"Brother. You need to get angry. Go into the avatar state. Make them pay."
"You know sis, for some reason I don't have it in me for bloodshed. Maybe try back later?"
"You don't have later! They plan to kill you now! For the sake of our bloodline, you must survive! Even at their expense!"
Aang chuckled.
"Bloodline? That's a new one. Though I suppose it beats you threatening me per usual standards."
"Threats? I just want you to get your shit together! Your old friend got it! Frisk? Remember her? She wanted you to do what was necessary to survive for you to survive! The people of this world!"
Aang stared between the cell bars.
"You've changed a great deal."
"The world changed. One must change to live."
Aang couldn't keep the confusion off his face this time.
"You have indeed changed for that to come out of your mouth. Don't you remember what you told me in our dark moments?"
"So, every day?"
They paused and looked at each other for a moment. Then they laughed. A genuine laughter he hadn't had in months.
"Good point. I suppose I mean when we spent those nights holding each other. What you told me to get through the night."
The girl cocked her head.
"Come on Chara! You remember everything else! Why not that?"
"That was another me. A different me. One who no longer exists."
Aang took a deep breath.
"Well, she still exists to me. She said, stay determined. And more important stay true to yourself and who you are. Never lose sight of yourself. Never let him change you. Never let anyone change you."
Chara stared. Her expression was hard to read.
"I said that? Me?"
"Yes. You."
She remained silent for a few more seconds.
"Was I truly so dumb? Was I truly so clueless?"
"Clueless? What do you…"
"Don't let anyone ever change you? Did I really say that? Such naivete. What if you really needed to change? What if you were too weak to defend the weak and kill the indefensible?"
"I don't think that's what…"
"Did you stay true to yourself in the air temples? Or did you let those cloud whores change you?"
"How dare- "
"Think of those you've traveled with. Those you've fought. Are you telling me all of them should have stayed true to themselves? Even the true monsters? Even Azula?"
Aang tensed up at that name.
"Are you telling me you didn't do all you could to turn her to your side? That you tried to make her not be true to herself? Little monster that she is?"
She leaned in closer and whispered in her ears..
"Guess I can't blame you in this case. You always used to be so uncomfortable near girls. I wonder… Is it because she makes you feel worthless? Like garbage? Like yourself?"
"Enough! Get out!"
She mercifully backed off with disappointment on her face.
"Change is necessary brother. It's how we adapt and survive. Grow stronger. And the world needs you to change and change soon."
….
"Let me out! You can't do this to me!"
A slit in the door opened and Mr. Beifong peered through at his daughter.
"Actually, I can. As your father, it is my duty to ensure what is best for your future."
"You think you know what's best for my future? You think what's best for my future is to be stuck in here? Like a pet bird?"
"The avatar is keeping the flower's attention, which means he probably won't hurt you this time! If we can keep you- "
"Oh please! This started long before the avatar! You've never trusted me by myself! You've never seen me as a daughter! Only a burden! A doll!"
"Toph, that's not- No one can go outside! You heard the flower!"
"Then at least let me out of this room!"
"I- I can't! It's for your own good!"
"Oh please! My own good is to let me experiment the world! Let me see the world! I learned how to truly live on my own! Not with you! By myself!"
"Toph, it's not that simple!"
"It is! You've shown what you think of me, and I'm done! Go away!"
"Toph- "
"Go away!"
She sat back against the door. Even showing her parents what she could do wasn't enough. Saving the whole town wasn't enough to make them respect her.
"I should've just ran off with the avatar. No wait. May be not the best idea.
Maybe that other girl. The one with the blank stare. She seemed like someone she could chill with.
If only she knew where she was.
They had the airbenders behind bars. What about her?
….
"Well, well. Look who it is."
"Princess."
Those weren't really the words she wanted to say to Azula but what other choice did she have? You don't talk back to the future ruler of your home country with insults and thinly veiled sarcasm. Even if she did kind of choose to kill the avatar despite the personal risk to your life.
Actually, come to think of it, hadn't Mai used insults and sarcasm with her constantly before she left?
Perhaps, but she was a different Mai back then. With a different Azula. One who she was certain wouldn't have tried to kill another at the cost of her friend's life.
Or maybe she was always that way? Maybe-
"You've been silent for some time old friend. What's on your mind?"
"Oh just.. I don't know. Lots."
"Lots? Such as? No let me guess. The Avatar who you just now choose to turn against?"
Mai stared. The soldiers behind her stared at the princess in shock for implying such a thing. If only they knew.
"Betrayal implies some sort of partnership. I was a captive. Or do you not recall them holding me hostage and telling you to back away from the avatar?"
Azula's eyes lit up. She seemed to reminisce fondly over that moment.
"Yes. I do recall. I'm sorry I choose otherwise. But as they taught us in school, sacrifice is the ultimate gift to the Fire Nation."
Mai had to struggle to not respond.
"Ah but what does it matter? You're here! And if you really were a hostage as you claim, that can only mean you found a way to escape and are now here to tell us where to find that little bald bastard! Is that right?"
Mai bit her lip. Why hesitate? She'd already betrayed the avatar by leaving.
Fortunately, or maybe unfortunately, one of the guards spoke up for her.
"She said she had come from the town of Gaoling. To hear her say it, it's been demolished by the avatar!"
Azula actually smiled at that.
"Good. That makes one less town to civilize. And it further proves my point."
"Your point?" Mai raised her eyebrows. Azula had a lot of points. And many strange ways of proving them.
"That for all his talk of kindness and peace, the Avatar is no different than us. When pushed far enough, he will kill. Like any man. Or woman."
"And this is a point you've hoped to make for some time?"
"Quite some time. Ever since our little…."
"Our little what?"
Azula collected herself.
"Nothing. Find our friend a bed. She must be tired from her captivity. And inform all troops we leave tomorrow at dawn. He's not getting away from me again."
It took all of Mai's control not to outwardly shudder at her "friend's" smirk
….
"What do you want with us Flower? We've done nothing to you!"
The malicious spirit grinned.
"Oh, I think you've done plenty. Just look at the state of this town. You telling me you're innocent of that?"
"Well… You know technically… the avatar guy did it and stuff…. But yeah we probably deserve this too."
"Not helping Napstablook!"
The flower's grin grew.
"No, I respect that. The Avatar technically destroyed the city. Of course, he probably wouldn't be here if not for you."
"What….. No, he did it all himself…. We're worthless…"
"Don't say that! We're useful- "
"You know I'd let him do the talking. He's making a better case for why- Actually no. It doesn't matter what he says. You both still get punished."
"But why? Just because of the avatar?"
"Just because of the avatar?" The flower cackled. "Given what he did, it wouldn't be so improper for me to have you punished over that. But no. It's not just because of the avatar. It's for your people."
"Our people?"
"Your people… not mine…. I'm not good enough…"
"Oh Napstablook! Please stop it!"
The flower grinned amused.
"I rather like this chap. Saves me the effort of having to demean him myself. And yes one of the problems is your people. Why didn't you come out t and fight sooner?"
"I… Fight sooner?"
"Yes. Fight sooner. Why did you hide away in your mountain temple? Why didn't you fight to reclaim your world?"
This was not the question Alphys expected. Though truth be told, it was a question she often wondered. Even if she already knew the answer.
"The king… forbids it. And for good reason."
The flower actually growled at that answer.
"Good reason? Why, because you lost a boy and got cold feet?"
Alphys stared with wide eyes. Napstablook just kept staring at the wall like he hadn't heard anything.
"Boy?"
"Asriel. You know. The king's son. The one who made friends with that fire Nation bastard and wound up murdered for it?"
"I… How do you…"
"I know lots of things. Spirits talk. Humans talk. When injustice occurs. And when it is not punished."
"Just chilling… Not listening….. don't mind me… Wasting away…."
Both stared.
"Huh. Maybe that explains why you don't dare fight. Wouldn't stand a chance with rabble like that."
What are you saying?"
"I'm saying you should have fought! Sought revenge! Not hid out in your temple whining and moping!"
"We…. We're not! We're moving this very instant! Moving out to attack! Going to war this instant!"
The flower did not seemed pleased by that. If anything, he seemed even angrier.
"What? Now? You wait until now? After all this time?"
"We…. When Asriel's death reached our ears, our whole society wanted vengeance. We wanted to take the fight to the fire nation. Make them suffer as we've suffered."
She took a deep breath. The memories of that time were hard to focus on.
"But the king urged patience. Said we didn't have the numbers to make a difference. Said we had to wait for the right moment. Now with the avatar here, we have that moment. We can fight back. Avenge Asriel."
The flower stared.
"Is that what you tell yourself to help you sleep at night?"
Alphys didn't respond.
"No. You're right. Chara was right. The Air nation is not our salvation. Only the avatar has that power. Well, I'll go and make sure he's up and ready for what's to come."
"Wait. How do you know about Asriel?"
The flower slithered out of sight with no response, leaving her alone with her thoughts and fears for her future.
….
"So, how are we today?"
Aang glared at the flower. This only made said flower smile brighter.
"Been some time hasn't it? You've been busy! The spirit world is buzzing about you! Apparently you had the Fire Lord at your mercy and let him go! Nice work avatar!"
"How are you even here? How can you be here?"
"Winter solstice buddy! Or did you forget about that date?"
Aang stared.
"Yep! Aren't you the most considerate ever? Having your tantrum on a solstice! The same day I can cross the plains!"
"Why though? Why here? Why Not that other town in the fire Nation?"
"Oh, I make sure to divide up my attention. Need to be here for Avatar day but can't resist a chance to give it to those damn ash makers who fucked up the world!"
"Why do you need to be here though? I've heard the guards whispering. Why make this town suffer?"
"For LOVE. And for her."
Aang raised his eyebrow.
"I assume by her; you mean my sister. But what do you mean by love?"
"Not love, you dolt! LOVE! Level of violence! Don't you know this shit? Surely you've heard of it?"
Aang went through his memories. Not something he enjoyed. Unless it was focused on Gyatso.
LOVE. LOVE. Where had he heard that?
Oh right. School.
"EXP is an acronym. It stands for execution points. When you kill someone your exp increases."
"Sozin killed my people for points?"
Hide's smug grin. Oh, fucking spirits, Hide.
"LOVE. It's an acronym genius. Level of Violence. The idea is that when you gain enough EXP through the death of others, your LOVE increases as well. Your capacity to hurt. To kill. The ease to do it."
"And the easier it is to obtain power."
"Ah, I can see it in your eyes. The recognition. You remember."
"I remember beating the living daylights out of someone and getting sent to a prison mine."
The flower's eyes lit up.
"You beat someone up? Did you kill them? How did it feel?"
"Felt great. Didn't kill them though."
The flower's expression dropped.
"Aw, and I had such high hopes for you! Oh well. There's plenty of time. We've all those fools out there waiting death. Deserving it."
"You want me to kill them? Isn't that your job?"
The flower leaned in closer.
"It's both our job. To do this for both ourselves and for her. I think you've kept her waiting long enough."
"So, what's the plan," Aang asked rather nonchalantly. "You let me go and I start killing everyone?"
"You don't sound very convinced. Quite sarcastic actually. Forgive me if I don't find you that convincing."
"Well, the feeling is mutual. You've shown nothing but violence and sadism. Why should I take anything by you as a truth to be followed?"
"Because I'm the one who decides when you get out. If you get out. And because I love your sister so much. And… Well… Maybe I feel a little bad for you. Given what you both went through. Just a little bit! Her more than you."
"Is that why you brutalize them? A sort of revenge?"
"Partly, but it's so much more than that. Through death, I gain LOVE. With each death, I lose more and more attachment to this world. This disgusting worthless world. It's subtle at first for most. But for someone like you. For the avatar. Someone with such high spirituality. I reckon you'll notice the change much sooner."
"I… Ok, forgive me. I don't understand. You want me to kill because… What it'll be easier to kill?"
"Oh, more than that. It'll be easier to let go. Distance yourself from this world. Leave it behind."
Aang was totally lost.
"Ok, I… I'm sorry. I still don't understand. Why do you want me to leave this world behind? Don't you want me to take down the fire nation? Kill those folks or something?"
The flower shook his head.
"If you get the chance sure. But if you can't, some earth kingdom peasants should do."
Aang started to grow alarmed.
"I… Now I'm even more lost. Don't you want to end this war? Isn't that what my sister wants?"
The flower scoffed.
"How would you know what your sister wants? You've left her alone for over a century."
"No! I mean maybe I have, but she sure hasn't left me alone. She's here right now! She has some bad designs for you actually."
The flower scowled.
"Please. I've talked to her. Constantly. I'm the only friend. She has. I know what she wants."
"Really? Because from where I'm… hanging, she wants me to kill you, make my way back to the fire nation and avenge our people."
The flower followed his line of sight.
"There's no one there buddy. I worried about your morals. But now I worry about your mental state as well. All the more reason for you to do this really."
The flower began to slither out towards the door.
"I'll be back later. I've got a few chores to do, but then we're going to have some fun. Get you on the right track. You've kept your sister waiting too long. She wants out of this miserable world. And you're going to help her. One way or another."
"Wait. How do you know her? How do you know this is what she would want?"
The flower shook his head.
"I'll let her tell you herself. The real her. Not whatever fake you're seeing."
The flower left him alone with… the fake. He turned her way.
"You still think I should kill him?"
"Duh! And maybe kill yourself for taking so damn long to do it!"
Aang's mind swirled at that moment. Thinking over everything. His past. Present. Future.
He had an epiphany. An acceptance.
….
"Well, well. Isn't this ironic?"
Mai turned from the target. Behind Azula in the distance dark clouds brewed. Somewhere underneath it lay the city of Gaoling. And the master of all four elements.
"Ironic? How?"
"Do you remember the night before you left the Fire Nation? You found me training in a storm. Frustrated. Angry. You gave me a shoulder to lean on. I'd like to do the same for you."
Alarm bells went off in Mai's head. Azula wanted to provide emotional support? That never happened. Not that she could refuse.
"All right. So, uh… How do we do this?"
"Why don't you start by telling me what happened to you?"
"What happened to me?"
"Yes. After you got captured by the avatar."
You mean after you left me at that guards' mercy, she thought. Oh, if only she weren't talking to a princess.
"Well, we crashed into a forest. Really weird place. Must have been some weird stuff in the air. Saw a lot of weird hallucinations. Guess we were all tripping. Kind of freaked out a little."
Azula raised an eyebrow.
"You freaking out? That must have been something to see."
"Indeed. Unlike you it's quite- Uh, I mean, yes. It was quite stressful."
"So, the avatar kept you on until Gaoling? Until he… What? Let you go?"
"Let me go? Hardly. When he… did the glowing eyes thing, I took the distraction to run. His fellow airbenders were too transfixed by what he was doing to stop me."
"Fellow? Even more. How lovely."
"Yeah. To hear them tell it. There are more out there. Can't say where though."
"Pity. Although it does provide us even more of an opportunity to finish Sozin's job for him."
"Oh! Zuko! They have Zuko!"
"What!?"
"The Avatar met Zuko. He says the airbenders have him. He led an attack on their… Base? Home? Whatever? They caught him."
Azula seemed even happier.
"All the more reason to kill them all then. For LOVE. For revenge. For the future of the world. For father's approval."
There it is. All about daddy and a little head pat from him from time to time. Mai struggled not to roll her eyes.
"Thank you Mai. I'm glad you're alive. It would have been unfortunate to have lost you. You've given me lots to think about. And much to rejoice over. I assure you we'll get back dear old Zuzu. Not to fret."
Unfortunate? Strange way to say it. But, fine. With Azula, you had to grade on a curve.
"You seem remarkably well off considering what you just survived. Did the avatar hurt you badly?"
"Not.. physically. Although he did annoy me with all his banter. Still, he was better than his companions. Hard to believe that little kid is the greatest threat to the fire nation. Until he went all glowy-eyed and destroyed the town."
"I too had a hard time believing it. But I learned that mistake a long time ago. I won't be fooled again."
"What happened between you and him?"
The answer came out of her mouth too quick for her to question the wisdom of such a statement. The princess stared her way. Somewhat annoyed.
"He mentioned you a few times. Especially about your relationship with your father."
She pursed her lips.
"He disguised himself as a guard. Him and his airbender friend we chased from the temple. I'd never gotten a good look at him when we were chasing them, so… I don't know. Ty lee warmed up to them. And he… somehow got me to open up. I told him things about me. Things I didn't think I'd' tell anyone but you. We ended up doing things I never would have done with a guard. Or anyone. I taught him firebending. I took him to ember island. I might have…"
She collected herself.
"Doesn't matter. He caught me at a moment of weakness. Father's disappointment in me… My feelings of inadequacy. I would have spoken with anyone who listened in that moment."
"Would you?"
She glared again. Mai recognized that look. She'd touched a nerve. Bad move.
"It doesn't matter. I won't be fooled again. Tomorrow, we march to Gaoling. I will find him. And I will tear him apart, savoring his screams. And for the first time, I will know peace."
Looking at her "friend's" somewhat feral expression, Mai doubted that very much.
….
"Toph? Can you hear me? We have to go. All of us. The flower is waiting."
"Oh? Are you just going to let me walk around? Be myself?"
"Toph, please. WE don't have a choice."
"Oh, I know that. I mean if it were up to you, would you let me out or would you keep me locked in here?"
The old man paused.
"That's all I needed to hear. Well. I'm coming to the door now. Spread your arms. Ready to catch me?"
Her father actually rushed forward to catch her. Too bad she wasn't actually falling.
"Come on then. Let's go watch the bloodletting. I'm sure even your weak little girl can take a little bit of that by now, hmm?"
….
"Lady Mai! A moment of your time please?"
Mai repressed a sigh and turned to Lo and Li. Azula's two hand maidens came up behind her on their own lizard steed. Bigger and burlier than the one Azula had given her she noticed.
"Some kind of trouble? Normally Azula addresses me herself."
"No trouble lady Mai. Though Azula did wonder why you choose not to ride with her. It has been some time since you last talked."
"We talked last night. What do you mean?"
"Oh. Well, we mean before that. You didn't get much chance to do so in Omashu."
"No. But she made clear her view on our relationship in other ways."
The sisters looked at each other.
"What? You gonna report to Azul my treacherous thoughts?"
"No. We're not here as spies."
"Says every spy ever."
Lo chuckled. Or was it Li? Still couldn't tell.
"I assure you we're not here as spies. We just… Wanted to say how glad we are to see you alive. Not just as Azula's friend. We're grateful to see you safe in our own way."
"I… Thank you. It's nice to see you too. I… I'm sorry I took you for granted."
Li chuckled. Or was it Lo?
"We're a pair of old bats. You wanted to hang out with the youth. Especially the handsome prince, no?"
Mai didn't respond. But a slight tinge of pink spread across her cheeks. Both chuckled this time.
"Fear not my dear. If the airbenders truly have him, we'll retrieve him soon enough after the avatar's downfall."
Ah. Azula told you that, did she?"
"Indeed. With great fervor I should add. The err… Avatar's death or capture has been her main driving force these last few months."
Mai couldn't help herself.
"Is that why she choose him over my life in Omashu?"
Silence. She'd crossed a line she knew that. But she couldn't keep it in.
"Yes. She regretted it. But she had to choose between a friend and the future of the world. That's her argument anyway."
"She did it for the world then? Not for her father's love?"
They paused again.
"You must understand, Mai. She had the avatar under her nose for around two months. She let him in on her insecurities. Her fears. And then he escaped. Her father's wrath. His disappointment. His threats of a replacement heir… Her fear. She couldn't take it."
"So, she did chose her father's love over her friend with her life on the line."
Lo bit her lip. Or Li. She didn't really care which.
She chose what Zuko would choose."
"Oh, don't you even fucking go there. Don't compare Zuko in any way to her. No. I will not accept that."
"I.. We're sorry. That must have been unfair.."
"It was more than unfair. It was wrong. Zuko is nothing like Azula. Don't pretend otherwise."
They pursed their lips. Wondering how to say what they want- Hell. Probably trying to decide what they wanted to say.
"Our point is this Mai. Despite her behavior, Azula does consider you a friend. And right now, she could use a friend. Her father didn't have any friends and you see how he turned out."
So, basically forgive or at least ignore her "friend's" abuse and help her to not turn out like Ozai. Or at least not totally like Ozai.
Did she really have a choice?
She could try to rejoin the Avatar. The kid who destroyed a town in a fit of rage and totally unintentionally.
No, she really didn't have a choice.
….
"Hello again old friends Welcome to a special edition of Avatar day! And possibly the last! The grand finale if you will!"
Everyone did their best to not show fear or despair. The flower took particular delight in such showings and sometimes would even chose someone based on that.
"So, a bit of news from the forefront! It seems we have some more guests approaching! A fire Nation Platoon!"
At this, no one could keep the fear off their faces. Fortunately, the flower didn't seem to notice or care. His mind was on bigger things today.
"Now I know that many of you would like to see our resident airbender get his comeuppance. And he will I assure you. But first, we're going to give him a chance to die in battle. To defend the city, he so heartlessly destroyed. He's going to do another light show. But this time upon the helpless invaders! If he dies in battle, problem solved. If not, well then you can do the deed."
That actually brought a smile to some faces. Not Toph's.
"Having said that, we want to be ready for anything. So, I want all the best Earthbenders stationed in hiding around the city. You're going to provide the kid with backup. Any who get past him into the city. Mkay?"
That got Toph to perk up. A chance to fight Ash makers? Oh right. Dad. Forget it.
"So, with that out, who's brave enough to defend their beloved city? Who's ready to prove their patriotism?"
"The boulder is not a native of this town. Yet he has frequented it often. Fought for its entertainment. Now he will fight for its survival!"
No one dared cheer. No one dared tempt the Flower's wrath.
"Such a brave soul. All muscles except above the neck. A perfect sacrifice. Well? Anyone else? Anyone else have half the courage of this noble fool?"
"Hippo also help! Defend this city! Hippo smash!"
"Uh, yeah that's the spirit! Give your life for this sad den of misfits!"
Others offered to fight for the city. Many of them losers she'd beaten in the past. None of them her equals. She could totally fight. Give those ash makers a run for their money.
She felt herself raising a hand. Hoping a chance to prove herself.
Her father pulled her hand down before it had raised at all.
They glared at each other. Neither noticed the flower smiling in their direction.
"Thank you all! Much appreciated! Now let's plan what may be the final battle of our lives!"
Not if she could help it, Toph thought. She would not die. No matter what.
….
"He couldn't see you. Why couldn't he see you?"
"No one can see me. Only you. Because I only choose to show myself to you. No one else."
"Is that so? Why's that? Shyness?"
The girl sighed.
"I've passed on, dumb dumb. I can only work through certain people. And who better than you who share my blood?"
"You've changed."
"Have I? Am I truly that different from the girl you knew? I hate injustice and all those who perpetrate it. I want them to hurt."
"Does that include me?"
She stared at him strangely.
"You've hurt me. Threatened me. Told me things I never thought you would. Am I someone who perpetuates violence?"
She thought it over.
"You are. If you refuse to hold those who perpetuate such cycles accountable, you yourself perpetuate injustice."
"The old you would never do that."
Chara sighed.
"We've been over this brother. I changed. For a century, I watched the world burn, waiting for you to return and change things. Did you think I'd stay the same? I've simply extended my protective nature to all of humanity."
"How do I know if you're even real?"
"This again? Do you need another pinch? I'm real. Accept it!"
"Even if you are… I'm not doing what you want. I'm not killing. I've made my decision."
"Oh please. You're going up against an entire platoon of fire nation soldiers. You'll have to kill."
"I don't care. I'm not abandoning my beliefs. What my brothers- My father taught me."
"Father? You mean that bastard who- "
"I mean Gyatso."
She stared confused.
"Hmph. Tell yourself whatever you wish. Blood will fill your hands no matter what you say."
Aang closed his eyes. Listened to his heartbeat. Focused on Gyatso's voice his words.
No matter how hard this world tried to tear him down, his beliefs, he would not yield. He would not become a mad dog. Like his father.
Or sister.
….
Toph sat in her room. Door locked. As if that could really keep her in.
She was being forced to concede that her father really was that dumb.
He'd kept her in here to keep her safe. As if that door would keep out the Fire Nation if they really barged through town.
On the other hand, that avatar sure packed a punch under that sissy exterior. If the flower could indeed get him to do that glowy eyed thing again, this city might have a shot.
But that wasn't really in his nature was it? Even blind, she could tell from the way he'd spoken that violence wasn't really his thing.
It was her thing though. Fighting real soldiers? Defending her city? A chance to show who she really was?
She already knew how her father would react. Spirits knew how the flower would react.
She knew in her heart that either way, she probably wouldn't be welcome in this town.
But where would she go? What would she do? Train the Avatar? That would require saving him and getting him out of this shithole town.
That in turn would mean leaving with him.
Leaving everything. Her home. Her life. Her parents.
Yeah. Not a hard choice.
….
The avatar stood in a building near the entrance to the city. The flower had his tendrils wrapped around his shoulders and his feet.
He could hear the ground rumble. Movement. Soldiers. The Fire Nation coming.
The tendrils tightened around him as his heartbeat began to spike. The flower had said he could activate the avatar state himself. No chance for him to go running off, the malicious plant claimed.
No chance for him to spare any lives either.
Unless…. Could he resist? Fight the flower power?
Did he have that determination?
"I hope you've enjoyed your time in this little shithole town, because it won't be anyone's problem for much longer."
"You really intend to let it be destroyed? All these people?"
"I've had my fill of it. Now that you're here, I don't need to waste time with these lowlifes. I can keep you here and have you kill all the fire nation scum that come this way. You'll see things our way in time."
"Take the city! Find him! Find the avatar!"
Aang's eyes widened. Azula.
"Oh, what's this? Your heart is pounding. Such worry. Now you really don't want to fight, do you?"
The tendrils tightened. Which means it'll be all the sweeter when you do kill."
A tendril forced its way into his back.
His eyes glowed. Though he didn't look behind him, he could sense the flower's smile.
"Showtime."
….
"You two. If I let you go. Will you take me with you?"
The airbenders stared at the little blind girl. Alphys had trouble opening her mouth due to dehydration and the damage inflicted upon her by the flower. Eventually though, she managed to get words out.
"How did you get in here? Why didn't the flower stop you?"
"He's preoccupied with the avatar. The Fire Nation is coming to set this town ablaze and he plans to put him at the front. Make it a slaughter. Make him go all glowy eyed."
"But then the town- "
"Yeah. It'll probably send us all airborne again. Not my favorite place. Let me tell you."
"I can imagine.. It's ironic. For us, the air is the ultimate idea of paradise. It's what I worked for in my home. All my efforts were to bring us into the sky." She sighed. "The Avatar achieved in a few moments what I couldn't in years."
Toph raised her eyebrows.
"So, if I went with you, I'd be flying in the sky again and again?"
"That's unlikely. Unless the avatar lost his cool in a town with an orb underneath."
"An orb. The thing underneath twinkle toes' house?"
"Yes. It's the thing that kept our cities afloat. Helped us to achieve detachment from the ills of the world. When the Fire Nation attacked and brought our cities down to the ground, we drowned in those ills. Became everything our ancestors feared. Being born down here, growing up here, I suppose the avatar drowned in those too."
"And now he's going to die in them, so we'd better get moving and pull him out."
"Wait. Are you sure about this? Traveling with us? Leaving everything behind? Trouble and danger follows this avatar. Follows our kind. It will be like nothing you've- "
"Yeah. Totally fine. Now then. Stand back."
She made a hole in the side of the cage. Just enough for the airbenders to make their way through.
"You sound very certain," Alphys said. Are you sure you've given this some thought."
"You mean am I certain I don't want to hang around this flower infested town with my overbearing parents? Yeah I think I'm good. Now come on! Let's go kick some ass! Spill some blood!"
Alphys already found herself concerned for this child.
She reminded her too much of her own.
….
"You seem nervous Mai. What troubles you so? Surely you're not afraid."
"Would that be such a crazy thing to imagine? Considering who we're up against and all?"
"You are afraid! Fear on the immovable Mai's face. Never thought I'd see the day."
"Fine. I confess. I am afraid. Aren't you? You've seen the avatar state. You know what this kid's capable of."
"Which is why I'm not going to face him head on. We'll let the soldiers wear him down then go in for the kill."
"Letting your own men die for you. You've learned well from your father."
Azula chuckled.
"I learned this from my uncle actually believe it or not. The fat fool confessed during a drunken stupor one of his biggest regrets."
"He sent his own men to their deaths?"
"Yep. Used them as a shield against a particularly powerful enemy. He couldn't beat him alone and was injured. So, he deployed a battalion of men to sacrifice themselves while he readied a lightning blast. He regretted it forever after."
"Someone like him doing something like that. Hard to believe."
"I know. I still wonder if he was bluffing. But all the same, I took inspiration from it. It's a win win for all. The soldiers give their lives for the nation they hold so dear. The avatar will be freed from his burden. And I will prove myself a worthy heir to the throne. All in all, good."
Mai had to work hard to hold back the look of disgust on her face.
"The boulder does not lose! Nor quit! The boulder beats all!"
A Fire soldier's lifeless corpse went soaring into a building. His entire front half was removed.
"Looks like they've some fight in them after all. No matter. They're severely outnumbered. It's only a matter of time before desperation takes over."
"Princess Azula!" A soldier ran up. Panting and out of breath.
"Report captain. Any news of runners?"
"Indeed, princess. A group of citizens was seen running into a tunnel at the other end of town."
"Mai. I understand if perhaps you're a little hesitant to face the avatar after what must no doubt be a traumatic imprisonment. Why don't you head them off? Try and spare however many you can. Especially the children. Indoctrination is easiest when you're young."
Mai nodded quickly and wandered off. Anything to get away from Azula.
"Now where are you my little bald traitor?"
As if on cue, a building across the town exploded. A figure rose from the rubble. Glowing eyes.
….
"Toph? There you are! Where did you go? And what are you doing with these airbenders?"
"No time. Step aside. All of you!"
"Toph…" Her mother reached out to her, but she brushed it off.
Everyone stared at the little blind girl as she made her way to the front of the evacuation group making their way through the tunnel.
"The Beifong child?"
"The helpless one? What's she doing?"
"Yeah! Go Blind Bandit!"
She ignored the whispers and moved to front of the line where earthbenders where slowly carving their way through the Earth.
"Put your backs into it you wusses! Watch me!"
They did watch her. With no small amount of shock and awe as she forged a path ahead in three times the speed of all of them put together. Despite all the whispers, she stayed true to her element. Strong and firm. Unflinching.
"Spirits," Toph's mother said. "She's really doing it. Amazing."
Her father said nothing. Just stared.
"Should you be so surprised," Alphys said. "She saved this city from complete destruction. Compared to that this is nothing."
"She's still a child," her father said.
"Children can do amazing things. You should give her that chance."
"Ok! That should be the hardest rock you have to pass through! You can take it from here sissies!"
The little blind girl walked to the back, ignoring all the strange looks sent her way. She was above them. And there was only two people's opinions she cared about now.
Actually, did she really care that much?
"Toph… I…"
"Save it mother. I find your awe somewhat disingenuous. If you weren't impressed with me saving the city, I doubt you're truly impressed with me doing something as simple as this."
"No Toph I am Impressed! Truly I am! I never – "
Mr. Beifong shot his wife a look. She quickly stopped talking.
"We know it's not your opinion that matters mother. You do what dad tells you. If he told you to walk off a cliff, you would."
"How dare you- "
"You don't like the truth, do you father? Everytime the flower came and took someone away to torture to death, you made up nonsense about it a couple making love. When my one friend in the world disappeared, you pretended she just moved. Even when they found her body. And when I saved this city from becoming a bloody rocky stain, what did you tell yourself I wonder? What nonsense did you feed yourself to deny the truth this time?"
"What truth? That you're a fragile little girl playing in games out of your league?"
"I'm not playing! Earthbending is an art! A way of life! And I am an artist! I can do this! I'm not out of my league! I know what I'm doing! I am not a weak little girl! And as of this moment…" She paused.
"You're what? What are you Toph?" Her father's voice turned dangerous.
The little blind girl took a deep breath. Moment of truth…
"I'm not staying with you. I'm leaving with the Avatar and these two."
Mr. Beifong didn't hesitate. He grabbed his daughter's shoulder and shook her.
"You little bitch! You'd sell us out for that lowlife!? That monster who damned our city to the hell it is now? For that I'll- "
A blast of air knocked the ma away. Everyone turned to see the perpetrator.
"Should I have not done that… I probably shouldn't have done that…. Oh, I'm such a waste….."
Mr. Beifong rose to his feet. He took a step, but Alphys stood before him.
"The airbenders of today aren't the pacifists of the past. We stand fully ready to kill if need be."
"Woah! Woah!" Toph stood between her and her father. "Easy there egghead! I'm not here to kill anyone! I'm just saying goodbye!"
"Goodbye? Yes it's goodbye, my foolish daughter. You have chosen the enemy: The destroyer over your own people. All for petty freedom."
"Petty? Petty?" Anger actually seeped into Alphys' voice at this. "I suppose freedom would seem petty to one who's had it for so long. You take it for granted."
She got close in his face. The man took a step back.
"You spend your life living under a rock in darkness. Praying that the sounds of bloodshed off in the distance don't come your way. You spend your life under your parent's thumb and rule. Being told of your worthlessness yet being denied the chance to prove yourself. Even now, here she is, giving you and all the ungrateful people of this town freedom. Don't you dare call that petty."
The man clearly wanted to respond. But he found himself unable to come up with anything.
"Come love." His wife gripped him by the arm. She took one look at Toph.
"My dear, are you sure about this? With these people, it will be danger every day. Are you sure you want that kind of life?"
"Yes. More than anything."
Tears appeared in her eyes at that.
"Then I wish you the best of luck my love. May you find the happiness we could not provide."
With that, she pulled her husband away into the dark. She dared not look back while he stared with murderous rage. Toph too stared. Her shoulders trembling. Alphys placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Are you all right? I know that must have been difficult."
"Are you kidding? That was easy as pie! Now come on! Let's go help twinkle toes!"
….
"Air? How did you use air? I was sure that nerve was meant for fire. Unless… Are you resisting me, you little shit?"
That seemed to be the case. Somehow Aang was resisting. Even though the flower had his tendrils in his back and was somehow manipulating him to attack the invading fire soldiers, he was resisting to a degree.
By which he meant he wasn't able to stop an attack being launched. But he was able to choose the kind of element he used.
So, while the flower clearly wanted him to use fire to end the poor saps, he managed to use another… chakra? Nerve? Whatever it was that determined which element was coming out. He managed to do the opposite. Actually, was air the opposite of fire? Unsure. But in any case he was able to push back against the flower's hold to some degree.
"How are you doing this? You're tougher than you look. It'll make it so much more satisfying to break you."
How was he doing this? Good question. It was probably his stance. He had his feet placed apart. His shoulders parallel. It was a stance he saw other Earthbenders use.
Firm like an Earthbender.
The result? He managed to blast the invaders away with air: Knocking them against walls into unconsciousness. But still alive.
"You can't do this forever. Eventually, you will kill someone."
The flower's tendrils wrapped around the unconscious soldiers and held them up.
"I'm not going to kill them. That's for you. Now do it!"
He felt the tendril pull harder on his back. His glowing eyes flared harder. The pulsing in his head louder.
His arms raised against his will. He felt fire flare in his palms.
He felt two pairs of hands. One on each shoulder. Each belonging to a different avatar.
"Fight for what you believe in Aang," Avatar Roku whispered in one ear.
"Fight for justice," Avatar Yangchen whispered in the other.
Where the hell had they been all this time?
In any case, he chose to do something rather odd. He ignored the airbender. Sort of.
He actually turned his arms back around and unleashed the flames upon his capture.
"Shit!" The flower recoiled in pain and let both the avatar and soldiers go.
With the tendril removed, he was forced out of the avatar state. He collapsed down on the ground. He struggled to rise but only got so far as his hands on the ground. He coughed and tried to rise again.
That's when the lightning hit him.
He fell down to his stomach. It felt like nothing he'd ever felt. Electricity running through his veins. Paralyzing him. He clutched his heart in instinct.
A shadow fell over him. He opened his eyes he'd shut from the pain.
Azula's maniacal face stared down from above. She didn't pause this time. A lesson learned from previous encounters.
She had to move when the flower's tendril came for her.
"Can't have you killing this one girlie! No matter how much trouble he is! He's mine!"
Aang couldn't move. Only watch the tussle between the spirit and Azula's personal little army. Eventually, he was going to get hit and- Well, need more be said?
He struggled to move somewhat. And shockingly: He did! No, wait. The ground was moving. He stared up at another grinning girl.
"Nice move there, twinkle toes! You might make a fine earthbender yet! Now let's get moving!"
More tendrils formed a barrier between Azula and her soldiers while the flower faced the blind bandit.
"The rich girl? You'd side with your town's destroyer?"
"I'm not! I'm standing against you, aren't I?"
"Me? You think of me as an enemy? Am I not keeping this town safe? Fighting off these invaders?"
"You're an invader, you fucking degenerate plant! You've killed countless of our brethren! Friends of mine! You're the reason my father has kept me like a bird in a cage! The reason My life has been- "
Alphys pulled her out of the way before a vine from above took her out.
"What the? Hey! I have this under control!"
"I highly doubt that" the flower said nonchalantly as he pointed the vines in their direction. "I have no interest in understanding my victims. Only disposing of them. Now. The Avatar if you please. Your part in this story has been amusing. But it's over."
His focus on the earthbender left him exposed from behind. Lightning hit his back. The flower screamed in
"That's Fire Nation property," Azula screamed. "Hands off! He's mine!"
"Yours?" Toph tilted her head in confusion. "Who's this Twinkle Toes? Girlfriend of yours?"
"Girlfriend…" Muttered the flower. A slight grin formed on his face as a vine reached up behind the avatar and forced its way into his back.
Aang's eyes glowed. His hands raised and pushed away all nearby humans.
"Now my little monarch, let's try this again," the flower growled. "Kill. Starting with your girlfriend."
His "girlfriend" stared at his arms struggling not to attack. She looked into his eyes. She saw his hesitance. That was all she needed. She began another lightning stance.
The flower was already injured from the first shot and couldn't move himself without great difficulty. He could still move the avatar, however.
"Kill her. Now."
He could feel the flames building in his palms. Couldn't stop it this time. So do the next best thing.
He lowered his hands to the ground. The fire erupted and sent him into the air. Just as the lightning passed underneath.
The flower screamed in pain. It had been decades since he'd felt any kind of pain. No one had the strength to resist or hurt him.
To have that record broken by a pair of brats.
The flower had no time to recover as boulders, air and fire pelted. Their assault was relentless, and his release was nowhere in sight.
The final blow was delivered by the avatar himself. As he fell back to Earth, he pressed his palms together. Air and fire. One fueling the other.
When his feet touched the ground, he unleashed the strongest attack he had ever produced out of the avatar state.
Azula didn't wait to attack. But neither did Toph. Before she could fire, the ground underneath shot her off like a spring.
"Sorry girlfriend! Give him his space!"
The inner beast stirred within him as he stood above the evil spirit. His sister stood by his side. No need for words. What she wanted was obvious by now.
"Not happening. Not a killer. Never again."
The flower could only slowly slither away.
"We'll see."
"Hold on there!" Toph slammed her foot on the ground and trapped the flower between two slabs of rock. "I for one am totally fine with killing you!"
"Wait!" Aang grabbed her. She struggled to pull away.
"Let go! He's a monster! He deserves it!"
"Both of you, move!"
Alphys pushed them out of the way with air. Even more soldiers were emerging from the smoke. Too many to handle without the avatar state. But Aang had no desire to use it again.
"Duck!"
The airbenders obeyed Toph's commands and got down behind the rock wall she had formed. The best they could do was keep them at bay.
"We need to get out of here! Fall back!"
"Run? Like a wimpy airbender? Never! This is my town! We fight to the last man! We – "
"Jump!"
"What? No, not jump! We- "
Against Toph's wishes, both nomads jumped. Each holding one of Toph's arms.
"What the hell are you doing? Are you crazy? Put me down!"
And so, they did. Upon the back of a mighty sky bison.
"Shit," toph screamed. "What the hell's going on! Where's the fucking ground?"
"You know little girls shouldn't curse so much," Alphys remarked.
"Fuck you! You promised we'd be walking! Oh, is it too late to go back with mom?"
Alphys placed her hand on Toph's shoulder and nodded at Napstablook.
"Nice work Nap. You see? You can do it."
"Yeah…. I guess…. You know it's really tiring to sit up like this….. mind if I like kneel back…."
"Not while steering! Get out of the way! I'll do it!"
Aang stared back at his home. Once again on fire. Torn apart.
He could feel the memories coming back. Feel the heat. See Chara-
No. No. not now. He couldn't take it. Couldn't do it. No looking back.
He could only look forward.
Leave the past buried. Dead.
Like he left his family.
….
"No avatar huh? Well, it's not all bad. We've conquered another town and are one step closer to taking Ba Sing Se. So, not a total loss, eh?"
Mai's attempts to make Azula better did not appear to work judging by the nasty side stare she sent her.
"Deal with them then. You and I are going after him."
"What, just the two of us?"
"These soldiers are just getting in our way. Get your stuff together and meet me at the entrance to town."
"Azula," Lo or Li interjected. "Perhaps you should take a moment to recover- "
"And let him escape? I think not. I'm tired of him escaping I've destroyed his home. Now I'll destroy him."
"And there she goes," sighed Lo or Li. She looked to her twin. "No warm bed for us tonight I assume."
"No. Life with Azula is.. Well never dull at least."
"Wish it were a little more."
Mai's gaze wandered away from her angry "friend" to the surrounding destruction. Whatever hadn't been demolished by the Avatar's tantrum earlier was certainly finished off by this latest battle.
In that moment, she remembered why she'd fled this city in the first place. Who'd caused her to flee in terror. The same person they were going after again.
That raised an interesting question. Who did she fear more? Azula or the little bald kid?
She'd returned to Azula out of instinct. Hell, she hadn't planned to see her again at all. Simply trying to get away from this hellhole. Whichever direction possible. Maybe a chance at genuine freedom for once. No one to hold her down.
But life had other plans. And now here she was. Back in bed with a dangerous unstable child. About to fight an even more dangerous child.
Was there no way out?
"I can't believe I'm saying this. But I miss Ty Lee."