Book 4 Air
Chapter 16 News
Part 2
The view of Ember's Island was seen as the sun rose above higher in the skies and clouds drifting in the distance. Leaving the summer home, the three women walked along the dirt path to the end of the sandy dune.
"Please stand here, Miss Katara." Li said as she pointed to the patch of grass on the muddy earth.
Katara nodded and walked over, stepping on the ground her foot slowly sunk underneath the moist soil. Making an uncomfortable face from the squishy feeling, she then turned around and faced the two elderly women.
"With this task, you must answer our question." Lo said.
"A question that deals with inner turmoil and vengeance of the heart…" Li said.
"Miss Katara…" Lo said.
"What must you decide, How would you return love for hate." Li and Lo both said.
Katara blinked, 'To return love for hate?' pondered the waterbender.
Katara slowly closed her eyes, the thought of the pathetic man known as Yon Rha crossed her mind. She knew in her heart she would never forgive him, yet on that same day she did forgive Zuko. The face of the enemy that plague her with the fear of losing Aang, losing the world's last hope for peace. Yet she forgave him, he proved himself to her. So in a way could it be the other way around? To return hate for love? Or really could she ever truly hate someone? And hold something as powerful as a grudge?
No, she changed. She was better than that. Katara opened her eyes, certain of her answer she spoke strongly as she clenched her chest.
"I think your question isn't right." Katara said slightly surprising Li and Lo.
"To return love for hate means that person will always have bitterness in their heart. I am not that kind of person. I would rather return hate for love…To deal with my inner turmoil, to heal the pain. And forgive…" Katara said passionately.
Li and Lo both smiled, turning their backs to Katara. They discussed their decision and Katara's answer. Remembering how oddly different the other girl's question was compared to the waterbender.
"The young nobleman's daughter said fear is what makes love grow, in order to have what you want." Li whispered to her sister.
"Yet this girl is different from all the rest…" Lo said.
"Ah, a wise choice we have made…" Li and Lo said with agreement.
Turning around, facing the waterbender, they smiled.
"Congratulations, Miss Katara." Li said.
"You've passed your second task." Lo said.
Katara smiled brightly, 'I did it!' thought Katara with excitement, proud that her answer was right.
"Now come, you have two more tasks to complete, Miss Katara." Li said as she and her sister turned and walked up to the summer house.
Pacing back and forth in his office, Zuko waited for Aang and the others to arrive.
"Zuko, what's wrong! The guard said it was urgent…" Aang said as he ran in along with Toph, Suki and Sokka.
Zuko turned her head, his eyes filled with seriousness, "its Azula…She escaped." Zuko said stoically.
Aang's eyes widen along with Sokka's.
"How can that be?!" Sokka exclaimed.
"How did she escape?" asked Aang.
"That doesn't matter now, what's important is she's out there...In the city…" Zuko said as he walked over to the window.
"She'll probably do something far more sinister than Fire Lord Ozai could ever do. I ordered lockdown in the city, and required a full search. If any she still might be in hiding, at least near the palace." Zuko said as he placed his hands on the window sill.
"So you want us to wait around while Azula might come and attack?!" complained Aang.
"No…And yet, it is essential for you to be protected-along with me. But I can care less about my safety. This is my country; I'll fight to protect it at any cost…" Zuko said with pride and stubbornness.
"Well can I at least help? I want to get some action here. It's been so boring lately." Toph said.
Zuko turned his head and smiled faintly, "Sure, we need all the help we can get." Zuko said.
"Does Katara know yet?" asked Suki.
"No, I did send a messenger hawk informing the news. It left about an hour ago. It should arrive by nightfall." Zuko said.
"I sure bet sugar-queen would love some payback. "Toph said as she crossed her arms.
"Why do you say that Toph?" asked Aang.
"Oh no reason…" Toph said with a sly smirk.
Resting her head on the pillow, Aeron sighed. Waiting for Azula to come back, Aeron wondered what she was planning.
Just then the door opened, Azula walked in with a huge bag. Grunting she plopped the bag on the bed, "Here…" Azula said as she opened the bag and pulled out a cloth.
"These are the prison guard uniforms. You'll be wearing them once we enter the prison." Azula said.
"How did you get them?" Aeron asked.
Azula smirked coldly, "A princess has her ways…" Azula said as she threw the outfit to the girl.
"Put them on quickly, we'll be leaving soon…" Azula said as she walked over to the mirror and brushed back her chopped bangs.
Aeron narrowed her eyes as she started to remove her clothes.
The sun started to set behind the thick clouds as guards marched through the main streets. Guarding and searching for the princess. As a group the guards passed, two women in prison outfits quickly crossed through the alley ways and into a tall towering building. Once inside, Azula raced pass Aeron to her father's cell.
"Halt! You are to give us your identification." Called out an officer.
Racing to the cell door, Azula's heart was filling with hope. A guard watching the cell was knocked aside.
"What are you doing?!" cried out the guard as Azula opened the cell door ignoring the guard.
Once inside she nearly gasped. Finding the cell empty, 'No…'
"Where is he…?" Azula growled out.
"Where is Fire Lord OZAI?!" Azula screamed as she grabbed the guard and lifted him up on the wall.
"He-he was removed from the cell…He was ill and is now in the health institution for further care…" the guard said.
Dropping the man, Azula ran out to the separate building and to the health center.
"Wait!" Aeron called out as she chased after the princess.
'What is going on…She is not going through with the plan!' Aeron thought as she huffed.
I finally updated-sorry it's so short. I might have to take a break with the story since my computer at home broke and I have college to deal with. I'll update the next chapter as soon as possible. Also these tasks that Katara are taking are from an article I found talking about the three most difficult tasks in life. I thought it would be perfect to use for Katara since this will a life-changing event for her to follow on. The next tasks will be more mentally and emotionally focused. Dealing with moral values and such. Well I hope you like this chapter. Please review!
If you are interested in the article here is the title-since I couldn't download the link.
"Making the Timeless Timely"
Thoughts and Reflections of a Contemporary Rabbi
By: Rabbi Samuel M. Stahl
