Of Enemies and Allies
Cadence walked nervously alongside Iroh and Zuko as they approached the palace. While she was happy for her father getting this opportunity, she couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't quite right. She was especially wary as the invitation came so soon after Katara recognized them in the shop. Since the Avatar's group now had Kuei's ear, word of their real identities was bound to have reached him. She had fully expected officials to come and arrest them, or politely request their cooperation in visiting the palace. But all that arrived was a request to serve the Emperor tea.
It felt to her more like a ploy to lower their guard. She just hoped that it wasn't working on the others. She'd lost sight of Jong and Zhin on the way there, and she felt uncomfortably exposed without them watching over the group. She could see that Zuko was also nervous, but she couldn't tell if it was battlefield caution or stage jitters.
Seeing how happy Iroh was, Cadence did her best to control her fears. Surely she was just overthinking it. Perhaps Katara had raced to the group's apartment, rather than to the palace. Maybe Toph had vouched to them on behalf of herself and Iroh. Maybe they'd decided as a group not to mention it, and Iroh's tea was really that good that they received the invitation to serve tea to the King on merit.
Maybe Bosco had communicated a desire for 'adventure tea' to Kuei. One never knew with bears...
As Iroh began preparing the tea in the throne room, Cadence could see she wasn't the only one beginning to get suspicious. Zuko had started to glance around worriedly. "What's taking so long?" he murmured under his breath.
"Maybe the Earth King overslept?" Iroh offered hopefully, though nerves were creeping into his voice.
"Maybe Bosco did?" Cadence offered as well.
As they spoke, they looked up to see they were surrounded by Dai Li agents. Cadence immediately braced herself. Something was definitely wrong, and she could tell she wasn't the only one to see it.
And then Azula walked into the room, dressed as a Dai Li. "It's tea time," she greeted, plainly feeling good about herself.
"Azula!" Zuko snapped, shooting to his feet.
"Have you met the Dai Li?" Azula asked. "They're Earth Benders, but they have a killer instinct that's so Fire Bender. I just love it!"
Cadence at first was terrified, but then she saw Iroh calmly standing as he picked up his tea. "Did I ever tell you how I got the nickname, 'the Dragon of the West'?" he asked sweetly.
"I'm not interested in a lengthy anecdote, Uncle," Azula chided.
"It's more of a demonstration, really!" Iroh countered cheerily, sipping his tea. Zuko and Cadence both smirked, then ducked.
As Iroh's flame breath forced the Dai Li to duck, Zuko and Cadence blasted a path out of the room for them. The Dai Li pursued as the trio ran, but Cadence was able to turn a bit of her own Earth against them to give themselves more breathing room. After blasting a path out of the palace with fire and lightning, Cadence helped Iroh to the ground, using her magic and Air Bending to cushion his landing. "Come on!" Iroh called back up to Zuko. "You'll be fine!"
"I'll catch you!" Cadence added.
"No!" Zuko shouted back. "Someone has to stop what Azula's trying to do! And I'm the only one she'll insist on fighting personally!" Turning, he headed back into the palace.
Iroh sighed as he got to his feet. "That boy's going to get himself killed one of these days..." he muttered.
"No he won't," Cadence disagreed. "He knows what he's doing. He's got a plan."
"Here's hoping it doesn't backfire like his lightning," Iroh joked, turning tail to run.
Cadence followed him quickly, knowing she'd be a distraction Zuko couldn't afford in confronting Azula. Not only that...she's seen his spirit. The decision to confront Azula directly had helped mend the division inside him. Slowly and surely, he was becoming whole...possibly for the first time in his life. She couldn't interfere in that.
Zuko stood calmly as he faced Azula and the Dai Li. "You're so dramatic," Azula chided. "What, are you going to challenge me to an Agni Kai?"
"No," Zuko countered back. "That requires at least one competitor to have honor."
Azula's face twitched briefly. "Said the traitor!" she barked out.
"Said the brat," Zuko taunted back.
"You think you can take us all?" Azula derided.
"Nope," Zuko countered. He raised his hands. "I'm surrendering."
Shrugging, Azula directed the Dai Li agents to imprison Zuko...but inside, she was tormented by a most frustrating question.
Why is he smirking?
As Zuko was thrown into the underground prison, he did his best to tuck and roll down the stone tunnel so he could land with some sense of balance. He was rather surprised to see Katara there. "Zuko?" she gasped out, before glaring at him somewhat angrily.
Zuko managed a smile. "Fancy meeting you here..."
Iroh and Cadence made their way to the only help they could think of...the Avatar's apartment. The only ally they had left was Toph, and they could only hope that she'd be able to help.
When Toph opened the door, Cadence smiled up at her, and they immediately began their greeting.
"Sunshine, Sunshine,
Ladybugs awake!
Clap your hooves
And do a little shake!"
As Cadence and Toph both giggled, Aang and Sokka were somewhat slackjawed...and after a moment, Toph blushed a bit. "Cadence," Iroh asked quietly, "why did you 'do a little shake' in the boys' direction?"
"Because there are some areas where Toph's self-confidence needs all the help it can get," Cadence replied with a wink.
Aang finally got himself under control. "You two know each other?" he gasped out.
Cadence giggled. "Who do you think taught me the fundamentals of Earth Bending?"
"And you're Zuko's cousin with the fwooshy-fwoosh," Sokka groaned. "What next? You learned Water Bending from Master Pakku?"
Cadence' jaw dropped. "How did you know?"
As Sokka made rather amusing strangling noises, Aang raced up to her. "Please...you've got to tell me who taught you Air Bending! Where did you meet another Air Bender?"
"Wan Shi Tong's not an Air Bender," Cadence countered, "though he is very wise." She blinked. "Toph, why does Sokka look more guilty than normal?"
"Don't you think we have more important things to discuss right now?" Sokka asked quickly.
"Agreed," Iroh added. "Princess Azula is here in Ba Sing Se."
"She must have Katara!" Aang gasped out quickly.
"And Zuko!" Cadence confirmed.
"Then we'll work together to fight her and save them both," Aang decided.
"Whoa there!" Sokka spoke up. "You lost me at 'both'. We really want to help Zuko?"
"You're helping Katara," Cadence countered. "We just happen to be going in the same direction, so we might as well coordinate our efforts."
Sokka rubbed his chin for a time. "Okay, I can accept that."
"We interrogated a Dai Li agent on the way here," Iroh added. "Apparently, the prisoners are being held in the Crystal Catacombs of old Ba Sing Se deep beneath the palace, while Azula and Long Feng plot a coup."
"But my senses aren't strong enough to find them," Cadence admitted sadly. "It's why we came looking for you, Toph."
"Then let's go!" Aang proclaimed, and the group rushed out.
"Why did they throw you in here?" Katara demanded angrily of Zuko.
"Because they're working for my sister and she hates me," he replied easily, leaning against a wall and gently tapping a crystal.
"You expect me to buy that?" Katara snapped.
"No, not really." Zuko continued his gentle tapping. "I'm actually surprised you haven't tried to kill me already."
"If Ty Lee hadn't blocked my bending and taken away my water, I would be!" she growled.
"I'd honestly rather you didn't," Zuko commented blandly. "I fully expect my ex-girlfriend to try to, and I hope that will give her closure."
"Are you insane?" Katara screamed out. "Where do you get off joking at a time like this?" She threw her hands in the air in frustration. "I shouldn't be surprised, really. You're the Fire Lord's son. Spreading war and violence and hatred is in your blood!"
Zuko said nothing, deciding to let her vent, listening calmly.
"Do you have any idea the damage the war has caused? What it's cost people? Me, personally?"
Zuko opened his eyes when he heard her voice change from angry to sorrowful.
"...the Fire Nation took my mother away..."
"...that's something we have in common," Zuko said softly, seeing her tears.
Neither of them spoke for a while. Eventually, Katara looked up. "I'm...sorry for yelling at you like that..."
"Don't be," Zuko offered. "I have brought the war across the world, dogged your every step...nothing you said was a lie."
"That doesn't mean I was right to yell at you."
"But I needed to hear it," Zuko replied. "Not long ago...I made a decision that forced me to question my entire life. Now...if I'm going to be whole again, and make the right choices in the future...I need to face all the mistakes of my past."
They were both silent a while longer. "Would you stop that tapping?" Katara finally asked. "It's getting annoying."
"Not until I know the signal's not going through."
"Signal?"
"There are three Earth Benders up there looking for us that know how to listen to the Earth," Zuko explained. "I'm giving them something to listen to." He couldn't help but smirk as part of the wall broke in, revealing Aang, Iroh, and Cadence.
Stats
Page generated in 0.052 seconds
Total duration
1,003 users online
272,488 hits today, 2,280,440 yesterday
FIMFiction
My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic Fanfiction
Designed and coded by knighty & Xaquseg - © 2011-2024
Follow & Support Us
Support us
SubStar
Chat!
Discord
Follow us
Twitter
MLP: Friendship is Magic® - © 2024 Hasbro Inc.®
Fimfiction is in no way affiliated with or endorsed by Hasbro Inc.®
Okay we are nearing the part we all know and really hate. Zuko's betrayal of Iroh (show canon) I am VERY curious to see how this play out with Cadence in the picture
Great job mste
Great chapter, but I don't think Zuko is wondering about helping zuko
WHERE THE HELL DID YOU COME FROM ZUKO!!!!
6834996
Sorry beat you to it
Could it be? COULD IT REALLY BE!? COULD THIS BE HAPPENING THE WAY WE ALL WANT IT TO!?
Yay, moment of truth is coming up... and I suddenly have a bad feeling that Zuko will reason that he needs to help Azula in order to get back to Ozai and explain things from his point of view.
6834957 Me too. Makes me wonder if another shake up is coming.
Cadence gonna get shot isn't she? Do a president save for Aang and get struck down by Azula, oh the rage that'll ensue after that...
*Prepares the bunker*
Nice.
6835132
If that does happen do you have any room for one more? I have snacks. *levitates Chips, dip, and cookies*
I love this story. I read a lot of chapters before watching the show, but THIS fic is WHY I started watching, and I have to admit, I love Avatar! It's a wonderful show.
I'm fairly certain... no, I'm absolutely positive Zuko did not get a sex change between chapters.
that was nicely done
Now comes the part of the story I'm really anxious about... how much is this going to change from Canon...
Three earth Benders that can listen to the earth, so we've got toph, cadence, and who? Did aang have earth listening capabilities at that point? I'd been a while since I've watched it so I can't remember if he did.
Another enjoyable chapter. Good job.
Now we approach the critical point. Let's see how things pan out, shall we?
Keep up the good work. Deus tecum.
The last part reminded me of Pride performing Morse Code in Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood.
Here's hoping 'that scene' doesn't happen soon...
I've noticed a trend. Those that are misguided but mean well are cast as sympathetic by Tatsurou.
Those that are just plain twisted remain twisted, and he writes them that way.
Keep it up Tats.
Zuko I hope you have an actual plan.
6835244
Probably a fair amount. in canon zuko has yet to make up his mind and is conflicted to the point that he gives in and betrays katara and others. (even after they have a small heart to heart). in the story so far zuko has made his choice.
so this is in my opinion a chance for grate change from canon. but their have been many twists and turns so i will make no guesses but in joy the ride
6835337
Aang was trained by Toph, so yes.
I know Cadence didn't like Zuko's decision but she... Caved in eventually.
Iroh's demonstration really had... A fire to it.
If I didn't know any better I would have thought Sokka was trying to get... A strangled response.
Guess Toph revealing that she reached Cadence was somewhat... Earth shattering.
6835640 I SWEAR TO GOD IF YOU DON'T STOP I DON'T KNOW WHAT I'LL DO!
6835640 Bruv. Those puns were worse than Sokka's
Hold it! Before this goes any further...
(pops some kettle corn)
Okay, proceed.
Time-1:34
YES!!!!!! another awesome chapter!
Earth Benders: Your Get out of Jail Free Card.
6835169 There's plenty of room, with options for expansion, we'll probably need an escape railway if things get messy
6835132
6835169
I've got some coffee from starbucks! A couple seasons of Adventure Time on DVD to! *Raises plastic bag*
This should be good.
Probably both.
Probably.
Toldja.
Hardly a length anecdote. More of a demonstration.
And 3, 2, 1...
I hope so, because we're reaching one of the more, controversial parts of the show, Zuko betraying Iroh.
I suppose.
Because, he's got a Batman Gambit planned.
This is hilarious!
Because he's Sokka. He's THAT good.
Tapping, you're mentioning that, so it's obviously got a point, and Zuko's not the kind to do something pointless. Wait a tick-tock, he's pulling a Pride!
Heh.
Oh my god I CALLED IT!
6835640
6835640 And I guess realising Toph and Cadence knew each other made Aang a little... air-headed.
Hmmm...
Zuko: *sigh* And that includes being a bad brother.
Katara: What? How were you the bad sibling?
Zuko: Our mother was the only person who could look at Azula without seeing a monster, though in the last few years before we lost her that happened less and less. Eventually even she couldn't see Azula as anything but a monster, but she still loved her, and after she was gone...there was no-one who would show Azula any kind of love. Not even a hug.
Katara: ..........yeah that's pretty bad.
And thus begins the part of Avatar that I wish was done better.
6836115 At least until the cell is made out of plywood.tttttttttttttt
At this point, I can see the story going two ways, depending on if Zuko goes with Azula or not.
1. If he sides with Team Avatar (which I predict he will), we'll be getting into true AU territory here. Season 3 would be entirely different if Zuko and company were with Aang the whole time.
2. He sells out everyone and goes with Azula back to the Fire Nation. While this may seems like the canon path, Zuko isn't nearly as conflicted as he was in the show. On the other hand, this path leads to the fastest and safest route back home, where he can explain everything to his father. In addition, he can use Mai's end of the dragon fire messaging system to communicate his intentions back to Cadance and Iroh, which would soften the blow.
6839489 wood jail cells can be set on fire
6839601
What about metal jail cells oh wait...Metal bending nevermind.
6841785
I don't think toph has invented metalbending at this point
6843924 True, but it was necessity (being trapped in a metal jail cell) which made her learn to metal bend in the first place. So the only thing trapping her in a metal cell would achieve at this point is accelerating the point where she learned metal bending to the present instead of when she learned it in the anime.
Hmm... interestingness~
haha!
Nicely done!
No offer of healing? Maybe she didn't get the water drop this time.