Chapter Text
Ah yes. Shenanigans. Where would we be without them? Wanted posters notwithstanding the Gaang decided to go to a festival. Aang, aanged, and now we’re running from Fire Nation soldiers following a stranger who claims he will help us. Love this.
As we escaped into the woods, we all hoped for the best as our new acquaintance led us deeper into the forest.
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Aytha was not expecting to get attacked as soon as she walked deeper in. By Jongjong no less. Understandable, if he’d been hiding out here, he didn’t know she’d renounced Ozai (she refused to think of him as Fire Lord) So, of course, he’d defend himself and his people from her. Thankfully they both knew better than to fire bend in the middle of the woods. So, it turned into more of a sparring match as she tried to explain where she was at these days. Jongjong only stopped his assault when she mentioned the Avatar. Poor Aang.
---
Katara and Aytha practiced water bending, Sokka fished, and Aang learned the most basic forms of fire bending, and breath control. Aytha couldn’t help but feel he was being incredibly strict about mastering the forms before they moved on, but Zhao existed, and “once bitten twice shy” as the saying goes. What could possibly go wrong?
Aytha smiled in joyous wonder as Katara’s burns healed from the water. Aang was so apologetic, he ran away. Again. Please stop that Aang.
They all followed, and it was immensely satisfying to watch from the woods as Aang literally and metaphorically burned “Admiral” Zhao. Her favorite was “Funny, I thought you’d be better than Zuko.” Oh, that had made the self-absorbed a-hole, so mad. It was beautiful.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~
The so-called Air-walkers were a distinct disappointment. Aytha hadn’t had much hope or expectation that it would turn out to be actual airbenders, but Aang clearly had, and seeing the Northern Air Temple be desecrated in many ways are really hard on him. Aytha went off to suggest that someone make copies of the frescos before they were destroyed, as they were cultural keystones of the Air Nomads. She also started making some of her own. Using the ruins as anchor points for her memory of the walls so she could record the history of her and Aang’s people. She also spent significant amounts of time convincing people to make two copies and leave one out where a Knowledge-Keeper could find it. No better way to preserve history than to seal it up behind an obsessive know-it-all Owl.
She was happily employed in this archival effort when Teo came up to her.
“Aytha! We have a major problem. The Fire Nation is attacking us. I can take you to the planning session.”
Sighing deeply, she packed up nodding, and followed him to the Temple Sanctuary. Which was COMPLETELY COVERED IN THE FIRE INSIGNIA. “Excuse me. WHAT is this?” Her voice, back under her control, was low, raspy, and dangerous.
Sokka spoke up, “The Mechanist made a deal with the Fire Nation to supply them with weapons. He regrets it, broke his deal with them, and now there’s an army scaling the mountain.”
“Mmm,“ she glanced at the Mechanist, who was hanging his head in shame, “Got it, what are we working with?”
---
Blowing up the mountain was very Sokka. She had to hand it to him, it had driven off the invasion. It was not entirely a surprise that Aang wanted to leave afterward, but she was proud of him for learning to accept that things change.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~
Everyone was getting tired of her singing. They’d been enthusiastic originally, even if it wasn’t very good, but literal days of flying across the water, with nothing to show for it besides minor headaches and a growing Quenyan vocabulary would drive anyone crazy and Sokka was not the most patient of people. Thankfully they got found by the Northern Water Tribe just as his limit was being reached. Kind of a surprise, but also not entirely. They had to have patrols out to watch for the Fire Nation.
It was really nice to not have to be constantly on edge. The welcome feast didn’t hurt either. Aytha had to work hard not to laugh outright at Sokka’s attempt at flirting with Princess Yue though. This was a very nice change of pace. Until Pakku ruined it. She remembered him, doubted he’d remember her. But it was unsurprising he’d grown up to be a grouchy old man. He hadn’t been all that pleasant after Kana left in the first place. Age hadn’t helped. She did warn Katara not to get her hopes up.
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Judging by how grumpy they both were that evening it hadn’t gone well. Sokka, well, Aytha tried to give him good advice. Like 16-year-old princesses tend to have someone to marry already.
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It was really satisfying watching Katara fight Pakku. She lost but how could an untrained bender hope to beat a master? She did a really good job though. And the result was impeccable. Aytha practically vibrated with excitement knowing she’d finally complete the set. All bending traditions she knew about. Very exciting times indeed.
~@~@~@~@~@~@~
Naturally, everything was going too well. They all were relaxing for once. Sokka was trying to figure out the intricacies of romance. And Water Bending class was going apace. Katara was, by this time, a true master. Aang wasn’t that focused. He was twelve (mentally anyway).
Then came the black snow. Ash mixed with snow as the Fire Nation fleet approached. Sokka, heartbroken by Princess Yue’s rejection volunteered for the special mission. And then, of course, the waiting began. Aytha approached the chieftain, if the Fire Nation took the Northern Water Tribe the war was basically going to be over. Might as well offer her expertise as she knew a lot about the Fire Nation military after all.
That was how she ended up walking into the special mission briefing with the chief. Sokka and Ayetha both quickly muffled chuckles as a young man came out wearing a very old Fire Navy Uniform. Shortly after that, she was helping them prepare. She was gone for two minutes, when she came back Sokka and Hanh were rolling on the floor, and the chief shouted “Enough!” just as Ayetha shouted, “Stop.” The boys sheepishly separated. “Sokka you’re off the mission.” Chief Arnook said sternly. “Ayetha, if you’re willing, could you please help Hanh finish preparing.”
“Naturally.”
Hanh it seems wasn’t having any of that. She did not miss the look of disdain on Hahn’s face.
“My mission is to take down Admiral Choi of the Fire Nation. I doubt a girl would have anything useful to contribute.”
Oh, one of those. Because why not. Ayetha’s face shifted from serious to malicious delight. “Admiral Zhao is likely beyond your abilities should you proceed alone. As I assume that’s who you mean, as there is no Admiral Choi.”
“How would you know?” Hahn’s voice was pure misogyny at this point and Ayetha has some serious thoughts about defenestration. They were on the ground floor, he wouldn’t be hurt, much.
“Since Chief Arnook’s recommendation isn’t enough for you, kid. I was in the Fire Nation Military, so as I am a defector it would follow that I would have information you, having been all safe up here in your fortress, wouldn’t have any access to. Like the fact his name is Zhao. And if those uniforms are for disguises you’ll never succeed as they do not look a single thing like that anymore.”
Hahn, almost predictably, only heard the part about being Fire Nation, ah, selective hearing at its finest. And immediately attacked her. She smirked, defending herself easily. At last, after several seconds of truly pathetic attempts, she’d had about enough. Putting the idiot in a careful choke hold so he couldn’t escape she began to… instruct him.
“Your position means nothing if you’re dead. Your so-called authority is granted to you by both the Chief and those you lead. Without those who obey orders, leaders are nothing but crazy people commanding the wind to obey them. Listen for a moment to someone other than yourself and you will find that most of the world is wiser than you are. Your arrogance will get these young men killed and I will not stand by and watch that happen. This war has taken too many lives as it is without some arrogant loudmouthed moron making choices that ultimately will end in a dozen deaths.
Your command may respect your authority, but I most certainly do not. Because at the end of the day, authority must be earned. Being betrothed to the princess does not earn you that position even if you have been placed in it for that reason.” She let him go, he was staring wide-eyed and very angrily at her.
“And what would some peasant from nowhere know about authority and command?”
“Because I have watched it be misused and mis-given. I have seen countless children fight and die in a war that an old man started with no consideration for anything other than his ambition and greed. How deeply ironic that you follow in Sozin’s footsteps, listening only to what you want, with not a care in the world for the countless deaths that will result, even as you fight against the fruit of his choices.”
Hahn gaped. As did everyone else in the room. The idea that she would compare anyone to Fire Lord Sozin was unimaginable to them apparently.
“Hahn, what do you know about Ozai’s family, hmm?”
Taking a moment to collect himself, Hahn responded, fury dripping from his every word, “How dare you say such things to me. I don’t see that it matters, but his wife is dead, and he has 3 children. Who are certainly just as monstrous as he is.”
“Did you know that his eldest daughter ran away and has been traveling with the Avatar in an attempt to bring an end to this terrible war?”
A number of gasps behind them told Ayetha that a few of them at least had picked up very quickly on the facts she was hinting at.
“As if. Who would leave a life of luxury to live in constant danger of capture and execution? Especially since the eldest princess has no right to the throne. All she’d have to do was wait for a husband and support the crown prince. Easiest life ever.”
“Ah, but you see Hahn, that is exactly what I did do. And, just a side note, my primary goal in life does not include passively waiting for Ozai to pick me a husband.”
“But why would…” Understanding dawned in his eyes. “But that would.. that would.. that would mean you’re…”
“Yes. So, I know what I am talking about when I tell you that the uniforms do not look like that now and his name is Zhao. I also know about wielding authority incorrectly, heavens, Ozai does so every time he opens his mouth. So, take the first step to being a good human and realize that people should be more precious than any power, authority, or glory you could possibly obtain. Especially if you are to be the chief. You need to get over yourself. The world does not and never will revolve around your wants, needs, or desires.
Do not disregard the contributions of others, allowing someone to share or implement a plan that is different or better than yours is the sign of a good leader. Now, what do you want to know?”
---
Once the party had left, she went to find Sokka. All she found was Momo and a couple of fish. Momo seemed like he wanted her to wait with him. They waited for what seemed like hours.
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Then there was a flash of light, shooting away. Ayetha followed it. And met up with the Gaang halfway on their way back. Which was good, because the world went red about 2 seconds later. Zhao was, zhaoing. Seriously who thinks, “Oh yea, I’m going to kill a *force of nature* cause that’s a good idea!”
“Zhao, don’t.” Aang was very calm,
“It is my destiny! To destroy the moon, and the water tribe.”
“Destroying the moon won’t hurt just the water tribe, it’ll hurt everyone. Including you. Without the moon everything would fall out of balance. You have no idea what kind of chaos that would unleash on the world.”
“He is right, Zhao,” Aytha noticed Uncle Iroh for the first time as he stepped forward to support the Gaang.
“General Iroh, why am I not surprised to discover your treachery?”
“I’m no traitor Zhao. The Fire Nation needs the moon too. We all depend on the balance. Whatever you do to that spirit, I’ll unleash on you ten-fold! Let it go now.”
Aytha, struggling not to smirk too obviously, watched Zhao return the moon spirit to the pond. She should’ve known better. Zhao’s face twisted in rage and Aytha lunged forward, not fast enough, however. Zhao slashed fire across the pond killing the Moon Spirit.
The world lost all color, and Iroh attacked, driving the fire benders away. And Aytha ran after the fleeing Zhao. He would suffer for this.
Rich blue light poured from behind her as, what she could only assume was the spirit of the ocean wreaked vengeance on those who would dare kills its counterpart.
Water bending was non-functional, so fire it was. Except she wasn’t the only one.
A fireball came from the opposite direction simultaneously as hers. Zhao turned to see who was attacking him, spotting Zuko first he exclaimed, “You’re alive!?”
And Zuko’s voice rang out, angry and determined. “You tried to have me killed.”
“Yes, I did. You’re the Blue Spirit, an enemy of the Fire…” Aytha, at this point, decided to butt in. Catapulting herself behind Zhao, “Hey, bro. Glad you’re not dead. Let’s make him dead then we can argue, sound good?”
Zuko nodded curtly and they both attacked. Falling easily into the patterns they developed as children, tag teaming nearly seamlessly. It was a very short fight. Not because Zhao was overpowered, but because it was interrupted by the moon turning back on and the Ocean taking matters into its own hands. Literally. Zhao was pulled into the watery depths after refusing any help. They both looked on seriously for a few minutes before Zuko turned to Aytha. “How dare you abandon our country!”
Sighing dramatically, she turned to face her favorite sibling. “I don’t think I did. I abandoned the leadership for sure, but I still love you and Azula and the people of the Fire Nation. But I also don’t think it’s right to continue to force our people to fight a never-ending war. The Fire Nation lies about the effect the war is having on the world. Open your eyes. Be well Zuko.” She walked past him as he stared after her nonplussed. She stopped briefly to hug Uncle Iroh as he went to collect Zuko, and they went their separate ways.