Book Two: Earth
Chapter Nineteen: Revolution
Mist stood just outside the room where the Freedom Fighters were grouped. Jet was awake and was demanding answers from Shun and Smellerbee. She listened through the closed door for a few seconds, pulling her knife free from its sheath. The Suzume name stamped on either side of the blade stood out. She sighed and moved away from the door. Zai tilted her head and watched as her master stuck the blade into the top of the table in the center of the main room. The light from the open window gleamed off the blade, standing solemnly as the female thief left the apartment silently with Zai on her shoulder.
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Zuko walked into the kitchen with a yawn. Kina was still asleep in his room under the blanket. He wasn't sure how he would explain her to his uncle but he was positive he could come up with some reason besides the truth. Iroh was over by the stove cooking something that smelt delicious.
"What's that smell?"
"It's jook. I'm sure you wouldn't like it." He moved aside as Zuko leaned forward to smell it.
"Actually it smells delicious." He grabbed a bowl from the counter and held it out to his uncle. "I'd love a bowl, Uncle."
Iroh ladled the jook into the bowl after staring at Zuko curiously. "Now that your fever is gone you seem different somehow."
"It's a new day. We've got a new apartment, new furniture, and today's the grand opening of your new teashop," Zuko answered cheerfully, taking a seat at the window. "Things are finally looking up."
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"General Fong's base will serve as the launching point for the attack," General How explained as he moved pieces on the large battle map. "In exactly two months, the army and navy will invade the Fire Nation on the Day of Black Sun."
Momo suddenly leapt off Katara's shoulder at the pieces, but Xena caught him before he could scatter them. Era's father, General Quong, picked up a scroll and handed it to Katara.
"All we need is the Earth King's seal in order to execute the plans.
"I'll get these to him right away," Katara vowed and bowed respectfully to the General before leaving the meeting hall with Xena, who was still holding Momo, in tow.
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Breaking into the palace was easy compared to getting over the Outer Wall. Mist made her way through the halls quickly, heading for the West Wing. Her bare feet made no sound on the thick green rugs and she was quick to disappear into the shadows when anyone approached. Progress was slower than she would have liked, but all she could do was keep moving forward and hope that her target was still there. She left the indoor hallways when she reached the West Wing and slid into the garden where she could silently make her way to the balcony of the room she wanted. She expected him to have company; she did not expect however that said company would take the form of a very serious-faced circus freak.
Ty Lee sat on the couch across from the Avatar's newest ally. Mist's dao swords rested on the table between them, separated to reveal the symbols on the inside of the blades. The right hand sword had two interlocked spirals and the left a dragon twisted in the ancient symbol for fire. If it weren't for the fact the Mist knew that Ty Lee wasn't really on Azula's side she would have left.
"Well, I guess my warning wasn't needed after all." She stepped to the left of the balcony door, hiding her amusement at seeing the two of them jump.
"Mist," Ty Lee gasped in surprise, standing up swiftly.
Era moved his hand to his sand pouch warily.
"I didn't think you would have been able to get away from Azula in order to get a message to the Avatar," She told Ty Lee.
"The Avatar is no longer in Ba Sing Se," Era informed her icily.
Mist smile. "Good, it's too dangerous for him."
"Wha-"
"Mist's foster father is a member of the White Lotus," Ty Lee explained, retaking her seat on the couch. "And she has never been on the Fire Nation's side."
Mist nodded her head in agreement. There was no need to tell them that she had briefly lost her way among the intricate puzzle of her own lies.
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Iroh stood with his nephew at the back of the tea shop with a smile on his face as he watched the customers.
"Who thought when we came to this city as refugees that I'd end up owning my own tea shop? Follow your passions Zuko and life will award you."
"Congratulations, Uncle," Zuko said, smiling sincerely.
"I am very thankful." Iroh closed his eyes.
"You deserve it," Zuko agreed, still smiling. "The Jasmine Dragon will be the best tea shop in the city."
"No," Iroh corrected with a shake of his head. "I'm thankful because you decided to share this special day with me. It means more than you know.
Zuko hugged his uncle tightly before turning to the back of the tea shop. "Now let's go make some tea."
"Yes," Iroh agreed enthusiastically. "Let's make some tea."
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Mist stood with Azula behind one of the pillars, watching as Mai and Ty Lee put on their little performance. Her dao swords were a comfortable weight at her side as were the white clothes that she was wearing. The hood was down on the cloak, revealing her wet short white hair. Azula stepped out from behind the pillar as the Dai LI agents left, praising the two girls. Mist stepped forward as well, exchanging a swift glance with Ty Lee.
Era was on his way to the house that the Avatar had been staying at to warn his Guardian about Azula. There was no way that Ba Sing Se wasn't going to fall to the Fire Nation, now that they were behind the stone walls. It was a race against time to get the Guardian and the waterbender out of the city before it fell. Hopefully Era was fast enough.
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Katara paused outside the new tea shop and glanced over at her silent companion. "Why don't we get some tea before we deliver this to the Earth King?"
Xena tilted her head to look at the tea shop thoughtfully. "I guess it would be okay as long as we don't stay long."
Katara smiled and walked up the stairs to the tea shop. "Table for two please."
The hostess bowed and turned to find an empty table for the two girls. Xena surveyed the room quietly as they waited only to tense abruptly.
"Uncle! I need two jasmine, one green, and one leechi."
"I'm brewing as fast as I can."
Katara gasped and stepped back, ready to bolt. Xena caught her arm before she could. She really didn't want to do this, but it was her duty as Aang's and temporarily Katara's Guardian.
"Go inform the Earth King that they're here, I'll stay to keep an eye on them."
"But-"
"Go Katara," She ordered, pushing the younger girl towards the door.
The waterbender master nodded before running towards the palace. Momo's tail curled around Xena's neck, sensing the change in her demeanor. The hostess returned and paused briefly when she noticed that Katara was gone. She led Xena to a two person table and went back to the front to welcome more customers.
"What can I get you?" Zuko stopped at the edge of the table, staring down at the pad in his hand.
She sighed and placed a hand on Momo's head when his ears flattened.
"I don't really care." She drummed her fingers on the table top. "Whatever you think is good will be fine."
He looked up quickly in surprise. Her eyes met his sadly. After a brief moment he turned to get her tea. He returned with two cups of tea and took a seat across from her.
"What are you doing here?" He asked quietly.
"I'm trying to end this stupid war," She answered, turning the tea cup between her hands. It was peppermint as was his.
She stopped spinning the cup and lifted it to her mouth to drink. "Why did you save Appa?"
He tilted his head thoughtfully. "I don't know."
"I was raised to fight." She set the cup back onto the table top.
"You don't like fighting," He guessed.
She shifted and nodded. "I don't want to fight you, Zuko. I think that you have the potential to be a great guy, but I would die to protect Aang just as Yue died for Tui. Please make my job easier and leave him alone."
He looked over his shoulder towards the back room where his uncle was making tea. "I still want to go home, but for now I'm okay with staying in Ba Sing Se."
"Does that mean you're not going to chase Aang anymore?"
"I won't fight you unless I have to," He declares. "But that's all I can promise."
She sighed and dropped money onto the table in front of him to pay for both of them. "I guess that's all I can ask for."
He watched silently as she left. He was a different person now, but he couldn't promise that he wouldn't be tempted to go after Aang again. Xena glanced back at him before continuing out of the shop.
Fear and anger suddenly shot through the bond between Aang and her.
"Katara's in trouble! I'm on my way."
Aang's mental shout froze her in place for a second before she took off running towards the Upper Ring. People jumped out of her way as she tore down the street.
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Zuko had just finished, clearing the last table when the messenger came.
"A message from the Royal Palace," He said before handing the scroll to Iroh and leaving.
Iroh opened the scroll, eyes widening in disbelief. "I don't believe it."
"What's wrong, Uncle?"
"Great news," Iroh exclaimed happily. "We've been invited to serve tea to the Earth King."
S-S
Xena stood in the middle of the living room, gasping for breath. Era watched her in silent understanding. The warning had came too late.
"Princess Azula of the Fire Nation is in Ba Sing Se." He stepped forward as she trembled slightly.
"I failed," She choked, collapsing to her knees.
Era dropped down and hugged her as she cried silently.
"I failed,"She repeated. "I… I was supposed to protect her."
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Extra: Xena's Chakras
Hey guys, this chapter was so short I decided I wanted to show what Xena's chakras are about. I will list what blocks her chakras and what opens them.
Earth Chakra (Survival - Blocked by Fear)
Blocked: Fear of Aang dying and of failing her duty to him
Opened: Being confident in her abilities
Water Chakra (Pleasure - Blocked by Guilt)
Blocked: Guilt for not stopping Aang from running away, of leaving her family behind, and for kissing Zuko
Opened: Forgiving herself and knowing Drake would forgive her for the kiss
Fire Chakra (Will power - Blocked by Shame)
Blocked: Shame for not fighting for what she really wanted
Opened: Fighting to make her own destiny
Air Chakra (Love - Blocked by Grief)
Blocked: Grief for the death of all those she considered family
Opened: Remembering how much they loved her
Sound Chakra (Truth - Blocked by Lies)
Blocked: Lies about her bending ability, about her being the Avatar's Guardian, and internal lie about loving Zuko
Opened: Telling the truth and opening herself up
Light Chakra (Insight - Blocked by Illusion)
Blocked: Illusion of division
Opened: knowing that true division doesn't exist, that they elements are one
Spirit Chakra (Pure Energy - Blocked by Earthly Attachment)
Blocked: Her love of her own life and her friends
Opened: You will see next chapter how this is opened
I knew this chapter was going to be short but I didn't think it would be this short. I'm a little worried actually. This chapter was surprisingly difficult to write and I don't think I did a good job. Season finale is next chapter though.
Avatar Wolfheart
P.S. Did anyone notice that I started experimenting with spacers?
P.P.S. (2-17-15) Changed spacers back, they weren't showing up right.