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II. City of Fire and Loss
火 - 火
She had a strange definition of fun.
It involved Fire. And the flash of black shining rock that came perilously close to giving Zuko a board brand of red at his throat. She, unlike the Fire Nation men, could Firebend brilliantly. Which began the migration of soldiers.
As some men rushed back into the jungle, rope nets sprung up from every conceivable angle - crushing them into one compact group. They couldn't move, even if they tried to as the nets burrowed into thier skin. Zaheer - at the head of the group - snorted furiously.
"Let- let them go!" Zuko huffed as he dodged the spearhead again. The girl didn't listen - instead knife-handing a bolt of multicolored flame at the Prince's head. Jee was the only other soldier free, but he took the sideline as a torrent of flame whacked him square in the chest. Zuko was now one-on-one with her... and losing.
He tried, desperately, to fight as a Firebender, but the girl was always one step ahead. She knew the form too. So Zuko took initiative (and it was a last resort) to fight as if he was armed with dual swords.
That caught her unaware.
He swung a punch, simultaneously his other fist flew the opposite direction. She leapt up - but was caught by a jab either side of her calf. Crying out, she toppled back to the leaf saturated ground with a thump.
Zuko enjoyed what he could of the small victory before a current of white flame twisted around his bare foot. She had burnt him. Burnt him so badly he couldn't walk. Zuko, too, thumped to the floor. With a limp in her gait, the girl snarled down at him.
She hobbled over to the nets - ignoring the barrels full of insults and bawdy jokes - and severed the ropes attaching the nets to the deployment mechanisms. Jee, who was in shock, complied with her as she used a spare length of rope to knot his arms to his ankles. Zuko was... less compliment.
He - out of all the men - had the most drive to win. Which could often lead to sticky situations. Such as this.
"Don't you know who I am?! My father will send search parties! When my Firebending returns I'll-"
A wad of folded fabric from the girls hair tie was forced into Zuko's open maw. It was indignant. It was insufferable. It was-
Oh Agni, Niraj. And Uncle. No...
Niraj was already on a knife edge if he would live or die. Now, because of Zuko's stupid mistake, he was probably going to die. Niraj... The level headed Helmsman whom had been so kind to the Prince, only to be repaid attitude and redirected fury.
"Listen, little girl-"
She was finishing the knot at his ankles with a harsh tug. The fine, yet remarkably strong, rope cut into Zuko's fresh burn. He screamed to high Roku but she seemed to either not care or become temporarily deaf.
"Do not address me as 'girl.'"
She raised herself to full height, her loose shoulder-length hair (strung with several gold, turquoise and carnelian beads) wafted on the breeze as she puffed her chest up confidently. She spun the spear dramatically about her arm before pointing it at Zuko's throat.
"I am Tonalli of the Sun Warriors - and you are my prisoner."
火
Sun Warriors - the Ancient race of Firebenders, precursors of the Fire Nation - were extinct. Or supposedly. Zuko had the faintest memory of his history teacher droning on about how the Fire Nation did this and that, but the name Sun Warriors and '...Last of... kind killed... in Agni Kai... with Fire Lord...' in the same sentence was definitely something that stuck in his mind.
It seemed, well, wrong that this ancient ( and by all accounts advanced) civilisation should be killed for the crime of not giving in to the subjugation of the expanding Fire Nation.
"The rumours of our extinction have been greatly overexadurated," The girl - Tonalli - ran her tounge over her cracked lips.
Zuko should have seen it. Her uncanny resemblance to the paintings of the last Sun Warriors passed around in class. The strong jaw, the determination in her eyes, the gentle curve of her upper lip, her darker toned skin. Also, the face paint was a dead give away. And her clothes - a tight Ty Lee-ish top; a kilt and golden belt sash; the maroon dhoti pants.
Spirits, he was dum.
"Now - Prisoners - follow me."
She seemed to relish that as the ropes attaching them in a train snapped harshly. Her spear was an ever present threat as they were lead through the ruins and back into the all consuming jungle.
It wasn't long - Zuko prayed to Szeto in relief - until they reached a semi-cleared patch of jungle. His fresh burn was killing him with every movement and step. Collapsing in pain, Zuko let his body go limp, not caring about the fierce nature of Tonalli any more. The others - behind him - also fell to thier knees.
Tonalli put her thumb and forefinger between her lips and whistled as loud as she dare - which was to say, ear-splittingly loud. Zuko flinched as she turned about to him with a small, ill-hidden smirk. Tonalli set her eyes firmly so they burrowed into his mind, searching every crevice of his soul.
"Welcome to where your ancestors drove us."
There was malice in her voice, as well as regret. The glint of tears threatened to overrun her before she coughed and wiped her eyes with the back of one hand. Zuko bit down onto the fold of gold material tied about his head. If he could just Firebend. But no matter how hard he tried, nothing sparked from his fingers.
Pushing aside a slab of sandstone with supriding ease, Tonalli rounded up the men and began to herd them down a dimly lit tunnel. It was a rather round tunnel, big enough to drive a Kimono Rhino and rider though with ease. Light flickered at the end, which created the effect of a far off camp fire. As Zuko stumbled out and down a few well-worn steps, his breath hitched in his throat.
An entire city hidden was etched into the basin cliff face.
Every inch of the towering basin walls was marked with buildings of every size. From small bath like indents flowing with channel water to a multi-story tower at the farthest end of the basin walls - all buildings were painted shades of red, orange and blue. In the centre of the basin was a dark blue-black hole surrounded by scrub and trees. Every spare space was humming with life. From human to animal. From avian to plant. Nothing was wasted.
"This is Tonatiu kalli," Tonalli beamed proudly as she peered over her native city, "Welcome to the last thing you're ever going to see."
An unusual creature screeched overhead, one none of the prisoners had ever even heard before. Its call sounded like a yelling two-year-old - unpleasant and horrific. It arced its back and landed with less grace than Jee when drunk.
It scuttled up to Zuko, snorting and grunting. He initially attempted to back off - but the thing was persistent in making friends. It was a sort of pig, from what Zuko guessed, but its snout was longer and drooped over its jaw. White stripes ploughed through the sheen of black fluff and feathers. Two enormous vulture-like wings protruded from its back and a stubby tail stuck up behind it.
Tonalli waved her spear about as a flock of its family soared past, with what looked like the mother. As it screeched off, Tonalli tutted.
"Just ignore the Tapir-Condor chicks... they are a damned nuisance. "
'Tapir-Condor?' Zuko screwed up his face. Behind him, his fellow prisoners muttered among themselves about this revelation. Tonalli didn't seemed bothered about the animals as they circled overhead before diving into the river that fed the bottomless pit in the centre. Other unidentifiable creatures scuttled about it, but Zuko decided best not to draw attention to himself more than already.
"Come now - time to meet my mentor."
火
Appa groaned as he set off away from the marauding pirates. Sokka thumbed his nose at them as Aang encouraged the Sky Bison faster. Katara lay in the saddle, laughing to herself with the scroll clutched to her chest. They disappeared into the cloud cover - sweving to avoid a flock of birds.
Flopping back, relieved, Sokka squinted his eyes at Katara and snatched the scroll away. He held it aloft and Katara berated him furiously:
"Give it back, Sokka! I need that!"
Sokka held a fingure up, tutting, "What have we learnt?"
Aang arched his brows and flipped onto the saddle beside the two squabbling siblings. He twirled his wrist, the scroll spiralling out of Sokka's hand and right into Aang's. Sokka pouted furiously as Aang passed it back to its rightful owner.
"Thanks Aang," She pecked his cheek, "See Sokka, a true gentleman. You could learn a lot from Aang."
Sokka folded his arms, "Stealing's wrong-"
"-But not from Pirates!" Katara giggled, rolling the scroll open. She analysed each mood carefully and mentally rehursed them. Appa continued soaring through the clouds as fast as he dare. Momo chattered as he skipped about, copying the people on the scroll - Katara chuckled at this, but the nagging thought in the back of her mind continued to know away at her. Aang saw the expression change on her face; he slowly edged his way towards her.
"Hey, Katara. Whatcha thinkin' ?" He smiled broadly. Katara bit her lip, rolling the scroll back up. She shrugged and stared out onto the morning sun, "Don't you think it's wierd that we haven't seen Zuko for a week? D'ya think something's... happened to him...?"
Sokka tucked his hands behind his head and lay back, "Pfft. I don't know, Don't care. At least he's off of our backs."
Aang goggled up at Katara as she wrapped her hands firmly around the scroll. He sighed and stared over at the lounging figure of Sokka.
"Katara's right-"
Sokka choked on air - bolting upright, "What now?!"
"As the monks told me - every life is precious-"
"But not the Fire Lord's! " Sokka waved his arms about, "Or Prince Prissy's!"
Aang clicked his tounge against the roof of his mouth, "Everyone. Everyone has value."
Still not convinced, Sokka delved into his pack for his boomerang and sharpening wet stone, "Each to their own..."
火
As they proceeded down a narrow walk-way alongside the houses, Zuko could feel the distinct prick of eyes on his back. Everyone stopped to watch the informal procession towards the tallest building. It was awkward, humiliating and painful. Very, very painful. His foot burnt to severely everytime it was lain apon the smooth walk-way, making him bit his tounge to prevent a demonstration of weakness.
Another girl, in similar height to him (if very much taller), bounded down a ladder to a house and fell into step next to Tonalli. She wasn't as regal in any respect as the latter, but she more than made up for it in her boisterous attitude.
"Morning, Princess Toni. "
Toni elbowed her companion gently, "I'm not a Princess!"
The taller girl shrugged and threw up her hands, "I'm just saying, Chief's daughter / Princess, same thing."
Zuko bowed his head as Aki cracked her knuckles all at once. She, with her arms like tree branches and body built like a fighter, could snap Zuko in half with just a flickered of her wrist. Her body was hanging with muscles. Tonalli, compared with her friend, was a slip of a thing. Yet her arms were formed in juvenile muscles and her frame was a tad stocky-er. She was built for quick fights- Aki for endurance.
"Spirits, Aki..." Toni smirked, "Don't tell me you're considering me royalty?"
"Tsk- the very idea. Just a title..." Aki nodded at a girl they passed, who blushed deep crimson, "You're just another girl in this messed up world who has a poncy title."
"Poncy?!"
As Aki continued to joke with Toni, Zuko focused on what needed accomplishing. Healing Niraj. Feeding his men. Scouting out another way off of this hell hole. Running to the Earth Kingdom, where at least he could start to plan about capturing the Avatar. Regaining his honor-
"-Kill them anyway, " Toni shook her head as the group marched down a fairly steep incline into the lowest part of the city. Right. There was a lot in that conversation he had just missed that Zuko guessed he should've listened too... Scrub and trees as tall as Zuko's hip accosted them as they pushed by into the centre - closer the black black pool of water.
The closer to the pool they got, the more static the air became. The men in the net were beginning to shudder in fear (Zuko felt the vibrations through the cord that lashed them to him). Aki, too, was shaking as she haulted beside Toni.
"Ya know I hate this place... and her."
Her... Her was an elderly lady meditating at the very rim of the pool - her breaths shallow and hair a bright shade of white. Her skin, by contrast, was as tanned as a Water Tribe woman's. A tattoo of two intertwined dragons snaked up her spinal chord - they seemed alive as she breathed. She was draped in gold - with a few flashes of silver, such as a hair pin that was driven through her elaborately styled hair.
She seemed to have a gravity. Worldly yet Spiritual. Knowing yet Empty. She, as her eyes opened didn't look apon the visitors, but instead raised a hand towards them. Her words weren't as sharp as anyone's, so her hands did most of the talking for her. Signals passed to Toni and back again - now and again she would laugh or say Tonalli's name with fond memory.
Aki stepped backwards and hissed in Zuko's damaged ear, "Yeah - She creeps me out too..."
Toni had heard this. She screwed up her nose with a scold, "Aki! Be kind."
Aki snikered as if she'd just heard Zuko tell the funniest joke before stepping back to Toni's level. The strange elderly women walked between them and held out her wrinkled hands to Zuko; her precious bangles jingling on her arms. Zuko choked on the gag as she reached up and lay both hands on his shaved head. Uttering something uncomprehensable, the woman stood back and smiled.
Zuko shuddered, feeling all light-headed - yet also incredibly heavy, a dead-weight. He fell into the sandy earth with a thump. Toni turned on her heel, arms crossed, and smirked at the now kneeling Zuko.
"This, my captives, is High Priestess Tala. I'll be your translator. "
The others tried to back up from receiving the same treatment as Zuko. He snarled and tried to yell, but his gag prevented that. Tala chuckled to herself, the chain linking her earring and nose ring jiggled about. A hand signal to Toni - which made the latter blush - and a thumbs up at the men was all part of the strange ladies mystique.
"Yeah," Aki interrupted, "Captive Z-" She gestured to Jee, who was standing with a horrified look "-Is right. Tala's terrifying."
Tala turned to face Aki, her arms raised. She signed something which made Toni split into fits of laughter. Zuko just knelt and watched the scene play out - not actually shore of what to make of it. The old lady - he presumed to be deaf - had a hunched frame, but an amazing amount of power relling off of her.
Switching to face her apprentice, Tala made a speaking signal with her hand before pointing a long, boney fingure at Zuko. Grudgingly, Toni carried out the mentors wish. She undid the tie around Zuko's mouth and waved the ribbon about - it was covered in spit. Understandable why she wouldn't want to re-do her hair in a ponytail with it. Her wavey hair remaining loose, she turned with a bobbed curtsy at Tala.
"Boy... speak..." Tala garbled words. She examined him on with a raise of her brow. Zuko stared continuously at Toni, who was holding the wet hair tie at arms length.
"I am Zuko. Rightful Crown Prince of the Fire Nation. Let me go NO-"
The old lady wagged her fingure. Toni rolled her eyes, "She says speak about what truly matters."
How on earth did Toni get that from that made the lot of the men stare in wonder. It did truly matter - to Zuko - that he was a Prince and rightful heir. But this old lady was inconsiderate about that. Zuko, his thoughts on Uncle Iroh, spoke about the wreck, his dying helmsman and, quite cautiously, his Uncle.
"He- he's out there now, alone. Please-" Zuko's voice cracked uncharacteristically "-help him."
Tala shrugged her hunched up shoulders and bowed her head once. Toni screwed up her mouth. Aki picked her nose. Popping her cracked lips, Toni marched off and out of the holy area. She was heading towards the towering construction at the end of the basin - Tala gestured after her in a sort of 'Ugh, teenagers ' way. Aki flicked the snot from her fingures into the shrub, earning a whack from Tala, before racing hot on the heels of her friend.
The men were all left alone with Tala; all were petrified. Tala went along the group, untying them one by one. Jee gasped and assesed the soldiers and sailors, now free of the net. But Zuko remained knelt with his head bowed. Tala lay a hand on his shoulder before swiping her hand along.
Zuko complied, laying down in the sand. Tala, despite her advancing age, held power within her grey eyes. Like his Uncle's eyes, they were portals of kindness, as well as regret and knowing. His hands tucked under his chin, Zuko bit his lip. Tala squatted down beside his burnt foot and lit up her hands with green fire.
For the second time that day, Zuko's breath hitched in his throat. He expected her to hurt him more; but as soon as the flames touched his foot, it felt numb. A good kind of numb. Like the numbness after kissing someone you love for the first time. Or the numbness of being at peace in beautiful surroundings. Both of which Zuko longed for.
She worked on the burn, her hands suprisingly nimble. Then, once the major burns were gone, she extinguished the flames and electricity leapt between her fingers. She snikered as Zuko flinched. Then, her fingures drew about. Again, his foot felt numb. His nerves had stopped sending any signals, though, which was worrying.
Drawing her arms back to her sides, Tala smiled a gummy, toothless smile at Zuko. He snapped about and set about examining his own foot. It was completely healed... no signs of anything. It- it was ... gone.
"How? Answer me, lady. How?" He breathed at the lady, now she was standing, pacing towards the pool. Zuko leapt to his feet and followed her. She stopped, tapped the placid pool with one finger, and watched as the ripples spread out. Hand on heart, she twisted to face the young Prince.
"People... learn from dragon... healing fire... and Nervebending."
Her voice was husky but her face kindly. Zuko blinked profusely - taking in the new knowledge. He had never even conceived the idea of healing fire... let alone Nervebending. The dark pool seemed even more bottomless than before. Zuko stood back and tripped over a low shrub. Tala chuckled behind her hand, her eyes glittered like two moons.
"Hey Block-head," Toni's voice calling over to him, "Had fun?"
She was followed by a man with an overly large feather crown and Aki, who seemed put-out by the situation as a whole. Toni skidded to a hault over Zuko with a smirk; She held out her hand to him.
"Well-ity, well, well. Looks like you have had a healing session."
Zuko was at a loss for words as he took Toni's outstretched hand (she did dig her nails into his skin in spite, so not a complete revelation of attitude). Stumbling awkwardly to his feet, he was given an odd look by the man with the plumed crown.
"And what do you think you were doing in my ancestors ruins?" He demanded, face clouded with fury. Aki halted short of the scene, her hands on her hips. The man grabbed Zuko from Toni and held him by the forearms. Zuko's men rallied around - but the Prince called with off with a croaky voice.
"Stand down. We mean him no harm."
His men blinked but obeyed. The Prince had been pretty shaken by the storm and the magic fire lady just now- so they put his new peaceable attitude down to that. Plumed hat man dropped the Prince, who restrained the anger boiling away just under the surface, before scowling at his presumed daughter.
"And little missy," He snapped, making Toni flinch, "You are distinctly forbidden from going outside of the safety of these walls without Yota!"
Yota, whomever they were, was seemingly despised by Toni, as she shivered when the name was mentioned. Tala clicked her fingures to draw the man's attention. A tiny signal and an arc of fire made the man's anger subdue. He breathed slowly and watched as Zuko knelt dejectedly at his feet.
"Stand boy."
The command was followed and Zuko waited to either be burnt or hit. Instead, he was clapped on the shoulder in a fatherly fashion.
"We need to find this- Uncle of yours. "
Toni snarled, her face not quite sure of what to make of her fathers sudden change of attitude. Tala waved her hand before pointing at the sky. There was a lot yet to happen, but Tala - in her own muddle-headed way - could see it all. As clear as crystal.