Throwdown! [Gaang and Ozai's Angels]

[airnomad]

Nearly a week has passed since the Avatar had first larned to earthbend. The days that had passed followed largely the same routine. In the mornings Toph would teach Aang some earthbending. During the afternoon they would eat, and during the evening they would travel as long as they could before it became to dark and they were forced to turn in for the night.

In this way they had covered a good distance as they skirted around the arid expanses of the Si Wong desert in their general approach of Ba Sing Se. Aang and the others weren't entirely sure of where they needed to be, but they figured that Aang needed to be somewhere safe while he mastered the elements. And Ba Sing Se was easily the most fortified place against the Fire Nation.

On this day, however, they deviated somewhat from their routine because their landing site from the previous night was a little too close to what appeared to be a Fire Nation colony. Instead of risking unwanted attention with all the rock-throwing they would be doing, the gang hopped a ride on Appa a few miles away into the cover of some forrested hills beside a small lake.

Once they had landed in a cozy spot beside the water, Aang quickly hopped off and attempted to rush through the preparation of setting up camp. "Come on, guys," he beckoned them, a smile on his face, "Today Toph said she'd teach me the Rock-alanche!"

[aratak]

The landing site was to Katara's liking. It was a rather small shallow lake surrounded by a rocky opening, featuring rough sand near the water. In this distance, trees scattered over open rolling terrain on the other side of the lake, and a denser foresty part commanded the view on the Gaang's side. It wasn't exactly the most covert location, but it did look like a fun place to train, gather food and materials, and the moss near the trees meant that sleeping wouldn't be a problem either. Overall, Appa had made a fine choice about where to land.

As Aang jumped down, Katara seemed to grin at his enthusiasm. "Here you can train in both Earth and Water bending, and Sokka and I can go for a boat ride!" She said, playfully jabbing her brother with one of her elbows. Despite her apparently happy exterior, Katara was feeling drowsy after the long trip... perhaps it was just that Katara never was a morning person...she needed time to get past that groggy state of waking up.


A long flight it had been, but Katara figured Toph had the worst of it, for she was still pretty new to their unique source of transportation, and she hated not being able to sense the ground with her feet. "Hey Toph.." She started. "Are you doing okay?" She asked, just to be sure that Toph was all good. The week that went by was easily long enough that Katara had forgotten about their little fight. Katara climbed down from Appa, and poked Toph, offering the earthbender a hand should she wish take it to get down.

[prodigy]

Leaving Omashu had been everything but exciting. The Governor and his wife, Mai's parents, had arranged the most triumphant going away ceremony for the Princess as they could in less than twelve hours. It had been very small indeed, a procession from the highest points of the city where a massive metal works statue of Fire Lord Ozai was being fitted around an existing stone statue of Earth Kingdom design. Borne on a palanquin through the city, the Princess had been silent as she planned and plotted. At the gates of the city, the girls were rejoined by the Royal Procession, the elite Fire Bending royal guard momentarily where Azula had shown her thanks to the Governor by promptly renaming the Earth Kingdom City of Omashu New Ozai in honor of her father. The three young women had then promptly left, leaving the Royal Procession to wait before following a day behind the girls.

The Princess had reviewed the idea of Eel Hounds, a fleet footed Earth Kingdom Creature but they would have had to wait another day or two according to the Governor to receive three of the high strung, hard to control creatures. It was safe to say that she had dismissed the idea. Instead, a trio of road ready mongoose lizards were summoned and prepared for the young women. These fleet footed, but sturdy and loyal creatures had served them once before and were well trusted by Azula.

They headed east, directly for the vast Si Wong Desert, a uninhabitable region that covered nearly the entire south of the Earth Kingdom. The Avatar had last been spotted near it's edge reports coming from the front lines of both the Fire Nation military and from Earth Kingdom soldiers. The land around them was leveling out slowly, leaving them with low rising hills and shallow valleys for now before they would fade into the swirling sands of the desert. Barbarian savages were rumored to live in the Desert.. worthless scum that bore nothing of worth for the glorious Fire Nation.

Tracking the small group of the Avatar and his pathetic friends had been increasingly difficult. Even the news of Prince Zuko's travels had diminished. What in Agni's Fire are you doing, Zuzu? Azula wondered snappily in her head. The Prince of the Fire Nation does sit idly in tea shops, knee deep in enemy territory! He acts. He conquers. The mongoose lizards were moving swiftly through the rolling hills of trees, keeping to river shores as they went inward. The Avatar would have to keep himself within reach of water sources, as would Zuko and Uncle.

The Princess smiled to herself as she sat astride the mongoose dragon, ignoring her discomfort at having been riding for hours since dawn. Come out, come out where ever you are... I will find you and catch you. Both of you."

[mizuki]

Ty Lee was slightly giddy, riding side-saddle on her mongoose-lizard with a wide grin. Of course, this position was nowhere near safe but it was much more comfortable then the norm and much more interesting. Besides, it wasn't like they were about to run into the Avatar. Ty Lee had recently slumped into a horrible state of depression, the past weeks she had detested that horrible encounter with the Kyoshi Warrior who had taken her precious hair. Now the acrobat had the chin-length and professionally cut chestnut hair in disarray, the new choppy style much better looking, shorter in the back and coming to her chin where it framed her face. Ty Lee had forced happiness and delight into the fact that they would be heading back on their mission.

Just hours prior she had demanded pleasure from herself and now Ty Lee was a good imitation of her former, annoyingly perky self. Ty Lee didn't want to admit it, but she was very much hoping that they would run across the group of people that held that Tsuya, that Kyoshi Warrior in their midst. Ty Lee hadn't the time after....(shiver).... the incident, to put fury into her fight before Azula demanded retreat. Ty Lee would easily destroy this girl if they crossed paths, even if it was far and long from now. The Circus Girl smiled at the steadily evening plane. At least we won't have any trouble today. Even OUR luck isn't good enough to find the Avatar on our first day hunting.... but maybe we will... I wouldn't mind seeing that friend of his again... Her mind flashed and image of the Water Tribe Warrior and the grin turned to a pleasant smirk.

[mab]

It was a relief to begin the monotonous task of traveling again. The girls were on their own and placing a large distance between themselves and the royal procession. Though her legs were stiff from holding a rigid stance in the mongoose dragon’s saddle Mai kept up her form. Apparently they were heading toward the desert, which sounded as lifeless and dreary as one could imagine by all accounts. It was no wonder Fire Nation troops gained a look of displeasure when asked about it. But with a new set of fletched arrows Mai was confident they would have no problems dealing with any obstacles that might make themselves troublesome and even looked forward to a quick skirmish. Though the trio had not encountered many enemy groups, such as that odd gang they had battled not long after leaving the army encampment, one could never be too prepared.

The sound of water piqued Mai’s interest. She remembered that water bender who had used ice to incase her arm to keep Mai from throwing her projectiles. Frowning at the memory she urged her mount forward. It was one of the problems with benders, how they could manipulate their surroundings so effortlessly. Casting quick glances over her shoulders, left then right, her pale amber eyes remained alert for any movement. As she drew a deep breath in through her thin nose Mai could notice the changes in the air, how it grew drier as they day progressed; certainly not as humid as some areas in the Fire Nation could be.

For all this riding I hope Azula’s plan unfolds as she foresees. Something in the pit of her subconscious was preparing her for disappointment, building Mai’s readiness for them to face another loss. There was no doubt that together the girls were a formidable force but events could not always work so naturally to their advantage. A glimpse at Ty Lee to her right was evidence enough that things didn’t always go to plan. When we do find our targets, she said to herself. We won’t be able to act so sloppily. Their previous failure fostered new tactics in her mind and Mai lowered her eyes briefly in thought.

[meatandsarcasm]

Sokka was by no means a paranoid person. He didn’t think that every random townsfolk was out to get them, nor did he see the point in rushing Aang through his training because some spirit had told him to hurry up before a glowing rock in the sky ended the world. No, he was not paranoid. He was, however, reasonably cautious. For example, when they passed a Fire Nation base, he had put forth the idea of simply skipping earthbending training for the day and moving as far away from the base as they possibly could. But no, that was unacceptable. Aang couldn’t miss a single day of learning how to throw rocks in new and interesting ways. Oh no, it just wouldn’t be possible. But that didn’t make Aang crazy, no, it made Sokka crazy. Yes, what a crazy idea to not wear yourself out training mere miles from your sworn enemies who would roast you alive on sight. What lunacy caution was!

However, Sokka had been outnumbered and outgunned. Naturally, when Aang wanted to train, Katara supported him, and Toph was always happy to beat the ever loving snot out of “twinkle-toes”. Even Appa seemed against it, if only for the fact that he didn’t have to fly more. Thus, when they landed at what could be their resting spot for either the day or eternity, Sokka was pouting with his arms crossed. Taking his time getting off the bison, he shot Aang and Katara deadpan looks in response to their sugary sweet enthusiasm.

“Whatever you do, make it fast,” he grumbled. “I don’t want to be here if a Fire Nation patrol passes through.”

Assuming that no one paid his complaining any mind, he grabbed his backpack and slid down Appa’s side. Maybe he ought to give the area a look, just to be sure they weren’t being watched?

[blindgirl]

Toph rolled her eyes and managed to slip off Appa's saddle only wobbling slightly when she dropped, of course she may have snuffed Katara, she didn't care, it wasn't like she could see her hand to get any assistance. This flying thing was getting quite old, she was getting used to it more with time but it was still so odd to be flying about with absolutely no idea of where they were so when she finally got back on solid ground she did her usual thing and got on her knees digging her hands and feet into the earth, communing with her element before she came back to her senses and stood up as if nothing had happened. Getting herself together she cracked her knuckles and rolled her shoulders back taking a few steps where in she was surveying the lay of the lands in their camp site. Lots of earth though there was an annoying source of water, of course, they wouldn't land here if Katara didn't have a place to practice. Never mind the fact that they all could use a bath and something to drink.

" I don't think there'll be any rock-a-lanche with the firenation camp near by, I'll show you how to make a rock suit instead." She wasn't stupid, even if they were out of her range of her "vision" they could potentially notice their bending and come to check things out, it was the opposite of what they wanted at this point. As far as she was aware they were speeding towards Ba Sing Se, what they would do there? She didn't know. Perhaps it was their combines witt or their endless optimism but they were starting to grow on her, some more than others.

Her head turned back towards the bison out of habit, it was polite to turn in peoples directions when you were talking to them. " Maybe you can fish or something, I'm getting tired of eating plants, not that there's anything wrong with green goop." She smirked a bit and rolled her shoulders back and trotted off to a rather earthy portion of the clearing and stomped her foot into the ground launching a pillar of earth into the air then she forced it back down. Now she was warmed up.

[airnomad]

Aang's expression saddened for just a moment when Toph informed him that they wouldn't be learning the Rock-alanche today, but perked up once more at the mention of a rock suit. "Sounds good!" he said enthusiastically, and immediately he began slipping off his boots.

He caught sight of Sokka wandering off though, and thought to call out, "Don't worry. We'll do our bending as gently as possible." The young Avatar offered an assuring smile and then turned back to Toph. While she stomped the ground to warm up, Aang stretched out his limbs. He strated with his legs and then began twisting his torso while he pulled an arm across his chest.

"Ready when you are, Sifu," he said to Toph. As much as they had conflicted in the beginning, Aang was really beginning to emjoy these training sessions. Toph's uncompromising teaching methods were foprcing him to find an inner toughness he never knew he had.

[aratak]

Katara understood Sokka's concern, but she honestly wasn't worried like he was. The odds of being found weren't terribly high, and its not like the group hasn't defeated fire-nation soldiers in the past. The only people that really needed to be avoided were Zuko and his sister; and the chances of bumping into either one of them were extremely slim. Katara approached her brother, and just shook her head. She wasn't going to ignore him...She couldn't. The two had an unwritten sibling pact with one another. Neither would ever turn their back on the other. She leaned in and whispered...

"I do think you're getting just a little paranoid, Sokka." Katara told her sibling. She paused for a second. Her voice didn't sport an argumentative tone to it. Instead, she spoke softly, out of concern. "But, your concerns are as relevant as anyone else's, so I'll come with you... Aang and Toph should be fine here to train, and I figure that it's probably not a good idea for any of us to get separated in an unfamiliar area with wild animals and such that are possibly large. Besides... If you are right, and they do find us, I wouldn't want you to be alone against the fire nation troops. So really, I'm coming whether you like it or not..." She told him.

Aang and Toph were busy, which would have ended up leaving Katara with nothing to do anyway. Its likely that she would have followed Sokka even if he hadn't addressed his concerns. The fact that he did just confirmed her fate, and Katara would make the most of it. And as always, she would attempt to cheer her brother up. She was, after all, the more optimistic of the two. Most of the time anyway.

[blindgirl]

Aang was always a bundle of energy wasn't he? What did that kid eat that gave him that ungodly amount of perkiness, it was just out of her realm of understanding. At the very least he didn't respond poorly to her name calling anymore. If anything they were more like playful jibes between one another now. Toph took a wide stance and bent her knees stretching out her lower body before tilting herself back to crack her spine a bit.

She was all but thrilled to hear the Katara was leaving, despite the two of them finding some manner of peace to co-exist in it wasn't like they were friends. Girls on opposite ends of the spectrum were bound to clash now and then, besides she didn't need her over bounding optimism to ruin her training session with the Aang-atar." Alright twinkle toes, are you ready?"

Toph turned to Aang straightening up somewhat with her arms at her sides flexing from fists to open just to work the kinks out in her fingers. They'd start out east, rock gloves and rock boots and then the full body rock suit. If he was going to go up against wimpy firebenders it'd protect him from the flames just as well as anything else. could.

[meatandsarcasm]

Sokka completed the circle of deadpan glares by shooting one at Toph. Why yes, he could go fishing. It wasn’t as if nearly thirty percent of his life hadn’t been spent fishing already, right? Surely he could never get bored of such a task. Before he could think of a suitably snarky remark, Toph had moved on to starting Aang’s training, so the look alone would have had to suffice. In the meantime, he rummaged through his bag, pulling out his machete and securing it to his right hip. Forget fishing, he was going to go hunting. That way, he could watch out for the fire nation and get food at the same time. As he was closing his pack back up, though, Katara walked up behind him.

"I do think you're getting just a little paranoid, Sokka."

He shot her a glance, eyebrow twitching. Always the optimist. Sometimes, it seemed like Katara didn’t think they were in danger until people were actively shooting fireballs at them. While that was annoying, her optimism was quickly overshadowed by her mother hen attitude. Really now, from the sounds of it, she made it seem like he was the one that needed looking after. That wasn’t how it worked! He was the big brother, and he was the fearless leader, he took care of her. Why did she always insist on trying to reverse that natural order? Sokka loved his sister dearly, but between her optimism and her dotting, she could be a real pain.

“I’m not paranoid, Katara, I’m just prepared. There’s a difference,” he dismissed, starting to speak in an almost condescending tone. “And because I’m prepared, I’m sure I’ll be able to handle anything I run into out there, even big scary animals or the Fire Nation.”

Turning away from his sister, he started to walk towards the surrounding forest.

“I’ll be just fine, so you just go do your…water thingy, all right? I'm gonna go find some food.”

Truthfully, Sokka also wanted a little time to himself, but he was too wrapped up in being an independent manly man to explain that. So, without further debate, Sokka wandered off into the bush alone.

[aratak]

Sokka thought he had a choice about her company? No. There was no freaking way Katara was gonna sit around and watch Toph and Aang throw rocks around, or in this case, throw themselves around while inside rocks... "No, no, no!...I've made up my mind! I'm coming with you. I have to." Katara said, frantically. She ran up ahead of him. It wasn't long before the two of them were pretty far away from Toph and Aang.

The way that Sokka looked at the world was often nearly polar opposite to Katara's approach to the same world. Katara slid through day to day life much like a common house cat frolics through a meadow. Usually with a smile on her face and expecting the best. Sokka is quite the contrary; always looking over his shoulder, and expecting the very worst. In a way, the two siblings compliment each other... When a person expects the worst, they aren't affected by it as much when the worst does happen, but they often do miss the good things in life while they wait to jump on the incoming bad. Katara often has to point out some of the finer happier details to Sokka to show him that he doesn't need to have his guard up twenty four seven. On the other hand, Sokka's caution is needed when Katara is oblivious to rather obvious danger.

Katara's left eyebrow seemed to raise slightly as a long ear-piercing howl escaped the depths of the forest. The girl ran off swiftly to investigate.

[prodigy]

Distantly, so distantly the sound of a waterfall echo. Mai had been the first to hear it, but Azula noticed it shortly after. She lifted a hand to stop the group, pulling back tightly on the reins of her lizard while shifting her weight to the back of the saddle like any skilled rider. Her heart shaped face snapped to the side, bright, hawk like golden eyes narrowed as she stared into the thicket of trees. The thick trunks reached into the sky, some curved, some crooked, all suspending the canopy of emerald leaves. Leaf bare branches broke away from the tree, hindering her view as much as the multiple trunks did. Wait a moment.. a hint of sapphire blue.

Little did the Princess know but across that lake was one of their prey, the Avatar.

"..Let's check the water's edge. They have a water bender with them." Azula commanded, recalling the updates they had been receiving via red-tailed messenger hawk. She lowered her hand, her natural toned nailed fingers coming to rest at her side, palm against the leather of the saddle. With the reins tucked into one hand, she pulled the reins, laying the one across the neck of the mongoose lizard, forcing the creature's scaly head towards the lake. The pale yellow eyes of the lizard glimmered as it began it's swift trot, five toed feet and muscular limbs rotating like pinwheels in their socket as they waddled..? their way through the woods quickly. Azula hunkered down as a tree branch swung over head, narrowly missing the point of her metal diadem.

[meatandsarcasm]

Sokka sighed as Katara insisted on following him. Sisters were just so annoying. His opinion was not swayed when Katara decided to take off at a run at the first sign of any animal noise. Yes, that was it. Go towards the wolf-like sounds, and don’t walk, no, run. Was he the only one that knew about stealth and guile or ever thought things through.

“Katara, slow down!” he called, running after her.

He had almost caught up to her when something caught his attention. Movement and sound to his right. Something big by the sound of it. He screeched to a halt and peered through the bushes. Katara had managed to lead him near some kind of road, and some mounted creatures were moving along it. Three of them, but he couldn’t make out the riders. He inched closer and…aw crap. Red, lots of red. That meant Fire Nation. Getting over his initial panic, he saw it was just a group of girls…but, then one was wearing armor. Probably nothing too dangerous, but that was enough for him. He just needed to grab Katara and the-wait, where was Katara?

“Katara?” he said in a somewhat hushed voice, whipping his head back and forth, trying to find her.

Great. He needed to get back and tell Toph and Aang that training time was over, but he couldn’t let his sister wander around in the woods, where was she.

“Katara?” he hissed, a little louder this time.

He didn’t think he was close enough to be spotted or heard, but even so, he couldn’t help but worry.

[mab]

Her mount did a fine job keeping away from the trees that stood in their path as the pair moved fluidly to avoid trunk and limbs, Mai occasionally leaning forward or sideways as needed. With little wildlife making any distracting clamor it was easy for her ears to begin the task of picking out any sounds that would indicate they were not alone in the wilderness. Pale amber eyes shifted in agitation as the trees whizzed by; it was hard to maintain good observation when leaves crowded your line of sight and the mongoose lizard you were currently astride jostled your concentration.

Noticing the trees thin down as their riding continued the knife thrower held her breath. She could feel her heart slow down before slowly exhaling. The anticipation of a clash had her adrenaline flowing prematurely and Mai focused on calming her nerves. She would be ready when they came across their target and would not over-think it in the meantime.

Suddenly Mai’s thin body stiffened at the sound of some animal call and she was sure she saw movement. A persons figure if she was not mistaken judging by the shape her glimpse allowed her. Lifting a thin hand, bony fingers pointed straight up with glazed nails shinning even in the filtered light, she glanced at Azula and motioned in the direction her eyes told her their attention needed to be.