He hadn't meant to find her up here truth be told. Seriously he hadn't.
How could he? This woman had tried to kill him twice already and displayed a level of cruelty beyond even his own father.
Damn it. Don't think about that.
He was assigned to patrol by the guard and told to wander the city. But it had been mere coincidence that saw him follow the princess up to the rim of the crater within which the city lay. Mere coincidence.
That's what he told himself anyway.
"What are you doing? Spying on the princess is a serious offense."
He jumped. Quite literally. He might have jumped a bit higher than normal (natural for an airbender) since she raised her eyebrows.
"Quite an impressive jump. You're a fit little boy aren't you?"
"Err, boy?"
"Oh yes. Clearly a boy. Not that I have issue with that of course. I'm still a child myself. I know age means nothing to perfection. But still, the naivete of youth is no excuse to spy on your future fire lord."
"With respect princess, I wasn't spying on you. I was simply doing my rounds and-"
"And what? Just happened to find yourself in the same place as me?"
"Well… yes."
"And as soon as you realized you were in the middle of my training; did you remove yourself?"
"Well I thought about it but-"
"But you didn't, did you?" You thought otherwise, didn't you? Pray tell. Why did you decide to stay?"
He paused. Think man think. She'll incinerate you!
Nothing to say? Were you perhaps spying for your own lurid pleasure? If so-"
"I was stunned!"
She stared. He stared back, not quite comprehending what he had just said.
"Stunned? Meaning?"
"Stunned by… your fire! Your… skill! I've never seen anything like it!"
He said that purely on instinct. She seemed to buy it though.
"So, you were spying, hmm?"
"Not spying! Admiring!"
He immediately regretted that word choice. Too late now though.
"Not helping your case boy."
"Perhaps not. But I couldn't help myself. I'm not the best Firebender and I can't help but be impressed by such a display!"
She stared for a few more moments but nodded seemingly satisfied.
"Can't blame you there. I am the greatest Firebender you will ever meet. Expect for my father of course. But give it time." She smirked.
"I know I… Can you teach me?"
That last bit came out before he knew what he was saying. She stared very long and hard.
"Teach you? You want to learn from the princess of the Fire Nation?"
"Uh…"
He sweated. What was he thinking? He wasn't. That's what. She clearly thought the same.
"You think you're worthy of lessons from princess Azula?"
"Well… No. But… With you as a teacher, surely I would be."
She laughed. Tears ran down her cheeks. He shook. He might have overstepped his boundaries. He readied himself for swift rebuttal.
"Oh, what the hell? Good for a laugh."
….
"Hi there! You're the other guard aren't you!?"
Frisk turned to the perky circus girl. It was a good thing she had a helmet on so her raised eyebrow remained hidden.
"The other guard, right? The one with that Kuzon fellow? I don't think I've heard you say a word! What's your name again?"
Frisk bit her lip but with no choice tried her sign language. The girl stared.
"Uh… You're happy? Is that what you're saying? Good for you!"
It was Frisk's turn to stare. She tried again with the fingers. The girl turned her head.
"Uh… you're upset with the food?"
Frisk slapped her face with her hand. That did not seem to bother her at all.
"Hee hee! I like you silent girl! You're funny! What's your name again?"
Frisk had no clue how to get out of this. Most people would have given up by now and left which was how she liked it. But this girl appeared to be having the opposite reaction. Fortunately, a nearby guard stepped into the rescue.
"Apologies, lady Ty lee. This one can't speak. Mute apparently."
"A mute guard? Really?" Great. She seemed even more excited now!
"Yes. It's strange. I don't recall hiring a mute guard. But as long as her friend Kuzon is with her, we can kind of communicate."
"I know! I've seen them together quite a lot! For a moment there, I thought they were friends with those brother spies! But oh, silly me!"
"Right… In any case, is there a problem lady Ty lee?"
"Oh, not at all! I just wanted to get to know this chatty young woman! If you don't mind of course! Oh wait! You don't really have a choice do you? You have to do what I say, or I tell Azula! So typical of me forgetting!"
The guard looked at Frisk with sympathy. Apparently, he was used to this.
….
"Hey Katara. Got a moment?"
"Of course, dear brother! Anything for you!"
"Really? Wow. I think that's the first time I've ever heard you say that. What's with the pleasant mood?"
"Why wouldn't I be pleasant? Look where we are!"
"Right. You mean up in the trees with a bunch of wild children?"
"Don't call them that! They're so much more! Apologize now!"
"Pfft. No need for that. I'll take it as a compliment."
"Oh, hello Jet."
"Hey, what gives? What's with the frown? Let's turn it upside down!"
"Hey! Hey! Hands to yourself! I'm not frowning! I just want to know what you think you guys are doing here!"
"Well, we're the freedom fighters, as I told you. We're doing what we can to drive the Fire Nation out of this valley. The scum have hurt us enough."
"I couldn't have said it better myself." Katara stared at him with immense pride in her eyes. And something else. Weird.
"Uh huh. So, you just swoop down from the trees onto the nasty fire soldiers? Saving the innocents and all that?"
"Yeah. You think that sounds silly or something?"
"Oh, not at all. I totally agree with the premise. I just thinks it's naïve to think it's going to make some kind of difference."
"Well I think it's great! Doing all you can to defend those who live and avenge those you've lost!"
"Uh…"
"Couldn't have said it better myself Katara. Why don't we take a walk? I'd love to show you around."
"I'd be delighted. See you around Sokka."
"No wait, Katara! And they're gone. God! Why doesn't anyone listen to me!"
He resigned himself to the no respect guy and headed for one of the other huts. Maybe Suki was willing to chat.
….
"Now just stick it in there and you can form a bomb."
"Wow! You're pretty good miss Suki! How do you do it?"
"I've had to take care of myself for a time as well. This is just part of being a kid in this world I guess."
"Hey Suki."
"Sokka! Hang on a moment. Duke, will you excuse me for a moment?"
"The Duke!"
"Come again?"
"My name is the Duke! Not Duke!"
"Huh. Kids. Am I right?"
"Technically Sokka, we're kids."
"Hey! I am a man! A strong man!"
"Of course, you are. Now what's troubling you?"
"I don't know I just… What do you think of this place? Of these "freedom fighters"?"
"They seem ok. They're fighting the Fire Nation like us. Doesn't that mean they're on our side?"
"Maybe. But I get a strange vibe from these guys. Especially their leader."
"Who? Jet? He saved us."
"Yeah he got scar face off our back. But something about him bugs me."
"Is it your sister?"
"My sister!? This has nothing to do with my sister!"
"Really? So, all those stares you send when she's sitting next to him are coincidental?"
"I… it has nothing to do with my sister! I'm just naturally untrustworthy! There's something weird about this place."
"Won't argue with you there. A group of wild children living in the trees and fighting a guerilla war against armed trained soldiers? Plenty is weird about that."
"But more than that, I mean-"
"Where is Jet anyway? Haven't seen him since breakfast."
"With… Katara."
Her eyebrows raised. "And you swear that isn't the reason you're so upset?"
"That has nothing to do with it! I mean come on! Look at me! Do I look like the petty jealous type? Do I?"
She didn't know how to respond.
….
"Spread your legs farther apart! Farther!"
He closed his eyes and sighed but complied.
"Now focus on breathing. That's the first step to any proper fire."
He couldn't help but stare. Breathing? Really?
"Oh, what's wrong? Too good for the princess' teachings? Why don't you prove your worth to me right now then?"
He quickly looked away.
"No princess. I… I meant no disrespect."
"Good. You know the price of disrespect." She smirked and stood up.
"You'll like this next bit. I'm going to leave now and get some much-needed recuperation. You are going to stay here and continue breathing in that pose. If I come back and find you've failed…" She trailed off and indeed at that moment walked off.
He didn't think at first that she would take that long. Oh how naïve youth could be.
"And then I said to him: Don't go there girlfriend! Mm hmm! And then he said- Oh hi there! Kuzon right? I've been talking with your friend here! The strong silent type! I like it!"
Frisk looked at the avatar pleadingly.
"Hey, Whatcha doing? That looks like fun! Can we join?"
"Trust me. It's less fun after 40 minutes."
"40 minutes? In a squat? How exciting! I love doing that!"
"Do you love doing it while breathing?"
"What do you mean? We do everything while breathing! What a silly question! You're such a silly billy!"
What are you doing, asked Frisk?
"The princess said this is good for firebending training. She told me to stay here and continue it. That was 40 minutes ago."
"Oh my! Well if Azula told you to do it, then it must be good. I'd keep at it."
"Right. But for how much longer?"
She shrugged. "As long as she says."
Both airbenders stared at her. She relented under their stares.
"Oh, all right. I suppose 40 minutes might be a little much. I'll go ask how much longer she wants."
The airbenders stared after her then back at each other.
"So… how you doing?"
Frisk stared annoyed.
"Hey Azula! Azula!"
The princess groaned and opened her eyes. She was so enjoying the hairbrush through the water. She'd forgotten how much she'd missed some pampering.
"Can't you see this is my me time?"
"I know! I know! I just wanted to see how long you plan to keep that poor guard standing out there like that."
"Kuzon?" She laughed. "Ah is the poor little thing breaking under the pressure? Some guard!"
"He's been out there for 40 minutes breathing. I'm just curious how long he has to remain there."
"Oh, you're curious? You?"
Ty lee shook a little under her friend's gaze but remained firm.
"Yes. I'm just wondering how long."
"If he's already cracking then he's unfit to be a guard of the fire nation and should be banished."
"He doesn't have a problem. Really! He just wants to make sure he's obeying his princess the right way!"
Azula raised an eyebrow.
"Did he really say that?"
"Uh… Well maybe not that way exactly."
"Of course not. Could you really expect such devotion from a child?"
"What about me?"
"You're more like a pet than a child."
She tried to remain stoic and not let her hurt show. Not as easy as Mai made it look.
"Look, he seems like a nice kid. It might be good to have someone like that on your side. So maybe.."
"Side? He is a mere guard! If he is truly on my side, he will do as his princess commands without question."
Normally Azula would stop right there. But something about Ty lee's puppy eyes made her relent.
"Oh fine. I suppose 40 minutes is enough time. Go! Tell him that's enough for today. But tell him I'm going to test him tomorrow. So, he'd better have it down!"
"Thank you Azula. I'm sure he'll appreciate that."
Azula closed her eyes again and snorted.
"Appreciate? Let's see how long that lasts."
….
Aang placed a hand over his face from the light. He opened his eyes and grabbed the blankets up to his chest.
"Princess Azula? What- "
"You wanted to train didn't you? This is how I learned to train! From morning to dusk!"
"But there's no light outside!"
"Oh, poor baby. Afraid of the dark? Why shouldn't I have you removed from your role permanently?"
Aang bit his lips. He couldn't have that. He got out of bed and followed the smirking princess outside.
"Ah the cool morning air. Doesn't it make you feel alive?"
She might have been trying to annoy him. But she was right. It did make him feel alive. He'd spent a few years up in the clouds after all. This was nothing.
"No complaints? Not even any shaking? Well that's impressive. Most guards shudder at least a little."
"I'm not most guards."
She raised her eyebrows.
"Let's see if that's true." She conjured a fireball in her hand.
"Hope you've learned how to properly breathe. Because if you haven't this next bit is going to hurt. Now conjure a flame in your hand. Remember to inhale first!"
He did as commanded and a small fire formed in his palm. He winced, highly tempted to let it go out. But he resisted and kept the flame whole.
"Oh look. You can make a flame! You're a true expert already!"
"Really?"
"Of course not! You have a long way to go for that silly guard! Now are you ready for another patience test?"
"Well…"
"That's the spirit! Now, you're going to practice maintaining that flame. Your job is to keep it from going out. And that means proper concert with your breath and focus!"
Aang blinked a few times, trying to make sense of whatever she just said.
"Now then. Pay attention to the flame. Focus on your breath. Don't focus on anything else."
The avatar listened. He put everything he had into keeping the flame alive. He quickly jumped when Azula shot a blast at his feet.
"I said focus! What? Do you expect the real world to always be so accommodating? Now, resume! Focus!"
He turned back to the flame. Another few minutes passed. When she shot a bolt of lightning at his feet, it took all his willpower not to lose focus again.
"Better. But how long can you keep it up?"
He inwardly groaned. That was a good question.
How long could he keep this charade up?
….
"Not bad Katara. You're a pretty darn good waterbender."
She looked at Jet and smiled. He smiled back. That made her own grow even more for some reason.
"I do my best. When you're alone with a lot of kids to raise, you have to find some way to pass the time."
"Not a bad way I must say. Your fighting skills could use some work though."
"A lot of work! I know! I have none!"
"Here, let me help. Please. You don't last long in this world without knowing how to handle yourself in a brawl."
She paused. She never did enjoy such horrible things. But he was correct. It really was necessary for life.
"I guess a few pointers couldn't hurt."
He chuckled.
"Actually, they can. That's the point. They do hurt."
Sokka stared from a distance. When he saw his sister knocked to the ground he moved to intervene, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.
"Relax. It's all part of training. Better that she do it with him than with an actual threat."
"What if he is an actual threat?"
Suki raised her eyebrows.
"He saved our lives. That makes him better than the Fire Nation at least."
"Better doesn't make him our friend. Honestly, why are you taking this so well? You haven't gotten this far by trusting strangers!"
"I trusted you."
"Yeah, but I'm me! I mean look at me! How could you not trust this face?"
Suki considered running down a list of reasons but decided against it.
"You know rather than have a hissy fit about your sister, maybe you'd like a little bit of training yourself?"
"Excuse me? I can totally take care of myself! I am a warrior of the Southern Water Tribe! Defender of my people! The best-"
Without a breath, Suki flung him to the ground. Jet and Katara looked over to see what had happened.
"Nothing to see! Go back to what you were doing!" Sokka got to his feet and angrily dusted himself off. He turned annoyed to a smiling Suki.
"Still think you don't need help? Still think a girl doesn't have the skills?"
He stared for a minute. He then sighed and shook his head.
"That's the spirit! First let's work on your stance!"
….
"Let me see your hands."
He showed them to her, and she took them in her own. He thought he would shudder but was surprised by their warmness.
"Hmm. Well at least you're doing as you're told. Whether you're making progress is another thing."
He winced as she touched his burns. She traced her fingers along them. One eye on his hands and another on his expression. A slight smirk formed in response to his reaction.
"What's wrong? Too much for you? Maybe you could swap places with one of my nannies? You sure act feminine enough."
He chuckled at that. She looked confused. That was at his expense.
"So, tell me how that feels. I'm genuinely curious."
"It feels… Exhilarating. Makes me feel… alive."
"Alive? Yes. That's a good way to describe it. It's the threat of pain. It's something none of the other elements have. That's what makes ours the best."
"The best?" She smiled and nodded.
"You don't get the constant threat of pain with the other elements. A stone won't roll if a bender doesn't throw it. A drop of water won't drown someone without the bender's will. But fire?" A flame flickered in her palm.
"Without absolute control and discipline, fire will spread. It's alive. It will consume everything. Destroy everything." The whole time she continued staring into his eyes. Unblinking. Scrutinizing his expression.
"That is the strength of Firebenders. The reason for our right to rule. We must constantly exhibit control. Only those with that will succeed. Those who don't…" She made a slitting motion across her throat.
"That is the key to mastering Firebender. You must always be in control. That is how I will know if you are worthy. When the fire obeys you and not you it."
He stared at her absolutely serious face. In that moment he thought he understood her a little more.
You'd like her dad. She's your kind of psycho.
….
"Wow, so you really can't talk? That's amazing! Wonder what that's like? If I couldn't talk I'd go insane!"
And I might stay sane, thought Frisk. She threw another glance her way, but still the girl did not get the message.
"I like your friend. He's well… He actually kind of cute! In that cute puppy kind of way. You know what I mean?"
Please leave. Please just leave.
"But there's more to him. I just know it! He's also got a bit of that rugged look! I bet the girls swoon over him! Do you?"
This time Frisk really did look her way. Her raised eyebrow expression was of course totally misinterpreted by her talking buddy.
"You do!? Oh, that's so sweet! Not to worry though sister, your secret's safe with me." She winked.
Please stop. Really. Please stop.
"Listen to us talking about boys like a bunch of typical schoolgirls! Let's talk about you. How is it being such a young guard? I can't imagine it's easy."
At that she simply nodded. Nothing about her life was easy. Hadn't been easy for a long time.
"Especially not being able to speak! I wonder. I mean… Is there a reason you can't? Like, do you still have a tongue?"
She turned again; her face still stoic. She opened her mouth.
"Ew! Guess I should be careful what I ask for, huh? Not that I mind! No, no, no! You won't get rid of me that easily, I assure you!"
She rolled her eyes. Ty lee seemed to realize her mistake and quickly changed the subject.
"Listen, I know you're worried about Kuzon. But Azula isn't going to do anything. She's actually kind of interested in Kuzon. If any other guard had asked for lessons like he did, she'd probably light them up for the mere suggestion! Believe me! But when he asked… I don't know. She seemed almost thrilled. I don't get it."
And I don't get you.
"Hey. Frisk. I know she's scary and all. But she's still your princess. You can trust her! Really! She has your best interests at heart.
Never before did Frisk have to struggle so hard to keep from laughing.
….
"Azula? What are you doing here?"
"Is it so wrong for a daughter to want some time with her father?"
His stare implied that yes. It was weird. Certainly in their family. But he beckoned her forward regardless.
"How goes your training?"
"As well as it can father. Free of those teachers, I can now find my true potential. Rest assured, by the time I'm your age, there won't be a bender alive who can stand against me."
"Including me?"
She paused. He liked to throw out these trick questions. Throw her off her game. Had to answer this carefully. Didn't want to end up like Zuko.
"I wouldn't press my luck."
He seemed pleased with that answer. Claiming she would grow strong enough to rule but not necessarily strong enough to beat him. A boost for both their egos.
"And what about your pupil?"
He smirked at her surprise.
"Like I wouldn't notice? What gave you the idea to take on a child guard?"
She paused again. He was the only one who could read her like this.
"He asked and- "
"He asked? A guard asked a lesson of you? Princess of the Fire Nation and you accepted?"
Azula felt her concern raise. This was not a good sign.
"Truth be told father, I did it more for my benefit. What good is a warrior if she cannot teach? Cannot show what she has learned?"
Her father maintained his usual blank stare.
"And this helps you? Teaching it to a mere guard? One step above a peasant?"
"…Yes. It does."
Her father smiled. Usually something that made her happy. Not this time though.
"Then may I make a suggestion?"
….
"Having fun with the acrobat? She looks nice."
Aang laughed at Frisk's typical annoyed look.
"Oh come on! She likes you! At least you don't have to spend all time with the princess!"
How's that?
"Sorry I don't get that. What are you saying?"
The finger symbols still didn't make sense.
"Uh… Something about fruit cakes? You have some?"
She slapped her hand against her head.
"Well as I was saying, the princess she's… well she's something else. Never met anyone so… forceful."
Forceful?
"Hey, don't give me that look! That's the perfect word for her Actually no… Terrifying. Yeah that's it."
She actually nodded in response. She made to say something with her hands but decided against it since she knew he wasn't good enough to decipher.
"What about the guards? Have they said anything about a bison?"
She shook her head. He groaned in frustration.
"They wouldn't keep a sky bison just anywhere. It would have to be somewhere special. Somewhere underground. We need to look at night."
You seem too tired.
"Yeah. I am. Azula's running me through the grindstone. If I could just-"
"Oh Kuzon! Ready for more fun!?"
He looked from the princess' malicious grin to his friend's worried face. All he could offer was a sad smile.
….
"Hey Sokka! Looking good!"
"What the bruises?"
"Yeah. Looks like Suki's given you a real ass kicking. I like it! Say you've earned it!"
"Only as proof that yes, my hard work is paying off, thank you! Meanwhile I don't see a scratch on you! Maybe your training with Jet isn't going so smoothly?"
"Oh not at all. It's going fine. I just have enough class to not fall like a wimpy boy!"
"Wimpy boy? Wimpy boy!? How- How dare you?"
Katara enjoyed his flustered actions. He always was easy to bother. But then she remembered that he was her brother.
"Come on Sokka, I'm just messing with you. I'm sure Suki's a great teacher."
"And I'm a great student, thank you!"
"Of course! I guess Jet and I just work well together!"
"Right. Jet. Has he… Treated you well?"
"Well? He's treated me great! Better than great! He's such a gentleman!"
"Gentleman? I think they define themselves as the exact opposite of that."
"Well he certainly doesn't act that way. He's a gentleman, no doubt. And the things he does… I mean… He's a gentleman in every way that matters!"
"Yeah, I'll bet. Listen Kat. How long do you plan to stick around here?"
She raised an eyebrow and stared.
"You got a problem? Sokka, look around! Look where we are! How is this not the most incredible thing you've ever seen? A band of kids fighting the good fight? We should have been doing this from the beginning! Imagine how much good we could have done since then!"
"How much good are they actually doing though? Seems like at best they're just proving annoyances for the Fire Nation."
"At least they're trying! That's more than you and I could ever claim!"
"Woah, hold on. We're trying that now! Isn't that why we're heading to the North Pole? To do something?"
"What?"
"Remember? Isn't that what we were planning on? To rendezvous with our sister tribe and reunite them?"
"Of course! That's totally still the plan! I just-"
"So what are we waiting for? We've still got a long way to go. And I doubt that prince is sitting still waiting for us."
"But there's still so much I want to see."
"I'm sure there is. But we didn't leave home for fun. We left it for a mission. And this isn't it. I think we just need to consider what our priorities are right now."
She paused. She hated it when he spoke truth but he did have a point.
"Just a little more Sokka. We won't get a chance for something like this again. Just a little more, please?"
Sokka rolled his eyes.
"I hate this big brother instinct."
….
"More ferocious! Anger! Use your anger!"
Most wouldn't expect a pacifist like Aang to have much in the way of anger. But then most didn't know the circumstances of the boy's life. He had only learned that pacifism through a lifetime of anger. And so when asked to unleash it, he found it all too easy.
Even Azula seemed impressed at the size and heat of his fireballs.
"My my. Quite a lot of inborn talent I see. Or perhaps that's just my brilliance passing onto you."
Truth be told, the monks had never really helped Aang overcome his rage. They just helped him bury it. Keep it hidden. Never address it. Acknowledge it.
But now? Here? With this girl? For the first time in years (over a century in fact) he finally got to let it out. And damn did it feel good.
"I see why the captain would hire one so young. Where have you been all my life boy?"
"Recently joined. Felt it was time to do my part for the homeland."
" At age 12? Most boys your age talk a big game but few are willing to live up to it."
"I'm not most boys. I'm determined."
"Determined. Curious word choice. One I'd use to refer to myself." She walked close and looked at the boy's stance.
"Feet are too widely spaced rookie." She kicked his feet and he fell. She giggled.
"Get back up. We've got a war to win."
She raised her eyebrow when he rose to his feet without even a grumble.
"Geez, you're no fun to annoy. Not even a peep. Not at all like Zuzu. He'd cry to mama asking her to make me stop. So pathetic."
"Zuzu?"
"My brother. "Prince" Zuko if you want to get all politically correct." She rolled her eyes.
"Ah of course. The prince. Where is he right now?"
She stared at him long and hard.
"I'm going to assume you're joking. You are joking right?"
"Huh? Uh, yeah! Totally! A joke!"
She wrinkled her nose. "Your humor could use some improvement."
….
"What happened to the dog?"
Frisk shook her head and again tried more fingers. Ty lee clapped excitedly.
"This is so much fun! Ok, ok! Uh… What happened to the lobster? What lobster? Are they serving lobster to the guards? I didn't realize you could get such good food! Maybe I should eat with you guys!"
Frisk breathed in deep. Patience with fools, she told herself. One more time.
"What happened to the… prick? No. Print? Prince? Oh, prince Zuko! Oh I get it he-"
She stopped a second. Her face took on a hurt expression.
"You don't know? I guess that's one of the perks of youth. He was banished for speaking out against his dad. Banished until he could return with the Avatar. Nobody thought that was possible. Guess we thought wrong."
She shook her head. "But he woke up in the Fire Nation. And I don't think Zuko knows. So if anyone's going to get the Avatar, it'll probably be Azula. Which is great! Don't get me wrong. She totally deserves it. But poor Mai she was so hoping to see Zuko again. Oh well. If she's in the Earth Kingdom she'll probably see him again soon! Right, Frisk? Frisk?"
Frisk had already wandered off when she heard the bit about Zuko. Anymore from Ty lee would drive her insane.
"Hey Frisk, right? Are you going to the fight?"
Frisk looked at the older guard with confusion.
"The fight? Between Le and Kuzon? Hosted by Princess Azula herself?"
Well shoot. Their went her me time.
She ran as fast as she could to the crowd of guards that had gathered. She could see the flames being traded back and forth even if she couldn't see the fighters.
"Hey little girl! Try cactus juice! It'll quench ya! Nothing's quenchier! It's the quenchiest!"
She pushed the drunk off her. A skill developed from years with Jet.
"Well well. Looks like we have a winner! And the winner is.."
Frisk felt her heart rate rise. She pushed through, bracing herself for the carnage….
And instead found an unfamiliar guard lying on the ground breathing heavily and the Avatar standing tall, and smirking way too wide.
"This little dweeb, Kuzon!"
Azula grabbed his arm and raised it high. Aang didn't seem to mind the woman who had tried to kill him twice touching his bare skin.
Seemingly drunk by the enthusiasm of the crowd, he leaned his head back and belched a tower of fire. The guards cheered on even louder while the loser lay on his back groaning.
Frisk shrugged her shoulders.
Well that's one way to learn an element.
….
"Ok this is it Sans. You know how the plan goes right?"
"hmm? what plan?"
"The escape plan! Come on bro! Pay a little attention! The Avatar and that mute girl need our help!"
"eh, let the youngsters fend for themselves little i say. they've done well enough on their own i'd reckon."
"Come on Sans! This is my purpose! I live for this! How am I going to become captain of the guards if i don't-"?
"oh all right. if it makes you happy. guards! want to have a bad time?"
"What are you talking about? Keep quiet!"
A minute later the brothers walked free onto the rim of the boat. Papyrus kept a healthy distance behind his brother.
"No matter how many times I see you do that, it never gets any better."
"i promised a bad time. he didn't refuse."