Chapter 17: Snake Ways and Wall Drills
Harry and Aang were in part of the ferry's hidden alcove away from everyone else. "Since we have to wait for a while anyways," Aang started with a frown. "I figured we could at least do more sense training for you." He was fine with this idea, having something else to focus on made it hurt a little less.
Harry nodded. He was eager to learn this. He immediately sat down as Aang sat opposite him. "Where do I start?" Harry asked.
"Focus on your senses. You already know how to do that," Aang said.
Harry was unsure considering where they were, but he listened to his Bending Master. He focused and opened his senses. "Huh…" he said. Aang was a grinning a little. "I had expected to be overwhelmed by the scents of all the people here and the buildings," Harry said.
"Most do at first. Luckily, those scents become background noise so to speak," Aang said as Harry took in more of the area. "Now then… focus. Use your Airbending to do so. And tell me what you pick up," he said.
Harry focused more and the air seemed to come alive in a way. He blinked and even smiled a little. "I can… smell the others… or something," he said.
"What do you think of them?" Aang asked.
"They each have their own scent. It isn't really a smell per se… or maybe it is," Harry wondered out loud.
"You won't fully register it at this range, but it is there. Similar to that tracking spell. Wouldn't you say?" Aang asked.
Harry nodded. "But in scent form and only I'm able to 'see' it," he said.
"Exactly. It does have limits as well, but it is very handy in finding the others. Even more so in areas like the North Pole was. Places where there isn't too much else to interfere. Winds and particles like dust can affect it as well, but you would be able to get a general idea, if you weren't too far out," Aang said.
"I get that. This is amazing," Harry said. He seemed to take in a deep inhale and contemplated it. "I prefer the scents of Suki, Katara and Toph though."
"Oh?" Aang asked with hidden amusement.
"Not saying you and Sokka stink our anything… Just not as likable. Why is that?" Harry asked. He wondered if it was a girl only kind of deal or what.
"It's because you're attracted to girls. If you were a girl and attracted to guys, you would prefer Sokka and me," Aang said.
Harry hummed in thought.
"Luckily, you won't have to worry about being overwhelmed when we get to Ba Sing Se either. With enough practice, you won't have to focus so much on it. Using this alternate sense when you want will become second nature," Aang said.
"Harry. Aang," Katara started as she approached them. She sighed. "We need your help with something." Harry and Aang looked to each other briefly and stood.
[-] [-] [-]
"Wow. It sounds like you all had quite the adventure after I last saw you," Suki said in astonishment. She and Sokka were talking together away from the others. She already greeted the others in general.
"It's been something. We just came from the Si Wong Desert," he said. He blushed a little as he looked to her. She was really pretty. There was also his hallucination as well. He couldn't help but look her over a bit more than last time they saw each other.
"Without Appa, that would be a difficult journey," Suki said looking forward in thought. She then frowned and turned to him. "How's Aang taking it?" she asked.
"Not the best. Harry managed to get him to at least control his anger. Appa's been with him most of his life. I can't imagine how tough this is on him," Sokka said.
"True…" Suki said. She then looked over Sokka and blushed a little as she smiled and decided to lighten the mood. "But look at you though. Mr. sleeveless arms. Someone's been working out," she said as her voice turned a little seductive as she took in the sight of him.
Sokka was grinning and might have flexed a little at her praise. "Yep. Harry and I like to train with each other from time to time. He likes to use more than just his bending when fighting," he said with a causal air to his voice trying to sound cooler.
Suki giggled and said, "It's definitely doing you some good."
"So. How are you and the others doing?" Sokka asked.
"We've done well. We may not go around showing off our arms, but we are still very capable," Suki said.
"I wouldn't dream of saying otherwise. I was meaning the new change of direction you mentioned," he said.
Suki nodded in understanding. She gave a thoughtful frown. "We were very motivated. Still are, but it isn't fun working for the ticket lady. The others are getting a bit restless as well. I think it's about time we start looking for some other way to help," she said.
Sokka had a thoughtful look himself. Maybe because of their earlier discussion he thought of Yue. The way she wanted to do more. "Be sure you all are careful," he said to her.
Suki smiled to him and said, "We always are."
Sokka was about to say something more, but then Harry came over to them. "There you two are," he started.
"What's up?" Sokka asked.
"We have a situation," Harry said.
[-] [-] [-]
"So… After all of that. You all decided Serpent's Pass it was in the end," Sokka said a little annoyed. He had suggested it, but they kind of mocked him for it. Now, they gave up on their tickets completely, since the ticket lady wouldn't accept theirs from someone else. And were going to use the pass instead. On top of that, they had to escort the refugees they met on the way here.
"We can't just leave them here," Katara muttered.
"I get it… maybe… I'm just saying," Sokka said. He understood. Someone stole the refugees' tickets and this really wasn't the place to have a baby. However, Serpent's Pass was supposed to be a very dangerous route to take.
"Well. Let's get going!" a bright voice said.
"Suki?!" Sokka asked in shock seeing her standing next to him. "You're coming with us?" he asked looking her over. She was in her Kyoshi Warrior garb again. As much as he loved the look, especially on her, he was still dwelling a bit on Yue after earlier.
"I'd thought you'd be happy I was coming," Suki said with a slight frown.
"I mean I am… But the others," Sokka said.
"Can take care of themselves. Besides… I told you how we needed to start thinking of other ways to help," she reminded him.
"Okay…" Sokka said with a worried look.
"I'm sure Sokka's more than thrilled. We'd be happy to have you come with us," Katara said.
"Thanks, Katara," Suki said with a smile.
"We do have civilians to watch over. The extra help will be great. She also knows what's going on around here more than us," Harry said quietly to Sokka.
"How about we just go. We're already committed," Aang said.
It wasn't too long until they were right in front of the infamous pass. "This is it? I guess I thought it would be more like an actual serpent," Sokka said.
Harry gave a sigh. "Why is it all of these 'warning' signs are always dramatic. 'Abandon All Hope Ye who Enter here!' and such," Harry said. He got a laugh from Toph for his use of a 'voice' for it.
"Maybe they should just say. Hey you! Yeah you! Look this is what you need to worry about going forward here," Toph said in her own made up 'voice'.
"It still is rather awful to say, abandon hope. Hope is all we have," Ying said. She was one of the three civilians coming with them. She was the pregnant one. Her husband was named Than and the last was Ying's best friend Lulu.
"Maybe the warning is right," Aang stated rather darkly for him at least.
"What do you mean?" Katara asked in worry.
"The monks used to say hope was just a distraction," he continued.
"Maybe…" Harry interrupted. "But it's also a driving force."
"Hope isn't going to get us to Ba Sing Se. It isn't going to find Appa," Aang said.
Harry started down the pass as he said over his shoulder, "Without something to keep you going, you end up just standing still. Then nothing will come of anything," he said.
Aang frowned but started going again after that.
"I'm really worrying about Aang," Katara said quietly.
"There isn't really much we can do about it. He's just gonna have to figure this out himself," Toph said. She was really preferring the overly excitable and annoyingly chipper Aang she had grown used to since joining up.
"We need to be careful here. The Fire Nation controls the western lake. We don't know what it is exactly, but they are clearly up to something big," Suki said in warning to the others.
Harry debated on disillusioning everyone, but he had a feeling they couldn't be seen themselves. "Make sure we don't give away our positions," he said to the others.
Harry decided on sticking close to the refugees. He had more options defense wise than the others. Their move sets were more attack based. He had both attack and defense abilities on his side.
"You heard him," Sokka said as he looked back at Suki. She frowned at him.
They were lucky not to come across a patrol ship on their trip. Sokka still seemed extra nervous for some reason though. He kept looking back at Suki in worry. There was even a moment where Than almost fell as some ground broke away. Toph quickly saved him with her Earthbending.
Sokka looked back at Suki and said, "Watch your footing and keep your balance."
Suki looked a little annoyed. "I'm the one who first taught you that…" she muttered.
Sokka did wince hearing her words.
[-] [-] [-]
Once night fell, the group made camp. Aang went off a little on his own and soon after, Katara followed in worry. She found Aang on a rock ledge looking over the water. "You can miss Appa, you know."
He remained silent.
"What's going on? In the desert, you were constantly on edge worrying about him. Now… it likes you don't care about anything," she said stepping closer to him.
Aang sighed. "If it wasn't for Harry. I don't want to think how I would have acted. The only reason I listened to him at that time was because I knew he could put up a fight if I lashed out. I'm ashamed of myself," he admitted to her.
"I know how it can hurt to lose someone important to you. But it's like Harry said. Don't just give up," Katara said.
Aang looked to her with an unreadable expression.
"Just… Promise me you won't stop caring," Katara said. She moved forward and opened her arms to give him a hug.
Aang stepped back and bowed to her. "Thanks for your concern, Katara." He then left.
Katara felt bad about that. She felt that deeper hurt again. She felt like it was more than just worry for a good friend. She didn't quite get why it felt that way. She looked out to the ocean herself for a few minutes.
While Aang and Katara were off, Suki was a bit surprised to find Toph, Harry and a kind of fidgety Sokka gathered together around their stuff. Well, Harry and Sokka's stuff at least. "What's going on here?" she asked brightly.
"Equipment maintenance," Toph was the first to reply. "We do this from time to time," she added.
"What equipment do you maintain?" Suki asked with a smile.
"I give them the grace of my presence," Toph said smugly.
"I guess that's one way to say it," Harry started.
"What other way would you say it?" Toph asked in friendly challenge.
"You provide us an audience. An audience who sometimes asks a lot of questions," Harry said with a teasing grin.
Toph gave a playful huff as she said, "Sometimes if I don't say anything, no one does. Besides… it is a nice night out."
Suki gave a giggle. "Is that thanks to you as well?"
Toph grinned as she jutted a thumb towards Suki. "She gets it," the blind girl said to Harry as he and Suki shared a laugh.
Suki then sat down next to Sokka. He looked around where she was sitting and said, "Make sure the ground's solid there. You never know if it will give way."
Suki frowned at him. She really wanted to say something, but not in front of the others like this.
Toph was about to say something put Harry placed a hand on her shoulder and that surprised her. The girl blushed and turned towards him. He tilted his head to the side. "Toph, come with me for a moment. Please," he said.
"Okay…" she said getting up to follow.
When they were gone, Suki started speaking. "I appreciate you're worried for me, Sokka. But I can take care of myself," she said.
Sokka sighed. "I know. I know. Hell, I wasn't even able to fight half way decently until after I met you," he admitted. He did feel bad about his behavior. He couldn't really help it though.
"Then why are you acting so over protective? Don't get me wrong. It's nice to have someone care so much. But it gets to a certain point," she said.
Sokka looked up to the moon in the sky. "It's hard. Really hard. To lose someone you care about. Up at the North Pole, a lot happened. There was someone I couldn't protect. What she did was so brave. But it still feels like I failed. I don't want to lose someone else like that again," he said.
Suki felt a bit warm hearing that. She could tell he was talking about her with last sentence. She also wondered who this other girl was, but left it alone. That was for him to share, if he ever wanted. She leaned on his shoulder a little and said to him, "I also lost someone I care about," she started.
Sokka looked to her. He almost blushed seeing her as she looked to the moon as well. Suki looked beautiful as always under the moonlight.
"He didn't die. He just went away. I only got to know him for a few days, but they meant a lot to me. He was smart. Funny. Strong. Handsome. And also very brave," she said.
Sokka couldn't help but feel a little jealous at hearing this. She was carrying on about this other guy. He wished it was him, but this guy sounded far too perfect. He didn't really have much experience with girls. Granted… he didn't really interact with many girls near his age, since his sister didn't count.
"Who is this guy? Is he taller than me?" he asked suddenly standing up.
Suki blinked a little at him. She almost wanted to giggle, but kept herself from doing so. "I'd say… he's about your same height," she said with amusement dancing in her blue eyes. It wasn't a lie. Sokka had grown an inch or two since last time.
"Is he better looking? Being handsome and all," he asked again as he looked around in the night's shadows. It was like he expected some Prince Charming type to suddenly pop out and shout how he was here for Suki.
"Oh, come on! Really? Are you that dense?" Toph shouted from nearby.
"Shhh…" Harry tried to hush her but it was too late.
Suki couldn't help but giggle as she intently looked to Sokka. She meant to be 'caught' looking, but she still couldn't help but blush as she did so in such a brazen fashion.
"Ohhhh…" Sokka said finally getting it.
The two looked to each other, but Sokka sat back down. There might have been a moment just then, but Toph unintentionally brought it to an end.
"Sorry…" Toph muttered in apology with a blush as Harry stood next to her.
Suki then brought out her own gear to check over. She did make an effort to sit as close to Sokka as she could given what they were doing.
Sokka couldn't help but look to her and smile at her. He did feel a little wrong, since he was doing so under such a clear night with almost a full moon. It almost felt like he was cheating on Yue or something.
The rest of the night passed on well enough. Aang wasn't too far away, but he also made a point of not sitting too close to everyone else. He would have usually joined Harry and Sokka in their equipment maintenance. He enjoyed those moments, but there was just too much on his mind right now.
"Or maybe too little…" Aang said to himself thinking over Katara's words.
[-] [-] [-]
Mai gave a mighty yawn. It wasn't her usual I'm bored yawn. This was her very real I'm too tired and didn't get enough sleep yawn. It was too bad because they were so close to doing something that could really be amazing. Mai then blushed a little as she saw Azula and Ty Lee join her at the breakfast table.
"Wow Mai. You actually look tired. Like for real tired," Ty Lee said looking to her friend in concern.
"I wonder why," Mai replied dryly as she gave her two friends a look.
"If you don't tell us, how could we possibly know?" Azula asked in a teasing manner.
Mai took a sip of her breakfast tea to keep from giving anything away.
"We didn't accidentally keep you up? Did we?" Ty Lee asked.
"You could have joined if you wanted. That would have ensured you had a very goodnight's sleep," Azula said as her golden eyes lit up with amusement.
"We would have made sure not to go too far with you. I imagine you want that particular first to be with Zuko," Ty Lee said with a giggle.
Mai couldn't help but actually blush brightly to that. She was glad she didn't accident spit her tea. She really couldn't keep her usual guard up in such a tired state in the mornings.
"That blush is far too cute for my brother," Azula said as she grinned widely at Mai. "Score one for me!" she mentally added.
Last night Mai accidentally walked in on Ty Lee and Azula having one of their "Sexy Challenges" as Azula called them. It also seemed to be a more stamina based one given that even after they both orgasmed, just as Mai entered the room, they kept going.
Mai's eyes had widened and she quickly left the room and closed the door again. "Why didn't they lock it?!" she wanted to scream, but just did so in her mind. She could still hear them while right outside the door to their room though.
She was too shocked to move so to her shame, even if it felt really good… she slipped an hand in her outfit. She was then caught up in her rush while hearing their chorus of pleasure. When she finally orgasmed herself, she caught her breath with flushed cheeks before returning to her own lodgings for the night, which were just right next door…
Mai had been too distracted that night to sleep much. She even had to take care of herself a couple of more times. The tall girl then caught her breath while still holding one of her exposed breasts. "Maybe I've neglected myself too much in some regards…" she muttered to herself. She took in her own scent and licked her fingers clean with a warm shudder. Even then, she was still restless most of the night.
Her current predicament was more difficult because she'd swear she still smelled the sex on them. She wondered if they had an early morning session as well. Mai took another sip of her breakfast tea as she looked to the others. "How long until we finally see it in action?" she asked moving the conversation onwards.
"Very soon actually. It will be interesting to see how the famed walls hold up to it," Azula said with a grin. She was very sure Ba Sing Se would fall while under her watch. She would make sure it did, regardless of what methods it required. "It will be a very momentous occasion for the Fire Nation. Something not even my uncle could accomplish before he became a traitor," she said.
"It's all very exciting!" Ty Lee said in a very gleeful manner.
"At the very least it shouldn't be completely boring," Mai said with all the excitement she would allow to show. Considering how tired she was, it didn't require much effort.
[-] [-] [-]
"Can you two keep them safe?" Harry asked Katara and Aang. The two nodded getting ready.
It turned out Serpent's Pass was named after the massive Water Serpent living in the area. They managed to survive the first attack from it. However, the serpent was already getting ready for a second strike.
Harry launched himself up high into the air as only an airbender could. He held his staff behind his back with one hand and brought out his wand with the other. Just as the Serpent rose from the water again. Harry made a motion with his wand as he called, "Bombarada!"
A series of explosions rocked the serpent. Once it let out a loud hiss, the final explosion was let off inside its mouth. The top of the serpent's head flew off as the creature's dead body fell back into the water and the sea briefly colored red as the lifeless body sank.
Harry used his glider to land back on the ground with the others. Sokka's mouth was hanging open in shock. Katara blinked a little also in shock. Aang couldn't really find himself caring too much at the moment. He was even a bit impressed by Harry coming up with an attack to deal with the sea monster.
"Let's get going," Aang said getting everyone to focus again. They were almost finished with this place.
[-] [-] [-]
It turned out there was one last complication before they could continue forward. Ying's baby decided it was time to be born and there really wasn't anything they could do about it. Luckily, Katara took charge of the situation. She mentioned how she helped her Gran Gran with delivering babies back at the South Pole.
Sokka was completely freaking out, even though it wasn't his baby. He decided it was best to just get out of the way. Harry was easily able to conjure up the clean water Katara asked for.
Once baby Hope finished arriving into the world, everyone got a chance to see the baby. Harry only did so briefly but it was enough for him. He also didn't want to crowd them all. He was still very relieved when he noticed Aang had found his own spark of hope again. It was easy to see the weight of his own doubts and worries over Appa lift from his shoulders after seeing the new life born into the world.
"I'll go ahead. See if I can get any leads on Appa. You all can join me when you're ready," Aang said with the smile and energy he usually had as he took to the sky.
"I'll be off as well," Suki said.
"You're leaving now?" Sokka asked with a slight frown.
"I was able to help you all make it," Suki said.
Sokka smiled to her. "Thanks. For everything," he said to her.
Suki blushed. "Look. Sokka… about last night I-" her words were cut off.
Things were clearer to Sokka now it was daylight. He placed a hand in Suki's hair. He then leaned in and captured her lips. Suki was surprised but happily returned the kiss. "I should have done that last night," he said to her lowly.
Suki gave a nod to him as her cheeks turned a lovely and warm pink.
"Finally," Toph muttered nearby, but was overheard.
"Well. Someone kind of ruined the mood last night," Sokka said loudly to her.
Toph blushed as she looked away and whistled while standing next to a chuckling Harry.
Sokka and Suki shared another deep kiss before she left.
Just as Suki departed. Aang returned. "We have a problem…" he started.
"Let me guess… A Fire Nation problem," Harry added. Aang merely nodded and led the others.
[-] [-] [-]
"You know," started a bored Mai. "Being aboard such an impressive feat of Fire Nation engineering… is kind of disappointing. There's nothing to do here." She was playing with one of her knives while she sat on a chair in a less boring manner.
If she knew it wouldn't amuse Azula far too much, Mai would have been tempted to excuse herself for… very personal reasons. She blushed again for a very slight moment. Luckily, no one saw her. They were all focused on the outside, even Ty Lee who was looking through the periscope.
"Ooooo! Some hunks!" Ty Lee said brightly.
"Let me see," Azula commanded as she took Ty Lee's place. She recognized the insignias on the men's armor. Azula gave a smile as she said, "Seems your boredom is at an end, Mai. Why don't you and Ty Lee take care of them."
"Thank Agni," Mai said as she almost gave a smile as she put away her knives. She felt relieved actually. She had something to focus on instead Ty Lee and Azula's naked sweaty bodies and their far too sexy sounds of pleasure. She cleared her head again. She needed to focus.
"Let's not keep them waiting!" Ty Lee said in a sing song voice as the two departed together.
"I assure you, Princess Azula. The drill is impervious to any earth bending attacks," the war minster said. He was a little offended thinking she didn't have faith in him.
"I'm sure it is, War Minister. But Mai was bored. You don't want Mai to be bored for too long," she said.
"I see…" the war minster said with a slight frown.
"Besides," Azula started again. "What better way to demoralize the enemy then having two teenage girls without bending take down their entire elite force?"
The War Minister's eyes widened at that. He gave a small smile. "Impressive deduction as always, your Highness."
"I am the Fire Nation Princess," Azula said matter of factly as she sat back down on the commander's high chair and watched through the periscope.
[-] [-] [-]
As expected, Mai and Ty Lee made quick work of the so-called Elite Terra Team. Mai provided distraction while Ty Lee used her speed and flexibility to get behind the mighty Earth Benders and block their chi. This obviously freaked them out.
Also as expected, the General overseeing the Ba Sing Se's outer wall defense lost his cool and started to panic. However, Azula didn't yet know of Aang and the others getting involved. She also didn't know they already had the beginnings of a plan themselves.
"Good job on the dust screen and tunnel," Harry said to Toph as she smiled to that briefly. Katara, Sokka and Aang entered inside the drill. Harry stayed outside in case Mai or Ty Lee were sent to investigate. "If those metal treads weren't so massive and the drill wasn't this close. I could just break them," Harry said in thought as he looked them over.
"What would that do?" Toph asked.
"It would stop the thing dead in its tracks. The same goes for their tanks," he said.
He then shook his head. "Sorry, Toph. There isn't really much else I can do here than just watch your back," he said.
Toph wasn't making much progress herself. She still blushed and smiled a little. "I'm just glad not to be alone," she said offhandedly.
"I get that," Harry replied.
"Hopefully they have better luck inside," she said.
[-] [-] [-]
Sokka and Katara just managed to get flushed out through the drill's slurry pipeline. The slurry was a mix of rock and water. It wasn't the cleanest of get aways, but it was effective and needed. They managed to do their part with relative ease, once Aang came up with an improvement on their plan.
Originally, they were going to cut all the way through on some of the braces. That proved too much effort for too little gain. Aang then figured out they just needed to cut through the braces some, even if it would be a few more of them. This improved their speed in finishing the plan.
Just as they finished their job inside, they were attacked by Azula, Ty Lee, and Mai. Sokka had hoped they would have more time before the engineer they appropriated the schematics from was discovered. The group had to split up for the next stage of the plan though.
Ty Lee was about to exit the pipeline right behind them alone, since Mai refused to jump into the disgusting concoction. Just as the circus girl would have landed, Katara used her water bending to backup the flow from the pipe.
"Keep that up! It will cause pressure to build up inside. Once Aang does his thing, the drill will pop!" Sokka cheered her on. There wasn't more he could do at the moment.
Katara was starting to feel some strain from keeping the slurry flow at bay. It was more difficult because of the rock mixed in with it. "Not sure how long I can keep it up," she said to him.
"They had the same idea!" they heard Harry call as he and Toph arrived next to them.
"Good thing you saw the flow then," Toph said just as they came to stop. "What can we do?" she asked.
"Help me with this rock and water stuff," Katara said.
Toph didn't nod or anything. She immediately got to work.
Sokka looked to Harry. "We got split up. Aang headed to the front of the drill. Azula probably went after him. Mai and Ty Lee came for us, but they're effectively dealt with," he said.
"I'll go help, Aang," Harry said as he took to the sky with his glider.
[-] [-] [-]
Aang quickly made his way to the front of the giant drill machine. He found a good spot and started working on it. After a few seconds, he had to dodge a bombardment of boulders from above. He wanted to tell them to be careful, but he remembered how panicked the General was when his elite squad of Earth Benders were defeated by a couple of teenage girls.
"I'll just have to hope they see me up there and make sure not to hit me at least," Aang thought as he got back to work. "Better finish this quick," he said to Momo who chittered in agreement while keeping watch.
Just as Aang was getting close, he heard Momo scream to him. Aang quickly ducked just as a blue fireball sailed past him. "Oh great," Aang muttered.
"Yes, I am great," Azula said with a smirk at him.
"Not complimenting you," Aang replied just as he dodged another attack.
"You really aren't great at the whole battle banter thing. Best leave that to Harry," Azula said. There was a bit of a lightness to her words when she said Harry's name.
Aang shot an air arc at her.
Azula easily dodged it. She sent alternating fire blasts at him in return. He was able to block them, but little else against her. He got in a couple of good shots with his water whip, but those only cancelled out one attack and diverted another.
Azula then shot two fire fist attacks at him. Aang blocked them with a water shield and dodged the next attack. Azula charged forward, but had to jump back as more boulders rained down rather uselessly onto the giant drill.
"I have to say. I find fights with you… boring," Azula said in a disappointed sounding voice.
"Boring?!" Aang asked in surprise. He had never thought fights boring. Tiresome? Yes. Annoying? Again yes. Boring? No.
"You barely change it up," Azula said as she sent a couple of fire blasts at him.
He blocked one and dodged the other. "Like you do?" Aang replied with a question.
"I never need to when facing you," Azula said. "Harry though…" she said with a small smile. "He always has something new for me."
"How about this?!" Aang said as he launched a giant boulder that was moments from falling on his head at her.
Azula fell into a split to dodge the attack. She then ran forward and evaded one boulder and sent a couple of fire kicks at him.
The Avatar quickly erected a rock wall. He launched a few rocks at her. She was able to easily break them with her firebending.
"See? You always have to fight so defensively. Nothing interesting," Azula said with a sigh. "I'll just have to end this quickly," she said as she readied her next attack.
Aang chanced a look around the rock wall and his eyes widened. She built up a lot energy and sent a powerful double fire kick right at him. He wasn't sure the makeshift rock wall would hold.
Just as the attack was about to land, a mighty air blade split it and immediately afterwards a blast of air sent the divided attack to the sides. Harry stood firm as the air blast cleared. "Aang," Harry said in greeting.
"Harry," Aang said in relief.
"Harry!" Azula said in what sounded like delight. It also looked like her golden eyes were shining in happiness as well. Harry was confused by this but remained focused.
He raced forward. Azula seemed to come out of her… daze or whatever it was, just in time to dodge a thrust from his staff.
Aang immediately got to work on his end. He knew Harry was buying him time. He lucked out as one of the many raining boulders landed next to him. He began dissecting it into a stake for the X shaped cut he made in the Drill's body.
Harry sent air blast after air blast at Azula. She deflected them all with ease. "That's not going to work," she said. She then came in close and Harry was barely able to use the katas he practiced to deflect her hits.
He then thrusted an open hand towards her side.
Azula dropped down as she felt the energy launch right above her. She then spun around to get up quickly just as Harry said, "Stupefy!". Red light struck the ground where she was.
"I told you that wouldn't work on me a second time," she said with a smile that was less cruel and more neutral. She launched a fire blast at Harry.
He managed to jump away from it. He reached out an open hand to his side. "Wingardium Leviosa," he said while concentrating on his intent. The many chunks of rock that weren't too big around them started to hoover in the air.
Azula couldn't help but stare a little in awe. This wasn't Earth Bending. She could tell it was something much different. Something possibly more advanced.
Harry was rather amazed how incredible even first year spells could be when you applied them correctly and better understood them. Wandless magic required this of you. It was why he mostly studied it so far when it came to smaller spells. Those small spells did still have a great amount of utility.
He then took advantage of Azula's shock at his display. He raised his other hand at the chunks of rock. He focused on them. Reshaping was rather basic when it came to transfiguration. Transfiguring something into something else similar was as well.
He compressed the rock into something harder and sturdier. He reshaped the chunks into drills. He then had them start spinning.
Azula sensed the danger now. She got ready to attack again, but had to dodge the fast drills coming her way. She jumped back and shot fire blasts at them. The rocks seemed to drill right through her attacks. She was merely making them glow red with heat.
She jumped out of the way. She looked to Harry and ran towards him. She was able to use her flexibility and the fact Harry could only shoot them forward directly to her advantage. She dodged and evaded each of them. She then saw where the last few were and threw a fire blast at them. She had this attack explode at a central point though.
Harry's rock drills were blasted away. They didn't have any momentum behind them while they floated. "Protego!" Harry called out to form a shield in front of him. Azula's fire attacks caused the shield to explode as they were cancelled.
Harry used the smoke screen to his advantage as he dodged to the side and turned to face her just as Azula went sailing through the smoke. He was just about to cast a stunner at her again, but she used her flexibility to turn her forward attack into a side attack midair.
Harry had to block the attack as he was sent a little to the side. He was standing there looking into her eyes. "Harry…" Azula seemed to almost whine in disappointment. "I told you your tricks wouldn't work twice. After you did something similar to attack me in air last time. I knew what to look for," she said.
Harry said nothing. He dashed at her quickly. He was glad she was focused on him instead of Aang. Aang was making his final move and she could have interrupted him, if she tried. He stood once more between Azula and Aang.
"You didn't learn everything," Harry started. He gave her a cock grin, which Azula found enticing as his green eyes seemed to light up before her. Azula even felt her cheeks pink a little. He lowly said to her, "Once more… I'm just buying time."
Azula then saw Aang was coming down fast. She immediately got into action. She needed to act quickly. She stopped focusing on Harry. She went into her next attack. She was close to completing it just in time. She would not let Aang do whatever it was he intended.
At that moment though, she should have been focusing on Harry once again.
"Immobulus!" Harry said as blue light struck her.
Azula's eye widened slowly, just as her body moved slowly. Too slowly. She could only watch as Harry shot up into the sky just as Aang shot down from the wall above.
Aang used all of his might and knowledge of Earthbending to land a mighty strike on the boulder wedge he made. There was a deep dull ringing sound as Aang's attack landed and he immediately took to the sky himself.
The strange energy holding on Azula seemed to break at that moment. Right then a mighty shockwave from the impact of the Avatar's attack sent her flying backwards. The weakened metal struts inside the drill collapsed on themselves. The slurry pipeline exploded in a chain reaction from the end of each drill segment. The mighty drill was crushed by its own weight.
"Success!" Aang cheered as he caught up to Harry.
"Pretty much. It did breach the wall, but now its stuck there. Its essentially plugging the hole it created," Harry said with a smile.
"It looks like they're in retreat," Aang said watching as the Fire Nation soldiers left quickly.
"Without the drill the operation is a bust. They would be easy picking for Ba Sing Se's forces now," Harry said.
"Think they'll try anything like last time?" Aang asked thinking back to the incident at the abandoned town.
"Not sure what they could do," Harry admitted.
"That's good to know… Once we rest, we can begin looking for Appa," Aang said with a nod.
"We won't have to worry about anymore Fire Nation distractions," Harry added with a small smile. He really did prefer Aang like this. Moody or excessively angsty did not suit him at all.
[-] [-] [-]
When Azula landed near Ty Lee after the drill imploded, she was not happy with what happened. But she was happy she saw Harry again. She would almost say she missed him.
She got to see him up close as well this time and he again got the best of her and showed her something new and exciting. She was confused by the fact her cheeks warmed so much for a moment there looking into his vivid green eyes while he wore that grin, with his wild raven black hair. She didn't notice her cheeks briefly blush once more.
Just as Ty Lee was about to say something to Azula, a hatch nearby opened and a frazzled looking Mai stepped out. "We lost," she said simply as she started trying to fix her hair a bit. "The whole thing collapsed in on itself," she finished.
"So, they took it out from the inside," Ty Lee mused out loud.
A wide grin formed on Azula's lips. "I know what we do next," she said as she looked to the walls of Ba Sing Se, The Impenetrable City.
Yes. The city would be hers.