One arm cradling Tom Tom and the other braced out before him, Percy eyed the earthbenders of the Omashu resistance.
There were five men drabbed in green and gold. Their stances were wide, fists forward, ready to fight. Typical earthbenders, really. He had dealt with them before when first bringing the Governor's family into the city.
Percy met each of their hateful gazes. Each of the five was easily double his age and in their late thirties. Their stances were firm and rigid. They were earthbenders through and through.
The water tribe boy scuffled backward on the ground, retreating behind the wall of green and gold.
"Look who has friends now," the boy laughed. "You can't win."
A kunai whizzed down from above and cut the boy's cheek.
Two figures dropped down on either side of Percy. He looked at both of the girls. On his left, Ty Lee was low, ready to spring forward. On his right, Mai was cocked back, ready to strike.
"Nah," Percy smirked, turning back to the boy. "I'd win." Percy turned to Mai, offering her Tom Tom. "Me and Lee got this."
Mai nodded, gently taking her brother before turning away and fleeing. He knew what her plan was: She would run to her mother, drop off the kid, and then return to the fight. If the fight was still happening….
"What is the plan, Percy?"
"Me then you," he replied, sweeping his right leg back as he turned his back to Ty Lee. Yet, his eyes remained locked on the benders before him.
They were rigid, patiently waiting for him to strike. Their mistake.
"Right." She stepped away from him. After all, she wasn't looking to catch a stray discharge.
Percy brought his hands before him, his fingertips barely touching as he took a calm and centering breath. To bend lightning, the user had to be ready for the power they drew upon. To be unfocused or uncertain when drawing forth this power would only end in disaster at best.
His right arm broke away first, arcing out to above his right shoulder as he did the inverse with his left to near his hip. Electricity swirled about his hands, erratically dancing to his heartbeat. The energy swam through his movements, never touching with the other arm's charge. Around his arms moved on opposite ends of one another as he let the energy build within him.
Then he guided it home.
His fingertips touched, and he felt all his control of the energy leave him as he now only became its vessel.
He shot forth his right arm, pointing the energy within him out.
And the lighting shot forth, racing from his fingertips and towards the nearest target it could ground itself to. Unlucky them….
Percy watched as the confusion in the eyes of the earthbenders rapidly switched to fear. Before they could mount a proper defense, the five armored men went slack as electricity coursed through their bodies like the blood in their veins. Their eyes rolled back as their posture broke. They all fell together in sync, collapsing onto one another.
That left only the water boy.
Ty Lee somersaulted forward, her arms striking at his pressure points, arms falling limp and useless to his side. She struck again at his left leg, and the boy slumped onto his right leg, wobbling as he tried to maintain a sense of balance. The boy tried to swing his limp arms to no avail.
Scared, he looked up at Ty Lee, "Wha-what?"
Percy couldn't help but laugh, "Like I said—"
A blast of air sent Percy flying backward onto his butt.
From the sky, a giant creature with white fur, six legs, horns, and a broad, massive tail landed next to the water tribe boy.
"Appa!" he shouted, falling onto the beast's tail. The animal groaned before flicking its tail upwards, sending the boy momentarily airborne before falling onto the flying cow beast's saddle. "Ouch."
Percy scrambled to his feet, arms already connecting with each other for another blast of lighting to try to stop the creature, but it slapped its tail downwards again. A blast of pressurized air raced forward at him, kicking up the dirt on the ground below him as it collided with him.
Percy shifted his hands to protect his face from the kicked-up rock and debris as he skidded back but remained on his feet. He looked to Ty Lee, who was also still on her feet, looking less affected than he was. She watched, idle with wonder and amazement, as the creature took off into the sky toward the city's top.
"You okay," he asked her, breaking her attention away.
She bobbed her head up and down quickly before looking back to the sky.
Percy let her be as he approached the unconscious resistance members. He had done all he could to not make the blast lethal. After all, they would need someone to interrogate. The more, the merrier.
"It must be nice being able to fly," Ty Lee praised. "To just float freely like that."
Percy looked at her, watching as she watched the Avatar's flying creature begin to fly away from the city entirely. The Avatar on his glider ascended into the air, joining his beast as a gout of blue flame tried to reach out to them but fell short.
"I've seen one of your acts before at the circus," he replied. "You've flown during that."
Ty Lee shrugged, turning to him. "That's more of a controlled fall than actually flying."
"Well you do it great all the same."
She smiled and thanked him. Percy simply nodded, moving on and crouching next to one of the earthbenders on the ground, still twitching as static popped off them and into the earth. He might have overdone it a smidge. He was still learning, after all. He was always still learning.
"We'll need to get the city garrison here to help me," Percy changed the conversation. "I'm sure they can root out the rest with the five."
"What about the waterbender girl? Mai and I left her paralyzed up top."
Percy shrugged, looking up to the speck in the distance, flying away, "I imagine they grabbed her." He turned to his sister, "Think you can find some of the garrison real quick after making sure these idiots are chi blocked?"
"Not a problem," Ty Lee cheered, striking the guards. "Ouch." She stuck her pointer finger in her mouth. "He shocked me."
Percy couldn't help but laugh at her pouting face, "You'll be fine."
"If my fingers are still tingly in an hour, I'm not letting you hear the end of it."
"Make sure to complain to Mai. She'll be dying to hear about it," Percy teased, poking her rib.
"She actually loves it, you know," Ty Lee returned, trying to jab at Percy but missing as he dodged with a laugh. "Her aura is always a little brighter when I do."
"Whose aura is brighter?" a horribly familiar new voice entered the conversation, bringing Percy and Ty Lee to a stop of their little game.
Percy and Ty Lee turned to Azula, who sauntered their way. Looking at her, you would've never known she had just had an express tour of the whole city or had been in a duel, either. She simply looked like the perfect princess, as always.
"Mai's!" the acrobatic answered. "She won't admit it, but she loves it when I'm around."
"Yes. I'm sure she does," Azula responded, disinterested. Her gaze fell to the five benders on the ground. "Where's the other peasant?" she asked, turning to Percy.
"Got away just as yours did."
Azula scoffed, "Mine was the Avatar. Yours was not."
Percy shrugged, "I got five others, though, so that's more than you, at least."
Azula didn't respond. Instead, she stalked past Percy, her shoulder plate smashing into his leather shoulder armor. He rolled his eyes behind her back.
"Have the guards set these five up for interrogation and make efforts to prepare for my departure, bastard."
Percy mimed blabbing with his hand while she spoke.
"Of course, Princess."
"Ty Lee, with me. We need to find Mai."
"She took little Tom Tom back to Michi."
Azula did not acknowledge Ty Lee's comment beyond shifting her direction to the Governor's Estate.
Percy watched them go, standing over the prisoners. Ty Lee looked back at him, throwing him a small smile before she hurried up to follow in Azula's shadow.
:P LINE BREAK d:
Arms encircled him before he could even realize that the door was opened.
"Thank you, Percy. Thank you for getting my son back."
Percy let himself be pulled into her arms as he patted Mai's mom on the back, "Anytime."
She pulled away, her hands taking his own. She looked him over, inspecting every inch of him.
"Your hands," she worried, lifting the appendages up for her to see. "Were you punching stones?"
Dried blood, chips of rocks and dirt, and more than a few scratches littered his hands. It was nothing serious at all.
"It's fine," he tried brushing her off. "Just punched a rock and had some dirt thrown in my face."
"I'll have the family healer take a look," Michi insisted.
Percy bit back his initial response, sighing. He knew he wasn't going to win. You never win against a concerned mother. It was always easier to give in upfront instead of dragging it out.
"Thank you."
She nodded before quickly leading him into the house.
Percy could already hear Azula's voice carrying out through the halls, making demands of the Governor. He looked to the Governor's wife, who gave him an uncertain smile.
"My husband does not wish to let Mai go and join the Princess' mission."
Percy nodded in understanding. Her father did not know who his daughter was. He only saw the picture of perfection she showed to them and the world. He never saw much of the girl who threw knives and would climb onto roofs to look at the night sky. Her father knew nothing of the hidden spirit of Mai.
"And you?" Percy asked her mother, meeting the gaze she tossed at him from the corner of her eye.
"I'll give her anything to keep her close, but sometimes one must find themselves on their own," she responded, opening another door where a cot was stretched out. "Sit."
An attendant in the room silently stepped out to retrieve the doctor, and Percy let himself be sat.
"She was quick to agree to join when first asked," Percy offered. "I don't think she was going to give anyone a choice about what she did."
"I am not surprised," she said softly. "She has been a perfect daughter for her father, and he would have nothing more of her than to stand there looking perfect until he could marry her off. But we know Mai better." She patted his shoulder. "Mai needs this chance to go find out who she is away from the politics of the world."
"Yeah," Percy muttered, looking at his hands.
"And so do you."
Percy frowned, turning back to Michi with a confused frown.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"You are joining her and the other girls."
"The Princess will not allow for that. She detests me."
"Princess Azula is many things, but the Fire Lord is many more." Michi reached behind her back, pulling out a scroll. "The missive came while you were out."
Percy opened the scroll, skimming its content.
"You are to return to the Capital with the Princess's entourage for talks with the Fire Lord himself."
"What?" he stumbled, trying to blink clarity into his thoughts. "What does he need of me, personally?"
"I do not know. There are many factors. You have the ability to bend lightning. You have fine skills with your blade and fighting. Then you are also of that age. While the Ty family has taken you in and raised you, the will of the Fire Lord outweighs any claim they have over you."
"What do you mean by that?" he frowned. Just because he was taken in by the family, he was still raised as one of their kids and accepted as one of them. They were his family.
"The Fire Lord could be setting you up for an arranged marriage."
But he would only have…. Percy's thoughts trailed off as the blood left his face.
"Oh."
"Oh indeed." She patted his shoulder. "I imagine the Fire Lord is more interested in your ability than to wed you, however."
"I'd hope. It is not like I am someone special in the Fire Nation."
"Don't say that." She smacked the back of his head softly. "Not just anyone is trained by Master Piando and bestowed a duty as the one you carry out for my family. Especially one as young as you. Now, keep that letter on you for when the Princess inevitably tries to send you away."
Percy chuckled, pocketing the scroll.
The door opened to the room, and the doctor came in, bowing to the Lady of the house.
"What seems to be the issue?" he asked, approaching Percy.
"He fought the Resistance earlier. I wish to see him well."
The doctor nodded, looking over Percy, who raised a brow at the man.
"I'm fine, sir."
"Show him your hands," she insisted, reaching for his hands.
Percy rolled his eyes, letting his hands be lifted. "Honestly, I'm fine. Just some scrapes."
The doctor hummed in agreement. "Some warm water to clean them out and light wrappings will help, but you appear healthy and fine otherwise."
"See?" Percy turned to Mai's mother. "You worry too much."
"I'm a mother. I am meant to worry."
A gentle flame surged through Percy's heart at her words, "Thank you." He smiled.
She returned it before patting him on the back, "Right, well, you've heard the doctor. Get to it."
"Will do," Percy nodded, standing.
He bowed to the adults before leaving. Once more, Azula's voice was the only sound in the house as she tittered away, likely talking to Mai and Ty Lee. He was not going to waste his time with that.
Percy went onwards towards his quarters. Nobody hindered him as he entered his room and promptly fell face-first onto his bed.
He groaned into his pillows.
He would have to put up with Azula for longer than just a day…. A trip back to the capital would take at least a week. He was more likely to get himself thrown off the boat before he ever stepped foot on Fire Nation soil again.
"What are you groaning about?" Mai's dry and monotonic voice entered Percy's ears.
He rolled onto his back, looking up at the ceiling, "I thought you'd be with Azula."
"Must've missed her."
"So you came to my room and waited on me?"
"I'm more worried that you didn't see me when you entered." She droned, inspecting her perfect nails.
"Too distracted." Mai raised an eyebrow. Not that Percy saw it, but he knew her well enough to know that she did. "I get to join your little girl's trip."
"Mother put you up to it?" was her quick response.
"No."
"Father?"
"Not yours."
Mai frowned. "Yours?"
Percy pushed himself up, meeting Mai's furrowed brows, "Azula's."
A myriad of emotions danced across Mai's eyes, but not a single one crossed her face.
"Why?" she said after a few seconds had passed.
"Note didn't say." Percy shrugged. "I'm to join Azula's entourage, though. Big man's orders, so not even Azula can refute it."
"I'll prepare for your funeral now."
"Thanks, Mai."
"Would you prefer a burial at sea or on a pyre?"
"Bold to think she'll leave a body for a pyre. Go with spreading my ashes at sea."
"Bold to think she'll leave ashes."
He couldn't help but chuckle, "Think I can hide below deck the whole time?"
"No," Mai shifted, a hand coming up to support her chin as she leaned to the side in his chair. "She has her own mission to accomplish first before she sails anywhere."
"Oh?"
She shrugged, "Azula is to capture and return back to the Fire Nation with her Brother and Uncle."
"Wow…." Percy let out an exaggerated breath. "A whole family reunion of people who don't get along. This is going to be the worst trip ever, isn't it?"
"Mhmm."
"I'll be surprised if the boat isn't turned to slag by the time we dock back home."
Mai didn't respond, but Percy was fine with that. Mai appreciated things in her own way, including his comedy.
"So why are you in my room?" Percy went with.
"I heard the family doctor had to check on you."
"Ahh, I see," Percy smiled. "You do care about me and came down here to check on me."
"No."
"You came down here to thank me for saving your little brother from those no good dirty earthbenders?"
"You're intolerable."
"That's not a real word."
"It very much is."
"Who knew behind your stoic mask you were a creative genius who was hard at work creating new and lame words to describe your best friend."
She rolled her eyes, "Whatever."
"You love me."
She turned away, hiding, "You are annoying and intolerable."
:P LINE BREAK d:
"Oh look, the bastard is here," Azula laughed, watching him like an eagle-hawk.
"Oh, hello, Princess. Glad to see you too," Percy said, sarcastically.
"Percy! Behave," Ty Lee whispered.
"Yes, Percy, behave," Azula mocked. "Though, you being here in the first place begs the question of why? I thought you would still be tied up with the doctor. I heard you got a little boo-boo yesterday."
Percy glanced around at the proceeding of Fire Nation soldiers. Princess Azula was finally departing from the city of New Ozai, and with her, the royal procession was all geared up and ready to leave. Mai and Ty Lee were even in a shared palanquin for the upcoming journey back to the Fire Nation ship from which Azula was operating out of.
"Well, Princess, I didn't want to miss out, so I figured I better take my place with the group before you left me behind."
"You are not part of my group," she shot back.
Percy faked a facepalmed, "Right, right. I forgot to tell you." He pulled forth the note Mai's mother gave him, the one signed by the Fire Lord himself. "Your father wants me to help you if I read that correctly. Maybe he doesn't think you are competent enough. After all, I mean, you did let the Avatar get away yesterday."
Azula snatched the note from his hands, unraveled it, and devoured its contents. Her eyes skimmed back and forth as a scowl overtook her features.
Blue flames consumed the paper as she turned back to him.
"You'll have to walk. Accommodations were not made for you."
"Oh, that's fine," Percy laughed in the face of her anger. "I'll have plenty of time to rest on your ship, I'm sure."
"You can join us over here, little brother!" Ty Lee hollered, peeking her head out the side of her palanquin. She deftly avoided Azula's glare, which quickly returned to Percy.
"Ahh, thanks, sis. See, that's what family is all about," Percy boldly claimed, eyeing Azula. "Isn't Ty Lee just the greatest sister?"
Azula didn't say a word.
Percy took that as a win and promptly joined his sister and Mai inside their transport. Red and orange pillows and blankets lined most of the compartment. The two girls were sprawled out, picking at fire pit cherries from a bowl.
"Thanks, Lee. I really didn't feel like walking," he whispered so only those inside could hear it. He reached forward and stole a cherry, popping the small fruit up and into the air before catching it in his mouth.
"I know," she giggled.
Percy smiled at her before turning to look out the way he came. The whole garrison, including the Governor and his wife, was outside, watching. Percy met Michi's gaze once more, sharing a nod with her before closing the curtain in full.
He took a deep breath, closing his eyes.
They'd be fine here in New Ozai without him. The five earthbenders had caved easily to Azula's interrogation the night before, and by morning tomorrow, the garrison could have them dealt with. Things would be okay here, and if he was ever really needed, he and Mai were a messenger hawk away.
He exhaled and let his eyes open again.
Mai was staring at him, slowly bringing a cherry to her lips. She didn't say a word as the two held each other's gaze.
Percy smiled at her before reaching for another cherry.
The juices exploded upon his tongue, sweet and slightly sour. Perfect.
"Move out!" a man shouted outside, and Percy felt the palanquin shift as it began to move.
Now, it was only a matter of time till he figured out what the Fire Lord wanted with a lowly orphan bastard like himself.
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