Avatar: TLAB (Still Accepting/Started) Owned by: Hotaru987

[.:Blu:.]

"It doesn't matter now does it....? Even if what my soldier had told me was incorrect, it still sparked my suspicion on your friend which will now cause your downfall Avatar...." Hanza answered plainly. "All of you are foolish thinking you could rescue the Avatar from the strongest military power in the world.... Seeing as how your situation is rather dire and there is no way you can escape, I'll give you two choices.... Surrender now and be captured or fight and die where you stand...." Hanza explained as he calmly looked at the faces of all five criminals of the Fire Nation.

[Kakkon_Wolf]

Fang stood, thought things through and yelled "Ok, Jia, clear a path for you and Sun to escape with Izaria, we'll hold them off!!" Jia blew away the soldiers that were blocking their way and after Sun charged ahead she followed behind. Fang kept his guard up. He said to Akihana "We have to hurry, we don't know how many others may be hiding along the path waiting to ambush them. We'd better wrap this up quickly and go help them, I'll clear the soldiers, you keep Hanza occupied!!" Fang sapped all the water from the plants around them, took all the water in his 3 pouches and with water, enough to fill a small lake he started attacking the soldiers, using different waterbending forms, so that they can't anticipate his moves - that was his fighting style.

[.:Blu:.]

As Sun ran off with Izaria along with Jia, Hanza motioned for soldiers to pursue them. More soldiers arrived and began shooting fireballs towards Sun, Izaria, and Jia. Soldiers began to shoot fireballs towards Fang, with some attacking with weapons instead of firebending. Hanza simply stood there and looked at Akihana with cold eyes. "You keep me occupied....? Don't flatter yourself traitor...." Hanza said as he walked towards Ina. "You're Lieutenant Ina of General Akuanzaku's comapany correct....? I leave that traitor to you and the other soldiers...." Hanza commanded as he ran off towards the direction of Sun, Izaria, and Jia. Catching up with them, Hanza began to shoot small blades of blue fire towards them. "You won't escape me...." Hanza said as he continued to pursue them while firing blue fire blades.

[Catterjune]

(I started writing this post after Post #51, then refreshed only to see more writing, twice! )


A sandstorm kicked up, clearly the work of Earth benders. She took in a deep breathe, raising her sword and swinging wildly. Not seeing, not knowing what was going on, she flinched and cringed to look about her. Before too long, she realized the treacherous swine responsible would obviously go towards the Avatar. She took one step, then a second, before feeling a sharp tugging preventing her from continuing.

"Wh-what!?" before she even realized it, her opposite foot also found itself unable to move. A cold feeling was wrapping about her, starting from the bottom up. She desperately grabbed at her sword, and struck the side of her ankle. Fortunately she had worn well built armor preventing her from injuring herself too badly from such a strike.

She paused between strikes to coughed, fine particles of sand beginning to choke her as she tried to free herself. However, that momentary pause seemed to be all her attacker needed. She tried for a second swing of her sword to free herself, before finding her arms unable to move. She continued to look around left and right, only vaguely seeing a silhouette off in the distance, before she found her neck and head unable to move.

A panicked look about her before the flames died down. It was like the siege of the South Pole all over again.

She didn't feel like revealing her fire bending tendencies, not in front of enemies anyway, so she couldn't quite work as quickly as she intended. She freed her right arm with a surge of warmth, then got backing to getting rid of the ice shackles upon her legs.

Without taking the time to make sure she was fully defrosted, she looked around in a panic. Her eyes eventually caught her squad mates, having already caught the avatar and her party.

She raised her sword, holding it in a menacing manner. A cold tingling feeling on her left was the only reminder that her left arm and mid torso were still frozen, but she brushed it off, ignoring it.

But it seemed the five man group was able to repulse their guards... somehow.

It seemed that Fang man was quite a skilled water bender. He wrapped the water around his arms, like some kind of octopus who had six of it's arms lobbed off. The fire bending gaurds, focused on shooting fire balls and chasing after the Avatar. The non-benders, Hanza, and Kihomi, focused on taking down Fang.

Several of the non-bending guards found themselves frozen. Kihomi, in a moment of weakness, rushed forward to assist in one unfreeze himself. However, another shot of water from the water bender, after Kihomi performed a one handed back flip out of the way, and the man she helped was frozen solid.

Hanza had other plans, rushing off to assist the other fire benders in taking down the Avatar. A new commander would be stepping up, Lieutenant Ina.

Kihomi looked around, trying to dodge and weave through the watery tentacles. When she finally felt she had closed the distance enough between her and Fang, she attempted a slash, aimed across his chest.

[Hotaru987]

Ooc: Kakkon, does Silver know you're taking control of his character like that? And from your post I will have to do this because I need them to be pinned with no where to go.

Suddenly a large wall of fire erupted in front of the running trio stretching from either side for what seemed like miles. A space opened up in the flames and for a brief second it seemed as though whoever created the flame was allowing the three to pass through. A tall man was soon seen walking through the space provided. He was bald, looked to be in his late 40's and had a gruff, and serious expression on his face. His mouth was almost completely obscured by the large, black beard and mustash. His eyes were sharp, and small giving him the appearance of always glaring. He wore the normal soilder attire, the only difference were the reversal of colors; his being full black and out lined with red.

The unique armor gave who this person was away. It was General Genzai Chin Rei, the oldest of all the generals and a veteren to all. A vey meticulous, and dark man, doing whatever it takes to get what he wants. Despite being loyal to the Fire Lord, he is not above taking the life of one of his own if he feels they are in the way. It's never known what it is he will do next, which is why most believe he has his own agenda, while in fact he simply enjoys flaunting his power and athority over those weaker than him.

"I come back from a three week long patrol and find such a ruckus in the town." His voice was deep and gruff. Easily carrying over the entire area. Genzai's beady eyes passed over the group of traitors finally landing on Sun and Izaria. "So the message wasn't a lie. The Avatar has returned. The beakon of hope for the entire world." The soilders that came with Genzai flanked around the group forcing them back to form a tight circle. "And Sun, the son of the Grand fire cheif now a traitor. What a shame. General Hanza!" He called catching the youngest general's attention, "The Fire Lord is not happy! He wants all of them killed, except for Izaria of course!"

ooc: Same thing happened to me Pik

[Kakkon_Wolf]

OOC: He doesn't, but I'm not controlling him dramatically, he can retrospect his reactions and stuff...

Fang dodged the Slash that was executed by the female soldier and shot a blast of water that pushed her 5 meters away. He saw that he and Akihana were seriously outnumbered, so he used one of the largest waterbending paralysis techniques. He used the large amount of water he controlled, pulled Akihana next to him, and made giant walls of water that kept them in and the fire nation soldiers, generals, lieutenants and etc out. Suddenly the walls fell upon the surrounding troops. They were all in the water, Fang froze the water, thus immobilizing them and started to run with Akihana towards Jia, Sun and Izaria's location.

[.:Blu:.]

((Wow Kakkon.... Just wow.... Fang is extremely hyper and thinks he is able to defeat a swarm of [b]elite[/b] soldiers.... And the Generals are not even remotely close to you.))

Seeing General Genzai arriving, Hanza gave him a Fire Nation salute. "Understood...." Hanza responded to Genzai's words. Hanza's hands began to glow bright blue. It was a rare occasion for Hanza to be using blue fire, but he didn't want any room for error. Hanza aimed a large fireball towards Jia, who at the time seems to be the strongest there. The other soldiers came towards Sun with swords and other weapons, looking to kill. Their orders were to not kill the Avatar, but the Avatar must be at least subdue. Hanza ordered the oder soldiers to capture Izaria within the chaos of battle. Most of the soldiers were able to dodge Fang's attack and then began chasing after him and the other while shooting fireballs towards them. Soldiers who were caught began melting the ice with firebending.

[Quiksilver]

OoC: Okay, Kakkon, now that I'm here please stop controlling my character. Next time, ask before you use him. By the way, Kakkon, didn't Pika just aim an attack at Fang?

IC: "Well, of course I'm an idiot, did you just recently find that out?" Sun turned his head to give Izaria a wild grin. "And I don't care about no Fire-douches...ahh..." Sun trailed off as the Fire General suddenly surrounded the group. "Oh crap..." He said, "I really wanted to get through this without causing any serious damage...well, I might as well be hung for a sheep as a lamb, I suppose....Hyah!" The blades of Sun's kyotesu-shoge suddenly flipped out, arcing straight for General Hanzu. The move had been perfectly timed; the rest of the soldiers were downed a second later by Sun's "friends". [i]We might actually get out of this one[/i] Sun thought eagerly, as he spurred Luyo into action once more...and then the second General showed up.

"How many of you guys are there?" Sun shouted wearily. Not even caring if his blades made contact with Hanzu, he pulled them back towards him and started going to work on the soldiers slowly surrounding him. Suffice to say, several of the men would not be getting up the next morning after Sun's hooked weapons were done with them.

***

Not far away from that spot, a single creature slowly traversed the skies, its shaggy white form slowly but steadily covering ground- air, that is. A single figure sat upon the Sky Bison's back. The person was petite and tall, his/her face thrust into shadow by a rice hat. With a barely-visible frown, the figure looked off into the distance, where slowly burning fires and blasts of water could be seen. The signs were unmistakable. A battle was going on. This realized, Yun Wu bended down and whispered into her Bison's ear, "You have done well, my friend, bearing me so far into the Fire Nation. Now you may go home." The Bison affectionately licked her face, to which Yun responded with a smile. Then, deliberately, carefully, Yun grabbed a long wooden stick sitting beside her and dropped from the Bison's back.

She fell free-fall through the air, counting off calming. Then, when she had reached ten, she pressed something on the stick and red layers of cloth sprung out from the board, forming a wing-like exoskeleton above Yun's slim frame. The glider staff caught the wind and Yun abruptly changed direction, no longer falling, but soaring determinedly towards the Fire Nation capital, where the signs of battle could still be seen. High above her, the Bison changed direction and started flying towards the south, where it's home awaited. The creature would miss Yun. She was always so much fun.

[Hotaru987]

General Genzai chuckled finding the failing attempt at the rescue amusing. More amusing that the patrol he had been ordered to go on for the past three weeks anyhow. He raised his right arm signaling all of his soldiers, and what ever soilders who were still able to move after the traitor's attacks. "Soilders! Do not aim for the Avatar! Only aim for the others." With that he dropped his hands and every soilder attacked. To Izaria it looked as if a wave a massive fire was coming towards them from all directions. For a split second fear gripped at her heart. How was she to survive this? Maybe the general simply didn't care.

It was like in one of those slowmotion movies. Izara looked around at the others. They had risked so much to save her. They probably had families that were waiting their return. Maybe even children. And Sun...What had he ever done to deserve dying like this? It was all her fault...They were going to die because of her. A surge of power suddely filled Izaria, and all at once she lost all sense of thought and reason. All she knew was that she had to survive.

The flames encircled the group and Gezai smirked. "Hn, guess I over did it. Make sure you find the avatar when they stop. We'll send her to a healer right away. If she's already dead we'll just say she jumped in front of an attack, ad it was too late to call it off." Th soldier near him nodded, but before it could happened there was an angry yell from within the flames and in the next second it exploded outwards towards all the surrounding firebenders. In the center Izaria stood, eye's glowing white and an angry look on her face. "This has gone on long enough!" Her voice was no longer her alone but a mixture of every past Avatar. Her arms began moving in a rapid motion, and in a replication of the attack, it took more than a dozen fire benders to perform, she did it on her own a burning hot white flame exploding outwards. It headed for all firebenders in the area, and the houses which soon caught fire; cooling down to blue flames and ending with orange.

Izaria then took a huge breath, and blew out a powerful gust of air bending hurtling towards General Genzai, and did th same in General Hanzai's direction pushing them even further back. Changing her bending style once again, this time to earth, and the ground under them rose and sent them hurtling into the air and away from the fire nation. Too bad after that the avatar state wore off leaving Izaria unable to bend, and unconscious.

[Quiksilver]

"Oh my god..." whispered Sun, his eyes entranced on the figure of Izaria, bending all four elements, one after another. She was...was...terrifying. But...she was saving them!

A second later, she collapsed. "Izaria!" Sun cried. He urged Luyo forward and caught Izaria in his arms. She was not moving. Feeling coldness break out over his body, he hurriedly checked her pulse. And...yes! She was just unconscious! Hurriedly setting down Izaria on top of Luyo, in front of him, he looked around warily. But it looked like all the Firebenders had fallen- and if there were any still conscious, they were far and few between. It was time to make their retreat. Sun turned his head to look at his like-minded fellows, who were undoubtedly still standing behind him. "Guys, we have to go!" He shouted, and with another kick, Luyo rushed forward, out of the city, leaving destruction in it's wake. Having memorized the path, Sun hurried to reach his destination; the cave Fang had told him about. After that...Sun had no idea where they would be going...

[Catterjune]

Kihomi felt rather annoyed that she had taken the brunt of about forty different attacks, when one simple swipe was dodged in just two words, but she attempted her best to rationalize. Fatigue was getting the best of her. The cold of her still frozen left hand was numbing. She had managed to maintain formation despite a crowd of hundreds trying to push through her, so it wasn't too much of a disgrace to be out of it.

Pushed back 5 meters (which is about 16 feet, and a pretty far away distance TBQH) she was immune to the freezing maneuver.

Out if breathe, but still fueled by anger and vengance, she gave chase behind Fang as he hurried on to meet with his friends.

No offense to everyone, but I can't tell what's going on in any of your posts, and who is where, so let's all just say Kihomi fell back (as in, walked back home not that she lost her footing and fell) and kept her wretched life to fight another day.

[.:Blu:.]

Hanza was able to easily dodge the attack from Sun and was able to strike him when suddenly he noticed a large creature in the sky. On the creatures back was another one of the Avatar's rescuers it seems. Hanza clenched his fists tightly together. "Another interruption....?" Hanza said, his voice showing slight signs of frustration. "I am getting rather impatient with all of these intruders.... It looks as if I can't be taking it easy anymore...." Hanza's hands began to flicker with a bright blue light that soon sparked into lightning.

However, before Hanza could proceed with his attack, he noticed a bright light emanating from Izaria. Hanza turned his head and fixed his eyes on Izaria just to realize that she has entered the almighty Avatar State. Hanza feared something like this would happened. "It can't be...." Hanza muttered as he was enthralled by the power emanating from Izaria. A burst of intensely burning white flame lashed out in every direction. Hanza, in his daze, almost completely forgot about the attack coming straight for him.

Regaining his composture, Hanza formed a flame barrier to protect himself. The white flame collided with the barrier with great force. The shock of the collision was enough to destroy the barrier and cause Hanza to slid back ten feet. It was fortunate for Hanza that he only sustained minor burns. However, Hanza wasn't so lucky during the next attack. The wind blast from Izaria was powerful enough to blow Hanza straight into a building. The collision with the building caused Hanza to become unconscious for a moment.

When he did finally regain consciousness, Hanza could see a raised platform of earth in the sky. However, he couldn't make out who were standing on the platform. "Ugh...." Hanza grunted as he tried to move hi arms but was too weak to.

[Hotaru987]

General Ganzai growled pushing the debri from the house he crashed into off of him, however thats all he did as h couldn't feel his legs at the moment. "We let her get away." He mumbled as he saw just saw Sun and Izaria ride off. He assumed the others had left as well, but with his legs numb, he couldn't stand to chase after them. He should've expected that she would revert to the Avatar state. They weren't prepared for that, and that was their downfall. A messenger hawk had landed beside Genzai. He opened the message and at seeing the Fire Lord's seal on it, he knew that word had already traveled to the palace. After reading the message he replaced it so the Hawk could deliever it to General Hanza, and Akuanzaku. "A war meeting so soon....He is not happy."

Meanwhile, Izaria was begining to wake up. Sleeping on a running animal was not exactly the most comfortable thing. "S-sun? What happened?...A-and where are we going?"

[.:Blu:.]

Hanza continued to lie there on the ground. Hanza, on multiple occasions attempted to stand up but he still feels very weak. The best he could accomplished was getting his body up from the ground. "Ugh.... Damn it.... I took a direct attack from that Avatar State.... The power of the Avatar.... is more than I imagined...." Hanza proclaimed. He still retained his calmness but his face did showed slight signs of anger and frustration. Then, within a moment of his frustration of failing the Fire Lord's wishes, Hanza slammed his fist into the ground, causing a large explosion of fire to burst into the air.

As the fire evaporated, the messanger hawk arrived with the letter that General Genzai had just read. Hanza took out the message from the hawk's carrier and opened up. After reading it, Hanza calmly placed it back in the hawk's carrier and it simply flew off. Hanza didn't showed any more signs of distress and attempted to stand up from the ground, succeeding on the second attempt. Hanza then limped his way towards General Genzai. After reaching his position, Hanza saluted the general. "We are to have a war meeting.... Shall we get going....?" Hanza asked.

[Quiksilver]

"It's okay, Izaria. We're going somewhere safe." For a second, Sun didn't answer the rest of Izaria's question, and they just ran along in silence. Then, he finally answered. "You went into the Avatar State and took out all of the Fire-douches! It was...impressive. And a little scary." Sun's face broke out into a smile, but then this went into a mask of surprise as suddenly Luyo jolted to a stop. They had arrived at the cave.

"We're here!" Sun said loudly as he slid out Luyo, so that if any of the others had gotten here before they would know he had arrived. He turned and offered a hand to Izaria to help her down. "There are some people I want you to meet, Iz. You might know a couple of them. They helped us...er, jailbreak...you, you see."

[Hotaru987]

Genzai forced himself into a kneeling position, and slowly stood just now starting to get some feeling back into his legs. "Yes. It's best we do not keep Fire Lord Raizen waiting for too long. This news wll not pass over well with him." He stated gravely placing his hands behind his back, and adopted a "stiff" at easy position. "Come General. We will leave the Soldiers to clean up the mess." Without another word he began walking towards the palace.

Izaria accepted the help from Sun, whincing at moving her arms. "General Akuanzaku really did a number on me...." She said ignoring the part about Sun saying she scared him. "You're talking about those people aren't you? Are they ok? I hope they didn't get captured because of me." Izaria stayed close to Sun. True they helped her then but one of them could just be a spy for her father. To get close to her just in case she did escape or something. "Are you sure they are trustworthy?"

[.:Blu:.]

Hanza walked by Genzai's side while looking around at the soldiers regaining the bearings. "The cost to rebuild after this destruction will not be small.... The avatar State is even more powerful than what I have imagined its power to be.... I've only heard tales of its power, but to see it and feel its destructive power myself.... Well, I guess I've miscalculated.... I hope Fire Lord Raizen will give me the proper punishment for my failure...." Hanza explained.

Soon the two arrived at the Fire Lord's palace. Hanza could only hope that he would get the chance to redeem himself. Afterall, Hanza was placed in charge of a smooth proceeding of the Avatar's punishment, but to fail like this, Hanza didn't have anything to say more.

[Quiksilver]

Sun bit his lip and scuffed the dirt with his shoe. He looked unconfortable. "No, I'm not sure. I only met them recently. But, I mean, this is a step up from almost being executed, right?" Sun shrugged, his eyes watching for Izaria's reaction. ""We'll just have to figue out if they're good enough for ourselves." Sun looked around, frowning. "They should be here by now...I wonder where they are..." Terrible thoughts sprang to Sun's head, thoughts of those people being captured or tortured by the Fire Nation, but he pushed them back. He just had to wait for the others to arrive...

[~Demyx~]

Kyo watched the two walk away to the palace. The soldiers were to clean up the mess. He looked at the destroyed mess. He was supposed to be a spy, not a maid. Still, somethng was bothering him "If you capture the avatar, then you would probably get a very large amount of money. Sounds like my kind of job" he thought to himself, clearing off some debris from a destroyed house. He heard some other soldiers moaning, but Kyo was lost in his thoughts. Although he was rather new, he was respected for his duties, and he was apparantly "loyal". He, however, wasn't loyal at all, but he was only here to get enough money to quit the army and leave the Fire Nation. Finding the avatar would indeed give him more then enough money. Soon, after a while, the dutie was over, and the Fire Nation soldiers were to report back. He, however, needed to ask the General if he could leave to find the avatar with him.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

Akuanzaku received the Messenger Hawk as he was already on his way to the Fire Lord's palace, quite literally on fire himself as he walked on, unable to contain his rage that the Avatar had escaped; with the aid of his sister no less! He himself had taken up the chase as soon as his sister had taken off, choosing to go around and try to cut them off, only to wind up being thrown through the wall of a building as he arrived just in time for the Avatar State awakening. His very footsteps held small pools of flame as he made his way entered the Fire Lord's palace, his face a mask of rage both towards the other Generals and himself. He had no hopes about recovering from this dishonor, though he was sure beyond doubt that his next encounter with the party would end in violent death, and certainly not his. It did not take him long to once more reach the entryway to the Fire Lord's chambers, arriving at about the same time as Generals Hanza and Genzai. Seeing them, he remembered the necessity to control his emotions and the flames about him extinguished almost immediately as his face once more became an emotionless mask. [i]"Should my station be preserved through this indignity, I will see to it that Omashu is nothing but a distant memory."[/i]

[i]Meanwhile...[/i]

Akihana had now made her way to the cave, a little scorched about the edges but nothing that would be off too substantial detriment to her health. She made her way calmly into the cave, her hands burned across the palms from her continued use of fire bending far more than she was accustomed, but she tried not to let the others notice as she sat down against one of the cool stone walls. She offered a smile to Izaria and bowed her head even as she panted heavily to catch her breath.

"Greetings, Avatar Izaria," she managed to get out between heavy breaths, "My name is Akihana...I hope you weren't too badly hurt by my brother."

[Hotaru987]

"You all may enter."

General Genzai was the first to enter the throne room. The map of the four nations had already been placed in the room, and eight cushions placed around it; Four on either side. Already sitting on the second cushion in the right column was a woman. Short, black hair rested a top of her head, and smoldering honey colored eyes turned to the entrance when the three male generals entered. A smirked pulled the corner of her rosy red lips upwards. "And the war suvivors return." The mocking tone in her voice was evident.

This was General Shina Tai Wong, the youngest of the only two female generals in the Fire Nation. She's pretty new to the group having just been promoted last year, and the closest to Hanza age wise. Shina is a cocky, boastful woman with supurb fire bending abilities, and isn't afraid to show it. A great stratigest, and fierce and unrelenting in battle. She's completely devoted to the Fire Lord and his plans. Definately not one you want to turn your back on.

General Genzai took his seat at the front in the right row, directly across from where General Akuanzaku sits. Hanza would aso sit in the left column, beside Auanzaku and across from Shina. The Fire Lord watched as they all sat and even then he didn't speak. However, the anger radiated from him and covered the entire room like a thick fog. "After sixteen years of waiting for the Avatar to show herself....And in one single day you all screw it UP!!" At 'up' the flames shot towards the ceiling, brightening the room from it's intensty. Both Genzai and Shina had to look away. "Even my most trusted generals were reduced to fools by a group of traitors, and a teenage girl! One who COULDN'T EVEN BEND!!"

"I should have you all stripped of your titles for your failure!!" The flames and Raizen's anger continued to grow the more he yelled at th four generals that sat below him. Shina, who hadn't even been on the island 10 minutes, was going to protest but even she wasn't that foolish. "And you, General Akuanzaku! Your sister has betrayed me, and her nation!" Raizen gazed intensly at the general through the flames for any change in his demeanor. "I assume you know what will happen to her now." The flames remaned in their feirosity as he growled, "Tell me EXACTLY what happened!"

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Izaria turned her head when she keard something, and saw a female running towards them. Instantly she jumped behind Sun, but soon recognized her as the lady who jumped onto the stage to fight Akuanzaku. She then bowed, and despite being use to it, a tint of red hit Izaria's cheaks. "O-oh hello." Izaria then mumbled in an agitated voice, "Please don' call me 'Avatar'. That name is a bad omen, and I refuse to hold that title..." It was after that did the last part of Akihana's sentence registered in her brain. "Y-your brother!?"

"If that's your brother then how do I know you wont turn and hand me back over to my father!?"

[.:Blu:.]

Hanza entered the throne room, his expression now turned from irritation to calmness once again. As Shina mocked Hanza along with the other generals who entered, Hanza merely ignored her statement. Hanza didn't care for what she have to say, his mind was focused on redeeming himself to Fire Lord Raizen. Hanza took his seat rather quietly, his face even showed slight signs of depression, but it quickly faded as the Fire Lord began to talk. Hanza simply kept his composure and looked towards the Fire Lord's direction.

It was evident that Fire Lord Raizen was angry at the fact that his generals failed to capture a mere adolescent. The flames produced by Fire Lord Raizen was surely intense, enough so to make Hanza shield his eyes from the intense light of the flames. When the Fire Lord asked for the details of the event, Hanza saluted and began to speak.

"Fire Lord Raizen, if I may. The events that transpired caught everybody by surprise. At first, our forces were able to overwhelm the Avatar and her rescuers. However, it wasn't taken into account that the Avatar State would be so devastating in sheer power. None of us were able to subdue the Avatar once she had entered that state of being. We couldn't even remotely get near her. She was able to escape while we were down...." Hanza explained in a respectful manner.

[Asriel Dreemurr]

The obvious thing was that Akuanzaku was just barely restraining his own fury at this point, not only because of the betrayal he had suffered by his sister, but also from the embarrassment of having been bested by one he regarded as no more than a child. He had since taken his seat, and unlike the others he did not flinch beneath the fury of the Fire Lord, simply because it did little more than to intensify his own at this point. He respectfully waited for General Hanza to finish speaking before he spoke himself.

"My Lord, our failings are more than just in the underestimation of the Avatar State's power, which in and of itself makes me want to gut myself. However, while we did think of and prepare for the possibility of there being those from other nations attempting to rescue her, we did not think of the possibility of an AIR BISON," he had remained eerily calm until he spoke the words "air bison" at which point his face showed a brief flash of anger, "being used in a rescue attempt. Now, regardless of what has happened we need to think of where we stand NOW. Despite the particular beast used for her rescue, we can assume that the creature is exhausted after the journey to reach us here. They will need to rest before there is even an attempt to depart from the islands, most likely in one of the old volcanic caves." He took a brief moment to take a few deep breaths, likely to further gain control of his own anger towards the other generals' failings, but mostly his own. "And yes, I am fully aware of the consequences my sister will face for this betrayal. Should you wish it, my lord, I will remove her head and bring it to you, [i]personally.[/i]"

[i]Meanwhile...[/i]

Akihana let out a quiet sigh as the avatar questioned her as to how she could be trusted, after her revelation of the fact that her brother was none other than General Retsuri. She took a few more moments to catch her breath before answering.

"Because, while your display with the Avatar state was impressive, you need to learn how to fire bend normally," She had managed to finally slow her breathing back down and now continued on in her normal, level tone of voice, "and I would be honored to be your teacher."

[.:Blu:.]

((More character development))

In a small open door shack selling jewelry, Kin picked up a round, silver earring and put it on his left air. He then picked up a round jade ring and wore it on his right thumb. Finally, Kin took a gold ring with a carnelian gem in the middle and wore it onto his right index finger. "These are pretty good on me. Actually, I make these jewelry look good, don't you think?" Kin asked his followers who all nodded in agreement. Kin then looked to the seller. "How much?" Kin asked. "Of course it's free for you Mr. Kin." the seller responded.

Kin then patted the seller on the check like someone would pat a dog. "Guess you know your role. Let's go." Kin said as he walked out of the shop with his new jewelry. "Alright, all of you can have the rest of the day off. I'm in a good mood today." Kin said as every one of his followers left besides Pao, his right hand man. "Brother Kin, are you thirsty?" Pao asked. "Hmm, now that you mention it, I am pretty parched. Go fetch me an apple or something." Kin commanded as he continued to walk plainly through the streets.

Right away, Pao left to a nearby fruit stand. "Hey Old Lady! Give me your freshest apple!" Pao yelled. Right away the old woman gave Pao an apple she had been saving for lunch and gave it to Pao. "And where's your protection money for this month?" Pao asked. The old woman then took out the money from a small metal box and handed to Pao. Pao then walked back towards Kin.

"Here you go Brother Kin." Pao said as he held the apple up towards Kin's mouth. Kin then took a bite of it and continued to walk. "Hey Brother Kin, isn't that Lian from this morning?" Pao asked while pointing to one of the young lady that Kin collected money from. "Oh hoh, let's give her a little visit." Kin said as he walked over to her small stand that sells vegetables.

Right away, Kin sat down next to her and placed his right arm over her shoulders. "Good afternoon Lian, how are we doing today?" Kin asked. "I'm doing good Kin." Lian answered as she tried to scoot away from Kin but couldn't. "Is anyone bullying you? You want me to take care of them?" Kin asked. "N-No, no one is bullying me." Lian answered. Her eyes continued to look down instead of at Kin.

"Oh, alright. Hey isn't taht your father?" Kin asked as he pointed to the right. As Lian was looking towards that direction, Kin closed in on her with his lips formed into a kissing position. As she turned around after not seeing her father, Lian's lips made contact with Kin's libs. Right away she stood up along with Kin. "Th-that was a dirty move." Lian said before running off.

"What's the matter Lian, aren't you happy to be kissing someone as handsome as me?!" Kin shouted from afar. Pao then approached Kin. "So, how was it Brother Kin?" Pao asked with a devious smile. Kin gave a grin before answering. "Her lips were very smooth lemme tell you that." Kin responded.

[Hotaru987]

"It's good to hear where your loyalties lie General Akuanzaku." It seemed his answer had calmed Fire Lord Raizen's temper. "It appears...That a search team will have to be put together. We must assume that the Avatar will attempt to learn all four elements." He continued in a calm voice, and any indication of his previous anger was non exsistant. "Because of the new law she doesn't know Fire bending, but with your sister helping them, the avatar will have a teacher."

"If I may," Shina started, "Let me chase after the Avatar. These fools have already allowed the Avatar to escape. If you send them on this mission, you'll only be awaiting news of failure."

"If anyone should be going it should be me." Genzai counter. "I have the most experience in battle with the Avatar. I was there when Avatar Quan was alive, so this honor should be mine."

"Please, you'd croak before you even reach the Avatar." Shina laughed taunting the older General.

"Why you insuff-"

"General Hanza and Akuanzaku will be leading the search." Raizen inturrupted, shutting the two arguing generals up. "General Hanza you will follow them by War balloon, and General Akuanzaku you will follow on ship. Keep in contact with each other. I will not tolerate faliure on this assignment. Here is your chance to redeem yourself." He turned to the last two remaining Generals, "As for you two, you will continue the attacks on the Air temples, and the water tribes. Destroy them, and do not give the Avatar the chance to find a teacher there. This meeting is dismissed."


~~~~~~~~~~~

Izaria crossed her arms, "I have no idea what you are talking about. Furthermore, I am not learning firebending. Or any bending for that matter!" She said plopping down on the ground. "It's a fools mission to try and fight my father. Even Avatar Quan lost to him! And he was a fully realized Avatar! Besides, why should I care what happens to the other nations? They aren't my home, the fire nation is."