potions?" Katara asked Harry.
"That would give us a boost… But it might not be enough… and the crash afterwards," Harry said. The crash wasn't too bad normally, but he didn't think the EnerGen Potion would be enough for this.
[-] [-] [-]
Azula was resting briefly with both Mai and Ty Lee. They had some time, since it seemed the Avatar was keeping to the sky. Fortunately, even after their period of pedestrian lives, Mai and Ty Lee were still more than capable. They also knew how to get rest, even if briefly, between rounds.
After some time, the three girls were awakened. "Report?" Azula asked as she and the others got ready. They had a couple of hours of rest.
"You were right, Princess Azula. The air bison's shedding fur is providing more than enough of a trail to follow," the lookout reported.
"Of course, I was right," she replied with a satisfied smirk.
"We also noticed they seemed to have crashed nearby," he finished.
"Good. Take us there. The broken trees along with the shed fur will be more than enough to track them. They've been awake all night. They'll be even more exhausted now that it's daylight," she said.
The lookout nodded and returned to his post.
"You really are amazing," Ty Lee said.
Azula smiled. "Beauty and Brains. I have them both. As a Princess of the Royal Fire Nation Family should."
Ty Lee giggled to that.
Mai rolled her eyes, but didn't argue. She actually gave a slight amused smile. She had to admit Azula's attitude could be rather entertaining at times. It was even better during this trip. Mai figured Azula learned to temper her attitude some since they last saw each other.
[-] [-] [-]
The group seemed to have lost their pursuers. Sadly, tempers were at their boiling point. This spelled disaster for the group. It also happened quickly.
Katara and Toph were arguing. Aang tried to stop it, but the girls had enough. Toph especially had enough.
"Don't blame this on Appa!" Aang shouted. Toph just pointed out Appa's shedding was leaving a trail to follow. "He's saved our lives three times tonight alone! Stop being so ungrateful!" he shouted.
"What?!" Toph cried out in reply.
"Yeah! Aang's right!" Katara said not helping the situation.
"You all tell me to be a part of the group and to help out. I point out how they're following us. And you say it's my fault?!" Toph replied.
Harry could see her point. He might have done something, but he wasn't sure how his tired state would affect his focus for his magic at the moment. He didn't want to accidentally hurt his friends or something. It would have been easy if they were facing Azula and the others. Then, who cared if his spells were a little wild and powerful?
Aang and Katara were both stunned for a moment. They could actually see where she was coming from as well.
"I'm out," Toph said as she stomped the ground. Her bag flew up and right into her hand. She slung it over her shoulder and stomped off in huff. She was almost in tears despite herself.
Sokka was looking at the fur Toph used as an example. He looked behind them in thought.
Harry watched as Toph left, but didn't immediately go after her. He still took note of where Toph was heading.
After Toph was gone for a moment, Aang finally spoke again. "What have I done?! I chased off my Earth Bending instructor," he said with a suffering sigh.
"It's my fault… I kind of pushed her too far," Katara said with a sad sigh.
"Yeah… You guys really were unfair to her," Sokka said as he examined fur closer.
"Thanks for being so helpful," Katara said in a very dry and sarcastic tone.
"She's right though," Sokka said. He pointed behind them. "Appa's shedding fur is leaving a trail."
Aang was in though. He nodded. "I got an idea. We'll wash him and get rid of his shedding fur, for now at least. I'll use it to leave a false trail for them to follow," he said.
He pointed to Harry. "You can follow Toph. Once she has cooled off, you can bring her back."
Harry nodded. "I'll use my Air bending senses to find you all again," he said.
"What about us?" Katara asked.
"We'll go ahead. Make some ground. Aang and Harry can find us easily," Sokka said.
"I was thinking that too!" Aang said sounding more cheerful having a solid plan.
"Let's get going then," Harry said as the four got to work.
[-] [-] [-]
Zuko followed a set of tracks with full determination. He heard the gossip about the machine his sister was using to track the Avatar. The thing's tracks were extremely easy to follow. He would catch up and wait for the right moment.
He needed a lead on his uncle. Zuko was sure Azula would have reports on their uncle, himself, and the Avatar. He would keep his distance for now. Once the group took a break, he would disguise himself as the Blue Spirit and steal any reports she might have.
[-] [-] [-]
Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee came to the clearing where Appa crashed. Mai and Ty Lee were looking around the area in puzzlement. "What do you think they did?" Ty Lee asked.
Azula examined the ground carefully. She noticed a fur trail, obviously a decoy, going in one direction. She also noted a trail showing one of the group broke off. She wasn't too concerned about that. She looked up to the trees and smiled to herself.
"Clever little Avatar… Not enough though," she mused out loud.
"What did you find? Standing here like this is the opposite of interesting," Mai said.
"You two follow the broken tree tops. It will probably be the water tribe siblings with the bison," Azula said.
"Oooo. That won't be too hard. Good thinking!" Ty Lee said cheerfully.
"I'll follow the decoy trial the Avatar left," Azula said.
"Fine by me," Mai said as she got their mounts ready.
Ty Lee gave a smile as she said, "You're hoping Harry will be there too. Aren't you?"
Azula almost blushed. She instead smirked. "The perfect chance to get some payback," she said.
[-] [-] [-]
Harry was on top of an air scooter he silenced. He recently learned this from Aang. He figured using it to hover above the ground would keep him from being discovered by Toph's Earth Sense. He would make sure she noticed him when he made his approach. Right now, he wanted to make sure she had the time needed to cool off.
When he heard her talking to someone, he did his best to stay hidden. He was very surprised to see who Toph was talking to. "What's Iroh doing here?" Harry thought in question. He looked around to see if there were any signs of Zuko.
He kept his distance, ready to act if needed. He didn't think he would need to though. He remembered what the others said about Iroh at the North Pole. They said he actually helped them. Harry guessed since Iroh wouldn't know Toph was with them and Zuko wasn't around, the old man wouldn't be a problem.
He thought it strange and wondered if Lady Cosmo had a role in this meeting. It seemed too coincidental. Whatever the case, it seemed Toph was talking about what she needed to talk about with him. Harry couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to meet Iroh if they weren't enemies.
"Sometimes. When we are traveling with others, tempers can flare up a bit. It is even more likely when you all need to get used to each other and you are all really tired," Iroh said to Toph after she explained things.
"I liked it when we weren't fighting," she said in thought to him.
"It sounds like you don't actually regret traveling with them. Maybe you should head back to them," he said.
"Would they want me back? I said some mean things," Toph asked in worry.
Iroh seemed to almost look right where Harry was. Harry's eyes widened and he tried to hide himself better. "Did he really see me?" Harry asked himself.
It might be possible. Hard as it might be to believe, this was Iroh. He was a famed, respected, and feared General at one time. It seemed the ex-general wasn't in the mood to start something at least.
Iroh looked back to Toph and smiled to her. "Seeing how you make such lovely company. I wouldn't be surprised if they were missing you already," he said.
Toph felt warm hearing him say that. "Thanks," she said.
She stood up and grabbed her bag. She was sure it was time to head back. She'd apologize, if needed. She turned to the gentle old man one last time. She smiled and said, "I wouldn't be surprised if your nephew was looking for you as well."
Iroh had a sad, but hopeful smile as he said, "Perhaps you are right. It seems you helped me despite being the one who wanted help."
Toph smiled to him and left.
Harry waited until Toph and Iroh were clear of each other. He then repositioned himself and made himself known as he jumped off his air scooter and landed. "Good. I found you," he said.
"You followed me?" Toph asked.
"I was a little worried. The others were too," he said.
Toph wasn't sure why, but she couldn't help but blush. "I'm sorry for what I said," she told him.
Harry smiled to her. "We're all sorry for what we said. We should get going. I can give you a lift if you want," he suggested.
"Kind of want to keep my feet on the ground a little longer," she replied.
Harry was in thought for a moment. He shrugged his shoulders. If they took a little time to meet back with the others, it might end up being for the best. "Well, I'll keep you company all the same," he said.
"I'm not about to say no," Toph replied as they made their way back together.
[-] [-] [-]
"Crap… They found us!" Sokka said.
"Who?" Katara asked as she flew Appa.
"Tall girl and the acrobat," he said.
"Oh no!" Katara replied.
"We need to go faster!" Sokka urged.
"Appa's still tired," Katara said in worry.
Sokka looked around quickly and said, "Just get across the river."
"Come on Appa! You can do this!" Katara pleaded.
The girls on their mounts were really close. It wasn't looking good. Sokka was worried what they would do if they didn't make it.
"We're almost there!" Katara replied.
Appa pushed forward all he could despite his exhaustion. He kept sinking, but was at the right angle to make it. He came in for a rough landing on the water and then on to the land. It was far from his usual grace, but it worked.
"We made it!" Sokka and Katara cheered together as they hugged in relief.
"Oh no!" Katara said with a gasp.
The lizards the girls were riding didn't even stop when they came to the water. The mongoose lizards rose on to their hind legs and started running across the water's surface.
Katara launched a massive wave at them. She only managed to force one of the girls to jump off. Worse yet, it was the acrobat girl.
Ty Lee jumped forward and bounded between the trees. She then managed to land right in front of the water tribe girl. Katara reached for her water pouch. She readied an attack. Katara then had to do all she could to dodge Ty Lee's attacks.
Katara was still on the defensive when Mai was in range and jumped off her own mount. She shot out several mini-arrows, but Sokka managed to block them. He then pressed his attack by throwing his boomerang. Mai easily dodged it.
Just as Sokka was about to attack again, Ty Lee came from above and forced him jump back. Mai without even needing acknowledgement seamlessly engaged Katara.
Katara was slightly relieved she wasn't facing Acrobat. She wouldn't have to worry about her bending being disabled. That was until she realized Mai was very agile herself. "How are these two so good?" Katara thought in worry as she did all she could to dodge. It didn't help she was tired, but these two still fought very well.
Sokka did what he could to attack the acrobat girl. Ty Lee easily disable his boomerang arm. She then disabled his club arm as well. Sokka didn't give up though. He threw a kick… Which Ty Lee also disabled.
Ty Lee then struck out trying to hit his forehead's pressure point to knock him out. She was surprised when Sokka decided to use his wobbly state to stumble backwards and kick out since she was open. He got her stomach, sending her back with an "oof!"
Katara's fight wasn't even going that well. She soon found herself with her arms pinned to a nearby tree. She was surprised when she saw Sokka managed to worm crawl his way over to her.
"How are you doing?" he asked.
"Been better…" Katara answered.
Sokka managed to stand up as Ty Lee and Mai watched in amusement. They were both certain this fight was over. Sokka was standing in front of his sister hoping to somehow buy her time to free herself and counterattack.
"It's disappointing really," Mai drawled out. "Today was shaping up to be a not boring day. I figured when we caught up, you two would at least be able to put up a fight. I guess victory is boring after all."
Sokka and Katara were in disbelief. "They really think that was boring?" both thought to themselves. It was rather upsetting to have done that bad in a fight.
Then they managed to get a lucky break. Appa sent a mighty air blast at the two girls. They had completely forgotten about him. His attack sent them flying down the river.
"Good job, Appa!" Katara said in relief.
"Yeah. Don't know what we would do without you, buddy," Sokka said from the ground again. A little feeling was returning to his limbs. He thought so at least.
[-] [-] [-]
Azula was surprised how disappointed she was to find Aang alone. She had really been looking forward to a rematch with Harry. She decided capturing Aang would be a good way to draw him out. "Take the Teacher, and the Student will come," she thought as she causally approached the seemingly meditating monk.
"Well. At least you know how to set the atmosphere," Azula said with a confident smile as she took notice of the ghost town around them. "Are you really sure you want to take me on?" she asked.
"I am!" answered a different voice as Zuko landed between the two and tossed a straw hat of his head.
"I figured you would show up eventually, Zuzu," Azula said mockingly.
Aang couldn't help but chuckle. "Zuzu?" he asked.
Zuko didn't respond. He looked between the two carefully. He had options here, if he won. He could take Azula and get her to tell him where their uncle was. He could also take Aang and either get his honor back and call off the bounty on his uncle. Or… shocking as it was to think… ransom Azula with the Avatar for his uncle. That was a bargain she would take.
Azula got tired of waiting and launched a massive blue fire kick at the both of them. Aang gasped as he took to the air to make some distance. Zuko used his own fire kick to shield himself. He then launched fire balls at his sister.
Azula easily countered her brother's attacks. She launched a powerful fire ball at Zuko. As he moved to defend himself, she used a sweeping attack to send him into a nearby building. She next shot fireballs at the Avatar, forcing him to land.
Aang barely dodged Azula's attacks. He might have overestimated his ability to buy time in his current state. He ran into a ruined building's second floor and gasped as he hopped on to an air scooter.
Azula charged in thinking she had Aang cornered. She quickly gasped when she noticed he was hovering in the air opposite a large missing floor. The floor below looked to be dangerous.
She regained her balance and sidestepped to hug the wall before making her next move. She had to stop herself form laughing when Zuko charged in and had to land on the floor below. He did get lucky though. He landed on the only safe spot.
Zuko recovered and quickly exited the ruined building. He felt the energy his sister was going to unleash.
Aang was caught off guard when Azula launched what looked like a fire lance at him. He jumped up high off his air scooter and took to the roof.
Azula dashed outside the ruined building and was forced to engage Zuko. "You can really be annoying at times," she grumbled to him.
"If it's you? Fine by me," he replied as he launched a series of attacks at her.
Azula alternated between attacking Zuko and keeping the Avatar from escaping. It wasn't easy, but she was very skilled. She managed to keep Zuko at bay and Aang from making ground.
Aang yelled as he grabbed part of a broken roof to keep from being fried alive by blue flames. He recovered quickly. He had to immediately grab another broken ledge once more. This time Azula used her fire to slice the building in front of him. He crashed into the building below.
Azula sent a massive fire blast attack at Zuko. He went flying backwards and landed harshly on the ground. Azula didn't bother to gloat this time. She raced into the building where Aang crashed. He was trapped beneath fallen debris. She smiled confidently as she effortlessly set the edges of the floor on fire. Her fire quickly surrounded the room.
Aang looked horrified at her. He wasn't sure if he would make it this time. He couldn't push aside the debris he was trapped under.
Azula took a step closer. She jumped to side as a boomerang came her way. She glared at the water tribe boy. The girl then used her water bending to break Aang free. Azula jumped out of the building to keep from being surrounded.
"They beat Mai and Ty Lee?" she though in worry for her friends.
[-] [-] [-]
Toph's sea foam green eyes widened. "There's a lot of bending going on over in that ruined town," she said to Harry.
"We should go," he said as they took off in a hurry.
"How many do you sense?" Harry asked.
"I sense four fighting together and two a little further back," Toph said.
"Help the others. They're probably fighting Azula. She is not an easy opponent. I got the other two. They're probably Mai and Ty Lee," he said.
Toph nodded and the two split up.
[-] [-] [-]
Zuko groaned as he looked up and thought he saw his uncle.
"Get up, Zuko," Iroh said to his nephew evenly.
"Uncle?" Zuko asked as he sat up. "You're here?" he asked.
"I am," Iroh said as he helped his nephew to his feet.
Zuko looked to where the fight seemed to have grown. He looked to his uncle. His uncle looked ready to fight. Zuko wasn't so sure now. They would have to face Azula, possibly Mai and Ty Lee soon enough, and the Avatar's gang as well.
"Should we leave then?" Zuko asked as he kept his attention forward. If they were forced to fight, they would.
Iroh looked to his nephew in shock. "You don't want to get the Avatar?" Iroh asked.
Zuko was in silent. He was actually surprised at himself. "No…" he started in disbelief. He shook his head and looked to his uncle seriously. "My goal was to find you. I'm not concerned about Azula or the Avatar. Let alone taking on both of their groups at the same time," he said.
Iroh looked over his nephew with new respect. He nodded after a moment. "You've grown a lot during our time apart. I say we leave," Iroh said.
Zuko gave one last look to the fight going on in front of him. He nodded and turned around to lead the way back.
Iroh made up his mind. "I think you're ready, nephew," he said.
"Ready for what? Uncle?" Zuko asked.
"I'll teach you how to Redirect Lightning," Uncle Iroh answered.
"You will?" Zuko asked in shock. It was quite the honor. His uncle was the only one in the entire Fire Nation who could redirect Lightning.
"Yes. It won't be easy, but I know you're more than up for it," Iroh said.
Zuko nodded and was about to say something when he narrowed his eyes. He got into fighting position. Iroh remained calm, but Zuko had no doubt he was ready to spring into action.
"What do you want?" Zuko asked as Harry landed in front of them.
Harry looked the two over. He gaged the situation. He was surprised to see Zuko and Iroh instead of Mai and Ty Lee. He looked between the two. Both fire benders held eye contact with him.
Zuko was annoyed by this. He was ready to leave with his uncle and not fight. Yet, the universe decided to once again get in his way. It decided to deposit a more troublesome opponent in front of him.
There was suddenly a loud and massive explosion behind them. A large cloud of black smoke rose to the sky.
Harry's eyes widened. "I have no quarrel with you two this time," he said before he dashed around them quickly.
Zuko and Iroh felt relieved to have this small break. They quickly made their exit. Whatever that explosion was, it wasn't good. They wanted no part of it.
[-] [-] [-]
Azula looked around her. First the water tribe siblings came in out of nowhere. Then that Earthbender, who was pretty powerful, appeared out of nowhere as well. She did what she could to defend herself and almost took advantage a time or two in their bout. She toyed with the idea of holding out for Harry to make his arrival, but decided that was foolish in this circumstance.
"Perhaps if it was just me against these four, I could pull off something. Harry coming in though… That would not be good. He is good on his own. With them fighting by his side, it would be bad, especially without Ty Lee and Mai as back-up," she decided.
She didn't register how worried she truly was about her friends. Azula came up with a plan of sorts. Yes, if she took that approach after she met with Mai and Ty Lee… It could work. The group would think they got a break. They would finally go and sleep somewhere not too far from here.
Azula stood up and sighed. "It seems I'm at the disadvantage," she said.
She raised her hands in surrender.
"I give up. I know when I'm beaten. A Princess surrenders with honor," she said.
The group surrounding her were unsure what to do. They looked to each other from the corner of their eyes. They were waiting for someone to make the first move.
"Yeahhhh… I don't buy it," Sokka said.
That was all they needed to know. Aang, Katara, and Toph all sent powerful bending attacks at Azula. Sokka was ready to throw his boomerang as well. Hopefully hit her in the confusion of the attacks.
Azula smirked and managed to form a powerful Fire shield around her. The bending attacks collided with it.
The resulting explosion was massive and loud. The other benders stumbled backwards. Fire exploded outwards and caught several abandoned buildings on fire. There was a giant pillar of thick black smoke ascending to the sky.
Once it cleared, the group were surprised to see nothing. No body. No angry Fire Bending Princess ready to attack.
"She's gone?" Toph asked as she recovered from the shock of the attack.
"You all made it! Where's Azula?" Harry asked as he stopped next to his friends, ready to attack if needed.
"She ran," Katara replied in relief.
"Yeah…" Sokka said as he eyed their surroundings carefully.
Aang let out a long sigh in relief. "What happened to Zuko?" he suddenly asked.
"He and Iroh left together. I saw them just before that explosion. I figured getting here was more important," Harry replied.
"What a relief. Azula was bad enough. It was even worse when she and Zuko fought me and themselves at the same time," Aang replied.
"We should probably get going. Take this chance to finally get some sleep. After making sure Appa's shedding fur is fully gone," Sokka said as he glanced around one last time in thought.
[-] [-] [-]
Aang and the others were getting ready to leave. As Sokka suggested, they made sure to remove what was left of Appa's shedding fur. They did not want to accidentally leave another trail.
Sokka looked to a seemingly meditating Harry under a tree, but just out of sight. Harry nodded to him. He pulled out his wand and placed it to his head. He slowly disappeared. Sokka still found that spell both handy and unnerving. It felt so strange and cold when cast on you.
Once Harry was fully disillusioned, he walked by Sokka and whispered, "Are you all ready?"
"A few more minutes," Sokka replied just as quietly.
"I'll use my glider to join afterwards," Harry whispered back.
He went to the small tree line on a rock outcropping above them. It was the only place to set up an ambush that couldn't be seen from where he sat. Sokka was right to come up with this plan. Harry could effectively use his wand in this encounter and get the drop on them.
Azula narrowed her golden eyes. "Looks like their washing the bison to completely get rid of the remaining shedding fur," she said.
"Glad I'm not them. Pretty sure wet air bison smells bad," Mai said in a bored tone.
"Do we go?" Ty Lee asked cheerfully.
Azula looked for their best approach angle. She was about to give the order.
"Incarcerous!" came a shout.
Heavy ropes flew from seemingly nowhere. Ty Lee was caught in them and wrapped thoroughly against a large tree nearby. She was unable to move.
"You!" Azula shouted as Harry was again visible.
She and Mai sprang into action.
"Yeah. Kind of obvious you would try this," Harry said as he spun around a blue fire ball. He erected a wind shield and blocked Mai's thrown daggers. "Expelliarmus!" he shouted as a blue light shot forward and blasted Mai back hard into a tree trunk to knock her out.
"That won't work on me again! I know that move now," Azula said as she launched fire balls at Harry.
Harry managed to dodge and evade Azula's attacks. She sent a flame kick at him. Immediately a staff appeared in his hands and he fanned away her attack. He next sent an Air arc at her.
Azula jumped over it and sent an arc of blue flames at him in return. "Your little surprise attack lost its edge now. You won't win this time!" she said with a gleam that might be excitement in her gold eyes.
Harry had to hop back and over her attack. He was holding his own against her at present. "Don't need to win. Just buying time," Harry said as he dodged another attack and Azula saw the Avatar's bison take off and fly away.
She decided to at least take care of Harry and get pay back. Azula managed to close the distance between them. She would prove his first victory was merely a fluke.
Harry was ready. She sent two small flame blades at him in a feint. Harry managed to do a spinning horizontal jump between them. Azula might have been impressed, but she would never say it. She followed through with a vertical flame attack.
Harry twirled his staff ready to cancel the flames. He blinked when they went up in smoke before reaching him. Harry looked up.
Intense green eyes met intense gold eyes for a moment. It seemed like time paused briefly as they stared at each other.
Azula got her next attack ready. He wouldn't be able to easily evade at point blank.
Harry stuck out an open hand and shouted, "Stupefy!" There was a flash of red.
Azula knew only blackness.
Azula's body fell to the ground unconscious. It wasn't too hard of a fall, so she would be alright. Harry looked to Ty Lee who was struggling against the ropes. He came over to her and said, "Sorry about this."
Ty Lee sighed. "Can't be helped… even if you are a cutie," she said while giving him a smile and a saucy wink.
Harry blushed. Ty Lee took that as a small victory. "Stupefy," he said. She too knew only darkness.
[-] [-] [-]
"He's coming," Sokka said.
"Okay!" Aang replied. "Slow down a little, Appa," he told the bison.
Appa let out a small roar to show he understood.
Harry caught up to them. He closed his glider and landed gently in the saddle by Toph.
"Will we finally get a break?" Toph asked with a yawn. She was barely awake after the EnerGen Potion wore off. Harry handed them out as part of their escape plan.
"Yeah. They'll be out for a good while," Harry said and stretched.
"Appa is all shedding free," Aang reported with his own yawn.
"That was good thinking, you two," Katara said as she stretched and let out a small groan.
"Figured Azula would keep out of sight and try an ambush. She probably didn't even fully retreat," Sokka said a little tired.
"Since we planned ahead, I could use my spells much more effectively. Fighting here is fast paced and I'm also tired. Wouldn't have been good to use magic in a regular fight. Countering a known ambush on the other hand, is a prefect chance," Harry said as they flew off into the early afternoon sky.
[-] [-] [-]
Azula was in her quarters on the tank train alone. She was not happy, but she wasn't unhappy either. She was instead more conflicted than before.
"Those green eyes!" she thought to herself. Why were they so… green? That hair also seemed less annoyingly messy now. She wanted to run her fingers through it for some reason now.
"Twice…" she said to herself while looking in the mirror.
Harry bested her twice now. He incapacitated all three of them on his own. He knew what they planned. He wasn't just some lucky… dumdum… he was smart. He wasn't even focused on winning. Just buying time. Yet, he still won.
If only he was a Firebender! Then she wouldn't be conflicted.
Still… Why hadn't he taken her?! He bested her twice. He knocked all three of them out. He should have taken her! It was his right by such a sound victory over her for a second time.
Azula looked over her reflection. She was beautiful. There was no way she wasn't his type… was there? He did blush at Ty Lee, from what the girl said.
Azula looked at her chest. She was by no means small in that department. She also had the better overall figure, even Ty Lee knew that.
"Why hadn't he taken me?" Azula asked herself. She knew it was strange to think such things. It was part of her code. Her promise to herself. A man who actually bested her should have her. He would prove his worth by besting her in combat.
She was also a princess! Weren't all guys extra interested in that?
Azula huffed, then smiled after a moment of thought. She would just beat him next time and demand an answer from him. She always got what she wanted. Right now, she wanted an answer from Harry. She would figure out what to do then.
She wouldn't fall for his tricks again. She never fell for the same trick twice. Each fight gave her more of an edge as he revealed his arsenal to her.
Yes. She would get her answer from him yet.
A/N: I decided to change up the battle at the end of the Chase episode. I felt it didn't make as much sense for Zuko and Iroh to join in on the fight this time. Zuko's goal for the moment was finding his uncle and he's seen a lot recently. I figured they deserved a little break.