86 Chapter 85

Following our escape from the boiling rock, we set sail to Agni Bay in order to enact the final preparation before the assault on the capital. The trip itself was mostly filled with politicking. With Azula, Iroh, heaps of disgraced nobles, assorted members of the white lotus, and officers who were being kept as prisoners of war there was plenty to discuss and argue. I ended up taking a backseat position to the talks. Not that I wasn't respected or capable, but I lacked authority at the proper level for anything I say to hold weight to people now returning to the top echelons of society. I spent most of my time smoothing things over before tempers got too hot. The only people really getting frustrated were the prisoners of war, but we just broke them out of prison so when they were reminded of that fact they at least acted respectfully.

While we all suffered through a week-long argument, the ship sailed around the Fire Nation island. Starting from the south we went west around the primary island then back into the nation's gulf before arriving at Agni bay. Once at the bay Azula, Ty Lee, Sokka, and I entered the city. While all the ex-captives and soldiers were left under the command of Iroh. Iroh would lead them to other strategic locations and reach out to other notable people in order to resolve everything as peacefully as possible. Honestly, at first, I was a bit concerned with Iroh's loyalty to Azula. However, Azula did most of the talking with him and she had faith in his loyalty. Plus even if he does betray her, who is he going to support instead. With how Azula is acting now and how Zuko just betrayed him, I doubt he'll support Zuko over Azula. Who does that leave? Himself? If that's the case fine if Iroh wants to be Fire Lord I have no problems with it.

We kept a low profile in the city, staying at a moderately priced inn and staying inside to avoid the public eye. We did get casual clothes to fit in better and spent several hours outside keeping a lookout for Aang and his team's arrival. Just as we were starting to get worried about them not getting here in time, we're spotted by two familiar girls. The taller of the two runs up a huge me.

"Wow aren't you a right for sore eyes!" Suki tells me happily. To which Toph facepalms

"Right... Sore eyes" I mutter

"Sorry." She says embarrassed

"If you're done embarrassing yourselves we landed Appa just outside of town. Everyone else should be setting up camp right now." Toph points out.

With Toph leading the way the 6 of us retrieved everything we had in the city and left the city to regroup with everyone. It didn't take long for us to find them and get reacquainted.

"Enough with the pleasantries, I think it's time we got down to business," Azula said breaking the light atmosphere. We then proceeded to explain our side of events. My group went first, and then it was Aang's.

"I'm glad you guys had such a straight forward time because ours ways a mess" Katara complained.

"Yea getting back to Omashu went fine. It only took us a few days to fly there on Appa." Aang said.

"That was the only thing that went smoothly" Toph snarked.

"When we got there the whole city was on the brink of 3-way open warfare. The Fire Nation was openly in control of the city, but there were two distinct rebel groups. The first was loyal to King Bumi and was mostly just preparing for when the King finally ordered them to do something. The second was started by some earth kingdom soldiers from outside the city. Apparently, you guys brought them to the city and they used the supposed approval of the Avatar to start their own group. They were far more active. And violent. Suki explained

Oh God! guard1 and guard 2 whose names I never learned turned out to be important after all.

"It took a long time, but to make a long story short we made peace between the two rebel groups and then help them expel the Fire Nation presence from the city. We left Bumi in charge. I'm not sure if that's a good thing, but he promised to support the peace." Aang told us.

"Oh one more thing, while we were there we heard crazy news about Ba Sing Se. Right around when we were going to go there the whole city was attacked by a giant drill. It got past the wall, but there weren't enough people in the drill to do anything besides cause chaos. The drill was destroyed and the wall fixed, but the whole city is still in a panic." Katara added

"That is a lot to take in and I'm not sure how good it will all be in the long term, but for now it's good. Unfortunately, you guys cut it a little close getting here so once we arrive at the capital it will be time for the eclipse. We won't have time to get familiar with the city." Sokka said

"So we need to finalize our plans for the assault now" Azula concluded

"Or we could talk about it while we travel to the capital, but I guess if everyone wants to get it over with now works." Ty Lee pointed out cheerfully.

"So we still need to decide which location we're going to attack. Wait! Silva, what did Iroh tell you?"

"He told me the Fire Lord had heard about Azula's disappearance. He offered Zuko another way to end his banishment in hopes to have a secure heir."

"THAT FUCK! HE BROUGHT ZUKO BACK HOME! HE DOESN'T HEAR FROM ME FOR A FEW WEEKS AND HE'S READY TO RIGHT ME OFF! I CANNOT WAIT TO SHOW UP IN HIS THRONE ROOM!" Azula explodes. Ty lee jumps up and puts her hand on her shoulder trying to lead her away.

"Come on. Don't let him get to you. Let's walk it off. Alright?" Ty Lee whispered to her.

As they walked off, Azula still fuming, the rest of us shared tense glances.

"I guess we'll attack the throne room" Toph finalizes succinctly.