"Prince Zuko. Are you all right? Perhaps now you'd like a bit of that calming tea? Or some roast duck? I find that often that will sooth the mind and body of stress."
"I told you I don't need your calming tea! I need to find the WaterTribe girl!"
"I thought you need to find the Avatar nephew. Unless of course you've finally decided to give up on that fruitless quest? In which case I welcome you to it."
"Don't get your hopes up old man! I'll capture them both! But until then, I must work to uphold the interests of the Fire Nation! And that means capturing all threats!"
"I hardly think a pair of water tribe siblings proves a threat Prince Zuko. What does prove a threat is lack of sleep and over dedication to battles. I believe that is what happened to your sister."
Zuko's face lit up red and his usual temper flared.
"All the more reason to go after them! To prove myself to my father and earn my rightful place on the throne! I'll show them! My father! My Nation! And especially her! So, don't tell me to rest! I'll rest when I'm dead!"
Iroh sighed as his nephew marched about yelling at the rest of the crew. "Set a course for the nearest port! They won't have gotten far! The chase is on!"
…
Whilst Prince Zuko chased one of the "threats" towards the east coast of the Earth Kingdom, across the world and two seas, his other target flew west inland on the Fire Nation Continent.
Like Zuko he to was angry over his loss of someone. Although in this case, his anger was more justified. He had just lost the only living tie to his past. The sight of his flying bison filled Aang with rage he was all too familiar with. Were he a few years younger, he might have acted on that. But a few years older, he had gathered some level of self-control which gave him the courage to flee.
Unlike Zuko however, he was being chased not the one giving chase. And he did not have a Fire Nation Ship to carry himself and Frisk but merely a frail little glider which could barely sustain them both.
"Yip! Yip!"
"Not now Momo! We're fleeing certain death! We can play later!"
Frisk stuck her tongue out at the dog who growled back but continued to fly beside the airbenders.
Oh, right. And he had the barking dog flying next to him. That might usually be something he would enjoy. But not now with his best friend in chains
There was one other difference between him and Zuko. He didn't know it. But he had a far more dangerous predator on his tail.
Had he known this, he would probably have continued flying. But he didn't now and so landed down in a small clearing.
"Right. My arms can't hold on anymore We need to take a break. Frisk laid her hands on his shoulder, but he simply shrugged her away.
"Not now Frisk. Not now. I just… I just need a moment."
She watched him with concern but let him go while Momo rolled around on her lap. She rolled her eyes.
Aang cleared an area of litter, and logs and laid down. It wasn't comfortable, but their sacks and pads were taken along with-
He couldn't think about that now. He had to concentrate on the task ahead. What he had to do. What would happen if he didn't….
But how could he succeed without Appa? What chance had he? What could he hope to accomplish?
His mask of serenity slipped again, and he let out a blast of air knocking away dust and wood, causing his companions to leap in alarm as he grabbed his head in his hands and let out a shrill yell of frustration.
Frisk placed her arm around his shoulder and pulled him close. The poor kid had gone through so much in less than a week. Losing a fellow airbender, witnessing the fate of his people, nearly committing suicide, and now his best friend…. Considering all that, she thought he was taking it rather well. At least she thought so until she saw the tears.
"Oh Frisk. I know it's my destiny and all that. But truth be told, I'm wishing I never woke up from the ice."
She listened intently and then with distress as he explained what Roku had relayed to him. What he would have to do. How much time he had. She couldn't keep the worry off her face.
"What do I do? How can I pull this off? I'm not a warrior or some hero! I'm just a troubled kid with too much power and no idea how to use it! We're screwed! We're all screwed!"
Frisk did something Jet used to do to his boys when they freaked out. She slapped him, causing him to look up with shock and even more tears.
Woops. She thought that would work.
"Frisk, I know it's been a hundred years. But that didn't make me better back then. And it sure as heck doesn't make me better now!"
She smiled meekly and tried to apologize with her hands. Aang laughed despite his grief.
"I really need to figure out how to understand that." He shook his head. "Listen Frisk I don't know what to say. Let's just…. Get some shut eye. We'll…. Think of something tomorrow. I hope."
But an hour later, Aang was wide awake staring up at the stars. Not just because he had no blanket or mattress to lay on. But because he couldn't think of anything. He had never really been much of a planner. Acting more on emotion. That hadn't done wonders for him in the past though. He needed to think. Come up with a plan. But he couldn't. Not one idea.
He needed to learn water which he could only do in one of the water tribes. And without Appa, he couldn't make it. Even if he could sneak on board one of the ships, the thought of leaving his bud alone in this country, in chains!
But then of course, how could he possibly save Appa? How would he even know where to begin looking? Maybe to the fire lord himself? If so, he was screwed, right? Unless of course….
No. He couldn't do that again. He worked so hard to overcome that. He couldn't go back, he couldn't. But he couldn't stay here either. What would he do? Where would he go?
Well, as it happens, that decision was made for him as Frisk shook him and pointed to the trees. Looking hard through the darkness, he could see them being pushed aside by… something.
Frisk merely pointed at the glider, while Aang merely sighed but nodded and grabbed it while Frisk grabbed Momo who was barking at the disturbance.
Well at least I get to fly, thought Frisk. Aang meanwhile looked down but couldn't make out what was making the racket within the darkness.
"At least we have a plan for the moment. Keep flying."
Yeah, thought Frisk, but for how long?
…
"How long can we do this Katara?"
"As long as it takes. Just be hopeful Sokka. Remember? You told me to be hopeful. Of course, before that you had told me to give up on peace or something, but it was a nice change."
"Well that was when we still had that giant annoying octopus to ride on. But now the solstice is over, so he's gone, and we're stranded on an island with no ways to get away from the fire nuts on our tail!"
"We have wood."
"Excuse me?"
"Wood. The source of our homes, our spears…. Our canoes."
Sokka's eyebrow raised then he grinned.
"Well in that case my lady, allow prince Sokka to build you your chariot."
"Sokka I'm your sister. Don't call me princess. And second, I helped you build those canoes. I know how to build them. And considering I have this to aid," she pulled a blob of water from the ocean, "I'd say that makes me more qualified, wouldn't you?"
Sokka mumbled. "Prejudiced."
Katara looked back out over the ocean in the direction towards the southern water tribe. Their home while clutching her necklace.
"Hang in there gran gran. We'll make it back. I promise."
…
Keep going, Frisk nudged her companion onward away from the sound that once again pursued them to their camp site. No matter how many times they flew away, it always found them. It was relentless, whatever it was. It did not stop or tire. The same could not be said for them.
They had been going nonstop for hours. Aang might be the Avatar but he was still human. And he was reaching his limit. As was she.
They settled on a rocky plateau high above the ground. Aang's arms tiring out at last.
"Here let's just… rest here. They can't make it here. We're too high…. Right?"
She couldn't answer that. She couldn't speak and even if she could she didn't have an answer.
But their pursuer did. They had barely gotten close to an hour of sleep before they heard the noise yet again. They both woke up, looking at each other their mouths agape. Momo barking angrily.
Let's go, come on, though Frisk as she grabbed the glider and handed it to Aang. She hadn't had the chance to fly it yet.
"No. Not this time. Let's see what we're dealing with."
Frisk looked at him with an expression saying, are you nuts?
"I can barely fly anymore. Especially carrying you. And frankly I'm tired of running. I've done enough for a century."
She took note of the anger in his face. She nodded but pulled him into the shadow of the largest rock nearby. She grabbed Momo too with some hesitation.
Shut up stupid dog, she squeezed the mutt as the noise approached and the pursuer came into view.
It was a large metal machine with wheels, coming up the side of the mountain. It stopped just below the summit where they were hiding. And then suddenly a door on the front opened.
In his mind Aang was ready for anything. Anything that would get Appa back. At least until they stepped out.
Three girls maybe a year or two older than Aang and Frisk's all walked out. They squinted, unable to see the airbenders hiding behind the rock.
"I thought you said you saw them fly to the top of this mountain."
"I did! I did! Why would I lie?"
"That's Azula's thing, I know. But you do tend to exaggerate and go on and on about auras and pretty birds and stuff."
"Auras? An exaggeration? How dare you Mai! You know for the record I can see your aura perfectly clear and as ever it's grey and stingy! No wonder you're always so dull!"
"Dull! I'm not dull! I have…. Darts."
Ty lee snorted. "Darts? Really? That's it? Come on Mai! Sometimes I wish you were more like Zuko! More hot-headed and fiery!"
Frisk snorted. Even with their precarious predicament, it was hard to be frightened by bickering teenagers. She looked over at Aang to get his reaction.
He wasn't focused on them. The one in front though…. She had his full attention. She continued staring silently, concentrating on the empty plateau and the rock upon it.
Frisk looked back at Aang again. His expression wasn't one of fear or concentration. Rather it was…. Well interest was putting it mildly.
Frisk's eyes suddenly widened as she realized she recognized the voice of the pink clad girl with the midriff. She had come to the island with the girl in front. Azula was her name? She had heard them talking. They had come to the island by boat. The night Toriel….
Realization was followed by anger in her eyes. She gripped her staff in anticipation. At least until they struck first.
Without a word, Azula launched two blue fireballs at the rock. The airbenders retreated further behind the rock to stay out of sight. The girls could not see them, but they could hear the dog's yelp of fright.
"Aw, they have a puppy! So cute! Come here little puppy! I promise to take care of you and feed you and sing songs about platypus bears! I shall give you a name and your name shall be squishy, and you shall be my squishy!"
Mai rested her face in her hands. "Ty really. Please shut up."
"Aura Mai! Remember your aura!"
Azula ignored her friends and rushed up the hill towards the panicked shouts of the dog. The airbenders meanwhile backed up, cornered. Until they took one step too many and fell off the side of the mountain.
Aang managed to remain calm despite the chaos and whipped out his glider in time to spare them the full impact, but nothing more. The glider carried them a short distance before Aang's arms gave out and the two went rolling onto the ground.
Aang shouted out in pain as his leg collided into a rock. Without wasting time, Frisk quickly hauled his other arm over her shoulder and helped him to his feet. This was something she was all too familiar with unfortunately.
"Funny. This reminds me of the first time I flew. I got distracted by a butterfly and-"
Frisk pointed back up to the top of the mountain where the girl with blue flames was no doubt preparing to come down after them.
"Err right. Avatar stuff first." He looked around for any means to escape.
"Well since the air hasn't worked out too well for us, how about going below?" He pointed to the entrance of a cave in the distance.
She frowned. But they had no other options. Not with Aang's leg busted. So, they pressed on with determination and their annoying flying dog.
…
"Katara, hand me the spyglass."
"We don't have a spyglass."
"…We don't? Those ash makers must have taken it! Damn them! Damn them all to the bottom of the sea!"
"We've never had a spyglass. Why would you think we do?"
"Because we're hunters! Warriors! People of the sea! How can you live like that without a spyglass?"
"We just have. We never used a spyglass up to now. So of course, we wouldn't have on board."
"Well, there's a ship on the horizon and without a spyglass, I can't tell who's piloting it."
Katara frowned. "Which direction is it coming from?"
"South."
Katara's eyes widened. "It's them. It's him. It must be. No one else could be coming from that direction these days."
Sokka nodded. "I'll take the sail." He fiddled with it a bit to no avail.
"Blast! The wind is against us! And so close to land!" He looked out through the fog ahead and could see the outline of the coast.
"No other options then." Katara raised her hands and began making swirling motions with them.
"What are you doing? Don't tell me you're using your hocus pocus!"
"It's not hocus pocus, Sokka. It's our only chance. So, put up or shut up!"
Sokka chose to shut up. Well not entirely. "Totally hocus pocus," he muttered.
…
"General Iroh! We see a little canoe moving towards the coast!"
"Excuse me! You answer to me! Not my uncle!"
"Err apologies, "Prince" Zuko! The canoe is out that way!"
Zuko looked through the spyglass to make out the canoe. Sure enough, on board he could see two figures in blue.
"Launch the catapult."
"Prince Zuko, really now. For two children?"
"We'll ground them and leave them no choice but to come onboard. Us or the tides. Quickly, before they reach shore!"
Iroh tried again to talk him out of it, but to no avail. His nephew's eyes were filled with the same mad determination he had witnessed in his brother's eyes.
Am I too late?
…
"Are we too late?" Ty lee looked nervously at Azula, knowing full well how her friend handled failure.
"Of course not. See the grass? Something walked through here. It leads to that cave."
"Oh great, we get to go cave exploring? Not exactly my idea of fun."
"Fine then stay here, while I do your boyfriend's job for him."
That changed her tune, and with a grimace she followed her friends inside.
It was dark and not a sign of light to light the way. Until Azula lit a flame from her hand.
"You know I've always wondered how your fire turned out blue like that."
"I told you Ty lee. It's because I'm special. One of a kind."
"That's for sure," Mai rolled her eyes. Azula gave her a glare but focused back at the task at hand. She grabbed a nearby stick and lit the end of it with her fire.
"There are two directions. You two take the left. If you find them do not kill. Just subdue and bring them back here. Then wait! Do not leave the cave without me!"
"Why? So, you can be seen carrying the Avatar out and get all the credit?"
"Watch your tongue. You may be my friend, but I am your future fire lord. You will speak with respect."
"Sure. Whatever you say, "Fire Lord."" Mai sighed and readied her knives.
"You really think we can take on the Avatar?" Ty lee sounded worried.
"He's tired and has nowhere to go. Plus, it's me remember? When have I ever failed?"
Mai smirked.
"What about the puppy? Can we keep it?"
"…. Sure, do whatever you want."
"Yay! Did you hear that Mai? A puppy!" She threw her arms around her moody friend in delight.
Who in their right mind would want a puppy thought Frisk as she walked with one hand over the dog's mouth to keep him from giving away their position. She personally wanted to dispose of the mutt, but Aang seemed all too attached to him for some reason.
Of course, it was clear to her Aang wasn't exactly acting in the best state of mind. Not since the discovery of his people. She couldn't imagine Appa being kidnapped was helping matters more.
And then convincing her to split up? That never ends well.
"Helloooooo? Squishy? Where are youuuuuuuu?"
"Are you seriously calling it squishy? And you say I have weird aura."
"You do have weird aura! You never smile! Not even when we're about to get a new puppy!"
"Why bother? Azula will probably just kill it again."
"No! She wouldn't do that again! Would she?"
Great, the talkers had followed her. Which means the one with the blue flames must be going after Aang. In his condition, he was no match for her.
Her train of thought was broken when Momo bit her and began yelping.
Damn mutt shut up!
"Squishy! I hear you! I'm coming Squishy! I'm coming, my love!"
"Wait, hold on Ty lee! Wait!"
Ty lee ignored her however and rushed out of the glare of the torch. Frisk readied her staff.
…
"Shoot! Come on Katara! We need to get inland!"
"Trying to Sokka! My leg's hurt though! Gaah!"
"Girls. Always have to do everything for you, don't I?"
Sokka helped his sister to her feet and aided her in limping away from the stranded canoe.
"Those savages! Trying to sink us! A couple of kids!"
"Maybe you're a kid. But I'm a man! A warrior of the Southern Water Tribe. I'm honored that they take me seriously enough to blow me out of the water!"
"Oh please! They didn't do it just for you! It's that stupid prince acting up!"
"Well at least he's acting manly!"
"Men. So, obsessed with such frivolous things. Let's show him girls!"
And just like that, before they could react, hoods were thrown over their heads and they were led away in darkness.
…
Far away, Avatar Aang also walked through darkness. Also, with a limping leg. Also, away from someone who wanted to capture him for their own ends. He dared not use a torch. He might as well have wrapped himself up in a bow tie for that girl with the blue flames.
The same blue flames whose glow he could see in the tunnels behind him.
How was it possible to get flames like that? He'd never heard of such a concept. Let alone seen it. For her to wield such power, she must be a special person indeed.
Too bad she was a person who was out for his blood. And when he had a limping leg of all times.
"Gahh!"
He tripped over a rock in the darkness and landed on his knee. And with her right on top of him!
"I heard that. I know that. That's the sound of a cornered animal who knows its's time is up."
Her voice was so much different than what he expected. It certainly didn't sound like a teenager.
He grimaced as he pulled his injured leg up and he hobbled along using the wall for balance.
"So, this is the mighty Avatar? The god that has eluded my people for a century? Running away like a scared little boy."
She turned around the corner, her glow settling on the hall just as Aang turned the corner. She saw his shadow move around the corner and smiled.
"That's all you are though isn't it? A boy? I may not have seen you fully. But I could tell from what little I saw that you're no man. Your actions thus far have not appeared like a man either. No tact. No strategy. With someone like you in charge, it's no wonder your people burned."
He stopped. He turned about towards the mocking tone. She heard the footsteps coming back her way and smiled.
"Did I touch a nerve? Are you going to fight after all these years? I'm afraid you're too late. The world is already bowing to our whim. And your kind is long forgotten. No doubt you've seen the temples, hmm?"
He paused at the corner, watching as the glow grew brighter. Bits of the old him were filtering through. The kind that liked to fight. The kind that liked pain.
"Do you really think you stand a chance? Any kind of hope against us little boy? I suggest you run. Run away. Like you've done all this time. Run little boy, run!"
He did not run. He punched with fists of air. With all his rage from a childhood of abuse. And all that abuse right on the girl with the haunting voice.
Her gasp followed by the sound of pain let him know he hit. For that brief moment, he saw shock on her face, replaced by darkness. He heard her shout out as her back hit the wall. That made him smile.
She groaned as she tried to rise back to her feet. But Aang leapt forward with his good foot on top of her. They both yelled in again in pain. Azula form the body now on top, and Aang from his damaged foot.
"Little pest. You dare..."
He grabbed her throat. She tried to speak but could only gasp as he tightened his grip. She placed one hand on his arm to pull it off. But he was strong. And angry. And he was the Avatar damn it?
With her other hand she lit a flame and tried to fight back. But with his other hand he pinned it down. He leaned down and whispered in her ear in a guttural voice.
"I dare."
"I dare."
"You dare Aang? You dare to do better? You dare yourself to be a pacifist? You dare to forgo genocide?"
Aang took a deep breath and looked in Gyatso's face. For the first time in his life, he believed his own words.
"I dare."
He dared to stop. Dared to let her throat go. Dared to let air flow back into her throat. Air. The element of life. The most valued thing on earth.
"Everyone deserves to live," he whispered in his guttural voice. "Even you."
Amidst her coughing, he felt a hand on his shoulder. And someone leaned down to whisper in his ear.
"Typical airhead banter. Thought you'd be different. Oh well. Under dwellers can't be choosers, huh?"
He the hand hit him with a blow to the back of the head, knocking him unconscious. A light flashed on. In that moment before he passed out he saw a full glimpse of the princess' unconscious face.
He thought it was the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.