Avatar Chapter 52
I do not own Avatar the Last Air Bender
Mai was a bit unnerved by the strange machine she was, apparently, going to be traveling in. While it certainly looked like something Azula would use to ravage the countryside there was no guarantee in her mind that it wouldn't flip, crash or explode.
"Though I suppose this is what an Avatar hunter would have to ride around in, a big spiky death machine." Mai was assuming their target had changed, Azula had spent all day yesterday sending and receiving Agni knows how messenger hawks. Mai guessed finding Zuko was regulated to if they had time and/or nothing to do. She was not sure how she felt about that, part of her was glad Zuko would not be the focal point of Azula's wrath. On the other hand the idea of hunting her crush across the countryside was oddly enticing.
In truth doing something, anything, productive would boost her spirits, she had dedicated all of yesterday to finding the leak in her household and had little to show for it. To be fair she did not find nothing, it was simply those responsible had vanished the night she had been attacked. A quick count of her family servants revealed that no less than six had disappeared during the commotion caused by her capture.
If Mai had to guess they most likely got spooked at the prospect of Azula investigating the staff. Her father did not have the resources or the knowhow to clean out his minimal house staff, they were overworked as it was, but Azula would no doubt tear into anybody even remotely suspicious. Unluckily for them she had been rescued before it truly inconvenienced the temperamental Princess so their flight was pointless.
None the less at least a half dozen individuals in her household had been, at the least, spies and at worst traitors. What really annoyed Mai was the composition, she was not particularly close to the staff but one of the women had been with them for years and had even helped deliver her brother.
That meant whoever had orchestrated this whole thing and sold her out to the rebels had a knife to her back since they came to the colonies, perhaps even before that. Mai was fairly certain her family was safe now, the whole flock seemed to have flown the coop, but just to be sure she had discreetly left a message with General. It appeared he felt somewhat responsible for the cities lack of a military commander, on account of him beheading him, so he was honor bound to make it right.
Mai never understood the whole honor concept, it could be a military tradition but she was more inclined to believe it was a guy thing. It had proved useful in getting things done, men loved doing the honorable thing, so she was not going to complain, unlike Azula she did not care to give night terrors to everyone she used.
Thinking of people being used and night terrors Mai wondered what happened to Ty Lee, she had kept to herself in her futile quest for answers yesterday so she had not seen much of the girl until this morning. Thus it was a shock to see the normally energetic girl looking so… dreary.
She was just sitting there on some luggage stroking her enormous war pet. The girl was staring off into the distance, if Mai didn't know any better she thought maybe Ty Lee was deep in thought.
Mai walked over until she was within arm's length and waited, Ty Lee did not seem to notice her and up this close looked more depressing than even Mai was comfortable with.
"Is it Azula?" Mai really didn't need to ask, Ty Lee just nodded.
"Is it a normal Azula problem or some new relationship Azula problem?" Ty Lee nodded and Mai took it to be the latter type, which was unfortunate since she was not used to dealing with relationship issues.
Usually she just had to comfort Ty Lee until Azula came around and offered her typical condescending, passive aggressive bare bones apology and everything went back to normal. But now that they were a couple things were probably more complicated and Mai really did not want to get in the middle of it. On the other hand this could be a chance to get blackmail material on the uptight Princess so she would take shot at it.
She sat down next to Ty Lee, after shoving the giant cat-lizards tail away, and prepared to listen. "What did Azula do?"
Ty Lee sniffled. "She cut me off."
Mai blinked few times, that led absolutely nowhere and she was already regretting this decision. "Cut you off… how?"
"She cut me off! What am supposed to do Mai? I'm a very physical girl, with needs and desires that need to be taken care of." Mai really did not like where this was heading but Ty Lee was off and, if history was an indicator, would not stop until she had to take a breath.
"Okay yeah, I guess I shouldn't have ogled and daydreamed about our mortal enemy but I can at least dream can't I? It's not like I would ever actually do anything… maybe… probably, but still this goes to far." She was waving her hands in all over the place, Mai even had to duck once or twice.
"I mean it's only been a day I am already going through withdrawal or something, and she knows that which sucks, yesterday she wore the uniform that's a size too small and… and, oh Mai I'm not going to make it." Ty Lee flopped down onto the side of her giant pet who appeared to be napping despite his master's distress.
Mai had a pretty good idea about what she was talking about, which disturbed her slightly, but decided to ask anyway. "Ty Lee, are you upset because you have to be chaste from now on?"
Ty Lee pouted. "Azula said no fun until we find the baby faced bald kid, which could take years!"
Mai doubted that but it was beside the point. "I don't see how being forced into chastity is a good reason to be so depressed."
"Well of course you don't you're an innocent, untouched virgin who's never know the sweet, firm touch of- umf." Mai truly did not want that sentence to continue so she threw a cloth onto Ty Lee's face.
She sighed as Ty Lee removed the cloth from face. "Alright disgusting mental images aside, I suppose I can help."
Ty Lee's face lit up. "Really."
"Yes, be patient."
"Whaaat"
"We will find the Avatar soon enough, believe me, so just jump in a cold stream or something and you'll be fine." Mai honestly had no idea if Ty Lee would be fine but this was beyond her expertise, and comfort zone, so it would have to do.
Ty Lee crossed her arms and pouted. "Easy for you to say, you don't have to sleep within arm's length of a smoking hot… well-toned… silky ski-oof!" Mai patted Ty Lee's head with a rolled up scroll.
"I don't need details, about anything, ever."
"Okay okay." Ty Lee huffed and placed her head in her arms. "I guess I can wait, there are plenty of other fun things to do."
"Good to hear, it's healthy to keep occupied on long trips anyway." Mai actually felt accomplished, slightly.
"Yeah, so wanna help me do cartwheels with a hand tied behind my back." The girl had an enormous, hopeful, smile on her face.
Mai was not sure if she really wanted to, but she could not say no to that face. "Fine."
"Yippee." The girl jumped up, finally waking her ferocious fur ball. "Hey after how about you finally teach me to throw knives?"
"No."
"Aww, why not?
"You know why."
"Oh don't be that way, no one looks at that tapestry close up."
"It's still no."
Kori fumbled along with the large backpack that was full to bursting, yesterday she had written at least a dozen lists of everything she might need only to panic and toss them away one after another. After looking for a large wrench, she could not remember why, she had stumbled into her mother. Her mother then calmly, but firmly, sat her down and presented her with the pack she now wore.
Her parents had given her a lot of space these past few days, she had been pressing for independence for a while now, but after giving her the pack with neatly folded cloths, personal necessities and her favorite snacks, both of them decided to talk to her about the past few days.
First they asked her if she was alright, being essentially drafted in the Princess's service, and telling her that she did not need to go if she didn't want to. Kori had assured them that she wanted to go, that is what she had dreamed of for years, she obviously did not tell them she was anxious beyond belief but she had a feeling they knew. But being the world's best mom and dad they were supportive anyway and gave her tips on how to act around nobles, that was mostly her father, and tips about the lands to the east, apparently her mom had traveled all over before settling down.
Then of course there was a lot of hugging and a big kiss to her forehead, they told her to above all be safe and that no matter what they were proud of her. They promised they would keep in contact through messenger hawk and that she need only write if she needed something.
And now here she was, the Princess's transportation was in sight and Kori was both excited and already feeling homesick. The giant metal war machine was parked outside the city, a large area in the work camp had been cleared for it staging and she had been instructed to be there by noon.
She was a few hours early but did not want to risk being late, and there was always the chance she could arrive before anyone else and- "Hi Kori!"
The high pitched yell almost caused her to trip over her own feet, she turned to see Princess Ty Lee upside down on one hand and Lady Mai looking bored.
The Princess flipped onto her feet, skipped over and gave her a one armed hug, Kori noted the other arm was tied to her back with rope. "See Mai I told you she wouldn't run off."
"It's still early in the day."
The Princess stuck her tongue out at her friend before turning back. "That's a really big pack, is that all you're bringing?"
"I'm certain I have everything I need."
"Oh, I guess Mai bringing a bunch of trunks is just her thing then."
"I have a system, do you know how many treks across the countryside I've been dragged on?"
"Are you sure you aren't just picky?"
"Call me what you want, I looked at our space and there's more than enough room my futon."
"Azula just sleeps in a hammock."
"Which means plenty of room for me, even with the four of us."
Kori went white. "Your majesty! I could not possibly share quarters with you."
The Princess smiled. "Sure you can, how else are we going to hang out on the trip?" Kori was confounded, it could not be proper to share a room with royalty but she could not exactly refuse if the Princess insisted.
"It's going to be so much fun! We'll get to see the countryside, visit cute towns, meet new people…well, after you guys get used to riding around in the Tracker, it's kind of scary at first."
"The Tracker, that's really what the grey monstrosity is called?" Lady Mai looked marginally impressed.
"Yeah I just came up with it neat right… you know, because it has tracks, and we're tracking the Avatar."
"I guess its best that you name it, that's not actually half bad."
"Thanks!" The Princess spun around to face her again. "Say, why don't you drop that off at the pile and help me practise."
"Practice?"
"Yeah I wanna see if I can ride Arkrez while doing a handstand, like in the circus."
"Ty Lee has always had this fantasy of being an oddity people pay money to see, and don't you somehow own a circus?"
"That's right! We should totally go see them."
"We have a mission Ty Lee." Kori jumped and turned to find Princess Azula walking down the path, her palanquin off to the side and already being disassembled.
"Awww come on, what if it's on the way?"
"They won't be, we're as far inland as any civilian is supposed to go… why is your arm tied up?"
"I was practicing."
"Of course you were." Princess Azula walked up to her consort and slowly ran a nail down her cheek and across her chin, Kori quickly turned away. "I rather like the idea of you tied up, shame." The Fire Bender walked past towards the staging ground, leaving the acrobat with a flabbergasted look on her face.
"You guys saw that right!"
"No Princess nothing!" Kori had the feeling she intruded on something very personal.
"I saw Azula messing with you, don't get so worked up about it… you're not listening are you?"
"She did that on purpose! She thinks she can throw me off balance just because she's hot and sways her hips… and..." The Princess trailed off while Lady Mai shook her head.
"Ty Lee for your own dignity at least stop staring at her."
"But you don't understand Mai! Sure she's being diabolical, manipulative and a big meenie but every time she gives me that little smirk I just wanna kiss up and down her soft neck-"
Lady Mai interrupted. "Yes I know, love and intimacy and such why don't we go settle in and play cards or something that should be sufficiently bland to settle you down."
"Ok fine… At least that's means I can give you guys the tour, come on I'll show you where the animals sleep!" The Princess untied her arm and skipped off, leaving Kori standing there wondering what had happened between the royal couple.
"Snap out of it 'new friend', with the two of them going through a spat you're the only normal personal I'm going to be able to talk to." Lady Mai gestured that she should follow and Kori quickly obliged, not entirely confident but not ready to run either.
In the lead car Azula loomed over the engineers making their final checks, she was undoubtedly making them nervous but there was a prepubescent demigod to capture and she would not tolerate sub par performance even under a tight deadline. It was supposedly good luck to start an expedition at noon, when the sun was at its peak, and though she had no time for superstitious distractions it gave her an excuse to push the gear heads hard.
All the supplies, mounts and personal were loaded, the area was clear of overly curious construction workers and she was finally ready to leave this backwater and track down her prey. She would not let this chance slip by her, true the Avatar had not been sighted yet but he would show himself soon enough and when he did Azula was determined to be at his heels, then his legs, his back and then the rest of him as she crushed him into the dirt.
Of course if Zuko popped up on the way she would perhaps expend some effort to bring him in, but she wasn't holding her breath. Right now her head was awash with more important ideas, like how to bring down a flying bison, how to stop an Air Bender from escaping, how to deal with the Avatars collaborator's, currently fire, lightning and perhaps large explosions were her top solutions though with Mai aboard a knife in the back was also an option.
As a bonus she had acquired a new lackey who seemed a staunch nationalist and Earth Bender, both traits Azula planned to make use of. Hopefully another person would help keep Ty Lee amused, she did not enjoy the idea of not being intimate with her consort for the foreseeable future but the girl needed to learn self-control. That said the look on her face earlier today was wonderful and made her remember why tormenting the girl was so much fun.
But aside from Ty Lee troubles Azula was, for the first time, excited about this mission. Yes bringing in Zuko and Iroh was important but hunting down the Avatar… that was something that truly deserved her attention and her skills. There was no doubt in her mind that she would be the one to bring him down, how fitting it was for the Fire Nations most capable to be the one responsible for destroying their great enemy.
The engineers gave out a startled yell as the boiler temperature spiked, Azula took a breath and calmed down, no need to get to excited. She walked towards the front view ports and peered out over mountainous landscape. Somewhere, between these over-achieving hills and the far ocean, her prey was flying high among the clouds. But no matter how high they climbed or how far they fled she would find them. The engineers let out another yell and even a few curses, Azula smirked, she was already enjoying herself far too much.
The man known as Bu looked into the small fire, at the bottom of this canyon even the stars seemed dim and the meagre fire looked like and inferno relative to the darkness around him.
Bu looked into the flames and contemplated his failure, for years he had trained among the mountains, refining his skills, perfecting his form, all to become the greatest warrior beneath the star. The only time he ventured back into civilization was to evaluate his skills, always seeking stronger foes to test himself against.
Here in Omashu was the fabled Bumi, said to be strongest Earth Bender and the perfect opponent to truly test himself against. But the man's rumored madness appeared true, surrendering to the Fire Nation before the first attack was even struck. None the less he had been determined to face the mad king, it was easy enough to convince the feeble resistance members to let him join after he presented them with a squad of crushed invaders.
Alas they proved weak, relying on cowardly tactics, spies and treachery to prove little more than an annoyance to the Fire Nation. He was planning on breaking into the palace himself and squeezing the king's location from the feeble governor when he joined the attack on the governor's daughter.
The knife wielder was skilled, doomed to failure but skilled. The challenge was so welcome he let his guard skip, an unforgivable sin that punished him when he was blindsided by the amateur earth bender allowing the knife wielder to use his overconfidence against him. The injury to his pride and honor were more severe than any physical pain he experienced.
He had sworn to redeem himself against both opponents when word of the Avatar spread like wildfire. All other concerns were discarded, for Bu the Avatar was the ultimate prize, the greatest adversary he could possibly triumph against. He cared not for nations, for wealth, faith or any worldly good, only the pursuit of martial skill enticed him. He had discarded all previous loyalties to the rebels as he sought and challenged the Avatar, where to his great shame pride one against punished him.
The small pink girl, she had interrupted his battle and rage consumed him, she had dared to disrupt his quest and would be swept aside like so many others. And then she had defeated him, pricks and taps no greater than a stinging insect had afflicted his skin and yet he fell all the same. He knew what she had done she was a chi blocker, not the first he had faced yet he allowed his mind to cloud for an instant, all she needed or an easy flawless victory.
He should have perished by her hand, a fit punishment for his folly and yet she had disregarded him after but a moment. It was obvious she thought him beneath her, as she should, why take the effort to end an opponent so easily felled? The shame of her dismissal was the greatest of the many dishonors he had brought upon himself.
Bu clenched his fist and the tiny fire was dragged down into the earth, he would not allow this dishonor to stand. His years of solitude and training would be a waste, he would track down the knife wielder, the amateur earth bender and the Avatar and prove himself greater than them all. But it was the pink chi blocker he would end first, she had stained his honor and before he could travel further on his quest of perfection he had to first repay the girl for sparing his life by ending hers.