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The Avatar Saga - Azula's redemption	By : flamehead23a Category: Avatar - The Last Airbender > Threesomes/Moresomes Views: 6861 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I don't own avatar, nor any character affiliated with it. Neither do I make money from writing this work. I do own The white Phoenix, though. Please don't use this story as your own, nor post it without my consent.

Chapter List
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The Avatar Saga—Azula’s redemption
Chapter 2: Of Dinners and Darings
By Flamehead23a

Disclaimer: I don’t own avatar, nor any character affiliated with the show, I do own The White Phoenix, however. Please don’t use this story as your own, nor post it other places without my approval. Reviews welcome, critiques scrutinized, and flames absorbed and redirected with twice the power. Please, Enjoy!
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“Do you think she found him?” Katara asked, a twinge of worry in her voice. She wore her traditional Water Tribe outfit, and her beauty had only grown since the Fall of Ozai. She wore her hair as she always did while in the Fire Nation, down in the back with two long braids framing her face. “He’s expected to give a demonstration tonight, and you know how angry these magistrates get if they don’t have anything to watch.” She sat near the head of the long ash wood banquet table, situated in the vaulted main dining hall of the Fire Nation Palace. A cavernous room, it was adorned with Fire Nation regalia, something that would have stirred fear within her five years ago. Now however, Water tribe banners, along with Earth Kingdom pennants hung alongside the reds and oranges of the Fire nation flags.

They were all attending the last dinner of the world policy summit, a month long marathon of paperwork and political meetings between foreign leaders and the Senken Seven that had occurred every spring and fall for the last 3 years. It was designed to give the world’s bureaucrats only two months out of the year to pester the Avatar and other members of the Senken about international affairs, giving the gaang the rest of the year to deal with their own peoples and have time to themselves. Before Sokka thought of it, Aang, Zuko and Mat were hounded constantly, and had to attend meetings almost year round. This arrangement, while stressful at the time, forced the bureaucrats to pick only the most important of matters to bring to their attention, and gave them all much more freedom for the remainder of the year.

“Don’t worry,” Aang said, taking hold of her hand. “Toph can sense everyone from here to Ember Island. She’ll find him. I’d worry more about what she does when she catches him. She knows she might have to show off her metal bending if he isn’t here to provide the entertainment.”

Katara smiled, and placed her other hand on top of Aangs. He’d grown by leaps and bounds, and now stood at a tall 6’ 2”. Years of training had sculpted his child’s body into a wiry athletic physique. He wasn’t as muscular as the other boys were, but his height and lean build still gave him the advantage in their sparring matches. (Being the Avatar helped too.)He was dressed in an Air master’s robes, with a necklace much like one Monk Gyatso wore; a present from Zuko during his coronation as Fire Lord. The two young men shared the head of the table, symbolizing their equal status in the Senken. Aang’s air staff rested against the back of his chair, where Momo was currently hording all fruit he could grab from the table.

“Besides, it’s the last night of the summit. Who cares if a couple of ink and paper lovers go home angry?” Zuko added. He was garbed in his Fire Lord attire, with his maternal great-grandfather’s hairpiece, Roku’s hairpiece, keeping his hair in a formal topknot. He had grown too over the years, and now stood almost as tall as Aang. He also had begun to grow a beard in the style of his uncle, something that irked Mai to no end. She just happened to be seated next to him, opposite Katara, and took his comment as an opportunity to reach up and tug his beard.

“I care. As the hostess, It’s my job to make sure all my guests are content…. And complaining bureaucrats annoy me.” Mai stood up then, smoothing out her regal robes. “I’m going to check on the cooks, the main course should be out by now. Coming, your highness?”

“Yes, dear.” Zuko got up, and shooting a glance at a snickering Sokka and Aang, followed his girlfriend to the kitchens.

“Ha, that is one whipped Fire Lord!” Sokka laughed. Built like his father, he still kept his hair pulled back, although he has grown it out on the sides of his head. He carried himself much more like a warrior now, having gone back after the war and completing his training with Master Piandao. He was a fully fledged Sword Master now, and had since re-forged a new sword, and boomerang, out of the same meteorite his first one was made from. He had done a little growing over the years, but like Zuko stood beneath Aang now, something he took a while to get used too. “I wonder which one of them is in charge after all the guests go home? Knowhuddimean? I bet—ouch, Suki!”

“Now Sokka, that is not proper dinner conversation.” Suki admonished. She wore her Kyoshi Warrior outfit, as well as the traditional headgear and face paint. She had matured along with all the girls, and was now a buxom head turner like the rest. She grinned at her long-time boyfriend. “And besides, you know you’ll do whatever I ask if it means staying on my good side.”

“Hrmph, a real man is an Island. He needs only sustenance, not human companionship.”

“Oh really? Well, that’s a shame. I was looking forward to some ‘companionship’ later tonight. But if you’re too busy being an island, I guess I’ll have to find a man more… accommodating.”

“WHAT?! Come on, Suki! You know I was kidding, don’t you? Only chumps are Islands, I’m more like uh, a village. Yeah, I’m only around because of Companionship! That’s it! No companionship and I wither up and die!”

“So what?” Suki cocked her head in mock severity. “You’re saying that my ‘companionship’ is the only reason you stick around?”

“Yes! Wait, I mean No! I mean, uh, oh, aw, you know what I mean. C’mere!”

Suki shrieked as Sokka covered her mouth with his. “MMmff! Sokka! You’ll smudge my makeup! Stoppit—Mmf!”

Aang and Katara laughed at their friend’s antics. They also glanced at each other and shared a knowing look, one that spoke of possible “companionship” later that night. But for now they leaned back, held hands and enjoyed the beginning of a long, well-deserved break.

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“Mai, where are we going? The kitchens are that way.” Zuko followed his girlfriend down a quiet hallway in his palace. She turned suddenly into a darkened alcove, Zuko, not knowing just what his Mai was up to, followed, only to be pulled into a searing kiss.

It only took him a few second to get his bearings, and once he realized what was happening Zuko entered into the kiss as much as Mai did. Lips parted and tongues met. This was a kiss of unbridled passion and need, a feverish kiss rarely shared outside of fire nation couples. Their hands danced over each other’s backs, and moans could have easily been heard, had anyone been walking in that hallway. But just like any fire, the need for oxygen eventually became a factor, and both lovers disengaged for some much needed breathing time.

“Did you honestly think I wanted to check on dinner? You know me better than that.” Mai wrapped her arms around Zuko’s neck and nibbled his ear. “Besides,” She purred, “Political Summits are so boring.”

Zuko grinned at his lover. Mai never ceased to surprise him. She was the picture of a Fire Lady in public, saying all the right things at all the right times, and often making up for Zuko’s lack of edict; the product of spending his teenage years hunting the Avatar. In private, however, she was as every fire nation Woman should be; fiery, passionate, and just as aggressive as the man in their lovemaking. “Have I mentioned how much I like it when you get bored?” he leaned in for another kiss.

“And have I mentioned how much I wish people would remember I don’t have to see you to know when you’re going at it like two pygmy pumas in heat.”

Toph and Mat stood at the head of the alcove, grinning like they just found two kids with their hands in the cookie jar. Zuko and Mai quickly disengaged, both attempting to act uninterested with their discovery, while failing to hide the small blushes spreading through their cheeks.

“We were just… coming to look for you two.” Zuko quickly supplied.

“Last time I checked,” Mat chuckled, “Toph and I didn’t make a habit of finding dark, abandoned hallways to whisper sweet nothings to each other. Maybe we should though, that looked like fun. Toph…?”

“Don’t even think about it, Bird-boy. I’d rather spend an evening in a wooden box underneath Lake Laogai.”

“…Toph, is that one of my Sunflowers? Have you been in my Garden?” Mai asked with a dangerously innocent tone.

Toph paled, and began making a hasty retreat towards the banquet hall. “It wasn’t me! Mat took it. He said something about Snow lilies and promised you wouldn’t get mad. Mat, you said she wouldn’t get mad!”

“Sorry Toph, my bad.” Mat called after the retreating Earthbender. Mai just gave him one of her famous glares, then followed Toph back to the hall.

“You really know how to interrupt a good time, don’t you?” Zuko said, punching Mat softy on the shoulder and walking with him back to the hall.

“Hey, if I remember correctly, it was you who stumbled in on me and that cute Waterbender last winter, stinking to the spirit world of Ice wine and singing ‘Girls from Ba Sing Se’ at the top of your lungs.”

“I told you, man. I don’t even remember that.” The two laughed at the fond memory as they neared the threshold of the banquet hall. The sounds and sweet aromas drifting from inside told them that the main course had been served, and that the hall was primed and ready for their entertainment. “You ready to put on a show, Phoenix?” Zuko asked, using the honorific that made the transition from curse to praise in record time, thanks to the quick change in the title’s owner.

“Only if you’re ready to Introduce me, friend.” The Phoenix replied.
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“Finally!” Katara smiled as Toph sprawled into the chair next to her. Grabbing the nearest Jang Hui river clam, she cracked it open and sucked the meat out loudly. She licked her fingers and reached for another one. “Did you manage to find him?”

“Stop stressing, Sweetness. I found him In Mai’s garden napping. He’s right outside with Zuko putting the final touches on his show.” The blind Earthbender belched, finishing her second clam.

“He was in the garden? What was he doing there?” Suki asked as she fed Sokka a piece of meat from her plate.

“Heck if I know, facepaint. Probably looking at Mai’s flowers. Why do you seeing people do that, by the way? What’s the point of a bunch of stupid flowers?”

“Ahem,” Mai cleared her throat. “One of those stupid flowers is in your hair right now Toph. Against my rules, I might add.”

Toph winced. “Yes ma’am, very sorry, ma’am. I’m sure it’s a very pretty flower, your Fire Ladyship.”

The gaang laughed, and Mai permitted one of her small smiles. Her old friends were never this easy going or fun to hang with. Ty Lee was always going on about auras and other such nonsense, and Azula… well; she wasn’t sure if Azula ever was her friend.

“She’s not the Fire Lady yet, Toph.” Sokka said. “Which is pretty odd, considering. Why hasn’t Zuko made it official yet? You guys are basically married anyway.”

“Oh… well, the proper age for marriage in the Fire Nation is twenty-five, and as the Fire Lord, he’s expected to adhere to all of our Nation’s customs.” Mai answered, a small blush tinting her cheeks. “Besides, he has pick of all the girls in the Fire Nation… I’m sure there are many with higher status than me.”

“Mai, that’s not true at all! Zuko loves you!” Suki spoke up. She shot Sokka a glare and elbowed his side. “Way to go, what made you think it was all right to ask such a personal question!”

“Yeah, honestly Sokka! All that Blubber-Seal Jerky you’ve been sneaking at night must have fattened your head.” Katara added, kicking her brother under the table.

“Seriously, Ponytail. I may be blind, but even I have tact!” Toph joined in, flicking lychee nut shells at him.

“Ahh, Three-on-one! No fair!” Sokka exclaimed.

“Mai, you’re right that Zuko could have any girl in the country as the Fire Lord,” Aang said, meeting her eyes and reaching out to her. “But the fact of the matter is that he doesn’t want any other girl. You’re the only one for him, trust me. Getting back to see you was all he talked about when we had to go on that diplomatic tour of the Northern Water Tribe.”

“Really?”

“Well, you and the fact that it was so cold. but mostly you.” Aang grinned.

“Thanks Aang, everyone.” Mai resumed her soft smile. “Even you Sokka. Which reminds me, when are Water Tribe men supposed to marry?”

“Oh, the standard age is 20, but…” Sokka blushed, and everyone got a good laugh.

“Attention! Attention!” Li and her sister Lo had appeared near the grand entrance, it was a perennial mystery how they were still able to project their voices at such a great age. “Hear the words of your Fire Lord, your gracious host. Hear and obey!”

The doors opened, and Zuko walked in. he looked slightly embarrassed at the introduction. “Sorry, I haven’t quite gotten them used to the fact that I’m not my father yet.” Laughter resounded through the hall.

“I’m pleased you all are enjoying yourselves, and want to congratulate all of you on a month well spent. We are now one step closer to healing the scar left after three generations of war. Much has been accomplished in the past five years, and while we should all take pride in our countries achievements, we should remain aware that there is still a long road left ahead of us. This past month has given way to the finalization of a crucial trade agreement between Ba Sing Se and the Fire Nation Capitol. Now, like before, ships will travel from the harbor of Full Moon bay to the great gates of Azulon unhindered. The seas are safe to travel once again.” Applause and cheers resounded through the hall. This agreement was hailed as a major step towards healing the wounded relations between the Fire Nation and the Earth Kingdom, left bitter enemies after the war. “We have also officially recognized the Konketsu Island Colonies as neutral zones. These islands will house citizens from all lands and walks of life, and will be the symbol of our new cooperation.” More applause, louder than before. The Konketsu Islands were the brainchild of Suki and Sokka, and were meant to be fair and even ground for everyone who set foot on them. No man will outrank or outclass another based on their birthplace, and taxes collected on the islands would be evenly distributed to some of the hardest hit villages visited by Aang and his friends during the war. “Congratulations, we have made the world a little better this month, and will continue to do so until every trace of My Great-Grandfather’s barbaric war has been replaced with peace and prosperity the world over!”

The assembled policymakers erupted. A month’s worth of stress and hard work being released almost all at once. Soon, resounding chants of “Senken! Senken!” and “Zuko! Zuko!” reverberated and mingled together up through the vaulted ceilings, to be muffled only slightly by the multicolored banners hung around the entire room.

“He sure has become a great public speaker,” Aang remarked to Katara over the din. “I don’t think I could make speech after speech to so many people and keep them chanting like he can.”

Katara leaned in and kissed her Avatar, her “Strong, powerful bender”. “But you’re better at the mediating and smaller discussions. That’s what makes the two of you such a good team; Zuko instills them with passion, and you get them to cooperate and work together, two things I think go against any government official’s instincts.” She moved in for a deeper kiss. “Besides,” she cooed, “There’s only one person you have to keep chanting your name over and over again, and you manage that just fine.”

“Hey! No tongue where I can see! You promised!” Sokka shouted over the chanting. Covering his eyes at the sight of his little sister and friend in such an intimate position.

They pretended they couldn’t hear him.
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“And now, for your entertainment, we have a very special show tonight. He is a man many have heard of, but few have actually met. He, like his namesake, comes and goes with the wind, and rises from his ashes when he is needed most. He has spent the last five years helping to rebuild the world, and has won back his good name, after my father used his title as a means of fear and subjection. He is, I would like to add, one of two people alive who has faced my father in single combat, and lived to tell the tale.”

“Three people, Zuko!” Aang called from the head of the table. “You fought him too, remember!”

Zuko smiled at his friend’s interjection. “Yes, I suppose you’re right. Well, one of three; which is still fairly impressive given my father’s former reputation. So, without any further ado, I present Matthias Musagetes, the fire-snatcher, who will be exhibiting and explaining his unique powers to you all tonight. I give you… The White Phoenix!” Zuko took his seat amid the polite applause, and shared in the audience’s anticipation as candles were doused and the lights focused on the main doorway, the center stage.

All eyes fell to the doors of the grand hall, where in the dim light of a darkened hallway, the Phoenix approached.
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“…The White Phoenix!” Zuko’s introduction filtered back to Mat as he walked towards the entryway. ‘Ahh… man, Mai is right.’ He thought. ‘These summits are really, really boring.’

It was an unusual man that walked through that door and into the great, cavernous main hall. The first thing that stood out was the color of his hair. It was red. Not rust, or auburn, nor ginger; but red. And as the candle light shifted, so did its shade. First it seemed like the white-red of a campfire’s coals, than the orange-red of a summer sunset. It was the crimson-red of freshly spilt life-blood, and the warm flush of red one accrues after lying with a lover. But whatever its shade whatever it’s tint, only one word came to mind as to what color it really was. Red.

Only more startling than his hair was the Phoenix’s eyes. Imagine a field of grass in early spring, as the morning sun just begins to glint off of the night’s dew. This emerald glow, this living green; was the color of Mat’s eyes. They were vibrant and bright; deep pools of color that seemed to pulse with energy. Too often they were hard eyes; terrible eyes that froze enemies in their tracks. Tonight, however, their color seemed dulled, distant. They were a dirty sea-glass green now, and appeared to betray Mat’s lack of interest in tonight’s festivities. Or perhaps it was just that his interests lied somewhere else?

He was dressed in foreign attire; white slacks with a white v-neck shirt and matching blazer. No one was sure where he got the designs from, but he worked the royal tailors himself, and requested that he be the only one they were used for.

Mat, like Sokka and Zuko, stood a bit shorter than Aang. At 5’ 11” he was still above average height, and his clothes hid a martial artist’s build. He seemed to carry himself with a lack of poise, a sort of lanky grace that spoke little of his reputed power. Only the gaang knew how quickly his apparent carelessness could shift to killer focus. Tonight, however, they seemed to sense something odd about their friend.

He stood in front of the assembled crowd now, hands in his pockets, with an apparent lack of interest that caused murmurs to begin at the table. “You don’t think… He’s had a week to plan this thing.” Suki said in disbelief. “I mean, I know he’s been a little distant lately but…”

“Come on, you guys, this is Mat we’re talking about here.” Zuko spoke up. “He might be a little lazy, but I’m sure he’s got something planned.”

“Well, thanks for, uh… all the hard work you’ve done… I, ah… well, unfortunately, I really didn’t have anything planned.” Mat’s voice cut through the shocked crowd.

“Oi…” Sokka slapped his forehead as outraged politicians began to voice their anger.

“Didn’t I tell you I found him asleep?” Toph laughed over the complaints. “I can’t believe you’re all surprised.”

“Mat, do this!” Aang tired to get through the din of angry voices. Conjuring up his air marbles, he jumped up onto his chair and waved his hands around, trying to catch Mat’s attention. “Seriously, it works every time! Just show them this!”

“Aang, will you sit down! Besides, you’re the only Airbender, remember? I’m pretty sure air marbles are a little beyond everyone else.” Katara pulled her boyfriend back into his chair. “And sorry to tell you, but that has got to be the most useless technique in the world.”

“Now, now,” Mat continued, managing to lower the volume in the room from an angry roar to discontented grumbles. “I know you all were told you were gonna get an explanation of my powers, and that’s just what I aim to do. But before I do that, I have to explain a little science to you first. Now, everything in the universe is made up of other, smaller things. A castle is made up of smaller bricks, and those bricks are made up of smaller stones, and the stones of smaller, crushed shells. Even the air we breathe is actually made up of smaller particles that are so tiny they cannot be seen with the eyes alone. If you get small enough, you get to little building blocks called molecules. Now What most of my powers center around is the agitation of these molecules to produce heat and ener—”

“We didn’t come here for a lecture!” A voice boomed out from the crowd. Admiral Chan, commander of the Fire Navy’s Eastern Fleet, rose from the table. He was a severe looking man, bearded and fearsome, and looked condescendingly at the fire-snatcher. “We were told we would be treated to a show by the White Phoenix, not bored to death with dull scientific drivel from some layabout the age of my son.”

Zuko began to rise from his chair, with the intent on reigning in his hot-headed general, but Aang stayed his hand. “Let’s see what he does,” Aang smiled. “I’ve got a feeling Mat was counting on something like this happening.

“Deepest apologies, East Admiral.” Mat bowed low, with only the faintest trace of sarcasm in his voice. “It’s just that most of my powers require another person to actually demonstrate. I can’t really show you what I can do unless I’m attacked.”

“Well,” Chan swayed in place, the abundance of Fire Wine in his system dreadfully clear. “If it’s a threat to your person that’s needed, then you are in luck. My son has just placed first in the National Agni Kai Tournament, and will be more than happy to aid you in your “demonstration.” Chan! Get up there now!”

“I warn you, Admiral. Keep a reign on your son.” Zuko spoke up. “His penchant for fatally wounding his opponents with large firebends is well known, and I won’t have any members of this summit indirectly hurt on Fire Nation land. No bending, whatsoever. Is that clear?”

Chan rose from the table and strode to the front of the hall, where Mat was waiting with a small smile. “Not to worry, Fire lord, I will restrain myself. It’s not in me to ruin such treasured figure like the Fire Bird.”

As he reached the stage, the difference between the two fighters was clear. Chan was a giant young man in his prime, taller and more heavily built than Matthias. It was obvious how he liked to defeat his opponents; overwhelmingly brute force.

“Geeze,” Sokka whistled. “Looks like he’s got four inches and at least forty pounds on Mat.”

“You don’t think Chan could beat him, do you?” Suki asked.

“Oh, no way, it’s just going be really funny watching this guy get his butt handed to him.”

“Are you sure you’re ready for me, Phoenix?” Chan smirked, taking his stance. “I haven’t lost a duel in ten years.”

“Oh, I’m not too worried.” Mat smiled. “Tell you what, junior: if you can manage to lay a hand on me, I’ll give you my title.”

With a roar, Chan charged. He threw his whole weight behind a punch, and seemed primed to hit Mat square in the face. Mat hadn’t had assumed a stance, hadn’t even brought his hands out of his pockets before Chan’s fist had closed the distance and was mere inches away from his nose. But just when everyone expected to hear a sickening crunch, Mat pivoted slightly to the left, and allowed his opponent to sail harmlessly by.

“If you don’t mind,” Mat called to chan, without even turning around to face him. “I’m just gonna keep talking. Feel free to keep coming at me though; it gives the crowd something to watch.”

Chan advanced, even faster this time. Furious, he threw a flurry of punches and kicks aimed at every part of Mat’s body. Sweeps and thrusts, chops and slices all came at the man in white with blazing speed. But through it all, Mat barely even moved from his place at center stage. Shifting his body only slightly, Mat continued to keep his opponent from even touching him.

“Now,” Mat resumed his speech in the same, disinterested tone he was using earlier. “Like I was about to say before Admiral Fire-Wine over there set his son loose on me; my powers revolve around heat. I’m able to create, alter, and absorb fire and other forms of heat through sheer force of will. It’s not bending, as many who have seen me fight are first inclined to believe. I prefer to call it Pyrokinesis.”

“Rrraaghh!” Chan jumped into the air and sent a flying sweep straight down to Mat’s head. Mat cocked his head to one side and let his shoulder fall, effectively dodging the kick without moving at all. He turned to face his opponent just as Chan was twirling himself off of the ground and advancing again. Mat began slowly taking ground. Backwards, circles, sidesteps; using his own opponents movements, he worked Chan back towards the wall without even touching him.

“You’re probably wondering how I’m dodging all of Chan-Junior’s punches here. Well, while they are pretty fast, and would probably give most other people a run for their money; I’ve got a bit of an advantage. You see, everything a person does, every step they take or punch they throw, has to be thought of first. An electric signal from Junior’s brain get’s sent to his hand, telling it to try its best punch me. The thing is, I can feel the heat that electrical signal makes. I see it, and can thus react to the punch before it happens. So poor Channy here has a better chance of stealing a Saber-Toothed Moose-Lion cub from its mother than he does laying a hand on me.”

With a scream, Chan sent a horizontal spinning kick meant to catch the Phoenix in his side. Mat simply shifted his weight back, and the foot sailed harmlessly by. That is, until it connected with the wall Chan had been backed up to without even knowing it. The heel of his boot met the wood wall and with a crunch, his foot was stuck ankle-deep in the side of the room.

Mat turned his back and began walking to his seat. “Of course, having fighting experience helps too, like I’m reasonably sure without needing to feel the rising heat behind me that Channy-boy is going to break Zuko’s no bending rule right about…”

With a vicious thrust and a livid shout, Chan freed his foot from the wall and threw it forward, sending a stream of flame right at Mat’s back, as well as the entire table.

“Which brings me to another part of my powers that I spoke of before—pyrokenisis.” Spinning around, Mat placed his arms in front of him and concentrated, as the jet of flame reached him, he channeled the fire into his palms, absorbing the heat directly into his body.

“See?” Toph said. “Fire-snatcher.”

Enraged, Chan began sending wave after wave of fire straight at the crowd. Blasts and whips of fire flew at a feverish pace. Again and again the crowd flinched, expecting each torrent of flame to be the last thing they’d ever see. But each degree of heat, every ember was caught and absorbed by the White Phoenix. Finally, after several minutes of continuous bending, Chan fell to his knees, exhausted. Mat put his hands back in his pockets, heat waves shimmering off of his body making him look like a living mirage. Slowly, he turned back to the audience. Before them was the Phoenix they had heard about, the Phoenix Ozai so feared he tried to steal his name; as if doing so would somehow take away his power. Terrible and fearsome, his hair was the blazing red of a volcano’s center. His eyes were a vibrant green, and he seemed to stare at the crowd’s souls rather than their faces. When he opened his mouth to speak, his breath came out in a jet of steam. “And that concludes my exhibition. I hope you all enjoyed it, and learned something tonight. Namely, to never trade blows with the Phoenix.”

The crowd erupted in applause. They were no strangers to the art of Firebending, as many had been on the giving or receiving ends of attacks just like the ones Chan had sent at Mat. However, those attacks had always been deflected or dodged, never absorbed. And, now that the stories were all proven true, there was no doubt in their mind that if Matthias Musagetes could absorb heat, he could send it back just as easily. He looked over to his friends and smiled, then laughed, the natural high of combat and showmanship finally reaching him.

Chan looked up, and through the applauding masses, found his father. His son’s defeat had been a sobering experience, and Admiral Chan stood, clear-eyed, staring at his son. His look said it all, ‘you have dishonored me, and I no longer want anything to do with you.’ After holding young Chan’s eyes for what seemed like forever, he turned away from his disgraced son, and began to applaud the Phoenix. Chan lost it. From his knees, he reached for the wickedly curved knife strapped to his shin, and with all the rage he could bring to bear, he hurled the seven inch blade at Mat’s back. “Absorb this!” He shouted through the applause, an insane glint to his eye.

Toph felt what was happening. She “saw” the knife leave Chan’s hand, but she couldn’t see it while it was in the air, and didn’t have time to form a solid stance and raise a wall of earth between Mat and the spinning blade. Worse, if Mat dodged, it would likely connect with one of the politicians applauding him at the table. And In five years, he’s never taken a hit unless it was to defend someone else. She felt the pulses of all her friends quicken, and whipped her head around to them, knowing they saw the danger too. “Quick! Stop it!” She cried, her voice shrill.

*thunk* the sound of the blade hitting home silenced the room in the space of half a heartbeat. Toph paled, and turned back to Mat, expecting to feel him fall at any moment. Katara took her hand. “Relax, Toph,” She whispered to her terrified friend. “He winked.”
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“Well,” Mat smiled, still facing a now terrified crowd. “I wasn’t expecting to have to show off this little trick tonight.” He turned to Chan, and the crowd gasped. For all intents and purposes the knife appeared embedded in his back, sunk in at least three inches deep. “You’re a pretty crafty sonuvabitch, you know that?”

“Ha…hah…How?” Chan was breathing heavily, the madness in his eyes replaced with disbelief. “You didn’t dodge the blade… I saw it sink in. HOW ARE YOU STILL ALIVE!?”

“All in good time, Junior; all in good time. For now, though,” Mat cracked his knuckles. “Why don’t we situate you so you can’t endanger any more of Zuko’s guests, hmm? Mat swept his thumbs across all his fingertips, producing four snaps with each hand in rapid succession. Sparks flew from his fingertips, and out of nothingness, small flames caught above his thumbs. Opening his hands, the flames moved to his palms and enlarged to fit neatly inside them. Keeping his palms flat, be began rotating his hands in small circles, forming disks out of the fire, and then with flicks of his wrists, he sent the fire hurtling at Chan. The Admiral’s son crossed his arms over his face, his intent to block the blast, but was taken off guard when the disks connected with his wrists. Instead of dissipating, the fire seemed to encircle his wrists, and then kept traveling backwards to the wall, taking him with them. The fire cuffs finally embedded themselves into the wall, and were shortly followed by two more cuffs for his feet, which pinned Chan against the back wall with his limbs spread.

“Sokka,” Mat said, turning back to the table with the knife still in his back. “Be a dear and tell the audience about that theory we were working on concerning the solidity of air.”

Sokka grinned. “First of all, I’m not your dear. And second of all, I discovered a while back that heated air lightens and expands, which is how we can get War-balloons and Airships to fly. After you told me about molecules, and how when they’re heated they move faster and farther apart, I got to thinking… If you had air in a contained area, and kept pumping in heat, would the molecules eventually move fast enough that they actually seemed to be closer together? Could extremely hot air slow down another object, because the air was moving around so fast the molecules bounced into the other object more than they would at room temperature?”

“As many of you know,” Mat broke in now. “Sword Master Sokka is also a mechanical and conceptual genius. When he isn’t cracking bad jokes, that is.” Mat shot a smirk back to his Water Tribe friend, who half-heartedly made a retort under his breath, saying something that made those in earshot roll their eyes. “It turns out that the scientists where I’m from have theorized something along the same lines, and they were actually able to test it out. They called it the Compressibility factor, and apparently…” Mat reached behind him and withdrew the blade from his back. “They were right.”

The first three inches of the knife, the part that had appeared embedded into his back, had been melted into twisted, gleaming metal. “Obviously, the air within the ‘heat shield’ is pretty hot. The part of the knife that managed to make it into the air-pocket was destroyed completely. Sorry Chan,” Mat called over his shoulder. “I don’t think you’ll be stabbing at living legends with this bad-boy any time soon.”

The Phoenix approached Admiral Chan and dropped the remains of the knife at his feet. “Your son lost the minute he attacked with anger.” He said softly. “Now he is broken, and finds himself at a crossroads, one leading to self-destruction, the other to preservation. You, Admiral, have the chance to set him on a path to a good life. Please, take your son and—”

“That is no son of mine!” Chan Sr. said, loud enough for everyone, including his restrained son, to hear. “I disown him! Never again will his dishonor stain my own….I apologize for my disruption, Fire Lord, and will return back to my post in the Colonies at first light tomorrow. I bid you good night.” Bowing, the Admiral left.

“Escort Chan to his father’s ship,” Zuko stood now, signaling that the night’s festivities were over. He motioned for several guards to move to the disgraced fighter. “Instruct the Admiral after he has had time to cool off to reconsider his relationship with his son. I have seen nothing but pain come from disownments such as this, and wouldn’t wish it on anyone, especially not a family of the Fire Nation. Mat, would you…?”

“Oh, yeah, heh… sorry.” Mat lifted his hand and absorbed the fire cuffs back into his body. Chan sunk to his knees for the second time that night. As the guards led him out, he did nothing but stare intently at the fire-snatcher, who remained unaware, his attention already elsewhere.

“Thank you, everyone. I wish you safe travels to your homes. Let the spirits and Avatar guide us.” Zuko resumed speaking to the crowd. “We officially declare the fifth World Policy Summit Adjourned.” Zuko and Aang chorused in unison. They bowed formally to the assembled audience, who bowed back and begin to filter out, back to their apartments for the night.
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“Dude; that was one of the best shows I’ve seen you do, like, EVER.” Sokka was lying in Suki’s lap, snacking on some Blubber Seal jerky. The gaang had retired to the royal living chamber, a much more intimate room adorned with rugs and pillows, furnished with a single low table to kneel at. Aang was sitting back to back with Katara, feeding nuts and berries to the ever-hungry Momo. Katara was combing her hair, while watching Toph and Mai play Pai Sho. Zuko was fixing tea, and Mat was leaning against the wall, looking out a window into the night. “I’ve gotta admit, I thought for a second there he had you. Not because he was that good, but because it looked like you had let him get a liiiittle too close.”

“Well, it wouldn’t be very entertaining if I didn’t add a little suspense, would it?” Mat smiled when a stray Lychee nut bounced to his feet. He picked it up and held it out to Momo as he landed on his shoulder. The winged lemur purred as he was scratched beneath the neck, than zipped back to Aang.

“True, true,” Sokka continued. “And when you said, ‘Namely, never to trade blows with the Phoenix’? Ha! Classic.”

“Yes dear, we were all there, we all saw it.” Suki pulled her fingers through Sokka’s hair. “What I’m impressed with is how you two managed to hide that ‘Heat Shield’ technique from the rest of us. I thought I knew everything you were working on?”

“Ahh, Suki, my sweet, I’m like a South Pole Iceberg; only a tenth of my genius is viewable. Everything else is hidden beneath the murky, ice-cold arctic depths.”

“Unfortunately, Sokka hides it so well sometimes he can’t find it.” Katara quipped.

“I still can’t believe you all didn’t tell me he had it under control.” Toph said, moving a piece on the Pai Sho board. “I nearly had a heart attack when that I thought the knife connected.”

“We just wanted to see how you would react.” Mai laid a piece of her own. “I think it’s cute you worry about him.”

“Hey, I don’t worry about him.” Toph’s long bangs hid the blush that tinged her cheeks. “I just didn’t want a bunch of politicians stampeding because of a dead body. It’d have ruined my dinner.”

“its people like Chan and his father that keep me tied up here in the Capitol.” Zuko moved about the room, serving tea. “As long as firebenders continue using anger as the source of their inner fire, the nation will never be fully at peace.” He collapsed at the Pai Sho table and leaned against Mai, pecking her on the cheek.

“You’re getting through to them. Lessons given by you and the Avatar are the most attended in the city,” Mai said, giving his burgeoning beard an affectionate tug. “You can’t expect to change the country overnight, Zuko.”

“I know that. But I thought that after five years I’d have made more progress. At this rate, I’ll never be able to leave the capital. I’ll never be able to really settle down, or—”

“Go looking for your mom?” Mat said quietly from the window. All activity in the room seemed to pause. Zuko’s mother was a touchy subject; the last time it was brought up, the palace maintenance had a whole wing to repair and Sokka was left with only one, heavily singed, eyebrow.

“Yeah… go looking for Mother.” Zuko looked into his teacup, lost. Mai moved closer and wrapped her arms around one of his, resting her chin on his shoulder. “It’s the one loose end left from the war. The one thing left unfinished from my past. I don’t even know if she’s still alive, but somehow… I can feel her. I know I can.”

“Zuko…” Aang said. Momo ran up to the young Fire Lord and settled into his lap.

“…Mat, how’d you know I was going to bring up my Mother?” Zuko looked up at the man in white, who put his back against the wall to face him. “Last I checked, you weren’t physic too.”

“I’ve been having dreams… I think they’re dreams about the future.” Mat began. “When I was brought here, I was told that my real work wouldn’t begin until after my title was reclaimed. I think after the war is what that meant. For the past month, I’ve been dreaming about a great darkness on the horizon, darkness too big to be made by one person alone, Like with Ozai. I can see all the elements in this darkness, but they’re tainted, the bending seems inherently evil.”

“That’s impossible,” Aang spoke up. “The elements aren’t good or evil, they’re not even sentient.”

“but certain disciplines of bending sure seem evil…like blood bending.” Katara said quietly.

“Well, they’re definitely being bended in a way we’ve never seen before. And in this dream, there are four… things, piercing the darkness. One is a white flame taking the shape of a great bird… I think that’s me. One is a swirl of colors and symbols… red’s blues, greens and yellows, that’s got to be all of us, the Senken. One is a fire Nation hairpiece; a single tongue of flame, wrought of gold.”

“That’s Mother’s hairpiece!” Zuko said. “She always wore it, and it was never found after her… after she disappeared.”

Mat nodded, “I recognized it from her portrait in the Grand Hall.”

“And the last symbol?” Toph asked.

“It wasn’t a symbol… it was more like a montage of images. A girl, wreathed in blue fire, laughing with a mad look in her eyes. Then the same girl in cuffs and chains, shackled and caged, like a dangerous animal. Her eyes are vacant, empty…a void. After that I see two things in quick succession, like alternate paths; I see her wreathed in white fire, at the head of a parade in her honor. She’s happy; and all of you are waiting at the end of the parade with smiles. When I follow this path, the darkness is totally burnt away and I feel nothing but peace. Then in the other path I see her lying on the muddy ground, cold rain pelting her face. I see… I see a huge wound in her stomach, just a great gaping hole. But worse than that, she’s all alone. Her eyes… I see the light fading away from her eyes in the cold rain… and when the last of light fades away, the darkness overwhelms me and pain races through my body like I’ve never felt before… and then dream ends.” Mat looked up, his eyes the same dull green they were before his fight with Chan. He seemed smaller, somehow. Spent. “You all know I haven’t been getting much sleep lately, so you can guess how the dream normally ends.” He managed a weak smile. “It’s times like this I wish I paid more attention in Divination class

The group was quiet… the impact of their friend’s dream sinking in. “This darkness… when is it supposed to get here?” Aang asked.

“I don’t know. It could be a day, could be a month, maybe a year; all I know is that it’s coming, and that somehow, Zuko’s Mother is part of it. As well as…”

“Her.” Mai breathed.

“Yeah.” Mat turned back to the window, and looked out over the palace. He looked beyond it; over the city beneath the palace, to the bay. Past the Great Gates of Azulon, and over the mountainous terrain of the Fire Nation mainland. The Phoenix’s green eyes seemed to pierce all the way across the ocean, to a forsaken prison cell on a remote island north of the room the only people in the world he trusted were relaxing in. He looked out, and a name escaped his lips. So soft that only Toph, as was her curse, could feel and make sense of the vibrations his sigh had made.

“Azula.”
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A/N Aaaand that’s chapter 2! Hope the length didn’t deter too many people, please, leave some feedback and tell me if this is a good length. Most chapters will probably be between chapter 1 and 2 length-wise. Also, tell me if anyone who reads this is against some more… shall I say… “Explicit” scenes between characters. (the whole gaang’s five years older now, remember. It’d make sense that they’d have more…intimate relations, dont’cha know!)
Thanks for reading, and I’ll hopefully be posting chapter 3, Of “Breakdowns and Breakouts”, in a weeks’ time. Actually, it's pretty much done now, so if I get... 10 solid, multi-sentence reviews before teehn, then I'll post it right away :) Comments and critiques welcome!
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The Avatar Saga - Azula's redemption