TLF - The Last Firebender

by Carrotine Clara

When all hope is lost, Aang is ripped from a dystopian world, only to find himself in a sick, distorted reality, forced to fight his friends alongside his foe. But can he really trust them? Trust people that destroyed his life? Trust those that don't even exist in his world? Against his own instincts, he may need to put his trust in one person above all: Azula, the last firebender.

28. Episode 8: The Chase

Fire. Earth. Water. Air. Long ago, the four nations lived together in harmony. Then, everything changed when the Water Tribes attacked...

Only the Avatar, master of all four elements, could stop them, but when the world needed him most, he vanished.

A hundred years passed, and my brother and I discovered the new Avatar, an airbender named Aang. And although his bending skills are great, he is haunted by the memories of his world...

But I believe Aang can save this one.

---

Avatar: The Last Firebender

Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro

Written by Carrotine Clara

additional help by Anonimosx

---

Book 2: Earth

Episode 8

The Chase

---

Act I. – Lighting in a bottle

---

They days flew by as fast as the countless trees. After soaring in yet another circle for several nights, Aang had given up. The boy started acting more secluded and quiet again. Ty Lee and Zuko had started worrying. Azula simply let it be.

Of course she felt bad for Aang but... I mean, what's she going to do? She isn't exactly the feely-talky type. She hasn't convinced Aang with any big speeches in the past, so it wasn't happening now. This meant in practice that their travels became even more isolated than in the short period after Zuko and Ty Lee figured out Aang was lying. It's mostly Aang spending his time around/on Appa, Ty Lee and Zuko doing... Agni knows what, and Azula practicing her firebending.

She shoots what feels like flame number 1000 into the woodwork, precisely splitting a tree branch without setting anything on fire. Her bending is incredibly sharp now, more precise - more deadly. It's exactly what Aang had told her on the beach so long ago. Firebending didn't require her to use that much muscle or aggression, it was a matter of proper breath and stance. And that's it. Almost laughable how long it took her to get this far. It's like breathing to her now, which in some sense it is literally.

For a moment Azula wonders how quickly her other self mastered firebending. It was probably easier for her, growing up in a palace and all. A brief shudder runs down her spine. The Blue Dragon had thankfully been quiet in recent times.

She tosses away the second-to-last firebending scroll from the stack Adithya gave them. Azula wonders what the princess is doing now. Probably some mundane task running the Fire Nation rump state. Although she does feel this strange warmth in her stomach, the thought of political power... never mind.

Appa growls, landing in a skittish state as Aang jumps off. Better take a quick peak in the firebending book before she has to shoo everyone into action again-

Her pupils dilate, her heart skipping a beat. The page she landed on offers a minimalistic but beautiful illustration of a firebender shooting lightning. It would the perfect exercise - having mastered everything else already. She would be the most powerful-

Sabachi lands on her shoulder and chatters in her ear. She pouts, closing the book with a loud bang, scaring the lemur.

AZULA (answering Sabachi's question): Nothing.

She turns, walking to their poor excuse for a camp near a creek, a lush forest surrounding them for a while.

AZULA: Alright, what is it?

Appa growls at her, though the answer is already handed on a silver platter. Or, white fluffy platter.

AANG: Appa's shedding.

The matt tone of his voice indicates no change in sour attitude. Azula flicks her brows and sighs.

AZULA: Gross.

Appa flaps his tail and loudly protests.

AZULA (to Appa): Don't worry, I was joking.

She was not.

TY LEE: That's not gross, it's just a part of spring! You know, rebirth, flowers blooming, and Appa gets a new coat.

Birds and a butterfly land on the tranquil airbender. One of the creatures briefly considers landing on Aang but turns away rather quickly.

ZUKO: Did you find anything? Any clue where they are-

AANG: No. I found nothing. No Sokka, no Toph.

AZULA: I thought her name was Bandit.

He says nothing, walking over to a soft spot next to the body of water.

AANG: I'm sorry if I'm being absent again, I really do. But I just...

He holds back some much-needed tears.

AANG: It's not that they're gone, it's that it's... it's my fault. They left because of me. I'm a horrible friend...

TY LEE: That's not true, Aang.

The couple immediately rushes to his comfort. Even Sabachi tries to cheer him up.

ZUKO: Yeah, I mean... you're going through a lot. We don't expect you to completely abandon your old friends for us. You can take as much time as you want.

After a few seconds the two comedically look back at Azula.

ZUKO: Don't you want to say anything?

The firebender blinks comically.

AZULA: I mean... he's got a point.

Now Aang looks back as well.

AZULA: Don't get me wrong - you're not a horrible person, Aang. But... you know... we had some trouble along the way as well. Maybe they just need some time on their own.

To her surprise, Ty Lee frowns.

TY LEE: That's not a very nice thing to say.

Azula scoffs.

AZULA: I guess.

She hopes to resolve the issue with that, to her disliking, it does not.

AZULA: All I'm gonna say is - they had a point. You constantly... wrongname her, and Sokka was imprisoned like... five times? I'd be pretty pissed if I was him.

ZUKO: It was not five times.

AZULA (counting on her fingers): Dibuang, us, Fong, Earth King, Jet.

Zuko shuts up, his argument absolutely destroyed by Azula. Aang hangs his head down low again.

AZULA: Look at the bright side - it's yet another deviation from your world! I see that as a positive.

The Avatar gets back up. There's clearly something else troubling him, but she lets him alone for now.

AZULA: I actually have a suggestion.

ZUKO: Which is?

She folds her hands behind her back.

AZULA: We listen to my plans again. That worked out before.

No one is really gleeful about this, but no one objects either. Standing next to a tree branch about her height, Sabachi lands on it, lowering a map of the central Earth Kingdom, allowing her to draw a line from some point north of the desert to the southern capital of the Si Wong Clique.

AZULA: Goldmouth. It's the largest city outside of Ba Sing Se. Probably has a few more people we could form alliances with, and it's apparently where Bumi is.

She expects enthusiasm but gets tired gazes instead. In the background, Appa sneezes, covering his immediate surroundings in a coat of white fur.

AZULA: Aang, Bumi! Your best friend from a hundred years ago? Also - an earthbender? Could be pretty useful...

She tries to communicate excitement via some stiff body language, unsuccessfully. Sabachi rolls the map up again.

AZULA: So? Guys?

Ty Lee briefly wishes to speak up again. In her mind, the image of the Fire Lord Azula overlaps with this one. She remains quiet.

AZULA: Come on, not even Ty Lee?

More silence. Azula grunts in frustration.

AZULA (bitter): Well, we can't just fly in a circle all day. It's a waste of time.

ZUKO: How else are we supposed to find them?

She provokingly purses her lips at her brother.

AZULA: I suggest they come looking for us instead. It's not like we're hiding, really.

She briefly thinks about Kenora.

AZULA (mumbling to herself): Even though we probably should...

AANG: I'll make another round with Appa.

ZUKO: I'll come with you. We can take turns steering him.

The fuzzy beast makes a sound.

AZULA: Maybe it's not a good idea if...

She quiets down. Not that anyone was listening to her anyway but...

TY LEE: If what?

She readjusts her arms to rest on her waist.

AZULA: ...if the three of you take the bison when two of you can fly on your own. Why not split up? I'll stay here.

Aang and Ty Lee exchange looks, taking up their staffs and soaring into the distance.

ZUKO: What will you be doing?

She shrugs, her arms crossing again.

AZULA: Training, if you want to know so badly.

He nods, grabbing Appa's reins.

AZULA: Don't want to watch this time?

Again, she takes note of an odd reaction, a slight uneasiness in his face that gives something away.

ZUKO: Uh... no. I'm good.

A few seconds of silence.

ZUKO: You know... I agree with your plan to go to Goldmouth. But... we can't just leave Sokka like that. We all owe him apology.

AZULA: If you say so.

He gives her a firmer look.

ZUKO: We all owe him an apology.

She rolls her eyes, a hint of shame hiding in her expression.

AZULA: If you say so...

ZUKO: Yip-yip!

Appa flaps his tail and soars away, almost knocking over some nearby treetops. Sabachi flew away with Aang so she is really alone now.

AZULA (mumbling to herself): Let's see...

She grabs the firebending book again, looking up the chapter on lightning bending.

AZULA (mumbling to herself): Zuko and Ty Lee are definitely hiding something...

She takes a deep breath, trying to copy the exact pose from the pages.

AZULA (mumbling to herself): And Aang definitely knows that Appa's fur will leave a trail...

---

Deadly silence on board - two opponents eyeing each other. Then - charge - Suki readies her blade, getting hit by a strong stream of air pulling her away. She tries holding on, slicing the current in half but... alas, the effort fails. She lands on her butt with an annoyed grunt. Akari extends her hand and helps her up with a smile.

AKARI: Still no?

SUKI: No. If I make myself any heavier, I'll be way too slow for combat.

She impressively swings her blade, putting it back in her sheath. Akari puts away her staff for now, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat off her face. She has been growing out her hair recently, almost long enough to make a ponytail.

AKARI: Yeah, I don't know. We'll have to re-strategize when it comes to Ty Lee.

A hint of shame is suppressed within Akari's voice.

Katara is close by, practicing waterbending, with Zorak watching carefully. Like a kid playing with playdoh, she swings the heap of water back and forth in her hand, carefully balancing her center to keep it in one piece. It looks like the exercise is asking a lot of her, pearls of sweat running down her forehead.

ZORAK: Very good principessa. Keep up the pace.

She continues her exercise for a bit longer, until suddenly losing control of the water stream, as it flies around her shoulder and down her back. She improvises quickly, readjusting her balance and getting the water back in front of herself, launching it at a target dummy and freezing it on the spot. Zorak appears rather impressed.

ZORAK: Very good. You are very quick to adapt to small changes in the water. It is the sign of a master.

She proudly presents herself with a smile.

---

Kenora watches all of this unfold from the helm. She had been staying away from the others recently. None of them were eyeing her weirdly anymore. The aura of intimidation surrounding her stemmed more from the fact that no one wanted to ask how she was doing, rather than from any particular action that the captain took. She herself has put her hair back into a practical ponytail, a few strains behind her ears standing in spiteful opposition to that perfection. She sighs.

KANNA: Good morning, captain.

Kenora flinches, not having heard the woman coming in.

KENORA: Morning... Chief Mother.

The usual bravado is noticeably absent from Kenora's voice.

KANNA: Why aren't you down with the others? I'm sure the helmsman can take over for a minute.

Kenora takes a loud, long breath through her nose, exhaling through her mouth.

KENORA: I'm more useful up here. We need to keep heading east if we want to catch up to the Avatar.

Her expression morphs into a firm but unimpressive frown. Kanna unfolds her hands and steps closer.

KANNA: And my grandson of course.

Kenora's mean look grows with added spite.

KENORA: Yeah.

She looks ahead again, the river carrying them through the woodwork, pines watching them like innocent bystanders.

KANNA: There is actually something I've been wanting to ask.

KENORA: Which is?

KANNA: We need to stop for a few hours.

KENORA: What?!

Her sudden burst of panic is quickly washed away in shame.

KENORA: I apologize. I don't... think it's a good idea to stop now.

KANNA: It's necessary. I need to take Malu out for a ride. It's long overdue.

KENORA: Malu?

KANNA: My komodo rhino.

Kenora's eye just ever-so-slightly twitches. She takes a moment to process.

KANNA: You should join me. Would do you good. Take your mind off of things.

KENORA: Why would I take my mind off of things?

Kanna sighs.

KANNA: Alright. Well, alternatively, we can make it a scouting mission. I doubt the Avatar will stay close to the river anyways.

KENORA: Fine. We'll go for a ride. Sure.

Kanna sighs, having depleted her energy reserves for this annoying conversation.

---

Mai spins the blade in her hand, bored by the detective work Shahar had been so eager to engage in for some reason. In her little office filled with dozens of stacks of perfectly straight paperwork, the agent puts up the cork board with little face caricatures. They're surprisingly accurate, actually.

SHAHAR: Okay, so we know that this Kenora was heading the mission, and that the Crown Princess, her waterbending teacher, the Chief Mother, an airbender, a bodyguard, and a few dozen men were participating in the mission.

MAI: Plus Yue herself.

Shahar nods.

SHAHAR: Right.

She pins Yue's face next to the others.

SHAHAR: We also know that they had access to the sewage plans which... means...

The girl tries connecting the two thoughts, but ultimately fails, sighing with disgust.

SHAHAR: This is pointless.

Mai takes her feet of the desk, hugging herself in a gesture of discomfort.

MAI: This is all pointless without any proper leads. So far all we know is that the Water Tribe probably has a larger network operating in the city under our noses.

SHAHAR: Right. So that's-

The girl suddenly turns around in shock.

SHAHAR: Wait - how do you know that?!

Mai shrugs.

MAI: I don't know. Isn't it obvious? There's no way this whole thing was just headed by one guy.

Shahar ponders for a moment, nervously tapping her foot craving another smoke break. Those have increased dramatically ever since her promotion. Still somehow her voice isn't even half as raspy as Mai's.

SHAHAR: What about the Dai Li? Could they still have connections in the city?

Mai wonders quietly.

MAI: I doubt. I feel like you guys took care of it pretty thoroughly back when Long Feng was ousted.

Shahar aggressively pouts her lips, squeezing her eyes almost shut while staring intensely at the cork board. What exactly this is supposed to accomplish Mai can't answer.

MAI: Why don't you take some of your agents and scout some old Dai Li locations?

SHAHAR: It's not a bad idea. The Kimono Society already took care of the crystal catacombs below the palace and their Lake Laogai base. But I suppose there's no hurt in double-checking.

Mai gets up.

MAI (matt): Wonderful.

SHAHAR: Where are you going?

MAI: Pursuing some of my own leads. I'll update you tonight.

Shahar nods. For a few seconds after Mai has left, she takes a longer look at the Yue sketch, trying to make out how accurate it really is.

---

Azula prefers walking a bit back and forth when reading. Somehow the sensation of looking at words alone is never enough to keep her attention.

AZULA: Alright... lightning bending...

She mostly skims the page.

AZULA: "Cold-blooded fire".

She scoffs, her mind immediately wandering.

AZULA (silly voice): Cold-blooded murderer...

Her attention shifts back to the task at hand.

AZULA: "Separating yin and yang"... "complete absence of emotion" yadda yadda yadda...

Bored by all this reading (of which she actually didn't do that much) she simply flips the page to take a look at the illustrated forms. Putting it down on a rock in front of her, she takes a few steps back, after which she nervously takes a deep breath.

Her fingers stiff, her legs spread and her balance shifting back and forth, she slowly swipes her hands around in circular motions. She can feel the tingle on her fingertips, almost enough to produce sparks - she extends her arm forward and-

SHRE-BOOM!

A loud bang evaporates from her limb, blasting her back and knocking her on her butt. She curses and grunts, the rage inside her burning as bright as a star.

AZULA (furious): OW! STUPID-

She gets back up, trying to find her center again via breathing exercises, though after such a humiliating failure it seems too hard for her. Assuming the correct stance again, her movements this time are a lot more janky and less fluid, leading to a similar-

SHRE-BOOM!

Despite trying really hard, the blast once again knocks her over. This time the tingling sensation has turned into a burning pain in her fingers. She looks over at the book ahead, the object falling over just as she does, almost as if trying to mock her.

AZULA (furious): Alright book, it's time to face your doom.

She clenches her fist aimed at the literature, though stops at the very last second to produce fire. It's probably not worth destroying this book for. She might need it to figure out what went wrong. Instead, she blasts a hellishly large fire ball into the creek, evaporating a large portion of water and momentarily interrupting its flow.

---

Sea lion goats are indeed strange creatures. Perhaps that's why Kenora has such a hard time navigating on one. At least she's only embarrassing herself in front of the old lady and not Katara.

KANNA: You're not really the animal type, are you?

Kenora tries to suppress a bark-ish answer, instead, pulling at the beast's reins again, making it squeal in protest.

KENORA: No. Not a lot of time practicing that stuff when you're stuck on an island for most of your life.

The answer, while restrained, still managed to be precise and charged with vitriol.

KANNA: Your gran-gran was much the same, you know.

She scoffs. They had strayed what felt like far enough for Kenora. Just green pastures and trees plucked in this environment. Unbelievable to think that the largest desert on earth is only a day or two south of here.

KENORA: I think she might've mentioned that.

Malu exhales through his snout, the old woman patting him lovingly.

KENORA: How much longer do we have to keep... GOING-

The sea lion goat jolts and plants her firmly into the dirt. Kanna, trying to suppress a smile, gets off her ride and sits down on a knocked-over log.

KANNA: You are far too concerned with the goal that you're missing out on the journey.

Kenora grunts when getting up. A mean glare and her mount cowardly lies down, its expressive facial features making it look comically saddened.

KENORA: You're a foolish old woman.

She sits down next to her, if only to readjust her hair properly.

KENORA: We're on what's probably the most important mission of the war - capturing the Avatar - and you're concerned with some frivolous sightseeing tour.

Kanna scoffs, one of her hands continuously scratching Malu's head.

KANNA: You remind me of Bato.

Kenora thinks back to his freakout at the trial.

KENORA: Whatever happened to him?

KANNA: Burned to a crisp in the Golden City.

The nonchalant assessment sends shivers down Kenora's spine.

KANNA: May I ask you a question, captain?

Kenora clears her throat in an unnatural manner.

KENORA: Sure.

KANNA: Why is it that you keep declaring our mission is to hunt down the Avatar? Clearly our priority assignment is to rescue Sokka.

Kenora gets back up, struggling to fix her hair from the fall.

KENORA: For one, the Avatar is the more important target. Secondly, Sokka is with him so it's basically redundant to specify-

She grunts in anger, redoing her ponytail again.

KENORA: Plus, we're not rescuing Sokka, we're taking him prisoner. He's a traitor.

Kanna shudders at the demonization of her grandson.

KANNA: Suppose he didn't leave voluntarily, that he had some good reason to do so. In that case-

Kenora quickly turns back around.

KENORA (angry): The only good reason the boy had is that he is a coward! He's a pathetic nobody with no goal and no hopes for the future! Frankly, I feel sad for him!

She finally gets her ponytail back together, though it's anything but perfect-looking.

KANNA: What's your goal then?

Kenora briefly freezes up.

KENORA: What?

KANNA: You say that Sokka has none, yet I fail to see yours, child.

Kenora gnashes her teeth at the insolence of being talked down to, but alas, she complies.

KENORA: I don't understand the question - my goal is to capture-

KANNA: I didn't mean military goal or mission goal. I was talking about your personal stakes in this. What is it that you hope to gain?

The girl is speechless. While trying to keep up a poker face, Kanna can clearly tell from her clenched fist that she is struggling to find an answer.

KENORA: Recognition? It would be nice for girls in our nation to have someone to look up to.

Kanna frowns in a "bitch, please"-fashion.

KENORA: What? Isn't that the point of all this? Good PR for girls in the Tribes?

KANNA: Again, you are talking political aspirations. You have yet to tell me your personal goal.

Kenora grunts in frustration, pacing back and then forth a few steps.

KENORA: I don't need a personal goal!

KANNA: Really?

KENORA: Really! All I'm here for is to capture the Avatar, bring Sokka to justice, and defeat that annoying firebender girl. I don't need a personal reason...

A hint of embarrassment creeps into the conversation.

KANNA: The firebender girl? The one who beat you in-

KENORA: She hasn't beat me yet. There was always something that came in between.

Kanna grins sheepishly, much to Kenora's disliking.

KANNA: So, your main goal in life is to win against a girl in a fight?

Kenora crosses her arms defensively.

KENORA: I don't need to beat her! She's irrelevant!

She steps away again, choosing to stare into a bush instead.

KANNA: Because she's not the Avatar or because she could beat you?

The old woman hit the exact weak spot of her opponent. Kenora turns around, smiling maniacally and stepping closer to the Chief Mother with every word.

KENORA: Oh, she wishes. She wishes that I couldn't slam her around and sweep the floor with her! I could take her in a non-bending fist fight if I wanted to!

By the end of her rant, their noses almost touch.

KANNA: So... you do want to fight her?

KENORA: No!

Kenora grunts again in frustration, turning around and disappearing into the bush.

KANNA: I'm sorry captain, but you do make it sound like it is absolutely crucial for you to beat her.

KENORA (in the distance): I can reassure you that-

The sudden pause makes Kanna a bit nervous.

KANNA: Captain?

After another period of silence, Kanna gets up.

KANNA: Kenora?!

The girl reappears from the woodwork. In her hand she holds a patch of white fur.

KENORA: We have work to do.

---

Aang can't quite find the rest he so desperately needs. He already disappointed his friends back in his world. He'd grown to live with the idea of never being able to return. That made it all the more heartbreaking to lose Toph and Sokka. It was yet another thing on a long list of mistakes that he needed to correct. Maybe Azula was right. Maybe it was time to move on and-

AZULA: I heard something.

Seeing the girl wide awake and with a clear voice gives him an odd feeling as he peaks up from his slumber. It's the middle of the night after all.

ZUKO (half-asleep): Huh-

Azula shushes him. A few seconds later the squeal of an animal echoes through the forest, waking everyone up at once.

AZULA: We need to pack up and leave.

TY LEE (sleepy): How did you know?

Azula quietly helps picking up all their belongings and putting them on Appa. Aang already has a suspicion as to why she knew and who is coming. As the Dream Team is ready for takeoff, three sea lion goats and the Princess Squad jump out of the woodwork. A mean waterspout from Kenora is disrupted by Azula's blue flame and an air slash is swept away by Ty Lee.

AZULA: GO!

AANG: Yip-yip!

Appa soars away into the night. This won't be the last time they'd stumble over Kenora tonight. And Aang had a suspicion that it won't just be her.

---

Act II. - All night long

---

Mai almost considers going to sleep, waiting till late at night in Shahar's office until the agent finally returns.

SHAHAR: I need a smoke.

She drops her report files on the desk, a stark, messy contrast to the usual orderliness of her workspace.

MAI: Nothing?

SHAHAR: Nothing but a waste of my time.

Shahar drops into her chair, her eyes fixating onto the cork board.

SHAHAR: For an organization that fled the city over night they apparently had the time to take absolutely everything with them. Not a trace of anything.

Mai nods impatiently.

MAI: My lead proved to be more useful.

Shahar sighs.

SHAHAR: Great. Tell me all about it tomorrow...

MAI: No.

A wake-up-call to the tired Shahar.

MAI: We need to leave soon if we want to catch him in time.

SHAHAR: Catch who?

Mai gets up.

MAI: My lead.

Shahar follows her suit.

SHAHAR: Anyone in particular?

Mai gestures her to be quiet.

SHAHAR (whispering): Someone important?

MAI (whispering): Someone very important.

---

A bit removed in the more rocky, desolate parts, Appa finally lands, allowing himself to get some much-needed rest, plopping down on the hard soil. The others crash down from the saddle onto the ground, Zuko still in his sleeping bag. Sabachi, beeing the smartest one, is able to rest on the bison without being bothered by the others.

ZUKO (sleepy): Alright... if we... set up camp now... we can...

TY LEE (to Azula): How did you know someone was coming?

Azula freezes up but remains calm. She has the upper hand after all.

AZULA: I don't know. Why don't you ask Aang?

The attention shifts to the Avatar, who reacts with guilt, as if expecting something like this.

TY LEE: Aang has nothing to do with this!

Tired Ty Lee is grumpy Ty Lee.

AZULA: Oh yeah?

She walks over to Appa, gently swiping her hand through his pelt, removing dozens of loose patches of hair.

AZULA: I guess he just forgot about the whole fur thing then?

Aang is too stunned to speak. Zuko finally has the energy to sit upright.

AZULA: Might be a shot in the dark but I think that Aang over here already went through this whole ordeal in his world. If I had to make an educated guess I'd say that it was me who successfully tracked him.

AANG: I-

AZULA: I understand that there's probably some stupid reason why you're doing this, but the least you can do is let us know about your dangerous plans beforehand.

He sighs in defeat.

AANG: You're right. I'm sorry.

He rubs his eyes, tired from the lack of sleep and not really looking forward to doing another all-nighter. But alas, it's what this adventure probably has in store...

AANG: Azula is right. I knew Appa's fur was going to attract someone. I wanted to be caught.

ZUKO: Why? Why would you put all of us in danger like this?

AANG: Because I'm scared.

No one knows how to follow that up.

TY LEE: Scared of... who?

AZULA: Katara.

Aang shudders in fear.

ZUKO: Katara?

TY LEE: Isn't she Sokka's sister? The one who found you in the iceberg?

He nods quietly.

TY LEE: Why would you be scared of her? You don't even know if she's with Kenora.

ZUKO: I think we would've had to deal with her by now if that was the case.

Clearly the boy has a hard time communicating these feelings at all. Thankfully, he has Azula.

AZULA: It's because he's in love with her.

General shock from the lovers.

TY LEE: Oh.

Aang sits down in defeat.

AANG: Yeah. You can imagine why I'm a little fearful of the idea of meeting her.

Azula decides to squad down next to him, the acrobat choosing to sit down as well.

AANG: I already lost Sokka and Toph. If I lose Katara too then...

The thought is too horrible to be uttered.

AZULA: Well, I mean, you still have Zuko.

Comical reaction shot to Zuko, who simply looks timid and too embarrassed to be mentioned.

TY LEE: And you have all of us. We're still your friends too.

He lets the thought sink in, the reassurance giving him at least some joy. Azula expresses a hint of jealousy via pulling up the right side of her lip.

ZUKO: Still, it's wrong that you lied to us.

Aang scratches the back of his head in an innocent fashion.

AZULA: Oh, you're the one talking.

She crosses her arms, getting back up.

AZULA: The both of you.

She points at them with her index and middle finger shaped like a v.

ZUKO (nervously): Uh... I don't know what you're talking about...

AANG: Zuko, even I can tell when you're lying.

The raven-haired boy frowns. Ty Lee decides to give in.

TY LEE: There is something I've been meaning to tell you.

Azula and Aang look at her with big eyes. Zuko is obviously already up to speed.

TY LEE: When the whole thing with Jet was going down, I was... meditating in the forest.

AZULA: Great. Glad Zuko and I had to deal with the whole-

ZUKO: Let her finish.

Azula pouts and Ty Lee smiles at her best boy.

TY LEE: I've been meditating a lot recently. The reason is because... I have a connection to the other Ty Lee.

Aang jolts up in a flash. Azula is clearly surprised as well.

AANG: What?! Since when?

TY LEE: I first had it in Dibuang. When I went to rescue Zuko I fought these waterbenders. Against one of them I used chi blocking.

Aang blinks in disbelief.

AZULA: Chi whating? Oh wait, is that the thing where they hit you a bunch of times and you lose your bending and go completely numb?

Comedic beat, as all eyes wander over to the firebender.

AZULA: That... thing when the Blue Spirit and Kenora... I'm not going to repeat myself.

The attention shifts back to the acrobat.

TY LEE: The next time was in Ba Sing Se - chi blocking again. Ever since then I've been having these... weird dreams and visions. It's never enough to be able to tell exact details, but I felt something was different. That's when I decided to try and meditate.

AANG: And?

She takes a deep breath. To Azula's horror, the look her friend gives her is one of utter fear.

TY LEE: I saw through her eyes. She showed me a vision. One with... the... other...

Azula feels sick to her stomach.

AANG: The other Azula.

Her insides twist around in a torturous fashion.

AZULA: What did I... or, I mean, what did she say?

Ty Lee tries to remember the hazy details.

TY LEE: I think it's when Ty Lee, the other me, learned about the Air Nomad genocide. Maybe she could feel my energy and it connected with her that way. The other Azula was...

She very clearly has to muster a lot of strength to look this Azula in the eyes. The acrobat decides to cut it short for her sake.

TY LEE: She was completely different from you, Azula. You're nothing like her.

The firebender nods, clearly a very thin film of tears covering her eyes.

AANG: Do you think you could do it again? Maybe start communicating with the other world?

Ty Lee hangs her head down low in shame, giving Aang a feeling of anticipatory disappointment.

TY LEE: It was really painful when I did it for the first time. Also... she's in a prison somewhere. I wouldn't know how she could get a message out there.

As Aang rubs his skull in shame, Azula suddenly flares up with energy.

AZULA: Hold up - that's a good thing!

TY LEE: Huh?

AZULA: Think about it - if my evil other self locked up Ty Chi Blocker instead of just executing her - that means your friends are probably in there too.

It takes the boy a while to put the pieces together, but as he does, a big, bright smile replaces the sorrow.

AANG: You're right. If they're just imprisoned, they're at least safe. That means I can rescue them!

AZULA: Well, I mean, that's really optimistic, I think you should-

She's cut off mid-sentence as he jumps to her throat and engulfs her in a hug. Her cheeks immediately turn to a deep, red shade. Her heartbeat slows down for a relaxing moment. He ultimately releases her from the gesture, allowing the firebender to readjust herself. One particular airbender was watching everyone's aura with a certain level of curiosity.

AZULA: Alright, that's good then. Good job Ty Lee.

As Ty lee smirks, Azula crosses her arms, dismissively waving to her brother.

AZULA: I guess Zuko just shared your secret then. I would know if he was lying.

For a moment she looks away, then eyes her nails, then realizes that no one is talking, then looks back at her friends. Aang suspects that, for once in her life, Azula misjudged her older brother.

AZULA: What's going on? Why is everyone so quiet?

Ty Lee and Zuko share uneasy looks.

AZULA: Why are you looking at each other like that? Guys?

Zuko takes an unsettlingly long breath.

ZUKO: I... have something to share as well.

He gets up on two feet. To Azula's complete shock and horror, the boy assumes a rather accurate firebending stance, even pulling back his arm and performing proper breathing techniques as-

He shoves his arm forward. The flame spouting from his palm is not particularly large or impressive - not even enough to scare Appa - but... it... is. It is a flame. Zuko just produced a flame.

His sister and the Avatar are completely speechless.

ZUKO: When I was going in and out after my arm broke...

He admires his right limb, feeling stronger than ever before.

ZUKO: I thought it was a dream for a long time. But... when I was asleep... I was in the Spirit World.

AANG: What did you see? Was it the other Zuko?

ZUKO: No.

With a smile, he turns to his sister, who seems more scared than anything.

ZUKO: I was up on the Twins. The volcanos they... they are spirits after all. They gifted me firebending.

He can't tell exactly what Azula is going through right now. From the looks of things, it's a deep-seated horror resting in her expression.

AANG: Why didn't you say something sooner?

ZUKO: We had so much going on with Sokka, then the Earth King, then Bandit... I guess I didn't think it was that important.

AZULA: Not that important?

Everyone present is anticipating some kind of visceral reaction from the overly arrogant firebending prodigy.

ZUKO: Azula, listen, I'm not going to do it if you don't want me to. I can just-

She interrupts him with a scoff at first...

AZULA: Are you kidding me?

...then jumps to his throat, a few tears rolling down her face as she engulfs her brother in a hug as warm as his fire. Zuko can't quite collect his thoughts.

ZUKO: What- I... I thought you would be furious with me.

She backs off again, coming off as a little insulted.

AZULA: Furious? Zuko, who do you think I am?

She correctly reads the room, Ty Lee looking away and Aang scratching his head.

AZULA: What? Yes, I can be very... vain when comes to my bending. It's something I'm very proud of.

She scoffs in disbelief.

AZULA: But I would be a fool to be angry at having another firebender for a brother. Just imagine what our uncle would say!

Zuko smirks in relief.

ZUKO: Imagine what mom would say.

Overwhelmed by emotion, she hugs him again, this time he fully embraces her.

AANG: I understand why you didn't tell me. I'm incredibly glad to hear it finally, though.

The siblings separate and Azula takes on her usual sass again.

AZULA: Right. No offense, but you're not quite in a position to think otherwise, Aang.

A slide whistle plays as he shuts up again.

ZUKO: So, what are we going to do about Kenora?

TY LEE: Maybe we can speed up the shedding process if we use airbending.

AZULA: No.

All eyes wander over to her.

AZULA: Two firebenders and two airbenders - one of which is the Avatar? I don't see how Kenora stands a chance, even with her posse.

She picks up a patch of fur and shows off a smug smile.

AZULA: In the spirit of honesty and all, I think it's more than just that we find out if this Katara is a threat or not.

She looks over to a nervous Aang.

AZULA: At least you'll have clarity then.

He nods.

AANG: They still think they have the upper hand in tracking us.

She creates a controlled flame in her palm, destroying the hair.

AZULA: Kenora has no idea what's going to hit her...

---

As the trio continues to chase through the dark woodwork, Suki begins to wonder how long these sea lion goats endure. They're not a species common to the North or South Pole. Then again, neither are she or Akari. Technically Whale Tail Island was only recently integrated, though she is unsure when exactly this happened. Definitely some time before the Kyoshi Rebellion-

A sudden rush of panic streams through her system and she stops. The other two quickly take note of this, ordering their mounts to abruptly halt in the dry terrain, the green grass starting to disappear in parts.

AKARI: Everything okay?

Suki grasps her chest, stabilizing her breath with a technique she invented herself.

SUKI (out of breath): I'm fine.

Akari nods but doesn't leave her side. This greatly aggravates their captain.

KENORA: What is it?

AKARI: I think she caught a bad breath or something. Give her a minute.

SUKI (mumbling to herself): Just wait till it's over...

Kenora angrily (and awkwardly) hops off her ride animal.

KENORA: We don't have time for this. If you're not feeling well, wait back on the ship with Katara.

The athlete starts getting defensive on her friend's behalf.

AKARI: Relax. They're not onto us yet. It might be smarter to wait till they're back to sleep before we strike anyways.

Kenora raises her hand but doesn't come up with a rebuttal. Akari... is right.

AKARI: We have them in a pincer movement - with us on land and Katara traversing the river there is nowhere for them to go. Unless they want to go through the desert.

SUKI: Your plan is good, captain.

Suki sits upright again, having worked through her little episode.

SUKI: We managed to make it into Ba Sing Se - we'll manage this too.

The waterbender turns her back, letting her coat flap in an intimidating fashion.

KENORA: I'm not just worried about that...

The other girls exchange looks.

AKARI: You're not?

Kenora crosses her arms.

KENORA: I didn't see Sokka.

As she utters the thought the others react with concern.

SUKI: Now that you mention it...

KENORA: Either they're hiding him or...

SUKI: They left him in Ba Sing Se.

Kenora turns back around.

KENORA: Or worse.

Akari frowns in protest.

AKARI: They wouldn't do anything worse, let's be real. But... well, it is concerning.

KENORA: Only one way to get the answer...

As she speaks, she hops on her sea lion goat again, the creature making a strange snarling sound.

KENORA: Let's go.

With that, she leads the charge, the other girls following her with much less opposition than they would've shown in the past. Especially from Akari.

---

Nights in Ba Sing Se are rather scenic, especially in the Middle and Lower Ring. Lots of little lanterns and smaller light sources provide for some luminous spectacles. And useful shadows. Mai is leading the pursuit. The assassin is more than a little impressed by Shahar's earthbending, not only by how precise and sharp her earth chunks always seem to be, but also by how quietly she can perform a skill that is otherwise known to attract much unwarranted attention.

As she launches herself and her partner on a rooftop quietly, she finally makes out the figure they're pursuing. The target is cloaked in a hood, civilian clothing making it look rather inconspicuous. Shahar frowns, Mai rolls her eyes, the two continue. After passing over a hospital and a brewery, the figure briefly turns around, taking a long, hard look over nearby rooftops. Clearly, he is paranoid and scared of being followed. The girls ducked in time. Shahar almost gasps as she recognizes his face in the darkness.

SHAHAR (mouthing to Mai): Fong?

Mai nods with a heavy heart. The implications of a member of the Council of Five betraying the Earth Kingdom is more than worrisome.

They continue onward with their pursuit, which ends rather unspectacularly in a low-income housing block. They pass over one of the units. A small girl almost spots them, though as they pass by, she goes back to staring at a framed picture of the Earth King in her living room.

Mai stops, signaling to Shahar to position the other agents close by, just in case Fong attempts to escape. She of course does the same with her fellow men and women, nodding to Caraman to hold his position. Fong enters one of the apartments quietly. Mai and Shahar nod each other.

---

As Fong enters, he lets out a deep sigh, Thankfully the Kimono Society hasn't caught on to his secret visits yet. And if so, Tamao probably has the decency to keep her mouth shut. He takes off his robes and steps into the homely living room, decorated mostly with custom pottery in all shapes and colors.

FONG: I'm home. Sun-Yat? Are you here?

The silence is unsettling. His muscles tense up as he clenches his fists.

The darts come flying practically out of nowhere, pinning him to a nearby wall in an instant. A symmetrical hole grows next to him, Shahar entering with her rock-covered fists raised, giving the general a rather mean flashback of the Dai Li battles of the past. His brow lowers into a scared frown.

FONG: Who told you I was coming here?!

MAI: Nobody.

The elusive Mai appears from the shadows, a single blade in her hand spinning in a show-off-y manner.

MAI: You have some explaining to do, General.

Fong sighs. He dreaded this day for years.

SUN-YAT: What on Earth is going on?!

An average-looking man with a top knot and smooth, yellow robes enters.

FONG: Go back inside, Sun-Yat. I have it under control.

Mai and Shahar lower their stance and exchange confused looks.

SUN-YAT: "Under control" - is that what you call it?

Fong nods awkwardly, still pinned to the living room.

SUN-YAT: Honey, there is a hole in the wall of our home.

He looks over to Shahar with his arms crossed.

SUN-YAT: Did you do this, young lady?

Shahar is too overwhelmed to respond.

SHAHAR: Uh... yes?

MAI: I'm sorry, what is going on here?

As she steps forth, Sun-Yat flinches, as he has not spotted the warrior in the shadows.

SUN-YAT: Chiang? Are these people here to hurt you?

The sincerity in his voice finally answers the question for both girls, almost at the same time.

SHAHAR: Oh...

MAI: You two are...

Fong is clearly ashamed to have been caught, forcing Sun-Yat to stand up for him.

SUN-YAT: I will not speak to two strangers who break into my house and pin my husband to the wall.

Mai tries not to come off as too shocked, though it is very hard to do so. Shahar gestures out into the dark. A bit of rustling, and the other Kimono Agents and Crescent Warriors disperse, after which Shahar closes the wall again. Mai meanwhile removes a few pins, allowing Fong to fall back down, Sun-Yat helping him to stand up.

SUN-YAT: Are you okay, honey?

Fong is clearly very uncomfortable, though not because of the attack.

FONG: I'm fine.

He turns to the girls, letting out a long and pained sigh.

FONG: I suppose you will have to report this to the Earth King.

MAI: We'll see.

Shahar is clearly not happy with her answer, though plays along regardless.

SUN-YAT: Seeing as hostilities have passed, you two can take a seat. Would you like some tea?

Mai and Shahar shake their heads as they sit down on pillows.

SUN-YAT: Alright then.

He turns to Fong, who has taken a seat on the couch.

SUN-YAT: I'll make some for myself. Can you handle this on your own, Chiang?

Fong nods quietly.

SUN-YAT: I'll leave you to it, then.

Before leaving for the kitchen, he gives Fong a peck on the lips. The sliding door closing feels like a small relief to the bulky man.

MAI: Well, this is all very unexpected, Chiang.

Fong frowns.

FONG: You are to refer to me by my title or last name only.

SHAHAR: You do realize that we will have to report this eventually, right?

Fong sighs once again.

FONG: I tried keeping this a secret for as long as possible. People... like me aren't exactly promoted a lot in the army.

Shahar lets the thought sink in. To their surprise, he smiles.

FONG: We knew each other for as long as I can remember. I knew that... our friendship was different than most men...

SHAHAR: Just call it relationship.

Fong winces slightly.

SUN-YAT (from the kitchen): She's right, honey!

Mai, while respecting and accepting the circumstances, still can't help but to find the sudden discovery more than bizarre.

MAI: I started noticing a pattern of disappearance. You should've been more careful, general.

Fong scratches the back of his head.

FONG: There I thought I was safe...

MAI: Why hide it though? Keeping a secret as big as this only draws suspicion more than anything.

SHAHAR: No, I understand.

They turn to the agent.

SHAHAR: There are many within our ranks and in the palace that look down upon same-sex relationships. It's only because of Madame Tamao that I'm not out right discriminated against.

FONG: That's my biggest fear.

The bulky man leans back, staring at the ceiling.

FONG: I served my country far too long to let all of that go. Not when we have the Water Tribe on the run for once.

He sits back up straight.

FONG: You girls won't keep this between us, will you?

Shahar's mouth extends into a straight line.

MAI: We have more than a dozen agents and warriors with us. I doubt we'll be able to pinky-promise the whole ordeal away.

The man's confidence breaks down. The kitchen door opens.

SUN-YAT: I think it is time to finally come out.

He enters with tea in his hand, sitting down next to the general and gently grabbing his hand.

SUN-YAT: If the Earth King demotes you for having found love, he is an idiot. You are smart and strong and loyal. Without you the Dai Li would still pull all the strings and Yu Dao would've been overrun by the Water Tribe.

The men share a sweet moment of eye-contact, then an even sweeter kiss. So do the girls, the eye-contact that is, not the kiss. Mai instead flicks her eyebrows and Shahar smiles with something resembling pride.

SHAHAR: So much for your big lead, huh?

---

Kenora quietly dismounts, this time able to calm the animal, causing it to not make a strange howl or snarl. The other girls do much the same, the three of them moving in unison towards the forest meadow. The bison is clearly snoozing, so are the airbender and the sword boy. The Avatar is resting on the bison's saddle while the firebender is the furthest removed in her sleeping back. Kenora smirks.

Suki quietly waves. Her nod and frown express her concern for a certain prince missing. Kenora's smile disappears in the blink of an eye.

The squad quietly moves in, Akari's footsteps beeing the most quiet for obvious reasons. As they step closer a thought begins to brew within the captain. Akari and Suki check out the lovers and Appa, while Kenora walks over to Azula's sleeping bag. Her neck hair erects as she taps it, realizing it's filled with hay.

KENORA: It's a trap!

Before either squad member can react, Ty Lee has already shot up like a bolt, blasting Suki and Akari across the meadow. Kenora rushes to their aid but meets quite a similar fate at the hands of the Avatar. The three all in one spot, they get up slowly, their fear only growing larger as blue flames turn to red ones, surrounding them in a deadly circle.

AZULA: Hi again.

Chime.

Smirking at her opponents, Azula opens a gap big enough for her brother to enter, swords drawn. Aang and Ty Lee land next to her from above. Kenora gnashes her teeth, reading herself.

KENORA: Cowards!

TY LEE: You're the one chasing us at night!

AKARI: Save it.

Brief airbender glares are exchanged.

AKARI: What do you want?

Kenora realizes what Akari is about to say out loud.

AKARI: You obviously want something or else you would've tried to shake us off.

They look over to Aang, who quietly steps forth.

AANG: I propose an exchange of information.

Kenora scoffs.

KENORA: How stupid do you think I am?

AZULA: Pretty stupid.

Kenora draws water from her pouch.

AANG: Please. We just want to know something, then we'll leave you alone.

He holds up his hands, the angry captain letting her water fall down with a splash.

KENORA: We're not going to stop chasing you.

AZULA (idling her fingernails): We got that part already.

Ty Lee nudges her in the side, signaling for the firebender to stop her comments.

KENORA: Okay. But we start.

Suki steps forth, the bright flames reflecting off her katana.

SUKI: Where is Prince Sokka?

Her question comes shooting out like a pistol. However, she backs off as...

Aang's pupils dilate - he averts his face, having finally identified the swordfighter as Suki.

...the Avatar was just... staring at her. Like he... knew her?

AZULA: We left him in Ba Sing Se. It was too dangerous to keep him around with you freaks at our tail. He's safer in the city.

Kenora starts laughing, no, howling out of nowhere. Her otherwise rather high pitch turns somewhat deep in that moment.

KENORA: You're a terrible liar.

Azula panics internally, managing to keep a straight face regardless. She tries to quite literally shrug her accusation off.

AZULA: Whatever. You can believe us or not. It's your choice.

Kenora scoffs.

KENORA: Right. Except I don't really need to "believe" your story when it makes no sense.

The other members of the Dream Team shudder a bit at her perceptiveness.

KENORA: What? Crown Prince leaves his nation to join the Avatar and then just... stays behind? Alone in the capitol where everyone hates him? Yeah. No. I don't believe it for a second.

She considers Azula's response a bit sharper. An odd smirk on her face finally breaks Azula's facade.

KENORA: "It's your choice", you said. Hm. I think he chose to leave you. Probably didn't want to deal with your bullshit anymore.

AZULA: Watch it-

Aang holds her back, Kenora's theory already confirmed.

KENORA: Alright, our question answered. Now you go ahead.

The captain crosses her arms. Azula steps back again. Aang takes a deep breath. The sound of crackling fire in the night haunts all of them.

AANG: I need to know if... someone is travelling with you.

KENORA: Well, that is sensitive information, Avatar. I can't promise that I'll answer that...

She holds her arms up do underline her dishonesty.

KENORA: What's this... person's name?

AANG: Katara.

Her victorious frown disappears. Primal fear grows in all of the girls. Suki is the first one to act on it.

SUKI (angry): EVIL SPIRIT!

She charges Aang, who misses the deadly blade by an inch as Ty Lee blasts her in the side, shortly before she and Zuko meet the same fate at Akari's hands. Kenora meanwhile sucks the grass dry, creating enough moisture to extinguish the flames. As the waterbender blocks a blue fire bolt, Akari knocks the firebender aside, immediately switching over to deal with the Avatar. Azula tries to get back up, yet her leg is caught in a wateracle and she is tossed aside again. Kenora jumps on her, grabbing her shirt and pulling back her ice fist, ready to strike at any moment.

KENORA (angry): How do you know this?!

She spits in her fury. Azula meanwhile quietly gathers heat in her right palm.

AZULA: Lucky guess.

Within the span of two seconds, Azula ignites her hand, scratching her opponent's torso with a nasty slash. Kenora grunts in pain, allowing Azula to kick her off and get back up. While Akari tries to dodge Aang's attacks, Suki is holding her own against Zuko's blades and Ty Lee's air blasts. A combination of Sabachi biting and Appa's tail flap is, in the end, more than enough to knock out the swordfighter.

AKARI: Suki!

Distracted for a second too long, Akari is hit by Aang's air slash, allowing him to collect the rest of his friends and get back on Appa.

AZULA: Alright, that was a mistake. Yip-yip!

As he grabs the reins, he looks over to Suki. The Avatar's eyes staring at her, slightly teary, is one of the most haunting sights the girl has ever seen.

---

Who knew that a weird dog with a giant shell on its back could be so fast? Sokka had discovered a more important attribute of the mutt though - a good nose. He picks the white patch of fur from the animal's snout, eyeing it with a cheerful smirk.

SOKKA: That's the third one. We're getting closer.

Bandit, facing the other way behind him, lets out a loud yawn.

BANDIT: Why do we have to travel at night? Can't we go chase after them in the morning...

His smirk disappears as he correctly identifies three sets of footprints in the grass.

SOKKA: Sea lion goats...

BANDIT: How do you know?

He comedically looks over to animal droppings, which he correctly knows are of goat origins.

SOKKA: I'm uh... good at reading tracks.

Bandit shrugs.

BANDIT: Whatever. Let's just keep going...

He whips the reins and the dog hops onward. Bandit yawns yet again.

BANDIT (while yawning): I'm sure we'll catch up to them soon...

SOKKA: Yeah, it's just that we're not the only ones doing so...

---

As Kenora gets the sea lion goats (and frowns as they yelp and howl), Akari comforts Suki. The otherwise stern swordfighter has dropped her weapon and is hugging her knees.

KENORA (while struggling not to be licked and/or bitten by the animals): We need to be... fast if we want to... catch up. They might not have... figured out the fur... thing.

SUKI: He knows me.

Akari looks over to her captain, who has gone awfully quiet upon hearing those words.

KENORA: Who?

Suki looks up, her face reeking of terror.

SUKI: The way he was... looking at me - he knew me... somehow.

Kenora tries to shrug it off. She never really trusted the whole "other world thing", even if the Avatar knowing Yue back in the Golden City was frightening.

KENORA: Maybe it's a past live thing. You know, Avatar Kyoshi. Maybe... he knew you were from there and-

SUKI: No.

Both a reaction to her question and a demand to stop mentioning her former home.

AKARI: Whatever it is - he knows about the Crown Princess. Should we... head back?

They look over to Kenora, who is rolling her eyes.

KENORA: You know my answer.

Suki jumps up.

SUKI: She could be in danger.

KENORA: She will be if we abandon our chase of the Avatar.

The captain tries to be a bit more diplomatic.

KENORA: The way I see it, there's two possible outcomes - the Avatar is heading to the Pāpaka and we are following him, ergo going to protect Katara ourselves. Option two, we continue to track them down and we beat them somewhere else.

In a quick stroke of pain, she grabs to her torso, the side of her stomach still badly hurting despite her quick waterbending healing. Akari sighs.

AKARI: I agree.

Kenora is briefly speechless as the other girls mount their ride animals.

KENORA: Really? You guys just... listen to me?

Akari has a quick moment of shameful veracity.

AKARI: Sure. I may not like you all that much, but you know how to lead us.

SUKI: And we need to strategize a way to get around our numbers disadvantage.

Kenora is more than satisfied. Mostly humbled that her crew has actually grown to trust her a little.

---

As the gang draws closer to the desert, they start noticing the vegetation growing more and more sparce. Appa lands once again with a tired grunt and with the hopes of finding some sleep. Aang is the first to jump off and land on the rocky ground.

TY LEE: Aang, it's going to be alright.

One after the other, everyone gets off Appa and tries to comfort the boy. It might be the insomnia making everything worse, but Aang feels like growing snowball of nerves right about now.

AANG: She is with them. I knew it.

Sabachi lands on Azula's shoulder, the firebender not quite knowing what she should do or say.

TY LEE: It's okay Aang, it's not the Katara you know. This is someone else.

ZUKO: You're not alone here, bud. We got your back.

He turns towards them with a bitter-sweet smile.

AANG: Thank you guys.

AZULA: Yes, we have your back. But I know for damn sure what you're about to say.

A bit of confusion is followed by what Aang knows Azula correctly predicted.

AANG: I trust all of you with my life, other world or not. But this is something I need to do on my own. I need to face her.

ZUKO: You sure you can take her?

He shrugs, unsure how to respond.

AANG: If she's anything like my Katara... it might be dangerous.

He takes a deep breath, the mental image of the beautiful girl of the Southern Water Tribe edged into his mind deeper than any scar.

AANG: I'm not planning on fighting her. I want to talk to her.

Azula tries to hide her lack of enthusiasm and hint of jealousy.

AANG: Sokka changed his mind when he discovered the truth. Maybe... if I just tell her everything...

AZULA: Isn't she Azula though?

All eyes wander over to the firebender.

AZULA: Isn't she me in your world? The daughter of the big evil man? Doesn't that make her irredeemable?

A sudden burst of anger shoots through his veins.

AANG (angry): You and her are nothing alike!

As the spiteful words exit his mouth, he immediately regrets them.

AANG: I'm sorry, I... I didn't mean it that way.

She crosses her arms, looking like she's on the verge of tears.

AZULA (quietly): Whatever...

TY LEE: We're all tired. We should just find a place to hide and do this tomorrow.

AZULA: No. We all know Kenora is a few bricks short of a load - she'll stop at nothing to catch up to us.

She tries scouting their surroundings, which is proving to be somewhat easier as the approaching sunrise allows for a tiny bit of light across the landscape. A nearby grassy hill wrapped in the edges of the forest leads up to what looks like an abandoned mill. The strategy pops into her head as quickly as a professional can solve a Rubik's cube.

AZULA: Alright, I figured out a plan.

AANG: Already?

She smirks at him and the guilt crawls back into his system.

AZULA: You know me well enough by now.

He smiles back, making her almost forget the earlier insult.

---

A short time later, just at the cusp of dawn, the Princess Squad arrive at the exact same rocky spot on the edge of the forest.

AKARI: The track continues on there.

The airbender points in the direction of more fur patches. Kenora doesn't listen though. Her eyes are magnetically pulled to a nearby building. From it emits a small but visible fire. And it's blue.

KENORA: You guys follow that. I'll check this out.

Akari and Suki share concerned looks.

SUKI: The Avatar is this way.

KENORA: Something tells me they split up. Go for a scouting run and come back to me later.

She finally takes her eyes off the old mill and looks at her companions.

KENORA: You guys trust me, don't you?

The girls nod with a slight delay.

KENORA: Good. Then I'll see you later.

She whips her reins and marches onward. The others follow her command, tracing the trail further down the sparce woodwork. Though something is definitely off.

---

Sokka gets down from the Doedicurus Mastiff, correctly identifying the tracks as they move in one direction, then suddenly split into two. He looks over to Bandit, who has rested for a while against his back and is wide awake now. She shares a confused look with him, unsure what his plan is.

---

As Aang soars through the dark morning his mind thinks back to the adventure involving Toph and Azula, the equivalent to this repeat of events. He obviously also revels in memories about Katara, picturing her face in the moonlight. He may not be able to return to his world, but he at least needed to speak to his old friends and his Katara one last time. And, perhaps in a gesture of mercy after all the torment he went through, perhaps he'll get his Katara back in this world. He would not have lost anything, only gained a few new friends including Azula and Ty Lee. Who knows? Who's to say this Katara isn't exactly who he wants her to be?

---

Act III. - The fateful collision at dawn

---

The horizon is drenched in a tiny spec of orange, as if the sky was a bowl of water where a single droplet was inserted. She gets off her mount as she enters the abandoned mill. A creek is flowing right next to it, a wooden wheel on the side still spinning because of it, though she doubts that any of the mechanisms inside still work.

She enters ready for battle, though not spotting anyone yet. The entire ground level is drenched in darkness, only the upper floor seems slightly illuminated. Kenora's boots creak on the wooden floor as she climbs up a conveniently-placed ladder.

AZULA: I knew you'd show up.

Kenora flinches at her voice, reading herself when spotting the firebender holding a tiny blue flame in her hand, extinguishing it as quickly as a lighter.

AZULA: I have to say, I admire your determination.

She starts walking in a circle around the waterbender like a cat preying on a mouse.

KENORA: Your little trap is of no use. I have a dozen soldiers and the other squad members surrounding this building by now.

AZULA: No.

Kenora isn't so easily startled in being called out as a liar.

AZULA: Do you know how I know that?

She doesn't answer, only frowning at her.

AZULA: It's because you knew I was alone.

Scratch that, Kenora is startled now.

AZULA: You knew I was here all alone, and I knew that you would take the bait and show up all by yourself. It was quite easy to figure out, actually.

Kenora scoffs nervously.

KENORA: You're bluffing. Why would I go after you all by myself?

Azula eyes her nails, expressing theatrical curiosity with her features.

AZULA: It's just a theory of mine but... I think it's pretty spot-on. Wanna hear it?

Kenora once again stays quiet. Azula finally stops her stroll, coming to a hold.

AZULA: Fine, I'll just tell you. I don't think you're really interested in catching Aang or rescuing Sokka. Heck, I doubt you really like the prince after he stabbed you in the back...

A slight twitch in Kenora's brow gives it away.

AZULA: I think you're looking for revenge. Against me.

Kenora comically snorts.

KENORA: Revenge? Really? Against you?

AZULA: Revenge might be the wrong word for it. I think you're salty that you haven't beaten me in a fight yet.

Kenora's face quickly transforms into a frown.

KENORA: I guess the world is much easier for you to understand when it only revolves around you, huh?

Azula waves the thought aside, finally bothering to make eye contact with her opponent.

AZULA: That's one way to look at it. Tell me, if I am wrong, then you can easily answer a question for me...

KENORA: We're done with the questions.

She pops open her two water pouches, her hands getting ready to attack.

AZULA: Have you or have you not ever beaten me? Cause I know the answer is "no".

The captain gnashes her teeth. Azula can feel the heat rising - she only has to stall for a few more seconds.

AZULA: Yeah, I thought so. You came close but... you've never even stood a chance.

KENORA: Then I guess it's time to correct my error.

Azula giggles quietly.

AZULA: I seriously doubt it.

KENORA: How come?

Azula takes a deep breath.

AZULA: You rise with the moon ... I rise with the sun.

A glimmer of sunlight blinds Kenora. Looking to her right, a part of the building's wall is missing, letting in the tiniest tip of the morning sun from behind the horizon.

With a frown of her own, Azula extends both arms, letting out a nightmarish wave of blue flames. Kenora is quick to shield herself from the attack, though unable to stop the destruction the attack inflicts on the building, mainly the floorboards, which collapse beneath the waterbender, plunging her into the darkness below.

She gets up scared and pumped with adrenaline. Blue flames shoot from the shadows, Azula moving like a haunting specter in the darkness, never revealing her current position. Kenora is skilled enough disperse or dodge incoming attacks, letting some of the flames to burst leftover tools and equipment, shattering the wood with the power of a bull. Kenora finally gets an idea - tricking Azula into blasting a hole into the wall facing east. A small opening letting in sunlight, Kenora amplifies the effect by freezing over the hole, creating a crystal-like shape that illuminates the entire ground floor, stealing away the firebender's visual advantage. It's now or never.

Azula swipes and kicks flame after flame, having briefly forgotten her much more effective emotionless bending for a rage filled barrage. She may not admit it, but she too is seeking revenge.

Kenora charges skillfully for a close combat attack, able to neutralize the heat of her fire by way of her own bending. She opts to use a smaller amount of water like a bouncy nun chuck flinging over her arms and shoulders. This way, she slaps away Azula's incoming finger blasts, then fists, finally giving her a mean slap on the chin. The firebender recoils, dodging an incoming water stream by bouncing off a wooden pillar, summoning an arc of fire midair, though her opponent stands firm. Kenora continues by restricting Azula's right hand - then the left - leaving the girl to angrily struggle and wiggle against her will. Like reins on a beast, Kenora tries getting her under control, aiming to use the momentum to slam her against the wall. Yet, Azula too holds firm, planting her feet into the ground and exhaling an arch of blue fire from her mouth, forcing Kenora to abandon her strategy and block. While her opponent is busy, Azula choses to end it.

Drawing her fingers in slow motions across the room she tries keeping her head quiet and her soul still. Kenora recovers from the prior attack, confused at the sight of her enemy making weird lines with her finger, extending one arm and-

SHRE-BOOM!

A massive explosion leaves Azula's finger, launching her backwards through the ice window and outside. Kenora is knocked over a wooden counter holding a funnel, which breaks off upon impact, covering the girl in some leftover flour, though mostly dust.

---

The sun softly pecks the sky around it, though the walls of Ba Sing Se leave in very little sunlight for now. Mai is impatiently waiting outside the housing complex, relieved to finally see Caraman walk up to her.

CARAMAN: The other Crescent Warriors went back to their posts or to sleep.

Shahar walks down a set of stairs to join the black/grey spies. Caraman yawns.

CARAMAN: Permission to join them?

Mai looks over to Shahar.

SHAHAR: I... do need someone to help me with the protocol upstairs.

Caraman's expression takes on a comically disappointed note, any protest slamming against a wall that is Mai's cold stare. And so, he follows Shahar back up the staircase, the Kimono Agent giving a joyful wink to the assassin, melting her face somewhat.

A wooden thud alerts her. It might've been nothing. Maybe. But... you know what they say about curiosity.

She walks back into the main alley and down to the left into the closed market section. After all, it's still nighttime - which makes this sight all the more strange to see.

A young man in his early twenties with side stubbles and thick eyebrows is picking up veggies from the stone street. Mai crosses her arms. The man flinches when he sees her, dropping the turnips he was holding.

VENDOR: Young lady, you scared me...

He nervously wipes his face. Mai decides to walk over and help him with the task.

VENDOR: Oh, thank you. I'm a real klutz sometimes...

He scratches the back of his dark grey hair. Mai raises an eyebrow.

MAI: A bit early to start the day, huh?

The vendor scoffs.

VENDOR: Yeah, it is. Competition is pretty brutal our here. Gotta try to stay ahead, right?

MAI: Right.

With the last turnip lifted and put back into a wooden box, the vendor sighs in relief.

VENDOR: Thank you so much.

Mai nods, trying not to arouse suspicion.

MAI: No issue. Not a huge fan of carrots myself.

VENDOR: Yeah. They're not for everyone I guess...

It takes him a few seconds to realize his blunder.

VENDOR: Oh, they're not carrots, actually. They're turnips.

He laughs nervously. Mai simply nods.

MAI: Right.

The vendor nods as well.

VENDOR: Right. Uh... have a good day then. Or... good morning, I guess.

He waves her aside as he walks over to a stack filled with other vegetables.

Mai has already decided that she smells something more than a little suspicious. Quietly turning around, marching a few steps...

About ten seconds pass. As she turns around, the man has run off.

She immediately begins to sprint into a smaller alley to her right, chasing with the speed of a skilled warrior. Jumping from wall to wall, she rolls over on one of the rooftops, continuing to leap to the edge, where she opts to jump across to another house. She has already spotted the vendor hastily trying to get away. The man seems to have noticed her as well, cutting into corners quickly and unpredictably, though Mai having the high ground and athletic advantage clearly gives her the upper hand. Another zigzag and the two find themselves in a construction site, bamboo scaffolding marking the wall of an unfinished building complex. The man decides to tackle the flimsy railing, knocking over quite a few bamboo sticks before the entire thing starts collapsing. Mai is pushed to her limit jumping from platform to platform, while also dodging the scaffolding breaking down around her. Using the momentum of a bamboo plank falling over, she lands back down on the ground, rolling over and launching a series of knifes at the vendor.

In a split-second, the man turns around, draws water from his sleeve and blocks her projectiles with a coat of ice.

The assassin briefly stunned, the man transforms the ice shield into tiny little projectiles, which Mai is forced to dodge via hiding behind a pile of bamboo pieces. The man draws more water from another pouch, shattering the bamboo pile, surprised to find it vacated. Mai used her momentum to appear from a rooftop to his left, launching a few darts that the man can only barely dodge. And when I say "barely dodge" what I mean is that one of the little buggers gets stuck in his shoulder.

The chase continues, with the man knocking on a random shop door, trying to get in and seek shelter. Mai lands across from him, drawing blades from her robes and waiting to respond to an attack.

Any such attack is cut short by the ground lifting itself up in a perfectly straight line, the stone block rudely knocking the man against the door like a golf club. The door breaks and the man grunts as he finds himself inside a candy shop, Mai chasing after him.

MAI: Who do you work for?!

The man grunts in pain, holding his shoulder.

A gagging noise alerts Mai. Turning around, she finds Shahar on the brink of throwing up.

MAI: What's up with you?

Shahar (sick): Candy shop... I hate... sweet... smells...

She rushes to the side, the noise that follows suit painting a clear picture as to what happens next.

MAI (disgusted): Gross.

SHOPKEEPER: What's going on in here?!

An old man with a long braid and in sleeping gowns appears from a back door.

MAI: We followed this criminal waterbender outside your shop. He tried to get in.

SHOPKEEPER: And so you knocked him in here?! How much do you think a new door costs?! Who is responsible for this?!

She looks at the door, still able to hear Shahar being sick.

MAI: You'll have to talk to her outside.

A strange sizzle interrupts the conversation. She looks down, finding the vendor smirking like a little demon. Foam starts streaming from his mouth.

MAI: What did you do?!

She runs over stabilizing his head as his entire body begins to twitch. One of his teeth is gone, supposedly it was a fake replica meant to be crushed with a bite. It would explain the white poison streaming from the man's mouth and the look of severe pain in his eyes. In his last moments, the fake vendor appears as though he regrets his action, looking at my Mai with a scared expression, as if expecting her to help him, safe him. A few seconds pass and any help is too late. She carefully drops him on the ground, the shopkeeper covering his mouth in shock and disgust. Mai is fundamentally shaken by the horrors of looking at a dead man.

Thank the spirits Shahar didn't have to see this.

---

ZUKO: How much longer should we go?

He looks back, deep sacks under his eyes. Ty Lee shrugs.

TY LEE: Don't know...

Zuko looks ahead, shocked to see the first sun beams pocking out from beyond the horizon.

ZUKO: Oh no, the sun is rising. We've been up all night with no sleep!

TY LEE: Zuko, we'll be okay.

ZUKO: Are you sure? I've never not slept before!

He holds his hands up to his head, letting go of Appa's reins.

ZUKO: What if I fall asleep now and something happens - something always happens!

TY LEE: So... what's our plan?

He sighs.

ZUKO: Don't know... too tired to think...

As both of them start closing their eyes, Zuko feels the weight from his body disappearing, he even starts hovering above Appa's head - wait - hovering?!

ZUKO (panicked): Uh... Ty Lee?

The acrobat's eyes snap open as she realizes what's going on. As Appa drops to the ground like a rock, his mighty fall is comically accompanied by the sound of a WWII Stuka plan dive bombing.

TY LEE: APPA HAS FALLEN ASLEEP!

Zuko grabs onto his horn, pulling himself down to the bison's eye level, opening his lid against his will.

ZUKO (urgently): Wake up, buddy!

The bison's eyes slowly creak open, then widen in realization of the current situation. He growls, opting to make some kind of miraculous landing, knocking over a few trees as he slides into the rocky surface. The beast finally on solid ground, he begins dozing off again. Sabachi herself was also asleep the whole time this was happening.

With an exhausted grunt Zuko lets himself fall down from the horn, Ty Lee slowly hovering off the saddle.

TY LEE: Appa's exhausted.

AKARI: Then you should let him rest.

The two kids are quickly pumped with adrenaline again, getting ready for combat against the swordfighter and the airbender.

SUKI: We have some questions this time.

Akari spins her staff in an awkward fashion. The two of them look equally as tired as our heroes.

AKARI: And you better tell us the whole truth or-

BONK!

The sound of a carnival game sounds twice as Suki and Akari comically sink to the ground, two rock pillars having appeared behind them. knocking them in the back of the head.

BANDIT: Wow, that was much easier than I expected.

Ty Lee's and Zuko's relief turns into genuine joy.

TY LEE & ZUKO: Bandit!

To her surprise, they rush towards her, engulfing her in a hug.

BANDIT: Alright, alright - let me go...

They follow her command.

ZUKO: Why did you come back? I thought you wanted nothing to do with Aang.

She shrugs nonchalantly.

BANDIT: I still don't but... if he really needs an earthbending teacher that badly, I guess I can help him out.

She looks around the desert-y area, finding only two sleeping animal companions.

BANDIT: Where's the rest of you guys?

---

Azula coughs up her pain, her finger feeling numb and burned. Why did she fail the lightning again - why does she keep failing at it?!

Her brief inner dialogue is rudely interrupted by a strange noise, which reveals itself to be Kenora - who is using her waterbending to spin the water wheel faster and faster, cutting it from its connections to the mill and aligning it directly towards Azula. The wheel charges at full force, with the firebender only barely dodging and getting back on her feet to-

A stream of water rises from the ground. Kenora has let her emotions completely take her over, crudely ripping water from the grass below, flinging it in her face repeatedly with pieces of dirt swimming in between there. As Azula finally has the strength to extend her hand again, it gets easily slapped aside as Kenora rams her with a water jet below her feet. The girl gets knocked downhill, rolling over painfully and uncontrollably before splashing into the same creek powering the mill. The water wheel has crashed somewhere nearby into a tree, shattered into hundreds of pieces. Azula erects herself again, her fist slapped aside quickly as both her arms and legs get tightly bound together and constrained in liquid. A serpent of water rises from below, tangling itself around Azula's body like a python. She is completely powerless, all because of her inability to summon lightning. Kenora steps closer with her eyes widening, a mixture of spiteful catharsis and a lack of sleep. She extends and clenches her fists, causing Azula's water constraints to do the same.

KENORA: Finally...

Azula spits up a scoff in utter defiance.

AZULA (pained): Petty bitch. I knew you just wanted to be better than me.

Kenora laughs at first, but then realizes - to her utter horror - that... Azula is right.

AZULA (pained): You don't... actually care about anything... you just want... power...

The firebender glares at her with a deep hatred in her soul.

AZULA (pained): Tell me Kenora... are you happy now?

Kenora breathes heavily for a few seconds. After not coming up with an answer she... only tightens Azula's restraints, making the girl wince in pain.

KENORA (bitter): I have only just started.

SWOOSH!

Kenora's hands are hit hard enough to collapse the water constraints, though Azula is in no condition to fight. The boomerang lands back in Sokka's hand, the armored mastiff snarling at the waterbender.

AZULA (pained): Sokka?

He draws his sickle sword.

SOKKA (to Azula): Can you get up?

Her head is pounding like a rockslide and blood streams from her nose, just to name two injuries. She slowly limps over to the prince, climbing onto the saddle with his help. Kenora is powerless against this, and honestly pretty exhausted from the fight herself. She cackles with a sinister tone, reminding Sokka very much of Puwati.

KENORA: Well, look at this. Enemies and traitors, all working together.

She raises her hands in a gesture of surrender.

KENORA: I know when I'm beaten. Leave before I change my mind.

Sokka orders his dog to turn around, though he hasn't dropped his blade yet. There's no way Kenora would've been able to keep on fighting. And she absolutely despises this.

KENORA (angrily): Yeah... go run off again like you always do, prince! We'll see each other again very soon - I promise you that! I'll let Katara know myself what you did here today!

He briefly stops.

SOKKA (not turning around): Tell her I said hi. And that I hope she is doing well.

With that, he moves on, leaving Kenora angry and speechless. Sokka is of course insulted by the comments, though he mostly just feels sad for her. Azula is for once in her life genuinely happy to see him.

AZULA (drifting into a nap & in pain): What... what happened to your hair...

---

An early morning is the best time to start waterbending practice. Katara was just like that in his world, stubborn and aching to begin her training. As Aang lands on the small deck, he has a million different ideas about what to say. None of these speeches come to fruition though, as Katara suddenly turns around in shock as she spots him.

His heart is beating out his chest.

AANG: I...

She panics, obviously. With a scream reeking of terror, she pulls a stream of water from a nearby barrel, shooting it in Aang's face. He doesn't block or dodge. He... he...

His mind freezes up. She is attacking him, gazing upon him with anger and fear like she would any enemy. Stream after stream rushes from her person as she skillfully moves around, shifting her balance.

But why... would she...

She grunts in exhaustion as she lands every new blow. How would he even start... what should he even say... this... no... it can't... it can't be... it can't be this...

Katara takes a deep breath, focusing her energy on one particular icicle growing from her arm. A sharp spear able to impale anyone, especially the monk boy across from her. She looks like her heart is beating out of her chest as well. She aims for his head and...

Her expression shifts to one of confusion, then fear. Utter fear. A stare that burns into his heart. She has struck him dozens of times already - she could easily take him out here and now.

The icicle falls to the ground and shatters.

KATARA (scared): What... what are you doing? Why aren't you attacking me?

Her voice echoes with the sincerity and vulnerability that his Katara had countless times. Tears stream from his face.

AANG: I'm sorry, Katara.

She almost falls over. He simply extends his glider and flies off.

---

Finding Aang wasn't all too hard with the help of Sokka's new ride animal, who is unfortunately not suited to be carried by Appa. Though without the mastiff's nose, it would've taken them even longer to find Aang.

He is kneeling inside a small stone structure, a sort of cave or shrine meant for ritual purposes. It's quite strange to find one of these inside such a lush forest. He had wandered off across the river north, far away from everything and everyone.

SOKKA: I found him!

Appa lands next to the dog, growling as he spots the boy drenched in shadow inside the cave. One after the other they all climb down, staring with anticipatory fear at the kneeling airbender. Azula, still in severe pain but able to stand, is the first to move in.

AANG (teary): Get away from me!

Azula stops, the rest of the gang looking shocked and sad.

AZULA: Aang, what happened? We can help.

AANG: LEAVE!

Aang blasts an arch of fire that almost hits her in the face.

He breaks down sobbing.

---

AUTHOR'S NOTE: This might've been one of my favorite chapters to write. And what a ride it was!

Be sure to look forward to the next episode!