Chapter 8 – Accepting Help

Sokka under the alias of the blue spirit was leading a militia group to a hidden EEE hideout, he had his soldiers not engage the enemy immediately but had them move around in groups to cover all possible escape routs. Once in position, one of the fire benders in the group used a small fire to signal Sokka that they were in position and quickly extinguished the fires to avoid unwanted attention. Sokka seeing the front door, advanced with his group of warriors, and had their earth-benders open the door and started to storm the hideout, then he had a fire-bender send a flare in the sky to tell the other groups to ready their bending and weapons. Sokka and the fire benders at his command were going into room by room defeating or capturing EEE thug, medics, and other staff. The even advanced into what looked to be a command center of sorts where there were a few men grabbing letters, and other forms of parchment and throwing them into a fire pit

"extinguish that fire" he Ordered

and one of his fire-benders did just that, but then the men started to rip the papers apart, so Sokka told his soldiers to apprehend them.

as the other groups came in the escape routs the EEE battalion surrendered and were being brought to a place note far away for interrogation. Sokka and Suki were still inside the hideout taking any and all letters, notes, and all other forms paper that can be useful for intel. Suki grabbed a couple of old maps.

"this seems to be well too organized to be a simple vigilante group"

Sokka grabbed a piece of paper that was blank and put it in his pocket

"do you think they have outside help?" Sokka asked

Suki looking around and place the last scroll in the handbag and thought of something

"are any of these EEE thugs even from this part of the continent?"

Sokka turned around and held his chin

"I feel we'll have to interrogate or ask our soldiers if they recognize any of them"

as they left the hide out, he told a fire-bender and Earth-bender to destroy the hide out and then come back to base.

After returning to base Sokka interrogated the EEE thugs, and his worst fears have been realized when he looked at one, he recognized from the invasion of black sun and knew that he wasn't from any of the colonies. It was safe to assume that many of the others weren't from the colonies either.

"What should we do with them?"

one of his soldiers asked and Sokka sounding tough said

"like the ones before, strip them of any armor and equipment but send them to the earth Kingdom border, their border patrol will find them"

then he looked at them and said what he knew of them, most of them did look scared of him and he drew his sword and pointed it at them

"I will spare you this once, but come back and harass these people again…"

and he sliced a apple that was sitting on table in half

"am I clear"

and they all just apologized, and thank him for his mercy. He then turned to the soldiers

"get them out of my sight!"

and they did, putting bags over their heads and dragged them away. Sokka then retired to the command room with Suki in tow.

taking off the blue spirit mask, placing it on the table and sitting down to take a breath Sokka was exhausted, Suki looking at him in his exhausted state went and got a cup of water for the two of them.

"you ok sweetie?"

she asked in a caring yet concerned manner. Sokka just took a large gulp and sighed

"I don't know how long I can keep up this persona of the blue spirit, it is exhausting"

Suki then put the cup down, looked him in the eye.

"I think you are doing an amazing job as the blue spirit, you have saved hundreds of lives as a result of not just fighting the EEE thugs, the people of Yu Dao and the other colonies can rest now and maybe be able to have the Earth King and Zuko meet in a more peaceful environment"

She then takes the mask and looked at it then handed it to Sokka and he sighed

"why do I have the feeling that this may escalate things further, those men were form the earth kingdom"

Suki knew what he was talking about so she let him continue

"what if they come back and with friends… I have the feeling its only a matter of time before the Earth kingdom come rolling in"

Suki did her best to comfort him and even joined in the conversation

"then it's obvious that the EEE has sponsors in the Earth Kingdom, what should we do with this information"

Sokka stood up and rubbed his hair

"for now, nothing. Its only theory at the time being, but I will share this information with the other commanders of this mulita and tell them to not spread it further until we have more information"

Suki then stood up and walked up to him, put her arms around his neck and Kissed him passionately and Sokka smiled

"thanks, you have a wonderful way to raising my spirts"

then Suki smiled smugly

"yea… your Blue Spirit"

and she hands him the mask and the two of them laugh together.

Zuko up late at night and was heading for the prison for another session of his father's advice, he didn't even get in his robes just in his Fire Lord Attire carrying a small case of tea and cups. How ever he was unaware that someone was shadowing him, he checked a couple of times but continued his way to the prison. Katara just watched him walk in from the vantage point in a near by tree, she looked at gate and sat down thinking

"what are you doing Zuko…"

she was concerned about this, she knew that he wasn't just paying his father a visit, he hates him to a similar level of her hate for Yon Ra, and rightfully so, But rather than come to a conclusion she decided to pull a Zuko and waited there until he came out.

After an hour or so Zuko Came out and Katara watching from the tree despite being unable to see his face but recognized his body language. His walk was very ridged, shoulders were hunched, and his hands were clenched in fists and combat ready, this was his angry walk and Katara knew that Zuko was in turmoil, and she knew that she was going to have to confront him on this… he needs her help, and she will never abandon people in need of help.

Zuko entered his room, threw his fire lord robes off onto the floor, then took his crown off and looked at it for a moment then frustrated he threw it at a nightstand knocking over a porcelain vase with some flowers that shattered upon hitting the floor and a small, framed portrait. He in a fit of rage kicked another night stand over and kicked a large chest on its side near the bed, he then sat down putting his hands on his face and breathing heavily from frustration.

he then sat up and looked around and sighed

"I know you're here, there is no need to hide from me"

and Katara came from behind a curtain, she looked at him, but it wasn't a angery or sad look but more questioning and he knew what her question probably was and she knew he knew.

"why do you keep visiting him?"

Zuko looked down almost ashamed

"there is hiding nothing from you is there"

Katara smiled and nodded and Zuko smiled briefly then looked forward

"I need his wis… advice on how to be a capable fire lord"

Katara shocked but kept her cool

"why him of all people?"

Zuko looked at her as she approached him then sat on the flipped over chest and Zuko kept explaining

"because he is the only living person that has any experience of being fire lord"

Katara looking at him with concern but Zuko was continued

"and neither Iroh or entire the white Lotus can't provide that wisdom"

Katara in protest said

"Ozai's wisdom has only brought destruction to both the Fire Nation and the rest of the world… why would you want his wisdom!"

Zuko looking away from Katara

"I don't WANT his wisdom, every word that comes from that man's mouth in that is poison to me… I despise that man with every fiber of my being, every time I face him it's like… it's like…"

Katara stood up and approached him, held his face making him face her in the eyes

"like me when I faced Yon Ra…"

Zuko closed his eyes and feeling a little more calm as Katara continued

"but you don't have the luxury of not having to see him again… unlike like me"

Zuko looked her in the eyes, he could see her pleading, loving, understanding eyes and she then said

"there is more to you visiting your fathers than just Yu Dao and the colonies…"

Zuko holding back emotion finally opened up

"my father has said that he might bring up my mother if I continue to play this little game with him"

Katara had shock then anger in her eyes as she looked in the direction of the prison then she looked at Zuko with compassion and finally tears and she hugged him tightly, Zuko being unable to hold back anymore teared up and embraced her back and quietly sobbed into her hair. After they separated tears still running down their cheeks and she caressed his scared cheek with her hand and asked

"please Zuko, let me help you"

Zuko thought for a moment then sat her next to him then turned to face her and held her left hand.

"do you want the short version or the long version?"

Katara with her confidant smirk, and without a second guess said

"the long version"

Aang was back at the Jasmine Dragon with Tylee who was in an Air nomad outfit, and she was examining it peace by peace. Iroh came in and quickly noticed what Tylee was wearing "I do say Ms. Tylee, that outfit does suit you quit well"

Tylee then did a handstand, a cartwheel then a back flip, and it felt fine, and nothing got in tangled or in the way at all

"thank you, gen… um Mr. Iroh sir tea general…"

Iroh laughed at her unintentional nick name for him. Even Aang had a good laugh

"Sir Tea General… I think Ill use that, if you don't mind of course"

Aang said with a smirk and Iroh smiled

"I think it's a brilliant title to be proud of… Sir Tea General. Its certainly got a better ring than the nicknames you tried to give me"

Tylee then maneuvered her way into a chair to join them

"what nicknames?"

she inquired as the Iroh chuckled while Aang felt a little embarrassed then elaborated

"well my little group tends to give nick names to everyone we met, Zuko was called Jerk-bender, Sokka was called snozzles and so on. And Iroh we named the wise talk guru…"

Tylee had a little laugh/giggle combination while holding her hand up to her mouth, then she went up close to Aang who had to back up a little

"what nickname would you give me?"

Aang eyes darted to Iroh, but he just smiled as if to say, 'just give her one' and Aang thought for a moment gulped

"um… how about…"

and he started to think harder, he thought of her, her moves, her ability to do near perfect acrobatics, and her culinary skills. Then he looked at her with anticipation in her eyes and finally had a nickname for her.

"Ms. Balanced Lady?"

Tylee was unphased then she jumped up, giggled doing cartwheels around the table and back into her seat and was serious for a brief moment

"Ms. Balanced… no Lady its too much"

Iroh then placed a couple of cups on the table

"well Ms. Balanced and Avatar, lets have our selves some nice ginger tea. But I do have a question for Ms. Tylee… where did you get that outfit?"

and both Aang and Tylee went on a story of the fan club and how amazed they were of the name she told them he had and her ability to balance on an Air-scooter that they couldn't help but forcefully gifted it to her by literally placing her in a make shift change booth, stripped her of her old clothes (done by the girls) and brought this outfit out of an old trunk. They said it was an actual Air nomad's robe worn by the women air nomads.

Tylee went to bed with Momo in her arms, Aang was looking out the window at the patio that he and Katara hugged at, he was feeling conflicted but there was a lot on his mind apart from that. Iroh came in to close the doors and window when he found him and sat next to him looking at the same patio, saying nothing just waiting for Aang to ask a question.

"you remember back when we in the catacombs under the palace and I told you about me giving up that power for a girl that I like?"

Iroh smiled

"I do, and I still believe that power and security are overrated, when compared to love and affection"

Aang smirked then asked

"but is it still the right decision if that girl doesn't return that affection?"

Iroh with no hesitation replied

"yes"

Aang was shocked and Iroh continued

"you can't just reserve your whole heart for just one girl in your life, especially if that girl doesn't return those feelings"

Aang looked down feeling disappointed

"is this girl a close friend of yours?"

Aang nodded and Iroh continued

"then learn to keep your friendship with her strong, but also learn to be able to let go of those romantic feelings for her… because if you don't you will loose both"

Aang looked at him, the way Iroh was looking out the window he was speaking from personal experience but he then looked at Aang.

"I do have the feeling that isn't your only concern"

Aang seeing that he had nowhere to go he then told Iroh about his these nightmares that he has been having for the past week.

Zuko still telling Katara the contents of his visits to his father, he doesn't leave out any details nor does she interrupt him at any point.

Earlier that night

Zuko after bringing a tray with tea, cups and a kettle, fills one for Ozai and hands it to him

"I was awake all-night thinking on what you told me. At the beach, I was overwhelmed by the circumstances before me, so I couldn't decide whose side to take. I should have sided with the Hawk. It was strong and noble, and it had earned its meal, much like the fire nation"

but then he shouted to his father

"but I've done that already father! I am no longer neglecting or hindering the needs of my people like when I first took the throne! But I still can't sleep!"

Ozai sternly replied

"your assessment is partially correct. Your sleeplessness does indeed come from your inability to choose a side, to determine what is right. However, you are wrong about the hawk"

Zuko puzzled asked

"your telling me I should have sided with the turtle-crab, I should have defended the weaker of the two?"

Ozai in his spoke again with determination

"What I am saying is this. There is no right or wrong apart from what you decide. Who you choose to defend deserves to be defended simply because YOU chose them"

then he tilted his gaze to Zuko in the eyes

"you are the Fire Lord. What you choose, is by definition, is RIGHT"

Zuko in a fury yelled at him

"You are wrong! Right and Wrong are greater than you or I or any Avatar! I believe that the Avatar, the earth King, and I can come to best resolution by working together!

Ozai has a little chuckle

"yes, I heard rumors of this little meeting. Do you really think that the earth king will be reasonable after being humiliated time and time again by our amies and his own INCOMPITANCE? Do you truly think the remaining fire nation colonials and their families will be treated fairly? He will use his army to crush them in a vein attempt to restore what's left of his dignity! If you truly are the Fire Lord, you will defend the fire nation citizens of Yu Dao ferociously! Not just because they are your people, but because they are an expression of your will!"

Zuko keeping a firm and peaceful mindset replied

I am going to wait, and my patience will be rewarded with a peaceful resolution for everyone! Even as we speak the Avatar…"

but Ozai wasn't having any it

"the AVATAR is an irrelevant relic of a bygone age! He wants the world to frozen in time, be denying the inevitable victories of the strong over the weak!"

Zuko quick to Aang's defence

"Avatar Aang is my friend! And more often than not his has been on the right side! I trust him!"

and Ozai quietly asked his son

"More than you trust your self?"

and in a motion of disgust he got up and simply said

"leave my presence Zuko. You sicken me.

Zuko in defiance stood up

"who are you to talk to me this way! Have you forgotten…"

but Ozai shouted

"LEAVE MY PRESENCE!"

Zuko silently turned and left the prison.

Present - Zuko with Katara who was paying attention to every word that Zuko had to say

"and that brings you up to now"

Katara was silent for a good five minutes, taking in all that Zuko had to say on what Ozai said. Thinking it over, she knew Zuko wasn't exaggerating about Ozai's words being poisonous even though there was a twisted wisdom in it. Zuko then looked down at the floor.

"you think I probably shouldn't visit him again"

Katara thinking for a second then replied

"no I don't think so"

Zuko was puzzled by this, but she elaborated

"what why?"

and Katara held his chin to have him face her

"you said so your self, he is the only one who knows your mother's location. You can't give up on that…"

then she got a look on her face that seemed puzzled and Zuko knew she was thinking on something hard, and he asked her what she was thinking without saying a word and she asked.

"how does he know of Yu Dao?"

Zuko was about to explain then he thought it over

"how does he know about Yu Dao or even the meeting? He is in solitary confinement so he couldn't hear any rumors or gossip, and no one speaks to him apart from me. the guard that brings his food and switches his chamber pots hates him"

both Zuko and Katara were on the same page and puzzled, then Zuko spoke to Katara

"my father was right about one thing…"

she looked him in the eye and asked

"what was he right about?"

he took her hand into his

"I can not do this alone"

Aang made it to the palace in the morning, Tylee Momo and Iroh decided to come with him, he felt he needed their help. Tylee was in her Air nomad outfit and Iroh was in his white lotus robe, the guards were weary of Tylee and even Iroh, but Aang said they are with him and some of the generals and councillors were a little weary of the both of them but King Kuei reasoned with them

"this is Iroh a grandmaster of the White lotus, and yes I'm aware of his 600 day siege of Ba Sing Se but he and the White Lotus liberated the city and has my blessing and protection to be here"

the Generals then looked at Tylee who looked a little nervous but Aang then stood beside her and told them

"and Tylee is with me"

then Basco went up to her and rubbed up to her and licked her hands and was happy with her, and King Kuei smiled

"Bosco seems to like her, let her be"

the generals and Counselors quieted their protests

One of the generals had a map of the world up and there were markers everywhere, most of them were concentrated in the fire nation colonies, and he used a pointer stick to high light certain areas.

"and there have been rebellions in many different areas of the fire nation colonies, this is a tall tale sign of the people's restlessness of fire nation oppression"

King Kuei lifted his hand to silence him and asked

"do we know who or what these rebel groups are or their alliances?"

A female councillor stood up and signaled some servants to place some papers in front of everyone.

"this presentation is misleading at best, the rebel movement is more of a variety of militia groups and small thug group"

She then gets up and walks up to the map and place and replaces marker pins on the map, some were green, others were orange, and blue.

"the current strongest 'rebel' group is led by an individual called the blue spirit and they are very weary of us because they think we want to rid the colonists, especially the ones who are fire benders"

one of the generals then shouted

"the should be scared of us! they should consider themselves lucky that we are allowing them the opportunity to leave peacefully"

King Kuei just looked around but didn't say anything then the councillor from earlier asked

"is there anyway we could assimilate the fire nation colonials?"

and the room erupted in a fury of words, profanities, and other forms of vocal debate, the argument got vert heated then King Kuei then lifted his hand and everyone eventually quieted down, he looked at Aang, Tylee, and Iroh

"Avatar… what is you view on all this?"

Aang then stood up

"if you were to get rid of all the colonials, you would be expelling everyone both Fire-bender, Earth-bender, and non-bender alike. The colonies have ties to both nations, and I as well as Fire Lord Zuko wants to have a meeting with you Earth King Kuei. To come to a harmonious middle ground"

room erupted in arguments again mores spirited than before, then the Earth King told everyone.

"Silence! I feel its time to call a one-hour recess"

Aang was in a small room with Tylee and Iroh, there was a table with tea, cookies, and other delectable snacks. Iroh was looking at all the different cookies and the tea as if he is deciphering a riddle of sorts, Tylee with Momo on her lap was picking different mini-sandwiches and offering them to him, he is rejecting some and accepting others.

Aang then saw a news paper and he looked at it with shock, anger, sadness, and many other emotions. He read the whole article and his tattoos started to glow up and he quickly left on an air scooter, leaving both Tylee and Iroh behind

"Aang! where are you going?"

She asked in a shout, Iroh then picked up the paper and his face was a combination of happy but concern

"OH my…"

and Tylee looked at the paper, it was a issue of the Grounded Gossiper that read

Fire nation palace of love…

and the front page had an illustration of Fire Lord Zuko kissing Katara on the lips in a carriage.

Tylee quickly shot up and with Momo on her shoulder ran after Aang, as she left a man was hiding in a shadowy corner jotting something down on a piece of paper.