Chapter 43: Water and Fire
(Crystal POV)
Sitting on a boulder that jutted up from the cold cavern floor, I watched as Zuko and Katara contemplated our next move. We'd followed the water that trickled through the cavern to the back of the cave, where we unfortunately arrived at a dead end. The water was coming from a small crevice in the cave floor, and we all knew it would take an earthbender to get us through. Katara had even gotten in the water to see if the opening was deep enough to swim through, but we were all too big to pass.
"Maybe I could try and blast a hole through the stone…" Zuko tapped his chin in thought. "The surface might be thin enough to break through."
Katara let out a deep sigh. "I should've guessed escaping wouldn't be easy… We're prisoners. Azula wouldn't have put us somewhere with an exit."
The pain in my ribs had eased slightly, and the throbbing of my cheek was starting to fade. Although the searing fire in my back remained, I knew I had to get my strength together to help Katara and Zuko. The whole time Zuko carried me on his back, he kept blaming himself for what Azula had done to me and I didn't want my condition to upset him.
"She never would've hurt you if it wasn't for me… I should've stopped her… I should've just surrendered to her… This is my fault…"
Shaking my head against his shoulder, I whispered, "You couldn't have stopped her even if you tried, Zuko… Ever since the day I met Azula, she immediately was set on finding a way to hurt me. It has nothing to do with you… She just likes the feeling of power, and knowing she can beat me fills her with that power…"
He stopped walking as my words sunk inside him. Then he spoke again with sincerity. "I'm going to make her pay for the pain she's caused you… She'll regret ever burning you when I'm through with her."
I fell silent as the determination in his tone lingered in my ears. As much as it filled me with warmth to know he cared for me enough to seek revenge, I also didn't like the thought of Zuko hurting anyone.
"We could combine forces, perhaps. I could try and freeze the rock above to make it firm, and then you could shoot a blast once there's enough tension. The force may be enough to break an opening large enough for us to pass. From what I could see, the surface before us isn't that thick. One blast may be enough."
Katara's suggestion made Zuko consider the possibility. He wasn't convinced it would work though. "I feel like all my blast would do is melt the ice and have no damage on the earth beneath."
My sister let out a deep breath as frustration filled her. "There has to be a way. We can't give up. Let's just give it a try…"
As Zuko nodded in agreement, and Katara prepared to freeze the wall, I managed to find my feet. Standing, I grimaced as the movement aggravated my back, but I tried to refrain from making a sound of discomfort. Instead, I stepped over to where Katara was already working on forcing the water to flow up the stone and freeze around the material. As she did so, Zuko stepped back and prepared to fire a blast at the surface. Taking up some water with what strength I could find, I backed up beside Zuko. They were both astounded.
"Crys, what are you-"
Cutting Katara off, I answered softly but with confidence, "Gran Gran told me a long time ago that Fire and Water don't work together… Growing up, I've always believed those words…" Pulling the water in front of me, I shut my eyes as my whole body protested. I kept a firm stance. "But I think she's wrong… If we combine our elements in one strike the hot and cold may be just enough force to break through."
Zuko, who held his body in a stance ready to fire, looked at me with uncertainty. "I get what you're saying, but your condition isn't the best to try this righ-"
"This is my choice... I know what I can handle," I promised. I knew if we didn't try it then and there, I would definitely lose what strength I had in me. The time for arguing was over. "Are we going to escape or not?"
There was a brief pause as Katara and Zuko both looked at me with bewilderment. However, Katara smiled weakly and gave a nod. "Okay. It's worth a shot."
As she continued to freeze the cave wall from the side, Zuko and I breathed deeply as we prepared to blast at the stone before us. "On three," Zuko suggested. "One…" I lifted my water higher, trying to focus on the objective rather than the sharp spasms in my back. "Two…" Bringing my water back, I focused on the target before me feeling beads of sweat drop from my forehead as my whole body shook. "Three!"
Zuko and I both threw our hands forward. Fire and water trailed alongside each other in synchronization as they traveled towards their destination. The two elements crashed simultaneously into the frozen wall before us causing a loud sound to echo through the cave. As the impact hit the stone, we were thrilled at the outcome. The tension that held the rocks together had grown so great by Katara's ice, that our elements broke the bonds of earth and formed an opening through the cavern wall. Steam and smoke filled the room only a moment later, temporarily blinding our view from the exit. After a moment, the fog settled and our visions cleared. Before us was a new exit, and beyond the rugged hole we could see the water continued.
"We did it!" Katara jumped with thrill, and turned to both Zuko and I. "You two were amazing!"
As she spoke, the rush of blood from the adrenaline that previously pumped through me had settled. As soon as my high was over, the pain returned and my legs shook. Zuko saw my stumble, and before I hit the ground he caught me around my waist to hold me up. Sweat trailed down my forehead as my back seared again in agony, but I tried to concentrate on the cave around me to distract myself and stay alert.
"You overdid it," Zuko stated with concern. "We should rest a moment."
Shaking my head, I tried to stand straight again to show I was okay. I couldn't help but grimace though as I regained my stance and felt the pain. "No… I'm alright. We need to get out of this place before the others come looking for us."
Katara went to argue, but stopped when I met her gaze with plea. After a moment, she let out a sigh of defeat and nodded. "Let's get moving then. The sooner we leave this prison the better I'll feel." She took the lead then, dropping into the crevice and wading through the water to squeeze through the narrow hole we'd formed. Once she was on the other side, we heard her gasp in astonishment. "You guys have to see this! It's like an underground city!"
Her encouragement led Zuko to hop down in the crevice as well. The water reached up to his knees. He turned to help me down, and I took his hand dropping beside him and having water fill my shoes. He then went first through the opening, and once he was through I followed. Passing through the narrow opening with as much precaution as I could not to let my back hit the walls, I finally made it into a room that was lit by glowing crystals on the ceiling above and on the ground around us. Surrounding us in the new chamber we'd entered were large stone burial chambers that were molded into the caverns walls.
"So…" I glanced around as Zuko hoisted himself out of the water onto the cavern floor. "We're basically surrounded by dead people…"
A grimace came on Katara's face. "Thanks for that visual, Crys."
Zuko and Katara took both of my hands and pulled me out of the water. The effect on my body from their pull was blinding pain, so I was relieved when they released me and the pain settled. Once I was on dry land, and I collected myself, I used my bending to take the water out of my shoes and the fabric of my soaked pants. Once I was dry, I did the same to Zuko who smiled with gratitude.
"Looks like the crevice we originally followed was an outlet for this canal." Katara said, pointing at the man made waterway that flowed in a unique architecturally designed rectangular formation. Large stone columns the size of trees sporadically stood along the canal with green crystals sprouting out of them. Beyond the columns was an enormous waterfall that provided the canal's main source.
"So… We have two options," Katara began. "We can either keep following the water which most likely takes us up to the palace courtyard, or we can go through the burial chambers and hope they lead us inside the palace."
Zuko and I looked at one another with uncertainty. I spoke up after a moment. "I'm not exactly keen on the thought of walking through a maze of graves…"
They decided I was right, and we made our way along the water to the waterfall before us. The roaring falls deafened our ears, but was a relief to hear. Katara quickly stepped up to the larger section of water that glowed green from crystals below the surface. She froze a circular platform of ice, and gestured for all of us to step onto the slippery surface. Cautiously, we managed to keep our balance as Katara used the water from below to elevate us upward towards the top of the falls. As we were carried out of our crystal prison, Zuko made one last comment.
"I wonder how the crystals glow so bright?"
I smiled weakly, looking at the green crystals that surrounded us and lit the dark place we'd been thrown into. "Ask Sokka… He's the science guy..."
"You know… These crystals remind me of the ones back in the caves at the South Pole." Katara used her mastered bending to carry us out of the cavern, and once we were on the top of the falls she continued to push us through the narrow tunnel against the current. "Remember them, Crys? They were such a blue color that I was worried our skin would turn the same shade if we got too close."
At her words, I nodded remembering the cold icy cave of the South Pole we'd stumbled upon on one of our crazy adventures. The blue crystals had jutted out around us illuminating our new destination.
"Yeah… Dad told us when we got back that it was the cave he shared his first kiss with mom in… It's how I got my name…"
Zuko was surprised by this, and then smiled. "I'd always wondered where you got your name from."
Katara suddenly laughed as she pushed us further away from the green glowing room to the dimming sunlight ahead. "Dad also joked that if you hadn't been born a little after Sokka, they were going to give him your name just because they liked it so much."
"That would've been a hard thing for him to live with," Zuko muttered.
"And I would've never let him live it down," Katara promised.
A moment later we emerged outside in the blaring sunlight that was a fire red from its setting position. Katara was surprised by the time as we arrived in the palace courtyard at the place where the water made its exit. "How long were we down there?"
Zuko sighed heavily. "Too long."
Katara carried us out of the water and we all landed on dry land once the ice below us melted. When we were finally on a firm surface, my tense and cautious body relaxed which eased some of the discomfort. However, the courtyard was empty which made me feel greatly unsettled. I had a strong feeling Azula would be on to us in minutes.
"Let's get into the palace and find the king… Then we'll get out of here and get a message to Aang and Sokka." Katara began to lead us forward, but a call echoed from behind us.
"Halt!"
The three of us froze in horror when we heard a masculine voice from behind. Zuko didn't hesitate though, and turned sharply kicking his foot as he spun. Fire shot through the air at the Dai Li agent who had just thrown a large boulder towards us. Zuko's fire met the rock, and the heat broke it into pieces allowing us to evade the attack.
Just as the last piece of stone hit the earth, twenty Dai Li agents suddenly rose up from the ground behind the original man. In the center of them was a grinning Fire Nation princess who looked ready to kill us all. Katara panicked, realizing immediately that we were discovered, out-numbered, and wouldn't stand a chance. "Run!"
Before we could though, a wall of earth shot up behind us which blocked our escape. We all realized we were in trouble when we saw the barricade. Zuko tried to take on the brave persona and stepped in front of the both of us.
He snapped at his sister trying to remain firm, "Let us go, Azula!"
She stepped through the square-formation of agents and arrived at the front beside the original man who shouted at us. It was only then I recognized him as the man who had ordered his agents to let me into the throne room where Azula waited to imprison me hours ago.
"Brother… I see you and your girlfriends escaped my prison. And without an earthbender at that. I'm truly impressed." She smirked. "I saw the hole you created, and I was amazed you actually aren't as disappointing as I believed you to be."
He growled at her insult, and stepped forward again to challenge her. I grabbed his arm quickly to stop him and jerk him back. If he attacked, he wouldn't stand a chance with so many men standing behind his sister. He'd be in a worse state than me.
"Ah, Crystal…" Azula crossed her arms with a sneer. "You don't want me to share some love with my brother? Would you like me to share some with you again then? We can have a second round. This time I'll be generous to actually let you defend yourself. I was a little bored last time because it wasn't much of a challenge."
Zuko threw his arm in front of me to stop me if I intended to listen. He took a step back, forcing me to step back with him. "Forget it! You've done enough to her! You're sick, Azula! You need help!"
She cackled. "I'm sick?! You're the one who's become a street urchin! You're the one who lost everything including father's love. You were sent away to hunt down a myth. You realize father gave you a task that he thought would be impossible. You were never supposed to capture the Avatar. You were never expected to come back home. I'm kind of relieved you didn't accept my offer today. Having you in the palace again would've been a pain. You belong in a cell, far away from your lover girl." Azula looked over at me. "While he rots, you and I will become the best of friends."
"Think again crazy!"
An unexpected voice called out from behind us. The stone wall blocking our escape suddenly disappeared, and Toph appeared before us with determination. I was stunned by her sudden appearance.
"Princess has all the friends she needs!"
A groan rang from above then, and Appa landed swiftly hitting a harsh gust of air towards the enemies before us. They all covered their eyes from the dust and wind that rushed at them. A moment later, Aang, Sokka, and Iroh managed to drop down from Appa's back and rush over to us. The sun was setting much faster now, and the courtyard was growing dimmer causing our shapes to be darker than before. I knew if it got too dark we wouldn't be able to fight without sight.
After the dust settled, Azula growled from across the courtyard. "Look at this. The cavalry has arrived." Her eyes shot to the older man who didn't fit the group. "I see you've chosen your side as well, Uncle."
Iroh stepped over to us with Sokka and Aang. "You convinced me which side I found more pleasing the moment you struck me with lightning."
She sneered. "Pity it didn't kill you!"
Sokka yanked out his boomerang, and Aang got into a stance ready to fight. Aang looked over at us with worry, and Momo peered over his head from where he sat on his shoulder. "Are you all okay?"
Katara responded with relief. "We are now that you're all here."
My brother spoke then. "Well if it wasn't for Aang's vision, and Iroh's help we would've never made it in time. We managed to get the King and his bear out of the palace prison. We should get out of here while we still can."
"What are you all waiting for?! GET THEM!"
Azula's sudden cry rang out across the palace courtyard, cutting off Sokka's plan. Fire, Water, Earth, and Air shot through the area a moment later as we fought against the determined officials before us. I did all I could to help, but my strength was starting to fade. The pain in my back from the spreading infection was too distracting for me to hit a single target. Azula noticed my weakness from where she stood behind her guards, because before I realized it I was dodging and blocking her blue flames more than anyone else.
As she threw another bright stream of searing fire at me, I brought up more water to block the attack. Her force however met my block with enough impact that I was sent stumbling back and collapsing onto my side. Just as I feared my moment of weakness would be my undoing, a figure stepped in front of me and began to glow bright white. Gritting my teeth to calm the pain, I looked over with blurred vision to see the figure was Aang. Wind started to pick up around us, and the ground shook beneath me.
As Aang went into the Avatar state, Sokka's hands grabbed me by the arm and pulled me to my feet. He managed to back us up from Aang as the young Avatar gathered his spiritual energy to attack the army before us. As he became engulfed in a ball of light, Katara, Zuko, Iroh, and Toph kept firing their blasts at the enemies before us to offer him some back up. The Dai Li kept strong for their new leader, but from where I stood I could see they were terrified of the spiritual being before them. A few of the men in the back retreated from fear, racing off towards the exit that led them out of the palace walls.
Out of the chaos, five Dai Li agents found their courage and rushed forward to restrain us. Sokka left my side racing towards one of the agents with his club, while the others fired at the remaining ones.
As the wind picked up, and the ground started to crack beneath the enemy, I felt a small spark of hope within me that we would win. We would actually stop the Fire Nation from taking over Ba Sing Se.
However, my hopes were destroyed. A bright stream of light shot from the center of the Dai Li army towards the floating Avatar. My eyes widened with horror as I saw the young man who had once been glowing bright within a large ball of illumination fall to the earth below. Smoke from Azula's strike still hovered in the air, and the crack of her lightning echoed around us. The cry came out of me before I realized I was doing it.
"AANG!"
Katara had seen the attack and was one step ahead of me. Taking water from the channel beside her, she used the stream to shoot her up to Aang and catch his falling body in the light of the setting sun. Then she lowered herself and Aang back to the earth and held him to her on her knees surrounded by a puddle of water. Tears poured out of her eyes as she clutched on to the injured airbender. The world's last hope…
Appa let out a groan of despair as he saw his friend had been injured, and threw his tail down hard with fury hitting a group of agents with air causing them to fly back. Sokka smashed his foot on a Dai Li agent's chest so he could rush over to aid Katara and Aang. As he rushed to their side, Iroh, Zuko, and Toph continued to fight the other agents who flung large stones towards us but kept their leader safe behind them. I tried to help, but my water was losing its force minute by minute and I was doing more dodging than actual fighting.
"Everyone! Get on Appa now! We need to get out of here!"
Sokka's order met all of our ears, and we tried to inch back towards Appa while continuing to fight the agents. Azula scowled and shouted, "Don't let them escape!"
"Crys! You heard Sokka!" Toph suddenly shouted as I flung water at another agent who dodged easily. Toph stomped her foot sinking the agent into the ground, and then grabbed my arm jerking me towards Appa. Her pull sent pain through me, but I did not give in to the exhaustion. "We have to go!"
"We won't make it," I protested. "They'll shoot us out of the air before we get over the palace walls."
"Go!" Iroh ordered behind me. "I'll hold them off!"
His words stunned me, and I went to protest. He didn't give me time though. Iroh jumped in front of us all as the Dai Li stepped forward to cease us. He got into a stance ready to attack if anyone made a move. As he did so, Azula scowled with frustration and lifted her hand. The Dai Li stopped from their next attack and waited for her order.
She spoke with disgust. "What are you doing, Uncle? Do you really want me to attack you again? You know I will."
The older man faced his niece and her minions with bravery as he answered, "I will protect this world from the evil you wish to bring upon it. I will not let your filthy hands destroy the beauty that remains."
Her jaw clenched. "Then you've sealed your fate." She snapped at her men then, "Cease him! Cease them all!"
"Iroh!" I cried, struggling from Toph's grip. "Don't do this!"
He looked back at me briefly, and I saw determination in his wise golden orbs. "You kids will be fine without me. I'll see you all again very soon. Go while you can. Get the Avatar out of here."
"NO!"
Zuko's shout caused Iroh to look back over at his nephew. "Zuko…" He smiled and his eyes became moist with tears. "I'm so proud of you my son." He turned and shot more fire at the men before him. This time his fire spread out in a wave that hit every single Dai Li agent in front of him. Azula watched the scene in a mixture of shock and rage from behind her corrupt earthbender shield.
"Uncle!"
Zuko tried to rush to Iroh's aid, but Sokka grabbed his arm to stop him. "You heard him! We have to go, Zuko! He'll be okay!"
Tears fell from my eyes as I watched Iroh fight off the Dai Li with his unbelievable firebending. Iroh was truly a master, but I knew he would be outnumbered once we left. Toph held my wrist and jerked me over to Appa who waited anxiously for us to make our escape. The King already sat on the giant flying sky-bison's back with Bosco curled up beside him. Katara was there as well, and held Aang to her on her knees with sobs.
Toph snapped as I resisted, "Crys! Come on! Aang's hurt. We need to get out of here and get him some help. Iroh know's what he's doing!"
Toph's words brought me back to present. I knew she was right. With defeat, I shed a final tear for Iroh and followed her to the giant tail of Appa. Once we were on his giant back, I collapsed onto his fur on my hands and knees with exhaustion. Only a moment later, Sokka shouted from somewhere nearby, "Appa! Yip yip!"
Appa jerked his body for takeoff, and I grabbed his fur tight to keep from slipping. As we left the earth and flew into the sky, I felt my body shake with exhaustion. The fighting could be heard from below for a moment, and then as we gained distance a whistling breeze was the only sound left. It took a minute after takeoff for my horror to diminish. Then the pain and exhaustion came back as the danger passed.
None of us spoke for a long time as the events of all that occurred settled within us. Katara managed to gather her thoughts long enough to pull something out from inside her shirt. She looked at the vile of clear liquid with uncertainty, and then bit off the cap. "Zuko… Help me hold him up," Katara ordered.
Zuko, who had been holding on to Appa's fur beside me, managed to crawl over to Aang. As he took the unconscious boy in his arms, Katara lifted up Aang's shirt to expose the damage that Azula's lightning strike had inflicted. A tear fell down her cheek as she pulled the water into her palm and it began to glow.
Zuko noticed the water gave off a much brighter glow than the water Katara used to heal me earlier. "What is that?"
She spoke softly as she pressed the water to Aang's back. "It's water from the Spirit Oasis back at the North Pole. It's supposed to have special healing abilities." The glow suddenly shot through the arrows on Aang's body, and a moment later the young boy grunted and groaned from the pain. We all looked over at him with relief, glad to see he was alive. Katara took him from Zuko's arms and held him close to her, letting her tears drop on his head.
Knowing Aang was alive, I felt as if I could finally calm my racing heart and let go of my strength. As I collapsed into Appa's fur, Sokka yelled my name in worry. A hand caught me on the waist as I started to slide off of Appa. Shutting my eyes, the pain in my back seared from the burn Azula had given me hours before. My body was lifted from the soft fur, and I was cradled in someone's arms. My head fell against the shoulder of whoever held me, and I felt my senses begin to numb.
"Here… Put this on her… It's cold up here," Sokka's voice softly spoke. Fabric tickled my skin, and I opened my eyes weakly to see Zuko's shadowed face in my line of vision. The moonlight behind him shone around him as if he were some divine spiritual being. His familiar touch was felt only a moment later as his thumb brushed a strand of hair back from my face. The warmth of his touch was the final comfort I needed to let my weary body relax.
Third Person POV
The moon hovered high above as the group glided through the night sky. Toph scowled as Appa flew further away from the Earth King and his bear. They'd just dumped the two off in some random area of woods after the Earth King encouraged them to do so. He wanted to explore the land and see the damage that the Fire Nation had done.
"What a coward," Toph muttered. "He just knows that if he sticks with us he has to deal with the war still."
Sokka, who sat at the front of Appa in his undershirt, attempted to steer without a rein by tapping Appa on the side of his neck to tell him which direction to turn. Momo sat on his shoulder looking over at Aang's unconscious body with sad eyes. Sokka responded to Toph with his own irritation. "I'm kind of relieved we got rid of him though… He and that bear were just slowing us down. His whining was starting to get on my nerves. We have two injured people, but all he cared about was how uncomfortable he was."
"He's a king…" Katara muttered. "What do you expect?" She brushed her hand against Aang's forehead to give him a comforting touch as he slept on. "Doesn't matter… The sooner we get to the warriors camp, the sooner I can get Aang somewhere comfortable so he can recover. Same with Crystal..."
Zuko sighed, shifting Crystal in his crossed legs as he tried to situate himself for her comfort. She was unconscious from the exhaustion of the past few hours, and he was in a way relieved that she had finally gave in to her defeat. The shirt Sokka had taken off and handed to Zuko rested over Crystal's exposed skin to keep her body from freezing by the chill of the night air. He himself was exhausted from the events of the day, and also concerned for his uncle's fate. However, he knew his uncle wouldn't want him to dwell on his well being, but instead focus on getting Crystal and the Avatar help.
"Hmm… I wonder how the warriors are going to react with Sparky showing up too…"
The nickname Toph gave Zuko was a surprise to his ear. "Sparky?"
She smiled weakly, crossing her arms. "Part of the group means a nickname from me. Can't call you lover boy forever."
"What?" Sokka looked back with bewilderment. "Then what's my nickname?"
Toph sighed. "Unfortunately, there are too many names to choose for you Sokka, and I don't have enough time to figure one out."
Sokka pouted. "Can I pick one then? What about Sensei, or Chief? Those have good rings to them."
"Chief?" Katara was appalled, although she was glad for the distraction. "Are you trying to be the leader again? Are your instincts going to come back into play?"
Sokka scoffed. "You still won't let that one go. My instincts get us out of situations. You should be grateful for them."
As Sokka and Katara started to bicker, Toph fell back on Appa resting her head against his fur in disbelief as he flew leveled with the air. On the other hand, Zuko listened to the siblings bicker and thought about his sister Azula. At the moment all he felt for Azula was hate, rage, and vengeance. She had not only tortured Crystal, and almost killed Aang, but he had no doubt she was imprisoning Iroh too. He had a feeling the next time he saw Azula he wouldn't be able to hold back his rage. Sister or not, Azula had shown him her true self and he wanted nothing more than to inflict pain on her. She'd pay for the hurt she'd caused him.
"Zuko…" Sokka suddenly spoke again from where he continued to steer Appa. Zuko looked over at him with question. "I just wanted to thank you for what you did… I know it couldn't have been easy turning against your sister like that, but I owe you for your help. If you weren't there to protect my sisters, I'm scared to think things could've been much worse."
Zuko let Sokka's words sink in, and then he frowned in disagreement. "Don't thank me… You should be blaming me… The only reason Crystal is in the state she's in is because Azula wanted to hurt me. She knew I wouldn't care about the pain she caused me physically, so instead she hurt the one thing I cared about instead. Crystal is injured because I wasn't strong enough to defeat my little sister."
Katara spoke up this time. "Don't say that… If your sister wasn't such a coward and hiding behind her earthbending bodyguards then we all could've defeated her. She used the corruption of the Dai Li for her own gain, and that's the only reason she won this time."
Toph added, "And if you ever try and blame yourself for what happened today while Crystal's conscious, I'm sure she'll freeze your lips together."
Zuko grimaced, knowing Toph was right.
"How bad is Crystal hurt?" Sokka asked with sudden brotherly concern. "I saw the mark on her back vaguely, but it was getting dark."
Katara glanced over at her sister who was resting in Zuko's hold similar to the way she held Aang in her own. "Bad… A few of her ribs are bruised… The burn on her back though is the worst. There were boils and blisters all over her skin, and she was bleeding at the center of the damage. She's not going to be able to lay on her back for a good while, and I'm worried if we don't wrap it soon it will get infected. I- I didn't think about using the water from the oasis at the moment I tried to heal her… I should've..."
Toph let out a deep breath. "But then you wouldn't have had the water to heal Aang… You did the right thing Katara. I'm sure Crystal would agree with me."
Hanging her head, Katara shut her eyes to stop the tears that wanted to fall again. "Yeah… I guess so."
The group fell silent once more from the exhaustion they all felt. The prior events that had led them to flee Ba Sing Se in an abrupt flight lingered on each of their minds. Azula had full control over Ba Sing Se, and soon she would know the invasion plans once she interrogated the Council of Five. Their plans were ruined, and there was nothing they could do about it at the moment.
"There it is," Sokka spoke after a good hour of silence. "The warriors are camped below. I don't know if anyone's here because of the mission, but at least we can get these two inside shelter and let Appa rest."
Zuko looked down at the scattered dark tents that were illuminated by the light of the moon over the bay's water. A bonfire blazed at the edge of camp, and the closer they reached land the clearer the fire became. Zuko began to see three figures standing by the fire, and he knew immediately they weren't arriving to an empty camp.
Only a moment passed by until Appa landed on the sand below. Once they were firm to the ground, Toph slid off Appa and hit the rocky earth with relief. She had been blind on Appa and felt useless as the others cared for the injured.
"Sokka! You're back!" The three warriors from the fire had rushed over to the group, and Jaka was relieved to see his cousin was okay. Upon hearing Jaka's voice, Zuko's eyes widened at the familiarity. His eyes shot down to the young man below them, and he was astounded to see it was the same guy who had helped Kona kidnap Crystal so long ago.
Sokka jumped into action, stepping over to Aang and Katara. "Let's get him inside dad's tent. There's enough furs in there to make him comfortable." As Sokka and Katara worked on carrying Aang off of Appa, Momo ran to follow them worried for his airbending friend. Once they maneuvered down Appa's tail, Kona rushed over to give them a hand.
The oldest of the group took over by taking Katara's place from where she held on to Aang's legs. "What happened to you all? Who did this to the Avatar?"
Katara was astounded at how different Bato's eldest son looked in the moonlight. She hadn't seen him in three years. Coming out of her thoughts, she answered weakly, "Princess Azula shot him down while he was in the Avatar state… He's alive, but weak." She choked up a bit.
Kona was horrified. "Princess Azula… The Fire Lord's daughter? She was in Ba Sing Se?"
The sound of Kona's voice alerted Zuko, and he held Crystal closer to him with uncertainty. Jaka and Kona were both here, and they were the two men who kidnapped Crystal from him some time ago. He couldn't believe he was stuck in the same camp with the two guys who'd tried to rip Crystal from him. Of course they were Water Tribe warriors, so he didn't understand why it surprised him so much. He was in the Water Tribe's camp. He was in the territory of his prior-enemy.
Sokka, who carried Aang by hooking his arms around his own, answered Kona with defeat, "She still is… Ba Sing Se has fallen…"
As the three headed off into the darkness of camp with the unconscious airbender, Jaka and Areto were coming face to face with Zuko. As the young prince managed to carry Crystal off of Appa, he was greeted at the bottom of the large sloped tail by the two unwelcoming Water Tribe warriors.
Jaka crossed his arms with distaste as he took in the appearance of the Fire Prince cradling Crystal in his arms. Hakoda's words soared through him, and he jumped into action. "I can take my cousin from here."
Zuko stared at Jaka with narrowed eyes, and stepped back with refusal. "Why? So you can kidnap her again?"
Jaka's jaw set, and he stepped forward. Areto watched the two with uncertainty, wondering if he should intervene. As his eyes trailed from Jaka to Zuko, he eventually glanced at the figure in Zuko's arms who glowed in the fire and moonlight. Seeing Crystal for the first time in three years, Areto was bewildered by how much she had physically changed. While her hair was shorter, her teenage curves were finally showing. He could only imagine how beautiful she probably looked in the sunlight. Zuko caught the mesmerized stare and glared at him from where he stood.
"I don't have time to deal with you," Zuko spoke carefully, controlling his irritation to keep the peace. "Leave us alone."
"Areto," Jaka suddenly spoke. "You remember Hakoda's orders." He stepped forward, reaching for the sword he kept tied to his waist. Areto hesitantly reached for his own sword.
Zuko was stunned that the other presence before him was the guy Crystal had been promised to by her father so many years ago. Seeing the young warrior in the moonlight, he could tell Areto was physically strong from years of training. He had a feeling he could beat him in a fight though. He'd faced worse combatants.
Toph spoke up then, seeing that the Water Tribe warriors were about to attack Zuko, and reminding everyone of her presence. "Hey! Why don't you get her in a tent before you men start thrashing each other? She's already injured enough. I doubt throwing her around will make her feel good in the morning."
At Toph's words, the two warriors released their weapons knowing she was right. Zuko saw the danger had passed, and made to step in the direction Sokka, Kona, and Katara had rushed off to with Aang. Jaka intercepted his path though.
He held his arms out. "Hand her to me."
Zuko shifted her in his own arms, snapping, "I can carry her just fine."
"Clearly you can't protect her though," Jaka hissed, dropping his arms to his side with tightened fists. "Otherwise you wouldn't need to carry her because she's been injured. Hand over my cousin you Fire Nation beast."
Instead of doing so, Zuko moved along to walk past him. Jaka grabbed his shoulder threateningly to stop him. Zuko felt the strong hand on his shoulder, and immediately rage boiled inside him. He snapped at him, "Take your hand off of me!"
He made no move to do so. "Put down Areto's fiancée."
Jaka's word's irritated Zuko more, and he snapped, "She's no one's fiancée! She has the right to choose her own path! Stop controlling her life!"
Jaka growled. "This is coming from the firebender that tore her from her family and locked her in a cell!"
Areto added, "What her father decides for her is none of your concern, you beast! I can take care of Crystal better than you ever could!"
Zuko clenched his jaw. "Well I didn't see you protecting her at the South Pole that day I came for the Avatar."
His words caused both Jaka and Areto to turn defensive. Jaka grabbed his sword again, and Areto snarled. Toph sighed heavily at the tense air and possible fight.
"Stop," a small voice spoke up. Everyone was surprised by the new sound, and looked at Crystal who weakly opened her eyes. She was having a tough time keeping conscious, but she had heard her cousin and Areto's voice and got some of her senses back. She understood what was going on, and through her weak state she wanted to stop any violence from breaking out. "Put me down, Zuko…"
Zuko hesitated, concerned that she'd fall as soon as he did. He complied though, carefully placing her back on her feet. Once she was standing, she clutched the sleeve of Zuko's shirt to keep from falling. He held her arm, worried she'd fall and hurt herself more.
Jaka stepped forward to grab his cousin, but she met his gaze and from the fire light he could see irritation. "I really don't feel like fighting with you," she softly stated. "All I want to do is lay down and rest… But clearly that's not going to happen until I speak my mind…" Her eyes blurred as pain rushed to her head. Her back spouted with a burning sensation as the infection started to spread from the uncovered wound. "You all will not touch Zuko…. If I find out any one of you have hurt him, I'll never forgive you..."
Areto was astonished by the truth behind her words. He'd never heard Crystal show such protection over anything but her family. As he began to see first hand the relationship Crystal had with the Fire Lord's son, a new feeling arose within him. Jealousy…
As if something sparked inside him, the thought that Crystal had chosen a firebender over her own kind suddenly disturbed him. Areto spoke up out of disbelief. "You're definitely not the Crystal I remember…" At his voice, she looked at him with question. Since he had her attention, he continued. "Three years ago you would've never gone near a firebender, much less clutched onto one like that."
Crystal stared at the man across from her with heat rising to her face. His image started to blur as her strength started to leave again. She tried to remain coherent though. "Three years ago… A lot can happen in three years Areto… I thought you would've changed too..."
The words of his father and Chief Hakoda came rushing back through him. As much as he wanted to give Crystal and himself a chance to choose their own paths, the image of her holding onto a firebender sent him over. He'd lost friends and family to the Fire Nation, and Crystal had as well. How could she be so foolish to forget everything in the past and love the son of the enemy?
"You always were the strange one of your brother and sister," Areto continued. "The wild one. Maybe that's why your father was so quick to chose a husband for you." He stepped forward again, wanting to suddenly claim what he felt belonged to him. "Clearly you need guidance…"
Zuko scowled, placing his arm in front of Crystal protectively. "She doesn't need guidance from a bunch of men that left her and the others at the South Pole to go play soldier!"
Jaka was outraged by his words, and grew defensive once again. "Who are you to judge us?! Because of your kind my aunt is dead and many of my friends too!"
"My kind!" Zuko growled. "I'm not some animal!"
"What are you then?" Jaka spat, crossing his arms. "Because all I see is a filthy bastard!"
Zuko's fist tightened in frustration, but he knew he had to keep his cool for Crystal.
"Jaka… enough…" Crystal felt her legs shake, but the thought of passing out kept her upright. She didn't want to leave Zuko defenseless against her cousin and the guy who was suddenly possessive of her. "Zuko isn't the bad guy… he wants to help us. Please stop being so cruel..."
Her defense only frustrated both Areto and Jaka more. Areto glanced over at Jaka, who nodded at him. In the light of the moon, Jaka took his moment. With speed, he rushed forward grabbing Zuko by the shirt collar. As this occurred, Areto rushed to catch Crystal from stumbling to the ground as her grip was lost from Zuko's shirt.
"Guys! Stop!" Toph smashed her foot, and Jaka was knocked back by the earth lifting beneath him. Zuko stumbled back once he was free, staring at Jaka on the ground with bewilderment. Crystal weakly pulled against Areto, who held her to him by pressing her back against him. The touch of his back to her wound intensified the pain, and she cried out from the fire coursing through her skin.
Zuko was horrified by her pain. "You're hurting her! Let her go!"
Areto remained firm, although he did release his hold ever so slightly to not hurt her more. She stumbled as her strength gave out on her, and her body overheated from an infectious fever. Zuko and Toph both went into action. As Zuko rushed for her, Toph shot up earth between Areto and Crystal to cut him off. Zuko caught Crystal as she fell, and they both lowered to their knees. His hand pressed to her forehead and immediately panic filled him when he felt her burning skin.
"HEY!" Sokka shouted as he ran back over to the group. The sound of his sister's distress had made panic fill him as he was headed back from the tent he'd placed Aang in. "What's going on?!" When he got to the area, he was horrified to see Jaka on his back and Zuko kneeling beside Crystal on the ground.
Areto came around the stone wall with fury. "Whose side are you on, kid? You're an earthbender!"
Toph crossed her arms. "If you're the Areto I've heard of, then I'm on Sparky's side one hundred percent." She then directed her next comment to Sokka. "Zuko isn't receiving the warmest welcome from your kin, Sokka. You may want to intervene."
Sokka stepped over with disbelief and looked at both Areto and Jaka with disapproval. "I told you both earlier that Zuko's one of us now. Can't you put your animosity aside for one second and focus on what's important?"
Jaka got to his feet, and walked over to Sokka with frustration. "We were given orders from Uncle, and we're only carrying them out."
Facing his cousin, Sokka snapped, "I don't care what dad ordered! As long as Zuko is part of this group you can't touch him. And right now this quarrel is foolish! Crystal needs medical attention! She doesn't need a bunch of guys fighting over her!"
He turned sharply on his heel and headed over to his sister. Without a word, he crouched down and looked her over to assess her condition. Zuko met his gaze, and tried to focus, "We need to get her wound wrapped… I think it's infected."
Sokka nodded. "There's a tent with medical supplies not far from here. Let's get her there first and then we'll treat her." He glanced over at Toph. "Make sure Appa is okay, and then you can get some rest."
She went to argue that she could help, but decided it was best not to test Sokka at the moment. Instead, she turned to give attention to the flying pal. As she did so, Sokka and Zuko managed to get Crystal back on her feet and start to guide her towards the tents. She barely made it three steps without collapsing, and both guys caught her from hitting the earth. Sokka quickly scooped her up onto his back so they could get to their destination.
"Sokka…" Her soft voice cracked as hot feverish tears fell from her eyes. She rested her head on his back too tired to lift. "Don't let them hurt, Zuko… He's good… He doesn't deserve-"
"Crystal… Zuko's okay," Sokka promised. "Just relax." He then said to Zuko, "I'm sorry about them… I didn't think they'd be at your throat so soon."
Zuko frowned. "I expected the violent welcoming. I just wish they would've given me time to take care of Crys first before they pounced like that… And clearly your father won't be anymore welcoming when he and the warriors get back..."
"We'll deal with that later," Sokka muttered. "Let's focus on one problem at a time."
As they continued to walk towards the tent where they hoped to treat Crystal's injury, she shut her eyes and began to lose her strength. As her body gave in to exhaustion, the last thing she recalled was being placed down on her stomach atop some warm furs. The voices in the background, and the fire light seeping through her lids all faded away as she lost the last bit of strength she had.