Chap. 26
Dark Fire
The training continued as the days went on. Though Iroh and the other generals put their squadrons through many tests, they always made time for the two they performed that day. The Elementals were happy to help, and the more they worked at the exercises, the better troops got. Azula however, continued to struggle, unable to put aside her pride long enough to listen to the wise advice she was given. Instead, she sulked in silence, as her mind began to concoct yet another plan. And when she learned of a meeting of the generals one night, she knew she had the perfect place to put it into motion……
"I still don't think we can manage it." How said, shaking his head as he looked down at the map on the table.
"You doubted this plan since it's inception. Why? We have more then enough troops to successfully overtake it." Jeong- Jeong argued. "And without this factory, the Fire Lord would lose a good piece of his technology."
"Jeong-Jeong's right." Oscuridad added. "We need to put some chaos into Ozai before we attack. What better way then destroying his most immportant factory?
"That may be true, but this will requires a tremendous amount of security." Ozena argued back. "The Fire Lord can't know we're here, or he will be able to fortify the capital. If any of these workers escape, they could send word to him."
Jeong-Jeong sighed and tried to make another argument, but was interrupted by the cackling of King Bumi.
"Come now, do you really think there is risk in this plan?" Bumi asked, as he moved up to the table. "Why if the Fire Lord did learn about us, it would be our best advantage!"
"Um, your Highness, I don't think you quite understand…" How began.
"Think of it my friends! We can strike fear into him by taking out his most important factory and the capital in a short period!"
"Maybe he's right." Iroh said suddenly. All eyes turned to the old general as he said, "I've seen this factory before. It is the most guarded of all my brother's operations; no one has ever invaded it. If we did take it down, it would throw panic into the hearts of his soldiers and into the Fire Lord as well. Besides, if we take the proper precautions, then we can minimize the chances of workers escaping and spreading word."
"But we cannot lose the advantage of Black Sun." Ozena argued. "We have enough problems figuring out how to use our own Firebenders on that day, and we have only a little more then a week before we must attack. Let's deal with that before we start thinking about another attack."
"Unfortunately, we may not have a choice." Said another voice. Everyone turned as Hakoda entered the tent.
"Is something wrong?" Oscuridad asked.
"I'm afraid so." Hakoda said, moving to the table. Facing all the generals, he said, "I just got the report back from the farmers that we asked to watch the factories for any sign of trouble. Apparently that factory has been constructing something. A weapon of some kind, that would allow its user to defeat any enemy."
"What kind of weapon?" Iroh asked.
"Something called 'Sozin Reborn." Hakoda explained. "From what I understand, it's some sort of huge iron machine that will have the power of more then a hundred Firebenders, and strength beyond imagining."
"When will it be ready?" How asked.
"The farmers weren't sure, but from what they've seen, they say at least two days before Black Sun."
"If that is all true, then we will need to go after that place after all." Jeong-Jeong said. "Who gave you this information?"
"The farmers told Sokka, and he told me to tell you."
"Sokka?" Oscuridad replied. "If that's the case, I believe him, but why wouldn't he tell us himself?"
Hakoda sighed and said, "He had other things he wanted to do around camp."
"More important then passing this on?" Ozena asked.
"Sokka is…. Struggling at the moment."
"He's still upset about Suki?"
"I'm not sure. He's been quiet, he spends all his time working on devices and matters for the army, and then he goes out at night for some sort of training. I don't know what it is, but it's starting to worry me."
"Do you plan to talk to him?" Oscuridad asked.
"I was going to right after I gave the message." Hakoda replied.
"Go take care of it then. Thank you for the message." Oscuridad said. Hakoda nodded, and quietly left. Once he was gone, the bat turned to Iroh and said, "Tell us everything you know about that factory, Iroh."
But before Iroh could begin, there was a rustle of cloth and then Zuko stepped into the tent.
"I apologize for breaking up the meeting, but something's up." The boy-prince said.
"It's all right Zuko, as long as it's important." Oscuridad said. "Now what is it?"
"Someone wants to speak with you concerning placement in the Army."
"Zuko, if someone is complaining about their rank, you know enough to tell them…"
"I did, but she was quite impatient and forceful." Zuko explained.
Osc immediately grasped Zuko's message and groaned inwardly. But he kept his outer composure and said, "Very well. Send her in."
But Zuko shook his head and said, "She wants to talk to you, Oscuridad, and you alone."
"Phhft. She's obviously trying some kind of sneak attack." How spat.
"A sneak attack she announces? She's too smart for that." Iroh countered.
"If she tries anything, I can deal with it." Oscuridad said. "I am immortal, after all. Let's indulge her for now. But stay nearby."
The generals looked at each other uneasily, but another glance from the bat silenced their doubts, and they began to exit the tent. Once they were all gone, Zuko stepped out for a moment, and returned with Azula at his side. She stared at Osc coldly, as he returned the stare.
"I understand you want to speak with me." The bat asked, without a trace of emotion in his voice.
"That I do. But I would like for it to be private." Azula said, gesturing to her brother.
"Zuko, this shouldn't take long. Please step outside a moment." Oscuridad said.
Zuko nodded, then quietly left the tent. Azula watched him leave, then turned back to Osc and said, "My, don't you command a lot of respect around here?"
"I like to think I earned Zuko's respect, as he earned mine." The bat answered, as he sat on the table. "Now, what is it you want to speak with me about?"
"Impatient, aren't you? Very well, I'll get to the point." Azula said. "I arrived here five days ago. After you accepted me, you placed me in with the foot soldiers, and had me train with them."
"Yes. Iroh tells me you're having some difficulty." Osc countered. "Problems working with others, not able to defeat Trueno and all. It must be so hard on you; after all, you were perfect before all this, weren't you?"
"Yes." Azula said. "But I've decided that my failures are not my fault. I've simply been placed into a field where my talents are not being used properly."
"I see. And where do you think these talents could be used?"
"In a higher position. Make me a general. Give me command over the troops, and I will show you what I can really do."
Oscuridad looked at the girl for a moment, his hand slowly stroking his chin in thought. Finally, he said, "It isn't my decision to make. You need to take it before the Council, but I doubt they'll vote yes. Generals usually succeed in their training."
Azula's face darkened then, as she spat, "Oh please! You are the guiding force of that council and we both know it. They all listen to you. You can change their minds."
"If that was true, would you be here?" Osc asked dryly.
"I deserve it! I've won more battles then half the people here! I know my father's palace better then Zuko." Azula snarled as she paced around the bat. "I could lead you to victory easily!"
"It'll be hard to do so without troops that listen to you." Osc replied, his still calm and collected. "They feared you before Azula, but that was because you had your father at your side. Now, you're just another Firebender girl. You've got nothing, just like them."
"Don't you dare lump me in with those peasants!" Azula spat. "A bunch of sad, pathetic souls, hoping for some chance of escape from the squalor of their lives. All you had to do was promise them a chance to leave, and they came with arms wide open. They were instantly willing to follow you, just to get out of the muck."
"None of them gave up anything to be here." Azula continued, looking right at Oscuridad now. "But I did. I have up my life of privilege, of respect, of power, to come down here and live with the mud of the world. And after all my sacrifices……"
Azula was never sure what happened next. One second, the bat was sitting on the table, calmly listening to her rant. The next, he was standing up, his hand on her throat as he lifted her off the ground, his red eyes burning in anger. As Azula struggled to breathe, he brought her in close, and spoke, in a voice that was barely restraining the rage behind it.
"Don't you dare talk to me about sacrifices. Don't you dare." He said, his hand growing tighter around her throat. Azula began to see spots of color before her eyes, and then he released, dropping her on the floor. As Azula gasped for breath, Oscuridad pulled her upright and began to speak again.
"Do you have any idea what sacrifice really is?" Oscuridad growled. "Do you think less then a week of training with the salt of the earth is a sacrifice? Why don't you ask people who really understand the word? Ask Aang; he sacrificed a normal, happy life to be the Avatar. Ask Katara and Sokka; they gave up the life they knew to travel around the world to topple a powerful, destructive empire. Ask Zuko and your uncle; they gave up their lives in the Fire Nation to fight for the 'enemy of their people.' But if you really want to know Princess, ask me."
"Ask me about the things I don't have because of my life. The things that were denied me, the things I had to give up for the greater good." He said, his voice rising. As Azula stared in a strange, terrified curiosity, Oscuridad began to scream out his sacrifices, in a voice that had opened up to a vat of pain that he knew well and long.
"I sacrificed my humanity! I sacrificed any chance of knowing the man I used to be! I sacrificed my hopes and dreams, for an eternity of watching others find their own hopes and dreams! I sacrificed the chance to ever find eternal rest until the whole world is powder and dust! I sacrificed a life of peace for a life of the sword! I sacrificed my home for an eternity of traveling the dimensions! I sacrificed a life in the light for a life in the shadows! I sacrificed acceptance for fear and disdain! I sacrificed my wife! I sacrificed my s……"
Before he could finish the word, Oscuridad choked it back, and with a visible effort, regained control of himself. As Azula trembled, he looked at her and said, "I sacrificed more then you will ever know. What have you ever given up that really mattered? Being in this Army, being commonplace, being a failure- this is first time you've ever had to be something that you didn't want to be. But you are not the only one who made that choice. Your brother made that same sacrifice, and it made him a man I am proud to call friend. It's too bad that it couldn't rub off on you."
With that, he turned on his heel and walked off, as Azula sat there, trembling from the force of Oscuridad's words. No one had ever put fear into her like that except for her father. She felt like she was six again, waiting for his hand to come down on her back. But it wasn't over yet. Oscuridad suddenly stopped and looked up, as if some new thought was passing through his brain for the first time. He laughed- a single black chuckle that chilled Azula to the bone.
"I'm sorry for that Azula." Oscuridad said as he turned, his voice low and ominous. "I was wrong about you. You have sacrificed in the past. In fact, you made the largest sacrifice anyone can make. You gave up your living heart- and you gave it to your father."
"That's the real truth of it." He continued, not giving her a chance to speak back. "I should've realized it from the beginning. It's why I can't read your heart. It's been dead for years, ever since your father scared you. That was when you stopped being Azula and started being the Fire Princess. You let yourself be his clay, let him mold you into what he wanted. And the only bit of you that truly survived the process was your fear. That's what made you come here in the first place. You didn't believe we were right. You didn't want a chance for redemption. You finally saw that your father was losing it, and you ran to the one place that might, even though it was a slim to none chance, offer you sanctuary."
"But here's the best part. The people here, they all hate the evil, controlling, malicious Fire Princess, and that's just what you keep trying to be. Even though you've cast your father off, you cling to his image of you, partly because it's all you know, but mainly because you're scared to try to change. The Fire Princess is powerful and fierce and brave. But beyond that, all that remains is a scared little girl that doesn't know where she belongs. It's time for you to bring that girl out, Azula, and make her grow up. It's time for you to look at yourself and ask the biggest questions in all the cosmos- who are you? And what do you want?"
The bat was silent then, as he stared down at the girl before him. Azula stared back with pale, open eyes, unable to break her gaze. Slowly, she began to move away from him, crawling away as he simply stared at her without saying a word. Finally, her paralysis broke and she scrambled to her feet and ran out of the tent, pushing aside Zuko as he saw and tried to restrain her, pushing past the generals, pushing through the other tents. She kept running, away from the boundaries of the camp, into the darkness of the surrounding jungles. She pushed through the branches and vines that blocked her way, not caring about anything but escaping the words that haunted her mind. But no amount of running could escape the words, and they crowded around in her head, trying to overtake her. Azula kept trying to run, but she was so caught up in her mental struggles, that she tripped over a vine and fell forward, landing in a large puddle. Slowly, she pulled herself up, her clothes and face soaked and dirty from her fall. Azula sat there a moment, breathing hard from her exhortations, then suddenly threw her head back and screamed up at the sky, almost as if she could force the words out of her head by her screams.
But her efforts were fruitless, and soon her head fell back down, defeated and dejected. The words of Oscuridad flew through her head, eating away at her, not giving her a moment's peace. Azula could feel them destroying her peace of mind, her control of herself. But most of all, she could feel herself beginning to question the words, to wonder if perhaps, they were right. As she thought on it, she looked down at the puddle, and saw her reflection in the light of the moon. Her hair had been pulled out and scattered by the branches she'd run through; it hung around her head in long clumps. Her face was cut underneath her left eye and on her cheek, and it was covered by dirty water. But Azula didn't move to clean herself; instead she stared at the strange, wild-looking child that had appeared in place of the familiar, civil, princess she had always seen.
"Blunt, isn't he?" a voice said suddenly. Frightened, Azula leapt to her feet, calling out, "Who's there?"
"Over here." The voice said. Azula turned to see Bosque laying on one of the upper branches of one of the nearby trees.
"My brother always did have a problem with his temper." Bosque said, speaking as if he and Azula had met on a street in the middle of the day, rather then a jungle in the dark night. "Normally, he's pretty cool and collected, but that sacrifice thing….. he's very touchy about that."
"How did you know what happened?" Azula asked.
"The trees told me. You'd be surprised what they can say if you listen." Bosque answered, as he swung his legs out and pushed himself off the branch. He landed a second later, and walked over to where Azula sat.
"So, hard to believe this is what I spend my nights doing, eh?" the squirrel said as he put out his hand.
"You are the Forest Knight." Azula replied, as she took the hand and got up.
"True. It's funny, no matter where I go, I always feel at home in the woods. They're a part of me, I guess."
"It must be nice to know yourself so well." Azula muttered to herself. Bosque looked at her a moment, and said, "You know, I know somewhere in here you can go and wash up, fix your hair. You wanna use it?"
"Why not?" Azula said halfheartedly.
"Hey it could be worse." Bosque said. "Frankly, I think you look better this way. You were way too stiff and formal before. You looked like you were holding in the worst case of the runs I'd ever seen."
Azula heard that, and even in her exhausted state, she had to smile a little. Bosque smiled back, and the two of them began to walk towards the squirrel's hideaway