-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-
"If they had worked together, Lo Pan possibly could have been defeated then" said Iroh "How ever that was not the case"
"Why didn't they like each other?" asked Tai
"Yeah you think they would get along great" said Hui
" As I said, Aang's problem was was his pride. He felt guilt since abandoning the fire nation capital and to an extent the people. He felt it was his burden to and his alone to make things right despite his weakness. So is why he resented Xi'an presence "
"And what of Xi'an?" asked Lan
"Xi'an problem stemmed from his anger. He felt he was forced into this duty without any say in the matter. With all that had happened to him, all that anger he kept bottled in for so long started bubbling to the surface. And he was not exactly impressed with Aang either.
"So while they are fighting, Sokka lay dying back in the village?" asked Kanna
"Uncle Iroh?" asked Hahn softly "He wasn't really going to die was he?"
"Why, Hahn" asked the kindly old man" Is that a bit of concern in your voice"
''Um... well" the boy stammered "I just wanted to make sure that's all"
"I wont lie... the situation for the young water tribe warrior was indeed very dire..."
Chapter 15
- The Reluctant Allies and a Reunion-
Wan Shi Tong looked on with great amusement at the sight. The Owl spirit could live another 10,000 years and never see another sight like this again. Just a few moment's before the forest spirit, Hei Bai, brought four unconscious forms back to his library, the new Guardian, a water tribe avatar and two air bender avatars. Roku along with along with Fang brought in a very irate Kyoshi who woke the boys up with a swift kick.
The boy known as Xi'an and the current Avatar Aang were in the process of getting verbally disciplined. The normally calm and collected Kyoshi, yelling at the top of her lungs, getting angrier with each passing second.
"What were the both of you thinking?" yelled Kyoshi " You have any idea what you've done?"
"Saving you from becoming Lo Pan's next victim?" said Aang
"Saving both you and Mr ungrateful here?" said Xi'an receiving a dirty look from Aang. Kyoshi however was not amused in the least.
"Do you think that this is some kind of Joke?" growled Kyoshi "Humph, I should have expected this kind of behavior of your ilk, disrespectful and useless."
"I dont know what your problem is with me, you self righteous witch!" yelled Xi'an angrily "I never asked for this. Remember, you spirits dragged me here not the other way around! If all of you were so all powerful, then Lo Pan would have been stopped a lot earlier."
"How do you know his name? In fact how do we know you not in league with him? He seemed to have a lot to say to you during your fight "said Aang in a snotty tone
"If you weren't the last of your kind, I'd kill you where you stand for that remark" said Xi'an darkly
"Oh I'd like to see you try" Anng sneered back
"That is enough! Both of you! " said Roku "The fact remains not only did our plan fail but created instead created an even worse situation.
"Your plan? When were you going of fill the rest of us in on your plan" said Aang
"You didn't need to know that at the time" said Kyoshi "If I had to I would have sacrificed myself to keep you hidden. But instead both of you got involved. Aang, if he would have got you, he would have destroyed the avatar cycle."
"Yeah and if we hadn't, you would have been one of those trees out there" said Xi'an
"It would have been worth it to keep Aang and the the fact that you have the last Shi Phoenix crystal from him . You dont understand, you will not be safe anywhere because he knows who you are now. Now he wont rest until he has it. Who knows what he will send after you to hunt you down"
'Way to go "Guardian"" said Aang receiving a growl from Xi'an
"Enough you two. Whats done is done" said Kuruk "I for one am glad to be out of that tree thanks to you two."
"As am I" said Yangchen to Xi'an "While you are right to be angry, know that you are needed. More now than ever.
"I dont need any body to protect me" said Aang "Especially not by him..."
"While you might think that Aang, you are wrong" said Kuruk " With only four of us free, you wont be strong enough, you cant even enter the avatar state. You will need help shouldering the weight. Lo Pan cant be defeated alone, both of you proved that trying to fight him one on one. You two must work together"
"You" said Roku to Xi'an "Must put learn to accept your place as the avatars guardian, to be his sword and shield, to act when he is unable to. I see that you carry a life time of anger, you must learn to let it go as it will only destroy you "
"And you Aang" said Yangchen "Your pride will be your down fall, know that it is not weakness to accept help. It takes strength to admit that and even more strength to accept it. You both must learn to work together, if not there is no hope for either world.
"And just how are "WE" supposed to pull it off?" asked Xi'an "You saw how powerful he was!"
"That is up to you and the avatar now" said Roku "Your best bet its to meet up at the eastern air temple"
"And if we should fail?" said Aang
"Pray you do not" said Kyoshi "However I have serious doubts to your guardian's abilities "
"Yeah , because you avatars have done such a great job so far " said the boy
As the two glared at each other at each other, Hei Bai growled loudly at Xi'an.
"Now what?" groaned a frustrated Xi'an
The bear shimmered an image of the village. Looking in shock and horror as they saw the last minutes of the battle, the image of the Sage lifting Sokka off his feet and running him through.
"Sokka!" Xian and Aang said
"I gotta help him!" Xi'an said "Hei Bai, can you get me back there?"
"How do you know Sokka?" asked Aang "What Appa, Suki, and Toph?"
"They're fine" said Xi'an " but I need to get to him fast"
Grabbing Kip and his quiver full of scrolls Xi'an hopped on Hei Bai racing through the portal back to the mortal world.
"It is time for you to go back too Aang" said Kyoshi
"Wait no what about Sokka? Send me there too!" said Aang
"Aang" said Roku "Your body is at the eastern air temple. Your guardian is closer"
"What can he do that I can't? Sokka is my friend!" argued Aang
"Have faith in him" said Yangchen
"Humph" scoffed Kyoshi
Pain seared through Xi'an's shoulder as felt himself entering back into he mortal realm. As a spirit, he didn't feel the pain of his body's injury nor the weakness of the blood loss, now it slammed into him all at once. Forcing his eyes open and getting to his feet to his feet, the only thing that mattered was getting back to town as fast as possible. Nearby the Yu Yan man groaned in pain
"I'll take those!" said Xi'an drawing back his arm and knocking the man out yet again whule relieving the would be assassin of his bow and quiver of arrows.
Hei Bai and Kip appeared soon after.
"Get us to town quick" said Xi'an to the huge bear. "Sokka doesn't have much time
In a flash they arrived into town. Leaping off the bear Xi'an raced to the graveyard where he saw Suki cradling Sokka with Toph nearby, tears streaming out of both their eyes.
"Xi'an! Where were you!" yelled Suki in anger "You just disappeared!"
"I explain later, Suki. I promise" said Xi'an gently "Right now, I need your help okay?"
"Sokka's not gonna... Is he?" asked Toph
"Don't talk like that" growled Suki
"Okay first we gotta lie him down flat okay?" said Xian
As Suki and Xi'an gently lied Sokka on his back, he groaned in pain
"I know it hurts" said Xi'an gently "Just hang in there"
Bending a bowl out of stone Xi'an raced back to Hei Bai. While Toph and Suki looked on in confusion, Xi'an came rushing back with bowl full of strange liquid.
"Toph?" asked Xian "Hows his heart sounding?"
"He's got a pulse but it getting weaker" Toph said sadly
Suki looked at Xian with a very hurt expression. She was no longer angry, as she noticed the wound on Xi'an shoulder start to reopen, blood tricking down the side. She knew an arrow wound when she saw one. Setting his bowl to the side, Xi'an dipped his hands into the strange sticky liquid coating his hands
"Timing is everything, on the count of three, I need you to pull out the knife" said Xi'an to Suki " 1...2...3..."
Sokka Gasped in pain as Suki Pulled out the knife, leaving a small bit of blood as Xi'an placed his glowing hands over the wound. Breathing deeply, Xian started the healing process, feeling the cut and severed arteries start to rebuild themselves.
"His pulse is getting weaker" yelled Toph
Xi'an's eyes flashed Blue-white as the crystal on around his neck started to glow.
NO,NO" the boy thought as he focused harder, "Hang in there Sokka...Please dont die on me...."
The glow from both his eyes and crystal started to become blinding bright as Xi'an focused everything he had into healing
-Thump Thump- ...-Thump Thump- Sokka's heartbeat started getting stronger as Xi'an finished healing him finally closing the wound, leaving just a small scar. Sokka's eyes slowly flickered open, smiling softly at Suki.
"Don't ever do that to me again you, idiot!" said Suki kissing Sokka between sobs "Xi'an I don't ...Oh no...
As Sokka sat up, they noticed that Xi'an was curled up in a ball coughing heavily, shivering and worse his wound fully reopened...
The mood at the eastern air temple was sullen at best. Aang, Pathik, Kang returned back camp as soon as the young avatar returned from the spirit world. Reaching the camp they called everyone into a conference. Azula was hesitant at first but Katara assured her that it was alright. Since hearing Azula's confession to Aang and the way she doted over the two little twins, the water bender's attitude toward the fire nation princess softened a bit.
"So whats up Aang?" said Zuko "I have a feeling its not good"
"Not really no" said Aang dejectedly "In fact it worse than we thought"
"Whats wrong?" asked Katara
"Firelord Lo Pan" said Aang "He's the one sending all those soldiers after us and the reason I'm losing my avatar powers. Somehow he's been draining my powers "
"Lo Pan?" asked Zuko "A Fire lord? He was fathers most loyal general. He wouldn't make such a claim unless..."
"He killed our father..." said Azula
"That's what he said" said Aang " And that before he killed him, he said that Ozai ordered both of you the be killed"
"You're...You're lying" said Azula more trying to convince herself
"I'm just telling you what he said to me" said Aang "However as much as he was taking pleasure in telling me I doubt he was lying"
"But...I was..his favored one.." Azula said almost meekly "He wouldn't... would he?
Zuko gently tried to rest his hand on her shoulder only to be shoved off by his sister
"GET AWAY FROM ME!" yelled Azula storming off
Katara tried to chase after her but was stopped by Kang.
"Let her cool off" said Kang "It's a lot to take in"
Katara nodded and sat back down.
"What else have you learned?" asked Pathik
"That I have a "sworn vassal'" scoffed Aang "He'll becoming here soon"
"Interesting, an avatar hasn't had one for many years" replied Pathik "What is he like?"
"He's a jerk" scoffed Aang
"Anything else?" asked Katara
"Yeah" Aang gulped "It's about Sokka..."
The sun started set as as Xi'an came too. He felt weak, sick and beat up. Nearby a large bonfire was set where many of the villagers placed the empty black armor of the 'howlers' soldiers. Coughing and shivering, he slowly set up. Looking around, he saw the elder and innkeeper talking to the forest spirit.
Hei Bai released the women and children from his safe place in the spirit world. The innkeeper burst into tears as he was reunited with his family, his little daughter giving Hei Bai a hug and kiss on the nose for keeping them safe from the Sage. The Bear returned the affection with a gentle lick before disappearing into the spirit world
Xi'an tried to get to his feet but The dizziness forced him back down in a heap. He felt a gentle but strong hand keeping him from trying to get back up.
"Hey, take it easy sleepyhead "said Toph feeling his forehead " It took forever for you to stop bleeding and your running a pretty bad fever"
Appa and Kip raced toward the two smothering both Toph and Xi'an with sloppy licks. Sokka and Suki raced over as well
"How are you feeling?" asked Sokka
"Like I got ran over by herd of cow-hippos" said Xi'an "You?"
"Better thanks to you, getting ran through is not an experience I'd ever go through again." said Sokka " but I cant believe you used bear slobber on me"
"Sorry I was out of water" Xi'an coughed, shivering uncontrollably
"Looks like you got healer sickness" Sokka said checking Xi'an's eyes "
"Healer sickness?" asked Suki
"My sister used to get that a lot when she used her healing when she was really exhausted" said Sokka "With your injuries, you were lucky you didn't kill yourself"
"and if I didn't you would have died" said Xi'an "Don't worry I'm fine, really"
"So where have you been?" asked Suki
"The spirit world" said Xi'an "I ran into your buddy the Avatar there"
"Aang?" said Toph " He's not dead is he?"
"I don't think so, I'm supposed to meet up with him at the eastern air temple" said Xi'an
"Did he say anything about my Sister or Zuko?" asked Sokka with hope in his voice
"I'm sorry he didn't" said Xi'an "We didn't exactly hit it off well. But I think its a good possibility that if he's there then they are too."
"Well what are we waiting for?" said Sokka "Lets go!"
"Sokka" said Suki "Don't you think it would be a good idea to both you and Xi'an to rest before traveling all that way. You guy's shouldn't be traveling in your condition"
"No," Sokka said sternly "I want to get to Aang and the others as soon as possible"
"Pardon me, we overheard that you'll be leaving soon" said the elder Tao "I don't know how to thank all of you. I know its not much but please accept this food as a token of our gratitude"
Handing Sokka a big bag a food the elder bowed curtly
"Hey" asked Xi'an "Will you guys be okay?"
"We will now" said Tao "Thank you all for everything"
As soon as Xian, Kip, Suki and Toph were in Appa's saddle, Sokka took the reigns
"Okay Appa ,Yip Yip"
The rest of the village cheered and waved good bye to their hero's as Appa flew in to the air, destination the eastern air temple...
The stars shined brightly in the clear night sky over the eastern air temple. If she was the poetic romantic type, Azula would have enjoyed the sight. Instead, she fought back tears while walking alone in the large air bender garden. She hated herself of not being the cold calculating tactician she once was. Instead she found herself at war with herself, one hand fighting back tears that made her weak and wishing the whole world would just burn. And yet on the other hand, she felt the sharp pain of guilt over the things she'd done in the past, why they bothered her now she didn't know but they did.
But what hurt the most, was the feeling of loneliness. Her mother didn't love her that was for sure, Her brother took everything away from her and now .. finding out that her father never loved her... and worse ordered her to be killed. Though it didn't surprise her, It didn't mean it didn't hurt any less
"Copper piece for your thoughts?" asked a kind gentle voice
Looking over her shoulder she saw old man Kang walking toward her. Honestly she didn't exactly know what to think of the old man. He wasn't full of kooky proverbs like her uncle Iroh, but like her uncle under his gruff exterior was a wonderful kindness. Still she kept her guard up anyway.
"I don't think they're worth that much" Azula said wiping her eyes.
Kang took in the sight of Azula. He had heard tales of her cruelty and viciousness. It was hard to believe this fragile young girl was that same very manipulative, ruthless, cool and collected legendary princess of the fire nation.
"Try me" said Kang gently patting her on the shoulder "Come on, lets take a walk, provide a lonely weak and helpless old man some conversation"
She gave the smallest of smiles. Seeing the old man in battle, she knew he was neither weak nor helpless. Still she decided to humor the old man anyway
"Fine" she sighed "What do wish to discuss?"
"You, to be honest" said the old man "You seem distressed"
"Distressed is hardly the description" said Azula " It hard to know what to feel when you know that you're not really loved...and knowing that you deserve every bit of it"
"Well its true you have done some terrible things and that's putting it lightly" said Kang "You have a lot to own up to and answer for but I know your on the right path. You done a lot of good too"
"You think so?" said Azula "I dont know...I dont even know who I am anymore."
"Who does, kid? I've lived a long time and I'm still trying to find myself" smiled Kang "But I have faith you'll find your way. And as for not being loved, that's not true.. I know for a fact that two little ones hold a great deal of affection toward you. they see a big sister in you. Your brother, whether you believe it or not loves you a great deal. And Xi'an...
"What do you know?" interrupted Azula cruelly "My brother doesn't love me at all...He took my friends, my throne and left me to rot on an island. The twins only attached themselves to me because they lost their mother, thats it! And as for Xi'an? He just pitied me! He didn't care a bit for me...
"Do you really believe that? I dont think do" said Kang " But you're right, what do I know? I'm just a senile old man"
"Kang..I..I "stuttered Azula
"Forget it kid" said Kang gruffly "Food for thought though, you can continue to go back to your cruel power hungry ways if you want and have that void in your heart filled with all hate and distrust in the world. Or you can continue down the path you are on now, searching for redemption and forgiveness and maybe, just maybe you'll find that thing you've been missing all your life. Ultimately the choice is up to you... I cant and wont tell you how to live your life. "
"HAHAHA WHAT A LOAD!" laughed the cruel voice in Azula's head.
However a smaller kinder voice in her head felt that it made perfect sense. Coughing loudly she followed Kang back to camp. She hadn't been feeling well lately...
Katara loaded her gear bag furiously into the docked airship despite Zuko and Aang trying talk some sense into her.
"But Katara we don't even know exactly where he is!" said Aang "
"Aang's got a point, you could be going on a wild goose-duck chase" said Zuko
"I dont care!" I'll scour the whole world if I have to. And if you guys wont help me, I'll go myself!" yelled Katara
Before either of the boys could reply, the twin girls ran excitedly toward the the three yelling at the top of their lungs holding Zuko's spyglass
"Katara, Aang, Zuko!" yelled Te and Ye
"Shouldn't you two be asleep?" chastised Katara
"I know Katara but we saw something in the sky and it heading this way!" said Ye
"What did it look like?" said Zuko hoping it wasn't an enemy airship
"Not sure something big and white!" said Te
"Big and white?" Let me see" said Aang taking the spy glass
"Its Appa!" yelled Aang excitedly
"Appa?" asked the twins
"My sky bison, my best friend in the whole world"
"Looks like Sokka Toph and Suki are okay" said Zuko looking into the spy glass "but who is the guy with the polar bear-dog pup?"
Grabbing the spyglass from Zuko, Te looked through excitedly "It's Xi'an!"
It was a bittersweet reunion
"Ahoy ye mates! said Sokka hugging his sister "Bit old to be playing pirate, eh"
"Hey it was the only clothes we could find " said Katara "Are you alright?"
"Thanks to him I am" said Sokka showing his small scar "However he's in pretty bad shape now"
She looked over to the strange looking boy who was being hugged ferociously by the twins. This must have been the brother they talked about.
"Xi'an is it?" said Katara "According to Sokka,i have you to thank"
"No -cough- Problem" said Xi'an coughing loudly "Happy to help"
"Are you alright?" asked Aang
"I'm fine!" snapped Xi'an "Don't worry about me"
"I'm not, I worried about the world"
As the two argued while the rest looked on in disbelief, as Kang arrived back in camp with Azula in tow.
"Whats all the commotion" said the old man
"Hey Kang" said Xi'an weakly
"It good to see ya Kid!" said Kang
"You too"
"What she doing here" asked Suki distastefully to Azula
" Shes changed" said Aang "She's with us now"
"What? Her, change? You can be serious!" said Sokka
"Look she helped us out" said Katara
"I dont buy it" said Toph "Shes up to something"
As they argued, Azula looked to Xi'an for some sort of defense or just kindness. Instead she got just a cold angry stare in return. It was nothing like the kind warm feeling she felt when she first met him, why was he like this?
"Kang? Why are you and the twins here?" asked the boy "Where's Aunt Sho?
"Fung sold out the whole village" said Kang "They kidnapped the twins, when Sho found out she went after them...but they...
"They WHAT?" said Xi'an angrily
"They killed her"
After everything he went through, from his exile to his infected wound and healer sickness, Sho's death was the final straw. Xi'an finally snapped.
"Did you have something to do with Sho's death too?" accused Xi'an to Azula
"What? No I swear!" said Azula painfully
"How do I know your not lying?" yelled Xi'an tossing two items at her feet "What about this!"
Coughing heavily Azula picked up the two items, both having the phoenix insignia of Lo Pan one a current one ripped off a howler armor and and older tattered piece of cloth from the ...Oh no.. Looking up at Xi'an's angry face with tears in her eyes, huge waves of guilt overcame her. The world became a blur as she started coughing heavily, finally collapsing into an unconscious heap
"Xi'an Stop it!" yelled Te and Ye crying protecting Azula "Azula's a good person"
Xi'an laughed bitterly between tears and coughing of his own. Kang saw that Xi'an was definitely not himself, the boy was clearly delirious.
"Xi'an calm down" said Kang " Your talking crazy!"
"SHUT UP OLD MAN! yelled Xi'an "She ordered the port raid that killed my parents! For all I know she had a hand in Sho's death too And you want to defend her, fine I'll kick the snot of you too!"
Xi'an swung wildly at Kang. The old man was quick. However his ducking and stepping aside only served to enrage the boy more. With a dirty fake out, Xi'an landed a punch right in the old mans face.
"Oh you want it this way? Fine" said Kang darkly "Hit me, will you?"
The old man returned a hard hit right in the sternum, knocking Xi'an out cold much to the shock of everyone.
While not accepting of the violent way things turned out, Guru Pathik saw that both were not just sick but sick in the soul. Convincing Kang to build a small earth shelter with two beds, they both laid down the unconscious teens in each bed.
"Are you sure this is wise?" said Kang worriedly "I don't want either one getting hurt"
"They wont be, I promise" said the Guru "They both have tried to hide their hidden pain in such disastrous ways..."
Touching the forehead of both teens the guru, then gently pulled his hands away swirling small trails of energy making complicated circles in the air then bringing them back to their foreheads.
"...and now they must heal each other" said Pathik "It is the only way"
Leaving the the shelter Kang saw the group kids looking at him intently.
"What was all that about?" asked Aang
"Its a long story" said Kang
"That not acceptable" said Zuko "If we are to trust this guy, we need to know it"
The other kids nodded in agreement including Te and Ye
Very well... sighed Kang in defeat...