Hello everyone and we're back! I'm just gonna skip the longer author's note today and get right into the thick of it, alright?
The entire trip back to Edward's entry point into the bending world he practiced his airbending. Well, he said he would work on the big stuff like Aang had shown him but ultimately chickened out with using airbending for floating or sustaining his position in the air until Toph had Sokka push Edward off of Appa and had to retrieve the screaming Avatar from the ground. After that, he didn't have as many issues with taking the plunge in order to work with it. He was far from mastering it, but he had the advantage of learning it.
They'd had to stop twice for supplies but it was much easier since no one knew Edward (especially since he has gotten a replacement bandanna) and no one recognized Zuko without his scar.
It took four days at Appa's top speed and sleeping in the air (the supply trips gave Appa ample time to rest so he didn't get overtired) since the beach house was in the Northeast past of the Fire Nation.
When they finally landed, everyone was exhausted and collapsed just inside of the forest where the spirit arch was located. Edward forged on ahead to contact Aang to make sure they had reached the destination as well which, thankfully, Aang and Mustang did with no problem. As the blond approached the arch, he spotted the familiar Amestrian blue military uniform.
"Hey Colonel!" He shouted and Mustang whipped around only to let out wince. The older man staggered over to Edward who was staring intently at him.
"It's difficult when you're in a place for where it feels like a month and a half where you don't feel pain if you have injuries, but you also don't heal either or at least not that much. The wounds aren't as deep as when I was captured." The alchemist grit out and Edward nodded.
"Luckily I have someone who can help as soon as we get closer to the edge of the forest. We're camped out next to a small lake." The two began walking slowly and Edward stayed close in case the Colonel collapsed. The man's pride was too great to accept the help before he needed it.
"And?"
"It makes all the difference here and not just for easy drinking water." Mustang looked confused for a moment then cleared up in realization.
"Oh yes, the element bending. It's hard to come to terms with especially when around someone who knows about alchemy." Edward nodded.
"I've honestly missed it. Hell, at least you can blend in here. Literally no one on this planet has blond hair." The Colonel sharply turned his head towards Ed who shrugged. Mustang then nodded at the bandana.
"Explains that better then."
"I've been living incognito for the past three months. Luckily they use metal prosthetics here as well. Not as advanced but still easy to explain. A world war causes a lot of injuries like this."
Mustang chose not to acknowledge war quite yet. "So have you actually been using military strategy then? Why can't you do that at home?" Edward shot him a glare before letting it fade when he noticed the Colonel's bloody footprints and decided to go a little bit easy on him.
"Not exactly."
For the rest of the slow walk to the camp, Edward explained how he'd been living for the majority of his time here and how he'd easily got into the Fire Nation and befriended the soldiers. Mustang stumbled once but regained his pace and Edward allowed the man his dignity.
The Gaang was waiting at the camp, finishing preparing the dinner that Katara had caught and Zuko had cooked when Edward and Mustang stumbled in. Katara was on her feet instantly when she spotted the bloody trail the Colonel was leaving.
"Injuries to his hands and feet." Edward murmured to Katara as she steered the alchemist to the water and grabbed one the cooked fishes on a stick and followed behind. He walked up to Mustang missing his boots and couldn't help but chuckle at a barefooted Colonel who glared in response before turning back to Katara.
"So your waterbending can heal me quicker?"
She smiled gently as she waterbended a stream of water up out of the lake and cloaked her hand in it. The Colonel's eyes widened slightly and she laughed.
"Yes, I can. I take it you've never seen bending before then?"
"Nah, he has alchemy. Like I used to." Edward commented as he took a bite out of his fish.
"I am a master of flame alchemy though. Similar to your world's firebending?" He watched as she healed his hands first and he clenched them tenderly. It wasn't completely healed but it wasn't bleeding anymore and the wound wasn't as deep. Katara moved onto his feet.
"I wouldn't say completely the same Colonel." Edward drawled with a smirk. "Yeah, you can create flame and create explosions but can you truly control it?" With that, he snapped his flesh fingers and a flame lit and stayed alight while Edward beamed at his superior officer. Mustang closed his eyes and groaned.
"Really Fullmetal?"
"You know that I wouldn't be able to resist. And once you're healed, I'm gonna kick your ass with your preferred element."
"Are you now?" Katara finished up healing Mustang's feet and rolled her eyes at the competitive males and went to go eat her share of dinner. The two merely bickered as the Colonel got up, not bothering to put his shoes on as they went over to the campfire.
They had at least one peaceful night before the insanity of war and preparations commenced.
Meanwhile in the Fire Nation, the two fleets were preparing to leave. The air ships and Ozai, according to plan would head towards the Earth Kingdom while Azula and the Navy would head for the Northern Water Tribe.
Ozai looked out among the troops gathered for the sendoff and grinned.
"It's time for a new age! One great nation!"
The crowd roared and Azula took her place at her father's side.
The fun was nearly about to begin.
Sorry about the lag. I've been up a lot lately so I'm exhausted and my nephews got into town now. Enjoy the craziness that is about to get going!
