Chapter 25

Author:(whistles innocently, eyes shifting nervously.)

Fog. Lots of fog. Fog was the enemy of any leader that wasn't ready. Azula knew it. Zuko might have known because he stared out at the bay with a worried look. His worry was passing on to everyone else.

A weak leader. Azula knew it but she kept her mouth shut as their motley group stood in the window of a warehouse on the edge of the bay. They had made it out of the under city more than a day ago and in that time they had found out that a relief fleet headed by Zuko's own grandson should arrive this morning. They decided to watch and be ready for them and Asami had produced a useful meeting spot in the form of an old Sato warehouse with a nice big glass window facing towards the bay.

Behind the window was a simple walkway that formed a crude 2nd floor that the group was standing on. There were some bruises and sprains on people but Korra had been working hard on heeling people and had been leaning on Azula most of the early morning.

Azula was now forced to suffer through Korra pressed into her side, arms intertwined...oh darn.

"I think you'll like him Azu." Zuko said trying to steady himself. "He has your kind of drive."

Azula faked a gag. "He came from you. I don't like him by default." She felt Korra shake her head in amusement.

"There to the left of the statue!" one of the officers with them said.

The group looked that way and saw the first ships emerge through the morning fog. There shape earing a disbelieving look from Azula.

"Catamarans?" Azula let slip aloud.

"Yes have you never seen then?" Asami questioned.

She was about to rant about how ineffective that kind of design would be for a military ship... she really wanted too.

"Where are they?" Lin questioned cutting her off.

Azula looked to her and saw that she was not looking at the small fleet but instead at the shore where there was no one. Not even civilians.

'Crap.' Azula thought to herself as she pushed away from the window with Korra still hanging on. "What's going on?" Mako asked as the group moved towards the lower floor of the warehouse.

"There not idiots." Azula began. "And there not on the shore so they must have something planned." On cue a boom could be heard in the distance and vibrated though the walls of the building. It made them hurry. When they got outside they already saw one of the ships lisping and smoke billowing from the side.

"It must have hit a mine!" Zuko gasped. "Is it the flag ship?!" he asked not trying to hide the worry from his voice.

Azula couldn't tell so she said nothing as the fleet tried to disperse and one by one hit more mines. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Korra tense up as the event unfolded before them and Azula put a hand on her shoulder to steady her. She was about to speak but a dull roar cut her off.

It came from the city and in moments the things flew over their heads. They roared like Sato mobiles but flew over their heads fast as they roared towards the fleet. Hiding her surprise barely Azula turned questioningly to Asami who looked as surprised as everyone else. She snapped back forward though when she felt Korra break her grip and run forward, jumping into the bay.

"Korra!" she yelled uselessly as the flying things started dropping bombs on the ships.

"Everyone back inside!" Lin ordered to everyone surprised looks. "There's nothing we can do for them let the Avatar try to help but we need to get ready for what's next."

Zuko looked ready to argue. He had made it clear he had a family member out there.

"Im going to help Korra." Azula said ignoring them both. She didn't respond to Lin yelling at her as she called Naga from inside. Thankfully the animal was coming right to her.

Right at her. "Fuck" Azula let slip as it became apparent that Naga was not coming to her but going for Korra and the fire bender just happen to be in the way. She did however mange to jump on the animals back. Well more so on the side but she grappled her way into the saddle as Naga jumped of the pier.

After the cold shock wore off she managed to reach down and grab Naga's reins just as Korra was way up in the air on a column of water. It reminded her that the sometimes-scared girl was in fact the Avatar when she had the right motivation. Take that away and force on her a sense of powerlessness and Korra was almost a different person. Azula could understand that. Right now, it was great watching her show off her power.

She also saw that some one of the ships was desperately fire-bending against the flying things. She was wanted to get closer but a dark shape in the water made her force Naga to keep away. It was a mine. They were hiding just under the surface of the water. She couldn't see a way through and was not going to find out if a accidental hit from Naga's paw could set one off. Annoyed she slowly guided the eager animal through the water. All the while she could only watch as a flying thing was hit with fire and crashed into Korra's column of water sending her down.

The sudden rush of fear was familiar to the fire bender. She felt it every time she was cornored. Every time she took a leap where she didn't see the bottom. Every time she was nearly caught. Now feeling it for someoe else felt…

Fine.

It was Korra after all. The girl had made Azula feel plenty of new things she wasn't surprised any more really. She made a mental note that if she started to feel this way about any one else that would be a problem.

Azula spurred the animal on towards its owner but as they got closer there was no sign of her in the water.

Her worry was distracted by a flying thing going just over her head, pulling up at the last moment and dropping a bomb right into the tower where some good fire bender had been making a last stand. Looking back at the water she saw another mine in her path just below the surface. Struggling she pulled Naga away and spent to long trying to find a path though the burning wreckage and mines. It was taking to long and it made her tense and her head was hurting.

So when a hand grabbed her keg she reacted with a ball of fire that she nearly threw at Korra's head.

She was looking at Azula's scowl with a concentrated look and Azula eased as Korra pulled a body up and onto Naga's saddle and rested its wet form on Azula's back as Korra got behind.

'Eww' Azula thought annoyed as her cloths soaked through. Mentally brushing it off she turned to Korra.

"Are you ok?" She heard herself sound more afraid then she wanted to. Korra gave a small smile and nodded which let Azula relax as much as she could and steered Naga back to the shore.

When they landed Azula was worried that someone would see them but it was still early and so far, there where few people around. Anyone who was brave enough to be out where all looking at the carnage in the bay. Naga made it back to the warehouse without losing much time. As soon as they closed the door Zuko was charging them and helping the wet body off Naga. It was apparently Zuko's grandson or whatever and Korra went to him as well and started healing while Azula went to her own corner to wait and dry off.

Everyone was either around the downed officer or still standing guard so Azula was at least by her self.

"You okay?"

Was by herself.

"I'm fine but the water was a little cold." Azula shrugged as Mako, Bolin and Asami grouped around her.

"Yeah I've had that early morning swim before." Bolin began. "It can be chili."

"I thought you weren't supposed to swim in the bay." Asami questioned.

"Well it was not always voluntary." He offered to which Mako smiled. The groups light banter failed to hide their nervous looks. Azula understood the fleet was supposed to be the good news of the day.

Azula but a ball of fire in her hand and started drying herself off. "Try swimming around the poles that Is cold."

"Pays to be a fire bender?" Mako suggested.

"Always." Azula said simply.

"I don't know, being a water bender seems pretty cool. Did you see Korra when she was on that big column of water!" Bolin said excitedly, badly acting through the motions till suddenly stopping. "Its almost as good as Earth bending." Everyone laughed a bit at his antics and Azula smirked. she was thinking about Korra while she was fighting and how intense she looked. How ferocious she looked. How dedicated she looked.

How good Korra looked. How nervous she herself felt when her Avatar fell into the water.

Azula's mind raced and blushed a bit when she realized she wanted to be near Korra now. Right now. Her friends might have said something but she paid no attention to them as she walked briskly over to her target who was no longer healing but still talking to Zuko and Lin. She walked and stood next to Korra who smiled but kept listing to Zuko who was talking about…whatever.

"Azu thank you for helping my grandson." Zuko started. "it looks like he is going to be fine."

Azula stared down at the man who was glancing up from his seated position and gave a weak smile and nod. He looked like Zuko…kind of. This person who Azula realized she was related too. It reminded her that she was out of her time. She had taken from her time and everyone had just moved on. She gave a blank stare and small nod back before firmly grasping Korra's hand. Probably sensing a problem Korra leaned back and Azula got close to her ear.

"I..I can't… not now." Azula whispered shakily. Korra nodded lightly and squeezed her hand. "Azu's gotta talk to me about something so I will talk to you guys later about our next move. Feel better General." The man on the ground nodded again. The rest went back to talking. Crisis averted Azula pulled Korra to an isolated spot in the warehouse.

"Feeling better?" Korra asked. Azula cut her off by pushing her back first into a crate. "Yeah just every time I'm remined that I missed so much… it doesn't matter, I'm not talking about that now." She said dismissively before pressing her lips to Korra's. The Avatar was surprised for a moment but smiled and wrapped her arms around the fire-bender.

"You where incredible today." Azula whispered pulling back for a moment. Korra smiled. "Hey the days not even over yet."

Azula chuckled. "I know but you going to be and we will probably not have time for this later."

The 'this' was Azula closing in again and kissing Korra with enthusiasm. Korra responded enthusiastically and had her tong go out and meet Azula's in combat as her hands started to roam her fire-benders back, Azula sighed in contentment as she leaned on Korra. Instead though Korra started pushing back and Azula found herself being reminded that Korra may be unsure of her self sometimes but when she wanted something she put her whole energy to take it. And Azula was gona let her have it.

It was her turn to be pushed back first into a shipping crate that clanged when she hit it. 'Ow.' Azula thought to her self. She brushed off the thought though as Korra started move her kissing down to her neck. Azula moaned a bit as she brought a hand to comb through Korra's hair.

"I got so worried when you knocked into the water." Azula let out as Korra moved away from the spot on her neck. She felt Korra pause and hold her tight. They both just enjoyed the embrace for a few brief moments.

"Thank you for telling." Korra said as felt a smile against her skin. "But I wasn't worried I knew you where out there with me." she started to kiss Azula's neck again but stopped in a fit of giggle.

"What?" Azula asked smiling.

"I was just thinking of you all wet and riding Naga." Korra laughed

Azula smirked. "It was fine until someone put a wet body on my back." Korra suddenly got very quiet. "He was the only one I could help, I hope he's ok."

Azula brought her hands onto Korra's face and lightly pulled her to look at her.

"You did help him. You did everything you could. You did amazing. You are amazing." Azula said sternly. Korra looked intently back.

Azula glanced briefly around. "And I love you." Azula said softly. Finally, Korra smiled a little. "Thanks I love you too." she whispered before going for Azula's lips again. They stayed in each other arms for a few more minutes.

Until a clearing throat got Azula's attention. She ignored it and continued her much more important task. It happened again though and this time Azula had to pull a hand away from Korra and tried to sho who ever was disturbing them away. This time there was a longer pause and Azula thought she was successful until it happened again louder this time.

Losing her patience Azula flipped the person off.

This time there was an angry growl before. "We don't have time for this!" Lin barked out.

Korra heard her this time and jumped off Azula.

'ugg.' Azula thought to herself.

"What!?" Korra said nervously. "Whats going on is Iroh awake? Come on Azu lets go..." Korra paused getting stuck in thought. "Help out!" she said starting to walk off towards Lin. Azula rolled her eyes and followed behind. Lin glared at her for a moment to which Azula just shrugged.

"iroh is awake and we need to plan are next move." Lin said simply. Azula took a deep breathe and kept her self calm as the made there way to where Iroh and everyone was sitting around each other.

"Avatar, Azu." Zuko greeted. "You should hear what Iroh was just saying."

Iroh was sitting on the ground propped up against a crate when Azula got a good look at him for the first time. He was older then she was much older and looked like he had been in the military all his life. His black hair and gold eyes gave away his royal heritage though. She realized that they probably looked similar and it unnerved her she wasn't sure why but it did. It made her head hurt again.

"Hi again!" Korra said being friendly. "Glad to see you doing much better." She said with a smile.

"All thanks to the Avatar." Iroh offered.

'He sounds like Zuko.' Azula thought to herself. 'Or not now Zuko, past Zuko. Who is the Zuko I know, my Zuzu not the current one was has children and grand children because he had a life. I don't have life cus I don't exist…' her mind was racing until a hand grabbed hers and she tore away from Iroh to see Korra holding her hand.

"No, she's fine it's just been a rough couple of days right Azu?" Korra offered

"Yes." She answered quickly. Glancing around trying to look normal as her head still hurt but her mind started to focus on Korra's hand. She noticed a few curious glances towards her but the all looked away when she glared at them. Expect Zuko who just looked concerned, which made her mad.

"Those flying things, we weren't prepared for them." Iroh said getting Azula's attention.

"Do you know anything about them?" She asked to Asami who with Mako and Bolin had joined the huddle.

"Hmmm I have seen the design before but I thought they where just theories."

"They are real enough." Lin countered. "And if we don't warn Bumi's fleet they are going to do just as well as Iroh's."

'Bumi?' Azula thought surprised 'That crazy old man can't still be alive... though I would not put it past him.'

"Unless we warn them." Mako suggested. "or destroy the flying things." Azula added. "either could work'' Lin added "and tonight will be a good time to do either from what we gathered there's gona be a big rally later in the pro-bending arena."

"Victory rally?" Azula questioned. Lin nodded. "Probably it could leave everything else undefended."

Azula paused to think while everyone else started debating on what to do next. Her head had stopped hurting as it was able to focus on a real task. It felt clarifying...mostly.

The group was still loud and still sitting right next to each other. They were talking about how the flying things where probably in the mountains or how much protection would be around the radio station.

Azula leaned over to Korra. "where's Naga?" she whispered. Korra thought for a second and told her where the big animal had found a soft spot to lay down. Finding the animal the firebender had to spend a moment to calm the thing that was apparently happy to see her.

Until Azula pointed out that she had no food at which point Naga decided that she was no longer interesting.

'Love you too.' Azula thought sarcastically as she went through the bags on Naga's saddle. Foot steps behind drew some attention but she waited to see if it mattered.

"So Lin asked me if you where my secret forbidden love daughter." Zuko began.

Azula gaged and Zuko laughed at the reaction. "I supposed it a reasonable guess given how similar I must look to your spawn."

"You should have seen my daughter when she was young." Zuko laughed to him self. "When ever she acted out and tried to burn something I was tempted to call it 'Azulaing' ".

Azula found it less amusing, and she clentched her teeth to stop her self from snapping.

Zuko noticed. "When this is over you should come back to the fire nation." He offered.

Azula scowled. "This appeasement is getting old."

"Appeasement?" Zuko questioned. "I like to think I have moved on to straight bribery."

Azula kept her amusement hidden. "Oh so maybe you did learn how to rule."

"I like to think so I almost ran two countries at one point." Zuko shrugged.

"This city it was your idea correct?" Azula asked.

"Mine and Aangs, 'a place for all benders and people.' guess it was a little too idealistic."

Azula shrugged. "People will always find something to fight about."

Zuko just sighed. "I know but peaceful moments are nice while they last."

Azula ignored him as she found her prize. "Peace can be relaxing, but conflict is exciting and I'm good at it." she said pulling the object from the saddle bag.

"I hope you do find peace." Zuko offered falling in behind as Azula started heading back to the group.

"I should." Azula countered. "After all you are not trying to hunt me down anymore." that shut him up.

When she returned to the group they where still figuring out their plan and Azula waited until she had an opening... but it took to long so she got over it.

She waited till Korra was talking and Azula gave her the thing which Korra took absent minded and was talking about rallying the people or what ever as she looked at what her fire bender had given her.

"Woah!" Korra jumped as the Amon mask they had captured stared up at her and like the master bender she was, fell backwards off the box she was sitting on. Her head landing at Azula's feet.

"ow." Korra said flatly. "sorry." Azula offered half heartedly.

"No your not." Korra pointed out.

"not much." Azula relented with a shrug.

"Bitch." Korra coughed out under her breath as she got up.

"That's right you still have that." Mako remembered.

"Where did you get that?" Iroh asked.

"We found it in a hideout a while ago. I'm surprised it hasn't Broken." Asami offered.

"What are we doing with it?" Bolin asked.

Azula smirked. "We are not going to go for the flying things or the Radio we are going to attack the head of the whole thing." She said holding up the mask.

The nervous looks she got in a return was not encouraging. She rolled her eye's. "Ok I will go slow."

By early evening they had gone over the plan for hours and Azula had finally put down her skeptics and everyone was almost confident.

For the moment though she was sitting against Naga's belly and was eating for the first time that day. Korra was away for a moment so when Zuko showed up instead Azula gritted her teeth and tried to ignore him.

"So I'm pretty disappointed in you." Zuko said glancing around.

Azula kept ignoring him hoping he would go away.

"I mean dressing like the enemies to take them from the inside? Come on you've already done that as least try to be original." Zuko said in mocked insult.

Azula shot to her feet. He had been annoying her for to long and she was done. "Get away from me!" She growled. "I'm getting tired of your feeble attempts to play nice to me." Zuko was taken aback.

"I'm just trying to-"

"You're trying to make up for the fact that you tried to hunt me down and have me KILLED! Make up for the fact that while you were teaching your children the importance of family your sister was frozen in the ice somewhere being forgotten. Sometimes your feeble attempts are amusing but you've gotten annoying at this point. Leave me alone." Azula threatened. She wasn't sure what abut this particular exchange had made her so mad maybe it was the casualness of it. The idea that he was starting to treat this all as normal.

Zuko looked hurt. He was about to say something but decided not to. Korra walked in a few moments later and Zuko gave her a nod before walking away.

"Everything ok?" Korra said seeing Azula glare at him.

"Im just...just getting him to leave me alone." Azula said taking breath sitting back down against Naga.

Korra went over and sat down against her. Leaning her head against the fire-benders shoulders.

"We got to get going soon." Korra said wanting to change the subject.

"Good we can finish this." Azula said leaning into her.

"Hopefully." Korra said again with a sigh. Azula nudged her again making Korra slip off and lay her head in Azula's lap starring up.

"Come on you've crushed them before one more time wont be so bad." Azula encouraged. Korra smiled at last and shrugged. "yeah I guess we have kicked there but a lot."

The enthusiasm she showed was a nice contrast to just moments ago. To Azula this back and forth of emotions was very endearing. It let her know what she was thinking and feeling and to Azula that meant she could respond accordingly. Maybe that was a little manipulative but eh she was her self.

Regardless they enjoyed there quit moment for as long as they could. Finally she leaned over and kissed Korra's for-head, before pushing her off and pulling her up to get going.

It should only be a little longer before the events of the evening and Azula was in her spot in the pro-bending arena. As expected they had found one of the viewing boxes towards the top of the stands.

The crowds below had swelled in the last hour to fill the reconfigured arena. A stage had been set up to one side and its raised platform was well lit and could be easily seen.

Perfect. Soon Mako and Bolin would let a disguised Lin know that the elevator that Amon was going to be using had suffered a mysterious malfunction. They had probably not yet narrowed down where he was but they new he had to take an elevator to get to the stage so they had sabotaged them all with Asami's help. While Bolin and Mako used there knowledge of the place to watch for him. When Lin got a signal she would get things going towards the stage using her officers.

It would not hold him for long but that did not matter. It would work long enough. Anytime now another Amon would walk on stage and the Avatar would expose him.

"So what was the last Avatar like when you first met him?" Asami asked behind her.

Unfortunately until Azula's plan was put into action Asami had decided to know everything about the previous avatar while she waited with her in the viewing box. At least she was bothering Zuko with the questions. What made it worse was how pleased he was to answer. It reminded her of her crazy uncle recalling stupid stories.

Ugg and they been at it for nearly an hour.

Thankfully music started being played over the loud speakers, signaling that something was about to happen which was usually better then nothing. The lights started to focus on the stage and around the arena people got quite until finally all the lights where on stage. A dull silence followed until the stage lit up and there was Amon walking onto stage to the cheers of the crowd.

Banners where unfurled and Music was played as he moved to center stage, behind him the long haired second in command and the smug Sato.

Azula glanced to her Sato and saw Asami grip the railing tighter. "It will be fine." she offered

"How." Asami hissed. "He hates me. He said so himself. My own father hates me. Do you have any idea what that's like?"

Azula glanced at Zuko who couldn't help but smirk and shake his head.

"You will be fine." Azula offered again.

She refocused on the stage and watched the two seconds in command wait on the raised platform. 'hmm something Is going on.'

To her surprise, that she hid, the stage opened at the back and she heard Asami and Zuko gasp as Tenzin and his family where raised up from below, each tied to posts.

This was not part of the plan. Last anyone had heard they had made it away and Azula hadn't given then any thought to them.

"We have to get down there." Zuko said going for the door.

Azula was inclined to agree but then she noticed it. Mr. Sato and the lieutenant looked surprised by what was going on. Which meant this was not part of their plan. She shifted her gaze to the air benders whose faces she could just barely make out.

They where not afraid, even the young ones. This was not part of her plan but it was part of some ones.

"Wait." She finally ordered earning her a glare from the other two in the box.

"Wait for what?" Asami questioned.

"Something is going to happen." Azula answered.

"Yeah something bad!" Asami countered

Azula ignored her and kept looking at the stage. Amon was moving forward towards a microphone right in the middle with crowd still cheering but Mr. Sato was watching him closely.

The crowd grew quite. All eyes on the stage as the lights focused there power there.

So everyone saw the equilist grunt behind Amon get closer and suddenly strike with a ball of fire. Azula smirked as the crowd gasped. Mr. Sato moved away from the fight but the lieutenant brought out and powered up his batons. But Amon put his hand out to stop him as he jumped back to his feet. The grunt took off there mask to reveal Korra who began to attack again.

Azula's focus turned to the crowd and she started to here what she was hoping for. "Its the avatar!" could be heard over the stunned crowd coming from all over the arena. Such outcries where very helpful for those that couldn't tell what was going on. "The Avatar is fighting Amon!"

But they where not random people crying out they where in fact the former metal bender officers who had been told to spread out among the crowd. They where making sure that everyone understood the show going on on the stage.

And a show it was. Korra and Amon where fighting on stage, with the avatar pulling water from the air or blasting at Amon with fire. Amon was twisting and jumping around the attacks slowing getting closer.

"Now lets go." She knew what was going to happen next and wanted to make sure she stayed ahead of things as much as possible. Korra and the others would need her help.

She moved out of the box with Asami and Zuko following behind, but that quickly shifted to Asami leading as she knew how to get the radio room. As they moved they would get closer to the main crowds and heard there shouting as the fight on stage went on a little longer. Finally they made it to the to the radio room of the arena.

A couple equielists where standing guard out side but they seemed to not care about the small group getting closer until Azula ignited her hands and blasted one of them into the wall. Asmai used her taser glove to get rid of the other one. Carefully Azula opened the door to look inside with out being noticed. In side was the same radio announcer as during the Pro-Bending matches. Which was very helpful as he called the play by play of the fight on stage. Which Azula got another glimpse at.

Finally Amon managed to get close enough to jab at Korra's pressure points but he missed and instead Korra managed to grab him back and they struggled with each other to gain the upper hand. Now closer to the stage Azula could see the confidence on Korra's face and the confusion on Mr Sato's as Korra managed to throw Amon to the ground.

Azula decided to not interrupt the announcer because this was too perfect. He was so engrossed in his work the he did not notice her.

Everything seemed to be going according to plan.

'Ah crap.' Azula thought to herself as she looked around. Things always seemed to be going according to plan up until the moment they where not.