Jin and Li pushed on, using their respective waves of earth to propel themselves forward alongside Toph. They had been going all night after escaping their imprisonment at the hands of Xin Fu and Master Yu, and the sun was shining down on them. The massive Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se became more and more visible as they approached, and they were determined to reach the city.
Suddenly, something large appeared beside them, and they heard Sokka's voice calling out "Need a ride?" In that moment, the twins' concentration was broken, and their rolling waves of earth disintegrated, shattering spectacularly into dust clouds as they were sent flying. They rolled for some time along with Toph, and the three of them ended up as a tangle of limbs on the grass.
Appa, carrying Aang and Sokka, landed in front of them as Li pushed his brother's feet off of his face. "Come on! Katara's in trouble!" the Airbender called. The twins exchanged worried glances before looking over at Toph, and the three of them proceeded to mount Appa.
"The Earth King and the Council of Five do not trust the Dai Li" Azula said, her hands clasped behind her back as she addressed the assembled Dai Li agents.
Standing behind the Fire Nation Princess, in between Mai and Ty Lee, I shivered ever so slightly; all of the robed men gave me chills, and their presence meant that any potential window of opportunity I might use to take down Azula was rapidly disappearing.
"They imprisoned your leader, Long Feng" she continued. "Soon they will turn on all of you and eliminate you. Seizing power today is a matter of life and death. This coup must be swift and decisive. The Earth King and each of the five generals must be taken out simultaneously. Long Feng has placed you in my command while we overthrow the government. If I sense any disloyalty, any hesitation, any weakness at all, I will snuff it out. That is all".
I snorted at the thought of all these grown men, highly-trained Earthbenders, looking afraid of a teenage girl. Having become very familiar with her over the last several weeks, however, I could understand their fear.
Azula then walked back up onto the platform and snapped her fingers. I walked over to the nearby table and poured her a cup of tea as Ty Lee said "Nice speech, Azula. It was pretty and poetic, but also scary in a good way".
I handed the Fire Nation Princess her tea as Mai added "Yeah, I thought you were gonna make that one guy pee his pants".
"There are still a few loose ends" Azula said. "The Avatar… and my brother, uncle, and Shan We". I felt the familiar ache inside at the mention of the tea-loving Firebender's name, and I casually reached into my sleeve, touching the White Lotus tile within as a calming and reassuring measure.
I opened Lihua's cage and held out my arm, allowing the tiger eagle to hop down onto it. Today was finally the day that her bandage would come off, and she could regain her freedom. Iroh was flitting about the apartment like a hyper Airbender, making the final preparations for our appointment with the Earth King. I gently stroked the orange bird of prey's plumage, eliciting a pleased purr. Once she was at ease, I gently unwrapped the bandage around her wing, finally freeing it after days of confinement.
Lihua sniffed at the extremity for a moment before testing it out. The wing appeared to be fully functional, and she squawked. I then stepped over to the window and held my arm out, inviting her to take to the skies once more. She turned to look out at the bright sky, but then she turned back and did something unexpected. The fearsome predator started licking my face with her rough tongue, and I couldn't help but smile a little. She then leaped off of my arm and out the window, stretching out her wings.
I watched as she shot upwards, flapping her wings and flying away from our apartment. As she went farther and farther away, I heard one final cry of joy before she disappeared entirely.
Soon enough, I stepped out of the carriage, gazing appreciatively at the imposing royal palace before me. Zuko and Iroh stepped out behind me, and the older man said "Many times I imagined myself here, at the threshold of the palace". As we walked through the front gate, he continued. "But I always thought I would be here as a conqueror. Instead, we are the Earth King's personal guests. Here to serve him tea. Destiny is a funny thing.
"I know what you mean" I said. "For 600 days, all I could envision was leading a column of soldiers triumphantly through the streets as we conquered the greatest obstacle our nation faced. Destiny is a funny thing, indeed".
Jin and Li stretched their muscles as Appa flew over the Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se. They were still a little sore from the hard landing they had experienced when Sokka had distracted them. "So how did it go with the Guru?" Toph asked Aang as she held onto Jin's arm. "Did you master the Avatar State?"
Aang pointedly looked away from them as he replied "Uh…"
He trailed off, and after several moments of silence, Li poked him in the shoulder as Sokka asked "Aang, are you okay?"
The Airbender turned to look at them with a cheery smile on his face. "I'm great, it went great with the Guru. I completely mastered the Avatar State". He then laughed nervously, and the twins exchanged dubious glances.
Iroh arranged the tea cups on the table before I poured the tea into them. We had been waiting for a long time, and the Earth King was still absent. I realized that the monarch of the world's largest nation must have a demanding schedule, but I at least expected the expected polite messenger who would apologize on the King's behalf. "What's taking so long?" Zuko asked.
"Maybe the Earth King overslept" Iroh offered in explanation.
I nodded absently as the door opened and several Dai Li agents began to filter into the room. "Perhaps our wait is over" I said as they entered.
The robed men silently filed in, taking positions in front and behind us. "Something's not right" Zuko quietly said, and I agreed. The Dai Li agents then formed a circle around us, and I knew then that something was definitely off.
"It's tea time" a very familiar voice said from the front of the room. My muscles instantly tensed as Princess Azula slowly walked in front of the Earth King's chair, her hands clasped behind her back. However, my eyes weren't on her; they were on the woman in Kyoshi Warrior garb following the psychotic teenager.
"Azula" Zuko said angrily as he stood up.
I did the same, and the scarred teenager's sister asked "Have you met the Dai Li? They're Earthbenders, but they have a killer instinct that's so Firebender. I just love it".
"What have you done to Takara?" I demanded, referring to the matching sets of four scars on the woman's cheeks.
Azula glanced over at her. "Hmm? Oh, just a little makeover, that's all" she replied. She then stepped over and lightly ran a sharpened fingernail over the scars. My knuckles turned white from how hard I was clenching my fists. "I think she looks better this way, don't you?" I didn't reply, and the teenager smirked as she saw the effect this was having on me. "Your little girlfriend has actually proven herself quite useful. She knows where her loyalties lie. Don't you?"
Takara glanced at me before looking down at the floor with shame. "Yes, Princess Azula" she replied meekly.
My mouth fell open as my fists unclenched; a dagger of pain stabbed through my heart as I beheld how the beautiful, strong-willed warrior had been brought low by the psychotic teenager. Azula's lips curled into a deep, satisfied smile. "Look at you; so pathetic. All my life, I've grown up hearing stories of your exploits, how you're the only other Firebender in the world who can do what I do. Now look at you: you're nothing but a sad, pathetic disgrace who betrayed his nation because of a simple peasant from an insignificant island. It's just as well that you lost your Bending; now I am truly the greatest Firebender in the world, and you are no longer my equal".
My gaze shifted over to the teenager. She was trying to bait me, to goad me into doing something reckless. Without my Firebending, and with the sheer number of Dai Li agents in the room, I wouldn't stand a chance, which is why I didn't fall for her bait.
It was then that I decided that two could play at that game.
"What's the matter?" I asked, my voice dripping with condescension. "Can't stand to have any competition? It must be very difficult, having a father who demands nothing less than absolute perfection from you and never even shows any affection towards you. Your own mother never even loved you. How could she? How could anyone ever find it in their heart to love someone like you?" Half of what I was saying was pure conjecture; I had, of course, heard all the rumours when it came to the royal family, but I had no way of knowing things that were so personal, especially when it came to her mother. It didn't matter; Azula had hurt Takara, and I wanted to hurt her back.
The teenager's face contorted into an expression of pure rage. "You know nothing!" she spat. "You're nothing when compared to me! I am superior in every way, and you are a pathetic, disgraceful, traitor!"
I smirked marginally, having struck a nerve, when Iroh stood up with a tea cup in his hand. "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname 'The Dragon of the West'?" he asked conversationally.
I smiled, knowing full well how he got the title. Glancing over at Zuko, I indicated that he should get ready as Azula scoffed and replied "I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, uncle".
"It's more of a demonstration, really" Iroh said before drinking from his cup. Zuko and I got down on our knees as the squat, older man roared, letting out a long breath of burning, crimson flames at the Dai Li agents and Azula. With them adequately suppressed, Zuko blasted a hole in the wall with his Firebending, and he led the way out. I took a quick moment to look into Takara's green and blue eyes, and we both exchanged sorrowful expressions before I ran out of the room after Iroh, with the Dai Li in hot pursuit.
Two of them fired several small rocks from their gloves, and I barely managed to round a corner as they were imbedded in the wall. We ran towards a wall, and Iroh blasted it open with Lightning, creating an exit. He and I leaped out of the hole, and I crashed on top of an exquisite hedge clipping. As I stood up, I dusted my clothes off as Iroh called "Come on, you'll be fine!"
I looked up and saw Zuko standing at the edge of the hole. "No" he replied. "I'm tired of running. It's time I faced Azula".
"Are you crazy?" I demanded. "You can't take her on!" It was too late, however, and the scarred teenager turned around and walked out of sight. Iroh and I exchanged annoyed glances before we turned around and ran away from the palace as fast as we were able. "What do we do now?"
"We need to find some help".
Jin and Li followed Aang and the others as they entered the cavernous chamber. They made their way over to the Earth King's throne, and after the Airbender elaborated on his vision of seeing Katara in danger, the King replied "Katara's fine. You have nothing to worry about".
"But, in my vision, I felt so sure that she was in trouble" Aang replied.
"Well, she met with the council of generals to plan the invasion, and since then, she's been off with your friends, the Kyoshi Warriors". Jin and Li exchanged a glance; perhaps the bald boy's vision had just been a bad dream, or something to that effect.
"See, Aang, she's with Suki" Sokka said, sounding convinced. "They're probably back at her apartment right now, talking about makeup or something".
"Okay, maybe you're right" Aang relented.
"Believe me, if there was any danger at all, Bosco's animal instincts would sense it" the King assured. The bear rumbled its agreement.
Jin patted Aang's back reassuringly, and the group proceeded to bow to the King before making their way out of the palace. Once they were outside, they mounted Appa, and it was no time at all before they found themselves back at their house in the Upper Ring. The damage they and Toph had made back when they had still been searching for Appa was in the process of being rebuilt, and it looked to be almost finished.
They stepped inside the house, and Momo suddenly appeared, chattering away as he flew onto Li's shoulders. He then hopped over onto Aang's bald, tattooed head, and the Airbender excitedly cried "Momo!"
After a moment, Toph said "There's no one else here".
"Katara is in trouble" Aang replied. "I knew it!"
"Wait" the blind girl said suddenly. "There are people at the door". Just then, someone knocked as if on cue, and she added "Actually, I know who they are; they're old friends of mine". She then walked over to the door.
Iroh and I ran into an alley, stopping to catch our breath once we were confident that we were not being pursued. I leaned against the wall, panting slightly as I ran a hand through my hair. Turning to look at Iroh, I asked "What do we do now? Azula looks about ready to take over the city, and the two of us can't stop her".
"Which is why we must get help" he replied.
"Who would be willing, and able, to help us?" I asked, crossing my arms.
"The Avatar and his friends". The comment made my mouth fall open slightly. "They are in the city, and if anyone can help us to defeat Azula, then it will be them".
"But how do we find them?" I asked.
Iroh looked past me, and he grinned. "We could just ask for directions". I followed his gaze, and saw a single Dai Li agent walking through the street. He didn't appear to be following us, which was very good. I grinned at Iroh before we walked onto the busy street, making our way through the meandering crowds. All these people were calm and collected, just going about their usual lives.
If only they knew how close they were to losing everything.
When the Dai Li agent came close to an alley, Iroh nodded to me, and I charged towards him, shoving people out of the way and making as much of a commotion as I could. I roughly shoved past the robed man before running into the alley, and I soon heard his footsteps as he pursued me. I rounded a corner, only to find myself at a dead-end. I turned around just as the Dai Li agent caught up with me. He shot his rock gloves at me, and I found my hands locked in place against the wall. He smirked a little from underneath his pointed hat, but as he approached me, it was my turn to smirk.
He gave me a slightly confused look, but before he could do anything, Iroh suddenly appeared, wrapping an arm around the man's throat. "Release my friend" he commanded. The robed man scowled as he waved a hand, and my hands were free.
Walking up to the man, I said "Now, you will tell us where to find the Avatar".
A short time later, and we found ourselves at a very impressive house in the Upper Ring. The front corner was undergoing some kind of construction or repair, as well as parts of the roof. I tore off portions of my sleeves and used them as restraints and a gag, and once I was certain that the Dai Li agent was secure, I sat him down next to the door. Iroh and I then walked over to the front door, and I knocked three times.
It slid open a moment later, revealing the small, blind girl we had talked with many weeks ago. "Glad to see you're okay" she greeted in her high-pitched voice.
"We need your help" Iroh said. Inside, the Avatar and his Water Tribe companion screamed before entering into fighting stances.
"You guys know each other?" the Avatar demanded.
"I met them in the woods once and knocked him down" the blind girl replied, pointing to Iroh. "Then they gave me tea and some very good advice".
"May we come in?" I asked. She nodded, and Iroh and I stepped inside. I looked around the common area of the house, noting its fine design. The Avatar was present, along with the blind girl and the Water Tribe boy, and… My heart nearly stopped once I beheld the twin boys standing behind the Water Tribe boy. "Jin? Li?" I asked breathlessly. Their eyes lit up, and I started walking over to them. The Water Tribe boy looked ready to attack me, but I merely shoved him aside. I then crouched down and enveloped the Earthbending boys in my arms, feeling tears running down my cheeks as they buried their heads into my shoulders. "I am never losing you boys again".
The sheer joy of the moment was shattered by the Water Tribe boy saying "Hang on, you guys said that he stole you!"
"Stole them?!" I replied, turning to look at him. I then turned to the twins and chuckled upon realizing how they had deceived the Avatar and his friends, ruffling their hair with my hands. "I'm afraid that you have been given false information".
"So you lied to us!" the Water Tribe boy said angrily, pointing an accusatory finger at Jin and Li. "All this time, and you guys were lying to our faces? I knew we shouldn't have trusted you!"
The twins looked down at the floor in slight shame, and I stood, placing a hand on their shoulders. "You must understand", I began, giving them reassuring smiles, "when I found them, they were orphans, living in the streets of this very city. I took them in and raised them as my own, giving them a home and a family".
"They told us they were your prisoners" the Avatar replied.
"They are my sons" I emphasized, looking down at the bald boy. "They are not my flesh and blood, but they might as well be. I am the only home they have ever known, and they only wanted to come back to me".
The Avatar and the Water Tribe boy frowned at the twins, and Iroh said "Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se".
"Takara's with her" I told the twins, and they nodded, already knowing that.
"She must have Katara" the Avatar replied.
"She has captured my nephew, as well" Iroh added.
"Then we'll work together to fight Azula, and save Katara and Zuko and Takara" the Avatar said, crossing his arms.
"Whoa, there" the Water Tribe boy cut in. "You lost me at 'Zuko'".
"I know how you must feel about my nephew, but believe me when I tell you there is good inside him" Iroh replied.
"He really has changed" I added. "He's a good person inside; he's just been confused as to what direction his life should be taking".
The Water Tribe boy didn't look convinced. "Good inside him isn't enough. Why don't you come back when it's outside him, too, okay?"
"Katara's in trouble" the Avatar told his companion. "All of Ba Sing Se is in trouble. Working together is our best chance".
After a moment, the other boy reluctantly nodded. "We brought someone along who might be able to help us" I told them, walking out the door. I motioned over to the restrained Dai Li agent on the house's patio, and the blind girl proceeded to Earthbend flat slabs of rock that restrained him even further.
Iroh removed the gag in the man's mouth, and he sweated as he said "Azula and Long Feng are plotting a coup. They're going to overthrow the Earth King".
"My sister" the Water Tribe boy demanded, pointing a machete at the man. "Where are they keeping Katara?"
"In the crystal catacombs of Old Ba Sing Se" the Dai Li agent replied. "Deep beneath the palace". With that, we were off, running towards the palace and leaving the man at the house.
Eventually, once we arrived at the palace, the blind girl, Toph, crouched down and placed a hand on the ground. "Well, what do you know?" she asked. "There is an ancient city down there. But it's deep". She and the twins proceeded to open a tunnel that led underground. Based on my observations, I saw that the three of them had developed a strong bond in their time together.
"We should split up" the Water Tribe boy, Sokka, suggested. "Aang, you go with Iroh and Shan We to look for Katara and the angry jerk, no offense".
Iroh shrugged and replied "None taken".
"And I'll go with Toph to warn the Earth King about Azula's coup" Sokka finished.
Jin tapped my arm, and I said "Jin and Li would like to go with you, in case you run into any Dai Li agents on the way".
"Thanks, we're good" the Water Tribe boy said curtly. He and Toph then made their way over towards the palace. Jin and Li's shoulders slumped in sadness, and I placed reassuring hands on their shoulders. The five of us then descended down into the darkened tunnel. Eventually, we were out of sight of daylight, so Iroh lit a crimson flame in his hand to light our way, while Jin and Li took turns extending the tunnel as we walked along.
The Avatar walked in between Iroh and me, and after fidgeting for a moment, he said "So, Toph thinks you guys give pretty good advice. And great tea".
"The key to both is proper aging" Iroh replied. "What's on your mind?"
Li thrust a fist forward, and the tunnel extended even further. "Well, I met with this guru, who was supposed to help me master the Avatar State, and control this great power. But to do it, I had to let go of someone I love, and I just couldn't".
"Perfection and power are overrated" Iroh said. "I think you are very wise to choose happiness and love".
"As the Avatar, it's your duty to maintain balance in the world" I added. "Because of this, I believe you will never be able to fully separate yourself from earthly attachments due to how strongly you are connected to the world".
"But what happens if we can't save everyone and beat Azula?" the bald boy asked. "Without the Avatar State, what if I'm not powerful enough?"
"I don't know the answer" Iroh replied. "Sometimes life is like this dark tunnel: you can't always see the light at the end of the tunnel, but if you just keep moving…" Jin punched the wall, and Iroh's flame was extinguished as a rush of air blew past us. Ahead was a massive cavern system, with glowing crystals dotting the walls and ceiling.
"You will come to a better place" I finished with a slight smile, looking down at the twins. They smiled back, and we all gazed out at the magnificent underground city.
"Thank goodness we're in time" I heard a voice say. I turned to see the Avatar's Water Tribe companion and the little blind girl running over to us.
"In time for what?" the Earth King asked.
"Yeah, what are you in time for?" Ty Lee asked. She then cartwheeled over to the Water Tribe boy, stopping when she was mere inches away from him. "Cutie?"
"Uh, I'm kind of involved with Suki" he replied.
My eyebrows arched in slight surprise as the perky girl asked "Who?" The blind girl instantly reacted, launching Ty Lee into the air with a pillar of earth.
"They're not the real Kyoshi Warriors" the blind girl declared, and the King gasped in shock.
"Sorry to disappoint you" Mai said as she threw several small daggers at the blind girl, who summoned a wall of rock to block them before she punched it towards the dour teenager. Mai leaped over the solid block of rock before she proceeded to engage the blind girl.
Before I could do anything, I heard Azula say "This fight is over". Turning to my left, I saw her holding the King as she leveled a small, blue flame at his throat.
The blind girl and the Water Tribe boy then held their arms up and surrendered. He looked over at me, seemingly recognizing me as he demanded "How could you betray Suki? She's your friend!"
I didn't reply, pursing my lips in frustration as I clenched my hands into fists. Ty Lee then appeared in between the two of them and used her Chi Blocking in order to paralyze them. "Get them all out of my sight" Azula commanded, and the three of them, plus the King's bear, were led away. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw movement, and turned to see Long Feng, the head of the Dai Li and the Fire Nation Princess' co-conspirator, approaching the throne with several Dai Li agents.
"Now comes the part where I double-cross you" he said, and I leaped backwards next to Azula. Even with her prodigious Firebending skills, I was nervous about having to fight this many Earthbenders. "Dai Li, arrest the Fire Nation Princess". None of the robed men standing behind him moved an inch, and I furrowed my brow in confusion as he turned to them and repeated "I said arrest her". Still no movement. "What is wrong with you?"
"It's because they haven't made up their minds" Azula explained from beside me. "They're waiting to see how this is going to end".
"What are you talking about?" Long Feng demanded.
"I can see your whole history in your eyes: you were born with nothing, so you've had to struggle and connive and claw your way to power. But true power, the divine right to rule, is something you're born with. The fact is, they don't know which one of us is going to be sitting on that throne, and which one is going to be bowing down. But I know. And you know". She then turned around and sat on the Earth King's throne, a smug smirk on her face as she asked "Well?"
After a long, tense moment, Long Feng eventually bowed to Azula, and I could practically feel her utter glee. "You've beaten me at my own game" he said meekly.
"Don't flatter yourself" she replied. "You were never even a player". As I watched Long Feng in his final disgrace, I silently hoped for a miracle that would help me take down this teenager who was pure evil.
The Avatar punched a wall, and it shattered spectacularly, allowing us entrance into another cavern. "Aang!" someone joyously greeted, and I turned to see the bald boy's Water Tribe companion and Zuko. The Avatar and the girl embraced, while Iroh embraced his nephew. I placed a hand on the scarred teenager's shoulder, nodding to him. "Aang, I knew you would come" the girl said.
"Uncle, I don't understand" Zuko told Iroh. "What are you two doing with the Avatar?"
"Saving you, that's what" the bald boy replied.
The scarred teenager started to lunge for the Avatar, but I held him back. "We need to talk" I told him. Turning to Aang and his companion, I said "Go help your other friends; we'll catch up with you".
They walked away, and once they were out of earshot, Zuko asked us "Why?"
"You're not the man you used to be, Zuko" Iroh told him. "You are stronger and wiser and freer than you have ever been. And now you have come to the crossroads of your destiny".
"It's time for you to choose" I added, gazing intently into the teenager's amber eyes. "It's time for you to choose good".
Suddenly, the ground shook as dozens of glowing crystals emerged from the ground, trapping all of us except Zuko. Azula then appeared from a side tunnel, along with Takara and half a dozen Dai Li agents. "I expected this kind of treachery from uncle and Shan We, but Zuko, Prince Zuko. You're a lot of things, but you're not a traitor, are you?"
I clenched my teeth as I glared at the teenage girl. My gaze then turned to Takara, and our eyes locked from across the cavern. On the outside, she appeared to be an obedient servant, but as I gazed into her blue and green eyes, I saw something else. Her expression was as stone, but I could see that it was just a front, a ruse meant to draw Azula into a false sense of security. "Release them immediately" Zuko told his sister.
"It's not too late for you, Zuko" she said, sounding like a serpent with a silver tongue. "You can still redeem yourself".
"The kind of redemption she offers is not for you" Iroh countered.
"Why don't you let him decide, uncle?" Azula asked the older man. "I need you, Zuko. I've plotted every move of this day, this glorious day in Fire Nation history, and the only way we win is together. At the end of this day, you will have your honour back. You will have father's love. You will have everything you want".
"Don't listen to her!" I said. "I've gained my father's love just like you've always wanted with yours, and trust me when I say that it isn't what you imagine it to be!"
"Silence!" Azula snapped at me. "You're a failure and a disgrace. My brother doesn't need to listen to the likes of you. There is nothing you can do. Join me, Zuko, and you can go home". From where I was, I saw that the scarred teenager's face was wrought with internal conflict. What his sister was offering was everything he had ever wanted for the last three years; he had fought and bled and committed things he normally wouldn't in order to regain what he had lost. In that moment, I wasn't too sure as to what he would decide.
I closed my eyes and started chuckling, shaking my head in amusement. "What are you laughing at?" Azula asked, her voice dripping with scorn.
I opened my eyes and looked up at her. "You stand there, with these pathetic excuses for Earthbenders as your personal cronies, and think yourself victorious? You don't stand a chance".
She scowled at me. "Last time I checked, we outnumber you".
My smile instantly disappeared, and I said "There are no Earthbenders in the world who can match the skill of my sons. Boys?" Jin and Li then exchanged devious grins before they scrunched up their faces. Half a moment later, the crystals trapping us instantly shattered before they shot towards Azula and the Dai Li agents in a veritable hailstorm. Zuko cried out before leaping out of the way, and as I was freed, I could see Takara leaping and dodging out of the way while the others blocked the incoming storm with blue flames and rock walls.
Jin and Li then engaged the Dai Li agents, firing a barrage of man-sized boulders at them. The robed men leaped out of the way, splitting into two groups that ran along the walls of the cavern. The twins caused the walls to become like sand, and the Dai Li agents sank up to their shoulders.
While the boys were dealing with them, I focused my attention on Azula. The two of us stared at each other for what seemed like an eternity until I charged forward. She sent a blue fire blast at me, and I leaped over it, aiming my fist at her face. She deftly dodged my attack before kicking her leg upwards and sending blue flames at me. I felt the burning heat lightly singing my clothes, and my eyes closed as I growled. I suddenly felt something slamming into my back before I was yanked backwards.
I came crashing into the far wall of the cavern, grunting as the wind was knocked out of me. I slid down onto the ground just as Iroh hurried over to me. "You have to get out of here!" he said. I looked over to Jin and Li, who were holding their own against the half dozen Dai Li agents. Suddenly, Azula shot a blue fire blast at Jin, who barely managed to erect a defensive rock wall. The fire exploded against the wall, sending him flying backwards as Li was forced back by the Dai Li agents.
"No" I told Iroh, stepping forward. I had already lost Jin and Li twice, and now, I refused to let fate take them away again. "I am never losing those boys EVER AGAIN!" I then clapped my hands together as I felt a surge of newfound energy, and a massive firestorm of blue flame shot forth at the Dai Li agents. The massive flames sent the half dozen agents sprawling backward, while Azula was barely able to leap out of the way. I could see her eyes widening ever so slightly, the smallest hint of fear in her expression.
I kicked in her direction twice, sending two blue fireballs towards her before aiming two spinning kicks at her, creating two arcs of blue flames. "STAY. AWAY. FROM. MY. FAMILY!" I thundered with each strike. Azula dodged the two fireballs before leaping into the air, spinning as the arcs of blue flame passed harmlessly beneath her. She landed, and I thrust my fist forward, sending a stream of fire at her. She spun out of the way before firing her own stream. I watched it shooting towards me, and just as it would have struck, I reached out with my hand and caught it, spinning in a circle before redirecting it back at her.
She waved her hand, casting some flames that blocked and dissipated mine, before lifting her leg in the air and bringing it down in a scissor kick. A flat line of blue flames extended from her foot and was brought down on top of me. Instinctively, I thrust my arm upwards, sending some flames that disrupted the portion of the line that would have struck me. I proceeded to swing my arms backwards, disrupting the energies around me in the blink of an eye, before thrusting them forward and firing a bolt of white lightning. It struck the wall behind Azula, causing a fantastic explosion of rock and crystal. The teenager growled in anger as she was temporarily distracted by a cloud of debris.
I then faced my open palms behind me, creating two blue jets of fire that propelled me forward. I shot past several of the Dai Li agents as they and the twins fought, speeding towards my target. When I came close, I smothered the blue flames that were propelling me and pushed off the ground with my feet, leaping into the air. I shouted as I drew my fist back, wreathing it in blue flames as I came closer and closer to Azula.
I stood perfectly still, watching the ensuing battle intently. For the first time in a long time, I found myself unsure as to what I should do. Ever since I had been first captured by Azula, my plan had been to serve her until I could escape, but I had altered that plan after the battle for the drill back at Ba Sing Se's Outer Wall so that I would be able to foil her plans to conquer the Earth Kingdom capital for the Fire Nation.
In several instances, I had sided with Azula, knowing full well each time that, without the element of surprise, she would win. Now, I watched as she and half a dozen Dai Li agents fought against the twins, Shan We, and her uncle. Both sides appeared to be fairly evenly matched, and my mouth fell open in shock as Shan We miraculously regained his Firebending. He appeared to be every bit Azula's equal, perhaps more so, and with the twins easily being worth several of the Dai Li, the battle could go either way.
I was now presented with a choice: fight with Azula, and hope for another chance to take her down, or fight with Shan We and the twins, and finally be rid of my tormenter. As I gazed at the tea-loving Firebender, I felt my heart fluttering in my chest. I had not seen him in some time, and it was the thought of him that had kept me sane while in the service of Azula.
Suddenly, after an intense duel between the two Firebenders, Shan We propelled himself forward with twin jets of blue flames. He dodged out of the way of the Dai Li agents, and he soon leaped into the air, aiming a flaming fist at Azula. In that moment, I knew what I had to do.
Leaping into the air, I landed beside the Fire Nation Princess just as she started to stretch her right arm forward in order to defend herself. I then jabbed that arm in several places using the Chi Blocking that Ty Lee had taught me, and I inwardly cheered as the arm fell limply to her side. Azula snapped her head to look at me, a look of pure rage written on her face before she suddenly remembered the opponent coming at her.
She was too late.
I leaped backwards, landing several feet away from Azula as Shan We landed directly in front of her. He opened his fist at the last second, and he blasted her face with blue flames. She screamed in agony, a shrill, piercing sound that made me cover my ears even though I was smiling; she was a child, barely into adolescence, but I still took great pleasure in her suffering. Shan We then ceased his attack, and Azula fell onto the ground, whimpering in pain. The entire left side of her face was now burned, the skin red and blistered, while a portion of the hair on that side was completely gone.
I opened my fist, blasting Azula's face with blue flames. At the last moment before my attack, Takara had somehow paralyzed the teenager's arm, preventing her from defending herself and creating an opening I now exploited. She shrieked in agony as her face was burned, and a few moments later, I ceased the flow of flames, letting her stumble onto the ground. She whimpered like a child, and I saw that the entire left side of her face was raw and bloody, the skin around it blistered and cracked.
I looked to my left, at Takara, and she smiled at me. I smiled in return before looking down at Azula. "Now the flesh reflects the monster within" I remarked. Beside me, two Dai Li agents suddenly appeared, ready for battle. They were just as quickly dispatched, however, by a boulder and a diagonal rock column.
On my other side, a third Dai Li agent appeared, but before he could do anything, Takara jabbed him in several places, and he slumped onto the ground like a pile of rocks, completely paralyzed. "Look out!" the Kyoshi Warrior cried, and I quickly turned to my right to see a stream of crimson flames.
I swept my hand upwards, summoning a wall of blue flames that deflected the attack. Unfortunately, I failed to account for Azula's tolerance for pain, and she pushed off the ground with her hands, getting back on her feet, before aiming a slice at my head. I crouched down, ducking beneath the flames she cast, and I suddenly found the ground at my feet sliding backwards along with Takara.
Glancing to my right, I smiled at the twins before turning my attention back to Azula. She was gone, and in her place stood Zuko, who entered into a fighting stance. I narrowed my eyes at the scarred teenager before turning to Takara and saying "Go. Find Azula and stop her". I then turned to the twins and nodded, indicating that they should go with her. "I love you" I told them, and they nodded before extending their arms outward.
Several pieces of rock were ripped from the walls and ceiling of the cave, enveloping the two of them in the form of rock armour. They then charged forward along with Takara, their armour absorbing the flames Zuko shot at them.
As soon as they were past him and in the tunnel that led back into the main cavern, I said "So, after everything, you still let your father dictate your destiny". I shook my head in disappointment before taking a deep breath. I started to move my hands in circular motions, separating the positive and negative energies around me. My fingers crackled with electricity, and I smiled slightly before thrusting them forward, casting a bolt of white lightning at Zuko.
The teenager extended his own fingers and caught the lightning, absorbing it like his uncle had taught us, and sent it back at me. I caught it using the same technique, and I felt the raw power and energy coursing through me. I extended my arm forward and redirected the lightning at Zuko, but instead of redirecting it directly at him, I redirected it towards the ground at his feet. The bolt struck the ground, creating a fantastic explosion that knocked him back.
My hands were suddenly struck by rock gloves, which carried me over to one of the cavern walls and locked them in place. I could only watch as Zuko ran off, intent on ruining his life. "It won't be what you think it will be!" I shouted after him. "You'll have everything you've ever wanted, but it won't be enough!"
I ran alongside the twins, the reality of not being Azula's slave and plaything not quite sinking in just yet, until we arrived back at the main cavern. Down below, the Fire Nation Princess was battling the Avatar and his Water Tribe companion, Katara. It quickly became clear that she was outmatched, and for the first time in a long time, I began to hope that things would be better now. Unfortunately, I caught sight of several Dai Li agents emerging from a tunnel to the right, and they started making their way over to Azula.
The twins and I ran forward, intent on stopping them. One of the twins, I couldn't be sure which one, punched the ground with his armoured fist, creating a line of spiked rocks to run in front of the Dai Li agents, stopping them in their tracks. The other twin then made several punching motions, firing several pieces of his rock armour at the robed men.
Suddenly, I heard an explosion, and turned to see Prince Zuko attacking the Avatar. My attention was brought back to the matter at hand when a rock glove shot past my face, and I turned to see the Dai Li agents attacking.
While the twins faced them head-on, I attacked them from the flank. Running along a nearby wall, I leaped down amongst them. Deftly dodging their attacks, I used the training Suki and Ty Lee had given me, using a mixture of Kyoshi Warrior tactics and Chi Blocking to take down man after man. After dispatching the final Dai Li agent, I turned to my right as the ground shook, and saw the Avatar being thrown from a rolling wave of earth he was riding on by a Dai Li agent. All of a sudden, dozens of agents appeared from all sides, surrounding us. Jin and Li walked over to me, and the three of us stood almost back to back as we faced the robed men all around us.
Just then, the massive cavern began to glow, and I turned to see a crystalline tent glowing with brilliant white energy. It then exploded, and I beheld the Avatar as he floated high into the air, his eyes and tattoos glowing. I smiled, knowing that none of the men opposing us could not withstand the Avatar's power.
Suddenly, his body writhed and contorted in agony as he was struck from behind by a bolt of lightning, and I looked down to see Azula standing behind him, her fingers smoking from the attack and what remained of her lips curled into a victorious smile.
No, I thought to myself as I witnessed what was happening. He can't be dead; he's the Avatar, the world's last chance for peace and an end to this horrible war. His smoking body plummeted back down towards the ground, and his Water Tribe companion, Katara, rode forth on a massive wave, her face wet with tears. The wave came to envelop Azula, Zuko, and the Dai Li agents that were assembled near them, as she caught the body of the Avatar.
My mouth opened, though not a sound came out. I was suddenly launched into the air by a rock column, and the twins and I came to land beside the Water Tribe girl. We turned to face Azula and her brother, readying ourselves for battle, when a blue fireball struck the ground between us.
I thrust my fist forward, sending a blue fireball in between the two groups. It struck the ground, exploding with a fair amount of force and drawing their gazes to myself and Iroh. The two of us leaped down in front of Takara and the others, and the older man said "You've got to get out of here!"
"We'll hold them off as long as we can" I added, entering into a fighting stance. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Takara opening her mouth to protest, but I turned to her and said "Go". I then turned back and, along with Iroh, sent several fire blasts at the Dai Li agents who were assembling near us. The two of us dodged boulder after boulder, unleashing powerful firestorms of crimson and blue, as the others made their escape. We were the Dragon of the West and one of only two Firebenders in the world who could utilize blue flames; we were unstoppable in our power, able to defeat any foe.
Glancing behind me, I saw that the others were away and told Iroh "Come on, let's get out of here!" I then sliced my hand downwards, casting a wall of blue flame that roared in between us and the Dai Li. We then turned around and ran towards the waterfall. I got there first, and as I turned around, I saw a metal manacle at the end of a chain shoot through the wall of flame that I had created and ensnare the older man's wrist. As he was yanked backwards, I cried out "Iroh!" as the ground at my feet carried me upwards.
And just like that, I had been forced to leave someone else behind.
I met up with Takara and the twins, and we proceeded to follow the Avatar's companions and the Earth King and his bear to the Avatar's Bison. Soon enough, we were in the air, flying away from Ba Sing Se as fast as we could. I, along with the others, watched as the Water Tribe girl, Katara, took water from a small, silver vial and applied it to the Avatar's wound on his back. The water glowed for a moment before dissipating, and nothing changed. My shoulders slumped in defeat when the Avatar's tattoos suddenly glowed. He then started coughing, and I smiled.
"I could have done more" Takara said quietly from beside me. I turned to look at her, and saw the pained expression on her face. "I could have stopped Azula before she had gotten too far in her plans".
"Takara…"
"I could have done something sooner, probably when she first approached the Earth King".
"Takara…"
"I should have done something! Maybe if I had tried harder, I could've…"
"Takara!" I said more forcefully, shaking the woman's shoulders. She gazed into my eyes, and her own grew misty with tears. She then allowed herself to succumb to her emotions and started sobbing. I wrapped my arms around her, placing a comforting hand on the back of her head as she cried into my shoulder. "Shh, it's alright" I soothed. "You're safe now. You don't have to worry, anymore; I'm here".
She continued to cry into my shoulder as the Earth King gazed mournfully at the Earth Kingdom capital. "The Earth Kingdom… has fallen" he said despondently. We then flew over the Outer Wall of Ba Sing Se, the future suddenly very uncertain.
Well, that's a fine how-do-you-do, isn't it? We have now finished Book Two, and events have taken a dramatic turn: Shan We is reunited with Takara and the twins, and he's joined the Avatar, but things are pretty grim.
I suspect that many of you fine readers were hoping to see a death match between Shan We and Azula, given their unique abilities, and I thought that this would be the perfect opportunity to unleash the two of them against one another. They're pretty evenly matched; Shan We is older, stronger, and more experienced, while Azula is younger, quicker, and very inventive. They're pretty much even during the fight, but if it turned into a prolonged bout, I believe that Shan We would ultimately win, given his vast experience compared to Azula.
Also, Azula's burning was necessary for the story. It accomplished several things at once: it allowed Shan We and Takara to finally gain vengeance on her for all she had done, it showed her that Shan We is every bit her equal, if not her better, and it also affected Zuko. I think that, in that moment, he saw his sister burned the same way he was, and it flipped a switch inside of him. He was able to, however faintly, connect with Azula in that moment, and he decided to return home after she had just suffered the same way he did three years ago. It was the straw that broke the camel's back, as it were.
Also, as to Shan We regaining his Firebending: for this entire section of the story, his inner flame has been smothered by the grief and despair that he's been drowning in. It started with losing his father the way he did, and it only grew exponentially after losing Takara and the twins. His inner flame couldn't come back because he was drowning in so much grief. That changed in this chapter; he refused to allow fate to screw him over, and he re-lit his inner flame when he decided that he would never lose the twins again.
As you probably guessed, I'm altering my posting schedule yet again. My deepest apologies, but it's becoming hard to keep up, given that I have almost no time to write with my full-time job. I'm trying to make an effort to write for at least an hour every night, but that's slow-going. I'll endeavour to continue, but, in order to give me the proper time, I am going to post a new chapter every Wednesday. Again, I apologize for the increased delay, but I hope you will all understand.
Stay tuned for the beginning of Book Three: Fire, where things will really… HEAT UP!
Too much? Meh; I couldn't help myself.
Guest: Shan We is 27, Takara is 23, and the twins are 10. I hope that helps!