Weeks passed following the deflected Fire nation invasion, largely being spent rebuilding and healing, the latter made much easier with Trunks' senzu beans. Master Paku, and a few of his other Waterbenders, made the decision to migrate south to aid in bolstering their sister tribe's defences. Hence, the gang were currently aboard a northern ship, preparing to head off on Appa.
"Katara", Paku called. "This is water from the spirit oasis, it's very special. Don't lose it". Katara bowed in gratitude, placing it around her neck, and tucking it under her tunic.
He gestured the young air nomad forward, who walked towards him with an eager smile. "Avatar Aang. These are scrolls to help you master Waterbending, though make no mistake, they are no substitute for a good teacher". The Avatar bowed, accepting the gift, and looking back at his Katara, his new waterbending master frim today
Lastly, Paku walked over to Trunks, placing something in his palm and tightly closing it. "A gift, from master to master", he whispered with a bow. Trunks returned the respect, before looking down at what was in his hand. He saw a small wooden circle, the image of a flower engraved on it, likely designed for some sort of game. He tucked it into his pocket, showing his gratitude, despite having no idea why he was given the item.
Finishing with their farewells, the group took off for the Eastern Earth Kingdom base, where they would be provided an escorts by the general. While the others chattered over their gifts, or lack thereof in Sokka's case, Trunks remained silent through most of the trip, deep in thought.
He'd been told about his new transformation, but his memory of it was hazy, only able to get pieces of it. The power, that primal rage, it consumed him just like the first time he became a super saiyan. "The more I understand this new power, the closer I am to getting back to my own. As long as Wan doesn't interfere again", he thought.
Cutting through the ocean with a thick plume of smoke trailing it, an imperial battle ship headed for shore. Guards stood in perfect rows, kneeling down, as a palanquin was marched out from the inner quarters. A young girl, roughly 16 years of age, pushed past the curtains of the box.
"My brother and uncle are disgraced to the Fire Lord, having failed our nation too many a time", she commanded. "You may have mixed feelings about attacking members of the Royal family, but allow me to reassure you. Hesitation, sympathy, or failure to strike, will be met with immediate execution. You are dismissed". Without question, the crew rushed away.
The captain of the ship remained standing behind her, a bead of sweat stuck to his brow, as though waiting her permission to fall. "Princess, I'm afraid the tides won't allow us to dock at the moment", he informed her. The Princess exhaled, still staring out into the ocean.
"Tell me captain, do the tides command this ship?". A subtle venom coated her tongue, causing the man to flinch as the words left her mouth.
"No, Princess".
She turned around to look him in the eye, forcing him to lower his gaze. "Would the tides hesitate to crush your skill against the iron side of our ship in the event that I were to throw you over board?"
"No, Princess".
Swivelling her head, she took a look at her immaculately polished nails, letting them glisten in the sun. "Well, then I advise you worry less about the tides, which have already aimed to end your life, and worry more about me who hasn't yet decided".
The gang landed at the military base, unloading from Appa, and resting their sore bottoms after the long journey. The General and his entourage of Earthbenders came out to greet them, a great fanfare of fireworks following them. "Ah, you've arrived at last!", the general shouted. "Great Appa, legendary Trunks, brave Sokka, and mighty Katara".
Katara smiled. "Mighty Katara? I like that", she chuckled.
"Your names are known to me, as they are to all Earth Kingdom Generals, however you may not know mine. I am General Fung, of the Eastern regiment, however that is not of importance now. Come, come, we have so much to discuss!"
Inside, Fung sat at his desk, a large map looming behind him. "Avatar Aang, Master Trunks, reports of your legendary destruction of the Fire navy at the North Pole have been heard even here! I can't imagine what it's like to have such devastating power! ", he stated.
Trunks furrowed his brows, finding the general's actions strange. He was only expected to provide an escort to Omashu, yet he was pandering them and discussing war matters. Surprising the half saiyan, General Fung stamped to his feet, pointing at the both of them.
"You two are ready to face the Fire Lord, now!", Fung proclaimed. The Air nomad recoiled, startled by the abrupt declaration that he could end the war as he is. However, before he could disagree, Katara was already protesting.
"What, no they're not! Aang isn't anywhere near to a master of the elements!", she protested.
"That doesn't matter! With the power he and Master Trunks possess, we'd be unstoppable! They are the ultimate weapons, with which we could win this war in a matter of hours!". Trunks frowned at being called a weapon, perhaps the saiyan pride in his blood flaring at the notion of being viewed as a tool.
"But sir", Sokka started. "Aang can only do those things in the Avatar state, and we don't even know what Trunks' transformation was back then!"
"Oh, I'm well aware of that. The Avatar's eyes and tattoos glow, Master Trunks' hair turns blood red, both of them gaining immeasurable power!". The general turned to the board on behind him. "With you two leading the charge, we could cut a line straight to the heart of the Fire nation".
"No", Trunks flatly asserted, his voice cutting through the room. "I'm not one of your weapons. Aang is the Avatar, he can speak for himself, but I refuse!". Fung frowned, looking to Aang, who was seemingly torn.
"Well, the war is still raging on. Lives are still being lost while we sit here talking". The general pointed them to a window overlooking the courtyard, where they could see hundreds of injured men limping in and out of a medical bay. Trunks saw what this was, a guilt trip, a trick to sway their emotions. Aang, not nearly as accustomed to bloodshed, did not.
In a cabin by the shore, Iroh and Zuko sat on the wooden floor. The old general happily clinked some shells he'd collected, whilst his nephew stared out of the window, scowling to himself. "Hello Zuzu", a voice echoed. His blood ran cold as his scowl disappeared, then became lava in his veins, as his younger sister stood above him.
"What are you doing here, Azula?", he seethed. The scented candles laid on the table flared as he approached her, burning brighter as his anger grew.
Azula smirked, folding her hands as she stood in the doorway. "In my country, we exchange a polite hello before asking questions. Has living outside of the motherland made you uncivilised so quickly, Zuzu?", she mocked.
Zuko could feel his fingertips heating up with every word she spoke. "Don't call me that!". She rolled her eyes as she walked past him, picking up one of Iroh's shells.
Sensing that the tension in the room was only growing, their uncle stepped between them, facing Azula sternly. "To what do we owe the pleasure?", he interjected.
"Hm, must be a family trait, so quick to the point!", she stated. With a clasp of her hand, she crushed the shell in her grasp, scattering the fragments. "I've come bearing a message. Father wants you home".
Zuko ran pale, losing all his rage and aggression at the thought of going home. The princess sighed, turning the candle fire blue as she did. "Father has heard plans to over throw him, plots of treachery encircle the Palace, so family is suddenly very important him. He regrets your banishment; he wants you home", she practically whispered.
Zuko was taken aback, unable to comprehend what he was hearing. His father, the Fire lord, wanted him back? It was unbelievable. "Well, did you hear me? I thought you'd be happy, grateful even, I just gave you good news".
Iroh looked at his nephews dazed expression, and tried to explain. "I'm sure your brother just needs a moment to-".
"Don't interrupt, uncle!", Azula snapped, cutting him off.
"Father regrets? He wants me back?", Zuko muttered, his mind in a trance like state.
"I can see you need time to process this information, so I'll be waiting for you tomorrow by the docks. Good evening to you both". With her message delivered, Azula marched out of the room, all the whilr passing a subtle glare at her uncle.
Back at the Eastern military base, Aang sat in the room given to him and his friends, holding his head low. "Guys", he sighed. "I'm going to help the general with his plan". Hearing Aang's decision, Katara shot up out of her bed, her tunic still ruffled.
"Aang, you can't!", she exclaimed. "It isn't right! There's a proper way to success, with practice and training, you can't just take a shortcut"
Trunks took off his boots, placing them on the side of his bed. "I have to agree with Katara, Aang", he said. "Take it from me, trying to blast your way through things with raw power doesn't work". The half saiyan nearly cringed, remembering his bullish attempt at fighting cell.
"Sure it will! I mean, you saw him at the North Pole. He could glow it up and end it right now.", Sokka interrupted. "He just needs to get all angry looking again, and then we set him loose on the Fire nation!"
Trunks frowned. "Uncontrolled anger rarely ever works, and even when it does, it tends to cause more problems than it solves. Your duty is to bring balance to the world Aang, you can't do that if you're trying to cheat the system".
Aang abruptly snapped around, his face red and contorted. "What do you know about the weight on my shoulders!", Aang shouted. "You just don't get it! Every day I wait around, every moment I sit here contemplating, more people die out there! Do you even know what it's like to have that constantly on your mind!?".
Trunks slammed his fist into the wall, shaking the room. "Yes, I do!", he snapped. "I've watched hundreds of people be murdered in cold blood, all while I was standing there, powerless to do anything . My master, my best friend, was killed because I didn't have the necessary skill to fight beside him! So yes, Aang, I understand!".
His voice echoed across the room, almost rattling in their ears, before silence covered the room. They all looked down at the sudden revelation of Trunks' trauma, receiving a sharp reminder that they knew very little about his life.
Aang swallowed the lump in his throat, holding back tears in his eyes. "I'm sorry, Trunks. I shouldn't have said that", he apologised. "I'll tell the general tomorrow that I can't help him, and we'll be on our way to Ba Sing Se by the end of the day". No one spoke a word as they slept that night.
Iroh looked pensively at the night sky, many thoughts buzzing in his head, as his nephew hurried to get packed. "Can you believe it uncle, we're finally going home, after 3 years!", Zuko rejoiced.
"No Prince Zuko, I can't believe it", he dryly replied.
"What do you mean? Aren't you happy? Father finally wants me back!".
The old general sighed, shaking his head. "In all my years, I have never known my brother to change his mind on anything. If he wants you back now, all of a sudden, I fear it may not be for the reasons you hope".
The Prince frowned, clutching his bag. "What do you know? You don't know anything!", he shouted in denial. "My Father wants me back!"
"All I mean, Prince Zuko, is that in our family things aren't always as simple as they seem".
"You know what I think? You're exactly what you seem; a cynical old man, who's always been jealous of his younger brother for doing what he never could!". Zuko threw his bag at the wall, storming out of the room, leaving Iroh to his thoughts once more.
The next morning, Aang sat before the general, nervously preparing to decline the generals plan. Sokka sat nearby, sharpening his boomerang with an earth kingdom whetstone, waiting for Trunks and Katara. "General Fung, I'm sorry, but I can't help you", Aang said.
The general stroked his beard, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath, his disappointment evident. "You sure I can't change your mind?", he asked.
"Yeah. I can only go into the Avatar state when I'm in a complete state of fear and anger, and I don't want to rely on that. If I'm going to bring balance to the world, I must be balanced myself". The general stood up, holding his hands behind his back, staring out his window.
"Well. I was afraid you'd say that". Fung kicked his desk straight at Aang, knocking him out a window. The Airbender used a gust of wind to stop his fall, looking up in horror at the general. Sticking his finger out, pointing at Aang, Fung barked his orders. "Men! Attack the Avatar!".
Trunks picked up an outfit, one he bought during his time with Jeong-Jeong. A dark grey, sleeveless tunic with bronze threading, black trousers, and black boots with red accents. His sword strapped comfortably on his back, though his hair was now long enough to get snagged in the sheath. Just as he tied it up, a colossal quake shook him. "Aang!", he gasped, running for the source.
Zuko walked towards the imperial cruiser, soldiers flanking him. Looking back at the shack he was leaving, a pang of remorse struck his throat at the thought of leaving his uncle. He ignored the feeling, and continued toward the cruiser nonetheless. "Wait!", called Iroh from behind him. "Don't leave without me".
"Uncle, you came!", Zuko said in joy, opening his arms to hug Iroh.
"Of course, family sticks together".
As they approached the docked ship, imperial guards stood in ranks, welcoming them. "Brother, uncle, I'm glad you came", Azula said. "Father will be happy to have you back". She indicated to the captain to prepare for sailing.
The captain turned to his men. "Alright, prepare the ship!", he shouted. "We're taking the prisoners back!". The moment the words left his lips, he felt the eyes of the princess stab into him. He didn't have time to plead, as he was harshly booted into the water by Zuko.
"You lied to me!", the Prince yelled with rage.
"As if I've never done that before", she said, walking away. Immediately, her two guards launched a synchronised fire blast at the Prince. Swatting his arms, he dispersed the flames, and went for a frenzied attack.
Boulders and disks flew at Aang from every direction, all of which he narrowly avoided. The air nomad tried to blow away the assailants, but was unable. "I won't fight, I'm not your enemy!", he shouted at Fung.
Trunks sprinted into the room, finding Sokka held down by two guards. With a swift chop to their necks, he knocked them out, picking up his friend. "Sokka, what the hell is going on?!", he asked.
"It's the general, he's trying to force Aang into the Avatar state by attacking him", Sokka replied. They ran towards the courtyard, Trunks leaping out the window onto the ground, while Sokka took the stairs.
Fung turned to look at Trunks, smirking. "Ah, Master Trunks, finally willing to help?", he mocked. Trunks growled, hurling a stream of fire at him. The general blocked with a slab of rock, before launching the charred stone back towards the half saiyan. Quickly grabbing his sword, Trunks split it in two with a single slash, locking eyes with the general again.
Zuko leapt at Azula, twin fire daggers in his fists. He swiped as fast as he could, but rage made him sloppy, and Azula avoided him effortlessly. "You know, Father blames you and uncle for the loss at the North Pole, the returning men told us of your treachery, they saw you fight Zhao!", Azula spat.
Zuko charged forward again, his form getting worse as his anger grew. Jabbing his fist forward, he overstepped, and Azula saw her chance. She blasted blue fire at his head, narrowly missing. She was toying with him, like a predator taunting it's prey.
Zuko fell back, watching Azula circle her fingers in arcs, electricity dancing around her. "Your lightning doesn't scare me Azula, I've seen worse", Zuko spat.
"Like what? The 12-year-old Avatar?", she mocked.
Zuko squinted his good eye, confused. "Wait. You don't know yet, do you?"
"Know what?".
Zuko nearly laughed. This might be the only thing to get under her skin. "The Avatars friend, the new Firebending prodigy, even greater than you!".
"The only one better than me is father, and you know that!", she spat. The lightning dissipated from her hands, as she sparked her signature blue flame instead.
"He destroyed the bulk of our fleet, on his own, not the Avatar! Compared to him, your fire is little more than a parlour trick". The blue flame grew in size, and Zuko knew he was getting to her, smirking as he for once was in the opposite side of the mind games.
"SHUT UP! I'll find this so called prodigy, and I'll watch him burn at my feet, just like you will!". She moved to strike at her brother, but her blast was redirected by the firm grasp of Iroh. "Uncle!?".
"Goodbye, Azula", Her uncle said, as he shoved her into the water overboard. "Zuko, let's go. Now!". Zuko looked down at Azula in the water, locking eyes one last time, before following his uncle. They both ran from the harbour as fast as they could.
Loud booms reverberated across the base, nearly knocking Katara to the ground. She ran outside, and when she saw soldiers attacking Aang, began attacking with water whips. The general caught sight of her, blocking Trunks with an earth wall, and smirking as he had an idea. "The both of you may be able to evade me, but she can't!", Fung stated, blocking off Katara.
Trunks blasted through the wall. "Let her go, Fung!", he demanded.
Aang jumped down from the stairs, his eyes wide. "Just let go of Katara, I'll help you", Aang said.
"Unless I see glowing", Fung sank Katara into the earth, "She'll be sinking!". Trunks tried to move forward, but the general only threatened to submerge her faster. "Don't force my hand Master Trunks, I only want one thing"
Aang grabbed the man by his garb, pleading on the ground. "Stop! Please!".
Fung sighed, not even looking at the young Avatar. "I don't see glowing!".
"I'm trying! I swear, I'm trying!". Tears began to fill Aang's eyes, as he could see the panic in Katara's eyes. The general shook his head, submerging Katara up to her neck in earth. "I'm sorry!".
He sighed, finally looking down at Aang. "As am I". Fung moved to clamp his fist, beginning move Katara under, but a glint of light blinded him, before blood spluttered in the air. Trunks had thrown his sword, slicing off Fung's hand.
While the general screamed in agony, Trunks blitzed behind him, snaking his arm around his throat. "Bring her up! Now!", Trunks demanded. He held his palm against the man's mouth, searing his lips. "Do it now, or I swear I'll roast you from the inside!". Muffling his screams, Fung stamped his foot, bringing Katara up.
Katara breathed in heavily, the earth having constricted her lungs. Aang and Sokka ran to make sure she's OK. "Guys, I'm fine", she panted. "Trunks, it's OK, let him go". Trunks still held the man, resisting the urge to end him, before throwing him to the ground.
"Let's go guys", Trunks said, picking up his sword, and walking away.
"We could end this war, don't you see that! I could have ended it!", Fung seethed. "You're nothing but firebending scum!". The general launched an attack, aiming for Trunks' head, but the half saiyan knew it was coming. He turned to face Fung, blasting straight through the projectile, setting the crazy general on fire.
"Trunks, no!", Aang screamed. The fire engulfed Fung in an instant, burning his flesh as he screeched in agony, practically melting the meat off his bones. Katara quickly doused him with water, however the fire had already mangled his skin, leaving him almost unrecognisable.
Aang stood in front of the half saiyan, his face red with anger. "What are you doing!? You could've killed him!".
"He would've had my head, I only returned the sentiment", Trunks coldly replied. The group looked at him with mortified expressions, as he only huffed in annoyance. "Let's just get going".
The Avatar looked at the burnt general, unconscious in a smouldering heap, then back to the half saiyan who leapt up onto Appa. He gulped away the hitch in his throat, as a fear of Trunks and his violent methods grew in his mind. "OK guys, to Omashu", Aang said, sombrely.