Book Four: Air

IC: Azula

Azula's hand froze upon the tile she was placing down.

"We can't be all together..." she said, staring down at her badly painted nails.

"Never again; mother doesn't want to see me. Mother hates me...she thinks I'm a monster!"

She roared sending a breath of blue flame into the air, but was back to staring at Mai the next moment.

"We need Mother to be a family....I'm sure Father left to find her..."

Mai watched Azula's short freak out calmly before sighing in annoyance afterward, deciding that Azula probably wasn't in a fit enough mental state to be of complete help. "I'm sure he will, and then everything can be like it was." The Fire Lady stated in her calm and encouraging tone again. She then moved another tile, intentionally leaving it open so Azula could win quickly.

The truth was that Mai thought Lady Ursa had been most likely died a few years ago, something she had only told Zuko's uncle of all people as she felt like it would be wrong of her to try and break Zuko's hope for finding his mother. Now that she saw Azula seemed to have the same desire, she was reminded of when Zuko had told Mai that he and Azula were actually similar and that was why he had to help her get better, because there was a chance that she could live to be a decent person.

"So do you find yourself....craving or wanting anything added to your room Azula?" Mai asked as she changed the path of the conversation once again.

Katara

"Yeah, except we don't have Sokka, Toph, Suki, or Zuko with us," Katara responded. "That thing wanted to kill us though, it acted like it was used to hunting humans. Do you think that village will be ok with it running around?"

IC: Azula

"Oh...not really," replied Azula, taking advantage of the open space Mai left, and moved one of her pieces in.

"I've already done some redecorating, made it more fit for a Princess like myself."

She studied the board with a wide smile.

"I think you've lost Mai, there's no escaping this placement now."

IC: ?

The man swore. "They escaped."

"No matter," said the woman. "A message has been sent. No doubt they will be thinking on this for some time." Her eyes slid towards her companion. "Send a hawk to inform the General of this. He will know what to do next."

"Right away."

***

IC: Maku

"Well, now, that saves us some time!" The leader of the mercenaries laughed. "We're not far from Whale-Tail Island, either. A half a day's ride, and then a few hours at sea. We'll be there in no time."

He looked at his allies, his nasty grin only growing.

"And once we're there, it's all a matter of coming up with a way to spirit her away."

***

IC: General Narrative

Zuko was not the only one in shock following Wuong's announcement. The entire assembly erupted into outraged, angry shouts. After so long a war, the possibility of another touched a raw nerve in most everyone there.

"Are you mad!?" demanded an Earth Kingdom man. "You would sacrifice more lives, after a Hundred Year War, for a foolish bid for freedom? You would risk the safety of the Earth Kingdom yet again?"

"Treason! It is treason!" The Fire Nation noble was as red in the face as his robes. "We should arrest you for such talk!"

Toph could not help but think that this was only a bid for some of the Colony leaders to grab some power. The Will of the People Wuong kept yammering on about was either a falsehood, or manipulation on the part of this same leaders.

And she would admit it. It was a little frightening to think of another war.

"Scare tactics will not work on us, Representative Wuong," added Shan.

***

IC: Soldiers

The three men eventually pulled off the road into a little copse hidden from view of passerby. They set up camp, the iron cell holding Iroh close by, and roasted dinner over an open fire. They were all in good spirits following their success.

Jing

"That will not be easy, Maku. Toph is a great earthbender, and has won the Earth Rumble countless times. She took on the Dai Li and succeeded too. It would not be easy to kidnap her." Jing said.

Wuong

"Treason? You think what I'm doing is treason?! What the Fire Nation nearly did, and did during the war was treason! The entire government of the Fire Nation are traitors to our people. Sozin was but one man. Ozai was but one man. Surely someone in the government could have tried to stop them! Nobleman Zhong...did you not vocally support the war, just a few short months ago? You gave a speech just two years ago, to raise our people's spirits to support the war. I'm surprised you're here at all." Wuong bursted. He took another breath and continued.

I do not, personally, want another war. Believe me, I do not. I want to resolve this peacefully. But my collegues are pressering me to get our independence now. Look...I'll do my best to tell them that now is not the best time for this. But this issue will not go away lightly, Fire Lord. The people no longer want to be under a government that tried to kill them! They do not trust anyone related to that madman. Simply put, the colonies fear you Zuko. They fear anyone connected to Ozai.

Look...if you want me advice, you need to put both your sister and Ozai on trial for crimes against humanity, and shortly thereafter execute them. In fact, put all of Ozai's advisors and top generals and admirals on trial. Then, you might start to gain the trust of the colonies." Wuong finished. He sighed. This was not going well at all. He had hoped this would be a fairly simple matter, but when were things simple? The colonies wanted to form their own nation, and the Earth Kingdom and the Fire Nation wished to deny that. Things...were not going to end well.

"I don't think so....he wasn't looking for food or anything like that, after all he did ignore the bowl full of food that we threw to him. I think he was actually trying to get us for some reason....he seemed to be trained at least." Aang guessed as he looked back down at the Island as it shrank when they flew higher into the sky.
-----------------
Mai pretended to be surprised and disappointed with the results as she saw Azula take the opening Mai had left her. "You're right, looks like I'll have to concede. But then I never could beat you at anything, good to see that's never changed." The Fire Lady commented as she looked up at Azula.

"This was nice was it not? We should do it again soon." Mai said as she stood up out of her seat.

IC: Azula

"You're leaving?!" exclaimed Azula.

She stared up at Mai with a strange mixture of anger and sorrow. She brought her hand up as if she would attack the Fire Lady, but instead reached down and pulled up a piece of partchment.

"Here...this is for you..."

It was a crudely drawn painting of a garden of some kind. At the center, smiling childishly outward were Azula, Mai, and Ty Lee, arm in arm with eachother.

Zuko

"I will not execute them," Zuko said resolutely. "My sister lived a similar life as I have, it has affected her greatly, but she still has a chance to redeem herself. My father, Ozai, has recieved judgement from Avatar Aang, I do not wish to overrule his decision to let Ozai live. If you want him dead, you will need to talk to the Avatar about it.

What you ask of me will take time, and it is the job of the local government in the colonies to make the people realize this. If you do not try to make them understand that change can only come through time, you will not have done your job. We will do our best to come up with a resolution, but if the colonies will not wait, we will be forced to take action."

Katara

"Well, you are the Avatar, I suppose some people are bound to attack you," Katara said. "We'll need to find out who sent that thing to us, but I think that will have to wait until after the peace talks, that we're late for."

"The Avatar spared both of their lives. The Fire Lord cannot override the Avatar's decision, Representative Wuong. That's what started the war in the first place," Sokka said, coming to Zuko's defense, knowing he couldn't kill his own family, "Besides, one must wonder if some people in the colonies are trying to seize power for themselves."
He allowed this accusation to hang in the air before sitting down. He inwardly thanked his father for the diplomatic training he gave him.

IC: Mercenaries

"Then we'll just have to be clever," said Maku. He did not seem the least bit concerned with the danger the Blind Bandit posed. "Even a dragon has a weak spot, Jing, as the saying goes. We just have to find it, and use it to our advantage."

He stroked his scraggly chin.

"But we will use her. Make no mistake."

***

IC: General Narrative

Toph couldn't help but smile. Sokka had voiced her own thoughts, bless him.

"I agree with Master Sokka. As it is, Azula is in no condition to be put on trial," said Shan, the more clear-headed of the Fire Nation nobles. "Her mind is in shambles. Our Fire Lord is even now trying to help her, and you ask him to put her to death? Shame on you, Representative Wuong. Be a bit more civil and understanding."

"I don't like it that he implies we should be put to death ourselves!" Lord Zhong looked furious. "We are now putting forth every effort to help the Earth Kingdom and our own nation. We had our duties. How dare you compare us to Fire Lord Ozai!"

The Earth Kingdom merchant, Yen Sung, cleared his throat. "Might I suggest a recess?" he said. "Some time to cool our heads would be most helpful."

"It will not change my mind," said Shan. "We have not yet decided to whom the Colonies belong. Now is not the time, nor I doubt there will be a time, for us to even consider a secession on the part of the Colonies."

"All the same, a recess would do us all some good," said Yen Sung.

It was finally agreed that the council would be dismissed and reconvene the next day. Wuong's declaration had put a halt to further talks on the future of the Colonies. The nobles and merchants, and other representatives of the three nations, cleared out of the city hall.

Toph tugged on Wuong's sleeve.

"You too, old man," she said. Gone was the polite attitude, though it was not for the reason he might think it to be. "You might want to get in your room. Not a lot of people like you right now."

Mai was rather shocked to see this part of Azula as she raised her hand to stop the guards from intervening when they thought the Fire Lady would be hurt by Azula. The Fire Lady grabbed the painting out of Azula's hand slowly and carefully.
"Damn it....it wouldn't be beneficial to anyone but.....Tomorrow. I'll come back so we can talk again tomorrow." Mai informed her sister-in-law before standing up straight again and walking out of the room into the hallway.

She looked back at Azula one last time as she wondered what was going on in her head and why had Mai done something so stupid as the guards shut the door behind her. "Well Ty lee's never going to let me hear the end of this." The Fire Lady told no one in particular as she walked out of the hospital, ignoring the angry physician who had been glaring at her on the way out.

"Was it a Success mam?" One of her more...familiar maids asked as Mai walked back out onto the platform that was used to carry the Fire Lady around. "No it was basically just pointless talking and me comforting her so the Doctor's didn't follow us back to the palace with complaints." Mai stated as the sheets fell back and blocked off the view Mai had had of the city only seconds before. As she sat in slience on her way back to the Palace Lady Mai sneaked more then a few glances at the gift Azula had given her, feeling confused.
-------------------------------------
"Yeah, I guess your right. But how did they know we would even land there?" The Avatar wondered aloud as he moved up closer to Katara, ready for a few more hours of flying.

Jing

"Good. Might I suggest, when we arrive, we view her friends? That could be an effective weak spot to use against her." Jing suggested. Yes, it would be dangerous to have the girl with them. But it just might be worth it, if Long Feng could get that stone.

Wuong

"It is understandable. People often hate what they do not want to hear." Wuong said. He exited the chambers and walked toward his own. Hopefully, once the meeting was resumed, they could settle things. Wuong hoped to reach a temporary solution, since succeeding did not seem to be an option for the moment.

(I'm dropping out of this rpg.)

FIRE LORD- Toko, you never joined this rp. It's kind of hard to drop out of it.

IC: Samanya

A tide of not so pleased looking officals came through the doors, grumbling to themselves and muttering some words that Samanya had never really heard before. Odd...what had happened in this big meeting? Something unpleasent for certain...

Spotting the familiar form of the small girl, the warrior carefully made his way through the crowd, giving his apologies to everyone he bumped into on his way. Reaching her, the tribesman squatted down to eye level with her. "Bad things happen, yes?"

-------

IC: The Voice and Drakon

"Well, I'm sure you wouldn't want to keep her waiting." She snapped her fingers, and Drakon looked to his superior curiously. "Drakon, stay here and out of sight. Do not provoke any of the guards unless you receive a signal."

"Gursh?"

"Yes, the usual one." The metal giant lumbered away, probably looking for a hiding place large enough to conceal his bulky form. "My lord, I see you will be requiring a cloak to hide your face from the guards." She reached into a small bag on her back, and pulled out a large cloak. It looked old and worn, but the fabric still seemed to shimmer with dull light. She pulled another, smaller cloak out and pulled it over her body, before pulling the hood tight to mask her face. "I hope you do not mind me accompanying you, my lord, but I do not wish to risk you being detected and captured."

IC: Ozai

"I do not intend to be," replied Ozai, taking the cloak and pulling it over his bear torso. It concealed his face nicely and he continued up to Crater Capitol.

"Once my daugher-in-law is captured, you will take me to the leaders of this rebellion, where I will take control. However, no one is to know who I am...do you understand me?"

IC: The Voice

She began to follow her lord, a respectful three steps behind. "Of course, my lord. No one but myself and Drakon shall know who you truely are. After we have aquired her, we should discuss who you will become, however. The rebellion's leaders will not give up power easily, and they made need to be...convinced that you are the best choice to lead them."

The pair passed the first ring of patrols easily, and soon they where descending down into the crater. With any luck, they would not be hampered by the guards, but she was prepared in the event they were.

Only one thing left to do. Iroh thought as he saw that his chances of escaping where little.

He put his hands together and started to meditate, he was getting ready for when he was released make his escape. Iroh’s breathing rate lowered, and he was leaving consciousness, he was falling into a deep dream where he could be at total peace.

IC: Toph

She had sensed the stranger long before she actually spoke, but Toph did not turn his way until he spoke. Her glassy eyes fell on him.

"Yeah. I guess you could say that," she said. "It's not good, that much I can say." Toph huffed. "More arguing to come, too. This job is going to get old really fast."

For all her complaints, Toph was worried with the path this declaration had opened. War... She shuddered at the thought.

Toph called over a soldier. "This guy will take you to your weapons," she told the stranger. "You're good, as far as I care. And, sorry, but I've got to get going. I've got a job to do."

She ambled out of the city hall and made her way for Wuong's chambers. She was still his bodyguard, after all.

***

IC: Mercenaries

"Yes, yes. Friends are always a weak point, one way or another," said Maku. He tapped his chin. "We'll need to come up a way to get her away without their knowing. Can't have 'em coming after her, now can we? We also need an effective way to keep her under control."

***

IC: Soldiers

"The old coot's awfully quite."

"Who cares? As long as he isn't causing any trouble, this is an easy job." The leader leaned back into his bedroll. "The General will be very pleased to have him. You know that! Real easy way to bargain with the little prince, you know."

Katara

"That's a good question," Katara said, thinking. "I wish Sokka was here, he would have come up with an explanation now that would either make sense or make us laugh."

Zuko

Zuko rubbed his temples before standing up and leaving the room. Could the colonies really distrust him enough to want to go to war? It made little sense to him, they knew the dangers and hardships of war, how could they be willing to go through that again all to escape a ruler that they knew nothing about? "None of this adds up," he muttered, wondering what he was going to do, about the colonies and his escaped father.

Dumb soldiers Iroh thought. On the other hand, Zuko is in trouble, somebody wants to overthrow him, take him out. But the question now is, what General is planning to do this?

Iroh closed his eyes again and listened carefully to everything the soldiers said. They had actually put him close to them to keep an eye on the package, and this was good for Iroh. He could hear everything.

Sokka left the meeting, a little angry at the thought of another war. This didn't make sense. The colonies always seemed loyal to the Fire Nation, at least the older ones were. The ones that were recently conquered should have wanted to rejoin the Earth Kingdom. He walked over to Toph and greeted her, "Hey. How have you been in the Fire Nation?"

IC: Samanya

He watched the small one go, before looking at the man she had gestured to. "Weapons?" The soldier gave the tribal warrior a look, before guiding him to his beloved arms. Quickly grabbing his shield and club, Samanya seemed overjoyed to be reunited with them, and the image of the mighty warrior returned to the wanderer. However, he was not done with the soldier just yet...

"Show Samanya to small one? Speak with her."

Jing

"Yes, we do. Perhaps....we could go through a different link? Any one of her friends would be difficult to subdue, if we go with a hostage situation. Perhaps, we can threaten her parents instead? That is just one idea though." Jing suggested. It would be difficult to control the Bandit. A hypnotizing technique would not work, since she was blind. As far as she knew. Could it work on a blind person? Hm, an experiment for later.

IC: Mercenaries

He nodded thoughtfully, but did not speak aloud just yet. He patted his leg as the ostrich-horses ambled through the countryside. A smile slowly returned to his face.

"That's an idea." He glanced over at his comrades. "I think I know how to keep her under control once we have her. I'll leave it up to you lot to come up with the other half of this: getting her to walk to us. I'll meet you at Whale-Tail Island, tomorrow!"

He tugged the reins and went off in a different direction.

Kara cleared her throat. "That means I'm in charge. We're almost to the port. Until then, let's keep swapping ideas. To take down an enemy, you must know that enemy." The Water Tribe woman looked at Jing. "You seem to know a lot about the girl. Tell us what you do know."

***

IC: Toph

She sat outside the door to Wuong's chambers. She had checked the hallways twice before, but nothing was happening. Toph had finally just slouched the the floor and dozed; her senses were attuned enough to let her know if anyone was coming in any direction.

So she knew Sokka was there before he even talked to her. Toph tried to hide the pleased grin. She liked it when they talked. It was like old times, before he became too busy for his best friend.

"It's been hot. But it's always hot in the Fire Nation. How's life treating you, Snoozles?"

***

IC: NPC Soldier

The soldier blinked. "The small one?" he said. He looked around, then blinked. "Oh! You mean Lady Toph! Well, I'm guessing she will go to attend to her duties as Representative Wuong's escort. He's in the mansion, on the top of the hill. Here, I'll show you."

He led the strange man out of the hall and into the streets of Lo Shan. He pointed at the great house.

***

IC: Soldiers

"Think he'll pay us for this job?"

"There's no telling when it comes to him." The leader snorted. "He's wily. He might pay us, and he might not. It all depends on how he feels, how well we did, and how soon we get there."

The third soldier grunted. "Might want to hurry, then. I heard he's planned on attacking the Avatar too."