Homecoming

Making their way out of the woodsea, below a dark sky, were the battered and bruised bodies of Ping and Kobu. Since they had no way of getting back to Magnolia without transportation, they both were forced to walk back. They had to take the forest because Ping had heard that Lahar and the Magical Council were looking for them.
"You think the council are gone?" Kobu asked as he leaned against a tree.
Ping had said nothing since they had lost, understandable considering the loss. Plus there were multiple things running through his head at the time. Mostly at the revelation that there were two Pings. One good, and the other was seemingly back to her normal self, given that the possibilities for magic were literally endless, he wasn't at all surprised. But what surprised him was that Ping was quiet, normally she'd be complaining about losing to the Avatar again, but she was quiet. She had spoken a single word after threatening Kobu. She seemed more... focused.
Ping had looked back as him when he leaned into the tree. She gave a sigh and she stopped as well, putting one foot on the trunk of the tree while folding her arms as she looked up into the sky.
"Still not talking huh?" of course he received no answer. "So how will we explain this to Chun and Hen?" She didn't talk and continued to forget about his existence. "No, no you're right. I'll explain things to them, while you do whatever you want. It'll be like nothing ever changed."
Ping had walked to Kobu who had sat down. She roughly grabbed him by the throat and she lifted him back up to his feet and she had thrown him to the tree while her hand tightened its grip around his neck. "I will only say this once! Don't try to piss me off OK!" She threatened. Kobu could see her eyes turn a darkening shade of purple. "That light version of me… that was me showing restraint to you and Hen's irritating antics, and Chun's weakness. That ends now, so if you want to keep seeing the light of day, you better shape up or I will be taking my frustrations out on someone. And if it is you… well you won't even have a soul left when I'm finished with you."
She dropped him onto his butt and he was coughing as he was trying to get his breath back. "Once we get back, things are going to change! If we fail again, then all of you are going to get it."
Kobu got up to his feet and he angrily glared at her, he disliked her before but he could tolerate it. But what he didn't like was her treating him like a lap dog. "Well when we fail again. I'll be the one to end you. So you better watch yourself, bitch!"
----Almost directly above them, a black airship flew overhead. Ultear had walked onto the main bridge where she saw her Master sitting on his 'throne' which had a death theme to it. What with all the bones and darkening angel wings adorning it.
"Master Hades." She called while holding a green lacrima orb. "Perharps you are aware…"
"About what, Ultear?" the hidden form of Hades asked in a deep voice.
"That the Alliance has defeated Oracion Seis, and destroyed Nirvana."
"Yes, impressive indeed. But you remember what our goals are…?"
Ultear nodded. "Yes. To locate and obtain the keys to resurrecting Zeref, it doesn't matter whether Nirvana is in the picture or not." She paused before she named her second goal. "And of course, to keep an eye on our little other worldly messiah… However…"
"What is it?"
Lately, I have a feeling that something interesting is about to happen… and it involves the little Avatar."
A smirk could be seen from the shadows that covered Hades. "That's rare from you, are you nervous?"
"On the contrary, I'm looking forward to it. It presents us with another opportunity to see what that little cutie can do…" Ultear said with a smirk.
----The next day Fairy Tail had said their goodbyes to Lamia Scale and Blue Pegasus. They were all sailing back to Magnolia.
Oddly enough Natsu was standing at the edge of the ship while enjoying the breeze that was hitting his face. "Aaah that see breeze feels nice." Happy stood on the wooden railing on the edge of the ship.
"Isn't this great, Natsu?" Happy asked.
Natsu started happily run across the ship. Wendy watched him with a smile while Aang was slightly smiling as well. "Transportation is a wonderful thing!" Natsu yelled.
Toph had talked to them while she was sitting with her hands hugging her knees. "Man, it's not as fun when Natsu isn't puking his guts out."
"Just let him have his fun Toph." Aang said.
Wendy quickly remembered to warn Natsu not to overdo it. "The Troia will wear off soon, you know!"
Almost as soon as Wendy said this, Natsu had collapsed and he had slid to a stop while he had his puking face. "Cast it again…"
"Aaaaand we're back to reality." Toph said with a sigh.
"If you do it over and over again, it'll get less effective." Wendy explained.
"Just leave him be." Gray said while Toph laughed.
Sokka sighed. "I'll stand him up so he doesn't puke all over the ship."
...
Below the deck, Lucy meanwhile was making her contract with Aries and Gemini official. "Okay, you're with me now Aries, you can see Leo again. You contract with Angel has been broken now that she had been caught."
"T-thank you… s-s-sorry… Maybe we're asking too much." Aries said as she looked like she was about to cry for some reason.
"Now where is Gemini?"
Lucy suddenly felt a dark presence behind her. "Wouldn't you like to know?" Lucy turned around to see Angel standing behind her.
"KYAA! Angel!?"
"Huh, piri, piri." Angel disappeared in a puff of smoke and Gemi and Mini were floating in the air. "You're so…"
"…easy to fool…"
Lucy sweat dropped while her forehead had turned blue as she had finished her contract with Gemini.
Katara had walked to her. "What about that scorpion spirit?"
"Scorpio? I'll do it later, he's on a date with Aquarius and… I don't want to think about what she would do if I suddenly summoned him… especially since we are on a boat in the middle of the ocean."
Katara shivered at this. "I see your point."
"I'm so glad." She said with a smile. "I have three new friends from the 12 zodiac spirits."
"F-friends…" Aries muttered.
"Aren't you just going to use us to fight your battles for you? Piri piri."
"Well… I've decided not to think like that." Lucy said while she looked embarrassed. "You all look like people, right? So I'm against treating you like objects."
The two spirits smiled and so did Katara. 
"We're happy to be with you, Owner!" Aries said.
"Yeah, and I'm happy to have you…" Lucy looked up into the sky. "I wonder if Raava still has an interest in me?"
…
"Too bad we had to say good bye to Lamia Scale." Toph said after Katara and Lucy joined up with them. "They were a lot cooler than you guys."
Lucy had a defeated expression while Gray glared at Toph. "Are ya saying that Lyon is better than me!?"
"Yes… and Sherry isn't as annoying…"
"Hey!" Lucy yelled.
"And Jura… well, Jura's awesome!"
"You're just saying that 'cause he throws rocks around, just like you do." Katara said. "Though I am glad they'd keep the whole Avatar and bending thing a secret. We wouldn't want to give the council reason to come after us again."
Toph cracked her knuckles. "Well if that Lahar creep shows up again… He's going straight to pain town."
"That's crazy you wanna get in more trouble?" Zuko asked.
Happy had walked up to Carla who looked slightly annoyed by current events. Her arms were folded and her eyes were completely shut. "Carla, you and Wendy are really coming with us to Fairy Tail, huh?"
Carla turned away from Happy. "I'm just coming along because Wendy said she was going to."
Wendy had looked excited to be meeting her new family. "I can't wait, Fairy Tail!" meanwhile behind her Sokka was trying to get Natsu up to his feet. His cheeks were puffing as it looked like he couldn't hold it in anymore.
"OH CRAP!" Sokka pushed him to the edge of the ship and he had hurled while his head was leaning over the edge.
Aang decided to walk to an isolated part of the boat in order to get his thoughts in order. Though this didn't go unnoticed by Erza who had followed him, "O-oh Erza…"
"Something is bothering you…" She said, stating her words rather than asking.
"Yeah you're right… I've been thinking about what's been going on. I know the Fire Nation are hunting me because I'm the Avatar, and I understand that… but the Oracion Seis wanted to use Nirvana to turn me over to the dark side, so that I become their weapon of destruction… and possibly eliminate the Fire Nation." Aang clenched his fists that were lying on the edge of the boat. "How could they think I'd ever go through with something like that?! The Avatar is meant to be a force for peace! To preserve life. Not to destroy or hurt people!"
Erza had leaned on the railing next to Aang as she spoke to him. "Aang, the first thing you need to understand is that the corrupt are always the first to believe that someone else can be corrupted. Power can be a dangerous addiction if you let it." Erza explained.
Aang looked over the boat and into the water where he saw his reflection. "But what's really scary, now that I think about it… more than once… I almost became exactly what they wanted me to be." He thinks back to when he found Gyatso's skeleton and how the pain and anguish sent him into an rage induced Avatar State. And the same thing happened when he thought that General Fong had killed Katara. "I let my anger and pain, get the better of me and I lashed out with no regard of anyone else. It makes me wonder what would happen if I just forgo restraint like that. That if I start hurting people for doing me wrong, the thought of doing that scares me."
Erza placed a calming hand on his shoulder. "It's okay to be scared, and to be angry to. That just means you're only human."
"B-but how do I know I won't go through anything like that again?"
Erza gave him a kind smile. "By remembering that you have real friends to help you and be there for you, also Wendy looks up to you I'm sure you wouldn't want her to see you in that state. Plus you know Natsu will just beat some sense into you if you do that."
Aang chuckled. "Yeah, I wouldn't want to go through that again… but thanks Erza."
The boat continued to sail until they were all back home.
----Eventually they had returned to the guild, of course with two new members that had garnered a lot of attention. Aang had finished explaining what happened to everyone. "So after all that, I've decided to invite Wendy and Carla to join Fairy Tail." Aang said. Most of the guys were blushing at Wendy's cuteness.
"Pleasure to meet you." Wendy said while she bowed.
"SO CUTE!" they all the guys exclaimed. They started shooting Wendy a barrage questions but before long a voice said.
"HOLD EVERYTHING!" the guys turned their attention to the second floor to see Ty Lee standing on the railing. She flipped down and landed right in front of Wendy and Carla.
"U-uh… it's nice to meet you." Wendy greeted.
Ty Lee's eyes had suddenly sparkled. "Oh. My. Gosh! You're so adorable!" she cried and she was pinching Wendy's cheeks and Carla had a shocked expression on her face. "Look at those cheeks, I just wanna pinch them!"
"Uh… you're already pinching them…" Wendy stated while trying to smile
Aang quickly stepped in between them. "Haha, come on Ty Lee, give her some space."
"Okay…" she said bowing her head.
"Sheesh, what is with the people in this guild?" Carla asked.
Ty Lee's eyes sparkled again as she noticed Carla. "Aww she's even got her own 'Happy'!" Ty Lee said kneeling down to Carla height while she was shaking her paw.
"W-what did you call me!?" Carla asked with a shocked expression.
"Welcome back, everyone." Mira said with her trademark smile. Master Makarov was sitting on the bar watching the scene.
Both Zuko and Erza had walked up to them. "Excellent work." Makarov congratulated. "This area should be peaceful now, for a while. And of course I bid Carla and Wendy a hearty welcome!"
Levy had welcomed Lucy back to the guild. "Lu-chan! Welcome back!"
"Levy-chan!" Levy had leaped into Lucy's arms and the two were hugging it out.
"I'm glad you're back home safe."
"You don't have to make a fuss."
Jet and Droy meanwhile were watching the scene. "Man, Lucy is getting more and more out of our league."
Sokka laughed next to them. "Please, I'm already out of your league."
"Care to prove it?" Sokka saw Suki sitting on a stool smirking at him. "Or do you want to lose to a girl again?"
"I-I'll shut up now!" suddenly a wave of water had engulfed them and they swept them across the guild.
"Ah, Gray-samaaaaa!" Juvia cried as the her tears were falling from her eyes like running faucets. Her tears formed the wave that washed away several of the guild members, including Sokka and Suki. "Juvia was so very, very worried! Juvia's eyes pour with tears!"
"You trying to drown us, woman!" Sokka exclaimed.
Gray was also swept up by the wave. "Why me!"
"Hang on!" Katara had controlled the water that Juvia had cried out and the water was seen flying out of all the windows of the Fairy Tail guild.
"I-I uh… hope that doesn't come out from my job money…" Katara said with a sweatdrop while those were drowning were lying in the floor.
Mira and Mai had walked over to Wendy. "How do you do? I'm Mirajane." She introduced.
"Mai…" she dryly introduced. "Don't let the craziness overwhelm you, soon you'll fit right in with the rest of these psychos."
Wendy excitedly looked at Carla. "Did you hear that Carla. This is the real Mirajane herself!"
Mira smiled while Mai flinched and she turned white for a second. "Sure just pretend I'm not here."
"S-sorry, I didn't mean it…"
"I bet that Carla is the same as Happy, but what kind of magic do you use Wendy?" Mira asked.
"AGAIN!" Carla angrily exclaimed. "What's with you people lumping me in with the he-cat?!"
"Heh, I like her more than Happy already." Mai chuckled.
"I use Sky magic. I am the Sky Dragon Slayer." Wendy revealed.
There was a brief silence. Wendy was even worried that no one had believed her. But soon there was a loud. "EEEEEEEE!" The guys were suddenly getting bulldozed and Ty Lee forced her way through them and was right in Wendy's face. "Did I hear you? You're a Dragon Slayer!?"
"Um, yeah."
Suddenly Wendy was scooped up into Ty Lees's arms and was being hugged. "You're a Dragon Slayer! That's even cuter!" She started nuzzling her cheek next to hers. "Oh you're so cuuuute I just wanna wrap you up like a present and take you home with me!"
Wendy was laughing albeit nervously. "He he he… please don't…" she shyly said.
"Okay that's enough…" Aang had broken the two away and Mai had held Ty Lee by the arms.
"I've got her, lets go." Mai said, dragging the acrobat away.
"Aww… but she's so adorable… she like a smaller Natsu…" she cried while she was being dragged away.
"Sorry about that Wendy. She's a bit of a hugger."
Wendy giggled. "That's okay, Aang."
Gajeel was on the balcony and was looking down at the attention Wendy was getting. He also caught the announcement that Wendy was a Dragon Slayer. He had his arms folded and his regular scowl was present.
"Yo Metal-head, I'm back! Did you miss me?" she asked. Gajeel grumbled as his sighs were locked on to two people. "Okay, what's eating you up?" Gajeel looks down at both Natsu and Wendy, in particular their familiars.
He was sweating profusely as he glared at them. "C-Cat… It's not fair!"
"Huh?"
He angrily clenched his fist. "Seriously! I am a Dragon Slayer too! So... When do I get MY flying kitty-cat huh?!"
Toph had to do a double take to make sure she heard Gajeel correctly. She had started to laugh… a lot. Her ribs hurt so much that she had fallen to the ground all while laughing at Gajeel. "Oh man, you're too much… Aw, big-bad Gajeel wants a kitty-cat!"
Gajeel had picked up Toph and he glared at her. "You tell anyone, especially that pony-tailed idiot, I'll pound you so deep into the ground, you'll think you're a fossil!"
"I can just dig myself out, so your threat is useless. But since I'm a good sport, I'll keep my mouth shut. I'm feeling nice today."
Master Makarov made an announcement. "Today! We are having a party! A celebration for Wendy and Carla!" he exclaimed.
Most everyone in the guild had immediately agreed with this and started celebrating. "Oh yeah! I'm getting' fired up!" Natsu yelled.
"I shouldn't have come to work today…" Mai dryly commented.
"Now where's Wendy? Maybe I should ask Happy 2 where she is." Ty Lee said.
"STOP LUMPING ME WITH THAT PATHETIC HE-CAT!" Carla hotly yelled.
"Carla, do you want my fish?" Happy offered.
"Absolutely not!"
"He liiiikes her!" Toph exclaimed. "What do you think, eh Gajeel?" Toph asked knowing it would only piss him off and he gave an angry growl as a response.
Wendy had happily looked around and it sunk in that she was home with her new family. "This place sure is fun, Carla."
"It's not really my style." Carla said while she looked away slightly.
"Trust me, you'll get used to it." Aang said. "I know I did."
Mystogan was walking on the second floor balcony and he watched them for a brief moment and he stopped when he noticed Wendy. Though Aang caught him and he looked directly at him.
After their brief eye contact, Mystogan had continued walking before he disappeared into thin air. Aang was left thinking about him and he had a serious look on his face.
"Aang?" Wendy asked. "Is something wrong?"
Aang forced out a chuckle. "Oh no… I just thought I saw something…" he started to laugh to himself. While Mystogan was an issue he wanted to solve, it wasn't the time for that. It was Wendy and Carla's day and he wasn't going to let anyone ruin it.
----While Fairy Tail were celebrating, Chun and Hen were on the outskirts of Magnolia. The two of them were cloud gazing together. "Uh I don't get it… all I see are white poofy clouds…" Hen groaned.
"Hehe, you're very creative are you?" Chun asked with a giggle.
Hen chuckled. "Well when I see a cloud, I see a cloud… I don't still get how that cloud looked like Fire Ferret to you…"
"This was fun Hen… you know… just spending time together instead of worrying about all this Avatar stuff."
Hen frowned slightly. "Well sorry to dampen the mood but I heard that Fairy Tail had gotten back from their mission to take down the Oracion Seis. Needless to say that the Avatar is still in one piece."
"I see…" Chun distantly said. "You know, I worry about them… Kobu and Ping I mean. They haven't gotten back yet."
"You kidding me? I mean I'm on the fence about Kobu. Plus he hates you…"
"I-I try not to hold grudges…"
"Fair enough… but Ping… I hope she doesn't come back. Maybe they gave her a good beating and accidentally killed her or something."
"H-Hen…!"
"Think about it, if Ping is gone, then we'll have nothing to worry about from the Fire Nation. Then we can finally be free, haha!"
"R-right… the Fire Nation…" she muttered.
"Maybe if Fairy Tail aren't too pissed at us, then we can maybe ask to join them. Those guys sound like they always have a good time. I've heard how destructive they are."
"H-Hen… you really aren't suggesting…"
"What? If the Avatar and his friends can get in, then I bet we can too."
"Hmm… well… Hey have you heard of a guild called Caitshelter?"
Hen shook his head. "No, why?"
"N-no reason!" she stuttered. "Maybe if I can join that guild again… I can be with her." She imagined her, Wendy and Hen laughing together. Chun smiled slightly. "That would be great. Maybe I could finally be happy, be surrounded by people that actually care about me."
"Thinking about something nice there?" Hen asked, noticing Chun's glowing smile.
"Um yeah…" she said. But her mind immediately turned to her situation… She needed advice and there was only one person's words she could currently trust. "Hen, it is okay if I ask you something personal?"
"Go for it. I'm an open book."
"What's your family like?"
"Hmm, well about time someone asked. Basically my family consists of me and my mom. Her cooking is awesome! That's why I like food so much!"
"Just your mom, what about your father?"
Hen gave her a neutral looking expression. "Well I really don't know the guy, he died during the war shortly after I was born."
"Oh Hen…" she said feeling pity for him. "I'm so sorry…"
"It's okay. I mean it's useless to dwell on the past since you can't change it."
"Uh huh… so do you have any other family members? Brothers and Sisters perhaps?"
"Nope, I'm an only child. Just me and my mom." Chun had an apologetic look. "Look if something is wrong…?"
"No, I'm fine! But I'm going to ask something else and… please don't think any less of me for it."
Hen gave her as serious look. "You have my attention."
"If someone came by and tried to take your mother away from you, and the only way you could get her back was to do something horrible. Something you normally wouldn't see yourself do, and you'd probably never forgive yourself for it; but it was the only way you could see her again, would you do it?"
"That's an… awfully complicated situation, are you sure we're talking about me or you?" Chun gasped as he had been able to see through her. "I'm guessing something's eating away at you; Ping has something on you, doesn't she?" Chun didn't answer him, so Hen just brushed her hair with his hand. "Hey, don't stress about it. You don't have to tell me if you don't want to. But to answer your question, I wouldn't do what they told me to do!"
Chun was slightly surprised by Hen's answer. "What!? Even if they'd threaten to kill your mother?!"
"If someone kidnapped my mom and tried to use her to get to me, I wouldn't just not do what they say; I'd beat the ever loving crap out of them!" he declared. "No one messes with my mom and walks away in one piece."
Chun had gasped at Hen's headstrong bravery, even if it was ill advised he would always stick to his guns. "E-even if it were someone like Ozai?"
Hen smiled. "I don't care if he rules the world or not; if he lays so much as a finger on my mom. You can be damn sure that I'll put him in a body cast for six months."
"W-wow… you're incredibly brave Hen… I-I'm not sure if I would have the strength to protect the people I care about…"
"C'mon, don't be so hard on yourself. After all you saved us from Laxus, remember? And you tended to our wounds too… You're awesome Chun. I just wish that you would see that too."
Chun's cheeks had turned a bright shade of red and she turned away from him. "U-u-um thanks…"
"But since you brought up Ozai, that reminds me of something I've been thinking about for a while. And I think I figured out what the main problem is with our world."
Chun looked back to him and the blushes on her cheeks quickly faded. "Y-you do! What is it?"
"Everyone; Fire Nation, Water Tribe, Earth Kingdom, heck maybe even the Avatar. They all live in a world that's black and white. Kobu looks at you and thinks you're a monster just because you're from the Fire Nation; but all I see is a girl who just wants a friend." Chun let out a warm smile. "People like Kobu, like Ping, maybe this includes that Avatar and all his friends; they think their world is all about good guys and bad guys. Yeah true there are horrible people in the world, and the occasional good person who will help the old lady across the street; but not all the 'bad guys' are in the Fire Nation."
"Wow… to be honest… I'd never thought I'd hear this from someone from the Earth Kingdom."
Hen chuckled. "Well we're not all that innocent. I heard about this organization in Ba-Sing-Se that over threw the Earth King and tried to make him think there was no war, hiding all the stuff from him and making that city look like some kind of utopia or somethin'."
"R-really… I-I never heard of that…"
"You think that's messed up; I actually heard about this old Waterbending lady who's way worse than Kobu."
"Worse than…? What do you mean?" Chun asked.
"I've heard a few stories from some Fire Nation soldiers about how she can control the water in people's bodies like they're puppets; apparently it's called Bloodbending…"
Chun's eyes grew and stepped back slightly. "I-I... that's really scary… I really wish you hadn't told me that."
"Yeah, well the old hag is the only Bloodbender that I've heard of. But yeah, let's hope Kobu doesn't learn that technique. But the point is; from what those guys are like, the Water Tribes and Earth Kingdom aren't so perfect or righteous themselves; they've got their dark sides too."
Chun stayed silent as she looked down, after hearing all that Hen had told her, she thought about how horrible the world they came from really was. "I-I don't want to go back… I wish I could live in this world…"
"But hey… it's not all bad. I've seen some good in the Earth Kingdom, and more than a bit in the Fire Nation. Believe it or not, my mom and I are from one of the colonies."
"W-whoa… Really?!" Chun questioned, shocked by what Hen just told her.
"Yep!" Hen confirmed. "I actually made friends with more than a few firebenders myself. You wanna know how I ended up with you, Ping and Kobu? I am technically Fire Nation too since I live in one of their colonies, so I was drafted. I even buddied up with a few Fire Nation soldiers. Not all of them are heartless as many people would have you believe; some just wanna go home, back to their families, hoping that this stupid war will end."
"R-really… Wow... Nothing with you surprises me anymore…"
"I'll be honest with you. I'm no fan of this war. Even if the Avatar gets killed, and between you and me, I hope it doesn't come to that, but if it does, and we find a way back home; I'm gonna start a revolution!" he said with a serious face.
"A-are you serious!?" Chun gasped.
"Look, unlike most people in the world, who want the Fire Nation gone, I don't want to destroy that country. I want to change it. Ozai is a huge pain in the ass and he need to go down, no question, and I'll personally make sure that he does; but there is a right way to end this war. Kobu wants the Fire Nation gone, but he'd be no different than Ozai and his rank because that's exactly what happened to the Air Nomads all those years ago. If that happens then the world will be in even worse shape, I won't let that happen."
Chun was in awe of what Hen was telling her. "I… Hen… wow… I never thought I'd hear all that from you.
"I'll be the first to admit, I'm far from perfect. I personally love to fight, and I probably had my fair share of… mental problems." He joked as he drew a loop around his head to make himself look crazy. This action earned a giggle from Chun.
"Well I think… you're a lot smarter than all of us Hen."
"Haha, it's so great that you think that. But still, I hate war, I hate people killing each other for stupid reasons. I mean if someone evil killed a guy's wife and kids, then that bastard deserves what's coming to him… But not what Ozai's trying to do. So if the Avatar is unable to end the war, I'll do it in his place."
Chun smiled at him, and although she didn't say it. She was deeply moved by his words. Hen then put his hands on her shoulders. "Chun let me tell you something my mom once told me. Don't let people decide who you are. That is your choice, not theirs! Ping, Azula, Ozai; they don't have the right to tell you how to run your life, heck not even your parents do. It's your choice, your life. You're who you choose to be, not what others make you."
Chun had smiled at him and warm tears of joy had trickled from her eyes. Letting her emotions fully take over she wrapped her arms around Hen, embracing him in a grateful hug. "Hen… you're amazing…" she said with what sounded like a sigh. Hen had chuckled as he hugged her back. "Hen... I-I..."
Though their moment was rudely interrupted, "Ugh… you two…" they saw that Kobu had said this and Chun pushed herself off Hen while she blushed again. They had seen Ping and Kobu arrive.
"Oh okay, so you're back and still alive…" Hen said.
Both he and Chun noticed a very dark presence coming from Ping. "Uh… um Ping? Is everything okay… you don't look to well…" Chun asked. Ping gave a death glare at her and Chun had flinched and stepped back in pure fear. Hen glared at Ping and he protectively stood in front Chun.
"Don't even think about it." Hen warned.
Ping let out an angry grunt and silently walked away from the three.
"Just what the hell happened to her?" Hen asked.
"Don't ask. You'll just piss her off." Kobu left the two of them.
Chun had tightly grabbed Hen's arm. "I'm scared Hen… something happened to Ping…"
"Don't worry. She's not laying a finger on you, I promise." Hen said while he kept his gaze on Kobu and Ping who had their backs turned to him. "And that goes for Kobu as well… I don't trust him either. Just keep your distance from them, for now okay."
Chun nodded… "Okay…" she agreed with a shiver.
----Meanwhile a long way away at the Fire Nation Capital, Fire Lord Azula had been brushing her long hair while she looked herself in the mirror in order to prepare for the day ahead. Overall things had been going well for her despite a few minor setbacks.
With it being months since the Avatar's disappearance. People outside the Fire Nation were losing hope, which was what Ozai had originally intended. The destruction of their hope. Some White Lotus members were captured as well as most of the Kyoshi Warriors, accept for their leader who had somehow escaped with Mai and Ty Lee.
The Fire Nation had all but won this war. So why was it that Azula felt this pit in her stomach? Like there was always something bothering her. She always felt that one of these days, the Avatar or a resistance force would just burst through the walls and invade the Capital… but that didn't work the last time… and they had an eclipse on their side…
Maybe it's because she hadn't heard from her handpicked team that was sent to find the Avatar in the Wulong Forest. She hadn't heard even a peep from them. No returns to the capital either. Azula even made sure that they would send a messenger hawk her way to keep her posted on their findings. When she hadn't received a single update since she sent them out, she was becoming suspicious.
She started to make her way out of her room and there were two female servants that stood outside her door. "Greetings Fire Lord Azula." they greeted in unison while performing the Fire Nation bow.
Azula acknowledged their existence by nodding her head. "Greetings, so what are my plans for the day?"
"A-actually, your fath- I mean Phoenix King Ozai requests your presence." One of the dark haired servants said.
"You had to wait for me to leave my room to tell me that, you could have just knocked you useless worm!" she spat.
"P-please forgive me!" she begged.
"Tch, you're lucky I'm not in a banishing mood today." Azula said. "You two can leave." Both servants walked off and Azula had walked back into her room.
…
Azula had exited her room much later and she had two guards flanking her sides. She opened the huge doors that gave access to the her throne room/war room and found that her father Phoenix King Ozai was sitting at her throne while his flames had fired at the back of the room. They served as the only lighting for the room.
"Welcome my daughter." Ozai welcomed.
"Father…" Azula said as she bowed down to him.
She had walked over to his right hand side and she fell to her knees. "I am glad you have arrived, continue General Jiahao." Ozai pointed over to one of his new generals.
"Yes sir." He said respectfully. This general was donned in regular Fire Nation armor, he had a scar across his left eye and he had neatly styled black hair with pale gold eyes. "As I was saying before I was interrupted." He rudely glanced at Azula. "We have nearly taken oven all that remains of the Earth Kingdom, we should be able to take over all of the Earth Kingdom within the next month, maybe even a few weeks."
"Excellent." Ozai commented. "Now as for why I've called you here Azula… your team, hasn't got back to you yet. Any reason why?"
"I wish I knew. If I knew they would be this incompetent. I would have made better choices in finding someone to hunt the Avatar." Azula said.
"Interesting, obviously you haven't been to the Wulong Forest. General, tell her what you have discovered."
General Jiahao started to speak again as he stood up. "Yes, we have discovered that many disappearances have been taking place at that place however. It was no accident. We discovered that a mysterious energy is all around the forest causing those that travel there to disappear. We also believe it is where you first sent your team, Fire Lord."
"Does this end with you making a point in the future?" Azula asked with an irritated tone.
"We believe that the people there who disappear are taken to another world. We believe that this is a hiding place that the Avatar created after his defeat. We believe if we travel there, he is somewhere within that space the people keep disappearing to. Once the Avatar is defeated, the energy will fade and we believe those who had disappeared will return."
"If the Avatar is alive, he presents a threat to me and my empire…" Ozai said.
"Y-you mean our empire…" Azula said but Ozai only gave her an angry glare.
"So that is why we will send an army to this place, to snuff out the Avatar once and for all." He looked to his right where his youngest daughter was kneeling. "That is why I will be sending you Azula."
"M-me?"
"That is right, if there is anyone I trust to defeat the Avatar. It is my own Fire Lord of course."
"But what about taking over the Earth Kingdom, you can't cut me out again!"
"This proposed mission is very dangerous, hence why I am sending you. Because I have full trust that you will complete the mission."
Azula really didn't want to be left behind again, but if her father was going to trust her with this one job, she felt like she had no choice but to do it. "Yes father."
…
After a long day, Azula was back in her room and she had lay down on her bed and let out a sigh. "This must be Father's way of punishing me… I have become… complacent." There was a knock on her door. "The door is open."
Walking into her room was General Jiahao. "Well I never expected to see the Fire Lord in such a state…" he commented with a knowing smirk on his face.
"You should know your place peasant!" Azula said getting up. "That is no way to talk to your Fire Lord."
The general laughed. "You can keep up the entitled princess act all you want. But you should know that Ozai had sent me to come with you on this mission."
"He what!? I don't need you micromanaging me!"
"I have just returned from one of our great Phoenix King's invasions, while you have been sitting here doing nothing for months. It would be fair to say that I have much more experience on the field than you do." Azula growled at him. "Our Phoenix King said that my expertise would be very beneficial to this mission since we are literally traveling to unknown territory."
Azula had rolled his eyes at the general. She honestly hated the way he spoke. "I have already made the necessary preparations. You shall be accompanying my army as we make the journey. We leave the palace early tomorrow morning. Make sure you're there, Fire Lord." He said with a mocking tone. He was pressing her buttons and she wasn't having it. So she shot a burst of blue fire to Jiahao. He managed to close the door of Azula's room and avoided the flames.
She could hear him laughing from behind the door, knowing that he had won their mental battle. Azula let out a loud, irritated groan.
Azula then looked at herself in the mirror once again and for a moment she had seen that she had a massive scar that looked like a burn mark over the left side of her face. She flinched and she backed away from the mirror while panting. She panicked and looked again but saw that her face was still perfect, no scars or any blemishes to be found. "This isn't happening… He's banishing me… Just like Zuko…" the very thought of her being treated like her brother had disgusted her, making her sick to her stomach. But she held herself together and she stood back up. "No more excuses… When I bring the Avatar's head back here, I will return to my father's good graces! I cannot fail; this mission must go… absolutely perfectly."