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Kingdom of War	By : Jayrich Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Het - Male/Female Views: 28040 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 1
Disclaimer: I do not own Avatar: The Last Airbender, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 17
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Kingdom of War 17
Earthly Revelations…

His eyes burned a blinding white, matching his glowing Air Nomad tattoos that burned just as brightly. His lips snarled with anger not experienced in years. All who laid eyes on Aang knew only of one truth, the Avatar was enraged.
Tsung, however, was amused. “Yes, YES! This is what I’ve wanted, a shot at taking you down at your fullest potential!”
Aang remained silent, letting his actions speak as he slowly stepped into his fighting stance. An orb of air encased him completely as his hands emitted fire that slowly moved into an orbit around him, in a ring. It was followed by chunks of rock forcibly ripped from the boulders Toph drew up, and brought into the orbit. Finally, the Avatar drew the water from the nearby plants in Si Wong, completing the Four Element Circumference which circled him.
The Dai Li agents surrounding the battlefield were in awe, as they never have truly witnessed the Avatar in this form. Tsung was not dissuaded though, as he charged forward with his attack. He would be treated as a gnat however, as Aang answered with a palm strike of condensed air that stopped his foe in his tracks, and followed with a fist thrust that launched a chunk of rock into Tsung’s chest. Within moments Tsung went from aggressor to ailing, and gasping for breath.
“This isn’t…no. NO! You are NOT this strong! Ozai was a weakling; you are fighting the best the Earth Kingdom has to offer!”
He took one step forward, and felt the ground beneath him disappear. Aang had propelled him 20 feet within the air in a flash with his sand geyser, and it was as effortless to him as breathing. He then switched his focus to the Dai Li, who were surrounding the battle area. Opening his mouth, Aang unleashed a condensed fire blast that Zuko & Azula would’ve been proud of, blasting all Agents in its path, and sending those who weren’t hit running for the hills.
Kyoko was especially impressed by the display as her captors fled. “By Kyoshi…he truly has the Avatar’s might.”
As the display of power continued, Suki & Sokka discovered a chilling revelation. “Sokka, I think Aang’s lost control.”
“Good.” Sokka replied, thoughts of his injured sister fresh in his mind. “He’ll need some help.”
He went join Aang’s side, until Suki held his shoulder. “No…he needs to be calmed.”
It was something Sokka didn’t agree with, especially at this moment, but he knew she was right. “Fine, we’ll help him. AANG!!!”
As the Dai Li scrambled to safety, Aang readied to give chase, until Sokka & Suki stepped in front of him. “Aang, you need to calm down.”
“She’s right.”
The two were surprised to find themselves joined by the Fire Lord. “This isn’t you, Aang. I know how you feel, but you’re not in control now. Besides, Katara needs you…”
Katara. Her coming to harm was what set him off in the first place, and it is what quells his rage as the elemental rings & orb of air dispersed. He quickly rushed over to his love’s side to see her still breathing, but barely conscious.
“She needs help.”
“Don’t worry Aang…” Sokka assured him. “…I think I know a place.”

Sokka did indeed know of a location, one that even slipped the Avatar’s mind. It was close enough for them to remain around the Earth Kingdom, but still far enough to escape the expanding Feng Empire and his Dai Li Agents. It was the Eastern Air Temple. Hidden in the Air Nomad Mountain Range, it was a safe haven from Feng’s men, who had no intentions about the area or the accessible means to get there. With the help of Appa and a Fire Nation War Balloon, they reach the destination.
From there, priorities switched to the matter of healing Katara. And as they took her into the medical room of the temple, the task fell upon the least likely of candidates…Azula.
“You want ME to heal her?”
Sokka nodded. “Jet told me what you did while you were in prison, how you helped him.”
“Please, Azula…” Aang pleaded. “If you can do anything to help her…”
His pleas were accompanied by a look of despair from Ty Lee. Azula could tell she had become more than just travel companions with the Avatar’s group, they were her friends. “Oh knock it off with the sad eyes, Ty Lee. I’ll help.”
And almost immediate a beaming smile appeared on the Kyoshi Warrior’s face. “Do you need anything?” Sokka asked.
“Yes, privacy.” Azula answered. “This is still a new technique to me; I haven’t taken the time to master it since it isn’t combat related, so I’ll need concentration.”
“Come on…” Zuko said, showing everyone out. “Let’s give her the space she needs.”
“Yeah…I should go anyway…” Aang agree, in a sorrowful tone that didn’t go unnoticed.
“Hey Twinkle toes, you alright?” Toph asked.
Aang nodded. “Yeah…I just need some air.”
And as the Avatar walked away from the group, their eyes were locked onto him. There was no air of confidence around him, no essence of bravery. No, what the Avatar was feeling was something only Sokka & Toph could see…doubt. They saw it during their escape from Ba Sing Se on the Fire Nation Boat, and they can see it now.
Azula also noticed the change in Aang’s demeanor, but thought it rude if she had brought it up and decided to focus on the task at hand. Inside her pouch she reached in and pulled out a handful of grounded petals from the Prison Hospital. She took them during the riot in case she needed them to heal herself, but now someone else was in need of them. As she was taught, she sprinkled them evenly over Katara’s bruise and used her Firebending to heat them. There were still issues with her control over her technique, as her flame was still orange & red, but results came quickly as the bruise began to vanish, and Katara started to regain her consciousness.
“Wh…where am I?”
“At an Air Nomad Temple, the east one I think.” Azula answered.
“A…Azula?” Katara turned to face her healer, only to be halted by a sharp jolt of pain. “OWWW!!!”
“That would be the residual effect of your blow.” Azula noted. “Unfortunately I only know the basic form of this healing technique, so while your bruise is gone, the pain will remain for a while.”
“…healed me?” Katara slowly and cautiously rose up to a seated position on the table. “The last thing I remember was…fighting the Dai Li, when…”
“You were blindsided by a chunk of rock, compliments of one of Feng’s Lieutenants.” Azula informed her.
“What happened to Aang?” Katara asked.
“Your boyfriend brought out his Full Avatar power, and would’ve won the battle had the Kyoshi and your brother not stopped him.” Katara began to examine her arm as Azula continued. “Just think of how the battle would’ve gone if you weren’t involved…”
The Waterbender took exception to that. “Excuse me?”
“I don’t believe there’s any clearer way I can say it.” Azula told her. “We had the battle well in hand without your presence. In fact, why are you even involved?”
“We!?” Katara repeated. “If I recall correctly, when Aang & I arrived, you were about to be buried by Kyoko!”
“Yes, and I would’ve died knowing that at least I’ve done more in battle than you!” Azula shot back as she folded her arms. “Tell me, just what exactly have you done on this little crusade of Aang’s? Who have you even claimed victory over in your life?”
With narrowing eyes and anger burning through her, Katara rose off the table and turned to the Fire Princess? “You!”
“Ah yes, the Agni Kai between me and my brother which you HAD to interfere with!” Azula recalled. “A point in my life where I had the least sanity and you had the most motivation.”
Katara became confused. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that you beat me only because you had something to fight for!” Azula clarified. “The Avatar, my brother, your Tribe, even the world, you were fighting for them all! What do you have to fight for now!?”
“The Earth Kingdom!” Katara barked. “I’m fighting for its freedom!”
“A Province that you barely have any relation to!” Azula shot back. “If it wasn’t for the Blind Earthbender, you probably would’ve never set foot there. Face it, my father’s rule of the Fire Nation and his desire to conquer the world gave you every ounce of fuel you needed to win your battles! But you don’t have that hatred of Feng. He’s not threatening the Water Tribe, he doesn’t want global domination and he’s never hurt your family! So why are you here!?”
Katara remained silent. Azula’s words had brought up a fire she hadn’t had since Sozin’s Comet, when she helped to end Ozai’s reign over the Four Nations. She was almost ready to ask that question herself, pondering if her presence here was hampering the effort to win. But as she thought about the cause and her friends, she was reminded of the answer.
“You’re right, if not for your father I probably would’ve never stepped foot outside of the Water Tribe. But I did…and it’s because of that I’m fighting to stop Long Feng. I’m helping Toph, Suki, Jet and everyone in the Earth Kingdom who doesn’t want that madman in power! I’m making sure there won’t be another war in this world and I’m helping Aang with that every step of the way! THAT’S why I’m here!”
Surprisingly, Azula smirked at Katara’s response. “Good, your boyfriend could use some of that fire now.”
Again, Katara is thrown off-guard by her comments. “What are you talking about?”
“The Avatar is in a crisis of emotion.” The Fire Princess explained. “I believe it’s because he blames himself for your injury. And while Feng isn’t a major threat, I don’t think the Avatar can beat him in his current state.”
Katara became concerned. “Aang…”
“The question is; what is the Avatar’s love going to do about it?”
That was the question that popped into Katara’s mind. Aang had worried about her so much, but his mind needed to be focused. Knowing her task, Katara quickly grabbed a piece of cloth and rushed out of the room cradling her arm, as Azula smiled to herself.
“The major rule of being a successful leader…know how to inspire your troops. I would’ve made a great Phoenix Queen.”

“See anything out there?”
The outer wall of Ba Sing Se is notorious for being the largest manmade structure of the Four Nations. With that distinction comes the fact that the wall has also been attacked numerous times, most of the coming from attempted Fire Nation invasions. The last one, from the infamous drill, left a gaping hole in the wall; one that called for constant vigilance as the city officials gathered enough capable Earthbenders to fix the problem.
“Naw looks clear.”
This is why several members of the Terra Team were assigned constant duty over the breach. An assignment one of them isn’t pleased with having.
“Can someone tell me why we are out here?” A disgruntled soldier asked.
“Because we’re protecting the city, idiot.” His fellow soldier replied. “Now just keep watch on anything coming out there.”
The first soldier wasn’t satisfied with that answer. “Why!? The Avatar already worked his mystic mojo and stopped the Fire Nation. What? Is there an uprising in the Water Tribes? Are they gonna try to flood us out of the city? Geez, we could use the water.”
Another Terra Team Soldier on watch grew annoyed. “Ever heard of Long Feng? He’s still out there, you know…”
“THAT bald-headed joke!?” The first soldier laughed, before mocking the man in question. “Ooh, I’m gonna use my secret police to spy on what everyone’s doing. Then, I’m gonna take them to Lake Laogai! Come on, the man got taken down by a teenage girl! How scary can he be!?”
“Enough!” The third guard barked. “Just watch for any intruders like the Earth King ordered us to.”
“But there aren’t gonna BE any!” He said, growing even more agitated. “Seriously, WHY ARE WE OUT HERE!?!?”
“Because you are unworthy.”
As the belligerent Terra Team soldier turned, he was greeted with a boot to the jaw, one that sent him tumbling over the side of the wall, and down to the earth below. The other two guards turned to see the culprit, a Dai Li Agent. But they were unaware of the other two who traveled with him, and were quickly discarded from their outer wall duties. Finished with their infiltration, the 3 Agents used their Earthbending to lift up a chunk of rock, shaped like a huge ‘F’. It was a signal, as three Earth Kingdom Tanks rolled from over the horizon, heading towards the wall. The lead tank housed the orchestrator of this attack, Long Feng, and several of his men.
“Sir, we’ve just received signal.” One Dai Li reported. “The Breach is now in our control.”
“Excellent.” Long Feng replied.
“Should we move quickly to the Palace?”
“Do not be so impatient.” Feng recommended. “Taking over the Palace without securing the area is where Ozai made his mistake. I plan to rule every inch of the Earth Kingdom, working my way up to the Palace.”
“SIR! Lieutenant Tsung and his men are fast approaching!”
Feng raised a curious eyebrow and smirked. “Good. Tell him and Kyoko I shall issue their debriefing shortly.”
“Sir…Mistress Kyoko isn’t with him.”
And in an instant, the smirk vanished from his face, replaced by a look of concern and anger. He rose from his seat and headed for the Tank’s door, opening it just as Tsung and his men reached them.
“I expect you have a good reason why my daughter is not accompanying you.” Feng told him.
“We encountered the Avatar, sir.” Tsung began his report. “It was a brutal fight, and we managed to injure several of his friends, including the Waterbender he’s close to. We even drove him from the Si Wong Desert—!”
“Where. Is. Kyoko!” Feng demanded.
Gulping hard, Tsung revealed the answer. “…she was taken by the Avatar. I left several agents to track them, but I…”
Tsung ceased his explanation once he saw the coldness in Feng’s eyes, and the scowl on his face. “My suggestion is for everyone who is not an officer in the Dai Li, to quickly enter our tanks…for your own good.”
The order did not need to be given twice, as all subordinates quickly rushed to the shelter of the metal tanks, leaving Tsung and Feng alone.
“Sir, I—!”
“You lost my daughter.” Feng interrupted. “I sent you for a simple backup mission, to provide support for her in case her dispatching of the Avatar would cause an uprising…and you LOST My Daughter!”
“I did NOT lose her!” Feng said, defending himself. “She willingly went with the Avatar. Perhaps if she weren’t so weak—!”
KROOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!
The rest of Tsung’s sentence died in his mouth as he found himself surrounded by two tall stone blocks, positioned to sandwich him into oblivion. “I suggest you closely watch the next words to leave your mouth.” Feng advised coldly.
Fear began to set in for Tsung, who backtracked. “My apologies, Master Feng.”
“You will go back out with a troop of Dai Li.” Feng ordered. “You will search every inch of the Earth Kingdom and you will FIND the Avatar and his friends. And after you deal with them, you will rescue my daughter and bring her to me. Do I make myself clear!?”
“Y-yes, Master Feng!”
And with a single gesture, Feng sunk the stone blocks back into the Earth. “Leave my sight!”
And he did, as Tsung quickly rushed towards an adjacent Tank to collect the Agents he needed for his mission. Long Feng did the same, retreating back to his own Tank to collect his thoughts. “No one bother me unless it’s a matter of dire importance! Understood!?”
“YES, MASTER FENG!!!” His subordinates answered promptly as he passed them by, entering his private quarters. He then took off his robe and tossed it aside as he lay down on his bed, his mind concerned on the whereabouts of Kyoko…and what the Avatar might’ve done to her.

Aang sat quietly on his condensed orb of air, hovering in the center of the Bison Stables as Appa enjoyed some food in the corner. It appeared he was in deep meditation, but in truth Aang was pondering the decisions he’s made, or more precisely, the impact of those decisions. He was so deep in thought however, that he failed to notice Zuko and Sokka entering the stables.
“Aang!”
“Whu-WHOA!!!”
The Fire Lord’s voice caught the Avatar off guard, causing the air orb to disperse, and him to land face first on the pavement.
“Aang, you OK?” Sokka asked.
The bald warrior picked himself up and dusted himself off. “Yeah, don’t worry, I’m fine.”
“Good, because we need to plan our next move.” Zuko suggested. “The Dai Li are probably looking for us at this moment, so—!”
“That’s just it, they’re looking for you.” Aang interrupted.
“Uh, yeah.” Sokka agreed. “It comes with the territory of saving people.”
“But who did we save?” Aang argued. “We barely got out of there with Suki and Kyoko, and the Dai Li are still moving forward to take Si Wong. It’s because I lost control that they escaped, it’s because I lost control that—!”
“Stop right there.” Sokka told him. “Don’t start pitying yourself Aang, Katara’s been in more serious fights than what we went through. She’s strong.”
Those words didn’t help to change Aang’s mind, however. “Yeah, but I should’ve been stronger…”
Sokka was about to convince his friend otherwise when he felt Zuko’s hand on his shoulder. Turning to the Fire Lord, he saw him motion his head to move away from Aang, for a personal conversation.
“I’ve seen this before, he’s wary of his power.” Zuko stated. “He’s afraid he’ll lose control when he enters the Avatar State. My uncle talked about Roku undergoing the same thing as he dealt with being the Avatar.”
“So what do we do? Get Aang some Avatar counseling sessions?” Sokka inquired.
“No…” The Fire Lord answered, pointing to Sokka’s sword. “…we motivate him.”
Sokka’s eyes followed Zuko’s finger, and he began to question his friend’s sanity. “Did you drink the cactus juice in Si Wong? We can’t attack Aang!”
“My great-grandfather did the same with Roku, to help him focus in the Avatar State…before their falling out.” Zuko told him. “This is how we help Aang get battle ready, trust me.”
Sokka was reluctant, but went with the plan anyway. “Fine, but if I find myself Air bent back to the Southern Water Tribe, I’m blaming you.”
“At least it’ll save you time getting there…” Zuko joked.
Sokka only responded with a low grumble as the two slowly approached Aang, who gazed out onto the clouds that surrounded the Temple. Sokka slowly drew his sword as Zuko readied a fire blast.
“Look guys, I know you’re trying to make me feel better, but I just don’t feel like talking…” Aang told them.
“I know…” Zuko responded. “…that’s why we’re done talking.”
A moment later, Aang felt it. An intense heat that was startling, yet familiar. A heat that triggered many battles he had in the past…against Zuko! With his trademark quickness & agility he avoided the blast coming from his rear by hurtling over it, and turning to the Fire Lord with a confused look.
“Zuko! What are you do—WHOA!!!”
His shock was the opening Sokka needed as the Water Tribesman attacked relentlessly with his sword. Aang was barely able to dodge his strikes, before using his Airbending to push Sokka away into a bale of hay.
“What is going on!?”
Aang wanted answers, but what he received was repeated fire blasts from Zuko which put him on the defensive. Each blast scorched the floor below Aang, which told him Zuko wasn’t pulling his punches. His Firebending was with intent to harm, but he had no knowledge as of why he would turn.
“Zuko, have you gone crazy!?” Aang asked, using his Earthbending to create a wall between him and the Fire Lord. It was another opening Sokka sought to take advantage of, but as he lunged forward, Aang used his Airbending to send him across the stables, into another bale of hay; conveniently next to the entrance, where Toph was standing.
“OK…what’s going on here?”
“We’re trying to motivate Aang so he can control his Avatar State. It’s part of Zuko’s plan.” Sokka answered as he rose to his feet and charged forward.
Upon hearing that, a smirk came onto Toph’s face. “Sweet!” She said, cracking her knuckles as she joined the fray.
Aang had finally gathered enough distance for a significant Earthbending maneuver, and he used it to entrap Zuko, surrounding him with 4 walls of Earth. He breathed a sigh of relief, but it was a short one as the walls would rescind back into the ground, courtesy of Toph.
“Thanks…”
“Less talking more scrapping, hothead!” She replied.
Toph led the charge this time, as she sent several chunks of Earth at Aang, who responded with an Earth wall to block them. The move allowed Sokka to sneak into Aang’s blind spot, which he used to his advantage. Getting in close, he caught the Avatar with the broadside of his sword, a blow he was able to shrug off and respond with yet another Air blast, and another trip for Sokka into a bale of hay, this time head first.
After a moment, he dug himself free from the hay, while spitting out the excess straw from his mouth. “OK, just HOW many hay bales does this place have!?”
Meanwhile, Aang more than had his hands full fending off Zuko & Toph as they pressed their attack. Zuko’s fire blasts finally made contact with the Avatar, which caused him to react with a strong gust of wind that sent the Fire Lord reeling.
“WHY ARE YOU ALL FIGHTING ME!?!?” Aang demanded to know.
He received his answer in the form of an Earth pillar crashing down from the ceiling; one that came within inches of crushing him to the ground.
“This is for your own good, Aang…” Zuko replied before resuming his fire onslaught.
Aang was dumbfounded by those words, but he wasn’t given a moment to reflect their meaning as he was once again on the defensive. Toph & Zuko kept the pressure on, and it gave Sokka the window of opportunity. Using his boomerang he launched it towards his target and claimed a direct hit in Aang’s shoulder. Toph followed up by using her Earthbending to launch Aang into the air, and Zuko finished it off with an intense fire blast that floor the Avatar.
For a moment he laid there, motionless, as his three friends looked at each other. “Do you…think we overdid it?” Sokka asked.
Before an answer could be given, their eyes shifted back to Aang, who tattoos began to glow. He slowly rose to his feet, revealing that the first part of Zuko’s plan was successful; Aang was now in the Avatar State.
“OK, what now!?” Sokka inquired, gripping his sword.
“We help him control it!” Zuko replied, readying for battle.
Sokka was not happy with that answer. “And how are we supposed to do that!? GIVE HIM CANDY!?!?”
“No, this.”
What followed after those words was a stream of water, which shot past between Zuko and Toph and engulfed Aang, leaving only his head in shoulders uncovered. The water was then quickly turned to ice, leaving no more mystery to who the assailant was…Katara.
“Nice way to make an entrance, sugar queen.” Toph remarked.
Katara paid it no mind as she walked past the two and towards Aang. As she got closer, her brother noticed her arm in a sling. “Katara, are you sure you should—!”
“I’m fine.” She replied sternly as she reached her love. The cold look on his face and the rage in his eyes were evident, but she wasn’t dissuaded by the risk. “Aang, you can control this. I know you can.”
She ran her hand across his cheek. “You defeated the Fire Lord and you helped bring peace to the Four Nations…you can do this.”
Toph simply rolled her eyes at the touching moment, but the results in front of her didn’t lie; Katara’s words got through. The rage slowly began to leave Aang’s face, but his Avatar form remained. “I…I’m in…control.”
He spoke with the voices of several past Avatars before him, which was enough to convince Katara to free him from his icy holdings. He was shaky, but Aang still maintained hold of the Avatar State and his consciousness.
“I’m…starting to…understand.” He said. “It’s…not instinct…anymore. I’m…in full control…but it’s tough…”
There was an immense strain for Aang to keep his consciousness while having the spirits of the previous Avatars channel their energy through him; so much so he was forced from the Avatar State, as the glow from his eyes and his tattoos faded. “…that was a rush.”
“Looks like your plan was a success, O’ Fire Lord.” Toph said to Zuko.
And that apparently caused him to draw Katara’s ire. “So you’re the one who’s behind this.”
“It needed to be done.” Zuko responded, defending himself. “The Avatar needs complete control so—!”
“Save it.” Katara told him. “I don’t like what you did here…but it needed to be done.”
“Wait a minute, you’re agreeing with Zuko?” Sokka asked.
Katara nodded as she put her arm around the weary Avatar. “Look, Azula and I…had a discussion. She…helped me see things from a different side. And…maybe I should change my approach to this battle.”
“You mean actually getting your hands dirty instead of playing peaceful princess?” Toph summarized.
“…you could say that.” Katara agreed. “But it’s getting late, and we haven’t had much chance to rest since leaving Si Wong. I’m gonna help Aang to our room.”
Slowly she and Aang moved towards the exit of the stables, a sight that caught Toph’s eye. Seeing Katara tend to the Avatar lovingly struck a chord in her, and brought up the feelings she had for Sokka even stronger than ever. And with Suki escorting Kyoko back to Kyoshi Island, there was no obstacle standing in her way.
She made her way over to Sokka and helped brush the remaining straws of hay off of his body, using it as an excuse to get close to him. “Some fight, huh? You really know how to use that sword.”
“Yeah, Piandao’s lessons are paying off.” Sokka agreed. “But I still think I could learn more.”
“I wonder if you’re that handy with…other things…”
Sokka took a moment to think over what Toph said. “Of course, I’ve been training with my Boomerang since I was little…”
Toph simply rolled her eyes and tried again. “You know, maybe we should have our own sparring session tonight…”
“Nah, can’t.” Sokka replied. “I think I might take a page from Aang and get some rest tonight.”
He goes to walk away when Toph places her hand on his chest. “Then maybe we can share a room tonight…”
Sokka chuckled a little at that offer. “This is a temple, Toph. There are enough rooms here to fit the Southern Water Tribe.”
Frustration started to get the better of Toph as she let out a loud groan. “Look, Sokka. I’m trying to say…we should—!”
“Are you OK, Toph? You’re acting kinda crazy.”
And that was the final straw, as something inside snapped with Toph’s emotions, and she could no longer hold it inside.
“Crazy? CRAZY!?...You know what, I guess I am crazy. I must be insane to think that you’d recognize the signs and I must be even CRAZIER to have these feelings for you! So thanks a lot Sokka, for making Crazy Toph fall in Love with You!”
Enraged, she stomped off away from her crush, passing Zuko, Aang & Toph, all of whom had their jaws dropped; with Sokka’s falling the lowest. All eyes then turned to the Water Tribesman, who could only utter three words out of his shock.
“She…loves me?”
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Kingdom of War