The tent reeks of smoke and incense. The smell of burnt flesh lingers in the air. Long Feng keeps his eyes fixed on the rich rug before him as he kneels.
"It is unfortunate you were discovered before you could complete your task." The Fire Lord says calmly. "You assured me that your plan was foolproof."
Long Feng does not look up into the glaring gaze of Ozai. "There were unexpected complications." He answers in a strong though submissive voice. The Kyoshi warriors were better fighters than he anticipated and the majority of the Dai Li were less loyal than he would have liked.
"So I hear. The campaign to take the city will be bloody. I am expecting thousands of civilian casualties." The Fire Lord's says wistfully.
Long Feng resists the urge to point out that Ozai wanted blood in the first place.
"I beg your forgiveness, Fire Lord Ozai." Long Feng is well aware of the danger he is in. Failing the Fire Lord was not an option."I miscalculated."
"Hmm, so you did." Ozai says in a leisurely tone. "Why should I grant you the mercy I would not grant my own flesh?"
Long Feng hesitates at the cryptic words. "Ba Sing Se has not yet fallen. I may be of use yet."
The Fire Lord is silent and Long Feng prays Ozai is considering the option rather than how best to remove his head.
"Indeed, you may."
The thoughtful tone brings a sense of uncertain relief and Long Feng chances a glance at the man on the throne. The sight hitches his breath and he fails to keep the shock off his face.
"It would seem rebellion is rampant as of late." Ozai's lips twist into a sneer, the action highlighting the marred flesh of his cheek. Long Feng tries to not stare but the red burn covers nearly half the Fire Lord's face. "I was granted this by one of my own." Ozai says sourly. "She is fortunate I did not return the favor."
"You are most generous." Long Feng answers hesitantly as he ponders the implication of the Fire Lord's words.
Abruptly, Ozai stands and steps off the dais moving towards a heavy red curtain. Guards quickly open the rich silk which leads to the Fire Lord's private quarters. Long Feng follows at Ozai's beckon. The smell of smoke and burnt flesh is heavier and the servants cease their cleaning and quickly drop to their knees as their king passes.
"Leave us." Ozai snaps and the servants swiftly gather their implements and scurry away as if they were mice fleeing a cat.
Long Feng swallows as if the noose of the Fire Nation were tightening around his throat. Most of the furniture is black and scorched, upturned and broken. Some is even still smoking. It leaves little doubt in his mind that a great fight took place here.
"I understand you work with mind control techniques." Ozai says as he pours a glass of wine at the table.
Long Feng nods even though Ozai's back is to him. "Yes, we had some measure of success though results vary depending upon the individual."
"Approximately how long does it take?"
"A man with a weak-will can be broken in hours. For those with more resolve, it can take weeks, maybe months." He does not include that even then the results were not guaranteed.
"I do not have weeks or months to wait. I need results and I need them quickly." The Fire Lord's words are punctuated with a venomous glare.
This is his one chance at redemption so Long Feng pushes away the feelings of doubt he has. "Of course, Fire Lord Ozai. There are other methods I can use to speed the process along."
It is the correct answer and the accompanying smile looks cruel and evil. "For your sake and hers, I hope so."
At the Fire Lord's nod, Long Feng steps around the table and stares at the tangled heap at the Fire Lord's feet. Ozai kneels and Long Feng kneels with him peering curiously at the unfortunate soul before them. The woman is unconscious but the Fire Lord seems unconcerned with this fact as he hoists her upright by her hair and Long Feng finds himself staring into the bruised but beautiful face of the Princess herself. A sharp slap to her already battered face forces her eyes open. For a moment Long Feng can see the fear and terror etched deep in their amber depths. With a disdainful growl, Ozai flings her limp body at him and Long Feng instinctively catches her. Sharp nails dig into his arms, as she clings to him breathing hard and whimpering.
"I want her intellect intact but I want her loyal and obedient to me and me alone." Ozai orders. "Fail and it will be both your head and hers."
With that the Fire Lord departs, leaving him alone with the quietly weeping woman.
Oooo
"They've just stopped." Sokka cries out in frustration, as he pushes away from the war table.
His outburst is met with the tired eyes of the others. The Fire Nation has the advantage but they are failing to push it. The slow encroachment has ceased and the army seems to be waiting for something. On the table in front of them the peaceful green of Ba Sing Se is being gradually encircled by the dominating ring of fire.
"Perhaps my brother realizes the walls of Ba Sing Se will not be easy to take down." Iroh says wisely as he thinks of the 600 day siege he laid to the very same city. The cost was higher than anyone could have anticipated.
"Maybe he'll give up." Toph snorts from her place at the table. "Pack up and go home with his tail tucked between his legs."
It's an amusing image but one, they know, they will never see.
"He'll find a way." Zuko says in a disheartened voice. The Prince can't shake the feeling that Ozai is working on something big.
"Then perhaps it is time we take the offensive." All eyes turn to Suki. The lack of warrior makeup does little to soften the intimidating look on her face. "We go out and meet them head on. Surely Ozai won't be expecting an attack."
At this the eyes at the table shift to Hakoda who for days has shot down every idea they had citing his unnamed ally. The Chief ponders this.
"They won't expect it, at least not until they think we have nothing to lose." Azula assured him that the Fire Nation was quite blasé about a full on frontal assault as few tried it until their backs were against the wall and death was imminent.
"We have everything to lose." Kuei says with a slight less bit of whine that has been the overriding characteristic of his in the last several days.
"But they didn't have the Avatar." Sokka's eyes hold a glint of hope in them.
Katara chances a glance at the man next to her. Aang has been more silent than usual and even now his eyes are steadily fixed on the red ring around the city. The tension is radiating off him in waves.
"Hey Twinkles," Toph sing songs to him. "Any luck harnessing all that cosmic energy or what not?"
He ignores the taunting tone in her voice as he stands, the motion immediately causing everyone to tense with the thought that they may finally do something after days of waiting. He hasn't mastered the Avatar State. He hasn't even managed to let go of the lingering feelings around Azula. She isn't who he thought her to be. She never was and never will be but something makes him hold on.
Roku failed to act. The Air Benders failed to act. Aang can't fail to act.
Aang looks around the table meeting the eyes of friends and allies. "Let's go out and meet them."
Ooo
The Fire Lord's eyes glow in the shadows of the room. Long Feng represses a shiver at the darkness there.
"The Princess is proving more difficult than I anticipated, Fire Lord Ozai." Long Feng says humbly. "I do not think she can be broken in the allotted time."
Ozai makes a trivializing humming sound. Instinct is to lash out at the offending bearer of bad news but deep down he knows his daughter is made of tougher mettle.
"Do not spare her, Long Feng. If you cannot preserve her intellect, then at least preserve the bastard she carries. They are of no use to me dead. You are free to do what you must to accomplish our goal."
Long Feng bows. Once the Fire Lord departs, he turns his attention back to the woman entrapped between two pillars of stone. Her head hangs limply, long hair spilling around in a crazed mess. The dress is thin and torn. Moving closer he sweeps the hair out of her face, pulling it up and securing it out of the way. The Princess lets out a small growl though the stone gag in her mouth but Long Feng is unconcerned. Hours of her screaming and spitting fire have hardened him to her more vicious side.
"It would seem the Fire Lord is dissatisfied with your progress, Azula." He says with a smile as she lifts her head to glare at him. Gently he traces a finger down the wet and dirtied neckline of her dress and laughs as she bares her teeth at him. "It seems we must step things up."
Her eyes flash in confusion when he brandishes the small knife in his hand. "You are far too overdressed for what I have in mind." He slices through the thing material of the shoulder straps and peels away the sweat soaked material. She makes an angry sound and struggles as much as her bonds will let her as he finishes stripping her.
Throwing the ruined dress to the ground he steps up appraising the woman before him. The room becomes stifling hot and the look in her eye is pure murder. "You should feel honored, Your Highness. " He says with another smile. "Only the most worthy are deserving of this technique."
Long Feng drops his gaze taking in the bruises and cuts that decorate her body. The Fire Lord had shown restraint when dealing with the rebellious princess, opting to beat her rather than burn her. "Your father chose to spare you." He says in a friendly tone as he walks around to stand behind her. The dark purple bruises cover nearly every part of her body save her stomach. Even in his rage the Fire Lord had held back.
Azula growls again as she feels the rough cloth of Long Feng's clothes press against her naked back and his too cold arms wrap around her. She pulls at the stone holding her wrists and ankles, keeping her immobilized and defenseless as his chapped lips graze her ear.
"We are more alike than you think, Azula." He whispers in her ear as one hand slides over her naked hip down to her bare thigh.
Beyond the tent, hidden in the shadows, spies take note of the muffled screams emanating from within, knowing the Fire Lord will be pleased.
Oooo
Sokka doesn't wince as Katara peels back the bloody cloth off his arm. She makes a disapproving clucking sound a she eyes the deep gash already welling with more blood.
"It's not as bad as it looks." She offers with a soft smile.
He doesn't answer but instead looks at the exhausted faces of his friends. Toph sits hunched over on the ground, head resting on her fist as she picks at her toes with less than her usual enthusiasm. Behind her Zuko is seated slumped in a chair, his hair hanging shaggy and slightly singed. Suki, dressed in tattered remains of her Kyoshi warrior uniform, picks at the tray of food set out for them.
"Well, it couldn't have gone much worse." Toph says flicking a piece of mud in Zuko's direction.
The prince scowls at the Earth Bender as he knocks the offending filth off his pants. "Yeah, only half of us are bleeding."
The offensive did not go according to plan. Even though the Fire nation isn't making progress, they aren't in retreat either.
"So we underestimated them." Toph shrugs as she stretches her legs out in front of her, wiggling her toes. "We'll get them tomorrow."
Sokka shakes his head as he turns away from the glowing blue of his sister's hand mending the slice on his arm. "It's like they are waiting for something but I don't know what."
The Fire Nation clearly has the advantage but they aren't pressing it. Not yet at least.
ooo
"You must cooperate, Princess, or it will be both our heads. Surely, your Avatar would prefer you alive rather than dead?" Long Feng whispers pleadingly.
He is becoming desperate to convince Azula of what is at stake for them both if he fails. Her only response is a tremble of muscle as he gently but firmly slides the needle into place. His efforts are rewarded with a whimper as the tip finds its target. Azula's skin is alight with tiny metal points and a sheen of sweat. Attacking her chi points had been a next to last resort but it is proving effective nonetheless.
For Azula her mind is in a haze of pain. The needles are a new insult to the injuries sustained in the fight with Ozai. While the burns are not visible, they are still there, simmering under the surface. Ozai's technique of inflicting maximum damage with minimum visibility is honed to perfection. Barely an inch of her body is unharmed though few could tell it from the outside. The bruises will fade in time and the healers her father has sent are working to quicken the pace. It's the deep burns that will remain etched into her muscles.
She gasps around the gag in her mouth as Long Feng slides another needle into place. It strikes deep under the flesh and she can feel the flow of her chi being twisted and disrupted until it traps the fire in her skin deepening the burn she already feels. The simmering grows and magnifies until it becomes a full fledged inferno as he expertly uses her own Fire Bending against her.
Long Feng wrinkles his nose at the smell of smoke emanating from under her skin. He pushes the repulsion away and leans in to whisper in her ear. His words offer freedom and release from the pain. He uses a calming soft cadence in his voice, beckoning to her. The room is boiling hot and she struggles against the bonds that hold her. He ignores the beads of sweat that drip down his neck and the way her naked body is pressed against the barrier of his clothes. Her eyes are wide and wild and filled with tears but the defiance shines deep in them even still. Gently he reaches out and twists the needle closest to the center of her back. It proves to be her undoing and the trembling struggles cease as the Fire Nation Princess slumps into unconsciousness.
Oooooo
"We lost another drill today." General Tanaka reports.
The other advisors shift nervously and cast sympathetic glances his direction. He ignores them and instead focuses on the only man whose opinion matters. The melted flesh draws his eye but he resolutely meets the Fire Lord's eyes instead.
"The Avatar?" Ozai asks in a calm voice.
The Avatar has been fighting back and causing considerable damage to their efforts to take down the walls of Ba Sing Se and conquer the Earth Kingdom at last.
"Yes, Fire Lord Ozai. We are down to one drill now." Tanaka lets his eyes drift from the imposing image of the Fire Lord to the delicate seeming woman at his side. "I do not see how we can breach their walls."
The princess kneels quietly at her father's side. Her hair is pinned up in the elaborate manner of the ladies of court as is the intricate blood red dress wrapped about her. The look on her face is serene, even though the skin itself is marred with bruises and one thin long red scar across her forehead. None of it fits with the woman he has heard so much about. She seems more like a doll than the formidable warrior she is reputed to be.
The Fire Lord leans forward, turning the damaged side of his face away from his advisors as he watches the unmoving statue that is his daughter. Reaching forward, he lays his hand on the back of her neck.
"What do you think, Daughter?" Ozai asks solicitously as his fingers trail over her shoulder.
The Princess moves as if a spell were broken, turning her head to look up at the Fire Lord.
"Foolish notions by foolish men, Father."
Tanaka is taken aback by the vitriol in her voice. The other advisors eye one another warily from their places around the table.
"Is that so, Azula?" Ozai says with amusement as he tips her chin up with his finger. "Have you a better suggestion?"
Azula smirks. "Why go through a wall when you can go under it?"
Ozai laughs at this. "Do go on."
The princess tilts her head at her father as she speaks in a soft clear voice. "The crystal catacombs run under the city. With the Dai Li on our side take the remaining drill underground and slip past the city's defenses. We attack in a full frontal assault to draw their attention away from what we are doing. Once we break into the catacombs, the city will fall."
The Fire Lord lets go of her and she obediently returns to her doll-like state. He glowers at his men.
"An excellent suggestion and from a woman no less. Why have you not thought of it?" The men avert their eyes unwilling to be the focal point for the Fire Lord's wrath. "You have your orders. Be gone." Ozai snaps and the men scurry to carry out the orders with quick low bows as they back out of the tent.
Ozai laughs again as he turns to face the woman kneeling before him. "I must say, Long Feng. I didn't think you could do it, but she is perfect."
"Thank you, Fire Lord Ozai."Long Feng emerges from the curtains of the tent where he was hiding quietly observing the meeting and bows. "She will need frequent sessions to reinforce the behavior modifications." He cautions warily.
Ozai considers this as he stares at the porcelain skin of his own flesh. "Do what you must to keep her in line. Her first rebellion will be her last and yours as well."
As the Fire Lord takes his leave, Long Feng stares at his retreating back. Once they are alone he looks at the blank eyes of the Princess and considers how much of his future is wrapped up in this woman.
He reaches out to brush his fingers against her cheek and her eyes focus on him. "Azula, it is time for another session."
Dutifully she rises and he takes hold of her wrist and leads her from the tent.
Ooo
Long Feng leads her through the Fire Nation camp enjoying the stares that follow. Azula is a treasure and this new docile side of her is a delight. He leads her into his tent and gives strict orders to the Dai Li that they are not to be disturbed.
At his word she obediently sits at the table, blank look fixed upon her face as she awaits his instruction. Long Feng considers the woman before him. If he is successful, perhaps Ozai will reward him with his only daughter. It's not as if she will be easy to match, both with her propensity to violence and the fact she is carrying another man's child. Ozai seems to only care that she help strategize the Earth Kingdom's demise and bear an heir worthy of the Fire Nation throne.
Long Feng takes his seat opposite her and plucks an orange from the bowl. With the first taste of the citrus, he remembers his guest and reaches across the small table to touch her arm. "Azula, eat if you are hungry."
Her motions are mechanical as she selects an orange as well and peels the rind. They eat in silence and Long Feng considers how much reinforcement she will truly need. Even though she is by all accounts obedient, he also knows that her will is far stronger than any he has encountered before. The Fire Lord gave him free reign in breaking her down though he doubts Ozai meant for him to use some of the more unsavory methods in his arsenal against her.
He has foregone the staple in his methodology of breaking down female prisoners. Long Feng prefers his women more submissive in bed and he refuses to let any of his agents touch this one. As he watches Azula quietly finish her food and return to her statuesque state he decides that bedding the Princess will be the final and most rewarding test of her training.
Ooooo
Exhaustion laces the edges of Aang's awareness. Between holding off the Fire Nation and helping with the evacuation, he has not slept for days. It had taken hours of debate with Kuei before he finally pressed his advantage and ordered the civilians to be evacuated anyway. He didn't want to use his authority but he had no choice. The Avatar's order supersedes the king's.
Toph and Sokka have worked out a plan utilizing the cities rarely used underground tunnel system to ferry civilians out. The problem being only so many can be moved at a time and once they are safely out of the city it is unknown just where they should go. There are few corners of the world that the Fire Nation can't touch. It is really only a matter of time until the Fire Nation finds them.
The red glow beyond the city walls taunts him with its presence. They are trying to stave off the Fire Nation long enough to get the city emptied but the reality is they can't save everyone. Priority has been given to the young and the old. Families have been separated and fear runs high. This isn't how it should be.
Closing his eyes he leans heavily against the ledge of the balcony. He should be sleeping. They gave themselves a short window of time to be healed and rest before they return to the frontlines and he is squandering it with worry.
"Hey," Katara's soft voice breaks him out of his thoughts and he turns to meet her warm blue eyes. "Sokka said you were hurt." Her gaze drops across his chest eyeing the newly pink healing skin. "I see you've been practicing." She says with a smile.
"I learned from the best." He smiles back. Water Bending healing comes in quite useful when waging a losing battle.
Katara steps in closer and gently traces the line on his skin as she murmurs. "It's always you and Sokka. No one else gets hurt as much."
Her words are true. Toph is blessed with her seismic sense and able to dodge and avoid most attacks. Suki is stealthier than any of them. Zuko fights with an edge of anger and is easily recognizable on the battlefield. It would seem few Fire Benders are willing to take on the prince that stood up to Ozai and could conceivably take the throne.
"From what I understand Ozai has put quite the price on my head." Aang muses lightly. The Fire Lord has offered a substantial sum for the Avatar and many a soldier is eager for a shot.
"So I should turn you in and pocket the money." Katara teases as drops her hand but doesn't step back. Shyly she meets his eyes. "Not that all that gold would do me any good in the South Pole. I'd have to live in the Fire Nation to really enjoy it."
"You would look good in red."
Memories of red silk flash before his eyes, the way it feels, the way it tears, the hitch in Azula's breath when he took her. He breathes deep and looks back at the red sky willing his blood to calm. He's not seen Azula in months but he still can't shake the hold she has on him or the way his body reacts when he thinks about her. The dreams are the worse as he actually feels she is back with him in all her glory.
Unaware of his thoughts, Katara wrinkles her nose. "I will never wear red."
Aang gives a laugh at this. "Zuko will be heartbroken." He's not missed the way the Prince watches the Water Bender or how Sokka watches the Prince.
Katara remains oblivious to the attention and it shows on her face. "Why would Zuko care?"
Aang answers with a shake of his head. If Zuko wants to admire her from afar then he isn't one to interfere. Air Benders have a gift for evasion. "I think I need to try to rest." Even as he says it, Aang knows sleep won't come and if it does then the dreams are bound to start.
Katara wants to drag it out of him. The enigmatic words stoke her curiosity but she can see the exhaustion etched on his face. There is worry and concern there as well. "How have you been sleeping?" She asks softly.
She has her answer when he drops his head looking down. "I'm not, at least, not really."
The weight he carries is overwhelming and no matter how much his friends try to shoulder the load it isn't enough. It won't ever be enough.
"You can do this." She says with an unwavering faith in him. "I know you can."
He's shaking his head before the last word even leaves her lips. "I've already failed so many times." The bitterness comes out as he thinks about fleeing the Southern Air Temple and how he wasn't able to stop Sozin before he fired the first shot annihilating the Nomads. It makes the betrayal of consorting with Azula seem like nothing. His eyes smolder with an ancient darkness. "Ba Sing Se will fall. I can't save everyone."
Katara fights instinct to shy away but she has never backed down and she won't start now. "You may lose the battle," she allows, "but you will win the war." He has to or they are all truly lost.
"How can you have that sort of faith in me, Katara?" His voice becomes thick with anger. "You don't even know me."
It's a smack in the face coupled with days, no, weeks, of concern. "I don't know you?" Her voice becomes harsh. "Ever since I broke you out of the ice, I've been by your side. How can you say I don't know you?"
Her words have a sobering effect on him and he wills himself to calm down. "There is so much that you don't know though." Aang says in a softer tone. He feels it swelling in his chest. He wants to confess and lay his sins bare. For months he has wrestled with telling his friends the truth about Azula. "Katara, there are things that I have done that would change how you feel about me."
His words have a sobering effect on her and the look on her face instantly softens. "Oh, Aang there isn't anything that would change that. You're my friend" It becomes clear to her how he is feeling so much doubt and stress. The strain is wearing on him.
Instinctively she moves closer but he quickly grasps her arms. "No, you aren't listening…"
"Aang, I get it." Katara cuts him off just as quick. "You're filled with doubt and worry and you don't know what to do."
He blinks in confusion. "What?"
"It's okay. I get it." She repeats with a smile.
So caught up in trying to decipher the meaning in her words his grip on her arms loosens allowing her to slip closer. Suddenly her hands are on his face and her lips against his. It's not what he expected but she is warm and soothing. Her arms warp around his neck as she presses soft curves against him and some traitorous thought flits through his mind about how easy it would be to love Katara. She could be everything that Azula isn't and won't ever be. Maybe it doesn't have to be so difficult. Days of exhaustion are catching up to Aang and when she whispers his name the lust begins to fog his thoughts. When Katara pushes him through the doors of the darkened bedroom, Aang lets her. Sometimes even the Avatar has to surrender.
oooooo
Golden eyes take in the sight as the young couple disappears from view. "How delightfully unexpected. I heard Air Benders were fickle by nature." Ozai muses from his place in the shadows before turning to look to the woman beside him. "At this rate the Air Nation will make a strong comeback. Pity that lovely little Water Bender will be spoiled for me. Don't you think, Daughter?"
Azula remains silent, eyes quietly taking in the source of the Fire Lord's delight but devoid of emotion all the same.
Ozai scowls. "Why does obedience have to be so boring?"
Long Feng fidgets in his place on Azula's other side as he reminds the Fire Lord."It was necessary to repress her emotions. We couldn't have an outburst, could we?" The Fire Lord's obvious delight in what is sure to be a painful experience for the Princess is troubling.
"Let us hope the child takes after his mother, "Ozai hisses as he turns away from the palace walking towards the shadows and the exit there, "I won't allow an Air Bender to sit on my throne."
As the Fire Lord leaves them behind, Long Feng gently reaches out to take Azula's wrist and lead her along the hidden path. She trails behind him but he misses how her head turns casting one last glance at the now vacant balcony.