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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
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Kingdom of War 3
The Breakout
“We know they’re up to something…”
Fire Lord Zuko sat at the head of the table in the War Room, Mai by his side, and unmistakable boredom on his face. His head sunk into his left hand, which in turn held it up as he tried to remain upright while listening to General Shinu, who was going on well over an hour explaining his conspiracy thesis regarding the Earth Kingdom.
“I’ve heard the chatter going on in their smaller provinces, the whispered words of vengeance and vindication.” Shinu continued. “The Fire Nation never should have let them from under our fist. They will strike, and we must be strong in defense if we are to remain mighty as a Nation. We must…”
It was a speech that Zuko felt was never ending. He felt anything at that moment would be better, hunting the Avatar, Agni Kai with his sister…hell, Agni Kai with his father. The boredom was mind-eroding as he struggled to keep his eyes open. Fortunately, a voice coming from his side helped him stay awake.
“Boring, isn’t it?”
Zuko turned his head to see Mai asking that question, and he nodded his head. “Welcome to my world.”
Mai was no stranger to discussions of the political variety. With her father the former Governor of Omashu (formerly New Ozai); she was forced to sit through meaningless dribble such as this on a daily basis. The only benefit from this situation, she & Zuko are in charge of putting this dribble to an end, which she quickly reminded him.
“You know, there are other matters we could be attending to right now,” She told him. “…That are far more productive…”
“That’s enough!” Zuko’s voice rang out. He immediately got the point his girlfriend had made, and took charge. “General, I will take everything you’ve told me into consideration. But now I have other matters to attend to.”
Shinu developed a confused look. “But-but…I thought my troops were gathered here for a pre-emptive strike on an Earth Kingdom city.”
Zuko raised his eyebrows, in both shock & offense. “At a time of peace? Over a year ago, I called out to all of the nations of this world, condemning the Fire Nation’s actions and declaring the Great War over. And you now want us to restart again?”
“But-but…”
“I called the troops here to the palace for reasons of my own!” Zuko continued with fire in his voice. “Not so you can start a conflict to appease your lust for war! This meeting is over, you are all dismissed!”
Standing up from the table, the commanding officers of the Fire Nation Military began to file out of the room, with General Shinu having the rear. Shinu gave Zuko one last cold glare, but found Zuko giving out an even colder one. He quickly turned away and left the room, remembering a very important tip on how to remain in a seat of power in the Fire Nation…never question the Fire Lord.
“I love it when you take charge…” Mai uttered lovingly.
“I almost wish my father could still deal with this part of the job.” Zuko replied as they stood up. “He deserves it.”
“Ah, we see you have completed your Royal tasks for the day.” Zuko & Mai’s eyes turned to the door as they spotted Li & Lo standing there. “We take it you’ll be moving on towards your other matters?”
“We will…” Zuko answered, sporting a covert grin as he & Mai passed the two advisors. Li & Lo followed behind them, all four traveling down the long hallway towards the light at the end, the exit. Mai & Zuko stepped out first, and found themselves at the Palace rear, in the Courtyard. There were two groups of soldiers in the yard waiting for them; the Yu Yan Archers & The Royal Guard. One representative from each group stepped forward to address their Fire Lord.
“We have arrived as you requested, Lord Zuko.” said the Yu Yan captain. “But we still do not know our reason for being here…”
“Practice…” Zuko answered.
The gathered soldiers grew more confused. “But…we have already gone through coordinated practice this morning.”
“Not for you…” explained Zuko. “…for us.” The confusion level rose even higher as Mai drew out several throwing darts, holding them between her fingers. “Archers, you will train with Mai to help her with her accuracy and speed…”
“And you better make your shots count.” Mai added, exhibiting a sly grin of deviousness.
The Yu Yan Archers followed after Mai, obeying their orders as the Captain of the Royal Guard turned to his Fire Lord. “And…what would you have us do, Lord Zuko?”
The Fire Lord responded by tossing off his ceremonial robe, revealing the outfit he had last worn when he left the palace to assist the Avatar with the downfall of his father. “Attack me.” He said, his fists literally aflame and burning bright. “With everything you’ve got!”
_______________________________________________________________
The time was near midnight, and silence reigned throughout most of the prison. Most of the inmates were back in their cells, some asleep, others reflecting on the events that led them here. Outside of the main building, two guards patrolled the yard, keeping their eye out for any sign of escape. They both knew it would be foolish for any prisoner to try, though. Dry Plains Prison was embedded into the side of a mountain. The closest town to the holding was Ba Sing Se, and you had to cross the Si Wong Desert to reach it. Even Earthbenders have failed to make it all the way.
“A quiet night, hey Tsung?” The guard asked his friend.
“Yeah, I wish it stayed like this every night.” Tsung replied. “All that constant complaining…”
“My cot’s too hard, the gruel’s too soupy, my cell window’s too small…” The first guard whined, mocking the inmates’ complaints. “If you don’t like it, tough! Ya shouldn’t have done the crime! Oh hey! Did I tell you the one about the whiny pickpocket who we just brought in?”
“Oh god…” Tsung muttered, not in the mood for hearing another one of his partner’s stories. As the guard went on, Tsung managed to tune him out as his eyes wandered around the landscape. Suddenly, they fell onto a flickering light coming from a cell window. The light seemed to blink in rhythm, indicating a code being relayed…which it was. Tsung grew a devious grin on his face as he read the code loud & clear…the time is now.
“Well, looks like it’s time to go.” He said, turning to his partner. “By the way, I really despised those stories you always make up…”
“Huh, just what the hell are you talking abou-OOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOH!!!!!!!” Like a stray stone, the guard was easily tossed over a dozen feet into the air, courtesy of Tsung’s Earthbending. He landed on the other side of the prison wall with a brutal & sickening thud, as Tsung proceeded back towards the main building.
With speed in his step, he glanced at certain other guardsmen of the prison, making eye contact to relay the message. One by one, guards began to fall in line behind Tsung, forming a single file, as others are left standing by, confused by the actions in front of them.
“Hey, what’s going on?” One young guard called out. “Just where are all of you go-GAH!!!”
In the blink of an eye, the young guard found himself neck deep in the dirt ground he was firmly standing upon just moments before. The other guards sought to take action, but were quickly dealt with in the same fashion as Tsung’s men revealed themselves as the Dai Li. They marched on, bypassing cell after cell as the inmates inside howled & hollered over their presence. Soon the alarm sounded, and a special team of Earthbenders where dispatched to protect the very person the Dai Li seek to free…Long Feng.
“What is this? What’s going on!?” One specialist, a young man barely out of his teens, asked.
“It’s a Prison break, kid!” Another answered, a middle-aged man.
“What kind of Prison break is this? No explosions, no riots?”
“It’s a well-coordinated one! Warden says the Dai Li are behind it! That’s why we gotta protect this piece of trash right here.”
The team of 5 came to a stop, right in front of ‘The Box’, Long Feng’s specialized holding cell. “Whoa…Long Feng’s in there?” The young man asked.
“Yeah, and that’s where he’s gonna stay.” His elder replied.
Silence fell after those words were passed. There were no signs of Earthbending nearby, and the prisoners settled down from their abrupt rowdiness. It was almost like the calm before the storm. The veteran guard knew it, and kept his guard up, expecting any kind of attack. The young man, however, chose the wrong moment to show his greenness, as he peeked through the window of Long Feng’s cell door, and spotted him huddled in the corner.
“Yeah, not so tough when you got all metal around ya now, are ya!?”
WHOOOOOOO-THOOOOOOOOOMMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!
The kid received his answer when the metal door to Long Feng’s cell was forcefully catapulted into the adjacent wall…with him sandwiched in between.
“KID!!!!”
The veteran stepped into position, but was quickly taken out by a block the size of his head. It crashed into his chest, sending him off his feet and breaking his ribcage. The other 3 guards could only watch as Long Feng calmly stepped out of his cell, hands behind his back, wearing a calm demeanor.
“L-L-Long Feng, get back in your cell!”
Feng simply sighed, not even bothering to look at them. “If you’ll excuse me gentlemen, I have more pressing matters to attend to, and they don’t involve me spending on more moment in this hellhole.”
Taking his left hand, he made one simple gesture across his body…and summoned three stone pillars up from the floor, which pinned the three guards painfully to the ceiling. A moment later, Tsung arrived with his men, and observed the scene.
“What took you so long?” Long asked.
“My apologies…” Tsung replied. “The warden had me inspect the far side of the prison tonight.”
Feng simply scoffed and flung his arms out in front of him as Tsung reached from behind his back and presented his master with his traditional garments; the same clothing he wore as Grand Secretary of Ba Sing Se. “Excellent.” Feng commented. “I’ve wanted to shed these tattered cloths for so long…”
‘
At that moment, several floors below, the Infirmary was too busy attending to the injured and ill to even notice the ruckus happening outside. Azula was just finishing her healing of another prisoner, one injured in an inmate brawl hours earlier. Though she had become more skilled in using her Firebending to help in healing techniques, her mind seemed to be distracted today; something that didn’t go unnoticed.
“Azula…”
She quickly broke from her train of thought to find the head doctor of the Infirmary at her side. “You seem to have a lot on your mind. I think our friend here is healed enough. Care to talk about it?”
Azula removed her hands from over the prisoner’s chest and turned away. “It’s nothing, nothing at all.”
“Well, I think it may be something, judging from the look you had earlier.” The Doctor debated. “Perhaps you were thinking about that boy. What was his name…Jet?” Azula let out a slight gasp, and then quickly covered her mouth to hide it. But not before the Doctor could hear her. “Ah, that must be it. It has been several days since you brought him out of his unconscious state. You both talked so much during that time. I must admit it was rather brutish for those guards to drag him from here and into his cell.”
In her mind, Azula agreed. The way he was taken away, rushed by the guards and dragged off with his arms bound, angered her to the point where she was ready to use her Firebending to teach them manners. But that would indicate that she cared for him, and she was still technically the crown princess of the Fire Nation. Care equaled weakness, and she would show neither.
“I could care less how he was treated.” She scoffed coldly. “He probably deserved it, worthless peasant!”
The scowl on her face did well to hide her concern over the boy. But that scowl quickly faded as she moved toward the exit doorway, and saw someone rushing into the room.
“Azula!”
“…Jet!”
Her face turned completely red as she gasped his name in surprised, but she quickly shook it off, not wanting to appear weak. Jet paid it no mind as he rushed over to her. “I’m glad you’re OK.”
“Wh…why wouldn’t I be?” asked a confused Azula.
“There’s a breakout going on right now.” Jet informed her. “It happened when the guards were escorting me back to my cell. Earthbenders have raided the prison, and…I was…”
Jet hesitated with the rest of his words. To be honest, he wasn’t completely sure why he came to check on her. Instinct demanded that he make his escape as soon as he saw the Earthbenders disable the guards. But it was the familiarity of their style, their moves, that caused him to wait; that made him run over to check on the young woman who was responsible for bringing him new life.
Azula began to crack a smile. She knew what he was about to say, and it warmed her heart. Though that heart would quickly grow cold again as she turned away, disregarding his care as she began putting up various medical tools.
“Well, I’m perfectly fine as you can tell.” She said dismissively. “Besides, since there is a prison break going on, don’t you think you should be making your escape?”
“I would…” Jet agreed. “But there…there’s a reason I wanna stay…”
Azula immediately dropped all in her hands upon hearing that. It was as if faith wanted her to be happy, wanted her to have a new purpose in this world. She blushed again, and slowly started to turn toward the young man she had saved, when…
“Aw, how sweet.”
Both of them turned toward the doorway, to see Long Feng patiently standing there. “Two jailbirds have become lovebirds. It’s almost poetic.”
“Feng!” Azula scowled. “I should’ve known the jailbreak was your cause.”
“You know this joker?” Jet asked, readying himself.
“Oh, she and I indeed have history together, don’t we Princess?” inquired Feng. “As a matter of fact, you and I also have history, Jet.”
It was Azula’s turn to be surprised. “What is he talking about?”
“It’s a long story.” Jet answered.
“Yes it is, and I’m rather short on time.” Feng agreed. “So I hope you don’t mind that I do away with you both using a quick…and painful death.”
“I’d like to see you try.” Azula dared him. “Do you really think a pathetic Earthbender like yourself can defeat an accomplished Firebender?”
Feng smiled at that comment, and snickered. “You see that’s just it…I’m far more than just an Earthbender…”
Demonstrating, Feng reared back and slammed the side of his fist into the metal door, causing the metal to wrap around his hand & forearm. He then forcefully pulled it back, revealing a makeshift armor for his arm.
“What the hell!?” exclaimed an astonished Jet.
“Metalbending…” Azula began to explain. “He used the fragments of earth found within metal to bend it to his will. I’m impressed.”
“You know about the technique?” Feng asked.
“I had an encounter with an Earthbending brat who knew how to do it.” She told him, before grinning. “Though she was far more skilled with the technique.”
Feng grinned back at her. “Yes…and far less deadly!”
With a shuffle of his foot, he released a slight tremor into the room, enough to make Jet & Azula stumble…and give him an advantage. He charged forward, iron hand raised in the air, and the Fire Nation Princess in his sights. Moving quickly, she barely ducked out of the way as he crashed the fist down on an operating table, reducing it to splinters.
“No! Stop!” The Doctor of the Infirmary pleaded. “This is a place of healing!”
“Quiet, old man!” Feng snapped. “You should be thanking me! When I’m done with them, they won’t need any—GUUUHHHH!!!”
A sharp spin kick to Feng’s jaw knocked the words from his mouth, courtesy of Azula. “You haven’t learned much from your incarceration, have you?” She mocked. “Never take your eyes off your opponent!”
She exclaimed her point by launching a fireball at Long Feng’s face…one easily deflected by his iron hand. “And you have much to learn as well, Princess.” He told her. “Never underestimate me.”
He repaid & surprised her by unleashing a lightning-quick axe kick, one that launched her into the air and sent her crashing into a medical cabinet. He charged again, ready to slam his metal fist into her face when…
SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHRRRRRAAAAAAAACK!!!!!!!!
“AAAAAAAAAAAAGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”
Long Feng fell to his knees, before quickly standing back up, in considerable pain. The slice across his back came from a hook sword, confiscated but never taken into the armory…and now in the hands of its owner, Jet.
“Don’t tell me you forgot about me, Feng?” He asked, ready to join the fight.
Feng grimaced, but quickly prepared for another attack. “Ah, my former puppet. I believe it’s time to put you out of your misery!”
They lunged forward, and proceeded to trade blows with escalating ferocity. Jet mercilessly let fly with his sword, only to have each & every attack deflected by Feng’s metal arm. He sliced harder & harder, hoping to crack through his protection, but it was a futile effort, and one that pushed him to give an opening Feng took advantage of. Grabbing his hook sword, Feng bend it backwards, rendering it useless. He then stepped into with an elbow strike which made Jet stumble back, and finished off with an Iron Fist Strike straight to the young man’s chest. Jet flew backwards into the corner, and held his chest as he coughed up blood.
“Ah, your ribcage is still tender, I see.” mocked the metal fisted threat. “Allow me to reduce it to powder.”
FWOOOOOOOSH!!!!!!!
A wave of fire prevented Feng from doing such, and also turned his attention back to Azula, who was on her feet, ready for round 2. “Enough! I should’ve done this a long time ago! Prepare to bid farewell to your pathetic life, Feng!”
She gracefully leapt into the air, spinning around once, readying herself to burn Long Feng alive with her raging fire. But as she landed and thrust her hands forward…
FWOOF…
…she found herself only able to produce a very weak & faint burst. She reared back and tried again, producing the same results. “Wha…what’s going on with my Firebending!?”
Long Feng cackled at the display in front of him. “Oh, irony is cruel, isn’t it Princess? You’re strongest asset is now gone, leaving you completely weak. But don’t worry…as I said, I’ll make this quick.”
“LONG FENG!!!”
The former secretary turned toward the doorway to see Tsung standing there, looking panicked. “Sir, we’ve just spotted reinforcements on their way. We must take our leave now!”
Feng growled in disapproval; that wasn’t news he wanted to hear. Glaring back at Azula, his iron fist tightened as he knew he had the Fire Nation Princess at his mercy. But it was too big of a risk, as the reinforcements would outnumber his men 10-to-1. So reluctantly, he took his leave. But as he reached the doorway, he stopped to address his two foes.
“It would seem that fate has smiled down upon you two.” He told them. “And I suppose it is fitting that you both shall remain locked here as you bear witness to my great victory, as I succeed in the very task where you failed Azula…conquering the world.”
He hid a triumphant grin from the two as he casually followed behind Tsung, with over a dozen Dai Li flanking their position. Azula didn’t bother to go after him; instead she rushed over to Jet, who was still holding his chest, grimacing in pain. “Are you alright?”
“Yeah…I’ll be fine…” He struggled out. “I’ve taken worse…One question, though…why didn’t you take him out with your Firebending?”
“I…I…” She wanted to answer, and even more so she wanted to burn Long Feng to a crisp. But as she stared at her hands and tried to conjure up the roaring flames she could so easily command in the past, she received no answer. It was as if her Firebending had completely abandoned her. “I…I don’t know…”
_________________________________________________________________
The sun was at its apex over the Northern Water Tribe, as the children of the Tribe began their daily snowball fight in the small patch of frozen tundra. Amidst all of them walked one young woman, bundled up in Water Tribe wear to keep warm, but wandering around blind as a badgermole. Toph had made her mind up; several days ago when she first arrived, she talked to Katara and expressed her feelings towards someone special to her. Katara encouraged her go and reveal them to the man, and Toph agreed.
Even with her boots and the amount of snow on the ground, her unique ‘sight’ still gave her at least the simplest map of the landscape. She knew she was headed for a large building, which had to be the Palace, which was where Aang said he last saw Sokka. And as she approached the building, she sensed a presence standing in front of it; a familiar one.
“Sokka?”
She heard a slight shuffle in the snow, and put up her hand.
“No, don’t say anything.” She told him. “This is hard enough as it is. Just shut up and listen…I know the only reason we met is because Aang needed an Earthbending Teacher, and I know that the time we’ve spent together was mostly us being on the run, and I know that you’re ‘involved’ with Suki…” She sighed deeply; this was tough for her to confess, but she pushed on. “Look, all I’m trying to say is…we make a good team…what?” She kicked herself for those choice of words, and tried to restate her point. “Alright, I’m just gonna come out and say it…I like you! I have feelings for you, Sokka. I’ve had them ever since those stupid journeys between the Fire Nation & Ba Sing Se. I missed you when we went our separate ways and I was glad to get the chance to come here and tell you this. You happy now? I, Toph Bei Fong, like you! Happy!?”
There was a moment of silence, one that Toph expected as she knew Sokka would be caught off guard by her admission. But she didn’t expect what happened next…her ears were filled with the sound of a flying bison yawning, followed by her cheek being licked affectionately. Toph dropped her head, realizing she just confessed her true feelings for Sokka to Aang’s longtime pet.
“Heh, good to see you too, Appa.” She said, embarrassed. It was a feeling that would fade though, as she heard Sokka’s voice coming from inside the building, along with Katara’s.
Carefully she ventured into to palace, sliding her hand along the hallway wall to help keep her bearings. She didn’t have to travel far to find exactly where her friends were as she heard Katara’s voice again.
“They just left her?”
“They said it was for her safety.” Arnook replied. “Just until the matter in the Earth Kingdom is solved.”
“Yeah, but how could they just…leave?” Aang asked.
“Maybe it was an express ship they had to hop on.” Sokka jokingly answered.
“This isn’t funny, Sokka!” scolded Katara.
“I know, I know!” Sokka responded. “All I’m saying is that Toph is tough. I mean, she ran away FROM home to teach Aang Earthbending. She can survive her own…parents…leaving…”
The rest of his sentence died in his throat as the 4 spotted Toph standing there in the doorway. “Well, I guess that explains why Mom didn’t give me my good morning hug…”
“Oh, Toph…” Katara rushed over to her to the blind bandit, causing her to panic as she heard her hurried footsteps.
“OK. Please tell me she’s not running over to…” Toph didn’t get the chance to finish, as Katara embraced her tightly, putting her head on her shoulder. “…hug me.”
Aang & Sokka turned to each other, before looking back at Toph. “We should tell her…”
“We should…” Katara agreed, pulling away and looking her friend in the eye. “Toph, your parents left because they were called away by King Bumi back to the Earth Kingdom. Apparently, Long Feng broke out of prison some days ago, and he wanted all Earth Kingdom officials present for a meeting.”
“They left you here because they thought you’d be safer.” Aang continued. “They didn’t…want anything happening to you…”
“That figures.” Toph deadpanned.
Sokka raised a curious eyebrow. “You mean you’re not upset? You’re not about to go on an Earthbending rampage and rearrange the shape of our village?”
“Why should I?” Toph replied. “It’s what my parents always do. Shelter me & protect me because their afraid their little blind girl might get hurt.” She shrugged. “Gotta learn to deal with it.”
And with that, she turned away and calmly walked back down the hall, leaving Aang, Sokka & Katara surprised by her reaction. “That…went better than expected.” Sokka said.
“I think it’s because she’s maturing.” Katara commented. “Just a few days ago Toph and I had a girl-to-girl talk where she expressed her feelings to me. I just think she’s learning how to be more adult about these situations.”
Unfortunately, Katara was proven wrong as the four heard three surprising words come from Toph outside.
“APPA, YIP-YIP!!!”
Their eyes widen, and the three made a mad dash down the hall to stop their Earthbending friend. “APPA, NO!!!” Aang yelled.
“NO YIP-YIP! NO YIP-YIP!!!” Sokka hollered.
They emerge out in front of the palace, expecting to see Toph trying to command Appa to fly. Instead what they saw was Toph sitting on an ice sculptor of a Lion Turtle, kicking it repeatedly as she yearned for results. “Come on you stupid bison, Fly!”
“Uh, Toph? You’re not on Appa.” Aang pointed out. “You’re on the snow Lion Turtle that the kids here built.”
Toph took a moment for that to soak in, and then sighed. “Well, that explains why my legs are now freezing…”
Katara rushed over to the Earthbender and helped her off. “Toph, you can’t just kidnap Appa so you can rush off…”
“No, I can.” Toph interrupted. “Cause I’m going back to the Earth Kingdom. My parents can do what they want, but they won’t stop me, and neither will you guys.”
“Toph…”
“We all know why Long Feng is out of prison, Katara.” Toph continued. “He wants to take over the Earth Kingdom, maybe even the world. And he’s gonna have those stupid agents of his with those stupid hats doing everything he says. I can bend rock circles around all of them, so I’m going to stop him!”
There was a long silence after Toph finished, with her friends seeing the look of determination on her face. Like a rock, she was steadfast and ready to go, unwavering for anything and anyone. And the words she spoke caused another to join her cause.
“She’s right.”
Katara & Sokka both turned to Aang in shock. “Aang…”
“I agree with her.” He explained. “With Long Feng out of jail, he will try to take over the Earth Kingdom, possibly the world. And I can’t let that happen. We all know what happened 100 years ago when I couldn’t stand in the way of the Fire Nation’s invasion, I’m not taking that risk again. Long Feng needs to be stopped, and I’m going to help Toph do it.”
Katara could see the same look of determination in Aang, as it grew in her. “Then I’m going to.”
Sokka, however, wasn’t as gung-ho as the others, but joined anyway. “Aw hell, it’s been some time since we’ve had an adventure. I’m in, too!”
“Then it’s settled.” Aang said, as he gazed out onto the landscape in front of the Palace. “The Avatar is back in action.”
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Kingdom of War