The Fire Sages shared glances as the Dai Li pulled them along on a sliding stone. Earthbenders assisting the Fire Nation? What had happened? They'd heard rumours that Ba Sing Se had been captured, but nothing of this!
They rounded the corner of the caldera and came into view of the two airships landed on either side of an enormous red flame kept alight without fuel. Could it be true?
The rock slowed and came to a halt at the edge of the narrow staircase. They started to climb when the Dai Li gestured and the stairs shifted under them, pushing them up. This would take some getting used to. Apparently the Prince had little patience.
But then all such trivial matters fled their mind. This fire burned so bright to their senses, pure power straight from Agni himself! Four knelt and bowed down so low their faces touched the floor.
Shiyu remained standing, shocked. He had been so sure it had been a lie, Agni would never give the Fire Nation such a gift while it was so evil, so corrupt. But he felt the truth of it with every flicker of energy radiating off the pure, ancient golden flame.
They couldn't be allowed to have it!
He leapt forward with a cry of desperation and despair, knowing how precious a thing he was about to destroy. They couldn't be allowed to pervert it! No matter the cost!
Hands held out and then crushing down together, he poured every ounce of his being into one last act, and snuffed out the flame.
Four massive fireballs smashed into his back before he heard their outraged cries, and then he was no more. He didn't even hit the floor before every last trace of him was incinerated in the force of their righteous fury.
The four remaining Fire Sages then collapsed, too broken to even weep. The Eternal Flame, snuffed, and by one of their own! Agni, would that they had died before seeing such a thing.
"Now now, none of that. Do you really think we would let a traitor near so precious a flame? That was but a piece, taken to test you. The true First Fire lives on! Stand, loyal Fire Sages. Today you proved yourselves. You will be welcomed back into our Nation, carrying the Eternal Flame itself! If you can manage it."
Azula let her news sink in, and watched the emotions play across their faces, before continuing. She turned to the airship commander. Perhaps a promotion would help make her point.
"Captain, you will escort them and the Flame with all possible speed and caution to the Capital. This is the most important thing you will accomplish with your life, if you live to be a thousand. Understood?"
He'd never stood straighter. "Yes, your Highness!"
She nodded and turned back to the Fire Sages. "My brother and I will escort you and we will return with the Flame. The Dai Li will help carry you, oh, and be warned, the natives will likely not approve."
The Sages, standing tall once more, bowed. "With respect, your Highness, that will not be necessary. We are capable of following without the aid of earthbending, and it is better to rely solely on fire for something so spiritually significant."
Azula frowned but nodded. "Very well. Dai Li, stay here and defend the airships. We will return shortly." They bowed in their fashion, hands pressed together inside their sleeves. More similar to the standard Fire Nation bow than any other, oddly enough.
They took it better than she expected. No doubt they had holy rocks or some such that they wouldn't allow firebenders to aid them collect, either.
She turned and called fire from her hands and feet, and felt Zuko do the same next to her. They slowly slid off on their blue jets, unsure of how the Fire Sages intended to follow, and were surprised to see them mimic the form almost flawlessly, save in red and with greater wasted energy.
The head Fire Sage gave a wry grin, they weren't masters for nothing; if they couldn't pick up a relatively simple new form after seeing it first hand then they didn't deserve their titles. Besides, did the Prince and Princess honestly think they had been the first to use fire thus?
Even if they could control their fire so perfectly...
oOoOoOoOoOoOo
They made very good time thanks to the Fire Sages ability to keep up. Their red flames lacked the full force of the siblings' blue, but they were nonetheless faster than the Dai Li, if somewhat unsteady at first. By the time they reached the Sun Warrior temple they were gliding smoothly and weaving past and over obstacles with the liquid agility of fire itself.
Having not expected intruders again so soon, the Sun Warriors were caught off guard, arguing amongst themselves in their stilted, alien tongue. No doubt over their last little visit; stealing a small piece of the Eternal Flame, their First Fire.
Azula grinned imagining their reaction when they stole the entire Flame itself. If it was anything like the look on their faces right now, it would be something to cherish for the rest of her life.
A/N: New side stories published by wonderful authors! Links on my profile page! Read PinkBeadGirl's Zucesty fic, and ElectricDetective's Mai perspective!