Chapter 9:
The Blue Spirit
This should bring your fever down," Katara commented worriedly as she gently pressed a wet cloth to Sokka's forehead.
"You know what I love about Appa the most?" Sokka asked suddenly from his position huddled in his sleeping bag, somewhat delusional from his illness. "His sense of humor."
"That's nice. I'll tell him," Katara said complacently, and Appa growled quietly.
"Classic Appa," Sokka said with a laugh, his eyes closed as Katara held the wet rag to his forehead.
"How's Sokka doing?" Aang asked concernedly as he walked over to where Katara was sitting beside Sokka, who was lying on Appa's side.
"Not good," Neo said. "He's been gibbering nonsense all morning, but I guess that isn't too different from what he normally does, so..."
Neo stopped talking as Katara gave him a fierce glare.
"Being out in that storm really did a number on him," she said.
Sokka gave a pitiful sniff as his nose began to run, and his body shivered.
"How about you, Neo?" Aang asked.
"I'm fine. I've used the Force to prevent myself from being affected by this sickness," Neo said.
"And how's that working out for you?" Katara asked.
Neo pulled his hand from his grip and sneezed. "Not so well."
"I couldn't find any ginger root for the tea. But I found a map!" Aang said excitedly as he held up a rolled map, then opened it on the ground. "There's an herbalist institute on top of that mountain. We could probably find a cure for Sokka there."
"Aang, Sokka and Neo are in no condition for travel. They just need more rest. I'm sure they'll be better by tomorrow," Katara said, only to start coughing into her fist.
"Not you too," Aang stated quietly, his expression becoming even more concerned as he looked at Katara.
"Relax, it's just a little cough. I'm fi-" Katara started coughing again, this time with more force.
"That's how Sokka started yesterday," Aang commented as he shielded his face with his arms.
Eli then gestured to Sokka. "Yeah, now look at him! He thinks he's an Earthbender!"
"Take that, you rock!" Sokka shouted deliriously at the moment, flailing his arms as if to hit something.
"A few more hours and you'll be talking nonsense too," Aang stated firmly, then jumped to his feet and snatched up his glider. "I'm going to go find some medicine."
Lightning flashed across the sky, and Aang paused on his way out of the ruined building they had made camp in.
"Uh, maybe it's safer if we go on foot," Eli muttered as Aang folded his glider away.
"Great idea, hop on my back!" Aang said.
Eli did so, but the two of them looked ridiculous.
"Man, this is humiliating," he said.
"At least you don't have to carry yourself, Eli," Aang said. "I don't know if you knew this, but you're really heavy."
Eli rolled his eyes. "Let's just get this over with."
Then, Aang took off, leaving Neo, Sokka, and Katara behind.
"Ha, you guys crack me up," Sokka chimed in from his spot.
Neo rolled his eyes before picking up a water skin and looking at Katara. "I'm gonna get some water."
"You sure that's a good idea in your condition?"
"I'll be fine. I... need to get away from Sokka. Plus, the river is only a short walk from here, and I'm not doing as badly as you two."
With that, Neo turned towards the entrance and walked off towards the river.
Iroh was engrossed in a game of Pai Sho with two other crew members, their focused expressions evident as they strategized their moves. Meanwhile, Zuko and Lieutenant Jee were diligently trying to track down Aang's location.
"We haven't been able to pick up the Avatar's trail since the storm," Lieutenant Jee stated, pointing at the map spread out before them. "But if we continue heading northeast-"
Lieutenant Jee's words were cut off as the room suddenly darkened, prompting Iroh to glance out the windows. A sense of curiosity filled the air as a much larger Fire Nation ship pulled up alongside Zuko's vessel.
"What do they want?" Zuko wondered aloud, his confusion transforming into a glare directed at the approaching ship.
"Perhaps a sporting game of Pai Sho," Iroh suggested as he rubbed his hands together.
Moments later, a soldier from the other ship entered the room, swiftly revealing a wanted poster with Aang's picture on it, holding it open for Zuko to see.
"The hunt for the Avatar has been given prime importance," the soldier barked. "All information regarding the Avatar must be reported to Admiral Zhao."
"Zhao has been promoted? Well, good for him," Iroh commented as he made his move in the game of Pai Sho. His opponent, frustrated with his loss, slapped his forehead in exasperation.
"I have nothing to report to Admiral Zhao," Zuko stated coldly, his gaze shifting from the floor to the three soldiers standing before him. "Now get off my ship and let us pass."
"Admiral Zhao is not allowing ships in or out of this area," the lead soldier informed the prince, his face displaying a stern resolve.
"Off my ship!"
The soldiers reluctantly left the room.
"Excellent!" Iroh exclaimed happily. "I take the pot!"
A Fire Nation soldier examined the wanted poster while his companion remained on watch duty, keeping a vigilant eye on their surroundings.
"Says here that the Avatar can create tornadoes and run faster than the wind," the soldier said, reading the poster aloud. "Pretty amazing."
"Ah, that's just a bunch of Fire Lord propaganda! There's no way that's true," the second soldier dismissed. He glanced back out of the small window in the hidden outpost, only to notice a large cloud of dust billowing in the distance.
His eyes widened in alarm as a blur streaked past, obliterating the outpost in its wake. Reacting quickly, the soldier grabbed his horn and blew into it, the sound resonating through the air, serving as a signal to alert others that the Avatar had been spotted.
Neo returned, water in hand, and poured it into a cup for Sokka.
"Alright, Captain Boomerang, drink some water," Neo said, extending the cup to Sokka.
"Thanks, Gran Gran," Sokka replied weakly as he took a sip of the water.
Neo smiled and then turned his attention to Katara. He grabbed a different cup and filled it with water for her.
"Here, you too," Neo said, offering the cup to Katara.
"Thanks, Neo," Katara said, accepting the cup.
"Don't mention it," Neo responded before coughing into his fist.
"You should drink some water too," Katara suggested, concern etched on her face.
"I'll be alright. You two just get some rest, and I'll keep watch for the others," Neo assured her.
"Okay, nighty night, Gran Gran," Sokka said, settling down to sleep.
"Night, Sokka," Neo replied softly.
"Neo, please... you should try and get some rest too," Katara urged, her voice filled with care.
"I'll rest when the others are back," Neo responded as he sat down at a pillar and looked into the distance.
Aang sprinted as fast as he could, with Eli clinging to his back, until they reached the entrance of the herb institute. Coming to a sudden stop, Aang exclaimed, "Here we are!" and threw Eli off of his back.
"Ow," grumbled Eli as he got off the ground. As he did so, he was suddenly overcome with nausea and threw up.
"Whoa, Eli, are you okay?" Aang asked.
"What do you think?"
"Sorry."
The two entered the institute and were greeted by the sight of an elderly woman and her pet. Aang quickly spoke, his words tumbling out in a rush, "Hello, I'm sorry to barge in like this, but we need some medicine for our friends."
"Yeah," Eli said. "They have fevers, and they were coughing, and-"
The herbalist looked at the two of them calmly. "Settle down, young ones."
The gentle reprimand from the elderly herbalist interrupted their anxious flow of words. She paused her mixing in a mortar and addressed them kindly, "Your friends are going to be fine. I've been up here for over forty years, you know. There used to be others, but they all left years ago."
The herbalist stroked her pet, a large white cat sitting on the table, causing it to purr contentedly. "Now it's just me and Miyuki."
"That's nice," Aang replied.
"Could you hurry up, please?" Eli asked.
"Wounded Earth Kingdom troops still come by now and again, brave boys," she continued, her voice filled with pride. "And thanks to my remedies, they always leave in better shape than when they arrive."
"That's nice," Aang repeated, attempting to politely rush the conversation. "Are you almost done?"
"Hold on, I just need to add one last ingredient," the herbalist replied, moving amidst the greenery, searching and muttering to herself. "Oh, sandalwood... er, uh, that won't do. Banana leaf? Ah, nope. Ginger root, uh, uh... Oh, where is that pesky little plant?"
Eli let out a groan of frustration while Aang looked at the woman's back with a mixture of exasperation and impatience. Slapping his own face with his hand, he silently hoped that the herbalist would soon find what she was searching for and provide the much-needed medicine for their ailing friends.
This continued for about fifteen minutes. "Oh, here's what I was looking for!" the woman exclaimed happily as she finally found the desired item. "Plum blossom!"
"Finally!" Aang exclaimed.
"Thanks for all your help!" Eli said, attempting to snatch the bowl from the herbalist's hands. However, he was met with a swift smack on his hand with a wooden spoon. "Ow!"
"What do you think you're doing?" the old woman demanded, swiftly taking the bowl away from Eli as he held his hand.
Aang gave the woman a wide-eyed look. "Taking the cure to our friends!"
"This isn't a cure!" The woman burst into laughter, placing the bowl on the table, and allowing her cat to eat from it. "It's Miyuki's dinner. Plum blossom is her favorite."
"What about our friends?!" Eli interjected.
The herbalist laughed again, continuing to stroke the cat's back. "Well, all they need are some frozen wood frogs. There are plenty down in the valley swamp."
"What are we supposed to do with frozen frogs?" Aang questioned, confusion evident in his expression.
"Why, suck on them, of course!" the herbalist replied.
Aang's eye twitched, and both he and Eli stared at the woman in a mix of shock and disgust. "Suck on them?"
"The frog skin excretes a substance that will cure your friends," the herbalist explained cheerfully. "Be sure to get plenty because once those little critters thaw out, they're useless!"
"You're insane, aren't you?" Aang deadpanned.
"That's right!" The woman said, laughing maniacally. She then ushered Aang and Eli out of the greenhouse. "Well, don't stand there all day! Go!"
The woman's words didn't need repeating, and Aang and Eli ran out of the greenhouse as fast as they could.
As Eli and Aang dashed through the terrain, they were halted by a lone arrow, which landed in front of them.
"Uh, I think you dropped this," Aang quipped, holding up an arrow with a wry smile.
Eli stepped back, a hand instinctively reaching for his lightsaber. "Uh, Aang," he warned, "I don't think they dropped those."
Before they could react further, another volley of arrows descended upon them. Eli swiftly ignited his lightsaber, deflecting and severing the projectiles with graceful sweeps.
"Run!" he shouted.
"Like you have to say it!" Aang yelled.
They sprinted onward, evading barrage after barrage of arrows as several archers relentlessly pursued them.
"I'm sure you've all heard the rumors," a young woman said as she stepped out of the shadows. "One of those children is a warrior with a flaming sword. Capture both him and the Avatar, but do not kill them."
"Yes, Caligula!" An archer said.
Meanwhile, Eli and Aang continued their desperate flight away from the pursuing archers until they reached the precipice of a cliff.
"Eli," Aang exclaimed. "We need to jump!"
"No, way!" Eli protested. But before he could protest further, an arrow grazed his cheek, spurring him into action. "Jump!"
Without hesitation, they leaped from the edge, hurtling through the dense canopy, their pursuers hot on their trail.
They eventually burst forth from the forest, finding themselves in a swamp. Eli, now drenched, cried out, "Why can't anything be a simple errand for once? Why does someone always want to kill us?"
Aang, however, focused on a silver frog he had discovered, holding it protectively within his robes. "Quick, grab as many as you can before..."
His words were abruptly cut short as another arrow narrowly missed him.
"Watch where you aim that thing!" Eli yelled.
The archers swiftly advanced, closing in on them.
"Uh, never mind, run!" Eli exclaimed.
"We've been running!" Aang retorted.
"Well, run some more!"
Before they could, however, one of the archers shot a net at Aang, pinning him against a tree.
"Aang!" Eli called out.
"Get out of here, Eli! Get the frogs to the others," Aang urged, his voice strained.
Before Eli could react, he found himself entangled in a web of throwing ropes, tumbling to the ground. As he reached instinctively for his lightsaber, it was torn from his belt, defying his grasp.
"What?" he exclaimed, bewildered. "How is that even possible?"
The lightsaber soared into the hands of a hooded figure. "It's called the Force, young one. Learn it," the woman stated cryptically before turning her attention to the archers. "Take them to Zhao and Hadrian."
The archers closed in on Aang and Eli, and they were swiftly apprehended.
Aang glared angrily at the metal door in front of him, his feet chained to the floor while his arms were outstretched, hands shackled to two pillars on either side. His movement was restricted, but he continued to struggle against the chains nonetheless. Beside him, Eli faced a similar predicament, except his hands were clenched into fists and covered with metal restraints.
Aang ceased his struggles and shifted his gaze towards the door as it swung open, revealing a man adorned in Fire Nation military attire, his hands clasped behind his back.
"So, this is the great Avatar?" Zhao sneered as he halted in front of Aang. "Master of all elements. I don't know how you managed to elude the Fire Nation for a hundred years, but your little game of hide-and-seek is over."
"I've never hidden from you!" Aang shouted angrily. He strained against his bonds. "Untie me, and I'll fight you right now!"
Zhao drawled in response, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "Uh... No." He glanced over his shoulder at the young boy before fully turning around, a cruel smirk adorning his face. "Tell me, how does it feel to be the only Airbender left? Do you miss your people?"
Aang's gaze dropped to the floor, his expression filled with sorrow.
"Don't worry, you won't be killed like they were," Zhao continued to taunt, relishing Aang's discomfort. Aang glared up at him. "See, if you die, you will just be reborn, and the Fire Nation would have to start searching all over again. So, I'll keep you alive... but just barely."
Aang's glare intensified as Zhao approached Eli, his focus now shifting to the other captive.
"Tell me, young one," Zhao inquired. "Where is the other warrior with the flaming sword? According to rumors, there should be two of you."
Eli remained silent, instead looking over at Aang, who took a deep breath and exhaled a powerful gust of wind, sending Zhao sprawling and crashing into the wall. Zhao rubbed his head, shaking it as he regained his footing, glaring back at Aang.
"Blow all the wind you want, but your situation is futile," he snapped, his voice dripping with disdain. He walked towards the door. "There is no escaping this fortress, and no one is coming to rescue you."
Before Zhao could exit the room, Eli's voice broke through the tense air. "Wait, Admiral Zhao. I have a question for you."
Zhao turned his attention back to Eli. "What is it?"
"Who are your friends?" Eli asked, his eyes locked with Zhao's.
"What, the Yuyan archers? They are highly trained soldiers of the Fire Nation."
Eli shook his head. "No, not them. I'm talking about the other guys. The scary-looking ones with the dark robes."
"Ah, you mean the Elite Guard," he said, realization dawning upon him. "You'll find out when we deliver you to Lord Aurelius."
With that, Zhao turned on his heel and strode out of the room, his presence fading like a wisp of smoke. The heavy metal door swung shut behind him, sealing Aang and Eli in a stifling silence.
A masked man carefully surveyed the heavily armed fortress from the cover of some bushes. Satisfied with his assessment, he swiftly moved to the left and continued down the road, ensuring he remained out of sight. After reaching a safe distance, the masked man emerged onto the road and lay down, disguising himself with mulch and dirt to conceal his presence. He patiently awaited the arrival of the wagon he had spotted earlier, anticipating his opportunity.
As soon as the wagon passed over him, the masked man sprang upward, tightly clinging to the bottom of the vehicle as it made its way toward the fortress. He kept a watchful eye on the gate guards' movements as they inspected the wagon.
"All clear," one guard called out, and the masked man observed as he circled around the wagon. The guard briefly checked inside the wagon before moving to the other side.
With silent and stealthy movements, the masked man slipped out from beneath the wagon and into the back, taking advantage of the guard's focus on the undercarriage.
"All clear," the guard called out again, straightening up and signaling for the wagon to proceed as the gates began to open. "Go on in."
From within the supply crates in the back of the wagon, the masked man peered out, watching as the vehicle passed through the three gates, which promptly closed behind it. Seizing his opportunity, the masked man slipped away from the wagon, ducking behind the unloaded supply crates in the innermost part of the fortress. With determined speed, he made his way towards the stairs that would lead him into the heart of the fortress where the Avatar and his friend were being held prisoner.
"Wait, Eli. Those Elite Guards... You don't think they can use the Force, do you?" Aang asked.
"It would certainly seem that they can." Eli responded.
"I thought you and Neo were the only ones who could use the Force on this planet," Aang remarked, puzzled by the situation.
"So did we," Eli replied.
"What?" Aang uttered in disbelief as he felt something moving under his shirt. To his surprise, the half-thawed frogs started leaping out of his shirt and scurrying across the ground.
"No!" Eli shouted in frustration.
"Don't leave, frogs! Our friends are sick and they need you! Please, go back to being frozen!" Aang pleaded desperately.
However, the frogs seemed indifferent to their pleas, persistently dragging their semi-frozen bodies towards the door while emitting loud croaks. Aang, feeling the urgency, began to struggle against the chains that bound him.
Standing outside the chamber, the four guards exchanged confused glances as they heard the unmistakable sound of frogs croaking. Their eyes widened in shock as partially frozen frogs began emerging from under the doorway. Their attention was diverted when a Fire Nation soldier's helmet came bouncing down the hall.
The guards looked at the helmet, then at each other, perplexed. The guard furthest to the left cautiously walked down the hall and turned the corner, disappearing from view. A sudden burst of fire erupted, followed by the sounds of a brief scuffle before silence once again engulfed the corridor. The remaining three guards exchanged wary looks, and two of them proceeded down the hall with their arms raised in a bending stance, moving cautiously.
The two guards stood in stunned confusion as they encountered the sight of the first guard, bound and suspended from the ceiling. Before they could fully process the situation, the guard in front was abruptly yanked into the air by his feet, ensnared by a chain. Simultaneously, the other guard was rendered unconscious when the masked man descended from the ceiling, landing on top of him.
The fourth and final guard, tense and alert by the door, reached for the horn hanging on the wall. However, his eyes widened in astonishment as a dagger swiftly knocked the horn out of his grasp. Glaring defiantly, the guard quickly assumed a bending stance as the masked man charged down the hall towards him. The guard unleashed a blast of fire from his fist, only for the masked man to douse the flames with a bucket of water he had in his hands. Seizing the opportunity, the masked man swung the bucket, striking the guard's legs and causing him to crash face-first into the unforgiving metal floor.
Aang and Eli strained against their chains, their expressions filled with determination. Suddenly, a noise outside the door caught Aang's attention, and he looked up, his focus shifting. The sounds of violence abruptly ceased, replaced by the turning of the door's lock. Aang regarded the door with a wary gaze as it swung open.
Both Aang and Eli gasped as a figure wearing a blue mask entered the room. Aang's fear intensified as the masked man unsheathed two dao swords and swiftly advanced towards him, skillfully swinging and slashing with precision.
Instinctively, Aang shut his eyes, flinching backward in anticipation of the strike. However, he opened his eyes moments later, perplexed, when he felt the chains suddenly go slack. A sense of surprise and wonder filled him as he pulled his arms back, examining them in disbelief. His gaze then shifted to the masked man, who stood nearby.
Drawing nearer, the masked man deftly cut the manacles from Aang's wrists with his swords, followed by the ones on his ankles. After reassembling his dao swords, the masked man headed towards the door, leaving Aang staring at his retreating figure in astonishment.
"My friend too," Aang called out, gesturing towards Eli.
The masked man promptly freed Eli from his restraints.
"Are you here to rescue us?" Aang inquired.
The masked man opened the door slightly, peeking outside, and then motioned brusquely for Aang and Eli to follow.
"I'll take that as a 'yes,'" Aang muttered as he hastened to catch up with his savior. He blinked in surprise when he noticed a bound and gagged guard stationed outside the door.
"You guys go on ahead," Eli interjected. "I need to retrieve my lightsaber."
Aang nodded in understanding. "Alright, but be careful. You know Neo will be furious if I return without you."
"Don't worry about me," Eli assured him, parting ways from the duo.
Aang trailed a few steps behind the masked man when a sudden croaking sound seized his attention. He glanced down one of the hallway junctions and gasped at the sight of partially frozen frogs scattered on the floor.
"My frogs! Come back! And stop thawing out!" Aang exclaimed, kneeling down to pick up two of them, only to drop them again when the masked man reappeared, swiftly grabbing him by the collar and pulling him along the hallway.
"Wait!" Aang shouted, reaching out for the frogs as the masked man dragged him away. "My friends need to suck on those frogs!"
Neo sat in in front of the pillar, still waiting for Aang and Eli to return.
"Come on, guys," he muttered to himself, his voice barely audible amidst the crackling of the flames. "How long does it take to gather a few simple plants?"
Suddenly, he heard a soft moaning sound and noticed it was coming from Katara. He strained to make out her words, but they were barely intelligible. He noticed her blanket had slipped down, leaving her partially exposed to the cold.
Rising from his spot, Neo walked over to gently tuck her back in, ensuring she was snug and warm. He then moved to Sokka, who mumbled something incoherent about his boomerang.
"Neo," he heard Katara whisper.
His breath caught in his throat, and his heart skipped a beat. When he realized she was still asleep, he exhaled softly, his eyes widening with a mix of surprise and unease.
"She's dreaming," he murmured, his voice laced with a touch of sadness. He closed his eyes and lowered his head, grappling with his conflicting emotions. "Of... me."
A wave of guilt washed over him as he remembered the sacrifice he had made to save himself, leaving Celestia behind. In his heart, he carried the weight of mourning for her, believing he should honor her memory before allowing himself to embrace new feelings.
Eli stealthily maneuvered through the prison, his eyes widening as he spotted three Elite Guards strolling down an aisle. As they turned the corner, oblivious to his presence, Eli clung to the ceiling, his limbs gripping the walls. There, he spotted his target—his lightsaber, which was secured to the belt of one of the guards. With a focused reach of the Force, the lightsaber flew into his grasp, and he caught it deftly.
"YES!" he exclaimed, before attempting to muffle his cry as his hand shot to cover his mouth. In his excitement, he lost his grip on the ceiling and tumbled down.
The Elite Guards abruptly spun around, their gazes fixated on Eli.
"Um, hi," Eli stammered.
"Shall we eliminate him, Caligula?" one of the guards asked.
Caligula shook her head. "Hadrian says Aurelius wants both warriors alive... though I doubt he'd mind if this one were missing a few limbs."
The three guards unsheathed their swords, which emitted an eerie red glow.
Without hesitation, Eli bolted, the Elite Guards giving chase, their relentless pursuit hot on his heels.
Aang followed the masked man as they silently traversed the sewer system beneath the fortress. Occasionally, the masked man glanced up through the metal bars above, where patrolling soldiers could be seen. Pausing, he pulled himself up slightly to survey the area before dropping back down to face Aang. Pointing at the grate above, the masked man signaled for Aang to follow, and moments later, they both climbed out.
Making their way towards a wall adorned with a hanging rope, the two swiftly ran, with the masked man gesturing for Aang to start climbing. He followed closely behind after Aang had ascended a few feet. Suddenly, an alarm blared throughout the fortress, causing the two fugitives to freeze.
"There!" exclaimed one of the guards below, pointing toward the masked man and Aang atop the wall. "On the wall!"
Aang let out a scream as a guard on the wall swiftly cut the rope, sending them hurtling towards the ground. Just before impact, Aang used his Airbending to cushion their fall, causing a cloud of dust to rise.
As the dust settled, the masked man unsheathed his swords and gestured toward the innermost gate. The two of them sprinted towards it.
"The Avatar has escaped!" Zhao bellowed, leaning over a balcony. "Seal all the gates immediately!"
Suddenly, with a burst of energy, Eli came sprinting towards the scene, gracefully leaping over Zhao's head in a daring display of agility.
"Bye-bye, Captain Beardy!" Eli called out triumphantly as he descended to the ground.
The four Elite Guards wasted no time and swiftly pursued Eli, their determined footsteps echoing through the air. A soldier, observing the commotion, turned to Zhao with a questioning expression.
"Sir, should we go after them?" the soldier inquired.
"No," Zhao responded, a glint of curiosity in his eyes. "Let's see what these Elite Guards can do."
Beside Zhao, Hadrian leaped down, joining the chase with a fierce determination.
Meanwhile, Eli sprinted towards Aang and the masked man, his heart pounding with a mix of urgency and determination. However, his path was abruptly obstructed as two Elite Guards strategically positioned themselves to block his way, while the other two encircled him, their swords drawn and ready.
Eli smirked, his confidence undeterred. "Alright, ladies and gentlemen," he declared. "You've forced my hand. Looks like you'll have to witness the power of my lightsaber."
With a swift motion, he ignited his lightsaber, the vibrant blue blade illuminating his face with an intense glow.
One of the Elite Guards stepped forward, a mixture of determination and anticipation radiating from him as he brandished his sword. Eli shook his head. Poor fool. What was his sword supposed to do against a lightsaber?
Fueled by adrenaline, Eli charged at the guard, swinging his lightsaber in a powerful arc, intending to cleave the guard's sword in two. Yet, to his surprise and the guard's delight, the sword somehow managed to deflect Eli's attack.
Momentarily taken aback, Eli stepped backwards.
"Wha- what?" He said, as his eyes locked with the guard's. "How..?"
"Just as Aurelius said... it... it actually worked!" the guard exclaimed, a mixture of astonishment and admiration in his voice. Smiling, the guard turned to the guardsmen surrounding them.
"Elite Guard... Attack!" he commanded.
"Stay close to me!" Aang commanded, his voice filled with urgency, as he sprinted ahead of the masked man.
The young, bald Avatar raced a few steps ahead, then propelled himself forward, gracefully leaping into the air. With a swift motion of his hands, he summoned a powerful gust of air, aimed directly at the soldiers obstructing the path to the innermost gate. The force of the gust sent the soldiers flying, clearing a path for Aang to continue his rapid approach. However, the masked man was abruptly halted as two guards armed with spears lunged at him, while others began closing in, encircling him menacingly.
Aang screeched to a halt, his eyes widening as he glanced over his shoulder, witnessing Eli being assailed by five men and women wielding glowing swords. As he watched Eli, one of the prison guard launched a spear with the intent to impale the masked rescuer. Reacting swiftly, the young Avatar grunted, swiftly intercepting the spear as it flew threw the air before forcefully bringing the spearhead down to the ground, shattering it. Then, he unleashed a powerful blast of air, directed at the guard's face, propelling him backward.
With agility and purpose, Aang deftly twirled the captured spear, utilizing it as an improvised weapon. Bringing the head of the spear down forcefully onto the ground, he shattered it, rendering it useless. In a moment of swift decision-making, he leaped down to Eli's side, positioning himself next to his ally. Gathering the strength within him, Aang summoned a surge of tremendous airbending power, releasing a massive blast of air that swept through the area, forcefully blowing away the Elite Guards who had surrounded them.
The Elite Guards slowly rose to their feet, dazed from the blast of air that had sent them sprawling.
"Aang, you and the masked man need to get over the wall," Eli directed, his voice determined. "I'll hold these guys off."
Aang hesitated. "Are you sure, Eli? These guards seem pretty tough."
Eli's expression hardened with resolve. "They may be skilled, but they're not unbeatable. I think I can handle them," he affirmed, exuding confidence.
Aang nodded, placing his trust in his ally. Just as they prepared to make their move, another guard charged towards them, brandishing his sword. Reacting quickly, Eli swiftly deflected the guard's strike. With a well-timed kick, he sent the guard staggering backward.
While Eli engaged in close combat, the masked man gestured at Aang and pointed towards the top of the wall. Aang's face lit up and he nodded. He let out a powerful airbending blast and soared towards the top of the wall, his agile form elegantly cutting through the air and landed gracefully on the wall's crest.
The clash of swords echoed through the air as Eli engaged in a ferocious duel against the two Elite Guards who had confronted him atop the wall. His movements were swift and precise, his lightsaber a blur of crimson energy cutting through the darkness. The Elite Guards matched his skill with their own deadly proficiency, their glowing swords creating an eerie crimson glow.
Eli deftly parried a series of rapid strikes, his blade meeting the guards' with resounding clashes.
Then he sensed it... an opportunity. Eli executed a lightning-fast maneuver, disarming one of the Elite Guards and delivering a swift and lethal strike. The guard fell to the ground, lifeless, leaving only one adversary remaining. The female guard gasped, her eyes widening in shock and grief.
"Kommenos!" she cried out, her voice trembling with anguish. She dropped to her knees, tears streaming down her face.
Eli's expression morphed from determination to surprise at the unexpected turn of events. He hesitated, momentarily caught off guard by the emotional reaction of his opponent. The pause was enough for the other three Elite Guards to take advantage of the situation.
Swiftly, the Elite Guard closed in, surrounding Eli on all sides. Eli suddenly found himself outnumbered and outmaneuvered.
As the Elite Guards closed in, their weapons poised to strike, Eli's hands tightened around his lightsaber, his mind racing for a way out. But it was too late. He was surrounded, and without Aang, Eli was at the mercy of the Elite Guard.
Aang and the masked man made a daring leap from the final ladder, aiming for the safety of the last wall. Aang strained to catch hold of the edge, but his grip slipped, causing him to plummet downward. In a fortunate twist of fate, the masked man's hand reached out just in time to grasp the edge, only to slip as well. They landed on the ground with a collective groan of pain.
Swiftly recovering, the masked man sprang to his feet and unsheathed his dao swords, just as four Firebenders encircled them near the closed gate. Flames surged toward them, but Aang reacted swiftly, seizing the masked man's shoulders and whirling him around, using an air shield to disperse the onslaught.
"Hold your attacks!" commanded Zhao, stepping forward to position himself between two of the Firebenders. "The Avatar must be captured alive!"
Aang's breath caught in his throat as his rescuer pressed the sharp blades against his neck. Behind the impenetrable mask, the masked man locked eyes with Zhao, intensifying the tension.
"Open the gate," Zhao hissed through clenched teeth, his gaze never wavering from the Avatar or the enigmatic figure.
"Admiral, what are you doing?" inquired a perplexed officer.
"Release them!" Zhao barked, his attention fixed on the Avatar and the masked man. "Now!"
The gate swung open, and the masked man cautiously retreated, keeping his swords poised at Aang's throat, all while maintaining a piercing stare at Admiral Zhao.
The bewildered officer couldn't contain his astonishment. "How could you let them go?"
"A circumstance such as this demands..." Zhao's furious expression twisted into a cunning smirk. "Precision."
From his vantage point atop the fortress's main gate, Zhao observed the masked man slowly retreating.
"Do you have a clear shot?" the admiral inquired without glancing at the Yuyan archer, who stood poised with an arrow drawn.
The Yuyan archer remained silent, taking aim at the masked man's head, understanding the unspoken command.
"Knock out the thief," Zhao ordered, his smugness evident as he watched the masked figure continue to withdraw with the Avatar. "I shall present him to the Fire Lord alongside the Avatar."
The archer released the arrow, its trajectory slicing through the air, heading straight for the masked man and Aang.
It sliced through the air, finding its mark as it struck the masked man's masked head with a resounding "ping," right above Aang's shoulder. Aang turned in shock, his gaze fixed on the fallen figure of his masked savior, now unconscious and the dao swords lying beside him. His eyes widened in horror when he caught a glimpse of the partially revealed face beneath the skewed mask.
Reacting instinctively, Aang spun back around and swiftly conjured a massive cloud of dust, enveloping himself and the fallen masked man.
"Quickly! Capture the Avatar!" Zhao ordered brusquely as the gate swung open once more, unleashing a swarm of soldiers who charged toward the billowing dust cloud.
Kneeling beside the motionless form of the masked man, Aang reached out and grasped the blue mask, pulling it away to unveil Prince Zuko's scarred countenance. The young Airbender gasped, recoiling in surprise, and landing on the ground. Aang jumped to his feet, initially intending to flee, but hesitated, casting a compassionate gaze upon Zuko's unconscious body.
Glancing up, Aang noticed the approaching Fire Nation soldiers as the dissipating dust cloud revealed their presence. After a brief moment of contemplation, he made a decision.
Just as the Fire Nation soldiers reached the spot on the road, they found themselves surrounded by empty space. Confusion etched upon their faces, they scanned the surroundings in bewilderment, realizing that nothing remained.
Zhao's face contorted with rage as he directed a furious glare at the now vacant road, his lips curling into a snarl. Clenching his fists tightly, his brown eyes narrowed in frustration. Suddenly, a croaking sound at his feet drew his attention. His gaze hardened as he followed the source of the noise—a slimy frog perched on the edge of the main gate, which then hopped over the side, disappearing from sight.
Hadrian walked up to him. "I'm afraid we lost the Avatar, sir. No matter. He'll be back for his friend," he said, gesturing towards Eli, who was being marched deeper into the prison.
Zhao smirked. "You're right."
The next morning, Zuko's eyes fluttered open, his vision hazy as he gazed up at the verdant canopy above, sunlight filtering through. He shifted his gaze to the side, where the Avatar sat on a nearby tree root, a few feet away. The young boy had his knees drawn up to his chest, arms wrapped around them, and a sorrowful expression on his face. Zuko let out a quiet groan, blinking as his vision gradually cleared, just as the bald boy began to speak.
"You know the worst part of being born over a hundred years ago is?" The boy's words broke the silence, without a direct glance at the still-disoriented prince. "I miss all the friends I used to hang out with. Before the war started, I used to visit my friend Kuzon."
Zuko observed the transformation in the boy's expression, from melancholy to nostalgic fondness. "The two of us, we'd get in and out of so much trouble together."
Aang averted his gaze, then looked down at Zuko. "He was one of the best friends I ever had, and he was Fire Nation, just like you. If we knew each other back then, do you think we could have been friends too?"
Zuko blinked, taken aback by the younger boy's question. A faint smile tugged at the corners of Aang's lips, and Zuko swiftly shifted into a crouch, unleashing a massive fireball towards him. However, the agile Avatar evaded, leaping backward and employing an air current to ascend high into the tree branches, beyond Zuko's reach.
Perched on a branch above, Aang paused, his gaze fixed on the prince below. Zuko met his gaze from below, their eyes briefly locking.
Aang let out a sniff and then turned, bounding from branch to branch, swiftly moving away from Zuko. The prince watched the young boy's departure until he vanished from sight, and then he looked away, his tense expression softening into one of contemplation.
"Maybe."
Zuko arrived back on his ship, finding his uncle Iroh engrossed in playing a trumpet-like instrument.
"Where have you been, Prince Zuko?" Iroh inquired, his eyes filled with curiosity.
"You missed music night. I sang a stirring love song," he added, a hint of disappointment in his voice.
"I'm going to bed. No disturbances," Zuko declared firmly, his fatigue evident as he made his way into the ship's interior. Meanwhile, Iroh resumed playing his instrument, the soothing melodies filling the air with their enchanting notes.
Exhausted from the previous night's events, Aang rushed back to the campsite, a sense of urgency driving him. Despite his weariness, he knew he had to inform the others about Eli.
"Quick, suck on these," Aang blurted out, distributing the frogs to everyone present. "They'll make you feel better."
"Cough... Aang, where's the fire?" Neo asked. His concern quickly shifted to Eli. "And where's Eli?"
"We went to gather herbs... but we got captured," Aang hurriedly explained, the words tumbling out of his mouth. "But then a mysterious masked man set us free... Eli fought Fire Nation soldiers with red swords... I managed to escape... but Eli... he's still there."
Overwhelmed by exhaustion, Aang collapsed onto the ground and immediately drifted into a deep sleep. Neo and Katara exchanged shocked glances, their minds reeling from the news.
"Mmm, these things are tasty," Sokka chimed in, blissfully unaware of what was inside his mouth.
As if stirred to life by some unseen force, the frogs suddenly sprang into action, surprising everyone. One by one, they began to spit out the frogs, their faces contorted in confusion and alarm. As they did this, Aang's revelation hung in the air, leaving the fate of Eli and the unfolding events shrouded in uncertainty.
Once again, I want to thank all of you for your continuous support, whether it be through following, favoriting, or taking the time to leave reviews on this story. Your encouragement has been a significant source of motivation for me to continue writing this story. However, I don't really like how this chapter turned out. It was a struggle to find the will to write it, and I barely managed to finish it in time. That being said, I have decided to go on a hiatus over the summer. I really need a break from writing this story. But don't worry; I'll be back in Fall with the next chapter, which I can promise you will be a good one.
This is RabbiSlimThot, signing off.
