Five The Final Drum

The Prince and His Princess helped to load the supplies onto the war zeppelin. Nearly two-dozen warriors, several of them waterbenders, would be returning to the Air Temple with them.

They are happy, despite the nervous worry that grips them. They are together, they are with friends, and they…well, they have a new connection.

The Master and Her Grandmother wish them farewell, and good luck, then, once everyone else has made their goodbyes, The Prince starts the engine, and the Zeppelin takes off.

His Princess holds the Flying Lemur in her arms, petting away its nervousness at the noise from the engine. She worries for Her Prince, but knows that what they go to do is important.

If Her Prince can stop His Sister, not only would they be safe, but with the Avatar to stop the Fire Lord, the world itself would be safe.

The Peace would come.

"Look!" Aang pointed excitedly. "Who are all those people?"

Chit Sang and Iroh looked over the side of Appa's saddle. "Impressive." Iroh commented. "There are many peoples represented there."

"Is it an army?" Aang wondered.

"I would believe so." Chit Sang commented. "Let's land and find out."

"Right." Appa began his descent toward the stables.

They were waiting in the stable, and Aang, true to character, jumped down from Aapa, calling out greetings.

"Bato! Where, how…" He looked around. "Sokka, what's going on? Where are Katara and Zuko?"

"Well, Aang…" Sokka looked at his father for help, and Hakoda smiled.

"Why don't you rest from your travel before facing the army, Avatar." He suggested. "We can fill all three of you in on what has happened since you left…were you successful, by the way?"

Aang grinned widely. "I was."

Azula walked down the quiet corridors of the palace, ignoring Long Nu's presence behind her.

She stopped in front of a large tapestry that depicted Fire Lord Sozin, and stared at it. "The greatest Fire Lord ever…aside from Father." She said softly. "What would he do? All around me are traitors and fools. People I thought were beyond trust are traitors."

As she spoke, the fabric began to char, and as she moved on, Long Nu absently rubbed out a small tongue of flame that threatened the tapestry, something she had grown accustomed to already.

She never spoke to the princess, it was not in her contract, but Long Nu was a loyal Fire Nation citizen. Several of the things the princess nearly burned due to her slipping control were priceless, irreplaceable treasures.

The other night, the princess had been preparing herself for a minor ceremony, and with a shriek, she had thrown her brush through a mirror, shouting to her mother. Long Nu could see it. The princess was losing her grasp on reality.

"All around me, signs of attack…but is it rebellion or invasion?" Azula kept muttering.

"So, they're married." Aang asked. Sokka nodded, and they watched, somewhat nervously, for how the Avatar would react.

"Didn't Iroh tell you? He got a message, I'm sure." Haru asked.

Aang fell on his back laughing, and the group, confused, looked amongst themselves. Considering how he had reacted when he found out that Zuko and Katara were together, it was an improvement, albeit a strange one.

"I'm…I'm sorry." Aang struggled to control himself, sitting up. "Sokka, do you remember Aunt Wu?"

"How could I forget her?" Sokka replied, shaking his head in disgust. "The palm-reading phony."

"Did Katara ever tell you what her fortune was?" Aang managed to get out between what could almost be called giggles.

"No, what was it?" Sokka asked, eyes narrowing.

"Aunt Wu told Katara she would marry a powerful bender!" Aang fell back laughing once more, this time surrounded by a chorus of laughter.

"Avatar." A gruff voice spoke. No one save Toph had noticed Jeong Jeong coming, and Toph had decided he was harmless.

Aang sat up. "Jeong Jeong?" He asked. "Wow, I never thought we'd see you again."

"Nor I you. I must admit I did not believe you would come this far." Jeong Jeong replied. "But, I can tell by looking. You are almost ready, aren't you?"

Aang smiled widely. "I think so."

The old man looked down, away from the temple. "Everyone down there is waiting to see you. You are the reason they have gathered. This is your army, Avatar."

Aang's good mood vanished. "I know." He stood up, and grabbed his staff. "I guess I should go inspect the troops, huh?"

"You know, Twinkletoes, you're walking heavy." Toph commented. She and Sokka were walking on either side of Aang as he headed toward the camp.

"Am I?" Aang asked. "Yeah, I suppose. I've got a lot to think about." He stopped suddenly. From the air, it hadn't seemed like there were as many people, but on foot it was a different matter.

Worse, they all turned to face him, an expectant look on their faces.

Long Nu sat up in bed, her heart pounding. Terrible shrieks filled the air, and she knew instantly what was happening.

Rising from bed, she left the small room, and glided down the hall toward Princess Azula's bedchamber.

As the assassin expected, Azula was sitting in the middle of the room, small fires all around her.

She was shrieking: "No! Go away, Mother! I don't want Uncle's stupid doll!" A small bundle of rags in Azula's hand burst into flame.

Long Nu watched. She knew it would not last long. Abruptly, Azula's shrieks cut off.

"Father, where did Mother go? How did Grandfather die? Why isn't Uncle Fire Lord? Where is Zuzu? Where is Mother? Where is Mother?" Azula clutched her knees to her chest. "Mother…mother…mother…"

Long Nu settled in for a long wait. Azula would remain the same until sunrise.

"Are you sure about this, Teo?" A young man asked, clutching the glider tightly as he stood next to the edge of the temple.

"Sure." Teo said, pointing. "See, all the others are already getting the hang of it."

Sokka stood a way off, watching. Suki brought him a cup of tea. "Is this the right thing to do?"

Suki sat on a bench, motioning for Sokka to join her. "You've explained to them exactly what could happen. The gliders are an essential part of the invasion plan."

"I know, its just…" Sokka sighed. "I don't like the thought that we're sending them off, probably to die."

"That's their choice, Sokka." Suki assured Sokka. "They each understand what could happen, and they made the choice to be a part of this."

Sokka waved off behind them. "Yeah, and each part of the plan is a failsafe. The main goal is to keep Aang alive until he can face the Fire Lord."

"And defeat him, ending this war." Suki said firmly. "And you are supposed to be training with Piandao."

Sokka smiled slightly, and stood up. "Right."

Several shouts stopped him cold, and Soka ran to the open, pulling a telescope Teo had rigged from his tunic.

A War Zeppelin lowered as it approached the temple, and Sokka watched closely. He dropped the scope, and cheered when he saw the men in blue climbing on rigging, fixing a large Water Tribe flag over the Fire Nation emblem.

"They're back!" He called out, running toward the widest part of the field. Behind him, he heard Toph demand angrily.

"Who? Blind here, people!"

"Zuko, Katara!" Aang called as the two led a procession down the ramp. He jumped, bending the air to leap across the field. He landed in front of the couple, his face a mess of conflicting emotions. "I…I'm sorry?"

Zuko snorted. "I'm alive, aren't I?"

Aang grinned. "I heard your fortune came true, Katara."

Zuko frowned at the blush on Katara's face. "What fortune?"

"She'll tell you later." Toph spoke up, pushing Aang aside. "Hugs, now!" She stiffened in Katara's arms, and her jaw dropped. "Sugar Queen, you've got two heartbeats! Are…you're pregnant!"

Here endeth Part Three: War Drums.

Those of you who have read to this point, thank you. This story took off from me. When I began, I thought it would be a one-shot, but obviously I was wrong.

Follow me a little further, would you?

Next: Tears and Fire: The Comet

Adversus solem ne loquitor.