Avatar: The Last Airbender and all associated characters are owned by Paramount Global. Godzilla and all associated characters are owned by Toho Studios. Please support the official release.
Odo Island
"I'm telling you! We need to get the fortress rebuilt to prepare for invasion!"
"And I'm telling you that it's a waste of resources that could go better to rebuilding the village!"
"Oh for the love of-what's going on here?" Yamane barked out, practically hearing the arguing between the two all the way from the shrine on the highlands. And at such an ungodly hour, the sun barely began to rise.
Things had changed quite considerably since Godzilla's attack. For starters, they were still picking up the pieces from the old village. All around them were piles of rubble of ruined wood and glass. Yet amongst the wreckage were new huts and new houses. The transformation was incredible. The villagers had come together to rebuild their homes as best they could. Any standing structure was reinforced with pieces of wood that survived the rampage and that had been generously donated from the other surrounding islands. They weren't much to look at, but they were comfortable at least. And the less fortunate were allowed to stay in the larger homes.
When the elder Yamane and the shrine maiden Nami strode through the village, they found people peddling food once again and children playing in the streets. From the ruins of devastation, new life had been breathed into Odo. They didn't even need to rely on the stockpiles of rations from the caves anymore.
What was also new was the makeshift wooden barrier dividing the docks from the rest of the island. While they hadn't been able to repair the fort, the soldiers had constructed this makeshift defense in case of either Earth Kingdom or rebel attacks. Truth be told, Yamane wasn't sure about the former, but he had heard rumors that at least one rogue army was on the move.
The barrier itself wasn't the strongest-looking structure, but it at least would've bought them time in case of attack. Enough time to evacuate the village to the more defensible tunnels.
At least when there had been just the villagers and whatever soldiers stayed behind. Now though there were new squadrons of Fire Nation troops patrolling the streets. Not as much as Commander Maoso was still around, but the reinforcements that could be spared from Fire Lord Zuko's forces were still substantial.
And they brought problems along with more men. Yamane had been informed that one of the villagers was getting into an argument with a young officer he didn't catch the name of. Thus, here they were. He had found them arguing outside the barrier amongst the docks with a crowd gathering around them.
The young officer gestured exasperatedly at the villager. "We're trying to fix up the fort to shore up our defenses, and he thinks we're 'wasting' resources. This is ridiculous! We got assigned to protect you people and you don't even want us around?!"
"I never said we didn't want you around. We just said it was unnecessary for them to build for a threat that's not going to come!"
"Whu-and you call the Earth Kingdom and rebels not a threat? And what about Godzilla?! What if he comes back?"
Nami sighed before stepping between the two. "If Gojira comes back, we won't do anything stupid and we won't try to pick a fight with each other. We'll just head back to the tunnels as we've done before," she said, glaring at both villager AND soldier. The elder felt a twinge of pride for the young girl. She had stepped up considerably ever since the Avatar and Princess left.
"Besides, I doubt a rebuilt fort is necessary anyways," the shrine maiden declared, turning directly towards the soldier. "This is Gojira's territory. We need to have faith that he will intercept any trespassers if they have violent intent."
The young officer just threw up his arms. "That monster destroyed this village! Are you honestly going to trust it won't turn and come back for another round? No, we need to take action now. Tunnels aren't going to be enough. Especially when the Earth Kingdom figures out about them. What? They hate us enough to pull something like that. You really want to be the one kicking themselves for ignoring what Earthbenders can do to a tunnel system?"
"With all due respect, but the war is over," Yamane pointed out, standing up for both the maiden and his fellow villager. "If the Earth Kingdom invades, that is in flagrant violence for the peace treaty. And even then, how could we possibly keep the peace when you're prepping us for war?"
He looked the young man in the eye, and the officer just stared back. "Well like it or not, we need to be on guard. With all that's going on, we need to be ready for any possibility. That means addressing the biggest threat to us at the moment, which is armed assault."
"LOOK!"
Everyone turned around and stared at what this one fisherman was yelling and pointing at.
What they saw were mountain peaks slicing through the water just off shore. Yamane, Nami, and all citizens that bore witness paled. Nobody said a word, not wanting to draw attention to themselves.
Despite their fear, the spines mercifully did not turn in their direction. Instead, they headed east towards the east, the tail thrashing as it cruised past.
"...so who's the biggest threat in these waters?" Nami asked.
The young officer just gulped. "Fair point. We'll…postpone rebuilding the fort." Then he turned and started barking orders to send a message to Yu Dao. Yet even the sight of the last dragon sparing them wasn't enough to reassure maiden or elder.
For Gojira was on the move again. And that meant that somewhere, chaos and destruction was going to ravage the land once more.
Infant Island
Azula shielded her eyes from the morning sun peaking over the jungles below her. Normally she would've welcomed Agni's warming rays, but she did just spend a whole night within a dark cavern at the heart of a great temple. She felt the Sun Spirit would be forgiving of a momentary lapse of reverence.
Admittedly, it was a good night. After her meditation with the temple's Goddess, she curled up underneath a soft spot beneath a tree. The quiet peacefulness of the sanctuary lulled her to sleep, and she awoke refreshed. A rarity these days.
Such bliss couldn't last, however. The Princess expected her brother to jump her outside the temple, yet…no attack came. Azula looked around in confusion, only seeing Kori and Maina rising and stretching. Aside from a few areas of pressed-down grass down the steps of the temple entrance, there wasn't any sign that Zuko or the Avatar were there. Odd.
What was there was a Mongoose Dragon bounding over to her and licking her face. "Easy girl, I'm okay!" Azula reassured, pushing Flame Runner's snout out of her face. The reptile just stared at her back, sniffing her over. There must've been so many scents on her armor that her mount must have been sick to death in case she ever ran into trouble. Not that she needed a pair of eyes watching her back, but it was appreciated.
A growl rumbled from Flame Runner's throat, focusing on her wrist where she ripped off her vambrace. Exposing the faint scars on her skin. Azula grimaced. That happened last night too. Her other hand rubbed down the lizard's scaly snout while she stared. She never was going to get used to the sight of her pearly skin blemished by barbarity.
"Here. I picked this up soon after you left with Mothra," Kori spoke up, offering the discarded vambrace to the Princess. Azula muttered a "thank you" before taking the piece and slapping it on her arm. A sigh of relief left her lips, now seeing the secure red armor instead of scar tissue.
Kori kicked the dirt a little. "I…I heard the stories, but I didn't think the asylum was that bad. Thought they were exaggerated to keep us good."
"No, trust me. It's worse than they said it was. Remind me to burn that place down to the ground if I ever go home."
"That's if I don't burn it down first," the rebel teased, though there was a tinge of sincerity in her voice. Azula did appreciate the sincerity though. Nice change of pace from all the masks her old "friends" wore. Stabbing her in the back was one thing, but advocating for Zuko to lock her back into that hellhole? If she knew they were capable of that, she would've dropped them before they had the chance. Guess that's one received for giving people the benefit of the doubt.
Maina sighed. "Look, we're not burning any asylums down. Not unless you want to get in even more trouble and add arson to our record."
Kori just shrugged. "I mean, it's not like we can do much worse. What's Zuko going to do? Get even more mad at us?"
"You know what? Nevermind. Azula, how was your time with Mothra?" Eager to change the subject, the Princess shared everything she knew from the experience. From the sanctuary she found herself in, to the meditation she had with the Goddess, to the visions she beheld. No stone was left unturned.
When she was finished, she showcased the medallion and knife that the kaiju had left behind. Maina beamed at the sight of both. "She's favored you! After all this time hearing the stories, I didn't think I'd live to see one personally blessed by Mothra herself!"
"Yeah. Blessed," Azula looked at the gifts. True she did feel quite a bit of comfort holding both of these relics in her hands. Yet that still didn't answer the question of "why?". If Mothra backed her, what was she expected to do? Bring balance and harmony like the Avatar? No way. She was many things, but spreading harmony wasn't one of them. Make peace with her brother like Mothra made with Battra? Fat chance. She knew Zuko. He was undoubtedly still here, and they had to find some way of getting rid of him.
Speaking of her brother. "Maina, what happened with everyone while I was gone?" Azula asked.
The two other girls looked a bit uncomfortably before they answered. Mainly how they followed her inside the temple before they got into yet another fight with Zuko (seemed like he was causing headaches for everyone these days). Then apparently, he just…lost it. Began to almost hurt himself and began ranting, crying, and screaming.
Azula remained silent. On one hand, for the first time in a long time, she felt something resembling pity for her brother. What he experienced hit a bit too close to home. Which was why she also felt disgusted. Not entirely towards him though. She just wondered why he got hugs and reassurances that he was a good person while she got chains, ice, and a straitjacket. This had to be a joke. He does nothing and gets everything. She does everything and gets nothing.
Her silence was deafening, causing Kori and Maina to look at her with worried expressions. "You okay Azula?" Maina asked.
The Princess considered saying nothing, but then she felt the medallion rest against her wrist. Thus, she took a deep breath. "I don't know how to feel, to be honest. How am I supposed to feel? I didn't get any of what he got when I broke down. And yet…"
Maina stepped forward and wrapped her arm around Azula's shoulders. "Look, you don't need to answer right away. For something like this, it's going to take some time to wrap your mind around."
"I…thanks."
"Just doing my duty is all. You learn a few things when you're one of Mothra's priestesses," the native girl said nonchalantly. It certainly brought a smile on Azula's lips. A genuine one. Not forced. Not smarmy. Just a warm one.
She was brought out of her appreciation when Flame Runner nudged her side with a worried expression. Again, Azula stroked her snout, wondering why the Mongoose Dragon was being affectionate. Maybe it had something to do with her previous rider? Could've been. The faint scars on her hide did say she had seen some action in her day.
Furthermore, why was she starting to understand animals all of a sudden?
"Alright. Where's my brother now?" Azula asked, figuring it would be best to work with something she understood.
Again, Kori and Maina exchanged glances. "He's…gone to see your mother," Kori said.
Azula nearly seized up. So he knew. Of course, he'd see her. He never left her side when they were younger. She could see it now. Poor Zuzu would run into his mother's arms, tell her how the world had been so mean to him. Probably say she's the worst thing in existence. The works.
If she tried to keep her thoughts to herself, she failed when Maina saw right through her. "Listen, Azula, there's something you should know about your mother."
This caught her attention. Azula sighed, wondering what exactly the priestess had to say. Judging from her tone of voice, it didn't sound too pleasant. And it wasn't. By the end of Maina's explanation, Azula began to honestly get worried.
Just what was Zuzu walking into?
When Zuko first heard his mother was on Infant Island, all thoughts went to finding her. Azula? She wasn't exactly going anywhere, so unless she managed to sprout wings and fly away, they could always come for her later.
Besides, he lacked the stomach to deal with her right now. It was just one more failure to add to the list. How many times had he screwed up by now? Almost didn't seem to matter these days. One failure led to another, and now he couldn't even capture his sister when he literally had all the help in the world. Seemed luck decided to shine on her once again.
Well, he didn't need luck. He just needed a break. And his mother being on the island all this time? That was the break he needed. So he urged everyone to head back to the village where they started this goose chase. If Azula wanted to trek through the jungle into their arms, that was fine by him. They'd deal with her eventually.
So he rushed through the jungle, despite the priestess's many protests. "Zuko, wait! Your mother! She's not-"
"She's my mother. That's all I need," Zuko snapped back. He had run ahead of his friends, leaving all of them behind. They'd understand. Not this delusional, holier-than-thou priestess. She didn't understand Mother. He did.
Zuko could see it now. She'd open the door. He'd fall into her arms. There would be tears, but he'd be able to get everything out that he'd been holding back for a long time. Only she'd understand. Not Aang, for he put too much stock into the young Fire Lord. Not Katara, for she didn't have the same chance he did right now. And least of all, not-
"Zuko wait! I think you should listen to Imana!"
He stopped in his tracks, listening to the plodding steps of his uncle. A few labored breaths before Iroh chuckled, "Yeesh. You'd figure with all my time in prison, I'd be in better shape-"
"Why did you leave?"
His question came out as a whisper, but his boiling rage hissed out through the air. It was enough to certainly catch Iroh off guard. "Nephew, what do you mean-"
"I needed you," Zuko snarled, letting his pain get the better of him as he whipped around, looking the old man right in the eye. "I never knew the first thing about leading a nation. I wasn't even sure of myself. I needed you more than ever. And what did you do? Retire to live out your life in a tea shop."
Iroh looked like he had been slapped in the face, but Zuko didn't care. How many times had his uncle hurt him? How many bridges did he burn because he was told to? Maybe it was time the old man got a taste of his own medicine.
Uncle sighed, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Nephew, I'm sorry I wasn't there for you. But you have to listen to me. Your mother…I think Imana is right. She's not the same woman you think she is."
"...what?"
Another pained expression, but Iroh never wavered. "I know what she did that night when your grandfather died. Look, I know it was necessary what she did and I'll always be grateful. But we're talking about somebody who killed their own-"
"OH BULLSHIT!" Zuko roared, slapping Iroh's hand away. "My dear old grandfather wanted me dead! Has that not occurred to you?! And now you're telling me I shouldn't trust her for protecting me? What's next?! I throw her in that asylum next?!"
At his outburst, the dam that was Iroh's patience finally cracked. "Zuko, everything I did, I did for you. I thought three years at sea would've told you that much. If it weren't for me, you would've been dead how many times over. Azula would've killed you, and she would've been sitting on the throne. I know I screwed up with the asylum, but I would've come the moment you told me you needed help. What were you even thinking when you talked with your father?!"
He would've said more if Zuko hadn't pushed him to the ground. Right now the teenager didn't care. Seemed every family member had some sort of facade going on. Of course Iroh wouldn't be any different. Why would he? What sort of honor does a man have when he lops people's heads off just to make a point.
"DON'T GIVE ME THAT!" he roared, feeling tears coming down his face. "You kept telling me Azula was the one I needed to fear. But what about my father?! You know, the one who burnt off my face! You knew that his approval was garbage, but did you ever tell me that? NO! It was always 'Azula was crazy and she needed to go down'. 'I know a technique not even Azula knows'. When it came to Dad though, I got squat! So let me ask you something: you knew how badly I wanted my father's acceptance. Why didn't you even think of telling me how much of a monster HE was before I tried groveling before him?!"
…Iroh remained silent. His face was white ash, burnt away by his nephew's tirade. A pang of guilt stabbed Zuko's heart. Maybe just as bad when he first betrayed his uncle, the only person on his side when the whole world turned its back. He wanted so badly to just kneel down and beg for forgiveness.
Yet he pushed his guilt down. It was drowned out by all the times he looked for the old man at his side, only to find his father glaring through the bars of his cell. No matter how hard he wanted to deny it, it kept staring him in the face. No. He needed to say this.
"Uncle…you failed me. I do appreciate you being there for me, but this? The one time I needed you more than any moment in my life? This is too much." With that, he walked away, not looking back. Deep down, he wanted so badly for that apology, that admittance of fault.
He got nothing. Which rang harder than any chastisement could.
So onward he pressed. To get away from Iroh. Get away from Azula. Get away from EVERYONE. There were so many voices demanding to be listened to. Right now, there was one he needed to hear so badly.
One more push through the foliage, and he was there. A small hut, far from the others in the nearby village. From the outside, he could tell it was as well-kept as the others. Yet at the same time, he felt a pang in his heart. Last he remembered her, she was graceful, regal, and clad in resplendent clothes. She deserved a palace, not some shack in the middle of nowhere.
No. He had to keep an open mind. Yet deep down, he could feel a warning in his heart. Imana told him that Ursa used to be a fairly pleasant and respected member of the community. It apparently all changed three years ago when she had withdrawn from the village. Apparently now the most anybody saw of her was when she arrived to exchange some goods.
Zuko felt his hand reach towards his scar, having a good idea of why she had become withdrawn. He remembered how everyone in the Fire Nation had become aware of how his father scorched his face. No doubt she would've heard it as well.
Still, he took a deep breath and pushed forward. She'd understand. She had to.
He walked up to the door and gave a soft knock. Inside he heard somebody shuffle and come to the door. Then the footsteps stopped, and he heard a hitched breath.
The moment dragged on, Zuko clearing his throat. "Uh…hey Mom. It's me. Zuko!"
Nothing. He blinked, looking himself over, a bit self-conscious of his appearance. Luckily he was dressed in his simple royal tunic and not the extravagant robes of the Fire Lord. Didn't feel right wearing it all the way out here. "Woah! I…I don't know what to say," he continued, hoping to coax her out. "Everyone wanted to know where you went to and now…I knew you were alive! You had to be!
"There's a lot to tell you! The war's over! The Avatar returned! I'm Fire Lord! There's…there's a lot to go over! Everybody's going to be so excited when I get you back! I mean, I need to finish some things up in Yu Dao, but then we can go home and everything will be just as they were before!"
Again, nothing. Inwardly, Zuko started to panic. This-this wasn't right? Where's the open door? The open arms? He'd imagined this moment for years, hoping, praying for it. Why wasn't she coming out?
"Mom? …Mom, could you please come out?" Zuko whispered, his mind in denial of reality. He hoped out of the silence, his mother's voice would finally emerge.
All he got was silence.
Zuko sighed, sliding down with his back against the door. "Mom…I need you. I…I don't know who else to turn to. I'm trying to stay true to who I am and be good but…nothing's working. Everyone's saying I'm better, but…I can't believe that. I'm trying so hard to change, but I still feel like I'm the bad guy. Iroh? Turns out he's no better than every other maniac who waged this stupid war to begin with. I'm not much better. I got a whole army killed. Even when I know what I'm doing is right, I feel like garbage. I thought taking down Azula would've made things better, yet she hates me now more than ever! I don't know-"
The door opened.
He felt somebody stand over him, taking a few deep breaths. Slowly, Zuko stood up and turned around.
It was like seeing a ghost. Well, not exactly. She wasn't clad in the heavy, elegant robes she always wore back at the palace. Instead, she wore the slimmed-down garb of the natives. Also, her face had one or two more faint wrinkles. Yet her hair was still done up in the same dignified topknot. And even all the time away couldn't erase that beautiful face she had.
He felt his knees almost buckle from the shock. "Mom…" he whispered, wrapping his arms around her in a tight hug. Hesitantly, the former Fire Lady Ursa embraced her son as well. Seemed as though she was just as shocked at the sight of him as he was of her.
There they stood for what seemed like an eternity, just embracing and experiencing one another's company. It couldn't last forever before Ursa took a few steps back with a horrified look on her face.
"What's the matter? Aren't you happy to see me?" Zuko asked, wondering if Azula had somehow materialized behind him.
"I…no. I am happy to see you," his mother responded, cracking out a weak smile. "It's just, when I heard about what had happened, I didn't think he'd be so…"
"Yeah. Neither did I." He felt the sting of his scar, feeling the event play out in his mind. Even to this day, he still couldn't believe it. What kind of man would burn his own son? All just for speaking out of turn? Admittedly looking back he supposed he wasn't quite ready to join such a high-profile war meeting, but even then he could look past that given how naive he was back then.
Not even putting his father behind bars made it any less painful. Arguably it made it worse. Least back then, he could pretend that the good times they had would come back. Now they seemed even more distant than ever.
Though maybe not so anymore. "Look, it doesn't matter. I'm Fire Lord, and I can clear your name and bring you back! Wow, everyone's going to be so happy! A lot of us thought you were dead!"
"You want me to come back with you?"
"Yes, of course! I already got an airship. Just need to clear some things up in the colonies, but after that, we can go home! Isn't that what you want?" Zuko felt his cheer soar. With Mom back, he'd finally have somebody else he could rely on. Somebody to talk to. There was so much he wanted to discuss. Uncle in particular considering everything he'd just learned-
"I'm sorry, dear. I…can't come home."
"...what?" Zuko's smile didn't waver, though his heart did. "Why not?"
Ursa took a deep breath. "Cause I'm the one who gave you that scar."
"What are you talking about? Father's the one who gave me this scar-"
"Let me finish," his mother said, lifting up a hand. "I heard about your Agni Kai with your father. How you didn't fight back."
What son would fight his own father? Zuko lamented inwardly, but he didn't understand where she was going with this.
"Zuko…I'm the reason you weren't able to stand up for yourself. I've thought about it over and over again, and I keep running into the same conclusion. You always ran to me because I never taught you the most important lesson: holding your ground when you needed to. If I taught you that earlier, you never would've gotten that scar," Ursa lamented.
All the words she said seemed so foreign coming from her. "Mom, you told me never to give up! And I didn't! I'm the Fire Lord now because of what you taught me!"
"Yes, and I also wanted you to be a good brother to your sister. And I wanted you to be a good leader for your nation. Yet from what I'm hearing, you fought her in an Agni Kai and threw her in an asylum. If I had seen what was going on between you two, this might not have needed to happen. If I'd seen how weakhearted you were back then, I would've known others would've persuaded you from the war. Instead, you…"
Ursa swallowed, unable to continue. Stunned, but not daunted, Zuko placed a hand on her shoulder. "Go on. I can take it," he said. If he could take so much in the past few days, he could take this.
"...you did the same thing your father did to your Uncle. And you betrayed your own people by ending the war."
…
The world heaved, and Zuko honestly thought he was about to throw up. That pain, that guilt at the back of his head regarding everything towards Azula. It forced its way to the forefront. No more lies. No more excuses. Just the hard truth.
"...what about never forgetting who you are? What about mothers always defending their sons?"
Tears ran down Ursa's face. "Somethings change, Zuko. And sometimes, mothers defend their sons too much, they never learn to fend for themselves. It's why I can't go back. I've done enough damage enough already. I'm…I'm sorry, Zuko. For failing you."
"...alright. Okay." Zuko turned around, unable to look at her anymore. His head and shoulders were slumped. That last light, the one hope, that one pillar from his childhood he could rely on had been smothered and shattered.
And he couldn't feel anything about it.
It was a tense trip back to the village. Minutes stretched on for an hour or two, just as the sun was rising. Azula offered to let Maina and Kori ride on Flame Runner's back, not wanting to tire her friends out by leading them through the dark underbrush. The Mongoose Dragon certainly didn't mind the extra weight. Turns out teenage girls didn't weigh that much to begin with.
There was discussion, of course. A lot of discussion. Primarily, what were they going to do. Kori wanted to head to Yu Dao of course. Having been away from home for a while made her worry about what was going on with the movement she was a part of. Maina agreed with her, figuring that was a good place as any.
Azula wasn't so sure. The only way to get to Yu Dao was to make a deal with Zuko, and she wasn't keen on that idea just yet. Not when he's sure to be in a highly emotional state. Besides, she wasn't sure what good Kori's little movement was going to do in the face of these kaiju all waking up. Least the city was on the coast so if any news of Godzilla came about, they'd be ready.
Godzilla. King of the Monsters. That's what that priestess on Odo called him before. And it's what the mural depicted. All the pieces began to fit together, and yet there were some still missing. If she had more time, she would've gone down into the very depths of that temple just to look for any and all references to the beast. There had to have been more there. Why else would he be portrayed in such a dignified and almost revered manner right next to Mothra?
She had so many questions both about him, and herself for that matter. Something about the great lizard occupied her mind, and not just out of concern for her country's safety. They shared the same fire. He was the last remnant of the original firebenders. The sheer power he had was enough to rival the Avatar himself. She could tell it was quickly becoming an obsession. One does not run into a monster twice and expect to not be affected.
He's an abomination that doesn't deserve to live. There was one other reason. The voice that was three in her head. They had been quiet for sometime ever since they first arrived to the island. Even now, their curse was but a hiss. As if something here was subduing it in some way. Yet their absence had not gone unnoticed. Nor have the other voices. Azula hadn't seen either Mother and Father for a while, which was odd. It made that inhuman snarl all the more questioning. Why was it still around?
So many questions, so little time. For now, she had to settle with what few answers she had. By the time they reached Maina's village, the sun's rays were beginning to peak up over the treeline.
Showing clear the Avatar and his entourage on the outskirts, milling about with that bison and Zuko's airship.
Azula took a deep breath as they dismounted Flame Runner, who gave a worried nudge into her side. The Princess stroked her snout to calm her down, before striding forward with Kori and Maina at her flanks. People could hate her all they want. She was a member of the Royal Family, and she was going to act like it.
Her first thoughts fell to one who most certainly didn't act as though they were royalty. Zuko was there, leaning against a tree looking…rather forlorn. More than usual as a matter of fact. He wasn't even conversing with Iroh, who was giving her brother some distance. A shiver ran down Azula's back.
So her brother found their mother. And shock of all shocks, she probably didn't turn out to be the dream that Zuzu had wanted. Azula would've scoffed, if she didn't realize how empty Zuko's eyes looked.
"Is…he okay?" Maina asked the Avatar with concern.
Aang scratched the back of his head. "Last we heard that he and Iroh had a falling out. Then he met his mother and…that's how he came back."
The priestess grimaced, as if anticipating what was going to happen. Her twin, Imana, came over and placed a hand on her shoulder, though she herself looked shaken. Even Azula felt a pang of pity everything she looked at her brother. She knew what Mother meant to him. Didn't matter how many times she tried to argue against him, he always maintained that Ursa was the one sole light in his life.
That meant he was setting himself up for failure. One of Father's lessons was always to expect everyone to have a dark side. An unpleasantness which shattered the image you built of them in your mind. It was always unhealthy to create such idols based on hearsay. No, her image of the Phoenix King was one he built himself. One wrought by cruelty and ruthlessness, but there was an honesty in it. Her brother never learned that when he built his memory of his mother, that meant setting her up to standards she could never reach. Azula of all people knew what Ursa was truly like.
She wanted to prove him wrong, but not like this.
"So. What happens now?" Azula asked.
After a moment with everyone looking at each other, Zuko sighed. "You can come with us to Yu Dao. Unbound. And we'll receive your prisoners. I simply ask that you receive a bodyguard. Aside from that, you can do what you will."
Azula swallowed uncomfortably. There was no anger in his words. Just a defeated tone that might as well have said "You've won." By Agni, what their mother do to him?
She got a nudge from Kori, the rebel silently giving her thoughts to the matter. Truth be told, even Azula could see the opportunity as well. A hotbed of political activity just waiting to be exploited to get her brother out of power? It was too much to pass up. Yet she'd be walking into enemy territory. Looking around, she saw Iroh, Mai, and Ty Lee sizing her up. Their gazes made it clear every movement was going to be closely monitored.
The Princess just stared back. They had every reason to be afraid. Yet for once, she grabbed onto something that wasn't a blatant powergrab. "So, I heard you had a little run in with Rodan."
"Whu-how did you know that?" Sokka exclaimed.
"You told me. Just now," she teased, much to the tribesman's annoyance. It wasn't hard. Rodan was heading in that direction, so they would've had to have seen him.
A groan erupted from Toph. "That dumb bird almost ran right into us. You want to know what it's like almost being thrown into a hurricane? That's what it was like."
"Don't have to tell me twice. I was right in the middle of that mess," Azula purred. "What I want to know is, where was he heading. I mean if somebody has to keep track of these things running around, may as well be the one who knows a thing or two."
"Northwest of Yu Dao," Suki responded, her arms folding across her chest. "Why?"
Azula was going to say something snippy just to get them off their game, but Maina muttered a name that stopped her in her tracks. "Battra."
Everyone looked at her, with a realization dawning on their faces. "Let me guess. Another monster we have to worry about?" Mai deadpanned.
Maina and Imana nodded, before launching into a discussion about Mothra's dark twin. Said to be the very embodiment of the Earth itself. It's dark avenger. Terms Azula was familiar with by this point. No, what got her attention was the implication. "Why would Rodan want to wake him up?" she asked.
Imana shook her head. "I'm not sure. But if Rodan felt the need to awaken another kaiju, that must mean that something really bad is coming our way."
They have no idea, the voice whispered. The prodigy felt her eyes furrow with a realization. Rodan went berserk when he "heard" those voices. Not to mention, he had what could only have been a discussion with Godzilla that she felt concerned her. As if he sensed something.
Another piece. Before she could latch onto it, a jolt of pain flashed through her mind, with a blurry image of a comet hurling through the sky. She winced from the shock, deciding maybe it was better to table that for another time.
What it did do was crystalize her decision. "Well, it's settled. We're coming with you. If Battra's awake, Yu Dao could be at risk. Like it or not, none of us would benefit if it gets razed to the ground. And I don't need your lie detector to tell you all I'm telling the truth."
"Hey, I wouldn't say anything even IF you were lying," Toph bluntly said. And everyone knew that was the truth. Yu Dao being reduced to rubble would be disastrous. A lot of Fire Nation lives would be lost, a lot of Earth Kingdom lives would be lost, and both would lose an important strategic and economic nerve center. With the most developed port in the colonies, it was in the best position to handle the outgoing Fire Nation nobles. Lose Yu Dao, and they'd be stuck here.
Oh yeah, and a lot of lives overall would be lost. Didn't matter what stuffy general with unquestionable honor by the Fire Nation's standards said. They never stepped on a battlefield where people were trampled and bodies mutilated. Maybe she denied it long ago, but if she was going to be called a hypocrite for drawing the line now and not before, then so be it.
Suki sighed before walking right up to the Princess. "And what do you think you can do? We saw what happened with Godzilla. What makes you think you can stop Battra?" There wasn't any venom in the Warrior's voice. It seemed to be an honest question.
So an honest question demanded an honest answer. "I was able to stop a slaughter from happening at Aso. Plus, Mothra herself told me about him. And I don't think a powerful kaiju like her would tell me that if she felt I couldn't do something about it."
This caused the armored girl to raise an eyebrow. "Wait. She talked to you?"
"Long story. Basically, if she's willing to put that much faith in me, I think I have a shot. If you won't trust me on anything else, trust me on this at least." Azula looked her in the eye as she said this. Suki, to her credit, just drummed her fingers on her sleeves and internally debated on whether or not she could be trusted. Smart, she thought. The Princess couldn't trust herself either.
This is why she added, "Then once this is done, we can go back to hating each other like old times. How does that sound?"
With that, Suki huffed. "Alright. You've got a deal." Behind her, the other members of the Avatar's entourage either nodded in agreement or just gave a noncommittal shrug. Azula knew better than to assume they'd immediately accept her help, but it was a start.
Around her neck, underneath her armor, she felt Mothra's medallion press lightly against her chest. It was a small comfort, but a comfort nonetheless.
Things were quickly arranged for their journey to Yu Dao, though to the Avatar's distress, Azula had to ride on Appa. Nobody wanted either the Princess or her brother anywhere near each other, and since only Zuko or Iroh was trusted to operate the war balloon, that left little other option. For what it was worth, Azula told Aang she didn't fancy a ride on a hairy flying monster herself.
That did leave them with the question of what to do with Flame Runner. Obviously they couldn't just leave the Mongoose Dragon on Infant Island all by herself. Not even Azula was that cruel. Thankfully, they did have a solution.
Said solution was currently hugging his two daughters tightly in his arms. "You two be safe out there for me. Alright?"
"You don't have to tell us twice, Father," Miana reassured.
"I mean it. Promise me that you won't do anything stupid out there."
"Not unless trouble comes looking for us," Maina promised.
Amimoto grinned as he ruffled his daughters' hair. "Alright. Just know that whatever happens, Mothra will be there to guide you home."
The twins gave their promises not to do anything rash once more and to always walk in the grace of the Goddess. Azula and Kori stood back, letting the family have their moment. Then, once they had broken their embrace, Amimoto and Daiyo looked to the Princess. "You promise you'll take care of both of my girls. Understood?"
"Understood," Azula promised while bowing to Daiyo. Yet this was one promise she wasn't sure she could keep. She'd do her best, obviously. The prodigy would never expect anything less from herself. But what they were walking into, nothing was guaranteed. Only thing she could do was pray that Mothra truly did care about her followers and would protect them all. Might even start praying herself just to tip the odds in their favor.
Speaking of which, "You think Mothra is going to get involved?" Azula asked.
"Battra is her brother. If he's awakened, you can bet she's going to get involved," Daiyo stated as if that were the most obvious thing in the world. Which to Azula, it was. Still, better to have confirmation than clinging on to false hope. Now breaking to Zuko that they had to deal with a fifth kaiju on their hands, that was going to be rough. She had better get started on figuring out how to explain that the giant bug monster they had just met was actually on their side.
That was for the near future though. For now, she turned to other matters. "Chieftain Amimoto. You promise to bring Flame Runner when you arrive at Yu Dao?"
"Indeed. We'll treat her as one of our one," he declared. Not too far away, Swiftclaw and Flame Runner were busy snipping at each other.
Well, at least she's occupying herself, Azula thought. "I just know what you're walking into. My brother's not going to be too happy with what you and the other islanders propose."
The Chief crossed his arms. "And we know that this is our only chance of survival. The Fire Nation won't leave us in peace just because someone new is in charge."
Azula wasn't sure of what exactly he was talking about, though she had a pretty good idea. She did take comfort that Zuzu would have to deal with it if her intuition was on the money. And it most often was.
Someone else remained silent though. Kori didn't say a word. No doubt the same thoughts were going through her mind as well. Nobody wanted to say it since the idea was so foreign. The colonies leaving was one thing. As much as anyone in the Fire Nation could deny it, they weren't in their traditional territory.
Islands that have been part of the Fire Nation for time immemorial leaving though? That was never going to go over smoothly. Azula just hoped Amimoto and Infant Island knew what they were doing.
Over the seas bordering the Earth Kingdom and Fire Nation
Everyone knew it would be a silent trip back. Or at least, a very tense trip. It's not like they could go any faster on the war balloon to get it over with. Fire Nation tech could do many things, but it certainly couldn't keep up with a Sky Bison flying at full speed.
So on top of the tension, it would be a very slow trip. Practically everyone was waiting for somebody to break the silence. It was practically inevitable. Zuko was looking across the sky at Appa, no doubt watching Azula who was riding on the bison's back. Iroh was on the other side of the balloon, keeping an eye on the coal and fire. Sokka and Imana were busy checking their headings to make sure they were on the right track to Yu Dao.
Leaving Mai and Ty Lee to mill about one end of the balloon by themselves. They too were looking out at the bison at their former friend. For Mai, it was all she could do to not turn her head away in shame. What had come over her? She wasn't happy with Azula, but to seriously suggest throwing her in the asylum? Agni above, that was one boundary she swore she'd never cross.
And yet she did. She wondered if Ty Lee realized it too. The acrobat was staring with a hard glare, which got her a little concerned. Mai knew that her friend was also reeling from what happened both on the Boiling Rock and on Infant Island. She was just worried that burst of anger was simmering over again.
Sighing, realizing she probably wasn't going to get anywhere with her, Mai strode over to Zuko's side. If anybody was going to break the silence, she figured it might as well be her. "So. Things didn't go over so well with your mom?"
Zuko laughed, though thankfully it wasn't the half-maddened laugh that haunted her ears. It was more a dry, humorless laugh, but it was a step in the right direction. "Really? How could you tell?"
"I know you," Mai responded as if it was the easiest thing to pick out in the world. To her credit, Zuko made it abundantly easy.
The Fire Lord shook his head. "No…no it wasn't." He fell silent as he gazed upon the winds rushing past them. It made Mai wonder if she should get a blanket for him or something. She at least had the sense to wear her usual layered clothing instead of that stripped-down tunic Zuko always wore when he wasn't on business.
In a whisper barely heard over the winds, Mai made out his voice. "Do you…think I've changed? And don't sugarcoat it."
Mai sighed. She knew he wanted the answer plain and true, but she wasn't sure if this was the time. Then again, he did ask and something told her he wasn't going to get better if she just held it from him. "To be perfectly honest, yes and no. I mean, I remember when you were all in for the war and you did throw me for a loop when you decided to end it. Plus you being buddies with the Avatar of all people was something new.
"And the other hand…you've still got a lot of anger if that's what you're asking."
Zuko slumped his head on the railing of the balloon. This was what she was afraid of. One thing she learned growing up was there was a difference between breaking it to somebody the hard truth, or telling a white lie in order to buy yourself some time. The latter she never got the hang of, but the former she was fully aware of. Harsh reminders from her parents about being quiet rang in her head after all.
"I thought I was getting better," he lamented. "I thought by confronting Dad, I'd…I'd be one of the good guys. That I'd be able to let go of my anger, you know?"
"So who are you angry at?" Ty Lee asked, coming over to his side. "Your Dad?"
"No."
"Azula?"
"No."
"Zuko, don't lie," Mai chastised, not wanting him to retreat back into himself. This was something he truly needed to be told. "I saw you back at the temple. You're still mad at her. And the longer you hold onto it-"
"But she's-"
"Difficult? Yeah, I know. But sometimes, you need to be honest with yourself and take some responsibility. Otherwise, you're going to be at each other's throats for the rest of your lives. Is that what you want?"
Mai hated the cold way she spoke, but, again, it was something that needed to be said. She'd seen too many rivalries amongst nobles to know where this was going, and she didn't want the same thing to happen here.
"No, I don't. It's just, we seem locked into this thing between us. I'm trying really hard, but it doesn't seem like she's giving me any other choice. Or maybe…maybe I'm mad at the both of us. Mad that we can't break through. Break this death spiral we're in. Only thing I know is taking her down, and…that scares me. Like the only thing standing between me and getting better is her." Zuko covered his face with his hands. "I'm scared Mai. I'm scared it's only going to end when one of us is dead, and I don't want that! And it really scared me when both of you were getting just as angry at her as I was. Why can't it just be my burden?"
Mai couldn't respond. Her shoulders just sagged down as she looked into the distance. What had come over her? It wasn't like her to get that mad. True there have been times where she'd been mad, but not to such a degree as what happened in the temple. A chill ran down her spine about how easily she lost it. All that training and discipline was torn to pieces.
She wasn't the only one. Ty Lee looked down in shame. "I don't know Zuko. It just felt easy. And empowering if that makes any sense. I remember how Azula treated us like…it seemed like she saw us more as soldiers or things to be thrown away. When I chi-blocked her, it was, how should I put it? 'Liberating.' Now I don't even know anymore."
A pair of footsteps came up behind them and rested against the railing. "If it helps, I remember my dad talking about something like this," Sokka explained. "He used to tell stories about how warriors who'd lost a lot or suffered from great hardships just went berserk. They became far stronger and tougher in battle, but they hurt everyone they touched. Enemy. Friends. Even themselves."
He bowed his head, as if somehow he knew the feeling all too well. "Wolf's Rage they called it. Not really something to be proud of."
"We have something similar too. 'Sozin's Fury'," Iroh spoke up, resting against the engine. "Those who became overcome with their firebending flew into a frenzy. They lost focus and what they gained in strength, they lost in sanity. Poor souls who succumbed to such a fate were often forced on the frontline or thrown into the most brutal front possible. We felt there was no coming back from that."
"Huh. When our warriors lost it, they were often given some leave time and support to work through their issues," Sokka mused.
Iroh shook his head sadly, a haunted look creeping up on his face. "There's a lot of shameful deeds that we committed. That's just how things were during the war."
Mai looked at the old man, but said nothing. Did he suspect that Azula suffered from this "Sozin's Fury" herself? From what she heard, her ex-friend's breakdown did sound similar to it. Yet how come she was condemned to an asylum? The noble girl knew Azula enough to know she'd rather risk taking her honor back through death via combat.
A scary thought just crept into her mind. The Princess still wouldn't be set on doing that. Would she?
Iroh continued. "It's the same with anger, really. What gives us power has the ability to spread and consume us all. Doesn't matter how many dry blades of grass get swept up in the inferno. All they do is just carry the flames until there is nothing but ashes."
"Sounds like you know a bit from experience," Imana commented.
The Dragon of the West sighed, the years coming over his face. "Far too much," he murmured.
"No. I get it. And it's pretty good advice too," the priestess said, turning towards a despondent Zuko. "I know you have every reason to be upset with Azula, but sometimes it's a matter of facing your anger. Back on my island, we understand that everything has a purpose and reason for being, even for something as irrational as hatred. What you need to understand is why."
"You get taught a lot of those sayings when you were younger?" Mai mused. The other girl wasn't so much older than her, yet she seemed to have an answer for everything. Almost seemed like she was one of the older Avatars reincarnated or something.
Is that how it works? I need to ask, she thought.
"It's easy. I learned to trust my feelings and gain wisdom from them. Everything else just came to me over time."
Mai was stunned, forcing her to look across the sky. Listen to her feelings? Why would she do that? She almost attacked her former friend. If anything, it was just another reminder of her parents' teachings. Let them steer the ship, and you're bound for disaster. Thank Agni above she didn't turn out to be a firebender. Otherwise, incidents like this would be a bit too common.
What she wondered most about was Zuko. Looking at her boyfriend, she saw the same crestfallen expression. It pained her to see him this way, though at the same time aggravating. Was he taking any of this in? If nothing else, it would've been a good distraction from the self-pity he was in. Her mind wandered, asking what happened to that young man who wanted to better himself. Did his mother say something to completely break his spirit?
And what about her? Was the same hatred he held for his sister consuming her as well? The thought scared her terribly, enough that she had to gaze across the sky at the sky bison. There, she could see the Princess gazing back at her. It was too far to know what she was thinking, but Mai had to wonder how much wider this gap between them was going to get.
Azula stared back across the open sky, seeing Mai gazing back. It took all her willpower not to look away. To see that bridge she'd razed. How could she have been so blind? Of course they'd turn on her sooner rather than later. For what it's worth, the brief time they had together will always have a special place in her heart.
Yet there was always that shadow in the background. That of the war. How could she have missed that before? Take away the war, the fighting, and suddenly it was all the easier to just let your guard down. Relax. Pretend you weren't a Princess. Feel safe amongst friends.
Beside her were two examples of that. Kori was checking her bow as usual whilst Maina was deep in thought. They were friends. True friends that she managed to find all on her own. Their presence was enough for Azula to turn around towards them, unable to look her past in the eye. Even when sitting amongst enemies, she felt comfortable with them at her side. As if all the worries in the world melted away. Granted it wasn't entirely true with the rumblings of chaos far away, but these small moments made her feel much lighter than when she was at the gates of Ba Sing Se.
Gingerly, she took out Mothra's medallion and gently stroked it. Felt like all the pain just flew away in the breeze.
Her calm, of course, was most rudely interrupted by a certain waterbender. "What's that?" Katara asked.
The Princess just placed it back within the confines of her chestplate. "It's nothing. Just a token that Mothra left for me?"
"Mothra? …huh. Didn't know you were the spiritual type."
"I'm not," Azula bit back, maybe a bit more defensively than she had intended. For what it's worth, the waterbender just rolled her eyes.
They just sat there in…rather awkward silence for a few seconds, not sure of what to say. The silence had been broken and somebody had to say something. Fortunately, Kori spoke up. "So…how come you guys stood up for us back at the temple?"
Katara looked a bit uncomfortable (which Azula inwardly relished) as she considered her words. "Look. I don't necessarily like Azula and all, but even that's too cruel for me."
"Oh. Didn't stop you from tying me down like an animal," Azula spat out.
"Hey! Zuko and I had to stop you!" Katara snapped back.
"Yeah, and I bet you liked freezing me up and watching me suffocate. I thought you were many things waterbender, but I didn't think you liked watching your enemies suffer."
"One, you were trying to kill me! Two, if you honestly believe that I took any pleasure in how you were when I beat you then…" she fell silent, telling Azula that a nerve had been touched.
"Look, if we're going to be at each other's throats for everything we did to each other, then I guess I'm not going to forgive you for keeping us awake at some ungodly hour when we first met! Like, is sleep that foreign of a concept to you people?!" Toph suddenly shouted. The truth of her outburst wasn't lost on her though. Katara definitely looked relieved to see the blind girl have her back.
Azula shrugged. "What? Couldn't handle being on the frontline? I'm surprised. I thought out of all you people, you'd appreciate actually roughing it out in the wilderness for a little bit."
"Well, I did. For about two seconds before somebody started shooting lightning at us."
"To be honest, you guys should've found a nice elevated position or something to defend from," Suki mused. "If it was just Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee, you could've made a stand somewhere and have a good chance of getting away."
Now both Azula and Toph smacked their foreheads in exasperation. "We haven't had any rest to think of an actual idea!" "You do realize the point of a prolonged chase was to make sure the enemy DOESN'T have time to think, right?" they both shouted, before looking at each other in surprise.
"...did you two actually agree on something?" Maina asked with a smirk on her face.
"No, we didn't!" Both Azula and Toph shouted at the same time, before promptly shutting up to prevent any more awkwardness.
"Look, the point is, I don't regret what I did during the Comet. What I'm trying to say is that I never wanted you to be treated like that. Nobody deserves that…" For once, Azula was actually glad that the waterbender broke the lapse into silliness. She didn't think she could stand finding common ground with a tiny Earth Kingdom girl after all.
At least now Katara gave her something to silently pick apart. Something about the way she cast her eyes down in shame revealed a lot more than the waterbender likely would've wanted to reveal. It told Azula that yes, the savage did want her to suffer. Not now, but most certainly at some time or another. And if it happened before, who's to say it wouldn't happen again?
What brought about the change though? Why would she care about what happens to her enemy? Or rather, why would she feel ashamed of wanting ill-will towards the Princess? It wracked her brain more than it did. So to satisfy her curiosity, Azula decided to push just a bit more. Without making it obvious of course.
She sighed in exasperation, crossing her arms in a matter to make herself feel closed off. Then a turn of her head so she wouldn't look the other girl in the eye. "Don't waste your sympathy. I lost my mind that day. I deserved what I got." It was easy to say such words since they were true. The trick was using such feelings in a way to get the most out of them. A confession of self-hatred could be used to divine a person's measure of empathy. That in turn could reveal a soft heart.
You just needed to accept that nobody should waste your breath on you. Do that, and the rest falls through.
Unfortunately, one thing she forgot was that a certain boy was also listening in on their discussion. "Hey, I don't think you deserve that sort of treatment." Aang jumped off Appa's head (after handing a very confused Momo the reins) before alighting right in front of the Princess. Azula couldn't help herself but jump in her seat a little, having been on the receiving end of a number of elemental salvos each time she faced that childish face.
This time though, she just got a concerned look. "You really can't go around beating yourself up at your worst. It happens to everyone."
Azula scoffed. "I don't suppose you were given charge of an entire country and let it all to ruin just because you couldn't keep it together. Or maybe…" she fell silent, the words dying on her lips. There was something she was about to say that she wasn't quite sure of herself. Other than it seemed to give her an immense amount of guilt that made even her failure at her coronation seem tame in comparison.
"I mean, no. But the monks did say I was Avatar before I was ready. That…didn't end well either." Aang's words caused her to raise an eyebrow. He didn't embrace his status? All the stories said that the Avatar was a coward by nature. That in the face of the overwhelming might of the Fire Nation, he couldn't help but run when faced with a power greater than his own. A coward amongst cowards her father and grandfather called him.
Yet she knew cowards. There were too many of them back in her days in Ozai's court. All too eager to deal out punishment but couldn't take them back. If nothing else, she could respect the Avatar in that he'd fight back when cornered instead of begging for mercy. Or put on a facade of bravery. Their fight in the catacombs of Ba Sing Se certainly put him above the rest of his people.
If they even were warriors to begin with, her mother's voice said. Azula frowned. There was so much alike between her and the Avatar, and yet so much different. She wanted to believe he was hiding something more behind those big round eyes like Ty Lee did. Maybe he did, but it certainly wasn't malice. And there was a certain lightness about him that one didn't get when raised in a nest of vipers.
Maybe Maina was right. After all, Sozin lied before-...no. No no no. She couldn't think like that. If Sozin lied about the airbenders and Godzilla, what else did he lie about? Surely not the Avatar before Aang. That had to have been true. Otherwise, the whole war, all those deaths during and after would've been all for-
She needed to get away from that threat. Already she could feel too many eyes on her. So she did what she was best at. Try a different angle. "Well, unless you flew into a murderous rage, then we've got nothing to talk about."
"...actually, I did. Multiple times as a matter of fact."
Azula blinked as the words sunk in. Did…he just…?
She watched as Aang scratched the back of his head. Katara looked a little concerned, but he held out a hand before she could speak. "Before I mastered the Avatar State against your father, I went berserk whenever I entered it. I thought of all the deaths the Fire Nation caused over the years. All the lives they'd taken. All the friends I've lost. And when somebody pushed me too far over the edge, that's when I 'go crazy' as you put it. I even thought about wiping all of your people out more than once like at the North Pole. That's how angry I was."
He hugged his legs as he continued. "Thing is, I was scared of myself for a long time because of it. That if I entered the Avatar State, I wasn't sure if I'd hurt those I'd care about or do the wrong thing. What I learned was that I couldn't let it control me. Couldn't get rid of it, but I wasn't going to let it decide who I was. So if others decide you're some kind of monster for going off the handle, that means they're going after me as well.
"I guess that makes two of us to be honest," he concluded. Everyone sat there, stunned by his speech. Toph, Suki, Maina, and Kori sat there surprised while Katara seemed…a little more thoughtful. Maybe Azula's intuition about the waterbender was right after all.
"So if they're going to put you in an asylum for what they did, I'm going to admit myself too. Put myself in a cell riiiiight next to yours," he then said with a sly grin.
"You wouldn't last five minutes," Azula dryly noted.
"Hey, I lasted 100 years in an iceberg. What's some crack doctor going to do to me?" the Avatar nonchalantly said. Unfortunately for the Princess, she had to concede a point there. She couldn't even last a minute being frozen.
Then she just remembered a crucial fact. "Avatar. I almost killed you. Why are you being friendly?"
Again, he gave another one of his aggravatedly casual shrugs. It was like his little heartfelt confession was just forgotten. "Hey, Suki over there almost killed me first we met."
"That is true," Suki corroborated. It only served to confuse Azula even more. Did the whole world suddenly go crazy and decide trying to kill one another was the first step in a healthy friendship?
"Look. For what's it worth, I'm sorry that we got off on a bad start. So how about we start over?
"Hi! I'm Aang! What's your name?"
Azula just stared at the complete shift in tone along with the outstretched hand. "...let's take baby steps. Okay?"
"Right. Sorry," Aang apologized, letting Azula to turn around and look out to sea, pondering when on earth everybody lost their minds. She sighed, deciding to count the days until they went back to trying to kill each other. Those days were simple.
Of course, that's when Appa bellowed, arching his back. Azula groaned. "Avatar, you don't get that monster under control, I swear I'm going to jump off this thing right now-"
She was interrupted when Momo also began screeching in her ear, the lemur's eyes riveted down below to a series of craggy rocks rising out of the sea.
Azula blinked. Given the past few weeks, she'd been around these waters to know those jagged rocks shouldn't be there. And she didn't think they were near land for them to have just broken off.
Then she saw them moving, and the great tail paddling behind them.
"Godzilla."
Everyone from both Appa and the balloon stared with eyes the size of dinner plates at the great beast churning the water below them. Heading straight to the Earth Kingdom.
"What's got him riled up?" Katara worriedly asked.
Maina shook her head, simply saying, "I don't know. But when he's about, that means trouble's on the horizon. A lot of trouble."
Yu Dao
He waited patiently in the safehouse within his private quarters. Watched as he heard the two children give their testimonies of what they had seen. When they had finished, he knelt down to their level. "Are you sure you saw a kaiju heading this way?"
"Of course!" the small girl protested. "I don't think we'd come all this just to spew crazy! You're lucky we got here before the Fire Nation's scouts or the Iron Maws did!" Her tall companion said nothing, only nodding to confirm what she had said.
Now the cloaked man stood up. It was natural he'd get a private audience. Ever since he'd curried favor with the resistance movement here in the violent streets of Yu Dao, people were coming more and more to him with advice. Served him just fine. That meant more and more of his agents could go about their work unimpeded. To keep tabs on the going ons and help stoke the fires of unrest. Find others that could have their eyes opened. Such a position to require all these things meant staying one step ahead of the competition.
That meant he already knew the scouts the Fire Lord had deployed were no doubt tracking the Lord of the Earth's movements. And the Iron Maws would be coming here as well. This whole city was a bomb waiting to explode.
He could use that. "Very well. See to it that they get some rest and food," he said to his servant, who took them away to the common room. Sighing to himself, he allowed the cloak to fall from his shoulders.
Exposing his pale skin, blue eyes, and jagged spines running down his back. He lamented that his greater whole's awakening was making it harder for him to hide his nature. It was a good thing he had his servants then. They'd do his work where he could not touch.
Still, this was something he could exploit. Chaos. Anarchy. That's what he needed. Looking at the map before him, he considered the colonies. His job was Yu Dao. Cranefish, the other nerve center, would be dealt with. Destabilize both of them, and the people will be looking for a leader.
No. A god.
He smiled with sharp teeth. Now that, he could provide.
Somewhere west of Yu Dao
In a long-forgotten temple within a dark jungle, the Seer knelt before the High Priest.
They had no names. Their lord had absolved them of the burden of an identity long ago. So long as they obeyed the Storm King's every command. Even now, high above the ruins of their ruined city, the winds were gathering. A sign of the serpent's power.
The mists swirled around them, brimming with their God's power. "The signs are clear. He is coming."
A sigh rumbled through both the High Priest and the temple. Before him in the sacred chamber, dark coils brushed past each other. With the Storm King's presence flowing through him, he delivered the words of his master.
"Then Lord Axor will be ready for him."
Upon his words, he could hear the chants of the gathering army outside the temple. After so long, their empire will be rebuilt and take the surrounding lands for themselves.
As for those who'd dare defy the Storm King…a pair of flashing reptilian eyes emerged from the dark coils.
They would serve him. One way or another.
A/N: I'd like to formally apologize for the hiatus. It's just the past two months haven't exactly been the easiest for me. To sum up: came down with strep throat, still dealing with a lingering cough, had to deal with a college course that was a LOT more work than I anticipated it to be, a nasty storm that knocked out the power for a few days, and had a loss in the family. All we're missing is my home burning down, falling over, and sinking into a swamp.
I don't even live near a swamp.
Anyways, I'm back, and hopefully this chapter makes up for a bit of it. Also realized that The Tea Brewer and the Bounty Hunter came out today so…things just work out that way sometimes?
To begin, we've taking a look back at Odo Island and see how they've been doing in the wake of Godzilla's attack. I took a bit of inspiration from Minus One that examines how life was sort of like in the wake of World War II for the Japanese. Basically how the civilians were able to find some sort of life amidst the devastation. It's also to sort of tie together a narrative thread with Chief Amimoto and how various islands on the fringes of the Fire Nation AREN'T happy with how this cold war is going. And it is a cold war at this point. It's one of those painful transitions I've mentioned before, but it's also obvious it's taking a toll on a ot of people.
It also sort of ties in again with The Promise about the colonies seeking independence from both the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom. For all their faults, it was a good idea and I do want to explore that a bit. Just probably not in the same way though.
Speaking of comic comparisons, we get Zuko finally reuniting with his mother. It's…not as heartwarming as he was imagining it to be. Their reunion felt a bit too clean and painless in the comic. Here, I wanted to go back to Ursa's old bio as being a noblewoman who was supportive of the war effort instead of what a lot of people sanitize her into being. Makes things more complicated for Zuko's redemption as he starts to bottom out.
For Mai and Ty Lee, I also want to make it clear they're NOT being influenced by the Voices as well. Anger is corrosive and when unrestrained or treated, it can spread from individual to individual. Mai at least seems to have the good sense of knowing what's going on.
I also wanted to try and give everybody to stand out at least in their own way this chapter. Whether it's a bit of dialogue or maybe a conversation that helps them along. It's quite a lot to juggle, but I wanted to keep the focus primarily on Azula and Zuko here. As we go through the arc, we'll swing things back to the way they were leading up to it between Team Azula and Team Avatar.
For the kaiju, Godzilla's back. I don't think anybody was expecting him to be gone forever. Thing is, what's he up to? In the films, he's always been sort of unpredictable. Like he could either be destructive or not. I want to explore that in the coming chapters.
Finally, we get the reveal of the Storm King. I know a lot of people were expecting King Ghidorah, but I couldn't just use him this early in the story. If I were to use him, I'd have a LOT more build up to him befitting his status as Godzilla's archenemy. Probably would make him more sinister and conniving.
Besides, I wanted to give an overlooked part of Godzilla's history a chance to shine. Axor originated from the Hanna Barbara cartoon. Of which, I DID reference in the first chapter of my fic with the title "Up From the Depths". When I say that I want to draw on as much of Godzilla's history as possible, I meant it.
Anyways, thank you all for your patience. I swear the next chapter will be coming out a lot faster. Thank you all once again for the support you've shown the fic, and be sure to share your thoughts, favorite/follow if you want to see more. Have a great day, and I'll see you all next time.