A/N – Sorry for the delay in between chapters, started working again, so my free time has lessened, hope you all enjoy the latest chapter!
Our story continues from where the last chapter left off.
Book 4 – Air
Chapter 4 – The Apparition
He was here again after what seemed like such a long time, traveling on the ocean. Zuko had spent three years searching for the Avatar, most of it by sea, yet this time it felt different. He wasn't on a mission to reclaim his honour, this time it was a mission of peace. He was traveling on a much bigger ship this time as well, despite his objections to use a ship similar to what he had traveled on before. Zuko wasn't used to have all the luxuries aboard. In just two days time, they would be landing on Earth Kingdom shores.
Zuko looked down to the map he had in his hands, on it was the location of where the ship dropped off his mother so many years ago, he only hoped he would have the time to search the area. He knew it was foolish but there was a town nearby, and maybe someone might remember something, just maybe. As he stood on the deck a hawk landed beside him. He thought it was another message from the council until he saw the black ribbon attached to the hawk's message pouch. He quickly took the message out and began to read it. He fell to his knees at the words written on the note.
Azula has escaped, no one left alive on the island.
He couldn't believe it after all this time how did she manage to escape, he was fortunate that he had put in a newly built prison and not in the Boiling Rock, but he still felt bad for the guards who lost their lives. Zuko tried to think of what she would be up to, would she go to free father, would she try and take back the throne. It was no use even when she was sane he could never figure out her plans, but he had to do something. He heard a voice coming from behind him.
"Zuko, what's wrong?"
It was Mai, only now did he realize he was still on his knees, he got up and turned to her and said.
"Nothing is wrong, really"
"You know you're not a very good liar Zuko, so how about you try again." Mai could tell something was wrong just by looking into his eyes.
Zuko didn't say anything but he handed her the note, as Mai read it her reaction changed as well.
"What are you going to do?"
Zuko summoned for a servant, and said "Bring me 2 more messenger hawks and parchment, a brush, and some ink, move quickly!"
The servant wasn't even to utter a reply as Zuko motioned for him to move, he knew what he would do, he was going to double the guards around his father's cell, warn the Fire Nation capital to keep a lookout for Azula and the last message he would send ahead of him to the troops at the landing site, to warn the Earth Kingdom generals of what transpired. If Azula was free, no one would be safe. The servant came back with the materials, and he asked Mai to write a message to prison, as they were writing Mai couldn't help but notice.
"Zuko, shouldn't you send a message to the Northern, and Southern Water Tribes?"
"If I know anything about my sister it's that she hates the cold, she won't go there for any reason." Zuko smiled back at Mai and she smirked a little. They both went back to writing their messages and after a few minutes, he enclosed each into one of the hawks and sent them on their way. He reached for Mai and held her in his arms, he thought to himself.
It's your move Azula.
There was a towering black smoke cloud rising from the shambles of the once prison that contained her. There was only one problem there were no boats, and no airships for her to escape on, she was stuck on the island. She only hoped that the black cloud would be seen and that someone would be sent to investigate. She sat on a rock face by the shore line, there was no one left, she didn't want any survivors.
"My, my, my, look at what you've done!" A voice came from behind her. Azula spun around ready to strike, but no one was there. "Don't you think you've killed enough for today?"
"Show yourself!" Azula screamed, "Face me if you dare coward."
Azula was on her feet and moving around the island trying to find some sign of another person. Off in the distance a piece of metal gave way from the heat as it hit the ground Azula started to separate the positive and negative energy in her body, and just as she released there was an explosion right in front of her. She was thrown back. For some reason, she couldn't shoot lightning anymore.
"What a shame, you can't even shoot lightning anymore, my how the mighty have fallen." As Azula looked up there was a shadowy figure standing there it looked human, but it had glowing yellow eyes.
"Leave me alone!" She screamed
"I cannot do that princess, for you see you have to do something for me."
Azula jumped to her feet and shot four fireballs directly to the figure, but they all passed directly through him and hit the remains of the prison. "You've haunted my thoughts for far too long, who are you? And what do you want from me?"
As she finished her words the figure started to approach her and when it was only two feet away it started to take shape. It couldn't be, she thought to herself. The figure bent forward to her and the face became visible, and the voice more clear.
"You know very well who I am princess, and what I want is simple. I want you to avenge me!"
Azula couldn't believe it standing in front of her was Zhao, but it wasn't Zhao, he looked human but the color in his face was a pale grey and his eyes were still glowing yellow. All she could do was nod. As soon as she finished her nod, Zhao seemed to dissolve into the black smoke and joined with the cloud, as she followed it up, she saw off in the distance a two man war balloon coming towards the island.
Iroh and the Freedom Fighters had been traveling for two days after encountering Ursa in the forest. It was getting late and they decided to set up camp, both Longshot and Pipsqueak were off to find some food, while The Duke and SmellerBee were gathering fire wood and setting up camp. After only about half an hour, Longshot and Pipsqueak were walking back, Pipsqueak had a string of fish slung over his shoulder, but walking in between them was another figure. As they approached the camp, Pipsqueak yelled out!
"Hey guys, look who we found following us!"
The hooded figure came into view and as they approached the figure lifted the hood covering their face. SmellerBee was the first one to rush over and give her a big hug.
"Jin it's you, why were you following us?"
As Ursa returned her hug she looked over to Iroh, who was smiling at her and he nodded as if to say. You should tell them. As she pulled away from SmellerBee she looked at them all and said:
"You should all sit down. I have something important to tell you." As Ursa sat down she continued, "I am not Jin, and I am not from the Earth Kingdom, I am actually Lady Ursa of the Fire Nation, or now I guess I am just Ursa. I am Fire Lord Zuko's mother."
Silence fell over the camp and none of the Freedom Fighters said anything, then came a small voice saying:
"Why did you pretend to be from the Earth Kingdom?" The Duke asked.
"It's a long story," Ursa started but everyone was looking at her, eager to know more, including Iroh. She started to explain the whole story, how she had murdered Fire Lord Azulon to save Zuko's life, how Ozai, had banished her, but promised never to kill Zuko, and how she spent the last few years waiting for any news from her husband, but she never received anything. The reactions from the group weren't as she expected the Freedom Fighters forgave her and said that she was one of the nicest people from the Fire Nation. They cooked the fish, and continued to talk until it grew late and they all turned in for the night, all except for Ursa and Iroh. After her story Iroh was silent for most of the night, Ursa stood up and sat next to Iroh.
"I understand that you must be furious with me for killing your father, and I don't expect you to forgive me, but I just wanted to say that I am sorry for what I did."
"While he was my father, I never did like him much myself," Iroh started, "I understand why you killed him, and I do not hold a grudge against you for it, it seems that my brothers schemes know no limits, that is why I looked after Zuko, and I am sorry that I let harm come to him."
"What do you mean?" Ursa started, "What happened to him?"
Iroh had almost forgotten that she never did receive any news from the Fire Nation. He began to tell her the story of how Zuko attended a war meeting, how he spoke out of turn and how Ozai had duelled him in an Ag-Ni-Kai, and lastly how Zuko now had a scar over his left eye. Ursa devastated by the news started to question Iroh more about the incident, could he still see, was there anything else she should know. Iroh continued to explain how the Avatar had removed Ozai's bending, and that he was now imprisoned. Then he explained how Azula had gone mad and was being held far from anyone as to not hurt them or herself.
"My poor little girl," Ursa started to cry, "What did he turn you into?" She wondered. She had been away for far too long, so much had changed. Would her children even remember her, would they accept her back? Could she forgive Ozai for what he had done? She had far too many questions that needed answering. Iroh could sense the struggle that was going on within her mind and he rested his hand on her shoulder and said:
"Zuko still cares for you and wants to find you, as for the other questions you may have, now may not be the best time to answer them, but let events unfold, and I'm sure the answers will come."
The camp fire was all but out and Iroh said they should both get some sleep, and that when they met up with Zuko and the others, that they could figure things out then, whether she would want to see Ozai again, and if she would want to visit Azula.
As they approached the rendezvous point, they saw both tents from the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation mixed together. It was a sight not many could have imagined only a few months ago. They saw a bigger tent that was set away from the troops. Aang thought that Bumi must already be here. He guided Appa to the ground to a clearing that was big enough for all of them.
As they landed two soldiers approached their position and one of them said:
"Avatar Aang, and friends, King Bumi would like to see you all." He said as he gestured to Bumi's tent.
They all hopped off Appa, and Aang made arrangements with the two guards for some food for Appa, he patted his head and joined the rest of the group as they made their way to Bumi's tent. Sokka drew one of the tent flaps to the side, and they all walked in and were greeted by Aang's old friend.
"Well, well look who's here!" Bumi said as he started to laugh and snort. He made his way to Aang and gave him a hug. "It's good to see you again Aang."
"It's great to see you too, Bumi," Aang started, "Your guards said you wanted to see us, is everything alright?"
Bumi gestured for everyone to sit down and as they did some servants came out with food, no one was happier to see the food than Sokka. As they began to eat, Aang looked over at Bumi and noticed that he was more serious than usual. He was about to say something when he felt a hand touch his underneath the table, it was Katara, she was smiling at him. Whenever she looked at him this way, the whole world seemed to fade away, and his legs turned into jelly, and his throat always felt so dry, even though it wasn't. She leaned towards him and gave him a small kiss on his lips. Small sparks seemed to travel from her body into his. Even though it was brief he wanted more. As she pulled back, she was smiling and he said to her:
"What was that for?"
"No reason, I just wanted to kiss you." Katara said blushing.
From across the room they heard a familiar voice say: "I know you two are dating and all, but seriously can't you stop for a few hours? I'm considering wearing shoes now, so I don't have to see that anymore!"
Everyone started to laugh, everyone except for Sokka, who wasn't paying any attention at all, but seemed to be having an eating contest with Momo. As the supper drew to a close, they all thanked Bumi for the meal, and started to leave, Aang stayed back, as Katara was about to leave she turned to him and said:
"Aren't you coming?"
"I'll be right there Katara," he started, "I just need to talk with Bumi."
"Can I stay with you then?" she cooed softly as she walked towards him.
"It might be nothing but some boring news." Aang said, "But ok you can stay."
Aang and Katara both approached Bumi, like during supper his thoughts seemed to be elsewhere as he didn't notice the two of them standing in front of him.
"Ah! I didn't see you two there, was there something I could do for you?" Bumi said
"Bumi I know there's something bothering you, can you tell me what it is?" Aang questioned.
"Well I didn't want to alarm anyone but this note was meant for you as well." Bumi had reached into his robes and pulled out a note, he handed it to Aang. Aang started to read it while Katara read over his shoulder, but it was becoming harder as Aang seemed to have shot up a few inches in the past few months. The note was from Zuko, and after they finished reading Katara gasped.
"I can't believe that she was able to break free, I thought she was too far gone."
"This isn't good," Aang started, "When she was thinking clearly she was deadly but now that she's gone crazy, there's no telling what she'll do."
"That is the big mystery," Bumi started while tugging at his beard, "But we know that most of the Fire Nation troops are loyal to Zuko, and the ones still loyal to Ozai, may or may not help Azula, but it's hard to say, the best we can do is wait and be prepared."
Aang and Katara bowed to Bumi and left his tent, they walked into their camp site a few seconds later, Toph was the first to say:
"What's gotten into the two of you? No time for some smooching while we're here?" Toph started to laugh, but stopped as Aang relayed Zuko's message to them.
"This can't be good," Sokka started, "Do you think she'll try and retake the Fire Nation, or free Ozai?"
"She's not thinking as clearly as she used too," Suki added, "Whatever she does you can bet, she'll still be just as dangerous as before."
They all nodded in agreement, and decided that it would be best to get some sleep. Appa was already asleep and they could hear him snoring lightly. Toph said goodnight and made her earth tent. Sokka and Suki went into their tent, and just as Katara and Aang were getting into hers, Sokka looked back at them both and said:
"Just what do you think you two are doing?"
Katara shot him a dirty look and said: "We're going to bed, what are you and Suki doing?"
Sokka started to blush, and then snapped back acting taller and big brotherly, "This is different, we're both older, I'm your brother, and since dad's not here, I'm looking out for you, so there is no way you two are sleeping together." As Sokka finished he stomped his foot down to make his point clear.
Katara tried not to laugh, and said. "Oh yeah, and what would dad say if he knew you and Suki were sleeping together?"
"That's different!"
Before Katara could say anything back two mounds of earth came from underneath Toph's tent and struck both Katara and Sokka, throwing them both into their own tents, then both tents were surrounded by four earth walls and Toph said to herself: Finally I can get some sleep!