Behind These Painted Masks
Chapter 12
Master of the White Lotus
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"How did the interrogation go?" the woman lounged in the throne. She was wearing armor a deep red, a color normally reserved for Fire Nation royalty. Her crown was dented slightly but still shined. Her nails clicked on the throne's arm, each hitting in perfect precision.
The Airbender took the seat to her right, "She's stubborn, like her element."
"Hmm and just like the Earth Kingdom her walls will crumble with time." The Fire Nation woman assured the Nomad, "Izan…something seems to be on your mind."
Izan shook his head, "It's that little girl…she knows who I am…you know…how I'm not Aang."
The nails stopped clicking, "Are you positive?" she asked, her voice light and unnaturally pleasant.
"Absolutely." The nails resumed the relentless chipping at the throne.
"Fine, she will simply be eliminated."
"Look! I can see it!" Sokka yelled pointing over the edge, Piando's castle had barely changed at all; the White Lotus was still visible in his courtyard even from the sky. What had changed was the small village beside it, the crater was still only a kilometer away but you could see a line of people going back and forth from the crater.
"What are they doing?" Katara asked, flying Appa lower and lower.
"They're mining…"
"For what?"
Sokka interrupted, "We shouldn't go check right now, let's just talk to Piando he probably knows what is going on."
The gate leading to the inner courtyard was as imposing as every but Sokka went up and banged on the door as if there was no tomorrow. Fat opened the door and held back a grin, "Well it seems the Water Tribe boys has returned." He glanced over at Katara and Zuko, "Fire Lord Zuko." Fat bowed deeply, "It is an honor."
They were sitting in the living room overlooking the picturesque landscape drinking a cold drink; Piando's had a slice of lemon. Zuko wasn't sitting with them her was sitting in the windowsill, one leg up, Saki in his lap purring contentedly.
"So what brings you here?" Piando asked his former student, the Master had not changed excepted for the white streaks in his hair and the deeper wrinkles.
"We needed somewhere to stay and we saw the mining…what happened?"
"The Rebels need coal to fuel their vehicles, they invaded about 3 months ago, I sent a messenger hawk but we still have yet to receive a response…" Piando explained.
Zuko shifted his weight slightly but still keeping his head averted said, "So Azula has taken over…"
"We have to save these people," Katara spoke for the first time, she walked towards the window arms crossed, "we can't just leave."
Piando drew his sword and began shining it, "I've tried, it's impossible…"
Katara turned her hair flipping around, "I'm going to help." With that she left and climbed the stairs to her room.
"Where's she going?" Sokka asked everyone in the room, Zuko stood while Saki followed him right by his heels.
"She going to do something." he said over his shoulder before following Katara's warpath up the stairs.
When in his room he reached for his backpack and pulled out the Blue Spirit. Somehow the smiling face comforted him whenever he saw it. By the time the sun had set, Zuko was not in his room and a certain Waterbender was making her way to the mine.
"FASTER!" a whip cracked over the laboring slaves, the chains clicked in time with the steady chipping of pickaxes against the hard stone. Guards were stationed every 5 feet, each looking more ferocious than the last, scars covering most of their bodies. The slaves were too absorbed in their work and the guards were to intent on keeping the production moving to notice a fog slowly poured into the hole as the moon rose higher in the sky.
Toph's still drowsy because drug lasts very long time