Five days. It had been five days since that night. Despite that, it felt as though it had just happened. That Aang, the greatest bender she knew, was rendered lifeless by those damn foreigners! She prayed the spirits would deliver them destruction for what they had done, for what they had taken. Or rather, what they had nearly taken: Aang lived despite how impossible it seemed. As much as she hated to admit it, Aang owed Master Pakku his life, thanks to the water he'd given her from the spirit spring at the North Pole. Yet, he was unconscious, and despite her best efforts, he still had a wound scar from where the projectile had entered on his side. "Oh, Aang," she muttered as she gazed at him. How long would he be like this? She wondered. Weeks, months? She didn't know.
"Has anything changed?" Sokka asked as he entered the room of the house they had rented for the past few days. Of course, she asked if they could see their Father and link up with his forces, but her brother convinced the group to land here, a tiny village nestled in the foothills of the Luo mountain range Southeast of Ba Sing Se, due North of Chameleon Bay.
Katara shook her head and continued running over his body with her water bending. "No, nothing yet. Though his heart sounds as strong as it has the last few days, there's also something else..."
Her brother's expression grew concerned. "What? What is it?"
"His Chi, it feels strange..." Katara replied, feeling his chi pathways. As she'd noticed over the past few days since his "death," his chi, the energy which allowed a bender to bend, felt much weaker than she knew it should be, and the healer feared that projectile had done more damage than she thought. Of course, one could say it was some form of chi-blocking, but it was unlike Ty Lee's. No, where she would suppress a bender's chi by blocking their chakras, this erased most of it as though it never existed. But that shouldn't be possible, right? "His vitals seem fine now, at least as far as I can tell. But, it's as though the strength he once held is gone," she explained in a way she knew he would understand.
Sokka's eyes widened. "W-W-Wait, what do you mean his strength is gone? That's not how that works. He's the Avatar!" Sokka exclaimed.
His sister shook her head. "I don't know. All I know is his chi pathways feel, I don't know, less full?" She questioned aloud.
The warrior shook his head and sighed. "Well, we can only hope it doesn't get any worse —" He stopped as Zuko burst into the room with an intense look on his face.
"Uh, guys?"
"-Worse," he finished before he and Katara turned to the banished Prince.
"What's wrong, Zuko?" The Waterbender asked.
"There's a dust cloud headed this way, and I think it might be some sort of cavalry force, judging by how quickly it moved."
Sokka's eyes widened. "Wait, you don't mean-" He took a deep breath before turning to his sister. "Katara, get Aang and Appa somewhere safe," he began.
Though she wanted to protest, she relented, realizing that the best place for her was to ensure that Aang remained stable. "Right," she replied before gathering her supplies. "Can one of you help with Aang?"
Zuko sighed. "Uh, okay," the Prince replied, grabbing the boy and placing his body on his shoulder. "Alright, let's go."
The Cossacks continued on their way, their horses thundering over the plain as they trotted toward their next objective, with the Jagers of the 3rd squadron of the 21st Regiment acting as their vanguard. "So, you think these people might have some food!?" Shouted a Cossack.
"I sure hope so!" His Sergeant responded, feeling his stomach growl. For the past two days, they'd been heading East from Ba Sing Se, checking for stragglers and mapping the land. They had already gone through two settlements similar to the one they were heading toward, though both had practically nothing to spare, and they were beginning to run low on food and water, not to mention fodder for the horses, who were starting to tire.
Once Aang, Appa, Iroh, Katara, and Toph got out of town, Zuko and Sokka remained as they desperately attempted to pack everything they would need. Of course, he knew his Dad probably had enough for his men, but he wasn't sure if he would have enough for everyone while they considered their next move. Before that night, almost everything seemed to be going according to plan and, in some ways, even better than he anticipated. When they first met with Long Feng, it seemed he would pose an obstacle, only to turn around and agree to implement his plan and even return Appa.
At the same time, he had the opportunity to visit with his Dad while Aang went off to train with the Guru to learn how to use the Avatar State. Of course, when they found out the city had fallen, it left a sour taste in their mouths, only to be greeted with a golden chance to cut the head off the viper-lizard that was their new enemy. They had killed and wounded so many, he recalled, even some high-ranking ones, only to fail at the last moment. Of course, he never saw who did it, as only Zuko and Aang went after the others who'd escaped, and their former enemy had hardly spoken since that night. But he swore he would one day avenge his friend, that whoever it was would pay dearly for attempting to destroy their last hope. Yet, as he and Zuko finished packing what they could, the rumble of hoofbeats echoed ever closer, and the shopkeeper closed his doors before they could finish getting their affairs in order. Not long after, a few dozen riders entered the square, foreigners as their dress showed. "Hello, good people!" The lead man greeted from atop his strange mount as he drew a piece of paper. "By order of His Imperial Highness, Nikolai Vladimirovich Asimov and on behalf of Tsar Vladimir II, do declare this town to be Ruskian territory and its residents to be citizens of the Empire!"
When the man finished, he and those with him dismounted and approached the main square of the tiny village, save two, which remained with their mounts. The village center consisted of a handful of houses and stalls in surprisingly good condition. However, it was likely due to its isolation that it hadn't been "visited" until now. Sokka and Zuko held their breath as they watched the men, hoping they wouldn't recognize them. Thankfully, it seemed they didn't, as they walked up to the lone pole in the center of town with a ragged Earth Kingdom flag and, after pulling it down and stowing it away, took out a yellow, black, and navy blue standard and fixed it to the pole before raising it. The people watched the scene from inside their homes, with eyes peeking through the shutters and doorways as they observed the soldiers. Once the men finished raising the flag, they stood up straight, removed their headdresses, and began to sing, of all things:
"Боже, Царя храни!
Сильный, державный,
Царствуй на славу, на славу намъ!"
(God, save the Emperor!
Strong and sovereign,
Reign for glory, for our glory!)
The soldiers sang boldly and loudly, and though neither he nor Zuko could understand a word, Sokka could feel something in his chest. Cold and foreboding spread through him like frostbite, and a feeling of helplessness overtook him as the men continued:
"Царствуй на страхъ врагамъ,
Царь православный!
Боже, Царя,храни!"
(Reign to the fear of your enemies,
Tsar of our ancient faith!
God save the Tsar!)
When they finished, they adorned their strange headwear, and two of them approached the teens. "Excuse me, gentlemen. But would you be willing to part with that?" One asked, gesturing to the bag between Sokka and Zuko. "I would pay for it."
The teens slowly began backing away while Sokka thought of an excuse. "Uh, no, I don't think so. I-I need this for my family," he explained while trying to sound nervous.
Zuko leaned over while still glaring at the foreigners, Ruskians, if he recalled correctly. "What do you think you're doing?" He whispered.
The man cocked a brow at them as his comrade clenched his weapon and began glancing about. "I know what I'm doing. Just trust me," Sokka replied before turning to the man who'd asked to buy his supplies.
"So, that is a no, I would imagine?" he asked with a sigh before waving them off. Very well, be on your way, boys. But tell your family to return here later in the afternoon to apply for citizenship. Also, I would advise you to leave now since our Cossack friends aren't known for being polite," the foreigner warned them, and Sokka awkwardly nodded in thanks before turning and heading toward the foothills. When they finally reached the others, they told them what had happened and showed the scant supplies they had gathered before the foreigners arrived.
"Oh, look at you! Oh, who's a good boy!" Nikolai cooed as he rubbed the bear's back. They'd found him in one of the kitchens going through one of the cold storages the morning following the Avatar's attack. When he wasn't busy, he would play with the bear, who'd seemed to take a liking to him, though perhaps it had more to do with the honey he'd fed him. Sure, many would possibly think he was acting childish, which he conceded, but now the Grand Duke had the opportunity he never did as a boy: He finally had a pet bear. Of course, if his dearest Alexandra knew, there would be trouble, but she didn't, and what she didn't know wouldn't hurt her, at least in this case. Though considering the other strange creatures in this world, he was curious if there were any more of his kind- Suddenly, he heard the doors to the throne room open, and he quickly stood up and dusted the fur from his uniform as one of his aides promptly rushed into the room. "Your Imperial Highness, I bring disturbing news from the Lower and Middle rings. The people are in revolt. There are casualties."
Nikolai descended from the raised platform and took his hat from where he'd left it. "Ours or theirs?" he asked once he reached the bottom.
"Ours, Your Imperial Highness," the man replied astutely. "We have followed your orders to keep from retaliating, but some of our volunteers and soldiers have received wounds or even perished in the line of duty."
Nikolai sighed in relief as he passed. "As much as I hate to say it, I'm glad. But we must move swiftly."
The man followed into step behind him. "What would you have us do?"
Nikolai pondered for a moment. A carriage would be too slow, and riding through the street was risky, even with his bodyguards. No, he would need something better, a way his enemy wouldn't expect if his assessment was correct, and this was merely a ploy to get a reaction out of him. Then, as he thought, he recalled one of the documents one of the servants had aided him with the other night. Something about the rail system, parts of which had become damaged in the fighting, but most of it remained intact. Considering that he'd restricted movement between the rings to a minimum, he imagined the stations would be empty. "I have an idea. Fetch my Son and the Fire Nation Princess. I would like them to meet me at the rear entrance."
The man saluted. "At once, Your Imperial Highness," he said before moving to carry out his orders, unaware someone else was watching as a pair of eyes shifted above them.
When he and Zuko arrived, they explained to the rest of the group what had transpired after the foreigners arrived. When he finished, he stated what he thought should have been obvious: "We'll have to go back," Sokka told them. "It's the only way we'll get more. These won't last us more than a day or two."
"Are you sure?" Katara asked.
Sokka scowled. "And who's the one who's done the rationing every time?"
His sister rolled her eyes. "Point taken. Though, you're the one who eats most of it anyway."
Sokka fumbled to retort, but when he realized she was right, he sighed in defeat as Toph chuckled. "It doesn't matter. We have more people than before, and I don't want to put more pressure on Dad."
Katara cocked her brow. "And how are you going to do that? The foreigners took over the town, and if they were willing to buy food, why would there be anything left for us?"
"Not if we steal it first," Toph piped up.
Zuko and Iroh, who'd remained quiet thus far, appeared shocked. "But aren't these your people?"
Toph proceeded to pick her ears. "Not really. No offense to you guys. But while the Earth Kingdom may seem like one country, we certainly don't see it that way," she explained. "So no, I wouldn't call them my people."
Iroh seemed to scratch his beard in thought. "Hmm... I see." The former General nodded.
Katara gave her a cocked brow. "So, sort of like how we see the Northern Water Tribe?"
Toph nodded. "Sort of. But I don't think you had anyone actively side with the Fire Nation."
Sokka turned to her in shock. "Wait, there are actually people who side with the Fire Nation?"
Toph nodded. "Yep. Unless you thought Fire Nation Man was merely a bad joke about Firebenders."
The Water Tribe teen balked. "So him being an Earthbender-?"
Toph nodded. "Yep, there are many people like that, even some who considered surrendering Gaoling, at least before rumours about Aang started spreading," she explained. "Not that I ever cared for that, but I've listened in on more than a few conversations my Dad had with friends or important people in the city, though both were usually the same people."
"And where did your Dad sit on the issue?" Zuko chimed in.
Toph shrugged. "I don't know, my Dad usually... Kept his opinions to himself, but all things considered, I don't think he cares much," she said, her voice growing quiet as she recalled what he'd ordered those numbskulls to do. "But I don't want to talk about it."
Suddenly, Katara's eyes lit up as she realized she never asked about Toph's visit. "Hey, what happened with your Mom? Is she still in the-"
"SHUT UP!" Toph bellowed as her face contorted into a deep scowl as the Waterbender and the others backed away. "Just shut up! I said I don't want to talk!" she shouted before turning toward the village. "Well, if you guys are coming, let's go. I'm tired of sitting around."
The boys looked at each other before they shrugged and followed her as Katara watched them, wondering what she had done to trigger her friend. "Was it something I said?"
It had been a long week for Jet and his legion of outcasts. Of course, he didn't know what fate befell the city, but to be honest, he didn't care, not since Long Feng released him from his control. He remembered that damned Firebender and what the Dai Li did to him. And yet, as much as he hated to admit it, he didn't blame them for what they did, especially now that the freedom fighter had more forces under his direct command. Of course, a few agents marched with the army, but they were merely there to supervise and keep the others in line, which was all the better for him. No, he wouldn't let anyone foil his plans, not again. Sure, not long ago, he wanted to give up this life, but the war destroyed that possibility, just as it had everything else in his life: family, his home, and now his hope. Well, if the spirits truly wished to damn him, then he didn't care. "I will make them pay for every inch with blood," he swore, his eyes narrowed as he looked toward the direction of Ba Sing Se. "Mark my words! I will make you devils wish you were never born!"
"Um, Sir?" he heard the voice of one of his subordinates and turned to see the young boy he had chosen as his messenger. He was scrawny, with green eyes and scraggy brown hair.
"What is it, Shen?" Jet asked, turning to the young man. Jet didn't know much about him, except that he arrived in the city a day after he did, and the Dai Li arrested him for having a stolen passport and ticket.
"The other commanders wanted to know when you planned to begin the march?" He asked.
Jet nodded. "Very well. Inform them we'll begin again shortly. We don't want to be too close to the city for too long."
Shen nodded his head. "You got it, Boss," he replied before turning toward where the army made camp. As he approached the entrance, he spotted them standing in the path.
"Well?" The gruff young woman asked. Smellerbee, if he recalled.
"He said to get ready to march."
The tall man beside her nodded. "Good. I and my fighters have been getting antsy," he said, punching his fists together. From what he understood, the man went by the title: "The Cruel Wind." But no one knew his real name or anything else about him, save he was imprisoned for running an illegal fighting racket in the Lower Ring. However, according to some stories, he was exiled from Earth Rumble Six in Gaoling for killing an opponent.
"Very well, I shall inform His Excellency," said the third, one of the resident Dai Li agents. His voice sent a cold shiver down his spine before he and the others returned to the camp.
Once they were far enough away, he sighed, his gaze softening as he slumped beside a tree. "I hope you're alright, 'Iya," he began as he pulled out a charred painting of a girl about nine years of age. "I only wish we'd gone on that ferry together. Now I don't even know if you're alive," he said, tears clouding his vision as he gently stroked the picture. "Don't let this be the last picture I see of you."
When Azula, Mai, Ty Lee, and Ivan reached the palace entrance, they found Nikolai surrounded by his guards. "Ah, there you are," he said as the group approached.
"What is it, Papa?" Ivan said once he stopped before him.
"There's a major protest in the lower rings of the city. I wanted you and Azula to accompany me," His Father explained.
Ivan's eyes widened in concern as Azula cocked a brow. "And how are we getting there? Would that take half a day?"
Nikolai nodded. "Exactly, and we don't have time to lose. Now come, I have a plan," he said before turning and gesturing for them to follow, which they did. Outside the gate, they found two dozen horses waiting for them. "Everyone mount up. Azula, you ride with Ivan," he said, his tone leaving nothing up for debate. "You two-" he began, pointing to Mai and Ty Lee. "Pick a partner. We need to go as soon as possible, and I wasn't aware you would be joining us," The girls nodded, and Ty Lee quickly found Pyotr while Mai settled for one of the enlisted men. At the same time, Ivan collected Grisha and helped Azula up since she'd learned from her previous experiences and put aside her pride, at least for now. Once everyone was ready, the group took off, following Nikolai's lead as they moved toward an unknown destination.
Long Feng sat in his office, his expression heated as he awaited news of the inevitable clash. However, much to his surprise, it had yet to materialize. Sure, he knew his agents had inflicted damage upon the traitors and subjugation forces. Yet there was no retaliation, and from what he'd heard recently, people were beginning to grow concerned about who was behind the"random" acts of violence. "Why is it that nothing seems to work anymore," he sighed as he rubbed a hand across his brow, drenched in sweat due to stress.
Suddenly, he heard the door open, and Long Feng turned to see one of his agents dispatched to the palace. "Sir, I bring news," the man began. "The Ruskian leader has left the palace."
Long Feng stood up, his gaze revitalized. "Are you certain it was him?"
The man nodded. "Yes, he matches the sketch, and that's not all: The Fire Nation Princess was with him!"
Long Feng could feel his heart race in excitement: This was it, his chance to end it all in one fell swoop. Of course, the Ruskian was one thing, but the Fire Nation's beloved Princess Azula? Her Father's favourite and presumed heir to the throne? It was as if the spirits had cast his enemies before him on a silver platter! But wait, that didn't make sense. When did she enter the equation? "How do we know it is her?"
"Our agents spotted her practicing blue fire, and she wears the headpiece of the Crown Prince. She also matches the description physically, and we've seen several servants address her as royalty."
Long Feng nodded. "Regardless, we cannot throw away this chance. Have a squad of agents intercept them, and if agent Hei has recovered from his injury, have him go as well. I think we shall give him a chance to redeem himself."
The man nodded. "Of course, Sir," the man bowed before leaving.
As they continued, Nikolai could feel the eyes peaking from the shadows, watching his every move. Here and there, he could see shifting forms on the rooftops. Yet, rather than fear, something stirred in his chest, something the Grand Duke had not felt in a long time: Someone was trying to beat him at his own game, and he could do naught but sigh in exasperation as he rode ever faster. "Very well. Your move," he whispered.
Hello everyone! I know it's been awhile, and I'm so sorry for the delay, but I promise I will try to move faster from here on out. Anyway, please tell me what you think, and as always, please leave a review or PM me if you have any questions. Also, we're getting close to the 200 Favs and Follows mark, so keep up the good work, and remember to share this with your friends!