Book Three
Volume 8
Ch. 114 Black Sun
Pov.
-Kara-
"Apa!"
"Hop on. It's time we grace the King with a visit from yours truly." I open my arms
"I thought you already spoke with him." Sokka said as he hopped aboard
"I was speaking in future tense."
"That isn't a thing." Toph adds as I have the Bison take off
After telling them what when down, all except our run in with Zuko, we were closing in on the palace
"I'm so glad you're alright. We were starting to worry." Suki holds my arm
"Yeah, we had a feeling Long Feng was behind your disappearance." Katara adds
"It's whatever. All we have to do is find a way to convince the King he's being played for a fool."
…
Apa finally lands and we fight our way into the castle up until we made our presence with the king
"They're here to overthrow you." Long Feng tells the king
"No, we're here to help." Sokka says
"You have to trust us." Katara adds
"You broke into my palace, laid waste to my guards and you expect me to trust you?"
"He has a point." Toph shrugs
"If you are on our side then surrender and drop your weapons." The King demands
"No." I respond to that
"What?" Aang and everyone look at me
"Don't."
"Then I suppose-."
"How long have you been cooped up in your little castle?"
…
"For as long as I can remember. Why is this relevant?"
"For just as long you've been played a fool by your very own advisor." I cross my arms
"That's it. I won't allow you to mock the king in such a manner." Long Feng steps up
"Please, forgive him your majesty. He is simply angry. We were attacked in our own home, you see." Rhea bows her head
"By the Dai Li, under Long Feng's command." Suki says
"Not only that. He's been keeping the war with the fire nation a secret from you, your highness." Katara adds
"Nonsense." Long Feng laughs
"He's right. I can't just take your word for it."
"Then take it from the Avatar." Sokka insists
"You're the Avatar?"
"No," Sokka steps behind Aang. "It's this guy, with the arrow." He points at his forehead
"Hey…" Aang waves awkwardly
"Is this true? Is he really the Avatar?" He asks Long Feng.
Seeing there was also a high ranking general in the room he was forced to speak the truth
"Yes, your majesty."
"You mean you had no idea the Avatar was in Ba Sing Se?" Katara asks
"You see! He's been keeping the truth from you all along!"
"That doesn't prove anything. You people were clearly strong enough to barge in here so it's obvious I was simply sparing his highness from any unnecessary danger!" Feng argues
"He has a point. We shouldn't waste any more time than that."
"If I may speak freely, your highness. This young man is General Amaterasu, of the northern water tribe. He helped a great deal in keeping the fire nation from crossing our borders." The General who guards the wall steps up
"Oh? I-is this true?" The king asks Long Feng
"What?! Of course not, General Ivon is simply out for my position."
"We've had our nearest encounter with the fire nation as of yet and it's bound to get worse."
…
"Long Feng?" The King asks though doubtful of his credibility
"I-it's utter nonsense. I'm telling you my Lord don't trust a word these-."
"I have to see it for myself." The king stands up
"My Lord you've wasted enough of your precious time meddling with these hooligans." Long Feng
"These 'hooligans' are traveling with the Avatar. The least I can do is shine light on the matter."
After proving ourselves, the King had Long Feng taken into custody.
He then apologized for his foolishness and we were pardoned off of breaking into the palace
"What do I think?" I wonder, after the King asked me what he should do with Long Feng
"I am lacking an advisor. "
"I'm not looking for a resume if that's what you're insinuating."
"Of course not. Although you can come off as rude. I do trust your reason."
"Are you sure? The answer may not be what you want to hear."
…
"I am open to everything."
"Long Feng threatened the throne by corrupting your system. The very first thing you should do is apologize to your people for being blind to the fact."
"And then?"
…
"Hold a public execution. Send a message to his men. Corruption and disloyalty to the throne will not go unpunished."
"A-an execution?"
"You asked for my advice." I shrug
"No, I completely understand." He nods
Everyone else joined us outside. Sokka was going off to see his father. Suki was going with him and Aang was supposed to see some monk but I told him it's time I taught him fire bending.
"I thought you couldn't teach me?"
"I'll teach you what I can. It'll only be you and I so don't worry about hurting anyone."
"O-okay."
Katara was also staying behind to explain in detail their plan to invade the fire nation and Toph was going to see her parents who were in town.
"Right.. when we see each other again… it'll be in battle." Sokka says as they have their little group hug
"Yeah, hopefully we're still on the same side." I cross my arms
They all look at me before pulling me in for a hug.
"Ngk*" I grit my teeth
"You can be a real pain sometimes but you're family now." Aang smiles
"Whatever." I grumble before they pull away
"It was nice knowing you!" Rhea waves at Suki
"They're not riding to their deaths" I grumble
"Shut up!" Rhea stomps her foot
We were ready for the meeting with the generals when we were informed that the Kyoshi warriors were in the capital
"What? No, take them into custody."
"Are you crazy? Those are Suki's friends!" Katara insists
"Did Suki receive a letter like the rest of you did?"
"N-no but…"
"Then they can be anyone. Take them into custody. I'll speak to them then."
The men do as their told
"W-wait."
Katara glares at me
"You don't run a country by taking chances, Katara."
"We're not taking any. I'm telling you, they're Sukis-."
"C'mon they're waiting for us."
We meet the generals where Katara began explaining the day of the black sun
"What?!" I growl "you mean you plan to invade the fire nation when they're completely powerless?!"
I heard them speak of a black sun but I had no idea it meant the fire benders would be completely defenseless
"Yeah. That was the plan!" Katara gets in my face
"That's no way to win a war!"
"It's ingenious." A commander adds
"It's pathetic!" I growl
"It may be a strike at our pride but it'll definitely end the war for good"
Damn it
That's no fun.
Not fun at all
"You can't be serious. It'll be a slaughter!" They all look at each other "where's your pride? Your honor?"
"We've been at war for over a hundred years, there's no room for honor."
Pathetic, all of them.
…
Once the meeting was over I head straight for the dungeon hoping dealing with the kyoshi warriors could take my mind off things
…
"C'mon we're old buddies of the Avatar I swear. Just send him down here so we can have a little chat."
"Huh…"
Just what I need
"Kara?!" Azula jumps back
"Kara!" Ty Lee's face lights up
"As beautiful as ever, Azula."
"I'm flattered." She glares at me
I look around
Mai was sitting in the corner
"What are you doing here?"
"Planning an attack on the fire nation."
"Hahaha." Azula laughs sarcastically. "You really think you hold a prayer now that you're buddies with Ba Sing Se?"
"More than that."
As much as I hate it.
"Now, let's have some fun." I pull my shirt over my head
"Wh-what?" She blushes "n-no back off you jerk!"
…
-hours later
"As tight as you'd expect from the fire princess."
"Damn you." She grumbles
That takes care of that. I pat my joggers
"H-hurts like hell.. doesn't it?" Ty Lee huffs
"You two are barbaric." Mai fidgets with her fingernails like she had been the entire time
"Take these." I toss them the painkiller leaves Rhea made for Suki to sooth the pain
"What do you want from us?" Azula asks as she rips some of the leaves out of Ty Lee's hands
…
"The generals of this nation are a bunch of cowards. I want you to inform your father to take refuge on the day of black sun"
"Wh-what? You mean they know?"
"Yeah they're planning to level the fire nation then. See to it that does not happen."
She smiles
"I can't tell whether you're a fool or just way in over your head. Although I suppose it's the same thing"
"I want to take Ozai down at his best."
Yeah, I wasn't planning to revisit my training just yet, but after hearing of a battle of this caliber… how can I not?
"Oh please." Azula rolls her eyes
"Is that all, My Lord?" Ty Lee leans in
…
"No. I want you to strike down the Avatar."
…
-to be continued