~~~~~~~~~~~~~*`~~: Chapter Twenty Seven: ~~`*~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"I suspect he might change his mind if you swallow you're pride and apologies to him." Chief Arnook said when they met the whole council including Pakku.
As if, Ally seethed, seeing the smug smirk spread across his face. "That's it!" Ally growled, making Katara, Aang, Sokka and the tribe council look at her in surprise, "There is no way!" Ally snarled pointing her finger to Pakku, "my friend is apologising to a sexist old man like you!" The council gasped, "Do you think girls can't fight? Is that it!" she seethed, the winds beginning to spiral around her.
"Ally –" Aang said.
"No, Aang, Ally's right." Katara snapped, "I'll be outside if you're man enough to fight me!" She challenged Pakku. Princess Yue gasped in surprise as the men stiffened.
"Never could have said it better my self," Ally said proudly and threw a disgusted look at Pakku and walked out with Katara. "You'll do great Katara," Ally said as they exited the main building, "Just remember that you need to come at him from different angles and overwhelm him. You're young and agile while his old and experienced, tier him out by avoiding his attacks, then give the final blow. You'll do great; I'll be supporting you from the sidelines."
Katara smiled tightly at Ally, "Thanks."
Aang and Sokka caught up with the two girls when they just reached the stairs to the main courtyard, "Are you crazy, Katara? You're not gonna win this fight!" said Sokka.
There went Katara's smile, "I know," she snapped throwing her coat off and chucking it into Sokka's face. "I don't care. Someone needs to slap some sense into that guy!"
"If anyone can do that its Katara," Ally grinned.
Pakku had no interest in fighting, walking straight past Katara with the comment, "Go back to the healing huts with the other women where you belong."
Aang had to hold Ally back from attacking the old man, but Katara whipped Pakku over the head with a water whip. Ally stopped struggling and leaned against the railing of the stairs with a satisfied smile.
Time for Pakku to get a slap in the face; the fight was on. Ally clenched her fist together as Katara almost got knocked down by a gigantic wave of water.
A crowd began to gather as Katara shot an icy wave at Pakku, who easily dodged by pushing up a column of ice beneath him and rushed towards Katara. Katara swooped low just as Pakku was about to push her down. Pakku swung around a large amount of water around Katara and himself. Ally could barely see their outlines in the rush. Chief Arnook and Princess Yue came over to stand next to Sokka, Ally and Aang.
Suddenly the water came straight at them; Ally slammed her hands to the ground and raised everyone who was in the waters path quickly above the wave of water. She settled them down with a cushion of air, helped by Aang.
Katara ran towards Pakku with a battle cry, flinging around a water whip; But Pakku froze a ramp in front of him and Katara slid up it and gracefully landed onguardrail. Pakku liquefied the ramp and threw it at her, but Katara easily deflated the attack.
"GO KATARA!" Ally and Aang shouted as the crowd cheered, mainly the girls, Ally saw Sukama and Nakku, Sukama had the betrothal necklace on her. She smiled at the happy couple before returning to watch Katara do battle with a master.
Katara raced toward Pakku, who raised a sheet of ice between him and Katara; it liquefied as Katara reached it and she threw several punches at him, which he blocked with a few swift hand movements and dodged as one aimed for his face. Then he suddenly brought up a wave and washed Katara into a pool of water.
Ally growled at Pakku's satisfied look, then cheered as Katara broke the surface with an even more determined look. She brought up a circular pedestal of ice out of the fountain pool and began to shoot off circular disks at him.
Ally laughed, "How's your reflection Pakku?" She called, ignoring the Chief of the tribe, who was next to her and the surprised Yue, "Not so cocky now are you!"
Katara bended a stream around her then threw it at him, Pakku expertly caught it and washed her backwards before she could run at him again. Ally stepped forward slightly, anticipation written over her face, she beamed as Katara jumped back to her feet and made the columns that were beside Pakku topple down on him, but he easily just vaporized the water into mist, which quickly formed into snow.
"Well I'm impressed; you are an excellent water bender," Pakku said.
"Flattery will get you no where." Ally hissed as Katara asked if he would teach her, the answer of course was no.
Katara raised a large amount of water in front of her and froze it, hurtling it towards Pakku in the form of a frozen wave, he swerved it around him and redirected it twice as fast, caught by surprise Katara got knocked down, then spears of ice were about to fall down on her, she stood up, but it was to late.
Trapped Katara tried to struggle against the prison in vain. Ally smiled grimly, Katara had put up a hell of a fight, and it had certainly showed as the gobsmacked men of the tribe were whispering words of awe.
Ally and the group of spectators walked up to Katara and heard Pakku say, holding Katara's necklace, "I made this sixty years ago for the love of my life," Katara's ice prison liquefied, freeing her, "For Kana."
"My Gran-Gran was supposed to marry you?" Katara asked in shock.
Ally's eyebrows shot up, now this was starting to sound like soap opera.
"I carved this necklace for your grandmother when we got engaged. I thought we would have a long, happy life together. I loved her." Pakku said.
"But didn't love you, did she? It was an arranged marriage," Katara said, "Gran-Gran wouldn't let your tribe's stupid customs run her life. That's why she left. It must have taken a lot of courage,"
Ally sighed, that must have been one of the reasons Pakku why was so bitter. Suddenly someone started crying and Ally looked around to see Yue running away, Ally nodded to Sokka as Aang said, "Go get her," Sokka ran off.
Chief Arnook turned to Aang with a slightly perplexed expression, Ally smiled at him "Sokka loves my daughter?" he asked her.
Ally nodded.
He sighed, "My daughter is engaged."
Ally shook her head, suddenly understanding why Yue was crying, "I doubt this boy Yue is marrying loves her more then Sokka does."
Chief Arnook frowned, "Yue said that she is fine with the arrangement,"
"Obviously not," Ally sighed sadly, waving to the place Yue and Sokka disappeared, "Has she even met the boy?" she asked.
Chief Arnook nodded, still frowning; he walked over to the tribe council. Ally walked up to Katara smiling and putting a hand on her friends shoulder, "You fought so well," Ally said grinning from ear to ear.
"Indeed," Pakku said, "Katara I have come to a decision," turning around he bowed to Katara, "I shall train you as my student and take the Avatar back."
Katara beamed and bowed back.
"Master Pakku," Ally bowed, "Would it be alright if I were able to observe your class from the sidelines?"
Master Pakku raised his eyebrow, "It would, if you are willing to participate in class and if you can keep up."
Ally smiled, "I am certain I'll be able to keep up." Incorporating water bending techniques so she could make new moves for air bending? This would be great; her move that earned her arrows was learnt from water bending after all.
"Good," Master Pakku said, "Then I expect you, Katara and Aang to be at my class at sunrise tomorrow."
Katara and Ally beamed at each other.
Ally took on a water bending stance and improvised it just a little so it was for air bending. The morning sun was rising behind her and the other students, Aang was next to her and Katara was on his other side. Pakku noticed Ally's non water bending stance and nodded, Ally was glade; she had been worried that Pakku might not understand her bending style all that much.
Master Pakku demonstrated a spinning move with his arms six times and the water split into three sections, he pushed the streams out and then connected them again. This move was about sinking and floating.
Ally breathed in and out, and made a large air ball then split it into three, halfway in splitting the air ball it collapsed. Ally frowned and tried again, concentrating hard and… yes! It wasn't about sinking and floating but more about flying and floating for air bending.
Soon it was time to demonstrate if we had gotten the move or not, Ally stood up front and created a large orb of spinning air, she moved her hands with the air and twirled her wrists separating the ball into three sections, she then shifted her weight and clashed them together again with a quick wave, making sure the movement was with the air globe and not against it. Ally raised her hands then settled them down neatly in a mediative pose, the air sphere dispersed into nothing.
"Not bad, not bad," Master Pakku chuckled, "Keep practising and you'll master the move by the time you're my age."
Ally frowned, displeased, but bowed all the same and sat down for the next person to demonstrate.
"Don't worry; coming from him that's actually a compliment." A fifteen year old boy said, Ally looked at him with a thankful smile. He had a lithe build, with a light brown complexion and a firm jaw line, his black hair was in a warrior's wolf tail, with a few strands hanging over his large dark blue eyes. He wore a black necklace with a fang.
"Thanks, I'm Ally." Ally said.
"Karaku," He said, shaking her hand.
Aang, Sokka, Katara and Ally spent the next three weeks in the Northern Water tribe; Katara had become a brilliant water bender and noticeably more confident. Sokka was evidently happier with his relationship with Yue and it seemed warrior training was great. Aang was his usual goofy self and was now good at water bending.
Ally, well along with unlocking the secrets of the forgotten art of sound bending by dancing while bending, and using water bending moves to create new air bending moves, things with Karaku had gone from friendship to something more; love.
"Can I look yet?" Ally asked, her eyes closed as she was lead by Karaku somewhere in the tribe. Not that she could see if she opened them, Karaku's hands were over them.
"No, other wise it won't be a surprise." His voice said in her ear. Ally could hear the amusement in his voice, "Watch your feet now," He said. "Okay," he took the hands away, "you can look now."
Ally opened her eyes and promptly her jaw it the ground. In front of her was a large water fall at the back of the chamber, pouring down into a large pool, but that's not what had Ally's attention. It was the small island of green foliage, two koi fish were swimming around each other in an never ending dance.
"This is the Spirit Oasis," Karaku grinned, waving his hand to the magnificent area. "It's the most spiritual place in the whole north pole. I thought you might like to see it. You've told me how much you miss about the temples and the nature there, I thought this would resemble you're home some how."
Ally laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed his cheek, "This is amazing," Ally sighed. They walked in and sat down on the grass, "It's so warm, ha! I never thought I'd miss grass so much." Ally pulled off her coat and laid down in the grass, her brown hair fanned out around her head.
Karaku smiled down at her, "You look beautiful with you're hair out,"
Ally blushed, "I keep it in a plat so it doesn't get in the way," she said, looking into his dark blue eyes. "I really enjoy spending time with you Karaku."
Karaku grinned and laid down next to her, "I enjoy spending my time with you too." Then he frowned looking up at the sky, "What? –"
Ally looked up too in confusion as dark black snow flakes began to descend just outside the oasis. Foreboding crept into her stomach, "Common!" Ally said, grapping his hand and pulling him out of the oasis. She tied her hair up in a pony tail while she ran; reaching the main courtyard Ally looked at Katara and Aang.
Katara looked fearful. Ally bent down and touched the blackened snow and rubbed it between her fingers and thumb. "What is this?" Karaku asked.
"Its soot," Ally said standing up, "Meaning the fire nation is here," Ally looked around out at the approaching dark sky sickened with soot, "And by the looks of it, I'd say there's a lot of them."
Ally sat down and said to Karaku, "Don't worry when I do this, I just need to see who's behind this army." Ally focused on the horizon and willed herself to see who was poising the danger, who was leading the army of flame tossers.
Her eyes widened with a flash of bright blue;
She left the Northern Water Tribe behind and zoomed towards the menacing black clouds, through the darkened taint of clouds she came towards the ship in the middle, then up on its tower she slowed down to see Zhao and Iroh.
Iroh blinked at her, Ally hoped he couldn't see her; Ally looked down at her hands. They were see-through blue… she waved her hand in front of Zhao – no response. Ally sighed in relief. But Iroh was looking straight at her with a serious contemplative look.
He could just be looking at the water tribe, that's all, Ally hoped
"This will truly be one for the history books, General Iroh." Said Zhao, Ally snapped back to look at him, "Just think, centuries from now, people will study the great Admiral Zhao who destroyed the last of the Water Tribe civilization. You're lucky you're here to see it."
Ally growled at him and clenched her fist in anger; she pulled back and punched him in the stomach. No response. Ally glared and looked at Iroh, who was wide eyed and looking at her with frown. Ally looked cautiously at him and pointed to her self with a raised eyebrow. He gave a slight nod. Ally's eyes widened and she quickly backed away from the edge of the railing and was now floating in the air.
"Well? General Iroh?"
"Be careful what you wish for, Admiral. History is not always kind to its subjects." Iroh said, looking away from Ally to look at Zhao.
Suddenly Commander Lee came onto the bridge and stopped at the sight of Ally.
"What is it Commander Lee?" Zhao asked.
Ally pulled back and crashed back into her body.
Ally looked up as Sokka and Yue jumped off of Appa, "Admiral Zhao is behind the attack," Ally said to Sokka, he nodded.
"Who?" Karaku asked, giving Ally a hand and helping her up.
"Middle-aged. Big sideburns. Bigger temper." Sokka said.
Ally chuckled, "and his sideburns are pretty big, so his temper is saying something." Ally said looking at Karaku seriously, "He has no self control over his temper or fire bending and that's what makes him dangerous. His ruthless, selfish person and won't hesitate to destroy life."
Karaku nodded with equal seriousness.
"We're meant to be up at the citadel now," Yue said, "Let's go."
Ally sat down next to Katara and leaned into Karaku for comfort, he wrapped his arms around her.
Chief Arnook stood up to address the tribe, "The day we have feared for so long has arrived. The Fire Nation is on our doorstep. It is with great sadness I call my family here before me, knowing well that some of these faces are about to vanish from our tribe. But they will never vanish from our hearts. Now, as we approach the battle for our existence, I call upon the great spirits! Spirit of the Ocean! Spirit of the Moon! Be with us!" he paused, looking around the tribe with sorrow, "I'm going to need volunteers for a dangerous mission." He said.
"Count me in." Sokka said standing up.
"Sokka!" Katara said worriedly.
Karaku also stood up.
"Karaku," Ally whispered.
Karaku smiled, "I'll be fine."
"Be warned. Many of you will not return. Come forward to receive my mark if you accept the task." Chief Arnook said.
Ally bit her lip as Karaku received the mark after Sokka, Katara and Ally shared a look.
Ally was standing on the outer wall with Snow-fire, Katara and Sokka were on her left and beside them was Aang on Appa, right next to Ally was a long line of water tribe warriors. It was to quite and she hated it.
Karaku took his place next to her, he was wearing the water tribe warrior paint. "Ally," Ally looked at him with a smile, "Just in case something happens…" he looked down, "I want you to know how much I love you."
"I love you too." Ally said.
Ally kissed him passionately, which he returned with equal compassion.
It couldn't last long though, for the fire nation let lose a fire ball. Ally felt the great impact on the wall and it collapsed partly, many were thrown off and Ally was just able to keep Karaku from falling.
Ally jumped up onto Snow-fire and Karaku did the same, gripping the reins tightly Ally gave them a light shake, "Yip, yip!" Ally called.
Aang did the same.
Taking out her staff Ally swang it around and stopped the next fire ball from hitting the city, instead it hit an iceberg a little way off.
"Nice one!" Karaku called.
Ally looked back with a smile, "Thanks, common," Ally took his hand; "We'll take it from here Snow-fire," She said to the Ermine-wolf. Snow-fire growled in affirmation and flipped.
Karaku tightened his hold as they fell towards the ship that was firing fire balls at the city, Ally looked at him and their eyes met; Ally couldn't help but grin at him, he wasn't scared of heights anymore like he was when they first met.
Ally threw her glider forwards and expertly jumped on top of it, cushioning the air on the ship so they landed softly; Ally spun her glider back into a staff and swept the fire soldiers away with a twirl of her staff.
Karaku whipped up a large amount of water from the ocean and doused out a fire blast before freezing the deck with it, trapping the feet of soldiers in hard ice. Meanwhile Aang easily destroyed the catapults, he seemed to be having fun.
Ally ducked as a hammer came towards her; she kissed her hand and gave him a blow kiss, blasting him over board. Smirking Ally jumped over to a catapult and tied up its chains to another, grinning widely at its own destruction Ally pulled its trigger and one catapult pulled the other up and on top of it, now it was nothing but a pile of junk.
Ally ducked as fire lashed out at her and she slipped around the bender before blasting him over board.
Ally looked at the destroyed ship with a smirk, she saw Karaku melt the water and the freed soldiers were sent over board. Ally helped Karaku up on Snow-fire and they took off as Aang got on Appa.
Ally and Karaku looked in front of them, "I've never seen so many fire nation…" Karaku's voice trailed off at the over whelming sight of the fire nation war ships.
"I have," Ally said grimly, "The day the fire nation attacked my people," Ally glared at the horizon of approaching fire nation ships, "I won't let what happened to my people happen to yours," Ally said. Ally glanced at the ship below now completely surrendered to the water tribe's mercy, "Don't you have a mission?" Ally asked frowning, not really wanting him to go.
"That's not until tonight," Karaku said, "but I should go back for the briefing." He said.
Ally and Karaku looked at each other, "Be safe. Make sure you and Sokka stay together," Ally whispered.
Karaku wrapped her up in a warm hug, "We will, just be careful yourself, you worry too much."
Ally nodded leaning into the comfort, "Snow-fire will take you back, and I'll make do with my glider until she comes back." She said. Ally and Karaku kissed for a last time before Ally rolled off Snow-fire's head and let her self fall, dropping just a little longer just to reassure her self that everything would be fine.
She would meet Karaku at the end of the battle, Ally reassured herself, everything would be fine. She snapped her glider open and pulled out of her free fall sharply.
Aang flew in on her right, "You take one side and I'll take the other. And Ally?"
"Yeah?" Ally asked.
"Don't worry. Sokka and Karaku will be fine."
Ally smiled at her best friend, "I can't help but worry, their more immature then the two of us back before our arrows."
Aang laughed, "We could still kick but back then!"
"Let's do this!" Ally agreed, "For the Air Nomads!"
Aang called out, "For Monk Gyasto!"
Aang and Ally let out a battle cry as they swooped down on the fire nation fleet.
Ally couldn't help but enjoy her self; it wasn't every day she could sabotage fire nation war ships. Ally ducked a hammer that was attached to chains, "The hammer thing's getting old pal." Ally said to a particular mean looking soldier, he didn't reply, well if you count swinging his chained hammers responding then sure he replied.
Ally skipped over it and griped the chain, kicking off the metal deck with a blast of air she soared around him and wrapped him up in his own web. Ally laughed, "Air Benders power!" she wacked him over his head, he collapsed on the ground.
Fire lashed out at her and it singed the edge of her plat, "Oi! I recently had a hair cut!" Ally said jokingly before slipping under the women soldier and elbowing her in-between the shoulder blades. She stumbled off balance and Ally swept her feet out from under her and twirled her around in a whirl wind then pushed up, she went flying over board.
Ally swang her staff around in a swipe, the last catapult on the ship she was on collapsed with a loud clang. Smiling, satisfied with the destruction she had created, Ally jumped onto the next boat and swooped low with both legs; creating a large shockwave of air along the metal floor, tripping most soldiers over.
Grinning she raced off to the first catapult, dodging a few hammers she was quickly surrounded, Ally jumped high in the air as they attacked with various weapons and gouts of fire. Creating two air disks she struck the joints of the catapult; the metal dented at an odd angle, it was enough. It whined in protest before collapsing.
She pushed on the air with her feet and dodged a gout of flames, she rolled across the ship metal deck and came up in a crouch. She laughed at their angry expressions and spun around on her back and flipped up to land on her feet, a large sphere was spinning in front of her, the fire they threw at her was diverted and a hammer that was thrown was conveniently thrown back at its owner; hitting him in the forehead, knocking him out cold. Smirking, Ally split the air sphere into four separate spheres and caught three soldiers in each then spun them overboard.
"You little &#%$!" said a soldier charging at her with duo swords waving around wildly. Ally never heard that word before; she stored it away for later use, she'd use it on Commander Lee if he turned out to be a liar.
Dodging around him Ally kicked his feet out from under him then hit him on the back of his head with her staff. Ally looked around and beamed as an idea struck her. Knowing this ship's occupants wouldn't survive if she put her plan into action via this ship she went over to the next.
Once she had mocked and blasted the soldiers overboard she quickly leapt onto the bridge and into the helmsmen area where the stirring wheel was. Kicking the helmsmen overboard Ally grinned smugly, she turned the stirring wheel on a collision course with the ship next to it... "Oops," Ally smirked and before the collision Ally jumped back on her glider and watched the Fire Nation soldiers jump off the sinking ship.
Aang swooped over to her, "Nice work!" he said while passing her by.
"How many did you get?" Ally called playfully.
"Nine! How many did you get?"
"Damn," Ally muttered, "eight!" she called.
"Ha! I win!"
"Best two out of three!" Ally argued before spiralling down on the next war ship.
"Hey no far," Aang cried above her, "You got a head start!" he laughed before diving on his ship.
After what felt like twenty more ships it was beginning to get tiresome, and Ally really didn't know how much more she could endurance she had left in her; the Fire Nation Ships seemed to be never ending. Finally the Ships ceased fire on the fire balls and anchored; and Ally knew why, the sun was setting, water benders had the advantage when almost full moon was high in the night sky.
Ally let out breath of exhaustion and destroyed the last two catapults of the ship she was on currently then flew off into the air, wobbling like a drowsy bird-bat.
Aang and Ally flew back up to Appa and Snow-fire. Ally landed not so gracefully on Snow-fire's saddle, "I can't do it any more," Aang muttered audibly after dragging himself onto Appa's head and taking the reins.
Ally nodded as her stomach rumbled, "We must have taken out over two dozen ships each," she looked back at the ruins of the fire nation fleets front line, they did quite a bit of damage; but it wasn't enough.
"Aang! Ally!" Katara called as they came down to land, Ally rolled off Snow-fire's head and slowed down with a light use of air bending, she landed on Snow-fire's right front paw, Snow-fire rested her head next to Ally.
Ally looked up at Katara and Yue; Ally shook her head dejectedly as Aang spoke of their concerns. "We only took out the first line," Ally sighed, "And we're still, no matter how much experience we've had, we're still… we're just kids," Ally shook her head, the truth felt like a kick in the gut. "I'm sorry; but we need rest, we need to think over a new plan." Ally sighed.
"I understand Ally." Yue smiled, Ally gave a half smiled back.
"I know this seems a little like Sokka but, can I have something to eat?"
"Ally!" Katara frowned.
"We need those simple things to survive Katara, and right now my body is telling me to find food," Ally said tiredly.
"Food does sound good," Aang said, clutching his stomach.
Yue nodded, "Let's us go up to the citadel," she said.
Ally tossed and turned in her bed, she just couldn't get enough sleep; sighing in defeat she got up and saw Yue, Aang and Katara standing on the balcony.
"Hi," Ally muttered to them and leaned against the balcony, "What's going on?"
"Yue was telling me about the history of the water tribes," Katara smiled, "The moon was the first water bender, our ancestors learned how it pushed and pulled the tides and learnt how to do it themselves."
Ally smiled, she already knew that but she didn't need to say that, she nodded, "The Water Benders are the only benders who learnt from a spirit, the others learnt from Animals. Fire is the Dragons, Earth from the Badger-moles and Air from the sky-bison; – Ermine-wolves actually came after the sky bison, but before humans."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that," Yue smiled, "The water benders learnt from Koi fish."
Ally blinked then nodded smiling, "alright then all benders got the original source from an animal," she corrected herself, "Cool."
Ally noticed that Aang was unusually silent.
"You were saying Yue?" Katara asked.
"Oh, our strength comes from the Spirit of the Moon; our life comes from the Spirit of the Ocean. They work together to keep balance." Yue smiled.
Aang blinked then his expression turned ecstatic, "That's it! I could ask for the help of the Spirits!"
"Brilliant!" Ally grinned, she looked out at the ships, she spotted a extremely large one by the moons light, "You get the spirits help; I'll get back to work on sabotaging the ships, the lead ship in particular," She smiled.
Aang nodded, "Just be careful."
Ally jumped off the balcony and called back, "This is me you're talking too!" She flipped open her glider.
Time for N'Gale to make another appearance.
When she was ready she flew off towards the horizon of flame tossers, dressed as what the fire nation would call her; Nightingale or N'Gale as Spike had called her. The black, feathery, skin-tight costume was actually warm despite the cold arctic chill.
Ally flew low as she approached the lead ship; like a silent shadow, and then she noticed something; "Remember your Breathe of Fire! It could save your life out there!" Iroh's voice sounded softly.
"I will." Zuko's voice said.
Ally glared from her hiding place.
Iroh's concerned voice said again, "And put your hood up; keep your ears warm!"
"I'll be fine." Zuko said, Ally spotted a small fire nation boat with Zuko in it. It would be a while until Aang was any real danger from Zuko, Ally thought, plus Katara is more then a match against him now that she was near master ship.
Reassured by her reasoning's, Ally climbed the anchor quickly and peaked on deck, more then a hundred guards were on duty in case of an attack. Ally saw her chance and ducked behind a create full of explosives.
Ally smiled, lets heat things up a little.
The engine room was easy enough to find without getting detected, Ally placed the ten explosives next to the boiler and took a stick out of the stock pile. Ally set the branch a lit and ignited the strings; she bolted at air benders speed, not caring at all who saw her.
She jumped out on deck and shot into the air as she saw the bottom end of the ship explode, grinning behind her silver mask she landed on the front of the commanding ship as all hell broke loose.
Blasting seven soldiers off with a long air blast she managed to destroy two catapults before Admiral Zhao came on deck screaming up a fire storm. He spotted the black, feathery clad figure and attacked her with a savage look of intense rage, remembering her from when the Avatar was in his hands and she broke him out along with the Blue Spirit.
Ally ducked a rouge flame that came at the side and rolled away towards the last two catapults as the rest of the fifty or so fire benders attacked. Ally baited them around the catapults, them doing more damage to their precious weapons then they did to her.
Laughing quietly at their fool-hardiness she didn't notice Commander Lee and she slammed right into his chest. Ally rolled around him and pushed off his back as he tried to catch her, she looked at the burning ship in satisfaction, spreading out her costumed black wings she soared into the air. That should stop inception of their attack and intimidate them for a while, Ally thought with a satisfied smile. She looked at the three bombs left at her disposal; she thought she'd keep a few extra… Ally looked at the end of the fleet of fire navy ships…
Setting up the bombs quickly around the stirring wheel and setting the wheel to full thrust and turning it onto a collision course with its fellow ships, she bolted, having already tricked a bunch of fire benders light the bombs for her by taunting them while fighting. Ally was out in record time before the bombs exploded, she rolled in mid-air as a few debris threatened to land on her.
She watched satisfied as half the line on the right, next to the hazardous commanding ship, got bashed by their own ship. Ally looked up as a few clouds drifted in front of the moon that was now high in the sky, her eyes widened as an idea sprung to mind.
She zoomed up and began to bend the air in the clouds to come down and scare the fire nation, she landed on the roof of one and bended the moistened cold air to cover the whole ship. Taking a calming breath and remembering how water benders shaped the water to they're will she started slow, creating the head; that of a large cobra snake, biting her lip and straining to keep the head hanging there she then created the long body. Okay, Ally thought as she got to get a headache from moving too much liquid air, this might be a little too hard; she let the image of the gigantic snake float away in the soft wind.
It was enough to scare the soldiers at least, and the nearby ships! Ally smirked as they abandoned the ships by jumping over board. Ally looked at the mass ciaos she had created; this was more fun when she was dressed as a spirit.
She jumped off the roof of the ships tower and came into the abandoned steering room, she locked the wheel to turn into the ships next to it and turned up the thrust so the ship spun around and collided into the next ship. Ally stumbled slightly before lightening herself with air bending and jumped off the sinking ship, bringing down the other ship with it.
Ally reached the middle of the line and was back on the commanding ship. The look of intense hatred was clear on Zhao's face as he observed the wreckage of his ships on one side of his line up, the fact that his own ship was damaged was inexcusable.
Iroh and Commander Lee were whispering in the background, Ally pulled the air around them softly so she could over hear; "Could that have been Pakku?" Iroh asked barely over a whisper. Ally blinked, since when did Lee and Iroh know Master Pakku?
"I'm not sure, but that girl dressed in black I know," Commander Lee smirked and said softly, "Ally's the Nightingale."
Ally cussed under her breath, how many other fire nation people knew her identity? Scowling Ally sneaked into the helmsmen area and knocked him and his guards unconscious before they could sound the alarm. Ally was about to turn the wheel when there was a sudden sheathing of blades, Ally turned around to see John with his duo blades in each hand, two fire nation soldiers flanking him.
"Don't make a move." John said warningly.
Ally raised an unseen eyebrow; due to her mask, "ooh, I'm so sorry, am I supposed to be scared?" Ally asked sarcastically.
John frowned, his swords lowering slightly, "Who are you?"
"What makes you think I'd tell you when there's a large bounty on my head?" Ally asked, now John just looked confused, it was kind of amusing, Ally swept the soldiers over the railing and threw a quick cushion to soften John's fall, he did save her after all, but she's in a different identity at the moment, he didn't know who she was. She couldn't help but feel guilty, "Sorry," Ally whispered.
Then without anymore distractions she turned the wheel and the ship spun into the ships next to it, because of its size it easily cut across two more then the smaller sized ships could.
She jumped out of the ships tower and swooped up into the air. Looking at the extremely damaged commanding ship she spotted Commander Lee and Iroh looking up at her, Commander Lee smirked knowingly.
Ally looked back at the Northern Water tribe and suddenly remembered Zuko, Ally cussed, she zoomed back towards the ice city, how could she have forgotten? It must have been at least two hours since she saw Zuko paddling his way on that small boat of his… More then enough time for Zuko to find Aang, she hoped she could find them quickly and be of assistance.
She spotted Chief Arnook and flew down to him; his guards pointed their weapons at her, holding up her hands with a peaceful gesture she took off her mask. The water tribe warriors relaxed, "Have you seen Aang and Katara?" Ally asked urgently.
Chief Arnook nodded, "They are in the spirit oasis with Yue… why?" he asked, finally noticing her urgent look.
"I think a fire bender has managed to infiltrate the city," Ally said hurriedly, "He has chased us Aang since the south pole, he wants' to capture him. His Prince Zuko." She added.
Chief Arnook looked surprised before nodding sharply; he turned to the guards, "Tell the warriors to search the city. Capture though – don't kill, the last thing we need is the fire lord come down on use with a bigger battle force out of revenge."
Ally shot off towards the spirit oasis, flying over many houses and ran through the little door with a bang.
Aang cried out in frustration, "How am I supposed to meditate if no one allows me peace!" he slammed his fist on the grassy ground, looking at Ally with an annoyed look.
She looked at him with a relived smile, "Sorry Aang, but I thought you guys might be in danger."
Aang shook his head, "You really do worry too much."
"I'd rather be a pessimist then an unprepared optimist," Ally chided with a sing song voice.
Aang shook his head while Katara and Yue laughed, he looked at the water, suddenly his eyes glowed white and then so did his tattoos.
Ally walked up next to Aang while Katara explained to Yue that Aang crossed into the spirit world. "Should I go and get help?" Yue asked.
"No, Ally and I are more then capable of protecting our friend." Katara said smiled reassuringly, Ally turned to smile at her.
"Well aren't you big girls now?" said a sneering voice. Ally spun around and growled at Zuko, he ignored her furious glare and continued, "Hand him over and I wont have to hurt either of you."
Katara stepped in front of Ally and Aang, Ally held back as a defence while Katara would attack; and attack she did. Ally let herself drop her guard as Katara wrapped a watery prison around Zuko, freezing the water into solid ice.
"Nice one." Ally murmured to Katara in encouragement.
"You little peasant, you've found a master, haven't you?" Zuko snarled through the ice which shattered through a blast of fire. Ally picked up Aang with air bending before Zuko could get past Katara, she moved him to the far end of the oasis.
She looked around just as Katara pinned Zuko to the rocky wall of the oasis with a large amount of solid ice.
Then – Ally's stomach dropped, the sun was rising. She was too far away to save Katara in time from the blast of fire that she tried to block. Ally took on an air bending stance and readied herself, moving five meters in front of Aang so he wouldn't be caught in battle.
She was still tiered from her earlier bout of sabotaging the ships, she had no idea how long she could face Zuko, but she steadied herself and opened her mind to ideas. She wasn't going to let Katara down, not when she was counting on her to keep Aang safe.
Zuko seemed to be contemplating his next move carefully or – Ally brought up a shield quickly but it hadn't been quick enough, just enough to shield her from the powered up fire blast.
Zuko wasn't using a strategy, Ally realized as she hit her head on the stone wall and collapsed to the ground, he was powering up his attacks now that the sun had risen, shakily she stood up again; blinking the black spots away she snarled, "It will take more then that to knock me down."
He ignored her and dodged her attacks, not bending fire just yet until – Ally brought up a shield, but stumbled under the powered attack, Zuko used that opportunely to blast another strong burst of fire. Ally slammed into the rock wall again and fell to the ground; it was time to take offensive.
Roaring with determination Ally lunched herself at Zuko, kicking out with a large blast of air knocking him back on his face. Spinning her staff around to block two more blows Ally lashed out only to miss Zuko as he side stepped.
Ally easily spun around hissing flames then mere inches away from him spun her leg around in a round house kick, but he gripped her leg with a skilled hand and Ally blocked a blow to the head with her forearm, he let go of her leg and quicker then Ally could react hit her forehead with a sharp knock. Ally collapsed on the ground, trying to stay conscious she struggled to look up at Aang as he was picked up carelessly by Zuko… she blacked out.
"Ally! Ally get up, common Ally!" Someone shouted in her ear, Ally's eyes snapped open and she flipped up onto her feet. She looked around desperately to only see Sokka, Yue, Katara, Karaku, Momo and Appa… No Aang.
"Zuko took him!" Ally blurted out.
"We know," Katara said sadly, "How are we going to find him?"
Sokka was able to track where Zuko went, right into the storm above… Ally felt greatly angered that Zuko would be so stupid and drag Aang into a snow storm.
"I need to be at the gates, fighting," Karaku said before they got on Appa, Ally bit her lip, torn between her boy friend Karaku and her best friend Aang.
"It's okay Ally," Katara said, "You can stay here with Momo in case Aang comes back, and then you can find us with the focused vision if we've been gone too long."
Ally nodded as she watched her friends and boy friend leave the oasis in different directions, "Don't worry Momo," Ally murmured, crouching down to pet the lemur, "Aang will come back to us, Katara and Sokka will find him," Ally said firmly, she looked to where Karaku disappeared to enter the fight, "Karaku will be fine, his a great warrior." Ally said softly. Momo chattered and curled down in the grass next to her; Ally stood up from her crouch and stretched her neck rubbing the sore parts on the back and front of her head.
Ally heard explosions outside the oasis and grimaced, how could she just stand here when Momo could stay and wait for Aang…? People are risking there lives trying to save their city! Ally winced as an explosion came closer. She placed her mask over her face and looked down at the two Koi fish; Ally had a strange feeling of kinship, the Air Spirit's emblems on her arrows flashed blue and the black lightened into light blue.
Ally smiled in relief, the Air Spirit was renewed in energy, which meant her chi was no longer going to be messed up; it was stabilized. She was glade for that, spirits forbid if she stopped bending all together or came up with another freaky long lost ability from the Air Nomads.
She shot into the air and towards the fight with a war cry under her mask, they had been able to entire the city, the battle for the survival of the Northern Water Tribe has begun in earnest.
She swooped down and kicked a fire nation soldier in the stomach then hit him in the head, knocking him unconscious. Noticing the Nightingale the fire nation soldiers attacked her at once, even leaving a fight with water bender to attack her.
Standing confidently she pulled the mist that was hovering over the water from near by with air bending then wrapped it around her and the fire benders that surrounded her. Before they could attack at random Ally shot them into the main wall with a sharp jolt of air.
Suddenly Rhino's with riders came marching through the destroyed wall where the Fire Nation ships had connected too.
Ally leaped forward in front of the Rhino's with fire nation riders, fire shot at her and she evaded them quickly, an arrow came whizzing towards her head and she caught it with a quick use of air bending, she snapped it in half.
The archer blinked before being blown off his rhino and into a fellow archer. Suddenly five small fire balls were thrown at her and Ally retreated seven steps while deflating them with quick air bending wrist work. Suddenly the outer wall began to collapse; more and more soldiers and rhino's ran in, gritting her teeth Ally blasted three soldiers off their rhino's and created a ring of air then snapped it outwards, all the rhino riders with in her blasting range (seventy meters) fell off their animal.
She saw Nakku nod to her as she let loose another blast of air and knocked out a fire nation soldier with a sharp elbow jab as he tried to sneak up on her. "Have you seen, Karaku?" Ally asked Nakku before ducking around a spear then sweeping the soldier's feet out from under him, she gave him a quick jab in the temple.
Nakku shook his head before melting the ice from under his opponent then freezing it. Ally dodged a fire ball and returned it with a rapid succession of air punches of hard balls of air.
"Do you know where he might be?" Ally asked him.
"His a mildly mastered water bender," Nakku shouted back, "Not yet a full master… he'd be in defence!"
Ally nodded, glade her boy-friend wasn't on the front lines, Ally ran towards the enemy and kicked up a bunch of snow with air, the water benders around her froze the fire benders to the ground via the snow she kicked up with air.
Ally flipped back up into the sky, she barely dodged a flaming arrow. Looking around she saw in dismay the fire nation hunks of metal on wheels, Ally groaned remembering the last battle with them… air slices would work on these things... Ally beamed under her silver mask as she felt a slight boost in her energy, like she was on coffee, silently thanking the Air Spirit she flew lower.
Ally landed approximately seventeen feet away from the metal tanks and blocked fire balls from hitting her with a swift wall of air, she then whipped her hand around and an air slice clanged onto a tank, braking one side of its wheels off.
Leaded by Ally's example the water benders began to slice the tanks wheels off with water bending.
Ally ducked as a fire whip lashed out at her.
It was half day and the Fire Benders were winning the battle; they were fighting in the middle of the city now. Ally was tired. She had never fought for so long before with out sleep the last night; she made a mental note to practice endurance if she got out of this.
Everywhere was ciaos, Master Pakku was on a tower that was still standing and was doing every thing he could to defend the inner city. Ally hadn't seen any sign of Aang, Katara, Sokka, or even Karaku yet.
Seeing Fire Nation soldiers about to run across a bridge Ally flipped and lashed an air slice towards the middle of the bridge; it crumpled and the soldiers fell into the river below.
In all honesty it seemed like a losing battle, the fire nation had over whelming numbers and were attacking with such furiousness it seemed like the comet all over again; minus the intense inferno's that came with it. Ally landed on a tower and breathed in and out heavily, the putrid fumes of fire balls made her stomach queasy.
"Karaku!" someone shouted in panic not to far from her.
Ally bolted to the cry without a second thought, please, please let him be okay… Ally pleaded to the spirits. Warick, a friend of Karaku, was in front of Karaku. Karaku was lying down on the ground bleeding heavily from a long looking dagger implanted in his chest; Ally swore her heart stopped beating.
Ally screamed out a feral, gut twisting war cry that rang through the whole city, chilling everyone who heard the pained cry above the battle, she charged the fire nation soldiers.
Ally looked down at Karaku crying like part of had been ripped off, she hadn't killed the soldiers; Warick had. That didn't mean she didn't bash their heads around while throwing up large amounts of wind.
Karaku gave her a grimacing smile; blood trickled down the side of his mouth, "Karaku, just stay calm," Ally said, trying desperately to keep her tears from falling and her voice calm, but tears trailed down her face and her voice was breaking like fine china, "Hang on, you'll, – you'll make it, please you'll be fine," she tightened her hold on his hands, she released one hand and moved her hand to heal the wound.
"No," Karaku chocked, his free hand found hers in a grip that was trembling in its frailness.
"I can't just stay here and watch you in pain," Ally said shakily, trying to reason with him; she needed to see him healthy again, grinning at her toothily or smiling gently, or laughing at her antics when she was practising air bending.
"You'll die if you don't," Karaku whispered, "I could never survive the guilt, Ally please, dont."
"Karaku," Ally begged.
"Warick had gone to get the healers, wait, please, for me." He whispered.
Suddenly the healers came running around the corner, several guards protecting them. They worked quickly and efficiently, in a glow of white and a flurry of water. But Ally could see the light leaving his blue and once bright eyes slowly…
Ally shook her head in denial, no please, the healers were still working.
Karaku's pained smile turned unbearably sad and pained, it brought a whole new wave of pain in Ally's heart. "Ally?" he murmured, almost inaudible, "My front pocket." Ally took out a white necklace; the pendent was icy blue with the air nomad emblem engraved into it; A betrothal necklace. "When I told my mom about you," Karaku's faint voice said, "she told me that one of my great grandfathers' was an air nomad; he carved that necklace for his wife around 160 years ago. I wanted to give it to you when you turned sixteen…" Karaku's deep blue eyes went out of focus; his hands went limp from hers, his eyes open yet unseeing. The dagger was gone from his chest when the healers had tried to heal him, but the gapping wound was still there…
Ally felt the ground tremble beneath her and she looked up dully as the healer began to back away from a team of rhinos and their riders, the several water tribe guards took ranks and attacked. Looking back at Karaku her hand trembled as she gently closed his eyes, her hand lingering on his still warm cheek. She felt for a pulse, nothing, he was, he was gone. Ally took off her mask.
Ally looked up as a sword was placed over her heart, the soldier was middle aged. Ally recognized him as the captain she had helped when she first encountered John and Commander Ty Lin. He seemed to be startled to see her as well, apparently he knew her.
"What are you waiting for?" Someone said behind him, "Common we need to secure the city, hurry up and kill her already."
That snapped Ally back from her numb despair and into tough reality, she leaned back and kicked the sword away then rolled backwards to stand up. Knowing they could see her face and she was in her nightingale costume Ally quickly knocked them away with a bout of air, she picked Karaku's body up and moved him to a less likely place for a fight.
Ally looked around with an aching heart, she knew at the back of her mind that if that captain hadn't had been that soldier she had saved all those months ago she'd be dead. Ally didn't know what she was feeling anymore, it was all too unreal. She jumped up through a window as fire troops ran past it, spotting her they gave a roar and attacked.
It was like when she killed Monk Afiko, though this sense of numb was stronger… Ally just moved according to how Monk Gyasto and Sister Iio taught her, auto pilot, nothing was personalized to her fighting... she knew her
"Ally?" someone asked behind her, Ally turned around with an empty expression, it was Commander Lee.
Lee had seen that expression before on the young air bender's face, right after she must have killed Monk Afiko. She was showing no emotion but the storm in those orbs said enough, something horrible has happened. Lee felt a stab of guilt and regret that he was part of the reason of her pain through her life.
"Ally?" Commander Lee tried again.
Commander Lee was the last person Ally wanted to see. No, the person she wanted to be with was her best friend; Aang. But he was kidnapped by Zuko and her two friends plus Yue was looking for him. Finally a emotion broke through, loss, and she hated that, hate lead to painful anger.
Ally slipped into a fighting position and glared at Commander Lee, he raised his hands in peaceful surrender.
A snarl echoed through the hallway and Snow-fire slammed into the wall which collapsed, Snow-fire was in front of Ally in seconds, snarling and snapping at everything and anything that came within ten meters of Ally. Snow-fire's blazing golden wolf eyes narrowed at Lee.
Ally jumped onto her animal guide, "Yip, yip." Ally whispered to the Ermine-wolf.
Snarling at Lee, Snow-fire leaped through the hole in the wall she had created and flew off into battle. Stripping her Nightingale costume and now wearing her normal air nomad clothing Ally placed her fans on her belt and picked up her staff.
Ally directed Snow-fire to the oasis, fighting Fire Nation soldiers from above with rapid air punches. They landed in the oasis, it was sunset.
Ally looked at the circling Koi fish, was it just her or were they looking at her with sympathy? Not knowing why she just gave them a small smile, "Aang hasn't returned yet has he?" her voice startled her, it was like she was emotionless, normally she hid behind a mask of determination or happiness.
The Koi fish didn't reply, Momo awoke though and looked around before jumping on her shoulder chatting in her ear. Suddenly Nyx and Neo flew down and landed on Snow-fire, jumping up and down with urgency.
"Hu?" Ally asked them bemused; Momo picked up what they were saying and started screeching at her, jumping up and down tugging on her hair, "Ow! Quit it Momo!" Ally said, Momo flew onto Snow-fire and jumped up and down with Neo and Nyx. "Calm down all of you!" Ally said, then began to chatter in their languish. Momo pulled his ears down in what looked like side burns and began to strut around like an arrogant son of a… "Admiral Zhao?" Ally asked bemused by Aang's lemur, "his out fighting." Nyx hissed and pointed at the oasis entrance. "His coming here? But… why?" Ally's eyes scanned around the oasis then to the two circling Koi.
She bit her lip, she had a bad feeling about this; the sun was beginning to set and Ally looked up at the snow storm above, then suddenly there was a bright white light out of the corner of her eye, she turned, "Aang," Ally murmured. Aang was transparent white, his spirit form.
Aang looked at her then spoke, no words came out. Ally scrunched her features in confusion; Aang looked down at the Koi fish with a relived sigh. Ally's expression became more confused, "Aang, I don't under stand? –" Ally's eyes widened, and looked down at the Koi fish then to the door. Aang beamed but then looked around then looked at Ally as if to say 'where has my body gone?' "Zuko."
Aang's eyes widened then narrowed, he nodded before suddenly becoming a pure bright light, he zoomed up and over into the snow storm. Ally hoped Aang would find Katara and Sokka soon. Meanwhile the battle outside seemed to rage on and on… "Snow-fire?" Ally said, "Go and assist the water benders, I'll be fine," Snow-fire took off into the air and into the city.
Ally moved to stand just in front of the circling fish, the moon and the ocean spirits. Then the door opened to admit Admiral Zhao and his small group of guards.
"Well, well. If it isn't the air girl the Avatar is travelling with," Zhao said, he smiled menacingly while motioning the soldiers to take her. "This must be my lucky night."
Ally didn't batter and an eye-lash and pulled out her fighting fans, and waited as the soldiers came towards her. Then mere feet from her she lashed out, blasting the soldiers off balance then twisted them up in whirl winds then throwing them into Admiral Zhao.
"Is that all you got? Hiding behind little guards?" Ally taunted with a snarky attitude, "Man you really must be a coward, but then again the Fire Nation army is full of them."
As predicted Zhao turned an angry shade of tomato red, he lashed out with a furious large amount of flames, Ally jumped over it to land next to him and started to weave around his fiery kicks and punches, "Sloppy," Ally commented with a large amount of venom, "I don't know why-" she ducked and slid under a leg before pushing the leg away from her, he stumbled, "But I thought you'd be better then Zuko." She taunted then leaped away from a sword jab as the soldiers had begun to surround her.
"Shut up you little brat!" Zhao spat before letting loose another jet of flames.
"Make me!" Ally snarled back, leaping away from the flames then swept up her fans high and then created a huge gust of wind then slammed it into the ground, the soldiers, including Zhao, were swept away.
Then a fire punch came whizzing out of nowhere and she dodged barely, she backed up to have a little more time to dodge, it was a soldier with quite a sneer on his face… to be honest all it did was make his face distorted, not intimidating at all.
But no matter how distorted that sneer made him look (but ugly in fact) it couldn't change the fact that he was an impressive fire bender. Suddenly the moon turned a blood red just as Ally shot the fire bender away with gust of wind. Ally hissed at the sudden migraine coming on, she looked up at the moon and then to the pond, only the black fish was swimming in a disordered circle.
Ally glared at Zhao, who held a bag that held the moon spirit, which was clearly struggling. Ally felt great rage inside her that was quite unconnected with her own, the Air Spirit. "Let Tui go, now." It was a mixture of Ally's and the Air Spirit's.
The Admiral falters, lowering the bag, something akin to apprehension flickered across his eyes. Suddenly Commander Lee blasted his way into the oasis, taking on a fire bending stance. Ally shifted her stance so she could attack both men. Then the four soldiers that were accompanying Zhao took up ranks next to the Admiral.
Admiral Zhao smirked at the new company, "Ah, commander how nice of you to witness my victory over the Water tribes. The Fire Nation will for generations tell stories about the great Zhao who darkened the moon! They will call me Zhao the Conqueror! Zhao the Moon Slayer! ZHAO THE INVINCIBLE!"
"Let the Moon Spirit go!" Lee said in a venomous voice. Ally looked at him closely, could he really, after everything… could he have changed?
Admiral Zhao blinked before narrowing his eyes, "I expected Iroh to be the traitor here Commander; I have to admit I'm disappointed."
Suddenly John came into the oasis to stand five feet away from his uncle, taking on a fire bending stance. Then there was a roar from above and everyone in the oasis looked up, "Aang!" Ally shouted in relief.
Suddenly Momo, Nyx and Neo attacked Zhao, "Argh! Get them off me!" Ally moved to stand next to Aang, as the lemurs flew away from the Admiral. Once Lemur free Zhao looked at them as John and Lee came to stand next to Ally, Sokka, Katara and Aang.
Though grateful, it felt weird to be fighting on the same side as what she once saw as her greatest foe.
"Don't bother." Admiral Zhao said holding a dagger up to the bag.
Ally discreetly moved her hand behind her back, and then began to twirl the air around like a funnel, directing it over to Zhao.
"Zhao! Don't!" Aang said, dropping his staff. "Destroying the moon won't just hurt the Water Tribe. It will hurt everyone, including you. Without the moon, everything would fall out of balance. You have no idea what kind of chaos that would unleash on the world."
"He is right, Zhao!" said a voice, Ally glanced over quickly to see Iroh.
"General Iroh," Zhao said. "why am I not surprised to discover your treachery?"
"I'm no traitor, Zhao," Iroh said, "The Fire Nation needs the moon too. We all depend on the balance."
Ally latched the funnel of air onto the knife in Zhao's hand but waited, if he was about to destroy the Moon she would stop him. "Whatever you do to that spirit," Iroh roared, "I'll unleash on you ten-fold! LET IT GO, NOW!" he slipped into a firm fire bending stance.
Then… Zhao kneeled down and Ally let the air funnel go, Zhao placed the Moon Spirit back into the pond.
High in the sky the bloodied moon turned back into its silvery glory. Ally sighed with relief, but then before anyone could react Zhao lashed out at the moon spirit with a fiery whip. Ally cried out recoiling, clutching her heart that throbbed; the air spirit within her coiling in pain. She looked up as the moon winked out of existence.
Iroh let out a war cry and attacked furiously, Lee joined in mere seconds later. Together the two had defeated the soldiers in a matter of easy seconds. Ally, Aang, Sokka, Katara, Yue and John around the pond as the two fire bending adults looked at the white Koi fish, floating in the water.
Ally watched as Iroh took the moon spirit's mortal body out of the pond, a look of great sadness on his face, mirroring him was Lee. Ally reached out to the fish with her hand glowing a soft blue, "Ally no!" Katara said grapping her arm, "You can't; the moon's gone… you'll just die in the process."
"There has to be something!" Ally said desperately, "Anything! It can't end like this," she whispered, "It just can't."
"It wont," said Aang with the power of many before lighting up the oasis with his glowing arrows and eyes. He looked at Ally and the Air Spirit's tattoo's lightened up with a bright blue, Ally closed her eyes and stood up, she looked up at the empty sky as the Air Spirit flashed out of her body and hovered over the oasis in a whirl wind of power.
Not as weak as she first was without the Air Spirit she only stumbled, a hand held her arm and she steadied herself and looked at the hands owner; John. Ally gave him a grateful nod and looked up to the Air Spirit, who seemed to be waiting for something, Ally turned her gaze to Aang as he was in the centre of the pond… then was sucked into the water by an unseen force.
Ally stepped forward in alarm but an arm held her back, she looked at Commander Lee and saw from the corner of her eye Iroh doing the same to Katara. Ally returned eye contact with Lee in a glare; she saw something that she was sure of now; remorse.
Ally let her tense shoulders sag, she looked back at the pond as the water started to glow bright blue with veins of white, soon the Ocean Spirit rose into the air with Aang at it's heart. Ally looked up as she felt a soft brush of wind on her face, the Air Spirit was looking at her; Ally nodded in understanding and was picked up by the spirit's wind. A sphere of air wrapped around her in a protective bubble. The Air Spirit took the form of a large eagle being while the Ocean Spirit took the form of a Koi fish being.
Ally and the Air Spirit didn't interfere with the Ocean Spirit's vengeful rampage; instead they blocked the fireballs and threw them back at the offenders. Ally blacked out a lot of the time only capturing glimpses of fire balls, a large wave engulfing the fire nation ships, large winds stopping massive flaming balls of fire, and then collapsing on a pillar, feeling the Air Spirit settling down she looked up.
Aang was still being possessed by the ocean spirit a little way off. Ally stood up shakily and looked around, the moon suddenly appeared again, and Ally blinked in surprise and whooped loudly in joy. She bolted back towards the oasis guided by the light of the full moon that had never been brighter.
What she sees makes her stop and her shoulders sag, Yue was gone and Sokka was looking down at the white fish with a sad expression, Katara had her arms wrapped around his shoulders, "Sokka," Ally murmured, kneeling down before her friend, she ignored the three fire nation people; Commander Lee, Iroh and John.
Sokka didn't seem to hear her; he just kept staring at the white fish swimming in a circle, awaiting the ocean spirit's return. Ally put a hand on his shoulder, "Yue is in good hands now Sokka," Ally said gently, "I've met the element spirits, she'll be fine, she's in good hands."
Sokka nodded sadly, "I just wish it didn't turn out this way."
Ally gave his shoulder a slight squeeze, "I do too." She whispered, "I know how you feel," Sokka and Katara looked up at her, "Karaku's gone." Ally whispered.
A hand fell on her shoulder and Ally snapped her gaze up to Commander Lee, like usual he wasn't affected by the glare she sent him, Ally sighed before standing up, she walked away from the group with Lee following, out of ear shot she finally turned to face him, "I guess you really have changed," she stated.
Lee smiled, "I thought you already knew that."
Ally returned the smile hesitantly, "Not really," She admitted, "I was too worked up with the past that I let my hurt feelings blind me."
Commander Lee nodded, "Nothing I don't deserve," He stated simply.
"What happened?" Ally asked, "All I can remember is rising up from in that sphere then… nothing."
He knew what Ally was talking about; she could see a lot of emotions running though his gold eyes, mostly regret before it was all smoothed over with a simple smirk, "A lot of confusion, you caused quite a stir within every nation, almost everyone in the fire nation thought you were a witch… everyone else saw you as a beacon of hope, particularly the village near by; the one that you rescued from invasion if I'm not mistaken."
"Lovely," Ally said drily, "but you're side stepping the question."
Commander Lee grimaced, "I fell into a coma, but let's just say that meeting an angry spirit of fire puts a lot of things into prospective. I was given a second chance. I woke up a week later in a fire nation settlement; I regret to say that I spent three years after that looking for you…" Ally looked away and met John's eyes, he smiled and Ally nodded to him and looked back at Lee.
"But you had disappeared along with the air nomads." Lee continued, "After that I went into hiding, for Sozin saw me as a failure and wanted me executed, during that time I practised fire bending." Lee shook his head at a memory, his face looked regretful. "I watched on in dismay as Fire Lord Azulon took up from where Sozin took off, that was when I joined the White Lotus organization and started up a family, when Fire Lord Ozai was crowned I had a vision of an Air Nomad, the Avatar, accompanied by two water tribe members… And you." He looked down at Ally and Ally nodded for him to continue.
"I knew that this was my only chance to redeem my self, I rejoined the army, and steadily climbed up the ranks, giving information to the white lotus along the way, you know what happens next, you encountered my nephew and a friend of mine of the white lotus, Commander Ty Lin," Lee and Ally looked over at John, who was talking to Iroh.
"I would have thought Ty Lin would be here?" Ally asked, still looking at the fifteen year old.
Lee shook his head, "He was asked to help a fire master named Jeong-Jeong for the organisation." Ally blinked in surprise but nodded. "Of course, I told my son about my adventures," he looked back at Ally. "And he passed on the information to his son before he died; John had always been studious. He wanted to know more about my life, practically before and when the war started. I showed him paintings and old wanted posters." Ally nodded remembering that the Northern Water tribe had pictures of her, "John told his commander who you were and Ty Lin told me."
"And here we are," Ally said, she looked up at him with a new found respect, "What are you going to do now?" she asked in concern.
Lee grimaced and shook his head, "I'm sure Fire Lord Ozai will know about my betrayal before long, I just wish I didn't drag my nephew into this."
"You could come with us and teach Aang fire bending?" Ally suggested.
But Lee shook his head, "The Avatar hasn't learnt earth bending yet. There's a reason the Avatar learns fire bending last unless born into the fire nation."
Ally sighed, remembering Jeong-Jeong's attempt to teach Aang. "Then what will you do?"
"John and I will travel with Zuko and Iroh," Lee said.
Ally frowned, "Zuko is after Aang," she pointed out.
Lee inclined his head in acknowledgement, "He is, but he is lost. Just like I was, I hope in time he will see behind the propaganda and take his place on the throne and make peace within our nation when the Avatar stops this war."
Ally looked towards the approaching Iroh and John, "Lee I believe we should go now, while we still can." Iroh said before bowing to Ally, "Until next time young air bender."
Ally bowed, "Thank you General Iroh."
Iroh chuckled, "Just Iroh."
Ally smiled with a small nod and looked back to Lee, "Thank you Lee," she said, "I wish you a safe journey."
"You too, Ally," Lee smirked, "Try to keep out of trouble." He added.
Ally rolled her eyes, "Unlikely, trouble normally tends to find me."
Lee laughed quietly.
"Thanks John," Ally said, looking at the said fire-bender.
"That was you wasn't it?" he said, his liquid fire eyes held laughter, "'the Nightingale' as they call you," Ally nodded and he grinned, "You need to work on that voice; even the soldiers knew it was fake."
Ally glared, "Watch it, buddy or I'll push you into the water."
John smiled, "No you wouldn't." Ally scowled then pushed him into the water, Lee and Iroh laughed, Ally saw Sokka and Katara smirking. John shook his head as he got out of the water; he looked mutinously at Lee and Iroh. He turned to Ally, "They told me to do that," Ally saw Iroh hand a small bag of money to Lee.
Ally shook her head, "A little piece of advice John, don't trust them in a betting pool if my name is mentioned."
John shrugged, "their old men, what do you expect?"
That shut the chortling Iroh and Lee up, "Time to go," Iroh said, clapping his hands together.
"Cya later," John said to Ally.
Ally nodded and watched the three fire benders leave the oasis.