-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-
All was quiet in the small teashop, not a single pin dropped or a single dish clattered. Not a single whisper.
"Sometimes the hardest battles you fight are the ones with yourself" said Iroh sipping his tea"Both Princess Azula and Xi'an had to face things they kept hidden from themselves"
"But why did Pathik send them into each others mind?" asked Tai "Wouldn't it have been easier to just have them talk it out?"
"Well in last time they talked Xi'an chewed her out and took a swing Kang" said Hui
"Yeah but what use could they be in each others minds?" said Hahn " They couldn't change what happened"
"That is very true. But maybe by seeing with their own eyes what the other went through, they could finally heal" said Iroh
" But how could they heal if both cant stand each other now? " asked Kanna
"I agree, they got along with some parts but it looks like the more...brutal parts of them aren't to happy" said Lan
"They weren't happy at all. You have to understand that they protected themselves through their worst traits. It was his Xi'an's guilt and the anger that stemmed from it. For Azula it was her fear and paranoia.
"So what happened?" asked Kuei
"The path to healing is a painful one. As these two would soon find out...
-Chapter 18-
Tough Love
The Beastly Xi'an had found her quite easily through the thick forest. However she was far from easy prey. In fact she defended herself quite well from all his vicious slashes returning a hard hit of her own.
Azula however, was in the midst of a conundrum, she really didn't want to hurt any part of Xi'an but she had no intentions of letting him hurt her either
"Whats the matter? Why are you holding back?" taunted the beastly Xi'an "No, wonder your father wanted you dead. No wonder everyone betrayed you! "
Azula responded with a hard kick to Xi'an's cruel remark who quickly caught it. Grabbing her leg, he viciously spun her through the air tossing her hard into the deep green underbrush. Staggering to her feet, Azula gnashed her teeth in anger
"Oh you are so dead!" she whispered Azula starting her lightning form "He's better off with out you!"
"I'm sorry, but I cant allow that" said a flat emotionless voice behind her
Grabbing her by her top shirt, Ghost Xian pulled Azula into small thicket effectively hiding from the beastly version. Raising a finger to his lips, they both stayed silent as the other Xi'an passed by
"What?" whispered Azula angrily "Why not? It would be better if that part of you was gone"
"It doesn't work that way" said ghost Xi'an "You kill him, you kill us. Like it or not he's a part of us. We just need to catch him first, the we can deal with him "
"Well, how do we do that?" said Azula
"If we knew that, we wouldn't have needed your help" said Ghost Xi'an
"What makes me so special?" asked Azula
"Well you do have the gift of impeccable strategy and..well he like the rest of us, cares for you"
"Cares for me?" said leery Azula cocking an eyebrow "If you haven't noticed, he's been trying to take my head off"
"But have you noticed, that he hasn't tried use a single death blow on you or resort to his bending?" asked ghost Xi'an "Only a lot of growling, hurtful words and painful non-lethal blows"
"He's trying to push me away!" realized Azula "Why?"
"When we catch him we'll ask him" said ghost Xi'an "Got a plan?"
"Actually... I do" said Azula narrowing her eyes "Follow me..."
Azula's fire bending and martial arts were no match for Xi'an's quick thinking and well placed counters, in fact due to his amazing skills she was taken down with little effort... At least the was the story Xi'an was telling if anyone asked. If Kang found out he'd never hear the end of it.
Wincing in pain, Xi'an blocked two ferocious kicks from Azula. Truth be told once Azula found Xi'an, she didn't let up. He had to give it to her, her guard was perfect, he hadn't been able to get a single hit in. The only reason that the lasted as long as he did was because his guarding style, while not as perfect as hers, was as unorthodox as he was. But it wasn't enough, she broke through. Snatching him up by his hair, she chucked him hard on the throne room floor.
"Quite pathetic" snapped Azula kicking him hard in the ribs "I can't believe any part of me would find you appealing at all"
The boy annoyed her, why wouldn't he fight more aggressively? She knew full well that he could, and yet he just kept fighting defensively with that stupid smile on his face. She didn't know why but he was also causing her to hold back, which just infuriated her all the more. Maybe a good fire blast to the face would wipe that smile off.
"I would say this would hurt me more than you" said Azula with a sneer to the fallen boy "But I'd be lying"
It was a lie, she really didn't want to hurt him. She just wanted him to go away, she wanted him to fear her, to hate her so she could hate him back. She wanted to be like she was before cold, calculating and effective. She didn't like the influence he had on her, did she? The way he made her feel...
"I HATE YOU!" she screamed as she shook her head of the foolish thoughts. Taking in a deep breath , she balled up her fist and shot a large blast of hot blue flame directly at him
"STOP!"yelled a voice
Jumping in front of the blast, another kinder looking version of Azula dispersed the attack and quickly countering with a blast of her own sending the the cruel Azula sailing into a pile of nearby rubble.
"Xi'an" said new Azula helping him to his feet "Are you alright?"
"Yeah just grand" said Xi'an painfully "So who and what are you now?"
"I guess you would call me Azula's conscience. I've never been strong enough until now to have any effect on my actions. Come on we need to...
A vicious bolt of lightning engulfed the new version of Azula causing her to glow bright blue. Screaming in pain, she shattered into a pile of small crystal shards.
"I never did like her" snorted perfect Azula prepping another fire blast "I can't wait until I get my hands on the little brat, maybe then my stupid infatuation with you will end"
Ducking behind a pillar Xi'an avoided yet another painful fire blast but he knew he couldn't avoid her forever. Closing his eyes he knew there was no other way but to use his bending and go on the attack. . In a flash of light the child appeared next to him.
"I got an idea!" she said "I'll draw her fire and you trap her"
"What? You are not using yourself as bait! What if she catches you?" said Xi'an
"Well then its your job to just make sure she doesn't!" said the child "Bye!"
Before he could argue the point further the child Azula leaped into the fray, distracting her older version. However she was no fool, as soon as Xi'an left the safety of the pillar he knew he was in trouble.
"I cant believe you would even consider the age old "distract and attack from behind" strategy" sneered the cruel Azula "I'm hurt and insulted!"
Though his he changed up his guard, Azula eventuality broke through it again to land hard kicks to the sides. Slamming him hard into wall, she blasted the ceiling above him causing it to collapse on to of him in a mass of stone.
"And now what to do with you little one" said cruel Azula "As handsome as he might be, I dont exactly appreciate giving him a tour of MY head"
"So you admit you think he's handsome"
"That's... That's not the point!" said cruel Azula angrily "The point is that you are the weak part of me and like the others like you, you need to be put down!"
"But...i dont want to go away"
"You have no choice in the matter!"
As she prepared a fatal fire blast, a low rumble came from the pile of stone that she buried Xi'an in.
"I think you made him mad" said the child Azula
With a loud roar, the pile exploded outward reveling a very angry Xi'an. Shaking the mental cobwebs off, Xi'an dodged the fire blasts as he walked slowly toward her. One of her fireballs slapped into his shoulder causing him to growl in pan but nothing was going to stop him
"I don't like being buried!" said Xi'an breathing heavily" And I hate using my bending, but you leave me no choice
In a flash he he dodged two more fire balls and responded by using his bending to sending 4 u shaped rocks at the princess fusing her to the wall.
She growled and yelled, gnashing her teeth as she fought to get free but it was to no avail, she was stuck quite well. Finally she stopped resisting,letting out a slow bitter laugh as she sadly admitted defeat
"So it ends like this huh? Betrayed by everyone...even myself." said Azula softly "Very well Xi'an, do your worst if it'll make you feel better about your woefully pathetic life"
"I fully intend to" said the young tracker blankly
Child Azula quickly tugged on Xi'an's shirt and whispered something his ear causing both gain very mischievous smiles.
"Super duper promise?" asked child Azula
"Yeah I super duper promise" said Xian kindly
Child Azula kissed Xi'an on the cheek before disappearing in a flash of white light. Cruel Azula was furious, but wasn't sure if was because the secret conversation or the kiss on the cheek.
"What did she tell you!" she screamed "What lies did she make up?"
"Well, she told me that I cant get rid of you or I might kill all of you" said Xi'an "To be quite honest that was never my intention"
"That wasn't all the little brat told you!" said Azula "Now tell me!"
"My my, aren't we getting to be a little bit demanding" said Xi'an "but since you asked so nicely, she told me you thought I was handsome"
"She's lying!" said Azula looking away, a deep blush forming over her cheeks "I wouldn't dirty myself with lowly peasant like you!"
"Really? Then why are you blushing?" said Xi'an gently turning her face to his
He had her there, There was something about him that she couldn't put her finger on. Something that made her heat beat faster every time she was near him. Ever since she met him she blushed at the thought of him. And yet that scared her to death...would he betray her like so many? She couldn't, No she wouldn't take that risk. Taking a huge gulp of air, she hoped a bit of dragons breath would scare him off once and for all. Xi'an jumped back as she blasted a massive column of flame out of her mouth.
"That was a warning" warned Azula "Don't get any closer
"Or else what?" smiled the boy
As she took another gulp of air, he took a huge deep breath of his own and pressed his lips on hers hoping his water bending would be enough to gently extinguish her flames. Her eyes widened at the unexpected action. It was strange to feel his lips touching hers ever so softly. A strange yet wonderful feeling as he caressed her cheeks
She didn't know if it was a symbol of trust or just maybe it was his concentration faltering from the kiss, but she started feel her bonds start to crumble. Slowly she felt her limbs free as her bonds slowly turned to dust
"That fool" thought the cruel Princess feeling a bit lightheaded as her eyes closed "Does he truly think he'll trick me with just a simple kiss? This...This..."
Bringing a free hand to his chest, she knew it would be only too easy to blast him in the heart, completely ending her ridiculous infatuation with him. All it took was just a little bit of fire, and then the tingling feeling in her lips would stop. Just one fire blast and she would never get lost in those beautiful eyes of his or feel her heart race when ever she thought of him.
"Why is he so special!" she thought
She instead sighed and melted into the kiss bringing both of her hands around his neck as she felt his move on her hips. She had to admit though she didn't have much experience in it, she was beginning to like kissing a great deal
As Xi'an broke the the kiss, He looked into the cruel princesses golden eyes. She still had a angry sneer on her face as if she still wanted to fight. Snatching the boy by the shirt, she yanked him back into a another kiss, this time a bit more passionate and forceful
She found it was too wonderful of a feeling, so it would stop when she deemed it to be.
"And I'm not not ready for it to end just yet" thought the cruel Azula wistfully
Child Azula flashed back in carrying a armful of broken shards, the remains of countless aspects of herself that the cruel part of her that she tried to hide or outright destroy. Smiling at the sight of the two still kissing, she dropped a shard one by one, each reforming into a version of Azula which blushed a bit before merging with the formerly cruel Azula. Turing bright red herself, the child Azula was the last to merge, giggling as she did so.
As they finally broke the kiss, Xi'an noticed Azula looked different, the cruel sneer gone from her face though she looked down at her feet as if fully ashamed
"You saw what I've done, You've seen the person I am" said Azula "Look what I just put you through! How can you.."
Because I saw the person that you were" said Xi'an holding her tight "And I seen the person that you are now, I like this one better"
"You do?" she whispered
"I do" he smiled kissing her on the forehead
As she nuzzled her head into his chest, they both disappeared in a flash of light
The beast Xi'an growled and roared as he chased his lovely prey through the woods. As he came to a clearing, he smelled a trap. With a mighty leap he hopped over the the pit trap, disappearing into the thick tree tops.
"HAHAHAHAHA. Give me a bit of credit!" the beastly Xi'an laughed "Did you truly think I would fall for your traps?
As she looked to see where his voice was coming from, he dove from the trees, grabbing her by the arm and swinging her hard into the nearby trees before before disappearing back into the woods
"Whats the matter princess?" the voice taunted "Where's that perfect strategy of yours?"
Diving back down behind her, he grabbed her flipping her hard to the ground and kicking her harder in the ribs before disappearing back in the woods.
"Where's that overbearing arrogance yours?" growled the voice
Azula staggered to her feet only to get knocked down again and again by the beast Xi'an's relentless hit and run attacks.
"You can't win here" said a voice from the trees " The woods are my element"
With a spark of realization, Azula decided to remove his element. Using well placed blasts of fire she lit the forest ablaze. As the forest burned in a brilliant bright mass of flames, Azula prepared herself for the wost. She wasn't disappointed.
The beastly Xi'an raced through the fire with a look of pain and feral rage plastered on his face. Azula shock a bit in fear but stood her ground.
"So you truly want to fight huh? Fine by me" he growled
"No, I dont want to fight you" said Azula
"Too Bad"
In a flash he was at her, slashing with a ferocity she never saw in anyone. It took everything she had just to block and defend. However this only seemed to enrage the beast Xi'an even more. Slamming her into the ground, he let her get back to her feet only kick her down again. Still she wouldn't blast fire at him.
"Why wont you fight back?" he yelled kicking her in the ribs
Bending a huge chunk of rock, it floated over her threatening to smash her flat.
"Fight back!" he ordered
"Why" she asked
"Because then I can hate you!"
A chunk of ice few out of the burning woods snapping the beast in the head. Growling he turned his head only to get two more chucks of ice tossed at him.
"That's enough of that!" said a calm voice "Beat me up all you want, but wont allow you to hurt her!"
Appearing out of the woods was yet another version of Xi'an, one the ones knocked out earlier. His face was bruised and swollen. He stepped in between Azula and the huge monstrous version of himself.
"Azula?" said the new Xi'an not taking his eyes off of the beast "I need you to run...NOW!"
Azula didn't need to be told twice. As the two started to fight, Azula ran making sure that her foot prints were easy to follow. The beastly easily dispatched his smaller version making his way after the princess following the deep foot prints she left behind
"What a stupid girl...."
His train of though was immediately interrupted by an ingenious set of rope snares, which lifted him off the ground biding all four limbs. He growled and snarled as he struggled to no avail, he was indeed trapped. He underestimated the girl, she was clever he had to give her that. He should have seen it coming, but he never expected that she'd get help.
"YOU TRAITORS!" yelled the beast version to his ghost and calm versions "WHEN I GET LOOSE, AND BELIEVE ME,I WILL GET LOOSE, I WILL RIP BOTH OF YOUR HEADS OFF!"
"We will deal with that, if and when that time comes" said the ghost Xi'an "For now, Azula is here to help us"
"HELP?" yelled beast Xi'an "SHE IS THE ONE THAT ORDERED THE ATTACK ON HONG VILLAGE! MY PARENTS DIED BECAUSE OF HER. SHO DIED BECAUSE OF HER! "
"Xi'an, It wasn't meant to be that way " said Azula "I...
"SHUT UP!" growled beast Xi'an "THIS IS YOUR FAULT, EVERTHING IS YOUR FAULT!"
"Enough!" said calm Xi'an "While she's done a lot of wrong, Azula isn't to blame this time. Ozai planned it and Lo Pan carried it out. As for our parents? You know who's at fault.. don't you?"
"SHUT UP! I DONT WANT TO HEAR IT!" yelled beast Xi'an painfully "IT was...was...
"Admit it!" said the ghost Xi'an roughly "She only repeated what an overbearing father and an ambitious general told her. But as for our parents we both know where the true blame lies"
"IT...WAS ME, ALRIGHT! IT WAS MY FAULT" yelled beast Xi'an his eyes welling up with tears "IF I HANDNT THROWN THAT STUPID ROCK, MAYBE EVERYONE WOULD STILL BE ALIVE! AND IF I HADN'T CAME TO THE VILLAGE MAYBE SHO WOULD STILL BE ALIVE TOO
It was becoming quite clear to Azula what was happening here. It was a vicious cycle,each part of Xi'an mercilessly beating the other up. Never coming to a conclusion ,only to restart again and again.
"Stop it! All of you!" said Azula "Your only making it worse.
Rushing over to the bound beast Xi'an, she wrapped her arms around him, holding him close. Closing her eyes she held tight as he frantically tried to shake her off to no avail
"Go..Go Away!" growled beast Xi'an "Please...go away!"
"Lo pan would have done it anyway, Xi'an" said Azula "I'm truly am sorry for my part of it, if I could take it back I would. I'm so...so sorry"
"But..." beast Xi'an argued weakly
"Sho loved you..." said Azula griping tightly "Even I could see that, her death is not your fault either"
Azula held on tight even as the struggling stopped she didn't want to let go
"You don't hate her do you?" asked ghost Xi'an
"N.. NO..I don't" beast Xi'an said as his eyes stopped glowing " I just needed someone to blame"
"Tell her why" said ghost Xi'an
"I ...cant...I won't..."said the beast Xian while his fangs shrunk down
"Please?" Azula asked kindly "Tell me?"
"It hurts, every night when I close my eyes I have to relive it, what I've done " Xian sighed "It was easier to be angry and when the chance come to blame someone else for what I did I took it."
"Go on" said ghost Xi'an
"Don't dont push me anymore" said the beast Xi'an shrinking even smaller
"Tell us!" said the calm Xi'an
"I"M AFRAID ALRIGHT!" yelled beast Xi'an
"Afraid?" asked Azula
"I'm afraid of losing anyone else close to me." said Xi'an shrinking slightly "Afraid of failing the responsibility of being the avatar's guardian. Afraid of not being able to stop Lo Pan, afraid of my feelings for you, Azula. I'm afraid of not being worthy of a princess... afraid of your feelings, if any for me. I'M JUST SCARED!"
If Azula was like she was only a few months ago, she would have deemed Xi'an's admission as pathetic and useless and would have been more that happy to use it as a tactical advantage to destroy him. However she wasn't like she was...not anymore.
"What else?" asked the calm Xi'an
"No more" said beast Xi'an weakly shrinking even further "Please no more"
"Xi'an, let me help you" said Azula
"I...feel so guilty for what happened to my parents" Xi'an sniffed" Guilty for not being there for Sho and the twins when they needed me, guilty for the times I've lost my temper. Guilty for... for
"For what Xi'an?" asked Azula
"For...hurting you" said beast Xi'an shrinking down to normal size
"Why would that matter?" she asked in confusion
"I... care about you" "he said softly
Azula closed her eyes as she rested her head on his chest. Her heartbeat raced as she felt him slip from his snares now that he was smaller. Her lips trembled as she wondered if he would push her away but they were put to rest as he wrapped his arms around her.
The other Xi'an's closed their eyes as they merged back with the beast Xi'an. Opening her eyes she noticed the kind gentle face she first meet in the forest so many weeks ago.
"You've seen what i've done" said Xi'an "How can you... "
"We both have a lot to own up for" said Azula nuzzling closer " All we can do now is try to make things right. We'll fix it together. "
"Did I really say that?" she thought "Yes...yes I did "
With a flash of light both Azula and Xian disappeared
-Thump Thump...Thump Thump-
It was a comforting sound
She felt different, it was hard to describe but she felt whole again. No voices in her head, just a refreshed healed feeling. As the sleepy cobwebs in her mind cleared she nuzzled her head in most wonderful pillow. Sure it was odd shaped and a bit warm but felt sooooo good, parts of it wrapped around her and the very enjoyable heart beat...
Her eyes snapped wide open in bewilderment, her "pillow" turned out to be a bare well defined male chest. Looking up she noticed the face of Xi'an sleeping quite soundly. Feeling a set of arms wrapped around her, she felt very comfortable, safe and loved. She never truly felt all three before but it felt so wonderful. It was a feeling that she never wanted to end
"That's it, once this is over" she thought with a smile "You will be my official royal pillow every night"
Propping herself on her elbow, she traced the many scars on his chest with a slender finger,wondering the story behind each one. How she ended up under the same blanket as Xi'an she didn't know, and honestly she didn't care. She was more than content right where she was, just watching him sleep.
Soon her thoughts dwelled on that strange dream she had. It had to be a dream right? There was no way seeing all that is possible. Could it?
Her thoughts were interrupted by a subtle jerk whenever her finger traced over a certain spot. Could it be that he's ticklish? This strong boy...ticklish like a small child? Intriguing... A mischievous smile appeared on her face as she rapidly tickled him. It was quite amusing to see him jerk around trying to get away. Finally in a unconscious last ditch attempt to get away from her, he scooted over. Unfortunately, he ran out of bed and smacked on the hard ground below.
"Well! I'm awake!" groaned Xi'an opening his eyes
As is eyes focused, he noticed Azula peering over the side of the bed covering her mouth as she unsuccessfully tried to stifle a laugh.
" UH... Good morning?" said Xi'an "Where are we?
"I should ask you the same thing" said Azula "Last thing I remember was blacking out after you yelled at me"
"Yeah about that...I'm sorry. It's no excuse, but I wasn't myself. " said Xi'an "I shouldn't have yelled at you. I saw your finger on the map it was nowhere near Hong"
"What?" said Azula "How could you possibly know that?"
"I dont know" Xi'an shaking his head "It was a dream but it felt so real"
"Xi'an" said Azula softly "Turn around please
" Sure" said Xi'an turning a bit red "Let me get my shirt on"
"No..."said Azula firmly "Now...I want to see your back"
"Um...
"I want to see it!" she said sharply "NOW!
"Okay Okay!"
Sighing deeply Xi'an slowly turned around showing Azula. She gasped and covered her mouth as saw the large burn scar that streaked from his right shoulder blade down to the middle of his back. Just like the dream
'You got this the night Hong was attacked. Lo Pan did this to you" asked Azula as she tentatively touched his back gently tracing the scar "Does it still hurt?"
"Not anymore, but how do you know ..."'
"The same as you" said Azula "A dream just like yours"
As they compared dreams, they noticed that they were far too specific and spot on to be just plain dreams. How could possibly see each others memories so vividly? If it wasn't a dream what was it?
"You trapped me in rope snares?" asked Xi'an "Was I really that bad?"
"It wasn't anything I couldn't handle said Azula "Besides I had help from your other selves"
"So you tamed the beast eh?" smiled Xi'an
"Maybe" Azula said draping the blanket over both of them "So how did you deal with me?"
Yeah that... it was ..no problem" lied Xi'an "It was really easy, I hardly broke a sweat"
"Oh really now?" Azula said as she narrowed her eyes fully unconvinced "I may be many things, but a pushover isn't one of them. So what really happened?"
"Saw through that one, huh? Alright you thoroughly trounced me" Xi'an sighed
"I like this story" smiled the princess as she cuddled close "I like it a lot!"
"Well don't smile too hard" smirked Xi'an "Because I still won"
"Humph" snorted Azula "You probably cheated"
"Not exactly cheated" said Xi'an "But I used a dirty trick"
"What kind of dirty trick, hmmmm?"
"Well you tried to burn me by breathing fire out of your mouth"said Xi'an blushing "So the next time you tried it...
"Yes?"
"i...uh.. um... I kissed you" said Xi'an
"Oh"...said Azula slightly disappointed " So it was just a dirty trick...
"Hey?" said Xi'an "You sound a little down
"A little" she said "Though I guess that makes a bit more sense than to just kiss me because you wanted to"
"Well, who says I didn't?" teased Xi'an gently lifting her chin and looked into her brilliant gold eyes "Maybe i was waiting until now to do it for real"
Azula bit her lip as Xi'an slowly moved his face closer to hers, feeling his hot breath on hers. Closing her eyes,she enjoyed the almost familiar warm tingle as their lips touched. Never in her life did she ever think she could take such pleasure in something as simple as a kiss. Gently pulling away, Azula opened her eyes noticing an almost bashful Xi'an turning bright red.
"What's the matter?" she asked a bit confused
"It kind of embarrassing to admit" said Xi'an "But.."
"But what?"
"Your the first girl I ever kissed"
"And I better be the only one too" she smiled as she brought him into another kiss, completely addicted to the warm tingling feeling
"Lets not ever try beat each other up again. Dream or not "said Xian breaking the kiss
"Deal...unless you stop giving me these wonderful kisses" said Azula "Otherwise I'll have to torture you"
Azula smiled in satisfaction as she nuzzled her head on back on Xi'an's chest. Yawning she felt the welcome comfort of his arms around her as she closed her eyes. It was a strange feeling but not exactly an unwelcome one. In fact she had grown in such a short time to enjoy it quite well. It was a feeling of being loved and protected. Even though she could fully protect and take care of herself, It was nice to feel it from someone else.
Despite all that was going on, she was thankful for just a small slice of heaven, however brief. Gently she let the beating of his heart softly lull her back to warm peaceful sleep.
Meanwhile
Lo Pan was not amused, in fact he was seething. He had the last piece in his hands and lost it. Not only that but to a mere child. A snot nose punk who had the audacity to defy him! If that was not bad enough, his "recruiting center" was found destroyed and that insane Bumi somehow was able to take Omashu back.
Killing four of his incompetent generals made him feel a bit better, but unless he could find that brat he was just as mortal as the rest.
Looking down at his crystal, a sinister smile grew over his face. Of course, it made perfect sense instead of going after the Avatar and the boy. It would be better to draw them out by going after his companions.
Laying a 5 medallions on the ground the crystal on his chest pulsed with an eerie glow. Five shadowy forms rose from the floor, their eyes glowing red.
The first formed into the former admiral of the fire nation fleet whose hatred for Zuko was well known.
The second formed into a former well known assassin whose defeat by the water tribe warrior was well documented
The third formed into a young boy with a skill for stealth and skill with hook swords. His history with the water tribe girl would prove useful if not entertaining
The fourth was a wild card, a criminal from the Fire Nation whose thirst for revenge knew no bounds. just perfect to unleash on the others
And the Fifth? The new Firelord smiled as he decided to keep him in the fire nation...Just in case a certain princess decides to overstep her bounds and look for a fight...