AtLA Rewritten: Edition 1

Chapter 74

Athlea had awoken after a night's rest, exhausted and stressed nonetheless. Once everyone was awake, Sokka spoke up. "What do we do?" He crossed his arms. "We obviously can't stay here forever, right? That person clearly has an advantage no matter how bad of a bender she may be."

"Indeed. She always catches us in a bad mood or tries to separate us," Aang agreed.

Toph glanced at Dai. "What do we do, Chieftess?" She tilted her head.

"I say we wait," Athlea chipped in. "We need to stay united and show her that she can't tear us apart whatsoever."

"Of course we need to leave today," Dai announced, nodding at Sokka. "But we need a plan first. She's clearly got a way of manipulating people. For now, I'll be taking Sokka to scout out the surrounding area. Ayiana, you'll go with us as well. Zuko, you get to make our plan since you clearly have one in mind." Her words were harsh, but her tone was calm as she pulled a bag over her shoulder. "We'll be back in a few hours."

Zuko half-glared at her. "Great." Katara raised an eyebrow, fiddling with some supplies.

"Zuko..." Athlea started as Sokka led the way out with Aiyana and Dai. "You need to talk to her and sort it out between you two so there's no bad blood."

Zuko shook his head, shrugging a shoulder. "Dai isn't always like she was last night. Katara said that irritability is a side effect of shock, which was obvious. If Dai wants to talk, we will, but otherwise, it's best to just let her be passive aggressive until she wears herself out." He leaned forward, kissing her forehead, and she closed her eyes for a second. "Anyways, you need to rest and stop worrying about everyone else."

Athlea glanced away for a moment. "What's the plan?"

"Yeah, Zuko, what's your big plan? I think we're all curious about that," Toph agreed.

Zuko winced at their question, leaning back and scratching the back of his head. "Well, I don't really... have one," he admitted. Athlea gave him a look, raising an eyebrow and crossing her arms.

"Are you serious? We're fucked." Toph facepalmed.

Zuko winced. "Yeah, especially when Dai gets back here. We'd better start thinking."

He was saved by a servant arriving at the door, looking rather rattled and frosty. "A message for Her Royal Majesty of the Fire Nation," he said. He dismounted.

Zuko grabbed the letter, frowning, and the servant turned back to his horse. "Here, Athlea," he said, a bit confused.

"A letter?" Aang asked, raising an eyebrow.

Katara frowned. "Maybe from the Fire Nation." She shrugged. "We should get the horses ready for travel, I think," she suggested to Toph and Aang. Zuko nodded, resting a hand on Athlea's head as he stood, and they went outside to get the animals ready, leaving Athlea to read her note.

Athlea blinked and took the letter, a bit confused, opening it and reading, her eyes slightly widening.

***

A/N what do you think the letter says? Dai up there looking ANGY... aangy, if you will