Zuko

Speaking about my uncle I decided to open up the message from the White Lotus, it wasn't like I couldn't just reseal it and who knows maybe it was something that I would like to know

Io something is wrong with Ba Sing Se, The city is in a worse situation than we could have ever imagined, there are spies everywhere, and worst of all it doesn't seem like the King is the one giving orders. He is a puppet unaware of the state of the war, in fact, he seems to think that the war ended before his reign. We had plans for the Avatar and how to use him as a rallying point so that we could concentrate our force on a grad offensive with the place as a staging ground but that seems unlikely.

I've received word from my spies and collaborators that the machines they are making for your brother will make the impenetrable walls a joke or worse a trap. You need to send the Avatar to the city, only he could bring enough credibility to the arguments we want to make, I will look for more evidence. Je

That didn't sound good, it doesn't take a genius to know who the letter was for or who was writing it so Jeong Jeong must be very confident in his spies' abilities to destroy evidence or silence anyone who might reveal his deception. Shit, everyone seems to have eyes and ears everywhere, I mean I know this is supposed to be a mystical place that has Asian tones but must everyone have spies or be in a secret society.

Shaking my head I let the message drop on my bed, things are getting bad. I didn't think that my approach to the mechanist would have such a profound effect, instead of wasting time on a drill now the Fire Nation can focus all their efforts on airships, they will burn down Ba Sing Se early instead of waiting for the comet.

"Fuck! What should I do?" I speak out loud as I walk back and for in the room. What can I even do? Even if Aang reaches the Earth Kingdom in time even if they had Bumi and Iroh could they make a stand without Aang in the Avatar state? Not to mention that there has been no invasion of the Fire Nation and they have enough troops to drown everyone with sheer numbers alone.

Even if they could fight, the mechanist is busy building and designing airships so the armored trains that worked so well against Ozai's armies will not be built and as they have proved time and time again the Fire Nation will win if it comes down to a fight even if they have to burn everything down.

"How did I miss this? Think Zuko think, how can we fix this?" it was at that moment that I realized that I would juts have to do what I should have done the moment I finally met Ozai face to face.
I should have fought against him since the beginning, instead of wasting time I should have punches his evil goatee when I had the chance. I will send a message I just hope that it reaches the Fire Nation in time meanwhile I had a woman waiting on me.

"I just hope I'm not making a mistake"


Azula

As a princess Azula was accustomed to a certain level of deference, of class, and of fear. The little girl or rather the young woman that Mai had introduced to her had none of the above. It was—she could privately admit to herself—very exciting to meet someone like Toph, there was no need to hold back with her, no need to watch out which comment might leave the girl in tears or if something was a veiled insult. Toph liked to talk to people like she would never hear from them again and If what Azula saw at the beach wasn't just posturing then the girl could probably just decide to bury those she didn't like.

"Why do you even need all this space?" Toph asked as she finally set foot on the arena where the duel would be carried out. She tapped her foot a few times setting off little quakes that would have been intimidating had Azula not seen Bumi down her father's airships.

"Normally we use this place for practice against large groups but I thought it appropriate for a fight like ours, besides, no one but me ever uses this place anymore. Do you want to ask more questions or would you like to start eating off the ground?"

"The joke's on you! I already eat off the ground" Toph pointed a finger in her direction as her head looked at the side, the pose was weird but Azula was curious about her incredible ability to locate anyone as long as she was touching earth with her feet. If she didn't know better Azula would say she was faking the whole blindness thing. "But you're right let's start this party!"

And like that the earthbender was off riding a wave of earth so reminiscent of the ones that Azula had just seen before coming here and that she was sure wasn't a coincidence or maybe it was Toph didn't seem like someone who would make a statement about water and fire. Without missing a beat and still contemplating the wave Azula moved her hands just like she had done hundreds of times and let out lighting from her fingertips.

Toph couldn't see but she definitely heard the danger coming her way and just as if she was in a real wave the girl sunk to the bottom letting the lighting destroy her wave, Azula had to admit she was impressed more so when she noticed that Toph wasn't coming out but she had fought people using the same trick before and just like she expected Toph came out attacking her back with a fist covered rock but instead of her back she was met by a blast from her left foot.

The impulse sent Azula away from the danger and with some help from her other foot, she stabilized in mid-air and then the princess did something truly outrageous. Azula let lighting fly from her fingertips again without her feet ever touching the ground.

Not even her father could do something like it and it sure took Toph by surprise as the girl barely had any time to dodge, in fact, Azula was surprised she had been able to dodge at all.

"Shit! are you trying to kill me for real?! If that's how you wanna play then I'm not going to be gentle" Toph stomped again and jagged rocks emerged beneath Azula, one, two, four, eight, every time they doubled and Azula had to get creative to avoid them as she jumped in between them.

"That wasn't so-" Azula never got to finish her words before a fist met her stomach and drove out the air from her lungs, for a second she felt like she was flying before reality came back crashing her against one of the pillars she had just dodged before.

"Ha! So much for the-" Toph had to plant her face against the floor as a wave of fire came to her, Azula wasn't going to let that little blind girl disrespect her in her own home. Fire came from her knuckles from her legs, every swing carried a blade of fire every punch a fireball. More and more Azula didn't relent for a bit drawing on every ounce of strength she had and then more.

Toph could only make barriers, armor and little diversions that melted in the face of Azula's onslaught until Toph was literally with her back against the wall. Then it happened, just like before Toph stomped sending pillars at Azula but this time they changed direction at the last second, like tentacles they grabbed an pushed at Azula who charged forth fearlessly breaking them all until she had a finger sparking in Toph's face.

"Surrender" it was the only chance the blind girl would get.

"Fine! Sheesh you're taking this too seriously" Toph let out a big sigh and then let herself fall on her ass to the ground "That was the most intense thing I've ever experienced in my life"

Perhaps it wasn't intended as a compliment but Azula would take it as one, then without another word walked briskly to the exit without saying anything to anyone there, Ty Lee quickly followed her and just in time too because as soon as Azula wasn't in view of Mai or in the range that had been demonstrated by Toph she let herself fall against the wall.

"Azula, let me get you to your room" Ty Lee grabbed her arm and just like she had done countless times started dragging her off if anyone saw them pass they wouldn't see anything strange unless they were paying attention and notice how Azula was practically being carried by her friend.

Clenching her fist Azula growled, she wasn't weak, she knew that but what she faced today wasn't a normal earthbender. Toph was as strong as Bumi but less experienced that's why Azula was able to win and that was something that she wouldn't allow to continue Ty Lee may not like it but it was time to up her training.


AN: well better late than never, also in other news my anxiety disorder is still in full swing, nevertheless i appreacite the likes you leave and if you have anythign you feel i must know (apart from the terrible spelling mistakes) feel free to send me a direct message!