Hello People Of Fanfiction!
Finally, I finished this chapter, I haven't been writing for a long time, I was having some personal dilemmas, I still do actually.
But I decided to do things that make me feel happy to ease the pressure a bit, and that's writing this story.
Spoiler Alert: It didn't ease the pressure, as this chapter turned out to be one tough MF, lmao.
But I finally finished it,
Hope you enjoy it and please review!
Tolan
*Flashback*
Tolan was walking towards the headquarters of the Dai Li, which is deep inside Lake Laogai, where they get to hypnotize people, and rule the city from within.
He'd just become the new leader of the Dai Li, and the leader of the Dai Li has access to everything that concerns the city, someone with such responsibility can't take the reins without proper training, and so his uncle, now King Long Feng, saw to it that he's properly trained for leadership of the Dai Li, today is the last day of training.
the last day of training concerns having access to the most secured section in the entire earth kingdom, the forbidden files.
Tolan finally arrived at the lake and brought up the slap of rock with the entrance, he opened the entrance and entered the tunnel leading to the headquarters.
When he arrived, he found his uncle sitting at the main office, waiting for him.
"Have a seat, Nephew." He merely said, and Tolan did as asked.
"So, what are we learning today?" Tolan asked unenthused.
"As if you don't know already." Long Feng said.
Tolan sighed, "Yeah, I know.. I just don't know if I want to." Tolan said,
he knew that accessing the secret files of the city will introduce him to a new world of surprises about the city he's been living in ever since he was born, he didn't know if he was ready for such traumatic experience.
"We don't get to WANT anything, Nephew. As Dai Li agents, we follow orders without questions, if you haven't learned that by now, you never will." Long Feng responded, signing some papers, not even looking at Tolan.
Tolan sighed again, "I know." He merely said.
Long Feng finally finished what he was doing and stood up from the chair, there was a candle behind his office, he put his hand on it and moved the handle to the right, the bookshelf behind him opened, and what's behind it was a stairway, leading to spirits know where, he looked at Tolan and said,
"Shall we?" as he pointed at the stairway.
Tolan wasn't even shocked by the display, as he's seen many surprises as a Dai Li agent, this was nothing new to him, he stood up from the chair and looked back at his uncle and said,
"Let's do this." His uncle smiled meekly and led the way to the section of the forbidden files with Tolan behind him.
as they got to the end of the stairway deep below the lake, he found a places filled with rows of bookshelves, only the bookshelves didn't contain books, it contained secret files of the city.
"You have two days to finish all those files and come back to me with your review." Long Feng said.
Tolan looked at him, as he didn't know if he would be ready in two days, but he could never reason with his uncle, so he merely said, "Yes, your majesty." Long Feng sensed the sarcasm in his voice, but he never complained, as he knew his nephew was still angry with him for what happened to King Kuei, he then took his leave.
leaving Tolan to have the traumatic experience of discovering the real truth of the city of Ba Sing Se.
*End Of Flashback*
The Sun's rising, daylight filled his prison cell, it's time for the beginning of the day that Tolan has been longing for ever since his uncle told him that he won't be joining the fight for humanity, the day that will change the city of Ba Sing Se forever.
Tolan felt like he's been waiting for eternity, not for his own sake, but for the sake of the people of the world, he knew that Avatar Aang would need every soldier he could find in the upcoming fight against evil, the soldiers of Ba Sing Se would be more than enough for him, it would have happened much easier if it wasn't for his greedy uncle Long Feng. His uncle apparently wanted the throne more than the safety of his own people, but it's time for him to pay the price for what he did.
"Are you ready?" Kunyo asked from the outside of Tolan's cell, cutting his train of thoughts.
"Are they here?" Tolan replied with a question of his own.
"They are outside the royal palace." Kunyo responded.
Tolan waited for a couple of seconds, he then stood up, took a deep breath and said, "Let's do this."
Kunyo proved himself to be a true brother for Tolan, his loyalty and love for Tolan compelled him to show his true good self, Tolan knew that Kunyo wasn't too pleased of Long Feng's ascension to power, aside from the fact that he was robbed of the position to be the leader of the Dai Li, Kunyo believed in legitimacy, he believed that you can't just rule because you're more powerful, you have to earn it, whether being a royal family member, or by the choice of the people, that's why he hated Long Feng so much, but he was too clever to show it.
If only you knew who's the legitimate heir to the throne, Kunyo.. Tolan thought.
Tolan knows very well who's King Kuei's true successor, that's part of the reason how he knew his uncle was somewhat responsible for King Kuei's murder, because his uncle didn't even ask if King Kuei had a true successor and just took the throne to himself, Tolan knew all along, but he decided to keep the information to himself.
After they take back the city from the usurper, he'll tell the people who's King Kuei's true successor and proclaim him king of Ba Sing Se. Tolan and Kunyo finally arrived at the entrance of the royal palace, they found the soldiers positioned there, waiting to be ordered to infiltrate.
"Are you ready?" Kunyo asked the leader, with Tolan beside him.
"Awaiting your order, sir." The leader responded.
Kunyo looked at Tolan awaiting his command, Tolan knew this is it, he took a deep breath, is he really going to do it? is he going to infiltrate the palace, and have his uncle in chains? he knew the people of Ba Sing Se will have no mercy on his uncle, the rich folks will abandon him, and the poor folks will want revenge for their troubles, That's his uncle after all, the man who raised him, and made him the man he is today, will he forget all this for his call for righteousness? will he abandon all his good memories to do the right thing?
When Tolan thought about it, he only thought of one answer.
YES, I Will!
Tolan looked at Kunyo, his face devoid of any hesitation, "Let's do this." he only said.
Kunyo nodded, and then ordered the men to start the process, finally, the reign of Earth King Long Feng is coming to an end. The men infiltrated the palace with Tolan and Kunyo. they were all trained Dai Li agents, so they knew their way around the palace, they disarmed all the guards with skill, he knew that Long Feng would be sitting at the chair of the king at the moment, so Tolan and Kunyo took a dozen men and went to the throne room immediately, while they entrusted the leader of the men to disarm all guards.
Tolan, Kunyo and their men finally arrived at the throne room, Tolan took another deep breath, and looked at Kunyo who gave him a nod and looked at the fancy doors.
Tolan pushed the doors open and he did find Long Feng sitting at the throne chair, with no one beside him.
King Long Feng noticed them and immediately panicked. "What's going on here?!" He asked as he stood up.
Tolan sighed, "You of all people should know what this is about, Uncle. what starts with a double cross ends with a double cross, isn't that what you've always told me?" Tolan asked.
Long Feng had a look of terror on his face and looked at Kunyo who looked back at him with no look of regret, "Why, Kunyo? I trusted you."
"King Kuei trusted you too." Kunyo simply answered.
"King Kuei was a poor leader who was leading our nation to failure, I didn't betray him until he betrayed our nation, I had to do something." Long Feng justified his actions.
"We have no time for your excuses. Dai Li, arrest Long Feng. I want him to stand trial for crimes against the Earth Kingdom." Tolan simply said.
The Dai Li agents heard the order and simply lunged at the earth king and had him in shackles.
"You can't arrest me! You all need me more than you know!" Long Feng shouted while being in shackles and driven away by two Dai Li agents.
Long Feng looked at Tolan with disappoint, a look that Tolan returned with more intensity, until he finally looked away and shook his head as Long Feng finally was taken out of the room.
"So what now?" Kunyo asked, as soon as it was over.
Tolan thought for a second, before looking at Kunyo with a look of pride.
"Now.. we work on making YOU the earth king." He answered, followed by a look of confusion on Kunyo's face.
"Excuse me?" Kunyo asked.
Tolan smiled as he knew that was the expected reaction,
"You're the legitimate heir to the throne, Kunyo. You are the bastard son of the late King Kuei."
Kunyo had a look of shock on his face, "What are you..? No.." He only responded, as he found that Tolan wasn't joking.
"You're aware of the forbidden section in the Dai Li, right?" Tolan asked.
Kunyo was still in shock but he responded slowly, "Yes, the section that can only be accessed by the leader."
"Exactly, When I became the leader of the Dai Li, my uncle introduced me to this section, he told me that King Kuei had heirs, illegitimate ones to be exact, but since we're in times of turmoil, they're the only possible solution, you are the eldest of them, that's why Long Feng never made you the leader of the Dai Li, so you don't get access to these files and plot to overthrow him.. but it happened anyways.. the world is full of these little ironies." Tolan said.
Kunyo was speechless, but he managed to get some words out, "If this.. if this is true, why didn't you tell me before?" he asked.
Tolan sighed, he knew this question was forthcoming, "At first, I didn't tell you because I was protecting my uncle. but when I returned and knew who he really was, I couldn't protect him anymore."
"I stood guard on your prison cell for months after you knew your uncle's truth, and you still didn't tell me!" Kunyo said angrily.
"Because I was afraid you would do something reckless, I wanted my uncle gone, but not the way you'd have done it." Tolan answered.
Kunyo was still angry but he asked calmly, "You wanted to protect your uncle because you thought I would have avenged my father?"
Tolan swallowed, "Yes." Kunyo was silent for some time, Tolan was getting more and more nervous by the second, until Kunyo finally spoke.
"I want proof." He said.
Tolan swallowed again, he thought Kunyo would strike him with a boulder of earth, but that came out of no where,
"Of course.. We can head to the Dai Li headquarters at anytime, they must have arrested Kanto by now, we can go there, and you'll have all the proof you need, we need it anyways to make the people believe that you are truly the son of Earth King Kuei." Kunyo only nodded, and they started heading towards the forbidden section of the Dai Li.
Tolan was glad that Kunyo didn't have a reckless reaction, he knew Kunyo too much that he knew he would be calmer and accept his responsibility as soon as he reads the proof of his birth right.
Tolan realized that he's finally taking control over Ba Sing Se, and as soon as he makes Kunyo the new earth king, he'll order the military to go fight alongside Avatar Aang against the evil spirits.
It's finally looking up for Tolan, and he's not going to make it easier for himself until the terror of evil spirits is driven away from the world.
Azula
The Firelord was standing staring at her own portrait among the famous and infamous Firelords on the wall, debating which one she'll eventually become, she loved that she was the only one with blue fire coming out of her hand among them, it made her feel special.
She remembered the good old days, when the world was much simpler for her, she'd get out of bed every day to find Mai and Ty Lee waiting for her in the garden, so they would go to school together, Mai and Ty Lee were everything she had when she was little, that's the main reason she let them go, she couldn't handle the feeling of watching them swinging with their necks snapped at the gallows, after all they did to her, after the murder attempt and the hate and the disrespect, she still decided to spare them, for she remembered the time when they were all she had in the world, they got her through a lot, and she just couldn't forget that.
Same goes for a certain Avatar, the one who both made her feel butterflies in her stomach and who made her head ache, at one point, Azula wanted nothing more than to make Aang her boyfriend, by any means necessary, to her information, she still does.
Aang wasn't just a guy who passed by in her life without any meaningful impact, Aang was the guy that made her realize that there's more to life than just power and authority, although she would never admit it, but it's Aang who made her see the happy meaning of life, his existence in her life both showed her the good side and the bad side of life, the good side of loving yourself and the world, and the bad side of hating yourself and the world, her relationship with Aang was so complicated that at some point she would say she loves him, and at the other she says she hates him, there's no middle ground, just varying thoughts.
Zuko was something else, he was the weirdest brother a girl could ever have, he was so good that she decided to hate him, he had mother's love, and she couldn't forgive him for that even though it wasn't his fault, and up until a couple of days before the ceremonies, she thought he was the heir to the throne, even though in her mind he never deserved it, but it was also never his fault, as he didn't choose to be the older sibling between them, he also didn't choose for their father to be Firelord in the first place.
Screw all of them. Screw Mai. Screw Ty Lee. Screw Zuko and Screw Aang. I'm better off without them, I'm Firelord of the nation now, and nothing could ever change that.
Azula decided in her mind as her facial expression turned to a frown of seriousness as she was still staring at her own portrait, but her thoughts were interrupted by the arrival of a certain hand of the firelord.
"I still think it would have been better had they drawn you with both hands extended and fire coming out of it, it would have made you look more fierce." The head counselor of the firenation said as he arrived.
"Don't you think we've had enough fierce firelords already, General Shinu?" Firelord Azula responded.
Shinu chuckled, "Yeah, I guess you're right." He followed up.
Azula finally stopped looking at the portrait and looked at Shinu firmly, "Tell me something, Shinu. Why do people always mistake generosity for foolishness?" Azula asked, which confused the old general.
"Pardon?" Shinu asked.
"I think you've heard me clearly." Azula said as she turned around to look at the portrait again.
Shinu gulped before answering, "Well.. Not all people do that of course, Your majesty."
"Yeah, I do know that. it's just that, whenever I'm generous with people I care about, they mistake my generosity for foolishness and they start taking advantage of me, I still don't understand it." Azula said, while looking away from Shinu.
Shinu was becoming more nervous by the second, "Who did that? Give me a name, and this person would be punished immediately."
"No.. No, don't punish this person, I'm sure it was just an honest mistake. but if he did mistake my generosity for foolishness again, let's just say that I wouldn't be as lenient with him." The Firelord responded calmly.
"Who are you talking about?" General Shinu asked.
Azula finally decided to look at him, her voice devoid of any emotion, "his is general Shinu, Head Counselor of the Firenation, and my own right hand." She said.
Shinu gulped furiously this time, "What did I do?" He asked.
Azula looked back at the portrait once again, "Avatar Aang was spotted in the firenation a few weeks ago, May I know the reason behind your discretion of such crucial information?" Azula asked.
Shinu knew the conversation was leading to this, he just wanted Azula to say it so to remove any doubt he had that it wasn't it,
"I deeply apologize for this, Your majesty. I'm going to be honest with you, I kept the information to myself because I knew you wouldn't approve of the actions that I've taken towards it." Shinu responded.
Azula was furious but she kept her feelings to herself and responded without hesitation, while still looking away from Shinu,
"The actions you've taken are the reason You're still the hand of the firelord."
Shinu was more confused than ever, "Huh?"
Azula looked at the general, her eyes still devoid of emotion, "I know that you've followed Avatar Aang and knew that he's currently in Kyoshi Island and that you've sent people to deal with him right away." Azula said.
Shinu couldn't respond, he was too speechless to, and Azula knew why, so she continued,
"The only reason our troops lost in Kyoshi Island is Avatar Aang. I want him punished for it. Good call on your behalf, but never keep crucial information from me, because if you did it again, I wouldn't just strip you of your ranks and titles, No, No.. that's quite old fashion just like you are. The actions I'll take towards this situation will be way more severe, and you know very well that I'm a woman of my word, are we clear?" Azula ended her threat with a question.
Shinu gulped again, he tried Azula's wrath once before and he sure as hell doesn't want to try it again, "Crystal, Your majesty." He said as he bowed to her.
"Good, You may leave." Azula said, and Shinu disappeared in a flash.
Once he departed, she broke that face that was devoid of emotions and tears gathered in her eyes, but she blinked them away immediately, she realized what she's just done, she just ordered the death of the love of her life, she couldn't believe that she just approved the order to kill Aang, the person she loved the most, more than her father, more than Zuko, more than Uncle Iroh and more than Mai and Ty Lee, she loved her more than her own family and friends, and she still approved the order of his assassination, she couldn't believe the monster she has become..
But deep down she knew that's what you needed to be to become a good firelord, General Shinu might be a cranky old man but he was no fool when he said that this nation needed a fierce person to lead it, a person that can step on his own emotions and feelings for the good of the nation, and she knew she could be that person one day.
For inside her is a monster that awaits its unleash, once that happens, it'll show the entire world how painful and cruel fire can be.
Yu Dao
The people of Yu Dao have been rioting for a week now, Ever since news arrived that the firenation attacked Kyoshi Island, they have been asking for the release of the freedom fighters' leader, Sneers.
The police arrested Sneers following his murder of the firenation prisoners, the people demanded the government, led by Mayor Morishita, to take action against the firenation or leave their positions to someone more worthy, someone who has spent his entire life fighting for freedom, the last of original freedom fighters and the person who avenged their fallen soldiers by killing the imprisoned firenation soldiers, Sneers.
All the while, Kori Morishita was the one who suffered the most, as she couldn't convince Sneers to stop his murderous thoughts, she felt responsible for everything that's happened thus far in Yu Dao, She agreed with her father that they couldn't wage war against the firenation and that they should focus at the war to the north and south, the great war against the evil spirits, but Sneers didn't take any of it, he just wanted revenge for his fallen friends, and the thing is.. Kori couldn't blame him for it.. Until the events of that day..
Kori was in her father's office, she was speaking to him about the current situation,
"You have to release Sneers, Dad. These people won't shut up until you do." Kori told her father, who was sitting at the office.
"Releasing Sneers would only make matters worse, as the people will demand the military to start waging war against the Firenation." The mayor responded.
"These people listen to Sneers, and Sneers listens to me. I'll ask him to tell these people to stop the riot." Kori said, the hesitation in her voice was very evident, she knew that at this point, nobody could convince Sneers to change his mind, but she was still hopeful that he would return to his former self.
But her father never believed her anyways as he snorted, "Yeah.. like you convinced him not to kill those poor soldiers."
"They are not poor soldiers, they are Firenation murderers."
"You're starting to sound like him." The mayor said which shook Kori to the core.
"What..?" She asked, out of shock.
"Yes.. listen to yourself, Firenation murderers or not, they were still captives, killing captives is wrong no every level, Kori, and he's very stupid to think that it could accomplish anything." The mayor said, his voice getting louder.
"Don't call him that-" Kori was about to defend her boyfriend before her father interrupted.
"Of all people that you could date, you chose that murderous idiot, he would kill us all to accomplish his goals! and you know who would he sacrifice first? it's you, my daughter. I will never wait to see that happen, you're not seeing that boy anymore and that's final." The mayor ordered firmly.
"Dad, Please-"
"I said it's final, Kori!" He shouted again.
Kori just couldn't keep fighting with her father, she just stormed out of the room with tears in her eyes, she couldn't believe she wouldn't be seeing Sneers again, her father demanded and so she knew it would break his heart if she didn't do as he demanded, Moreover, she knew how much her father sacrificed to keep this city from crumbling, she doesn't want him to feel that he did all this for nothing, but she did decide to speak to him about it again, once he's calmer. As soon as she left the room, she noticed a couple of guys that entered her father's room with a mirror, she knew her father loves mirrors everywhere around the house, she wanted to smile to herself at her father's silly antics but she was very angry with him to do so. She left the building to find people rioting at the gates, suddenly a soldier came running towards the building, Kori stopped him,
"Hey, what's wrong? why are you running?"
"I have an urgent message to Mayor Morishita! You're his daughter, right?"
"Yes, I am. What's this about?! Tell me what's going on?!" Kori demanded, and the soldier found no escape from her grip but to tell her in a small voice.
"The leader of the freedom fighters has escaped from prison!" The soldier said.
"WHAT?!" Kori shouted, but she couldn't inquire more from the soldier, as the unthinkable happened.
BOOM!
Kori and all the people around the building of the mayor fell to the ground as a huge explosion happened.. inside the office of the mayor.
How did they know this? Because the explosion threw Mayor Morishita from the balcony of the room to the garden, once Kori stood on her legs again, and saw her own father's disfigured body on the ground, she broke down crying and came to his side,
"No, No No, NOOO! D-Dad.. DAD!" She shouted in agony as she looked at his face for a second and then she turned around as she couldn't look at him anymore, she got on her knees and kept crying beside him.
While the people outside the building were cheering and kept shouting, "Freedom! Freedom! Freedom!"
With Sneers escaping prison and Mayor Morishita, things weren't looking too great for Yu Dao, as Kori now knows that the next thing in line is ordering a full attack on the firenation.
But she couldn't focus on that right now as there was one thing in her mind, that whoever did that to her dad will pay the ultimate price, whoever he is.
Even if it was Sneers.
Aang
Avatar Aang was roaming the market of Kyoshi Island, He's been staying in Kyoshi Island for over two weeks now, but it's definitely time to leave, so he decided to go to the market for resupplies.
After the battle of Kyoshi Island, captives of the battle were transferred to Omashu to be imprisoned, King Bumi ordered to keep the prisoners in his own city so that he would deal with the disturbers of the peace himself, he also said that we shouldn't take action against the firenation and that we should still sue for peace, something the water tribe warriors didn't fully agree to, but Aang thanked the spirits for the existence of Katara, Kanna and Kya as they were able to convince the warriors to focus on the great war at the moment, and leave the firenation to afterwards, something all the people agreed to.
He also got to meet Katara's mother and grandmother for the first time, they are very nice people that Aang got along with famously, everything was peaches and gravy between them until the news that arrived from the southern watertribe a few days back.
The news arrived of the spiritual attack on the southern watertribe, and the passing of Master Pakku.
As soon as the news arrived, everyone started crying, even the people of the southern tribe that were staying in Omashu, Aang was in so much shock as he knew Master Pakku on a personal level as he was his waterbending master, Katara's as well. but Aang decided to be strong for her, he immediately hugged her, she cried in his arms for what felt like hours, all the while Aang was being strong for her, he knew how much she loved him, and so he decided to be there for her, because that's what you do when you see the people you love in agony, Katara showed Aang how to do it when she saved him multiple times from his own self, and so he decided to prove to her that he learned.
But they had to move on, that's what Katara told him yesterday, they have to make sure that Master Pakku's death isn't in vain, Katara told Aang that he has to go to meet the guru to be ready for the fight when it happens.
and so he went to the market to get ready for the journey.
"Two copper pieces for a mango? Come on, lady, that's not fair." Aang complained to the vendor.
"That's the price written on the sign, If you don't like it, leave." The old cranky vendor responded with a face that says 'I hate my job.'
"C'mon, is this how you treat the avatar around here?" Aang responded, trying to use his title to his advantage.
"Oh.. you're the avatar? well, why didn't you say so?" The vendor said.
Aang smiled, "I thought you already knew because-" Aang was about to brag about how famous he was when the vendor interrupted him.
"Three copper pieces." The vendor said.
"WHAT?! the sign says two copper pieces!" Aang shouted, becoming angry.
"Yes, but not for wealthy celebrities like yourself. You're basically the most famous person in the world, I bet the avatar has enough money to buy the entire market." The vendor said.
Aang was about to respond to the vendor before he felt something flying at high speed from behind him, he couldn't turn around and stop it and so he dodged it immediately.. and it pierced through the vendor's heart, killing her instantly.
Aang was very shocked as he was looking at the dead vendor with an arrow piercing her heart that he took more than two seconds to turn around, and saw more arrows coming at him at high speed, he used airbending to create a shield sending some off them away..
and some of them pierced the necks of the innocent bystanders, killing them instantly.
Aang had no time to react as he used the time he had to get behind a building immediately.
He was so in shock of what just happened, hoping it was just a dream, but it definitely wasn't, the screams of the people in the market proved as much.
he knew who those arrows belonged to, and as soon as he realized that, he felt really scared for the first time in his life, he glimpsed with his head from behind the building and what he found was an arrow that almost hit his eye.
The fear that he had turned to anger, he knew he has to face them, to stop the slaughter that's happening in the market, the firenation will never stop until he sends them a powerful message, and that's killing the deadliest group in the firenation.
They are the infamous YuYen archers who managed to kill the avatar before, the firenation is sending the best of them to kill Aang, and so Aang now understands how dangerous the firenation is to his attempts of uniting the people.
he now understand how dangerous Azula is. There was no time for such thoughts though, as he found the YuYen archers flanking him from either side of the building.
The leader of them called, "Come out, Avatar! It's over."
Aang couldn't contain his anger, "You are right. This has taken long enough. It's time to end this." He said calmly before coming out.
he used airbending to get out of his hiding place and fly to the air above them immediately to give them a glimpse of what he can actually do as he shouted,
"BRING IT ON, YUYEN!"
Next Chapter will be really packed with action scenes lmao.
With that chapter we start phase 5 of the story, I hope it was a banger :)
Thank you for reading, and please review :)
