MfWAT: Red And Blue
Author’s Notes: Sorry about the delay in updating. I kind of stopped writing period and now it’s been really hard to get back at it. Not to mention I was forced to cut what was supposed to be the new chapter in two, since I’m still having problems with the next part, with it being another action sequence and all.
Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter Title: Red And Blue
Characters: Zuko, Katara
Arc: Comet Arc
Setting: after Beginning of the End, before We Are Strangers to Each Other
Rating: K
Warnings: none
Summary: The last moment of peace before chaos.
Katara actually approved of the plan her brother had put together, if it only wasn’t for one part. The waterbender really didn’t like the idea of them letting the Fire Lord’s balloon take off while their small attack force made sure the rest stayed on the ground.
“I really don’t like this,” Katara spoke out loud to Zuko, who was keeping a careful eye on the horizon. “How are we supposed to get the war balloon down after it’s taken off? What if we can’t stop it afterwards?”
“That won’t be a problem,” Zuko answered in a deadpan tone, like the matter had already been dealt with. “What we really should worry about is making sure that the Fire Lord really is separated from all sorts of support.” There was a slight twitch in Zuko’s calm mask and Katara turned her head to see what had to be their target in the distance.
“Can we really handle him long enough for Aang to get here?” Katara asked quietly, half hoping that Zuko wouldn’t hear the question.
“I can probably keep him talking for most of the time,” Zuko granted and turned his golden eyes to Katara’s blue ones in a steady look. “But you can’t be present or he’ll certainly target you.”
“What does that mean?” Katara felt anger burning in her stomach. “I’m just supposed to hide or something?”
Zuko scoffed, the sound almost like a snort. “Never.” The firebender gave her a quirky smile, one that was completely him. “I’ll be dumping the balloon into the ocean, your job is to make sure no unnecessary lives are lost and that no one interferes. You’ll have more than enough water to work with at the shore and you’ll also be far enough for my…for the Fire Lord not to pay you any notice.”
Katara realized that her expression must have betrayed her feelings and thoughts, both filled with outrage, because Zuko’s smile turned sheepish and even somewhat apologetic.
“I wanted to tell you before we took off, but Sokka said you’d just focus on changing my mind too much to take this mission seriously enough if we gave you time to prepare any arguments.”
She didn’t want to admit to her brother really knowing her well to prepare like that and only huffed in a put-on manner. “Fine, I’ll make my way to the beach when the balloon starts falling.” Katara gave Zuko a meaningful look. “Which you still haven’t told me how you’re going to do, by the way.”
“You’ll see it any moment now,” Zuko said, his posture stiffening when he directed his attention back to the war balloon, which was near enough for them to make out its shapes and forms easily. “You might want to look away.”
“Don’t you worry about me.” Katara smirked confidently at her companion. She didn’t understand why Zuko said that to her, but she could take care of herself just fine.
The air started the crackle as Zuko performed the flowing, calm kata. It has always amazed Katara how the most uncontrolled form of firebending could be brought out by something that looked like a morning exercise.
Zuko brought his hands up, fingers pointing up towards the war balloon, and in the blue light emitted from his hands, Katara was struck by what she could see.
There was insanity in that gaze, even though the firebender still stayed focused. Katara had seen that same look before, the almost exact same facial features twisted into a demented smile. Katara had a new understanding of that expression; firebenders held the essence of their bending inside and that made them feel the depth of their power within their own bodies. The girl could only begin to imagine how much energy Zuko held inside him due to the comet.
However, even though she had all the facts, Katara still could not face the reality and had to tear her eyes away from her friend’s face, to the dark sky above. It was right on time to witness the release of energy, as the blood red curtain covering all of the sky was sliced open by a strike of electric blue.
“Go!” Zuko’s voice rose suddenly and Katara jumped, realizing that she must have missed a similar command moments earlier. There was someone heading towards them from where the balloon was slowly descending. Katara took off as quickly as she could, only a moment later realizing that she had forgotten to tell Zuko to take care of himself.
More Memories from Western Air Temple
Memories from Western Air Temple
Chapter Title: Red And Blue
Characters: Zuko, Katara
Arc: Comet Arc
Setting: after Beginning of the End, before We Are Strangers to Each Other
Rating: K
Warnings: none
Summary: The last moment of peace before chaos.
Katara actually approved of the plan her brother had put together, if it only wasn’t for one part. The waterbender really didn’t like the idea of them letting the Fire Lord’s balloon take off while their small attack force made sure the rest stayed on the ground.
“I really don’t like this,” Katara spoke out loud to Zuko, who was keeping a careful eye on the horizon. “How are we supposed to get the war balloon down after it’s taken off? What if we can’t stop it afterwards?”
“That won’t be a problem,” Zuko answered in a deadpan tone, like the matter had already been dealt with. “What we really should worry about is making sure that the Fire Lord really is separated from all sorts of support.” There was a slight twitch in Zuko’s calm mask and Katara turned her head to see what had to be their target in the distance.
“Can we really handle him long enough for Aang to get here?” Katara asked quietly, half hoping that Zuko wouldn’t hear the question.
“I can probably keep him talking for most of the time,” Zuko granted and turned his golden eyes to Katara’s blue ones in a steady look. “But you can’t be present or he’ll certainly target you.”
“What does that mean?” Katara felt anger burning in her stomach. “I’m just supposed to hide or something?”
Zuko scoffed, the sound almost like a snort. “Never.” The firebender gave her a quirky smile, one that was completely him. “I’ll be dumping the balloon into the ocean, your job is to make sure no unnecessary lives are lost and that no one interferes. You’ll have more than enough water to work with at the shore and you’ll also be far enough for my…for the Fire Lord not to pay you any notice.”
Katara realized that her expression must have betrayed her feelings and thoughts, both filled with outrage, because Zuko’s smile turned sheepish and even somewhat apologetic.
“I wanted to tell you before we took off, but Sokka said you’d just focus on changing my mind too much to take this mission seriously enough if we gave you time to prepare any arguments.”
She didn’t want to admit to her brother really knowing her well to prepare like that and only huffed in a put-on manner. “Fine, I’ll make my way to the beach when the balloon starts falling.” Katara gave Zuko a meaningful look. “Which you still haven’t told me how you’re going to do, by the way.”
“You’ll see it any moment now,” Zuko said, his posture stiffening when he directed his attention back to the war balloon, which was near enough for them to make out its shapes and forms easily. “You might want to look away.”
“Don’t you worry about me.” Katara smirked confidently at her companion. She didn’t understand why Zuko said that to her, but she could take care of herself just fine.
The air started the crackle as Zuko performed the flowing, calm kata. It has always amazed Katara how the most uncontrolled form of firebending could be brought out by something that looked like a morning exercise.
Zuko brought his hands up, fingers pointing up towards the war balloon, and in the blue light emitted from his hands, Katara was struck by what she could see.
There was insanity in that gaze, even though the firebender still stayed focused. Katara had seen that same look before, the almost exact same facial features twisted into a demented smile. Katara had a new understanding of that expression; firebenders held the essence of their bending inside and that made them feel the depth of their power within their own bodies. The girl could only begin to imagine how much energy Zuko held inside him due to the comet.
However, even though she had all the facts, Katara still could not face the reality and had to tear her eyes away from her friend’s face, to the dark sky above. It was right on time to witness the release of energy, as the blood red curtain covering all of the sky was sliced open by a strike of electric blue.
“Go!” Zuko’s voice rose suddenly and Katara jumped, realizing that she must have missed a similar command moments earlier. There was someone heading towards them from where the balloon was slowly descending. Katara took off as quickly as she could, only a moment later realizing that she had forgotten to tell Zuko to take care of himself.
More Memories from Western Air Temple