Hi everyone! I'm back. It took me awhile to do so, but I finally managed to get around to typing the next thrilling chapter. And let me tell ya, I believe this is the longest chapter yet. There's so much to include in this chapter; so much to discuss in detail, and so much to explain. I hope you enjoy. Please review, please favorite, and for the love of God, if you can, share this story with everyone you know and tell them to do the same.

Also, please check out my YouTube channel when you get the chance. The link is on my profile. I've just done a cover of Nirvana's "In Bloom," and it was stellar. I believe that I may do Korn's "Falling away from me," as my next video when I get the chance. In the mean time, sit back, relax, and enjoy this new chapter.

It's amazing how much noise when could produce with his or her own throat. In the case of Mai, she was simply just screaming at the top of her lungs. She belted out cries of fury and aguish as she tugged against the restraints binding her to the chair. Even with the gag over her mouth, he shouts came out clear as day. Her fear was crystalline solid. If there was anyone left in the palace with the exception of Aang, who was equally bound to the chairs, they would've obviously heard the distressing yells, and would aid the fire lady.

But that was the thing. They were all alone.

Half the guards left with Zuko to assist in his conquest to banish Azula on the ship ride to the island, the other half were easily fooled by Azula's letter, telling them that Mai had snapped and was now running about the enchantingly evil Sakura forest which lied between the earth kingdom and the fire nation, in the middle of the night. It didn't help either adding to the fact that once Zuko passed out, Azula placed Mai and Aang, along with the time bomb, in a small linen closet. They were cramped, they were close, they were near the vicinity of absolute death, and they were out of sight.

In layman's terms, they were screwed.

Some may ask, well why doesn't Aang simply use his bending to help them escape? Well that's another thing; Aang's bending abilities were defused. Azula learned many things from Ty-Lee during the war, watching her acrobatic fighting moves. Azula, through simple wisdom through osmosis, was able to strike Aang at the dead spot of his body, shutting down all of his behind abilities, and rendering him completely useless.

When one adds all of these factors together, it's safe to say that a moment such as this would turn anyone insane. It is surprising how long Mai lasted before finally surrendering to her inner doubts, and sobbing furiously in depression. Her eyes burned with sorrow and fear. She was dead; no doubt about it. Nothing could be done, and no one could be saving. They were going to die.

"Oh Spirits," she groaned in utter agony as the tears violently fell from her face. "I don't want to die, not like this."

Again, as stated before, even with the gag, her words could be heard clear as day, which is why Aang responded. "You're telling me." He proclaimed, not with remorse, but with bitter anger and a hint of regret as he gazed into the future that lied in store for them both. "The monks told me that an Avatar should die in honor. There's no honor in dying in a linen closet, with no way to bend my way out. It's very remorseful. But more importantly, it's disappointing. How will future generations look at us?"

"Disappointed doesn't even come close to what I'm feeling." Mai explained. "Right now, I'm a mixture of violent grief and powerful anger. I want to escape and kick some ass. But unless, somehow and in some way, we were to be discovered right now, we are going to die."

Aang was about to reply. But, at that moment, something peculiar happened. The door that was closing them off from the palace was reduced to a pile of ash. The room violently shook and the door became no more. Dust began to clog their vision. As they coughed at the dust filling their lungs, they looked towards the now opened doorway, and were perplexed with what they saw.

They were greeted with a feminine shadow. It was a small one, but a powerful silhouette as well. It was easily recognizable and it made Mai's and Aang's jaw drop in utter fascination and bewilderment. Who would of thought, that if anyone were to have saved the day, it would've been this 21 year old girl of royal blood?

"Toph?"

*meanwhile, at the marriage ceremony*

It's a common fact to note that time is a strange essence. A man or a woman can either have too much time on their hands, or too little. Time can be running out, or time can stretch vastly forever. Everyone knows that life is shot, but it's all in how life is perceived that makes out time either too little, or too much.

For Terra, bride of Mailto, who was suppose to have been wed an hour ago, time was both running long, and yet running out. Soon it would be midnight. Soon, guests of this wedding would start to leave. And yet, it seemed as if though the marriage was being held up for no apparent reason. People were becoming anxious. More importantly, she was becoming anxious, for, she knew why exactly the marriage was taking forever.

Her maid of honor, her sister, Natsuki, was nowhere to be found. She wasn't responding to the message hawks, there's been no trace of her in sight. She was more than late; she was being a hold up. This frustrated Terra deeply. The one day, the one day that she really needed her sister, she just couldn't pull through. Question was, why? Why would Natsuki do such a thing?

Part of her, the rational part of her, tried to reason that maybe it was unintentional. Maybe something had happened which caused Natsuki to be absent from Terra's marriage. But if that's the case, why was no one aware or informed of such a thing.

At this moment, Terra's father, Hajime, began to walk up towards her daughter. He leaned in his face close to her, and cupped his lips, making sure no one else heard what he was going to say to her. Terra always hated that about her father. He was so secretive, so insecure, and simply just liked to whisper his expression than actually express his concerns.

The first words from his lips, to his daughter were, "You're very beautiful."

Terra looked down at her bridal gown, and blushed. It was specifically picked by close friends and relatives with extreme and utter joy. It was a unanimous decision that this dress was the dress to end all dresses. It was short sleeved, lacy gown with a long tail behind her; elegant but graceful. At the same time, the veil was so thin that it almost seemed like there was no veil at all. Yet, when one were to of removed it, her face would rise in beauty, and she would look like nothing short, of an angel.

"Thanks daddy," she said as she wiggled in delight.

Her father, being a man of business, jumped right off this unneeded chit-chat, of focused on the upsetting issue. "What's taking so long?"

Terra groaned in anger. "Your daughter," she replied. "It seems as though Natsuki has shown me up."

"This doesn't make any sense," her father replied; again, with his head hung low and his tone in a whisper. "Your sister is usually not like this."

"I know, I know." Terra replied in a sigh. Then, she began to stare off in the distance. Her mind race with trillions of thoughts, and all of them were either making her angry, or sad. A silence fell amongst her and her father. Then, at that moment, Hajime suggested something that offended Terra greatly.

"Do you think we can start without your sister?"

Terra gasped in amazement. She was utterly flabbergasted. "Father, how can you suggest such a thing?" she whispered harshly and with surprise. "My sister is the maid of honor, she's needed."

Hajime shook his head. He laid a hand on her shoulder and expressed his views calmly and with a murmur. "Look around you, what do you see?"

Being an obedient daughter, Terra peer around her father's shoulders. It was a depressing scene, but a scene that was real and hauntingly true. People were getting tired. It was late and many members of the Wedding party were simply fed up with the wait. But what surprised Terra the most, was what these folks were exactly doing in this hold up. "I see people….frustrated people…who opened the wine before the party."Terra growled.

"Not only that," Hajime told his daughter, "But many are starting to leave."

As if on cue, a fellow by the name of Sadao, walked right up to the father and held out his hand. His complexions were nervous and sadden. When he spoke, his tone had an anxious tone to it. "I'm very sorry sir," Sadao spoke as he shook his head. "It's getting late and I've got to go home."

Hajime smiled politely and shook the young man's hand. "It's alright son," the man stated. "There's no need to apologize. I understand."

Sadao's expressions relaxed at that moment. His nervous washed away like a great flood. When he spoke, he spoke reassuringly and with a happy quality to his voice. "Thank you sir." Then he turned to the bride and shook her hand. She happily obliged and smiled greatly. "I just wanted to say before I leave, congratulations on your marriage Terra, and I wish both you and Mailto a very prosperous life."

"Why thank you," Terra said with blush enveloping her face.

Sadao let go of her hand, and then after nodding his head towards Hajime, again, expressing his deepest apologies, Sadao began to walk out of the worship hall.

Once Hajime knew that the man was a safe distance away, he expressed his hands towards the general direction which he walked out from. "See what I mean?" the father said to his daughter.

Sighing in despair, and swallowing her pride, Terra proclaimed, "You're right daddy. This wedding needs to start now."

"It should've started two hours ago," Hajime explained.

"I know," she breathed with regret. "But, better late than never I suppose. I'll grab my husband."

As Terra began to walk forwards, Hajime held out his hands to stop her. "Nope," the father demanded. "It's bad luck for the bride to see the groom on their wedding day. I'll get Mailto. But do you have any idea where he's at."

"Last I heard, he was in the male restroom with his brother assisting him putting on his suit," Terra told her father. "You go get him; I'll start leading the crowd into their seats."

"I could never get these atrocious things on," Mailto exclaimed as he struggled with his traditional wedding kimono.

Mailto's brother, Shuji, walked behind him and grabbed the two ropes that were to be tied and secured behind Mailto. As he did this, he chuckled in amazement. "Seriously? It's a simple wedding Kimono. And yet you, the smart half, don't know how to work it?"

"I never thought I'd be wearing one." Mailto described to his sibling. "More importantly, I never thought I would be wearing wedding one."

Shuji shrugged his shoulders in agreement. As he fixed up the outfit, Mailto stared into the reflection of the mirror. For some reason, which Mailto at this moment had no clue why, he looked distained. He looked distanced from the world. He almost seemed catatonic. Mailto rationalized in his mind that it was simply the nerves getting to him. He wouldn't lie when he said he had cold feet. Not to mention the fact that he never wanted to marry Terra in the first place. But when the Firelord commands you do to do something; you do it without hesitation, less you want to be thrown into prison. Zuko was a fair fire lord but still, he contained that passionate range of emotions that all leaders have; anger being his strongest one.

Shuji began to speak to Mailto as he worked on the Kimono behind him. Mailto watched his face in the mirror as he talked back. It frightened him that when he responded, he remained expressionless. Part of his brain was paranoid and feared that he was at the edge of a psychological breakdown. He had been through a lot this past week. Still, however, another part of his brain came up with a logical explanation, and tried ever so desperately to shut the frighten side of his brain, off.

Shuji smiled behind Mailto as he spoke. "I'm very glad you decided to marry Terra." He stated. "Man, the first time I saw you to together, I thought, 'what does my brother have against this poor woman, forcing her to date him?'"

Shuji chuckled and Mailto laughed as well, but his face remained stone cold serious as the mirror showed him who he really was.

"Terra certainly is, breathtaking, isn't she?" When Shuji said this, he pulled the two ropes tight, causing Mailto to gasp for a second at the tightness wrapping itself around his stomach. He looked into the mirror as he realized that while he was laughing with his brother, he stilled did not smile.

Unbeknownst to him, Shuji recognized this concerned nature of his brother as well. So, being the humble yet polite one, Shuji gave forth some encouraging words of advice and comfort.

"This kimono is breathtaking as well," Shuji remarked. "But it still doesn't hide the fact that you're nervous."

Mailto hung his head low in defeat.

"But everyone's nervous," Shuji said as he began to stand. "Hell, even I'm nervous, and I'm practically doing nothing." Then, he placed a hand on Mailto's shoulder and began to pat his back. "Mind telling your older brother what's up?'

Mailto sighed greatly. The trepidation that was in his heart was unbearable. He had so many secrets that he wanted to expose, that the pressure could almost kill him. However, there are some secrets that one must hide in order to provide and claim a fruitful life. They say that the truth shall set one free. That maybe so, but lying allows you to hold the ones that suspended your freedom into slavery.

When Mailto spoke, his voice came out in nervous jitters. "Well…I-I-I-…..umm…Y-y-you kn-n-know….."

Being the older brother, Shuji was immediately able to translate. "Things are going to fast between you and Terra, aren't they?"

"Yes," Mailto proclaimed in a depressing sigh. He lifted up his head and stared into the mirror. Things were beginning to become more and more clear. The bags under his eyes certainly were not produce by lack of sleep, rather, by lack of peace. Mailto then decided to let go of his inhibitions, and he began to expresses his worriment to the understanding sibling. "I feel like I'm going extremely fast, and yet I'm standing still. Things are rushing by me so quickly that I don't know which direction I'm even going. And what scares me the most is that I fear I'm going in the wrong direction."

Shuji smiled as he told his brother a simple fact he was ignoring. "There's no need to worry about the direction you're going in," Shuji exclaimed with a reassuring grin. "I've seen you and Terra together and I know for a fact that you love her."

That's when Mailto, for the first time this week, finally expressed some actual truth. "But I don't think I love her enough to marry her."

This perplexed Shuji ever so greatly. At first, he was about to diagnose this proclamation as just cold feet. But when his brain registered the tone that Mailto used, he realized that there was no way his brother could've expressed his worriment so clearly. This wasn't fear. This was something far worst. Being concerned, he asked politely, "Then why are you?"

Mailto turned to face his brother, and for the second time this week, the truth was admitted from the doctor's lips. "I'm being forced to by Lord Zuko.'

In lack of a better term, Shuji was flabbergasted. His faced scrunched itself up into the most perplexing expression possible. It was impossible to recognize what Shuji was exactly feeling. His face looked as if though he had bitten into a very sour lemon tart. But one thing was very clear, and that was what Shuji was thinking.Has my brother lost his damn mind?

The Spirits were on Mailto's side for the moment, and before Mailto was forced to commit treason by telling the entire story to his older brother, three knocks rang out into the bathroom from behind the door. Mailto walked towards it, and when opening it, he was greeted by the presence of Hajime.

"Hello Sir," Mailto awkwardly stated to his soon to be father-in-law. The man simply chuckled and smiled.

"Please, call me dad." Hajime stated.

"Yes dad," Mailto corrected himself as he too, smiled. "What seems to be the problem?" Mailto asked.

Hajime sighed bitterly at the news he was about to bring forth. "It seems as though Natsuki is not coming, so we are having the wedding without her."

Mailto's eyes widen in utter disbelief. His fear was increased, tenfold. "Right now?" he exclaimed.

Hajime laughed. "Have you worked up the courage yet?"

Mailto dropped his phony inhibitions and smiled. "Of course."

The father-in-law returned the smile with one as well. "Ok then," he stated. "You walk down that isle and wait for my daughter." Hajime told the man about to marry his daughter. "I'll gather up the guest and place them in their seats."

"Thank you sir-I mean, dad." Mailto replied with a blush at his mistake.

Hajime smirked. "You better get use to calling me that…..son." And with that, Hajime left the boys to their own devices.

Mailto grabbed the door knob and was about ready to leave. Before he did, he turned to Shuji, still looking at the grown in bafflement, and exclaimed, "Well, brother, wish me luck." And with that, Mailto opened the door. But before he could set a foot outside, Shuji asked, "Forced?"

Mailto stood in the door way for a long time. He didn't dare look back at his brother. If he did, all of his will to keep the secret going would shatter. His mind rushed to find an answer. When he found the perfect one, his voice was low, and sad in quality. What he spoke was the truth, what he stated was how he felt.

In the end, no one would know the real reason why he and Terra were forced together, except for Mailto, Zuko, and the psychotic prisoner that should be on an island.

"I'd rather not talk about it." Mailto said as he walked forward and closed the door behind him.

"Okay everybody," Hajime announced to the audience. The group of people gathered to witness the marriage, immediately directed their attention to the father of the bride. Everyone came equipped with a wine glass, filled with the alcoholic pastime beverage. Some drank more than others, like Long Feng, who would not be directed into the asylum until 2 weeks later when his mentality finally crumbled; but, that's another story.

"Now, if we can direct your attention back into the worship hall," Hajime stated loudly, "I think we are going to try and do this again."

"What about Natsuki?" someone proclaimed within the sea of people.

"It seems as though she's a no show," the father proclaimed. "But that doesn't mean that we can't just go ahead with the wedding. Now, if you can please be escorted to your seats-"

And suddenly, out of nowhere, someone shouted excitedly, "Oh My Spirits! Junko's here!"

The fathers face brightened immediately. Terra, who was standing next to her father, rushed to meet this man and embrace him in a powerful hug. She was careful not to trip over her dress, and when she did meet him, she made sure that her hug didn't cause any harm to the gown.

Junko was a big friend of Terra's. They had met back in Ba Sing Se art club which conjugated every Tuesday at the old tea resort that Zuko owned. For some reason, to which she will never know, it seemed as if though Junko was big friends with the fire lord. Her evidence for this case was because every time she and the other artist met at that tea palace, Junko was always speaking with Zuko in hush-hush tones. But that didn't really amount to anything in the long run. All that needs to be stated was that when she and Junko met, they became the best of friends almost immediately. Junko was a fantastic artist, who loved drawing pictures of the surreal and stylistic nature of a mad man. He was an utter genius when it came to making hallucinogenic-like pictures. But not only that, Junko could write. He became an almost world renown and praised author, when he wrote and released the book, 'Freedom Fighters.' The book took place during the Great War, and the plot follows a group of kids who all lost loved ones due to the war. Because of this, they unite and form a misfit band of rebels fighting against the fire nation. Problems arise when the leader takes their fighting tactics a little too far, and starts harassing and killing all fire nation members, not just soldiers. The climatic ending, where Jet, the lead character, sacrifices himself to save the Avatar, left many readers, stunned, shocked, and incredibly sadden. It was praised highly and critics loved it. Even the Avatar praised how well the author wrote the book, and how the characters existed alongside the war universe, stating that, 'it was almost like Junko was there. The details were amazing and everything is in such a minute detail that I wouldn't be surprised if he was Jet.'

Junko had a rather lanky figure. He was skinny but muscle mass was present. His hair was a sandy brunette style, and his skin was a little darker than most fire nation citizens. But his most notable features were his brown, yet almost hallow eyes, and the piece of straw that he always chewed upon like a cigarette.

Once Terra let go of Junko, the man began to express his happiness. "My spirits Terra," he exclaimed giddy. "It's been ages. How've you been?"

"Never better Junko," she replied. "Never better."

"I only wish I was there for the ceremony," he exclaimed as he looked at her gown.

Before Junko could speak any further, Terra stopped him. "No…um…this is the ceremony."

Junko blinked twice in perplexity. He was confused. "I thought the wedding was supposed to be at 10:00?"

"Yeah, well, we had a slight delay," Terra explained. "My maid of honor hasn't shown up yet."

"Oh, that's terrible," Junko replied, expressing his utmost symphony for the bride and groom. "So I take it that you guys are going to start without her?"

"If we can get these people in a line and escort them to their seats, then yes," Hajime stated as he reached out and shook Junko's hand. "By the way, I just got around to reading your book, and I must say that it was fantastic."

"Well, thank you sir," Junko said with sincerity. "It's always a pleasure meeting a fan of my work."

"HEY, WAIT A MINUTE!" A voice announced supremely loud. It was clear that this voice was directed towards Junko. As the man started to look for the source of the sound, the sea of people began to part. Drunkenly stammering along and completely off balance in his movements, Long Feng got closer and closer to Junko; pointing and cackling and criticizing the man in every form possible.

Junko hung his head low, trying to conceal his anger. It was no surprise that Junko hated this man. In the book 'Freedom Fighters,' the lead character Jet was brainwashed into submission by the Dai Lee, who is operated and ran by Long Feng at the time the book takes place in. Junko had always been an advocate of free speech and protest the use of immoral psychological practices. It should come as no surprise that brain washing and hypnosis are just two of the practices that Junko happens to hate the most. Long Feng, being the leader of the Dai Lee and a firm believer of brainwashing and hypnosis, became Junko's number one enemy.

The audience witnessing the confrontation between Junko and Feng had mixed emotions. Some were annoyed and disappointed at what was about to come to head. Others were anxiously waiting, hoping to get a good show. Unfortunately, it didn't last long. Junko was always a great diffuser when it came to confrontations. That was part of the reason Terra and he became good friends.

"Well, Well, Well," Long Feng condemned rhythmically in his drunken sprawl and he tripped his way towards Junko. "Junko has finally decided to grace us with his presence? I really liked your book. I think my favorite part was the brainwashing scene. You know, that Jet character really reminds me of this guy I brainwashed long time ago. As a matter of fact, I think you look just like-"

That was when Junko made the best of a bad situation, by grabbing the man's drink, raising it high, and starting a speech to propose a toast. "Seeing as how someone has already taken the liberty of opening the wine, I'd like to propose a toast."

"Yeah, with my glass!"Long Feng drunkenly shouted in Junko's face. The stench of his breath was rotten and unbearable. It made Junko's eyes water. Shaking it off, Junko began again with his speech.

"You know, I was reading the paper a while back, and this guy interviewed the Avatar, and he-"

"Oh, the avatar," Long Feng abruptly and rudely interrupted Junko's speech obnoxiously. "It seems though our author here is going to say a quote. Quoting the avatar too, hmmm?"

"Yeah, cause I read," Junko replied to Feng with a smile. "You should try it sometime. I hear it's very good for you."

The crowd gave forth a nervous chuckle in agreement, and then Junko continued on.

"And the guy asked the Avatar how he and his wife stayed married, even though they married so young. And I'll never forget what Aang told the man. He said, 'love is patient, love is kind, love never counts wrongs, love loves all things, endures all things, and is in everything.' Seeing as how some people aren't patient and kind," Junko made another joke towards the drunken Feng, and the audience laughed once more. "I'd just like to say that Terra, Mailto…..wherever he is…"

"He's up at the altar, waiting for terra to walk down the aisle," Hajime told Junko.

"Well, I better not keep him waiting then." Junko said. "I'd just like to say that I hope your love endures all things and loves every day. To Terra and Mailto." Junko finished.

"To Terra and Mailto," the crowd replied, holding their glasses high. Then, after taking their drinks, they all began to make way into their seats. Everyone was starting to head into the chapel…

Except for Junko and Long Feng, who stood side by side, and stared into each other's eyes bitterly, for a long time. There was an awful dreadful silence between them. A massive fight could've broken out at anytime. The hatred and electricity between them was almost unstoppable. This had to be prevented almost immediately. And being the diffuser, once again, it was Junko who stopped the confrontation. But not before he got some few choice words in.

"Listen here you little shit," Junko said. "Never…ever, bring up my past again-"

"Or what Jet," Feng proclaimed.

Jet's gaze grew deeper and darker.

"Yeah, I know your real name." Feng grimaced evilly. "And I know people in high authority, who can make you hurt when I give my say so.'

"That makes two of us," Jet replied. "In fact, I know a certain someone who's going to get me Mailto's job."

"That's impossible." Feng stated. "Mailto was appointed head advisor and psychiatrist at the Republic City asylum. How are you going to get his job?"

"I have my ways," Jet said. "Let's put it at that."

They stared at each other for a few more gruesome seconds, before finally, Long Feng grew tired of his hatred, and decided to take a seat and just enjoy the wedding.

"See you around…Jet." Long Feng told him as he walked off.

Jet stared into his glass and took some more sips of the intoxicating drink, hoping the blurry phase of alcohol would help him survive the idiots.

Mailto and Terra stood together, hand in hand, and looked softly into each other's eyes, as the wise monk began to marriage ceremony.

"To all the friends and relatives of these two young lovers, welcome to the marriage of Terra Nova, and Mailto Samate. These two have made their vows, exchanged their rings, and fasted for 8 weeks, with nothing more than their love to keep them alive. And now, the day has finally arrived, for these two to become one spirit, inhabiting two bodies. If there is anyone here, who has any objections on why these two should not be wed, speak now, or forever hold you-"

SLICE!

The crowd screamed.

*outside the shrine*

Zuko was getting antsier by the minute. He had no clue what was going on in the build which now his sister inhabited. Nor, did he have any clue what Azula was intending to do once she was inside. However, he realized that whatever her intentions were, with a sword as big as the one she was carrying, it certainly wasn't good intentions. But the biggest factor contributing to Zuko's elevated height of stress was the fact that he had absolutely no control of the situation.

"Oh Agni Ki," Zuko groaned loudly in both horror and nerves. "What's going on?"

"I have no clue," Katara proclaimed as she wiggled in anticipation as well.

Meanwhile, Daisuke began a conversation with Zuko minutes ago, asking how this girl was. When Zuko told him his and her identities, it was safe to say that the homeless man was shocked. "So, you're the fire lord," Daisuke began.

"Yes, I'm the supreme ruler of the fire nation," Zuko stated.

"And that girl with the yellow eyes is your sister," Daisuke stated.

"Yes," Zuko told the old beggar.

"Than….what is she doing here?" Daisuke asked.

This was the question that caused Zuko to snap. Rarely did Zuko ever go back to one of his infamous temper tantrums, but this time, however, he lost his mind and yelled at this man without reserve. "I don't know, ok!" He screamed. "I'm just as clueless as you are. But what scares me the most is the fact that she carried that big sword with her, and I have no clue what-"

At that moment, Zuko heard screams; screams of terror, trepidation, and fear all coming from the same place; the shrine.

Zuko turned his head towards the shrine. As he did this, he caught a glimpse of Katara making her way inside. Knowing that by doing so would lead to immediate death; Zuko sprang off Appa as fast as he could possibly could, and rushed out to grab the waterbender. Once he did so, he placed her in a headlock, dragging her back by the heels of her feet. She screamed, and kicked, and at moments even bit him. She shouted, "No! No Zuko! We have to help them! We Have to!"

"We can't!" Zuko replied with tears in his eyes. "It's us or them Katara. Us or them."

Suddenly, the ground before them began to shake. It seemed as though they were caught in the midst of an earthquake. But once Zuko realized that a strange noise was coming from the east, he turned his head that way, and was greeted with a fantastic surprised. He saw a shadow of what appeared to be a great wave of earth, like mountain,movingtowards them. On top of said mountain, was a feminine figure, who Zuko clearly recognized, and was baffled by her presence.

"Toph?"

*Inside the temple*

Blood has a rather strange color. Sometimes, blood can be bright scarlet red. It can shine furiously like lava and be as soluble as water. Other times, blood can be as dark as night; king crimson red, and about as thick as honey badger honey. It's safe to say that the blood spilt on the floor behind the monk was neither crimson nor scarlet, but in fact, it was pink; mainly because, more of his brain than he blood fell out of his skull when the blade punctured through his forehead.

After the metaphorical dust gave way, and once the screaming of both the crowd and his beloved Terra died down, Mailto noticed the figure standing in the middle of the isle. She wore a beautiful dress, made fit for a queen. She stared directly at the ground, making her face completely hidden from Mailto's eyes. The audience shook in their seats in utter fear and anxiety for what may come forth due to the presence of this malicious lady figure.

After gasping and breathing heavily for a few moments while staring at the carcass that use to be the monk, Terra turned around stared at the figure as well. She noticed something oddly peculiar about her. Her dark hair was almost in tatters, making her resemble a lunatic. But what caught Terra's attention the most was the dress. She recognized that dress before.

Suddenly, it clicked.

"Hey, that's my sister's dress!"

The figure looked up and gave her vampire-like smile.

Mailto turned pale white. Tears streamed down his face faster than ever. His face didn't scrunch or meta-morph itself as he cried. It stayed constantly the same; mouth opened in shock, and eye wide with terror. "Oh….Why! Why You! Why now!"

Hajime, picking up on his daughter's earlier comments, was filled to the brim with vindictive anger. With steps unknown to any man, the old veteran made his way over to the lunatic with powerful marching steps. As he did this, he screamed at the top of his lungs, "WHO ARE YOU, WHY ARE YOU HERE, AND WHAT HAPPENED TO MY DAUGHTER!"

Once he was finally in front of her, she replied with a viciously slap to the face. After receiving this blow, the old man counteracted with a punch. Azula dodged that, and kneed the man in the stomach, breaking a few ribs. He fell to the floor, still alive, but with blood emitting from his mouth.

"NOW THAT'S ENOUGH!"Mailto screamed with a tone unlike any other.

Azula was awestruck for a second. She had no clue that the doctor could produce so much anger. All games aside, for a moment there, she was legitimately frightened. However, she shrugged this off immediately, and gave forth her snarky smile. She looked down at the feeble old man withering and trembling in pain on the floor, and deemed it appropriate to address him.

"To answer your question," Azula stated. "She's dead."

Terra started to cry. Her mental walls came crumbling down. The dark cruel world that was reality had pushed her to the limit, and now she was sobbing. It was too much to handle. For Mailto, it was too much as well. But instead of reacting sadly to the news, he reacted with hatred and rage. "YOU MONSTER! YOU KILLED HER DIDN'T YOU!"

"Oh no," Azula replied, with her playful satire of someone who was shocked. "It wasn't me. I swear it wasn't my doing this time. She killed herself. And in fact, she sent me to take her place." Reaching into her cleavage (making eye contact with the doctor as she did so), Azula pulled out the note and tossed it to Terra. She reacted frightened and jumped as though Azula was tossing her something hostile. But once it landed at her feet, she timidly picked it up and scanned what was written. Her eyes dawned from frighten, to curious. And her voice fluctuated in the same pattern.

"This is her signature." She stated bewildered.

"What?" Mailto asked out of breath as he ran to her, and read the note from her shoulder.

"Dear Beloved Friends and Family," Terra began the note. "I have grown tired. I just can't take it anymore. This world has grown too complicated and too difficult for me to bear it any longer. I've simply decided to give up, and take my life into my own hands. I wish to say that I have no regrets as I leave mother earth, but, however, there is one pressing manner that needs to be discussed, and that is that my one regret, is that I won't make it to my sister's wedding. However, I have decided that I will send Azula, to take my place as the bride's maid. Goodbye Cruel World. Hugs and Kisses….." she finished the note completely dazed. "Natsuki."

Mailto looked up at her, fully knowing that though the death seemed like a suicide, that it just had to be her bidding. Azula retorted with her signature evil grin. She turned to the audience and gave forth a gaudy and flaunting speech. "Now, when someone gives you an offer like that, you simply can't turn it down. It's a big tradition to inhabit; the Bride's maid. You can't have a wedding without a bride's maid."

Then she unsheathed her sword. Many individuals in the audience jumped, but then stayed still; feared that if they began to ran, they would die. Even Mailto was a bit edgy and jerked as well when the glimmer of the blade came to view. Terra was different, however. Still emotionally distraught with the entire situation happening before her, she stayed knelt to the ground, staring at it, flabbergasted.

"In fact," Azula pointed out as she moved around with the blade. "In the good old days, the maid of honor would stand in for the bride if for some reason," she made her way to the back of Terra, who still didn't face her. She raised the blade.

"The bride were to die,"

And she let the blade full, plummeting towards the woman's back. It struck, severing several nerves and puncturing a kidney.

The audience ran. They ran out of the building in light speeds. There was no way they were staying around to die as well. Even the father, Hajime, crawled away from the scene as fast as he could. He didn't even try to protect his daughter. Eventually, however, in the chaos and confusion that Azula created, he was trampled and died due to a blow to the head.

Terra's breathing began to shallow as she flipped over and stared into the air. Mailto sobbed uncontrollably as he rushed to her side. He forgot about Azula's presence completely, blocking her out of his mind. In that moment, there was only him and his dying wife. His brain began to hurt. Violent feelings of pins and needles puncturing the inside of his skull began to take hold. Emotional distraught, he realized, was an animal that could wreck the very fabric of man. And it did so with him, as he held on the hand of Terra, and cried uncontrollably.

"Please!" He proclaimed in vain. "Please. Keep breathing. Don't go."

Azula knelt down as well, and said "Yeah, don't die on us."

Terra did what both Azula and Mailto told her not to do. Her breathing stopped, and her heart exploded, and as her eyes rolled to the back of her head, she died on the spot.

Mailto was going to react with fury. He was going to punch Azula, he was going to kill. He wanted vengeance, he wanted blood. His life was now ruined. But then, something peculiar happened. If a psychiatrist were to have witnessed Mailto at this moment, he or she would've concluded that he went completely catatonic. Basically, thoughts, emotions, and personal suffering whizzed by his brain in break neck speeds. Eventually this became too much, and something in his head, audibly snapped. Mailto saw white, and then…..nothing. For the old Mailto was no more.

Azula turned her head towards Mailto, with a sarcastic grimace across her face, about to proclaim another off hand joke that she was accustom to say after killing someone. But when she saw Mailto in the state he was in, she stopped. His eyes were big, yet empty. All the sadness and confusion of the world was within those eyes. But she knew that he wasn't thinking. He was just being. He was now nothing more than a human vegetable that could intake and exhale oxygen without aid.

This disturbed her greatly.

"No, no, no," she told him in agony, knowing that nothing she was saying would get through to him. "Don't do this to me know."

He still stood there kneeling, staring at her, emotionless and thoughtless. His eyes were hollow with depression. Azula knew the pain he was experiencing. She, at one point, went catatonic herself. The irony was that the, doctor Mailto, brought Azula out of that state.

My, how the tables turn. For at this moment, Azula needed to take him out of his state.

Gently cupping his cheeks, she pressed her forehead against his. For the first time, Azula's voice was calm, soft, and wasn't filled with anger, sarcasm, sadness, or vindictiveness. She was being sincere. She needed him to listen. She needed him to come back. She was what kept her from ending it all. He made life just too much fun.

She loved him.

"You know," she began quietly. "You look like you really need to start another relationship."

CRASH!

Azula sprang up at the ungodly sound. Something forceful and powerful had destroyed the door from the outside. Wood splintered itself into a million pieces. Glass shattered and splayed itself all over the floor, making the most angelic sound strike Azula's ears. But the force of everything combined caused all the candles of the temple to blow out, leaving in pitch black darkness, at the mercy of whoever was attacking.

This frightened her. It frightened her even more, when she saw the shadow of a particular earth bender.

"Oh no."

A giant slab of rock threw itself at her, striking the lightning bender in the chest. She flew back and struck the wall viciously. However, she did not get stuck. She bounced back off, and noticed a door to her right which led to the basement. As the Earth bender chased after her and bending more rocks her way, Azula ran by the door, opened it, and closed it behind her. Stupidly, she took post there, thinking she could hold this crafty 21 year old at bay.

Big mistake.

She bended a large stone and forced it towards the door. This knocked Azula off her feet once it struck her entire back, and she fell down the stairs. She sustained damage to her head and arms, but otherwise, she landed at the bottom of the basement with minor scratches and some deep cuts.

Before she could even get back up and evaluate the situation, she was grabbed by her collar, yanked up, and pinned against the wall. It was here she began to laugh.

"Hi Toph!" she exclaimed happily.

The 21 year old earth bender's face came into clear view. "How did you not disturb me while I was sleeping?" she growled with anger.

"I really don't know how to answer that," Azula replied with an insane laugh. "Guess I'm just lucky as you see-oh wait! HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Toph, offended by the comment, lifted Azula back and slammed her against the wall even harder, causing the back of her head to bounce off the stone. She groaned in pain for a bit and realized without checking that blood was beginning to pour. But that didn't matter. She was winning, and so, she began to laugh once more.

"Long time no see isn't it Toph!Hahahahahahaha!"Azula proclaimed. Again, Toph lifted her back and made her head bounce off the stone. This time, the wound was inflicted much harder, and it became deeper. This troubled the fire princess somewhat.

"Ok, will you stop with that? It's actually starting to hurt." She proclaimed.

Toph kept one hand on Azula's throat and squeezed tightly, while the other hand reached out to the ground and bended a sharp puncturing object to her hand. She held up the object for quite some time, and held it right at Azula's face as she spoke.

"You know," Toph began. "Aang told me that he had only one rule; don't kill anybody. But he wanted me to let you know, he's thinking about reconsidering it."

"You can tell Aang that if he really wants to, than he can go ahead if he thinks it will help." Azula replied. "In fact, if it bring you pleasure, just do it yourself Toph. Because in the end, the only difference between me and the rest of the gang is," Azula then leaned in very close to Toph's face making sure her voice would be heard. "Just one, really,bad day!"

BANG!

At that moment one very large blunt object, which appeared to be the leg of a chair, flew up against the back of Toph's head, rendering her unconscious. Azula stood there, above the sleeping earthbender, dumbfounded with what just happened. She looked up trying to recognize the figure who threw the chair leg.

She was greeted with the presence of the catatonic Mailto standing in front of her.

"…..oh no…no, no, no, no, no." Azula began her tirade as she started to lose her temper. She paced back and forth across the basement of the temple. Her mind, like Mailto's was before, began to race against her will. Finally, grabbing the shoulders of Mailto, she screamed into his face, "DAMMIT! THAT WASN'T PART OF THE PLAN!"

Again, he just stood there, empty.

She noted the other chair leg which he held in his hand. Because he obviously ripped it off, she took the splitter-y side and held it against her neck. She placed Mailto's hand upon it, and directed him to pull it across her flesh, making him slash her throat.

He didn't' respond.

"C'mon! KILL ME!" she screamed into his face. "I just killed your girl, your job, and your social life, the least you can do is kill me."

He still stood there with empty eyes. She dropped the chair leg and grabbed both sides of his head. At first very roughly, but then, as time wore on, she became more tender with him, eventually cupping his cheeks softly.

"Or am I all you have left?" she stated passionately as she got closer and closer.

He nodded his head 'yes'.

"Ahh," she exclaimed in an all knowing manner. "You finally recognized my plan. Do you see a pattern emerging? Do you seea method to the madness?Now you finally understand. My Method has always been love. Mailto, Iloveyou."

And then she kissed him, hard and fierce.

And much to her surprised, he kissed back.

Then, a sharp seething pain traveled from her wrists to her brain. She automatically released that something just cut her. She fell to the floor, grasping the wound, and looked up at Mailto, amazed at what just happened.

"….I obviously can't make it look like the fight between you and Toph was too easy." Mailto responded.

Something caught Azula's attention with the way Mailto spoke. His voice was the same yet somehow, different. Was it possible side effect of post traumatic stress? Or was it something more?

"Are you Mailto?" Azula asked.

"Of course," he replied. "I'm just….different now. Quite insane really. I think I just fell in love with one of my most psychotic patients."

Azula laughed lightly at that comment. "So, you finally fell for me." She said with butterflies fluttering within her stomach. "Question is…why?"

"Same reason you fell for me," Mailto replied as he took a seat next to his new love. "You're all I've got left to hold on to." He stared off into the distance again. "I'm never going to be the same Mailto again. I'll have the memories of the old Mailto, but I'll never have the same expressions as him."

"Pity," Azula stated out of breath. "I rather liked the old Mailto."

"You'll get use to it," Mailto told her. "Much like I'll have to get use to you being my new girlfriend."

"Lover," Azula corrected. "Lover."

There was a small silence that fell amongst them. At that moment, Mailto heard Toph trying to snap out of her unconscious state. Knowing that their time together will be short (until the next time they met), Mailto gave forth his last words.

"You know what they say about Karma right?" Mailto told her, rather than ask her.

"It's a bitch." She replied.

"Yep," Mailto stated as he turned his head to her, and began to smile, staring deep into each other's eyes. "Karma was just inflicted upon me today, and soon, for what you've done, it will be inflicted upon you too. And when that day comes, I'm not going to help. Instead I'm going to laugh, and laugh, and laugh."

Azula smirked. "So will I, pudding, so will I,"

And with that, they kissed one last time, deep and passionate and filled with both love and lust, before parting ways.

As Azula rushed up the stairs and out of the temple, clutching her bleeding arm, she realized that while she had obtained her goal, there was still one more phase of the plan that she needed to go through.

"Can you feel, the love, tonight?"

Horrible Elton John impression. It's sort of hard to impersonate people on paper.

And there you have it, the newest chapter of AMTTM. I hope you guys enjoyed and please be prepared for something BIG, to happened in the next chapter. I'm not going to give any spoilers, so feel free to let your imaginations run wild. And while that's happening, please remember to share with everyone you know, favorite, and most importantly

PLEASE REVIEW!

With many regards,

welcometofightclub.