Chap. 30

Awakening

The explosion shook the palace at every level. The front had already crumbled, but the entire palace trembled, as if in the hands of an angry giant. The great banner of the Earth Kingdom fell from its place above the top of the front wall. The rumblings and collapsing seemed to go on for days. But finally, the explosion ended, and the palace stood still, albeit in ruins.

"I think it's over." Jin said, as silence replaced the rumble of the earth.

"Are you sure?" Mai asked. "I really don't want to walk back up into a living bomb."

"No she's right. Even I don't feel anything anymore." An old man replied from the crowd of civilians.

"You're an Earthbender, right?" Mai asked.

The old man nodded, and the young girl said, "Well all right. Then let's get out of this place. The smell is starting to kill me."

"Oh, follow me! I remember the way out!" Ty Lee said gleefully, as she bounded through the caverns and back onto the pathway. As she hopped along, she said, "This place is so nice and homey! I wish we didn't have to go. We could stay down here forever with the happy spiders and rats."

"Is she always like this?" Jin whispered as she, Mai, and the Captain followed the acrobat.

"You have no idea." Mai answered.

"At least she couldn't capture one to be her pet this time." The Captain said. "We still haven't cleaning the ship's quarters since she brought that rhinadillo onboard. I still want to know what she fed it."

Jin grimaced at that thought, but kept walking, hoping to get out of the caverns just as much as Mai did. After evacuating the civilians into the palace, the foursome had attempted to bring them down into the lower levels, which would've provided much more protection then the upper level. However, upon reaching the lower levels, one of the civilians, an Earthbender, had said that the ground under his feet felt hollow. After a few minutes of searching, someone had found a trapdoor that lead down into underground caverns. Everyone had quickly moved into the caverns and they had been down there when the chaos-demon had detonated. The caverns had shook, but no one had been injured, and now that the threat was over, it was time to see what had happened above ground.

"Here we are!" Ty Lee said, as the group reached the trapdoor that had lead them down here in the first place. Moving over to it, the acrobat grabbed the handle and attempted to push it open, but stopped after a few seconds.

"What's wrong?" Mai asked.

"It's too heavy. I can't push it open." Ty Lee replied.

"There's probably some wreckage on it. Maybe it if we all push together." Jin suggested. The others nodded, and moving under the trapdoor, they all pressed against it, but no avail.

"It was a good idea, milady, but it appears we will have to find another way." The Captain said. But Jin wasn't done yet. Looking over the metal framework of the door, she said, "Can you heat up the metal?"

"Yes milady, but what good will that do?"

"Just trust me." Jin said. "But back up a bit before you do it."

Shrugging, the Captain did as he was asked, and sent out a thin sliver of flame the traced around the metal of the door. After a few minutes, the metal framework glowed red hot.

"OK, now watch." Jin said. The other watched raised eyebrows, but watched all the same. Suddenly, the door creaked and came down a little bit, then with a snap, it cracked off it's hinges and fell to the ground, bringing a mass of debris along with it. Still, when the dust had cleared, there was still more then enough room for the group to make it to the now open door.

"Come on, let's go." Jin said, as she started to move towards the door.

"How did you know that would work?" Ty Lee asked in amazement.

"Easy. Metal expands when it's hot. I figured it would weaken the door enough to let us pass."

"Nice." Mai said admiringly, as they made their way out.

After the darkness of the caves, the bright outside light was blinding to the group. After a few minutes, their eyes adjusted and they were able to see again. But when they could, they wished they were blind again.

"Holy…." Mai whispered, as she looked over the destruction of the Palace.

"Even when General Iroh invaded the city, there was not destruction such as this." The Captain said in shocked horror.

Jin just looked around in stunned silence. Ever since she had left her home for Ba Sing Se, the Palace had always seemed like the ultimate stronghold, one that could never be breached. And now it lay before her in ruins. It was just unbelievable. The Palace was supposed to be one of those great, immortal symbols, like the Avatar or …..

"Oh Chirron, the others! They were still up here!" Jin cried out. "We've got to try to find them."

"I don't think we'll need to search for long." The Captain said, pointing to a room in front of them. Jin looked over and saw what appeared to be a large ball of stone that had been split right in half. "Tierra…. Come on!" Jin yelled, as she ran towards the room. As the others started to follow, one thought ran through Jin's mind; what had happened to Zuko?

They entered the room and found it to be in as much a shambles as the rest of the palace. But worse still, they could see their friends buried within the rubble all around them. Moving quickly, they began to dig people out of the rubble.

"Are you all right?" The Captain asked, as he dragged Fuego out.

"Uhh… are we dead?" the red man asked.

"I don't think so."

"Oh. OK then." Fuego replied. He shakily got to his feet, just as Jin found Zuko in the debris. Frantically, she began to dig him out, and eventually uncovered a boy with bruises and cuts all over, but one who was alive.

"Oh thank Chirron! Can you stand?" Jin asked.

"I don't think so." Zuko said with a grimace.

"Oh no, where are you hurt?"

"My leg. You're kneeling on it." Zuko replied.

"Oh. Sorry." Jin said sheepishly, as she moved and helped Zuko to his feet.

"How on earth did you survive that?" she asked.

"Tierra and Toph's shield. It didn't survive the explosion, but it must've got us through the worst of it." Zuko replied. "So, this is what it feels like to help save a city." He said after a brief pause. "Feels good."

"Yeah. Now come on hero, you earned a reward." Jin said, as she leaned forward and kissed Zuko deeply. The former prince returned the embrace, but it was broken apart a moment later when Katara yelled out, "Wait, Sokka! Where's Sokka?!"

"Hey! Over here!" a voice yelled from by the collapsed throne. Everyone turned to see a familiar hand stretching out from under the wreckage surrounding the throne.

"Sokka! Hang on!" Katara yelled as she and Aang ran over to help. But before they got to within three feet of the wreckage, the throne suddenly flipped over of it's own accord. Everyone took a step back as a figure rose from the wreckage, shook the debris from it's hair, then reached back in and pulled Sokka out. The young boy shook his head to clear the cobwebs, and then turned to meet his rescuer. Upon seeing the figure however, his mouth dropped, and he cried out, "YOU?!"

"What? Did you think that your baby sister saved you?" Azula snapped, as she dug herself out of the wreckage.

"Um, well,…" Sokka stammered, unable to put the right words together.

"I think what Sokka is trying to say, is that he, like us, is just a little surprised that you would make the effort to save him." Katara translated.

"Hmph. Don't flatter yourself." Azula said, looking down at Sokka. "I owed you, and I refuse to be indebted to you for any longer then I have to. I saw you struck in the grate, smooth move by the way, and saw a chance to end my debt. That's all."

"Um, ok. Thanks I guess." Sokka said, as he got up out of the wreckage. Azula rolled her eyes, but accepted the thanks. Before anyone could say anything else though, the sound of footsteps suddenly filled the air. Everyone turned expecting perhaps Long Feng and the Dai Li, but instead, two figure dragged themselves into the room. Their black and gold garments were singed and torn, and they both stank of smoke, but they were alive.

"Good news everyone." Oscuridad said as he leaned against the wall. "It's dead."

"It wasn't easy, but we killed it." Luz added.

"Good job guys." Trueno said. "I knew you could do it."

"Yeah, great job." Toph said. "But could you hold off on the explosion next time?"

"I must admit, you did well." Azula grudgingly added.

"Thanks Princess." Oscuridad said. "Hearing it from you makes it all worthwhile."

"Indeed." Luz replied. "And don't worry Toph; next time we save the world, we'll try to do it quietly. But you know, that was kinda fun Osc."

"Yeah. We should try to do that more often." Oscuridad replied. They were both silent a moment, then the bat said, "I'm gonna pass out now."

"Me too." Luz added. With that, both their eyes rolled back in their heads, and they began to fall forward, and would've hit the ground, had Agua and Bosque not moved forward and caught them.

"Are they ok?" Jin asked.

"They're fine." Bosque answered as he and Agua dragged their unconscious siblings to the wall and leaned them up against it. "This is exactly what happened the last time we dealt with a chaos demon."

"In fact, I think they said exactly the same thing before they passed out then." Agua added.

"Really? That's quite fascinating." A voice said from behind. "But I don't think it really means anything."

Everyone turned to see Long Feng and the Dai Li standing before them. But in their midst was a bookish looking man, dressed in robes of finest silk that were dyed in the colors of the Earth Kingdom. A large pendant with the symbol of the Kingdom hung from his neck. Before Long Feng even spoke, the group knew who stood before them.

"You see Your Highness, it is as I told you." Long Feng said. "These are the ones who brought that creature into our city. These renegade Firebenders and their band of traitors have attempted to destroy us, but my planning allowed us to be saved!"

"You lying bastard!" Desierto snarled. "We killed that thing, and then you left us here to die!"

"You dare accuse me of lies, monster?" Long Feng snapped. But before he could say anything else, the Earth King stepped forward and looked at the so-called 'traitors.'

"I know of you." He said after a moment. "I read about you in my youth. Those tattoos… an Airbender. No, the Avatar! And those creatures…. The Elemental Knights!" Turning back to his trusted minister, the King asked, "Long Feng, are you sure that it was these very people who brought about that creature? The Avatar and the Knights have long been known as paragons of good. Surely they would not unleash such evil, nor would they work with those who had."

"I know it seems confusing my King." Long Feng said smoothly. "But things are not as they seem. The Avatar and Knights have aligned with the Firebenders, and unleashed that creature to bend us to their will. They wish to force us into their world order."

"But that doesn't make sense." The King argued. "It goes against everything that they teach."

"You must trust me, my King." Long Feng said. "I have always stood by you. Remember what I did for you at Lake Laogai?"

At those words, the King stiffened suddenly. Looking at the group he said, "I am sorry, but Long Feng is right. You may not have brought that creature here, but I can at least believe you were involved somehow. I will imprison you until I can make my decision. Dai Li."

With that, the secret police began to move towards the group. But when they extended their hands to trap their foes, nothing happened.

"Feng, you really should've prepared for me." Tierra said with a smile. Before either Long Feng or the Dai Li could react, the earth below them suddenly spiraled up and trapped them inside it. They struggled against, trying to free themselves, but with Tierra restricting their bending, they were effectively trapped.

"Now then your Highness." Iroh said, looking towards the King. "I implore you to trust us. Despite what you have been told, we are not your enemies today. Long Feng has been manipulating you, forcing you to turn your back on the world. We have come to open your eyes."

"But… Long Feng….. has been loyal." The King insisted, bringing a hand up to his temple suddenly, as if he was in pain. "He has…. Never lied to me."

"What is wrong with him?" Katara asked. "It's like he's being forced to read lines or something."
"And look at his eyes." Aang noticed. "They look all glazed."

"I think I know what this is." Hierro said. "And I know just how to fix it." The spider waked over to the Earth King, who had remained free. Too absorbed in his problems to move, the King stood there and watched as the spider advanced. Once he was close enough, Hierro brought up his hand, and with a little concentration, caused four metal orbs to descend downwards from his fingers on silver chains.

"Watch, your Highness." The spider said, as he grabbed the forefinger ball and sent it crashing against the others. The motion traveled through the first two balls onto the last, which swung back and repeated the process. The Earth King watched the movement intently, his eyes moving back and forth as the balls moved.

"Watch the orbs. Watch as they move. Focus only on them." Hierro whispered.

"My King, don't listen!" Long Feng yelled. "They are trying to…" But Long Feng got no further, as he suddenly found whips of water and flame pointed towards.

"I really think you should shut up now." Katara said.

"Indeed. I don't care for the Earth King, but I care less for those that leave me to die." Azula echoed.

Long Feng quickly went silent, as the Earth King continued to watch the orbs. Finally, Hierro asked, "What happened at Lake Laogai?"

"Long Feng…. Instructed me….. on how to run Ba Sing Se.' The King replied dreamily.

"And what were his instructions?"

"To forget the war. To forget the problems it caused, and let him run those important political matters for me."

"Did he know?" the spider said. "Your Highness, when I snap my fingers, you will wake up, and remember everything that has happened since." Hierro did just that, and with a start, the Earth King's eyes became clear. He shook his head for a moment, then looked at the room as if seeing for the first time. "I-I remember now.." he said quietly, then turned around and looked at Long Feng with rage in his eyes.

"You….you dared to steal my kingdom from me!" he yelled at the minister. "You took my throne and made me into an empty figurehead!"

"I've only ever thought of the safety of Ba Sing Se, Your Highness." Long Feng begged.

"Your magic would've had me crawling on all fours like a beast!" The Earth King yelled. "You are hereby stripped of your rank and title! You will spend the rest of your life in the prisons of Ba Sing Se!"

"Actually, you might want to do something about the Dai Li too." Sokka suggested. "They've been a big help to Long Feng here."

"Then the Dai Li is hereby disbanded!" The Earth King cried out. He stood there a moment later then asked, "Wait, how many people in this palace are still loyal to me?"

"Your generals still are." Sokka answered. "But we're not sure where they are now."

"Allow me sir." Tierra said, as he stretched out his hands. Suddenly, the earth surrounding the Dai Li and Long Feng grew over them, and then sank into the ground.

"They'll be in your dungeons in a few minutes. Of course, they'll still be encased, and their powers won't work, just in case there's some damage there too."

"Thank you, Groundquake." The Earth King said. "Now, can someone tell me what's been going on? Are we still at war? Are these Firebenders on our side?"

"Oh, we are not your allies, sir." Azula said, as she stepped forward. "My Father is still pressing hard to eliminate your city and take your kingdom. So am I."

"We've got a problem now, don't we?" Aang whispered to Agua.

"Oh yeah." The cat whispered back, as he gripped his trident. This had been the danger of the bargain that they made. That once Azula was inside Ba Sing Se, she would make the attempt to do what her ancestors had been trying to for a century; bring down Ba Sing Se. The others noticed this as well, and began to ready themselves for a fight. Despite the fact that the rest of Azula's group was not moving to support her, they were prepared to attack them as well.

But that need faded a second later when Azula said, "But today, I will leave it to you."

"Wha..?" Agua said, as he lowered his trident.

"Did you get hit on the head with some debris before?" Sokka asked.

"Would you rather I stay and fight?" Azula asked. "That creature was a threat to the world and everyone in it. I had no choice, but to help you. But I still owe you for saving Ty Lee's life, and I will not hold a debt any longer then I have to. So I leave Ba Sing Se to you, so long as you transport me and my entourage back to our camp."

The group and the Earth King looked at each other in silent confusion. But finally, Trueno stepped forward and said, "All right Princess. If that's all you want, then I'll send you back. Just tell me where."

Azula walked forward, and whispered the location into the ram's ear. Nodding, he told her to stand back, and as she moved, he said, "Sad, really. You're a huge benefit to whichever side you fight for."

"I know." Azula said, as her group moved to stand next to her. "Too bad it isn't for your side."

"Maybe not for long." Trueno said, as he started to move his hands around. "Maybe you're leaving because you actually respect us now. Maybe it's because you've seen that your father's army is not the greatest power in the world. And maybe it's because if he was wrong about that, then maybe the other things he told you are wrong. And if they are, Princess, then maybe your life hasn't been the great and noble effort you think it is."

Azula snorted at the ram's words, but as his power began to fill the air, she looked over to the side, as if she couldn't face the Knight. There was a crack of thunder and lightning, and suddenly, the group disappeared. Trueno lowered his hands, as the Earth King sighed and fell back into his broken throne.

"I've woken up into a nightmare." He said. "My Kingdom is out of my control, and there is a war going on I know nothing about. My palace is in ruins. What am I supposed to do?"

"First, I think we should work on rebuilding the palace." Aang said. "While we're doing that, we can deal with the rest of Ba Sing Se."

"In the meantime, I think I have a lot of work to do thinking up what to say to Kinjo when he gets back." Zuko said.

"You and me both." Jin said. "But I'm sure we'll get him to listen."

"And you're wrong, Your Highness." Sokka said. "There is one thing that we know about the war that no one else does."

"What's that?" The Earth King asked.

"The time when the Firebenders will be most vulnerable. The Day of Black Sun."

THE END

(If you hate self-promotion, do not go further and read the shameless plug)

Coming soon from Sandman Cometh- the story of the final battle- the invasion of the Fire Nation- the coming of power beyond imagination- and a return that will shock all who read of it.

THE ARMY OF THE AVATAR

COMING SOON