Avatar: The Legend of Azula, Book 1: Air

Cheng looked over at Toph, but said nothing. He didn't want to think of the other time or times she saw poeple killed. He looked over at Kuei and said, "You were fighting two tough opponents."

On Ji stood outside the room. Although she was related to Ursa, she felt that she wasn't close enough to her to go in. She wasn't as important as her own children. Still On Ji felt upset and pity for her friends. She knew how it felt to lose a parent. She had lost both of hers after all. So On Ji decided to do her best to comfort Zuko and Azula later.

Kuei

"I'm fine Toph. My dislocated shoulder is nothing. Now, we need to get back to the base as fast as we can. We must get to our boat as fast as we can. The ship leaves tonight, in just an hour. We must move quickly before Fire Nation soldiers beat us there." Kuei said.

Zuko, Iroh, Ursa

"I'm glad...you're here..." Ursa managed to say after seeing them enter. Zuko and Iroh rushed to her side at once. A small sheet was draped over Ursa's chest.

"I'm sorry...about all of this. I'm sorry that I can't stay with you much...longer." Ursa said with a pained gasp.

If anger marks were actually shown there would be one pulsing on Toph's temple. She silenced herself though and continued them on their path, speeding up so that they could make it to the ship. She didn't think it was too terribly far now.

~*~

Azula rushed to her mother's side beside Zuko. "No. Mom, you have to stay." She bit her lip after she said this. Her mother couldn't leave her! Not yet.

Cheng frowned when he noticed Toph's expression. He knew that she was angry that the Avatar slipped through her hands once again. He continuied following her and murmured, "We'll catch her next time, Toph."

((This episode is now drawing to a close. We will soon be moving onto the Season Finale of Book 1: Air. The Airbending Master will be next, followed by the season finale. Please put up your final posts so we can move on.))

Kuei

The Prince kept silent the rest of the way. Eventually they made it back to their ship, just in time. It sailed off before it could be detained. Once they were out of Fire Nation waters, Kuei gave a sigh of relief. Since this was a merchant ship still neutral in the war, they'd stop at the base were Toph's ship was docked. While they had failed to capture the Avatar, at least they hadn't been captured themselves.

Ursa

"I'm...sorry Azula. The healer...did all she could. I want the both of you to know....I've always loved you. No matter what you did or what you will do, I'll always love you. You too, Iroh. You were there...when I needed you most.

You saved me after the death of my husband. I'm...sorry, Azula and Zuko. I'm sorry I can't be with you any longer. I...would have liked to see my future grandchildren. But it is not meant to be. I am sorry. Re..remember, that I've always loved the three of you. Remember, my children, that I've always loved you. When I meet your father in the Fields...I'll make sure to pass your love onto him." Ursa said inbetween pained gasps.

Zuko took his mother's hand. Tears started to stream down his face. No, why now of all times did they have to lose their mother?! They had just been reunited with her...but now, to be taken away from her so soon...

"Please mom...don't die." Zuko whispered. He knew it would be no good, but he had to try. Ursa only gave a sad smile in response.

"I love you all. Please, live a happy live for me, Azula and Zuko. Do not let my death stop you from living your lives to the greatest extent. I'm....so proud of you, my children. I love you both so much....I wish I had more time to spend. Goodbye, Azula, Zuko, and Iroh. When you all pass on to the next life...Ozai and I will be waiting for you, with open arms. Until then....goodbye. I love you all."

Ursa slowly closed her eyes. She took one last breath....and stopped. Ursa was dead.

On Ji made her desicon. She was going to go with them this time. She didn't want to left here, alone. And who knows, maybe she would be able to help them out in the long run. But On Ji knew that she would have to ask them. And after what happened during the fight, she wondered if she would be good enough to join Azula and her friends on their journey. Still it never hurt to ask.

Tears spilled down Azula's cheeks. They had just gotten to see her and now she was gone. And again it was her fault. She should've been able to stop that knife! She grasped her mother's still hand and held it to her cheek as if she could pass some life onto her.

~*~

Toph had acknowledged Cheng's comment with a simple nod. But who knew really? Maybe she was destined to be in exile for her whole life.

((If no one minds, I'd like to skip to the next episode.))

(I'm fine with it.)

((Skip away, please))

[[ Skip! ]]

((Fine with me.))

(I'm good with that.)

Avatar: The Legened of Azula, Book 1: Air

Chapter 18: The Airbending Master

General Narrative

Four days had gone by since Ursa's passing. In that time Azula and Zuko had spent much time with Iroh after her funeral. Iroh helped the two through that difficult time. They would have liked to stay there longer, but the duties of the Avatar called. Azula needed to get to the Western Air Temple as soon as possible to finally master airbending.

Iroh had sent a letter to the Temple that the Avatar would soon be leaving to go there. On the day of their leaving, the Temple sent over two Bison escourts and their masters to guide them there. After a small debate Iroh decided to let On Ji go with them for the time being. The kids waved Iroh off and flew away. Zuko and Azula rode on Feng while Aang, Yue, and On Ji rode on one of the bisons. After two hours of flying they came upon a series of mountain ranges. The escourts followed by Feng dove into the edge of where a platform ended.

"Welcome to the Western Air Temple."

The Temple was a sight to behold. It was upside down, carved into the the platform. The spires were magnificent to behold. It was an entire city hanging in there.

General Narrative

The day after the failed attempt to take the Avatar, Kuei said his goodbyes to his father and niece and left the naval base to head back to the capital to face his trial. Since then, word had spread through the Empire that the Avatar was now at the Western Air Temple. Hope of capturing the Avatar now was lost. The Western Air Temple was an impenetrable fortress. In the one-hundred and ten years of war, the Temple had yet to be conquered, along with the Eastern Air Temple. Plans had been made to take it when Kyoshi was alive, but when she disappeared they failed. All attempts to take the Western Air Temple thus far have ended in failure.

Now Toph, her grandfather, Cheng, and the rest of the crew were lounging around, trying to think of how to capture Azula now.

"Maybe we should lure her out with something... maybe an apple on a string?" Toph joked lightly. She was still angry that they hadn't captured the Avatar, but it was over and done with now. They'd get her eventually.

~*~

"Woah. I always tried to imagine what an Air Temple looked like, but I would never have thought of this! I wonder if all of the Temples are like this." Azula spoke aloud. The past few days had been rough. It was time they got distracted from them and do other things.

Aang

"Not all the temples, just this one," Aang answered Azula when they landed. "The others are temples on top of mountains, though they all are unique in different ways." For a moment he remembered his home, the Southern Temple, but it was gone, the Earth Empire had seen to that. He was excited though, here he could complete his airbending training.

"Maybe that'd work for their dragon," Cheng mused, "But I don't think we'd want to lure that out. He continued, "Places like that always have secret entrances. We could try looking for some."

"Ya... Or we could shave your head and pass you off as a monk." A sly grin came to Toph's face.

~*~

"Oh... That's still cool though." Azula smiled over at Aang. She looked around and studied their surroundings. It looked kind of flat. Oh well! These cliffs made up for it! They looked full of secrets and wonders.

"I thought you liked my hair," Cheng whined with a grin, "You said it was nice and silky."

On Ji looked around in awe. She had never in her life had seen such a sight. It was so amazing. She smiled and had the urge to go exploring, but she wasn't going to leave her friends just yet. After all they had just arrived.

"Wow this temple is incredible. Did the Air Nomads make it?"

((Well, we have a bit of a problem. Unknown_WaterBender says she might not be able to continue as Yue anymore. Something has come up, so she may have to quit. Would anyone be willing to take over as Yue?))

(I will if no one else wants to.)

(I will, but I'm not sure how she was playing the character.)

((If you want her Toko, I'll explain what we had planned via PM. I believe you already have Katara, On Ji, Jet, Suki, and Ty Lee correct? I'll let you have her if you can keep up with all those characters. Hm, I think I'll make things easier by having On Ji leave the Azugaang after the season finale for a time, if you're ok with that.))