"Sorry, this is a private event." Ty Lee said. She jumped, planting one foot square on the lead man's chest. It was enough to make him stumble back into the other two, and Katara watched the quick work of Ty Lee's chi blocking. This forced the man to fall, bringing down the other two with him.
As Ty Lee flipped out into the hall, Riku was right behind her, stepping on the men without a second thought. Muttering, Katara followed suit.
The wall next to the door held a window, but that was still a two story drop to the ground. Riku did bother to look, but headed back toward the stairs. As she approached, two more men rushed to the top.
Riku shot out a fireball, making the men lean back into the stairwell. The wall next to them exploded and Riku leaped through the fire. Sticking out her tongue, Ty Lee somersaulted out.
She obviously still trusted Riku implicitly.
Gritting her teeth, Katara ran toward the now visible hole in the wall, using a water whip to trip one of the assailants. In the split second she had to make a decision, she saw Ty Lee swinging on a chandelier for a moment before dropping down onto a table Riku had already disturbed.
Muttering, Katara snapped out the water whip, watching it curl around an arm of the chandelier. Leaping out, the water whip snapped and she fell on her back when she landed on the table.
"Time to go!" Ty Lee chirped, dragging Katara off the table.
Men were running down the stairs, but by now the patrons of the tavern had scattered, leaving them an open space. Riku made it to the front door first, throwing it open and finding a wall of earth blocking their exit.
"I am done dealing with these dirt mongers." Riku seethed. She backed up and Katara watched her take a very familiar stance. White lightning curled around her fingers and people started screaming.
Turning around, Katara brought up two ropes of water and used them to slingshot a chair at the men attacking them. As it smashed apart, Ty Lee jumped onto a table and started kicking bottles directly at them. The glass shattered, spilling more liquid, and Katara buffed up the little water she had managed to carry.
While the men shielded themselves, Katara and Ty Lee were almost knocked prone by a loud crack.
"Out!" Riku called. Katara turned and saw the smoking hole left by her direct lightning strike.
"Right behind you!" Ty Lee called and jumped down, landing neatly on her feet. Katara ran with her and they all ended up in the street.
No one was waiting for them, and Katara felt a shiver run down her back. It was dark, and difficult to see; a Yuyan Archer could be anywhere.
"Where is your tank?" Riku called.
"Just outside the west gate." Ty Lee replied.
"It better be big." Katara said.
"It'll fit us just fine." Ty Lee replied.
A boulder shot past them and bombed the road in front. Without enough water, Katara could only push a stream in front of them, washing away the rock and debris.
"Ty Lee, take care of them." Riku ordered.
"Okie dokie!" Ty Lee said and turned abruptly on her feet.
Another boulder flew at them and Ty Lee made a vertical leap that made Katara slow. With a dainty motion, Ty Lee stepped on the boulder before pushing it away, moving almost like a Bender. The momentum was enough to propel her forward and toward the men running after them.
"Keep up!" Riku snapped.
Shaking her head, Katara ran faster to catch up. People were still out, but they were still with all of the commotion. Keeping her head down, Katara wondered if there was any use in keeping a low profile. It was going to be obvious who had been here.
"Took you long enough." Riku remarked.
Katara startled as Ty Lee jumped down from an adjacent rooftop.
"Sorry. I'm out of practice." She said.
Katara saw Riku smile and she frowned.
"There they are." Riku said.
"Who?" Ty Lee asked but they all stopped as Haoran and Jiro stepped into the road, holding the ostriches' reins.
"Okay, so good news." Katara said, jogging up and taking the reins before tossing them back onto the driving board. "We got a new ride."
"Ooooh, but they're big." Ty Lee said.
"Bad news is, we have to leave right now." Katara added, moving to the back of the cart and grabbing a bag.
"So she wasn't a problem?" Jiro asked, pointing at Ty Lee.
"She's not the problem." Katara corrected.
"Let's go!" Riku shouted and both brothers jumped. They all grabbed a bag and Haoran quickly wrapped the reins of the cart around a lamppost. At least in front of the stables, they would have a chance at staying put.
Darting down a side road, the group ran to the western gate. The guards were anxious, having heard the earlier ruckus but unsure of what was going on. Now seeing the five of them running toward them, they stepped out and held up large boulders.
"Ty Lee." Riku called.
"Already on it!" Ty Lee replied and dropped the bag in her hands before darting forward. She moved in a zig-zag, not letting the guard react before she got in close. The quick jabs and the man dropped.
So did his boulder.
"Oh come on!" Jiro yelled, sliding forward and using his bending to catch the massive rock before it fell on Ty Lee. He swung it with exertion, knocking it into the other guard's boulder as Ty Lee zipped over to him as well.
Jiro tossed the two rocks aside with a yell just as Ty Lee ran back.
"Nice rock slinging." Ty Lee said and smiled at him. Jiro recoiled, looking at Haoran, who threw his bag at him.
"Keep it moving." Haoran said and they began running again.
"You did say her thing was temporary right?" Jiro asked Katara as they ran. They both looked at the guards when they ran past; they were out cold.
"Ty Lee hasn't killed anyone. That I know of." Katara said.
"Not yet!" Ty Lee added.
Jiro blanched and Katara shook her head.
"So where is this ride?" Haoran asked as they made it out of the gate.
"Just down the road here." Ty Lee said.
"I don't see, woah." Haoran pointed and Katara turned.
Down the road and tucked into the sparse brush, acting as the worst camouflage, was the largest tank Katara had even seen.
"That thing is a behemoth." Jiro said.
"How does this thing move faster than the cart?" Katara asked. They all slowed as they approached and Ty Lee jumped up the massive treads, heading for the hatch.
"You saw the drill. Why would you think the Fire Nation would make anything slow?" She said.
Katara didn't turn her head, but she could feel Haoran and Jiro freeze.
"Oh, are you boys from Ba Sing Se? Sorry about that." Ty Lee said, sucking on her teeth in shallow sympathy.
"Whatever. Let's just go." Haoran muttered.
"The engine must be massive." Riku said as she climbed up. "Are we all going to fit?"
"This thing doesn't run on coal." Ty Lee said and flipped the hatch lid back. "But it'll still be a little tight."
She jumped down into the hatch and Katara climbed up the tread. She moved gingerly, fearing the moment it turned on.
One by one they all dropped into the dark interior. They bumped into each other, jostling for space, with the only light coming in from the open hatch.
"Ready?" Ty Lee asked. Before anyone could answer, an engine roared to life. A row of lights that ran around the inside of the tiny, metal box lit up. Riku climbed partially back up the ladder to close the hatch, jumping down just before the tank lurched forward.
The sound was intense, but it was the speed that struck Katara dumb.
"There are earmuffs somewhere back there." Ty Lee yelled over the monstrous roar. Katara looked over and saw Ty Lee hand Riku a pair, while wearing one herself.
Jiro pried open various cubbies under their seats until he found three more pairs. Slipping them on, the noise became a rattling in Katara's teeth but at least lessened the pressure on her ears.
It was impossible to talk with the noise, but Katara watched Riku and Ty Lee warily. The two of them were far too in sync. It would raise questions, and Katara still wasn't certain what side Ty Lee was on.
Lucky that Ty Lee was able to take out five grown Earthbenders nearly single handedly. Lucky that they were able to get away so easily.
Katara looked down at the metal floor, clasping her hands together. Images rotated in her mind like a flipbook. The ones that linger twists up her insides and Katara puts her hands on top of her earmuffs, hunching over.
Hearing Zuko in the Ba Sing Se teashop had terrified her. So she had run, heading straight into another trap. And not even a day later, when she was trapped in the catacombs with him, she realized he had suffered in just the same way she had.
If Katara had just stayed, if she had taken the time to figure out what the prince of the Fire Nation was doing serving tea, would any of that day had even happened?
Would she have run into Suki's arms, just to see Azula's golden eyes?
Gripping the back of her head, Katara took in a sharp breath. Letting it out slowly, she relaxed her fingers at the same time. Tilting her head up, she saw Haoran and Jiro watching her.
How much longer could she go on like this?
Katara turned away, pulling her legs onto the bench and awkwardly tucking herself into a corner. There was not much space at all inside the tank and the bench was narrow. Pressing her knees together, and her hip into the shuddering metal wall, Katara focused on the rumbling.
They were moving quickly, so at least there was that. And regardless of Ty Lee's intentions, they would be heading to the palace. And that was all that mattered; she had to get to Zuko.
The shaking was enough to drive her mad. Time became both an eternity and just the singular present moment. A feeling of vertigo swayed inside her head and Katara found herself grateful for the bone shattering moments when the tank jumped over a large rock, or felled tree.
When the movement stopped, Katara wondered if she had even noticed right away.
Haoran and Jiro were antsy; they were the first to stand and Haoran went up the ladder to open the tank hatch. He must have called back down, because Jiro followed quickly before Katara could even remove her earmuffs.
Looking over, she watched as Ty Lee took Riku's pair, stowing them away while Riku said something.
"Ready Katara?" Ty Lee asked.
Katara nodded and climbed up the ladder. The night air was much cooler than inside of the tank and she shivered. Her muscles trembled as she scrambled onto the top of the tank and Jiro took her arm to steady her. Haoran used his bending to make a slide and Jiro sat her on it.
"Isn't this cute." Riku said dryly before jumping down. Katara patted the dirt off her backside as Ty Lee flipped off the tank, landing neatly beside Riku.
Looking away, Riku tugged on the sides of her hair to smooth them down.
It was a very familiar gesture that Katara had seen before.
"Okay, we need an explanation right now." Haoran said and cleared his ramp away with more force than necessary.
"Ty Lee is…" Katara started, holding open her hand but losing the thread of her thought.
"I'm a former acrobat and royalist who fought with the Princess Azula before becoming a Kyoshi Warrior and now I'm here to help!" Ty Lee said cheerfully. Haoran looked at her as she spoke, but turned his incredulous gaze on Katara.
"It's complicated." She muttered.
"This whole thing has been complicated!" Jiro shouted, throwing his arms up.
"Jiro." Haoran warned but Jiro shook his head.
"No. No more of this. I get that you have some weird, adventurous past, but you asked for our help and now we're dealing with things we can't prepare for. It's just thing after thing after assassin with you." Jiro yelled.
Katara flinched but stayed silent.
"Who are you?" Jiro asked, pointing at Riku. Unperturbed, Riku shrugged.
"I haven't the faintest idea. But I was definitely someone no one particularly liked." She replied.
"I liked you." Ty Lee said softly.
"Then who are you?" Jiro asked. "Why are you here?"
"Honestly? I'm just here for her." Ty Lee said, gesturing to Riku. "If getting her home safe and sound means helping you, then I will."
"So we can count on you to bail when things go sideways?" Jiro shot back.
"I wouldn't say that." Ty Lee replied.
"And who do you have hunting you?" Jiro demanded, now facing Katara.
"I can narrow it down to three people." Katara said.
"Oh please yes, let's narrow it down." Jiro said derisively.
"Both the queen and the princess of Anyan have separate reasons for getting to me. And someone within the White Lotus, possibly." Katara said.
Jiro gaped at her, mouth open, and scoffed for a moment.
"Two heads of state and a member of a powerful secret society?" Jiro repeated. "Is that all?"
"Don't forget the spirit that was tagging along for some reason." Riku added.
Katara glared at her but Riku crossed her arms over her chest and shot her an indifferent look.
"Right, the homicidal spirit that was killed back in Omashu after assassins came." Jiro muttered.
"Sounds like you've had an exciting time." Ty Lee said.
Katara walked back and sat on the tank tread, rubbing her face.
"Why are you even doing this? What is the point?" Jiro asked.
"I'm in love with Zuko!" Katara snapped, moving her hands to the sides of her face. "I'm in love with the Fire Lord and that's causing some problems for people."
"Spirit problems?" Haoran asked with genuine curiosity.
"It's a destiny thing." Riku said offhandedly.
"You are in love, with the Fire Lord." Jiro repeated.
Katara nodded and Jiro shouted in frustration.
"All of this because you locked lips with the Fire Lord?" He questioned.
"Look, it's not like we thought a princess was going to try and take over the world by brainwashing everyone in the palace." Katara retorted.
"True. There are far simpler ways." Riku interjected.
"You are already creepy enough thanks." Jiro said, glancing at Riku.
"None of this righteous anger matters. It doesn't help anything." Riku said.
"How can I know I can trust any of you?" Jiro asked.
"Why should you have to trust us? You need us, same as we need you." Riku dropped her arms down her side and Katara watched her fingers flex. Azula kept claws for a reason.
"You want to save your sister. I have a debt to pay. That one wants to save her one true love. I don't particularly care about why you're here, but I do know that having two brawn over brains Earthbenders can help me get to where I need to be." Riku explained. "Xianji and your sister are Earthbenders, and while my bending is superior, I know I'll already have my hands full handling whatever else is waiting for us in the palace."
"This just means you'll abandon us when it's convenient." Jiro stated.
"Of course! I'll have a better chance actually completing the mission that, beyond your petty domestic reasons, actually has an impact on the rest of the world. I'll cut you and anyone else off once I don't need you or if you become a liability." Riku straightened and smiled at Jiro, who stood fuming. "But that is stronger than any foolish concept of trust. I can guarantee you that I'll get you as far as possible before I ultimately have to finish the damn thing, with or without you."
"You're psychotic." Jiro said and turned away.
"I'm right." Riku said.
"Riku has the least to lose among us. But she's stuck with me this entire time." Katara added.
"How am I supposed to believe you? You've done nothing but hide or twist the truth whenever something has come up." Jiro kept his back to her but Katara could hear the disgust in his tone.
"If the Fire Lord loves you back, I'm not certain I even care about saving him." Jiro continued and walked off.
Haoran grabbed his brother by the shoulder, whispering something, but Jiro shrugged him off and continued out into the empty field. Haoran went after him and Katara sighed, deflating.
"So, you and Zuko huh?" Ty Lee asked, swinging on the ladder bolted to the side of the tank. Katara glowered at her and Ty Lee grinned.
"I can see it. You're both weird about duty and loyalty. But how'd you end up here?" She asked.
"I don't want to talk to you about it Ty Lee." Katara muttered.
Ty Lee looked at Riku, who sighed as she walked closer.
"I'm going to get camp set up." Riku announced. Ty Lee watched Riku climb up to the hatch, waiting until she fell into the tank.
"I think I'm the only one you can actually talk to, all things considered." Ty Lee said as she turned back.
"You don't know anything about this." Katara said.
"Why, because I'm the bad guy?" Ty Lee snorted and Katara frowned.
"Everyone seems to forget that I spent the last six years in Kyoshi, away from my home." Ty Lee added.
"Did anything change?" Katara asked.
"I learned that I like girls, a lot." Ty Lee said bluntly and Katara sputtered out a laugh. "I got to know your brother and Suki pretty well too."
"I'm coming back up." Riku announced. Katara shied away but Ty Lee smiled as Riku came back down the ladder, a large sack tied to her back.
"Have fun." Ty Lee said and Riku grumbled before walking away, heading in a different direction from Haoran and Jiro.
"I... haven't been around much." Katara said softly.
"Yeah, I heard." Ty Lee said and paused to sit on the tread next to Katara. "Your brother missed you."
"It's weird to think about you spending time with him." Katara stated.
"It was weird being around him." Ty Lee admitted. "Your brother, how should I put this, he's very protective. He watched me for a long time and I know he and Suki argued about me being in Kyoshi."
"What changed?"
"I tried to leave and Suki sent him after me. We had a bonding moment." Ty Lee said. "Sokka and I have a lot in common."
"I really can't imagine what that would be." Katara replied lightly.
"We both feel a little lost in the world. We struggle with things like being special, being important, or glory. We spent a lot of time comparing ourselves to our sister, or sisters in my case, and we both want to be different without looking like an idiot." Ty Lee explained. "Sokka taught me a lot about how to be okay just being me."
"I didn't know he felt like that." Katara said.
"I think you did. If you really sat down and examined him, but who wants to do that to their own brother?" Ty Lee remarked.
"Does he trust you?" Katara asked.
"I'd like to think so." Ty Lee said. She then tilted her head to look at Katara. "Do you trust me?"
"I don't know." Katara answered. "You're telling me things that I'd obviously want to hear. But that's more like…"
"More like Azula." Ty Lee finished and looked out into the deepening darkness. A fire caught some distance away where Riku set up camp.
"Do you trust her?" Ty Lee asked.
"I. Yes, I do." Katara stammered.
"But not Azula."
"She's not Azula."
"She is though. Just because she can't remember it, she's still the same person who did what you pinned on Azula." Ty Lee said.
"Azula was a monster." Katara snapped.
"That's what everyone told her, isn't it?" Ty Lee asked.
"That doesn't excuse what she did." Katara said sharply.
"Of course not. But she was fourteen and abused. How long does she have to be punished before she's allowed to be happy?" Ty Lee asked.
"Riku is allowed to be happy." Katara stated.
"Azula deserves to be happy." Ty Lee corrected her. "And you need to be okay with that."
Ty Lee stood up and Katara grabbed her wrist quickly.
"You can't tell her." Katara whispered. "We don't know what that will do."
Ty Lee looked down at her hand and Katara retracted it.
"I won't tell her. But that doesn't change who she really is." Ty Lee said.
Katara sat back, alone, as Ty Lee walked to the fire.