Post by Teяa253 on Nov 13, 2008 18:00:39 GMT 1
chapter 25... this is where things start to take off... the lead-up to the first large-scale battle.
CHAPTER 25: SHE WON'T BE ALONE
“So,” said Taki, “now that we’re here, what exactly are our plans?”
“We head a few miles east to the City of the Red Maiden,” Zakura replied, “it’s the Avatar Guard’s equivalent to the Fire Nation capital.” The only thing Zakura did to “disguise herself” was she actually did her jacket (ironically, like it should be) up to cover her stomach, mainly the jagged tattoo that she had there. She also removed her hat and set it on her upper back, as that was what a person did with a hat of that type. Both of these differences (mostly the first one) were rare for her.
“What about that girl,” Taki asked,
“Zeruda’s taken care of her,” Zakura replied, “I’d trust Zeruda with anything. In fact, these are her armies we’re going to go see.”
“Zeruda has an army,” Taki exclaimed; it was her asking most of the questions because out of this group, she was the only newcomer to The Avatar Guard. Koara was a long-time veteran who was a member during Avatar Lahka’s life, and Aiku was one of Zakura’s personal teachers, so they knew most of it anyways.
“Of course, Aiku replied, saving Zakura the trouble of coming up with some dumb witty remark, “well, it’s not technically Zeruda’s armies, but rather, The Avatar Guard and/or The Secret Service.
The four of them slipped through the city, not trying to remain hidden, but not making a glorious entrance either. They went into the eastern outskirts of the city (since west of the city was the port where they had landed) where Zakura ran into an old friend.
“What brings you here, Zak,” he asked, for even many of the loyal members of The Avatar Guard did not know that Zakura was the avatar, but rather though that she was one of the avatar’s personal bodyguards. Other than the personal members of her group, (Cheng got in because of Kimiko’s connection, Taki got in because of Royota, and Lehran (and Altina) got in because of Koara) pretty much the only other people who knew that Zakura was the avatar were those she killed.
“Just a few things I wanted to check on, lieutenant” Zakura replied, “mainly the condition of the Western armies, particularly the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 18th divisions. You follow?”
“And the 21st division,” Aiku added, inquiring about a power Avatar Guard division which was comprised entirely of Kyoshi Warriors. It was one of the smallest divisions, but one of the best.
“Ah,” the lieutenant replied, “Admiral Koroda is the man you want, Zak; he’s in the War Room at the moment; they were having a meeting of sorts. I’m sure though that someone like you could get in with no trouble though. They were talking about managing divisions this week.”
“Aye,” said Zakura, “thank you.” she turned to the others, namely Taki and Koara, “you two follow Aiku. I’ll return here by nightfall.”
“So what about Division 21” Aiku asked,
“They’re on Roku’s Island,” he said, referring to the island where long, long ago, a Fire Nation Avatar named Roku had lived and died. It had since been rebuilt and was a small peaceful community that also trained Kyoshi Warriors and a rare group of people known as Zuroc Sensei. Avatar Zuroc was a firebender avatar who had grown up in the Fire Nation. She was the distant descendant of a legendary high-ranking Fire Nation woman by the name of Mai, who was famous for her ninja skills.
“You know how to get to Roku’s Island from here, right?” the lieutenant asked, “I’d take you there, but I actually need to report for duty. I’m gonna end up being on time instead of early. I’ll see you around.”
And with that, he was off. Aiku’s nod had told the young man that he did in fact know how to get there, and so not much later, they were on a small boat towards the Island. Koara actually happened to know the man who ran the ferry. He was an aged man who looked like he could die at any given moment, but he had been good friends with Koara’s husband. He was a fire nation man, and ferrying people to and from Roku’s Island was his career in his final years.
“Your husband was a good man, Koara,” he told her as he continued onward towards Roku’s Island. Some people actually called it Zuroc’s Island, because Avatar Zuroc had also settled down there, but that was about 700 years ago.
“I know he was,” Koara chuckled, “you and him were the best of friends. That was back in the day before this whole Order mess came up.”
“Aye,” he replied, “I bet Cameni would like to know that you’re doing well though, eh, Koara?”
“Aye,” Koara replied, “I’m with my good friends here, Aiku, and a new friend named Taki.” She introduced the two of them respectively.
“Well,” said the old man, “we’re almost there, so hold tight.”
* * * * * * * *
Finding the War Room was no easy feat unless one knew where it was, but fortunately for Zakura, she knew exactly where it was. Upon her entrance, she was recognized (as “Zak” of course) there were people wandering about, Kyoshi Warriors, and even a few of the dark red-clad Zuroc Sensei. Their main objective was not to be seen when on a mission, and so seeing one outside was a rarity.
Zakura made it to the huge doors that led to the actual War Room and right as she set her hand on the door two Zuroc Sensei appeared out of nowhere and had already shot chains from wherever that had locked Zakura’s arm down. They had adapted the idea from the Dai Li long ago.
“Whoa,” said Zakura, “what’s the big idea?”
“You are not allowed to enter The War Room at this time,” one of them replied. His voice was low, and Zakura figured that unlike the Kyoshi Warriors, Zuroc Sensei could be of either gender (though the only ones she had seen [on the rare occasion anyone HAS seen them] were female)
“Admiral Koroda and the leaders are having a war discussion about the armies of The Avatar Guard.”
“Well tell them,” said Zakura, closing her eyes, “that the avatar is here to discuss them with him.” She opened her eyes, and entered the avatar state just for bragging rights, and to show these two Zuroc Sensei that she was going in regardless. Using her power, she broke the chains around her arm and calmly opened the doors, watching the two Zuroc Sensei disappear back into the shadows. She knew that those two would not tell anyone, as part of the Zuroc code of honor, they revealed nothing to anyone, friend or foe.
“Ah, Princess Zakura Ishiko,” said the man in charge of the operation, who was obviously Koroda, “what brings you to our war council?” He was using Zakura’s last name, and the social status by which she should be rightfully known as.
“The war itself,” Zakura replied, “what were your current plans?”
“Well,” Koroda replied, smiling, “we had actually begun our discussion with tactics in the Water Tribes. Is that your concern?”
“Well,” said Zakura, “In a way everything is, but I caught your dual-meaning. My main concern is actually The City of the Red Maiden pitting itself against the Fire Nation Capital. I came to inquire about the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 18th divisions.”
“They are idle at the moment, Lady Ishiko,” said one of the commanders, apparently in charge of one or more of said units;
“Excellent,” Zakura replied, “we’ll use them and some of our Fire Nation naval force. Granted, they will likely utilize the gates of Azulon, so what would be our strategy there, general?”
Koroda laughed, “Two words:” he said, “Water Tribes. But do you really think that that group alone will be enough to challenge the capital?”
“Not at all,” Zakura replied, “I’ve got Aiku and some friends of mine out to recruit Division 21.”
“Ah,” Koroda replied, “so basically we’re going to massacre the capital then? Or is there a catch?”
“There is a catch sir,” said one of the other generals “has anyone else heard about the girl Katara Altina II?”
“The name seems to ring a bell,” said Koroda, “but I can’t connect a face to the name just yet...”
“The lady of the braced hands,” the general replied, “we are not sure of her current position anymore, but it doesn’t appear that she’s joined us”
“Hmm,” Zakura muttered, “if there’s no reports of her on our side, do you really think that The Order has let her go unnoticed? Gentlemen, we might be in for a real challenge. If the tales I hear about that young girl are true, then she could be a one-woman army. We need our best warriors for this, particularly any immune to fire.”
“I can see why you wanted the divisions you did then,” said Koroda, “I will be sure to inform them of this. Is there confirmation of this?”
“I’m the avatar,” said Zakura, chuckling, “you’ll believe me or I’ll hit you.”
This caused the others to laugh as well.
“Still,” said Koroda, “I have uneasy feelings about that young woman. I knew that I had heard of her. She is indeed very dangerous.”
“That was part of the reason I came here,” Zakura replied, “I’ve seen her before... part of a vision—illusion—something like that. But aye, the only thing we can really do is warn the armies of her. I personally think that she could be the most dangerous single enemy we’ve faced.”
“Agreed,” Koroda replied, “and remember, She Won’t Be Alone.”
~Azula~
CHAPTER 25: SHE WON'T BE ALONE
“So,” said Taki, “now that we’re here, what exactly are our plans?”
“We head a few miles east to the City of the Red Maiden,” Zakura replied, “it’s the Avatar Guard’s equivalent to the Fire Nation capital.” The only thing Zakura did to “disguise herself” was she actually did her jacket (ironically, like it should be) up to cover her stomach, mainly the jagged tattoo that she had there. She also removed her hat and set it on her upper back, as that was what a person did with a hat of that type. Both of these differences (mostly the first one) were rare for her.
“What about that girl,” Taki asked,
“Zeruda’s taken care of her,” Zakura replied, “I’d trust Zeruda with anything. In fact, these are her armies we’re going to go see.”
“Zeruda has an army,” Taki exclaimed; it was her asking most of the questions because out of this group, she was the only newcomer to The Avatar Guard. Koara was a long-time veteran who was a member during Avatar Lahka’s life, and Aiku was one of Zakura’s personal teachers, so they knew most of it anyways.
“Of course, Aiku replied, saving Zakura the trouble of coming up with some dumb witty remark, “well, it’s not technically Zeruda’s armies, but rather, The Avatar Guard and/or The Secret Service.
The four of them slipped through the city, not trying to remain hidden, but not making a glorious entrance either. They went into the eastern outskirts of the city (since west of the city was the port where they had landed) where Zakura ran into an old friend.
“What brings you here, Zak,” he asked, for even many of the loyal members of The Avatar Guard did not know that Zakura was the avatar, but rather though that she was one of the avatar’s personal bodyguards. Other than the personal members of her group, (Cheng got in because of Kimiko’s connection, Taki got in because of Royota, and Lehran (and Altina) got in because of Koara) pretty much the only other people who knew that Zakura was the avatar were those she killed.
“Just a few things I wanted to check on, lieutenant” Zakura replied, “mainly the condition of the Western armies, particularly the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 18th divisions. You follow?”
“And the 21st division,” Aiku added, inquiring about a power Avatar Guard division which was comprised entirely of Kyoshi Warriors. It was one of the smallest divisions, but one of the best.
“Ah,” the lieutenant replied, “Admiral Koroda is the man you want, Zak; he’s in the War Room at the moment; they were having a meeting of sorts. I’m sure though that someone like you could get in with no trouble though. They were talking about managing divisions this week.”
“Aye,” said Zakura, “thank you.” she turned to the others, namely Taki and Koara, “you two follow Aiku. I’ll return here by nightfall.”
“So what about Division 21” Aiku asked,
“They’re on Roku’s Island,” he said, referring to the island where long, long ago, a Fire Nation Avatar named Roku had lived and died. It had since been rebuilt and was a small peaceful community that also trained Kyoshi Warriors and a rare group of people known as Zuroc Sensei. Avatar Zuroc was a firebender avatar who had grown up in the Fire Nation. She was the distant descendant of a legendary high-ranking Fire Nation woman by the name of Mai, who was famous for her ninja skills.
“You know how to get to Roku’s Island from here, right?” the lieutenant asked, “I’d take you there, but I actually need to report for duty. I’m gonna end up being on time instead of early. I’ll see you around.”
And with that, he was off. Aiku’s nod had told the young man that he did in fact know how to get there, and so not much later, they were on a small boat towards the Island. Koara actually happened to know the man who ran the ferry. He was an aged man who looked like he could die at any given moment, but he had been good friends with Koara’s husband. He was a fire nation man, and ferrying people to and from Roku’s Island was his career in his final years.
“Your husband was a good man, Koara,” he told her as he continued onward towards Roku’s Island. Some people actually called it Zuroc’s Island, because Avatar Zuroc had also settled down there, but that was about 700 years ago.
“I know he was,” Koara chuckled, “you and him were the best of friends. That was back in the day before this whole Order mess came up.”
“Aye,” he replied, “I bet Cameni would like to know that you’re doing well though, eh, Koara?”
“Aye,” Koara replied, “I’m with my good friends here, Aiku, and a new friend named Taki.” She introduced the two of them respectively.
“Well,” said the old man, “we’re almost there, so hold tight.”
* * * * * * * *
Finding the War Room was no easy feat unless one knew where it was, but fortunately for Zakura, she knew exactly where it was. Upon her entrance, she was recognized (as “Zak” of course) there were people wandering about, Kyoshi Warriors, and even a few of the dark red-clad Zuroc Sensei. Their main objective was not to be seen when on a mission, and so seeing one outside was a rarity.
Zakura made it to the huge doors that led to the actual War Room and right as she set her hand on the door two Zuroc Sensei appeared out of nowhere and had already shot chains from wherever that had locked Zakura’s arm down. They had adapted the idea from the Dai Li long ago.
“Whoa,” said Zakura, “what’s the big idea?”
“You are not allowed to enter The War Room at this time,” one of them replied. His voice was low, and Zakura figured that unlike the Kyoshi Warriors, Zuroc Sensei could be of either gender (though the only ones she had seen [on the rare occasion anyone HAS seen them] were female)
“Admiral Koroda and the leaders are having a war discussion about the armies of The Avatar Guard.”
“Well tell them,” said Zakura, closing her eyes, “that the avatar is here to discuss them with him.” She opened her eyes, and entered the avatar state just for bragging rights, and to show these two Zuroc Sensei that she was going in regardless. Using her power, she broke the chains around her arm and calmly opened the doors, watching the two Zuroc Sensei disappear back into the shadows. She knew that those two would not tell anyone, as part of the Zuroc code of honor, they revealed nothing to anyone, friend or foe.
“Ah, Princess Zakura Ishiko,” said the man in charge of the operation, who was obviously Koroda, “what brings you to our war council?” He was using Zakura’s last name, and the social status by which she should be rightfully known as.
“The war itself,” Zakura replied, “what were your current plans?”
“Well,” Koroda replied, smiling, “we had actually begun our discussion with tactics in the Water Tribes. Is that your concern?”
“Well,” said Zakura, “In a way everything is, but I caught your dual-meaning. My main concern is actually The City of the Red Maiden pitting itself against the Fire Nation Capital. I came to inquire about the 9th, 10th, 13th, and 18th divisions.”
“They are idle at the moment, Lady Ishiko,” said one of the commanders, apparently in charge of one or more of said units;
“Excellent,” Zakura replied, “we’ll use them and some of our Fire Nation naval force. Granted, they will likely utilize the gates of Azulon, so what would be our strategy there, general?”
Koroda laughed, “Two words:” he said, “Water Tribes. But do you really think that that group alone will be enough to challenge the capital?”
“Not at all,” Zakura replied, “I’ve got Aiku and some friends of mine out to recruit Division 21.”
“Ah,” Koroda replied, “so basically we’re going to massacre the capital then? Or is there a catch?”
“There is a catch sir,” said one of the other generals “has anyone else heard about the girl Katara Altina II?”
“The name seems to ring a bell,” said Koroda, “but I can’t connect a face to the name just yet...”
“The lady of the braced hands,” the general replied, “we are not sure of her current position anymore, but it doesn’t appear that she’s joined us”
“Hmm,” Zakura muttered, “if there’s no reports of her on our side, do you really think that The Order has let her go unnoticed? Gentlemen, we might be in for a real challenge. If the tales I hear about that young girl are true, then she could be a one-woman army. We need our best warriors for this, particularly any immune to fire.”
“I can see why you wanted the divisions you did then,” said Koroda, “I will be sure to inform them of this. Is there confirmation of this?”
“I’m the avatar,” said Zakura, chuckling, “you’ll believe me or I’ll hit you.”
This caused the others to laugh as well.
“Still,” said Koroda, “I have uneasy feelings about that young woman. I knew that I had heard of her. She is indeed very dangerous.”
“That was part of the reason I came here,” Zakura replied, “I’ve seen her before... part of a vision—illusion—something like that. But aye, the only thing we can really do is warn the armies of her. I personally think that she could be the most dangerous single enemy we’ve faced.”
“Agreed,” Koroda replied, “and remember, She Won’t Be Alone.”
~Azula~
