"Fire Nation technology at its finest!" Ozai muses.
Long Feng eyes the twinkle in the Fire Lord's eye. The smile is out of place against the backdrop of the dirt of the tunnel and the sounds of Earth Benders and one very large drill moving tons of earth.
"Truly a marvel." Long Feng agrees. He has spent years nuzzling up to the elite and pulling the wool over their eyes. He has invested the best years of his life in clawing his way to the top and, once they break through into the crystal catacombs, it shall all pay off.
Ozai's lips twist in a sneer. "Long Feng, you are a man after my own heart."
Confusion flickers in the Earth Bender's eyes. "Your Highness?"
Ozai glances away from the sight of the earth being ripped apart before him. "Yes, the fact you will stand witness to the slaughter of hundreds of thousands of your own people shows me you are truly worthy of the Fire Nation."
The Fire Lord's words are light and cheerful and those are not words Long Feng would have attributed to the man. Still, he can't exactly question the Fire Lord's sincerity. There are other matters to consider. With a quick look at the porcelain figure of Azula beside her father, Long Feng bows.
"Thank you, Your Highness. I am happy to be of service."
"Indeed, you are." Ozai smirks before returning his attention to the drill.
They are so close, Long Feng can taste victory and when the Fire Lord steps away he takes his chance to move next to Azula. With a careful touch he takes Azula's hand in his and her amber eyes focus on his own.
"Do you remember your instructions, Azula?" He whispers in a low tone.
Her eyes are empty glass. "Of course, my love."
Long Feng smiles. All her pain and suffering has lead to this moment. When the drill breaks through, the Dai Li will close around the Fire Nation troops.
"Make it quick and painless. Your dear father deserves that much." Long Feng reminds her.
"Yes, my love." Azula replies smoothly and without emotion.
Long Feng studies her blank expression. Even with all her training, there should be something flickering in her eyes, some sort of resistance or reluctance that balks at the idea of murdering her own father, but there is just nothing. Never before has he had a subject respond so fully and so well to his efforts. He furrows his brow in hesitation but Azula's gaze is unwavering and vacant. They are so close to victory that Long Feng decides to trust his work.
"Wonderful, my dear." He gives her hand a quick squeeze as he leads her along the path laid out before them.
Oooo
"They're coming." Toph whispers.
Aang can feel the tension reverberating from the girl even if she manages to keep it out of her voice. Across the catacombs he can see Zuko and Katara carefully hidden on one of the many high rising ledges. Not too far away Sokka, Suki, Hakoda, and Iroh all huddle waiting for the inevitable.
"Just a bit more. Are you sure you can do this?" Toph questions.
Aang grimaces, as he rests his hand against the wall behind them. The water pulsates at his fingertips.
"Yeah, I can do this."
Toph falls silent. She can feel the doubt in him and while Twinkles has been an excellent student, he isn't as good as the master. There are more troops coming than what the others realize and one slow, steady heartbeat is in the midst of it all. She could say something, perhaps give him some sort of warning that soon he will be face to face with the woman he says no longer haunts his dreams. He is a terrible liar, so instead, she digs her toes into the rock beneath them and waits for her moment.
Ooo
"Will you be still!" Katara snaps at the bulky weight taking up more than his fair share of space in the small alcove. "I thought you spent years training how to be stealthy?"
"Several!" Zuko snarls as he tries to quell the nervousness that has pooled in his stomach.
The Water Bender huffs. "Then why not put some of that training to use, Prince Zuko, and relax!"
He growls at the formality as his hand comes to rest behind her head on the cool rock. "Believe it or not, Katara, I find it difficult to relax when I am about to help kill my father."
The retort dies in her throat as she shifts against him, trying to get blood flow to return to her legs. It can't be easy for him and she steals a glance where she knows her own father to be crouched. She can't imagine having to make the same decision, to have to actively plan the murder of the man that raised her, cared for her!
However, not all fathers are the same and with a glance at the scarred flesh of his face, she begins to see him in a different light. It can't be easy but then again these things shouldn't be. Not for the first time, sympathy blossoms for him in her chest but she can tell from the glow in his yellow eyes that the sentiment would not be appreciated.
"Just leave it to Aang. Soon this will all be over."
Katara's words are meant to be a comfort but they fall short.
"Yeah, let's just hope he can do it."
Before Katara can respond, a grinding sound reaches their ears, causing everyone to start at the noise.
"There they are." Toph's voice is quiet though not quite a whisper.
The drill chews its way through green crystal. Long Feng stares at the discarded shards dispassionately. There is little room for sentiment in the greater scheme of things. Even with the drill and Dai Li at work, the tunnel is small and the heat from the machine and the bodies mounts. Earth Benders are not exactly claustrophobic but he does breathe a sigh of relief when the drill punches into the catacombs and the troops fan out. With quick eyes he sees the Dai Li take their places inconspicuously around the Fire Nation forces and await his signal.
No one breathes. At least that's how it feels to Aang. There are more soldiers than he expected and more Dai Li than he wanted. They could put a serious hamper in their plan. Still, they have to give it a try.
In the middle of the group, he sees a gleaming crown and while he has never seen Ozai before, the golden eyes are a Royal family trait. The Fire Lord moves forward, looking pleased with himself. This is the man that is Aang's antithesis and anger boils inside the Air Bender's chest at the smirk on the man's face.
"Not yet." Toph tugs on his sleeve as she feels the rock quiver below them. "Let him get all the way in first!"
Toph's right. Aang breathes deep, pushing back the urge to release the river. Let it out too soon and Ozai can disappear into the tunnel and the Earth Benders can seal it off from the raging waters. But let it out too late, and they miss their chance to kill the Fire Lord and end the war.
Ozai isn't alone though as he moves through the circle of his troops.
"Is that Long Feng?" Katara hisses.
Zuko glowers. "Well, at least we know where he went."
Long Feng's escape had caused concern as the man had his own schemes and plans for Ba Sing Se.
"We can drown him too." Usually, such anger from the Water Bender is reserved for Zuko and he looks at her with questioning eyes. "We might as well. He's with Ozai." Katara says as she feels her face flush.
Zuko doesn't answer but focuses his attention back on the invasion force.
"Aang, you can do this right?" Toph asks, words clipped and insistent.
He scowls at her. "Yes, will you stop asking me that?" Having his ability questioned repeatedly is beginning to wear his last bit of patience.
"I'm sorry, it's just…" Toph gestures down below. Aang follows her hand and feels his stomach clench. "Azula's with them." Toph adds quietly.
Sure enough the flamed trident follows dutifully behind Ozai and Long Feng. The black and red formal robes seem bulky but Azula glides along smoothly…mechanically.
"Something's wrong." Zuko mutters, leaning forward to get a better look.
Katara grunts as he squishes up against her. "What?"
Zuko doesn't reply but watches his sister walking a pace behind his father. He expected the scar on her forehead. Cauterizing the wound wasn't ideal but it had stopped the bleeding on the day of the Winter solstice. What he doesn't expect are the yellowed bruises on her cheeks.
"What happened to her face?" Katara squints to see better. "Who could get away with that?"
Azula does not strike her as a woman that would put up with much. From beside her the flare of heat tears her eyes away from the Princess to the Prince beside her and it comes together.
"Why would Ozai hit her?" The thought of a parent striking his child appalls her.
Zuko doesn't answer but just turns to glare at her. The motion draws her attention to the ruined skin of his face and she feels like crying.
"He's horrible." She whispers, feeling the prick of tears at her eyes.
"Which is why we have to end this." Zuko looks back down following the procession with his eyes. "Just what in Agni's name is Aang waiting on?"
Aang forces his lungs to breathe and wills his heart to slow. He can't lose perspective now. He sees the marks on Azula's face. He knows who put them there. Behind him Toph fidgets, feeling restless and ready to do something! When he feels her begin to pull at the earth beneath them, readying to let the water flow, Aang grabs her arm.
"I said I'll do it!" He snaps.
Toph's face twists with emotion. "Then do it already! You said to take her out. Here's your chance."
He looks back down at the woman below.
Ozai and Long Feng walk along conversing about this or that. It's all a ploy to maintain the sense of normalcy, or whatever passes for normal before the slaughter of a whole city. Azula paces behind them, the perfect picture of obedience. Ursa paces beside her.
"It is almost time, Azula." The phantom whispers revealing sharp teeth. "Soon revenge will be yours."
Azula smiles at the words.
Aang watches carefully. Ozai is nearly far enough away from the tunnel entrance for the plan to work. He roots his feet and feels the pull of the elements. His eyes follow Azula . The smile upon her face is odd and out of place. He watches, entranced as she slides a hand across the neckline of her robe, before letting it trail down between her breasts. It comes to rest across her stomach where she taps her fingers gently.
Visions don't always come true.
Toph feels the change and, rarely does she curse her lack of sight, but this is one time she would give everything to know what just happened.
"Aang?" Her voice wavers.
As he watches with a growing sense of horror, golden eyes lock on his and he sees the smirk. In that instant he knows.
Visions don't always come true….but sometimes, at the worst possible time, they do.
Ozai walks on unaware of the small drama unfolding around him and uncaring about the daughter at the center of it all. Long Feng turns to the Princess and with ever-questing hands grazes his fingers across the bruised cheek. His other hand wraps around the hand on her stomach and pulls her close.
"It's time, my queen."
The sight of Long Feng's hands on her, his lips near her, tears something open inside of the Avatar and the earth below responds.
The shift is so sudden that Toph is nearly bowled over by the ripping apart of rock beneath her feet. The flash of heat is scorching and not even Sparky burns that hot when ticked. The water rages beneath them and all the air seems sucked out of the cavern. For a moment it is disorientating to the Earth Bender. It has been rare that she has seen the Avatar this angry and she knows without the gift of sight just what is going on.
Katara gasps and her hand instinctively reaches out to grab him. Zuko makes a noise protesting the dig of her nails into his leg. He pries her hand off but when he looks to ask he sees her focus isn't on him. The glow of white shines even in the dark of the cavern and Katara is torn between thinking it is a good thing and knowing it isn't. Aang hasn't mastered the Avatar state but it's triggered by his emotions.
"He'll bring the city down on us." Zuko breathes, mind racing with possibilities.
"What set him off?" Katara asks completely unaware of the connection between the Princess and the Avatar.
Zuko knows but says nothing. They have to focus on one thing at a time.
The rushing sound of water and cracking sound of rock pricks at Ozai's ears. Scowling, the Fire Lord's eyes furtively seek out the source of the disturbance. Long Feng can feel the pull and twist and the vibrations of the river racing towards them. Shouts of warning go up and chaos ensues as Fire Benders try to evade the water and Dai Li try to stem the flow.
Thinking quickly, Long Feng bends the rock wall open to the tunnel parallel and pushes Azula through. Before he can bend it closed though the Fire Lord is through the opening and taking Azula's hand. Long Feng closes the opening with a grimace and follows. Taking down the Fire Lord will have to wait until the Avatar has been dealt with.
"No, no no!" Zuko shouts as he watches the three disappear. "Where did they go?"
The cavern is filling quickly so Katara doesn't bother replying but scrambles out of the alcove. The Dai Li are fighting a losing battle as the Avatar redirects millions of gallons of water into the cavern. Angry, violent water that rushes around their feet pulling them down into crashing waves.
"We've got to get out of here." Zuko shouts but Katara doesn't move so he grabs her arm. "Katara, he'll drown us too. We have to go."
The rage is heavy in the air as the waters rise. Katara jerks out of Zukos' grasp. "No, we have to help Aang."
Zuko spares a look at the Avatar floating in the center of it all. The swirling winds rip bits of rock and crystal mixing it with the raging currents below. The logistics of reaching Aang are beyond comprehension.
"Unless you have grown wings, Sugar Queen, there's no reaching him."A very tired Earth Bender snaps as she scrambles to the higher ground on which they stand.
Toph's dress is soaked and muddied. After the Avatar lost it, Toph had been left on a very precarious perch which was quickly crumbling under the eroding power of water. It had taken a bit of cunning on her part to make it out.
Zuko makes his decision and grabs Katara's arm pulling her toward the lone exit hidden from sight but where the others are headed.
When the Water Bender protests again, Zuko turns to her with a growl. "We can't help him and I'm not going to let him take you out too."
"Seriously, Katara, Twinkles has this but we have got to go!" Toph grabs her other hand and pulls.
At the exit, Hakoda ushers them through as the water begins lapping at his feet. Toph grounds her stance to seal the exit and Katara steals one last glance at the glow before the rock slams shut.
Oooo
The flame in Ozai's hand brightens the dark corridor as they walk. The orange fire reflects off the green crystals creating a dazzling array of color.
"This is magnificent." Ozai mocks. "On the eve of our greatest triumph, somehow you manage to fail to stop the Avatar."
Long Feng glares. "This was not my plan."
Ozai sneers. "I wasn't speaking to you."
Azula follows behind unfazed by the vitrol in the Fire Lord's voice. Ursa is at her side.
"Soon, Azula," She purrs. "Soon they will fall and the Phoneix will rise."
Ahead of her the two men bicker unaware of their newest companion.
"Perhaps if you had done your job right then I would have the Avatar's head and the city at my feet!" Ozai snarls.
"I did my job! Azula is the perfect obedient daughter you wanted!" Long Feng snaps back as he loses his patience.
"Is that so?" Ozai asks in a deadly quiet voice as he looks at the blank face of his daughter. "Azula, perhaps Long Feng needs a demonstration of your obedience."
Azula stands motionless as if he never spoke.
Long Feng smirks. "Oh yes about that," he said in a friendly mocking manner, "She is perfect and obedient to me, not you." He looks to the Princess. "Now, Azula."
Still, there is no response and Ozai laughs. "Stupid peasant! You've done nothing but made her as vapid as any woman can be. You thought to use her to kill me?"
Long Feng can only stare at Azula in disbelief. Everything had been done right. He had done everything he had to do to lead to this moment. Before he can speak though the rock ahead of them gives away and the dust and stone rain down upon them. The air clears quickly and the Avatar stands before them.
"Surprise, surprise." Ozai mocks as he looks from the steel gray eyes no longer alight with rage but still teeming with emotion to the golden vacancy that is Azula behind him. "This is the boy that dared sully my house." He appraises the flash of confusion in the Avatar's eyes. "From what I understand you and I have much to discuss, Avatar."
Uncertainty flashes in Aang's eyes before he pushes it aside. There are larger matters to deal with now.
"There isn't much to discuss. I won't let you take the city." The Avatar's voice rings loud and clear in the tunnel.
He can't afford to be distracted now.
Ozai chokes out a laugh. "You won't let me? I don't recall you asking permission to take my daughter, yet here we are." He makes a sweeping gesture to the woman behind him.
Aang risks a glance but the empty vacant stare reveals nothing. A flicker of something black moves beside her but just as quickly it vanishes. The hairs on the back of his neck begin to tingle the same way they do when the veil between this world and the spirit world begins to thin.
Long Feng speaks unaware of the extra presence. "Even now, the Fire Nation troops should be through the wall."
Upon seeing the look of surprise on the Avatar's face, Ozai laughs again. "Did you really think this was my only plan? You must take me for a fool. " His eyes are bright. "Speaking of fools, how was that Water Tribe bitch? I had so hoped to bed her first."
It's the last line to be crossed and Azula snaps.
"Will you shut up?" Azula hisses breaking her silence.
The eyes of three men look at her, surprise, shock, and shame shining strong.
Long Feng recovers first. "Azula…"
"Shut up!" Her words are vicious and harsh. There is a fire in her eyes as she carefully stares each of them down. "You don't love me! None of you love me!" Her words become a scream as the fire rushes through her veins and sparks at her fingertips. "I am nothing but a pawn to you!"
Ursa leans close as her raspy voice scratches in Azula's ear. "Now, Azula, do it now!"
Azula's smile is chilling and as cold as the blue lightening that flows from her fingertips.
Ooo
Katara finds it hard to breathe. She is barely aware of Hakoda's presence beside her as she watches Toph's unblinking eyes stare into nothingness. The Earth Bender's fingers are spread upon the hastily erected rock wall.
With a small shake of Toph's head, black hair comes undone obscuring more of her face. "No."
The cavern is so quiet the whisper is nearly a shout.
"What do you mean 'no'?" Sokka's voice is strong and steady.
Katara finds herself latching onto the comforting sound as they wait for the answer.
"Just, no." Toph says dropping her hand from the rock. "They're dead."
The knowledge settles over them and it's more disconcerting than Katara had anticipated.
"What about Aang?" Zuko asks.
Katara blinks at the prince in surprise at his proximity.
Toph's forehead creases in concentration as she spreads her toes out farther. "It almost feels like…."
She ends the sentence with a sudden jerking motion of rock barely blocking explosion of crystal to their left. As the shards rain down on them, Katara hits the ground hard, Zuko's heavy weight pinning her to the ground, shielding her from the stray pieces falling down around them. She can hear Hakoda and Sokka shouting and the clash of stone and the sizzle of fire. Seeing Aang is a relief but the feeling passes as she sees he is under attack.
Zuko rolls off her and dives into the fray as the Fire Lord, Long Feng, and the Avatar battle it out. Katara hesitates to get her bearings. Ozai and Long Feng are indiscriminate in their attacks both on Aang and on each other. Toph joins in tripping the other Earth Bender with a well placed ledge.
Another shout from Hakoda jerks her attention to the other end of the cavern and to the unwelcome red uniforms of Fire Nation soldiers. Leaping to her feet, she chances one last glance at the Avatar and the Prince battling the Fire Lord and the former Secretariat before pulling the water from the small river beside her and facing the incoming troops.
Ooo
Ozai fights with fury. Long Feng's treachery coupled with actually coming face to face with the boy that dared take what was his was more than enough to infuriate the Fire Lord. It was Azula's betrayal that was enough to cement his rage.
By some lucky stroke of Agni, they had barely avoided Azula's lightening strike. The bolts had been unfocused and chaotic; nothing like the daughter he has come to know. Ever since she was a child he had been warned of her potential for mental instability. A child that young should know nothing of the cold control Azula had demonstrated time and time again from such a tender age. It had sparked whispers among the staff of the palace. Fear was evident in her caretakers and tutors. That pointless bitch of a mother had been worried, nearly frantic with the abnormal behavior of her only daughter, but where Ursa seen a cause for concern, Ozai seen potential. The Fire Lord craved perfection and found it in the most unlikely of places, a girl child. However, much like that useless lump of a son, the daughter had turned out to be a disappointment.
Ozai blocks varying attacks from the Avatar and from Long Feng. The Earth Bender is quick enough to fling a rock in the Fire Lord's direction before redirecting another towards the Avatar. If they joined together perhaps they could take the Avatar down as the boy is more powerful than he anticipated.
Water, rock, and air fly across the field, striking against fire or stone and Long Feng can feel his bending faltering. He's not as strong a bender as the other two and it shows as he steadily loses ground. It's only when they turn their attention back to each other that he is able to regain any standing. He stumbles on a ledge that suddenly springs up. The girl is tiny but the grin on her face is very telling of her confidence. A ball of orange catches his eye and he barely blocks the blow from the prince.
The Dragon of the West holds his own against the incoming soldiers. Iroh has known battle and known it well. The nonbenders at his side are as impressive as he has heard them to be. Hakoda and Sokka fight in tandem taking out solider after soldier and the slice of fans can be heard over the crackle of fire as the Kyoshi warrior does her part in turning the tide. When whips of water join in, lashing at the flames in the soldiers hands, Iroh gently steps to the side and lets the Water Bender send a line of men sprawling to the ground.
On the other side of the cavern, a fight of the four elements rages. Earth, Air, Fire and Water crash together wave after wave. Nothing is gained but nothing is lost.
Zuko comes face to face with the man he has grown to hate. The marred skin of the Fire Lord's face is a mirror image of his own and he can see the ironic gleam in his father's eyes….that is before a ball of fire wells up between them causing Zuko to quickly dodge and block. The advantage is lost though as the Fire Lord launches more fireballs interspersed with violent streams of fire as he pursues his own blood across the cavern floor.
Toph is quick to act, pulling at the earth and reveling in the way it responds under Ozai's feet. The Fire Lord goes down but, before she can move in for the kill, a slab of earth literally knocks her off her feet and Long Feng is upon her.
Aang sees the soldiers pouring in from the other side. He sees Ozai roll to his feet and Long Feng's pants catch fire from Zuko's fire. Iroh and the others are doing well but there are more and more soldiers filling the cavern driving them to the center. He glances back at the tunnel from which they came. Azula's attack had been surprising, both in its ferocity and in its madness. It bore none of her trademark calm. The brief image of the shadowy phantom must have something to do with it.
With the lightening racing towards him, Aang had reacted and blocked with a wall of rock, barricading the Princess on the other side and safe from the other two men. If all goes well, they can end the war and then Azula can be freed and helped. If not, the city falls and Aang will be reborn in one of the Water Tribes.
You must release your earthly attachments, Aang, or you will never be able to reach the Avatar state.
The guru's words have haunted him. He has to let go. He has to let go of this world and his attachment to it, his attachment to the people in it. Is cosmic energy worth it? Has anything been worth it? The lies, the betrayal, the impending sense of doom hangs over him, weighs him down, and makes him want to run more than the night he fled the Southern Air Temple. Mistake after mistake have mounted against him. Will Ba Sing Se be added to the list?
For the first time he feels the flicker of energy coursing through his chakras. It feels cool, controlled, and not filled with the rage and pain that usually accompanies it. The arrows on his arm light up and he feels the pull of the elements as they respond.
Ooo
The fight isn't going well. Not for any of them but Katara doesn't give up. It's not in her to give up. Hope has been all she had when her mother died and her father left. It had been all she had when she watched her tribe be decimated in Fire Nation attacks. However, as they are pinned down under relentless fire and she hears the shouts and calls coming from the other battle not too far away, for the first time, she feels hope faltering.
The white light of shining tattoos sets the green crystal alight and Katara feels her hope surging. The rushing winds swirl in a vortex pulling at the elements around them. Perhaps, just perhaps, this is the way to end it all.
Oooo
Seething rage. That's all she feels. With unsteady feet she makes her way through the tunnel towards the battle beyond.
Ursa's chant of Now, Now, Now reverberates in her head. The ghost is circling at her side weaving a web around her with each utterance that passes blood red lips.
Ozai
Long Feng
Aang
"Do it!" The hiss is loud in her ear yet at the same time feels forever away. "You must take your revenge and make them pay."
With trembling hands she guides herself along the rock wall, the blood is already drying on her hands from busting through the rock wall the Avatar had so quickly encased her in.
The light from the cavern below floods the tunnel as Azula stands overlooking the scene beyond. She sees Long Feng barely avoiding the blind girl. She sees the Fire Lord below fending off his son's attacks. She sees the sphere of air with the Avatar floating in the center.
"Azula," Ursa steps up to stand beside her. "Now is your time."
With a smirk, Azula raises her hands. "Yes, mother."
The electricity flows easily from her fingertips as she pours out every bit of hurt, rage and pain onto the three men she has come to hate the most.