(Hi it is me Shadowreaders. Just want you guys to know that yes I do have permission to post this story here by its author)

Chapter One Hundred and Twenty-Five

Meeting back up with Zuko and Mina, on board the prince's ship, they were happy to see us. Well, Mina was happy, and picked up her companion with her Acid, skating on it into the water to reach the ship and board it easily, carrying the royal in a princess carry. Zuko was just relieved.

And I was tired.

Wishing them a good day, and promising to come back tomorrow, if we could, we'd gone Home, and slumped.

"So, Sparky," my lover questioned, as we slowly made our way up the loooong stairs out of the Gate-room. "That didn't happen in the show?"

"No," I agreed. "Spirits were…" I paused, as dealing with the Hei Bei spirit, who'd been monstrous, taking villagers, and Sokka, god knows where, had been an entire episode. Aang had finally needed to show the spirit of the forest that its domain was, in fact, growing back, after trying to explain it was the Fire Nation, not the Earth Kingdom that had destroyed its domain, only for it to not care, before it'd relented. The Hei Bei spirit had shifting form into that of a giant friendly-looking panda, and growing a patch of bamboo, maybe ten feet on each side, which the dozens of people it'd taken had emerged from, with no memory of what had happened to them since their abductions.

"Actually, they showed up early on, but were less of an issue later," I amended. "Huh. Either way, the protagonist of the show was Aang, while we're bouncing around, likely to get me a Firebending Teacher early on." Pondering it, I shrugged. "So, who knows? Either way, apparently there's some rules about Spirits we didn't conform to-"

"'Cause we're not Spirits," Mina noted, though she was smiling as she did so.

"Because we're not Spirits in the local sense," I agreed. "So I explained that we're outside of the normal paradigm." Gesturing to my bloody jacket, I added, "Given that I had a gaping hole in my chest, though, which healed before we made it to shore, we're clearly not normal."

With a snort, my lover tapped one of her horns, "We kinda weren't already, Sparky."

"Yeah, but I'm sure there's tales of Spirit wives who ensnare dashing and brave, if foolish, men, to have their wicked ways with them," I teased, stripping off my ruined top, and tossing it in a trash-can, which the Home would empty for me, a new copy of it appearing in our closet later.

"My wicked ways, huh?" Mina smiled, stepping up to me, stripping off her own top, and reaching up past my head, locking her arms behind my neck. "Well there's no escape, Mister. I've got you right. Where. I. Want. You."

"Oh noooo," I gasped sarcastically, grinning as I leaned in to kiss her, hands going down to her ass, and, with a slap that made her moan into my mouth, gripped her and lifted her up, her legs lifting up to lock around my waist, as she ground herself against me.

Feeling the bit of dried blood from my healed wound as it ground between us, she paused, and looked down, and suggested, "Shower first?"

"Shower first," I agreed, carrying her upstairs. "And then I'll get you a different kind of wet."

MHA

The next day we'd stepped back onto Zuko's ship, which had set sail once more, to get closer to Omashu, because, after making some inquiries, the prince had decided that yes, the Avatar would probably visit his childhood friend.

However, when one didn't skip between episodes, travelling took time.

And, thus, Mina and I got some practice in, Zuko running me through my paces with his instruction, which was surprisingly subtle, the teen focusing on control above all else, having made sure to grab a bag full of leaves before they'd left shore. He would set the center of the one I gripped alight, tasking me with controlling the burn to make it take as long as possible to reach the edge without starving the Flame completely, putting it out.

I spent the entirety of the first day just doing that, and, when we were done, the royal had given me an odd look. "What?" I'd asked, unsure.

Zuko hesitated, before finally informing me, "Nothing. I… When I learned this, Mother needed to… keep me on task."

At that, Iroh perked up. "Lady Ursa taught you? I thought my brother…"

That got a derisive snort from the burned boy, "He was busy enough training Azula. It was her who got things easily. Mom was the one who showed me how to… everything. And, with how it's gone, maybe she shouldn't've wasted her time."

"Who'd ya lose against?" Mina inquired, stepping out of the kiddie-pool she'd dragged in from Home, and, with how precious fresh water was on a ship, she had filled using a hose that had extended through the Gate that'd made both royals blink, as it likely appeared to hang in the air to them. With a quick burst of weak Acid, which she pulled away from herself and tossed overboard, she was left dry and slipped into her off-brand Uggs, which amusingly said 'Erghs' on the heel.

Without a word, Zuko waved in my direction.

Waving towards me, Mina snorted. "PZ, most people would lose against Sparky. Heck, if ya really threw down, ya might not have a ship afterwards!"

As the crew nearby stiffened, I quickly added, "Which I have no reason to do, just saying."

"Then there's the Avatar!" the young royal tried instead.

"Ya mean when he sucker-punched you?" my girlfriend questioned in turn.

Which had been amusing in the moment, but, hearing Zuko talk about it, and, thinking about it, the kid having Broken his Parole was… kind of a big deal, though, on the other hand, the kid was twelve. Having him get scared and running, once the reality of what had happened sunk in, well, I could understand.

"A true warrior never drops his guard!" the scarred teen declared.

Wincing Iroh corrected, "On the battlefield, Prince Zuko. To be taken by surprise as you were, many a commander would suffer the same fate."

"But I'm not a mere commander, when I capture the Avatar, I will be the next Firelord!" his nephew shot back.

"So get him next time," I shrugged. "Also, kid's the Avatar. That's not a great metric. Is Zhao known as an accomplished fighter?"

Seeing where I was going, Iroh nodded. "He is, though his Honor is such that any esteem he may have garnered in that fact is scattered like ashes on the wind to those with eyes to see."

"Okay, but you kicked his ass, right Zuko?" I pressed. When the teen, after a moment, sharply nodded, I stated, "So clearly you aren't a failure of a Firebender or whatever. And when did your mom teach you," I waved the remains of my leaf, now just the burned outline of one, except for the stem, which I'd ended up needing to hold it by not to burn my fingers, "how to do this?"

"I was eight," he stated, heavily, as if that meant something bad.

"Well, I'm sixteen, so I'd hope I approached this with a bit more maturity than you did," I smiled. "Besides, if I wanted to throw fireballs," I stated, using Todoroki's Quirk as a 'starter' flame, and, pulling on it, pushing energy into it in the reversed process of how I'd rode herd on it to keep it banked, I tossed the ensuing conflagration into the air, where it dispersed after a dozen feet, "I can already do that!"

"… That was a terrible fireball," Zuko observed. "It should go like this."

And in a flowing strike, and with a 'Ha!' the royal punched into the air, making a blast that was a quarter of the size of mine, yet flew ten times as far, before he did something and it exploded in the air, instead of fading away like mine did.

Without missing a beat, I nodded, replying, "And that's why you're the better Firebender."

Taken slightly aback, Zuko brushed off the praise, declaring, "Uncle's better."

"Well no shit, Sherlock, dude's been doing this for longer than we've been alive, combined," I laughed. "But just because All Might can kick my ass six ways from Sunday doesn't mean that I'm not also one dangerous sonofabitch. And same for you!"

"I, what did you call my mother!?" the prince demanded, suddenly enraged.

Holding up my hands, I rewound the conversation, and realized my mistake. "It's a saying, I didn't mean that literally. From everything I've heard, Lady Ursa was a woman of exceedingly high character."

Clearing his throat, Iroh noted, "I would consider it the same as one would utterances of one's men when they do not believe a superior officer is present, Prince Zuko." Thinking about that, the scarred teen eased off, and the older man looked my way. "Though, perhaps, it would be best to consider one's phrasing when around those of higher station?"

"Kinda figured calling myself one first would've handled that," I replied, and, at the man's unimpressed look, I shrugged. "I'll work on it."

Smiling more broadly, the Dragon of the West declared, "We all walk our own paths. It is only when we stop, are we truly lost!"

"So," Mina put forward, glancing towards Zuko, "I think what Sparky meant to say, PZ, 'fore he put his foot in his mouth, was that you're already pretty darn good, so it was good your mom could teach you! Kinda wish my Mom coulda helped me with my Quirk."

Lifting an eyebrow, he questioned, "She was… mortal?"

"I mean, we're not immortal," Mina offered, pausing, looking my way apologetically.

"Eh, With Strange Aeons, Even Death May Die," I offered, the phrase springing to mind, but, as that got alarmed looks from the Royals, I changed the topic. "Both of Pinky's parents had powers, but she got her Acid from her dad, only he's not nearly as good with it."

"He really just uses it as mouthwash," she agreed. "Having someone to show you the ropes really helps!"

Slowly nodding, Iroh observed, "Ah, I have met those who have developed their Bending without instruction. Some of them are Masters in a way that is not easily matched, though that takes a dedication most do not possess. The majority are… weak. That you having developed your Gift as you have speaks well of you, Ms. Ashido," the old man smiled.

"Thanks! But I've got a long way to go still!" Mina grinned, as her stomach growled. "But, Dinner?"

"Indeed!" the heavyset man agreed. "After a long day of training, one must replenish their reserves!"

Frowning, Zuko argued, "But all you did was sit there and listen!"

"Yes, and even watching you three work was tiring enough!" his uncle agreed sagely, moving with speed towards the doorway leading into the ship. "Now, let's not keep our meal waiting!"

MHA

We kept training for a few more days, Zuko moving me on to maintaining a flame, while Mina continued to work with her pool, explaining to Iroh what she was doing, the man content to listen, most of the time, but he would occasionally offer an insight he'd derived from watching Waterbenders, either from afar, or when they tried to kill him.

That said, half the things she tried, like trying to make the water slushy so she could move it like water, but freeze it that much faster, was something he hadn't seen before, my partner having the idea from working with her goopy-er Acid and from the Heroine she'd done her work study with, but it was… slow going, as she had an idea for what she wanted to have happen, but getting it to happen was another thing altogether.

Eventually, I decided that it'd been long enough, and it was time to head back to MHA, opening the portal, with Mina, taking two steps in, and…

My Defenses Flared.

"Nope!" I stated, turning on my heel, back through the door, pulling my lover with me, closing the gate behind us once more, and re-opening the portal to Avatar.

"Sparky?" Mina questioned, frowning.

"Something was looking for me. Something was looking for me hard," I replied, my heartbeat suddenly going a mile a minute, and, yes, I was combat-capable, in fact a 'bit o' the ol' Ultraviolence' sounded rather nice, but… no.

Hesitating, my partner pointed out, stepping closer to me, and taking my other hand in hers. "Ya did bolt pretty hard. Of course they're gonna have someone tryin' ta find you."

I processed that, the thought taking a bit longer than it probably should've, before I slumped. "That… makes sense. I, we'll… we'll try it again in a week, and, no matter what I feel, if, if you want to keep going, I will. At least until that night, or we're actually attacked, whichever comes first. Deal?"

Letting go of my hands, for a moment I'd worried I'd fucked up, again, but, no, she just stepped forward in a hug, wrapping her arms around me, and pronouncing, "Deal!"

We stayed there for a long moment, as I held her back, before, letting go, she stepped away, and running a hand through my hair, I waved towards the Gate, and suggested, "Go back and do a bit more training? They were pulling into dock when we left last time, so there's a good chance they're back at sea."

"Sure!" Mina grinned, taking my hand once more, as we stepped through onto…

This wasn't Zuko's ship.

But it was at sea.

"Sparky?" Mina questioned quietly, as we stood on, well, I'd call it an offshore oil rig, except it wasn't drilling.

No, it was a prison for Earthbenders.

But, having worked with Mei, I now knew what it took to make one of these, and to make them with the limited tech available to Firebenders, and… that was actually hella impressive.

Other than the entire prison thing.

And, standing on the wall like we were, seeing the mass of elderly prisoners in rough clothing, along with Katara and Sokka, the girl wearing an overshirt made of the same brown material, we could watch the siblings peering down an air vent, not hiding, in the morning light.

How the hell did you even get that far? I wondered, but, then again, I could imagine the locals being lax, because, just like the Spanish Inquisition, who would really expect a flying bison?

Though, seeing Fire Nation guards sneaking up on the siblings as they talked, I took note of the fact that the prisoners were standing close enough that, from what I've learned of Heroing, the Earthbenders would be considered well within 'danger' range of their captors. However, given how dispirited they all looked, not to mention old, as every single one of them, save one guy my age, appearing to be in their fifties, at least, maybe the guards didn't have anything to worry about.

"Sparky?" Mina whispered, as the soldiers circled around the Water Tribe pair.

"Earthbender prison, barge at sea so they have nothing to bend, Katara tries to get them to fight back, they don't, they get Aang to bring up the coal from their burner, they now have Earth to Bend, they fight back, they escape, go team Avatar," I quietly summarized. If we'd never met the Gaang, I could probably sit back and watch, but while I wanted to believe everything was fine…

I'd thought that about the Summer Camp as well.

"There's the Intruder!"

a prison guard finally called out, once the guards armed with spears surrounded them, and, I noticed, the prisoners just watched, not letting out a peep of warning.

Dicks.

To their credit, neither of the Tribe kids froze, going back to back in ready stances, Sokka almost instantly pulling his club, shouting, "Stay back! I'm warning you!"

But, looking over them, Katara either hadn't learned to start carrying a waterskin to bend with, or her brother hadn't furnished her with the canteens I'd given them partly for this very reason, which meant she was going to be of… limited help until she ran to the edge, which was open. Normally, that'd be a security risk, but, well, with the shore over the horizon, where were the prisoners going to go?

Speaking of, one of the prisoners, powerfully built, though weathered looking, so at least the Fire Nation weren't starving them, stated reprimandingly, "Katara, stop. You can't win this fight."

The look of betrayal on the girl's face was deep, but understanding other people could just fundamentally be not like you was a hard lesson to learn, and some never did. And the Water Tribe girl, never having left the Water Tribe, wouldn't have a lot of opportunities to learn.

"Listen to him well, Child," a domineering voice called out, and an older man with a gold collar, though one less impressive than the Prince's, stepped forward, flanked by a quarter of the masked, seemingly unarmed Fire Nation soldiers, which meant they were Firebenders. "You're one mistake away from dying where you stand."

Mina, sent me a concerned look, and while my instinct was not to interfere, looking at how the expressions on some of the prisoners tightened, I… wondered.

Dropping off the wall, keeping control of my Quirk so I didn't make a sound as I hit the ground on electrical spring-legs, my partner wall-riding down on a bit of acid similarly silently, I let them return to normal slow enough not to Snap, and strode forward, asking, "And what happens to her if she does comply?"

"A Spirit?" the man questioned, turning to look at Mina and I, surprised, but not concerned. "Two of them? Hmm, it's been some time since we have bothered by your kind. Leave, now, lest I summon the Sages to deal with you more permanently."

"Denki!" Sokka shouted, but I held a hand up, not looking away from what had to be the Warden.

"I noticed you didn't answer my question," I stated, slowly walking towards the siblings.

With a sneer, the old Firebender declared, "I am the one with authority here, not you. But if you must know, perhaps my… personal attention would sort her out."

Behind me, Katara gasped, as her brother's grip on his weapon tightened.

Stopping my approach, I looked at the others in red and black. "And you all agree with this man? He speaks for you?"

Some of the soldiers looked uncomfortable, a few shifting their grips on their spears, but they said nothing.

"You seek to question my men's Loyalty? Not a Fire Nation Spirit then," the Warden sneered. "Those under my command know better than to question me, and, if any do not, they know it is their family that shall suffer the price."

"You monster!" Katara accused, skin ashen, Sokka now glaring at the man.

The ground under our feet shook, and, from the vent, just as I'd remembered, a fountain of coal erupted out, falling down in a large pile around the opening, a coal-covered Aang emerging moments later, coughing, and removing the dust that covered himself with a bit of subtle Airbending.

And, from the Warden's face, realizing he was dealing with the Avatar, he wasn't quite so certain anymore.

Seizing the opportunity, Katara clambered on top of the coal pile, and declared, "Here's your chance, Earthbenders!" Reaching down to grab a fist-sized black rock, she lifted above her head, declaring, "Take it! Your fate is in your own hands!"

And something, ever so slightly, pinged my Defenses, causing me to glance around, Mina doing the same, having clearly felt it too, though, from her look, she had no idea what'd done so either.

The youngest among the prisoners took a step forward, but the one who'd chastised the Water Tribe girl held out a hand, blocking the teenager Earthbender's, whose name I was completely blanking on, way.

And the Warden laughed, loudly and derisively. "Foolish girl!" he taunted. "You thought a few inspirational words and some coal would change these people?"

Knowing that, somehow, yes it would, I reached out with one of my damaged Quirks, into the pile of Coal, while the man talked.

"Look at these blank, hopeless faces. Their spirits were broken a long time ago," the lead Firebender declared, as the prisoners glanced away, and down, not meeting Katara's gaze.

Function? Protect Katara.

"Oh, but you still believed in them. How sweet," the warden mocked.

Fullness? As much as was comfortable.

With an evil smirk, glancing over the pacified masses, the old man declared, "They're a waste of your energy, Little Girl."

Form? That Chi dragon thing seemed to work well enough.

"You. Failed," he announced, victorious, turning on his heel and walking back to the gate that led to the rest of the complex.

Mina sent me a questioning look, but, as mine hopefully conveyed 'be ready', she nodded, exuding Acid, as the commander sent us a dismissive glance, and stated, "Leave, or be-"

Which is when a small bit of coal whipped forward, slamming into the side of the warden's head, likely not doing more than bruising the old man, who whirled about with a snarl, as the youngest Earthbender, having stepped forward, rotated three similarly sized stones around his hand, making his intentions clear.

"Hyah!" the Firebender snarled, using an odd two-fisted punch that sent a spiraling column of flame headed for the Earth Kingdom teen, who, eyes widening, fell back, unsure, only for a small wave of coal to rise up and block the shot, the head prisoner, hand raised, having bent it to protect the younger man.

And here, we, go, I thought, Creating a tungsten/iron spike, letting it drop into my palm.

"No mercy!" the warden declared, punching forward, along with his Firebenders, into a wave of fire that would've killed every single one of the prisoners in front, my Quirk-beast pulling itself out of the mass of coal that suddenly swirled into the air, a half-dozen of the Earthbender Prisoners bringing the coal up to block the mass shot.

Smiling, I announced, "Your terms are acceptable," lifting the spike as my arm split apart in a flare of lightning, and, as the closest soldiers eyes widened, I fired-

Crack-Boom!

And the Warden, from the shoulders up, turned into so much chunky salsa.

For a moment, everyone froze, Aang's eyes going wide, and I hoped by cutting the head off the snake, I'd managed to cut down on fataliti-

"For the Fire Lord!" one of the Benders shouted, sending a blast for me, which Mina caught in her Acid, the substance pouring off her as she went full-production.

"For the Earth Kingdom, Attack!" the lead prisoner declared, throwing their shield forward, and breaking apart the formation of soldiers, and the battle was joined.

With stones and flame flying, I focused, darting forward on electrified steps, hands easily shifting into jagged claws of contained lightning, reaching the first Firebender, who, panicking, sent a wave of flame my way, but reaching out to it, as I did to the fire Zuko had me train with, while it was harder to work with, I still ripped it to the side, closing in an instant, and, with long talons, hooked up underneath his chin, behind his facemask, and ripped, the man dying instantly in a shower of all-too-familiar blood.

Leaping to another, the man stabbed with his spear, but hit only insubstantial lightning, as I reached forward, gripping his helmet, and, with a whip-Crackof charge, burnt him out in an instant, the steaming corpse turned and thrown at another who was aiming to stab Sokka in the back, the soldier sent off-balance. The Water Tribe boy broke the guard's spear, tossing it up towards Momo, who flew above, collecting them, then hesitated as he saw my last target, as, from behind him, the guard he'd just 'disarmed' stepped forward to slam the broken, jagged end of the haft into Sokka's skull.

In an instant I was there, slamming into the enemy in a pounce that dropped the enemy, whose scream of terror ended in a gurgle as I tore out his throat, and, as the Tribesman turned around, shocked, one hand rubbing his now slightly bleeding skull, I gently reminded him, "A conscious, unrestrained foe is never truly disarmed," before going after another, seeing Mina had, with long whipping tendrils of acid, plucked the men atop the wall off before they could fire down upon us, and, her expression firm, broke their necks when they landed.

And the prisoners were doing their best, giving it their all, but even not knowing their style, I could tell they were straining, and from their broad movements, didn't really know what to do with small rocks. Oh, the ones they sent still broke bones, and knocked a few soldiers out, but they were going for kill shots, and were unable to make them, which is why a dozen Firebenders, eight now, along with three times as many soldiers were able to hold back over a hundred enemy Benders.

However, while the Avatar wasn't doing dick, just throwing a couple stones ineffectively with Airbending, the prisoners had actual fighters.

Us.

A soldier lunged for Katara with his spear, as she stepped back, hands going to her waist, and she froze, as she did normally carry a waterskin, but was now unarmed.

Thankfully, before I had to see how she'd handle that, the Coal-Chi leapt forward, taking the stab and continuing up the weapon, sinking black stone teeth into the soldier's arm and forcing him away, pulling back as I made another spike, sighted, and-

Crack-Boom!

Eliminated him as a threat.

However… "Mina! Water!" I commanded, my partner having thrown a soldier over the edge of the platform, which, armored as he was, and panicked as he was, was likely a death sentence even if he survived hitting the sea below. Glancing my way, I pointed towards the Water Tribe girl, who was staring between the headless corpse at her feet, and the reforming rock-dog-dragon-thing that took up a guard position in front of her.

"Katara!" the pink-skinned woman yelled. "Catch!"

And, dipping low, and leaping into the air, a large tendril of seawater flew up over the side, and was sent the girl's way, who, looking up, reflexively caught some of it, nodding a quick, "Thanks!" and getting her head into the game, using it to reach out and snap a tendril at a Firebender who was punching a fireball at an Earthbender, the tongue of flame going wild, as the other man, pushing his hands together like he was trying to form a Kamehameha, crunched a dozen bits of coal into a larger, cohesive whole, which he sent flying, like a cannonball, at the Firebender in turn.

Who was hit full on, with a crunch that, while the enemy combatant twitched a little as he went down, was lethal.

Good on him.

Leaping back into the fray, while Zuko had kicked my ass until I'd pulled out the big guns, these mooks were no Zuko, and they all, Bender and normal, fell in the first three exchanges, as I moved on and serviced the next target, this dance… oddly calming.

The fighting started to peter out, a loud crash showing the gate out of the 'pen' had been broken open, the lead Prisoner, standing next to the youngest one, yelling, "Get to the Ship! As fast as you can!"

Looking to me, I nodded towards the old man, and with another crack-Boom, deleted another combatant that was sighting in on the leader of the prisoners, the white-haired Earthbender turning and fleeing with the others, Sokka running over to Aang, who'd stopped fighting entirely, and just stood there, watching, grabbing the child's arm and urging him, "We gotta go!"

They left, and, looking over the battlefield, I saw a few of the soldiers weren't gone, just unconscious, but…

No.

No Witnesses.

The first rail-shot got one of the others to bolt upright, having clearly just been pretending, and whatever he said, it was lost on the wind, along with his head, a half-dozen more shots leaving the battlefield quiet, though not cold, as the coal scattered around the battlefield shimmered with heat, the Fire Nation having managed to burn through a good bit of the available 'rocks', and possibly even would have successfully put down the prisoner rebellion, had it not been for our intervention, and the fact that the Earthbenders had all mobilized at once.

And, from the way the Fire Nation soldiers had been fighting, in addition to their commander's own words, the prisoners were either escaping today, or perishing, with no third option.

"Sparky?" Mina asked, skating over to me, concerned.

Snapping back to normal, taking a moment to exude Acid and pull it away from myself to clean off the blood and gore, I sighed. "Whelp, that went about as well as I'd hoped."

Clean herself, and sliding on a clear cushion over the spilled blood and glowing coals, the pink-skinned girl asked, "This, happened before?"

"Less bloodlessly, but when you dump a man who can't swim into the ocean, in armor, they're just as dead as if I'd hit them with a rail shot, only my way is instant, and not a slower, panicked, freezing, drowning hell," I offered.

Grimacing, Mina nodded, "I, uh, tried to make it quick too."

"That wasn't a criticism, Pinky. These were enemy combatants, led by someone who would massacre PoWs, or worse," I shrugged. "Villain's gonna Villain."

Focusing on the scatter coals, concentrating, I made a connection.

Function? Toss the bodies into the ocean.

Fullness? Straining just a little, feeling like a sore muscle that one skipped the cool-down exercise for, I included as much as I could.

Form? … Centipede.

Rolling together, the coals, some of them still burning, coalesced into the long, low shape I needed, the bit of puppeted rock skuttling over to the nearest corpse, and, lifting up its side with several legs, pushed itself underneath the corpse, using most of its form as a mobile platform, kind of like a dirty gurney, carrying its cargo towards the edge.

Letting out a long sigh, oh, yeah, that wasn't comfortable, but it didn't exactly hurt, like even barely touching OFAdid, so I could make it work, and I'd drop the rock-dog if I needed to.

"Okay, that'll take care of cleanup, now let's blow this popsicle stand," I smiled, walking with her out of the slowly clearing battleground, the coalcipede having dropped one body off with a distant sploosh, and going for the next, with a turnaround time measured in seconds.

Heading to the base proper, I passed a doorway, and, yeah that was another body, the spear-head that Sokka had broken off lodged in the man's throat, likely hand-delivered by one of the prisoners. Mentally expanding the construct's range to the entire platform, we made it to the docks, not really hurrying, where there were actually a surprising number of ships there, all four ferries more than enough to take all the prisoners, which was going to be my next concern.

Appa was already up in the air, Aang seated in the sky-bison's saddle, Sokka next to him, the tribesman a bit pale. Seeing me looking, the young man sent a curious look my way, and I offered a tentative thumbs up, to ask how he was. Closing his eyes for a moment, he nodded, then looked to Aang, and made a wavy 'kinda' gesture, which I understood.

The deaths in Avatar were… bloodless, being a kids show, though the Avatar's main method of execution being 'blow people off of things they can't survive falling into' helped with that a bit.

In comparison, my methods were a bit more… visceral.

Feeling, vaguely, where my Coal-Chi was, I climbed aboard that ship only after all the others had boarded, the now ex-prisoners giving me a good bit of space, as Mina glided along behind me. Finding Katara standing with the head prisoner and the youngest, I walked into the conversation, "-have my thanks for reuniting me with my son."

Ah, that makes more sense.

"I, it's the least I could do," the girl responded. "I've lost a parent to the Fire Nation too. I can't get her back, but I'm glad you could."

Looking past her, the older man nodded, "And to have the Spirits on our side, the Avatar truly has returned."

"Spirits aren't a monolith, and I'm here for my own reasons, but you're welcome," I smiled, walking up and leaning down towards my construct. "Good job, boy," I said, patting the construct, before dismissing it, the coal losing cohesion.

"I, what," Katara questioned, clearly having questions, but unable to formulate them.

Dusting off my hands, feeling that Quirk relax a little, I told her, "You were unarmed, and in a mass melee, as you found out, the opponent often doesn't care. While keeping some water on hand helps, you should talk to your brother about getting some basic hand-to-hand training. If it's a Water Tribe style, it should gel well with your Bending."

"I can show ya some stuff too!" Mina offered. "Ya can't, ya know," she stated, exuding Acid from her hand, which she tossed overboard, "but I know how ta fight without it!"

Slowly, the Water Tribe girl nodded. "I, yes, thank you. It's… an honor to learn from the Spirits. But…" glancing towards Appa, she noted, "You killed them."

"They were going to kill you all," I shrugged. "That's what 'No Mercy' means. Besides, this way there's no one to tell whoever shows up next that it was the Avatar, or to get an accurate headcount of the survivors, which are…"

"No fatalities, some burns," the head of the Earthbenders noted.

"Oh, where?" Mina asked, and, as the man pointed to the ship to our right, my partner told me, "I'll grab the burn cream from home!"

For a moment, I didn't understand why my girlfriend wouldn't just heal them, but… right, Katara didn't know about the Kyoshi Island Waterbenders, though she also didn't know that Mina was starting from scratch like Zuko and Iroh did. Regardless, I nodded, telling her, "Do what you can to see to their wounds, please."

With a smile and a nod, Mina jumped over the side of the ship, causing some of the passengers to rush to the side, seeing her skim across the water on a cushion of Acid to, a bit like a particularly hyper slug, run up the side of the other ship, tell something to the people there, and be led inside, as I felt my phone disappear from my pocket.

"So, what's next for you lot?" I questioned, looking to the older man.

The elderly Earthbender straightened, announcing, "We're going home, to take back our village!" Looking beyond me, he started to say, "To ta-"

"Wow, that's a terrible fucking idea," I interrupted.

Taking the wind out of his metaphorical sails, he asked, "Excuse me?"

"So, I just kinda jump around, but how far is Omashu?" I questioned.

Pausing, looking around, the man slowly stated, "A few days travel from some of our villages, a few weeks travel from others. Are, should we go there?"

"Oh god no, the Fire Nation army's about to attack it," I offered, Katara gasping. "Oh, don't worry, Bumi's a tough bas-customer," I caught myself, "so he'll probably be fine-ish. But what I mean is that the Fire Nation Army is setting up shop nearby, so, yes, while you can probably clear out the Fire Nation presence from the local villages, freeing them formally just opens them back up for re-conquering, and, well, that's gonna involve a lot of fire that's going to be thrown in your homes and around your family."

Frowning, the leader of this group asked, "Then what would you have us do, Spirit?"

"Okay, so, not an order, more of a… suggestion," I countered, "but you need to go to ground." I blinked, not having meant the pun. "And by that I mean don't roll up and take out the garrison, going 'This is Earth Kingdom territory now!' or 'Again!' or whatever. No, pretend to be from elsewhere, take out patrols, and harass the shit out of the local garrisons until they're drawn away on their own to deal with you, somewhere, out in the countryside, where you can make hidden bases anywhere, not the large, static, and easily flammable houses of your home villages," I explained.

Sighing, and running a hand through my hair, fingertips flicking over to electric claws for maximum comb-age, I paused, wondering if explain modern tactics to feudal peoples was the best idea, but…

Fuck it, if it was good enough for the Viet Cong, it was good enough for these people.

"So, the term is 'Asymmetrical warfare', because they've got armies, and you, well, don't," I offered. "instead you need to do hit and fade raids, go after supply lines, and generally make yourself such a nuisance, on a campaign-level, that the decision needs to be made to root you out, diverting forces from other theatres of war, at which point your group can just up and leave so they're searching for ghosts, or they decide it isn't worth what little they're getting from the territory around your villages, pull out, call it 'Fire Nation territory' on their maps, and pretend they still won, which leaves you free to build up strength to help out somewhere else."

"That's what Sokka says our father is doing, along with the men of our tribe," Katara offered.

"And it's the smart move, in this situation. Though, um, quick question, and apologies if this is a sore subject, but other than the kid," I jerked a thumb towards the man's son.

"My name is Haru," said son offered.

"Other than Haru, why are you all so old?" I questioned.

Looking at those gathered, the old man sighed, and, mentally, I realized he must've had his son when he was in his late forties or fifties, in which case… go old man!

"Those of fighting age were accepted into the Earth King's Army, to serve the Earth King, and fight on… more important battlefields," Haru's father slowly stated. "That was, that was eight years ago. My son was just a child, and they left those of us too old to be truly effective behind to hold off any probing attacks. We were told it would be some scouts, nothing more." Looking off into the distance, he stated, "As you could guess, there was more."

Leaning against the side of the ship, I pointed out, "Okay, second question, the Fire Nation doesn't seem to be big on… taking prisoners."

"The Warden was… monstrous," the Earthbender stated, nodding towards Katara. "We're a fourth of those who were captured. The Fire Nation, when they invaded, there were too many, and we couldn't fight them. They promised our families would be unharmed, if we went with them, and were good little prisoners. Many could not." Falling silent, he struggled with himself, turning to his son, asking, "Is Meko?"

"Mom's fine," Hare reassured his father. "Misses you."

"I miss her as well," his father nodded, sighing, relieved. "But the Warden, even by Fire Nation standards…" his expression darkened. "His death was too good."

"You don't torture a mad dog, you put it down, and move on," I stated, firmly.

For a moment, it looked like the old Earthbender wanted to argue, before he relented, observing, "The wisdom of the Spirits. So, no going home for us?"

"I never said that," I remarked. "You just can't do so openly. Also, you've got a Quisling problem." As all three looked at me, I realized that term was very Earth-specific. "For better or worse, some of those in your village will sell you out because they think it's the only way to be safe."

Fists clenching, the older man agreed, glancing at his son, "Like Holor."

"Oh, you know what I'm talking about, good," I nodded, not revealing I knew the backstory here, where Haru saved an old man from a mine collapse with his Earthbending, only for said old man to go running to the local Fire Nation garrison. "Yeah, which is another reason you need to do so quietly, out of the villages, and with people you trust, because some of the people in your village will absolutely sabotage you because they believe, rightly or wrongly, that you'll fail, and they're going to save themselves above all else."

"Before all this happened, I'd never believe that, that one of our own would…" Haru's father stated, trailing off, Katara nodding in agreement. "But, the war has destroyed more than I ever thought. Though, with the Avatar returned…"

Holding up a forestalling hand, I warned, "He's working on it, but he's been in spirit-sleep for the last century, don't ask, he didn't get a choice. Give him a couple years, which means in the meantime you need to make sure your people survive. Can you do that?"

My question took the man aback, and he looked around, at the tired, old, weary faces around him, many of them clutching onto pieces of coal as if their lives depended on them, and he stood taller, not to boast, as he had before, but with a clarity of purpose. "I've done so for five years, I can do so for another five, if that's what it takes. At least this time, we'll have good, honest, stone under our feet!"

That got cheers from the others, and I smiled, glad to have helped. "Just remember, the Fire Nation comes in all varieties as well, so killing off bastards like the Warden's all well and good, but a lighter touch on those who don't want to go too deep after you, or who don't try and take it out on your families, will help encourage that sort of behavior."

"I think I can manage. You have my thanks, Spirit," he nodded, firmly.

"His name is Denki," Katara offered.

With a smile, and an offered hand, the man stated, "Then you have my thanks, Denki."

Taking it I shook it, summoning my phone, sending a text to Mina that I was heading back, and opening the Gate, I moved to it, and told him, "Helping people is what Heroes like us do," and stepped backwards through it, I was Home.

Heading upstairs to make Lunch, as, when Mina came back from Healing she'd definitely work up an appetite, I smiled to myself.

"That went well."

Music: And the battle was joined - Dark Asian Battle Music - Dark Kitsune

AN: That... could've gone better. As usual, the next four chapters are up on Pat-reon and Subscribe-star!