-Inside the Jasmine Dragon-
It was amazing how a simple story could bring so many together. From nobles to humble farmers, all were welcome in the jasmine dragon.
"It's kind of sad" one fire nation lady remarked "To find a bit of love and yet have to separate"
"It is" said Iroh "There was no guarantee that they see each other again"
"Ugh" said Hahn "What with all the mushy stuff? I mean Xi'an and Azula? There is no proof that they were ever to...
-SPLAT-"
From the kitchen sailed an authentic sky nomad fruit pie landing flat on the know-it-all kid's head. Hahn pouted as everyone in the place laughed while Bosco licked the mess off his face.
"Hahn must be in rare form to annoy my desert cook" thought Iroh as he stifled a laugh
"Why did did they split up the way they did?" asked Tai
"I suppose they thought hitting two places at once would better their chances of getting a small army said Iroh "Sokka's group to Kyoshi Island and Aang's group to Omashu
"I thought you said that Bumi had taken back Omashu" said Hui "If that was the case why bother going there?
"They didn't know that at the time" said Iroh
"And what about Kyoshi Island?" asked Kanna
"Yeah, wasn't Mai and Ty lee there? asked Lan
"Oh yes, and Azula would find her new outlook to be strongly tested there ..."
Chapter 20
- The Painted Warriors-
The sun rose along the horizon as the tiny air ship made its way through the clouds, to make good time each took the wheel in shifts after a few instructions from Zuko. While the others were asleep, Xi'an took the wheel enjoying the silence and the sweet ,cool brisk air of the sky. It was easy to see how the air nomads were so laid back in such a peaceful environment. As the door creaked Xi'an didn't have to turn around to know who it was. The soft light sounding footsteps were a dead giveaway.
"Avatar" said Xi'an coldly
"Guardian" said Aang equally as coldly
"So what do I owe the honor of your presence?" said Xi'an sarcastically
"How long until we reach Omashu?" asked Aang with a snooty tone
"According what Zuko said, not for a few more hours" said Xi'an
"That because your going too slow!" said Aang "The others could fly this thing faster!"
"Well I'm sorry it's not going fast enough to your liking 'Oh great avatar'" snapped Xi'an "If you're in that much of a rush, by all means get out and push!"
Aang stomped toward the door to the wheel house stopping just as his hand touched the handle.
"Aang,Wait!" sighed Xi'an
"Yes? Now what is it?" said Aang gruffly "Getting ready for round 2?
"No"said Xi'an "Just what exactly is your problem with me?
"Your not needed" asked Aang "I can handle this on my own"
"Yeah we saw how well that worked in the spirit world"
"Hey I didn't see you do much better!" said Aang
"Exactly, when we took Lo pan on by ourselves" said Xi'an "We got our butts handed to us"
"Whats the history between you and him?"
"I don't want to talk about it"
"Too bad" said Aang "You want us to work together, then you tell me!"
"*Sigh* Kang told you about the attack my village?" said Xi'an
"He said you were the only survivor" said Aang
"I was. Lo Pan led the raid that night. He killed my mother and father right in front of me"said Xian sadly
"I'm sorry" said Aang
"That's why we cant fight each other any more, not now. He will destroy us if we dont work together, truce?"
"Truce" said Aang "I have to apologize. I guess I felt threatened, protecting the world is my job. The avatars job."
"I'm not after your job" said Xi'an "But lets face it, you're not as strong as you when you defeated Ozai but even then you didn't end the war yourself, you had help. And that what I'm here for, to help"
"I guess your right" said Aang
"Now" said Xi'an " The question is how. How do we stop Lo Pan?"
"I'm Avatar and Your Guardian, we'll figure out something" said Aang "
"Lets just hope this army plan works" said Xi'an "What do you know about this King Bumi?"
"He's an eccentric" said Aang "A mad genius to be exact"
"Good, he'll have to be crazy to agree what we are going to ask for" said Xi'an "That is If Omashu isn't a already smoking ruin"
"Not very optimistic are you?" asked Aang
"Whats that saying? Hope for the best..." said Xi'an
"But expect the worst" finished Aang
Mai and The Kyoshi warriors were tired. Ever since the occupation of the island, the small group were involved in vicious hit and run attacks during the day and haunted by the terrible howling at night. Lesser soldiers would have run or surrendered but not them, they were the Kyoshi warriors and this was their home.
However things looked very bleak right now. Their attacks had done nothing to thin the numbers of the invaders. While they were able to save most of the villagers, they were indeed trapped. no way off the island or a way to call for help. To make matters worse their food stores were running low, making for a volatile environment. Fights among the villagers over food was a regular occurrence. Only with the help of the village chief did they keep the group from ripping each other apart with dissension.
If that wasn't enough, they were attacked late last night thanks to one frightened and cowardly villager who gave away their secret location in return for his life. He sold out his people to the heartless occupiers to save his own skin. Too bad they didn't keep their word. His body was returned to the village, burnt beyond recondition as a grim warning of things to come.
As the dark armored howlers attacked, the The Kyoshi warriors along with the future Fire Lady of The Fire nation covered the villagers escape fighting valiantly though the night. Much to her displeasure, Ty Lee found that her chi blocking techniques to be of no use against these these strange howling troopers
As dawn approached, the now exhausted and spent Kyoshi warriors made a valiant last stand surrounded by all sides by a mass of soldiers. Out of the corner of their eyes, they noticed the beautiful sunrise, possibly the last one they'd ever see. Nodding their heads they all made a silent agreement, they would go down fighting.
"It's been a pleasure fight along side you ladies" said one warrior
"Were not dead yet!" said Ty Lee "I don't know about the rest of you but I intend see tomorrow"
Mai was quite surprised as was the rest of the Kyoshi warriors by Ty lee. Since Suki's leave of absence Ty lee had really stepped up to hold the the warriors together. While she was no cunning master, her kind personality, general sweet nature and fierce loyalty to her new friends won over them all. Mai gave the smallest of smiles.
"How touching" said a condescending voice "and yet all for nothing"
Looking down on them, from a nearby cliff flanked by a set of elite guards was the commander of the small army. A small little weasel of a man but no less dangerous. Previously a mere foot solder in the Fire Nation army but after after to swearing an oath to Lo pan he was rewarded the command of his own private army and more importantly, he thought as caressed his medallion... power.
"You have caused me much trouble and annoyance " gloated the commander "But I'm not without mercy, surrender now and I promise you a quick and painless death"
"Mai? Would you please give the ugly short man our answer?" said Ty lee
"Gladly" said Mai
With a quick flick of her wrist Mai shot out a stiletto knife, at the man with deadly accuracy. It was in vain for his elite guard caught it in mid air, mere inches from from his face. Regardless the point had been made much to the commander's displeasure.
"Kill them all!" he yelled seething in anger
The Fire lady and The Kyoshi warriors bravely stood their ground as the soldiers charged. Just as things looked hopeless, a giant mass of white fur fell from the sky landing with a monstrous thud.
Whipping his tail Appa sent out an air blast scattering Howlers in every direction. Roaring loudly, he proceeded to ram his way through the large mass of armored solders sending them sailing into each other in a pile of twisted metal.
Jumping out of the saddle was Toph, a little girl and an old man who landed on the ground with a tremendous thud sending a wave of crushing rock smashing what ever was in its way.
Sokka and Suki dove out next sword's drawn, picking their targets carefully.
"Lets hope those scrolls were right, Sokka" said Suki
Stabbing the heart of nearby howler, it's eyes glowed a bright white as the spirit unbound itself dispersing as it floated into the sky.
"Ladies!" yelled Sokka to the Kyoshi warriors "Aim for the heart! It should put them down for good! The girls nodded, getting a renewed will to fight.
Appa growled in fear as a group of fire bending soldiers slowly backed him into a corner. Using his air bending only made the flame stronger.
Azula,still the the saddle concentrated deeply as she fired dropping each soldier with concentrated shot to the chest. Appa slammed his tail down sent the rest of them flying into the nearby wall.
"Appa!" Azula said hopping out the saddle "Go help the others"
One by one the monsters fell, slowly turning the tide. The Kyoshi warriors, now knowing how to defeat the seemingly unkillable howlers now battled ferociously to protect their island . Kang, Toph and Ye held off a massive amount with an incredible display of earth bending, crushing everything in their way. Sokka and Suki sliced through an equal amount with a master display of swordplay.
The commander was looking on in pure shock as his soldiers fell by the wayside. Beads of sweat dripped from his brow as his glorious plans of conquest crumbled before his eyes. How could this be possible?
"What are you waiting for? Do Something" he yelled at his elites pushing them into the fray
As the battle raged around them, Mai and Azula locked eyes on the field. The was no mistake, as a look of pure hate was exchanged between the two of them dropping into their ready stances, neither forgeting what had happened on the boiling rock Azula struck first, shooing a quick blast...arcing to the left of Mai hitting the elite sneaking up on her. Mai looked in shock as the guard's armor fell empty. Azula smirked condescendingly. Mai's eyes narrowed as she tossed a single knife, it sailing through the air just brushing Azula's hair as it caught another elite, dropping it. Mai returned a condescending look of her own.
Their fight would have to wait as the commander started blasting fire with reckless abandon from his perch.
"Ty lee!" yelled Suki "Take him out and break his medallion!"
"I'm on it!" yelled Ty lee
The acrobatic girl ducked and dodged the commanders fire blasts as she hoped and flipped her way up to the cliff. As he attempted to shot fire at her, she shot him a flurry of punches blocking his use of his right arm. He tried with his left with similar results. Snatching the medallion from around his neck, she tossed it to the ground , shattering into a million pieces.
The commander gasped in fear as his body combusted like the others before him.
"No!"screamed the commander as his body exploded in massive fireball
Ty Lee clamped her eyes shut as the man screamed in agony, his body finally becoming a small pile of ash..
As the rest of the soldiers armor fell empty, everyone breathed a sigh of relief that it was over.
Azula slowly limped toward the others clutching her side, her face twisted in pain. The rest of the group could clearly see by the amount of blood that she was hurt badly. She cursed herself for being so stupid. Letting herself get distracted got her a nasty sword cut.
Collapsing on the ground she struggled to keep her eyes open but to no avail. Kang scooped her up and carried her back to the Kyoshi camp, silently cursing himself for not bringing Katara or Xi'an, the groups only healers. He was only hoping that it wasn't too bad...