And the walls came tumbling down.

After more than a week, reinforcements finally arrived. Tanks and benders and infantry came in formation through the opening in the outer wall, courtesy of the Dai Li.

It was impressive; one minute the wall stood, tall and strong, the next it was just gone. Stone, rubble and dust bent neatly out of the way, all in less than a minute. Perfectly timed to let the Fire Nation march in spectacularly and assume full control of the city in one day.

The Dai Li were officially incorporated into the might of the Fire Nation, though Azula decided to keep some for herself. A dark-day was approaching and the enemy knew about it, no point in wasting such deadly tools. Even if they were made of rock. She almost offered Zuko the chance to pick some for himself, but decided against it. They were... bonding over the traitor's actions and their newly shared blue fire, and their teaching/sparring routines, she wasn't quite ready to start sharing all her new toys with him.

Though she could always bring some extra, just in case...

Better double it to fourteen.

It was still so... strange being on good terms with her brother, but she was learning. Really. He had been betrayed by someone he trusted /loved/, not just by neglect like her mother but actively undermined and then directly hindered. She was empathising with her brother, pathetic little Zuzu, which was just strange on so many levels.

But it wasn't. Not really. He was strong and fast and now gifted with the blue fire, their blue fire. He was already honing his bending to a deadly edge, and now with her help it would soon rival her own. And she was not upset by this. And knowing that didn't upset her. So strange.

It was as if he was her reflection, only not following her every movement. Another her, just different. He had actually taught her several forms, not least of which was the redirection of lightning. A defence and retaliation against the deadliest of firebending, and it came from studying waterbenders.

So very strange...

Perhaps not. She had toyed with propelling herself with her fire, but it wasn't until she saw how the Dai Li used earth to slide and throw themselves around that she truly understood the possible applications. And of course the Avatar was only so irritating because he used his bending to move himself. Harnessing chi for bursts of strength was one thing, but using bending on oneself? For flight?

After the disaster with the drill she was sceptical of anything to do with War Minister Qin, but the drill had worked, only to be sabotaged. Perhaps these 'war balloons' worked as advertised. They would see soon enough. In the meantime she would keep experimenting whenever there were no prying eyes. No sense in letting other see her failed attempts. Or successes, for that matter. New bending forms could turn the tide in any battle. There would be plenty of time and space to practice on the way home.

Home. After only a few months away she was already missing the sights and scents and feel of civilisation. She couldn't begin to imagine three years of this. But then she didn't have to. One look at her brother told her all she needed to know of his hardships, if not experiences. Still, it no longer mattered. They were going home.

The Avatar was lying low, still recovering from her lightning no doubt. His flying bison and his eclectic companions had not been spotted anywhere near the remaining smaller earth kingdom cities. And the earth king, such as he was, had been discovered travelling in disguise but with no goals whatsoever. One particularly clever trio of spies had befriended him and was following along to make sure he didn't cause trouble. Or to capture him if some use could be had out of the clueless fool. So there was no need for them to stay.

Ba Sing Se was placed under military control until a noble family was sent from the capital, and the Dai Li were given greater authority; the better to serve the Fire Nation, of course. As far as she was concerned that meant everything was settled. Apparently Zuko had other ideas.

He wanted the council of five to be permanently dealt with before they could spread word of their weakness during eclipses. She could appreciate his concerns, and his new attitude, but they might still hold some value; nothing better than watching the mightiest foe lose all hope. Still Zuko insisted there was danger, they might escape. Or be broken out.

As if someone could break into a Fire Nation stronghold.