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.

36. Episode 16: Blue Spirit Part 1

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Small update for the intro - the very first episode now specifies who performs which element in the opening sequence. They are as follows:

-Jeong Jeong for fire

-Shahar for earth

-Kenora for water

-and Aang for air.

Makes things more interesting I think.

I have also updated all chapters over on AO3, in case this website should ever experience some kind of crash or stop working for a while or stop operating entirely - you can still read new TLF chapters over there if you like. They even include little pictures for the episode titles! Fun things. Anyways...

---

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.

---

Kenora gets up just slightly before sunrise, figuring it would be the optimal time to avoid any more goodbyes. She can't stand the idea of looking at any of the girls after she made her choice last night. She went to sleep fairly quickly, her short dreams about moonlight and rivers.

The girl can make out something is off as she approaches Zorak's bungalow. The doors are open, and a hint of destruction is visible from outside. She enters swiftly, picking up and subsequently putting on her yellow coat as she inspects the damage. The couch is cut in half. Blade marks are left all over the walls. His office is completely in shambles.

She looks to the sliding doors separating the room from the porch. She finds two bodies as she rushes towards it.

Zorak is dead, that's for sure. She has seen death in the Golden City, but seeing his lifeless corpse with dried-out blood makes her feel a whole range of different emotions. Thankfully, she finds Katara still alive.

KENORA: Katara!

She picks up the girl, whose wounds seem minor, but still left an impact. The Crown Princess slowly opens her eyes.

KATARA (weak): K... Kenora?

A brief exhale of relief as she hugs her.

KENORA: What happened to you? What happened to...

Katara dares to peek at Zorak's body, apparently too weak to react with proper shock.

KATARA (weak): I... I couldn't tell. Someone... attacked us...

Why she bothered asking is up in the air. Of course there's only one figure who could do this. Kenora's gulp is bathed in fear.

KENORA (quietly): The Blue Spirit.

KATARA: Kenora, listen...

She pulls at her shirt.

KATARA: You have to go. Now. If you stay... they might think it was you.

The Pirate Princess shudders at the thought. After everything they went through, would the others really think that? Would Akari suspect her?

The question looming on her mind ominously, she decides it's best to leave, after making sure Katara is able to stand on her own. An awkward goodbye is exchanged as Kenora tries not to look at the body again.

---

Avatar: The Last Firebender

Based on Distorted Reality by Ogro

Written by Carrotine Clara

---

Book 2: Earth

Episode 16

Blue Spirit Part 1:

Hunt for the Specter of Death

---

Act I. – The letter

---

A pearl of sweat runs down Aang's temple. He listens closely to the earth, the creek water just tall enough to engulf his toes. It's a beautiful little spot of land, a bit removed from the army camp currently setting up around Omashu. Dark greens paint the woodwork as if done by paint brush. A bright spring sun illuminates the grassy field, specs of flowers left and right, separated only by the river. The boy takes another deep breath, his stance as firm as ever. The warm breeze counters the scorching sunbeams as he-

Breeze turns winds turns funnel - a rock pillar is pulled up from below by Aang, allowing him to block the first attack and first part of the round.

Rocking her crop top dress in the colors of the Air Nomads, Ty Lee launches her staff forward as her glider collapses and the girl lands on the ground. Aang's rock crumbles slightly, though the boy holds firm as he tries to retaliate with a series of air slashes. The acrobat squeezes her eye together - a few masterful jumps and backflips combine her athletic abilities with her bending, dissolving Aang's attacks and immediately countering with her own. The Avatar's stance is too firm - a cunning swoop with her staff is enough to pull the boy towards her, causing him to stumble and find his balance way too close to his opponent. The blasts of wind missing his body as he spins and dodges make a deafening blow sound every time, Ty Lee approaching closer and closer as Aang finally gets behind her, the girl missing her jab towards his forehead. He avoids her like this for a moment, always staying behind the girl as she attempts to hit him. Eventually, she tries getting around it by launching her leg upwards, a swoop of air with it. Yet, that is precisely what Aang saw coming, blocking the attack and briefly knocking Ty Lee over with his shield turned spiral.

Red flames follow immediately, the boy dispersing them with his folded hands. Zuko doesn't give him a moment to rest - the raven-haired boy, said hair cut pretty short now, launches a new offensive of kicks and swipes and strikes, most of which are accompanied by howling roars of fury, though they never quite reach that ferocity of the Zuko Aang knew. The Avatar is quick to counter with his own flames in the same color, able to keep his distance by the art of firebending alone, not needing to rely on his airbending agility and fully being able to focus on conjuring the luminous heaps of heat. A particularly powerful jolt of fire forces Zuko to act defensively, crossing his arms in an x-shape just as he was about to encroach on the Avatar. He lets his counter be known with a pretty furious-sounding grunt, his arm launched forward commanding a spectacular spiral of fire that Aang can narrowly dodge, opting to sweep his opponent from the ground, knocking Zuko over momentarily.

As soon as his second challenge is neutralized, a quake below the surface forces the boy to clamp his elbows together, the wall of stone that follows just as tight, and capable of blocking the incoming rock avalanche. Bandit surprisingly launches herself upwards via pillar, her crashlanding causing the ground beneath her to erupt and expand in destruction. Aang blocks this by raising the earth beneath him to a solid platform, after which Bandit does the same, also lifting up a bridge between the two. Aang tries launching forward, yet his opponent is quick to spin the Avatar by 180 degrees, lifting a boulder right after, which she then launches. He can quickly block though - being able to read a tiny bit of her vibrational input into the elevated soil, Aang is able to time a pillar of rock perfectly, shattering Bandit's attack. He presses both his arms into the shield, shoving it towards the girl who evaporates it with her full body. Keeping her calm, she briefly disrupts his stance by evening the ground again, after which she stomps it, shoving her arms upwards and erecting to halves of the ground that trap Aang at both shoulders. This is the closest one of his opponents has come to reaching the objective - the girl rushes towards him, both his arms clamped together - yet his legs are free! A strong kick against the ground and Bandit is flung over him and his prison, which he can quickly break free from right after. Bandit manages one last feat with her landing - an arm stuck into the ground, dragging dirt and rock forward. Aang, taking on a sturdy stance, simply shoves the weight of his body forward, stopping Bandit's attack and redirecting it to hit her instead, the girl getting knocked over and rolling away.

And now only one more is left. Aang turns around, ready to face her. The girl finally appears in the cover of the sun, jumping down from (somewhere?) and immediately firing up a blue deluge with her boots.

The boy uses all of his skill to avoid the artillery shelling brought upon him by the raven-haired girl. Her attacks are vicious, yet cool. Her fire burns hot, yet is precise. With every new kick, every new sweep of her leg, shot from her fingertips, blast from her palms - every motion performed by the girl disrupts Aang's balance, neutralizes his orange flames, gets her an inch closer. Eventually, pearls of sweat all over his face, Aang is forced to abandon the elemental exchange and starts utilizing his air-/ and earthbending alongside the fire. He launches himself above her in an arch, trying to disrupt her power via an air blast, which she dodges in a spin not too far removed from what he or Ty Lee can perform themselves. Another crazy fire blast is blocked by an earth shield, the contents of this wall used for offensive purposes right after. Azula can dodge every single one, again, combining her own agility with the techniques she saw in him and the acrobat countless times. Eventually, opting to destroy Aang's cover, she does exactly that by mimicking a strong stance and shoving both arms towards the Avatar - the blue flame that follows is more than enough to pulverize his earthly defenses. Hidden in the dust of the attack, Aang's retaliation sees him produce a huge wall of fire of his own, Azula propelling herself upwards with her bending. The girl lands directly behind him with a smirk.

Chime!

One last attack - a horizontal air slash Azula slides under. A fire blast follows - she spins it out of her way and-

Boop!

Her finger finally touches the blue arrow sitting on his forehead. Quiet engulfs the valley. Grey eyes stare deep into eyes colored like honey.

AZULA: YES!

She pulls her arm back and jolts upwards. Aang gives her a defeatist smile as she snaps with both hands at the exact same time.

AZULA: GOT IT! I WIN! HA-HA!

She does a little victory dance, her slightly longer hair dangling around her forehead. The other three benders finally decide to join the celebration, having spectated each section of the training fight after getting knocked out.

TY LEE: Congrats, Azula! You did great!

Bandit crosses her arms dismissively. The earthbender is alway salty when loosing.

BANDIT: Yeah-yeah, right. Like this wasn't the sixth time or so...

Aang tries not to yet he can't help but to smile like a huge dork when seeing Azula this happy. Her brother puts his arm around her.

ZUKO: You did great little sis. I'm proud of you.

Instead of a mean-spirited rebuttal, or refusing his physical proximity, she instead pokes him lovingly into his stomach.

AZULA: Well, your fire wasn't half bad either, Zuko. I'm impressed too.

The siblings share a smile. He puts his arm away, gesturing with the honor of the Fire Nation.

ZUKO: I owe it to you, Sifu Azula.

The girl rolls her eyes, yet clearly enjoys it. From somewhere inside her signature crimson-pink outfit, she brings forth a notebook, of which half has been filled with scribbles already. Aang can never decipher her awful handwriting.

AZULA: Alright, I made a few notes during this session, with your permission, I'd like to share...

Only Bandit scoffs at this. It is mind blowing to Aang that Azula asks for everyone's approval first. The girl roughly jots down what she says going forward.

AZULA: Ty Lee, no real criticisms this time around, your aim has improved pretty well, actually. I think your bending might even be more precise than before your injury.

The acrobat shares a quick smile with her, thinking back to Sokka's encouraging words in the swamp.

AZULA: Zuko... sloppy.

The boy, who was just praising her, seems a little frustrated at his.

AZULA: Like last time, much improvement when it comes to the power of your blasts. Your flames feel much stronger and concise, your muscle input might work to your advantage here. I got to say - you've come a long way.

He smiles again.

AZULA: But again - sloppy.

His smile turns into a bittersweet one.

AZULA: Bandit... uh...

Azula lets her eyebrows do the talking, making her appear as though she's really thinking hard about her answer.

AZULA: Not much to say. I like it. It's good.

Bandit crosses her arms.

BANDIT: You never give me good feedback for my bending.

Despite her words and posture, the girl expresses pride.

BANDIT: Means I'm already pretty great.

AZULA: Exactly. Aang...

The boy scratches the back of his head as Ty Lee watches closely, her face expressing a very tiny frown.

AANG: I know what you're gonna say...

AZULA: I do too. What about waterbending?

He lets out a tired sigh, the exhaustion really only now settling in.

AANG: I know I can do it thanks to Pakku and you...

A very, very brief and tiny blush that only Ty Lee catches onto.

AANG: ...but I don't feel ready yet. Especially in a scenario fighting you.

He manages to hold it together by the end, Azula nodding with a blissfully professional attitude.

AZULA: Right. Well, let's try to look at the positives...

She puts her notebook away, having used it like a clipboard this whole time.

AZULA: Aang has air down, fire is pretty much getting there, and he looks pretty prolific when it comes to earth. You guys agree?

Zuko and Ty Lee nod, Bandit shaking her hand like a set of scales.

BANDIT: Could be improved, twinkletoes.

Aang reciprocates with a nod of his own.

AZULA: Right. Well, as far as our plan goes... which by the way, we should've stuck to from the start I will accept thank-you-notes later... it looks pretty good. We're with an army, Aang has three out of four elements down pretty well - I'm pretty optimistic here.

No one dares to address it, or has dared addressing it in the past few days, but Azula's change in attitude, her upbeat slightly snarky but still really nice shift is a delight to everyone around. Aang most of all.

A dog's bark redirects the Dream Team's focus as Sledge, a prince upon him, splashes through the forest creek. The creature pants with excitement, Azula of all people approaching it and snuggling its massive head as its tail waggles left and right.

AZULA (talking-to-dog-voice): Who's a good little Sledge? Who's a good little Sledge?

Sledge barks happily.

AZULA (talking-to-dog-voice): Yes you are! Yes you are!

The others are meanwhile focused on Sokka, getting down from the doedicurus part of the animal.

SOKKA: Have you been training without me again?

AANG: Sorry, Sokka. That's how Bendi-Go works. It's just for benders.

ZUKO: I really don't think we should call a game like that after the spirit of the desert...

BANDIT: Who came up with that name anyway?

AZULA (still snuggling with Sledge): I did!

Hence why they will keep calling it that.

TY LEE: What do you got for us?

He showcases the supposed reason for his appearance.

SOKKA: We got this letter. It's addressed to you, Aang.

The boy accepts it. Technically it is a scroll, but whatever. This is also when Azula rejoins the others.

AZULA: What's that?

She asks, as Aang opens it. Immediately, the first few words tell him everything he needs to know. It has been years since he read this exact letter in his world, yet he could swear the wording is the exact same. As he lowers it, his friends can already tell the deja vu from looks alone.

AZULA: Ah. Bad?

AANG: No. It's... from Guru Pathik.

A few seconds of exchanging wordless reactions.

AZULA: I vaguely remember something. Care to elaborate?

Aang recalls his prior encounter with the wise old man. He didn't even consider his existence here, nor going back to do it again.

AANG: He's someone who tried teaching me how to get into the Avatar State. But...

Dread engulfs the valley like an acid fog.

AZULA: It didn't work.

He nods, not able to look her in the eyes. He can't tell how he'll react, and not finding out is preferable here.

SOKKA: So? You can still try though, right?

TY LEE: I thought you can't go into the Avatar State anymore. That the other Avatars kicked you out.

Bandit frowns at that, only having heard the abridged version of this. Zuko is unable to add anything, forcing his sister to be the clear minded one again.

AZULA: Right. Seems like we have a pile of questions and only one way to answer them.

She snatches the letter from his grasp, rolling it up, and pointing at him with it.

AZULA: You should go.

Aang hesitates.

AANG: What about the siege? What if you need help in Omashu?

AZULA: Oh, hog monkeys! Bumi and Haru are gonna argue for another month before something actually happens. The city isn't going anywhere.

Finally, the girl hands the letter back to Aang with a smile.

AZULA: You're the Avatar, dum-dum. Go focus on that. Seriously, you're on a good track. You got us, three quarters of the elements - an army!

He finally reciprocates. Again, Ty Lee seems to suspect something going on while he smiles back.

AANG: Alright. You guys take care of everything while I'm gone. Maybe you can find a waterbending teacher for me.

Azula scoffs, finally reminding her friends a bit more of her sassy side.

AZULA: Right. Cause those famously grow on trees.

Now it's Sokka's time to closely watch someone's reaction. Clearly the firebender girl is thinking about something as the gang begins its return back to camp, well, back to Appa.

AZULA: How hard is it gonna be to run into one?

---

Kenora catches her breath as she ducks down her head again. The girl slides down the grassy hill, a plethora of trees allowing for cover as she returns to her secret hideout - a larger-than-average bush, wherein she hid her coat and rucksack.

KENORA: Okay...

She tries calming herself down. You can spot Omashu from behind that hill. And you can spot a massive Earth Kingdom army surrounding the city.

KENORA: That's... a lot more than I expected. A lot more...

The waterbender shudders. She has come this far, so it wouldn't do any good to get captured now. Not when she is this close.

There is only one place to go now. But where the hell would she even find the Avatar? If she's lucky, she'll eventually spot Appa. Then she's gonna know which tent to go to. One out of... hundreds...

Thousands? Does it matter?

The girl covers her face and lets out a grunt-sigh.

KENORA (muffled): This is so stupid!

Her plan is just as idiotic as it was back on the Boiling Rock. Has she learned nothing?

And what is she gonna do when she actually meets the Avatar and his friends? The girl gets up, picturing the scenario as she tries to formulate the best possible way to start things off.

KENORA: Hey! It's me, Kenora! You guys doing alright?

The girl sighs at herself. Why on Earth would she use the same voice she used on customers at the Porkchop?

KENORA: What would Kanna do?

Immediately, the waterbender assumes a hunched-over stance, folding her glove-wearing hands, trying to get her face all wrinkled up.

KENORA (Kanna impression): Hello, children. I know you might not be ecstatic to see me, but believe me when I say - I am here to help!

Nope. Big nope. She reverts back to her Kenora-self.

KENORA: Right. No. What about Akari?

She holds back her hair with one arm, trying to make it appear shorter. Her other meanwhile sits on her hip as she gives a disinterested smolder.

KENORA (Akari voice): Oh, so you think I'll attack you guys? That's cute. I'm only here because you need my help. I can do what I want.

Slightly smaller nope. Still, not helping.

KENORA: What would Katara say?

The girl stands up as straight as a corset, choosing to place her hands behind her back while expressing a cold smile.

KENORA (Katara voice): Hi, Avatar. I know it might seem strange but - I believe fighting with you is the right thing to do. I know I've done bad things but, I'm hopeful we have a common future!

This one she likes the least, blurting out a scoff as she sits back down, hidden by the shade of the bush. In reality, whatever she wants or... needs to say to the Avatar to convince him that she is here to help... there is really only one person she wants to talk to now.

KENORA (practicing talking to Azula): Hey. Um... I know you might not want to see me. I'm still not sure how you feel about me. But... I need you to know... you mean... so much to me...

Her emotional speech fizzles out as she loses her train of thought. Kenora lets herself fall back against her backpack as she stares into the leaves above.

How she needs to start or phrase or structure both conversations - who knows?

---

Shahar adds the final ingredient to her outfit. She was unfortunately forced to give up her red and green kimono uniform after being fired. But no one said anything against wearing just... any regular kimono. This time around, the upper part is a soft yellow while the lower part carries a dark beige. The girl scoffs, briefly reminded of the colors of Goldmouth, and Si Wong. Whatever happened to her grandparents she never questioned. She finally adds her headband, resticting her short black hair and hiding her forehead. The girl takes a deep breath. Would Bendigo hear her prayers if she tried?

---

The girl leaves the bathroom before the question can be further examined. Hearing commotion from the backyard, she decides to approach.

SHAHAR: I'm going out today, Mai. I was wondering if-

A set of darts penetrates the wall next to her. Actually, it hits a wood plank leaned against it, a target crudely drawn onto it. Apparently the projectiles came from Yue.

YUE: Shahar! I'm so sorry!

The earthbender holds back her frown, her girlfriend approaching her in her modest dress and crude bun. After a short kiss, Shahar tries putting back her professional facade again, the one the Kimono Society helped her to master.

SHAHAR: What in Tarḫunna's name are you two doing out here?

Yue turns and allows Shahar to finally show her frowny face. Mai had been hit hard by their failure, by her Crescent Warriors being taken from her. Yet it remains a strange sight to see her standing outside, in the middle of the day, still wearing her pajamas and not even remotely bothering to do her buns, or her hair as a whole.

MAI: Relax, Shahar. We're practicing.

The couple steps aside as Mai tosses a shuriken with mastery and precision, hitting the target's center with ease.

YUE: I asked Mai to train me a bit in combat, in case I ever needed to.

Mai yawns in an uncharacteristically rude fashion.

MAI: She's getting pretty good, actually.

Shahar's frown does not subside, especially as she lets her finger trace across Yue's eyebrow scar, giving the princess some doubts.

SHAHAR: I don't think it's a good idea.

The pajama girl grunts as she picks up her weaponry, scattered all around the garden. Yue makes sure to lean in extra close, finally expressing some of that concern herself.

YUE (whispering): Let her do this. She's... not doing well. I think this helps.

Mai shakes her head, able to her the girl whisper perfectly. The kimono girl decides to cross her arms as she shifts her focus back to Mai.

SHAHAR: You know, I was just about to head out and do some investigating on my own. Again. Maybe today you could join me. There's still a Water Tribe network out there.

Mai lets out another very audible sigh, which escapes in her very low and matt tone, suiting in perfectly.

MAI: That sounds so exhausting. Why would I waste more of my time when I can be useful here?

She finally rips out the three arrows sticking from the board. Her glare very unsuccessfully hides the girl's frustrations, forcing Shahar to sigh.

YUE: It's okay. She'll look out for me. You'll be fine?

Shahar finally nods at the sight of her beautiful girlfriend giving her an optimistic smirk.

SHAHAR: I'll be back before dinner. Be safe.

YUE: You too.

Another very cute smooch later, the earthbender disappears. Now Yue lets out a sigh too. In the background, Mai simply averts her face as she goes back to sorting her weaponry.

---

Sabachi's journey is perilous, yet her bravery never subsides. Over more than two weeks the creature had gone back and forth between the one her master calls "dingus" and the girl who helped her safe her master's life once. She had imprinted on her smell ever since then, steadily confused as to why her and her master fought so much. She especially enjoyed helping the girl in the weird place with all the big buzzing things that tried to eat her. Sabachi didn't like that.

Finally, the lemur finds the humans again. They are spread widely and in great numbers under weird green things which they use for cover to sleep. Clever humans! As she lands for a second, catching a few breaths, two humans walk past by her. She stands perfectly still, as not to be spotted.

HUMAN: (Gibberish)

OTHER HUMAN: (Gibberish)

The lemur cannot comprehend their noises. The only thing that matters is that she was not seen.

Sabachi hurries onwards, her mission very important. The thing around her leg needs to be delivered to dingus as fast as-

AZULA (whispering): Gotya!

Her master appears angry, grabbing Sabachi by her neck as the lemur protests.

---

This continues until Azula is back in her tent, the lemur not having stopped protesting.

AZULA: Oh yeah, well I'm pretty angry too. In fact - I'm pissed.

She tosses Sabachi onto her bed, the impact still a little rough. The animal snarls briefly at her, the girl crossing her arms.

AZULA: You want me to apologize? How about you first? Do you think you can just disappear for days without telling me a word and I won't be mad at you?

More loud protest as its fur stands up.

AZULA: Mission? What mission? Who is using you for missions without asking me?

A short chatter and Azula frowns as she deciphers the word "dingus".

AZULA: Aha. So that's what he wanted with you.

She briefly quiets down as she recalls what happened later that night. She hadn't told anyone about the black goo, not even Ty Lee. She didn't think it was necessary as, alongside it, the Blue Dragon was finally gone and her mind clear.

Azula is pulled back into the present as Sabachi starts licking her paw, having settled down a bit.

AZULA: Alright. What did he want with you? What's your secret mission?

A quiet hiss from her. Azula finally sits down, the lemur allowing itself to be pet again.

AZULA: A message? Sokka's has been using you as his messenger?

With its cute little hands the lemur grabs the scroll from her leg and hands it over.

AZULA: Why is it around your leg? Don't they know you have a pouch?

An even quieter purr. Sabachi snuggles up to her, Azula continuing to pet her. Despite their little fight, the animal missed her master.

AZULA: Ah, you want to keep it a secret. Very well. Wise choice, actually.

Sabachi finally seems to have calmed down completely. Exhausted from her travels, it starts resting a bit as Azula opens the scroll.

AZULA: So who is this from?

Her lemur gives a final short chirp as Azula begins to read, her heart pumping faster because of both.

---

亲爱的 索卡,

Dear Sokka,

感谢您（再次）给我回信。 考虑到所有事情，我一直坚持得很好。 卡塔拉也表现不错。 她作为领导者的角色确实很出色，尽管说实话，她和我的关系并不好，所以我不能告诉你更多。 我确信她会很高兴有一天收到你的来信。 只是也许不要使用 狐猴。

Thanks for writing back to me (again). I've been holding up just fine, all things considered. Katara is also doing okay. She's really glowing in her role as leader, though in all honesty she and I aren't on good terms so I can't tell you any more than that. I'm sure she'd appreciate hearing from you sometime. Just maybe don't use Sabachi for that.

我不得不承认，虽然我很感激泰·李给我机会，但我也对她有点沮丧。 当然，我知道，她只是想保护她的朋友，当然，在我做了这一切之后，她想保护阿祖拉免受我的侵害是完全可以理解的。 但是，我不知道。 这也太乱了吧？ 我不是想加入阿凡达团队！ 这整件事只是我和阿祖拉之间的事情。 正确的？ 难道我们不应该自己解决这个问题吗？ 我猜她认为如果阿祖拉不喜欢我，我就会再次变得邪恶。 我的意思是，当然，我会感到震惊，但我早就不会把这种情绪发泄在别人身上了。 我绝不会向她透露。 我向她保证我不会再伤害她，我打算遵守这个诺言。

I have to admit, while I am grateful that Ty Lee is giving me a chance, I am also a little frustrated with her. Sure, I know, she's just trying to protect her friend and, granted, after everything I did it's completely understandable that she'd want to protect Azula from me. But, I don't know. It's also kind of messed up? I'm not trying to get into Team Avatar! This whole thing is just between me and Azula. Right? Shouldn't we be able to figure this out on our own? I guess she thinks I'm going to snap and turn evil again if Azula doesn't like me the way I do her. I mean, sure, I would be devastated, but I'm long past letting it out on others. I would never let it out on her. I promised her that I wouldn't hurt her ever again and I intend to keep that promise.

泰·李究竟要我做什么？ 打败大酋长？ 我会在此时这样做。 无意冒犯，我知道他是你的爸爸。

What exactly does Ty Lee want me to do? Beat up the Great Chief? I'd do it at this point. No offense, I know he's your dad and all.

无论如何，只是感觉有点卡住，仅此而已。 我真的真的希望能再次见到她，告诉她她对我有多重要。 并不是说她是我想退出水部落的原因，但这确实发挥了作用。 我常常看着我的项链就会想起妈妈，想起她曾经对我有多重要。 现在我看着它就想起了她。

Anyways, just feeling a little stuck, that's all. I really, really wish I could just see her again and tell her how much she means to me. Not saying she's the reason I want to quit the Water Tribe but it certainly plays a role. I used to look at my necklace and think of mom, and how much she used to mean to me. Now I look at it and think of her.

直到我再次见到她，也许你可以告诉她她有多棒。 但不要推动它。 另外，别再在你的信中告诉我索卡的情报了，你太信任我了。

Until I can see her again, maybe you can tell her how great she is. Don't push it though. Also, stop telling me intel in your letters Sokka, you are way too trusting way too fast.

你无聊的朋友，海盗公主

Your bored friend, the Pirate Princess

-头发诺拉

-Kenora.

---

Azula's breath enters and exits exclusively through her mouth. Only now does she realize she has slipped down her bed and onto rock as she read it. Finally, she puts the letter down, hugging it tightly as her face has taken on a deep and honest shade of red.

SOKKA: Hey, have you seen-

Azula hardly reacts. No amount of self-control - with or without a Blue Dragon could've prevented this. She can no longer hide this, her emotions finally allowed to drench her as they please. The girl almost looks a little helpless as she stares up at Sokka.

SOKKA: Uh... is this a bad time or...

He can put it together on his own as he spots Sabachi first, then the letter tightly pressed against Azula's chest.

SOKKA: Uh-oh.

He closes the tent door (?) with an awkward frown attached.

SOKKA: So uh... I guess it's time to come clean. You see, Ty Lee and I-

AZULA: Ran into Kenora in the swamp. I know.

Sokka sits down, leaning against the tent pole and exactly across from her.

SOKKA: Since when?

AZULA: I can talk to my lemur, you dingus.

Sabachi briefly makes herself audibly known.

SOKKA: Right, so um... she... kind of told us what happened and... I... thought maybe I start writing with her. Find out if she can be trusted. Now, I know, you probably think it's dangerous and...

Like she would listen. He finally stops as she just politely ignores him, staring back at the letter with a sparkle in her eyes, an honest smile on her face, and cheeks as red as her outfit.

SOKKA: Oh. So you do like her.

She looks up at him in a hectic fashion. There's a need to respond right away but... what...

AZULA (emotional): And she... she likes me.

Quickly, that pure joy morphs into fear again, the girl hiding her face behind her hands, though no tears are shed.

AZULA (muffled): This is so stupid...

Assessing the situation correctly, Sokka rushes to her side, putting his arm around her.

SOKKA: Hey, calm down. It's not stupid. You like someone, that's all. And even better - that person likes you back. Trust me...

He recalls just how detailed Kenora told the whole story. Azula finally removes her hands with a sigh, the letter still firmly in her grasp.

AZULA (emotional): I thought I liked boys. I liked Haru, Jet, Aang... but now it's... it's... what? Do I have to choose now?

SOKKA: No! No, of course not. You can like both.

AZULA (emotional): But... how can you like both? Is that a real thing?

Few things required Sokka to have as much bravery as this.

SOKKA: Sure ya can. I do too.

This finally gets her to look at him, clear shock displayed, though not in a mocking way.

AZULA (emotional): What?

SOKKA: Yeah... I like boys and girls. Definitely... a preference for girls but... I kissed a boy once.

He blushes, never having found out his name. To him it all happened a lifetime ago.

SOKKA: I know that it's hard to accept and... for a time, I felt like I needed to choose. But... I don't. I can just... choose to be myself.

An honest shrug makes her snicker quietly.

AZULA: If you told me that months ago, I would've made your life hell.

His blush gone, Sokka smirks.

SOKKA: Yeah. Glad we're over that.

The girl is back to staring at the piece of paper, reading and re-reading certain passages over and over again.

SOKKA: Since when?

AZULA: Hm?

SOKKA: Since when do you like her?

The firebender scoffs.

AZULA: I don't know if I really... like her. I know there's... feelings there, but I don't feel comfortable saying that I like her yet. I need some time to think about it.

Sokka nods respectfully. Azula's increased blush gives away her next response.

AZULA: She wore her hair down in Goldmouth. She was waiting tables in that cute dress...

He makes an obnoxiously happy noise as he starts shaking her. She would certainly like to frown, yet smiles profusely instead, the red not leaving her face.

SOKKA: You two are the cutest thing ever! I'm so glad I rooted for you!

Azula lets the moment rest for a bit. No point in rushing things now. She tried dealing with it right away back after their kiss, and it's what got her into her tomboy phase. She wonders what Kenora thought of her hair in Gaoling.

---

Act II. - Terms and conditions

---

Akari nervously taps her fingers on the windowsill of the carriage as she looks outside. A small army is stationed at the bridge leading them into Omashu proper. No surprise, as pretty much everything else below them is covered in a plethora of tents, giving the rocky landscape the rough appearance of being covered in mold. She looks back inside, a sympathetic glance cast over to Suki, who stares into the horizon with her arms crossed.

KATARA: I'm so sorry I had to break my promise, Suki.

The girl in question offers a faint smile, their captain sitting across the other bench opposite of the airbender and the swordfighter.

KATARA: I know I promised to let this ride be just for us, but I'm afraid it's just too dangerous. We need to stick together more than ever now if we want to be safe.

Akari's suspicions are written all over her face, gaining her a very quick and precise reaction from Katara.

KATARA (to Akari): You seem skeptical.

The athlete sighs, a little intimidated by the girl.

AKARI: I know. I just... don't buy it? I don't see why she would whine about wanting to leave for two weeks, then, when she's finally allowed to, make herself a target by taking out Zorak.

KATARA (sharp): Well, it's what happened. And she didn't target Zorak, she wanted to kill me. Zorak saved my life.

Now the Crown Princess stares into the distance. Akari catches a concerned look from Suki, who appears to share her doubts at least to some degree. For now, neither girl raises their voice again.

KATARA: We have to have each other's backs. And we have to accept the simple truth...

She turns back towards them, her mouth twitching as her voice tries to sound as concerned as possible.

KATARA: Kenora is the Blue Spirit. We need to do everything in our power to try and stop her.

The waterbender has her hand resting on a steel cage, two hedgehog bunnies inside, supposedly they were Zorak's pets that the girl had promised to take care of. Though Akari questioned it. She questioned the thing as a whole.

---

Aang waits patiently on Appa's head, the bison standing on a hill overlooking Omashu valley and separating the dry, rocky lands with the lush, green nature behind them.

TY LEE: Good luck with the guru Aang. I'd love to meet him too someday.

He nods, an odd smirk as he hears of the acrobat's spiritual curiosity. His gaze wanders over to Azula, who sits a bit removed from the group, reading a whole pile of paper. The boy decides to bend himself down and into the center of the group, all of his human and animal friends present, minus Sabachi for some reason.

AANG: I just wanted to thank you all, from the bottom of my heart. Azula was right.

This finally gets her attention, causing her to fold her... stuff and hide it in her outfit.

BANDIT: What are you reading?

AZULA: More training notes. Aang, you were saying?

The response sounded planned somehow, though not a tiny bit unprofessional. The raven-haired girl wonders why the boy smirks at her so dumb.

AANG: I said you were right. I think it's time I start looking at the positives. Our chances of ending the war in this world are better than they ever were back in mine. For the first time... I don't feel scared.

His friends shower him in love, all rushing to gift him a group hug.

AZULA: Where is Sabachi?

Notably, she is the only one missing here. As the group separates, Sokka looks over to her, responding with a shrug. He gave the girl all of Kenora's previous letters in the morning, though she wouldn't let him read the newest one past the first paragraph.

As Aang grabs ahold of Appa's reigns, Ty Lee can't help herself but conjure up a final pout, suspecting something going on with Aang behind that overt joy. His aura is telling it. And it's more than concerning that, after rejecting the girl for so long, he finally seems to warm up to Azula.

---

Few people know this, but Kenora snores. Not terribly loud, but still. Usually, she sleeps like a brick through the night, though this morning, a strange sensation causes her to wake up earlier than she had planned to.

Opening her eyes, a curious lemur stares at her as it chirps.

KENORA: Sabachi?!

Immediately, the waterbender sits upright and the creature climbs on her shoulder, licking her face as the girl howls with joy.

KENORA: If you're here then...

Practically at command, the animal removes itself from her, jumping down and leaving the bush hideout.

KENORA: Wait for me!

She puts on her coat first and her rucksack second. Jumping out into the forest, Sabachi waits patiently for her to follow, before leading the way.

---

The others wait patiently inside the cave. It's an odd location, and an even more odd fact that Azula called her friends here. A secluded location, only a few minutes removed from where they were training yesterday. Soft moss and grasses cover the ground. A small creek enters the cave in the very far back, a calm stream running through the side before exiting at another point in the wall. The entry is almost perfectly hidden by vines.

Azula is standing in front of the group, Ty Lee, Zuko, Sokka, and Bandit seated on the soft ground. The firebender girl stares out into the entry behind them, her hands behind her back as she nervously tries to sort out her thoughts. In... front of everybody. Ty Lee gives her boyfriend a quick look, letting him know that this is probably going to be related to that thing they discovered on the day they saved Jet's life.

BANDIT: Why are we here?

AZULA: Patience, Bandit. I'm trying to find the right words first.

Bandit grunts. She had become a bit grumpier recently, seldom not complaining about something in proximity of the gang.

BANDIT: I was gonna meet up with the other Vultures to train today! What on Earth is so important that I need to be kept in this darn cave?

Azula sighs, switching her posture to hands akimbo.

AZULA: I have big news. Sort of a... announcement.

Ty Lee, Sokka, and Zuko share excited looks.

BANDIT: You lied about getting attacked in Goldmouth.

Immediately, the girl is thrown off.

AZULA: Oh, uh... yes. But that's not why I'm here fo - wait - how does Bandit know?

Bandit shrugs.

BANDIT: It was super obvious that you made up the whole story. My guess is that it involves a boy.

In response, Azula pouts, her eyes shifting around the cave as her head remains static.

AZULA: Right. Something like that...

Sabachi enters the cave out of nowhere, landing on Azula's shoulder as she begins chattering like crazy.

AZULA (to Sabachi): What?! You're interrupting me right now!

The lemur does not stop and the girl's expression shifts to shock very quickly.

AZULA (to Sabachi): Who is coming?

BANDIT: Someone is coming!

Having felt the sensation on the ground, Bandit gets up first, the others reading themselves for whoever might ambush them here.

KENORA (in the distance): Hey, wait!

Azula freezes up as she hears the voice. The others seem to relax, if only a little, Bandit the only exception.

And then she finally slips through the vines.

KENORA: Sabachi, where-

Handed an entire welcoming committee, everyone has a few seconds to let the insane nature of this encounter have its effect on them.

KENORA: Okay. That was easier than I thought.

Immediately, Bandit rips a chunk from the ground.

BANDIT: What do you want here, Water Tribe scum?!

Sokka is quick to shield the girl, which even surprises Ty Lee and Zuko.

SOKKA: Woah-woah-woah - stop! I don't think she's here to hurt is.

A few precious moments pass where everyone calms down, Bandit reluctantly dropping her boulder. Kenora takes the few seconds she has to look over to Azula.

The firebender looks just as pretty as ever, her hair slightly longer in the front and with nervous facial features that carefully await how these events will play out.

TY LEE: What are you doing here?

Her focus goes back to the airbender, who seems quite the opposite, reacting defensively with her staff raised.

KENORA: Um... well, hi everyone. First of all.

The collective aura of everyone carries enough unnerve to fill a bathtub with it.

KENORA: Uh... I... have an announcement, actually. I... left the Water Tribe.

Looks of uncertainty are exchanged. The waterbender has to focus very hard on addressing the entire group and not just the firebender in the back.

KENORA: Well, I'm still a legal citizen and captain but - I'm no longer with the Princess Squad! I'm... not here to hunt Aang.

BANDIT: You called your team the Princess Squad?

KENORA: Yeah? I mean, you call yourselves the Dream Team, right?

Comedic reactions now, Ty Lee scratching the back of her head.

ZUKO: I thought we're Team Avatar.

AZULA: Can we focus, please?

Despite her boiling emotional state, Azula, thanks to her arms being crossed, can keep a relatively serious tone.

AZULA: Why are you here, Kenora?

Awkward silence and a blush from both girls makes everyone more than uncomfortable.

KENORA: I came... because I need your guys' help.

SOKKA: With what?

The waterbender takes a deep breath.

KENORA: I wanna kill the Blue Spirit.

Now their collective aura takes on a visible coat of fear.

TY LEE: What?

BANDIT: Who's the Blue Spirit?

They all look over to her. In protest, she stomps the ground.

BANDIT: Why do you guys only ever give me the bare minimum when it comes to information?!

KENORA: Oh, you're probably Bandit, right?

The earthbender's glare shifts to Kenora.

BANDIT: I'm guessing you're that Kenora girl then.

An awkward smile later and Kenora continues.

KENORA: Okay, so, the Blue Spirit is this... person, or... thing wearing a black onesie with wrist protectors and a blue theater mask. Uses a katana to kill people. A lot of people, actually.

BANDIT: Really? Just one guy with a sword?

KENORA. Again, not sure if it's even a person. It... almost killed Azula a while ago.

AZULA: Kenora saved me from it.

A brief exchange of gratitude and the others feel misplaced again in the girls' reunion.

TY LEE: It attacked her again in the swamp north of Yu Dao. We fought it together.

Kenora's ridge shoots up.

KENORA: Really?

ZUKO: It also attacked me and Akari when we went into the Great Swamp recently.

Even more shock.

KENORA (mumbling): Guess Akari didn't bother telling me...

SOKKA: It also attacked Puwati's ship when he captured me.

More dread creeping down everyone's spine. And more stories to make Bandit feel excluded from the rest.

KENORA: You see?! That thing is a danger to us all! It attacked Katara a few nights ago and her waterbending teacher with it.

This rings Sokka's alarm bells.

SOKKA: Is she alright?!

KENORA: She's fine. He... is dead.

Dread washes over them like a drizzle. Kenora can briefly muster up her most serious tone.

KENORA: You see what I mean? It doesn't matter which side you are on. The Blue Spirit has its own agenda. It will kill whoever it wants to, whenever it wants to. We need to stop it now before it can cause any more damage - to anyone!

Loosening the tension at least somewhat, the lemur flies back over to Kenora's shoulder.

BANDIT: Why do you care, though? What's the advantage of saving us instead of saving your own people?

An important inquiry, causing the waterbender to scratch the back of her head.

KENORA: I mean, if I am going to do it, I might as well have the Avatar on my side, right?

AZULA: Aang isn't here for a while.

Confidence shattered successfully.

KENORA: Oh. Well... the next best thing is probably the Avatar's friends then.

Not enough to convince the Dream Team, not even Azula. Kenora sighs.

KENORA: Listen... I know I probably made your guys' lives a whole lot more difficult in the past.

KENORA (to Bandit): I don't know if I ever did something bad to you personally, but if my actions caused you any pain, them I'm sorry.

Bandit shrugs dismissively.

KENORA (to Ty Lee): I'm sorry I attacked you in the desert. And I'm sorry for all the mean things I said afterwards. It doesn't matter that I saved you - the only reason that buzzard wasp stung you is because you ran away from me.

Ty Lee is truly touched, though she doesn't allow herself to look sympathetic yet.

KENORA (to Zuko): I'm sorry I attacked you and Ty Lee in the Glacier Temple. You offered to save me there and... I refused. I really regret that.

Zuko, on the other hand, seems to warm up decently enough.

KENORA (to Sokka): I'm sorry I strangled you. I was so obsessed with having control that... I was ready to do anything.

Azula lights up at that, hearing her own flaws in Kenora's words.

KENORA (to Sokka): And I'm sorry I kidnapped you in Ba Sing Se.

Sokka shrugs with optimism.

SOKKA: I was a pretty huge dick to you before that. I say we're even.

Kenora smiles. Finally, with hesitation, her gaze wanders over to one raven-haired girl.

KENORA (to Azula): And I'm really sorry to you. You're the one I hurt the most. I was... so angry when you attacked me after I saved your life, but really, you had every right in the world to mistrust me at that point. I should've accepted that it's my fault and made an effort to get better. Instead, I became even more of an ass after that.

A brief scoff from Azula.

AZULA: It looks like you're making that effort now.

The waterbender nods, keeping her reaction in check, mostly.

KENORA: I don't expect you to accept me into your group at all, nor do I think any of you will want me to be your friend. Regardless, I'm here to stay. I'm here to help. And I think the first thing we need to deal with is the Blue Spirit. So, what do you guys say?

The other five take all the time in the world to think about it, putting Kenora very much on edge. Once again, one has to take charge.

AZULA: I think it's best me and my friends talk about it first. You wait here till we've come up with a verdict.

She accepts her response with a humble nod. Once again, the other four feel very much like they're in the way of a completely different conversation wanting to happen between Azula and Kenora.

---

The waterbender remained in their little cave, Sabachi deciding to keep her company. Why, no one was sure.

For now, the Dream Team, missing their Avatar, returned to yesterday's training grounds, the peaceful creek offering enough space to let the situation play out to its fullest. Everyone is standing but Azula, who is seated on a rock by the side.

BANDIT: This is ridiculous! This girl just shows up out of nowhere and expects us to trust her? And what, because of a few apologies?

ZUKO: She did seem genuine. I thought so at least.

Surprisingly, his girlfriend appears to disagree.

TY LEE: I know she's being honest, that's not the issue. The issue is that she has changed her mind in the past before. I can't read aura changes in the future. If she betrays us again-

SOKKA: What would she gain from betraying us? She's completely alone - Aang isn't even here! What else is she here to do?

The question is carried away into the wilds, sort of like a dandelion. All eyes slowly wander over to a very uncharacteristically quiet firebender girl.

BANDIT: Why is she not shoving her own opinion down our throats?

AZULA: Ouch? That's how you see me?

ZUKO: What were you gonna tell is in the cave before, Azula?

Again, the raven-haired girl hesitates to respond.

BANDIT: Oh, probably that she's in love with this waterbender girl.

Well, that makes it easy. Azula, obviously, is silenced by the accusation.

BANDIT: What? Why do you all of you... not seem surprised by this?

Once again, Bandit feels entirely left out of something as earth-shattering as this.

BANDIT: Why isn't even Azula surprised? WHY AM I THE ONLY ONE WHO ISN'T TOLD WHAT'S HAPPENING?!

A mighty stomp latter and everyone but Ty Lee almost falls over. Finally, Azula dares to address these questions.

AZULA: I'm going to start things off by saying that no, I am not... in love with her. Love... is... a strong word here.

ZUKO: But you do like her.

Not a nod, but essentially a non-verbal Yes.

BANDIT: Why is that? I thought this girl was crazy and hunting you all around the world!

AZULA: It's more complicated than that.

BANDIT: Really? Well, then I wanna know! And when I say that - I mean the WHOLE thing, sugar queen!

Azula emits a short sigh, nonchalantly starting her rant without having rehearsed it ever before.

AZULA: Okay. Kenora, right? So... apparently she met Sokka first on the Boiling Rock. Girls aren't allowed to learn waterbending or... do anything in the Water Tribe, so she dressed up as a boy named Poko and... did that for a while. We first met her in Mai Sa Lu. For some reason she thought she could capture me and Zuko and we all got tossed into this nightmarish school instead. Then, we see her again in Musho Ichi. She actually helped us free those slaves, you know? Granted, she also attacked Aang right after, though apparently that was Sokka's fault. Anyways, next time we run into her is in the Glacier Temple. I don't know what she saw there, but it spooked her enough to go berserk on Zuko and Ty Lee, although they beat her. Blah-blah-blah, we run into her again on Crescent Island, now with pirates? I don't know how that came to be, but I did have my first fight with her there. Thing is, she got ahold of my headpiece and I took her necklace, which I think made her hate me. After that, I spot her briefly near a volcano, fun times. Oh - the big one happened right after that! So, the others are sick, I run to get some medicine and then - boom! Kenora attacks me out of nowhere, I guess cause she wanted her necklace really badly? Doesn't matter cause I get captured by Bato right after. Some... freak tortures me, until then - Kenora! Again! The girl was apparently crazy enough to sneak into this giant fortress and rescue me. I don't know why. I guess she got her necklace back and I my headpiece. But anyway, it didn't end well, I didn't trust her, threw fire at her, yadda yadda. I think that might've pissed her off cause she got really obsessed with me after that. Attacked us in a swamp that one time, that's where I had Blue Spirit encounter number two, by the way. I didn't see her after that for a while, though I guess she beat up Aang and took him to her boat, where she lost him. We run into her again in the Golden City, where Sokka knocks her out, then the giant spirit dog almost dies, SHE actually saves his life... um... but then I guess we fought again after. Then we fought after that in Ba Sing Se, and another time after she chased me all night and I failed to produce lightning. Uh... oh yeah, she runs into Ty Lee in the desert and acts like a huge dork but then saves her life. After that I run into her Goldmouth. We... spend some time together, we end up kissing, I got freaked out because I kissed the girl that I just had a fight with not long before... um... I cut my hair, made up a fake story because I was embarrassed. Then... oh yeah, she was in Gaoling. She actually... genuinely didn't attack me, though... I kind of did attack her. She burned her own hand just so she wouldn't have to fight me. It was crazy. Oh yeah, and apparently Ty Lee and Sokka ran into her in the Great Swamp. Sokka has been using Sabachi to exchange messages with her after that. Huh. Yeah. I uh... I think that's it. Did i miss anything?

Azula didn't pay attention to it, though everyone's facial reaction morphed wildly as she rambled the whole thing. Half of the stuff in here had been unknown or only partially known by the others. Though now they got their confirmation for the Goldmouth story.

It takes everyone a few moments to take that in, making the firebender nervous.

AZULA: What? Bandit wanted the whole thing - that's the whole thing!

BANDIT: Oh, so that happened in Goldmouth. Makes more sense that it was Kenora than some boy.

The raven-haired girl lets her know that she agrees. It is Ty Lee who steps in between her and the others.

TY LEE: I think we're focusing on the wrong thing here. We need to talk about whether or not we should trust Kenora now. Whatever she and Azula have is none of our business.

This gets on Azula's nerves way too hard.

AZULA: Oh, so now suddenly it is none of your business?

The airbender turns around, both girls showing off a mean look.

AZULA (angry): Back in the Great Swamp you had no problem acting like a bodyguard and telling her she can't see me.

TY LEE (angry): That was before I knew you guys liked each other! I just wanted to protect you!

AZULA (angry): From a girl who doesn't attack you and lays out her feelings openly? How is that any help? This is just like with me and Aang - you're meddling with my love life like you're my mother!

TY LEE (angry): I am NOT acting like your mother!

AZULA (angry): I sure hope you're not because my mother is DEAD!

A voice crack at that last word makes both parties stop. Now it is Zuko who steps in between Azula and the others.

ZUKO: This isn't getting us anywhere.

He turns to his sister...

ZUKO: Whatever you and Kenora are or... are not - let's put that on pause for just a second.

...before switching back to the group as a whole.

ZUKO: Should we or should we not trust her? And if we do, should we face the Blue Spirit head-on instead of letting it strike one of us again?

AZULA: If I may also add something here...

Azula's clear tone blatantly doesn't match her uneasy posture.

AZULA: Regardless of how I... feel about her in certain ways, this is the perfect opportunity we've been waiting for. Thanks to Sokka we know that rehabilitation is possible, and now here we have someone who is not only a one-woman-army, but someone who knows waterbending. The one element that Aang is missing before becoming a fully-realized Avatar. Seriously, she is being handed to us on a silver platter and we're debating over it like it's a problem.

TY LEE: Because it is a problem.

The acrobat sighs, despising confrontation deeply.

TY LEE: She has helped us before and then just... turned around the other way. She helped us break into the school, then tried to attack Aang. She helped in Musho Ichi, then attacked Aang. She helped Azula - then attacked her multiple times! I'm not saying we can't trust her ever, but it's way too soon. She just showed up and we're already talking about letting her join the group? I don't feel comfortable with that.

The two main sides presenting their arguments, Sokka decides to chip in next.

SOKKA: I knew Kenora from the start. I know what she's like when she's just looking out for herself. This is not it. Before she became this... bully, she was actually quite nice. This is that Kenora again. And the only way she'll keep being that Kenora, is if we take that leap of faith and trust her.

Finally, Bandit gives her two cents.

BANDIT: I say we dump her. Azula can do whatever she pleases on her own time, but I'm not comfortable fighting alongside her. I already had to swallow being friends with those Liberation Nerds, I don't want that to happen every other week now. And especially not with a waterbender.

The witnesses having given their statements, only Zuko remains quiet.

AZULA: I say we vote. Anyone who is against trusting Kenora, raise your arm.

Bandit's shoots up almost immediately. Ty Lee follows suit with a hint of discomfort. Azula pouts viciously in response.

SOKKA: Alright, everyone in favor of trusting her...

He and the firebender girl raise their arms almost at the same time. It is at that moment that only one vote remains.

SOKKA: Zuko?

The swordfighter sighs very audibly for everyone to hear. With one hand on his nose ridge, he raises his right arm. Expecting Ty Lee to be infuriated, she instead peeks at him with big, curious eyes.

ZUKO: I can't claim to know Kenora as well as Sokka or Azula. But... you guys have seen her. She's not the... cunning, trickery type. I don't think this a ploy. Opening up about herself, apologizing for hurting us in the past? And then the whole thing with...

He looks to his sister, who finally allows a faint blush.

ZUKO: We shouldn't get involved but... we can't ignore it either. It's a superficial motivation for her and yes, if things go bad it might make her go mad again, but the fact of the matter is that she is here. She came... to see her. Help us in the process, for sure. But... she came here for Azula. I think that matters.

Hoping to see a shift in Ty Lee's expression, the girl simply remains with her arms crossed.

TY LEE: I don't want to trust her. But you're right. She's here to help us and she clearly wants to help Azula. That's got to be enough to make us trust her for now.

Bandit scoffs, blowing her overly long bangs out of her face.

BANDIT: So what? You're changing your vote?

Ty Lee shrugs, looking rather uncomfortable.

TY LEE: I guess...

This seems to displease the earthbender greatly.

BANDIT: So I'm the odd one out?

SOKKA: Unless you change your vote too.

The young girl scoffs, stomping the ground once again.

BANDIT (spiteful): Forget about it...

With an unsettling aura, Bandit walks away from the clearing.

---

It wasn't until Shahar had started doing field missions that she understood why the Dai Li loved using their rock gloves. Makes holding on to inconspicuous rooftops all the more easy, though now the girl is doing her absolute best trying to perform that skill on her own. About ten minutes ago Blaufush had left the candy shop, a jute bag filled to the brim with packaged goods, sweets and cakes and have you in tiny parcels.

Just like Yue used to get.

These kinds of tailing missions are easier to do at night than in the middle of the day, though either way the lower ring is always the perfect environment for it. Occasional random bystanders had almost always ignored her and the other Kimono Agents, and Shahar seems to be lucky now as well. After Blaufush's third delivery, the boy takes a strange turn into an alley that, if Shahar remembers correctly, leads into a dead end. She's too far away to be able to tell. With grace, she bends herself across another rooftop, just close enough to still spot the-

One of the tiles suddenly breaks off, causing Shahar to drop and slip against her will. Completely unable to stop this and still forced to be as quiet as possible, the girl stumbles backwards and finally drops from the building, smacking hard against something as she lands.

A few seconds pass until that annoying ringing in her ear subsides. Whatever she hit her head against during her great fall must've been one oddly shaped rock. No time to ponder - the girl gets up right away, dashing until the end of the street corner, trying to spot Blaufush in the distance.

Negative. Whatever shortcut he took must be new, or maybe Shahar just remembered it wrong. It's a big city after all. Scratching her scalp with frustrated grunts, her heart skips a brief beat as the earthbender notices the absence of her red headband. She rushes back to the spot she fell down earlier, picking it up again.

That's when Shahar spots something strange. A metal pipe runs down the side of the house she crashed against. Yet... as far as she can remember, it was a stone thing she bumped her head against. Now that she thinks about it... that stone... thing was oddly hollow and... round. Kind of like... a pipe. She puts her headband on, wiping her bangs away as she briefly lets her fingers wander over the metal object. There's no stone pipe anywhere to be seen, nor any other object like it comparable to the shape or dimensions of this pipe. Her investigative nature is briefly enchanted by this incident. For a moment, she thinks about punching the pipe a bunch, maybe parts of it have rocks in it and that's why she was able to feel it.

But such an action is the opposite of stealth and so she hurries back to her actual mission.

---

The waterbender chuckles at the lemur's antics. She scares it off a bunch with her waterbending, creating bubbles that float in close proximity to Sabachi, the animal always curiously staring at the aquatic object to the very last second, before dashing her way back and away from it as Kenora lets it burst. Sabachi hates water.

Sokka enters the cave first, a stack of rolled-up maps in his possession as he proudly waltzes into the cave. Zuko and Ty Lee follow suit. Azula enters last, a brief exchange of smiles enough for the two girls for now.

SOKKA: Alright - we've come to a decision!

He drops the cartography onto the mossy ground in front of Kenora.

KENORA: That's great! So... what did you decide on?

ZUKO: We trust you. For now. Don't think we want you as a friend or part of our group yet.

A humble nod is her reaction to his statement.

KENORA: Harsh, but fair. And the Blue Spirit plan?

AZULA: Slight alteration.

The waterbender frowns with intrigue.

KENORA: Oh?

ZUKO: Your suggestion was to kill it. We decided it's better that we capture it.

As everyone sits down and Sokka spreads out a map of Omashu, Kenora follows suit, crossing her arms and trying to look professional.

KENORA: Okay. That... may be smarter. I just thought killing is the safer option.

AZULA: You do know about the other world, right?

Kenora's heart sinks to the floor as she hears the question.

KENORA: Ah. I see.

Ty Lee is the only one present not looking like she wants to be there.

TY LEE: What?

KENORA: Well... Aang talked about it once and I... didn't believe him. Thought he made it up. So... guess it's really real.

AZULA: We can catch you up to speed later. Important thing is - with something as big as the Blue Spirit, there is no way that whoever is behind that mask is just some random person. We need to find out who it is.

KENORA: If it even is a person under that.

ZUKO: That's the other part. If it's a spirit, then maybe we can talk to it, find out why it's so angry.

Kenora tries her best to appear as polite. She remembers the Blue Spirit being the polar opposite of someone or something that can be reasoned with.

KENORA: Okidoki.

She looks around the cave for reassurance, though instead only notices the missing person.

KENORA: Uh... where's Bandit?

Zuko scratches the back of his head.

ZUKO: She didn't want to show up.

A concerning thought creeps into Kenora's mind.

KENORA: Oh. Well... she's... not going to tell the... huge Earth Kingdom army about the waterbender you're hiding, right?

A few nervous looks are shared, as... they never heard from Bandit about whether or not the girl would keep this to herself.

AZULA: Don't worry. We'll protect you.

Another one of those moments where Sokka, Zuko, and Ty Lee exchange glances while Azula and Kenora blush at each other. The prince has the insight to clear his throat.

SOKKA: So, anyways...

All eyes wander back to the blueprints on the ground.

SOKKA: I got these plans from Bumi. It should give us ideas about how to enter without being spotted.

KENORA: Well, if it's any help, I assume Omashu has a sewage system and you guys have a waterbender now.

AZULA: Noted down.

SOKKA: From there we need to find a good spot in the city to ambush the Blue Spirit. These plans are before the Water Tribe took over and might be outdated. Azula, would you be able to use Sabachi to makes some scouting runs?

The lemur chirps from Kenora's shoulder.

AZULA: I can. But it won't be super detailed. Her vocabulary is pretty limited.

An angry chirp follows.

AZULA (to Sabachi): Learn some more words then!

TY LEE: Can I ask something?

The room redirects its focus to her inquisitively soft tone.

TY LEE: How do we know that the Blue Spirit will be in Omashu? And how do we find it? Usually, it finds us.

Kenora uncrosses her arms, resting her hands on her knees.

KENORA: I don't really know to be honest. We know that it's out to get you guys at least. And it attacked Katara, who is probably in Omashu by now. I kind of assumed that it would show up eventually.

A shrug that lacks confidence and leaves a room full of question marks.

AZULA: I actually have a suggestion for that.

Everyone's focus shifts again.

AZULA: Out of everyone, the Blue Spirit has attacked me the most, unless Aang had a bunch of fights with it and never told us. I think the most logical way of getting its attention is to use me as bait.

TY LEE & KENORA & ZUKO: No!

The three share odd looks for a moment.

SOKKA: Why not? I agree actually.

This gets him some mean glares.

TY LEE: We are not putting Azula in danger like that! If we come in too late-

She's unable to finish the thought and the sentence.

KENORA: Ty Lee is right.

Internally, Kenora smirks that she is able to say this.

KENORA (to Azula): Back at the fortress, when I was knocked down for a second, it almost killed you.

Azula grunts, though doesn't direct it at Kenora per se.

AZULA: That was back when I hadn't been trained by Jeong Jeong yet. Back when my little fire was still red. I'm much stronger now.

KENORA: I know that you're stronger now.

Once again, odd looks shared from anyone who isn't the girls.

KENORA: All of us are. But none of us is ready to take that risk at your expense.

The waterbender looks back at the others.

KENORA: Am I wrong?

Head shakes from Zuko and Ty Lee.

SOKKA: I would take that risk.

Azula lets her sass out for this.

AZULA: Well, I'm really happy you want to see me dead, Sokka.

Morbid but jolly chuckles are emitted by the others. Kenora shares a brief smile with Azula as both girls flush a bit with color. In reality, Azula is not too happy about their decision at all.

---

More blades fly across the yard with howling hisses. Mai's brow ridge actually shoots up in surprise, Yue being able to stick all of her projectiles in the relative center of their make-shift target circle.

MAI: Pretty good for a beginner. You might give Zuko a run for his money.

A proud little smirk is cast onto the princess as she runs to get her knives back.

MAI: I'm surprised at how good you are with those breathing exercises.

Yue puts some of the weapons in secret holsters she got from Mai.

YUE: Not to brag but, when you're me, breathing itself is an exercise. So you might say I've been training all my life.

Mai rolls her eyes, though tries not to come off as too mean spirited.

MAI: I guess...

Yue nods, continuing to toss some sharp objects, this time doing singular knives one after the other.

MAI: So uh... Shahar mentioned you're gonna stay in Ba Sing Se.

The princess hesitates briefly before throwing another knife.

YUE: It's not much of a choice to stay, but I suppose if I wanted to get back to the North Pole, I would be able to find a way.

A particularly powerful toss is a bullseye.

YUE: But it's true. I really like Shahar. I like you and... I don't mind this city. There's some beautiful spots here.

Her next dash, a few needles flying from her sleeves, misses by the wooden plank by a lot.

MAI: But you miss home.

Yue sighs, going back to pick up her throwing weapons, as she is out of ammunition.

YUE: Of course I want back. I miss my father. I miss traversing the canals via gondola.

Having taken out all of her knives, she walks back over to the Pajama Warrior.

YUE: I didn't put much thought into it since Shahar was employed by the king. She was never going to leave Ba Sing Se then, but now...

Another sigh, this one more heartfelt. The girl puts the weaponry back on a convenient table instead of training any further.

YUE: I'm too scared to ask her. If she says no then-

MAI: No need to finish that. I get it.

The Crescent Warrior looks a lot more serious than she has tried to in the past few days.

MAI: It's a very simple decision, really. If she loves you, she'll spent some time in the North Pole.

YUE: It's not that simple when we're still at war.

Mai shrugs, which is somehow a decently sympathetic gesture.

MAI: That holds true. Guess we'll need to hope for the Avatar to fix things.

Yue nods, not fully happy and opting to hug herself.

YUE: Do you miss the Avatar and his friends? Shahar told me you two were his friends too.

Mai reacts a bit more aloof now as she does some target practicing of her own.

MAI: I guess so. He did tell us his weird other world story. Must mean something.

The girl briefly recalls her interactions with one Dream Team member in particular. A treacherous blush excites Yue way more than Mai would like.

YUE: Oh. Looks like you were very close...

The knife wielder notices her faux pas and tries to appear as stern again.

YUE: Wanna tell me who?

Her strangely curious tone makes Mai want to gag.

MAI: Nothing happened. I just... liked Sokka.

Yue frowns in shock.

YUE: The Crown Prince? Really? From what I heard he is... difficult.

Mai shrugs.

MAI: Like I said, nothing happened. But... he was nice. I hope I get to see him again.

A shuriken hits the center of their target hard enough to actually split the wood down the middle.

MAI: And I hope you and Shahar can work things out. But you shouldn't let your own wishes go unheard.

Yue smiles, a hint of unease clearly woven in. She agrees with her assessment, yet worries nonetheless.

---

…然后她就这么做了！ 太疯狂了！ 塞德尼说，那是我一生中最美好的时刻。 好吧，可能就这么多了。 但说实话—一直以来都将她视为敌人，竟然让她挑衅我亲吻？ 我愿意付出一切去再次感受她的嘴唇...

...and then she just went for it! It was crazy! And by Sedni, it was the most beautiful moment of my life. Okay, that might be much. But honestly - having known her all this time as my enemy, to have her instigate a kiss with me? I would give everything to feel her lips again...

---

Sensing the presence of someone in her tent, Azula puts the letter down again.

TY LEE: Hey. Watchya readin'?

The acrobat still looks visibly uncomfortable, though tries her best to come off as a friend. Azula turns around, sitting sideways on her bed.

AZULA: Nothing.

In a cold contrast to the airbender, Azula's answer is short and lacking any emotion. Ty Lee finally lets her guard down even further.

TY LEE: Can I sit down?

Azula nods, having crossed her arms after storing away Kenora's letters.

TY LEE: Is Sabachi not back from her scouting run yet?

AZULA: She is. She's at the cave with Kenora.

Ty Lee fiddles her thumbs as she thinks about her answer. The sun has set in the meantime, casting the outside of Azula's tent in shadows.

TY LEE: Shouldn't you be there too?

A hint of shock and embarrassment appears on the firebender's face.

TY LEE: I don't really trust her that much yet. And I sure don't want her to be a part of our group for a while. But...

She finally sighs, causing Azula to uncross her arms.

TY LEE: The truth is, I've let my hurt feelings keep me from thinking straight. I think maybe I did try to get involved in your love life. You dealing with Aang put a lot of pressure on me as well. I didn't want you to get hurt again, but I think I didn't want to get hurt either.

Finally, in a gesture the raven-haired girl doesn't engage in too often, she lays her arm on the acrobat's shoulder.

AZULA: I get it. The whole thing with Aang was just... annoying and exhausting...

TY LEE: That's why you need to go see Kenora now.

Azula's arm pulls away as she seems nervous again.

TY LEE: I get that it must be difficult. You... probably only found out recently that you like girls, plus you two have some bad history. But... clearly you like each other. So why don't you go and see her already?

Now it is Azula who sighs, hugging herself as Ty Lee rubs her back lovingly.

AZULA: There's so much... stuff with Kenora. With Aang I had it under control, for the most part. But with her...

A very blatant blush appears on her.

AZULA: I feel like my whole body stops working. I get overwhelmed by my emotions too fast and I start losing control.

TY LEE: That's normal.

Her soft voice grounds her back to reality.

TY LEE: You think about this stuff too much with your head. This isn't a fight that you can approach with strategy. It's... something you'll have to go in blind. Because it's not about a goal, it's about experiencing how it feels.

This seems to get to the firebender. An honest smile serves as Ty Lee's reward.

AZULA: Thank you.

Satisfied, and honestly tired herself, Ty Lee gets back up...

AZULA: Hey, before you leave...

...Azula now too.

AZULA: Am I your best friend?

A slightly more comical reaction from the acrobat, her eye blinking twice before answering.

TY LEE: What?

AZULA: Bandit and I spoke about it in Goldmouth. I'd... say you're my best friend, so I wanted to hear from you if-

Quick and jolly, a tight hug is the best possible answer Azula could expect.

TY LEE: Of course you are! We are best friends - forever!

They separate and Azula boils with emotion.

AZULA: Forever? Sounds pretty long.

An innocent smile later and Ty Lee has left Azula's tent already. On her way back to Zuko, despite all they joy and love she feels from the firebender, an unrelated thought that has been bugging her for a while starts gnawing away at her conscience.

TY LEE (mumbling to herself): Oh Aang, your timing is just terrible...

---

The Moon Spirit grants the cave at least a bit of light at this hour. Despite being filled to the tip of its ears with energy, Sabachi is finally resting next to the stone slab Azula used as a sitting bench earlier today. That's the first time the waterbender saw her since Gaoling. She smiles.

Having taken off her coat already, Kenora removes her gloves, her sleeping bag already spread out for the night. Waving her arm, she briefly pulls up a blob of water, freezing it and creating a perfectly even surface, using it as a mirror to check on herself before finally going to sleep. In the mirror's reflection, she can spot a raven-haired girl entering the cave.

AZULA: Looks cozy.

Having heard her talk before, Kenora is surprised at how noticeably less bravado her manner of speaking carries. Unsure where to continue, the firebender decides to walk over to her stone bench, not waking up the lemur in the process. Not knowing how to continue either, the waterbender walks a few paces over to the same rock, leaning her back against it as she sits on the ground.

KENORA: I've slept on worse.

Kenora fiddles with her hands for a moment, not knowing what to-

AZULA: Can I see your hand?

With awkward hesitation, Kenora reaches out her arm. Azula grabs it with hers, softly stroking her fingers across the healed tissue. Do I even need to mention the blush here?

AZULA: Looks pretty bad. Must've hurt a lot.

She finally lets go, though really she felt the need to hold onto it for much longer.

KENORA: Yeah. Turns out it was kind of pointless on top. The message was never even about my father. I should've just handed it over it to you.

AZULA: Would you have done that if you knew beforehand?

Kenora shrugs.

KENORA: Probably wouldn't been there in the first place.

Azula nods, trying to keep her emotions in check for now.

KENORA (blushing): I... really like your hair, by the way.

Welp, so much for that idea. Azula listens to Ty Lee's advice and allows herself to flush with color as well. After doing so, she briefly turns to the snoozing winged lemur.

AZULA (to Sabachi): You hear that? She doesn't think I look like a boy now!

Kenora giggles at this. Sabachi just continues to sleep.

KENORA: How do you do it?

AZULA: Hm?

KENORA: When you talk to her? Like... how does it feel?

Azula lets out a casual scoff as she thinks about it.

AZULA: It always depends on the animal. Some just spew out out singular words while something like Appa can almost talk in coherent sentences. With Sabachi I've been doing it for so long that I don't even need to look at her when she makes a noise.

Kenora stares up at her with intrigue.

KENORA: Look at her?

AZULA: Well, it's like with humans. They don't just emit words, they say them in a certain way. Their faces twitch and their body articulates alongside what they're saying. It's half of the talking. It's the noise they make and how they look while they're making it.

The waterbender nods, continuing to be satisfied with the whole thing.

AZULA: I still don't know why I can do it. I'm sure the answer will come blurting out at me at some point.

She weirdly waves the concern aside.

Still not quite sure how to talk to her, Kenora simply nods again.

AZULA: I think it's kind of cool how you showed up, by the way.

KENORA: How come?

AZULA: Well, you could've acted really fake and humbled and... offered to be taken prisoner by us, or something pathetic like that. Instead, you stood your ground. You're not just here to show us that you've changed, you're here because it's the right thing first. I... admire that.

Ironically, the waterbender acts humbled after this.

AZULA: Unless I'm wrong and you're just here to impress me.

Kenora scratches the back of her head.

KENORA (blushing): Well... I'll say yes only if you like that.

Azula's smirk unsuccessfully hides a, what else, blush.

AZULA: I also wanted to apologize.

Kenora scoffs.

KENORA: You don't need to apologize for anything.

AZULA: Can you just let me? Please?

A strangely more goofy tone is conveyed by the firebender.

KENORA: Sure.

After that, her serious side reemerges.

AZULA: I'm sorry for attacking you after you saved my life. It wasn't okay for you to go crazy on us after, but I was the one who misjudged you in that moment. You saved my life. I don't know why I thought you would betray me after...

A reassuring smile indicates that her apology is accepted. What follows is a far more emotional glance that indicates something else is coming.

KENORA (blushing): Can I also ask you something?

AZULA (blushing): You're gonna ask me why I ran away after the kiss again, aren't you?

A short pause to let them breathe.

KENORA (blushing): I was gonna ask if you liked it. But I guess those two are connected...

The two girls are unable to shake off their red color, and neither is quite sure where this conversation will go. After a deep breath, Azula dares to answer.

AZULA (blush): I did. A lot.

Kenora looks up with a hopeful shimmer in her eyes.

AZULA: But I also got scared.

The pain escapes her mouth as air.

AZULA (blush): I do like you Kenora. But I need some time. This bad stuff between us didn't happen that long ago.

Quite tragically, the shimmer disappears again.

AZULA: I won't promise you anything. It... might not happen, or I might get over it quickly. Can't really plan this sort of stuff out. Sorry if that's really vague...

Kenora sighs, ultimately accepting it with a nod.

KENORA: I didn't just betray my nation and come here for you. I did, like you said, because it was the right thing.

While pausing, a smirk reappears on her.

KENORA (blushing): But I did also come back for you.

Azula is now almost as crimson red as her outfit.

AZULA (blushing): Oh, don't flatter me like that...

She gets it under control somehow, though Kenora's continuous smile is... not helping.

AZULA (blushing): I also don't regret kissing you. It was fun. Sometimes you gotta take risks.

A few seconds after hearing that, Kenora very suddenly jolts up again.

KENORA: That's it!

She turns around, confusing Azula even further.

KENORA: Yes, it's a risk to use you as bait - but the Blue Spirit won't know you're not alone! You can hold your own against it for a few seconds.

Azula jolts up excitedly too.

AZULA: And then you guys can make sure to block off its path and help me fight it.

KENORA: It's a pretty big risk but...

AZULA: It's totally worth it!

Only now do they realize just how... not far apart their faces are. Redundant to mention the blushing here...

AZULA: Right. You wait here while I go and get the maps and some paper and...

As she walks to the entrance, she briefly stops and turns around flirtatiously.

AZULA (blushing): And probably my sleeping bag. Might be a long night.

Kenora covers her face after a fake cough.

KENORA (blushing): Sounds like a plan.

Azula dashses through the vines. A few seconds pass and Kenora runs back over to her mirror, checking herself out and making extra sure that there's no filth in her face, that her hair looks nice-

After a few more seconds, she spots Azula in the reflection again. This time the girl looks over with a cocky smile leaned against the cave entrance.

AZULA: Sorry, I was just... pretty sure you were gonna do that. See you in a minute!

She waves goodbye as Kenora does a weird combination of laughing and whining.

---

The next morning Sokka is first to stumble onto the strange sight. For a brief second he almost turns back around, though he can decipher quickly that it's not what he thought.

SOKKA: Uh... good morning?

Kenora wakes up first, making a funny face as he, Ty Lee, Zuko, and even Bandit enter.

Now, the girls are in separate sleeping bags and they're a good distance away from each other. But still.

KENORA: Um... mornin'?

Never has the gang heard the waterbender more insecure than now. Sabachi decides to finally make herself useful, hopping over to Azula, where she sits on her head until the firebender gets up with a grumpy noise.

AZULA: Good morning.

She says this to Kenora, who is sitting upright across from her. She only now turns back to see the rest of her friends having entered. Sokka has largely started focusing on the scattered maps and strategic graphs sketches on the ground.

AZULA: Aren't you guys here a little early?

ZUKO: It's almost noon. You overslept.

He crosses his arms with heavy big-brother-energy. She only rolls her eyes as she gets up on two feet, doing some stretches.

AZULA: While you guys where slumbering away, Kenora and I actually worked on a Blue Spirit plan. And I will say, it's pretty darn good.

Kenora gets up too, wanting to remain mostly quiet with all the curious eyes.

AZULA: Quick question there - Bandit, you in or not?

Bandit scoffs.

BANDIT: I don't like her. But clearly everyone else does, you most of all.

Azula keeps up her professional facade for now.

BANDIT: I committed to helping the Avatar and that includes all of you. So if you think this is the way to go - sure.

AZULA: Wonderful, we made some alterations just in case you would come back around. It makes our plan even better.

TY LEE: What is the plan?

Sokka picks up a piece of paper as he smirks.

SOKKA: We're using Azula as bait.

TY LEE & ZUKO: No-

AZULA: Yes. It's my choice. And it makes this plan bulletproof. Unless you guys want to take another vote on whether or not you can trust me.

BANDIT: NO! No more voting, please!

The matter is settled. While Ty Lee and Zuko still seem concerned, some reassuring looks from Kenora and Sokka make Azula appear as more confident than ever.

---

Act III. - Unmasking the idol

---

Under the cover of dawn, Shahar is baffled to see someone else in the house up this early.

MAI (yawning): Morning.

Shahar turns just as her hand engulfs the door knob.

SHAHAR: Mai? You're up already?

MAI: Sure. I figured I needed a head start in the bathroom. I haven't washed my hair in days. It's gonna be a mess...

Sensing a level of shame in her matt tone, Shahar decides to fold her hands beneath her sleeves, a motion that reminds Mai very much of Madame Tamao.

SHAHAR: Would you... like to join me in the investigation?

The Crescent Warrior hesitates before giving her an affirmative shrug.

MAI: Sure. Gives me an excuse to get out these pajamas for once.

Shahar displays a proud smile at that.

SHAHAR: Should I wait for you?

MAI: No, don't bother. It'll take me hours before I'm anywhere close to looking acceptable. I'll catch up with you later.

The earthbender simply nods as she exits through the door. Mai waits for her to do this before making a happy face of her own.

---

This time, Shahar takes a slightly different path to the train station, walking down the street and into an alley. That feeling of the metal pipe still hasn't left her mind, somehow being fascinating enough to keep her busy-

Her mind shifts very rapidly out of nowhere. Dizzy and plagued by nausea, the girl is forced to lean over, coughing a few times, expecting to throw up any second. A hint of fear shooting through her system, the girl, very suddenly and out of nowhere, remembers the candy shop, how it felt to stand in it, how it felt to talk to Blaufush and the cranky old man. Images of these disgusting delicacies flash in front of her inner eye.

It takes Shahar longer than she likes to realize why. An inconspicuous sewer grate is placed on the ground. She walks back slowly, the repulsive sensation like fire in her nostrils.

SHAHAR: What in Arinna's...

The smell. It's the same. The same disgusting odor that caused her to empty the contents of her stomach months ago. The same that pierces her nose every time she tails Blaufush.

But the candy shop is nowhere near. It's two districts away. Two walls separate that place from her - and yet the smell...

Shahar peaks down through the grate. Darkness obscures her sight, yet a thought begins to fester in her mind like a wildfire.

---

The Great Chief often calls Omashu the crown jewel of Earth Kingdom colonies. A marvelous, strangely shaped collection of peoples, all stuck to the mountain going up like an earthern cone. All of the green rooftops and other features of housing had been slowly replaced by blue tiles, often entire stone buildings were replaced with wooden structures more akin to Southern Water Tribe architecture. They obviously couldn't include houses that melt.

The city's conquerors had been most fascinated by the intuitive earthbending transportation system, which went over hundreds of slides and tunnels all over the place. The yellow-ish stone was kept in place, though now all of these slides had a continuous stream of water flowing on them, allowing for the same efficiency now being controlled by waterbenders instead. The symbol of the Water Tribes had been chiseled into the balcony of the main palace, overlooking the mighty city of Omashu. There were even rumors of a massive statue of Hakoda needing to be built at the top, though anyone who knows the Great Chief personally would be able to figure that Hakoda wouldn't be too thrilled about it. To deter against any Earth Kingdom army, most of the outer wall defenses now include wood or steel.

In the cover of the night, with only the sound of small insects and the water slides echoing through the streets, a strange spot dashes from corner to corner. Its agility and speed are an incredible sight to behold. Yet the raven-haired girl is just merely that - a girl.

The Blue Spirit watches eagerly, as it traverses rooftops and slides, inching closer with every move as its target appears to be in a desperate hurry, attempting to get away as fast is possible. It wouldn't escape it this time. No Water Tribes army, no waterbender girl, no airbender in the swamp. The firebender is finally alone. Finally. This is all it had been waiting for, ridding the world of another savage once and for all.

Azula stops as she reaches the dead end. No body of water in sight, a dead end - no residential buildings close by. She turns around, the Blue Spirit's footsteps almost inaudible. Almost. The mask raises its blade as the firebender smirks, her own fighting pose in petto.

The Blue Spirit hesitates. There's something off. Its target she... smirks.

AZULA: Works like a charm.

Despite wearing a mask - despite never revealing whether it is human or not - Azula can clearly read the shock in its reaction.

Intending to run, a mighty blast of wind smacks it against one side, then the other. As the first fire blasts are tossed and the third wind swipe is cast, the Blue Spirit grounds itself via impaling the stone below, able to duck another air slash as it charges Azula, though it is forced to block a powerful fire kick, Ty Lee finally landing behind her, blocking the only exit.

Then another flame engulfs it, the katana serving as an adequate deterent. As the raven-haired boy appears, the mask appears more on edge than before. That's right, he's a firebender too apparently. They both need to be destroyed...

Blue and orange flames try and burn the Blue Spirit to a crisp, Azula's flames more steady streams of heat while Zuko still just bursts out strikes, one after the other. Dodging those two is already difficult enough, once the airbender catches both siblings in funnels and starts moving them around the battlefield, the Blue Spirit takes a short second to collect its energy. Able to figure out the pattern of this flaming carousel, it finally targets Zuko, making him out to be the weaker bender. Yet, as the strike is launched, Zuko is quick to block with his broadswords, a short muscle spasm latter and the flames of his blades illuminate the mask with an ominous glow. Despite the heat, the Blue Spirit is strong enough to push Zuko away, disrupting Ty Lee's bending trick as the two funnels collapse. The acrobat launches another air slash that the mask avoids. As much as it would like to wipe out the savages, it is hopelessly outnumbered-

As it attempts to run down the alley, the ground rises from above, a massive stone wall closing off the mask alongside the other benders, now joined by an earthbender girl.

Hesitating no longer, the spirit sprints towards her, dodging a rock chunk and slashing another in half. A blue flame is cut, an air slash is ducked beneath, and a few cunning swings from the burning blades are blocked before the boy gets kicked pretty hard in the stomach. A mighty swing aimed at Bandit is blocked by her rock pillar, before the mask is tossed across the ground with wind, which the Blue Spirit can recover from right away. Dodging more wind, it bounces off the wall, erecting its whole body, sword at the front, to create a live spear launching at Ty Lee.

The blade is rudely smacked down by sturdy wrist protectors, followed by a fire arch going downwards and a fire kick aimed for its face. The Blue Spirit lowers its blade, Azula crossing her wrists as she blocks.

For a few seconds, she glares with composure at the attacker.

AZULA: I've waited so long for this.

In a daring maneuver, she turns her arms by a quarter spin, fiery daggers protruding from her fists that she aims at the Blue Spirit's head. The clad figure dashes backwards as to avoid this, yet a tiny scratch now permanently remains on its mask.

SWOOSH! The mask, as in the literal mask, is hit once more, the silver boomerang reappearing in Sokka's hand, his sickle sword already drawn. It hesitates for a second as it sees Sokka. Why would he-

Too... distracted, the Blue Spirit catches a water stream to the chest, tossing it over before it can stand upright again, spinning its blade as it can finally evaluate the entire attack force.

Kenora readies her water in a stance wherein both her palms hold up a bubble of water, Sokka spins his blade too before aiming it, Ty Lee also spins her staff, though much faster, Azula clangs her wrist protectors twice before bursting out blue fire in a show-off-y fashion, Zuko readies his blades with a quiet frown, and Bandit tosses up another chunk of earth, breaking it into four smaller pieces that start hovering around herself.

Only Azula listens closely enough to be able to hear it, but the Blue Spirit clearly takes a breath to ready itself.

It all happens within only a few moments.

Blue fire dodged - water blast jumped over, redirected to smack against Sokka - blade swings exchanged with Zuko, air slash dodged, Zuko kicked away - rock dodged - blue flame cut in half - mean water whips by Kenora ducked - Bandit's rocks are cut - its blade gets stuck in a sudden rock pillar, the Blue Spirit is forced to abandon it - orange flame dodged, blue fire blast dodged - more water attacks from Kenora redirected, now against Ty Lee - it bends the water from its shirt to form a dagger, charging Azula-

Earth crumbles below it, turning to rubble before it solidifies. Bandit uses all of her strength to keep the attacker in the ground, as the Blue Spirit turns and twists, trying to escape.

BANDIT: I got it! GO!

The ice dagger on its right hand is engulfed by more water, a mean wateracle freezing against the ground, immobilizing it. Meanwhile, Ty Lee performs a complicated technique - a smaller, more concentrated air funnel trapping the Blue Spirit's left arm. Sokka and Zuko, having recovered, ready their blades in case it escapes. Though it doesn't look like it. The mask struggles and thrashes, trying its best to escape as Bandit, Kenora, and Ty Lee use up all of their strength to hold it in place.

Finally, Azula approaches it with a victorious smirk.

AZULA: Let's see who you really are.

This line was not part of Azula's grandiose plan, though she would lie if she claimed she didn't enjoy finally getting back at this thing that has tormented her in the past.

This line also activates some kind of primal energy within the Blue Spirit. Trying everything it can, it figures that the only option it has is to at least move its left fingers. The pearls of sweat on Azula's face serve as the answer - a quick flick later and the sweat cuts across her forehead, leading her to stumble and the waterbender to be distracted, the airbender along with her.

With enough force to out-do Kenora, it lifts the massive tendril of water, hitting her in the face before using it to knock over Ty Lee and the soften the ground enough to escape Bandit. Zuko and Sokka charge it, though it simply freezes their blades, spinning them to the side as it uses the last bit of water it has to grab its blade back. Dodging a rock blast from Bandit, it freezes over her face before beginning to wall jump.

AZULA: Don't let it get away!

A fire blast barely misses it as the Blue Spirit is almost at the top of the earthern wall. Kenora, having recovered, comes in to free Bandit's face and the swordfighters' blades. Ty Lee launches a mighty wind blast that only just barely misses the mask. It is now over the wall.

AZULA: Come on Bandit, we can't lose it, we almost had it!

Bandit complies, creating a hole just big enough for everyone to dash through. And so the chase begins.

TY LEE: I'll try to spot it from above!

Ty Lee rises into the air on her glider.

KENORA (to Azula): Are you okay?

The firebender wipes the bit of blood from her forehead and scoffs.

AZULA: I'm fine. Just... pissed.

KENORA: Then let's get it.

The girls exchange a nod.

No time for other gestures though, as the gang quickly dashes around a corner. While the Blue Spirit is barely visible in the dark, Ty Lee's bright image in the sky serves as their GPS, essentially.

SOKKA: Should we get Sledge now?

AZULA: No!

SOKKA: But we brought him along just for this!

AZULA: No, we let you bring him as our secondary escape plan!

ZUKO: Guys!

Zuko refocuses them to take another sharp turn, leading over a water slide, causing Kenora to stop.

KENORA: I'll take one of these!

Without much resistance from anyone, she hops onto it, sliding down in the hopes of catching up faster. The others meanwhile continue their hunt for the mask, even going so far as to jump onto a rooftop, sliding down as they pass into another alley.

SOKKA: Where is this thing even going?

As they are too focused on the Blue Spirit, which is now directly visible ahead, they fail to notice Ty Lee landing behind them.

TY LEE: Guys-

AZULA: We almost got it - keep going!

TY LEE: No - wait!

Too late. Another turn and Azula stops abruptly, as does her entourage.

A whole platoon of Water Tribe soldiers turns towards the girl as they spot her.

SOLDIER: Hey! What are you kids doing here-

Not letting the man finish, Bandit shuts the alley off with another earth wall.

BANDIT: That's it. We've been compromised. We should get out of here.

AZULA: No! We came this close! And we've lost Kenora.

She looks around the alleyway. Behind Bandit's artificial dead end, muffled screams and orders can be heard as waterbenders begin blasting the barrier.

TY LEE: We can't leave now. What if the Blue Spirit retaliates?

Wanting to spot her, Azula instead finds the mask.

BANDIT: It's not. We kicked its butt, no way it's gonna come back now.

For a brief moment, the Blue Spirit stops and looks back at Azula. The firebender glares as she charges uphill.

ZUKO: Azula-

The rock wall crumbles and soldiers begin to flood the street, shooting ice daggers and raising their clubs. The Dream Team puts up an adamant fight, a powerful blast of wind from Ty Lee disrupting the platoon momentarily.

ZUKO: Ty Lee, go get Azula! We'll get Sledge and meet you at... uh...

SOKKA: Just go and find Azula, you'll spot us!

Ty Lee nods with a hint of insecurity.

A short while after soaring further and further uphill, she spots more troops gathering in the streets. Obviously it wasn't just going to be the one squad, but still.

The acrobat finally lands on a rooftop and looks around. She did follow up the same path as Azula ran to. But now, neither she nor the Blue Spirit are anywhere in sight. The girl lets out an uneasy sigh.

TY LEE: Not again...

---

Much further up Omashu, Azula enters a strange structure. Carved into the wall, the platform above is supposedly part of the water system keeping the slides running. To her left, a few streams of water run down, supposedly onto one of those slides. The artificial waterfalls cast fluid shadows in the moonlight. Azula listens closely, moves carefully. The splashing sound of the water gives the corridor an almost relaxing aura.

AZULA: Come on, let's not waste any more time.

A part of her does expect an answer.

AZULA: We both know you're out here for me. We both know that we're looking for revenge.

Again, nothing. Though out of sight, the Blue Spirit still listens closely.

AZULA: I'm no longer some helpless little firebender girl you can slice up at your whim. I'm stronger. Better. I am better!

A mix of frustration and fear boils inside her.

AZULA: Come on, show yourself-

SWISH! A tiny cut on her leg, though enough to disrupt her balance. The Blue Spirit, which had been hiding beneath the platform, finally appears, crossing one of the water streams as it washes over it. Azula, on the ground, blasts a flame that the mask easily disperses. Expecting it to strike forward and attack, it instead eyes her for a second. Azula catches her breath before answering.

AZULA: Is this your idea of a fair fight?

The mask extends its arm, the sword with it.

BLUE SPIRIT: You don't deserve mercy.

The voice is cold and raspy, yet clearly that of a girl. As Azula is caught in shock, the Blue Spirit finally dashes forward.

Three water blasts smash against it like canon fire. The Blue Spirit recovers quickly, spotting a coat-wearing waterbender girl as she surfs towards her, pressing a huge wave of water into the corridor and the Blue Spirit itself. Apparently Kenora took her sweet-ass time to get here, though Azula has never been happier to see the girl.

Next, Kenora switches to striking slash after slash of water, utilizing the waterfalls surrounding them and interrupting their flow time and time again. The mask ducks and blocks successfully, though the ferocity of her attacks are much harder to deal with than last time. It can finally land a strike, though with Kenora's forearm engulfed in ice, it can simply defuse the blow, grabbing the blade with her ice glove as she tries ripping it out of the mask's arms. A quick struggle later and the Blue Spirit breaks free, intending to relief Kenora's head of her shoulders, though it misses, slicing the wall instead. The Pirate Princess gets back up, directing two waterfalls to shoot massive jets of liquid at the mask, which it can only somewhat block with her bending. Immediately after the attack subsides, a blue fire blast almost hits it, the Blue Spirit slicing it in half before catching a moment to recover.

Surrounded on both sides, Azula and Kenora get ready to strike. The Blue Spirit spins its blade in an impressive fashion, one might say intimidating. Yet the girls are ready. More than ever.

The barrage that follows from both sides no man could stand to survive. The mask is forced to use up all of its skill, all of its power reserves in order not to be caught in a stream of water or a heap of blue flames. Despite how well it stands, despite its agility, its skill with the blade, or its own bending prowess... this is a fight it cannot win.

In daring jump, it tries to get away, yet is caught by a waterfall like a film of rubber, flinging it back as the mask is forced to use water to block three consecutive flamethrowers the firebender casts with her arms and mouth. Dodging one of Kenora's strikes, it copies the waterbender's capoeira style and kicks a few streams of water with her feet, knocking Azula over in the process. It finally deals with Kenora by landing an ice glove around her neck, chocking her and incapacitating the girl momentarily.

It leaps out again, a wateracle grabbing onto the ledge above, a platform filled with a continuous stream of water that flows down different funnels. It dashes down to the side - it needs to get back before-

Azula launches herself upwards with an impressive, yet completely lucky jet of fire, immediately pressing her attacks as the Blue Spirit counters her blue flare.

For a moment, the two opponents stare off each other.

The mask launches forward, swinging its blade with the last bit of force that it can conjure. No man would be able to stand its onslaught, and dozens have fallen. But this firebender is different...

Azula's wrist and shin armor clashes with the katana as it creates sparks. She cannot conjure fire in this defensive state, and her opponent knows it. Opting to go for a killing blow, thinking it has the upper hand, Azula skillfully wraps her armored leg around its blade, stomping it down on the ground before a precise blast of fire hits the hilt, disarming the Blue Spirit.

The last few blows, the final strikes of deadly blue fire, the mask desperately attempting to block these attacks with her waterbending which, while that of a master, is not fast enough for the last firebender. The Blue Spirit tries one last counter - engulfing both of her arms in water, which the girl can easily dismantle with her flexible body, a swipe-kick slicing the tendrils in half. It can't give up now - a knife appears in its hand and attempts to slash her, Azula blocking the blows with her wrist protectors again. A final spike of water rises from the ground. Almost instinctively, a baguazhang move allows Azula to spin behind the Blue Spirit. Before it can react, her arms already hastily grab that mask, ripping it off.

The Blue Spirit is turned only halfway, but enough for Azula to see.

Cold eyes, ultramarine. The darker skin of a Water Tribe girl. A soft mouth and slender eyebrows. Azula briefly lowers her guard, as her opponent says nothing and just... stares at her.

AZULA: Who are you?

The girl conjures up a precise water whip, knocking her in the chin, before picking the mask back up alongside her blade, and making a run for it.

KENORA: Azula!

Using wateracles of her own, Kenora joins Azula on the upper platform.

KENORA: Are you hurt?

Azula takes a moment to decipher the information. The features of this girl are burned into her memory for good.

KENORA: Where's the Blue Spirit?

AZULA: Gone. But I saw it. I took its mask off.

Kenora lets out a sigh of relief.

KENORA: That's fantastic. But we need to move. Troops are coming this way.

The waterbender helps her back up. Only now does the cut on her leg finally begin to hurt, a strange sensation as blood drenches her pants.

---

Hidden from the increasing number of soldiers, Azula and Kenora have found a pretty good hiding spot, still at an upper level, though a bit removed from the water slide system.

A glowing shimmer engulfs Azula's leg as the healing is performed. The girls exchange a quick smile as it's finally over.

KENORA: There. Good as new.

She looks to the firebender, noticing the dried blood on her forehead.

KENORA: Hold still.

Azula tries her very darn best to follow the command as Kenora fixes the gash successfully. The raven-haired girl takes the time to inspect Kenora's face, which carries a visible scar across her nose.

AZULA: What happened there?

She points at it naively, Kenora backing off as the gash on Azula's forehead is fixed.

KENORA: Yeah, healing yourself always feels weird. But the nose especially. Just felt gross to do it.

The firebender nods, still seated as Kenora gets back up, a concerned groan escaping her mouth.

AZULA: I could be wrong. But she definitely was a Water Tribe girl. Blue eyes. And a waterbender, of course.

KENORA: Yeah, I figured that one out before I showed up. No way it could've chased you across the Fire Nation without it.

AZULA: Hm. Smart thinking.

Kenora nods, though clearly based on her expression something uncomfortable is coming up.

KENORA: I'm staying in Omashu. If it's really Katara, then I need to warn Akari and Suki, get them out of here.

Azula can feel the ground beneath her swallowing her up.

AZULA: Wait, what? No!

KENORA: I don't know if I can face her alone, but I'm not planning to. This is about finding out if Katara really is the Blue Spirit, and saving the girls if that's the case.

AZULA: No, don't go! That's ridiculous!

Kenora is still standing while Azula is on her knees.

AZULA: Come back with us. We'll regroup, come up with a new plan-

KENORA: No. I won't endanger you. This isn't going to take long. Plus... I doubt you guys can convince Akari and Suki to come along. I'm not even sure I can, to be honest...

She takes her first step as Azula quivers with emotion.

AZULA (emotional): Wait! Don't go!

This does make her stop.

KENORA: Why?

AZULA (emotional): Because-

She grunts, angry at her inability to make this a well-structured speech. But alas, Ty Lee was right. Sensing something is clearly going on, Kenora steps closer.

AZULA: I uh... I read your letters.

KENORA: Letters? I never sent you-

Briefly, all color disappears from her shocked visage as the waterbender kneels down across from her.

KENORA: Oh no.

Expecting complains, Azula instead gives a smiles, her cheeks already flushing with color.

KENORA: Wait... you didn't think they were weird or creepy?

AZULA (blushing): A little bit. But... I mostly thought they were... pretty sweet.

Oh God, now Kenora blushes too.

AZULA: And I agree with what you said. That... this is something we should be able to figure out on our own.

Kenora's brows adequately showcase her surprise.

KENORA: But... I thought you needed some time.

AZULA: I do! But there's not a lot of time to "figure it out" when you don't come back from your suicide mission!

KENORA: Hey!

She finally grabs Azula's hands, grounding her in the moment.

KENORA: I will come back. I promise!

Azula doesn't seem convinced at all.

AZULA: I know your promises are always pretty hardcore, but... I don't know...

Kenora lets go, her mind wandering as she is split on this dilemma. In her uncertainty, she holds on to her nazar, the answer presenting itself in the moment.

Her heart skips a beat as she watches Kenora take off her necklace.

AZULA: Wait... your...

KENORA: Keep this safe for me.

She puts it around her neck, the blue stone now resting against Azula's crimson-pink.

KENORA (soft): When I return, you give it back to me. Okay?

Azula nods quietly. Kenora, correctly reading the room, places her hand on the firebender's right cheek. Needless to say, both girls blush profusely.

KENORA (soft): And then when I return, we can take all the time in the world to figure this out. Okay?

Another nod. She accentuates her promise with a long, soft peck on Azula's left cheek.

KENORA (whispering): See you soon.

Her emotions rage inside her like a burning caldera. There is so much that needs to be sorted and properly evaluated - ah, fuck it.

The girl grabs Kenora by her coat and presses her lips against her own, that heavenly sensation returning to both of them as Azula allows herself to experience the moment to its fullest.

And by Sedni, Agni - whoever - it feels like eternity.

This time, after separating, neither girl looks distressed or unsure. Both just grin like idiots, with their faces thoroughly tomato colored.

KENORA (whispering): I still have to go.

AZULA (whispering): Ugh, I know. Just make it quick.

Kenora giggles, getting up on two feet as she walks over to the left, a water slide close by. She looks back one final time, Azula getting up to as she clenches her hand onto her new necklace.

AZULA: See you soon.

A two-finger salute later and Kenora spins downwards, sliding with the grace of an angel.

---

In the midst of the fighting, the gang can hold their own pretty well, actually. They find themselves in the main square leading up to the main entrance, surrounded on all sides by the armies of the Great Chief. Bandit allows them some great cover, though clearly it puts a strain on her.

Ty Lee rejoins them, blasting away some soldiers carrying clubs and spears and such.

ZUKO: Where's Azula?

TY LEE: I couldn't find her!

SOKKA: Kenora?

TY LEE: No idea!

BANDIT: How about we focus on us instead for now!?

They look over to the massive steel door, Sokka already trying to come up with a plan.

TY LEE: How are we going to get past that?

SOKKA: We could create a ramp and let Ty Lee blast us over it. Then-

A pretty loud whistling sound gets their attention. At the end of the square - Azula, seated on Sledge.

Immediately, she orders the beast to charge forward, protecting it with her bending as best as she can.

ZUKO: Let's go!

He, Sokka, and Bandit get onto the mutt while Ty Lee flies above them.

SOKKA: Do you have a plan?

AZULA: Cover me!

Sokka disrupts any projectiles with his sword, meanwhile Zuko shoots fire balls and Bandit bends a few chunks left and right, shielding them greatly.

ZUKO: What are you planning to-

Azula gets up on one leg, taking a deep breath.

For the longest time she thought "complete absence of emotion" entailed exactly that. Yet, now that she feels more confident than ever, her goal as clear as ever, and her focus as sharp as ever, Azula realizes that she doesn't need to push her emotions away. She can live with them, allow them to tumble inside her. They don't stop her. They don't make her weaker - the opposite. She is stronger than ever before.

A loud crackle echoes through the night. As she drags her fingers through the air, the sparks gather at her tips, the others watching in awe. She can feel the power, feel the yin and yang that she can now effortlessly control.

She releases the energy as her arm launches forward. A mighty thunder sounds as her lightning strikes and burst the gates to Omashu open in an instant. Azula sits back down, clearly exhausted from it.

SOKKA: Let's GO!

ZUKO: WOO!

Sledge happily hastes outside, having gained the speed of a regular dog despite a massive shell carrying four people on it.

TY LEE (in the air): That was amazing!

ZUKO: How did you do that?

She holds Sledge's reins with one hand, the other grabbing onto her necklace.

AZULA: Just took some time to figure it out.

---

The thunder echoes through Omashu, making Kenora briefly pause for a second. She recalls her last and final fight against Azula, apparently that explosion she caused having been failed lightning generation. Kenora smirks as the realizes this. Prouder than ever of her... well... let's not put a label on it yet.

KENORA (mumbling to herself): Alright. Which one looks like a palace?

As she dashes forward and across a rooftop, the girl is very suddenly caught by a gust of wind, dragging her down and smacking her against the side on alley. Recovering from the pain and opening her eyes, Kenora finds a sharp, shiny blade an inch in front of her.

SUKI: Don't move.

Kenora gulps, already regretting her stupid heroics. Akari lands next to her, her expression indecipherable. It could be a glare, but it could be a concerned frown. It mostly reeks of curiosity.

AKARI: We have some questions for you.

---

It took Mai hours to find Shahar. She had only been putting her spy work on hold for a week or so, making her seriously question her own abilities. It was obvious to head to the candy store though. Mai had checked some other spots first, to no success.

While she knew she could find her near the candy shop, she did not expect to find her inside. Nor did she expect to find it in this condition.

SHAHAR: Mai! Thank Bendigo you're here!

The store is in complete shambles, candies and pieces of wood scattered all over the place alongside glass shards and rock pillars stuck in place.

MAI: What... did you do?

She finally spots Konka, the old man, knocked out and restrained, while Blaufush sits on the floor, his arms caught in rock and glued against the wall.

SHAHAR: You were RIGHT! They WERE LYING!

The earthbender almost kicks him to talk. Clearly the boy is uncomfortable.

SHAHAR: TELL HER!

Yet he complies regardless.

BLAUFUSH: Bamser was my brother. We helped to get those messages to the princess.

Mai makes the educated guess that spilling the beans is a huge relief to the boy.

SHAHAR: I smelled it! Smelled this... sweet crap all over the city! Tell her about the tunnel!

Mai finally uncrosses her arms as Shahar points to their storage space in the back. Having bended a good chunk of earth out of the ground, a tunnel reveals itself. Mai looks back at Blaufush in disbelief.

MAI: Where does this lead to?

BLAUFUSH: The sewers.

Shahar gives Mai quite a concerned look. Her enthusiasm about having been right seems to be mostly gone now.

MAI: Which part?

Blaufush scoffs.

BLAUFUSH: All of it.