The moon shone brightly that night, the night it all started. Oddly enough, no one was aware of anything at the time, as such beginnings often go. At this particular moment, the city of Ba Sing Se was sleeping, no idea of what lay in store for them when they awoke. A long way away, a young Waterbender was beginning to lose faith for the first time, and a lost mother was reconsidering her choices. Oh, and a determine boy was setting out on an impossible quest, soon to be a boy no more. But none had any idea of what lay in store in time to come. Now, back to the story.
A lone figure stood on the balcony of the Earth kingdom palace, face upraised to the midnight sky. No moon tonight, he thought. Each individual star shone brightly, casting a bright but strangely eerie look on the city before him. The figure reached into his pocket, fingering a blue oni mask. He was making a decision-an important one. Choices, choices, too many, too few, none at all…
He craned his head back, straining to see the silhouette of a flying bison in the sky. But no one was there. He was alone. The figure reached into his belt, unsheathing a pair of broadswords. He raised the weapons, blades gleaming in the moonlight. Swift and strong, the swords had fought many battles for him…
He took one sword in each hand, and pulled a difficult move, based off of Firebending. He knew who he was, but somehow his identity was incomplete. He once again fingered the blue oni mask…and made the choice. He settled the mask onto his face, and the prince was a warrior, the stranger himself once more, the unknown recognized. A smile played up his normally serious face, knowing no one would realize it was him, the groveling prince…
The blue spirit had returned.
Katara stared up at the moon, eyes dulled from exhaustion. She feared Aang would be permanently scarred by the attack from Azula. Things were looking bleak…No; Katara thought fiercely, You can't lose hope. Aang will find a Firebending teacher-he has to…it could be Zuko, maybe… Disgusted with herself for forgetting Zuko was not on their side, Katara turned to Sokka. "Is Aang looking any better?"
Sokka shrugged. "I'm a warrior, not a healer. I don't know. He was mumbling something about Momo stealing his octopus…is that good?" Katara's jaw tightened. Sometimes, the stupidity of her brother amazed her.
"Of course it's not good," she snapped, hurrying over to Aang. "It means he has a fever. Go get some water to bring it down," Katara ordered, feeling Aang's forehead with the back of her hand. Sokka grumbled something about too many girls bossing him around, but a severe look from his sister quieted him. The warrior reached for his water skin and tossed it to Katara, who caught it out of reflex only. She sent her brother a glare.
Turning back to Aang, Katara bent the water out of the skin. Wrapping it around her hand like a glove, she gently placed it on Aang's forehead. The Waterbender focused on healing Aang, completely consumed in her task. When Katara finally looked up, she blinked-the first lights of dawn were appearing on the horizon. It didn't seem nearly as long…
She stretched and walked over to Toph, who was snoring loudly. She gently tried to roll the Earthbender over. "It's time to get up, Toph." When she didn't stir, Katara began to shake her more harshly.
The blind twelve year old jumped up. "Huh? What happened?"
"You fell asleep, that's what." Sokka slung Aang over his shoulder and positioned him on Appa. "Time to get up, Your Majesty." Sokka called to the sleeping Earth King. The ruler sleepily grabbed his bear, Bosco, by the scruff of his neck and hauled him onto Appa.
Katara settled herself onto Appa, thoughts elsewhere. She thought it strange that her thoughts always seemed to linger on the person she detested most-Zuko.
Two figures stood in front of the palace of Ba Sing Se. One was tall and strong, a triumphant look on her face, while the other was hunched over, trying to make himself as unnoticeable as possible.
"This is truly a glorious day in Fire Nation history," the girl announced to no one unparticular. She glanced at the figure beside her, as if expecting an answer. "Are you not happy for us, Kuan Ti?"
"I am but worried that your brother is not as trustworthy as he seems. Your father-"
Azula cut Kuan Ti off. "I know what my father thinks." The man beside her was silent. He stooped to the ground, examining the scorch mark and footprints.
"There was a fight here." He looked up at the princess. "Hadn't the Dai Li told you?"
The princess let out a hiss. "No, they haven't. But we cannot concern ourselves with street rats. There is work to be done. I must round up all the rebels in the city…"
"It would do you well not to rush into things." He was merely offering his advice, but Azula didn't see it that way.
"I will do what I must." Her tone was biting.
"Even prodigies make mistakes." Kuan Ti replied sharply.
Azula's eyes flashed. "Need I remind you that I am Princess Azula, daughter of-"
"I am perfectly aware of your title," Kuan T interrupted, "and you should know that positions mean nothing to me." Azula opened her mouth furiously, but Kuan Ti cut her off. "You would also do well to remember empty threats mean nothing in the real world." The Firebender stalked off angrily. Once she was out of earshot, a smirk became apparent on the man's face. "You would also do well to place your trust less easily."
The bushes to the left of Kuan Ti began to rustle. The man turned to the old general that had just emerged from the bushes and bowed. "I have heard much about you, Dragon of the West. It is an honor to finally meet you."
The old man bowed back. "It is an honor to meet you, fellow member of the Order of the White Lotus."
Kuan Ti smiled. He was one of the younger members of the order, only twenty five. It was nice to get some respect. "A fellow member is waiting at the fruit stand. She will escort you out of the city." Iroh nodded, and Kuan Ti hesitated before continuing. "But I am wondering, sir, why you are without your nephew. I was told that he would be accompanying you."
Iroh's face became sad. "My nephew and I have chosen to go our separate ways. He….he has made his choice." Kuan Ti nodded. He did not question the old man further-from the betrayed and disappointed look in the general's eyes, he knew it was true.
Ursa was troubled. It showed in her eyes as she padded through the town, shrouded in mist. It showed in her distracted voice when she talked to the baker and her carelessness with her money. Everyone gave her funny looks, but no one asked her about it; they had never felt at ease with the guarded woman. But Ursa had a reason to be troubled. And she was.
Rumors had been flying about. Rumors about the avatar, and most recently Ba Sing Se. It seemed that the Fire Nation prince and princess, Zuko and Azula, had taken over Ba Sing Se. Luckily, the Fire Nation had not bothered their small town, but it was only a matter of time, people said. No one seemed to know anything about the prince and princess, except that the prince had a scar. Ursa could have described them both near to perfect, but the scar rumors worried her. What has Zuko gotten himself into? Oh, I never should have left…
The middle-aged woman, at this moment, was packing up her things. It was hard leaving her small town, but necessary. She should have done this long ago….
Ursa knew she could recognize Zuko. How much could h have changed? She spent hours running over his picture in her mind….because she had to remember him. She had too.
Ursa was going to track down her son.
Lee stared out at the bleak desert before him. Not a house for miles. Discouraging, very discouraging. The young boy sighed and plopped down on the ground. Why did tracking Zuko have to be so hard? And why couldn't Lee have forgiven him for being a Firebender sooner? It had been nearly a week since he run away from home to find Zuko. Maybe I should give up.
Lee stood back up and began wearily walking forward. Hopefully, he could find someone who had seen Zuko. Maybe the Firebender had gone to Ba Sing Se? Lee would never be able to go that far without a ride. He had to find an ostrich horse soon, or he couldn't go much longer. Lee also was concerned on his shortage of food.
Suddenly, the boy stumbled. He collided with a solid figure and knocked him over. "I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to…"
Lee looked up, but to his surprise saw a huge platypus bear towering above him. The boy's eyes widened.
Lee didn't' even have time to feel afraid before the massive paw collided with his head and knocked him out.
Ooooo, a cliffy! What will happen to Lee? Hmm….Read and review!