Reviews- [for ch. 33 & 34]
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Melizza-XoXo-
AH!
Bad words-"To be continued..."
*Sigh* but it does increase the suspense, so I'll live. Maybe. Short, but yet again flawless. I can't wait for the next chapter *twitch,twitch*
-xo.
Yes I know, I hate teh words too -___-' But I had to save all the drama-y-ness for this chapter :D
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Gloomy Maiko Lover-
this was good..can't wait for the next chapter so I'll be R&R as soon as I can so good job. xD
Thank you for reading :33
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Kimjuni2
Omg now i really wanna read the next chapter, awesome job xD
Teehee :D Thanks ^^
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Ellice Rose
Please please PLEASE write more. I can't get enough of your story. I am dying to read more. B/c of your fic, I have a new-found respect for Mai :) also I'm really concerned with whats happening with Aang and Katara...
I can't wait...really I can't. Please write more.
...hahah
--Ellice
I shall ;D And thank you :33
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Melizza-XoXo-
Wow. I just read this entire story in the past few hours. One of the best fics I've ever had the pleasure to read throughout any fandom. I'm completly obsessed now =]
Definently the best post-war story EVER!
Thank you for writing this! Everyone is so in character, and the romance, action, and drama all ties in together beautifully...
Cliffhanger! Azula is a hag ** from hell!
PLEASE more soon?
-xo.
O_O Thank you so much :D Tis comments liek this that inspire me ^^ & Thanks for ...being...obsessed with my fic...? xD
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monkeycheeseforall-
this is the best chapter yet! this story is definatly (idk if i spelled that right! lol!) the best on any fanfiction site, i really have been to them all! write on! WOOT!
Thanks :D I spent a lot of time on this one ^^' And really?? o__o Thank you! xD
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FireladyMai-
Yay mai will get her memorie back in a few chapters, i so love this one, the end will make you write it, cause i wanna read the next one xD so update soon and i'll be R&R!
Yes, tis yay xD I miss writing Maiko fluff :'{ Tear** Thanks for reading X33
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Kimjuni2-
WHOA i love this one, and that egg thing from the sunwarriors :D anyway i so love this chapter. I readed that mai will get her memorie back in 2 or 3 more chapters, can't wait, zuko still must propose. Anyway great job, i'll be R&R!
Thanks :3 I feel liek they threw in that egg thing in the Firebending Masters ep. just for me :DD xD And yeah, I can't wait to write about Mai remembering everything FINALLY 'xD
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Gloomy Maiko Lover-
first off you can reply back to are reviews if you want it's up to you...and no just 2 or 3 chapter's more no well hope their good..and I liked this it's intersting and you did a great,awsome job. so can't wait to know what happens next and can't wait till you update hope you update soon so I'll be R&R as soon as I can and again liked this and again great job. can't wait xD xD
I shall xD And thank you so much ^^
*Takes deep breath
NOW story tiemz :D
Chapter 35
The war balloon was finally ceasing in speed, and the sun was slowly rising higher into the sky. The long, stressful night from before had left the three silent, enjoying the feel of the warm sun heating up their skin. Mai had a feeling in the back of her head that she should have slept while she could, like Ty Lee and Iroh had. But she also knew she probably couldn't have even if she had tried. Those thoughts of Zuko's sister were still fresh in her mind. Memories of a cold, heartless fifteen-year-old preparing to rip Mai to shreds was replaying over and over in her head. She remembered glancing in her enemy's eyes, golden and sharp, like Zuko's. Staring into those eyes sent shivers down her spine, much different than staring into Zuko's eyes. Even with the scar, staring into Zuko's eyes was like jumping into a happy, golden pool of love compared to Azula's eyes.
"Look!" Ty Lee shouted, breaking the comforting silence and snapping Mai out of her trance. "It's Zuko's war balloon! If they made it without being shot down, we can too!"
"It might not be so easy, young one." Iroh interjected, scanning the ground beneath them while stroking his beard, "Zuko's been practicing for years at being stealthy and hidden. You don't know exactly how they made it there."
Ty Lee frowned and tapped her chin, "Then what should we do?"
"For now, let's land and approach by foot." Iroh said and released some fire from the war balloon. It slowly reached the ground with a thump, then the three swiftly (for Iroh it was more like roughly) jumped out and onto the grass. The trail Toph had left for them had stopped just ahead.
"Looks like we're the last ones here." Mai noted as they made their way towards the mountain.
"I hope everyone's okay..." Ty Lee mumbled only loud enough for the two to hear.
Mai saw Iroh clench his jaw from the corners of her eyes. She nervously looked away when their eyes met.
"I wonder why Azula chose this place. Usually she chose places that weren't this secluded. She-"
"She isn't herself. I remember Azula being strong and brave, and she is nothing of the sort anymore. When Zuko and Katara took her down at the royal palace, she lost the only side of herself that went to good use. Her strength. Even though she used it in a dishonorable way, her power was always something to admire." Iroh interjected. He sounded restrained.
Mai frowned, strongly disagreeing with every word that came out of his mouth. She hated Azula. She wasn't afraid to say it, either. She wondered what must have happened between them that made her so angry whenever she even heard the name...
---
Aang's eyes soared over Katara's body, as if he were looking to see if he had missed a spot. The more Zuko and Sokka stared, they noticed red soars along her arms and legs. Sokka clenched his fists, "Zuko... I don't want you to take her down."
Zuko blinked and spun to face him, "What?!"
"Because," Sokka continued, as if he hadn't said anything, "I am."
Zuko hardly resisted the urge to laugh. He felt mean, but Sokka deserved it if he was even thinking he could beat Azula with no bending, while Zuko barely managed to when he had his bending at tenfold.
"What's funny?" Sokka asked through gritted teeth, sending him a glare from the corner of his eyes.
"What do you mean what's funny? I mean, Sokka, I know what you're feeling right now, but... You can't possibly-"
"I can't possibly what?" Sokka asked, now turning to face Zuko.
Zuko frowned, "Sokka, you know."
He opened his mouth to fire something back, but instead snapped it shut and turned around. Zuko knew there was nothing left to say, and turned back to Azula. She was -of course- glaring at him. Had she heard?! His head automatically panicked.
"Shin!" She screamed, making Zuko jump back.
A man in his early twenties stepped out from the back of the room.
"Yes, my lord?" He asked. His voice and the way he spoke made him sound ten years older than he was.
"I want you to go follow those two idiots and make sure they aren't doing anything too ridiculous with our guests." Azula said in a bored yet strict voice. Zuko took notice how she separated the words "too ridiculous." What did she mean? Were those guards used to have anything to do with the place Mai was taken?
Zuko's head snapped up at the thought.
"I also want you to make sure Ebisu knows just who will be visiting." Azula finished, snapping again for more fruit tarts.
Shin nodded, and said, "Yes, my lord," before backing out the hallway.
The silence (despite the chewing from Azula) that followed was unbearable. All Zuko could think about was what was happening to Mai, and all Sokka could think about was what was happening to Katara.
"Tell us." Sokka's voice suddenly boomed through the metal room.
Zuko blinked, and Azula just glared at him.
"Tell you what?" She asked, obviously trying to sound as innocent as possible.
Sokka huffed silently and took a step forward, "You know what! Why are you doing this to Katara?! You already know that your little plan worked, why carry on like this?!"
Azula's sarcastic smile turned to a scowl.
"Because she deserves it!" Her voice bellowed through the room, banging off the walls and echoing in everyone's heads.
"Why does she deserve this?" Sokka went on. Zuko sent him a wary look.
Azula snarled at him, "Because she's a disgusting little water wench who deserves it! She took everything from me... And look at her, not a hint of guilt in those eyes at all!"
So that's what this is about, Zuko thought. She wants people to feel for her.
"I don't need anyone's sympathy." Zuko remembered her once saying. Lies, he thought.
Azula saw a change in Zuko's look and snapped her head away. If Azula just wants people to feel for her then... why not just stay at the asylum? He thought. He remembered all everyone really doing at the institution where Azula was held was sweet talk and encourage the patients. He continued, and also, if you want people to feel for you... you definitely don't do this to them.
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Ursa and Toph sped their way through the rest of the forest, and eventually made it to the mountain. There was an entrance way with disregarded clothes on the ground.
Toph propped an eyebrow, "Is that what I think it is..?"
Ursa ignored her, "No guards... That's strange...Right..?"
Toph nodded, "It is for Azula." They cautiously entered into the huge mound of earth. Toph kept her hands in a fighting stance, and her feet and ears alert. Ursa just followed behind, glancing back every now and then making sure there wasn't anyone after them. It felt strange to Ursa to be so... worried in a place owned by her own daughter. In Zuko's palace, it was so warm and friendly. Here, it was so... cold and scary. It reminded Ursa of the difference between the two. She loved them both, of course. They were her children. It just may have seemed other wise to Azula because Ursa honestly had no idea how to reach out to her. Any offer of a bedtime story or a game of hide and seek or even a hug would result in a "I'm busy preparing myself for my training tomorrow," or a "Those silly games are a waste of my time." Whereas Zuko would drop whatever it was he was doing to hug his mother whenever she entered the room, even if he had his friends over. Who could blame her for wanting to spend a bit more time with her son? His face flashed in her mind, his scar. She felt horrible guilty for leaving him with that monster. She wished anything to go back and bring Zuko with her, even if it would've changed the fate of the world. Of course, the place she ended up in wasn't much better than living with Ozai.
"So," Toph interrupted, trying to distract Ursa from the thoughts she must be having, "Do you have any fighting skills? Like Mai, how she used the daggers, or Suki, who uses fans?"
Ursa played with her fingers, "Well.. not exactly...I can throw things at people..." It ended sounding like a question.
Toph smiled, "So like Mai?"
"No, I mean I can throw things at people. Like plates."
Toph stared at her. Her expression seemed to say "you gotta be kidding me."
"Well I guess that's a good skill... That anyone can do..." The earth bender said sarcastically.
Ursa sighed, "I know I should of practiced some kind of skill while I was away, but throwing plates at people was really the only option at the time... Since I worked in the kitchen." Toph noticed how she shuddered at the mention of the place. She felt bad for bringing it up.
"It's alright, you won't need to fight. I'm here!" Toph said confidently. Ursa chuckled and rolled her eyes. She always brightened the mood, no matter what the situation.
They continued down the hallways and came to a huge metal chamber. Ursa gasped and stumbled backwards when she saw Azula. She was sitting on a thrown, made with what looked like gold and jewels. Her expression was a mix of anger and pity.
"My..." She mumbled to herself, "Look at her... Look what I've done..."
Toph spun around, "Hey, don't talk like that! It wasn't your fault." She harshly whispered.
"But she's so beautiful..." Ursa continued as if she hadn't heard anything.
Toph sighed and took a hold of her arm, this time gaining Ursa's full attention.
"Maybe you should hide here for awhile. If Azula sees you now... it could be ugly." Toph explained in a rushed, yet sympathetic tone.
Ursa nodded hesitantly, then watched as Toph casually strode into the middle of the scene.
---
Mai, Iroh, and Ty Lee continued passed the trail made from Toph, getting closer to the mountain.
"I'm getting kind of nervous," Mai mumbled as she looked behind them.
"Why?" Ty Lee asked cheerfully, as if going to your insane enemie's hidden lair was an average everyday thing.
"Well, because they haven't attacked us yet and we're so close-" Just then, the three were swooped backwards by strong arms, and flung onto the ground.
"Of course.." Mai felt like muttering.
Iroh jumped back and struck a fighting stance, "Who are you?" Mai had never heard him sound so scary before.
"We were just about to ask." One of the men said. The two that attacked them were wearing red, black, and gold uniforms and masks that were similar to the ones used in the Fire Nation's army.
"You think it's them?" The other asked. He flipped up a plate on his mask, revealing his eyes. He glared them down.
"Probably." The other muttered, and roughly picked the two off the ground. Iroh made a move to bend, only to be trapped in a large pile of rocks. Ty Lee reached out to pound her fists into them, but one of the earth benders enchased her hand in a stone. Mai made an attempt to throw a dagger, hoping by some miracle they would be trapped, but she missed, horribly. They only laughed in response.
"Hey!" One of the men interrupted the laughter.
"Mmm?" The other asked, pulling Iroh along with earth bending.
"Isn't she the one from that time?" The first asked, nudging the second.
He turned to look Mai in the eyes, then blinked, "Yeah, I think it is! Remember us?" He asked playfully, grabbing at her waist.
"Boys," A calm voice called, distracting the men and saving Mai. Ty Lee scowled at them both, wishing she knew the weak points of the earth trapping her hands. A different man made his way up to the scene.
"Lord Azula ordered me to tag along, she was worried you two couldn't do this mission without being too reckless. I presume she was right..?" He said, motioning towards the other man's hands around Mai's waist.
The other two coughed and ripped their hands away from Mai, then turned around and kept walking as if nothing had happened.
---
Sokka and Zuko stared in horror as Toph strode up before Azula. She simply frowned in annoyance.
"Ryu, get this girl out of my sight immediately!" Azula screamed. He calmly made his way up to Toph, who didn't hesitate to blast him into the wall. An easy victory, she thought before she was the next one being thrown against the wall.
"What the-" She muttered as two stone hands trapped her own. "You..." She mumbled as she realized Ryu was an earth bender.
"Oh," She started, lifting herself off of the ground and shaking herself free of dirt, "It's on." She pounded her fists into the wall behind her and the stone hands crumbled into nothing.
She lifted a huge mound of earth from under her and hurled it towards Ryu. He smashed his arm through the center, which split it in half. He kicked the two halfs towards Toph, who smashed it back towards him. It was like a game.
Eventually, Azula grew bored of the ongoing battle.
"ENOUGH! End this now, Ryu!" She yelled, ending the fight. Toph blew hair out of her face as Ryu backed away.
Aang was, thankfully, watching the scene intently, when suddenly he flinched. He spun around and shot his stare at the entrance.
"Now what is it?" Azula grumbled impatiently. Aang remained silent.
"I'll check it out." Ryu said and made his way towards hallway. Zuko and Sokka watched intently, hoping it wasn't who they were expecting.
---
Ursa poked her head around the corner when she heard the battle end. She gasped when she saw a man heading towards her. She sprung backwards, and looked for a place to hide in a frenzy. Eventually, she found a large pillar she could fit behind, that covered her just enough. Ursa slammed her eyes shut and bit her lip when she heard footsteps.
"Whoever you are come out immediately. We can do this the hard way, or the easy way." She heard the man say, then crack his knuckles. She felt the urge to reveal herself, but didn't. Ursa knew it was a trick. There was no such thing as an "easy way" when you're eventually going to meet up with your daughter after seven years, who's by the way insane because of you.
"Alright," The man's voice came again. Suddenly the room shook, and Ursa heard things falling and crashing. She grabbed onto the wall in front of her, and desperately hoped she wouldn't be thrown into view. And as soon as the rumbling came, it left. She blinked, then let out a relieved sigh, when she felt a rough tug at her arm. She was hurled out of her hiding place, and shoved towards the main hall.
---
Zuko's heart stopped. The world around him was a blur, as all of his senses focused on the girl being thrown into the room. His eyes burned from staring so long, but he couldn't notice. Ursa met his stare, and she looked just as horrified as he was. He somehow managed to steal a look from Azula, who's mouth was half open and her hand in midair.
This isn't good, he thought.
"U...U-...Ryu!!!" Azula's thunderous voice interrupted the overwhelming silence.
Ryu gulped, and took a step backwards.
"Azula..." Ursa moaned, a smile taking shape on her pale lips.
Azula's mouth twisted into a grimace, and her eye's twitched.
"Don't speak to me!!! You're nothing to me!!! None of you are anything to me!!!" She screamed, jolting from her "throne."
She gathered a blue bolt of lightning in her hands, and thrust it towards Ursa, who was frozen in terror. Zuko immediately took action. He knew if he was struck again, it would most likely be the end. But he had to.
Mai... He thought, just before he reached Ursa, I love you-...
---
The inside of the mountain was dark and silent... Too silent. The air was heavy with ash and smoke, making it difficult for the three to breathe. They struggled to ignore their burning lungs, for even a cough would end up in an earth bended punch to the gut ( Ty Lee learned that the hard way. ) They tumbled down staircases and through hallways, and eventually came to a prison-like chamber.
"What is this?!" Ty Lee shouted suddenly, making Iroh and Mai jump.
The men ignored Ty Lee and shoved her and Iroh into a cell. Mai propped an eyebrow, then blinked.
"W-what about me?" She asked, her voice trembling.
"Azula wants you." One replied nonchalantly. Mai froze.
That girl... She thought. Those eyes appeared in her mind again, and it made the world a blur around her. Mai felt her feet moving on their own, and she could see a faint, bluish light from behind her drooping eyelids.
"Where... where is this?" Mai asked, as her eyes sprung open at the sound of someone screaming.
---
"Katara!" Zuko and Sokka screamed in unison as the girl jumped in front of Ursa before Zuko could. The thin amount of water Katara used as a "shield" was nothing compared to the lighting Azula shot at her. She flung back against the wall hard, and crumpled onto the ground lifelessly. Sokka gritted his teeth and charged towards her, and set a hand on her back.
"Katara?! Are you okay?!" Sokka asked and shook her a little too roughly.
"I..I'm fine." Katara lied and placed a hand over her forehead, "Ow..."
Toph was by the two in an instant, holding Katara up by the arm for support. Zuko was still frozen in front of Azula, his mouth twisted with anger. Ursa felt tears leaking from the corner of her eyes, but couldn't tell if it was from the fear, or the hatred her daughter felt for her. Or both.
Sokka looked at Katara's arms. The a fresh line of burns replaced the sores from before. He looked out of the corner of his eye, and saw Aang glaring at him.
He felt adrenaline spark in his veins, and took off at full speed after him without thinking. Zuko stared in shock.
"AANG!" He screamed before throwing his fist towards him. Aang simply grabbed it before it hit him, and threw it aside. Sokka snarled when Azula laughed hideously, and threw another punch. Aang just grabbed it again, but this time jabbed his knee into his stomach before throwing him back aside. Sokka grunted in pain as Zuko finally snapped and ran his way over to him.
He grabbed Sokka by both shoulders and roughly pulled him away, "What the hell are you doing?!" He practically screamed.
Sokka frowned, "Defending the only family I have left."
Zuko blinked, then sighed, "Sokka-"
"Finally," Azula interrupted the two. Everyone in the room spun their heads around- except Ursa, who's eyes were glued to Azula.
Zuko felt everything inside of him stop.
"Mai..." He moaned to himself. He wished he could stop time and just grab her and run away.
Azula's loud snarl brought Zuko back to reality.
"Where is Ebisu?!" She screamed, and stomped her feet impatiently.
"Here, my lord." Came a muffled voice from the corner. A man in his twenties came around the corner, and froze dead in his tracks when he saw Zuko.
"Hey.. isn't... isn't that-" Sokka started, and cut himself off when he saw Zuko's expression. There was no word to describe how much hatred was pouring out of his eyes. Sokka cringed, and caught a glimpse of Mai: frozen in terror, her eyes darting from Zuko to Ebisu.
"You did well, Ebisu. Keeping Mai in that place was the perfect start of my plan." Azula said in a forced voice. Ebisu gulped then bowed.
"M-my pleasure, Lord Azula." He said. His voice made Zuko want to set something on fire. There was still nothing inside of him.
Azula rolled her eyes, "I bet it was."
Zuko kept his eyes on Ebisu. To his satisfaction, there were still some severe wounds that were healing that marked up his arms. But still, he wasn't fully satisfied. He'd never be as long as he was still alive.
"Ebisu," Azula began, smirking at Zuko, "If you don't mind, how did you get those wounds again?"
He swallowed hard, and shot his stare to the floor. Katara and Toph both turned to Zuko, who looked like he was about to explode.
Ebisu glanced at Mai, and was immediately thrown against the wall by a blast of fire. He coughed and dusted himself off, then saw Zuko hovering over him.
"Keep your eyes off of her." He said, picking him back up by his collar.
Azula frowned, "Aang!" Aang took action without hesitating, and was at the scene in an instant. He pulled Zuko away, and slammed him against the wall. Zuko blinked, not used to the sudden change. He gathered that same ball of energy in his palm as before. Katara gasped.
"Aang! Listen to me!" She screamed, limping her way over to them and ignoring Toph yelling after her.
She set both hands over his shoulders and spun him around. His expression didn't change.
"Aang, please, stop this! We're all your friends here! Snap out of it, please!" She ignored her new wounds sending waves of pain through her, and placed a kiss on his lips. When she pulled away, his eyes were closed. Her eyes widened.
"Aang?!" Katara yelled. His eyes slowly opened, and to Azula's horror, were slowly turning bright blue again. "Aang!" Katara shouted happily, and brought him into a warm hug.
"NO!!" Azula screamed with disgust, and gathered more lightning into her hands.
This time, she thought, she would not miss.
Sorry, this chapt. was a bit long xD But I had to fit a lot in here! The next chapt. will be very Maiko-y, since it has been lacking in the last couple chapters D': And also, sorry for updating so slowly. If you think it's because I can't think of what to write, that's not true. I already have like every detail of the story planned out in my head, I just take a long time writing it out the way I picture it 'xD So yah... review! ;D