Previously on the The Legend of Perseus: Bender of Oceans
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 things 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."
/
The Legend of Perseus; Bender of Oceans
Chapter 16: Omashu
Spirits Grove, South of Omashu
Amber rays of the morning sun glimmered through the knotted tree branches of the expansive forest. The princess of the fire nation found herself pacing back and forth throughout the camp. The Imperial fire guard was rushing around, dismantling the camp and removing any traces of their presence.
An immense frustration was bubbling within Azula. Whilst everyone was working quickly to return back to their expedition, one person remained soundly asleep.
A certain, infuriating, annoying waterbender. She had already tried several different methods to awaken him from his slumber. So far kicking him, smacking his face, and shouting at him, had all failed.
Azula turned in his direction once more, blue embers dripped from her fingertips. Maybe a little fire might wake him from his sleep.
She paced over to Perseus' tent but before she could reach him, someone stood in her way.
"Azula?" Ty-lee's voice was filled with curiosity. "You aren't actually considering burning Percy to get him up are you?"
The Princess raised an eyebrow at the girl in pink.
"How else would you suggest waking the oaf up?" Azula enquired.
"I don't know, but the guards are still going to be a while taking everything down. Why don't we have a little gossip and we can come up with something." Ty-Lee chirped with a wide smile.
The pair moved over to the smoldering embers that remained of the campfire and sat down. There was an awkward moment of silence between them before Ty-Lee chose to speak.
"So what's going on between you and Percy?"
Azula's golden eyes narrowed in the direction of her friend.
"I don't know what you're talking about." The Princess easily lied with a straight face.
The girl in pink just stared right through her.
"Come on now Azula, you can't even cut the tension between you two with one of Mai's knives. What's up?" She pressed.
"He's been nothing but irrational and pigheaded since we left the capitol." The princess relented, a hint of anger lacing her tone.
Ty-Lee said nothing but waved her hand as if to say 'go on.'
'He betrayed you!" The venomous voice seethed in the depths of her mind.
"Ever since we set sail, he's either ignored me or been argumentative. Claiming he has mixed feelings about the mission like it matters. And then, when we finally have them in our grasp he lets them escape!"
With each word the princess grew angrier and angrier. Blue flames erupted in her hands. The pent up irritation that she refused to let surface was threatening to bubble over.
"Azula. Just take a moment, and then tell me what happened when yous nearly had Zuzu and the old man." Ty-Lee spoke softly, trying to ease the princess.
A calming moment of silence set between the two. Azula's mind was racing as she attempted to ignore the incessant voice that churned within. She steeled herself before elaborating.
"We had them." Azula paused for a second.
"We had both of them on the warship, right where I wanted them. All Perseus had to do was force the current to take us out to sea and they would've had no escape."
She clenched her hands. Nails digged into the palms of her hands.
"But he was going too easy on the old man-"
'He is weak!' The voice raged.
"Zuko tried to fight me and I could see Perseus wasn't taking things seriously. I had to end the fight with my brother so I could focus on Iroh. As I finished a lightning kata it was met with my bodyguards ice lightning."
The princess could feel flames embrace her hands.
"The explosion threw us overboard and they escaped. All thanks to him." Azula spat as she pointed in the direction of a still sleeping Perseus.
The sight of him still being asleep was pissing her off. They had to get a move on towards Omashu so they could properly plan their next actions yet he was holding them up. Even if a small part of her found solace in knowing that he had finally gotten some rest, he just had to pick his moments.
"You let him make you pathetic and weak yet you refuse to acknowledge it." The demented voice mocked.
Ty-Lee was looking at her carefully but never interrupted. Azula saw the girl in pink mull over her own thoughts for several moments before speaking up.
"Have you tried talking to Percy about everything?" Ty-Lee asked neutrally.
"Well yes of course I have but he wouldn't listen." Azula replied with a small frown. Memories of the arguments flashed through her mind.
"Well once the two of us got back in the boat we started arguing and I told him that he betrayed me-"
"Azula!" The girl in pink interrupted incredulously.
"What!" The princess replied with an angry glare.
Ty-Lee pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed heavily. "You've known Percy for how long? You don't actually think he'd betray you?"
"He already-"
"Azula please." Ty-Lee interrupted yet again. The princess felt a growing knot of frustration form in her stomach.
"You're the smartest person I know. Surely you know how questioning Percy's loyalties offends him. For it to come through you directly has probably deeply upset him."
Azula's head dipped. As much as the firebender hated it she knew the acrobat was correct. She had seen first hand what happened to those who questioned Perseus' fealty when they first traversed the fire nation. The amount of duels he found himself in was ridiculous but not once had he ever faltered in his convictions. Nor had he ever lost.
"The two of you need to talk, not argue, and sort things out. If we want to be successful on this mission yous can't be fighting all the time."Ty-Lee stated firmly.
Azula sighed.
"You're right Ty-Lee. We need to resolve everything at some point. But there's one problem. Perseus is still asleep." She replied as she once more glared in the waterbenders direction.
"Oh that's easily solved. We're just gonna drench him in a couple buckets of water. That'll do the job." Ty-Lee smirked and Azula lightly laughed.
"Now that's a plan we can work with."
/
The son of Piandao had once again found himself in the same recurring dream he tried to avoid. Stunning white sands stretched along the coastline, glimmering beneath the midday sun. The heat from the baked sands pricked at his bare feet. A light, cooling wind gently flowed from the direction of the sea. The smell of salt hung heavy in the air.
It was all so vividly real. The feeling of a coastal breeze against his face, the pungent scent of the ocean, the sound of waves breaching the coast. If he hadn't known he was dreaming he honestly would've thought he was by the sea.
Percy averted his eyes from the blue ocean and turned in the direction of the small, rundown cabin. However, rather than the two figures he grew accustomed to seeing there, only one person could be found.
The woman who he could never quite clearly see was walking in his direction. As the distance closed her features became clearer. She was of average height, and had long flowing brown hair. The lady now stood just a few feet in front of him. A kind smile graced her face as she looked at him with dazzling blue eyes. The outline of her figure had an ethereal glow, as though she shimmered under the sun. Percy could feel a familial warmth exude from her.
'Perseus…' Her voice was quiet as a whisper. Near imperceptible against the sound of the waves.
"Who…" The son of Piandao's voice hitched in his throat. He felt like he already knew the answer to the question he was away to ask. Even if the answer was impossible.
"Who are you?" He asked near inaudibly.
The women's eyes filled with sadness, her smile pursed.
'I'm your-'
Percy violently woke up spluttering. His long dark hair covered his eyes. His gown, body, and bedding drenched in water. His heart was racing and adrenaline was coursing through him. The sound of two girls laughing stole his attention.
"How nice of you to finally join us Perseus." The familiar voice of the princess mocked as she stifled a laugh. He could still hear Ty-Lee giggling away to herself.
"How nice of you to awaken me so rudely princess." Percy snarked back, annoyance lacing his tone. "I was having quite the nice sleep you know."
The waterbender pulled his hair back as he willed the water away from his skin and out his clothes. He flicked in the direction of the princess who effortlessly dodged it.
"Now, now." Azula wagged a finger at him. "Not my fault you chose to sleep in. Get ready, we have time to make up."
/
Omashu
Mai stood beside her parents outside the front of Omashu's royal palace. The intricate stone monument towered over the earthen city. She looked down upon the rolling buildings below.
Three familiar figures made their way up the grand staircase in her direction. She truly thought her father was playing a prank on her when she was told the news.
In no way by Agni's name would the Princess of the fire nation find herself in this 'backwater' as she had once eloquently called it. The trio made their way closer to them and her eyes truly weren't deceiving her.
"Crown Princess Azula. Lady Ty-Lee. Master Perseus. It is truly an honour to welcome you to Omashu." Her father spoke out as he bowed. Mai and her mother followed suit.
"For what's meant to be an impressive city I must say it seemed very empty as we walked through the streets. What's happened to all the citizens." The princess questioned with a raised eyebrow. Her cold regal tone caused chills to race through Mai's spine.
"It's a bit of a complicated story." Her father replied as they stood up.
"Well do go on, we have plenty of time Governor." Azula replied curtly.
Mai could see her fathers lips twinge into an uncomfortable frown. Out the corner of her eyes she could see Percy and Ty-Lee send her reassuring smiles.
"We've had a couple issues in the recent weeks. Between rebellions and a recent problem with plague the population has, thinned, slightly."
"What do you mean issues with plague? I don't recall the Royal Palace being informed of this." Azula retorted with an icy tone.
"It had been a… recent development, your highness. Over half the city fell ill with this disease called Pentapox-" Her father started but was interrupted by Percy.
"Pentapox? As in the little Pentapusses or Pentapii whatever you call them?" The waterbender questioned with a puzzled look on his face.
"Pentawhat?" Azula asked her bodyguard bemused.
"These little guys." Percy replied with a wave of his hand. A spout of water rocketed from the sewer and a little purple creature landed in his hand. "Five tentacles, a little bit sticky, but kinda cute. There's thousands of them in the sewers."
Percy looked at the purple pentapus with a smile trying to pull it off his hand. "Come on little dude you gonna let go?" Percy questioned as he began scratching its head. The creature popped off and scurried back in the direction of the drainage. Several red welts were visible on his hand.
"Did your Pentapox issue look like that governor?" Azula quizzed with an unimpressed look.
"Y-y-yes." Her father stammered
"Well it looks like your plague problem might have just been a ruse. You said you have an issue with rebels as well? Would you like to clarify?" The Princess' amber eyes held a hostility as she glared at Mai's father.
"They kidnapped my son yesterday…"
"They took Tom-Tom?" Ty-Lee asked wide eyed.
"Yes." Mai finally spoke up.
"I've already negotiated with them. Come sunset we'll have him back."
"You've what…" Azula looked at him with an outraged look.
"We've sorted it out. We are going to exchange Tom-tom for King Bumi-"
"No you're not. You're lucky we've shown up when we have. We're going to fix this problem and because of my friendship to Mai, the Fire Lord isn't going to hear a word about this. You're going to rename the city New Ozai as an appeasement to the crown, and I'll forget your recent indiscretions." Azula snapped, blue flames dripped from her fingertips.
"Mai, let's head inside. We need to catch up."
Azula stormed past them quickly followed by Ty-Lee and Mai. Percy was slightly behind and Mai noticed he stopped to talk to her father.
"Don't worry. You've got the dream team here. Well get Tom-Tom back." He warmly spoke, reassuring the governor with a wide smile.
/
Perseus and King Bumi hid amongst a jungle of scaffolding. The old man was entombed in a steel coffin that only revealed his face. Below them Azula, Mai, and Ty-Lee were impatiently waiting for the rebels to arrive. They stood on one side of a wooden platform and Percy could tell they were slowly growing impatient. He glanced in the direction of the crazy king who hadn't stopped watching him the entire time they were out here.
"So little runt. North or south?" The old man stared at Percy with crazy emerald eyes.
"Huh?" The son of Piandao replied with a raised eyebrow.
"What tribe do you belong to? I can see the ocean in those young eyes, you won't be able to hide it from me." King Bumi laughed crazily.
"Neither." He replied shortly, returning his attention to the three girls below.
"So how does a water bender end up in the fire nation then?" The old man pressed. Curiosity danced with the insanity that swirled in his green eyes.
"A question that will have to be answered another time King Bumi. The actions is about to start." Percy replied. His own stare unwavering from the figures below.
Three new people joined from the other side of the wooden decking. A boy and girl dressed up in all blue garbs, and a younger boy whose face was hidden behind a cloak. These were the rebels?
'They're just kids.' Percy thought to himself.
"Where's King Bumi?" The younger boy shouted at the girls.
"You brought my brother?" Mai questioned, anger lacing her voice.
"He's here." The older boy in blue replied, revealing the baby that was enveloped in his clothing.
Mai nodded at Azula and the princess let out a shrill whistle. Percy knew that was the signal to get the show on the road. He pulled the lever that began to lower the crazed king down to the platform below. The waterbender held his hand over it briefly, condensing the moisture in the air into an icy hold.
"Hello there!" King Bumi gleefully shouted.
As the king descended the waterbender quickly maneuvered his way down several platforms. Just as Azula had planned earlier that evening.
"We're ready to trade. Hand over King Bumi and we'll let the kid go." The young boy spoke once again.
Percy almost wanted to laugh. The boy really didn't know who he was making demands to. If there was one thing the son of Piandao learned long ago, was that making demands of Azula was a sure fire way to face her wrath.
"I'm sorry. A thought just occurred to me. You don't mind?" Azula pretended to ask Mai.
Percy knew it was a ruse to buy him more time to prepare for the fight. He quickly rushed down lower, now he was only one floor above them. Ready to pounce at a moment's notice.
"What's going on?" The girl in blue demanded.
"Well. We're trading a very powerful earthbending king for a two year old. It just doesn't seem like a fair trade to me." The princess mused.
"No. It doesn't seem fair at all." Mai spat as she glared at the trio in front of her. Percy could feel chills seeing her icy glare.
"We had an agreement…." The younger boy tried to reason but Azula wasn't listening.
"Deals off the table. Perseus!"
There's his cue. The waterbender jumped off of the scaffolding behind the trio, trapping them between himself and the girls. There was no easy escape for them. Percy and Azula were grinning widely. The princesses' plan had gone off without a hitch so far.
"It would seem to be that you filthy rebels are trapped. Hand over the child and we might consider letting you leave with your limbs intact." The princess demanded.
"I told you guys this was a trap!" The boy in blue whined.
"I don't think now is the time Sokka." The girl in blue retorted as she glared at the now named boy.
"This wasn't what we agreed upon!" The younger boy shouted at Azula as he pointed a bo staff in her direction.
Percy drew his sword. "Just hand over Tom-Tom and we'll let you go."
The son of Piandao stretched his senses, reaching out for the ice he left on the lever. He forced it upwards with a thought and the earthbending king began to rise back into the mountain of scaffolding.
"Bye everybody." The king cackled as he rose higher and higher.
"BUMI!" The young boy shouted and everything kicked off in a flash.
The boys whipped his bo staff and a powerful gust of wind whipped in Azula's direction. The princess quickly defended herself with a small wall of roaring blue flames. Percy charged forwards, closing the distance between himself and the trio. The young bow with the bo staff leapt impossibly high into the air. His staff changed, two sets of wings shot out from the shaft.
"Katara watch out!" The boy called Sokka shouted.
Out of nowhere a whip made of water lashed towards the son of Piandao. He quickly raised a hand forcing the water to split in two right past him.
'A waterbender?' Percy thought to himself in surprise. He had never come across another waterbender before.
"You're a waterbender?" Katara murmured. "What are you doing fighting for the fire nation?" She spat angrily.
"I don't fight for the fire nation. I am fire nation." Percy replied calmly.
"You're a traitor to your people!" Katara screamed as she rushed forward.
She tried to attack Percy with a flurry of water whips. He easily sidestepped effortlessly. The son of Piandao was somewhat annoyed. He didn't know the girl and didn't care about her false accusation of treachery. He was annoyed that he was finally fighting another waterbender and all he was given was an amateur.
Percy sheathed his sword as he watched Azula, the avatar, and the entombed king, fly off the scaffolding into the city below.
He quickly willed a wall of ice, and with a punch forwards it shattered into several chunks that flew in Katara and Sokka's direction.
"Ty-Lee! Mai! Deal with the two brats. I'm going to help Azula!"
"On it Perce!" Ty Lee shouted back, as his two friends rushed to join in the fighting.
He rushed off the side of the platform and created a board of ice under his feet. Percy rocketed down a strange earthen slide far behind Azula and the Avatar.
The princess was racing down on a wooden board, chasing the avatar who was using King Bumi's metal sarcophagus as a sledge. The son of Piandao could hardly keep up. Fire was arcing through the sky. Wooden beams and supports were exploding from gale force winds.
The two disappeared in the depths of the city. An explosive billowing of dirt and dust rumbled far in front of him. He could see a small figure fly off into the sky in the direction of a large floating white creature.
Percy ended up in the cloud of dust as he neared the bottom of the earthen ramp.
"Well King Bumi. It looks like even the avatar has been unable to free you." A familiar regal tone mocked.
"Hey Azula you good?" Percy shouted.
"I'm fine Perseus." Azula replied promptly.
The dust began to clear and he could make out the princesses' lithe figure staring down the earth king.
"Head back up and check on Ty-Lee and Mai, I'll wait with the earth king."
/
"So… where do we go from here Azula?" Her bodyguard questioned from beside her.
She stood on one of the many balconies of the Omashu palace. But she wasn't paying attention to the quiet city beneath. Her amber eyes were staring up above, carefully watching the millions of glimmering stars. Azula remained silent mulling over her thoughts.
"There's been no new reported sightings of Zuko and uncle since the resort colony they were staying at. And now, we've got this avatar problem to consider." Perseus continued.
Azula wasn't paying attention. Her mind was adrift with the stars.
"Zula?" He pressed. His voice was quiet but hearing that nickname completely stole her attention.
"Yes Perseus?" She finally turned her head to face him. Her golden eyes found themselves lost in a sea of green.
"Have you been listening or are the stars that much more interesting than me?" He quizzed with a signature lopsided grin.
"Oh the stars are plenty more interesting than you dear waterbender. But yes I have been listening." She replied with a sly smile.
"Coming across the avatar has actually made everything so much easier. " Azula finally answered.
"How so?" Perseus bemusedly retorted.
"A desperate man can be the most dangerous foe. But only if they have lost hope. Everything may be crashing around Zuko but he still has one opportunity to cleanse his name." Azula looked at him expectantly. Hoping he would connect the dots.
"The Avatar." Perseus rationalised.
"Exactly. If we prioritize the avatar, we will inevitably come across Zuko and Iroh." Azula expanded. "Two birds, one stone."
"You're something incredible Zula." Her bodyguard smiled widely at her, his sea green eyes glimmered under the stars. A warm comforting feeling rushed through her. The tiniest of blushes almost reached her cheeks but she willed it away as quickly as it appeared.
'For Agni's sake what are you doing to me?' She questioned herself internally.
"What's on your mind princess?" Her bodyguard questioned, stealing her once again from her thoughts.
"I think it's time we have a long overdue talk." She answered with a tone of finality. Neither of them may have wanted to have the conversation but the time had finally come to clear the air.
/
Authors Note
And here it finally is, the long overdue chapter 16 for all you awesome folks. Before going ahead with some of my usual ramblings I wanted to say a massive thank you to everyone who left supportive comments on my short sabbatical. It was all really reassuring and I really love this small community forming here.
I also wanted to thank everyone who's followed and favourited since the last chapter as well. It's honestly unbelievable to me how much milestones I mentally set up just being smashed every single time and it wouldn't be possible without any of you.
There was one person who favourited the story and I actually fanboyed for two days seeing that. I won't name names but this person was one of my favourite ever authors on this website. I used to read and reread all their stories constantly over a decade ago and they were one of the people who inspired me to set up an account and start writing. It honesty feels like a "I've made it' moment and I don't think it's even fully set in. It's still quite surreal.
/
I've really enjoyed writing this chapter. The vast majority of it came really naturally as a continuation of the previous chapters. Really like the opening scene with Ty-Lee and Azula. A flip side to Percy's sit down with Ty-Lee. Personal favourite scene is definitely the ending scene though. Well finally get to see percy and Azula finally resolve things in the next chapter.
Really struggled writing the fight scene. I wanted to make sure it was different from over stories in the community but some of them (Perseus and the Saphire Flame) are so well written it made things a little tricky to go in a unique direction. Not too sure if I'm happy with it but can't dwell on this chapter forever.
I also know there's been a distinct lack of Zuko and Iroh over the last two chapters but don't worry. The next chapter is going to be the Zuko alone chapter and will be fully written from his and Iroh's perspective except for Percy and Azula finally clearing the air.
Really looking forward to the next one. A little Zuko and Iroh, a good few flashbacks. And the buildup to the showdown at the abandoned desert village. Things are finally starting to move quick and fast. Lots of exciting things to come.
/
A massive thank you to everyone who left reviews as well. Going to reply to a few as always!
Trife: it's going to be an interesting conversation for sure, very much looking forward to playing it out in the next chapter.
Superhero01: thank you so much man. Really loved Ty-Lee over these two chapters. Felt like she always had a good pair of eyes on reading people so I knew I wanted her to be the one to bridge the two back together.
Anonymous: really love reading your review man, you always do really well noticing the small pieces. Percy and Zuko will have 1 more meeting before ba sing se but it's going to be very brief. Really loved Ty-Lees emotional intuition and it won't be the last we see of her being the clued up one in the group.
Dark Wraith 2001: not too sure how to reply to it but I'm delighted to hear you've ended up enjoying the story! Would love to know what made you begin falling in love with it. Really appreciate you giving a full honest read before making any judgements though mate. Thank you! And don't worry, eventually bodyguard will turn into boyfriend. All in good time.
/
If you've made it this far and you haven't already, please do follow and favourite the story! Love seeing everyone joining in on the journey so far.
And if you've read all of this to this point. Please do leave a review, I love reading them and re- reading them constantly. It keep me motivated to write and I love the back and forth I have with you guys.
As always folks,
Take care,
Admeto.