Book 4 Air

Chapter 76 Approaching

"Lu…Ten?" Mai said in shock as the voice sighed, "It's been a long time, Mai."

"I thought you were…Your face? What happened to your face?" Mai asked as the form pulled back half way into the darkness.

"Koh, the face stealer…the spirit took my face and is also the one who brought you here." The voice said Mai finally pieced together the clues of Betobeto and Koh.

"So, then you didn't die on the battlefield?" Mai asked as the form lowered his head.

"It's a little bit more complicated to explain, but I guess even I don't know what really happened. Everything was such a blur…The last thing I remember was I was bleeding, and then a voice spoke to me, asking if I wanted to be immortal. At the time I think I was desperate, so I said yes. Next thing I knew I was here." The spirit of Lu Ten said as Mai nodded her head.

"Then I remember how he stole my face, but it wasn't a complete loss. In exchange, I was given part of his power." The spirit said as Mai's eyes glistened with curiosity.

"I could see what he can see…" Lu Ten said as Mai gasped.

"So, you've witness everything that's happened?" Mai asked as the figure's head nodded.

"Not only that…But I've found out what Koh has done in the past, which now that I think about. Makes sense to me. This isn't the first time Koh has done something as horrid as controlling Azula. Because he did it to another family member of the royalty." The spirit said as Mai asked who.

"Fire Lord Sozin…"

"That can't be…" Mai said as the spirit continued.

"Fire Lord Sozin was under a great amount of stress from losing his friend. Ironically the Avatar no less, left the Fire Nation to train. During the prince's reign, Koh spoke to him in his dreams. Opening his mind to have the Fire Nation as a one whole nation, rather than four. Of course, Sozin didn't realize that extend of his vision, would end the world into a hundred year war. Soon, Koh drove Sozin mad with jealousy towards his friend which led to the Avatar's demise. After that, Sozin became obsessed in finding the next Avatar. You see…That's why he used Azula. So she can kill Aang." Lu Ten said as Mai now understood the spirit's intentions.


A knock tapped on the door as Zuko stood up to answer it. Once he opened the door, a male servant bowed to him. "From General Ryuan, Sire." The man said as Zuko thanked him then took the scroll.

Once Zuko closed the door and untied the royal seal, Katara walked in the room. "Zuko?" Katara questioned as Zuko read the scroll.

"It's about my mother's new location." Zuko said as he continued to read more.

"She'll be placed in the royal room near the vestibule." Zuko said with a small smile.

"She has been protected in the seal from the councils. She can now roam freely in the palace." Zuko said with a hint of happiness in his voice.

"Zuko, that's wonderful!" Katara said as she smiled happily.

"Yea…" Zuko said as he placed the scroll down as he paused for a moment before speaking lightly.

"It really is…" Zuko said with a content smile.


Morning dawned over the palace as the staff slowly made their daily route unaware of the last night warning to stay indoors. No servant questions the decisions of their king or councils. Their decisions rest for the greater good of the people; it was the way of their nation. It was law.

Miki paced down the hall holding a large white cloth as she steadily made her way to the far end of the room. Opening the door, Miki entered gracefully as she then bowed to her knees. "The bath is ready for you, miss." Miki said as a figure walked out into the morning rays from the window. "Thank you Miki. Your mother would be proud of your loyalties to the palace." Ursa said as Miki bowed herself lowered, her nose almost touching the floor.

"My Highness…I do not need to hear such praise from your lips. I beg of you, we must be formal in your presence." Miki said as she held herself from getting emotional.

"Your mother was my personal servant…and she passed on her teachings to you. You now watch over my son. I thank you…Miki Isha." Ursa said as she bowed her head to the girl.

Miki gritted her teeth as tears formed in the corner of her tears.

To have heard such praise and warmth from a royal member of the Fire Nation, the mother of her people, it was beyond honor…It was a blessing in the servant girl's eyes.

"Please…Highness…It is too much." Miki said as Ursa folded down to her knees then lifted the girl's head up.

"It was an honor for your family to work for us, Miki." Ursa said with a kind smile.

The woman's words finally broke through the girl's emotions as tears fell down her face.

Ursa smiled warmly as she embraced the girl. "No…please…You must not, it is improper, my Highness!" the girl cried out as she spilled more of her tears.

Training to become a servant and not just a regular servant either. But for the Royal Palace of the Fire Nation was a tradition for small families trustworthy to the royalty and who spent their lives perfecting their leaders' lives. Don't speak unless spoken to, don't judge nor steal those that do will be severely punished.

What the mother of the Fire Nation was doing, was breaking almost every rule that the girl has been taught from the day she was very young.

As Miki slowly calmed down, Ursa pulled away and softly patted her on the back. "There…There. Now shall we go to the bath?" Ursa asked as Miki bowed and nodded her head.

As Ursa offered to help the girl up, Miki refused as she quickly stood up. Straining her back by doing so, she ignored that pain and bowed her head. "This way, miss…" the servant girl said as she led the woman to the opened room to the bath.


The gold-orange hue of sunshine beamed into the guest bedroom of Aang and Toph. The airbender lazily sat up as he looked at the sun shining from the window. He then smiled as he felt someone next to him in bed. Looking down, Aang said Toph curled up next to him in a ball. Aang reach over and caressed the girl's bangs out from her eyes and face. Turning back to the room, Aang hopped out of bed and slowly walked on the carpet floor. Standing his foot firmly on the ground as he paced down the room then back, the airbender smiled to himself. He was able to walk easier without his glider for support.

Just then a knock tapped gently on the door. Aang slowly made his way to the doorway, once he opened it, it was a servant handed him a folded paper.

"Uh, thanks." Aang said as the servant bowed then left. Aang then closed the door as he opened the envelope.

It was a message stating the upcoming dance and what requirements were needed.

-One person must bring a partner to the ball and to dress in semi-traditional clothing.

-One person must not dance, eat nor drink before the Fire Lord arrives.

-One person must not dance after the Fire Lord announces his speech.

-One person must not speak to the Fire Lord unless spoken to first.

-One person must behave accordingly and respectably.

Aang scoffed; even after all he's done to make Zuko allow dancing back into the kingdom. There were still strict rules to follow. Dancing wasn't about strict rules and order, it was about having fun!

"Oh well…At least we'll get to wear traditional clothing." Aang said to himself as Toph moaned.

"What was that?" Toph mumbled as she sat.

Aang turned and smiled, "I got a letter about the upcoming dance."

"The wha-? Toph said as she felt back down on the bed, groaning.

"Oh come on, you know. The dance party we're having here in the palace. It's going to be great!" Aang said as he hopped on the bed, bouncing around Toph.

"Grrr…Get off…" Toph grumbled as Aang laughed.

"Make me!" Aang said as Toph quickly sat up and grabbed one of his ankles. Aang then fell backgrounds as Toph kicked him off the bed. Aang flew across the room then hit the wall. "Oohh…ow." Aang moaned out as Toph then blinked. "Aang? What happened?" Toph asked as she curiously saw the airbender who was upside down on his bottom. "I guess you were half asleep uh?" Aang said as he sarcastically laughed lightly.

"I did that?" Toph said as she placed her finger on her chin, "I don't remember…" Toph said as she tilted her head to the side.

Aang groaned, of course he wouldn't know about her moments of super strength when she was half sleep. She was always sleeping in her stone tent, and she always woke up the latest than anyone during their travels together about a year ago. No wonder Aang was caught off guard.

Slowly standing up, Aang mentioned the letter.

"Oh I remember that!" Toph said as she smiled lightly.

Aang smiled back as he then spoke again.

"Yea…They have this list of what to do while we're there." Aang said as he took out the paper and re-read it to Toph.

After he finished reading the list, Toph barked out a mocking laugh as she then picked at her ear.

"Do you honestly think I'll do any of that? So what if Sparky isn't there…? I'll eat when I wanna eat and I'll drink when I wanna drink." Toph shouted in annoyance as Aang then smirked.

"Dancing…"

"Uh?" Toph asked.

"You didn't say anything about dancing." Aang stated as he became amused by the sight of Toph blushing.

"I'm not a big dancer…The vibrations would make me dizzy." Toph said as she crossed her arms over her chest.

"Haha…Yea, suppose they would." Aang said as he thought to himself.

'She'll hate me for it, but I can't help it…I want her to join me to the dance.' Aang thought as he then walked to the door. Once he opened it, he noticed the staff members of servants, guards and other people pacing down the hallway.

"Uh, what's going on?" Aang asked to one of the nearby servants.

"We are preparing for the celebration, please return to your room, room service will arrive shortly." The servant girl said as she quickly bowed her head then hurried down the hall.

Aang blinked then sighed as he returned to the bedroom.


Sokka slowly made his way down the corridors as he was directed an opened hallway with two doors decorated with golden rims and dark red cherry wood panels. Two guards opened the two doors for him as he walked into a large room with golden pillars down formed down the long narrow room. A large table covered most of the room with a small throne at the head of the table with a small staircase leading up on the bottom. Two men were seen seated along with General Sho and another familiar general seated on the opposite side of him. "Come and take a seat. The Fire Lord should be arriving shortly." One of the men said who looked to be very high ranked.

Sokka nodded his head as he slowly made his way to the table and seated himself close to the familiar general. General Sho and the two men gazed at Sokka with unreadable expressions, making the young man feel uncomfortable. Sokka then looked else where as he turned his attention to the man next to him. The familiar general noticed Sokka beside him; he then smiled faintly at the young Water Tribe man, making Sokka feel a little better.

Patiently Sokka and the other men waited for the Fire Lord to arrive as the view of a flaming fire was seen behind the throne casting an orange hue in the war room.


There you go! Two updates in one day! Phew…Again thank you all for the reviews lately. They mean a lot to me. I hope I didn't make any of the characters sound OOC or anything…I tried to make it as realistic as possible considering their positions and stuff.

Don't forget to REVIEW!

Also chapter 77 is up and running!