Previously on The Legend of Perseus; Bender of Oceans

" You're welcome." Song's mother returned the bow and handed over a small package of leftovers. "It brings me happiness to see someone eat my food with such… gusto." She smiled softly.

"Much practice." Iroh smirked as he patted his stomach.

The old man bowed again and turned to head off. A discontent coursed through him at the sight of his nephew already several steps away. After all of his teachings this was how Zuko was going to repay their kindness to them?

"Junior. Where are you rushing off to. You must thank these nice people for their hospitality." Iroh spoke out. Remembering to refer to the boy by their aliases.

Zuko turned and bowed. "Thank you."

The prince turned around to walk but the voice of the herbalist stopped him. "I know you think there's no hope left but there is! The avatar had returned!"

"I know."

/

The Legend of Perseus; Bender of Oceans

Chapter 15: An Old Friend

Southwestern Fire Nation Colonies

Ty-Lee had grown to deeply enjoy life in the circus. It had been a constant adventure traveling from one place to the next. Traversing from one city to the other throughout the colonies, showcasing her acrobatic talents in front of adoring crowds.

It had been freeing. No longer was she bound to be one of the many nameless, identical daughters of her father. She was Ty-Lee, the acrobatic phenom. The girl who could tread the thinnest tightrope and dance through the air with a trapeze.

No two days had ever been the same and the constant change had been invigorating. The circus was set up just west of the not long conquered Omashu. The girl found herself enjoying the midday sun as she practiced her gymnastic forms.

She effortlessly stood on her hands, mindlessly staring at the ground beneath her as she held her position. Whilst Ty-Lee's new life had been exciting, a part of her couldn't help but miss some aspects of her old life.

It wasn't her family or siblings she missed. Nor was it the luxury of being a noble daughter. Ty-Lee had slowly been yearning to see her friends. The terrifying yet beautiful crown princess of the fire nation. The ever aloof and quiet Mai. Or the tea loving and sarcastic Percy.

Ty-Lee had missed all of them dearly. A deep nostalgia set in as memories flooded through her mind. She changed her form to stop herself from getting lost in her thoughts. The girl in her signature pink garbs remained in a handstand but decided to use only one hand, stretching her legs apart into splits to counterbalance herself.

She was so deeply focused on making sure her form was perfect that she nearly jumped out her skin at the sound of a familiar voice.

"Ty-Lee, could that possibly be you?" A regal but friendly tone called to her.

Impossible.

The teenager flipped herself upright and turned to face the direction of the person who captured her attention. Two figures stood several feet away from her, small smiles adorned their faces.

Ty-Lee's jaw dropped as she dashed in their direction before crushing her old friend in a tight hug.

"Azula!" She excitedly beamed as she separated from the Crown Princess. "Percy!" She chimed as she embraced the waterbending bodyguard.

"Hey acrobrat. I missed you too." The warm voice of Percy whispered as they hugged.

Ty-Lee pulled herself and her eyes darted between the two of them. She could hardly believe that they were right there in front of her. Her cheery face turned into a puzzled expression.

"What are you guys doing on the continent?"

Her two old friends in front of her shared a look between them. The silence remained for a brief moment and Ty-Lee took the opportunity to analyze them.

The pair of them both looked tired, as if they hadn't slept in days. Percy's usually bright, sea green aura was diminished, dull, and stormful. Whereas Azula's fiery aura seemed to be even more rageful and churning than usual.

'Have they been fighting?' The acrobat wondered to herself.

Azula's amber eyes peered into her gray ones. "It's quite a long story. Is there somewhere private we can convene?" The princess questioned calmly.

Percy had remained quiet, but the girl in pink could see his fingers fidgeting against the handle of his sword. The bodyguard would never be this quiet for this long. Ty-Lee quickly concluded that the two had definitely been arguing and she desperately wanted to know what was going on.

"Yeah we can head to my tent, it's just over this way." She answered as she began to lead them in the direction of her private quarters.

/

"So. What brings you all the way out here then?" Ty-Lee pressed.

She watched as Percy and Azula shared a look at each other. The waterbender remained deathly still and Ty Lee could feel the rising tension amongst them. Everything about her two old friends seemed incredibly off.

Azula exhaled through her nose before speaking.

"Father has sent us on another mission." The princess paused as she looked into her friends' grey eyes. "We're hunting a pair of traitors and we need your help." The Princesses voice turned quiet.

In Ty-Lee's entire time of knowing Azula she had never seen her lack conviction behind her words. The acrobat saw Percy's jaw clench and his eyes darken. It was clear that he was just as unhappy with the mission they had been given.

Something had happened between them. The pair were angry and upset with each other. She wouldn't be able to find out what if she didn't go with them.

"Okay." Ty-Lee smiled widely. "I'll join on two conditions. My show starts shortly and I'd love to give the circus a proper send off."

"We can do that." Azula replied curtly. "Your other condition?" The princess enquired.

"You're gonna have to tell me who we are hunting." The girl in pink stated firmly.

This time it was Percy who answered. His voice was cold as ice. "Zuko and Uncle Iroh."

'Ah." Ty-Lee thought to herself. ' That explains a lot.'

/

Spirits Grove, South of Omashu

The group of old friends had spent the majority of their time traveling in awkward silence. The ever bubbly Ty-Lee would occasionally break through the guarded personas of Percy and Azula but it was to little avail. Any conversation would smother out as quick as it started

The sun had succumbed to the horizon long ago. Twilight had set in, eerie darkness surrounded them in the depths of the ancient forest. Trees would occasionally creek, and leaves would rustle with every slight breeze. The three teenagers and their small unit of imperial fire bending guards were constantly on edge.

Percy found himself constantly checking over his shoulders. He would repeatedly stretch his senses to find that they were alone within the forest. Yet, the daunting feeling never dissipated.

"We should set camp for the night. We're still a long way from Omashu and should get some rest." The waterbender spoke out.

Azula turned to face him, a flicker of frustration flared in her amber eyes.

"We should keep moving forward, we can make it to Omashu by sunrise." She replied in her infamous cold, regal tone.

Percy wasn't interested in arguing against her but he was exhausted. The waterbender was already drained of energy before they set into the woods. He also knew that the imperial guard would also be tired from marching in their heavy gear and carrying the trios equipment for him. The son of Piandao could also see the fatigue in her golden eyes that she carefully guarded. She needed the rest just like everyone else.

"This is the first clearing we've come across in the forest. We're better off setting camp and recovering." He replied calmly. Carefully trying not to anger the princess.

"I think Percy's right, Azula. We've been walking for hours and this is the first part of the woods that isn't overtly creepy." Ty-Lee chimed with a small smile.

"I suppose you both may be right." Azula pondered. "Guards set up camp, we depart at sunrise." She commanded.

/

Percy's sleep had been as restless as he expected it to be. The foreboding feeling had failed to escape him in spite of the comfort of his silk sheets. He wasn't too sure how much time had passed since laying down.

The only indicator of the passing time was the dying orange embers of the campfire. What once was a roaring flame had dulled to quiet crackling. His mind couldn't help but wander to his close friend that he was now tasked with capturing.

The deep seeded feeling of disloyalty had been threatening to swallow him for days. It made him nauseous to go against his own friend. Having to manipulate Zuko and deceive his trust was tearing at him from the inside. The look of betrayal on the prince's face nearly broke him.

The son of Piandao felt like he committed treachery against his fathers teachings.

Azula may not have realised it but Percy knew fully well that failure wasn't an option. He knew he was backed up against a wall with no alternatives in front of him. The Fire Lord made as much clear during their conversation in the throne room. The threat of condemnation of memory had returned. The warning of execution hung heavily in the air that day.

Percy sighed heavily. He had accepted that sleep was going to escape him yet again. He raised himself from the ground and chose to put his robes back on. Maybe a short walk would help clear his mind.

The waterbender knew deep down that it was going to be futile. A part of him didn't want to sleep. The reoccurring dream that also haunted his thoughts would inevitably return. The cherry on top of the many things that plagued him. He exited his tent abruptly, surprising the few imperial soldiers who remained on duty.

"I'm going for a short walk." Percy explained to them as he left the campsite.

The teenager found himself wandering amongst the ancient, twisting forest. In no time at all the dull glow of flames dissipated. Shadows consumed everything around him. He was far away enough to not be bothered by the guards or his friends.

Zuko's face at the docks flashed in his mind. Percy unsheathed his sword and began hacking away at the closest tree. The pent up frustration, anger, and self loathing finally shattered.

He repeatedly smashed the Jians blade into the wooden trunk. There was no technique or style. Just an erratic flurry of hacks and stabs.

Time had slowly passed but he refused to relent. Splinters of the ancient oak tree surrounded him. Percy's breathing grew laborious, the heft in his swings diminished. He slashed at the tree once more, leaving his blade deep within the wood.

The waterbender sat down and glared at the carnage he caused. His mind threatening to once again get lost in memories.

'Perseus.' A faint familiar voice whispered.

He quickly returned to his feet and turned around but there was nobody around him.

That voice. The voice from his dreams that held a familial warmth.

The waterbender closed his eyes and stretched his senses but there was nobody around him. Percy humorlessly laughed. He was losing it. Now he was hearing the voices from his dreams whilst awake. The exhaustion was killing him.

'Perseus.' The feminine voice echoed around him.

The teenager's head was pounding. Each time the voice spoke it shot right through him. It would send chills through his nerves and tingles down his spine. He felt like he knew the voice, like he was connected to it in some way. But Percy didn't know how or why.

Another problem for him to ponder without an answer. Percy sat back down, everything had taken a toll on him. He could've fallen asleep right there if another familiar voice hadn't broken his stupor.

"Hey Percy. Are you okay?"

The son of Piandao nearly jumped out of his skin. How could he have allowed himself to so easily get snuck up on like that. Thank Agni and all the spirits that it wasn't the Princess who intruded on his brooding. The waterbender turned in the direction of the girl in pink who looked at him with worried eyes.

"Hey Ty-Lee, shouldn't you be getting some rest." He replied.

Ty-Lee raised an eyebrow at him. She closed the distance between them and sat down across from him.

"I think I could say the same about you, Perce. You look like you haven't slept in days." She replied with a small smile.

Percy snorted. "Do I really look that bad?" He questioned.

"Worse." Ty-Lee laughed.

"What's going on Percy? You're not seeming like yourself."

"Where do I even begin?" He replied with a dull expression.

The girl thought over his words for several moments. "How about you start with what's going on between you and Azula? Even a blind person could see the tension between you two." Ty-Lee suggested.

Percy's lip pursed together. Trust Ty-Lee to cut straight to the point. "We've been arguing non stop since the start of the mission." Percy answered abruptly.

"That's not the full story waterboy. Now come on. What's really going on between you too?" She pressed.

The son of Piandao exhaled deeply. "Well, it has been more than just arguing. We're either fighting and bickering constantly, or we're giving each other the cold shoulder and pretending the other doesn't exist. It's exhausting."

He paused for a brief second.

"I don't like the mission, and I voiced that to her." His tone slowly shifted from a careful one to one brimming with annoyance. Ty-Lee wasn't surprised to hear Percy's misgivings with the task at hand. She knew of the closeness between the waterbender and the two royals they were hunting.

" She thought I had forgotten what my duty was. That I hadn't realised failure wasn't acceptable."

The girl in pink watched him carefully. She could see the tenseness in his shoulders, the furrow of his brow. The pent up frustration that had clearly been bubbling beneath the surface.

"I might not be the sharpest sword but I'm well aware that failure isn't an option. It's never been an option since I started being her bodyguard." Percy took a moment to catch his breath.

"I've always known what the punishment would be for me should I fail in my duties. The fire lord made it very clear in my first meeting with him after the five duels. It's death. But not just for me… for my father, for Fat our butler. The estates would be burned to the ground. Our family's entire legacy, stricken from the history books."

"Condemnation of memory.." Ty-Lee whispered in shock. It was the harshest punishment that could be handed out in the fire nation.

"Yeah." Percy replied mutely.

"But it's not even the punishment that bothers me. I've known that since I started. It's betraying them that really hurts. Zuko's like a brother to me, he was the only friend I ever had growing up. Even if he hasn't replied to a single letter I've wrote, I still care about him."

The waterbenders' sea green eyes lowered.

"And uncle iroh… he's like a second father figure to me. He's given me so much advice. Guidance, help, teachings. If it wasn't for uncle I wouldn't be here today, I wouldn't be Azula's bodyguard. It's impossible to list everything he's done."

Ty-Lee swore she could see pin pricks of tears well in the boys eyes. It was probably the first time since leaving the capital he had been able to openly speak about how he had been feeling.

"I can't get that look of betrayal on Zuko's face in my mind. I lied and deceived them, I was dishonourable. All of it, for her."

Rage flickered in his eyes. She could hear the anger and frustration that now laced his tone.

"But because I stopped her from trying to kill Zuko with a lightning bolt she accused me of disloyalty." The son of Piandao spat.

Ty-Lee's grey eyes widened. She lightly sighed as she tried to mentally unpack Percy's ramblings on the growing rift between him and the princess. It was a lot to try and process. Knowing the waterbender as well as she did, an accusation against his loyalty was always something he took deep offense to. For it to come from the very person he was charged with protecting would have stung even harder.

Even if Percy and Azula were completely oblivious to it. Ty-Lee knew how deeply the two of them cared for each other. How utterly protective of the princess he was. Constantly looking over his shoulder, always ready to put his life on the line for her if needed. Or how if Azula would have the tiniest crack in her facade, he would press and press until she would finally disclose what was on her mind.

But the acrobat knew the fondness between them went both ways. Even if the two were frustratingly ignorant and blind to it.

She thoughtfully mused for a moment trying to construct her words. Percy impatiently tapped a finger against his thigh.

"I've known Azula for a long time. If there's anything I've learned about her. Is that even if she is so intelligent and analytical, she can also be very difficult and headstrong-"

Percy snorted and shook his head.

"-But you're also much the same." Percy's expression turned bemused.

"Both of yous are capable of letting your emotions cloud your judgment and get the better of you. No matter how smart yous can be."

It was now the son of Piandao's turn to listen intently.

"I don't think she truly meant those words. Not deep down anyway. Her father is the fire lord and we both know how capable of cruelty he is. Look at it from her perspective. In that moment when Zuko and Iroh got away I'm sure all she could think of was the consequences she might face if yous return empty handed. Azula might be unwilling to admit it but I think she's terrified of her father. Even if she's the favored child."

Percy looked away. Ty-Lee's musings were things he had never properly considered.

"Have the pair of you even tried speaking to each other civilly to sort things out?" The acrobat questioned.

Percy's head dipped down and he shook it weakly. A slight feeling of shame washed over him.

"The two of you really need to speak to each other and work out the tension between you. We aren't going to have any success if yous are just going to fight the whole time." She finished with an expectant look.

The waterbender heavily sighed. Percy knew that Ty-Lee was correct, even if he didn't want to admit it. He and Azula were making much more difficult than they needed to be. There was a long overdue conversation needed to ease the tension between them.

"You're right Ty-Lee. Thanks for letting me ramble." He finally replied.

"It's nothing waterboy. Is anything else bothering you?"

Percy considered telling her about his nightmares. The recurring sequence on a beach. The woman's voice that now spoke to him when he was awake. But as quickly as the thoughts flooded him, he bottled them up. A conversation for another day.

"No. You've helped a lot." Percy answered, but knew his words lacked conviction.

As he stood up the girl raised an eyebrow at him but didn't press any further. Percy stretched a hand out to help his companion up. Ty-Lee dutifully accepted it. The son of Piandao walked over to the tree that he had heavily abused earlier in the night, swiftly removing his blade from its resting place. He turned to face Ty-Lee once more.

"We really should get back to camp and get some rest. It won't be long till sunrise."

/

Authors Note

So that's a wrap on chapter 15. Very long overdue I know, but I can assure you this story isn't on hiatus. I took a month or so off just to recharge and not get burned out. To then working excessively long hours over the summer made it difficult to find time to write.

Initially I wanted this chapter to be longer but I'm actually quite happy where it is, and sets up the next chapter perfectly for me. The next ones definitely going to be on the longer side. Found this chapter difficult to write in sections. I think I rewrote the Percy and Ty-Lee conversation over six times at this point.

I just wanted to thank everyone for their continued support as always. I'm still constantly checking the app and seeing all the notifications and reviews and it's kept me highly motivated to write.

To think we're nearing 350 favourites and 500 follows is incredible. I'm truly grateful for every single one of you guys.

/

As always going to personally reply to a few reviews.

Skelconpeverell: Cheers man, did take a break in the end but it's good to be back.

Superhero01: still my favourite chapter as well, some important progression in the last chapter that will have ramifications in future chapters. This is only the beginning. Separating the fear from respect is going to be a massive challenge for Azula to come to terms with.

Guest (Anonymous): glad you felt vindicated man! A lot of important character moments in the last chapter that will be playing out in the near future. Hope you enjoyed this one.

LilBumpkin: thank you so much for your kind words! Hope you enjoy this chapter as much as the previous ones.

Sphinxdragon84: it's a great suggesting and I do think it will be something I explore in a much later chapter. Maybe even closer to end of this first book

/

I'll have to cut review reply here because I can honestly spend far too long on every review if I could.

Once again I want to thank everyone for their continued support. If you've enjoyed the story and made it this far, please follow and favourite and join in on this wee growing community on the journey.

And please do leave a review! I love reading every single one of them, and it's always heartwarming seeing familiar names pop up!

As always folks,

Take care,

Admeto.