Disclaimer: See Chapter 1.

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Avatar: Destiny

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Chapter 9: Attack on Ba Sing Se (Part 1)

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There were easily over fifty thousand people crowded around the main gate to the palace, not including the two hundred Dai Li agents who patrolled the platform and the two thousand regular soldiers who worked to maintain order among the crowd.

“Thanks for coming with me, Li.” Jin hugged her boyfriend tightly as she giggled happily. “I know this is the last place you’d like to be right now, and I just want you to know how much a appreciate you being here with me.”

Zuko hugged Jin back and kissed her on the top of her head. “You’re welcome, but to tell you the truth, my Uncle would have dragged me here anyway.”

Just then Iroh came squeezing through the crowd to stand next to them with three pennants in his hand each saying AVATAR on them. “Look at what I bought for us.” He handed one to Jin who took it and waved it enthusiastically. He tried to hand the second one to his nephew who just scowled at him. Iroh shrugged and proceeded to wave both pennants over his head.

“What is that on your head?” Zuko growled.

“Oh, this?” Iroh pointed to the skullcap he was wearing. It was a pale flesh tone with a light blue arrow pointing down towards his face. “Do you like it? I could get you one too.”

“No! Thank you!” Zuko glared coldly at him.

Jin ran her hand up and down Zuko’s back to try and calm him. “Well, I think it’s cute.”

Zuko gave her a stern look and folded his arms over his chest with a humph.

Jin giggled and reached up with her hand and pulled Zuko sideways, down towards her. She kissed him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, “I love you.”

Zuko’s cold expression melted away as he flashed his fiancée a faint smile and took her hand into his before turning to face the podium again.

Jin ebbed a bit closer to him and rested the side of her head against his shoulder.

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In a small tent behind the platform, Aang and his friends stood waiting to be called up onto the stage. Joo Dee stood smiling next to the tent opening.

Aang paced impatiently back and forth. “So how long before I take the podium? I won’t have to say much, right? Just like in the Lower Ring, right? Then we’ll be able to meet with the Earth King, right?”

Katara, who had been sitting on a bench next to Toph and Momo, stood up and grabbed Aang’s hand as he walked by. He stopped, and she placed her other hand on his shoulder, giving him a reassuring smile. “Relax, Aang. It won’t be very long now. After the Earth King hears what we have to say, I’m sure he’ll support Sokka’s plan to invade the Fire Nation.”

“I hope your right Katara.” Sokka said, pensively staring at the ground from where he stood in the middle of the tent, leaning against the support beam.

“Of course he will.” The waterbending master did her best to sound confident. “Once you explain to him about the comet and then about the eclipse, there’s no way the Earth King won’t be willing to help.”

Sokka looked up and saw Aang’s worried expression and Katara’s silent plea for support. “Of course he will. There’s no reason for him not to. Don’t worry Aang; everything’s going to work out. You’ll see.”

Movement from the larger, neighboring tent caught Sokka’s eye and he looked over to see Long Feng heading up the platform.

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The first person to walk up onto the podium was Long Feng who thanked everyone for coming and assured the audience that Ba Sing Se had the strongest army in the world, and that the city was the safest and most secure place to live in all the Earth Kingdom. It amazed Sokka how he was able to say all this during his ten minute speech without mentioning the Fire Nation or the war once. Then one by one, Long Feng introduced each general of the Council of Five. They each spoke briefly to the crowd, assuring the people that their armies were ready to face any and all usurpers while at the same time declaring that there was no danger at all. However, some of the generals were less then convincing in expressing this sentiment.

Finally, Long Feng stood on the platform with an overly satisfied grin on his face and began his introduction. “For millennia immemorial, the Avatar has brought balance and peace to the world, but for the past century the world has had to struggle on without his aid. Through all the struggles, we here in Ba Sing Se have not only endured but have thrived and flourished. Under the wise leadership of our glorious king and the strength of our armies lead by the Council of Five, Ba Sing Se has been the beacon, the shining light for the entire world to follow…”

“Laying it on a little thick, isn’t he?” Sokka scowled and folder his arms over his chest, as he watched the Cultural Minister from his vantage point by the tent entrance. The others walked over and watched as well.

“Now, during this time of unmatched prosperity and growth throughout the Earth Kingdom, we here in Ba Sing Se have been fortunate enough to receive yet another blessing.” Long Feng continued.

“Oh brother,” Toph groaned.

“After disappearing over a hundred years ago, he now calls Ba Sing Se, home. Please welcome, Avatar Aang, the last airbender!” Long Feng clapped and stepped aside, gesturing back at the tent for Aang to come out a take the podium.

The huge crowd erupted in applause as Aang walked up and waved.

“He’s so young.” Jin observed while heartily clapped.

“Young, yet powerful.” Zuko stared coldly at the young airbender. Every fiber in his been screamed, ATTACK! Nevertheless, me managed to master himself and stood with his arms folded over his chest.

Iroh clapped along with everyone else. “And he has some very powerful friends as well.”

Zuko flashed his uncle a sideways stare and humphed.

Aang continued to wave as the applause showed no sign of slowing down. He then turned back to the tent and gestured for his friends to join him. They hesitated at first but eventually came out and stepped up onto the platform. The applause increased noticeably and the four young people waved happily to the crowd.

After several more minute, the applause slowly died down, giving Aang a chance to speak. “I’d like to thank everyone for coming out today. I know you all have very busy lives and the last thing you really want to do is take time to see a silly little kid.”

Everyone laughed loudly and began applauding again.

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Jin laughed. “He’s funny.”

Zuko glared. “Hilarious.”

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“I’d like to introduce you all to my traveling companions and friends. At the end over there is the greatest earthbender I’ve ever seen and my teaching, Toph Be Fong, also known in fighting circles as the Blind Bandit.”

Toph waved as the crowd erupted in thunderous applause.

After a minute, Aang went on. “Next to her is my waterbending master… and best friend, Katara, daughter of Hakoda of the Southern Water Tribe.”

Katara flashed Aang a grateful smile while she waved to the crowd who applauded but not as energetically as they had for Toph until Aang added. “Isn’t she beautiful?”

This ignited a storm of whistles and hoots, causing Katara to blush a deep red.

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“Is she the Avatar’s girlfriend?” Jin asked while standing on her toes to get a better look at the waterbender.

Zuko shot Jin a hard look. “He’s just a kid.”

Jin laughed, but quickly placed her hands over her mouth to stifle it. “Oh Li. You really don’t understand love, do you?”

“I don’t?” The Fire Nation Prince cocked an eyebrow.

His fiancée giggled again, slid her pennant into her hair and hugged his arm. “Except for our love.”

Zuko smiled down at her and blew her a kiss before facing the platform again.

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The crowd Uuh’ed, Aah’ed, and cheered as Aang demonstrated his airbending abilities which included soaring over the palace gate in his glider. With Katara and Toph’s help, he also showed some of his waterbending and earthbending skills to the great joy of the people.

Long Feng clapped along with the crowd, and then he placed a firm hand on the Avatar’s shoulder and moved him to the side. “It is my great honor and privilege to present the Earth King, our esteemed Majesty, King Solumane.”

The crowd exploded in thunderous applause that was twice as loud as the applause for Aang as the gate to the palace opened and a long slow procession made its way to the platform. Reaching the platform, the King stepped down from his chair and took the podium. He waved in the royal manner while the crowd continued to cheer for another thirty minutes.

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Seeing his girlfriend’s reaction as the king took the podium startled the young Fire Nation prince, but not half as much as his uncle’s equally enthusiastic cheers.

“Uncle, what are you doing?” Zuko shouted, but Iroh just kept on cheering.

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After about ten minutes, the audience settled down and the King finally spoke. “My people, my children. I share with you the great joy and pleasure that comes with welcoming the Avatar to our glorious city…”

Aang, Katara and Toph stood at the side of the platform, listening and applauding along with the crowd as the King spoke. Katara flashed a look at her brother and whispered. “I know what he’s saying is a lie but we need to keep Long Feng happy, at least until we finally speak with the King.”

Sokka, whose eyes were locked on the skies above, barely registered what his sister had said, “Huh?”

“Clap Sokka,” Katara whispered through a fake smile.

Instead of following his sister’s instructions, the young water tribe warrior pointed to the approaching storm clouds that was crossing over the inner wall of the city. “Do those look like normal storm clouds to you?”

Katara looked up. “What are you talking about?” Her eyes went wide at the sight of the large cluster of black clouds moving slowly over the city. “What is that?”

“They’re darker than any storm clouds I’ve ever seen,” Sokka observed.

“And there’s no rain or lightning coming from them,” Katara added.

“Oop, spoke too soon.” Sokka pointed at the clouds again. “Look at that flash.”

They continued to stare as the bright blue flash of lightning streaked down and hit the inner wall. Even from the palace gate, which was miles away from the inner wall, they could feel the force with which the lightning struck the wall.

The crowd around the palace stopped clapping and turned with startlement towards the source of the impact. The King stood dumbfounded, not sure what to make of what just happened.

Long Feng quickly approach the podium. “May I, your Majesty?” He bowed.

“Yes, of course.” The king nodded and stepped behind Aang and the others.

“Fellow citizens of Ba Sing Se,” Long Feng spoke loudly to get everyone’s attention. “There is nothing to worry about, simply a lightning storm but for your safety, I encourage everyone to please head home and seek shelter until the storm passes. An official notice of the Avatar’s next public appearance will be posted soon.”

“Sokka?” Katara’s worried expression said it all.

“I know,” her brother replied. “That was no ordinary lightning blast.”

“Azula.” Aang frowned.

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“Who?” Jin asked.

“My sister, Azula.” Zuko grabbed Jin roughly by the elbow and started guiding her through the crowd. “Come on! I have to get you home!”

Jin offered no resistance.

Zuko stopped only for a moment and looked back. “Uncle?”

A deadly serious expression made its way across the elderly man’s face. He tossed down the pennants and pulled off the skullcap, then shrugged off the long vest he was wearing. “It is time someone stood up to that crazy sister of yours. It is time someone put her in her place.” He took a fighting stance, and then flashed a look over at Zuko. “Go! Protect Jin and her family!”

Zuko hesitated for only a moment, then nodded and rushed off with Jin in tow. “Come on!”

“But what about your, uncle?” Jin’s voice trembled.

“He’ll be alright. He’s a master,” Zuko assured her. “I need to get you to safety.” They ran past hordes of people who were walking from the palace gate, mumbling their disappointment at having the Avatar’s appearance cut short.

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“Aang, what do we do?” Katara asked with deep concern.

Aang looked over at Sokka. “Can it really be Azula? I mean, how could she be flying?”

Sokka shook his head. “I don’t know but we better not take any chances. We need to get the Earth King and his generals to safety, just in case.”

“You needn’t concern yourselves.” Long Feng approached. “It is just a storm. The King and his generals are already heading for shelter in the palace. Unfortunately, due to the sudden change of plans, the Earth King will be unable to see you now. You should all head home and I’m sure I’ll be able to arrange an audience with the King for you at your next public appearance.” He smiled wickedly.

“You planned this all along!” Sokka shouted, shaking his fist at the Cultural Minister.

“Nonsense!” Long Feng straightened up to his full height and stared down his long nose at Sokka. “How could I have known a lightning storm was approaching? As if I could control the skies.” He gestured towards the clouds and stole a quickly glance. What he saw caused him to freeze in terror.

Aang and the others turned and looked as well.

“By the spirits.” Katara gasped.

“What? What is it?” Toph demanded to know.

“It’s a fireball and it’s heading right for us!” Sokka shouted.

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(To Be Continued)

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AN: Sorry to stop at a cliffhanger but what follows next will take too long to include in this chapter. I promise to start working on the next chapter as soon as possible and get it posted as fast as I can. I hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you did, please let me know. Even a few words of encouragement go along way to help keeping me motivated and inspired to write.

Also, please visit my site at again,

A. Amishi