"Can we please buy a new Aang, riding bare back is scary." Toph said as they neared the palace.
"There it is. That whole thing is the palace. The Earth Kings chambers should be in the middle." Sokka said
"We have to be careful. Long Feng has probably warned the king that we're coming." Katara warned
"Why would you assume that? If you ask me I think that we are just going to sail right on through Aah!" he screamed as a boulder flew past them.
"What was that?"Toph asked terrified
"A flying rock. And more are coming." Sokka yelled
They dodged through many things. They landed and started to make their way to the entrance. Agents attacked, so they attacked back. Katara apologized every time she hit one of them.
Ray was the only one who wasn't fighting. She started to panic. Joo could feel her panicking.
"Ray, come here." Joo yelled. Once she was there she continued. "Do you bend?"
"Ya." she sounded ashamed
"Then why don't you help out?" Joo asked
"Because no one is supposed to know what element I bend." RAy said.
"Well if you don't help, we're screwed. There is like a total of 2,00 pro benders against us. We could use your help."
"But, everyone will hate me." Ray proclaimed
"I won't. So just help already." Joo said through gritted teeth
They were at the bottom of the stairs. Ray went to the back of the group. She took a deep breath and where they were standing was turned into a platform that moved up all of the steps while the Earth Bender, Toph, and Toph moved in since. No one saw what she bent, except the vibrations Aang felt. She was so surprised.
They made it into the Palace, where more guards stood. When they made it past them and into the throne room, Ray stuck back behind everyone else with Appa.
She could hear commotion in the throne room. She heard muffled voices, one she thought as her brother and the other Aang or Sokka. Ray made herself conferrable while waiting. She was anxious. She had thought that her name was said, or that is what it sounded like.
She jumped when the door opened suddenly. "Holy crap, I wasn't expecting you to be done so fast." She said standing up
"We aren't exactly done, we need Appa...and you." he mumbled the last part
Her face lost it's color in a blink of an eye. "What?" she croaked
Aang knew she had heard
"Why do you need me?"
He sighed looking away. "Long Feng said you returned. He knows that we had brought you along. So to prove it, you have to go in and show yourself. I'll do everything I can to change his mind about enslaving you." Toph said looking into her eyes.
"I guess I have no choice than. As long as you put an end to this world, I'll be fine, knowing I got to meet you." she whispered, her arms crossed over her chest and her eyes meeting his.
They slowly walked in, Appa trailing behind them.s
"Ah, so this young lady is who you think is my...Sister?"The Earth king sneered the last part.
"Indeed." Long Feng answered.
"And you say that your bison bit Long Feng?"
"Yes, Earth King." Aang answered. Appa opened his mouth and Aang showed the difference between the two. The exact same.
"Yep, that pretty much proves it." The Earth king said
"But it doesn't prove this secret conspiracy war." he continued
"We'll show you." Aang answered
"First, though, come here young lady." He said.
Ray took a deep breath and walked to the beginning of the stares. Her head down and arms behind her back.
"Your name?"
'Think! A name...fake name... uh' "Alex." she said quickly, but not to quick.
"Look me in the eye." the king ordered. She rose her head slowly
His eyes searched hers. A small glare held his gaze. "Come closer." he barked
Slowly, step by step, she rose the steps with her head down again. Dread filled her.
"Stop in front of my throne." he commanded. She did.
"Raise your head." he said as he stood.
He grabbed her chin and pulled her face up so that he could get a better view.
"Your going to have to do more than change your name for me to not recognize you." he whispered. Her body shook with fear. He knew.
He threw her down the steps with a flick of the wrist. She landed on the ground, yet no tears fell. Sokka rushed over to her and helped her up.
Everyone gasped as their eyes grew big.
"Are you ok?" He murmured
"I guess." She didn't look him in the eyes, but on the ground. "He knows." she whispered. Sokka's heart dropped to the pit of his stomach.
They walked over to the rest of the group. Sokka had his arm around her protectively. Ray laid her head on his chest. He could feel her body shaking. She was scared.
Toph could feel her shake too. There was a pain in her heart. Toph knew that this day would end badly for the princess. She had grown quite fond of her, and didn't wish any harm would happen. But Aang knew better.
Ray closed her eyes, trying so hard not to let the tears spill. 'This is it. The end of the road for me. He won't show mercy, I know that. At least you helped the Avatar in some way. If only I could live to see the end of this war.' she thought.
"Di Lee, take my sister and make sure she doesn't escape while I'm gone." Her brother commanded. "I'll deal with her when I get back." He said as two guards ripped her away from Sokka's grasp. He glared at them and then softened it when he looked down at her.
"I'm sorry."He whispered as the rest of the gang turned to walk away, all looking back at her.
"Don't be. I chose this." she said, and they were all gone. She was lead to a cellar below the palace for now. Once her brother returned, she would be brought right back up.
She was instructed to put on a white dress. The sleeves hugged her arms until her elbows, which is where they spread out until they ended after the tips of her fingers about two inches. Her dress hugged her body up until after her belly, which is where it gradually flowed, but not a lot. She had a belt wrapped around her belly. Her dress hung loosely on her shoulders.