Hello everyone. I am back with another update.

I want to thank everyone for all of the favorites, follows and reviews since the last chapter. And as always, please continue to do so.

And without further ado enjoy.

Traitors and Training – Chapter Sixty-Six

On the rocky shores of a sea cave.

Two earthbenders were engaging in a skillful dance while Toph grinned as she moved backwards with her broken arm still in a cast.

Ling charged her with a much more serious countenance as they engaged in a series of blows.

Blows that stung greatly.

But never came close to seriously wounding the other.

"You're good. No…you're great. I've never sparred with another earthbender anywhere near as good as you!" Toph exclaimed in a relaxed voice as she stood in a defensive stance while Ling's lips curved into an amicable smirk.

"I could say the same for you…Toph Beifong." Ling spoke in a composed voice with an earthen shield in hand as she stared back at her unusual training partner.

As Toph grinned back at her as she gestured for her to come forward once more.

"Well, what are you waiting for Princess? Come at me." Toph taunted as she sunk back on bare feet while she listened to the sound of the older woman elegantly sprinting towards her.

And then the twenty-four-year-old woman leaped high into the air with her hair flowing in the air behind her as she dropped down above the stationary woman.

And just like that another thunderous explosion of rock echoed throughout the massive cave as the two fighters slid back in the wet dirt.

Only to dash towards one another not a moment later.

And so, it went.

For the rest of the day.

Until they sat panting on the ground beside one another while they both breathed heavily in their exhaustion.

"Your bending style…it's something else." Toph stated in a tired voice as she sat with her back to Ling while the princess panted behind her.

"Yes…my father created it. It's a blend of the Hung Gar style and the Praying Mantis style." Ling responded in a proud voice with her hair sticking to her face while the younger woman grinned over her shoulder at her.

"I surmised as much." Toph commented with a hand on her tired knee while she sensed the princess turn around to gaze at her.

"It's a style that requires the user to exercise even more patience than the others. The user must enshroud themselves in lightweight earthen armor…and counterattack when the opportunity presents itself…just like in the aforementioned styles. However, every step is calculated…so self-control is key." Ling explained as her earthen armor continued to crumble off her body while the other woman listened in amazement.

It took a great deal to astonish Toph Beifong.

But the daughter of the former Earth King managed to do just that.

"It varies from the other styles in that it relies more on earthbending imitating of conventional weaponry to achieve victory than the more traditional blocks and boulders." Ling remarked as she gazed at Toph's impressed face with a prideful smile on her lips.

"That's amazing. It really is. But even so…I think that it might be far too elegant for my tastes. No offense!" Toph conversed with an easy-going grin on her lips while she listened to Ling chuckle behind her.

"None taken! I suspected that you might say that." Ling quipped as the remains of her armor and shield eroded to the damp cave floor below.

"Even though we've only been training for a few days now…you're already picking up on the basics in metalbending." Toph stated in a fascinated voice as she peered in the general direction of her proud training partner.

"Yes well…the future of my country is at stake. I can't afford to slack off." Ling muttered as she gazed into the distance of the vast cave network.

"Well I've gotta say that I'm impressed by your skill and resolve. And for what it's worth…I think that you will make a fine leader for the Earth Kingdom." Toph sighed with her head hanging forward while Ling's colder eyes softened in appreciate.

"Thank you Toph…for saying that." Ling murmured as she sat with her back against the younger woman's while they listened to the sound of water dripping in the sea cave.

"Think nothing of it." Toph replied in a quieter voice while releasing another heavy sigh.

One can only hope that this will work out in their favor in the end.

One week later…

In a small portside town people were moving about and going about their daily activities.

A hooded man moved through the streets with medical supplies in his good hand.

His other hand was tightly around in bandages.

And the left side of his scarred face was carefully hidden by his hood.

The prince maneuvered through the crowds in a rushed manner only to freeze in his tracks with his golden eyes now glued to the wall in front of him.

Before his eyes were several wanted posters.

Including one that was his own.

But that did not faze him.

No. It was the contents of the poster that made his blood run cold.

Zuko's hands fell to his sides as he stood with his mouth open staring at a list of individuals that had died in his sister's service.

Doren…

Imem…

His stunned golden eyes gazed between his poster and his uncle's as he swallowed under his breath.

"Is this true? Or is this just another one of Azula's lies?" Zuko spoke in a remorseful voice as he held onto the poster with a clammy hand.

And then he discreetly pocketed his poster and his uncle's as he hurried through the streets with his golden eyes flashing in guilt.

Only to jump in shock when a voice shouted out to him.

"It's him! He's the one on the wanted poster!" A woman's voice called out as many people turned their heads in anger as they watched the young man dart away.

Zuko ran down the street with his fists balled up in guilt when several people sprinted after him.

His eyes flashed with great pain when they shouted out to him.

"Traitor! Murderer!" Another voice yelled as the young man darted down an alleyway.

The royal man sped as fast as he could with his eyes never ceasing in conveying his despair as he speedily outran his civilian pursuers.

All while his mind vividly replayed the foreboding words that were featured on his wanted poster.

Zuko chose self over country.

If you see this traitor, shun him. Alert your local authority and tell everyone you know.

He is no longer one of us. And he never will be again.

And somewhere deep inside Zuko's heart.

He felt a deep stab of anguish as he processed those harsh words.

Never once able to suppress the guilt that he now felt in knowing that the lives of good Fire Nation people were taken in his uncle's assault on his sister's airship.

"Eighteen…" Zuko murmured as he broke off into a run into the nearest forest.

His hood overshadowed his eyes as he gritted his teeth in sorrow.

And then he took off to reunite with his friends.

Later that day.

Iroh sighed glumly as he now sat staring down at a candle lit tabletop with the wanted posters laid out before him.

Standing before him was a torn up Zuko.

"Is…is this true Uncle?" Zuko questioned in a pained voice as he stared down into his uncle's sorrowful amber eye.

"I…presume so. When I launched our surprise attack…the possibility of casualties had occurred in my mind. But even so…I had to rescue Aang at all costs." Iroh muttered as he gazed back at his nephew with his lone eye while the young man knelt down before the table.

"The Order of the White Lotus took eighteen Fire Nation lives." Zuko breathed in a tormented voice with his fists clenched in his lap while Iroh stared down in a solemn silence.

"We did Zuko." Iroh replied in a solemn voice as he stared back at his now distraught nephew.

"How Uncle…how can we do that…and say that we are any better than Azula and my father?" Zuko pondered with his teeth ground together in his anguish while the older man sighed heavily.

"I am deeply saddened by this news. Just as much as you are. However, war is not without its casualties. And if we do nothing. Millions will die when your father invades the Earth Kingdom on Sozin's Comet." Iroh explained in a grim voice as he met his nephew's conflicted golden gaze.

"I don't know if I can accept that answer Uncle." Zuko answered in a frustrated voice as he tightened his fists in his lap.

Iroh remained silent while he stared at his nephew with a sympathetic gaze while he watched the prince push himself to his feet.

"I need to go be by myself for a while…I'll…be in my room if you need me." Zuko mumbled as he strode away with his golden eyes overflowing in remorse.

He knew that his uncle was right.

Eighteen lives were but a drop in the ocean compared to how many the Fire Nation has already taken.

And how many more will die on Sozin's Comet.

But even so…

Now matter how much he tried. He couldn't suppress the feeling that he had betrayed his people.

"I understand Zuko. Take all the time that you need." Iroh sighed as he watched his nephew depart down the hall of the airship.

It was grave news indeed.

And he had no doubt that Jeong Jeong and Piandao will be just as distressed when they hear about it.

Meanwhile.

Aang dropped his new wanted poster from his hands while he sat in a disconcerted silence with Sokka's hand on his shoulder.

"Eighteen dead?" Aang mumbled in a horrified voice while Sokka sighed behind him.

"It's not your fault man. It's just…that these things are bound to happen in war." Sokka consoled in a sigh as he stood behind his dejected friend.

Although truth be told he couldn't give a shit about the Fire Nation casualties.

Not after all that they have taken from them.

From him!

"I…know. But how will we convince people to fight with us against the Fire Nation if we do the same as them?" Aang pondered in a bothered voice as he frowned with his back turned to his concerned friend.

"I don't know Aang. I just don't know." Sokka admitted with a scowl on his lips while Aang swallowed the lump that was in his throat.

"I believe that I need to meditate more on the matter Sokka. Maybe then I will know what to do." Aang declared as he turned away while his longtime friend nodded in understanding.

"Alright. I am going to go check on Katara." Sokka agreed as he gave his friend a final pat on the shoulder.

Before he quietly strode out of the room with his blue eyes overflowing in anger once more.

They have got to find a way to counter the effect that this girl has on Aang.

Or else…

He swallowed with his fist clenched at his hips before he strode down the halls to find his sister.

Aang placed his hands in his lap once more while he breathed in and out.

Before he closed his eyes as his mind once more drifted away from reality.

And into the planes of the Spirit World.

Katara stood beside Pakku while he watched with paternal blue eyes as she continued practicing waterbending healing therapy on her arm.

The young woman continued moving her arm with the aid of her waterbending only to release a cry of frustration not a moment later.

"Katara…your arm will recover but you must be patient." Pakku spoke in a soft voice while he took a step forward when a tear streamed down his adopted granddaughter's cheek.

"S-she ruined my arm!" Katara cried out in fury once more as she held onto her pained arm with her good hand just as she felt the older man pull her into a hug.

"It will be alright Katara. I promise." Pakku whispered while the young woman began to cry in his arms.

It was all he could do to hold her.

And so, he did.

He clenched his teeth in his anger as he struggled to suppress the fury that he felt towards Azula and Zoi.

All while Sokka watched from the corner with his fist balled up in his rage.

No matter what it takes.

He vowed that he would get back at Azula for what she did to his sister!

For taking the woman he loved from him!

Meanwhile Iroh now sat across from Jeong Jeong and Piandao as his concerned friends processed the news.

"This is not good. I understand that causalities happen in war. But this…is unacceptable." Jeong Jeong muttered in a grieved voice while Iroh grimaced in understanding.

"We will be more careful next time. Unfortunately, no war is won without bloodshed. We can only do our best to minimize the death toll." Iroh stated in a serious voice as he gazed back at his comrades worried faces.

"Regrettably. This has already worked in Azula's and Ozai's favor. The few Fire Nation men and women that we were able to gleam towards our cause. Stole a boat an hour ago and left before we could convince them otherwise." Piandao informed with a heavy frown on his features while the other two men cringed in their seats.

"I see…then that means that we cannot remain idle here any longer." Iroh sighed as he rubbed at the bridge of his nose while his two comrades frowned in agreement.

"We must restore balance at all costs…but the question remains. What will be the cost?" Jeong Jeong mumbled in a bitter voice as he scowled deeply while his companions gazed on in an unnerved silence.

Ruolo stood all by himself as he stared out into the cave with his green eyes watching closely as the two women finally emerged from the depths of the tunnel.

The princess stepped into view with a subtle smirk on her confident lips while the shorter woman followed out alongside her.

"That was quite the experience Toph. Perhaps we can do it again after your arm has healed up a bit more?" Ling queried as she strode with a shirt over her shoulder while Toph grinned in delight.

"I'm up for it whenever you are Princess!" Toph exclaimed with a smirk of her own while Ling chuckled in amusement.

"Good. I am glad to hear it." Ling spoke as she clenched her fist at her womanly hip while the younger strode beside her.

"Just consider yourself fortunate that I only had one arm to work with. If I had both I would have kicked your ass." Toph boasted as she rubbed at her ear with her fingertip while the princess smiled politely at her from over her shoulder.

Only for Ling to turn and gaze ahead with a much colder look in her light green eyes.

'I've obtained it…metalbending.' Ling thought as she tightened her fist while she gazed down at it with a composed countenance.

In the palm of her hand she held onto a small bead of metal that was twisting and morphing its shape at her will.

The sphere of metal morphed into liquid as she effortlessly molded it in her clenched fist.

Before she closed her fist once more with a determined expression in her eyes.

It won't be too much longer now…

Before she kills both the Fire Princess and the Fire Lord too.

And last but not least…

The Dragon of the Song Clan herself.

And then…she will liberate her people.

No matter what it takes.

Even if it costs her own life.

She will see her dream become reality.

And that…was a promise.

AN:

Two important things happened in this chapter.

We saw the conclusion of a training session between Toph and Ling.

I wanted Jaran's (and by extend Ling's as well) bending to be unique, so I made his style a fusion of the other earthbending styles.

Basically, it is a more graceful and light footed form of earthbending. I didn't want to create earthbenders that were carbon copies of Toph.

Toph is already the loud mouthed, laid back badass that we all know and love. I wanted something different in the story, and a more elegant earthbending is what I chose to go for.

As we saw, this form of bending doesn't really suit Toph. As it goes against her entire way of life.

But it suits a warrior like Ling wonderfully.

I also wanted to show why Jaran was so revered by his enemies and allies alike. He was able to break the mold of the typical earthbender and form something new. And now his daughter is carrying on that legacy.

Because Ling is allied with the Gaang we won't get to see her as much as Zoe for example. In fact, this will be her last appearance for a great many chapters. But she will come into play more when the war picks up again.

I also want to say that it is part of Ling's character to be arrogant and to an extent brash.

She's spent her whole life on the run and she feels compelled to help her people at all costs.

Now, whether or not she can compete with Zoe and Azula remains to be seen.

But she is powerful and she is charismatic, and the people of the Earth Kingdom are desperate for a leader to oppose the Fire Nation. They feel let down by Aang, because he failed to save them.

And now they are looking to someone else for salvation.

In a sense Ling and Toph seem to be becoming friends.

But the metalbending was what she was able more than anything else.

This doesn't mean that Ling is instantly better at metalbending than Toph, because she isn't. But she is more ruthless than Toph, and she intends to use it in sync with an assassination attack.

There will probably be more training sessions between Ling and Toph but it will likely be off panel. I just wanted to show everyone that they are training. So, it doesn't come across as a surprise when Ling uses metalbending later on.

We also saw that the wanted posters had a profound effect on Zuko and others in the White Lotus.

Thanks to Zoe's foresight, many of the firebenders in Iroh's crew abandoned him after seeing the wanted posters.

This shows that despite despising the tyrannical government of Ozai, that some Fire Nation rebels are off put by the thought of killing their countrymen in such a manner.

And I wanted to show Zuko's conflict. Unlike the older members of the White Lotus he isn't willing to accept their answer. But at the same time, as far as Zuko knows he also understands that they have no choice.

Zuko is in a tough spot. Because Ozai will kill much more than eighteen if he burns down the Earth Kingdom. Also, Zuko is unaware of the growing conflict between Azula and Ozai.

And in his mind Azula is just as horrible.

But at the same time, for someone who was long focused on regaining their honor, knowing that the White Lotus took the lives of eighteen Fire Nation people who were just doing as Azula told them to do serves to put doubt in Zuko's mind.

This also came across as a huge shock to Aang. Because Aang like Elle, is naive. He never expected to hear that they took lives. And we saw that Sokka feels no remorse for the Fire Nation casualties.

As the story goes on, we will continue to see a rift in ideals with Team Avatar. Aang is unable to break free from his pacifistic teachings.

Whereas, Sokka and the leaders of the White Lotus will do what they think must be done in order to defeat Azula, Zoe and Ozai.

As we saw with Katara's arm. Azula (and to a lesser extent Zoe) have dealt a great deal of pain to Team Avatar. Azula has caused them more pain than in canon. And as a result they will be even less likely to just let her take over than in the show.

Pain brings vengeance, and six years of living on the run, plus Katara's injury and Suki's imprisonment has made the matter personal for Team Avatar.

They are not going to be able to accept Azula becoming Fire Lord. In their minds they feel that they have to stop her just as much as they have to stop Ozai.

Anyhow. that's it for now, we'll return to Azula/Elle next chapter.

Stay tuned for next time.

For chapter sixty-seven! A New Voyage!