Chapter 50
Black Sun
Maddi
I ended up joining team two for two reasons. The first was there were very few archers to begin with (including Longshot and me there were eleven in all), the second was I wanted to see how the second team was going to progress as in the original series there was only one side they were attacking from. I wasn't alone, both Tyro, Haru and the majority of earthbenders were coming along on this side of the battle. Most waterbenders were coming from the other side and the firebenders were mixed evenly between along with any weapon wielders. I noticed that Appa had been given full battle regalia and several of the higher ups were making sure that everyone had armour or at least some kind of protection. I sniggered, imagining what that conversation was going where the swampbenders were concerned. The majority of important people were attacking from the front, I knew Zuko, Aang, Katara, Sokka, Iroh, Hakoda and his counsel were all coming from group one. Which begged the question, who was leading group two.
I glanced at the armour I had been given and began to put it on when a loud cackle distracted me. I knew that laugh. It was the laugh that had echoed across Omashu as a young avatar had convinced his ancient friend to use the mail chutes as a slide. The laugh of a mad genius. Looking up I cried out in surprise, dropping the bracer on the ground and ran to greet the old man.
Bumi hadn't changed one bit since I had last saw him.
"Ah, if it isn't Maddison the world traveler." He laughed upon spotting me. I noticed for the fist time that I wasn't the only who had realized Bumi was here. Aang, Sokka and Katara had all come over to greet the old king who was dressed impressively in green.
"Hello Bumi." I called, slowing my pace so I could properly greet the old man. I found myself wondering what he meant by World Traveler? Was he referring to our journey or the fact that I passed into another world. Which reminded me, I still didn't know how he had figured out I came from another world. But perhaps, I found myself thinking as I watched him and Aang laugh, maybe I didn't need to.
"So why are you here anyway?" I asked him, bringing the attention back to me for a moment.
"I was called here on a favour by a friend, a leader amongst an order I belong to." Bumi stated with a mad smile. I grinned back. The White Lotus was here then, was there any chance we were going to lose? Not that I saw, it would take Aang dying, after all he had already mastered the avatar state. Or him refusing to kill Ozai. It suddenly occurred to me that Aang hadn't learned his whole 'take away bending technique' which left only one option to deal with Ozai, especially with the comet coming up. Instantly I felt a swell of dread. This was Aang, he wasn't going to kill Ozai. That would mean he would have to defeat him, and someone else would have to kill him. I dragged my thoughts away. I could think on that later. Right now I needed to rejoin the second group.
"Are you joining group two, Bumi?" I asked. It made sense that Iroh and the White Lotus would be in the second group as the first was already filled with several powerhouses. Bumi nodded and turned back to Aang and the group.
"I must be going now, trust your friends. And Momo, you can't forget Momo." I blinked before shaking my head. I had no idea what Bumi's fascination in the little creature was but either way I wasn't about to complain.
Bumi and I walked back to group two. I was deep in thought. I hoped that this battle would be a success. After all we had so many more people than in cannon, including the White Lotus on our side. How could we lose?
"Team two, this way!" Someone shouted. I couldn't tell who it was but the voice sounded familiar. I allowed myself to be swept away with the crowd, down the island and to the beach. There both groups began entering submarines. If we wanted to be subtle we couldn't be seen.
I entered a submarine with Tyro and Haru as well as several people I didn't know. It was awkwardly silent as the submarine pulled out and into deep water. This trip was going to take a few hours before we made it to our destination. It would be even longer for group one though. Everyone wandered off to their own private corner of the sub and found a way to pass the time. For some it was sharpening their weapons to the point it didn't even hurt after they cut themselves. For others it was to sit in deep contemplation and wonder about their fates or what would happen after Ozai was defeated. I found myself in the second group. I was struggling to remember the comic series but the memories had faded. I shouldn't have been surprised, it had been over a year since I read them. It was strange, I realized suddenly, I had only been gone from my home nine months yet it felt like years had passed in this world that was becoming more and more my home. I had made friends, created a family, got a boyfriend.
I was pulled from my stupor sometime later to Haru's face.
"Maddi, we're almost there." I blinked then stood, my heart lurching into my throat. Here it was, the moment that would define everything was coming up. I stood, checked my bow and arrows one last time and braced myself.
I could feel the atmosphere tense as we slowed. It was excruciating. All of us wanted off the sub, at the same time though, none of us were looking forward to battle. It was battle after all, confident or not the truth was some of us would never be coming back.
Well wasn't I a little ray of sunshine today.
I shook myself out of my dark thoughts, there were far better things to think about right now, such as the plan. The curiosity that was building inside me as to how we would be enacting the plan to attack through the back of the fire nation capital. What was the strategy? When would we attack? What positions would we be in? These questions kept buzzing around in my head as the submarine ground to a stop against the beach floor. In solemn procession we exited the sub, noticing that all around us were others exiting from other submarines in tandem.
"Split into groups, I want three or four nonbenders to every earthbender. Is that understood!?" I froze. I knew that voice. There was no way. But it was. Taanki the old watertribe council member from Hakoda's 'court'. Taanki and I had butted heads multiple times. To say I disliked the man was an understatement and the feeling was mutual. I slipped by him, joining the group of an earthbender I did not know. I noticed that slowly each group began to move into different positions around the dead volcano.
"This is the plan." Taanki shouted, his voice clear despite the age that could be heard within it.
"The earthbenders will bring their group to the capital. From there I would like the majority of you to join the rest of the fighters. I want five groups with the most advanced earthbenders to stay behind and try to find those underground bunkers. The nonbenders will back them up. If a bunker is found contact me immediately."
The sound of something exploding rang from below. There was the signal. The ground under me lurched as the earthbender I was standing by began to bend a platform up the volcano. I changed my position so I was balanced and waited as we flew up the side of the dormant volcano.
Five minutes was all it took for team two to get both up and down the mountain. The main city was empty, but we were expecting that. I felt more then saw the people run by me with the exception of three earthbenders. Toph, Bumi and another who I didn't know. Each of their groups stayed alongside me. Taanki glanced at me then frowned.
"Maddison. Go down with the others." He told me firmly. I glanced at the three earthbenders and their guards. Sighing I turned and walked down towards the rest of the battle.
Aang
I was shaking. Taking a deep breath like the monks had taught me to do did little to help. Today I was going to kill a man.
I didn't want to.
As evil as the firelord may have been he was still a person. I didn't want to hurt anyone, not even the small creatures. One of the more severe group of monks I had meet would walk around with cloths covering their mouth and nose to prevent themselves from harming some tiny creature from the heat of their breath. I wasn't that severe, I realized sometimes there was nothing you could do but I also knew that I had to do everything in my power to not harm and to even protect living creatures.
But that had been before the iceberg and before this war.
Now I had eaten meat (fish, and very rarely), I had seen men and women die before my eyes and I had done nothing. I had even killed hundreds, maybe a thousand while in the Avatar state.
I was a murder, but there was a difference between killing someone and going out of your way to do such a thing.
I didn't have a choice.
While all these thoughts flew around my head I was still fighting. Most of it was spent in a passive, unaware state. My body had learned how to move on its own in a battle by now, freeing my mind. It was dangerous of course, if I didn't pay attention I could get hurt.
I was too scared to care at the moment.
"AANG!" Someone shouted, jerking me from my thoughts. Glancing up at the sky I realized why that shout had been given. The sun was about to be covered by the moon. I had ten minutes to find the Firelord and Kill him. Gulping I tore away from the rest of the battle and up into the long dormant volcano.
It was quiet other then a few soldiers who waved at my arrival.
"Avatar Aang." I turned. It was Taanki, the watertribe elder and councilman,
"We have discovered two bunkers. We believe that the first is the false one, meant to trick us, the second we believe houses the Firelord." I swallowed, but nodded. I closed my eyes for a second and when I opened them again, everything was brighter.
The avatar state wrapped around me like a warm blanket and I could hear the whispers of my past as they made suggestions for my path.
"Where is the way in?" I asked. Some of the firebending avatars were raging to destroy the man who had dishonoured Angi's name and I had to work hard to suppress them.
"This way avatar." Taanki stated pointing to a large hole in the ground. Toph stood beside it along with several other warriors.
I nodded to the elderly man and stepped into the hole.
"Lead the way Toph." I told her.
"Twinkletoes? You're voice sounds weird." I realized with a jolt that Toph had never met me in the avatar state.
"I'm in the avatar state. It is my past lives you hear," I told her, "I trust that you will protect me?" She snorted while I shoved back the stuffy old waterbender who had seemed to miss the fact that I was in control here.
"Nothin' to it Twinkletoes." I nodded to her, turning back. It was dark but the glow provided from my tattoos and eyes seemed to make the darkness unimportant.
"What is the plan?" I asked after a moment, allowing a few of my past lives to ease their curiosity.
"We break in and book it to where the Firelord is, you take him down, the rest of us keep anyone from interfering. If you need it I'll jump in to help. You better not need it though." Toph warned. A small smile crossed my face. I nodded. It was simplistic but they had the element of surprise, the Firelord would not expect them to know about the second bunker.
The group lapsed into silence. There was perhaps twenty men at best. Well, not necessarily men, I added mentally, glancing at Toph.
"Okay here we are." Toph stated, pressing her hand against the metal that had just been exposed.
"Four men standing at the door, one on the opposite side sitting... that's probably him."
"The sun's been covered." One of the men stated, holding out his hand to show that he could no longer bend fire. I found myself wondering if his whole job was to let them know when the firebending turned off.
"Got it. Ready? You better be." Toph stated as she tore a huge hole in the metal. The warriors streamed out into the hall. I came in quickly, stepping forward.
Firelord Ozai was already standing, glaring at me as I approached him.
"Avatar." He snarled. I nodded.
"Firelord Ozai. I ask that you give up, your bending is not working and you and your men are outnumbered." Ozai snarled, lurching forward to attack me. I sidestepped. He had been so confident of his abilities, that he would win.
"Die." He snarled, a long blade shooting from his hand. I caught it, turning I glared at him. Behind me I could hear the cries of Ozai's soldiers as they were slowly incapacitated. I swept my hands out, twisting a heel. Several large boulders shot out from the tunnel, wrapping around his hands and ankles. He snarled, struggling to escape. Instead of the triumph I felt like I had kicked a child. It had been too easy.
"Kill him." I jerked, spinning to see several soldiers had come to stand behind me.
"What?" I asked, pretending that I hadn't heard them correctly, hoping against hope I hadn't.
"Kill him." It was the firebender soldier from earlier who had said it.
"No." I replied softly but firmly. Behind me Ozai laughed.
"You're weak, a coward." He hissed. Meanwhile inside all my past reincarnations were screaming to kill this man. All except two. I latched onto them. The first was a female, an airbender like me. The second was... ancient. He was an old firebender. He didn't argue with me, or agree, he just nodded.
"I understand where you're coming from." His voice quieted all the others within me. They seemed to step aside, as if he was the strongest. I realized with a jolt he wasn't the strongest, but he was the oldest.
"Aang." He stated, brown eyes warm. I could feel his hand pressed against my shoulder as if he was here in a physical state.
"What do you mean you won't kill him?" One of the soldiers shouted, fury spilling into their features.
"He's killed hundreds."
"The war is his fault."
"Because of him my wife's dead."
The angry shouts echoed around the chamber but I refused to back down.
"I will not kill." I told them. Toph stepped forward and I moved to bar her but she shoved me aside.
"I'm not going to go against your wishes Twinkletoes." She stated, "I'm just making sure when the fire goes back on he doesn't bend himself out of the stone." I paused before nodding and stepping aside. With a few deft moments Ozai's hands were dragged behind his back and encased in metal.
The Firelord had been defeated, but the war was far from over.
Maddi
The battle was over just as the sun began to change back to its original colour. Cleaning up from the battle was... strange. Bodies were carted away and weapons were collected while we waited to hear the final news.
A messenger came pelting down from the long dead volcano.
"The Firelord has been defeated!" He cried and loud cheers exploded.
"Firelord Zuko will be crowned officially today!" More cheers.
"When?" Someone deep within the crowd shouted, voice piercing through the din.
"Three hours afternoon." The messenger replied to the sound of more shouts. While everyone began to celebrate the messenger locked eyes with me and strode forwards.
"Maddison, Girl of All Nations." He bowed, "Firelord Zuko has requested your appearance." I nodded.
"Ozai isn't dead is he?" I asked. The messenger gave a wane smile.
"Your wisdom astounds me." He replied, bowing. I nodded and began walking up the hill towards the palace and inner city.
As I walked up I noticed people sticking their heads out of their doors and windows. I could tell they were scared. I didn't pay much attention to them. I was covered in blood and holding weapons. They wouldn't want my attention.
I made it up to the citadel in record time. The streets were empty here. The palace was easy to spot. There were several soldiers standing outside but they let me pass without question.
"Maddi." I looked up. Aang was standing there, eyes wide.
"Hi Aang." I called, stepping forward. Aang stepped back. I frowned.
"What's wrong?" Aang gestured soundlessly to my face. I touched the spot he had gestured to. Pulling my hand away I realized that it was stained with blood. I probably looked like a mess. No wonder the people in the houses had been scared of me.
"I'll go clean up." I quickly assured him, walking past and into the palace. A few servants wandered about, seeming unsure of how to deal with the sudden change in leadership.
"Can you direct me to somewhere I can get cleaned up?" I asked one. The man froze but nodded, pointing towards one hallway. I thanked him and wandered in that direction.
I found myself in some sort of spa. I stilled, recognizing it as the one that Azula had spent her time in. I couldn't remember what episode it belonged to but I remembered it. Shaking myself out of my stupor I grabbed a towel and wiped all the blood off my skin. The clothes were a lost cause. I found a robe hung in a corner and stripped, putting that on over my undergarments.
"Maddi." I jerked, spinning.
"Sokka don't scare me like that." I gasped, placing a hand over my palpitating heart.
"Sorry, Zuko's called a meeting. Everyone needs to be down there now." I nodded tying the robe tightly. Sokka grimaced.
"You can get some... regular clothes first." I chuckled lightly.
"And do you know where I can get some?" I asked. Sokka opened his mouth then shook his head.
"Didn't think so." I muttered. Ignoring Sokka, who was spluttering about indecency I hurried back into the main corridors.
"Ma'am." I turned. A serving girl who couldn't have been more then sixteen looking out my 'outfit'.
"Yes?" I asked, I had things to do, I didn't have time to be stopped.
"You cannot wear that, here." She shoved the bundle of fabric she had been carrying into my hands.
Ten minutes later I skittered into the war room, right behind Sokka.
"Fashionably late?" Taanki asked, a sneer curling around his mouth. I glared at him, equally heated and moved to take a seat.
"Maddi, up here." Zuko gestured to the spot beside him. I blinked. He was placing me to his left and Sokka to his right. Aang was placed to Sokka's right. I didn't pay much attention to the rest of the seating arrangement as I took my spot beside Zuko.
"Now that everyone is here," Taanki stated. His voice was cool, "we can continue with finishing this war."
"What do you mean continue?" Toph asked, echoing my own thoughts.
"Azula still holds Ba Sing Se." Zuko stated softly. He pushed a red triangle over the giant city. Taanki snorted.
"She's just a girl, she will fall." I glanced at Taanki. Was that his problem with me? No, he was very respectful to Katara and she too was a woman warrior.
"We can't underestimate her." Katara warned, "Azula is talented at fighting."
"How about running a country." Everyone turned to me.
"Does Azula have the skills to control Ba Sing Se? If she doesn't-"
"She has been trained to rule the firenation, she will have the skills to rule a single city." One of Hakoda's men stated. Zuko winced slightly. A reminder of how much his father had not trusted him.
"What I want to know is why Ozai's body is not rotting in view for all to see." One particularly angry member that I didn't recognize stated. He was firenation and clearly high ranking judging by the way he carried himself, "And why you, Zuko, have not attempted to reunite with Mai, your betrothed." The pointed way he stated that and the angry glare he sent me immediately let me know what he thought of his new ruler choosing an earthkingdom peasant as his girlfriend.
"It was the avatar's choice what to do with my father, and I trust him." Zuko stated firmly, before sending a small smile at Aang.
"As for who I chose," he glanced at me, "Mai and I have not been engaged since I was banished. I have chosen for myself who I will be with, and that person is Maddi." I smiled at Zuko, a strange fuzzy feeling building up inside my chest.
"Let's move on from what has happened today." Hakoda stated, dragging the attention away from the potential drama, "After Zuko is crowned what is our plan to deal with Azula?"
"We will have to march on Ba Sing Se as soon as possible." Zuko stated firmly, "Azula is likely to become angrier if she hears father has been defeated. She might cause a great deal of damage unless we move to intercept immediately." There were murmurs of agreement from around the short table.
"And where will you be in all this Firelord?" The firenation man asked. Zuko glanced at the stranger in confusion.
"What do you mean?" He asked.
"The firenation needs their leader to be here, to help bring upon the change to peace. They need your guidance. I would recommend that you and your..." he paused before grimacing, "girlfriend stay here as a beacon of hope. There is no reason to endanger yourself further." Zuko stared at the man blankly.
"My people also need to know that I am a man of action, I cannot sit idly while those who fight in my name risk their lives."
"Your people already know that you are a man of action." Hakoda stated, dragging our attention back to him, "If you lose your life then there will be no one of the lineage left who will be capable of leading the firenation. No, General Nihouka is correct, you need to stay here." There was silence as Zuko quietly thought this over.
"I will inform you of my decision after my crowning." He finally stated, standing. As he rose so did everyone else.
"You are all dismissed." He stated, and left. I followed him recognizing the troubled look on his face.
Zuko needed my advice.
A/N: Before anyone gets up in arms about the capital K in Kill in Aang's POV that was done purposely. For Aang killing someone is a capital offence against not only the beliefs of his people but his own morals. Hence the capital K for Kill. I hope that you enjoyed this chapter. For those of you who were upset by what happened in Blood and Spirits I have rewritten the argument between Katara and Maddi. I hope this is an improvement from before. Feel free to check it out, it does make quite a difference in how the rest of the story is read.
Princess Kassie Out.
