Summary: Zuko made a different decision in the caves below Ba Sing Se and helped the Avatar fight his sister. The Gaang are all on the run again, this time chased by Azula with Iroh and Zuko on the team, when they meet a young woman who gives Aang hope of a future for the Air Nomads


Warnings/Spoilers: Mentions of death, torture, violence, Sexual Situation, Rough Language and Poor Grammar.

Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of their respective owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. The author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any media franchise. No copyright infringement is intended.

A mind troubled by doubt cannot focus on the course to victory. - Arthur Golden

Chapter 2 – A Doubtless Course

Zuko let go of her arm, but remained close to her as Azula waited for her response. She looked frightened, glancing from each person to the house the Avatar lay in and finally looking at the angry Princess just twenty feet away. Her troops were regrouping, the injured being moved aside and those trapped in earth freeing themselves. The Waterbender grabbed her brother and they made for the Airbender. She went to move towards Azula when the Prince grasped her arm again.

"Don't do it, you won't survive," he stated.

"I'll distract her while the rest of you get the hell out of here. The Avatar needs to live, he's the most important thing right now," she said grimly.

"Who are you?" he asked, his curiosity getting the better of him.

"Misora, of the Eastern Temple. Tell the Avatar that, he'll understand," she said, breaking free and rushing over to Azula. She said a prayer to the Spirits that Aang would understand her cryptic message to head for the Air Temple. The Princess didn't give her a moment to collect herself but attacked once she was within range. Bright blue lightening bolts barely missed her, the agility of an Airbender giving her a slight advantage against such an attack. However, when she tried to push her opponent over with a sharp wind blast the other girl only skidded a few feet. Her center was just too strong, she would not be moved. They fought, fire against air, but the battle was turning against Misora, she was tiring too quickly. She began to panic, creating wilder forms of bending. She caught Azula up in a large vortex of wind, dropping her roughly against the hard earth, again and again. Misora didn't want to kill Azula, she didn't want to kill anyone. It was against every Air Nomad creed and she still believed that every life was sacred. Even the life a a murdering, psychotic, pyromaniac teenager. The Firebender lay motionless against the dirt but her body still refused to let go, the girl continued to breath.

Azula pushed herself up into a kneeling position. Everything hurt, this Airbender was different from the Avatar; she didn't hold back, she had an anger in her that the boy knew nothing of. With a smirk she looked into the eyes of the auburn haired girl. She stood poised, but didn't attack. Azula would have, the enemy was weakened, best time to take them out with minimal effort. Misora waited, the breeze tickling her neck, she listened to the Avatar's people searching the ruins for the unconscious boy, but mostly she waited for Azula to make a move. She didn't have to wait long, Azula drew a deep breath and spat a blue fireball at her.

Misora did the last bend in her arsenal; the bending move she had created to earn her title of Sifu. Bringing her arms up she made a movement as though she were scooping sand out of the air. She widened her stance, one leg back and bent low to give herself perfect balance. She continued her movements, gradually gaining speed. Air rushed past the Firebender, her flames losing the necessary oxygen to stay lit. Azula tried shooting lightening at the Airbender but she was too exhausted and couldn't garner the energy. She fell to the ground, panting, trying with everything she had to regain her breath. But it was too late, Misora had completed the tunnel, air spun in a dusty whirlwind around Azula; a whirlwind whose center was wholly devoid of air. Misora watched as Azula crumpled into the fetal position, her hands at her neck and her mouth working for air that wasn't there. Her lip were turning as blue as her lightening, the veins in her face becoming more apparent with every second that past until she was finally unconscious. Her eyes remained open, small pinpricks of blood began to form as her nose started to bleed. Misora held the whirlwind even after the girl had stopped breathing.

Katara had blown Aang's bison whistle and Iroh had conscripted Sokka to help him lift Aang onto the saddle. Zuko and Toph were standing side by side, watching the Airbending girl defeat Azula. The girl fell to her knees and the tornado stopped so suddenly that the quiet left in its wake was deafening. Everyone just stared at the fallen Princess as though waiting for her to take a gasp and move. But seconds turned into minutes and the girl didn't move. Suddenly, a keening sound came from behind the troops and the tall dour girl that Misora had fought earlier rushed to her leader's side.

Mai rolled Azula on her back, her hands shaking as she poised them over the girl's face. No movement came from either girl for a long time, Mai just stared into Azula's blank eyes, tears beginning in the normally indifferent girl's eyes as she shook Azula. Ty Lee scrambled up to Mai and took her by the shoulders, forcing her away from the body of their childhood friend. Mai slumped against the shorter girl and was nearly led away when she changed her direction. With a sudden burst of speed she began rushing the Airbender that had killed her best friend. Misora, still in shock over her own actions, still had eyes only for the body of the Princess, did not notice the girl hurtling down upon her. Toph took charge of the situation and with a stomp of her bare foot she erected a stone wall in between the Airbender and the crazed Fire nation girl.

"Grab her, Princey," she shouted at Zuko, pushing him hard in the direction of Misora. Zuko stumbled, caught himself and ran towards the girl. He wrenched her up, pulling her to her feet, forcing her to follow him to the Avatar's bison. When she tried to pull away from him he looked at her in frustration.

"My bag," she whispered hoarsely, diving out of his grip and towards a large bag. Zuko over took her, threw the bag over his shoulder and shoved her back towards Appa.

End Chapter 2